J. B. Turner (1)Recensioni

Pretty decent thriller. I must admit it took awhile to read but this is no fault of the book itself; therefore, my review won't contain many details. I will say it was clear the writer isn't American as there were times when American characters used words and phrases more appropriate on the other side of the Atlantic. This isn't a huge deal but easily fixable. Maybe get an American editor?

Still, I'm interested enough in the main characters to continue the series.½

I won a KINDLE version -- Hard Way (Jon Reznick #4) by J.B. Turner -- in a GOODREADS giveaway!

I think this was my favorite in the series so far - fast-paced and no filler. Exactly what I am looking for in this genre.

This one did not keep my interest. Much of the dialogue seemed repetitive and the characters were not engaging. Stopped about half way through the book.

A page turner and fun read as always, but my least favorite in the series so far. The FBI threatening to fire Meyerstein over using Reznick is wearing a little thin at this point ....

I'm sold, give me more. This has the perfect mix of action, intrigue, and gore.

Just too clumsy to really enjoy. No real suspense despite being a suspense thriller.

This was an Amazon First Reads pick. I don't think I've read this author before.

The Pluses:

*Jack McNeal does have character growth as the book progresses. I don't agree with all his choices that lead to that growth, but he does come away with a better understanding for some of the people he'll be investigating (if he stays with IA).

*The McNeal family seems close and judging by the number of people they can ask for favors, they must have something going for them.

*It seems that Jack might be willing to grieve and/or explore his grief for both his son and his wife by the end of the book.

The Minuses:

*Jack McNeal becomes a vigilante of sorts. I don't agree with all the actions he chooses to take.

*The language leaves a lot to be desired. Quite a bit of swearing.

*Jack (and perhaps other characters) turn to drinking as a way to numb their pain or to feel better--never a good thing when it's done long-term.

*A dog gets killed for no reason other than to make a point.

Tedious conspiracy thriller where internal affairs cop Jack McNeal investigates his estranged investigative journalist wife's suspicious death. On top of being far-fetched in the ease with which he evades the villains and dispatches them, it ends without resolving the major plot thread about who ordered his wife's death.

This was cheesy as hell, but still a lot of fun. The action comes thick and fast, as do lists of things and descriptions of what the main character is eating, but if you can ignore those idiosyncrasies it's an enjoyable, if formulaic, thriller. The hero is really grumpy and rude though, and spends most of the book shouting and swearing at people (and not just the bad guys either).
Go into it expecting something like a Steven Seagal movie and you'll have fun.
I listened to the audiobook, which gave an additional layer of fun as the narration was from an actor who at times sounded like Futurama's Zapp Branning.

Just Depressing½

My thanks to the Author publisher's and NetGalley for providing me with a Kindle version of this book to read and honestly review.
Well written clever gripping thriller from start to disappointing finish, featuring occasional gruesome violence, with conspiracy in the highest places and excellent engaging characters. So why only four stars it's down to that strange ending, which I can only assume is due to a possible second book.
This is a new Author to me but I will look to read more in future.

I struggle with how to rate the Jon Reznick series. The books are well written but the lack of realism is really hard for me to take. While I understand these are fiction I prefer books that have the feel of realism. In this series Jon is a part-time contractor for the FBI. As a part-time contractor he continually does things outside the law and yet somehow seems to never get in trouble, even though the authorities are always saying different. In this particular book the FBI, NYPD and State Department continually tell him that he cannot do what he is doing. Numerous times the authorities state that what he has done or is doing "will not end well for him", yet somehow it always does. And lastly, since he is only a part-time contractor the FBI and NYPD tell him he cannot and will not take the lead during a "raid", yet he ignores them and takes the lead, saves the day and everyone is happy. It's just too much for me to take so I have given a lower rating to this book.

If you don't mind having a lack of realism then this is a good series to read. If you prefer your fiction to have a sense of realism then I would recommend skipping this series.

If you don't mind a lack of realism then this is a good series. It is well written and the characters are ones you will likely root for. If you prefer your fiction to have a sense of realism then I would skip this series.

Beyond realism

I like my fiction books to have some feel of realism. This book does not so that for me. Almost through the entire book I was shaking my head at the stupidity of the characters. They simply would not be so careless in real life. Oh my, I'm on a hit list to be killed. Let me go out alone on a hike in the wilderness where I will be totally alone and when I return the next day I will contact the FBI. REALLY!!!

One of his bests

I have often been critical of Mr. Turner for the lack of realism in his books. This book had none of that. This was my favorite of all his books. I like the way he is building the main character. It held my attention from beginning to end. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

I gave it 4 stars because it is a good story but I did have one problem with this book, it is the same problem I have had with this entire series, the storyline is just too unrealistic. I know it is fiction but even with fiction, I like the story to have the feel of realism. The book has the feel of exaggeration to the event taking place. Without giving away too much, in the past, Jon Reznick stopped the bad guy from "achieving greatness". So, as retaliation, the bad guy blows up a boat killing one person and maiming a top CIA operative, blows up a house, kills a dozen people, all to try to get back at Jon from stopping him. Seems an easier route would have been to just attempt the same thing a second time. Also, because the maimed person was a top operative the top secret organizations are trying to keep it from the press, so they are trying to keep Jon out of the loop. How do they do this? They drug Jona and look him up in jail (Jon has to break out), and then later they tell Jon they can't help him because the have rules they have to follow? Really? Anyways...the entire book just seemed like one overaction after another to the event taking place.

I would rate this series starter at 3.5 out of 5. The plot is thrilling and the story moves at a fast clip, though the latter part drags a bit and the end is a bit of a letdown. The lead characters are interesting. There are several implausible moments / sequences in this novel, more than in other action thrillers I've read recently. Also, there is not much explanation about how the bad guys know certain things, and not much justification for their actions. Hard Road is a decent read, and I hope the remaining books in the series fare better.

I received this e-book in a Goodreads giveaway.

Jon Reznick is a government contractor that makes problems go away. He is dispatched to eliminate a threat, but something is wrong, as he finds a dead agent stuffed in a closet and a set of dog tags on the target, with a different name. Jon grabs the guy and goes on the run, with various groups trying to capture his prize, who is a scientist working on a secret government program. While the action is fast and furious, with casualties piling up, JB Turner takes his time unveiling the threat. Eventually, Jon has to choose a side because he needs some outside help; however, the trust that develops between him and an FBI Assistant Director seems artificial as does Jon's forcing his way back into the game, after being told many times that he is not wanted. 3.5 stars, good enough that I will read book #2.

HOLY SMOKES, I THINK THAT I AM IN LOVE!! I loved the stubborn and deadly Jon Resnick and I certainly would not like him gunning for me! This is the first book in the series that have not had the pleasure of reading any of the rest of the books, but I am now a fan! It was unlucky that Jon's daughter was hit by a car and left for dead. Once Jon flew to New York to see his daughter and how much she remind him that he lost his wife when the towers fell, he knew that come hell or high water that he would catch the man who hurt his baby girl! The only problem was the scumbag had diplomatic immunity and he couldn't be charged!

This book defines the thriller genre! In Hard Target, book 8 in the Jon Reznick series, Reznick sets out to warn a whistleblower, who’s preparing to testify before congress, that she is targeted for assassination by a private security firm hired by the government. He empathizes with the women’s desire to do the right thing and, as a result, does what he can to defend her. Of course, that defense involves taking out a few assassins and blowing up the plane that the head of the security company is piloting. Luckily for Reznick, he is protected by the assistant director of the FBI who happens to be a close friend.

I love action thrillers like Hard Target and am dismayed that I hadn’t come across this series sooner. Book 8 was the first in the series that I read. What I can say with certainty is that this book stands alone and can be read without any foreknowledge of the characters.

Hard Target’s action made it impossible to put down. Neglecting more important responsibilities, I finished the book in one sitting.

I think this was my favorite in the series so far - fast-paced and no filler. Exactly what I am looking for in this genre.

A page turner and fun read as always, but my least favorite in the series so far. The FBI threatening to fire Meyerstein over using Reznick is wearing a little thin at this point ....

This one did not keep my interest. Much of the dialogue seemed repetitive and the characters were not engaging. Stopped about half way through the book.

I reached a point where I didn't care what happened.