In the lobby of a prestigious Wall Street investment firm, one man is dead and another seriously injured. The man accused of the crime now a fugitive. When the Director of the FBI personally orders Special Agent Sean Kruger to New York City to find the fugitive, Kruger questions the reason. Told to shut up and do his job, he starts looking into the case. What he finds is troubling. Eye-witness accounts seem contrived with little variance between individual testimonies. The more he hears, the more he feels someone is manipulating the story. As the investigation unfolds, he discovers the only information known about the fugitive is a HR file from a former employer. Public records of the man do not exist. The fugitive is a ghost. A ghost who has disappeared. When Kruger unearths information the investment firm lied about the incident in the lobby, he learns there is a possibility the fugitive was defending himself. He also discovers another individual is searching for the fugitive. An individual who has no interest in allowing the truth to be discovered. When the cat and mouse game turns lethal, Kruger must use all of his skills and experience to find the truth, protect the fugitive, and ultimately stay alive.
J.C. Fields is a multi-award-winning and Amazon best-selling author. His Sean Kruger Series and The Michael Wolfe Saga have been awarded numerous gold, silver and bronze medals in the Reader's Favorite International Book Awards contest. In March of 2020, his book, A Lone Wolf became a #1 Best Selling Audiobook. The second book in the series, The Last Insurgent, gained Amazon's #1 New Release status in January 2021.
As one of the featured authors on the highly successful YouTube podcast, Fear From the Heartland, hosted by Paul J. McSorley, he offers a variety of original short stories penned specifically for its listeners.
He lives with his wife, Connie, in Southwest Missouri.
Interchangeable boring, sad characters surrounded by more interchangeable boring, sad characters made this book a chore to read, and it was not elevated by any sort of humor, insight, or even interesting trivia.
This is my first Sean Kruger book, and I can assure you I’ll be reading more of this series. The author is new to me and I like the way he writes and tells a story. The plot intrigued me as it told just enough to keep the story interesting. In the opening scene, a man is escorted out of the lobby of a large business by two officers. Without the reader knowing who the good or the bad guys are, the story progresses and moves forward as other characters come into play. I liked the protagonist who I found realistic and well-developed. In fact, I liked the main characters before I was sure who they were. I enjoy stories that deal with the "questionable government issues". I found this book plausible and true to life as well as a great tale of murder and intrigue. The plot twists kept the pages turning. I plan to read more of the Sean Kruger books and I recommend this highly.
Narration - When I see a book narrated by Paul.J McSorley I know the narration will be of the highest standard, and that in itself recommends a book. The Fugitive's Trail is no exception. The book - I like good FBI/detective novels and the "Fugitive's Trail" is up there with the best, Great characters, good descriptions, and a storyline that keeps you turning pages/listening. There is detail about how the investigation proceeds (the right amount not too much). I received a free copy of this audiobook at my own request and voluntarily leave this review.
“Here’s the recipe for J.C. Fields’s 5-star thriller “The Fugitive’s Trail:” A fugitive who may not be quite the bad guy everyone seems to think he is; an ex-KGB double-agent who slipped out of sight after the end of the Cold War; ex-military types helping or tracking the fugitive with some dying in the process; and Sean Kruger, an FBI profiler who doesn’t always follow orders while he’s on the hunt. Oh, and there are also some people who seem to spend some time in bed, enjoying each other’s company while not wearing very much.”
Great book by a new author. Likeable characters, driving story line enough tension to keep interest level high. Enjoyed from start to finish and happy to know there's more to follow.
In "The Fugitive’s Trail (The Sean Kruger Series, book #1)" author J.C. Fields has created an interesting character in FBI field agent Sean Kruger. In this story, the first in the series, the author spins a tangled web of events and characters that then careen down an action-packed ravine toward an inevitably violent conclusion. The action is constant and described in exciting detail. It is without doubt an involving and captivating story and one you won’t want to put down.
The first third of the book is the best part, as we meet agent Kruger and witness the triggering events that set the dominos in motion. The author sets the scene nicely, and the characters are interesting enough to make us care. Agent Kruger, who is just moving out of his house after a divorce and into a new apartment in Springfield, Missouri, meets a new neighbor and strikes up an immediate romance that is sure to play a lead role in future books. (The author is a resident of Missouri and much of the action takes place in the vicinity of Springfield, MO. I’m sure the descriptions of the roads, streets, buildings, and scenery are accurate, although most of the detail is not really important to the story.) A hundred pages into the book, the action is moving forward, the chess pieces are moving about the board, and the reader is totally hooked.
Unfortunately, while this book is a fun read for sure, the execution of the second half of the story is not as good as the initial set-up. The intricacies of the plot and the multiple characters, locations, and threads of the story get harder and harder to keep straight and follow as the story goes along. The motivations and back-stories become murkier, and many of the key plot points depend upon the ability of the “Fugitive” (we’ll call him JR) to “hack” into any computer system on the planet in a matter of minutes and manipulate any data. JR can steal money from anyone’s bank account, change anyone’s passwords, get anyone’s private information from the phone company, access security cameras from JFK airport, and check the passenger travel details from the airline’s computer systems. He can locate any cell phone (by number and by GPS location) and he’s also an expert marksman and a trained soldier. So, JR is basically superman/super-hacker whenever he needs to be, which stretches the boundaries of the suspension of disbelief for most readers. Agent Kruger is also willing to ignore FBI procedures whenever it’s helpful to the story. The villains also are cunning and have a hired hit man willing to hunt down and kill JR and his new girlfriend in order to protect their financial interests. Along the way, there are intrigues involving the CIA and other side-plots that add layers to the plot without necessarily being critical or tying back together in the end. Without spoiling anything, there is resolution to the story, but not a complete explanation for how the events got set in motion in the first place.
But, all that is secondary to the enjoyment of the unfolding story, which the author chops up into shorter and shorter sub-segments as the action nears its climax. The book is well edited, with only a few glaring typos, and the author’s writing style is well-suited for the genre. I will certainly be looking for the second book in the Sean Kruger series to see how the characters develop and to see whether Mr. Fields improves on this effort in the next book.
I really liked that this story is based around the main characters and a thief but there is also a touch of romance but it is more in the background, which really adds to the story but isn’t over powering nor does it take over. One man was done wrong many years ago he seeks his justices not for revenge but more for a show of who has the power. Things would have ended there if not for him wanting what was taken. The author gives many twists and turns, nothing is really as it seems as he spins a story of crime, corruption, thief, murder, deceit in a thrilling action adventure plot that leaves chills down your back. You are pulled in from the first page as a man is being led out the door, and he turns the tables knowing if he does not he will end up dead. Now the chase is on to find the man who got away and get back what was taken. Special Agent Sean Kruger is on the scene but things are not adding up, he has his people do a little hunting of their own finding more question than answers that is until the minute everything falls in to place, and he finds just maybe the bad guy isn’t so bad after all.
The narrator does a wonderful job pulling the reader in giving a highly entertaining story making you hold your breath through a major tail spins that keeps your attention. He knows how to show true emotion through his voice making the listener feel they are right there watching. His male and female voices are outstanding although some are close to others but you always know who is talking and what they are feeling. He gives just enough pause to let what he just told you sink in as you mind wraps around the danger holding you spellbound. His normal voice is just as nice as his character voices, each of his character voices are smooth, clear, his voices goes to the older man to the sexy younger woman giving each the correct tone and pitch to make you believe in the character. There are no background noises, no volume changes, if any breaks were taken I could not tell. He paints a wonderful delight story that pulls you in to the danger around you giving you excitement, thrills and some humor that makes this narrator a big winner in my book.
The author gives you a lot of characters but the all play a big part in the crime story. I loved the mystery of who some of the were and where they came from. At times, it is very fast moving and you wonder just how it will end and who will die. There is no way everyone is getting out of this alive. The author gives you a well blended story of crime, action, adventure, mystery, suspense as the hunter becomes the hunted. A lot of thought went into writing the story as each scene flows smoothly to the next leaving you breathless and thrilled at the same time. This is a crime story that holds your attention why entertaining you with action, humor and a touch of romance. There is something here for everyone. I was spellbound and couldn’t shut the audio off. I truly enjoyed listening to this and can’t wait to listen to the next book in this series.
I chose to do a theme for this month's meme of books with an FBI agent as a main character. Books in this category are mainly mystery police procedural or romantic suspense.
The purpose of Thrifty Thursday is to read a book which was free (at some point). Kindle freebie on May 24, 2022 (currently free at Amazon and in Kindle Unlimited as of writing this post)
The Fugitive's Trail is the longest and most detailed of the books I read for this post, but really a regular length book. There is a lot of technology and strategy in the investigation. The main agent and title character of the Sean Krugerseries is Sean. I liked him but he seems like a lone ranger. That is interesting because he makes all his decisions and does the work. He does connect with forensic and technology people for their support. It does make him a bit vulnerable for arrests but he seems to rely on local teams for those events.
A man who is unknown kills a guard and injures another as he is taken out of a corporate building. Right away, the stories are all unrealistic and sound rehearsed. There are a few not from the company which are conflicting. People are lying and there is more involved. Sean is assigned to the case with a huge political push. So politics and government power are tangled in it as well as wealthy corporate executives.
The case runs over almost a year. We learn about Sean and his personal life, and the fugitive and his new life both professional and personal. Sean and the fugitive are likable people, as are their friends. But once the fugitive is found things happen and luckily there is enough skill for the "good guys" to win. I'll be interested to see how the series develops so I will probably read more.
The technical abilities and accomplishments of the computer "hacker" in this story don't come close to being realistic, requiring considerable suspension of disbelief. I'm getting used to that, though, and just accept it.
More importantly, I could hardly pause my player to take a break. Fields paced the suspense Precisely to keep me listening.
And I really like the characters. The romance is trite and predictable, but integral to the story.
Paul J. McSorley delivers a very competent performance. He gives distinctive and appropriate voices to the characters, although his accents aren't always accurate. It's never difficult to follow dialog.
I want to hear more about these characters and look forward to more in this series.
NOTE: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
1:33hr into the audiobook .. Normally I like audiobooks for "new" authors to me. Not this time .. the narration is scharmy. Every character sounds exactly the same slimy way. I'll keep going because I paid for it. Finger down throat scharmy. If I go to the second book, it won't be with this narrator. Be a reading one. Its all subjective I suppose. This guy is not for me, sure I have heard him before .. I will have to look.
7:45hr in. My opinion of the book hasn't changed. Has a Mary-Sue goodie-two-shoes feel to it, but the story is interesting enough to keep going. Still scharmy with Mary-Sue love interests .. I doubt the author has had a girlfriend in his life .. or he is sucking up to his wife. I want to puke every time the main protagonists have moments with their women who both fell in love the instant they meet, then love discussing their damn feelings. Soooooo0o FAKE. Still unsure if I will do the next book .. await the end to decide. The narrator still annoys the crap out of me. Every single character, male or female speaks in exactly the same slimy manner .. I totally dislike the narrator, but flip side I'm not sure if the story is good enough to actually read? Almost finished the book and the narrator's voice is starting to normalise, just desensitisation, he never got better.
I finally got to the end, the book never got better, but was sort of interesting enough, thus 2 stars. The author should steer clear of male/female interaction as he doesn't have a good grasp on how to write it uncringeworthy. The big question, Will I do the next book? I got the first and second together ,, it was just ok. There is NO WAY I could read a book like this so would have to listen to that damn monotone sharmy narrator again. But You do become desensitised to his terrible terrible style after a while. Ok .. I'll give the second a go under sufferance.
This is the first in a series involving an FBI agent profiler named Sean Kruger.
This was a thoughtful mystery without the unnecessary graphic gore and profanity many books of this type contain.
SA Kruger to brought in to find a fugitive who has been accused by powerful people of serious crimes involving theft and murder. However, after reviewing the facts, Kruger does not believe the story of the protagonists stated as fact.
Investigation revealed a complex series of financial crimes including a Ponzi scheme.
The story follows a joint search for the fugitive--by both the FBI and the protagonists.
Well worth the read! I've already started the second in the series and am finding that it is also well written.
This is #1 in the Sean Kruger series. I liked the book very much. It's the type of suspense crime novel that I like best, even though I like to read a variety of genres. This is the genre I always come back to. Sean is a successful FBI agent and a really good guy. This story introduces him and a few characters that I believe will probably continue with the series, like JR and Joseph, both of whom are talented, cool and likable. The plot has enough twists and turns to bring surprises along the way and I really enjoyed the book. I'm currently reading the #2 book and enjoying it as well.
This is an exciting book, that is well written with a good flow and keeps you thinking to figure what is next. The characters have good depth. The book starts out a little slow taking a line of lesser importance of the book. The story grows from there, with more action and the development of the story line and characters. The book seemed more a story about JR than Sean. The things JR did with a computer kept the story going, but that lead into the action that defined the book. Enjoy.
I have known this author for a number of years and just recently learned that he had this creative talent. So far I have only read the first book in this series but will purchase book two as soon as I finish writing this review. Congratulations J.C. Fields for telling this great story. The story is fast paced and entertaining from beginning to end. This is the type of book I look for in a fiction novel.
The story flowed well and I enjoyed the action. I was surprised at the number of editing glitches, at least a dozen. Most of them were missed words which is a difficult error to spot. The author also used the word "discretely" twice when he meant "discreetly" although he got it right the third time. Most readers wouldn't even notice these insignificant mistakes and they certainly didn't distract from the overall enjoyment of the novel.
When I can't put a book down, I give it 5 stars! Ingenious and twisting plot, just when you think you have it worked out the story goes off in another direction. Defined characters, just enough detail to enjoy and back story kept to the minimum. Author is a top rate story teller.
I enjoyed this book from the very beginning , I just loved that way Sean Kruger took his FBI job very serious He kept you on the edge of your seat to the end. Read this book I know you'll love it. There's action on every page I won't give any thing away but you get this book if you're into a lot of action.
Character development was nicely done. The story is fast-paced and keeps the reader engrossed. I did encounter a few errors that should have been caught by an editor. The author could work on his development of man-woman relationships. They seemed too quick and simplistic ... man and woman meet and bang! They're in the sack! Not very realistic.
I enjoyed this book to the fullest. Really enjoyed the mystery of the fugitive hopefully you will read it and be as entertained as I was. I feel certain that even if this book is fiction. More and more of the activities of the characters in the book are doing the same things
Very good start to a series. Sean is an FBI agent who is called in to investigate a suspected murder in NYC but as he investigates he begins not to believe the victims story. The suspect is a computer whiz who changes his name and is almost completely out of sight. Very good action story with many twists and turns with good character interaction
I listened to the audiobook version of this boxed set and it was amazing. Paul the narrator did an great job with all the accents and suspense. Would highly recommend to all thrillers and FBI/CiA/SPY fanatics. Lots of action and suspense.
I liked this book a lot. It was interesting and I'll admit I like reading about white-hat hacking. An abundance of action and adventure in pursuit of the villain keep it moving. Good story, good character development, looking forward to more in this series.
I like the style of writing and I like Agent Kruger. But some of the language was unnecessary. I have purchased a couple of J.C. Fields books and it was the only one with language in it that I don’t like.
Liked the detail of some of the obvious current events and of the lives of FBI and police. Nice that they didn't solve it all at one time or come out smelling like roses at every turn. Belivable almost
A Charming and delightful tale of intrigue, murder, and justice. Easily read with many good twists and turns. Sean is tiring out, and this is Book number One?
Pretty good. The author sure does want the reader/listener to know exactly how many rings happen before a character picks up a phone call. Also, the writer loves letting you know that silence is a thing. Lots of twists in the story, and a whole lot more dead bodies pile up than I expected.
Loved this book. It was hard to put down. Every page was filled with intrigue. Great main characters and secondary. Haha terms also. Highly recommend it you love a page-turner!
Well developed story and characters! Kruger is like a dog with a bone, he will not give up until the job is done. Will do whatever it takes!!! Ready for the next adventure!