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Jack Daniels Thriller #15
Last Call
A retired cop past her prime...
A kidnapped bank robber fighting for his life...
A former mob enforcer with a blood debt...
A government assassin on the run...
A wisecracking private eye with only one hand...
A homicide sergeant with one week left on the job...
And three of the worst serial killers, ever.
This is where it all ends. An epic showdown in the desert, where good and evil will clash one last time.
His name is Luther Kite, and his specialty is murdering people in ways too horrible to imagine. He's gone south, where he's found a new, spectacular way to kill. And if you have enough money, you can bet on who dies first.
Legendary Chicago cop Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels has retired. She's no longer chasing bad guys, content to stay out of the public eye and raise her new daughter. But when her daughter's father, Phin Troutt, is kidnapped, she's forced to strap on her gun one last time.
Since being separated from his psychotic soulmate, the prolific serial killer known as Donaldson has been desperately searching for her. Now he thinks he's found out where his beloved, insane Lucy has been hiding. He's going to find her, no matter how many people die in the process.
All three will converge in the same place. La Juntita, Mexico. Where a bloodthirsty cartel is enslaving people and forcing them to fight to the death in insane, gladiator-style games.
Join Jack and Phin, Donaldson and Lucy, and Luther, for the very last act in their twisted, perverse saga.
Along for the ride are Jack's friends; Harry and Herb, as well as a mob enforcer named Tequila, and a covert operative named Chandler.
There will be blood. And death. So much death...
A kidnapped bank robber fighting for his life...
A former mob enforcer with a blood debt...
A government assassin on the run...
A wisecracking private eye with only one hand...
A homicide sergeant with one week left on the job...
And three of the worst serial killers, ever.
This is where it all ends. An epic showdown in the desert, where good and evil will clash one last time.
His name is Luther Kite, and his specialty is murdering people in ways too horrible to imagine. He's gone south, where he's found a new, spectacular way to kill. And if you have enough money, you can bet on who dies first.
Legendary Chicago cop Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels has retired. She's no longer chasing bad guys, content to stay out of the public eye and raise her new daughter. But when her daughter's father, Phin Troutt, is kidnapped, she's forced to strap on her gun one last time.
Since being separated from his psychotic soulmate, the prolific serial killer known as Donaldson has been desperately searching for her. Now he thinks he's found out where his beloved, insane Lucy has been hiding. He's going to find her, no matter how many people die in the process.
All three will converge in the same place. La Juntita, Mexico. Where a bloodthirsty cartel is enslaving people and forcing them to fight to the death in insane, gladiator-style games.
Join Jack and Phin, Donaldson and Lucy, and Luther, for the very last act in their twisted, perverse saga.
Along for the ride are Jack's friends; Harry and Herb, as well as a mob enforcer named Tequila, and a covert operative named Chandler.
There will be blood. And death. So much death...
358 pages, Paperback
First published May 7, 2016
769 people are currently reading
1428 people want to read
About the author
J.A. Konrath
198 books3,016 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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
November 15, 2018
Some mixed emotions - think this is a 3.5 stars story...
Are you a SOUTH PARK fan? Can you remember how Kenny died in the ninth episode of the second season? No? Neither can I. It doesn't have anything to do with this story, I was just curious...
Okay, so this is the very last Jack Daniels story except for the one after this one...
I've been a fan of this series and have read the books in order. The previous book was the worst in the series - in my opinion - but for the most part this one was back to the usual quality I preferred. Everybody comes together in this one - the good guys and the bad - for a final show-off. Some will die, as promised.
This is the epic showdown we've been waiting for, with Luther Kite, Lucy and Donaldson, against the characters we've become so fond of.
Surprisingly, the humor didn't only come from McGlade in this one. Poor, poor Donaldson. He's looking for Lucy, and all he wants to do is drag somebody to death behind a car, but he can't catch a break! If it wasn't for bad lack, he wouldn't have any luck at all!
Well, guys, the book was good, but I didn't like how the Kite/Lucy/Donaldson issue resolved. It didn't feel...for lack of a better word, right. Konrath said that Blake Crouch was not available to help him write this one, and I wonder if it wouldn't have been better if he was.
Regardless, fans of this series should read this resolution for themselves.
Are you a SOUTH PARK fan? Can you remember how Kenny died in the ninth episode of the second season? No? Neither can I. It doesn't have anything to do with this story, I was just curious...
Okay, so this is the very last Jack Daniels story except for the one after this one...
I've been a fan of this series and have read the books in order. The previous book was the worst in the series - in my opinion - but for the most part this one was back to the usual quality I preferred. Everybody comes together in this one - the good guys and the bad - for a final show-off. Some will die, as promised.
This is the epic showdown we've been waiting for, with Luther Kite, Lucy and Donaldson, against the characters we've become so fond of.
