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John Hayes #3

A New Beginning

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John Hayes is back…..

A chance meeting with a fascinating woman has the potential to change John's life. Could she be the one to bring him the happiness he lost after his wife was brutally murdered?…….. Will it be that easy?

Newly wealthy John Hayes is living an idyllic life in the exotic city of Bangkok. He spends his days keeping fit, exploring the city and enjoying the wonderful food but he is lonely,……..and when a beautiful woman walks into his life he thinks he has a chance to start afresh.

But with John life is never simple.

A penniless young girl desperate to start a new life……….a high flying foreign businessman with a murky past…….an alluring woman……. all come together to test John once again. Should he get involved and potentially risk his life and the lives of others? Or should he walk away and lose the woman he is growing to love?

“A New Beginning” is a fast-paced page-turning thriller which once again features John Hayes, an ordinary man in an extraordinary situation.

What people are saying about the John Hayes Series:

“an exciting, intriguing adventure that holds your attention and does not let go!” 

“I don’t read many thrillers, but this one had me hooked with the exotic locales descriptions and the characters. Highly recommended.”


“Liked this book very much. Read it in one sitting. Looking forward to reading more of the heroes adventures.”

“This book was a fast read because it was so well written and thought out."

“Very good book and I was pulled into the book like I was right there. This book is good enough to read again.”

"This was a wonderfully written book. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading more from this author. You should read it too!”

“The author keeps the reader captivated from page one until the very end. It is difficult to put the book down.”

Available in Digital, Print, and Large Print Formats

312 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 5, 2019

150 people are currently reading
44 people want to read

About the author

Mark David Abbott

38 books86 followers
Mark David Abbott was born in Cyprus but spent most of his formative years growing up in New Zealand. A love for travel has meant that he has spent much of his life living and working in different countries around the world and currently calls India home.
Mark has worked variously as a barman, a factory hand, supermarket shelf stocker, and a real estate salesman, but now devotes his time to writing and traveling.
Mark is a keen runner and in between runs is slowly building an impressive collection of Gin.

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5 stars
144 (55%)
4 stars
80 (30%)
3 stars
30 (11%)
2 stars
4 (1%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Profile Image for Kathi Defranc.
1,182 reviews498 followers
April 30, 2019
This is a fantastic new book in the 'John Hayes' series, a very entertaining tale that follows John into the jungle of Thailand trying to save a young girl held as a slave, and finding himself fighting against human traffickers!
You do not have to read the first two stories in this series to read this book, but I believe you will want to after you become involved in all this right loving man involves himself in!! John meets a new, very interesting woman, after losing his wife he really has not thought about a new relationship, however this idea builds quickly as he becomes intrigued ...
John is living in Bangkok, eating and living healthy, trying to remain happy when he meets this woman and realizes a problem with a young refugee. Again he finds himself wondering- should I get involved?? As he questions this he knows he must, especially when he finds human trafficking happening to people of the area!
I received an ARC of this amazing story from author Mark David Abbott, who I thank for an exciting read!! And I give you my honest and true feelings in this review, hoping you will become interested in this fantastic series!!
Profile Image for Judy Churchill.
2,567 reviews31 followers
April 16, 2023
John Hayes, the protagonist in this series, is not only tough but is a very good man. He takes on a cause, human trafficking, because it’s the right thing to do. A good read.
354 reviews4 followers
September 1, 2020
Another excellent read. This is the third book I have read in the John Hayes series and I am really enjoying them. The main character is totally believable and he has has a huge heart. He is a good man and I have to say he handles the situations he finds himself in thoughtfully and with compassion. That said, the action is non stop. As with the other books, it is so hard to put it down when reading. A huge thank you and a pat on the back for the author. Another well deserved five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Profile Image for Mark Beech.
80 reviews
July 10, 2020
Perfectly Acceptable Holiday Read

If you have read books one and two you will not be surprised as this follows a similar pattern to these stories. As per the title - perfectly acceptable read.
80 reviews2 followers
December 3, 2020
Another great book by Mark David Abbott

It was a great read. I just couldn't put it down. The details of human trafficking was so real. I thoroughly enjoyed the story. I would certainly recommend it to anyone.
630 reviews2 followers
June 11, 2021
Review

The world needs more people like John Hayes. He’s not some fantastic well trained super forces guy. In spite of being an average guy he does heroic things to save people. Enjoyed all of this series so far.
Profile Image for taffykathiegmail.com.
576 reviews
March 13, 2020
Make life fun

The third book in this series is just as enlightening as the previous two. Life sure comes at you fast & furious! Great fast reading. Never a dull chapter!
60 reviews
September 3, 2021
Colourful East

John Hayes becoming a hero once more, rescuing trafficked people, bringing the traffickers to justice and happy in his relationship with Adriana
Profile Image for Billie.
5,783 reviews72 followers
April 29, 2019
John Hayes is back…..
A chance meeting with a fascinating woman has the potential to change John's life. Could she be the one to bring him the happiness he lost after his wife was brutally murdered?…….. Will it be that easy?
Newly wealthy John Hayes is living an idyllic life in the exotic city of Bangkok. He spends his days keeping fit, exploring the city and enjoying the wonderful food but he is lonely,……..and when a beautiful woman walks into his life he thinks he has a chance to start afresh.
But with John life is never simple.
A penniless young girl desperate to start a new life……….a high flying foreign businessman with a murky past…….an alluring woman……. all come together to test John once again. Should he get involved and potentially risk his life and the lives of others? Or should he walk away and lose the woman he is growing to love?
“A New Beginning” is a fast-paced page-turning thriller which once again features John Hayes, an ordinary man in an extraordinary situation

This is the 3rd in the John Hayes series.
This is a very entertaining tale that follows John into the jungle of Thailand trying to save a young girl held as a slave, and finding himself fighting against human traffickers!
If you have never read the others it won't impact on reading this one as there is enough backstory provided to inform you. I feel it can also be read as a stand alone novel.
The plot is very intriguing and moves along at a great pace.
The characters are believable and very enjoyable.
This book also brings to light the ongoing plight of refugees and economic migrants as trafficking continues throughout the area to this day.
Recommend reading!

I received an ARC from the author but this is my own honest voluntary review.
Profile Image for Shannon Patterson.
927 reviews9 followers
May 7, 2019
Captivating!
Mark David Abbot delivers another gripping page turner in this third John Hayes book. I would recommend reading these stories in order as you get a much deeper understanding of this seemingly average man who keeps getting thrown into the most extraordinary situations. This story follows John as he’s trying to make a new life for himself, as we’ve come to expect life throws him a huge curveball.

This book will be hard to put down once you start but it flows so well you won’t even feel like you’ve been reading long. As with all books in this series John is faced with an impossible choice, you’ll have to read the story to find out what that is. There’s a lot of realism shedding a spotlight into the seedy world with trafficking, you will be drawn in!!!
Profile Image for Pete.
895 reviews7 followers
May 16, 2019
John Hayes is a very interesting central character, streetwise and savvy, but in a very realistic way, he isn't a superman, but the sort of guy that you would want to know, and that the world needs more of, he always tries to do the right thing.
This time the story is set in Thailand and although there is the adventure/thriller aspect there is also a very well written budding romance for John to add interest, and complicate matters for him as well.
This previous books in this series have been very well written, and this one maintains the standard, I had difficulty putting it down, as I wasn't sure just how it was going to turn out, not many books grab me in this way, but this one certainly did.
I did receive an advance copy of the book, but this honest review has been voluntarily written.
Profile Image for Angel Ballard.
771 reviews5 followers
May 6, 2019
Another great book in the John Hayes series. John Hayes is not just an ordinary man. He's someone this world needs more of. The best part about reading these books about him is the fact that you are not left feeling like, "Seriously?" His actions, as he deals with situations, are realistic. It makes your blood start pumping and has you turning page after page no matter the hour...you WANT to know how this turns out. In a time where everything is so outrageous and unrealistic, it's wonderful to sit back, grab that book and enjoy something real. As always, job well done Mr. Abbott! Loved every minute of it!
154 reviews1 follower
July 25, 2024
John Hayes is now living in Thailand keeping fit and enjoying life and the food there. He also meets a nice lady one day and hopes to see her again. He also comes across a teen who is being used as a sex slave. He saves the girl and tries to keep her safe. Finds out there is a human trafficking ring and he and his girlfriend try to stop it. The story is fast moving with lots of action that keeps you on the edge of your seat all they way through. Another great book by Mark David Abbott
312 reviews1 follower
April 26, 2019
john hayes is a man trying to move on with his life. he has lost his wife (vengeance), and job (cia). now living in thailand, thinking thing can be normal again. but come on, this is john hayes - he's a good guy, he's going to let people be hurt.
read "vengeance" and "a million reasons" for john hayes history. "vengeance" is my favorite!

this book shines a light on the ongoing plight of refugees and economic migrants as trafficking continues throughout the area.
Profile Image for Bev.
3,271 reviews98 followers
May 8, 2019
John thinks he has found 'the one' to make his life happy after the death of his wife. The problem is there are others to consider and that is what makes this story so interesting. Make no mistake, this is not a 'love story' book. I enjoyed it very much. I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of this book.
Profile Image for Manfred.
553 reviews
May 13, 2019
A thriller about an ordinary man, no special forces, no black ops and nearly no guns/shooting.
The pages nearly keep turning themselves. And, unlike lots of politicians, John Hayes has a consience and cares about people who have to leave their homes and become refugees. A must read and one that dives into current problems on this earth.
201 reviews2 followers
May 7, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. Great characters, well written, page turner. Good job. I received an Arc copy of this book and I voluntarily leaving a review.
1,819 reviews13 followers
December 20, 2023
Mark David Abbott knows how to gain your interest from the very beginning until the end. John Hayes is in Bangkok and meets Adrianna who he develops feelings for from the first meeting. He finds out a local restaurant owner has a house keeper that is kept captive. John works with Adrianna to rescue the girl, Amira. This leads to finding a ring of corruption to a high government level of human trafficking. There are a number of hurtles to overcome. This novel leads you to a thrilling conclusion.
Profile Image for Shelley Amazon ca reviews as Purrrplehaze .
512 reviews45 followers
May 16, 2020
This series keeps getting better! Exotic locales, timely, current events and a hero for the masses. An easy to follow narrative that takes you on a journey. John Hayes is an everyman taken out of the every day and into adventures. Well done!
1,791 reviews7 followers
July 20, 2021
A fairly good read.
Profile Image for Justine.
4 reviews
June 3, 2024
Love these stories! The writing is so incredibly descriptive. It feels like you’re there.

Nice to see Hayes moving through his grief too!
Profile Image for Dave.
638 reviews9 followers
December 21, 2020
Okay, this is the third (and probably last) of this series I have read. At first, the concept of a nebbishy office worker without combat skills developing into an action hero was refreshingly new. This, the third such story, starts to feel like "same old, same old!" The characters are thinly drawn and the plot is predictable. I have too many books in my library yet to read to bother with any more of these.
Profile Image for Angela Carter.
368 reviews13 followers
May 7, 2019
John is enjoying life in Bangkok when he meets a beautiful woman named Adriana at a coffee shop. They stumble upon a human trafficking ring. I was eagerly turning the pages in this action packed story. There's a hint of romance too because after all everyone deserves a second chance. I received an ARC of this and volunteered to review it.
Profile Image for Annemarie .
954 reviews22 followers
May 15, 2023
I am beginning to think that John is simply not destined for a peaceful existence. Trouble seems to find him wherever he goes. Sit back (or on the edge of your seat) while John comes to grips with a crooked businessman, corrupt police and people traffickers. Never a dull moment.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews

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