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The Man on the Porch
A strange man arrives in a sleepy New England town. He needs to hide, to be invisible. His profession demands it. He's a killer, a tool of powerful men used when problems require the cleansing sweep of death. But when he meets Melissa, a single mother, sexy, bright and beautiful, he breaks the cardinal rules: no attachments, and above all – no love. He should have listened to the rules because when Melissa’s son is taken, he must kill the men from his past, kill them all. But this is what he was good at. It’s the one thing he was good at.
- GenresThriller
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 20, 2018
121 people are currently reading
667 people want to read
About the author
Shawn Raymond Poalillo
8 books66 followersShawn Raymond Poalillo is a retired Special Agent from the Department of Homeland Security with over twenty-four years of federal law enforcement experience. He spent the bulk of these years investigating drug smuggling, money laundering and terrorism cases.
Poalillo is certified in federal court as an expert in the areas of money laundering, bank record analysis and telephone toll analysis and can give expert testimony.
Having attended LIU/CW Post College, the author holds a BA in psychology and business and also graduated from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Glynco, Georgia.
"Writing is a great joy, each word a small victory. In my first novel - Rerun: A New Face of Terrorism - I tried to bring the realism of true-life law enforcement, something lacking in most novels of the genre, while mixing in an outlandish plot. Cops have a great time all the time. Nothing was serious until it had to be and then it became serious quickly.
"This same quality is seen in my third novel - The Girl With The Black Mark, another Special Agent Michael Poe story.
"Completely different is A Selfless Man, which is a departure from the other two and a more heart wrenching story.
"My goal is to entertain and take the reader away, if only briefly, to a different place. Enjoy!"
Poalillo is certified in federal court as an expert in the areas of money laundering, bank record analysis and telephone toll analysis and can give expert testimony.
Having attended LIU/CW Post College, the author holds a BA in psychology and business and also graduated from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Glynco, Georgia.
"Writing is a great joy, each word a small victory. In my first novel - Rerun: A New Face of Terrorism - I tried to bring the realism of true-life law enforcement, something lacking in most novels of the genre, while mixing in an outlandish plot. Cops have a great time all the time. Nothing was serious until it had to be and then it became serious quickly.
"This same quality is seen in my third novel - The Girl With The Black Mark, another Special Agent Michael Poe story.
"Completely different is A Selfless Man, which is a departure from the other two and a more heart wrenching story.
"My goal is to entertain and take the reader away, if only briefly, to a different place. Enjoy!"
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 2, 2018
Really good story bit of everything romance mystery and twists and plenty of action loking forward to reading more of this author
May 22, 2018
Professional assassin Richard West moves to a small New England town to blend in and lay low. But when local beauty Melissa Deliotte notices West’s rugged good looks and conspires to meet him at the local hardware store, the chemistry is undeniable. The prolific killer breaks his cardinal rule – no attachment, and no love. And when Melissa’s son is taken, he goes on the most personal killing spree of his life.
Poalillo’s novel joins a distinguished genre of thrillers about the conflicted life of assassins that seems to be growing in popularity. Among a field of classics that includes Frederick Forsyth’s The Day of the Jackal, Barry Eisler’s John Rain series and Robert Ludlum’s Bourne Identity, Poalillo’s The Man on the Porch stands out for the love story at its core. Melissa, a single mom, former underwear model and model practically throws herself at West. His cover – that he’s a boring engineer who sells machines for a Virginia company – hardly dissuades her. Boring, in fact, is just what she’s looking for: “No dating men surrounded by violence,” she tells him. Little does she know what she’s in for, and that – right up to the enthralling final chapters – makes for an incredibly exciting story.
Check out the rest of my review at BestThrillers.com
Poalillo’s novel joins a distinguished genre of thrillers about the conflicted life of assassins that seems to be growing in popularity. Among a field of classics that includes Frederick Forsyth’s The Day of the Jackal, Barry Eisler’s John Rain series and Robert Ludlum’s Bourne Identity, Poalillo’s The Man on the Porch stands out for the love story at its core. Melissa, a single mom, former underwear model and model practically throws herself at West. His cover – that he’s a boring engineer who sells machines for a Virginia company – hardly dissuades her. Boring, in fact, is just what she’s looking for: “No dating men surrounded by violence,” she tells him. Little does she know what she’s in for, and that – right up to the enthralling final chapters – makes for an incredibly exciting story.
Check out the rest of my review at BestThrillers.com
May 23, 2018
Review
I thought the story well thought out. I felt I was a part of it and could feel his emotions and the war with himself
I thought the story well thought out. I felt I was a part of it and could feel his emotions and the war with himself
July 4, 2018
A James Bondian sort of thriller - this book was very enjoyable to read. It combined an interesting plot that had multiple characters who came together in an eventful conclusion. A bit of Dan Brown here too.
November 13, 2018
3.5 stars.
Review to come.
Review to come.
May 1, 2018
Another Page Turner
Romance mixed with brutal killings, sweet moments, then blood. This one was very different and kept me up at night. I've followed this author (fifth book) and he never disappoints. Whatever you do, don't read the ending. It's the stuff of movies! Can't wait for the next.
Romance mixed with brutal killings, sweet moments, then blood. This one was very different and kept me up at night. I've followed this author (fifth book) and he never disappoints. Whatever you do, don't read the ending. It's the stuff of movies! Can't wait for the next.
July 2, 2018
In Massachusetts, the man on the porch is Rick West who has bought a fixer upper no one else wanted and he is restoring it. Single mom Melissa is instantly attracted to him. He is an engineer who travels and he seems perfect to her because she doesn't date men surrounded by violence. What she doesn't know is that Rick is actually an assassin.
Rick is a strong character who came from a messed up childhood to become a ruthless assassin but has a great sense of wanting to do what's right. I loved the twist near the end. I've read a couple of excellent books with assassins in the last year and this one rates right up there. The action scenes are great. Fans of novels with spies, terrorists, and professional assassins will like this book. I received a Kindle copy from a Goodreads giveaway.
Rick is a strong character who came from a messed up childhood to become a ruthless assassin but has a great sense of wanting to do what's right. I loved the twist near the end. I've read a couple of excellent books with assassins in the last year and this one rates right up there. The action scenes are great. Fans of novels with spies, terrorists, and professional assassins will like this book. I received a Kindle copy from a Goodreads giveaway.
August 5, 2020
A strange mix of mummy romance and spy novel
It is like reading two different novels at the same time. One the small town mummy finds a second chance for love and is very much chick lit. The other half action packed assassin catering for male readers. It took me some effort to get through it. Towards the end it got better
It is like reading two different novels at the same time. One the small town mummy finds a second chance for love and is very much chick lit. The other half action packed assassin catering for male readers. It took me some effort to get through it. Towards the end it got better
April 29, 2018
Great Read
Not your typical assassin novel. There's the meticulous planning, the precision and heartless killing, but then there's so much more. To say it's unique is an understatement. I won't spoil it for you. Recommend.
Not your typical assassin novel. There's the meticulous planning, the precision and heartless killing, but then there's so much more. To say it's unique is an understatement. I won't spoil it for you. Recommend.
May 3, 2018
I've come to expect a lot from this author and with this book he continues that tradition. Fast paced, vicious killings mixed with tender romance are unique qualities that seemed all too easy for this writer. If you like novels that don't have the normal dead spots, you'll love this one. I won't summarize the book as I see others have and pretty well. Just read it and see if you can put it down!
November 16, 2022
suspenseful & hard to put down
Great storyline and love how detailed the author is and shows his experience in the field of homeland security. It’s action packed and even has a love story line that is extremely unexpected. Absolutely loved this book and highly recommend!! Definitely a page turner for sure!
Great storyline and love how detailed the author is and shows his experience in the field of homeland security. It’s action packed and even has a love story line that is extremely unexpected. Absolutely loved this book and highly recommend!! Definitely a page turner for sure!
May 2, 2018
Another Hit for Mr Poalillo !!! 😀
Rick West is one VERY Dangerous Man! An off the books Assassin for a shadow organization within the U.S. Government. They only hunt those who are enemies of the US. He's been trained to kill with no remorse since he was 13. He meets a beautiful young mother and her son and rapidly finds out that they have not taken all his decency and morality. The people he works for will not stand for that. Someone is going to Die. I've read all of mr. Poalillo's books. They've just continued to get better and better!
Rick West is one VERY Dangerous Man! An off the books Assassin for a shadow organization within the U.S. Government. They only hunt those who are enemies of the US. He's been trained to kill with no remorse since he was 13. He meets a beautiful young mother and her son and rapidly finds out that they have not taken all his decency and morality. The people he works for will not stand for that. Someone is going to Die. I've read all of mr. Poalillo's books. They've just continued to get better and better!
April 27, 2018
Suspense and Romance
Loved this book! International intrigue, political assassination, terrorism and romance from a man who could never take the chance of falling in love. The sweet interactions between well-developed characters is a stark contrast to the brutality of Rick West, the main character and grabs your heart strings throughout. To readers who like blood and guts, this book has it as well as romantic tension. Fast and captivating. Another great read, Mr. Poalillo!
Loved this book! International intrigue, political assassination, terrorism and romance from a man who could never take the chance of falling in love. The sweet interactions between well-developed characters is a stark contrast to the brutality of Rick West, the main character and grabs your heart strings throughout. To readers who like blood and guts, this book has it as well as romantic tension. Fast and captivating. Another great read, Mr. Poalillo!
April 2, 2019
Although I found the premise of a journalist putting a conspiracy theory together from such carefully hidden plots and striking so close to the truth that the conspirators feel threatened, all the while one of the assassins involved in these plots of death lives next door, I really enjoyed this story and look forward to more from this author. Poalillo has a smooth writing style that draws you in and has you believing anything is possible. The book is cleanly edited and the action scenes are well choreographed. The only thing I didn't like was how the romantic interludes just fade to black.
October 24, 2018
Goodreads Kindle Copy Win
A strange man comes to town with secrets. At first he wants to live a quiet existence but soon finds himself involve in the community. His biggest mistake was falling in love with a single mom which will lead her son to be kidnapped.
He will find be force to go back to his killer persona to save her son who is kidnapped by people of his past. Will he be able to save him and will he be able to find love?
A strange man comes to town with secrets. At first he wants to live a quiet existence but soon finds himself involve in the community. His biggest mistake was falling in love with a single mom which will lead her son to be kidnapped.
He will find be force to go back to his killer persona to save her son who is kidnapped by people of his past. Will he be able to save him and will he be able to find love?
October 26, 2018
A handsome man, with a horrible past is standing on the porch when Melissa goes for her run - and then begins a hot relationship.
But is He who he says he is?
And after a night of lovemaking Melissa finds the door to the basement open and discovers the unthinkable.
Can their relationship survive this?
I received this book from goodreads for an honest review.
Pick it up - it is truly a page turner!
But is He who he says he is?
And after a night of lovemaking Melissa finds the door to the basement open and discovers the unthinkable.
Can their relationship survive this?
I received this book from goodreads for an honest review.
Pick it up - it is truly a page turner!
November 11, 2018
I liked this book. It had a lot of action in it, which was very enjoyable. The author could have chosen to make the book all about the various assignments the main character participated in, and it would have been great also. I found the storyline between the main character and his love interest a little slow, but things picked up nicely. All in all a good read.
March 31, 2019
A Good Read
After other intense reads I was ready for a great read with a happy ending. This book does it!
A bit predictable but Poalillo does a good job of combining suspenseful situations followed by a bit of romance to allow the reader to catch their breath before the next segment.
Well written.
After other intense reads I was ready for a great read with a happy ending. This book does it!
A bit predictable but Poalillo does a good job of combining suspenseful situations followed by a bit of romance to allow the reader to catch their breath before the next segment.
Well written.
April 4, 2019
A tough assassin finds love the hard way
A man who is a top assassin finds out that his organization is not as pure as he thought, he then rights the situation and falls in love at the same time
A man who is a top assassin finds out that his organization is not as pure as he thought, he then rights the situation and falls in love at the same time
July 20, 2020
Don't miss it!
Well I went out and found another one. If anything it was better than the first one. It turns out that this was #3 and this one is #1. As you might have guessed...it's on to the next! Thanks for writing them for us.
Well I went out and found another one. If anything it was better than the first one. It turns out that this was #3 and this one is #1. As you might have guessed...it's on to the next! Thanks for writing them for us.
November 22, 2018
I won this Kindle edition book on a GoodReads giveaway - thank you to everyone involved!!
A man with a past - romance mixed with mystery - a great combination!!
A man with a past - romance mixed with mystery - a great combination!!
April 8, 2019
an agent among us
if you are into government conspiracy, here is a major one , with a love story thrown in. Action here and across the Atlantic, USA saving us from the bad guys.
if you are into government conspiracy, here is a major one , with a love story thrown in. Action here and across the Atlantic, USA saving us from the bad guys.
April 7, 2019
"Feel good read"
Full of suspense, forgivable killing, romance, fun times, no lulls or skip through parts. Hard to put down before finishing it. Something for everyone!
Full of suspense, forgivable killing, romance, fun times, no lulls or skip through parts. Hard to put down before finishing it. Something for everyone!
August 20, 2019
Good spy thriller
Loved this story. Kept you in suspense throughout the whole book. Loved the romance mixed in. Loved the happy ending.
Loved this story. Kept you in suspense throughout the whole book. Loved the romance mixed in. Loved the happy ending.
May 16, 2022
This was a good book even though the romance was too predictable. The story is fast paced and so full of twists, turns and suspense that it was hard to put down.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews