What do you think?
Rate this book
NOT ONE. NOT TWO. BUT THREE SERIAL KILLERS...
Retired cop Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels and her ex-criminal husband Phineas Troutt have made a lot of enemies over the years. But none worse than The Cowboy, a gunslinging nutcase who wants to slaughter them both, and Hugo Troutt, a gang leader who has been plotting revenge against his younger brother for over a decade.
Separately, these baddies are formidable. Together, they are unstoppable.
But Jack has even more hell to deal with. She and her former partner, private eye Harry McGlade, are in L.A. chasing an insane plastic surgeon who specializes in disfiguring his victims. And Jack's colleague Tom Mankowski has problems of his own with a snuff film auteur named Erinyes (from Konrath's thriller Webcam).
With four psychopaths on the prowl, Jack, Phin, Harry, and Tom will need to call on some old friends if they hope to get out of LaLa Land alive...
This high-octane Jack Daniels novel brings together villains from Konrath's thrillers WHITE RUSSIAN, EVERYBODY DIES, and WEBCAM, along with heroes from SHOT OF TEQUILA, THE LIST, WHAT HAPPENED TO LORI, and FLEE, for the ultimate West Coast showdown.
CHASER by J.A. Konrath
The hunt is on. But who's hunting whom?
If you are a more sensitive (or adventurous) reader, this handy scale rates specific categories from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest) to give you some idea if this is your kind of book.
CHASER
Bad Language - 7
Scary - 5
Violent - 8
Funny - 8
Sexy - 4
Crossovers - Features Jack Daniels, Phineas Troutt, Harry McGlade, and includes characters from the Konrath Dark Thriller Collective, the Codename: Chandler series, and the Timecaster series.
Retired cop Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels and her ex-criminal husband Phineas Troutt have made a lot of enemies over the years. But none worse than The Cowboy, a gunslinging nutcase who wants to slaughter them both, and Hugo Troutt, a gang leader who has been plotting revenge against his younger brother for over a decade.
Separately, these baddies are formidable. Together, they are unstoppable.
But Jack has even more hell to deal with. She and her former partner, private eye Harry McGlade, are in L.A. chasing an insane plastic surgeon who specializes in disfiguring his victims. And Jack's colleague Tom Mankowski has problems of his own with a snuff film auteur named Erinyes (from Konrath's thriller Webcam).
With four psychopaths on the prowl, Jack, Phin, Harry, and Tom will need to call on some old friends if they hope to get out of LaLa Land alive...
This high-octane Jack Daniels novel brings together villains from Konrath's thrillers WHITE RUSSIAN, EVERYBODY DIES, and WEBCAM, along with heroes from SHOT OF TEQUILA, THE LIST, WHAT HAPPENED TO LORI, and FLEE, for the ultimate West Coast showdown.
CHASER by J.A. Konrath
The hunt is on. But who's hunting whom?
If you are a more sensitive (or adventurous) reader, this handy scale rates specific categories from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest) to give you some idea if this is your kind of book.
CHASER
Bad Language - 7
Scary - 5
Violent - 8
Funny - 8
Sexy - 4
Crossovers - Features Jack Daniels, Phineas Troutt, Harry McGlade, and includes characters from the Konrath Dark Thriller Collective, the Codename: Chandler series, and the Timecaster series.
349 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 19, 2019
1098 people are currently reading
831 people want to read
About the author
J.A. Konrath
199 books3,014 followersJoe Konrath has written over twenty novels in the Lt. Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels thriller series. They do not have to be read chronologically to be enjoyed, but the order is: Whiskey Sour, Bloody Mary, Rusty Nail, Dirty Martini, Shot of Tequila, Fuzzy Navel, Cherry Bomb, Dead On My Feet, Serial Killers Uncut (with Blake Crouch), Shaken, Stirred (with Blake Crouch), Dying Breath, Everybody Dies, Rum Runner, Last Call, White Russian, Shot Girl, Chaser, Old Fashioned, Bite Force, and Witch Brew. More coming soon.
Wow, that's a lot of Jack.
If you like your thrillers on the dark side, check out the Konrath Dark Thriller Collective, which includes the books The List, Origin, Afraid, Trapped, Endurance, Haunted House, Webcam, Disturb, What Happened To Lori, The Nine, Second Coming, and Close Your Eyes.
Joe also wrote the Stop A Murder mystery puzzle series, where you become the sleuth and solve brain teasers to try and catch a killer.
He also wrote the sci-fi trilogy, Timecaster, Timecaster Supersymmetry, and Timecaster Steampunk. Even if you don't think you like sci-fi, give them a try. They feature Joe's well-known characters from his other series, and are insane.
With Ann Voss Peterson he wrote the Codename: Chandler thrillers, including Flee, Spree, Three, Hit, Exposed, Naughty, Fix (with F. Paul Wilson), Rescue, and Free.
And, finally, he writes erotica under the pen name Melinda DuChamp, also with Ann Voss Peterson. Those books are probably too spicy for you, so only the brave and bold should seek them out.
Joe writes a lot. You should probably read everything.
You can visit Joe and sign up for his newsletter at www.JAKonrath.com/mailing-list.php
Wow, that's a lot of Jack.
If you like your thrillers on the dark side, check out the Konrath Dark Thriller Collective, which includes the books The List, Origin, Afraid, Trapped, Endurance, Haunted House, Webcam, Disturb, What Happened To Lori, The Nine, Second Coming, and Close Your Eyes.
Joe also wrote the Stop A Murder mystery puzzle series, where you become the sleuth and solve brain teasers to try and catch a killer.
He also wrote the sci-fi trilogy, Timecaster, Timecaster Supersymmetry, and Timecaster Steampunk. Even if you don't think you like sci-fi, give them a try. They feature Joe's well-known characters from his other series, and are insane.
With Ann Voss Peterson he wrote the Codename: Chandler thrillers, including Flee, Spree, Three, Hit, Exposed, Naughty, Fix (with F. Paul Wilson), Rescue, and Free.
And, finally, he writes erotica under the pen name Melinda DuChamp, also with Ann Voss Peterson. Those books are probably too spicy for you, so only the brave and bold should seek them out.
Joe writes a lot. You should probably read everything.
You can visit Joe and sign up for his newsletter at www.JAKonrath.com/mailing-list.php
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
April 19, 2020
4 stars for an entertaining horror/thriller. The author has assembled an impressive list of villains, including some old and 1 new bad guy, "Plastic." Plastic was bullied as a child because he was unattractive. Now he gets revenge by kidnapping attractive people and performing plastic surgery to make them ugly.
Harry McGlade, Jack Daniels friend and private investigator, has been hired by several "Plastic" victims to find him and stop him. Harry is as outrageous as ever. He has 2 pets, a penguin and a capybara. He calls the penguin "Waddlebutt" and the capybara "Big D**k."
Harry offers Jack a huge amount of money to help him find "Plastic." The other villains are from Jack and Phin's(Jack's husband) past. They are determined to get revenge on Jack, Phin, and Tom, a friend of Jack's. You would have to read the previous books in this 13 book series to get the back story on all of them. This is book 13 in the series and I caution you that these books have some gruesome scenes. They are not cozy thrillers.
Some quotes: Harry McGlade, describing himself: "Don't get me wrong. I know that I'm pretty awesome. You read the part earlier about having 3 swimming pools? Who else has three swimming pools? I'm like the USA's Homecoming King. During the live stream I had 26,521 people watching."
Phin, on entering Harry's armory: "If anyone needed proof that the United States has an unhealthy obsession with guns, all they had to do was take a tour of McGlade's armory.
The master bedroom, converted into shelves and aisles of weapons and ammo and accessories, reminded me of the scene in every action movie where the hero had a gearing-up montage, picking the deadliest and most exotic firearms out of the dozens and dozens available, photographed with the same intensity of a love scene."
Both my wife and I enjoy this series. My wife liked that 3 characters were named Chandler, Hammett, and Fleming. This was a kindle unlimited book.
Harry McGlade, Jack Daniels friend and private investigator, has been hired by several "Plastic" victims to find him and stop him. Harry is as outrageous as ever. He has 2 pets, a penguin and a capybara. He calls the penguin "Waddlebutt" and the capybara "Big D**k."
Harry offers Jack a huge amount of money to help him find "Plastic." The other villains are from Jack and Phin's(Jack's husband) past. They are determined to get revenge on Jack, Phin, and Tom, a friend of Jack's. You would have to read the previous books in this 13 book series to get the back story on all of them. This is book 13 in the series and I caution you that these books have some gruesome scenes. They are not cozy thrillers.
Some quotes: Harry McGlade, describing himself: "Don't get me wrong. I know that I'm pretty awesome. You read the part earlier about having 3 swimming pools? Who else has three swimming pools? I'm like the USA's Homecoming King. During the live stream I had 26,521 people watching."
Phin, on entering Harry's armory: "If anyone needed proof that the United States has an unhealthy obsession with guns, all they had to do was take a tour of McGlade's armory.
The master bedroom, converted into shelves and aisles of weapons and ammo and accessories, reminded me of the scene in every action movie where the hero had a gearing-up montage, picking the deadliest and most exotic firearms out of the dozens and dozens available, photographed with the same intensity of a love scene."
Both my wife and I enjoy this series. My wife liked that 3 characters were named Chandler, Hammett, and Fleming. This was a kindle unlimited book.
April 7, 2023
Suspense Mixed With Action!
Small backstory:
Jack is back in this latest installment along with her friend crew as they are pursued by four psychos who are wanting to lay waste to each one of them. They will have to figure out how to dispatch each one without things getting too messy but anywhere that Jack seems to be - there is always lots of blood flying!
That is about all I can give on a small backstory without giving away spoilers so if you want to know more than go read this series!
Thoughts:
This book was a little better than the last book and Harry was back with some funny quips. Also there was more action within this book as there are four killers within that makes this story lively with some action.
The pace picked up more around the 50% mark and from that point on in the story the book was hard to put down! Looking forward to reading the next book in the series as this story sort of ended on a cliff hanger so I will need to pursue the next book soon. Giving this book four "Killers Thriller Terror" stars!
Small backstory:
Jack is back in this latest installment along with her friend crew as they are pursued by four psychos who are wanting to lay waste to each one of them. They will have to figure out how to dispatch each one without things getting too messy but anywhere that Jack seems to be - there is always lots of blood flying!
That is about all I can give on a small backstory without giving away spoilers so if you want to know more than go read this series!
Thoughts:
This book was a little better than the last book and Harry was back with some funny quips. Also there was more action within this book as there are four killers within that makes this story lively with some action.
The pace picked up more around the 50% mark and from that point on in the story the book was hard to put down! Looking forward to reading the next book in the series as this story sort of ended on a cliff hanger so I will need to pursue the next book soon. Giving this book four "Killers Thriller Terror" stars!
June 24, 2020
I can’t help it!
Okay... I know. Rating this a 5 out of 5 is a little high but... hey... it’s JA Konrath. I just have so much fun with his novels. This is definitely not the best Jack Daniels book and there really is too much going on. This seems almost written for all the fanboys/girls out there like me who just want Joe to bring all our favorite characters back for a party. I’ll tell you one thing though... you will whip through this book.
Okay... I know. Rating this a 5 out of 5 is a little high but... hey... it’s JA Konrath. I just have so much fun with his novels. This is definitely not the best Jack Daniels book and there really is too much going on. This seems almost written for all the fanboys/girls out there like me who just want Joe to bring all our favorite characters back for a party. I’ll tell you one thing though... you will whip through this book.
December 25, 2021
Horrifying, funny, horrifyingly funny.
Loved it. Jack is back!!
Loved it. Jack is back!!
January 7, 2020
I feel like Konrath is running out of ideas for Jack Daniels and the series probably should have ended several books ago. This one was just meh. There were two many characters and the plot felt kind of thrown together instead of suspenseful. The story did have its moments, but I was not a huge fan.
December 27, 2019
I literally have no words to sum up this book. I have binged every book by konrath because each one is unique in its own way and I get completely immersed. Every time I read a novel I say “there’s no way the next one can top this one” but Now this one comes out and brings dozens of phenomenal characters, from many different books he and fellow authors have written about; together into one epic showdown, with new psychos thrown into the mix!! Ugh. I can’t wait to read the next one even tho I have to wait a full year for it! If you are a fan of crime, thriller, psycho shit do yourself a favour and dive into konraths sick and twisted world with Jack Daniels. I promise. You will not be disappointed!
January 2, 2020
Disappointed
Up to now I have really enjoyed the Jack Daniels mystery books and I looked forward to reading “chaser”. I didn’t finish the book because I felt the author was trying too hard to be funny and was throwing all of the characters into a hodgepodge of a story. Maybe would have given the novel three stars if I would have finished it, but I lost interest halfway through the novel. Perhaps I am the only person that feels that way. Read the novel and see if you agree with my assessment.
Up to now I have really enjoyed the Jack Daniels mystery books and I looked forward to reading “chaser”. I didn’t finish the book because I felt the author was trying too hard to be funny and was throwing all of the characters into a hodgepodge of a story. Maybe would have given the novel three stars if I would have finished it, but I lost interest halfway through the novel. Perhaps I am the only person that feels that way. Read the novel and see if you agree with my assessment.
September 30, 2020
"Our species has sunk to a new low. We can only hope an asteroid wipes us all out."
Maybe not an asteroid but an entire pack of psycho serial killers. 3.5 stars rounded up.
Virtually all of Jack's past enemies came back to bite her in the thirteenth installment, including some creepy new ones with serious issues against women. I recently learned what an 'incel' was and was rightly horrified. At times, there were so many characters all vying for Jack and friends that it was hard to keep up but the amped up ending was extremely satisfying. Finally, the right people are crushed by bricks, shot in the head or stabbed in the throat.
Maybe not an asteroid but an entire pack of psycho serial killers. 3.5 stars rounded up.
Virtually all of Jack's past enemies came back to bite her in the thirteenth installment, including some creepy new ones with serious issues against women. I recently learned what an 'incel' was and was rightly horrified. At times, there were so many characters all vying for Jack and friends that it was hard to keep up but the amped up ending was extremely satisfying. Finally, the right people are crushed by bricks, shot in the head or stabbed in the throat.
June 4, 2020
At first I didn't like this one much. It had way to many characters but once the flow started I really like it. Phin is finally able to take care of his brother Hugo with help from Tequila, Herb and Chandler. Jack helps Harry get Plastic and Cissick. Plastic would do crazy surgeries on people including Harry. The final showdown of Jack and The Cowboy was pretty cool. Gets her with a grenade launcher. I was really worried about Phin being killed by The Cowboy but Chandler put in some armour protective things on his shirt. Good finish. Love the JD books!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 22, 2020
I have read one (maybe two) of the Jack Daniels series - and not in any particular order. Boy has a lot changed by #13! But the book contains enough exposition and is self-contained enough that I didn't feel too lost. This book is so much fun to read - wonderful and bizarre characters and plot that just keeps moving; and villains galore. Violence in the extreme, really dirty language and jokes, strong and self-sufficient women, and a capybara named Big Dick. What else could you ask for? This one is definitely not for the kiddies or the faint of heart.
October 15, 2020
Okay, okay. 5 stars is probably too high for this, but Chaser was so much fun!
Chaser definitely feels like it was written for hardcore fans. I have a sneaking suspicion I would not enjoy this as much if I wasn't in love with the characters.
The best part - Jack is back - none of her whiny self pity that has plagued the last few adventures. And just in time, lots of old enemies are looking for Jack and her friends.
I could do without the hyperlinks in text linking to other books - maybe just list the titles at the end. It's distracting.
Chaser definitely feels like it was written for hardcore fans. I have a sneaking suspicion I would not enjoy this as much if I wasn't in love with the characters.
The best part - Jack is back - none of her whiny self pity that has plagued the last few adventures. And just in time, lots of old enemies are looking for Jack and her friends.
I could do without the hyperlinks in text linking to other books - maybe just list the titles at the end. It's distracting.
May 28, 2020
What an experience
J.A. Konrath's Jack Daniels, along with her friends, take you on a dark, quirky, fast paced ride. So much happens in this book. It was non stop the whole time. The humor is worthy of any 8 yr old boy's bathroom humor and the action is worthy of Stephen King. All the good guy characters are great, the bad guy characters are horrific. Great read, I highly recommend!
J.A. Konrath's Jack Daniels, along with her friends, take you on a dark, quirky, fast paced ride. So much happens in this book. It was non stop the whole time. The humor is worthy of any 8 yr old boy's bathroom humor and the action is worthy of Stephen King. All the good guy characters are great, the bad guy characters are horrific. Great read, I highly recommend!
May 2, 2021
Another great Jack Daniels read! The author is correct when he says this is more of a fun one, but still has enough of the traditional Jack Daniels thriller elements to keep it real. Love the characters from multiple stories being brought together here (Jack Daniels universe, What Happened to Lori, The List, Endurance, Webcam) Few typos in the ebook. All up amazing read and feeling annoyed I have to wait for the next one!!
January 10, 2022
HOW ARE YOU GONNA LEAVE US WITH A CLIFF HANGER LIKE THIS KONRATH?! So lucky I started reading these when the new one was out… but I suppose that is pretty classic Konrath style… I’ll probably feel the same when I get to book 15 and have to wait for the newest Jack Daniels.
Harry McGlade silliness ensued in this one and fully delivered. I missed him a lot in the previous book so this was much needed. Can’t wait to start old fashioned, so I won’t. Ha
Harry McGlade silliness ensued in this one and fully delivered. I missed him a lot in the previous book so this was much needed. Can’t wait to start old fashioned, so I won’t. Ha
April 20, 2022
Jack & Phin get sucked in again by Harry. There's a psycho on the loose that is terrorizing their friend Tom and a plastic surgeon who's disfiguring his victims in interesting ways. To top that off, The cowboy is still hunting for Jack & Phin's brother has escaped from prison. The collision course between all of these people is a rollicking good time full of violence, humor, pathetic whining, & of course Harry's new pets. Jack finally might be getting her mojo back
July 21, 2022
A little boring as compared to others
I'm a huge fan but I found this one to be a little predictable and too neatly wrapped too easily. There was missing the interaction between the good and bad. Both were doing things on their own to thwart the other but didn't face each other until the final scene. Then...poof....over. Easy peasy. I expect more from these characters. It was more a story of psychological wounds and marriage counseling.
I'm a huge fan but I found this one to be a little predictable and too neatly wrapped too easily. There was missing the interaction between the good and bad. Both were doing things on their own to thwart the other but didn't face each other until the final scene. Then...poof....over. Easy peasy. I expect more from these characters. It was more a story of psychological wounds and marriage counseling.
March 17, 2020
Very disappointed in this series ...I have read almost all of the Jack Daniel’s series and this one had too many characters, you couldn’t tell if they were a he or a she, lots of spelling and grammatical errors PLUS the duel at the end is ridiculous.
Too much graphic violence and they made Jack an idiot in a robotic suit.
Too much graphic violence and they made Jack an idiot in a robotic suit.
May 25, 2020
The Cowboy, a gunslinging woman, breaks Hugo Troutt out of prison. They go after Jack Daniels and her husband, Phineas Troutt (brother of Hugo Troutt)
Jack and Phinn enlist the aid og Harry McGlade, who is being pursued by "Plastic" a deranged plastic surgeon who is making beautiful people ugly.
Many people are wounded or killed
Jack and Phinn enlist the aid og Harry McGlade, who is being pursued by "Plastic" a deranged plastic surgeon who is making beautiful people ugly.
Many people are wounded or killed
August 26, 2020
Better than I remember
I read a few of these books last year. Decided I was done with the insanity, until this was on a deal. Began this book with a heavy heart ( thought I would tough it out), but, apparently, it's better than I remembered. Now I'm ready for the next book. Action and insanity filled, quickly transitioning between multiple evils. Next!
I read a few of these books last year. Decided I was done with the insanity, until this was on a deal. Began this book with a heavy heart ( thought I would tough it out), but, apparently, it's better than I remembered. Now I'm ready for the next book. Action and insanity filled, quickly transitioning between multiple evils. Next!
May 27, 2021
Awesome
I came for Harry McGlade and he did NOT disappoint! This story has all my faves suspense, thrills & just the right amount of sad. A heaping thanks to Chandler for always thinking ahead. Best of all I was thrilled to have our good ol Jack back. Can’t wait for the next installment!!
I came for Harry McGlade and he did NOT disappoint! This story has all my faves suspense, thrills & just the right amount of sad. A heaping thanks to Chandler for always thinking ahead. Best of all I was thrilled to have our good ol Jack back. Can’t wait for the next installment!!
July 22, 2021
Jack,Phin,and Sam go to L.A. to help Harry McGlade take down the psychos after him...and Jack...and Phin,also Tequila, Tom,and Herb, who is along for the ride. Great ending with a preview of the next book on the series. The only thing that messed up my enjoyment of the book were the errors in capitalization and compound word errors. Regardless, I recommend this book.
September 10, 2021
so good and so hilarious
It’s been a tough week for me to say the least and I am reading Chaser when Harry makes me lmao and then does it again. I have to say thank you to the author because it’s really been a bad week for me and I really needed that laugh. I love this series so much!
It’s been a tough week for me to say the least and I am reading Chaser when Harry makes me lmao and then does it again. I have to say thank you to the author because it’s really been a bad week for me and I really needed that laugh. I love this series so much!
September 26, 2021
The ridiculous humor in this book was incredibly comforting after the darkness that overwhelmed Shot Girl. I loved the gang getting together to help Jack and Phin, and I laughed my ass off at the Stephanie Plum reference. I'm a huge Janet Evanovich freak, so I appreciated her character's inclusion in this nutty world.
March 25, 2023
Good Ending
The characters have very weird names and it matches their very weird personalities. It takes a while to figure out who's who and what the hell is going on. About 60% into the book I finally started to like the direction it was headed. However, too many really off color jokes may stop you from getting past the first half of the book.
The characters have very weird names and it matches their very weird personalities. It takes a while to figure out who's who and what the hell is going on. About 60% into the book I finally started to like the direction it was headed. However, too many really off color jokes may stop you from getting past the first half of the book.
May 21, 2020
Collection of Crazies
Over the years, Jack and the gang have dealt with more than their share of crazies. What happens when the crazies join forces? A good read to see who survived and cheats the reaper.
Over the years, Jack and the gang have dealt with more than their share of crazies. What happens when the crazies join forces? A good read to see who survived and cheats the reaper.
May 31, 2020
It pains me to give this book only 3 stars. This is one of my favorite series and I look forward to each one. For me, in this book, there were just too many characters, I had a hard time keeping them all straight. I look forward to the next book in the series, hoping that one will be better.
June 7, 2020
Fast paced with lots if action and humor
I really liked the way thus story was told. By using each character's voice and perspective, you really got to know them. Really funny, fast paced, with lots if action. I could see this as a tv series.
I really liked the way thus story was told. By using each character's voice and perspective, you really got to know them. Really funny, fast paced, with lots if action. I could see this as a tv series.
September 3, 2020
Thought I'd hate this one but ended up loving it!
Nasty, demented bad guys... And fun good guys. What else cold you ask for except the addition of the hilarious, punning, potty humored Harry McGlade? Fun read with enough humor to make the horrifying parts not so bad.
Nasty, demented bad guys... And fun good guys. What else cold you ask for except the addition of the hilarious, punning, potty humored Harry McGlade? Fun read with enough humor to make the horrifying parts not so bad.
Read
September 27, 2020Like a reunion of main characters
A great read. Jack and lots of previous characters from other books have to match wits with multiple bad people. Keeps you wondering who will die with lots of sick humor from Harry.
A great read. Jack and lots of previous characters from other books have to match wits with multiple bad people. Keeps you wondering who will die with lots of sick humor from Harry.
November 27, 2022
For some reason the books are getting cheesy, but funny. If I hadn't read from book 1, I wouldn't have liked it. Because I know the characters and Harry's humor, it was entertaining. Too many characters come together in this book to keep track of.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews