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Tom Keeler #8
Backlash
Tom Keeler came to Miami for one keep his friend alive while Dave faces his demons. The Delta Force operator's PTSD is so severe that even experimental therapy feels like a last resort. But when Russian organized crime starts watching the house where Keeler's staying, a simple security detail becomes something deadlier.
The surveillance isn't random. Keeler's friend Blomstein works intelligence contracts tracking dirty money through Miami real estate - work that makes enemies. Now those enemies are moving, and they're not alone. A private military contractor with its own agenda is hunting the same Russians, and Keeler is caught in the middle of a shadow war he doesn't fully understand.
As assassinations escalate and betrayals multiply, Keeler must protect Dave through his most vulnerable moments while navigating a landscape where no one is who they claim to be. The Russians want blood. The PMC wants control. And somewhere in the chaos, the woman Keeler's falling for might be the most dangerous player of all.
In Miami's heat and violence, loyalty becomes the only currency that matters - and the most expensive thing to spend.
A military thriller about friendship forged in combat, tested by trauma, and hardened by fire.
The surveillance isn't random. Keeler's friend Blomstein works intelligence contracts tracking dirty money through Miami real estate - work that makes enemies. Now those enemies are moving, and they're not alone. A private military contractor with its own agenda is hunting the same Russians, and Keeler is caught in the middle of a shadow war he doesn't fully understand.
As assassinations escalate and betrayals multiply, Keeler must protect Dave through his most vulnerable moments while navigating a landscape where no one is who they claim to be. The Russians want blood. The PMC wants control. And somewhere in the chaos, the woman Keeler's falling for might be the most dangerous player of all.
In Miami's heat and violence, loyalty becomes the only currency that matters - and the most expensive thing to spend.
A military thriller about friendship forged in combat, tested by trauma, and hardened by fire.
389 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 27, 2026
About the author
Jack Lively
32 books14 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author with this name on GR
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 28, 2026
Backlash is the eighth book in this excellent series featuring ex-special forces operator Tom Keeler. He is in Miami to support his friend Dave (ex-Delta Force) who is about to undergo experimental treatment for severe trauma resulting from a mission that ended badly. Keeler is house-sitting for another friend, Blomstein, who is currently in the Cayman Islands with his girlfriend, though not on holiday as he led everyone to believe.
Keeler is unwittingly drawn into a conflict between the private military contractor that Blomstein is working for, and a Russian organised crime gang. The plot is complicated and because of this the first few chapters are slow as all the elements are introduced. This does not last long. Soon the tension is palpable and Keeler’s life is under threat from all sides. The characters are well drawn and entirely believable including some colourful supporting ones.
I have been a fan of this series right from the beginning, and it just keeps getting better and better. While you could read Backlash as a standalone, I suggest you go back and read them in order to get the best experience. Keeler has now become my favourite ex-special forces action character (since Scott Mariani made the devastating decision to retire Ben Hope) and I look forward to many more books in this thrilling series.
Keeler is unwittingly drawn into a conflict between the private military contractor that Blomstein is working for, and a Russian organised crime gang. The plot is complicated and because of this the first few chapters are slow as all the elements are introduced. This does not last long. Soon the tension is palpable and Keeler’s life is under threat from all sides. The characters are well drawn and entirely believable including some colourful supporting ones.
I have been a fan of this series right from the beginning, and it just keeps getting better and better. While you could read Backlash as a standalone, I suggest you go back and read them in order to get the best experience. Keeler has now become my favourite ex-special forces action character (since Scott Mariani made the devastating decision to retire Ben Hope) and I look forward to many more books in this thrilling series.
May 15, 2026
For me, this was the least favorite of the series. Would have given it a 1 but I liked most of the Tom Keeler series. Had this been number one of the series, I would not have read another.
We seemed to have been "dropped" in to the story, as if a prologue was missing. Tom is in Miami, babysitting a friend from the "teams" going through some expensive/radical under the radar therapy for his violent PTSD. He's staying in another teammate's home (Blomstein-now a pvt military contractor) who is away on "vacation-aka work". Somehow, Russians are after Blomstein, Blomstein's employer is crooked, Keeler ends up working undercover for Homeland and the friend with PTSD is suddenly cured and back in the fight.
I felt "lost" unable to connect with the storyline throughout the book, very disjointed until the very end.
We seemed to have been "dropped" in to the story, as if a prologue was missing. Tom is in Miami, babysitting a friend from the "teams" going through some expensive/radical under the radar therapy for his violent PTSD. He's staying in another teammate's home (Blomstein-now a pvt military contractor) who is away on "vacation-aka work". Somehow, Russians are after Blomstein, Blomstein's employer is crooked, Keeler ends up working undercover for Homeland and the friend with PTSD is suddenly cured and back in the fight.
I felt "lost" unable to connect with the storyline throughout the book, very disjointed until the very end.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I discovered Jack Lively and his Tom Keeler series six years ago and was hooked immediately. Backlash is the eighth adventure in the series and it's filled with twists and turns and some great action. Tom is only supposed to be in Florida to help an old army buddy handle his ptsd, sounds simple enough. While there he stays at another buddys place and strange stuff happens to him there that leads to his involvment in a turf war between a security company and some eastern Europe gangsters. At the same time his friend with the house is on a mission in the carribean. I found the story well written and intriguing and I can really recommend this book. I do however think that you should start from the beginning. I must thank the author for sending me an advance copy.
April 29, 2026
*spoilers* I love these books, this one resonated more than usual
As I suffer from severe deep seated PTSD and none of the conventional theraies have worked for me either. I thoroughly enjoyed the book from two points of view in the good old Keeler thriller and the potential therapies even off books that may be available to people who have suffered severe mental trauma. I'd love to know how my brain lights up or the hyperbaric chamber to help myself and others (I'm not in the USA though and NZ is so far behind in therapies and drugs for these things). Anywhoo can't wait to see what keeler has in store next but maybe just maybe let him get the girl and let him settle down sometime?
As I suffer from severe deep seated PTSD and none of the conventional theraies have worked for me either. I thoroughly enjoyed the book from two points of view in the good old Keeler thriller and the potential therapies even off books that may be available to people who have suffered severe mental trauma. I'd love to know how my brain lights up or the hyperbaric chamber to help myself and others (I'm not in the USA though and NZ is so far behind in therapies and drugs for these things). Anywhoo can't wait to see what keeler has in store next but maybe just maybe let him get the girl and let him settle down sometime?
May 9, 2026
Flat but still enjoyable
I couldn’t get into this Keeler book. For me the story didn’t flow together very well. Also some of the characters were over the top like the Judge. Take every stereotype you can think of for an ex vet that stood up PMC organization and roll them all together, then multiply by 10 and you get the Judge. The Judge and other m characters came off a little corny. Lively tried to weave a couple of different storylines together but they didn’t flow very well so it seemed like separate stories that were forced to come together. Keeler saves the day but also loses something at the end. Worth the time but not near as good as previous efforts in the series.
I couldn’t get into this Keeler book. For me the story didn’t flow together very well. Also some of the characters were over the top like the Judge. Take every stereotype you can think of for an ex vet that stood up PMC organization and roll them all together, then multiply by 10 and you get the Judge. The Judge and other m characters came off a little corny. Lively tried to weave a couple of different storylines together but they didn’t flow very well so it seemed like separate stories that were forced to come together. Keeler saves the day but also loses something at the end. Worth the time but not near as good as previous efforts in the series.
Review of advance copy
Tom Keeler one man army again
The body count is high, the risks too, the plot is complicated. Two unassociated criminal organisations with lethal capabilities both fighting for the same prize, means Keeler has to manage a tricky balancing act, being caught accidentally in the middle. Although he’s as deadly as usual, he does suffer a few attacks - staying alive feels like a miracle in itself at times. So far, his ‘retirement’ looks just as busy as his previous job in the military.
The body count is high, the risks too, the plot is complicated. Two unassociated criminal organisations with lethal capabilities both fighting for the same prize, means Keeler has to manage a tricky balancing act, being caught accidentally in the middle. Although he’s as deadly as usual, he does suffer a few attacks - staying alive feels like a miracle in itself at times. So far, his ‘retirement’ looks just as busy as his previous job in the military.
May 18, 2026
Passes The Time
* SPOILERS * In this book, Keeler kills a bunch of people, some people have sex, and at the end you’re not really sure exactly what happened. Apologies to the author, but the tone was inconsistent too. Maybe he was going for a Burn Notice vibe but snarkier? Oh well, it helped pass the time…
* SPOILERS * In this book, Keeler kills a bunch of people, some people have sex, and at the end you’re not really sure exactly what happened. Apologies to the author, but the tone was inconsistent too. Maybe he was going for a Burn Notice vibe but snarkier? Oh well, it helped pass the time…
April 27, 2026
On par with Clancy & Ludlum
Backlash is the best yet from this author. It has the technological accuracy of Clancy and the nail biter thrill of Ludlum’s Bourne series. If you want the best, look no further. All thumbs up. Bravo!
Backlash is the best yet from this author. It has the technological accuracy of Clancy and the nail biter thrill of Ludlum’s Bourne series. If you want the best, look no further. All thumbs up. Bravo!
May 12, 2026
One of the Best!!
I have read all of the Tom Keeper books and this one might be the best yet, and that's saying something.
If it helps you to know if you'd like these books, I am a fan of Clancy, Thor, Greaney, Flynn, etc. and I enjoy these books.
I have read all of the Tom Keeper books and this one might be the best yet, and that's saying something.
If it helps you to know if you'd like these books, I am a fan of Clancy, Thor, Greaney, Flynn, etc. and I enjoy these books.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Another quick paced high body count Keeler thriller. Enjoyed the read and look forward to more in the future
April 28, 2026
Another side
In this book keeler showed a softer side and he was funny. You could see how much he valued his friendship with the guys he served with.
In this book keeler showed a softer side and he was funny. You could see how much he valued his friendship with the guys he served with.
April 28, 2026
Very good book!!
April 30, 2026
good read, difficult to put down
Can’t wait for the next one in the series, Keeler is a great character , in my opinion better than Reacher
Can’t wait for the next one in the series, Keeler is a great character , in my opinion better than Reacher
May 9, 2026
Miami
A pretty action packed book till the end. Think a bit more ranchier than the previous ones. The mate Dave got his therapy in the end. Miami sounds an interesting place.
A pretty action packed book till the end. Think a bit more ranchier than the previous ones. The mate Dave got his therapy in the end. Miami sounds an interesting place.
May 22, 2026
Five Stars
As always a great read from start to finish. I have read all of the Tom Walker books in order and have never been disappointed ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
As always a great read from start to finish. I have read all of the Tom Walker books in order and have never been disappointed ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
May 6, 2026
Lively sends Keeler on another mission…
Leave it to Keeler to arrive in Miami for one reason and end up with several things to occupy his time. Some of it good. Some not so good, which is more typical. It is a thriller, after all. Add to it a couple of new characters important to Keeler from his military days and things get really interesting. Sometimes it’s difficult to tell who the bad guys are so when things go FUBAR, Keeler and his tried and true buddies always have a plan B, and C.
I like the new characters and how they mix with the plot line. I hope they make a return in future Keeler books. I’m especially fond of Dave. I for one would not be disappointed if he spun off into his own series. Looking forward to the next Keeler thriller!
Leave it to Keeler to arrive in Miami for one reason and end up with several things to occupy his time. Some of it good. Some not so good, which is more typical. It is a thriller, after all. Add to it a couple of new characters important to Keeler from his military days and things get really interesting. Sometimes it’s difficult to tell who the bad guys are so when things go FUBAR, Keeler and his tried and true buddies always have a plan B, and C.
I like the new characters and how they mix with the plot line. I hope they make a return in future Keeler books. I’m especially fond of Dave. I for one would not be disappointed if he spun off into his own series. Looking forward to the next Keeler thriller!
May 10, 2026
This was another great Tom Keeler book! I liked the change of scenery to Miami. I liked the secondary stories of Tom's friends, Blomstein and Dave, and how they all tied together in the end.
I am looking forward to Tom's next adventure.
I am looking forward to Tom's next adventure.
May 12, 2026
Keeler back on form
An thoroughly enjoyable read, as usual from Jack Lively. Engaging characters and a riveting plot line. Looking forward now to the next one.
An thoroughly enjoyable read, as usual from Jack Lively. Engaging characters and a riveting plot line. Looking forward now to the next one.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews