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Jake Fonko #1-3
Jake Fonko #1-3
This special collection includes three full length novels - hundreds of pages of well-researched adventures and thrills - for less than the price of two individual volumes.
Book 1: Jake Fonko M.I.A (Vietnam/Cambodia 1975)
Book 2: Fonko on the Carpet (Iran 1978 - 1979)
Book 3: Fonko's Errand Go Boom (Northern Ireland 1982)
Jake Fonko M.I.A. – Saigon, 1975. Ex-surfer Jake Fonko's latest mission - locate a former CIA asset gone missing in Cambodia - has his Army Ranger instincts on full alert. He might be handsome, fit and a decorated warrior, but he's certainly no international spy. But Jake, ever the good soldier, agrees to the CIA's directive, trudging over the border to Phnom Penh. But relying on his training, keen observations and ironic sense of humor might not be enough to save Jake, as one surprise after another pops up on his way to the wild truth.
Maybe that asset was never really missing at all.
Fonko on the Carpet – Tehran, 1978. Running low on cash, ex-surfer and former Army Ranger Jake Fonko receives a freelance referral from an unlikely source: a certain Shah requires a capable bodyguard. The splintering Iranian factions have been growing restless, and the Shah’s popularity is beginning to wane. But when the country falls, Jake soon discovers that friends of the Shah are no longer welcome—and he'll have to rely on his extensive training, capable tongue and ironic wit if he wants to survive Tehran and escape in one piece.
Fonko’s Errand Go Boom – Belfast, 1982. When an old surfing buddy refers ex-Army Ranger turned soldier of fortune Jake Fonko to a cutting-edge car manufacturer in need of his unique skill set, Jake ships off to Belfast. But with Northern Ireland embroiled in the Troubles, Jake's attempts to protect the factory from impending civil war soon turn into a much more basic struggle to survive the escalating conflict. In order to get out alive, Jake must become a double-agent for both sides—a tricky situation that'll require all his skills, satirical wit and training if he wants to get out alive.
634 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 11, 2014
652 people are currently reading
292 people want to read
About the author
B. Hesse Pflingger
16 books15 followersB. Hesse Pflingger, PhD, is a professor of contemporary history at California State University, Cucamonga.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 4, 2020
Good read. Lots of fun. Engaging
Downloaded the three book set for free. Couldn't put it down! Love the Jake Fonko character. Very well written, especially the way he gets into trouble (or more accurately, trouble finds him) then manages to extricate himself from it in creative ways. Really enjoy how the author gets Jake mixed up in real historical events. WARNING TO THOSE UNDER 60, you will have to Google some of the people / places in the book (Vietnam, Pol Pot, Shah of Iran, the IRA, Maggie Thatcher, John Delorean, etc) to fully understand the context and references to the time period. It's sort of a history lesson hiding in plain sight. So sit back, buckle up, and enjoy the ride!
Downloaded the three book set for free. Couldn't put it down! Love the Jake Fonko character. Very well written, especially the way he gets into trouble (or more accurately, trouble finds him) then manages to extricate himself from it in creative ways. Really enjoy how the author gets Jake mixed up in real historical events. WARNING TO THOSE UNDER 60, you will have to Google some of the people / places in the book (Vietnam, Pol Pot, Shah of Iran, the IRA, Maggie Thatcher, John Delorean, etc) to fully understand the context and references to the time period. It's sort of a history lesson hiding in plain sight. So sit back, buckle up, and enjoy the ride!
June 3, 2019
Brilliant, Clever, Witty, Outstanding, Superbly Written!!!
After reading the first three Jake Fonko novels and enjoying them so much, I can’t wait to read Jake’s next adventure! By accident his career changes from U.S. Army Ranger in Vietnam to suave International Secret Agent. The author seamlessly weaves Fonko into real historical events, with plenty of action, intrigue, plots, subplots, gunfire, stunning locations, money, romance, and everything else you would expect from a Secret Agent, and more. Professor B. Hesse Pflingger is a brilliant historian, and an even more brilliant writer. You will LOVE Jake Fonko!!!
After reading the first three Jake Fonko novels and enjoying them so much, I can’t wait to read Jake’s next adventure! By accident his career changes from U.S. Army Ranger in Vietnam to suave International Secret Agent. The author seamlessly weaves Fonko into real historical events, with plenty of action, intrigue, plots, subplots, gunfire, stunning locations, money, romance, and everything else you would expect from a Secret Agent, and more. Professor B. Hesse Pflingger is a brilliant historian, and an even more brilliant writer. You will LOVE Jake Fonko!!!
September 20, 2017
On Again, Off Again
I'm going to struggle to write this review. There were really good parts and really "underwhelming" parts to this three novel set. I had decided, about 14 % into Book 1, to put this series aside yet something had me return and continue reading. The adventure parts were well written and forced the reader to continue BUT, the anecdotal parts reminded me of Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory...too smug and forced for my liking. I did ma k e it through all three novels, but I was not left with a desire to find and read Book 4...so, I'll leave it at that.
I'm going to struggle to write this review. There were really good parts and really "underwhelming" parts to this three novel set. I had decided, about 14 % into Book 1, to put this series aside yet something had me return and continue reading. The adventure parts were well written and forced the reader to continue BUT, the anecdotal parts reminded me of Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory...too smug and forced for my liking. I did ma k e it through all three novels, but I was not left with a desire to find and read Book 4...so, I'll leave it at that.
August 27, 2018
Jake Fonko "World's Greatest non-spy"
Great Great, Great series... Love it. B. Hesse Pflingger master of hilarious plots and misadventures of the world's greatest non-spy Jake Fonko, man behind the scenes of some of the world's most non talked about adventures of spy vs spy vs spy. Couldn't put it down, sign me up for the rest of the series.
Great Great, Great series... Love it. B. Hesse Pflingger master of hilarious plots and misadventures of the world's greatest non-spy Jake Fonko, man behind the scenes of some of the world's most non talked about adventures of spy vs spy vs spy. Couldn't put it down, sign me up for the rest of the series.
April 13, 2019
This is a great series of tongue-in-cheek spy thrillers that will have you scratching your head or laughing out loud. Jake Fonko has a knack for falling into the proverbial bucket of shite and coming out smelling of roses. Pflingger has a knack for writing historical spy novels with a tongue-in-cheek twist. You know you shouldn't believe them, but his smooth writing style has you lapping them up.
January 11, 2023
Great story
This author has a unique way of telling a story He puts humor in the story in a way that you chuckle It describes his scenes very well and you feel like you're part of the story. The main character Jake is truly well written and described He's a kind of guy you'd like to meet in person author does a fantastic job once you start reading you don't wanna stop
This author has a unique way of telling a story He puts humor in the story in a way that you chuckle It describes his scenes very well and you feel like you're part of the story. The main character Jake is truly well written and described He's a kind of guy you'd like to meet in person author does a fantastic job once you start reading you don't wanna stop
March 28, 2018
Loved it !!!
Thoroughly entertaining. Refreshing to read a novel that doesn't take itself too seriously.
And a completely truthfull account of what really happened ... Maaaaaaaaybe ???
Thoroughly entertaining. Refreshing to read a novel that doesn't take itself too seriously.
And a completely truthfull account of what really happened ... Maaaaaaaaybe ???
July 16, 2018
Where do fantasy and reality meet?
Some fun reading where the author has blended historical fact and Fonko fantasy into a humorous blend of reading entertainment. Not classical literature but good entertaining reading!
Some fun reading where the author has blended historical fact and Fonko fantasy into a humorous blend of reading entertainment. Not classical literature but good entertaining reading!
July 24, 2018
This trio of books has been written with a substantial amount of facts interwoven with the storyline. It kept me engrossed all the time. I thoroughly recommend these books and will endeavour to get hold of others covering the story about Jake Fonko.
August 27, 2018
Interesting....
The first book was a very slow starter, however it picked up 3/4 the way thru. The second and third had much better starts, but still lack in the action thriller side if things. Good reads overall.
The first book was a very slow starter, however it picked up 3/4 the way thru. The second and third had much better starts, but still lack in the action thriller side if things. Good reads overall.
January 15, 2019
Jake The Snake For Hire
I liked reading about a man who lives by his wits and military training in Vietnam. Going undercover was easy for Jake which made it fun for readers to follow and guess what he would do next. A fun read that I recommend.
I liked reading about a man who lives by his wits and military training in Vietnam. Going undercover was easy for Jake which made it fun for readers to follow and guess what he would do next. A fun read that I recommend.
October 13, 2017
Good stories, too much background and historical detail.
June 4, 2018
Too detailed
All three of these books start out great, but they all bog down substantially in the details. They become rather boring.
All three of these books start out great, but they all bog down substantially in the details. They become rather boring.
June 5, 2018
The Jake Fonko Series : 1-2-3
This is a good read has all the features that a Jake Fonko story. Action adventure excitement and Jake gets a few female friends along the way.
This is a good read has all the features that a Jake Fonko story. Action adventure excitement and Jake gets a few female friends along the way.
June 11, 2018
Interesting Reading
I really enjoyed all three books in this series, I could not put them down because they were exciting. Thanks.
I really enjoyed all three books in this series, I could not put them down because they were exciting. Thanks.
June 29, 2018
Far fetched
Totally unbelievable, but still a good read. Name dropping in spades, hearts, diamonds, & clubs. I do not know how the word counting works .
Totally unbelievable, but still a good read. Name dropping in spades, hearts, diamonds, & clubs. I do not know how the word counting works .
July 8, 2018
Fun but lacking
Author spins imaginative and compelling tales, but the writing and editing leave much to be desired. Would not pay money for these until the latter improve.
Author spins imaginative and compelling tales, but the writing and editing leave much to be desired. Would not pay money for these until the latter improve.
July 9, 2018
Nice read
Makes a good read. Writing style is easy and flowing. Jake fonko is an interesting lead character. Enjoyed all the three books that I read.
Makes a good read. Writing style is easy and flowing. Jake fonko is an interesting lead character. Enjoyed all the three books that I read.
August 4, 2018
Love reading this guy!
Come on you will get a big kick out of these books. Make is quite a character, and the author plays him into history. Love this stuff and you will too.
Come on you will get a big kick out of these books. Make is quite a character, and the author plays him into history. Love this stuff and you will too.
February 11, 2019
Action packed enjoyable reading
The author has written a very interesting story with just enough reference to historical events to make it enjoyable and entertaining.
The author has written a very interesting story with just enough reference to historical events to make it enjoyable and entertaining.
July 16, 2020
I liked the books so well I just bought the next 2 books in the series. The authors sense of humor comes thru clearly and it enhances the adventures. Never a full moment
January 10, 2021
Fun mix of fiction with real life history.
March 15, 2021
Not Good!
June 5, 2016
Exceptionally fun to read. I "witnessed" many of the events Jake gets himself into and to view these as an alternative history makes for great reading. The sense of humor rings throughout the series.
December 30, 2022
I love this & I can't wait for more.
I will be also leaving a review on Goodreads @ Amazon.
And letting everyone know about it.
So i gave it a 5 Stars.
I will be also leaving a review on Goodreads @ Amazon.
And letting everyone know about it.
So i gave it a 5 Stars.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews