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Hammer
Perfect for fans of Jack Carr and Vince Flynn
398 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 5, 2026
About the author
Joe Betar
1 book4 followersJoe is the author of the Jack Garrett thriller series. His debut novel is HAMMER-perfect for fans of Jack Carr and Vince Flynn
Joe's career has taken him from executive boardrooms to conservation frontlines across four continents. As a Registered Nurse, corporate executive, magazine publisher, television producer, and podcast host, he's navigated high-stakes environments in healthcare, media, and environmental conservation.
This diverse professional background—spanning medicine, the corporate sector, survival and combat training, and geopolitical complexities—provides the authentic foundation for his gripping thrillers. With extensive experience across Africa, Europe, Oceania, South America, and North America, Joe brings unparalleled realism to every tactical combat scene and covert operation he writes.
His award-winning work has earned recognition from Marcom, NYX, Davey, GDUSA, Communicator, AVA Digital, and the Lone Star Emmy Awards, establishing him as a versatile and creative force who transforms real-world expertise into pulse-pounding fiction.
Joe's career has taken him from executive boardrooms to conservation frontlines across four continents. As a Registered Nurse, corporate executive, magazine publisher, television producer, and podcast host, he's navigated high-stakes environments in healthcare, media, and environmental conservation.
This diverse professional background—spanning medicine, the corporate sector, survival and combat training, and geopolitical complexities—provides the authentic foundation for his gripping thrillers. With extensive experience across Africa, Europe, Oceania, South America, and North America, Joe brings unparalleled realism to every tactical combat scene and covert operation he writes.
His award-winning work has earned recognition from Marcom, NYX, Davey, GDUSA, Communicator, AVA Digital, and the Lone Star Emmy Awards, establishing him as a versatile and creative force who transforms real-world expertise into pulse-pounding fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Joe Betar, Carpenter’s Son Publishing, and Clovercroft Publishing for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
There’s a certain electricity that comes with opening a debut thriller—you’re either about to discover a new voice worth following, or endure a promising idea that never quite lands. With Hammer, Joe Betar wastes no time proving he belongs in the former camp. This is a bruising, relentless novel that hits hard and rarely lets up.
Jack “Hammer” Garrett is a man built for violence, honed in the octagon as a UFC champion and tempered by a quiet life on his Texas ranch. But when his parents are brutally murdered, that hard-earned peace shatters. What follows is not just grief, but a simmering, controlled fury. The people responsible made one critical mistake, they left Hammer alive.
Betar crafts a revenge story that refuses to stay small. What begins as a personal vendetta quickly spirals into something far more insidious, pulling Hammer into a web of political corruption, cartel influence, and shadowy international interests. The deeper he digs, the more dangerous the game becomes. This isn’t just about vengeance anymore—it’s about survival.
What sets Hammer apart is its tone: gritty without being gratuitous, fast-paced without sacrificing substance. Betar balances high-stakes action with emotional weight, allowing Jack Hammer to feel more than just unstoppable—he’s wounded, driven, and evolving. His pain is palpable, and it fuels every calculated move he makes.
The pacing is razor-sharp. Chapters snap forward with purpose, each one tightening the noose and raising the stakes. Twists arrive at just the right moments, never feeling forced, always pushing the narrative into darker, more dangerous territory. Betar shows a confidence in structure that many seasoned authors struggle to achieve.
Characterisation is another clear strength. Hammer is more than a blunt instrument—he’s layered, carrying grief, loyalty, and a fierce sense of justice that borders on obsession. The supporting cast adds depth and texture, while the antagonists are drawn with enough complexity to make the conflict feel grounded and real. No one exists in a vacuum here, as every character has weight.
The plot itself is tightly wound, blending political intrigue with personal revenge in a way that feels both expansive and controlled. Betar demonstrates an impressive command of the genre, delivering a story that is as emotionally resonant as it is explosive. By the time the final act arrives, the reader isn’t just invested—they’re locked in.
For a debut, Hammer is strikingly assured. It’s a novel that understands exactly what it wants to be and executes it with force. If this is any indication of what Joe Betar has in store, Jack Garrett’s story feels far from over—and that’s something to look forward to.
Kudos, Mr. Betar, for a piece that is both unique and easy to read.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
There’s a certain electricity that comes with opening a debut thriller—you’re either about to discover a new voice worth following, or endure a promising idea that never quite lands. With Hammer, Joe Betar wastes no time proving he belongs in the former camp. This is a bruising, relentless novel that hits hard and rarely lets up.
Jack “Hammer” Garrett is a man built for violence, honed in the octagon as a UFC champion and tempered by a quiet life on his Texas ranch. But when his parents are brutally murdered, that hard-earned peace shatters. What follows is not just grief, but a simmering, controlled fury. The people responsible made one critical mistake, they left Hammer alive.
Betar crafts a revenge story that refuses to stay small. What begins as a personal vendetta quickly spirals into something far more insidious, pulling Hammer into a web of political corruption, cartel influence, and shadowy international interests. The deeper he digs, the more dangerous the game becomes. This isn’t just about vengeance anymore—it’s about survival.
What sets Hammer apart is its tone: gritty without being gratuitous, fast-paced without sacrificing substance. Betar balances high-stakes action with emotional weight, allowing Jack Hammer to feel more than just unstoppable—he’s wounded, driven, and evolving. His pain is palpable, and it fuels every calculated move he makes.
The pacing is razor-sharp. Chapters snap forward with purpose, each one tightening the noose and raising the stakes. Twists arrive at just the right moments, never feeling forced, always pushing the narrative into darker, more dangerous territory. Betar shows a confidence in structure that many seasoned authors struggle to achieve.
Characterisation is another clear strength. Hammer is more than a blunt instrument—he’s layered, carrying grief, loyalty, and a fierce sense of justice that borders on obsession. The supporting cast adds depth and texture, while the antagonists are drawn with enough complexity to make the conflict feel grounded and real. No one exists in a vacuum here, as every character has weight.
The plot itself is tightly wound, blending political intrigue with personal revenge in a way that feels both expansive and controlled. Betar demonstrates an impressive command of the genre, delivering a story that is as emotionally resonant as it is explosive. By the time the final act arrives, the reader isn’t just invested—they’re locked in.
For a debut, Hammer is strikingly assured. It’s a novel that understands exactly what it wants to be and executes it with force. If this is any indication of what Joe Betar has in store, Jack Garrett’s story feels far from over—and that’s something to look forward to.
Kudos, Mr. Betar, for a piece that is both unique and easy to read.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
May 11, 2026
Great thriller that started out fast and just geared up from there
Jack Garrett aka Hammer when he's fighting professionally has just fought his last fight in the octagon ring when he gets word that his parents have been brutally murdered.
He soon finds out that there is more than meets the eye to his parent's deaths and he's not going to stop until he's avenged them.
Soon people are dropping like flies and Jack is dealing with political corruption, family acquaintances, drug cartels, safaris, and more around the world as he tracks the killers.
I enjoyed this tale of a retired UFC fighter who is on the vengeance trail for his parents. It was not an easy path for him to follow and partially destroyed his relationship with his wife that hopefully he'll be able to rebuild.
I received this Digital Review Copy from Clovercroft Publishing through Net Galley. Thank you.
Jack Garrett aka Hammer when he's fighting professionally has just fought his last fight in the octagon ring when he gets word that his parents have been brutally murdered.
He soon finds out that there is more than meets the eye to his parent's deaths and he's not going to stop until he's avenged them.
Soon people are dropping like flies and Jack is dealing with political corruption, family acquaintances, drug cartels, safaris, and more around the world as he tracks the killers.
I enjoyed this tale of a retired UFC fighter who is on the vengeance trail for his parents. It was not an easy path for him to follow and partially destroyed his relationship with his wife that hopefully he'll be able to rebuild.
I received this Digital Review Copy from Clovercroft Publishing through Net Galley. Thank you.
May 25, 2026
I received an ARC through "NetGalley" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This story begins with murder of Hammer's parents while celebrating their wedding anniversary. Hammer also was performing his last cage fight as he was retiring. The next day Hammer learns of their death and vows to revenge their killing. With the death of his father, a congressman, the new person who took over the chairmanship was convinced to do doings of a corrupt organization.
Learn about the organization and it's tentacles which enabled them to operate. Follow Hammer as he searches for those that were responsible and discover the dangers that he faced during his pursuit.
The ending reveals the answers and the final portion has a surprise.
This story is well done and well worth the read, don't miss out!
This story begins with murder of Hammer's parents while celebrating their wedding anniversary. Hammer also was performing his last cage fight as he was retiring. The next day Hammer learns of their death and vows to revenge their killing. With the death of his father, a congressman, the new person who took over the chairmanship was convinced to do doings of a corrupt organization.
Learn about the organization and it's tentacles which enabled them to operate. Follow Hammer as he searches for those that were responsible and discover the dangers that he faced during his pursuit.
The ending reveals the answers and the final portion has a surprise.
This story is well done and well worth the read, don't miss out!
July 18, 2026
Hammer is exactly the kind of thriller I enjoy fast-paced, gritty, and hard to put down. Jack "Hammer" Garrett is a strong lead character whose journey feels driven by both loss and determination. I liked that he wasn't portrayed as invincible; his motivations felt believable, which made me even more invested in his mission.
The action scenes are exciting without overshadowing the story, and the conspiracy unfolding behind the revenge plot kept me turning the pages. Every new clue pulled the story in a bigger direction, and I appreciated how the tension continued to build all the way through.
If you're a fan of revenge thrillers with plenty of action, corruption, and a protagonist you can root for, this is definitely worth picking up. A thoroughly entertaining read, and I'm looking forward to seeing what Joe Betar writes next. Highly recommended!
The action scenes are exciting without overshadowing the story, and the conspiracy unfolding behind the revenge plot kept me turning the pages. Every new clue pulled the story in a bigger direction, and I appreciated how the tension continued to build all the way through.
If you're a fan of revenge thrillers with plenty of action, corruption, and a protagonist you can root for, this is definitely worth picking up. A thoroughly entertaining read, and I'm looking forward to seeing what Joe Betar writes next. Highly recommended!
June 2, 2026
“The gloves are coming off”- page 313
This is a very well written book by another talented writer. The bad news is that the story drags at times something awful, and it is and unnecessarily lengthy 400 pages. The gloves should come off much earlier than page 313, if its to be called a thriller, and the story needs to have a better sense of itself. At times it’s a political thriller. At times it’s an anti-poaching international story. At times it’s about arms sales and other times human trafficking. Ultimately, it’s a family drama with some detective work and revenge themes thrown in the mix. I liked it, but I think it could have been much better with some easy adjustments.
This is a very well written book by another talented writer. The bad news is that the story drags at times something awful, and it is and unnecessarily lengthy 400 pages. The gloves should come off much earlier than page 313, if its to be called a thriller, and the story needs to have a better sense of itself. At times it’s a political thriller. At times it’s an anti-poaching international story. At times it’s about arms sales and other times human trafficking. Ultimately, it’s a family drama with some detective work and revenge themes thrown in the mix. I liked it, but I think it could have been much better with some easy adjustments.
June 11, 2026
This is not my typical genre (historical and literary fiction) but it grabbed me from the start and took me on an unpredictable, twisting ride through the ranchers of Texas, the cartel in Mexico, poachers and traffickers in South Africa and corrupt politicians in Washington, D.C. Retired MMA fighter, Jack "Hammer" Garrett leads readers through this killer thriller with the machismo you would expect and the resourcefulness of a seasoned hunter. I appreciated the quotes from historical greats like Mark Twain and Ronald Reagin and the beautifully detailed descriptions of machines, weapons and sunglasses! The story flows effortlessly and the intrigue never dips!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you for the opportunity to preview Hammer. This is a series novel centered on ‘Hammer’ who is a retired MMA fighter.
Hammer is really an interesting character who is filled with goodness but also anger.
When a tragedy occurs Hammer cannot leave the investigation up to the FBI. He must be involved and will not give up until he has the chance to avenge.
Set in a political environment this novel has many moving parts but is engaging and filled with contemporary elements.
Good book with a strong lead 3.5 stars
Hammer is really an interesting character who is filled with goodness but also anger.
When a tragedy occurs Hammer cannot leave the investigation up to the FBI. He must be involved and will not give up until he has the chance to avenge.
Set in a political environment this novel has many moving parts but is engaging and filled with contemporary elements.
Good book with a strong lead 3.5 stars
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Joe Betar paints such a vivid picture with his writing in Hammer that while reading I could easily see how power and money create a vicious cycle. Jack gets pulled into this world when trying to get to the bottom of his parents’ murder. When Jack gets too close to discovering the truth, those in power don’t want to lose and they are willing to take down any who get in their way.
A gripping story from start to finish. I found myself cheering for Jack to uncover the corruption, and avenge the deaths of those that he loved.
A gripping story from start to finish. I found myself cheering for Jack to uncover the corruption, and avenge the deaths of those that he loved.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews