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Owen Taylor #2
After the End
A devastated soldier's wife wants Special Ops veteran Owen Taylor to avenge her broken husband. And she won't have to ask twice
144 pages, Paperback
First published April 4, 2017
569 people are currently reading
1837 people want to read
About the author
James Patterson
955 books355k followersOfficial US Site
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
January 4, 2018
James Patterson and Brendan DuBois are back with the follow-up BookShot, where the reader met Owen Taylor, a recently-retired member of American Special Operations. With as much intensity as the debut piece, Patterson and DuBois solidify their ability to keep Taylor fresh and at the forefront of the reader’s mind. Owen Taylor is quite enjoying his new life in rural New Hampshire, though some of his less-welcoming neighbours need a little reminder of common decency. When he’s visited by a former colleague, Taylor learns of an issue down in Georgia that has his name written all over it. Travelling down, Taylor discovers a former special ops has been decimated by an IED, though things are not quite as cut and dry as that. While it would be easy to point fingers at the Taliban or ISIS, some raw footage leads Taylor to believe that popular war correspondent, Jack Zach, may have tipped off the enemy to an America contingent, causing significant casualties. This pushes Taylor to agree to help and he finds himself seeking out the source. Jack Zach does not seem to want to engage with Taylor in New York, though the latter will not take a simple no. A tip sends Taylor over to the Turkey-Syrian border, but Zach’s little game of cat and mouse keeps him one step ahead. After retuning the the US, Taylor discovers that his sleuthing is not appreciated and that Zach has friends in high places. However, Owen Taylor is stubborn, if nothing else, and will not stop until he has been able to avenge this cowardly act, if he can make it out alive. Patterson and DuBois show that their collaborative skills are top-notch. BookShot fans and those who loved the opening Owen Taylor piece will surely enjoy this follow-up.
It is sometimes difficult to produce a second high-quality short story in such short order. Patterson and DuBois did well with their BookShot ‘The End’ and this sequel offers just as much to the curious reader. Owen Taylor’s character is again wonderfully developed. There is less backstory here, though Taylor does flashback to his crew on the final mission (which was the crux of the opening story). I was certain that things would remain focussed in New Hampshire, where Taylor had a new group of enemies to keep him busy, though he seems to have handled them in a single (short) chapter. Working through the skills that Taylor honed while serving his country, the reader is able to see a decent snapshot of the man and his capabilities. The story is brief and the chapters speed along, permitting the reader to catapult through to the end in a single setting. Doing the reverse of the first piece, the reader sees Taylor in his nirvana before being thrust back into the combat zone he so quickly fled. An interesting contrast and should be noted for those who like to dig deeply into a story’s symbolism. I said that I would formulate an opinion of whether I wanted to see Owen Taylor in a full-length novel after reading this piece. I can say that I would not, as I feel the quick pace of the story is the perfect setting. However, I would also not want to see numerous BookShots that pull Taylor back into the mix and away from his home. It seems too ‘agent for hire after he retires’ and would surely get old quickly. Patterson and DuBois have done well with these two stories. We’ll see if they are done or have another idea floating around between them, Owen Taylor or otherwise.
Kudos, Messrs. Patterson and DuBois, on a great follow-up piece. Your collaborative effort offers up some great storytelling and I can only hope to find more in the months to come (or this BookShot binge month)!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
It is sometimes difficult to produce a second high-quality short story in such short order. Patterson and DuBois did well with their BookShot ‘The End’ and this sequel offers just as much to the curious reader. Owen Taylor’s character is again wonderfully developed. There is less backstory here, though Taylor does flashback to his crew on the final mission (which was the crux of the opening story). I was certain that things would remain focussed in New Hampshire, where Taylor had a new group of enemies to keep him busy, though he seems to have handled them in a single (short) chapter. Working through the skills that Taylor honed while serving his country, the reader is able to see a decent snapshot of the man and his capabilities. The story is brief and the chapters speed along, permitting the reader to catapult through to the end in a single setting. Doing the reverse of the first piece, the reader sees Taylor in his nirvana before being thrust back into the combat zone he so quickly fled. An interesting contrast and should be noted for those who like to dig deeply into a story’s symbolism. I said that I would formulate an opinion of whether I wanted to see Owen Taylor in a full-length novel after reading this piece. I can say that I would not, as I feel the quick pace of the story is the perfect setting. However, I would also not want to see numerous BookShots that pull Taylor back into the mix and away from his home. It seems too ‘agent for hire after he retires’ and would surely get old quickly. Patterson and DuBois have done well with these two stories. We’ll see if they are done or have another idea floating around between them, Owen Taylor or otherwise.
Kudos, Messrs. Patterson and DuBois, on a great follow-up piece. Your collaborative effort offers up some great storytelling and I can only hope to find more in the months to come (or this BookShot binge month)!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
June 21, 2017
After The End
I didn't like this book. I enjoyed the first Owen Taylor book "The End" so much that I really thought I was going to like this sequel but that was definitely not the case. I'm not really sure what was missing but I was hoping for a better storyline.
I didn't like this book. I enjoyed the first Owen Taylor book "The End" so much that I really thought I was going to like this sequel but that was definitely not the case. I'm not really sure what was missing but I was hoping for a better storyline.
February 9, 2019
This one was a waste of my time!
June 13, 2019
I liked this story, I wish our leaders would read it and take it to heart.
March 3, 2018
I like Owen Taylor as a main character and I liked his partner in this one, but the storyline was kinda meh (you know, that bookshot life).
February 23, 2019
WOW WOW WOW !!!!! I did not see that coming! James Patterson what a shocker thank you!!!
August 16, 2024
This grabbed me so hard emotionally. It begins with a mom who is leaving her family on a death mission. Her death along with the rest of her crew, will save the world.
The story then turns to a divorced dad listening for a return signal at his computer. He’s been doing this for years hoping to find and greet alien life. Then he gets a response and all hell breaks loose!
Exciting and easy read that has the best moral. We need to find a way to be peaceful and to let our children enjoy our beautiful world without the worry of invasions, wars or calamities.
The story then turns to a divorced dad listening for a return signal at his computer. He’s been doing this for years hoping to find and greet alien life. Then he gets a response and all hell breaks loose!
Exciting and easy read that has the best moral. We need to find a way to be peaceful and to let our children enjoy our beautiful world without the worry of invasions, wars or calamities.
July 12, 2019
We Are Not Alone is one of my favorite James Patterson co authored book. I normally do not read Sci Fi books, but I really enjoyed this book. The storyline was exciting and quite believable. The character development was outstanding and the book had a great meaning. This book had emotion, intrigue and drive. I’m so glad I invested time to read this great book.
January 21, 2019
Third and final story in this book --- all 3 were 200 pages long. All very different and I enjoyed them all.
June 25, 2019
My least favorite James Patterson EVER! Ridiculous and disappointing.
December 28, 2018
#2 in the Owen Taylor series. This 2017 novella from authors James Patterson and Brendan DuBois is a follow up to The End (2017). This is a fast and enjoyable, action packed thriller. Though it is a novella, there should have been room for a few pages of backstory. Without backstory it is really necessary to read the prior book in the series first.
A devastated soldier's wife wants Special Ops veteran Owen Taylor to avenge her broken husband. And she won't have to ask twice.
A devastated soldier's wife wants Special Ops veteran Owen Taylor to avenge her broken husband. And she won't have to ask twice.
November 29, 2017
It was ok book. Did not see much in terms of plot. Have not read the first book. While it did not matter what i felt about the book, saw some reviews first one was good. I doubt i will go back and read that one.
June 24, 2021
Speedy, punchy action. A great follow-up the first 'bookshot' with this character (The End). Perhaps a little less plausible than The End, and felt a little like it jumped ahead on a couple of occasions. Nonetheless an enjoyable, rapid read.
December 30, 2023
Not as good as it’s predecessor, but it didn’t take very long to finish as it was another bookshot.
December 24, 2025
We Are Not Alone is part of a trilogy included in the House Next Door by James Patterson. This story fails to pique my interest from after the first chapter and continues into a downward spiral of complete boredom.
Or it could just be my lack of interest in all things scientific without the "Science for Dummies" handbook. I continued on since I was committed to finishing the thirty-three chapters of this mind-numbing painful story I could not appreciate.
I am (probably) not alone in total dislike of this story.
Or it could just be my lack of interest in all things scientific without the "Science for Dummies" handbook. I continued on since I was committed to finishing the thirty-three chapters of this mind-numbing painful story I could not appreciate.
I am (probably) not alone in total dislike of this story.
February 12, 2021
This was one of three stories a (3 in 1) book, which o didn’t realize till i started reading at home. Which, i didnt t mind. The first (title) story, The House Next Door, was eh. The Killers Wife, was a bit better, kinda like a “cable movie of the week”. But i was genuinely & pleasantly surprised w/ We Are Not Alone. I do wish this was a regular whole novel by itself. Also, i am dying for this to be made into either a limited series or a major movie. It is so awesome, I can’t explain to much w/ out spoiling. It’s an Exciting Action/Sci-Fi/Thriller w/ real mind boggling twist.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2019
Robert James Barnett is a former Caltech PhD candidate and former Air Force cyber analyst. He currently is an alien life theorist and amateur radio astronomer.
He intercepts a message from outer space that could only mean that there are aliens trying to communicate with us. Soon the government is after Robert for what he knows. The chase is on.
He intercepts a message from outer space that could only mean that there are aliens trying to communicate with us. Soon the government is after Robert for what he knows. The chase is on.
April 12, 2019
Couldn't get into it. Didn't even finish reading it.
May 25, 2019
Very disappointing n
January 17, 2021
UGH! I was so frustrated with this book! I surely hope the co-author wrote most of this.
April 24, 2022
I was quite disappointed by this as I love space/astronomy/etc but wasn’t a fan of this. It’s definitely my least favourite out of the 3 novellas in the book. Not much to say other than that.
December 23, 2022
Not interested in aliens
August 18, 2024
Didn’t like this book at all!
May 27, 2017
This story begins just after The End ends. (Little play on words) Owen has done something he may regret, and a former colleague shows up in time to get him out of town and back on the job, unofficially of course. She takes him to visit the wife of a former soldier Owen worked with who was almost killed due to a reporter's carelessness. The wife wants revenge, and Owen is all too happy to help.
This book sees Owen back in his element as a soldier and travelling to various parts of the world. Will he be able to assist his friend's wife while her husband is still alive? Will it make any difference?
I enjoyed this story, for the most part. The relationship between Owen and the woman who takes him to the friend's wife is never completely explained. There is also a problem with the timing. Travelling does not happen that quickly in the real world, so that was unrealistic. There were some, "That-would-never-happen," events in the story as well. However, it was enjoyable and easy to read. It also had a satisfying ending which is so important to me.
This book sees Owen back in his element as a soldier and travelling to various parts of the world. Will he be able to assist his friend's wife while her husband is still alive? Will it make any difference?
I enjoyed this story, for the most part. The relationship between Owen and the woman who takes him to the friend's wife is never completely explained. There is also a problem with the timing. Travelling does not happen that quickly in the real world, so that was unrealistic. There were some, "That-would-never-happen," events in the story as well. However, it was enjoyable and easy to read. It also had a satisfying ending which is so important to me.
May 30, 2017
Another good quick read in the Bookshots format. This is the second of the Bookshots ones to feature Owen Taylor and the action in this one picks up right after the previous book (The End) finished.
Owen is visited by a former colleague and invited to visit a former soldier buddy who has been betrayed by a US reporter resulting in him losing a few limbs and being in a poor condition. He then sets out finding more about this reporter and tracking him down to seek revenge on behalf of his buddy.
As with the previous one, the action moves along at a relentless pace until the villain of the piece gets his come-uppance at the hands of the hero.
Once again, the lead character is very appealing and hopefully there will be more stories featuring him - maybe even a full-length novel?
Owen is visited by a former colleague and invited to visit a former soldier buddy who has been betrayed by a US reporter resulting in him losing a few limbs and being in a poor condition. He then sets out finding more about this reporter and tracking him down to seek revenge on behalf of his buddy.
As with the previous one, the action moves along at a relentless pace until the villain of the piece gets his come-uppance at the hands of the hero.
Once again, the lead character is very appealing and hopefully there will be more stories featuring him - maybe even a full-length novel?
January 12, 2021
I enjoyed the first Owen Taylor book written by James Patterson and his co author so was pleased to see a follow up that came free as a digital ebook at my local library.
In the first book, Owen Taylor is part of an elite soldier squad sent in with his four person team to kill a Serbian warlord and you now catch up with him as he tries to settle back into 'normal' small town American life, when an old colleague comes looking for help.
Allison is one of his ex spy buddies who needs help bringing justice to a colleague severely injured in an explosion out in Syria. Owen never met a mission he couldn't refuse, so of course he goes off gun-ho to seek justice but this time he finds out the 'villain' is a lot closer to home...
An enjoyable romp of a story
In the first book, Owen Taylor is part of an elite soldier squad sent in with his four person team to kill a Serbian warlord and you now catch up with him as he tries to settle back into 'normal' small town American life, when an old colleague comes looking for help.
Allison is one of his ex spy buddies who needs help bringing justice to a colleague severely injured in an explosion out in Syria. Owen never met a mission he couldn't refuse, so of course he goes off gun-ho to seek justice but this time he finds out the 'villain' is a lot closer to home...
An enjoyable romp of a story
August 28, 2019
Owen Taylor goes to visit Ray Winston, an old friend, and is shocked to see his severe injuried he received in Afghanistan. Ray’s wife shows them a video that she received anonymously. Ray and his fellow soldiers were set up by a news journalist who was later seen collaborating with the Taliban. Shots were aimed at the outpost where the journalist had just been. Soldiers were maimed and killed for his story. She wants revenge on this journalist for what he did to Ray. Owen agrees and a plan is hatched.
They got even with Jack Zach but did not physically hurt him. They humiliated him. And his assault on a cohort's wife won't go unnoticed by the courts.
They got even with Jack Zach but did not physically hurt him. They humiliated him. And his assault on a cohort's wife won't go unnoticed by the courts.
June 28, 2025
In "After the End", Owen Taylor is a retired operative at home his neighbours mistreat him and Owen takes matters into his own hands. He is forced back into action after betrayal leads to the death of his team when soldiers are ambushed because a reporter leaked their mission for a headline. At the request of a grieving wife, he sets out for vengeance. But the fight doesn’t stay overseas. Patterson delivers a thriller about justice, betrayal, and the lengths one man will go to right the wrongs—both abroad and in his own backyard.
June 14, 2018
Great book, I started it then 2months later I finally got nBa k to reading it again plot picked right up. Neverforot what was going on. I love how it keeps my interest and I don’t want to put the book down until I finish it.Wished there had been more romance plot but that is ok I can live with what gHas been written I like the
Bloodshot series. They are easy to read and fast reading pleasures. It doesn’t take a month to finish the book
Bloodshot series. They are easy to read and fast reading pleasures. It doesn’t take a month to finish the book
June 18, 2020
Owen Taylor is back - yay! Another good read.
Pet Peeve - 3rd JP book I've read recently where the cover and tagline don't match the story- who is coming up with these and who approves it- good grief. "Please avenge by wife." Ummm, Owen goes out to avenge an old military buddy, Ray. Very small secondary story line- the person Owen is after, Jack Zach, sexual assualts a co-workers wife. But she is the one that tells Owen about it and provide the information to take the target down.
Pet Peeve - 3rd JP book I've read recently where the cover and tagline don't match the story- who is coming up with these and who approves it- good grief. "Please avenge by wife." Ummm, Owen goes out to avenge an old military buddy, Ray. Very small secondary story line- the person Owen is after, Jack Zach, sexual assualts a co-workers wife. But she is the one that tells Owen about it and provide the information to take the target down.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews