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John Milton #0.5-3
The John Milton Series #0.5-3
This 230,000-word collection includes the first THREE books in the best-selling John Milton series, plus the introductory novella, and is nearly 1000 pages (230,000 words) of espionage, revenge, thrills and spills.
Save over 40% versus buying the single books.
Meet John Milton
He considers himself an artisan. A craftsman. His trade is murder.
Milton is the man the government sends after you when everything else has failed. Ruthless. Brilliant. Anonymous. Lethal. You wouldn't pick him out of a crowd but you wouldn't want to be on his list. But now, after ten years, he's had enough - there's blood on his hands and he wants out. Trouble is, this job is not one you can just walk away from.
He goes on the run, seeking atonement for his sins by helping the people he meets along the way. But his past cannot be easily forgotten and before long it is Milton who is hunted, and not the hunter.
'THE CLEANER' (Book 1)
A career of state-sanctioned murder has taken its toll. Milton is troubled by nightmares, a long line of ghosts who torment his dreams. He resolves to make his next job his last and, then, perhaps, he can start to make amends for everything that he has done.
Sharon Warriner is a single mother in the East End of London, suicidal with fear that she's lost her young son to a life in the gangs. After Milton saves her life, he promises to help. But the gang, and the charismatic rapper who leads it, is not about to cooperate with him.
As London burns through summer riots, Milton finds himself in unfamiliar territory, dealing with an unfamiliar foe. And when his employer sends another agent after him, the odds against him are stacked even higher.
'SAINT DEATH' (Book 2)
John Milton has been off the grid for six months. He surfaces in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, and immediately finds himself drawn into a vicious battle with the narco-gangs that control the borderlands.
He saves the life of an idealistic young journalist who has been targeted for execution. The only way to keep her safe is to smuggle her into Texas. Working with the only untouchable cops in the city, and a bounty hunter whose motives are unclear, Milton must keep her safe until the crossing can be made.
But when the man looking for her is the legendary assassin Santa Muerta - Saint Death - that's a lot easier said than done.
'THE DRIVER' (Book 3)
John Milton has started to hope that he might have a future. He has a job driving a taxi around the streets of San Francisco. He has his anonymity and his solitude. Being invisible has become a comfortable habit. He doesn't want to be found.
But when a girl he drives to a party goes missing, Milton is worried. Especially when two dead bodies are discovered and the police start treating him as their prime suspect. Milton is a fugitive from the British Secret Service and a man in his position needs extra attention like he needs a hole in the head.
As unpleasant secrets leak out, and the body count rises, one thing is for sure: Milton might just be the right guy in the wrong place at the wrong time.
'1000 YARDS' (Bonus Novella)
Milton is sent into North Korea. With nothing but a sniper rifle, bad intentions and a very particular target, will Milton be able to take on the secret police of the most dangerous failed state on the planet?
Save over 40% versus buying the single books.
Meet John Milton
He considers himself an artisan. A craftsman. His trade is murder.
Milton is the man the government sends after you when everything else has failed. Ruthless. Brilliant. Anonymous. Lethal. You wouldn't pick him out of a crowd but you wouldn't want to be on his list. But now, after ten years, he's had enough - there's blood on his hands and he wants out. Trouble is, this job is not one you can just walk away from.
He goes on the run, seeking atonement for his sins by helping the people he meets along the way. But his past cannot be easily forgotten and before long it is Milton who is hunted, and not the hunter.
'THE CLEANER' (Book 1)
A career of state-sanctioned murder has taken its toll. Milton is troubled by nightmares, a long line of ghosts who torment his dreams. He resolves to make his next job his last and, then, perhaps, he can start to make amends for everything that he has done.
Sharon Warriner is a single mother in the East End of London, suicidal with fear that she's lost her young son to a life in the gangs. After Milton saves her life, he promises to help. But the gang, and the charismatic rapper who leads it, is not about to cooperate with him.
As London burns through summer riots, Milton finds himself in unfamiliar territory, dealing with an unfamiliar foe. And when his employer sends another agent after him, the odds against him are stacked even higher.
'SAINT DEATH' (Book 2)
John Milton has been off the grid for six months. He surfaces in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, and immediately finds himself drawn into a vicious battle with the narco-gangs that control the borderlands.
He saves the life of an idealistic young journalist who has been targeted for execution. The only way to keep her safe is to smuggle her into Texas. Working with the only untouchable cops in the city, and a bounty hunter whose motives are unclear, Milton must keep her safe until the crossing can be made.
But when the man looking for her is the legendary assassin Santa Muerta - Saint Death - that's a lot easier said than done.
'THE DRIVER' (Book 3)
John Milton has started to hope that he might have a future. He has a job driving a taxi around the streets of San Francisco. He has his anonymity and his solitude. Being invisible has become a comfortable habit. He doesn't want to be found.
But when a girl he drives to a party goes missing, Milton is worried. Especially when two dead bodies are discovered and the police start treating him as their prime suspect. Milton is a fugitive from the British Secret Service and a man in his position needs extra attention like he needs a hole in the head.
As unpleasant secrets leak out, and the body count rises, one thing is for sure: Milton might just be the right guy in the wrong place at the wrong time.
'1000 YARDS' (Bonus Novella)
Milton is sent into North Korea. With nothing but a sniper rifle, bad intentions and a very particular target, will Milton be able to take on the secret police of the most dangerous failed state on the planet?
905 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 12, 2014
9364 people are currently reading
1287 people want to read
About the author
Mark Dawson
114 books1,848 followersFor news and special offers join Mark's mailing list at:
http://eepurl.com/Cai5X
Mark Dawson was born in Lowestoft and grew up in Manchester and Chicago. He has worked as a lawyer and currently works in the London film industry. His first books, "The Art of Falling Apart" and "Subpoena Colada" have been published in multiple languages.
He is currently writing two series. Soho Noir is set in the West End of London between 1940 and 1970. The first book in the series, "The Black Mile", deals with the (real life but little known) serial killer who operated in the area during the Blitz. "The Imposter" traces the journey of a criminal family (think The Sopranos in austerity London and you'd be on the right track).
The John Milton series features a disgruntled special agent who aims to help people to make amends for the terrible things that he has done. Mark, as a child of the 80s, will freely admit that he watched a lot of The Equalizer in his youth.
Mark lives in Wiltshire with his family.
You can find him at www.markjdawson.com or www.facebook.com/markdawsonauthor.
http://eepurl.com/Cai5X
Mark Dawson was born in Lowestoft and grew up in Manchester and Chicago. He has worked as a lawyer and currently works in the London film industry. His first books, "The Art of Falling Apart" and "Subpoena Colada" have been published in multiple languages.
He is currently writing two series. Soho Noir is set in the West End of London between 1940 and 1970. The first book in the series, "The Black Mile", deals with the (real life but little known) serial killer who operated in the area during the Blitz. "The Imposter" traces the journey of a criminal family (think The Sopranos in austerity London and you'd be on the right track).
The John Milton series features a disgruntled special agent who aims to help people to make amends for the terrible things that he has done. Mark, as a child of the 80s, will freely admit that he watched a lot of The Equalizer in his youth.
Mark lives in Wiltshire with his family.
You can find him at www.markjdawson.com or www.facebook.com/markdawsonauthor.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 193 reviews
April 12, 2015
John Milton, aka John Smith, is the English version of Jack Reacher with a much more dangerous road to travel. John Milton is a burned out assassin for the British crown on the run from a death sentence initiated by his decision to retire. Without elaborating on the plots of the first three books and a novella, Mark Dawson has created a well written, fast paced series that is both thriller and mystery. John Smith is a unique protagonist trying his best to stay off the worldwide grid by keeping a low profile and avoiding attention. Smith is also a former SAS soldier with martial arts skills that read with much more veracity than Jack Reacher battling bad guys with both hands in his pockets. Running to avoid a British government sanctioned hit team, Smith travels from London's East End to Juarez, Mexico then San Francisco. Naturally, trouble follows in each location but his innate sense of loyalty and justice compel him to deal with threats to himself and his friends in very effective and innovative ways that reminded me of Denzel Washington's role as the "Equalizer".
January 16, 2016
"It was important to make amends ...It wasn't easy for him to do that... Most of the people he would have to make amends to were already dead, often because he had killed them"
Jon Milton, ex army and then government sponsored assassin, want out but his employer can see only one end to his employment: termination. So under the pseudonym of John Smith the erstwhile killer is on the run trying to keep his head down and blend in but being drawn into trouble as he finds himself needing to help out in other people's problems in order to salve his own conscience of past deeds.
Mark Dawson is a charismatic writer. The pace is fast but does not exclude detail which brings the stories to life. His research must be prodigious as his atmospheric description of each new location in which Milton finds himself is visually convincing and unfolds effortlessly -would that some travelogues were as convincing.
The three full length novels take us through parts of London, Mexico and San Francisco with exciting stories, very plausible dialogue and each brings an increasing understanding of what drives John Milton in his search for self acceptance, whilst the bonus short story takes a peek into his life before he turns his life up side down.
A very visual and satisfying read by a very talented author.
April 29, 2019
Well the first book is ok & sets the scene about John Milton as MI5's No.1 assassin. But then it goes rapidly downhill when he suddenly discovers he's got a conscience, wants to leave his former life & instead help people...except that he doesn't. His efforts are quite frankly those of a total blithering idiot. In trying to help 15yr old Elijah (teetering on the edge of full gang membership) he manages to ruin the lives of Pops (relatively decent gang member), Elijah's mother & the ex-army guy who's set up a boxing studio to get young guys away from the gang culture...& therefore ruined the lives of all other young men who might have found this alternative to gang life (including Elijah). And even when he finally decides to take out the higher gang leader Risky Bizness he doesn't do it with any sense or use of his sniper skill but walks in the front door, manages to kill his target but then leaves an opening for the much colder & nastier Pinky to take over. Finally, despite being such a supposed skilful agent he has no idea that MI5's No.12 is tracking him. In the end I wished that No.12 had taken John Milton out - and why he didn't when he's apparently a cold calculating killer I have no idea - maybe because MI5 only employs blithering idiots? Stick to the superb Jack Reacher!
September 18, 2015
First time Dawson reader. Once I became accustomed to British vocabulary, euphemisms and analogies I was sailing right along. This trilogy is very well written and packed with complex characters and a whole lotta Gang, Mafia, Cartel, Political and Business shenanigans. I really like Dawson's ability to create scenes and settings that are in excruciating detail and written with an almost lyrical prose. Makes it much easier and satisfying to immerse myself in the action. There are 4 or 5 more in the series and I will continue to read them.
September 29, 2015
This "set" of books were read over the course of last summer, and I was able to download the entire set onto my Kindle. The author is British and he has a habit of using terms familiar only to Brits, even though this character is in Mexico (book 2) and in San Francisco (book 3). I found them to be a little distracting and have it on my "to do" list to contact the author about trying to adjust wording to fit the locale.
The first book makes it seem like we will see more into John Milton's background and "what happened" leading up to book one, but then books two and three all but ignore any events leading to his situation in the first book - so I walked away somewhat disappointed.
The first book makes it seem like we will see more into John Milton's background and "what happened" leading up to book one, but then books two and three all but ignore any events leading to his situation in the first book - so I walked away somewhat disappointed.
December 24, 2014
A well-written British action-thriller series about a recently retired government assassin. The hero, John Milton, is a capable, but flawed individual who has decided to devote himself to helping other people out of their problems. This invariably leads to threats to his personal safety by various bad guys, which he narrowly eludes. Great fun to read and I am definitely looking forward to reading more!
February 23, 2024
Mark Dawson has created an intriguing character in John Milton. I understand why some reviewers have compared him to Lee Child’s Reacher in that he’s a loner, with no fixed abode who does not go looking for trouble but it finds him anyway. I also like the comparison to Barry Isler’s John Rain. However, I didn’t find myself thinking of those characters when these stories hit their stride. All three of these stories were riveting and a little above many similar stories in this genre. Milton stands on his own and I am fully invested in where he next ends up.
March 24, 2019
I'd been hearing about the John Milton series for a while, but had been a bit hesitant to read them in case they weren't any good. Well, my apprehensions were in vain. They're riveting.
The setup is pretty classic, but classics are classics for a reason. John Milton is a special agent responsible for "cleaning" up problems for the British government, normally violently. After a mission doesn't go quite according to plan, he decides he's had enough to tries to resign. When they don't accept his resignation, he goes on the run. He has two goals: To not get caught by his former employers, and to make amends for what he's done.
Like I said, it's a classic, or one might say, a cliched, setup, but it works. Milton is an engaging character, the mysteries and tension in each book are constructed in a way that keeps the reader guessing right until the end, and the action scenes are well done. Each book is set in a different locale and there's a vivid sense of place each time. All in all, if you're looking for a well-done thriller series, this is a good choice.
The setup is pretty classic, but classics are classics for a reason. John Milton is a special agent responsible for "cleaning" up problems for the British government, normally violently. After a mission doesn't go quite according to plan, he decides he's had enough to tries to resign. When they don't accept his resignation, he goes on the run. He has two goals: To not get caught by his former employers, and to make amends for what he's done.
Like I said, it's a classic, or one might say, a cliched, setup, but it works. Milton is an engaging character, the mysteries and tension in each book are constructed in a way that keeps the reader guessing right until the end, and the action scenes are well done. Each book is set in a different locale and there's a vivid sense of place each time. All in all, if you're looking for a well-done thriller series, this is a good choice.
July 30, 2015
I enjoy fast moving mystery / thrillers. Vince Flynn and Zoe Sharp top my list but I can't go wrong with Lee Child or Brad Thor. The John Milton Series fits in at the top. John Milton is a Mitch Rapp character on the road Jack Reacher travels. What could be better for a fan of this genre. Like Zoe Sharp, Mark Dawson is from the U.K. and does not seem to have a big US following. I don't understand that but it may have something to do with the publishers. In any case you just cannot go wrong with this series. I'm on book 4 now and will keep going strong as each story seems to get more exciting than the last. After John Milton there is an additional series for one of the characters already introduced. Can't wait. Hope you will enjoy as much as I have.
August 16, 2016
Good introduction
I enjoyed reading this trilogy. It moved well, the character was extremely likable, and the action did not disappoint.
The issue I have with these books is that the author treats all of the lesser characters as if they are in a spaghetti western. The overdone use of reckon(whichever form it is used in) gets old really quick. People from New York do not use the word, nor do Mafioso, nor does almost anyone else. That is besides EVERY character in these books. It may suit the author to do a bit more research on the language that each character should use before putting pen to paper.
I enjoyed reading this trilogy. It moved well, the character was extremely likable, and the action did not disappoint.
The issue I have with these books is that the author treats all of the lesser characters as if they are in a spaghetti western. The overdone use of reckon(whichever form it is used in) gets old really quick. People from New York do not use the word, nor do Mafioso, nor does almost anyone else. That is besides EVERY character in these books. It may suit the author to do a bit more research on the language that each character should use before putting pen to paper.
December 22, 2014
Loved it!
Man this whole 3 book set was the best new series I have found in years. This last book the driver was the best of the bunch. They just kept getting better! I am now going to purchase the next 3 book installment.. if you are an Andy McNabb, Joel Rosenberg, David Samberg, Vince Flynn etc then you will fall for the John Milton character in this series. I'm serious folks give this author and this series a shot....a very very solid 4.5 Stars!
Man this whole 3 book set was the best new series I have found in years. This last book the driver was the best of the bunch. They just kept getting better! I am now going to purchase the next 3 book installment.. if you are an Andy McNabb, Joel Rosenberg, David Samberg, Vince Flynn etc then you will fall for the John Milton character in this series. I'm serious folks give this author and this series a shot....a very very solid 4.5 Stars!
March 1, 2015
I'm addicted to John Milton! He's an ex-spy who can't seem to resist helping innocent people. I couldn't keep myself from reading just a little longer each night and finding other spare moments to read more. As soon as I finished this set, I immediately started reading the next book, TARANTULA. I'll be sure to add another review for it in the next few days.
November 25, 2016
There was so much hype I read about this series, I honestly wondered what all the fuss was about when I finish the first two books in this series. I persevered through to the end and I was glad I did. The last book finally felt like something to get excited about. I'll be keeping an eye out for more of The John Milton Series.
February 20, 2019
John Milton aka Jones strikes again in books 1-3!
My previous.knowledge of John Milton was from a role he played in one of the Beatrux Rose novels. Not particularly worrying about who came first- the lady or quiet man of stealth, I decided to pick up John's character later in his carreer... You know when the Group was finished because John, their number one man, was finished with them. One does not simply walk away from it retire from a job like John's. John had developed a new way of making amends for so many of the kills from his professional life; but realistically what amends can you make.to some you have mudered? So John sort of paid it forward by helping to "pay forward" to someone else who really needed his help. He spread his restitution across several continents in set 1to 3. He learns even more about the foibles of humanity as solves problems for people... Usually employing the skill set he had developed in his old job the enforcer who makes problem disappear- in one or.more any sense. I'm each of these three novels John makes problems disappear... Especially for people who NEED his unique kind of help!
My previous.knowledge of John Milton was from a role he played in one of the Beatrux Rose novels. Not particularly worrying about who came first- the lady or quiet man of stealth, I decided to pick up John's character later in his carreer... You know when the Group was finished because John, their number one man, was finished with them. One does not simply walk away from it retire from a job like John's. John had developed a new way of making amends for so many of the kills from his professional life; but realistically what amends can you make.to some you have mudered? So John sort of paid it forward by helping to "pay forward" to someone else who really needed his help. He spread his restitution across several continents in set 1to 3. He learns even more about the foibles of humanity as solves problems for people... Usually employing the skill set he had developed in his old job the enforcer who makes problem disappear- in one or.more any sense. I'm each of these three novels John makes problems disappear... Especially for people who NEED his unique kind of help!
June 24, 2017
Have enjoyed some mancho men in the past, Jack Reacher (Lee Child), Harry Bosch (Michael Connelly), Agent Pendergast (Douglas Preston/Lincoln Child) and Spenser and Hawk (Robert B Parker)comes to mind, but John Milton is in the same class or could even be better. An English SAS soldier, who had wanted to gracefully retire, but due to the nature of the work that he had been doing for Her Majesty's government, retirement meant being put down. Not a very nice thing for someone as loyal and who had cleaned up the problems of his employer for the previous 10 years.
So, he did what they had trained him to do, he melted into the background, only surfacing when his " helping hand" was picked up by media and his cover was blown. John Milton is now trying to make amends for the 150 lives he had previously taken. He was not able to help those poor souls, but he put his talents to helping those,that were unable to help themselves.
I have enjoyed these books and intend on purchasing more of this series.
So, he did what they had trained him to do, he melted into the background, only surfacing when his " helping hand" was picked up by media and his cover was blown. John Milton is now trying to make amends for the 150 lives he had previously taken. He was not able to help those poor souls, but he put his talents to helping those,that were unable to help themselves.
I have enjoyed these books and intend on purchasing more of this series.
December 21, 2019
Read Books 1 & 2; Could not finish Book 3.
Book 1 was interesting and held my interest until the hero, Milton kept making very stupid and amateurish mistakes! This guy's suppose to be #1, as in the top assassin for the British government and tried to quit and his boss tells him to straighten up or I will take you out. (Kill)
So now, he's underground and on the run and he used his cell phone multiple times and of course they track him down. Even I you should throw the cell phone away and use burner phones.
He doesn't hide where he's now living so Of course his house gets shot up. He gets people killed by his incompetence and ruins others lives.
In Book 2 and still on the run in Mexico, he gets arrested, photographed and fingerprinted thus, they track him down again. And in Book 3, he keeps going to the police station ducking with them. They got his name, dob, address. I'm sorry but I want my hero to be SMART. I bailed out a third into Book 3.
Book 1 was interesting and held my interest until the hero, Milton kept making very stupid and amateurish mistakes! This guy's suppose to be #1, as in the top assassin for the British government and tried to quit and his boss tells him to straighten up or I will take you out. (Kill)
So now, he's underground and on the run and he used his cell phone multiple times and of course they track him down. Even I you should throw the cell phone away and use burner phones.
He doesn't hide where he's now living so Of course his house gets shot up. He gets people killed by his incompetence and ruins others lives.
In Book 2 and still on the run in Mexico, he gets arrested, photographed and fingerprinted thus, they track him down again. And in Book 3, he keeps going to the police station ducking with them. They got his name, dob, address. I'm sorry but I want my hero to be SMART. I bailed out a third into Book 3.
