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The Carpenter
When Eric James Donovan, a carpenter by trade and former black ops squad leader, distraught from the ravages of the Great Recession, is offered a Faustian bargain, he discovers “anyone will do anything if they are tempted enough or desperate enough.” Eric accepts the deal from a dark figure calling himself a mediator and plans an assassination of a powerful real estate scammer and billionaire. Eric has never failed in any of his missions for his country. His weapon of choice is a powerful neurotoxin, TTX. Eric violates his principles and risks everything to carry out the assignment. After an introduction to a seductive criminal defense attorney involved in bi sexual encounters, murder for profit and underworld clientele, Eric has moments of despair and seeks out counseling by the family priest. Father Tom, a retread with a surreptitious past, knows Eric better than his own father and guides Eric in a disturbing manner for a Father Confessor. Everything falls into place for Eric to have the opportunity to complete his project. As you learn about Eric and his plight from dealing with death to financial ruin, you sense righteousness. He reluctantly exchanges his convictions for new pleasures. When informed by the mediator, “Nothing is ever as it seems, nor is it otherwise” we are exposed to the twists, turns and unexpected connections of all of the characters in this dark and edgy tale. This is the first book in The Blue Collar Assassin Series. - See more at: http://christophermatthewspub.com/car...
254 pages, Paperback
First published March 25, 2014
69 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 29, 2014
First off, the cover made me buy the book. It captures the essence of what I read. The main character Eric James Donovan is a carpenter by trade, who has lost everything that ever mattered to him. He's given up, drowning his sorrows. But wait... his dark past as a former special Black Ops leader comes to light as he is contacted by a mysterious figure known only as the Mediator. Eric is offered $1 million dollars to kill one of the most powerful, corrupt and detested men in the world. Will he do it? If so, is he successful?
Eric is forced to face his past demons which collide with his deep moral and religious beliefs as he is tempted by this offer. The richly developed characters are so slyly connected in the vein of Agatha Christie's writing style, that I could not turn the pages fast enough to see who was going to do what, when, why and how!
Max Myllan has produced a wonderfully well crafted, tightly woven story full of surprising plot twists and exciting in-depth players that are a part of Eric's journey back into his buried past. This makes the reader " see and feel" what is happening as the characters live it.
This book is full of explicitly knowledgeable details. The author has absolutely done his research to ensure the crispness and believability of the scenarios each character is faced with as those pages turn. The ending is thoroughly satisfying, but left me happily anticipating the next installment of the "Blue Collar Assassin Series".
The literary world should sit up straight and take notice of Max Myllan and his excellent writing style. I cannot wait for the rest of the series Max. I can see this as a thriller movie! Well Done.
Scarlet Johnson
Eric is forced to face his past demons which collide with his deep moral and religious beliefs as he is tempted by this offer. The richly developed characters are so slyly connected in the vein of Agatha Christie's writing style, that I could not turn the pages fast enough to see who was going to do what, when, why and how!
Max Myllan has produced a wonderfully well crafted, tightly woven story full of surprising plot twists and exciting in-depth players that are a part of Eric's journey back into his buried past. This makes the reader " see and feel" what is happening as the characters live it.
This book is full of explicitly knowledgeable details. The author has absolutely done his research to ensure the crispness and believability of the scenarios each character is faced with as those pages turn. The ending is thoroughly satisfying, but left me happily anticipating the next installment of the "Blue Collar Assassin Series".
The literary world should sit up straight and take notice of Max Myllan and his excellent writing style. I cannot wait for the rest of the series Max. I can see this as a thriller movie! Well Done.
Scarlet Johnson
May 28, 2014
Eric Donovan is a man who is down on his luck. He has loan sharks and bill collectors closing in on him. He also has to deal with the aftermath of a string of deaths within the family. A mysterious customer contacts him for a job, but chooses rather seedy locations in order to conduct anonymous business. As Eric's problems become too much to bear his father suggests that he calls up a man that owes a favor. Eric is taken on an exciting ride for the rest of the book, finding out more about the illegal underground than he ever imagined. Nothing in this world is as it seems. Nearly everyone in this book has a secret.
I enjoyed the fleshed out characters and detailed descriptions of the Donovan men's past. Max Myllan provides a great novel that will captivate your attention as you watch Eric Donovan unravel the mysteries he encounters and how he becomes wrapped up in the world of shadows that these characters would rather keep hidden.
I enjoyed the fleshed out characters and detailed descriptions of the Donovan men's past. Max Myllan provides a great novel that will captivate your attention as you watch Eric Donovan unravel the mysteries he encounters and how he becomes wrapped up in the world of shadows that these characters would rather keep hidden.
May 22, 2014
I read a lot. So I am always on the search for new books to read. I get tired with the same old storiess.
I feel like I can call lots of the storylines in the books I read.
Fortunately I discovered this book. I literally just finished reading and I adored each and every page.
One man, down and out, saw his fine furniture business destroyed, lost his loves and family and had nothing to live for. Yet he persevered and accepted a Faustian bargain that would change his life. All he had to do was assassinate a powerful billionaire real estate scammer responsible for financial ruins in America.
The storyline is new and original. The writing is quite illustrative and flows very well. The pages fly by.
Overall this book is a great read and you will surprise.
I feel like I can call lots of the storylines in the books I read.
Fortunately I discovered this book. I literally just finished reading and I adored each and every page.
One man, down and out, saw his fine furniture business destroyed, lost his loves and family and had nothing to live for. Yet he persevered and accepted a Faustian bargain that would change his life. All he had to do was assassinate a powerful billionaire real estate scammer responsible for financial ruins in America.
The storyline is new and original. The writing is quite illustrative and flows very well. The pages fly by.
Overall this book is a great read and you will surprise.
May 20, 2014
This is a fast-paced novel that was entertaining from start to finish. It's humorous and action-packed in all of the right places. I'm not a huge fan of assassins but everybody will like Eric Donovan because he's a well-developed character that exhibits characteristics that are in all of us.
There are some interesting twists that I didn't expect. I read a lot of books and I do like it when a writer can surprise me. This is a good read that's well-written. I'd recommend it to any mystery/thriller reader.
There are some interesting twists that I didn't expect. I read a lot of books and I do like it when a writer can surprise me. This is a good read that's well-written. I'd recommend it to any mystery/thriller reader.
August 20, 2016
The Carpenter is a surprise in ever sense of the word. Upon reading the description I was incredibly intrigued in the story. I mean, how many carpenter/ former black ops squad leader do you see in the staring role in a book? Well, this one has that, and it makes for a non-stop thrill ride of suspense, intrigue, and mystery. The gritty and tense storyline will have you up late in to the night finishing this fascinating thriller (I know, because it kept me up!). A must read!
June 5, 2014
This book is amazing! Right from the start you are hooked as the action begins right away. This story will keep you guessing and keep you reading. It is one of the best books that I have read this year.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews