End Game. Harry Starke Book 16 The game’s afoot, only Harry has no idea… Not yet anyway. It seems his enemies are endless, and his career and life are always at stake. This time, though, he may not make it out unscathed. Has Harry’s past finally caught up with him? Is this the end? Find out. Shop now.
Blair C. Howard is a Royal Air Force veteran, a retired journalist, and the best-selling author of more than 50 novels, including the international best-selling Harry Starke series, and 23 travel books. In 2021, having been fascinated by the heavens almost from childhood, and a SciFi fan for almost as long, he decided to try his hand at writing a military space opera. His first journey into this genre resulted in the Sovereign Stars series. Book 1 in the series, Avenger was quickly followed by Gods of War and Armored Fleet.
Blair lives in East Tennessee with his wife Jo, and Jack Russell Terrier, Sally.
Another fantastic adventure featuring Harry and his regular team and a few surprise appearances as well. The story starts out with Harry returning home after a small vacation with his family. Everything calm and mild. And that is when the calm ends and Harry finds himself in a situation that would be impossible to get out of. Harry is forced into a crazy adventure full of twists and turns with some familiar faces as well as new ones. I held my breath numerous times and couldn't fathom how Harry was going to come out on top. I believe it's his best adventure yet
Harry Starke is arrested for a murder in Texas. This may be the best Harry Stsrke yet ! The gun, the face, the prints - they are all a match to Harry. The twists and turns in this one will keep you guessing right up to the end. Harry, his team, an old friend and the Police all play a big role in the outcome. An always awesome cast of characters, non stop action and a magnificent story line will definitely make you lose sleep ! A must read !
This is book sixteen of The Harry Starke series and the previous book ended on such an epic conclusion, with Harry having to save his state from a nuclear bomb and his final meeting with his foe, Shady Tree, ending in his death, but not at Harry’s hands. The cryptic message Shady had for Harry, about him not winning and that there was an end game still to be played and Harry would lose, leaving questions in Harry’s mind and the need for some time off from business. His place of business was destroyed and the whole team have been given an enforced vacation, while Harry, Amanda, their baby daughter Jade and their nanny/bodyguard, going for an isolated break in a remote cabin in Georgia. They have just arrived back home, to suddenly be faced with an arrest for something Harry and his friends and family know he is innocent of! There is too much evidence of his guilt however and he is soon shipped to Laredo, near the Mexico border and all Harry knows, is that this must be connected to Shady, but he has no idea how deep this set up is. Someone has taken some very dangerous steps to put a lot of evidence in Harry’s way, leaving his career and standing, torn into shreds. From being hailed as a hero, now being called a butcher and killer! Harry’s team and even his wife, won’t allow him to face this alone and his father represents him to start, but even he has to ask for help when Harry is taken to Texas, where he can’t act for him. It seems the enemies from his past have caught up with him and will do anything to destroy his life and career, after having tried so hard to destroy him and his family in the past, but failing in their past efforts. A dying man foretold that Harry’s problems wouldn’t be over and now he must fight for his life, never mind his career and what others think of him! His supposed actions lead to even local law enforcement beginning to doubt him and his past actions being called into question. The end game has been set up to ruin his reputation completely and end his life in the most prolonged and painful method possible. It will only by never giving up and working the clues they find, that Harry will have any chance to come out of this, and only with the help of his team and a former ally coming to his aid. There is so much evidence against Harry and some very dangerous groups of people, close to the American/Mexico border, who are out to pay back a favour to a dead man. Lots of action, danger, gun fights and more are part of this exciting storyline. Harry’s team of Jacque, Tim and TJ, as well as his wife and father, are all determined to prove his innocence, but that is not all they need to do, if they want to see him returned to them alive! So much going on in this book and I have tried so hard not to give away any of the surprising twists and shocks that come out in this book. They are all left for fellow readers to find out, as they read what must be one of the most complex and breath-taking reads of the series! I can’t recommend this any higher to all those who love a thriller and this series in particular. I received an ARC copy of this book from the author and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
Harry Starke is taken to Laredo Texas and thrown in jail for a murder he did not commit - 5 stars
We are accustomed to seeing Harry Starke as a good-guy PI, an Ex-cop who does the right thing. In this tale, we find that the threat of revenge made by his most recent criminal take-down of Lester "Shady" Tree is unfolding and Harry is powerless. Shady's promised revenge is well planned and has been executed with precision.
Sitting on the bench seat of the police van, Harry is carted out of Chattanooga by two Texas Rangers. When you are on the bad guy side of the table, things don't look rosy. The Laredo newspaper headline called him the "Butcher of Laredo", a big change from the recent "Hero of Chattanooga". The Laredo police officers seemed ready to apply blue justice while Harry was in is in his cell. After all, there is a video of Harry shooting a Texas Ranger.
Harry summons his whole team to try to prove his innocence. His father, August Start, finds a highly recommended Texas attorney. Everyone from his Chattanooga office is on board to try to prevent Harry from getting the lethal injection; the needle for killers in Texas has already been filled and is ready.
Harry is about to become the subject of sadistic pleasure by the leader of a Mexican Cartel. There is no doubt that Harry Stark is about to have a life-ending accident.
While most of the violence takes place while Harry is not a participant or receiver, things change when Harry makes a pact with the leader of a different Mexican Cartel. And Harry doesn't even speak Spanish.
The action is intense. This is a fast-moving novel that is easy to recommend. Get this book.
“Action, suspense and then more action!” “What a fantastic read!” Harry and his wife Amanda and Jade his 14 month child plus Maria his live in baby sitter come bodyguard return home from a short cabin break feeling relaxed and chilled. That doesn’t last long and is only the calm before the storm as Harry is arrested for the murder of a Texas Ranger down in Laredo. Even with being away with his family and baby sitter as witnesses the evidence is too strong against Harry and he is now facing the death penalty unless he can find out who has set him up. Even Harry’s his father and some friends can’t ignore the evidence it that over welling it even stunned Harry. Harry thinks he knows who has set him up an old adversary and gets his team to start investigating but as he is being transferred to Texas for trial escorted by Rangers overland his escort is shot and Harry is captured. Then things turn sour and gets really complicated as it implicates Harry as having escaped. But Harry has friends, very special friends who soon come to his aid including a past employee. With Cartel involvement, someone out to get revenge the Texas Rangers and the police after him Harry and his team have to pull out all the stops to solve and save Harry’s and his family’s life. This story is full on action all the way and is as fast paced as it can get. Will Harry prove his innocence? You must read to find out. Lastly even if you haven’t read any of Harry Starke novels in this series this is a must read and still maintains a brilliant read on its own, but I would suggest getting others in this series as they are all great.
Oh my goodness Blair Howard, you have really hit the ball out of the ball park with this one, I have loved all the Harry Starke books but this one is a wowzer. From the breath taking first pages to the amazing finish this book had me gripped. Harry is a wealthy, successful PI, he has friends in high places, a beautiful wife and daughter and as an ex officer in the Chattanooga PD he has good friends who can feed him information, not always strictly by the rules. He has an amazing team who all pull together when the shots are down and they had never been further down than the predicament that Harry found himself in when returning from a well earned family break. Had Harry finally come up against someone better than him ? could he possibly survive what was being thrown at him from an unbelievable source ? Help was to come from unexpected places. This story is action packed, full of nail biting suspense, the body count is off the scale, Harry is caught up in the power struggle between waring Mexican drug cartels.....could it get any worse ? I love the fact that Blair Howard has obviously researched his subject, his knowledge of arms, tactics, warfare and the use of information technology is obvious. This book is a must read, a definite page turner and what an epilogue, I cant wait to read the outcome of that. I received a free copy of this book and my review is voluntary.
Ok so you have to know that I have a secret crush on Harry Stark! Why else would I have to read every book that Mr. Howard writes? Uh oh, maybe it isn't Harry I have a crush on because I find myself devouring every book that Mr Howard writes! If you haven't read any of his books yet you don't know what you're missing! I have read or listened to just about every book he has written! The Kate Gazzara series, both of the Harry Stark series, I have even listened to his war stories. They are all great and hard to not finish in one sitting. No matter which series you read you are going to get lots of action, edge of your seat suspense, romance and laughter! In this book Harry is way over his head! The book starts with suspense that gets your juices flowing and makes you keep reading because you don't know what is going to happen next and who is behind everything that keeps happening! Has Harry been pushed to his limits? Has he gone off the deep end? Will his team be there for him or has he pushed to far this time? You don't want to miss the action and suspense of this book! It's Harry like you have not seen before! I received a free download of this book from the publisher. I have written this review because I wanted to share my own honest opinion of what I thought if it.
In Texas a hitman executes a Texas Ranger and, having called his boss, moves on to begin his next mission - to frame Harry Starke! After a relaxing country cabin break with his family (plus their nanny/bodyguard), the Starkes return, to face an unbelievable event that rapidly becomes a tangled nightmare for our hero. Making sure his wife and daughter are protected, PI Harry's staff and friends rally round to help prove his innocence. Shenanigans abound, leaving Harry confused, then relieved, then decisive. On the 'wrong' side of the 'Tex-Mex' border, he and the team work together with his old pal, CIA Agent Bob Ryan, to snare a 'crocodile', (El Coco). Where does Harry find/catch his doppelganger? When is the inter-cartel battle decided?
A non-stop, action-thriller with a cast of heroes and villains, an unforgiving enemy, danger at every turn and much more. Blair Howard's End Game is a guaranteed winner, for fans of the Mission Impossible, James Bond and Jason Bourne films and novels and an ideal addition to your action-crime-thriller bookshelf...get your copy today!
I don't know about you, but I've got a thing for good-but-still-flawed heroes. Howard's Harry Stark fills that bill quite well. Shortly after saving Chattanooga from a nuclear device and having his office destroyed by a bomb, Stark's life gets further turned upside down. A nemesis from early in the series of books, who killed himself in that same book while promising that "it's not over" makes good on his promise.
A Texas Ranger is shot dead in Laredo and the killer, caught on video, appears to be Stark. Brought to Texas for justice, all his crew follow along, intending to get him free. Stark is now the accused, and as you can imagine, getting free is the bulk of the book. Cartels, Mexico, doppelgangers - all are involved. Many of the regular features of a Harry Stark novel aren't, however. his cyber genius Tim does very little hacking. Kate Gazzara, former partner and former lover, barely appears. his wife, daughter and Dad are almost peripheral. This one is about fighting. For his life.
Again, it was a one sitting read because I could not put it down.
Just imagine that you are coming home after a wonderful ten day vacation with your family. Everything seems wonderful. Before you know it you are being arrested for a murder that occurred five days earlier. There seems to be an obvious mistake, you have your household to back up your alibi that you were over 1000 miles away from the crime. The reason for your arrest is that the police have undeniable proof in the form of DNA, fingerprints and, the most important evidence as far as the police are concerned, video at the crime scene that shows you are in fact pulled the trigger. Thus with the evidence mounted against you are risked away to await arrangement, and possible being tried for the crime at hand. Thus begins the start of the latest Harry Starke novel. Since Harry is no longer in his “backyard”, he needs to figure out how he is going to get out of this mess. As you would expect there are several twist and turns, a few surprises but overall you have a very enjoyable read in End Game.
If you are new to Harry Starke the other characters in this engaging tale, prepare to be well entertained (and maybe a little better educated regarding contemporary issues with the Texas/Mexican Border). If you are an old fan of our hero and his supporting cast, buckle up for a bit of a wild, but entertaining ride involving new characters and, for Harry, unfamiliar territory. I personally consider this novel to be one of Blair Howard's best. The shift in venue from Tennessee to the 'wild' southwest was well handled. While my personal knowledge of the Chattanooga area and the people of Tennessee is pretty much limited to what I've learned from Harry's past exploits, I'm very familiar with the people and places he has to deal with in End Game. Another outstanding tale with an intriguing premise and a story line that leaves you anxious to keep turning the pages to find out what happens next.
Harry Starke is back with his most important and craziest case ever! If you are already a fan, you will recognize Harry’s friends and foes in this latest installment of the Harry Starke series. Full of action and intrigue, this 16th book will not disappoint you. End Game is a riveting continuation of a previous story. Action packed seems almost too tamely worded, but I’m not sure how better to describe this book. Author Blair Howard has turned Harry Starke and his colorful crew of family, friends, employees, and even foes into “real” people. As you read the Harry Starke series, you can’t help but become emotionally attached to some characters, while despising others. You really can’t go wrong! I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. Fairly and honestly, a GREAT read.
Harry and his family have just returned from a week at their vacation cabin. Kate’s cruiser careens into the driveway, she jumps out, grabs Harry and tells him he they will get to the bottom of it, not to worry. Huh? They’re coming to arrest you, Harry, for murder! Flashing lights and sirens soon engulf the property. Harry’s been framed, but can he prove it? Bob Ryan shows up to help Harry’s crew try to prove his innocence.
A unique storyline. You know what happened, but the case is so airtight there seems to be no way out for Harry. The proof he did it is undeniable, but you know it wasn’t him. This novel is a great twist on the normal murder mystery. You’re going to love this book, even if it makes you a bit nervous at times.
I received an advance copy of End Game, this is my honest review.
Harry Starke has had a hard time rebuilding after the recent escapades that literally blew up his offices
Unfortunately for him, elements from his past and present do not seem to be done with him
Harry Starke is a certain kind of trouble, especially for bad actors, but he may not quite be the real mover behind some of the trouble headed his way - Harry does make an appealing target
Can Harry make it out alive with much of his remaining operators and operations mostly intact?
Justice or not, he could be facing worse than a last stand if those around him are destroyed along with everything else he has already lost
Edge of your seat read that keeps you turning pages to the end, then turning back and reading one more time to see if you missed one of the many elements in play
Wow Blair, you really did put Harry in an impossible situation. Such ingenious plot twists and turns. Surprises (good and bad) at every turn. Hard to find a place where I could bear to leave it long enough to eat and sleep. After several decades as a successful cop and PI, often sailing very close to the edge of legality, it’s inevitable that Harry would make plenty of enemies. And oh boy, have certain of them come back to bite Harry permanently. With everyone and everything Harry loves in jeopardy he has to decide on risking it all to save everything. Thanks Blair for such a nail biting book. Best enjoyed after reading the pervious books in the series, but Blair includes enough of the back story for it to be a great read even if this is your first meeting with Harry Starke. Great read as always. Excellent and highly recommended.
With a title of The End Game you might wonder if this is the end of the line for the Harry Starke series. Blair Howard has been writing these books for awhile now. Maybe he is tired of Harry. You will have to read the book to find out. This book is well plotted using familiar characters and some old friends but in a different locale this time in Texas and Mexico. It is of course packed with action, maybe more than most. Everyone has gotten older and grown a lot in this series since Harry was a cop and then first starting as a PI. As usual Harry still gets into trouble but can he get out of it this time? His dad and his staff are helping all they can but it is ultimately up to Harry. It doesn't look good. I don't want to spoil the book by telling any more. I love Blair Howard's books. I think I have followed Harry on his entire journey and this one is excellent. Just trust me and read it.
I received a copy of this book from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.
Harry Stark is in deep trouble. Out of the grave comes revenge, and it is powerful. Harry is accused of killing a Texas Ranger, and he’s caught on tape doing it. And in front of witnesses, too. But Harry wasn’t anywhere near Texas when the murder took place. But his witness is his wife.
Arrested and transported to Texas to answer for his crime, Harry finds himself caught up in a triangle of crime bosses and the law. He has to make a choice to save himself, and that goes against everything Harry has fought for all his life.
Join Harry in his quest for exoneration and freedom as he and his team fight for his life. This is truly a non-stop, edge of the seat action thriller with plenty of excitement for the toughest critics. Fast paced, great characters, and a world of blistering greed.
Harry Starke is getting older and it’s showing. He might be a happily married man and father but his past life is catching up with him, putting everything and everyone he cares about in jeopardy. His charmed life has suddenly got very difficult and this time he’s not sure he’s going to win. This is an action packed book with some excruciatingly painful moments for Harry and his crew. Will life ever get back to normal if he even survives this ?Superb book, I couldn’t put it down and Absolutely loved it! . Blair Howard is doing what he does best and is at the peak of his game. Don’t miss out order your copy now. Harry Starke is the best!!!
I received a free Arc in return for an honest review.
Another danger-packed nail-biter for Harry, as he is haunted by the dying promise from Lester “Shady” Tree to kill him. Shady had ties to a Mexican cartel, headed by “El Coco”, who murdered a Texas Ranger, setting it up to frame Harry for it. Harry was arrested and taken to Texas, which started a wild twisting, turning adventure, with lots of action on both sides of the border around Laredo, that kept me on the edge of my seat, not knowing whether Harry and his team would ever get out alive. I received an ARC – this review is my honest opinion. I purchased a copy to support this outstanding author. This is the third book by Mr. Howard that I’ve read; I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all three, and I look forward to eventually reading all of his books.
Well, this was action-packed, right through. Little in this one about the characters and relationships, but plenty of gunfire and blood spilled. I am enjoying the Harry Starke series, this was number 16 0f 18, but I do find certain frequently repeated phrases irritating, for example, 'Not hardly', 'that's another story', and 'in the worst way', these are the most common examples. Many, if not most, authors do this to some extent and a lot of people may not even notice it. The stories are detailed and engaging and some of the characters are very likeable, with a modicum of their personal and social lives woven into the tale. Harry Starke has me hooked at present and I will complete the series and perhaps move on to the next.
Wow, the plot is so good, amazing twists and turns, full action thriller with Harry Starke who was on vacation in a log cabin with his family getting arrested for a heinous crime he didn’t commit. The evidence is very believable, who could have gone to this much trouble and why?
Harry’s team are with him the whole way when he ends up visiting places (not entirely by choice) never seen before while worrying about his wife a daughter.
More action than a Bond film, amazing characters and details and all very well written with no errors.
A book you won’t be able to put down until the end!
If you never read one of Blair Howard's books you are in for a treat. This is a stand alone book and you don't have to read it in any order. I will say that each book in the series is more exciting than the last. Once you read one you will want to read them all. This book is a thrill ride from the beginning to the end. Harry is accused of a murder in Texas while he was actually with his family on Vacation. He finds out when he returns from vacation and the police arrest him and send him to Texas to face the charges. This is a book you will not want to put down till you finish reading it
Harry and his family and nanny just got home from a 10-day vacation at a cabin. The police chief and a couple of Texas Rangers show up to arrest him for murder. He thinks a dead man has set him up. How is that possible? How can he prove he didn't do it? The only people that were with him the day it happened were his wife and their nanny. Nobody is going to believe them. Blair hooks you from the beginning and doesn't reel you in and let go until the end. The plot is well constructed and the story is well written. Characters are fleshed out. This is a must-read. I voluntarily received a copy of this book from the author and I'm voluntarily posting a review. My opinion is entirely my own.
What an odyssey! I could not put the book down it grabbed my attention so much and there was so much action that I had to read at one go!!! If you love stories with a lot of action, estrange criminals, and unforeseen circumstances that can trash a life, this book is a must! Although a work of fiction, I'm quite sure some of the situations described in this story are very near the truth regarding drug cartel dealings with the population of the small cities and shantytowns they get involved with. Living in a third world country this is story is very much part of daily life and, most unfortunately, people get used to it! I downloaded a free copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
Harry Starke and his team are in a worldful of trouble. Harry has been accused of the cold blooded murder of a Texas Ranger and brought to Laredo by the Rangers for further action. His Father, family and team have followed to do anything in their power to help. Because of spoilers, I won’t go any further into the plot other than to say it is one of the most exacting and exciting in the Starke series. The story is non-stop action and filled with the characters, both good and bad, we have all come to expect. Thanks to the author and publisher for an ARC for an honest review.
If you're a Harry Starke fan like I am, you're going to love the latest in the series. By book 16, you'll know the characters well and will find this book gripping. It's a little different from the previous books in the series, but it won't disappoint. Harry gets into trouble (again) and his team has to bail him out (again). There are some unanticipated twists and unexpected events. If you haven't read the earlier books in the series, I highly recommend that you give the all a look. You won't regret it.
Harry to take vacation time is rare, with needing to find a new office building, and Doc saying to take time or else, they did. Harry getting antsy and ready to start working again. Within minutes of arriving home, Kate and law officers had arrived, he hasn’t a clue why. The story has a personal touch and how it affects Harry and his extended family. Loved the theme, and time with Harry. With each book we love them more, the twists, the adventure, the characters are friends Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
You won't want to start this book before going to bed as there is so much action that you won't be able to stop reading. Harry has just returned from vacation when all hell breaks loose - before he even gets in the house. And as Harry tries to deal with his latest challenge, his team pulls together to support and help him, along with someone from his past. This story takes us away from the Chattanooga area, down to Texas and then across the border into Mexico. And at the end, we are left with a tease as what is to come in a future book. Looking forward to more of Harry and his crew.
I received an arc and the views and opinions are my own. Wow, this story is twisted and convoluted. Lester Tree aka Shady told Harry that he would be playing the end game just before killing himself. Boy is the end game a convoluted game. It is twisted and well thought out, a game that will give Harry a lot of trouble. I truly enjoyed this book and could not put it down. Right from the start it has your attention and you keep turning the pages to find out how it will end. I highly recommend this book and series.