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Ian Bragg Thriller #1
The Operator
A hitman with a conscience…
Ian Bragg is paid to kill people. Only bad people and not many, but for a great deal of money.
Case the target. Make the hit. Move on until he meets the woman with sparkling green eyes who changes everything.
Is his newest target deserving of death? Who is Ian to decide if the politician needs to die? He is the one who has to live with the consequences, that’s who.
The contract deadline nears. Too many unknowns, too much to lose. Pull the trigger or not?
Ian makes his own rules to get himself out of a quandary where it’s more than just his life on the line. For the greater good, join Ian Bragg.
Ian Bragg is paid to kill people. Only bad people and not many, but for a great deal of money.
Case the target. Make the hit. Move on until he meets the woman with sparkling green eyes who changes everything.
Is his newest target deserving of death? Who is Ian to decide if the politician needs to die? He is the one who has to live with the consequences, that’s who.
The contract deadline nears. Too many unknowns, too much to lose. Pull the trigger or not?
Ian makes his own rules to get himself out of a quandary where it’s more than just his life on the line. For the greater good, join Ian Bragg.
274 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 30, 2020
525 people are currently reading
239 people want to read
About the author
Craig Martelle
325 books7,876 followersVisit Craig's web page, craigmartelle.com for the latest posts and updates or find him on Facebook, Author Craig Martelle. Send an email to craig@craigmartelle.com to join his mailing list for the latest on new releases, information on old releases, and anything related to his books.
I see my other lives, a career in the Marines, those damn hand-written tests in law school, a business consultant, as if they're stories from a book. I see my books as if I lived there, as if I were friends with the characters. All things we remember are behind us, only those we imagine lie before.
I'm not sure which place I prefer, but I don't have to choose. They live together in my mind. My books have some award nominations, they have bestseller tags across multiple countries. I write about justice, honor, and loyalty because that's what I care about. My stories are mostly set within worlds that haven't been, but could be. We have to be ready for when those times come.
No matter where I went, I always had a book with me. Thanks to 21st Century technology, I now have hundreds of books loaded on my phone and always with me. This breakthrough allows me to binge read my favorites. How many books would I have read on deployments had I not had to have a physical book with me? I paced myself so I wouldn't finish too quickly.
We aren't encumbered like that now. I love the works of Robert Heinlein, Anne McCaffrey, JRR Tolkien, Robert E. Howard, and so many more. I have been compared to Andre Norton and that is humbling - she was an incredible author with a huge list of novels to her credit. With every new book, I aspire to live up to those that you, the readers, have compared me to.
Through a bizarre series of events, I ended up in Fairbanks, Alaska. I never expected to retire to a place where golf courses are only open for four months out of the year. But that's the way it is. It is off the beaten path. My wife and I get to watch the northern lights from our driveway. Our dog has lots of room to run. And temperatures reach fifty below zero. We have from three and a half hours of daylight in the winter to twenty-four hours in the summer.
It's all part of the give and take of life. If we didn't have those extremes, then everyone would live in the sub-arctic.
I see my other lives, a career in the Marines, those damn hand-written tests in law school, a business consultant, as if they're stories from a book. I see my books as if I lived there, as if I were friends with the characters. All things we remember are behind us, only those we imagine lie before.
I'm not sure which place I prefer, but I don't have to choose. They live together in my mind. My books have some award nominations, they have bestseller tags across multiple countries. I write about justice, honor, and loyalty because that's what I care about. My stories are mostly set within worlds that haven't been, but could be. We have to be ready for when those times come.
No matter where I went, I always had a book with me. Thanks to 21st Century technology, I now have hundreds of books loaded on my phone and always with me. This breakthrough allows me to binge read my favorites. How many books would I have read on deployments had I not had to have a physical book with me? I paced myself so I wouldn't finish too quickly.
We aren't encumbered like that now. I love the works of Robert Heinlein, Anne McCaffrey, JRR Tolkien, Robert E. Howard, and so many more. I have been compared to Andre Norton and that is humbling - she was an incredible author with a huge list of novels to her credit. With every new book, I aspire to live up to those that you, the readers, have compared me to.
Through a bizarre series of events, I ended up in Fairbanks, Alaska. I never expected to retire to a place where golf courses are only open for four months out of the year. But that's the way it is. It is off the beaten path. My wife and I get to watch the northern lights from our driveway. Our dog has lots of room to run. And temperatures reach fifty below zero. We have from three and a half hours of daylight in the winter to twenty-four hours in the summer.
It's all part of the give and take of life. If we didn't have those extremes, then everyone would live in the sub-arctic.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
January 17, 2021
The Bud Light of Hitman Novels.
Hense three stars instead of four or five as I prefer a robust flavor with these types of stories. I didn't expect a romance sub-plot and it encompasses a major portion of the book. Apparently I didn't read the synopsis carefully.
What saved the book for me was the tactical element. The author is former military and I really enjoyed the maneuvering and chess type actions of the participants.
There's no overt blood letting so this would be a safe book for those who don't like gore, but in my opinion, it didn't fire on all cylinders.
Hense three stars instead of four or five as I prefer a robust flavor with these types of stories. I didn't expect a romance sub-plot and it encompasses a major portion of the book. Apparently I didn't read the synopsis carefully.
What saved the book for me was the tactical element. The author is former military and I really enjoyed the maneuvering and chess type actions of the participants.
There's no overt blood letting so this would be a safe book for those who don't like gore, but in my opinion, it didn't fire on all cylinders.
December 10, 2020
A Man With A Heart...Who Kills For A Living!
This is my first book by this author and I totally enjoyed his writing! Ian Bragg is ex-army and now works for an agency that gives him missions to fulfill...That pay an incredible amount of money, as he must kill another person...Now all those contracts that are accepted are for people who harm others...Real downers who hurt and steal from anyone..And Ian makes sure in his own investigation...But, his new target seems too clean...He searches everywhere and can not find Any dirt on this man...He also meets a woman that makes him rethink his profession...
What's a man to do...Perhaps it is time to try to retire from the agency...But can he?! A fabulous story that held my attention from start to finish! Action, great characters who I feel I know, and a little fun rolled into a story I read in one sitting!!!
I will be waiting for the next book in this series!
This is my first book by this author and I totally enjoyed his writing! Ian Bragg is ex-army and now works for an agency that gives him missions to fulfill...That pay an incredible amount of money, as he must kill another person...Now all those contracts that are accepted are for people who harm others...Real downers who hurt and steal from anyone..And Ian makes sure in his own investigation...But, his new target seems too clean...He searches everywhere and can not find Any dirt on this man...He also meets a woman that makes him rethink his profession...
What's a man to do...Perhaps it is time to try to retire from the agency...But can he?! A fabulous story that held my attention from start to finish! Action, great characters who I feel I know, and a little fun rolled into a story I read in one sitting!!!
I will be waiting for the next book in this series!
February 3, 2021
I read this because it was an assassin book.
-Ex-Marine turned assassin in the Seattle area.
What I liked:
-The main character was a likable guy, he was an assassin that only killed bad people for a lot of money. You kind of saw a couple of things coming, it was different enough to be unique and interesting.
-The love interest was interesting too.
-Great beginning quotes at the front of each chapter. While almost always the quotes before a chapter of any book are worthless, these quotes were mostly short, meaning, and I loved them. Great job!
What I didn't like:
-Way too many Rush songs referred to throughout the book. It was just a distraction and I did not go check it out. As I write this I just pulled up Rush on youtube, still, barely remember them. But the lesson for me is to be very careful referencing songs in my own writing. While it means a lot to me and obviously Rush to him... it means nothing to the reader.
-Nothing else, it was very good.
-Ex-Marine turned assassin in the Seattle area.
What I liked:
-The main character was a likable guy, he was an assassin that only killed bad people for a lot of money. You kind of saw a couple of things coming, it was different enough to be unique and interesting.
-The love interest was interesting too.
-Great beginning quotes at the front of each chapter. While almost always the quotes before a chapter of any book are worthless, these quotes were mostly short, meaning, and I loved them. Great job!
What I didn't like:
-Way too many Rush songs referred to throughout the book. It was just a distraction and I did not go check it out. As I write this I just pulled up Rush on youtube, still, barely remember them. But the lesson for me is to be very careful referencing songs in my own writing. While it means a lot to me and obviously Rush to him... it means nothing to the reader.
-Nothing else, it was very good.
March 24, 2021
"I kill bad people for money. Not a lot of people, but a lot of money." What a great first line in "The Operator" The first book about hitman Ian Bragg (A hitman with a conscience.) by Craig Martelle. This is another assassin series but it is very different from many out there. It is always a gamble trying a new author but this one I am really glad that I tried. Great book and I will continue following Ian Bragg on his travels. This is a hit man...
April 24, 2021
Original idea for a series. Sharp action and some humor.
February 7, 2021
Told in the first person, assassin Ian Bragg writes his story in short, clipped sentences. He says he compartmentalizes his life: he only thinks about one area at a time, such as his job, his girlfriend, and so on.
The terse writing style and personality infuse the romance with all the passion of a vending machine. By the same token, it's virtually impossible for me to believe that he cares about killing only "bad guys."
This leads to the next major flaw. What kind of hitman takes on a job knowing he will second-guess his employer? It's totally goofy to imagine anyone accepting a job, then deciding whether or not to do it based on their agreement that the target is acceptable.
Overall this book was robot-like and not believable in the slightest. I don't recommend it.
The terse writing style and personality infuse the romance with all the passion of a vending machine. By the same token, it's virtually impossible for me to believe that he cares about killing only "bad guys."
This leads to the next major flaw. What kind of hitman takes on a job knowing he will second-guess his employer? It's totally goofy to imagine anyone accepting a job, then deciding whether or not to do it based on their agreement that the target is acceptable.
Overall this book was robot-like and not believable in the slightest. I don't recommend it.
July 3, 2024
Interesting concept, been done before, assassin with a heart only kills bad guys. But that part of the story was overwhelmed by what could have been a romantic subplot which took over the book.
I enjoyed his Nomad series in the Kurtherian storyline but this was not for me
I enjoyed his Nomad series in the Kurtherian storyline but this was not for me
December 24, 2020
Not sure what it was -writing style, storyline but after getting through a third of the book, I just didn't want to continue
January 2, 2021
The first bit was great and up until I reached about 75 percent I started to lose my interest as it didn't match with the greatness of the rest of the book.
Definitely worth the read and I lived the premise of the book so much and I do hope that his other books are at least of equally good.
Definitely worth the read and I lived the premise of the book so much and I do hope that his other books are at least of equally good.
October 8, 2024
First one read by this author, wont be the last for sure. Gives a hint of The Gray Man and Reacher, good stuff. Moves quickly, recommend audio via our friends at YT.
March 22, 2021
This book was recommended to me by military colleague-turned author Mike Slavin. Craig Martelle is like some other marine vets turned authors (Ken Farmer, Steven Pressfield, David Sherman) – he is a great storyteller. The protagonist of this book Ian Bragg is unique, in that he is a high-paid mercenary hit-man assassin, who only kills people whom he confirms are really, really bad people. So, a hitman with a moral compass. And the author chooses a “curvy” woman as Ian’s girlfriend. The two “lead” characters, Ian and Jenny, are very interesting, and well developed by the end of the book. Of course Martelle’s hero is a marine vet also. The book moves very fast, with several plot twists and turns. Don’t start this book is you have serious commitments that you can’t postpone for at least a day or two. I just bought BOOK 2 and 3 of this series. Strong work, Craig Martelle.
December 11, 2025
I really enjoyed the story, but he did fall in love very quickly lols. How he refused to kill an innocent man, though I mean he is a contract killer 😅
It reminds of the movie Red 2, where Bruce’s GF joined the fun
It reminds of the movie Red 2, where Bruce’s GF joined the fun
December 15, 2020
No, just no. This was a pain in the ass to read. Not what I was hoping for at all. I cant handle that operator.
December 31, 2020
Style and writing a total disappointment. No way to relate to Bragg and not someone you have any interest in. Of the 110 books read this year this is right at the bottom.
January 3, 2021
Martelle knocks it out of the park...again
I've been a fan of Craig Martelle's work for several years. I've prided myself on having read every fiction work he has published. I got a bit behind recently because, Life, but am eagerly diving back into his mind's output as fast as I can...and I am not THE LEAST bit disappointed!
Now I admit, I found the first few pages a challenge. The "style" of how this book is written and structured is different than usual. The book reads more like a stream of consciousness recording of Ian Bragg's brain than a traditionally structured book, and it comes down to sentence structure and Craig's use of shorter, clipped sentences with not a run-on sentence to be found.
That stopped distracting me almost immediately as I was sucked into the story and characters VERY quickly.
I love so much about this book and its "power couple," Ian and Jenny. I love that Jenny is described as curvey, yet competent and clear-headed. She's a hero and role model for a world full of women who aren't built like prepubescent teenage boys.
And in Ian, we find a man who embodies what it is to be a man minus ANY hint of toxic masculinity or "machismo".
I loved the resolution to the over-arching dilemma...it wasn't what I expected. It was better! I am eager to read book two, which is thankfully already queued up on my Kindle. I don't know how I'll survive the wait for book 3!
I've been a fan of Craig Martelle's work for several years. I've prided myself on having read every fiction work he has published. I got a bit behind recently because, Life, but am eagerly diving back into his mind's output as fast as I can...and I am not THE LEAST bit disappointed!
Now I admit, I found the first few pages a challenge. The "style" of how this book is written and structured is different than usual. The book reads more like a stream of consciousness recording of Ian Bragg's brain than a traditionally structured book, and it comes down to sentence structure and Craig's use of shorter, clipped sentences with not a run-on sentence to be found.
That stopped distracting me almost immediately as I was sucked into the story and characters VERY quickly.
I love so much about this book and its "power couple," Ian and Jenny. I love that Jenny is described as curvey, yet competent and clear-headed. She's a hero and role model for a world full of women who aren't built like prepubescent teenage boys.
And in Ian, we find a man who embodies what it is to be a man minus ANY hint of toxic masculinity or "machismo".
I loved the resolution to the over-arching dilemma...it wasn't what I expected. It was better! I am eager to read book two, which is thankfully already queued up on my Kindle. I don't know how I'll survive the wait for book 3!
January 26, 2021
The Operator - a review by Rosemary Kenny
A killer with a conscience - who would have thought it? But that's the case for 'Ian Bragg', in Craig Martelle's latest action-thriller hero, The Operator, that reminded me of the Kingsman movies, who gets his hits via the quaintly-named The Peace Archive.
The narrator/assassin's target, is a Seattle councillor, James 'Jimmy' Tripplethorn, a likeable Mayoral candidate...but who wants him dead?
Amidst his research, Ian is falling for Jenny Lawless, who moves in with him and stays for the long haul even when she learns he's a killer.
They discuss what Ian can do to resolve his inner conflict about the hit on nice-guy Jimmy. What changes when Ian meets up with Jimmy's father-in-law?
Despite fulfilling the new contract and with the original one cancelled, Ian and Jenny are still in danger...how can they make a clean getaway?
A fantastic series opener, The Operator introduces instantly engaging characters Ian and Jenny, showing in a down-to-earth, yet riveting way how someone's life can turn upside down in a minute, revealing that things ain't what you thought they used to be. Grab your copy and be careful who you upset - they might just have The Peace Archive's number on speed dial!
A killer with a conscience - who would have thought it? But that's the case for 'Ian Bragg', in Craig Martelle's latest action-thriller hero, The Operator, that reminded me of the Kingsman movies, who gets his hits via the quaintly-named The Peace Archive.
The narrator/assassin's target, is a Seattle councillor, James 'Jimmy' Tripplethorn, a likeable Mayoral candidate...but who wants him dead?
Amidst his research, Ian is falling for Jenny Lawless, who moves in with him and stays for the long haul even when she learns he's a killer.
They discuss what Ian can do to resolve his inner conflict about the hit on nice-guy Jimmy. What changes when Ian meets up with Jimmy's father-in-law?
Despite fulfilling the new contract and with the original one cancelled, Ian and Jenny are still in danger...how can they make a clean getaway?
A fantastic series opener, The Operator introduces instantly engaging characters Ian and Jenny, showing in a down-to-earth, yet riveting way how someone's life can turn upside down in a minute, revealing that things ain't what you thought they used to be. Grab your copy and be careful who you upset - they might just have The Peace Archive's number on speed dial!
August 17, 2023
Ok, I get you’re supposed to suspend belief while reading fiction, especially when you’re reading a book about an assassin
But this guy was a just grunt in the Marines and apparently that can make you a sleuthy hitman who can cover his tracks expertly. He’s contracted through this secret organization and, from what I can gather, is in his first year as a hitman with 6 successful contracts. Bro, all of the grunts I’ve ever met were retarded. You could have at least put your character in MARSOC to make it slightly more believable? At least with the Orphan X and Grey Man series those dudes had been trained since childhood
Let’s talk about this love interest *rolls eyes*
After a couple of days they’re already saying “I love you” like middle schoolers and planning their life together. Not even halfway through the book and he tells her about what he does and she doesn’t even bat an eye. Instead she thinks it’s exciting, exactly like a normal person would. It would have been far more interesting if he had to dance around the reality and juggle his two lives. Nope, not here. Instead the dream woman accepts it and takes it in stride.
Sometimes it’s painfully obvious when an author is putting themselves in their character
Right into the fireplace with this one
But this guy was a just grunt in the Marines and apparently that can make you a sleuthy hitman who can cover his tracks expertly. He’s contracted through this secret organization and, from what I can gather, is in his first year as a hitman with 6 successful contracts. Bro, all of the grunts I’ve ever met were retarded. You could have at least put your character in MARSOC to make it slightly more believable? At least with the Orphan X and Grey Man series those dudes had been trained since childhood
Let’s talk about this love interest *rolls eyes*
After a couple of days they’re already saying “I love you” like middle schoolers and planning their life together. Not even halfway through the book and he tells her about what he does and she doesn’t even bat an eye. Instead she thinks it’s exciting, exactly like a normal person would. It would have been far more interesting if he had to dance around the reality and juggle his two lives. Nope, not here. Instead the dream woman accepts it and takes it in stride.
Sometimes it’s painfully obvious when an author is putting themselves in their character
Right into the fireplace with this one
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 3, 2024
This was just Ok, not good or great. This was first a 3 box set that I downloaded for free, but could only manage to finish the first one in the series, and that was trying at best to get through.
This, to put frankly, was about a hitman who had a conscience, and who quickly fell head over-heels with a woman in a short, and I mean short, amount of time. First mistake in this storyline was that he agreed to the hit contract, but found the situation troubling. He decides to confront the hit-ee, to confess his indecisive predicament all while staying at a hotel and falling love with a school teacher who was at the same hotel during an educational inservice conference.
I just didn't get it, he accepted the hit contract, arrived at the said location, scoped out the area, found the routine of the person contracted for the hit, but overly analyzed the entire situation and had second thoughts about completing the job. This was just weird to say the least. I just could not go on to read the others in the series and just kept to just this one. Honestly, for those who like action type hitman stories this is one I would not recommend.
This, to put frankly, was about a hitman who had a conscience, and who quickly fell head over-heels with a woman in a short, and I mean short, amount of time. First mistake in this storyline was that he agreed to the hit contract, but found the situation troubling. He decides to confront the hit-ee, to confess his indecisive predicament all while staying at a hotel and falling love with a school teacher who was at the same hotel during an educational inservice conference.
I just didn't get it, he accepted the hit contract, arrived at the said location, scoped out the area, found the routine of the person contracted for the hit, but overly analyzed the entire situation and had second thoughts about completing the job. This was just weird to say the least. I just could not go on to read the others in the series and just kept to just this one. Honestly, for those who like action type hitman stories this is one I would not recommend.
April 21, 2024
I IDEA of this is fine. The writing is mostly fine, too. The characters are okay. I don't have a problem with Rush. I don't have a problem with the romance angle.
What really docked this for me is that I found it impossible to suspend my disbelief. This guy behaves in completely incomprehensible ways. He is the most reckless hitman ever and I cannot believe that he would be alive throughout about half of the book.
He also did not behave like a hitman at all. How would I know? I wouldn't. But I can imagine what such a person would be like and it is not this. It is not the way he treats people that is the problem. That is okay. But this kind of sort of reads like Forrest Gump, the hitman. It is not that far off.
There was a lot of "fluff" in here. Or as my wife says, "there were too many words." I used to not know what she meant by that. But I have seen it a few times, now, and this book is guilty of it.
Ending was fine. A bit anticlimactic, but I can live with that. I wish it could have ended about 100 pages earlier.
What really docked this for me is that I found it impossible to suspend my disbelief. This guy behaves in completely incomprehensible ways. He is the most reckless hitman ever and I cannot believe that he would be alive throughout about half of the book.
He also did not behave like a hitman at all. How would I know? I wouldn't. But I can imagine what such a person would be like and it is not this. It is not the way he treats people that is the problem. That is okay. But this kind of sort of reads like Forrest Gump, the hitman. It is not that far off.
There was a lot of "fluff" in here. Or as my wife says, "there were too many words." I used to not know what she meant by that. But I have seen it a few times, now, and this book is guilty of it.
Ending was fine. A bit anticlimactic, but I can live with that. I wish it could have ended about 100 pages earlier.
August 10, 2021
An assassin for hire, but one who will only work where the target is on the wrong side of the law, where removal of that target makes life a little better for the law abiding good guys. This is Ian Bragg, an ex-Marine, a trained killer, approached by former colleagues to become an operator, an assassin, which he does.
But Ian Bragg hopes to one day settle down with a wife and see the world. His latest target is an up-and-comer on the Seattle council but he is unable to find any dirt on the target and comes to think there is something wrong with this latest contract. Then he meets Jenny Lawless and the story takes off in several directions – work on the target and a new love interest. He is falling deeply for Jenny Lawless but cannot ignore the contract he has accepted but somehow must protect Jenny from any repercussions that will be meted out when he knows he must void the contract on this innocent target. A good read, excellent story line with a sensible twist to finish.
Moses
But Ian Bragg hopes to one day settle down with a wife and see the world. His latest target is an up-and-comer on the Seattle council but he is unable to find any dirt on the target and comes to think there is something wrong with this latest contract. Then he meets Jenny Lawless and the story takes off in several directions – work on the target and a new love interest. He is falling deeply for Jenny Lawless but cannot ignore the contract he has accepted but somehow must protect Jenny from any repercussions that will be meted out when he knows he must void the contract on this innocent target. A good read, excellent story line with a sensible twist to finish.
Moses
April 30, 2021
Ian Bragg has a unusual profession. After leaving the Marines he connects up with a shadowy group who offer its members contracts to bid on. Those contracts are to, on their own, find and eliminate the specified target. Up until this contract Ian's targets have all be persons with unsavory histories and no great loss to the world. This contract seems different, Ian can seem to find no reason to eliminate this target, an up and coming politician with no skeletons to be found. Ian begins to have doubts, especially when he checks out the wife who seems to be much more interesting as a target or as the one who took out the contract. To complicate things, Ian who operates as a loner becomes infatuated with a woman he meets in a bar and they soon become an item which complicates is job greatly. How does it all turn out? You will have to read it to find out I am afraid as I won't tell.
September 16, 2021
What the actual crap was that? How is thing so highly rated? Just...HOW? Good gawd. This has got to be one of the most [insert negative adjective of choice here] books I've read in a long time. It was dreadful. Awful. Laughable (and not in a good way). It was on a whole 'nother level of CRINGE, thanks to the ridiculous manner of dialogue amongst characters. Not to mention the extremely poorly-done development of literally ANY character, including the main one Ian Bragg. I wanted to like him, but his personality felt way too unnatural and unrealistic. His dialogue, forced and awkward. Just...UGH.
I don't really wanna talk about it much, not even to rant (like I tend to do for 1-star ratings), though I'm sure as I spew it's gonna turn into a rant. It has no worth to me. Writing style is atrocious. It's too jilted, written mostly in tiny, disjointed sentences that made things feel so chaotic and out of order. Spasms of words. So many things felt randomly thrown in. I lost track of what the hell was going on way too much. Stopped caring too. Premise seemed intriguing, which is why I even bothered. Put extremely simply, we've got a hitman with a conscience. Heart of gold, I guess. He only kills what he perceives as bad guys, and his contracts coincidentally have allowed for that. Until the latest contract surfaces, calling for a seemingly "good guy" to be killed. Hitman is conflicted. Hitman pontificates. Hitman has doubts. Hitman doesn't wanna play anymore. Hitman is sometimes interesting when implementing his methods, but overall, Hitman is boring even in his gentlemanly ways, or sometimes even creepy, depending on your perspective. Et cetera.
Despite the super unpleasant writing style, the premise might have actually worked better if it wasn't for the damn rushed and tacky "romance" subplot. It was the most horribly realized romance I've ever read. EVER. And that's saying something, because I've read plenty of both romance books and non-romantic ones with love stories in the background. But this thing? This strange mutated thing being passed off as "romantic" subplot? I've never gagged and rolled my eyes so much. I highlighted one example of such nauseating dialogue shared between these characters. I understand the need to introduce love as further motivation for Ian to rethink his career as a Hitman but my god, at least ATTEMPT to make it believable and convincing. Perhaps I'm just not accustomed to male authors trying to write this stuff? Some folks got it, and some don't. Unfortunately, this author does NOT have it.
You can't just shove characters together and make them love each other just because you don't want to put effort to get deeper. You have to DEVELOP them. But no, instead they are thrown into an infatuated, sexual relationship the first day they meet. Literally. Day one. Mere hours after meeting, and it's a mega sex-romp. Then days later it's Hitman having zero issues dumping his Hitman ways onto woman's plate, declarations of "falling in love" being the reason to quit, and then it's on to an actual marriage. All in two weeks time. Seriously? Head over heels in two weeks? No. I don't buy it. I'm not saying it's impossible to buy, things like this can happen even in real life, but in THIS presentation where it's important to connect readers with characters? No. Just no. The author took obvious, blatant shortcuts while still wanting to add depth and new desires for Ian to latch onto (I guess?), but it failed miserably in my eyes. Just too damn laughable.
Another disastrous read for yours truly. Another book I had to escape from into other books before I dragged myself back in to finish it. I will NOT be continuing this series. Keep it.
I don't really wanna talk about it much, not even to rant (like I tend to do for 1-star ratings), though I'm sure as I spew it's gonna turn into a rant. It has no worth to me. Writing style is atrocious. It's too jilted, written mostly in tiny, disjointed sentences that made things feel so chaotic and out of order. Spasms of words. So many things felt randomly thrown in. I lost track of what the hell was going on way too much. Stopped caring too. Premise seemed intriguing, which is why I even bothered. Put extremely simply, we've got a hitman with a conscience. Heart of gold, I guess. He only kills what he perceives as bad guys, and his contracts coincidentally have allowed for that. Until the latest contract surfaces, calling for a seemingly "good guy" to be killed. Hitman is conflicted. Hitman pontificates. Hitman has doubts. Hitman doesn't wanna play anymore. Hitman is sometimes interesting when implementing his methods, but overall, Hitman is boring even in his gentlemanly ways, or sometimes even creepy, depending on your perspective. Et cetera.
Despite the super unpleasant writing style, the premise might have actually worked better if it wasn't for the damn rushed and tacky "romance" subplot. It was the most horribly realized romance I've ever read. EVER. And that's saying something, because I've read plenty of both romance books and non-romantic ones with love stories in the background. But this thing? This strange mutated thing being passed off as "romantic" subplot? I've never gagged and rolled my eyes so much. I highlighted one example of such nauseating dialogue shared between these characters. I understand the need to introduce love as further motivation for Ian to rethink his career as a Hitman but my god, at least ATTEMPT to make it believable and convincing. Perhaps I'm just not accustomed to male authors trying to write this stuff? Some folks got it, and some don't. Unfortunately, this author does NOT have it.
You can't just shove characters together and make them love each other just because you don't want to put effort to get deeper. You have to DEVELOP them. But no, instead they are thrown into an infatuated, sexual relationship the first day they meet. Literally. Day one. Mere hours after meeting, and it's a mega sex-romp. Then days later it's Hitman having zero issues dumping his Hitman ways onto woman's plate, declarations of "falling in love" being the reason to quit, and then it's on to an actual marriage. All in two weeks time. Seriously? Head over heels in two weeks? No. I don't buy it. I'm not saying it's impossible to buy, things like this can happen even in real life, but in THIS presentation where it's important to connect readers with characters? No. Just no. The author took obvious, blatant shortcuts while still wanting to add depth and new desires for Ian to latch onto (I guess?), but it failed miserably in my eyes. Just too damn laughable.
Another disastrous read for yours truly. Another book I had to escape from into other books before I dragged myself back in to finish it. I will NOT be continuing this series. Keep it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2023
What A Twisted Ending!
Ian Bragg is a contract killer for hire. He's been given a job to eliminate an up-and-coming mayoral candidate. But something's wrong. This guy is not your typical candidate who's angling for an office that could lead to aspirations of future political powerDuo! He wants to be the mayor his city needs. And that bothers Ian. They only eliminate dangerous, worthless scum. Then things get complicated when he meets Jennifer Lawless. For the first time in his life he's met what looks to him to be THE one! And he's not about to let her go. The plot thickens when Ian discovers a game-changing development that demands the proper response. But that gets him in boiling hot water with his superiors. Get the whole story-read how Ian and Jenny alter not just the immediate, but long-term futures of our scapping duo!
Ian Bragg is a contract killer for hire. He's been given a job to eliminate an up-and-coming mayoral candidate. But something's wrong. This guy is not your typical candidate who's angling for an office that could lead to aspirations of future political powerDuo! He wants to be the mayor his city needs. And that bothers Ian. They only eliminate dangerous, worthless scum. Then things get complicated when he meets Jennifer Lawless. For the first time in his life he's met what looks to him to be THE one! And he's not about to let her go. The plot thickens when Ian discovers a game-changing development that demands the proper response. But that gets him in boiling hot water with his superiors. Get the whole story-read how Ian and Jenny alter not just the immediate, but long-term futures of our scapping duo!
January 18, 2023
There was a little bit of “you, uh, do intend to eventually have your assassin assassinate someone in your assassin novel, yes? Hello? Hello?” When it does happen it’s a little underwhelming but effective enough. And I think the book ends in an interesting, and not unpleasantly disappointing way that did make me think about picking up the second book…
I don’t believe I will, at this point. To be honest there was too many references to Rush’ discography and lack of actually developing the love interest beyond “shy, ‘overweight’ and DTF at any moment” to really draw me in. Which is a shame with a cool name like Jenny Lawless.
Anyway, writing’s hard and despite that this author has done pretty well for himself. Good on him and happy new year!
I don’t believe I will, at this point. To be honest there was too many references to Rush’ discography and lack of actually developing the love interest beyond “shy, ‘overweight’ and DTF at any moment” to really draw me in. Which is a shame with a cool name like Jenny Lawless.
Anyway, writing’s hard and despite that this author has done pretty well for himself. Good on him and happy new year!
December 16, 2020
An assassin with a heart.
Ian is an assassin who is tasked with killing a politician. However, all isn't as it seems, after researching his intended victim, he finds there's nothing bad about him, in fact, he is all good. The group he works for only takes out really bad guys.
So what does he do? He's in a quandry. He starts digging to find out who put the hit on the politician. Things are further complicated when he meets Jenny at the hotel he's staying at. Things move quickly between them.
I really liked this book, it's a different genre to what Craig Martelle usually writes and I will definitely be reading the next book.
Ian is an assassin who is tasked with killing a politician. However, all isn't as it seems, after researching his intended victim, he finds there's nothing bad about him, in fact, he is all good. The group he works for only takes out really bad guys.
So what does he do? He's in a quandry. He starts digging to find out who put the hit on the politician. Things are further complicated when he meets Jenny at the hotel he's staying at. Things move quickly between them.
I really liked this book, it's a different genre to what Craig Martelle usually writes and I will definitely be reading the next book.
December 10, 2021
The first book in a series has a big job: introducing the reader to the world, to the main characters, and doing all of that while keeping the reader's interest. This book nailed all three points.
It was well-paced and kept the reader guessing what would happen next, and was unpredictable in the best way. The characters were well-developed and realistic, and there were times I laughed out loud. You will definitely find yourself cheering for Ian as he shapes the world around him and meets someone very unexpected along the way. (No spoilers!)
Start reading ASAP if you're up for a hitman thriller with a twist!
January 2, 2022
I found myself reading rapidly despite the book being an ARC copy with typos. The story was fun, considering the protagonist, Ian Bragg, is a contract killer. However, I felt a kinship to him similar to what I felt for Denzil Washington’s character in Man on Fire. Both men are flawed alcoholic former Marines.
The implausible but possible is a common trope in thrillers. However, there were a few scenes where Martelle stretched the implausible to the breaking point. His storyline is such that I could suspend disbelief and read on.
Full of twists and turns, the ending will force you to join me in reading the next book in the series.
The implausible but possible is a common trope in thrillers. However, there were a few scenes where Martelle stretched the implausible to the breaking point. His storyline is such that I could suspend disbelief and read on.
Full of twists and turns, the ending will force you to join me in reading the next book in the series.
January 24, 2021
A Romantic Thriller
Not the usual kind of big action thriller I enjoy. Several times I thought to myself, why am I reading this. But I found I wanted to see where it was going. Turns out I think it is to introduce a new character along with his new wife. Ian is an assassin for hire, but only to kill the bad guys. In this opener he is hired to kill a young smart politician but Ian feels he is not a bad guy, and picks own bad guy and takes him out. Bad move, the two running the show send others after him ENJOY!
Not the usual kind of big action thriller I enjoy. Several times I thought to myself, why am I reading this. But I found I wanted to see where it was going. Turns out I think it is to introduce a new character along with his new wife. Ian is an assassin for hire, but only to kill the bad guys. In this opener he is hired to kill a young smart politician but Ian feels he is not a bad guy, and picks own bad guy and takes him out. Bad move, the two running the show send others after him ENJOY!
March 27, 2021
Kept me up past my bedtime!
I hate writing reviews on the creepy Kindle keyboard,but this series deserves the effort. The entire premise of the honorable hit man was interesting enough to get me started,but the pace and flow of the narrative sucked me in and wouldn't let me go. Well written and edited, action packed, with plenty of twists and turns - what else do you need from a thriller? Well done, and I'm starting the next volume now - keep 'em coming! (Non sequitur - if there were more Metal Legion books, I'd never get any sleep.) ;)
I hate writing reviews on the creepy Kindle keyboard,but this series deserves the effort. The entire premise of the honorable hit man was interesting enough to get me started,but the pace and flow of the narrative sucked me in and wouldn't let me go. Well written and edited, action packed, with plenty of twists and turns - what else do you need from a thriller? Well done, and I'm starting the next volume now - keep 'em coming! (Non sequitur - if there were more Metal Legion books, I'd never get any sleep.) ;)
December 18, 2021
Fabulous journey through a hidden world.
I picked up a copy of The Operator as new entertainment. Usually I stick to those authors whom I am a long time reader of.
The cost will be reading the whole series. I know that Mr Martelle is a big deal in the world of sci-fi. You don’t get to be a big deal without being a great writer. That’s part of what convinced me to try this author.
This book is quite unlike any I have read before. That’s a good thing. I have no idea what a sausage biscuit is, but I learned what Wallys World is.
Welcome to the world of thrillers, Ian Bragg and Mr Martelle. I look forward to seeing what you get up to next.
Recommended.
I picked up a copy of The Operator as new entertainment. Usually I stick to those authors whom I am a long time reader of.
The cost will be reading the whole series. I know that Mr Martelle is a big deal in the world of sci-fi. You don’t get to be a big deal without being a great writer. That’s part of what convinced me to try this author.
This book is quite unlike any I have read before. That’s a good thing. I have no idea what a sausage biscuit is, but I learned what Wallys World is.
Welcome to the world of thrillers, Ian Bragg and Mr Martelle. I look forward to seeing what you get up to next.
Recommended.
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