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Jed Walker #4
Dark Heart
An adrenalin-fuelled action thriller featuring ex-CIA operative Jed Walker.
For Walker, winning is the only option if you want to stay alive!
Jed Walker is ex-CIA – he thought he was out of the game. An ominous global threat brought him back into play. But just when Walker thinks he is winning, the bad guys change it up a gear and the odds get stacked higher against him. In the global theatre of war, winning is the only option if you want to stay alive.
Discovering a terrorist outfit is running people smuggling out of the Middle East, Walker thinks they are driven purely by profit and greed. But it is much worse than that. He must work against time and powerful adversaries to uncover the truth behind the operation and prevent a global catastrophe being unleashed.
If he lives, Jed Walker will learn the true cost of life . . . and the knowledge will change him forever.
For Walker, winning is the only option if you want to stay alive!
Jed Walker is ex-CIA – he thought he was out of the game. An ominous global threat brought him back into play. But just when Walker thinks he is winning, the bad guys change it up a gear and the odds get stacked higher against him. In the global theatre of war, winning is the only option if you want to stay alive.
Discovering a terrorist outfit is running people smuggling out of the Middle East, Walker thinks they are driven purely by profit and greed. But it is much worse than that. He must work against time and powerful adversaries to uncover the truth behind the operation and prevent a global catastrophe being unleashed.
If he lives, Jed Walker will learn the true cost of life . . . and the knowledge will change him forever.
384 pages, Paperback
First published December 16, 2016
32 people are currently reading
2500 people want to read
About the author
James Phelan
36 books257 followersJames Phelan is the award-winning author of twenty-four novels and one work of non-fiction. He first studied and worked in architecture before turning to English/Lit, working five years at The Age newspaper, obtaining an MA (Writing) and PhD (Young Adult Literature).
Hachette has published his five geo-political thrillers: FOX HUNT, PATRIOT ACT, BLOOD OIL, LIQUID GOLD and RED ICE.
From 2010-2011, Hachette published the widely acclaimed ALONE trilogy of Young Adult post-apocalyptic/dystopian novels.
In 2013/2014, Scholastic published James' thirteen-book adventure series about the dream work THE LAST THIRTEEN. The multi-award winning series (2014 YABBA, COOL, KOALA awards) has been highly successful around the world, selling over a million copies in 18 months.
THE SPY (Hachette, 2013), was the first instalment in a new series of suspense thrillers with the protagonist Jed Walker, and is followed by THE HUNTED (2015), and KILL SWITCH (2015).
James is currently working on a follow-up trilogy to THE LAST THIRTEEN, more thrillers, and an illustrated middle-grade series titled GRANDPA SPIES.
James has taught writing at post-graduate level and regularly talks at schools, libraries and universities around the world. Since 2006 he has sold over 4 million copies of his books.
Hachette has published his five geo-political thrillers: FOX HUNT, PATRIOT ACT, BLOOD OIL, LIQUID GOLD and RED ICE.
From 2010-2011, Hachette published the widely acclaimed ALONE trilogy of Young Adult post-apocalyptic/dystopian novels.
In 2013/2014, Scholastic published James' thirteen-book adventure series about the dream work THE LAST THIRTEEN. The multi-award winning series (2014 YABBA, COOL, KOALA awards) has been highly successful around the world, selling over a million copies in 18 months.
THE SPY (Hachette, 2013), was the first instalment in a new series of suspense thrillers with the protagonist Jed Walker, and is followed by THE HUNTED (2015), and KILL SWITCH (2015).
James is currently working on a follow-up trilogy to THE LAST THIRTEEN, more thrillers, and an illustrated middle-grade series titled GRANDPA SPIES.
James has taught writing at post-graduate level and regularly talks at schools, libraries and universities around the world. Since 2006 he has sold over 4 million copies of his books.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 10, 2017
Something tells me this fourth book in the Jed Walker series may also be the last since everything is neatly rounded off and the last sentence hints at a major life change. What an excellent series it has been!
Jed Walker is most certainly Jack Reacher's long lost cousin. He fights the same way, is equally smart and of course always wins against ridiculous odds. Which makes for a terrific, fun read. The story line does get quite involved but there is no need to worry if you are unable to keep up with every political plot and manoeuvre. I certainly didn't and it did not spoil the story one bit.
Highly recommended especially if you are a fan of the genre and are looking for another good author.
Jed Walker is most certainly Jack Reacher's long lost cousin. He fights the same way, is equally smart and of course always wins against ridiculous odds. Which makes for a terrific, fun read. The story line does get quite involved but there is no need to worry if you are unable to keep up with every political plot and manoeuvre. I certainly didn't and it did not spoil the story one bit.
Highly recommended especially if you are a fan of the genre and are looking for another good author.
January 5, 2017
Wow! Another cracker of a thriller from Aussie author James Phelan!
Jed Walker had been recuperating in hospital after the last operation (Kill Switch) and when Eve came to take him home, Jed was looking forward to nothing more than rest and recovery. That was until a desperate young woman convinced him he was going to be attacked in a short time – someone was after him and they wanted him dead.
The atrocities in Syria, the global terrorism, a people smuggling business from the Middle East into the US – Jed was right in the middle of it in short order. He had no idea who he could trust but he also knew the clock was ticking and the race was on. The bodies were mounting. But was Jed one step ahead of the bad guys? He knew he had to win – the world’s safety counted on it…
Dark Heart by Aussie author James Phelan is the 4th in the Jed Walker series and I loved it! I devoured it in a matter of hours; the pace is relentless, the tension gripping! Action packed suspense ripples through the pages – this author knows how to write thrillers! Highly recommended.
With thanks to Hachette Australia for my copy to read and review.
Jed Walker had been recuperating in hospital after the last operation (Kill Switch) and when Eve came to take him home, Jed was looking forward to nothing more than rest and recovery. That was until a desperate young woman convinced him he was going to be attacked in a short time – someone was after him and they wanted him dead.
The atrocities in Syria, the global terrorism, a people smuggling business from the Middle East into the US – Jed was right in the middle of it in short order. He had no idea who he could trust but he also knew the clock was ticking and the race was on. The bodies were mounting. But was Jed one step ahead of the bad guys? He knew he had to win – the world’s safety counted on it…
Dark Heart by Aussie author James Phelan is the 4th in the Jed Walker series and I loved it! I devoured it in a matter of hours; the pace is relentless, the tension gripping! Action packed suspense ripples through the pages – this author knows how to write thrillers! Highly recommended.
With thanks to Hachette Australia for my copy to read and review.
January 10, 2017
An excellent addition to the Jed Walker series. The Zodiac story continues and Jed remains unsure which side – good or bad – his father is on. Rachel Meurtos, while lying wounded in the middle East is told by Jed’s father to find Jed. And so sets in motion another action packed adventure.
May 19, 2018
An ex-CIA agents investigates a plot.
The writing, dialogue and storyline were all a bit clunky. The characters were reasonable.
Probably only one for fans of the series.
The writing, dialogue and storyline were all a bit clunky. The characters were reasonable.
Probably only one for fans of the series.
May 18, 2020
Jed Walker is sought out by the survivor of an attack on a group of Americans investigating people-trafficking in Syria. She only does this because Jed's father saved her and told her to find him. It makes no sense to either of them, but in the back of Jed's mind he wonders if there is a connection to the Zodiac program. When agents of Homeland come looking for Jed he knows there is something going on but is not sure what. So with the help of the survivor they set out to find what is happening and who is behind it all. They soon find out that they are the targets for elimination.
This is the fourth book in the series and the ending makes it seem that the series has come to an end. It's a conclusion to the first four books in the series. As there is another book, I'm left wondering what is to come.
I enjoyed this book and the series got better with each book. But it's definitely one series that much be read in order.
This is the fourth book in the series and the ending makes it seem that the series has come to an end. It's a conclusion to the first four books in the series. As there is another book, I'm left wondering what is to come.
I enjoyed this book and the series got better with each book. But it's definitely one series that much be read in order.
December 17, 2020
I've enjoyed all the Jed Walker books i have read and this is no different, in fact the story is actually better and more enjoyable than the previous ones. The big problem with this one over the others though is that it has a number of mistakes in it that must be down to the editor or the print setters. After a few times where i had to work out what was actually meant it really started to bug me.
Still overall the story is worth the spelling, added words, etc problems
Still overall the story is worth the spelling, added words, etc problems
June 23, 2023
More action than book 3
A bit more action than book 3 about the same as book 2
They have become a tad formulaic, each book having similar attributes to the story. Each with a main plot, each with a sub plot about Jed's Father, each with a female provocateur
They are still enjoyable, the primary story of Zodiac both well laid out and intriguing
Be interesting to see what book 5 is about, as there appeared to be no loose ends
A bit more action than book 3 about the same as book 2
They have become a tad formulaic, each book having similar attributes to the story. Each with a main plot, each with a sub plot about Jed's Father, each with a female provocateur
They are still enjoyable, the primary story of Zodiac both well laid out and intriguing
Be interesting to see what book 5 is about, as there appeared to be no loose ends
December 5, 2024
I won this in a giveaway and I was excited to read a new, to me, author. The story grabbed my attention with its non-stop action. Espionage stories can get confusing with so many story lines. However, even though I didn't feel completely aware of the Zodiac project, it did not deter from going on with the rest of the story and it made sense in the end. Well worth the read.
January 22, 2018
Once again Jed Walker is off to save a damsel in distress and he does it with such style! Lots of action and great characters. From the ending it sounds like this might be Jed's last outing. Hope not, would love more!
August 18, 2019
I loved this book. I usually prefer crime books but was pleased that I read this. James Phelan was recommended to me and I will read more of his books. I found it very hard to put down toward the end.
February 3, 2020
Brilliant. It had me hooked from the first page.
Strange how some authors are able to do that whereas others can take 100 pages and still the reader is unsure whether to complete reading or put the book away.
Strange how some authors are able to do that whereas others can take 100 pages and still the reader is unsure whether to complete reading or put the book away.
April 24, 2018
Another great book in the series though I think we might not see Jed Walker for awhile. Nice finish to Zodiac story arc but paints a pretty poor image of American greed. Hopefully none of it true.
August 26, 2018
There is no doubt that Jed Walker is a real hero. Another great from James Phelan. The big questions now are has Eve convinced him??? And of course, is the Zodiac program really dead?
April 29, 2019
Great series, enjoyed reading all 4 books highly recommend
February 11, 2017
That makes the fourth Jed Walker book I couldn't put down! Love them all!
April 29, 2017
This was such a page turning fast paced thriller I had to keep going to find out what happens! Probably my favourite book of the series.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews