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Jonathan Quinn #8
The Discarded
He thought his final assignment would be simple: Transport a package from Japan to Amsterdam. But for Orlando's mentor, Abraham, the job was not at all like he expected and ended up haunting him.
Seven years later, Quinn and Orlando know something is up when Abraham asks for a favor. At his age, he should be sitting on a beach, enjoying his retirement, not working. After he tells them of his search for the last package he ever delivered, they help him unravel the truth, but soon realize they can't simply look for answers.
They must also protect the package, no matter the cost.
Seven years later, Quinn and Orlando know something is up when Abraham asks for a favor. At his age, he should be sitting on a beach, enjoying his retirement, not working. After he tells them of his search for the last package he ever delivered, they help him unravel the truth, but soon realize they can't simply look for answers.
They must also protect the package, no matter the cost.
Audible Audio
First published March 28, 2014
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About the author
Brett Battles
90 books1,062 followersBrett Battles is a NEW YORK TIMES bestselling and Barry Award-winning author of forty novels, including the Jonathan Quinn series and its Excoms spinoff, the Project Eden series, and the time bending Rewinder series. He’s also the coauthor, with Robert Gregory Browne, of the Alexandra Poe series. He is one of the founding members of Killer Year, and is a member of Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers. He lives and writes in Ventura County, California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
January 26, 2021
Four stars might be a bit generous but, then again, three would be a bit low. Like most Quinn books, this one had a pretty good plot, great pacing, was nearly believable, and had many of the same, well written and quite interesting characters. It also had a couple of new characters, one of which was very interesting albeit a bit too supermanish, well, make that superwomanish.
An old friend of Quinn's who happens to have been Orlando's mentor, Abraham, takes on an apparently simple assignment as his last before retirement. He is to courier a package from Asia to Amsterdam. The package turns out to be quite different than he expected as is the couriering (is that a word?). Seven years later he is still haunted by the things that went wrong on that assignment and he is given a piece of information that may allow him to right what he sees as a horrible wrong.
Things don't go quite as planned. Enter Quinn and Orlando. Abraham wants no part of their help. Chaos ensues as Quinn and Orlando persist in trying to help.
If you like Quinn books, you will almost certainly enjoy this one. It probably won't be your favorite but you almost certainly won't hate it. If you haven't read any Quinn books before, don't start here. Go to the first book in the series.
Over and Out
An old friend of Quinn's who happens to have been Orlando's mentor, Abraham, takes on an apparently simple assignment as his last before retirement. He is to courier a package from Asia to Amsterdam. The package turns out to be quite different than he expected as is the couriering (is that a word?). Seven years later he is still haunted by the things that went wrong on that assignment and he is given a piece of information that may allow him to right what he sees as a horrible wrong.
Things don't go quite as planned. Enter Quinn and Orlando. Abraham wants no part of their help. Chaos ensues as Quinn and Orlando persist in trying to help.
If you like Quinn books, you will almost certainly enjoy this one. It probably won't be your favorite but you almost certainly won't hate it. If you haven't read any Quinn books before, don't start here. Go to the first book in the series.
Over and Out
March 29, 2014
I thought The Destroyed was the best Quinn book when I read it... until I read The Collected. That lasted until I read The Enraged. I didn't think it could get any better. Well, I was wrong. I couldn't put this book down once I started. While I read the book I kept thinking who could it be that wanted to kill a little girl. At the end everything makes sense. I love the scene where Daeng was interrogated. Very funny. I laughed out loud while riding on the train. The other passengers probably think I was crazy.
Thanks to the book, I will be going to a Vietnamese restaurant this weekend. I have a craving for Pho all of a sudden.
Thanks to the book, I will be going to a Vietnamese restaurant this weekend. I have a craving for Pho all of a sudden.
September 19, 2020
This was not a straight forward book with some questionable hidden agendas. Not one of Battles' better books.
June 1, 2020
Another good story of Quinn. Orlando, Nate and Daeng. This was about a group trying to find an 11-year-old girl they wanted to kill, who they first tried to kill when she was 4, when they killed her mother. And it was about sweet and stubborn Abraham, a retired spy who was helping Quinn. It was a real “killer” book. I couldn’t wait for that awful Gloria to get what was coming to her.
It was an exciting book.
There was no sex and the F-bomb was used 11 times.
As to the narration: This was published in 2014 and Scott Brick has gotten much better since then. This is when he needed a little help with the female voices. Still, I love listening to him narrate.
September 23, 2021
4 1/2 Stars - Loved it! Most awesome ending !
February 25, 2024
Author changed his writing for the better, good book
July 16, 2020
There is a chance on a series this long that books will start to have a formulaic feel to them. So far the Quinn series has avoid this pitfall. This book has a fresh plot and extremely well written seconday characters.
November 21, 2023
Keeps getting better
Wow! What a great ride!! This series gets better with each book. Quinn, Orlando, Nate and now Daeng are a crack team with a code of justice that keeps them on the side of good despite their chosen profession.
Wow! What a great ride!! This series gets better with each book. Quinn, Orlando, Nate and now Daeng are a crack team with a code of justice that keeps them on the side of good despite their chosen profession.
October 30, 2015
Surprising ending
Another great adventure helping the "good guys". You can always rely on Brett Battles for suspense and mystery. The characters always surprise you. Great read.
Another great adventure helping the "good guys". You can always rely on Brett Battles for suspense and mystery. The characters always surprise you. Great read.
August 12, 2024
I would encourage you to read the previous books in this series before tackling this one. It's not absolutely necessary, but you will gain a deeper and better understanding of who these characters are if you have grown with them through the previous books.
This is a magnificent story that manages to be both sweet and sad. Obviously, I'm not so gauche as to go into great details about the ending. But if you start it, you'll finish it. I'm quite certain of that.
Brief background: Jonathan Quinn is a fixer. He essentially cleans up after messes left behind by other spy operatives. He is the guy who pours acid on the bodies and turns them into unrecognizable sludge. His girlfriend's name is Orlando. An old spy named Abraham served as her mentor when she started in the business.
Seven years before this book opened, Abraham caught an assignment from his superiors. He was supposed to be a currier.
It turned out the package he was to safely shepherd from Tokyo to a location in Europe was a four-year-old girl. She had seen someone put a bullet through her mother's forehead. Despite that, she proved herself a delightful child who bonded with Abraham almost immediately. She captivated him immediately as well. He bought her a little set of checkers and taught her to play during their lengthy airplane rides across the world. When it came time to give her up, he was extremely reluctant to do so. Against his better judgment, he handed her over to his superiors. His decision broke the little girl's heart. And for that matter, it broke his.
Every year on the anniversary of the job, he calls a friend inside the CIA to determine whether anything new is available about the little girl. Seven years later, his friend admits that in fact there is new information, and he is willing to share with Abraham if Abraham can get to Florida. Unfortunately, those who don't want Abraham to find the little girl murder his contact before the two can meet. From then forward, it's a blood-saturated cat-and-mouse game Between Quinn and his associates and those who don't want anyone to find out anything about Tessa.
I find great anticipation in the knowledge that this series continues beyond this book. I'm not sure when I'll snag the next installment, but I'm looking forward to it whenever it is.
This is a magnificent story that manages to be both sweet and sad. Obviously, I'm not so gauche as to go into great details about the ending. But if you start it, you'll finish it. I'm quite certain of that.
Brief background: Jonathan Quinn is a fixer. He essentially cleans up after messes left behind by other spy operatives. He is the guy who pours acid on the bodies and turns them into unrecognizable sludge. His girlfriend's name is Orlando. An old spy named Abraham served as her mentor when she started in the business.
Seven years before this book opened, Abraham caught an assignment from his superiors. He was supposed to be a currier.
It turned out the package he was to safely shepherd from Tokyo to a location in Europe was a four-year-old girl. She had seen someone put a bullet through her mother's forehead. Despite that, she proved herself a delightful child who bonded with Abraham almost immediately. She captivated him immediately as well. He bought her a little set of checkers and taught her to play during their lengthy airplane rides across the world. When it came time to give her up, he was extremely reluctant to do so. Against his better judgment, he handed her over to his superiors. His decision broke the little girl's heart. And for that matter, it broke his.
Every year on the anniversary of the job, he calls a friend inside the CIA to determine whether anything new is available about the little girl. Seven years later, his friend admits that in fact there is new information, and he is willing to share with Abraham if Abraham can get to Florida. Unfortunately, those who don't want Abraham to find the little girl murder his contact before the two can meet. From then forward, it's a blood-saturated cat-and-mouse game Between Quinn and his associates and those who don't want anyone to find out anything about Tessa.
I find great anticipation in the knowledge that this series continues beyond this book. I'm not sure when I'll snag the next installment, but I'm looking forward to it whenever it is.
August 28, 2022
Like many of the books in this series, the story moves fast. The author eschews being overly descriptive, but he does provide sufficient locale and scenery depictions to visualize a place or situation. I'm fine with less words for this type of book. In order to move the story along at a brisk pace, the protagonists often perform tasks far quicker and easier than possible (if even possible at all). This is not uncommon in this genre, but the book does tend to employ these unrealistic skills too often. The author makes it far too simple for the main characters to hack into anything and deactivate or jam any technology.
***SPOILER ALERT***
The storyline was predictable which is okay. When I'm reading for fun, I'm not looking for emotional drama or catastrophes at every turn. I do think Quinn acted out of character at the McCrillis facility when he could have killed Gloria. Daeng was already with Nate and he was not bleeding out, so why he didn't kill her or at least secure in the chair to question her. Although nothing came of it, I also thought it was careless that Orlando let Abe use his personal cell phone to call the number Becker left him. It could have been traced back to Abe and then they would know who was hunting for the girl. There is a small surprise at the very end, but it doesn't have to do with the main story. It will impact future books, though.
If you overlook the things that "can't really happen" as written in the book, then this is a good series. I found this book to have an interesting storyline and be a good addition to the series.
***SPOILER ALERT***
The storyline was predictable which is okay. When I'm reading for fun, I'm not looking for emotional drama or catastrophes at every turn. I do think Quinn acted out of character at the McCrillis facility when he could have killed Gloria. Daeng was already with Nate and he was not bleeding out, so why he didn't kill her or at least secure in the chair to question her. Although nothing came of it, I also thought it was careless that Orlando let Abe use his personal cell phone to call the number Becker left him. It could have been traced back to Abe and then they would know who was hunting for the girl. There is a small surprise at the very end, but it doesn't have to do with the main story. It will impact future books, though.
If you overlook the things that "can't really happen" as written in the book, then this is a good series. I found this book to have an interesting storyline and be a good addition to the series.
June 5, 2018
This series keeps getting better and better with each book! Brett Battles finds new and interesting ways to make the characters even more interesting, and the suspense just keeps building throughout the entire book. Brett Battles writing style is fantastic, but it gets better with each book. This book is by definition a page turner, and keeps the reader hooked until the last sentence.
This book took a different approach than the last couple books with Abraham and Tessa becoming central to the story very early on. Usually it is Quinn, Orlando, or Nate who need help, but this time it is Orlando's mentor who comes calling, and I liked seeing it from Abe's perspective, resisting help from Orlando and Quinn at first. It was a different way to start the book but it was just as effective.
Abe is a very likable character, but the story in itself was one of the best that Battles has come up with. I mean, the fact that someone is trying to kill a little girl for some unknown reason, and Quinn and his team are trying to stop them is enough reason for me to keep reading.
Brett Battles was really my first introduction to the thriller genre and I keep coming back to his books because of his unique characters and the situations he puts them in. I would highly recommend this series to anyone who is looking for a new team of characters to fall in love with. I can't wait to read more Quinn books!
And that ending was so surprisingly perfect for longtime Quinn fans too!
This book took a different approach than the last couple books with Abraham and Tessa becoming central to the story very early on. Usually it is Quinn, Orlando, or Nate who need help, but this time it is Orlando's mentor who comes calling, and I liked seeing it from Abe's perspective, resisting help from Orlando and Quinn at first. It was a different way to start the book but it was just as effective.
Abe is a very likable character, but the story in itself was one of the best that Battles has come up with. I mean, the fact that someone is trying to kill a little girl for some unknown reason, and Quinn and his team are trying to stop them is enough reason for me to keep reading.
Brett Battles was really my first introduction to the thriller genre and I keep coming back to his books because of his unique characters and the situations he puts them in. I would highly recommend this series to anyone who is looking for a new team of characters to fall in love with. I can't wait to read more Quinn books!
And that ending was so surprisingly perfect for longtime Quinn fans too!
August 14, 2020
Quinn and team help out Orlando's mentor, Abraham, after he reaches out to her for information. Seven years earlier, he had been a courier sent to transport a package that turned out to be a four year-old girl named Tessa. Abraham has obsessed over her fate, reaching out to a CIA associate for information. When the man says he found something and then goes missing, Abraham starts searching.
The Discarded read a litle differently than previous books in the series. The dialog wasn't as crisp. I don't know if there was a different editor, but the writing felt weaker. However, it was nice to see Quinn's group working as a team. Even the fringe characters refer to taking care of their own. The work of a cleaner is a bit unique in this genre, although most of this novel has Quinn doing things other than a contracted job.
The Discarded read a litle differently than previous books in the series. The dialog wasn't as crisp. I don't know if there was a different editor, but the writing felt weaker. However, it was nice to see Quinn's group working as a team. Even the fringe characters refer to taking care of their own. The work of a cleaner is a bit unique in this genre, although most of this novel has Quinn doing things other than a contracted job.
April 28, 2020
Another top notch installment in one of my favorite series. This one is really a mystery that twists and turns and puts Quinn and his team in harms way to solve it. It comes from Orlando's old mentor who had retired after a job seven years previously. It involved a young child that he gave up and regretted not ensuring her safety personally.
As with most all of Battles stories in the series the characters are first rate as is the plotting. I highly recommend this series for all that like their thrillers with an espionage element to them. He knows how to keep the story moving and surprise the reader along the way.
As with most all of Battles stories in the series the characters are first rate as is the plotting. I highly recommend this series for all that like their thrillers with an espionage element to them. He knows how to keep the story moving and surprise the reader along the way.
December 31, 2019
A classic good vs. evil story.
Just how far would someone go to complete an op?
A former operative took a courier job that turned out to be his swan song.
When the simple hand off job became more and more difficult and his ethic were questioned he decided a quick exit was the best route.
Haunted by his decision, he seeks the truth about the mission and what happened to the op and all the people involved.
After seven years when new events suddenly surface, Orlando is drawn into a bloodbath as not one or two, but three groups fight to finish the op started so many years ago.
Just how far would someone go to complete an op?
A former operative took a courier job that turned out to be his swan song.
When the simple hand off job became more and more difficult and his ethic were questioned he decided a quick exit was the best route.
Haunted by his decision, he seeks the truth about the mission and what happened to the op and all the people involved.
After seven years when new events suddenly surface, Orlando is drawn into a bloodbath as not one or two, but three groups fight to finish the op started so many years ago.
March 15, 2020
He thought his final assignment would be simple: Transport a package from Japan to Amsterdam. But for Orlando's mentor, Abraham, the job was not at all like he expected and ended up haunting him.
Seven years later, Quinn and Orlando know something is up when Abraham asks for a favor. At his age, he should be sitting on a beach, enjoying his retirement, not working. After he tells them of his search for the last package he ever delivered, they help him unravel the truth, but soon realize they can't simply look for answers.
Seven years later, Quinn and Orlando know something is up when Abraham asks for a favor. At his age, he should be sitting on a beach, enjoying his retirement, not working. After he tells them of his search for the last package he ever delivered, they help him unravel the truth, but soon realize they can't simply look for answers.
May 15, 2019
3.5 stars
Not their normal mission. this one revolves around the capture of a little girl. Years later a friend of Quinn and Orlando searches for the girl, later getting help from the team. This was an interesting story with a fascinating end as well. Lots of action with no breaks in the story.
Not their normal mission. this one revolves around the capture of a little girl. Years later a friend of Quinn and Orlando searches for the girl, later getting help from the team. This was an interesting story with a fascinating end as well. Lots of action with no breaks in the story.
July 30, 2020
I love this series. (audible review)
All the characters are amazing. The stories, dialogue, intrigue, mystery, action and great writing is so exciting all the time.
These books are really good and I totally recommend them.
The narration is amazing absolutely amazing. I love Scott Brick. He does such a good job on all the voices especially the female voices.
All the characters are amazing. The stories, dialogue, intrigue, mystery, action and great writing is so exciting all the time.
These books are really good and I totally recommend them.
The narration is amazing absolutely amazing. I love Scott Brick. He does such a good job on all the voices especially the female voices.
November 26, 2021
A great run, chase, shoot, etc. tale. The crew has grown to four and they rescue an eleven year old girl from the contract put out by a wealthy woman. Someone is always being caught and tortured, but it makes for exciting reading. There is a little surprise at the very end. Fans will like it, I’m sure.
August 3, 2017
Another winner
Read a few early Brett Battles books years ago and really enjoyed them. Rediscovered him recently and glad I did. Quinn is as enjoyable as ever... hasn't lost a step.
Read a few early Brett Battles books years ago and really enjoyed them. Rediscovered him recently and glad I did. Quinn is as enjoyable as ever... hasn't lost a step.
April 7, 2018
Another Fantastic Novel
The novels just get more involved with every story, A great series and the character's development is so rewarding to read. So looking forward to the next book.
The novels just get more involved with every story, A great series and the character's development is so rewarding to read. So looking forward to the next book.
September 30, 2017
The discarded
Another Jonathan Quinn page turner. Team Quinn again takes us on a journey of intrigue, malice and greed. They always get the bad guys.
Another Jonathan Quinn page turner. Team Quinn again takes us on a journey of intrigue, malice and greed. They always get the bad guys.
December 27, 2017
Excellent read on the lines of Ludlum. Really enjoyed it. Will read more of his.
May 1, 2018
Another great book in an outstanding series
July 1, 2018
Another great book
Really enjoy these books. Love the concept of the cleaners. Love Quinn and Nate, along with Orlando and Daeng. Will definitely continue the series.
Really enjoy these books. Love the concept of the cleaners. Love Quinn and Nate, along with Orlando and Daeng. Will definitely continue the series.
December 17, 2019
This series is so good I am not looking forward to when I read the last one. I feel like I know the characters personally.
January 29, 2020
Unique
Each book in this series it’s so unique from the one before it, yet the storyline is continuous. Can’t wait to read the next one. That’s always the case!
Each book in this series it’s so unique from the one before it, yet the storyline is continuous. Can’t wait to read the next one. That’s always the case!
February 18, 2020
I'm glad to be reaquainted with these characters, I also like the new guy Daeng.
March 4, 2021
Poor Quinn, he never gets an easy job.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews