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John Milton #11
The Alamo
New York isn’t ready for Britain’s most dangerous ex-assassin…
John Milton has finally found a place to escape the bloodshed: off-season Coney Island. No tourists. No special ops. Just peace and quiet. But when a local boy witnesses a grisly murder, Milton can’t resist investigating.
Milton uncovers a vicious drug kingpin and a group of crooked cops from a notorious precinct known as “The Alamo.” Against such dangerous foes, Milton’s quest for redemption could come to an end.
The eleventh book in the USA Today bestselling John Milton series delivers thrills, action, and twists you just won’t see coming.
“It’s impossible not to think of Lee Child’s super-selling Jack Reacher” - The Times
“The literary sensation you’ve never heard of.” - The Telegraph
John Milton has finally found a place to escape the bloodshed: off-season Coney Island. No tourists. No special ops. Just peace and quiet. But when a local boy witnesses a grisly murder, Milton can’t resist investigating.
Milton uncovers a vicious drug kingpin and a group of crooked cops from a notorious precinct known as “The Alamo.” Against such dangerous foes, Milton’s quest for redemption could come to an end.
The eleventh book in the USA Today bestselling John Milton series delivers thrills, action, and twists you just won’t see coming.
“It’s impossible not to think of Lee Child’s super-selling Jack Reacher” - The Times
“The literary sensation you’ve never heard of.” - The Telegraph
538 pages, Paperback
First published June 12, 2017
2434 people are currently reading
547 people want to read
About the author
Mark Dawson
114 books1,848 followersFor news and special offers join Mark's mailing list at:
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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews
June 28, 2017
Many twists and turns.
Have been reading this series from the start. John Milton has many names, going to AA meetings and their to help little boy and his alcoholic father. When it comes to children he has a big heart, but plays judge and jury. Dirty, corrupt police departments and murders.
Have been reading this series from the start. John Milton has many names, going to AA meetings and their to help little boy and his alcoholic father. When it comes to children he has a big heart, but plays judge and jury. Dirty, corrupt police departments and murders.
April 29, 2023
*Milton Strikes Again*
**4.5 Stars**
Well after leaving a gap whilst reading easy reads it does not take long to catapult me back into the life of John Milton. He was a former Government Assassin working for the elite Group Fifteen. He was who you sent in when all else failed. He was also their most dangerous assassin and their former number one. The most disarming thing about him is he seems unremarkable therefore he can blend into the background. Underestimate him at your cost.
This instalment sees him in New York. One of his flaws is he is also a recovering alcoholic so wherever he lands he finds a meeting. That all seems sedate until he finds himself embroiled with a huge Gangster when a young boy happens upon a dead body in a public toilet and witnesses the killers of course Milton decides to get to the bottom of it.
Soon Milton is finding out about the police on the payroll of the notorious drug Barron. There is a police officer investigating the police and he is the only one that John trusts.
Milton in his quest to keep the boy & his father safe, may be in for one of his biggest fights, it’s a busy episode that you will need a head that swivels with the many twists and turns, Milton is resourceful……
**4.5 Stars**
Well after leaving a gap whilst reading easy reads it does not take long to catapult me back into the life of John Milton. He was a former Government Assassin working for the elite Group Fifteen. He was who you sent in when all else failed. He was also their most dangerous assassin and their former number one. The most disarming thing about him is he seems unremarkable therefore he can blend into the background. Underestimate him at your cost.
This instalment sees him in New York. One of his flaws is he is also a recovering alcoholic so wherever he lands he finds a meeting. That all seems sedate until he finds himself embroiled with a huge Gangster when a young boy happens upon a dead body in a public toilet and witnesses the killers of course Milton decides to get to the bottom of it.
Soon Milton is finding out about the police on the payroll of the notorious drug Barron. There is a police officer investigating the police and he is the only one that John trusts.
Milton in his quest to keep the boy & his father safe, may be in for one of his biggest fights, it’s a busy episode that you will need a head that swivels with the many twists and turns, Milton is resourceful……
June 13, 2017
Excellent story as the adventures of John Milton,ex- specialist assassin, continue as he tries to give back by helping people he finds in serious trouble! Milton is an alcoholic and is following the 12 steps, he feels he 'hurt' so many people that he can now try to help them thereby making him feel better. We continue to see the growth of Milton as he reveals more of his feeling and thinking, even letting a few people close to him. Any person who reads action thrillers needs to read this series from Mark Dawson, wonderful characters and descriptions of scenes that will make you think you are there!
July 31, 2018
Mark Dawson has done it again: wrote another exciting installment in the John Milton series! The John Milton character grows in each of the books- the author continuing to develop a multi dimensional, dynamic character. He may not be a government assassin any longer, but he still has what it takes to right the wrongs of villains! If you are new to this series, do yourself a favor and start at the beginning with THE CLEANER. You will gain an appreciation for Mark Dawson's intriguing storytelling as well as an understanding of his complex protagonist.
June 13, 2017
Plots in novels with continuing characters are pretty formulistic. What differentiates one from another is the author's ability to spin the tale and the amount of research he/she puts into making that tale jump out at the reader. Dawson has that ability to put the reader in the scene with the characters, be they protagonist or antagonist.
I was fortunate to be allowed to read an advance copy of The Alamo. And, although I seldom give Five Star ratings to thrillers, this one does merit that, in my opinion. Excellent research by Dawson in placing Milton in and around the Coney Island area of Brooklyn. One of the 'twists' I saw coming early on in the story. Another I didn't anticipate at all.
An excellent read.
I was fortunate to be allowed to read an advance copy of The Alamo. And, although I seldom give Five Star ratings to thrillers, this one does merit that, in my opinion. Excellent research by Dawson in placing Milton in and around the Coney Island area of Brooklyn. One of the 'twists' I saw coming early on in the story. Another I didn't anticipate at all.
An excellent read.
December 8, 2020
Another very solid effort by Mark Dawson in his John Milton series.
Milton, having disappeared from the super-secret British spy/assassin outfit for whom he once worked, is now in NYC making a meager living as a cook in a slightly grubby Eastern European restaurant near Coney Island. Unwittingly, he sets in motion a series of events that place a single dad and his thirteen-year-old son in danger. Action ensues.
If you're a Milton fan, you'll almost certainly enjoy this book. If not and you'd like to try a new action series about an assassin gone good, you be well-advised to start with a much earlier book in the series, perhaps number one.
Over and Out
Milton, having disappeared from the super-secret British spy/assassin outfit for whom he once worked, is now in NYC making a meager living as a cook in a slightly grubby Eastern European restaurant near Coney Island. Unwittingly, he sets in motion a series of events that place a single dad and his thirteen-year-old son in danger. Action ensues.
If you're a Milton fan, you'll almost certainly enjoy this book. If not and you'd like to try a new action series about an assassin gone good, you be well-advised to start with a much earlier book in the series, perhaps number one.
Over and Out
July 11, 2017
Protagonist John Milton, aka John Smith, lives in Coney Island and works as a cook. In an earlier life, he was a particularly lethal SAS trained special ops assassin for a shadowy British concern. He's also a recovering alcoholic and at this stage of his life, wants only to lead a quiet, peaceful existence trying everyday to stay sober and make amends. His focus is altered one night returning from a Giants game when he finds a dead body in a rest room off a subway stop. He also discovers a frightened 13 year old witness in a stall whose father coincidentally, is in Smith's AA meeting in Brooklyn. As a recovering alcoholic, Smith practices Step #9 in AA's 12 step program. Step #9 requires practitioners to make amends to those they have harmed and he spent a long and dangerous career causing harm to his countries many enemies as often as possible.
What I like about John Milton/Smith and what separates him from the many good "Jack Reacher" type characters is his innate integrity and loyalty to his fellow AA meeting members. Basically a loner, Smith's self directed obligation to his recovery and his AA meeting friends require him to step up and use his former skills to protect his friend and his son from a local drug kingpin and the crooked cops on his payroll. This is Mark Dawson's 11th book in the very popular John Milton series and it's surely one of his best. You won't be disappointed.
What I like about John Milton/Smith and what separates him from the many good "Jack Reacher" type characters is his innate integrity and loyalty to his fellow AA meeting members. Basically a loner, Smith's self directed obligation to his recovery and his AA meeting friends require him to step up and use his former skills to protect his friend and his son from a local drug kingpin and the crooked cops on his payroll. This is Mark Dawson's 11th book in the very popular John Milton series and it's surely one of his best. You won't be disappointed.
March 13, 2023
John Milton is Helping out a guy from his AA meetings, when the guy's son witnesses corrupt cops kill a victim for trying to inform on the local drug kingpin.
The local police precinct all seem to be on the kingpin's payroll. John has to navigate the corridors of corruption while keeping his friends safe.
Seems pretty simple for John, until the twist.
The local police precinct all seem to be on the kingpin's payroll. John has to navigate the corridors of corruption while keeping his friends safe.
Seems pretty simple for John, until the twist.
October 23, 2017
Mark Dawson continues the John Milton series in The Alamo, another hard-hitting, show-no-mercy action novel that delivers as one of his best to date.
In this 11th book in the John Milton series, John finds himself wrapped up in more danger after he makes friends with a boy who witnesses a grisly murder in a public bathroom. In a book that has everything from corrupt police to hard-core mean killing drug dealers, John once again finds himself fighting for the good guys when nobody else does.
***ANOTHER HARD=HITTING ACTION NOVEL FROM JOHN MILTON***
The one thing that is consistent with Dawson’s writing style is, his characters are always compelling and as we follow Milton through the series, we learn a little more about him every time.
The book is written in the style of Jack Reacher or Bob Lee Swagger, and with most modern day heroes, Milton has a human side that separates him from the evil men he has to seek redemption against.
If you are looking for a great read that entertains and takes you from start to finish with plot twists and knuckle grinding action, The Alamo is definitely what you need.
A highly recommended book!
by Scott Allan
In this 11th book in the John Milton series, John finds himself wrapped up in more danger after he makes friends with a boy who witnesses a grisly murder in a public bathroom. In a book that has everything from corrupt police to hard-core mean killing drug dealers, John once again finds himself fighting for the good guys when nobody else does.
***ANOTHER HARD=HITTING ACTION NOVEL FROM JOHN MILTON***
The one thing that is consistent with Dawson’s writing style is, his characters are always compelling and as we follow Milton through the series, we learn a little more about him every time.
The book is written in the style of Jack Reacher or Bob Lee Swagger, and with most modern day heroes, Milton has a human side that separates him from the evil men he has to seek redemption against.
If you are looking for a great read that entertains and takes you from start to finish with plot twists and knuckle grinding action, The Alamo is definitely what you need.
A highly recommended book!
by Scott Allan
June 20, 2017
John Milton has been a very interesting character in Mark Dawson 11# is no exception
fortunately I have read all of the john Milton series from the first to the current book
they have all been of that same high standard we know of Mark Dawson
we just Need to sit back and wait for our Author to finish another one for us
If you are not a fan of Mark yet
be a devil and pick up one of his book you shouldn't be disappointed
if you like a fast paced thriller with good characters
i gave The Alamo 5 stars
fortunately I have read all of the john Milton series from the first to the current book
they have all been of that same high standard we know of Mark Dawson
we just Need to sit back and wait for our Author to finish another one for us
If you are not a fan of Mark yet
be a devil and pick up one of his book you shouldn't be disappointed
if you like a fast paced thriller with good characters
i gave The Alamo 5 stars
July 3, 2017
These books are some of the best I have ever read,John Milton is a wonderful character, great story line and a lot of action, keep them coming.
March 15, 2018
The latest John Milton book sees him drawn into police corruption and drug lords in New York. Rips along at rapid pace - not for the faint-hearted
December 6, 2024
Once again, Goodreads does not have the amazing book "Que fue el Alamo?" in its library so I am forced to shelve this puppet book if I want to have a hope of getting to my reading goal. Tenía perspectivas como "guerra es mala" y "no deberías masacar a los no soldados." ¡Pero Davy Crocket fue allí!
September 16, 2017
Thoroughly enjoyed this entire series. Descriptions of countries are so well written too - particularly enjoyed it when John Milton was driving around in Australia and then Adelaide (my home). Looking forward to number 12!
September 23, 2024
As with many of the books in this series, the plot line isn't very original, anything but - but that's not really the point of these stories. In this case, John helps a boy who is a witness at a murder scene in New York. But there is a lot of satisfaction in reading a story that you know will end satisfactorily with all the bad guys getting their due. John is back to his ruthless best (though there is some inconsistency at the end). And there are a few twists that mean its not all as predictable as I thought. One of the better books in the series.
May 11, 2022
This involved dirty cops and drug king pins… the scum !
Lots of action …..
Lots of action …..
June 17, 2017
Thrilling. Never ending advrnture. Milton is brilliant again.
This story lets you remember the disgusting police that they had at one time in NYPD. It took brave and honest men to find them, and drag them out of the police force. It is good men like this, that we all rely on to keep our police forces safe and clean, throughout the world. And it is wonderful that Mark Dawson gives us fantastic stories like The Alamo. Waiting for the next adventure. Thank you Mark.
This story lets you remember the disgusting police that they had at one time in NYPD. It took brave and honest men to find them, and drag them out of the police force. It is good men like this, that we all rely on to keep our police forces safe and clean, throughout the world. And it is wonderful that Mark Dawson gives us fantastic stories like The Alamo. Waiting for the next adventure. Thank you Mark.
May 12, 2018
I would have given it 4 stars, but having the protagonist driving around New York City in a snow storm on a motorcycle was VERY hard to believe
June 14, 2017
Another Winner!
In a way, ex-British operative and recovering alcoholic John Milton comes full circle in this 11th novel in the series. In book #1, The Cleaner, Milton left The Group (the secret agency he worked for) and was trying to get his life together. Haunted by nightmares and remorse, he sought redemption in the squalid East End of London. While trying to help a mother and her troubled son, things did not end well. Fast-forward to this book (#11), and Milton is now living in the run-down section of Brooklyn that includes Coney Island. He has traveled the world seeking redemption through the 12 Steps of AA and by trying to right wrongs for people needing help. Now, by helping a fellow AA member and his teenage son, he finds himself fighting a local drug lord and a precinct full of corrupt cops.
As usual, the author enriches the compelling story line with his evocative descriptions of the local landscape. The reader really gets a feel for "Nooo Yawk" and the grittiness that lies beyond the bright lights of the big city. Adding the crisply drawn characters that populate that landscape and propel the action raises the author to the ranks of Ludlum and Le Carre. Milton is unforgettable. Simply the best!
In a way, ex-British operative and recovering alcoholic John Milton comes full circle in this 11th novel in the series. In book #1, The Cleaner, Milton left The Group (the secret agency he worked for) and was trying to get his life together. Haunted by nightmares and remorse, he sought redemption in the squalid East End of London. While trying to help a mother and her troubled son, things did not end well. Fast-forward to this book (#11), and Milton is now living in the run-down section of Brooklyn that includes Coney Island. He has traveled the world seeking redemption through the 12 Steps of AA and by trying to right wrongs for people needing help. Now, by helping a fellow AA member and his teenage son, he finds himself fighting a local drug lord and a precinct full of corrupt cops.
As usual, the author enriches the compelling story line with his evocative descriptions of the local landscape. The reader really gets a feel for "Nooo Yawk" and the grittiness that lies beyond the bright lights of the big city. Adding the crisply drawn characters that populate that landscape and propel the action raises the author to the ranks of Ludlum and Le Carre. Milton is unforgettable. Simply the best!
June 14, 2017
Mark Dawson has done it again, I keep saying with every John Milton book that he writes, that 'this is the best one yet'. but I have to say it again, this one really is the best yet!
I love Mark Dawson's ability to produce a really immersive description of the locations of his novels, in this case a very tough area of New York known as 'The Alamo'. I really felt that I knew the area by the time I had finished the book.
Milton is just about the ultimate damaged hero character, and yet he doesn't seem cheesy or cliched, he is just a human with some very extraordinary skills, but some very real and believable failings, which makes him very accessible, he is a great creation and a superb example of Mark Dawson's writing skills.
The plot is quite intricate, and hence does have quite a bit of scene-setting, but once it is in to its stride it is the proverbial ultimate roller-coaster ride, with great action sequences, unexpected turns, and a very unexpected twist to the climax. The whole story is seasoned with a psychotic drug lord, corrupt cops and Russian mafia.
If you enjoy any type of thriller, then I would have no hesitation in recommending this book, you will love it.
I love Mark Dawson's ability to produce a really immersive description of the locations of his novels, in this case a very tough area of New York known as 'The Alamo'. I really felt that I knew the area by the time I had finished the book.
Milton is just about the ultimate damaged hero character, and yet he doesn't seem cheesy or cliched, he is just a human with some very extraordinary skills, but some very real and believable failings, which makes him very accessible, he is a great creation and a superb example of Mark Dawson's writing skills.
The plot is quite intricate, and hence does have quite a bit of scene-setting, but once it is in to its stride it is the proverbial ultimate roller-coaster ride, with great action sequences, unexpected turns, and a very unexpected twist to the climax. The whole story is seasoned with a psychotic drug lord, corrupt cops and Russian mafia.
If you enjoy any type of thriller, then I would have no hesitation in recommending this book, you will love it.
May 31, 2020
Dawson keeps getting better
I liked the premise of John Milton being a hero struggling to maintain his sobriety and make amends for a violent life in service to his country, but with each subsequent book I find myself more drawn to him. This book starts out with John just trying to get by and doing what's right in a way only he can but through a series of coincidences finds himself trying to protect another alcoholic and his son from crooked cops and drug dealers. Milton makes his way using his skills and his cut and dried notion of right and wrong to atone for his past while trying to make life a little better for those he finds along the way. He struggles with his addiction and he has a hard time connecting with people, the only thing Milton is comfortable with is his deadly skills which makes him refreshing with all the near superhuman characters out there. The interesting ways that Milton seems to find trouble and the unexpected ways he extricates himself keep me coming back to find out how he'll do it. So until Milton falls off the wagon and winds up dead drunk in a gutter, I'll be waiting.
I liked the premise of John Milton being a hero struggling to maintain his sobriety and make amends for a violent life in service to his country, but with each subsequent book I find myself more drawn to him. This book starts out with John just trying to get by and doing what's right in a way only he can but through a series of coincidences finds himself trying to protect another alcoholic and his son from crooked cops and drug dealers. Milton makes his way using his skills and his cut and dried notion of right and wrong to atone for his past while trying to make life a little better for those he finds along the way. He struggles with his addiction and he has a hard time connecting with people, the only thing Milton is comfortable with is his deadly skills which makes him refreshing with all the near superhuman characters out there. The interesting ways that Milton seems to find trouble and the unexpected ways he extricates himself keep me coming back to find out how he'll do it. So until Milton falls off the wagon and winds up dead drunk in a gutter, I'll be waiting.
May 26, 2024
John Milton to the rescue once again dealing out his own special kind of justice. He has got himself a job as a chef and an apartment in Cony Island, New York and trying to live a quiet life which doesn’t last for long. On his way home from a football game, he stumbles upon a murdered drugs dealer and a frightened thirteen years old boy who is hiding, the boy has seen the killers who don’t know that they have been seen. Milton befriends the boy and his father who John has already met at an AA meeting, and the police think that they have a witness.
The drug baron, finding out about the boy, decides that he wants him and Milton out of the way, not knowing who they are dealing with, nor do the dirty cops who killed the drugs dealer. The police are also uncertain about the steely, cold man who wants to help young Freddy and his dad to escape the clutches of the vicious and murderous drug baron and try to keep a suspicious eye on him.
Once again John Milton dishes out the dirt as only he knows how and Mark Dawson has brought us another gripping and awesome thriller. Excellent 5/5.
The drug baron, finding out about the boy, decides that he wants him and Milton out of the way, not knowing who they are dealing with, nor do the dirty cops who killed the drugs dealer. The police are also uncertain about the steely, cold man who wants to help young Freddy and his dad to escape the clutches of the vicious and murderous drug baron and try to keep a suspicious eye on him.
Once again John Milton dishes out the dirt as only he knows how and Mark Dawson has brought us another gripping and awesome thriller. Excellent 5/5.
August 29, 2025
This one kind of lost its way for me.
There were too many different threads, too many 'moving parts'.
Normally, there are a few initially disparate stories going on, but you can quite quickly see how they are going to tie together very soon. With this one, however, there were so many different things going on that I wasn't sure which ones to follow to find the overall story.
It did eventually all come together to make sense, but it felt like a long journey to get there. Plus, I feel like the one strong female character pretty much got sidelined, then turned into 'difficult', which I was disappointed to see happen.
Overall, a decent read, but I didn't enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed the previous books in the series.
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 - it was ok.
Was it a waste of my time - no.
Would I sit down and read it all over again - probably not.
Would I read more by this author based on this book - yes.
There were too many different threads, too many 'moving parts'.
Normally, there are a few initially disparate stories going on, but you can quite quickly see how they are going to tie together very soon. With this one, however, there were so many different things going on that I wasn't sure which ones to follow to find the overall story.
It did eventually all come together to make sense, but it felt like a long journey to get there. Plus, I feel like the one strong female character pretty much got sidelined, then turned into 'difficult', which I was disappointed to see happen.
Overall, a decent read, but I didn't enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed the previous books in the series.
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 - it was ok.
Was it a waste of my time - no.
Would I sit down and read it all over again - probably not.
Would I read more by this author based on this book - yes.
November 27, 2017
The Alamo. Mark Dawson
Milton is in New York. Has just left a New York Giants football game. Stops in a public restroom and there's a brutally murdered dead body. A young kid in hiding in a stall. Scared. Milton gets him out. The police respond. The kid saw something, but he's street smart. He's not talking. Milton takes him home. He knows his father, a fellow AA member. The father, Manuel has fallen off the wagon....He's drunk, belligerent. There's more to this murder then what's on the surface. John Milton wants to help. A major drug dealer is involved. Crooked cups are entrenched at a precinct called "the Alamo." Extremely fast paced thriller. Deceit, betrayal, but a lone, honest good detective agrees to help Milton. Milton a former SAS soldier and government assassin has very unorthodox methods, but he's eliminating the threats. One by one. This is an extraordinary read. I highly recommend!
Milton is in New York. Has just left a New York Giants football game. Stops in a public restroom and there's a brutally murdered dead body. A young kid in hiding in a stall. Scared. Milton gets him out. The police respond. The kid saw something, but he's street smart. He's not talking. Milton takes him home. He knows his father, a fellow AA member. The father, Manuel has fallen off the wagon....He's drunk, belligerent. There's more to this murder then what's on the surface. John Milton wants to help. A major drug dealer is involved. Crooked cups are entrenched at a precinct called "the Alamo." Extremely fast paced thriller. Deceit, betrayal, but a lone, honest good detective agrees to help Milton. Milton a former SAS soldier and government assassin has very unorthodox methods, but he's eliminating the threats. One by one. This is an extraordinary read. I highly recommend!
November 26, 2022
John Milton is laying low, working in a small restaurant, living at Coney Island. Through a series of events, he connects with the son of a man he knows slightly thru AA. The son discovers a body in a subway station bathroom and was a witness to the man guarding the door & that there was a 2nd man who came out just before the boy entered the bathroom; John discovers the boy hiding in the bathroom. Because the boy's father had fallen off the wagon, John steps in to take care of the boy and his father, helping them with the police and getting Manny back on track. Unfortunately, the killers are cops from the notorious 27th precinct, known as The Alamo," and John has to solve the killing while protecting father & son from the bad guys - he has to find out which cops are good & bad. I've enjoyed all of the John Milton books I've read! Good action, good characters, good plots.
June 18, 2017
Rarely have I ever read a book that I just did not want to end. This is one of them. John Milton is too busy for the reader to get bored for as much as a paragraph. Milton rents a place on Coney Island in the winter. Nice and quiet. A little R&R. Not! An attendee at his AA meetings has a problem with a drug house in the neighborhood where his 13 year old son has his sneakers stolen from him. Naturally, John makes that problem go away. In a seeming side bar, he saves a girl from drowning. The boy is the eye witness to the murder of a CI drug runner. The confidential informant was ready to testify to an internal affairs officer. The precinct that the IA guy is investigating seems to be infested with bad cops, but which ones are they? If this one doesn't get your heart pumping, you are DOA.
December 31, 2022
Not a strong effort this time John, from over description of nyc (yeah, we know about ye olde Coney Island parachute jump) incessant snow , weak plot (yeah, we know you dig helping people but at same game with football 🏈 catching kid such a stretch. Every bad guy needing to be punished met a quick inglorious end, dirty cops everywhere (knew that internal affairs guy was from get go) Plus weren’t you supposed to go to Vietnam, or Australia to see your lady friend? Should have been woman you saved from drowning but not to be, not even a hug. Most powerful drug kingpin in nyc snuffed out w no trace and the ever familiar cash 💰 payout found in hidden hidey hole. Formulaic but not as yet time to bail on Milton as I like seeing bad people get what’s coming.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 15, 2023
The eleventh edition of Milton’s travels takes us to New York in winter. Milton is working as a cook during the winter in Coney Island – it is QUIET! Of course, Milton can find trouble in a phone box. A chance encounter with a youngster in the wrong place at the wrong time leads to him looking into the murder of a man involved in the drug trade. It does not take long for Milton to be neck deep in trouble – a drug kingpin, corrupt cops and his past.
This is a pretty decent read, and feels longer than some of the earlier books, but it does not suffer from this. Milton’s appears to be making an effort to be less gung-ho, and the combination of the strands is nicely done. I think with any series of this length, you know what to expect.
This is a pretty decent read, and feels longer than some of the earlier books, but it does not suffer from this. Milton’s appears to be making an effort to be less gung-ho, and the combination of the strands is nicely done. I think with any series of this length, you know what to expect.
March 21, 2024
This installment of the series started off slow, but picked up and became a very good story with plenty of twist and turns...some surprising.
The story begins with Milton meeting a man at one of the AA meetings he continues to attend to keep his alcoholic tendencies under control. The man tells a story of his struggles to stay sober and how his failures affect his 13-year old son who he is raising by himself. This is the beginning of a series of actions that ramp up throughout the rest of the book and becomes a quite interesting and surprisingly complex story involving a big time drug king pin, corrupt cops, and multiple murders that draw Milton into the mix as he tried to protect the man & his son.
It turns out to be one of the better and more surprising stories of the series.
The story begins with Milton meeting a man at one of the AA meetings he continues to attend to keep his alcoholic tendencies under control. The man tells a story of his struggles to stay sober and how his failures affect his 13-year old son who he is raising by himself. This is the beginning of a series of actions that ramp up throughout the rest of the book and becomes a quite interesting and surprisingly complex story involving a big time drug king pin, corrupt cops, and multiple murders that draw Milton into the mix as he tried to protect the man & his son.
It turns out to be one of the better and more surprising stories of the series.
June 21, 2017
Milton returns in good form
Book #11 in the Milton series does not disappoint. Milton is back but this time in NYC, Brooklyn specifically. Dawson seems to know his way around the borough and brings Milton through the back streets and byways as John protects two friends from dirty cops.
In true Milton style, the good guys win but you have to read the book to find out how Milton manages to save the day.
While this is book #11, you can read any of the books out of sequence. Try one. You will like it if you like strong characters and plenty of action. I'm eagerly awaiting Book #12.
Book #11 in the Milton series does not disappoint. Milton is back but this time in NYC, Brooklyn specifically. Dawson seems to know his way around the borough and brings Milton through the back streets and byways as John protects two friends from dirty cops.
In true Milton style, the good guys win but you have to read the book to find out how Milton manages to save the day.
While this is book #11, you can read any of the books out of sequence. Try one. You will like it if you like strong characters and plenty of action. I'm eagerly awaiting Book #12.
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