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Agent Juliet #1
Bad Decisions
Jamie Kendrick is known for his colossally bad decisions—jacking a squad car and turning it over in a ditch, for example. But he’s going to show everyone. With some help from his brother—and a court-ordered ankle monitor—Jamie is going to get sober, join the army, and shake his white trash reputation. And he’s actually doing a decent job until someone frames him for the grisly murders of his brother's family.
No one believes that Jamie is innocent. No one but a mysterious blonde with a gun. She gives Jamie a choice: spend the rest of his life in prison or help her take down the man who killed his brother and set him up.
BAD DECISIONS is the first story in the AGENT JULIET series.
No one believes that Jamie is innocent. No one but a mysterious blonde with a gun. She gives Jamie a choice: spend the rest of his life in prison or help her take down the man who killed his brother and set him up.
BAD DECISIONS is the first story in the AGENT JULIET series.
55 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 17, 2013
254 people are currently reading
217 people want to read
About the author
E.M. Smith
15 books52 followersE. M. Smith came by his redneck roots honestly, his barbwire tattoo dishonestly, and his sobriety slowly. Recovery isn't a sprint, according to his friends, it's a marathon. That's probably why he turned into such a fitness geek when he quit drinking.
You can call him Mason if you want to. He just uses his initials to seem professional.
You can call him Mason if you want to. He just uses his initials to seem professional.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
August 21, 2021
Code Name, Juliet!
Jamie Marshall is framed for murdering his own brother, and in order to stay out of prison he joins a black ops organization (his code name is Juliet—yes, he hates it).
With a bad reputation, that’s known to the police, he’s going to have to stay on-task, in order to clear his name and visit with his nieces.
But visitation doesn’t come easily. Neither does clearing his name…
Jamie Marshall is framed for murdering his own brother, and in order to stay out of prison he joins a black ops organization (his code name is Juliet—yes, he hates it).
With a bad reputation, that’s known to the police, he’s going to have to stay on-task, in order to clear his name and visit with his nieces.
But visitation doesn’t come easily. Neither does clearing his name…
February 7, 2017
I was in the shower when they broke down my trailer door. Officer Harris dragged me out of the bathtub, screaming at me to “Get on the floor! Get on the floor!” like she was trying out for the next Cops series, and doing her best to get in a payback shot at my nuts. Caleb Ritchie, a guy I’d gone to school with, was pointing his gun at me with one hand and reading off of a little laminated index card in his other.
“Jamie Kendrick, you have the right to remain—”
“This is bullshit,” I yelled. All I could think was that something in my ankle bracelet had short-circuited and started spitting out screwed-up figures at the station that said I’d been drinking or smoking pot. “I’m clean! Test me— right now, test me!”
Caleb tried hollering over me. “— in connection with the homicides of Owen and Talia Kendrick and the disappearance of—”
“What? Owen?” I quit fighting. “What’d you say about Owen?”
Harris kicked me in the back of the head and everything went black.
A bit over top and far-fetched at times...the ending felt a bit rushed but still a well-done story :).
Will be continuing with the next installment soon as I can.. interested to see what Jamie gets into next.
Would recommend (and of of right now, still free on Kindle/KindleAppForPC).
“Jamie Kendrick, you have the right to remain—”
“This is bullshit,” I yelled. All I could think was that something in my ankle bracelet had short-circuited and started spitting out screwed-up figures at the station that said I’d been drinking or smoking pot. “I’m clean! Test me— right now, test me!”
Caleb tried hollering over me. “— in connection with the homicides of Owen and Talia Kendrick and the disappearance of—”
“What? Owen?” I quit fighting. “What’d you say about Owen?”
Harris kicked me in the back of the head and everything went black.
A bit over top and far-fetched at times...the ending felt a bit rushed but still a well-done story :).
Will be continuing with the next installment soon as I can.. interested to see what Jamie gets into next.
Would recommend (and of of right now, still free on Kindle/KindleAppForPC).
November 8, 2014
I don't know if I've read a thriller with an opening as charming as this one. Our protagonist, Jamie, is no cardboard action hero type. He's a real, complex character. His flaws make him vulnerable, his wit makes him likable, and the scenario he finds himself in makes him very, very sympathetic.
The revelation that turns the opening sequence from funny to sad locks the reader into the story, and from there the plot springboards into a fast paced string of suspenseful action scenes. It's fun. It's exciting. And Jamie is a hero worth caring about, so it all carries some emotional weight.
The writing is immediate and engaging and flows so well that the pages just turn and turn. This is my favorite kind of prose: It's streamlined and smooth. It evokes pictures in your imagination and draws you into the character's head. It's like going into someone else's dream for a while, and it's great fun.
The revelation that turns the opening sequence from funny to sad locks the reader into the story, and from there the plot springboards into a fast paced string of suspenseful action scenes. It's fun. It's exciting. And Jamie is a hero worth caring about, so it all carries some emotional weight.
The writing is immediate and engaging and flows so well that the pages just turn and turn. This is my favorite kind of prose: It's streamlined and smooth. It evokes pictures in your imagination and draws you into the character's head. It's like going into someone else's dream for a while, and it's great fun.
December 12, 2017
Great, action-packed short story.
Very believable characters, EM Smith doing a great job portraying the red-neck who's a bit more than what he seems on the surface. The story is well paced, logical, and very entertaining.
Will definitely read the next books in the series.
--
Assaph Mehr, author of Murder In Absentia: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
Very believable characters, EM Smith doing a great job portraying the red-neck who's a bit more than what he seems on the surface. The story is well paced, logical, and very entertaining.
Will definitely read the next books in the series.
--
Assaph Mehr, author of Murder In Absentia: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
March 2, 2015
The first in a line of short-ish (about an hour to read) stories following Agent Juliet. Because of its length we don’t get the kind of background and insight into the characters which you would see in a full novel, but the flip side of that is that it jumps right into the action so there aren't too many moments where you’re left wanting for action. A well written and interesting original story I’m excited to pick up the box set of all five Agent Juliet stories!
April 5, 2015
This short story reminded me why I enjoy short stories. If done right, everyone enjoys a quickie now and again and this was most enjoyable. The intent of the short story is to show readers of the Agent Juliet series how he came to be. Though the agency he works for is tongue in cheek, as well as their antics, it’s a nice little escape from reality. When time permits, I will read more of the Agent Juliet series. The author is writing about things he knows and it shows.
December 10, 2013
O.Kay, a different twist on a story. Had some funny passages, but an interesting read. Gets better as it progresses looking forward to seeing how the main character develops and builds a "new" relationship with his nieces and how the NOC-Unit utilizes him as a special agent...and why they wanted his sister-in-law gone????? And, is Delgado really dead?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2015
This is an action packed quick read. Although I'm normally a Romance novel kind of girl, I found myself very intrigued by this book. You are immediately reeled in and there's no time to get bored. I look forward to reading more by Mr. Smith.
May 31, 2015
Although far-fetched the storyline draws the reader in and contains more than an element of realism to the story's basis. Excellent
October 22, 2016
Interesting plot but not a page turner.
March 4, 2019
A Good Escape
What a great book. Bad Decisions is a good escape on a cold and wintry day. Lots of interesting twists and turns and humor.
What a great book. Bad Decisions is a good escape on a cold and wintry day. Lots of interesting twists and turns and humor.
July 24, 2017
2.5 stars.
Read for Booktubeathon 2017. Challenges: read a book outside and read a book in one day.
This book was very meh to me. Not bad but not my sort of story. I downloaded it to my kindle as it was free and I'm glad I did. Very quick read and fast paced, so great for a readathon. The plot was very over the top and exaggerated but I can't fault it too much for that. It was a little confusing in the beginning but made more sense by the end.
I'm glad I picked it up but I don't think I'll continue with the rest of the series unless they're ever free for kindle also.
Read for Booktubeathon 2017. Challenges: read a book outside and read a book in one day.
This book was very meh to me. Not bad but not my sort of story. I downloaded it to my kindle as it was free and I'm glad I did. Very quick read and fast paced, so great for a readathon. The plot was very over the top and exaggerated but I can't fault it too much for that. It was a little confusing in the beginning but made more sense by the end.
I'm glad I picked it up but I don't think I'll continue with the rest of the series unless they're ever free for kindle also.
May 7, 2015
Bad Decision is a funny fast paced wild ride that I really enjoyed. Jamie AKA Juliet is smart mouthed, quick witted and extremely likeable.
This is a very quick read at only 49 pages and currently free on Kindle. I definitely plan on getting the box set BAD OPS which is only $2.99. I can't wait to see what else Agent Juliet gets into....Sara
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This is a very quick read at only 49 pages and currently free on Kindle. I definitely plan on getting the box set BAD OPS which is only $2.99. I can't wait to see what else Agent Juliet gets into....Sara
http://www.boundlessbookreviews.com
https://www.facebook.com/BBReviews
May 22, 2015
Loved this.
This was a fun over the top action piece that I just fell for heavy. The characters had pretty good depth and I liked where the adventure went. My only complaint is the length seemed short to me. Not too short to keep me from buying the rest of the series though.:)
This was a fun over the top action piece that I just fell for heavy. The characters had pretty good depth and I liked where the adventure went. My only complaint is the length seemed short to me. Not too short to keep me from buying the rest of the series though.:)
February 20, 2015
Quick good read
It's full of action that's for sure, and a pretty good quick read.
I will try and read the other books .
It's full of action that's for sure, and a pretty good quick read.
I will try and read the other books .
June 23, 2017
Short story done right
This is a fast paced short story that works just right.
Framed for the murder of his only family, Jamie finds himself going to jail with his nieces missing when he is given another option. But while the work is what he has been training for, doing it will be different than expected, and the recruitment might have more going on than he knows.
Jamie is a fascinating character, no one perfect. You learn how hard he's had to work to get where he is and can see he's still working. I found the added element of the action and intrigue just right. A great quick read to pick up!
This is a fast paced short story that works just right.
Framed for the murder of his only family, Jamie finds himself going to jail with his nieces missing when he is given another option. But while the work is what he has been training for, doing it will be different than expected, and the recruitment might have more going on than he knows.
Jamie is a fascinating character, no one perfect. You learn how hard he's had to work to get where he is and can see he's still working. I found the added element of the action and intrigue just right. A great quick read to pick up!
August 30, 2017
Ad far as action and secret ops go, I loved it. This was a book I picked up to try a new Author and I was not disappointed.
When Jaime starts trying to make a move towards a better life with the help of his sister in law Talia, he was not expecting to wake up to a living nightmare. Thrown into immediate action, he is forced to block out the bad and keep moving forward to save what family he has left.
With this move, Juliet is put into place and there is no looking back now. To get to the bottom of things, to get answers, this is the way things must be.
When Jaime starts trying to make a move towards a better life with the help of his sister in law Talia, he was not expecting to wake up to a living nightmare. Thrown into immediate action, he is forced to block out the bad and keep moving forward to save what family he has left.
With this move, Juliet is put into place and there is no looking back now. To get to the bottom of things, to get answers, this is the way things must be.
May 16, 2017
I rate this book 3.5/5.
Finally, a short story that has a conclusion. Many that I've read lately lack a satisfactory ending in favour of getting readers to buy the next in the series, however, this story offers both conclusion and cliff hanger. Due to the length of the story, character development of both Jamie and the sub characters suffered a little, but it was a well written, fast paced read.
Finally, a short story that has a conclusion. Many that I've read lately lack a satisfactory ending in favour of getting readers to buy the next in the series, however, this story offers both conclusion and cliff hanger. Due to the length of the story, character development of both Jamie and the sub characters suffered a little, but it was a well written, fast paced read.
December 17, 2023
Jeopardy
This story is just a teaser for the series, but had enough plot and character development to be interesting on its own. Some of the actions and events don't seem completely believable, but they help the story.
This story is just a teaser for the series, but had enough plot and character development to be interesting on its own. Some of the actions and events don't seem completely believable, but they help the story.
March 23, 2017
Good story with a few twists and turns
I picked this up on a whim from Amazon Kindle summary. I found it thoroughly enjoyable and a nice read
I picked this up on a whim from Amazon Kindle summary. I found it thoroughly enjoyable and a nice read
November 12, 2017
Enjoyed the book quite a bit. Liked the 1st person tone and the way the story played out.
January 1, 2018
could not get into this book; unlikely plot and characters.
June 20, 2018
This book talk about Jamie Kendrick a assassin that making bad decisions.
December 4, 2018
This was pretty good. I liked the main character. This book seemed to me like an adult version of “Alex Rider”
February 16, 2019
Good short story
Well written, we'll edited.
Please learn about real world slavery. It's not just a third world problem. It's happening in your country, your state.
Well written, we'll edited.
Please learn about real world slavery. It's not just a third world problem. It's happening in your country, your state.
March 27, 2020
I don’t like to give spoilers on the books that I read. I believe the blurb on the back is enough for you to decide if you will read the book or not. If you choose to read, enjoy!
January 22, 2016
Jamie Kendrick is white trash with a seeming inability to make good decisions. His brother Owen is everything he isn’t. Owen has his life together; he’s a successful author who has returned home to Ouachita Hollow with a wife, Talia and two kids, both girls. He’s successful enough to make the locals keep quiet about his black wife and mixed race kids, too. Jamie loves them and he’s aware that the ankle bracelet he has to wear after his last run-in with the law affects more than where he can go. It messes with his future.
Talia is training him to join the army. She’s fit and she works him hard. He’s given up the booze, maybe not all of the drugs but he’s trying.
So when the cops break in his trailer door and arrest him for Owen and Talia’s murder, Jamie knows this is one thing he isn’t responsible for. Sadly, his ankle bracelet tells another story.
***
Jamie gets ‘rescued’ on the transfer to another town by black-ops people. Only after the local cops have beaten the crap out of him.
He also gets a job offer and a chance to help take out the real killer. He takes both.
Talia is training him to join the army. She’s fit and she works him hard. He’s given up the booze, maybe not all of the drugs but he’s trying.
So when the cops break in his trailer door and arrest him for Owen and Talia’s murder, Jamie knows this is one thing he isn’t responsible for. Sadly, his ankle bracelet tells another story.
***
Jamie gets ‘rescued’ on the transfer to another town by black-ops people. Only after the local cops have beaten the crap out of him.
He also gets a job offer and a chance to help take out the real killer. He takes both.
November 28, 2015
Bad Decisions, book 1 in the Agent Juliet series was, entertaining, fast paced and packed full of action!
First, I have to say Jamie Kendrick definitely has stolen a piece of my heart. E.M. Smith has created a real, flawed and extremely likable character.
Jamie is hauled out of the shower (literally) and arrested for the murder of his brother Owen and Owen's wife Talia, being brought down to the station without even the courtesy of allowing him to dress. To his absolute horror and grief he also is informed that his two nieces are also missing! In the small town of Ouachita Hollow, where Kendricks is looked upon as white trash, he is the main suspect!
After an agonizing interrogation by Sheriff Tomlinson, who refuses to believe he's innocent and wants to find Eva and Della, the Sheriff gives the go ahead to the officers who are present and they beat him into unconsciousness.
Trooper Donavan shows up to transport Jamie to a holding facility in Little Rock, curious as to why he's naked and a bloody mess with the standard answer of resisting arrest. No spoilers here, pick up your own copy, currently free on Amazon for a limited time, and find out for yourself where the novel will lead you!
A quick and enjoyable read, I'm curious as to where Jamie goes next!!
First, I have to say Jamie Kendrick definitely has stolen a piece of my heart. E.M. Smith has created a real, flawed and extremely likable character.
Jamie is hauled out of the shower (literally) and arrested for the murder of his brother Owen and Owen's wife Talia, being brought down to the station without even the courtesy of allowing him to dress. To his absolute horror and grief he also is informed that his two nieces are also missing! In the small town of Ouachita Hollow, where Kendricks is looked upon as white trash, he is the main suspect!
After an agonizing interrogation by Sheriff Tomlinson, who refuses to believe he's innocent and wants to find Eva and Della, the Sheriff gives the go ahead to the officers who are present and they beat him into unconsciousness.
Trooper Donavan shows up to transport Jamie to a holding facility in Little Rock, curious as to why he's naked and a bloody mess with the standard answer of resisting arrest. No spoilers here, pick up your own copy, currently free on Amazon for a limited time, and find out for yourself where the novel will lead you!
A quick and enjoyable read, I'm curious as to where Jamie goes next!!
September 3, 2015
Jamie Kendrick sounds like a cool guy who likes to have fun, and obviously makes some bad decisions. When you wake up with police officers beating on you and you are already wearing an ankle monitoring device, you know you need to turn your life around.
Jamie is the rebellious brother, and his journey takes a dangerous turn when he gets an ultimatum to save his brothers children. I don’t want any spoilers here – this book has suspense and its definitely a page turner. I was anxious to find out what happened next. It had twists I didn’t see coming. I wonder just how many secret government agencies there really are. Bad Decisions is Book 1 in the Agent Juliet series and there are currently 5 books. This was a quick read, only 49 pages and I enjoyed it. There is some violence, but not graphic, no sex and some language. E.M. Smith has a great writing style which was easy to read and follow. He introduced some great characters that I hope we learn more about in the coming books. I look forward to reading the rest of the series and finding out what happens to Jamie Kendrick.
Please give this book a chance if you are looking for action and suspense, Enjoy!
Jamie is the rebellious brother, and his journey takes a dangerous turn when he gets an ultimatum to save his brothers children. I don’t want any spoilers here – this book has suspense and its definitely a page turner. I was anxious to find out what happened next. It had twists I didn’t see coming. I wonder just how many secret government agencies there really are. Bad Decisions is Book 1 in the Agent Juliet series and there are currently 5 books. This was a quick read, only 49 pages and I enjoyed it. There is some violence, but not graphic, no sex and some language. E.M. Smith has a great writing style which was easy to read and follow. He introduced some great characters that I hope we learn more about in the coming books. I look forward to reading the rest of the series and finding out what happens to Jamie Kendrick.
Please give this book a chance if you are looking for action and suspense, Enjoy!
March 7, 2016
The title suggests a down-on-his-luck protagonist and the story delivers from the get-go. Laugh-out-loud moments (quips mostly) had me turning pages from beginning to end, and enjoying every bit of the read.
So why not five stars? Well, the length of the story makes it more of a novelette--or a long introduction--and while I enjoyed the premise of the story, where Jamie Kendrick gets to redeem himself by avenging the death of his closest relatives, I missed out on the character development part. Also, there's an action sequence, which doesn't really build up any suspense. It was more of a guns-blazing description that didn't generate a sense of suspense, but rather served to deliver the next and final scene, which--in contrast seemed to last longer but deliver less.
Perhaps the sequels are longer, and pay closer attention to the aspects of theme and character in storytelling. Still, I suspect this book (which I downloaded for free on my Kindle) is to serve as a teaser for books 2 through 5 in the series, in which case, E.M. Smith did a good job. I can see myself downloading Book 2 for some easy entertainment--perhaps between two weightier reads.
So why not five stars? Well, the length of the story makes it more of a novelette--or a long introduction--and while I enjoyed the premise of the story, where Jamie Kendrick gets to redeem himself by avenging the death of his closest relatives, I missed out on the character development part. Also, there's an action sequence, which doesn't really build up any suspense. It was more of a guns-blazing description that didn't generate a sense of suspense, but rather served to deliver the next and final scene, which--in contrast seemed to last longer but deliver less.
Perhaps the sequels are longer, and pay closer attention to the aspects of theme and character in storytelling. Still, I suspect this book (which I downloaded for free on my Kindle) is to serve as a teaser for books 2 through 5 in the series, in which case, E.M. Smith did a good job. I can see myself downloading Book 2 for some easy entertainment--perhaps between two weightier reads.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews