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Harvey Bennett #5

The Paradise Key

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He's spent millions trying to make his scientific breakthrough.

And he's very close to achieving his goals.

But how many lives will it cost him?

OceanTech Paradisum is the cutting-edge theme park from OceanTech, and they are hoping to capitalize on the growing trend of education-based vacation destinations.

Adrian Crawford has spent his entire professional life working toward this goal, and he is excited to show it to the world.

Harvey Bennett and his team at the Civilian Special Operations are sent to Paradisum to investigate the security protocols at the new park.

But what they find there terrifies them...

From USA Today bestselling author Nick Thacker, The Paradise Key is the latest in the groundbreaking and genre-bending Harvey Bennett Thrillers series!*

Pick up your copy today and start reading!

*The Paradise Key is part of a longer series, but was written to be enjoyed as a standalone novel.

384 pages, ebook

First published December 26, 2017

1458 people are currently reading
571 people want to read

About the author

Nick Thacker

108 books438 followers
Nick Thacker is a thriller author from Texas who lives in Hawaii. In his free time, he enjoys reading in a hammock on the beach, skiing, drinking whiskey, and hanging out with his beautiful wife, two dogs, and two daughters. 
For more information, visit Nick online at www.nickthacker.com

In addition to his fiction work, Nick is the founder and lead of Sonata & Scribe, the only music studio focused on producing “soundtracks” for books and series. Find out more at www.SonataAndScribe.com.

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5 stars
478 (42%)
4 stars
381 (33%)
3 stars
222 (19%)
2 stars
37 (3%)
1 star
19 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
Profile Image for Jennifer.
895 reviews54 followers
September 18, 2024
This series is always entertaining and fast paced. This book did not disappoint. It’s a rather creepy and disturbing theme park/science experiment Harvey and his friends find themselves in. And of course the Hawk is there to make them miserable.
Profile Image for Roger.
5,593 reviews28 followers
December 27, 2017
What appeared to be a one-off with Thacker’s writing of The Enigma Strain was soon followed by The Amazon Code, then by The Ice Chasm and finally The Jefferson Legacy. The problem with writing a successful book is amplified in a successful series, the reader's expectations are that this book will be even better than the last, this one is not. When I reviewed earlier Thacker books I commented that his writings were reminiscent of James Rollins. This book isn't! I'm a character reader, I get into the characters, their story, who/what they are. In this, the fifth Harvey Bennet book, the characters, so well developed after 4 previous works are lacking. Not that this isn't a good book, that you can't wait to turn the next page and learn more about them, but the story-line seems a little stale! No spoiler's here, though I will say that with Thacker's track record I can't wait to read his next book and I'm sure it will be back to his established standards!
Profile Image for Darlene.
502 reviews26 followers
February 14, 2018
I rarely give a book 3 stars, but in this case I believe it's being generous.

Out of all the Harvey Bennett Thrillers, I really disliked this one the most. The beginning started with Reggie crashing Ben and Julie's vacation. Then the story seemed to focus on petty whining from the both of them about their relationship. It seemed like it took up the first half of the book, along with the both of them being mad at Reggie.

It seems like no action takes place until the last part of the book. And I mean way towards the end. This book is classified as a thriller and not a mystery, which the book actually states, "Sounds like we've got ourselves a mystery here".

On an up note, the story was readable, enjoyable in a few spots, and it was a unique idea.

I was given a free copy of this book for giving my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Mathieu Vanneste.
5 reviews
July 24, 2024
Nederlandse versie werd vertaald “door een service”…
“Ik ben geduld 30-0” (“I’m patient 30-0”). En zo zijn er veel letterlijke vertalingen.

Slechtste boek ooit gelezen.
67 reviews
December 26, 2017
The Paradise Key is book 5 in the Harvey Bennett series and if you've enjoyed the previous entries, you'll enjoy this as well. I love how every book in this series stays true to what Harvey Bennett thrillers are all about. They are similar without being boring or repetitive. I have read all of them except for book 4 and I had no problems jumping into this book and picking up without any issue. This series is easy to pick up anywhere because Nick does a great job of filling in the information you need to know without boring you to death. I do recommend reading them in order just because there was a major book 4 plot point that was spoiled for me, but it was necessary to reveal that information in this book and it didn't ruin anything about this book for me.

***Possible Spoilers Below***

This book continues with Harvey and his friends still fighting the injustices of this world that other governments aren't willing to get involved in. As members of the CSO (Civilian Special Operations), the gang travels to Paradisum to investigate and run into an old archenemy, the Hawk. Harvey and the gang have been after the Hawk and Ravenshadow from the beginning and they continue that chase here.

The books in this series read very much like a James Bond movie to me. There's a lot of action (some of it a little unbelievable, but very much enjoyable) and there's the CSO (James Bond) against their biggest nemesis (Ravenshadow). It's a fun rollercoaster ride that leaves the reader wondering how the gang is going to get out of this one now. The science in these books is interesting without being over the normal person's head. The characters in this book continue to advance and evolve from book to book.

I love the Harvey Bennett series and this book is just more of the same, but in the best ways. I love that the characters grow each book to keep things fresh, but the action and themes remain similar so the book feels familiar without feeling repetitive. With the major plot twist that happened in book 4, you get the feeling that anything could happen in this book. Nothing is off limits for the characters. It's a great way to keep the series fresh. The books are not too short, but not so long that they'll take days and days to read. I definitely recommend any action/adventure lovers check out this series.
Profile Image for Don LeClair.
305 reviews
February 7, 2018
I really was hoping I would like this Harvey Bennett thriller. In the last episode it seemed like to good guys accomplished nothing and were completey overmatched by "Hawk" the nearly flawless villian.
So this book is a standalone story, but once again Harvey and the good guys take on Hawk.
The book starts out kind of OK, but I could not get over just how unbelievably stupid Harvey and team are when they arrive on the scene for their confrontation with Hawk. Spoiler alert here . . .
Despite their previous experience with Hawk, the arrive in a remote location to confront the nefarious Hawk - who is the head of security there (!) - and they are utter flabbergasted that after first enjoying themselves, then making appointment to meet Hawk the next day (!!), they fall into a trap and get captured!!! Really? Then to top it off, once these guys are captured of course they make empty threats to kill him.
Nick in the last third Nick writes a pretty good story line that is pretty exciting and has some amusing twists. I just can't past the imcompetence in the middle. Don't expect to be back for another installment of Harvey Bennett.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Rosemary.
3,859 reviews68 followers
October 15, 2021
The Paradise Key - a review by Rosemary Kenny.


Ben, (his fiancée Julie) and fellow CSO agent George Red, aka Reggie, have been sent by their mutual boss, (the mysterious, unseen - a là Charlie in Charlie's Angels, Mr E) to liaise with Dr Sarah Lindgren, then investigate the Ravenshadow security set-up, on a nearby Bahamas floating holiday resort...with whose leader they have a vendetta. Who's Joshua Jefferson?
What does Dr Li give Julie and Ben?

After many shenanigans, face-offs and
discoveries that might have been a little less 'out there' in the details, Ben, Julie, Reggie, Dr Sarah and resort employee Susan reveal at the ostensibly perfect Paradiso, that's not all it seems, of course, things come to an all-action conclusion that you won't want to miss.
Grab your copy of this, more Austin Powers than James Bond, adventure for a rip-roaring yarn, Nick Thacker's The Paradise Key, that you'll really enjoy!
Profile Image for Andrea.
1,781 reviews24 followers
December 26, 2017
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

I love Ben and his friends. So I would probably love any adventure they go on. But this one is an especially heart pounding thriller. You know they are not walking into a good situation, but it is worse than I expected. And the science is not as horrific as I expected, but it is more inhumane as well.

This book is another fabulous addition to the Harvey Bennett series. You can start here. There are several references to book 4, but you don't have to read it first. There are brief mentions of books 1-3. You don't have to read them and there is not so many references that a fan feels like they are back in any of those books.

If you like thrillers and a bit of sci-fi, this novel is for you. While you are at it, go get the other 4 books in the series as well.
Profile Image for Julie.
281 reviews5 followers
December 31, 2017

Harvey Bennett Thriller #5. HANG ON!

Nick Thacker has just added #5 in the Harvey Bennett Thriller Series. What a ride this one is. What I like best about these Thrillers is that each one is so completely different than the previous ones. You could read each as a stand alone but I would recommend that you start in the beginning so you can experience how each character evolves. This one got so exciting that I had to put the book down and walk away to slow my heart rate down. I thought for sure this was the end, but somehow Nick always pulls them out of the jams they are in and he does it in the most inspiring ways. Never seen it coming. Each Harvey Bennett Thriller just gets better. Job well done, Nick. Can’t wait for the next one.
68 reviews2 followers
October 18, 2021
Juvenile

I think I’ll take up writing thrillers; I couldn’t possibly turn out anything worse, and this author seems to keep cranking these books out. The protagonists are a 3 person team of dysfunctional, self-doubting misfits who are supposed to bring down one of the most highly skilled and vicious mercenary organizations on the planet unarmed and unprepared, but spend most of their time doing battle with their inner demons. They consist of an agoraphobic former park ranger, his fiancé (a former CDC employee), and a former army sniper/survivalist. The author takes up such an inordinate and unnecessary amount of time on each character’s thought processes, self-doubts, and recriminations, that you just want to skip around to the action scenes.
117 reviews
Read
December 17, 2024
Another Really Good Action Thriller

Ben and Julie's vacation is interrupted when Reggie shows up. Reggie is on a mission, and he invited Ben to help him apprehend The Hawk.

Although I didn't quite follow the murky science, it was a Frankenstein level of horror with huge crocodiles thrown into the mix, because, why not? Sharks have been done, and done, and done. And bullets, with an occasional knife to stir things up.

Great action in this book. The setting was unique, and the character development gets better with each successive book in the series.

However, I am still upset about what happened to Joshua. Nick Thacker has a good series here but he'd better not kill off anymore of the team.
Profile Image for Matt Egan.
619 reviews5 followers
April 23, 2025
More fun with the CSO in paradise!

The Paradise Key is the 5th book in the Harvey Bennett series, taking place in the aftermath of the disastrous events leading to the leader of the ersatz leader, Joshua. Ben, Julie, Reggie and a new character are sent to an "educational paradise", Paradisium, after learning the the man who killed Josh is running security for the artificial paradise. There is also some seriously illegal research going on under the facade. Like the other Harvey Bennett books, the writing is top notch, paced and plotted perfectly, with plenty of surprises and challenging situations. 4/5 stars. Highly recommended for fans of James Rollins, Clive Cussler or simply well composed thrillers!
Profile Image for Nayari .
115 reviews7 followers
December 10, 2018
I am going to reread this one because I have to admit, I feel...like I completely missed what actually happened in the book. I read it. I don't know if I felt things were not explained as well as thet could be, if perhaps the plot was simply less intricate than his other stories, if the lack of snark and overabundance of infighting made it a tough emotional read.... regardless I just didn't care for this one as much. It felt...weaker than his other stories.

I eagerly await the next one because I love this series and these people! But I hope the next one gets a little more of that intricate plot I love in Thacker's writing!
Profile Image for Chloe Cuthbert.
Author 2 books5 followers
February 12, 2019
Thacker Thrillers Are The Best!

Nick Thacker has done it again! In book 5 of the Harvey Bennett series, Ben and his fiance, Julie, are enjoying a much needed vacation. Until Reggie shows up with orders from Mr. E. Vincente Garza, The Hawk, and the rest of his crew are doing private security for a new science based park, floating in the middle of the Atlantic. There seems to be no better time or place to bring Garza to justice.
This is a roller coaster ride of thrills, scientific phenomena, and more. Nothing less than what readers have come to expect from a Harvey Bennett thriller!
Profile Image for Karen Kearns.
346 reviews2 followers
January 26, 2018
Paradisum???

When a so called educational theme park/upscale offshore resort is getting ready to open in the Atlantic, just northwest of The Bahamas, Mr. E schedules Ben, Julie, and Reggie for a visit to ascertain the nature of this enterprise. When the team arrives accompanied by Dr. Sarah Lindgren, no one is prepared for the luxuriousness of the accommodations, or the horror of the real purpose behind this “theme park.”
This is another great “can’t put it down,” “sit on the edge of your seat” action thriller from the mind & keyboard of Nick Thatcher. Well done, Nick!
Profile Image for John Vo.
3 reviews5 followers
May 31, 2018
The previous Harvey Bennett books were entertaining. However, this latest one (The Paradise Key) was not fun at all. The villain seemed way more intelligent and capable than the protagonists. It also felt like the most of the book was about the issues with Harvey Bennet and his fiance and Reggie and it was like pulling teeth trying to get through it. Very little action and not much thriller but there are a couple of exciting bits towards the end.

Overall, i couldn't wait for it to be finished whereas with the previous books, I didn't want them to end.
1,727 reviews13 followers
February 9, 2019
This is the 5th book of the sries that I have read and I have enjoyed everyone.

It was interesting the way the story started and how it progressed. It followed the one earlier where Julie and Ben were going on a cruise for vacation.

It was interesting how three trio were able to survive along with the 4th member of this group who joined them for the visit to the island.


I look forward to reading the next one. I also enjoyed the introduction of the new character that Nick is introducing and continuing the adventures that will be coming.
Profile Image for Alanna.
139 reviews8 followers
March 19, 2018
I like Harvey Bennet he's one of the good guys. The Paradise Key was fun to read. I really liked the setting of Paradisium, what a great place if it were real. Thankfully it is not and actual place because the scientists there are not nice guys. Were places in the story that I wished for more detail and then suddenly it was over. This was a fun read but it makes you think about the possibilities that genetic engineering could be capable of and at what cost. Nick Thacker makes you think.
8 reviews
January 31, 2019
The story was fact paced and interesting but needed expansion with the underlying reason for the the on going action. I feel like we were left in the dark about what was happening to these characters that were the basis for the plot. It had holes in it. Exactly where did they find them and what happens to them? The main characters were fairly well developed . I loved that it had no explicit sex or unnecessary bad language!
Profile Image for Joe Geesin.
173 reviews4 followers
February 24, 2019
In the main a good read, another well dealt with if far fetched story, the return of an old foe, the interruption of a holiday that introduces some relationship niggles, and lots of action. The only let down (hence a perhaps too generous 4 stars rather than the usual well deserved 5) is at times a change of writing style. Too much self reflection (especially from Ben, during the pod escape chapter) adds some almost narration that's annoying and pads out the story.
Profile Image for Jay Williams.
1,718 reviews33 followers
September 21, 2021
Ben and Julie leave their vacation to to a mission to a new resort/laboratory. Quickly the suspense and danger hits. The writing is quick to read, and the issues make the story held. Some of the returning characters are augmented with several very exciting new action. The triple rings floating in the ocean have great ideas, and the unusual the different ways to move between the rings under the water is very interesting. This is a very different story, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Martin Pingree.
1,011 reviews14 followers
October 23, 2021
Harvey Bennett and his crew get in over their heads this time, literally ! Harvey and his fiancé are on a vacation cruise when they are called in to find out whats going on at an offshore resort. They soon find something sinister is being perpetrated and they aim to end it. An old nemesis is also involved and they almost lose their lives. This is a non stop action adventure that will keep you glued to your sear from start to finish !
Profile Image for Michele.
1,852 reviews63 followers
November 4, 2021
This book scared the heck out of me--the things that occur are vividly portrayed with words. What starts out as a vacation paradise (when it is finished) turns out to be a nightmare!! As much as I was shivering when reading this I simply could not stop until the end. And I actually had a couple of nightmares.

Get ready for the ride of your life as the 4 main characters risk life and limb.

In case you are wondering--I did enjoy this book-but it is not for the faint of heart!
Profile Image for Carol L. Caldwell.
Author 9 books8 followers
November 14, 2022
Creepy Thriller

There is a lot of breath-holding action in the story and the lab research is creepy. The Prelude and first chapters are confusing. I understand why Thacker wanted to build up suspense by not telling the reader what was going on. But it was just confusing. There was a lot of repetitive telling of back story and not enough solving of the conflict between Ben and Julie.
272 reviews3 followers
July 28, 2025
Walk into a mess and to live through it has some perks!

Great read. Sure kept me busy today. Really great energy throughout this story. Great research being done for the good of some but, at a cost of people's lives. Not good by most standards. The team is up against "The Hawk" again not knowing it's a setup. Really good theory as well asM interesting.Hawk gets away again but not his abusive underlying. Get on it you will not be able to put it down.
Profile Image for Patricia Lyle.
8 reviews1 follower
January 5, 2018
So so with moments of wow!

I have read many of Nick Thacker’s books and love the characters of Harvey Bennett and his friends. There are parts of this book that are very well done but enough that is half-hearted that I end up frustrated. If you don’t mind typos and blind alleys in the writing, you can enjoy a lively story
4 reviews
March 15, 2018
Love this series but this was my least favorite.

I've read the entire Harvey Bennett series back to back and the adventures are awesome. This particular installation was my least favorite and YEESH the typos!!! All of the prior books were impressive with their lack of typos but this one was filled with them. Trying out a new editor maybe?? I will continue to be a fan though.
3 reviews
May 17, 2018
A nice little thriller

I liked the build up of the characters so that you became familiar with them . I’ve always enjoyed Clive Custler books and reading about the background of these made me want to read one of these. I read one and really enjoyed it. So I read this one and was happy with it too.
10 reviews
February 3, 2020
Just ok

I like the concept and the characters, jus think the plot could be better. Do they really think they can arrive unnoticed and unarmed and achieve their mission? They are either very stupid or the plot is very weak. Again, I’m a fan of the characters and general story line and can accept coincidences and some stretch, but this was just too much of a stretch.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews

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