Pink Lady

Jack Daniels Thriller #23

by J.A. Konrath

THE PAST NEVER DIES...

When Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels still worked for Homicide in the Chicago Police Department, she had an adversary who became the most evil, and most formidable, villain she'd ever met.

Alex Kork. A serial killer of extraordinary brilliance and cruelty.

Jack was 100% sure that Alex was gone forever.

But you can never be 100% sure about anything. Life is full of surprises.

Death is also full of surprises.

And death is coming.

Genres: Thriller, Humor, Serial Killer, Science Fiction, Crime, Mystery, Action

280 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 16, 2024

About the author

Joe Konrath has written over twenty novels in the Lt. Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels thriller series. They do not have to be read chronologically to be enjoyed, but the order is: Whiskey Sour, Bloody Mary, Rusty Nail, Dirty Martini, Shot of Tequila, Fuzzy Navel, Cherry Bomb, Dead On My Feet, Serial Killers Uncut (with Blake Crouch), Shaken, Stirred (with Blake Crouch), Dying Breath, Everybody Dies, Rum Runner, Last Call, White Russian, Shot Girl, Chaser, Old Fashioned, Bite Force, and Witch Brew. More coming soon.

Wow, that's a lot of Jack.

If you like your thrillers on the dark side, check out the Konrath Dark Thriller Collective, which includes the books The List, Origin, Afraid, Trapped, Endurance, Haunted House, Webcam, Disturb, What Happened To Lori, The Nine, Second Coming, and Close Your Eyes.

Joe also wrote the Stop A Murder mystery puzzle series, where you become the sleuth and solve brain teasers to try and catch a killer.

He also wrote the sci-fi trilogy, Timecaster, Timecaster Supersymmetry, and Timecaster Steampunk. Even if you don't think you like sci-fi, give them a try. They feature Joe's well-known characters from his other series, and are insane.

With Ann Voss Peterson he wrote the Codename: Chandler thrillers, including Flee, Spree, Three, Hit, Exposed, Naughty, Fix (with F. Paul Wilson), Rescue, and Free.

And, finally, he writes erotica under the pen name Melinda DuChamp, also with Ann Voss Peterson. Those books are probably too spicy for you, so only the brave and bold should seek them out.

Joe writes a lot. You should probably read everything.

You can visit Joe and sign up for his newsletter at www.JAKonrath.com/mailing-list.php

Reviews

[Mylene · Rating 4 out of 5]

First Read of the new year 2025! JA Konrath is a guilty pleasure of mine. Although the story of Jack Daniels is probably way beyond complete, you can’t help tune in to another absurd melodrama involving Jack and company. Harry has become too much of a caricature for me and his chapters can become annoying with the fart and poop humour. It is also always fun to revisit characters from Konrath/Kilborn books but I think we need an influx of new villains soon. Although I sped read this book, and it is was fine, I miss the days when a new Konrath novel equaled the enthusiasm I had for the latest from Richard Laymon.

[Jacqui · Rating 3 out of 5]

At this point I'm only reading this series for the characters because the plot lines are getting more and more unhinged with each book.

Now Konrath has added in the ingenious idea of a serum that can regenerate cells and tissue and essentially bring someone back from the dead. Enter Alex Kork, one of Jack's worst adversaries, who is back for revenge. If that wasn't bad enough, she brought some friends back with her.

Unfortunately, nothing of substance happened until at least 70% into the story. An entire story line was dedicated to baking cookies and Jack's inability to mother a gifted child. Harry McGlade, still hilarious comedy relief, spent majority of the book live streaming his farts and his bad poetry. Phin whinged about his dadbod and Herb and Tequila were stuck on a delayed flight the whole time.

Thankfully, the ending was action packed and redeemable but I really need this series to get back to its glory days. And I still want that kid killed off.

[Reading is Life · Rating 3 out of 5]

Konrath can write a good story. I laughed out loud, sat on the edge of my seat, and held my breath. But at some point it gets repetitive. Create some new characters. Find a new horror. There are so many available to choose from. I have like Jack Daniels for 23 books, and Harry and Phin. But it’s time for someone else.

[Nogueira · Rating 2 out of 5]

Even after retirement and decided to settle down (even learn how to cook), Jack Daniels will, once again, face her deepest fears when, once again, a creepy psycho killer from the past is coming to haunt her and her family – this time four of them that she killed back in the days when this series was worth it and somehow returned after being injected with some pink alien goo. Her husband Phin, the obnoxiously cute Harry McGlade, the old partner Herb lots of random characters from other Konrath novels will, once again, join the fight and help her save the day and kill, once again, the bad guys… or aren’t they dead – I bet they’ll return, once again… maybe as ghouls or ghosts!

This is probably the worst Jack Daniels book ever (an amazing series that should have ended with #15 “Last Call”) and you absolutely cannot start reading this book as a first approach to Jack Daniels world – this is super fan only stuff, lousy predictably story, reused gags and a rushed ending. I really prefer the old fashioned Jack Daniels – think I’m going to reread “Rusty Nail” to take the pink vomit flavor off.

[Crystal Bradshaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, konraths books are a good read from front to back. I love how integrated they are with one another, Without having to have read each book. I love the characters. I’m not sold on the regeneration aspect - some characters need to die off to allow for the story to grow or end. Using the same characters over and over again…I feel that’s how some storylines in other book series’ I’ve read have died. I also, hated the Harry video cam and all the farting and shitting. Like seriously?? It’s one thing to make a laugh out of it but to go on for pages at a time?? I skipped over all of those pages after a while because it was redundant. So overall not a complete miss for me, but I do hope the next ones coming out of the pipeline go back to the intense screams I had during stirred and shaken! The intricate web Konrath weaved with his stories is seriously one of my favourites of all time…here’s hoping it continues.

[Pickle Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!

The gang is back. Even the dead ones. Lots of links to books I now want to go back and read. (Mu and Bub are thankfully absent.

Sam, Phin and Jackʼs precocious daughter, takes the lead. Harry Jr. is happily absent. No, there he is. Sigh.

In a very weird turn of events, Jack decides to bake cookies. Even Duffy won't eat them.

This feels like the end.

PSYCH!! Cliffhanger.

This is a keeper.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another thriller that is loaded with scares, laughs, surprise twists, and a bit of romance. Alex Kork, a serial killer, who Jackie thought she had killed, is not dead and is back seek revenge. Twists and turns leave Jackie and gang fighting to save her daughter from the serial killers. Sam, Jackie’s 9 year old daughter is a smart, tough cookie. But what happens to Alex? Read to find out!

[Sara]

Pink serum
y cant be sure by any storm
thee come back
evil shadow
reberth cell cant be save core war
its bad oth at new chalang
its time to kik many gun around
with help of many cloud i win my card
evil head breath again
i will be sure that take death serum
no hope for evil walk as alian around
its msg of winning game

[Andrea Stott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my favorite series

This is my favorite series ever. Alex is one of my favorite "bad guys" ever. I love pretty much everything this author does but this one makes me laugh out loud.

[Heather McCrory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced action with some old friends

Absolutely loved it...finished it in a few hours...I always love reaching back to other Jack stories and even more when they branch out and I absolutely love the development of Sam

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

another book in the long series

This book has all the characters you would expect along with several that are a real surprise. Lots of suspense and near death experiences with a surprise ending.

[Kathy Williamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit over the top

It was very typical J.A. Konrath. Some of the storyline was a bit over the top when it came to even remotely being believable. It was a good read and held me in suspense as to how the day would be saved in the end.

[Matthew O'Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every single Jack Daniels book is fantastic. This one is no exception.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good read. It was also nice to see old characters again.

Read in March 2025

[Bethany Gadd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was super excited about this one, especially after waiting months for the release. The story felt rushed and is obviously incomplete. Total bummer.

[Ken J erskine · Rating 3 out of 5]

too much Harry

Harry character is tiresome, way too much ridiculous poetry. Physical Conflict between Alex, Ann, Jack never materialized. Ending seemed sort of rushed

[Jessica Berry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read these for the characters, not the silly storylines. The bathroom humor is just filler, but the evolution of Sam makes up for it

[Candy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with the other Jack Daniel books, this one is good. Harry can be a little tiresome but he was good in this one.

[WendyB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always good to spend some time with Jack and friends.
Loved what I would have to call a mega-happy Scooby Doo ending

[Lars · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never gets boring.

Ok, a bit. But Harry saves the day. And him breaking the 4th wall is always a nice touch.

I need more.

[Teresa Cutler-Broyles · Rating 4 out of 5]

A romp, as all J. A. Konrath books are.

[Dominique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great series