Stirred (Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels/Luther Kite Thriller) [Paperback]

Blake Crouch (Author), J.A. Konrath (Author)

Book Description

Release date: February 21, 2012 | Series: Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels/Luther Kite Thriller (Book 8)

Lt. Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels has seen humanity at its most depraved and terrifying. She's lost loved ones. Come close to death countless times. But she always manages to triumph over evil. Luther Kite is humanity at its most depraved and terrifying. He's committed unthinkable acts. Taken human life for the sheer pleasure of it. He is a monster among monsters, and no one has ever caught him. Each is the best at what they do. Peerless. Unmatched.

Until now...

In Luther's experience, people are weak. Even the strong and fearless break too easily. He wants a challenge, and sets his depraved sights on Jack. But with a baby on the way, Jack is at her most vulnerable. She's always been a fighter, but she's never had so much to fight for. So he's built something especially for Jack. His own private ninth circle of hell--a nightmare world in a forgotten place from which no one has ever escaped.

It's J.A. Konrath's greatest heroine versus Blake Crouch's greatest villain in Stirred, the stunning conclusion to both Konrath's Lt. Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels thriller series and Crouch's Andrew Z. Thomas series.

Only one can survive. And it won't be who you think.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Interview: J.A. Konrath & Blake Crouch

Blake Crouch: So rumor has it this is the last Jack Daniels novel. [Jack also appears in Shot of Tequila, Shaken, Serial Killers Uncut, and Flee.]

J.A. Konrath: Rumor also has it this is the last Andrew Z. Thomas/Luther Kite novel. [They also appear in Desert Places, Locked Doors, Break You, and Serial Killers Uncut.]

BC: So...are the rumors true?

JAK: You tell me.

BC: Pretty much. Yes. Yes, they are 100 percent true.

JAK: Well, what if they offered us a lot of money to write another book?

BC: No way. We've discussed this. We're done. But just for the sake of argument--how much are we talking?

Continue reading J.A. Konrath & Blake Crouch's interview about Stirred

About the Author

J.A. Konrath is the author of the Jacqueline “Jack” Daniels series that includes “Whiskey Sour,” “Bloody Mary,” “Rusty Nail,” “Dirty Martini,” “Fuzzy Navel” and “Cherry Bomb.”

Blake Crouch attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated with degrees in English and Creative Writing. 2004 and 2005 saw the publications of his first two novels, DESERT PLACES and LOCKED DOORS. Blake lives with his family in southwest Colorado, where he is at work on a new book.

Product Details

• Paperback: 504 pages
• Publisher: Thomas & Mercer (February 21, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1612181465
• ISBN-13: 978-1612181462
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (191 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #331,067 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

69 of 73 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Jack Daniels - Maniac Magnet November 22, 2011

By Cheryl Stout TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Kindle Edition

What a lollapalooza of a great finish to Konrath's Jack Daniels series and to Crouch/Konrath's serial killer extrava-goreathon that I've been following for so many years!

Jack Daniels galumphs along, ponderous and pregnant, worrying about bringing a new life into her world (and well she should at 48 years old - YIKES), trying to make life changing decisions with her baby daddy, Phin - and then serial killer extraordinaire Luther Kite comes back into her life. And he's not alone - we get to catch up with some of our other killers du jour too, including my favorite, Lucy. Also tagging along are other favorites including McGlade, who you don't want to be stuck on a stakeout with or have choosing your baby's name.

Deeper in the book, STIRRED feels like a noir nightmare, with Jack and gang in incredibly creepy surroundings with shades of Dante's Inferno thrown in. And there was a plot twist that caught me totally unexpectedly - not easily done.

I especially liked the hyperlinks on the Kindle version I read, linking to mini reminders of the previous books/stories and characters referenced to in STIRRED. They helped me a lot, especially considering how many years this series - books and stories - covers. And they will allow you to read STIRRED even if you haven't read any of the previous books. But do yourself a favor - read the others so you get the biggest gruesome impact.

And even though this is the wrap-up of previous books, neither Crouch nor Konrath totally close the door on reading about our favorite characters in the future.

Also, keep in mind this is a book about serial killers, not kindergarten teachers. If you don't have a strong stomach, you probably should find some other reading matter because these are some of the creepiest serial killers I've ever read about.

NOTE: I was lucky enough to get an Advanced Reading Copy of STIRRED but my opinion is my own and I am thrilled I was able to read the book a few days early.

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Grand Finale! November 22, 2011

By Christine

Format:Kindle Edition

I see there are already 20-something reviews up for Stirred, probably all well-written and thought-provoking, so let me just say this:
I mothereffing loved this book.

The hyperlinks were a great touch. Revisiting the characters and story lines (from previous books) by clicking the links made it interesting. I laughed out loud a few times, cringed a few times, and overall had a ball. I think because I knew it was going to be the end of the Jack Daniel series & the end of Crouch's Desert Places books, the reading was kind of bittersweet, but you'll have that when you love certain characters.

FWIW, about 17% into the Kindle version there's a scene with Phin & Jack that leads into Jack & Harry and OMG, I had to reread it a couple of times. I'm stealing some of that dialogue for the next time I feel the need to insult somebody. It was hilarious! Oh, and if I ever find a Harry McGlade t-shirt, I'm buying it.

Great book, 5 stars all the way.

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars A Good Finale November 22, 2011

By Robert Junker

Format:Kindle Edition

I received an advance copy of this book from the authors.
It was a very good read. Chilling in parts. Thrilling in parts. Comical in others.
I've read all the Konrath Jack Daniels novels and I think this one is one of my favorites.
Luther Kite was an excellent foil to use against Jack. They are quite well matched.
Most of the time when I had to stop reading, I couldn't wait to get back to it to see what happened next.
In the Kindle version, they used hyperlinks to highlight references to other books in the set. To let you know where other characters or situations were from. This is an excellent use of the electronic format.
The only downsides to the book were...
I felt that the final confrontation went on a little too long. It was interesting, but it just seemed to take Jack a while to get through everything. (Trying to be spoiler free here.)
From time to time with all the mentions of gadget names, it seemed like there was deliberate product placement going on.
That being said, I am looking forward to seeing what the authors come up with next.