Beast And Burden

by Lee Adam

He had died once before, but this time was different. This time, it was final. His head lay cradled on her lap as his breathing slowed. His once broad, strong frame felt weak and limp in her arms now. Her hand pressed tighter onto his wound to try and stem the flow, but it was no use. The thick blood oozed, mixed with heavy rain, and was washed into the gutter. With the last of his strength, he raised his hand and wiped away her tears, and he smiled.

He was ready now.
Ready to die.
For her.

Ex-Royal Engineer Amos Fisher is launched into a world he knows little about when two armed thugs break into his house, kill his dog and kidnap his daughter. Still grieving after the loss of his wife to cancer, Amos must now steel himself to rescue his daughter from the most dangerous man in Glasgow.

288 pages, Paperback

Published April 18, 2024

Reviews

[Sara-Jane Keenan · Rating 4 out of 5]

If Taken was written in Scotland!
I could totally see Liam Neeson playing the role of Amos, the ex-royal engineer who is on the hunt for his daughter, kidnapped by her psycho mob boss boyfriend. With the help of an ex-intelligence officer and a young detective, Amos takes on Glasgow’s underworld leaving a trail of mangled bodies behind him.

I enjoyed this book from the start. It was action packed, fast paced and well written. The search for his daughter was intense and emotional. I enjoyed the flashback chapters which helped piece everything together and watching his relationship with his daughter evolve. There was a couple of twists in there too to keep you on your toes.

The only thing I wasn’t keen on was Detective McGuire using her body to try and manipulate her colleagues. In a male dominated environment where she was trying to prove her worth It just felt degrading and out of character for her.

Overall I would give this a solid 4 stars, as I enjoyed reading the book and finished it in 2 days. I would recommend it to fans of fast paced emotional crime thrillers.

[Mary Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good. So well written. Reminds me a lot of the movie Taken

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beast & Burden - Lee Adam
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

“The mind takes you to strange places when you are hiding from the truth.”

Beast & Burden follows Amos, an ex-royal engineer who finds himself in a parent’s worst nightmare when armed thugs break into his house, kill his dog and kidnap his daughter. But not even Glasgow’s most dangerous man can stop Amos getting his daughter back and exacting his revenge.

Beast & Burden was an exceptionally written debut and was almost like Taken and John Wick combined to create one thrilling plot and one badass main character. I wholeheartedly rooted for Amos - his character is written with so much depth and emotion it’s hard not to!

The story is told predominantly from the present time, with some flashback chapters to add some complexity and understanding to the plot. It very quickly dives straight into the drama and is gripping, fast paced and tense throughout.

Beast & Burden is filled with lots of corruption, twists, violence and intelligence. I read about 60% in one sitting because I couldn’t stop, and I absolutely loved the ending and how everything was neatly tied up without feeling rushed or disappointing.

I want to say a massive thank you to Lee Adam for kindly sending me a copy of Beast & Burden to read and review. My opinions are my own, and I will definitely be keeping my eye out for anything else he writes.

[Caffs37 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lee Adam's debut novel, The Onus, is a thrilling rollercoaster ride that had me desperate to devour the chapters. From the very first page, the story pulls you in with its fast-paced narrative and expertly woven twists and turns.

At the heart of this gripping tale is Amos Fisher, a broken man struggling with his past and the fractured relationship with his estranged daughter, Mary. The poignant backdrop of their reunion at his wife's death bed, sets the perfect stage for the chaos that ensues when Mary is kidnapped by her crime-lord boyfriend. The stakes quickly escalate as Amos, propelled by desperation, dives deep into Glasgow's underbelly to save her.

Adam's portrayal of the father-daughter dynamic is both compelling and heart-wrenching. Despite predicting the identity of the antagonists, the story remains captivating, thanks to its relentless suspense and atmospheric setting. The addition of an ex-army intelligence officer and a determined cop raises the tension even further, and the chase leads to a climactic showdown that keeps you guessing until the end.

The novel does an excellent job of showcasing themes of family loyalty, survival, and the lengths one will go to protect loved ones in a world filled with danger. The revelation about Mary’s phone being the key to unraveling the conspiracy is a clever twist that adds an extra layer of intrigue.

Overall, The Onus is a fantastic debut, and I am eagerly looking forward to more offerings from Lee Adam in the future. If you're in the mood for a gripping thriller that combines emotional depth with high-octane action, this book is a must-read!

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I find it very difficult to believe that this is a debut novel. Think the movie Taken or Reacher books (with a bit more dark humour), set in Glasgow & a crime novel = heaven.

Amos Fisher, widower & ex-Royal Engineer, is thrust into an unfamiliar world when his daughter is kidnapped. Amos is badass with a capital B; he will do anything to find his girl & his training & brutality come to the fore. The most feared man in Glasgow is being hunted by a man who has nothing to lose.

I loved this book. A Scottish crime thriller which has it all. Yes, it starts off a little slow but that can be forgiven, the pace & tension soon ramp up to the point where I couldn’t put it down. I’m not sure how the author is going to beat this one.

[Abigail Barthee · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're a fan of Ian Flemming, James Patterson or the John Wick series then this is an ideal book for you!

[J. Bagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Non-stop, kick-ass, adrenaline rush!

Hard to believe this is a debut novel. I am understandably jealous of his talent while also quite proud of it. Not at all a genre I would be comfortable trying to write, but one I do enjoy reading. Can't wait for a sequel...

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amos' life is thrown upside down. His wife passes away, and then his daughter's abusive boyfriend kidnaps her. Amos', ex Royal Engineer, is one big badass and nothing will stop him saving his daughter.

This is an excellent novel. I struggle to believe it's the author's debt! It's fantastically written! There is so much character development, action and emotion. I love that Amos continues to feel the loss of his wife despite everything going on. This just felt realistic and added to the stress and emotion of the situation. He wasn't always likeable but he was working on some high emotions, so you could understand him. His relationship with Gerry was fantastic. I loved their sarcastic nature and banter. Good stuff, buttercup!

I appreciate the background we have too. A good insight into Amos' relationship with his daughter Mary. We also learn more about when she meets her boyfriend for the first time. We instantly dislike him. Not only is he suspicious in general, but he's very clearly preying on a younger girl. I was totally on Amos' side!

Aswell as the drama with Amos' and Gerry trying to get to Mary. We also have the police investigation, that's always interesting when it's well done and this was indeed well done. We also have Mary's perspectives too.

This book is ideal if you like :-
- Thrillers obvs!
- Dark humour (think of Richard Osman's humour in The Thursday Murder Club. This book is a bit more brutal than that!)
- Taken vibes (finding his daughter!)
- The Punisher / John Wick vibes (badass basically)
- Stephen King style character development on the main character

I was totally gripped to this. It was brilliant and will linger in my mind for a while. I highly recommend this to thriller lovers, or anyone wanting to get into the genre!

[Britney Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic debut novel. It is a bit slow to get into as you can tell its a beginner writer. But the story is gripping once it really gets going and heart wrenching at times. Plenty of action and a twist that I did not see coming. I read 80% of this book in one sitting because I didn't want to put it down. I can't wait to see how Lee Adam grows as an author and what comes next!

[Lee Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utterly brilliant... But then again, I am biased

[Keeley Webb Author · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good debut

**Potential SPOILERS***
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I've tried to stick to what's in the blurb so there's nothing that would spoil the story, but as this is a detailed review, I'm leaving a gap in case anyone wants to skip it 😊.

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Recently widowed Amos is a retired Royal Scots Engineer. Returning home from the hospice, heartbroken and exhausted, his daughter goes upstairs to rest, leaving her phone downstairs.

In an attempt to protect his daughter, Amos tries to ward off the persistent man on the other end of the phone. This only angers the mysterious and threatening caller further. Amos is unprepared for what's to come. Beaten and restrained, he can only watch on helplessly as his dog is mercilessly gunned down and his daughter, Mary, is taken. Taken being the operative word here as the speech Amos gives later on was just short of, "I have a rare set of skills."

The author must have tactical knowledge or has done a lot of research, as he weaves this knowledge convincingly into the narrative. Amos calls on the help of his buddy, Gerry, alongside undercover Detective Inspector, Rachel McGuire. Although obviously unintentional, I did find amusement in the similarity to 'Jerry Maguire' and internally shouted, "Show me the money," especially when Rachel was simply referred to as McGuire in sections straight after Gerry was mentioned. The author has taken inspiration from his favourite genre with Taken, Jack Reacher, Line of Duty, and John Wick vibes throughout.

This book started out strong but then meandered too long for my personal taste. I felt that some parts were a little too wordy and repetitive, which didn't add anything. Some sections needed to be more succinct to keep up the heart-pumping action of the mission at hand. I also felt briefly disappointed at the direction McGuire's character seemed to be taking, reduced to cleavage and a slim figure rather than a strong female character at the heart of an investigation.

This soon turned around, and the pace really picked up at the 65% mark, doing her character justice. The writing in this part of the story was stellar, and I was totally gripped. I thoroughly enjoyed the action in this section and felt the relationship between characters was well-developed. I'm interested to see what this author comes up with next.

[Lucy Brighton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Onus introduces readers to Amos Fisher, an ex-Royal Engineer whose life has been shattered by personal loss. Just when he thought things couldn’t get any worse, Amos is soon thrust into a nightmare when Mary, his daughter, is abducted by her gangster boyfriend - a man whose ambitions and secrets place her in grave danger. What follows is a relentless descent into Glasgow’s criminal underworld, as Amos, aided by a former intelligence officer and a determined police detective, races against time to save his daughter.
This is a gritty, fast-paced thriller that will appeal to fans of Lee Child. The narrative balances high-octane action with emotional depth, never losing sight of the humanity at its core. Amos, grief-stricken yet driven, is a flawed but compelling protagonist. His allies, equally imperfect, add layers of realism that make the stakes feel all the more urgent.
The plot is filled with twists, betrayals, and moments of doubt that keep the reader questioning loyalties until the very end. The pacing is tight, the tension unrelenting, and the conclusion satisfying without being predictable.
The Onus is a gripping debut that blends action, heart, and suspense in equal measure. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Honest review of an ARC copy – publication date: September 2nd.

[Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to the Author for allowing me to Adv Read The Onus, and also to Kaleigh for recommending this book to me.

Spoilers ahead:
The Onus, the action packed novel from Lee Adam, follows the story of Amos, an ex Royal Engineer and his daughter Mary who have just lost their wife/mother. Not long after this ordeal (a day), Mary is taken by ex-boyfriend Boydie & his men.
Amos must use his skills and knowledge to find his daughter before the worst happens, but what exactly as she got herself in to...

This is the first novel from Lee and what an extraudinary first book it is. It is a gripping, action packed, 3rd person POV, showing the story from all different angles. It has funny moments with a dash of sarcasm thrown into the mix at times from our main guys Amos & Gerry, as well as some twists throughout.

Think Taken but with its own twists, it’s an enjoyable read and I would absolutely (well I already have several times) recommend this to others.

[Martha Brindley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I don't know where to start with this review! How can this be the first book by Lee Adam as it is so well written and with great characterisation? The pacing was slow at first but quickly picked up as events unfolded. I was totally immersed right from the beginning as I fell in love with Amos and enjoyed the rollercoaster of a trip around Glasgow, the interesting plotting and the touch of humour throughout. I do hope there is another book to come and I am sure we will be reading more from the author in the future. If you like your thrillers, this is one for you to enjoy.

[Raye Chinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Onus by Lee Adams is a heavy-duty action story with a gripping, relentless pace. The plot kept me hooked from start to finish, but what stayed with me most was Amos. He’s the tragic hero in the best sense—raw, flawed, and unforgettable.

The love Amos has for his family is unfathomable, even if he believes he doesn’t know how to love his daughter. Action speaks louder than his lack of words ever could, and through his choices, you feel the depth of his devotion.

This was an excellent read—tense, heartfelt, and driven by a character who will linger with you long after the final page.

[Franchesca Meanwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently had the opportunity to ARC reading this. The Onus is a suspenseful crime novel following Amos Fisher, a man with very relatable family problems. There are twists and turns along the way, some you'll see coming but others that will keep you guessing. This is easily up there with some of the big names in crime fiction and I look forward to reading more of Lee Adam's work.

[C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This standalone thriller is a high-octane, gritty, and deeply emotional ride. It's packed with twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end, culminating in a satisfying and impactful conclusion. It is a must-read for anyone with a military background, whether they served themselves or have close family or friends in the forces.

[J.M. Sins · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Onus is a prime example of why indie books should NEVER be overlooked. This fast paced, action packed crime thriller is an absolute page turner of a book.

The excellent plot and brilliantly written characters are second only to the emotional depth of the story... that choked a tear out of me in its conclusion!

In all, The Onus is a very satisfying read that I would heartily recommend.

[A Small · Rating 5 out of 5]

With this being Lee Adams' first novel. I want to say he has done an absolutely amazing job. I tip my hat to him. He has  created 3D characters as well as an entertaining, action-packed story.  For me he has set the foundation to tell more stories in this universe. I am eager to see what stories Lee Adams writes next whether it is in the Onusverse or in an entirely different universe.

[Meg B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC for this in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much to the author, Lee, for your generosity. This has not affected my review 🫶

This book was really well written and the story kept me interested throughout. I loved the dynamic between the two main characters and it made me want to hug my dad a little tighter next time.

An exciting thriller that’s definitely worth a read to support an indie author!

[Tania Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's gritty and set in Scotland. What's not to like? It had great characters, great pacing, great action. I was always wanting to turn the page to see what happened next. There was a couple of elements that kept me guessing and the conclusion to those mysteries was answered at the right time (in my humble opinion), not too early and not dragged out. I am pleased to say I was right about them, oh and it was not overly obvious either so that made being right more sweet.
If you like crime thriller, I am sure you will enjoy this book.

[Megneto♓️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyable read! Definately gives me Taken vibes!