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Dr. Sean Nolan Mysteries #3
Requital
A courier for a major drug cartel has an offer. If his pregnant wife and three year old daughter can be rescued from Mexico, he will supply all the information he has on the smuggling operation. With corrupt officials involved on both sides of the border he reaches out to Dr. Sean Nolan for help.
To Dr. Nolan it seems like a simple request and well worth the risk.
Uh... or not.
To Dr. Nolan it seems like a simple request and well worth the risk.
Uh... or not.
309 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 29, 2021
8 people are currently reading
2 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 6, 2022
Requital is a fantastic story, and it gets right to business without the long build-up you see in many other stories. However, it doesn’t skimp on the story, and the dialog is amazing and keeps you reading. I put it down to finish it the next day, and I kept thinking about it and had to go back. Dr. Nolan is a great character, and several others help make the story more interesting too, and I wouldn’t have minded if it was a little longer. I didn’t know this author had more books until I finished reading it, but I’ll definitely read more.
I recommend Requital to anyone that enjoys a great story.
I recommend Requital to anyone that enjoys a great story.
November 10, 2021
‘Requital,’ the latest installment to Dr. E. W. Johnson’s ongoing ‘Sean Nolan Mystery’ series, once again finds the doctor-turned-detective on the case only to find he’s stumbled into uncharted waters.
Following an opening ‘thought’ on personal freedom, ‘Requital’ opens with Dr. Nolan answering a mysterious call in the middle of the night from one Elena Cantrell. Elena represents a ‘client’ with a major problem: he’s been forced into driving for a notorious drug cartel. The client’s request? If Nolan can retrieve his wife and child from Mexico, he will offer invaluable information on the cartel’s operation. From there, Nolan heads to the border where he soon discovers that the proverbial cracks run deep on both sides of the wall. With his client’s family living on borrowed time, Nolan dives head first into the seedy underworld of border politics and a politically unstable Mexico. The question isn’t whether his efforts will place a target on his back, but rather, just how large the target will be.
‘Requital’ shares a lot of similarities with Johnson’s previous work. The story hits the ground running, wasting little time before setting the board and placing the players. The dialogue is crisp, the pacing is tight, and the plot has just enough twists and turns to justify its billing as a ‘thriller.’ That all being said, Johnson has placed a fair amount of focus on Nolan’s growth this time around, something that helps ‘Requital’ side-step that unflattering feeling of ‘I’ve read this book before.’
In many ways, Nolan has all but shed his ‘small town doctor’ persona. He’s solved a series of high-profile cases, and tangled with the criminal elite, saving countless lives along the way. With his daughters in their late teens, Nolan is even beginning to grapple with his own mortality. Nolan may be older and wiser, but the Cordero cartel is unlike any foe he’s faced before, something that aids in raising the stakes for the crafty doctor-turned-detective. As with all prolific writers, there will probably come a point where Johnson begins recycling his premises and plots, but it clearly hasn’t happened yet.
As with the previous entries in this ongoing series, ‘Requital’ is a stand-alone novel that benefits, but does not require, a familiarity with Johnson’s previous novels. If you’ve read any of the other Sean Nolan books, you’re sure to be satisfied with this release, and for anyone else who’s looking for a well-written thriller, ‘Requital’ is highly recommended.
Following an opening ‘thought’ on personal freedom, ‘Requital’ opens with Dr. Nolan answering a mysterious call in the middle of the night from one Elena Cantrell. Elena represents a ‘client’ with a major problem: he’s been forced into driving for a notorious drug cartel. The client’s request? If Nolan can retrieve his wife and child from Mexico, he will offer invaluable information on the cartel’s operation. From there, Nolan heads to the border where he soon discovers that the proverbial cracks run deep on both sides of the wall. With his client’s family living on borrowed time, Nolan dives head first into the seedy underworld of border politics and a politically unstable Mexico. The question isn’t whether his efforts will place a target on his back, but rather, just how large the target will be.
‘Requital’ shares a lot of similarities with Johnson’s previous work. The story hits the ground running, wasting little time before setting the board and placing the players. The dialogue is crisp, the pacing is tight, and the plot has just enough twists and turns to justify its billing as a ‘thriller.’ That all being said, Johnson has placed a fair amount of focus on Nolan’s growth this time around, something that helps ‘Requital’ side-step that unflattering feeling of ‘I’ve read this book before.’
In many ways, Nolan has all but shed his ‘small town doctor’ persona. He’s solved a series of high-profile cases, and tangled with the criminal elite, saving countless lives along the way. With his daughters in their late teens, Nolan is even beginning to grapple with his own mortality. Nolan may be older and wiser, but the Cordero cartel is unlike any foe he’s faced before, something that aids in raising the stakes for the crafty doctor-turned-detective. As with all prolific writers, there will probably come a point where Johnson begins recycling his premises and plots, but it clearly hasn’t happened yet.
As with the previous entries in this ongoing series, ‘Requital’ is a stand-alone novel that benefits, but does not require, a familiarity with Johnson’s previous novels. If you’ve read any of the other Sean Nolan books, you’re sure to be satisfied with this release, and for anyone else who’s looking for a well-written thriller, ‘Requital’ is highly recommended.
November 22, 2021
Dr. E. W. Johnson has been writing the titular Dr. Sean Nolan for several years now, who has gone on many adventures that have included but have not been limited to, entanglements with a serial killer, a viral disease, and the uncovering of a slaver ring. As with all the books, they serve as stand-alone adventures that complement each other but don't require knowledge of each other to enjoy.
However, there was an unfortunate side effect of that design that made 'Requital' difficult to chew at first. New readers were introduced to Dr. Sean Nolan in a heavy-handed way, his achievements listed off quick-fire to establish him as the one and only protagonist. Unfortunately, that did not endear him to new readers but rather alienated him as a relatable main character. I found myself not particularly caring about him or the allies he had made in his previous adventures, as this was my first foyer into Dr. Nolan's escapades. This affected the first act of the story considerably, as it seemed like the characters were going through rudimentary motions and empty ceremonial gestures before things actually happened.
But once all the chess pieces were set, all the players established, and the setting marked, Johnson began to thrive. Whatever hesitations I had at the beginning of the read melted away once the ball started rolling. It's just a shame that it took so long to actually get there.
The good doctor deals with a high-profile drug cartel in this adventure, brought to his attention by his lawyer and lover Elena. Johnson does seem to have some trouble finding his own voice, relying heavily on established tropes and dynamics that have been done over and over, but at least they feel fresh this time. While well written, 'Requital' was not very well designed. It struggles with pacing itself in the first half, but the second half is where it hits its stride.
Altogether, 'Requital' is a good read and an excellent way to spend the evening. Whatever enthusiasm I lacked at the beginning of the story was made up by the drama and intrigue that came when the carefully laid out plans fell apart. If you're thinking of picking up this book, be prepared for a slow slog in the beginning, which will be well worth the payoff afterward. I would have loved this book without complaint if the story started with a little more finesse and style.
However, there was an unfortunate side effect of that design that made 'Requital' difficult to chew at first. New readers were introduced to Dr. Sean Nolan in a heavy-handed way, his achievements listed off quick-fire to establish him as the one and only protagonist. Unfortunately, that did not endear him to new readers but rather alienated him as a relatable main character. I found myself not particularly caring about him or the allies he had made in his previous adventures, as this was my first foyer into Dr. Nolan's escapades. This affected the first act of the story considerably, as it seemed like the characters were going through rudimentary motions and empty ceremonial gestures before things actually happened.
But once all the chess pieces were set, all the players established, and the setting marked, Johnson began to thrive. Whatever hesitations I had at the beginning of the read melted away once the ball started rolling. It's just a shame that it took so long to actually get there.
The good doctor deals with a high-profile drug cartel in this adventure, brought to his attention by his lawyer and lover Elena. Johnson does seem to have some trouble finding his own voice, relying heavily on established tropes and dynamics that have been done over and over, but at least they feel fresh this time. While well written, 'Requital' was not very well designed. It struggles with pacing itself in the first half, but the second half is where it hits its stride.
Altogether, 'Requital' is a good read and an excellent way to spend the evening. Whatever enthusiasm I lacked at the beginning of the story was made up by the drama and intrigue that came when the carefully laid out plans fell apart. If you're thinking of picking up this book, be prepared for a slow slog in the beginning, which will be well worth the payoff afterward. I would have loved this book without complaint if the story started with a little more finesse and style.
November 24, 2021
Requital by E.W. Johnson was a fun and exhilarating read for me.
A thriller that will keep you on your toes and have you praying for all the characters’ wellbeing, Requital does not waste time building the atmosphere but jumps right in. For me, it was the perfect beginning and set the tone for the rest of the novel which was filled with a sense of urgency and tension.
This was another Sean Nolan mystery by Johnson, but even though I had not read any of the previous books by him, it was easy for me to understand and catch on. There are some references to his achievements in the past, but rather than confusing me, they only added to the persona of Dr. Nolan. If anything, I am all the more interested in reading those stories as well.
Having read a lot of thrillers, I could not help but expect the narrative to unfold in a certain way, but this was surprisingly fresh. Of course, there were some twists to shock the reader, but they did not feel like something I had already read. If you like a story with meticulous planning and a lot of carefully crafted detail, don’t worry and jump right in.
Another thing that I liked about the story was its plethora of characters. I loved their interactions with each other, whether they were serious mission-related conversations or something entirely off course.
The story also allowed little moments of introspection to the characters, and in turn, the readers, about their place in the world, the need to make it a better place, and how sometimes to do that one has to make some hard choices, and that gave this story a little bit of emotional depth that made me like it more.
A thriller that will keep you on your toes and have you praying for all the characters’ wellbeing, Requital does not waste time building the atmosphere but jumps right in. For me, it was the perfect beginning and set the tone for the rest of the novel which was filled with a sense of urgency and tension.
This was another Sean Nolan mystery by Johnson, but even though I had not read any of the previous books by him, it was easy for me to understand and catch on. There are some references to his achievements in the past, but rather than confusing me, they only added to the persona of Dr. Nolan. If anything, I am all the more interested in reading those stories as well.
Having read a lot of thrillers, I could not help but expect the narrative to unfold in a certain way, but this was surprisingly fresh. Of course, there were some twists to shock the reader, but they did not feel like something I had already read. If you like a story with meticulous planning and a lot of carefully crafted detail, don’t worry and jump right in.
Another thing that I liked about the story was its plethora of characters. I loved their interactions with each other, whether they were serious mission-related conversations or something entirely off course.
The story also allowed little moments of introspection to the characters, and in turn, the readers, about their place in the world, the need to make it a better place, and how sometimes to do that one has to make some hard choices, and that gave this story a little bit of emotional depth that made me like it more.
November 17, 2021
Dr. Sean Nolan and his loyal team are back at it in “Requital” by E.W. Johnson, M.D. The doctor’s phone rings in the middle of the night. It’s Elena Cantrell, his girlfriend, and lawyer who he recently met while in Imperial Valley, CA. on a Legionnaires Disease medical mission that turned into a human trafficking case. Elena is calling on behalf of a client who requested Dr. Nolan’s help. The human trafficking case has made Dr. Nolan into a local hero/legend. The bad news is that a drug cartel has constructed a tunnel large enough to drive trucks through that crosses the U.S./Mexican border. The really bad news is that the driver’s family is being held hostage to ensure the driver's loyalty and silence. The driver claims that the authorities on both sides of the border are involved so he has no one else to turn to and is offering to tell all he knows about the cartel in exchange for the rescue of his family.
Our author Dr. Johnson has created a cast of characters that are likable, and believable. Dr. Nolan puts this team back together for the trek from the Pacific Northwest to Southern CA. Elena Cantrell and her mother help out too. I like the characters to the point that I actually missed spending time with them when I finished the story. This book is a real page-turner and an incredibly quick read.
Our author Dr. Johnson has created a cast of characters that are likable, and believable. Dr. Nolan puts this team back together for the trek from the Pacific Northwest to Southern CA. Elena Cantrell and her mother help out too. I like the characters to the point that I actually missed spending time with them when I finished the story. This book is a real page-turner and an incredibly quick read.
November 25, 2021
In "Requital", Mateo, a Mexican pickup truck driver appeals for Dr. Nolan's help to unmask the dealings of the Cordero cartel and save his family from harm's way by the same group. The doctor is only too willing to help out and is consequently thrust into a fast-spin labyrinth of the sordid organized crime involving secret transportation of hard drugs across the Mexican border into the US, through a secret tunnel.
E.W. Johnson M.D., as always, manages to capture the reader's attention from beginning to end. Having read some of his previous works, I was only too glad to get my hands on this novel. Unlike some of his previous novels whose adventures start slowly then build up the thrill, "Requital" is a high-octane novel from the beginning. Dr. Nolan's moral aesthetic influences play out as the book buds and will almost inevitably rub off on readers.
I love how the author manages to create realistic characters that readers can relate to. With a mixture of Nancy Drew and medical expertise, this medical crime thriller will appeal to many readers. Further, it is filled with a descriptive and crisp literary style that tackles modern-day issues.
Readers who love an engaging mystery novel that defies quick solutions will find "Requital" hard to put down.
E.W. Johnson M.D., as always, manages to capture the reader's attention from beginning to end. Having read some of his previous works, I was only too glad to get my hands on this novel. Unlike some of his previous novels whose adventures start slowly then build up the thrill, "Requital" is a high-octane novel from the beginning. Dr. Nolan's moral aesthetic influences play out as the book buds and will almost inevitably rub off on readers.
I love how the author manages to create realistic characters that readers can relate to. With a mixture of Nancy Drew and medical expertise, this medical crime thriller will appeal to many readers. Further, it is filled with a descriptive and crisp literary style that tackles modern-day issues.
Readers who love an engaging mystery novel that defies quick solutions will find "Requital" hard to put down.
November 25, 2021
What a great thriller! I hadn't realised that this was a further instalment of the Sean Nolan Mystery series and I think that not starting with the first book probably made the start of the book a bit slower and heavy going than it would have been. Having said that they definitely work as stand alone stories
After getting a name in a previous case for helping in a human trafficking case, Dr Nolan is asked to help rescue a pregnant mother and young child who are being help hostage by a Mexican drug cartel. The husband has been a driver for the cartel but now wants to get out. The tension builds as Nolan puts together his team and steps in to the most dangerous of territories where he is putting his life on the line. I kept the pages turning and found the pace perfect and the twists as things don't go as plan, superb.
The book is well written and the author develops the characters really well with some great dialogue between them. By the end of the book I was feeling far more invested in the outcome than expected due to this well crafted thriller. I would like to go back to some of the earlier books to find out what it has that built the man, Dr Sean Nolan!
After getting a name in a previous case for helping in a human trafficking case, Dr Nolan is asked to help rescue a pregnant mother and young child who are being help hostage by a Mexican drug cartel. The husband has been a driver for the cartel but now wants to get out. The tension builds as Nolan puts together his team and steps in to the most dangerous of territories where he is putting his life on the line. I kept the pages turning and found the pace perfect and the twists as things don't go as plan, superb.
The book is well written and the author develops the characters really well with some great dialogue between them. By the end of the book I was feeling far more invested in the outcome than expected due to this well crafted thriller. I would like to go back to some of the earlier books to find out what it has that built the man, Dr Sean Nolan!
February 28, 2022
“Requital” by Ellis Johnson M.D. is the 3rd book in the mystery series about Dr. Sean Nolan. This is the first book I have read in the series and I don’t think it deterred me from immediately getting to understand the book and characters. Johnson did a great job at explaining who the main character, Dr. Nolan, is with quick explanations of his past as needed. As we meet each new character, we also learn about how they met Dr. Nolan. I enjoyed that because I felt like I didn’t have to read the first two to read this one.
In the first chapter, the reader immediately gets caught up in adventure. Dr. Nolan gets a phone call that will pull him and his friends into drug trafficking, a cartel, a hostage situation, and more. This isn’t Dr. Nolan’s first rodeo, as you learn if you hadn’t read the 2 previous books. This book is a non stop adventure with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat.
Johnson is great with description of the different locations and characters. After reading, I’m definitely going to read the first two and encourage anyone who likes mystery and adventure to do the same.
In the first chapter, the reader immediately gets caught up in adventure. Dr. Nolan gets a phone call that will pull him and his friends into drug trafficking, a cartel, a hostage situation, and more. This isn’t Dr. Nolan’s first rodeo, as you learn if you hadn’t read the 2 previous books. This book is a non stop adventure with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat.
Johnson is great with description of the different locations and characters. After reading, I’m definitely going to read the first two and encourage anyone who likes mystery and adventure to do the same.
November 21, 2021
'Requital' follows Dr. Sean Nolan through another dangerous quest to right some wrongs. The book begins when Dr. Nolan receives a middle of the night call from his girlfriend/lawyer Elena Cantrell. Elena has received a call from an individual requesting Dr. Nolan's help. The potential "client" drives product for a drug cartel in Mexico but wants Dr. Nolan's help to get his pregnant wife and young child out from underneath the cartel's grasp. In exchange he will provide invaluable information about the cartel's movements.
While 'Requital' is the next installment in the ongoing Dr. Sean Nolan Mystery series, the book stands alone. While the background of the characters may enhance the storyline, it is not necessary to read any other books in the series to thoroughly enjoy 'Requital'.
Dr. Nolan and the supporting characters are all enjoyable and captivating. I particularly liked the banter between Dr. Nolan and Elena. 'Requital' is fast-paced and contains plenty of unexpected twists to keep the reader engaged and turning the page. I definitely recommend 'Requital'.
While 'Requital' is the next installment in the ongoing Dr. Sean Nolan Mystery series, the book stands alone. While the background of the characters may enhance the storyline, it is not necessary to read any other books in the series to thoroughly enjoy 'Requital'.
Dr. Nolan and the supporting characters are all enjoyable and captivating. I particularly liked the banter between Dr. Nolan and Elena. 'Requital' is fast-paced and contains plenty of unexpected twists to keep the reader engaged and turning the page. I definitely recommend 'Requital'.
November 29, 2021
This is obviously the second (or third?) story with this character, Dr. Sean Nolan - only because it briefly mentions previous adventures with characters in this story. But this is the first time I've read this author & character, and I had no trouble diving right in. It's a political thriller of sorts where Dr. Nolan and team must help a driver get out of drug running. I liked how self-aware Dr. Nolan is and he has no trouble surrounding himself with a professional team who will get the job done. He reminded me a lot of Jack Reacher or Jack Ryan - one of those smart, sarcastic types. Really good read, I think you'll enjoy it. 4/5 stars
November 25, 2021
This was another terrific book by E. W. Johnson whose skill in creating a perfect blend of exciting plot, engaging characters, romance and funny, often punny humor is outstanding. I thoroughly enjoyed following Dr. Sean Nolan on yet another adventure, this time into the uber dangerous world of Mexican cartels, where a family’s lives matters more than catching the bad guys. It’s remarkable how this author makes thriller fiction family friendly. Short chapters, plenty of dialogue keep everything moving quickly. Great reading!
November 16, 2021
Intriguing
This author brought you into the story and then held you captivated. It makes it so you want more and more.
This author brought you into the story and then held you captivated. It makes it so you want more and more.
November 26, 2021
A must read book
This was the best book I've read in a long time if you like books that is serious but with humor and wit and a little romance I guarantee you will love this one!
This was the best book I've read in a long time if you like books that is serious but with humor and wit and a little romance I guarantee you will love this one!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews