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Kyle Payne Thrillers #3
Kill Shot
He thought he was done with the killing. But old habits die hard.
Kyle Payne thought he’d left his deadly past behind – until he is targeted by mysterious assassins posing as FBI agents.
Forced into an uneasy alliance with Special Agent Carrie Walker, who is also being targeted, Payne sets out to find out who is after them and why.
The trail leads to rogue CIA operative Michael Dresden who is on a vendetta against the highest levels of US government.
Payne and Walker discover Dresden’s meticulous plan involves weaponized drones and a skilled team of elite mercenaries operating from a heavily armed compound in the remote Idaho wilderness.
As the clock ticks down, Walker faces an impossible she can follow official protocol, or she can embrace Payne’s lethal skillset and prevent a devastating attack on American soil.
Kill Shot – book 3 in the superb new action thriller series featuring Kyle Payne. Perfect for fans of Lee Child, Jason Kasper and Paul Heatley.
Kyle Payne thought he’d left his deadly past behind – until he is targeted by mysterious assassins posing as FBI agents.
Forced into an uneasy alliance with Special Agent Carrie Walker, who is also being targeted, Payne sets out to find out who is after them and why.
The trail leads to rogue CIA operative Michael Dresden who is on a vendetta against the highest levels of US government.
Payne and Walker discover Dresden’s meticulous plan involves weaponized drones and a skilled team of elite mercenaries operating from a heavily armed compound in the remote Idaho wilderness.
As the clock ticks down, Walker faces an impossible she can follow official protocol, or she can embrace Payne’s lethal skillset and prevent a devastating attack on American soil.
Kill Shot – book 3 in the superb new action thriller series featuring Kyle Payne. Perfect for fans of Lee Child, Jason Kasper and Paul Heatley.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 20, 2025
191 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 21, 2025
Review: Why does every writer think they know Idahoan's? Despite all the incoming Kalifornians and Texans etc., there is only one general perspective that you can count on and that is that we don't like you. We do not like your rudeness, your rampant egos and loud attitudes. We don't like your entitled kids and the ability to turn your surrounding environment into an emotional wasteland. We don't like your stacking bricks on corners with the intent to smash businesses that do not align with your twisted views. And yet conservatives are always protrayed as the aggressive maniacal narcissists in this author's little world.
That said, this was wholly unbelievable. Like another reviewer said, "why go to such lengths for revenge with a plethora of resources at hand"? This is just the same story line as the previous novels in a slightly different setting. Kyle still moves faster than you can see, kills without remorse (its justified), sniffs out all the hot and available LE bitches in a hundred mile radius while riding a motorcycle in search of himself. It's not Kyle's fault that he is written in smug fashion and that he views Idaho as a repository for neo-nazis. Nah, all thanks go to the author for banging the nazi gavel of judgement on Idaho while WA state gets a pass as the most fascist state in the union. Must be nice writing from a lofty perch in blue CO. You know what they say about pointy fingers....
None of the geographical markers made sense. How do you go from Seattle to Moscow Idaho in the blink of an eye to some fictitious town in Idaho on Highway 3 which is in western Idaho? Would not the CIA lady in Missoula have gone down the Bitteroot Valley if this town was in eastern Idaho? I lived in SE Idaho most of my life and never heard of any Neo Nazis in the sticks, especially not adjacent to Jackson Hole. Last I checked, it is about a 10 hour drive from Moscow to Jackson Hole. So where the fuk is this town of Marple?
I received this ARC for an honest review.
3.2/5
That said, this was wholly unbelievable. Like another reviewer said, "why go to such lengths for revenge with a plethora of resources at hand"? This is just the same story line as the previous novels in a slightly different setting. Kyle still moves faster than you can see, kills without remorse (its justified), sniffs out all the hot and available LE bitches in a hundred mile radius while riding a motorcycle in search of himself. It's not Kyle's fault that he is written in smug fashion and that he views Idaho as a repository for neo-nazis. Nah, all thanks go to the author for banging the nazi gavel of judgement on Idaho while WA state gets a pass as the most fascist state in the union. Must be nice writing from a lofty perch in blue CO. You know what they say about pointy fingers....
None of the geographical markers made sense. How do you go from Seattle to Moscow Idaho in the blink of an eye to some fictitious town in Idaho on Highway 3 which is in western Idaho? Would not the CIA lady in Missoula have gone down the Bitteroot Valley if this town was in eastern Idaho? I lived in SE Idaho most of my life and never heard of any Neo Nazis in the sticks, especially not adjacent to Jackson Hole. Last I checked, it is about a 10 hour drive from Moscow to Jackson Hole. So where the fuk is this town of Marple?
I received this ARC for an honest review.
3.2/5
July 20, 2025
ARC Review ‼️
I thoroughly enjoyed this thriller! It reminded me of Reacher or Jack Ryan. It had me hooked from the beginning, and really enjoyed the story, and action!
I thoroughly enjoyed this thriller! It reminded me of Reacher or Jack Ryan. It had me hooked from the beginning, and really enjoyed the story, and action!
August 21, 2025
Kill Shot by J.T. Sawyer
Kyle Payne Thriller #3
Riveting read ~ Thrill ride from beginning to end ~ Couldn’t put it down ~
What I Liked:
* That though the third in the series, I had no trouble understanding and enjoying every word
* Kyle Payne: CIA black-ops veteran, savvy, strong, lethal, sees the bigger picture, doesn’t pull his punches, traveling via motorcycle, drawn into a dangerous situation due to a phone call, intriguing, attracted to Carrie
* Carrie Walker: FBI Special Agent, strong, smart, lethal, by-the-book, sees issues in black and white, starts to see things a bit differently as the story progresses, attracted to Kyle
* Alisa Fairbanks: friend and like a sister to Kyle, research and field skills, helped Senator Harrison, at risk and on the run, supported by her mentor - Kilkenny
* Senator James Harrison: mover and a shaker, digs into issues, travels, presumed dead
* The prologue: airplane crash that engaged my interest and set the stage for the story
* That the characters were not invincible with both good and bad guys being injured and killed
* The gray areas with glimpses of what might go on in government…wondered how much could be real
* Being able to hate the bad guys and wish Karma fall on their heads
* That I could understand the revenge quest of Dresden and his friends though I couldn’t condone his plans
* That everything was tied up neatly at the end of the story and wondering if there will be a book four
* The plot, pacing, setting, and writing
What I didn’t Like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Brittany Colson: Secretary of State, wealthy, privileged, ruthless, self-centered, loves her father, unlikable, as corrupt and evil as her father
* Thinking about militias and the purpose one served in this story
* Thinking about the ease with which government types felt entitled to call in killers to do their bidding
Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series/by this author? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and Inkubator Book for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars
Kyle Payne Thriller #3
Riveting read ~ Thrill ride from beginning to end ~ Couldn’t put it down ~
What I Liked:
* That though the third in the series, I had no trouble understanding and enjoying every word
* Kyle Payne: CIA black-ops veteran, savvy, strong, lethal, sees the bigger picture, doesn’t pull his punches, traveling via motorcycle, drawn into a dangerous situation due to a phone call, intriguing, attracted to Carrie
* Carrie Walker: FBI Special Agent, strong, smart, lethal, by-the-book, sees issues in black and white, starts to see things a bit differently as the story progresses, attracted to Kyle
* Alisa Fairbanks: friend and like a sister to Kyle, research and field skills, helped Senator Harrison, at risk and on the run, supported by her mentor - Kilkenny
* Senator James Harrison: mover and a shaker, digs into issues, travels, presumed dead
* The prologue: airplane crash that engaged my interest and set the stage for the story
* That the characters were not invincible with both good and bad guys being injured and killed
* The gray areas with glimpses of what might go on in government…wondered how much could be real
* Being able to hate the bad guys and wish Karma fall on their heads
* That I could understand the revenge quest of Dresden and his friends though I couldn’t condone his plans
* That everything was tied up neatly at the end of the story and wondering if there will be a book four
* The plot, pacing, setting, and writing
What I didn’t Like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Brittany Colson: Secretary of State, wealthy, privileged, ruthless, self-centered, loves her father, unlikable, as corrupt and evil as her father
* Thinking about militias and the purpose one served in this story
* Thinking about the ease with which government types felt entitled to call in killers to do their bidding
Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series/by this author? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and Inkubator Book for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars
July 5, 2025
I received an ARC through "Booksprout" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This story begins with the crash of a jet. On this jet was believed to Senator Harrison. The story shifts to Kyle who is a a exhibition where he is met by two FBI agents. As it worked out these were not real, but from a group that wanted him taken. Kyle winds up killing one of them and then manages to escape. Kyle learns some information and then begins looking into what the group wanted. He learns later that it is related to an event that happened 2 years earlier in Syria. Kyle meets up with the real FBI agents and they take a trip to where the jet crashed. After viewing the items that were discovered, Kyle learned something important before they were attacked by individuals of that same group. In the attack, one of the FBI agents was killed. Now Kyle and Carrie, the remaining FBI agent, started a trip to Idaho to visit the site where the senator was last seen.
Read along and discover who was in charge of the group attacking, why the persisted, who else wound up assisting Kyle and Carrie and discover how it all ended.
This is a book with a lot of action, definitely well worth reading!
This story begins with the crash of a jet. On this jet was believed to Senator Harrison. The story shifts to Kyle who is a a exhibition where he is met by two FBI agents. As it worked out these were not real, but from a group that wanted him taken. Kyle winds up killing one of them and then manages to escape. Kyle learns some information and then begins looking into what the group wanted. He learns later that it is related to an event that happened 2 years earlier in Syria. Kyle meets up with the real FBI agents and they take a trip to where the jet crashed. After viewing the items that were discovered, Kyle learned something important before they were attacked by individuals of that same group. In the attack, one of the FBI agents was killed. Now Kyle and Carrie, the remaining FBI agent, started a trip to Idaho to visit the site where the senator was last seen.
Read along and discover who was in charge of the group attacking, why the persisted, who else wound up assisting Kyle and Carrie and discover how it all ended.
This is a book with a lot of action, definitely well worth reading!
July 23, 2025
Sawyer's best thriller to date!
Kill Shot, the 3rd book in the Kyle Payne thriller series is an all out thrill ride that will leave you guessing until the very end. The narrative quality is so high that fans of thrillers of any kind will love it. Payne is an engaging character, and Walker is a perfect foil for him, with her by the book attitude clashing with Payne's 'whatever it takes' ethos while both work towards a common goal of preventing the worst terrorist attack in US history. Supporting characters are great too. Even the antagonists are well written and not just evil caricatures with no substance. This is a thriller in the truest sense, it was hard to put down long enough for an appointment this afternoon! 5/5 stars, with the highest recommendation for fans of all-stops-pulled-out thrillers like those Sawyer manages to create time and again, while managing to constantly hone his narrative skills! Seriously, if you enjoy thrillers of any kind, pick up Kill Shot, you will not be disappointed!
Kill Shot, the 3rd book in the Kyle Payne thriller series is an all out thrill ride that will leave you guessing until the very end. The narrative quality is so high that fans of thrillers of any kind will love it. Payne is an engaging character, and Walker is a perfect foil for him, with her by the book attitude clashing with Payne's 'whatever it takes' ethos while both work towards a common goal of preventing the worst terrorist attack in US history. Supporting characters are great too. Even the antagonists are well written and not just evil caricatures with no substance. This is a thriller in the truest sense, it was hard to put down long enough for an appointment this afternoon! 5/5 stars, with the highest recommendation for fans of all-stops-pulled-out thrillers like those Sawyer manages to create time and again, while managing to constantly hone his narrative skills! Seriously, if you enjoy thrillers of any kind, pick up Kill Shot, you will not be disappointed!
July 23, 2025
The book kicks off dramatically with the fiery crash of Senator Harrison's private jet, killing everyone aboard. This immediately pulls ex-CIA agent Kyle Payne into the investigation, alongside current CIA operatives Carrie and Fiche. With the crucial assistance of his long-time associate and coach, Alisa, they uncover a chilling plot: a plan to unleash a fleet of stealth drones, laden with destructive payloads, upon an unsuspecting Jackson Hole.
The story moves at a relentless pace, shifting between various locations in and around Seattle. Kyle Payne's past undercover experience in Algeria proves instrumental, allowing him to unravel the conspiracy and thwart the attack just in time, saving the city from certain devastation. This thrilling narrative will keep you utterly engrossed—it's the perfect weekend read you'll want to devour in a single sitting.
Thank you, BookSprout, for providing a copy of this book for review. The opinions expressed herein are my own.
The story moves at a relentless pace, shifting between various locations in and around Seattle. Kyle Payne's past undercover experience in Algeria proves instrumental, allowing him to unravel the conspiracy and thwart the attack just in time, saving the city from certain devastation. This thrilling narrative will keep you utterly engrossed—it's the perfect weekend read you'll want to devour in a single sitting.
Thank you, BookSprout, for providing a copy of this book for review. The opinions expressed herein are my own.
July 8, 2025
This is a terrific read. It begins with a plane crash involving a senator who is a old friend of Kyle's, and then an attempt is made on Kyle's life so dragging him into a world of revenge for past government actions.
This is a fast-moving tale involving several government officials who want their past exploits kept hidden, and an FBI agent who teams up with Kyle to try to find out what the ultimate plan is from an ex agent with many skirmishes along the way. This is different from the previous books where Kyle just happened to stumble on happenings in a rural location and for me, this made it even better. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to what is next in store.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a fast-moving tale involving several government officials who want their past exploits kept hidden, and an FBI agent who teams up with Kyle to try to find out what the ultimate plan is from an ex agent with many skirmishes along the way. This is different from the previous books where Kyle just happened to stumble on happenings in a rural location and for me, this made it even better. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to what is next in store.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 26, 2025
Not a dull moment in this thriller. The ending seemed rushed to me. Who was the person the h captured? I went back and reread several times and still couldn't figure it out. Some happenings were off page and I wanted to experience them.
Story is chuck filled with violence, suspense and more villains than I have on two hands. Lord's name used in vain and crude words, which is normal for this genre.
I didn't feel a connection to the Kyle and Carrie. Lovemaking outside of marriage, bedroom door closed.
No cheating, no cliffhanger, many murders and HEA. This can be a standalone story. I can't improve on the blurb, just giving you extra tidbits to decide whether to purchase. (ljb)
Story is chuck filled with violence, suspense and more villains than I have on two hands. Lord's name used in vain and crude words, which is normal for this genre.
I didn't feel a connection to the Kyle and Carrie. Lovemaking outside of marriage, bedroom door closed.
No cheating, no cliffhanger, many murders and HEA. This can be a standalone story. I can't improve on the blurb, just giving you extra tidbits to decide whether to purchase. (ljb)
July 6, 2025
Love the Kyle Payne books. Always full of action and suspense. Page by page an enjoyable read. The Author gets straight into it from the very beginning. It's a busy book. As usual Payne gets pulled into something when Assassins go after him. A former Agency man has a score to settle with a few in Government and Payne has to stop him before innocent people get killed. You may even feel a little sympathy for the bad guys when you find out why they are seeking revenge. Don't let this one go by.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 5, 2025
I swear you can feel the brutal attacks Payne deals with that's how precise this author's descriptions are. When Senator James Harrison's plane goes down Agent Carrie Walker and Agent John Fiche locates Kyle Payne to find out why his number is in the senator's phone that's when the excitement really begins. There's so much action wrapped up in Payne's story your fingers won't be able to turn the pages fast enough to keep up w/ the characters. It's one helluva book.
July 19, 2025
Kyle is just minding his own business planning his road trip on his motorcycle when he is accosted by FBI agents and his bike impounded. Well, not everything is as it appears.
We now are immersed in a plot with drones, imposters, trust issues and dead bodies. The pace of the story keeps you involved and is well written.
Kyle is a guy that is easy to root for…great read, recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
We now are immersed in a plot with drones, imposters, trust issues and dead bodies. The pace of the story keeps you involved and is well written.
Kyle is a guy that is easy to root for…great read, recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 21, 2025
Payne continues to be as dangerous as he can be but in Kill Shot some of his sharp edges will be smoothed and maybe, just maybe, he'll find the peace he's looking for. The story is a rollercoaster of emotions as we'll read as teams inside and outside the government will be battling themselves in order to keep a horrible secret a secret. There's the corrupt politician and the honest one, who will win? Great and entertaining read!
I thank the author for this ARC.
I thank the author for this ARC.
August 21, 2025
Action from the beginning to the end. While Payne is at a knife show the FBI wants to talk with him. Only after a very short conversation he finds out they are definitely not who they say they are. And when he finds out the reason for their visit he immediately knows what's going on so he is on the move ,and he doesn't slow down until the end.
Fantastic read, and a series I will go back and catch up on.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Fantastic read, and a series I will go back and catch up on.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 1, 2025
Non-stop action kept me wanting to read more!! An Excellent read that is a welcome escape into a thrilling fantasy of covert operations riding on adrenaline. JT Swayer gives the reader insight to each of the characters life, thought patterns and background is succulently described allowing the reader to be immersed into his story plot. I am so glad to have come across this author and will definitely read more.
July 11, 2025
I've had the fortune to preview all the books in this series so far, and without a doubt, this is the most compelling, plot-rich book in the series yet. While the first two volumes were simpler affairs with Kyle Payne getting caught up in more localized criminal plots while on his travels - and were a little short, in my opinion - this edition amps up not only the complexity but fully utilizes Payne's skill set from his past as a CIA operative to great effect.
While this is a much longer read than the past volumes, there's enough to keep things moving along at a fast pace so the pages flew by.
I highly recommend Kill Shot, and look forward to what's next for Kyle Payne!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
While this is a much longer read than the past volumes, there's enough to keep things moving along at a fast pace so the pages flew by.
I highly recommend Kill Shot, and look forward to what's next for Kyle Payne!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 9, 2025
An outstanding action thriller with a well written storyline and a great cast of realistic characters. Kyle Payne and SI Carrie Walker are the main characters in this enjoyable page turning adventure. Contains plenty of action and lots of suspense crammed into a quick read. Highly recommended book and series. Bring on the next exciting adventure with Kyle and Carrie.
July 13, 2025
Holy moly…hold on to your hats. This one is intense right from the prologue. I thought books 1 & 2 in this series were fantastic but this one completely blew them out of the water. I think it might make my top 5 thriller for the year. It was complete and total chaos. Absolutely brilliant. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book provided by booksprout.
July 25, 2025
This is the third book in the Kyle Payne series and it didn't disappoint. Kyle thought his killing days were behind him. He had moved on and was happier until he became the target of people posing as FBI agents. Payne teams up with FBI Agent Carrie Walker who is also being targeted. As they investigate, they discover that a CIA operative may be involved.
July 26, 2025
How does he do it …?
JT your books are so full of info and excitement and shoot’em bang, bang. (on a sniper level). How do you come up with this entangled, unbelievable plots? Or are that based on tales from years gone by. Wherever you get them, they are gripping, fast paced and truly unfathomable! Thanks again for a great read!
JT your books are so full of info and excitement and shoot’em bang, bang. (on a sniper level). How do you come up with this entangled, unbelievable plots? Or are that based on tales from years gone by. Wherever you get them, they are gripping, fast paced and truly unfathomable! Thanks again for a great read!
July 15, 2025
This book is entertaining, with good characters and great action, but the plot is not that great. There are much easier and much more precise ways to get revenge for smart people with these resources.
July 22, 2025
Our buddy Kyle is trying to buy a knife at a gun show when FBI agents want to talk with him. Things start getting out of control from there.
The most exciting book in the series, yet. Never stops moving. I almost felt tired just reading it!
The most exciting book in the series, yet. Never stops moving. I almost felt tired just reading it!
July 25, 2025
Nonstop Action
Everything you want in a thriller - action starts and never lets up. Author Sawyer created an interesting plot and unravels it slowly, revealing key details skillfully. Dialogue is solid, without profanity which I really appreciate. Highly recommended.
Everything you want in a thriller - action starts and never lets up. Author Sawyer created an interesting plot and unravels it slowly, revealing key details skillfully. Dialogue is solid, without profanity which I really appreciate. Highly recommended.
August 25, 2025
Old saw of white supremacists
White supremacists have not been a problem for a while. Although possible for them to cause some issue the left has shown itself much more inclined to cause problems yet it is never them that are the problem
White supremacists have not been a problem for a while. Although possible for them to cause some issue the left has shown itself much more inclined to cause problems yet it is never them that are the problem
July 22, 2025
This was a very good read. Story kept you captivated throughout. Very well written book, and I highly recommend it.
July 24, 2025
Never a dull moment!
Loaded with action and suspense. At times , I found myself holding my breath!!! You don't want to cross Kyle. You want him on your side. A great read!!
Loaded with action and suspense. At times , I found myself holding my breath!!! You don't want to cross Kyle. You want him on your side. A great read!!
July 26, 2025
Wow, I loved the action and suspense in this nail-biting thriller.
Kyle Payne is a complex character that resonated with me. Great book!
Can't wait to read more in this series.
Kyle Payne is a complex character that resonated with me. Great book!
Can't wait to read more in this series.
July 28, 2025
Another good book by JT Sawyer
I enjoyed this book very much. Good story, great characters, and lots of action! Just the way this type of book should be.
I enjoyed this book very much. Good story, great characters, and lots of action! Just the way this type of book should be.
November 5, 2025
Typical of the Kyle Payne series which means action, our hero's unbelievable escapability. This one just didn't make me not able to put it down.
I will still continue on with Kyle Payne.
I will still continue on with Kyle Payne.
August 6, 2025
As usual for Sawyer's books expect action with good fundamental descriptions. This is my 5th Sawyer book, 2nd Kyle Payne. Not disappointed. The focus is more focused on the action with minimaal description of equipment/weapons. You just know there is action coming.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews