Blackout

John Milton #10

by Mark Dawson, David Thorpe (Narrator)

An offer he couldn't refuse. A murder he can’t remember…

John Milton’s life is about to change. The former government assassin follows a lead to Manila that he hopes will change his life. But he never expected to wake up in an unfamiliar hotel room beside a murder victim. And, unfortunately for him, Milton doesn’t remember a thing about the night before.

Thrown into a gruesome Filipino prison, he puts together the clues that led to his betrayal. With no allies and even less hope, Milton must use his wits to escape and take revenge on the men who put him there. If he doesn’t lose his life in the process…

Blackout is the latest book in Mark Dawson’s gripping series of thrillers. If you like page-turning action, globetrotting spies, and perfectly-paced suspense, then you’ll love this series from a USA Today bestseller.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Audiobook, Crime, Action, Espionage, Mystery

Audible Audio

First published February 7, 2017

About the author

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http://eepurl.com/Cai5X

Mark Dawson was born in Lowestoft and grew up in Manchester and Chicago. He has worked as a lawyer and currently works in the London film industry. His first books, "The Art of Falling Apart" and "Subpoena Colada" have been published in multiple languages.

He is currently writing two series. Soho Noir is set in the West End of London between 1940 and 1970. The first book in the series, "The Black Mile", deals with the (real life but little known) serial killer who operated in the area during the Blitz. "The Imposter" traces the journey of a criminal family (think The Sopranos in austerity London and you'd be on the right track).

The John Milton series features a disgruntled special agent who aims to help people to make amends for the terrible things that he has done. Mark, as a child of the 80s, will freely admit that he watched a lot of The Equalizer in his youth.

Mark lives in Wiltshire with his family.

You can find him at www.markjdawson.com or www.facebook.com/markdawsonauthor.

Reviews

[Jennifer (Jaye) · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Survival*

John Milton is on his way to Manila, he receives a videocall from a woman he met whilst working for the British Government as their top and most dangerous assassin, what she reveals will be be life changing for John. When John arrives all is not what it seems. He has been clean of alcohol for over 3 years and is doing well following the AA steps. But once he meets up with her in a bar everything changes.

He wakes up the next day head throbbing in a hotel room as he tries to survey the room he sees the woman dead. There are empty bottles of alcohol and as he opens the door he is greeted by the police. Trouble is he does not know if he was drinking and if he in fact is the killer.

Milton is then sent without a trial to one of the most dangerous prisons all the time wondering what it is all about. The police officer on the case is starting to smell a rat when she realises that is not in a holding cell and is being warned off by her boss to leave the case alone. As she tries to investigate every angle where the evidence leaves the witnesses are disposed of.

Meanwhile Milton is being frogmarched off to a secluded area to be set upon by the guards daily and one day they then take him to the reason why he is in there. Milton’s past comes back to haunt him. Given his daily beatings what will Milton do? Will he be able to survive it all in one piece? I was on the edge of my seat….

[Barry who enjoys well-written thrillers, mysteries , & espionage & loathes romance, horror & supernat]

It turns out that I have already read this one but, apparently, I did not mark it as such on Goodreads, nor did I review.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Milton is a stud....when sober.

[HoneyAhmad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great to be back in the world of John Milton. This was a particularly good on set in a Filipino prison- fast-paced, a really good antidote in between slower books

[India · Rating 5 out of 5]

When John Milton wakes up in his hotel room, he knows immediately that something is very wrong. Alcohol has been his downfall in the past but after fighting it for so long has he really fallen on the wagon? When he sees the body, his heart sinks and things begin to spiral out of his control and control is something Milton prefers to keep a hold of.
I love this series but I’m not reading it in sync because the audio book came on promotion and I just couldn’t wait. Lucky for me this doesn’t seem to matter too much. Milton’s story is easy to pick up and very easy to become addicted to.
Milton isn’t a hero as such but as killers go, he’s pretty awesome. There’s something innocent about this character that hooks the reader in making him seem like the good guy. The story is full-on action and poor Milton doesn’t get much chance to be introspective because he’s either taking a beating or giving one but Dawson still manages to instil a sense of vulnerability into this unlikely hero. Watch out ladies, he’s a little like James Bond but with less charm, less bling, and less action in the sack but with the mission in mind the man is focused even if he does ride economy class.

[Pete · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a ride. I think that this is one of the best John Milton books that Mark Dawson has penned, I don't often describe books as 'page-turners' but this one is certainly deserving of that moniker.
The character of Milton is getting more and more human, which is a good thing, and I really love that some of the characters from previous books in the series have returned to help Milton out. It will be interesting to see if this is a theme that continues in future books.
As always there are lots of twists and turns to the plot, I don't think that I am giving too much away by saying that Milton triumphs in the end, but the way that he does it is quite unexpected and explosive, a real heart-rate booster!
It is a real credit to Mark Dawson, that even in book 10 of the Milton series, he manages to keep the character and plot feeling fresh rather than just rehashing the same basic story, keep up the good work!
If you haven't read any of the John Milton books, then look through the ones that are available and dive in, if you are a thriller fan you won't be disappointed and will probably get addicted to them.

[Judy Churchill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was particularly suspenseful. It’s a good thing John is so resourceful or he would have died in the prison his enemies saw that he was incarcerated in. He made a lot of enemies in his former occupation.

[David Highton · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Milton, the former alcoholic government assassin, leading a quiet life of redemption, falls into a vicious trap in the Phillipines and calls in favours from old friends to fight back.

[Susan Haught · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has been my favorite so far in the series. I loved the vulnerability of Milton when he's in prison and hey, Ziggy gets on my nerves, but he's a bad-ass genius! I enjoy the books with him in them. I liked to hate Fitz in this one...I could see how people could be duped by his soft demeanor. He was a bad guy Dawson did very well.

I'm reading #11 now. Actually, I'm listening...I listen while I workout and it makes the time go except for the long passages of backstory when I find my mind

I have to find out what eventually happens to Milton. He should spend his life in prison...or dead...but I really want him to live out his life in relative peace. If that's possible for an assassin with his past. He's the kind of guy you definitely want on your side!

[Twobchelm · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was real trouble for Milton waiting in the Philippines that landed him in prison with no one to turn to!
Good always prevails ….

[Pamela Small · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the John Milton character, a flawed man whose redemptive qualities make him EVERYMAN. I eagerly await new episodes in this series. However, I am disappointed in Mr. Dawson's most recent Milton series, Black Out. There is no background story, so new readers will be at a complete loss about a bistro cook being framed. All of the characters are bland and not developed well, nor were their motives. The ending was very satisfying, as we get (finally) a glimpse of the John Milton we have come to love. This is a fabulous series, but you must start at the beginning.

[Marley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't imagine how I missed Blackout, since I follow Mark's work closely on FB a Twitter. but I did. bad on me.

This time John goes to the Philippines to suss out if he really has a son with a former asset--who, of course, ends up dead in no time. (John has a really sucky love life). So it doesn't go so well for our hero. Now, I have never been to the Philipines, and I don't think I want to after reading his book. Since I don't have much money, I'd probably end up in a serious dive bar and get murdered by either by a nasty criminal thug or a nasty Duterte thug. But aren't they the same?

This book is bloody and relentless. The scenes in the prison are particularly horrifying. His descriptions feel so real, that it almost makes me think he was once a guest there, but I'm guessing not. Mark is gunning to be the next Zola at this rate. I don't remember our hero being beaten to such a pulp as he is in Blackout. Curiously, as I've noted elsewhere, he exhibits amazing restorative talents, no one seems to notice that he looks like a bloody Mountain Rivera as he walks through respectable streets and restaurants.

Blackout is enough to convince just about anyone that Duterte needs to be overthrown post-haste. Perhaps John Milton could team up with Isabella Rose to finish him off. Before that, though, I still want him to take a dishwashing job in Columbus (OH) and clean up this center of bougie corruption.

[Kathi Defranc · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Milton is on another adventure,however this one starts differently than usual. A man tracks Milton down,saying he has a message that Jessica,a woman he knew years ago during a M16 assignment,needs to meet him,saying she has a son,by Milton. This news really messes up this solitary man, he agrees to go see her without his normal checking of all facts,and during the trip he is not as careful as he usually is. They meet at a bar,he drinks orange juice,but awakens in his motel, alcohol all over the room,and Jessica dead. So begins a great adventure,with some well defined characters and strong plots. Anywhere the story is at you feel as if you are right there,in prison with the odors and fights or near the ocean with the smell of salt water all around. You can read this book as a stand alone,but is much better if you have followed Milton through his other adventures. I give it a gold five stars,and can't wait to travel with Milton again!

[Stuart Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Dawson Masterclass

Another Milton thriller that keeps you gripped and entertained from start to finish. I have read every one and cannot help but like John Milton, a flawed but engaging character. If I have one criticism it is that the author makes the books so readable that the read is over too soon. Now I have to wait for the next one. Still the next Isabella Rose has been pre-ordered so that will keep me going until Milton resurfaces.

[Edward Newfield · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yawn a minute

Usual lack of continuity and realism.
Why didn't Milton simply kick Tiny in the balls and what happened to the Hoods with De Lacey at the shoot out. Did they simply walk away.

[Brett T · Rating 1 out of 5]

Beginning in 2013, Mark Dawson began telling the story of John Milton, an assassin for British intelligence who finally saw one body too many and decided to retire. His agency prefers to dictate the terms of his retirement, however, and their vision is a much more final one. The first several volumes of the series dealt with Milton on the run, with the situation eventually shifting to leave him on his own as long as he stays quiet.

For his part, Milton just wants a simple and quiet life, spending his time living out Step Nine of the Alcoholics Anonymous "12 Steps," about making amends. He can't make amends to the people he's killed, so he resolves to help people out when they need it, especially if they need the kind of help a ruthless former assassin can provide. The idea is very much like the 1980s television show (and Denzel Washington movies) The Equalizer.

In the 11th book Blackout, Milton's "client," so to speak, is himself. He wakes up in a motel room in the Philippines, reeking of alcohol and unable to remember the previous night. Falling off the wagon would be bad enough, but he soon finds that there's a dead body in the room, and the police have just shown up. Is he a murderer as well? He can't remember, and soon the stakes get higher when he's transferred to a brutal prison with almost every hand raised against him. Without freedom, allies or memories Milton will have to find a way to learn the answers to his questions, if he can survive long enough to ask them.

Dawson has used Milton's AA experiences as more than a convenient plot hook -- his regular attendance at meetings both helps him and constant reminds him of the destruction he's caused, taunting him with an absolution that can't really be his since he can't show the complete honesty the program demands and tell the story of his wrongs. That dimension has made for interesting layers to the character and offers not only a reason for his decisions to help people but also a logical space for self-reflection on Milton's part.

Unfortunately, little of that is on display in Blackout. Dawson opens by setting the scene in the motel room but then flashes back to show us how we got here, a plot device that often signals an author doesn't have a lot of confidence in his story's power to hook a reader. If so, the lack of confidence is not misplaced, since Blackout just throws together a bunch of episodes of Milton getting beaten up while telegraphing the villain at the center of his troubles and introducing a female character from his past in order to fridge her and yet another flashback sequence. Whether it's because it focuses on Milton's own life rather than his self-chosen mission to help others or some other reason, Blackout is hands down the worst book in this otherwise fast-paced, well-written series that centers on an intriguingly layered character and features top-level action writing.

Original available here.

[John A. Hopkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this tenth episode of the Milton series, we John confronted with lifechanging news. Although sceptical, Milton travels to Manila to meet an old contact, but wakes one morning with no recollection of the previous night, and a dead body in his hotel room.
Instinct and self-loathing mean Milton assumes he has fallen off the wagon and killed someone, and he meekly submits to the arresting office. Set in the early years of the Duerte presidency, Milton finds himself in a hellish Filipino prison, full of men with no hope, and a mysterious, wealthy prisoner living a life a luxury, albeit behind bars. Why is Milton behind bars? Did he really murder his contact in a drunken rage?
Blackout (and the Jungle – book 9) are something of a return to form (in my opinion) for the Milton series which I felt was getting a bit less enjoyable after #8, The Ninth Step. Whilst it felt as though Milton had perhaps run out of steam, the last two are once again excellently paced thrillers with plenty of action and a fresh plot. Book 11 is wating on my (dead) Kindle – I just have to wait for the replacement to arrive.

[Simon Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Things do not look good for Milton, lured to Manila.....He is soon betrayed and set up. Waking up next to a dead woman and no memory of what has happened he soon falls foul of the local police and ends up in prison and not just any prison....but the worst that the Philippines has to offer, with guards that can be bought, inmates out to make a name for themselves and one with a personal grudge Milton literally finds himself fighting just to stay alive.......
If he is going to find out what happened, clear his name and get revenge then he is going to need every last bit of skill and training and even then it might not be enough.
With a blistering pace, excellent supporting characters and a truly horrible bad guy this book is true to form..... bone crunching fight scenes and well thought out action sequences play out in the steaming hot and humid surrounds and there is a palpable sense that this time Milton might not be able to prevail. .......With a wonderfully realised ending this book is the whole package. Well worth a read.

[Angela Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Milton finds himself drawn to the Philippines by an old flame, however, once there, things do not go as planned when Milton wakes up in a hotel room full of empty alcohol bottles and a dead body. Worse, he doesn't remember anything about last night other than meeting her at a bar.

Finding himself fast tracked to a notorious Filipino prison, Milton soon works out that things are not as they seem and starts to piece together what happened to him that night.

With certain death only a matter of time, his only potential ally is a police detective that he thinks might not be corrupt, but he knows this won't be enough. Can he trust her to call in reinforcements from his past, or has he just put them all in danger, too?

I listed to the audio version of this book and found the narrator to be suited to the story.

Am I glad I read it - yes.
Was it a waste of my time - no.
Would I sit down and read it all over again - not really that kind of book - once you know how it ends, you know.
Would I read more by this author based on this book - yes.

[Mrs.A. Rees-Simkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unputdownable

This book, the tenth in the John Milton series is, again, the 'real deal'. I couldn't put it down until the end and then was sorry it was finished. What more can you ask of a book. I've read every book of the series and am impatient for number 11. I compare John Milton to Jack Reacher but, as good as Reacher is, J.M. is a more rounded and real character. Also the locations in the series are more interesting and evocative. In this case the setting is the Philipines which is brought beautifully to light. The plot is unrelenting and Milton's antagonist evil enough to attract no sympathy from any human being. If I have to add the slightest element of criticism, it is that I cannot imagine anyone able to withstand the amount of aggro that Milton has to put up with. Keep up the good work Mark Dawson, you're streets ahead of the competition.

[Mikisha Silvera · Rating 1 out of 5]

The author BLACKED OUT!!!

I wouldn't recommend anybody to read this book as a first read in the series.
There is no way a well trained former government assassin could be coerced in believing he had a child out of the blue... Furthermore he could've secretly traveled to the Philippines as he has done as a government operative and as a rogue operator. The book prior to this; The Jungle, he traveled to Libya only to end up back in the UK to catch the leader of a human trafficking ring... Which by the way was also dumb. I honestly believe the author came up with the concept for this book and couldn't find a plausible narrative... and just BLACKED OUT... Before a teenage GHOSTWRITER chose to take up the task to finish it.
To be honest this book is probably more GARBAGE than the previous book.

[Linda Curry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good John Milton story

I am enjoying this series. The locations are so well described that you can feel, smell, see them as the action takes place. Each story has been unique and interesting. John’s journey as an alcoholic is a steady backbone to the books. This one was especially good. The battle for the policewoman to stay faithful to her values while working with corrupt peers and leaders was powerful. The help John receives from old friends feels genuine and freely given. The ending was satisfying, if violent. All in all, a good way to spend a cold winters day.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lured to the Philippines in a manner that just screams "attention, this is a trap!", Milton ends up in a brutal prison accused of a murder he can't remember committing. To get out, he needs the help of the policewoman who arrested him but slowly comes to believe in his innocence as well as a couple of friends.

The trap and the villain of the piece were just too predictable, and I got tired of the seemingly endless succession of scenes of Milton getting beaten up for no reason other than to establish that yes, there is a lot of brutality in this prison. Seriously, we got it the first several times... just move it along already.

[Joel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good entry into the Milton series by Dawson. I've come to really like this series about a loner trying to make up for his many years as an assassin for a branch of MI6. In this one Milton is lured to the Philippines by a story of a old love who claimed he had a son that she had never told him about. It turns out to be a lie to lure him there and things go forward from there.

As is usual for this series its a good story with good characters, some old and some new, that I hope to see again as I continue to read Dawson's novels. I highly recommend them for anyone looking for a series about espionage and a protagonist trying to do good to make up for a career of an assassin.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blackout (John Milton, #10) by Mark Dawson

Milton is back and he finds himself in Manila and a whole heap of trouble.
It's a good read just not great as Milton has to escape prison and take down an old foe with the help of some usual faces.
The writing is good and the story sips along it's just we have read it all before there isn't nothing really new here if you have read one Milton book you have read them all, I never really felt Milton was in danger or that he wouldn't get out of the pickle he finds himself in.
I will continue to read Milton books in the hope he can capture that spark he had in the early books they all feel a little to safe now and pedestrian.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another standard Milton adventure with some interesting twists. He finds himself in the Philippines meeting up with an old flame who claims he is the father of her son. When he gets there he gets drugged and wakes up to find her murdered in the bathroom and he's arrested.

He soon finds himself in prison where the truth is revealed. A gun trafficker he put away previously has cut a deal to be released, and part of the price is to get even with Milton. Milton working with a local police woman who comes to believe he is innocent work to find a way out of prison, and to return the gun trafficker to jail (police woman plan) or to remove him for once and all (Milton's plan).

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very powerful and suspenseful thriller!

Mark Dawson does it again! He writes with so much attention to detail to his characters and plots that keeps you intrigued and compelled to finish the book and not put it down. John Milton is an amazing person who gets into difficult situations, but this time he needs help from Hicks and Ziggy and Police Officer Hernandez. Mark Dawson takes you on a fast-paced, action-filled journey plagued by betrayals. This book is a great read, and I am sure you will enjoy it!

[Stephen Heiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark Dawson has so many years of history of John Milton yet to unfold that every time we are presented with a new possibility (as the one we are presented with in the beginning of this book) we are get to dive headlong into a new avenue of learning about this character with whom we've had more than a dozen adventures already.

While the connection isn't yet clear on how this chapter fits in with the giant Milton arc, I am pleased to see that Mark is allowing for a "team" to develop around Milton, with all the implications that brings.

[Teddy Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book kept me interested, but there were some glaring editing problems. Wish I had made notes as I went along, but I didn't. One thing I do remember was, during the prison riot, when Josie picked up Mendoza's cell phone; later it was said to have been found in a search of his pockets. And that's just the one I remember offhand. I find his sentence structure a bit clumsy, but as I said the book did hold my interest.

[Alissa Robinow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!

I've read all of the John Milton series - mostly via Audible, some also via Kindle - as well as most of the Beatrix Rose and Isabella Rose series. Mark is a great writer and storyteller. Please keep these stories going - can't wait to see what happens to Milton in SE Asia. I'd recommend to him to visit the island of Koh Samui in Thailand - there's a small place by the beach that serves a delicious dessert of bananas in warm, sweet coconut milk - not to be missed!