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Sean Dillon #8
Day of Reckoning
4-book set by Jack Higgins.
359 pages, Paperback
First published February 7, 2000
158 people are currently reading
971 people want to read
About the author
Jack Higgins
480 books1,278 followersThere is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Jack Higgins was best known of the many pseudonyms of Henry Patterson. (See also Martin Fallon, Harry Patterson, Hugh Marlowe and James Graham.)
He was the New York Times bestselling author of more than seventy thrillers, including The Eagle Has Landed and The Wolf at the Door. His books have sold more than 250 million copies worldwide.
Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, Patterson grew up in Belfast, Northern Ireland. As a child, Patterson was a voracious reader and later credited his passion for reading with fueling his creative drive to be an author. His upbringing in Belfast also exposed him to the political and religious violence that characterized the city at the time. At seven years old, Patterson was caught in gunfire while riding a tram, and later was in a Belfast movie theater when it was bombed. Though he escaped from both attacks unharmed, the turmoil in Northern Ireland would later become a significant influence in his books, many of which prominently feature the Irish Republican Army. After attending grammar school and college in Leeds, England, Patterson joined the British Army and served two years in the Household Cavalry, from 1947 to 1949, stationed along the East German border. He was considered an expert sharpshooter.
Following his military service, Patterson earned a degree in sociology from the London School of Economics, which led to teaching jobs at two English colleges. In 1959, while teaching at James Graham College, Patterson began writing novels, including some under the alias James Graham. As his popularity grew, Patterson left teaching to write full time. With the 1975 publication of the international blockbuster The Eagle Has Landed, which was later made into a movie of the same name starring Michael Caine, Patterson became a regular fixture on bestseller lists. His books draw heavily from history and include prominent figures—such as John Dillinger—and often center around significant events from such conflicts as World War II, the Korean War, and the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Patterson lived in Jersey, in the Channel Islands.
Jack Higgins was best known of the many pseudonyms of Henry Patterson. (See also Martin Fallon, Harry Patterson, Hugh Marlowe and James Graham.)
He was the New York Times bestselling author of more than seventy thrillers, including The Eagle Has Landed and The Wolf at the Door. His books have sold more than 250 million copies worldwide.
Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, Patterson grew up in Belfast, Northern Ireland. As a child, Patterson was a voracious reader and later credited his passion for reading with fueling his creative drive to be an author. His upbringing in Belfast also exposed him to the political and religious violence that characterized the city at the time. At seven years old, Patterson was caught in gunfire while riding a tram, and later was in a Belfast movie theater when it was bombed. Though he escaped from both attacks unharmed, the turmoil in Northern Ireland would later become a significant influence in his books, many of which prominently feature the Irish Republican Army. After attending grammar school and college in Leeds, England, Patterson joined the British Army and served two years in the Household Cavalry, from 1947 to 1949, stationed along the East German border. He was considered an expert sharpshooter.
Following his military service, Patterson earned a degree in sociology from the London School of Economics, which led to teaching jobs at two English colleges. In 1959, while teaching at James Graham College, Patterson began writing novels, including some under the alias James Graham. As his popularity grew, Patterson left teaching to write full time. With the 1975 publication of the international blockbuster The Eagle Has Landed, which was later made into a movie of the same name starring Michael Caine, Patterson became a regular fixture on bestseller lists. His books draw heavily from history and include prominent figures—such as John Dillinger—and often center around significant events from such conflicts as World War II, the Korean War, and the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Patterson lived in Jersey, in the Channel Islands.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
December 30, 2017
I didn't enjoy this story as much as others by Mr. Higgins. Still, better than average. 6 of 10 stars
December 10, 2012
Best line in the book: "You can't expect good Irish bacon on an Italian boat crewed by Arabic fundamentalists off the coast of Syria."
Rating = 3.5 stars
Rating = 3.5 stars
December 18, 2023
A journalist is found dead after investigating an international crime boss. Her ex-husband is head of The Basement, so Sean Dillon gets on the case. The premise seems uch less likely today, than when it was written, I suppose.
July 27, 2011
Imagine a mob family having IRA connections and gang affiliations in England to create a multinational enterprise comprising both legal and illegal operations. This is the Cosa Nostra and it's headed by the Solazzo family. In an attempt to keep their under-the-table dealings secret, the family has a journalist murdered. It is her death that begins this three hundred page tale of revenge by her ex-husband, ex-FBI agent who has friends in high enough places to bring down the family by bankrupting Cosa Nostra and killing those who participated in his ex-wife's death.
There is a lot of potential to this story but it bogs down with the sheer number of characters all taking advantage of the situation to play out their own long dreamed of plans of revenge. There are some interesting pieces like the way in which they close the casino but there aren't enough of these scenes to keep the story going.
There is a lot of potential to this story but it bogs down with the sheer number of characters all taking advantage of the situation to play out their own long dreamed of plans of revenge. There are some interesting pieces like the way in which they close the casino but there aren't enough of these scenes to keep the story going.
March 23, 2022
This book started off with such promise, but as you keep reading, it just goes down. Ok flow, but at times hard to tell who is doing what. Many diff people being introduced throughout the book which does not help either. A lot of times it's just, Hey we need to do this/get this, lets reach out to so and so. They do, fill them in to the situation and say they can do it/get it. All the action parts move way to fast as well. Overall very lack luster. The ending was just way too abrupt as well, when you get to the last couple of pages you are wondering how it could end with just a couple of pages left. Not to mention bacon is mentioned more times than a cookbook. That and shepherd/cottage/fish pie and English breakfast!
March 25, 2012
This is a short, uninspired novel that feels like it was rushed out in order to fulfill a book contract or something. Either that, or Higgins is running out of ideas. Day of Reckoning is entertaining enough to be a passable read, but there's hardly a description or moment of subtle characterization anywhere to be found throughout. Nearly every sentence in the book is either action or dialog, so the plot progresses at a dizzying, streamlined pace. A great number of characters (sometimes with similar names) pop in and out, and it's hard to keep track of who everybody is. The plot is extremely derivative of countless action/heist movies, and Higgins seemingly tries to make up for it by trotting out as many popular characters from his previous books as he can manage. Still, the result is not entirely disagreeable. But definitely disappointing.
August 22, 2021
This is the first jack Higgins book I’ve read, I enjoy john Grisham, lee child, Steven Leather, amongst others. I found this to be so simplistic, corny, and a most basic plot without any real substance whatsoever? It was based upon revenge, but wasn’t even his murdered wife, it was his ex wife!?? I was truly shocked at reading this and could not wait until it was over. The name jack Higgins conjures up all sorts of quality writing based upon reputation. Sadly this did not work for me, and if that is his style of writing then I won’t be reading anymore. It was like a cheap comic! Sorry if this offends anyone.
May 2, 2018
My memory of earlier Jack Higgins books was that they were suspenseful, tightly plotted and with interesting and memorable characterizations. This book was “okay” but not great in any of those areas and the plot was not credible—basically a personal revenge scheme using lots of government resources with characters who seemed to be stereotypes—the Brit says “bloody” a lot and the Irish seem to live on Irish stew. Might still read it if I had some time to kill but not highly recommended.
April 10, 2017
My best friend forgot to take this book from my house after a brief visit. I never return books without reading even it was not given to me. I read it and now I feel he should have never visited me..lol (just kidding ;) .. )
Terrible.
1 star on 5! ( since there is nothing called 0 star )
-gautam
Terrible.
1 star on 5! ( since there is nothing called 0 star )
-gautam
December 31, 2020
1/5 Stars
It had the makings of a good story but the characters were very one dimensional, the storyline completely unbelievable and overly convenient, and you didn’t get long enough with each character to develop any concern for their well-being.
It had the makings of a good story but the characters were very one dimensional, the storyline completely unbelievable and overly convenient, and you didn’t get long enough with each character to develop any concern for their well-being.
January 31, 2024
Amerika'da ünlü Solazzo ailesinin başı olan Don Marco'nun yeğeni Jack Fox, aslında bir avukat ve iyi biri gibi görünse de çoğu işin arkasındadır. Kendisine yanaşan ve haber yapmak isteyen Katherine Jackson adlı gazeteci ilr görüşür. Onun evindeki kasetleri çalar ve kendisi ile ilgili dosyayı öğrenince adamları Russo ve Falcone'ye onu öldürtür. En başta bir aşırı doz eroin vakası gibi görünse de iş büyür. Ölen kişi Blake Johnson'un boşandığı eşidir. Ferguson, Dillon ve Hannah cenazeye Amerika'ya gider. Blake yasal yolları denemiş ama sonuç alamamıştır. Başbakan ve Jake Cazalet onayı verir. Dillon ve Blake Solazzo ailesi ile uğraşacaktır. Önce kaçak içki dükkanlarında yangın çıkarırlar. Sonra Londra'ya gelirler ve Roper adlı bilgisayar dahisi ile kirli işlerini öğrenirler. IRA mensubu Murphy ile beraber iş tutmuşlardır. İsrail'deki dostları ile beraber operasyon düzenleyip gemiyi batırırlar. Londra'daki kumarhanede bazı zarları değiştirip hileli zar oynattıkları için tüm kumarhaneleri kapatırlar. Murphy ve adamlarının paraları sakladığı yeri basıp orayı da havaya uçururlar. Çıkan çatışmada Blake yaralanır ama Murphy ve adamları ölür. Liam Devlin'in de bu konuda yardımları olur. Sonra Goby kardeşler ile yapacakları soygunu da berbat ederler. Olayları tek tek anlatan Falcone'a Don Marco yola çıktığını söyler. Fox, Blake'i kaçırır ve Dillon'a gelmesini söyler. Harry Salter'ın oğlu Billy ile daha önce iş yapan Dillon, yine onunla paraşütle atlar ve Fox'u öldürüp Blake'i kurtarır. Ama Falcone ve Russo kaçar. Blake tam olarak intikamını alamamıştır. Don Marco Ferguson'dan bir görüşme talep eder. Dillon, Blake ve Billy de istenmemesine rağmen gidecektir. Acaba burada ne olacaktır? Don Marco ne diyecektir? Hannah ne gibi bir tepki verecektir? Keyifle okunan bir roman.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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September 18, 2025The fifty-eighth #jackhiggins #martinfallon #hughmarlowe #harrypatterson #henrypatterson #jamesgraham novel #dayofreckoning published in 2000. The eighth #seandillon novel. It’s been 25 years since I read this. The usual tropes: rain, medicinal brandy, krug non vintage. The full cast of characters appears in this volume: Ferguson, Bernstein, Dillon, Blake Johnson, Harry and billy salter, roper, Lacey and party and even #liamdevlin . I had forgotten the plot but remembered the characters. My memory suggested that the Dillon novels were starting to get a little tired or repetitive around this stage. I was wrong. Although all of Higgins novels are a little repetitive (the same with any author that has a recurring character) it’s not a criticism as it has a certain charm. Quite inventive in places, lots of set pieces and even a diamond heist! I was surprised by how economical the story telling is. Really punchy and effective. Possibly not the most subtle or nuanced. But it gets the job done. Blake’s ex wife (a journalist investigating the mafia) is murdered and he and Dillon take revenge on the criminal empire behind it. Dismantling then piece by piece. Great stuff. Much better than I remembered. I had remembered this one as a slightly weaker entry in the series, but upon re-reading I was pleasantly surprised that it was just as entertaining as the last few Dillon novels.
August 3, 2020
Journalist Katherine Johnson made the mistake of getting too close to the secrets of international crime boss Jack Fox -- but Fox made the mistake of killing her. Katherine's ex-husband is Blake Johnson, head of the clandestine White House department known as The Basement, and with the President's permission, the former FBI agent is about to take revenge. Wherever the money trail leads -- New York, England, Ireland, the Middle East -- Johnson and his Irish colleague, Sean Dillon, plan to hit Fox where it hurts the most, by cutting his illegal businesses to shreds, until Fox stands defenseless before his enemies. But Fox did not become powerful by letting his enemies get that close. If Johnson and Dillon want to take him on, they will have to face his own brand of revenge. And it is a revenge every bit as deadly as their own.
I have been a close follower of Jack Higgins for many years and especially love the Sean Dillon series and the Liam Devlin series. The stories are always well written and keep you engrossed to the very end.
I have been a close follower of Jack Higgins for many years and especially love the Sean Dillon series and the Liam Devlin series. The stories are always well written and keep you engrossed to the very end.
May 11, 2021
Jack Fox, an international Mafia boss, is befriended by a journalist Katherine Johnson. Katherine befriended him with an intent to expose his illegal activities which were being done under the guise of legitimate business. However, Jack got the know-how of real motives and got Katherine killed.
What Jack did not know was that Katherine is the ex-wife of Blake Johnson, ex-FBI and currently heading The Basement at the White House. The Basement is a special department at the Whitehouse directly under the President.
Blake was still a close friend with his ex-wife and decided to take matters into his own hands with the permission of the president. To help him, Brigadier Fergusen, Sean Dillon, and Hanah Bernstein joined hands. Dillon recruited some East London gangsters to help the cause. They all team up for this revenge using government resources (not sure which government will allow that, but hey, this is fiction) to bring a lot of action and a fast-paced storyline.
What Jack did not know was that Katherine is the ex-wife of Blake Johnson, ex-FBI and currently heading The Basement at the White House. The Basement is a special department at the Whitehouse directly under the President.
Blake was still a close friend with his ex-wife and decided to take matters into his own hands with the permission of the president. To help him, Brigadier Fergusen, Sean Dillon, and Hanah Bernstein joined hands. Dillon recruited some East London gangsters to help the cause. They all team up for this revenge using government resources (not sure which government will allow that, but hey, this is fiction) to bring a lot of action and a fast-paced storyline.
November 13, 2020
I was introduced to Jack Higgins years ago by my Dad and read a few of his earlier works such as "Night of the Fox". I have not read anything of his in years and seeing these in a local charity shop I thought I might give Jack Higgins another go. I read "Angel of Death", "Day of Reckoning" and "Midnight Runner" all "Sean Dillon" character novels and I have to say that I was disappointed in all of them. None of these were up to the standard that I remembered from his earlier works. All the books seemed rushed, the plot and style written to fill a "quota" rather than written as stand out books. Maybe this suits a new audience of Jack Higgins that are unaware of his earlier books, but I am sorry to say this will not include me.
Although will be happy to return to earlier works such as "The Eagle has landed"!
Although will be happy to return to earlier works such as "The Eagle has landed"!
July 1, 2018
July 2018 This is my 11th Jack Higgins novel. Heoften re-uses sub plots and details from other stories he's written. The remain "page turners" but I've run into Semtex and pencil detonators in most of the stories involving Sean Dillon. (Wikipedia: "A pencil detonator or time pencil is a time fuze designed to be connected to a detonator or short length of safety fuse. They are about the same size and shape as a pencil, hence the name. They were introduced during World War II.") There appears to be scuba diving in most of the stories, as well. This won't stop me continuing to read his stories. The subsequent stories just aren't as "fresh" to the reader.
April 14, 2019
Another great review about Higgins with his cohort Sean Dillon. And another extreme greatness involving the appearance of Liam Devlin (however brief).
A solid story involving the Mob plus IRA connections.
The eerie part was that while it was published in 2000, there were two references to 9/11 regarding intelligence agencies not communicating to each other, including the cover of the book I had which showed the Twin Towers.
While the previous was not related to main story, it was a great read regarding the death of a spouse of a presidential appointee and the great involvement of the GB group. A great read!
A solid story involving the Mob plus IRA connections.
The eerie part was that while it was published in 2000, there were two references to 9/11 regarding intelligence agencies not communicating to each other, including the cover of the book I had which showed the Twin Towers.
While the previous was not related to main story, it was a great read regarding the death of a spouse of a presidential appointee and the great involvement of the GB group. A great read!
January 19, 2025
fast paced but very violent thriller
Day of Reckoning by Jack Higgins is a non stop action thriller that plunges readers into a world of extreme violence and moral ambiguity. The novel explores the thin line between justice and vengeance as characters wrestle with personal and professional moral quandaries. While the action is relentless and the violence often brutal, Higgins skillfully tells a story that keeps readers questioning whether the ends truly justify the means. A fast-paced and thought-provoking read for fans of high-stakes intrigue.
Day of Reckoning by Jack Higgins is a non stop action thriller that plunges readers into a world of extreme violence and moral ambiguity. The novel explores the thin line between justice and vengeance as characters wrestle with personal and professional moral quandaries. While the action is relentless and the violence often brutal, Higgins skillfully tells a story that keeps readers questioning whether the ends truly justify the means. A fast-paced and thought-provoking read for fans of high-stakes intrigue.
March 26, 2019
Jack Higgins is a master craftsman of crime thrillers. But often his many plot-lines are found to be repeating. This book is also a creative crime thriller with a suspense twist. The climax has a very good twist and the action- packed narrative makes this book a good entertainment. The backbone of this story is strong characters. Since this is a character-driven book, he made the plot so. Overall it is good weekend read.
November 16, 2022
Book 126: DAY OF RECKONING by Jack Higgins. When Sean Dillon’s opposite number, US secret service agent Blake Johnson, discovers that his journalist ex-wife has been murdered by a mob boss for after publishing an exposé, he goes out for revenge. Dillon, being Dillon, invites himself along. After the longueurs of ‘The White House Connection’, this eighth volume of the saga gets things back on track in slam-bang fashion.
January 24, 2025
This can't be the same Jack Higgins I used to read over 20 years ago. No kidding, this book is laughable. I'm halfway through and pretty much ignore the characters names now, so far there must be over 100 of them and they appear to play cameo roles. Plus, Higgins must be lobbying for the tobacco industry. His characters have already lit up hundreds of cigarettes so far. You can easily remove the single star I have awarded it.
September 12, 2025
So, this was a British book, which I had no clue of that before I started reading. I needed something quick. I had just finished reading my other book, and I didn't have time, at that moment, to fish something out of my library. I got this book long ago. It was slow and drugery to read. I hate to say it, but that's how I felt. I dragged myself through the pages...page after page. It just never felt good. But, maybe someone out there will enjoy it.
January 12, 2022
Journalist Katherine Johnson was killed by crime boss Jack Fox when he found out that she was investigating his crimes and planned to expose him as a international organized crime leader.
Her ex husband, who heads a special unit working directly for the US president, vows to bring Jack Fox down and has the presidents backing for it.
Entertaining and very typical for the genre.
Her ex husband, who heads a special unit working directly for the US president, vows to bring Jack Fox down and has the presidents backing for it.
Entertaining and very typical for the genre.
November 16, 2017
This is a simple book. Good thing there is a great cast of characters to back this book up as he doesn't develop them much. Story line is pretty unbelievable but what the hay, I read for fun and it was a fun fast read.
July 20, 2020
My review is at my website, so if you would kindly take a peek over there by clicking on the link below:
https://workingwow.net/2020/07/20/boo...
Thank you for being so kind!!!
https://workingwow.net/2020/07/20/boo...
Thank you for being so kind!!!
February 25, 2022
As usual, very fast paced. A mafia nephew has the wife of Blake Johnson killed and he and Sean Dillon seek revenge by taking out all his schemes for making illegal profits. The story comes to a justifiable conclusion.
April 6, 2023
It’s Jack Higgins and Sean Dillon. It’s a case of the good bad guys versus the bad bad guys. The good bad guys get it done. No surprises here. Quick read. Entertaining but not Higgins’ best. You can find better.
March 15, 2024
Another enjoyable Higgins yarn
Stumbled across an old Higgins novel recently and found myself looking for more. They are very easy relaxing reads and quite addictive. My only complaint with this one, involving Dillon and the usual culprits, is the length - seemed a bit short.
Stumbled across an old Higgins novel recently and found myself looking for more. They are very easy relaxing reads and quite addictive. My only complaint with this one, involving Dillon and the usual culprits, is the length - seemed a bit short.
July 29, 2025
One of the best Authors. I love all his books and especially his books with Sean Dillon as the lead
This book was very exciting to read. I hope to read many more more books by jack Higgins and I strongly recommend others do the same .
This book was very exciting to read. I hope to read many more more books by jack Higgins and I strongly recommend others do the same .
June 1, 2018
Fun story. Good guys beat the bad guys. Body count is all really bad dudes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews