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Michael Gannon #3
Hard to Break
The next installment in the pulse-pounding Gannon series from the #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of James Patterson’s Zoo and Michael Bennett series
As Mike Gannon’s son Declan sets out to leave the nest, Gannon decides that a going-away trip is in high order, a bucket-list grizzly bear hunt up into the wilds of Alaska. But there are other hunters there. And they’re not looking for grizzly.
Soon Mike finds himself alone and captured on a corporate plane heading southbound for an incredibly lethal encounter that is about to blow his mind before it tries to blow him away. Mike’s enemies are in the driver’s seat until they realize they overlooked one simple thing.
Some men are easy to handle, but there are other men who are harder to break…
As Mike Gannon’s son Declan sets out to leave the nest, Gannon decides that a going-away trip is in high order, a bucket-list grizzly bear hunt up into the wilds of Alaska. But there are other hunters there. And they’re not looking for grizzly.
Soon Mike finds himself alone and captured on a corporate plane heading southbound for an incredibly lethal encounter that is about to blow his mind before it tries to blow him away. Mike’s enemies are in the driver’s seat until they realize they overlooked one simple thing.
Some men are easy to handle, but there are other men who are harder to break…
384 pages, Hardcover
First published January 10, 2023
587 people are currently reading
3021 people want to read
About the author
Michael Ledwidge
78 books442 followersMichael Ledwidge is the son of Irish parents and was born and raised in the Bronx. A graduate of Manhattan College, he is married and has two children.
As the co-author of a series of some of James Patterson’s most profitable books to date, Ledwidge has risen from an admired but, it’s fair to say, mostly unread author, to co-writing some of the most widely read books in the world. He’s made real money doing it, too, enough to change his life completely.
As the co-author of a series of some of James Patterson’s most profitable books to date, Ledwidge has risen from an admired but, it’s fair to say, mostly unread author, to co-writing some of the most widely read books in the world. He’s made real money doing it, too, enough to change his life completely.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
January 25, 2024
Boy this book could have risen to 4 stars very easily but alas, it fell short. Now we may get another book in the series. I just hope the thought and excitement in the first couple of books are going to find itself in the next book. Make it at least plausible. Good luck.
April 25, 2023
We were very disappointed in the 3 book in this series. It had poor cast development and a tale that goes from Alaska (come on... make the story THERE for cripes sake) to South America? It started out great and then died a fast death and didn't recover. Loved the first 2 books in this series. Number 4 better be better!
October 4, 2023
High octane action as Michael Gannon fights the forces who aim to take revenge on him, the only way they deem acceptable- put Gannon to death for once and for all. So starts the journey when he is kidnapped in Alaska while he and his son are on a bear hunting trip.
The audio narrator is brilliant. One of the best male readers I have ever heard- his timing to deliver the line just in the right way is impeccable. He narrates books 1-3 in this series. Highly recommended.
The audio narrator is brilliant. One of the best male readers I have ever heard- his timing to deliver the line just in the right way is impeccable. He narrates books 1-3 in this series. Highly recommended.
November 22, 2023
4 Stars. Another solid Gannon book. Ledwidge is good. I’ve really enjoyed this series. I enjoy Patterson and have been making an effort to read the people he “produces”. Ledwidge is near the top.
January 14, 2023
3.5 stars, actually.
I read and enjoyed the first book in this series but somehow missed the second; this, the third, was a bit disappointing compared with the first. Apparently, former Navy SEAL is on the outs with his former colleagues and is trying to remain under their radar. For too much of this book, he remains that way as he's captured early on and scenes jump around to other characters and scenarios that don't seem to make much sense till they eventually begin to come together.
Anyway, Gannon's grown son Declan is having a birthday before he sets out to do his thing, so Gannon decides a grizzly bear hunt in a remote part of Alaska is what he needs for a send-off. That trip goes south early on when he's waiting alone for snowmobile repairs and gets chased by a couple of big bruisers clearly intent on causing him bodily harm. As it turns out, they don't kill him; in fact, when he wakes up, he's a prisoner somewhere in Mexico (as far as I could tell).
Why he was captured and by whom takes up a lot of the middle of the book, and some of this part was confusing to me. It started to make a little more sense with the realization that his captor - a former military colleague - is now a filthy rich lunatic drug lord who's managed to twist the truth about his relationship with Gannon (or was brainwashed into believing a non-truth) into a vendetta.
And that's about all I can reveal, except to say that things turn exciting for the last quarter of the book, keeping me pretty much on the edge of my seat from that point on. I think fans of the series will like this one as well - as did I, but just not as much as the first one. Thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this one.
I read and enjoyed the first book in this series but somehow missed the second; this, the third, was a bit disappointing compared with the first. Apparently, former Navy SEAL is on the outs with his former colleagues and is trying to remain under their radar. For too much of this book, he remains that way as he's captured early on and scenes jump around to other characters and scenarios that don't seem to make much sense till they eventually begin to come together.
Anyway, Gannon's grown son Declan is having a birthday before he sets out to do his thing, so Gannon decides a grizzly bear hunt in a remote part of Alaska is what he needs for a send-off. That trip goes south early on when he's waiting alone for snowmobile repairs and gets chased by a couple of big bruisers clearly intent on causing him bodily harm. As it turns out, they don't kill him; in fact, when he wakes up, he's a prisoner somewhere in Mexico (as far as I could tell).
Why he was captured and by whom takes up a lot of the middle of the book, and some of this part was confusing to me. It started to make a little more sense with the realization that his captor - a former military colleague - is now a filthy rich lunatic drug lord who's managed to twist the truth about his relationship with Gannon (or was brainwashed into believing a non-truth) into a vendetta.
And that's about all I can reveal, except to say that things turn exciting for the last quarter of the book, keeping me pretty much on the edge of my seat from that point on. I think fans of the series will like this one as well - as did I, but just not as much as the first one. Thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this one.
February 18, 2023
Sorry, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the two previous Mike Gannon books for their pacing, action and twists, but mostly for the Gannon character, a decent guy who got in over his head by keeping someone else’s money. This most recent book felt like a bad Bond movie, with an over-the-top scenario, mildly ridiculous super-baddie and the book veered to mildly improbable to wildly improbable. I’m leaving the many examples out for fear of spoiling the plot for others, but while there were still a few twists I didn’t see coming, but if there are future Gannon books I hope the author can get the storyline back on track. Disappointed.
February 21, 2023
So disappointing. Chock full of 'sappy' dialog that does nothing to move the story along...except to wonder if people really talk that way and describe things that way!
Michael Ledwidge, as he did in RUN FOR COVER, has Mike Gannon taking his grown son, Declan, on a men only trip, this time to Alaska. This doesn't result in anything other than Mike being kidnapped by a group of guys who are working for former military buddies of Mike who have it in for him, and plan to end his life. You will even find a man high up in the Pentagon and respected by so many involved in this attempt. ......Just too hard to believe.
Michael Ledwidge, as he did in RUN FOR COVER, has Mike Gannon taking his grown son, Declan, on a men only trip, this time to Alaska. This doesn't result in anything other than Mike being kidnapped by a group of guys who are working for former military buddies of Mike who have it in for him, and plan to end his life. You will even find a man high up in the Pentagon and respected by so many involved in this attempt. ......Just too hard to believe.
March 12, 2023
I enjoyed the first Mike Gannon story and this one , well it just didn’t hold my interest in the same way. It got off to a great start—a dad takes his Son on a hunting trip in Alaska but from there it started a rapid descent. The plot seemed very predictable and rout. While I’ve read much worse, I had higher expectations here given the main character and the background but it just never came to be.
November 11, 2024
Michael Gannon and his son Declan have maintained a close bond throughout their lives. Despite Michael’s years of service as a former Marine and his previous career as a police officer, their relationship has been remarkably strong. As Declan embarks on his independence, Michael seeks to provide a memorable gesture for his son. A bear hunt in the dense wilderness of Alaska appears to be an ideal choice.
However, Michael’s pursuit of the hunt takes an unexpected turn when he becomes entangled in a perilous situation involving his capture and subsequent chase. Enemies have set their sights on eliminating Michael, and each dangerous encounter he has faced has proven to be in his favor. Despite the constant pursuit, Michael’s ability to evade capture and confront his adversaries has remained unwavering.
For readers familiar with Michael Ledwidge’s work in the Michael Bennett series co-authored with James Patterson, Michael Gannon presents a distinct character. These Gannon novels are characterized by their action-packed narrative and are sure to captivate readers with their thrilling storytelling.
Many thanks to Hanover Square Press and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
However, Michael’s pursuit of the hunt takes an unexpected turn when he becomes entangled in a perilous situation involving his capture and subsequent chase. Enemies have set their sights on eliminating Michael, and each dangerous encounter he has faced has proven to be in his favor. Despite the constant pursuit, Michael’s ability to evade capture and confront his adversaries has remained unwavering.
For readers familiar with Michael Ledwidge’s work in the Michael Bennett series co-authored with James Patterson, Michael Gannon presents a distinct character. These Gannon novels are characterized by their action-packed narrative and are sure to captivate readers with their thrilling storytelling.
Many thanks to Hanover Square Press and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
January 28, 2023
I discovered Michael Ledwidge through the first 10 installments that he wrote for Patterson’s Michael Bennett series. I LOVE MICHAEL BENNETT!!! So, when Ludwidge started his Michael Gannon series, I decided to check it out. Having really enjoyed the first two installments, I had been looking forward to this third installment.
There is A LOT going on in this book, maybe too much, too many storylines going on. The book summary is limited and basically just introduces the primary storyline: Mike being abducted by a band of henchmen for a wacked-out, completely off his rocker, former Navy Seal buddy of Mike’s, that Mike thought had died in battle 20yrs earlier.
There are secondary storylines like a drug runner, Lou, who is trying to do one last drug run to get enough money to support the teenage daughter he just found out about. There’s Mike’s buddy, John, who is calling in every favor from his own service buddies to find Mike. There’s the crazy former Seal buddy, Jimmy, and the revelation of his own plans that aren’t in accordance with his employer, the CIA, and his handler, Adrian Bright, the “Turd Polisher”. There are multiple narrators with the story flipping back and forth between the different storylines and narrators. Once again, a bit too much going on.
The story is fast-paced and action-packed, which is par for the series. The end comes pretty quick (thank goodness) and, as to be expected, the last 10% of the story is VERY scary and intense for Mike. The ending was very satisfying, and the epilogue was one of my fave parts. Unfortunately, this was not my fave installment of the series. For me most of the story was a 2-2.5star rating, but since it was interesting and satisfying enough to at least finish it, I’ll round up to 3stars, which is generous.
I’m not sure I can explain this so that it makes sense, but I’ll try. It wasn’t necessarily the writing because that seemed like the same fast-paced, action-packed style as the previous installments, which I have enjoyed. It wasn’t necessarily the character development either, although a couple of them were kind of over the top (like Jimmy). For me, it was the primary storyline and plot, the one centered around Mike’s abduction. I don’t mind weird and intricate plots and storylines; I’m a fan of sci-fi and urban-fantasy along with paranormal and supernatural genres. However, the primary storyline and plot here was just kind of…..stupid weird. I’m at a loss of words or further explanation for my feelings about this installment. I hope the next one is better.
There is A LOT going on in this book, maybe too much, too many storylines going on. The book summary is limited and basically just introduces the primary storyline: Mike being abducted by a band of henchmen for a wacked-out, completely off his rocker, former Navy Seal buddy of Mike’s, that Mike thought had died in battle 20yrs earlier.
There are secondary storylines like a drug runner, Lou, who is trying to do one last drug run to get enough money to support the teenage daughter he just found out about. There’s Mike’s buddy, John, who is calling in every favor from his own service buddies to find Mike. There’s the crazy former Seal buddy, Jimmy, and the revelation of his own plans that aren’t in accordance with his employer, the CIA, and his handler, Adrian Bright, the “Turd Polisher”. There are multiple narrators with the story flipping back and forth between the different storylines and narrators. Once again, a bit too much going on.
The story is fast-paced and action-packed, which is par for the series. The end comes pretty quick (thank goodness) and, as to be expected, the last 10% of the story is VERY scary and intense for Mike. The ending was very satisfying, and the epilogue was one of my fave parts. Unfortunately, this was not my fave installment of the series. For me most of the story was a 2-2.5star rating, but since it was interesting and satisfying enough to at least finish it, I’ll round up to 3stars, which is generous.
I’m not sure I can explain this so that it makes sense, but I’ll try. It wasn’t necessarily the writing because that seemed like the same fast-paced, action-packed style as the previous installments, which I have enjoyed. It wasn’t necessarily the character development either, although a couple of them were kind of over the top (like Jimmy). For me, it was the primary storyline and plot, the one centered around Mike’s abduction. I don’t mind weird and intricate plots and storylines; I’m a fan of sci-fi and urban-fantasy along with paranormal and supernatural genres. However, the primary storyline and plot here was just kind of…..stupid weird. I’m at a loss of words or further explanation for my feelings about this installment. I hope the next one is better.
January 24, 2023
I enjoyed the first two books in the Mike Gannon series, this was in a very different realm. I was really looking forward to reading it but was disappointed. It was really slow reading and hard to follow. Too many characters that seemed to have no real connection to the plot. The plot was practically nonexistent when the violence was taken out of the equation. It was definitely not up to par for Michael Ledwidge.
June 16, 2023
3.18 sometimes you eat McDonalds, sometimes McDonalds eats you.
January 7, 2024
Not As Good AS the First
For two-thirds of this book, Gannon was pretty much an ancillary character. The book seemed to focus more on James Devine and Adrian Bright. Not that they weren’t both interesting, very well developed antagonists, but I didn’t read a Mike Gannon novel to read about them. I wanted to read about that borderline psychopath, Gannon.
However, when Gannon did finally regain the upper hand, he was his usual, homicidal, sociopathic self. Given the reduced exploits from Gannon, it was still a good read and I look forward to the fourth installment.
I’m not sure if Mr. Ledwidge reads these reviews, and I recommend he should, but the next book, I’d love to see Gannon go full scorched earth, with all the shock and awe he can muster as he did in book one.
For two-thirds of this book, Gannon was pretty much an ancillary character. The book seemed to focus more on James Devine and Adrian Bright. Not that they weren’t both interesting, very well developed antagonists, but I didn’t read a Mike Gannon novel to read about them. I wanted to read about that borderline psychopath, Gannon.
However, when Gannon did finally regain the upper hand, he was his usual, homicidal, sociopathic self. Given the reduced exploits from Gannon, it was still a good read and I look forward to the fourth installment.
I’m not sure if Mr. Ledwidge reads these reviews, and I recommend he should, but the next book, I’d love to see Gannon go full scorched earth, with all the shock and awe he can muster as he did in book one.
June 1, 2023
Michael Gannon is loyal to a fault
Mike Gannon is a highly trained man who is loyal to his friends and deadly to his enemies. In this third book, Mike is kidnapped on a trip to Alaska with his son. He is thrown into a scenario that nightmares are made of. He is betrayed by those he trusted, those he thought he knew, and those who had no idea that Mike was coming for them.
A fantastic book, sure to please any Mike Gannon fan.
Mike Gannon is a highly trained man who is loyal to his friends and deadly to his enemies. In this third book, Mike is kidnapped on a trip to Alaska with his son. He is thrown into a scenario that nightmares are made of. He is betrayed by those he trusted, those he thought he knew, and those who had no idea that Mike was coming for them.
A fantastic book, sure to please any Mike Gannon fan.
January 18, 2023
Mike Gannon. Annoy seem to stay away from trouble. Taking his son on a hunting trip to Alaska he is kidnapped. It seems there are people in government still mad at him about what he found in book one in the Bahamas. A twisting, turning book, at times hard to follow but in the end, a good read. And I don’t think Mike’s troubles are over…….
January 26, 2023
excellent read,
February 15, 2023
Enjoyed all 3 books!! The little hold my breath moments made the books exciting!
March 3, 2023
What a great #3 in this Michael Gannon series. Starts off in Alaska but quickly shifts to Peru and beyond. Great characters- lots of action.
March 30, 2023
Sorry but no. Predictable and lame.
April 18, 2023
Another great book by Michael Ledwidge - I loved the Michael Gannon books, and now I cannot wait for Michael Gannon book #4!
August 20, 2025
Finished reading: August 19th 2025
“John McClane is my spirit animal.”
REVIEW
January 10, 2023
Mike Gannon had looked forward to visiting Alaska, but hunters in the area aren’t looking for grizzly bears. Captured and heading toward a lethal encounter, Mike has nothing left to lose in order to survive.
While this is the third in the Gannon series, it’s a standalone story. We have a bit of backstory in the beginning, referencing a suitcase of money that he found and corrupt FBI agents after him, which must have been the previous books. We also are told that he had been a Navy SEAL special forces operator. In other words, he’s tough, he’s capable, and this is the kind of book with nonstop action once it gets going. Our first enemy glimpse shows us the same kind of skill and heartlessness, as he literally slices a random child’s balloon string just for kicks. (Not a spoiler, that’s chapter 3!) Chapters are short, each scene direct and showing us clearly who they are and why they’re in Alaska before the action and the main story begins. Think of this book as an action thriller movie, because I can see this perfectly adapted to watch in a movie theater.
Between the rapid pace of shifting scenes and the menace in them, the tension increases as the story progresses. There's Gannon trying to take stock of the situation and look for avenues to escape, the groups of people that took him or planning to harm them, then his son and friend who are trying to track him down. Gannon goes from one impossible situation to the next, but he's not immune to being hurt. He gets concussed, hit, threatened, tied up, shackled, and kidnapped repeatedly. He pushes through the pain, continuing to fight back whenever possible. Because he had training in the military, he's comfortable with whatever weapon he can find or make as well as hand-to-hand. In the second half of the novel, we find out who is really behind it all and why.
This is a fast-paced action thriller, and I didn't always predict what direction it was going to go. This is a fun read, guaranteed to get your adrenaline racing.
While this is the third in the Gannon series, it’s a standalone story. We have a bit of backstory in the beginning, referencing a suitcase of money that he found and corrupt FBI agents after him, which must have been the previous books. We also are told that he had been a Navy SEAL special forces operator. In other words, he’s tough, he’s capable, and this is the kind of book with nonstop action once it gets going. Our first enemy glimpse shows us the same kind of skill and heartlessness, as he literally slices a random child’s balloon string just for kicks. (Not a spoiler, that’s chapter 3!) Chapters are short, each scene direct and showing us clearly who they are and why they’re in Alaska before the action and the main story begins. Think of this book as an action thriller movie, because I can see this perfectly adapted to watch in a movie theater.
Between the rapid pace of shifting scenes and the menace in them, the tension increases as the story progresses. There's Gannon trying to take stock of the situation and look for avenues to escape, the groups of people that took him or planning to harm them, then his son and friend who are trying to track him down. Gannon goes from one impossible situation to the next, but he's not immune to being hurt. He gets concussed, hit, threatened, tied up, shackled, and kidnapped repeatedly. He pushes through the pain, continuing to fight back whenever possible. Because he had training in the military, he's comfortable with whatever weapon he can find or make as well as hand-to-hand. In the second half of the novel, we find out who is really behind it all and why.
This is a fast-paced action thriller, and I didn't always predict what direction it was going to go. This is a fun read, guaranteed to get your adrenaline racing.
December 21, 2022
Michael was really looking forward to his hunting trip with his son, Declan. What’s more adventurous than hunting moose in Alaska! In Glacier Bay Alaska, he would find peace and escape. Precious time with his son and a chance to disappear off the grid. He still wasn’t sure who was hunting him but he didn’t want his son caught in the crossfire.
Almost immediately upon landing, they met up with their hunting guide, Chuck Ballard. They packed up their snowmobiles and headed right out while they still had daylight. About an hour out, the one snowmobile began to have problems. The terrain was very hilly but Chuck told them that machine was done for and suggested Declan head back with him to his business to pick up a another one. When he and Declan returned, they would set up camp.
Mike relaxed upon his snowmobile and looked around. It sure was pretty here but he was glad Declan went back with Chuck. He didn’t want his son to meet up with a grizzly while alone in the woods. It wasn’t too long before Michael could hear snowmobiles. It was too soon for Declan and Chuck to be back. He was getting a very bad feeling. Two snowmobiles stopped on the ridge above him. He could see four men. How did they find him so fast?
This book was fun and very fast paced. I didn’t read the first book in this series but you really don’t have to. The Michael Gannon persona is a macho, tough-guy character who reminds me a lot of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher. Nobody is going to get one up on him. He is a one-man killing machine. Kind of like if The Demolition Man morphed with The Terminator. This is one heck of a ride! Enjoy!
Almost immediately upon landing, they met up with their hunting guide, Chuck Ballard. They packed up their snowmobiles and headed right out while they still had daylight. About an hour out, the one snowmobile began to have problems. The terrain was very hilly but Chuck told them that machine was done for and suggested Declan head back with him to his business to pick up a another one. When he and Declan returned, they would set up camp.
Mike relaxed upon his snowmobile and looked around. It sure was pretty here but he was glad Declan went back with Chuck. He didn’t want his son to meet up with a grizzly while alone in the woods. It wasn’t too long before Michael could hear snowmobiles. It was too soon for Declan and Chuck to be back. He was getting a very bad feeling. Two snowmobiles stopped on the ridge above him. He could see four men. How did they find him so fast?
This book was fun and very fast paced. I didn’t read the first book in this series but you really don’t have to. The Michael Gannon persona is a macho, tough-guy character who reminds me a lot of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher. Nobody is going to get one up on him. He is a one-man killing machine. Kind of like if The Demolition Man morphed with The Terminator. This is one heck of a ride! Enjoy!
July 20, 2023
SPOILER ALERT
Entering a time of his son Declan, turning 21, leaving for his own endeavors, Mike Gannon plans a last challenge on a bear hunt in Alaska. But even as they begin the hunt with guide Chuck Bullard (who with his son go back to get a different snowmobile) he is abducted by mercenaries hired to take him to Mexico and kill him. He knows too much about movers in Washington.
He is put into a one-on-one soccer match on a field on top of a prison, four stories high with no protection around it. While it is intended that he lose to the young soccer player, the young man is shot by James Devine, the new El Aleman. Devine is a major drug dealer who is working for the CIA. It is the CIA's cocaine. He is intent of getting Gannon to his compound in Peru, where he will, in envy and revenge, hunt him down in the jungle. He underestimates Gannon, who escapes and survives his stint in the jungle, eventually returning to Washington to hunt down the men who set him up: Adrian Bright, an assistant at Langley who is aiding with Ginny's campaign, Admiral Paul Mickelson (whose daughter Ginny is running for a senate seat) lead by Alex Sarris, the Director of Policy and Planning for the State Department. They are all getting rich off the proceeds from the sale of the drugs. Gannon had been CIA and had run afoul of the men when he found a bag of money on a previous adventure.
This was a fast violent and complex read which I lIked. It is the third in a series of which I have not read the others.
Entering a time of his son Declan, turning 21, leaving for his own endeavors, Mike Gannon plans a last challenge on a bear hunt in Alaska. But even as they begin the hunt with guide Chuck Bullard (who with his son go back to get a different snowmobile) he is abducted by mercenaries hired to take him to Mexico and kill him. He knows too much about movers in Washington.
He is put into a one-on-one soccer match on a field on top of a prison, four stories high with no protection around it. While it is intended that he lose to the young soccer player, the young man is shot by James Devine, the new El Aleman. Devine is a major drug dealer who is working for the CIA. It is the CIA's cocaine. He is intent of getting Gannon to his compound in Peru, where he will, in envy and revenge, hunt him down in the jungle. He underestimates Gannon, who escapes and survives his stint in the jungle, eventually returning to Washington to hunt down the men who set him up: Adrian Bright, an assistant at Langley who is aiding with Ginny's campaign, Admiral Paul Mickelson (whose daughter Ginny is running for a senate seat) lead by Alex Sarris, the Director of Policy and Planning for the State Department. They are all getting rich off the proceeds from the sale of the drugs. Gannon had been CIA and had run afoul of the men when he found a bag of money on a previous adventure.
This was a fast violent and complex read which I lIked. It is the third in a series of which I have not read the others.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 23, 2024
By the end, I liked the fast pace. This is a book about revenge, and I do find myself rooting for Gannon to exact his share of punishment for what the bad guys did to him. It’s what they deserve.
Gannon’s pretty moral about his actions. He’s got a code but it’s pretty much flexible.
He takes his son on a moose-hunting trip to Alaska, gets kidnapped and winds up in some sort of prison, maybe in Peru or Chile or Mexico, victimized by an ex-CIA buddy turned bad guy.
The whole middle of the book gets muddy. There’s a one-on-one soccer game atop a building, a game designed to end with Gannon’s death. Then the plot gets murkier with some bad guys actually good, inexplicably good, or a little good.
And the final third of the book was masterful; it was fast, violent and satisfying. I guess we’d compare Gannon with the Jack Reacher or James Reese school of tough guys.
Will I read more? Will I go back and read the first two Gannon books? You know it!
January 30, 2023
Gannon finally feels he can go on vacation (to Alaska) with his son, free from being hunted by the CIA or FBI. So when he is abducted by some mercenaries it is surprising that they were able to grab him in such a wide open area.
He finds himself on a plane( hogtied, blinded and hurting), unloaded in a warm climate and put in a cell. He figures, it's the CIA again thinking he didn't get rid of all the bad guys after him previously.
They expect him to play some Mayan game to the death against other players for his life and then he is spared but turns out his captor is someone he thought was a friend.
Gannon escapes, wreaks havoc, returns to the states and ends it all (or does he- that's what he thought the last time.
He finds himself on a plane( hogtied, blinded and hurting), unloaded in a warm climate and put in a cell. He figures, it's the CIA again thinking he didn't get rid of all the bad guys after him previously.
They expect him to play some Mayan game to the death against other players for his life and then he is spared but turns out his captor is someone he thought was a friend.
Gannon escapes, wreaks havoc, returns to the states and ends it all (or does he- that's what he thought the last time.
February 27, 2025
I always say that Goodreads recommendations led me right to Michael Ledwidge - thanks James Patterson and the Michael Bennett character - and I really liked the first two Michael Gannon novels, which were imaginative, filled with plenty of action and those short Patterson-esque chapters.
The third one...ugh. A disappointing third instalment in the series. The plot was too far fetched, some of the dialogue was downright stupid. The villain felt like a C-grade James Bond rip-off movie bad guy.
Definitely an opportunity wasted.
Glad to see I wasn't the only person who was excited to read "Hard to Break", only to come away feeling like they'd wasted their time. I hope the fourth novel is a bounce-back for Ledwidge, because this one was a poor effort.
The third one...ugh. A disappointing third instalment in the series. The plot was too far fetched, some of the dialogue was downright stupid. The villain felt like a C-grade James Bond rip-off movie bad guy.
Definitely an opportunity wasted.
Glad to see I wasn't the only person who was excited to read "Hard to Break", only to come away feeling like they'd wasted their time. I hope the fourth novel is a bounce-back for Ledwidge, because this one was a poor effort.
December 28, 2022
It was meant to be an adventure vacation with his son but Mike Gannon's trip to Alaska once again brings him into a race for life against a group of villains who want him gone. This series started when Mike found a plane with six dead men and a huge amount of money- and a big conspiracy. Don't worry if you missed that one or, if you like me, missed the second novel- Ledwidge catches you up pretty fast. This novel has the advantage of a great setting for Mike's fight against the bad guys. It isn't deep but it's a page turner that will be perfect for travel. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. An entertaining read.
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January 3, 2023Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing, Hanover Square Press for the eARC!
As a longtime fan of the Michael Bennett series, I was very excited to dive into this one! This was an action-packed ride. Gannon is a man’s man; outdoorsy, a former SEAL, and although a bit egotistical, still a likable character you’ll find yourself rooting for.
Read if you love:
* Dual POVs
* Short chapters
* Lots of action
Note: Although this is book 3 of the Michael Gannon series, it can be read as a standalone (which is how I read it) and Ledwidge does a great job of sprinkling the important details from prior novels into the story.
𝑯𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝑩𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒌 hits shelves January 10, 2023!
As a longtime fan of the Michael Bennett series, I was very excited to dive into this one! This was an action-packed ride. Gannon is a man’s man; outdoorsy, a former SEAL, and although a bit egotistical, still a likable character you’ll find yourself rooting for.
Read if you love:
* Dual POVs
* Short chapters
* Lots of action
Note: Although this is book 3 of the Michael Gannon series, it can be read as a standalone (which is how I read it) and Ledwidge does a great job of sprinkling the important details from prior novels into the story.
𝑯𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝑩𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒌 hits shelves January 10, 2023!
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