Badlands: A Tom Keeler Thriller, Book 6

by Jack Lively

November 2016, Israel Egypt border zone

Tom Keeler is on rest and recuperation leave, recovering from injuries sustained in the Syrian battleground. He’s got a week and a half of R&R left and the only thing Keeler desires is to take full advantage of the desert landscape and Yasmin, his guide.

That’s all thrown into question when two corpses show up in the border zone.

When Keeler and Yasmin cross into the badlands of North Sinai in pursuit of the suspected murderers, the cross paths with a traitorous Egyptian intelligence agent who would kill to keep a deadly secret.

Badlands is the sixth Tom Keeler Thriller, with action and intrigue from beginning to end. This adventure takes Keeler on a journey through the badlands of the North Sinai desert to the bleak heart of Europe.

Genres: Audiobook

Audible Audio

Published August 1, 2024

About the author

Jack Lively was born in Sheffield, in the UK. He grew up in the United States of America. He has worked as a fisherman, an ice cream truck driver, underwater cinematographer, gas station attendant, and outboard engine repairman. The other thing about Jack is that since he grew up without a TV, before the internet, he was always reading. And later on, Jack started writing. All through those long years working odd jobs and traveling around, Jack wrote. He’d write in bars and cafes, on boats and trains and even on long haul bus trips.

Eventually Jack finished a book and figured he might as well see if anyone wanted to read it.

Tom Keeler is a veteran combat medic who served in a special tactics unit of United States Air Force. The series begins when Keeler receives his discharge from the military. Keeler just wants to roam free. But stuff happens, and Keeler’s not the kind of guy who just walks away.

Jack Lively lives in London with his family.

Reviews

[Abibliofob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tom Keeler is trying to have a little free time with a friend. Then stuff happens, a lot of stuff actually. It leads to a bigger problem that takes him through many countries and bad guys. We actually get two main characters in this great book and Badlands by Jack lively is his next best book so far. (I still think the first is the best.) This is also a throwback to Keelers time in service and it is set in some interesting places in the world. It is as I expect from this author well written and researched and it's another example of an author with a spooky ability to have an idea for a book that is close to real time events. I can really recommend this series and I thank Jack for giving me an advance copy. It will be available in only a few days.

[Myra McCulloch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this great thriller in one sitting.

On R&R, with a romantic interest, Keeler finds himself in the action! Chasing smugglers, murderers and even a corrupt Colonel who tries to have Keeler killed.
Espionage at its best. Plenty of action and suspense

Thank you for the opportunity to read your book Jack.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Badlands is the sixth book in the series featuring Tom Keeler, and I have read and enjoyed them all. This one goes back in time to 2016 when Keeler was still serving in the US Air Force. He is officially on leave recuperating, camping in the Negev Desert with Yasmin, an Israeli soldier and sister of a Mossad agent whose life Keeler had saved, when they come across two dead bodies. Help will not arrive in time so they follow three mysterious figures into the extensive tunnels under the Egyptian border. They are captured by an Egyptian colonel who has no intention of letting them live. Tom and Yasmin have to use all their formidable skills, and manage to escape by the skin of their teeth.
From this point on, they are separated and become part of a complicated operation that does not always go as planned. I have to admit I was not completely sure what was going on at times, and had trouble differentiating all the different characters, though they were convincing as were the impressive action scenes. I enjoyed this glimpse into Keeler’s time in the military, and look forward to his next adventure. You could read this as a standalone, but you’d be missing some great stories if you didn’t go back and start at the beginning. Thanks to Jack Lively for an advanced copy.

[Ricki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although I love these types of books, this one seemed disjointed. We are dropped in on Tom on R&R in the desert with Yasmin, a former Isreali soldier. They come upon 2 corpses , one of which Yasmin knows which leads them to follow the possible killers into tunnels near the Isreali border. While following, they encounter a bent Egyptian Colonel.

There is the typical kidnapping, killings, chases etc where they both run for their lives and finally get to safety. It's not over, Tom is called on a super secret mission and Yasmin is recruited into finding out who one of the men they encountered really is. Separately, they are hunting the same crooked Colonel but from different angles but again Yasmin is captured but this time must rely on herself to be saved.

The first half is slow, the last third is the best part. About a 2.75.

[Robbo · Rating 5 out of 5]

More action packed than usual

Book 6, but is set before Tom Keeler has left the military, he’s in a war zone, Israel, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Iraq, all the top holiday hotspots. The death toll is high, the violence swift, brutal and unrelenting. Several times I was a little lost due my terrible Middle East geography, and I know nothing of its’ history, it felt a bit like being in school again. Still a remarkable story, with many layers, and unpredictable throughout.

[Manfred · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is set in 2016 when Tom Keeler was still in the military. He's on R&R in Israel with the sister of a Mossad agent whose life he saved. This all changes when they come across two bodies near the border to Egypt in North Sinai. They stumble across corrupt Egyptian intelligence and are dragged into dangerous events spanning into Europe. A fast paced read with lots of violent action. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Gary Webster · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Best One Yet

I like the Tome Keeler books, but they read kind of like a Super Hero story. Keeler’s a bad ass guy, but it’s a little over the top. Not this one. This Keeler is a normal good guy stud military hero. Just without a cape. We also get a new character Yasmine who definitely can hold her own. I hope we see more of them together. The plot gets a little convoluted at times, but overall is a good read. In my opinion the best one yet.

[john alder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five Stars

Another great read in the Tom Keeler series. As a reader you are never left disappointed. Lots of action and suspense. Also lots of different stories take place as the book moves along at a real pace. Another well deserved 5 stars for the author, Jack Lively star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[DavidWerner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down

Love this style of story telling where you have several story lines going and wonder how the will all coverage. I kept being pulled along, cross referencing the several story lines, and see it all pull together. Love the action, suspense and trying to figure out how Keeper is going to pull this off

[Eric Esterline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not Lively's best work

I've read the previous books in the series and really e enjoyed them. Getting :/ through "Badlands" took a lot of effort. It didn't flow and I was lost jmuch of the time, especially on the second half of the book. The ending wasn't really an ending. It just sort of stopped.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

He, an American soldier, she, an Israeli soldier and guide…and it’s not their first date. Here in the Sinai dessert, things heat up in more than one way. They can trust each other but it’s not apparent who else they can trust in this fast moving adventure.

[Daniel Horton · Rating 5 out of 5]

a good read

A really good read,just my type of book action adventure violence intrigue spying a hint of sexual violence the full works spun together in a great action book.another Jack Lively winner.

[Mark Grove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally Believable

Better than, “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy”. Realistic would be a gross understatement. If you seek Tier One like it is, this book will capitalize your grits. All thumbs up. Bravo!

[billy g weast · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Great book with many twists and turns. I learned some things about the middle east that were concerning and surprising. I recommend all of Jack Lively's books as well worth the time spent.

[fraser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic Read

It started a little wild on the story line front, but it got some serious traction to turn into a great read.
Definitely had me guessing, on the edge of my seat and glued to the pages.
Great work

[Ccadi · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Copy

Espionage, intense action, all in an easy readable thrill ride. Grab a copy for a great summer read.

[Michael Arnold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received as ARC. Interesting story which reflects modern relations in the Middle East. Complicated plot that starts out a little slow, bu rapidly increases the pace.

[Baking · Rating 5 out of 5]

Badlands is book six in the Tom Keeler thriller series. Like Berserker, it takes place during Tom’s military days. The book was well written, and it must have taken enormous research with all the details. The book is action-packed, with plenty of espionage, and a bit of romance for Tom.

I recommend reading the entire series! The narrator, Tom Jordan, is excellent.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent Tom Keeler story, full of action and many twists, the pace ramping up constantly throughout so that the momentum holds you gripped until the end.

[martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Up all night

An adrenaline rush from start to finish, great characters tom and Yasmin rock let's have more, brilliant and novel storyline. Can't wait for the next book.

[Eleanor Andersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extremely well written book that I couldn’t put down. Action from start to finish. An edge of the seat page turner.

[Richard A Lambing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

[CPFC · Rating 2 out of 5]

Far fetched tosh..

[Ari Maayan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Garbage

I suppose that this is supposed to be entertaining. It's not anywhere near it. It's pure garbage My last one