Customer Reviews

Kill Me Twice

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4 star:		(1)
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Shortly after I opened this book, I was hooked, reading it when I should have been doing other things. While it follows the well-used formula of the crack CIA operative going rogue, Bayne carries it out so well that that fact is irrelevant.
Bradley Cardiff is the best operative in the CIA and he and his partner Dave Rountree have been sent to Columbia to observe a major drug transaction. High-level officials in the U. S. government have enlisted U. S. mobsters to engage in a 20 million dollar cocaine deal with a Columbian cartel. As odd as it sounds, the goal of the U. S. officials is to strengthen ties between the new Columbian government and the United States. The deal goes very sour with a shoot-out and the U. S. mobsters lose all their money. In order to make restitution, the U. S. officials pay the mobsters back their money and offer up Cardiff as a sacrifice. However, the hit on Cardiff fails, others are killed and he goes rogue, plotting revenge on the plotters.
Police Sergeant Mike Sams is called in to investigate a mysterious death where it is clear that the killer was a pro with a deliberate style of execution. This begins a battle of wits between Sams and Cardiff as they occasionally cross paths, even as the FBI, CIA and Secret Service also pursue Cardiff. Despite being what the federal agents consider a "local yokel", Sams proves to be much more in tune with Cardiff than they are, often being able to anticipate some of his moves, even when the federal agents do not understand. Although Cardiff is a brutal killer, he is portrayed as enough of a human that his character invokes some sympathy, for his desire for justice is justified.
This book is a superb thriller, so tightly packed and executed that any question you might have about Cardiff's abilities to do what he does are shunted to the pile of irrelevancies.

Kill Me Twice by Jerry Bayne was definitely a page turner. From the beginning, his storyline swept me in and made me want to keep reading. When someone kills the Senator and is doing it out of revenge, you want to find out why. Jerry Bayne tells you just enough to keep you interested but wanting to know more. This thriller was a great book all the way through. I definitely want to check out more books by this author!

Since I read so many books every year, I am always on the lookout for something that is fresh, keeps my attention and delivers on a powerful storyline with great characters. Jerry Bayne has given readers of suspense all of that and then some with KILL ME TWICE. A great tale for anyone who is looking for the next big thing when it comes to fast-paced adventures. Bayne is an author to watch out for. KILL ME TWICE was also chosen as one of the Top 100 Books of 2009 by Conversations Book Club. A read of just chapter one will tell you why.

You can't go wrong with this one.

Kill Me Twice by Jerry Bayne ISBN 978143245279
Review by Chris Phillips
Kill Me Twice is thriller fiction. What would any person do if they watched their own family die on the evening news? What would anyone do if they knew that it was for something they had done that their family died? "What if" seems to be a common theme in many books. And although that is what is going on here, it is really different in this case.
Bradley Cardiff is a CIA operative. He is highly trained, possibly the best that there is. He becomes involved in a meeting that turns out to be a "set-up," and that meeting goes bad. He is chosen to be the scapegoat for the incident. That changes his perspective with his employer and makes him harder and colder. However, he can change. He finds love with Diana and they have one child, Mandi. He continues working for the CIA but not in the cold, "wet" operations as before. He begins to settle down.
One night a friend from Cardiff's past, David, shows up and they start reminiscing. One thing leads to another and when Cardiff looks at the TV again, he sees his truck, with his friend, his wife and his daughter burning up and melting into a puddle in the inferno of a magnesium-based bomb. Someone hasn't forgotten his past.
Throughout, there are surprises and twists that the reader can't foresee. This is a spy thriller, a revenge thriller, a great murder mystery and even great commentary on American politics. It is a morality tale as well. Although much lies in the rather gray area, Cardiff seems to be only the protagonist, not a true hero. Rather, the hero of the book is Sgt. Detective Mike Sams, a Boston police detective very close to promotion. As the tale grabs the reader, the action grabs Sams and draws him into a moral dilemma beyond what any normal person must face.
The plot is thick and thoroughly engrossing. Unexpected twists arise and shake the reader into just one more chapter, page, or even paragraph. Although revenge is the motive, justice has to have its day as well. Cardiff is interested in justice and Sams is interested in law enforcement.
The characters are absolutely believable; from the main characters already mentioned to Mickey Stern, the new head of the CIA. James Harding, as the current President, with a past, has real concerns and real ambition to get ahead. Sam's wife, Cary is the least developed character and even she is real to the reader.
At first glance, the book seems to be just a light reading thriller, but its social commentary is as important as the action. Bayne is able to capture some moments very well with his words; in the description of a train clerk, for example, "...Clarence was the day shift ticket clerk. He was also the spitting image of the farmer holding the pitchfork in Grand Woods' American Gothic, except for the smile that always hung on his face."
Bayne holds to the single plot line very well. He develops and keeps the characters consistent with the tale. It seems the book is written to entice the reader to keep going; to finish the book. This reviewer recommends the book to anyone who likes spy novels, thrillers, murder mysteries and Jerry Bayne. Any reader can appreciate the craft and consistency of Bayne, though. This reviewer cannot wait to read any other books by Bayne.
Posted on [...]

Kill Me Twice" by Jerry Bayne is quick-paced, thrilling and captivating. The story centers around Brad Cardiff, a former CIA operative who observed a Columbia drug deal go wrong. Chosen as the fall-guy for this fiasco, Cardiff is was slated for execution four years later. But they failed and he seeks revenge for the death of his family is executed. Who is responsible? Is the Mafia, his former CIA boss or the politicians the arranged for the drug deal? Cardiff's vengeance is executed with such skill, he may never get caught. Bayne's novel is an outstanding tale of political suspense.

This novel just blew me out of the water. I did not expect such a page-turner in this genre from an unknown author. I did not want to put it down once I had started. Bradley Cardiff could teach Mitch Rapp a few tricks of the CIA trade. After losing his entire family due to a car bomb that was intended for him, he goes on a revenge mission without revealing it was not him in the car. Three men are his targets: Senator Paul Franklin, ex CIA Director, William Carson, Franklin's right-hand man, and President James Harding.
The main Boston police investigator assigned to the first hit, Senator Franklin is Mike Sams. He is a very thorough detective and is not concerned about the political ramifications around the case and gets himself suspended. When Carson is hit and the President is next, Sams is called in by the White House to assist the CIA and Secret Service in catching Cardiff and protecting the President.
It is told both from Bradley Cardiff's perspective and Mike Sams. Not a lot of twists and turns, just Cardiff detailing the steps he is taking to stalk and kill the President and Sams on the steps to catch him.
I enjoyed this book from start to finish and thought the ending was probably the only one possible, although I would have like to have seen Bradley Cardiff rehabilitated. It then would have been possible for a series on Bradley Cardiff. The ending did leave an opening for a Mike Sams series. Great read, and I highly recommend it.

Kill Me Twice is the second book from Jerry Bayne and it's a hit. As other reviewers have written, Jerry Bayne is a natural writer who can create depth and character in a way that is fun to read. Kill Me Twice is a fast paced page turner. Like all great books you can't wait to get to the next chapter but don't want the book to end. I agree, we need more Mike Sams.

RF Mayo, Boulder,Co.

i have read both Jerry's books (The Gatherer and this one) and I have to say this author is a natural writer. I can't believe he's just getting started, these books are in depth and keep you wondering "what's next". I absolutely love and can't put down Kill Me Twice. I sure hope there's another in the works...I'm hooked!

Kill Me Twice is an absolutely superb political thriller. Start to finish this book was exciting and suspenseful. I don't like to give too much information about the plot, especially when the book is as intense as this one, so my plot description is simple. When three government officials cause lead character Bradley Cardiff's life to fall apart, his only goal is revenge.

The characters, their relationships, and friendships are well-developed and interesting. Cardiff's character is one of a focused, highly qualified CIA agent who uses his skills to seek vengeance, but he was also a man who loved his family. One of the police characters, Mike Sams, also stands out as an interesting and likeable character. The crooked political figures, unfortunately, are probably not too far off from real life with their dirty deals and corruption.

This book is an outstanding, fast-paced tale of political intrigue. Some language and violence in the book, but dare I say well deserved? I was engrossed through the entire book and found the ending very satisfying. I confess that when I read a book I like, I always find a character that I would like to see continue into the author's next book. It's just me. Mike Sams was the character in this book, and I would like to see his story continue from the last page of this book to another.

I can't wait to order a copy of the author's previous book, The Gatherer.

CONSIDER, if you would, an exciting thought! Bruce Willis meets Charles Bronson.
For those of you who don't remember Bronson , I've added a footnote for reference.*

The storyline in Kill Me Twice by Jerry Bayne is totally different, but I have to admit that my mind brought back rough-looking Bronson--because I was cheering for him! And that is what I believe readers will share with me. We want both Bradley Cardiff (Bronson) and Mike Sams (Willis) to win! Now that I've set you up for the movie, let me tell you a little about the story!

Bradley Cardiff is the best of the best. He's worked for the government all of his life, making sure what needed to get done, gets done! But most of those days were now over, he was married with a young child and he was spending much more time with them and finally living in a loving family environment. And then one day his former partner Rountree (and best friend/almost brother) comes back. Brad gets a telephone call just as they were leaving to pick up some food for dinner so Brad stays to answer the phone while his family leaves.

White phosphorus was used to blow the jeep. It had been placed under the driver's seat and they could not identify the driver, but assumed it was Bradley Cardiff along with his family...

It had all been about a deal gone wrong! Certain government officials had arranged a deal between the Chicago Mafia and a potential new Columbian cartel. Nearly everybody on both sides had been slaughtered. Brad and his partner had been there just to observe, knowing nothing about the background or details. But they, especially Bradley, was chosen as the "fall guy."

Payback was now being made years later...

It didn't take Bradley long. He went back through the original players, learned what he needed for at least one of his targets and entered his home.

When Mike Sams learned that the victim had slept on his bed while his murderer had patiently waited, within his bed springs, until he was ready, he realized just what kind of man he was after!

The first man killed was the then Director of the CIA and now Senator! The second was just as easy. The third was almost impossible--because the Secret Service protected him at all times!

I have to say that Mike Sams is a great character, but Bradley was the best in my opinion! Even in his vengeance, he recognizes Sams as an honorable opponent and tries to get him to return home to his family! Believe me, the paths that Cardiff weaves for others to follow is one of the most fascinating and intriguing you will encounter! I loved this book!

And, yes, Bronson would have made a wonderful Bradley Cardiff! I wonder who they'll get...

Get this book! You'll be missing fantastic suspense and thrilling action if you don't!

*One of Bronson's most popular and memorable roles when he was over the age of 50, was Death Wish in 1974. He played a successful architect. When his wife is murdered and his daughter raped, Kersey becomes a crime-fighting vigilante by night. It was a highly controversial role, as his executions were cheered by crime-weary audiences.




G. A. Bixler