The Cleaner (Hardcover)

by Brett Battles (Author)
Key Phrases: containment room, biohazard suits, Chief Johnson, Robert Taggert, Karl Marx Strasse (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Displaying an enviable gift for pacing and action, Battles's debut novel is a page-turner that may remind some readers of the cult TV spy series Alias. Ex-cop Jonathan Quinn now works for a shadowy U.S. intelligence agency known merely as the Office, erasing all traces of violence and mayhem when an operation goes south. During an apparently routine assignment to look into a fatal fire that claimed the life of Robert Taggart, a viral biologist, in his Colorado home, Quinn finds evidence that Taggart was murdered, and that discovery is followed by an attempt on Quinn's own life. While Quinn survives, he learns that the Office's top operatives have been killed in near-simultaneous attacks. Quinn, who makes a compelling protagonist, heads to Europe to track down the mastermind behind the scheme. Admirers of quality espionage fiction can look forward to a new series worth following. (July)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
Jonathan Quinn is planning an early retirement. He works sporadically for an agency called the Office. He makes nearly a million a year, but he doesn't even know what branch of government funds his employer. Military intelligence? NSA? He's a contract "cleaner" who tidies the scene of a completed operation so the locals don't suspect that anything unusual has happened. It's less dangerous than operations, and that suits him. So he's surprised when an assassin attempts to kill him in his home. He must disappear temporarily. But loose ends from his last assignment nag him, ultimately thrusting him into an operation filled with violence, revenge, and betrayal. Battles hits for extra bases in his first novel. The Cleaner is a tightly written page-turner, filled with tradecraft and offering as much action as a James Bond film. The threat Quinn must neutralize may be a bit over the top—again in the Bondian manner—but fans of derring-do will happily suspend disbelief and enjoy a wild ride. Gaughan, Thomas
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Press; First Edition ~1st Printing edition (June 26, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 044024370X
• ISBN-13: 978-0440243700
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #278,198 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping Spy Novel, June 27, 2007

By	SciFiChick "www.SciFiChick.com" (Fishers, IN USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Jonathan Quinn is a professional, contract "cleaner," making bodies disappear and covering tracks. But when a seemingly routine job leaves behind too many questions, Quinn decides to do some investigating on his own. After a subsequent attempt on his life, he and his apprentice must flee the country. And as Quinn begins to discover, his latest job and the attack at his home might be connected. An international conspiracy unfolds, but who can be trusted?

The Cleaner is a nonstop, electrifying thriller. The story is intense, full of surprises, action and intrigue. And the character of Quinn is akin to James Bond - smart, detached, with a soft-side for the ladies. With detailed, fascinating locales, it's obvious that Battles is more than familiar with his subject matter and scenery.

I am simply amazed that this is a debut thriller for Battles. This novel had me hooked from page one, and had me riveted until the very end! Everyone loves a good spy novel. This is definitely an author I'll be following.

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent debut for Battles , July 3, 2007

By	ellen "ellen in atlanta" (Atlanta, Georgia USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

I am always in awe of debut novels that blow your socks off - when I cannot tear away from a book - well that's a good sign. I read a big chunk in 1 day, and finished it the next.
Jonathan Quinn is a Cleaner, someone commissioned by a 'government agency' code name 'The Office' to go into a situation, assess it, and 'clean it', i.e. dispose of bodies, put things back to normal. He is called to Colorado to explore an arson case where a scientist was killed. Quinn is sure it is murder. He meets up with Nate, his apprentice Cleaner, and the adventure begins. When Quinn is almost killed, and members of 'The Office' are also threatened, Quinn and Nate go to Vietnam where Quinn thinks they are safe and where a friend that he asks help from lives. Orlando, the beatiful friend he asks help from is estranged from Quinn because Quinn was present when her man was killed during an operation. She however, comes around and joins Quinn and Nate.
The action is non-stop and gripping to the end. Not your ordinary cloak and dagger adventure - Again, I am awed by so well put together this debut novel is, and look forward to the next Quinn novel.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Espionage Story!, July 23, 2008

By	Melvin Hunt (Cleveland,, Texas United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Cleaner (Mass Market Paperback)

The central character in this story is Jonathan Quinn. He is actually a
"cleaner". He goes to pick up after a situation has occured. He does things like dispose of bodies and actually clean up the scene of all
evidence. The "office" an agency of the government hires Quinn to go to
Colorado to do an investigation in an arson case. Upon arrival he makes a
discovery that a murder has occured. He also finds another body. He leaves Colorado. Upon getting home someone tries to kill him. He and his
apprecentice Nate go to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam to hide out. They next
go to Berlin to do a job where they are nearly killed again. Quinn has also brought in someone from his past,Orlando,to help him. They start
investigating and find some stunning facts. They discover a conspiracy with an unbelivie goal. This is a fast moving book that you will enjoy.