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Take Down
"Hands in the air! Nobody move!"
When a pair of crazed gunmen take a bank full of hostages, off-duty cop Jack Lisbon finds himself caught up in a terrifying siege.
Armed with only his wits, can the ex-boxer policeman hold his nerve and defuse a potential disaster? Or will he crack under the pressure and risk the lives of innocent people?
Hold on for a turbo-charged ride!
If you like gritty crime stories with a vigilante justice flavor, you'll love Jack Lisbon.
Pulp Fiction meets Dog Day Afternoon
NB. This work of fiction is a reader magnet only available to subscribers to my newsletter.
When a pair of crazed gunmen take a bank full of hostages, off-duty cop Jack Lisbon finds himself caught up in a terrifying siege.
Armed with only his wits, can the ex-boxer policeman hold his nerve and defuse a potential disaster? Or will he crack under the pressure and risk the lives of innocent people?
Hold on for a turbo-charged ride!
If you like gritty crime stories with a vigilante justice flavor, you'll love Jack Lisbon.
Pulp Fiction meets Dog Day Afternoon
NB. This work of fiction is a reader magnet only available to subscribers to my newsletter.
36 pages, ebook
Published January 1, 2020
3 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Blair Denholm
23 books226 followersBlair Denholm is a freelance writer and translator who has lived in Moscow, New York, Munich, Abu Dhabi and Australia. He has written content for commercial websites and done corporate voice-over work in English and Russian.
His first novel in the Gary Braswell series, SOLD, was released by Clan Destine Press in November 2017 and is getting rave reviews. He is also working on a murder mystery based on a real event that occurred in Moscow in the late 1980s.
Blair interpreted for the Reagan-Gorbachev summit in Moscow, translated for the Sochi Winter Olympics and voted in a foreign election despite having no eligibility to do so. He was also almost lost at sea on a dilapidated Russian fishing boat sailing from Hobart to New Zealand. He currently resides in the beautiful Southern Downs district in Queensland with his partner Sandra and two crazy canines.
His first novel in the Gary Braswell series, SOLD, was released by Clan Destine Press in November 2017 and is getting rave reviews. He is also working on a murder mystery based on a real event that occurred in Moscow in the late 1980s.
Blair interpreted for the Reagan-Gorbachev summit in Moscow, translated for the Sochi Winter Olympics and voted in a foreign election despite having no eligibility to do so. He was also almost lost at sea on a dilapidated Russian fishing boat sailing from Hobart to New Zealand. He currently resides in the beautiful Southern Downs district in Queensland with his partner Sandra and two crazy canines.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 12, 2022
Having been offered the second prequel novella in Blair Denholm’s DC Jack Lisbon series, I chose to dive right in to get some context. While making his way to exchange some money, off-duty Jack Lisbon finds himself in the middle of a hostage situation. He has no weapon and only his wits, hoping to use this to help diffuse a tense situation. Denholm does well to set the tone for what I hope remains a strong series.
Since arriving in Australia a number of weeks ago, DC Jack Lisbon is still trying to get his life in order. Leaving behind the drama of the London Met, Lisbon has a few loose ends to tie off, including a large amount of money he smuggled into the country. Feeling he ought to do something with it, Lisbon travels across the city to use a currency exchange where no one knows him.
While things appear to be going smoothly, he is soon pulled into the middle fo a hostage taking. Being off-duty and with no weapon, Lisbon will have to play it cool, while trying to diffuse the situation at hand. It will take all his patience not to blow his cover and bring things to a peaceful ending. Does DC Jack Lisbon have the ability to be a hero without violence? Denholm does well to paint more of the Jack Lisbon picture here, effectively keeping the reader intrigued.
There is so much that I have come to learn about Jack Lisbon in the short time I have been reading about him. Blair Denholm does an effective job at filling some of the gaps left by the opening novel, yet still keeps things open for interpretation. With this quick story, Denholm provides more insight into his protagonist, while also keeping much unaddressed as of yet. I can only hope that the three novels yet to come will provide me with more about this complex man.
Blair Denholm knows how to write and pulls the reader into the middle of each story with ease. I can see how I will come to enjoy more of his work, as it flows well and keeps me on my toes. I am eager to see how things develop and what Denholm has for the reader into the coming novels, as well as where this will lead things. The series is sure to be a success, given the time to explore it a little more. Bring on more DC Jack Lisbon!
Kudos, Mr. Denholm, for these novellas. Now, back to the meatier writing and more complex stories.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Since arriving in Australia a number of weeks ago, DC Jack Lisbon is still trying to get his life in order. Leaving behind the drama of the London Met, Lisbon has a few loose ends to tie off, including a large amount of money he smuggled into the country. Feeling he ought to do something with it, Lisbon travels across the city to use a currency exchange where no one knows him.
While things appear to be going smoothly, he is soon pulled into the middle fo a hostage taking. Being off-duty and with no weapon, Lisbon will have to play it cool, while trying to diffuse the situation at hand. It will take all his patience not to blow his cover and bring things to a peaceful ending. Does DC Jack Lisbon have the ability to be a hero without violence? Denholm does well to paint more of the Jack Lisbon picture here, effectively keeping the reader intrigued.
There is so much that I have come to learn about Jack Lisbon in the short time I have been reading about him. Blair Denholm does an effective job at filling some of the gaps left by the opening novel, yet still keeps things open for interpretation. With this quick story, Denholm provides more insight into his protagonist, while also keeping much unaddressed as of yet. I can only hope that the three novels yet to come will provide me with more about this complex man.
Blair Denholm knows how to write and pulls the reader into the middle of each story with ease. I can see how I will come to enjoy more of his work, as it flows well and keeps me on my toes. I am eager to see how things develop and what Denholm has for the reader into the coming novels, as well as where this will lead things. The series is sure to be a success, given the time to explore it a little more. Bring on more DC Jack Lisbon!
Kudos, Mr. Denholm, for these novellas. Now, back to the meatier writing and more complex stories.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
January 14, 2026
4.5 ⭐️s
The Jack Lisbon series continues its impressive streak with this latest prequel, Take Down.
The prequel, while very short, 36 pages to be exact, was an utterly captivating piece of storytelling.
Confronted with a hostage crisis, Jack's well-honed skills and expertise were put to the test, and he excelled. Jack is the man.
I can’t wait to read the next instalment.
The Jack Lisbon series continues its impressive streak with this latest prequel, Take Down.
The prequel, while very short, 36 pages to be exact, was an utterly captivating piece of storytelling.
Confronted with a hostage crisis, Jack's well-honed skills and expertise were put to the test, and he excelled. Jack is the man.
I can’t wait to read the next instalment.
June 3, 2025
Detective Jack Lisbon just wants to go in the bank and out again. Easy-peasy, lemon squeezy, right?
Until some git comes in and holds up the place....
A VERY short story that packs a wollop.
Until some git comes in and holds up the place....
A VERY short story that packs a wollop.
June 3, 2025
Bought this very short novella, not realizing I've read and reviewed it before. (2022)
Just wanting to go to the bank and carry on with life, Jack ends up held hostage with others at the mercy of a drugged out "robber in charge."
Fast-paced, no filler.
Just wanting to go to the bank and carry on with life, Jack ends up held hostage with others at the mercy of a drugged out "robber in charge."
Fast-paced, no filler.
January 18, 2023
Jack is nothing short of a hero in this short drama. I loved how he calmly assess the situation, and then goes about solving the problem. Pure genius and a pleasure to watch play out. More please.
March 5, 2024
I completed a binge read of the first seven books in the series plus the two prequels. Excellent storylines, great characters and settings. Strongly recommended for anyone who enjoys a police procedural with a difference.
June 4, 2022
Short and a good read. Bought 3 more of his books based on this appy.
August 25, 2021
This short story introduces the less-than -angelic Jack Lisbon to Mr. Denholm's readers. It's a quick, easy to read story of his reactions in the face of adversity. Without giving away the story, I can say readers of action novels and stories of tense situations will enjoy this short. It is told in a totally believeable style and I highly recommend it. I received an ARC and this is my honest appraisal of this story.
May 20, 2022
Jack Lisbon, now Australian policeman is in a bank to exchange some of his dirty monney for clean Australian cash, when the bank is robbed. The police shoe up, but the robbers take every one hostage, Jack takes action to save everyone, and himself.
September 7, 2021
A very quick read, and very exciting. The beginning of Jack's new life starts out in an unexpected way. What will happen next?
March 1, 2022
A quick rocket-ride short story. I am always amazed at the writing talent it takes to develop characters in short order. I wanted more story, so I’m off to research Blair Denholm. Good job!
May 10, 2022
Very good tightly written short to introduce Jack Lisbon. A real page turner.
July 25, 2023
This picks up from the previous prequel, Fighting Dirty.
Some more modern-day IRL references: Def Leppard, KFC. Stockholm Syndrome.
Now to read Kill Shot!
Some more modern-day IRL references: Def Leppard, KFC. Stockholm Syndrome.
Now to read Kill Shot!
June 1, 2025
"So, nothing to worry about, right?” – Introducing Jack Lisbon!
Australian author Blair Denholm lives in Tasmania at present, but has lived and worked in New York, Moscow, Munich, Abu Dhabi in addition to Australia. He has published eighteen books and now adds a Prequel to his popular Jack Lisbon The Fighting Detective series – TAKE DOWN. Blair is also a translator, speaks fluent Russian (he interpreted for the Reagan-Gorbachev summit in Moscow and translated for the Sochi Winter Olympics Organizing Committee) as well as a traveler and has escaped situations and detainments in life much as he writes in his books!
The Jack Lisbon: The Fighting Detective series is centered on a tough, cynical, ex-boxer London cop, who has become a terrific character to follow. Blair opens this episode as follows: ‘The click-clack of the train wheels worked like a hypnotic metronome, Focused his mind. He had aa job to do and nothing would get in his way. Logic said in a reassuring voice: there’s nothing to worry about. Out of nowhere the idea of getting caught hit logic over the head with a crowbar…’ And so begins a new (though short!) challenge for Jack Lisbon. An excellent read!
Australian author Blair Denholm lives in Tasmania at present, but has lived and worked in New York, Moscow, Munich, Abu Dhabi in addition to Australia. He has published eighteen books and now adds a Prequel to his popular Jack Lisbon The Fighting Detective series – TAKE DOWN. Blair is also a translator, speaks fluent Russian (he interpreted for the Reagan-Gorbachev summit in Moscow and translated for the Sochi Winter Olympics Organizing Committee) as well as a traveler and has escaped situations and detainments in life much as he writes in his books!
The Jack Lisbon: The Fighting Detective series is centered on a tough, cynical, ex-boxer London cop, who has become a terrific character to follow. Blair opens this episode as follows: ‘The click-clack of the train wheels worked like a hypnotic metronome, Focused his mind. He had aa job to do and nothing would get in his way. Logic said in a reassuring voice: there’s nothing to worry about. Out of nowhere the idea of getting caught hit logic over the head with a crowbar…’ And so begins a new (though short!) challenge for Jack Lisbon. An excellent read!
February 1, 2023
Take Down (The Fighting Detective prequel) , my eighth read from author Blair Denholm, Outstanding, entertaining police/detective fiction set in Australia as Jack Lisbon first relocatea there. Well-written with characters & a plot you can buy into with unexpected twists & turns. I received a free Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." After reading Shot to the Heart: (The Fighting Detective Book 4) I went looking for more Blair Denholm books and discovered this one that I'd gotten back in September of 2021 and lost track of. Serving as an excellent introduction to the series. The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
March 23, 2024
A nice introduction of his personal nervous tension that reminded me of job interviews. The train journey would gladden the heart of the Brisbane Tourist workers especially when reading the novella on a dreich Scottish morning. The bubble bursts when Lisbon emerges from the station and describes any Western city's malaise.
The action in the bank is taut and tense with realistic description of different people's reaction to a life threatening situation. The action when it came was violent and exciting only let down by the fact that it was a novella and not expanded into a full length novel. Drats!!
The action in the bank is taut and tense with realistic description of different people's reaction to a life threatening situation. The action when it came was violent and exciting only let down by the fact that it was a novella and not expanded into a full length novel. Drats!!
April 5, 2023
Take Down - Takes place about six months after Fighting Dirty ends. Jack is in the wrong place at the wrong time. 4*
Fighting Dirty - An interesting introduction to a new series describes how the life of an ex-fighter turned police detective is involuntarily uprooted from the UK to the Queensland Police Service in AU. 4*
Kill Shot, #1 - Interesting but a bit wordy. The coppers are an interesting group of characters. Good story lines kept me immersed until the end. The story picks up four years after Take Down ends. Would highly recommend reading Fighting Dirty and Take Down first. 4*
Fighting Dirty - An interesting introduction to a new series describes how the life of an ex-fighter turned police detective is involuntarily uprooted from the UK to the Queensland Police Service in AU. 4*
Kill Shot, #1 - Interesting but a bit wordy. The coppers are an interesting group of characters. Good story lines kept me immersed until the end. The story picks up four years after Take Down ends. Would highly recommend reading Fighting Dirty and Take Down first. 4*
Read
April 20, 2024Another great prequel to the Jack Lisbon series
Definitely now ready to start the series. Enjoy reading series to watch the development of characters and Jack is one I would like to learn more about
Well described scene and characters easily transporting mind to being in the room with Jack, watching his actions to try to free himself and the other hostages
Perfect follow up to Fighting Dirty that established why he is now in Australia and now dealing with moving on from the situations that were closing in on him back in Britain
Definitely now ready to start the series. Enjoy reading series to watch the development of characters and Jack is one I would like to learn more about
Well described scene and characters easily transporting mind to being in the room with Jack, watching his actions to try to free himself and the other hostages
Perfect follow up to Fighting Dirty that established why he is now in Australia and now dealing with moving on from the situations that were closing in on him back in Britain
February 19, 2022
This short action tale has our flawed hero save the day during a bank robbery with fire-starting, fighting and flying bullets. I am not the intended audience and presumably would have liked it more if I had been.
November 25, 2022
What a good read. Fast paced. Well written to be able to fit in the plot along with background information on Jack Lisbon.
I had read Fighting Dirty, a prequel to the series and thoroughly enjoyed it also.
So now, I will definitely read the first in the series "Shot Clock".
I had read Fighting Dirty, a prequel to the series and thoroughly enjoyed it also.
So now, I will definitely read the first in the series "Shot Clock".
November 4, 2022
A fun, fast action story with hints at a dramatic backstory that interested me enough to buy ‘Kill Shot’, book one in the Jack Lisbon series.
November 9, 2022
Great short story.
At a bank to exchange some illegal money, Jack gets caught in the middle of a robbery.
Can he get out alive?
At a bank to exchange some illegal money, Jack gets caught in the middle of a robbery.
Can he get out alive?
February 2, 2023
A stressful visit to the bank turned into something else for Jack. A hostage situation with armed addicts.
A neat suspense novella for a quick, entertaining read.
A neat suspense novella for a quick, entertaining read.
March 16, 2023
Prequel novella. Hooked me at the first line. I see some interesting reading ahead for me. Jack Lisbon is another type of Jack Reacher. Bravo!
June 1, 2025
An amazing start to the series. It was a great way to introduce Jack Lisbon and show how tough he can be. Love this series and can't wait for the newest story.
June 1, 2025
A great novella!
A quick insight into Jack Lisbon and his skills.
A great read to start the Jack Lisbon journey.
A quick insight into Jack Lisbon and his skills.
A great read to start the Jack Lisbon journey.
June 7, 2025
Intense!
Fast paced, frightening, nail biting short story. Excellent example of the fighting detective the main character is! You'll want to read all of this series.!
Fast paced, frightening, nail biting short story. Excellent example of the fighting detective the main character is! You'll want to read all of this series.!
June 14, 2025
Excellent Novella about Jack Lisbon and his early days in Australia and inn the police. An insight to how he established hiself. An interesting short read I enjoyed it and can highly recommend it.
March 26, 2025
The second prequel to the series The Fighting Detective was an entertaining read. With action, fear, anxiety, lots of screaming from the robbers and throwing objects around when things don't go their way. But Jack came to the rescue with cunning insight in what to do to neutralize the situation. Fan of action and crime books would love to read the book and won't be disappointed. A short story but worth it. Thank you Blair Denholm for my free copy for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews