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Death Comes Due: A breathlessly plotted, nonstop, character driven thriller. James Beck Crime Thriller Series, Book 3
How do you stop a monster from destroying you when you helped create him?James Beck and fellow ex-con Demarco Jones, an exceptionally efficient killer, are enjoying a quiet morning in Beck’s private waterfront bar in Red Hook, Brooklyn, until they realize Manny Guzman, a tough, reclusive member of their crew, is missing.A few blocks south near the Gowanus canal, hard-charging NYPD Deputy Inspector Dianne Brennan stands in the bowels of the twelve-story derelict Red Hook Grain Terminal staring at a burned and twisted corpse under the unforgiving glare of police emergency lights. Another corpse, mutilated by multiple stab wounds, is found at the end of nearby Pier 44. Beck quickly becomes the prime suspect in both murders.Suddenly, Beck’s world is under attack. He vowed to build a life for himself and the men he trusts after their release from prison. Unfortunately, an unseen enemy has also made a Destroy everything Beck has, kill everyone he loves, and make Beck suffer the most horrifying death imaginable.Beck has no idea who his enemy is or why he’s out to destroy him. If Beck can discover what unleashed the vengeance crashing down on him, set aside his hatred of a corrupt justice system, and make an alliance with Dianne Brennan, he might have a chance to survive. But what chance does he have of doing that without giving the NYPD everything it needs to send him back to prison forever?Scroll up and buy your copy of DEATH COMES DUE to find out.Here’s what readers have to say about this complex, nonstop, character driven thriller…“The twists and turns unfold relentlessly.”“Intricate plot twists, fast pacing, and a bevy of memorable characters.”“A must read for thriller fans from a master of the genre.”“Death Comes Due is a brutally honest examination of conscience for our society and for the individual and collective actions that have created it.”“An absolute masterpiece by a true craftsman.”“A beautiful chemistry of vivid descriptions move the story at a fantastic clip. Compulsively readable.”“Clarkson is without a doubt the ‘King’ of crime thrillers. This is a gritty masterpiece.”“This is thriller writing at its very best with pulsating non-stop action, a super-villain, ferocious fight scenes, corrupt cops at the highest level of the NYPD, and a resourceful anti-hero in the person of James Beck.”PRAISE FOR THE JAMES BECK SERIES."Hard-boiled urban noir from the pen of a master. Highly recommended!" – Lee Child"James is Beck is one of the baddest, boldest, brashest creations seen in the pages of any thriller." – Lorenzo Carcaterra"Fans of the great Lawrence Block and Lee Child will get their money's worth and then some." – Peter Blauner"The legendary Jack Reacher may just have met his match in ex-convict James Beck…The action is relentless, twist turns upon twist as the intricacies of an exceptional plot unfold, revealing Beck as a man never to be underestimated…An outstanding thriller from a writer at the top of his game.
- GenresFiction
436 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 23, 2020
About the author
John Clarkson
52 books95 followersJohn Clarkson is the author of eight previous novels, including And Justice for One.
His new thriller series featuring James Beck began with the publication of AMONG THIEVES in 2015. The sequel, BRONX REQUIEM, came out in November of 2016.
After quite a long effort, the third novel in the series was finally published in December of 2020. The title is DEATH COMES DUE. Quite of few of John's readers have hailed this novel as the best in the series. Find out more about it on John's website: www.johnclarkson.com
John spent many years in the New York advertising industry as a copywriter, running his own agency, and as a private consultant. He is now writing full time and intends to publish under his own imprint which will hopefully mean more books more quickly.
He and his wife divide their time between a home in upstate New York and Brooklyn.
His new thriller series featuring James Beck began with the publication of AMONG THIEVES in 2015. The sequel, BRONX REQUIEM, came out in November of 2016.
After quite a long effort, the third novel in the series was finally published in December of 2020. The title is DEATH COMES DUE. Quite of few of John's readers have hailed this novel as the best in the series. Find out more about it on John's website: www.johnclarkson.com
John spent many years in the New York advertising industry as a copywriter, running his own agency, and as a private consultant. He is now writing full time and intends to publish under his own imprint which will hopefully mean more books more quickly.
He and his wife divide their time between a home in upstate New York and Brooklyn.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 19, 2021
Two Christmas ago.....my daughter gifted me with a book that I assumed she'd hand-picked for me at Barnes and Noble. Although not my usual favorite genre, I found it immensely entertaining. A group of ex-cons, protecting each other in a situation that had them fighting against the system. After years of "mommy gifts," I applauded her choice. She told me...."Oh, well to be honest, I found it at the bottom of a pile at Dollar Tree." Ok so much for really going the extra mile.
This is my third installment of James Beck Thrillers, and I have to say, it's still very good. Very entertaining. James Beck and his band of tough-talking, street savvy ex-cons is very comparable to an urban, gritty updated Robin Hood and his merry man.....albeit it, much more violent.
James Beck is a great fictional character, and worth more than a dollar.
This is my third installment of James Beck Thrillers, and I have to say, it's still very good. Very entertaining. James Beck and his band of tough-talking, street savvy ex-cons is very comparable to an urban, gritty updated Robin Hood and his merry man.....albeit it, much more violent.
James Beck is a great fictional character, and worth more than a dollar.
February 19, 2021
I was thrilled when I got the e-mail that the new James Beck book is coming out. I have been such a huge fan of the story. I’ve read the first two books a few years ago and since then I was waiting for the sequel.
I honestly don't understand why this series doesn't get more attention… There are plenty of books out there with Lee Child’s Jack Reacher knockoff main character with bigger attention. (Alright some of them are not that bad :)
Although James Beck is a much more unique character than the other ones. Generally, the character’s are quite complex in this story, and I love the fact that even though the story is quite ’male-centred’ (there is nothing wrong with that) it brings some interesting female characters as well.
I was the only one who was missing Amelia???? Where is Amelia??? I loved how Amelia softened the heart of Beck and his men. :)
It is always hard to write any review about a book, because if its a good book you could write about it endlessly, but then you can also spoil it for others.
So all I can say if you want to read a kind of a gangster story with the mix of Oceans’s Eleven and with the complexity of Peaky Blinders, READ THIS BOOK!!! Well, start with the ’Among Thieves’ and then ’Bronx Requiem’ and then you can READ THIS BOOK!!!
By the way, I am the only one who is imagining James Beck as Tom Hardy??? Isn't Beck a typical antihero who he likes to play in his movies? Someone, please send him this series! I would love to see this story on the screen one day. :)
I honestly don't understand why this series doesn't get more attention… There are plenty of books out there with Lee Child’s Jack Reacher knockoff main character with bigger attention. (Alright some of them are not that bad :)
Although James Beck is a much more unique character than the other ones. Generally, the character’s are quite complex in this story, and I love the fact that even though the story is quite ’male-centred’ (there is nothing wrong with that) it brings some interesting female characters as well.
I was the only one who was missing Amelia???? Where is Amelia??? I loved how Amelia softened the heart of Beck and his men. :)
It is always hard to write any review about a book, because if its a good book you could write about it endlessly, but then you can also spoil it for others.
So all I can say if you want to read a kind of a gangster story with the mix of Oceans’s Eleven and with the complexity of Peaky Blinders, READ THIS BOOK!!! Well, start with the ’Among Thieves’ and then ’Bronx Requiem’ and then you can READ THIS BOOK!!!
By the way, I am the only one who is imagining James Beck as Tom Hardy??? Isn't Beck a typical antihero who he likes to play in his movies? Someone, please send him this series! I would love to see this story on the screen one day. :)
March 17, 2022
This is the best James Beck thriller I've read. The previous two were excellent but here the Author has excelled himself. He's kept the plot tight and has not deviated from the stories of the two protagonist. One a monster giant out to punish and kill the former convict James Beck who has built a life for himself after his release from prison with other similar ex-cons. James's life is turned upside down when he finds his friends targeted knowing he will be the final object of the crazy Monster Boy. James is also under scrutiny of an ambitious Deputy Inspector from the Police Commissioner's office. It's a race against time and relentless chase by his enemy. The Author controls the plot so well that one remains engrossed. The language and atmosphere is tough and dark. Read the book and I guarantee you will read it again
December 8, 2020
Me Clarkson at his best
I subscribed to receive emails from Mr Clarkson regarding his latest James Beck book. When I received the email offering me 50% off the new one.He mentioned that he self published his book, so I turned down his offer and bought the book for full price. I am so glad I did , the book was worth double the price.I have read all of Mr Clarkson books but this was a favourite. Thank you for an enjoyable few hours
I subscribed to receive emails from Mr Clarkson regarding his latest James Beck book. When I received the email offering me 50% off the new one.He mentioned that he self published his book, so I turned down his offer and bought the book for full price. I am so glad I did , the book was worth double the price.I have read all of Mr Clarkson books but this was a favourite. Thank you for an enjoyable few hours
October 2, 2021
You will love this book can't wait for no.4
I have now read all three James Becks Thrillers and I can say I truly enjoyed all of them, these books by John Clarkson are some of the best thrillers I have read ( and I have read quite a few) This 3rd. Book Death Come Due has a character name (Monster Boy) is most frightening Villain I have ever come across. Can't wait for the next instalment of Mr Beck and his crew
I have now read all three James Becks Thrillers and I can say I truly enjoyed all of them, these books by John Clarkson are some of the best thrillers I have read ( and I have read quite a few) This 3rd. Book Death Come Due has a character name (Monster Boy) is most frightening Villain I have ever come across. Can't wait for the next instalment of Mr Beck and his crew
June 1, 2023
Another good addition to the Beck series.
Mr Clarkson has written another well crafted suspense story in the Beck series. I can easily see this one adapted to a film or a series. I like that in this one Beck is made to realize his punch that killed an NYPD off duty officer led to all the trouble in this book. I had put this down for a while and now the next book,Tribes, is waiting.
Mr Clarkson has written another well crafted suspense story in the Beck series. I can easily see this one adapted to a film or a series. I like that in this one Beck is made to realize his punch that killed an NYPD off duty officer led to all the trouble in this book. I had put this down for a while and now the next book,Tribes, is waiting.
December 1, 2020
You will love this series.
This was a terrific read. Gritty characters, breakneck pace, very cinematic. Clarkson writes the best fight scenes you'll ever read. James Beck is a splendid hero , full of flaws, but also honor and devotion for his friends. And he is a VERY clever fellow.
This was a terrific read. Gritty characters, breakneck pace, very cinematic. Clarkson writes the best fight scenes you'll ever read. James Beck is a splendid hero , full of flaws, but also honor and devotion for his friends. And he is a VERY clever fellow.
December 10, 2020
Great addition to ths Beck series
Outstanding. Made me want to see where Beck and the crew go from here. Fans of John Clarkson will enjoy this installment of Beck and his crew. Will eagerly anticipate next Beck book.
Outstanding. Made me want to see where Beck and the crew go from here. Fans of John Clarkson will enjoy this installment of Beck and his crew. Will eagerly anticipate next Beck book.
December 28, 2020
I’ve read all the books in this series and they just get better and better. Clarkson develops great characters and the action is realistic and downright gritty.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see this get onto the NYT bestseller list. It deserves it!
Howard S.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see this get onto the NYT bestseller list. It deserves it!
Howard S.
August 9, 2021
Excellent; Continuing character: James Beck; after one of his crew is kidnapped and two other men murdered, Beck realizes someone is working a vendetta against him and his friends, and must work with a police inspector to track the vicious murderer down
December 11, 2020
Terrific story and a book that places John Clarkson among the finest crimewriters in USA.
February 25, 2021
As always a crazy good read!
I thought James Beck wasn't coming back and I was glad to be wrong. I truly hope there will be more too!
I thought James Beck wasn't coming back and I was glad to be wrong. I truly hope there will be more too!
May 16, 2021
Excellent Three Book Series
Really enjoyed all of the James Beck thrillers. Big fan of all John Clarkson's books. I like the authors attention to detail and fast paced plots.
Really enjoyed all of the James Beck thrillers. Big fan of all John Clarkson's books. I like the authors attention to detail and fast paced plots.
June 28, 2021
Great series
This is the third book I've read in the series. I love the James Beck character and all his friends. Looking forward to reading the next.
This is the third book I've read in the series. I love the James Beck character and all his friends. Looking forward to reading the next.
December 12, 2022
Super read!!!
I really enjoyed the fast pace and the incredible details of the environment.
I look forward to the next Clarkson book.
I really enjoyed the fast pace and the incredible details of the environment.
I look forward to the next Clarkson book.
December 18, 2023
Fantastic read.
January 20, 2025
A solid addition to a great series.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews