Seeing Red

Gareth Red Thrillers #1

by Nick Thacker

For Army sniper Gareth Red, hunting is all part of the game...

It's being hunted that's new to him.

Red is a top-notch sniper with a haunting past, looking to trade his skills for a hefty payday.

It doesn't take long for an offer to find him.

But he soon begins to realize: this is no game.

Is the paycheck worth the trouble?

From USA Today Bestselling Author Nick Thacker

Gareth "Reggie" Red is a fan-favorite character from the worldwide bestselling Harvey Bennett Thrillers series.

If you like the fast-paced, nonstop style of authors like James Rollins, Steve Berry, Clive Cussler, and Dan Brown, you'll absolutely love this brand-new series from Nick Thacker.

Genres: Thriller

242 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 29, 2018

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Louie the Mustache Matos · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel was part of a Murder and Mayhem boxed set, which is great. More bang for your buck type of thing, but there were some issues. Seeing Red is the first book of the Gareth Red Thrillers by Nick Thacker. Gareth Red is pulled from active duty to assist former special forces now private security, Roderick Harding, in finding a sniper that is killing billionaires. One of Thacker’s gifts is writing, fast-paced, action-packed thrillers. This novel satisfies in that regard. The problem, here is that there is so much movement that there is little left for exposition that would explain the why questions that invariably crop up. Why did he do that? Why did he go there? Why is he walking into an obvious trap? What is worse is that it ends on a cliffhanger. I knew that this was supposed to be the first in a series, but I expected that at the very least the first story would end. Another problem which is something I rarely complain about, but I feel I must say is that there really needed to be at least SOME exposition.

[PJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting Story. Revenge and millions of dollars. What could go wrong? Haha I'm curious to find out more about Red and his story.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the high-powered, tension-filled thriller “Seeing Red”, Gareth "Reggie" Red pulled out of training and active duty by a boss at PremierOne, a private equity institution is offered a million dollars in a Cayman account to hunt down the sniper murdering billionaires, all investors in Likur Holdings Company who liquidated a majority of their assets before dying. In a high-stakes game set in remote locations in Russia, Red joins Roderick Harding ex-special forces working in private security to stop the murders by warning the suspected victims on a list provided by his boss. With only the list, no further details and no personal information on his associate Red embarks on an almost impossible mission until the sniper’s apparent slip up cracks the case wide open.

Fast-paced and action-packed the plot heats up when Red armed with only the details Roderick reluctantly reveals sets out on a mission to hunt down the sniper targeting investors in a holding firm. Twisting and turning the plot thickens when one of the victims turns out to be Gaspar Likur who may hold the key to the motive behind the murders. Intensity and suspense quickly escalate as events unfold that have Red uncovering clues to the puzzle only to discover he might not be helping the good guys.

Nick Thacker creates a compelling and multi-faceted character in Gareth Red a crack army sniper and rule breaker who’s haunted by demons in his past. An astute problem-solver with quick reflexes and an observant eye, he slowly begins to unravel clues in an enigmatic case that keeps him on edge.

I thoroughly enjoyed “Seeing Red” and will continue to follow Gareth Red's exploits in what is sure to be an intoxicating and intriguing sequel.

[Marti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant!! A thriller with a conscience that keeps you guessing till the very last page.

[Nayari · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book should have 3.5 stars. I love Nick Thacker's writing. He's an author I will typically just buy the next book instead of renting it. I love his Harvey Bennett series, so I knew Reggie. And that is why I rated this book 4 stars. I know Reggie, I enjoy his character, and I know how Nick writes. So I know he is wonderful at suspense.

But if this had been my introduction to Nick's writing, there would have been problems. For the most part, we are as lost as Reggie on who he is and what he is doing here. We are asked to go along on this mission with really high stakes, with the adrenaline thrill of sniper shots in remote locations. And that is what we know. That is what we are given for 90% of the book. Only in the last 10% do we get any indication of why we need to care about what is happening. And then it ends on a cliffhanger. The most important part of the story is 95% resolved.

Nick, you are better than this. Give us 60-75% (not 90%) and more to care about if you are going to do a two-book storyline. I will happily read the next book but I admit, I'm hesitant to pick it up until after the next book is released...just in case you pull this trick again. :)

[Darlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seeing Red

I really didn't want to rate this book only 3 stars. I really wanted to be able to give it 5. I've read all of Nick Thacker's fiction books and they all been excellent. So, what happened? I found this book a bit confusing in the beginning. I mean I knew it was obvious he was rehashing his divorce but he kept on thinking 'the girl'. What did his wife leave him for another woman? It takes almost to the end of the book for it to become clear. And all the secrets drove me crazy as well as the main character. It was like the story had no meat. No real action. Except a few sniper shots and one fight. It was an easy read and I did not struggle to get through it, but I just think it lacked something. It did offer a glimpse into Red's personality which was a plus but that was all I can say.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I reviewed earlier Thacker books I commented that his writings were reminiscent of James Rollins. This book isn't! It was 2/3 of the way through the book before the pace really picked up and the Rollinesque writing style kicked in. I'm a character reader, I get into the characters, their story, who/what they are. Not that this isn't a good book, that you can't wait to turn the next page and learn more about them! No spoiler's here, though I will say that with Thacker's track record I can't wait to read his next book in this series and I hope it will be back to his established standards! (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018)

[Margaret Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting

While it was good to see the beginnings of Red, it kind of lacked something. Can’t quite put my finger on it, but I think it could have been better. Going from here to there to there and really getting nowhere. Would have liked to see more development in Red’s character.

[Brad · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good read, but I guess I was just expecting something that never happened, so I was left with a slightly empty feeling.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marvelous

A very exciting adventure which gives you a glimpse into what makes Reggie tick. The plot twists and turns, so hold on tight! Another win for Thacker!

[Karen Connolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely want more

Enjoyed the book and it left me wanting more for this character... looking forward therefore to the next book in the series.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gareth Red, introduced in the Havey Bennett books, gets his own series. This is virtually low key compared to what he gets up to later.

Excellent introduction to the "beginning" of Mr. Red.

[Janet L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book.

[MR CHRISTOPHER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping read

What a great start to a new series of books. Edge of the seat stuff, that keeps you hooked from word one.

[betty brasen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Getting to know Gareth Red

A challenge for Red to maneuver through this game and a challenge to read and keep track of the tale. I'm ready for the next Gareth Red adventure. By