What do you think?
Rate this book
Viking: [ The Jungle Turned Black ]
He thought he'd given it up to start over. The drinking… and the killing.
Ghosts haunt John and Cherry’s honeymoon escape in the jungles of Malaysia and Borneo as the release of nihilist criminals linked to John’s past triggers death and destruction back home.
When their luxury island resort is raided by savage pirates, it’s clear everything is connected and they can’t hide from destiny. To love, hate—kill or be killed. And most of all, the ghosts are as real as they are.
Past, present and future. Forever trapped in a matrix of fate.
Love, hate, kill…repeat.
Ghosts haunt John and Cherry’s honeymoon escape in the jungles of Malaysia and Borneo as the release of nihilist criminals linked to John’s past triggers death and destruction back home.
When their luxury island resort is raided by savage pirates, it’s clear everything is connected and they can’t hide from destiny. To love, hate—kill or be killed. And most of all, the ghosts are as real as they are.
Past, present and future. Forever trapped in a matrix of fate.
Love, hate, kill…repeat.
179 pages, Paperback
Published September 20, 2022
About the author
John Bowie
14 books54 followersJohn Bowie was born in Northumberland, Northern England.
He has published poems, novels and short stories. He studied in Salford, Greater Manchester in the 1990s. He lives in Bristol, U.K.
John is the founder and editor-in-chief of Bristol Noir.
He has published poems, novels and short stories. He studied in Salford, Greater Manchester in the 1990s. He lives in Bristol, U.K.
John is the founder and editor-in-chief of Bristol Noir.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 6, 2023
5/5 Excellent
A Chaotic, angry, violent end to the 4 book series from John Bowie telling the dark and twisted tale of his eternally doomed protagonist John Black.
This final chapter feels something quite different from what came before it but the brutal, sinister, bleak savagely raw story is still there.
As John and Cherry attempt to leave the life behind, with a trip to remote Malaysia they soon find that the past will always haunt them and pull John back to man he is trying not to be.
The writing is dark, fast and powerful. The story much the same. It’s intense and aggressive and almost bittersweet as the short but explosive tale reaches its culmination.
I felt a kind of tranquility as I read the final pages, as the story reached its end, it left me exhausted yet in a good way.
It’s genuinely special reading, and a series and an author to invest in.
A Chaotic, angry, violent end to the 4 book series from John Bowie telling the dark and twisted tale of his eternally doomed protagonist John Black.
This final chapter feels something quite different from what came before it but the brutal, sinister, bleak savagely raw story is still there.
As John and Cherry attempt to leave the life behind, with a trip to remote Malaysia they soon find that the past will always haunt them and pull John back to man he is trying not to be.
The writing is dark, fast and powerful. The story much the same. It’s intense and aggressive and almost bittersweet as the short but explosive tale reaches its culmination.
I felt a kind of tranquility as I read the final pages, as the story reached its end, it left me exhausted yet in a good way.
It’s genuinely special reading, and a series and an author to invest in.
October 12, 2023
A fitting conclusion to a very enjoyable series. The Black Viking books have all been dark in some respects, but this entry seemed to be even bleaker and more haunting than the rest. The relocation to Malaysia/Borneo was a brilliant fit for this, and I really enjoyed the jungles and beaches that make up the backdrop to Viking - there's an Apocolypse Now vibe which is perfect for John Black's dark, disorientating journey.
As with the previous books, the writing is noir-influenced but also pleasantly lyrical at times, and a perfect match for the atmosphere of this moody series. I really enjoyed John's struggle with alcohol and his ongoing battle with his past and personal demons - the progression of this over the series has been really well done.
At times I felt there could have been a bit more polish to the edit in this edition - maybe another proofreading needed - but this was still a very enjoyable noir thriller and a terrific conclusion to a series that I would definitely recommend.
As with the previous books, the writing is noir-influenced but also pleasantly lyrical at times, and a perfect match for the atmosphere of this moody series. I really enjoyed John's struggle with alcohol and his ongoing battle with his past and personal demons - the progression of this over the series has been really well done.
At times I felt there could have been a bit more polish to the edit in this edition - maybe another proofreading needed - but this was still a very enjoyable noir thriller and a terrific conclusion to a series that I would definitely recommend.
November 10, 2022
An all out action crescendo to end this epic noir saga! Bowie has delivered again and penned the perfect ending to what has been one of the most enjoyable series of books I’ve read. John Black returns again unable to leave the past behind him that has defined his legacy. Bowie has carefully woven subtle plot lines throughout the series to give this conclusion a believable and revealing outcome.
I’ve been fully enraptured by all four (+1) of the Viking series. It’s very easy for me to add John Bowie alongside some of my favourite writers and look forward to passing on my recommendations to others so I can discuss the Viking series and John Bowie further. I’m slightly sad to be saying goodbye to what feels like an old friend in John Black but look forward to what Bowie has planned next.
I’ve been fully enraptured by all four (+1) of the Viking series. It’s very easy for me to add John Bowie alongside some of my favourite writers and look forward to passing on my recommendations to others so I can discuss the Viking series and John Bowie further. I’m slightly sad to be saying goodbye to what feels like an old friend in John Black but look forward to what Bowie has planned next.
January 2, 2023
this was another great entry in the Black Viking Thriller series, it was what I was looking for in this type of book. It was a wonderfully done thriller, and the characters were what I expected. John Bowie does a great job in telling the story and it had a great writing style.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 7, 2023
Poetic prose that is fresh as it is brutally nihilistic in the way of all great noir writers.
John Bowie is one of the most talented crime writers working today.
John Bowie is one of the most talented crime writers working today.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews