Five Star First Edition Mystery - Danger-Close: A Jake Thunder Adventure [Hardcover]

Jon F. Merz (Author)

Book Description

Series: Five Star First Edition Mystery | Publication Date: December 2, 2004

For Jake Thunder, a paralyzed ex-US Air Force special operations commando, everyday life is a battle. A hard-boiled, hard-drinking womanizer on one hand, Jake also tries to learn from the wisdom of his Native American past while trying to revive his dead legs through holistic acupuncture treatments. When a knockout blonde strides into his office and demands he figure out who killed her sister, he doesn't dare refuse - especially after he gets a good view of her legs. But a simple "whodunit" soon becomes a tangled web of deceit, familial backstabbing and black-market baby dealing.

Jon F. Merz lives with his wife and son in Boston, Massachusetts. (20041001)

Editorial Reviews

Review

". . . Merz's novels move at a break-neck pace, twisting through a landscape of thrills and terror."
-- Bestselling author Douglas Clegg

"This is a terrific introduction to a very interesting character. I know Merz is working on other projects, but I hope he has another Jake Thunder adventure on fast track. Keep it up Jon, I'm hooked and I'm sure many other readers will be as well."
--Baryon Magazine, December 2004 (Doody Enterprises )

"...lickety-split narrative manages to be both gritty and cheeky...[with] an effective surprise twist."
--The Kirkus Review (October 2004) (Kirkus Review )

Product Details

• Hardcover: 300 pages
• Publisher: Five Star; 1 edition (December 2, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594142564
• ISBN-13: 978-1594142567
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,425,704 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

My name is Jon F. Merz. I'm an entertainer. I give people an escape from their daily lives - whether it's for an hour, a few minutes, or days at a stretch.

Within the worlds that I've created over the course of more than two dozen novels, novellas, and countless short stories, you'll find yourself whisked away to places that defy the conventional, straddle the realms that we cannot always see, and highlight the violent struggles of good versus evil. When you choose to lose yourself in the stories that I write, you're buying a ticket on a nonstop thrill ride that lasts as long as you keep reading and then lingers for a long time afterward - or at least until you pick up my next book.

It's my job to deliver fun, thrills, excitement, suspense, and the kind of characters you always wanted to meet but never knew how. It's a job I love and one I take very seriously.

Because I love giving people an escape so much, I'm also producing my own television series with the help of one of my best friends, Jaime Hassett. Together, we've assembled a fantastic team of actors and crew and we'll be filming the first of many TV/film properties in the Fall of 2011. THE FIXER is our first project, based on my hardboiled supernatural espionage Lawson series. You'll definitely want to check that out. The official website is here: http://thefixer.tv

I also post news & info for writers under the hashtag #wintel out on Twitter.

THE LAWSON VAMPIRE SERIES

Let's face it: there are a LOT of vampire series out there. But none of them are like Lawson. My vampires aren't undead; they're a living race that has evolved in secret alongside humanity for generations. Lawson works as a Fixer - it's his job to keep the existence of his race a secret and he does this by eliminating anything or anyone that threatens to expose that secret. He's cynical, jaded, sarcastic, and conflicted. He's also extremely lethal. I happen to think you'll like him. A LOT. The series is always expanding, but for now, here are the adventures to-date: (blue covers are novels, green covers are novellas, and red covers are short stories)

OTHER NOVELS

Here are just a few of the other things I've written. Not shown here are the eleven installments I wrote in the international bestselling series ROGUE ANGEL for Harlequin/Gold Eagle. If you buy a Rogue Angel novel, check the copyright page and if says "Thanks to Jon F. Merz for his/her contribution to this work," it means I wrote the whole thing.

MY FANS

I'm a big ol' fan-o-phile. I love my readers - without you I wouldn't have a career and I make sure I talk to as many of you as I can. I'm not some recluse who spends all his time at the keyboard living in anonymity. I want to hear from you. I want to talk to you. I love answering questions. So below, you'll find a list of places that I hang out. Check me out there and say hello.

http://www.twitter.com/jonfmerz
http://www.facebook.com/jonfmerzfans
http://www.youtube.com/jonfmerz
http://gplus.to/jonfmerz

MY LIFE

In my past, I served with the US Air Force, did some government work, private sector protection stuff, and generally lived through some harrowing encounters. These days, I'm excited to be able to do what I love. I have a wonderful wife and two amazing sons. I'm also a lifelong martial artist with over 27 years of training in various styles including 20 years in my current style Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu/Ninjutsu. I'm fortunate to have one of the best teachers around - Mr. Mark Davis of the Boston Martial Arts Center and his instruction has saved my life numerous times.

That's about it in a nutshell. Make sure you sign up for my FREE newsletter at http://www.jonfmerz.net and I hope you have a great time reading my work. Don't forget to stay in touch!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Engaging private investigative tale, October 31, 2004

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Five Star First Edition Mystery - Danger-Close: A Jake Thunder Adventure (Hardcover)

Former US Air Force Commando Jake Thunder remains paralyzed during an incident in Somalia, but he believes he will one day walk again though the medical profession tells him otherwise. Using a wheelchair to get around Boston, Jake runs a private investigative firm.

Beautiful and wealthy Mrs. Vanessa Patterson wants to hire Jake, but is stunned by his wheelchair and his sarcasm. Still she employs him to find out who killed her sister Melinda who was estranged from the family. The police have not anything done anything involving the case writing it off as not worth the effort. Jake with the help of his friend Homicide Detective Frank McCloskey, makes inquires starting with Melinda's sleazy boyfriend Don Woolery.

This engaging private investigative tale stars a terrific unique optimist who refuses to allow his physical impairment from making the rounds and doing his job. The who-done-it is engaging as Jake cajoles his police pal to "help" him with insider information. Jake's wise cracking is amusing although how he keeps a client is questionable because who would want to pay someone tearing off your skin in double entendres. Fans of strong detective tales will enjoy this fine story due to the inspirational protagonist.

Harriet Klausner