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Jack West Jr #3.5
Jack West Jr and the Hero's Helmet
An ebook-exclusive short story
Late on Christmas Eve, decorated SAS officer and Egyptologist Jack West Jr is about to make a discovery that could rewrite history.
In the ancient Temple of Dendur, housed in New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, a legendary weapon has lain hidden for millennia.
But Jack is not the only person who knows about the artifact's existence. As Jack examines the temple in the deserted museum, he is watched by a mysterious figure. A man intent on stopping him at any cost.
Late on Christmas Eve, decorated SAS officer and Egyptologist Jack West Jr is about to make a discovery that could rewrite history.
In the ancient Temple of Dendur, housed in New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, a legendary weapon has lain hidden for millennia.
But Jack is not the only person who knows about the artifact's existence. As Jack examines the temple in the deserted museum, he is watched by a mysterious figure. A man intent on stopping him at any cost.
15 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2016
155 people are currently reading
1876 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Reilly
68 books6,248 followersBorn in Sydney in 1974, Matthew Reilly was not always a big fan of reading. It was only after he read To Kill A Mockingbird and Lord of the Flies in Year 10 that he realised reading could transport you to another world. Following this revelation, Matthew soon began creating stories of his own and set about writing his first novel, Contest, at the age of 19 while still at university studying law.
Following rejections from all the major publishers, Matthew self-published Contest in 1996, printing 1000 copies. He produced a big-budget-looking novel which he sold into bookshops throughout Sydney, one shop at a time.
In January 1997, a Commissioning Editor for Pan Macmillan Australia walked into Angus & Robertson's Pitt Street Mall store and bought a copy of Contest. The editor tracked Matthew down through his contact details in the front of the book. Interestingly, those original self-published editions of Contest have now become much sought after collectors' items. One recently sold on eBay for $1200!
Matthew Reilly is now the internationally bestselling author of the Scarecrow novels: Ice Station, Area 7, Scarecrow, Scarecrow and the Army of Thieves and the novella Hell Island; the Jack West novels: Seven Ancient Wonders, The Six Sacred Stones, The Five Greatest Warriors, The Four Legendary Kingdoms, and The Three Secret Cities; and the standalone novels Contest, Temple, Hover Car Racer, The Tournament, Troll Mountain, The Great Zoo of China and The Secret Runners of New York.
His books are published in over 20 languages with worldwide sales of over 7 million copies.
Since Seven Ancient Wonders in 2005, Matthew's novels have been the biggest selling new fiction title released in Australia for that year.
Matthew has also written several short stories, including Roger Ascham and the King's Lost Girl, a special free prequel to The Tournament which is available online. Other short stories include Time Tours, The Mine and the hyper-adrenalised romp, Altitude Rush.
He owns and drives a DeLorean DMC-12, the car made famous in the Back to the Future movies. He also has a life-sized Han Solo in carbonite hanging on the wall of his office! When not writing or penning a film script, Matthew can be found on the golf course.
Matthew Reilly is currently living in Los Angeles.
(source: Amazon)
Following rejections from all the major publishers, Matthew self-published Contest in 1996, printing 1000 copies. He produced a big-budget-looking novel which he sold into bookshops throughout Sydney, one shop at a time.
In January 1997, a Commissioning Editor for Pan Macmillan Australia walked into Angus & Robertson's Pitt Street Mall store and bought a copy of Contest. The editor tracked Matthew down through his contact details in the front of the book. Interestingly, those original self-published editions of Contest have now become much sought after collectors' items. One recently sold on eBay for $1200!
Matthew Reilly is now the internationally bestselling author of the Scarecrow novels: Ice Station, Area 7, Scarecrow, Scarecrow and the Army of Thieves and the novella Hell Island; the Jack West novels: Seven Ancient Wonders, The Six Sacred Stones, The Five Greatest Warriors, The Four Legendary Kingdoms, and The Three Secret Cities; and the standalone novels Contest, Temple, Hover Car Racer, The Tournament, Troll Mountain, The Great Zoo of China and The Secret Runners of New York.
His books are published in over 20 languages with worldwide sales of over 7 million copies.
Since Seven Ancient Wonders in 2005, Matthew's novels have been the biggest selling new fiction title released in Australia for that year.
Matthew has also written several short stories, including Roger Ascham and the King's Lost Girl, a special free prequel to The Tournament which is available online. Other short stories include Time Tours, The Mine and the hyper-adrenalised romp, Altitude Rush.
He owns and drives a DeLorean DMC-12, the car made famous in the Back to the Future movies. He also has a life-sized Han Solo in carbonite hanging on the wall of his office! When not writing or penning a film script, Matthew can be found on the golf course.
Matthew Reilly is currently living in Los Angeles.
(source: Amazon)
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
November 11, 2016
Going to the Met to view the Temple of Dendur was something Jack did on a regular basis – but this time he had work to do. 8.45pm just as the museum was closing, and Jack along with his friend Max had to find some evidence that was reported to be in part of the temple.
Would they find what they were looking for? Or was there danger lurking in the shadows?
Jack West Jr and the Hero’s Helmet is a very short story by Aussie author Matthew Reilly and I wasn’t overly impressed I’m afraid. An abrupt and unresolved ending – and I know we have to read the full volume of the next book but I did expect more of a conclusion.
Would they find what they were looking for? Or was there danger lurking in the shadows?
Jack West Jr and the Hero’s Helmet is a very short story by Aussie author Matthew Reilly and I wasn’t overly impressed I’m afraid. An abrupt and unresolved ending – and I know we have to read the full volume of the next book but I did expect more of a conclusion.
August 3, 2022
A prequel short story to the Jack West Jr series about how he got his fireman’s helmet. It’s a nice little addition to the series and I do love the added mystery that something could possibly be hidden inside a brick of an ancient Egyptian temple. But overall this story is just a bit too short.
September 4, 2016
Matthew Reilly released a short story (for free!) about how Jack West Jr came to have his memorable helmet. He's so young and has yet to go through everything that happens in the series but he's still a well-known man with many accomplishments. I love that as we come into the story he's describing the Temple of Dendur but then the illusion breaks and he's in the Metropolitan Museum of Art! I agree that it seemed repetitive (hence the four stars) but I thoroughly enjoyed being immersed into that world again and Reilly ends it well as you can tell that blade will come back to threaten Jack and the world and we know the origin of his helmet!
The short story was incredibly short and I am seeing that a few people are not satisfied but I think I understand this story for what it is. It's a reminder that Jack West Jr is here to shake up your imagination and set your heart racing. It's reminiscing about the characters that threw me into a genre I never thought I'd enjoy and it's a refresher into a series that hasn't had a new book in eight years! When I closed the book on Five Greatest Warriors I thought it was the end of one of my favourite stories but this short story has made my excitement for the fourth book grow through the roof so I'm happy with it and I really cannot wait for The Four Legendary Kingdoms!
The short story was incredibly short and I am seeing that a few people are not satisfied but I think I understand this story for what it is. It's a reminder that Jack West Jr is here to shake up your imagination and set your heart racing. It's reminiscing about the characters that threw me into a genre I never thought I'd enjoy and it's a refresher into a series that hasn't had a new book in eight years! When I closed the book on Five Greatest Warriors I thought it was the end of one of my favourite stories but this short story has made my excitement for the fourth book grow through the roof so I'm happy with it and I really cannot wait for The Four Legendary Kingdoms!
February 11, 2023
I read some Matthew Reilly novels in the 2000s. They were fast and fun action novels for low brain power. In retrospect I figured that they might not have been terribly well written, but I enjoyed them at the time, until I did not. I came across this short story and decided to give the author a quick check, to see if I might still like him.
“Late on Christmas Eve, decorated SAS officer and Egyptologist Jack West Jr is about to make a discovery that could rewrite history.“
The short story is 17 pages, could have done with some editing and is not terribly exciting. It reads more like a plot bunny. In my edition it‘s followed by another 10 pages of the fourth Jack West novel, The Four Legendary Kingdoms. Not tempted.
If you are tempted, there is an overview of the novels and a bunch short stories free for download (including this one) to be found here: http://matthewreilly.com/the-novels/
“Late on Christmas Eve, decorated SAS officer and Egyptologist Jack West Jr is about to make a discovery that could rewrite history.“
The short story is 17 pages, could have done with some editing and is not terribly exciting. It reads more like a plot bunny. In my edition it‘s followed by another 10 pages of the fourth Jack West novel, The Four Legendary Kingdoms. Not tempted.
If you are tempted, there is an overview of the novels and a bunch short stories free for download (including this one) to be found here: http://matthewreilly.com/the-novels/
September 28, 2018
Well, I have to say I read this because I was desperate. Desperate to read some Matthew Reilly while I impatiently await his new Jack West Novel - and having read everything else he has written.
It was full of typical Reilly excitement and action and it's great to get an insight if small, of how he came into possession of something that is such an integral part of his persona.
While I am of course disappointed it's so short (you can never get enough Jack West or Matthew Reilly), if he is spending his time finishing the next Jack West, or Scarecrow novel, I'm satisfied with that!
It was full of typical Reilly excitement and action and it's great to get an insight if small, of how he came into possession of something that is such an integral part of his persona.
While I am of course disappointed it's so short (you can never get enough Jack West or Matthew Reilly), if he is spending his time finishing the next Jack West, or Scarecrow novel, I'm satisfied with that!
December 28, 2018
Haa... I can’t even imagine Jack as a young 25 year old anymore. And seeing him actually walk away from an assassin, now that was unexpected.
But it felt nice to see the early signs of his obsession with Egyptian mythology and reading about Max just made me want to pick up Seven Ancient Wonders again 😊😊😊
But it felt nice to see the early signs of his obsession with Egyptian mythology and reading about Max just made me want to pick up Seven Ancient Wonders again 😊😊😊
August 10, 2020
Ridiculous fights, hints of hidden history, and a surfeit of exclamation points. In other words, written by Matthew Reilly.
February 24, 2017
too short. but get's the point across
September 8, 2016
Very short story set before the events of the first book in the Jack West series, when Jack is only 25, and studying archeology. His brief adventure describes how he acquired his fireman's hat. The best bit was the hint at the epilogue, that the next book, which comes out next month, features not just JW but another hero... Please please let it be Scarecrow!
October 19, 2016
Yes, it's like 20 pages long, but that still counts as a book Goodreads! I will reach my reading goal if it kills me. Or makes me cheat ;-)
This was a fantastic little interlude. It's been a while since I've read the series so I liked this little reboot to remind me of characters.
Besides, only Reilly can fit this much badassery in 20 pages.
This was a fantastic little interlude. It's been a while since I've read the series so I liked this little reboot to remind me of characters.
Besides, only Reilly can fit this much badassery in 20 pages.
September 1, 2016
Short, but very fun book. Highly enjoyable even though it took me 5 minutes. Based before all the books and even before his rescuing of Lily. Was good. 4/5
September 29, 2016
It is nice to have a back story to the helmet but I expected a bit more. I am expecting that this is a lead into something that occurs in the next Jack West book.
March 24, 2017
The Book cover, foreground shows a fireman's precinct FDNY 17 helmet and a temple of Dendur in the background.
A SAS Officer and Egyptologist Jack West Jr. has postulated in Journal of Egyptian Archaeology, that the sandstone in temple of Dendur is embedded with a knife of Osiris, the god of afterlife, underworld and resurrection. The 800 ton temple was given as gift by Egyptian Government to the United States, the temple was dismantled from its original position on the Nile, South of Aswan and transported by a ship to New York and re-erected piece by piece in 1978.
With his professor friend Max Epper, Jack visits the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art with permission to use a non-invasive technique to find if there is any ancient weapon buried inside the stonebrick. While examining, Jack surveys the environment and makes note a tall figure cladded in trench coat over looking at his work. The scan reports a knife inside the sandstone, then suddenly a fire alarm goes off, the museum announces to evacuate the premises.
Firemen from precinct 17 enters to quench the fire. Jack West Jr. overhears one kid pointing out that FDNY precinct 17 firetruck is ladder truck instead a regular fire engine is wrongly given the number precinct 17. Jack goes to action mode and asks Max to report on the sandstone as Jack goes near the fire truck. Max calls Jack and says that the sandstone has been smashed and the knife is missing. The truck moves out from the museum and Jack West follows the truck but he was beaten and falls from the slowing truck. Before he reaches the truck he finds out that the commander of the firemen was shot dead and the trench coat fellow has taken the knife and disappeared. Who is that man and why he took the ancient weapon?
That ends the story. As it is a short story I thought it will have a conclusion, but it is not. The author left this as a cliff hanger. For me this books looks like a interlude more than a short story.
More book reviews in www.chromaring.com
A SAS Officer and Egyptologist Jack West Jr. has postulated in Journal of Egyptian Archaeology, that the sandstone in temple of Dendur is embedded with a knife of Osiris, the god of afterlife, underworld and resurrection. The 800 ton temple was given as gift by Egyptian Government to the United States, the temple was dismantled from its original position on the Nile, South of Aswan and transported by a ship to New York and re-erected piece by piece in 1978.
With his professor friend Max Epper, Jack visits the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art with permission to use a non-invasive technique to find if there is any ancient weapon buried inside the stonebrick. While examining, Jack surveys the environment and makes note a tall figure cladded in trench coat over looking at his work. The scan reports a knife inside the sandstone, then suddenly a fire alarm goes off, the museum announces to evacuate the premises.
Firemen from precinct 17 enters to quench the fire. Jack West Jr. overhears one kid pointing out that FDNY precinct 17 firetruck is ladder truck instead a regular fire engine is wrongly given the number precinct 17. Jack goes to action mode and asks Max to report on the sandstone as Jack goes near the fire truck. Max calls Jack and says that the sandstone has been smashed and the knife is missing. The truck moves out from the museum and Jack West follows the truck but he was beaten and falls from the slowing truck. Before he reaches the truck he finds out that the commander of the firemen was shot dead and the trench coat fellow has taken the knife and disappeared. Who is that man and why he took the ancient weapon?
That ends the story. As it is a short story I thought it will have a conclusion, but it is not. The author left this as a cliff hanger. For me this books looks like a interlude more than a short story.
More book reviews in www.chromaring.com
July 26, 2024
The story of how Jack got his helmet
March 13, 2017
As a stand alone short story, not one of the better ones of the fantastic Mr Reilly. However as a setup, reading it as an avid fan of Jack West, it was a nice little teaser for the next book, which I've not yet read.
September 3, 2016
Yep. Probably the first time i would say something from MR is only OK and worth about 1-2 stars.
The story is too short and very un-MR-like.
maybe it bcos it belongs to a time when Jack West Jr was too young to be a badass explorer but still ... it was kind of disappointing to see the lack of MR-like action and thrill ...
The story is too short and very un-MR-like.
maybe it bcos it belongs to a time when Jack West Jr was too young to be a badass explorer but still ... it was kind of disappointing to see the lack of MR-like action and thrill ...
October 22, 2016
This is a short story about how Jack West Jr aquired his fireman helmet. This was only 23 pages long and although it was interesting to find out how Jack aquired his helmet it didn't have the same intensity as a full novel.
3 stars
3 stars
September 2, 2016
The ending is way too abrupt for my liking. Even as a short story, this felt incomplete.
October 11, 2021
Jack West Jr. and the Hero's Helmet is a short story from the Jack West Jr. series written by Matthew Reilly, which tells the story of how Jonathan "Jack" James West Jr. got his N.Y.F.D. helmet in his possession. This short story takes place before the series, but should be read after The Greatest Warriors as characters and situations would have more meaning after the third installment.
Jack was set to resign from the Australian SAS only to be assigned to Max Epper's Capstone mission at the last minute. Epper is following up on his own theory regarding the Temple of Dendur and have received permission from New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art to examine the Temple non-destructively, which was relocated brick-by-brick to the museum from its original location.
Once the museum closes, Jack and Epper set to work, watched by a man in a trench coat they assume is with the two museum security guards with them. Jack has theorized that within one of the bricks of the Temple is the Knife of Osiris and through the use of a Ground Penetrating Radar is able to confirm it.
At that exact moment, the fire alarm goes off and Jack smells smoke, and he and Epper are forced to evacuate along with everyone else as a squad of firemen enter the museum. Within minutes they re-emerge, stating that the alarm was set of because of a faulty fuse. However, Jack soon realizes that the fire truck is a fake and is further confirmed by Epper as the brick containing the Knife of Osiris has been taken.
Jack immediately jumps onto the fire truck of the false firemen, and as they speed away from the museum, Jack begins fighting with one of the impostors. During their fight, Jack is forced to throw the man off the fire truck, inadvertently keeping a hold of his fireman's helmet and years later, keeps the helmet as a memento to remind him that not everyone is whom they seem.
Jack West Jr. and the Hero's Helmet is written rather well. It gives the history as to how Jack received his iconic N.Y.F.D. helmet, which is linked so closely to his persona in the core series. It also shows the relationship between Jack West Jr. and Maximilian "Jack" 'Max' T. Epper as they have an interesting teacher-student relationship. Their repartee are very well written and a joy to read.
All in all, Jack West Jr. and the Hero's Helmet is a wonderfully written short story about the backstory of the iconic N.Y.F.D. helmet that is so iconic to the Huntsman. While not necessarily needed to read for the core series, it is a worthy addition to the Jack West Jr. universe – enriching it just a tad more.
Jack was set to resign from the Australian SAS only to be assigned to Max Epper's Capstone mission at the last minute. Epper is following up on his own theory regarding the Temple of Dendur and have received permission from New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art to examine the Temple non-destructively, which was relocated brick-by-brick to the museum from its original location.
Once the museum closes, Jack and Epper set to work, watched by a man in a trench coat they assume is with the two museum security guards with them. Jack has theorized that within one of the bricks of the Temple is the Knife of Osiris and through the use of a Ground Penetrating Radar is able to confirm it.
At that exact moment, the fire alarm goes off and Jack smells smoke, and he and Epper are forced to evacuate along with everyone else as a squad of firemen enter the museum. Within minutes they re-emerge, stating that the alarm was set of because of a faulty fuse. However, Jack soon realizes that the fire truck is a fake and is further confirmed by Epper as the brick containing the Knife of Osiris has been taken.
Jack immediately jumps onto the fire truck of the false firemen, and as they speed away from the museum, Jack begins fighting with one of the impostors. During their fight, Jack is forced to throw the man off the fire truck, inadvertently keeping a hold of his fireman's helmet and years later, keeps the helmet as a memento to remind him that not everyone is whom they seem.
Jack West Jr. and the Hero's Helmet is written rather well. It gives the history as to how Jack received his iconic N.Y.F.D. helmet, which is linked so closely to his persona in the core series. It also shows the relationship between Jack West Jr. and Maximilian "Jack" 'Max' T. Epper as they have an interesting teacher-student relationship. Their repartee are very well written and a joy to read.
All in all, Jack West Jr. and the Hero's Helmet is a wonderfully written short story about the backstory of the iconic N.Y.F.D. helmet that is so iconic to the Huntsman. While not necessarily needed to read for the core series, it is a worthy addition to the Jack West Jr. universe – enriching it just a tad more.
March 5, 2021
Going back to before it all began was very interesting.. Just after Finishing the penultimate book 'The Two Lost Mountains'!
Jack's fireman helmet has always been a constant and now we know why. Kudos to the way Jack West Jr is written and the ancient wonders portrayed in this series.. I am, and will always be a huge fan!
Jack's fireman helmet has always been a constant and now we know why. Kudos to the way Jack West Jr is written and the ancient wonders portrayed in this series.. I am, and will always be a huge fan!
January 14, 2022
12/01/2022
3 ⭐
Short and sweet! I really enjoyed seeing Jack when he was a little bit younger and seeing Max again! This was the perfect before bed read!
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StoryGraph
3 ⭐
Short and sweet! I really enjoyed seeing Jack when he was a little bit younger and seeing Max again! This was the perfect before bed read!
Blog | Letterboxd | Instagram | Tumblr | Twitter |
StoryGraph
January 3, 2019
A nice quick read that gives a little bit of history of Jack.
May 1, 2024
Feels unfortunately incomplete.
January 10, 2021
The story was short and not all in that story was explained but I guess it'll come up soon in the next adventure of Jack West. There was still some amount of action and I enjoyed it. The story tells us how Jack became his helmet wich he always wears on his exciting adventure. I'm really looking forward to The two lost mountains.
September 15, 2016
Jack West Jr and Professor Max T. Epper are visiting the Sackler Wing of the New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art with special permission to view and x-ray a brick in the Temple of Dendur, that was donated to the USA by the Egyptian government. On Christmas Eve of all times!
Just when Jack is getting a picture of a knife inside the brick, a fire alarm is set off and the building is evacuated for the fire service to secure the building.
Only when a young boy mentions that the F.D.N.Y 17 fire truck isn't right, does Jack get suspicious and sends Max inside to check on the brick.
If you like the review and would like to read reviews on other books I have made, visit my blog at www.finalchapterreadersgroup.wordpres... like, comment and follow.
When one of the 'firemen' realises that Jack has twigged, they try to make a speedy escape on the icy road. The ice gives Jack the chance to grab hold of the rear of the truck...for a very bumpy and dangerous ride through New York's streets!
A great short story to wet the appetite for the 4th Jack West Jr novel 'The Four Legendary Kingdoms' out in November 2016.
Just when Jack is getting a picture of a knife inside the brick, a fire alarm is set off and the building is evacuated for the fire service to secure the building.
Only when a young boy mentions that the F.D.N.Y 17 fire truck isn't right, does Jack get suspicious and sends Max inside to check on the brick.
If you like the review and would like to read reviews on other books I have made, visit my blog at www.finalchapterreadersgroup.wordpres... like, comment and follow.
When one of the 'firemen' realises that Jack has twigged, they try to make a speedy escape on the icy road. The ice gives Jack the chance to grab hold of the rear of the truck...for a very bumpy and dangerous ride through New York's streets!
A great short story to wet the appetite for the 4th Jack West Jr novel 'The Four Legendary Kingdoms' out in November 2016.
September 7, 2016
I read this yesterday and as usual it is.brilliant. The same unrelenting action, excellent characterization, lots of suspense and lots of history thrown in. I also noticed something not usually found in Matthew Reillys books ~ a subtle change of pace. Normally it's full.on or back.to full on. This seemed different as it was a little more reserved. I'm very curious to see if that is carried over to his next novel (which this is a prelude to ).
A great short story.
A great short story.
September 4, 2016
5 minutes I'll never get back. So disappointed - where's the Matthew Reilly that so thrilled me in the past? The writing was excessive in information without saying anything, didn't make sense with timeframes or character behaviour, over-use of adjectives, bad similes, repeated and unnecessary information... This one actually makes the Great Zoo of China look decent.
September 15, 2016
Short but very sweet, so now we know how Jack got the fireman's helmet.
Is this also a lead in to the next novel, I didn't read the opening of book 3 as want to savour it when it comes out in November, if it isn't then there will be more to come in a few years time.
Matthew is a master and should be a superstar.
Is this also a lead in to the next novel, I didn't read the opening of book 3 as want to savour it when it comes out in November, if it isn't then there will be more to come in a few years time.
Matthew is a master and should be a superstar.
September 1, 2016
Great short story can't wait for the new book
September 1, 2016
Love it can't wait for more Jack West Jr
Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews