Thou Shall Not Kill

Commander John Hart #3

by John Leifer

It was a beautiful morning graced by crystal blue skies as Kamal passed through the gate at Sapir Academic College, Israel’s largest public university. Unnoticed, he merged seamlessly into the flow of bodies traversing the campus. At precisely 9:05 a.m. he began to recite his prayers. Two minutes later, he stopped, stared at the heavens, then shouted, “Allah Akbar!” before depressing a detonator. In a millisecond, scorching hot metal ripped through the flesh of anyone within Kamal’s line of sight. Students dropped mid-stride. Dismembered bodies lined the sidewalks, and blood soaked the grass. Kamal’s headless torso lay amid the dead and dying.

It was merely the first shot in a methodically planned, multi-pronged attack designed to “wipe Israel from the face of the earth.” Its perpetrators included a combined army, 40,000 men strong, of Iranian, Syrian, Hezbollah, Hamas, and Russian forces—men who would stop at nothing to achieve their objective.

As the attack escalated from an act of terrorism to an existential threat, the words, Never Again echoed in the mind of Israeli prime minister Abraham Rabinovich. It was a promise by Jewish Holocaust survivors to never again be passive in the face of systematic annihilation.

Genres: Fiction

301 pages, Paperback

First published April 30, 2019

About the author

John Leifer has a keen interest in national defense, and has written numerous articles on the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. His point of view has been shaped by interaction with key governmental agencies, independent scientists, and noted observers. His interviewees have ranged from the former chief nuclear weapons designer at Los Alamos to Nobel Laureates. Leifer has served on various panels, including a presidential panel charged with investigating the level of information sharing between CIA, NSA, DIA, and other branches of the intelligence community following 9/11. When not focused on national defense, Leifer writes extensively about health care issues. He is the author of two non-fiction books: After You Hear It's Cancer and The Myths of Modern Medicine (both published by Rowman & Littlefield). John is passionate about hiking and photography, and has a number of gallery showings to his credit.

HEALTH CARE BIO:

John Leifer worked for more than 30 years with the major factions comprising healthcare delivery in the United States, including some of the nation’s leading hospitals. Most recently, he served as a senior vice president for a 10-hospital system in the Midwest.

Leifer founded and published The Leifer Report, a healthcare publication that featured contributors ranging from President Bill Clinton to Newt Gingrich.

He has written extensively on healthcare issues and has been published in newspapers and magazines, such as Modern Healthcare, Hospitals & Health Networks, Washington Monthly, and The Kansas City Star. Leifer has also been profiled in several prominent magazines, including Money and Fortune.

Reviews

[Darryl Greer · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a novel’s dramatis personae includes such real life characters as the Syrian president, Bashar Al-Assad, the Iranian president, Hassan Rouhani, the Iranian Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the Russian Chief of General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, you know the story is at least going to be interesting. And so it is in "Thou Shall Not Kill", third and final book in author, John Leifer’s Commander John Hart trilogy. It is well known that Russia, the United States and Israel are in the nuclear weapons club and that Iran is on the cusp of joining if it isn’t there already. It is also beyond doubt that terrorist groups, Hamas and Hezbollah are armed to the teeth, courtesy of Iran and are hell bent on the complete destruction of the State of Israel. But what if a coalition organised by Iran and fully supported by Russia decides on a well planned, decisive attack on Israel, determined, once and for all, to wipe Israel off the map? And what if Israel, with its back against the wall, considers it has no choice but to use nuclear weapons to defend itself? Enter the United States and the president’s go to man for doomsday scenarios, Commander John Hart. The events which follow are frightening, not least because John Leifer has the uncanny ability to render the unlikely plausible.

This intelligently written novel falls squarely into the difficult-to-put-down variety. "Thou Shall Not Kill" is a thriller of thrillers that really stands out from the crowd. The fictional characters slide effortlessly in beside the real ones, events in the Middle East are described with care and diligent research, the fictional story is set into a believable context, frightening though that may be. John Leifer is able to describe in detail each of an incredible array of weapons in each side’s arsenal. For those readers who have followed the exploits of John Hart through the trilogy, there is an interesting — and thoughtful — twist at the end, understandable for a man who has witnessed what he has. It would be a sin if "Thou Shall Not Kill" does not make the bestseller list.

[Píaras Cíonnaoíth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-written military thriller with perfect pacing...

Thou Shall Not Kill by John Leifer is a wonderfully written and richly descriptive novel with brilliantly drawn characters. The author weaves a well-crafted military/political thriller with intriguing twists and turns that will captivate the reader from the first page to the last. Skillfully constructed and set against the backdrop of an alternate socio-political scenario, this book will have you on the edge of your seat!

The book description gives a sneak preview: ‘It was a beautiful morning graced by crystal blue skies as Kamal passed through the gate at Sapir Academic College, Israel’s largest public university. Unnoticed, he merged seamlessly into the flow of bodies traversing the campus. At precisely 9:05 a.m. he began to recite his prayers. Two minutes later, he stopped, stared at the heavens, then shouted, “Allah Akbar!” before depressing a detonator. In a millisecond, scorching hot metal ripped through the flesh of anyone within Kamal’s line of sight. Students dropped mid-stride. Dismembered bodies lined the sidewalks, and blood soaked the grass. Kamal’s headless torso lay amid the dead and dying.

It was merely the first shot in a methodically planned, multi-pronged attack designed to “wipe Israel from the face of the earth.” Its perpetrators included a combined army, 40,000 men strong, of Iranian, Syrian, Hezbollah, Hamas, and Russian forces—men who would stop at nothing to achieve their objective.

As the attack escalated from an act of terrorism to an existential threat, the words, Never Again echoed in the mind of Israeli prime minister Abraham Rabinovich. It was a promise by Jewish Holocaust survivors to never again be passive in the face of systematic annihilation.

With a single order, Rabinovich was poised to launch weapons capable of incinerating entire cities. Only two things stood in his way: his conscience and Commander John Hart.’…

Now, If you want to find out what happens, you’ll just have to turn the pages for yourself! However, I will say it was a fantastic read. This suspense thriller takes an alternative socio-political situation to develop a plot filled with action, mystery and intrigue. The novel delivers all the excitement of a great action thriller.

I enjoyed the story, character development, and dialogue. There were plenty of plot twists that I didn’t see coming and that added to the book’s mystique. When I stopped reading to work, I found myself wondering what happened in the book, and replaying parts of the novel in my head to see if I could figure more out. It has been a while since I enjoyed a book this much. It’s a well-written thriller with perfect pacing. Not much is as it appears here, which is just the way fans of the Mystery, Thriller, and Suspense will want it.

This was a fascinating and captivating read that had me immersed from the beginning. The story flowed from scene to scene with ease, and the author shows exceptional ability when it comes to storytelling. There are plenty of attention-grabbing moments in this page-turner that will take the reader on a gripping journey.

Thou Shall Not Kill had every element a good story should have. An intriguing plot, attention to detail, but best of all fleshed out, well-written and well-rounded character development. There’s an abundance of well-illustrated scenes that make you feel like you are right there in the story, and that’s something I really look for in a good book. It’s one of those stories that come along once in a while that makes you want to read it non-stop until you get to the end. I’m giving nothing further away here. And this, I hope, will only add to the mystery and enjoyment for the reader! There’s no doubt that Thou Shall Not Kill is an exceptionally well-written book.

Highly recommended and a well-deserved five stars from me.

[Vigilant Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title – Thou Shall Not Kill
Author – John Leifer
Genre – Military, Political Thriller
Word Count 80,000
Rating 5 stars out of 5
No. 17 - 2019
Posted 6/21/2019

My Impressions: Diabolical antagonist, religious fanatics, horror, shrewd response to attacks.

Main Characters:
Commander John Hart – The U.S. President’s go to guy to save the nation.
Too many to list. They are listed at the front of the book


If Thou Shall Not Kill was written by a well-known author, it would be a best seller. The Syrian Coalition (Syria, Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah and Russia) mounted a surprise attack at Israel and capped it with a chemical agent that killed thousands. Agent John Hart has been sent to assist the Israeli forces as they are threatened with annihilation if they don’t capitulate to Iran within forty-eight hours.
The action is fast, well thought out, and furious
Many exchanges occur between the Israeli prime minister and the American president in deciding how to deal with the deadly, diabolical attack using WMDs, without starting an all-out world war. And, of course, Commander Hart is right in the middle of the negotiations and the battle plans.
The romantic side of John and the Israeli prime minister are brought out with intimate exchanges with their wives.
The author has captured the terror of modern warfare where huge explosives, chemical weapons and nuclear bombs cause innumerable casualties among civilians as well as soldiers.

The editing and sentence structure are professional grade, and character development is great for all the major players.

This enjoyable tale is highly recommended to readers of war and political intrigue novels. And it only cost $3.99

This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.

[Donna Ford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a semi-fictional novel, third in the Commander John Hart series where danger lurks around every international corner.
Israel’s latest enemy is the Syrian Coalition made up of Shiite Muslims and Russians. The names of those assembled for a critical meeting read right off the latest newspaper front pages. The enemy faces around the table in a missile silo/bunker are well known to all, especially Leifer’s readers. Yet because those assembled are many, there is a welcome list of major characters given at the beginning of this three-hundred-page book. The topic under discussion concerns Israel’s ability, or rather inability, to counter asymmetrical threats.

Neither Israel nor America were expecting anything out of the ordinary since ISIS has been eliminated. Physical health of the Prime Minister’s wife is a main concern―that is until the Coalition’s meeting is followed by the first suicide bomber strike against an Israeli college. When missiles scream toward Tel Aviv carrying chemical payloads, everyone knows that Armageddon could be just around the corner. America’s President Conner assigns Commander John Hart to leave for Israel immediately. He believes their PM can benefit from a level head to respond to such attacks, with more likely on the way.

How far will Israel go to defend its citizens, yet avoid drawing the animosity of the entire world? Is America their only friend? Will Commander Hart play a greater role than peace keeper? Does the book’s title become his mantra going forward, in this last book of the Trilogy?

You'll find yourself wishing you read the first two books!

[Barred Owl Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a beautiful morning graced by crystal blue skies as Kamal passed through the gate at Sapir Academic College, Israel’s largest public university. Unnoticed, he merged seamlessly into the flow of bodies traversing the campus. At precisely 9:05 a.m. he began to recite his prayers. Two minutes later, he stopped, stared at the heavens, then shouted, “Allah Akbar!” before depressing a detonator. In a millisecond, scorching hot metal ripped through the flesh of anyone within Kamal’s line of sight. Students dropped mid-stride. Dismembered bodies lined the sidewalks, and blood soaked the grass. Kamal’s headless torso lay amid the dead and dying.
It was merely the first shot in a methodically planned, multi-pronged attack designed to “wipe Israel from the face of the earth.” Its perpetrators included a combined army, 40,000 men strong, of Iranian, Syrian, Hezbollah, Hamas, and Russian forces—men who would stop at nothing to achieve their objective.

As the attack escalated from an act of terrorism to an existential threat, the words, Never Again echoed in the mind of Israeli prime minister Abraham Rabinovich. It was a promise by Jewish Holocaust survivors to never again be passive in the face of systematic annihilation.

With a single order, Rabinovich was poised to launch weapons capable of incinerating entire cities. Only two things stood in his way: his conscience and Commander John Hart.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a scary book. It's all too easy to accept the premise because it is in our world. Personally, I cannot conceive of killing because of religion or fighting about land. What does it matter what one calls their God? Whether it's God or Allah That's my personal feeling. I did enjoy the book and hope others who read this will really think about their actions.

[Vivek · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written and paces military thriller, third of this series stood up to expectations from the Terminal and 8 secs to midnight.
A recommended military fiction read.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

After having read 8 seconds to midnight and terminal i think thou shall not kill is the best of the trilogy commander hart is gifted solider when does he return John Leifer

[Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly well written Military Thriller. It’s pace is perfect and I really enjoyed the story.