What do you think?
Rate this book
Jack Daniels Thriller #14
Rum Runner
COULD YOUR MARRIAGE SURVIVE FIFTY KILLERS?
Twenty years ago, a young cop named Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels arrested one of the most sadistic killers she'd ever encountered. She has since retired from the Chicago Police Department in order to raise her toddler daughter.
But old grudges never die. They fester until the right opportunity comes along.
While on vacation in the Wisconsin north woods, Jack learns--too late--that her old adversary is out of prison. He has revenge on his mind. And he's bringing an army with him.
Outnumbered, outgunned, and cut off from the outside world, Jack Daniels is about to learn the meaning of last stand.
RUM RUNNER by J.A. Konrath
That which does not kill you, keeps trying...
If you are a more sensitive (or adventurous) reader, this handy scale rates specific categories from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest) to give you some idea if this is your kind of book.
RUM RUNNER
Bad Language - 6
Scary - 5
Violent - 7
Funny - 8
Sexy - 7
Crossovers - Features characters from the Timecaster series, Jack Daniels and Associates Mystery series, the Codename: Chandler series, and the Konrath Dark Thriller Collective series.
Twenty years ago, a young cop named Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels arrested one of the most sadistic killers she'd ever encountered. She has since retired from the Chicago Police Department in order to raise her toddler daughter.
But old grudges never die. They fester until the right opportunity comes along.
While on vacation in the Wisconsin north woods, Jack learns--too late--that her old adversary is out of prison. He has revenge on his mind. And he's bringing an army with him.
Outnumbered, outgunned, and cut off from the outside world, Jack Daniels is about to learn the meaning of last stand.
RUM RUNNER by J.A. Konrath
That which does not kill you, keeps trying...
If you are a more sensitive (or adventurous) reader, this handy scale rates specific categories from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest) to give you some idea if this is your kind of book.
RUM RUNNER
Bad Language - 6
Scary - 5
Violent - 7
Funny - 8
Sexy - 7
Crossovers - Features characters from the Timecaster series, Jack Daniels and Associates Mystery series, the Codename: Chandler series, and the Konrath Dark Thriller Collective series.
323 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 25, 2016
563 people are currently reading
1181 people want to read
About the author
J.A. Konrath
199 books3,014 followersJoe Konrath has written over twenty novels in the Lt. Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels thriller series. They do not have to be read chronologically to be enjoyed, but the order is: Whiskey Sour, Bloody Mary, Rusty Nail, Dirty Martini, Shot of Tequila, Fuzzy Navel, Cherry Bomb, Dead On My Feet, Serial Killers Uncut (with Blake Crouch), Shaken, Stirred (with Blake Crouch), Dying Breath, Everybody Dies, Rum Runner, Last Call, White Russian, Shot Girl, Chaser, Old Fashioned, Bite Force, and Witch Brew. More coming soon.
Wow, that's a lot of Jack.
If you like your thrillers on the dark side, check out the Konrath Dark Thriller Collective, which includes the books The List, Origin, Afraid, Trapped, Endurance, Haunted House, Webcam, Disturb, What Happened To Lori, The Nine, Second Coming, and Close Your Eyes.
Joe also wrote the Stop A Murder mystery puzzle series, where you become the sleuth and solve brain teasers to try and catch a killer.
He also wrote the sci-fi trilogy, Timecaster, Timecaster Supersymmetry, and Timecaster Steampunk. Even if you don't think you like sci-fi, give them a try. They feature Joe's well-known characters from his other series, and are insane.
With Ann Voss Peterson he wrote the Codename: Chandler thrillers, including Flee, Spree, Three, Hit, Exposed, Naughty, Fix (with F. Paul Wilson), Rescue, and Free.
And, finally, he writes erotica under the pen name Melinda DuChamp, also with Ann Voss Peterson. Those books are probably too spicy for you, so only the brave and bold should seek them out.
Joe writes a lot. You should probably read everything.
You can visit Joe and sign up for his newsletter at www.JAKonrath.com/mailing-list.php
Wow, that's a lot of Jack.
If you like your thrillers on the dark side, check out the Konrath Dark Thriller Collective, which includes the books The List, Origin, Afraid, Trapped, Endurance, Haunted House, Webcam, Disturb, What Happened To Lori, The Nine, Second Coming, and Close Your Eyes.
