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Sakura Spark
Sakura Spark: An addictive spy thriller you won’t put down till the end, then will leave you wanting more (Jago Hale Series Book 1)
An action packed espionage story of revenge, where organized crime meets political corruption
Meet Jago Hale
Jago Hale, a freelance investigative journalist with a secret past of working for British Intelligence, whose wife was killed in mysterious circumstances, is drawn back into the clandestine world of international espionage. His job is to find a mole at the top of the political elite in London who is involved with a global criminal organization that uses corruption and murder to achieve its aims.
A break-in to his home, and the murder of an old friend persuade Jago to once more use his unique skills helping MI6 expose a conspiracy run by an international crime syndicate, with interests that cross international boundaries, and with ambitions that reach far beyond purely financial gain.
The brief he’s given is to find the traitor at the top of the British Intelligence Service by investigating the organization, whose origins lie in the old USSR. Jago has to fight off assassins during an international adventure which starts in London, then moves to Cyprus and Hong Kong, before finally reaching a bloody climax in Tokyo. On his return to London, the reason for his wife’s death is finally explained.
An action packed espionage story of revenge, where organized crime meets political corruption
Meet Jago Hale
Jago Hale, a freelance investigative journalist with a secret past of working for British Intelligence, whose wife was killed in mysterious circumstances, is drawn back into the clandestine world of international espionage. His job is to find a mole at the top of the political elite in London who is involved with a global criminal organization that uses corruption and murder to achieve its aims.
A break-in to his home, and the murder of an old friend persuade Jago to once more use his unique skills helping MI6 expose a conspiracy run by an international crime syndicate, with interests that cross international boundaries, and with ambitions that reach far beyond purely financial gain.
The brief he’s given is to find the traitor at the top of the British Intelligence Service by investigating the organization, whose origins lie in the old USSR. Jago has to fight off assassins during an international adventure which starts in London, then moves to Cyprus and Hong Kong, before finally reaching a bloody climax in Tokyo. On his return to London, the reason for his wife’s death is finally explained.
413 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 22, 2018
42 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Tomson Cobb
5 booksTomson Cobb has a background in international marketing and trading, with extensive experience of import and export, mainly in electronics.
He respects entrepreneurs who’ve taken risks with their own money to build businesses from scratch, rather than corporate executives with huge salaries that haven’t.
He lives in London with a very civil female partner. Both love dogs, but currently don’t have one. He likes running, fitness training and playing competitive sports. He doesn’t like politicians, bureaucrats or corporate criminals.
You can join Tomson's Readers Club and receive a FREE prequel to Sakura Spark. To find out more go to:
https://tomsoncobb.com
He respects entrepreneurs who’ve taken risks with their own money to build businesses from scratch, rather than corporate executives with huge salaries that haven’t.
He lives in London with a very civil female partner. Both love dogs, but currently don’t have one. He likes running, fitness training and playing competitive sports. He doesn’t like politicians, bureaucrats or corporate criminals.
You can join Tomson's Readers Club and receive a FREE prequel to Sakura Spark. To find out more go to:
https://tomsoncobb.com
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 28, 2021
*** No Spoilers ***
This was a great story that I thoroughly enjoyed. Reading the entire set of three books works well for me as I'm one of those who really dislikes being left hanging at the end of a novel and having to wait months to years for the next volume. The only disadvantage is I can't read all three of them no-stop!
The opening act of the first book sets the stage for what will follow and informs the reader in no uncertain terms the nature of the bad guys we will see in operation.
Though bearing no resemblance whatsoever to me, the protagonist was someone with whom I could relate and as such no problem pulling for them throughout. Nothing worse than disliking the hero and their friends and being expected to stay with them until the end. Our lead, Jago Hale, is a complex character now working as an investigative reporter or some renown. Doing his job so well obviously ruffles the feathers of the wrong-doers he highlights. He formerly worked with an Intelligence Organization and developed contacts with others which can be helpful off the record with what he does. Similarly, he also can use his talents to assist them.
He's also "damaged goods" due to experiences from his past, with which he has to deal on a personal level to cope.
His latest investigation see Jago get drawn in to a puzzle which is not unlike peeling an onion. Strip off a layer and there is yet another. And another. And another.
His opposition is quite capable and challenging. Just like peeling an onion, there are tears that come as he gets deeper and deeper. In the process you'll see him having to "trust no one" yet need to at some levels and also decide what he can and can't share with related contacts based on how much he can trust them. There would be implications from letting certain information get outside the closed, tightly knit group with whom he works. Jago is also having to deal with two new significant personal conflicts. Losses of close associates to the opposition, and the introduction of a possible love interest who may be more than she seems as well as being the first person he's even been tempted to connect with after the loss of his wife some years back to an automobile accident. A loner by nature and very different in personalities, Jago and his wife were a perfect fit, and her death affected him that much more because he was a loner.
There may be leaks, or worse, opposition that have penetrated the organizations with which he is associated which in turn always puts Jago and his associates seemingly one step behind. Add to the mix the hiring of a top international assassin to take out Jago and those associated with him complicates things further. Are they directly related to his current investigation and those he's taken down? Are they from someone higher up in the same organization as those targets were? Are they connected to some of the high level criminals he's succeeded against from his investigative reporting and unrelated to the current mess? Or are they a wild card thrown into the mix for some other reason?
The story continues into the third volume where things get even more intense and we learn pieces of information that help tie things together and Jago and some of his international associates have to face all levels of their opposition and try to prevent their plot from succeeding. Won't say anything more because of my "No Spoilers" promise but will say you won't be disappointed!
This set of books are my first read by this author who I found by accident. It is no accident that I'm now following him and can't wait for his next offering. If he were James Patterson, we know that would be about fifteen minutes from now with the rate he produces (How does he do that?) but you and I will be forced to wait. This review was from a publisher review copy. I'd have no problem purchasing from this author in the future.
Highly Recommended!!
P.S. The author's page stated "Tomson Cobb has a background in international marketing and trading, with extensive experience of import and export, mainly in electronics."
To which I'd add "nudge, nudge, wink wink, say no more!" See if you don't agree after your read.
This was a great story that I thoroughly enjoyed. Reading the entire set of three books works well for me as I'm one of those who really dislikes being left hanging at the end of a novel and having to wait months to years for the next volume. The only disadvantage is I can't read all three of them no-stop!
The opening act of the first book sets the stage for what will follow and informs the reader in no uncertain terms the nature of the bad guys we will see in operation.
Though bearing no resemblance whatsoever to me, the protagonist was someone with whom I could relate and as such no problem pulling for them throughout. Nothing worse than disliking the hero and their friends and being expected to stay with them until the end. Our lead, Jago Hale, is a complex character now working as an investigative reporter or some renown. Doing his job so well obviously ruffles the feathers of the wrong-doers he highlights. He formerly worked with an Intelligence Organization and developed contacts with others which can be helpful off the record with what he does. Similarly, he also can use his talents to assist them.
He's also "damaged goods" due to experiences from his past, with which he has to deal on a personal level to cope.
His latest investigation see Jago get drawn in to a puzzle which is not unlike peeling an onion. Strip off a layer and there is yet another. And another. And another.
His opposition is quite capable and challenging. Just like peeling an onion, there are tears that come as he gets deeper and deeper. In the process you'll see him having to "trust no one" yet need to at some levels and also decide what he can and can't share with related contacts based on how much he can trust them. There would be implications from letting certain information get outside the closed, tightly knit group with whom he works. Jago is also having to deal with two new significant personal conflicts. Losses of close associates to the opposition, and the introduction of a possible love interest who may be more than she seems as well as being the first person he's even been tempted to connect with after the loss of his wife some years back to an automobile accident. A loner by nature and very different in personalities, Jago and his wife were a perfect fit, and her death affected him that much more because he was a loner.
There may be leaks, or worse, opposition that have penetrated the organizations with which he is associated which in turn always puts Jago and his associates seemingly one step behind. Add to the mix the hiring of a top international assassin to take out Jago and those associated with him complicates things further. Are they directly related to his current investigation and those he's taken down? Are they from someone higher up in the same organization as those targets were? Are they connected to some of the high level criminals he's succeeded against from his investigative reporting and unrelated to the current mess? Or are they a wild card thrown into the mix for some other reason?
The story continues into the third volume where things get even more intense and we learn pieces of information that help tie things together and Jago and some of his international associates have to face all levels of their opposition and try to prevent their plot from succeeding. Won't say anything more because of my "No Spoilers" promise but will say you won't be disappointed!
This set of books are my first read by this author who I found by accident. It is no accident that I'm now following him and can't wait for his next offering. If he were James Patterson, we know that would be about fifteen minutes from now with the rate he produces (How does he do that?) but you and I will be forced to wait. This review was from a publisher review copy. I'd have no problem purchasing from this author in the future.
Highly Recommended!!
P.S. The author's page stated "Tomson Cobb has a background in international marketing and trading, with extensive experience of import and export, mainly in electronics."
To which I'd add "nudge, nudge, wink wink, say no more!" See if you don't agree after your read.
December 26, 2018
Title – Sakura Spark
Author – Tomson Cobb
Genre – Spy Crime Thriller
Word Count 103/000
Rating 4 stars out of 5
No.45 - 2018
Posted 12/25/18
My Impressions: thoughtful, gritty action, international intrigue, intriguing characters.
Main Characters:
Jago Hale – Investigative journalist, Special Forces training
Frankie Hale – Jago’s dead wife
Frank Thompson – Frankie’s father, publisher
Mr. Yamada – Mysterious owner with many interests.
Natsuco Yamada – Mr. Yamada’s beautiful daughter
Alexsi Petrov - Assassin
When Russian Oligarch Comrade Volkof, his driver and bodyguard are viciously murdered in England, Jago Hale is commissioned to investigate the deaths. The investigation quickly pulls Jago into British intelligence and takes him from England to China and Japan. In Japan, Jago has to deal with a Yakuza thug, part of the Japanese Mafia. But Japan holds a bright side for Jago when he meets Mr. Yamada; a beautiful daughter captures Jago’s interest and a relationship is sure to heat up in the following story.
A vicious worldwide Russian mob known as The Organization, and referred to as Chetwynd by British intelligence, has its tentacles in governments and businesses across the globe.
Throughout the story, Jago is stalked by Alexsi Petrov a highly trained and confident assassin. Petrov murders one of Jago’s best friends and shoots his dog before he and Jago meet in close combat.
At the end of the story, Jago learns why the organization has an interest in him and secrets about past events that were held from him are exposed.
The editing is poor. Missing, extra and wrong words abound, and extra commas are far too numerous to count.
The author has a habit od referring to characters as that instead of who.
Sentence structure, too, is poor. Many sentences need to be reorganized in a logical fashion.
Character development is good for the main characters. There are numerous minor supporting characters.
Details are adequate.
Research is mostly good, but calling a Glock pistol an automatic instead of a semiautomatic is sloppy.
The plot is great and held my interest throughout.
The writing style is fast paced, thorough and descriptive. The action scenes are well choreographed and intense.
Many Japanese words are not in the English dictionary and left me guessing.
I rate the story between a 3.0 and a 4.0, so it gets a 4.0 rating. Some of the editing issues may be due to differences in American English and British English in the area where Mr. Cobb resides.
Sakura Spark is an exciting read and I recommend it in spite of the editing issues.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – Tomson Cobb
Genre – Spy Crime Thriller
Word Count 103/000
Rating 4 stars out of 5
No.45 - 2018
Posted 12/25/18
My Impressions: thoughtful, gritty action, international intrigue, intriguing characters.
Main Characters:
Jago Hale – Investigative journalist, Special Forces training
Frankie Hale – Jago’s dead wife
Frank Thompson – Frankie’s father, publisher
Mr. Yamada – Mysterious owner with many interests.
Natsuco Yamada – Mr. Yamada’s beautiful daughter
Alexsi Petrov - Assassin
When Russian Oligarch Comrade Volkof, his driver and bodyguard are viciously murdered in England, Jago Hale is commissioned to investigate the deaths. The investigation quickly pulls Jago into British intelligence and takes him from England to China and Japan. In Japan, Jago has to deal with a Yakuza thug, part of the Japanese Mafia. But Japan holds a bright side for Jago when he meets Mr. Yamada; a beautiful daughter captures Jago’s interest and a relationship is sure to heat up in the following story.
A vicious worldwide Russian mob known as The Organization, and referred to as Chetwynd by British intelligence, has its tentacles in governments and businesses across the globe.
Throughout the story, Jago is stalked by Alexsi Petrov a highly trained and confident assassin. Petrov murders one of Jago’s best friends and shoots his dog before he and Jago meet in close combat.
At the end of the story, Jago learns why the organization has an interest in him and secrets about past events that were held from him are exposed.
The editing is poor. Missing, extra and wrong words abound, and extra commas are far too numerous to count.
The author has a habit od referring to characters as that instead of who.
Sentence structure, too, is poor. Many sentences need to be reorganized in a logical fashion.
Character development is good for the main characters. There are numerous minor supporting characters.
Details are adequate.
Research is mostly good, but calling a Glock pistol an automatic instead of a semiautomatic is sloppy.
The plot is great and held my interest throughout.
The writing style is fast paced, thorough and descriptive. The action scenes are well choreographed and intense.
Many Japanese words are not in the English dictionary and left me guessing.
I rate the story between a 3.0 and a 4.0, so it gets a 4.0 rating. Some of the editing issues may be due to differences in American English and British English in the area where Mr. Cobb resides.
Sakura Spark is an exciting read and I recommend it in spite of the editing issues.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
March 2, 2019
Sakura Spark is—as the cover tells us—a thriller about Jago Hale, investigative journalist and ex-military man. And it's absolutely amazing.
Jago lives a lavish life after having left his secretive past behind. He writes articles, spends time doing what he likes, and tries to forget. That's until a break-in at his house pulls him back in, forcing him to return to his old habits. Not really wanting anything to do with it, but at the same time finding himself at the center of it all, Jago has no choice but to follow the breadcrumbs hoping they'll lead to some answers. If he's lucky, maybe even about his wife's death.
Cobb's writing is sharp and detailed, clear and fast-paced (just the way I like it), but at the same time beautiful and well-composed. This book doesn't waste time on intricate backstories, instead utilizing small drips of information here and there, just enough to paint the picture while simultaneously stringing us along, the carrot constantly just out of reach.
In case I wasn't clear earlier, I loved this book. It's a thriller, a drama, even a bit of a love-story, and it's very well executed.
The downfall of these types of books—in my opinion—are usually that they become too long, spending too much time on things that in the end doesn't matter. There's nothing of that here, and it shows.
I in one sense found Jago's past and his life outside of the plot to be the most interesting thing about this book. Jago's character is interesting, so much so that I often forgot what he was doing in the moment. I kept wondering how he'd gotten to be where he was, what his life was like before, and how his life would change at the end of this. And well, at the end of this... Let's just say I got answers to questions I didn't even know I had.
Jago lives a lavish life after having left his secretive past behind. He writes articles, spends time doing what he likes, and tries to forget. That's until a break-in at his house pulls him back in, forcing him to return to his old habits. Not really wanting anything to do with it, but at the same time finding himself at the center of it all, Jago has no choice but to follow the breadcrumbs hoping they'll lead to some answers. If he's lucky, maybe even about his wife's death.
Cobb's writing is sharp and detailed, clear and fast-paced (just the way I like it), but at the same time beautiful and well-composed. This book doesn't waste time on intricate backstories, instead utilizing small drips of information here and there, just enough to paint the picture while simultaneously stringing us along, the carrot constantly just out of reach.
In case I wasn't clear earlier, I loved this book. It's a thriller, a drama, even a bit of a love-story, and it's very well executed.
The downfall of these types of books—in my opinion—are usually that they become too long, spending too much time on things that in the end doesn't matter. There's nothing of that here, and it shows.
I in one sense found Jago's past and his life outside of the plot to be the most interesting thing about this book. Jago's character is interesting, so much so that I often forgot what he was doing in the moment. I kept wondering how he'd gotten to be where he was, what his life was like before, and how his life would change at the end of this. And well, at the end of this... Let's just say I got answers to questions I didn't even know I had.
October 2, 2021
A different take on the spy game.
This works whereby you have a deskbound spook becoming an investigative reporter. Cleverly contrived as you are never too sure who is who.
Plenty of backstory regarding Jago and his deceased wife with more and more becoming a twist to the tale.
Now for the next story in the trilogy which has got to be as good!
This works whereby you have a deskbound spook becoming an investigative reporter. Cleverly contrived as you are never too sure who is who.
Plenty of backstory regarding Jago and his deceased wife with more and more becoming a twist to the tale.
Now for the next story in the trilogy which has got to be as good!
November 30, 2018
A chilling page turning read
A very enjoyable read. Cobb has created a terrific character and I look forward to the next instalment in the trilogy.
A very enjoyable read. Cobb has created a terrific character and I look forward to the next instalment in the trilogy.
October 6, 2020
A thrilling read. Fast and furious from the beginning to end. Now ready for the second book in the trilogy - Assassin Flame
March 2, 2019
Interesting and engaging plot. Great characterization. Plenty of action. Enjoyable read.
December 7, 2019
Great book
Great book I enjoyed reading it and so will you. I can’t wait for the next one in the series.
Great book I enjoyed reading it and so will you. I can’t wait for the next one in the series.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews