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Tom Keeler #4
Hard Candy: Tom Keeler, Book 4
The latest thriller in the Tom Keeler series, Hard Candy is an action packed story with more twists than a bag of pythons.
A woman fallen. Crumpled to the train platform, lying face up on the frozen cement, her life hanging by a thread.
A misplaced package. Hunted by people who will do anything to get it back.
The man with the familiar face. An old enemy working for a powerful new organization.
A crypto billionaire. He might be the richest man on earth, but money can’t save him from a professional hit team.
Tom Keeler. Traveling by train from Canada to New York City, Keeler gets stranded in the town of Kitchewan Landing. A blizzard’s coming down with the polar vortex, and an evil wind is blowing through town.
The Tom Keeler books can be listened to in any order. If you listen to only one book this year, this is it. A dazzling tour de force from the mind of one of the most talented writers working today. Action, adventure, courage, evil, and characters you can sink your teeth into. If you're looking for a new thriller series that will stay with you long after you finish it, look no further.
Recommended for fans of Lee Child's Jack Reacher, Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp, Robert Ludlum's Jason Bourne, and Brad Thor's Scot Harvath.
A woman fallen. Crumpled to the train platform, lying face up on the frozen cement, her life hanging by a thread.
A misplaced package. Hunted by people who will do anything to get it back.
The man with the familiar face. An old enemy working for a powerful new organization.
A crypto billionaire. He might be the richest man on earth, but money can’t save him from a professional hit team.
Tom Keeler. Traveling by train from Canada to New York City, Keeler gets stranded in the town of Kitchewan Landing. A blizzard’s coming down with the polar vortex, and an evil wind is blowing through town.
The Tom Keeler books can be listened to in any order. If you listen to only one book this year, this is it. A dazzling tour de force from the mind of one of the most talented writers working today. Action, adventure, courage, evil, and characters you can sink your teeth into. If you're looking for a new thriller series that will stay with you long after you finish it, look no further.
Recommended for fans of Lee Child's Jack Reacher, Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp, Robert Ludlum's Jason Bourne, and Brad Thor's Scot Harvath.
Audible Audio
First published November 7, 2022
1142 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Jack Lively
11 books101 followersJack 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
November 1, 2022
Tom Keeler has a habit of destroying property around him, but in Hard Candy he shows a great deal of restraint. Jack Lively has once agin written a page turner, I had to force myself to put it aside so I could sleep. What can happen when the train is cancelled due to snow ? Not much you would think? Not when Keeler is involved. He needs someplace to eat and stay and that leads to a found laptop bag and a chance encounter with a woman and a suspicious death and on it goes. I really like the authors creation and I am glad to get these books as advance copies. One thing you never know is where will Tom appear next? The problems he encounter varies and so does the setting and that is one of the fun parts. I also like his attitude towards justice, its often swift and absolute. Great writing mr. Lively.
October 27, 2022
Fasten your seatbelt! And get ready to take the express train with Tom Keeler. Page after page the action never stops. A laptop left on the train brings Tom and Mini together with blockchain nerds and hired killers.
October 26, 2022
Great fast paced story, definitely a page turner for me. Very much enjoyed the latest instalment of the Tom Keeler series.
A snowy train station in upstate New York. A woman falls on the platform. What are the circumstances? Tom Keeler is on hand to save the day.
A snowy train station in upstate New York. A woman falls on the platform. What are the circumstances? Tom Keeler is on hand to save the day.
November 3, 2022
Tom Keeler is on his way to New York City after a stay in Canada, when his train has to stop in the small town of Kitchewan Landing because the heater failed. He meets Mini the train conductor who takes a forgotten laptop to lost and found, and offers him a place to stay for the night. On the platform a woman dies. And once again Tom Keeler finds trouble. Another page turner from Jack Lively with lots of fun and action!
November 23, 2022
Great to be reading an author that knows how to write tight interesting action and dialogue.
November 8, 2022
Tom Keeler was on a train traveling from Ontario, Canada to New York City when less than one hour from Grand Central Station, the train pulled into Kitchewan Landing. Due to an incoming blizzard the train passengers were notified that they would have to change trains to finish the trip to NYC. Little did Tom know this delay to NYC would be the start of a mystery that will keep him in the area for several days.
As the story starts to develop Tom watches as a police car and ambulance arrives at the train station. He watches for some time while the first responders gather around a woman that was laying prone platform outside of the station. Tome had noticed the woman earlier and thought she was looking for someone who was to get off the train. As the storm progresses Tom realizes that he is going to be stuck where he is until the morning after the storm passes by and the train tracks are cleared. As Tom tries to get a ride to the local diner to grab something to eat he notices a taxi with an empty seat and asks the driver if he could get a ride. The driver lets Tom know that he is waiting for someone and has no room for Tom. Tom believes his only option is to walk to the dinner.
At the same time this is going on we meet Mini DeValla, the conductor that was on the same train as Tom. As DeValla is finishing up her shift she is asked by another conductor if she can do a walk trough of the north bound train that had pulled in around the same time as her southbound train came in. As she does the walk through she finds a computer bag that was left in the train. DeValla wants to leave the bag at the lost and found office at the station but the office is closed by the time she gets there. After some consideration she decides to take the bag home until the next morning when she has to due her next shift.
On her way home DeValla sees Tom trudging through the snow on his way to the diner. On a whim she decides to offer him a ride to the diner. As a thank you Tom offers to buy her dinner, which DeValla decides that she will. While at the diner they are approached by another customer, who both DeValla and Tom had noticed. The new guy accuses them both of making him uncomfortable the way they had been looking at him. DeValla just states that she recognized him from the train, which the guy states he was not on a train. DeValla then says not the train but the train platform, when the guy says he does not know what she is talking about. After he leaves Tom states that he also thought he recognized him.
Once you put Tom, DeValla, the mystery man from the diner and the computer bag together you have the start of a great book. Add in a possible missing person, a local resort that seems to be hiding a few things, and a few other surprises you have an enjoyable story that Jack Lively has written in Hard Candy.
As the story starts to develop Tom watches as a police car and ambulance arrives at the train station. He watches for some time while the first responders gather around a woman that was laying prone platform outside of the station. Tome had noticed the woman earlier and thought she was looking for someone who was to get off the train. As the storm progresses Tom realizes that he is going to be stuck where he is until the morning after the storm passes by and the train tracks are cleared. As Tom tries to get a ride to the local diner to grab something to eat he notices a taxi with an empty seat and asks the driver if he could get a ride. The driver lets Tom know that he is waiting for someone and has no room for Tom. Tom believes his only option is to walk to the dinner.
At the same time this is going on we meet Mini DeValla, the conductor that was on the same train as Tom. As DeValla is finishing up her shift she is asked by another conductor if she can do a walk trough of the north bound train that had pulled in around the same time as her southbound train came in. As she does the walk through she finds a computer bag that was left in the train. DeValla wants to leave the bag at the lost and found office at the station but the office is closed by the time she gets there. After some consideration she decides to take the bag home until the next morning when she has to due her next shift.
On her way home DeValla sees Tom trudging through the snow on his way to the diner. On a whim she decides to offer him a ride to the diner. As a thank you Tom offers to buy her dinner, which DeValla decides that she will. While at the diner they are approached by another customer, who both DeValla and Tom had noticed. The new guy accuses them both of making him uncomfortable the way they had been looking at him. DeValla just states that she recognized him from the train, which the guy states he was not on a train. DeValla then says not the train but the train platform, when the guy says he does not know what she is talking about. After he leaves Tom states that he also thought he recognized him.
Once you put Tom, DeValla, the mystery man from the diner and the computer bag together you have the start of a great book. Add in a possible missing person, a local resort that seems to be hiding a few things, and a few other surprises you have an enjoyable story that Jack Lively has written in Hard Candy.
December 15, 2022
Hard Candy is the fourth book in the series featuring Tom Keeler. He is travelling on a train from Canada to New York when a snowstorm forces him to spend the night in Kitchewan Landing. Trudging through the snow to find the diner, Mini DeValla, the train conductor, offers him a lift and a bed for the night. Somehow, even though he’s minding his own business, trouble always seems to find Tom Keeler, and pretty soon he’s up to his neck in it.
The plot seemed very complicated, with Tom facing a never-ending stream of bad guys, until I realised there were two separate stories and it all became much clearer. You can’t read this series without noticing the echoes of Jack Reacher, but while there are similarities they are very different characters. In this story, Keeler faces extreme violence and there is a high body count. As a former combat medic in the special tactics squadron of the air force, he has a unique set of skills and you would definitely want him fighting your corner. The main characters are well developed and believable, the horde of villains not so much. I have read and enjoyed all the books in this series, largely due to the character of Tom Keeler who just gets better each time. Thanks to Jack Lively for an advanced digital copy of Hard Candy. I look forward to reading the next book in the Tom Keeler series.
The plot seemed very complicated, with Tom facing a never-ending stream of bad guys, until I realised there were two separate stories and it all became much clearer. You can’t read this series without noticing the echoes of Jack Reacher, but while there are similarities they are very different characters. In this story, Keeler faces extreme violence and there is a high body count. As a former combat medic in the special tactics squadron of the air force, he has a unique set of skills and you would definitely want him fighting your corner. The main characters are well developed and believable, the horde of villains not so much. I have read and enjoyed all the books in this series, largely due to the character of Tom Keeler who just gets better each time. Thanks to Jack Lively for an advanced digital copy of Hard Candy. I look forward to reading the next book in the Tom Keeler series.
May 26, 2025
I listened to the audiobook version of this title. Tom Jordan is not Jeff Harding. That makes a BIG DIFFERENCE to this narrative.
The story still takes too long to be told, it’s tolerable with Harding, somehow not so tolerable with Jordan. I think maybe because Jordan’s voice doesn’t fit the part. Not strong enough or rugged enough. He also doesn’t have any voice variations or inflections.
On the plus side(?) - it’s no longer Reacher! If Mr Lively wants to separate himself from the comparison (or if he’s been forced to), then he’s succeeded.
The story is intriguing and the characters are endearing (not the baddies, of course). I shall persevere, but it’s lost its vicarious enjoyment now.
The story still takes too long to be told, it’s tolerable with Harding, somehow not so tolerable with Jordan. I think maybe because Jordan’s voice doesn’t fit the part. Not strong enough or rugged enough. He also doesn’t have any voice variations or inflections.
On the plus side(?) - it’s no longer Reacher! If Mr Lively wants to separate himself from the comparison (or if he’s been forced to), then he’s succeeded.
The story is intriguing and the characters are endearing (not the baddies, of course). I shall persevere, but it’s lost its vicarious enjoyment now.
January 7, 2023
Jack Lively has once again written a page turner! This is a well-written, suspenseful, complex, edge-of-your-seat thriller that will leave you breathless at times in anticipation of the next twist in the plot of which there are many. His characters are well-developed though not necessarily likeable. None of them are whom they appear to be. The twists and turns keep you on the edge of your seat right to the last page. It was so captivating and exciting that I simply couldn't put it down!
Thank you to the author who provided me with a copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Thank you to the author who provided me with a copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
December 8, 2022
Keeler is back coming to NY from Canada by train. There's a storm, the train is short of NY and he's looking for a diner. He meets a train conductor and the mystery starts there.
A crime victim on the platform as they roll in, a lost laptop found by the conductor Mini and a bunch of locals and security types looking for either the laptop or something else seemingly related but really not. Tom can't help but get involved, and bodies fall everywhere.
A good adventure, but an abrupt ending. Also, not sure why someone is being called "the protagonist"- it's just odd.
A crime victim on the platform as they roll in, a lost laptop found by the conductor Mini and a bunch of locals and security types looking for either the laptop or something else seemingly related but really not. Tom can't help but get involved, and bodies fall everywhere.
A good adventure, but an abrupt ending. Also, not sure why someone is being called "the protagonist"- it's just odd.
February 19, 2024
Exciting!
A great mystery and thriller from page one! Jack Lively is a master story teller. Tom Keeler stumbles on a mystery when his train terminates at the start of a snow storm. He had hoped to connect to a train to New York city. As he disembarks, he witnesses a woman suddenly collapsing. The events continue to unfold in a mix of drug drops and corporate cyber crimes with a dose of revenge. The story grabs the reader. I am thrilled I have discovered this series. I have read the first three books in four days.
A great mystery and thriller from page one! Jack Lively is a master story teller. Tom Keeler stumbles on a mystery when his train terminates at the start of a snow storm. He had hoped to connect to a train to New York city. As he disembarks, he witnesses a woman suddenly collapsing. The events continue to unfold in a mix of drug drops and corporate cyber crimes with a dose of revenge. The story grabs the reader. I am thrilled I have discovered this series. I have read the first three books in four days.
November 9, 2024
It's such an awesome book. There are so many twists and turns for Keeler to deal with.
Has he found love with Mini?
Will he be able to fight his way out of this nest of pythons?
I found it so difficult to put this book down.
Jack Lively is such an amazing author. He can somehow make a bloody fight scene, although awful with blood, brains, bone, and just about anything you could name into something you just know he will somehow fight his way out of the situation.
Totally recommend this terrific page turner.
Thank you, Jack, yet again for a brilliant read
Has he found love with Mini?
Will he be able to fight his way out of this nest of pythons?
I found it so difficult to put this book down.
Jack Lively is such an amazing author. He can somehow make a bloody fight scene, although awful with blood, brains, bone, and just about anything you could name into something you just know he will somehow fight his way out of the situation.
Totally recommend this terrific page turner.
Thank you, Jack, yet again for a brilliant read
May 31, 2025
Hard Candy : book4
This book took place in a small town just outside of New York City. It centered around, honest people doing their job and some tough guys. I think it was interesting to read about New York City because I was interested in some of the things that this book revealed about the trains that run in the city. I thought the book was well written and had some very interesting facts about that area over the country.
This book took place in a small town just outside of New York City. It centered around, honest people doing their job and some tough guys. I think it was interesting to read about New York City because I was interested in some of the things that this book revealed about the trains that run in the city. I thought the book was well written and had some very interesting facts about that area over the country.
November 3, 2022
Full on action to the very end.
Tom Keeler notices things, he doesn’t look for trouble, but finds it a lot. A high bad guys body count, and an added complication of two unassociated sets of criminals. At the end, I’d like to think he hangs around a bit this time, maybe to let all the wounds heal at least.
Tom Keeler notices things, he doesn’t look for trouble, but finds it a lot. A high bad guys body count, and an added complication of two unassociated sets of criminals. At the end, I’d like to think he hangs around a bit this time, maybe to let all the wounds heal at least.
November 7, 2022
Another great story in the Keeler series. The story is full of twists and turns, clever misdirection and non stop action. Keeler is undoubtedly a man you would want on your side in a life threatening situation. The characters are well written and believable and it is a book that keeps you gripped and not wanting to put it down at all.
November 8, 2022
I wonder if there will be more of the Tom Keeper books?
I like a good book with a lot of action , never a dull moment. This book and all of the Tom Keeler books were very interesting and action packed. Just my kind of reading.
I would recommend these books to anyone with the same taste
in reading as myself.
I hope there are other books of Keeper on the way.
I like a good book with a lot of action , never a dull moment. This book and all of the Tom Keeler books were very interesting and action packed. Just my kind of reading.
I would recommend these books to anyone with the same taste
in reading as myself.
I hope there are other books of Keeper on the way.
January 9, 2023
TK IS THE MAN!!!
Really enjoyed being in Jack Lively’s head!
His guy Tom Keeley is all about showing up ALPHA MALE…protecting the innocent…dismantling the corrupt. Grateful for author
Keeping it REAL and not taking on the president vs international evil story line which gets really boring over time. Thanks…JL!
Really enjoyed being in Jack Lively’s head!
His guy Tom Keeley is all about showing up ALPHA MALE…protecting the innocent…dismantling the corrupt. Grateful for author
Keeping it REAL and not taking on the president vs international evil story line which gets really boring over time. Thanks…JL!
November 1, 2022
Hard Candy. Makes it sound like a very sweet story. Well, let me assure you it's anything but. It's an action packed thriller full of twists and turns and very hard to put down. Certainly not one to be missed.
November 10, 2022
Heart pounding great read!
Keller knows what to do and who the bad guys are!! Jack Lively is a fantastic author who is good and getting better! You have no idea how good until you read his books!
Can't wait to read your new book!!!
Keller knows what to do and who the bad guys are!! Jack Lively is a fantastic author who is good and getting better! You have no idea how good until you read his books!
Can't wait to read your new book!!!
December 5, 2022
Good book
I love all these Tom Keeler books. Strong confident man. Interesting plot, with some twists. Great read. I was a little disappointed in the drugs in the computer. Otherwise it's a good story
I love all these Tom Keeler books. Strong confident man. Interesting plot, with some twists. Great read. I was a little disappointed in the drugs in the computer. Otherwise it's a good story
December 27, 2022
a good read.
Fairly typical stuff . Ex special forces guy accidentally stumbles on a situation and sorts it out . Temporary dalliance and then of on his travels. Keeler isn’t reacher but they’re of the same ilk. A one man army.
Fairly typical stuff . Ex special forces guy accidentally stumbles on a situation and sorts it out . Temporary dalliance and then of on his travels. Keeler isn’t reacher but they’re of the same ilk. A one man army.
June 3, 2023
Great read
The story kept pulling me back , second half was a little scattered with less direction than the first half. This book was less predictable than his previous and was an easier read.
The story kept pulling me back , second half was a little scattered with less direction than the first half. This book was less predictable than his previous and was an easier read.
June 22, 2023
ok
A quick read but had the feeling the author got fed up and just wanted to end it. Missing plot details, where was candy, what happened at the end and who said it was over. Oh well, as said a quick easy read
A quick read but had the feeling the author got fed up and just wanted to end it. Missing plot details, where was candy, what happened at the end and who said it was over. Oh well, as said a quick easy read
October 16, 2023
a good read
A really good read,I shall be looking for more TomKeeler books ,this is just my type of book ,Action/violence/intrigue .I am so glad I found this author,I would recommend this book.
A really good read,I shall be looking for more TomKeeler books ,this is just my type of book ,Action/violence/intrigue .I am so glad I found this author,I would recommend this book.
July 7, 2024
Hard Candy and Keeler
An interesting premise how Keeler gets involved in multiple situations that mislead you false conclusion on who are the true enemies or are there more than one kind.
An interesting premise how Keeler gets involved in multiple situations that mislead you false conclusion on who are the true enemies or are there more than one kind.
October 30, 2022
Action packed, suspenseful and a real page turner.
A train ride cut short, murder, a crypto conference, hit men and Tom Keeler.
A great story, read how it all comes together
A train ride cut short, murder, a crypto conference, hit men and Tom Keeler.
A great story, read how it all comes together
November 2, 2022
ARC from Author
Enjoyable action book in an easy readable style
Enjoyable action book in an easy readable style
November 6, 2022
An extremely well written book. At times I felt as if I was actually with them in the snow. Action from start to finish.
November 10, 2022
Exceptional
This may be the best in the series yet. Superb style. Better than Lee Childs, in my opinion because the character is more real world accurate. All thumbs up. Bravo!
This may be the best in the series yet. Superb style. Better than Lee Childs, in my opinion because the character is more real world accurate. All thumbs up. Bravo!
November 13, 2022
Better than Reacher series
For those looking for a book like the Reacher series, this series is better. Keeler is a great character and the writing has more depth.
For those looking for a book like the Reacher series, this series is better. Keeler is a great character and the writing has more depth.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews