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The Crusader #1
Best Laid Plans
John Beck is the hero we don't deserve but he's exactly who we need when the world falls apart.
When a surprise EMP attack kills the power grid across most of the United States, the nation crumbles but a hero rises. John Beck makes it his mission to help the weak against the strong in a new, lawless wilderness. All the while, he fights the demons of his past as he searches for the only family he has left.
Best Laid Plans is book one of The Crusader EMP Post-Apocalyptic Survival Series and is perfect for fans of Franklin Horton, Ryan Schow, Kyla Stone, Jack Hunt, and AR Shaw.
When a surprise EMP attack kills the power grid across most of the United States, the nation crumbles but a hero rises. John Beck makes it his mission to help the weak against the strong in a new, lawless wilderness. All the while, he fights the demons of his past as he searches for the only family he has left.
Best Laid Plans is book one of The Crusader EMP Post-Apocalyptic Survival Series and is perfect for fans of Franklin Horton, Ryan Schow, Kyla Stone, Jack Hunt, and AR Shaw.
- GenresPost ApocalypticFiction
311 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 16, 2021
294 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Tom Abrahams
71 books343 followersTom Abrahams is an Emmy and Edward R. Murrow award winning television journalist and member of International Thriller Writers.
He is also a Kindle Unlimited All-Star, an Audible 5 Star Favorite, and author of more than forty novels.
He writes in several genres including dystopian, sci-fi techno-thriller, post-apocalyptic, and political thrillers.
The dramatic rights for his "A Dark World" trilogy are optioned for television and film.
He's married with two children and lives in Southeast Texas.
He is also a Kindle Unlimited All-Star, an Audible 5 Star Favorite, and author of more than forty novels.
He writes in several genres including dystopian, sci-fi techno-thriller, post-apocalyptic, and political thrillers.
The dramatic rights for his "A Dark World" trilogy are optioned for television and film.
He's married with two children and lives in Southeast Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
November 18, 2021
Battle-like But Darker. So Good.
I will start this one off by saying that this isn’t anywhere close to my first book by Tom Abrahams. Having read and thoroughly enjoyed the Traveler series with Battle as the main character. I wanted to preface this review by pointing that out because a lot of my post-apocalyptic best memories (what a weird phrase) have been in the worlds that Abrahams has created. So, knowing that and diving into another PA world – I had my hopes sky-high. I know that Abrahams knows how to write a great story and interesting characters.
Something else that he’s really good at is writing about situations that I wouldn’t have thought of, but would be completely normal for some Americans. Best Laid Plans was one of those circumstances. What would happen if you were stuck on an offshore oil rig when the power went out? That’s exactly what John Back and the crew have to deal with in the opening of this book. I also find it funny that Abrahams is always able to always put callbacks to his other books in these stories. One of the characters talked about how he read PA books and that being stuck on the rig reminded him of the character that got stuck on the ISS in SpaceMan. Which was right where my mind was going at the time.
Best Laid Plans is a story in two parts (and I respect Tom for not making it two different books). The opening is around getting to know Beck, who he is, a little about his demons, and then about the first few days post-attack. The second half is some years later as he continues on his quest for vengeance and revenge. They don’t feel disjointed at all and I’m actually happy that the author decided to tell some of the prior year’s tales via quick flashbacks or additions to normal chats the characters were having.
The first half was interesting and new to me (which is pretty hard to do in the PA genre). What would happen to the workers on the rig? How would they get to shore safely if the safety boats didn’t work? But the second half was pure Tom Abrahams Post Apocalyptic storytelling™. Beck reminded me a lot of Battle but even more damaged (I’m seeing a trend here, especially after reading about a super dark character in Abrahams’ last book, Buffalo Bayou. If you haven’t read the Traveler series – you’re missing out, but this reminds me of all of the good things that it had going but it’s even more unpredictable. Beck feels like he could go off the rails at any moment.
I also want to throw my hat in for a prediction here. Since I’m a bit of a TA superfan and I know how some of his stories go – I’m interested to see if one of the stories is 100% from his daughter’s perspective. If so, how much like Lou will she be (I know that Lou was younger, but I feel like they have the same heart and spirit). I hope I’m right, but even if it’s not told from her POV, I’m interested in how much her story will remind me of Lous. Except instead of Battle meeting her and becoming an adoptive fatherlike figure – it’ll be a reunion.
Overall, I’m happy to have more PA books from Abrahams to read. Especially with Kevin Pierce narrating them. This was a really good introduction to Beck and this unknown world. I’m excited to get to know him more and find out exactly what happened to the US in the coming books.
I will start this one off by saying that this isn’t anywhere close to my first book by Tom Abrahams. Having read and thoroughly enjoyed the Traveler series with Battle as the main character. I wanted to preface this review by pointing that out because a lot of my post-apocalyptic best memories (what a weird phrase) have been in the worlds that Abrahams has created. So, knowing that and diving into another PA world – I had my hopes sky-high. I know that Abrahams knows how to write a great story and interesting characters.
Something else that he’s really good at is writing about situations that I wouldn’t have thought of, but would be completely normal for some Americans. Best Laid Plans was one of those circumstances. What would happen if you were stuck on an offshore oil rig when the power went out? That’s exactly what John Back and the crew have to deal with in the opening of this book. I also find it funny that Abrahams is always able to always put callbacks to his other books in these stories. One of the characters talked about how he read PA books and that being stuck on the rig reminded him of the character that got stuck on the ISS in SpaceMan. Which was right where my mind was going at the time.
Best Laid Plans is a story in two parts (and I respect Tom for not making it two different books). The opening is around getting to know Beck, who he is, a little about his demons, and then about the first few days post-attack. The second half is some years later as he continues on his quest for vengeance and revenge. They don’t feel disjointed at all and I’m actually happy that the author decided to tell some of the prior year’s tales via quick flashbacks or additions to normal chats the characters were having.
The first half was interesting and new to me (which is pretty hard to do in the PA genre). What would happen to the workers on the rig? How would they get to shore safely if the safety boats didn’t work? But the second half was pure Tom Abrahams Post Apocalyptic storytelling™. Beck reminded me a lot of Battle but even more damaged (I’m seeing a trend here, especially after reading about a super dark character in Abrahams’ last book, Buffalo Bayou. If you haven’t read the Traveler series – you’re missing out, but this reminds me of all of the good things that it had going but it’s even more unpredictable. Beck feels like he could go off the rails at any moment.
I also want to throw my hat in for a prediction here. Since I’m a bit of a TA superfan and I know how some of his stories go – I’m interested to see if one of the stories is 100% from his daughter’s perspective. If so, how much like Lou will she be (I know that Lou was younger, but I feel like they have the same heart and spirit). I hope I’m right, but even if it’s not told from her POV, I’m interested in how much her story will remind me of Lous. Except instead of Battle meeting her and becoming an adoptive fatherlike figure – it’ll be a reunion.
Overall, I’m happy to have more PA books from Abrahams to read. Especially with Kevin Pierce narrating them. This was a really good introduction to Beck and this unknown world. I’m excited to get to know him more and find out exactly what happened to the US in the coming books.
November 18, 2021
John Beck is on a crusade to find his daughter and ex-wife
When the lights went out Beck was on a deep sea oil rig and had just made a mortal enemy. The man they called Goose had threatened to kill Beck, his ex-wife and his daughter Millie. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step and Beck's crusade began when an unknown enemy had detonated multiple EMP devices above America and drove the country back to the 19th century. As the country devolved into anarchy, Beck pursues Goose to save Millie.
The amazing storyline, backed by characters drawn with an artist's brush and pages filled by the prose of a master wordsmith combined to keep me turning pages with abandon! A definite page turner, this is a great read! I can't wait for the next book in the series!
When the lights went out Beck was on a deep sea oil rig and had just made a mortal enemy. The man they called Goose had threatened to kill Beck, his ex-wife and his daughter Millie. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step and Beck's crusade began when an unknown enemy had detonated multiple EMP devices above America and drove the country back to the 19th century. As the country devolved into anarchy, Beck pursues Goose to save Millie.
The amazing storyline, backed by characters drawn with an artist's brush and pages filled by the prose of a master wordsmith combined to keep me turning pages with abandon! A definite page turner, this is a great read! I can't wait for the next book in the series!
November 20, 2021
Excellent story
I really enjoyed this book. The characters are interesting and this story was full of action. I can't wait for the next book.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters are interesting and this story was full of action. I can't wait for the next book.
November 21, 2021
nope
24% in and the story became ridiculous. Initially the plot was believable but after the power switched off the story just went flat
24% in and the story became ridiculous. Initially the plot was believable but after the power switched off the story just went flat
November 24, 2021
Ok, I get the whole make a series out of a story, so you can sell more books thing, but I honestly don't understand why this story wasn't wrapped up in the first (and imo only) book. There's more story to tell, but only because the author took a 300 page book, and turned it into multiple books. What we see here is the Wheel of Time effect. Not necessary, and (again, imo) makes the story more irritating than anything else. There's plenty that could have been left out of this one to progress the story enough that it could have finished in this single book. I don't mind a good story, but when an author expands a story for the express purpose of making it multiple books instead of telling a good story, then it makes me seriously contemplate not bothering to read the rest of the series just out of spite. (I never did read the last book in the Game of Thrones series because of this nonsense), and now I'm seriously considering whether I should continue to read the second book in this series. I likely will, just because I hate to see unfinished series on my read shelf, but it frustrates me when authors take a perfectly good story, adds filler, then makes multiple books out of something that shouldn't be an entire series. This story was an ok story, but I think it would have been an excellent one had the author stuck to a single book and just made the story about the main character and his goals, and his (eventual) success. In this book, the main character's goals are always laid out, but they are given very little air time. A lot of this book is glossing over the kind of details that would have made the story more interesting. Flashbacks that should have been entire chapters, and entire chapters that should have been a couple of sentences.. It's not a bad story, but I believe it could have been an excellent story with the proper cutting and editing, and without the additional expansion forcing extra books in the series.
If that sort of thing doesn't bother you, then you're likely to enjoy this offering is post apocalyptic fiction is your thing, but for me, it's more like the carrot hung on a stick in front of the donkey to keep it moving forward.
This story tries to be a deathlands clone, and it fails completely.
It is not a story that makes a good series unless it was designed from the start to be such, and this story was not, so it just drags along in places, skips large chunks in others, and generally leaves one with a sense of being unfinished.
I give it three stars anyway, because on the whole, I like the story, I just don't like how it was done.
If that sort of thing doesn't bother you, then you're likely to enjoy this offering is post apocalyptic fiction is your thing, but for me, it's more like the carrot hung on a stick in front of the donkey to keep it moving forward.
This story tries to be a deathlands clone, and it fails completely.
It is not a story that makes a good series unless it was designed from the start to be such, and this story was not, so it just drags along in places, skips large chunks in others, and generally leaves one with a sense of being unfinished.
I give it three stars anyway, because on the whole, I like the story, I just don't like how it was done.
November 18, 2021
Unique spin on a apocalyptic book
Not your typical apocalyptic book. In many ways this is a modern Western. I enjoyed how the people accepted that it would be a while before the electric came on and began living like it was 1850. They may have the knowledge of technology but it may take a while to get there.
If you are a Tom Abrahams reader you will know that the book will have a great storyline, well thought out characters and you will walk away knowing you have been entertained by a storyteller. I can read a book a day. Not this one. I sat back took my time and just savored it.
Needless to say, I enjoyed the book and looking forward to reading the whole series.
Not your typical apocalyptic book. In many ways this is a modern Western. I enjoyed how the people accepted that it would be a while before the electric came on and began living like it was 1850. They may have the knowledge of technology but it may take a while to get there.
If you are a Tom Abrahams reader you will know that the book will have a great storyline, well thought out characters and you will walk away knowing you have been entertained by a storyteller. I can read a book a day. Not this one. I sat back took my time and just savored it.
Needless to say, I enjoyed the book and looking forward to reading the whole series.
December 2, 2021
Best laid Plans The Crusader Book 1. Tom Abrahams
John Beck is a fighter. He acts on impulse. It's a two edged sword. It gets him into trouble and on more then one occasion has saved his life. America is under attack, the power grid is down. Chaos, survival of the strongest. Beck and his close friend Gabe were oil workers on an oil rig. Stranded, they and the other workers had to abandon the rig on life boats under horrendous storm conditions. Beck , Gabe and another friend nicknamed Radio have agreed to help Beck find his ex wife and daughter Millie. What unfolds is an epic story of survival. An excellent read!!!! Enjoyed immensely!!!
John Beck is a fighter. He acts on impulse. It's a two edged sword. It gets him into trouble and on more then one occasion has saved his life. America is under attack, the power grid is down. Chaos, survival of the strongest. Beck and his close friend Gabe were oil workers on an oil rig. Stranded, they and the other workers had to abandon the rig on life boats under horrendous storm conditions. Beck , Gabe and another friend nicknamed Radio have agreed to help Beck find his ex wife and daughter Millie. What unfolds is an epic story of survival. An excellent read!!!! Enjoyed immensely!!!
August 24, 2022
Recommend for those who enjoy post-apocalyptic type stories; but I could just not get into this story and thus, enjoyed it less than other Tom Abrahams' books I've read. I previously enjoyed "Canyon," a similar PA type story; however, the found the primary character in Canyon to be relatable, damaged through loss but a heroic figure nonetheless. However, the main character in "Best Laid Plans" is darker and less likable; straddling the line between relentless father-seeking-daughter across PA wasteland and anti-hero who has no qualms about killing, or sacrificing allies, to reach his goals. Not a poorly written book. I found the tone unenjoyable.
March 13, 2022
Hooked
Approaching my70th birthday , I choose to Add a little variety to my world without Hurting any 1...... This is not the 1st time I have stopped with less than 1\4 of the book read! The scene is set. So let's see what you got. In my world, I have room called my "Haven" ( Study sounds too snooty, Library too intellectual, and den too yuppy) there's a hot fire,a comfortable chair, a couple of well behaved fuzzy kids. Since coming across this book, that's where I'll be. World--- you are dismissed.
Bill Hodges
Approaching my70th birthday , I choose to Add a little variety to my world without Hurting any 1...... This is not the 1st time I have stopped with less than 1\4 of the book read! The scene is set. So let's see what you got. In my world, I have room called my "Haven" ( Study sounds too snooty, Library too intellectual, and den too yuppy) there's a hot fire,a comfortable chair, a couple of well behaved fuzzy kids. Since coming across this book, that's where I'll be. World--- you are dismissed.
Bill Hodges
May 5, 2022
This was generally well-written, error-free and flowed well. I was a bit puzzled at the indication that Quakers didn’t like electricity and thought Buford agreed, that is Amish and not Quakers. I liked the allusion to “The Spaceman Chronicles”, an excellent series. I also think that if snotified is not a real word, it should be. Beck is flawed but his constant reflection on his past and his demons started to wear a bit. His partnership with Gabe was a bit strength of the book and I’m sorry that it seems this partnership ends before the next book.
February 13, 2022
Great book full of action worth reading
This is a good book that I recommend others read. Whoever reads this book will enjoy it. It is a good book for our time. There is a probability that we, in our own country and in this present day could undergo an EMP attack. This is a story that one could read and learn from. The plot is also well written. Good book, packed with action, worth reading. Great book, packed with action, worth reading. Great book worth reading
This is a good book that I recommend others read. Whoever reads this book will enjoy it. It is a good book for our time. There is a probability that we, in our own country and in this present day could undergo an EMP attack. This is a story that one could read and learn from. The plot is also well written. Good book, packed with action, worth reading. Great book, packed with action, worth reading. Great book worth reading
December 12, 2021
This post-apocalyptic story was interesting...for a while. Nothing in the plot line is resolved in this book--you have to buy the next book and the next book and the next book to find out what happens to the main characters. Thus, I applied my automatic minus two stars to its rating for books with no endings.
December 25, 2021
Millie
This book is a crusade by a very haunted man. His mission in life is to find his missing daughter. Along the highways and byways, he secretly atones for his past by lending a helping hand to those in need of his very serious skills. He travels throughout the country righting wrongs hoping for information about Millies whereabouts. The journey continues.
This book is a crusade by a very haunted man. His mission in life is to find his missing daughter. Along the highways and byways, he secretly atones for his past by lending a helping hand to those in need of his very serious skills. He travels throughout the country righting wrongs hoping for information about Millies whereabouts. The journey continues.
February 12, 2022
Beck has many demons.
He has anger with attached violence. He trusts only Gabe his roommate on the oil rig.
Goose is a bully. He attacks Beck in the cafeteria line and warns of future assaults when Beck sets him down hard.
Then the power goes out in the USA FOREVER.
This book is worth the read but has triggers for those who have been abused and/or bullied.
He has anger with attached violence. He trusts only Gabe his roommate on the oil rig.
Goose is a bully. He attacks Beck in the cafeteria line and warns of future assaults when Beck sets him down hard.
Then the power goes out in the USA FOREVER.
This book is worth the read but has triggers for those who have been abused and/or bullied.
September 17, 2022
I quite enjoyed this book. Great characters, especially Beck. Twists and turns and I imagine spot on when it comes to the downfall of society. People think we won't de-evolve so quickly, but I believe otherwise. It is a slippery slope and when people believe they'll not be held accountable, they will speed their way downhill quickly. Looking forward to the next book.
October 16, 2022
The Crusader 1
Really good book. I loved all the nods to other apocalyptic books all through the book. It made me remember I didn't finish another series. LOL Now I need to figure out which books it was that followed the same people's lives through different apocalyptic events. SMH
Great book to start a new series.
Really good book. I loved all the nods to other apocalyptic books all through the book. It made me remember I didn't finish another series. LOL Now I need to figure out which books it was that followed the same people's lives through different apocalyptic events. SMH
Great book to start a new series.
January 2, 2023
I'd like to give this three and a half stars. It was well written overall, but the time shift exactly halfway through the book was so jarring that it was hard to recover from. Some scenes were telegraphed, taking away the element of suspense. It was... okay I guess. But it seemed that every time I was starting to feel impressed a literary stumbling block tripped me up.
January 28, 2023
A gripping and tense post apocalyptic story that had me glued to every word!
John Beck is a man on a mission to save his family in the worst of times. This is my first read by Tom Abraham's and it definitely won't be my last. Terrific audio narration and great read! Looking forward to the next one!!
John Beck is a man on a mission to save his family in the worst of times. This is my first read by Tom Abraham's and it definitely won't be my last. Terrific audio narration and great read! Looking forward to the next one!!
April 7, 2023
Another excellent tale from Tom Abrahams
As a fan of EMP Apocalyptic yarns I enjoyed this one. Like many of the genre, you have our hero who is always crossing great distances to reunite with family. Then a faithful buddy and the bad guy always in the mix. This was a fairly tame and clean story worthy of your time. 😊. On to then next continuation of the saga.
As a fan of EMP Apocalyptic yarns I enjoyed this one. Like many of the genre, you have our hero who is always crossing great distances to reunite with family. Then a faithful buddy and the bad guy always in the mix. This was a fairly tame and clean story worthy of your time. 😊. On to then next continuation of the saga.
May 19, 2023
Amazing story and I’ve finished the first 3 audio books! No I hear there’s a boom 4! Got to get that one soon! Kevin Pierce is the best narrator ever! Absolutely love him. Love the story and love the Sheriff! I did figure out who it was. I need people like this in my life! Ones who fight for good!
March 11, 2024
Great apocalyptic thriller!
Book 1 is packed with action, danger and excitement. The two main characters have to deal with dire circumstances as best they can. The high tension kept me reading as quickly as I could and I highly recommend it. I’m looking forward to reading book 2 ASAP, enjoy!
Read via Kindle Unlimited
Book 1 is packed with action, danger and excitement. The two main characters have to deal with dire circumstances as best they can. The high tension kept me reading as quickly as I could and I highly recommend it. I’m looking forward to reading book 2 ASAP, enjoy!
Read via Kindle Unlimited
December 10, 2021
A good read and I looking forward to your next book to see if father and daughter reunite.
The story kept me interested from beginning to end and that is the best kind of read.
Thanks so much Tom Abrahams!
The story kept me interested from beginning to end and that is the best kind of read.
Thanks so much Tom Abrahams!
December 27, 2021
Crusader
Loved how the story started and evolved. Beck was damaged by his mother so he is a bit flawed. The author tells the story how he helps others while searching for his daughter. Really great read.
Loved how the story started and evolved. Beck was damaged by his mother so he is a bit flawed. The author tells the story how he helps others while searching for his daughter. Really great read.
January 29, 2022
A mind bending story
The fact that people can come up with what CA n happen after a emp is compelling. I recommend this book for all who want to think what is possible. I look forward to book 2.
The fact that people can come up with what CA n happen after a emp is compelling. I recommend this book for all who want to think what is possible. I look forward to book 2.
February 15, 2022
Entirely boring . Everytime I thought the book was about to turn into something readable, it proved me wrong. A dystopian environment after an EMP that is poorly explained if at all. The characters are shallow as is the hero of the story. Really not a good read at all
February 18, 2022
crusader series
Tom Abraham’s series—all that I’ve read so far—are fabulous fun. A consummate story teller, his characters are beautifully drawn flawed heroes you can’t help admire. Action packed, roller coaster ride reading.
Tom Abraham’s series—all that I’ve read so far—are fabulous fun. A consummate story teller, his characters are beautifully drawn flawed heroes you can’t help admire. Action packed, roller coaster ride reading.
July 3, 2022
Book Review:
“Best Laid Plans: the Crusader Book One”
By Tom Abrahams
Going through Hades!
Our hero, an oil platform worker, was tossed overboard into the stormy sea, rescued, made it to Mobile, AL 90 miles away and then travelled half-way across the US. Now, that is what I call a “bad hair” day!
Very entertaining! I plan to read the remaining four books in this series.
“Best Laid Plans: the Crusader Book One”
By Tom Abrahams
Going through Hades!
Our hero, an oil platform worker, was tossed overboard into the stormy sea, rescued, made it to Mobile, AL 90 miles away and then travelled half-way across the US. Now, that is what I call a “bad hair” day!
Very entertaining! I plan to read the remaining four books in this series.
March 12, 2023
When the EMP hits, John Beck is stranded off shore on an oil rig. After an altercation onboard, he finds himself in a race to save his family, when back on land, as his attacker is out for revenge. Good story, similar format to the others in Abraham's EMP series's.
May 5, 2023
Not bad
Kind of formulaic. Lots of foreshadowing that made the end easy to guess. I can't imagine the next book being too much different.
Easy to pick up and put down. I didn't have to invest much in this story.
Kind of formulaic. Lots of foreshadowing that made the end easy to guess. I can't imagine the next book being too much different.
Easy to pick up and put down. I didn't have to invest much in this story.
December 21, 2021
Good book but
Too wordy, too much repetition, a few good characters. An average PA EMP book. I will read book 2 in the series.
Too wordy, too much repetition, a few good characters. An average PA EMP book. I will read book 2 in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews