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Damned If You Do: A James Stone Thriller
The world thought he was dead...Living in the underbelly of New York City, James Stone has mastered the art of anonymity. A forgotten fugitive, Stone lives a quiet life as bodyguard to Luca O'Driscoll, the son of a powerful crime syndicate boss.
But when disaster strikes, and Luca is taken hostage by an unknown foe with a score to settle against Stone's employer, James finds himself thrust into a deadly game of survival.
As old wounds reopen, and secrets threaten to unravel, Stone has one final chance to find Luca before the world learns the truth, and his status atop the Most Wanted list is reinstated.
Though as everything in his life crumbles around him, that is going to be easier said than done.
Damned If You Do is the latest book in the James Stone thriller series, and sees the anti-hero in a whole new light unlike anything seen before. Stone thought his worst moments were far behind him, but he’s about to find out just how wrong he was.
In a world of violent criminals sometimes you're damned if you do, and damned if you don't.
But when disaster strikes, and Luca is taken hostage by an unknown foe with a score to settle against Stone's employer, James finds himself thrust into a deadly game of survival.
As old wounds reopen, and secrets threaten to unravel, Stone has one final chance to find Luca before the world learns the truth, and his status atop the Most Wanted list is reinstated.
Though as everything in his life crumbles around him, that is going to be easier said than done.
Damned If You Do is the latest book in the James Stone thriller series, and sees the anti-hero in a whole new light unlike anything seen before. Stone thought his worst moments were far behind him, but he’s about to find out just how wrong he was.
In a world of violent criminals sometimes you're damned if you do, and damned if you don't.
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Published April 14, 2025
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About the author
Robert Clark
276 books2 followersLibrarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. This profile may contain multiple authors.
Robert 2^ Clark - National Geographic photograher
Robert 3^ Clark - Edgar Award winner from Minnesota
Robert 4^ Clark - James Stone thriller series
Robert 5^ Clark - Canadian corrections officer
Robert 6^ Clark - Sci-fi/fantasy/horror author from Pennsylvania
Robert 2^ Clark - National Geographic photograher
Robert 3^ Clark - Edgar Award winner from Minnesota
Robert 4^ Clark - James Stone thriller series
Robert 5^ Clark - Canadian corrections officer
Robert 6^ Clark - Sci-fi/fantasy/horror author from Pennsylvania
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
October 6, 2025
Wow. This book had me hooked from the very first page. Damned If You Do isn’t just another crime thriller it’s a deep, emotional dive into redemption, regret, and survival. Robert Clark has a way of writing that makes you feel every choice James Stone makes. You can sense his pain, his past, and the constant battle between doing what’s right and doing what keeps him alive.
What really stood out to me was how real Stone felt. He’s not a perfect hero he’s flawed, haunted, and tired, yet still driven by something powerful inside him. The moment Luca was taken, I could literally feel the tension. Every twist, every confrontation kept me at the edge of my seat. Just when I thought I knew where things were going, Clark threw in another curveball.
I also loved how the story explored loyalty and consequence. It reminds you that sometimes doing the right thing doesn’t come with a happy ending and that’s what makes it so believable. The writing is sharp, the pacing is perfect, and the world Robert Clark created feels gritty and alive.
Even though this is the tenth book in the series, it didn’t feel confusing at all. In fact, it made me want to go back and read the earlier ones just to understand James Stone’s journey better. It’s a perfect entry point for new readers, yet it gives returning fans plenty of emotional payoff.
What really stood out to me was how real Stone felt. He’s not a perfect hero he’s flawed, haunted, and tired, yet still driven by something powerful inside him. The moment Luca was taken, I could literally feel the tension. Every twist, every confrontation kept me at the edge of my seat. Just when I thought I knew where things were going, Clark threw in another curveball.
I also loved how the story explored loyalty and consequence. It reminds you that sometimes doing the right thing doesn’t come with a happy ending and that’s what makes it so believable. The writing is sharp, the pacing is perfect, and the world Robert Clark created feels gritty and alive.
Even though this is the tenth book in the series, it didn’t feel confusing at all. In fact, it made me want to go back and read the earlier ones just to understand James Stone’s journey better. It’s a perfect entry point for new readers, yet it gives returning fans plenty of emotional payoff.
Displaying 1 of 1 review