Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
International crime ring…
No one to trust…
Can they pull off the big rescue?


Imagine TAKEN meets OCEAN'S 11.

The eighth Ball & Chain thriller vaults you into a completely different world…one with more water than land, more culture than found in a Petri dish, and a red light district that's sure to get Cooper in trouble.

But Cooper and Willow will have to survive in a foreign land if they have any hope of rescuing her father and putting an end to a murderous drug trafficking cartel.

Do Ball & Chain have the chutzpah to win this deadly game of chicken? Or will they fall into a trap that will devour them?

Set in the stunning city of Amsterdam and chock full of wild characters and snarky suspense, this Ball & Chain thriller will have you shuddering one minute and laughing out loud the next.

389 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 31, 2020

95 people are currently reading
17 people want to read

About the author

John W. Mefford

77 books401 followers
Amazon #1 Bestselling Author, #2 bestselling author on Barnes and Noble, and a Readers' Favorite Gold Medal winner.

John W. Mefford has been writing his debut novel since he first entered the work force almost thirty years ago, although he never put words on paper until 2009. Once he started writing, however, he couldn't stop. Many readers ask John from where he gets his ideas. Well, he's a veteran of the corporate rat-race, a former journalist, and he's always been an astute observer of human and social behavior. On top of that, he's really good at embellishing.

A member of International Thriller Writers, John writes novels full of electrifying suspense -- the same types of books he has loved to read since before he could shave.

Learn more about John at www.JohnWMefford.com

Let's connect! Follow John on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JohnWMeffordAuthor

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
67 (63%)
4 stars
29 (27%)
3 stars
7 (6%)
2 stars
2 (1%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Profile Image for Kathi Defranc.
1,182 reviews499 followers
April 2, 2020
The Fab Team Of Ball and Chain Continue A Rollercoaster Ride To Find Her Dad

Whew..I am wiped out myself after going through this exciting story alongside the incredible team of Willow Ball and Cooper Chain as they travel to Amsterdam in search for her father, not knowing who they can trust and hunted by many for reasons they can't understand!! There are action-packed scenes and incredible moments when they must use their own instincts and wit to get through dangerous scenes. Can they possibly get to the father, with their relationship and lives intact?!
A fabulous read that takes you with this interesting couple, through every sarcastic comment and bullet passing by, with Cooper intent to fulfill his love's wish, but heart breaking to be with his daughter and the life they all had together...
You will Not guess the ending and will be holding your book tightly, from the first page through every intense moment until the finish...When you, like me, will feel you have been through the ride of your life!!!#
162 reviews2 followers
April 2, 2020
TRAP.IS.A.RIVETING.DEADLY.ADDICTIVE.COMPELLING. BE-U-TI-FUL READ! Unheralded action, deadly encounters, classic literary lines, AND MORE!! Through Author John W. Mefford’s mastery over words skillfully applied to page, this reader got to experience in TRAP... a SUPERIOR read, as Mr. Mefford tightly wove a very exciting and breathlessly thrilling story, with characters Willow and Cooper in Amsterdam, Holland. The very alive characters forged ahead at a racing, thundering, explosively heart beating pace, while they worked to solve the many puzzle pieces they were forced to face in this international THRILLER! From start to finish, TRAP succeeded to not leave THIS reader ever the same after a wonderfully woven story in TRAP that skilled Author John W. Mefford gifted this reader with which turned out to be way past a great read! What part of all THAT would anyone wish to miss? NO PART, and NO ONE, and certainly NOT I. And although a book inevietably has to end, (which I wished it never would), the poignant ending will melt your heart into a puddle!! ENJOY!!!
3,988 reviews14 followers
March 28, 2020
"What goes UP must come down."
The middle aged, young at heart romantics, Willow and Cooper, fly to Amsterdam to find Willow's dad who, after the briefest of appearances in her life after a thirty year absence, had vanished once again. But the meeting proves more difficult than anticipated and the search is accompanied by plenty of gunfire, murder and mayhem, accidents, trips and bungles, cuddles, tears and laughter and the unexpected meetings with the self styled Aunty Gladys.

Plenty of action in John Mefford's tale of the quirky couple of very amateur sleuths, and the story is good, too. But the real delights lie in the, at times, near slap stick humour, the interactions between this delightful couple who regained their college feelings for each other some twenty years later - and with them all of foolishness of youth - and the wonderful lightness of touch despite the seriousness of the subject matter. A good, exciting but fun read.
Profile Image for Julie.
281 reviews5 followers
May 9, 2020
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Mefford gets better & better....


This book “TRAP” is a nonstop excellent read. Ball and Chain are still on the run trying to find Willow’s Dad. You will laugh, cry and get very tense while reading some of the adventures they go through during this latest episode. Mr. Mefford has a way of putting in so many twists and turns that you are literally glued to the pages and can’t turn them fast enough. I’ve read most of his books and I think this is the most intricate one he’s written with all the plots and subplots. Haven’t a clue how he keeps them straight. But each one is tied up like a neat little bow when you finish this book. But one! Where has Dr. V been during all this??? Maybe we will find out. I highly recommend this series plus I highly recommend reading any books by John Mefford. They are fantastic. Go, pick one up and enjoy!
Profile Image for Barbara.
759 reviews6 followers
March 31, 2020
Mefford sure knows how to keep your attention from the first page. Cooper Chain and Willow Ball know how to get themselves in and out of trouble all while trying to find her father. This time they are in Amsterdam and once again trying to stay alive from assassins. They end up helping women in a human trafficking situation along with drugs and deaths as well. Somehow they always make it through the issue and leave us wanting more of them. I love the banter back and forth between Ball and Chain. What a relationship they have. Can’t wait until the next book. The end of this one did the same as all the others,..leaving you wanting more.
Profile Image for Bev.
3,272 reviews98 followers
March 31, 2020
Ball and Chain continue the hunt for Willow's father. But in the meantime, they are caught in the middle of some very unsavory characters. Not only that, but they are also on foreign ground. Things get really intense and scary. There are young girls whose lives depend on Ball and Chain, and that puts them in more danger. The ending is astonishing! Come along for another hair raising ride. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book and then bought the book!
105 reviews1 follower
April 8, 2020
Willow and Cooper fly to Amsterdam in the continuing search for Willow’s father. From chapter one they are embroiled in one catastrophe after another. There is nonstop action with Willow and Cooper running for their lives throughout this story. As usual there are several characters to keep track of. I really liked the descriptions of Amsterdam. This book kept my attention—I actually laughed out loud at times and gasped at others. Very entertaining and interesting! Read and enjoy!
84 reviews1 follower
April 8, 2020
One of Mefford's best books if not the best. His power couple finally catch up to Willow's fa. ther in. Amsterdam, but their thrill ride doesn't stop there. They are flagged back to the USA to fix all the wrongs in the world. A shocking, final push to end their search fo theelusive king pin, brings bothh heart ache and gratification. I read this as an ARC and strongly recommend this book to every one.
154 reviews1 follower
June 2, 2020
Ball and Chain are still on the hunt for her father. They are now in Amsterdam, Holland. They of course are caught in the middle of some very unsavory characters. The book is full of twists, turns and lots of action that keep you on the edge of your seat and glued to the book. This book is very well written and very interesting and keeps you holding your breath several time. Looking forward to the next one.
Profile Image for Denise.
1,771 reviews24 followers
November 14, 2020
'Trap' is book 8 of 'The Ball & Chain Thriller Series' and I loved the thrills. Full of action, despicable characters and a lot of thrilling scenarios. The only thing I had a problem with was Willow. She was so whiny and demanding. She really doesn't have a say when it comes to government officials having info on her father. But she kept demanding answers and actions. Other than that, I love it. A good add to your tbr list.
202 reviews2 followers
March 24, 2020
Serious thriller, no. Great read, yes. Ball and Chain go international and the humor, one liners, and action don’t let up. An unusual mix of thriller and tongue in cheek humor combine to make a great read about the journey of the two lead characters through the seedier part of society. On top of that, the first three times you figure out who done it, you’ll be wrong.
Profile Image for Sammye.
4,432 reviews30 followers
April 10, 2020
Willow and Cooper continue the search for Willow’s father in this addition to the Ball and Chain series. This is a very exciting thriller So many twists and turns throughout. The storyline is very entertaining and full of mystery and action. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving this review
Profile Image for Sherry Vaughan.
842 reviews10 followers
April 21, 2020
Bravo!!!

Willow and Cooper jump from one frying pan to another--from New York City to Amsterdam. They have been told that they can meet Willow's father there. Instead, they witness murder (more than one), kidnapping, and learn about human trafficking. They are running for their lives while trying to help.
Another stand out in the Ball and Chain saga. Bravo!!!
294 reviews1 follower
April 15, 2020
Exciting trip with Ball and Chain across the pond in new culture. I enjoy visiting new places with these witty characters. The twist and turns keep the pages turning. Hope it's not too long to wait for the next story.
320 reviews7 followers
April 20, 2020
Fast moving thriller

Mayhem, murder, and greed follow from the United States to Amsterdam. Hair-raising chases to stay alive, not always sure who are the good guys. A great, intriguing journey
275 reviews4 followers
April 29, 2020
I think this was the wildest adventure yet for Cooper and Willow. Trouble finds them at every turn. Will Willow ever find her dad?
Humour, adventure, and some unsavoury characters are rampant in this book. Another great read!
206 reviews4 followers
September 4, 2020
Thoroughly exciting!

Well just finished reading Trap and what a ride! Very exciting! Again, how do Cooper and Willow get in all the trouble they find? I have truly enjoyed the Ball and Chain adventures so far and am waiting for more!
497 reviews
March 5, 2021
Excellent

Wow what an adventure it’s been with Ball and Chain!! These books are fantastic. There’s so much action and suspense with some great twists and turns plus a little romance. Sad to see this is the last one. I will be looking for another soon.
4,417 reviews43 followers
April 18, 2020
How did they know where she was all the time? Why was her father always disappearing? I enjoyed the story and recommend the book.
Profile Image for Thomas.
276 reviews1 follower
did-not-finish
May 17, 2020
Awful - did not finish
32 reviews1 follower
August 22, 2020
Tired

Thank goodness willow finally found her father. The ending was a surprise. I am sure Cooper and Willow will find more trouble with out her Dad.
571 reviews10 followers
March 30, 2020
Another well written mystery thriller in the Ball @ Chain series with an excellent storyline. An exciting read with plenty of action, lots of suspense, some humor, and a great cast of realistic characters. Willow and Cooper are always getting into trouble. A very enjoyable book and series that I highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.