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Jack Keller #3
Safe and Sound
Jack Keller works in fugitive apprehension, and never feels more alive than when he’s hunting down a skip. But when a young girl goes missing, and Keller finds out that the father is an AWOL member of the army’s elite Delta Force, he knows immediately that this case will be anything but fun and games.
Keller is a Gulf War vet who knows his way around the Army’s red tape, but the psychological scars from his experiences in the gulf have only just started to recede enough for him to live and love again. No one is sure how taking on the kidnapping case will affect him, least of all his girlfriend Marie, who’s counting on Jack’s recovery if they are going to have any future together. But what choice does he have? A young girl’s life hangs in the balance—and in order for Keller to save himself, he’ll have to save her first…
Keller is a Gulf War vet who knows his way around the Army’s red tape, but the psychological scars from his experiences in the gulf have only just started to recede enough for him to live and love again. No one is sure how taking on the kidnapping case will affect him, least of all his girlfriend Marie, who’s counting on Jack’s recovery if they are going to have any future together. But what choice does he have? A young girl’s life hangs in the balance—and in order for Keller to save himself, he’ll have to save her first…
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 10, 2007
41 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
J.D. Rhoades
25 books185 followersJ.D. Rhoades is America's foremost writer of the genre known as "Redneck noir," and his biography reads like "Tobacco Road" as written by Hunter S. Thompson.
Rhoades never knew his parents; he was found abandoned on the steps of a cut-rate Filipino tax preparation service in Slidell, La. As a child, he was bounced around between a series of orphanages, reformatories and opium dens. His first brush with the law came when he shot a man in Reno just to watch him die. He was seven years old at the time.
Rhoades first turned to drugs at the age of five, when he discovered you could get high by snorting Nestle’s Quik through a rolled up copy of Highlights magazine. Since then, he claims to have ingested marijuana, peyote, heroin, psilocybin, uppers, downers, screamers, laughers, dried banana peels, glue, paste, mucilage, LSD, DMT, STP, ABC, CNN, TLC, Sterno, Drano, Bondo, Ketamine, Dopamine, glucosamine, Ovaltine, and Krispy Kreme.
He hit rock bottom when he did all of them in the same night and woke up two weeks later, hanging upside down by his knees from a tree limb in Duluth, Minn., and singing an aria from “Die Fledermaus.” In German, a language that he does not speak.
Rhoades is rumored to have once killed a stripper with a fondue fork and disposed of the body using an electric pencil sharpener over a period of 14 hours.
Ii is not known whether the rumors are true that Rhoades kidnapped the Lindbergh Baby, nor can reports that he was the shooter on the grassy knoll when Kennedy was shot be confirmed. He does, however, know Tom DeLay personally.
-Biography contributed by James Frey
Rhoades never knew his parents; he was found abandoned on the steps of a cut-rate Filipino tax preparation service in Slidell, La. As a child, he was bounced around between a series of orphanages, reformatories and opium dens. His first brush with the law came when he shot a man in Reno just to watch him die. He was seven years old at the time.
Rhoades first turned to drugs at the age of five, when he discovered you could get high by snorting Nestle’s Quik through a rolled up copy of Highlights magazine. Since then, he claims to have ingested marijuana, peyote, heroin, psilocybin, uppers, downers, screamers, laughers, dried banana peels, glue, paste, mucilage, LSD, DMT, STP, ABC, CNN, TLC, Sterno, Drano, Bondo, Ketamine, Dopamine, glucosamine, Ovaltine, and Krispy Kreme.
He hit rock bottom when he did all of them in the same night and woke up two weeks later, hanging upside down by his knees from a tree limb in Duluth, Minn., and singing an aria from “Die Fledermaus.” In German, a language that he does not speak.
Rhoades is rumored to have once killed a stripper with a fondue fork and disposed of the body using an electric pencil sharpener over a period of 14 hours.
Ii is not known whether the rumors are true that Rhoades kidnapped the Lindbergh Baby, nor can reports that he was the shooter on the grassy knoll when Kennedy was shot be confirmed. He does, however, know Tom DeLay personally.
-Biography contributed by James Frey
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 16 reviews
May 2, 2009
I have to update my review now. I passed this book on to my husband. He mostly reads Clive Cussler, but he likes movies that are similar to "Safe and Sound". He read this book in less than two weeks. I think that's a record. The closer he got to the end, the more he was compelled to read it. Now, I need to find him something new that will grab him just as much.
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In "Safe and Sound," J.D. Rhoades introduces the most evil character I've seen in the action thriller genre. (I don't really read books in this genre, but I have seen quite a few movies.) And, the hero, Jack Keller makes Rambo look well-adjusted. The non-stop violence in this book never comes across as cliched or cartoonish. Violence has serious emotional consequences for everyone involved, including (or especially) the good guys. The ending wasn't at all what I expected.
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In "Safe and Sound," J.D. Rhoades introduces the most evil character I've seen in the action thriller genre. (I don't really read books in this genre, but I have seen quite a few movies.) And, the hero, Jack Keller makes Rambo look well-adjusted. The non-stop violence in this book never comes across as cliched or cartoonish. Violence has serious emotional consequences for everyone involved, including (or especially) the good guys. The ending wasn't at all what I expected.
April 12, 2008
Safe and Sound – 5 Paws
J. D. Rhoades
St. Martin’s Press, 2007, 275 pps.
ISBN No. 978-0-312-35489-3
Finding a bail bond jumper is not Jack Keller’s role in this book. His girl friend Marie Jones has just received her P.I. license and set up an office. Marie is hired by Tamara Healy, an attorney to work on a case where her client’s small daughter has been taken by her father. Jack agrees to help Marie out on the case
Jack soon finds that the father is in the service and a member of the Delta commandos. The father is also AWOL. He has disappeared along with two of his teammates and his daughter. Jack and Marie aren’t the only ones on the trail. An Afrikaner named DeGroot is trying to find the group. DeGroot has torture perfected and anyone getting in his way will feel his anger.
A large sum of money is at involved and DeGroot recruits some really bad characters to help him find the missing link that will allow him to transfer the money for his own use.
Soon the FBI becomes involved in the case and it seems to be a race as to who will find the father and daughter first.
Keller is not afraid of danger but he is really up against it in Safe and Sound. Not only is his life in danger but many others are threatened including Marie and her small son Ben.
Safe and Sound is an exciting, fast moving book that I didn’t want to stop reading until the end. I wasn’t happy with the ending but the book had me interested from page one.
J. D. Rhoades
St. Martin’s Press, 2007, 275 pps.
ISBN No. 978-0-312-35489-3
Finding a bail bond jumper is not Jack Keller’s role in this book. His girl friend Marie Jones has just received her P.I. license and set up an office. Marie is hired by Tamara Healy, an attorney to work on a case where her client’s small daughter has been taken by her father. Jack agrees to help Marie out on the case
Jack soon finds that the father is in the service and a member of the Delta commandos. The father is also AWOL. He has disappeared along with two of his teammates and his daughter. Jack and Marie aren’t the only ones on the trail. An Afrikaner named DeGroot is trying to find the group. DeGroot has torture perfected and anyone getting in his way will feel his anger.
A large sum of money is at involved and DeGroot recruits some really bad characters to help him find the missing link that will allow him to transfer the money for his own use.
Soon the FBI becomes involved in the case and it seems to be a race as to who will find the father and daughter first.
Keller is not afraid of danger but he is really up against it in Safe and Sound. Not only is his life in danger but many others are threatened including Marie and her small son Ben.
Safe and Sound is an exciting, fast moving book that I didn’t want to stop reading until the end. I wasn’t happy with the ending but the book had me interested from page one.
March 14, 2011
[Edited: I just realized I had rounded down to 3, instead of up to 4. Corrected]
If ratings could be more detailed I'd give it a 3.75 rating.
It was an entertaining read - not an all time favorite or classic work of art, but a fun read nonetheless.
It was similar in nature to the Jack Reacher books by Lee Child, if you like those you'd probably like this too.
If ratings could be more detailed I'd give it a 3.75 rating.
It was an entertaining read - not an all time favorite or classic work of art, but a fun read nonetheless.
It was similar in nature to the Jack Reacher books by Lee Child, if you like those you'd probably like this too.
July 26, 2023
The further I get into most series the more critical I get but Jack Keller plays outside the rules. Each book takes a different approach to violence and, just as you begin to second guess the author - well, it doesn't go the way you think it should.
Marie has set up as a P.I. and Jack offers his expertise when a member of the army's elite Delta unit kidnaps his daughter. The missing child, however, is just the tip of a very large iceberg.
There are certainly similarities with Jack Reacher and John McClane but Jack Keller is very much his own man, with his own demons.
The villain, South African native De Groot, is straight out of central casting - all he's lacking is a maniacal laugh and a twisted sense of humour.
When the shooting dies down there is a surprise second ending which sets Jack Keller on a completely new path. I must admit to being very curious where J. D. Rhoades brings me next.
4 Stars.
Marie has set up as a P.I. and Jack offers his expertise when a member of the army's elite Delta unit kidnaps his daughter. The missing child, however, is just the tip of a very large iceberg.
There are certainly similarities with Jack Reacher and John McClane but Jack Keller is very much his own man, with his own demons.
The villain, South African native De Groot, is straight out of central casting - all he's lacking is a maniacal laugh and a twisted sense of humour.
When the shooting dies down there is a surprise second ending which sets Jack Keller on a completely new path. I must admit to being very curious where J. D. Rhoades brings me next.
4 Stars.
September 3, 2025
Another really good read. Lots of action with even more twists and turns. I have read all three books in order and will now start to read the next book, Devils and Dust. A big thank you to the author JD Rhoades - Five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 26, 2018
Been a good book.
May 27, 2022
Didn't like the ending.
February 17, 2015
The third Jack Keller book from author J.D. Rhoades, "Safe And Sound" is a high octane thriller that is a non stop thrill ride. Jack is back along with girlfriend and now P.I., Marie Jones. They are tasked by lawyer Tammy Healy to rescue a small child who has been kidnapped from mother. Carly Fedder's daughter Alyssa has gone missing and her father, army Sergeant David Lundgren is the kidnapper. Lundgren is a seasoned Delta fighter in the army. Meanwhile a crazy and demented South African named DeGroot has captured Lundgren and daughter. DeGroot is a complete sociopath that kills at will. DeGroot quickly disposes of Lungren and set his sights on Jack Keller. Marie becomes devasted when her ex-husband goes to court, and gains custody of their son Ben. This complex plot has several moving parts that interact back and forth. Jack is still fighting flash backs of Desert Storm and his therapist wants him in a hospital. When lawyer Tammy Healy is murdered the FBI is on a massive hunt for Jack and Marie. This incredible story line spreads into the high mountains where a survivalist has a compound. "Camp Phoenix" held onto by Nate Harlan and his daughter refuses to give Jack, Marie and Ben sanctuary. The action is non stop and at a very quick pace in this Keller outing. The characters are really brought to life by author Rhoades. DeGroot especially is a monster to really root against. The action packed dialog really help blend this thriller into a very solid read. I really enjoyed reading this one. The dynamic between Jack and Marie is compelling. Jack relationship to his boss Angela is also very compelling. As always the question remains, can the violent alpha male Keller be able to make a go of it with Marie and her young son Ben ?. Does Jack really belong in the hospital to deal with his emotional nightmares within his head? This book really does delve into these issues with surprising results. Several clever twists in the plot assures there is no neat or compact conclusion. I enjoyed the heck out of reading it. 5 stars out of a possible 5 star without question. Author J.D. Rhoades has created a compelling kick ass series with Jack Keller. The first three books all delivered with a powerful punch. They are not neat or clean with Keller rambling around North Carolina. Series is a must read. If you haven't picked up on the Jack Keller series from J.D. Rhoades you're really missing out. Check them out.
May 8, 2015
#3 in the Jack Keller series. This 2007 entry was apparently the end of the series featuring the NC based bounty hunter, until his reemergence in Devils and Dust (2015).
Jack Keller helps his girlfriend, ex-deputy now PI, Marie Jones look for the AWOL Special Forces sergeant who has kidnapped his daughter. Keller is not the only one looking for the sergeant and his two buddies - a rogue South African mercenary will kill anyone who gets in his way, and the FBI and Army CID are also in the hunt.
Jack Keller helps his girlfriend, ex-deputy now PI, Marie Jones look for the AWOL Special Forces sergeant who has kidnapped his daughter. Keller is not the only one looking for the sergeant and his two buddies - a rogue South African mercenary will kill anyone who gets in his way, and the FBI and Army CID are also in the hunt.
April 23, 2012
Third book in the Jack Keller series, but the first one I read (in paperback, 2 years ago). Do yourself a favor and start with the first, "The Devil's Right Hand", and read in order. This one is especially dark and it helps to know the back story of the characters to stay on their sides.
Even as shocking as I found it the first time around, I read it cover to cover in a couple days. J.D. Rhoades's writing is that good.
Even as shocking as I found it the first time around, I read it cover to cover in a couple days. J.D. Rhoades's writing is that good.
December 19, 2010
As always, Rhodes delivers lots of action with some pretty graphic torture scenes and threats of torture. When the main villain in the story is a South African who makes a good living making people talk, you pretty much expect that. I could have done without a few of the violent scenes, but that's just me. On the upside, I did learn a few words of Afrikaans.
December 25, 2011
Excellent: Continuing character: Jack Keller; what starts out as a case where Keller is looking for a missing girl turns deadly when he realizes that a vicious criminal is looking to cash in on a huge jackpot and the girl and her father stand in the way
November 12, 2007
I wish I could say I liked this better. It's well written, characters are strong, but unfortunately, I just couldn't clear the image of Jack Reacher (Lee Child) out of my head.
July 15, 2012
This was a non stop action book. It had a few slow parts but overall it has the makings of a blockbuster action movie.
August 20, 2012
Well written, just not my cup of tea.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 16 reviews