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Jake Wolfe #4
San Diego Dead
In a drug tunnel under the border, no one can hear you scream. Danger awaits Marine veteran Jake Wolfe in San Diego. There he finds white sand beaches, warm turquoise water, boat trips among gray whales, and … cold blooded murder.
It was meant to be a vacation for Jake and his war dog, Cody, but violence erupts when he crosses paths with a criminal cartel urgently seeking to reclaim a deadly package.
Jake learns the missing item is a threat to US citizens and vows to stop the cartel from possessing it, no matter what vigilante justice actions he might have to take.
Time is running out and thousands of innocent lives are at risk. Will the two combat veterans be able to retrieve the dangerous item before the killers do? The clock is ticking, but Jake hopes that if anybody can help find the package, it has to be his highly-trained and ultra-intelligent dog, Cody.
Find out what happens next. Start reading the latest Jake and Cody thriller right now and enjoy another fast-paced stand-alone story by author Mark Nolan.
It was meant to be a vacation for Jake and his war dog, Cody, but violence erupts when he crosses paths with a criminal cartel urgently seeking to reclaim a deadly package.
Jake learns the missing item is a threat to US citizens and vows to stop the cartel from possessing it, no matter what vigilante justice actions he might have to take.
Time is running out and thousands of innocent lives are at risk. Will the two combat veterans be able to retrieve the dangerous item before the killers do? The clock is ticking, but Jake hopes that if anybody can help find the package, it has to be his highly-trained and ultra-intelligent dog, Cody.
Find out what happens next. Start reading the latest Jake and Cody thriller right now and enjoy another fast-paced stand-alone story by author Mark Nolan.
- GenresThriller
348 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 31, 2019
1274 people are currently reading
174 people want to read
About the author
Mark Nolan
10 books542 followersSubscribe to Mark's reader newsletter by visiting marknolan.com.
Mark Nolan is the author of the Jake Wolfe thriller series.
Book 1: Dead Lawyers Don't Lie
Book 2: Vigilante Assassin
Book 3, Killer Lawyer
Book 4: San Diego Dead
Book 5: Deadly Weapon
Book 6: Key West Dead
Book 7: Mission Target
Book 8: Sea of Death
And an FBI thriller titled, The Girl Who Escaped.
He also tries to make time every day to answer emails from readers. You can reach him and subscribe to reader updates at marknolan.com.
Mark Nolan is the author of the Jake Wolfe thriller series.
Book 1: Dead Lawyers Don't Lie
Book 2: Vigilante Assassin
Book 3, Killer Lawyer
Book 4: San Diego Dead
Book 5: Deadly Weapon
Book 6: Key West Dead
Book 7: Mission Target
Book 8: Sea of Death
And an FBI thriller titled, The Girl Who Escaped.
He also tries to make time every day to answer emails from readers. You can reach him and subscribe to reader updates at marknolan.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
February 11, 2020
Check out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
San Diego Dead (Jake Wolfe Book #4) by Mark Nolan is a fast-paced action thriller featuring Jake Wolfe and his retired war dog, Cody. This is my first time to read a book in this series. The plot lends itself to be easily read as a standalone, but multiple characters seem to be carried over from previous books. That said, I loved it so much that I bought the first three books in a bundle pack.
Jake Wolfe is a veteran Marine turned lawyer, but he is also part of a secret covert operation team. He and his retired war-dog, Cody live on a borrowed yacht. Jake’s Marine training, love of country and the strong moral code have him fighting against national security threats and assisting his many friends and brothers-in-arms.
Jake is on vacation with his girlfriend, Sarah and Cody in Cabo San Lucas to relax and whale watch with a fellow veteran and friend, Pez. Pez is hiding secrets that put Jake, Cody and Sarah in the crosshairs of a ruthless Mexican cartel leader, who will do anything to retrieve a stolen package.
Until Jake can unravel the mystery of the package with help from his friends, they are all in mortal danger. And when they discover what the package contains, it becomes a threat to national security. The clock is ticking as Jake and Cody work to destroy the cartel, secure vengeance for his friend and neutralize the threat to the country.
This is an extremely fast-paced and exciting, easy-to-read thriller. The plot is packed full of action, danger, a ruthless cartel, terrorism and human trafficking that does not slow down. Jake is an alpha hero and with his war-dog Cody, they work together to slip out of some very tight situations. There is a large ensemble of secondary characters that work with Jake and Cody that make the story feel more realistic than just a lone hero taking on the world. I really love that Mr. Nolan gives Cody a unique personality and he gives his own third person perspective on his pack leader occasionally. I read this book all in one sitting and I am looking forward to reading the previous books in this series, too.
I recommend this fast-paced thrill ride of an adventure.
San Diego Dead (Jake Wolfe Book #4) by Mark Nolan is a fast-paced action thriller featuring Jake Wolfe and his retired war dog, Cody. This is my first time to read a book in this series. The plot lends itself to be easily read as a standalone, but multiple characters seem to be carried over from previous books. That said, I loved it so much that I bought the first three books in a bundle pack.
Jake Wolfe is a veteran Marine turned lawyer, but he is also part of a secret covert operation team. He and his retired war-dog, Cody live on a borrowed yacht. Jake’s Marine training, love of country and the strong moral code have him fighting against national security threats and assisting his many friends and brothers-in-arms.
Jake is on vacation with his girlfriend, Sarah and Cody in Cabo San Lucas to relax and whale watch with a fellow veteran and friend, Pez. Pez is hiding secrets that put Jake, Cody and Sarah in the crosshairs of a ruthless Mexican cartel leader, who will do anything to retrieve a stolen package.
Until Jake can unravel the mystery of the package with help from his friends, they are all in mortal danger. And when they discover what the package contains, it becomes a threat to national security. The clock is ticking as Jake and Cody work to destroy the cartel, secure vengeance for his friend and neutralize the threat to the country.
This is an extremely fast-paced and exciting, easy-to-read thriller. The plot is packed full of action, danger, a ruthless cartel, terrorism and human trafficking that does not slow down. Jake is an alpha hero and with his war-dog Cody, they work together to slip out of some very tight situations. There is a large ensemble of secondary characters that work with Jake and Cody that make the story feel more realistic than just a lone hero taking on the world. I really love that Mr. Nolan gives Cody a unique personality and he gives his own third person perspective on his pack leader occasionally. I read this book all in one sitting and I am looking forward to reading the previous books in this series, too.
I recommend this fast-paced thrill ride of an adventure.
October 21, 2020
I have been meaning to pick up this book earlier in the year, having read the previous books in the series. However, for some reason it kept getting pushed back in favour of other books. Not sure why, as I had great expectations for this book and now, I could kick myself for waiting so long.
San Diego Dead provided another thrilling and exciting look into the lives of Jake and Cody. In this installment, Jake tries to balance his personal life with his role of being an assassin for the US government. He loves Sarah, but his love of country and his desire to protect the innocent always get in the way.
The story started out with a bang where Jake and his faithful companion and protector, Cody are both trapped in shark-infested waters after the completion of a mission involving the elimination of a human trafficker. However, that was only the beginning of things to come as this assignment opened up a big can of worms, which placed his life and that of his friends and acquaintances in danger. To make the situation even more dangerous, a fellow veteran and friend got caught up in something deadly, which threatens national security, making Jake and his friends a target of El Rojo, the new boss of the Mexican Cartel.
This story had it all. Suspense, action, thrills and danger and a side serving of romance. It had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. I had a hard time putting it down.
I got the chance to catch up with the characters from the previous books and met new ones. I loved the portrayal of the characters, and I appreciated seeing the story through their eyes. Aside from Jake, my favourite character was Cody. I am amazed at his intelligence. I am aware dogs are smart, but his abilities go beyond a regular trained dog. I guess it all has to do with him being trained as a war dog.
Jake’s latest assignment tested his and Sarah’s relationship, which faced further complications after a tragic accident. I believe they make a great couple, but will have to wait and see if their relationship can survive Jake’s secret career.
Conclusion/Recommendation
Overall, I had a great time with this installment. I am now gearing up to read the next book in this awesome series.
This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
San Diego Dead provided another thrilling and exciting look into the lives of Jake and Cody. In this installment, Jake tries to balance his personal life with his role of being an assassin for the US government. He loves Sarah, but his love of country and his desire to protect the innocent always get in the way.
The story started out with a bang where Jake and his faithful companion and protector, Cody are both trapped in shark-infested waters after the completion of a mission involving the elimination of a human trafficker. However, that was only the beginning of things to come as this assignment opened up a big can of worms, which placed his life and that of his friends and acquaintances in danger. To make the situation even more dangerous, a fellow veteran and friend got caught up in something deadly, which threatens national security, making Jake and his friends a target of El Rojo, the new boss of the Mexican Cartel.
