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The Specialist #7
The Vendetta
When beautiful, vulnerable Janet Springer asks Jack Sullivan to smash Toscani, the Mafia godfather who destroyed first her father and then her brother, Sullivan tells her to forget his usual fee.
This is the kind of job The Specialist dreams of — an ideal outlet for his rage against evil.
But only after Sullivan launches his one-man assault on Toscani, does he realise that he is battling an enemy more dangerous than he has ever faced before – himself.
Following a head trauma, something inside Sullivan has snapped, turning him from a clean-edged instrument of righteous vengeance into a killing machine spiralling out of control …
As Sullivan’s excess of pent-up violence threatens to consume him, he begins to terrify those around him and even his long-time friends and supporters begin to question his brutal methods.
Can Sullivan defeat his most dangerous enemy in time to take down Toscani and the Mafia? Can he avoid the loss of any more innocent lives?
Can he complete his vendetta?
‘The Vendetta’ is another thrilling instalment in the Specialist series from thriller author John Cutter.
'This is the real deal. A thriller that grabs you by the throat and won't let go.' - Tom Kasey, best-selling author of 'Cold Kill'.
John Cutter is a pseudonym for John Shirley, a science fiction write best known for ‘The Crow’. He is an American writer, primarily of fantasy and science fiction and songs. He has also written one historical novel, a western, about Wyatt Earp, ‘Wyatt in Wichita’, and one non-fiction book, ‘Gurdjieff: An Introduction to His Life and Ideas’. He has written novels, short stories, TV scripts and screenplays, and has published over 40 books and 8 short-story collections. As a musician, he has fronted his own bands and written lyrics for’ Blue Öyster Cult’ and others.
Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent digital publisher. For more information on our titles please sign up to our newsletter at www.endeavourpress.com. Each week you will receive updates on free and discounted ebooks. Follow us on Twitter: @EndeavourPress and on Facebook via http://on.fb.me/1HweQV7. We are always interested in hearing from our readers. Endeavour Press believes that the future is now.
This is the kind of job The Specialist dreams of — an ideal outlet for his rage against evil.
But only after Sullivan launches his one-man assault on Toscani, does he realise that he is battling an enemy more dangerous than he has ever faced before – himself.
Following a head trauma, something inside Sullivan has snapped, turning him from a clean-edged instrument of righteous vengeance into a killing machine spiralling out of control …
As Sullivan’s excess of pent-up violence threatens to consume him, he begins to terrify those around him and even his long-time friends and supporters begin to question his brutal methods.
Can Sullivan defeat his most dangerous enemy in time to take down Toscani and the Mafia? Can he avoid the loss of any more innocent lives?
Can he complete his vendetta?
‘The Vendetta’ is another thrilling instalment in the Specialist series from thriller author John Cutter.
'This is the real deal. A thriller that grabs you by the throat and won't let go.' - Tom Kasey, best-selling author of 'Cold Kill'.
John Cutter is a pseudonym for John Shirley, a science fiction write best known for ‘The Crow’. He is an American writer, primarily of fantasy and science fiction and songs. He has also written one historical novel, a western, about Wyatt Earp, ‘Wyatt in Wichita’, and one non-fiction book, ‘Gurdjieff: An Introduction to His Life and Ideas’. He has written novels, short stories, TV scripts and screenplays, and has published over 40 books and 8 short-story collections. As a musician, he has fronted his own bands and written lyrics for’ Blue Öyster Cult’ and others.
Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent digital publisher. For more information on our titles please sign up to our newsletter at www.endeavourpress.com. Each week you will receive updates on free and discounted ebooks. Follow us on Twitter: @EndeavourPress and on Facebook via http://on.fb.me/1HweQV7. We are always interested in hearing from our readers. Endeavour Press believes that the future is now.
177 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 5, 1985
163 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
John Cutter
28 books22 followersJohn Cutter is a pseudonym used by the author John Shirley.
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 24, 2025
The very definition of so bad it's good; I know some people hate seeing a high rating for a book that by many standards is not exactly a great work of fiction but this book is really nothing more then good old fashioned bloody 80's pulp and when judged by those standards it is among the best.
The continuing story of John Sullivan, 'The Specialist,' a one man army on a personal war against... well I think it's crime but who really knows this guys motivations because he may well be nuts. Full of needless gore, questionable physics and a man with more luck then seems reasonable this is a quick and funny read for somebody with the right sense of humor.
Actual quotes from the book:
'He was married to his mission and his only offspring was violence.'
'Their guts squeezed out their mouths like toothpaste from a tube.'
Seriously, it does not get better then that.
The continuing story of John Sullivan, 'The Specialist,' a one man army on a personal war against... well I think it's crime but who really knows this guys motivations because he may well be nuts. Full of needless gore, questionable physics and a man with more luck then seems reasonable this is a quick and funny read for somebody with the right sense of humor.
Actual quotes from the book:
'He was married to his mission and his only offspring was violence.'
'Their guts squeezed out their mouths like toothpaste from a tube.'
Seriously, it does not get better then that.
January 10, 2026
Yet another extremely entertaining, wonderfully over the top installment in John Cutter aka John Shirley's The Specialist series. There were alot of mafia wheelings and dealings in this one, which isn't exactly my cup of tea, but watching how Jack Sullivan pulls an entire mafia outfit apart piece by piece is awesome. The violence is ramped way up in this entry of the series, with Sullivan suffering from brain injuries that make him lose control and decimate his enemies like an enraged Viking warrior. A cool twist on the story, 7 books in. The book crescendos wonderfully, with a truly awesome final act. Again, these books are in no way, shape or form fine literature, but neither are they trying to be. There is something to be said for well done pulp, and this is well done pulp.
August 8, 2024
A definite must read
Another intense, action packed thriller that will hook you from beginning to end. The Specialist has some unforeseen troubles with his current job, but will he be able to overcome the many obstacles in his way? You'll have to read this to find out.
I would definitely recommend this book, series, and outstanding author.
Another intense, action packed thriller that will hook you from beginning to end. The Specialist has some unforeseen troubles with his current job, but will he be able to overcome the many obstacles in his way? You'll have to read this to find out.
I would definitely recommend this book, series, and outstanding author.
June 23, 2020
SoSo
Not too impressed by this one. I do like his characters but this storyline wasn't as good as previous books. In fact I almost stopped at a certain point but I so rarely do that I decided to continue and it was so-so.
Not too impressed by this one. I do like his characters but this storyline wasn't as good as previous books. In fact I almost stopped at a certain point but I so rarely do that I decided to continue and it was so-so.
May 13, 2020
Good book
Read all of the books in order to really enjoy. Storyline continues to grow and develop. Characters are realistic and get better and better.
Read all of the books in order to really enjoy. Storyline continues to grow and develop. Characters are realistic and get better and better.
July 12, 2020
A good book.
July 26, 2024
Vengeance is mine
Toscani. Made a mistake his soldiers killed her husband and son but left her alive.
She contacted the Specialist and he volunteered his services
Toscani. Made a mistake his soldiers killed her husband and son but left her alive.
She contacted the Specialist and he volunteered his services
July 28, 2024
Good book i was enthralled in it from the beginning. worth the read!!
October 31, 2014
The very definition of so bad it's good; I know some people hate seeing a high rating for a book that by many standards is not exactly a great work of fiction but this book is really nothing more then good old fashioned bloody 80's pulp and when judged by those standards it is among the best.
The continuing story of John Sullivan, 'The Specialist,' a one man army on a personal war against... well I think it's crime but who really knows this guys motivations because he may well be nuts. Full of needless gore, questionable physics and a man with more luck then seems reasonable this is a quick and funny read for somebody with the right sense of humor.
Actual quotes from the book:
'He was married to his mission and his only offspring was violence.'
'Their guts squeezed out their mouths like toothpaste from a tube.'
Seriously, it does not get better then that.
The continuing story of John Sullivan, 'The Specialist,' a one man army on a personal war against... well I think it's crime but who really knows this guys motivations because he may well be nuts. Full of needless gore, questionable physics and a man with more luck then seems reasonable this is a quick and funny read for somebody with the right sense of humor.
Actual quotes from the book:
'He was married to his mission and his only offspring was violence.'
'Their guts squeezed out their mouths like toothpaste from a tube.'
Seriously, it does not get better then that.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews