High Tide

Pandora Initiative #5

by Michael D. Wright

After CIA agent John Seal's journey as a stowaway on a Chinese freighter ends, setting foot on his native soil, Seal has one thing to live for - revenge.

Broke and alone, Seal uses his survival skills to make his way across the country with damning evidence that implicates deep-seated government officials are involved with a global mercenary funding a weapon of mass destruction. Struggling to remain undetected by rail yard security, he escapes a series of attacks by bloodless human smugglers and works to avoid a daunting specter from his past.

Desperate to contact the one person he can trust, Seal fashions a communication device and finally makes his connection. Following the cryptic directions, Seal sets out for a safe house where he can finalize his vengeful plan. However, only miles from his destination, he is trapped when a Russian assassin brings down a reign of terror on him, barely escaping with the help of a family member and a friend. As Seal battles to bring his quest to a conclusion, he finds himself out of options and is forced to depend on the one person who has been his nemesis for years.

Can Seal bargain his way out, or will the truth about the genesis of the Pandora Initiative be buried forever, leaving the world at risk of destruction by a ruthless mercenary and his minions?

218 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 30, 2022

About the author

Michael D Wright is a cinematographer with a flair for storytelling. He has a passion for creating edgy characters who step off the page and into your life. His eye for creating unforgettable visual images with plot twists and explosive action are hallmarks of his work. Electric Eel, his debut novel, will keep you on the edge of your seat and leave you itching for more. Check out Michael D. Wright's novel the first in the John Seal Series from Sweetwater Creek Publishing.

Reviews

[Antje · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not the last book in the series, but the inevitable showdown is coming closer, and Michael D. Wright manages to even pick up the pace, throwing all kinds of serious dangers and obstacles in the way of his hero. But there is help too.. I was so immersed in the story that when the book ended with a cliffhanger - as is usually the case in this series - I was totally taken by surprise. I could have read on for hours and hours and hours.. and did not pay any attention to the side count, LOL! I absolutely want to know how the story continues. The good thing is that the author is a fairly quick writer so I will not have to wait too long for the next part. Already looking forward to it!!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Manfred · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Seal is back in the US. Finally. But he is hunted by the Russians, Americans and a wanna be SPECTRE like multi billionaire. These books are page-turners like few else. And before you know it, you're finished on a cliffhanger and impatiently wait for the next installment.

[Kathryn Laing · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Seal is up to his neck in trouble still, but has managed to return to the US. He is on the hit list of every alphabet agency in the US, as well as the Mossad and the SVR so has to avoid any contact with any law enforcement as well as all surveillance cameras. A fast paced thriller.

[Eleanor Andersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read. I couldn't put it down, action from start to finish. An edge of the seat page turner

[Craig Smedley · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Seal has escaped from China with the assistance of a Chinese underworld character named Bingwen but a Russian SVR operative, Dmitri, is tasked by his superior, Bogdan Balabanov to track John Seal down and recover the Iranian computer chips and data miner that started it all. Dimitri obtains details of the escape from Bingwen, and pursues Seal to the American port of San Diego.
During his incarceration in a container on the way to America, John has plenty of time to review what he knows of the treatment he has had meted out to him. He comes to the realization that his original American boss Senator Nancy Daniels has been well and truly compromised by the billionaire Salazar who is also after the Iranian material. John realizes the only way to get out of the situation he finds himself in is to enlist the aid of the one person he knows he can trust – his grandfather Dale Seal.
And so the story is off and running with Dimitri on his trail, and then his nemesis Viktoria also comes back in to the picture, also on his trail. And then another surprise twist when another American CIA assassin is tasked by Senator Daniels to terminate Seal and recover the Iranian material..
With much mayhem and violence, Viktoria again joins with John, and they fight their way out from under, after numerous injuries to all. An entertaining read disappointing at the end where John and Viktoria are left transporting grandfather Dale and John’s CIA handler Max for urgent medical care, and Senator Daniels has a surprise night time visit that in no way helps to calm her fraying nerves.
Then again, I guess the author is setting the scene for the next edition, but this reader would prefer a more finite ending!
Moses

[Douglas Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our hero has vital information that he needs to get to Washington, but there are a lot of obstacles in the way. Avoiding detection while combating those that stand against him is going to test all his skills, but he doesn't have a choice. He must get through, no matter what.

This is the fifth book in this series, although there are others with the same characters that are not numbered. Either way, this one works just fine as a standalone.

This is a high octane spy thriller from the get go. The story is well written and easy to read with lots of twists and turns that kept me engaged, wanting to know how our hero was going to get out of this fix. What makes it really interesting is that our hero is nominally a data analyst as opposed to a field operative, but he fills both roles nicely. The characters are well developed and seem real, just like the setting and the plot. The plot moves along at a fast pace and involved plenty of action and intrigue so there is never a dull moment. Overall, it was another fun story and I look forward to more from this author.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the continuing saga of John Sal & the Pandora Initiative. Twists & Turns as I've come to expect but a little too much "background" for me .... I prefer the action & intrigue. John is alone in his sealed container slowly making his way back to the States. With not much else to do, he finds out what's on the drive he's taken per his mission (this after he cobbles together the means to read the device from the various electronic devices in the shipping container with him). No spoiler here ... but ... there is a big twist contained on the drive. John is still a "wanted" man so he's basically on his own to make his way. Read the book (& the series).

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

High Tide - a review by Rosemary Kenny.

A Pandora Initiative adventure for John Seal, sees him up against an old frenemy, who's on his trail, plus another deadly assassin who's Terminator-like in his mission...to kill Seal too!
Which killer will succeed?

An international spy-thriller with a twist in the tale ending, High Tide by Michael D Wright will keep you on the edge of your seat and reading all night to learn Seal's fate.
Grab a copy today and buckle up for a wild ride!
Recommended to fans of the James Bond, Ethan Hunt and John Wick movies.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[David Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read in the Pandora Initiative Series!
This latest John Seal story is just as action-packed as its predecessors; however, it is considerably darker than any of the earlier stories. Additionally, several other characters are included making it feel like a lot of loose ends are close to being tied up. I believe High Tide is the story I’ve been waiting for the action and intrigue is coming to a head and resolution for John’s situation appears imminent. I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from the author through Booksprout and chose to provide my review.

[Ralph Phares · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story But A Sucky Ending!

This book originally obtained as an ARC through BookFunnel. I've read all of the previous books in this series but the ending on this one is terrible! It's like the writer just got tired and that was it! The story itself is good, well-written, creative, has an easy flow and kept me engrossed. And right now I am confused as there is no evident build-up as to what is to come or even IF there is more to come. Though I thoroughly enjoyed it, I'll reserve any further comment until/if another book is forthcoming.

[Jude · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rich, strong characters dominate this series. In High Tide, we have the welcome addition of John's CIA handler, Max, and his father Dale, both of whom provide wonderful context to the story line. If the plot suffers at all, it is only because John simply cannot keep his mind and common sense on CIA matters, opting instead to make bad decisions when it relates to an attractive female Russian spy. Lots of behind the scenes shenanigans as usual.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Assuming you can stand graphic violence, allow a day for this adult, highest-stakes espionage chase which continues the adventures of John Seal. Sort-of works as a standalone, but better to binge the series in proper order.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jodi Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Seal has barely made it back home, but will he find his way out of this mess. Victoria will play a big part in this book along with his grandfather and his handler. But everyone else he believed in has turned out bad. There is so much action that will keep you turning pages late into the night. It is a wild ride with this one.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

the end of smuggling onto a Chinese freighter is only the beginning of his current adventures

global drama, action and intrigue gets personal.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[JOHN KENNEDY · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poor

Quite frankly it needs to end now. It has always been ridiculous but it is now positively absurd, boring and repetitive.

[G S · Rating 5 out of 5]

HIGH TIDE BOOK 5

How long do I have to wait for the next book. This was an exciting read but cut off to soon. Could not put it down.