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Jonathan Grave #13
Stealth Attack
An electrifying new novel from the bestselling author of
Crimson Phoenix, perfect for fans of Vince Flynn and Brad Thor! Black Ops veteran Jonathan Grave is back and pursuing two missing American teens kidnapped and hidden in Mexico’s dark underworld…where he finds himself caught in the center of a vendetta he never expected.
A BookBub Top Thriller of Summer
El Paso, Texas, is a battleground. It’s an open market for Mexican drug cartels to sell their wares. It’s also a destination for teens looking for fun. Venice Alexander’s fourteen-year-old son Roman was there on a school trip. Now, he and a fellow student have vanished without a trace.
Assuming the kidnapping is retaliation for his past incursions against Mexico’s crime syndicates, Jonathan Grave leads his covert operatives to rescue their teammate’s son. But the trail Jonathan follows leads him down unexpected paths where he ends up in the crossfire of a deadly vendetta…
A BookBub Top Thriller of Summer
El Paso, Texas, is a battleground. It’s an open market for Mexican drug cartels to sell their wares. It’s also a destination for teens looking for fun. Venice Alexander’s fourteen-year-old son Roman was there on a school trip. Now, he and a fellow student have vanished without a trace.
Assuming the kidnapping is retaliation for his past incursions against Mexico’s crime syndicates, Jonathan Grave leads his covert operatives to rescue their teammate’s son. But the trail Jonathan follows leads him down unexpected paths where he ends up in the crossfire of a deadly vendetta…
432 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 29, 2021
637 people are currently reading
4406 people want to read
About the author
John Gilstrap
79 books1,208 followersA little bit about my background... I've always been a closet-writer. As a kid, I lived for the opportunity to write short stories. I was the editor of my high school newspaper for a while (the Valor Dictus, Robinson High School, class of 1975), until I quit ("You can't fire me! I quit!") over a lofty First Amendment issue that seemed very important at the time. My goal, in fact, was to become a journalist in the vein of Woodward or Bernstein. Okay, I confess, I wanted to be Woodward; Robert Redford played him in the movie, and chicks really dug Robert Redford.
I graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1979, and armed with a degree in American history, I couldn't find a job. I ended up settling for a position with a little-noticed trade journal serving the construction industry. They called me the managing editor and they paid me food stamp wages. I hated it. About this time, I joined the Burke Volunteer Fire Department in Fairfax County, Virginia, if only to find relief from the boredom of my job. Running about a thousand calls my first year with the department, I was hooked, and the volunteer fire service became an important part of my life for the next 15 years. In the early eighties, hating my job, I went the way of all frustrated liberal arts undergrads—back to graduate school. Earning a Master of Science degree in safety engineering from the University of Southern California, I started down a whole new road. For the next decade and a half, I became an expert (don't you hate that word?) on explosives safety and hazardous waste. Meanwhile, I kept writing. I didn't tell anyone, of course, because, well, you just don't share artistic dreams with fellow engineers. They look at you funny.
My first novel, Nathan's Run, was in fact my fourth novel, and when it sold, it sold big. At a time in my life when things were going well—I was president of my own consulting firm—things were suddenly going very well. Warner Bros. bought the movie rights to Nathan's Run two days after the first book rights were sold, and as of this date, the novel has been translated and published in one form or another in over 20 countries. With Nathan's Run in the can, as it were, I thought I might finally be on to something, but I didn't quit my "day job" until after I sold the book and movie rights to my second novel, At All Costs. I figured that while one-in-a-row might be luck, two-in-a-row was a trend. So, I started writing full-time.
More novels followed, and then a few screenplays. I was living the dream.
But I really didn't like it much. I learned pretty quickly that when you're born a Type-A personality, those extrovert tendencies don't go away just because you're practicing a craft you love. In fact, after just a couple of years of dream fulfillment, I was pretty friggin' bored with the company of my imaginary friends, so I did something that I've never heard a full-time artist do before: I went back to a day job. At first, it was just a matter of reactivating my consulting business, but then, in 2004, I was handed my ideal Big-Boy Job (that's what my wife calls it) working as the director of safety for a trade association in Washington, DC.
And I continue to write. In 2006, Six Minutes to Freedom was published to considerable acclaim. My first (and probably last) foray into book-length non-fiction, SixMin tells the story of Kurt Muse, the only civilian of record ever rescued by the super-secret Delta Force. Thanks to Kurt's cooperation (he is co-author), I gained access to people and places that lifelong civilians like me should never see. The heroic warriors I met during that research turned out to be nothing like their movie stereotypes. These were not only gentlemen, but gentle men, who remained free of the kind of boasting and self-aggrandizement that I was expecting. They were supreme professionals, and very nice guys.
And through them I got the idea for my new series character, Jonathan Grave. He's fo
I graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1979, and armed with a degree in American history, I couldn't find a job. I ended up settling for a position with a little-noticed trade journal serving the construction industry. They called me the managing editor and they paid me food stamp wages. I hated it. About this time, I joined the Burke Volunteer Fire Department in Fairfax County, Virginia, if only to find relief from the boredom of my job. Running about a thousand calls my first year with the department, I was hooked, and the volunteer fire service became an important part of my life for the next 15 years. In the early eighties, hating my job, I went the way of all frustrated liberal arts undergrads—back to graduate school. Earning a Master of Science degree in safety engineering from the University of Southern California, I started down a whole new road. For the next decade and a half, I became an expert (don't you hate that word?) on explosives safety and hazardous waste. Meanwhile, I kept writing. I didn't tell anyone, of course, because, well, you just don't share artistic dreams with fellow engineers. They look at you funny.
My first novel, Nathan's Run, was in fact my fourth novel, and when it sold, it sold big. At a time in my life when things were going well—I was president of my own consulting firm—things were suddenly going very well. Warner Bros. bought the movie rights to Nathan's Run two days after the first book rights were sold, and as of this date, the novel has been translated and published in one form or another in over 20 countries. With Nathan's Run in the can, as it were, I thought I might finally be on to something, but I didn't quit my "day job" until after I sold the book and movie rights to my second novel, At All Costs. I figured that while one-in-a-row might be luck, two-in-a-row was a trend. So, I started writing full-time.
More novels followed, and then a few screenplays. I was living the dream.
But I really didn't like it much. I learned pretty quickly that when you're born a Type-A personality, those extrovert tendencies don't go away just because you're practicing a craft you love. In fact, after just a couple of years of dream fulfillment, I was pretty friggin' bored with the company of my imaginary friends, so I did something that I've never heard a full-time artist do before: I went back to a day job. At first, it was just a matter of reactivating my consulting business, but then, in 2004, I was handed my ideal Big-Boy Job (that's what my wife calls it) working as the director of safety for a trade association in Washington, DC.
And I continue to write. In 2006, Six Minutes to Freedom was published to considerable acclaim. My first (and probably last) foray into book-length non-fiction, SixMin tells the story of Kurt Muse, the only civilian of record ever rescued by the super-secret Delta Force. Thanks to Kurt's cooperation (he is co-author), I gained access to people and places that lifelong civilians like me should never see. The heroic warriors I met during that research turned out to be nothing like their movie stereotypes. These were not only gentlemen, but gentle men, who remained free of the kind of boasting and self-aggrandizement that I was expecting. They were supreme professionals, and very nice guys.
And through them I got the idea for my new series character, Jonathan Grave. He's fo
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
August 24, 2021
First for me reading a novel with a hero as a hostage rescue expert! It's such a different take from a detective/crime novel that I'm used to. There's so much at stake when the baddies have precious cargo (hostage) with them. I'll have to go back and start with book #1.
I don't know how this happened. Despite not liking a cartel plot, this is my THIRD cartel-related novel this month! In Stealth Attack, during a field trip, a teenage boy, Roman and his friend Ciara are kidnapped from El Paso to Mexico by the cartels. Roman is Venice's son who Grave considers like a sister. Grave is a former special-ops (Delta). He uses his expertise in hostage rescue along with his team at "Security Solution" to get them back.
Love the writing and characters. I found the pace to be good, a bit slow during intel gathering. The last 15% of the book where the last action happens was definitely hard to put down. Will add this series to my lovely list of series to read. At the time of this review, this series is available on Hoopla and Prime/Kindle Unlimited.
Thank you Goodreads Giveaway and Pinnacle Books. I was thrilled to receive this complimentary copy.
I don't know how this happened. Despite not liking a cartel plot, this is my THIRD cartel-related novel this month! In Stealth Attack, during a field trip, a teenage boy, Roman and his friend Ciara are kidnapped from El Paso to Mexico by the cartels. Roman is Venice's son who Grave considers like a sister. Grave is a former special-ops (Delta). He uses his expertise in hostage rescue along with his team at "Security Solution" to get them back.
Love the writing and characters. I found the pace to be good, a bit slow during intel gathering. The last 15% of the book where the last action happens was definitely hard to put down. Will add this series to my lovely list of series to read. At the time of this review, this series is available on Hoopla and Prime/Kindle Unlimited.
Thank you Goodreads Giveaway and Pinnacle Books. I was thrilled to receive this complimentary copy.
April 23, 2023
A very exciting book showing compassion and execution when things occur close to home. Makes you think…I wonder how I would handle it.
April 27, 2024
There is a character named Venice. That's VEN-EE-CHAY. Fine. They say that's the Italian pronunciation. Lie. The city is named Venezia. City names are often not the same as their English names. I had a former friend visit Italy that couldn't find her train, because she didn't know Rome = Roma.
Inaccuracies aside, I'm not sure how there are sixteen books in this series, because I could barely get through this one. Another reviewer said it reads very, "OK boomer," and I'm inclined to agree. Decisions are made without any thought, or the thought process makes absolutely no sense.
It is also blatantly racist. You don't need to mention Venice's son's Blackness every time he is on the page. You don't need to mention his friend is white. I won't even get into the cartel stereotypes.
📖 Goodreads
Inaccuracies aside, I'm not sure how there are sixteen books in this series, because I could barely get through this one. Another reviewer said it reads very, "OK boomer," and I'm inclined to agree. Decisions are made without any thought, or the thought process makes absolutely no sense.
It is also blatantly racist. You don't need to mention Venice's son's Blackness every time he is on the page. You don't need to mention his friend is white. I won't even get into the cartel stereotypes.
📖 Goodreads
June 29, 2021
Stealth Attack is the thirteenth instalment in the Jonathan Graves series set primarily in El Paso, Texas and Mexico but Washington, D.C. is also featured. This time the mission is personal for Graves and his team of security experts from Security Solutions who specialise in locating and rescuing abducted or missing at-risk children. 13-year-old Roman Alexander, son of Venice aka Mother Hen and the supreme technology and cyber whiz kid in Graves’ clandestine operation is abducted during a school trip with his class from Northern Neck Academy. Only he and his crush Ciara Kelly were left hanging out at the swimming pool while the rest of them toured an art gallery and an old fort a stone's throw from the US-Mexico border.
The team soon realise that this kidnapping is to be used as leverage to persuade Ciara's father, a prominent cartel member, to commit an act that otherwise wouldn't have even crossed his mind and that the pair were taken by the worst possible perpetrators. A Mexican drug cartel who also seek to avenge the dent in their operations made by the team in Latin America are to blame. Jonathan dispatches his team immediately and they cross via the border bridge into cartel country. With his most successful operatives on the job, Graves must ensure he can rescue both of the teens before anything more sinister can go down. This is another action-packed, nail-biting and intensely compelling adventure thriller landing you right in the middle of all of the chaos from the off.
What ensues is a palpably tense race against the clock, as time is of the essence if they are to save both of the youngsters from the ruthless machinations of the cartel. Moving at rapid-fire pace, the suspense builds and you genuinely feel on the edge of your seat and the unexpected twists, fierce gunfights, witty banter between colleagues and no holds barred nature of the narrative has you riveted from the very beginning. Another stellar performance from Gilstrap who knows how to deliver exactly what thriller fans demand. If high-octane, compulsively readable action is your thing, this is not to be missed. Highly recommended.
The team soon realise that this kidnapping is to be used as leverage to persuade Ciara's father, a prominent cartel member, to commit an act that otherwise wouldn't have even crossed his mind and that the pair were taken by the worst possible perpetrators. A Mexican drug cartel who also seek to avenge the dent in their operations made by the team in Latin America are to blame. Jonathan dispatches his team immediately and they cross via the border bridge into cartel country. With his most successful operatives on the job, Graves must ensure he can rescue both of the teens before anything more sinister can go down. This is another action-packed, nail-biting and intensely compelling adventure thriller landing you right in the middle of all of the chaos from the off.
What ensues is a palpably tense race against the clock, as time is of the essence if they are to save both of the youngsters from the ruthless machinations of the cartel. Moving at rapid-fire pace, the suspense builds and you genuinely feel on the edge of your seat and the unexpected twists, fierce gunfights, witty banter between colleagues and no holds barred nature of the narrative has you riveted from the very beginning. Another stellar performance from Gilstrap who knows how to deliver exactly what thriller fans demand. If high-octane, compulsively readable action is your thing, this is not to be missed. Highly recommended.
May 12, 2021
Stealth Attack by John Gilstrap is book 13 in the Jonathan Grave series. In this book Jonathan pursues two missing teens that have been abducted by the Mexican drug cartel. Unfortunately for the drug cartel, this time it's personal for Jonathan and his team.
This novel was a page turner from beginning to end. It is enthralling, suspenseful, action packed, and deeply satisfying. The characters are well developed and the story telling almost puts you right in the middle of the action. I have only read the first three books in the series and after reading this book I need to go back and read the previous books. I highly recommend this book and I can't wait for the next book in this series.
Thanks to Kensington Books, the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book and share my honest review,.
This novel was a page turner from beginning to end. It is enthralling, suspenseful, action packed, and deeply satisfying. The characters are well developed and the story telling almost puts you right in the middle of the action. I have only read the first three books in the series and after reading this book I need to go back and read the previous books. I highly recommend this book and I can't wait for the next book in this series.
Thanks to Kensington Books, the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book and share my honest review,.
May 12, 2021
Stealth Attack by John Gilstrap is book 13 in the Jonathan Grave series. In this book Jonathan pursues two missing teens that have been abducted by the Mexican drug cartel. Unfortunately for the drug cartel, this time it's personal for Jonathan and his team.
This novel was a page turner from beginning to end. It is enthralling, suspenseful, action packed, and deeply satisfying. The characters are well developed and the story telling almost puts you right in the middle of the action. I have only read the first three books in the series and after reading this book I need to go back and read the previous books. I highly recommend this book and I can't wait for the next book in this series.
Thanks to Kensington Books, the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book and share my honest review.
This novel was a page turner from beginning to end. It is enthralling, suspenseful, action packed, and deeply satisfying. The characters are well developed and the story telling almost puts you right in the middle of the action. I have only read the first three books in the series and after reading this book I need to go back and read the previous books. I highly recommend this book and I can't wait for the next book in this series.
Thanks to Kensington Books, the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book and share my honest review.
May 21, 2021
A schooltrip to El Paso, what can go wrong? Read Stealth Attack the 13th book about Jonathan Grave aka "Scorpion" by John Gilstrap and find out. I started this series with book 11 and had to do some serious reading to catch up and I am glad I did. Series usually have a chronological development with characters and you can easily miss stuff if you read out of order. This series is one of the best out there, even though the main task for Jonathan and his friends are the same it still never gets old. This time it's somewhat personal because one of the kidnapped youths are the child of an employee. But it's also personal from the viewpoint of the cartels. "Scorpion" and his friends are getting a reputation south of the border and it's getting difficult to operate down there. As usually the book is well written and filled with both action and humor. I highly recommend this series. by @johngilstrap7558 i must thank @netgalley @pinnaclepublishers @kensingtonbooks for giving me this advance copy.
April 10, 2022
I love the Grave books but Gilstrap outdid himself here. Definitely one of my favorites.
It had everything Jonathan usually faces but was personal this time around. Things got way too tight and there will be ramifications to come. Even though they were successful, I’m worried about what’s coming. I’ve caught up now so it’s time to wait... at least it won’t be too long.
It had everything Jonathan usually faces but was personal this time around. Things got way too tight and there will be ramifications to come. Even though they were successful, I’m worried about what’s coming. I’ve caught up now so it’s time to wait... at least it won’t be too long.
December 2, 2025
ebook Review - Stealth Attack - John Gilstrap
As a fan of John Gilstrap and his Jonathan Grave action-thriller series, Gilstrap will keep me as a fan because he hardly ever disappoints. I absolutely love the Jonathan Grave series and excited about the new Victoria Emerson series. Stealth Attack, Jonathan Grave #13, was a good read, I really enjoyed it!
I especially like the artwork on the new book cover which surpasses the artwork on the Scorpion Strike hardcover book. As a hardcover book collector, I really wish the publishers would publish this book as a hardcover. I would purchase it even if the contents were not that good, but fortunately it is a really good story told by a really good author. I love the story of ‘Digger’ and ‘Boxers’ and their hostage (PCs, “Precious Cargo”) rescue business. Gilstrap has done an excellent job of creating and including ‘diverse’ supporting characters in his novels which is key to me as a person of color.
I was especially pleased in this story to read about an interracial couple which hits home for me albeit a fiction thriller novel by one of my favorite authors. Although there were a couple of things that pushed the envelope of believability, the story – the kidnapping of Venice’s son and girl classmate from a school field trip in El Paso, Texas and taken into Mexico – it, the storyline held no bars as Grave and his team, including Mama Alexander (the kidnap boy’s grandmother) took it up several notches in getting Venice’s son, Roman and his friend back. Great character development, strong and current events storyline and plenty of action, Stealth Attack is a rock-solid and well-timed read.
I highly recommend it and suggest to the publishers of releasing at least a public library hardcover edition like Gilstrap’s Final Target and/or Scorpion Strike. I received an advanced digital copy of this book from NetGalley and Kensington Publishing and voluntarily provided my honest and fair review. #NetGalley #KensingtonPublishing
As a fan of John Gilstrap and his Jonathan Grave action-thriller series, Gilstrap will keep me as a fan because he hardly ever disappoints. I absolutely love the Jonathan Grave series and excited about the new Victoria Emerson series. Stealth Attack, Jonathan Grave #13, was a good read, I really enjoyed it!
I especially like the artwork on the new book cover which surpasses the artwork on the Scorpion Strike hardcover book. As a hardcover book collector, I really wish the publishers would publish this book as a hardcover. I would purchase it even if the contents were not that good, but fortunately it is a really good story told by a really good author. I love the story of ‘Digger’ and ‘Boxers’ and their hostage (PCs, “Precious Cargo”) rescue business. Gilstrap has done an excellent job of creating and including ‘diverse’ supporting characters in his novels which is key to me as a person of color.
I was especially pleased in this story to read about an interracial couple which hits home for me albeit a fiction thriller novel by one of my favorite authors. Although there were a couple of things that pushed the envelope of believability, the story – the kidnapping of Venice’s son and girl classmate from a school field trip in El Paso, Texas and taken into Mexico – it, the storyline held no bars as Grave and his team, including Mama Alexander (the kidnap boy’s grandmother) took it up several notches in getting Venice’s son, Roman and his friend back. Great character development, strong and current events storyline and plenty of action, Stealth Attack is a rock-solid and well-timed read.
I highly recommend it and suggest to the publishers of releasing at least a public library hardcover edition like Gilstrap’s Final Target and/or Scorpion Strike. I received an advanced digital copy of this book from NetGalley and Kensington Publishing and voluntarily provided my honest and fair review. #NetGalley #KensingtonPublishing
May 2, 2021
In Stealth Attack, Book 13 of John Gilstrap's hugely popular Jonathan Grave Thrillers (Pinnacle Books 2021), the job Grave's covert rescue company is called on to solve hits closer to home than usual when the group's cyber door kicker's son, Roman, is kidnapped with his girlfriend as part of a scheme to force the girl's father to do something he doesn't want to. Jonathan and his cadre of supremely qualified agents will stop at nothing to rescue the boy and bring him home. In doing so, he finds himself involved in a complicated and far-reaching human trafficking network. He can't stop at saving Roman and his girlfriend. He must prevent the network from inflicting this horror on innocent children.
As with all of Gilstrap's novels, this one is fast moving, the characters well drawn, and the pacing so electric, it's impossible to put down. It will make you furious at times and want to cry almost always that there is so much truth in this fiction. 5/5 with no reservations.
As with all of Gilstrap's novels, this one is fast moving, the characters well drawn, and the pacing so electric, it's impossible to put down. It will make you furious at times and want to cry almost always that there is so much truth in this fiction. 5/5 with no reservations.
December 15, 2021
Stealth Attack Another Fine Read
Jonathan Graves and “Big Guy’s” latest adventure takes back into Mexico again to rescue another PC. This time it’s personal.
Fast paced, suspenseful action is the theme for this latest addition in the Jonathan Graves saga.
I highly recommend this book.
Jonathan Graves and “Big Guy’s” latest adventure takes back into Mexico again to rescue another PC. This time it’s personal.
Fast paced, suspenseful action is the theme for this latest addition in the Jonathan Graves saga.
I highly recommend this book.
April 20, 2021
3.75 stars 🌟
I am a big fan of the Jonathan Grave series and was thrilled to be able to read this ARC. I actually took a day after finishing the book to try to figure out what it was about this book in particular that just didn't resonate with me. Overall, was it a good book? Yes, it was. Was there a lot of action? Yes. So...what was the problem?
I don't think I would actually call it a problem, but there were several things that pulled me out of the story. As I mentioned before, I really love this series, so I'm already pre-disposed to love Scorpion and Big Guy. In this book, Mother Hen's son - Roman - is kidnapped with a girl classmate from a school field trip in El Paso, Texas and taken to Mexico. Things really get going after that. First of all, I was born in El Paso and while it is not the greatest city in the world, I felt like the depiction of the city was fairly harsh. There was a comment that someone made that a mixed race couple - he is black and she is not - would garner really bad attention. That is not the case. In fact, the city probably has more minorities, between the Hispanic and Black population, than most Texas cities. It is not a big thing, but it did kind of bother me while I was reading and that actually surprised me.
So, without going into spoilers, I think that there were a couple of things that really pushed the envelope of believability. And with that, some things just honestly defied common sense. I think it goes without saying that we, as the reader, already know that we are going to extend the levels of reality and of believability a bit just based on this genre. That's okay. But, with that comes the expectation that the story is going to follow certain parameters. Big Guy and Jonathan going into Mexico and doing the things they did, and NOT expecting it to get back to certain people just didn't make sense. Also, a certain other character was given a task that made absolutely NO sense. If the person did not succeed at this task (which was almost a given that it would end in some type of failure) then the agent and agency would then be on notice that someone was after them. Also, it was never addressed that at the end of this, people were aware of who Jonathan was. They had his full name, his REAL name. Wasn't anyone worried about that?
What really did work was the emotion that our gang had with the fact that Roman was kidnapped. Venice did a wonderful job of trying to keep her wits and throw all of her fear for Roman into doing what she does best and helping our dynamic duo as they were in Mexico trying to find the kids. There is a "mission" that she goes on with Gunslinger that had me cracking up. Seriously. Too funny...... We also got to see Mama Alexander on a roll and she had grown men shaking in their boots.. The team really came together to do what they do best and I think it became apparent to them that while this was what they normally DO, it was a whole different ballgame when the PC was one of THEIRS.
All in all I enjoyed this latest book. While it wasn't my favorite, the series itself is. I love stepping back into a world that is already established, with characters that I adore and knowing that I am going to be holding my breath as our guys put themselves right smack in the middle of an outright crazy situation. And I was holding my breath.
So now it's time to wait for book 14. Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC. All of these opinions are mine, and mine alone.
I am a big fan of the Jonathan Grave series and was thrilled to be able to read this ARC. I actually took a day after finishing the book to try to figure out what it was about this book in particular that just didn't resonate with me. Overall, was it a good book? Yes, it was. Was there a lot of action? Yes. So...what was the problem?
I don't think I would actually call it a problem, but there were several things that pulled me out of the story. As I mentioned before, I really love this series, so I'm already pre-disposed to love Scorpion and Big Guy. In this book, Mother Hen's son - Roman - is kidnapped with a girl classmate from a school field trip in El Paso, Texas and taken to Mexico. Things really get going after that. First of all, I was born in El Paso and while it is not the greatest city in the world, I felt like the depiction of the city was fairly harsh. There was a comment that someone made that a mixed race couple - he is black and she is not - would garner really bad attention. That is not the case. In fact, the city probably has more minorities, between the Hispanic and Black population, than most Texas cities. It is not a big thing, but it did kind of bother me while I was reading and that actually surprised me.
So, without going into spoilers, I think that there were a couple of things that really pushed the envelope of believability. And with that, some things just honestly defied common sense. I think it goes without saying that we, as the reader, already know that we are going to extend the levels of reality and of believability a bit just based on this genre. That's okay. But, with that comes the expectation that the story is going to follow certain parameters. Big Guy and Jonathan going into Mexico and doing the things they did, and NOT expecting it to get back to certain people just didn't make sense. Also, a certain other character was given a task that made absolutely NO sense. If the person did not succeed at this task (which was almost a given that it would end in some type of failure) then the agent and agency would then be on notice that someone was after them. Also, it was never addressed that at the end of this, people were aware of who Jonathan was. They had his full name, his REAL name. Wasn't anyone worried about that?
What really did work was the emotion that our gang had with the fact that Roman was kidnapped. Venice did a wonderful job of trying to keep her wits and throw all of her fear for Roman into doing what she does best and helping our dynamic duo as they were in Mexico trying to find the kids. There is a "mission" that she goes on with Gunslinger that had me cracking up. Seriously. Too funny...... We also got to see Mama Alexander on a roll and she had grown men shaking in their boots.. The team really came together to do what they do best and I think it became apparent to them that while this was what they normally DO, it was a whole different ballgame when the PC was one of THEIRS.
All in all I enjoyed this latest book. While it wasn't my favorite, the series itself is. I love stepping back into a world that is already established, with characters that I adore and knowing that I am going to be holding my breath as our guys put themselves right smack in the middle of an outright crazy situation. And I was holding my breath.
So now it's time to wait for book 14. Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC. All of these opinions are mine, and mine alone.
July 7, 2021
Stealth Attack by John Gilstrap
Jonathan Graves #13
Wow! Great book that kept me up till the wee hours of the morning…I could NOT put it down then had trouble sleeping once I finished the last page. I have only read one other book in this series but was still able to read without any trouble at all. That said, at some point in time I really want to read this series through from book one to the end. Although, I would hate to see this series end at all!
What I liked:
* The intensity and immediacy
* John Graves: focused, skilled, intense, lethal, dedicated to his cause, good friend, team player, wealthy, a bit of an enigma (at least to me with only two books under my reading belt).
* Boxer: the man on the mission with Graves is bigger than most, scary, deadly, someone you want on your side.
* Roman: on a field trip in Texas, bright, almost fourteen, ruled by his hormones, trained in martial arts, protective, strong willed, a good kid in the wrong place and collaterally kidnapped with his female classmate
* The women: Gail, Venice, Mama, Sofia, Sister Katherine…
* The action scenes – felt real, gritty, dark and compelling
* That I felt I was there and all senses engaged
* That some bad guys were taken out
* That some trafficked children were saved
* All of it really except…
What I didn’t like:
* The bad guys and there were plenty to hate and wish gone.
* Realizing that human trafficking is all too real in this world
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley a nd Kensington-Pinnacle Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
Jonathan Graves #13
Wow! Great book that kept me up till the wee hours of the morning…I could NOT put it down then had trouble sleeping once I finished the last page. I have only read one other book in this series but was still able to read without any trouble at all. That said, at some point in time I really want to read this series through from book one to the end. Although, I would hate to see this series end at all!
What I liked:
* The intensity and immediacy
* John Graves: focused, skilled, intense, lethal, dedicated to his cause, good friend, team player, wealthy, a bit of an enigma (at least to me with only two books under my reading belt).
* Boxer: the man on the mission with Graves is bigger than most, scary, deadly, someone you want on your side.
* Roman: on a field trip in Texas, bright, almost fourteen, ruled by his hormones, trained in martial arts, protective, strong willed, a good kid in the wrong place and collaterally kidnapped with his female classmate
* The women: Gail, Venice, Mama, Sofia, Sister Katherine…
* The action scenes – felt real, gritty, dark and compelling
* That I felt I was there and all senses engaged
* That some bad guys were taken out
* That some trafficked children were saved
* All of it really except…
What I didn’t like:
* The bad guys and there were plenty to hate and wish gone.
* Realizing that human trafficking is all too real in this world
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley a nd Kensington-Pinnacle Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
May 12, 2021
In this 13th installment of the Jonathon Grave series, Stealth Attack, by John Gilstrap, two teenagers are kidnapped by a Mexican cartel while in El Paso, TX. Grave and company are known in certain circles as the people you call to rescue hostages discreetly and off the books. Except this rescue mission is like no other because one of the children taken is someone they know and love.
Stealth Attack has all the usual hallmarks of a Jonathan Grave book: plenty of action, great dialogue and heart. Because one of the hostages is someone they know and love, the tension is ratcheted up and emotions are high. For me, the best part of the book was the dialog between the characters as they wrestle with their fear, the desire to kill everyone involved in the kidnapping, and thinking strategically. Things were said and some decisions made could change the dynamic of the group moving forward. Gilstrap has plenty of options in future books and it'll be interesting to see how he plays it.
I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of Stealth Attack.
Stealth Attack has all the usual hallmarks of a Jonathan Grave book: plenty of action, great dialogue and heart. Because one of the hostages is someone they know and love, the tension is ratcheted up and emotions are high. For me, the best part of the book was the dialog between the characters as they wrestle with their fear, the desire to kill everyone involved in the kidnapping, and thinking strategically. Things were said and some decisions made could change the dynamic of the group moving forward. Gilstrap has plenty of options in future books and it'll be interesting to see how he plays it.
I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of Stealth Attack.
May 10, 2022
4.5 stars John Gilstrap has another winning installment in the Jonathan Grave series. His firm fronts as a security firm yet his skills set indicates it is much more than corporate or cyber security; he has made deadly enemies in his fight against ruthless drug cartels and syndicates. This time, the rescue of an innocent hits close to home as Venice’s son is kidnapped and taken to Mexico.
Mr. Gilstrap writes engrossing storylines filled within non- stop electrifying action! The reader is immersed in an intriguing plot which moves at a fast pace. The characters are well developed, complex and three dimensional. While I can’t say I identify with any of them, I am fully engaged with them!
A thoroughly intense and spectacularly enjoyable read! It is also a horribly graphic read concerning “tourist trafficking “. Few Americans realize the extent of this trade that targets guests in luxurious resorts. Kudos to Mr. Gilstrap - and an extra star earned- for his well researched information of this horrific activity based in what otherwise one would consider “paradise”.
My thanks to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Mr. Gilstrap writes engrossing storylines filled within non- stop electrifying action! The reader is immersed in an intriguing plot which moves at a fast pace. The characters are well developed, complex and three dimensional. While I can’t say I identify with any of them, I am fully engaged with them!
A thoroughly intense and spectacularly enjoyable read! It is also a horribly graphic read concerning “tourist trafficking “. Few Americans realize the extent of this trade that targets guests in luxurious resorts. Kudos to Mr. Gilstrap - and an extra star earned- for his well researched information of this horrific activity based in what otherwise one would consider “paradise”.
My thanks to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 1, 2021
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
I would have bought it anyway as I am a huge fan of this series.
Jonathan Grave and his partner Boxers take on the causes that are improbable to succeed in. They are both former members of the military group known as "the Unit". Their IT guru is Venice Alexander, who Grave considers a little sister.
When Venice's 13 year old son is kidnapped in El Paso Grave fears that one of the Mexican cartels he has foiled in the past is responsible.
Once again Gilstrap has spun a gem. Love the camaraderie between the members of the team and the way they get things done.
I would have bought it anyway as I am a huge fan of this series.
Jonathan Grave and his partner Boxers take on the causes that are improbable to succeed in. They are both former members of the military group known as "the Unit". Their IT guru is Venice Alexander, who Grave considers a little sister.
When Venice's 13 year old son is kidnapped in El Paso Grave fears that one of the Mexican cartels he has foiled in the past is responsible.
Once again Gilstrap has spun a gem. Love the camaraderie between the members of the team and the way they get things done.
March 29, 2021
I read this series normally, love the characters and storylines, that being said, this isn't my favorite but is required reading for the series" future.
When Venice"s son, Roman, becomes a PC there is no more important mission than his safe return.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
When Venice"s son, Roman, becomes a PC there is no more important mission than his safe return.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 11, 2021
I found this book as it should be: thrilling. Jonathan leads his team with help from the group’s offices. Get those bad guys and save the kids. What the heck if a few bad guys die along the way. Sometimes fathers are not good, and this book offers that example.
October 7, 2021
Good building of suspense by Gilstrap. The ending was somewhat abrupt. As the bad guys had been angering the reader the whole story, they deserved to get killed several times over or at least tormented somewhat. The sub idea was good. This is my second Gilstrap novel and both were very suspenseful.
June 6, 2021
Stealth Attack is book 13 in the Jonathan Graves series from John Gilstrap.
"The son of one of Jonathan's Security Solutions employees is abducted while on a school field trip. He is taken across the border and held captive by Cartel thugs in Mexico. Jonathan and Boxers have a history with disrupting the cartels operations and know there is extra danger there. They head there to rescue him hoping to get there in time."
Stealth Attack hits closer to home for Graves. He is morally ambiguous about following the law as long as he saves the good guys and hurts the bad guys. And especially if it means saving a team member's son. His philosophy is rubbing off on his team too - even if they don't want it too.
Gilstrap always gives his characters some great technology but doesn't spend too much time with detailed descriptions. This is what it is and this is what it'll do for us - let's go get the bad guys.
The action is what we've come to expect from Gilstrap. Lots of it - and a big surprise at the end. Fans of Reacher and Mitch Rapp will enjoy Jonathan Graves. A great addition to the series from Gilstrap.
"The son of one of Jonathan's Security Solutions employees is abducted while on a school field trip. He is taken across the border and held captive by Cartel thugs in Mexico. Jonathan and Boxers have a history with disrupting the cartels operations and know there is extra danger there. They head there to rescue him hoping to get there in time."
Stealth Attack hits closer to home for Graves. He is morally ambiguous about following the law as long as he saves the good guys and hurts the bad guys. And especially if it means saving a team member's son. His philosophy is rubbing off on his team too - even if they don't want it too.
Gilstrap always gives his characters some great technology but doesn't spend too much time with detailed descriptions. This is what it is and this is what it'll do for us - let's go get the bad guys.
The action is what we've come to expect from Gilstrap. Lots of it - and a big surprise at the end. Fans of Reacher and Mitch Rapp will enjoy Jonathan Graves. A great addition to the series from Gilstrap.
September 6, 2021
Non-stop, fast-paced action throughout the whole book. Every chapter introduces a newer level of good vs. evil…..right through the very end. Fast read!
October 5, 2024
Just finished, and now I can breathe again. Gilstrap never disappoints with this series. Suspense galore and the characters are great!
December 15, 2021
Another solid entry in the Jonathan Grave series. This time it is one of jonathan's acquaintances that he has to help rescue from kidnappers. Started off great, as they normally do. Once again, Gilstrap rushed the ending, minimizes the action and leaves too much unwritten. It is nice to caught up on the series, however.
August 23, 2021
Thank you to Pinnacle Books and Goodreads Giveaways for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Stealth Attack by John Gilstrap is the 13th book in the popular Jonathan Grave series and also a gripping thriller that you will not be able to put down! Even though I hadn't read any books in this series before reading this one, I didn't have any trouble understanding the plot or the characters. The story revolves around Jonathan Grave, a black ops veteran, who is trying to track down his teammate's teenage son and his friend. They've been kidnapped by a Mexican drug cartel while on a school trip in El Paso, Texas. Will he be able to find and rescue the two kidnapped teenagers? Or will the cartel members succeed in their goals?
Here is an exciting excerpt from an opening chapter:
""Let go of me!" That was definitely Ciara. Then she went quiet.
Roman rolled up to his hands and knees, hoping to stand, and then hands were on him. "Okay, tough guy," an adult male voice said. "You're in this, too."
He was half-carried, half-dragged toward the car, one hand squeezing his neck in the front and another lifting him by the waistband of his shorts. When they got to the car, hands patted his thighs hard, causing him to raise his legs. He couldn't survive another shot to his nuts.
The guy took Roman's cell phone from his front pocket and shoved him into the backseat.
...
Roman turned in time to see a bright red light flash behind his eyes."
Overall, Stealth Attack is an interesting and action-packed thriller that will appeal to fans of Jack Reacher and the Taken films starring Liam Needson. I could not put this book down. I had to keep reading to find out what happens next and whether Jonathan Grave would succeed in rescuing the two kidnapping victims. One highlight of this book is the exciting scenes. While reading the excerpt above, my heart was beating faster as I worried about what would happen to Roman and his friend Ciara. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of thrillers in general, I highly recommend that you check out this book, which is out in bookstores now!
Stealth Attack by John Gilstrap is the 13th book in the popular Jonathan Grave series and also a gripping thriller that you will not be able to put down! Even though I hadn't read any books in this series before reading this one, I didn't have any trouble understanding the plot or the characters. The story revolves around Jonathan Grave, a black ops veteran, who is trying to track down his teammate's teenage son and his friend. They've been kidnapped by a Mexican drug cartel while on a school trip in El Paso, Texas. Will he be able to find and rescue the two kidnapped teenagers? Or will the cartel members succeed in their goals?
Here is an exciting excerpt from an opening chapter:
""Let go of me!" That was definitely Ciara. Then she went quiet.
Roman rolled up to his hands and knees, hoping to stand, and then hands were on him. "Okay, tough guy," an adult male voice said. "You're in this, too."
He was half-carried, half-dragged toward the car, one hand squeezing his neck in the front and another lifting him by the waistband of his shorts. When they got to the car, hands patted his thighs hard, causing him to raise his legs. He couldn't survive another shot to his nuts.
The guy took Roman's cell phone from his front pocket and shoved him into the backseat.
...
Roman turned in time to see a bright red light flash behind his eyes."
Overall, Stealth Attack is an interesting and action-packed thriller that will appeal to fans of Jack Reacher and the Taken films starring Liam Needson. I could not put this book down. I had to keep reading to find out what happens next and whether Jonathan Grave would succeed in rescuing the two kidnapping victims. One highlight of this book is the exciting scenes. While reading the excerpt above, my heart was beating faster as I worried about what would happen to Roman and his friend Ciara. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of thrillers in general, I highly recommend that you check out this book, which is out in bookstores now!
August 21, 2023
It's been a long time since I read a John Gilstrap novel. I remember how much I enjoyed "Nathan's Run" so I thought I would give this one a read.
Here are my complaints and there are a few. The main protagonist, Jonathan Grave was a very wooden, one-dimensional character. Now, this may be because I'm reading a few novels into Graves adventures and Gilstrap may have given Graves his likeable characteristics in earlier works so by this time you actually care about the character - However, IMO you should be able to pick up a book at any time through a series and still like the character.
Graves' "associate" (I had to look it up again) Boxers. Really? This guy is a sociopath and a bully. I hated this guy. How could anyone like him? There are no defining characteristics about this character.
I didn't care about the kid that was kidnapped - again, no defining qualities to make you actually like this kid. He's a pompous little brat
Last one - The whole macho bravado from Graves team seemed really forced and phony. Like they were posing as tough guys. It really felt unauthentic. So, yeah, I think this book sucked.
Here are my complaints and there are a few. The main protagonist, Jonathan Grave was a very wooden, one-dimensional character. Now, this may be because I'm reading a few novels into Graves adventures and Gilstrap may have given Graves his likeable characteristics in earlier works so by this time you actually care about the character - However, IMO you should be able to pick up a book at any time through a series and still like the character.
Graves' "associate" (I had to look it up again) Boxers. Really? This guy is a sociopath and a bully. I hated this guy. How could anyone like him? There are no defining characteristics about this character.
I didn't care about the kid that was kidnapped - again, no defining qualities to make you actually like this kid. He's a pompous little brat
Last one - The whole macho bravado from Graves team seemed really forced and phony. Like they were posing as tough guys. It really felt unauthentic. So, yeah, I think this book sucked.
August 19, 2021
Jonathan Grave books always make your heart pound with danger. Stealth Attack does it in spades, especially for Jonathan himself because the danger cuts too close to the ones he loves. Jonathan has to close off his heart to focus on the job. All of his crew does. That's the hardest part and biggest difference about reading Stealth Attack.
As I was reading some of the stealth situations, especially those involving Gail and Venice, but also Harry Dawkins, I couldn't help but wonder if those situations, so antithetical to their history and guiding principles, are leading to some character/job changes in future books.
Stealth Attack is a fast, often brutally heartbreaking read. I was riveted for every single moment.
5 Stars
As I was reading some of the stealth situations, especially those involving Gail and Venice, but also Harry Dawkins, I couldn't help but wonder if those situations, so antithetical to their history and guiding principles, are leading to some character/job changes in future books.
Stealth Attack is a fast, often brutally heartbreaking read. I was riveted for every single moment.
5 Stars
June 1, 2021
In this installment of Jonathan Graves and his off the books hostage retrieval team their mission hits close to home and heart. Venice's son Romeo has been taken while on a school field trip.
Gail is left to watch over Venice as Jonathan isn't sure how she will react to the chaos and danger ahead.
Is Romeo the real target? Is it Jonathan and Boxer or someone else?
These are the questions they ask themselves as they head to Romeo's last known location.
This book was very quick paced and action packed as usual.
I highly recommend this book as well as the others in this series. You won't be disappointed.
Gail is left to watch over Venice as Jonathan isn't sure how she will react to the chaos and danger ahead.
Is Romeo the real target? Is it Jonathan and Boxer or someone else?
These are the questions they ask themselves as they head to Romeo's last known location.
This book was very quick paced and action packed as usual.
I highly recommend this book as well as the others in this series. You won't be disappointed.
September 20, 2021
When a Mexican drug cartel abducts Ciara Kelly at a water park near El Paso, they also grab Roman Alexander, a boy who tries to protect her from her kidnappers. The cartel has no way of knowing that Roman's mother is part of the elite hostage rescue team headed by Jonathan Grave. They just have the impression that Roman has a wealthy benefactor who will pay a hefty ransom to get him back. The cartel's leaders soon find out that they have made a big mistake.
Years ago I had read one of the previous books in this series, so I was happy to obtain this one via a Goodreads giveaway. This is an exciting hostage rescue story.
Years ago I had read one of the previous books in this series, so I was happy to obtain this one via a Goodreads giveaway. This is an exciting hostage rescue story.
October 4, 2021
While the author seems to understand how to write a thriller, this book was not particularly thrilling. There is a string element of familiarity to the book and like an episode of CSI or Law and Order it’s very easy to step into without being familiar with the series. There is also strong “vigilante knows best” streak that made me want to say “OK boomer”. For all that the middle of the novel is oddly meandering, with a trip to a Mexican dive bar and subsequent raid on brothel particularly odd and seemingly counterproductive. All in all this book comes off like a libertarian fever dream of guns, appropriated technology, and righteous white men putting Mexico in its place.
August 5, 2021
This might be Gilstrap's finest Jonathan Grave's book. It really hits close to home with the kidnapping of Venice's son. A teen who makes some poor decisions ends up an added kidnapped victim. Jonathan and BigGuy take off before they even know exactly where they're going or what they plan to do. Venice is an emotional wreck but manages to provide all the needed information she's so good a sleuthing plus enters the field briefly with Gail. Quite a story with the best character development of all Gilstrap's book. Highly recommended
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