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The Witness
“I need you to find and protect my daughter. I can’t even tell you where she is. All I can say is that I’ve been told she’ll be dead by noon tomorrow.”
Kyle Roche is a man who people hire to fix problems. But this time he’s been hired to protect a woman who doesn’t officially exist anymore. And he’s the only man who can find her and keep her safe in less than twenty-four hours…
The daughter’s name is Savannah Nicholls. She had to go into Witness Protection because of a tragic mistake. She moved to the small town of Pagosa Springs nine days ago but even hidden as she is, she’s in mortal danger. Savannah’s mother says her daughter is just a nice girl, from a good family, that she’s never gotten in trouble in her life.
But she also says someone knows where she is. And they want to kill her. Within minutes of making contact with Savannah, as Roche feels a bullet whistle by his ear, he knows instinctively that she’s right.
But who is after Savannah? And how can Roche protect her when he isn’t allowed to know anything about who she is—or who her enemies are?
Kyle Roche is a man who people hire to fix problems. But this time he’s been hired to protect a woman who doesn’t officially exist anymore. And he’s the only man who can find her and keep her safe in less than twenty-four hours…
The daughter’s name is Savannah Nicholls. She had to go into Witness Protection because of a tragic mistake. She moved to the small town of Pagosa Springs nine days ago but even hidden as she is, she’s in mortal danger. Savannah’s mother says her daughter is just a nice girl, from a good family, that she’s never gotten in trouble in her life.
But she also says someone knows where she is. And they want to kill her. Within minutes of making contact with Savannah, as Roche feels a bullet whistle by his ear, he knows instinctively that she’s right.
But who is after Savannah? And how can Roche protect her when he isn’t allowed to know anything about who she is—or who her enemies are?
287 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 19, 2021
264 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
John Ryder
5 books21 followersJohn Ryder is a former farmworker and joiner. He’s turned his hand to many skills to put food on the table and clothes on his back. A life-long bibliophile, he eventually summoned the courage to try writing himself, and his Grant Fletcher novels have drawn inspiration from authors such as Lee Child, Tom Cain, Zoe Sharp and Matt Hilton. When it comes to future novels, he says he has more ideas than time to write them.
When not writing, John enjoys spending time with his son, reading and socialising with friends. A fanatic supporter of his local football team, he can often be found shouting encouragement to men much younger and fitter than he is.
When not writing, John enjoys spending time with his son, reading and socialising with friends. A fanatic supporter of his local football team, he can often be found shouting encouragement to men much younger and fitter than he is.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
July 6, 2021
Kyle Roche is a fix it man. Not the kind you think will come into your home and fix your house's problems, but one can you hire when you are in need of protection. When a well to do mother comes knocking at Roche's door with a money offer, he can't refuse, he's all into the job of protecting the woman's daughter, Savannah Nicholls. Only problem is Kyle or the mother doesn't know where she is as she is in the witness protection program with a new unknown name and whereabouts. Kyle has less than twenty-four hours to find her and as he enlists help from his computer friend, Savannah is tracked down and Kyle is there as her protector.
Problem is even though Savannah has been warned she is to be killed for witnessing a murder by a member of a connected family, there is something about her that Roche can't put his finger on. Roche has gone in blind as to Savannah's background and for a time he flounders with her behavior until what she is slowly is revealed. For certain, there is a leak in the witness protection plan, one that can not only prove fatal to Savannah, but also to countless others. Kyle certainly has his work cut out for him.
This was a fairly fast paced story and my only one concern is the number of details that went into a few scenes in the book that bogged down the telling. However, it is a book that will make you wonder who is who and who the leaker could possibly be? Savannah was an interesting character, not very likeable, but definitely a girl on a mission.
Thank you to John Ryder, Bookouture, and NetGalley for a copy of the story due out July 19, 2021.
Problem is even though Savannah has been warned she is to be killed for witnessing a murder by a member of a connected family, there is something about her that Roche can't put his finger on. Roche has gone in blind as to Savannah's background and for a time he flounders with her behavior until what she is slowly is revealed. For certain, there is a leak in the witness protection plan, one that can not only prove fatal to Savannah, but also to countless others. Kyle certainly has his work cut out for him.
This was a fairly fast paced story and my only one concern is the number of details that went into a few scenes in the book that bogged down the telling. However, it is a book that will make you wonder who is who and who the leaker could possibly be? Savannah was an interesting character, not very likeable, but definitely a girl on a mission.
Thank you to John Ryder, Bookouture, and NetGalley for a copy of the story due out July 19, 2021.
August 11, 2021
Thank you to John Ryder, and NetGalley, for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.
I have read all of John Ryder’s previous books and his alter ego Graham Smith, so I knew I was in for a fast paced, thrilling roller coaster. I wasn’t disappointed. Mr Ryder starts with the action from page one and feed in information on the characters and plot, rather than bog you down with full backstories n all the main characters straight away. This works well and the new character Kyle Roche is very easy to like, although I wouldn’t try and annoy him. He has a persona that is probably a little too soft at times but can be ruthlessly efficient with his assessment and actions to get out of situations. I believe this is a standalone but should there be more books I would like to know more about his background.
I loved the ticking clock aspect, created by the author. It really increased the ace and meant this was a difficult book to put down. The pace of it, ensured that the was practically no down time, when you could say “I will break there”. You will not be going to bed when you want to or getting back from lunch on time!
A must-read, brilliant book. I really hope we see more of Kyle Roche, and his bag of plenty in a sequel soon.
I have read all of John Ryder’s previous books and his alter ego Graham Smith, so I knew I was in for a fast paced, thrilling roller coaster. I wasn’t disappointed. Mr Ryder starts with the action from page one and feed in information on the characters and plot, rather than bog you down with full backstories n all the main characters straight away. This works well and the new character Kyle Roche is very easy to like, although I wouldn’t try and annoy him. He has a persona that is probably a little too soft at times but can be ruthlessly efficient with his assessment and actions to get out of situations. I believe this is a standalone but should there be more books I would like to know more about his background.
I loved the ticking clock aspect, created by the author. It really increased the ace and meant this was a difficult book to put down. The pace of it, ensured that the was practically no down time, when you could say “I will break there”. You will not be going to bed when you want to or getting back from lunch on time!
A must-read, brilliant book. I really hope we see more of Kyle Roche, and his bag of plenty in a sequel soon.
July 19, 2021
Savannah Nicholls was the only witness to her date stabbing another man to death. Since the victim's family blamed her and swore retaliation, she has been placed in the Witness Protection program.
There has been a leak and someone knows where she is and what name she has assumed. A man whispers in her mother's ear that Savannah will be dead in a matter of hours.
Kyle Roche is hired to find and then protect Savannah and as a bonus, find who leaked the information putting her life at risk.
But who is after Savannah? And how can Roche protect her when he isn’t allowed to know anything about who she is—or who her enemies are?
Kyle is a man to be reckoned with. He will do whatever it takes to protect his client. He'll fight, he'll torture, he'll kill ... and he will get the job done. This is a rip-roaring adventure with non-stop action. There are moments of brutality that made my heart clinch. The characters are solidly drawn ... Roche is a man's man and Savannah is not the sweet young thing that her mother stated. In her own way, she is just as deadly as Roche. It's a well-written novel with a riveting plot line. The ending is fast and furious, but oh-so satisfying.
Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction/action. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
There has been a leak and someone knows where she is and what name she has assumed. A man whispers in her mother's ear that Savannah will be dead in a matter of hours.
Kyle Roche is hired to find and then protect Savannah and as a bonus, find who leaked the information putting her life at risk.
But who is after Savannah? And how can Roche protect her when he isn’t allowed to know anything about who she is—or who her enemies are?
Kyle is a man to be reckoned with. He will do whatever it takes to protect his client. He'll fight, he'll torture, he'll kill ... and he will get the job done. This is a rip-roaring adventure with non-stop action. There are moments of brutality that made my heart clinch. The characters are solidly drawn ... Roche is a man's man and Savannah is not the sweet young thing that her mother stated. In her own way, she is just as deadly as Roche. It's a well-written novel with a riveting plot line. The ending is fast and furious, but oh-so satisfying.
Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction/action. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
June 17, 2021
The Witness is another masterpiece from John Ryder. The book is about a fixer named Kyle Roche who is hired to protect a woman in witness protection. There is a leak in the US Marshall service and the witnesses are in danger. The witness is supposed to be an innocent girl but is she really? There is lots of action and deception in this book and the ride is thrilling to say the least. I have read most books from this author and this one convinced me to try the ones I haven't read. Great stuff. I don't know if this will be a series but I sure hope so. Thanks to @netgalley and @bookouture for giving me this advance copy out 19th of July. I also must thank #JohnRyder for writing this stuff.
July 16, 2021
The Witness is a standalone thriller featuring fixer-for-hire Kyle Roche in which the heat is on as a young woman finds her life in imminent danger. 25-year-old Savannah Nicholls' life has changed drastically ever since she was placed in the United States Federal Witness Protection Program. Everywhere she goes she is evaluating the risks, eyeing those around her with intense suspicion and constantly living in fear. It has been eight days and two hours since she had given testimony at the trial before saying a tearful farewell to her mother and two closest friends and kissing goodbye all she had grown accustomed to. Having been relocated from Houston, Texas to the sleepy town of Pagosa Springs, Colorado, Savannah's days are filled with imagined threats, heart-stopping anxiety and overwhelming relief when imagined perils turn out to be nothing more than people going about their day. This is the life of someone in witness protection. The paranoia eats away at her from the inside out, but she must always remind herself that someone out there wants her dead for speaking up. Meanwhile, Savannah's mother, Ursula Parker-Nicholl, is attending a fundraising event at the Marriott Marquis for underprivileged children.
Most of the folks there are people known to her but someone comes up behind her and Ursula instantly feels their presence on the back of her neck. They whisper: “Your daughter will be dead by noon on Monday.” Nine words of heart-stopping threat. Nine words that chill her to the bone. The whisperer is Ignacio Perez, the father of a man killed by Savannah’s boyfriend in a fight that ensued after accusations Savannah led him on. Reiterating the work that goes into making the WITSEC program safe and secure, the Mayor does little to allay her fears. This is when she hires Kyle Roche. But finding an individual enrolled in witness protection is far from an easy task. Can he save Savannah before her 39 hours are up? This is a riveting, compulsive and highly original thriller with an action-packed plot ripe with countless twists, turns and use of misdirection. It reads very much like an enthralling movie and throws you in at the deep end with no padding and never a dull moment. Kyle is a brilliant protagonist who is not only ruthlessly efficient but is compassionate and has a big heart. Traversing the United States and moving from one perilous situation to the next, this is a scintillating read I hope becomes a series. Highly recommended.
Most of the folks there are people known to her but someone comes up behind her and Ursula instantly feels their presence on the back of her neck. They whisper: “Your daughter will be dead by noon on Monday.” Nine words of heart-stopping threat. Nine words that chill her to the bone. The whisperer is Ignacio Perez, the father of a man killed by Savannah’s boyfriend in a fight that ensued after accusations Savannah led him on. Reiterating the work that goes into making the WITSEC program safe and secure, the Mayor does little to allay her fears. This is when she hires Kyle Roche. But finding an individual enrolled in witness protection is far from an easy task. Can he save Savannah before her 39 hours are up? This is a riveting, compulsive and highly original thriller with an action-packed plot ripe with countless twists, turns and use of misdirection. It reads very much like an enthralling movie and throws you in at the deep end with no padding and never a dull moment. Kyle is a brilliant protagonist who is not only ruthlessly efficient but is compassionate and has a big heart. Traversing the United States and moving from one perilous situation to the next, this is a scintillating read I hope becomes a series. Highly recommended.
August 23, 2021
The nonstop action sequences and fast pace of the narrative aren't enough to overcome the distaste I felt for the main characters in this standalone crime thriller.
A wealthy mother hires Kyle Roche to track and protect her daughter who's been secreted away under the Witness Protection program. Apparently there is a hit team on the way to kill Savannah and mom tells him that he has less than 24 hours to locate and make her safe. Because he's a fixer and has lots of legal and illegal contacts, Kyle is able to find the girl and puts plans in motion to nullify the threat. Soon he finds, however, that there are things about Savannah that aren't making sense. His mission leads to a leak in the Witness Protection program, but more is going on here than he understands. NO SPOILERS.
I'm not sure exactly where this all started going south for me as it started out well and had a good premise. I think part of the problem was the picture of Savannah that starts to emerge and caused me to feel intense dislike. Made me question Kyle's motives in keeping her around and involving her in so many of his activities when he started to be suspicious of her. Some fixer. Between her entitled and whiny attitude while spouting her woke rhetoric and her complete disregard of Kyle's directions to ensure her safety, I just wanted to leave her behind somewhere. Since the ending is a bit of a dangle, I can only hope that things ended for her the way they should. The "fight" scenes went on forever and there's only so much inflicted damage I can handle reading about at a time so those need to be clipped.
I know this author has written a previous series that I haven't read, but I don't imagine I'll be reading a second book to feature Kyle Roche. At least there was no romance.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review.
A wealthy mother hires Kyle Roche to track and protect her daughter who's been secreted away under the Witness Protection program. Apparently there is a hit team on the way to kill Savannah and mom tells him that he has less than 24 hours to locate and make her safe. Because he's a fixer and has lots of legal and illegal contacts, Kyle is able to find the girl and puts plans in motion to nullify the threat. Soon he finds, however, that there are things about Savannah that aren't making sense. His mission leads to a leak in the Witness Protection program, but more is going on here than he understands. NO SPOILERS.
I'm not sure exactly where this all started going south for me as it started out well and had a good premise. I think part of the problem was the picture of Savannah that starts to emerge and caused me to feel intense dislike. Made me question Kyle's motives in keeping her around and involving her in so many of his activities when he started to be suspicious of her. Some fixer. Between her entitled and whiny attitude while spouting her woke rhetoric and her complete disregard of Kyle's directions to ensure her safety, I just wanted to leave her behind somewhere. Since the ending is a bit of a dangle, I can only hope that things ended for her the way they should. The "fight" scenes went on forever and there's only so much inflicted damage I can handle reading about at a time so those need to be clipped.
I know this author has written a previous series that I haven't read, but I don't imagine I'll be reading a second book to feature Kyle Roche. At least there was no romance.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review.
July 23, 2021
What a read. This action-packed novel features a hero that is described as looking like a “weathered gargoyle” I just loved it. If action and edge of your seat violence are what you are after you will not go wrong in reaching for this book.
This is my first John Ryder book and I was not sure what to expect. While the story is full of action from start to finish and features what appears to be a helpless female victim it soon becomes clear there is a lot more at play. The author sets out with what appears to be a predictable boy saves girl story only to swing around and deliver a revelation you never saw coming. His writing keeps you gripping the book as the punches fly….
When Kyle Roche, a private eye/fixer is hired to find a woman in witness protection that is due to be killed he has his work cut out for him. How do you find someone in witness protection?
But Roche is a man with connections and friends that have all the skills that are needed for the task. However, once he has found and saved Savannah from being killed, he also needs to find out who leaked the information about her location.
As he sets off on the hunt for the guilty party he soon discovers that Savannah is not the innocent spoilt little rich girl he believed. Racing against time he is faced with two mysteries to solve and he needs to do it without leaving any innocent dead bodies in his wake.
This book had me glued to the pages from start to finish as I rushed through it in two days. It features a lot more action than my usual reading which proved to make it an exciting and entertaining read. This book does not feature a single dull moment.
While I did not see it as being realistic, it was fun and I would recommend this if you are looking for something to escape into.
I loved Kyle Roche – the man is rude, insensitive and he makes up his own word which adds a colourful touch to his personality. While Savannah described him as looking like a weathered gargoyle, he has strong morals even when inflicting pain to get what he wants is not beyond him. This hero is far from perfects and his aggression and violence could put more sensitive readers off – I loved his thought process and his moral code.
This book is filled with violence and won’t sit well with sensitive readers but if you are open to a serious action-packed hunt for the guilty person you will find this book has everything you are looking for. I raced through The Witness and found no matter how violent I needed to know where it was going to end. So yes, this book was worth every minute I spent reading it.
Crime, thriller and action fans will love this book. If you enjoy the Jack Reacher series, then Kyle Roche will definitely leave you entertained – but be warned Mr Roche is a lot more violent.
This was a great read and it earned a four-star rating from me.
https://featzreviews.com/the-witness-...
This is my first John Ryder book and I was not sure what to expect. While the story is full of action from start to finish and features what appears to be a helpless female victim it soon becomes clear there is a lot more at play. The author sets out with what appears to be a predictable boy saves girl story only to swing around and deliver a revelation you never saw coming. His writing keeps you gripping the book as the punches fly….
When Kyle Roche, a private eye/fixer is hired to find a woman in witness protection that is due to be killed he has his work cut out for him. How do you find someone in witness protection?
But Roche is a man with connections and friends that have all the skills that are needed for the task. However, once he has found and saved Savannah from being killed, he also needs to find out who leaked the information about her location.
As he sets off on the hunt for the guilty party he soon discovers that Savannah is not the innocent spoilt little rich girl he believed. Racing against time he is faced with two mysteries to solve and he needs to do it without leaving any innocent dead bodies in his wake.
This book had me glued to the pages from start to finish as I rushed through it in two days. It features a lot more action than my usual reading which proved to make it an exciting and entertaining read. This book does not feature a single dull moment.
While I did not see it as being realistic, it was fun and I would recommend this if you are looking for something to escape into.
I loved Kyle Roche – the man is rude, insensitive and he makes up his own word which adds a colourful touch to his personality. While Savannah described him as looking like a weathered gargoyle, he has strong morals even when inflicting pain to get what he wants is not beyond him. This hero is far from perfects and his aggression and violence could put more sensitive readers off – I loved his thought process and his moral code.
This book is filled with violence and won’t sit well with sensitive readers but if you are open to a serious action-packed hunt for the guilty person you will find this book has everything you are looking for. I raced through The Witness and found no matter how violent I needed to know where it was going to end. So yes, this book was worth every minute I spent reading it.
Crime, thriller and action fans will love this book. If you enjoy the Jack Reacher series, then Kyle Roche will definitely leave you entertained – but be warned Mr Roche is a lot more violent.
This was a great read and it earned a four-star rating from me.
https://featzreviews.com/the-witness-...
June 16, 2021
I went into this book hoping for a great crime thriller and it surpassed my expectations! I was giddy with excitement at finding an author who likes to write the way I like to read. WooOoo HooOoo! I wanted to jump up, stop everyone around me and tell them what a great book I’d just read.
The introduction set the pace with the whispered words “your daughter will be dead by noon on Monday,” causing Ursula’s plea to the private investigator, Kyle Roche, “I need you to find and protect my daughter. I can’t even tell you where she is. All I can say is that I’ve been told she’ll be dead by noon tomorrow.”
How do you find and protect a woman who doesn’t officially exist anymore?
Savannah Nicholls, 25, has only been days in Witness Protection. She’s said goodbye to everyone she knows, changed her name and yet she’s already become a target! How is this possible? How do they know where she’s been relocated?
The author chose to go with the action right out of the gate, rather than bog readers down with character details. Those he released slowly. This meant that from page one it was a tense and compelling read. I loved the great sense of ‘dread’ the author built; it was founded in the threat, added to by the mother’s plea, and propelled by the protagonist’s quest to find his principal and bring her to safety.
I warmed to Kyle Roche instantly. He was a flawed character with a marriage in shambles. His clothes had been thrown in a heap on the front lawn and his best suit ended up covered in dog crap. Yet, he put it aside and did what he does best. It brought a smile to my face each time he used one of his made-up words! He’s quirky yet has a solid moral code.
As with most crime thrillers, it’s written in the third person. I loved the shifting point of view because it allowed me to see the story from different angles, especially when I knew something Roche didn’t know yet!
I think what I was most excited about was how successfully the author crafted the ticking clock aspect. It put me on the edge of my seat and had me reading well past bedtime. Ryder has mastered the race-against-time aspect and readers will love the adrenaline rush.
What blew me away was the epic ending. It came out of nowhere and was a cat vs. mouse race for survival. Without giving too much away, let’s say it was cut close!
The author has a great sense of humour, too!
“Xandra can’t pull her mouth into a tight line due to the collagen she’s had injected into her lips, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t trying.”
This is a must-read; every scene contains conflict and/or tension. A brilliant book. I hope to see more of Kyle Roche in a sequel.
I was gifted this advance copy by John Ryder, Bookouture, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
The introduction set the pace with the whispered words “your daughter will be dead by noon on Monday,” causing Ursula’s plea to the private investigator, Kyle Roche, “I need you to find and protect my daughter. I can’t even tell you where she is. All I can say is that I’ve been told she’ll be dead by noon tomorrow.”
How do you find and protect a woman who doesn’t officially exist anymore?
Savannah Nicholls, 25, has only been days in Witness Protection. She’s said goodbye to everyone she knows, changed her name and yet she’s already become a target! How is this possible? How do they know where she’s been relocated?
The author chose to go with the action right out of the gate, rather than bog readers down with character details. Those he released slowly. This meant that from page one it was a tense and compelling read. I loved the great sense of ‘dread’ the author built; it was founded in the threat, added to by the mother’s plea, and propelled by the protagonist’s quest to find his principal and bring her to safety.
I warmed to Kyle Roche instantly. He was a flawed character with a marriage in shambles. His clothes had been thrown in a heap on the front lawn and his best suit ended up covered in dog crap. Yet, he put it aside and did what he does best. It brought a smile to my face each time he used one of his made-up words! He’s quirky yet has a solid moral code.
As with most crime thrillers, it’s written in the third person. I loved the shifting point of view because it allowed me to see the story from different angles, especially when I knew something Roche didn’t know yet!
I think what I was most excited about was how successfully the author crafted the ticking clock aspect. It put me on the edge of my seat and had me reading well past bedtime. Ryder has mastered the race-against-time aspect and readers will love the adrenaline rush.
What blew me away was the epic ending. It came out of nowhere and was a cat vs. mouse race for survival. Without giving too much away, let’s say it was cut close!
The author has a great sense of humour, too!
“Xandra can’t pull her mouth into a tight line due to the collagen she’s had injected into her lips, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t trying.”
This is a must-read; every scene contains conflict and/or tension. A brilliant book. I hope to see more of Kyle Roche in a sequel.
I was gifted this advance copy by John Ryder, Bookouture, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
June 27, 2021
Firstly a thank you to Netgalley and to Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to its public release.
Fans of David Baldacci, Lee Child and the like - put down your current book or Kindle. Whatever you are reading probably isn't as good as The Witness.
This is the first book I have read by John Ryder, and it certainly will not be the last. Fast paced, with more twists and turns than a pretzel, Roche is sprinting at breakneck speed to save Savannah from impending doom. He isn't particularly happy, but this is part of what endeared me to him. He's just a bit of a grumpy middle aged man, much like the ones we all know.
The consistent use of the present tense keeps the pace up, and the pages turning.
Great book, great twists. Read it. You will not regret it.
Fans of David Baldacci, Lee Child and the like - put down your current book or Kindle. Whatever you are reading probably isn't as good as The Witness.
This is the first book I have read by John Ryder, and it certainly will not be the last. Fast paced, with more twists and turns than a pretzel, Roche is sprinting at breakneck speed to save Savannah from impending doom. He isn't particularly happy, but this is part of what endeared me to him. He's just a bit of a grumpy middle aged man, much like the ones we all know.
The consistent use of the present tense keeps the pace up, and the pages turning.
Great book, great twists. Read it. You will not regret it.
July 20, 2021
The Witness is a stand-alone action thriller set in and around Texas, about a tough-guy PI-stroke-Fixer commissioned to protect a wealthy young woman who has been placed in Witness Protection. John Ryder is the American pseudonym of British author Graham Smith, and I have read and enjoyed all three of his Grant Fletcher series, as well as his UK based Beth Young series, so had high hopes for this, but ended up liking not loving it due to the unsympathetic main characters.
Kyle Roche is hired by a Houston socialite to track down her daughter Savannah, who entered the WPP after her role as a witness in the murder of a gangster’s son, and is now marked for assassination by the family who blame her for it. With the help of his hacker friend, Roche finds her in time to prevent her being killed, but soon realises that she will never be safe until he can eliminate the people within the program who leaked her details. Savannah, refusing to be a victim, insists on coming along, but Roche starts noticing discrepancies in her story, and must find out whether he can trust her, or will she get them both killed?
I do like tough guy heroes in the Reacher mold, but they can get a bit samey, and Roche isn’t particularly interesting, despite hints at his adventurously shady past, apart from his tendency (which I share) to make up words at whim. Savannah is downright unlikeable - bitchy, reckless, self-pitying and accepting no responsibility for her situation. Roche puts up with her nonsense for flimsy reasons and we do get an explanation for her behaviour, but it’s not that convincing. I liked the action & fight scenes and some of the plot twists, but wasn’t as gripped as I should’ve been for this type of book - it’s taken me nearly a week to finish which is unusual for me. This is described as a stand-alone, but there’s a hint in the afterword that Roche may be back, but the annoying present tense narration would stop me from continuing with this as a series. 3.5 rounded down.
I received an ARC from Bookouture via NetGalley and am posting this review voluntarily. The Witness is available now.
Kyle Roche is hired by a Houston socialite to track down her daughter Savannah, who entered the WPP after her role as a witness in the murder of a gangster’s son, and is now marked for assassination by the family who blame her for it. With the help of his hacker friend, Roche finds her in time to prevent her being killed, but soon realises that she will never be safe until he can eliminate the people within the program who leaked her details. Savannah, refusing to be a victim, insists on coming along, but Roche starts noticing discrepancies in her story, and must find out whether he can trust her, or will she get them both killed?
I do like tough guy heroes in the Reacher mold, but they can get a bit samey, and Roche isn’t particularly interesting, despite hints at his adventurously shady past, apart from his tendency (which I share) to make up words at whim. Savannah is downright unlikeable - bitchy, reckless, self-pitying and accepting no responsibility for her situation. Roche puts up with her nonsense for flimsy reasons and we do get an explanation for her behaviour, but it’s not that convincing. I liked the action & fight scenes and some of the plot twists, but wasn’t as gripped as I should’ve been for this type of book - it’s taken me nearly a week to finish which is unusual for me. This is described as a stand-alone, but there’s a hint in the afterword that Roche may be back, but the annoying present tense narration would stop me from continuing with this as a series. 3.5 rounded down.
I received an ARC from Bookouture via NetGalley and am posting this review voluntarily. The Witness is available now.
July 13, 2021
A high-octane thriller that doesn't let up on the adventure and adrenaline rush from start to end.
Just a week into the Witness Protection Program, 25-year old Savannah Nicholls has already been identified and targeted to be killed in a few short hours. Out of desperation, her mother contacts private investigator Kyle Roche and charges him with the responsibility to find and protect Savannah. Using a lethal combination of brains, brawns and technology, Kyle manages to locate Savannah and save her from her would-be-attackers. But as they go about eliminating the threat to her life, Kyle doubts whether Savannah really is who she claims to be.
This fast-paced revenge plot felt like the book version of a Tom Cruise action movie, fully packed with high-speed chases, guns, gizmos and power tools. While at first, Savannah seems to be a rich girl caught in a bad situation, it is soon evident that she is a woman on a mission. While the plot was fairly straight forward, the action scenes were quite long drawn out. Though normally this would have added to the thrill of the adventure, unfortunately this time, it did not work for me.
Overall, a decent thriller that is heavy on the action, not so much on the plot twists.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Just a week into the Witness Protection Program, 25-year old Savannah Nicholls has already been identified and targeted to be killed in a few short hours. Out of desperation, her mother contacts private investigator Kyle Roche and charges him with the responsibility to find and protect Savannah. Using a lethal combination of brains, brawns and technology, Kyle manages to locate Savannah and save her from her would-be-attackers. But as they go about eliminating the threat to her life, Kyle doubts whether Savannah really is who she claims to be.
This fast-paced revenge plot felt like the book version of a Tom Cruise action movie, fully packed with high-speed chases, guns, gizmos and power tools. While at first, Savannah seems to be a rich girl caught in a bad situation, it is soon evident that she is a woman on a mission. While the plot was fairly straight forward, the action scenes were quite long drawn out. Though normally this would have added to the thrill of the adventure, unfortunately this time, it did not work for me.
Overall, a decent thriller that is heavy on the action, not so much on the plot twists.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 4, 2021
Thrilling. Fast paced. Packed with suspense. A well written, gripping, extremely addictive read. Loved it.
July 21, 2021
This review was originally posted on Star Crossed Reviews I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Bookouture for my copy of this book via netgalley and for letting me take part in this tour. I am a huge fan of John Ryder so I was very excited to read this new standalone book.
The Witness follows Roche and Savannah as they try to work out who is leaking information from the Witness protection programme.
Roche is a private eye. I really liked him. He had good morals but would cross the lines he needed to. He wouldn’t harm innocents unless he has no other option. I would actually love to see a series with Roche as the lead. I would easily read book after book following him on his cases.
Savannah is a witness to a crime and has needed to be put into protection due to a threat on her life. Savannah is very smart but sometimes she lacks street skills which is likely due to her upbringing. I have to say on many occasions Savannah was an irritating character. She never listened to Roche and constantly put herself in danger. She is a complex character too.
This book is full of action and mystery which will keep crime fans entertained long into the night. John does well to keep you both hooked and on edge. There were times when I wasn’t sure what was going to happen and how the story would turn out. I was definitely kept guessing until the very end.
As I said I would love this to turn into a series but even if it doesn’t I can’t wait to see what John brings next!
The Witness follows Roche and Savannah as they try to work out who is leaking information from the Witness protection programme.
Roche is a private eye. I really liked him. He had good morals but would cross the lines he needed to. He wouldn’t harm innocents unless he has no other option. I would actually love to see a series with Roche as the lead. I would easily read book after book following him on his cases.
Savannah is a witness to a crime and has needed to be put into protection due to a threat on her life. Savannah is very smart but sometimes she lacks street skills which is likely due to her upbringing. I have to say on many occasions Savannah was an irritating character. She never listened to Roche and constantly put herself in danger. She is a complex character too.
This book is full of action and mystery which will keep crime fans entertained long into the night. John does well to keep you both hooked and on edge. There were times when I wasn’t sure what was going to happen and how the story would turn out. I was definitely kept guessing until the very end.
As I said I would love this to turn into a series but even if it doesn’t I can’t wait to see what John brings next!
June 25, 2021
Solid Action Thriller. If you haven't been reading John Ryder... you need to be. This is just the second time I've read a book from him, and he has clearly established a pattern of solid action thrillers with heroes who are conflicted and yet have solid and even innovative ideas on how to do their jobs. The house scene early was truly brilliant in what Ryder has Roche do to prepare the scene, and a few other actions late were nearly as good - if a *touch* more typical.
Indeed, the one flaw - which again I'm chalking up to "maybe British people don't know their way around guns as well as Americans do" and even "most Americans also think this, but it is a myth" - is one point where even as Ryder uses the correct terminology - "suppressor" rather than "silencer" - he still gets the actual effects more Hollywood than real-world. Without giving a whole hell of a lot away, Roche is across the street when a suppressed shot goes off inside a building. *Roche doesn't hear the shot.* In *reality*... everyone within at least a quarter mile is hearing that shot, even with it occurring indoors and even if they are indoors themselves.
Still, this was the only actual flaw in the writing and story here, with everything else being more "no one is perfect and this actually makes the story seem even more real" level. Truly an excellent action thriller, and one you won't want to miss. Hell, even as this book is (currently?) listed as a standalone... let me say right here right now that I for one would like to come back to this world. :D Very much recommended.
Indeed, the one flaw - which again I'm chalking up to "maybe British people don't know their way around guns as well as Americans do" and even "most Americans also think this, but it is a myth" - is one point where even as Ryder uses the correct terminology - "suppressor" rather than "silencer" - he still gets the actual effects more Hollywood than real-world. Without giving a whole hell of a lot away, Roche is across the street when a suppressed shot goes off inside a building. *Roche doesn't hear the shot.* In *reality*... everyone within at least a quarter mile is hearing that shot, even with it occurring indoors and even if they are indoors themselves.
Still, this was the only actual flaw in the writing and story here, with everything else being more "no one is perfect and this actually makes the story seem even more real" level. Truly an excellent action thriller, and one you won't want to miss. Hell, even as this book is (currently?) listed as a standalone... let me say right here right now that I for one would like to come back to this world. :D Very much recommended.
July 19, 2021
What would you do when you witness a crime? Would you come forward and speak up for justice or would you, fearing for you life, keep quiet? In reality you don’t have to worry, because when threats are sent your way, the police makes sure you disappear from the face of the earth. You become someone new when you become part of the Witness Protection Program and everything is hunky-dory, right? Well, …
I am a big fan. The author manages to fill this book to the rafters with action. You hardly get any moment of respite and the maelstrom picks you up again and forces you forward.
I just love this kind of action heroes. They keep on fighting until justice is served even if they are barely alive in the end.
The author not only created a fearless man, but a clever one at that too. Our hero Roche made me smile. Even though sometimes it seems like he missed the ball, he always came back and in the end he showed us he was in fact very well prepared and fooled them all.
In a nutshell another great book by this author. I can’t wait for the next adventure he will treat us to. 5 stars
Thank you, John Ryder and Bookouture
I am a big fan. The author manages to fill this book to the rafters with action. You hardly get any moment of respite and the maelstrom picks you up again and forces you forward.
I just love this kind of action heroes. They keep on fighting until justice is served even if they are barely alive in the end.
The author not only created a fearless man, but a clever one at that too. Our hero Roche made me smile. Even though sometimes it seems like he missed the ball, he always came back and in the end he showed us he was in fact very well prepared and fooled them all.
In a nutshell another great book by this author. I can’t wait for the next adventure he will treat us to. 5 stars
Thank you, John Ryder and Bookouture
July 23, 2021
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley, too
For my copy of this book for which I'm sharing my honest review.
Into witness protection Savannah Nicholls is sent
After testifying as a witness to a murder event
However now her life is still in great danger
So her Mum calls for help from a total stranger.
Whilst Kyle is willing to search for, find and protect her
He has less than a day in which to get there
Will killers en route fulfil what was said
Can he really stop them leaving Savannah dead?
This story is a well written and enthralling read,
An edge of your seat thriller, yes indeed!
A story with twist, deaths, danger and revelations, too
A brilliant read for me and for you.
If gripping thrillers set your pulse racing,
With a well written plot, characters and action-packed pacing
Make sure you read this enticing book
It is worth so much more than just a look!
For my copy of this book for which I'm sharing my honest review.
Into witness protection Savannah Nicholls is sent
After testifying as a witness to a murder event
However now her life is still in great danger
So her Mum calls for help from a total stranger.
Whilst Kyle is willing to search for, find and protect her
He has less than a day in which to get there
Will killers en route fulfil what was said
Can he really stop them leaving Savannah dead?
This story is a well written and enthralling read,
An edge of your seat thriller, yes indeed!
A story with twist, deaths, danger and revelations, too
A brilliant read for me and for you.
If gripping thrillers set your pulse racing,
With a well written plot, characters and action-packed pacing
Make sure you read this enticing book
It is worth so much more than just a look!
July 25, 2021
Blog tour
http://lianareads.home.blog/2021/07/2...
What a ride!
I was craving some good thriller and this book came at the perfect moment. From the beginning I got so invested that I had to finish it in one sitting.
I’m always intrigued by witness protection program and finding out what Savannah witnessed was a huge puzzle in the making that the author managed to build so flawless and interesting.
So many secrets and who to trust and who not, so many twists and turns kept me on the edge throughout the chapters.
I liked Kyle’s character arc and he was a trustworthy guy in my opinion.
If you want a great thriller, look no further than this one!
4.5 stars
http://lianareads.home.blog/2021/07/2...
What a ride!
I was craving some good thriller and this book came at the perfect moment. From the beginning I got so invested that I had to finish it in one sitting.
I’m always intrigued by witness protection program and finding out what Savannah witnessed was a huge puzzle in the making that the author managed to build so flawless and interesting.
So many secrets and who to trust and who not, so many twists and turns kept me on the edge throughout the chapters.
I liked Kyle’s character arc and he was a trustworthy guy in my opinion.
If you want a great thriller, look no further than this one!
4.5 stars
August 8, 2021
The Witness by John Ryder
Fast-paced, action-packed, thrill-ride from beginning to end. This story has an intrepid private investigator that is a whole lot more paid to keep a woman in witness protection from being killed. What will be required to fulfill this task and what will he learn while he is on the job?
What I liked:
* Kyle Roche: middle aged man with mad skills, investigator, team player, protector, lover, honest, and I have a feeling there is a lot under the surface that was not even scratched.
* The writing style – first person present, short chapters, fast-paced, hooked and kept my interest beginning to end.
* That Roche was willing to do what it took to get the job done BUT wasn’t indiscriminate.
* Roche’s ability to clue into the more than what met his eye
* The way the twist grew from beginning to end
* Thinking about Savannah and what it might have been like to be her.
* Xander: computer savvy, hacker, associate of Roche, intrepid, intriguing
* Wanting to know more about Kyle…hints and more were given but still want to know more.
* Wondering if this might be the first book in a new series with Roche as the star.
* The way Leigh did all that he could to save innocent lives
* That Roche was not “perfect” but that he was perfect for the job
* The unearthing of The Whisperer
* Wondering what happens AFTER the book ends
What I didn’t like:
* Knowing that there are corrupt people like those in this story
* Pretty much what and who I was supposed to dislike
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars
Fast-paced, action-packed, thrill-ride from beginning to end. This story has an intrepid private investigator that is a whole lot more paid to keep a woman in witness protection from being killed. What will be required to fulfill this task and what will he learn while he is on the job?
What I liked:
* Kyle Roche: middle aged man with mad skills, investigator, team player, protector, lover, honest, and I have a feeling there is a lot under the surface that was not even scratched.
* The writing style – first person present, short chapters, fast-paced, hooked and kept my interest beginning to end.
* That Roche was willing to do what it took to get the job done BUT wasn’t indiscriminate.
* Roche’s ability to clue into the more than what met his eye
* The way the twist grew from beginning to end
* Thinking about Savannah and what it might have been like to be her.
* Xander: computer savvy, hacker, associate of Roche, intrepid, intriguing
* Wanting to know more about Kyle…hints and more were given but still want to know more.
* Wondering if this might be the first book in a new series with Roche as the star.
* The way Leigh did all that he could to save innocent lives
* That Roche was not “perfect” but that he was perfect for the job
* The unearthing of The Whisperer
* Wondering what happens AFTER the book ends
What I didn’t like:
* Knowing that there are corrupt people like those in this story
* Pretty much what and who I was supposed to dislike
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars
June 24, 2021
When Kyle Roche, a private investigator, is employed to search for Savannah he does not think for one moment that his own life could be in danger. Savannahs mum is told that her daughter will be killed in 48 hours, however Savannah is in a Witness Protection Programne so who knows where she is, will Kyle get to her in time and save her life.
This is a real edge of seat thriller, although i figures some of the story's twists and turns it did not take away from the fact this was a really enjoyable read.
Many thanks to Netgalley and publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review
This is a real edge of seat thriller, although i figures some of the story's twists and turns it did not take away from the fact this was a really enjoyable read.
Many thanks to Netgalley and publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review
July 6, 2021
The Witness follows fixer Kyle Roche in his endeavour to protect a young woman in Witness Proteccion whose whreabouts have been leaked. If he finds out who did, he gets a nice bonus.
This was a super fast paced, easy to read, all around enjoyable book.
The twist was great and the ending was satisfying. What more can you ask for?
Superb.
goodreads.com/booksireadandliked
Disclosure: I would like to thank the publisher and author for my advanced review copy of the book. This is my honest review
This was a super fast paced, easy to read, all around enjoyable book.
The twist was great and the ending was satisfying. What more can you ask for?
Superb.
goodreads.com/booksireadandliked
Disclosure: I would like to thank the publisher and author for my advanced review copy of the book. This is my honest review
June 30, 2021
What a joy to read another John Ryder book. The Witness is twisty, action packed and pacy. One of the things I like most about Ryder's books is the insight we get into each characters thought processes. This is billed as a stand alone but i'm wondering if Roche will make a reappearance at some point - he's too good a character to leave behind in one book and i'm not sure his story has been told yet.
Set in various parts of the USA, what seems to be a straight forward attack on a witness protected by Witness protection turns out to be something more - the fight scenes are light perfectly co-ordinated dance sequences - Maybe 'strictly come fighting' would be an apt description.
Highly recommended!
Set in various parts of the USA, what seems to be a straight forward attack on a witness protected by Witness protection turns out to be something more - the fight scenes are light perfectly co-ordinated dance sequences - Maybe 'strictly come fighting' would be an apt description.
Highly recommended!
June 29, 2021
The Witness by John Ryder
Conflict, tense, action packed, fast paced and a interesting premise with a tough as nails “fixer”. Kyle Rouche was very hard to connect to with all the violence and sarcasm his character engaged in. Savannah can across as a selfish, entitled snob.
A well written and descriptive thriller that was too violent for my reading preference.
Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.
Conflict, tense, action packed, fast paced and a interesting premise with a tough as nails “fixer”. Kyle Rouche was very hard to connect to with all the violence and sarcasm his character engaged in. Savannah can across as a selfish, entitled snob.
A well written and descriptive thriller that was too violent for my reading preference.
Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.
July 25, 2021
“I need you to find and protect my daughter. I can’t even tell you where she is. All I can say is that I’ve been told she’ll be dead by noon tomorrow.”
This is the phone call that Kyle Roche received. He fixes people's problems. He has to find a woman who doesn't officially exist anymore as she is in the witness protection program. He is the oly one who can find her and he has less than 24 hours. The daughter’s name is Savannah Nicholls. She had to go into Witness Protection because of a tragic mistake.
When I first started the book I thought Savannah was ok. Maybe she can take care of herself, seemed a little quiet and reserved and constantly looking over her back. The moment Kyle showed up she turned into a different woman and she wouldn't follow his directions and it got to the point where I kept yelling at my book "you are such a bitch". A little twist at the end that I didn't see.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC to review.
This is the phone call that Kyle Roche received. He fixes people's problems. He has to find a woman who doesn't officially exist anymore as she is in the witness protection program. He is the oly one who can find her and he has less than 24 hours. The daughter’s name is Savannah Nicholls. She had to go into Witness Protection because of a tragic mistake.
When I first started the book I thought Savannah was ok. Maybe she can take care of herself, seemed a little quiet and reserved and constantly looking over her back. The moment Kyle showed up she turned into a different woman and she wouldn't follow his directions and it got to the point where I kept yelling at my book "you are such a bitch". A little twist at the end that I didn't see.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC to review.
August 16, 2021
This is a fairly formulaic action story with a plot that doesn't bear much scrutiny and some fairly unlikeable main characters. Savannah is young lady who recently entered the Witness Protection scheme. When a threat is relayed to her Mother that there is an imminent threat to her life the authorities dismiss it but the mother hires Kyle Roche, a Private Investigator to find and protect her daughter. This seemed like a promising premise for a story but it doe not fulfil the promise. The way in which Roche finds Savannah is not particularly clever, suspenseful or believable. Roche arrives in time to confront the would be assassin but it soon becomes apparent that Savannah is not your typical victim. It takes Roche a surprisingly long time to figure this out as Savannah in no way acts like she is concerned that people are trying to kill her, and is more concerned with retribution to anyone involved in trying to hurt her than trying to escape. The dialogue is not particularly believable or that interesting (unlikely discussions between opponents in gun fights or the discussions between Savanah and Roche) and I found Roche's habit of making up words irritating. Together Roche and Savannah go after 'the Leaker' (a name which just sounds wrong) who gave away Savannah's details. Roche really does not have any depth of character. We are made ware that there is a partner somewhere but she doesn't play any significant part in the story - he doesn't need to talk to her or let her know what he is doing. Roche is not a particularly nice character; smug, happy to torture and kill, a bit chauvinist and thinks vegetarians are 'woke'. Some elements of the plot seem unclear such as how Roche so definitely identifies the Leaker when no one else apparently has done so, why Savannah came up with such an overly complicated plan involving various criminal acts etc. to achieve her aims. In the acknowledgements the author admits that they have not done much research into the Witness Protection Scheme (and I suspect that there is not a huge amount of information out there for the scheme to be affective), however the plot premise that a whole load of witness protection clients details have been leaked for money on demand without apparently any one either noticing or being that concerned, and the ease with which Kyle Roche is able to find the one he is asked to find seems highly unbelievable. There is lots of actions (fights, kidnapping, car chases etc with no real repercussions) so the book is readable on that basis, but not one I will remember.
June 20, 2021
Kyle Roche is a man for hire, if you need something done under the radar, away from prying eyes and not totally legally he’s your man. At least that's what Ursula Parker-Nicholl has been told and so she’s hired him to find her daughter, Savannah. Should be a snap apart from a few little problems, she has a new identity, is in the Witness Protection Programme at an unknown location, and there is only 24 hours until someone kills her.
This is a thrilling roller coaster of a thriller by John Ryder which ticks every box. Kyle is easy to like and has a slightly softer centre than is perhaps good for him but he is also ruthlessly efficient and quick to assess a situation and make the best of a bad job. I did wonder if he would be a clone of John Ryder's slightly off grid hero Grant Fletcher but there’s no need to worry they are completely different apart from making you want them to succeed in their missions.
The story is action packed from the start and Roche hurtles from one life threatening situation to the next as he tries to unravel the the case he has been given. There are two parts to his investigation and the book is written in such a way that I never felt lost or confused even with everything that was going on. I think this is a standalone but maybe, hopefully, Kyle Roche will resurface one day in the future.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. If fast paced, exciting thrillers are your thing then this is a must read.
This is a thrilling roller coaster of a thriller by John Ryder which ticks every box. Kyle is easy to like and has a slightly softer centre than is perhaps good for him but he is also ruthlessly efficient and quick to assess a situation and make the best of a bad job. I did wonder if he would be a clone of John Ryder's slightly off grid hero Grant Fletcher but there’s no need to worry they are completely different apart from making you want them to succeed in their missions.
The story is action packed from the start and Roche hurtles from one life threatening situation to the next as he tries to unravel the the case he has been given. There are two parts to his investigation and the book is written in such a way that I never felt lost or confused even with everything that was going on. I think this is a standalone but maybe, hopefully, Kyle Roche will resurface one day in the future.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. If fast paced, exciting thrillers are your thing then this is a must read.
June 25, 2021
Having read and enjoyed the authors Grant Fletcher series I read the premise of this and thought it sounded like my kind of read. It definitely was.
I thought the book got off to a good start, it was intriguing and I was drawn in immediately. I really liked Roche as one of the main characters and the more I read the more his character grew on me. He is asked to find someone in the Witness Protection Programme after death threats are made and keep her safe. How has this person been found and who has leaked information on where she is? I wasn’t so keen on Savannah’s character, to me she seemed evasive and wasn’t all she said she was. The author has really set the bar high here, I felt this book was very well written and engaging, it flowed really well, it had a great plot with so many twists - some I guessed, some I didn’t see coming at all. It was action packed, fast paced and thrilling. I particularly liked that the story was told through the two main characters perspectives, and was one of those books where I had lots of ‘wow’ moments, and the cliff hanger chapter endings made me want to continue reading to see what happened next. I I found it really hard to put this book down and read it in just over a day and enjoyed following the story and how the leak was traced and dealt with. This author has a talent for writing thrilling, attention grabbing books and I hope there is a second book featuring Kyle Roche
I thought the book got off to a good start, it was intriguing and I was drawn in immediately. I really liked Roche as one of the main characters and the more I read the more his character grew on me. He is asked to find someone in the Witness Protection Programme after death threats are made and keep her safe. How has this person been found and who has leaked information on where she is? I wasn’t so keen on Savannah’s character, to me she seemed evasive and wasn’t all she said she was. The author has really set the bar high here, I felt this book was very well written and engaging, it flowed really well, it had a great plot with so many twists - some I guessed, some I didn’t see coming at all. It was action packed, fast paced and thrilling. I particularly liked that the story was told through the two main characters perspectives, and was one of those books where I had lots of ‘wow’ moments, and the cliff hanger chapter endings made me want to continue reading to see what happened next. I I found it really hard to put this book down and read it in just over a day and enjoyed following the story and how the leak was traced and dealt with. This author has a talent for writing thrilling, attention grabbing books and I hope there is a second book featuring Kyle Roche
September 1, 2021
Savannah has gone into witness protection to save her life but now she is threatened. Her mother hires private investigator Kyle Roche to track down Savannah and protect her. Can he find her and keep her alive past the deadline...?
The Witness is an action packed crime thriller set in the US. There is plenty of tension and anticipation as events unfold. The book does contain violence but at a level that I'd expect from this genre and it was not gratuitous.
Savannah is struggling to cope with the drastic changes necessary once she is put in witness protection. She misses her family and past life and can't adapt easily to her new identity. Her life is in danger after she testifies at a trial and her mother is told that Savannah will be dead by noon on Monday.
Enter Kyle Roche, private eye...!
I loved the character of Roche. He is blunt and has a wonderful turn of phrase using portmanteau word such as 'monutastically'. This makes him human and realistic. He is ruthless when he has to be but doesn't injure or kill unless it is necessary.
Roche's natural instincts make him suspicious of Savannah and believes she is hiding something from him. This adds an extra element to the plot as he muses on her behaviour to try to understand it. He is determined to keep her alive at all costs and is frustrated that she doesn't follow his instructions designed to save her!
The Witness rattled along at a relentless pace, fraught with danger, action and violence.
The Witness is an action packed crime thriller set in the US. There is plenty of tension and anticipation as events unfold. The book does contain violence but at a level that I'd expect from this genre and it was not gratuitous.
Savannah is struggling to cope with the drastic changes necessary once she is put in witness protection. She misses her family and past life and can't adapt easily to her new identity. Her life is in danger after she testifies at a trial and her mother is told that Savannah will be dead by noon on Monday.
Enter Kyle Roche, private eye...!
I loved the character of Roche. He is blunt and has a wonderful turn of phrase using portmanteau word such as 'monutastically'. This makes him human and realistic. He is ruthless when he has to be but doesn't injure or kill unless it is necessary.
Roche's natural instincts make him suspicious of Savannah and believes she is hiding something from him. This adds an extra element to the plot as he muses on her behaviour to try to understand it. He is determined to keep her alive at all costs and is frustrated that she doesn't follow his instructions designed to save her!
The Witness rattled along at a relentless pace, fraught with danger, action and violence.
August 20, 2022
So you think this is going to be a simple book about a man Kyle Roche hired by a woman who has a lot of money to find her daughter who has been put into Witness Protection? This is because she got the information she is going to be killed in so many hours. He takes the job and proceeds to his person who is a hacker and then travels to the person who created the program for the Marshalls. Finding her he only has a short time before he can get her to believe what he says which she does and then proceeds to fight off the attack until he realizes the two men have grenades as well. Ready having an escape route he tells her to leave and then he follows. This all seems fine except that she has either fought or has not listened to him from the time they left the house. He has also noticed that this subject he is protecting is different in that she has two Glocks and knows how to use them after she placed a tight pattern in the grill of the SUV that was following him. It is not until much later in the story that he realizes his mistake when he wakes up in the trunk of a car, now though he knows what he needs to do and this leads you to an ending that is just as exciting as the rest of the book. Which also answers all of your questions as well. All of the characters are good and well thought out and only add to the story even a little old lady. A very good story and one that you won’t want to put down until you finish.
I received this book from Netgalley.com
I received this book from Netgalley.com
July 25, 2021
Meet Kyle Roche, fixer and private eye. Now he's set the ultimate challenge - find and protect someone who shouldn't be locatable, someone who is meant to be hidden without a trace, someone in witness protection. Can he do it? Will he find who is at the centre of the threat to Savannah's life?
And so ensues a seriously fast paced chase across the States. Roche has so much at his disposal, he has people in the know, his bag of plenty and what seems to be a wealth of real life experience. He knows what to do. He's a man I need to know!!!
I love Xandra - she's bold brash and takes no sh.... her banter with Roche is brilliant kind of a cross between siblings and platonic friends. Her skills are amazing!!
Wednesdays are when I read bedtime stories to kittens and orphaned dolphins.”
Yes again Ryder's sense of humour adds a glimmer of light heartedness to this fast paced thriller. He throws in his made up words which make me smile every time - his word-smithery is cracking to the extent I knew exactly what he was saying despite it being a nonsense word!
The Witness is a brilliant read that once you start, you keep running with it. The pace pulls you into the rapid flow of the story, only letting you go after one almighty climax. Ryder has crafted an action thriller to take your breath away.
June 25, 2021
I just discovered John Ryder and his Grant Fletcher series and immediately connected with his characters. So, when I saw The Witness was available I jumped at the chance. One thing I've noticed is Mr Ryder's books are heavily character driven and the plots are second fiddle, if you will. Kyle Roche is a mysterious man who is called upon to protect people who can't be protected by the usual means. Ryder leaves us guessing as to his background but he gives enough to know Roche has been through some stuff. The dynamic between Roche and his protectee drives the story while the plot is kind of basic with heart pounding action sprinkled in.
As I was reading The Witness I thought a few times Ryder could take Roche almost anywhere and do anything with the character. But, after finishing the book I learned The Witness was intended as a stand-alone novel. I hope Ryder changes his mind about Roche: he's that good a character.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to review The Witness.
As I was reading The Witness I thought a few times Ryder could take Roche almost anywhere and do anything with the character. But, after finishing the book I learned The Witness was intended as a stand-alone novel. I hope Ryder changes his mind about Roche: he's that good a character.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to review The Witness.
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