What do you think?
Rate this book
Lancaster & Daniels #2
No Good Deed
A human-trafficking case hits dangerously close to home in a heart-racing thriller by the Amazon Charts bestselling author of The King Tides.
A disturbing missing-person case reunites ex-Navy SEAL Jon Lancaster and FBI Agent Beth Daniels. Skye is just one of a dozen young women who have disappeared from Florida without a trace. Beth can do more than just imagine their fear. She was a victim herself—a trauma that’s strengthened her fight for justice.
Then Lancaster uncovers a scrap of evidence, and the mystery begins to unravel. But the lead comes with a personal sting: the involvement of his estranged brother, Logan, an ex-con recruited into the shepherding of human trade. The only way for Logan to shed his demons is to come clean. For Lancaster and Daniels, that means being drawn, secret by secret, into a dangerous underground world.
With time running out, three damaged pasts will collide; more secrets will spill; and Lancaster, Daniels, and Logan will have to fight to save themselves first if they ever hope to find the girls alive.
A disturbing missing-person case reunites ex-Navy SEAL Jon Lancaster and FBI Agent Beth Daniels. Skye is just one of a dozen young women who have disappeared from Florida without a trace. Beth can do more than just imagine their fear. She was a victim herself—a trauma that’s strengthened her fight for justice.
Then Lancaster uncovers a scrap of evidence, and the mystery begins to unravel. But the lead comes with a personal sting: the involvement of his estranged brother, Logan, an ex-con recruited into the shepherding of human trade. The only way for Logan to shed his demons is to come clean. For Lancaster and Daniels, that means being drawn, secret by secret, into a dangerous underground world.
With time running out, three damaged pasts will collide; more secrets will spill; and Lancaster, Daniels, and Logan will have to fight to save themselves first if they ever hope to find the girls alive.
326 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 20, 2019
544 people are currently reading
1313 people want to read
About the author
James Swain
49 books352 followersJames Swain is the national best selling author of seventeen mystery novels, and has been published in twelve different languages. His books have been chosen as Mysteries of the Year by Publisher’s Weekly and Kirkus Reviews, and have received three Barry Award nominations, a Florida Book Award for Fiction, and France’s prestigious Prix Calibre .38 for Best American Crime Fiction. Born in Huntington, New York, he graduated from New York University and worked as a magazine editor before moving to Florida to run a successful advertising firm. When he isn’t writing, he enjoys researching casino scams and cons, a subject on which he’s considered an expert.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
August 25, 2019
The second book in the Lancaster & Daniels series by James Swain. Jon Lancaster specializes in missing persons investigations. He is a ex-SEAL and ex-cop who volunteers with Team Adam in addition to working private jobs. Beth Daniels is a FBI agent who works missing persons investigations.
In No Good Deed, Lancaster and Daniels work an investigation to find missing women. Lancaster and Daniels have some personal issues with one another, but they have to put their personal lives on the back burner and work together to find the women. The investigation involves gangs and human-trafficking.
The characters are stereotypical, but I still found it an entertaining read. Lancaster is especially annoying since he seems to know everything and be perfect in every way. His only flaw is a medical condition that makes him appear out of shape. Of course, he's not out of shape, he's the most fit and toughest guy around.
This is the second book in the series, but it can be read as a standalone. I do recommend reading the first book, The King Tides to better understand Lancaster and Daniels characters and relationship. Personally, I found this book to be slightly more entertaining than the first one. In both, the actions and events taking place are a bit unbelievable, but they still make for quick and entertaining reads. Action-packed and exciting.
I received a free advance digital copy from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
In No Good Deed, Lancaster and Daniels work an investigation to find missing women. Lancaster and Daniels have some personal issues with one another, but they have to put their personal lives on the back burner and work together to find the women. The investigation involves gangs and human-trafficking.
The characters are stereotypical, but I still found it an entertaining read. Lancaster is especially annoying since he seems to know everything and be perfect in every way. His only flaw is a medical condition that makes him appear out of shape. Of course, he's not out of shape, he's the most fit and toughest guy around.
This is the second book in the series, but it can be read as a standalone. I do recommend reading the first book, The King Tides to better understand Lancaster and Daniels characters and relationship. Personally, I found this book to be slightly more entertaining than the first one. In both, the actions and events taking place are a bit unbelievable, but they still make for quick and entertaining reads. Action-packed and exciting.
I received a free advance digital copy from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 13, 2021
No Good Deed is the second book in Swain’s Beth Daniels and Jon Lancaster series, pairing Daniels, a by-the-book FBI Agent with a former Navy SEAL and former police detective Lancaster both on an investigation basis and on a romantic basis. This is an action packed thriller focusing on thwarting a human trafficking ring which ties in with Lancaster’s near-childhood abduction.
Although coincidences like the reappearance of Lancaster’s long Lost convict brother are too coincidental and Lancaster’s endless resources through a secret organization dedicated to saving trafficked children seems too good to be true, the action is intense enough to accept those discrepancies and not to harbor on them.
Part of the storyline throughout this series is that Lancaster’s shoot-from-the-hip Wild West ways don’t fly with the buttoned-down FBI and Daniels constantly has to tread carefully lest her work with Lancaster costs Daniels her career.
There is also a lot of high tech hijinks through the use of Daniel’s niece Nikki as a computer consultant and some other things that may make you think twice about information you expose over the net.
All in all, a fun exciting read where the good guys and the bad guys are clearly delineated.
Although coincidences like the reappearance of Lancaster’s long Lost convict brother are too coincidental and Lancaster’s endless resources through a secret organization dedicated to saving trafficked children seems too good to be true, the action is intense enough to accept those discrepancies and not to harbor on them.
Part of the storyline throughout this series is that Lancaster’s shoot-from-the-hip Wild West ways don’t fly with the buttoned-down FBI and Daniels constantly has to tread carefully lest her work with Lancaster costs Daniels her career.
There is also a lot of high tech hijinks through the use of Daniel’s niece Nikki as a computer consultant and some other things that may make you think twice about information you expose over the net.
All in all, a fun exciting read where the good guys and the bad guys are clearly delineated.
September 16, 2019
Fast and furious sequel to "The King of Tides". Dynamic characters, ingenious plot and relentless pace hopefully portend additions to this highly entertaining crime fiction series.
October 7, 2019
Former Navy SEAL and retired police detective Jon Lancaster is on his way to Key West, when he hears of a kidnapping/murder of Skye and Elsie Tanner. Jon arrives just as the local police are giving up, and makes some major progress with a mall store receipt. He sees the two bad guys, and recognizes one, who is shot to death by his accomplice, saving Jon's life. The FBI gets involved include Jon's friend, Special Agent Beth Daniels, who has ignored his contact attempts since their last case. Jon and Beth are a good pair and tie Skye's disappearance to many others. As always, the FBI doesn't play nicely with local law officers nor Jon, who puts the lives of abductees above procedure. I liked Jon's use of Beth's niece's forensics class to help him research the criminals. The book moves at a nice pace. 3.5 stars.
August 16, 2020
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
A former cop who volunteers for The Adam Project goes to Florida to investigate a murder/kidnapping. A teen aged girl is abducted, and her grandmother killed. He finds that an FBI team, led by his love interest is involved.
Pretty heavy, but exciting.
A former cop who volunteers for The Adam Project goes to Florida to investigate a murder/kidnapping. A teen aged girl is abducted, and her grandmother killed. He finds that an FBI team, led by his love interest is involved.
Pretty heavy, but exciting.
August 21, 2019
No Good Deed is the second book in the Lancaster and Daniels series, however, it works perfectly well on its own. Just like the first, this is an all-action, high-stakes thriller that had me hook, line and sinker right from the very beginning. Once again ex-Navy Seal and former police detective Jon Lancaster teams up with FBI Special Agent Beth Daniels when it is discovered that women are going missing without a trace from the Tampa, Florida area. These kidnappings have been happening for a while and the police investigation has so far not found anything worthwhile to look into. However, things take a turn for the worse when the team realise that Jon's estranged brother and recently released prisoner, Logan, is somehow involved.
This is a compulsively gripping tale that highlights the very reality of human trafficking, but Swain manages to offset the heavy subject matter with the fun dynamic between Jon and Beth which is often spiky and banter-ish. They are chalk and cheese in terms of their way of working but both are determined to solve the case. There are plenty of twists and turns throughout that caught me off guard despite me reading a lot in this genre and there was an emotional and relatable side to each of the characters. It's a highly entertaining and multifaceted read. If you like police procedural's that cover very real subject matters you will thoroughly enjoy this just as I did. Many thanks to Thomas & Mercer for an ARC.
This is a compulsively gripping tale that highlights the very reality of human trafficking, but Swain manages to offset the heavy subject matter with the fun dynamic between Jon and Beth which is often spiky and banter-ish. They are chalk and cheese in terms of their way of working but both are determined to solve the case. There are plenty of twists and turns throughout that caught me off guard despite me reading a lot in this genre and there was an emotional and relatable side to each of the characters. It's a highly entertaining and multifaceted read. If you like police procedural's that cover very real subject matters you will thoroughly enjoy this just as I did. Many thanks to Thomas & Mercer for an ARC.
June 2, 2019
Jon Lancaster is an ex-Navy SEAL and ex-cop who volunteers with Team Adam, a special arm of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children comprising former law enforcement and ex-military personnel. They assist in missing kid cases when law enforcement falter. An elderly woman was murdered in her home and her granddaughter is missing. Three days after her disappearance, the police and most of the volunteers have given up on ever finding the missing girl.
But not Jon Lancaster. Culling from his past experience in law enforcement, Jon knows that if a missing person wasn’t found in three days, chances of finding them alive were pretty slim. So Jon decides to take it upon himself to look into the case and starts investigating.
Meanwhile, the FBI is called to investigate the disappearance of several women who have gone missing in the past. They all have one thing in common: they are either middle-aged or elderly. Secondly, they have testified and helped put away some bad people behind bars. FBI agent Beth Daniels is assigned to handle this case.
Jon and Beth have had a history but with time running out, they have to set their differences aside to try and find the missing women and reunite them with their families. And put these bad people away for good.
No Good Deed is an action-packed thriller, taut writing, excellently crafted, fast-paced with twists and turns that will make you turn the pages. Overall, a fun and entertaining read.
Thank you to James Swain, NetGalley, and Thomas & Mercer for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
But not Jon Lancaster. Culling from his past experience in law enforcement, Jon knows that if a missing person wasn’t found in three days, chances of finding them alive were pretty slim. So Jon decides to take it upon himself to look into the case and starts investigating.
Meanwhile, the FBI is called to investigate the disappearance of several women who have gone missing in the past. They all have one thing in common: they are either middle-aged or elderly. Secondly, they have testified and helped put away some bad people behind bars. FBI agent Beth Daniels is assigned to handle this case.
Jon and Beth have had a history but with time running out, they have to set their differences aside to try and find the missing women and reunite them with their families. And put these bad people away for good.
No Good Deed is an action-packed thriller, taut writing, excellently crafted, fast-paced with twists and turns that will make you turn the pages. Overall, a fun and entertaining read.
Thank you to James Swain, NetGalley, and Thomas & Mercer for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 3, 2021
This was a fun, fast-paced, and exciting thriller! The second in the Lancaster & Daniels series, this one was even a notch higher than the first. I love the irreverence of Jon Lancaster - his shrewd and sometimes devious approach - all for good. His drive to take down the bad guys is deep-seated for personal reasons. He’s not averse to using unorthodox ways to get even with the bad guys, even if it ticks Beth Daniels off no end. James Swain has created a character we root for. In this storyline Lancaster gives up a vacation to invest his time in solving a human trafficking case. With a blend of smarts, technology, and experience, we race through the pages alongside Lancaster and Daniels with some curveballs thrown in between, resulting in a satisfied denouement for at least one of them. With a case that triggers deep personal memories, the author catapults this series into a serious Hollywood and/or Netflix contender! I’m hooked and definitely looking forward to the next book in the series - so when is that going to happen? :-) If you’re looking for an absorbing, fast-moving, and "take down the bad guys” thriller, this is a highly recommended read! Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for the opportunity to read and review this book.
January 19, 2020
No Good Deed, the second in this series by James Swain, is arguably more engaging than the first (The King Tides). The protagonist, Jon Lancaster, continues to be an enjoyable character. Imagine Jack Reacher, but toned down, and much more willing to abide the laws and law-enforcement personnel with whom he interacts.
Jon, a former Navy SEAL, is dedicated to rescuing kidnapped victims. Once again, this story places him in partnership with Beth Daniels, a rather unlikable FBI agent, with whom he has an on again off again relationship.
Frankly, the story is better when focused on Jon and his efforts to rescue the kidnapped victims. His willingness to bend rules, but not flagrantly break laws, makes him a sympathetic character with whom the reader can connect. Conversely, Beth is capricious, aggressive, and generally unlikable. Her adamant need for control in all situations is annoying, and begs the question why Jon would continue to be interested in a relationship with her. They are both alpha type individuals, and their relationship simply doesn’t ring true.
The story progresses quickly, provides some interesting plot developments, and is generally entertaining throughout. At one point John enlists the help of a team of former SEALs, but Swain misses an opportunity to explore who they are and the relationship they share with one another.
Another flaw that appeared in The King Tides as well as this novel, is the surprisingly stilted dialogue. Some exchanges seem wooden and interrupt the flow of the story. Additionally, there are far too many instances where the author describes events that are extraneous and unimportant, such as explaining why someone might like a certain beer, or having Jon proceed to his hotel’s business center to use the printer. These small nits served to bring down the story a half star, rendering it a 3.5, but leaving room for improvement.
Jon, a former Navy SEAL, is dedicated to rescuing kidnapped victims. Once again, this story places him in partnership with Beth Daniels, a rather unlikable FBI agent, with whom he has an on again off again relationship.
Frankly, the story is better when focused on Jon and his efforts to rescue the kidnapped victims. His willingness to bend rules, but not flagrantly break laws, makes him a sympathetic character with whom the reader can connect. Conversely, Beth is capricious, aggressive, and generally unlikable. Her adamant need for control in all situations is annoying, and begs the question why Jon would continue to be interested in a relationship with her. They are both alpha type individuals, and their relationship simply doesn’t ring true.
The story progresses quickly, provides some interesting plot developments, and is generally entertaining throughout. At one point John enlists the help of a team of former SEALs, but Swain misses an opportunity to explore who they are and the relationship they share with one another.
Another flaw that appeared in The King Tides as well as this novel, is the surprisingly stilted dialogue. Some exchanges seem wooden and interrupt the flow of the story. Additionally, there are far too many instances where the author describes events that are extraneous and unimportant, such as explaining why someone might like a certain beer, or having Jon proceed to his hotel’s business center to use the printer. These small nits served to bring down the story a half star, rendering it a 3.5, but leaving room for improvement.
July 26, 2019
I would like to thank Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advance copy of No Good Deed, the second novel to feature former Navy SEAL and retired police detective Jon Lancaster and FBI Special Agent Beth Daniels.
When Skye Tanner is kidnapped and her grandmother, Elsie, killed Jon Lancaster, now a missing persons specialist, turns up in Tampa to help the police investigation. He is not alone as Beth Daniels is already there, leading a team investigating a spate of kidnappings with Skye being the latest victim. When Jon realises his estranged brother, Logan, is involved it gets personal.
I thoroughly enjoyed No Good Deed, which despite the subject matter, is a fun read that I read in one sitting. It has a bit of everything with twists, action and some interpersonal strife. The plot, which is told from several points of view but mostly Jon’s, grabs the reader from the start and never lets go. There is always something going on, whether a new development, Jon’s lateral thinking or verbal fireworks, making for an entertaining read. It has a light tone to leaven the dark subject matter.
Much of the fun in the novel comes from the spiky relationship between Jon and Beth. They dated a few times but then she ghosted him, not returning his calls. They share a determination to solve their cases, to the exclusion of their own lives but that’s where the similarities end. She is driven, intense and by the book. He is driven, laidback and more elastic on the rulebook thing. His ingenuity in getting round the rules to advance the case is the foundation of the novel, her ability to dislike this but use it provides the fireworks.
No Good Deed is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
When Skye Tanner is kidnapped and her grandmother, Elsie, killed Jon Lancaster, now a missing persons specialist, turns up in Tampa to help the police investigation. He is not alone as Beth Daniels is already there, leading a team investigating a spate of kidnappings with Skye being the latest victim. When Jon realises his estranged brother, Logan, is involved it gets personal.
I thoroughly enjoyed No Good Deed, which despite the subject matter, is a fun read that I read in one sitting. It has a bit of everything with twists, action and some interpersonal strife. The plot, which is told from several points of view but mostly Jon’s, grabs the reader from the start and never lets go. There is always something going on, whether a new development, Jon’s lateral thinking or verbal fireworks, making for an entertaining read. It has a light tone to leaven the dark subject matter.
Much of the fun in the novel comes from the spiky relationship between Jon and Beth. They dated a few times but then she ghosted him, not returning his calls. They share a determination to solve their cases, to the exclusion of their own lives but that’s where the similarities end. She is driven, intense and by the book. He is driven, laidback and more elastic on the rulebook thing. His ingenuity in getting round the rules to advance the case is the foundation of the novel, her ability to dislike this but use it provides the fireworks.
No Good Deed is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
May 14, 2019
I have read all of James Swain's books. I really like the writing. All the main characters are good people with flaws. This is the second book about Jon Lancaster who is a former Seal, Detective, and now works for Team Adam which is an organization that helps with kidnapped and exploited people. This one has him in his home state of Florida, he is trying to help find missing girl. He is helped by a lot of people from different walks of life. He works with is Beth Daniels an FBI agent that he helped in the first book and dated briefly.
I highly recommend this book and in fact I recommend any book by this author. Thank you Net galley , I enjoyed this story !
I highly recommend this book and in fact I recommend any book by this author. Thank you Net galley , I enjoyed this story !
October 28, 2019
Great fast pace thriller! Highly recommended!
September 27, 2019
Goodness, I totally forgot about this series. I saw it while browsing & realized it’s one I wanted to read. Whew!
I like the Lancaster character. He’s very, very GOOD at this job. (duh!) and that quirk about his medical condition in which he has a potbelly but it’s not fat but pure muscle. Very unique. And this time the investigation is more personal for Lancaster as it deals with his brother.
Daniels is of course back too. For me, she comes across as too brusque and in a tricky situation given her history with Lancaster. But I like her chemistry w/Lancaster so it’ll be interesting to see how their relationship plays out over the books.
In the story, Lancaster works with Team Adam which is a real org within the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. I think it’s great that this book promotes that org. Way to go Mr. Swain! It’s an important org & issue to promote awareness about!!!!
Overall, a good second book in a series. The pacing moved quickly & was filled with action.
I like the Lancaster character. He’s very, very GOOD at this job. (duh!) and that quirk about his medical condition in which he has a potbelly but it’s not fat but pure muscle. Very unique. And this time the investigation is more personal for Lancaster as it deals with his brother.
Daniels is of course back too. For me, she comes across as too brusque and in a tricky situation given her history with Lancaster. But I like her chemistry w/Lancaster so it’ll be interesting to see how their relationship plays out over the books.
In the story, Lancaster works with Team Adam which is a real org within the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. I think it’s great that this book promotes that org. Way to go Mr. Swain! It’s an important org & issue to promote awareness about!!!!
Overall, a good second book in a series. The pacing moved quickly & was filled with action.
May 15, 2019
I really like this series. Joe Lancaster is an ex-Seal, ex-cop and now volunteers with Team Adam. His goal in life is to rescue people and get them back to where they belong.
In this book, women are being kidnapped throughout Florida. When there is a murder at one of the kidnapping scenes, Joe finds CCTV footage and recognized one of the perpetrators. It's his brother who recently had gotten out of prison. Bringing Joe's brother into the story allows us to find out about his past and what drives him to rescue people.
When the FBI and Beth Daniels get involved, they work on figuring out why these women and who is doing so. Beth's niece Nicki who Joe helped in the first book does computer sleuthing for him and she's a nice addition to the book.
Good ending that sets the stage nicely for book #3
In this book, women are being kidnapped throughout Florida. When there is a murder at one of the kidnapping scenes, Joe finds CCTV footage and recognized one of the perpetrators. It's his brother who recently had gotten out of prison. Bringing Joe's brother into the story allows us to find out about his past and what drives him to rescue people.
When the FBI and Beth Daniels get involved, they work on figuring out why these women and who is doing so. Beth's niece Nicki who Joe helped in the first book does computer sleuthing for him and she's a nice addition to the book.
Good ending that sets the stage nicely for book #3
November 10, 2019
Don't you love seeing the bad guys get theirs? Especially when it takes an unusual twist to do so?
Interesting team - woman FBI agent who goes rigidly by the rules and fellow retired lawman who certainly does not? But guess what? The bad guys don't play by the rules so a bit of both is required so this team is brutally effective.
Since Jim is a Tampa local, I always get a kick out of his descriptions of the locales the participants visit and it gives a bit of verisimilitude to the story. Still, one can only romp up and down U.S. 19 so often!
At any rate, the story moves along with some interesting plot twists and characters so a great beach read. I do miss some of the "insider information" that made his earlier casino books so entertaining but certainly glad to continue reading his work as it is released. Looking forward to the next!
Interesting team - woman FBI agent who goes rigidly by the rules and fellow retired lawman who certainly does not? But guess what? The bad guys don't play by the rules so a bit of both is required so this team is brutally effective.
Since Jim is a Tampa local, I always get a kick out of his descriptions of the locales the participants visit and it gives a bit of verisimilitude to the story. Still, one can only romp up and down U.S. 19 so often!
At any rate, the story moves along with some interesting plot twists and characters so a great beach read. I do miss some of the "insider information" that made his earlier casino books so entertaining but certainly glad to continue reading his work as it is released. Looking forward to the next!
September 24, 2019
Nothing special. While I was plowing through this my thought was Swain would have been better off if he had written a stand alone featuring Beth Daniels, the FBI agent. She is driven to catch the bad guys and makes a better protagonist than the cookie cutter ex SEAL, ex Cop that Lancaster represents.
January 19, 2020
This book came to me as a result of winning a Goodreads giveaway.
“ No Good Deed” is the second in a series featuring Jon Lancaster, an ex SEAL ( who knew that there were so many of them) , ex- cop and now an operAtive foray organization called Team Adam , which dedicates itself to finding and rescuing kidnapped , trafficked people of any age. Co-featured in the series is Beth Daniels of the FBI. They are as different as chalk and cheese, as the saying goes. Daniels is a straight arrow Agent, working by the complex rules of the federal bureaucracy to bring criminals to justice. Lancaster is not averse to bending rules past the breaking point to get results. Despite strife, the two manage to work together.
I have not read book number one in the lineup, so it took me a bit to get up to date with their personalities and backstories. It is important to know that both had had serious brushes with being abducted as children, which resulted in a grim determination for both to never let up on predators.
Briefly the plot is this: a number of women, not only children but women of various ages have disappeared in south Florida. There are no clues. Nothing seems to link the women to each other. Then an seemingly unrelated occurrence opens a seam in the darkness of what has happened. Jon has been directed by his employer, Team Adam, to look into the abduction of a woman. When he views a video of the snatch at a local shopping mall, Jon sees a familiar face behind the wheel of the getaway car- his brother, Logan. Logan who has been just released from prison when he has been for twenty-five years. That starts the wheels of the investigation and what is a good police procedural and adventure novel.
Mr Swain does his usual super job of giving his characters depth. Both Lancaster and Daniels have both dedicated, focused, soft- hearted and sometimes ruthless. They are people not easy to place in a single file envelope. That makes them more appealing than characters who come off as super cops. His police procedural action seem correct to me, also as the investigation proceeds in logical fashion. Swain is a native of south Florida, which shows in his knowledge of and descriptions of the warm, sunny vacationland( I read the book watching the snow pile up here in the northeast. It was a fast read- between snow cleanups.)
I found the book enjoyable and engrossing, and recommend it. It is not too had to believe that there a lucrative traffic in not only sex slaves but also domestic slaves. A very good story in a series worth reading.
“ No Good Deed” is the second in a series featuring Jon Lancaster, an ex SEAL ( who knew that there were so many of them) , ex- cop and now an operAtive foray organization called Team Adam , which dedicates itself to finding and rescuing kidnapped , trafficked people of any age. Co-featured in the series is Beth Daniels of the FBI. They are as different as chalk and cheese, as the saying goes. Daniels is a straight arrow Agent, working by the complex rules of the federal bureaucracy to bring criminals to justice. Lancaster is not averse to bending rules past the breaking point to get results. Despite strife, the two manage to work together.
I have not read book number one in the lineup, so it took me a bit to get up to date with their personalities and backstories. It is important to know that both had had serious brushes with being abducted as children, which resulted in a grim determination for both to never let up on predators.
Briefly the plot is this: a number of women, not only children but women of various ages have disappeared in south Florida. There are no clues. Nothing seems to link the women to each other. Then an seemingly unrelated occurrence opens a seam in the darkness of what has happened. Jon has been directed by his employer, Team Adam, to look into the abduction of a woman. When he views a video of the snatch at a local shopping mall, Jon sees a familiar face behind the wheel of the getaway car- his brother, Logan. Logan who has been just released from prison when he has been for twenty-five years. That starts the wheels of the investigation and what is a good police procedural and adventure novel.
Mr Swain does his usual super job of giving his characters depth. Both Lancaster and Daniels have both dedicated, focused, soft- hearted and sometimes ruthless. They are people not easy to place in a single file envelope. That makes them more appealing than characters who come off as super cops. His police procedural action seem correct to me, also as the investigation proceeds in logical fashion. Swain is a native of south Florida, which shows in his knowledge of and descriptions of the warm, sunny vacationland( I read the book watching the snow pile up here in the northeast. It was a fast read- between snow cleanups.)
I found the book enjoyable and engrossing, and recommend it. It is not too had to believe that there a lucrative traffic in not only sex slaves but also domestic slaves. A very good story in a series worth reading.
July 24, 2019
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, The King Tides, so I was very much looking forward to this follow up. Unfortunately the first book was a lot better. I am still glad I read this book and do not regret reading it but it was a letdown after the first book. I still really enjoy Jon Lancaster but Beth Daniels, who I had concerns about in the last book, is far more present in this book and that’s not a good thing. I really do not understand where the author is going with her. He named the series Lancaster & Daniels but every chance he gets he makes her absolutely unlikeable and proves it by having everyone who meets her dislike her. It just defies explanation to have such an unlikeable main character and have the good character be the only one to like her. At one point Beth makes Jon go into a dangerous situation unarmed and then without waning him just leaves him without backup. Obviously not ok and Jon is made but it’s never discussed between them which is annoying. The author gives her way too many passes for being awful. I think maybe the author thought he was making a good cop/bad cop thing but it does not work. The book is so much better when it’s just Jon acting alone.
In this story they are working together to save victims of a human trafficking scheme. Like the last book this plot is certainly unbelievable, although maybe less out there than the last book, but it’s also less graphic as to the nature of the crimes which I appreciated. Unlike the last book there is no gripping narrative. There are victims but we don’t know them. In the last book there was a great real victim to want protected and helped. That urgency was missing in this book.
There is too much talking and not enough action which is the real downfall of this book, aside from Daniels. There is also a lot of time wasted describing unnecessary things. Why does Jon keep going to the hotel business center to print things out? Why not just email or text it? It’s redundant to hear about it and maybe the author is that much behind the times. He also has Uber call instead of an update on the phone so it’s certainly possible that the author needs a lesson on modern devices.
I will still be interested to read the next book in the series but I really hope it’s a better one than this book. I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
In this story they are working together to save victims of a human trafficking scheme. Like the last book this plot is certainly unbelievable, although maybe less out there than the last book, but it’s also less graphic as to the nature of the crimes which I appreciated. Unlike the last book there is no gripping narrative. There are victims but we don’t know them. In the last book there was a great real victim to want protected and helped. That urgency was missing in this book.
There is too much talking and not enough action which is the real downfall of this book, aside from Daniels. There is also a lot of time wasted describing unnecessary things. Why does Jon keep going to the hotel business center to print things out? Why not just email or text it? It’s redundant to hear about it and maybe the author is that much behind the times. He also has Uber call instead of an update on the phone so it’s certainly possible that the author needs a lesson on modern devices.
I will still be interested to read the next book in the series but I really hope it’s a better one than this book. I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 28, 2021
I give No good Deed by James Swain 4 stars. I loved the first book in the Lancaster and Daniels series by James Swain and was excited to finally get to the second book in my TBR pile. I’ll be honest, it took me a little while to get into. I’m not sure exactly what it was, but until I hit about the 1/3 point, I’d read only a chapter at a time before putting it down. Gradually I got sucked in as the case widened from the singular murder and abduction that started Lancaster onto the case.
Once I was in, I was in. I enjoyed learning more about Team Adam and how Lancaster got involved with them, finding out more of his back story and the hints about him and Daniels. I’m not a big romance reader, but I could have enjoyed a bit more time with them together off the clock (we get almost nothing outside the case—which is fine, it’s a thriller) I think it could have rounded them out even better to see them in that capacity. We get to know a lot about Lancaster in this one and I hope future books will delve more into Daniel’s history, too. Yes—I will read more from this series!
The plot unfolds with biker gangs, parolees, missing persons and all the goodies you would want from an FBI thriller. I won’t say too much to spoil how this crime expands and explodes into something bigger than expected. If you want some good character building along with your crime thrillers, this series is for you. Looking back, I think if I had set to dive in more fully right off the bat I would have been sold even sooner, but even if you start out like me, hold and stick with it. If you enjoyed the first book, you will enjoy this one as well.
Once I was in, I was in. I enjoyed learning more about Team Adam and how Lancaster got involved with them, finding out more of his back story and the hints about him and Daniels. I’m not a big romance reader, but I could have enjoyed a bit more time with them together off the clock (we get almost nothing outside the case—which is fine, it’s a thriller) I think it could have rounded them out even better to see them in that capacity. We get to know a lot about Lancaster in this one and I hope future books will delve more into Daniel’s history, too. Yes—I will read more from this series!
The plot unfolds with biker gangs, parolees, missing persons and all the goodies you would want from an FBI thriller. I won’t say too much to spoil how this crime expands and explodes into something bigger than expected. If you want some good character building along with your crime thrillers, this series is for you. Looking back, I think if I had set to dive in more fully right off the bat I would have been sold even sooner, but even if you start out like me, hold and stick with it. If you enjoyed the first book, you will enjoy this one as well.
August 20, 2019
This is a mixed bag. I've read other James Swain novels, and I enjoyed them more than this one. Here are the pluses:
No Good Deed has a strong plot. There are plenty of false leads as Jon Lancaster (a private detective who specializes in missing person cases) picks up the trail of kidnappers who've abducted a series of women who don't fit a tidy demographic profile.
Lancaster is a strong lead character, and he is well-defined. One thing that bothered me, as it did in the first book of the series (The King Tides) is that his sidekick (or is he hers?), Beth Daniels (an FBI agent who also works kidnap cases), is not well-sketched at all. Her character is all over the place, with no consistent personality traits -- unless you consider flaky capriciousness and a lack of self-control a consistent pattern.
Now, having read the second book in the series, I don't think ANY of the female characters have any depth. They all seem to be caricatures of real women and girls. Another minor flaw is that I ran into a few too many cliches (of the "no stone unturned" variety) and some clumsy writing that could easily have been smoothed out in editing.
The thing that bugged me the most, though, is that Swain created two secondary characters who showed up repeatedly, and named one of them J.T. and the other one T.J. Come on, man -- if you had to call them both by initials, you had 24 other letters to play with! Those guys were so hard to keep straight.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advance readers copy.
No Good Deed has a strong plot. There are plenty of false leads as Jon Lancaster (a private detective who specializes in missing person cases) picks up the trail of kidnappers who've abducted a series of women who don't fit a tidy demographic profile.
Lancaster is a strong lead character, and he is well-defined. One thing that bothered me, as it did in the first book of the series (The King Tides) is that his sidekick (or is he hers?), Beth Daniels (an FBI agent who also works kidnap cases), is not well-sketched at all. Her character is all over the place, with no consistent personality traits -- unless you consider flaky capriciousness and a lack of self-control a consistent pattern.
Now, having read the second book in the series, I don't think ANY of the female characters have any depth. They all seem to be caricatures of real women and girls. Another minor flaw is that I ran into a few too many cliches (of the "no stone unturned" variety) and some clumsy writing that could easily have been smoothed out in editing.
The thing that bugged me the most, though, is that Swain created two secondary characters who showed up repeatedly, and named one of them J.T. and the other one T.J. Come on, man -- if you had to call them both by initials, you had 24 other letters to play with! Those guys were so hard to keep straight.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advance readers copy.
October 20, 2019
Over-exposition but quick moving story
The second book of the series, read through Kindle Unlimited.
Swain tends to explain each and every thing the characters do. I appreciate the facts about how Team Adam works, as I had never heard about them prior to this series. However, explaining how private channels on YouTube works seemed like he did not his audience to know this, to me, basic fact of today's social media. His writing also uses unnecessary and extra words. One example: "The boat was called a bowtie." I'm sure "The boat was a bowtie" is sufficient. Reading through this book reminds me a teacher explaining everything exhaustively.
Story-wise, I found it engrossing. We learn more of Jon Lancaster's background, values and character. He's a lot more gray than he appeared in the first book. He's quite perceptive and manipulative when he wants to be.
The motive for the kidnappings is dark, so I thought it a good call on Lancaster not to share it with Nicki.
As mentioned before I borrowed this book through my Kindle Unlimited subscription. Would I single-purchase it, if I didn't have the membership? Likely no so it's a thanks for including this available for KU members.
The second book of the series, read through Kindle Unlimited.
Swain tends to explain each and every thing the characters do. I appreciate the facts about how Team Adam works, as I had never heard about them prior to this series. However, explaining how private channels on YouTube works seemed like he did not his audience to know this, to me, basic fact of today's social media. His writing also uses unnecessary and extra words. One example: "The boat was called a bowtie." I'm sure "The boat was a bowtie" is sufficient. Reading through this book reminds me a teacher explaining everything exhaustively.
Story-wise, I found it engrossing. We learn more of Jon Lancaster's background, values and character. He's a lot more gray than he appeared in the first book. He's quite perceptive and manipulative when he wants to be.
The motive for the kidnappings is dark, so I thought it a good call on Lancaster not to share it with Nicki.
As mentioned before I borrowed this book through my Kindle Unlimited subscription. Would I single-purchase it, if I didn't have the membership? Likely no so it's a thanks for including this available for KU members.
December 15, 2020
A human-trafficking case hits dangerously close to home in a heart-racing thriller by the Amazon Charts bestselling author of The King Tides.
A disturbing missing-person case reunites ex-Navy SEAL Jon Lancaster and FBI Agent Beth Daniels. Skye is just one of a dozen young women who have disappeared from Florida without a trace. Beth can do more than just imagine their fear. She was a victim herself—a trauma that’s strengthened her fight for justice.
Then Lancaster uncovers a scrap of evidence, and the mystery begins to unravel. But the lead comes with a personal sting: the involvement of his estranged brother, Logan, an ex-con recruited into the shepherding of human trade. The only way for Logan to shed his demons is to come clean. For Lancaster and Daniels, that means being drawn, secret by secret, into a dangerous underground world.
With time running out, three damaged pasts will collide; more secrets will spill; and Lancaster, Daniels, and Logan will have to fight to save themselves first if they ever hope to find the girls alive.
A disturbing missing-person case reunites ex-Navy SEAL Jon Lancaster and FBI Agent Beth Daniels. Skye is just one of a dozen young women who have disappeared from Florida without a trace. Beth can do more than just imagine their fear. She was a victim herself—a trauma that’s strengthened her fight for justice.
Then Lancaster uncovers a scrap of evidence, and the mystery begins to unravel. But the lead comes with a personal sting: the involvement of his estranged brother, Logan, an ex-con recruited into the shepherding of human trade. The only way for Logan to shed his demons is to come clean. For Lancaster and Daniels, that means being drawn, secret by secret, into a dangerous underground world.
With time running out, three damaged pasts will collide; more secrets will spill; and Lancaster, Daniels, and Logan will have to fight to save themselves first if they ever hope to find the girls alive.
August 20, 2019
Ex-Navy SEAL and ex-detective Jon Lancaster is back. Older women are missing near Tampa, Florida and when an older woman is killed and her granddaughter kidnapped, the police are sure the granddaughter was the target. Jon believes the woman was the target. Jon works as an agent with “Team Adam” to facilitate the rescue missing victims. FBI Agent Beth Daniels is on the case and although Jon had hoped that things were developing between them, he has not heard from Beth since then…until now. Jon is involved in Beth’s case and he can be a help or a real PITA. Why would someone target older women, women who were unafraid to report and give witness when they saw crimes committed? An interesting mystery with two strong main characters, Jon & Beth, and help from Beth’s young niece Nicki. I would have liked more expanded information, in the ending, as to the missing women. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)
June 6, 2019
An FBI special agent that is a by the rules type has trouble following her own belief system why Jon Lancaster, ex SEAL and ex cop now working for Team Adam tests her at every turn. But with Lancaster what matters is the victims are safe and that the bad guys get theirs. Those two theories don't always work together. When this book is over the relationship, or whatever you want to call it, between these two may have reached a point of no return.
When human traffickers have abducted fourteen victims and murdered at least two more the way these two handle it don't jive. What Lancaster do to achieve the ultimate goal of saving these victims, and how will it affect the relationship between he and Agent Daniel's?
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
When human traffickers have abducted fourteen victims and murdered at least two more the way these two handle it don't jive. What Lancaster do to achieve the ultimate goal of saving these victims, and how will it affect the relationship between he and Agent Daniel's?
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 27, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed No Good Deed by James Swain. I have also lied his Tony Valentine novels. One of my major criteria when rating books is how much I enjoyed reading them; how strongly I wanted to keep reading even when I had something else to do, even sleep.
Jon Lancaster (ex-cop, ex-seal) does volunteer work for Team Adam a group named for Adam Walsh and dedicated to finding missing children. Beth Daniels is an FBI agent who also works missing persons. They have a history together but are currently on the outs and must put that behind them to solve this case.
Beth is by the book, Jon is not. The story is excellent, the off/on relationship between the protagonists is realistic and it affects the investigation in many ways, not all good. It's a real page turner, especially once the human trafficking angle becomes apparent.
Jon Lancaster (ex-cop, ex-seal) does volunteer work for Team Adam a group named for Adam Walsh and dedicated to finding missing children. Beth Daniels is an FBI agent who also works missing persons. They have a history together but are currently on the outs and must put that behind them to solve this case.
Beth is by the book, Jon is not. The story is excellent, the off/on relationship between the protagonists is realistic and it affects the investigation in many ways, not all good. It's a real page turner, especially once the human trafficking angle becomes apparent.
May 25, 2019
#NoGoodDeed is a follow up to King Tides and returns with familiar characters, Jon Lancaster and Beth Daniels. The narrative delves a bit deeper into Jon’s past, revealing the drive behind his long standing career in law enforcement and Team Adam. The plot is tense at times and plays out much as an action-movie of the same genre would. While there isn’t anything particular that isolates this novel from many others of its kind, James Swain’s prose is insightful and amusing. The added element of wit and satire he has added to his main character truly entertains. 4 stars.
Thank you to #NetGalley for this ARC
Thank you to #NetGalley for this ARC
August 31, 2019
I haven't read the first book in the series but i didn't feel like missing much.
A fast-paced, well written and intriguing story that made me read it in one sitting and on the edge all the time.
I liked all the characters and each one brought something new to the story and another layer to mix and match them perfectly. There are many turns and twists, some predictable and some that i didn't see them coming my way and that it's why i loved this story so much because it makes you second guess so much but at the end delivers the perfect amount of feelings and sensations in a great mystery-crime thriller.
thanks to the publisher, author and NetGalley for my copy.
A fast-paced, well written and intriguing story that made me read it in one sitting and on the edge all the time.
I liked all the characters and each one brought something new to the story and another layer to mix and match them perfectly. There are many turns and twists, some predictable and some that i didn't see them coming my way and that it's why i loved this story so much because it makes you second guess so much but at the end delivers the perfect amount of feelings and sensations in a great mystery-crime thriller.
thanks to the publisher, author and NetGalley for my copy.
February 27, 2020
No Good Deed (Lancaster & Daniels Book 2)
Jon Lancaster was a Detective that had way too much experience, and seen too much violence in his life, to ever think that he could live his life without speaking for the innocents in this world who had no one else to speak for them. Beth was a FBI agent who went by the rules and there was no bend to her. Who would think that these two people could ever agree about anything, but when it came to people disappearing and known gang activity getting really hot , not to speak of a few murders, well, something just wasn't right , and someone needed to find some answers. So, why not Lancaster and Daniels?
Jon Lancaster was a Detective that had way too much experience, and seen too much violence in his life, to ever think that he could live his life without speaking for the innocents in this world who had no one else to speak for them. Beth was a FBI agent who went by the rules and there was no bend to her. Who would think that these two people could ever agree about anything, but when it came to people disappearing and known gang activity getting really hot , not to speak of a few murders, well, something just wasn't right , and someone needed to find some answers. So, why not Lancaster and Daniels?
August 18, 2020
No Good Deed is a fast, enjoyable read featuring private detective Jon Lancaster and FBI agent Beth Daniels, who sort of have a relationship. Here they are working both separately and together to solve the disappearances of more than a dozen women and the murder of one. They delve into the evil doings of a motorcycle gang involved in human trafficking.
The best thing about this book for me was the setting here in the Tampa Bay Area. It’s fun to read along and picture places I have been. One thing that bugged me though was Lancaster’s patronizing attitude toward Daniels. It would be a better book if Swain made them equals.
The best thing about this book for me was the setting here in the Tampa Bay Area. It’s fun to read along and picture places I have been. One thing that bugged me though was Lancaster’s patronizing attitude toward Daniels. It would be a better book if Swain made them equals.
June 19, 2019
An exciting follow-up to the first Lancaster and Daniels thriller, No Good Deed sees Jon and Beth fighting the bad guys again, though the FBI powers-that-be have some issues with Jon's style. Jon is the unlikely looking ex-Navy SEAL/ex-cop who works as a private detective and volunteers for Team Adam. While the first book provided Beth's motivation for her career, this one sheds light on Jon's, and it's clear that they are a good pair. This is highly recommended as a great book for a exciting summer read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews