When law enforcement, the courts, and the prison system fail, there is a fourth and final option. #1 New York Times bestselling author Jack Carr launches a new thriller series cowritten with New York Times bestselling author M.P. Woodward.
Disillusioned by the government and institutions he dedicated his life to serving, former Navy SEAL and CIA ground branch operative Chris Walker is about to end his life when he receives a call that saves it. The wife of a teammate he lost in Afghanistan has now lost her son to the opioid crisis and needs Walker’s help. Thrust into a conspiracy that goes deeper than he ever imagined, Walker must go up against the system and the very Constitution he once swore an oath to support and defend in order to find justice for his friend’s widow.
With ambitious FBI agent Jarrett Stanton on his tail, Walker—accompanied by his loyal Belgian Malinois K-9 and using his off-the-grid VW pop-up camper filled with a hidden cache of weapons—takes justice into his own hands, exposing corruption and issuing a long-forgotten brand of lethal outlaw justice.
In the tradition of the great “stranger comes to town” Westerns of the past comes a modern interpretation of the mysterious vigilante gunslinger legend from “the hottest author on the thriller scene today” (The Real Book Spy). Get ready for a new kind of hero. Justice is coming.
Jack Carr is a former Navy SEAL who led special operations teams as a Team Leader, Platoon Commander, Troop Commander and Task Unit Commander. Over his 20 years in Naval Special Warfare he transitioned from an enlisted SEAL sniper specializing in communications and intelligence, to a junior officer leading assault and sniper teams in Iraq and Afghanistan, to a platoon commander practicing counterinsurgency in the southern Philippines, to commanding a Special Operations Task Unit in the most Iranian influenced section of southern Iraq throughout the tumultuous drawdown of U.S. Forces. Jack retired from active duty in 2016. He lives with his wife and three children in Park City, Utah. He is the author of The Terminal List, True Believer, and Savage Son.
Chris Walker is about to end things, but then gets a call to pay up for a debt owed to an old friend. He and his former military dog Paladin then heads to New Orleans to dish out justice to those who thought they were the law and above it.
Jack Carr gives us another well crafted novel, that has his trademark attention to detail filled with awesome action scenes. Walker is not James Reece, and has many demons to fight along the way to redeem himself in his own eyes. His dog also brings a new element into this novel. The book took a while to get going, but then went at break neck speed once the bullets started flying.
It is written as a standalone, but I can see this continue as a new series with Walker helping the vulnerable across America from his VW campervan in the future. The Terminal List is on another level than this for me, but it is still a 5 star read and a must for Carr fans.
4.5-Stars ^ 5.0-Stars - A Winner - I Really Liked It! 5-Stars for a terrific new character, by Jack Carr! This is quite a long audiobook (13:36 Hours - 432 pages) but it maintained my interest, my attention, and stimulated my imagination over four 'sittings'🤩! I think the ending indicates a sequel, so I am eagerly looking forward to "The Fourth Option, #2". With excellent narration by the inimitable Ray Porter, this book is highly recommended to fans of the genre, particularly if you appreciate the inclusion of a supportive companion dog, in this case a Belgian Malinois named Paladin.
My Listening Activity: June 3, 2026 @ 22%: "A quite promising start to a new series by Jack Carr - I'm impressed so far!" June 4, 2026 @ 56%: "A classic 'action-vigilante' story dealing with corrupt politicians, corrupt police, and organised crime... it's moving along very well!" June 5, 2026 @92%: "This is a seriously good book! I wish I could have stayed awake to hear the final hour!" June 6, 2026 @ 99%: "I really did enjoy this book! It had an interesting point of difference as the super-hero MMC is also a student of philosophy, studying for a doctorate in the subject! 4.0-Stars and maybe a bit more..."
Jack Carr - The Fourth Option 01 [Chris Walker] - The Fourth Option - 2026 Audiobook: 13:36 Hours - Narrator: Ray Porter Commenced: June 3, 2026 - Finished: June 6, 2026
5 stars is not enough. I wish I could give it more.
I was already a HUGE fan of everything that Mr. Carr has written. I wasn't sure what to expect when I realized that we were starting a brand new series but I was more than eager to jump on board.
This book introduces us to a new MMC - Chris Walker - a former Navy Seal who also just happened to transition to the CIA's Ground Branch Division before we met him. And to make things even better, he has a canine partner, a Belgian Malinois named Paladin. Boy oh boy did I fall in love with that dog.
Mr. Carr does a fantastic job of introducing us to this new world. A world in which there are some major crimes going on between people and organizations that the public should have been able to trust. A massive conspiracy between organizations that should have been beyond reproach but were not - we are talking about the pharmaceutical industry, the New Orleans Police Department, and the FBI.
This book does a fantastic job of setting the stage and then taking us back to see how we got to this point. Everything begins with a certain college kid who wants to become a reporter. He gets a lead on corruption in his town (drugs) and decides that he is going to follow the story. Unfortunately, he gets in too deep before he understands the ramifications.
As only Mr. Carr can do, we are immediately thrown into the middle of an action-packed story, filled with really bad characters, and these bad guys are willing to do whatever it takes to stay in power.
This book was filled with non stop action from the very beginning of the book to the very last page. Not only that, but the premise was so intense that the tension level continued to build and the book created a tension filled climax situation in which I found myself totally holding my breath, hoping that everything was going to come out okay.
Add to this the fact that the narration was done by Ray Porter and you have an absolute brilliantly narrated story. As usual, he knocked it completely out of the park.
I am thrilled to say that not only did I love this entry to a new series, but I will be eagerly awaiting the next installment with Chris Walker. He is too good to stop with only one book.
Jack Carr’s “James Reese” thriller series has been moving up on my reading list, and after watching both of his streaming series on Amazon Prime, it will be on my shortlist after I finish reading William Kent Kreuger’s “Cork O’Conner” books.
I also recently read Brad Thor and Ward Larsen’s collaboration novel – “Cold Zero” which turned out to be a worthy read. That experience, along with some serious social media promotions and interviews, drew me to want to try that experience again with Jack Carr’s collaborative thriller with M.P. Woodward titled “The Fourth Option”.
And the decision paid off for the most part with another enjoyable escapist read that comes with a couple of constructive comments.
“The Fourth Option” is a combination of Tom Clancy’s military thrillers, Nick Petrie’s awesome Peter Ash series, and a bit of Don Pendleton’s classic Mack Bolan action-adventure series from the 1970’s - 1980’s that I was a big fan when I was growing up.
It is the story that starts with Chris Walker, a former Navy SEAL, CIA operative, and a broken man, in the final steps of ending his own life. He’s written his will and goodbye letters, but before he can complete the last and most crucial part – pulling the trigger – he receives a call. Not just any call. The only call that will stop him from killing himself.
On the other end of the phone is Leigh Ann Staub, the widowed wife of his military teammate that he lost while serving together in Afghanistan. That loss is the very driver for Walker willingly giving up on life because he believes it is his fault that his friend died and he cannot forgive himself.
However, Leigh Ann needs his help and she needs it now. After losing her husband, she’s now lost her only son who just died while investigating the local opioid crisis to write about as a graduate student in journalism. It seems that his research and interviews had caught the wrong kind of attention. He was found dead due to an overdose in his car with Heroin bricks in the trunk. Leigh Ann swears it’s a set-up and upon reviewing her son’s notes, she cannot go to the police, because it appears some of them are involved, including some in high levels.
As a result, Leigh Ann knows that she has only person that she can turn to for help – Chris Walker.
Walker arrives in New Orleans in the classic gunslinger comes to town model from the 1950’s – 1960’s “Have Gun – Will Travel” classic western television show (which was what Carr was going for). I don’t want to share too much more as discovery is an important part of this novel. Let’s just say that Walker is biting off way more than he thinks in trying to help out his old friend’s wife, including crooked cops, the local DA, regional FBI, a powerful pharmaceutical company with a deadly secret, a vicious drug cartel, and an unnamed assassin who referred to as “The Afghan” …
Trust me. This one has it all. If you are fans of Carr’s the Terminal List series, Vince Flynn’s Mitch Rapp series, Brad Thor’s Scot Harvath series, or even Lee Child’s Jack Reacher series, you will be right at home with this one. It has all of the key elements – military, government agencies, weapons, fighting, violence, and a crusading hero who is just trying to do his best to let go of his past and do what is right. In this one, Chris Walker studies the world’s philosophers, trying to figure out his moral center and understand his actions. Surprisingly, I found this to be an interesting aspect of his character and values.
The authors have crafted an interesting anti-hero who is battling his own inner struggles, but has no hesitancy when it comes to defending himself and taking out the bad guys. When it comes to that, he doesn’t hold back in any way, maybe even when it might be a better move.
When I started reading this book, I found the authors writing style to be a bit heavy-handed and overly dramatic. Yes, I know this is a thriller, but it still felt a bit over the top and it took me a while to adjust. Once I got more comfortable with it and all of the rather large cast introduced and their roles established, I was more able to focus on the story and get drawn into the action. Truth be told, even at 414 pages, I started it on a Friday night and finished it on Sunday afternoon because once it got my attention, I was enjoying the multi-layered twists and tension-filled moments of what the heck is going to happen and how is Chris going to get out this situation? And then the next one?
The authors delivered an extremely high tension, fast paced, confident, and methodical military style set of mysteries that were complex and layered very well. At times I almost felt like I was getting hit in the head, literally. There are many things that drew and kept my attention, especially it’s intricately layered and detailed thriller plotting that relied on military training and weapons knowledge. It reminded so much of the early Tom Clancy Jack Ryan novels in so many ways – structure, style, plotting, and even enough technobabble to help you think you are competent enough to understand the military and weapons jargon.
Once we were past introducing all of the characters and I adjusted to their melodramatic writing style, it quickly evolved into a roller-coaster thrill-ride of original and creative proportions that read like a movie script, in which every scene was playing out visually in my head. It was easily one of, if not the most, intense books that I have read this year. Although you had to let go of what is realistic at times (yes, some things were a bit too farfetched), it was still unique and strong enough to be an enjoyable escapist read that worthy of the investment.
Now, that didn’t mean that there were some bumps along the way. For me, I had some issues with the number of deaths in this book. Let me be careful of spoilers, and I know this a thriller/suspense novel, but man Walker is a cold-blooded killing machine, and he builds a large body count, one that compared back to my days of reading “The Executioner” books by Don Pendleton in which Mack Bolan battled the Mafia in various U.S. cities and racked up a lot of kills in each book. In this novel, Walker gives him a serious run for the money on headcount. As I was about half-way through this book, I found myself wondering even if Walker was going to survive to the end, how in the world is going to be able to walk away from this with all of the deaths he was responsible for.
In addition, no hero goes unscathed in this genre. They have serious life-threatening challenges and face moments of near death. For me, Walker gets tortured in a manner that you can read for yourself, but after being on death’s doorstep, he does some heroic almost Superman like feats of action that really pushed the envelope beyond the suspension of belief. I know, I am overthinking it, but still there has to be some small sense of reality.
Having said all that, it’s a bit hard to give this novel a rating that puts it in a box. The plotting and characters were 4 to 4.5 stars. Getting used to the dramatic writing style, the hero killing everyone he wants to, and struggling with the superman ending is a subtraction of a half to 1 star. That puts us at 3 to 3.5 stars. However, the authors delivered a winning and creative formula, and even with it faults, a thoroughly engaging and entertaining read that will keep you up late turning the pages excited to see what happens next. That counts more than my constructive criticism. Sorry to turn this into a math problem, which is something that I never intended to do.
I am going with my heart over my head. Let’s round this up to 4-stars and reward the good things for the entertaining joy that it was.
And Chris Walker… We want to see you again sometime!
Vintage Jack Carr with a fresh edge, The Fourth Option drops you straight into the heat, grit, and soul of Louisiana, especially New Orleans, N’awlins to those who know it, and the city becomes a living, breathing force in the story. Chris Walker isn’t just a new protagonist; he’s carrying a deeper moral dilemma and emotional depth that gives this book a weight all its own.
The atmosphere is rich, the pacing relentless, and Walker’s internal battles make this world feel both familiar and brand new. It truly feels and reads like a classic 80’s movie thriller.
And I’ll say it outright: I think I liked this more than The Terminal List #1. A full five‑star start to a new era.
The plot and story were good. But... I didn't enjoy it much.
Maybe it was the authors' need to show off how much western philosophy and how many philosophers they know by shoving it in the character's internal monologue.
Maybe it was the romantic undertone between Walker and girlfriend of his dead friend's dead son.
Or perhaps, it was all the unnecessary chapters on Walker's character-building flashback which I eventually started skipping because I realized it had no bearing on the main story. You can also skip all the side-characters' (the rich business man, the politician, the corrupt cop, the FBI) chapters without losing track of the main story.
Or it was the endless descriptions that authors these days seem to fill their pages with.
Meh. I love the James/Tom Reece books but this one just didn’t have the same punch. Something was missing for me- maybe the characters just weren’t that interesting. The plot felt a little rushed as I suspect this book is to establish a new series. Hopefully the next book will be able to take its time and develop the characters and tighten up a more interesting plot. I guess I prefer a revenge plot with a bit more of a personal engagement.
The Fourth Option comes across as heavily derivative in its execution, even as the start of a new series. Despite being set in a different narrative world, the main character feels like James Reece. He has a military background, elite skill set, and a similar emotional tone. It’s hard not to feel like the author is leaning too comfortably on a proven formula instead of building something meaningfully distinct.
The flashback structure is another sticking point. Instead of deepening the main story, the frequent detours into the past interrupt the pacing and make the book feel padded. Rather than sharpening the narrative, they often dilute momentum and add pages without adding much substance. I ended up skipping all of the flashback scenes.
There are still moments where the writing is solid and the action is clearly competent, but it doesn’t feel like enough of a departure from expectations to justify calling this a fresh start. Even as a new series, it struggles to break away from familiar territory.
I went in hoping for something more distinct, especially after taking a break from his last two releases, but it still feels like the same blueprint in a different package. I’ll likely be stepping back again from Jack Carr for a while rather than continuing with future installments.
Oh baby Jack Carr is back!!! After the not so enjoyable Cry Havoc, I was a little worried about this one (new character, co-author). But he is back to old form.
It has everything you’d expect in a Carr techno-thriller novel — action, espionage, revenge, political undertones.
Excited to see where Carr goes next and for him to continue to expand his character list.
First off, Ray Porter killed it on the narration as always. This book comes across as having many of the same bones as the Terminal List. The setup is different and the story is unique, but when you strip all that away it’s still in the same “military revenge” type lane that The Terminal List sits in. If you like that type of book, you’ll like this one, too. I enjoyed it, but it wasn’t blowing me away with new ideas.
Main character is James Reece with a liberal arts degree. Characters seemed very 2 dimensional, not very complex. What you see is what you get. As a native of South LA, I wish he would have consulted a local on some of the culture. He captures the broad strokes of New Orleans, but misses on some nuances such as personal injury lawyer billboards, pot holes/horrible streets. Instead he overdoes the jazz music, chicory coffee, references to the river and 9th Ward. That said, I finished the book in less than 3 days (with some audiobook assistance), so it was entertaining enough for the time commitment. Looking forward to his next book which I’m sure I will also preorder.
Immensely disappointed! Won't buy the second novel in this series! Cannot believe Jack Carr put his name on this book! Most improbable plot I've read in a long time. Poorly crafted!
This was John Wick in a combat vet’s clothing. Pretty predictable. The vengeance wielded by the main character was formulaic. If I want that kind of story I have Orphan X to rely on.
Fast paced. A bit over the top on the adjectives, adverbs, similes, and metaphors. A lot of descriptions of various ways to kill bad guys. And a couple characters to root for and some against. So, it’s another Jack Carr. A good way to start the summer
Jack Carr is absolutely in his element here, and somehow he found a co-author in Mike Woodward — a former Naval Intelligence officer — who doesn't just ride shotgun but actually adds something new to the proven formula.
The setup is familiar in the best way: Chris Walker is a former Navy SEAL and CIA Ground Branch operative who's hit rock bottom...living off the grid in an '80s VW camper, wrestling with survivor's guilt over a teammate he lost in Afghanistan. Then a call comes in. His fallen teammate's widow needs help; her son has been swallowed up by the opioid crisis, and the system has completely failed her. Law enforcement, the courts, the prison system — none of it worked. So Walker steps in as the fourth option.
What follows is a drug conspiracy that runs way deeper than it looks on the surface, with a determined FBI agent on Walker's tail the whole time. Carr has always been great at writing men shaped by war trying to navigate a world that doesn't quite fit them anymore, and Walker is no different. The plot weaves in flashbacks to the end of the war in Afghanistan that generated scenes in my head that seemed all too real; the flashbacks in the novel revolved around questions about what it was all for, what one owe's the people you served with. To me, it gave the action real emotional weight.
And then there's Paliden. Walker's Belgian Malinois is not window dressing, she's a full partner, and honestly might be the best character addition Carr has made in years. Any book that leans into the bond between a man and his working dog automatically earns points in my book.
The whole thing reads like The Equalizer met Jack Reacher at a SEAL team reunion. Elegant plot, relentless pace, and just enough moral philosophy woven in to make you think between the action sequences (I'm going to have to steal some of the quotes he used in this book for my desk...). The ending was very satisfying, with plenty of surprises along the way.
Bonus points: I listened to this book and Ray Porter, once again, brings this story to LIFE.
I don't care. I'm a massive Jack Carr fan and his books, recommendations, podcasts et al, have had a huge impact on my life. I have read dozens and dozens of books now as a result of his influence and suggestions. So, no, this is not an unbiased reviewer but my thoughts on The Fourth Option are objective. Jack manages to bring a fresh take, compelling plot, and thrilling story with this book. There is a reason why the stranger comes to town, flawed avenger, is such a well known style. Carr, however, manages to take the best parts of the past , merge it with contemporary issues, strengthen it with sound research, and produce a highly satisfying tale that will stay with you. I revisit his books multiple times because they are that good and this one is no different. My main criticism? More Paladin! Haha. Do yourself a favor and read this one.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Powerful, Precision‑Crafted Start to Jack Carr’s New Series
I didn’t really know what to expect stepping into a brand‑new series from Jack Carr. The Terminal List books set such a high bar that I wondered if anything could match that intensity, grit, and emotional weight. The Fourth Option didn’t just meet those expectations — it blew straight past them.
From page one, I was pulled in by the sheer confidence of the writing. Carr balances narration, dialogue, tension, and action with the kind of precision that feels effortless but is anything but. The pacing is tight, the stakes are real, and the suspense is built with a craftsman’s touch. Every chapter feels like it’s moving toward something bigger, and when those moments hit, they hit hard.
What impressed me most was the dynamic range — the quiet, human beats land just as powerfully as the high‑octane sequences. The characters feel lived‑in, the world feels authentic, and the story unfolds with that trademark Carr blend of tactical realism and emotional depth.
If you’re a fan of The Terminal List, you’ll feel right at home — but this series stands firmly on its own legs. It’s fresh, sharp, and absolutely worth diving into.
Highly recommend reading. Carr is building something special here.
“Though his edition of ‘Twilight of the Idols’ was now at the bottom of the Mississippi, one of its quotes and concepts was indelibly printed on his soul: He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” - Jack Carr and M.P. Woodward, “The Fourth Option”
Aided by his canine companion Paladin and some other friends along the way, former Navy SEAL and CIA clandestine services officer Chris Walker finds his why to live, allowing him to endure blow after blow in this epic tale of righting wrongs, exposing corruption, and finding justice by any lethal means necessary.
In a nod to the classic Western gunslinger, Jack Carr, in conjunction with M.P. Woodward, has brought us a fantastic modern-Western vigilante story to kick off an explosive new series. Just like “The Terminal List” and his other blockbuster titles, Carr has struck gold once again. This is fast-paced, can’t-put-it-down, thriller writing at its absolute best.
The story is compelling, it always is, but I wish this was more than Terminal List Part 2 with a dog. It has all the same things even, just a different location and name for the character- and no family, except the one he makes in the book. I actually listened to this one, and I have to say, Ray Porter did an EXCELLENT job. His narration is the reason for most of the stars in the rating. He had inflection for each voice, and I really felt like I was listening to a full cast. It was exceptionally done. Will I probably continue the series when it comes out? Sure, but I'll do it like I did this one, through the library.
I felt for Chris at the start of this one, he was in a bad place, about to make a very bad choice. So glad that he was curious enough to answer the phone. That phone call led him to New Orleans and quickly things spun out of control. It seemed like it was all Chris could do to keep ahead of things coming at him. With each new thing he learned, he realized things were worse than what he thought, yet he kept pugging away. I liked the couple of people that helped Chris along the way, very unusual, but also they seemed to give him a touch stone. While things were dicey towards the end, so glad all the bad came out and the right people were vindicated.
The Fourth Option is another fast paced and well researched thriller from Jack Carr that keeps the tension high from beginning to end. Carr’s military experience shines through in the realistic action, detailed tradecraft, and authentic characters. The story moves quickly while still providing enough depth to keep readers invested in the mission and its stakes. Fans of political and military thrillers will find plenty to enjoy, while newcomers can easily jump into the series. It’s a gripping, hard to put down read that delivers exactly what readers have come to expect from Jack Carr.
I’ve given all 8 of Jack Carr’s previous novels 5 stars. I’d be surprised if he wrote more than 10% of this one. It’s derivative, takes forever to get going, and there’s a weirdly romantic dynamic between the protagonist who should be in his late 30s, and a girl who’s now-dead boyfriend was about the be a college freshman… so 18/19? The protagonists’ inner-dialogue of famous philosophers was pretentious and forced. It’s just not good, and I’m disappointed to say so. Hopefully Jack Carr doesn’t use a ghostwriter for the next one.
Now there are three Jack Carr series to be addicted to! The Fourth Option is a great introduction to a former SEAL and CIA Ground Branch member who along with his faithful companion respond to help the wife of an old teammate. The authors quickly get the reader invested in the characters and do a great job of keeping the reader turning the pages as quickly as possible. I am looking forward to seeing what the main characters find in the next story. The Fourth Option is more similar to a Reacher story than a Terminal List one, but a reader cannot go wrong with either type of story.
You might think that the last thing we need is another Jack Carr vengeful Navy Seal story, but you would be wrong. Yes Chris Walker seems an awful lot like James Reese with a different coat of paint but The Fourth Option introduces just enough distance from the Terminal List series to be a thoroughly enjoyable Navy Seal revenge shoot em up. Whether that comes from Woodward’s co-authorship I do not know, but I suspect that may be the case. Regardless, The Fourth Option exceeded expectations.
3.5/5. I’m a huge fan of the Terminal List series but The Fourth Option was not my favorite. Still a great book but the whole time it made me wanting more of The Terminal List. There wasn’t as much action as The Terminal List, more crime & drama.