The Arrangement

Booker Johnson #2

by Mel Taylor, Brian Christopher Shea

The truth might be more than reporter Booker Johnson bargained for.

TV reporter Booker Johnson just doesn’t know when to back down. Fresh off his fourth Emmy win and back in the classroom, he teaches the primacy of truth in journalism. But there is danger in pursuing the truth at all costs. And despite being told by his superiors to move on from the scene of a suspicious accident, Booker just can’t leave well enough alone.

Booker’s investigation soon plunges him into the gritty world of crime boss Parson Manor, where corruption reigns supreme, and where Gibby Manor is being trained to follow in his father's criminal footsteps. Meanwhile, on the other side of the law, rising star prosecutor Cain Stocker prepares to unveil a 37-count indictment against Parson Manor.

Unbeknownst to Booker, his relentless investigation is hurtling them all toward an explosive collision. The battle between criminal and prosecutor takes an unprecedented turn. And in a race against time, Booker's determination to report the facts leaves him caught in the crossfire, teetering on the edge in a dangerous game where the stakes are high…and the consequences deadly.

Emmy Award-winning reporter Mel Taylor and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Brian Shea deliver a gripping thriller, perfect for fans of Michael Connelly and Harlan Coben.

Genres: Fiction

308 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 9, 2024

About the author

Mel Taylor uses his experiences in life to shape his work and his characters, along with his many years in television news where he has won an Emmy Award. Mel's latest book is The Exclusive, from Severn River Publishing. This is book one in the series, featuring TV reporter Booker Johnson.

Reviews

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book began in a rather unique way. We know that it’s a Booker Johnson thriller, but Booker doesn’t actually make an appearance until about 35% into the story. There is a lengthy setup where we are introduced to the cast of ‘secondary’ characters who Booker will report on and investigate how, or if, they all tie together. This unusual format works quite well for this book, giving readers perspectives from multiple directions, as well as a glimpse into how television journalism works. This is a well done, entertaining read.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ .5 stars!! Thanks to NetGalley for this arc. This story follows Booker Johnson who begins investigating a mysterious accident, only to find himself caught up in the shadowy world of crime boss Parson Manor. As prosecutor Cain Stocker quietly builds a case against Manor, Booker's search for answers unknowingly sets the stage for a dangerous confrontation that will change everything.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a great book, I absolutely loved it.

Crime boss Parson Monroe rules over everyone he does business with and any others that get in his way. Egotistical and arrogant he achieves what he wants through fear tactics and shady dealings. His wife Morgan is also dominated by his ways, but this is not the life she wishes to have. If not for her son Gibby, Morgan’s life would be extremely empty. Gibby is a wild child and soon will be involved in a crime that will have terrible repercussions, not only for himself and one of his friends, but many other lives will also be affected.

Brooker Johnston is a journalist and a very good one. Soon an event occurs, and Booker’s bosses ask him to leave it well alone but that is not in his nature, and he takes off full steam ahead to look for the truth. Soon Booker and Monroe will cross paths and the results are explosive. Then we have prosecutor Cain Stocker who is also going after Monroe, and he is relentless in his pursuit. All this comes together for a fast-moving crime thriller, brilliantly portrayed and full of suspense and excitement.

If you like a great crime thriller this book is for you. Thank you to Netglley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy, all opinions are my own.

[David Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Booker gets an assignment that may be dangerous.


The Arrangement, book two in the Booker Johnson thriller series, does an excellent job living up to the debut book in this series. Once again, the authors give the readers an action-packed thriller that may seem easy to predict, but don’t be fooled or get comfortable with your assumption because it will be dashed in no time. There are so many elements to this story I was fully convinced the authors were expert jugglers who each had six or more items in the air at one time. Along with Booker, this story is populated by a cast of characters who are each beset by their own faults or strengths and in a couple of cases they prove themselves to be very malleable. If you have read The Exclusive, you owe it to yourself to read The Arrangement. If you are new to this series The Arrangement would stand on its own, but reading The Exclusive you would gain a deeper appreciation for who Booker is and what his story is. I received an Advance Reader Copy of The Arrangement from the publisher and chose to provide my review.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an RC through "Severn River" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

The story begins with Parson, a crime boss, and Gibby, his son, going for a drive. Parson winds up where targets are set up. After shooting for a while, Parson tells Gibby that today he will be a man. Two accomplish this task, another car arrives.

Moving on, the story moves to the new school where Gibby has now been enrolled, it seems Gibby was a troublemaker at his old school. He then makes friends with two others and then begins reverting to his old ways as a bully. He sets his sights on one person who is sickly. Because of his actions, he is sent home from school the next day and his parents were called. When asked by his father why he wasn't serious about school, he told him he wanted to be like his father and didn't need school. His father, Parson, told Gibby that he grew up as a street thug and didn't want his son to repeat his mistake. After being allowed back to school, Gibby told his friends about a big event he had plan. The time for the event came and things did noy go well. In the end, two of them were involved in a deadly crash.

This is where Booker comes into the story. He is assigned to the situation and as he gets involved, he eventually gets the feeling that there is something more involved. As his pursuit of the story, more situations arise and they eventually turn out to be related. One involves the death of an individual that was a CI. This item is what led to the ultimate lead where the events were linked.

To discover what Booker learned, how it led to a threat, what the importance of the CI was and how it ended in the end, then you need to read this book. It is well worth it!

[J Kromrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Journalism meets suspense in a quest for the truth! In The Arrangement, Emmy Award-winning reporter Mel Taylor and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Brian Shea deliver a gripping narrative that defies the odds.

TV reporter Booker Johnson, fresh off his fourth Emmy win, teaches the primacy of truth in journalism. But when he investigates a suspicious accident, he stumbles into the gritty world of crime boss Parson Manor. Rising star prosecutor Cain Stocker prepares to unveil an indictment against Manor, unbeknownst to Booker. Their collision hurtles them toward an explosive showdown.

With plot twists galore, well-developed characters, and high stakes, The Arrangement keeps readers riveted. A must-read for thriller buffs! 🕵️‍♂️📖

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Arrangement (Booker Johnson Thrillers Book 2), my third read from author Mel Taylor and his second co-written with author Brian Shea. A good page-turning TV reporter mystery, slow to buil but by the end I couldn't read fast enough, that I read in one sitting. “I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." I look forward to reading more from this author! The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

[Madison Feldhahn · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 rounding up to 2
I’m quite…confused by what I read. The book was underwhelming. The first 55% or so had me hooked and I couldn’t wait to keep reading.

Then, suddenly, it just fell flat. I seem to be the only reader who hasn’t enjoyed the book thus far. Perhaps it just wasn’t for me.

I was provided an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and Severn River Publishing!

[Margaux · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick and interesting mystery investigation story. Has a lot of good dialogue and suspenseful scenes. Good twists, and I didn't guess the perpetrator until close to the end! I enjoyed it and anyone who likes a good mystery probably will, too. This felt a lot to me like watching an episode of a television show. I will say - I thought a lot of the name choices were rather different and threw me off a bit. But overall, I thought it was enjoyable.

A big thanks to the author, Mel Taylor, and Goodreads for the digital copy of The Arrangement which I won in a giveaway.

**Read via digital copy thanks to a Goodreads giveaway**

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was quite a ride.

A big cast of characters, but this book centers around Booker Johnson, TV news reporter. He catches a story about a robbery and related car accident that leads him to a murder and a crime boss who could possibly put Booker in danger. Action packed story that keeps the reader’s interest until the last page.

Thanks to Severn Publishing for an ARC of this book.

[Claudete Takahashi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A boy trying to meet his father's standards which will only lead to problems, a man with no conscience and with no feeling of guilt and another who will do anything for his family. Lives crossed in an engaging and fast-paced story where lines between right and wrong are blurred and Booker has to travel among them to expose the truth.
I thank the authors and their publisher for this ARC.

[TheLisaD · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has so many things going on with many people at play all to get to who did what. We have 2 families very different but maybe not and that’s when all the deceit and lies begin. We have Booker a journalist who is trying to crack the whole story though is just missing something until some dies and everything is flipped.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic, a story not to be missed. TV reporter, Booker, is outstanding in his field. Unfortunately he doesn’t know when to back down. Now he’s gotten himself in trouble and hopefully he’ll be able to make it through safely. Impossible to put down.

[David A. Rosow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully written novel

What a relief to move from all the former Navy SEALs saving the world and impervious to bullets and knives. Reminds me of the Ben Porter series on Kindle Unlimited. If you like this you’ll love those five books!

[Lynn McMullin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rather Good

This book kept me turning the pages, I was drawn in to the story. I must say this book is rather good

[shirley a rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast passed

Didn't want to put the book down. Liked Mel Taylor's book style and his characters in book. Tells his story so you are caught up in story.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Movie time

This is another book I'd like to see made into a movie. It has murder, corruption, and a little romance thrown in.