When the people he loves most are in danger, Jon Reznick will get revenge…or die trying.
When black-ops specialist Jon Reznick receives a voice mail from FBI assistant director Martha Meyerstein, hoping to explore their relationship outside of the federal government, Jon starts to imagine a new future, one where he can leave his past behind. But an unhinged killer with a grudge has other plans. He’s setting a trap for Reznick, one he knows the operative won’t be able to resist.
In a picturesque fishing village on the Mediterranean coast, a luxury yacht has gone up in flames. Was it a terrible accident or something much more sinister? Jon Reznick must travel overseas, to find out what’s happened to Martha and seek revenge on the psychopath who has put Reznick’s entire future in jeopardy.
Jon will need all the help he can get to bring him to justice. Fresh out of Quantico, Reznick’s daughter, Lauren, joins him against his wishes, along with hacker Trevelle Williams. But government operatives from across the globe have descended on this quiet vacation destination and will stop at nothing to prevent the truth from coming out.
J.B. Turner is the bestselling author of the Jon Reznick thriller series. His next book, HARD SHADOWS (Thomas and Mercer), is published on 30 June 2026. He is a former journalist. His books have sold more than three million copies. He also wrote the American Ghost black-ops series and the Deborah Jones crime series. He has a keen interest in geo-politics. And he loves music. Everything from Beethoven to The Beatles, The Cure to Bach. And everything in between. He loves films. Well, good ones. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, Heat, The Godfather, The Offence, The Parallax View, Silver Linings Playbook, The Banshees of Inisherin, The Gray Man, The French Connection, Payback, It’s a Wonderful Life, Manhattan, Sideways, Annie Hall, Hell or High Water. TV shows he has enjoyed include: The Terminal List, The Kominsky Method, The Morning Show, Succession, Call My Agent!, Your Honor, The Undoing, Patrick Melrose, Colony, Bloodline, Mare of Easttown, Dead to Me, Fleishman is in Trouble, The Mosquito Coast and After Life. He lives in Edinburgh, Scotland. He is married with two children.
Literary Agent: Mitch Hoffman, The Aaron M. Priest Literary Agency, New York.
Film/TV: Rich Green, The Gotham Group, Los Angeles.
Hard Vengeance is the ninth instalment in the Jon Reznick Thriller series, set in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. The story opens with FBI Assistant Director Martha Meyerstein and her closest friend from her college days, Ann McCaul, sipping rosé on a luxury, high-end yacht belonging to Ann and her husband Sergio sailing just off the eastern coast of the Spanish island with not a care in the world. Ann pushes Martha to call Reznick, who she had longed to ask out for years ever since her divorce but lacked the self-confidence to do so. Perhaps, due to her Dutch courage, she decides to call him after a gentle ribbing from Ann. It couldn't hurt to let him know how she feels. She gets his answerphone and leaves a message saying she hopes he would take her out for a meal just the two of them if she travelled to his hometown of Rockland, Maine to see him once back from her vacation. Shortly after the call and without warning, the yacht explodes. Meanwhile, elsewhere, Reznick has been on a gruelling thirteen-hour flight back home, after attending the wedding of former Delta operator Teddy Fredericks, from Dubai back to JFK and was surprised to see a voice mail from Martha upon landing. Although when he tries to return the call there's no response, Reznick’s daughter Lauren, who has just graduated Quantico and become a fully-fledged FBI Agent, is overjoyed that her father is finally having strong feelings towards a woman again and that they are reciprocated. But soon his hope and excitement over the future is shattered beyond recognition.
He receives a call later that night from Jerry Meyerstein, Martha’s father, who alerts him to the fact that there's been an explosion and that Martha is dead. Trying to find out the truth thousands of miles away from where the incident took place in the Balearics is an impossible task; the FBI deny it's happened and The State Department are practically useless too, so Reznick takes matters into his own hands and catches the next flight to the Mediterranean but he is absolutely distraught. It feels like Elizabeth all over again. He intends to use all his skill as a former FBI Black-Ops member and assassin to identify who carried out the bombing killing the woman he loved and then ensuring they pay. He is hellbent on vengeance even at this early stage given they've taken away someone very special to him. Coming face to face with a ruthlessly intelligent perpetrator he realises it's someone from his past pulling the strings. But now that Reznick feels like he hasn't got anything to lose by chasing his brutal enemy and disposing of him then there's no telling the lengths to which he’ll go to exact revenge. This is a compulsive, riveting and action-packed thriller overflowing with tension, mystery, intrigue, twists and reveals but also, this time, emotion. It's pacey and well written and before you know it you're fully immersed in the story alongside the characters. The cast is comprised of fully rounded characters and. in particular. Reznick is becoming a multilayered individual before our very eyes. It was nice to see a softer side to him. An enthralling, exhilarating and thoroughly entertaining page-turner. Highly recommended.
To have found some many great action/thrillers authors, each time I go back for the next in the series I think how good in this author.
Sadly I am finding some may great authors, and keeping up with all the authors is so hard !!
Hard Vengeance, Jon Reznick number nine in the series, and all read.
This series seems to get better and better, is it that I seem to be getting to know Reznick, maybe, but I do love his tough external character and his hidden away interior, his great wry and dry sense of humour.
This is a powerful, gripping, tense, action packed thriller, a chance to see another side to Jon Reznick, yes tough as nails, top of his game but the softer side when Martha's and his daughter name are mentioned or around.
This time it is very personal for Jon, The story opens with FBI Assistant Director Martha Meyerstein and her closest friend from her college days, Ann McCaul, sipping rosé on a luxury, high-end yacht belonging to Ann and her husband Sergio sailing just off the eastern coast of the Spanish island with not a care in the world.
A surprising text from Martha leaves Jon pleasantly shocked and pleased and thoughts of stepping away from his life ring at his heart strings.
But an unhinged killer with a grudge has other plans. He’s setting a trap for Reznick, one he knows the operative won’t be able to resist.
In a picturesque fishing village on the Mediterranean coast, a luxury yacht has gone up in flames. Was it a terrible accident or something much more sinister? Jon Reznick must travel overseas, to find out what’s happened to Martha and seek revenge on the psychopath who has put Reznick’s entire future in jeopardy.
Jon will need all the help he can get to bring him to justice. Fresh out of Quantico, Reznick’s daughter, Lauren, joins him against his wishes, along with hacker Trevelle Williams. But government operatives from across the globe have descended on this quiet vacation destination and will stop at nothing to prevent the truth from coming out.
Reznick not only battles to fight the truth of what's happening, but who is trying to kill him and it's seems everyone is trying to stop him!
A book filled with CIA, FBI, Spanish Police, and much more, oh yes a very nasty cold blooded villain.
What more could you ask for, it has everything.
Well I could ask for a few authors to bring some characters together, how about Jon Reznick and Victor The Assassin.
J.B. Turner's Hard Vengeance is #9 in the Jon Reznick Thriller series. When Jon Reznick's wife dies, Reznick doesn’t think he’ll ever love again but it seems to be happening with long time friend Martha Mayerstein, Asst. Director of the FBI. When a yacht blows up and she is killed while on vacation, most call it a horrible accident but neither Martha's father nor Jon think that’s true. Jon flies to Spain to investigate and quickly finds out it isn't as simple as it sounds. First, why is the FBI covering it up? And then, why is Jon's life threatened for simply trying to uncover the truth?
I love this series. I’ve read every book in it. The characters are strong and believable. The plots always quick and pithy and the writing tight. But this book was not one of Turner's best (IMHO). There was no lack of drama but Jon seemed slow to react and the plot's development and pacing seemed similarly slow. Scenes covered the same dramatic and emotional territory too many times which made me skip ahead. I was completed vested in Martha's safety and wanted to see Jon use his prodigious skills to beat the apparent bad guys, which he did, but slowly. The story was there but the storyteller wasn’t on his a game with this one.
This time it’s personal. Hard Vengeance is the ninth book in the Jon Reznick series about a former Delta operative who gets involved in off-the-books anti-terrorist missions, often to the frustration of the official agencies running them. I’ve read them all in order, and obviously that’s the best approach, but these adventures all work well as stand-alones and you get all the recap you need. I always enjoy these, as the plots manage to be different enough each time to keep them interesting.
Jon has finally decided to confess his romantic feelings for his friend, Associate FBI Director Martha Meyerstein, so calls her in Mallorca where she’s holidaying on a friend’s yacht, when it explodes. Convinced it can’t be an accident, he travels to the Spanish Island to investigate, but is stonewalled by the local authorities and US State Department who fear the fallout if it’s reported as a terrorist attack. Determined to discover the truth, Reznick doesn’t mind who he offends, but he doesn’t know that an old enemy is watching him, with revenge on his mind.
This was another fast paced action adventure featuring Bastardo Duro (as the Spanish police grudgingly dub him) Reznick, but I liked seeing his softer side as he finally admits to himself how much he cares for Martha. This also meant I spent much of the book thinking “Surely she can’t really be dead?” which did add to the suspense. I also kept feeling like I’d encountered the baddie before - but I’m rubbish at remembering book plots and character names, so couldn’t remember where from. It’s not a spoiler to reveal that it’s the antagonist from Book two, Hard Kill - we learn his name and general motivation early on, although the exact details don’t get explained until much later on. I personally don’t like spending quite so much time in the villain’s head, especially not when he’s as deranged as Adam. I like Reznick as a hero, but find his big-headed daughter Lauren rather annoying - she’s a rookie FBI agent who overestimates her talents and mistakes bravado for bravery, so just gets in the way most of the time.
Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the ARC which allowed me to give an honest review. Hard Vengeance is published on January 14th.
THRILLING fast-paced police procedural, with lots of action & crime drama. Great characters that keep you on your toes throughout. First time reading this author, but will definitely not be my last. RECOMMEND this well written suspenseful novel. Thanks to NetGalley & Thomas & Mercer for this ARC in return for my honest review.
First time reading the Jon Reznick series and I must say I want to go back and start at the beginning, I always seem to find myself starting books mid way through a series!!!
Jon reserves some deverstating news Martha deputy director of the FBI and his love interest has died. They are told it was a gas leak on the yacht that she is holidaying on with her friend. But Martha's father contacts Jon and tells him he doesn't think it was an accident he thinks it was murder. He makes Jon promise to find out the truth and sends him to Spain to seek revenge.
I really was hooked with this novel from the first chapter it was all go and I love it when a novel grips you from the beginning. I loved that we are introduced to the bad guy from the start, although his motives are unbeknown to us.
Jon clearly has issues and I feel that if I had read the first 8 books I would of understood Jon a bit more but as I continued through this book alot became clear. I really loved Jon and his personality he is not your average "hero" and I found that endearing!
The book is fast paced and although there are not to many characters it was a tad confusing for me at times. I found that because so much was going on it did help to keep my interests on the story.
In all honesty it's hard to write an indepth review without flooding it with spoilers. There were a couple of twist one of which I saw coming others I did not. I really enjoyed this book and I can't wait to go back to the first in the series. I am rating 3 stats only because the big plot twist I found to obvious so that let it down a tad but other than that I enjoyed everything else.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and the author for the digital advanced copy in exchange for my fair and honest review.
Uneven thriller, ninth in an ongoing series, HARD VENGEANCE, is my first book by author J.B. Turner. There is something a little too formulaic about the plot and the cut-out protagonist. It’s not difficult to piece together the motivation or the background for any of the characters or subplots. I just prefer my thrillers to be more complex and varied; I’m not that keen on tropes. Having said that, there is nothing disturbing about the book, it delivers what it promises: a fast-paced, hard-charging thrill. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
Suspenseful and full of twists, the novel tells a story about how far a father can go to save the life of his daughter when she’s in danger especially when it’s because of his job and what that entails. I love Palma and it’s nice to read about favourite places in books and all the times the hero was talking about food, I was remembering all the savours from the island. This wasn’t my first book in the series and it’s definitely not the last because, like previous ones, it’s well written and a must read suspenseful crime novel for any lover of the genre.
Likeable characters - always - Jon has a bad temper - or maybe it was the narrator that made him seem that way.... maybe both.... don't know.... but made it seem like keeping his cool - isn't his thing.
I love discovering new authors and “Hard Vengeance,” by JB Turner was an exceptional introduction to the action thriller series. I read that Turner is “the #1 Amazon bestselling author of the Jon Reznick thriller series” and I can see why – it was an action packed read written by someone who clearly had done research and had superior writing skills. Although I started with book 9 of the series, it could stand alone.
Set in the Balearic Island of Mallorca, Spain, this installment in the series begins with a blast. The Assistant Director of the FBI, Martha Meyerstein, and her friend are yachting off the coast when, encouraged by her friend, she gains the courage to call Jon Reznick and leave a message intimating that she’d like to take their friendship to the next level. Moments later, the yacht explodes and Meyerstein is presumed dead. Ex-Delta Force Special Operator, Jon Reznick is contacted by Meyerstein’s father and agrees to hunt down his daughter’s killer. Unbeknownst to Reznick, he is falling into a trap set by the psychotic killer. Furthermore, his daughter, fresh from Quantico and against her father’s wishes, has travelled to the quaint fishing village to join her father on what she assumes is a vacation. To the vengeful killer, this is perfect; two for one! Meanwhile, a team of government operatives descends on the island with one sole purpose: to keep this under wraps. Will this be possible with Reznick out for revenge? Now that the killer has lured him, he intends to play with Reznick. Can this be done without alerting local authorities?
I loved Turner’s writing style. I felt it enhanced the suspense when both the protagonist and antagonist’s perspectives were shared with the readers. I was totally immersed in the plot from page one and taken on a nail-biting rollercoaster ride to the last page. His characters were believable, as were the predicaments in which they found themselves. The plot twists were well timed and the gory parts and swearing kept to a minimum. All this, I’d expect from a journalist and an accomplished writer. It reinforced for me that I’d made a great choice and that the reviews about this series were true. Not only would I recommend this book to a friend, I’m going to go back and read books one through eight. For $7.79 CAD you can pre-order this ebook and it will be delivered on January 14, 2021.
Thank you to JB Turner, Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Jon Reznick just returned home when he heard the news: an explosion in Mallorca, an island off the southeast coast of Spain. Somebody he cared for deeply was dead. And that's just the start of J.B. Turner's "Hard Vengeance," the ninth (really) in his series about an ex Delta special forces operative with a heart of gold. And a habit of crunching dexedrine when things get tough. Like a Lee Child novel, I crave disappearing into the world Turner creates. It's not pleasant. Reznick deals in loss, suffering and payback. It's the latter that gets me turning the pages. And in this case, I read it all in nearly one sitting. Being a high school librarian without kids is pretty uneventful. Next week, we get some kids back. In the meantime, I graciously let Turner's prose thrum through my brain. He's just got a way with storytelling. In Vengeance, the antagonist is front and center. He's a hunter, and he wants Reznick. Turner describes his exploits, juxtaposing the thoughts of a definite but brilliant psychopath with Reznick's efforts to uncover what happened. He's a step ahead, while Reznick's got to deal with Mallorca's Civil Guard and a mixture of U.S. officials who want him no where near the investigation. In fact, all of them say it was an accident. Then people start dying, and only Reznick can cut through the haze.
An emotional read if you're a fan of this series. When the absolute unexpected happens and a favor is asked Jon finds himself at a bombing site. What doesn't realize is that he is the ultimate target.
I really do enjoy this series and it's characters. As always I look forward to the next book in the series.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you Netgalley for the advance copy of this amazing read. This action packed thriller had me hooked from page one. When FBI assistant director Martha Meyerstein is blown up on a luxury yacht holiday her Dad asks Jon Reznick to investigate. As Jon gets closer to solving the case it becomes obvious who the real target is.
Book Review: Hard Vengeance (Jon Reznick #9) by J. B. Turner (Published by Amazon Publishing UK and Thomas & Mercer, January 14, 2021)
4.5 Stars.
Revenge is A Two-Way Street. Unputdownable!
September 11, 2001. Elisabeth Reznick, young wife and new mom, was at the Twin Towers when the attacks came. She sadly didn't make it and abruptly left her hapless soldier husband spiraling into the nadir - desperation, depression and alcoholism, lost, alone, a war fighter unfit to raise their baby girl by himself.
Present Day. Palma de Mallorca, off the eastern coast of Spain. FBI assistant director Martha Meyerstein is on vacation, lounging on the sundeck of a luxury yacht belonging to Ann C., her closest friend from college. Ann teases her about her love life. Martha makes a call; she knows she's being a little bit fresh, but she just needs to talk to Jon Reznick.
Moments later the yacht blows up.
New York, NY. Fresh off the academy in Quantico, youthful FBI Special Agent Lauren Reznick ribs her old man. How long how it been since Mom, Dad? She knows he's hopelessly heads over heels with her FBI mentor and patron. Director Meyerstein.
Then the news comes in. An explosion somewhere in the Balearic Islands off the Spanish coast. Reznick knows it. Meyerstein is dead. The FBI denies. The State Department disavows any knowledge.
Hard Vengeance, Book #9.
Reznick takes it hard and personally. He flies off to the Mediterranean, a former black ops assassination specialist on a private vendetta for vengeance.
Hot on his tail, the FBI, the State Dept., the CIA and the Guardia Civil de España. For all intents and purposes, Reznick is declared persona non grata.
And out for his blood waiting in the shadows off picturesque coastal cliffs, a deranged and highly intelligent old adversary.
Author J. B. Turner takes a pivotal turn in the Jon Reznick series as he eliminates a main character and throws in the shuffle enough twists and turns to make heads spin.
Unputdownable. The Jon Reznick series. The definitive panacea for lockdown ennui!
Review based on an ARC from Amazon Publishing UK, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley.
Ok, I've finished the dumbed down American version, can we now have the rational adult one for the rest of the world. I quite enjoyed the previous Reznick tales but hated the American Ghost stories. This is even worse than them. I think some Amazon published authors get just plain lazy. Chuck 'em out as fast as you can. So some facts: where was the yacht crew? Only 2 people on a luxury yacht? Hmmm. Then the guns. Americans seem to think they have to have a gun. But you CANNOT bring a hand gun into Europe, full stop. You must jump through hoops and complete endless forms and have a reason. Self protection is not a reason. Never mind what the author tells you about TSA clearance. Then there's the disappearing guns. He takes it into a police station and then there's absolutely no mention of it again on any of his encounters with the police and American authorities. He's taken for questioning and it is never an issue. Did he not have it on him at all? Then there is the ripping apart of the North of mallorca, I've been going to this area for 40+ years. Nice location but the only time I have ever witnessed any trouble was when USS Nimitz dropped 5000 sailors off in Palma. The Spanish police get a really raw deal. And then there's the bad guy. As you go deeper into the story you are told the psychotic bad guy is an atheist but was brought up by Christian parents who were kind and good and so was the protagonist who keeps thanking god for not him nor others being killed. I was left with a bitter taste in my mouth that this was a propaganda pamphlet for pro-Trump Christian nationalists. Bad guy evil atheist and good guy god fearing Christian. Epinephrine is Adrenaline, you can't have both. You cannot shoot a tyre out from a speeding bike if the wheel is doing more than 20mph. Plot holes galore just for the author's convenience. And why are there so many 5 star reviews. Why is the audience not demanding Tom Clancy and co. quality? I will not read any more from this author.
My thanks to NetGalley and publisher Amazon Publishing UK for the ARC. This is Book#9 in the Jon Reznick thriller series and reads well as a standalone. The story is interesting, complex and multi-layered, but equally frustrating because of lengthy and repetitive passages of Jon's musings surrounding his investigations.
Assistant FBI Director Martha Meyerstein and Jon had been friends for years as he consulted with the FBI - and other agencies - on black ops. Martha and friend Ann are on a luxury yacht off the coast of Spain where, just after plucking up enough courage to phone Jon, leaving a message that they should meet up on her return, the yacht blows up. At Martha's father's behest, and his own doubts about this being an 'accident' Jon travels to Europe to find out what happened. No agency will own up to being in charge - the State Department calls it a National Security issue - the FBI, Martha's employer, nor the CIA will give anything away. Why is there a news blackout and why, when Jon starts talking to ex-soldier Mac, Mac disappears, but not before telling his sister he'd found a piece of wreckage which had Arabic writing on it. Jon's daughter Lauren, fresh from FBI training convinces Jon to let her help, much against his better judgement. Always there is someone watching and waiting; knowing that killing Martha would lure Jon into his trap; years in the planning to gain vengeance for the past.
As said, this could be faster-moving if it wasn't for all those superfluous and tedious "thought" passages, but it is a good story - with a twist.
Another Fast, Fun Jon Reznick Thriller! Series Finale?
Consistent with previous series books, this installment will not disappointed J.B. Turner fans with its fast-paced, action adventure of Jon Reznick and his no-nonsense approach to bad guys everywhere. I've enjoyed the series so far as a welcomed escape read perfect for an afternoon distraction. If this were the last book in the series, I'm okay with that, only wishing the series doesn't lose its unique value with a "book to far."
In this installment, the author creates lots of surprises and difficult challenges as Jon's exploits resembles a heat-seeking missle aimed at the right evil target. Reznick's renegade style always makes for a focused reading experience with few distractions. The FBI-CIA interagency conflicts and gymnastics creates believable tensions as turf wars and egos always create many troubling barriers to Jon's vigilante zeal and untiring dedication to get to the source of the problem.
Appreciated Audible's narration with the same reader, who has become the reliable voice of the series and Jon Reznick's character and personality.
The storytelling and plotline are true to form, creating a satisfying read for those who appreciate a "tough-guy" protagonist in a life-threatening struggle against impossible odds at every turn.
If this is the end, it was a great was to finish. If others yet come, I'll be quick to enjoy.
I gave it 4 stars because it is a good story but I did have one problem with this book, it is the same problem I have had with this entire series, the storyline is just too unrealistic. I know it is fiction but even with fiction, I like the story to have the feel of realism. The book has the feel of exaggeration to the event taking place. Without giving away too much, in the past, Jon Reznick stopped the bad guy from "achieving greatness". So, as retaliation, the bad guy blows up a boat killing one person and maiming a top CIA operative, blows up a house, kills a dozen people, all to try to get back at Jon for stopping him. Seems an easier route would have been to just attempt the same thing a second time. Also, because the maimed person was a top operative the top secret organizations are trying to keep it from the press, so they are trying to keep Jon out of the loop. How do they do this? They drug Jon and lock him up in jail (Jon has to break out), and then later they tell Jon they can't help him because they have rules they have to follow? Really? Anyways...the entire book just seemed like one overaction after another to the event taking place.
All I can say is that my heart can’t take all this drama going on in this series. I was gobsmacked by the start of this story and when Irealised that for Jon this was now super personal I felt sorry for whatever character would be on the receiving end of his fury! As Jon travels to Spain he has no clue what has happened and why. It soon becomes clear this is personal and as we get the killers side of the story it makes for a very intense read. Now that Jon cannot call on Martha for help he turns to Trevelle, his hacker friend. I love Trevelle and wish we saw more of him, but at leasthe makes an appearance as does Jon’s daughter Lauren.
This latest installment had everything you could want in this type of book and more! Packed to the rafters with intense action, a fabulous lead character, an interesting storyline and a book that had me mesmerised. I thoroughly loved this latest book, only now I have to wait for feels like an eternity for the next one! A series I would highly reccomend.
This book started off fast, nothing new for this series. I was PISSED! I wanted to be on Jon's team hunting down those who harmed Martha! Said differently, I was drawn in immediately and didn't want to put the book down.
This was a tamer Jon, not as many casualties by Jon's hands. Not surprised that Lauren jumps at the chance to help her father. Martha had been a mentor and mother figure for her. Besides, after the last time did he really think she wouldn't join him especially now that she has graduated Quantico.
I felt like Trevelle was a little underused compared to other books in the series but he does add to the tamer, softer Jon we see this time.
It felt like this might be the end for this series at least for Jon (not advocating for it to be the last, it just had that vibe) and perhaps the beginning of a "new" Reznick. Either way, I think that Mac would make a good edition to Jon's list of capable friends.
I found the books by JB Turner about a year ago and I really like them. The books about Jon Reznick should be read in the right order. What happened in this book has to do with what happened in an earlier book.
The book I borrowed from Kindle unlimited could be read in Kindle or listened to in Audible. I choose to listen to the book. The man reading these books has the right voice for Jon.
I find it a bit difficult to comment on what happened in the book without giving away too much. I like the books about Jon Reznick and I look forward to reading/listening to the next one.
I received this book through "NetGalley" read now program.
I have read all of the Jon Reznick stories and this one does not disappoint. The story has Martha Meyerstein in Spain on vacation with a friend on a yacht. She is being pestered to make a call to Jon by her friend and she finally makes it and leaves a voice mail message. Shortly thereafter an explosion occurs.
Jon is returning from a trip overseas and sees the call and tries to reach her. Later he receives a call from Martha's father who informs him that Martha was killed in an accidental gas explosion. After Jon is requested to look into the matter by her father, he heads to Spain to look into it. As he does his investigation, he meets an individual who was a former SAS member who had information. Later as Jon was talking to this individual, he was taken away by Spanish Authorities. Jon later meets this individual's sister who was supposed to e picked up at the airport by here brother. As both Jon and the sister were trying to find out what happened to the brother, other individuals were attempting to get Jon to leave the country. When the sister was going to meeting with a British representative, she was involved in an accident.
Later, Jon's daughter arrived and wanted to help, but Jon wanted her to go away and stay safe. Once already an individual from his past had attempted to murder him. Ultimately, an attempt was made on both Jon and his daughter and they managed to escape. Both of them were abducted by individuals who wanted them to leave the country. Jon was separated from his daughter and managed to escape.
Eventually the other parties decided to use Jon as bait to catch the killer. One of the attempts that this group used was to try and determine that individuals location by tracing a cell phone call. This did not work out as planned. Later a second attempt was made on Jon and his daughter.
To discover who and why the individual was so intent on killing Jon and how the last attempt worked out, then you must read this book. It is well worth it and I recommend it highly.
A highly enjoyable book and series about retired agent Jon Reznick this being book 9. It is action all the away with Reznick in Majorca following his gut feelings after the supposed accident and killing of Martha Meyerstien a FBI Assistant Director and his closest friend and companion which makes this even more personal to Jon. This all turns out to be a revenge killing and trap to tempt Jon to be killed by an unhinged nut bar who will stop at nothing to kill his adversary. Everything happens around a beautiful picturesque sea side village on the Mediterranean coast and right in the middle of this Jon’s FBI daughter Lauren arrives and gets involve despite and against Jon’s wishes which all adds to the tension. As I said a very fast a furious read and enjoyable if you can put aside some of the highly unacceptable silly scenarios already mentioned by other readers; such as getting guns and ammunition through hold baggage from America to Spain undetected, pulling a gun on a Spanish Guarda Civil officer inside a police station and then getting no follow up? Beats me but hey otherwise this book has everything including the CIA, FBI, Spanish Police and a Scottish SAS man and of course the mad killer. With everyone against Jon Reznick and telling him to leave and go home that is one thing he is never going to do! "I dropped one star because of the silly scenarios otherwise it would have been 5 stars."
Is Jon Reznick nearly always right? Of course. Does anyone ever believe Jon Reznick? Never.
Has Jon Reznick saved the country over and over again? Obviously. Does anyone ever trust Jon Reznick? Why would they?
Our "favorite" tweaker assassin returns in this 9th book in the series. This time, his favorite FBI director friend finally admits her feelings in a phone call to Reznick, and is immediately blown up on a yacht in Majorca. Jon being Jon, he immediately goes to investigate. Though, for some reason, his previously well-established volcanic temper is strangely absent.
The villain of the piece is a mustache-twirling psychotic with no real reason for his actions and every government agency (US and other) is ineffectual, oblivious, and acting counter to its government's interests.
Strangely, though this book is remarkably stupid (no, you can't radio-control a car like that, among many other things), it's not irredeemably awful. There is decent plot flow and many of the action scenes are entertaining to read. But it cannot be called "good".
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, but every book after that has been weak. After that first book, I saw several volumes of the series on sale, and bought them all at once. I regret that.
This is the ninth book in the series which continues to be a page turner! Jon Reznick gets a call from Martha Myerstein's father saying that Martha has been killed by an explosion on a boat in Mallorca. He believes she was assassinated, and asks Reznick to go to Mallorca and kill the man who did it. Reznick goes, but does not get welcomed by the Spanish police or the US FBI and State Department. The reader soon knows that the man responsible, Adam Ford, really wanted to hurt and kill Reznick because Reznick kept him from killing the president, ruining Ford's chance at fame. Ford is a brilliant doctor, former Special Forces, and psychotic.
Jon has his work set out for him, especially after being taken by US officials who want to put him on a plane home. However, Jon is resourceful, and is joined by his daughter Lauren and cyber savy Trevelle Williams. As the body count mounts, the big question is whether Reznick and team can get Adams before Ford gets him and/or his loved ones and friends.
I thank Netgalley and Amazon Publishing for allowing me to read this book for an honest review.
Another hard hitting and heart pounding mystery for Jon Reznick. Jon receives word that his best friend, FBI Assistant Director Martha Meyerstein, has been killed in a boating accident while on vacation. Once he hears from her father, they both believe that there is more to the “accident” and he leaves for Mallorca. From the very beginning, things don’t add up. Attempts on his life, authorities refusing to answer questions and the fact that Martha’s body was not found. With the various Feds involved, Jon knows that they are trying to keep him from investigating. You would think by now they should know that has never worked. When he finally realizes who might be after him, he also knows that this entire set up was a way to get to him. When his daughter arrives on the island, all bets are off to keep both of them safe. Non-stop action and “take no prisoners” until the very satisfying end. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)
J.B.Turner's excellent series has a welcome addition in Hard Vengeance. This time the setting is a Spanish Island after an explosion causes Jon Reznick to investigate exactly what has happened.
As with the other instalments in this series (this is full story number 9) they can be read individually or in order. I have been lucky enough to read them in order and there are a few familiar faces who make repeat appearances. However, one name from the past makes an unwelcome return and is creating carnage on the island of Palma with his end goal to kill Jon Reznick.
This story has a slightly less high octane fell than previous Reznick outings but still has some explosive set pieces and carnage aplenty.
The end of the story will make you smile. Your smile will be even bigger if you read stories 1-8 before you get to this.
Another enjoyable thriller outing for Reznick.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.