Ghosts of Mendoza: A Joe Pound Adventure, Book #1

by Jack Arbor

Joe Pound wasn’t looking for trouble, but trouble just crashed into his garage.

After years as a soldier and a special operator, Joe left the covert world to rebuild his father’s auto shop, searching for purpose and honoring the man who raised him. But his plans for a quiet life come to a crashing halt when a car plows into his garage, carrying a critically injured woman and a cryptic link to his own past.

As Joe digs deeper, he discovers a connection to his long-lost best friend, a man Joe hasn’t spoken to in years and who was murdered while uncovering a decades-old conspiracy tied to Argentina’s dirty war. Haunted by guilt and driven by a vow to right the wrongs of the past, Joe must face ruthless enemies willing to kill to protect their secrets.

From the gritty streets of Los Angeles to the violent plains of El Salvador and finally to the shadowed barrios of Buenos Aires, Joe must follow a trail of cryptic clues left behind by his old friend to solve a decades-old mystery. To honor the dead and protect the innocent, Joe must decide how far he’s willing to go and what he’s willing to sacrifice.

Packed with action, mystery, and raw intensity, Ghosts of Mendoza, Joe Pound’s first adventure, is a ripping tale of loyalty, redemption, and the fight to bring buried secrets to light.

Ghosts of Mendoza is the first story in a new series by Amazon-bestselling author Jack Arbor. Arbor masterfully weaves a narrative full of mystery and adventure featuring a new cast of unforgettable characters.

Jump into the adventurous world of Joe Pound and discover for yourself why Jack Arbor’s latest creation is a page-turning must-read.

372 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 22, 2025

About the author

Jack Arbor is the Amazon bestselling author of six thrillers featuring the wayward KGB assassin Max Austin. The stories follow Max as he comes to terms with his past and tries to extricate himself from a destiny he desperately wants to avoid.

Jack works as a digital technologist during the day and writes at night and on weekends, with much love and support from his lovely wife, Jill.

Jill and Jack live outside Aspen, Colorado, where they enjoy trail running and hiking through the natural beauty of the Roaring Fork Valley. Jack also likes to taste new bourbons and grill meat, usually at the same time. They both miss the coffee on the East Coast.

You can get free books as well as pre-release specials and sign up for Jack’s mailing list at www.jackarbor.com.

Reviews

[Abibliofob · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly can't remember where I found this author but it happened many years ago. It all started with the books about max Austin and I was hooked from the start. Now I have some good news, Jack Arbor has come up with this guy called Joe Pound and the first book is Ghosts of Mendoza. It all starts wit Joe arriving home to take over his grandfathers auto shop and it goes pear shaped almost directly. Squatters and car crashes and shooters, and we mustn't forget some doubtful police officers. Pound has his work cut out for him. I found the book well written and intriguing from the start. I love the different characters created by this author and the story hooks you rather quick. I love the fact that it's also funny in parts and there is a lot of action and thrills all over the pages. Arbor is maybe not the most prolific author out there but he writes some really good stuff, he also has a series about a female assassin that is great. I recommend him for all fans of a good and thrilling adventure. The date for this one is sadly not set yet but it's not far away. I hope you check this author out there are some books available of his previous work. Thanks to Jack for letting me read this advance copy,

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another heart pounding espionage thriller from author Jack Arbor.

I follow all Jack Arbor's thrillers because they never disappoint; non-stop action, spell-binding twists and turns, believable characters who race from one global trouble-spot to the next, and credible plots that feel like they just jumped off the morning's news. I start one of Arbor's books and can't go to sleep til I've

[Marry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meet Joe Pound, a guy with a shady past but decided to live a life of peace. That is, until he is thrown into a fight with the Black Orchid and the CIA and he has to find out what an old friend’s moves were before he died. Terrific story with lots of action and a surprising plot, highly recommended. Thanks Jack for letting me read the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Vivian Moulun · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a riveting book! The characters and scenes are vivid. You feel like you are part of the story. You can feel the tension building up throughout the novel. You keep wondering what’s going to happen next. I thoroughly enjoyed it from the first page to the last one. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a captivating thriller.

[Colin Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great first book in this new series from the author. This one concerns an ex CIA operator who has retired and is reviving his ancestors vehicle repair shop. He gets sucked in to investigating an old friends death after the friends wife crashes her car into his workshop. The action is fast paced and well written and an enjoyable read.

[Michael Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received as ARC. If this is the first in a series, the rest will be great. Joe Pound retires from covert ops to reopen his father's old auto shop. After a car crashes into the shop, all talk of retirement goes away. Fantastic action throughout, with great characters and plot An enjoyable read

[Tom Brey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific thriller. This doesn’t try to be anything it isn’t. It’s a fun read and excellent for what it is.

[Gay Birchard · Rating 5 out of 5]

a reader from Florida

The book was exciting and kept me wanting to keep reading
I liked the ending because it was sewn up. I liked the way it ended.