The Protector

Frank Doy Thrillers #12

by Dan Latus

Frank Doy never wanted a fight. But he can’t walk away from this one. Not now his oldest friend is under threat.

It starts like any other day . . . Frank’s out walking on the beach, when a motor boat comes speeding into view. Closing in fast. “You! In the boat — now!” barks the stranger onboard, waving a gun at Frank.

And that’s not even the strangest part.

The goons whisk Frank away to meet their boss — and it’s someone Frank knows. Formidable oligarch Leon Podolsky. He and Frank go way back. And now he’s reaching out for one last favour.

Leon’s beloved sister, Olga, is in grave and imminent danger.

Frank remembers Olga. Of course he does. Beautiful, kind-hearted Olga. She couldn’t be less like her brother if she tried.

But that doesn’t matter to Leon’s enemies. Hellbent on vengeance, they’re closing in on Olga’s ramshackle old place, out in the lonely Czech countryside.

Keeping her safe out in the wilderness, besieged by enemies at every turn, sounds like mission impossible to Frank.

But he knows he’s got to protect Olga. Or die trying . . .

Genres: Fiction

286 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 11, 2025

Reviews

[Viking Jam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review: There is an avalanche of Jack Reacher wannabe novels out there, some good, some bad. Where does this series fall? Read on!

IMO this was middle of the road in presentation, although some might find it appealing due to the foreign venues. Me, not so much. The MC is just kind of blah. He struggles around and through every scene while really rich people have full faith in his abilities. For instance, he is sent to protect Miss Genius in the countryside all by himself. Yet, Miss Genius' rich connected brother cannot have hidden men everywhere keeping an eye on her? No? Is it because she is so aware of her surroundings that she would know that her brother is going against her wishes? I didn't get the reasoning.

Besides the forced story line, the dialogue througout was very lengthy and verbose. You know, the kind of exchanges where the end of the sentences have exclamation points.

There is hope here, as the writer has talent that prays for experience. So I will be nice and give it a three.

I received this ARC for an honest review.

2.8/5

[Gillian Cawte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast Moving, Engrossing
Frank Doy is “The Protector.” This is what he does. As the story begins he is helping protect Jamie Burke who is in police protection as an informant against Kravertz. Kravertz works for “Manny” who is leader of a group of bad guys – the reader is not immediately told what nefarious projects Manny’s guys are working on, but when Kravertz takes the unsuspecting Jamie to kill some professional divers, Jamie runs, escapes and takes his story to the police.
Meanwhile, Frank’s good friend Leon Podolsky moves Frank urgently to Prague to provide protection for Leon’s sister Olga who is an IT genius, is working on a top secret project, and has a group of bad guys after her to stop her work progressing.
Frank brings Jamie to Prague to more easily keep a watch over him and remove him from England and proximity to the bad guys Frank is protecting Jamie from. Since Jamie is ex-service it is hoped he will also help Frank protect Olga. However, as the bad guys get closer they find that the people chasing Olga are the same as those looking for Jamie. So now not only is Jamie able to provide Olga and Leon with additional information from his personal knowledge of Kravitz which enables them to solve and complete their secret project successfully, but a tense chase scene also proves Jamie is a good guy and also a very capable protector for Olga.
This book is well written so it is easy to keep up with the plot and remember where the people fit in. The story is fast moving with lots of chases, shoot-outs and tension. The detailed pen pictures of the various locations in UK and the Czech Countryside add to the reader’s enjoyment. I thoroughly recommend this book, lots of action and a very satisfactory conclusion. Beware! It kept me glued to the pages for long past my usual bed time!

[Cathy Geha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Protector by Dan Latus
Frank Doy Thrillers #12

Grabbed me on page one and kept me interested till the last page ~ Not having read previous books was no problem and the story easy to follow.

What I liked:
* Frank Doy: security consultant, bodyguard, private investigator, good friend, strategist, helpful, would rather avoid violence but willing to defend himself and others, interesting
* Jimmy Mack: Frank’s neighbor, owner of a fishing boat, retired, good friend
* Jamie Burke: left witness protection, on the slate to testify in a murder case, ex-boxer, ex-military, security and bodyguard business, strong, resilient, wonder if he will show up again in the series
* Leon Podolsky: wealthy, Eastern European, owns businesses and a medical center and hotels, may have been in previous books
* Olga Podolsky: works with her brother, IT genius, likes older homes and creating a comfortable living space, different
* Lenka Podolsky: pilot, sniper, works in the family business, warrior
* The fact that Leon’s employees are dedicated to him and he to them
* That Frank is part of the Risky Point community on the Cleveland Coast
* The plot, pacing, setting, and writing
* The way Leon took care of Jamie and Charles when they were injured
* That I was able to dislike the bad guys and wish Karma would descend on them
* All of it except…

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* That the bad guys were willing to do such evil things just to make money

Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for the ARC – This is my honest review

5 Stars

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I met Frank Doy for the first time in The Protector, but I see from the series list that he's been on twelve other adventures before this one! I love a nice, robust series, and if this book is a bellwether for the others, I'll be in for a treat when I go back to the beginning and dive into Dan Latus's other Frank Doy novels. I saw the character described as being "Reacher-like" (from Lee Child's fantastic lone-wolf series), and I do see some similarities, but I like that Doy isn't quite the loner Reacher is. He's got a home, a neighbor, a fishing buddy, and a place he loves, Risky Point, to go back to.

The Protector follows Doy from his North Sea adjacent cliffside home to the bustling streets of Prague, and then out into the Czech countryside as he strives to protect the sister of a close friend. A close friend… who happens to be a billionaire with his fingers in many pies, some of which may not be exactly legal. I like Doy's style, including his reluctance to kill all the bad guys and his protective nature over not just his client, Olga, but a young man who tried to do the right thing and ended up with a target on his back. The writing style is clean, and the plot is well-explained and executed. Reading the book felt like watching an action movie.

Thank you, Joffe Books, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Mrs C · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like Lee Child you'll love this book.
It's set between Cumberland on the North east of UK and Prague in the former Czech Republic.
It's the 12th in the Frank Doy series but the 1st I've read and is a great standalone so you can enjoy it for itself, personally I'm going back to read the rest in the.
Frank is a close protection /security specialist who comes into contact with a man who witnessed a triple murder who has run from the witness protection programme after his whereabouts were leaked. Frank offers to do what he can to help but meantime is called to provide his services to a long standing client who has become a friend. He's a Russian who moved to the Czech Republic, Prague, and has become a Czech citizen, running his many businesses from there. His sister has come under threat from an unknown person/entity and enlists Frank's help. Finding its too much fr one he invites Jamie , the Witness and ex serviceman, to assist him whilst also getting him out of the UK and danger .
Gradually they discover that the same people are after both Jamie & Olga.
What happens next brings plenty of action and a truly explosive ending you'll not want to miss.
Thanks to Joffes for my ARC copy of this book.

[J Kromrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Dan Latus's "The Protector" is a relentless and gripping crime thriller that is not a story for the faint of heart; Latus plunges readers into a dark and morally ambiguous world where the lines between justice and vengeance blur.

This story follows a former special forces operative turned vigilante, haunted by the ghosts of his past. Driven by a desperate need for redemption, he embarks on a dangerous mission to protect an innocent witness from a ruthless criminal organization. As the stakes rise and the body count climbs, the protagonist finds himself entangled in a deadly game of cat and mouse, where every decision has devastating consequences.

Ultimately, for me, this read was a bit of a "reach" as in a Jack Reacher wannabe read where resolutions were too easily resolved.

The moral ambiguities are interesting, however.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to @netgalley for the ARC of this book for an honest review.

Frank Doy is a security specialist/PI who is currently living along the Northumberland coastline who is asked by an old friend to protect his sister from enemies who wish to destroy him and the family business in the Czech Republic. He also looks out for a young ex soldier who was privy to a crime and was in witness protection but left due to trust issues within the Police (this was never followed though in the book).
It was very fast-paced and full of action, felt a bit "Reacher-esque" at times but there was lots of waffle, and dialogue that went on too long, and it did feel a bit stilted at times and the areas that could've been developed more, weren't.

All in all, it was a good book, and this is the first time I've read and heard of this author. I'll definitely try more of his books in the future.

[Sally Winsor · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like Lee Child, you’ll love Dan Latus…
The book starts randomly with the murder of three divers and the escape of a witness. We then move on to the main protagonist, Frank Doy, who is minding his own business when he is abducted at gunpoint and transferred to a large trawler in the North Sea. There he meets an old friend who apologises for the method of his abduction and offers him a job. Job refused, Frank is transferred home. Thus starts a tale of epic proportions, with a runaway witness protection recipient, a computer genius in danger, and a rogue businessman. Although this is book 12 of the Frank Doy series, it definitely can be read as a stand alone. I hadn’t read any of the earlier books in the series, and totally enjoyed this one. In fact, this one was so good that I immediately went online and bought the boxed set of the first eleven in the series!

[Alison Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It gets straight into the action from the first chapter. There is nothing slow about this book. It had all the best ingredients for a great read. Drama tension and a little mystery. Not to mention great characters. Frank has to protect Olga by any means necessary. Although Olga is no shrinking violet and she is equally as capable ad well as deadly. The tension builds throughout the book which leads to an explosive conclusion. The characters are so interesting each with their unique skills and their own unique charm. Even though this book is part of a series I have only read this one out of the series. So it also works great as a stand alone. Although because I enjoyed it so much I will soon be reading more of this series. Definitely more from this author.

[Phil Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is episode 12 of The Frank Doy Security Consultancy it also stands well as a stand-alone.
Frank is keeping his head down, and his nose clean, hoping for a break from his dangerous job. The peace doesn't last long as he finds himself abducted at gunpoint from his coastal retreat. A fast boat roars out of the mist, and he's taken aboard a large trawler where he's shocked to find himself in front of his old friend and oligarch Leon Podolsky. When he finds that his close friend, Olga Podolsky, is in danger and his security skills are needed to protect her, he doesnt hesitate to take the job.
His new mission takes him to the Czech Republic, where the action begins. Frank needs all his skills and a lot of luck to survive this mission and fulfil his role.
A rip-roaring tale of friendship, supercriminals, big money, and The British Admiralty. This is an unputdownable page turner for fans of Lee Child and Mark Dawson.

[Mary Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was quite enjoyable. It's fast-paced and there's a lot of action. Frank is asked to keep the sister of an acquaintance safe as it seems some people want revenge and they are closing in on her location in the Czech Republic. The sister Olga is also trying to find the target of a supposed pipeline attack.

I enjoyed the action throughout but the ending felt a bit rushed. I would read more though by this author.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable thriller set in th UK and then in Europe as the central character, Frank Doy, works as ‘The Protector’ against a background of international criminals and threatened individuals.

It is fast pacing and an interesting and well thought out story, with the main protagonist who has already featured in eleven other books by this author. It stands alone nonetheless and I look forward to tracking down the others in the series for equal enjoyment.

[Kelly Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Joffe Book, Dan Latus and NetGalley for allowing to pre-read this book. Dan Latus is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. This book is part of a series featuring security expert Frank Doy, In this book, Frank is immersed in two dueling story lines, one a person in Witness Protection has left witness protection, Jamie Burke, He left witness protection because he feels like the cops have a leak and they can no longer protect him. Frank is asked by multiple people to find Jamie Burke and convince him to go back into witness protection. In the meantime, Franks' relationship with a Ukrainian family the Podolsky's takes over and he is asked to come to Prague and provide protection for one of the sisters of the matriarch Leon Podolsky. While in Prague, the Jaime Burke story becomes a part of the Podolsky story and Frank is trying to save them both killers that they have no idea who they are or what they want, Well, maybe a little bit of an idea. This is a great crime thriller with all the elements of a great story. It flows really well, isn't too involved in the details but gives some great descriptions of eastern Europe which I love. I also love the characters especially the Podolsky's who are not quite with in the bounds of legality but rather walk the line of crime family and just a wealthy family. Great read I would recommend to any one.

[patrick Lorelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story that is full of action and is fast paced, which makes for an easy read. The beginning of the book has Frank taken from the beach he is walking on, but partway through the journey, he turns the tables on the men, which sets up the rest of the book. He sets out to protect Olga, a sister of a friend, and who a group of people are after. An excellent story with excellent characters.

[Doug Yonce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of action. The protagonist is an excellent action hero, and the story is set up well and progresses quickly through a variety of obstacles to a logical conclusion. I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and voluntarily provided an honest review.

[Richard L Colemere]

I enjoyed being back

I have been reading other authors, but was excited to pick up this book. I wasn't disappointed and really enjoyed the way Paths put together this great story of adventure!

[T Olsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fast and entertaining book, despite the changing POV between 1. and 3. that I don't see the point of and don't like. The plot is OK, but the characters could use more descriptions.

[Melvyn Homer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The protector. From an unforseen kidnap to an international conspiracy, the story simply buzzes along until the thrilling finale. A great read worth the effort.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

If only I could give this book 10 stars.
What a GREAT read

[Wendy Boynton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read all the Frank Doy series and have thoroughly enjoyed them. They are well-written fast-paced thrillers with a great protagonist.

[J Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast-moving thriller
There are eleven previous books by Dan Lotus featuring his character, Frank Doy. Read this as a standalone book as I had no prior knowledge of the character or, indeed, the writer.
It's a fast-moving tale with lots of action sequences. The writing style is sharp and to the point. It also has some detailed descriptions of the Teesside area of Northern England and also of the Czech Republic (now Czechia) and, in particular, its capital Prague.
I really enjoyed the book, but I feel I would have gotten even more out of it if I had known more about Frank Doy and his back story. There are bits of information given in the text, but I found it lacking in that respect. I realise, though, that an author has to strike a balance between being too repetitive for their regular readers and being sufficiently informative for their new readers to get the full benefit.
Overall, this left me wanting to know more about Frank Doy.

[Dirk Edwards · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was excited to read this novel as the description was compelling. I have never read any of Dan Latus' novels and was looking forward to it. I was disappointed, sadly. The story itself was fine, however situations seemed to resolve themselves to simply. Situations happen and events all come together to easily and unnaturally in my opinion. The ending felt rushed and too easy.
I enjoyed the characters, the settings and the way they were presented and described.
It is possible I would have been more engaged and enjoyed this novel more if I had read other novels in the series and was more familiar with the protagonist's back story.