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A sister kidnapped. A journalist in danger. A killer out for revenge.

After taking out a covert facility run by the Commission, a deep-state syndicate, Nathan Stone has made powerful enemies. He’s a black-ops asset—and he’s gone rogue.

But the organization wants payback. Kidnapping Stone’s sister from a Florida psychiatric hospital, the Commission have their asset exactly where they want him. They instruct him to neutralize journalist Mark Mahoney, to whom Stone had previously leaked documents about the Commission and their deadly conspiracy. Now, Nathan Stone has a choice: neutralize Mahoney and kill the story for good, or lose the only family he has left.

Stone knows that these men will stop at nothing to get what they want. Killing Mahoney is just the beginning. And when Stone learns the identity of their final target, he knows he has to stop the Commission once and for all—no matter the cost.

334 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 2, 2018

1535 people are currently reading
1070 people want to read

About the author

J.B. Turner

24 books895 followers
J.B. Turner is the bestselling author of the Jon Reznick thriller series. His next book, HARD SHADOWS (Thomas and Mercer), is published on 30 June 2026. He is a former journalist. His books have sold more than three million copies. He also wrote the American Ghost black-ops series and the Deborah Jones crime series. He has a keen interest in geo-politics. And he loves music. Everything from Beethoven to The Beatles, The Cure to Bach. And everything in between. He loves films. Well, good ones. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, Heat, The Godfather, The Offence, The Parallax View, Silver Linings Playbook, The Banshees of Inisherin, The Gray Man, The French Connection, Payback, It’s a Wonderful Life, Manhattan, Sideways, Annie Hall, Hell or High Water. TV shows he has enjoyed include: The Terminal List, The Kominsky Method, The Morning Show, Succession, Call My Agent!, Your Honor, The Undoing, Patrick Melrose, Colony, Bloodline, Mare of Easttown, Dead to Me, Fleishman is in Trouble, The Mosquito Coast and After Life. He lives in Edinburgh, Scotland. He is married with two children.

Literary Agent: Mitch Hoffman, The Aaron M. Priest Literary Agency, New York.

Film/TV: Rich Green, The Gotham Group, Los Angeles.

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5 stars
3,105 (50%)
4 stars
2,197 (35%)
3 stars
645 (10%)
2 stars
123 (2%)
1 star
48 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
883 reviews51 followers
June 21, 2018
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing Thomas & Mercer for a digital galley of this novel.

Unfortunately this novel was not enjoyable for me. Nathan Stone is an assassin by trade. After the way he went rogue on his employers in the first book in this series, why in the world would they hire him - actually blackmail him - into working for them again? So they just chose to ignore the millions of dollars of destruction he caused before along with the deaths of members of their organization at his hands? The book didn't start out well for me and it just got worse as it went along.

I didn't like the style of writing and I didn't like the main character. I read a lot of political thrillers and they all have one extremely talented black-ops character who manages to disrupt whatever plans the bad guys have. The difference in those characters and Nathan Stone is that they each have a conscience while Stone doesn't. Judging by some of the episodes I read about in this book I would not have been at all surprised to read that Stone blew up an entire train in order to kill his one target. Causing death to innocent people while he carried out his mission was unacceptable behavior to my way of thinking even though the author never acknowledged that innocents must have been killed and injured during Stone's actions. The author appears to be trying to begin to rehabilitate Stone and give him some slight movements toward learning to care about more people than just his sister. I won't hang around to see that change come about.
Profile Image for Trish R..
1,772 reviews58 followers
February 21, 2021
I swear these books are getting dumber all the time. AND we went through the entire story only to have a character Stone was protecting get killed at the end? That was fucked up! But worse than that the verbiage was so stupid sometimes. The author needs to study his wording.

This was a decent story about a group of high ranking men who had people that didn't agree with them murdered.

No romance and the F-bomb was used 148 times.

As for the narration: Jeffrey Kafer seems to be getting as bad as author. Kafer needs to get better or I'm going to be done with him. At least TRY to sound like a woman when you should AND put a little emotions in your reading.
Profile Image for Gabrielle.
4 reviews
October 1, 2018
The repetition is painful, good premise though.

I keep listening to this author (7 books) because I like the genre in which there are limited choices for the free audio narration with Kindle unlimited. I'm not sure how I get through them though because one/some of the primary characters (in this story Mark (the NY Times journalist) and his entire family, in another book it was an FBI assistant director) act so dense, it's almost unbelievable. The characters don't fit their role. I would imagine that a NY Times journalist and an FBI assistant director would be a bit smarter or at least less annoying. Conversations are like this: Lead character, "X is going to happen because Y." Mark, "But, why? I don't understand." And it's explained again, back and forth 5/6 times ending with "I still don't get it." I'm tempted to have my 4 yr old listen to prove that even she would get it. I mean there is nothing not to understand, it couldn't get any clearer. Even when someone is in his house attempting to kill him, he asks questions like, "are you sure?" or "how do I trust you?" Dude. How have his editors and publishers let it get this bad? I keep reading hoping that the author will learn with time, and the stories are good (if you can look past how unreal some of the logistics, like how Nathan Stone acquires weapons) but it seems the author is set in his way of writing characters so unrealistically thick to the point of downright annoying. I mean Mark wants his story out but it will take weeks. I get the rationale to be a journalist to the point you risk your life - but FBI recommends protective custody, someone already tried killing you and your family, but when you are writing a story about people trying to kill (you).. you think they are just going to wait weeks? You kinda asked for your death, and did it in a dumb way. He never got smarter throughout the entire book, or developed a sense of understanding what was going on around him. The level of dumb throughout this book officially outweighed the rest of what was good in this book. Ugh, annoying. Done with J.B. Turner.
Profile Image for Trevor.
1,444 reviews2 followers
June 14, 2018
This is the second outing for Nathan Stone. After the events of book one, Stone thought he had broken free of the commission, how wrong was he!! They are back and looking for revenge, kidnapping his sister to try and get his compliance. This is a good, fast paced story and progresses the Stone character nicely and unlike the first book, you actually warm to him.
55 reviews4 followers
July 24, 2018
SPOILER ALERT: IF YOU HAVEN’T READ THE FIRST BOOK IN THIS SERIES KNOW PORTIONS OF WHAT TAKES PLACE IN IT ARE REVEALED IN THIS REVIEW.

With that out of the way we are reunited with government assassin Nathan Stone in the second book of the series from author J.B. Turner. At the end of the first book Stone had turned on his handlers when they attempted to take him out and destroyed their facility and those he came across there in the UK. Returning home and wishing to be left alone the Commission will not allow that to happen.

Stinging from their loss there they recruit him once more for a job, a problem set in motion by Stone in the first book. Kidnapping his sister from the mental institute she was in and telling Stone that he caused more problems than solved them, they want him to clean up the mess he created. Having leaked the hit list of the Commission to journalist Mark Mahoney, Mahoney has pursued the story and is now in Canada following up on the final leads that would lead to potentially taking down the organization. Stone has been recruited to assassinate Mahoney and set things right once more.

Knowing full well that the killings would never end there or that they will allow him to live once he accomplished their task, Stone must once again work to take down the Commission. Rather than simply take out a base this time he begins to track down the members of the Commission, to locate them and to make plans to erase them from the Earth. At the same time he plans on saving Mahoney if possible and rescue his sister. Just how far up the ladder he can go and if he can save those he intends to is what makes up the excitement in this book.

As with the first Stone tale the book is easy to read and holds your interest start to finish. But the same issue remains from the first, the repeated tale of the abuse Stone suffered at the hands of his father and his sister’s rescue that resulted in her killing the man. After the first book most of this ground was covered, repeatedly, and in doing so again here it bogs down the story. With that exception in mind the book still entertains and fans of both this series and the Reznick series are bound to enjoy it.
Profile Image for Mike Nemeth.
674 reviews14 followers
September 16, 2018
Nathan Stone isn't a particularly likable character. He kills people and feels little at their passing. But J.B. Turner illuminates just enough human qualities in his highly effective assassin to make "Reckoning," the second in his American Ghost series, a compelling and sometimes sympathetic protagonist. This novel takes place after Stone took out one of the underground complexes of the shadowy organization that employed him to take out a politician in the Scottish highlands. Stone went rogue. Turns out his employers wanted him dead after he succeeded in his mission. They did this despite investing heavily into his creation. Stone's been reworked. He is presumed dead by the outside world. But this organization resurrected him, gave him a new face and took away what was left of his humanity. Stone's past is horrific. He grew up under the heel of a sadistic drunk, who routinely beat him and his sister. His sister remains his only tether to the boy he once was. Her memory keeps him grounded. Sort of. But in this novel, the organization kidnaps her to manipulate him. He must do another job. And this time he must kill the New York Times reporter to whom he fed a bunch of information about the organization. The reporter is pursuing a bigger story on the organization, and he's a threat. Stone must discredit him then eliminate him and any damage he may do. But Stone doesn't appreciate this group threatening his sister. And he's smart. He must decide whether to save himself and his sister, who needs to be institutionalized, or do the right thing.
Profile Image for (Grace) Kentucky Bohemian.
1,988 reviews1 follower
June 4, 2023
Non-Stop Action
Nathan Stone proved what kind of man he'd become in the first book of this series, Rogue. But The Commission couldn't see beyond their hubris to recognize this. Now it's going to cost them.

This character is the love child of James Bond and Rocky, if there could be such a thing. He's a whip-smart, savvy ghost of a man who was trained to take down anyone without feelings or remorse. But he's gone rogue: off the reservation. Despite the fact that the evil cabal who created him has kidnapped his sister in order to gain his compliance, Stone has no intention of carrying out their plan to kill an American journalist. He's made plans of his own.

The pace of this novel could rival the Kentucky Derby. The storyline goes from exciting, to break-neck in the blink of an eye and doesn't relent as the finish line nears. Characters added to this novel, such as the journalist and his family, have the same remarkable depth as the characters that crossed over from book one. They're believable and genuine; some are easy to find relatable. Stone shows new depth to his enigmatic personality, making him even more interesting (and a bit more likable) than he was in the original storyline.

This is a total buckle-up and hold-on tight ride for readers. Fans of action/adventure, thrillers, suspense, political thrillers, and spy-vs-spy reads will find much to enjoy in this series. My recommendation is to start with book one before reading Reckoning even though it's conceivable it could be read as a standalone.
Profile Image for Yvonne.
1,747 reviews136 followers
January 5, 2019
As is the norm with me and reading a series in order, I started with Book 2, and so I can honestly say that “yes this works well as a stand-alone, but you would benefit from reading these in order”.

If you are a fan of Jason Bourne or Jack Reacher style books then this one will be right up your street. The main protagonist is Nathan Stone, an ex-military man who has definitely stood on some toes and made some very powerful enemies. These enemies have hit Nathan hard when they kidnap his sister and use her in a blackmail attempt.

The scenarios that play out are fast paced, violent and action-packed and I really liked the variety in these scenarios as they were not too samey or stereotypical. They were used in such a way as to keep the speed of the read at a breakneck tempo.

With Nathan being backed into a corner he comes out fighting and kicking, stabbing… I think you get the idea. Yes, he is a man who has gone rogue there is no argument about that, but underneath this dangerous exterior there resides a man who has a soul and morals but only towards those who deserve them.

As I mentioned this is fast paced and if you are someone who likes mysteries, corruption and double dealings then this is a great book to read. I have bought the first so I can back track to learn more about the origins and what makes this character tick and look forward to reading more in the series.

One I would definitely recommend to readers.
Profile Image for Robert Browning.
226 reviews2 followers
September 18, 2018
This is the second book in the American Ghost thriller series following on from “Rogue” but as like me you can read this as a one off however I would advise reading Rogue first as it will all fit in better. Nathan Stone is a assassin. Was a paid cold killer paid by the Commission, but went rogue while carrying out a contract in Scotland. Nathan is now trying to get on with his life and taking care of his only family Helen his sister in a psychiatric hospital. That is until the powers to be in the Commission apply pressure for him tom do one more job after taking Helen from the hospital.
Nathan isn’t the man he used to be and decides to rescue his sister and his target Mark Mahoney who is a New York Times reporter who is close to writing a story the Commission don’t want published. Things escalate and Nathan is as deadly as ever before taking very few prisoners and from the first page you are taken into his world the dark world of assassins. It also shows two sides to the story of the hunted and the hunter, brilliant.
I recommend this book by J.B. Turner and others in this series as it is a great gripping read that you won’t put down!
Profile Image for Ian .
121 reviews3 followers
March 27, 2022
The assassin has a soul ? The dichotomy of this book lies in the main character of the story. Nathan Stone is an out and out killer and following on from the first book in the series he has few redeeming character traits. He kills as easily as we might take a drink, in that he thinks nothing of it.

Yet through the tale we are lead into believing there is more to Stone than meets the eye. He cares it would seem for his sister. He doesn't want to kill the target he has been given and gets personally involved in the targets life. He would seem to be fighting against the evil political powers that control him.

However, all that said he is an out and out killer! He murders almost everyone and even those he spares still meet their end, even if not by his hand. The question posed by this book is if someone trained and proficient in killing for money can be a nice person that you can root for? You sometimes feel that you are on his side. Then he violently despatches another victim. I have enjoyed the book but I'm a little confused about my feeling's toward the Nathan Stone character. I hope to come to a more definitive conclusion after reading book three.
Profile Image for Michelle.
169 reviews16 followers
August 26, 2018
Not what I expected

Actually, not really sure at all what I expected. I have not read any other books by this author, so definitely not the previous book for this series. Not sure if that makes a difference. This story had a good plot, but it felt over done. If I'm being honest, I kept thinking hail hydra in certain parts, it just seemed a little too easy/cheesy. It was a good plot, as I said, just didn't seem to be carried out effectively. You have your typical assassin gone rogue who's being blackmailed/threatened to do a job but he suddenly finds he has a soul/conscious. Now it's up to him to try and take down the group who's running the show. I'm not sure what more I can add without giving more plot/story away. Good base/undercurrent story, needed something more.
18 reviews
September 24, 2018
CIA produces a psychotic assassin

Fantastic thriller based around Nathan Stone and a deniable dark government. Give men decide who lived and who dies. It doesn't matter who you are senator Prime minister of journalist. If you disagree with what they believe you're on the termination list. Nathan Stone is a professional assassin ready terminate his target and he never misses. But don't make the mistake of threatening his family or you will suffer the consequences. Read what happens when the list is accessed and released to an investigative journalist by Nathan. Can Stone save his own family and that of the journalist. What will in in the end
44 reviews
June 22, 2020
Improvement over Book 1

I found Book 2 to be much better then Rogue (Book 1). The story followed similar plot but it was better developed (more character development, good pace and some good twists). A couple of gripes. First, there seems to be a lot of repetitive description and introspection of the Stone’s past which was a little tedious. Secondly, the Deep State Master Minds that are supposed to be brilliant thinkers make decisions that don’t match their supposed character which makes the story less believable. I do like the Stone character and look forward to the next book. I prefer the Reznek Series Books but Stone Series are enjoyable.
Profile Image for Sue Thomas.
385 reviews
August 7, 2020
Gripping Thriller

Nathan's new life and sister are exposed once again to a group of so called gentlemen that before he exposed them for what they really were had him in a secret facility honed and trained to be a deadly assassin. Now they have found him they use him to hunt down a journalist who knows too much about their secret society, their determination to rid America and Canada of leaders who are trying to bring peace to the world. They don't want peace, they think this weakens their countries. Now they want Nathan, and his vulnerable sister is caught in the middle of the intrigue and their horrific plans.
Profile Image for Darlene.
502 reviews26 followers
August 27, 2018
Reckoning

A Nathan Stone book with some heart. Is Stone getting soft? Getting emotions? That's what's he's wondering. But, not to worry, he still the cold blooded assassin we know and love...even if he may have some sentiment. Now that he's done things his way which is really the only way, right? He may be headed for a heap more trouble. Can't wait to read that new release that just came out to find out! I'm glad I started this series, it has been a real thrill. Love this character.
54 reviews
September 24, 2018
I enjoyed this book. The Deep State hires a professional killer to eliminate a reporter who knows the true story behind their killing of a Senator.

The Deep State kidnaps the killer's only family member, his sister to be sure he does as he is told and eliminates the reporter.

The killer finds out the truth and comes up with a plan to not only save his sister but almost eliminate, one by one all of the Deep State participants and save the reporter and his family.

Fast page turner. Good story.
Profile Image for johnmarkie1905.
252 reviews
November 2, 2018
Terrific read

Having read and thoroughly enjoyed rogue it was a natuaral progression to read this just as enthralling and the setting was terrific the characters are sublime from sisters to wifes to bosses i honestly felt as if i were in the room watching and listening to them but nobody could see me that is how engrossed i became in the storyline i wont spoil it by saying what happens here and there thats not my style and not fair on you as a fellow book reader all i will say is this if youve already read rogue then this is a must read however if you havent read rogue read that first before you read this trust youll be hooked i cant wait on reqium to be released
6,726 reviews5 followers
October 11, 2022
Entertaining listening 🎶🔰

Another will written murder mystery political parties involved in murder novel by J. B. Turned (An American Ghost Thriller book 2). Nathan Stone is once again ask too assassinate a reporter for the New York Times. The story takes him Toronto, Canada, too New York City back to Toronto and then too Florida and his sister. Continued in book 3. I would highly recommend this series to readers of political power struggle. Enjoy the adventure of reading or listening. 2022 😮👒😡
Profile Image for Jaume Ayala.
410 reviews1 follower
February 14, 2024
This second book in American Ghost series is higly related with the first one. I would suggest reading the first one before tking this one.
I liked it much more than the first one as there is much more action than the first one.
Nathan Stone character is sharpened removing part of the psychopathy he initially has (as a secondary character in Deborah Jones series).
This novel remind me the Bourne's films with an operator who is able to run totally alone and can survive different situations.
Looking for the third one to confirm the evolution of Nathan.
Profile Image for Lauri.
28 reviews
September 1, 2018
I enjoyed this book. This is the first book of the series that I have read. I plan to read the rest.
The main character has many flaws, but he shows to have a softer side

“Maybe he wasn’t irredeemably damaged. Maybe deep within him, within his soul, within his very being, he was beginning to sense more human qualities. He wasn’t wired the same way as everyone else. He knew that. But was it possible there was a small part of him that had feelings?”

427 reviews8 followers
October 2, 2018
CC1

Excellent follow up to first book. Brought out the human side of Nathan. The getting even with the commission proved to be fruitless because like Stanton said its all about the purpose of mission . Then the psychologist gets handed the leadership. But the whole plot was excellent!! Can't wait to see what happens in the 3rd story. J.B. Well done. Keep up excellent work. Carl Clause
Profile Image for Nancy.
1,368 reviews28 followers
May 25, 2021
Nathan's sister is taken from the hospital she has been in for years. He is to kill the journalist he sent the information from what happened in the last book. Nathan tries to help Mark to see if he does not go ahead with the story he maybe can live. All Nathan cares about really is his sister, but he has to work out what he can do to change the game. Lots of death and mayhem. They now have another facility and what to do about that.
Profile Image for Jack.
221 reviews5 followers
February 6, 2024
The story of Reckoning was OK, but the narration of the audiobook almost prevented me from finishing the novel. The narrator, Jeffrey Kafer, spoke in the same deep, overly dramatic voice when narrating in the third person, when speaking for the protagonist, and when speaking for several other bad guys. It was frequently difficult to determine who was the active speaker. I won’t be buying any more of J. B. Turner’s American Ghost Series nor will I buy any books narrated by Jeffrey Kafer.
133 reviews6 followers
April 11, 2024
I thought this book was a vast improvement over the 1st book in the series. The plot is exciting and even though Nathan Stone isn't a particularly likable character/anti-hero, you find yourself understanding his motivations a little more. I ABSOLUTELY cannot stand Mahoney or his wife - they're normal, reasonable people up until there's a situation that involves their safety. Then they become unreasonable, intractable, and utterly incapable of understanding basic concepts. It's a bit bizarre.
259 reviews5 followers
June 1, 2025
The thrilling follow on from Rogue.

This book hits the ground running right from the start. The Commission is urgently pursuing Stone, who, in turn is pursuing Mahoney to try and save him, not kill him.

A cleverly written sequel to Rogue with twists and turns galore together with new assassins entering the chase and leaving the reader on a cliffhanger ready for the final book!

Highly recommended.






16 reviews2 followers
August 8, 2018
A follow-on Nathon Stone story is good enough for a 4*, but the lack of detail at times leads to a questioning of the possibility. A good example is at the end. How is it possible for Nathon to drive into a parking garage and straight away have a line-of-sight rifle shot to the Canadian President? Having said that, it's now set for another sequel and good enough for me to look forward to.
403 reviews3 followers
August 24, 2018
Full of Suspense

This book, like the last one, is brilliantly written. It describes every detail and keeps you clinging to the edge of your seat. Once again, Stone has survived, but for how much longer? I was saddened when I read about one of the characters being killed-off. Can't wait to read book 3.
162 reviews
September 29, 2018
Exciting with cliff-hanger end...right into next book!!

Thank you, Mr. Turner for great stories! Have passed these novels on to friends and family to get their own copies to enjoy!
Thank you for suspense and action through both novels so far..Have third one in hand to read away!!



Profile Image for Clive Tern.
Author 6 books3 followers
October 3, 2018
Hard boiled thriller

Reacher-esque in style but without the breadth and depth of Lee Child’s books. This is a step up from the firat installment but still has the feel of a long novella rather than a full novel. A perfectly enjoyable read to while away time commuting or waiting in a queue.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews

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