Never Say Die

Mark Cole #4

by J.T. Brannan

In Kobe, Japan, a fierce leadership struggle breaks out after the head of the world’s largest criminal organization is killed by a mysterious assassin. Meanwhile, in Tokyo, moves are afoot to replace the government with a fanatical right-wing regime which hopes to re-militarize the nation and take its revenge against China; and the prime minister is the mysterious assassin’s next target . . .

Mark Cole – US covert ops legend and head of the top secret counter-terrorist unit known as Force One – is on vacation in Japan. Only for Cole, this means unofficially tracking down Aoki Michiko, his missing seventeen year old daughter; a daughter he has only just found out he has.

His search takes him from the hostess bars and nightclubs of Tokyo’s red light districts, to the wild mountains of the Japanese interior. In a frantic and violent race against time, Cole is forced to confront Yakuza thugs, corrupt police officers, and the deadly assassin himself; and in his struggle to save his daughter, he is thrust into what might become the largest Yakuza gang war ever seen – a war which will have repercussions not only for Japan, but for the rest of the world as well.

406 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 21, 2015

About the author

JT Brannan is the Bradford-born author of ORIGIN, EXTINCTION, STOP AT NOTHING and DESTRUCTIVE THOUGHTS (Short Story).

Trained as a British Army officer at Sandhurst, before deciding to pursue a writing career, he is a former national Karate champion and doorman.

He now writes full-time, and teaches martial arts in Harrogate, where he lives with his wife and two young children.

He is currently working on his next novel.

Reviews

[Arthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never Say Die: Mark Cole takes on the Yakuza (book #4)

Mark is recovering from the last mission in China, and after being released from the hospital, he decides to take more rest in Japan, looking for his daughter (?), Mikado to reassure himself that she is really his daughter and not his enemy. Mark's main problem, no one else knows about his trip, and suddenly he becomes involved in Japanese politics and a plot to kill the new President of Japan while trying to rescue his daughter. The main opposition, a ninja whose mission is to do the deed and lay the blame on Cole. Hang on, the action is swift and quick. You'll be tempted to turn to the end to see if Mark is successful.

[Tara Winslow · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re a fan of precise tactical writing and well researched geopolitical tension, this book delivers. The action choreography is clean and believable, and Brannan’s pacing is masterful every chapter ends with a hook. I especially enjoyed the deep dive into Tokyo’s criminal networks and the interplay between government factions. Mark Cole is unbreakable but never flat; his vulnerabilities give him dimension. A superb addition to the series.

[Eric Worre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never Say Die is everything I crave in a modern action thriller cinematic pacing, ruthless villains, and a hero who refuses to stay down. Mark Cole is the kind of character who makes you wish you could turn the page faster. From Tokyo’s neon-lit underworld to the icy mountains of Japan, every chapter is loaded with danger, tension, and grit.

[Autumn Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went in expecting a fun thriller, but Brannan surprised me with how much heart this story carries. Beyond the gunfights and political conspiracies, Never Say Die is about a father searching for connection and a man trying to make peace with a past filled with violence. The Japanese setting is wonderfully atmospheric, from Tokyo’s electric chaos to the quiet, snow-covered mountain villages.

[Grant Holloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know that feeling when you tell yourself “just one more chapter,” and suddenly it’s 3 a.m.? That was me with this book. I’m not even usually into military thrillers, but Mark Cole pulled me in fast. The story moves like a runaway train assassins, Yakuza, corrupt officials, secret missions all wrapped into one wild ride. And the twist about his daughter?

[John Scheibelhut · Rating 5 out of 5]

A different kind of vacation.

Not only was it well written, it was the kind of adventure you would expect of Mark Cole and the Company.

[Anthony · Rating 2 out of 5]

plenty of action but a bit over the top

Unfortunately I found myself skimming some of the action sequences because they were just too unbelievable and I wanted to get on with the story line, which wasn't too bad

[Walt Mccluskey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never say die

Still the difficult to believe tale you're expecting as he gets through situations that would put anybody else 6 feet under. Action from start to finish and sometimes you're not even sure they're finished. Recommended.

[Linda Goudreau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked this book.....

I thought this book was ok story wise but a little too wordy in the beginning chapters. Lots and lots of yaguza info that was dry ,dry, dry reading. So glad Cole has his daughter back and has family to care for. Thanks, Amarillo Turtle

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

Very good book. I have read them all and can't wait for book #5 wish it was already out. Thanks for a great read.