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John Milton #12
Redeemer
Rio de Janeiro. Brazilians call it Cidade Maravilhosa - the Marvellous City - but crime festers in its favelas like cancer. John Milton is visiting an old friend who runs a close protection business guarding the city's elite. Milton offers to stand in when one of his bodyguards doesn't turn up for work. The job? Take the wife and daughter of an anticorruption judge to a school recital and bring them back again. Simple? Not so much. The girl is snatched off the street, and Milton is nearly killed. As he recovers at a Group Fifteen safe house, he decides on two objectives. First, find the girl. Second, punish the kidnappers for what they've done. Milton's trip becomes a lethal quest into the heart of the lawless slums and against the gangs who wield the real power in Rio. But Milton won't stop there - he'll chase them right into the horrific heart of darkness until his special brand of justice has been well and truly served.
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First published April 19, 2018
About the author
Mark Dawson
113 books1,926 followersFor news and special offers join Mark's mailing list at:
http://eepurl.com/Cai5X
Mark Dawson was born in Lowestoft and grew up in Manchester and Chicago. He has worked as a lawyer and currently works in the London film industry. His first books, "The Art of Falling Apart" and "Subpoena Colada" have been published in multiple languages.
He is currently writing two series. Soho Noir is set in the West End of London between 1940 and 1970. The first book in the series, "The Black Mile", deals with the (real life but little known) serial killer who operated in the area during the Blitz. "The Imposter" traces the journey of a criminal family (think The Sopranos in austerity London and you'd be on the right track).
The John Milton series features a disgruntled special agent who aims to help people to make amends for the terrible things that he has done. Mark, as a child of the 80s, will freely admit that he watched a lot of The Equalizer in his youth.
Mark lives in Wiltshire with his family.
You can find him at www.markjdawson.com or www.facebook.com/markdawsonauthor.
http://eepurl.com/Cai5X
Mark Dawson was born in Lowestoft and grew up in Manchester and Chicago. He has worked as a lawyer and currently works in the London film industry. His first books, "The Art of Falling Apart" and "Subpoena Colada" have been published in multiple languages.
He is currently writing two series. Soho Noir is set in the West End of London between 1940 and 1970. The first book in the series, "The Black Mile", deals with the (real life but little known) serial killer who operated in the area during the Blitz. "The Imposter" traces the journey of a criminal family (think The Sopranos in austerity London and you'd be on the right track).
The John Milton series features a disgruntled special agent who aims to help people to make amends for the terrible things that he has done. Mark, as a child of the 80s, will freely admit that he watched a lot of The Equalizer in his youth.
Mark lives in Wiltshire with his family.
You can find him at www.markjdawson.com or www.facebook.com/markdawsonauthor.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
May 2, 2023
*Apt Title Indeed*
This instalment sees John Milton (Aka Smith)
travelling to Rio de Janeiro. He is visiting a friend who was ex military like him but his friend is not like John. His friend has a close protection business guarding the best of the best clients. His latest job is to guard the wife and daughter of a prominent judge who is trying to clamp down on crime and corruption which is a very hard task making him some high profile enemies.
The job needs four people and one has dropped out, of course Milton offers to stand in. As usual with John the task is not straightforward and his friend remembers the old John who was a drunk, his friend has no idea about John’s elite work with Group Fifteen.
John does not like how his friend seems so relaxed about this job, why is that? when they are ambushed and the young girl is kidnapped and Milton going after the culprits and almost losing his life in the process there will be a reckoning as John takes on the toughest of criminals that even the police won’t tackle, once again he is underestimated, do that at your cost……
I devoured this book and I was so engrossed that I reached the end before I realised…..
This instalment sees John Milton (Aka Smith)
travelling to Rio de Janeiro. He is visiting a friend who was ex military like him but his friend is not like John. His friend has a close protection business guarding the best of the best clients. His latest job is to guard the wife and daughter of a prominent judge who is trying to clamp down on crime and corruption which is a very hard task making him some high profile enemies.
The job needs four people and one has dropped out, of course Milton offers to stand in. As usual with John the task is not straightforward and his friend remembers the old John who was a drunk, his friend has no idea about John’s elite work with Group Fifteen.
John does not like how his friend seems so relaxed about this job, why is that? when they are ambushed and the young girl is kidnapped and Milton going after the culprits and almost losing his life in the process there will be a reckoning as John takes on the toughest of criminals that even the police won’t tackle, once again he is underestimated, do that at your cost……
I devoured this book and I was so engrossed that I reached the end before I realised…..
April 5, 2018
Wow....such a super story, I have missed John Milton, and it is wonderful to see this highly skilled man trying to right past wrongs by doing what is right at that moment for someone else.
He finally decides to let himself have a little fun by going to Rio for a music festival, staying with an old friend he had worked with in the army. This man, Drake, is running his own security company, when they are down one for a personal protection job, Milton jumps in to help.
This is when things go wrong, the young girl is kidnapped, several men are killed, and Milton crashes a car trying to follow the kidnappers. Soon Milton finds many things not adding up, and since he is the type of man who never just lets things go, the action begins!
You can not put this story down, as the action grabs you from the start and the suspense never lets up until the final word!!
John Milton is an amazing character, continuing to keep us intrigued and following all he does, as he rights the wrongs of others traveling all over the world.
I received an ARC of this story from author Mark Dawson, who I thank and congratulate for a wonderful book, and am able to leave you my thoughts.
He finally decides to let himself have a little fun by going to Rio for a music festival, staying with an old friend he had worked with in the army. This man, Drake, is running his own security company, when they are down one for a personal protection job, Milton jumps in to help.
This is when things go wrong, the young girl is kidnapped, several men are killed, and Milton crashes a car trying to follow the kidnappers. Soon Milton finds many things not adding up, and since he is the type of man who never just lets things go, the action begins!
You can not put this story down, as the action grabs you from the start and the suspense never lets up until the final word!!
John Milton is an amazing character, continuing to keep us intrigued and following all he does, as he rights the wrongs of others traveling all over the world.
I received an ARC of this story from author Mark Dawson, who I thank and congratulate for a wonderful book, and am able to leave you my thoughts.
April 7, 2018
I was furnished with an ARC of this novel. As usual, I was not disappointed in Dawson's work.
Milton travels to Rio to attend a music festival as the guest of an old SAS regiment mate. What could possible go wrong with that?
The first third of the book is dedicated to setting up the plot and player back stories. Pretty mundane reading. And then, Dawson takes the story off with a roar. John Milton comes to the forefront of the story and of course the bad guys start to die.
Milton travels to Rio to attend a music festival as the guest of an old SAS regiment mate. What could possible go wrong with that?
The first third of the book is dedicated to setting up the plot and player back stories. Pretty mundane reading. And then, Dawson takes the story off with a roar. John Milton comes to the forefront of the story and of course the bad guys start to die.
November 10, 2019
It's been awhile since I read this series but I was not disappointed, Dawson delivers another great John Milton story. It is always fun to see where our hero will show up next and the description of the surroundings are amazing. I'm glad that I allready have three more adventures about John Milton.
June 20, 2018
The latest John Milton book, demonstrating again that he is not a man to mess with
May 18, 2018
And absolute cracker of a story John Milton 12# is another cant put down read.
shouldn't be to long and our Author will have another offering
5 stars
shouldn't be to long and our Author will have another offering
5 stars
May 19, 2018
Dawson Strikes Again Through John Milton
Do you know what I don't like about Mark Dawson books? I can't put them down until I finish reading them. When I'm done, I have to wait for the next one... I pre-release Redeemed but didn't start it for a few weeks. In fact, I read three other books before even starting it. This way, I'm just a little closed to when the next Mark Dawson book becomes available. Alas, I have no ETA until then so I'll have to distract myself with other materials until that time. Milton travels to Rio to visit an old army acquaintance so he can have a local guide to a planned Rock festival headlines by GNR. His friend does private security and is a man short for a job, Milton offers to assist and finds his friend a little lax in security matters and the job goes sideways with a 6 year old girl taken hostage, the daughter of a Judge who is tough on corruption in high level officials and companies. His friend and all of his team are shot leaving John to take out the bad guys and attempt to get the girl back. He did promise the Judge he would protect his family, right? Deep into the crime laden hovels, the girl is taken and John Milton is in pursuit in a high speed chase until he's run off the road, crashes in a high speed chase and ends up with a severe concussion. This doesn't stop Milton. Faced with enormously overwhelming odds, Milton pursues a local 'Don' to bring the little girl back home to her family.
Do you know what I don't like about Mark Dawson books? I can't put them down until I finish reading them. When I'm done, I have to wait for the next one... I pre-release Redeemed but didn't start it for a few weeks. In fact, I read three other books before even starting it. This way, I'm just a little closed to when the next Mark Dawson book becomes available. Alas, I have no ETA until then so I'll have to distract myself with other materials until that time. Milton travels to Rio to visit an old army acquaintance so he can have a local guide to a planned Rock festival headlines by GNR. His friend does private security and is a man short for a job, Milton offers to assist and finds his friend a little lax in security matters and the job goes sideways with a 6 year old girl taken hostage, the daughter of a Judge who is tough on corruption in high level officials and companies. His friend and all of his team are shot leaving John to take out the bad guys and attempt to get the girl back. He did promise the Judge he would protect his family, right? Deep into the crime laden hovels, the girl is taken and John Milton is in pursuit in a high speed chase until he's run off the road, crashes in a high speed chase and ends up with a severe concussion. This doesn't stop Milton. Faced with enormously overwhelming odds, Milton pursues a local 'Don' to bring the little girl back home to her family.
May 11, 2018
The Redeemer was brilliant. It was so fluid with non stop action that I had read to chapter 43 without a pause of thought about food. It raced ahead at such a quick pace that I even questioned myself thinking that perhaps I had fallen asleep and the Kindle had leaped forward. That's how quickly it seemed to go.
Looking forward to Milton's next book (hard to not add spoilers here).
To date Alimo is my most favourite of all the stories that Milton has been in but The Redeemer is definitely up there with the best of them.
I used to be a massive Lee Child fan but sadly his last half a dozen books have been luke warm at best, which is a shame that Reacher has ground to almost a standstill when compared to the first 6 or so books.
With Mark Dawson it's a totally different experience altogether. Milton, Beatrix and Isabella just continues to get better and better without any signs of them needing to retire from the spotlight.
I'm really glad to have stumbled upon one of the best authors of my generation, one that continues to publish at a remarkable pace without compromising the high standard that Mark has set himself from book one.
May Milton, Isabella and Beatrix continue to live a long life of intrigue, mystery and danger and survive to tell their stories.
Looking forward to Milton's next book (hard to not add spoilers here).
To date Alimo is my most favourite of all the stories that Milton has been in but The Redeemer is definitely up there with the best of them.
I used to be a massive Lee Child fan but sadly his last half a dozen books have been luke warm at best, which is a shame that Reacher has ground to almost a standstill when compared to the first 6 or so books.
With Mark Dawson it's a totally different experience altogether. Milton, Beatrix and Isabella just continues to get better and better without any signs of them needing to retire from the spotlight.
I'm really glad to have stumbled upon one of the best authors of my generation, one that continues to publish at a remarkable pace without compromising the high standard that Mark has set himself from book one.
May Milton, Isabella and Beatrix continue to live a long life of intrigue, mystery and danger and survive to tell their stories.
April 4, 2018
The latest in the John Milton series.
OMG they just get better and better!
OMG they just get better and better!
April 8, 2018
John Milton is back at it again, this time in Rio. Milton meets up with an old army buddy to listen to some music. When his friend needs some help, Milton offers his services. Too bad for everyone involved when Milton turns out to be more than an middle aged drunk. As always with Milton novels, the action is plentiful as Milton seeks redemption for his past. Already waiting for the next book, from my favourite series.
June 27, 2018
Another cracker
Having just finished the latest instalment in the John Milton series I now have to wait for the next one to be published. This is a first class series and if you enjoy outstanding thrillers then recommend you read these you will not be disappointed. Mark Dawson has quickly become one of my favourite thriller writers alongside Stephen leather and Scott Mariani. Highly recommended.
Having just finished the latest instalment in the John Milton series I now have to wait for the next one to be published. This is a first class series and if you enjoy outstanding thrillers then recommend you read these you will not be disappointed. Mark Dawson has quickly become one of my favourite thriller writers alongside Stephen leather and Scott Mariani. Highly recommended.
July 13, 2018
This is a sort of No More Mr Nice Guy
Of course a lot of Joh Milton books are, but this one was really excellent. Never been to Rio but he made it palpable. It starts a little slow but builds up steam. Interesting how he made you like Paulo but Drake not so much and later You see why.
Of course a lot of Joh Milton books are, but this one was really excellent. Never been to Rio but he made it palpable. It starts a little slow but builds up steam. Interesting how he made you like Paulo but Drake not so much and later You see why.
May 14, 2022
This was a very exciting story. As usual John carries his every promise through to completion.
August 6, 2018
Not bad, but without the usual zing of a fast paced Milton tale. Takes longer to get rolling than usual, but once it does, the story, while well told, has some implausible aspects (e.g. Paulo as assistant).
May 3, 2018
Lest you think John Milton is all work and no play, he starts this book in Rio for a concert he has been looking forward to and reuniting with an old pal, Shawn Drake. The concert was a blast. Drake runs a security company that is hired by a no nonsense judge to protect his wife and daughter while the daughter goes to a recital. Problem is, Drake is one man short on his team, and naturally, Milton offers to help. Here is where you know that things are going to go sideways. Rio isn't all glitter. It is heavy into to drug cartels and crime. Someone wants leverage on the judge and his family is a good way to do that. The entire security detail, except for Milton, get taken out along with 4 of the guys sent to abduct them. They got the little girl, but not the mother. You know that there is always someone that John helps out in the process of dispensing justice and this book is no exception. He is easy to identify early on. You expect a lot of action and a good story from Mark Dawson and this continues the tradition.
May 1, 2018
Reading and reviewing Mark Dawson's books is getting rather frustrating, because I can't find anything to criticise!
This book is set in Rio, and although I have never been lucky enough to visit there, I really feel that I know it, the descriptions of both the rich and poor areas are incredibly well described, and very evocative.
The storyline is the best yet of the Milton books, and that is quite an accolade as the bar is already set very high indeed. The twists and turns to the plot are plentiful, and surprising and I loved the ending, which without giving away too much, is classic Milton.
That Milton's character is well drawn is no surprise, he has been around for 12 books already, but the other characters are also very believable and human, both in their strengths and their weaknesses.
This book is a case study in how to write a great thriller, deserves to be right up there with the best in class.
I received an advance copy of the book from Mark, but the review is honest and based on my own views.
This book is set in Rio, and although I have never been lucky enough to visit there, I really feel that I know it, the descriptions of both the rich and poor areas are incredibly well described, and very evocative.
The storyline is the best yet of the Milton books, and that is quite an accolade as the bar is already set very high indeed. The twists and turns to the plot are plentiful, and surprising and I loved the ending, which without giving away too much, is classic Milton.
That Milton's character is well drawn is no surprise, he has been around for 12 books already, but the other characters are also very believable and human, both in their strengths and their weaknesses.
This book is a case study in how to write a great thriller, deserves to be right up there with the best in class.
I received an advance copy of the book from Mark, but the review is honest and based on my own views.
May 4, 2018
First class
Mark Dawson has excelled himself again. I love the character - John Milton - and this action thriller story is riveting from start to finish. Clearly researched well giving sufficient technical and location detailed, without interfering with the fast paced story. Although this is part of a series of John Milton books it could be enjoyed in its own. However I would strongly recommend reading the series from start to finish to fully appreciate the evolving character. I love this author and have read his entire catalogue. I am already looking forward to his next book.
Mark Dawson has excelled himself again. I love the character - John Milton - and this action thriller story is riveting from start to finish. Clearly researched well giving sufficient technical and location detailed, without interfering with the fast paced story. Although this is part of a series of John Milton books it could be enjoyed in its own. However I would strongly recommend reading the series from start to finish to fully appreciate the evolving character. I love this author and have read his entire catalogue. I am already looking forward to his next book.
May 4, 2018
Does not disappoint
The only bad thing about reading a John Milton novel is that you know it will soon be over. I read this one in just over a day. It didn’t disappoint.
Milton is back attending a rock festival in Rio but John being John he gets caught in a battle with a local kingpin and needless to say, there follows pages and pages of riveting action. Enough said about the plot. If you like the Milton novels then this one’s for you. If this is your first Milton novel, try it. You’ll love it.
The only bad thing about reading a John Milton novel is that you know it will soon be over. I read this one in just over a day. It didn’t disappoint.
Milton is back attending a rock festival in Rio but John being John he gets caught in a battle with a local kingpin and needless to say, there follows pages and pages of riveting action. Enough said about the plot. If you like the Milton novels then this one’s for you. If this is your first Milton novel, try it. You’ll love it.
May 6, 2018
Loved this, in fact it may have to replace my favourite in the series which up until now has been the Nineth Step. Great addition to a fabulous series. I love the old Group Fifteen days and while on his own here this has the same feel. Milton seeming a bit less tortured here and more comfortable with himself and struggling less with the old demons. Cracking action and plot. Very fast paced a definite unputdownable read
May 3, 2018
Just when I think Mark Dawson can’t top his most recent Milton book, he does. The storyline is complex, starting almost as two separate stories and then merging into a page turning book that is hard to put down. The characters are multidimensional and morph in some instances from good to bad and back.
Milton is down in Rio for a festival and staying with a friend from the service. When his friend, who has a private security firm is a man short, Milton steps in to cover. What happens next is a nightmare, with Milton moving forward for revenge.
I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.
Milton is down in Rio for a festival and staying with a friend from the service. When his friend, who has a private security firm is a man short, Milton steps in to cover. What happens next is a nightmare, with Milton moving forward for revenge.
I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.
May 17, 2022
Around the world with Milton and lots of action!!
May 1, 2018
Yet another John Milton book to love. The beginning of the book sets the scene and introduces us to the cast of characters and then the action takes off and doesn't let up till the very satisfying end. John Milton is still travelling, trying to redeem himself for his past actions, and goes to Rio for a music festival which he thoroughly enjoys. Things go downhill from there, of course, as he falls into trouble as usual and the man who professes to being just a chef (to quote Steven Seagal in Under Siege, "I also cook") lets out his inner avenging angel. He is actually Captain Scarlet because he truly is indestructible and I am very thankful for that!
I don't need to go to Rio now because Mark Dawson's meticulous eye for detail means I feel like I have actually walked through the favela, smelt the good and bad smells pervading it, seen the statue of the Redeemer, experienced the vast metaphysical gap between the rich and the poor and the actual lack of physical gap between the two sections of society, rubbing shoulders in the sprawling city. The whole place comes alive in this novel and is another character in it's own right.
This series improves with every book and Mark Dawson is a marvel. John Milton is a character who is all too human but so much more than that. He deserves redemption but not just yet because I don't want this series to ever end.
I don't need to go to Rio now because Mark Dawson's meticulous eye for detail means I feel like I have actually walked through the favela, smelt the good and bad smells pervading it, seen the statue of the Redeemer, experienced the vast metaphysical gap between the rich and the poor and the actual lack of physical gap between the two sections of society, rubbing shoulders in the sprawling city. The whole place comes alive in this novel and is another character in it's own right.
This series improves with every book and Mark Dawson is a marvel. John Milton is a character who is all too human but so much more than that. He deserves redemption but not just yet because I don't want this series to ever end.
July 17, 2025
3.5. Slow getting into the action. But once the action started, it is John Milton all the way! Not quite the thrills and chills of other installments in the series, but good nonetheless. Great ending!
October 30, 2020
This is John Milton at his best, underestimated by his enemies, fighting the good fight for genuine and believable characters that are easy to grow attached to, and dispensing his own brand of vigilante justice as only John can. It has everything that has made this series so enjoyable, and if you have liked any of the John Milton books that have come before this, then you will more than likely enjoy this one as well.
Interestingly, I wasn't expecting to like this one so much after the start of the novel. It is a bit slower getting started than most John Milton books, but that isn't actually a detriment here. It gave us the chance to explore and grow attached to new characters and made the stakes when the action finally kicked in all the higher.
Despite my 5-star review of this one though, I do have some gripes. The first is that it ended a little abruptly (something of a common flaw across this series). I am not looking for pages and pages of ending, but I always enjoy the aftermath of these adventures and seeing where things lie when the dust settles.
I am also starting to get a little frustrated with how John uses and abuses his allies. Whether it's Hicks, Ziggy or now the man in this book, whoever helps him almost always pays a price for doing so. Yet, for some reason, John doesn't seem to care about that. He has a strong emotional attachment to doing what is right for strangers, but somehow overlooks the role he plays in bringing these people pain.
They're small gripes though and overall I loved this book about as much as I've loved any Milton book. 12 books in and the series is showing no signs of slowing.
Interestingly, I wasn't expecting to like this one so much after the start of the novel. It is a bit slower getting started than most John Milton books, but that isn't actually a detriment here. It gave us the chance to explore and grow attached to new characters and made the stakes when the action finally kicked in all the higher.
Despite my 5-star review of this one though, I do have some gripes. The first is that it ended a little abruptly (something of a common flaw across this series). I am not looking for pages and pages of ending, but I always enjoy the aftermath of these adventures and seeing where things lie when the dust settles.
I am also starting to get a little frustrated with how John uses and abuses his allies. Whether it's Hicks, Ziggy or now the man in this book, whoever helps him almost always pays a price for doing so. Yet, for some reason, John doesn't seem to care about that. He has a strong emotional attachment to doing what is right for strangers, but somehow overlooks the role he plays in bringing these people pain.
They're small gripes though and overall I loved this book about as much as I've loved any Milton book. 12 books in and the series is showing no signs of slowing.
June 8, 2026
4 Stars
…He considers himself an artisan. A craftsman. His trade is murder.
Milton is the man the government sends after you when everything else has failed. Ruthless. Brilliant. Anonymous. Lethal. You wouldn't pick him out of a crowd but you wouldn't want to be on his list. But now, after ten years, he's had enough - there's blood on his hands and he wants out. Trouble is, this job is not one you can just walk away from…
Redeemer is Book #12 in the John Milton Series by Mark Dawson - which brims with gripping action, moral complexity, and emotional depth – and kept me engrossed right from the very first page.
John Milton is a former government assassin who has walked away from a life of sanctioned killing, now burdened by guilt and haunted by the ghosts of his past. Instead of disappearing into obscurity, Milton sets out on a personal mission to help those in desperate need, often putting himself in harm’s way to right wrongs and protect the vulnerable.
Mr. Dawson has a great knack for balancing high-octane action with moments of quiet humanity. Milton isn’t a flawless hero - he’s a man wrestling with his conscience, battling insomnia, and trying to atone for the blood on his hands. This vulnerability makes him relatable, even as he navigates dangerous situations with the precision of a seasoned operative.
Perfect for readers who enjoy thrillers with a lone-wolf protagonist, morally grey dilemmas, and a strong emotional undercurrent.
Happy Reading…
…He considers himself an artisan. A craftsman. His trade is murder.
Milton is the man the government sends after you when everything else has failed. Ruthless. Brilliant. Anonymous. Lethal. You wouldn't pick him out of a crowd but you wouldn't want to be on his list. But now, after ten years, he's had enough - there's blood on his hands and he wants out. Trouble is, this job is not one you can just walk away from…
Redeemer is Book #12 in the John Milton Series by Mark Dawson - which brims with gripping action, moral complexity, and emotional depth – and kept me engrossed right from the very first page.
John Milton is a former government assassin who has walked away from a life of sanctioned killing, now burdened by guilt and haunted by the ghosts of his past. Instead of disappearing into obscurity, Milton sets out on a personal mission to help those in desperate need, often putting himself in harm’s way to right wrongs and protect the vulnerable.
Mr. Dawson has a great knack for balancing high-octane action with moments of quiet humanity. Milton isn’t a flawless hero - he’s a man wrestling with his conscience, battling insomnia, and trying to atone for the blood on his hands. This vulnerability makes him relatable, even as he navigates dangerous situations with the precision of a seasoned operative.
Perfect for readers who enjoy thrillers with a lone-wolf protagonist, morally grey dilemmas, and a strong emotional undercurrent.
Happy Reading…
January 9, 2023
3.5 actually as it was a bit of a mish mash of stories with some weak glue to hold them together. This time it is a trip down memory lane to hang with his old annoying only friend in Rio for a Guns and Roses concert. Friend has a hot girlfriend, needs money, is a double crosser while across the city some poor kid with wife and child dying of cancer (bit of a repetitive theme here Mark, like money under the floorboards trick, people almost hurling but not quite, steely ice blue eyes etc) has to drive for money and is excellent unless his brake lines are cut (never did get that dude paid back). Then some rich (always) no good drug dealing underworld boss who owns the whole town gets involved with kidnapping kid who can play a mean violin (who went from clever to "I want my mommy" in 2.2 seconds then just disappeared with nothing else to say). Yes, big bundles of money were distributed, the bad boss gets it, though we don't witness how, and we all get to wonder why Milton didn't grab Bianca while he could, she seemed nice. Drake gets what he deserved but you'd think he would have been a bit more careful with his pal Milton around, lousy drunk! Ok off to next adventure I guess, crank the G and R!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2025
Here we are introduced to another of Milton's old friends - Shawn Drake.
After enjoying a few days, and a music festival, with his old friend, Milton finds his friend has trouble with his security business - he is short a man for an important job the next day. Milton, of course, offers to help his old friend.
What should have been a routine protection of a judge's wife and daughter turns into a kidnapping of the young girl and the shooting of his old friend right in front of his face.
As the only surviving member of the security team, Milton promises himself that he will find and rescue the girl and make those that took her pay for the death of his friend.
But doing this isn't as easy as it might sound. So many twists and turns and so many things (and people) who are not what or who they seem to be. Luckily, Shawn wasn't the only friend Milton had in Rio.
I listed to the audio version of this book and found the narrator to be suited to the story.
Am I glad I read it - yes.
Was it a waste of my time - no.
Would I sit down and read it all over again - not really that kind of book - once you know how it ends, you know.
Would I read more by this author based on this book - yes.
After enjoying a few days, and a music festival, with his old friend, Milton finds his friend has trouble with his security business - he is short a man for an important job the next day. Milton, of course, offers to help his old friend.
What should have been a routine protection of a judge's wife and daughter turns into a kidnapping of the young girl and the shooting of his old friend right in front of his face.
As the only surviving member of the security team, Milton promises himself that he will find and rescue the girl and make those that took her pay for the death of his friend.
But doing this isn't as easy as it might sound. So many twists and turns and so many things (and people) who are not what or who they seem to be. Luckily, Shawn wasn't the only friend Milton had in Rio.
I listed to the audio version of this book and found the narrator to be suited to the story.
Am I glad I read it - yes.
Was it a waste of my time - no.
Would I sit down and read it all over again - not really that kind of book - once you know how it ends, you know.
Would I read more by this author based on this book - yes.
May 20, 2026
John Milton is at it again, doing to the bad guys just what they do to anybody but his kind of justice is worse than they could imagine.
This time John is in Rio where he has gone to see an old friend and to visit a rock show where thousands go to every year and he has been promising himself to attend one day. Whilst there his friend Mark who's business is security asks him to fill in for one of his staff when he is escorting the wife and daughter of a notorious judge to a recital which the daughter is performing in, John agrees to help but a simple job goes badly wrong. The daughter is abducted, the security team are killed and John finds himself desperately trying to get the daughter back but the baddies, the top gang from the worst part of Rio, just don't know what is in store for them.
Once again Mark Dawson brings us a story which doesn't hold back, a strong and violent plot, fast paced and so enjoyable to read. Everyone a winner Mark! John Milton is a tough, tough man and is very hard to beat and for me, is on out his own. 5/5
This time John is in Rio where he has gone to see an old friend and to visit a rock show where thousands go to every year and he has been promising himself to attend one day. Whilst there his friend Mark who's business is security asks him to fill in for one of his staff when he is escorting the wife and daughter of a notorious judge to a recital which the daughter is performing in, John agrees to help but a simple job goes badly wrong. The daughter is abducted, the security team are killed and John finds himself desperately trying to get the daughter back but the baddies, the top gang from the worst part of Rio, just don't know what is in store for them.
Once again Mark Dawson brings us a story which doesn't hold back, a strong and violent plot, fast paced and so enjoyable to read. Everyone a winner Mark! John Milton is a tough, tough man and is very hard to beat and for me, is on out his own. 5/5
June 23, 2024
This was another solid stories in this series on an ex-MI5 assassin, John Milton. Once again he gets involved in a situation that results in him having to fill the role of that makes use of the skills he mastered in the profession that he turned his back on...the skills required of an assassin.
This story finds him in Rio de Janeiro for Carnivale visiting an old friend from his early days in the military. His friend has a security business and due to an absence of one of his employees, Milton offers to step in to help out. Of course circumstances work to involve him in a situation where he finds himself working to get an innocent person out of a jam with some very bad people.
This is the part of the story in which Dawson excels...describing the actions required...and once again he does a great job both with the action and the way he uses the character of John Milton as the good guy who takes on the very bad guys to help out the innocents involved.
This story finds him in Rio de Janeiro for Carnivale visiting an old friend from his early days in the military. His friend has a security business and due to an absence of one of his employees, Milton offers to step in to help out. Of course circumstances work to involve him in a situation where he finds himself working to get an innocent person out of a jam with some very bad people.
This is the part of the story in which Dawson excels...describing the actions required...and once again he does a great job both with the action and the way he uses the character of John Milton as the good guy who takes on the very bad guys to help out the innocents involved.
August 17, 2023
Milton arrives in Rio for a concert featuring Guns ‘n Roses, staying with an ex-army friend and his girlfriend, Shawn Drake, who runs a security business. Drake’s most important client is a judge involved in an anti-corruption program – basically Lava Jato.
When one of Drake’s employees becomes unavailable for a critical job Milton offers to help guard the judge’s wife and daughter at a school recital. When the little girl is kidnapped and Milton almost dies, he promises to rescue the girl.
This is the standard Milton plot, wrong-place, wrong-time, criminals overestimating their abilities and justice will be served. In this case we have the backdrop of Rio, some Group Fifteen help, and an unlikely ally. Overall, not too bad, easy reading.
When one of Drake’s employees becomes unavailable for a critical job Milton offers to help guard the judge’s wife and daughter at a school recital. When the little girl is kidnapped and Milton almost dies, he promises to rescue the girl.
This is the standard Milton plot, wrong-place, wrong-time, criminals overestimating their abilities and justice will be served. In this case we have the backdrop of Rio, some Group Fifteen help, and an unlikely ally. Overall, not too bad, easy reading.
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