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Junkyard Pirate #4

Junkyard Veterans

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With a price on their heads, grumpy old vets will risk everything to bring alien assassins to justice.

Someone is killing off the old team of vets who repelled Earth’s first Korgul invasion. With the end of a war precious few even knew was happening, life’s been peaceful. Of course, Albert Jenkins isn’t a bit surprised when that peace is shattered by the sounds of rocket propelled grenades fired over the Georgia swamps. To make matters worse, when he reports the alien’s foiled attack to the Army, he’s ordered to keep things quiet and stop causing trouble.

The problem is AJ has only one gear and avoiding trouble isn’t in his makeup. So instead of sitting around and waiting for the next RPG to be tossed his way, he takes to the stars and starts tracking bounty hunters the only way he knows how – up close and personal.

Junkyard Veterans is the fourth installment of the popular Junkyard Pirate series.

Buy Junkyard Veterans and help AJ put alien bounty hunters in their place.

332 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 6, 2021

450 people are currently reading
89 people want to read

About the author

Jamie McFarlane

64 books451 followers

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5 stars
1,227 (64%)
4 stars
531 (27%)
3 stars
134 (7%)
2 stars
14 (<1%)
1 star
8 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
Profile Image for Mark Zodda.
800 reviews1 follower
July 21, 2021
I'm not sure why I continue to read this series. I generally don't like many of the characters and find them to be people I wouldn't want to be around. The story has some very appealing attributes, but these interesting parts are usually short-lived and subsumed by the irritating characters.
Profile Image for Gabryel Tobias.
162 reviews
July 25, 2021
I need more!

I’m so sad that there’s not another sequel to this book, though it’s implied that perhaps that would be in the works. Overall, I really enjoyed this chapter of Albert Jenkin’s life. Going back to his roots as a junker while trying to dodge assassins really made for a page turning adventure. All the classic friends from past novels feature heavily, and there’s as many death defying stunt as previous novels. If you’ve gotten this far in the series, you shouldn’t need an excuse! Get this novel!
57 reviews
June 11, 2021
Lazy effort

I generally like McFarlane's writing style - it's jovial, light hearted and easy reading off not a bit predictable. However, after reeling off about 20 books in a row in his other sci-fi space bound series, he's gotten lazy with this one. In fact, he's simply writing the same series under a different cover. He's now grafting the same terms, tech, plot and storylines from his longer running pirate series to this one. They've become nearly indistinguishable making this effort unreadable.

Making it even more difficult is his continued lack of study of military terms and hierarchy and his absolute insistence on using them. A lack of knowledge is forgivable but a lack of study when the information is so readily available is more difficult to overlook.

I cannot recommend this book or this series beyond the initial two books.
Profile Image for Keith.
2,144 reviews6 followers
June 5, 2021
Less than Hoped

This last book in the series was mostly disappointing. There was some frantic, fast activity in the last 25%, one last “dramatic“ battle which felt over-written and then a short epilogue to tie up loose ends. A decidedly ignominious end to the series.
Profile Image for Michael  Keller.
936 reviews10 followers
May 21, 2022
AJ acquires a junkyard on space

With dead or alive contracts on AJ and crew, lives become dicier. Amanda Jayne has a job teaching human medicine at a huge respected think tank full of aliens who want to learn. Darnell and Lisa are onboard with the plan as is Lefty and the mutt with a rider.
The storyline advances, bringing the protagonists into space and much more trouble. But it looks like the business is going to thrive if they can ever get rid of the Cheell bounty hunters. But they have a plan for that too. Fantastic characters growing through the four books have brought strength and humor to the adventure. I can't wait to dig into the next book in this series. This is a great read!
1,037 reviews4 followers
January 3, 2023
Great read....

I'm really enjoying the series of books. But just keep getting better and better. The story line for the main characters in the books just keeps getting bigger and better with each book. I've never really given a book report on the books I read. Mainly because I'm ready to get to the next book in the series or start a new series. But I do want to give a review and the stars for the books I read. At least stop and say it was a good read and give it the stars it deserves! I also know that authors live and die by their reviews. And when I've read a good book I want the author to get the recognition they deserve it.
11 reviews
May 17, 2021
Book 4 of this "fairytale for old guys like me" doesn't disappoint. Plenty of action, likable characters, a good story line, and a satisfying ending. Unlike a lot of Sci-Fi writes, Jamie McFarlane actually ends his books rather than drag out the story so you have to buy his next book. Of course we know that AJ and his crew of Viet Nam Vets have more adventures in store, but the current adventure gets resolved.
Profile Image for Shane.
631 reviews19 followers
May 22, 2021
This felt like an end to the series, but McFarlane inserted his "but that's another story" at the end so I don't know what the result will be. The pacing in this tale was a bit quicker than in earlier works, I think that is partly due to the prior establishment of all the key actors.

I enjoyed the book right up until the last two pages, I won't spoil anything but it felt like a non-sequitur and out of character both. But that's another story...
194 reviews1 follower
June 22, 2021
AJ & Company are back!

Do you think it's easy to dump 50 odd years of wear and tear off your body and deal with the same problem over and over? Neither does Albert Jenkins. He just wants a quiet life with his girlfriend, their friends and the fun and challenges of running an interplanetary junkyard. But NO! Some big pharmacy has to put a price on their heads.
It doesn't leave much peace for the crew.
65 reviews2 followers
June 23, 2021
Different alien invasion story

McFarlane has created an entire different series about an alien invasion story. The intricacies that he created are an easy read. The bringing back ones' health and youth were the first kickers. The miniscule size of the initial invaders and saviors a decor twist. Throw in several other alien species and you have an interesting storyline with twists that keep on coming.
33 reviews1 follower
May 10, 2021
Check of a story!

Each previous book caught the threads of the plot with a great ending. A J and his team of warriors cane to a great finale. Exciting roller coaster of a ride for the reader. If you like action, aliens(some good, some bad), little romance and a fantastic solution to a problem, then read the series. I'm ready to read it again!
263 reviews3 followers
May 11, 2021
Another great book

This is another good read, somewhat resembling eighties anime. Humans discover the wider community in the universe and the neighbors. Also highlights some dirty laundry in corporate and political arenas. But also a good time, a fun book, interaction between characters is highly entertaining.
Profile Image for Michael.
20 reviews
May 19, 2021
Just keeps getting better with each new story

The adventures of the junkyard crew just keep getting better with each new story. Biggest problem is author can't crank new stories out fast enough for readers! Loving the old Vietnam veterans and the teamwork exhibited among the players during their tales! Definitely worth trying and buying!!
Profile Image for Denzil Ernstzen.
188 reviews1 follower
June 11, 2021
Fantastic

That was so enjoyable, it makes me want to start reading it all over again. Just to make sure I didn’t miss anything. Love your writing style and definitely cannot wait for the next book in the series. In the mean time I will check out some of your other books. Thank you for deciding to become a writer!
301 reviews1 follower
July 9, 2021
A superb follow up and a truly great read

Yet another excellent instalment in the Junkyard series.
The gritty AJ and his gang take matters into their own hands as they are targeted for reasons unknown - although when you find out why, you won't be shocked, human nature being what it is....
Roll on book 5
Profile Image for Rod Haper.
35 reviews
July 22, 2021
Simplistic and Preachy

The series started out fresh and interesting but has devolved into jingoistic military cultism tinged with political paranoia. Far too much "deus ex machina" to be plausible. A disappointing and weak book. I'm parting company with this series and author.
34 reviews
October 27, 2021
Can the world handle knowing aliens are real

The real questions are can w e handle the changes it will bring.
What about a cure for all illnesses. Can nationals finally work together or we just self destruct. More importantly how will religion handle this.
More questions than answers.
38 reviews
May 17, 2022
Good followup on Vol 3

In this volume, we catch up with AJ and the rest of the crew. There's a price on their heads and they don't know who is behind it. Great additional background as AJ goes into the space junkyard business while trying to solve the mystery of who wants them dead before the bounty hunters succeed with their mission.
28 reviews
July 30, 2022
Fantastic Fantasy up and out for n the stars!

Wow, another great book!. Great story. At times a little to believe! But life up in the stars couldn’t be any more different from our every day life. Aliens coming peacefully to earth? I would like to believe so, but only the future will tell.
6 reviews
December 14, 2023
Enjoyable story

Book 4 and the story is getting better each page I turn. The characters are believable and the writing creates pictures in my mind of the environment. The theme will touch anyone who is younger on the inside than the outside, after all, who wouldn't want to be young again?
Author 1 book
March 13, 2025
Take real life relationship, work, family problems, add in Aliens of all types from all over the galaxy, then try to make the world a better place for all amid nonstop drama, intrigue and action, and you have this installment of the Junkyard saga. Probably the best ending of any of the books so far. But, leaves one glad the adventures aren’t over yet!
23 reviews
June 23, 2025
How do you tear-up over space opera?

McFarlane has set the hook deep with this installment. Makes you care even about the bad guys. Shows the best and worst of humanity, and throws in enough depth of characterization to make you believe each character is a real person. Can't wait for the next book.
Profile Image for The Mysterious Reader.
3,588 reviews66 followers
May 8, 2021
Jamie McFarlane Is back with the newest installment to his latest series, and wow, just wow, is Junkyard Veterans (Junkyard Pirate #4) a total blast. I think AJ is a riot and this imaginative, fun, exciting and, oh yes, so well written novel is a total rollercoaster of fun. Highly recommended too.
7 reviews
May 10, 2021
Excellent series!

Imaginative characters facing real like problems of corporate control, government intervention, financially driven concerns globally. I look forward to the next book .
Profile Image for Steve.
220 reviews
May 16, 2021
Another great story!

If this author has ever written a bad story, I have never read it. This book kept me on the edge of my seat most of the time. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book!
504 reviews2 followers
May 20, 2021
You did it again

Great story and characters. Some space and some fights. You you got technology correctly almost makes think this could be really happening here on earth big corporations and governments are hiding it.
207 reviews1 follower
May 21, 2021
Hero's and Villians

As with the rest of this series you'll be in love with the characters. The way the author keeps them as zany as he does gives great ensure to him. Please read this series it will be one of your favorite in nothing flat.
Profile Image for Jim.
751 reviews
May 21, 2021
Book 4 in the series

This book picks up where the last one ends. AJ, Amanda, and the other Vietnam veterans are into more interstellar adventures and punishing bad guys. Well written with an interesting plot. A great story.
Profile Image for Nancy Kosek.
7 reviews
May 27, 2021
Another great story. Wish it would never end. I want to know how this all plays out. No kidding. Please add to this series. In the meantime, I'll visit your other great books.

a b c d e f g h I I k l m n I p p q r s t
57 reviews
June 11, 2021
Great continuation of the junkyard saga.

This is another rousing chapter in a very intriguing saga. If you haven’t started this series, I highly recommend that you begin with the first book and continue the wild, fanciful ride to this fourth book. Can’t wait to read the next one!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews

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