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John Milton #26
Clearwater
The 26th book in the multi-million-selling John Milton series.
John Milton was just passing through.
But when a chance glimpse of an old friend drags him off course, he finds himself in Clearwater Springs—a forgotten town poisoned by corporate greed and held hostage by fear.
Caterina Moreno was supposed to disappear. Years ago, Milton risked everything to help her escape a cartel death sentence. Now she’s resurfaced under a new name, fighting a different kind of war. As a law student and community advocate, she’s taking on the powerful fracking company that’s been making people sick and silencing anyone who dares speak out.
Milton offers protection from the shadows. But danger is circling. The deeper Caterina digs, the more violent the pushback becomes—and far beyond the reach of corporate lawyers, someone else is watching. Someone sent to finish what was started years ago.
To save a woman who refuses to run, Milton will have to face a threat that’s been stalking her for years—and make a stand in a town where justice has long since been buried.
This book will be released at the end of 2025. Note - Clearwater is a working title, and will likely be changed before the book is released.
John Milton was just passing through.
But when a chance glimpse of an old friend drags him off course, he finds himself in Clearwater Springs—a forgotten town poisoned by corporate greed and held hostage by fear.
Caterina Moreno was supposed to disappear. Years ago, Milton risked everything to help her escape a cartel death sentence. Now she’s resurfaced under a new name, fighting a different kind of war. As a law student and community advocate, she’s taking on the powerful fracking company that’s been making people sick and silencing anyone who dares speak out.
Milton offers protection from the shadows. But danger is circling. The deeper Caterina digs, the more violent the pushback becomes—and far beyond the reach of corporate lawyers, someone else is watching. Someone sent to finish what was started years ago.
To save a woman who refuses to run, Milton will have to face a threat that’s been stalking her for years—and make a stand in a town where justice has long since been buried.
This book will be released at the end of 2025. Note - Clearwater is a working title, and will likely be changed before the book is released.
456 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 24, 2025
About the author
Mark Dawson
112 books1,921 followersFor news and special offers join Mark's mailing list at:
http://eepurl.com/Cai5X
Mark Dawson was born in Lowestoft and grew up in Manchester and Chicago. He has worked as a lawyer and currently works in the London film industry. His first books, "The Art of Falling Apart" and "Subpoena Colada" have been published in multiple languages.
He is currently writing two series. Soho Noir is set in the West End of London between 1940 and 1970. The first book in the series, "The Black Mile", deals with the (real life but little known) serial killer who operated in the area during the Blitz. "The Imposter" traces the journey of a criminal family (think The Sopranos in austerity London and you'd be on the right track).
The John Milton series features a disgruntled special agent who aims to help people to make amends for the terrible things that he has done. Mark, as a child of the 80s, will freely admit that he watched a lot of The Equalizer in his youth.
Mark lives in Wiltshire with his family.
You can find him at www.markjdawson.com or www.facebook.com/markdawsonauthor.
http://eepurl.com/Cai5X
Mark Dawson was born in Lowestoft and grew up in Manchester and Chicago. He has worked as a lawyer and currently works in the London film industry. His first books, "The Art of Falling Apart" and "Subpoena Colada" have been published in multiple languages.
He is currently writing two series. Soho Noir is set in the West End of London between 1940 and 1970. The first book in the series, "The Black Mile", deals with the (real life but little known) serial killer who operated in the area during the Blitz. "The Imposter" traces the journey of a criminal family (think The Sopranos in austerity London and you'd be on the right track).
The John Milton series features a disgruntled special agent who aims to help people to make amends for the terrible things that he has done. Mark, as a child of the 80s, will freely admit that he watched a lot of The Equalizer in his youth.
Mark lives in Wiltshire with his family.
You can find him at www.markjdawson.com or www.facebook.com/markdawsonauthor.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
March 19, 2026
Sometimes I feel that a series is so long that not all books in it are great. I actually believe it is hard for an author to keep all the books with a great story. Clearwater is the 26th book about ex government assassin John Milton by Mark Dawson. I love the series and the character, and also the other series that involves Group 15. But they are not all masterpieces. This one was really slow getting into but then it sure picked up the pace and ended really good. Don't let my words discourage you from reading it, I will still recommend it and all the other books from this author. The opinions are all mine.
August 28, 2026
4.5 Stars ⭐️
I’m almost running out of things to say about this series. We are now at the 26th book and I can honestly say that Mr. Dawson does not disappoint. Does every book knock it out of the park? No. But most of them do. I also think that after you have gotten to know and understand John Milton as a character, it is so very easy to drop back into his world and just tag along for the ride. It is always a crazy yet anxiety inducing ride.
In this book, John actually goes back to a woman he helped in the past as she has gotten herself involved in something that garnered a newspaper article and picture in the Houston Chronicle. Unfortunately, she was supposed to be dead. In reality, she was in hiding with a new name beginning a brand new life. As seems to always happen to John, he appears exactly when things hit the fan (Of course there wouldn’t be a book if that wasn’t the case) but things get unbelievably crazy really quickly.
As usual, I enjoyed this book and while John is not quite the daredevil vigilante he was in the beginning, Mr. Dawson does a great job of showing us that John is getting older and has to be more careful about certain things. And more importantly, he also is learning his limitations. I like that. It makes him more human and more relatable. But, that’s just me.
One thing I will say, I listened to this on audio and while I enjoy David Thorpe - who has been the long time voice for the series - I am having a harder and harder time with his AWFUL American accents. While I absolutely LOVE when he is just narrating or doing John’s lines, because of the beautiful English accent, the way he does Southern accents are the worst. I am a fairly easy audiobook listener and it takes a lot for me to be bothered, it just seems like it is getting worse with every book (and that is probably a me issue).
With that being said, it wasn’t enough to take away my enjoyment of this series. This book actually gave us a little bit of a lead in to the next book and I am looking forward to seeing where that storyline goes.
I’m almost running out of things to say about this series. We are now at the 26th book and I can honestly say that Mr. Dawson does not disappoint. Does every book knock it out of the park? No. But most of them do. I also think that after you have gotten to know and understand John Milton as a character, it is so very easy to drop back into his world and just tag along for the ride. It is always a crazy yet anxiety inducing ride.
In this book, John actually goes back to a woman he helped in the past as she has gotten herself involved in something that garnered a newspaper article and picture in the Houston Chronicle. Unfortunately, she was supposed to be dead. In reality, she was in hiding with a new name beginning a brand new life. As seems to always happen to John, he appears exactly when things hit the fan (Of course there wouldn’t be a book if that wasn’t the case) but things get unbelievably crazy really quickly.
As usual, I enjoyed this book and while John is not quite the daredevil vigilante he was in the beginning, Mr. Dawson does a great job of showing us that John is getting older and has to be more careful about certain things. And more importantly, he also is learning his limitations. I like that. It makes him more human and more relatable. But, that’s just me.
One thing I will say, I listened to this on audio and while I enjoy David Thorpe - who has been the long time voice for the series - I am having a harder and harder time with his AWFUL American accents. While I absolutely LOVE when he is just narrating or doing John’s lines, because of the beautiful English accent, the way he does Southern accents are the worst. I am a fairly easy audiobook listener and it takes a lot for me to be bothered, it just seems like it is getting worse with every book (and that is probably a me issue).
With that being said, it wasn’t enough to take away my enjoyment of this series. This book actually gave us a little bit of a lead in to the next book and I am looking forward to seeing where that storyline goes.
January 4, 2026
Feels a little different from other John Milton books. In this book, John is less cunning and shows more weaknesses.
March 7, 2026
I miss when Milton would really go into high gear. The last few books have felt a bit limp, with him seemingly determined not to hurt anyone.
I really thought he was going to go there with how angry he got but nope.
The story has been set up for Milton to face this Roth character in the next book and I’m interested to see what that will entail. Will we finally get the violent Milton back?
I really thought he was going to go there with how angry he got but nope.
The story has been set up for Milton to face this Roth character in the next book and I’m interested to see what that will entail. Will we finally get the violent Milton back?
February 19, 2026
The worst of the series.
I've read them all and this one was absolutely ridiculous.
All of it was impossible to believe, the characters were poorly fleshed out and the conclusion flat.
I've read them all and this one was absolutely ridiculous.
All of it was impossible to believe, the characters were poorly fleshed out and the conclusion flat.
February 2, 2026
Rather a lot of descriptive action without meaning.
December 29, 2025
Another John Milton book and another five-star belter of a read.
Like many of the readers I've been with Milton from the beginning and it's interesting to observe how he's changed over the series, and, like us, aged too. It's no longer a given that Milton can physically win his way out of every fight but the older less introspective Milton has less angst and seems more comfortable in his own skin. He appears to be able to acknowledge his past, and attempt, where possible, to atone for it, without beating himself up. Interestingly, no mention of finding meetings or of temptation, either, back to his old crutches. A brilliant plot: he’s still working his way across the US in his food van (a fabulous concept I thought to provide a reason for his peripatetic existence), and he happens across an old friend in trouble who is fighting a good cause and can't help himself not to stay and help. Meanwhile, behind all the action there's someone else lurking with malicious intent, but who is he chasing? The person John is helping who has fled from the Mexican cartel, or John himself?
As always a wild roller coaster of a read that keeps you engrossed.
Like many of the readers I've been with Milton from the beginning and it's interesting to observe how he's changed over the series, and, like us, aged too. It's no longer a given that Milton can physically win his way out of every fight but the older less introspective Milton has less angst and seems more comfortable in his own skin. He appears to be able to acknowledge his past, and attempt, where possible, to atone for it, without beating himself up. Interestingly, no mention of finding meetings or of temptation, either, back to his old crutches. A brilliant plot: he’s still working his way across the US in his food van (a fabulous concept I thought to provide a reason for his peripatetic existence), and he happens across an old friend in trouble who is fighting a good cause and can't help himself not to stay and help. Meanwhile, behind all the action there's someone else lurking with malicious intent, but who is he chasing? The person John is helping who has fled from the Mexican cartel, or John himself?
As always a wild roller coaster of a read that keeps you engrossed.
January 5, 2026
Getting weaker stories every release
I would like more action and less of a geography lesson and I do not like cliff hangers. Go back to previous books and reread them. You’ll see the difference
I would like more action and less of a geography lesson and I do not like cliff hangers. Go back to previous books and reread them. You’ll see the difference
January 3, 2026
Milton is so, so. d
Couldn’t get into this Milton story. It seemed flat from start to finish without any real excitement. The Dillion character brought the most to the story. Milton is just to milk toast (brooding, boring and benign) for my tastes.
Couldn’t get into this Milton story. It seemed flat from start to finish without any real excitement. The Dillion character brought the most to the story. Milton is just to milk toast (brooding, boring and benign) for my tastes.
June 8, 2026
4 Stars
…He considers himself an artisan. A craftsman. His trade is murder.
Milton is the man the government sends after you when everything else has failed. Ruthless. Brilliant. Anonymous. Lethal. You wouldn't pick him out of a crowd but you wouldn't want to be on his list. But now, after ten years, he's had enough - there's blood on his hands and he wants out. Trouble is, this job is not one you can just walk away from…
Clearwater is Book #26 in the John Milton Series by Mark Dawson - which brims with gripping action, moral complexity, and emotional depth – and kept me engrossed right from the very first page.
John Milton is a former government assassin who has walked away from a life of sanctioned killing, now burdened by guilt and haunted by the ghosts of his past. Instead of disappearing into obscurity, Milton sets out on a personal mission to help those in desperate need, often putting himself in harm’s way to right wrongs and protect the vulnerable.
Mr. Dawson has a great knack for balancing high-octane action with moments of quiet humanity. Milton isn’t a flawless hero - he’s a man wrestling with his conscience, battling insomnia, and trying to atone for the blood on his hands. This vulnerability makes him relatable, even as he navigates dangerous situations with the precision of a seasoned operative.
Perfect for readers who enjoy thrillers with a lone-wolf protagonist, morally grey dilemmas, and a strong emotional undercurrent.
Happy Reading…
…He considers himself an artisan. A craftsman. His trade is murder.
Milton is the man the government sends after you when everything else has failed. Ruthless. Brilliant. Anonymous. Lethal. You wouldn't pick him out of a crowd but you wouldn't want to be on his list. But now, after ten years, he's had enough - there's blood on his hands and he wants out. Trouble is, this job is not one you can just walk away from…
Clearwater is Book #26 in the John Milton Series by Mark Dawson - which brims with gripping action, moral complexity, and emotional depth – and kept me engrossed right from the very first page.
John Milton is a former government assassin who has walked away from a life of sanctioned killing, now burdened by guilt and haunted by the ghosts of his past. Instead of disappearing into obscurity, Milton sets out on a personal mission to help those in desperate need, often putting himself in harm’s way to right wrongs and protect the vulnerable.
Mr. Dawson has a great knack for balancing high-octane action with moments of quiet humanity. Milton isn’t a flawless hero - he’s a man wrestling with his conscience, battling insomnia, and trying to atone for the blood on his hands. This vulnerability makes him relatable, even as he navigates dangerous situations with the precision of a seasoned operative.
Perfect for readers who enjoy thrillers with a lone-wolf protagonist, morally grey dilemmas, and a strong emotional undercurrent.
Happy Reading…
Review of advance copy received from Author
John Milton simply cannot avoid trouble. At the end of the last novel in this series, he was in his food truck traveling across the middle of the United States, going from one State or County Fair to another. He’s on his way to Albuquerque when he receives an emergency contact that the endangered woman, Caterina Moreno, he saved from the Cartel and helped into witness protection has reappeared in the public and is now in danger again. Milton decides to take a detour to Clearwater, Texas, to remind Caterina that she must stay in the shadows or risk death. She has lots of enemies. Milton, of course, finds out that Caterina, now Rosa, is spearheading a movement to take on a massive oil and gas consortium that is killing the people of the town of Clearwater through careless and dangerous fracking procedures. Never one to turn down a challenge to help people, Milton and Caterina join forces to take on the powerful corporation, its owners and murderous henchmen. As bodies being to pile up, Milton and Caterina gather their friends and associates to stop the killings and close down the corporation. Another exciting adventure in the Milton world with plenty of twist of turns to keep you reading late into the night. Highly recommend this exciting series especially the zinger paragraph at the end.
March 16, 2026
This novel brought Milton to Texas again and saw him reconnecting with someone he helped shortly after leaving the Group. Caterina is now embroiled in a fight with an oil company using fracking and contributing to the declining health of the community. They're also using drugged up wrestlers to silence the protests which is where Milton steps in. It's nice to see old friends but knowing that trouble is close is disturbing although Milton is less disturbed by the trouble than the fading hopes of the community. This book is tough in spots particularly if you've been touched by cancer, it's impossible to sugar coat anything that horrific, but it's satisfying knowing that Milton is pushing towards a solution. We also are presented with a new mysterious figure tracking Milton with a nefarious purpose, but we're not told who's sent him after our intrepid hero, the list of possibilities is endless and the resulting meeting is sure to be extremely exciting.
December 25, 2025
Milton gets a glimpse of a picture of Caterina Morino. It was posted in a paper showing her at an artist rally in Clearwater Falls, TX. Last we knew of Caterina, she was supposed to be keeping a low profile to keep the Mexican cartel from finding her. You know Milton, he hops in his food truck and heads to Clearwater Falls. What he finds makes his blood boil. An oil company is fracking with no regard for the poisonous chemicals that end up in the drinking water. People have gotten sick, some had died and some will die. The boss' son is trying to prove his worth and it doesn't bother him to hire druggies and thugs to squelch any resistance. They haven't met John Milton and Chase yet. A must read book for John Milton fans.
February 9, 2026
A Killer with a Conscience
John Milton is a killer as cold as his ice blue eyes… But, he has a conscience. He didn’t always have one. He did what his government asked of him until one day something happened and he couldn’t do it any more. That’s the day he got his conscience. Now he’s one the side of those who have been hurt by someone and have no one to help except John. His conscience is sharp because he no longer dampens it with alcohol. He’s sober and the “Rooms” are always available whenever he needs a little help himself. He meets Caterina again. He helped her once before and she’s in trouble again. This story is well constructed and you’ll enjoy seeing how John goes about doing what he does best… cooking and helping the downtrodden. Highly recommended!
John Milton is a killer as cold as his ice blue eyes… But, he has a conscience. He didn’t always have one. He did what his government asked of him until one day something happened and he couldn’t do it any more. That’s the day he got his conscience. Now he’s one the side of those who have been hurt by someone and have no one to help except John. His conscience is sharp because he no longer dampens it with alcohol. He’s sober and the “Rooms” are always available whenever he needs a little help himself. He meets Caterina again. He helped her once before and she’s in trouble again. This story is well constructed and you’ll enjoy seeing how John goes about doing what he does best… cooking and helping the downtrodden. Highly recommended!
January 12, 2026
Different Location. Same John Milton.
John was still driving to Albuquerque, New Mexico to sell food out of his food truck at the fair when he learned that an old friend was in trouble in a southwestern Texas community. She needed help, and John was willing to provide that help. An oil and gas company was drilling wells and spewing pollution all over the community. Many people were getting sick, and a lot of them were dying. Not something that John Milton could ignore. So he, along with his friend Chase, lent a hand.
John was still driving to Albuquerque, New Mexico to sell food out of his food truck at the fair when he learned that an old friend was in trouble in a southwestern Texas community. She needed help, and John was willing to provide that help. An oil and gas company was drilling wells and spewing pollution all over the community. Many people were getting sick, and a lot of them were dying. Not something that John Milton could ignore. So he, along with his friend Chase, lent a hand.
March 20, 2026
Dose big business have a conscience
Rumbling on the road to the next town John in his food van, stopping for breakfast, he gets word that an old friend is in trouble. Boy oh boy what a mess this all was yes I could skip to the end but is it because it feels unfinished. You are going to need you bullet proof vest on and carry a big gun for this one, big business thinks they can get away with anything with big lawyers. An excellent thriller that keeps you guessing and keeps you on your toes. Can't wait for the next book please keep them coming M.D.
Rumbling on the road to the next town John in his food van, stopping for breakfast, he gets word that an old friend is in trouble. Boy oh boy what a mess this all was yes I could skip to the end but is it because it feels unfinished. You are going to need you bullet proof vest on and carry a big gun for this one, big business thinks they can get away with anything with big lawyers. An excellent thriller that keeps you guessing and keeps you on your toes. Can't wait for the next book please keep them coming M.D.
December 30, 2025
A long running series that never gets stale
I’m continually amazed by the ability of the author, Mark Dawson, to keep a series with 26 books fresh and captivating while remaining true to the basic structure that ties them all together.
Throughout the John Milton series, you know the premise and you know the outcome, but getting from one to the other continues to be a reader’s delight.
I’m continually amazed by the ability of the author, Mark Dawson, to keep a series with 26 books fresh and captivating while remaining true to the basic structure that ties them all together.
Throughout the John Milton series, you know the premise and you know the outcome, but getting from one to the other continues to be a reader’s delight.
December 30, 2025
Love when a new Milton book comes out. This one was well worth the wait. The storyline is engaging and the characters well developed. Milton is at his best, helping the underdogs of the world and using his skills to persuade the villains to let it go. Now I wait for the next installment.
I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.
I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.
January 12, 2026
Clearwater 26
As usual a great read. Not always fond of stories that don’t end. I like to read it then finish it not wait for the next book. But Mark Dawson and Milton are always so good that I can forget about the next book. I would love to read a book staring Milton and Charlie Cooper.
As usual a great read. Not always fond of stories that don’t end. I like to read it then finish it not wait for the next book. But Mark Dawson and Milton are always so good that I can forget about the next book. I would love to read a book staring Milton and Charlie Cooper.
January 16, 2026
Another fantastic story.
My only complaint about this book is that the story is so credible,fast paced and easy to read that I finished the whole book within a few days.
Mark Dawson is a fabulous author who tells a good tale and brings the characters to life.
Milton is worthy of a TV series.
My only complaint about this book is that the story is so credible,fast paced and easy to read that I finished the whole book within a few days.
Mark Dawson is a fabulous author who tells a good tale and brings the characters to life.
Milton is worthy of a TV series.
January 25, 2026
As always life is not simple for John Milton though he tries to stay out of trouble. John has never been known to leave a friend in the lurch, if they need help he's the man to help them out.
Lots of fighting, crooks and dangerous situations. You will be glued to your book. Look forward to the next John Milton, a hero.
Lots of fighting, crooks and dangerous situations. You will be glued to your book. Look forward to the next John Milton, a hero.
December 29, 2025
Read this over Christmas time and it was unputdownable. John Milton comes to the rescue again and meets up to help an old friend. He has a huge to task to help the inhabitants of Clwarwater.
Mark Dawson has really excelled himself with this story., it is a brilliant read which I recommend.
Mark Dawson has really excelled himself with this story., it is a brilliant read which I recommend.
December 29, 2025
Another fantastic Milton book
All I can say is I’m disappointed, no not with the book that’s was a fantastic read, but because I have now got to wait for the next one.
Loved the storyline, Milton at his best, can’t wait to see what happens next 👍👏👏👏👍
All I can say is I’m disappointed, no not with the book that’s was a fantastic read, but because I have now got to wait for the next one.
Loved the storyline, Milton at his best, can’t wait to see what happens next 👍👏👏👏👍
December 29, 2025
I keep these reviews short and sweet because the writing is always the same - exceptional. The story varies but the content is similar in all the books, and that's what I love about them. This one leaves a bit of a thread that hopefully get pulled more in the next book.
Simply superb
Simply superb
January 1, 2026
WYSIWYG
I love the dependability of a John Milton book! Tight dialogue, fast plot that is easy to follow, and believable action sequences. The characters in this book could have been a little more fleshed out, but happy to add this one to the shelf!
I love the dependability of a John Milton book! Tight dialogue, fast plot that is easy to follow, and believable action sequences. The characters in this book could have been a little more fleshed out, but happy to add this one to the shelf!
January 6, 2026
Another must read Milton book (by Mark). It’s definitely worthy of five stars. In this story Milton is reacquainted with some old acquaintances from his chequered past and once again trouble isn’t far behind him.
January 15, 2026
great book
Mark Dawson always hits it out of the park with his John Milton books. This latest one is as good as any of them. Love the characters and the plot. Action is top flight and overall the book is a fun read. Highly recommend.
Mark Dawson always hits it out of the park with his John Milton books. This latest one is as good as any of them. Love the characters and the plot. Action is top flight and overall the book is a fun read. Highly recommend.
January 25, 2026
It’s not the best John Milton experience but it’ll do in a pinch. It could be a little slow and the whole wrestling things didn’t do much for me. It was good enough but lacked the spark of a younger Milton. To be expected though.
February 2, 2026
I’ll take an English burrito to go
Dawson keeps on chugging, another great Milton book in the bag. Nice plot, even better character development… it kept gaming pace, ending with a bang. Already preordered the next book
Dawson keeps on chugging, another great Milton book in the bag. Nice plot, even better character development… it kept gaming pace, ending with a bang. Already preordered the next book
February 16, 2026
Love John Milton books!
Fast-paced, action-packed thriller! Mark Dawson does not disappoint. He knows how to keep your attention to see what will happen next. This book is definitely unputdownable! I highly recommend this book! Happy reading! 😊
Fast-paced, action-packed thriller! Mark Dawson does not disappoint. He knows how to keep your attention to see what will happen next. This book is definitely unputdownable! I highly recommend this book! Happy reading! 😊
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews