The Incident: Reckoning

by Lars Emmerich

Where do you run when even the good guys want you dead?

Special Agent Sam Jameson is having a bad week. People are trying to kill her.

That would be business as usual in the counterespionage world, except that it’s the good guys who have her in the crosshairs.

Why are the DC Metro police trying to kidnap her? Do her bosses at Homeland want her in a body bag, too?

And why does everyone she talks to seem to end up in the morgue?

Will a ruthless mercenary, a hapless American traitor, and a dead man’s cryptic clue hold the key to Sam’s survival? As the noose tightens around her neck, Sam must uncover a brutal and deadly conspiracy before she becomes its next victim.

374 pages, ebook

Published May 24, 2017

About the author

You know that feeling when a story gives you goosebumps? I love that feeling.

And the one where you read something that puts a lump in your throat and smoke in your eyes? I love that one too.

And the feeling that you know what's going to happen next, only to find out to your absolute delight that you couldn't have been more wrong? I love that feeling too.

I love reading stories that move me and challenge my assumptions and teach me something. I love the way a great author lures me in and takes me along for a fantastic ride.

I also love to write stories. It's how I spend my days and a good share of my nights, too. I'm on a quest to write the perfect story full of perfect sentences. I don't know if I'm anywhere close, but I enjoy the gentle struggle.

Reviews

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the “conclusion” of The Incident: Inferno Rising, the first novel in this series. It was well written and completely action filled. My problem, I think both novels would have made a terrific single book with some more editing in both and a compilation of the stories. Basically it is the tale of an adventure in Sam Jamison’s career and an introduction to one of the toughest women in literature. The contingent characters were frequently fascinating and some even deserving of their own stories. All in all it was decent reading. Thanks to the author and publisher for an e-galley for an honest review.

[Roxx Tarantini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam Jameson Novels - Lars Emmerich
The Incident, a two volume set

Book One - Inferno Rising

Emmerich builds a labyrinthine plot in this action-packed novel that starts the excitement from the first chapter and keeps it up through to the very last page.  

If you're considering picking this up - it really is a well written story with some great characters, even the ones you don't like - I'd suggest grabbing them both so that your run through is uninterrupted.  See my full review on Book Two.


Book Two - Reckoning

'"I love this spy shit, " Brock said.  "Where do we get our ninja stars and exploding pens? "
'"Sorry, " Sam said.   "We spend all our money hiring people to write emails to each other. "'

So, Book 2.  While I was at first put off by the cliff hanger ending in the first book, all is forgiven.   And, as I mentioned above, you can easily grab them both.   Treat it as one extra long book.   Worth it.

Not for the faint of heart, The Incident is about the brutality of today's corporate run world.   There were myriad places where I stopped and told myself "It's only fiction!"  But in the climate today, it rings all too real!

I love that Sam is a tough broad, takes no nonsense, is at the top of her game, and when she knows what's right, she goes no holds barred.   She doesn't need a man to "rescue her", she'll rescue herself - and her man - thank you very much!

This is a convoluted tale of treachery, double dealing, revenge, and avarice . . . rapacious avarice.  Masterfully written, the sordid tale plays out well.  The characters are larger than life, but captivating none the less.  I would advise reading it when you have plenty of time.   Each time I had to put this down, I raced back to continue.   I highly recommend!

[Many thanks to the author for the opportunity to read these books.  The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. ]

[Nick Engler · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sam Jameson series a good espionage thriller. I rarely read them but Johhn Le Carre was closely followed but Lee Child, James Patterson, Robert Ludlum among others are virtual strangers, so when some writer guy with dimples I could fall into and big puppy dog eyes sent me an e-mail or a Facebook post or something I suckered for the free edition of what turned out to be the beginning of The Incident and the first of the Sam Jameson series. All of them are good enough to have kept me up past midnight on the nights before the days I had to go too work. Sam herself is an interesting character -- part All-American spy, part Wonderwoman, all around super hero. Employed by Homeland Security, an agency we should all be greatly suspicious of, she takes on the crooks and corruptions in the State Department, CIA, FBI, Congress and anywhere else the trail leads. Some of the side stories -- an essentially innocent man caught in the web of lies and corruption of a Homeland administrator's misuse of a computer algorithm -- are as interesting as the main story and perhaps have more substance.

I think most thrillers, or at least the few I've read, have somewhat improbable plots but they nevertheless work. Emmerich's do also. I will soon get to the last 3-4 I don't yet have. I can recommend him and his writing. You should check him out.

[Drew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a big fan of the way Lars Emmerich writes. His descriptions are succinct and crisp, his dialogue is very authentic and believable, and his characters are sharp and well-drawn. He doesn't fall into the trap of using too much jargon or too much detail in describing technology and weaponry. I know that some readers really like that, but that's not what I'm looking for. Big plus in my book: he ties up all his loose ends, maybe not immediately, but eventually.

So, I really like the way he writes. It's easy to read, but not simplistic. I really enjoy the action, and the plots are great. I love the Sam Jameson character, especially when she has to improvise and think on her feet. I'm looking forward to reading the whole series.

This particular book? All of the above. Very enjoyable.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew, this book had me shivering and shaking. The author knows how to use word imagery to make make scenes come alive. This book is not for anyone who is squeamish about blood and gore and various torture methods.

It does take off or at least mentions what what on in book 1 of this series but it can be read as a stand alone as well.

Espionage & Suspense from US soil to Venezuela--like in book 1 you won't be able to tell who the good guys are (except for Sam Jamison and her boyfriend and only one of her co-workers) and who the true bad guys are. That is until the very end of the book and it will throw you for a loop.

I read a complimentary Copy of this book sent to me by the author & am voluntarily leaving an honest and unbiased review.

[John Vonhof · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this 2nd book in the San Jameson series. This book is a continuation of The Incident: Inferno Rising. The action is non-stop. Special Agent Sam is in trouble and has to figure out who are the good guys and the bad guys. Her ability to read people and take charge of the setting, whether with her bosses or the bad guys makes the story exciting. The action takes place in Washington DC and South America. There are bad guys everywhere and you can't tell whether the cops and other agency characters are good or bod. Excellent suspense. You want to keep reading in the series.

[Martin Pingree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Special Agent Sam continues the quest from the first book of this series. Murder, mayhem and deadly intentions drive the madness of the villains in this book. Sam, Brock and Dan take on the her boss and the rest of the bad guys. The cast and the non stop action will keep you from putting this book down until the very end !

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read 25% of this and just couldn’t summon up an iota of interest in it. One star for interest; add one for vocabulary and writing style.

After I wrote the above, I read other reviews and decided I must be missing something, so I resumed reading instead of abandoning the book. It turned out to be a decent read. Although I’m not a big fan of extreme violence, super-macho protagonists, and political intrigue, I must affirm that the author is a skilled writer of his genre.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book for free and give my review gladly.
I found this book to be a fast paced, espionage thriller.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book until the end - Then found that there was another book needed to be read.
I really do find it annoying that you must read the next book to get a result. The books are expensive so can only be afforded from time to time. Such a shame.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What an exhilarating, terrifying ride! With your adrenaline rushing you will go places you never knew you wanted to go and see things you never knew you wanted to see. Move over all you writers in this genre. Lars Emmerich has you beat.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

To the death fighting. Wow. If you love blood and guts fighting, this is the series you should read. It is well written, has lots of action and a great car chase and hand-to-hand combat. I was given this book by the author for an honest review.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book. Sam Jameson is a good character. She handles herself quite well. This is a highly recommended spy thriller
Lars Emmerich is a great writer. Plenty of action to keep the reader interested

[Nomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent read by this authour!

[Cheryl Sitmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scary, couldn't put it down.

[Jan Staniec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t put it down! I’m not able to buy the third book in the trilogy at this time. If you like conspiracies, thrillers, action packed and betrayals, then you need to read Lars Emmerich!

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a ride! A new heroine too.

[Romaine Heart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! Speechless!! Mindblowing!!
Action packed, murder, mystery, suspense, betrayal, espionage and so much more!!
I suggest reading the The Incident:Inferno Rising first.

[Mike Steinharter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had to read the second book because the first one was a cliffhanger. Good spy story; easy reading - i can imagine the movie to come.

[Dana Harding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much better than the previous book. Great action and story! I will read more of this author. Be aware there are some graphic scenes.

[Marti · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the real conclusion to The Incident: Inferno Rising” and it’s quite a thrilling ride. Be warned that there are murderous violence and even torture.

[Howvuben · Rating 3 out of 5]

Narrator's voice on this audiobook was irritating but the book was OK

[Lynda Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Book 2 of Lars Emmerich’s Sam Jameson series. Once again, there is a great deal of action and bloodshed. We still don’t learn a great deal about Sam and Brock’s personal background, but we do learn more about who the true “bad guys” are.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wild ride well done by Lars Emmerich!! My pulse is still racing, and my heart is still pounding!!! When we first met Samantha Jameson in the first book, The Incident: Inferno Rising, it was easy to become enamoured with her. She’s a federal agent, a total badass!! Then bits of vulnerabilities shine through when it comes to her boyfriend, Brock. In this book, the natural development of her complex character continues. She is strong, intelligent, and resilient yet she is still a woman and there are situations that happen in this book that all of those characteristics matter. Dan is probably the only other man/person in her life that she trusts, and I’m interested to see where his story goes.

Peter Kittredge definitely has himself tied up pretty good with some major players. All of a sudden he doesn’t like what he’s been doing? His character is changing. Maybe for the better? He might be growing a backbone. He gets on my nerves quite a bit, but I think he serves a purpose to the story. I like that he’s the wild card.

Overall, I love Emmerich’s writing style, his vocabulary, his geographical descriptions... all of it! I especially love his assessment of humanity. Yes. This is a novel. It is written in novel form. But, maybe I’m biased because I’ve been exposed, Sam’s experiences and run ins and all of the different Agencies explanations of how things work around the world and domestically ..... spot on! Especially dude with the throat scar. And Quinn. Gotta love Quinn!!

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Incident: Reckoning: Book Two of The Incident Series (THE INCIDENT: A Sam Jameson Espionage & Suspense Thriller Trilogy) by Lars Emmerich

This is a great book. Terrific plot, endearing characters, descriptive locations, an abundance of action...combine to make this a must read for spy thrillers.

*I started this as part two in a trilogy. I purchased it long before it took off and it sat for too long. The trilogy has now become a series and I am unable to determine where it goes next. This will sadly be the end of this line for me.

[Nadine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very exciting and actually quite scary. Don't trust anybody - the government, CIA, FBI, Homeland Security, no one. After a while itvvwas so crazy I was actually wanting the protagonist to eat it. Enough already. Another cluff hanger. Would rather finish one and start another. Not happy. On to the next.....but not this one

[Helen]

Just as good as the first book.
Very action packed.
A real page turner.
I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

[YARBOROUGHD · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a Rush! full of action and suspense.

[Grazyna Nawrocka]

I loved this book. As a matter of fact, got hooked and kept reading it until wee hour in the morning. It's a good read, and I recommend it to anybody who has some time to spare.