July 28, 2021
Dry, boring and dull
The ex agent turned into wannabe superhero, too boring, lousy worldbuilding. He's an old guy without purpose, although in the most wanted list, roams the EEUU territory like nothing, using fake passports and public transport, better should hide in Asia. Why is he so important? He could talk? To whom? About what? Who's gonna believe him? He doesn't keep with him any top secret documents, microfilm or any solid proof. And why is him So skilled at fighting, even when running is all the training he does now, no matter how much past experience a guy have, an old man can't just defeat a group of younger strong soldiers like nothing , life is not a videogame you can't keep leveling forever, humans reach a summit at their prime, and from there is always downhill, that's the reason boxers, athletes, football players and soldiers retire at a young age, and aren't active at 40
The ex agent turned into wannabe superhero, too boring, lousy worldbuilding. He's an old guy without purpose, although in the most wanted list, roams the EEUU territory like nothing, using fake passports and public transport, better should hide in Asia. Why is he so important? He could talk? To whom? About what? Who's gonna believe him? He doesn't keep with him any top secret documents, microfilm or any solid proof. And why is him So skilled at fighting, even when running is all the training he does now, no matter how much past experience a guy have, an old man can't just defeat a group of younger strong soldiers like nothing , life is not a videogame you can't keep leveling forever, humans reach a summit at their prime, and from there is always downhill, that's the reason boxers, athletes, football players and soldiers retire at a young age, and aren't active at 40
December 4, 2020
He writes pretty well. I have now read the 3rd and have just purchased the 4th, 5th and 6th.
You are reading about a British secret government agent who has gone a bit rogue; although he isn't doing the government any harm. He not longer wants to be an undercover government assassin, but also likes to make things right...
Each story is individual, but the general lifeline continues. Best start with the 1st, then you can stay with the lifeline. There are two boxed sets, books 1, 2 and 3, then books 4, 5 and 6.
Just remember one important thing, IF you want to read a series by one author:
You NEXT read should NEVER be by the same author!
THAT is the quickest way to become sick of that author.
I read the complete 'Reacher' series, but I read one or two books BETWEEN each Reacher book. Your enjoyment and anticipation will be much greater if you follow that rule.
You are reading about a British secret government agent who has gone a bit rogue; although he isn't doing the government any harm. He not longer wants to be an undercover government assassin, but also likes to make things right...
Each story is individual, but the general lifeline continues. Best start with the 1st, then you can stay with the lifeline. There are two boxed sets, books 1, 2 and 3, then books 4, 5 and 6.
Just remember one important thing, IF you want to read a series by one author:
You NEXT read should NEVER be by the same author!
THAT is the quickest way to become sick of that author.
I read the complete 'Reacher' series, but I read one or two books BETWEEN each Reacher book. Your enjoyment and anticipation will be much greater if you follow that rule.
December 6, 2019
i love a good box set. i am exhausted .. my eyes hurt .. i am being dramatic sorry .. not sorry. LOL!! had to be sure that i have not read anything from this author before, he is a newbie author to me ... well done!! i am always happy when i find a set like this ... 'cause unlike some folks who had to wait for each read to come out to press ... i got to read it in as quick of a fashion as i did wish 2. lucky me ... i hate waiting ... i think some authors wanna kill their readers ... don't they know we are not patient people ... i know i know ... more of the dramatics!! LOL!! just being silly. it's a Friday and i am reviewing this ... oh well ... well i will read more from Mark soon enough. great style. check him out if you are a newbie like i was ... such a fan!
November 18, 2024
0.5- John Milton sneaks into North Korea and kills a bunch party officials from pretty far away. It is good but it felt incomplete & as if the author didn't finish all the story lines he started.
1- John comes back from a mission & faces criticism from the agency, which targets him from elimination. In the meantime John decides to help a kid from a rough London neighborhood but things don't go too well when the agency attempts to eliminate him.
2- John is escaping the agency and ends up fighting the cartel in Juarez, MX. The agency also shows up in an attempt to eliminate him.
3- John is in San Francisco driving a cab during the night. One night he drives a prostitute to a private party & becomes involved when she disappears.
1- John comes back from a mission & faces criticism from the agency, which targets him from elimination. In the meantime John decides to help a kid from a rough London neighborhood but things don't go too well when the agency attempts to eliminate him.
2- John is escaping the agency and ends up fighting the cartel in Juarez, MX. The agency also shows up in an attempt to eliminate him.
3- John is in San Francisco driving a cab during the night. One night he drives a prostitute to a private party & becomes involved when she disappears.
August 15, 2019
CC1
This was an excellent introduction to the John Milton series!!! The first book did an excellent job introducing the plot and character. The other 2 books showed what John was all about. Recovering alcoholic and ex special forces. A man fed up with the killing and assassinations and wanted to quit and move on with life. But the system and Control would not allow. So John becomes a liability but he also becomes a remorseful man who wants to make amends for all the death he has caused. So he becomes an underdog looking to help out people who can't help themselves. Excellent job!!! May have to look into next box set. Great 👍Mark!!!!! Thanks, Carl Clause
This was an excellent introduction to the John Milton series!!! The first book did an excellent job introducing the plot and character. The other 2 books showed what John was all about. Recovering alcoholic and ex special forces. A man fed up with the killing and assassinations and wanted to quit and move on with life. But the system and Control would not allow. So John becomes a liability but he also becomes a remorseful man who wants to make amends for all the death he has caused. So he becomes an underdog looking to help out people who can't help themselves. Excellent job!!! May have to look into next box set. Great 👍Mark!!!!! Thanks, Carl Clause
October 4, 2019
Gripping reads.
This is a new author for me and it has been quite a while since I've read any thrillers.
Like a few other reviewers I preferred books 2 and 3 as the settings were more conducive for thrillers in my opinion.
Milton is a disillusioned agent trying to escape the British secret service by atoning for the deaths that he has been responsible for, by helping individuals who can't defend themselves. The plots are well written and keep you edge throughout. The novella included at the end showing Milton in his earlier life was equally as good.
Well recommended for those of us that like a good thriller. I've already bought the next compendium!
This is a new author for me and it has been quite a while since I've read any thrillers.
Like a few other reviewers I preferred books 2 and 3 as the settings were more conducive for thrillers in my opinion.
Milton is a disillusioned agent trying to escape the British secret service by atoning for the deaths that he has been responsible for, by helping individuals who can't defend themselves. The plots are well written and keep you edge throughout. The novella included at the end showing Milton in his earlier life was equally as good.
Well recommended for those of us that like a good thriller. I've already bought the next compendium!
June 30, 2020
The John Milton Series is decidedly NOT like Jack Reacher, et al!!!
OMG, the advance hype about this character is incredibly WRONG and MISLEADING — and the writing is nowhere near as good as Lee Child! The first story actually starts out well and with good action, but then turns into a poorly written and difficult tale about socio-economic differences ... the 2nd and 3rd books are better, but definitely not great. Another problem is the Author writes like a Brit — but books #2 and #3 take place in the USA, and 90% of the descriptions of things are written in the British style of English, NOT in good ol’ Americanize!!!
OMG, the advance hype about this character is incredibly WRONG and MISLEADING — and the writing is nowhere near as good as Lee Child! The first story actually starts out well and with good action, but then turns into a poorly written and difficult tale about socio-economic differences ... the 2nd and 3rd books are better, but definitely not great. Another problem is the Author writes like a Brit — but books #2 and #3 take place in the USA, and 90% of the descriptions of things are written in the British style of English, NOT in good ol’ Americanize!!!
May 17, 2022
Longer commentary than usual from me.
I read all three books in the set and the short version is that they were good fun and, unlike many that claim to be the ‘new Jack Reacher’ they did have that flavour.
My only reservation is that, at times, it was a little hard to ‘suspend my disbelief’ and this was for one reason; there were a great many errors.
A lot of words were used incorrectly and there were technical mistakes aplenty. I’m perhaps being overcritical but it did affect my engagement with the stories at times.
On balance though, Milton is a good creation and I’ve bought the second box set of three.
I read all three books in the set and the short version is that they were good fun and, unlike many that claim to be the ‘new Jack Reacher’ they did have that flavour.
My only reservation is that, at times, it was a little hard to ‘suspend my disbelief’ and this was for one reason; there were a great many errors.
A lot of words were used incorrectly and there were technical mistakes aplenty. I’m perhaps being overcritical but it did affect my engagement with the stories at times.
On balance though, Milton is a good creation and I’ve bought the second box set of three.
May 1, 2019
Enjoyable
I really enjoyed these books. I like Milton as a character, and the story kept me engaged. My only complaint was that the author changes characters and places frequently, without mentioning where the characters are exactly. The names of cities are mentioned, but if you don’t know the cities, then you don’t know what country the characters are in. The frequent changing of characters was hard to follow because they aren’t introduced at all, and it isn’t until later in the story that the random characters are all tied together. But overall, I enjoyed the books.
I really enjoyed these books. I like Milton as a character, and the story kept me engaged. My only complaint was that the author changes characters and places frequently, without mentioning where the characters are exactly. The names of cities are mentioned, but if you don’t know the cities, then you don’t know what country the characters are in. The frequent changing of characters was hard to follow because they aren’t introduced at all, and it isn’t until later in the story that the random characters are all tied together. But overall, I enjoyed the books.
September 17, 2019
Fun stories, horrible at details.
No one picks locks in five seconds without a bump key or lockpick gun. Florida governors can't serve ten years. Terms are four years each with a maximum of two terms. It's this wonderful thing called term limits. Hertz won't rent cars without the renters credit card at least being swiped. These are only a few of the glaringly obvious and easily researched details completely missed which screw up ones ability to suspend disbelief. If you're okay with this, the stories are entertaining.
No one picks locks in five seconds without a bump key or lockpick gun. Florida governors can't serve ten years. Terms are four years each with a maximum of two terms. It's this wonderful thing called term limits. Hertz won't rent cars without the renters credit card at least being swiped. These are only a few of the glaringly obvious and easily researched details completely missed which screw up ones ability to suspend disbelief. If you're okay with this, the stories are entertaining.
Read
September 23, 2019Not a 007 swauve type of spy for the Brits, but the type you want on your side in any kind of fight!
John Milton is a good bad guy depending if you're a righteous person or not. A defender of the downtrodden and enemy of evil. Hunted by the ultra British secret service, Control, as John wants out, but you don't exactly get to retire unless it includes a grave; John is always two ahead of those who want to end his life while saving those around him. Excellent stories and very hard to put them dowm.
John Milton is a good bad guy depending if you're a righteous person or not. A defender of the downtrodden and enemy of evil. Hunted by the ultra British secret service, Control, as John wants out, but you don't exactly get to retire unless it includes a grave; John is always two ahead of those who want to end his life while saving those around him. Excellent stories and very hard to put them dowm.
October 23, 2019
Great swries
This series is much different tha my typical paranormal genre. However, the synopsis sounded interesting, so here we are. Read all three books in record time. John Milton is a vigilante hero with a good heart. Sometimes he helps and sometimes things get worse for those he cares about. He's cold blooded, smart as hell, and talented in the killing arts. One cannot help but like him, a lot. His personal life is lonely; his choice in order to prevent collateral damage. Highly suggest reading this series.
This series is much different tha my typical paranormal genre. However, the synopsis sounded interesting, so here we are. Read all three books in record time. John Milton is a vigilante hero with a good heart. Sometimes he helps and sometimes things get worse for those he cares about. He's cold blooded, smart as hell, and talented in the killing arts. One cannot help but like him, a lot. His personal life is lonely; his choice in order to prevent collateral damage. Highly suggest reading this series.
March 25, 2018
Great Series!
If you're looking for a good series to get into that is fairly clean, with a good amount of drama and excellent character development...this is it! I began with this box set, read through each following book, just finishing #9 and I have yet to be disappointed! Mark Dawson does a great job of really allowing the reader to get to know the interior of John Milton, the main character. Each book can be read on its own, but I think it's so much better to read them in order starting with these first 3!
If you're looking for a good series to get into that is fairly clean, with a good amount of drama and excellent character development...this is it! I began with this box set, read through each following book, just finishing #9 and I have yet to be disappointed! Mark Dawson does a great job of really allowing the reader to get to know the interior of John Milton, the main character. Each book can be read on its own, but I think it's so much better to read them in order starting with these first 3!
May 9, 2018
Entertaining character and story telling. In book 3, Dawson sets it in the San Francisco Bay area but makes many errors both in references to geography and vegetation. He also puts phrases in the mouths of his characters that would not be used by Americans in this area. With the correct scenery and appropriate language, the rating would go up to 3 stars. The story seemed to drag in the middle of each volume.
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