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Jonathan Quinn #0.1
Becoming Quinn
Most careers begin with an interview and a handshake. Others require a little ... something more. Meet Jake Oliver. The day will come when he's one of the best cleaners in the business, a man skilled at making bodies disappear. At the moment, however, he's a twenty-two year old rookie cop, unaware his life is about to change. In a burning barn a body is found--and the fire isn't the cause of death. The detectives working the case have a pretty good idea about what went down. But Officer Oliver thinks it's something else entirely, and pursues a truth others would prefer remain hidden--others who will go to extreme lengths to keep him quiet. Every identity has an origin. This is Quinn's.
220 pages, Paperback
First published May 14, 2011
443 people are currently reading
975 people want to read
About the author
Brett Battles
92 books1,073 followersBrett 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 185 reviews
June 28, 2020
This is my first experience with reading a Brett Battles’ book. I chose the book because Scott Brick, one of my favorite narrators, was the narrator. I am glad I did. I will now read more of this series and Battles’ books.
The book is well written and is a fast-paced suspenseful story. I could hardly put the book down. The story is about a rookie police officer, Jake Oliver, and how he became Jonathan Quinn, “cleaner” for a government agency. I recommend this book. I look forward to reading more of the series.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is six hours and twenty-one minutes. Scott Brick does an excellent job narrating the book. Brick is a long-time audiobook narrator and has won every possible award the industry presents.
The book is well written and is a fast-paced suspenseful story. I could hardly put the book down. The story is about a rookie police officer, Jake Oliver, and how he became Jonathan Quinn, “cleaner” for a government agency. I recommend this book. I look forward to reading more of the series.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is six hours and twenty-one minutes. Scott Brick does an excellent job narrating the book. Brick is a long-time audiobook narrator and has won every possible award the industry presents.
June 28, 2017
This is exactly how a series beginning should start! Suspense, intrigue, pulsating and narrow escapes! 10 of 10 stars
March 7, 2017
This is a perfect way to begin a long-running character series. Never a dull moment. 10 of 10 stars
January 30, 2022
This is a brilliant read. The plot is interesting, the twists are well placed, the writing and editing is tight so that there's no dull or slow chapter and through the pages you discover how Jake Oliver became Jonathan Quinn.
If you are after a page turner that gets you out of a reading slump, this is the book to pick.
If you are after a page turner that gets you out of a reading slump, this is the book to pick.
January 13, 2014
Absolutely superb! Everything one might look for in a suspense/thriller, all wrapped up in a novella length, quick read - NOT easy to do! I'm impressed... Think I'll continue this series and see if they are all so tightly written and riveting!
August 10, 2017
One of the better 'origin' stories I've read. Jake Oliver (Quinn) is an honest cop too smart for his own good. First on the scene of a suspected arson, he soon uncovers clues about a more sinister crime, one that will lead him down a path of shattered dreams, fallen friends, and ultimately, a new profession.
Author Brett Battles instils a sense of the familiar to the origin tale by opening the novel with a scene likened to any of the Quinn books to date: A hit team on a mission with the 'cleaner' the eyes of the op. Durrie, the cleaner in BECOMING QUINN is cold, calculated, highly observant, and somewhat weighed down by the seemingly incompetent hitmen accompanying him on the op. It's easy to draw comparisons between Durrie and Quinn even at this early junction. Jake the 22yr old cop from Phoenix, Durrie, the professional clearer of murder sites operate in a similar manner despite their initially differing occupation.
I liked the way Battles added an emotional element to this take on the rookie cop. Enlisting the services of fellow rookie, Berit, a hard working female officer who recognises the seriousness of the crime and implications associated with evidence overlooked by the subdivision detectives, Battles ensures that the omnipresent danger lurking within the unsanctioned duo's investigation is more reality than sidebar.
BECOMING QUINN is fast paced, while not in league with other Quinn novels, the police procedural aspect borders on noir - it's perhaps more darker than the Quinn cleaner novels by virtual of it's unsanctioned, off-the-grid investigation by Jake and Berit which ultimately culminates in the creation that is Jonathan Quinn. I really enjoyed this - 5 stars.
Author Brett Battles instils a sense of the familiar to the origin tale by opening the novel with a scene likened to any of the Quinn books to date: A hit team on a mission with the 'cleaner' the eyes of the op. Durrie, the cleaner in BECOMING QUINN is cold, calculated, highly observant, and somewhat weighed down by the seemingly incompetent hitmen accompanying him on the op. It's easy to draw comparisons between Durrie and Quinn even at this early junction. Jake the 22yr old cop from Phoenix, Durrie, the professional clearer of murder sites operate in a similar manner despite their initially differing occupation.
I liked the way Battles added an emotional element to this take on the rookie cop. Enlisting the services of fellow rookie, Berit, a hard working female officer who recognises the seriousness of the crime and implications associated with evidence overlooked by the subdivision detectives, Battles ensures that the omnipresent danger lurking within the unsanctioned duo's investigation is more reality than sidebar.
BECOMING QUINN is fast paced, while not in league with other Quinn novels, the police procedural aspect borders on noir - it's perhaps more darker than the Quinn cleaner novels by virtual of it's unsanctioned, off-the-grid investigation by Jake and Berit which ultimately culminates in the creation that is Jonathan Quinn. I really enjoyed this - 5 stars.
October 19, 2018
I you haven't read Brett Battle before, start with this one. It's full of surprising twists and turns. I won't say more. Being fond of quotes, here's a good one that pretty much sums up the focus of this book:
"The way things actually work. The people out there . . . They don't want to know anything about it. They want their lives just the way they have them now. If they knew how the world really operated, there would be a hell of a lot more chaos. Our job is to prevent that, to keep the civilians in their happy places, ignorant and content to be so."
That said . . . Cheers and Happy Reading!
JIM in MT
http://adamjames.blackdogebooks.com/
"The way things actually work. The people out there . . . They don't want to know anything about it. They want their lives just the way they have them now. If they knew how the world really operated, there would be a hell of a lot more chaos. Our job is to prevent that, to keep the civilians in their happy places, ignorant and content to be so."
That said . . . Cheers and Happy Reading!
JIM in MT
http://adamjames.blackdogebooks.com/
July 11, 2017
The Start of Something New...
A very good thriller as we see a rookie cop use his instincts and training to figure out a murder scene. When he goes to his fellow officers with his ideas, he is immediately suspended, no one looks at his evidence, mainly upset with his actions. He was not supposed to be looking at things himself, but following orders to keep people away. As we learn more about the murder and the people involved, it becomes evident that this can be a very exciting story. Definitely a start to a new series for me!!
A very good thriller as we see a rookie cop use his instincts and training to figure out a murder scene. When he goes to his fellow officers with his ideas, he is immediately suspended, no one looks at his evidence, mainly upset with his actions. He was not supposed to be looking at things himself, but following orders to keep people away. As we learn more about the murder and the people involved, it becomes evident that this can be a very exciting story. Definitely a start to a new series for me!!
March 31, 2015
Well, I guess maybe even though this is a prequel people liked it more when they were already into the series. Maybe I was expecting too much but for me it was a bit slow and it could have had more content. I'm sure that I probably would have picked up on more if I knew the characters better. Although..., it may have been in part too, that Scott Brick is not necessarily my favorite narrator. I will, however, pick another one up in the series if by chance it comes out as a Daily Deal.
July 20, 2011
One of the coolest things about the e-book revolution is that it's provided more openings for the shorter literary forms, like the short story and the novella. I've always enjoyed the novella form. It's a quick read, but there's more time to develop character and more chances to crank up the suspense than you can usually found in the short story.
Becoming Quinn is the novella done right. It's short, tightly written, full of action, but at the same time it gives you the opportunity to really get to know and to care about the main character as he makes his journey from idealistic cop Jake Oliver to become the hard-edged "cleaner" Jonathan Quinn.
Brett Battles also has the one indispensable gift for a thriller writer: he makes events that you would normally find absurd seem not only possible, but inevitable.
This book's a lot of fun. Check it out.
Becoming Quinn is the novella done right. It's short, tightly written, full of action, but at the same time it gives you the opportunity to really get to know and to care about the main character as he makes his journey from idealistic cop Jake Oliver to become the hard-edged "cleaner" Jonathan Quinn.
Brett Battles also has the one indispensable gift for a thriller writer: he makes events that you would normally find absurd seem not only possible, but inevitable.
This book's a lot of fun. Check it out.
April 12, 2018
I really, really liked this book. Even though Durrie wasn’t our hero he was still my favorite character. I liked Officer Oliver too but he seemed a little too young to me. BUT Oliver was smart. He figured out what happened in the barn and Durrie simply couldn’t believe it.
It was all about Durrie being a “cleaner,” a person who cleaned up the dead bodies when they were assassinated, and he did work for the government. It was amazing all that happened when he cleaned up after a person. He was supposed to kill Oliver but he decided to recruit him instead.
I did read Brett Battles’ Excoms books and I thoroughly enjoyed them but I liked this one much better. Reviewers kept mentioning the Jonathon Quinn books by this same author so when I saw this one listed as a free read and free listen I got it so I could see just who Jonathan Quinn. And between him and Durrie it was a pretty awesome book. I’m sure I’ll be reading more of this series, maybe not all 11 or 12 books but some of them.
No romance or sex or anything like that, but the F-bomb was used only 4 times.
As to the narration: Scott Brick did a great job. Not so much with Berit’s voice but as the only woman in the book she wasn’t in it that much or that long. I would definitely listen to him again.
July 17, 2011
OK, I’ll admit it. I know Brett Battles personally. In fact, Brett and I met years ago, when we were both freshmen in high school, during auditions for the school play “The Pajama Game.” (He got a part, I didn’t.) Since then, we’ve gone our separate ways, lost touch and gotten back in touch again more than once, helped each other through personal crises, and celebrated milestones and triumphs together. Most recently, I’ve had the pleasure of reading Brett’s manuscripts before they were published and helped out with editing and proofreading. I was there when Brett was struggling to get his first novel published and felt pride when he finally achieved that goal.
So you can see that we’ve got somewhat of a history. When Brett needed people to review “Becoming Quinn” to help get the word out and promote it, I was happy to do so. I mention all this because even though we’re friends, I am not giving “Becoming Quinn” a good review because of that. I’m giving it a good review because the book deserves one.
“Becoming Quinn” is a short, tautly written story with a suspenseful edge that ramps up gradually and doesn’t stop. Jake Oliver, a twenty-two-year-old rookie cop with an eye on becoming a detective someday, is called to investigate gunshots in a remote area of Phoenix. He and his partner arrive to find a barn on fire. Through alternating points of view, we learn that the fire is the responsibility of a man named Durrie and his team. Anyone familiar with Brett’s other novels will know who Durrie is.
Our rookie Jake, it turns out, has extraordinary powers of observation, and he proceeds to notice that things at the crime scene, where a body has been found in the fire, are not what they seem. What follows is a rollicking, breathless story that brings Jake closer and closer to the truth, and closer to danger as well.
In about half the space of a typical novel, Brett has created a novel-sized story and fully developed characters. It’s definitely what I would call a “page turner,” although I’m not sure we can use that phrase when talking about a digital book, can we? In any case, “Becoming Quinn” accomplishes very neatly what it has set out to do: it gives the reader an engaging backstory and some insight into the Quinn of the future. And if you haven’t met the future Quinn yet, luckily for you his stories have already been written.
So you can see that we’ve got somewhat of a history. When Brett needed people to review “Becoming Quinn” to help get the word out and promote it, I was happy to do so. I mention all this because even though we’re friends, I am not giving “Becoming Quinn” a good review because of that. I’m giving it a good review because the book deserves one.
“Becoming Quinn” is a short, tautly written story with a suspenseful edge that ramps up gradually and doesn’t stop. Jake Oliver, a twenty-two-year-old rookie cop with an eye on becoming a detective someday, is called to investigate gunshots in a remote area of Phoenix. He and his partner arrive to find a barn on fire. Through alternating points of view, we learn that the fire is the responsibility of a man named Durrie and his team. Anyone familiar with Brett’s other novels will know who Durrie is.
Our rookie Jake, it turns out, has extraordinary powers of observation, and he proceeds to notice that things at the crime scene, where a body has been found in the fire, are not what they seem. What follows is a rollicking, breathless story that brings Jake closer and closer to the truth, and closer to danger as well.
In about half the space of a typical novel, Brett has created a novel-sized story and fully developed characters. It’s definitely what I would call a “page turner,” although I’m not sure we can use that phrase when talking about a digital book, can we? In any case, “Becoming Quinn” accomplishes very neatly what it has set out to do: it gives the reader an engaging backstory and some insight into the Quinn of the future. And if you haven’t met the future Quinn yet, luckily for you his stories have already been written.
Read
July 24, 2011Jake Oliver is a bright-eyed, ambitious, twenty two year old rookie officer with the Phoenix Police Department. While out on patrol with his training officer one evening they are dispatched to the location of a 911 call requesting officer assistance. Upon arriving at the remote location they find a barn engulfed in flames and call in the fire department.
While waiting, Jake conducts a walk around of the property and notices some odd details – including a cable-like indention in the ground leading to the building – and takes photos of what he finds. After the fire is extinguished a search of the building reveals a dead body, one that wasn’t killed by the fire. The detectives investigating the case quickly chalk it up to something drug related, but Jake isn’t convinced.
So, with the assistance of another rookie officer, Jake begins his own investigation. Little could he have known that his search for the truth would reveal more than what happened to the victim, it would reveal Jake’s own future.
Becoming Quinn, the latest offering from the prolific Brett Battles, is the book equivalent of one of those behind the scenes “Making Of” features you get on DVDs. Except in this case instead of seeing how the movie was made, you get to learn how “cleaner” Jonathan Quinn was made. And what a thrilling process it is.
The fast-paced story unfolds through the alternating perspectives of Jake and a cleaner/operative named Durrie (those familiar with the Jonathan Quinn series will recognize that name), whose organization is responsible for the dead body in the barn. As Jake painstakingly pieces together the clues he finds, Durrie watches in amazement and disbelief at what Jake is able to accomplish through his uncanny instincts, highly attuned powers of observation, and sheer bullheaded determination. And the closer Jake gets to the truth, the more apparent it becomes to Durrie that Jake will have to be dealt with, one way or another.
If you’ve never read any of the Jonathan Quinn series, Becoming Quinn provides you with a unique entry into the series that will let you hit the ground running when you move on (and you will) to the first full length novel, The Cleaner. And of course those who are already fans of Quinn will love getting even more of his backstory than we got a glimpse of in his last outing, The Silenced.
While waiting, Jake conducts a walk around of the property and notices some odd details – including a cable-like indention in the ground leading to the building – and takes photos of what he finds. After the fire is extinguished a search of the building reveals a dead body, one that wasn’t killed by the fire. The detectives investigating the case quickly chalk it up to something drug related, but Jake isn’t convinced.
So, with the assistance of another rookie officer, Jake begins his own investigation. Little could he have known that his search for the truth would reveal more than what happened to the victim, it would reveal Jake’s own future.
Becoming Quinn, the latest offering from the prolific Brett Battles, is the book equivalent of one of those behind the scenes “Making Of” features you get on DVDs. Except in this case instead of seeing how the movie was made, you get to learn how “cleaner” Jonathan Quinn was made. And what a thrilling process it is.
The fast-paced story unfolds through the alternating perspectives of Jake and a cleaner/operative named Durrie (those familiar with the Jonathan Quinn series will recognize that name), whose organization is responsible for the dead body in the barn. As Jake painstakingly pieces together the clues he finds, Durrie watches in amazement and disbelief at what Jake is able to accomplish through his uncanny instincts, highly attuned powers of observation, and sheer bullheaded determination. And the closer Jake gets to the truth, the more apparent it becomes to Durrie that Jake will have to be dealt with, one way or another.
If you’ve never read any of the Jonathan Quinn series, Becoming Quinn provides you with a unique entry into the series that will let you hit the ground running when you move on (and you will) to the first full length novel, The Cleaner. And of course those who are already fans of Quinn will love getting even more of his backstory than we got a glimpse of in his last outing, The Silenced.
August 29, 2024
REVIEW OF DNF RELISTEN; AUGUST 28, 2024
I can't believe I gave this 5 stars back in 2016 when I first listened to it. I can barely give it one star today! Fast-paced, I said? I couldn't even stay with the plot, whatever that was. Oh right, Jake Oliver - who will, apparently, metamorphose into Jonathan Quinn one day, is just a young rookie cop. He smells something fishy in a murder case and takes it upon himself to go sleuthing in a manner reminiscent of a cozy mystery featuring an amateur, ie, non-LEO busybody.
I could last only about 50% of this and have decided to abort though I'm still planning to relisten to the Jonathan Quinn books. I recall enjoying those but did not continue with the series after the third book or so.
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August 2016: 5 STARS
Before he came to be called Jonathan Quinn, Jake Oliver was a 22 year-old rookie cop. As I haven't read the subsequent installations, I don't know if the series are similar to this introductory book. I have the impression they are CIA/covert op thrillers. If so, Becoming Quinn would not fit that label as it's more of a police procedural, but one that is excellently blended with Quinn's back story of how he becomes a "cleaner".
At only 6 hours plus, this was fast-paced with no fillers and a must-read if you're planning to start on the series.
Scott Brick was never one of my favorite narrators but I got to like him when listening to the first Jack Ryan book, Patriot Games (Audible link) and look forward to his narrations since. He was very good here in Becoming Quinn.
I can't believe I gave this 5 stars back in 2016 when I first listened to it. I can barely give it one star today! Fast-paced, I said? I couldn't even stay with the plot, whatever that was. Oh right, Jake Oliver - who will, apparently, metamorphose into Jonathan Quinn one day, is just a young rookie cop. He smells something fishy in a murder case and takes it upon himself to go sleuthing in a manner reminiscent of a cozy mystery featuring an amateur, ie, non-LEO busybody.
I could last only about 50% of this and have decided to abort though I'm still planning to relisten to the Jonathan Quinn books. I recall enjoying those but did not continue with the series after the third book or so.
---------------------------------------------
August 2016: 5 STARS
Before he came to be called Jonathan Quinn, Jake Oliver was a 22 year-old rookie cop. As I haven't read the subsequent installations, I don't know if the series are similar to this introductory book. I have the impression they are CIA/covert op thrillers. If so, Becoming Quinn would not fit that label as it's more of a police procedural, but one that is excellently blended with Quinn's back story of how he becomes a "cleaner".
At only 6 hours plus, this was fast-paced with no fillers and a must-read if you're planning to start on the series.
Scott Brick was never one of my favorite narrators but I got to like him when listening to the first Jack Ryan book, Patriot Games (Audible link) and look forward to his narrations since. He was very good here in Becoming Quinn.
February 11, 2017
audio book narrated by Scott Brick
I like many have often been disappointed with Brick's narration; this one he did very well so congrats. to him and his director/producer
This book was very well done and held me in complete suspense.
Having read books 1 and 2 previously, I know why he did this book. I would have had a better feel of his novels had he related the character development that I found here. Previously in his books, I wasn't sure that I was reading "Quinn" right.
I recommend this for essential reading before reading 1, etc.
I like many have often been disappointed with Brick's narration; this one he did very well so congrats. to him and his director/producer
This book was very well done and held me in complete suspense.
Having read books 1 and 2 previously, I know why he did this book. I would have had a better feel of his novels had he related the character development that I found here. Previously in his books, I wasn't sure that I was reading "Quinn" right.
I recommend this for essential reading before reading 1, etc.
August 18, 2011
Jonathan Quinn, cleaner. Extremely good at his job in body removal & leaving no trace. I've loved Brett Battles's Quinn series since The Cleaner was first published. I was hooked because I'd never read a book with this type of character or story line. Through each book in the series, you learn more about what Quinn's job entails & the types of people that hire him. But I had never really given thought to how Quinn got to where he was. Until now.
Becoming Quinn, although it's only a novella, is probably my most favorite of the Quinn books. I say this with some reservation since I really do love all of Brett's books, but in Becoming Quinn we see a side of Quinn we usually wouldn't see. We find a young man struggling to become a good cop. A cop torn between doing what duty tells him to do, or following his instincts when he knows his "gut feeling" won't be believed by his superiors without solid proof. As we follow Quinn on his quest to find the truth, we find a believable character. One that we can sympathize with and relate to. It's a wonderful story & gives the reader insight on how Quinn, well, became Quinn. I really felt for this character and the choices he has to make. And the ending, well, I can only say that I didn't expect to have the reaction that I did. :)
If you haven't read Becoming Quinn, you should. It's a marvelous novella!
Becoming Quinn, although it's only a novella, is probably my most favorite of the Quinn books. I say this with some reservation since I really do love all of Brett's books, but in Becoming Quinn we see a side of Quinn we usually wouldn't see. We find a young man struggling to become a good cop. A cop torn between doing what duty tells him to do, or following his instincts when he knows his "gut feeling" won't be believed by his superiors without solid proof. As we follow Quinn on his quest to find the truth, we find a believable character. One that we can sympathize with and relate to. It's a wonderful story & gives the reader insight on how Quinn, well, became Quinn. I really felt for this character and the choices he has to make. And the ending, well, I can only say that I didn't expect to have the reaction that I did. :)
If you haven't read Becoming Quinn, you should. It's a marvelous novella!
July 3, 2012
Following my discovery of Lee Child's hero, I began scouring the genre landscape for similar heroes: alone, powerful, possessing principles (even in professions that refute that notion). One evening, during such research I stumbled across the author Brett Battles and his unlikely hero: Jonathan Quinn.
What we have here is a principled cleaner: you know, the guy that cleans up after grissly killings. (Well, I did say it is an unlikely hero). He reminds us of Eisler's John Rain. The man has a strict set of rules, an uncompromising ethic (though you disagree with his profession, he accomplishes it heroically). It does not escape my attention that Mr. Quinn is yet another quintessential loner. (I am drawn to such characters). Jonathan Quinn is very "aware" of everything around him and gives us a rabbit hole into a peculiar view of life.
There is tragedy in his character, but appealingly so...
I read them all, until they were exhausted...
HR
P.S. Same review for all of the Jonathan Quinn books...if you've read one you've read them all.
What we have here is a principled cleaner: you know, the guy that cleans up after grissly killings. (Well, I did say it is an unlikely hero). He reminds us of Eisler's John Rain. The man has a strict set of rules, an uncompromising ethic (though you disagree with his profession, he accomplishes it heroically). It does not escape my attention that Mr. Quinn is yet another quintessential loner. (I am drawn to such characters). Jonathan Quinn is very "aware" of everything around him and gives us a rabbit hole into a peculiar view of life.
There is tragedy in his character, but appealingly so...
I read them all, until they were exhausted...
HR
P.S. Same review for all of the Jonathan Quinn books...if you've read one you've read them all.
October 11, 2012
I’d heard great things about Brett Battles and especially his Quinn series, so when I heard about this prequel, Becoming Quinn, I thought it would be a good place to start. Not the first Quinn book released, but still kind of at the beginning of the series.
It’s obvious from the first few pages that Battles is a wonderful author. He skilfully introduces two main characters and points of view, giving the reader an insight into both characters and their very different worlds – worlds that end up intersecting in a dramatic and deadly fashion.
I really enjoyed the voice of both protagonists, Durrie and rookie cop Jake Oliver, who is known to readers of the series as Jonathan Quinn, the cleaner.
There was great characterisation coupled with action and intrigue — a book I’d highly recommend to all readers who like a good crime or thriller novel with interesting characters.
Becoming Quinn is an incredibly strong entry into Quinn’s world, but I also get the feeling that if you’d read the rest of the series first you’d appreciate this prequel even more!
It’s obvious from the first few pages that Battles is a wonderful author. He skilfully introduces two main characters and points of view, giving the reader an insight into both characters and their very different worlds – worlds that end up intersecting in a dramatic and deadly fashion.
I really enjoyed the voice of both protagonists, Durrie and rookie cop Jake Oliver, who is known to readers of the series as Jonathan Quinn, the cleaner.
There was great characterisation coupled with action and intrigue — a book I’d highly recommend to all readers who like a good crime or thriller novel with interesting characters.
Becoming Quinn is an incredibly strong entry into Quinn’s world, but I also get the feeling that if you’d read the rest of the series first you’d appreciate this prequel even more!
November 2, 2011
A novella revealing how Jake, a Phoenix rookie cop, becomes Jonathan Quinn, "cleaner" for a super secret security agency. Sent to check out reports of a prowler, Jake and his partner come upon the scene of a fire with a badly burned body. Jake has preternaturally acute attention to detail and he notices several anomalies missed by the crime scene techs. Unfortunately, that ability and his overactive need to investigate places him at odds with his superiors -- and those who were involved in what, he learns much later, was an officially sanctioned termination.
I've read several other Quinn books, and have to admit the novella form is deftly handled by Battles. He might wish to consider adopting the form, much as had Block in his Keller series, often comprising a series of vignettes.
This book was really quite good, and what's even more surprising, plausible.
I've read several other Quinn books, and have to admit the novella form is deftly handled by Battles. He might wish to consider adopting the form, much as had Block in his Keller series, often comprising a series of vignettes.
This book was really quite good, and what's even more surprising, plausible.
January 21, 2012
Providing a more complete back story for series characters is apparently the vogue for authors. Battles does it with this novella. Lee Child did it with The Affair and his short story Second Son and Vince Flynn's American Assassin goes back to Mitch Rapp's beginnings.
For my part, I really like it. Too much back story in the course of a novel detracts from the plot. Not enough and the reader, at least this reader, tends to be lost. It is also a way for the author to continue with a character series after the lead character has reached an age where he can no longer be a credible action hero.
All in all, this novella does exactly what it was designed to do by filling in the blanks in Quinn's past. Hopefully Battles will write at least one more 'fill in' novel or novella covering Quinn's apprentice period with Durrie.
For my part, I really like it. Too much back story in the course of a novel detracts from the plot. Not enough and the reader, at least this reader, tends to be lost. It is also a way for the author to continue with a character series after the lead character has reached an age where he can no longer be a credible action hero.
All in all, this novella does exactly what it was designed to do by filling in the blanks in Quinn's past. Hopefully Battles will write at least one more 'fill in' novel or novella covering Quinn's apprentice period with Durrie.
June 5, 2021
I had read the first 4 installments of the Jonathan Quinn series when I discovered this prequel. Great background into how Quinn came to be. Just an all-around great story that was so hard to put down I read it in one day! If you're already reading the series or want a good series to pick up, read this one! 8 out of 10.
May 11, 2017
Grabs your attention from the beginning!
Once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down. Finished it the same day! Looking forward to reading all of this series!
Once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down. Finished it the same day! Looking forward to reading all of this series!
September 12, 2018
Great. I have not read any of the Quinn books, I did not know he was somebody else, I knew nothing about this story coming at me.
Now, I ma going after the whole dam library ! This was a great read. The ground work is done. I have a good understanding as to who is who. And I have a lot of great reading to do. Battles knows how to set the stage. He knows how to insert characters and how to fill them out. He can make them likable and also hateful. He is a story teller with a great past and a wonderful future.
Now, I ma going after the whole dam library ! This was a great read. The ground work is done. I have a good understanding as to who is who. And I have a lot of great reading to do. Battles knows how to set the stage. He knows how to insert characters and how to fill them out. He can make them likable and also hateful. He is a story teller with a great past and a wonderful future.
June 12, 2018
It was good to get a glimpse into Quinns early life and how he got started as a cleaner, the story's good, it shows a 22yr old Quinn making observations, following his instincts and trusting his judgement like he's been a cop for decades.
I'm thinking of starting from book 1 again since the first 6 books were spread over the course of about 6yrs.
It's definitely a series worth reading.
I'm thinking of starting from book 1 again since the first 6 books were spread over the course of about 6yrs.
It's definitely a series worth reading.
September 7, 2017
I really enjoyed this story. What a great short story. Kept me on edge and kept me interested. What a great beginning to what is to be a very good series.
June 5, 2018
5/1996, Phoenix, AZ. Shots were being fired everywhere.
Mills (ops team member) had been killed.
Owens dove for cover.
Larson, Durrie, & Timmons (ops team leader) survived the shootout.
Owens & Larson (assassin) were arguing with each other.
Morgan & Fry had arrived.
The barn was on fire.
Goodman Ranch Rd./Tyler Way. Officer Jake “Snowbird” Oliver (22, Phoenix PD CSI), Officer Tony Haywood (Jake’s partner, Phoenix PD), Officer Berit Quinn Davies (f, Phoenix PD), & Sergeant Niccum (Phoenix PD) were on the scene.
A body had been found shot/burned to a crisp in the barn.
Durrie (aka FBI SA Marsh) called Detective Kearns (Phoenix PD) to see how things were going.
He was not very lenient with his information.
Mesa, AZ. Lawrence Hotel. Toni Conway (mgr.) & Mr. Carl Evans (head of security), were answering Officer Oliver’s questions.
Officer Davies & Officer Oliver went to see Keith Curtis & Doug Prescott (Raef Planning & Logistics engineer).
Detective Young (Phoenix PD) & Detective Hubbard (Phoenix PD, partner) had been assigned the arson/murder case.
What happened to Officer Davies?
Jake Oliver had been suspended.
Mr. Usher jumped at the opportunity & hired him.
Durrie (m, secretary) would give Jake his assignments.
Lawrence Hotel. What was Mr. Walters there for?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written thriller book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great thriller movie, or better yet a mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; BookFunnel; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Mills (ops team member) had been killed.
Owens dove for cover.
Larson, Durrie, & Timmons (ops team leader) survived the shootout.
Owens & Larson (assassin) were arguing with each other.
Morgan & Fry had arrived.
The barn was on fire.
Goodman Ranch Rd./Tyler Way. Officer Jake “Snowbird” Oliver (22, Phoenix PD CSI), Officer Tony Haywood (Jake’s partner, Phoenix PD), Officer Berit Quinn Davies (f, Phoenix PD), & Sergeant Niccum (Phoenix PD) were on the scene.
A body had been found shot/burned to a crisp in the barn.
Durrie (aka FBI SA Marsh) called Detective Kearns (Phoenix PD) to see how things were going.
He was not very lenient with his information.
Mesa, AZ. Lawrence Hotel. Toni Conway (mgr.) & Mr. Carl Evans (head of security), were answering Officer Oliver’s questions.
Officer Davies & Officer Oliver went to see Keith Curtis & Doug Prescott (Raef Planning & Logistics engineer).
Detective Young (Phoenix PD) & Detective Hubbard (Phoenix PD, partner) had been assigned the arson/murder case.
What happened to Officer Davies?
Jake Oliver had been suspended.
Mr. Usher jumped at the opportunity & hired him.
Durrie (m, secretary) would give Jake his assignments.
Lawrence Hotel. What was Mr. Walters there for?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written thriller book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great thriller movie, or better yet a mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; BookFunnel; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
January 10, 2023
2.5⭐️
One of those stories where the MC is really smart and intuitive...until he isn't. Jake is a rookie cop with a keen eye who notices some oddities at a fire he and his partner called in and decides to follow a potential lead from evidence missed at the scene. He pulls his friend and fellow cop in to help, unknowingly putting them on the radar of the Cleaner waiting to make sure that any traces from the chaotic assassination from the night before remain unnoticed.
What follows is an origin story that in some ways had me more invested in Durrie, the Cleaner watching Jake than Jake himself. It moves along at a quick pace though, and while Jake is almost preternaturally observant, Battles makes it work, so much so that it feels rather impossible that Jake would ignore the EXTREME likelihood of . After that, I kinda checked out and just wanted to see what Durrie would do. However, I'm still interested enough in Jake turned Jonathan to try the main series one day.
One of those stories where the MC is really smart and intuitive...until he isn't. Jake is a rookie cop with a keen eye who notices some oddities at a fire he and his partner called in and decides to follow a potential lead from evidence missed at the scene. He pulls his friend and fellow cop in to help, unknowingly putting them on the radar of the Cleaner waiting to make sure that any traces from the chaotic assassination from the night before remain unnoticed.
What follows is an origin story that in some ways had me more invested in Durrie, the Cleaner watching Jake than Jake himself. It moves along at a quick pace though, and while Jake is almost preternaturally observant, Battles makes it work, so much so that it feels rather impossible that Jake would ignore the EXTREME likelihood of . After that, I kinda checked out and just wanted to see what Durrie would do. However, I'm still interested enough in Jake turned Jonathan to try the main series one day.
December 30, 2018
THIS IS FOR THE AUDIO VERSION FROM AUDIBLE
Really glad I started with this one to get know just who Quinn is. I was hesitant at first about this thinking I didn’t want to read about a 20 something rookie cop. I really didn’t think it would have much to offer. I was wrong. Although I’m sure the next books in series are great and one could’ve gotten full enjoyment out of them I know for myself I’m very happy that I took the time To know who Quinn was and how he became the Cleaner his is now. Also I learned just what the CLEANERS where & who they are. Not what I started out thinking at all. So yes, if you want the full experience and care about the characters you read about then start here with BECOMING QUINN. I’m going to start the next on the series right now!
One more thing I need to mention is about the narration. SCOTT BRICK could not have done a better job! Not a fault not a misstep from his chosen voices to his timing all made this an incredibly good ride! He is now Quinn to me and I’m hoping he is the voice for the rest of the series!
Really glad I started with this one to get know just who Quinn is. I was hesitant at first about this thinking I didn’t want to read about a 20 something rookie cop. I really didn’t think it would have much to offer. I was wrong. Although I’m sure the next books in series are great and one could’ve gotten full enjoyment out of them I know for myself I’m very happy that I took the time To know who Quinn was and how he became the Cleaner his is now. Also I learned just what the CLEANERS where & who they are. Not what I started out thinking at all. So yes, if you want the full experience and care about the characters you read about then start here with BECOMING QUINN. I’m going to start the next on the series right now!
One more thing I need to mention is about the narration. SCOTT BRICK could not have done a better job! Not a fault not a misstep from his chosen voices to his timing all made this an incredibly good ride! He is now Quinn to me and I’m hoping he is the voice for the rest of the series!
January 6, 2019
A thriller of note. A cleaner is a person who removes bodies, and other evidence from a crime scene in such a way as to turn a homicide into an accident, or a suicide. My introduction to a cleaner named Jonathan Quinn is this sequel. Jake Oliver is a rookie cop with an overblown sense of curiosity and an eagle eye for detail that disturbs the comfort of the cleaner who has arranged a scene in a burning barn that satisfies the local PD. Drug-buy-gone-wrong, is what they deduce when a body, shot in the face, is found in the ashes.
The cleaner, who under extreme duress has hastily set the scene, is concerned when Officer Oliver keeps probing. His superior orders Oliver’s demise, but the cleaner is reluctant to waste such promising talent, and thus begins the transformation in profession from cop to cleaner.
Highly recommended, if you like a nail-biting thriller series.
https://bookpostmortem.wordpress.com/...
February 17, 2020
Becoming Quinn is the backstory of how rookie police officer Jake Oliver becomes cleaner Jonathan Quinn. jake and his partner are on duty when a 911 call is received with no one speaking. A hitter named Larson has been assigned to kill a man and Durrie is there to clean up. But Larson screws up the job and the man dials 911 before he dies. Durrie does a quick clean, depending on Larson and the other members of the ops team to help him. Then he sets fire to the building. jake and his partner arrive too late, but Jake notices some irregularities, takes some photos, and begins his own investigation without telling anyone else except fellow rookie Berit. A bit of an outsider like Jake, she agrees to help him try to identify who was involved. His instincts and attention to detail will lead them down a path neither of them expect.
This is a solid origin story that shows the circumstances and motivations behind Quinn's "creation" and entrance into the shadow world he lives in.
This is a solid origin story that shows the circumstances and motivations behind Quinn's "creation" and entrance into the shadow world he lives in.
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