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SERIAL KILLER... OR VAMPIRE?

Being admitted to a hospital during a pandemic is bad.

Being trapped there while a lunatic is on the loose is even worse.

Ex-cop Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels, ex-criminal Phineas Troutt, and ex-private eye Harry McGlade are all healing after a near-fatal encounter. But it's tough to mend when there's a serial killer prowling the halls at night, draining patients of their blood.

The psychosis is known as Renfield's syndrome. The psycho has eyes on Jack and her friends.

And they're about to learn that giving blood isn't always voluntary...

BITE FORCE by JA Konrath
Get ready to sink your teeth in.

If you are a more sensitive (or adventurous) reader, this handy scale rates specific categories from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest) to give you some idea if this is your kind of book.

BITE FORCE
Bad Language - 6
Scary - 8
Violent - 9
Funny - 7
Sexy - 2
Crossovers - Features Jack Daniels, Phineas Troutt, Harry McGlade, and includes characters from the Konrath Dark Thriller Collective, the Codename: Chandler series, and the Timecaster series.

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 31, 2022

192 people are currently reading
424 people want to read

About the author

J.A. Konrath

198 books3,015 followers
Joe Konrath has written over twenty novels in the Lt. Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels thriller series. They do not have to be read chronologically to be enjoyed, but the order is: Whiskey Sour, Bloody Mary, Rusty Nail, Dirty Martini, Shot of Tequila, Fuzzy Navel, Cherry Bomb, Dead On My Feet, Serial Killers Uncut (with Blake Crouch), Shaken, Stirred (with Blake Crouch), Dying Breath, Everybody Dies, Rum Runner, Last Call, White Russian, Shot Girl, Chaser, Old Fashioned, Bite Force, and Witch Brew. More coming soon.

Wow, that's a lot of Jack.

If you like your thrillers on the dark side, check out the Konrath Dark Thriller Collective, which includes the books The List, Origin, Afraid, Trapped, Endurance, Haunted House, Webcam, Disturb, What Happened To Lori, The Nine, Second Coming, and Close Your Eyes.

Joe also wrote the Stop A Murder mystery puzzle series, where you become the sleuth and solve brain teasers to try and catch a killer.

He also wrote the sci-fi trilogy, Timecaster, Timecaster Supersymmetry, and Timecaster Steampunk. Even if you don't think you like sci-fi, give them a try. They feature Joe's well-known characters from his other series, and are insane.

With Ann Voss Peterson he wrote the Codename: Chandler thrillers, including Flee, Spree, Three, Hit, Exposed, Naughty, Fix (with F. Paul Wilson), Rescue, and Free.

And, finally, he writes erotica under the pen name Melinda DuChamp, also with Ann Voss Peterson. Those books are probably too spicy for you, so only the brave and bold should seek them out.

Joe writes a lot. You should probably read everything.

You can visit Joe and sign up for his newsletter at www.JAKonrath.com/mailing-list.php

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Community Reviews

5 stars
242 (44%)
4 stars
177 (32%)
3 stars
96 (17%)
2 stars
17 (3%)
1 star
6 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
Profile Image for Marie.
1,121 reviews393 followers
January 13, 2024
Action Packed!

Small backstory:

Jack is back with Phin and their daughter Sam along with Harry as they deal with two killers that are somehow lurking around in the hospital where Jack, Phin, and Harry are located while they have their injuries looked after. They are not sure how they will go about trying to hunt down the two killers since all three of them are confined to a hospital bed but they will need to do something quick as the killers are making their rounds and all three of them might be next!

That is about all I can give on a small backstory without giving away spoilers so if you want to know more then go read this book and series.

Thoughts:

This book once again has some chuckles as Harry throws out his quips quite a bit but there is also some tense action in this story as things become heated when the baddies in this book start causing some upheaval. Quite a bit of the book is fast paced and I kept turning my kindle pages at the speed of light to find out what was going to happen next!

As the story flows along with more and more action, the book became hard to put down the more I kept reading. There were quite a few twists and turns in this one as you never quite knew who the baddies were till way later in the story so there was quite a bit of suspense and mystery throughout most of the story with wondering "who" the baddies were as the author kept that secret well hidden throughout the story. Another great book in this series and planning on moving ahead with the next book soon. Giving this book five "Blood and Bullets" stars!
83 reviews2 followers
August 16, 2022
Skip it

Enjoyed every jack Daniels books, but not this one.
Just not up to what I expected. Wanted to stop reading many times but I finished it.
921 reviews11 followers
August 5, 2022
Konrath; good and bad

So, in this book anti vaxxers are idiots, and children should get vaxxed according to McGlade. Sam, Jack and Phin’s 8 yr old is in the middle of a cannibalistic horror story. McGlade is not nearly as humorous as past books. Being Konrath has jumped on the poison jab bandwagon, riding it to hell, I don’t know that I will ever read another of his books!
Profile Image for Elaine Lucky.
1,133 reviews123 followers
October 12, 2024
Written during covid so it was a little preachy and I didn't like the author's opinions. I felt it took away from the story that picks up right where the last book ended. Jack, Phin, Sam, & Harry are in the hospital after the confrontation with the serial killers next door. All is not as it seems at the hospital where someone is sneaking in people's room and drinking their blood. The quartet is trying to figure out who it is while also being admitted for surgeries. Drug induced Harry learns some things about himself while the Troutt-Daniels trio are investigating the blood drinker and a nefarious flesh eater that's running loose. Konrath's still going strong with this series that's still engaging as Jack is getting older and Harry was a little more over the top than usual.
Profile Image for Kat.
30 reviews
January 19, 2023
OK - so I could hardly wait to 'bite' into a new Jack Daniels thriller and I wasn't disappointed!! Love my favourite characters and villains but love that "Sam" is receiving more attention now that she's a little older. And, with a lot of Harry's influence, with Jack and Phin's fighting spirit - she's going to go a long way (possible sequels when her parents are a little too old I suspect). I can see it now - a whole new plethora of characters in the works!!!
The story, a continuation of the previous book, went right into it with guns blazing. Loved the 'newer' villains although a bit dark for some, but I love it! I don't know what I'd do (or for that matter, what Jack and Phin would do) without Harry's weird way of helping! That humour makes me laugh out loud and I just can't NOT love him! I love the fact the whole book was taking place is a 'creepy' hospital venue. I mean, we all hate hospitals but with the strange goings on in this one, it made the 'thrill' of the "who done it" even more edgy.
Of course I've pre-ordered the 2 follow ups so far but please don't tell me that's the end of the amazing Jack Daniels and her crew. Love your books, love all of your characters - can't imagine being without. Looking forward to January 29th when the next installment comes to play.
Profile Image for Jacqui.
929 reviews8 followers
October 22, 2023
Was anyone else rooting for the kid to die? Seriously, I can't wait for that annoying little shit to meet an untimely end one day. Book 15 and the Jack Daniels series is starting to get a little stale, the jokes a little repetitive but there's just something there that keeps me coming back for more. Forget the fourth wall, Konrath broke all walls, some bones, any sense of decency and still I couldn't stop reading. I absolutely HATED the flashbacks and pray he never puts them in another book. Light hearted, disgusting fun to get you out of a reading slump.
Profile Image for Nogueira.
126 reviews
April 13, 2024
Following the events of the previous book of the series, Jack Daniels is in hospital recovering her wounds with Phin, Sam and Harry... you didn't read installment #19? Well, you now know they all survive, but they end in the hospital badly hurt! Stop reading this review and go grab OLD FASHIONED! (even if you're new to the series they can be read without prior knowledge)

Well, the recovering process won't be made of rest in bed with chicken soup bowls and sexy sponge baths, no way, the creepy blood-sucking / flesh-eating pair from the previous book will try to kill our gang! Completely confined to the hospital (during the COVID-19 pandemic) this book is an amazing claustrophobic thriller and a great page turner for holiday reading by the pool - Another win for JA Konrath, I already have the next one on my Kindle waiting for some time off to read it!
Profile Image for Amy Mcnea.
113 reviews1 follower
November 6, 2022
love these books

Ok. I hate leaving spoilers so I try to not really say too much. This book, like every other book by J.A. Konrath is great. Characters that feel so real to me I wish I could meet them in real life. Crazy stuff happening to them that makes me wonder what could happen next. Humor, sometimes childish but isn’t that the best kind?! I have purchased every book by this author that I could. As soon as I’m finished leaving this review I’m gonna see if the next book is available. The author is great, this book is great, but don’t take my word for it…READ IT!
Profile Image for Renee.
941 reviews19 followers
August 5, 2022
one of my fav series

I really love this series and the characters. I enjoyed the plot. My only complaint is I feel that Harry just gets too gross and says stuff that is really too stupid. His jokes are really falling flat. And Jack doesn’t react the way she used to. I’d love to see Jack get her mojo back. This of course is just my opinion. This is one of my all time favorite series and I hope it continues for a long time.
Profile Image for Glitter.
1,034 reviews5 followers
May 30, 2023
Catching up on JD!!! So glad Amazon finally sent me the alert about book #19... BUT IT LOOKS LIKE I MISSED A TON! :O

Konrath, I love the flashbacks. Keep 'em!

You can never beat Konrath... I'm snooty about my reads, but if you want a great one? Hit this! (I'm not Harry when I say that, promise!)
119 reviews3 followers
July 31, 2022
Jack never disappoints

A little short after waiting would be my only bit of whineyness. But still very entertaining, fast moving and equally freaky and funny. BRUCE CAMPBELL IS HARRY!!!!!! Please make it happen, thank you
Profile Image for WendyB .
665 reviews
December 8, 2022
As always Jack Daniels and company are just a helluva lot of creepy, gross and hysterical fun.
But I think there may be something wrong with me... I can't get enough of the weird, twisted Harry McGlade. yep... def something all screwed up. LOL
45 reviews
May 13, 2023
I don't mind the blood sucking or cannibalism, but this book was just plain bad. Terrible writing, ridiculous story, and just impossible to enjoy. Most of his book were pretty far out there, but no sense to this at all. I am unfollowing this author.
Profile Image for Holt R.
225 reviews4 followers
August 2, 2023
Quick and fun read. Harry always brings a chuckle. The main heroes bring the groans and eyerolls lol. We get it, they're hurt and injured but are still badasses. The villain plot was interesting I suppose.
Profile Image for Julie.
303 reviews1 follower
October 5, 2023
Used to be one of my fav series, but the last few books keep getting cheesier by the book. If it wasn't for the fact that I've gotten to know the characters, I wouldn't have finished. The writing style has changed drastically changed.
Profile Image for Penny Post.
523 reviews
February 16, 2025
This was a bit too too for me

I had problems getting into the book. In fact one chapter, I barely skimmed, too juvenile
I did enjoy things from the point Blood’s snack bar was discovered on …
Profile Image for Andrea Stott.
52 reviews1 follower
July 31, 2022
Always fun

I love his work and this book made me spit pop out of my nose. It's fun. Read it. Now
25 reviews1 follower
August 11, 2022
Witty as always

I laughed while basking in the threat of them being in danger. What characters.... Threat harry is a true gem.
Profile Image for Christian Haney.
9 reviews
August 16, 2022
gruesome but good

This book was a lot more gruesome (vampire & cannibalism) but still the same great hero story mixed with comedy with Jack, Phin , Sam & Harry
68 reviews
September 15, 2022
Trouble finds Jack

Some serious stuff with a log of humor from Harry McGlade. Sam gets involved in bad stuff and Jack and Phil save the day with a little help from Harry.
1,724 reviews12 followers
October 2, 2022
J.A. Konrath has accepted and conquered the challenge to make every book in this series as good as the previous novel. Not an easy task. Keep them coming!
Profile Image for Megan.
498 reviews37 followers
September 27, 2023
I've noticed that the later half of the series just hasn't hit for me like the beginning of the series. I know don't what really changed.
2 reviews
November 16, 2023
getting far too weird

I really enjoyed the earlier Jack Daniels books but now they seem to have become far too weird for me
Profile Image for Chris.
581 reviews
January 16, 2025
Konrath.....

Doing Konrath. The more bizarre, the better. Not one bad guy, but 2. The whole family and Harry. What's not to love? Seriously?
Profile Image for Britt Echols.
186 reviews
January 11, 2024
This story picks up right after Old Fashioned. After Jack, Phin, & Harry kill Larry and Rita (Canibal neighbor) they are taken to a hospital to get surgery and heal up. Blood is the main character in this story, which we met in the last book. Blood has a friend named Flesh. Flesh eats people and blood drinks people's blood. They both want the Daniel’s crew dead and want to take little Sam and feed off of her alive.
In a matter of a few days in the COVID-stricken hospital, the crew ends up stopping them. Blood was a woman who thought she needed to drink blood or her insides would dry up and Flesh was a deranged Canibal just like his Mom Rita. His parents were Rita and Larry from the previous story.
Pretty decent read as usual. I love the Konrath Universe of Jack Daniels. Too much Harry McGlade for me in this book. He feta on my nerves. Looking forward to the next story which is set up to be at a Serial Killer Fan Conference.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews

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