Joe also wrote the Stop A Murder mystery puzzle series, where you become the sleuth and solve brain teasers to try and catch a killer.
He also wrote the sci-fi trilogy, Timecaster, Timecaster Supersymmetry, and Timecaster Steampunk. Even if you don't think you like sci-fi, give them a try. They feature Joe's well-known characters from his other series, and are insane.
With Ann Voss Peterson he wrote the Codename: Chandler thrillers, including Flee, Spree, Three, Hit, Exposed, Naughty, Fix (with F. Paul Wilson), Rescue, and Free.
And, finally, he writes erotica under the pen name Melinda DuChamp, also with Ann Voss Peterson. Those books are probably too spicy for you, so only the brave and bold should seek them out.
Joe writes a lot. You should probably read everything.
You can visit Joe and sign up for his newsletter at www.JAKonrath.com/mailing-list.php
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews
October 29, 2018
Disappointment...sigh!
This is a tough one for me. I'm a huge fan of Konrath and the Jack Daniels series and have been reading them in order. It is probably inevitable that there will be a weakness in the chain somewhere, and in my opinion this is the one.
For the first 20% of the book, Jack is completely unlikable - the song BITCH by Meredith Brooks kept running through my head as I read it. It was tough to get through.
McGlade was the usual comic relief, as with all the stories before, but with the parrot it became too much - it felt somewhat juvenile.
And the useless chapter about the game...really?
Look, the author wanted to end the series with the 8th book, and I loved all of them. But due to popular demand, he continued with the character. I almost got the feeling that he didn't like Jack too much when he started this book.
After 20%, it did get better, as if he found his groove again, and for the most part this story wasn't bad - which is why I will still give it three stars - but I can only hope that the next one will meet expectations again.
I can honestly only recommend this book to fans of the series, with a warning that it does get better.
This is a tough one for me. I'm a huge fan of Konrath and the Jack Daniels series and have been reading them in order. It is probably inevitable that there will be a weakness in the chain somewhere, and in my opinion this is the one.
For the first 20% of the book, Jack is completely unlikable - the song BITCH by Meredith Brooks kept running through my head as I read it. It was tough to get through.
McGlade was the usual comic relief, as with all the stories before, but with the parrot it became too much - it felt somewhat juvenile.
And the useless chapter about the game...really?
Look, the author wanted to end the series with the 8th book, and I loved all of them. But due to popular demand, he continued with the character. I almost got the feeling that he didn't like Jack too much when he started this book.
After 20%, it did get better, as if he found his groove again, and for the most part this story wasn't bad - which is why I will still give it three stars - but I can only hope that the next one will meet expectations again.
I can honestly only recommend this book to fans of the series, with a warning that it does get better.
June 10, 2019
4 solid stars for a page turner of a book that I raced through in 3 days. I enjoy reading this series and this book, #9 in the series, was a great read. An escaped murderer and gang crew chief by the name of T Nail is out to to torture and kill ex Chicago Police Lieutenant Jack Daniels. He is called "T Nail' because he uses an electric nail gun to torture and murder victims.
This is more of a thriller than a mystery, since the bad guy is identified early on. The suspense is interspersed with humorous exchanges between Jack's old CPD partner, Herb Benedict and her new partner, Harry McGlade, in a private investigation business. Both Harry and Herb find out that Jack is in danger and rush to save her.
One quote on gang initiation: "He remembered his blood-in for the C-Notes; the beating he had to take to join the gang. Thirteen years old, facing a gauntlet of eight guys, all trying to knock him down. They called it a rum runner, because by the time it was over, a brother couldn't stand up straight, just staggered around like a drunk."
I purchased this book from Amazon.
This is more of a thriller than a mystery, since the bad guy is identified early on. The suspense is interspersed with humorous exchanges between Jack's old CPD partner, Herb Benedict and her new partner, Harry McGlade, in a private investigation business. Both Harry and Herb find out that Jack is in danger and rush to save her.
One quote on gang initiation: "He remembered his blood-in for the C-Notes; the beating he had to take to join the gang. Thirteen years old, facing a gauntlet of eight guys, all trying to knock him down. They called it a rum runner, because by the time it was over, a brother couldn't stand up straight, just staggered around like a drunk."
I purchased this book from Amazon.
February 9, 2022
Firepower Overload!
Backstory:
Jack needs a vacation and some alone time with Phin so Harry McGlade tells them that they can use his cabin up in the woods of Wisconsin as he has a private place with no one around for miles as Jack and Phin need to work things out in their marriage. After dropping their daughter off to a friends house they head on up there hoping to rekindle their love for each other.
What neither of them know though is that a killer that Jack put away 20 years before has escaped prison (T-Nail) and all he can think about is revenge and he is willing to bring a war to her door for putting him away years ago. But what T-Nail doesn't know is that the "cabin" is really a fortress that McGlade has fixed up for extra security and it will take all kinds of firepower to bring it down!
That is about all I can give on a backstory without giving away spoilers so if you want to know more then you will just need to read the book!
Thoughts:
The first half of the book was mostly Jack and Phin heading to the cabin along with a little background on T-Nail and his old gang with them making their way up to the cabin, but the last half of the book is where all the action/guns takes place and where the tension/suspense hits the high notes.
Jack's friends are once again in this story (Harry and Herb) and there was some more of the humorous quips between Harry and Herb which gave me the chuckles. This time though there is a parrot that talks and though sometimes that was a little bit too much I just overlooked the parrot squawking and kept reading as that was just a minor annoyance.
The only thing that was a little odd in the book - there is a chapter about mobile gaming and as much as I like gaming stuff I couldn't figure out what the use for it was in this book. Maybe a filler for some reason? Not sure. But I basically just skipped that whole chapter as there was nothing in there that pertained to the actual story so I figured I wasn't missing much.
Other than that with the parrot and gaming the book actually rocked along with lots of cool weapons and lots of gun fighting. There is even a flame thrower tossed in for good measure!
I was happy with another "fight to survive" thriller featuring Jack Daniels and as always with this series I was entertained which that is what it is all about anyway. Looking forward to the next installment which is Last Call. Giving this book five Chiller Thriller stars!
Backstory:
Jack needs a vacation and some alone time with Phin so Harry McGlade tells them that they can use his cabin up in the woods of Wisconsin as he has a private place with no one around for miles as Jack and Phin need to work things out in their marriage. After dropping their daughter off to a friends house they head on up there hoping to rekindle their love for each other.
What neither of them know though is that a killer that Jack put away 20 years before has escaped prison (T-Nail) and all he can think about is revenge and he is willing to bring a war to her door for putting him away years ago. But what T-Nail doesn't know is that the "cabin" is really a fortress that McGlade has fixed up for extra security and it will take all kinds of firepower to bring it down!
That is about all I can give on a backstory without giving away spoilers so if you want to know more then you will just need to read the book!
Thoughts:
The first half of the book was mostly Jack and Phin heading to the cabin along with a little background on T-Nail and his old gang with them making their way up to the cabin, but the last half of the book is where all the action/guns takes place and where the tension/suspense hits the high notes.
Jack's friends are once again in this story (Harry and Herb) and there was some more of the humorous quips between Harry and Herb which gave me the chuckles. This time though there is a parrot that talks and though sometimes that was a little bit too much I just overlooked the parrot squawking and kept reading as that was just a minor annoyance.
The only thing that was a little odd in the book - there is a chapter about mobile gaming and as much as I like gaming stuff I couldn't figure out what the use for it was in this book. Maybe a filler for some reason? Not sure. But I basically just skipped that whole chapter as there was nothing in there that pertained to the actual story so I figured I wasn't missing much.
Other than that with the parrot and gaming the book actually rocked along with lots of cool weapons and lots of gun fighting. There is even a flame thrower tossed in for good measure!
I was happy with another "fight to survive" thriller featuring Jack Daniels and as always with this series I was entertained which that is what it is all about anyway. Looking forward to the next installment which is Last Call. Giving this book five Chiller Thriller stars!
December 10, 2018
Jack’s not happy. She’s a wife now and a mother. She’s no longer a cop. Things have changed drastically. What do all people do when they’re in a rut and unhappy with life? They go on vacation, and that’s exactly what Jack does...but unbeknownst to her, a gang leader who she shot and paralyzed, then put in prison years before has escaped. And he has only revenge on his mind.
This was probably the worst of the series so far. Jack is so far removed from the character I’ve come to know. Phin has changed also. Harry’s still the same though. Some things never change. I’m hoping with the way things ended that the next instalment comes back to being more like the previous ones. I guess I’ll find out soon enough.
This was probably the worst of the series so far. Jack is so far removed from the character I’ve come to know. Phin has changed also. Harry’s still the same though. Some things never change. I’m hoping with the way things ended that the next instalment comes back to being more like the previous ones. I guess I’ll find out soon enough.
July 6, 2016
This one was to "set the scene" for LAST CALL, but I have to say I was very disappointed. From the complete change of personality in Jack, to the fact that this tagged on 2 addition stories--all in the same time frame, and therefore overlapped if you read more than one. Also, the ending was so...abrupt....that it really felt as though Konrath just wanted to end it so that he could move on to other things.
The first in the Jack Daniel's series that I honestly did not enjoy.
The first in the Jack Daniel's series that I honestly did not enjoy.
June 15, 2016
“Reading a pointless chapter in a book, so you can find out what happens to the characters.”
This quote in the book really stuck out for me. Perhaps my memory is off since I haven't read any of the Jack Daniels series in over a year but I used to find them fun, mindless reads. This one was more like a chore with too much Jack and Phin drama that felt like stuffing to make the book long enough.
This quote in the book really stuck out for me. Perhaps my memory is off since I haven't read any of the Jack Daniels series in over a year but I used to find them fun, mindless reads. This one was more like a chore with too much Jack and Phin drama that felt like stuffing to make the book long enough.
November 25, 2016
Good, as I would expect a J Daniels story to be, and the interactions between Harry and Herb are the funniest stuff Konrath writes.
Want to read
October 4, 2017FREE on Amazon today (10/4/2017)!
December 27, 2023
Rum Runner by J.A. Konrath is the 14th book in the Jack Daniels Thriller series. Retired from the Chicago Police Department, Jack Daniels is feeling stressed and taking a vacation unaware that a killer she had imprisoned earlier had escaped and gathered an army to extract revenge. Totally implausible and over the top, this book is still very entertaining with plenty of thrills. A bit slow in parts especially at the beginning, and all the gaming seemed more as a filler without adding anything. Not one of the better books in the series but still a lot of fun.
February 27, 2020
I don't want to take poorly of this book. I know that heart and soul goes into creating any art.
This felt formulaic and derivative of the earlier books. Maybe my experience comes from binging so many of them and experiencing the vast difference there was with the later books. There was a clear understanding in the last few books that he was going with completely new visions as far as building the book. Having said that, I will always look forward to Jack Daniels Mysteries. The characters are hilarious and warm and I feel great when reading about the journey.
This felt formulaic and derivative of the earlier books. Maybe my experience comes from binging so many of them and experiencing the vast difference there was with the later books. There was a clear understanding in the last few books that he was going with completely new visions as far as building the book. Having said that, I will always look forward to Jack Daniels Mysteries. The characters are hilarious and warm and I feel great when reading about the journey.
August 7, 2018
Not my favorite book in the series, but worth the time to read. The characters are going through a low point in their lives and the reader is sort of dragged along for the ride. We're dragged along a little too long in my opinion, even if it's all for the eventual plot turn and the payoff near the end. Still, I think fans of the series are heavily invested in the characters by the time they reach book #9. The last thing any of us wants to read is how life sucks for them. It's depressing.
Once that painfully long part of the book is over, things take off again and Jack gets her bad-ass on. She just takes a LONG time getting motivated. Be warned.
Once that painfully long part of the book is over, things take off again and Jack gets her bad-ass on. She just takes a LONG time getting motivated. Be warned.
December 5, 2020
I read the first three books in this series a few years ago and found them mighty entertaining. Apparently I've missed quite a lot between those and this book - Jack has quit her job, acquired a husband and kid somewhere along the way, and apparently gone through sufficient trauma to turn her into a raging bitch. The supposed humour in this book was mostly just annoying as hell, and the plot ridiculously over the top. I just didn't have the patience for any of this nonsense.
March 31, 2016
How excited I was to find out that J. A. Konrath is continuing with the Jack Daniels series. I have read all of the others and always recommend them. This novel lived up to all my expectations. It is wickedly gruesome, fast paced and totally hilarious.
Jack is finding life more than trying, continually aware that Luther Kite is still at large has put a tremendous strain on her marriage to Phin. After an offer of a weekend get away to rekindle their romance from Harry, things can hopefully get back on track, but Jack's past is never too far away. Revenge is on someone's mind.
J. A. Konrath has the ability to make me cringe and laugh uncontrollably all within the same sentence. Pure genius! The old gang are all back and up to old tricks and new ones too. My favourite character has to be Homeboy. Even just thinking about him is bringing a huge smile on my face.
The good news is the next book in the series is already for pre-order. Already clicked and can't wait!
Jack is finding life more than trying, continually aware that Luther Kite is still at large has put a tremendous strain on her marriage to Phin. After an offer of a weekend get away to rekindle their romance from Harry, things can hopefully get back on track, but Jack's past is never too far away. Revenge is on someone's mind.
J. A. Konrath has the ability to make me cringe and laugh uncontrollably all within the same sentence. Pure genius! The old gang are all back and up to old tricks and new ones too. My favourite character has to be Homeboy. Even just thinking about him is bringing a huge smile on my face.
The good news is the next book in the series is already for pre-order. Already clicked and can't wait!
September 4, 2016
For the most part I liked RUM RUNNER. I felt it was heavy on the filler material and I wasn't happy with the character of Homeboy. The filler is there for all, the character reference is personal and may be a thing you like. I didn't and dropped a quarter star for each of the items.
I'm really glad that Joe Konrath made the decision to end the series that he merged with Blake Crouch. As much as I love all of their books I appreciate his not continuing to write 40 or 50 books - the SAME books over and over again as some authors do. He gained a lot of respect from me for that.
So while I rated this 4.5 stars, I am rounding up to 5 stars rather than down to four. Make sure you read all the books in order before reading this! You can find the author's reading order on Amazon.
I'm really glad that Joe Konrath made the decision to end the series that he merged with Blake Crouch. As much as I love all of their books I appreciate his not continuing to write 40 or 50 books - the SAME books over and over again as some authors do. He gained a lot of respect from me for that.
So while I rated this 4.5 stars, I am rounding up to 5 stars rather than down to four. Make sure you read all the books in order before reading this! You can find the author's reading order on Amazon.
January 2, 2022
Jack hasn't really taken to her quiet life-style and her constant attempts to shield her daughter from any harm upsets Phin. Time off and away from everything may put everyone back on track and McGlade offers them his "cabin" in northern Wisconsin. Twenty years before, Jack was responsible for putting away T-Bone, now paralyzed due to a spinal injury. He manages to escape, the planning of which is noteworthy) and now wants Jack to suffer for those 20 lost years and the use of his legs. Like all books in the Daniels series thus far, Harry McGlade is as sarcastic and crude as ever, Jack is usually on high alert and despite the great lengths her enemies go to, Jack usually wins.
April 23, 2020
Love these Jack Daniels books! Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels is no longer a Chicago Police Lieutenant. She and husband Phin have gone to an isolated cabin to try to rekindle their marriage at the same time a gang criminal, T-Nail whom she shot and arrested 20 years earlier escaped from prison with revenge on his mind. J.A. Konrath includes a generous amount of humor!
June 21, 2019
Twenty years have passed since Jack Daniels was instrumental in puting away criminal T-Nail. Now he wants revenge. Meanwhile Jack has retired, had a baby and got married to Phineas Troutt.
A fast paced thriller
A fast paced thriller
October 19, 2021
Das übliche Gemetzel, zum Glück wurde Jack am Ende wieder normal. Ich habe nie verstanden warum sie mit jedem Buch unsympathischer geschrieben wurde.
Und richtig cool ist immer noch der unfassbare Humor,der sich durch das Buch zieht,trotz der ganzen Toten und Verletzten.
Und richtig cool ist immer noch der unfassbare Humor,der sich durch das Buch zieht,trotz der ganzen Toten und Verletzten.
May 27, 2018
Good read. Full of action and momentum. Jack and Phin are a great combination, add their quirky side kicks, for a great Ass kicking circus. I'm starting the next in the series right now.
December 28, 2021
Unbelievable, completely a waste of my time.
September 7, 2023
4,5 Sterne
April 2, 2016
Disappointing. Grossly over priced. Author's superior writing has disappeared or been replaced by greed. Yes there was some laugh out loud moments and some action, but the story was barely "ehh." Just didn't have any meaning or reason for being. Almost to the point of being a bunch of thrown together scenes some of which were just fillers (whole chapters about an app!). The seige on house was captivating but then it just became anticlimactic and the villians either became a cardboard character or was just forgiven and brushed off. Disappointed I paid this much for a throw away read. Plus there is a bad taste in my mouth that I got conned to buy a book just to prove author's marketing theory rather than tell a good story.
July 3, 2016
Not a great read. There were several chapters I just skipped over. They really added nothing to the book. Have never read this author before. Might have to try one more of his in the same series to decide for sure. Don't even want to go into what the book was about because I would not recommend this book to any of my friends. When I do that, its because I loved it or thought they would enjoy it. This one, not so much.
March 28, 2016
I was so stoked to see this book coming, the anticipation was killing me!! The book did not let me down, what a great thrill ride. One of my favorite series of all time and im glad there is another one coming in a couple months. Konrath has the correct formula, dark and violent, and just a total load of fun! Keep writing Konrath! loved it
May 24, 2019
What a freakin' let down. I'm a big fan of the first 8 Jack Daniels books, and never knew this one (nor 10 or 11) existed until just recently, so I got my hands on them as soon as I could...
I've been rapid fire re-reading the original 8 lately and was super excited for this new one...and I'm wondering if someone else wrote this book. It just does not seem like the previous ones before it. It's also basically a re-tread of Fuzzy Navel (how many "locked in a house while under attack" scenarios can Jack go through?) but what really bothered me was the....well, racism, I guess is the best way to put it.
The story is about gang members from the south side of Chicago teaming up to try and kill Jack and Phin at a remote cabin in Wisconsin. Seeing as how the main antagonists are gang members, Konrath apparently took this to mean "use the most cliched/racist ways to describe the gang members and how they talk/interact as possible." They speak in ebonics, because they're clearly *black* gang members, they do things like say "sheeeeeeit" instead of "shit", they mention Hennessy and, I swear to god, one member literally drinks "sizzurp" while waiting at the cabin. And, of course, they all have names like Tyrone and whatnot. You know, some gang members are just named like "Mike" or "Dave." Not every black gang member in the world is named Taeshawn or something. Also, the 2nd main "bad guy" is smart enough to build a state-of-the-art motorized wheelchair all on his own but then is dumb enough to talk like "sheeeeiiit" and "what is it, homes?" Please. Pick a brain: is he smart or is he a moron that can barely talk? He can't be both. I'm really surprised Konrath didn't pepper the book with the N-word because he used every stereotype/cliche possible EXCEPT for dropping that word. Everything else was ok to do except go that far, right?
What a joke this book was. Not to mention the premise. Jack shot a dude 25 years ago and he breaks out of prison now to hunt her down with an army? This book series should've stayed ended at the end of Stirred.
I'm really not looking forward to reading White Russian or Last Call now.
8 excellent crime novels shot to hell thanks to this horrible sequel.
Wow.
I've been rapid fire re-reading the original 8 lately and was super excited for this new one...and I'm wondering if someone else wrote this book. It just does not seem like the previous ones before it. It's also basically a re-tread of Fuzzy Navel (how many "locked in a house while under attack" scenarios can Jack go through?) but what really bothered me was the....well, racism, I guess is the best way to put it.
The story is about gang members from the south side of Chicago teaming up to try and kill Jack and Phin at a remote cabin in Wisconsin. Seeing as how the main antagonists are gang members, Konrath apparently took this to mean "use the most cliched/racist ways to describe the gang members and how they talk/interact as possible." They speak in ebonics, because they're clearly *black* gang members, they do things like say "sheeeeeeit" instead of "shit", they mention Hennessy and, I swear to god, one member literally drinks "sizzurp" while waiting at the cabin. And, of course, they all have names like Tyrone and whatnot. You know, some gang members are just named like "Mike" or "Dave." Not every black gang member in the world is named Taeshawn or something. Also, the 2nd main "bad guy" is smart enough to build a state-of-the-art motorized wheelchair all on his own but then is dumb enough to talk like "sheeeeiiit" and "what is it, homes?" Please. Pick a brain: is he smart or is he a moron that can barely talk? He can't be both. I'm really surprised Konrath didn't pepper the book with the N-word because he used every stereotype/cliche possible EXCEPT for dropping that word. Everything else was ok to do except go that far, right?
What a joke this book was. Not to mention the premise. Jack shot a dude 25 years ago and he breaks out of prison now to hunt her down with an army? This book series should've stayed ended at the end of Stirred.
I'm really not looking forward to reading White Russian or Last Call now.
8 excellent crime novels shot to hell thanks to this horrible sequel.
Wow.
May 21, 2017
Run Runner, A Jack Daniels Thriller #9
by J.A. Konrath
Another slam-bang thriller in the Jack Daniels series. Non-stop action, lots and lots of main character angst, pyrotechnics and gun-play galore, a modern day fortress, an army of gangbangers, a naked parrot, Herb and Harry -- what more could a dedicated Jack Daniels fan want?
This episode stems from Jack's first undercover action. In it, she takes down a drug dealer/gang leader, Terrance T-Nail Johnson, rendering him a paraplegic and a prison lifer. However, 20 years in, he masterminds a prison break and heads full steam to take his revenge on Jack.
In the meantime, Jack and Phin are heading to a remote cabin in Wisconsin that belongs to Jack's first police partner, current P.I. business partner, and maybe brother, Harry McGlade. The cabin was purchased and extensively upgraded as a safe house by Harry during one of his earlier escapades. Jack and Phin are going there to try to salvage their marriage, not knowing that T-Nail has had them followed. He and an army of 100 plus allied gang members are hot on their trail. And not-so-hot on the trail of the gangs are Herb, Harry, Tom and Homeboy, Harry's meth-addicted, naked parrot.
The action is fast and furious, keeping the reader alternately astonished, disgusted, repelled, but, like the proverbial train wreck, consistently lookie-looing, unable to glance away from the page. Bloody, gory, often ridiculous, occasionally totally unbelievable -- it is still a run romp. Konrath does a great job of paring slapstick humor with abject horror. He uses some apt and current pop culture references, as well as physical humor to lighten up what is a very dark story. Good pacing and flow. Good editing and almost perfect proofing (one error at about 1597 on my kindle is all I noticed).
Exciting read. One definitely has to be in a certain frame of mind to read these novels. They are full of horrific, bloody, gory, disgusting violence, but somehow, of course, the good guys always prevail. Since, I'm currently in that certain frame of mind, I'll probably move on to "Last Call," the 10th in the Jack Daniels series.
by J.A. Konrath
Another slam-bang thriller in the Jack Daniels series. Non-stop action, lots and lots of main character angst, pyrotechnics and gun-play galore, a modern day fortress, an army of gangbangers, a naked parrot, Herb and Harry -- what more could a dedicated Jack Daniels fan want?
This episode stems from Jack's first undercover action. In it, she takes down a drug dealer/gang leader, Terrance T-Nail Johnson, rendering him a paraplegic and a prison lifer. However, 20 years in, he masterminds a prison break and heads full steam to take his revenge on Jack.
In the meantime, Jack and Phin are heading to a remote cabin in Wisconsin that belongs to Jack's first police partner, current P.I. business partner, and maybe brother, Harry McGlade. The cabin was purchased and extensively upgraded as a safe house by Harry during one of his earlier escapades. Jack and Phin are going there to try to salvage their marriage, not knowing that T-Nail has had them followed. He and an army of 100 plus allied gang members are hot on their trail. And not-so-hot on the trail of the gangs are Herb, Harry, Tom and Homeboy, Harry's meth-addicted, naked parrot.
The action is fast and furious, keeping the reader alternately astonished, disgusted, repelled, but, like the proverbial train wreck, consistently lookie-looing, unable to glance away from the page. Bloody, gory, often ridiculous, occasionally totally unbelievable -- it is still a run romp. Konrath does a great job of paring slapstick humor with abject horror. He uses some apt and current pop culture references, as well as physical humor to lighten up what is a very dark story. Good pacing and flow. Good editing and almost perfect proofing (one error at about 1597 on my kindle is all I noticed).
Exciting read. One definitely has to be in a certain frame of mind to read these novels. They are full of horrific, bloody, gory, disgusting violence, but somehow, of course, the good guys always prevail. Since, I'm currently in that certain frame of mind, I'll probably move on to "Last Call," the 10th in the Jack Daniels series.
January 31, 2019
Idiot criminals-v-idiot cops, Rum Runner is a humorous, tongue-in-cheek satire intertwining the dysfunctional marriage of former Chicago cop, Jacqueline “Jack” Daniels, with the revenge obsession of street gang leader, T-Nail, who Jack had imprisoned for twenty years, the politics of returning to leadership of a gang after a twenty year absence, and the waste of human talent and creativity inherent in criminal gangs. It pokes fun without discrimination at both the good guys and the bad guys while driving home the quotation often attributed to Confucius “Before embarking on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.” It also points out that a trial by fire often makes or breaks a marriage. In the scenario proposed by Mr. Konrath, Jack Daniels’ marriage is definitely seared in a trial by fire.
The characters were consistent with this type of slapstick story. None are particularly deep but I had no problems conjuring up empathy for Jack, and a little for Phin as well. Nothing about Jack’s friends led me to believe they could provide any meaningful help. Del provided an interesting twist toward the end, but the waste of his talent in the gang was criminal in itself.
If you want non-stop action, even if it’s far-fetched, violent and a bit bizarre, by all means buy a copy of Rum Runner. It’s well worth the read.
The characters were consistent with this type of slapstick story. None are particularly deep but I had no problems conjuring up empathy for Jack, and a little for Phin as well. Nothing about Jack’s friends led me to believe they could provide any meaningful help. Del provided an interesting twist toward the end, but the waste of his talent in the gang was criminal in itself.
If you want non-stop action, even if it’s far-fetched, violent and a bit bizarre, by all means buy a copy of Rum Runner. It’s well worth the read.
July 17, 2018
We were so put off by #8 (“Stirred”) in Konrath’s (Ms.) Jack Daniels set, that had we not already had “Rum” on hand, we would have skipped it. Indeed, we wish we had as it was more of the brutality and slayings, alongside ridiculously childish and tiresome humor, featured in the prior novel. Moreover, the author again angered us by moving from an unmarried pregnant leading lady that now, without a word of continuity, is officially married, has a toddler Samantha, and is questioning her happiness with now husband Phin.
In the plot, a convict Jack shot and paralyzed from the waist down has escaped from prison after 20 years incarcerated, and resumes his role as a gang chief, rounding up over a hundred bangers to find Jack and Phin on vacation and get ultimate revenge. So it’s two against 100+ as killings and gunshot wounds rain cats and dogs. What little suspense was generated hardly stood up to the far-fetched nature of the resolution.
And now with no further regrets, we’re done with this series.
In the plot, a convict Jack shot and paralyzed from the waist down has escaped from prison after 20 years incarcerated, and resumes his role as a gang chief, rounding up over a hundred bangers to find Jack and Phin on vacation and get ultimate revenge. So it’s two against 100+ as killings and gunshot wounds rain cats and dogs. What little suspense was generated hardly stood up to the far-fetched nature of the resolution.
And now with no further regrets, we’re done with this series.
September 16, 2020
The story was great; thrilling, exciting, action packed, but my god, the dialogue was TERRIBLE. In a typical konrath book, the reader can expect the dialogue to be laced with some clever humor and punchy one liners. This story was ravaged with goofy banter and failed attempts at humor. Even the stuff that wasn’t supposed to be funny was bad. The attempted urban dialect seemed forced like hearing your dad trying to use the latest slang terms. Jack to Phin facing what they believed to be their imminent death: “Thanks for the great sex... all the great sex” is without a doubt the stupidest fucking thing I’ve ever read. And why did I spend 40 minutes reading about a zombie app?? Could it have been funny to reference it briefly? Probably not, but maybe. But beating it to death for 15 chapters (hyperbole) is abuse. 3.0
March 11, 2019
Too much death and killing for my taste, but at least the torture was kept real low… Other than that it was a really good book. I've read most of the prior Jack Daniels books, but the last several – two or three – I had not read. I suppose I will leave to go back and catch up. I had gotten pretty tired of the series because of the death and torture…
Anyway, none of the impressions that I had formed of any of the characters were totally blown out of the water! Harry is still a slimy – but ultimately prepared – guy. There were couple few new characters, but no individual character was wasted! And really, it was nice to get a new angle on some of them. Of course, I still feel like I need a shower after learning about Harry McGlade…Yeech…
Anyway, none of the impressions that I had formed of any of the characters were totally blown out of the water! Harry is still a slimy – but ultimately prepared – guy. There were couple few new characters, but no individual character was wasted! And really, it was nice to get a new angle on some of them. Of course, I still feel like I need a shower after learning about Harry McGlade…Yeech…
Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews