Retribution

Harry Starke #7

by Blair Howard

Shadows from the past.A brutal murder.This time it’s personal.It takes only one phone call to turn Harry Starke into a monster.It begins when Harry’s kid brother is brutally murdered, his body thrown into the murky waters of the Tennessee River. That alone would be enough to set Harry on the warpath, but less than twenty-four hours after the body is found, Harry finds out there's a bounty on his head, too. $25,000.His answer?Strike first and strike hard. And so it begins.Harry and his army of three must go up against old enemies, but they face almost insurmountable odds when they go looking for… retribution.

Genres: Mystery, Suspense

226 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2016

About the author

Blair C. Howard is a Royal Air Force veteran, a retired journalist, and the best-selling author of more than 50 novels, including the international best-selling Harry Starke series, and 23 travel books. In 2021, having been fascinated by the heavens almost from childhood, and a SciFi fan for almost as long, he decided to try his hand at writing a military space opera. His first journey into this genre resulted in the Sovereign Stars series. Book 1 in the series, Avenger was quickly followed by Gods of War and Armored Fleet.

Blair lives in East Tennessee with his wife Jo, and Jack Russell Terrier, Sally.

Reviews

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

When a goon accidentally kills Harry Starke's brother over a gambling debt, Harry decides to do something about it. He proceeds to take down the entire organization responsible. He finds some old enemies behind the whole thing.

Not bad, almost more of a vigilante novel than a PI novel.

[Emilio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man, Retribution is a tough hard hitting novel. It’s like getting kicked in the gut right after having been punched in the mouth.

[Liz Crowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seeking a fast-moving crime thriller with a kick butt, 3-dimensional hero pushed to his limit when a family member is murdered?

Seek no more.

Retribution, another in Blair Howard's "Harry Starke" series of novels, is a quick read, fast-paced and tightly scripted with plenty of action. It adds to the Harry Starke canon, one I have thoroughly enjoyed from the beginning but brings a personal element that shows our Harry as single-minded when it comes to revenge, even when his nearest and dearest try to talk him down off the ledge.

Left with "more to come," given the fact of a missing bad guy by the end, Retribution fleshes out Harry's immediate family's story, while giving us a nice glimpse of his fancy new digs up on a mountain above Chattanooga--before plunging the reader into the darkest places in his head as he attempts to square his base urge for revenge with his overriding training to catch and incarcerate the bad guys.

You can jump into this shorter Harry Starke novel without any knowledge of the other books at all.

[Caroline 'relaxing with my rescue dogs' · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was Harry Starke at his best, wow this was really good. Thoroughly enjoyed it and also the narration was brilliant as always. Again this is one I could really see as a streaming series - why hasnt this happened.

[Connie Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of all the Harry Starke novels, I would like to say the country club one is still my favorite. But you absolutely have to read this one (each are good as stand alone books) to fully appreciate why I am claiming this one as my favorite. Harry packs himself a small army to go up against the criminals who killed his half-brother, his only other sibling. He has an arsenal of guns, vests, silencers, and bullets: all with special names. He even has a litany of cops to thank for contributing to this book (making it so great)!

After Harry finds out his brother is murdered, and finds out that the criminals are those (found in earlier books) that he has had to deal with before, he goes on the warpath. He gets the best of the best of his crew. He prepares very well. He and Bob do a reconnaissance mission of this humongous building to see what they can do. In no time, the war is on!!!!!!! Who gets hurt, who gets what was coming to them, and who gets away. That is for you to find out in book #7, the best book in the series so far! I love all of them practically the same, but some do stand out among others. Read this great book. You won't put it down!!!!

Thank you to Mr. Blair Howard for giving me a free e-ARC of this book to read and give my honest review.

[Tulay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good thriller.

This is not like the other whodunit books. Harry Starke's family member is murdered and hired killers are after him. When it comes to his loved ones he has a softer side. Trouble always finds him, but this time he's promising not to take a unnecessary risks, maybe next book won't be full of dead bodies. Reading this series you'll learn about guns.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading number seven in the Harry Starke series by Blair Howard. It's another good read, no pun intended.

No, "Retribution" is not going to win a Pulitzer Prize for literature. However, it will entertain you. All of the seven stories I've read so far have been entertaining, and enjoyable. That's why I read, so they've fulfilled my expectations completely. The stories are tight, if a little too predictable, but they hold your interest and keep you turning pages.

The characters are interesting, and a little different from the norm for a detective novel. Harry Starke is and ex-cop, that's the norm, but he wasn't fired from the police force for malfeasance or insubordination. In fact, he continues to have a good relationship with the police. He even shares information with them. He even helps them on occasion, and on other occasions they ask for his help. Amazing.

Harry's not a loner, and not struggling to pay the rent on his low-rent apartment. He's successful. He has a successful family. He has a agency with other agents that are actually competent. Amazing.

If you enjoy detective stories, the Harry Starke novels are enjoyable and worth the investment of your time. I've already purchased the next book in the series, number eight, and it's next in my reading queue.

[wendi wigham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Does Harry like hospital food?

Harry's kid brother is murdered by one of Lester 'Shady' Tree 's henchmen, Duvon. He owed money to Shady and the warning to pay up went too far.
Harry is out for blood, an undesirable associate, Benny tells him who is responsible and Harry loses it.Determined to destroy Tree & co., he talks with Bob & Kate, and Jacque won't be left out, as Tree was responsible for the hit and run which nearly killed her.
Only problem is he can't be found, until Benny gives the relevant info to Harry, and it's game on.
Harry s house is attacked by a small army of Tree's hired thugs, putting Harry s parents, Amanda, his fiancee, and his friends in danger. They beat or shoot off the attack and want revenge for that and Harry s brother's murder.
Problem is , where Tree has chosen a a hideout. It's almost impregnable, so a rethink is called for.
Needless to say Harry ends up in surgery, but the way he gets there is fast paced, but not too far fetched.
Worth a read, as are all the Harry Starke novels I have read to date, no slackening of pace or readability as the series progresses, let's hope it stays that way.
Off to download book seven.

[Danielle Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story totally shocked me, because of one of the acts done at the end of the story. I expected Harry to be more of a monster, but the truth is the true monster is Bob. Harry deserved what he got in this story, but his attitude and cover up the above act is an affront to law enforcement, that includes Kate at this point. I've never really liked Kate. She is all willing to go along with Harry, but really Kate is a snake. I've met women like her before. She does everything to pull Harry into her cases to help her with her murder cases, but does nothing to help him, unless it suits her or advances her cause. I'm personally glad that Harry has someone like Amanda, because Kate would have brought Harry only unhappiness, that was particularly apparent in book one. Amanda supports Harry, and worries with good cause. Yet, she doesn't let Harry push her around. This story hits the darkest part of us. It lets us see that even when the darkness takes hold, Harry finds a way back into the light.

[Debra Jeakins · Rating 5 out of 5]

RETRIBUTION BY BLAIR HOWARD is the seventh novel in the HARRY STARKE P.I series. I have just found the series and am reading it willy nilly. Harry Stark is a very well to do 46 year old P.I. He has multiple people working for his agency. Harry is a pretty laid back guy and in RETRIBUTION Harry has just proposed to his fiance Amanda when he gets word that his half brother has been found murdered. No more laid back Harry! Harry wants whoever murdered his brother dead,preferably at his own hands. Its bad enough that his brother was murdered but when a 25K contract is put out on Harry,the rule book goes out the window.

RETRIBUTION takes Harry Starke into dark territory. In the previous books I have read, Harry has been very laid back and more than not humorous in his job. Not any more. Harry wants one thing and one thing only, RETRIBUTION! I also want to comment on the narrator of the audiobook . Tom Lennon's narration is still excellent and I hope he continues to do Harry Starke forever!

I received this audiobook free in exchange for an honest review.

[Chris Wells · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I’ve enjoyed each of the Harry Starke books to this point I do feel the earlier ones had stronger stories. I feel that Retribution, and maybe book 6 Family Matters, are both pushing the plausibility a little too far. Harry is seeking revenge for his brother’s murder and goes after those responsible. However, the over-the-top gun battles and death toll make it unbelievable at times. I’m also not sure how Harry isn’t serving life for knowingly going on a rampage that led to many deaths. I know that is kind of the point with a book like this, and normally I’d be okay with that, but this series started off with a very different feel. Don’t get me wrong this is still a well written, fast paced thriller with all the characters I’ve come to love from the series. I just don’t think this particular addition does justice to those characters and what went before.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harry Starke is living the good life. Newly engaged to Amanda, planning a wedding. Life is good, until Harry gets the phone call. Harry's little brother Henry has turned up dead. Not just dead, brutally murdered. Harry and his band of "merry men" (and women) go into action. It doesn't take Harry long to find out that old nemesis Shady Tree is back in town and his boys are responsible for Henry's death. And who could they all possibly be working for? Well Little Billy Gordon may be in prison, thanks to Harry, but his daughter Katherine and her husband John Greene are now running the empire. Can Harry and his crew find all the players, before the contract on his head (thanks to the Greenes) is executed? Another well written, edge of your seat thriller from author Blair Howard.

[Cyndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this story we learn about someone I knew nothing about, it came out of left field and left me with tears in my eyes. When Harry hears that someone has put a price on his head the action and suspense intensifies to the point I just had to keep going. Oh my gosh this one is emotional and we see deeper into Harry's heart and to the person that most people don't see or know about him. This book was a little shorter than some I have read but believe me you get an entire episode of another Harry Starke book that you won't put down, I totally recommend this book.
I received a free code for a free download of this book from Audiobooks Unleashed . This review is my own honest opinion.

[David Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Harry Starke episode is not only action packed, it sends you on an emotional journey. I’ve gotten to know/like feel connected to Harry and the events in this story really struck a chord. I think of all the harry Starke stories I’ve read/listened to so far; this is my favorite. I like how it could be a stand-alone story because of the clear descriptions of who the characters are, but if you have read/listened to earlier stories you have a deeper understanding of who the major players are in the story.

[Nancy Silk · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A Personal War Which Cannot Be Avoided"

In this awesome story, Harry Starke goes over the edge into retribution. His youngest brother has been brutally murdered. He and his team start the revenge hunt. But then Starke finds out there is a bounty out for his head ... $25,000! While he hunts, he also becomes the hunted. Great, enticing, mind blowing novel only Blair Howard can write. I love his stories. Highly recommend.

[Rosemary Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have submitted this review after listening to the audiobook of this title.
Harry was intent on making someone pay for his brother's death, that would have been retribution. However, his father had made him promise to not take the law into his hands, but to obtain justice.
It's one heck of a story of two alphas trying to get the upper hand, knowing one, Harry, wouldn't stop until he had achieved his objectives.

[Roger]

Retribution (Harry Starke #7), my twenty-fifth read from author Blair Howard. Well-written and enjoyable, edge of your seat haunted house/detective fiction. So far each book in the series has been batter than its predecessor, the author finding different settings to involve his major characters in. Narrator Tom Lennon's excellent narration, as always, adds to the enjoyment of the book. I look forward to Calypso (Harry Starke #8). (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

And so, the hunt begins…
Harry Starke involves himself with other people’s misfortune all the time. It comes with the territory of solving crime. However, it does get to him at times but nothing like when it hits home and it is extremely personal…
The murder of his younger brother led to extreme measures. Who will survive?
This is the most explosive book of the series that I have read so far – strong emotions, great action and engrossing dialogue, as usual, plus some unexpected surprises.

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book you won't be disappointed with

As usual a brilliant gripping book from beginning to end. The author has his own unique way of describing his characters and what is going on in the story that you find yourself completely drawn in. One of those books you don't want to put down even for one minute.

[Gloria Kojakanian · Rating 5 out of 5]

You write and I will read!

I really love Harry Strike novels. The backstory and the descriptions of the locations are so seamless they keep the story on track and me believing that I'm actually there. I think if I were thirty years younger I could go to Chattanooga and find my way around( like Wishbone)

[Diane E]

Shady Tree returns

Harry ' s little brother is found, murdered. Through a low life bartender Harry finds out that Shady Tree is back and in business with the former congressman ' s daughter and husband. Drugs, and a contract out on Harry . That , of course, would never do.

[D. E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

BH. Has penned a novel with a storyline that takes you into the underworld of graft and corruption. An area where it can be brother against brother or other areas where the chips may fall. In this case it's about money owed to others and how they collect after you do not pay on time.....DEHS

[Lee Brothers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!! Harry is in over his head with a price on his head and he’s up against a lot of odds. This story has lots of twists and turns, it’s well written, I couldn’t put it down!! Mr. Howard is a great storyteller!!

[KathyP · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ho hum. Getting bored with Harry. The plot is predictable, he is predictable and I guess we’re supposed to be impressed with the armoury??? It’s just an excuse for another shoot out at the OK Corral where the heroes miraculously get away with murder and the police thank them???!! Come on!! Amanda offers nothing. No character development for any of the players and shallow plot. Not buying any more books.

[Thomas D. Bunce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Homerun

Another work of literary success. The story, plot, and vivid characters made for a page turning experience . If you are looking for a well written who done it, read this author.

[Ricki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harry becomes a monster and so he should when one of his own dies.

Beware amazon readers- when getting kindle unlimited book packs (Harry # 3-6), this book while number 7 is labeled as #6 in that package. Family Matters is really #6 and is not in that package

[Pencie Rumley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Action packed..

The death of his younger brother at the hand of thugs in an organization crime group sends Harry into the mother of all rages. While trying to protect his remaining family he plots the retribution that will delivered to those responsible.

[Darron P.Castiglione · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy a Harry Starke book

A fun read. Harry Starke is the quintessential private detective. Smart, rich and seems to always find trouble. I recommend Harry Starke books.

[Diane Waddington · Rating 5 out of 5]

love the books Harry Starke is now of my favorites.

[Sherri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional with page-turning action!