The Kensei: A Lawson Vampire Novel [Paperback]

Jon F. Merz (Author)

Book Description

Release date: January 18, 2011 | Series: A Lawson Vampire Novel

Meet Lawson. A cynical, wise-cracking vampire charged with protecting the Balance between vampires and humans, he is part cop, part spy, and part commando -- James Bond with fangs. Lawson mixes shrewd cunning with unmatched lethality to get his job done. He tries his best to dismantle conspiracies, dispatch bad guys, and live long enough to get home. In The Kensei, a battle-weary Lawson heads to Japan for a little rest and some advanced ninja training. But he no sooner steps off the plane than lands in the midst of a Yakuza turf war orchestrated by a shadowy figure known as the Kensei. With the help of Talya, a former KGB-assassin, Lawson must put a stop to the Kensei's organ trafficking networks, prevent the creation of an army of vampire-human hybrids, and save his own skin in the process.

John F. Merz has written an utterly exciting novel—urban, paranormal fantasy meets international, action-packed thriller.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Fast-moving but predictable, this horror-thriller hybrid takes heroic vampire secret agent Lawson (last seen in 2003's The Syndicate) to Japan in search of some R&R: namely, advanced martial arts training at his favorite dojo and a passionate rendezvous with Talya, a former KGB assassin. First, Lawson gets into trouble with the Yakuza while thwarting a murder on a train; then he learns that Talya needs his help to wipe out a vicious organ-trafficking ring. Both matters set him on a collision course with the Kensei, an albino vampire crime lord who wants to create an army of warriors and--what else?--conquer the world. The fight scenes are vivid and convincing, as are the glimpses of nontourist Japan. However, Lawson's constant, relentlessly macho patter may irritate readers even sooner than it does the Kensei, and the plot and characters are drearily familiar. (Jan.)
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

After several years, Merz offers a new novel (following Syndicate, 2003) starring vampire secret agent Lawson. This time, Lawson is in Japan on vacation. But trouble arrives almost immediately—on the train from the airport—when an assassin tries to take down a young Japanese man and his girlfriend. Lawson’s interference is more than just annoying, as the assassin he kills was a member of the local Yakuza, the Kensei, and now the Mob wants vengeance. When Lawson’s former KGB agent girlfriend arrives with troubles of her own, his vacation is no longer the least bit relaxing. All this sounds like the setup for a typical action adventure or espionage novel, but, of course, Lawson is a vampire who works for the vampire governing council, specializing in keeping vampires secret and fixing their problems. Other than being crazy strong and very quick to heal (excellent attributes for a secret agent), Lawson is more like Jason Bourne than Dracula, making this a vampire mystery with broad appeal. --Jessica Moyer

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; Original edition (January 18, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312662238
• ISBN-13: 978-0312662233
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,189,455 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!

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Phenomenal Read!!! January 27, 2011

By Beth A. Burrow

Format:Paperback

The Kensei is a fantastic read and is one of my favorites of Jon F. Merz. Mr. Merz writes is such a way that you feel as though you are right there with the characters.

Mr. Merz not only writes what he knows about Japan, it's culture, and martial arts, he seems to have a great sense of humor that had me giggling though out the entire book!! (LOVE that)!

Even though this is book five of a series, you do NOT have to have read the first four to know what is going on. Which is cool!

Thank you Mr. Merz for yet again, a WONDERFUL book!!!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Kensei: Overflowing in non-stop, page turning action! January 24, 2011

By Merle

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Overflowing in non-stop, page-turning action, Jon F. Merz again meets all expectations with his newly released paranormal, urban fantasy thriller, "THE KENSEI: A Lawson Vampire Novel"

Merz re-introduces Lawson, a vampire secret agent also known as "The Fixer." Born and destined to make sure "the balance, the delicate, tenuous, and ultra secret coexistence between vampires and the humans remains unbroken. Undetected." When the balance is thrown out of kilter, it is Lawson's job to make it right.

While Lawson visits Japan for some R & R, he unexpectedly finds himself in the midst of a series of events involving the Yakuza, a local, powerful, organized crime group and a former KGB operative turned lover by the name of Talya with an agenda of her own.

Merz is once again at his best, dazzling readers with his humor and wit, and easy to understand storylines involving a balanced mixture of the Japanese culture and the martial arts, human organ trafficking, a bit of romance, and the paranormal world of vampires, and humans, and hybrids.

Merz has always in previous books, had an amazing way with words. Scenes play out intensely in the reader's mind as vivid as movies seen on the big screen. THE KENSEI is no exception. A definite must read!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Snarkily good. April 4, 2011

By Amanda Toth

Format:Paperback

Lawson has decided to take a break. Work as a Fixer can wear on ones soul, so some time off, away from normal life seems to be the way to go. However, even when on vacation, things don't go well. He's not in Japan for more than an hour before he's in an altercation. While Lawson is incredibly excited to see his girlfriend, she brings along another problem. Will Lawson ever be able to take a break? And more importantly, will he be able to survive the mysterious and feared Kensei?

"The Kensei" is several novels into the Lawson Vampire series, and despite this fact, I had absolutely no trouble getting into the story. Lawson, his relationship, and his job were extremely well explained so there was no confusion. But beware, after finishing The Kensei you will definitely want to read the rest of the series if you haven't already. I also quite enjoyed the vampire mythos and the origins of the vampires and humans. This book didn't go into great detail, but I look forward to learning a little more when I read the previous novels, since I know Lawson had to explain vampirism to his girlfriend.

Lawson is a very loveable, plucky character. I absolutely loved his interactions with everyone, the bad guys especially. He always has a snarky comment to make, and it amused me to no end. I also enjoyed seeing the darker side of Japan through Lawson's eyes. The author is clearly knowledgeable about the country, and it definitely shows through in his work. And speaking of what the author knows, the weapons and action/fight seens were amazingly well done. Jon Merz wrote some amazing battle scenes in The Kensei, all excellently descriptive. But then again, considering the author and his background, that isn't too surprising.