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Cold Target
A JOE REACHER THRILLER
He Saved Reacher’s Life. Now He’s the Enemy.Joe Reacher is used to working in the shadows. A former military intelligence operative and now a Treasury agent, he’s spent years tracking dangers most Americans never know exist.
But when a decorated Special Forces officer goes dark in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula—and bodies begin turning up in the snow—Reacher knows this one is different.
The man behind it is a soldier. A patriot. And the man who once saved Reacher’s life.
With the clock ticking and federal agencies scrambling to respond, Reacher must confront ghosts from his past and stop a friend turned enemy before whatever he’s planning is unleashed.
From the frozen backroads of Michigan to the corridors of power in Washington, this pulse-pounding thriller delivers military precision, relentless action, and a race against a threat no one sees coming.
Perfect for readers who enjoy the high-stakes thrillers of Brad Thor, Mark Greaney, Vince Flynn, and Lee Child.
He Saved Reacher’s Life. Now He’s the Enemy.Joe Reacher is used to working in the shadows. A former military intelligence operative and now a Treasury agent, he’s spent years tracking dangers most Americans never know exist.
But when a decorated Special Forces officer goes dark in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula—and bodies begin turning up in the snow—Reacher knows this one is different.
The man behind it is a soldier. A patriot. And the man who once saved Reacher’s life.
With the clock ticking and federal agencies scrambling to respond, Reacher must confront ghosts from his past and stop a friend turned enemy before whatever he’s planning is unleashed.
From the frozen backroads of Michigan to the corridors of power in Washington, this pulse-pounding thriller delivers military precision, relentless action, and a race against a threat no one sees coming.
Perfect for readers who enjoy the high-stakes thrillers of Brad Thor, Mark Greaney, Vince Flynn, and Lee Child.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 29, 2025
About the author
Dan Ames
270 books500 followersDan Ames is an international bestselling author and winner of the Independent Book Award for Crime Fiction. He is the author of The JACK REACHER Cases. You can learn more about him at authordanames.com
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 9, 2026
This is my Joe Reacher novel
I didn't even know there was a "Joe Reacher"
I liked how the Cold Target was fast paced, I liked how everything moved beautifully, and most importantly I liked how there were no unnecessary words, pages or chapters
I didn't even know there was a "Joe Reacher"
I liked how the Cold Target was fast paced, I liked how everything moved beautifully, and most importantly I liked how there were no unnecessary words, pages or chapters
January 16, 2026
Cold Target - a review by Rosemary Kenny
In Dan Ames' Cold Target a (presumed dead), veteran who once saved Joe Reacher's life resurfaces - and he's become Joe's nemesis.
The cold in the title refers to a Cold War Russian defector, whose scientific knowledge adds to the danger facing Joe and his fellow agents.
A deadly cat-and-mouse chase ensues, and the twists and turns ramp up the excitement exponentially.
I can't wait for the next book in this riveting series to see what Joe's next case will be, and whether he and Ivy will become partners in more ways than one.
Cold Target is well worth reading, and I can highly recommend it to fans of Lee and Andrew Child, or Diane Capri's Reacher novels.
Grab a copy today!
In Dan Ames' Cold Target a (presumed dead), veteran who once saved Joe Reacher's life resurfaces - and he's become Joe's nemesis.
The cold in the title refers to a Cold War Russian defector, whose scientific knowledge adds to the danger facing Joe and his fellow agents.
A deadly cat-and-mouse chase ensues, and the twists and turns ramp up the excitement exponentially.
I can't wait for the next book in this riveting series to see what Joe's next case will be, and whether he and Ivy will become partners in more ways than one.
Cold Target is well worth reading, and I can highly recommend it to fans of Lee and Andrew Child, or Diane Capri's Reacher novels.
Grab a copy today!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Joe Reacher is seconded to a secret task force that has to do with his past. Is there a secret militia wanting to hurt the nation? Well in Cold Target by Dan Ames we get an explosive story and it is fast paced and well written. I really love the way Jacks brother has gotten his own series and the characters are great. This time it's a wild ride against time and some unknown entity. Will Joe figure it out? Well it's out in stores on the 29th of December 2025 and I can really recommend it. This will be the 28th book by this author that I have read this year and of those 25 are brand new. That is impressive.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Joe may currently be a Treasury agent but for his current assignment, he will need to rely heavily on his training from the Army. Especially when him and another task force member are sent to the backcountry in Michigan where they find a dead body and danger. He also needs to get help from Ivy, another Treasury agent, when it starts to look like someone on the task force is leaking information. Joe and Ivy are both methodical in their quest to discover who is behind the conspiracy and how to stop it. There's plenty of action, danger, betrayal, and twists as threat is handled.
Review of advance copy received from Author
An excellent fast paced action thriller with a well written storyline and a cast of outstanding characters. Joe Reacher is recruited to save the USA from a group of revolutionists out to get revenge and led by a so-called friend of Joe. A page turning read filled with plenty of action and suspense. Highly recommended read by an outstanding author.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Largely unknown in the Reacher series, Ames fills in the missing stories of his life. In this installment Joe is tasked with locating and stopping a former military teammate that is pursuing nuclear weapons. Methodical and precise in his methods Joe follows the trail. Inevitably, Joe finds the former soldier and brings the case to its conclusion.
January 2, 2026
outstanding
I have read all of the Jack Reacher novels , and they are all great. The Joe Reacher books are equally great. His character is different from his brother’s and at the same time very similar.
I feel sad that this was the last one available, and can only wait impatiently for the next novel.
I have read all of the Jack Reacher novels , and they are all great. The Joe Reacher books are equally great. His character is different from his brother’s and at the same time very similar.
I feel sad that this was the last one available, and can only wait impatiently for the next novel.
January 11, 2026
give me either reacher
Good book with enormous consequences on the line with great detail and no holds barred. Joe reacher and his partner Ivy saved the United States from total devastation.
Good book with enormous consequences on the line with great detail and no holds barred. Joe reacher and his partner Ivy saved the United States from total devastation.
May 26, 2026
Joe Reacher as Good as his Brother Jack
Ames has developed story lines for Joe that are as crisp and gripping as Childs did for Jack. All the Childs and Ames’ readers will enjoy another 5 Star novel.
Ames has developed story lines for Joe that are as crisp and gripping as Childs did for Jack. All the Childs and Ames’ readers will enjoy another 5 Star novel.
January 7, 2026
Nice reàd
Good mystery and story line. Characters were believable if not stereotypical. Cookie cutter people along the way who have to act a certain way to make the story fit.
Good mystery and story line. Characters were believable if not stereotypical. Cookie cutter people along the way who have to act a certain way to make the story fit.
February 15, 2026
If you like Reacher
You're going to love Dan Ames. Everything smacks of Lee Child still a bit formulated but fun to read daily
You're going to love Dan Ames. Everything smacks of Lee Child still a bit formulated but fun to read daily
March 1, 2026
Cold Target
The action in Dan Ames' Joe Reacher books never stops and you're always on the edge of your seat!
Great book.
The action in Dan Ames' Joe Reacher books never stops and you're always on the edge of your seat!
Great book.
March 30, 2026
Joe may have been saved by him, now unfortunately he’s the enemy. Will things get better, or will Joe be in danger from him. Full of suspense and danger that shouldn’t be missed.
May 13, 2026
Cool Book
Excellent read. This book was so much fun to read. Great revenge happening throughout. I hope Dan Ames continues to write about Joe.
Excellent read. This book was so much fun to read. Great revenge happening throughout. I hope Dan Ames continues to write about Joe.
Review of advance copy received from Author
it is quite amazing how often the past can come up in the most unexpected places and times.
In Cold Target by thriller writer Dan Ames this is exactly what happens to Joe Reacher. Not once. Not twice. A couple of times. And leading to a dire and earth shaking discovery.
This is one plot that makes one contemplate what else might threaten it's ugly head even in your own life.
Enjoy.
In Cold Target by thriller writer Dan Ames this is exactly what happens to Joe Reacher. Not once. Not twice. A couple of times. And leading to a dire and earth shaking discovery.
This is one plot that makes one contemplate what else might threaten it's ugly head even in your own life.
Enjoy.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews