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DJ Slaughter #3
Skeleton Key
Buckle up kids! This thriller will have you racing to the end.
DJ is a fixer. He sees a problem and he makes it go away by the most expedient way possible. As an elite member of a secret team of FBI who's sole purpose is to combat global terrorism and organized crime, this usually involves putting his finger to the trigger. When he impulsively acts to remedy one problem and save a group of hostages from a criminal kingpin, it sets off a domino-like chain of events that involve terrorists, assassins and traitors. He soon finds himself up against an adversary that is frustratingly efficient at what he does. His foe is a strategists that seems to have all of the moves covered. And, the clock is ticking. DJ must not only overcome an enemy that is smarter than his whole team combined, but he is on a race against time to avert an event that will claim the lives of thousands.
In this epic tale, DJ finds that there is no amount of spent ammunition that can slay his guilt at being responsible for all of this. If you thought the previous books were good, this one will take your breathe away.
My advice is to plan the reading of this book on your day off. You aren't going to want to put this thing down. We will not take responsibility for you being so sleepy at work that you cannot get your job done.
Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2019
149 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
James Beltz
22 books89 followersJames is a thriller writer with influences from Clancy, Flynn, Child, and others. He's been featured in articles for Recoil Magazine and Off-Grid. Recoil listed him featured him in an article entitled: "Best Selling Authors Who Get It Right." High praise indeed.
Born and raised in Louisiana, but currently residing in Oklahoma, James draws from his southern roots in his storytelling, creating a protagonist that is quiet and reserved, drawing on a commonsense approach to crime-fighting. The DJ Slaughter character, for example, is easily relatable. You know who he is pretty quick and can see yourself in his struggles. In a world of over-the-top heroes, James is a breath of fresh air.
James continues to write his popular DJ Slaughter series but is rumored to be secretly working on something exciting and new in the background. We can't wait to see what he's cooked up for us all.
Contact info, a full list of books, and his homemade gumbo recipe can be found at www.JamesBeltz.com
Born and raised in Louisiana, but currently residing in Oklahoma, James draws from his southern roots in his storytelling, creating a protagonist that is quiet and reserved, drawing on a commonsense approach to crime-fighting. The DJ Slaughter character, for example, is easily relatable. You know who he is pretty quick and can see yourself in his struggles. In a world of over-the-top heroes, James is a breath of fresh air.
James continues to write his popular DJ Slaughter series but is rumored to be secretly working on something exciting and new in the background. We can't wait to see what he's cooked up for us all.
Contact info, a full list of books, and his homemade gumbo recipe can be found at www.JamesBeltz.com
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 4, 2018
Emotional, Thrilling, Edge of Your Chair ...This Book Has It ALL!!!
Wow...what an amazing experience, I cried, I laughed, I was scared to death as the FBI Special Group run by Brett races through an unimaginable event to stop the death of many Americans!
Put into a mission that was never explained to any of them, DJ Slaughter snaps as 38 young girls are about to be raped to 'prepare' them for life ahead with monsters , he punches the Agent in charge and does what he is best at! He stops all horror from happening and ends the life of the man in charge of the evil. All seems good, except as they return home, the real mission is revealed, and DJ is brought to his knees with the guilt-his actions stopped hell for a small group, but may have let loose terror and death to America...
I congratulate author James Beltz on an extraordinary thriller with a hero who remains human, one of us with a special gift...Any who enjoy Jack Reacher ,John Milton or Adrian Hell DEFINITELY need to grab a DJ Slaughter book and take a look, you will not stop reading until The End, and will have a new hero to enjoy!
Wow...what an amazing experience, I cried, I laughed, I was scared to death as the FBI Special Group run by Brett races through an unimaginable event to stop the death of many Americans!
Put into a mission that was never explained to any of them, DJ Slaughter snaps as 38 young girls are about to be raped to 'prepare' them for life ahead with monsters , he punches the Agent in charge and does what he is best at! He stops all horror from happening and ends the life of the man in charge of the evil. All seems good, except as they return home, the real mission is revealed, and DJ is brought to his knees with the guilt-his actions stopped hell for a small group, but may have let loose terror and death to America...
I congratulate author James Beltz on an extraordinary thriller with a hero who remains human, one of us with a special gift...Any who enjoy Jack Reacher ,John Milton or Adrian Hell DEFINITELY need to grab a DJ Slaughter book and take a look, you will not stop reading until The End, and will have a new hero to enjoy!
April 11, 2019
3.5 stars
I have to admit, this book took a bit of effort for me to get through. I've enjoyed the series so far, and books 1 and 2 were very enjoyable- if you can just suspend the realm of believability a bit while DJ Slaughter kills many, many people - but hey, they're bad guys so it's okay that he shoots most of them in the face - seriously, somehow it works.
The problem I had with this book was the writing felt...heavy. That's the word that comes to mind. I'm not sure what made this different, but it felt different from the first two. It was a chore to get through. I'm not sure if it had to do with the level of detail, or what was different, but I felt like I released a sigh of relief when I read the last page. It didn't help that it finished with a major cliff hanger. Maybe that bothered me as well. I was thinking that I was going to take a breather from this series and pick it up later, but then I HATE cliffhangers. And it was a doozy. I think I'll read something or a couple of somethings from a different genre and then go back and start book 4.
I have to admit, this book took a bit of effort for me to get through. I've enjoyed the series so far, and books 1 and 2 were very enjoyable- if you can just suspend the realm of believability a bit while DJ Slaughter kills many, many people - but hey, they're bad guys so it's okay that he shoots most of them in the face - seriously, somehow it works.
The problem I had with this book was the writing felt...heavy. That's the word that comes to mind. I'm not sure what made this different, but it felt different from the first two. It was a chore to get through. I'm not sure if it had to do with the level of detail, or what was different, but I felt like I released a sigh of relief when I read the last page. It didn't help that it finished with a major cliff hanger. Maybe that bothered me as well. I was thinking that I was going to take a breather from this series and pick it up later, but then I HATE cliffhangers. And it was a doozy. I think I'll read something or a couple of somethings from a different genre and then go back and start book 4.
March 14, 2019
I gave Slaughter #3 a solid 4/5. I didn't feel the urgency to keep reading until around 40% through the book. That might seem oddly specific, but my reading progress is right at the bottom of my Kindle. Books 1&2 had me not wanting to put them down from the get-go.
Skelton Key slips into the crowded political thriller genre. This review is not a negative one. Book #3 still has all of the great gun play action I have come to expect from James Beltz. His detailed description of the weapons in his books are incredible. You can tell that James puts in a lot of research to inject realism into his world of fiction.
I am giving this four stars, but it is still a must read.
Skelton Key slips into the crowded political thriller genre. This review is not a negative one. Book #3 still has all of the great gun play action I have come to expect from James Beltz. His detailed description of the weapons in his books are incredible. You can tell that James puts in a lot of research to inject realism into his world of fiction.
I am giving this four stars, but it is still a must read.
November 26, 2018
What happens if you save a group of young girls from being brutally raped and take out the scum bags to boot? If your name is DJ Slaughter, you get arrested. Dj and his team are sent to assist in a surveillance situation, but are kept in the dark about what the mission is. The sex trade is kind of a sideline. The real target was a nuclear powered missile. It is really interesting how all that went down was worked into the story. The terrorists are very organized and have a plan to blame everything on the Israelis. There is a bit of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century in this one.
January 11, 2019
Just keeps getting better and better!
Beltz is a master storyteller, and an artist of suspense. If this book doesn't take your breath away, you're not breathing!
Skelton Key has an original and realistic storyline that keeps your attention from beginning to end. The suspense is palpable! The often succinct descriptions are exactly what the reader needs to see the action accurately in the mind's eye.
DJ Slaughter continues to develop in character form in his complex human-ness. I cannot wait to see what's ahead for DJ, Abbi, Brett, and Cash in Book 4.
Beltz is a master storyteller, and an artist of suspense. If this book doesn't take your breath away, you're not breathing!
Skelton Key has an original and realistic storyline that keeps your attention from beginning to end. The suspense is palpable! The often succinct descriptions are exactly what the reader needs to see the action accurately in the mind's eye.
DJ Slaughter continues to develop in character form in his complex human-ness. I cannot wait to see what's ahead for DJ, Abbi, Brett, and Cash in Book 4.
December 23, 2019
This is a fantastic series. If you love fast paced and action packed reads this is definitely that. There are lots of twists and turns. This had me on the edge if my seat. The Author has written a very compelling story and the scenes are epic. The Narrator really brings out the characters voices in this as well. I would love to see this series as a movie series it is for sure one that you don't want to miss the listen. This series is addicting I hope to see more of it. Its a definite read or listen.
Shauna Joesten
Shauna Joesten
October 18, 2020
Slaughtered
Get ready for a white knuckle ride. Once again Beltz has succeeded in sending this reader into a tailspin. J D Slaughter is a highly skilled shooter that a special branch of the FBI know is often a loose cannon but they use him time again because they know that he is an agent who fiercely loves his country and will do anything to defend it. The author knows his fire-arms and brings them to life in the hands of JD.
Get ready for a white knuckle ride. Once again Beltz has succeeded in sending this reader into a tailspin. J D Slaughter is a highly skilled shooter that a special branch of the FBI know is often a loose cannon but they use him time again because they know that he is an agent who fiercely loves his country and will do anything to defend it. The author knows his fire-arms and brings them to life in the hands of JD.
July 15, 2023
practice makes better products & characters
Beltz is definitely learning to write “thrilling” stories and developing his characters much mo’ better 😁. This was the most enjoyable read of DJ Slaughter series to date. Earlier versions felt more like a young writer groping around for direction. Direction found. Story delivered.
Beltz is definitely learning to write “thrilling” stories and developing his characters much mo’ better 😁. This was the most enjoyable read of DJ Slaughter series to date. Earlier versions felt more like a young writer groping around for direction. Direction found. Story delivered.
December 12, 2018
Way to make us want for the next one
This book was intense. An author thinks of things and puts it into a book. With this book however, you are also thinking how this could happen in our country. No spoilers, but the ending...ahhh. Can't wait for the next one!
This book was intense. An author thinks of things and puts it into a book. With this book however, you are also thinking how this could happen in our country. No spoilers, but the ending...ahhh. Can't wait for the next one!
January 13, 2019
DJ is at it again
Saving a group of under age Vietnamese girls from being raped leads JD and his group into a gripping fight with a terrorist group intent on delivering a smart bomb to the US.
Wow! Non stop action and another “where is the next book” ending.
Saving a group of under age Vietnamese girls from being raped leads JD and his group into a gripping fight with a terrorist group intent on delivering a smart bomb to the US.
Wow! Non stop action and another “where is the next book” ending.
August 18, 2019
Skeleton Key Slays!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for honoring Vince Flynn. I miss Mitch more than anything. I love these stories. Over the top John Wick action. I can't put these books down!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for honoring Vince Flynn. I miss Mitch more than anything. I love these stories. Over the top John Wick action. I can't put these books down!!
November 20, 2018
Great!
Fast becoming one of my favourite characters! Can't wait for the next instalment. Thriller writing of the highest order. Thanks!
Fast becoming one of my favourite characters! Can't wait for the next instalment. Thriller writing of the highest order. Thanks!
January 22, 2019
Good
Great twist and turns. Enjoyed reading all three books and look forward to the next. Hopefully it will be out soon
Great twist and turns. Enjoyed reading all three books and look forward to the next. Hopefully it will be out soon
February 22, 2019
Another good one
Still hanging there. No profanity!! I'm amazed at the ability of a modern writer not usung profanity to express his thoughts. A real treat. On to the next book.
Still hanging there. No profanity!! I'm amazed at the ability of a modern writer not usung profanity to express his thoughts. A real treat. On to the next book.
May 6, 2019
Great characters and story line.
To much fun , just received #4 and I am ready to finish the story.
To bad it has to stop with #4
To much fun , just received #4 and I am ready to finish the story.
To bad it has to stop with #4
February 18, 2020
Le faltó finalizar de mejor manera
April 26, 2021
Too much information. It just went on and on and on. I finished it but it was hard. Don’t think I will read anymore of his books.
January 19, 2022
Skeleton Key
3rd book in James Beltz series. Aggressive action throughout the book. You are not going to want to put it down and once finished you will want to get his next book.
3rd book in James Beltz series. Aggressive action throughout the book. You are not going to want to put it down and once finished you will want to get his next book.
June 20, 2023
Part of the DJ Slaughter series. If you are a fan, this is an excellent story!
October 21, 2019
Never leave a book in a cliffhanger, who says you as the author will finish the next book. It’s the height of hubris, you are fond of quoting scriptures Ecclesiastes 911.
I enjoyed the book tremendously. It was a slam dunk as far as I am concerned. I still think the main protagonist is a jerk his character has not grown in his attitudes or procedural development towards operations or his so-called team. Yes The author wants to peg him as a shootist, but he needs more than that to carry the story line. It seems he has not learned anything from his graduation from Quantico. That’s a fallacy that takes me out of the series. He obviously is not stupid, but he has not seem to have learned or grown from the things he has learned. His fixation on his wife Abby is an annoyance to me. You have your wife move on. Do what you have to do to protect her. Get on with the mission. And for her surviving an attack with a train killer that was totally ludicrous. The storyline is still compelling but these issues in the book that I see and think other people will find annoying. And ever since Somalia nobody leaves their NVG‘s behind. That could’ve been written differently. It makes slaughters team seem ineffectual and incompetent. I will read the story as it rolls on and tell you in my reviews when I think issues should be changed or developed.
I enjoyed the book tremendously. It was a slam dunk as far as I am concerned. I still think the main protagonist is a jerk his character has not grown in his attitudes or procedural development towards operations or his so-called team. Yes The author wants to peg him as a shootist, but he needs more than that to carry the story line. It seems he has not learned anything from his graduation from Quantico. That’s a fallacy that takes me out of the series. He obviously is not stupid, but he has not seem to have learned or grown from the things he has learned. His fixation on his wife Abby is an annoyance to me. You have your wife move on. Do what you have to do to protect her. Get on with the mission. And for her surviving an attack with a train killer that was totally ludicrous. The storyline is still compelling but these issues in the book that I see and think other people will find annoying. And ever since Somalia nobody leaves their NVG‘s behind. That could’ve been written differently. It makes slaughters team seem ineffectual and incompetent. I will read the story as it rolls on and tell you in my reviews when I think issues should be changed or developed.
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January 25, 2019great read looking forward to the next one
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews