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Clockwork Soldiers
Lethal secrets that could kill a nation. A breakneck race to the prize. Only one man can save the day.
Layne Parrish traded a life of espionage for quiet refuge in the mountains. But when his former boss shows up with a desperate plea for help, he leaps into action. And before he can even catch his breath, a new clue points to a double agent on his tail…
Wary of all sides, Layne hunts for a long-lost piece of crucial evidence. Because if he doesn’t find it first, everyone he cares about will fall under the assassin’s crosshairs.
Can this rusty spy bring down a conspiracy before it consumes those he loves the most?
Clockwork Soldiers is the seventh and final pulse-pounding thriller in the Layne Parrish series. If you like shocking twists, relentless villains, and learning the true cost of loyalty, you’ll love Jim Heskett’s high-octane finale.
Layne Parrish traded a life of espionage for quiet refuge in the mountains. But when his former boss shows up with a desperate plea for help, he leaps into action. And before he can even catch his breath, a new clue points to a double agent on his tail…
Wary of all sides, Layne hunts for a long-lost piece of crucial evidence. Because if he doesn’t find it first, everyone he cares about will fall under the assassin’s crosshairs.
Can this rusty spy bring down a conspiracy before it consumes those he loves the most?
Clockwork Soldiers is the seventh and final pulse-pounding thriller in the Layne Parrish series. If you like shocking twists, relentless villains, and learning the true cost of loyalty, you’ll love Jim Heskett’s high-octane finale.
420 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 23, 2021
23 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
Jim Heskett
68 books252 followersJim Heskett is a writer of short and long fiction, currently slaving away at a laptop in an undisclosed location in Broomfield, Colorado. Details about previous and future publications can be found at www.jimheskett.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
October 7, 2021
Clockwork Soldiers - a review by Rosemary Kenny
A Layne Parrish adventure novel, by Jim Heskett, Clockwork Soldiers is nothing to do with toy automata, but rather a swansong for veteran spy Layne.
It begins, (as do so many great spy-thrillers) with a warning from Layne's 'M'-like boss, Daphne, to make sure his family is safe, so Layne heads to Denver.
Why does Harry Boukadakis phone Layne?
Who's Olivia and what does she ask Layne to do?
What threatens the team? How is Olivia involved?
A deadly game of cat-and-mouse ensues, as Daphne watches the traitor (whom the team all thought had died), create mayhem and murder, as he vies with Layne, Serena and Harry.
Who will be first to to gain possession of an old-school CD-ROM, that will damn him, if he can't get it before they do?
What's the secret the traitor's willing to kill for?
The James Bond-like shoot-outs and other action scenes could be take-outs from the denouement of Skyfall or other 007 blockbusters.
How will the final mission's concluding acts be for Layne & co?
Will right overcome might or will the truth stay hidden after all?
Get your copy of Jim Heskett's Layne Parrish Thriller Series Book 7, Clockwork Soldiers to find out - it's a secret well worth sharing!
A Layne Parrish adventure novel, by Jim Heskett, Clockwork Soldiers is nothing to do with toy automata, but rather a swansong for veteran spy Layne.
It begins, (as do so many great spy-thrillers) with a warning from Layne's 'M'-like boss, Daphne, to make sure his family is safe, so Layne heads to Denver.
Why does Harry Boukadakis phone Layne?
Who's Olivia and what does she ask Layne to do?
What threatens the team? How is Olivia involved?
A deadly game of cat-and-mouse ensues, as Daphne watches the traitor (whom the team all thought had died), create mayhem and murder, as he vies with Layne, Serena and Harry.
Who will be first to to gain possession of an old-school CD-ROM, that will damn him, if he can't get it before they do?
What's the secret the traitor's willing to kill for?
The James Bond-like shoot-outs and other action scenes could be take-outs from the denouement of Skyfall or other 007 blockbusters.
How will the final mission's concluding acts be for Layne & co?
Will right overcome might or will the truth stay hidden after all?
Get your copy of Jim Heskett's Layne Parrish Thriller Series Book 7, Clockwork Soldiers to find out - it's a secret well worth sharing!
March 23, 2021
A retired black ops assassin gets drug back into the field when his ex boss shows up with somebody after her. With his ex partners they to determine who is after their boss and snow after all of them. The final book in this series is the best yet ! Non stop action from the beginning to the end will you exhausted ! This is so much fun and such a great ending to the series. Awesome group of players, non stop action/intrigue/mystery and an excellent story line makes this an absolute book you must read !
March 20, 2021
This is the final book of the Layne Parrish series and probably the most powerful book of them all. I never knew who was trustworthy and who wasn't. It wasn't clear who was on which side, except for Everett Diem. The story kept my heart in my throat because it was so unpredictable and I wasn't sure who was on whose side until the end.
A little about the story: Layne is drawn into a fervent search for a CD-ROM that has some top secret information on it, but his first objective is to help Daphne Kurek, who is being pursued by one bad dude that wants this CD-ROM before anybody else and will stop at nothing to get it. There's never a dull moment with Layne anyway, but when you throw Serena and Harry in on this and the sociopath, Everett Diem, and a wayward Daphne Kurek, you've got a formula for a show-stopping book. Things happened that I hoped would happen, secrets were revealed, and lives were changed.
Pay attention to the interludes, especially the last one. It absolutely destroyed me. I was wreck for hours and had to remind myself that this is fiction. But there's always some truth in fiction and Jim Heskett gave us all something to think about.
And don't forget to read A NOTE TO READERS. I loved that part, too.
This is a solid five star read.
*This is the final book of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone novel. However, I think you would appreciate this more if you read the other books in the series.
**I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily left a review.
A little about the story: Layne is drawn into a fervent search for a CD-ROM that has some top secret information on it, but his first objective is to help Daphne Kurek, who is being pursued by one bad dude that wants this CD-ROM before anybody else and will stop at nothing to get it. There's never a dull moment with Layne anyway, but when you throw Serena and Harry in on this and the sociopath, Everett Diem, and a wayward Daphne Kurek, you've got a formula for a show-stopping book. Things happened that I hoped would happen, secrets were revealed, and lives were changed.
Pay attention to the interludes, especially the last one. It absolutely destroyed me. I was wreck for hours and had to remind myself that this is fiction. But there's always some truth in fiction and Jim Heskett gave us all something to think about.
And don't forget to read A NOTE TO READERS. I loved that part, too.
This is a solid five star read.
*This is the final book of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone novel. However, I think you would appreciate this more if you read the other books in the series.
**I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily left a review.
March 23, 2021
The team is disbanded with orders to kill every last member -- 4.5 stars
I did not expect the team of expert assassins working for the good of the United States would be disbanded. Many secrets emerge including identifying the higher-ups in the leadership and some questionable financing of the team. How could this be?
A long-lost and forgotten CD with incriminating evidence cannot be accounted for. One team member (Everett) has surfaced nearly a decade after being declared dead. Indirection and falsehoods spew like dirty diesel exhaust.
While all of the currently active team members are suddenly unemployed, their future livelihood and government contacts are cut off.
More bullets are expelled through muzzles, knives are thrown and civilians are getting caught up in the mele. Activity includes the mob, a couple of spectacular car chases and assault weapons fired in the Washington DC subway.
Layne Parrish (known as "Boy Scout" to the team) has to come up with a plan. He temporizes, looking in nearly every building in one New Jersey town until he finds solid evidence. A confession or two at the end resolves several of the plot points.
A bear bag full of rocks and a half-finished construction site provide two non-traditional methods of dispensing violence. Harry Boukadakis provides both technical support and comic relief as an out-of-shape agent unsuited for fieldwork comes at just the right time.
I am not ready for this series to end.
I did not expect the team of expert assassins working for the good of the United States would be disbanded. Many secrets emerge including identifying the higher-ups in the leadership and some questionable financing of the team. How could this be?
A long-lost and forgotten CD with incriminating evidence cannot be accounted for. One team member (Everett) has surfaced nearly a decade after being declared dead. Indirection and falsehoods spew like dirty diesel exhaust.
While all of the currently active team members are suddenly unemployed, their future livelihood and government contacts are cut off.
More bullets are expelled through muzzles, knives are thrown and civilians are getting caught up in the mele. Activity includes the mob, a couple of spectacular car chases and assault weapons fired in the Washington DC subway.
Layne Parrish (known as "Boy Scout" to the team) has to come up with a plan. He temporizes, looking in nearly every building in one New Jersey town until he finds solid evidence. A confession or two at the end resolves several of the plot points.
A bear bag full of rocks and a half-finished construction site provide two non-traditional methods of dispensing violence. Harry Boukadakis provides both technical support and comic relief as an out-of-shape agent unsuited for fieldwork comes at just the right time.
I am not ready for this series to end.
March 2, 2021
This story caught my interest right from the start. It begins with Daphne driving up to Layne's house and she winds up being shot at. Layne immediately gave chase, but was unable to locate her. After contacting a former team member, Harry, Layne went to D.C. to look into the reasoning as to why Daphne tried to give him a message. Once there, he learned that the team had been disbanded. Harry told Layne someone wanted to talk to him and brought him to a location where the person asked Layne to kill Daphne.
Layne said no and then proceeded to try and discover what this was all about. He wound up going to an apartment that Daphne had on the side and discovered while searching the apartment a stack of papers which pertained to an event which happened 10 years earlier. Upon further investigation, he and Harry, in addition to Serena began searching for answers. This search eventually led to attempts on this groups' lives. As the story went along, they discovered that someone was searching for a CD and they began searching as well.
In the end, Daphne eventually caught up with Layne and the rest of his group. She explained to Layne what this was all about. To get information as to why the team was broken up, who was trying to kill Layne, and who Ronnie was, then you must read this book, you won't be disappointed.
Layne said no and then proceeded to try and discover what this was all about. He wound up going to an apartment that Daphne had on the side and discovered while searching the apartment a stack of papers which pertained to an event which happened 10 years earlier. Upon further investigation, he and Harry, in addition to Serena began searching for answers. This search eventually led to attempts on this groups' lives. As the story went along, they discovered that someone was searching for a CD and they began searching as well.
In the end, Daphne eventually caught up with Layne and the rest of his group. She explained to Layne what this was all about. To get information as to why the team was broken up, who was trying to kill Layne, and who Ronnie was, then you must read this book, you won't be disappointed.
March 26, 2021
5 out of five. I wish I could give it 6 out of 5.
Get in line behind Jim all of you other thriller and action writers.
Clive Cussler, Lee Child, Eric Van Lustbader and others of this kin have a new competitor out there.
Jim has created a character and series that is well worth reading and re-reading.
He has captured a real person in the pages of this series.
This action orientated man, not a hero, can be understood, worried about, believed in and felt.
This story ties so many things into place and you feel a whole weight is lifted off of Lane’s shoulders.
He doesn’t feel that way during the book but you can feel the relief at the end being lifted.
I will, over the summer, read this series from beginning to the end again.
I hope, that even though this is called the end of the Lane Parrish series, that there is more of Lane to come.
There are just too many interesting characters that have been brought into these books that could be delved into with Lane’s help.
Keep writing Jim.
Get in line behind Jim all of you other thriller and action writers.
Clive Cussler, Lee Child, Eric Van Lustbader and others of this kin have a new competitor out there.
Jim has created a character and series that is well worth reading and re-reading.
He has captured a real person in the pages of this series.
This action orientated man, not a hero, can be understood, worried about, believed in and felt.
This story ties so many things into place and you feel a whole weight is lifted off of Lane’s shoulders.
He doesn’t feel that way during the book but you can feel the relief at the end being lifted.
I will, over the summer, read this series from beginning to the end again.
I hope, that even though this is called the end of the Lane Parrish series, that there is more of Lane to come.
There are just too many interesting characters that have been brought into these books that could be delved into with Lane’s help.
Keep writing Jim.
March 23, 2021
Never a spoiler in my reviews, let me start with this book was AMAZING! Simply unputdownable, unpredictable keeping me up past my bedtime because I just couldn't find a place to stop...well written, wonderfully developed characters let you enjoy this series closer without having to read the books before this. Heart-pounding action, intrigue, twists, and turns, with surprises galore, will keep you swiping your Kindle as this disbanded black ops team comes together one last time to find out who is after Layne's former boss. Secrets are revealed and lives are changed in this final book in the series. I'm super sorry that this is the last, but it wraps up the series beautifully, and although I thought all of the other books were the "best" this one really IS. Like I mentioned earlier, if you haven't read the others, go back and get them, although it's not necessary to enjoy this book, you'll just want to.
March 23, 2021
I'm going to miss Layne Parrish! Yes, this final chapter of the Layne Parrish series starts out with a bang. Layne is wondering what he should doing next when an unexpected vehicle approaches his house. It turns out to be Daphne, aka Control. She tells Layne unexpected news that included the warning: protect your family.
Then a second car arrives with someone inside shooting at them. Daphne runs back to her car and speeds away with the second turning around to chase her.
Heroes: Returning characters Layne, Daphne Kurek, Serena Rojas , and Harry Boukadakis. And Daphne's mother, Olivia Kurek.
Family: ex-wife Inessa and daughter Cameron.
Anti-hero: the dead-come-to-life former team member Everett Diem
The story: A CD-ROM. Where is it? What's on it? And why is everyone looking for it?
With this start, you'll be intrigued enough to read Jim Heskett's book just to find out who are the "Clockwork Soldiers" and what happens to Layne Parrish.
Then a second car arrives with someone inside shooting at them. Daphne runs back to her car and speeds away with the second turning around to chase her.
Heroes: Returning characters Layne, Daphne Kurek, Serena Rojas , and Harry Boukadakis. And Daphne's mother, Olivia Kurek.
Family: ex-wife Inessa and daughter Cameron.
Anti-hero: the dead-come-to-life former team member Everett Diem
The story: A CD-ROM. Where is it? What's on it? And why is everyone looking for it?
With this start, you'll be intrigued enough to read Jim Heskett's book just to find out who are the "Clockwork Soldiers" and what happens to Layne Parrish.
March 7, 2021
Clockwork Soldier is the seventh and final in the Layne Parrish series which had me start the book with apprehension. Not ready to say goodbye to Layne yet. This is a fast moving action spy thriller with a lot of twist. We have some flash backs to a past job to connect in what is going on currently. What is Daphne up to? Layne, Serena and Harry are puzzled by the whole situation. Are they going to survive or is it the end for all of them. Having read all seven books I think you can read this as a standalone but feel you enjoy the characters more if you have encountered them before in the previous book. If you already read the previous books in the series then you already know that you just have to get this book
March 15, 2021
After getting to know Layne Parrish, this was a bittersweet novel to read. Immensely enjoyable, I really didn't want it to end. What sets this one apart is the depth given to Serena's character and the backstory for Daphne. Olivia was a revelation! Her part is big in this novel, and one can see how she was likely an unseen player in earlier storylines too. Well written and well paced, the tense builds in a controlled manner all while leaving the reader to wonder exactly who will walk away and who won't. The ending was a surprise, but satisfying. I do want to note that I received a free copy of this book and because I honestly enjoyed the novel so well I am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 20, 2021
Layne Parrish is back and this time everything is sure to change. He receives a cryptic and hurried visit from his former boss Daphne that sets a string of potentially life threatening consequences into action. Jim Heskett tells us this will be Layne’s final adventure and it’s clear he wants to see his former spy off with a bang. Whether he succeeds or not I guess is up to the individual reader. For me this certainly is the toughest challenge we’ve seen Layne pitted against. The team is gone and people are dying. There’s deception aplenty and more than enough action to get the hearts of us action fans pumping. Another fun read featuring everyone’s favourite ‘gentle-but-highly-trained-spy/assassin/killer-type-guy’.
March 13, 2021
If Layne Parish had to have a final story, this was definitely a fitting send off for the spy with a conscience.
After Control dissolves his old team and then shows up on his doorstep with a cryptic message, Layne heads east and reunites with Serena and Harry on one last mission - and what a mission it is. The story is action packed and full of mysteries. It finally provides answers to questions about the team that have been in the background and resolves relationships that have hung over Layne and his team since the very first novel.
This wasn't a book I wanted to read, being the last of the series, but I loved it and I wouldn't have missed being along for the ride.
After Control dissolves his old team and then shows up on his doorstep with a cryptic message, Layne heads east and reunites with Serena and Harry on one last mission - and what a mission it is. The story is action packed and full of mysteries. It finally provides answers to questions about the team that have been in the background and resolves relationships that have hung over Layne and his team since the very first novel.
This wasn't a book I wanted to read, being the last of the series, but I loved it and I wouldn't have missed being along for the ride.
April 10, 2021
I received a review copy from the author at my request and this is my honest opinion. I have read and enjoyed every Layne Parrish story written and as much as I hate to see the series come to an end, Mr. Heskett did a great job and stayed true to his character the entire time. There were quite a few unexpected twists along the way with plenty of action and a little bit more emotion than we usually see from Parrish. I wish I could tell you about the ending because it is SO good, but I don't want to ruin anything for you. If you haven't read the Layne Parrish series, you really NEED to and you NEED to read Clockwork Soldiers. Great job as usual.
April 11, 2021
In my opinion Jim Heskett did a great job of putting Layne Parrish to rest. Talk about coming full circle. Jim Heskett gave me everything I want from Layne Parrish suspense, mystery and lots of action. I loved how Layne, Serena and Harry have each others back. Daphne ended up as I figured very selfish and manipulative. Lots of questions were answered. I had a theory how Jim Heskett would write the final chapter, I didn't have all areas right but most of it was right. The last couple of chapters did bring a tears to my eyes. You don't necessarily have to have read previous books but I would recommend it. I loved it!!! I read on Kindle Unlimited.
March 23, 2021
Last book in the Layne Parrish series
Layne is given a lot to think about his past and future when Control upends his beliefs about his career as a spy. Layne, Harry, and Serena race to find politically dangerous evidence from the past while avoiding death and destruction at every turn as well as trying to keep innocent people safe. Lots of twists and turns, excellent storyline and a surprising someone from the past. A very satisfying end to the Layne Parrish series. Will miss this gentle giant.
I received a free book and voluntarily gave a review.
Layne is given a lot to think about his past and future when Control upends his beliefs about his career as a spy. Layne, Harry, and Serena race to find politically dangerous evidence from the past while avoiding death and destruction at every turn as well as trying to keep innocent people safe. Lots of twists and turns, excellent storyline and a surprising someone from the past. A very satisfying end to the Layne Parrish series. Will miss this gentle giant.
I received a free book and voluntarily gave a review.
March 23, 2021
I know we've read any times that this was the best yet in a series of books...But, this one was such a twist on all the others Layne hadn't a clue who he could trust, even the people in his team. This is a total MUST read.
I'm not telling anything about this storyline, as anyone who's read Jim Heskett will know it will be superb.
Anyone who hasnt.... "What are you waiting for"!
Five Stars don't scratch the surface....
I'm not telling anything about this storyline, as anyone who's read Jim Heskett will know it will be superb.
Anyone who hasnt.... "What are you waiting for"!
Five Stars don't scratch the surface....
March 25, 2021
Layne although retired & hoping for an easy life gets drawn back into what turns out to be one of his hardest jobs yet. This book is full of action, twists, emotion & ass kicking. Once you start reading be prepared for a long night because you won't want to put it down. Sadly this is apparently the last in this series which is a shame as the series has been fantastic with strong characters who draw you into the books. Highly recommend the whole series.
May 14, 2021
A fitting end to Layne Parrish's story.
The team is disbanded, Daphne has gone rogue, a former shadow who faked his death, the murder of a senator and much more is revealed in this final tale. There is also an interesting coda from the kid,'s perspective. Murder, prostitutes, Singapore, hired guns, trains and car chases all make an I treating contribution to the story as secrets come to light.
The team is disbanded, Daphne has gone rogue, a former shadow who faked his death, the murder of a senator and much more is revealed in this final tale. There is also an interesting coda from the kid,'s perspective. Murder, prostitutes, Singapore, hired guns, trains and car chases all make an I treating contribution to the story as secrets come to light.
March 16, 2021
Wow!! Like a punch in the mouth, this thriller grabs you from the first page and doesn’t give you a moments rest until the last page. The characters are wonderfully developed and the taut story line makes this a book that is hard to put down. Another smash hit by Jim Heskett!
Thank you to the author who provided me with a copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Thank you to the author who provided me with a copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
March 18, 2021
Clockwork Soldiers, my forty-first read from author Jim Heskett. In which flashbacks illuminate Layne's past, questions are answered. You can't wait to turn the next page and read more. The conclusion to the saga of Layne Parrish, and the epilogue... I was given a Kindle copy of this book & am voluntarily reviewing it. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
March 21, 2021
As with all of the Layne Parrish books I've read, this was an action-packed, fun thriller. It's impossible to know what is going to happen next, or who to trust. Great way to end the series. While it can be read as a standalone, I'd recommend not only this but the entire series. I received a free copy of this book, but this is my honest and voluntary review.
May 23, 2021
The End of Layne Parrish, or a New Begining
Layne is drawn into a big mystery by an old boss, dragging him out of a quiet retirement. He meets up with old allies, pursuing something from his past. An old lover, an old partner, and a dead spy lead to a larger than life ending. ENJOY!
Layne is drawn into a big mystery by an old boss, dragging him out of a quiet retirement. He meets up with old allies, pursuing something from his past. An old lover, an old partner, and a dead spy lead to a larger than life ending. ENJOY!
March 23, 2021
I have really enjoyed the Parrish series and this is the best one yet. Sadly I think I understand that it’s the last one. I received an ARC of this book but that in no way influenced my review. If I could have given it more than 5 stars I would have.
March 26, 2021
Once again a fantastic book. Layne although retired has one last swan song. The book is fast paced from start to finish and very enjoyable. Sad to see Layne go but all good things come to an end. A must read!
March 2, 2021
A well written story, full of exciting characters. Action from start to finish. A real page turner. I couldn’t put it down.
March 6, 2021
Very straightforward, actions packed thriller. It's a great read and sincere ending to one of the better of Heskett's characters. Well worth the read.
March 23, 2021
An excellent book full of action and twists and turns, all at a very past pace which makes it hard to put the book down until its finished.
March 23, 2021
The final tale in this exciting action packed adventure series! Well worth a read! For all lovers of this genre!
March 23, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. Love it. Well written, page turner, great character. Good job.
March 24, 2021
Really enjoyed this book, didn’t want to put it down. Glad my favorite characters were involved. I look forward to the next book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews