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Captain Jake Mahegan #5
Dark Winter
In a blistering scenario almost too close to the headlines, former Brigadier General Anthony J. Tata delivers a chillingly authentic glimpse of tomorrow’s wars—and the anonymous hackers who hold the fate of the world at their fingertips . . .
By the time anyone realizes what’s happening, it is too late. A dark network of hackers has infiltrated the computers of the U.S. military, unleashing chaos across the globe. U.S. missiles strike the wrong targets. Defense systems fail. Power grids shut down. Within hours, America’s enemies move in. Russian tanks plow through northern Europe. Iranian troops invade Iraq. North Korean destroys Seoul and fires missiles at Japan.
Phase 1 of ComWar is complete.
Enter Jake Mahegan and his team of highly trained operatives. Their mission is to locate the nerve center of ComWar—aka Computer Optimized Warfare—and to shut down the operation through any means necessary. Mahegan knows it’s a virtual suicide mission. There are three ComWar headquarters, each hidden deep underground in Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Each contains a human biometric nuclear key that the team must capture to shut down the imminent nuclear strikes. Splitting up the team is Mahegan’s only chance to prevent the next wave of cyber attacks. But even that won’t stop the sleeper cell agents—here in the United States . . .
When Phase 2 ends, World War III begins.
By the time anyone realizes what’s happening, it is too late. A dark network of hackers has infiltrated the computers of the U.S. military, unleashing chaos across the globe. U.S. missiles strike the wrong targets. Defense systems fail. Power grids shut down. Within hours, America’s enemies move in. Russian tanks plow through northern Europe. Iranian troops invade Iraq. North Korean destroys Seoul and fires missiles at Japan.
Phase 1 of ComWar is complete.
Enter Jake Mahegan and his team of highly trained operatives. Their mission is to locate the nerve center of ComWar—aka Computer Optimized Warfare—and to shut down the operation through any means necessary. Mahegan knows it’s a virtual suicide mission. There are three ComWar headquarters, each hidden deep underground in Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Each contains a human biometric nuclear key that the team must capture to shut down the imminent nuclear strikes. Splitting up the team is Mahegan’s only chance to prevent the next wave of cyber attacks. But even that won’t stop the sleeper cell agents—here in the United States . . .
When Phase 2 ends, World War III begins.
311 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 30, 2018
123 people are currently reading
249 people want to read
About the author
Anthony J. Tata
22 books344 followersTony is the bestselling author of 16 novels, including the Garrett Sinclair Series from St. Martin's Press, the Jake Mahegan series from Kensington Books, the Reaper Series from St. Martins Press, and the Threat Series from Variance Publishing. He recently signed a new contract with Kensington Books to write two Zara Sheridan air marshal thrillers. Publishers Weekly selected Besieged as a 2017 Best Book of the Year and Foreign and Domestic was a Barry Award Finalist in 2016.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
August 27, 2018
When a sinister plot to start the next world war kicks off, it’s up to former Delta Force operator Jake Mahegan to save the day in the latest heart-thumping thriller from Anthony J. Tata.
After the events of Direct Fire (2017), Jake is vacationing on a North Carolina island with his girlfriend, Cassie Bagwell, when the crap first hits the fan. The two are laying low, enjoying some much needed and well-earned R&R when they’re pulled back in and told of the mayhem erupting around the world. North Korea’s leader has been killed, the first of several steps that ultimately threatens to pull America into Europe, where Russia is assembling an impressive military presence. At the same time, North Korea responds by firing a nuke at Japan, and Iran begins invading Iraq.
And that is just the beginning. . .
Punching the clock and rolling up their sleeves, Jake and Cassie get to work and quickly uncover that a group of . . .
Continue reading this review here: https://therealbookspy.com/2018/08/26...
After the events of Direct Fire (2017), Jake is vacationing on a North Carolina island with his girlfriend, Cassie Bagwell, when the crap first hits the fan. The two are laying low, enjoying some much needed and well-earned R&R when they’re pulled back in and told of the mayhem erupting around the world. North Korea’s leader has been killed, the first of several steps that ultimately threatens to pull America into Europe, where Russia is assembling an impressive military presence. At the same time, North Korea responds by firing a nuke at Japan, and Iran begins invading Iraq.
And that is just the beginning. . .
Punching the clock and rolling up their sleeves, Jake and Cassie get to work and quickly uncover that a group of . . .
Continue reading this review here: https://therealbookspy.com/2018/08/26...
September 6, 2018
What a fascinating and exciting read!
First, thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Brigadier General A.J. Tata has written an amazing book. Coming off of the thrilling novel Direct Fire, the fourth installment in the series, Tata has returned with Jake Mahegan for a riveting look at the current state of our country.
After a vacation with his girlfriend is cut short, Mahegan immediately dives right back into action. This time, Tata has created a plot that has one of the most realistic plots I have read in quite some time. With Mahegan trying to stop an electromagnetic event, meaning the internet stops and the lights go out, he stops at nothing to protect America.
As a someone who works in tech, I was especially excited to read this book once I heard that it had a tech-bend to it. Tata definitely did his research with this novel. He combines the enigma of the dark web with real-life, potential scenarios to derive an intense, interesting, and amazingly timely story. I thought the way Tata described what could come from an electromagnetic event was spot on, and he was able to intertwine technical jargon in a way that makes sense to the reader.
This book was not only extremely interesting, but as I said, it is amazingly timely. It is the most real-world scenario that I have read, which made the book all the more frightening and thrilling.
I highly recommend this book and this series. Don't miss out!
First, thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Brigadier General A.J. Tata has written an amazing book. Coming off of the thrilling novel Direct Fire, the fourth installment in the series, Tata has returned with Jake Mahegan for a riveting look at the current state of our country.
After a vacation with his girlfriend is cut short, Mahegan immediately dives right back into action. This time, Tata has created a plot that has one of the most realistic plots I have read in quite some time. With Mahegan trying to stop an electromagnetic event, meaning the internet stops and the lights go out, he stops at nothing to protect America.
As a someone who works in tech, I was especially excited to read this book once I heard that it had a tech-bend to it. Tata definitely did his research with this novel. He combines the enigma of the dark web with real-life, potential scenarios to derive an intense, interesting, and amazingly timely story. I thought the way Tata described what could come from an electromagnetic event was spot on, and he was able to intertwine technical jargon in a way that makes sense to the reader.
This book was not only extremely interesting, but as I said, it is amazingly timely. It is the most real-world scenario that I have read, which made the book all the more frightening and thrilling.
I highly recommend this book and this series. Don't miss out!
November 4, 2018
A great thriller about Cyberwarfare .
November 10, 2018
Great action. The saga continues
The characters actions are right on. Mahegan stays on track saves the US from an armageden attack that only he can do.
The characters actions are right on. Mahegan stays on track saves the US from an armageden attack that only he can do.
November 25, 2018
Could not put it down!
Another superb read. Thanks Tony, what is next. Looking forward to more of your stories.
Will discuss this with our golf group today.
Another superb read. Thanks Tony, what is next. Looking forward to more of your stories.
Will discuss this with our golf group today.
December 14, 2018
Read the Headlines? Then you Need to Read This Book!
https://gabixlerreviews-bookreadershe...
https://gabixlerreviews-bookreadershe...
November 13, 2018
Best book ever from a great writer. Well done General.
December 28, 2018
A very timely techno-thriller. The main bad guy is a Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Alphabet Corp mashup. Intriguing and difficult to put down. AJ Tata does it again.
December 25, 2018
Great read again! Can't wait for the next in series.
June 3, 2019
Once again I find myself entering a series on book 5! The Captain Jake Mahegan series from Brigadier General A.J. Tata is one I shall be recommending to readers that like action techno thrillers. Dark Winter stands alone well, I only struggled in the first chapter because of reading the series out of order. The hero is powerfully complex and oddly likable. The villain seems to be a composite of many corporate types in the news today. I found the author struck a nice balance between action and story. There was some easily deciphered jargon, but not so much I was bored by it. The pacing is fast and even. The premise was intriguing and the author kept the promise throughout the novel. Now, off to seek the rest of the books. 3.5
I received my copy through NetGalley under no obligation.
I received my copy through NetGalley under no obligation.
January 27, 2019
Ian Gorman has parlayed himself into an Uber rich businessman in the world of retail and technology, bigger and richer than google, amazon etc combined. This is one of the monsters in a j Tatas newest book starring jake mahegan. There are plenty of other monsters including the Syrians, the Russians and the Koreans. All put together in one of the scariest plots I have ever read where the worlds computers are controlled by one man and a brilliant team of code writers, hackers and artificial intelligence.
Of course good u s of a wins but barely and with seconds to spare. As I read this book and the plot unfolded I could not help think of trump with his self professed brains (?) and millions available to him. Nah, it would never happen with him.
Great book and a great insight of what the future might hold for us. A message to pay attention to.
Of course good u s of a wins but barely and with seconds to spare. As I read this book and the plot unfolded I could not help think of trump with his self professed brains (?) and millions available to him. Nah, it would never happen with him.
Great book and a great insight of what the future might hold for us. A message to pay attention to.
February 2, 2019
Good book. I enjoy the Jake Mahegan character. He has the potential to be a Mitch Rapp or Jack Reacher but he's not quite there yet
December 12, 2018
World War III waged by the computers but stopped by the Captain and his crew. Not an original storyline but the writing and narrator (audiobook) made it believable.
March 26, 2019
This is the first book I have read in the Jake Mahegan series (this is #5) and I must say I am a fan! I'm anxious now to go back and read the first four.
A.J. Tata has the insight and background of a retired Brigadier General, and that helps to set apart his books. The plot is seemingly ripped from the headlines. An anonymous hacker causes a US military computer-system failure, potentially leading the US into a nuclear battle scenario. Jake Mahegan, a former Delta Force operator, and his elite team are called into action to unravel the mystery and stop the impending threats and chaos that are unraveling around the globe. Russia is assembling a massive military presence in Europe. North Korea's leader has been killed and they respond by launching a nuke at japan. Iran begins an invasion of Iraq. In their efforts to stop the global chaos Mahgean and team discover that they must locate the headquarters of this mysterious hacker group and manually override the system, using any means necessary.
In addition to impressive action scenes and detailed military weapons and realistic strategies, Tata impresses with his story lines and well developed characters. The story is fast-paced, and tough to put down, and easily holds it's own within the genre. If you are like me, and haven't read Tata before, pick up one of his books (each can stand alone) and give him a try. You won't be disappointed!
8.5 of 10 stars
A.J. Tata has the insight and background of a retired Brigadier General, and that helps to set apart his books. The plot is seemingly ripped from the headlines. An anonymous hacker causes a US military computer-system failure, potentially leading the US into a nuclear battle scenario. Jake Mahegan, a former Delta Force operator, and his elite team are called into action to unravel the mystery and stop the impending threats and chaos that are unraveling around the globe. Russia is assembling a massive military presence in Europe. North Korea's leader has been killed and they respond by launching a nuke at japan. Iran begins an invasion of Iraq. In their efforts to stop the global chaos Mahgean and team discover that they must locate the headquarters of this mysterious hacker group and manually override the system, using any means necessary.
In addition to impressive action scenes and detailed military weapons and realistic strategies, Tata impresses with his story lines and well developed characters. The story is fast-paced, and tough to put down, and easily holds it's own within the genre. If you are like me, and haven't read Tata before, pick up one of his books (each can stand alone) and give him a try. You won't be disappointed!
8.5 of 10 stars
November 4, 2021
Great technological thriller that hits a little close to what our future of wars may be.
While posing as someone out to help the world through technology, the owner of Manaslu uses his immense wealth to build secret WarCom centers in RINK - Russia, Iran and North Korea. Then secretly uses the dark web to infiltrate the nuclear weapons supply of all the countries, install RATs in the US Armament systems throwing off their guidance systems making them inoperable.
In his desire to take over the world he kills the leaders in North Korea, and coordinates nuclear destruction of the US with the 3. Jake and his team must now deal with a ground war that is moving across all the continents but also a cyber war, restore the US Nuclear Missle command and destroy Gorham.
The idea of using RATs to throw off missle and GPS coordinates to disable weapon systems in the future is all to real. This was a great technological thriller that keeps you reading, while also opening your eyes to the possibilities in a globally connected society.
While posing as someone out to help the world through technology, the owner of Manaslu uses his immense wealth to build secret WarCom centers in RINK - Russia, Iran and North Korea. Then secretly uses the dark web to infiltrate the nuclear weapons supply of all the countries, install RATs in the US Armament systems throwing off their guidance systems making them inoperable.
In his desire to take over the world he kills the leaders in North Korea, and coordinates nuclear destruction of the US with the 3. Jake and his team must now deal with a ground war that is moving across all the continents but also a cyber war, restore the US Nuclear Missle command and destroy Gorham.
The idea of using RATs to throw off missle and GPS coordinates to disable weapon systems in the future is all to real. This was a great technological thriller that keeps you reading, while also opening your eyes to the possibilities in a globally connected society.
January 7, 2019
Technology & Evil
Fair premise based on today headlines and fears connected to nukes and technology, the internet and an evil mine. A little slow on the build up but the second half of the book was enjoyable.
Fair premise based on today headlines and fears connected to nukes and technology, the internet and an evil mine. A little slow on the build up but the second half of the book was enjoyable.
January 23, 2019
This book was phenomenal. For Jake Mahegan and his group of highly trained operatives, the stakes couldn't be higher. A maniacal, narcissistic genius'; with global influence, creates an unbelievable plot to destroy the world as we know it and recreate it with himself. He has the perfect leverage to manipulate the worlds superpowers and create chaos. The writing was brilliant from beginning to end. Great villains with quirky motivations, personalities that seemed all to real.
December 25, 2019
A sinister plot - cyber crime in the present world as we adopt and adapt to internet of Things. A race against time and a stupendous effort to regain control of the nuke arsenals as the world free falls towards World War III.
My first read by Brigadier Anthony J Tata and I a suitably impressed.
Must read for readers who love military thrillers.
My first read by Brigadier Anthony J Tata and I a suitably impressed.
Must read for readers who love military thrillers.
August 5, 2024
Another exciting read about our military and what they do that we may never know about. I loved all the Jake Mahegan books! Of course, because of a recommendation about this author, ( JHH), I started with book 6. I found myself holding my breath in many situations that the characters were in and how they got out of them. Thank you for a great series of books!
January 29, 2019
Another great jake Mohegan book
This book is nonstop action with a great plot as an added bonus. Recommended to anyone who likes nonstop action.
This book is nonstop action with a great plot as an added bonus. Recommended to anyone who likes nonstop action.
April 20, 2019
A tense novel that is leading to conclusion that is dark
November 12, 2021
Took a few chapters "get into" this one but turned out to be a gripping take just the same
January 31, 2022
Mehegan, the main character is dragged into a digital war that the US is unprepared for. Tata does a great job, drawing one into his book. Characters are well developed. It's a global thriller.
March 27, 2022
Another great ride with Jake Mahegan!
April 24, 2023
great thriller
Another great thriller in the series. Thanks General Tata, it was a great edition in the ongoing Mahegan genre and well worth the read
Another great thriller in the series. Thanks General Tata, it was a great edition in the ongoing Mahegan genre and well worth the read
November 27, 2018
"Dark Winter" eBook was published in 2018 and was written by Anthony J. Tata (https://www.ajtata.com). Mr. Tata has published nine novels. This is the fifth in his "Jake Mahegan Thriller" series.
I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as mostly ‘PG’ because it contains scenes of Violence. The story is set in the contemporary US, Russia, North Korea, and Iran.
Foreign-based hackers penetrate the US military and cause havoc with the various weapons systems. Nothing works as it should leaving the US defenseless. The US power grid is disrupted plunging many into darkness. Russians invade Europe. Iran invades Iraq. North Korea attacks the south and Japan. A new form of warfare, ComWar, is underway.
The only way to stop the ComWar is to destroy the control centers. But that won't be easy with them located in Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Mahegan's trained team must split up and take on all the control centers at the same time. If the control of ComWar cannot be disrupted, the world is headed for World War III.
I thought the 8+ hours spent reading this 464-page thriller was interesting. Interesting take on technology. While I have read the previous two novels in this series and liked them, I did not think this one was as good. This novel reads well on its own even with the prior novels in the series. I give this novel a 3.4 (rounded down to a 3) out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as mostly ‘PG’ because it contains scenes of Violence. The story is set in the contemporary US, Russia, North Korea, and Iran.
Foreign-based hackers penetrate the US military and cause havoc with the various weapons systems. Nothing works as it should leaving the US defenseless. The US power grid is disrupted plunging many into darkness. Russians invade Europe. Iran invades Iraq. North Korea attacks the south and Japan. A new form of warfare, ComWar, is underway.
The only way to stop the ComWar is to destroy the control centers. But that won't be easy with them located in Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Mahegan's trained team must split up and take on all the control centers at the same time. If the control of ComWar cannot be disrupted, the world is headed for World War III.
I thought the 8+ hours spent reading this 464-page thriller was interesting. Interesting take on technology. While I have read the previous two novels in this series and liked them, I did not think this one was as good. This novel reads well on its own even with the prior novels in the series. I give this novel a 3.4 (rounded down to a 3) out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
December 25, 2018
I have to admit that I was/am a bit disappointed in the entire story/premise of A.J.Tata's latest Jake Mahegan novel. I don't know why, but the book seemed to be "grasping" for definition the entire time I was trudging through it. I have enjoyed the prior stories, possibly because they didn't reach so far and so wide as to make Jake into a super-hero. Sorry, this one just didn't keep me as interested. I'm hoping the next novel is a tick upward, as the past novels were.
February 9, 2019
I had a little bit of trouble getting into this book but enjoyed it once the story started moving along. Scary how easily something like this could actually happen. I'd read other works by this author. Think I might have enjoyed it more had I started at the beginning of the series with the main character.
April 2, 2024
Tata has crafted an edge of your seat thriller. I was immediately immersed into the drama. Twists and turns kept me turning the pages. This novel is hard to put down. I'm looking forward to reading the next installment in this series.
Readers who prefer a clean read there is profanity.
I borrowed a copy from the library. I have expressed my honest view.
Readers who prefer a clean read there is profanity.
I borrowed a copy from the library. I have expressed my honest view.
February 19, 2019
Total failure
Sorry but as a software programmer and avid reader I couldn't finish this otter rubbish. Awful, absolutely unrealistic plot with cartoonish, flat characters. But then I always hated comic books
Sorry but as a software programmer and avid reader I couldn't finish this otter rubbish. Awful, absolutely unrealistic plot with cartoonish, flat characters. But then I always hated comic books
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews