Emerald

by John J. Ainsworth

“I'm a fighter. I believe in the eye-for-an-eye business. I'm no cheek turner. I got no respect for a man who won't hit back. You kill my dog; you better hide your cat.”
― Muhammad Ali,


A thriller full of lost love, revenge and action. It is the story of childhood friends Danny Kavanagh, Patrick McVeigh and Sarah Kavanagh. From growing up in the tough streets of Liverpool, England during the 1970s to war-torn Northern Ireland, run ins with the violent IRA and London in the 1990s. As their lives and friendships become ripped apart amid tragedy; the only thing holding them together is a childhood promise, and a need for vengeance.

With echoes of Jack Higgins, Colin Forbes and Lee Child, it is much more up to date with a harder edge and a lost soul at its core. This novel is full of heart.


In 1992 Captain Patrick McVeigh is a serving British soldier.

A good man doing bad things. But why does an experienced soldier go off point to find a face from his past? Why does the British Secret Service send an agent to hunt him down? What are the demons that drive him forward? And just how much damage will he cause before it’s all over?

When a man can only see revenge, don’t get in his way.

At a deserted cottage, on the West coast of Ireland, he comes face to face with those demons and nobody is going to stop him. Not his own unit, not MI6 and not his conscience.

Patrick McVeigh wants to hunt down the man who killed his Sarah. He has to right the wrongs.

And when he finds him…

264 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2013

About the author

Born in Liverpool in the 1960s John spent 15 years as a British Army officer. He served in several sensitive theatres and is ideally placed to write about the soldier hero that is Patrick McVeigh. Now living in Cornwall, England, he has decided that it is time to craft his experiences into a coherent and entertaining storyline. Watch out for further Patrick McVeigh novels and a compelling and explosive finish to the trilogy.

Reviews

[Janice Spina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a thriller of the third degree! The characters are well defined and the story moves rapidly from past to present with exciting emotion. The author knows how to tell a good story and how to pull all ends together. The readers will be kept on the edge of their seats as the story moves along providing twists and turns and unlimited surprises.

This is the first book by John Ainsworth that I have read but will not be the last. I look forward to more by this gifted storyteller. Other than some editing issues I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

[Jenifer Mohammed · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was a lot of exciting action and suspense in the story. Interesting juxtaposition of past and present stories that connect up to the present action in a dramatic climax. I'm not sure how I feel about McVeigh as I find his killing of certain people who were only doing their job uncomfortable. It was hard to be on his side as his motivation for revenge are the same as Danny and Sarah's so it's unclear why the reader should be on his side more than Sarah's. His quick dismissal of Sarah's suffering also was problematic as was his obvious future betrayal of his current love interest with Sophie. However, overall, it was a solid story with interesting characters and I am interested in reading future works by this author.

[Bella Swann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book. I really enjoyed the action and suspense. At times, I felt like I was in an action movie instead of just reading a book. The characters were interesting and I became caught up in the story very easily. Interesting ending and I look forward to reading the next one in the series.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emerald by John J. Ainsworth - A dangerous book to start reading before bed (if you want to sleep) as you won't be able to put it down until you hit the last page. A very well scripted, fast paced adventure that leaves you wanting more. Looking forward to The Coming Storm!