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Cerberus #5
Vicious Justice
The contract is simple: execute the only honest detective in New Avalon.
Nolan Garrett has carried out countless hits over his years as Cerberus, government assassin, so why should this be any different?
But as he digs into his target, he is dragged into a tangled web of murders, blackmail, victim trafficking, racketeering, and corruption reaching to the highest echelons of Imperial government.
With the help of his trusty AI, Taia, and Bex, a former Silverguard demolitions genius, Nolan unleashes his uniquely vicious brand of justice on the guilty. It’s a race against time to clean up the evil before it floods his city and destroys those he loves.
Vicious Justice is the fifth book in the action-packed space opera Cerberus series. Perfect for fans of The Last Reaper, Takeshi Kovacs, and The Punisher!
Buy Cerberus: Vicious Justice now for a non-stop epic sci-fi that will set your heart racing!
Nolan Garrett has carried out countless hits over his years as Cerberus, government assassin, so why should this be any different?
But as he digs into his target, he is dragged into a tangled web of murders, blackmail, victim trafficking, racketeering, and corruption reaching to the highest echelons of Imperial government.
With the help of his trusty AI, Taia, and Bex, a former Silverguard demolitions genius, Nolan unleashes his uniquely vicious brand of justice on the guilty. It’s a race against time to clean up the evil before it floods his city and destroys those he loves.
Vicious Justice is the fifth book in the action-packed space opera Cerberus series. Perfect for fans of The Last Reaper, Takeshi Kovacs, and The Punisher!
Buy Cerberus: Vicious Justice now for a non-stop epic sci-fi that will set your heart racing!
- GenresScience FictionAction
416 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 11, 2020
116 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
Andy Peloquin
92 books1,305 followersI am, first and foremost, a storyteller and an artist--words are my palette. Fantasy is my genre of choice, and I love to explore the darker side of human nature through the filter of fantasy heroes, villains, and everything in between. I'm also a freelance writer, a book lover, and a guy who just loves to meet new people and spend hours talking about my fascination for the worlds I encounter in the pages of fantasy novels.
Fantasy provides us with an escape, a way to forget about our mundane problems and step into worlds where anything is possible. It transcends age, gender, religion, race, or lifestyle--it is our way of believing what cannot be, delving into the unknowable, and discovering hidden truths about ourselves and our world in a brand new way. Fiction at its very best!
Fantasy provides us with an escape, a way to forget about our mundane problems and step into worlds where anything is possible. It transcends age, gender, religion, race, or lifestyle--it is our way of believing what cannot be, delving into the unknowable, and discovering hidden truths about ourselves and our world in a brand new way. Fiction at its very best!
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 11, 2020
This book had me under a spell. I just couldn't focus on anything else!
I have to say that were it possible to give this book a 6 star. I would.
I think the fight scenes in this book were absolutely thrilling. My hands kept curling into fists, where I was so deeply involved in them. The cleverly laid out plot was absolutely awesome, first rate! I have nothing negative to say about this book, in facelt quite the opposite. The series keeps getting better and better. This book being my favourite of the set.
We join Nolan in a trap that he is caught up in. Unable to make contact with his Protection Bureau contact, Agent Styver, Nolan Garrett makes the decision to seek out Styver but finds things strangely quiet and empty. Nothing remains of his handler Agent Styver's office or the rest of the Bureau.
Before he can leave the building Taia, his implanted Ai who helps him use his skills to the best of his ability, remarks that they've got company. It looks like he is being ambushed by the the IDF, the Imperial Defence Force, a group who would love to get their hands on Nolan, since he is an assassin for the Protection Bureau, as an anonymous, secret operative. Disposing of those whom the PB deemed dangerous to their society for various reasons.
Not finding Agent Styver, but finding he is being hunted; Nolan flees and works his way carefully home. Eventually Agent Styver gets in touch with Nolan. He gives Nolan, as Cerberus, a new kill order. The kill order is for a Detective Locke, of the IDF. He is a decorated and seemingly decent man. This makes no sense to Nolan, and all Agent Styver will tell him is that the Detective is putting his nose far to close to the last case Nolan was involved in. Nolan decides to do his own investigation into the life and cases of Locke, with a view to understand the kill order. However Locke keeps his files etc on a personal datapad. This means Nolan must find a way for Taia to have physical contact with the datapad to retrieve the data. Just as Nolan is dealing with that, he finds out that one of his friends has been murdered. So Nolan begins a hunt for the killer, however, before he can make a start on that, he finds out that Detectie Locke is also searching for her murderer.
Now both Nolan and Locke, seperately, get caught up in a seriously nasty gang.
I won't say any more but oh my goodness, what a thrilling start for the story and it only gets more intricate and exciting as it goes along! I was totally engrossed in it!
I love the plot in this book, and I am besotted with Nolan, Bex, and Taia the Ai. They are so well written and I have reached a point where I am quite invested in their lives. After 5 books getting to know them and their lives, I think it's natural to have become so invested in them.
Each book the author writes in this series, flows seamlessly from the one before.
I have to say though; this is my favourite book in the series. It's absolutely jam packed with excitement! I absolutely loved it!
I have to say that were it possible to give this book a 6 star. I would.
I think the fight scenes in this book were absolutely thrilling. My hands kept curling into fists, where I was so deeply involved in them. The cleverly laid out plot was absolutely awesome, first rate! I have nothing negative to say about this book, in facelt quite the opposite. The series keeps getting better and better. This book being my favourite of the set.
We join Nolan in a trap that he is caught up in. Unable to make contact with his Protection Bureau contact, Agent Styver, Nolan Garrett makes the decision to seek out Styver but finds things strangely quiet and empty. Nothing remains of his handler Agent Styver's office or the rest of the Bureau.
Before he can leave the building Taia, his implanted Ai who helps him use his skills to the best of his ability, remarks that they've got company. It looks like he is being ambushed by the the IDF, the Imperial Defence Force, a group who would love to get their hands on Nolan, since he is an assassin for the Protection Bureau, as an anonymous, secret operative. Disposing of those whom the PB deemed dangerous to their society for various reasons.
Not finding Agent Styver, but finding he is being hunted; Nolan flees and works his way carefully home. Eventually Agent Styver gets in touch with Nolan. He gives Nolan, as Cerberus, a new kill order. The kill order is for a Detective Locke, of the IDF. He is a decorated and seemingly decent man. This makes no sense to Nolan, and all Agent Styver will tell him is that the Detective is putting his nose far to close to the last case Nolan was involved in. Nolan decides to do his own investigation into the life and cases of Locke, with a view to understand the kill order. However Locke keeps his files etc on a personal datapad. This means Nolan must find a way for Taia to have physical contact with the datapad to retrieve the data. Just as Nolan is dealing with that, he finds out that one of his friends has been murdered. So Nolan begins a hunt for the killer, however, before he can make a start on that, he finds out that Detectie Locke is also searching for her murderer.
Now both Nolan and Locke, seperately, get caught up in a seriously nasty gang.
I won't say any more but oh my goodness, what a thrilling start for the story and it only gets more intricate and exciting as it goes along! I was totally engrossed in it!
I love the plot in this book, and I am besotted with Nolan, Bex, and Taia the Ai. They are so well written and I have reached a point where I am quite invested in their lives. After 5 books getting to know them and their lives, I think it's natural to have become so invested in them.
Each book the author writes in this series, flows seamlessly from the one before.
I have to say though; this is my favourite book in the series. It's absolutely jam packed with excitement! I absolutely loved it!
July 31, 2020
Whenever I read a book in the Cerberus series I always feel this is the best novel yet, as well as being torn between not wanting the book to end and wanting to end the gut wrenching feeling these thrilling novels make me go through. This, book 5 is about a new job Agent Styver sets out for Nolan Garrett, their assassin, and this time around he is supposed to kill a detective with the IDF within the time frame of 48 hours or else. Nolan hated being threatened, but the protection bureau held power over him as they kept dangling his brother Jared in front of his eyes in order to keep him in line. I particularly loved this book because Bex, the silverguard who, like Nolan himself, had fallen on hard times and turned into a junkie when she left the army, and was currently living with Nolan, gets to open up on many an issue in her life with both Nolan and Taia and gets to grips with her inner demons. Whilst Nolan amidst all the hassle of the dirt they managed to rake and get themselves involved into, does his best to protect and be there for Bex. I love the humane aspect of these books and the in-depth self-analysis our characters go through, whilst still not affecting at all their massive fights, which are described to the finest detail without being particularly gory, and the weaponry they use to bring down the bad guys and protect those they feel are innocent. In this book they had to put their own personal problems on hold, even though Nolan's tungstenite poisoning could not really be put on hold, in order to get to the bottom of his doubtful kill order. They became embroiled in unmentionable evil as the plot thickened involving a murder, a fight club, a betting ring, police corruption and worse of all a paedophile prostitution service all provided by the Zalkrovi and finding out that Bex was embroiled in this up to her neck. I was pulled into the story right from the start and could not stop reading till the last line as is always the case when I am reading a Peloquin novel. I am thus eagerly anticipating book 6.
August 8, 2020
Another fast-paced adventure takes Nolan Garrett one step closer to saving his brother - or does it? In this latest episode we see the introduction of an interesting new character in Detective Locke, and learn some starting revelations about Jared's arrest.
It's not just an adventure story, though. As always in this series, the theme of addiction and recovery is maintained, with some very sound advice for the discerning reader. I'm sure these books must be helpful to anyone fighting any kind of chemical addiction.
It's the moral dimension above all that makes Peloquin's work stand out from the general run of shoot-em-up adventures, and in the instant book we see that dimension expanded to include not only the issues around addiction, guilt and personal responsibility, but those relating to gender and inclusivity. A compelling and thought-provoking read.
It's not just an adventure story, though. As always in this series, the theme of addiction and recovery is maintained, with some very sound advice for the discerning reader. I'm sure these books must be helpful to anyone fighting any kind of chemical addiction.
It's the moral dimension above all that makes Peloquin's work stand out from the general run of shoot-em-up adventures, and in the instant book we see that dimension expanded to include not only the issues around addiction, guilt and personal responsibility, but those relating to gender and inclusivity. A compelling and thought-provoking read.
August 1, 2020
I am running out of good things to say about these sci-fi books. Each one is as good or better than the last. I know I’ve said this before, but this is another series I don’t want to end. Highly recommended.
January 21, 2021
VICIOUS JUSTICE is the fifth book in the pop corn science fiction novel series, Cerberus, that follows a cybernetically enhanced government assassin in a far off space opera future. I'm very fond of these books as they're an excellent way to relax with gloriously over-the-top action sequences and heroic fights against delightfully scummy villains. In this case, Nolan Garrett is up against a bunch of child traffickers who run an illegal fighting ring on the side. Old-fashioned evils set against a futuristic setting.
We get some more insight into Nolan's partner Bex this time around and she's on the cover as the Buffy-meets-Ronda Rousey looking woman punching out a Russian brawler. I've always liked Bex but she hasn't had much time to expand on her backstory since arriving in the middle of a terminal drug overdose on Nolan's doorstep. Finding out she used to be an immensely popular female fighter for the local mob was an interesting twist and threatens to cause her to relapse as we discover just what she left behind.
There's also an interesting side plot where Nolan discovers that a local police officer is investigating his shadowy superiors. Nolan, despite the fact he's killed hundreds of people for the government, doesn't want to kill an innocent. Also, said police officer can't be shut down through proper government channels. Thus, the government wants him eliminated. I felt this was a bit unbelievable as I think they could have stopped a local investigation at will but that's just me.
I really liked the character development in this one as well as the scumminess of the villains. This is one of the rare occasions that our antihero gets the chance to go all out and I was happy for him to slaughter the entire group at the end. Making them child traffickers versus human traffickers seems an unnecessary step for justifying them to be killed but its not like they don't exist in real life. Either way, there's nothing gratuitous and its only referenced by inference.
Nolan gets some more relationship development as we discover that he has a strong attraction to his downstairs neighbor and strip club owner, Jadis, who is in mourning over a waitress killed during a previous book's shoot-out. I like the character and think she makes an even better love interest than Bex. We also find out that Bex is an LGBT character who is attracted to Jadis herself and forms a most unusual love triangle. I'll be interested in seeing what happens there.
All in all, a solid but dark installment.
We get some more insight into Nolan's partner Bex this time around and she's on the cover as the Buffy-meets-Ronda Rousey looking woman punching out a Russian brawler. I've always liked Bex but she hasn't had much time to expand on her backstory since arriving in the middle of a terminal drug overdose on Nolan's doorstep. Finding out she used to be an immensely popular female fighter for the local mob was an interesting twist and threatens to cause her to relapse as we discover just what she left behind.
There's also an interesting side plot where Nolan discovers that a local police officer is investigating his shadowy superiors. Nolan, despite the fact he's killed hundreds of people for the government, doesn't want to kill an innocent. Also, said police officer can't be shut down through proper government channels. Thus, the government wants him eliminated. I felt this was a bit unbelievable as I think they could have stopped a local investigation at will but that's just me.
I really liked the character development in this one as well as the scumminess of the villains. This is one of the rare occasions that our antihero gets the chance to go all out and I was happy for him to slaughter the entire group at the end. Making them child traffickers versus human traffickers seems an unnecessary step for justifying them to be killed but its not like they don't exist in real life. Either way, there's nothing gratuitous and its only referenced by inference.
Nolan gets some more relationship development as we discover that he has a strong attraction to his downstairs neighbor and strip club owner, Jadis, who is in mourning over a waitress killed during a previous book's shoot-out. I like the character and think she makes an even better love interest than Bex. We also find out that Bex is an LGBT character who is attracted to Jadis herself and forms a most unusual love triangle. I'll be interested in seeing what happens there.
All in all, a solid but dark installment.
April 19, 2024
This series keeps getting better. Sci-fi but not really out there, more advanced in several areas but believable. Action, characters, story (a bit of a mystery to solve). It’s all good
August 12, 2020
A pulse pounding suspense novel, where dark secrets come out and revenge is brought to bear. Bex's life gets personal as Mr. Peloquin brings her addiction front and center and it's all Nolan can do to keep from speaking his mind and keep from pushing her away. I love how Andy can take current day problems and artfully and compassionately weaves the issues into his stories. Underage sex trafficking is huge and Bex's makes it her personal mission to take on, the more they dig the uglier it gets. And Nolan's assignment is to take out a good cop who's hunting down the Protection Bureau and trying to blow it wide open. Relentless and unflinching is what makes this story great.
August 11, 2020
What a crazy thrill ride and conundrum our protagonist is faced with in this one. Lots more of Bex this time and a kill order on another good guy handled in perfect Cerberus fashion… Tia is on her best A-game yet, Cerberus is out of the suit for what seemed like the majority of the book, and Bex is upfront and personal in this one. I couldn’t put it down, as usual with Andy’s books. The continuous character development throughout his series’ is awesome!
August 13, 2020
Against the odds
Logan is back with Bex as his partner. Logan gets a kill order on a member of the IDF but needs to check the man out first. Bex decides that something from her past needs to have action taken. They then get caught up in combatting a slavery ring that has tendrils out into the local IDF and higher. The body count is extreme as usual and the action is non stop! Looking forward to C6!
Logan is back with Bex as his partner. Logan gets a kill order on a member of the IDF but needs to check the man out first. Bex decides that something from her past needs to have action taken. They then get caught up in combatting a slavery ring that has tendrils out into the local IDF and higher. The body count is extreme as usual and the action is non stop! Looking forward to C6!
October 23, 2020
Andy takes us on another adventure with Nolan, Bex and Taia . It’s an emotional read and Andy handles the building relationship between Nolan and Bex and their own experiences with their addiction with passion. It is done with understanding on Nolan’s part and we as the reader hopes he gets through to her. That being said this book is also full of adventure and intrigue some ass kicking added in.
August 11, 2020
Book five in the series delivered action and dark justice with a hardcore punch. Heavy themes drip from these pages! Expect conversations between two characters to bring you to your knees. The brutality of the human trafficking once again pulled me towards present day issues. This book is a tough one, but I expected no less. Superb. All my reviews are always voluntarily written.
August 11, 2020
This series just gets better with each book. The tension, the relationships, the drama, the intrigue... it's all just a rocket-ride of excitement.
Definitely one of the best series around at the moment. And yes, it really is that good!!
I received an ARC of this book which in no way influenced my review.
Definitely one of the best series around at the moment. And yes, it really is that good!!
I received an ARC of this book which in no way influenced my review.
August 13, 2020
An Easy Flowing, good reading Book!
A review that is not a preview, that is difficult especially when you want to sing very high praise of the author and book. The style is not stuttery, thus it flows, showing good editing. It's story runs in order, showing good arc reading. All the basics done correctly.
A review that is not a preview, that is difficult especially when you want to sing very high praise of the author and book. The style is not stuttery, thus it flows, showing good editing. It's story runs in order, showing good arc reading. All the basics done correctly.
July 21, 2020
Nolan is going to ** WAR ** !!
One thing leads to another, more
serious issue, leads to a murder
that leads to ... well, you'll want
to read for yourself to see the
progression and find the answers.
Enjoy the chase !!
Phyllis S.
One thing leads to another, more
serious issue, leads to a murder
that leads to ... well, you'll want
to read for yourself to see the
progression and find the answers.
Enjoy the chase !!
Phyllis S.
August 16, 2020
Another great read!
Andy P has another winner in his collection of stories. As well as a good hook for the next Cerberus adventure. A good mix of action and dialogue makes for an exciting read. Very much looking forward to the next book in the series.
Andy P has another winner in his collection of stories. As well as a good hook for the next Cerberus adventure. A good mix of action and dialogue makes for an exciting read. Very much looking forward to the next book in the series.
August 26, 2020
I'm hooked!
I enjoy the way this author connects a variety of genre; space opera, combat weapons , armor, and the story line is something that I enjoy following. Not too sappy but exciting to read
I enjoy the way this author connects a variety of genre; space opera, combat weapons , armor, and the story line is something that I enjoy following. Not too sappy but exciting to read
September 9, 2020
Great story! Cerberus is not pleased with his most recent kill order. This leads to much mayhem & adventure with global (and larger) implications. We get to know Bex much better and Taia continues to grow. Loved it!
August 12, 2020
This is an excellent book. Love it. Andy is an incredible storyteller. Well written, page turner, great characters. Great job.
September 8, 2020
Enjoyable easy read
I regret not leaving reviews for the other books I have read but have loved them all and look forward to the next book in the adventure
I regret not leaving reviews for the other books I have read but have loved them all and look forward to the next book in the adventure
January 31, 2021
The books are getting better in the series. This was the best so far.
Excellent book, great series. This book is fast paced full of plenty of action, excellent character development a real page turner. The science fiction aspects of the book are done well, the multi threaded storyline is well done, well written. If you really wish to read a fast paced, fun, action filled series and book read this one. Start from the first book in the series you won’t be disappointed.
Excellent book, great series. This book is fast paced full of plenty of action, excellent character development a real page turner. The science fiction aspects of the book are done well, the multi threaded storyline is well done, well written. If you really wish to read a fast paced, fun, action filled series and book read this one. Start from the first book in the series you won’t be disappointed.
August 12, 2020
A Must Read
Really enjoyable reading and the surprises keep coming as we find out more about Nex, Jared and Nolan whilst life becomes complicated again.
I hope this series gets a lot more books as i think the Nolan character is so well done that he bexomes very realistic.
Really enjoyable reading and the surprises keep coming as we find out more about Nex, Jared and Nolan whilst life becomes complicated again.
I hope this series gets a lot more books as i think the Nolan character is so well done that he bexomes very realistic.
July 16, 2024
Not following orders
Cerberus was given an assignment that he did not feel was right, so he chose to follow his gut and not follow blindly. This book has girls in danger and corruption. I loved that we got to know more about Cerberus and Kali.
Cerberus was given an assignment that he did not feel was right, so he chose to follow his gut and not follow blindly. This book has girls in danger and corruption. I loved that we got to know more about Cerberus and Kali.
January 5, 2026
Nolan and Bex are a fearsome team!
Bex is coming into her own now that she's purged of one major addiction, however she's becoming irrational and reactionary to opposing views!
Bex is coming into her own now that she's purged of one major addiction, however she's becoming irrational and reactionary to opposing views!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews