Customer Reviews

Lockdown

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Lockdown is the first book written by Sean Black, which sees main characther Ryan Lock working as a bodyguard to the CEO of a pharmaceutical company. The synopsis promises a story that sends Lock on a fast paced thrill ride around New York in the days approaching New Years Day. The story is actually quite well conceived, and it is particularly refreshing to see an protagonist that is in a different line of work to the usual detectives and police officers that appear in most series these days. As promised, the story does move along at a quick pace, keeping the reader very engaged with some unexpected twists and turns. This is however, where the good points of the book stop.

The storyline, however well conceived, is still littered with implausible events and rather cliched moments, which are still enjoyable to read, but detract from the realistic feel. The main downfall's concern the writing. It isn't written particularly well, which can be forgiven since this is Sean Black's first novel, but in some points it seems that there is a loop hole in the story that has been covered up with something that doesn't quite fit, or the story just rushed over it as though it isn't there.

The characters also don't seem very well developed, which brings me to the main problem I found with the book. The relationships between characters, in particular the interactions between characters, is not written well at all. The relationship between Ryan Lock and his girlfriend Carrie is uncomfortable to read, as though Sean Black decided as an afterthought to add a love interest. The book would be so much more enjoyable without her presence, as the story often slowed to a crawl whenever she was present (I have also read his second book, Deadlock and the relationship, although slightly better, still feels tacked on and unnecessary). I believe the problem with this relationship in particular is that there is no emotion between the two when there clearly should be.

Although this book has some problems that detract from the overall feel of the story (which is by far its best asset) this is still worthy of a read. Just don't expect to be blown away, or emotionally attached to the characters, as you will be dissapointed.

This fast-paced thriller opens on Christmas Eve in New York and climaxes in Times Square on New Year's Eve. Not quite as well written as the other books in the series, but a great introduction to tough guy Ryan Lock and his partner, wise-cracking Marine Ty Johnson. I'd imagine that if you like James Patterson's Alex Cross series, Lee Child's Reacher, John Sandford, Harlan Coben or Robert Crais then you'll have a good time with this too. It's also nice to see a thriller with almost no bad language or sexual content, although, as you would expect, there is quite a lot of violence. All in all a very enjoyable novel which ticks all the right boxes.

Well I am a fan of this type of book anyway and wondered whether this would be up to scratch. There is so much competition out there that it is hard to grab the readers attention but can honestly say that Sean Black certainly grabbed mine. This is the first novel with the lead character of Ryan Lock. Lock is an ex-soldier who now works for a Pharmaceuticals company. He runs the operations team there as an elite bodyguard. Things turn sour when an animal protest march goes wrong and Lock is working against the clock to find the people responsible. With his good friend and partner Ty, they hunt down one of the worlds most feared and dangerous women. The story runs smoothly from start to finish and is a real page turner. I loved the style of writing and the book kept me gripped from start to finish. We also meet Locks love interest in this book as well as his partner Ty and I can only hope that they all appear in his next book. I thought only Jack Reacher and Alex Cross were my favourite characters but I can now add Ryan Lock to that list!

In Ryan Lock, the hero of "Lock Down", Sean Black has created a man's man all-action hero - the book reads like a movie - non-stop action, thrills and spills. The dialogue from Ty, his sidekick adds some black humour, and the plot was excellent.

If this book was a movie (and it could easily be turned into one) it would be a straight to weekly DVD release, the parts played by actors you have never heard of, then eventually midday or two o'clock in the morning when shown on TV action flick. It's a very simple plot, rich pharmaceutical company researcher's son is kidnapped along with his beautiful Russian nanny whose body shortly after surfaces. The father doesn't have much faith in the FBI to bring his boy back alive so approaches the head of the security team (Ryan Lock) of the company he recently quit to get him back. Lock is recovering from shot gun blast injuries that he took while trying to capture the assassins of an animal rights extremist who took a stray bullet while Lock's boss was delivering a speech. Lock is reluctant to takes on the job but predictably eventually does. The company he works for wants nothing to do with finding the kidnappers since the researcher quit two weeks beforehand, and the heir to the company hates him due to the treatment Lock gave him after walking in on him about to commit a rape.

The novel does start of well but nothing substantial really ever happens. You've read it all before. It's very predictable, what you assume is going to happen next does and the characters aren't written well or very believable at all. Plus we have scenes where things like Lock holsters his weapon and the next second we're told it is still pointed at the guy (roof scene with Stafford after preventing the rape p108) that should have been picked up by the editor. The same plot has been done so many times before and often at a level better than in this story's pages. If you like this sort of thing check out authors such as David Morrell who have mastered this genre.

If you've got a couple of hours to kill and nothing else to read by all means pick it up but borrow it from your library, don't pay money for it, Lock Down is nothing special!

This is an excellent read. Yes, there are good guys and bad guys, but what else do you expect in e thriller?!! It's the way that it's written, that counts. And this is written brilliantly. Fast-paced, great dialogue and a good plot. I buy a book to be entertained for a few hours, and this certainly fits the bill. Ryan Lock is here to stay. Can't wait for the next one.

A debut thriller which features Ryan Lock - ex military and heading up security for a pharmaceuticals company. There is an assassination during a protest from animal rights campaigners and Lock is thrown into a plot of murder, kidnap and terrorists.

All characters are fom the "thriller characters handbook" stoic good guys, gutsy TV reporter and pantomime bad guys.

It is fast moving with short easy to read chapters. By no means is it bad, it is just that it was nothing new or special or anything I had not read many variations of before.

So if you want a 'read and forget' thriller, then this would suffice. If you want depth and any sort of wow factor, then perhaps not.

If you like Lee Childs and Harlan Coben you'll need to make room for Sean Black's new thriller "Lockdown." Fast paced, non stop action. Best effort by a new author in years.

I've heard amazing things about Sean Black's Lockdown and I must say they are all spot on! This is an action-packed thrilling read...I couldn't put it down. Excellent debut novel...well done Mr. Black! I am eagerly awaiting the sequels as well as the movie adaptation.

I thought this was a well written book with lots of action. It's true there's nothing new and exciting, and maybe to some that's a bad thing, but it's an entertaining story that'll occupy your time for a few hours. That's basically what any good book is supposed to do. Would recommend it to others.