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Failure Drill: A Gripping Conspiracy Thriller

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John Phault is a former DEA Special Agent working as a private investigator in Detroit. He's had plenty of excitement in his life, but now he's older, wiser, and married. Investigating fraudulent insurance claims and following cheating husbands provides all the thrills he needs. Phault takes a missing person case as a favor to a friend. As soon as he starts looking, Phault's sedate life disintegrates. Every time he turns around someone else is trying to kill him, and the more he looks for 20-year-old Jerry Phillips, the more questions he has about why this honor student would arm himself to the teeth and then just disappear.

433 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 21, 2017

191 people are currently reading
30 people want to read

About the author

James Tarr

30 books23 followers

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Community Reviews

5 stars
161 (45%)
4 stars
138 (38%)
3 stars
42 (11%)
2 stars
11 (3%)
1 star
3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
4 reviews
November 11, 2017
Another top notch guy book by Mr. Tarr

This is the second of 2 books I can find by James Tarr. Both were well written, "can't put down" books for folks who like thrilling plots, twists of fate, and surprising outcomes... kinda like everyone. Best appreciated by 2nd Amendment supporters and true libertarians. But anyone who likes the Good Guys will not put it down.
26 reviews
May 1, 2020
Excellent Read

With echoes of Nelson DeMille, there is enough wit and action for everyone. The posse might be a little implausible, but that's why they call it fiction. Enjoyed every page.
7 reviews
February 12, 2020
The way the world is today, no reason for some folks not to know, how to take care of business.

Interesting story, crime happens anywhere and everywhere. Always wise to pay attention to surroundings and be prepared to take care of yourself, family and friends. Always safety in numbers.
301 reviews2 followers
November 19, 2019
Excellent novel

Great characters and action sequences. The weapons used and descriptions where spot on. The characters and their interactions where extremely enjoyable. I have already read James other two novel, so please write more.
3 reviews
April 30, 2020
Grabs you and and you can't stop reading. Excellent!!!

If you like to pick up a book and read a chapter then realize that you simply can not finish it quick enough you will appreciate it.
13 reviews
May 21, 2020
Truly a fun, great book!

I feel in love with this book and storyline early. Couldn't put it down. Characters I could see and re llamo are to made it an enjoyable read. Highly recommend and look forward to more from James Tarr!
10 reviews3 followers
March 4, 2021
Great!

I liked everything but the length, fewer pages would make a nicer read. Would be a 4.5 if that grade was available
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22 reviews2 followers
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April 25, 2021
Good read.

Good read. Lots of action. Plenty of story lines to follow. The shooting was justified. Friends to the core. Great!
Profile Image for Kristie Ghioni.
37 reviews1 follower
July 10, 2021
Really good!

I really enjoyed reading this one I'm off to read the next in the series. Tarr has a unique mind and his stories are very entertaining.
1 review
October 10, 2021
Good gun handling

Fast paced. Nothing predictable about the next plot twists. Liked the characters and their personalities. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
156 reviews1 follower
December 12, 2021
A Whirlpool

I got sucked in. Loved it. I actually had friends much like this while growing up. Ton of fun to be had here!
2 reviews
February 20, 2022
Fun read

I would label it 2nd amendment porn. If you’re not familiar with gun culture you won’t appreciate it as much. John Ross’s “Unintended Consequences”, still tops that list.
89 reviews
July 9, 2024
Loved the story

Great book. Easy to read and loved all the characters. I highly recommend this book and fixing to start another one.
12 reviews
November 14, 2024
Good story

Like so.many novels there are quite a few improbable in the narrative but I still enjoyed the story. Try it out.
29 reviews
May 21, 2025
Weak plot, unbelievable action sequences, and lost count of how many pages I skipped to get to the end. Not at all interested in reading another.
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67 reviews1 follower
June 8, 2025
Not a woke anywhere

If all youngsters stepped up like this we'd have both nothing to worry about. A serious story told with humour and grit.
42 reviews
January 9, 2026
Probably deserves a 3 for being totally implausible USA gun-toting violent trash, but it was an enjoyable read. Just switch off all thoughts of any resemblance to reality.
4 reviews1 follower
January 11, 2026
Great read!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and tried to drag it out. I didn't want to finish keeping up with John and the boys!
353 reviews11 followers
January 18, 2026
Excellent

A really good PI story. A very good and somewhat wacky plot that really really works. All the characters really gelled and kept the story going
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews

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