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Six Assassins #3
Unstable Target
He’s a paranoid lunatic with shackles in his back room. Will she join his collection, or will she destroy the chains?
Ember Clarke hasn’t had a second to rest since it all started. In week three of a six-week trial by combat, the third assassin informs her he stockpiles hostages like baseball cards. And, just so Ember knows he’s serious, this deranged psycho kills one of them in front of her.
Even though she’s a hardened contract killer, Ember does not abide the deaths of innocents. A toxic game of cat and mouse with the kidnapper leads Ember to the brink of destruction.
Can she catch the killer and free the hostages, or will she become this madman’s next collector’s item?
Unstable Target is the third book in the pulse-pounding Six Assassins crime thriller series. If you like noble antiheroes, jaw-dropping twists and turns, and pages so exciting they practically tap themselves, you’ll love Jim Heskett and Nick Thacker’s epic six-part tale. Book 3 of 6.
Buy Unstable Target to save the hostages today!
Ember Clarke hasn’t had a second to rest since it all started. In week three of a six-week trial by combat, the third assassin informs her he stockpiles hostages like baseball cards. And, just so Ember knows he’s serious, this deranged psycho kills one of them in front of her.
Even though she’s a hardened contract killer, Ember does not abide the deaths of innocents. A toxic game of cat and mouse with the kidnapper leads Ember to the brink of destruction.
Can she catch the killer and free the hostages, or will she become this madman’s next collector’s item?
Unstable Target is the third book in the pulse-pounding Six Assassins crime thriller series. If you like noble antiheroes, jaw-dropping twists and turns, and pages so exciting they practically tap themselves, you’ll love Jim Heskett and Nick Thacker’s epic six-part tale. Book 3 of 6.
Buy Unstable Target to save the hostages today!
350 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2020
132 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Jim Heskett
68 books252 followersJim Heskett is a writer of short and long fiction, currently slaving away at a laptop in an undisclosed location in Broomfield, Colorado. Details about previous and future publications can be found at www.jimheskett.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
April 17, 2020
A good read with lots of action and a page turner, but needs editing throughout.
April 6, 2020
Ember Clarke is an assassin who is in a combat situation due to accidentally killing another assassin who invaded one of her jobs and wasn't supposed to be at the site. Her punishment is the black dot challenge. It's the law of the jungle; kill or be killed. She has six weeks to survive attempts on her life by other assassins from other divisions of the Denver Assassins Club (DAC). One each week. If they don't get her, she will get them.
Quinn is the assassin who is trying to take her out, but his methods are different than hunting her, setting her up, and trying to kill her in whatever means they excel in. Oh no. This guy isn't hunting her at all. He's luring her, appealing to her sense of humanity, by using innocent young girls as bait. He's kidnapped and tortured three young girls and is setting them up for Ember to find and rescue. This guy is demented from the word go. A smart sociopath. Paranoid, careful, and methodical. He knows it's only a matter of time before he catches Ember and he has plans for her when he does.
While she's trying to outsmart him, she's still dating Zach who has a story of his own going on that's adding suspense to the book. And let's not forget her mysterious neighbor who surprised the hell out of me with what he did. I didn't see that coming, but as he is wont to do, he went in, did what he had to do, and disappeared. I know this guy from other books that Jim Heskett has written and I highly recommend the Micah Reed series and the Layne Parrish series so you'll know exactly what I mean. I love it when characters from other books make appearances in books where they aren't the central figures. I'm wondering if he's going to do more as the series progresses. I can't imagine him not, especially after what he did in this story, but you never know.
Of the three books in the series thus far, this one is my favorite. Quinn is a diabolical psychopath and I wasn't sure how this was all going to end for Ember. I had my doubts. Every dog has its day and a little poetic justice was in store for him.
The book is filled with twists, turns, and surprises. Isabel, the FBI agent gets a surprise, although I sort of figured that's what had happened with Marcus and Allison. Marcus is so arrogant and needs a fist to the face repeatedly. Gabe, oh that poor guy. What's going to happen to him? And Zach? It makes me shudder to think.
There is so much going on and so many unanswered questions that make me want to keep reading the series until the end. This is third installment of a six book series so I'm halfway there. I can only imagine what's going to happen in the rest of this. The suspense will be killing me until this is all over.
This series needs to be read in order, starting with Primary Target, then Subtle Target, then this gem that turned out to be a psychological thriller that had me at the edge of my seat from the beginning to the end.
*I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily left a review.
Quinn is the assassin who is trying to take her out, but his methods are different than hunting her, setting her up, and trying to kill her in whatever means they excel in. Oh no. This guy isn't hunting her at all. He's luring her, appealing to her sense of humanity, by using innocent young girls as bait. He's kidnapped and tortured three young girls and is setting them up for Ember to find and rescue. This guy is demented from the word go. A smart sociopath. Paranoid, careful, and methodical. He knows it's only a matter of time before he catches Ember and he has plans for her when he does.
While she's trying to outsmart him, she's still dating Zach who has a story of his own going on that's adding suspense to the book. And let's not forget her mysterious neighbor who surprised the hell out of me with what he did. I didn't see that coming, but as he is wont to do, he went in, did what he had to do, and disappeared. I know this guy from other books that Jim Heskett has written and I highly recommend the Micah Reed series and the Layne Parrish series so you'll know exactly what I mean. I love it when characters from other books make appearances in books where they aren't the central figures. I'm wondering if he's going to do more as the series progresses. I can't imagine him not, especially after what he did in this story, but you never know.
Of the three books in the series thus far, this one is my favorite. Quinn is a diabolical psychopath and I wasn't sure how this was all going to end for Ember. I had my doubts. Every dog has its day and a little poetic justice was in store for him.
The book is filled with twists, turns, and surprises. Isabel, the FBI agent gets a surprise, although I sort of figured that's what had happened with Marcus and Allison. Marcus is so arrogant and needs a fist to the face repeatedly. Gabe, oh that poor guy. What's going to happen to him? And Zach? It makes me shudder to think.
There is so much going on and so many unanswered questions that make me want to keep reading the series until the end. This is third installment of a six book series so I'm halfway there. I can only imagine what's going to happen in the rest of this. The suspense will be killing me until this is all over.
This series needs to be read in order, starting with Primary Target, then Subtle Target, then this gem that turned out to be a psychological thriller that had me at the edge of my seat from the beginning to the end.
*I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily left a review.
April 6, 2020
In this third week of her Black Spot trial, Ember discovers some surprising things about her hunky neighbour Layne Parish, marvels at the erratic behavior of the men in her life and is pitted against a truly diabolical and completely unpredictable opponent.
This series is a "serial" and it's important to read the volumes in order, so if you're looking at book and haven't read Six Assassins book 1 and 2, go back and read them first. This volume will raise way too many questions if you don't have the back story, and besides, you'd miss a whole lot of great violence and mayhem if you didn't read them too.
I love Ember Clarke, the heroine. She's smart, sassy, good with a gun, or a knife, or her bare hands, and she manages to carry off the role of the principled assassin with aplomb. In this series, she's in the fight of her life, going up against six of the best assassins in the guild she belongs to.
Reading this collection has been great entertainment, wondering, as you turn every page, when the hammer's going to fall next, and what the villains (in this case, a sociopath serial killer) are going to throw at her. You know, on a rational level, that she will prevail ... there IS another book in the series after all ... but those moments of vicarious danger are just so much fun.
If you're a fan of John Wyck, the old Steven Segal movies or good hearted people who do bad things, you will love this book as much as I did.
This series is a "serial" and it's important to read the volumes in order, so if you're looking at book and haven't read Six Assassins book 1 and 2, go back and read them first. This volume will raise way too many questions if you don't have the back story, and besides, you'd miss a whole lot of great violence and mayhem if you didn't read them too.
I love Ember Clarke, the heroine. She's smart, sassy, good with a gun, or a knife, or her bare hands, and she manages to carry off the role of the principled assassin with aplomb. In this series, she's in the fight of her life, going up against six of the best assassins in the guild she belongs to.
Reading this collection has been great entertainment, wondering, as you turn every page, when the hammer's going to fall next, and what the villains (in this case, a sociopath serial killer) are going to throw at her. You know, on a rational level, that she will prevail ... there IS another book in the series after all ... but those moments of vicarious danger are just so much fun.
If you're a fan of John Wyck, the old Steven Segal movies or good hearted people who do bad things, you will love this book as much as I did.
April 6, 2020
Ember Clarke has taken on two previous assassins in books one and two of this series as part of her ‘Trial By Combat’ punishment for killing a fellow assassin. This time things are a bit different as she’s up against an assassin that also happens to be a psychopath. Not only does he want to kill Ember, as per his contract, but he wants to make her suffer, and enjoy her suffering. His method for this is to bring her to him as he uses innocent women as bait in twisted games. This book has a darker feel than the previous books, if that’s possible when the subject is an assassin working in an assassins ‘club’! There’s more than just Ember’s story happening though as we see that there is much much more to her neighbour than meets the eye. Then there’s Gabe, the young assassin she’s mentoring, as well as the burgeoning romance between her and Zach. Zach is also finding that his life has taken on a decidedly dark turn too. Personally, I’ve loved this fun action packed series from the start and this book ramps everything up with developments and twists and turns along the way. Great series, from two great writers, just remember you need to read them in order from book one.
April 8, 2020
I received a review copy from the author at my request and this is my honest opinion. WOW, what a rollercoaster ride this book proved to be. Once again Ember is fighting for her life and this assassin is a whole other kind of insane. Unlike book 2, there is nothing subtle about this assassin. He confronts Ember straight away and it's no holds barred from then on out.
Ember is quickly becoming one of my favorite characters and this series one I will binge read again once all of the books have been released. The way Mr. Thacker and Mr. Heskett have managed to keep three mostly distinct but interwoven storylines going at the same time has been amazing. There's no confusion between them and no one storyline gets more attention than the others. There are great characters, as always, plenty of action, and unexpected twists and turns galore. Luckily these books are not 400+ pages long or I would be in major trouble because once I pick one of them up I don't want to put it down until I'm done. Anxiously awaiting the next installment. Make sure you don't miss out.
Ember is quickly becoming one of my favorite characters and this series one I will binge read again once all of the books have been released. The way Mr. Thacker and Mr. Heskett have managed to keep three mostly distinct but interwoven storylines going at the same time has been amazing. There's no confusion between them and no one storyline gets more attention than the others. There are great characters, as always, plenty of action, and unexpected twists and turns galore. Luckily these books are not 400+ pages long or I would be in major trouble because once I pick one of them up I don't want to put it down until I'm done. Anxiously awaiting the next installment. Make sure you don't miss out.
March 26, 2020
Unstable Target.
Like I noted in the second review I wrote, I am so happy that I am reading these books in order.
The story builds and builds. The writing is getting better are the full character development happens.
More flaw, more reasons, more backgrounds of the main and sub-characters gives you a real insight into the complicated world they try to live in.
It is not that the story is all a story of smoke and mirrors , lies and truths, friends and foes but of genuine feelings and beings. Some are shattered and some develop massively.
I said it before in the first review, Primary Target. I need to read on, I need to find out, I need to see this journey through.
Please keep writing at this level of intensity.
I need the next in the series NOW.
Like I noted in the second review I wrote, I am so happy that I am reading these books in order.
The story builds and builds. The writing is getting better are the full character development happens.
More flaw, more reasons, more backgrounds of the main and sub-characters gives you a real insight into the complicated world they try to live in.
It is not that the story is all a story of smoke and mirrors , lies and truths, friends and foes but of genuine feelings and beings. Some are shattered and some develop massively.
I said it before in the first review, Primary Target. I need to read on, I need to find out, I need to see this journey through.
Please keep writing at this level of intensity.
I need the next in the series NOW.
April 7, 2020
Make sure you have read the first two books. It gets more and more intriguing.
This book gets us through the third week of the trail.
Ember starts to feel the strain of the trail both mentally and bodily.
To Ember's surprise the mysterious neighbor Layne Parrish makes a quick appearance rescuing a young woman and then disappears.
The FBI person that has been hassling Ember digs a bit deeper in what happened in the past between her boss and Ember.
Zach Bennett seems to get himself in a more tricky situation. Will Ember been able to help him out of his predicament.
And if all of this is not enough we might have a full blown conspiracy within the Boulder Assassin's club. Thankfully it will only 22 day when book four will be published.
This book gets us through the third week of the trail.
Ember starts to feel the strain of the trail both mentally and bodily.
To Ember's surprise the mysterious neighbor Layne Parrish makes a quick appearance rescuing a young woman and then disappears.
The FBI person that has been hassling Ember digs a bit deeper in what happened in the past between her boss and Ember.
Zach Bennett seems to get himself in a more tricky situation. Will Ember been able to help him out of his predicament.
And if all of this is not enough we might have a full blown conspiracy within the Boulder Assassin's club. Thankfully it will only 22 day when book four will be published.
April 14, 2021
Half Way There
Ember is badass but what she's not is a heartless assassin who's only concern is kill the target, get the money then repeat. She is a lost soul that has seen the worst that humans can do to each other. And she's trying, in a roundabout way, to get to where life makes more sense. Her skills have pulled her hide from the fire many times and allowed her to get to know herself, her talents and her limitations. But life gets in her way too often so she does what works for her and keeps her alive. This third of six books builds on the previous two and sets the stage for the remaining three sagas. Like those before, they are un-put-down-able.
Ember is badass but what she's not is a heartless assassin who's only concern is kill the target, get the money then repeat. She is a lost soul that has seen the worst that humans can do to each other. And she's trying, in a roundabout way, to get to where life makes more sense. Her skills have pulled her hide from the fire many times and allowed her to get to know herself, her talents and her limitations. But life gets in her way too often so she does what works for her and keeps her alive. This third of six books builds on the previous two and sets the stage for the remaining three sagas. Like those before, they are un-put-down-able.
April 10, 2020
Ember's black spot challenge becomes ever more dangerous as the weeks roll by. This week's challenger is a true psychopath! Beyond Quinn and the hostages he holds, taunting Ember to try and save them, as her toys with her this week, the FBI still seeks to shut down her undercover identity! How far will they go to cover this operation up?
Zach has troubles of his own. His sketchy employer stoops to new coercions trying to get Zach to work for the company full time in Sacramento. How far will Thomas go to get the results he wants? Will Zach confide in Ember?
Kindle Unlimited edition
Zach has troubles of his own. His sketchy employer stoops to new coercions trying to get Zach to work for the company full time in Sacramento. How far will Thomas go to get the results he wants? Will Zach confide in Ember?
Kindle Unlimited edition
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April 12, 2020Unstable Target (Six Assassins #3), my thirty-second read from author Jim Heskett. Another excellent read! The problem with writing a successful book is amplified in a successful series, the reader's expectations are that this book will be even better than the last. This is a good book, and I anticipate a good series, that you can't wait to turn the next page and read more. Next up, Captive Target (Six Assassins #4). I was given a Kindle copy of this book & am voluntarily reviewing it. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
June 12, 2020
Unstable Target - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Half-way through her ordeal by deadly combat and Nick Thacker and Jim Heskett's Unstable Target , #3 in his outstanding Six Assassins series, sees our heroine facing perhaps her most dangerous opponent yet - a ruthless amoral, psychotic assassin whose only mission is to wipe her from the face of the Earth without her doing the same to him!
Who will triumph?
Only setting your sights on the quickest way to get your copy of Unstable Target by the amazing duo of Jim Heskett and Nick Thacker will reveal all!
1,2,3...the countdown has begun!
Half-way through her ordeal by deadly combat and Nick Thacker and Jim Heskett's Unstable Target , #3 in his outstanding Six Assassins series, sees our heroine facing perhaps her most dangerous opponent yet - a ruthless amoral, psychotic assassin whose only mission is to wipe her from the face of the Earth without her doing the same to him!
Who will triumph?
Only setting your sights on the quickest way to get your copy of Unstable Target by the amazing duo of Jim Heskett and Nick Thacker will reveal all!
1,2,3...the countdown has begun!
April 8, 2021
Sicko Quinn has some fun!
The third week of Ember's six weeks of assassins features a guy who likes to kidnap women and hold them hostage in his basement. Will Ember become his next victim? Can Ember help free his victims? What is up with Draconis? Who is Member's neighbor? What will Marcus ask Yang to do? What does the DAC president do after his assassination attempt?Some of these questions may (or may not) be answered in this tale. This is a gripping tale that makes you banker for more.
The third week of Ember's six weeks of assassins features a guy who likes to kidnap women and hold them hostage in his basement. Will Ember become his next victim? Can Ember help free his victims? What is up with Draconis? Who is Member's neighbor? What will Marcus ask Yang to do? What does the DAC president do after his assassination attempt?Some of these questions may (or may not) be answered in this tale. This is a gripping tale that makes you banker for more.
March 28, 2020
Only half way through the series and the twists just keep coming. Who knew there were so many ways to trap and kill your target. Ember is an assassin that has been marked to be killed by 6 members of other assassin clubs; one a week. She's like the Everyready Bunny who just keeps on going...! An exciting series that you should not pass on.
I was given a complimentary copy and am leaving my honest review.
I was given a complimentary copy and am leaving my honest review.
April 6, 2020
"Unstable Target" Wow! Ember is into her third week of trying to survive an assassination attempt. But, there's so much more going on than that. We've got the CIA, are they also after her life? Bodies turning up in the most gruesome way of leaving this mortal coil . Ember is not only trying to stay alive she's doing her utmost to help others stay alive. An amazing storyline that keeps you up....long after you should be asleep...or getting on with...something!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2020
In order to fully understand what this book is about, you really need to read the first two books in the series. Book 3 begins where book 2 leaves off. This is a very exciting espionage crime thriller full of twists and turns. Lots of drama and suspense throughout. The storyline is very entertaining and well developed. This series is great fun to read. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving this review
April 19, 2020
Once again, Ember is the target of an assassin, but this time, a very mentally unstable killer. Ther are also two subplots going on, one with the FBI trying to bring Ember back into the agency, another about a secret drug firm trying to entice Ember’s new love into working for them. Only the assassin is resolved, the other two plots TBC. Another good read that I couldn’t put down until I finished it.
ENJOY!
ENJOY!
March 27, 2020
The 3rd book in the series leads off where the previous one ended. It starts with Ember shopping and Zach Bennett carrying her purchases. Ember receives a call which is from Quinn. Quinn advises her that he will be the next individual looking to kill her. He gives her a place and time where she can meet him.
Quinn does not show up at this site, but Ember gets an impression of what he might do. A 2nd site is set up and again Quinn does not show up, but does display what he has in store for her. She receives an invitation to a 3rd site and Quinn finally shows.
If you want to find out what each location displayed and how Quinn thinks, then you need to read the book.
Quinn does not show up at this site, but Ember gets an impression of what he might do. A 2nd site is set up and again Quinn does not show up, but does display what he has in store for her. She receives an invitation to a 3rd site and Quinn finally shows.
If you want to find out what each location displayed and how Quinn thinks, then you need to read the book.
March 29, 2020
By far, the best in the series so far..but, I say that each time! Quinn is Ember's most formidable opponent and the title of this 3rd installment describes him to a T! Things are heating up for all of the main characters and their own stories are coming to a head..I am so looking forward to book #4! Jim and Nick have outdone themselves!!
April 6, 2020
Wow just WOW this is the most intense one yet. Week 3 is the hardest so far, this week sees a total psychopath after Ember & she's not the only captive he's got. Not only has Ember got to stay alive she's now got others to rescue. Brilliant read from start to finish. Not only are you following Ember but the other characters stories are really making these books a must read. Highly recommend.
April 18, 2020
First off if you have not read the first two books, you need to do that first. In my opinion Unstable Target is the best of the series so far. This one kept me on the edge of my seat turning the pages. There are like four different stories going on in one book. I figure by book six all the stories are going to collide. Two of the stories are starting to crossover. As the trial by combat continues Ember is starting to come unraveled, but some how she is keeping it together. Unstable Target is full of suspense, intrigue and twist. In my opinion the ending was a little surprising. Not only was Ember trying to stay alive she also figures out she has to rescue others. In my opinion this series is really good. I found this to be a faster read than the first two and full of more suspense. I read on Kindle Unlimited.
March 23, 2020
Ember spends the week trying to stay clear of the crazy person that is calling her, she is also dating Zach and he is getting pulled into some type of shadowy situation at work.
Then there is Gabe, her recruit. Lots of things to keep Ember busy.
Then there is Gabe, her recruit. Lots of things to keep Ember busy.
April 4, 2020
Ember is 3 weeks into her 6 week trial by assassin. She continues to try to stay principled in how she deals with others. Heskett continues to develop the main and secondary characters and subplots. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest review .
April 6, 2020
Another exciting part to this 6 episode series by Jim Heskett! A great read! A good strong female characters, varied plot ideas & a few unexpected twists & turns! Must be read in order for the full enjoyment I think!
April 8, 2020
Ember battles on through the third week of her black spot trial. This weeks challenger is a thoroughly disgusting character who tortures women to torment Ember who’s once again assisted by Gabe and Fagan. More questions surface to ramp up the tension. I can’t wait for the next instalment.
April 9, 2020
Great read
Just binge read first 3 books. What a great concept and written with skill and heart pounding action. Can’t wait for next. I’ve read every Thacker book and now these. Wonderful
Just binge read first 3 books. What a great concept and written with skill and heart pounding action. Can’t wait for next. I’ve read every Thacker book and now these. Wonderful
April 9, 2020
The Tension Continues
Another excellent thriller with further sets and turns that leave the reader rapidly turning pages and waiting for the next show to drop. Looking forward to Book 4.
Another excellent thriller with further sets and turns that leave the reader rapidly turning pages and waiting for the next show to drop. Looking forward to Book 4.
January 7, 2022
A real old fashioned page turner
Wow! I am still a little breathless after the action packed adventure I have just read. I am totally hooked on Embers adventures now and can’t wait to see what happens next. Keep em coming guys.
Wow! I am still a little breathless after the action packed adventure I have just read. I am totally hooked on Embers adventures now and can’t wait to see what happens next. Keep em coming guys.
April 7, 2020
Imagine being stalked by a psychopath only days after surviving an attempted poisoning. Ember Clarke is living it. Quinn is Ember’s most terrifying would be assassin to date. She is in her 3rd week of her 6 week trial by combat. Not only must she avoid being murdered, she must rescue Quinn’s other captives. This thriller has many unexpected twists and turns. I am really enjoying this entire series! They must be read in order.
April 10, 2020
I love this series. Page-turning suspense. Book four will be out April 28 --patiently waiting.
April 16, 2020
Love the series so far... Jim Heskett has become one of my favorite authors. A lot of action and suspense.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews