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Logan Tanner #1
High Stakes
All bets are off as #1 New York Times bestselling author Iris Johansen introduces gambler Logan Tanner, a man with a secret past that’s about to come back to haunt him.
Logan Tanner lives the exhilarating life of a professional gambler, taking risks with nerves of steel. From casinos in Macau to Monte Carlo to Milan, he’s racked up a fortune and become a living legend. But all the glitz and glamor hide a dark and violent past as an extractor—a world that comes rushing back to him when the beautiful and innocent Lara Balkon enters his life.
Soon Logan is drawn into the conflict between two Russian mafia bosses over Lara, whose life now hangs in the balance. Logan has been offered something more valuable to him than money—information he desperately needs—in exchange for getting Lara out of Russia and to safety. Once together, Tanner discovers that Lara is a force to be reckoned with in her own right. Tanner’s search for the truth leads them to the bright lights of Las Vegas. Where the person who was hunting Lara now lies in wait for them.
With the stakes climbing with each deadly confrontation, Logan and Lara are soon catapulted into a game against pure evil. The odds are stacked against them, but it’s a game they know they must play…even if it may cost them their lives.
Logan Tanner lives the exhilarating life of a professional gambler, taking risks with nerves of steel. From casinos in Macau to Monte Carlo to Milan, he’s racked up a fortune and become a living legend. But all the glitz and glamor hide a dark and violent past as an extractor—a world that comes rushing back to him when the beautiful and innocent Lara Balkon enters his life.
Soon Logan is drawn into the conflict between two Russian mafia bosses over Lara, whose life now hangs in the balance. Logan has been offered something more valuable to him than money—information he desperately needs—in exchange for getting Lara out of Russia and to safety. Once together, Tanner discovers that Lara is a force to be reckoned with in her own right. Tanner’s search for the truth leads them to the bright lights of Las Vegas. Where the person who was hunting Lara now lies in wait for them.
With the stakes climbing with each deadly confrontation, Logan and Lara are soon catapulted into a game against pure evil. The odds are stacked against them, but it’s a game they know they must play…even if it may cost them their lives.
416 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 7, 2021
561 people are currently reading
5580 people want to read
About the author
Iris Johansen
226 books7,327 followersIris Johansen is a New York Times bestselling author. She began her writing after her children left home for college. She first achieved success in the early 1980s writing category romances. In 1991, Johansen began writing suspense historical romance novels, starting with the publication of The Wind Dancer. In 1996 Johansen switched genres, turning to crime fiction, with which she has had great success.
She lives in Georgia and is married. Her son, Roy Johansen, is an Edgar Award-winning screenwriter and novelist. Her daughter, Tamara, serves as her research assistant.
IRIS JOHANSEN is The New York Times bestselling author of Night and Day, Hide Away, Shadow Play, Your Next Breath, The Perfect Witness, Live to See Tomorrow, Silencing Eve, Hunting Eve, Taking Eve, Sleep No More, What Doesn't Kill You, Bonnie, Quinn, Eve, Chasing The Night, Eight Days to Live, Blood Game, Deadlock, Dark Summer, Pandora's Daughter, Quicksand, Killer Dreams, On The Run, and more. And with her son, Roy Johansen, she has coauthored Night Watch, The Naked Eye, Sight Unseen, Close Your Eyes, Shadow Zone, Storm Cycle, and Silent Thunder.
http://www.irisjohansen.com
She lives in Georgia and is married. Her son, Roy Johansen, is an Edgar Award-winning screenwriter and novelist. Her daughter, Tamara, serves as her research assistant.
IRIS JOHANSEN is The New York Times bestselling author of Night and Day, Hide Away, Shadow Play, Your Next Breath, The Perfect Witness, Live to See Tomorrow, Silencing Eve, Hunting Eve, Taking Eve, Sleep No More, What Doesn't Kill You, Bonnie, Quinn, Eve, Chasing The Night, Eight Days to Live, Blood Game, Deadlock, Dark Summer, Pandora's Daughter, Quicksand, Killer Dreams, On The Run, and more. And with her son, Roy Johansen, she has coauthored Night Watch, The Naked Eye, Sight Unseen, Close Your Eyes, Shadow Zone, Storm Cycle, and Silent Thunder.
http://www.irisjohansen.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 233 reviews
October 11, 2021
Another excellent thriller from the queen of suspense!!! Iris johansen never cease's to amaze me even after so many years and so many books her storytelling is second to none! And in High Stakes she does it again by having one hell of a storyline with two of the most despicable villains. Both Anton and especially Volkov were sick motherfucker's who got off playing games with are heroines Lara and Maria. This mother and daughter team had been at the center of both these scumbags sick twisted shit but they had amazing strength and just waited for the first opportunity to escape from both these men and that's where are hero Logan Tanner comes in! What a character he is, highly intelligent and lives by a code. He loves nothing more then the game and the thrill of it all.And i also love the guys that surround him and are a part of his team like mallory and ex undercover cop Rennell and when Kaskov asks him to get Lara and Maria out of Russian and in return he will give him information about were Sandrino, a friend and like a guardian to him is. Logan sets out on a journey that will either get him the truth of what happened to sandrino or be just another fly caught in Volkov's sick twisted web! Theirs action,passion and intrigue and with characters that are unique and a story that has you on the edge of your seat! This is one of Iris Johansen's biggest games of cat and mouse! This writing is simply superb! She's like fine wine,better with time! Until next time Luv's💕💋
May 24, 2022
I had a very difficult time reading this book. It was all dialogue. The characters were likable at times, but other times not at all. Some of the conversations was bla, they did not go with the characters personalities. I actually kept reading in hopes that it would get better, but it did not.
I have read Johansen’s other books, and really enjoyed them, but this was very dry to me.
I have read Johansen’s other books, and really enjoyed them, but this was very dry to me.
October 18, 2021
Great rhythm in the writing which is a return to her earlier books. I like this writer but have only read her older series or stand-alones.
Logan and Lara have good chemistry. Pace moves quickly. Easy read.
Lots of suspense and action.
The criminal sexual situations are disturbingly graphic so that was a bit disconcerting.
FYI: This book is parallel to the Eve Duncan series. One of the characters from that appears at the end of this book.
Logan and Lara have good chemistry. Pace moves quickly. Easy read.
Lots of suspense and action.
The criminal sexual situations are disturbingly graphic so that was a bit disconcerting.
FYI: This book is parallel to the Eve Duncan series. One of the characters from that appears at the end of this book.
July 26, 2021
How do I even start this review other than “WOW, Iris Johansen has done it again!” This book is one you will not be able to put down. The life lead by Lara and Maria was a hard life with many trials and tribulations at the hand of Maria’s husband and Lara’s father and a Russian Mafia boss. Their life takes an unexpected turn when they are extracted by a very unexpected ally, a top gambler and Casino owner, Logan, who they must determine if they can trust. Without giving the book away, there is a surprise at the end which will make you understand these characters are likely to appear in future books by Iris Johansen. Edge of your seat amazing read! I highly recommend this book.
September 13, 2021
Same formula, same repetitive stilted dialogue, new characters, and I have no interest in gambling. You know immediately it's the same story as the violinist beauty/bad guys/good guy scenario. Disappointing Boring
Want to read
October 11, 2021Another excellent thriller from the queen of suspense!!! Iris johansen never cease's to amaze me even after so many years and so many books her storytelling is second to none! And in High Stakes she does it again by having one hell of a storyline with two of the most despicable villains. Both Anton and especially Volkov were sick motherfucker's who got off playing games with are heroines Lara and Maria. This mother and daughter team had been at the center of both these scumbags sick twisted shit but they had amazing strength and just waited for the first opportunity to escape from both these men and that's where are hero Logan Tanner comes in! What a character he is, highly intelligent and lives by a code. He loves nothing more then the game and the thrill of it all.And i also love the guys that surround him and are a part of his team like mallory and ex undercover cop Rennell and when Kaskov asks him to get Lara and Maria out of Russian and in return he will give him information about were Sandrino, a friend and like a guardian to him is. Logan sets out on a journey that will either get him the truth of what happened to sandrino or be just another fly caught in Volkov's sick twisted web! Theirs action,passion and intrigue and with characters that are unique and a story that has you on the edge of your seat! This is one of Iris Johansen's biggest games of cat and mouse! This writing is simply superb! She's like fine wine,better with time! Until next time Luv's💕💋
July 27, 2021
Logan Tanner is right in the middle of a conflict between two Russian mafia bosses. He has rescued Lara, a prized possession of the two bosses who are both trying to control her. Lara and her Mother have been captives for years and they come as a package when Logan is tasked with helping Lara escape. There is suspense and drama along with a romance. You aren’t completely sure what the agenda is of some of the characters. This book kept me turning the pages to find out what was going to happen next. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.
September 25, 2021
There are a number of problems with this book.
1) Poor character development. The main hero is a "high stakes" gambler who is mathematically gifted, yet his unique skills are poorly developed in the book. You could sub in "ex-CIA" "ex-Cop", "ex-etc." and it would read the same.
2) The dialogue drags.
3) The villains are your typical archetype.
4) The final poker showdown feels like a let down. It is short and not well written. It does not feel like the author understands the life of a professional gambler.
1) Poor character development. The main hero is a "high stakes" gambler who is mathematically gifted, yet his unique skills are poorly developed in the book. You could sub in "ex-CIA" "ex-Cop", "ex-etc." and it would read the same.
2) The dialogue drags.
3) The villains are your typical archetype.
4) The final poker showdown feels like a let down. It is short and not well written. It does not feel like the author understands the life of a professional gambler.
August 2, 2021
I always look forward to a good book from Iris Johansen. High Stakes didn't disappoint. Even if you haven't read her long running series, you can jump into this book as it is more of a stand alone with only a glancing reference to long time characters.
Parts are a little slow, but the twists to the story-line make up for it
Parts are a little slow, but the twists to the story-line make up for it
September 27, 2021
I don't even like to say I finished this book because I didn't! I was hoping again for something different. Its the same crap with new characters! Its along the same line as the other books and I just am so tired of her writing. This will be the last book I try and read by Johansen.
September 28, 2021
Boring! Slow, slow! Lots of dialogue and very little action!
January 8, 2022
A boring repetitive slog working through this, I almost gave up and skimmed a lot of the book simply to finish.
November 19, 2021
While this isn’t my typical type of read, I tend to always enjoy it and I keep saying that I need to read more crime fiction!
It was a fun and intriguing game of cat and mouse and it has a little bit of everything with action, suspense, and even a little minor romance. It also had some entertaining twists and captivating characters!
Nothing to dislike about this one but also was looking for just a little more! 🤔
3.5 stars rounded to 4 for goodreads
It was a fun and intriguing game of cat and mouse and it has a little bit of everything with action, suspense, and even a little minor romance. It also had some entertaining twists and captivating characters!
Nothing to dislike about this one but also was looking for just a little more! 🤔
3.5 stars rounded to 4 for goodreads
September 30, 2021
Really disgusting bad guys and a really interesting pair of good “guys”. The female ‘good guy’ is really multi faceted. Good read.
December 1, 2021
Good read, like the classical music references, especially Tchaikovsky ;)
August 26, 2021
Logan Tanner is in it to win it. Each and every time. Living the life of a professional gambler and casino owner, Tanner has traveled the world over, playing at the most lucrative casinos. But there is more behind the man. Much more. In fact, Tanner is former Special Services and also was an extractor. It is Tanner's unique skill set that pits him in the middle of two Russian mafia bosses. He has been tasks to extract a young pianist named Lara out of Russia. Her life is at risk and Tanner is the best man for the job.
In this thrilling game of cat-and-mouse, not only are Lara and her mother Maria forced to trust Tanner, they must be prepared to face danger at every turn. Just as each of Iris Johansen's other series, including her long-running Eve Duncan series, are utterly exciting, this book with a new protagonist, a male one at that, proves just as exhilarating. This engaging read was literally impossible to put down and had me tapping my Kindle at a fever pace. I hope to see much more of Tanner in future books as he is a man who will walk on either side of the line to get the job done.
Many thanks to Grand Central Publishing and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
In this thrilling game of cat-and-mouse, not only are Lara and her mother Maria forced to trust Tanner, they must be prepared to face danger at every turn. Just as each of Iris Johansen's other series, including her long-running Eve Duncan series, are utterly exciting, this book with a new protagonist, a male one at that, proves just as exhilarating. This engaging read was literally impossible to put down and had me tapping my Kindle at a fever pace. I hope to see much more of Tanner in future books as he is a man who will walk on either side of the line to get the job done.
Many thanks to Grand Central Publishing and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
August 21, 2021
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of High Stakes by Iris Johansen that I read and reviewed.
This was a new book by Iris Johansen and I just did not feel it like I did like her other series. At the end we did learn that one of the characters had a link to one of the characters in Johansen’s other books and she trie to tie this book with her other characters maybe in upcoming books so maybe that will make future book better but I just could not get into this one like I usually get into Johansen books.
Unfortunately I could only give High Stakes three out of five stars.
This was a new book by Iris Johansen and I just did not feel it like I did like her other series. At the end we did learn that one of the characters had a link to one of the characters in Johansen’s other books and she trie to tie this book with her other characters maybe in upcoming books so maybe that will make future book better but I just could not get into this one like I usually get into Johansen books.
Unfortunately I could only give High Stakes three out of five stars.
September 30, 2021
Did not enjoy this book at all
November 11, 2021
Have loved her previous books but this was so slow and totally boring.
November 15, 2021
Lara Balkon has been a pawn in the game of Trials between her father and Boris Volkov since she was 11 years old, but Volkov plans to make the upcoming Trial, the last one by ending it with Lara's death. Lara knows that her time is coming, but her Trial is interrupted by the presence of Logan Tanner who helps her escape. Tanner also rescues Lara's mother and takes them someplace safe, but Volkov is not about to let his prize escape without the unreasonable revenge against her that he has planned, so he chases Lara and Tanner all the way from Sweden to Las Vegas.
High Stakes starts out with a very enticing premise and ends with a bang, but the meat of the story in the middle of the book is slow with almost no on-page action. There is lots of dialogue and dumping of information which is somewhat interesting, but it makes getting to the end of the book much more difficult. The story does contain an Ocean's Eleven type of con, but unfortunately we don't get much of it until near the end of the book. The two main characters in the story are not well developed and their relationship takes place primarily off-page. Overall, High Stakes is a book filled with promise that is not delivered.
High Stakes starts out with a very enticing premise and ends with a bang, but the meat of the story in the middle of the book is slow with almost no on-page action. There is lots of dialogue and dumping of information which is somewhat interesting, but it makes getting to the end of the book much more difficult. The story does contain an Ocean's Eleven type of con, but unfortunately we don't get much of it until near the end of the book. The two main characters in the story are not well developed and their relationship takes place primarily off-page. Overall, High Stakes is a book filled with promise that is not delivered.
September 5, 2021
High Stakes by Iris Johansen
Lara is a pianissimo in the virtual sense, the finest. She is also beautiful and deadly. Russian mobsters rule her life but an even bigger mobster with mysterious intentions wants to change it. Tanner, gambler extraordinaire, is hired to extract her from a perilous life with a nebulous promise of payment.
Tanner is a savant, he excels in all he touches. His ego may be superior to his skills and he finds that his intentions are impacted by an unforeseen emotion.
Lara trusts no one but soon discovers to change her life she is going to need to trust someone.
There is action aplenty, relationships and treachery.
I enjoyed the book but was not over enjoyed with the book.
Lara is a pianissimo in the virtual sense, the finest. She is also beautiful and deadly. Russian mobsters rule her life but an even bigger mobster with mysterious intentions wants to change it. Tanner, gambler extraordinaire, is hired to extract her from a perilous life with a nebulous promise of payment.
Tanner is a savant, he excels in all he touches. His ego may be superior to his skills and he finds that his intentions are impacted by an unforeseen emotion.
Lara trusts no one but soon discovers to change her life she is going to need to trust someone.
There is action aplenty, relationships and treachery.
I enjoyed the book but was not over enjoyed with the book.
January 20, 2022
Logan Tanner is the newest character from Ms. Johansen. Tanner is a professional gambler and sometime "extractor." It all depends which, at the time, pays the most. He has been hired to extract Russian, Lara Balkan. Lara has been used since the age of eleven, by her father, for "Trials" throughout Europe. Ms. Johansen fails to explain the extinct of these "Trials," however. The reader has to assume, as I did, that they involve illegal activity for a profit. The bait to force Lara to complete the "Trials" is her devoted mother, Maria. The two are inseparable. If Lara refuses to cooperate then vengeance in acted upon her by her criminal husband, Anton Balkan. I was not disappointed in this story; although at times it was confusing.
September 7, 2021
*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Thriller / Suspense
*Rating* 3.5
*Thoughts*
Author Iris Johansen's High Stakes introduces readers to high stakes gambler Logan Tanner, a man with a secret past that’s about to come back to haunt him. Logan Tanner lives the exhilarating life of a professional gambler, taking risks with nerves of steel. From casinos in Macau to Monte Carlo to Milan to Las Vegas, he’s racked up a fortune and become a living legend. But all the glitz and glamor hide a dark and violent past as an extractor—a world that comes rushing back to him when the beautiful and innocent Lara Balkon enters his life.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
*Genre* Thriller / Suspense
*Rating* 3.5
*Thoughts*
Author Iris Johansen's High Stakes introduces readers to high stakes gambler Logan Tanner, a man with a secret past that’s about to come back to haunt him. Logan Tanner lives the exhilarating life of a professional gambler, taking risks with nerves of steel. From casinos in Macau to Monte Carlo to Milan to Las Vegas, he’s racked up a fortune and become a living legend. But all the glitz and glamor hide a dark and violent past as an extractor—a world that comes rushing back to him when the beautiful and innocent Lara Balkon enters his life.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
October 29, 2021
Iris Johansen never disappoints. Edge of your seat from the get go!
October 3, 2021
This one was disappointing even though the story line was interesting. You know almost from the start what the end goal is, but it takes forever to get there. There is way more dialogue and description than is necessary, and it just drags things out. The characters, both good and bad, are mostly believable and well developed, but what happens to them often strains what is believable. A lot of bad stuff happens, and there is a lot of violence, often with graphic detail.
June 14, 2024
I found this book hard to get into. There so much dialogue to wade through that I almost gave up. I also had a hard to relating to the characters, or liking them for that matter. This was not a favorite.
August 24, 2024
Too much talking. It was one conversation after another. I am amazed that some action took place, but then of course they had to talk about it.
October 2, 2021
could not get into it
September 18, 2021
I could not get into this book! Disappointed in it. I usually love her books.
December 25, 2021
Thank you Grand Central Publishing / Hachette Audio for the gifted copy.
If you’ve been a visitor here for any time, it should come as no surprise that I am a huge Iris Johansen fan. I just love her books. My all-time favorite are her Eve Duncan books, but I also love her stand-alones, which have a tendency to turn into series…is there a possibility that this we will see these characters again?
This was another fast-paced, action-filled story that I have come to love from this author. I quickly grew to love both Logan and Lara, as I typically do with Johansen’s main characters. I loved that this book featured a male protagonist – all her other books have featured female protagonists and it was a nice change of pace to see something different. Having Logan come from a gambling background provided a whole new set of skills that added a new level of intrigue to the story. It made the cat and mouse game that we have come to expect in these books just that much more exciting. There were just the right amount of twists and turns to keep you guessing as to where this one was heading.
I absolutely loved the surprise at the end of the book, though truth be told I should have expected it in some way. It probably was my favorite part of the book and now I’m curious to see what will come next. Will we see these characters again? I do hope so! There are so many possibilities now! Either way, this book further cements my love of this author…Iris Johansen has been a favorite of mine for over 20 years and I will continue to read her mystery thrillers as long as she continues to write them!
Audio thoughts: I love listening to Iris Johansen books on audio and am thrilled that Elisabeth Rodgers is always the narrator. She really has a knack for narrating her books – she gets the essence of her characters and stories. Her pacing is always spot on and she manages to infuse just the right amount of tension, suspense and emotion into her voice as needed.
You can see all my reviews at: https://www.alwayswithabook.com/
If you’ve been a visitor here for any time, it should come as no surprise that I am a huge Iris Johansen fan. I just love her books. My all-time favorite are her Eve Duncan books, but I also love her stand-alones, which have a tendency to turn into series…is there a possibility that this we will see these characters again?
This was another fast-paced, action-filled story that I have come to love from this author. I quickly grew to love both Logan and Lara, as I typically do with Johansen’s main characters. I loved that this book featured a male protagonist – all her other books have featured female protagonists and it was a nice change of pace to see something different. Having Logan come from a gambling background provided a whole new set of skills that added a new level of intrigue to the story. It made the cat and mouse game that we have come to expect in these books just that much more exciting. There were just the right amount of twists and turns to keep you guessing as to where this one was heading.
I absolutely loved the surprise at the end of the book, though truth be told I should have expected it in some way. It probably was my favorite part of the book and now I’m curious to see what will come next. Will we see these characters again? I do hope so! There are so many possibilities now! Either way, this book further cements my love of this author…Iris Johansen has been a favorite of mine for over 20 years and I will continue to read her mystery thrillers as long as she continues to write them!
Audio thoughts: I love listening to Iris Johansen books on audio and am thrilled that Elisabeth Rodgers is always the narrator. She really has a knack for narrating her books – she gets the essence of her characters and stories. Her pacing is always spot on and she manages to infuse just the right amount of tension, suspense and emotion into her voice as needed.
You can see all my reviews at: https://www.alwayswithabook.com/
Displaying 1 - 30 of 233 reviews