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Jack Daniels Thriller #11
Stirred
Lt. Jacqueline “Jack” Daniels has seen humanity at its most depraved and terrifying. She’s lost loved ones. Come close to death countless times. But she always manages to triumph over evil. Luther Kite is humanity at its most depraved and terrifying. He’s committed unthinkable acts. Taken human life for the sheer pleasure of it. He is a monster among monsters, and no one has ever caught him. Each is the best at what they do. Peerless. Unmatched. Until now… In Luther’s experience, people are weak. Even the strong and fearless break too easily. He wants a challenge, and sets his depraved sights on Jack. But with a baby on the way, Jack is at her most vulnerable. She’s always been a fighter, but she’s never had so much to fight for. So he’s built something especially for Jack. His own, private ninth circle of hell―a nightmare world in a forgotten place, from which no one has ever escaped. It’s J.A. Konrath’s greatest heroine versus Blake Crouch’s greatest villain in Stirred, the stunning conclusion to both Konrath’s Lt. Jacqueline “Jack” Daniels thriller series and Crouch’s Andrew Z. Thomas series. STIRRED by Crouch and Konrath
Only one can survive. And it won’t be whom you think. 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. STIRRED
Bad Language – 5
Scary – 6
Violent – 8
Funny – 7
Sexy – 2
Crossovers―Blake Crouch’s Luther Kite series, JA Konrath’s Jack Daniels series, and the Konrath Dark Thriller Collective.
Only one can survive. And it won’t be whom you think. 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. STIRRED
Bad Language – 5
Scary – 6
Violent – 8
Funny – 7
Sexy – 2
Crossovers―Blake Crouch’s Luther Kite series, JA Konrath’s Jack Daniels series, and the Konrath Dark Thriller Collective.
448 pages, Paperback
First published November 22, 2011
895 people are currently reading
2615 people want to read
About the author
J.A. Konrath
199 books3,014 followersJoe 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
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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 348 reviews
August 15, 2018
Hell YEAH!
The next time I am at the dentist and need to go to my happy place...
- Pardon the segue, but I feel the need to share this. When I thought about how I am going to start this review, my original idea was: The next time I have to go for a prostate exam and have to go to the happy place in my head...
But then I thought that most of my Goodreads friends are female, and statistically they tend to skip the mandatory prostate exam altogether, they might not be able to relate to the fear most men have watching any medical person snap on a latex glove while sitting there bare-assed. It's a fear that pierces the core of your very being, making your sphincter constrict like it was sucking on a lemon. Think I'm joking? This is a direct quote:
"You need to relax, sir, you are pinching my finger..."
Oh, the horror! At least the nightmares are getting better - I'm down to only one or two a night. -
I know, much too drama-queen.
Where was I...right, the happy place in my mind is where I am after finishing this book.
Konrath's heroine - Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels - and Crouch's villain - Luther Kite - come together in this smashing book by two brilliant writers.
Here's what you can expect:
Retired Jack Daniels is more than eight months pregnant and suffers from preeclampsia - for those of you who don't know this medical term, you either have a penis or are much too young to read these kinds of books.
She is difficult and hormonal - no, I have also impregnated a woman, so I will not throw the inappropriate line in there of: How can you tell? - but most of all she is scared. At 48, the idea of becoming a parent is nearly as scary as the bad guys she has chased throughout her career.
Luther Kite is back, as promised at the end of the previous JD novel SHAKEN, and he's coming for Jack and her baby, leaving a trail of dead bodies in his wake to send her the message.
Will her friends, Herb, Phin and Harry - for the sake of argument, let's call him a friend, okay? - be able to protect her or will Luther be able to drag her down to the nine circles of Hell - As in, Dante, The Divine Comedy - and do whatever his twisted mind can come up with?
And then there is the unlikely unknown of the messed up killers Lucy and Donaldson - from SERIAL UNCUT - who are barely hanging on to their lives, but team up to hunt down a common enemy.
Will this truly be the end of Jack Daniels and Luther Kite, as the authors planned?
----------------------------------------------------------------
Here are my thoughts on this novel:
If you allow yourself to get on the bus, to truly give into their storytelling and allow some unlikely (yet still plausible) scenarios to ensue, you won't be able to stop yourself from loving this book. The ride is truly amazing.
As always, the funniest scene in the book is when Mr. Friskers and Harry McGlade are in the same room. And Harry, as rude, offensive and irritating as usual, will be relatable in some scenes - that in itself is some brilliant writing!
And Luther Kite - independently wealthy, charming when he needs to be and absolutely without remorse - have shades of my ultimate villain: Dr. Hannibal Lector.
I refuse to criticize this story - it did everything I wanted it to do, was brilliantly entertaining and over too soon. What in the world more would you need?
Remember, though, you will love the Jack Daniels series more if read in order, but it can be read as stand-alone.
Recommend to EVERYBODY!!!
The next time I am at the dentist and need to go to my happy place...
- Pardon the segue, but I feel the need to share this. When I thought about how I am going to start this review, my original idea was: The next time I have to go for a prostate exam and have to go to the happy place in my head...
But then I thought that most of my Goodreads friends are female, and statistically they tend to skip the mandatory prostate exam altogether, they might not be able to relate to the fear most men have watching any medical person snap on a latex glove while sitting there bare-assed. It's a fear that pierces the core of your very being, making your sphincter constrict like it was sucking on a lemon. Think I'm joking? This is a direct quote:
"You need to relax, sir, you are pinching my finger..."
Oh, the horror! At least the nightmares are getting better - I'm down to only one or two a night. -
I know, much too drama-queen.
Where was I...right, the happy place in my mind is where I am after finishing this book.
Konrath's heroine - Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels - and Crouch's villain - Luther Kite - come together in this smashing book by two brilliant writers.
Here's what you can expect:
Retired Jack Daniels is more than eight months pregnant and suffers from preeclampsia - for those of you who don't know this medical term, you either have a penis or are much too young to read these kinds of books.
She is difficult and hormonal - no, I have also impregnated a woman, so I will not throw the inappropriate line in there of: How can you tell? - but most of all she is scared. At 48, the idea of becoming a parent is nearly as scary as the bad guys she has chased throughout her career.
Luther Kite is back, as promised at the end of the previous JD novel SHAKEN, and he's coming for Jack and her baby, leaving a trail of dead bodies in his wake to send her the message.
Will her friends, Herb, Phin and Harry - for the sake of argument, let's call him a friend, okay? - be able to protect her or will Luther be able to drag her down to the nine circles of Hell - As in, Dante, The Divine Comedy - and do whatever his twisted mind can come up with?
And then there is the unlikely unknown of the messed up killers Lucy and Donaldson - from SERIAL UNCUT - who are barely hanging on to their lives, but team up to hunt down a common enemy.
Will this truly be the end of Jack Daniels and Luther Kite, as the authors planned?
----------------------------------------------------------------
Here are my thoughts on this novel:
If you allow yourself to get on the bus, to truly give into their storytelling and allow some unlikely (yet still plausible) scenarios to ensue, you won't be able to stop yourself from loving this book. The ride is truly amazing.
As always, the funniest scene in the book is when Mr. Friskers and Harry McGlade are in the same room. And Harry, as rude, offensive and irritating as usual, will be relatable in some scenes - that in itself is some brilliant writing!
And Luther Kite - independently wealthy, charming when he needs to be and absolutely without remorse - have shades of my ultimate villain: Dr. Hannibal Lector.
I refuse to criticize this story - it did everything I wanted it to do, was brilliantly entertaining and over too soon. What in the world more would you need?
Remember, though, you will love the Jack Daniels series more if read in order, but it can be read as stand-alone.
Recommend to EVERYBODY!!!
January 31, 2022
Action Galore!
Backstory:
Jack Daniels is back in this installment but not as a lieutenant as she retired, but she is still very much in the thick of things as though she is retired the bad guys didn't get that memo! One of the most evil villains that Jack has ever come across (Luther Kite) is back to try and make Jack pay for everything that she had done to him in the past. He is willing to go to "extreme" lengths to make sure that Jack and her friends suffer tremendously with pain and torture.
Though within this installment, Jack is pregnant - Phineas is the father - Phineas is wanting to marry Jack but she is hesitant as it seems that everyone she loves somehow gets a bullseye on their back from the villains that are chasing her so she is up and down on a decision, but when Luther goes through with an elaborate plan to end all their lives, Jack wishes that maybe she should have agreed to marry Phineas!
That is about all I can give on a taste without giving away spoilers, so if you want to know more then you will need to read the book!
Thoughts:
This installment I think was one of the best in the series as there was continuous action throughout the story - lots of tension and nail-biting suspense. I kid you not - I read the last 60% in just a few hours as I could not lay the book down. I even was reading the book till around 3 in the morning - I would sleep a few hours then I would just pick it right back up to continue the story.
Major twists and turns in this story kept me glued to the pages along with more quips and humor by Harry McGlade that kept me laughing. The stuff that comes rolling out of McGlade's mouth keeps me in stitches and it is the only thing in the book that breaks up the tension. I love the humor that is weaved into the storyline as it is definitely an ice breaker.
This installment was also collaborated with author Blake Crouch as Luther Kite is his character in the Andrew Z. Thomas books, so this installment was extra special as I was able to have the best of both worlds in this book. The ending in this book had a major twisted revelation that sent me careening at a high rate of speed toward the end of the book.
Now I am going to have to read Rum Runner next which is book #9 in the series and hopefully will be jumping into that book this coming month sometime as this book sort of ended on a cliff hanger and I need to see what happens next. I don't want no grass to grow under my feet for the next installment so I better get to it as soon as I can! lol Giving this book five Fight to Survive stars!
Highly recommend this series and if you have not read this series then you are missing out!
Backstory:
Jack Daniels is back in this installment but not as a lieutenant as she retired, but she is still very much in the thick of things as though she is retired the bad guys didn't get that memo! One of the most evil villains that Jack has ever come across (Luther Kite) is back to try and make Jack pay for everything that she had done to him in the past. He is willing to go to "extreme" lengths to make sure that Jack and her friends suffer tremendously with pain and torture.
Though within this installment, Jack is pregnant - Phineas is the father - Phineas is wanting to marry Jack but she is hesitant as it seems that everyone she loves somehow gets a bullseye on their back from the villains that are chasing her so she is up and down on a decision, but when Luther goes through with an elaborate plan to end all their lives, Jack wishes that maybe she should have agreed to marry Phineas!
That is about all I can give on a taste without giving away spoilers, so if you want to know more then you will need to read the book!
Thoughts:
This installment I think was one of the best in the series as there was continuous action throughout the story - lots of tension and nail-biting suspense. I kid you not - I read the last 60% in just a few hours as I could not lay the book down. I even was reading the book till around 3 in the morning - I would sleep a few hours then I would just pick it right back up to continue the story.
Major twists and turns in this story kept me glued to the pages along with more quips and humor by Harry McGlade that kept me laughing. The stuff that comes rolling out of McGlade's mouth keeps me in stitches and it is the only thing in the book that breaks up the tension. I love the humor that is weaved into the storyline as it is definitely an ice breaker.
This installment was also collaborated with author Blake Crouch as Luther Kite is his character in the Andrew Z. Thomas books, so this installment was extra special as I was able to have the best of both worlds in this book. The ending in this book had a major twisted revelation that sent me careening at a high rate of speed toward the end of the book.
Now I am going to have to read Rum Runner next which is book #9 in the series and hopefully will be jumping into that book this coming month sometime as this book sort of ended on a cliff hanger and I need to see what happens next. I don't want no grass to grow under my feet for the next installment so I better get to it as soon as I can! lol Giving this book five Fight to Survive stars!
Highly recommend this series and if you have not read this series then you are missing out!
September 28, 2020
Fn crazy - just crazy. So I will be honest, for the most part this book is a 8/10 but there are about 100 pages that just went to far and this from a guy who usually likes to far!
So this is the second book this year (first being Unsub) that I read that dealt with Dante's Divine Comedy which deals with the 9 circles of hell. This book mentions that this is really the only depiction of hell we really have that it's not really dealt with in the bible. Though I attended Catholic school I really can't remember. And even though I am a credit or two short of a religious studies degree I honestly can't remember. However, I have always noticed the divergence between old and new testament. The latter being a merciful forgiving God while the former deals with the big daddy in the sky version set out to punish us for any wrong done. But Christianity embraced the old testament so that we would all have to deal with guilt - imagine the notion that we are truly forgiven for everything. My grade 8 teacher called me a simpleton for pointing this out as I interpreted something from the new testament.
Anyway, having said that - who the hell is Dante to know anything about anything? So this novel is the finale of two series. The Jack Daniels (detective) series by JA Konrath and the Luther Kite (serial killer) series by Blake Crouch. Yet it is a stand alone novel which is a plus.
The beginning is very good and we quickly find out that Kite is out to plan something very big for his nemesis Jack Daniels. I never really came round to like Daniels until the end, after Kite's evil makes her realize what's important in life. I had the upmost respect for her as a detective though she no longer is in this novel but I did not like her as a person. This novel picks up after she left Chicago PD as Kite promised to deal with her. She is under Chicago PD watch which lets her do her usual thing including tapping their data bases which would never happen.
So as the novel moves forward it is told via different characters. And in moving forward it reflects upon the bus incident. The bus incident is very cool and lays the groundwork for Kite's revenge in showing Daniels the nine circles of hell. Kite is quite a character and he has a strong link to a former author who used to write horror until he runs into Kite. There are references by the authors of an author losing it because of what he writes - makes you wonder doesn't it? As the set up for the circles is building two of Daniels other foes enter the picture and you end up wondering if they will save the day for her.
Once at the circle's it becomes a wild ride for the reader. Sadly (for this novel) Dante had to many circles and what happens to all the people involved is a little to graphic and a little too overdone. It went on for about 100 pages and frankly at first I thought it was cool and very nuts but then it just became too much. An example is in the circle of gluttony and I'll quote "I think it was a snake...it was either that, or feces......i really hope it was a snake....ugh, it was feces....or the snake was covered with corn" this as a character waded through the circle of gluttony knee deep in a pool of urine and fecal matter . Like really? Was this supposed to be comical? I just thought it was too much and it was not the first time human waste was used in a circle of hell. Like wtf? As mentioned this part of the book just seemed to drag on and not in a good way. I put the book down halfway through and took a day off as I didn't really want to continue.
So that's the bad part. The ending was very good. I should have mentioned that as Daniels is battling Kite and the circles of hell she is about to give birth. I will not spoil this aspect but what happens is crazy. I had figured out who the bad guy really was very early on. I don't know why I just had a hunch. At the end it all comes together very nicely and more people than Daniels realize what's really important in life. And though this book is supposed to close out two series there is an open door for the psychoness to continue.
Overall I didn't mind the book at all and think if it wasn't for what went on in the nine circles of hell I would have rated it four stars. I think this book is a seven out of ten for the reasons I mention in the review. I rate it three stars to show my displeasure with segments of it. PS prior to really reading the circle of hell parts I ordered their double novel "Serial Killers Uncut" - I wonder what I got myself into :)
So this is the second book this year (first being Unsub) that I read that dealt with Dante's Divine Comedy which deals with the 9 circles of hell. This book mentions that this is really the only depiction of hell we really have that it's not really dealt with in the bible. Though I attended Catholic school I really can't remember. And even though I am a credit or two short of a religious studies degree I honestly can't remember. However, I have always noticed the divergence between old and new testament. The latter being a merciful forgiving God while the former deals with the big daddy in the sky version set out to punish us for any wrong done. But Christianity embraced the old testament so that we would all have to deal with guilt - imagine the notion that we are truly forgiven for everything. My grade 8 teacher called me a simpleton for pointing this out as I interpreted something from the new testament.
Anyway, having said that - who the hell is Dante to know anything about anything? So this novel is the finale of two series. The Jack Daniels (detective) series by JA Konrath and the Luther Kite (serial killer) series by Blake Crouch. Yet it is a stand alone novel which is a plus.
The beginning is very good and we quickly find out that Kite is out to plan something very big for his nemesis Jack Daniels. I never really came round to like Daniels until the end, after Kite's evil makes her realize what's important in life. I had the upmost respect for her as a detective though she no longer is in this novel but I did not like her as a person. This novel picks up after she left Chicago PD as Kite promised to deal with her. She is under Chicago PD watch which lets her do her usual thing including tapping their data bases which would never happen.
So as the novel moves forward it is told via different characters. And in moving forward it reflects upon the bus incident. The bus incident is very cool and lays the groundwork for Kite's revenge in showing Daniels the nine circles of hell. Kite is quite a character and he has a strong link to a former author who used to write horror until he runs into Kite. There are references by the authors of an author losing it because of what he writes - makes you wonder doesn't it? As the set up for the circles is building two of Daniels other foes enter the picture and you end up wondering if they will save the day for her.
Once at the circle's it becomes a wild ride for the reader. Sadly (for this novel) Dante had to many circles and what happens to all the people involved is a little to graphic and a little too overdone. It went on for about 100 pages and frankly at first I thought it was cool and very nuts but then it just became too much. An example is in the circle of gluttony and I'll quote "I think it was a snake...it was either that, or feces......i really hope it was a snake....ugh, it was feces....or the snake was covered with corn" this as a character waded through the circle of gluttony knee deep in a pool of urine and fecal matter . Like really? Was this supposed to be comical? I just thought it was too much and it was not the first time human waste was used in a circle of hell. Like wtf? As mentioned this part of the book just seemed to drag on and not in a good way. I put the book down halfway through and took a day off as I didn't really want to continue.
So that's the bad part. The ending was very good. I should have mentioned that as Daniels is battling Kite and the circles of hell she is about to give birth. I will not spoil this aspect but what happens is crazy. I had figured out who the bad guy really was very early on. I don't know why I just had a hunch. At the end it all comes together very nicely and more people than Daniels realize what's really important in life. And though this book is supposed to close out two series there is an open door for the psychoness to continue.
Overall I didn't mind the book at all and think if it wasn't for what went on in the nine circles of hell I would have rated it four stars. I think this book is a seven out of ten for the reasons I mention in the review. I rate it three stars to show my displeasure with segments of it. PS prior to really reading the circle of hell parts I ordered their double novel "Serial Killers Uncut" - I wonder what I got myself into :)
September 3, 2021
Story 10/5
Narration 5/5
This one was Amazing !!!
I loved it!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Narration 5/5
This one was Amazing !!!
I loved it!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
December 4, 2013
All the books featuring Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels are extremely well written and hold your attention with a grip that just won't let go, but I must admit my fed-up-with-violence quotient finally got pushed over the edge about halfway through this one and I almost didn't finish it. Although the authors left the door open for more, Stirred supposedly is the last of the series, and I can't say I'm all that sorry. Lest you think I'm opposed to blood-and-guts gore, far from it; it's just that I'm totally unable to believe any human being - no matter what kind of good shape they're in - would be able to withstand such extreme physical and mental atrocities and keep on going without, as I said in a review of an earlier book, spending months in rehab. On top of that, many of the methods of torture described are hard to believe as well.
That said, authors Konrath and Crouch promise future books featuring familiar characters from the Daniels series (I won't reveal which ones lest I spoil things for those who haven't yet read Stirred), and yes, I'll certainly give them a try.
As an aside, one very neat feature of the Kindle version of this book is that although it can stand alone, mentions of characters from previous books include handy links where you can read who they are. Ah, the wonders of technology!
That said, authors Konrath and Crouch promise future books featuring familiar characters from the Daniels series (I won't reveal which ones lest I spoil things for those who haven't yet read Stirred), and yes, I'll certainly give them a try.
As an aside, one very neat feature of the Kindle version of this book is that although it can stand alone, mentions of characters from previous books include handy links where you can read who they are. Ah, the wonders of technology!
November 30, 2011
A finale to the Jack Daniels series created by Konrath and a finale to the Luther Kite and Andrew Z Thomas by Blake Crouch. I have yet to read any previous books from the series, with a newly found guilt. Whiskey sour, the beginning of The Jack Daniel’s Detective series, has been gathering some undue dust on the shelf and after reading the end line of her career in this novel I only wished to have had a sample of her detective work in upholding the law. The mind of Luther kite is some what one that one could visit again after reading this story, via previous novels. Knowledge of past novels in the series is not a must to enjoy this thrill ride but would further enjoy the experience.
Since The pairing of the villain Hannibal Lecter and FBI agent Clarice Starling, the healthy duo of heroine and villain has been often repeated but never really matched, but in this novel the two authors have created a good competition . The villain is one screwed up one to say the least he thrives on watching his prey wither in pain bit by bit and suffer a slow death. He does not want Jack to die immediately but watch her suffer slowly and has set some traps in this story that really surpasses many serial killer/crime novels.
The authors have used all the new modern age media, one being the kindle and location points instead of page numbers in clues to crimes. The villain is obsessed with Dante’s Inferno and constructs his methods of torture around its levels of hell.
This story was thoroughly enjoyable to read and really all the cliche terms can be used like page turning, thrill ride and a high octane read.
Review also here
Since The pairing of the villain Hannibal Lecter and FBI agent Clarice Starling, the healthy duo of heroine and villain has been often repeated but never really matched, but in this novel the two authors have created a good competition . The villain is one screwed up one to say the least he thrives on watching his prey wither in pain bit by bit and suffer a slow death. He does not want Jack to die immediately but watch her suffer slowly and has set some traps in this story that really surpasses many serial killer/crime novels.
The authors have used all the new modern age media, one being the kindle and location points instead of page numbers in clues to crimes. The villain is obsessed with Dante’s Inferno and constructs his methods of torture around its levels of hell.
This story was thoroughly enjoyable to read and really all the cliche terms can be used like page turning, thrill ride and a high octane read.
Review also here
September 6, 2019
I didn’t enjoy this one as much as usual. It had less humour and I didn’t like the story line.
November 24, 2018
I rarely read a 500-page book in one day, but this one was that good! It examines the levels of hell, and how people in our time might be assigned to them. Lots of plot twists! This two-author book was extremely well-written and was definitely thrilling!
April 10, 2017
Super serial killers versus super cops---an epic battle and the perfect ending to this series. Lots of twists and turns and action.
July 17, 2024
This book absolutely demands you suspend your disbelief for almost the entire story! As always, Crouch has great character development and a fast-paced narrative; however, his lead character being 8.5 months pregnant and in full blown eclampsia, complete with blackouts, blinding headaches, and convulsions was just too much to "believe". Otherwise, it went well, finished nicely and left the door open for another installment.
August 1, 2018
Jack takes a serious trip to the dark side with this book. The antagonist is about as bad as one can get. He's got his kill-on for just about every single character in the book with the exception of Jack. He wants to leave her for last. It's fairly brutal, but true to Konrath's earlier work in this series, readers are spared explicit exposure to gorry descriptors. That said, there is a whole lot of killing done in truly creative and dastardly ways.
The sequence in the killer's funhouse goes on a little longer than I would have liked, but the twist at the end makes both Jack and the reader look at the gathered evidence in an entirely new perspective. Everything we knew from page one shifts and alters what we thought we knew about the killer and his motives. This results in a creative twist that made for an interesting conclusion.
The sequence in the killer's funhouse goes on a little longer than I would have liked, but the twist at the end makes both Jack and the reader look at the gathered evidence in an entirely new perspective. Everything we knew from page one shifts and alters what we thought we knew about the killer and his motives. This results in a creative twist that made for an interesting conclusion.
March 4, 2012
I'm going to go with a solid average for this book. The story was interesting, and the plot/set-up of the villain was creative in a twisted kind of way. It kept me turning pages to see what was going to happen next.
On the down side, the main character, Jack Daniels, is not a sympathetic protagonist. She's really quite unpleasant and selfish most of the time. Now to be fair, this is not even close to the beginning of this series, so perhaps the other novels would have fleshed her out more, so that I wasn't so put off by her. Also, while I have only the two data points of my wife's pregnancies, I found the level of activity from Jack completely unbelievable for a 38 week pregnant woman.
Finally, I have to wonder if the author has some sort of product placement deal in place for this novel. It's kind of like how despite 95% of computer users using a PC, every computer in movies is a Mac. Off the top of my head I remember beer, cars and phones being called particular brands/models. And it happened often enough that it got annoying and had to be on purpose.
In favor of the books in this series, they are generally about $3 for the Kindle edition, and so it could be a nice escape for the price. That being said, it'll be quite a while before I feel like reading any more of the Jack Daniels series.
On the down side, the main character, Jack Daniels, is not a sympathetic protagonist. She's really quite unpleasant and selfish most of the time. Now to be fair, this is not even close to the beginning of this series, so perhaps the other novels would have fleshed her out more, so that I wasn't so put off by her. Also, while I have only the two data points of my wife's pregnancies, I found the level of activity from Jack completely unbelievable for a 38 week pregnant woman.
Finally, I have to wonder if the author has some sort of product placement deal in place for this novel. It's kind of like how despite 95% of computer users using a PC, every computer in movies is a Mac. Off the top of my head I remember beer, cars and phones being called particular brands/models. And it happened often enough that it got annoying and had to be on purpose.
In favor of the books in this series, they are generally about $3 for the Kindle edition, and so it could be a nice escape for the price. That being said, it'll be quite a while before I feel like reading any more of the Jack Daniels series.
November 22, 2011
It would be cliché to say that Stirred is Konrath & Crouch at their best. After all, when aren’t they at their best? But this is one of their best collaborations, possibly their best to date. The way they brought in all their characters, both villains and heroes, and wove them all together in one story is simply amazing. The fact that it worked so well is a testament to both their writing abilities and their working relationship. Add in the interactive element, and you have a real masterpiece here. (They made the story interactive for those who haven’t read their previous works and are unfamiliar with the characters. The reader is able to click on the name of the character during their first appearance, and will be able to learn about them. However, if you have never read anything by either author, you will still be able to keep up. The authors have done such a wonderful job of answering any questions a new reader would have without the reader even knowing they’re being given back story. And there’s a couple little treats along the way for faithful readers.)
Stirred was a great read, full of surprises. With tension and suspense, humor (who doesn’t love Harry McGlade?), and drama, there’s something here for everyone. These two have knocked it out of the park again.
Stirred was a great read, full of surprises. With tension and suspense, humor (who doesn’t love Harry McGlade?), and drama, there’s something here for everyone. These two have knocked it out of the park again.
November 22, 2011
This book combines fast-paced action, humor, madness, and edge-of-your-seat, jaw-clenching suspense. It's like driving by a bad accident. You know you shouldn't stare at the gore but you can't help yourself. Jack Daniels is at her best here. She's tough, angry, stubborn, and determined, while doing her best to beat back her softer side. Her sidekick Harry McGlade keeps us chuckling in the midst of the horror. And Luther Kite remains my favorite, twisted psychopath.
The pace is relentless and you won't want to put this one down for long - maybe just to breathe now and then. Konrath and Crouch are a formidable writing team, and Stirred allows them both to shine.
The pace is relentless and you won't want to put this one down for long - maybe just to breathe now and then. Konrath and Crouch are a formidable writing team, and Stirred allows them both to shine.
December 8, 2011
This book was one of the worst that I have read in a very long time. I understand that two authors were trying to wrap their respective series and this book did indeed read like two different books. I do not like having to bounce back and forth to try to figure out what was going on since I never read the Luther Kite series, nor did I read the series where Lucy and Donaldson came from.
Two sets of serial killers chasing one retired detective...the Jack Daniels series really should have ended when Jack quit the police force. The series went about 2 books longer than it should have.
Two sets of serial killers chasing one retired detective...the Jack Daniels series really should have ended when Jack quit the police force. The series went about 2 books longer than it should have.
January 7, 2012
Review originally at Fantasy Book Critic
OVERVIEW/ANALYSIS: Stirred is a book for which both authors have been building up anticipation for their reading audience. The first collaboration between both these authors was “Serial” which was a download bonanza, and was the stepping stone in regards to the unification of their individual written worlds. Following in that direction, the authors soon expanded their collaborative efforts with Serial Uncut, Killers, Birds of Prey, etc… All of these books along with newer material were combined into a single volume called Serial Killers Uncut, which was a huge success as well as loved by the fans. I especially liked the book and was waiting to see how it would end in Stirred as I also read Shaken the penultimate book in the Jack Daniels series. Before starting on with the review for Stirred, I’ll do a brief overview of Shaken before proceeding to the review.
Shaken was released earlier this year and is the seventh book in the Jack Daniels series, what was especially special about this book was that it had qualities of a prequel and sequel bundled smoothly within. The story has three distinct threads featuring Jacqueline “Jack” Daniels in three different time periods of her life, the first time period is set twenty years ago, the second timeline being focused on events three years ago and lastly the third plot is set in present day. The focus of the story was on Mr. K, a killer of note and one who has refined his methods over decades. The three timelines showcase Jack struggles with him in these various time-periods. The best part about the book is its ending and how it ties into this book, via the presence of Luther Kite who has set his sights on Jack as he sees her as his ultimate competitor via bonds of alpha predators.
There’s also a tie-in to this book via several chapters from Serial Killers Uncut as Luther, Donaldson & Lucy return and are worse for the wear. The story begins with Jack who is now nearly eight and half months pregnant, this however hasn’t necessarily dulled her senses and she is now even more alert. Due to reasons revealed in the climax of Shaken, Jack’s friends and everyone around her is hyper alert for the presence of Luther Kite and his plans. The biggest problem is while Jack is about to deliver, she just plain refuses to accept her physiological condition thereby further endangering her own life as well as that of her baby. Luther on the other hand has been rather inspired by Dante and his most famous work and goes about his enigmatic ways to recreate the nine circles of hell in an abandoned are of the country as well targeting several other individuals to raise the stakes of his grand plan. Thus begins the final chapter in the worlds of Jack Daniels and Luther Kite, wherein only one predator can survive and for that to happen the other must be terminated as that is the only way to survive.
This book while building upon the two previous titles does its absolute best to out thrill both the previous titles. This book is supposedly the end to not just one but two series of two different authors. Not only does it raise the stakes twice over but it also raises the question how effectively two authors can jointly write a saga and manage to make their numero uno character come out on top. As a fan of the Jack Daniels series, it was hard to imagine what fate would befall her however in the back of my mind, I knew J.A. Konrath planned to write a series about Jack’s grandson thereby ruining the surprise a bit but knowing the author’s deviousness and previous book plots, it could have very well turned out that Jack could still be dead and her baby might survive.
This book’s strongest point is in its visceral twists and turns, Luther Kite strongly moulds the story alongside his devious plan that causes Jack and her friends but the readers as well to rack their brains as to what might be his ultimate aim. This aspect along with the plot’s express pace is what makes this book an excellent thriller as well as one of the best serial killer titles. The authors have to be lauded for their ingenuity in coming up with all the twists for this tale and also for planning the ultimate twist in the climax of this story. I had raised a question in regards to a certain plot occurrence in Serial Killers Uncut, which was severely contradicted by events taking place in Shaken. I had raised this query in my review and also asked Blake Crouch for clarification, to which he had replied that everything will be revealed in Stirred and to my surprise it was. The contradiction plays perfectly into the massive twist planned by the authors and kudos to them for planning and executing it. All in all this I couldn't put down the book once I started it and as far as thrillers go, this is what every thriller aims for.
As for as any negative points to this book, I couldn't find many. Some readers might take umbrage with some of the twists as well as some of the things which occur might be near impossible for a nearly full term woman to do all of which Jack Daniels does. But if we start questioning too much into these events, the thriller aspect might just fall apart completely. I think that while such issues can be detrimental to the story they can’t be completely ignored. Take the book for what it is, a thriller book featuring serial killers of the most depraved kind and a cop who hunts them at the expense of her own life as well as that of her near & dear ones. It’s not a medical manual about what severely pregnant females can and cannot do.
CONCLUSION: A fitting finale to two series and with more action and intrigue packed in it to satisfy the most veteran readers. Stirred brings a strong, emotionally satisfying end to a saga of various characters with almost no room for ennui of any kind. Once again J.A. Konrath & Blake Crouch effectively show why they can be counted upon in the future to write plots mixing cerebral & visceral thrills and to thoroughly entertain their fans.
December 3, 2011
One word. Horrific (and not in a good way).
Everyone who knows me knows I absolutely abhor cliff hangers. They leave me feeling cheated. Having said that, I cannot stress how much I wish the Jack Daniel's series had ended with the previous book's cliff hanger. I really wanted to like this book.
The first half of the book I still don't know why it was there. The only thing I can come up with is it was a marketing experience. I mean what else can it be when two main characters go for a long (chapter long) drive and their discussion is limited to a rehash of the plot of one of the previous books? The authors clearly chose to ignore the 'make every word count' writing rule. Telling a fresh story was ignored also although the repetition of previous story element was later explained.
After 50% it got better and I kept telling myself the book should have started here. Of course that was about the time I started not being able to ignore how disjointed the writing was and the lack of flow or maybe even plot. Shaken flowed in a consistent pattern with the time and POV jumps. This one didn't. The next third of the book just seemed like random jumps from one horrific, deprived situation to the next without editing for depth, pacing and rhythm.
Maybe it is my fault, because I re-read the previous books in the JD series before reading this. This was not the Jack character I've grown to love in the series. This was a wooden imitation that up until the birth I had trouble recognizing. You know something is off in characterization when Lucy and Donaldson are the only characters you can empathize with!
Once we got to the birth scene the story got much better. I was really hoping the quality of the last 10% of the book would raise the rating...then the sledge hammer came down. When you get a two page long explanation during the climax scene all I could do was grimace and shake my head while I tried to figure it out.
2.75/5 stars. I'm worried that the author has slipped from being hungry and writing quality stories to coasting on his laurels.
Everyone who knows me knows I absolutely abhor cliff hangers. They leave me feeling cheated. Having said that, I cannot stress how much I wish the Jack Daniel's series had ended with the previous book's cliff hanger. I really wanted to like this book.
The first half of the book I still don't know why it was there. The only thing I can come up with is it was a marketing experience. I mean what else can it be when two main characters go for a long (chapter long) drive and their discussion is limited to a rehash of the plot of one of the previous books? The authors clearly chose to ignore the 'make every word count' writing rule. Telling a fresh story was ignored also although the repetition of previous story element was later explained.
After 50% it got better and I kept telling myself the book should have started here. Of course that was about the time I started not being able to ignore how disjointed the writing was and the lack of flow or maybe even plot. Shaken flowed in a consistent pattern with the time and POV jumps. This one didn't. The next third of the book just seemed like random jumps from one horrific, deprived situation to the next without editing for depth, pacing and rhythm.
Maybe it is my fault, because I re-read the previous books in the JD series before reading this. This was not the Jack character I've grown to love in the series. This was a wooden imitation that up until the birth I had trouble recognizing. You know something is off in characterization when Lucy and Donaldson are the only characters you can empathize with!
Once we got to the birth scene the story got much better. I was really hoping the quality of the last 10% of the book would raise the rating...then the sledge hammer came down. When you get a two page long explanation during the climax scene all I could do was grimace and shake my head while I tried to figure it out.
2.75/5 stars. I'm worried that the author has slipped from being hungry and writing quality stories to coasting on his laurels.
November 17, 2011
Brilliant..!!!
Hilariously funny one minute, disgustingly gory and scary as hell the next
Full of characters you love to hate, and characters you just hate to love
RIPPER story, totally engrossing,(with emphasis on the GROSS), and full of mega laugh out loud (aka LOL) moments...
Many brilliant plots along the way and hilarious dialogue to die for..!!!... Literally...
Plus a twist at the end that no one will see coming
One of the best books I have read this year
Another masterpiece from Konrath (and Blake Crouch)
6 of out 5 and then some
Hilariously funny one minute, disgustingly gory and scary as hell the next
Full of characters you love to hate, and characters you just hate to love
RIPPER story, totally engrossing,(with emphasis on the GROSS), and full of mega laugh out loud (aka LOL) moments...
Many brilliant plots along the way and hilarious dialogue to die for..!!!... Literally...
Plus a twist at the end that no one will see coming
One of the best books I have read this year
Another masterpiece from Konrath (and Blake Crouch)
6 of out 5 and then some
July 8, 2013
Sob..... I don't want to be finished! I liked this last chapter of the Daniels/Kite/Thomas saga but I didn't love it. Some parts worked (Donaldson and Lucy, and the fake Luther Kite with the circles of hell), while others didn't (the cemetery scene was lame, and Jack is shown as more lucky than good). As a whole, Konrath and Crouch rock! Someone who likes police procedurals, strong older women characters, horror, and memorable villains needs to read Konrath and Crouch. I, for one, am a big fan!!
March 1, 2017
I thought NO ONE could write about Jack Daniels like J.A. Konrath. This latest installment has proved me WRONG. Blake Crouch did a wonderful job with this story - it was impossible to tell who wrote what. Another gritty, gory romp with Jack Daniels and company. I felt like I was at a super creepy family reunion. Thanks for bringing back Mr. Friskers and for adding Duffy the Basset Hound. Well done, Gentlemen!! I will remain a fan of Jack Daniels forever.
April 10, 2014
So awful I couldn't finish it. About half way through, the gore and explicitly described torture got me sick to my stomach (figuratively speaking), and I had to wonder why I was still reading this. So I quit. Books in Konrath's other pen-names, Kimball and Kilborn, to my surprise were equally gory. Skip it.
September 30, 2015
Take a deep breath and read this... in fact, take many deep breaths and keep reminding yourself it's only a novel.
The best and most twisted Jack Daniels' story yet.
The best and most twisted Jack Daniels' story yet.
September 18, 2024
OH. MY. GOD.
After reading Blake's Andrew Z Thomas series... oh my god. The ending physically shook me. I was NOT expecting that and it honestly pained me. There were a couple times throughout the book where I felt something was off with Luther, something wasn't right. Holy shit. This was mindblowing. Also, very violent and gruesome. But amazing, yet saddening, finish to Andrew Thomas' story.
Well done.
After reading Blake's Andrew Z Thomas series... oh my god. The ending physically shook me. I was NOT expecting that and it honestly pained me. There were a couple times throughout the book where I felt something was off with Luther, something wasn't right. Holy shit. This was mindblowing. Also, very violent and gruesome. But amazing, yet saddening, finish to Andrew Thomas' story.
Well done.
January 11, 2019
3.5 Stars
My least favorite of the Jack Daniels series, primarily because of how unrealistic I found one aspect of this story to be. I won't give it away, but it was there, bothering me a little bit, throughout the entire novel. While there were good scenes and good writing otherwise, it was that one angle that kept tickling my brain in an uncomfortable way.
Meh, whatever. All that being said, I've mostly enjoyed the series, and I'll move on to the next soon.
My least favorite of the Jack Daniels series, primarily because of how unrealistic I found one aspect of this story to be. I won't give it away, but it was there, bothering me a little bit, throughout the entire novel. While there were good scenes and good writing otherwise, it was that one angle that kept tickling my brain in an uncomfortable way.
Meh, whatever. All that being said, I've mostly enjoyed the series, and I'll move on to the next soon.
July 16, 2018
Angela Dawe and Phil Gigante narrated this audiobook.
February 9, 2012
Wow. Konrath and Crouch pull out all the stops on this fusion of their serial killer novels with Konrath's Jack Daniels series. It's totally over the top at times, but yet, like a car wreck on the shoulder of the highway, I couldn't look away. I had to keep reading.
I haven't read a lot of Jack Daniels mysteries, maybe three, and I've enjoyed them. There's a certain competency, a workman-like quality to the stories and the writing, that I really admire. I like her as a character, too. She's sort of a guy in a woman's body. Too cool, in a way. Unconcerned with a lot of things that one might expect a woman to be concerned with. Like one fantasy of a guy about how his ideal woman should be. Far from perfect, yes, but in some ways more a guy than a girl. Not very realistic, perhaps, but totally fun in this context.
This book takes Jack and her friends, and pits them against serial killer extraordinaire Luther Kite. He's a bad dude, part Lector and part Michael Myers, in this book. Undefeatable, almost, and so darned smart! Again, totally "fun" in this context.
It was another book I just had to read until I got to the end. How was Jack going to best this guy? And what about all these other bad guys (and girls) creeping out of the woodwork?
I compare it to reading Richard Laymon. I've read a lot of his stuff, and there also, there's a certain competence in the writing, but the stories are mostly car wrecks. Don't exactly find them to be great, but I can't look away! This was better than most of those. Perhaps 4 stars is too high. But 3 is a little low for me. This was, for me, better than average. 3.5 might be about right. I used to rate Laymon's books on an internet site called the Book and Candle pub, and gave most of them 7's. I like this one more than those. 7.5 on a scale of 1 to 10.
I'll probably be working my way through Konrath's, Crouch's and their other names' (like Kilborn) novels on my Kindle. Sometimes you just want some mindless entertainment. This worked for me
I haven't read a lot of Jack Daniels mysteries, maybe three, and I've enjoyed them. There's a certain competency, a workman-like quality to the stories and the writing, that I really admire. I like her as a character, too. She's sort of a guy in a woman's body. Too cool, in a way. Unconcerned with a lot of things that one might expect a woman to be concerned with. Like one fantasy of a guy about how his ideal woman should be. Far from perfect, yes, but in some ways more a guy than a girl. Not very realistic, perhaps, but totally fun in this context.
This book takes Jack and her friends, and pits them against serial killer extraordinaire Luther Kite. He's a bad dude, part Lector and part Michael Myers, in this book. Undefeatable, almost, and so darned smart! Again, totally "fun" in this context.
It was another book I just had to read until I got to the end. How was Jack going to best this guy? And what about all these other bad guys (and girls) creeping out of the woodwork?
I compare it to reading Richard Laymon. I've read a lot of his stuff, and there also, there's a certain competence in the writing, but the stories are mostly car wrecks. Don't exactly find them to be great, but I can't look away! This was better than most of those. Perhaps 4 stars is too high. But 3 is a little low for me. This was, for me, better than average. 3.5 might be about right. I used to rate Laymon's books on an internet site called the Book and Candle pub, and gave most of them 7's. I like this one more than those. 7.5 on a scale of 1 to 10.
I'll probably be working my way through Konrath's, Crouch's and their other names' (like Kilborn) novels on my Kindle. Sometimes you just want some mindless entertainment. This worked for me
March 7, 2016
STIRRED finds (retired) Lieutenant Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels (formerly) of the Chicago Police Department seated not-so-comfortably in the ER with her significant other, Phin, a bank robber-turned-nice guy. Apparently. Jack is, not to put too fine a point on it, preggers out to here. Eight and half months into pregnancy and suffering from preeclampsia. As in pre-eclampsia. Eclampsia being a condition that could kill her and/or her unborn child. So. Not. Cool.
Mid-examination, Jack learns that a sociopath named Luther Kite -- a man she both hates and fears more than anyone else on earth -- has killed someone in the most spectacular way.
Well, what's a little eclampsia when a maniac is out there, maybe after your ass? Jack hops off the table, pulls her clothes on (maybe), runs out the freaking door and catches a ride with her reluctant chauffeur/business partner Harry McGlade straight to the crime scene.
And learns that Luther left a message inside the body for Jack.
Turns out this message is a clue to the next murder. Because there is a next murder.
It's all part of huge game (involving Dante's Divine Comedy and the nine circles of hell) that Luther's devised for Jack, who's so stubborn/determined/scared/idiotic/take your pick that she just has to be the one to apprehend this man. Even though eclampsia is nothing to sneeze at. It's a freaking serious condition that requires bed rest or you could seriously kill yourself. Honest!
Thing about thrillers is that they are big concept stories. And one concept here is the amazing, sometimes awful capacity for people to survive ordeals.
Read the entire review at http://thebookgrrl.blogspot.com/2011/...
Mid-examination, Jack learns that a sociopath named Luther Kite -- a man she both hates and fears more than anyone else on earth -- has killed someone in the most spectacular way.
Well, what's a little eclampsia when a maniac is out there, maybe after your ass? Jack hops off the table, pulls her clothes on (maybe), runs out the freaking door and catches a ride with her reluctant chauffeur/business partner Harry McGlade straight to the crime scene.
And learns that Luther left a message inside the body for Jack.
Turns out this message is a clue to the next murder. Because there is a next murder.
It's all part of huge game (involving Dante's Divine Comedy and the nine circles of hell) that Luther's devised for Jack, who's so stubborn/determined/scared/idiotic/take your pick that she just has to be the one to apprehend this man. Even though eclampsia is nothing to sneeze at. It's a freaking serious condition that requires bed rest or you could seriously kill yourself. Honest!
Thing about thrillers is that they are big concept stories. And one concept here is the amazing, sometimes awful capacity for people to survive ordeals.
Read the entire review at http://thebookgrrl.blogspot.com/2011/...
July 1, 2018
Apparently we are in the minority in downgrading this novel for over-the-top brutality, torture, and horrible killings – an unwelcome trend being seen in other recent crime thrillers as well.
First of all, we were angry during the first 50 pages or so, having read the previous seven Jack Daniels tales in which she was a Chicago PD Homicide Lieutenant. Suddenly she is a private eye, partnered with goofball Harry McGlade, and pregnant (!) by boyfriend Phin Troutt, who last we knew was a month or so from dying and self-medicating with cocaine, vodka, and heroine – and all this without one word of explanation or back story?!?! What a rip-off for fans.
Secondly, the book brings together Jack plus her former cop buddies versus villain Luther Kite, “leading man” of co-author Blake Crouch’s three-book set about a psychopath killer/monster who in “Stirred” spends years practically erecting a city in which to entrap Jack and crew in order to terrorize them eventually all to death.
While there was indeed quite the helping of suspense, the whole thing was so far-fetched and barbaric, with the cops so needlessly fooled at every turn, we were insulted to have wasted our time on it. Fortunately the 504 pages billed are more like only about 300 with actual words on them. There are three more books now in the Daniels set, but we’re wondering now whether to proceed.
First of all, we were angry during the first 50 pages or so, having read the previous seven Jack Daniels tales in which she was a Chicago PD Homicide Lieutenant. Suddenly she is a private eye, partnered with goofball Harry McGlade, and pregnant (!) by boyfriend Phin Troutt, who last we knew was a month or so from dying and self-medicating with cocaine, vodka, and heroine – and all this without one word of explanation or back story?!?! What a rip-off for fans.
Secondly, the book brings together Jack plus her former cop buddies versus villain Luther Kite, “leading man” of co-author Blake Crouch’s three-book set about a psychopath killer/monster who in “Stirred” spends years practically erecting a city in which to entrap Jack and crew in order to terrorize them eventually all to death.
While there was indeed quite the helping of suspense, the whole thing was so far-fetched and barbaric, with the cops so needlessly fooled at every turn, we were insulted to have wasted our time on it. Fortunately the 504 pages billed are more like only about 300 with actual words on them. There are three more books now in the Daniels set, but we’re wondering now whether to proceed.
November 30, 2011
A fitting conclusion to the Jack Daniels series. I hadn't read the series by Blake Crouch but I intend to. It was a perfect blending of the two series. Gruesome and exciting beyond anything I could imagine. I liked the way all the loose ends were "tied up" if they really were. I will be sad to not have Jack Daniels in my reading world anymore. Guess I will have to do an occasional reread.
I would definitely recommend this series for fans of horror/thriller mysteries. This one has it all, a likeable set of heroes,graphic detailed situations and just the right amount of humor thrown in.
I would definitely recommend this series for fans of horror/thriller mysteries. This one has it all, a likeable set of heroes,graphic detailed situations and just the right amount of humor thrown in.
July 30, 2018
A muddle mess
Really enjoyed the Jack Daniels crime novels up until now. This novel is confusing and tries too hard to bring a number of disparate characters together. Plenty of violence in previous Jack Daniels novels, but this one is over the top. The fist half of the novel wanders all over the place finally coming to a conclusion in the second half. If I read this novel first , I wouldn’t have wanted to read any other Jack Daniels mystery. Not recommended.
Really enjoyed the Jack Daniels crime novels up until now. This novel is confusing and tries too hard to bring a number of disparate characters together. Plenty of violence in previous Jack Daniels novels, but this one is over the top. The fist half of the novel wanders all over the place finally coming to a conclusion in the second half. If I read this novel first , I wouldn’t have wanted to read any other Jack Daniels mystery. Not recommended.
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