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The Transition of Johnny Swift
Before the accident …
Frank Brazier has the perfect life. A contract to drive for a Formula 1 team. A supportive family. A stunning girlfriend.
On the surface, everything is great, but Frank keeps a secret. On race days, Shadow-man visits. He sits on the nose cone of Frank’s racing car, or floats above the grandstand, waving taunting, distracting, eating away at his concentration. An accident in the making.
After the accident …
Frank starts hearing voices. Strange voices. Impossible voices. He’s losing his grip on reality and Paula, his sister, is dying. Doctors say she is brain dead. They want to pull the plug, but Frank knows she's still in there, fighting. He can hear her calls.
A day later…
Shadow-man speaks. He says Frank can save Paula, but can Frank pay the price?
Frank Brazier has the perfect life. A contract to drive for a Formula 1 team. A supportive family. A stunning girlfriend.
On the surface, everything is great, but Frank keeps a secret. On race days, Shadow-man visits. He sits on the nose cone of Frank’s racing car, or floats above the grandstand, waving taunting, distracting, eating away at his concentration. An accident in the making.
After the accident …
Frank starts hearing voices. Strange voices. Impossible voices. He’s losing his grip on reality and Paula, his sister, is dying. Doctors say she is brain dead. They want to pull the plug, but Frank knows she's still in there, fighting. He can hear her calls.
A day later…
Shadow-man speaks. He says Frank can save Paula, but can Frank pay the price?
300 pages, ebook
First published July 27, 2014
16 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Kerry J. Donovan
35 books279 followers#1 bestselling author with the US-based Lucky Shores romantic suspense series and the Ryan Kaine military action thrillers, and creator of the popular DCI Jones Casebook series of police procedurals, Kerry J Donovan was born in Dublin, before spending many formative years in West Wales.
Kerry earned a first-class honours degree in Human Biology and a PhD in Sport and Exercise Sciences. A former scientific advisor to The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, he helped UK emergency first-responders prepare for chemical and biological attacks in the wake of the 9/11 atrocities. This background adds a keen scientific edge to Kerry’s writing.
Kerry’s life experiences help him add an extra layer of realism to his stories and his characters. For example, readers will discover the water-borne adventures of his action hero, Ryan Kaine, a former member of the Royal Navy’s Special Boat Services, as authentic and exciting as a night-time dip in the Bay of Biscay.
As the owner of a “pristine” Honda NC750X, you’ll often find him touring the less well-known regions of Europe in search of interesting locations for his novels. A life-long sports enthusiast and open-water swimmer, the moment Kerry catches a glimpse of the ocean, it’s off with the bike leathers and on with his wetsuit.
A citizen of the world, Kerry recently returned from spending two decades living in the heart of rural Brittany and now lives with Margaret in a recently renovated bungalow in Nottinghamshire, UK.
When not writing, Kerry enjoys riding his motorbike, jogging, swimming, spending time with his four wonderful grandchildren, and travelling the world.
To find out more about Kerry’s books, read the first chapter of each book free, download his Press Kit, or get in touch via his contact page or social media.
Kerry earned a first-class honours degree in Human Biology and a PhD in Sport and Exercise Sciences. A former scientific advisor to The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, he helped UK emergency first-responders prepare for chemical and biological attacks in the wake of the 9/11 atrocities. This background adds a keen scientific edge to Kerry’s writing.
Kerry’s life experiences help him add an extra layer of realism to his stories and his characters. For example, readers will discover the water-borne adventures of his action hero, Ryan Kaine, a former member of the Royal Navy’s Special Boat Services, as authentic and exciting as a night-time dip in the Bay of Biscay.
As the owner of a “pristine” Honda NC750X, you’ll often find him touring the less well-known regions of Europe in search of interesting locations for his novels. A life-long sports enthusiast and open-water swimmer, the moment Kerry catches a glimpse of the ocean, it’s off with the bike leathers and on with his wetsuit.
A citizen of the world, Kerry recently returned from spending two decades living in the heart of rural Brittany and now lives with Margaret in a recently renovated bungalow in Nottinghamshire, UK.
When not writing, Kerry enjoys riding his motorbike, jogging, swimming, spending time with his four wonderful grandchildren, and travelling the world.
To find out more about Kerry’s books, read the first chapter of each book free, download his Press Kit, or get in touch via his contact page or social media.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 28, 2014
Fiery Frank Brazier is a race car driver in the Formula 2500 circuit. He’s good. Really good. And he sees dead people. Nah, no he doesn’t. He sees shadow people. Yeah, really! And when they are sitting on the hood of his race car in the middle of a race, it can be very distracting. Ya think?
He sees this shadow guy here and there, and has been for a number of months. No face, just a guy in a hood. And no real substance. He can see through the guy, darkly.
Brain tumor? Ghost? Portents of coming doom? The Grim Reaper? And then….. yikes, he hits the curb with one tire, spins out of control, and we are SURE he is going to wake up dead and that shadow man was Some Spirit From The Other Side.
But no, Gentle Reader, he wakes up alive, and goes on to win the race. OK, so maybe that shadow guy was an angel.
Nah again. There is more. Lots more. Like when he is going with his sister via train to London, and sees a shadow couple on the platform. Holy Goosebumps, Batman. And sure enough, there’s a train wreck. And he STILL doesn’t wake up dead. So what’s going on?
And what is going on is what the whole book is about. And you won’t guess what is going on. I am not even going to tell you the genre. You will have to figure it out for yourself.
This is one humdinger of a story, and right up until the end….. and even after you close the book …… you won’t be able to make up your mind whether the events are figments, fiction, reality or some combo thereof.
You totally HAVE to read this. Really, you do.
He sees this shadow guy here and there, and has been for a number of months. No face, just a guy in a hood. And no real substance. He can see through the guy, darkly.
Brain tumor? Ghost? Portents of coming doom? The Grim Reaper? And then….. yikes, he hits the curb with one tire, spins out of control, and we are SURE he is going to wake up dead and that shadow man was Some Spirit From The Other Side.
But no, Gentle Reader, he wakes up alive, and goes on to win the race. OK, so maybe that shadow guy was an angel.
Nah again. There is more. Lots more. Like when he is going with his sister via train to London, and sees a shadow couple on the platform. Holy Goosebumps, Batman. And sure enough, there’s a train wreck. And he STILL doesn’t wake up dead. So what’s going on?
And what is going on is what the whole book is about. And you won’t guess what is going on. I am not even going to tell you the genre. You will have to figure it out for yourself.
This is one humdinger of a story, and right up until the end….. and even after you close the book …… you won’t be able to make up your mind whether the events are figments, fiction, reality or some combo thereof.
You totally HAVE to read this. Really, you do.
December 2, 2014
In THE TRANSITION OF JOHNNY SWIFT, Kerry J Donovan has written a taut, egrossing sci fi thriller that has real heart. He takes the time to let us get to know and care about the main characters – champion race driver Frank, his proud and loving father Pete, and his steadfast girlfriend Jenny – before increasingly strange, life-or-death events begin to overwhelm them.
The greatest strength of this gripping novel (the first in a series) is actually not its well-structured, well-thought-out sci fi plot, but rather the ability of the author to grab the reader's emotions and not let go. Allowing readers to see both Frank's and Pete's points of view had me (figuratively) chewing my nails in terrible doubt and indecision. Are the "shadow people" Frank alone begins to see real, or delusions caused by brain trauma? If they are real, and many lives are at stake as Frank fears, how can he convince anyone else of the truth of something only he experiences?
There are some real shocks, twists, and surprises in this ingenious, emotional novel. Mr. Donovan's ability to put the reader into the very center of the story's events is so deft that I had an almost visceral reaction to those events. Take a deep breath, because THE TRANSITION OF JOHNNY SWIFT is quite a roller coaster ride!
The greatest strength of this gripping novel (the first in a series) is actually not its well-structured, well-thought-out sci fi plot, but rather the ability of the author to grab the reader's emotions and not let go. Allowing readers to see both Frank's and Pete's points of view had me (figuratively) chewing my nails in terrible doubt and indecision. Are the "shadow people" Frank alone begins to see real, or delusions caused by brain trauma? If they are real, and many lives are at stake as Frank fears, how can he convince anyone else of the truth of something only he experiences?
There are some real shocks, twists, and surprises in this ingenious, emotional novel. Mr. Donovan's ability to put the reader into the very center of the story's events is so deft that I had an almost visceral reaction to those events. Take a deep breath, because THE TRANSITION OF JOHNNY SWIFT is quite a roller coaster ride!
March 11, 2017
Kindle Unlimited {some not all} film noir detective thriller, think Donovan invented a new sub-genre. Johnny Swift and Lucky Shores different than the DCI ones.
The Transition of Johnny Swift ku
On Lucky Shores: A Chet Walker Adventure ku
The DCI Jones Casebook Box Set: Books 1-3 in the Casebook Series not ku
The DCI Jones Casebook: Sean Freeman not ku
The DCI Jones Casebook: Raymond Collins free
The DCI Jones Casebook: Ellis Flynn ku
The DCI Jones Casebook: Cryer's View ku
look at amazon writer page for others
The Transition of Johnny Swift ku
On Lucky Shores: A Chet Walker Adventure ku
The DCI Jones Casebook Box Set: Books 1-3 in the Casebook Series not ku
The DCI Jones Casebook: Sean Freeman not ku
The DCI Jones Casebook: Raymond Collins free
The DCI Jones Casebook: Ellis Flynn ku
The DCI Jones Casebook: Cryer's View ku
look at amazon writer page for others
July 28, 2015
The Transition of Johnny Swift
by Kerry J. Donovan
I'll start by saying that other readers may have vastly different opinions on what I think was a waster of the last week of my life. So, if you're a fan of this author, or of this book and it's sequel, you might want to stop reading now.
The shame of this book is that the initial plot idea is interesting: a parallel universe in which beings from one can "transition" into the other. From there this interesting idea gets lost in badly written dialogue and text, and late in the book degenerates into the author's evident distrust of genetically altered foods -- interesting if for not other reason that the 'transitions' themselves are basically a form of genetically altering human beings. Argggh. The book was listed as a mystery, but the only mystery is how it got so many good reviews.
First, the main character, Frank Brazier/Giovanni Veloce/Jason Jameson/Johnny Swift -- take your pick as this is just one of the confusing parts of this novel, and the Johnny Swift part is one that is never explained, at all -- is really not particularly likeable. He is vain and a bit of a braggart, but then goes all shy and inept the next minute. He is supposedly in love with the office receptionist of his father's racing business (for which he is the main driver), but he a) doesn't recognize her as his sister's best childhood friend, and b) seems to equate "love" with sexual desire as even just seeing Jenny gives him a boner, even just after awaking from a horrible train accident in which his sister is fatally injured. The dialogue is childish and strained. Lots of "oh Jenny" and "Oh Frankie" and for the first part of the book I thought I'd stumbled onto a mis-identified bodice ripper. Then we go off into science fiction with alternate universes, from which beings from that other place can be seen by our main character (but no other "transitionee") and, after the train accident, can communicate with him via the shrapnel imbedded in his brain. (Big Sigh here). Yes, I almost put it down about half way through, but, to my everlasting sorrow, I toughed it out, only to find that the ending is not an ending, but a set up for the sequel. You know, my favorite type of novel ending: the cliffhanger.
And of course, there is the morality question: is it okay to have one entity take over the life of a second entity (evidently, complete with memories of the second entity) at the time of said second entity's death? Is that fair to the second entity, who is denied being remembered for who he/she really was, as the new entity (who, to be fair, would have died if he/she had not made the transition) will now live out that second entity's life span unbeknownst to said second entity's family and friends? Even if it means that those in the alternate universe will all die, I don't find that a particularly bright beacon of morality.
The proofing is okay, I saw some errors, but not that many. I won't say the editing was good because it allowed this slop to make it to publication. The author is British, so there was a lot of British slang and difference in word usage, but that was easy to remedy with a couple of internet searches, so that wasn't a problem for me, either. As I said earlier, the original idea was sort of interesting, but it got bogged down in inane dialogue, interminable hospitalization scenes, and, when it became evident that the problem with the alternate universe was a dying planet, and then, at 80% or so on my Kindle, when the GMO feature gets dropped, I was really done with the plot and just plodding along to get it over with. One of my old high school friends advised me on Facebook to just stop reading. I should have taken her advice.
So my advice to you is: don't even start it.
by Kerry J. Donovan
I'll start by saying that other readers may have vastly different opinions on what I think was a waster of the last week of my life. So, if you're a fan of this author, or of this book and it's sequel, you might want to stop reading now.
The shame of this book is that the initial plot idea is interesting: a parallel universe in which beings from one can "transition" into the other. From there this interesting idea gets lost in badly written dialogue and text, and late in the book degenerates into the author's evident distrust of genetically altered foods -- interesting if for not other reason that the 'transitions' themselves are basically a form of genetically altering human beings. Argggh. The book was listed as a mystery, but the only mystery is how it got so many good reviews.
First, the main character, Frank Brazier/Giovanni Veloce/Jason Jameson/Johnny Swift -- take your pick as this is just one of the confusing parts of this novel, and the Johnny Swift part is one that is never explained, at all -- is really not particularly likeable. He is vain and a bit of a braggart, but then goes all shy and inept the next minute. He is supposedly in love with the office receptionist of his father's racing business (for which he is the main driver), but he a) doesn't recognize her as his sister's best childhood friend, and b) seems to equate "love" with sexual desire as even just seeing Jenny gives him a boner, even just after awaking from a horrible train accident in which his sister is fatally injured. The dialogue is childish and strained. Lots of "oh Jenny" and "Oh Frankie" and for the first part of the book I thought I'd stumbled onto a mis-identified bodice ripper. Then we go off into science fiction with alternate universes, from which beings from that other place can be seen by our main character (but no other "transitionee") and, after the train accident, can communicate with him via the shrapnel imbedded in his brain. (Big Sigh here). Yes, I almost put it down about half way through, but, to my everlasting sorrow, I toughed it out, only to find that the ending is not an ending, but a set up for the sequel. You know, my favorite type of novel ending: the cliffhanger.
And of course, there is the morality question: is it okay to have one entity take over the life of a second entity (evidently, complete with memories of the second entity) at the time of said second entity's death? Is that fair to the second entity, who is denied being remembered for who he/she really was, as the new entity (who, to be fair, would have died if he/she had not made the transition) will now live out that second entity's life span unbeknownst to said second entity's family and friends? Even if it means that those in the alternate universe will all die, I don't find that a particularly bright beacon of morality.
The proofing is okay, I saw some errors, but not that many. I won't say the editing was good because it allowed this slop to make it to publication. The author is British, so there was a lot of British slang and difference in word usage, but that was easy to remedy with a couple of internet searches, so that wasn't a problem for me, either. As I said earlier, the original idea was sort of interesting, but it got bogged down in inane dialogue, interminable hospitalization scenes, and, when it became evident that the problem with the alternate universe was a dying planet, and then, at 80% or so on my Kindle, when the GMO feature gets dropped, I was really done with the plot and just plodding along to get it over with. One of my old high school friends advised me on Facebook to just stop reading. I should have taken her advice.
So my advice to you is: don't even start it.
October 28, 2014
I have read the authors previous two thrillers, featuring a lovable cop, and really enjoyed them. This book was a totally new genre for me, I haven't really read any paranormal novels before so didn't really know what to expect!
Yet again, the author had told a great story, with plenty of twists to keep the reader guessing as to what is really happening. The first few chapters introduced the characters and then BANG! The action started!
I savoured reading this book and enjoyed how the characters gelled so well together. There were times where I felt like yelling at the people featured in the book and other times when I wanted to jump between the pages and help the main character out of his predicament.
A well written book which has great potential for a fab follow on.
Yet again, the author had told a great story, with plenty of twists to keep the reader guessing as to what is really happening. The first few chapters introduced the characters and then BANG! The action started!
I savoured reading this book and enjoyed how the characters gelled so well together. There were times where I felt like yelling at the people featured in the book and other times when I wanted to jump between the pages and help the main character out of his predicament.
A well written book which has great potential for a fab follow on.
April 1, 2015
I was given a copy for free in exchange for an honest review.
Frank Brazier is a race car driver. He has a contract to drive for a Formula 1 team. His family is supportive and he has a stunning girlfriend. Frank only has one problem he see,s shadow people this is a secret no one knows. On race day shadow man pays Frank a visit distracting him. Frank has an accident after the accident he begins hearing voices. He's losing his grip on reality his sister Paula is dying. The Dr,s say she is brain dead. They want to pull the plug but Frank hears her calls he knows she is still alive. Shadow man tells Frank that Frank can save Paula, but there is a price to pay! Can Frank pay the price? A fantastic read full of mystery,tragedy and hope.
Frank Brazier is a race car driver. He has a contract to drive for a Formula 1 team. His family is supportive and he has a stunning girlfriend. Frank only has one problem he see,s shadow people this is a secret no one knows. On race day shadow man pays Frank a visit distracting him. Frank has an accident after the accident he begins hearing voices. He's losing his grip on reality his sister Paula is dying. The Dr,s say she is brain dead. They want to pull the plug but Frank hears her calls he knows she is still alive. Shadow man tells Frank that Frank can save Paula, but there is a price to pay! Can Frank pay the price? A fantastic read full of mystery,tragedy and hope.
October 15, 2015
I originally started reading this book through a writers' website and enjoyed it so much I bought the book to find out how it ended. I was amazed by how much slicker the start of the book was. A large amount of unnecessary back story has been removed and the story flows much better because of it. I was disappointed that Jenny didn't fully believe Frank but based on what he was telling her she would have had to be pretty naive or star struck to think he wasn't mad.
All in all a good story which flows nicely into book 2 which I believe is coming soon. I think the ending and the understanding comes a little too quickly and an extra fifty pages would have held the suspense much more, but over all I enjoyed it and will be looking out for the next stage in the story.
All in all a good story which flows nicely into book 2 which I believe is coming soon. I think the ending and the understanding comes a little too quickly and an extra fifty pages would have held the suspense much more, but over all I enjoyed it and will be looking out for the next stage in the story.
October 12, 2014
Surprisingly Good.
I've got to be honest, I didn't think I was going to enjoy this book - particularly with the race car beginning. However I was pleasantly surprised. I really liked the main character Frank and his cute girlfriend Jenny and even his dad Pete. They all worked really well together as a character trio. The shadows were enticing and there were some great twists at the beginning to keep the pages turning. I must admit it got a little slow in the middle - but it did work for the timeline and what Frank was going through and picked up again when we finally get the real story. An interesting concept that was well thought out and I'd like to know if there's a sequel...
I've got to be honest, I didn't think I was going to enjoy this book - particularly with the race car beginning. However I was pleasantly surprised. I really liked the main character Frank and his cute girlfriend Jenny and even his dad Pete. They all worked really well together as a character trio. The shadows were enticing and there were some great twists at the beginning to keep the pages turning. I must admit it got a little slow in the middle - but it did work for the timeline and what Frank was going through and picked up again when we finally get the real story. An interesting concept that was well thought out and I'd like to know if there's a sequel...
November 13, 2016
Great entertainment!!
Having read the DCI Jones books, and on Lucky Shores disfigured would give this a try. I'm really glad I did.
The Transition of Johnny Swift is a radical departure from all of the previous Kerry Donovan stories that I've read.
He has created a very compelling story from topics that shouldn't work together but provide a great exams of how, to do a mash-up of two or more genres.
A definite must read for Kerry Donovan fans.
Having read the DCI Jones books, and on Lucky Shores disfigured would give this a try. I'm really glad I did.
The Transition of Johnny Swift is a radical departure from all of the previous Kerry Donovan stories that I've read.
He has created a very compelling story from topics that shouldn't work together but provide a great exams of how, to do a mash-up of two or more genres.
A definite must read for Kerry Donovan fans.
March 16, 2015
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I had a hard time getting past the beginning, not into racing. Still reading and hope it changes direction soon.
I had a hard time getting past the beginning, not into racing. Still reading and hope it changes direction soon.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews