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Jon Reznick #8
Hard Target
A threat inside the government. A whistleblower’s life on the line. It’s up to Jon Reznick to bring justice.
When hacker Trevelle Williams discovers documents that threaten national security and put his life in jeopardy, there’s only one person he can turn to—Jon Reznick. Williams has learned that Rosalind Dyer, a key congressional witness, is about to be killed in order to stop her testimony. She has stumbled into the middle of a cover-up that goes deep into the United States government. Dyer knows her days are numbered, but that won’t stop her from doing what she has to do.
Trevelle Williams has helped Jon out of many a scrape in the past. Now, Jon is the only person he can turn to for help saving Rosalind’s life, as well as his own, and protecting national security in the process.
With enemies on all sides, including within the United States government, can Jon and Trevelle get to Rosalind in time? They’re her only hope to escape her pursuers and bring these secrets to light.
When hacker Trevelle Williams discovers documents that threaten national security and put his life in jeopardy, there’s only one person he can turn to—Jon Reznick. Williams has learned that Rosalind Dyer, a key congressional witness, is about to be killed in order to stop her testimony. She has stumbled into the middle of a cover-up that goes deep into the United States government. Dyer knows her days are numbered, but that won’t stop her from doing what she has to do.
Trevelle Williams has helped Jon out of many a scrape in the past. Now, Jon is the only person he can turn to for help saving Rosalind’s life, as well as his own, and protecting national security in the process.
With enemies on all sides, including within the United States government, can Jon and Trevelle get to Rosalind in time? They’re her only hope to escape her pursuers and bring these secrets to light.
268 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 21, 2020
2005 people are currently reading
1118 people want to read
About the author
J.B. Turner
24 books898 followersJ.B. Turner is the bestselling author of the Jon Reznick thriller series. His next book, HARD SHADOWS (Thomas and Mercer), is published on 30 June 2026. He is a former journalist. His books have sold more than three million copies. He also wrote the American Ghost black-ops series and the Deborah Jones crime series. He has a keen interest in geo-politics. And he loves music. Everything from Beethoven to The Beatles, The Cure to Bach. And everything in between. He loves films. Well, good ones. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, Heat, The Godfather, The Offence, The Parallax View, Silver Linings Playbook, The Banshees of Inisherin, The Gray Man, The French Connection, Payback, It’s a Wonderful Life, Manhattan, Sideways, Annie Hall, Hell or High Water. TV shows he has enjoyed include: The Terminal List, The Kominsky Method, The Morning Show, Succession, Call My Agent!, Your Honor, The Undoing, Patrick Melrose, Colony, Bloodline, Mare of Easttown, Dead to Me, Fleishman is in Trouble, The Mosquito Coast and After Life. He lives in Edinburgh, Scotland. He is married with two children.
Literary Agent: Mitch Hoffman, The Aaron M. Priest Literary Agency, New York.
Film/TV: Rich Green, The Gotham Group, Los Angeles.
Literary Agent: Mitch Hoffman, The Aaron M. Priest Literary Agency, New York.
Film/TV: Rich Green, The Gotham Group, Los Angeles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 277 reviews
May 9, 2020
I received an advance copy of this book from net galley and the publisher in return for an honest review. Release date for this book is 21 May 2020
This is your typical political thriller. The book flowed well with a great pace but it just lacked a little excitement in my opinion. It started off really well but started to drag a bit in the middle for me. I might’ve enjoyed this book a little bit more if I started the series at the beginning and had more of an investment in the main characters. I think folks who are invested more in the series well enjoy the story more than I did.
May 9, 2020
This is your typical political thriller. The book flowed well with a great pace but it just lacked a little excitement in my opinion. It started off really well but started to drag a bit in the middle for me. I might’ve enjoyed this book a little bit more if I started the series at the beginning and had more of an investment in the main characters. I think folks who are invested more in the series well enjoy the story more than I did.
July 9, 2020
Thank you to Net Galley, the publishers and the author.
OMG...... One of the most exciting books I have read.... Ever...
Read This Book... You will thank me later.... And I hope you do !!
A threat inside the government. A whistleblower’s life on the line. It’s up to Jon Reznick to bring justice. When hacker Trevelle Williams discovers documents that threaten national security and put his life in jeopardy, there’s only one person he can turn to—Jon Reznick. Williams has learned that Rosalind Dyer, a key congressional witness, is about to be killed in order to stop her testimony. She has stumbled into the middle of a cover-up that goes deep into the United States government. Dyer knows her days are numbered, but that won’t stop her from doing what she has to do. Trevelle Williams has helped Jon out of many a scrape in the past. Now, Jon is the only person he can turn to for help saving Rosalind’s life, as well as his own, and protecting national security in the process. With enemies on all sides, including within the United States government, can Jon and Trevelle get to Rosalind in time? They’re her only hope to escape her pursuers and bring these secrets to light.
Jon Reznick again proving he is a man who sticks to his high standards of good and bad, hurt his friends, he will fight to what he believes is right, and here is a tough battle ahead.
It's great to have a stronger and powerful role for Trevelle who finally gets his time! Trevelle is a hacker that has been helping Jon Reznick for years, sadly this time around he is the one caught up and with trouble at his door he turns to the one person who he knows will help him.
Reznick and Trevelle meet up and Reznick learns that a woman named Rosalind Dyer is on a hit list and also that the FBI is looking for her for removing security paperwork. She is a whistle blower who is scheduled to testify before a closed door hearing in Congress very soon about embezzlement in Pentagon funds occurring at the highest levels and also about the deaths of seven men who had learned the same facts she did. Reznick and Trevelle locate Dyer and convince her to come with them for her own protection.
Reznick up against one of his most powerful enemies, this is a tough fight, are the FBI backing him or against him, who is chasing him and Rosalind and Trevelle, and Fifi.
Honestly this was read in two days, would have been one day if I had the time, one of the fastest pace books I have read, one of the most gripping books I have read, great action, this series of books are utterly brilliant.
Action authors, read this book... This is a perfect thriller, full of action, shocks and surprises
Clear five stars
OMG...... One of the most exciting books I have read.... Ever...
Read This Book... You will thank me later.... And I hope you do !!
A threat inside the government. A whistleblower’s life on the line. It’s up to Jon Reznick to bring justice. When hacker Trevelle Williams discovers documents that threaten national security and put his life in jeopardy, there’s only one person he can turn to—Jon Reznick. Williams has learned that Rosalind Dyer, a key congressional witness, is about to be killed in order to stop her testimony. She has stumbled into the middle of a cover-up that goes deep into the United States government. Dyer knows her days are numbered, but that won’t stop her from doing what she has to do. Trevelle Williams has helped Jon out of many a scrape in the past. Now, Jon is the only person he can turn to for help saving Rosalind’s life, as well as his own, and protecting national security in the process. With enemies on all sides, including within the United States government, can Jon and Trevelle get to Rosalind in time? They’re her only hope to escape her pursuers and bring these secrets to light.
Jon Reznick again proving he is a man who sticks to his high standards of good and bad, hurt his friends, he will fight to what he believes is right, and here is a tough battle ahead.
It's great to have a stronger and powerful role for Trevelle who finally gets his time! Trevelle is a hacker that has been helping Jon Reznick for years, sadly this time around he is the one caught up and with trouble at his door he turns to the one person who he knows will help him.
Reznick and Trevelle meet up and Reznick learns that a woman named Rosalind Dyer is on a hit list and also that the FBI is looking for her for removing security paperwork. She is a whistle blower who is scheduled to testify before a closed door hearing in Congress very soon about embezzlement in Pentagon funds occurring at the highest levels and also about the deaths of seven men who had learned the same facts she did. Reznick and Trevelle locate Dyer and convince her to come with them for her own protection.
Reznick up against one of his most powerful enemies, this is a tough fight, are the FBI backing him or against him, who is chasing him and Rosalind and Trevelle, and Fifi.
Honestly this was read in two days, would have been one day if I had the time, one of the fastest pace books I have read, one of the most gripping books I have read, great action, this series of books are utterly brilliant.
Action authors, read this book... This is a perfect thriller, full of action, shocks and surprises
Clear five stars
May 21, 2020
Hard Target is the eighth instalment in the former US Delta Force operative Jon Reznick series and although you'll want to catch up on the previous seven dangerous adventures at a later date it is not necessary to have read them beforehand to enjoy this one. It follows our intrepid hero as he embarks on another high-stakes game of cat and mouse. When former National Security Agency (NSA) asset Trevelle Williams, a top-level hacker, has been targeted by a would-be assassin after receiving an important encrypted code in a message he knows he needs protection. Luckily, their plan failed and he is alive to tell the tale. The message was an order of the assassination of Rosalind Dyer who is about to testify in court regarding government corruption and embezzlement. And it's not all talk no action as various other accounting staff who had been covertly uncovering government misdeeds were brutally killed in highly suspicious circumstances with no mercy. She will read her statement before the congressional committee but will Jon be able to keep this extremely important whistleblower safe from the ex-CIA hitman in order for her to give evidence?
Usually, by now, a series can be starting to show signs of flagging yet this was just as exhilarating and fresh feeling as the first-ever Jon Reznick thriller; it is a highly addictive, fast-paced and completely compulsive read in which plentiful action runs throughout and there's never a dull moment from first page to last. Reznick is a hard-as-nails protagonist who knows exactly what he's up to and has no qualms about doing what's necessary in a given situation. He truly gets into some dangerous predicaments but can always be relied upon for help and his loyalty is admirable. His heart is in the right place, he has a strong moral compass and rails against those who are corrupt and take advantage of other less fortunate people. It's an interesting political conspiracy thriller with a straightforward, logical plot and drama-filled chapters. I found it riveting from the very beginning and it carries on in a compelling fashion as the tension builds to a palpable level and things start to become nail-bitingly suspenseful. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Amazon Publishing for an ARC.
Usually, by now, a series can be starting to show signs of flagging yet this was just as exhilarating and fresh feeling as the first-ever Jon Reznick thriller; it is a highly addictive, fast-paced and completely compulsive read in which plentiful action runs throughout and there's never a dull moment from first page to last. Reznick is a hard-as-nails protagonist who knows exactly what he's up to and has no qualms about doing what's necessary in a given situation. He truly gets into some dangerous predicaments but can always be relied upon for help and his loyalty is admirable. His heart is in the right place, he has a strong moral compass and rails against those who are corrupt and take advantage of other less fortunate people. It's an interesting political conspiracy thriller with a straightforward, logical plot and drama-filled chapters. I found it riveting from the very beginning and it carries on in a compelling fashion as the tension builds to a palpable level and things start to become nail-bitingly suspenseful. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Amazon Publishing for an ARC.
May 18, 2020
Hard Target is the eighth book in the Jon Reznick series about a tough-as former Delta operative/assassin who now works off-the-books for the FBI. These are fast paced action thrillers about political conspiracies that you don’t have to believe in to enjoy. Each one stands alone and relationships between the main characters don’t really change so there’s no need to read them in order - although I have, from the beginning.
Reznick’s friend Trevelle, an ex-NSA hacker, calls him for help when he narrowly escapes being executed because of a message sent to him to decode. It orders the assassination of Rosalind Dyer, who has been investigating misappropriation of funds at senior levels of government, and is about to testify. Other accountants have already been killed but Rosalind is determined to get the truth out there. Can Jon keep her safe from the powerful ex-CIA villain who is determined to take her out?
I’ve enjoyed all of these, especially the complicated dance between Reznick the renegade who’ll cross every line to get the job done, and elegant indefatigable FBI AD Martha Meyerstein who has to defend him and protect him from the law every time he leaps over that line. I can’t decide whether I want them to just bite the bullet an hook up - or if once they do the tension will be gone. I also liked Trevelle & Fifi - they are hackers not poodles, but they added some comic relief.
The plot was pretty straightforward and while the ending didn’t go how I wanted it to, otherwise there were few major surprises. Recommended for fans of Vince Flynn & Mark Dawson. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC which allowed me to give an honest review. Hard Target is published on 21st May.
Reznick’s friend Trevelle, an ex-NSA hacker, calls him for help when he narrowly escapes being executed because of a message sent to him to decode. It orders the assassination of Rosalind Dyer, who has been investigating misappropriation of funds at senior levels of government, and is about to testify. Other accountants have already been killed but Rosalind is determined to get the truth out there. Can Jon keep her safe from the powerful ex-CIA villain who is determined to take her out?
I’ve enjoyed all of these, especially the complicated dance between Reznick the renegade who’ll cross every line to get the job done, and elegant indefatigable FBI AD Martha Meyerstein who has to defend him and protect him from the law every time he leaps over that line. I can’t decide whether I want them to just bite the bullet an hook up - or if once they do the tension will be gone. I also liked Trevelle & Fifi - they are hackers not poodles, but they added some comic relief.
The plot was pretty straightforward and while the ending didn’t go how I wanted it to, otherwise there were few major surprises. Recommended for fans of Vince Flynn & Mark Dawson. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC which allowed me to give an honest review. Hard Target is published on 21st May.
February 29, 2020
While I enjoy this series and it's an automatic read for me I saw the ending coming way before the book got there and thought it was very obvious. That being said it was a heck of a journey introducing some new characters who were an exciting edition. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book or the series as it's always a great read. Jon Reznick is definitely one of my favorite characters.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
to-be-review
May 21, 2020This is the 8th book in the Jon Reznick. It is a thriller/mystery. I won a kindle edition of this book from a goodreads giveaway, and I will post a honest review of this book when I finish reading it.
June 17, 2020
Jon Reznick is contacting by an old friend who is in trouble. Travelle is a former NSA computer wiz kid who has left that agency and set out on his on as a hacker. But when a friend sends him a file to decrypt he doesn’t realize the danger it is going to put him in.
The file is a memo about the upcoming assassination of a government employee, a whistle blower, who is set to testify before the Senate about a Department of Defense scandal that will implicate top ranking personnel with taking bribes and siphoning off millions of dollars in defense funds.
Travelle’s friend is murdered when a group of hit men come to his home to kill him, but they get the wrong person. Travelle then contacts Reznick and the two together set out to find the target of the government assassination and try to protect her and deliver her in person to the Senate committee she is to testify before.
Needless to say a multitude of bad people are going to try and stop them. Jon does his thing and keeps them one step ahead of the hit squads. But will that be good enough?
It is well written, it is fast paced, it is an accurate portrayal of murder, deceit, betrayal and good old fashion patriotism and loyalty. Who will win?
Enjoy
The file is a memo about the upcoming assassination of a government employee, a whistle blower, who is set to testify before the Senate about a Department of Defense scandal that will implicate top ranking personnel with taking bribes and siphoning off millions of dollars in defense funds.
Travelle’s friend is murdered when a group of hit men come to his home to kill him, but they get the wrong person. Travelle then contacts Reznick and the two together set out to find the target of the government assassination and try to protect her and deliver her in person to the Senate committee she is to testify before.
Needless to say a multitude of bad people are going to try and stop them. Jon does his thing and keeps them one step ahead of the hit squads. But will that be good enough?
It is well written, it is fast paced, it is an accurate portrayal of murder, deceit, betrayal and good old fashion patriotism and loyalty. Who will win?
Enjoy
January 31, 2021
Another brilliant Jon Reznick thriller. Reznick is contacted by hacker Trevelle Williams for help. He uncovered a plot to kill Rosalind Dyer a whistle blower planning to expose a huge government fraud. They set out to warn her and protect her before the trial. A great fast paced thriller with a explosive ending.
December 16, 2020
I am SO happy that Trevelle finally gets his time! Trevelle is a hacker that has been helping Jon Reznick for years, sadly this time around he is the one caught up and with trouble at his door he turns to the one person who he knows will help him. When Jon receives a call from Trevelle he knows he has to help him but has no idea how deep the problems are.
As with any case Jon gets involved in, of course it has to involve top level Government and in this case a key congressional witness named Rosalind Dyer. The same as any JB Turner book the pace is set at around 100 miles per hour and kind of stays that way until the last chapter (I am expecting nothing less with these books these days).
Of course Jon decides to involve Meyerstein who works for the FBI and puts her in the usual position of being piggy in the middle. The key to all this is to get Rosalind Dyer to her hearing and expose the high level threats. I loved this book and this series is my ‘go to’ when I need a fast paced thriller. For some reason this story line wasn’t quite as involved as others I have read but still a very satisfying read. As ever I will eagerly await the next book and would highly recommend this series.
As with any case Jon gets involved in, of course it has to involve top level Government and in this case a key congressional witness named Rosalind Dyer. The same as any JB Turner book the pace is set at around 100 miles per hour and kind of stays that way until the last chapter (I am expecting nothing less with these books these days).
Of course Jon decides to involve Meyerstein who works for the FBI and puts her in the usual position of being piggy in the middle. The key to all this is to get Rosalind Dyer to her hearing and expose the high level threats. I loved this book and this series is my ‘go to’ when I need a fast paced thriller. For some reason this story line wasn’t quite as involved as others I have read but still a very satisfying read. As ever I will eagerly await the next book and would highly recommend this series.
May 24, 2020
This is a tough review for me. I have read most of the four and five star ratings and I cannot agree with these rankings. This book’s dialogue, with its pedestrian language, had me shaking my head. I cannot imagine high ranking government personnel and FBI big wigs, saying things like “gimme a break” and “are you kidding me?” When being told about a top secret plot within the government. The monotony and constant repetition of the vapid conversations among the characters, resulted in my one star rating. Thank you Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
May 29, 2020
This was such an exciting and engaging read! It captured my attention from the very beginning and kept me invested the entire time.
In Hard Target, we follow Jon Reznick, a black ops specialist, as he gets pulled in to a crazy whirlwind of events that include murder, espionage, and corrupt government that all starts with a friend reaching out for help. This friend, Trevelle, is a hacker who is sent a file to decrypt - but the second he receives the file, one of his friends who is staying with him is murdered. This leads him to reach out to Jon, as they have previously worked together, and they learn that the file Trevelle was sent was a contract to assassinate an American citizen. We are swept along this fast paced story as they find, warn and decide to help the target, and start to uncover that this assassination is just the tip of the iceberg to this story.
I genuinely enjoyed this book! It is a total page turner that I could not put down. This is book 8 in the series, but when I stumbled upon it I didn't know that and this book definitely made me want to ( and I definitely will) read the rest!
That being said, it is a great stand-alone book. It made references to events and characters clearly from earlier in the series, but not so much that I felt I was missing anything at all!
Something I appreciated in this book was how much Reznick suggested to the other characters to reach out to the FBI and work with them (because of the specific situations in this book), instead of completely running off and going rogue. From my experience with this genre, protagonists (if not in the perspective of an agent or detective) typically avoid the law/government at all costs and then the story turns into something completely far fetched and unimaginable - which then just becomes less enjoyable. By having Reznick suggest they work with the FBI, it provided the chance for the characters to develop more and for the readers to see more than just another out of control story.
Ultimately, the ending was a little expected, however some of the events just prior to the finale completely shocked me and I was NOT ready, haha. The characters are likable, and do feel realistic - if this were to happen in reality, their reactions are fairly believable and understandable - some situations felt a little forced/unrealistic, but not so much that it deterred me from reading.
If you enjoy spy thrillers, conspiracy theories, and espionage stories, this is for you!
In Hard Target, we follow Jon Reznick, a black ops specialist, as he gets pulled in to a crazy whirlwind of events that include murder, espionage, and corrupt government that all starts with a friend reaching out for help. This friend, Trevelle, is a hacker who is sent a file to decrypt - but the second he receives the file, one of his friends who is staying with him is murdered. This leads him to reach out to Jon, as they have previously worked together, and they learn that the file Trevelle was sent was a contract to assassinate an American citizen. We are swept along this fast paced story as they find, warn and decide to help the target, and start to uncover that this assassination is just the tip of the iceberg to this story.
I genuinely enjoyed this book! It is a total page turner that I could not put down. This is book 8 in the series, but when I stumbled upon it I didn't know that and this book definitely made me want to ( and I definitely will) read the rest!
That being said, it is a great stand-alone book. It made references to events and characters clearly from earlier in the series, but not so much that I felt I was missing anything at all!
Something I appreciated in this book was how much Reznick suggested to the other characters to reach out to the FBI and work with them (because of the specific situations in this book), instead of completely running off and going rogue. From my experience with this genre, protagonists (if not in the perspective of an agent or detective) typically avoid the law/government at all costs and then the story turns into something completely far fetched and unimaginable - which then just becomes less enjoyable. By having Reznick suggest they work with the FBI, it provided the chance for the characters to develop more and for the readers to see more than just another out of control story.
Ultimately, the ending was a little expected, however some of the events just prior to the finale completely shocked me and I was NOT ready, haha. The characters are likable, and do feel realistic - if this were to happen in reality, their reactions are fairly believable and understandable - some situations felt a little forced/unrealistic, but not so much that it deterred me from reading.
If you enjoy spy thrillers, conspiracy theories, and espionage stories, this is for you!
April 27, 2020
Another great story in the Jon Reznik continuation series.
Every time I’m reading a new book it feels like actually seeing all the action on a screen and I’m always looking forward to it because it’s a great ability that not many writers have it and being on the edge of your seat at all times, turning the pages faster and faster just to read one more chapter it definitely makes you going up on my favourite authors list.
New characters, interesting plot and twists and turns, some unexpected and some predictable but necessary in my opinion, all together are adding up for a worthwhile couple of hours.
It’s compelling and it makes you think how far are some people willing to go and sacrifice for revealing the truth or taking the justice in their own hands with all the risks that are implied.
Some people are considered lucky to be still alive but who really knows what hides behind their facade? Any lost or grief is lived differently and I must admit that I like how the author is dealing with this topic and our main character.
Every time I’m reading a new book it feels like actually seeing all the action on a screen and I’m always looking forward to it because it’s a great ability that not many writers have it and being on the edge of your seat at all times, turning the pages faster and faster just to read one more chapter it definitely makes you going up on my favourite authors list.
New characters, interesting plot and twists and turns, some unexpected and some predictable but necessary in my opinion, all together are adding up for a worthwhile couple of hours.
It’s compelling and it makes you think how far are some people willing to go and sacrifice for revealing the truth or taking the justice in their own hands with all the risks that are implied.
Some people are considered lucky to be still alive but who really knows what hides behind their facade? Any lost or grief is lived differently and I must admit that I like how the author is dealing with this topic and our main character.
May 29, 2020
J.B. Turner knows how to write a page-turning thriller and this eighth installation in the series about Jon Reznick is no exception.
This time around, Reznick is called upon to help his hacker friend from Miami who has helped him on numerous occasions in his past adventures, and suddenly Reznick finds himself on the run with the hacker as well as with a government whistleblower about to testify before Congress about large-scale corruption high up in the Pentagon echelons.
The story is more predictable than in the past books, and the "let's do what's right rather than what's easy" thing gets a little nausea-inducing this time around. Furthermore, the whole "only one person in the FBI trusts Reznick and gets in trouble for doing so" routine is also getting a little tiresome.
But, I was still entertained by this book that just barely makes the fourth star in the rating. This eighth book is not an ideal place to start reading this series, so an old-fashioned chronological approach is recommended.
[An ARC of the book was generously provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review]
This time around, Reznick is called upon to help his hacker friend from Miami who has helped him on numerous occasions in his past adventures, and suddenly Reznick finds himself on the run with the hacker as well as with a government whistleblower about to testify before Congress about large-scale corruption high up in the Pentagon echelons.
The story is more predictable than in the past books, and the "let's do what's right rather than what's easy" thing gets a little nausea-inducing this time around. Furthermore, the whole "only one person in the FBI trusts Reznick and gets in trouble for doing so" routine is also getting a little tiresome.
But, I was still entertained by this book that just barely makes the fourth star in the rating. This eighth book is not an ideal place to start reading this series, so an old-fashioned chronological approach is recommended.
[An ARC of the book was generously provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review]
May 21, 2020
There's a lot that I like about J.B.Turner's character Jon Reznick. While much is made about his detachment from normal life and other people, his actions show that he's quite loyal to and even dependent on a fairly wide circle of quirky friends, both lowly and high-placed.
Reznick is a former Delta Force operative who is now called on for "off the books" missions by the FBI. The themes are invariably geopolitical, but never "political," in a partisan sense. Unlike most gung-ho protagonists, Reznick has plenty of impulse control -- he just uses a different set of filters from most of us.
My nit-pick is about the dialogue, which is often stilted and repetitive. It doesn't stop me from reading the Reznick books,, it just leaves me with a lingering sense of disappointment.
Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon UK for an early readers copy.
Reznick is a former Delta Force operative who is now called on for "off the books" missions by the FBI. The themes are invariably geopolitical, but never "political," in a partisan sense. Unlike most gung-ho protagonists, Reznick has plenty of impulse control -- he just uses a different set of filters from most of us.
My nit-pick is about the dialogue, which is often stilted and repetitive. It doesn't stop me from reading the Reznick books,, it just leaves me with a lingering sense of disappointment.
Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon UK for an early readers copy.
May 28, 2020
#netgalley
Thanks to the publisher, Amazon publishing UK, and author for an ARC of this book for my honest review. Book was released May 21,2020.
This was the eighth book in this series, I had not read the 7 prior, but had no problem following book.
Jon Reznick was contacted by Trevelle William's after receiving an encrypted message about a Rosalind Dyer. She was wanted dead due to having information pertaining to the government, also about linking 7 deaths, of people who had also come across this information. Travellers, Rosalind, and Jon all are in hiding until Rosalind is able to testify, and not wanting to get killed or taken into custody being a whistleblower. This story is fast paced, and you get to know the characters, and root for them that it will all work out. My only dislike was the repetitiveness of certain conversations. I really enjoyed Reznick, and will definitely read some of this author's previous books.
Thanks to the publisher, Amazon publishing UK, and author for an ARC of this book for my honest review. Book was released May 21,2020.
This was the eighth book in this series, I had not read the 7 prior, but had no problem following book.
Jon Reznick was contacted by Trevelle William's after receiving an encrypted message about a Rosalind Dyer. She was wanted dead due to having information pertaining to the government, also about linking 7 deaths, of people who had also come across this information. Travellers, Rosalind, and Jon all are in hiding until Rosalind is able to testify, and not wanting to get killed or taken into custody being a whistleblower. This story is fast paced, and you get to know the characters, and root for them that it will all work out. My only dislike was the repetitiveness of certain conversations. I really enjoyed Reznick, and will definitely read some of this author's previous books.
May 22, 2020
Jon Reznick is contacted by Trevelle Williams who is a hacker but has helped Jon out in the past. Trevelle's home is broken into and his friend killed. Trevelle has an email with info about killing Rosalind Dyer. It seems anyone who might know what is planned is in danger. Rosalind is investigating some heavy handed misuse of funds at the Pentagon. They find her and then all three are on the run. She is to meet in a closed door session with the Senate committee on the following Monday. Can they all stay alive until then? Martha Meyerstein is finally convinced to offer help from the FBI, but is it too late?
November 11, 2020
This is the 8th book in this series but I had not read the prior books and it was able to stand alone. Jon Reznick is drawn into helper his hacker friends who gets embroiled into a tangled hackers web. The bad guys who are also the government want to protect themselves at any cost. As I read these books I always wonder how much could be true, probably a frighteningly high amount. The story is good but I had to knock it down for the cliched writing style. Yes yes they are all patriots. A few of the twists were predictable I did like how the ending did not land at the easiest place.
I was given a copy by Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
I was given a copy by Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
November 11, 2020
This is the 8th book in this series but I had not read the prior books and it was able to stand alone. Jon Reznick is drawn into helper his hacker friends who gets embroiled into a tangled hackers web. The bad guys who are also the government want to protect themselves at any cost. As I read these books I always wonder how much could be true, probably a frighteningly high amount. The story is good but I had to knock it down for the cliched writing style. Yes yes they are all patriots. A few of the twists were predictable I did like how the ending did not land at the easiest place.
I was given a copy by Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
I was given a copy by Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
March 20, 2021
Thank to the author, J.B. Turner, the publisher, Amazon UK, and to Netgalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for my candid review.
This book is number 8 in a series of books about an ex-seal/delta force/ranger type guy who has gotten out but finds his skills still needed in the world. He works on an ad hoc basis with a contact in the FBI. This story involves an associate/friend hacker who gets sent a hacked copy of a memo that outlines a request for an assassination of a government investigator who is involved in investigating the pentagon. It is a story about corruption and lawlessness at the very highest levels of the US government and the Pentagon.
It is an exciting read, but somewhat formulaic in its very nature. It is a great adventure, but its details will not stay with the reader for long.
This book is number 8 in a series of books about an ex-seal/delta force/ranger type guy who has gotten out but finds his skills still needed in the world. He works on an ad hoc basis with a contact in the FBI. This story involves an associate/friend hacker who gets sent a hacked copy of a memo that outlines a request for an assassination of a government investigator who is involved in investigating the pentagon. It is a story about corruption and lawlessness at the very highest levels of the US government and the Pentagon.
It is an exciting read, but somewhat formulaic in its very nature. It is a great adventure, but its details will not stay with the reader for long.
June 14, 2020
*NB I was sent this book as a paid Instagram campaign. This review is my honest opinion.*
These types of action books are not normally Mt cup of tea, saying that it was a fun and entertaining read packed full of action. For some reason I pictured Tom Cruise as the main character the entire time. I would recommend if you like action books or spy type books. Worth a read.
These types of action books are not normally Mt cup of tea, saying that it was a fun and entertaining read packed full of action. For some reason I pictured Tom Cruise as the main character the entire time. I would recommend if you like action books or spy type books. Worth a read.
June 15, 2020
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this new book by J.B. TURNER entitled HARD TARGET. It is the 8th book featuring Jon Reznick. Thank you also for introducing a new, established author to me.
Jon Reznick is former Special Forces, C.I.A “black ops” and current F.B.I. consultant. Sometimes his ops are “on the books”; other times he operates outside formal control. He lives in Rockland, Maine on the upper northeast coast of the United States. He operates worldwide. He usually is a loner but he has resources.
Among his resources in this story are Martha Meyerstein, Assistant Director of the F.B.I. She has been a friend and employer for a long time. Most of Jon’s consulting work comes from Meyerstein.
Trevelle Williams is another character from prior stories. Williams is a young man formerly with National Security Agency (N.S.A.), an agency that is even more secretive than the C.I.A. He left that agency under a cloud and set up his own computer research business in Miami, Florida, warehouse. He also lives in the warehouse.
This story begins when Trevelle receives an encrypted message from his hacker friend David in New York City. The decoded message says that a woman is going to be assassinated. It scares Trevelle into contacting Jon for help after he witnesses his good friend Fernandez being murdered in his warehouse office. Williams and Reznick meet in New York City to visit David only to find out he, too, is now dead.
Rosalind Dyer is the supposed target. She is a non-gun-toting agent of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS). She is following the trail of government embezzling by military leaders including Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Franklin Ross (450 million dollars in his personal accounts) and the deaths of seven other agents tracking the same malfeasance. Rosalind has an appointment to speak to Congress as a “whistleblower”. Sound familiar?
Max Charles runs a company called Geostrategy Solutions. The company “advises” government agencies and personnel on worldwide issues. It is an internal memo from that company that Trevelle received and decoded. Charles is former C.I.A. “black ops” specializing “regime change”. Assassinations.
Jon, Trevelle, Rosalind and another friend of Trevelle spend a few days trying to keep Rosalind alive so she can testify before Congress. The story takes place over a week or so of real time. The settings are primarily Miami, New York City and areas around Washington, D.C.
There are hand-to-hand fights, shootouts, car chases and suspense themes throughout the story. It is a fast read. If you have not read J.B. TURNER before like me, then by all means start to do so. The author has two other series available as well. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
GO! BUY! READ!
Jon Reznick is former Special Forces, C.I.A “black ops” and current F.B.I. consultant. Sometimes his ops are “on the books”; other times he operates outside formal control. He lives in Rockland, Maine on the upper northeast coast of the United States. He operates worldwide. He usually is a loner but he has resources.
Among his resources in this story are Martha Meyerstein, Assistant Director of the F.B.I. She has been a friend and employer for a long time. Most of Jon’s consulting work comes from Meyerstein.
Trevelle Williams is another character from prior stories. Williams is a young man formerly with National Security Agency (N.S.A.), an agency that is even more secretive than the C.I.A. He left that agency under a cloud and set up his own computer research business in Miami, Florida, warehouse. He also lives in the warehouse.
This story begins when Trevelle receives an encrypted message from his hacker friend David in New York City. The decoded message says that a woman is going to be assassinated. It scares Trevelle into contacting Jon for help after he witnesses his good friend Fernandez being murdered in his warehouse office. Williams and Reznick meet in New York City to visit David only to find out he, too, is now dead.
Rosalind Dyer is the supposed target. She is a non-gun-toting agent of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS). She is following the trail of government embezzling by military leaders including Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Franklin Ross (450 million dollars in his personal accounts) and the deaths of seven other agents tracking the same malfeasance. Rosalind has an appointment to speak to Congress as a “whistleblower”. Sound familiar?
Max Charles runs a company called Geostrategy Solutions. The company “advises” government agencies and personnel on worldwide issues. It is an internal memo from that company that Trevelle received and decoded. Charles is former C.I.A. “black ops” specializing “regime change”. Assassinations.
Jon, Trevelle, Rosalind and another friend of Trevelle spend a few days trying to keep Rosalind alive so she can testify before Congress. The story takes place over a week or so of real time. The settings are primarily Miami, New York City and areas around Washington, D.C.
There are hand-to-hand fights, shootouts, car chases and suspense themes throughout the story. It is a fast read. If you have not read J.B. TURNER before like me, then by all means start to do so. The author has two other series available as well. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
GO! BUY! READ!
April 18, 2023
Great book
Action packed, straight to the heart of the story, IN Turner takes you on a roller coaster ride. Relentless from start to finish.
Action packed, straight to the heart of the story, IN Turner takes you on a roller coaster ride. Relentless from start to finish.
December 19, 2023
I found the books by JB Turner about a year ago. I thought I had read or listened to this book before but it was new. I have read or listened to the previous books. They are talking about things that happened earlier in this book so you are better of reading them in order.
I didn't write reviews for the earlier books but I think I liked them better. The end of the book was a bit flat.
This was a kindle book that you could also listen to as well so I did.
I didn't write reviews for the earlier books but I think I liked them better. The end of the book was a bit flat.
This was a kindle book that you could also listen to as well so I did.
May 17, 2020
Hard Target By J B Turner is the latest book in the Jon Reznick series.
I picked this book because I liked the description and it's been a long time since I read a proper political thriller with all the drama and works.
The cover is beautiful and once you read the story we get the context of the cover.
Jon Reznick is a consultant with FBI on a case by case basis. He gets contacted by an ex NSA hacker Trevelle Williams who has helped Jon In many of his previous cases. Trevelle has witnessed the killing of his friend in his home by a masked squad via his home security network camera. This is also linked to file he had been sent by a friend to decrypt.
These events lead Trevelle and Jon to Rosalind Dyer who is due to give her statement to a congressional commitee regarding corruption in the Pentagon reaching to high levels in the government. What happens next? Do they get to protect her? You need to read the story to enjoy it.
A fast paced story with interesting characters and a plot involving corruption in government and military keeps you hooked on but the story never gave me that compelling feeling and the revealing of who and why was also not done in a grand way. It just was part of it with no high points in the story. What I missed was a nail biting nature in a thriller of this sort.
I like Jon as the rescuer and his integrity to stand by those who deems right. Rosalind came out as a strong character with a spine of steel. Her integrity and passion did come through the story. Not to be missed is the FBI deputy director Martha who stood by Jon but then seemed very on the fence may be due to her position and organisations
I would definitely love to read the earlier stories involving Jon and want to see more of his personality.
If you love to read thrillers involving people who stand up to the system then this book is for you.
I requested an eARC of this book via Netgalley. I have read it on my own volition and the opinions expressed are entirely my own
I picked this book because I liked the description and it's been a long time since I read a proper political thriller with all the drama and works.
The cover is beautiful and once you read the story we get the context of the cover.
Jon Reznick is a consultant with FBI on a case by case basis. He gets contacted by an ex NSA hacker Trevelle Williams who has helped Jon In many of his previous cases. Trevelle has witnessed the killing of his friend in his home by a masked squad via his home security network camera. This is also linked to file he had been sent by a friend to decrypt.
These events lead Trevelle and Jon to Rosalind Dyer who is due to give her statement to a congressional commitee regarding corruption in the Pentagon reaching to high levels in the government. What happens next? Do they get to protect her? You need to read the story to enjoy it.
A fast paced story with interesting characters and a plot involving corruption in government and military keeps you hooked on but the story never gave me that compelling feeling and the revealing of who and why was also not done in a grand way. It just was part of it with no high points in the story. What I missed was a nail biting nature in a thriller of this sort.
I like Jon as the rescuer and his integrity to stand by those who deems right. Rosalind came out as a strong character with a spine of steel. Her integrity and passion did come through the story. Not to be missed is the FBI deputy director Martha who stood by Jon but then seemed very on the fence may be due to her position and organisations
I would definitely love to read the earlier stories involving Jon and want to see more of his personality.
If you love to read thrillers involving people who stand up to the system then this book is for you.
I requested an eARC of this book via Netgalley. I have read it on my own volition and the opinions expressed are entirely my own
July 22, 2020
J.B. Turner's protagonist, Jon Reznick, is a loyal guy and once pointed in a direction he's taken seriously, little dissuades him. A former CIA bureau chief turned private security contractor for the highest elements in the U.S. government figures that out quickly. Reznick's buddy, former NSA cyber-security specialist Trevelle Williams, finds himself in the crosshairs of what appears to be a professional hit. He's stumbled across some documents supplied by European hackers that bring nothing but trouble. He fortuitously chooses to eat a late night meal at a nearby diner when his security cameras turn up a team in his highly protected home. A friend staying the night is killed, and Williams knows he's got no other option than to run. His first call is to Reznick, who understandably agrees that Williams is in trouble. Turner doesn't mess around. The plot immediately thickens when Williams decodes the data he's been given. It's a black ops document from the Joint Chiefs to eliminate a woman. She's not just anybody, an FBI agent forensically investigating Pentagon expenses. What she has found horrifies her and those who learn of her work. Reznick works as a consultant to the FBI, and he logically offers to help Williams turn himself in for protection. However, in this case it just doesn't compute. There are too many loose ends. Too many ways for the system to roll over the whistleblowers. Reznick must try to unfold the mystery while trying to save to lives of those threatened by unknown forces. All the while, he's chosen to be at odds with his contacts at the bureau. There's a lot that unfolds, and Turner tells the story through each party. Especially fascinating is his description and thought process of the man who will stop at nothing to eliminate the threat to his patrons. This is a guy who believes he's fully patriotic, a believer in the U.S. world view. He goes to church and leaves refreshed, knowing full well Jesus never said, "Some must die so others can continue to siphon off funds from the government."
June 6, 2020
I received this book through NetGalley.
This book kept my interest right from the beginning. In fact I didn't stop reading until I finished it.
This is a story that has Jon Resnick respond to a request from his hacker friend, Trevelle. Trevelle had received a request from another computer geek in New York city to have him break an encrypted file. Once it became known to the individuals that sent the file, Trevelle's life came into jeopardy. Jon met Trevelle in NYC and once the information was presented to Jon, they attempted to contact the individual who had sent the file to Trevelle and upon finding him discovered that he had been killed.
Jon and Trevelle then decided that they needed to warn Rosalind Dyer that her life was in danger. Rosalind was scheduled to appear before a Senate Committee as a "Whistleblower". The information that she was disclosed was detrimental to corrupt political members and the only way they could prevent her was to kill her.
In Jon's attempt at trying to protect, individuals within Law Agencies had been issued warrants to have her arrested. The plan was that once she was arrested, then they would be able to kill her while she was in jail. Because of Jon's intervention, they could not carry out this plan. Instead, Jon and the group had to withstand several attempts that were made.
If you want to find out what information she had and whether Jon was successful in protecting her in addition to what individuals and what they had done that caused them to worry, then you need to read this book.
As this story depicts, individuals in high places, without the proper checks and balances, can inflict harm to our country if we are not careful.
This book kept my interest right from the beginning. In fact I didn't stop reading until I finished it.
This is a story that has Jon Resnick respond to a request from his hacker friend, Trevelle. Trevelle had received a request from another computer geek in New York city to have him break an encrypted file. Once it became known to the individuals that sent the file, Trevelle's life came into jeopardy. Jon met Trevelle in NYC and once the information was presented to Jon, they attempted to contact the individual who had sent the file to Trevelle and upon finding him discovered that he had been killed.
Jon and Trevelle then decided that they needed to warn Rosalind Dyer that her life was in danger. Rosalind was scheduled to appear before a Senate Committee as a "Whistleblower". The information that she was disclosed was detrimental to corrupt political members and the only way they could prevent her was to kill her.
In Jon's attempt at trying to protect, individuals within Law Agencies had been issued warrants to have her arrested. The plan was that once she was arrested, then they would be able to kill her while she was in jail. Because of Jon's intervention, they could not carry out this plan. Instead, Jon and the group had to withstand several attempts that were made.
If you want to find out what information she had and whether Jon was successful in protecting her in addition to what individuals and what they had done that caused them to worry, then you need to read this book.
As this story depicts, individuals in high places, without the proper checks and balances, can inflict harm to our country if we are not careful.
Read
May 22, 2020I Couldn’t Put It Down
4.5 out of 5 stars
Hard Target felt different, I’m not 100% sure why but it was just different enough to really breath some life into this series (not that I think it needed it). In the last few books Reznick has had to deal with threats on his daughter and his not-girlfriend… girlfriend. This one he’s out to help Trevelle Williams, his hacker friend who is able to get him almost anything that he needs when a computer is involved.
Even as Turner was introducing the story in Hard Target I couldn’t have predicted where it was going to end up. I thought that the addition of helping out a friend was going to be the story but that was just the tip of the iceberg. Like the other stories in the Jon Reznick series – there is so much more than meets the eye.
I wasn’t sure even as the story progressed exactly how it was going to end, but I wasn’t even close to predicting the ending. I really thought that things were going to end up different but I should have known (anything more that I add here will be a spoiler). J.B. Turner is at the top of his game in Hard Target – writing an absolute page-turner. I couldn’t put Hard Target down even if I’d wanted to. I realized that I only had an hour left, so I figured I would stay up and finish it… that was at 1am last night. Oops. I just couldn’t wait to see what happened.
Obviously, I have to talk about the fantastic narration by Jeffrey Kafer. He’s able to voice Reznick perfectly and really has been the rock that’s been there for every book in this series. He is Jon in my book and I’m glad that such a great narrator has been there throughout Jon’s experiences.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Hard Target felt different, I’m not 100% sure why but it was just different enough to really breath some life into this series (not that I think it needed it). In the last few books Reznick has had to deal with threats on his daughter and his not-girlfriend… girlfriend. This one he’s out to help Trevelle Williams, his hacker friend who is able to get him almost anything that he needs when a computer is involved.
Even as Turner was introducing the story in Hard Target I couldn’t have predicted where it was going to end up. I thought that the addition of helping out a friend was going to be the story but that was just the tip of the iceberg. Like the other stories in the Jon Reznick series – there is so much more than meets the eye.
I wasn’t sure even as the story progressed exactly how it was going to end, but I wasn’t even close to predicting the ending. I really thought that things were going to end up different but I should have known (anything more that I add here will be a spoiler). J.B. Turner is at the top of his game in Hard Target – writing an absolute page-turner. I couldn’t put Hard Target down even if I’d wanted to. I realized that I only had an hour left, so I figured I would stay up and finish it… that was at 1am last night. Oops. I just couldn’t wait to see what happened.
Obviously, I have to talk about the fantastic narration by Jeffrey Kafer. He’s able to voice Reznick perfectly and really has been the rock that’s been there for every book in this series. He is Jon in my book and I’m glad that such a great narrator has been there throughout Jon’s experiences.
June 26, 2020
I received a copy of this story from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I wanted to like this. I thought I was going to like this. Based on the summary, I thought this was going to be a story about political intrigue and government corruption, yes, but I also thought the hacker (Trevelle Williams) would feature more heavily than he did. I thought this would be a more high-tech, cyber-based action novel.
I could not have been more wrong. On all counts.
It was like a bad action movie. You know the type: the action movies that are so bad, they're funny. Except this wasn't even funny. The dialogue was incredibly unrealistic. It often made me cringe because people just do not talk like that in real life. And it was so circular. Reznick kept rehashing the same conversations with the same characters. It became redundant and didn't further the story.
There was plenty of action but it was empty action. Any dramatic tension that was built up dissipated almost immediately after. Things were too easy. There was no mystery except what would happen to Rosalind. And the ending could have been great but it was a total waste because it wasn't earned. An ending like that needs time, tension, and finesse. It only pays off after carefully building and stoking that fire. Because none of that happened, the ending was a massive disappointment. I skimmed the last bit of it because the aftermath wasn't important at that point.
This one is a hard pass for me.
I wanted to like this. I thought I was going to like this. Based on the summary, I thought this was going to be a story about political intrigue and government corruption, yes, but I also thought the hacker (Trevelle Williams) would feature more heavily than he did. I thought this would be a more high-tech, cyber-based action novel.
I could not have been more wrong. On all counts.
It was like a bad action movie. You know the type: the action movies that are so bad, they're funny. Except this wasn't even funny. The dialogue was incredibly unrealistic. It often made me cringe because people just do not talk like that in real life. And it was so circular. Reznick kept rehashing the same conversations with the same characters. It became redundant and didn't further the story.
There was plenty of action but it was empty action. Any dramatic tension that was built up dissipated almost immediately after. Things were too easy. There was no mystery except what would happen to Rosalind. And the ending could have been great but it was a total waste because it wasn't earned. An ending like that needs time, tension, and finesse. It only pays off after carefully building and stoking that fire. Because none of that happened, the ending was a massive disappointment. I skimmed the last bit of it because the aftermath wasn't important at that point.
This one is a hard pass for me.
May 28, 2020
Powerful People Want You Dead---Now What??
Yikes! Started to read it, and before I knew it, I came to the end. Wow!
This political thriller will have you rethinking everything you know about the US military-industrial complex and corruption in Washington DC. Who can be trusted? How long have things been this bad?
Probably the best of the action-packed series. Jon Reznick again faces a series of neverending threats and obstacles, making the storyline intense and compelling. Although this book could be a great standalone read, those who have read the full series will appreciate it much more, knowing the complete Jon Reznick backstory.
Loved the high-speed action, surprising twists, and strong characters. JB Turner writes crisp and edgy dialogue that makes his storytelling believable and engaging. Just enough facts to drive the plot forward, there's nothing distracting from this series installment.
Only one chapter disappointed because it was too cliche, but you'll recognize it when you get to it, so I won't say more. It's the book's only weakness. Still, it's a great escape read and something you won't want to put down.
I especially liked the character development of Max Charles in the church chapter, finding it highly symbolic of many zealots in business and government. Hmmm?
Appreciated Audible's strong narration by the same reader of previous volumes in the series. Well done!
This has been a solid and enjoyable series so far, but I hope the author knows when to finish it well when the right time comes.
Yikes! Started to read it, and before I knew it, I came to the end. Wow!
This political thriller will have you rethinking everything you know about the US military-industrial complex and corruption in Washington DC. Who can be trusted? How long have things been this bad?
Probably the best of the action-packed series. Jon Reznick again faces a series of neverending threats and obstacles, making the storyline intense and compelling. Although this book could be a great standalone read, those who have read the full series will appreciate it much more, knowing the complete Jon Reznick backstory.
Loved the high-speed action, surprising twists, and strong characters. JB Turner writes crisp and edgy dialogue that makes his storytelling believable and engaging. Just enough facts to drive the plot forward, there's nothing distracting from this series installment.
Only one chapter disappointed because it was too cliche, but you'll recognize it when you get to it, so I won't say more. It's the book's only weakness. Still, it's a great escape read and something you won't want to put down.
I especially liked the character development of Max Charles in the church chapter, finding it highly symbolic of many zealots in business and government. Hmmm?
Appreciated Audible's strong narration by the same reader of previous volumes in the series. Well done!
This has been a solid and enjoyable series so far, but I hope the author knows when to finish it well when the right time comes.
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