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John Stone #1
The Hard Kill
Retired Army Ranger John Stone has settled into his life as a bar owner in Great Falls, Montana. But news about the death of one of his brothers-in-arms and the kidnapping of his goddaughter shakes his world apart. John learns the murder and abduction might involve the ex-wife of his fallen brother, and a prototype technology that could threaten the security of the free world. Now, with time running out, John must rely on the abilities of his former life, and help from an unlikely ally, to save his goddaughter from the same fate as her father. A fast paced thriller, with adrenaline-fueled action, The Hard Kill is a modern day revenge story that captures the feel of classic 80s action movies.
190 pages, ebook
Published April 1, 2017
2880 people are currently reading
518 people want to read
About the author
Allen Manning
35 books18 followersAllen Manning grew up in Las Vegas, raised on a steady diet of Saturday morning cartoons, video games, and tons of action movies. He also became a fan of fiction books while he was young, reading science fiction and fantasy adventure stories.
Now, he writes together with his twin brother, Brian Manning, to create fast-paced thriller books, filled with quippy dialogue and action movie inspired sequences.
Now, he writes together with his twin brother, Brian Manning, to create fast-paced thriller books, filled with quippy dialogue and action movie inspired sequences.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
August 3, 2019
My first book by the Manning Brothers, not my last.
A action packed action thriller, a thriller that gets into the action in the first chapter and does not stop.
A new action hero in John Stone.
Retired Army Ranger John Stone has settled into his life as a bar owner in Great Falls, Montana. But news about the death of one of his brothers-in-arms and the kidnapping of his goddaughter shakes his world apart. John learns the murder and abduction might involve the ex-wife of his fallen brother, and a prototype technology that could threaten the security of the free world. Now, with time running out, John must rely on the abilities of his former life, and help from an unlikely ally, to save his goddaughter from the same fate as her father.
A fast paced thriller, with adrenaline-fueled action, The Hard Kill is a modern day revenge story that captures the feel of classic 80s action movies!
On to Book Two in the series, which gives you an idea I enjoyed the first one !
Okay no technical stuff, no glamorous and exotic locations in Europe, just an action packed thriller that gets straight to the point..... and does it well
A action packed action thriller, a thriller that gets into the action in the first chapter and does not stop.
A new action hero in John Stone.
Retired Army Ranger John Stone has settled into his life as a bar owner in Great Falls, Montana. But news about the death of one of his brothers-in-arms and the kidnapping of his goddaughter shakes his world apart. John learns the murder and abduction might involve the ex-wife of his fallen brother, and a prototype technology that could threaten the security of the free world. Now, with time running out, John must rely on the abilities of his former life, and help from an unlikely ally, to save his goddaughter from the same fate as her father.
A fast paced thriller, with adrenaline-fueled action, The Hard Kill is a modern day revenge story that captures the feel of classic 80s action movies!
On to Book Two in the series, which gives you an idea I enjoyed the first one !
Okay no technical stuff, no glamorous and exotic locations in Europe, just an action packed thriller that gets straight to the point..... and does it well
December 21, 2019
John Stone is a BAD MAN !!
The Hard Kill, and the character John Stone, reminds me of the Executioner Series of old. Stone is a former well trained soldier bent on doing what ever is necessary to retrieve his god daughter from trained killers. THEY WILL PAY A STEEP PRICE! The story rated 5 stars but it desperately needs an editor! But despite that, I'll definitely purchase the next in the series!
The Hard Kill, and the character John Stone, reminds me of the Executioner Series of old. Stone is a former well trained soldier bent on doing what ever is necessary to retrieve his god daughter from trained killers. THEY WILL PAY A STEEP PRICE! The story rated 5 stars but it desperately needs an editor! But despite that, I'll definitely purchase the next in the series!
September 21, 2024
Retirement
A young girl is kidnapped so that hee mother will turn over a prototype device that will earn a lot of money when put up for bid by the vert wrote g people. John Stone is a former ranger who sets out to find his goddaughter and keep the devise out of the wrong hands.
A young girl is kidnapped so that hee mother will turn over a prototype device that will earn a lot of money when put up for bid by the vert wrote g people. John Stone is a former ranger who sets out to find his goddaughter and keep the devise out of the wrong hands.
October 9, 2018
Awesome book
These guys knocked it out of the park. It's a fast paced exciting read. It reads like all action movies should be. Ill be reading all their books.
Reading about the authors was also great. They write from a mind set all action junkies can relate to. I'm pumped to keep reading.
These guys knocked it out of the park. It's a fast paced exciting read. It reads like all action movies should be. Ill be reading all their books.
Reading about the authors was also great. They write from a mind set all action junkies can relate to. I'm pumped to keep reading.
October 30, 2020
This was a decent military action book. Lots of action, lots of technical combat and gun jargon, but no sex. Some drug use (by the bad guys) but otherwise a surprisingly clean book most notably a complete lack of profanity, a rarity both in this genre and in military-esq units. Bought the first book as it was only 0.99, but not worth it to me to buy the later books. YMMV
December 2, 2019
Jennifer Dawson works as a senior project manager in a software company. She was married to Frank Colt and they have a twelve-year-old daughter, Emily.
One night some men broke into Frank’s house, kill him and kidnap their daughter. Emily’s captors want Jennifer to retrieve the new decryption software from her company which she and her team have just developed. They warn her not to contact law enforcement or anyone for that matter if she wishes to see her daughter again.
Meanwhile John Stone, a former Army Ranger, and Emily’s godfather has just learned from a former comrade, Mark Brenner—who’s now CIA—about Frank’s demise. Frank was also a former Army Ranger. John Stone decides to go in search of Emily and find out who killed Frank.
One night some men broke into Frank’s house, kill him and kidnap their daughter. Emily’s captors want Jennifer to retrieve the new decryption software from her company which she and her team have just developed. They warn her not to contact law enforcement or anyone for that matter if she wishes to see her daughter again.
Meanwhile John Stone, a former Army Ranger, and Emily’s godfather has just learned from a former comrade, Mark Brenner—who’s now CIA—about Frank’s demise. Frank was also a former Army Ranger. John Stone decides to go in search of Emily and find out who killed Frank.
April 26, 2018
WOW
None stop action. Had to read some paragraphs twice in order to comprehend the scenes. Action is extremely well choreographed. Looking forward to the capture of Ratcliff. Wide variety of weapons. Will need to look them up to know more about them. WOW!!!! The twelve year old's actions were a bit too mature, still a great read.
None stop action. Had to read some paragraphs twice in order to comprehend the scenes. Action is extremely well choreographed. Looking forward to the capture of Ratcliff. Wide variety of weapons. Will need to look them up to know more about them. WOW!!!! The twelve year old's actions were a bit too mature, still a great read.
July 27, 2018
The Hard Kill
This is the first book in this series and I will say it was a very good thriller. It is a very exciting book. You won't want to put this book down until you get to the end. I recommend this book.
This is the first book in this series and I will say it was a very good thriller. It is a very exciting book. You won't want to put this book down until you get to the end. I recommend this book.
February 1, 2019
Ha. Non stop action by an another Mitch Rapp.you can't put down till you turn into the last page. If you schedule of something in between you may not lay your heart on that. Such a speedy narration .I will go for all the instalments and I love the character of Stone . Try him you will not get disappointed
The story starts a bang and not a page is dull. You are hooked till you see the last but it doesn't end there as the main villain escaped leads to its follow up with more instalments with more actions😎
The story starts a bang and not a page is dull. You are hooked till you see the last but it doesn't end there as the main villain escaped leads to its follow up with more instalments with more actions😎
July 10, 2019
Enjoyed every minute of it
A constantly moving story which doesn't let up. A story line which sucks you in emotionally and provides the required adrenaline rush.. first time I've come across John Stone... have already ordered book 2.
A constantly moving story which doesn't let up. A story line which sucks you in emotionally and provides the required adrenaline rush.. first time I've come across John Stone... have already ordered book 2.
April 4, 2021
I'm reading books at random, getting outside my comfort zone. "The Hard Kill," a military action novel, is completely full of action. Every page has action. Bullets fly from page to page, and I have to be careful of my fingers. You never saw so much action since Stallone. There's no deep stuff going on; just duck and shoot or something.
June 27, 2018
A hard read
I personally do not enjoy reading about one person taking on a whole squad of bad guys and defeats them single handed.
I personally do not enjoy reading about one person taking on a whole squad of bad guys and defeats them single handed.
July 24, 2018
Stone
Interesting man, John Stone, ranger, nice storyline, kind of fast paced, makes for a good read that stays on point.
Interesting man, John Stone, ranger, nice storyline, kind of fast paced, makes for a good read that stays on point.
July 10, 2019
Best action adventure that I’ve read, a lot like Jack Reacher. Enjoyed it!
July 10, 2019
Gripping
I loved this book from start to finish.
It was very engrossing and impossible to put down.
Another author to put on my list of favourites.
I loved this book from start to finish.
It was very engrossing and impossible to put down.
Another author to put on my list of favourites.
September 10, 2018
The Hard Kill review
The Hard Kill is the first fast-paced book in the John Stone Action Thriller series written by the Manning Brothers.
The Hard Kill is the first fast-paced book in the John Stone Action Thriller series written by the Manning Brothers.
September 21, 2019
Great
Rough and tumble book filled with action and danger. Stone is a mountain of man both literally and figuratively. A hero and exciting character. More please Mr. Manning!!
Rough and tumble book filled with action and danger. Stone is a mountain of man both literally and figuratively. A hero and exciting character. More please Mr. Manning!!
September 23, 2018
The book is so very enjoyable. I really enjoyed this thriller and read turning the pages to see what was going to develop next and so loved John Stone “a new hero” and glad to see that more books to follow!
The story starts with a bang with Frank Colt a separated father trying to save his 12 year old daughter from intruders carrying out a hit on his home. He is eventually overcome and killed after seeing off most of the intruders and his daughter Emily taken as leverage against Jenifer Dawson her mother but unbeknown to the kidnappers John Stone is her godfather and a very close friend of her father and Frank who were both in the Special Forces. The kidnapping is to put pressure on her mother who is a senior project manager in a research and development company called IntelliySys to steal the decryption software portable device.
The story unfolds and keeps the fast flowing storyline and pages turning with all characters being believable and the good being good and bad being; dead. Great book, so glad I chose it and recommend it to the entire action thriller readers out there who want good storyline, action and a hero that is believable and deadly!
The story starts with a bang with Frank Colt a separated father trying to save his 12 year old daughter from intruders carrying out a hit on his home. He is eventually overcome and killed after seeing off most of the intruders and his daughter Emily taken as leverage against Jenifer Dawson her mother but unbeknown to the kidnappers John Stone is her godfather and a very close friend of her father and Frank who were both in the Special Forces. The kidnapping is to put pressure on her mother who is a senior project manager in a research and development company called IntelliySys to steal the decryption software portable device.
The story unfolds and keeps the fast flowing storyline and pages turning with all characters being believable and the good being good and bad being; dead. Great book, so glad I chose it and recommend it to the entire action thriller readers out there who want good storyline, action and a hero that is believable and deadly!
July 2, 2020
I just couldn't get into the speed of how the main character got involved in a kidnap case in the first few chapters. I've read the reviews on here but a few thing stuck out for me straight away, such as John Stone being told about his friend's murder within hours, the mother of the kidnap victim being able instantly to not only identify one of the kidnappers, but also locate him and for Stone to be able to get to him. At this point I couldn't suspend belief any further.
It's a shame because the series has a good reputation for action. Maybe I'll give these books a rest - I read too many Black Ops, Operator, Assassin books - and then come back to it when I'm not so jaded!! Cliche - it's not you, it's me:)
It's a shame because the series has a good reputation for action. Maybe I'll give these books a rest - I read too many Black Ops, Operator, Assassin books - and then come back to it when I'm not so jaded!! Cliche - it's not you, it's me:)
August 13, 2022
Heavy action immediately. Short read. Basically, forget the premise, story situation leading to the action, just get into it, hence short. But loaded with minute to minute action. I'd prefer more story, but while in the middle of this, it flies well.
I'm fine with the getting rid of bad guys as you dig in and definitely not a fan of dropping his knife to have a fair fight even though he knows this murderer has the advantage. What?? And the after show of some mysterious fed coming by seemed superfluous and very rushed to end this book. Also, it was a golly gee moment, you mean me?
A good amount of logic, consistency and mucho action, so it was a good short fun read.
I'm fine with the getting rid of bad guys as you dig in and definitely not a fan of dropping his knife to have a fair fight even though he knows this murderer has the advantage. What?? And the after show of some mysterious fed coming by seemed superfluous and very rushed to end this book. Also, it was a golly gee moment, you mean me?
A good amount of logic, consistency and mucho action, so it was a good short fun read.
September 25, 2017
The godfather
This KU library selection is a quick, exciting read, one that kept me fully engaged from the opening scene to the end. John Stone is a retired Army Ranger who gets word his best friend has been murdered and his 12 year old daughter, John's goddaughter, taken. John takes immediate action to find the man behind the attack, and leaves a trail of mercenaries in his wake. He's 270 pounds of angry and he lets nothing stand in his way. Hopefully there will be more of John Stone in the future, it will make a great action packed series.
This KU library selection is a quick, exciting read, one that kept me fully engaged from the opening scene to the end. John Stone is a retired Army Ranger who gets word his best friend has been murdered and his 12 year old daughter, John's goddaughter, taken. John takes immediate action to find the man behind the attack, and leaves a trail of mercenaries in his wake. He's 270 pounds of angry and he lets nothing stand in his way. Hopefully there will be more of John Stone in the future, it will make a great action packed series.
May 8, 2018
Writers With Potential
While the story is right up my alley; fast paced, post or paramilitary, CIA, FBI,bad guys, white hats, cyber security oh and 6 foot and 200+ plus pounds of highly trained muscled good guys saving the world. A story not written in first person is boring and wordy. Drop the "Mr. Gordon", for a smoother read after the character introduction just " Gordon". I might read another of the books to see if the writing style has stayed consistent or has changed up any.
While the story is right up my alley; fast paced, post or paramilitary, CIA, FBI,bad guys, white hats, cyber security oh and 6 foot and 200+ plus pounds of highly trained muscled good guys saving the world. A story not written in first person is boring and wordy. Drop the "Mr. Gordon", for a smoother read after the character introduction just " Gordon". I might read another of the books to see if the writing style has stayed consistent or has changed up any.
November 6, 2019
Kidnapping the goddaughter of retired Army Ranger John Stone is a very bad idea and he is about to let those responsible know it. This is a fast paced ride with a very good story which will continue in the next book. This is not a cliffhanger. There is a closure for this story. It starts off with a bang and you keep on reading because what happens next really matters to you. I will most likely read the next books in the series. Like the characters we met here and know some of them will appear in other books in the series.
If you pick it up you will find it hard to put down.
If you pick it up you will find it hard to put down.
March 17, 2020
An AM. & BM. Military Operations (Black) (THK) (AAPMPT) (A JSATB - 1)
AM. & BM. have penned a military operations, bkack, action adventure titled, "The Hard Kill" which begi b with the primary, an ex special operator, characters brother is shot and killed and his niece kidnapped to force the Mother, a high tech inventor and developer, to turn information over to a foreign entity. The girls uncle stands between the two forces. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
AM. & BM. have penned a military operations, bkack, action adventure titled, "The Hard Kill" which begi b with the primary, an ex special operator, characters brother is shot and killed and his niece kidnapped to force the Mother, a high tech inventor and developer, to turn information over to a foreign entity. The girls uncle stands between the two forces. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
November 1, 2023
An action packed adventure book So good to read
Every chapter is filled with action and it's fast paced. I had to reread several sentences because I can see can see action but reading about it is a different thing for me. I have avoided action books before because of that very reason but found this author makes it easy or at least easier for me to read. The characters were good and you could tell by dedication by he was gonna stop for anything
Every chapter is filled with action and it's fast paced. I had to reread several sentences because I can see can see action but reading about it is a different thing for me. I have avoided action books before because of that very reason but found this author makes it easy or at least easier for me to read. The characters were good and you could tell by dedication by he was gonna stop for anything
September 26, 2018
Attention getter
Absolutely kept my attention.
I like that the story moved quickly, matter of days, so there was no lull or down time.
Definitely written like an action movie.
My only negative regarding the story is the songs listed at the beginning of each chapter.
I thought it was distracting so I eventually ignored it.
Absolutely kept my attention.
I like that the story moved quickly, matter of days, so there was no lull or down time.
Definitely written like an action movie.
My only negative regarding the story is the songs listed at the beginning of each chapter.
I thought it was distracting so I eventually ignored it.
September 27, 2018
Fast moving non-stop action
The story is fairly run-of-the-mill for this sort of book, but it does keep you pinned to the page, waiting to see what happens next.
There are some aggravating grammar issues. These, for me, detract from the story and cause me to lose focus. Someone needs to do a better job of proof reading.
The story is fairly run-of-the-mill for this sort of book, but it does keep you pinned to the page, waiting to see what happens next.
There are some aggravating grammar issues. These, for me, detract from the story and cause me to lose focus. Someone needs to do a better job of proof reading.
October 19, 2018
Read the ‘about the author’
I was going to give this three stars because the whole time I was reading it, all I could see was Arnold in Commando. Then, in the end, the author explained that he loves action movies and wanted to make an updated story with them in mind.
I wish I knew that going in, because it really was a fun read.
I was going to give this three stars because the whole time I was reading it, all I could see was Arnold in Commando. Then, in the end, the author explained that he loves action movies and wanted to make an updated story with them in mind.
I wish I knew that going in, because it really was a fun read.
November 17, 2018
First book
This is the first book I have read by this author and I found it because of my recommendation of past reading. I can get behind John Stone. I always like a good guy that is rough and gets a job done anyway he can. Plus John has a heart and saved his God Daughter good guy.
This is the first book I have read by this author and I found it because of my recommendation of past reading. I can get behind John Stone. I always like a good guy that is rough and gets a job done anyway he can. Plus John has a heart and saved his God Daughter good guy.
March 22, 2019
Love John Stone!!!
This is a tremendous beginning of (what I hope) will be a LONG SERIES of even more terrific John Stone books! Loved it, this was a really quick read, and one that I didn’t want to put down because I kept wondering what was about to happen ;>} you owe me some sleep!!
I can’t wait to read more in the series.
This is a tremendous beginning of (what I hope) will be a LONG SERIES of even more terrific John Stone books! Loved it, this was a really quick read, and one that I didn’t want to put down because I kept wondering what was about to happen ;>} you owe me some sleep!!
I can’t wait to read more in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews