Welcome to my review of No Way Back By J.B. Turner. I really enjoyed this 4* read.
From the author of the bestselling Jon Reznick Thriller series comes an exhilarating new adventure. When the people he loves most are in danger, Jack McNeal will get revenge…or die trying.
NYPD detective Jack McNeal is used to asking the tough questions. But a late-night visit from the Secret Service lands Jack on the other side of the table—as a suspect in the disappearance of his estranged wife, Caroline, a prominent reporter on the White House beat. When her body is found floating in the Potomac, Jack is overcome by disbelief and despair.
Her death seems eerily similar to the suspicious fatality of a young socialite years before. Is the similarity of the two tragic incidents simply a coincidence, or could it be a sign of a murderous orchestrated plot to protect those in the highest echelons of the American government?
To avenge Caroline’s death, Jack embarks on a journey into the darkest recesses of power. Suspects abound—from haunted Special Forces soldiers to ex-CIA to the president’s own body man. Along the way, Jack will be forced to decide: Is there a line he won’t cross to expose the killer?
J. B. Turner is a thriller writer, best known for the Jon Reznick® series of novels. His latest book, NO WAY BACK, is a political thriller featuring NYPD Internal Affairs cop Jack McNeal.
He also wrote the American Ghost® series and and the Deborah Jones® crime books. His a former journalist and has a keen interest in geo-politics. He loves music. He occasionally blogs. He listens to everything from Beethoven to The Beatles, The Cure to Bach. And everything in between. Occasionally writes. Loves films. Well, good ones. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, Heat, The Godfather, The Offence, The Parallax View, The French Connection, Payback, It’s a Wonderful Life, Manhattan, Annie Hall, Hell or High Water, Sideways, Little Miss Sunshine, Serpico, Withnail and I, The Way, Way Back, The Fighter, Shaun of the Dead, Jean de Florette, Ladybird, As Good As It Gets, The Hangover, Wonder Boys, The Deer Hunter, All the President’s Men, The Irishman, Joker, Spenser Confidential, Extraction, Knives Out, Uncut Gems, Babette’s Feast, and a personal fave, Animal House (what’s not to like?).
TV shows he has enjoyed include The Kominsky Method, The Morning Show, Succession, Call My Agent!, Your Honor, The Undoing, Patrick Melrose, Colony, Bloodline, Mare of Easttown, Dead to Me, The Mosquito Coast and After Life. He lives in Edinburgh, Scotland. He is married with two children.
There is plenty of action and a fast pace. Jack McNeal is obviously distraught when his wife is clearly murdered, though it’s portrayed as suicide. He is on a mission to find out what happened and why. This takes on a classic rogue cop line and it’s done well.
There is a political conspiracy, the involvement of the president and many dark forces compelling this story.
As other reviewers have said there is a lot of swearing but all of this is in context and realistic of situations, I don’t find it at all offending and it’s something often found in this genre.
The characters felt well developed, I feel I know jack, his family, and their relationships as well as how his department works, although this is a lesser content. I could understand why he reacted as he did, and the plot builds to show what he deals with on a daily basis in his role in Internal Affairs which is depraved and disgusting.
However, I feel one of his opponents could have been stronger, he appeared to roll over a little too easily for my liking. I think if this was more embellished it would have made for an even better story.
The ending was solid, well set for the first of a series, although more would have been nice, I can understand why it was set this way. I’m looking forward to the next book and finding out more.
Overall, very enjoyable and a great start to a new series.
| Title | No Way Back |
| Author | J.B. Turner |
| Series | A Jack McNeal Thriller Book 1 |
| Format | Kindle |
| Page Count | 301 Pages |
| Genre | Thriller |
| Publisher | Thomas & Mercer |
| Release Date | 1st January 2022 |
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