Surprisingly, the humor didn't only come from McGlade in this one. Poor, poor Donaldson. He's looking for Lucy, and all he wants to do is drag somebody to death behind a car, but he can't catch a break! If it wasn't for bad lack, he wouldn't have any luck at all!
Well, guys, the book was good, but I didn't like how the Kite/Lucy/Donaldson issue resolved. It didn't feel...for lack of a better word, right. Konrath said that Blake Crouch was not available to help him write this one, and I wonder if it wouldn't have been better if he was.
Regardless, fans of this series should read this resolution for themselves.
June 28, 2019
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars.
I enjoyed reading this book in the Jack Daniels series. I'm sad that some recurring characters die(mentioned in the foreword). Herb Benedict and Harry McGlade still have some laugh out loud lines. Jack is on a rescue mission in this book. There is some graphic violence and this is not a cozy mystery.
Two quotes:
Conversation between Jack and Harry :
"What's your take on Katie Glente?
Harry shrugged.'I'd hit that.'
'You'd hit anything with two t### and a pulse.'
'Not true. The pulse is optional. And so are t###"
"How did anything at all get done in Phoenix? What fool thought it was a smart idea to build a city in the middle of a desert?"
I purchased this book from Amazon.
I enjoyed reading this book in the Jack Daniels series. I'm sad that some recurring characters die(mentioned in the foreword). Herb Benedict and Harry McGlade still have some laugh out loud lines. Jack is on a rescue mission in this book. There is some graphic violence and this is not a cozy mystery.
Two quotes:
Conversation between Jack and Harry :
"What's your take on Katie Glente?
Harry shrugged.'I'd hit that.'
'You'd hit anything with two t### and a pulse.'
'Not true. The pulse is optional. And so are t###"
"How did anything at all get done in Phoenix? What fool thought it was a smart idea to build a city in the middle of a desert?"
I purchased this book from Amazon.
April 15, 2022
Guns and Glory!
Backstory:
Phineas (Phin) Troutt decides that he wants to hunt down Luther Kite so he finds out that Luther is hiding out in Mexico. Phin sneaks away from his wife Jack and their daughter as he doesn't want to involve them in his plans. But like with any good plan it doesn't always go the right way and Phin gets captured by Kite's goons.
Jack does find out though and gathers some friends together to go on a rescue mission which results in tons of weapons and tons of skills as they need to penetrate a heavy duty cartel compound to find Phin.
Jack and crew will have their hands full as it will not be easy smuggling weapons over the border, so they have to find whatever way they can to access the compound without getting caught though it is best to have backup plans as they will need all of them before this mission is complete!
Does Jack and company find Phin? Are they able to rescue him without any casualties? Who wins and who dies? No spoilers here as you will need to read the book and the series!
Thoughts:
This was one messed up storyline as everyone that is anyone is within these pages as there are characters pulled from stories that were also written by author Blake Crouch. So there are quite a few characters that all converge into one area of the book eventually and I was turning the pages faster as there was so much happening I couldn't lay the book down!
There is fast paced action, humor (mostly from the character Harry McGlade), suspense, tension, and intense situations. I was exhausted by the time I finished this story as so much happened that my insomnia was fueled a few nights. One main character though doesn't make it and that made me sad as I wasn't expecting it, but if you are wanting to know who that is then you will just have to read this series to find out.
Looking forward to reading the next book in the series which is White Russian as things were not as wrapped up as you are led to believe. I guess I better prepare for some more sleepless nights! :) Giving this book four "Shootout Showdown" stars!
Backstory:
Phineas (Phin) Troutt decides that he wants to hunt down Luther Kite so he finds out that Luther is hiding out in Mexico. Phin sneaks away from his wife Jack and their daughter as he doesn't want to involve them in his plans. But like with any good plan it doesn't always go the right way and Phin gets captured by Kite's goons.
Jack does find out though and gathers some friends together to go on a rescue mission which results in tons of weapons and tons of skills as they need to penetrate a heavy duty cartel compound to find Phin.
Jack and crew will have their hands full as it will not be easy smuggling weapons over the border, so they have to find whatever way they can to access the compound without getting caught though it is best to have backup plans as they will need all of them before this mission is complete!
Does Jack and company find Phin? Are they able to rescue him without any casualties? Who wins and who dies? No spoilers here as you will need to read the book and the series!
Thoughts:
This was one messed up storyline as everyone that is anyone is within these pages as there are characters pulled from stories that were also written by author Blake Crouch. So there are quite a few characters that all converge into one area of the book eventually and I was turning the pages faster as there was so much happening I couldn't lay the book down!
There is fast paced action, humor (mostly from the character Harry McGlade), suspense, tension, and intense situations. I was exhausted by the time I finished this story as so much happened that my insomnia was fueled a few nights. One main character though doesn't make it and that made me sad as I wasn't expecting it, but if you are wanting to know who that is then you will just have to read this series to find out.
Looking forward to reading the next book in the series which is White Russian as things were not as wrapped up as you are led to believe. I guess I better prepare for some more sleepless nights! :) Giving this book four "Shootout Showdown" stars!
July 6, 2016
3.5 stars.
Last call was "supposed" to be the last Jack Daniel's book, after Stirred--this was the one that would tie up the loose ends of Blake Crouch's LUTHER KITE series, along with Konrath's JACK DANIEL's series...... Then came an "in-between" novel--RUM RUNNER. (Meh.) When this book was finally released, it was with some dissappointment I read that instead of co-writing with Crouch, Konrath was writing it all on his own, taking over the other characters.
I was honestly surprised at how well I liked this one, overall. The trademark dark humor was there, the psychopaths that we've come to know over the years, and Jack acting much more like her character than she did in RUM RUNNER. The ending, while partially predictable early on, was still great, even knowing some of the things in advance.
The problems I did encounter with this one was 1.) many editorial/typo errors, 2.) Luther Kite was just not the same without Crouch writing his scenes (although I felt Konrath did well with Donaldson and Lucy's characters), and 3.) the addition of many characters that were in different books that Konrath co-wrote with other authors. Having not read any except the ones Crouch (and one from Iain Rob Wright), I didn't fully understand who some of these people were, nor how they came to be in Jack (or Harry's) life. While the last part wasn't as bad as it could have been, I can't help but feel it would have been nice to have more background on them, without feeling the need to purchase and read another series (or two) of books, just to understand a few characters.
Overall though, I was mainly pleased with Jack, Phil, and Konrath's crew--with the exception of Luther, the others worked out true-to-character, as well. Long-time readers of Crouch's Andrew Thomas/Luther Kite series will appreciate this one for other related plot-lines.
Was I satisfied? Mainly, yes.
Will I be purchasing book #11: White Russian? Probably.
Recommended to those who have read the JD series and Thomas/Kite series.
Last call was "supposed" to be the last Jack Daniel's book, after Stirred--this was the one that would tie up the loose ends of Blake Crouch's LUTHER KITE series, along with Konrath's JACK DANIEL's series...... Then came an "in-between" novel--RUM RUNNER. (Meh.) When this book was finally released, it was with some dissappointment I read that instead of co-writing with Crouch, Konrath was writing it all on his own, taking over the other characters.
I was honestly surprised at how well I liked this one, overall. The trademark dark humor was there, the psychopaths that we've come to know over the years, and Jack acting much more like her character than she did in RUM RUNNER. The ending, while partially predictable early on, was still great, even knowing some of the things in advance.
The problems I did encounter with this one was 1.) many editorial/typo errors, 2.) Luther Kite was just not the same without Crouch writing his scenes (although I felt Konrath did well with Donaldson and Lucy's characters), and 3.) the addition of many characters that were in different books that Konrath co-wrote with other authors. Having not read any except the ones Crouch (and one from Iain Rob Wright), I didn't fully understand who some of these people were, nor how they came to be in Jack (or Harry's) life. While the last part wasn't as bad as it could have been, I can't help but feel it would have been nice to have more background on them, without feeling the need to purchase and read another series (or two) of books, just to understand a few characters.
Overall though, I was mainly pleased with Jack, Phil, and Konrath's crew--with the exception of Luther, the others worked out true-to-character, as well. Long-time readers of Crouch's Andrew Thomas/Luther Kite series will appreciate this one for other related plot-lines.
Was I satisfied? Mainly, yes.
Will I be purchasing book #11: White Russian? Probably.
Recommended to those who have read the JD series and Thomas/Kite series.
September 7, 2021
Story 5/5
Narration 3/5 They changed my favorite narrator.😤
I liked this book very much, even if it’s was over the top!!
If you like action movies, with explosions, psychopathic killers, and lots of blood, you’ll enjoy, Last Call, very much!
But first, I recommend for you, to read the first nine books.😄
This series is Awesome!!!
Narration 3/5 They changed my favorite narrator.😤
I liked this book very much, even if it’s was over the top!!
If you like action movies, with explosions, psychopathic killers, and lots of blood, you’ll enjoy, Last Call, very much!
But first, I recommend for you, to read the first nine books.😄
This series is Awesome!!!
December 19, 2018
After everything that’s happened to this point, Jack and Phin are essentially living under the radar for fear of killers from her past trying to enact revenge. Phin learns that two of the worst are somewhere in Mexico so he decides to go after them to proactively protect his family. Of course things don’t go well and Jack has to find him to save his life.
Fine. I would have been just fine if this was the whole story. Unfortunately we have one more killer who was more of a slapstick comedy routine and an ending that was preposterous. I should have stopped reading this series when Konrath originally intended (I’ve lost count of how many books were ‘the final story’). And goddamnit I already have the next last book so you know I have to read it. Crap.
Fine. I would have been just fine if this was the whole story. Unfortunately we have one more killer who was more of a slapstick comedy routine and an ending that was preposterous. I should have stopped reading this series when Konrath originally intended (I’ve lost count of how many books were ‘the final story’). And goddamnit I already have the next last book so you know I have to read it. Crap.
November 16, 2014
Wasn't Sterred supposed to be the last book in those series?
You know, the book where a 52-year old, heavily pregnant woman was risking her babies life, because she didn't trust her former friends to be good enough cops?
Guess another "last book" will work the cash cow. And than another "this time it really is the last book, promise" in a year or two.
But some of us, can smell the bull shit, and have stopped throwing money at this "let's put characters from multiple series in one book to sell more of our books and short stories"fusion clusterfuck.
You know, the book where a 52-year old, heavily pregnant woman was risking her babies life, because she didn't trust her former friends to be good enough cops?
Guess another "last book" will work the cash cow. And than another "this time it really is the last book, promise" in a year or two.
But some of us, can smell the bull shit, and have stopped throwing money at this "let's put characters from multiple series in one book to sell more of our books and short stories"
June 29, 2016
I can't believe I paid money for that.
March 24, 2025
This book is like a Hollywood blockbuster, full of action, recycled, and predictable. But like a big budget movie,
it has sections that are well written and times it is funny.
it has sections that are well written and times it is funny.
February 19, 2020
Rough to see the series end.
This one is packed with characters and content.
I'll be looking at the stand-alone books with this cast.
This one is packed with characters and content.
I'll be looking at the stand-alone books with this cast.
January 5, 2018
'Okay, then. This is how it ends. Last fight. Last stand. Last breath. Last call.'
I'd love to say this series ended with a bang. Happily, this is not the end of the Jack Daniels series. In the tenth installment, Phin is the main hero, risking life and limb to rid the world, and Jacks life, of the horror that is Luther Kite, arguably the most heinous serial killer ever to haunt the Konrath universe. Phin's mission leads him to Mexico, and another old adversary, Lucy. If those two psychopaths weren't enough, enter Donaldson, Lucy's old partner in crime. Finally, add a Mexican drug cartel, an old-school Roman Colosseum of death, a pig and a hot plate and you've got Last Call.
At the beginning of the book, J.A. Konrath forewarned us that this book really was the last call for some characters. One or more of the beloved heroes or heroines would be killed off in true Konrath fashion. I had my suspicions. There were two characters I strongly suspected would die. I was right about one but surprised by the other. Thankfully I didn't care for that character. We also saw the return of old friends of Jack's. Well, not really friends. More acquaintances with uncanny resemblances.
This book dragged on a bit and I can understand why some people won't like it as much as his older stuff. Jack actually wasn't in this much. Mostly, we follow Phin and his captivity. And of course, Harry McGlade. Harry and his pig. His comic relief is both joyful and repulsive. I laughed a lot in this book involving torture and murder, and that's saying something for a thriller. Looking forward to the next installment, White Russian.
I'd love to say this series ended with a bang. Happily, this is not the end of the Jack Daniels series. In the tenth installment, Phin is the main hero, risking life and limb to rid the world, and Jacks life, of the horror that is Luther Kite, arguably the most heinous serial killer ever to haunt the Konrath universe. Phin's mission leads him to Mexico, and another old adversary, Lucy. If those two psychopaths weren't enough, enter Donaldson, Lucy's old partner in crime. Finally, add a Mexican drug cartel, an old-school Roman Colosseum of death, a pig and a hot plate and you've got Last Call.
At the beginning of the book, J.A. Konrath forewarned us that this book really was the last call for some characters. One or more of the beloved heroes or heroines would be killed off in true Konrath fashion. I had my suspicions. There were two characters I strongly suspected would die. I was right about one but surprised by the other. Thankfully I didn't care for that character. We also saw the return of old friends of Jack's. Well, not really friends. More acquaintances with uncanny resemblances.
This book dragged on a bit and I can understand why some people won't like it as much as his older stuff. Jack actually wasn't in this much. Mostly, we follow Phin and his captivity. And of course, Harry McGlade. Harry and his pig. His comic relief is both joyful and repulsive. I laughed a lot in this book involving torture and murder, and that's saying something for a thriller. Looking forward to the next installment, White Russian.
July 20, 2016
I've never had a book creep me out and make me laugh at the same time. But the characters in the Jack Daniels series (the main characters, not the serial killers) are hilarious.
I went between sheer revulsion at what was happening on the pages to literally laughing out loud.
And I was not prepared for what happened. I had my suspicious that something wasn't right, but I was shocked at what the truth actually was.
Awesome book. Looking forward to the next one.
I went between sheer revulsion at what was happening on the pages to literally laughing out loud.
And I was not prepared for what happened. I had my suspicious that something wasn't right, but I was shocked at what the truth actually was.
Awesome book. Looking forward to the next one.
November 15, 2021
Sehr gelungener Thriller, viele bekannte Charaktere tauchen wieder auf,es gibt ein neues Haustier für Harry.....natürlich gibt es ein heilloses Chaos. Aber alles zusammen ein wahnsinnig spannendes Buch,bei dem ein paar Fragen offen bleiben. Vermute mal , das klärt sich im nächsten Buch.
Und ich habe bei so einem blutrünstigen und psychopathischen Thriller noch nie so gelacht,wie in diesem. Was Donaldson alles zustöst, grenzt schon fast an Slapstick und übertrifft sogar Harrys dämliche Sprüche!!! Lesenswert!!
Und ich habe bei so einem blutrünstigen und psychopathischen Thriller noch nie so gelacht,wie in diesem. Was Donaldson alles zustöst, grenzt schon fast an Slapstick und übertrifft sogar Harrys dämliche Sprüche!!! Lesenswert!!
July 3, 2021
I think I need a substantial break from the Jack Daniels series. Too much guts and blood. New speaker for the audio book won't help either. Feels strange to have two men, including the author, take even the female parts.
May 27, 2017
Last Call (Jack Daniels Mystery #10)
by J.A. Konrath
Disclaimer: Mild spoilers
This is the third Jack Daniels-related novel I've read this month, starting with the first in Konrath's Phineas Troutt trilogy, "Dead On My Feet," then moving into the last two Jack Daniels in her series, "Rum Runner" and "Last Call." I think I've said before that I have to be a just the right frame of mind to read these novels due to the truly graphic violence they contain. These 3 were no different, with "Dead On My Feet" being the least grisly among the 3.
In his forward to "Last Call," Konrath warns the leader, that as this is the end of the Donaldson/Lucy/Kite storyline, some characters will die. He also includes an excerpt in his next Jack Daniels novel, so you start off pretty darn certain Jack won't be among the casualties. While there was plenty of killing and plenty of dying, in the end only one of the long-time, in every episode of the series so far characters bites the dust. I had decided early on which one it would be, based solely on where I thought the series could go from here, and I was correct. So, the loss was sad, but not unexpected -- sort of like Harry's pet being among the casualties, as they always seem to be.
In this novel, Phin discovers the possible whereabouts of Lucy and Luther Kite when a reporter stops by the house asking questions. Jack is off visiting her mother, so she is unaware that the duo are still active. Phin sets out to end them before they can reappear in he and Jack's lives. He heads off to Mexico on his own, and, of course, winds up face to face with Lucy and Kite, but not as adversaries, but as a captive, forced to fight gladiator style for the entertainment of the deadly duo and for the gambling pleasure of the Cardova cartel's clientele. Of course, when Phin stops answering his phone, Jack leaves their daughter, Sam, with her mother, and heads home to find out what is going on. Phin's plan is easy to pry out of McGlade, who is the only one Phin confided in. Jack begins working to put together a team to mount a rescue. She include characters from other Daniels and related novels -- Fleming, Chandler, Tequila, McGlade, her friend Val, and the mysterious reporter, Katie Glente. Her former partner, Herb, declines as he is just a week away from retirement, but, true to form, he can't resist one last adventure with Jack, and shows up in Mexico soon after the McGlade Crimebago arrives. But the rescue won't be simple. Phin, and other captives, are being held at an old mission site that has been turned into a virtual fortress. There are dozens of guards, plus the arena gladiator patrons are usually packing too. The ground surrounding the mission is full of landmines. There is little if any shelter, so the approach leaves them wide open. And, to add to the excitement, Donaldson, thought dead by everyone, isn't. He is disfigured and physically week, but determined to find his Lucy, so he tags along with Jack's crew by hiding in the wind foil of McGlade's RV. Can this mismatched group of warriors succeed in freeing Phin and the other captives and send the baddies to their final destination? Yep, you'll have to read it to know.
Konrath is a master of the macabre. His mix of torture, action, humor, and pathos keeps the reader plugging along, even in the most dreadful of descriptive scenes. Well, I'll admit to skimming over a couple of them... The characters are not only fully fleshed out, but are consistent. The good guys are likeable (even when they aren't strictly "good guys") and the bad guys are always always bad. There is a unrelenting drive toward the climax that keeps the tension high, the expectations high, and the reader reading all night. If you have the stomach for his penchant for gore, this entire series delivers that in spades. Excellent proofing and editing -- and that is a big improvement from earlier books in this series (see my earlier reviews -- especially for "Cherry Bomb).
In the early novels, Konrath seemed to be obsessed with clothing brands. He would describe every outfit Jack wore -- and some of the other characters -- not just by the name of the article (blouse, skirt, suit, etc.), but by the clothing brand. Jeans weren't just jeans, they were Levi jeans, etc. About the 5th novel in the series, he stopped that practice, and I don't remember it being quite as evident, or even included in some of the later novels. But in this one, #10, he has a brief flirtation with brand names again, placing Jack in a Donna Karan and some of the Mexican drug dealers in Armani, Hugo Boss, chinos, and Ray Bans.
There really wasn't much I didn't like in the book other than the over the top graphic descriptions of wounds, of torture, or even just of bodily functions. Some of that was over the top, especially the things happening to Donaldson. Don't get me wrong -- they couldn't happen to a more fitting character. But ew. Add to that the depictions of man's inhumanity to man in the treatment of Donaldson by those he encountered, and humans don't come off too well. Hey! I'm not saying he didn't deserve the treatment, that was even kind of funny in a karma sort of way. I'm saying those he interacted with didn't know he was a crazy serial killer, and their treatment of another human being was pretty awful.
But none of these caused the book to lose a star. What did it for me was the Donaldson/Kite/Lucy/Glente connection. It was, I suppose, a neat and tidy way to tie up all the loose ends of the relationships, and a very handy way to end these characters. I'm sure most readers thought it a great idea. It just made me roll my eyes. I expect the action and violence and gore to be over the top in a Konrath novel -- situations where the possibility of escape is believable only because I want to believe it is possible. This one I just couldn't believe. Still, that strange familial connection did serve to set the stage for our good guys to escape (well, most of them) and provided for a satisfying end. But yeah, that's where the star fell off for me.
So, the next Jack Daniels adventure, "White Russian," is evidently not yet published (at least it's not on Amazon), so if you've been wanting to start this series, now might be a good time. Start with "Whiskey Sour."
by J.A. Konrath
Disclaimer: Mild spoilers
This is the third Jack Daniels-related novel I've read this month, starting with the first in Konrath's Phineas Troutt trilogy, "Dead On My Feet," then moving into the last two Jack Daniels in her series, "Rum Runner" and "Last Call." I think I've said before that I have to be a just the right frame of mind to read these novels due to the truly graphic violence they contain. These 3 were no different, with "Dead On My Feet" being the least grisly among the 3.
In his forward to "Last Call," Konrath warns the leader, that as this is the end of the Donaldson/Lucy/Kite storyline, some characters will die. He also includes an excerpt in his next Jack Daniels novel, so you start off pretty darn certain Jack won't be among the casualties. While there was plenty of killing and plenty of dying, in the end only one of the long-time, in every episode of the series so far characters bites the dust. I had decided early on which one it would be, based solely on where I thought the series could go from here, and I was correct. So, the loss was sad, but not unexpected -- sort of like Harry's pet being among the casualties, as they always seem to be.
In this novel, Phin discovers the possible whereabouts of Lucy and Luther Kite when a reporter stops by the house asking questions. Jack is off visiting her mother, so she is unaware that the duo are still active. Phin sets out to end them before they can reappear in he and Jack's lives. He heads off to Mexico on his own, and, of course, winds up face to face with Lucy and Kite, but not as adversaries, but as a captive, forced to fight gladiator style for the entertainment of the deadly duo and for the gambling pleasure of the Cardova cartel's clientele. Of course, when Phin stops answering his phone, Jack leaves their daughter, Sam, with her mother, and heads home to find out what is going on. Phin's plan is easy to pry out of McGlade, who is the only one Phin confided in. Jack begins working to put together a team to mount a rescue. She include characters from other Daniels and related novels -- Fleming, Chandler, Tequila, McGlade, her friend Val, and the mysterious reporter, Katie Glente. Her former partner, Herb, declines as he is just a week away from retirement, but, true to form, he can't resist one last adventure with Jack, and shows up in Mexico soon after the McGlade Crimebago arrives. But the rescue won't be simple. Phin, and other captives, are being held at an old mission site that has been turned into a virtual fortress. There are dozens of guards, plus the arena gladiator patrons are usually packing too. The ground surrounding the mission is full of landmines. There is little if any shelter, so the approach leaves them wide open. And, to add to the excitement, Donaldson, thought dead by everyone, isn't. He is disfigured and physically week, but determined to find his Lucy, so he tags along with Jack's crew by hiding in the wind foil of McGlade's RV. Can this mismatched group of warriors succeed in freeing Phin and the other captives and send the baddies to their final destination? Yep, you'll have to read it to know.
Konrath is a master of the macabre. His mix of torture, action, humor, and pathos keeps the reader plugging along, even in the most dreadful of descriptive scenes. Well, I'll admit to skimming over a couple of them... The characters are not only fully fleshed out, but are consistent. The good guys are likeable (even when they aren't strictly "good guys") and the bad guys are always always bad. There is a unrelenting drive toward the climax that keeps the tension high, the expectations high, and the reader reading all night. If you have the stomach for his penchant for gore, this entire series delivers that in spades. Excellent proofing and editing -- and that is a big improvement from earlier books in this series (see my earlier reviews -- especially for "Cherry Bomb).
In the early novels, Konrath seemed to be obsessed with clothing brands. He would describe every outfit Jack wore -- and some of the other characters -- not just by the name of the article (blouse, skirt, suit, etc.), but by the clothing brand. Jeans weren't just jeans, they were Levi jeans, etc. About the 5th novel in the series, he stopped that practice, and I don't remember it being quite as evident, or even included in some of the later novels. But in this one, #10, he has a brief flirtation with brand names again, placing Jack in a Donna Karan and some of the Mexican drug dealers in Armani, Hugo Boss, chinos, and Ray Bans.
There really wasn't much I didn't like in the book other than the over the top graphic descriptions of wounds, of torture, or even just of bodily functions. Some of that was over the top, especially the things happening to Donaldson. Don't get me wrong -- they couldn't happen to a more fitting character. But ew. Add to that the depictions of man's inhumanity to man in the treatment of Donaldson by those he encountered, and humans don't come off too well. Hey! I'm not saying he didn't deserve the treatment, that was even kind of funny in a karma sort of way. I'm saying those he interacted with didn't know he was a crazy serial killer, and their treatment of another human being was pretty awful.
But none of these caused the book to lose a star. What did it for me was the Donaldson/Kite/Lucy/Glente connection. It was, I suppose, a neat and tidy way to tie up all the loose ends of the relationships, and a very handy way to end these characters. I'm sure most readers thought it a great idea. It just made me roll my eyes. I expect the action and violence and gore to be over the top in a Konrath novel -- situations where the possibility of escape is believable only because I want to believe it is possible. This one I just couldn't believe. Still, that strange familial connection did serve to set the stage for our good guys to escape (well, most of them) and provided for a satisfying end. But yeah, that's where the star fell off for me.
So, the next Jack Daniels adventure, "White Russian," is evidently not yet published (at least it's not on Amazon), so if you've been wanting to start this series, now might be a good time. Start with "Whiskey Sour."
December 15, 2019
Insert eye roll here. This book was a bit annoying for me. Yes I get the dumb character of Harry but it gets overdone and I get annoyed not wanting to finish. And Donaldson, more scrapes, scars and missing body parts. Seriously lose your eye and glue your eye shut with your finger to it and then cutoff your finger? Super glue doesn’t last that long. Ok maybe over picky and these books lean toward the extreme dumb and supposed to be funny side but it wasn’t even fun to read. Not sure I want to read the remaining especially if Harry Mcglade stupidpants is in the book.
September 12, 2016
The torture in the first 93 pages is already so horrific and explicit that for perhaps the third time in my life, I have put the book down without finishing it. In earlier books, the torture or crime was mostly 'functional' to the story. In Last Call it just hits you non-stop without a chance of developing a story. I will have to miss out on what happens to Jack and Phin and hope for a less graphic follow up.
February 26, 2024
Last Call by J.A. Konrath is the 15th book in the Jack Daniels Thriller series. When her husband is captured by Luther Kite, who is with a Mexican cartel running brutal gladiator style games, Jack Daniels gathers her friends to mount a rescue. Totally unbelievable and even more crazy than before, this book is a little too twisted. Still funny but not as good as the previous ones. A little too out there for me and the ending was weird.
July 3, 2016
I expected most of what happened in the explosive finale. I figured out early on why Katie wanted to find Lucy. I was surprised by her reaction to Luther. I'm sick of Harry and his sexual and fat-phobic comments. I'm tired of all the gruesome torture scenes. I don't know why I keep reading. I guess it's because I like Jack and Phin and want to see if they ever truly find happiness.
July 19, 2016
Thrilling
I thoroughly enjoyed a previous book by J.A. Konrath and was ready for more. I wasn't disappointed one bit. Mr. Konrath is able to mix humor with action and achieve a great result. I love his writing style and the ability to mix both, which some other writers have tried to do, but not effectively. I'll definitely add Mr. Konrath to my list of favorite writers.
I thoroughly enjoyed a previous book by J.A. Konrath and was ready for more. I wasn't disappointed one bit. Mr. Konrath is able to mix humor with action and achieve a great result. I love his writing style and the ability to mix both, which some other writers have tried to do, but not effectively. I'll definitely add Mr. Konrath to my list of favorite writers.
June 30, 2016
I had been waiting and waiting for this one to come out and I was NOT disappointed. Great, super fast read that I could not put down. Ties up a lot of loose ends and I couldn't help but laugh at all the stuff Donaldson was going through in Mexico. That's all I will say.
December 9, 2016
I'm not sure why I kept reading this one. It was ridiculously violent and bloody, and the characters were pretty thin cardboard; but the light writing style was appealing in a strange way. I admit that I did just skim through the last half of it to see how it turned out.
July 20, 2016
Another fine book my JA Konrath!! So sad when I finished the book. December can't come soon enough!
August 12, 2016
Always amazed at what twisted torture the serial killers come up with next. Your in for a wild ride reading this latest Jack Daniels adventure!
February 21, 2017
I stopped reading this book because the graphic details of tortore and murder were just to grusome and disturbing.
April 1, 2020
I really enjoyed this one. It also made me very mad!!!! Phin finds out where Luther Kite and Lucy are. A woman named Katie shows him. He decides to go to Mexico to take them out so Jack and his daughter, Sam, can be safe. He ends up being kidnapped by them and made to compete in a gladiator arena fight to the death style games. Jack finds out he went and goes after him. She gets help from McGlade, Chandler & Fleming, Val, Tequila (my favorite), and Herb shows up at the last second. Katie also goes with them.
At the end, we find out that Katie was Lucy's Mom, and Luther's brother. Donaldson as is trying to track down Lucy. We find out that Donaldson raped Katie and Lucy was their child. So all these crazy serial Killers are together and end up killing each other. What sucked so bad was that Tequila was killed. He sacrificed himself to save Phin. Then Herb dies sacrificing his life for Jack. Damn!!!!
They end up making it look like Jack was killed as well. So she and Phin and Sam are moving to Florida under a different name.
At the end, we find out that Katie was Lucy's Mom, and Luther's brother. Donaldson as is trying to track down Lucy. We find out that Donaldson raped Katie and Lucy was their child. So all these crazy serial Killers are together and end up killing each other. What sucked so bad was that Tequila was killed. He sacrificed himself to save Phin. Then Herb dies sacrificing his life for Jack. Damn!!!!
They end up making it look like Jack was killed as well. So she and Phin and Sam are moving to Florida under a different name.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2020
While Jack and her daughter are in Florida visiting her mother she receives a message from her husband, Phin telling her he is taking a trip north with some friends. Jack knows this cannot be true and heads home leaving her daughter in Florida with Jack's mother. She finds out he has gone to Mexico to find two serial killers to keep his family safe. Jack is a retired detective and knows that Phin has never dealt with serial killers. She calls some friends and they head to Mexico to rescue Phin. The gang is all together and they all know this will be a near impossible rescue. The usual humor is there, not only with Harry but with one of the serial killers trying to make his way to Mexico. Nothing goes right for him.
Love the Jack Daniel series. The characters are terrific and was sad to lose some in Last Call. Definitely did not see the conclusion with the serial killers coming. Quite a twist!
Love the Jack Daniel series. The characters are terrific and was sad to lose some in Last Call. Definitely did not see the conclusion with the serial killers coming. Quite a twist!
October 16, 2022
In this “LAST CALL” all the gang gets together and go to Mexico in order to finally kill Luther Kite … You don’t know who Luther Kite is? What about Lucy? Donaldson? They’re really evil, mean and twisted… And Chandler? Herb? Harry? Phin? And Tequila (not the booze!)? Well, they’re Jacqueline “Jack” Daniels troupe and they will face they’re worst challenge in this series… in fact, some of them will not return from La Juntita!
This is an awesome book, especially if you’re a Jack Daniels fan (again, not the booze!) and even if it’s a stand-alone novel, I really recommend you don’t start with this one – all the characters have a background and knowing it by reading the previous books it will definitely elevate the experience of reading this book.
I had to refrain myself in order to get this one last for a week – amazing stuff! #11 is already on my Kindle to be read soon… thanks again Mr. Konrath for a extraordinary book!
This is an awesome book, especially if you’re a Jack Daniels fan (again, not the booze!) and even if it’s a stand-alone novel, I really recommend you don’t start with this one – all the characters have a background and knowing it by reading the previous books it will definitely elevate the experience of reading this book.
I had to refrain myself in order to get this one last for a week – amazing stuff! #11 is already on my Kindle to be read soon… thanks again Mr. Konrath for a extraordinary book!
May 27, 2019
Big improvement over Rum Runner but still not as good as the first few books in the series. There were a LOT of characters I didn't care about - because I didn't know them from however they appeared to be connected to Jack - and the death of a main character that I predicted out of the blue about 40% of the way through the book, and because of this I just couldn't get into it like the others. Add to that the RIDICULOUS plot twist(s) toward the end...I'm down to White Russian at this point, and I'm not looking forward to it. I will read it because I've come this far, so why not? But even if it isn't the last book, it will be for me. Konrath may keep Jack Daniels going forever but, to borrow the title of this story, White Russian (Jack Daniels Mystery, #11) will be the Last Call for me.
May 31, 2020
Jack Daniels is getting together a group of her cronies for a mission. To find her husband and get him back. He has disappeared from their home on some sort of trip without letting her know where he is going. These friends like blood, they like spilling it, watching it flow from wounds they inflict with all sorts of weapons. They also like violence, just for the sake of its enjoyment. The interaction between them is bloody and they reminisce about past exploits. They have a large motor home in which to travel. The red monster is large enough to carry them all and even the large pig that is along for the ride. The pet is supposed to be smart, so teaching him tricks is part of the interaction between the characters. It is a very funny, action packed, and bloody adventure.
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