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Absolute Authority: A James Ryder Assassin Thriller
When institutions fail, one man becomes judge, jury, and executioner.He was trained to be America's perfect weapon, a Delta Force operator with a perfect record of eliminating high-value targets. But when James Ryder uncovers evidence of a powerful defense contractor selling arms to the enemy, the system he trusted turns against him.
Abruptly discharged and back on American soil, Ryder discovers the corruption goes deeper than illegal weapons deals. The Richter empire is exploiting wounded veterans from battlefield hospitals to corporate boardrooms and abandoning them when they're no longer useful. With official channels compromised and no one to trust, Ryder decides to use his lethal skills to deliver the justice others can't—or won't.
As he hunts those responsible, a determined Army CID agent with her own quest for truth follows his trail of bodies. The chase becomes a high-stakes game where the lines between vengeance and justice blur with every trigger pull.
Can a weapon forged by the military be stopped once it chooses its targets?
Absolute Authority is the explosive first book in the James Ryder thriller series. If you like vigilante justice, complex moral dilemmas, and a protagonist who answers to no authority but his own conscience, then you'll love JT Porter's gripping tale of accountability.
Abruptly discharged and back on American soil, Ryder discovers the corruption goes deeper than illegal weapons deals. The Richter empire is exploiting wounded veterans from battlefield hospitals to corporate boardrooms and abandoning them when they're no longer useful. With official channels compromised and no one to trust, Ryder decides to use his lethal skills to deliver the justice others can't—or won't.
As he hunts those responsible, a determined Army CID agent with her own quest for truth follows his trail of bodies. The chase becomes a high-stakes game where the lines between vengeance and justice blur with every trigger pull.
Can a weapon forged by the military be stopped once it chooses its targets?
Absolute Authority is the explosive first book in the James Ryder thriller series. If you like vigilante justice, complex moral dilemmas, and a protagonist who answers to no authority but his own conscience, then you'll love JT Porter's gripping tale of accountability.
359 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 22, 2025
305 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 31, 2025
I received an ARC and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
The story begins with Ryder and his Delta team on a mission in relationship to RPG weapons. They are successful, but do not discover how the weapons are being supplied. The team is later assigned to a mission where supposedly there is a location for storage of these weapons. Their mission is to observe only. Ryser upon sighting what appears to be weapons leaving orders gis team to attack contrary to his orders, they wind up destroying the weapons site and discover something else. Once Ryder returns to base and reports in, he is potently to be disciplined for his actions. After presenting documentation of what he discovered, things go easier. Shortly thereafter he submits a report that suggests a defense contractor may be supplying weapons to the enemy. Once it is learned he is reprimanded. Time goes by and he learns that that the case was finished after a two-week investigation.
Ryder was eventually ordered to meet with the head of the Defense company where he was offered a bribe. Ryder on his own decided that he needed to mete out justice because no one else would. As a result of his actions, he was discharged from the Army. Upon returning home, he was having a hard time reacclimating. He eventually wound up deciding to hike the Appalachian Trail where he met another soldier. After a short time later, he learned about how a pharmaceutical company which was owned by the same Defense firm he was involved with in Afghanistan, was taking advantage of vets. He decided to rectify that situation.
Discover the path that Ryder followed as he found a new purpose, why CID was looking for him and what he eventually wound up doing to make things right.
This story is a new series for this author and is well worth reading. Pick it up, you won't be disappointed!
The story begins with Ryder and his Delta team on a mission in relationship to RPG weapons. They are successful, but do not discover how the weapons are being supplied. The team is later assigned to a mission where supposedly there is a location for storage of these weapons. Their mission is to observe only. Ryser upon sighting what appears to be weapons leaving orders gis team to attack contrary to his orders, they wind up destroying the weapons site and discover something else. Once Ryder returns to base and reports in, he is potently to be disciplined for his actions. After presenting documentation of what he discovered, things go easier. Shortly thereafter he submits a report that suggests a defense contractor may be supplying weapons to the enemy. Once it is learned he is reprimanded. Time goes by and he learns that that the case was finished after a two-week investigation.
Ryder was eventually ordered to meet with the head of the Defense company where he was offered a bribe. Ryder on his own decided that he needed to mete out justice because no one else would. As a result of his actions, he was discharged from the Army. Upon returning home, he was having a hard time reacclimating. He eventually wound up deciding to hike the Appalachian Trail where he met another soldier. After a short time later, he learned about how a pharmaceutical company which was owned by the same Defense firm he was involved with in Afghanistan, was taking advantage of vets. He decided to rectify that situation.
Discover the path that Ryder followed as he found a new purpose, why CID was looking for him and what he eventually wound up doing to make things right.
This story is a new series for this author and is well worth reading. Pick it up, you won't be disappointed!
December 23, 2025
Really great!
This was a really great book! I loved the protagonist, James Ryder. He reminded me, in many ways, of the James Reece character in the Terminal List series by Jack Carr, which is one of my favorite book series.
Like Reece, Ryder is a government trained killing machine who has a complex moral code and dispenses his own brand of justice, with thorough planning and brutal efficiency.
Both Ryder and Reece are former elite Special Forces soldiers, who were among the very best at what they did. Ryder is ex Delta Force, and Reece is an ex Navy Seal.
Ryder uses his military training to step in where the system has failed, and bring justice to those who have been victimized by powerful and corrupt individuals who the system cannot touch, very similar to what Reece does in the Terminal List.
What was really great about this book was the way the author took the time to develop the characters and explain their actions and motivations so that the reader understood everything.
Ryder was especially well developed and explained by the author, to the point that I found myself agreeing with his cause and rooting for him to succeed.
In summary, this was a really great entry in the genre of lone wolf operators with a military background. There are many books out there now which follow this theme.
However, this one really stood out to me, as it had a fast paced story that was very well told. along with great action and well developed characters, a combination that is not easy to find.
I highly recommend this, and I cannot wait to read the next book in this series.
This was a really great book! I loved the protagonist, James Ryder. He reminded me, in many ways, of the James Reece character in the Terminal List series by Jack Carr, which is one of my favorite book series.
Like Reece, Ryder is a government trained killing machine who has a complex moral code and dispenses his own brand of justice, with thorough planning and brutal efficiency.
Both Ryder and Reece are former elite Special Forces soldiers, who were among the very best at what they did. Ryder is ex Delta Force, and Reece is an ex Navy Seal.
Ryder uses his military training to step in where the system has failed, and bring justice to those who have been victimized by powerful and corrupt individuals who the system cannot touch, very similar to what Reece does in the Terminal List.
What was really great about this book was the way the author took the time to develop the characters and explain their actions and motivations so that the reader understood everything.
Ryder was especially well developed and explained by the author, to the point that I found myself agreeing with his cause and rooting for him to succeed.
In summary, this was a really great entry in the genre of lone wolf operators with a military background. There are many books out there now which follow this theme.
However, this one really stood out to me, as it had a fast paced story that was very well told. along with great action and well developed characters, a combination that is not easy to find.
I highly recommend this, and I cannot wait to read the next book in this series.
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June 10, 2025An engrossing and entertaining story of high level cover ups and corruption along with the dilemma faced by James Ryder when he and his Delta team force discover an arms contractor from home is supplying arms to their enemies. Despite providing evidence to his superiors of the Richter Corporation dealing this way, the matter is swept under the carpet and eventually leads to Ryder’s discharge from Delta Force and his service to country.
Then when back home, Ryder finds injured servicemen are also being preyed on by a pharmaceutical arm of the same Richter Corporation and he plots and plans to take action to set these crimes right, and wreak revenge on the perpetrators. The skills his service in Delta Force, where he has been trained to kill, are brought to the fore and the main complicating factor is Special Agent Jenna Kendrick of the US Army CID. Jenna has been tasked to find the killer of the CEO of the arms division of the Richter Corporation. There is a surprise twist to her investigation and the moral dilemma faced by Ryder in becoming a vigilante, extends to Jenna which makes for an excellent read.
Then when back home, Ryder finds injured servicemen are also being preyed on by a pharmaceutical arm of the same Richter Corporation and he plots and plans to take action to set these crimes right, and wreak revenge on the perpetrators. The skills his service in Delta Force, where he has been trained to kill, are brought to the fore and the main complicating factor is Special Agent Jenna Kendrick of the US Army CID. Jenna has been tasked to find the killer of the CEO of the arms division of the Richter Corporation. There is a surprise twist to her investigation and the moral dilemma faced by Ryder in becoming a vigilante, extends to Jenna which makes for an excellent read.
June 7, 2025
James Ryder was a delta Force leader when they discovered an American company was supplying arms to the insurgents. Ryder went by the book and reported it with proof. The investigation was closed in only two weeks. Ryder's involvement resulted in his discharge from the Army after many years of exemplanentary service. Ryder could not leave it alone, not allowing arms to be sold to the enemy and taking American lives and worse. He became a one man justice league and started in to make things right. He then learned that the same corporation's pharmaceutical division was targeting veterans. Ryder made a one man attempt insure justice and the rest is great reading.
June 6, 2025
James Ryder was fed up with injustice. He found American military munitions with Taliban linked to an American defense manufacturer. Then he found a subsidiary killing more soldiers. Something wasn't being done. So, he decides he is the one to fix things. Fix things he does. And more!! Move over Reacher! You have James Ryder coming up fast! Next: Trouble brewing in FL - especially when James gets there! A great start to a new series.
July 13, 2025
Highly recommended and enjoyable book. Scary on several levels - the amount of corruption and injustice that are potentially hidden from citizens and the possibility of a highly trained assassin going rogue. And of course, the moral challenge of a vigilante correcting those wrongs which are not, and maybe could not be, addressed through the normal legal avenues. A very interesting and well-written story with characters you can identify with. A book to make you think.
June 3, 2025
Excel!ent book from beginning to end, very good characters both good and bad, ones you love or hate , and an excellent Story line that keeps you reading and wanting more. All in all a book I thoroughly enjoyed and can highly recommend
July 1, 2025
A veteran on a mission to avenge fellow veterans
Suspenseful plot, with intriguing twists and turns. Great character development. Ryder is out for justice, not revenge. Looking forward for the next book in the series.
Suspenseful plot, with intriguing twists and turns. Great character development. Ryder is out for justice, not revenge. Looking forward for the next book in the series.
September 12, 2025
Wonderful read!
Exciting and riveting action story of a Delta operative forced into retirement, who sets out to help those veterans and other individuals whom the system has failed.... Outstanding characters and storyline.....Solid 4.5+ stars!
Exciting and riveting action story of a Delta operative forced into retirement, who sets out to help those veterans and other individuals whom the system has failed.... Outstanding characters and storyline.....Solid 4.5+ stars!
June 4, 2025
An exciting & thrilling read. Look forward to reading more.
September 9, 2025
Terrific read with some really good characters. Ryder is a compelling figure out for justice or revenge. Will immediately buy the second book.
October 27, 2025
good read
January 8, 2026
Excellent Start
Clean writing without filler, plenty of action, a compelling hero in Ryder and solid plot. Only points off are for a bit-too-tidy wrap up.
Clean writing without filler, plenty of action, a compelling hero in Ryder and solid plot. Only points off are for a bit-too-tidy wrap up.
January 16, 2026
A Page Turner
Loved the book! The story was great and it moved at a steady pace. A very good piece of writing.
I'll be starting the next book as soon as I hit 'send' on this review
Loved the book! The story was great and it moved at a steady pace. A very good piece of writing.
I'll be starting the next book as soon as I hit 'send' on this review
September 1, 2025
James Ryder, ex Delta Force, has to fight a dirty PMC. But fighting against a big company is very hard. Top story, lots of action, highly recommended.
January 24, 2026
A mix of James Reece & Mack Bolan
This first installment was good. James Ryder is in my opinion a mix of James Reece & Mack Bolan. I liked it!
This first installment was good. James Ryder is in my opinion a mix of James Reece & Mack Bolan. I liked it!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews