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Jack and Stacy Green Thrillers #1
Man In The Water
An attempted murder.
A missing spouse.
And an international conspiracy that could change the world.
Jack Green has always been skeptical of so-called facts. Though he's forced to confront the reality about his wife's recent cancer diagnosis, he puts his own needs aside to make the best of what may be their last vacation. But he's shocked to be rudely awoken in his stateroom, abducted by masked men and thrown off the cruise.
Plucked from the ocean's cold grip of death, he fears the worst when he learns his spouse has disappeared. But when he returns home to find his mother-in-law and son missing, his frantic search reveals a staggering secret he refuses to believe... until someone tries to kill him.
Can Jack uncover the conspiracy surrounding his family before the next attempt on his life succeeds?
Man In The Water is the chilling first book in A Jack and Stacey Green suspense series. If you like spine-tingling espionage, complex characters, and surprise twists and turns, then you'll love Jon Hill's action-packed tale.
A missing spouse.
And an international conspiracy that could change the world.
Jack Green has always been skeptical of so-called facts. Though he's forced to confront the reality about his wife's recent cancer diagnosis, he puts his own needs aside to make the best of what may be their last vacation. But he's shocked to be rudely awoken in his stateroom, abducted by masked men and thrown off the cruise.
Plucked from the ocean's cold grip of death, he fears the worst when he learns his spouse has disappeared. But when he returns home to find his mother-in-law and son missing, his frantic search reveals a staggering secret he refuses to believe... until someone tries to kill him.
Can Jack uncover the conspiracy surrounding his family before the next attempt on his life succeeds?
Man In The Water is the chilling first book in A Jack and Stacey Green suspense series. If you like spine-tingling espionage, complex characters, and surprise twists and turns, then you'll love Jon Hill's action-packed tale.
233 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 5, 2021
819 people are currently reading
6491 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
October 11, 2021
1) I read this in kindle format.
2) This is one of the most convoluted stories I’ve ever read. We never went deep enough to make anything important. I started eye roll, hard.
3) So darn inconsistent it was ridiculous.
4) That was when I got downright annoyed.
5) Meh!
2) This is one of the most convoluted stories I’ve ever read. We never went deep enough to make anything important. I started eye roll, hard.
3) So darn inconsistent it was ridiculous.
4) That was when I got downright annoyed.
5) Meh!
April 5, 2024
3/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ugh - this book - it has good potential, but I just hated the characters so much that I couldn’t fully enjoy the storyline and stupidity of the main character!
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ugh - this book - it has good potential, but I just hated the characters so much that I couldn’t fully enjoy the storyline and stupidity of the main character!
January 4, 2022
The Man in the Water by Jon Hill was both a new author and the start of a new series for me.
The plot and characters both started out so well. Speedy, perfectly placed plot that wouldn’t have been out of place on the big (or small) screen, believable characters with authentic motives and reactions.
And then, like all good spy thrillers, the twists started arriving. By the end I didn’t know who was telling the truth and the characters apparent motivations had changed so many timed I couldn’t even unravel which were possibly true. Jack, the male protagonist started out as a strong character however I felt there was a backward step in his development throughout the novel. Strong and believable to sap.
The Man in the Water was heading for a strong 4* in the first half but all in all, gets a 3*.
The plot and characters both started out so well. Speedy, perfectly placed plot that wouldn’t have been out of place on the big (or small) screen, believable characters with authentic motives and reactions.
And then, like all good spy thrillers, the twists started arriving. By the end I didn’t know who was telling the truth and the characters apparent motivations had changed so many timed I couldn’t even unravel which were possibly true. Jack, the male protagonist started out as a strong character however I felt there was a backward step in his development throughout the novel. Strong and believable to sap.
The Man in the Water was heading for a strong 4* in the first half but all in all, gets a 3*.
April 27, 2022
I've been back and forth on giving this anything between 2 and 4 stars. The poor writing early on and the unresolved ending, basically a teaser for a sequel, meant 4 was never really on. It's really a 2 star, but with enough good parts to squeeze 3 on a generous day.
Is 'Jon Hill' another pen name of 'Ryne Pearson'? I don't know, but it would be the best explanation for the otherwise odd device of writing the titles of Pearson's books into the plot...
Is 'Jon Hill' another pen name of 'Ryne Pearson'? I don't know, but it would be the best explanation for the otherwise odd device of writing the titles of Pearson's books into the plot...
September 27, 2022
Very suspenseful story of man who is purposely thrown overboard from a cruise ship. He survives but then his wife disappears. Then, back home, his mother-in-law disappears with their son. The rest of the story is about Russian spies and conspiracy theories and it went downhill from there. Main character is very conflicted about whether there is a god or not. I read the ebook. Published October of 2021.
December 22, 2023
DNF listen on audible, the silliest dialogue I’ve heard in a long time.
December 24, 2023
Excellent fast paced thriller! Now onto the second one in this series.
July 29, 2022
The absurdity level at times really goes beyond belief. Warning the rest are spoilers, but letting your son almost get killed because you were afraid killing his would be killer would get you in trouble is just too much to swallow. On top of that, the plot twists seem almost arbitrary and given they all come in the last couple chapters of the book, you wonder why you wasted the time with the earlier details.
Also super dumb things like leaving your house to go for coffee right after you get shot at and have a dead guy in the house is also super dumb.
The part about being abandoned at a cabin in the mountains for your own safety and then left there to fend for yourself including getting back to civilization also seemed to bear no relevance to the story.
And needing to drink so you can get your thoughts straight hardly seems like a strategy with this kind of stuff going on around you but couple it with all the emotional breakdowns, it probably makes sense, NOT!
And finally, all the conspiracy theory references were way over the top, not sure if it was an agenda (one I would typically agree with) or a mocking of anyone that doesn't trust the government.
It is listed as book #1 but the lack of conclusion at the end really didn't leave me wanting more but more like "I can't take any more of the absurdity", only if it were free and I was out of other books would I listen.
Audio performance was very good though.
Also super dumb things like leaving your house to go for coffee right after you get shot at and have a dead guy in the house is also super dumb.
The part about being abandoned at a cabin in the mountains for your own safety and then left there to fend for yourself including getting back to civilization also seemed to bear no relevance to the story.
And needing to drink so you can get your thoughts straight hardly seems like a strategy with this kind of stuff going on around you but couple it with all the emotional breakdowns, it probably makes sense, NOT!
And finally, all the conspiracy theory references were way over the top, not sure if it was an agenda (one I would typically agree with) or a mocking of anyone that doesn't trust the government.
It is listed as book #1 but the lack of conclusion at the end really didn't leave me wanting more but more like "I can't take any more of the absurdity", only if it were free and I was out of other books would I listen.
Audio performance was very good though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2022
This book has been what of my favorites. It is about a man that doesn't know his wife very well. The betrayal and the distrust is so sad and exciting to read about. It is definitely a mystery about who threw Jack into the ocean on his and Stacy's cruise and how Stacy was involved. I just love how unpredictable this book was. I couldn't figure out how it would end or who was the bad guy until the very end. Poor Jack goes crazy and is super confused over the whole thing. I really liked how they tied things in that I sort of knew about, but didn't. It is about like Russian spies and the CIA. Eventually Jack gets the FBI involved and the CIA and the FBI are very different organizations. I would definitely recommend this to other teens because it is fast paced and is a page turner. It gives you a lesson that family means more than anything. I would give it 4/5 stars because there is some use of language that I don't really like, but other than that I really enjoyed the story and am now reading the second book: Man in the Woods.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2024
It was just horrible. He leaves a dead person in his house and he’s not concerned about the law at all…. But then he’s worried about the law later when he doesn’t want to shoot someone that has just killed his stepmom even tho he’s just come across that same person attacking his wife. Dialogue is so corny, and I don’t want to read pages and pages of conspiracy theories that don’t contribute to the story whatsoever. Not sure how his son was able to survive. I want the time I spent reading this book back
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 27, 2022
I felt like I wasn't attached to any of these characters - whether it was the main people or not, I just didn't feel like I was invested. When it got towards the end I thought it was resolved but then it wasn't and they had to keep trying to explain all the little pieces of the puzzle. I don't know. It was starting to get good then it fell flat for me.
April 13, 2022
To many weird descriptive thoughts processes for me and if I was a guy and my wife lied to me that many times; well…
February 3, 2025
3.5⭐
I was excited for this one as I've not read many crime/thriller books recently, but unfortunately this fell a little short of my expectations.
It did have an interesting enough premise - a couple goes on a cruise, only for the conspiracy-theorist husband to be tossed overboard & find his wife missing once rescued.
I'm unsure if it played too much on the conspiracy theories, but it just didn't grab me as I'd hoped. That said, it is full of twists & turns throughout, so it does keep you on your toes.
If you're a fan of typical 90s/00s action espionage type films, you may enjoy this read.
I was excited for this one as I've not read many crime/thriller books recently, but unfortunately this fell a little short of my expectations.
It did have an interesting enough premise - a couple goes on a cruise, only for the conspiracy-theorist husband to be tossed overboard & find his wife missing once rescued.
I'm unsure if it played too much on the conspiracy theories, but it just didn't grab me as I'd hoped. That said, it is full of twists & turns throughout, so it does keep you on your toes.
If you're a fan of typical 90s/00s action espionage type films, you may enjoy this read.
January 10, 2022
Conspiracy Theory
A man tossed overboard on a cruise is rescued. But his beautiful Russian wife is missing. He returns hone to find both his son and mother in law vanished. Soon he becomes embroiled in international intrigue that will make the conspiracy theories he is so fond of seem like fairy tales.
I did not care for this book. It is decently written but unbelievable and convoluted. The characters did not resonate with me.
A man tossed overboard on a cruise is rescued. But his beautiful Russian wife is missing. He returns hone to find both his son and mother in law vanished. Soon he becomes embroiled in international intrigue that will make the conspiracy theories he is so fond of seem like fairy tales.
I did not care for this book. It is decently written but unbelievable and convoluted. The characters did not resonate with me.
February 8, 2023
Not believable
When I read a spy novel, it has to have some relation to reality. This book just doesn't. The main character keeps stating he is an average Joe, but then pulls off feats tat 007 would be proud of. Nothing that happens in this book seems real. The author is trying too hard with the # of twists and turns. Was glad when it was done.
When I read a spy novel, it has to have some relation to reality. This book just doesn't. The main character keeps stating he is an average Joe, but then pulls off feats tat 007 would be proud of. Nothing that happens in this book seems real. The author is trying too hard with the # of twists and turns. Was glad when it was done.
December 4, 2021
complete waste of time
I can’t believe this has become a series. Utterly ridiculous premise. Unimaginably boring characters. I couldn’t even finish this book. If you like it, then your literary expectations are nil.
I can’t believe this has become a series. Utterly ridiculous premise. Unimaginably boring characters. I couldn’t even finish this book. If you like it, then your literary expectations are nil.
March 8, 2025
**What a crazy ride this was**
I didn't know what to expect when I jumped into this thing. I may have skimmed the synopsis at one point, but I definitely didn't remember any bit of it by the time I started. So, I essentially just went into this story fairly blind and absorbed it as it was presented to me.
And I tell ya, I loved nearly everything about this thing. The pacing, the characters, the dialogue (my gawd, the dialogue), the premise, and the thrills. I was legit on the edge of my seat nearly the entire way through. My mind was continually thrown for a loop. I had plenty of things to say, plenty that drove me crazy, as evidenced by my commentary found here.
I particularly appreciated the lack of drag in this story. Even the moments where it DID slow down weren't packed with boring content that contributed nothing to the story or made me itch to get back on track. Everything felt well-fitted for the build-up of the plot. Of course, as briefly mentioned before, it was the dialogue that was my favorite. Everything felt genuine and authentic, even character reactions to certain events.
If there's one thing I will complain about, however, it's the few areas where things DIDN'T feel realistic. There were definitely moments that either worked out a bit too perfectly or weren't really resolved at all, thanks mostly to random time-jumps (some of them significant). I also don't feel satisfied by the ending, like, at ALL. This is the main reason why I couldn't quite plop a fifth star.
All in all, though, I had a great time with this one, and I'm looking forward to the next entry.
I didn't know what to expect when I jumped into this thing. I may have skimmed the synopsis at one point, but I definitely didn't remember any bit of it by the time I started. So, I essentially just went into this story fairly blind and absorbed it as it was presented to me.
And I tell ya, I loved nearly everything about this thing. The pacing, the characters, the dialogue (my gawd, the dialogue), the premise, and the thrills. I was legit on the edge of my seat nearly the entire way through. My mind was continually thrown for a loop. I had plenty of things to say, plenty that drove me crazy, as evidenced by my commentary found here.
I particularly appreciated the lack of drag in this story. Even the moments where it DID slow down weren't packed with boring content that contributed nothing to the story or made me itch to get back on track. Everything felt well-fitted for the build-up of the plot. Of course, as briefly mentioned before, it was the dialogue that was my favorite. Everything felt genuine and authentic, even character reactions to certain events.
If there's one thing I will complain about, however, it's the few areas where things DIDN'T feel realistic. There were definitely moments that either worked out a bit too perfectly or weren't really resolved at all, thanks mostly to random time-jumps (some of them significant). I also don't feel satisfied by the ending, like, at ALL. This is the main reason why I couldn't quite plop a fifth star.
All in all, though, I had a great time with this one, and I'm looking forward to the next entry.
March 14, 2024
Author: Jon Hill
Pages: 247
Genre: Thriller
More info: Amazon, Goodreads
Man In The Water by Jon Jill is the first book from the Jack and Stacey Green suspense series. (1)
Jack Green's life was happy until his wife was diagnosed with cancer. When she asks him to go on a two-week cruise before she starts chemo, he can't say no, so they leave their son to the care of his mother-in-law. He was always interested in conspiracy theories and believed big people were calling the shots from afar and intervening in politics. However, he never would have thought he would get into trouble involving these people, but he did.
He woke up to masked people grabbing him and throwing him to the water from the cruise ship. He survived, but his wife was declared dead after finding a suicide note in their cabin.
Jack is devastated but has no time to grieve his love. He needs to find his son, who disappeared from their home.
His mother-in-law is missing, too; her house is up for sale, and strange men are breaking into their home.
He needs to find his son and uncover the mystery surrounding his wife.
Well, to be honest, I'm not into this kind of conspiracy theory/ spy book, but I enjoyed reading this one.
I gave this book 3,5 stars.
Thriller/ spy/ conspiracy theory/ child abuse/ Pennsylvania
Pages: 247
Genre: Thriller
More info: Amazon, Goodreads
Man In The Water by Jon Jill is the first book from the Jack and Stacey Green suspense series. (1)
Jack Green's life was happy until his wife was diagnosed with cancer. When she asks him to go on a two-week cruise before she starts chemo, he can't say no, so they leave their son to the care of his mother-in-law. He was always interested in conspiracy theories and believed big people were calling the shots from afar and intervening in politics. However, he never would have thought he would get into trouble involving these people, but he did.
He woke up to masked people grabbing him and throwing him to the water from the cruise ship. He survived, but his wife was declared dead after finding a suicide note in their cabin.
Jack is devastated but has no time to grieve his love. He needs to find his son, who disappeared from their home.
His mother-in-law is missing, too; her house is up for sale, and strange men are breaking into their home.
He needs to find his son and uncover the mystery surrounding his wife.
Well, to be honest, I'm not into this kind of conspiracy theory/ spy book, but I enjoyed reading this one.
I gave this book 3,5 stars.
Thriller/ spy/ conspiracy theory/ child abuse/ Pennsylvania
January 12, 2022
I give anyone who has finished writing a book 5 points for their perseverance, I know I couldn't do it.
Jack the conspiracy theorist and his bigamist wife with their (? but is he really the father) precocious son fall into a plot so full of intrigue and agencies it is mind boggling Throwing him off a cruise ship and abducting his family, killing anyone who helps him after his rescue. I still wouldn't trust her as far as I could throw her even after she kills her first husband in front of him and their son. She did help blow up a crowded arena and lie about how she killed her old whatever he was with a fire extinguisher when he was shot. But if she looks as good in Victoria's Secret as he says who's going to doubt her. I read it in a day, I don't analyse books it's not an exam and as a bit of entertainment it does it's job.
Jack the conspiracy theorist and his bigamist wife with their (? but is he really the father) precocious son fall into a plot so full of intrigue and agencies it is mind boggling Throwing him off a cruise ship and abducting his family, killing anyone who helps him after his rescue. I still wouldn't trust her as far as I could throw her even after she kills her first husband in front of him and their son. She did help blow up a crowded arena and lie about how she killed her old whatever he was with a fire extinguisher when he was shot. But if she looks as good in Victoria's Secret as he says who's going to doubt her. I read it in a day, I don't analyse books it's not an exam and as a bit of entertainment it does it's job.
May 23, 2022
You can't always trust everyone
Jack & Stacey are on a cruise when their world is turned upside down.Jack is thrown overboard and Stacey is missing. No one really believes Jack's story. He finds out that his mother in law has taken his son and now someone wants him dead. Who can be trust! Will Jack believe the truth about Stacey? She is not what he thought she had many dark secrets that will bring his world crumbling down.
A good thrilling read. Jack needs to stop trusting the person that he loves the most as they will destroy him
Jack & Stacey are on a cruise when their world is turned upside down.Jack is thrown overboard and Stacey is missing. No one really believes Jack's story. He finds out that his mother in law has taken his son and now someone wants him dead. Who can be trust! Will Jack believe the truth about Stacey? She is not what he thought she had many dark secrets that will bring his world crumbling down.
A good thrilling read. Jack needs to stop trusting the person that he loves the most as they will destroy him
February 22, 2024
It wasn’t bad but there was just a lot of “okay this is what happened” “well actually here’s what happened” “but ACTUALLY this is what happened” “not for real THIS is what happened” and you kinda go through a few different versions of the story and it gets a tad confusing and then it kinda just ends? I don’t have the second one at the moment so I’m unsure whether or not it will say what the end brought, because I know book two jumps ahead to the future. Again it wasn’t bad but it was just a bit of an odd book.
February 15, 2025
Decent Read
I’m not really into the cloak and dagger type of reading. That being said, the book was really good. It seemed like there was way too many details thrown in that didn’t get wrapped up. Adding a little bombshell at the end so that you HAD to read, the next installment was a little irritating. The writing was pretty easy, but the author made Jack into a simpering fool that believed anything that fell out of his wife’s mouth. The story wasn’t very believable, but I finished it anyway.
I’m not really into the cloak and dagger type of reading. That being said, the book was really good. It seemed like there was way too many details thrown in that didn’t get wrapped up. Adding a little bombshell at the end so that you HAD to read, the next installment was a little irritating. The writing was pretty easy, but the author made Jack into a simpering fool that believed anything that fell out of his wife’s mouth. The story wasn’t very believable, but I finished it anyway.
May 23, 2025
Didn't think I was enjoying this book as much as I should UNTIL I got to the last page. It's been a long time since I have read a book that I wanted to know what's going to happen aafter the book is finished. Just when you think it's been solved and they're all going to live happily ever after there's a twist at the very last minute making you want more. Can't wait to get into the next one. Having said that, I rarely read the same author consecutively. I may have to break this rule this one time.
June 15, 2023
A complex plot, with many twists. The action moved fast, but what I thought would be the climactic scene was not, actually, there was more to come. Most of the story made sense, until we got almost to the end, when Jack very much UNDER reacted to a major event. That was the main part that threw me, after all the espionage and knock-down, drag-out scene. The writing was good, just felt that the ending seemed somewhat unrealistic. But overall a fun ride.
January 27, 2025
You had me at Conspiracy Theory with Mel Gibson! The author masterfully sprinkles nods to iconic movies and characters throughout, keeping this thriller both familiar and fresh. As for Jack? Let’s just say he’s occasionally a few steps behind the plot—but hey, who isn’t when things get this twisty? By the time you reach the ending, you’ll be grinning and scrambling to click 'buy' on the next installment.
February 5, 2025
Man in the Water
Pretty good thriller about a couple on a cruise. Jack is grabbed one night on the ship by masked men.
He is thrown overboard. Luckily a passenger sees it and alerts the Captain. However once back in board he discovers his wife missing.
Then on arriving home his son and mother in law also are missing.
There is a kind of ending but the story continues in next book.
Pretty good thriller about a couple on a cruise. Jack is grabbed one night on the ship by masked men.
He is thrown overboard. Luckily a passenger sees it and alerts the Captain. However once back in board he discovers his wife missing.
Then on arriving home his son and mother in law also are missing.
There is a kind of ending but the story continues in next book.
September 22, 2025
I listened to this book on audio through Chirp books.
This was a fast paced drama. It may have been easier to read because trying to decipher what’s going on and what were the main characters thoughts was difficult at times.
I was very tired, but I couldn’t fall asleep listening to this book because I needed to know what was going to happen next. I’m glad there is a book too because I definitely want to listen to that also.
I give Man In The Water 4 out of 5 life shattering moments.
This was a fast paced drama. It may have been easier to read because trying to decipher what’s going on and what were the main characters thoughts was difficult at times.
I was very tired, but I couldn’t fall asleep listening to this book because I needed to know what was going to happen next. I’m glad there is a book too because I definitely want to listen to that also.
I give Man In The Water 4 out of 5 life shattering moments.
October 1, 2025
Adventures of Jack and Stacey
Jack and Stacey seem to be the average suburban couple until they go on a cruise and Jack is thrown overboard and Stacey goes missing! That’s the beginning of the book and life goes downhill for Jack from that point on as nothing is as it seems.
The ending isn’t really the end because apparently there’s a second book and maybe a third to continue their story!
Jack and Stacey seem to be the average suburban couple until they go on a cruise and Jack is thrown overboard and Stacey goes missing! That’s the beginning of the book and life goes downhill for Jack from that point on as nothing is as it seems.
The ending isn’t really the end because apparently there’s a second book and maybe a third to continue their story!
February 9, 2022
Suspense
Loved the storyline full of intrigue, suspense and keeping the reader on the edge of the seat. Is a great storyline in that it is believable scenario. All the characters are fully part of suspense. A cliff hanger. However I do not like storylines that end with surprises or no end of story.
Loved the storyline full of intrigue, suspense and keeping the reader on the edge of the seat. Is a great storyline in that it is believable scenario. All the characters are fully part of suspense. A cliff hanger. However I do not like storylines that end with surprises or no end of story.
July 5, 2022
This was the first time listening to an audiobook for me. I was looking for an interesting book for a long ride and this did not disappoint. The beginning was a classic mystery, turning later into a spy thriller, and it ended with a cliffhanger. I was shocked to find it free on Apple Books, but sadly, the sequel is not free haha
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews