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Jake Wolfe #1
Dead Lawyers Don't Lie
A mysterious killer who calls himself The Artist is assassinating wealthy lawyers. When photo-journalist Jake Wolfe accidentally takes his picture during a murder, The Artist adds Jake to his kill list and he becomes a target in a deadly game of cat and mouse that only one of them can survive.
How far would you go to protect your family and friends from a killer? Jake is a veteran who wants to leave his past life behind him. But the reluctant, flawed hero finds that he can't ignore his duty and his personal moral compass.
This gripping thriller is full of plot twists and surprises. It features a cast of interesting characters, including several strong-willed women, two wise-cracking homicide detectives, one highly intelligent dog, and a philosophical killer who shares Jake's admiration for Van Gogh paintings but still plans to kill him anyway.
As Jake gets closer to unraveling a merciless conspiracy, his life gets turned upside down and the danger level increases, adding to the growing suspense. This entertaining page-turner starts out as a murder mystery and then shifts gears into a high-speed action thriller that takes you on a roller-coaster ride to the riveting ending.
For those who enjoy mysteries, thrillers, suspense, action and adventure, vigilante justice, unique characters, witty dialogue and a little romance too.
How far would you go to protect your family and friends from a killer? Jake is a veteran who wants to leave his past life behind him. But the reluctant, flawed hero finds that he can't ignore his duty and his personal moral compass.
This gripping thriller is full of plot twists and surprises. It features a cast of interesting characters, including several strong-willed women, two wise-cracking homicide detectives, one highly intelligent dog, and a philosophical killer who shares Jake's admiration for Van Gogh paintings but still plans to kill him anyway.
As Jake gets closer to unraveling a merciless conspiracy, his life gets turned upside down and the danger level increases, adding to the growing suspense. This entertaining page-turner starts out as a murder mystery and then shifts gears into a high-speed action thriller that takes you on a roller-coaster ride to the riveting ending.
For those who enjoy mysteries, thrillers, suspense, action and adventure, vigilante justice, unique characters, witty dialogue and a little romance too.
572 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2016
3292 people are currently reading
960 people want to read
About the author
Mark Nolan
12 books541 followersSubscribe to Mark's reader newsletter by visiting marknolan.com.
Mark Nolan is the author of the Jake Wolfe thriller series.
Book 1: Dead Lawyers Don't Lie
Book 2: Vigilante Assassin
Book 3, Killer Lawyer
Book 4: San Diego Dead
Book 5: Deadly Weapon
Book 6: Key West Dead
Book 7: Mission Target
Book 8: Sea of Death
Book 9: Lethal Fortune
And: an FBI thriller titled, The Girl Who Escaped.
Mark enjoys replying to emails from readers. You can reach him and subscribe to reader updates at marknolan.com.
Mark Nolan is the author of the Jake Wolfe thriller series.
Book 1: Dead Lawyers Don't Lie
Book 2: Vigilante Assassin
Book 3, Killer Lawyer
Book 4: San Diego Dead
Book 5: Deadly Weapon
Book 6: Key West Dead
Book 7: Mission Target
Book 8: Sea of Death
Book 9: Lethal Fortune
And: an FBI thriller titled, The Girl Who Escaped.
Mark enjoys replying to emails from readers. You can reach him and subscribe to reader updates at marknolan.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 846 reviews
August 24, 2016
I really enjoyed reading Dead Lawyers Don't Lie. the story was in-depth, intense and very suspenseful. I found Jake to be a strong intense character that had a devoted heart and a sense of honor that is so common in military men. Beneath the rough and ready exterior was a man that wanted order, right, and fairness in his life. Cody was a lovely side character that just made the story flow even better. There was such a bond between Jake and Cody. It was touching to see.
The other characters were just as well crafted and personable as Jake and Cody. I liked Terrel and Alicia and found their relationship strong and healthy, with a lot of love and respect for each other. I enjoyed the working together of the different departments and found their interaction quite enjoyable and sometimes very tense.
The writing was really well done. I felt so many emotions reading this book. I look forward to another book on Jake and Cody. I hope that is the case anyway. I was provided a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book is well worth the five stars I rated it.
The other characters were just as well crafted and personable as Jake and Cody. I liked Terrel and Alicia and found their relationship strong and healthy, with a lot of love and respect for each other. I enjoyed the working together of the different departments and found their interaction quite enjoyable and sometimes very tense.
The writing was really well done. I felt so many emotions reading this book. I look forward to another book on Jake and Cody. I hope that is the case anyway. I was provided a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book is well worth the five stars I rated it.
June 21, 2016
Title: Dead Lawyers Don't Lie: A Gripping Thriller
Author: Mark Nolan
Publisher: M.N.
Series: Jake Wolfe Book One
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Dead Lawyers Don't Lie" by Mark Nolan
My Thoughts....
What a good read! This author really knows how to keep your attention even when it is a long intriguing read. I found the characters [Jake, Sarah, Terrell, Beth,Cody{the dog} & Zhukov] to name a few were all well developed, complexed, well portrayed and so well believed giving the reader a gripping well told story that will definitely keep your attention.
The amazing plot of this mystery suspenseful thriller was over the top with all of its twist and turns with such a 'captivating and unpredictable story' even giving the readers some humor and romance. Be ready for a wonderful read full of 'action, guns, jealousy, terrorism and one crazy psychotic person, mistaken identity, and it also had a friendship with trust and love' that really took this novel over the top leaving the reader shaking their heads and starting to breathe again [from holding your breathe from what is going on] and saying wow, wow, wow I didn't see that coming! You will be definitely be left saying what a read!
I want to thank the author for giving the readers one complete read even though it may have been a long engaging read...we get a complete ending only leaving one wanting more from some of these fantastic characters.
Thank you to the author for this complimentary read of 'Dead Lawyers Don't Lie.' I would definitely recommend this novel to anyone who would love to read a excellent mystery, suspenseful thriller read.
Author: Mark Nolan
Publisher: M.N.
Series: Jake Wolfe Book One
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Dead Lawyers Don't Lie" by Mark Nolan
My Thoughts....
What a good read! This author really knows how to keep your attention even when it is a long intriguing read. I found the characters [Jake, Sarah, Terrell, Beth,Cody{the dog} & Zhukov] to name a few were all well developed, complexed, well portrayed and so well believed giving the reader a gripping well told story that will definitely keep your attention.
The amazing plot of this mystery suspenseful thriller was over the top with all of its twist and turns with such a 'captivating and unpredictable story' even giving the readers some humor and romance. Be ready for a wonderful read full of 'action, guns, jealousy, terrorism and one crazy psychotic person, mistaken identity, and it also had a friendship with trust and love' that really took this novel over the top leaving the reader shaking their heads and starting to breathe again [from holding your breathe from what is going on] and saying wow, wow, wow I didn't see that coming! You will be definitely be left saying what a read!
I want to thank the author for giving the readers one complete read even though it may have been a long engaging read...we get a complete ending only leaving one wanting more from some of these fantastic characters.
Thank you to the author for this complimentary read of 'Dead Lawyers Don't Lie.' I would definitely recommend this novel to anyone who would love to read a excellent mystery, suspenseful thriller read.
August 21, 2016
Read my full review here:
https://rosepointpublishing.com/2016/...
Dead Lawyers Don't Lie: A Jake Wolfe NovelMark Nolan
Tired of books that end before you have a chance to get to know the characters, the motivation, the plot? Look no further than "Dead Lawyers Don't Lie," by Mark Nolan. Once I really got into this book, it became a reward for the day--Jake Wolfe is the really bad-assed good guy--ex-Marine. He's been there, seen it all. His attitude evolved with each new scar on his well honed body. He has the confidence to handle any situation and his sense of propriety leans towards the "Good Samaritan" side. His job as a photojournalist has given him access to a fine network of people, though his closest friends are those who served with him. He shares a relationship with Terrell that only men together under fire can understand and appreciate. But here's the thing: The book you think you are getting at the beginning changes. There are twists, yes, but even more than that, these characters mature. His coincidental assignment locations have almost given him "first responder" position to two unusual homicides--lawyers murdered in creative ways by an assassin known as "the Artist." Jake's forensic eye offers intimate intel to his buddy, Terrell, a SFPD lieutenant and his partner, Beth Cushman. Then enters Cody, an ex-military trained dog. Jake had experience with his own as a dog handler and takes on the custody of Cody when his now civilian handler succumbs to PTSD. I loved Cody. No way could I handle a dog like that but I am well aware how brilliantly intuitive they are. They really don't have to speak the language, but they certainly understand it. And I've gotten the same, "ha, ha, ha" from my dog that Cody issues from time to time. Still, when it comes down to business, Cody can be one very seriously aggressive and successful force. As you get to know the antagonist, Ivan, you can almost gather some empathy towards him--I said almost--at least understand better where he's coming from. I was offered this book as a free download for a review. I thought it was going to be a long one; it wasn't. I'm ready for the second.
https://rosepointpublishing.com/2016/...
Dead Lawyers Don't Lie: A Jake Wolfe NovelMark Nolan
Tired of books that end before you have a chance to get to know the characters, the motivation, the plot? Look no further than "Dead Lawyers Don't Lie," by Mark Nolan. Once I really got into this book, it became a reward for the day--Jake Wolfe is the really bad-assed good guy--ex-Marine. He's been there, seen it all. His attitude evolved with each new scar on his well honed body. He has the confidence to handle any situation and his sense of propriety leans towards the "Good Samaritan" side. His job as a photojournalist has given him access to a fine network of people, though his closest friends are those who served with him. He shares a relationship with Terrell that only men together under fire can understand and appreciate. But here's the thing: The book you think you are getting at the beginning changes. There are twists, yes, but even more than that, these characters mature. His coincidental assignment locations have almost given him "first responder" position to two unusual homicides--lawyers murdered in creative ways by an assassin known as "the Artist." Jake's forensic eye offers intimate intel to his buddy, Terrell, a SFPD lieutenant and his partner, Beth Cushman. Then enters Cody, an ex-military trained dog. Jake had experience with his own as a dog handler and takes on the custody of Cody when his now civilian handler succumbs to PTSD. I loved Cody. No way could I handle a dog like that but I am well aware how brilliantly intuitive they are. They really don't have to speak the language, but they certainly understand it. And I've gotten the same, "ha, ha, ha" from my dog that Cody issues from time to time. Still, when it comes down to business, Cody can be one very seriously aggressive and successful force. As you get to know the antagonist, Ivan, you can almost gather some empathy towards him--I said almost--at least understand better where he's coming from. I was offered this book as a free download for a review. I thought it was going to be a long one; it wasn't. I'm ready for the second.
May 17, 2017
At 630 pages, this isn't just a book, it's a commitment! Usually when I read a book this long it is nonfiction.
Jake Wolfe has been a Marine, a special black ops assassin, CIA killer, and now is a photojournalist. He just happens to be at the wrong place at the wrong time and accidentally photographs an assassin-for-hire who calls himself The Artist. The Russian's current job is to kill 3 lawyers for a global group of filthy rich corporate creeps and the murder Jake saw was the first. Each of the lawyers have either ruined innocent people by getting SOB's off or else prosecuted someone who was innocent. But there is a sinister reason for the deaths and no one in the shadowy global group cares about the victims of the lawyers. When Jake shows up with the media at the second crime scene, some in the police see him as s victim while the killer and those who hired him decide Jake must die.
There is a lot here- Jake's friendships in the police and FBI, a vindictive fiancee who goes postal when he breaks off their engagement, weird food, a war dog Cody that Jake must save, a sexy but sweet veterinarian who is packing heat and knows martial arts, a kind priest, a bitch cop who is losing her mind and wants to kill Jake, some unusual street fighting, and a good amount of humorous banter. When the killer sets Jake up for a fall by impersonating him at the scene of the third shooting, suddenly everyone from the San Francisco police, the FBI, and the US Secret Service is gunning for Jake.
Jake Wolfe has been a Marine, a special black ops assassin, CIA killer, and now is a photojournalist. He just happens to be at the wrong place at the wrong time and accidentally photographs an assassin-for-hire who calls himself The Artist. The Russian's current job is to kill 3 lawyers for a global group of filthy rich corporate creeps and the murder Jake saw was the first. Each of the lawyers have either ruined innocent people by getting SOB's off or else prosecuted someone who was innocent. But there is a sinister reason for the deaths and no one in the shadowy global group cares about the victims of the lawyers. When Jake shows up with the media at the second crime scene, some in the police see him as s victim while the killer and those who hired him decide Jake must die.
There is a lot here- Jake's friendships in the police and FBI, a vindictive fiancee who goes postal when he breaks off their engagement, weird food, a war dog Cody that Jake must save, a sexy but sweet veterinarian who is packing heat and knows martial arts, a kind priest, a bitch cop who is losing her mind and wants to kill Jake, some unusual street fighting, and a good amount of humorous banter. When the killer sets Jake up for a fall by impersonating him at the scene of the third shooting, suddenly everyone from the San Francisco police, the FBI, and the US Secret Service is gunning for Jake.
October 27, 2017
This had the potential to be a very good novel, a bit on the Hollywood action/thriller movie side, with a good plot and a great cast of masculine figures. Especially the hero, Jack, a photojournalist, former marine and dog handler, and the villain, a bipolar Russian hit man that just was an awesome powerful and conflicted character.
By the way, I rooted for him during the whole story ;)
The sidekicks were fine too, the lawyers (the good ones and the bad ones), the cop friend, and so on. In fact all the masculine characters were great.
But then, the awful feminine figures, the long boring conversations and technical details as well as the general incompetence and unprofessionalism of the police, FBI and secret services ruined the book for me.
The worst of them were the women. Almost all of them where pretty lousy characters, with big flaws.
Don't get me wrong. I don't want to see only good and nice women in any book, (that would be pretty unrealistic of me, right?) but the majority of them presenting the same type of defects over and over left me wondering about the author's personal prejudices.
In short, almost all of the women in a position of power presented the same characterizations : extremely prejudiced, unethical, sexually abusive, violent, negligent, and partial. Three of them could have been the same character. The one that wasn't a clone brought coffee to her colleagues. Whatever.
Even the "good girls" were either shallow or TSTL.
Example : you're a veterinarian.
What can I say except… ARRRGH !
Yes I know, I'm skilled with words like that.
In a nutshell, this wasn't for me, even if I like dogs. So two stars for the action scenes, Cody and the Russian hitman.
By the way, I rooted for him during the whole story ;)
The sidekicks were fine too, the lawyers (the good ones and the bad ones), the cop friend, and so on. In fact all the masculine characters were great.
But then, the awful feminine figures, the long boring conversations and technical details as well as the general incompetence and unprofessionalism of the police, FBI and secret services ruined the book for me.
The worst of them were the women. Almost all of them where pretty lousy characters, with big flaws.
Don't get me wrong. I don't want to see only good and nice women in any book, (that would be pretty unrealistic of me, right?) but the majority of them presenting the same type of defects over and over left me wondering about the author's personal prejudices.
In short, almost all of the women in a position of power presented the same characterizations : extremely prejudiced, unethical, sexually abusive, violent, negligent, and partial. Three of them could have been the same character. The one that wasn't a clone brought coffee to her colleagues. Whatever.
Even the "good girls" were either shallow or TSTL.
Example : you're a veterinarian.
What can I say except… ARRRGH !
Yes I know, I'm skilled with words like that.
In a nutshell, this wasn't for me, even if I like dogs. So two stars for the action scenes, Cody and the Russian hitman.
October 18, 2016
Author underestimates reader's intelligence, constantly over explaining everything.
Great characters put into a more and more unrealistic plot. Character conversations are well done and fun. Author over explains as if trying to show off his research.
Great characters put into a more and more unrealistic plot. Character conversations are well done and fun. Author over explains as if trying to show off his research.
April 25, 2019
While this book sometimes gave added information that may have broke the quick beat of the story, Jake Wolfe is a great character who becomes hunted by a gun-for-hire, Zhukov. While police investigate the murder of lawyers, Jake attempts to stay out of the line of fire while drawing Zhukov in for capture.
Great Read. Fun and Wildly Entertaining.
Reviewed in: http://www.djadamson.com/le-coeur-de-...
January 20, 2016
"A Very Magnetic Thriller"
In this amazingly written thriller, it's a fact, "Dead Lawyers Can't Lie." Too many lawyers today are in the sport of money making by defending the guilty ... especially those clients who are rich, famous, and probably politicians, too. In this action-packed story, Jake Wolfe is a photo journalist who accidentally photographs the serial killer known as "The Artist." The killer has a long list of those he seeks who demeans the goal of our legal system, "Justice For All." Now Jake's name has been added to the kill list. Jake works with San Francisco Police Department Inspector Terrell Hayes who had fought side by side with Jake overseas in the Marines. Jake has had war experiences he never shared with others. Is it because he was once a sniper? This exciting novel is easy to read and the author knows how to frequently inject humor and a bit of romance. It's a rather lengthy novel but I can attest that there is not one boring chapter in this fast page turner. This author knows how to keep the reader intrigued. I'm looking forward to the next book of this hopeful series. Highly, highly recommend.
In this amazingly written thriller, it's a fact, "Dead Lawyers Can't Lie." Too many lawyers today are in the sport of money making by defending the guilty ... especially those clients who are rich, famous, and probably politicians, too. In this action-packed story, Jake Wolfe is a photo journalist who accidentally photographs the serial killer known as "The Artist." The killer has a long list of those he seeks who demeans the goal of our legal system, "Justice For All." Now Jake's name has been added to the kill list. Jake works with San Francisco Police Department Inspector Terrell Hayes who had fought side by side with Jake overseas in the Marines. Jake has had war experiences he never shared with others. Is it because he was once a sniper? This exciting novel is easy to read and the author knows how to frequently inject humor and a bit of romance. It's a rather lengthy novel but I can attest that there is not one boring chapter in this fast page turner. This author knows how to keep the reader intrigued. I'm looking forward to the next book of this hopeful series. Highly, highly recommend.
January 20, 2016
I had not read anything from this author so was not sure what to expect. I was so pleasantly pleased to find a new favorite author. Mr. Nolan was able to quickly draw me into his story, and never let me leave until the end. I found myself feeling like I was right there watching the action throughout the book. I do have trouble labeling where this book should be classified - it fits so very many. There is nothing but action, thriller, suspense, romance, and comedy. I also appreciated how much respect the author put into his characters. They might have a multitude of faults, and you really don't want to like them, but you have to respect them and what their past is. I think that helped me appreciate the author's hard work and skilled writing even more. Just about every time I started to put the kindle down to sleep or do chores, something would happen on the next page and I'd be drawn back into the action. I also enjoyed that I could not ever outguess the author - he kept feeding me more information that changed what I kept expecting to happen. I was never once bored with the story, tired of the characters, or felt I knew where the story was going. The violence was not over the top, the romance was not overpowering the story or characters, the number of characters were enough to keep it interesting with being too many to keep track of. I found myself appreciating all the little scenes written to make the overall story that much better. The author was able to flesh out so many chapters, I could actually see the story unfolding in my mind as I read. So often authors tell the story in chunks and leave out the little mundane details - not Mr. Nolan. He took the time and has the talent to build this into something special. I cannot wait to see if there are future Jake Wolfe novels and adventures. This book is very much worth the time spent reading.
March 25, 2017
This book was a struggle to finish. If you are a Clancy fan, do not read this clap trap. Clancy did his research, Nolan clearly does not. I agree with one reviewer, that he over explains everything. That being said, there are waaaay too many details in this story where it is obvious that he has no clue as to what he is writing about. I am a former Army nurse, married to a cop, and I just cringed over the implausible details of this story line. Breast cancer picked up on an OB ultrasound?!? For the love, that would never happen. That entire subplot would NEVER happen that way. Nurses who just randomly order MRIs on rooftops, again, that would never happen.
In addition to the holes in the story line, I found this book to be formulaic tactical lit. Not worth the precious spare time I have.
In addition to the holes in the story line, I found this book to be formulaic tactical lit. Not worth the precious spare time I have.
January 8, 2016
This book is at least twice as long as most books I read. I wish I could give it twice as many stars. WOW! Someone make this into a movie. The author asked if I would like to read his book. I am so glad he did. A fantastic action adventure. I look forward to the further adventures of Jake and Cody. This story made me laugh, cry, my heart pound and if I were a nail biter I would have been chewing on them. Do yourself a favor and read this exciting book. I have already told my husband that he will thoroughly enjoy it also.
February 9, 2017
OK, so I'm a sucker for dogs!
This one is a blast! All the good guys are ex military (including the dog), and everybody is nuts (including the dog). The nice thing about this book is it deals with some of the challenges of being a combat veteran and doesn't whitewash. The rest, well it's as entertaining and as realistic as your average modern action movie. As in entertaining, but not realistic. Still, it's great fun! And so is the dog!!
This one is a blast! All the good guys are ex military (including the dog), and everybody is nuts (including the dog). The nice thing about this book is it deals with some of the challenges of being a combat veteran and doesn't whitewash. The rest, well it's as entertaining and as realistic as your average modern action movie. As in entertaining, but not realistic. Still, it's great fun! And so is the dog!!
May 22, 2017
This is one of the worst books I've ever read. In hindsight, I can't believe that I actually forced myself to finish it. The plot is ridiculous. The characters are unrealistic. The writing is clique and disjointed. The incompetence credited to all law enforcement agencies; FBI, Secret
Service, San Francisco PD, is insulting. At 300 pages it would have been just a bad book, but at 600 pages the author should be charged with reader abuse.
Service, San Francisco PD, is insulting. At 300 pages it would have been just a bad book, but at 600 pages the author should be charged with reader abuse.
June 30, 2016
Wow, this book really impressed me. It’s full of memorable and diverse characters. I really enjoyed the background the Author has put into each one of them, and for me this is one of the highlights of this wonderful book. Richard Caxton makes his money from being a rich man’s lawyer. He helps the ridiculously rich men and women get out of their guilty transgressions. Lying has made him a very rich man, and he was top of the world until he was shot dead. Photojournalist Jake Wolfe just happened to be following Richard around spying on him. Jake was in the process of doing an Investigative piece on him for a newspaper assignment, when he witnessed the shooting. He was lucky enough, or possibly unlucky enough to catch the Assassin on camera. Now he has the unwanted attention of the Russian Assassin, Ivan “Artist” Zhukov. Ivan isn’t someone you really want hunting you down. He enjoys killing, and Richard is only the first lawyer on his list of three to kill. Ivan isn’t going to find Jake quite the pushover as most people would be. Jake is ex- military, and has the front line combat experience, from being a Marine in the Infantry. One of his best friends is Terry “Grinds” Hayes is a Homicide Inspector for the SFPD, and he is pretty keen to hunt down and catch Ivan. Especially before he hurts or kills Jake. Luckily Jake also has his dog Cody to protect him. Terry and Jake have that special bond from being in combat together in the Marines. Then there’s Chairman Banks, who along with his rich cohorts is the man in charge of ordering the Lawyers and Jake be killed. The Chairman isn’t someone you really want to work for. He values his secrecy so much, that people that have completed jobs for him, end up dead. Ivan thinks it’s just luck that Jake has managed to elude him, but he just doesn’t realise how skilled he is. It’s not often I find myself reading a book and cheering the Assassin on, but when I read what each one of the Lawyers did to the defendants in this story, I found myself looking forward to Ivan taking them out. That really showed me what a great writer Mark Nolan is, in having that ability to pull me into the story, and I became so emotionally involved in it. Simply brilliant. There aren’t enough words to describe how much I enjoyed this book. It’s well worth a read.
September 25, 2016
Truly an outstanding novel in every respect. The plot is imaginative and full of suspense. The characters are very realistic, and the interplay between the characters is extremely entertaining. The writing itself is crisp, but includes a number of mini-sermons on various aspects of military and civilian culture, and more than you want to know about exotic foods. Important scenes are described in loving detail, often in a way that sets up the suspense. Jake Wolfe is almost bigger than life, but comes across as a real human with faults and talents that color his life. The most heroic character in this story is a dog named Cody, retired from wartime service in the Marines. Some elements of the story push close to the edge of credulity. However the action remains realistic. The story is deeply engrossing, but I didn't want the book to end. It offered so much more than entertainment.
November 6, 2016
Ex Marine Jake Wolfe and his military dog Cody become targets of a Russian hit-man killing San Francisco lawyers in various artful ways. What the "attorney assassin" doesn't know is Jake and Cody are not what they seem and quickly prove to be dangerous adversaries in this sharp mystery/thriller. Likable characters with great back stories, witty dialogue and an unforgettably lethal bad guy with mysterious employers power the action in this very entertaining debut crime fiction. It's also a very good Kindle value at $.99!
August 22, 2016
This has to be one of the absolute corneiest books I have ever read! It is written on a 5th grade level, chocked full of cliches with names of French wines, weapons and ammunition tossed in to impress.
The story is totally out there, most of it has retroactive explanations stuck in to attempt to make it believable.
The only thing I can say is that I was able to finish it because it kept you wondering what supernatural thing would be pulled out next.
The story is totally out there, most of it has retroactive explanations stuck in to attempt to make it believable.
The only thing I can say is that I was able to finish it because it kept you wondering what supernatural thing would be pulled out next.
July 14, 2022
Though this is a long book, it is a great book. It is almost like there are two different books melded into one. It starts off as a mystery/thriller and ends up as an action/thriller.
The characters are well developed and their relationships are fleshed out.
I have the following four of the series on my Kindle and will be reading them soon.
The characters are well developed and their relationships are fleshed out.
I have the following four of the series on my Kindle and will be reading them soon.
March 23, 2017
This book is a good, exciting story, but the writing leaves a lot to be desired. The author at the end thanks his "many proofreaders and editors," but the book doesn't read as if it ever came close to an editor. The story rambles on and on, long tedious descriptions of scenes and conversations. A good editor could have done wonders with this book.
I give it a rating of 5 for the story, and 1 for the writing.
I give it a rating of 5 for the story, and 1 for the writing.
August 12, 2018
**Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion, a review was not a requirement.**
The Jake Wolfe series by Mark Nolan is this author’s first published work releasing in 2016. The series, named after the main character, Jake Wolfe, is a thriller, suspenseful, action series. The story is told mostly from Jake’s POV but there are lots of other POV’s to keep the reader involved in the many different storylines happening. I would highly recommend reading these books in the appropriate order as they follow the same characters and recurring storylines happen.
The first book, Dead Lawyers Don’t Lie, introduces us to Jake and his life, and it’s not a simple life. At first, this story starts off with just a man doing his job but we learn Jake is a lot more than a photographer on assignment. When the subject he’s following is killed, Jake has the skill and experience to save himself and get a picture of the man who killed the lawyer. Jake is then on the assassin's radar and what starts as an intriguing, engaging, murder mystery travels far off that path to an action-packed story you’d expect to see in the movie theatre.
I really liked Jake, he was a nice guy. He had a horrible fiancée, and even when he could have been a jerk, he wasn’t. Jake was a man of many skills and successful at everything he did. He treated women with respect, and was always trying to be the hero rescuing them. He was mostly a good friend, though his best friend may have disagreed. He loved animals and was compassionate and rescued a military dog after a friend’s death. Jake takes responsibility for everything and everyone. He’s smart and does a great job at hunting down clues and unraveling a mystery. And he is sarcastic and witty, which I absolutely loved.
There were times that I rolled my eyes at something that happened and I needed to remind myself that this is fiction. The number of explosions, gunfights, car chases isn’t going to happen in real life without a lot of problems. And, in this book, it was just another day, no big deal. These were the items that made it seem more like it an action movie. And, because I loved the mystery angle, I felt that this wasted time from that storyline. And, this is a long book, 602 pages. It’s a commitment! I was 51% in and was exhausted and ready to be done despite loving the story. A lot happened in the first half of the book and I just thought I can’t take another 300 pages of this. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the writing and the story, but I could have done without some of the over the top, unbelievable action sequences cut out. It just felt like the author was adding every conceivable storyline, plot, car chase, bombs, and gunfight to the story just to have it.
The dialogue between the characters was engaging, amusing and really brought the characters to life! This book is a lot of dialogue, which in my opinion, is what made it so interesting. I loved the author’s writing style, he really brought this book to life. The storyline regarding the murders the assassin has been hired to commit was interesting and intriguing. The author gave us just enough of a glimpse of the targets to make readers (or me at least) not sad to see them get what’s coming to them.
Rating: 4 stars
The Jake Wolfe series by Mark Nolan is this author’s first published work releasing in 2016. The series, named after the main character, Jake Wolfe, is a thriller, suspenseful, action series. The story is told mostly from Jake’s POV but there are lots of other POV’s to keep the reader involved in the many different storylines happening. I would highly recommend reading these books in the appropriate order as they follow the same characters and recurring storylines happen.
The first book, Dead Lawyers Don’t Lie, introduces us to Jake and his life, and it’s not a simple life. At first, this story starts off with just a man doing his job but we learn Jake is a lot more than a photographer on assignment. When the subject he’s following is killed, Jake has the skill and experience to save himself and get a picture of the man who killed the lawyer. Jake is then on the assassin's radar and what starts as an intriguing, engaging, murder mystery travels far off that path to an action-packed story you’d expect to see in the movie theatre.
I really liked Jake, he was a nice guy. He had a horrible fiancée, and even when he could have been a jerk, he wasn’t. Jake was a man of many skills and successful at everything he did. He treated women with respect, and was always trying to be the hero rescuing them. He was mostly a good friend, though his best friend may have disagreed. He loved animals and was compassionate and rescued a military dog after a friend’s death. Jake takes responsibility for everything and everyone. He’s smart and does a great job at hunting down clues and unraveling a mystery. And he is sarcastic and witty, which I absolutely loved.
There were times that I rolled my eyes at something that happened and I needed to remind myself that this is fiction. The number of explosions, gunfights, car chases isn’t going to happen in real life without a lot of problems. And, in this book, it was just another day, no big deal. These were the items that made it seem more like it an action movie. And, because I loved the mystery angle, I felt that this wasted time from that storyline. And, this is a long book, 602 pages. It’s a commitment! I was 51% in and was exhausted and ready to be done despite loving the story. A lot happened in the first half of the book and I just thought I can’t take another 300 pages of this. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the writing and the story, but I could have done without some of the over the top, unbelievable action sequences cut out. It just felt like the author was adding every conceivable storyline, plot, car chase, bombs, and gunfight to the story just to have it.
The dialogue between the characters was engaging, amusing and really brought the characters to life! This book is a lot of dialogue, which in my opinion, is what made it so interesting. I loved the author’s writing style, he really brought this book to life. The storyline regarding the murders the assassin has been hired to commit was interesting and intriguing. The author gave us just enough of a glimpse of the targets to make readers (or me at least) not sad to see them get what’s coming to them.
Rating: 4 stars
January 21, 2017
WOW! This book had everything I would expect to find in a suspenseful thriller. This has been the longest book that I have read in quite some time, but it was worth every moment. It was fast paced, action packed and a page-turner. It kept me glued to the pages, as I was eager to discover how it would unfold.
This is the author’s first novel and I was impressed. The plot was intricately woven, and it kept me captive from the first page. The story did not let up on the action and suspense until the end. Not only did it have me glued to the pages, it also kept me on the edge of my seat at every page turn.
Jake Wolfe the leading character of this intense novel was an interesting and complex character. There were many layers to him, and when peeled away, revealed new and intriguing things about him. He is a former Marine and is currently working as a photojournalist. While on an assignment, which involved trailing a dirty lawyer to gather newsworthy Intel, he unwittingly found himself in the crosshairs of a deadly assassin. What the assassin did not know was that Jake would not have been an easy target. What followed, as a result, was an intriguing and thrilling game of cat and mouse.
The assassin intrigued me. What made him extremely dangerous was his manic state. He was nicknamed The Artist as he executed all his kills with an artistic flair. Getting into the mind of this assassin was both a scary and intriguing experience. No one was safe from him, not even the people who hired him.
The secondary characters played an important role in helping to make the story exciting. Their portrayal allowed me to establish a connection with them. My favourite was Cody, a military dog that Jake had adopted after his original owner had died. Cody was highly intelligent, courageous and loyal.
Another aspect of the story that I enjoyed was the banter between Jake and his best friend Terrell. It was funny and engaging. I loved the bond that existed between them. Theirs was a friendship that stood the test of time. I loved that they had each other’s back no matter the situation.
The pacing was good. For me, a good thriller/mystery is on that keeps the reader guessing as to what the outcome would be. Dead Lawyers Don’t Lie did not disappoint. Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen next, the author goes and shakes things up.
Although, I enjoyed the story I had issues with a few things. I thought that some of the information provided was unnecessary, as it added no value to the story. There were instances where I thought the author went a bit overboard with the details provided. In addition, there were instances of repetition.
Verdict
This was a thrilling read and one that I would recommend to fans of the thriller/mystery genre.
This is the author’s first novel and I was impressed. The plot was intricately woven, and it kept me captive from the first page. The story did not let up on the action and suspense until the end. Not only did it have me glued to the pages, it also kept me on the edge of my seat at every page turn.
Jake Wolfe the leading character of this intense novel was an interesting and complex character. There were many layers to him, and when peeled away, revealed new and intriguing things about him. He is a former Marine and is currently working as a photojournalist. While on an assignment, which involved trailing a dirty lawyer to gather newsworthy Intel, he unwittingly found himself in the crosshairs of a deadly assassin. What the assassin did not know was that Jake would not have been an easy target. What followed, as a result, was an intriguing and thrilling game of cat and mouse.
The assassin intrigued me. What made him extremely dangerous was his manic state. He was nicknamed The Artist as he executed all his kills with an artistic flair. Getting into the mind of this assassin was both a scary and intriguing experience. No one was safe from him, not even the people who hired him.
The secondary characters played an important role in helping to make the story exciting. Their portrayal allowed me to establish a connection with them. My favourite was Cody, a military dog that Jake had adopted after his original owner had died. Cody was highly intelligent, courageous and loyal.
Another aspect of the story that I enjoyed was the banter between Jake and his best friend Terrell. It was funny and engaging. I loved the bond that existed between them. Theirs was a friendship that stood the test of time. I loved that they had each other’s back no matter the situation.
The pacing was good. For me, a good thriller/mystery is on that keeps the reader guessing as to what the outcome would be. Dead Lawyers Don’t Lie did not disappoint. Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen next, the author goes and shakes things up.
Although, I enjoyed the story I had issues with a few things. I thought that some of the information provided was unnecessary, as it added no value to the story. There were instances where I thought the author went a bit overboard with the details provided. In addition, there were instances of repetition.
Verdict
This was a thrilling read and one that I would recommend to fans of the thriller/mystery genre.
January 23, 2017
I hadn't heard of this author before and was delighted to be introduced to their writing, especially after having read this blurb to this thriller/suspense read. I love books that involve a 'you saw too much and now' feel. They are one of the ones that keep you on your toes and really connect you with the runner.
I liked the premise of this book, but some of the suspense and excitement got lost and muddled in the words, as some of the scenes were overly wordy. I could easily see they were trying to paint a picture for us, so we could really be there, rather than just connecting as readers. However, slicing out just a few of the descriptions or at least dwindling them would really bring back that exciting element, in full swing.
Don't get me wrong, this book, other than that issue, is written well, has a great story and is still rather exciting. If the small spchange was made, it would be an excellent read. So, don't let it put you off. Still read this book, as it is really quite a good read.
I particularly liked the characters. The author created them so that we were always questioning anyone we met, really wondering who they were. Then, as we got to know them, it was rally easy to create a diving line of love and hate, but just like any great thriller, you could not trust even those you thought you knew well.
The pace and urgency in certain scenes really struck the mark, creating the atmosphere and feel of someone who was really scared and trying to get out of the worst situation possible, before they got the same treatment.
**I received this book for free and voluntarily provided my honest and unbiased review.
I liked the premise of this book, but some of the suspense and excitement got lost and muddled in the words, as some of the scenes were overly wordy. I could easily see they were trying to paint a picture for us, so we could really be there, rather than just connecting as readers. However, slicing out just a few of the descriptions or at least dwindling them would really bring back that exciting element, in full swing.
Don't get me wrong, this book, other than that issue, is written well, has a great story and is still rather exciting. If the small spchange was made, it would be an excellent read. So, don't let it put you off. Still read this book, as it is really quite a good read.
I particularly liked the characters. The author created them so that we were always questioning anyone we met, really wondering who they were. Then, as we got to know them, it was rally easy to create a diving line of love and hate, but just like any great thriller, you could not trust even those you thought you knew well.
The pace and urgency in certain scenes really struck the mark, creating the atmosphere and feel of someone who was really scared and trying to get out of the worst situation possible, before they got the same treatment.
**I received this book for free and voluntarily provided my honest and unbiased review.
January 3, 2017
Jake Wolfe is a photojournalist trailing a criminal lawyer in the hope of getting a story, but he gets more than he bargains for when he witnesses a murder and becomes a target of assassin Ivan Zhukov. Also known as The Artist for his creative and artistic kills, Ivan has been contracted by a mysterious international organization to kill several lawyers. But what is their real agenda? Will Jake be able to stop him in time?
While the story is good, the book is overly long and needs a severe edit. Problems include: too many physical descriptions of characters; irrelevant scenes, information, and conversations; constant over-explaining; unnecessary translations of basic phrases; numerous editing errors, including punctuation and poorly phrased sentences; back story told as dialogue; reports that read as narratives; unbelievable dialogue; multiple viewpoints, even those of the dogs, sometimes from paragraph to paragraph; too many coincidences, e.g., everybody seems to know everybody and they keep bumping into each other even though the action takes place in San Francisco; questionable character behaviors, e.g., Jake gets out of a long-term relationship and immediately sleeps with one woman and lusts over at least two more, and Ivan is always talking to himself and (conveniently) letting us know what's happening.
That being said, the story maintained my interest to the end. A nice touch is the way that music features throughout, with particular songs setting the tone for different scenes. Despite its flaws, this is still a good read for those looking for non-stop action, interesting characters, a touch of humor, and a bit of romance.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Full blog post (4 January): https://booksdirectonline.blogspot.co...
While the story is good, the book is overly long and needs a severe edit. Problems include: too many physical descriptions of characters; irrelevant scenes, information, and conversations; constant over-explaining; unnecessary translations of basic phrases; numerous editing errors, including punctuation and poorly phrased sentences; back story told as dialogue; reports that read as narratives; unbelievable dialogue; multiple viewpoints, even those of the dogs, sometimes from paragraph to paragraph; too many coincidences, e.g., everybody seems to know everybody and they keep bumping into each other even though the action takes place in San Francisco; questionable character behaviors, e.g., Jake gets out of a long-term relationship and immediately sleeps with one woman and lusts over at least two more, and Ivan is always talking to himself and (conveniently) letting us know what's happening.
That being said, the story maintained my interest to the end. A nice touch is the way that music features throughout, with particular songs setting the tone for different scenes. Despite its flaws, this is still a good read for those looking for non-stop action, interesting characters, a touch of humor, and a bit of romance.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Full blog post (4 January): https://booksdirectonline.blogspot.co...
July 14, 2016
Jake Wolfe, former Marine ( and probably a lot more than that), is living and working in San Francisco as a photo-journalist.
One day as he is at the golf course scoping out an attorney for a story, Jake watches as the man is shot and killed right there on the course. Looking up through his telephoto lens, he snaps a perfect picture of the killer and the killer gets a perfect view of Jake.
Jake's marine buddy, best friend and SFPD investigator, Terrell shows up at the scene, Jake gives him all he has and then goes out on his own to try and find this guy who he is pretty sure plans on making sure Jake doesn't live long.
As the point of view shifts between the characters in the story, we learn that the killer goes by the name of The Artist and is working for a Chairman Banks who is working with a lot of influential and wealthy people who are equally corrupt.
Jake is charming, smart and has a lot of secrets. And so do the other characters. It was hard not to feel for them even though they were being not very good versions of themselves. Terrell and Jake work great as a duo. Throw in a dog, a beautiful Vet and a crazy ex-girlfriend and someone killing lawyers? I'm in!
Looking forward to much more of Jake Wolfe!
About the Author:
Mark Nolan began his writing career as a successful entrepreneur who created news stories for businesses that were featured in The Wall Street Journal, National Geographic, Parade, Readers Digest and Associated Press. Nolan was born in San Francisco, grew up in the Bay Area of California, and has also lived in the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii.
You can check out his website at marknolan.com
February 3, 2017
I definitely had a love, hate relationship with this book. When I began to read the book I wasn't very impressed at all. I couldn't really figure out who was who and what the story was really about. So I decided that I needed to continue on in order to give a fair review. I'm so glad I did. The author has written a very intricate mystery that kept me guessing throughout the book. The action is explosive and at times very intense.
Jake is a former Marine who has a keen sense of awareness of his surroundings. I thought his character was good and had lots of depth. He is smart, decisive, alert and had great instincts. He has a new job as a photojournalist. While following someone he inadvertently stumbles upon an assassin at large. The assassin does not like lawyers . Jake seems to get one step ahead and then takes two steps back in this lively story. Who is the assassin? Why are lawyers being targeted?
I thought the assassin was a brilliant character because he was so unpredictable. He reminds me of a ticking time bomb. You never know when it will go off but you know when it does , chaos follows. I liked the multidimensional, quirky and very unnerving characteristics he had. What I really like was how the assassin even controlled the people who hired him. With cutting words he was in control and calculated his every move. He does some very ingenious things to divert the attention away from him and on to Jake. Will Jake be able to prove who the assassin is? I recommend this book to mystery lovers who like intrigue and characters that jump off the pages with intensity.
I received a copy of this book from Beck Valley Book Tour. The review is my own opinion.
Jake is a former Marine who has a keen sense of awareness of his surroundings. I thought his character was good and had lots of depth. He is smart, decisive, alert and had great instincts. He has a new job as a photojournalist. While following someone he inadvertently stumbles upon an assassin at large. The assassin does not like lawyers . Jake seems to get one step ahead and then takes two steps back in this lively story. Who is the assassin? Why are lawyers being targeted?
I thought the assassin was a brilliant character because he was so unpredictable. He reminds me of a ticking time bomb. You never know when it will go off but you know when it does , chaos follows. I liked the multidimensional, quirky and very unnerving characteristics he had. What I really like was how the assassin even controlled the people who hired him. With cutting words he was in control and calculated his every move. He does some very ingenious things to divert the attention away from him and on to Jake. Will Jake be able to prove who the assassin is? I recommend this book to mystery lovers who like intrigue and characters that jump off the pages with intensity.
I received a copy of this book from Beck Valley Book Tour. The review is my own opinion.
November 12, 2016
I love a good thriller and this book did not disappoint in that regard. This is a lengthy novel, with lots of action and well developed and complex characters. Jake is a shining star in this book, but it is Cody, the military dog, who really steals your heart. The author has a clear understanding of the relationships between a dog and the people he trusts and loves and even more so of the relationships between others - good or bad. The dynamic between the characters is excellent, and through dialogue and action - brought to life on the pages without relying on heavy narration (something I hate).
There are a lot of twists in the plot, but the cat and mouse between the assassin and Jake is riveting. My only real critique is that the book was a little too busy - too many subplots made the book lengthy and because of this, the actual plot veered off course a few times. While making for good reading, the subplots of Gwen and Denton, could have been trimmed down considerably to make for a tighter story and shorter book.
I received a complimentary copy of the book
There are a lot of twists in the plot, but the cat and mouse between the assassin and Jake is riveting. My only real critique is that the book was a little too busy - too many subplots made the book lengthy and because of this, the actual plot veered off course a few times. While making for good reading, the subplots of Gwen and Denton, could have been trimmed down considerably to make for a tighter story and shorter book.
I received a complimentary copy of the book
December 17, 2016
Dead Lawyers Don't Lie by Mark Nolan
A mystery title that won't be terribly amusing to attorneys. This was a mystery that involved a retired special ops agent, a laid off Russian agent, a swarm of sleazy ambulance chasers and a mysterious cabal.
Jake Wolfe was the protagonist and from his description, the book would probably gather a larger female audience of his image was depicted shirtless on the cover. Of course, then I won't have read it and that would be my loss. The author did a superlative job putting together believable characters in a plot that on occasion had you rooting for the bad guy.
If you are a dog person, then perhaps having Cody on the cover would have garnered your attention. I am not demeaning the cover, just looking at aspects of the book that will be appealing to special interests.
I really enjoyed the book and the author appears to be setting up a series.
web: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
A mystery title that won't be terribly amusing to attorneys. This was a mystery that involved a retired special ops agent, a laid off Russian agent, a swarm of sleazy ambulance chasers and a mysterious cabal.
Jake Wolfe was the protagonist and from his description, the book would probably gather a larger female audience of his image was depicted shirtless on the cover. Of course, then I won't have read it and that would be my loss. The author did a superlative job putting together believable characters in a plot that on occasion had you rooting for the bad guy.
If you are a dog person, then perhaps having Cody on the cover would have garnered your attention. I am not demeaning the cover, just looking at aspects of the book that will be appealing to special interests.
I really enjoyed the book and the author appears to be setting up a series.
web: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
January 25, 2017
This is the first book by Mark Nolan that I have read. It started out a little slow but it quickly got better and better! I immediately loved Jake Wolfe who is the main character in this story. This is a great thriller that once it had my attention I couldn’t put down. This was a fast paced story but it did take me longer to read than I would have liked.
I also really liked all of the characters in the book. And I loved that this book was full of twists. It definitely had me trying to guess what would happen next. I would definitely recommend this book to any thriller/suspense lover. I can’t wait to see and read what Mark Nolan has next.
I also really liked all of the characters in the book. And I loved that this book was full of twists. It definitely had me trying to guess what would happen next. I would definitely recommend this book to any thriller/suspense lover. I can’t wait to see and read what Mark Nolan has next.
May 11, 2016
I was given a complimentary copy of Dead Lawyers Don't Lie by Mark Nolan in exchange for an honest review. This is the first book in a new series. The main character is Jake Wolfe. Jake is a photojournalist who coincidentally keeps showing up when lawyers are murdered. Fortunately for Jake he has friends in all the right places. He also has quite the past that prepares him for the deadly game of cat and mouse. All of the characters are well developed. This is action packed. Full of unpredictable surprises. I can not wait for the next book.
November 12, 2016
This book was very exciting for me! I was caught up in the action the whole time. I did not want to put this book down. I loved it! There was action, adventure and so much more. There were exciting moments and twists and turns in this book. I loved the characters and all the energy popping off the pages. I am glad I was asked to give this book a chance and I can't wait for book 2!! * I received this book from the author and this is my honest review*
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