Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Bad Blood: A Jesse McDermitt Novel

Rate this book
It’s been three months since Jesse McDermitt had any time off to go back home to Florida. When two surprise openings on the leave roster open up, he and his friend Rusty Thurman jump on it, and head back to the Keys for some scuba diving.

The husband of a local reporter’s friend has nearly been killed. Not once, but four times in less than a month. The reporter is Jesse’s new girlfriend and they become curious. How does a man survive four attempts on his life?

Meanwhile, the man Jesse helped put away is doing time in Florida State Prison, hundreds of miles to the north. But Bear Bering isn’t completely cutoff. His cousin, Chuck, is still working the tourist crowds in Key West and has learned that Jesse and Rusty are back in town.

Suddenly, Jesse and his friends are in danger, and once again they are forced to leave. A biker gang, under Chuck Bering’s direction, comes after Jesse and his friends. The leader, a mountain of a man named Sideshift, served time with Bear and both he and Chuck want to see Jesse and anyone around him crushed.

Jesse and friends sail to Key West to find out who the bungling would-be murderer is, and everything comes to a head on Mallory Square, when the bikers, the murderer, and Bear’s family all come at Jesse as one.

Murder and mayhem in paradise…

268 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2024

247 people are currently reading
18 people want to read

About the author

Wayne Stinnett

55 books634 followers
I'm a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps and now, a full time novelist. Between those careers, I've also worked as a deckhand, commercial fisherman, divemaster, taxi driver, construction manager, and truck driver. I live in the Sea Islands, near Beaufort, SC, with my wife and youngest daughter. We also have three grown children, five grand children, three dogs and a whole flock of parakeets. I grew up in Melbourne, FL and have also lived in the Florida Keys and Cozumel, MX.

You can like me on Facebook, to get updates at https://www.facebook.com/WayneStinnet...

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
787 (69%)
4 stars
269 (23%)
3 stars
52 (4%)
2 stars
16 (1%)
1 star
7 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
97 reviews
June 2, 2024
Another hit!

I really am enjoying Jesse's younger years and learning what made him into who he became. I also enjoy the time frame of the setting as it is the time I grew up in. He's young, full of life, smart and wise in many ways. I hope to see more of Billy Rainwater as the next young Jesse books evolve. And I can't wait for the "older" Jesse book set in Apalachicola with Dawn Lee McKenna's characters. She and Stoopid are sorely missed.
Profile Image for Janis Brown.
79 reviews
January 25, 2025
One of my favorite authors

5 years ago I stumbled across Wayne Stinnett's Fallen Angel and couldn't stop reading every series. The storylines are riveting, characters colorful and alive, locations are real and the advancement of time brings everything together. I am thankful for my Fire platform to read these many books. If I forget who a character is all I have to do is highlight and the search come up with early mentions jogging my memory. If he uses an unfamiliar word it is a snap to bring up the definition. If i want more information on a boat, a plane, a place searching is at my fingertips. I can read anywhere, in any light, the pages don't get dog eared. I know most people enjoy the feel of the real book, but I just love the Kindle. I am anxiously awaiting the 3rd book of the Young Jessie.
67 reviews2 followers
June 3, 2024
Young Jessie is an E2 and changing MOS

Watching Young Jessie change physically with a little bit of time in rank, but that "old soul" holds him to the ideals of the greatest generation. He already has the marine ferver and will stop at nothing to protect those he loves! How I look forward to watching him become the point of the spear and to be first a PIG and then ultimately a HOG. Thank you for your talent in sharing these stories.
Profile Image for Scott.
86 reviews5 followers
June 14, 2024
TT… such details

New Years Eve 1979, my family watched Dick Clark’s New Years Rockin Eve. Tanya Tucker strutted out in her black leather pants and as a nearly 14 year old boy, I thought she was hot. I vividly recall my dad saying that she wasn’t much of a dancer. The details, Wayne, are phenomenal. I’m enjoying these prequels which must be difficult to write both preserving character arcs but also because readers know the danger is real but in the end doesn’t kill.
73 reviews1 follower
June 3, 2024
Excellent read

After reading all of Wayne Stinnett books since Jesse retired from the Marine Corps I really enjoy the history of how Jesse started his Service. Being Retired Army myself I am fully convinced that Jesse is a very good person and wished I could shake his hand and say "THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE"
Profile Image for Patricia .
66 reviews3 followers
June 9, 2024
young Jesse

Ooooh I’m disappointed that it’s only a 2 book series. That was great and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was hoping you would write about Jesse getting married and his trip assignment overseas. OK maybe, that will come up later in the McDermott novel. Thanks for an interesting two books.
228 reviews4 followers
June 11, 2024
Keep'm Coming

Another terrific look at Jesse's younger life and development. Also, interesting learning more about Rusty and the other characters. Although, expectedly, there's not as much action in these earlier adventures they're still quite exciting! Yeah, keep'm coming, please!
464 reviews3 followers
July 7, 2024
Wow

It continues on nothing but great stories and lots of action as Jessie Gina Russ and the gang tackle adventures that will keep you remembering g the older Jessie and his life how it formed him ...ciao from CR Bobbie says her fourth birthday was a good one God bless her my best and only friend.
29 reviews4 followers
June 3, 2024
Interesting Retro version on the Jesse McDermott Character

This look back at a very young Jesse gives great insight to the character he will eventually become! A good read with enough action to keep it true to the character!

16 reviews1 follower
June 5, 2024
A Great Read!

Wayne Stinnett is one of my favorite authors! I've read all of his books (many twice) and this one, chronicling Jesse's early life is another hit. You will not be disappointed!
1,043 reviews4 followers
June 9, 2024
I loved these "prequels". Having never read a Jesse McDermitt book before, I am now really interested in in reading more about him. Thank you to Wayne Stinnett for writing about such a remarkable character.
Profile Image for Annette Stokes.
28 reviews1 follower
June 26, 2024
Young Jesse making his mark

He is making his mark in the world, and Wayne is taking us along for the ride. Read them all. All of Waynes Jesse McDermitt series. Great adventures from first to the last one written.
13 reviews
June 30, 2024
Another great Jesse Mcdermitt book

Another great book. This one was super action packed with a great story. Makes the reader think a bit and for sure to await the next chapter in Jesse’s early life.
80 reviews1 follower
September 14, 2024
Necessary reading tor Jesse McDermitt fans!

Knowing Jesse McDermitt like I do, it's been nice to see where so many of his ideals came from. What a great way to further illuminate his character for us...thanks, Wayne!
Profile Image for Mary Rowe.
2,617 reviews8 followers
January 9, 2025
violent - situational - but not brutal

Wayne Stinnett has trod a very fine line between the usual B-novel gratuitous bloodshed and an overly prissy and sanitized storytelling.

Very impressive!
23 reviews
June 4, 2024
Loved the book

Very enjoyable book. Please continue the young Jesse series. He is getting too old for these wild kind of adventures.
18 reviews
June 5, 2024
good read

I enjoyed reading about young Jesse. I look forward to move about his earlier life as a marine sniper. Thanks
543 reviews1 follower
June 8, 2024
I love this new series about a young Jesse look for many more yo see what history of life made him the Marine I love!!!
Profile Image for Loy.
1,517 reviews
June 12, 2024
An enjoyable installment in the Jesse McDermott series. This is the second book about his life when he joined the military.

304 reviews4 followers
June 12, 2024
Well presented

Very readable, very interesting, and very well told. No problems keeping up with the story or the story line. Everything works? No loose ends.

12 reviews
June 13, 2024
A very good read.

It's great to hear about Jesse and Rusty's early life and adventures. I enjoyed this book very much and read it in one session.
287 reviews
June 21, 2024
Another excellent Jesse McDermitt adventure

It is refreshing to read about the close friendship Jesse and Rusty are developing as they journey through their careers as Marines.
4 reviews
July 8, 2024
Another great story

This story draws you in, and keeps you in. Well done, looking forward to rereading this entire series, thanks wayne!
4 reviews
July 24, 2024
Great story, well written pulls you in!

Always have enjoyed the Jesse McDermott series, the younger version is like going back in time to really understand who he is.
4 reviews
July 31, 2024
Excellent! A fresh new slant on Jessie’s life and of those around him. It captivated me and I couldn’t put it down. I was disappointed when it ended. I wanted it to go on and on.
559 reviews6 followers
November 11, 2024
Very good all around story. Nice
to learn the back story of Jesse
growing up besides the flash backs
in the original series.
195 reviews1 follower
March 22, 2025
If you have read the Jesse McDermitt series, this series is a must read. Jesse in his younger years is as entertaining as his years after the Corp.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.