This story had it all. Suspense, action, thrills and danger and a side serving of romance. It had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. I had a hard time putting it down.
I got the chance to catch up with the characters from the previous books and met new ones. I loved the portrayal of the characters, and I appreciated seeing the story through their eyes. Aside from Jake, my favourite character was Cody. I am amazed at his intelligence. I am aware dogs are smart, but his abilities go beyond a regular trained dog. I guess it all has to do with him being trained as a war dog.
Jake’s latest assignment tested his and Sarah’s relationship, which faced further complications after a tragic accident. I believe they make a great couple, but will have to wait and see if their relationship can survive Jake’s secret career.
Conclusion/Recommendation
Overall, I had a great time with this installment. I am now gearing up to read the next book in this awesome series.
This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
September 20, 2019
5 Stars
San Diego Dead: An Action Thriller is the fourth book in the Jake Wolfe series by Mark Nolan. It is a thrilling mystery- with action, adventure, drama, danger, tension, twists & turns, assassins, cartels, narcoterrorists, violence, murder, gun fights, kidnapping, explosions, sharks, a high-stakes and dangerous game of cat and mouse…. and more.
We team up with Jake Wolfe (lawyer, ex-marine, and covert operative), and his genius ex war dog, Cody, as they set out to solve this mystery and save the day. Trouble seems to find Jake- and this story is no exception- as his holiday to unwind and relax takes a dangerous turn. He soon finds that he, Cody, and the ones they hold dear, are all in the sights of a dangerous cartel boss who has a twisted agenda that will put a lot of people in serious danger. Jake and Cody, with the help of some loyal friends , unravel the puzzle piece by piece- and set about hunting down a very important package before it gets into the wrong hands. The tension and danger mounts- as the enemy will stop at nothing to get what they want.
As expected, this is a fast paced story with lots of twists and surprising developments. I was hooked right from the beginning, reading it all in one sitting just to find out how it all plays out. The story is told from multiple POV’s- and even Cody, the dog has a perspective. This gave me a richer reading experience, because I had so much more information to work with.
As with all the books in this series, the characters are fantastic- they are really well developed and fully realised characters with their own quirky personalities. I especially love how incredibly detailed and developed Cody’s personality is- it’s this attention to detail that really sets this book/s apart from others in the same genre!
There were a few minor issues in this book which I haven’t seen occur in any of the other books- and has left me a little puzzled. Things I can’t go into in too much detail because I don’t want to give away any of the storyline. But as an example- Jake helps someone out of a hole, lifting them to his shoulders, before setting them down onto solid ground- then in the very next sentence he is in the hole with that person and lifting them out and onto the ground. So which way is it? It’s as if there were parts of the story where Mr. Nolan hadn’t fully decided which way he wanted to write it and so wrote both ways, maybe thinking to go back later and edit out one scenario and leave the other in- but some got missed in the process and so now we have two versions play out in the story. This didn’t really affect my enjoyment of the book, but I was ‘pulled out’ of the story when I came across them and had to re-read them just to be sure I hadn’t missed anything and was reading it right.
The story can definitely be read as a standalone- but there are recurring characters, elements, and details from previous books which are mentioned in passing in this story- so if you were to read all three of the other books before starting on this one, you would definitely have a richer and more enhanced experience of “San Diego Dead”.
There were quite a few emotional scenes through this book which made my heart ache. And even though the ‘romantic’ aspect of this book is secondary to the thriller/mystery, we watch as Jake and Sarah’s relationship hits a few rocky patches. So do they work things out, or will they part ways forever?
I also appreciated the interesting and informative ‘letter’ from the author at the end of the book. As it gave me even more to think about, while adding a personal touch to the story as well.
I LOVE all the book covers on this series- and I think this is my favourite one yet!
I can’t wait to see what Jake and Cody get up to next!
Thank you, Mr. Nolan!
San Diego Dead: An Action Thriller is the fourth book in the Jake Wolfe series by Mark Nolan. It is a thrilling mystery- with action, adventure, drama, danger, tension, twists & turns, assassins, cartels, narcoterrorists, violence, murder, gun fights, kidnapping, explosions, sharks, a high-stakes and dangerous game of cat and mouse…. and more.
We team up with Jake Wolfe (lawyer, ex-marine, and covert operative), and his genius ex war dog, Cody, as they set out to solve this mystery and save the day. Trouble seems to find Jake- and this story is no exception- as his holiday to unwind and relax takes a dangerous turn. He soon finds that he, Cody, and the ones they hold dear, are all in the sights of a dangerous cartel boss who has a twisted agenda that will put a lot of people in serious danger. Jake and Cody, with the help of some loyal friends , unravel the puzzle piece by piece- and set about hunting down a very important package before it gets into the wrong hands. The tension and danger mounts- as the enemy will stop at nothing to get what they want.
As expected, this is a fast paced story with lots of twists and surprising developments. I was hooked right from the beginning, reading it all in one sitting just to find out how it all plays out. The story is told from multiple POV’s- and even Cody, the dog has a perspective. This gave me a richer reading experience, because I had so much more information to work with.
As with all the books in this series, the characters are fantastic- they are really well developed and fully realised characters with their own quirky personalities. I especially love how incredibly detailed and developed Cody’s personality is- it’s this attention to detail that really sets this book/s apart from others in the same genre!
There were a few minor issues in this book which I haven’t seen occur in any of the other books- and has left me a little puzzled. Things I can’t go into in too much detail because I don’t want to give away any of the storyline. But as an example- Jake helps someone out of a hole, lifting them to his shoulders, before setting them down onto solid ground- then in the very next sentence he is in the hole with that person and lifting them out and onto the ground. So which way is it? It’s as if there were parts of the story where Mr. Nolan hadn’t fully decided which way he wanted to write it and so wrote both ways, maybe thinking to go back later and edit out one scenario and leave the other in- but some got missed in the process and so now we have two versions play out in the story. This didn’t really affect my enjoyment of the book, but I was ‘pulled out’ of the story when I came across them and had to re-read them just to be sure I hadn’t missed anything and was reading it right.
The story can definitely be read as a standalone- but there are recurring characters, elements, and details from previous books which are mentioned in passing in this story- so if you were to read all three of the other books before starting on this one, you would definitely have a richer and more enhanced experience of “San Diego Dead”.
There were quite a few emotional scenes through this book which made my heart ache. And even though the ‘romantic’ aspect of this book is secondary to the thriller/mystery, we watch as Jake and Sarah’s relationship hits a few rocky patches. So do they work things out, or will they part ways forever?
I also appreciated the interesting and informative ‘letter’ from the author at the end of the book. As it gave me even more to think about, while adding a personal touch to the story as well.
I LOVE all the book covers on this series- and I think this is my favourite one yet!
I can’t wait to see what Jake and Cody get up to next!
Thank you, Mr. Nolan!
September 8, 2019
"However, it broke her heart to think the choice was being pressured by her boyfriend's double life. Of all the men she could have fallen for, why did it have to be Jake, a man with a dangerous past and deadly enemies who continued to hunt him down and might never stop?"...….
Jake and his military service dog, Cody, are back in the 4th book in Jake Wolfe series. This is one of my all time favorite series. These are stand alone reads, but you won’t be sorry to read them all.
Marine first, and now a lawyer, Jake has a few other secretive things that go on with the government. With Cody by his side, Jake heads off on a mission with a much needed vacation mixed in. The relaxation won’t last long when a run in with the local cartel puts people in danger. Desperate to get their missing package back, Jake will do whatever it takes to stop them.
This time Jake will have to depend on Cody more than ever. These characters are so well written. If there’s a dog as smart as Cody somewhere, I’d really like to have him. Vacation ruined, Jake does what he does best, protecting and serving his country. If Jake doesn’t get the package before the cartel, thousands of lives will be at stake.
This is not a quiet man and his dog story. This is a fully trained killer taking out bad guys with Cody by his side. Fast paced, exciting, with a little love on the side from Sarah, Cody’s Veterinarian. At times I’m unsure who she loves the most. Jake may want to get his life together pretty quick. Sarah is unsure of her place in it. Is it a mission, or is it the vacation he’s supposed to be taking with Sarah? Packed with action, suspense, and any book is better with a dog, especially one like Cody.
Thank you Mark Nolan
Jake and his military service dog, Cody, are back in the 4th book in Jake Wolfe series. This is one of my all time favorite series. These are stand alone reads, but you won’t be sorry to read them all.
Marine first, and now a lawyer, Jake has a few other secretive things that go on with the government. With Cody by his side, Jake heads off on a mission with a much needed vacation mixed in. The relaxation won’t last long when a run in with the local cartel puts people in danger. Desperate to get their missing package back, Jake will do whatever it takes to stop them.
This time Jake will have to depend on Cody more than ever. These characters are so well written. If there’s a dog as smart as Cody somewhere, I’d really like to have him. Vacation ruined, Jake does what he does best, protecting and serving his country. If Jake doesn’t get the package before the cartel, thousands of lives will be at stake.
This is not a quiet man and his dog story. This is a fully trained killer taking out bad guys with Cody by his side. Fast paced, exciting, with a little love on the side from Sarah, Cody’s Veterinarian. At times I’m unsure who she loves the most. Jake may want to get his life together pretty quick. Sarah is unsure of her place in it. Is it a mission, or is it the vacation he’s supposed to be taking with Sarah? Packed with action, suspense, and any book is better with a dog, especially one like Cody.
Thank you Mark Nolan
October 3, 2019
San Diego Dead: An Action Thriller (Jake Wolfe Book 4) by Mark Nolan is just brilliant. I had forgotten about this series, sorry Mark, but as soon as I realised what it was, I was into it without a second thought. Mark always gives us a thrilling ride with lots of twists and turns. The Jake Wolfe series is one of my all-time favourites. I must say I had a chuckle when I saw just how the cartel were thwarted in their attempts at kidnapping. Anywhoo, Mark always makes his stories of Jake and Cody with plenty of action and danger, adventures and drama, mayhem and murder that makes it hard to put down. I love that the story is told in multiple POV’s and that Cody also has a voice. It’s almost as though he doesn’t know he isn’t human. The characters are hard not to fall in love with their own unique personalities and characteristics. Emotions run high when we see others in danger and the heart gets a good ‘ol pump.
Jake Wolfe is an ex-marine, but he is also more than just a lawyer, he is also part of a secret covert operative team. He is drawn between is feelings for his beautiful woman and his time spent working in highly sensitive and above people pay grades work. He along with Cody an ex-marine war dog have become an explosive team and they have no problem with holding the extremely bad guys accountable and then some.
Sarah finds it hard to deal with the work that Jake does, even if it is above her pay grade and is top secret. But after a series of events where she has to use some brute force she has a slightly better understanding of why he is compelled to do whatever it is he does.
Mark I need more and soon, don’t make me wait! Please……………………….
I highly recommend this series to everyone and I can’t wait to see what they get up to next.
Jake Wolfe is an ex-marine, but he is also more than just a lawyer, he is also part of a secret covert operative team. He is drawn between is feelings for his beautiful woman and his time spent working in highly sensitive and above people pay grades work. He along with Cody an ex-marine war dog have become an explosive team and they have no problem with holding the extremely bad guys accountable and then some.
Sarah finds it hard to deal with the work that Jake does, even if it is above her pay grade and is top secret. But after a series of events where she has to use some brute force she has a slightly better understanding of why he is compelled to do whatever it is he does.
Mark I need more and soon, don’t make me wait! Please……………………….
I highly recommend this series to everyone and I can’t wait to see what they get up to next.
October 6, 2019
San Diego Dead
An Action Thriller
Jake Wolfe
Book 4
By Mark Nolan
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Best of the Best, right here. Not for those under 18, due to violence.
Jake Wolfe was a marine, Semper Fi and all. Now out of the service, he became a lawyer. But first he is going on a much needed vacation. As he begins to relax, trouble finds him. Now his is involved in a manhunt. His goal is to keep his brothers and loved one safe. Only one way to protect those he cares for. Revenge is his goal, but only for those who hurt the innocent. He has begun what he does best, find and catch Rojo! Can he protect those he loves and save the lives of others along the way? Only one way to find out!
Mark Nolan writes an "End of your Seat Thriller." He has a way of building his characters, and keeping you on the edge. Once I started his book I could not put it down. You will find this is a fast paced novel, that you will need to finish. Word to the wise! Read this series in order. I will not give you any spoilers. All I will say is you won't be disappointed! Mark Nolan you have done it again. I am looking forward to reading more from Mark Nolan!
An Action Thriller
Jake Wolfe
Book 4
By Mark Nolan
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Best of the Best, right here. Not for those under 18, due to violence.
Jake Wolfe was a marine, Semper Fi and all. Now out of the service, he became a lawyer. But first he is going on a much needed vacation. As he begins to relax, trouble finds him. Now his is involved in a manhunt. His goal is to keep his brothers and loved one safe. Only one way to protect those he cares for. Revenge is his goal, but only for those who hurt the innocent. He has begun what he does best, find and catch Rojo! Can he protect those he loves and save the lives of others along the way? Only one way to find out!
Mark Nolan writes an "End of your Seat Thriller." He has a way of building his characters, and keeping you on the edge. Once I started his book I could not put it down. You will find this is a fast paced novel, that you will need to finish. Word to the wise! Read this series in order. I will not give you any spoilers. All I will say is you won't be disappointed! Mark Nolan you have done it again. I am looking forward to reading more from Mark Nolan!
October 6, 2019
SAN DIEGO DEAD (Jake Wolfe Series Book 4) by Mark Nolan
5++++++++ Stars
This is my first book by this author and Im kicking myself because of that...This was 100% awesome and falls into my favorite genre of all time and written so perfectly, I can't believe I haven't read this author before now!
I will be going back asap and starting this series from the start because I want all the history I feel like I am missing. That does not mean this can be read as a standalone because I had no problem reading it but I want it all. LOL
This started right on page 1 with me being completely invested and I fell in love with both Jake and Cody. This hit me in all the feels but more than anything had me reading so fast I had to keep slowing myself down so I didn't finish too fast. I must say I completely enjoyed Cody’s POV, that was brilliant and I was not expecting that.
This book has everything and I can not recommend it high enough and I can not wait to read the whole series including this one all over again and I can't wait for more.
Mr. Nolan has a new fan and I'll be one clicking everything!
Loved It!!
5++++++++ Stars
This is my first book by this author and Im kicking myself because of that...This was 100% awesome and falls into my favorite genre of all time and written so perfectly, I can't believe I haven't read this author before now!
I will be going back asap and starting this series from the start because I want all the history I feel like I am missing. That does not mean this can be read as a standalone because I had no problem reading it but I want it all. LOL
This started right on page 1 with me being completely invested and I fell in love with both Jake and Cody. This hit me in all the feels but more than anything had me reading so fast I had to keep slowing myself down so I didn't finish too fast. I must say I completely enjoyed Cody’s POV, that was brilliant and I was not expecting that.
This book has everything and I can not recommend it high enough and I can not wait to read the whole series including this one all over again and I can't wait for more.
Mr. Nolan has a new fan and I'll be one clicking everything!
Loved It!!
October 7, 2019
San Diego Dead (Jack Wolfe #4)
By Mark Nolan
4 stars
San Diego Dead was an action packed story from beginning to end and whilst this isn’t my usual genre to read I have to say I have really enjoyed this series and would highly recommend it to others. The action begins straight away and I find that I am completely hooked on what I am reading. The multiple points of view in the story mean that as a reader I feel like I am truly absorbed by the story. I have to say Cody is just adorable! I love that he is included in the story so much – makes it fun to read amongst the drama and action of Jack’s life! Jack is still as great as always – there is just something about him that draws me to him, I think it’s his dedication to his job and his protectiveness of the people he cares about (not forgetting Cody of course!!)
I look forward to more from this author again in the future!
By Mark Nolan
4 stars
San Diego Dead was an action packed story from beginning to end and whilst this isn’t my usual genre to read I have to say I have really enjoyed this series and would highly recommend it to others. The action begins straight away and I find that I am completely hooked on what I am reading. The multiple points of view in the story mean that as a reader I feel like I am truly absorbed by the story. I have to say Cody is just adorable! I love that he is included in the story so much – makes it fun to read amongst the drama and action of Jack’s life! Jack is still as great as always – there is just something about him that draws me to him, I think it’s his dedication to his job and his protectiveness of the people he cares about (not forgetting Cody of course!!)
I look forward to more from this author again in the future!
December 5, 2019
Jake and Cody are on an ultra-secret mission to help protect the US from terrorists, and they struggle to get out of the mission safely. When they go on a well deserved vacation they soon discover that they're being hunted, and their vacation is not as restful as they want it to be.
As they run for their lives, they're trying to protect the lives of thousands of the people who keep us safe. Can they complete their mission and help protect us all?
Cody is such an amazing dog, and it's wonderful to see him interact with the people in Jake's life. This is a great mystery, with lots of twists and turns, and danger around every corner!
This can be read as a standalone book, but I guarantee you'll fall in love with Jake and Cody and want to read all of Mr. Nolan's books!
I have volunteered to share my review and all the opinions are 100% my own.
As they run for their lives, they're trying to protect the lives of thousands of the people who keep us safe. Can they complete their mission and help protect us all?
Cody is such an amazing dog, and it's wonderful to see him interact with the people in Jake's life. This is a great mystery, with lots of twists and turns, and danger around every corner!
This can be read as a standalone book, but I guarantee you'll fall in love with Jake and Cody and want to read all of Mr. Nolan's books!
I have volunteered to share my review and all the opinions are 100% my own.
November 28, 2022
Another great story about Jake and Cody. Jake is supposed to be on vacation but when one of his marine buddies is killed by a cartel member, the vacation is off. I like the fast pace of these books and the character development. In this book, we learn more about Greene who gets pulled into the front line.
December 6, 2019
4 stars
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 31, 2019
Danger awaits Marine-turned-lawyer Jake Wolfe on his vacation to sunny San Diego and Cabo San Lucas. There he finds sugary white sand beaches, warm turquoise water, boat trips among gray whales, and … cold blooded murder.
It was meant to be a relaxing holiday for Jake and his adopted war dog, Cody, but violence erupts when he crosses paths with a criminal cartel urgently seeking to reclaim a deadly package.
Jake learns the missing item is a threat to US citizens and vows to stop the cartel from possessing it, no matter what vigilante justice actions he might have to take.
Time is running out and thousands of innocent lives are at risk. Will the two combat veterans be able to retrieve the dangerous item before the killers do? The clock is ticking, but Jake hopes that if anybody can help find the package, it has to be his highly-trained and ultra-intelligent dog, Cody.
•••••••••
REVIEW: SAN DIEGO DEAD is the fourth instalment in Mark Nolan’s contemporary, adult JAKE WOLFE military, suspense series focusing on former Marine, above Top Secret clandestine Black Ops specialist and attorney Jake Wolfe.
NOTE: SAN DIEGO DEAD includes scenes of violence and implied torture that may not be suitable for more sensitive readers.
Told from several third person perspectives including Jake Wolfe, SAN DIEGO DEAD follows in the wake of Jake Wolfe’s latest mission wherein our hero took down a known Albanian pirate who sold stolen watercraft to the Mexican cartel. Extending his mission in Cabo San Lucas, in an effort to enjoy some downtime with his lady love Sarah, Jake and Sarah, along with Jake’s Marine buddy Pez, will become the target of the cartel, bringing danger and death back home to everyone he knows and loves. From terrorism to human trafficking, drug smuggling and international espionage Jake Wolfe demands entrance into a world that threatens the people back home when the hunt for an unknown ‘package’ becomes personal and deadly.
SAN DIEGO DEAD is an energetic and dynamic story of action and suspense. Along with his military support dog Cody, and the help of numerous secret government agencies, Jake is determined to take down those who have threatened so many lives.
From the outset, Jake Wolfe is a man who expects trouble at every turn: suspicious of everyone, mistrusting on instinct, our hero must endure the loss of friends, and the possibility of losing the woman he loves as his first priority is to the United States of America.
There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, aggressive and spirited characters (several of whom we have met in previous instalments) including Jake’s handlers with the US government Secret Service Agent Shannon McKay; Veterinarian Sarah Chance; Jake’s former Marine buddies Sammy ‘Pez’ Lopez, and Lieutenant Terrell Hayes; Secret Service agents Yvonne Greene and Easton; Cody the wonder dog; SFPD Sergeant Beth Cushman, as well as the requisite evil including cartel leader El Rojo, and the Angel of Death.
SAN DIEGO DEAD is a dramatic, intense and action-packed story with plenty of military and Black Ops jargon but for a man practised in the art of secret military operations and mission, Jake Wolfe is easily found by everyone bent on destroying his life. The premise is intriguing and suspense filled; the characters are numerous and impassioned.
Copy supplied for review
www.thereadingcafe.com
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 31, 2019
Danger awaits Marine-turned-lawyer Jake Wolfe on his vacation to sunny San Diego and Cabo San Lucas. There he finds sugary white sand beaches, warm turquoise water, boat trips among gray whales, and … cold blooded murder.
It was meant to be a relaxing holiday for Jake and his adopted war dog, Cody, but violence erupts when he crosses paths with a criminal cartel urgently seeking to reclaim a deadly package.
Jake learns the missing item is a threat to US citizens and vows to stop the cartel from possessing it, no matter what vigilante justice actions he might have to take.
Time is running out and thousands of innocent lives are at risk. Will the two combat veterans be able to retrieve the dangerous item before the killers do? The clock is ticking, but Jake hopes that if anybody can help find the package, it has to be his highly-trained and ultra-intelligent dog, Cody.
•••••••••
REVIEW: SAN DIEGO DEAD is the fourth instalment in Mark Nolan’s contemporary, adult JAKE WOLFE military, suspense series focusing on former Marine, above Top Secret clandestine Black Ops specialist and attorney Jake Wolfe.
NOTE: SAN DIEGO DEAD includes scenes of violence and implied torture that may not be suitable for more sensitive readers.
Told from several third person perspectives including Jake Wolfe, SAN DIEGO DEAD follows in the wake of Jake Wolfe’s latest mission wherein our hero took down a known Albanian pirate who sold stolen watercraft to the Mexican cartel. Extending his mission in Cabo San Lucas, in an effort to enjoy some downtime with his lady love Sarah, Jake and Sarah, along with Jake’s Marine buddy Pez, will become the target of the cartel, bringing danger and death back home to everyone he knows and loves. From terrorism to human trafficking, drug smuggling and international espionage Jake Wolfe demands entrance into a world that threatens the people back home when the hunt for an unknown ‘package’ becomes personal and deadly.
SAN DIEGO DEAD is an energetic and dynamic story of action and suspense. Along with his military support dog Cody, and the help of numerous secret government agencies, Jake is determined to take down those who have threatened so many lives.
From the outset, Jake Wolfe is a man who expects trouble at every turn: suspicious of everyone, mistrusting on instinct, our hero must endure the loss of friends, and the possibility of losing the woman he loves as his first priority is to the United States of America.
There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, aggressive and spirited characters (several of whom we have met in previous instalments) including Jake’s handlers with the US government Secret Service Agent Shannon McKay; Veterinarian Sarah Chance; Jake’s former Marine buddies Sammy ‘Pez’ Lopez, and Lieutenant Terrell Hayes; Secret Service agents Yvonne Greene and Easton; Cody the wonder dog; SFPD Sergeant Beth Cushman, as well as the requisite evil including cartel leader El Rojo, and the Angel of Death.
SAN DIEGO DEAD is a dramatic, intense and action-packed story with plenty of military and Black Ops jargon but for a man practised in the art of secret military operations and mission, Jake Wolfe is easily found by everyone bent on destroying his life. The premise is intriguing and suspense filled; the characters are numerous and impassioned.
Copy supplied for review
www.thereadingcafe.com
October 1, 2019
A great read about danger. Jake and Cody just wan to have a relaxing vacation in Mexico after protecting their country from dangerous forces. But fate has other ideas when a mysterious woman attacks his girlfriend Sarah. With a drug cartel group behind them, they flee back to America to find safety and also learn more about a mysterious package the cartel desperately wants to retrieve. As events unravel and danger threatens everyone, can Jake and his friends stop these enemies before its too late?
A great read. Well developed plot with twists and turns. Well developed characters like Jake determined but protective underneath or Cody as smart and intelligent and an adorable dog. Great cast of supporting characters like the anxious Sarah or the good friend Pez or Easton as gruff but kind underneath. A great villain in Rop cold and ruthless and menacing. However, at times it felt as if there were to many marines to keep track of which could have been reduced.
I loved the visual detail throughout the novel like with the vacation scenes with the beach and the sea for a sense of calm. Or the scenes with the whales as giant but beautiful creatures for asense of woner. Or the scenes with the sharks in the stormy sea, pulling the reader straight into the action from the start wonderfully written. Or the use of the senses throughout the novel with tastes and smells and sounds so vivid its as if you're actually there.
I also liked the use of switching the perspective to Cody for a dogs narrative which is something you don't often see in novels and was a great addition to the story. I also liked the use of Mexican culture in the vacation scenes with its language and people and customs given the respect they deserve and giving the novel a sense of character wonderfully written.
The only issue I would raise is that there was a lot of long sentences that made it difficult to read which could eb resolved by a variety of sentence lengths. There was also a lot of repetition with Sarah's inner dialogue which could also be reduced. Fast paced action and high stakes made for a captivating read. Overall, a great read and I would give it four stars..
A great read. Well developed plot with twists and turns. Well developed characters like Jake determined but protective underneath or Cody as smart and intelligent and an adorable dog. Great cast of supporting characters like the anxious Sarah or the good friend Pez or Easton as gruff but kind underneath. A great villain in Rop cold and ruthless and menacing. However, at times it felt as if there were to many marines to keep track of which could have been reduced.
I loved the visual detail throughout the novel like with the vacation scenes with the beach and the sea for a sense of calm. Or the scenes with the whales as giant but beautiful creatures for asense of woner. Or the scenes with the sharks in the stormy sea, pulling the reader straight into the action from the start wonderfully written. Or the use of the senses throughout the novel with tastes and smells and sounds so vivid its as if you're actually there.
I also liked the use of switching the perspective to Cody for a dogs narrative which is something you don't often see in novels and was a great addition to the story. I also liked the use of Mexican culture in the vacation scenes with its language and people and customs given the respect they deserve and giving the novel a sense of character wonderfully written.
The only issue I would raise is that there was a lot of long sentences that made it difficult to read which could eb resolved by a variety of sentence lengths. There was also a lot of repetition with Sarah's inner dialogue which could also be reduced. Fast paced action and high stakes made for a captivating read. Overall, a great read and I would give it four stars..
December 4, 2019
Jake and his service dog Cody--both veterans of war and both having lost their partners have bonded totally. Cody is a very intelligent dog who will kill to protect his pack. Cody considers Jake's girlfriend, a veterinarian, one of his pack! Jake and Cody live on a boat which is just fine with both of them.
The only problem is Jake is part of a very secret government organization-and puts his own and Cody's life in danger. Luckily Jake is good at what he does--as is Cody. BUT--his girlfriend is getting tired of them disappearing. Jake is kind of thinking of retiring also--but not before he finds the people who killed one of his friends.
There is a lot of violence and soul searching--will Jake and his girlfriend ever come to terms and realize that they can not live without the other.
This is a fast and furious race to not only secure American soil from terrorists but also vengeance for his buddy.
You are going to LOVE Cody--no doubt in my mind. Hint, he is not only a protester who will kill--but also a soft and fuzzy furbaby who love for people he trusts to love and cuddle him!
The only problem is Jake is part of a very secret government organization-and puts his own and Cody's life in danger. Luckily Jake is good at what he does--as is Cody. BUT--his girlfriend is getting tired of them disappearing. Jake is kind of thinking of retiring also--but not before he finds the people who killed one of his friends.
There is a lot of violence and soul searching--will Jake and his girlfriend ever come to terms and realize that they can not live without the other.
This is a fast and furious race to not only secure American soil from terrorists but also vengeance for his buddy.
You are going to LOVE Cody--no doubt in my mind. Hint, he is not only a protester who will kill--but also a soft and fuzzy furbaby who love for people he trusts to love and cuddle him!
October 9, 2019
From the very first sentence to the very last this book moves along at a pace that is AWESOME. Each and every situation these two war vets are in takes the reader on such a visual adventure it feels like we are being dangled from a helicopter along with them.
Any story that lets us understand the dog's language is a five star story for me. Both protagonists are so vital to the tale. They co-exist perfectly.
I feel like I used every interjection I learned from "Schoolhouse Rock" while reading this story. I also really appreciate the author taking the time to address the reader and educate us as to what is real and what is not.
While this can be read as a standalone, I think it would be best to read the series in order.
Any story that lets us understand the dog's language is a five star story for me. Both protagonists are so vital to the tale. They co-exist perfectly.
I feel like I used every interjection I learned from "Schoolhouse Rock" while reading this story. I also really appreciate the author taking the time to address the reader and educate us as to what is real and what is not.
While this can be read as a standalone, I think it would be best to read the series in order.
October 27, 2019
Another entertaining book about Jake and his war-dog Cody as they attempt to stay one step ahead a cartel hit team.
September 30, 2019
I can not get enough of reading and visualizing Jake and Cody “working” together. When an officer says she need volunteer DNA sample from a suspect. Jake and Cody say “no problem” and proceed to “scare” the man til he pees his pants. Then smile and say Thank you for your donation. Stuff like this are what make Jake and Cody so much fun to read. Plus all the personable time with Cody wanting bacon or huffing in agreement or laughing(pant, pant, pant) at what Jake says. Cody is a star in his own. He helps make this action adventure story.
Jake ....well Jake is the brains of the operations. He is smart on his own. I love how his brain works to figure things out. He must get that from his Marine days. Think fast and on your feet. He is not afraid and steps right up to danger. His friends are as important as his dog are to him. I love love love his dedication to Cody. I am surprised all the places he takes Cody during the book. When Cody is added to him they are an unstoppable team.
The secondary characters are all helpful in moving the story along. Roxanne, Terrell, Pez and even the agents all have light hearted moments that make this story not quite so heavy. Add in Jakes sarcasm/wit and Cody’s dogginess and it’s a perfect recipe.
I have enjoyed all of these books so far. This one is no exception. It is full of action and moves right along. The characters are fun, dangerous and interesting. It’s easy to forget daily life and just keep reading about Cody and Jake. My only wish is that these would come out on audio.
PS. Thanks for the wonderful new gear I was able to read about. As always I love the Dear Reader at the back so I can find out what is real.
Jake ....well Jake is the brains of the operations. He is smart on his own. I love how his brain works to figure things out. He must get that from his Marine days. Think fast and on your feet. He is not afraid and steps right up to danger. His friends are as important as his dog are to him. I love love love his dedication to Cody. I am surprised all the places he takes Cody during the book. When Cody is added to him they are an unstoppable team.
The secondary characters are all helpful in moving the story along. Roxanne, Terrell, Pez and even the agents all have light hearted moments that make this story not quite so heavy. Add in Jakes sarcasm/wit and Cody’s dogginess and it’s a perfect recipe.
I have enjoyed all of these books so far. This one is no exception. It is full of action and moves right along. The characters are fun, dangerous and interesting. It’s easy to forget daily life and just keep reading about Cody and Jake. My only wish is that these would come out on audio.
PS. Thanks for the wonderful new gear I was able to read about. As always I love the Dear Reader at the back so I can find out what is real.
December 4, 2019
I love Mark Nolan’s books! I love Cody and I love Jake! Needless to say, my love for all three made this a quick, easy read for me!
San Diego Dead felt like it literally left off right where we ended with the previous book which I loved. I hate when too much time passes and you feel like something is off. (If you have not read the previous three books, I highly recommend you do because they are amazing, but rest assured, if you don’t have the time or desire – you will not be lost starting here. Mark does an amazing job of filling in the holes without making it drawn out or boring for those of us who have read the previous books.)
Jake and Cody are an amazing team of veteran Marines who find themselves in hot water quite often due to their sworn duty to protect all (except the bad guys) and this story is no exception.
There is always amazing suspense, action, and seedy characters to keep you pulled in, reading, and wanting more.
Jake and Cody’s lives are nothing short of “exciting” and wild and adventurous and I love even more that Mark Nolan mixes reality with his imagination (I specified what is what in this book.)
Mark Nolan has yet to disappoint and I will continue to read Jake and Cody’s stories as I have fallen in love with them as much as any community inside their stories has as well!
San Diego Dead felt like it literally left off right where we ended with the previous book which I loved. I hate when too much time passes and you feel like something is off. (If you have not read the previous three books, I highly recommend you do because they are amazing, but rest assured, if you don’t have the time or desire – you will not be lost starting here. Mark does an amazing job of filling in the holes without making it drawn out or boring for those of us who have read the previous books.)
Jake and Cody are an amazing team of veteran Marines who find themselves in hot water quite often due to their sworn duty to protect all (except the bad guys) and this story is no exception.
There is always amazing suspense, action, and seedy characters to keep you pulled in, reading, and wanting more.
Jake and Cody’s lives are nothing short of “exciting” and wild and adventurous and I love even more that Mark Nolan mixes reality with his imagination (I specified what is what in this book.)
Mark Nolan has yet to disappoint and I will continue to read Jake and Cody’s stories as I have fallen in love with them as much as any community inside their stories has as well!
December 5, 2019
I have volunteered to share my review and all the opinions are 100% my own.
MY THOUGHTS
I have to say that I have not read any of the previous books in this series. However, I did not find that to be a problem as far as understanding what was going on.
I admit, my favorite character was the dog, Cody! Which is not to say that the other characters were not great. Poor Jake thinks that he is going to have a chance to relax and vacation with his lady friend and dog, but of course, all of that quickly goes wrong and the book immediately zooms into the fast lane- action, drug cartels, terrorists and the like.
I know that some characters were introduced in previous books, so it may have been helpful to have a little bit more info and backstory on some of them, but again, not necessary. My only gripe: sometimes it felt like dialogue between characters was a bit unnatural, as the dialogue was used to either give a bit more backstory, explanation, or just to educate the reader on something. While the information might be helpful, it just didn’t seem natural as far as human conversations go, and maybe could be left out of the dialogue and put into the narration instead.
BUT, I find myself now wanting to check out more books in the series, so I would encourage you to do the same and stay tuned for what might be next for this team!
MY THOUGHTS
I have to say that I have not read any of the previous books in this series. However, I did not find that to be a problem as far as understanding what was going on.
I admit, my favorite character was the dog, Cody! Which is not to say that the other characters were not great. Poor Jake thinks that he is going to have a chance to relax and vacation with his lady friend and dog, but of course, all of that quickly goes wrong and the book immediately zooms into the fast lane- action, drug cartels, terrorists and the like.
I know that some characters were introduced in previous books, so it may have been helpful to have a little bit more info and backstory on some of them, but again, not necessary. My only gripe: sometimes it felt like dialogue between characters was a bit unnatural, as the dialogue was used to either give a bit more backstory, explanation, or just to educate the reader on something. While the information might be helpful, it just didn’t seem natural as far as human conversations go, and maybe could be left out of the dialogue and put into the narration instead.
BUT, I find myself now wanting to check out more books in the series, so I would encourage you to do the same and stay tuned for what might be next for this team!
December 9, 2019
Jake and Cody barely survived shark-infested waters on their last mission. Now they, along with Jake’s girlfriend Sarah, are taking a well-deserved vacation in Cabo San Lucas. While there, Sarah is attacked and Jake’s friend Pez is murdered by Rojo, a powerful drug lord. Jake decides it is up to him to end Rojo’s reign. After getting orders for a new mission, Jake goes after Rojo with vengeance.
I liked this story immensely. Jake and Cody are a reckoning force to encounter. But the more Jake wants out, the deeper he has to go to make citizens safe. I can only hope that he and Sarah’s relationship can survive it. Mr. Nolan has hit a home run with this series.
I liked this story immensely. Jake and Cody are a reckoning force to encounter. But the more Jake wants out, the deeper he has to go to make citizens safe. I can only hope that he and Sarah’s relationship can survive it. Mr. Nolan has hit a home run with this series.
December 4, 2019
A brilliant addition to the Jake Wolfe series (although I must admit Cody is my favorite)! Despite wanting a relaxing vacation with his girlfriend, duty calls yet again, and the two war veterans spring into action to try and save the lives of many innocents, including Sarah's, who has a battle of her own waging inside. A must-read for thriller lovers, and while you can read this as a stand-alone, I promise you don't want to miss one minute of Jake and Cody's intense adventures.
October 14, 2019
Awesome read!
Wow! I loved this book! Non stop action & wonderful characters! This is the first I’ve read by this author, but certainly not the last!
Wow! I loved this book! Non stop action & wonderful characters! This is the first I’ve read by this author, but certainly not the last!
February 5, 2020
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
Jake Wolfe is a former photojournalist, ex-Marine, ex-CIA asset, lawyer, Mafia "Made Man" and modern-day privateer. He recently saved the life of the new First Lady (before the election), and is on a first-name basis with her (and her husband). Men (who don't want to kill him) admire him, women (who don't want to kill him) swoon over him. But for Wolfe, none of that matters, as much as spending time with Cody, who is another Marine vet. Cody shares in most of Wolfe's accomplishments—and gets the same reaction from men and women. The significant difference between the two is that Wolfe comes from Irish and Italian roots, and Cody is a yellow Labrador and Golden Retriever mix.
Together these two make a seemingly unstoppable force for truth, justice, and the American way. Apart they are capable but diminished, distracted, and less emotionally whole. Wolfe considers Cody a partner and makes it clear to any and all that they're a package deal.
While on assignment for the Secret Service, the pair assassinates a man who provides boats for a Mexican Drug Cartel to smuggle drugs into the U.S. Around the same time a dear friend and fellow Vet crosses the same cartel, putting both men (and Jake's girlfriend) in the cross-hairs pg of the leader of that cartel.
The cartel cuts a deadly and destructive swath from Mexico to L.A. attempting to eliminate these two, pushing the pair until they retaliate.
Most of the book is told from Wolfe's point-of-view, with dips into the POV of his girlfriend or Cartel members. There are a couple of noteworthy sections told from Cody's perspective—he's closer to Crais' Maggie than Quinn's Chet in these, but he's more thoughtful (and more human thinking) than Maggie. I wish we had a few more segments from Cody's POV.
There are two paragraphs in which a ghost appears and saves the day. These two paragraphs have had me thinking far too much about them in contrast to the rest of the novel. They're proverbial sore thumbs sticking out from the rest—but they also worked better than you'd think.
Recently, listening to interviews with Lee Goldberg, I was reminded of a genre that's not really out anymore (and I'd totally forgotten about)—"Men of Action" or "Men's Adventure." These used to be at grocery stores, convenience stores and the like offering easy-to-read adventures featuring manly men doing manly (frequently super-patriotic) deeds, and deadly (and incredibly attractive) women. Years ago, Goldberg wrote a few of this type under the pen name Ian Ludlow—and now Goldberg's protagonist of the same name writes that kind of book. See also: Mack Bolan, the Executioner; Remo Williams; and the like. Thanks to that reminder, I was able to see San Diego Dead for the return to that kind of story-telling and enjoy it for what it is. If not for that reminder, I'd have been annoyed, bothered, underwhelmed by the book. But realizing the inherent goals of this kind of writing, I was able to ignore that annoyance and channel it into reuniting such entertaining tropes/themes for contemporary audiences. It's silly, cheesy fun—which is all it tries to be.
Would much of this work better if you'd read the previous novels? Probably. Does it work fine as a stand-alone? Yes. I'm not going to say that this is for everyone—it's not (but what is?). If you (or someone you know) need a break from intense, serious, deliberate thrillers and could use solid action that places the emphasis on entertainment factor over all other considerations, give yourself a treat and check out Mark Nolan's Jake Wolfe.
My thanks to damppebbles blog tours for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials (including a copy of the novel) they provided.
---
Jake Wolfe is a former photojournalist, ex-Marine, ex-CIA asset, lawyer, Mafia "Made Man" and modern-day privateer. He recently saved the life of the new First Lady (before the election), and is on a first-name basis with her (and her husband). Men (who don't want to kill him) admire him, women (who don't want to kill him) swoon over him. But for Wolfe, none of that matters, as much as spending time with Cody, who is another Marine vet. Cody shares in most of Wolfe's accomplishments—and gets the same reaction from men and women. The significant difference between the two is that Wolfe comes from Irish and Italian roots, and Cody is a yellow Labrador and Golden Retriever mix.
Together these two make a seemingly unstoppable force for truth, justice, and the American way. Apart they are capable but diminished, distracted, and less emotionally whole. Wolfe considers Cody a partner and makes it clear to any and all that they're a package deal.
While on assignment for the Secret Service, the pair assassinates a man who provides boats for a Mexican Drug Cartel to smuggle drugs into the U.S. Around the same time a dear friend and fellow Vet crosses the same cartel, putting both men (and Jake's girlfriend) in the cross-hairs pg of the leader of that cartel.
The cartel cuts a deadly and destructive swath from Mexico to L.A. attempting to eliminate these two, pushing the pair until they retaliate.
Most of the book is told from Wolfe's point-of-view, with dips into the POV of his girlfriend or Cartel members. There are a couple of noteworthy sections told from Cody's perspective—he's closer to Crais' Maggie than Quinn's Chet in these, but he's more thoughtful (and more human thinking) than Maggie. I wish we had a few more segments from Cody's POV.
There are two paragraphs in which a ghost appears and saves the day. These two paragraphs have had me thinking far too much about them in contrast to the rest of the novel. They're proverbial sore thumbs sticking out from the rest—but they also worked better than you'd think.
Recently, listening to interviews with Lee Goldberg, I was reminded of a genre that's not really out anymore (and I'd totally forgotten about)—"Men of Action" or "Men's Adventure." These used to be at grocery stores, convenience stores and the like offering easy-to-read adventures featuring manly men doing manly (frequently super-patriotic) deeds, and deadly (and incredibly attractive) women. Years ago, Goldberg wrote a few of this type under the pen name Ian Ludlow—and now Goldberg's protagonist of the same name writes that kind of book. See also: Mack Bolan, the Executioner; Remo Williams; and the like. Thanks to that reminder, I was able to see San Diego Dead for the return to that kind of story-telling and enjoy it for what it is. If not for that reminder, I'd have been annoyed, bothered, underwhelmed by the book. But realizing the inherent goals of this kind of writing, I was able to ignore that annoyance and channel it into reuniting such entertaining tropes/themes for contemporary audiences. It's silly, cheesy fun—which is all it tries to be.
Would much of this work better if you'd read the previous novels? Probably. Does it work fine as a stand-alone? Yes. I'm not going to say that this is for everyone—it's not (but what is?). If you (or someone you know) need a break from intense, serious, deliberate thrillers and could use solid action that places the emphasis on entertainment factor over all other considerations, give yourself a treat and check out Mark Nolan's Jake Wolfe.
My thanks to damppebbles blog tours for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials (including a copy of the novel) they provided.
August 25, 2022
San Diego Dead by Mark Nolan
Jake Wolfe finds himself at war with a drug cartel. As a government assassin, Jake is tasked to take down the cartel leader. Jake, however, has the motivation to do the job well beyond his responsibility for the mission.
Jake’s sidekick and better half, Cody sniffs out trouble in all the dangers they face. Jake’s girlfriend Sarah is emotionally torn between love and lust for Jake and the terror of his role as a government assassin.
Grinds, Jake’s LT in the Marines has his back and provides Jake with some needed common sense. Jake is far beyond a bit of a loose cannon and needs all the stabilizing that Cody and Grinds can provide.
The book has a plot and action that is over the top.
I recommend it.
Jake Wolfe finds himself at war with a drug cartel. As a government assassin, Jake is tasked to take down the cartel leader. Jake, however, has the motivation to do the job well beyond his responsibility for the mission.
Jake’s sidekick and better half, Cody sniffs out trouble in all the dangers they face. Jake’s girlfriend Sarah is emotionally torn between love and lust for Jake and the terror of his role as a government assassin.
Grinds, Jake’s LT in the Marines has his back and provides Jake with some needed common sense. Jake is far beyond a bit of a loose cannon and needs all the stabilizing that Cody and Grinds can provide.
The book has a plot and action that is over the top.
I recommend it.
September 15, 2019
Mark Nolan - Jake Wolfe Bk 4 - San Diego Dead - Reviewed 9/14/19
Leave time for 2 war-weary veterans turns into major violence and a national threat!
Jake Wolfe and his adopted war dog, Cody are taking some downtime after been involved in some major events. All they want to do is enjoy the beach, eat seafood and go whale watching! Jake’s girlfriend Sarah joins them and she is accosted by a crazy woman demanding the package! No one knows what they are looking for but when Jake learns the missing item is a threat to US citizens he can’t turn away. The time slips away as Jake and Cody search for the package and the leader of the renegade cartel that wants it. Jake knows that his best friend, Cody is up for the task and he can find what everyone wants. Will they find it and can they disarm the threat and dispose of the problems????
What did I like? I love Jake and Cody, I have been with them since the beginning and although I am happy to have finished the book, I am so sad that I don’t have any more to read…. Mark help we need more of these boys!
What will you like? Unbelievable Action, Intense mystery, romance, lots of emotions, love, devotion, and love of his country! Mark is an exceptional writer with plenty of experience with smart dogs and military history. You can see the research that he does on every page and the emotion that he puts into his work. Jake and Cody are an example of what happens when our fighting men have to rejoin their civilian life and the emotional stress that they go through trying to adjust. I highly recommend this series to all!
Leave time for 2 war-weary veterans turns into major violence and a national threat!
Jake Wolfe and his adopted war dog, Cody are taking some downtime after been involved in some major events. All they want to do is enjoy the beach, eat seafood and go whale watching! Jake’s girlfriend Sarah joins them and she is accosted by a crazy woman demanding the package! No one knows what they are looking for but when Jake learns the missing item is a threat to US citizens he can’t turn away. The time slips away as Jake and Cody search for the package and the leader of the renegade cartel that wants it. Jake knows that his best friend, Cody is up for the task and he can find what everyone wants. Will they find it and can they disarm the threat and dispose of the problems????
What did I like? I love Jake and Cody, I have been with them since the beginning and although I am happy to have finished the book, I am so sad that I don’t have any more to read…. Mark help we need more of these boys!
What will you like? Unbelievable Action, Intense mystery, romance, lots of emotions, love, devotion, and love of his country! Mark is an exceptional writer with plenty of experience with smart dogs and military history. You can see the research that he does on every page and the emotion that he puts into his work. Jake and Cody are an example of what happens when our fighting men have to rejoin their civilian life and the emotional stress that they go through trying to adjust. I highly recommend this series to all!
September 17, 2019
Loved It!! This is a brilliant series that has really captured my attention. Jack Wolfe is the ultimate tough guy that you certainly want to have in your corner if things go pear shaped, and his ex-military dog Cody, just adds another element to the story that you don’t get in other action thrillers. A couple of things I really enjoy about Mark Nolan’s writing is there is always something happening throughout the book, and I love his attention to detail and background he puts into the characters.
Jake Wolfe had seen and experience so much in his life, certainly more than men double his age. Unfortunately, a large portion of that time was spent witnessing and being involved in violence and death. That was to be expected when he was in the Marines, especially in the infantry, and then again when he got out and spent some time with the CIA paramilitary branch. Jake just happened to be exceptional when it came to protecting America, or those close to him with his extraordinary skills. It helped having Cody, an ex-Marine dog from the war that was one of the smartest dogs that Jake had ever come across. Their latest mission to stop the Piracy of luxury yachts and sailboat that were being taken off the coast of America was turning out to be a little bit more difficult than first expected. They certainly weren’t expecting a Cartel Drug Lord to come after them, and since they were also going after Jake’s girlfriend Sarah, they just didn’t realise the fury that Jake was about to inflict on them. This is a wonderful piece of writing, and I’m certainly a big fan of Mark Nolan’s work. I can’t wait for the next book. 5/5 Star Rating.
Jake Wolfe had seen and experience so much in his life, certainly more than men double his age. Unfortunately, a large portion of that time was spent witnessing and being involved in violence and death. That was to be expected when he was in the Marines, especially in the infantry, and then again when he got out and spent some time with the CIA paramilitary branch. Jake just happened to be exceptional when it came to protecting America, or those close to him with his extraordinary skills. It helped having Cody, an ex-Marine dog from the war that was one of the smartest dogs that Jake had ever come across. Their latest mission to stop the Piracy of luxury yachts and sailboat that were being taken off the coast of America was turning out to be a little bit more difficult than first expected. They certainly weren’t expecting a Cartel Drug Lord to come after them, and since they were also going after Jake’s girlfriend Sarah, they just didn’t realise the fury that Jake was about to inflict on them. This is a wonderful piece of writing, and I’m certainly a big fan of Mark Nolan’s work. I can’t wait for the next book. 5/5 Star Rating.
September 23, 2019
This is Book 4 in a series titled “Jake Wolf” and the story flowed like good wine. I could not stop reading; rarely put it down. To begin with, if you like dogs and vets and marines, you’re going to love this story. If you like boats and like me, always wished you could live on a boat, you’re going to doubly like this book.
While Nolan writes very good descriptive scenes, I have rarely seen anyone “write” action so well. You know, action is something we watch on tv or in the movies that makes us sit up, or cover our eyes, or gasp...something emotional. Well, somehow, Mark Nolan did that right here in this book. I truly was sitting on the edge of my seat part of the time.
I’m not much of a 5-star rater. As a reviewer, I read maybe 50 to 60 books a year and I rate maybe 4 or 5 as a 5-star book all year. It isn’t that there aren’t plenty of good books. It’s just that, in my opinion, a rating that high should only be for special books. A book that holds my interest throughout, one that’s well-written, very few typos or editing errors, has a flow to it that never once trips you up because of an out of place thought or word, has characters I like or maybe hate, has descriptive writing good enough to allow me to put myself right there in the moment. That’s a lot to ask I know, but this was that kind of book and I wanted to make sure I communicated how strongly I felt about its quality.
The only thing I can think of that isn’t ok is that there isn’t another Jake and Cody book out yet. Hurry up Mr. Nolan.
While Nolan writes very good descriptive scenes, I have rarely seen anyone “write” action so well. You know, action is something we watch on tv or in the movies that makes us sit up, or cover our eyes, or gasp...something emotional. Well, somehow, Mark Nolan did that right here in this book. I truly was sitting on the edge of my seat part of the time.
I’m not much of a 5-star rater. As a reviewer, I read maybe 50 to 60 books a year and I rate maybe 4 or 5 as a 5-star book all year. It isn’t that there aren’t plenty of good books. It’s just that, in my opinion, a rating that high should only be for special books. A book that holds my interest throughout, one that’s well-written, very few typos or editing errors, has a flow to it that never once trips you up because of an out of place thought or word, has characters I like or maybe hate, has descriptive writing good enough to allow me to put myself right there in the moment. That’s a lot to ask I know, but this was that kind of book and I wanted to make sure I communicated how strongly I felt about its quality.
The only thing I can think of that isn’t ok is that there isn’t another Jake and Cody book out yet. Hurry up Mr. Nolan.
October 5, 2019
I give San Diego Dead: An Action Thriller (Jake Wolfe Book 4) by Mark Nolan, 5 stars.
Jake just wants to have a relaxing vacation with his dog and his girlfriend. However, things quickly turn south. His girlfriend is attacked and it looks like a Mexican cartel may be behind it. Using their former military background Jake and war dog Cody are quickly pulled into things much more frightening than anyone ever imagined. Can they get to the bottom of it? But what will the cost be? While they are trained for this type of thing, they are personally affected in ways they could never imagine.
This book was fascinating. It is the first book I have read in the series and the author did a great job of making me not feel too confused, giving me a brief background of what I needed to know. The story itself pulled me right in, and I could not stop reading until I finished it. I enjoyed how the point of view kept changing too. You got to see things from different angles. The people (and dog) in this book seemed so real and complex. Each one had their own issues they were struggling with while still keeping true to themselves. Some in good ways, some in not so good ways.
This book has an intriguing story, lots of suspense, strong characters, and the cherry on top is of course Cody! I cannot wait to go back and read the previous books. I highly recommend this book.
Jake just wants to have a relaxing vacation with his dog and his girlfriend. However, things quickly turn south. His girlfriend is attacked and it looks like a Mexican cartel may be behind it. Using their former military background Jake and war dog Cody are quickly pulled into things much more frightening than anyone ever imagined. Can they get to the bottom of it? But what will the cost be? While they are trained for this type of thing, they are personally affected in ways they could never imagine.
This book was fascinating. It is the first book I have read in the series and the author did a great job of making me not feel too confused, giving me a brief background of what I needed to know. The story itself pulled me right in, and I could not stop reading until I finished it. I enjoyed how the point of view kept changing too. You got to see things from different angles. The people (and dog) in this book seemed so real and complex. Each one had their own issues they were struggling with while still keeping true to themselves. Some in good ways, some in not so good ways.
This book has an intriguing story, lots of suspense, strong characters, and the cherry on top is of course Cody! I cannot wait to go back and read the previous books. I highly recommend this book.
September 19, 2019
San Diego Dead (Jake Wolfe Series Book 4)
By: Mark Nolan
5 out of 5 stars
I absolutely love this series and am always looking forward to the next story. Ever since I first read about Jake Wolfe and his war dog Cody I have been hooked. This book is just the latest amazing read that pulls you in from the very beginning and it is a fast-paced journey that doesn’t end until the final page. It will have you turning pages to find out what happens next. Jake Wolfe is a man that I would want on my side. He is loyal and protective of those he cares about. One of them is his war dog Cody. They have a deep bond that can’t be broken. This story has Jake and Cody searching for a missing item that if not recovered innocent lives are at stake. Will they get to the missing item before a ruthless group of killers does? Read this book to find out. I also enjoyed reading about the many characters that Jake and Cody interact with. There are old friends and those who want those who are evil to face justice. I love how detailed the story is and I when reading I feel like I am right there with the characters. Don’t miss out on a story that will have you reading far into the night in order to finish. Highly recommended.
By: Mark Nolan
5 out of 5 stars
I absolutely love this series and am always looking forward to the next story. Ever since I first read about Jake Wolfe and his war dog Cody I have been hooked. This book is just the latest amazing read that pulls you in from the very beginning and it is a fast-paced journey that doesn’t end until the final page. It will have you turning pages to find out what happens next. Jake Wolfe is a man that I would want on my side. He is loyal and protective of those he cares about. One of them is his war dog Cody. They have a deep bond that can’t be broken. This story has Jake and Cody searching for a missing item that if not recovered innocent lives are at stake. Will they get to the missing item before a ruthless group of killers does? Read this book to find out. I also enjoyed reading about the many characters that Jake and Cody interact with. There are old friends and those who want those who are evil to face justice. I love how detailed the story is and I when reading I feel like I am right there with the characters. Don’t miss out on a story that will have you reading far into the night in order to finish. Highly recommended.
September 29, 2019
San Diego Dead is the fourth instalment in Mark Nolan’s Jake Wolfe series. You can read it as a standalone as each book has its own story BUT I would recommend you to read them in order as then you really get into Jake and his friends’/compatriots’ lives. I love how there is a story line below it all that carries on from story to story!
San Diego Dead is an action thriller that is so fast paced that it leaves you breathless! It takes Jake, our lawyer, ex-marine, and covert operative, and his ex war dog Cody after cartels, narcoterrorists, assassins and it is filled with danger and violence and murder and sharks and … what else do you need?! Add to this that the story is told from multiple point of views and I have to confess that one of the best one is through the perspective of Cody!
I understand that the romance is sort of secondary to Jake Wolfe stories, still there were moments when my heart ached when I read about the rocky patches that Jake and Sarah hit and until the last page I was there with Cody, hoping that Jake does his best to work things out with her …
This is already the fourth book of Jake and Cody’s adventures and I cannot wait what the writer will bring us next!
San Diego Dead is an action thriller that is so fast paced that it leaves you breathless! It takes Jake, our lawyer, ex-marine, and covert operative, and his ex war dog Cody after cartels, narcoterrorists, assassins and it is filled with danger and violence and murder and sharks and … what else do you need?! Add to this that the story is told from multiple point of views and I have to confess that one of the best one is through the perspective of Cody!
I understand that the romance is sort of secondary to Jake Wolfe stories, still there were moments when my heart ached when I read about the rocky patches that Jake and Sarah hit and until the last page I was there with Cody, hoping that Jake does his best to work things out with her …
This is already the fourth book of Jake and Cody’s adventures and I cannot wait what the writer will bring us next!
September 30, 2019
San Diego Dead (Jake Wolfe #4) by Mark Nolan
4 out of 5 stars
San Diego Dead is the fourth book in the Jakes Wolfe series but it’s only the second book in this series that I have read. The characters were well written and the story was in-depth, intense and very suspenseful. I really enjoyed this story.
Jake Wolfe is a Marine-turned-lawyer Jake Wolfe is on his vacation to sunny San Diego and Cabo San Lucas. While enjoying the white beaches, warm blue water and boat trips among the gray whales he also finds cold blooded murder. He crosses paths with a criminal cartel urgently seeking to reclaim a deadly package.
Jake learns the missing item is a threat to US citizens and vows to stop the cartel from possessing it, no matter what vigilante justice actions he might have to take. Time is running out and thousands of innocent lives are at risk ill Jake be-able to save the innocent lives?
I was a little lost in the beginning because I didn’t know what happened because I didn’t read book 2 and 3 but I will be reading them soon.
By
Tracy
@tracym
4 out of 5 stars
San Diego Dead is the fourth book in the Jakes Wolfe series but it’s only the second book in this series that I have read. The characters were well written and the story was in-depth, intense and very suspenseful. I really enjoyed this story.
Jake Wolfe is a Marine-turned-lawyer Jake Wolfe is on his vacation to sunny San Diego and Cabo San Lucas. While enjoying the white beaches, warm blue water and boat trips among the gray whales he also finds cold blooded murder. He crosses paths with a criminal cartel urgently seeking to reclaim a deadly package.
Jake learns the missing item is a threat to US citizens and vows to stop the cartel from possessing it, no matter what vigilante justice actions he might have to take. Time is running out and thousands of innocent lives are at risk ill Jake be-able to save the innocent lives?
I was a little lost in the beginning because I didn’t know what happened because I didn’t read book 2 and 3 but I will be reading them soon.
By
Tracy
@tracym
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