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Taken!/Tanner #1

The Contract: Kill Jessica White

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After Jessica's husband learns that a relentless hit man named Tanner was offered the contract to kill his wife, he goes in search of Tanner, which leads to a showdown between the two deadly men.

246 pages, Paperback

Published December 11, 2015

484 people are currently reading
132 people want to read

About the author

Remington Kane

252 books127 followers
Remington Kane is an American author that writes action-packed thrillers. The author might be unfamiliar to some people because Remington Kane is actually a pseudonym for Donald Wells.

Donald Wells has garnered a reputation for writing darker and somewhat serious novels about killers. The author was born in New Jersey. He never really left and has since made a home there. Like most of his peers, Donald Wells was an avid reader as a child.

He spent many an hour devouring every book he came across. And it wasn’t long before he began to yearn for the chance to write. Like many aspiring authors, Donald Wells knew he had the capacity to tell stories. However, he was a little hesitant to venture into such uncharted waters, not only because he didn’t know where to start with regards to writing a book but also because he didn’t have confidence in his own ability to produce compelling fiction.

Again, like most notable authors, Donald meandered about for a while. Rather than going into publishing the first chance he got, Donald tried his hand at various odd jobs. He worked as an insurance salesman, a Real Estate Sales person, and even a Retail manager.

The jobs, though seemingly meaningless in the grand scheme of things, did wonders for the author’s writing capabilities. Whether he was driving trucks or cleaning floors, Donald gained insight into the workings of the world.

He met unexpected people and heard their intriguing stories. He came across numerous strange encounters and even participated in some of them. He essentially dipped into so many unique aspects of life that it came as no surprise that he had more than enough stories rattling around his head when it finally came time to write his first novel.

Not that many authors can claim to have been offered a chance to act as bodyguard to a drug dealer. Since getting his first book sold, though, Donald has finally settled in his career. The author loves writing novels and there is nothing he else he would rather be doing. The fact that he has found a way to make money out of his passion makes him one of the luckier individuals in the world.

By the time Donald Wells began writing as Remington Kane, he had already become established as a novelist with numerous thrillers under his name. However, writing as Remington practically took over his life.

This is because Donald has achieved more success writing as Remington Kane than he did producing novels under his real name. Kane is best known for the Tanner series of novels. Tanner is a hit man who accepts a job to take out a mob boss.

When he is betrayed and thrown into prison, Tanner thinks of little else besides getting revenge. And once he finally gets his freedom, the hit man becomes a one man army, engaging in a brutal way against a crime organization known as the Conglomerate.

Each new book sees Tanner raising the stakes by finding a new target that will sting the Conglomerate in ways they couldn’t possibly fathom.

Remington Kane has been praised for the Tanner novels because Tanner is such a refreshing hero. The protagonist is so average physically, devoid of the exaggerated traits that most action heroes seem to bear. If not for his natural fighting and survival instincts, one would be hard pressed to tell Tanner apart from any other ordinary man on the street.

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5 stars
574 (62%)
4 stars
238 (25%)
3 stars
81 (8%)
2 stars
22 (2%)
1 star
10 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
2,670 reviews23 followers
December 15, 2020
A Good Time Was Had

Hey! Being introduced to Dr. Jessica White and Mr. White was quite refreshing. This is a couple that definitely gives the new meaning to Hart to Hart. The writer gives us a good solid mystery to sink our teeth into.This story finds Tanner meeting his cousin in a most peculiar situation. The story takes on sinister feel,we run into some old friends. This was good writing and the story flows . I just loved that Tanner comes up against his cousin and its somewhat of a draw. So so looking forward to the next episode.
Profile Image for Karen.
1,424 reviews2 followers
May 24, 2017
The Whites meet Tanner

After reading the Taken! and Tanner series, I couldn't wait to get into this book. It takes place timewise after Tanner is in Mexico, but could have occurred at anytime along the way. It is a great KU library read and I'm looking forward to getting into the next two spin-off series.
486 reviews2 followers
February 16, 2018
Serial

Not one for serial killer books, this one has three. Including a pair of brothers who put out a hit on a Dr Jessica White. She is very good at catching criminals especially serial killers. For some reason, the brothers want her dead. I guess it's more of a case of them getting her before she gets them. No shortage of drama.
4 reviews
February 15, 2018
Great series!

I’ve been working my way through all of Remington Kane’s books. So far my only disappointment has been that they come to an end. Inventive, well written and entertaining. I can’t recommend them enough!
27 reviews
October 4, 2018
Good read

Hoping for character development in the next installment. As the. Book herewith more questions than answers. The characters are compelling enough to make you wonder what's going to happen next.
Profile Image for Denise.
1,771 reviews24 followers
December 13, 2019
I did not expect this story. I was definitely surprised. Well written and well played out. Great characters, a lot of action (of course) and surprising scenarios. I loved the new relationships and possible future allies. A great addition to a fantastic series. A must read.
1 review
June 15, 2021
Great book 2nd time reading it.

Great book and this cast of characters that Remington Kane has created is great. This book and many others of his will be reread over the years just like my Louis L’Amour books.
Profile Image for ShanDizzy .
1,342 reviews
October 23, 2024
Cousin

There is some background revealed on Tanner’s family while he try’s to save a person from getting murdered. It’s a contract that he turned down because he felt like the person was not a “bad guy.”
Profile Image for Peggy Pancherz.
1,173 reviews6 followers
May 4, 2017
Good book

Storyline continues to grow and develop. Characters are realistic and get better and better. Read all of the books in order to really enjoy.
999 reviews23 followers
August 4, 2018
The contract

Good story of the different characters introduced by Kane in other times. A little convoluted in the way Tanner went about his activity but it ended well.
Profile Image for Kathryn Spurgeon.
Author 17 books259 followers
February 24, 2020
Exciting

Okay, this book kept my interest but I’m not a fan of violence so I had to skip a lot. Obviously, this is good writing for those interested.
1 review
June 8, 2020
Loved this book full of action from the start

Loved this full of action from the get go great story line I like the
Way the author kept the action going
543 reviews2 followers
December 23, 2020
Another very good Tanner story

A very interesting and entertaining story about a Tanner adventure were he meets two people that do similar work and he might be related to the man
4 reviews
March 14, 2022
Typical Kane

Fun, easy read that won’t disappoint - if you like his other books you’ll enjoy this one and there are four more in the Taken series.
489 reviews6 followers
September 1, 2016
The Contract: Kill Jessica White (a TAKEN/TANNER novel book 1)

Oblivious to the O'Grady's desire to see her dead, Jessica and her husband are giving help to authorities in solving what appears to be a serial killer because a number of young women have gone missing. Tanner is contacted by a middleman to offer him the contract to kill Jessica White. Trainer's price, $1,000,000.00. The contact relays that info back to the brothers and they turn it down and bring in a young merc, named Styles. Tanner finds out that Jessica is the target and decides to follow the middleman and help protect Jessica from the killer. The action will keep you glued to the pages. This is one you have to read. Thanks for another great read.
37 reviews
June 8, 2016
Looking for more Kane books to read

I have read the entire Tanner series and am several books into the Taken series when I paused to read this one that ties them together. Jessica White had been mentioned in the Tanner series but had remained a mystery. This book tied them together. Could not put this down and went through it quickly. Keep up the good work Mr. Kane!
92 reviews4 followers
May 9, 2016
Taken 1

This was a complex story with many important characters. There was much strategizing and impossible odds that were overcome by the protagonists. Tanner made a strong connection with others that would seem to bode well in the future. I highly recommend this book.
Profile Image for Al Brannon.
9 reviews
January 2, 2016
So so

This book was not as good as other Tanner novels I have read. It also seemed shorter than the others
10 reviews
January 20, 2016
Outstanding!

I have read all of the Tanner stores and this one I must say was great. I would like to see him with some family; it would make for interesting reading.
7 reviews
October 2, 2016
Great read!

Another great story from Remington Kane. Can't wait to move on to the next Tanner installment. Don't know how he does it.
832 reviews4 followers
September 26, 2024
Good read but

The story got a tad confusing with too many main characters. I prefer the KISS principle keep it simple stupid.
75 reviews
April 25, 2017
Now I'm positive

Now I'm positive that Taken novels 13 through 16 were NOT written by the same person who wrote this book. This one was actually good.
Profile Image for Elaine Mayes.
671 reviews10 followers
May 1, 2017
This was a great read. Think action-comic action or "meanwhile, back at the ranch" action. Mr. Kane keeps multiple plates spinning in the air with great aplomb. I didn't catch a single grammar error or wrong word choice. This is my first encounter with Tanner, but it won't be my last -- and ohhhh Jessica, you Wonder Woman, you -- I'll see you again. . . .
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews

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