The Incident: Episode One

The Incident #1

by Lars Emmerich

The Incident Episode One: Where do you run when even the good guys want you dead?

This is Episode One of an eight-episode series.

Special Agent Sam Jameson is having a bad week. People are trying to kill her.

That would be business as usual in the counterespionage world, except that it’s the good guys who have her in the crosshairs.

Why are the DC Metro police trying to kidnap her? Do her bosses at Homeland want her in a body bag, too?

And why does everyone she talks to seem to end up in the morgue?

Will a ruthless mercenary, a hapless American traitor, and a dead man’s cryptic clue hold the key to Sam’s survival? As the noose tightens around her neck, Sam must uncover a brutal and deadly conspiracy before she becomes its next victim.

Genres: Fiction, Ebooks

121 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 28, 2014

About the author

You know that feeling when a story gives you goosebumps? I love that feeling.

And the one where you read something that puts a lump in your throat and smoke in your eyes? I love that one too.

And the feeling that you know what's going to happen next, only to find out to your absolute delight that you couldn't have been more wrong? I love that feeling too.

I love reading stories that move me and challenge my assumptions and teach me something. I love the way a great author lures me in and takes me along for a fantastic ride.

I also love to write stories. It's how I spend my days and a good share of my nights, too. I'm on a quest to write the perfect story full of perfect sentences. I don't know if I'm anywhere close, but I enjoy the gentle struggle.

Reviews

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Confusing espionage novel with three main characters, none of them particularly sympathetic.

Sam, the CIA investigator, people are trying to kill her, notably, members of the DC Metro police.

Peter Kittredge, a traitorous State Department dude...Well, that's par for the course, in most novels in this type, isn't it?

A gigantic assassin.

They do their thing, but don't really accomplish much.

[Will Decker]

I'm not sure what to make of this story. The writing, plot and character development were excellent, but it had no ending. It's a marketing ploy that I completely disagree with! It should have been advertised as a trailer to the series or something along those lines, not a complete novel, because it isn't. I understand using the first in a series to draw a reader in by offering it for free, but finish it! If the reader likes the first story in a series, they will probably buy the rest of the series without being forced into it. This style of marketing is very upsetting to your readers. For all the things you did as a writer, I would give it 5 stars. For overall experience as a reader, I can only give it a single star!

[Tracee · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wrote a review on the Kobo right after I finished reading but it’s lost, nowhere to be found so I’ll try to recap.

The book was okay...but it was a horrible way to end it. Just abruptly ended, almost mid-sentence. I understand it’s book one and the author wants you to buy the next book but with these tactics I’m wiping the author from my to-read list :-)

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rather reminiscent of the pulp fiction of yore but with female lead character this novel based on the exploits of Sam Jameson who seems to survive debilitating injuries to pursue high ranking government criminals despite the efforts of their bought minions in the police force and FBI. Lots of chases, side stories and chases and fights she prevails.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting characters and fast paced plot that kept me turning pages. My one complaint is that it just ends. Yes, it sets up the next book which I will definitely read, but it is like a bigger novel was just chopped off and the words "The End" added right there. I would have liked a bit more closure.

[Barb Soulliere · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sorry it took me so long to read your book it was very good. Now I will have to read more. Thank you for the free book.

[Neill Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Special Agent Samantha Jameson and her paramour/partner, Air Force Colonel Brock James, investigated the supposed suicide of John Abrams it was apparent from the amount and severity of his wounds and a completely uncharacteristic suicide note that this was a targeted hit. However when she discovered her name and home address at the scene of his death she realized that she was about to become a target and on the way home she discovered that fake police were trying to either capture or kill her. As the case develops American spies meet a Venezuelan cartel involved with petroleum companies and Sam discovers multi levels of interagency collaboration and manipulation. This is a brutal, convoluted,and very interesting story that will be very appealing to people with strong stomachs and I recommend it highly.

[Mary Enck · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are contagious. I have been infected after reading two in the series. The Incident kept me wondering, even unto the end, about the hidden entity that is orchestrating all the trouble. The troubles never end and there are two really separate storylines that spin along like some kind of chase scene on the highway. All the while, I am trying to guess how they relate and expect to see an intersection coming up with no offramps to save the characters. They must rely on their own resourcefulness and of that there is plenty. It's a fast ride and I was holding onto my seat belt. I am compelled to go on and seek out the next book, the next episode and catch my breath so I can continue.

[Romaine Heart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! The Incident:Inferno Rising is a fabulous read!
There are two storylines going on throughout this book which intertwine more as the series continues.
Special Agent Samantha Jameson is on the run after police officers tried to kill her. Another cop bombed her home. Sam doesn't feel the team support from her bosses. Therefore, she has to do some investigating on her own.
Peter is forced into helping the Agency after his torture session with Quinn, an assassin.
Lars Emmerich is a new author to me. Absolutely love this book! I'm already hooked!!
Yes it does end in an amazing cliffhanger.
Onto reading The Incident:Reckoning!!

[Kathy Watts · Rating 2 out of 5]

Having read The Blowback Protocol and thoroughly enjoyed it I decided to go back to the start. Frankly I was disappointed. The basis of the plot was good and some character development was interesting but I found it disappointing that Mr Emmerich left the story as a cliff hanger and it only got that far because of the need to use fillers in the plot with all of the sexual antics of some of the characters.
A good plot doesn’t need these fillers.

[Katya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whilst it does say that this is "episode one" of the series, just like many others who have read this, I didn't expect this to end on such a cliffhanger. Wasn't quite a fan of any of the main characters, either, as there was nothing about either of them that could have me "latch on" and like them and root for them.

The story itself was decent and fast paced, and I loved the intrigue starting to be built up.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed #1 in this boxed set of 8 books that I got an amazing price on from the author! Kudos Lars on a really good plot and good solid characters. I was having a bit of trouble warming up to Sam Jameson at first but she kicked enough butt and took enough names to get me really cheering her on through most of the story!! I look forward to reading #2!!

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book for free and give my review gladly.
I found this book to be a mind bending, fast paced, espionage thriller.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book until the end - CLIFFHANGER.
Luckily I was able to find book 2 at a reasonable price but really do find it annoying that you must read the next book to get a result.

[Doug Branscombe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action packed. Sam Jameson finds herself on the run, and she's not sure who she can trust because she's not sure who the good guys and bad guys are. She and her boyfriend Brock find themselves in the crosshairs and the body count around them is rising.

[Sablemorgans · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well I'm not a fan of books that don't stand alone and you have to buy the next one to continue the storyline, that said it was well written, like the characters and I will probably buy the next book, would have given a higher rating except for the stand alone book issue

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I found it a bit confusing, the writing and character developments were great. However this 'first book' really didn't have an ending. You will definitely have to read the next to find out if there is an ending. I do plan to read the rest of them as I did enjoy this.

[Nicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I’d known that this book stops dead mid plot (shameless manipulation by the author and unfulfilling as heck)—I’d never have even started it. Hard no to reading the second one, or any others by this guy.

[Marie]

I can’t rate this one because although I enjoyed the story line, it had no ending. Fortunately I had the second book already in queue and it picked up where the last chapter of the first book left off. I really dislike this marketing method!

[Pat Welte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suspenseful, dangerous, lots of action. Fun read, not always knowing the good guys from the bad guys or gals.

[J Balascio · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was raunchy, sexy, and a complex, engaging story! Definitely left me wanting the next installment.

[Penny Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast-paced plot makes this a real page-turner...but it is only Episode One. There is no proper ending to the story, which makes me want to read more, but also a bit annoyed that I've been 'played' 😫

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the characters and I love the action and the danger that Sam keeps running into. I enjoy the way she interacts with her bosses. I liked everything about this book, except that I can't find episode two. This makes hitting a dead end with no conclusion in site a bit of a downer. I knew it took place in parts, but I didn't know that I wasn't going to be able to locate the next phase.

I have read more of Lars Emmerich's work so I know that I love his writing. I love the journey he takes us on when he writes. I wanted to finish this ride.

[Ted Tayler · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Short but sweet"

A good thriller that had only two drawbacks. The prologue didn't feature in Episode One at all and there was no ending - just the regular cliff-hanger to entice you to get Episode Two. Even if the format of the series is explained up front, it doesn't make it any less satisfactory for me. I still feel cheated. Lars Emmerich is a good writer, no question, but I feel he has some way to go to be able to rub shoulders with some of the names mentioned in the blurb for this book.

[Jeff Chapman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun read. Critics compare to Baldacci but Lars is not that good. I am looking forward to reading the next in the series to see if he improves with time. The characters are just not very polished and seem to do stupid things which to me is a weakness as an author to develop complex plots, get characters in deep trouble and then work their way out. His characters seem to get lucky a lot!

[Donnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just okay. Kind of hard to follow, and not enough strings to keep me reading further into the next 'episode.' It is set up like a TV show, cliffhanger at the end, and nothing concluded at all at the end of this book.
Just okay.