A warning: Don't mess with Quinn's friends. If you do, he'll find out. And when he finds out, he'll find you. No matter who you are. No matter where you go.
Because even when Quinn's off the clock there's work to be done.
OFF THE CLOCK is a seventy-five hundred word short story, featuring the protagonist of the award winning Jonathan Quinn Thriller series.
PRAISE FOR THE JONATHAN QUINN SERIES:
“A pure delight.” —Jeffery Deaver, author of EDGE and the Lincoln Rhyme’s novels.
“Battles is a master storyteller.” —Sheldon Siegel, author of PERFECT ALIBI
“Quinn is one part James Bond, one part Jason Bourne.” —Nashville Book Worm
“Highly recommended.” —Library Journal (starred review for THE DECEIVED)
“The best word I can use to describe his writing is addictive.” —James Rollins, author of the Sigma Force series.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Brett Battles the Barry Award winning author of seven novels including THE CLEANER, THE SILENCED, LITTLE GIRL GONE, SICK and his first novel for younger readers, HERE COMES MR. TROUBLE. He is one of the founding members of Killer Year, and a member of International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, and Sisters in Crime. More info available at www.brettbattles.com.
Brett Battles is a NEW YORK TIMES bestselling and Barry Award-winning author of forty novels, including the Jonathan Quinn series and its Excoms spinoff, the Project Eden series, and the time bending Rewinder series. He’s also the coauthor, with Robert Gregory Browne, of the Alexandra Poe series. He is one of the founding members of Killer Year, and is a member of Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers. He lives and writes in Ventura County, California.
This was a great little short story that takes place over one evening. The plot was very tight; the writing clean and crisp. The characters were not overdeveloped but were still very interesting. The story was nothing new, or something I haven't read before, but it was really well told with very vivid details. The author told just enough that I knew what was happening but didn't overexplain things and insult my intelligence. Everything was tied up and left me satisfied at the end. I'd read it again.
I love Battles' style of writing, and I love Jonathan Quinn. Getting to read little bits about him in between the novels is a sweet little gift from the author. Brett Battles is my new favorite author.
It's a short story so my rating is based on the fact that I knew that when I read it. It's probably 3.5 stars but I rounded up because I like the additional insight into to Quinn. I think this story was either an early attempt at a prequel or Battles is trying to help someone in his/her writing career. Or maybe it is a cutout from an earlier book. There are sections that are not written as skillfully as Battles usually does but the short story does give more insight into Quinn.
If I have the opportunity, I prefer to read books in a series not in order of their publication date but instead based on the character's life timeline. This book is listed as #4.5 which puts it between The Silenced and The Destroyed, but in actuality it should be a prequel to The Cleaner. In this short story, Quinn is still working for The Office, he and Orlando are not speaking, and his intervention to help a person at the Taste of Siam is mentioned in The Cleaner as something that happened 2 years prior. So I'm confused about why it is listed as book 4.5 which neither aligns to the date published or the character's life.
Quinn is very protective of those he cares about, even if he doesn't know them well. In Off the Clock, he has stopped by his favorite Thai restaurant where he is greeted warmly by the hostess, the waitstaff, and the karaoke singer. The evening is going well and is exactly the downtime Quinn needs until a man walks in the door. He is unknown to Quinn, but the singer, the hostess, and the waitresses react badly. Quinn can't let it go and finally gets the story. The man doesn't know it yet, but life as he knew it is over.
Wow! Who doesn't want to give someone their comeuppance sometimes?! Like the person in the store or wherever in public, yammering uselessly on his mobile loud enough for all to hear even when you've politely asked him to tone it down. Who doesn't want to open hand slap that guy and then snatch his phone from his ear and drop it in his coffee and calmly walk away??? That scenario so doesn't compare to what Quinn did to the guy in this short story but it gives insight into the mindset of someone who gets fed up with people who act as if the rules don't apply to them. Just DO NOT mess with Quinn nor anyone he considers his friend.
A really good short, I love the Quinn series and this short story did not disappoint. I would recommend this short story for all to read... It should not take you anymore than an hour to read.. 5 stars, Thanks Brett
For the fans of Brett Battles' Quinn character this is a fun read. Very short story in which Quinn helps out an acquaintance in a Thai restaurant in L.A.
This short story will not make much sense to anyone who has not read the Battles series as there is very little backstory.
This is my second time to read this one. Didn't remember anything about it since I read it in 2012. This is a typical Jonathan Quinn book - just much shorter. I rate it 5 stars.