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Jon Reznick #4
Hard Way
Jon Reznick has never played by the rules, a trait that has brought him into conflict with FBI Assistant Director Martha Meyerstein in the past. But now Meyerstein has been taken by a shadowy gang, and the renegade black-ops specialist may be her only hope for rescue.
The FBI are reluctant to let Reznick anywhere near the case, but he’s not in the habit of seeking their permission—especially once his covert investigation leads him straight to the head of the Russian mob. And it soon becomes clear that it’s not only Meyerstein who’s in danger: her abduction is just the start of a campaign to undermine American law and order.
With Meyerstein’s whereabouts unknown, and the CIA and FBI seemingly operating at cross-purposes, it falls to Reznick to go it alone. Can he get to Meyerstein before the mob get to him?
The FBI are reluctant to let Reznick anywhere near the case, but he’s not in the habit of seeking their permission—especially once his covert investigation leads him straight to the head of the Russian mob. And it soon becomes clear that it’s not only Meyerstein who’s in danger: her abduction is just the start of a campaign to undermine American law and order.
With Meyerstein’s whereabouts unknown, and the CIA and FBI seemingly operating at cross-purposes, it falls to Reznick to go it alone. Can he get to Meyerstein before the mob get to him?
273 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 11, 2017
2780 people are currently reading
1027 people want to read
About the author
J.B. Turner
24 books895 followersJ.B. Turner is the bestselling author of the Jon Reznick thriller series. His next book, HARD SHADOWS (Thomas and Mercer), is published on 30 June 2026. He is a former journalist. His books have sold more than three million copies. He also wrote the American Ghost black-ops series and the Deborah Jones crime series. He has a keen interest in geo-politics. And he loves music. Everything from Beethoven to The Beatles, The Cure to Bach. And everything in between. He loves films. Well, good ones. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, Heat, The Godfather, The Offence, The Parallax View, Silver Linings Playbook, The Banshees of Inisherin, The Gray Man, The French Connection, Payback, It’s a Wonderful Life, Manhattan, Sideways, Annie Hall, Hell or High Water. TV shows he has enjoyed include: The Terminal List, The Kominsky Method, The Morning Show, Succession, Call My Agent!, Your Honor, The Undoing, Patrick Melrose, Colony, Bloodline, Mare of Easttown, Dead to Me, Fleishman is in Trouble, The Mosquito Coast and After Life. He lives in Edinburgh, Scotland. He is married with two children.
Literary Agent: Mitch Hoffman, The Aaron M. Priest Literary Agency, New York.
Film/TV: Rich Green, The Gotham Group, Los Angeles.
Literary Agent: Mitch Hoffman, The Aaron M. Priest Literary Agency, New York.
Film/TV: Rich Green, The Gotham Group, Los Angeles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 280 reviews
May 13, 2017
When FBI Assistant Director Martha Meyerstein is kidnapped, her husband goes to Jon Reznick and asks him for his help to find her. Jon Reznick knows Martha from his earlier work at the FBI but Job works alone. He mostly assists at the FBI on a contractor basis but operates outside the law and is a trained assassin. Reznick still talks himself on to the investigation team looking for Meyerstein, who are having trouble locating her, and quickly makes progress. Unknowingly the CIA also have a vested interest in whoever took Martha and are doing their best to divert the FBI investigation but Jon still starts to get close and refuses to give up until Martha is rescued. Personally not a huge fan of story lines with the CIA and FBI mixed up in international affairs especially when you're throwing the Russians in there as well. The book was okay and the writing wasn't bad but it was also on the action heavier side. I'm not a big fan of action movies either but this one seems like it would fit the bill really well. I haven't read any of the other Reznick books though and so I'm not sure if that affects my opinion on the book in anyway. I think it just comes down to personal preference and I just found the book okay, nothing phenomenal. The plot was kind of boring for me and wasn't anything that I haven't seen before and the execution wasn't amazing enough to make it memorable.
March 22, 2018
Disappointed.
Story was about kidnapped FBI Assistant Director, her rescue. All the alphabet soup of government agencies has more secretive operators. Try to make some sense of this story but ended up with many of my questions unanswered.
Story was about kidnapped FBI Assistant Director, her rescue. All the alphabet soup of government agencies has more secretive operators. Try to make some sense of this story but ended up with many of my questions unanswered.
December 18, 2020
He filled the vehicle up with gas and drove due east to Texas. The miles were long and hard, the sun unrelenting. Dragović turned up the air conditioning to max and felt the cool air on his skin. He had already been given the route. It was Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and then on to New York. It was a long, long journey.
In a daring, well-orchestrated scam, FBI Assistant Director Martha Meyerstein is kidnapped, on her way home from FBI HQ by alleged Washington police officers. The FBI imposes a media blackout and gets her family to a safe house, so former Delta Force assassin and sometimes specialist to the FBI, Jon Reznick, only learns of her disappearance when Meyerstein’s ex-husband turns up at his home in Maine.
As Assistant Director Meyerstein had stood up for him in the past, Reznick now finds himself sandwiched between her boss, Bill O’Halloran and her aide, Roy Stamper. CCTV footage is reviewed, the rumour mill circulating a hit by local mafia figures, but Reznick is unconvinced, and viewing the footage himself spots a tell-tale tattoo favoured by the Russians.
He heard the reassurances and sound bites and clichés. Stretching every sinew, working every source, and reaching out to every agency at home and abroad. But it wasn’t true. They weren’t stretching every sinew. They were playing by the rules. They were staying within their box of laws, regulations, and protocols. They were hamstrung.
What I like about Reznick is the character is well-rounded. His father served in Vietnam, his wife died in 9/11, he has a daughter at college. Aside from former Delta buddies (most now executed) he has few friends but a cast-iron back-up in a former NSA operative turned hacker.
Set mainly in New York State, Reznick deals with the FBI (mostly white hats, some players with questionable loyalties), CIA rogues (mostly black hats) and despatches Russian scumbags (I had trouble keeping up with all the names) - whether from a speeding Lincoln, a sea kayak or chopper. Throw in a Serbian assassin and shonky offshore banking deals, and in between Reznick stops a bullet and saves the Assistant Director, while giving the reader some interesting insights in the changing streetscape.
Neighborhoods like Bay Ridge had seen an influx of Muslim immigrants since the 1990s. It had previously been an Irish neighborhood, but most streets were now dotted with mosques, halal restaurants and butcher shops, and Muslim education institutions.
Verdict: highly entertaining.
In a daring, well-orchestrated scam, FBI Assistant Director Martha Meyerstein is kidnapped, on her way home from FBI HQ by alleged Washington police officers. The FBI imposes a media blackout and gets her family to a safe house, so former Delta Force assassin and sometimes specialist to the FBI, Jon Reznick, only learns of her disappearance when Meyerstein’s ex-husband turns up at his home in Maine.
As Assistant Director Meyerstein had stood up for him in the past, Reznick now finds himself sandwiched between her boss, Bill O’Halloran and her aide, Roy Stamper. CCTV footage is reviewed, the rumour mill circulating a hit by local mafia figures, but Reznick is unconvinced, and viewing the footage himself spots a tell-tale tattoo favoured by the Russians.
He heard the reassurances and sound bites and clichés. Stretching every sinew, working every source, and reaching out to every agency at home and abroad. But it wasn’t true. They weren’t stretching every sinew. They were playing by the rules. They were staying within their box of laws, regulations, and protocols. They were hamstrung.
What I like about Reznick is the character is well-rounded. His father served in Vietnam, his wife died in 9/11, he has a daughter at college. Aside from former Delta buddies (most now executed) he has few friends but a cast-iron back-up in a former NSA operative turned hacker.
Set mainly in New York State, Reznick deals with the FBI (mostly white hats, some players with questionable loyalties), CIA rogues (mostly black hats) and despatches Russian scumbags (I had trouble keeping up with all the names) - whether from a speeding Lincoln, a sea kayak or chopper. Throw in a Serbian assassin and shonky offshore banking deals, and in between Reznick stops a bullet and saves the Assistant Director, while giving the reader some interesting insights in the changing streetscape.
Neighborhoods like Bay Ridge had seen an influx of Muslim immigrants since the 1990s. It had previously been an Irish neighborhood, but most streets were now dotted with mosques, halal restaurants and butcher shops, and Muslim education institutions.
Verdict: highly entertaining.
May 16, 2019
This is the fourth instalment in the Jon Reznick series, about a surly former government assassin who works off the books for the FBI. It’s quite short (274 pages) which suited me as I was in the mood for a quick action fix. While the books do have continuing characters, and events from the earlier ones are mentioned, this could easily be read as a stand-alone.
Marth Meyerstein, Assistant Director of the FBI, has been kidnapped by a Russian gangster, in retaliation for the imprisonment of his psychopath son. When the authorities won’t tell him anything, her bookish ex-husband goes to the one man he knows she trusts, and sure enough, Jon will do whatever it takes to get her back, but elements from within the CIA have other priorities...
I’ve enjoyed this series despite not liking the main character much - he’s grumpy, arrogant, impatient and reckless, not caring who gets hurt in the pursuit of his objectives, but he is smart and single-minded, and so does make a good action hero. This one has devious spymasters, double-crossing Russian agents, and traitors within the FBI. The advantage of having read the earlier books is we know that Martha is a cool, strong, brave agent, not the feeble damsel in distress that is portrayed here, and their background explains Reznick’s devotion to her. I look forward to seeing her back at full strength.
Marth Meyerstein, Assistant Director of the FBI, has been kidnapped by a Russian gangster, in retaliation for the imprisonment of his psychopath son. When the authorities won’t tell him anything, her bookish ex-husband goes to the one man he knows she trusts, and sure enough, Jon will do whatever it takes to get her back, but elements from within the CIA have other priorities...
I’ve enjoyed this series despite not liking the main character much - he’s grumpy, arrogant, impatient and reckless, not caring who gets hurt in the pursuit of his objectives, but he is smart and single-minded, and so does make a good action hero. This one has devious spymasters, double-crossing Russian agents, and traitors within the FBI. The advantage of having read the earlier books is we know that Martha is a cool, strong, brave agent, not the feeble damsel in distress that is portrayed here, and their background explains Reznick’s devotion to her. I look forward to seeing her back at full strength.
November 23, 2017
That was more like it. Turner is back to his best with this book. Professor Meyerstein comes to Reznick for help, his ex-wife, FBI Assistant Director Martha Meyerstein has disappeared. Reznick approaches the FBI and asks what is going on. They suspect mafia involvement but there has been no contact yet. Reznick offers to assist in the search for her but is initially rebuffed.
We know what a persistent little shit Reznick can be so he eventually gets the nod and soon establishes that it is actually the Russian mob that has Martha. This is of grave concern because Martha recently sent the leader's son, Dimitri, a sadistic bastard, to prison and the FBI figures they will want to do a trade.
It soon transpires that there is even more at stake as the CIA has a highly placed asset that is tied into all this. Meanwhile Martha is in dire straits and who knows how much more time she has. Its a race against time and although Reznick pulls out all stops he might still be too late to save her.
We know what a persistent little shit Reznick can be so he eventually gets the nod and soon establishes that it is actually the Russian mob that has Martha. This is of grave concern because Martha recently sent the leader's son, Dimitri, a sadistic bastard, to prison and the FBI figures they will want to do a trade.
It soon transpires that there is even more at stake as the CIA has a highly placed asset that is tied into all this. Meanwhile Martha is in dire straits and who knows how much more time she has. Its a race against time and although Reznick pulls out all stops he might still be too late to save her.
May 18, 2017
The 4th book in this very entertaining series finds Ex Delta/CIA assassin Jon Reznick on the hunt for kidnapped Assistant FBI Director Martha Meyerstein by the NY based Russian mob. What makes this book so interesting is the conflict between the buttoned down FBI and the extra legal, results by any means necessary, Jon Reznick. Conflicting agenda's by rogue CIA agents, corrupt FBI operatives and a Russian oligarch driven by vengeance add dimension and complexity to the action and suspense. All 4 books in the series are well written thrillers driven by conflicted characters with complex motives. Jon Reznick is a righteously compelling character that I hope to meet again in J B Turner's future books in this exceptionally good series.
July 12, 2018
Okay, I thought the last book was my favorite but I’ve changed my mine. I liked this one best.
Martha Meyerstein was kidnapped and the immediate world was looking for her, and then Jon Reznick got involved and all the killing and excitement began. I’ll tell ya’ those Russian mobsters are some really bad people no matter who writes the book. There’s nothing nice about them, at all.
I was surprised at Curt White of the CIA. I mean he shot Reznick to take the guy Reznick had questioned, about the whereabouts of Martha, and everyone knew it but it seemed to be okay. WTH? A CIA agent can shoot someone whose working with the FBI and nothing is done about it? Yeah, I don’t get that.
Anyway, I’m off to read book 5 in this series.
Nothing romantic and the F-bomb, if you can believe it, was used 128 times. Wow!
As to the narration: Great men’s voices but Jeffrey Kafer still sucks at women’s voices. He does have a really nice reading voice, though.
May 28, 2017
FBI Assistant Director Martha Meyerstein has been kidnapped by Russian thugs in a daring phony "police" roadblock. Her ex-husband is so worried, he goes to ask ex special ops Jon Reznick to help find her when the FBI takes his kids and ex-in laws to a safe house and snatches Martha's computer. Jon talks his way into being allowed in the investigation and then all hell breaks loose.
I like this series and the fast-paced action while hating the Reznick character. His answer to everything is to disobey orders and kill everyone.
I like this series and the fast-paced action while hating the Reznick character. His answer to everything is to disobey orders and kill everyone.
May 29, 2017
Reznick is on the case to recover a kidnapped senior FBI director he has worked with in the previous stories in this series, but is hampered by colleagues with a different agenda. Not the crispest plot so only 3 stars this time
May 4, 2020
Hard Way was another excellent installment in the Jon Reznick series with an engaging plot and some interesting revelations about the characters.
Jon Reznick has always followed his own rules which has led to him solving some big cases for FBI Assistant Director Martha Meyerstein while at times also putting them in disagreement. But when Meyerstein is taken, Jon may be her only hope of returning home alive and he rushes to join the investigation to find her. With the FBI reluctant to let a wild-card like him near the case, Jon pushes until he finds himself on the team albeit with a tight leash. Not used to dealing with the FBI’s constraints, Jon pursues his own leads which lead him directly to the Russian mob and a CIA investigation with a purpose at odds with his own. Facing pushback from all sides, Jon is forced to take matters into his own hands to find Meyerstein before it’s too late.
This book once again showed how Jon has a hard time letting things go and when he knows he’s right, he’ll push until he gets the outcome he desires. I’ve always liked Jon’s ability to think outside the box and outside the rule of law, which allows him to find connections where others wouldn’t. His working with the FBI was interesting this time around as in previous books, he mostly dealt directly with Meyerstein. Obviously that couldn’t happen here, so instead we see Jon working more with FBI Director Bill O'Donoghue and Roy Stamper, a member of Meyerstein’s team. I enjoyed Jon’s interactions with O'Donoghue as while O'Donoghue knows rules need to be followed, he also trusted Jon to do what was necessary to rescue Meyerstein.
Martha Meyerstein is one of my favorite characters in this series, so I was a bit disappointed to have so few scenes from her character’s point of view. I was expecting more scenes from her considering she’s the main point of this book, but I can understand why showing scenes of her while kidnapped wouldn’t add much to the book. As to the other side characters, a hacker who was first introduced in Hard Wired returned in this book which was nice to see as he’s an interesting character and I like his and Jon’s working relationship. There were a few surprising reveals about another character that I wasn’t expecting and I’m curious how it will be discussed in future books.
The plot in this book was incredibly interesting, with Meyerstein kidnapped by persons’ unknown, the clock is ticking to find her before it’s too late. The use of the Russian mob and a secret CIA investigation only made things more interesting. Due to the nature of the plot, this book moves along at a quick pace. The fast-moving plot helped keep the suspense up and having such a short deadline to find Meyerstein alive kept the stakes high. This book isn’t as action-packed as some of the previous installments and the majority of the action takes place in the last twenty percent or so of the book. Overall though I liked the resolution of who kidnapped Meyerstein and why with there being enough surprises to keep things from going the obvious route.
Overall Hard Way was one of the best installments in the series yet and I highly recommend the series to anyone looking for fast-paced thrillers to read.
Jon Reznick has always followed his own rules which has led to him solving some big cases for FBI Assistant Director Martha Meyerstein while at times also putting them in disagreement. But when Meyerstein is taken, Jon may be her only hope of returning home alive and he rushes to join the investigation to find her. With the FBI reluctant to let a wild-card like him near the case, Jon pushes until he finds himself on the team albeit with a tight leash. Not used to dealing with the FBI’s constraints, Jon pursues his own leads which lead him directly to the Russian mob and a CIA investigation with a purpose at odds with his own. Facing pushback from all sides, Jon is forced to take matters into his own hands to find Meyerstein before it’s too late.
This book once again showed how Jon has a hard time letting things go and when he knows he’s right, he’ll push until he gets the outcome he desires. I’ve always liked Jon’s ability to think outside the box and outside the rule of law, which allows him to find connections where others wouldn’t. His working with the FBI was interesting this time around as in previous books, he mostly dealt directly with Meyerstein. Obviously that couldn’t happen here, so instead we see Jon working more with FBI Director Bill O'Donoghue and Roy Stamper, a member of Meyerstein’s team. I enjoyed Jon’s interactions with O'Donoghue as while O'Donoghue knows rules need to be followed, he also trusted Jon to do what was necessary to rescue Meyerstein.
Martha Meyerstein is one of my favorite characters in this series, so I was a bit disappointed to have so few scenes from her character’s point of view. I was expecting more scenes from her considering she’s the main point of this book, but I can understand why showing scenes of her while kidnapped wouldn’t add much to the book. As to the other side characters, a hacker who was first introduced in Hard Wired returned in this book which was nice to see as he’s an interesting character and I like his and Jon’s working relationship. There were a few surprising reveals about another character that I wasn’t expecting and I’m curious how it will be discussed in future books.
The plot in this book was incredibly interesting, with Meyerstein kidnapped by persons’ unknown, the clock is ticking to find her before it’s too late. The use of the Russian mob and a secret CIA investigation only made things more interesting. Due to the nature of the plot, this book moves along at a quick pace. The fast-moving plot helped keep the suspense up and having such a short deadline to find Meyerstein alive kept the stakes high. This book isn’t as action-packed as some of the previous installments and the majority of the action takes place in the last twenty percent or so of the book. Overall though I liked the resolution of who kidnapped Meyerstein and why with there being enough surprises to keep things from going the obvious route.
Overall Hard Way was one of the best installments in the series yet and I highly recommend the series to anyone looking for fast-paced thrillers to read.
September 27, 2017
I have really enjoyed this series so far, and it seems to be a tried and tested story formula that works. This latest book is no different although this wasn’t as good as book 2! Jon is a great and very readable character although not entirely original, however the fact the he seems to work only on caffeine, adrenaline and illegal drugs is something that I find quite amusing! Although Jon has never worked for the FBI, he has contracted with them to help his friend and Assistant Director of the FBI Martha Meyerstein. When she goes missing, Martha’s ex-husband contacts Jon as he is desperate to find her.
Jon ploughs in like a bull in a china shop as usual with absolutely no regard for rules or protocol. His aim is to find Martha and to find her alive and well and nobody will stop him. Put some rogue CIA agents, corrupt FBI people and throw in some Russian mobsters and you have yourself a rather engaging Reznick read. These sorts of books and Turner’s in particular speed along with cracking pace and are pure escapism with a capital E. This series is a joy to read and shows no signs of slowing down.
I admit I was surprised by the people who were playing against the FBI (!) but I guess you never can tell with a series like this who plays on the right side of the field. The only thing lacking for me was that extra special something and at times it felt like it was a safe bet (if that makes sense). That aside another cracking read and means I can’t wait to get my hands-on book 5 (due out Feb 2018)
Jon ploughs in like a bull in a china shop as usual with absolutely no regard for rules or protocol. His aim is to find Martha and to find her alive and well and nobody will stop him. Put some rogue CIA agents, corrupt FBI people and throw in some Russian mobsters and you have yourself a rather engaging Reznick read. These sorts of books and Turner’s in particular speed along with cracking pace and are pure escapism with a capital E. This series is a joy to read and shows no signs of slowing down.
I admit I was surprised by the people who were playing against the FBI (!) but I guess you never can tell with a series like this who plays on the right side of the field. The only thing lacking for me was that extra special something and at times it felt like it was a safe bet (if that makes sense). That aside another cracking read and means I can’t wait to get my hands-on book 5 (due out Feb 2018)
Read
June 20, 2017 Hard way is the latest foray into danger for Jon Reznick he takes us through his battle ground
with interesting characters and a very gripping taught run in with the Russian underworld
and the graft and dry root in the CIA double agents and lots more
the Author has given us another top tale In the hard way
and from What i understand we can look forward to a sequal end of Autumn
5 stars and a top read
with interesting characters and a very gripping taught run in with the Russian underworld
and the graft and dry root in the CIA double agents and lots more
the Author has given us another top tale In the hard way
and from What i understand we can look forward to a sequal end of Autumn
5 stars and a top read
June 17, 2024
This is book 4 in the Jon Reznick series which I recently started. It was full of action as the others have been after the planning is put into place. In this one Assistant Deputy Director of the FBI Martha Myerstein is kidnapped and held for bartering for the freedom of a Russian criminal that Martha had put away some years prior. Of course there is more here than meets the eye.
A lot of this featured the various U.S. Intelligence Agencies at odds with each other and stepping over each others toes. Jon is called into play by the victim’s husband and by Martha’s superior, the Director of the FBI himself to find her and get her home. Many risks have to be taken in order to do so. Jon spins his wheels trying to convince them that the risks are unavoidable, that he can get her home, and time is a-wasting, as videos of her torture are sent to the powers that be in the US. If you’ve been following the series you know that Reznick is close to Myerstein and will do anything to help her, and can accomplish this, with or without authority. One has to suspend disbelief at times as to what he accomplishes even after being shot up in the shoulder, ahem… sure! Remember, this is fiction, right?
A dual plot follows an assassin hired by the Russian mobsters to eradicate a target who’s identity is not revealed until the end, but it is expected to happen in the New York area, where everyone’s nerves are still frayed and every situation is suspect after 911.
This series is entertaining if you like thrillers with political nuances, and rooting for wounded superheroes.
A lot of this featured the various U.S. Intelligence Agencies at odds with each other and stepping over each others toes. Jon is called into play by the victim’s husband and by Martha’s superior, the Director of the FBI himself to find her and get her home. Many risks have to be taken in order to do so. Jon spins his wheels trying to convince them that the risks are unavoidable, that he can get her home, and time is a-wasting, as videos of her torture are sent to the powers that be in the US. If you’ve been following the series you know that Reznick is close to Myerstein and will do anything to help her, and can accomplish this, with or without authority. One has to suspend disbelief at times as to what he accomplishes even after being shot up in the shoulder, ahem… sure! Remember, this is fiction, right?
A dual plot follows an assassin hired by the Russian mobsters to eradicate a target who’s identity is not revealed until the end, but it is expected to happen in the New York area, where everyone’s nerves are still frayed and every situation is suspect after 911.
This series is entertaining if you like thrillers with political nuances, and rooting for wounded superheroes.
May 14, 2017
4 1/2 stars!
Hard Way is the fourth book in the Jon Reznick series, and things are definitely heating up! When Jon receives a surprise visit from the Assistant Director Martha Meyerstein's ex-husband at his home claiming that she's missing, he knows something isn't right. After she helped him, by allowing him to save his daughter, he feels like he owes her, and is willing to do whatever it takes to find her.
The Director of the FBI is reluctant to allow him on the team, knowing keeping him close will be their only hope of keeping him from investigating himself, or worse, doing whatever it takes to get her back. With someone else doing everything they can to keep them from finding out the truth, they've been one step behind the entire time, until they finally figure out what's going on, and change the game that everyone but them has been playing.
Can they find her before it's too late? Who's really behind everything that has been happening, or will they be able to figure it out? With intriguing twists that you'll never see coming, this is a story that you don't want to miss! I highly recommend this book, series, and great author.
I have voluntarily reviewed this arc provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
Hard Way is the fourth book in the Jon Reznick series, and things are definitely heating up! When Jon receives a surprise visit from the Assistant Director Martha Meyerstein's ex-husband at his home claiming that she's missing, he knows something isn't right. After she helped him, by allowing him to save his daughter, he feels like he owes her, and is willing to do whatever it takes to find her.
The Director of the FBI is reluctant to allow him on the team, knowing keeping him close will be their only hope of keeping him from investigating himself, or worse, doing whatever it takes to get her back. With someone else doing everything they can to keep them from finding out the truth, they've been one step behind the entire time, until they finally figure out what's going on, and change the game that everyone but them has been playing.
Can they find her before it's too late? Who's really behind everything that has been happening, or will they be able to figure it out? With intriguing twists that you'll never see coming, this is a story that you don't want to miss! I highly recommend this book, series, and great author.
I have voluntarily reviewed this arc provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
July 16, 2017
This was a very fast paced book from the beginning to the end. With lots of action and intrigue. Jon Reznick has special skills and they don’t fit into the FBI’S rule book and that is where he is at right now because the assistant Director Martha Meyerstein is missing. She actually was kidnapped. You the reader know who but not the why? When Jon goes to the FBI to help look for her it is because she went to bat for him years before in saving his daughter, now he is returning or trying to if he can find her. The story takes you through many different agencies and the people with their agendas are looking for something totally different. What they were not expecting was Reznick, and even when they think they have him down and out he is only back stronger and more determined for a fight. This is a fantastic book and I am going to need to make time to go back and read the books before this one because it feels like they would be just as good. A really good book with good characters, liked it all around. I got this book from Netgalley.com I gave 5 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com
December 6, 2018
Just okay for me. Great Narration by Jeffrey Kafer (audible review)
Hmm so this is my fourth book in this series and I really enjoyed them all, except this one was barely okay. I am not sure why the author turned Jon Resnik so arrogant and cocky in this book but he did. I like arrogant and cocky in in a lead character but there is a limit and his character was just so over the top with it that I was rolling my eyes a lot.
The story line and plot was okay. And I say that because of Jon Resnik's attitude. I am glad they saved Martha but of course we knew that would happen.
I don't know if I can move forward with this series. I went from liking Jon to disliking him. Sigh.....
As for the narration, it was good. Jeffrey Kafer does a great job on the female voices. He reads with emotion and has a nice reading voice.
Hmm so this is my fourth book in this series and I really enjoyed them all, except this one was barely okay. I am not sure why the author turned Jon Resnik so arrogant and cocky in this book but he did. I like arrogant and cocky in in a lead character but there is a limit and his character was just so over the top with it that I was rolling my eyes a lot.
The story line and plot was okay. And I say that because of Jon Resnik's attitude. I am glad they saved Martha but of course we knew that would happen.
I don't know if I can move forward with this series. I went from liking Jon to disliking him. Sigh.....
As for the narration, it was good. Jeffrey Kafer does a great job on the female voices. He reads with emotion and has a nice reading voice.
February 5, 2021
Wow, this one was crazy in how ballsy the bad guys were in taking Martha. I liked that Jon jumped into help find Martha, but of course that meant that things went a bit off the rails. It seems like when Jon is around things become extra chaotic. This time around it didn't help that Jon had to push his way to help and it seemed like there were barriers at every turn. Turns out that was just imagination, that some of the good guys were playing on a different team unknown to many. In the end Jon did what he does best, figure things out and save the say, or in this case Martha.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2018
Another great political espionage thriller. Resnick does what needs to be done to get the job done. Inter-agency squabbles, people being uncooperative and double crosses left, right and centre make for an exhilarating ride.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2022
Page turner
September 24, 2019
I didn't like this book in the Reznick series as much as the others.... still a J.B. Turner fan, I am hoping the next one is better.....
August 3, 2017
J.B. Turner has A New Fan !
This is my Fourth Jon Reznick Book, and my First Review of any of them. This Series might deserve more than the Three Stars I've given the previous novels, but, truth be told, I was too anxious to get to the next story to take time for a long Review. At this point, I want to, (again), Say, that my subscription to Kindle Unlimited, is the Best Money I've Ever spent. For the price of one hardback, $9.95 a month, I have discovered so many Great Writers, and have had countless Hours of Pleasure !
Now, I'm off to read "Jon Reznick, Book 5".
This is my Fourth Jon Reznick Book, and my First Review of any of them. This Series might deserve more than the Three Stars I've given the previous novels, but, truth be told, I was too anxious to get to the next story to take time for a long Review. At this point, I want to, (again), Say, that my subscription to Kindle Unlimited, is the Best Money I've Ever spent. For the price of one hardback, $9.95 a month, I have discovered so many Great Writers, and have had countless Hours of Pleasure !
Now, I'm off to read "Jon Reznick, Book 5".
September 25, 2018
Again!
Another Jon Reznick thriller, full of action and suspense! There is so much going on in this book that you won’t be able to put it down!
Another Jon Reznick thriller, full of action and suspense! There is so much going on in this book that you won’t be able to put it down!
May 8, 2017
Thank you Netgalley!
A nice heart thumper, fast plot and great characters.
A nice heart thumper, fast plot and great characters.
May 16, 2017
An exciting action thriller that sticks to a winning formula
When FBI Assistant Director Martha Meyerstein is kidnapped on her way home from work, the FBI are at a loss as to how it could’ve been pulled off. Enter Jon Reznick, a maverick exassassin, who doesn’t always play by the rules but gets results. Reznick offers to help the FBI find Meyerstein and quickly uncovers links to the Russian mafia and its mysterious leader, Vladimir Merkov. When a tape appears showing their hostage injured with demands that Merkov’s son, Dmitri, be released from prison where Meyerstein put him years ago, the FBI have to act fast to save her life. However, Reznick believes that there may be more to the Russian plot than just revenge, and with enemies and double-agents in all corners, he will need to use every trick in the book to uncover what’s really going on before it is too late.
This was an easy-to-read novel with a fast-paced plot. Turner is obviously a seasoned writer of these kinds of thrillers and knows his formula well – plenty of adrenaline-rushing action scenes, gun fights and car chases, with Reznick and the FBI always one step behind the enemy. The streets and buildings of New York City worked well as a setting for this kind of story and there were very few chapters where there wasn’t something dramatic or lifethreatening happening. The clever links made by Reznick from tiny pieces of evidence were just about plausible and the seemingly endless betrayals and double-crossings by many of the characters worked well to create an atmosphere of a dangerous world where greed is the main motivator and loyalty is a rare commodity.
However, very little about the story was original and although it was a good thriller, it was almost exactly the same as the hundreds of good thrillers that have come before it. Reznick comes across as a stereotypical rebel who always errs on the wrong side of the law, but gets things done far better than the other FBI agents who work within the rules. Beyond that and a fairly weak backstory about a tragically dead wife, there didn’t seem to be much more to his character and he could have been one of many extremely similar action heroes. I also found that some of the big twists packed less of a punch than I expected them to, and the ending seemed almost an anti-climax due to how everything was resolved. The stakes were admittedly constantly high, but due to the fairly two-dimensional nature of many of the characters, I never felt too invested in their fates.
Overall, whilst I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to die-hard action fans, I found it a little clichéd and didn’t really feel that it added anything new to the literary world. Despite this it was entertaining and well-written and will go down a storm with anyone who enjoys these sorts of books.
Daenerys
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
When FBI Assistant Director Martha Meyerstein is kidnapped on her way home from work, the FBI are at a loss as to how it could’ve been pulled off. Enter Jon Reznick, a maverick exassassin, who doesn’t always play by the rules but gets results. Reznick offers to help the FBI find Meyerstein and quickly uncovers links to the Russian mafia and its mysterious leader, Vladimir Merkov. When a tape appears showing their hostage injured with demands that Merkov’s son, Dmitri, be released from prison where Meyerstein put him years ago, the FBI have to act fast to save her life. However, Reznick believes that there may be more to the Russian plot than just revenge, and with enemies and double-agents in all corners, he will need to use every trick in the book to uncover what’s really going on before it is too late.
This was an easy-to-read novel with a fast-paced plot. Turner is obviously a seasoned writer of these kinds of thrillers and knows his formula well – plenty of adrenaline-rushing action scenes, gun fights and car chases, with Reznick and the FBI always one step behind the enemy. The streets and buildings of New York City worked well as a setting for this kind of story and there were very few chapters where there wasn’t something dramatic or lifethreatening happening. The clever links made by Reznick from tiny pieces of evidence were just about plausible and the seemingly endless betrayals and double-crossings by many of the characters worked well to create an atmosphere of a dangerous world where greed is the main motivator and loyalty is a rare commodity.
However, very little about the story was original and although it was a good thriller, it was almost exactly the same as the hundreds of good thrillers that have come before it. Reznick comes across as a stereotypical rebel who always errs on the wrong side of the law, but gets things done far better than the other FBI agents who work within the rules. Beyond that and a fairly weak backstory about a tragically dead wife, there didn’t seem to be much more to his character and he could have been one of many extremely similar action heroes. I also found that some of the big twists packed less of a punch than I expected them to, and the ending seemed almost an anti-climax due to how everything was resolved. The stakes were admittedly constantly high, but due to the fairly two-dimensional nature of many of the characters, I never felt too invested in their fates.
Overall, whilst I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to die-hard action fans, I found it a little clichéd and didn’t really feel that it added anything new to the literary world. Despite this it was entertaining and well-written and will go down a storm with anyone who enjoys these sorts of books.
Daenerys
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
Read
May 18, 2021Jon to the rescue
OK, so I'm a fan of these hard-nosed, no rules characters who each have the same initials; Jon Reznick, Jon Rain, Jack Reacher.....JRs. Turner has done a reasonable job of portraying Reznick as a devil may care assassin but I know more about the other JRs and their habits. I'd like more depth to Reznick. This is a complex story with multiple twists involving Russians, the FBI and the CIA. Turner seems to know his away around these sometimes opposing forces. A little hard to follow at times and often far-fetched in its diagnostic technologies, god I hope i can't be tracked like these criminals are with gps, drones, CCT, cameras everywhere, hacking and all instantaneously. Spoiler but I really don't understand why a sophisticated mob organization had to hire a paid assassin from 5000 miles away to drive to New York to deliver a package containing a poison. Seems to me for $20 million you could get a N.Y. lackey to do that. Or maybe even the regular delivery boy. Strange to me.
OK, so I'm a fan of these hard-nosed, no rules characters who each have the same initials; Jon Reznick, Jon Rain, Jack Reacher.....JRs. Turner has done a reasonable job of portraying Reznick as a devil may care assassin but I know more about the other JRs and their habits. I'd like more depth to Reznick. This is a complex story with multiple twists involving Russians, the FBI and the CIA. Turner seems to know his away around these sometimes opposing forces. A little hard to follow at times and often far-fetched in its diagnostic technologies, god I hope i can't be tracked like these criminals are with gps, drones, CCT, cameras everywhere, hacking and all instantaneously. Spoiler but I really don't understand why a sophisticated mob organization had to hire a paid assassin from 5000 miles away to drive to New York to deliver a package containing a poison. Seems to me for $20 million you could get a N.Y. lackey to do that. Or maybe even the regular delivery boy. Strange to me.
January 22, 2018
I got this book as a giveaway, so a big thanks to the publisher for hooking me up!
I’m a completionist and I generally dislike coming into a series midway through. This book was easy to jump into without much backstory needed. It has a simple plot line with pretty one dimensional characters. Our hero is the typical ex-military gruff tough guy. Russian baddies. It’s all been done before.
There was no surprise at the end, no real twists save for a couple betrayals. Again, same old same old. A lot of cheeks were blown out. Repeatedly. Some of the action was pretty good especially towards the end, but it all just felt pretty clunkily put together, almost as if the writer were just trying to push out another installment of an assumed fan favorite character. The dialog felt pretty bare and uninteresting. At least it was a speedy read.
I’m a completionist and I generally dislike coming into a series midway through. This book was easy to jump into without much backstory needed. It has a simple plot line with pretty one dimensional characters. Our hero is the typical ex-military gruff tough guy. Russian baddies. It’s all been done before.
There was no surprise at the end, no real twists save for a couple betrayals. Again, same old same old. A lot of cheeks were blown out. Repeatedly. Some of the action was pretty good especially towards the end, but it all just felt pretty clunkily put together, almost as if the writer were just trying to push out another installment of an assumed fan favorite character. The dialog felt pretty bare and uninteresting. At least it was a speedy read.
June 22, 2018
Another triumph for our trusty troublemaker
But IS his way the hard way? With Martha in mortal peril throughout the saga, Jon fights multiple arch enemies and false friends in valient effort to save her. He characteristically shoots, stabs, chokes and head-butts anyone in the way (gotta get me some of that ear-spray).
It may be time to get concerned about Jon's increasing reliance on his CNS Stimulant of choice. We all want him to make it to Book 10 in the series.
And still J.B. gives us nary an iota of romantic interest. Our hero and heroine are surely prime suspects - for at least a brief dalliance. Maybe in Book 11 when we are all too old and jaded to enjoy it.
Again, this is a great read. The bad news is that I can read 'em far faster than J.B. can write 'em.
But IS his way the hard way? With Martha in mortal peril throughout the saga, Jon fights multiple arch enemies and false friends in valient effort to save her. He characteristically shoots, stabs, chokes and head-butts anyone in the way (gotta get me some of that ear-spray).
It may be time to get concerned about Jon's increasing reliance on his CNS Stimulant of choice. We all want him to make it to Book 10 in the series.
And still J.B. gives us nary an iota of romantic interest. Our hero and heroine are surely prime suspects - for at least a brief dalliance. Maybe in Book 11 when we are all too old and jaded to enjoy it.
Again, this is a great read. The bad news is that I can read 'em far faster than J.B. can write 'em.
May 11, 2017
HARD WAY a Jon Rezneck thriller by J B Turner, 4th in the series
An FBI agent is brought down in a very cleaver way, and once again you are hooked into another great thriller by Turner. Martha Assistant Director for the FBI is missing, her ex comes for help. Jon wants into the FBI investigation, he owes her one, they say no. He is an assassin, doesn't play by the rules. Seems like the mafia maybe behind it, and it's pay back time. A picture of a double headed eagle, what is the meaning, and what mafia group is behind taking her. Another great plot, that holds you captive to the end. Each book in this series are great reading for all. Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion. Release date May 11
An FBI agent is brought down in a very cleaver way, and once again you are hooked into another great thriller by Turner. Martha Assistant Director for the FBI is missing, her ex comes for help. Jon wants into the FBI investigation, he owes her one, they say no. He is an assassin, doesn't play by the rules. Seems like the mafia maybe behind it, and it's pay back time. A picture of a double headed eagle, what is the meaning, and what mafia group is behind taking her. Another great plot, that holds you captive to the end. Each book in this series are great reading for all. Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion. Release date May 11
May 24, 2018
Hard Way
I can't say enough good things about J. B. Turner and his hero Jon Reznick. Sure Jon may have a cocky attitude but I think he deserves to be a bit cocky. He's damn good at what he does and he gets things done. The FBI has trusts him to do covert operations for them to skirt around laws they are bound by so he must be good. He knows he's good thus the attitude while on the job. But, he doesn't want any accolades after the fact. This time he helps his friend Assistant Director Martha Myerstein out of a very sticky situation when forces are working against every action to help her. It was a very exciting read. I would love to see where this is heading. These two characters have incredible chemistry. On to book 5!
I can't say enough good things about J. B. Turner and his hero Jon Reznick. Sure Jon may have a cocky attitude but I think he deserves to be a bit cocky. He's damn good at what he does and he gets things done. The FBI has trusts him to do covert operations for them to skirt around laws they are bound by so he must be good. He knows he's good thus the attitude while on the job. But, he doesn't want any accolades after the fact. This time he helps his friend Assistant Director Martha Myerstein out of a very sticky situation when forces are working against every action to help her. It was a very exciting read. I would love to see where this is heading. These two characters have incredible chemistry. On to book 5!
August 31, 2020
The action never seems to stop whenever Jon Reznick is called on. In this story Jon is asked by Martha Myerstein's ex-husband to help locate her since she had gone missing Reznick offers his support to the FBI and initially receives obstacles to providing assistance., but the ultimately allow him to help.
Reznick's methods are not like the FBI and this causes them to reevaluate his assistance. In the end they realize that all of the information that they have developed relating to Meyerstein is all because of him.
As time is running out, a last ditch effort is initiated by Reznick. To find out what complications he ran into and how this all ends out, then you must read this book.
This book, like all of the others that I have read from this author, is well with your time reading.
Reznick's methods are not like the FBI and this causes them to reevaluate his assistance. In the end they realize that all of the information that they have developed relating to Meyerstein is all because of him.
As time is running out, a last ditch effort is initiated by Reznick. To find out what complications he ran into and how this all ends out, then you must read this book.
This book, like all of the others that I have read from this author, is well with your time reading.
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