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Pitfall
Life has never been easy for former Army Ranger John Brenner. The wounded Iraqi war vet and ex-cop must rely on his wits, his fists, and a wry sense of gallows humor to make it through each challenging day. For at his core, this transplanted West Virginian is a throwback to an antebellum time: he is a southern man of honor.
But his latest mission may be his last.
The task seems straightforward: Find industrialist Jacob Cahill's missing teenage daughter Sarah and bring her safely home. But for John Brenner, nothing ever goes quite as planned. In searching for the girl he will discover a new and unimaginable corruption hiding beneath a corporate facade... and come face to face with a ruthless killer known to his victims only by a macabre appellation: Boneless Chuck.
What begins as a simple disappearance morphs into something far more insidious as John finds himself plunged into a horrifying world of organ harvesting, torture, mutilation, and madness. Every dark trick John learned in his former trade of dealing death to the deserving will be brought to bear as he tries to keep his promise of bringing the girl back alive. In doing so, not only will his skills be tested to the breaking point, but his very sanity as he battles a grasping evil that stretches across the globe.
But darkness has met its match. Because sometimes it takes a man who's spent quality time in the realms of the damned... to send someone else there. So strap down and hang on.
John Brenner has just been dropped into hell.
From the book:
"Son." My voice degenerated to a guttural rasp. "Don't make me kill you." I was thinking of Sarah. She really didn't need to have this added to her experience. I was asking for her sake. "Please."
"Don't beg, briar." His reply didn't even sound human. "It turns my gut. What's about to happen, you can't stop it. Nobody's that good."
I held my mark.
Still smiling, his knuckle grew white as it tightened down on the Glock's trigger, taking up the last half-ounce of slack as his eyes flickered his intent. Sarah moaned in fear.
And then everything stopped as my Browning roared, its round rocketing six feet across the room and straight into his open blue eye.
The bullet mushroomed as it hit, growing instantly from the size of a pea to the diameter of a gumdrop. That's what hollow points do. As the round exited his head at that short distance the entire back of his skull vanished in a spray of pink and gray, his gun flying free and unfired from his limp hand as he slumped to the floor, deader than four o'clock.
"I am, Albert," I whispered to his still form. "I'm that good."
And then Sarah started screaming again.
But his latest mission may be his last.
The task seems straightforward: Find industrialist Jacob Cahill's missing teenage daughter Sarah and bring her safely home. But for John Brenner, nothing ever goes quite as planned. In searching for the girl he will discover a new and unimaginable corruption hiding beneath a corporate facade... and come face to face with a ruthless killer known to his victims only by a macabre appellation: Boneless Chuck.
What begins as a simple disappearance morphs into something far more insidious as John finds himself plunged into a horrifying world of organ harvesting, torture, mutilation, and madness. Every dark trick John learned in his former trade of dealing death to the deserving will be brought to bear as he tries to keep his promise of bringing the girl back alive. In doing so, not only will his skills be tested to the breaking point, but his very sanity as he battles a grasping evil that stretches across the globe.
But darkness has met its match. Because sometimes it takes a man who's spent quality time in the realms of the damned... to send someone else there. So strap down and hang on.
John Brenner has just been dropped into hell.
From the book:
"Son." My voice degenerated to a guttural rasp. "Don't make me kill you." I was thinking of Sarah. She really didn't need to have this added to her experience. I was asking for her sake. "Please."
"Don't beg, briar." His reply didn't even sound human. "It turns my gut. What's about to happen, you can't stop it. Nobody's that good."
I held my mark.
Still smiling, his knuckle grew white as it tightened down on the Glock's trigger, taking up the last half-ounce of slack as his eyes flickered his intent. Sarah moaned in fear.
And then everything stopped as my Browning roared, its round rocketing six feet across the room and straight into his open blue eye.
The bullet mushroomed as it hit, growing instantly from the size of a pea to the diameter of a gumdrop. That's what hollow points do. As the round exited his head at that short distance the entire back of his skull vanished in a spray of pink and gray, his gun flying free and unfired from his limp hand as he slumped to the floor, deader than four o'clock.
"I am, Albert," I whispered to his still form. "I'm that good."
And then Sarah started screaming again.
336 pages, Paperback
First published July 25, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 25, 2015
There seems to be a formula used by thriller writers today that I find a bit tiresome, especially as it is so formulaic. It’s where the writer leads off with a prolog or foreword or chapter that places the protagonist in the midst of some huge firefight or conflict or calamity from which it looks impossible to extricate himself. At the end we are left hanging to discover what will happen to someone we don’t know and frankly probably don’t care about. This is followed by the backstory that leads up to the problem our hero finds himself in.
So it is here. Our hero is John Brenner, you know the the type: ex-SEAL/ex-Ranger/ex-cop/quasi-superhero (but with flaws, of course) who reluctantly agrees to get someone out of a jam. Here he is hired to find the missing daughter of Jacob Cahil (described as teenager but age given as 21 by the father.0 Brenner’s search soon reveals a MONSTROUS evil (I’m still waiting for a book with someone just a little bit evil) that Brenner must vanquish against vastly superior odds. He soon (without much apparent effort) locates Sarah in this very evil place called Gensys where they apparently are doing all sorts of evil things. Fortunately he meets a disgruntled female guard who has just the key (literal and figurative) he needs to get into the facility to rescue Sarah. Naturally he gets caught and has to battle his way out. Sort of a Hannibal Lecter meets Howard Stark.
Unfortunately, my taste and the author’s do not overlap and the title might better have been called Pitiful. It descended into an orgy of sadism and violence with Brenner making weak attempts sarcasm a la John Corey but failing.
I was offered this free copy in return for a review. As always, the source had no influence on my opinion.
So it is here. Our hero is John Brenner, you know the the type: ex-SEAL/ex-Ranger/ex-cop/quasi-superhero (but with flaws, of course) who reluctantly agrees to get someone out of a jam. Here he is hired to find the missing daughter of Jacob Cahil (described as teenager but age given as 21 by the father.0 Brenner’s search soon reveals a MONSTROUS evil (I’m still waiting for a book with someone just a little bit evil) that Brenner must vanquish against vastly superior odds. He soon (without much apparent effort) locates Sarah in this very evil place called Gensys where they apparently are doing all sorts of evil things. Fortunately he meets a disgruntled female guard who has just the key (literal and figurative) he needs to get into the facility to rescue Sarah. Naturally he gets caught and has to battle his way out. Sort of a Hannibal Lecter meets Howard Stark.
Unfortunately, my taste and the author’s do not overlap and the title might better have been called Pitiful. It descended into an orgy of sadism and violence with Brenner making weak attempts sarcasm a la John Corey but failing.
I was offered this free copy in return for a review. As always, the source had no influence on my opinion.
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September 2, 2015I won't review this because I'm working on this title with its publisher Wildblue Press. If you dig badass protagonists with a great sense of humor, you'll get a kick out of this book. Police and military thrillers are not my typical cup of tea but I had a lot of fun with this one.
August 16, 2015
Highly Recommend
This was my 1st book that I've read by Author Cameron Bane, and hopefully it won't be my last. Lots of mystery and adventure. Since you get a pretty good description of a book when you are thinking about getting it, and I don't like reviews that tell the whole story, I won't give much away here!
The story is lively, and puts P. I. John Brenner in some sticky and dangerous predicaments as he is searching for a missing girl. The author made the book flow in an easy to read style and I kept hoping he finds who he was looking for before she disappears forever.
My only disappointment in the book was that some of the bad guys did get away...which gives me hope that Cameron Bane will have the private investigator looking for them in another book!!
This was my 1st book that I've read by Author Cameron Bane, and hopefully it won't be my last. Lots of mystery and adventure. Since you get a pretty good description of a book when you are thinking about getting it, and I don't like reviews that tell the whole story, I won't give much away here!
The story is lively, and puts P. I. John Brenner in some sticky and dangerous predicaments as he is searching for a missing girl. The author made the book flow in an easy to read style and I kept hoping he finds who he was looking for before she disappears forever.
My only disappointment in the book was that some of the bad guys did get away...which gives me hope that Cameron Bane will have the private investigator looking for them in another book!!
September 21, 2015
There is nothing I hate more than waiting in airports, sitting for hours in those very uncomfortable chairs waiting for planes that are usually delayed. So what has that got to do with Pitfall, well with this book you won't mind the wait. In fact, the page turning action will keep you so engrossed that you just might miss your boarding announcement.
The action starts in Pitfall in the very first paragraph on the first page, and never lets up. There is a tiny bit of a lull about a third of the way into the book when John Brenner is scouting out GenSys and the surrounding areas. However, it isn't dull enough or long enough to lift the tension or distract you from reading, and when the hero takes out a couple of bad guys picking on a poor girl, it more than makes up for it.
What I also liked about this book is that not being really familiar with a lot of military gadgets and weaponry, I was still able to clearly follow the action and understand what was being used and when and why.
What is unusual about Pitfall is that at the midway point in the book when most novels start to get the mid-novel slumps, that is when the action really picks and it never lets up. Even the ending calls more more action and offers a hint of a promise of romance as well. There had better be a sequel or I am going to be very disappointed. After all, justice must be served.
The action starts in Pitfall in the very first paragraph on the first page, and never lets up. There is a tiny bit of a lull about a third of the way into the book when John Brenner is scouting out GenSys and the surrounding areas. However, it isn't dull enough or long enough to lift the tension or distract you from reading, and when the hero takes out a couple of bad guys picking on a poor girl, it more than makes up for it.
What I also liked about this book is that not being really familiar with a lot of military gadgets and weaponry, I was still able to clearly follow the action and understand what was being used and when and why.
What is unusual about Pitfall is that at the midway point in the book when most novels start to get the mid-novel slumps, that is when the action really picks and it never lets up. Even the ending calls more more action and offers a hint of a promise of romance as well. There had better be a sequel or I am going to be very disappointed. After all, justice must be served.
September 12, 2015
Wow. Just . . . wow. Fast action, intrigue, mystery--and some gut-wrenching suspense. All narrated by a tough former Ranger with a quick wit, hard fists, and a good heart. I enjoyed the entire book, but once I hit the mid-point I could hardly put it down. I'm ready for the sequel.
Recommended for readers of suspense who don't mind a dose of blood and gore along with the high action.
Recommended for readers of suspense who don't mind a dose of blood and gore along with the high action.
December 4, 2015
It is a fast paced story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. You'll like the good guys and hate the bad ones. Has some intense action (and some detailed torture techniques), but the story moves along so fast that it doesn't become overwhelming. Don't want to ruin it, but I am looking forward to the next book.
October 21, 2015
This book wasn't a very pleasant experience for me and I will try to explain the reasons without sounding like an entitled literary egghead. It will probably fail, but I feel like I have to speak my mind about this.
The main issue I find that undermines this book is the choice of a first person narration. In theory, the idea of a wisecracking action hero is very seductive, but it doesn't work in PITFALL because it clashes with the tone of the story. John Brenner takes on very serious threats with an absurd about of confidence that makes you feel like he's never really in danger. He drifts through the events wisecracking around like he's got it covered already and I thought it was extremely irritating. John Rambo doesn't wisecrack (at least not intentionally). Neither does Batman. Jack Reacher even takes his own adventures seriously despite suffering from confidence issues. John Brenner just sounds like that guy at the bar making up stories about how crazy his life used to be.
PITFALL could've been a great comic book-like nove. It has a conceptually interesting bad guy named Boneless who could've been a fun antagonist, but the overall quality of the support cast's dialogue is just not there to make any confrontation gripping. For example, Brenner is haunted my the memory of his wife throughout the novel and in one scene she tells him: 'Why, John? Why weren't you there when we needed you the most?' If it's not a telegraphed line, I don't know what is. PITFALL is full of melodramatic lines like this.
I don't think PITFALL is a novel that shouldn't exist. It didn't insult my intelligence and I think there is definitely an audience out there for it, but my best guess would be that it's a beach read for casual readers. Manic-obsessive readers like me have seen novels like PITFALL too many times and the energy and extravagance with which Cameron Bane brings his characters and plot along will come off as irritating.
The main issue I find that undermines this book is the choice of a first person narration. In theory, the idea of a wisecracking action hero is very seductive, but it doesn't work in PITFALL because it clashes with the tone of the story. John Brenner takes on very serious threats with an absurd about of confidence that makes you feel like he's never really in danger. He drifts through the events wisecracking around like he's got it covered already and I thought it was extremely irritating. John Rambo doesn't wisecrack (at least not intentionally). Neither does Batman. Jack Reacher even takes his own adventures seriously despite suffering from confidence issues. John Brenner just sounds like that guy at the bar making up stories about how crazy his life used to be.
PITFALL could've been a great comic book-like nove. It has a conceptually interesting bad guy named Boneless who could've been a fun antagonist, but the overall quality of the support cast's dialogue is just not there to make any confrontation gripping. For example, Brenner is haunted my the memory of his wife throughout the novel and in one scene she tells him: 'Why, John? Why weren't you there when we needed you the most?' If it's not a telegraphed line, I don't know what is. PITFALL is full of melodramatic lines like this.
I don't think PITFALL is a novel that shouldn't exist. It didn't insult my intelligence and I think there is definitely an audience out there for it, but my best guess would be that it's a beach read for casual readers. Manic-obsessive readers like me have seen novels like PITFALL too many times and the energy and extravagance with which Cameron Bane brings his characters and plot along will come off as irritating.
September 14, 2015
I started reading this book at the drs. office and got so entranced in the book , that I almost missed my name being called . I so got sucked into pages from the first chapter. Let me introduce you to Jack Brenner a retired army ranger and ex cop. He has had a very hard life and most of all he is a southern gentleman . He takes a case that was suppose to be easy but when is anything ever easy . He is confronted with an evil that reaches high and face to face with a ruthless killer named BONELESS CHUCK . Will he survive.
The characters in this book are well developed and very complex. The character of Jack is such a complex character . He is an retired army ranger who is also damaged but he is also very damaged. He works hard and has the sense to get things done . I really like his character and the way he gets things done . The bad guys in the book are evil and I mean really evil. They really do a number on our man.
This book had be me twisting in the wind most of the time , I was so engrossed . I was nervous and screaming at my computer most of the time . I was totally blown away . The writing is very good and the story flows so well. There is a little bit of a lag when Jack is hunting the killer down . But it doesn't take away from any of the story at all. This is a great book for a book hangover, and trust me you will be reading long into the night. The only thing was that not all the bad guys get caught . So here is hoping there is a book two for Jack and the gang . So if you want a good story with lots of intrigue and mystery
June 12, 2021
I wasn't sure about this as I hadn't heard of the author before seeing this book on a free site. After reading the blurb I gave it a go and I'm really happy I did. It was un-putdownable!
There was a bit of a slow start, but it pretty quickly ramped up after intro us to the main character and setting up the story arc. The characters were well developed throughout the story with some excellent twists and turns at the end....A real cliffhanger
It was well written, not pretentious or glossy like some thrillers can be with the dashing tall dark and handsome hero. John, our protagonist, is a real blokes bloke. He's polite and gentlemanly, but he's also a scrapper who is happy to take a lump or two from a villain before he gives them hell. He is a well rounded character with depths and a strong sense of right and wrong.
The other characters were given as much or as little narrative as they required, without unnecessary filler.
The whole book had me spellbound and I just wanted to get to the end to see who made it through the events... But then there was a spanner thrown in. And then it ended. And there's no sequel yet
There was a bit of a slow start, but it pretty quickly ramped up after intro us to the main character and setting up the story arc. The characters were well developed throughout the story with some excellent twists and turns at the end....A real cliffhanger
It was well written, not pretentious or glossy like some thrillers can be with the dashing tall dark and handsome hero. John, our protagonist, is a real blokes bloke. He's polite and gentlemanly, but he's also a scrapper who is happy to take a lump or two from a villain before he gives them hell. He is a well rounded character with depths and a strong sense of right and wrong.
The other characters were given as much or as little narrative as they required, without unnecessary filler.
The whole book had me spellbound and I just wanted to get to the end to see who made it through the events... But then there was a spanner thrown in. And then it ended. And there's no sequel yet
January 13, 2016
I won a free copy of Pitfall in a goodreads contest. I enjoyed the book and meeting John Brenner. He reminds me a bit of one of my favorite fictional characters - Jack Reacher. Brenner is a true man of honor. He takes on the task of finding the missing teenage daughter of a rich man. No spoilers here, but he will find this task a true challenge. I had not read anything by this author, Cameron Bane, but would read more adventures of John Brenner. I recommend this book to readers who like unique characters who really want to make things in the world "right." This was a line I highlighted in Chapter 16: (John Brenner)"Police cars always smell the same. It doesn't matter if they're city or county, federal or state, big town or small, they all bear the unmistakable odors of fear, disruption, shame, and lies."
September 17, 2016
Average thriller with rough edges
I read this one all the way through, it certainly had its moments. Overall it was poorly edited and too much gas and not enough brake. I was rooting for Brenner until about halfway through when I realized he was immortal. That is when I lost interest. Book should have ended before tge last two chapters were slapped on.
I read this one all the way through, it certainly had its moments. Overall it was poorly edited and too much gas and not enough brake. I was rooting for Brenner until about halfway through when I realized he was immortal. That is when I lost interest. Book should have ended before tge last two chapters were slapped on.
September 25, 2016
Riveting
I enjoyed this book. Hated having to put down. The nature of the book is unsetteling. It make you wonder if this kind of thing really happens in this world. But the story was riveting and I liked reading it. Is sounds like another book will follow it. Keeps you on the edge of your seat.
I enjoyed this book. Hated having to put down. The nature of the book is unsetteling. It make you wonder if this kind of thing really happens in this world. But the story was riveting and I liked reading it. Is sounds like another book will follow it. Keeps you on the edge of your seat.
July 29, 2016
FABULOUS. FABULOUS. FABULOUS.
What a great book. This was like a never-ending roller coaster ride. With every page and every chapter the pace kept increasing until the exciting and mind blowing conclusion. I highly recommend this book.
What a great book. This was like a never-ending roller coaster ride. With every page and every chapter the pace kept increasing until the exciting and mind blowing conclusion. I highly recommend this book.
May 31, 2016
This author is superb. Really good book. Recommend.
July 28, 2016
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July 17, 2016
Great Story!
With a strong lead character who refuses to give in to the bad guys and makes you wish you were more him. Looking to read more of John Brennan's adventures!
With a strong lead character who refuses to give in to the bad guys and makes you wish you were more him. Looking to read more of John Brennan's adventures!
July 25, 2016
Great read
Very engaging writing style. Great character development. Action packed and hard to put down. Glad I picked it up to take on vacation.
Very engaging writing style. Great character development. Action packed and hard to put down. Glad I picked it up to take on vacation.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews