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Breaking Destiny
Of death and taxes, only one remains certain.
A quiet businessman—known by most as Joe Kettleman—narrowly survives an attempt on his life. While recovering from surgery to remove a bullet, imaging reveals a lethal tumor. Unwilling to spend his final days under chemical bombardment, he returns to a remote cabin in New Mexico to die in peace.
But when death takes its time and Joe outlives his supplies, he’s forced to take a perilous journey through the deserts of the Bisti Badlands. Two days into what was supposed to be a five day trek, Joe comes across a town.
A small city, really. Right in the middle of nowhere.
And it’s not on any map.
That’s when Joe’s fate collides with that of a beautiful young woman, desperate to escape the strange city and making wild claims about a genetically enhanced pandemic that will soon wipe out most of humanity.
Clearly she’s delusional. But something has her genuinely terrified. To unravel the mystery, Joe will have to put his death on hold.
- GenresScience Fiction
239 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 27, 2019
129 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
Mitty Walters
2 books26 followersYes, Mitty Walters is a pen name. It's a tribute to the classic, not the recent. When I read that story, I was a homeless teenager who was never sure where he would be sleeping the next night. I had an instant connection with Walter Mitty. But I always felt like his dark reflection. Walter's wild fantasy life helped him to escape his boring reality. But my fantasy was just to have a boring reality.
Too bleak? Fine.
The truth is I joined the Merchant Marines when I was fifteen. When they asked for ID, I gave them my dead cousin's birth certificate. Next thing I knew I was on a bus headed to Savannah. When I hopped my first freighter, my heart was filled with all kind of romantic notions. But three straight days of puking cajoled me back to reality. I didn't set foot on land for another four months.
The Merchant Marine is not some mysterious gateway to adventure for young lads. It's just work, sweat, and misery. I didn't get marooned on any island, didn't rescue any damsels in distress. I just toiled away pointlessly. The most adventure I had was getting arrested in Thailand with a bunch of drunken idiots that I didn't even know. I learned to speak a little Cantonese while I was in there, though. I wasted away for a eighteen months, until the riots began.
Crap. Too bleak again?
Look. You can be honest. You don't care who I am. You just want to go on wild ride. I'm cool with that. Let's do dis, yo. Just pick up the book and let's bounce.
Too bleak? Fine.
The truth is I joined the Merchant Marines when I was fifteen. When they asked for ID, I gave them my dead cousin's birth certificate. Next thing I knew I was on a bus headed to Savannah. When I hopped my first freighter, my heart was filled with all kind of romantic notions. But three straight days of puking cajoled me back to reality. I didn't set foot on land for another four months.
The Merchant Marine is not some mysterious gateway to adventure for young lads. It's just work, sweat, and misery. I didn't get marooned on any island, didn't rescue any damsels in distress. I just toiled away pointlessly. The most adventure I had was getting arrested in Thailand with a bunch of drunken idiots that I didn't even know. I learned to speak a little Cantonese while I was in there, though. I wasted away for a eighteen months, until the riots began.
Crap. Too bleak again?
Look. You can be honest. You don't care who I am. You just want to go on wild ride. I'm cool with that. Let's do dis, yo. Just pick up the book and let's bounce.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
July 15, 2020
Pop Sugar Challenge 2020: medical thriller
To be honest, I wasn’t super excited about this book when I downloaded it, or about the prompt in general. I was pleasantly surprised by this storyline. I put it in dystopian because we aren’t quite to the point where this mass virus release could happen (unless you believe that Covid was released...) but I think it’s possible for sure. I enjoyed the main character, Joe, more than I thought I would and I thought the build up was good. Then, everything happened so quickly and the ending wasn’t that good. The book was 245 pages and it felt like 3/4 was build up and everything was “wrapped up” in the last 1/4 - but it wasn’t really. What happened to Yoonie and Joe for one thing? The two main characters don’t get any kind of wrap up and we’re just told she’s on the run. I would have appreciated more for the people who “saved the world”.
To be honest, I wasn’t super excited about this book when I downloaded it, or about the prompt in general. I was pleasantly surprised by this storyline. I put it in dystopian because we aren’t quite to the point where this mass virus release could happen (unless you believe that Covid was released...) but I think it’s possible for sure. I enjoyed the main character, Joe, more than I thought I would and I thought the build up was good. Then, everything happened so quickly and the ending wasn’t that good. The book was 245 pages and it felt like 3/4 was build up and everything was “wrapped up” in the last 1/4 - but it wasn’t really. What happened to Yoonie and Joe for one thing? The two main characters don’t get any kind of wrap up and we’re just told she’s on the run. I would have appreciated more for the people who “saved the world”.
July 13, 2020
Great reading, couldn't put the book down and very informative relating to the worlds situation at the moment.
June 29, 2020
Good read
Good read. Disturbing at this time of true pandemic going on. Suspense and thriller. Thanks to the author for this read.
Good read. Disturbing at this time of true pandemic going on. Suspense and thriller. Thanks to the author for this read.
June 25, 2020
Great book!
Author was new to me and I look forward to reading more of his work!! AWESOME, kept my attention. On my way to buy another of his books.
Author was new to me and I look forward to reading more of his work!! AWESOME, kept my attention. On my way to buy another of his books.
June 16, 2020
Interesting
This book has intrigue, romance, science,humor and a great plot ! It makes you stop and think, hmm... this might actually be possible.c
This book has intrigue, romance, science,humor and a great plot ! It makes you stop and think, hmm... this might actually be possible.c
June 18, 2019
Again, a great read!
The only thing I have to complain about is I wish it was longer. Seriously. Great story, great characters and great action. This guy does his homework and make it plausible, in a “ Oh crap I hope this never happens” kind of way. I will be waiting for the next one so hurry up Mitty!!
The only thing I have to complain about is I wish it was longer. Seriously. Great story, great characters and great action. This guy does his homework and make it plausible, in a “ Oh crap I hope this never happens” kind of way. I will be waiting for the next one so hurry up Mitty!!
March 16, 2020
Yet another excellent piece of work from Mitty Walters. A bit more 'intense' than Breaking Gravity, but just as much of a page turner. Looking forward to the next installment. In the words of the song....."Things can only get better".😊👍
May 31, 2019
Great book
It does not go where you expect. A wild ride, right on the edge of possible. I enjoyed it and hope Mr Walters graces us with more stories soon.
It does not go where you expect. A wild ride, right on the edge of possible. I enjoyed it and hope Mr Walters graces us with more stories soon.
May 31, 2019
Keep em coming!
Can't wait until your next book is out. Like the pace and flow of your books. Can't put them down until finished.
Can't wait until your next book is out. Like the pace and flow of your books. Can't put them down until finished.
June 2, 2019
Excellent
Great story really nicely written, keeps you gripped from the start and really zips along, probably even better than Breaking Gravity. Looking forward to the next one.
Great story really nicely written, keeps you gripped from the start and really zips along, probably even better than Breaking Gravity. Looking forward to the next one.
June 5, 2019
Another 5 star book from Mitty Walters.
Extremely good writer, great theme, I can't wait for his next book!
Extremely good writer, great theme, I can't wait for his next book!
August 25, 2019
Joe Kettleman, a man living under an assumed identity, finds himself the target of assassins hired by none other than his wife. She was tired of his conservative ways and wanted her freedom along with the money. Confronted while on his fishing boat, Joe escapes with his life but takes a bullet in the shoulder with him. At the hospital h discovers he has a tumor in his throat having only a few more months to live. He decides to withdraw to a remote cabin he knows of deep in the Bisti Badlands of New Mexico. His health improving, he survives longer than expected, running short of supplies. Packing up the mules, he heads towards a small town on the map. Fearing he is lost; he stops at a high point to try to locate his position. Using binoculars, he sees in the distance a variety of buildings with people moving about, not appearing on the map. As he comes down from his lookout, he is confronted by an uninvited female Yoonie Brandt, holding his rifle on him. Here is where the true story begins. Yoonie weaved a strange tale of the compound Joe saw in the distance. The same compound she ran away from. The unbelievable tale Yoonie spun centered around the compound’s leader Arthur Woodhouse. It included a pandemic to devastate the earth, a vaccine to rival the fabled Fountain of Youth, the ability to cure cancer and dire warnings of a New World Order. As Joe gets pulled into the midst of this fantastic tale it is doubtful he will live long enough to make any positive difference. Even if he does, how would one man stop such a diabolical plan? I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
August 21, 2019
( Format : Audiobook )
"There was the here and the now and that's it."
There's a lot of story in this fairly short book, all based around Joseph Kettleman, at least that was the name he was known by when first we meet him. He doesn't really know his real given name, nor his actual age. Then an unexpected attempt on his life precipitated his hearing off into the desert to die - and his involvement in everything that follows. No more spoilers beyond saying that the events which follow are of world wide and potentially mind boggling significance. All is well written with great, but brief, descriptive prowess giving the reader a visual image of the areas and happenings.
Andrew Wehrlen is the narrator, giving another excellent performance filled with fast delivered emotion, enthusiasm and distinctive individual voicing for every character. His readings always fully convey the essence of each story he narrates.
An thoroughly enjoyable and unexpected tale of both micro and macro murder. My thanks to the rights holder of Breaking Destiny, who, at my request, freely gifted me with a complimentary copy, via Audiobook Boom.
"There was the here and the now and that's it."
There's a lot of story in this fairly short book, all based around Joseph Kettleman, at least that was the name he was known by when first we meet him. He doesn't really know his real given name, nor his actual age. Then an unexpected attempt on his life precipitated his hearing off into the desert to die - and his involvement in everything that follows. No more spoilers beyond saying that the events which follow are of world wide and potentially mind boggling significance. All is well written with great, but brief, descriptive prowess giving the reader a visual image of the areas and happenings.
Andrew Wehrlen is the narrator, giving another excellent performance filled with fast delivered emotion, enthusiasm and distinctive individual voicing for every character. His readings always fully convey the essence of each story he narrates.
An thoroughly enjoyable and unexpected tale of both micro and macro murder. My thanks to the rights holder of Breaking Destiny, who, at my request, freely gifted me with a complimentary copy, via Audiobook Boom.
November 27, 2022
Fantastic book!
I loved this one as much as his prior book, Breaking Gravity.
My one suggestion: Do read them in order Breaking Gravity, then Breaking Destiny. They’ll still work the other way around, but Gravity first then Destiny, is best.
As was Breaking Gravity, Breaking Destiny, is a terrific book. It is a bit more slow in starting off, but it’s more than worth it. Great plot twists, great characters and character interaction, lots of action, great sci-fi ideas, some interesting physics, all the ingredients you need for a great sci-fi thriller/mystery. And if you’ve already read Breaking Gravity, you’re rewarded for that as things develop later on in the story.
Mitty Walter is working on his next book, and I’m VERY much looking forward to it!
I loved this one as much as his prior book, Breaking Gravity.
My one suggestion: Do read them in order Breaking Gravity, then Breaking Destiny. They’ll still work the other way around, but Gravity first then Destiny, is best.
As was Breaking Gravity, Breaking Destiny, is a terrific book. It is a bit more slow in starting off, but it’s more than worth it. Great plot twists, great characters and character interaction, lots of action, great sci-fi ideas, some interesting physics, all the ingredients you need for a great sci-fi thriller/mystery. And if you’ve already read Breaking Gravity, you’re rewarded for that as things develop later on in the story.
Mitty Walter is working on his next book, and I’m VERY much looking forward to it!
June 18, 2019
I love Mitty Walters imagination. Although the book was short- or seemed short because it was a joy reading. That said, Mitty you need better proof readers. Words missing or typo’s . Chapter 17 first page hat instead of had. At 53 percent in book it said- I wonder what the world be like. Should have been - I wonder what would the world be like? Or even better- I wonder what the world would be like. Just saying because if I spend 4.99 on a digital book. I expect more. Still keep up the good work!
June 25, 2020
Yoonie and Joe
Recovering from a near death when his wife sends hit men after him Joe learns he has cancer and only a short time to live. He makes plans to go to a cabin he knows that’s in the middle of nowhere and wait to die.
When his supplies are running low and he still isn’t dead he heads out to find someplace to restock, instead he finds a brand new town where the map says there’s nothing.
Interesting story of life, death, eternal youth and the extent to which absolute power corrupts.
(Read during quarantine 2020, this was a bit too close to current events. )
Recovering from a near death when his wife sends hit men after him Joe learns he has cancer and only a short time to live. He makes plans to go to a cabin he knows that’s in the middle of nowhere and wait to die.
When his supplies are running low and he still isn’t dead he heads out to find someplace to restock, instead he finds a brand new town where the map says there’s nothing.
Interesting story of life, death, eternal youth and the extent to which absolute power corrupts.
(Read during quarantine 2020, this was a bit too close to current events. )
June 16, 2019
This second book from the author is not a sequel, in fact it only shares one aspect of his first, and that is the region it's set in (well part of it anyhow).
I would have guessed if reading it blind that it's by a much more accomplished author, as the plotting and polish is noticeably improved over his last. Again my only criticism is that it finished too quickly, as I was enjoying it so much I'd happily have read a longer version.
Recommended.
I would have guessed if reading it blind that it's by a much more accomplished author, as the plotting and polish is noticeably improved over his last. Again my only criticism is that it finished too quickly, as I was enjoying it so much I'd happily have read a longer version.
Recommended.
October 11, 2019
This book was given to me for free at my request. I am providing a voluntary review:
I liked this book a lot. It was not what I was expecting when I picked it up, it was actually better than I thought it would be. It was funny and held my attention throughout the entire book. The narration was also done very well. Overall, I am definitely glad I read this one and I plan on looking for more from this author!
I liked this book a lot. It was not what I was expecting when I picked it up, it was actually better than I thought it would be. It was funny and held my attention throughout the entire book. The narration was also done very well. Overall, I am definitely glad I read this one and I plan on looking for more from this author!
November 22, 2022
another great imaginative read.
I got Breaking Gravity on special promotion and it immediately went into my top 5 all time books.
Breaking Destiny is another book written by an author with a wicked imagination!
I paid full price and definitely got my money’s worth.
If I have one criticism of both books, I wish they were longer, don’t get me wrong these books are worth every cent or penny..
I got Breaking Gravity on special promotion and it immediately went into my top 5 all time books.
Breaking Destiny is another book written by an author with a wicked imagination!
I paid full price and definitely got my money’s worth.
If I have one criticism of both books, I wish they were longer, don’t get me wrong these books are worth every cent or penny..
November 24, 2022
Even better than the first of this series
Mitty Walters has a wonderful touch, great writing ability, and must have a damn good editor too, because for the first time in ages I found no typos or usage errors. Thank you for a fast-paced thriller, a terrific sci-fi premise and some more great characters. It did end abruptly for me, but knowing there is a third book, I thought about this and got over it. Looking forward to the third book.
Mitty Walters has a wonderful touch, great writing ability, and must have a damn good editor too, because for the first time in ages I found no typos or usage errors. Thank you for a fast-paced thriller, a terrific sci-fi premise and some more great characters. It did end abruptly for me, but knowing there is a third book, I thought about this and got over it. Looking forward to the third book.
August 12, 2019
Creative sci-fi with a touch of western flair
From hitmen to plots to cull the worlds population I found this thoroughly entertaining
The narration was excellent Andrew is one of the best in the Business
I’ll definitely be checking out more from this author
I received a free review audiobook and voluntarily left this review
From hitmen to plots to cull the worlds population I found this thoroughly entertaining
The narration was excellent Andrew is one of the best in the Business
I’ll definitely be checking out more from this author
I received a free review audiobook and voluntarily left this review
February 14, 2020
Really good tale, but I wished for more
This is my second book from Mitty and I've enjoyed both a lot. I was very interested in how the main premise would be resolved and while I appreciate how the story concluded, there were parts that I thought could have been expanded upon. All in all, a very good read.
This is my second book from Mitty and I've enjoyed both a lot. I was very interested in how the main premise would be resolved and while I appreciate how the story concluded, there were parts that I thought could have been expanded upon. All in all, a very good read.
June 23, 2020
Very enjoyable
This book is fine in every way. The characters are interesting, both good and bad. They did scary, sad and fun things. I found myself reading it in the middle of the night instead of sleeping. The plot had twists and turns that unfolded nicely. You'll enjoy this. (BTW, it's 'farther', not 'further', when it's distance.)
This book is fine in every way. The characters are interesting, both good and bad. They did scary, sad and fun things. I found myself reading it in the middle of the night instead of sleeping. The plot had twists and turns that unfolded nicely. You'll enjoy this. (BTW, it's 'farther', not 'further', when it's distance.)
June 23, 2019
Another great read.
Not the longest book, but fast moving and entertaining, again there is scope for fleshing out the story, but the author clearly knows what he is doing.
Looking forward to reading more of the like.
Not the longest book, but fast moving and entertaining, again there is scope for fleshing out the story, but the author clearly knows what he is doing.
Looking forward to reading more of the like.
July 3, 2019
A great story, it really grabbed my attention. Interesting to see the continuation of “The order” as a mysterious group. Joe, is a great hero figure. I then re read Breaking Gravity and am interested to see if the characters ever meet.
July 6, 2020
Awesome story. Reminds me of current events. We are living in difficult times so we should all be thankful for good health & living in the United States of America
Great story. It's scary that it might be happening now. We should not take our country for granted. The end.
Great story. It's scary that it might be happening now. We should not take our country for granted. The end.
July 11, 2020
I really enjoyed this nonstop adventure. Joe was easy to root for. The plot twists just kept coming. There are a few editing issues, but they're not distracting. Can't wait to read another Mitty Walters book.
December 15, 2020
Audible:Loved it! So who is Joe Ketterman?I don't think he knows.What a great story! Narrated nicely by Andrew B Wehrlen.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.'
March 26, 2021
This was a very enjoyable read - fast paced, "save the world from evil organization", action, and well written. Personally, I wanted Carolyn to get what was coming to her, but maybe karma will get her back at some point. I give this book 3.5 stars.
June 5, 2019
Even better than the first
Both the story line and writing have strengthened. Mitty makes his characters quite relatable. Eager to read the third in the series.
Both the story line and writing have strengthened. Mitty makes his characters quite relatable. Eager to read the third in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews