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The Betrayer
Shamus Award winner Daniel Judson returns with a gripping, family-driven epic that Alison Gaylin, International Bestselling Author of And She Was, calls "An action-packed, smart and richly layered thriller."
Wanted for a crime he did not commit, former paratrooper Johnny Coyle is living in hiding with a woman he has sworn to protect at all costs. But when his younger brother Jeremy begins looking into the death of the father he barely knew—a legendary undercover FBI agent murdered by a Russian hit squad two years before—Johnny will risk everything to save what is left of his estranged family from a cunning and twisted killer-for-hire bent on vengeance. Episode ListThis book was initially released in episodes as a Kindle Serial. All episodes are now available for immediate download as a complete book. Learn more about Kindle Serials
Wanted for a crime he did not commit, former paratrooper Johnny Coyle is living in hiding with a woman he has sworn to protect at all costs. But when his younger brother Jeremy begins looking into the death of the father he barely knew—a legendary undercover FBI agent murdered by a Russian hit squad two years before—Johnny will risk everything to save what is left of his estranged family from a cunning and twisted killer-for-hire bent on vengeance. Episode ListThis book was initially released in episodes as a Kindle Serial. All episodes are now available for immediate download as a complete book. Learn more about Kindle Serials
- GenresMystery
587 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 18, 2012
About the author
Daniel Judson
21 books151 followersDANIEL JUDSON, a Shamus Award winner and a four-time finalist, is the author of five previous novels, most recently The Violet Hour. He attended Southampton College, and his time in the Hamptons (particularly the parts that don’t make the society pages) was the inspiration for the setting and characters in Voyeur. He now lives in Connecticut.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 9, 2017
This was a classic nail-biting page-turner. It had all the right ingredients for just that kind of a book (or serial): death, resurrection, redemption, drugs, the mob (two kinds), guns, men fighting men, men fighting women, women fighting women, corrupt cops, corrupt , estranged siblings, siblings coming together, ruthless killers, manipulative bastards, double agents, spies, guys undercover (and some under covers), twists, turns, gasps, shock, and awe.
Since I read this as a serial, it was the most agonizing thing in the world to have to wait for the next installment--so I kind of cheated and waited for the rest of the installments to be released and then finished reading them all at the same time. Totally worth it, and the 3-second cliffhanger before I turned the page was more than enough to keep my heart racing.
The ending was perfect, but in the sense that I had to be satisfied with it because it was really as good as it could be without being a sappy "happy ending" and yet it left something to be desired. In other words, completely in line with the rest of the book. And for myself, let me just say that the gut feeling I had about bastards ending up being right on the money. ... In which case I should also admit that I did not see the BIG THING coming. At all. But I'll gladly split the difference.
Daniel Judson can spin a tale like few I've seen; I look forward to reading more of his work.
Since I read this as a serial, it was the most agonizing thing in the world to have to wait for the next installment--so I kind of cheated and waited for the rest of the installments to be released and then finished reading them all at the same time. Totally worth it, and the 3-second cliffhanger before I turned the page was more than enough to keep my heart racing.
The ending was perfect, but in the sense that I had to be satisfied with it because it was really as good as it could be without being a sappy "happy ending" and yet it left something to be desired. In other words, completely in line with the rest of the book. And for myself, let me just say that the gut feeling I had about bastards ending up being right on the money. ... In which case I should also admit that I did not see the BIG THING coming. At all. But I'll gladly split the difference.
Daniel Judson can spin a tale like few I've seen; I look forward to reading more of his work.
May 15, 2013
Everything that Kristina said!
February 3, 2017
Great action/adventure
Really enjoyed this book. I'm officially a Daniel Judson fan. Story really kept me interested and the characters were well developed. Recommended.
Really enjoyed this book. I'm officially a Daniel Judson fan. Story really kept me interested and the characters were well developed. Recommended.
January 23, 2019
Twister
I loved this book!! So many twists and turns to it, I never knew what was going to happen or who was showing up. I would read this author again definitively!!!
I loved this book!! So many twists and turns to it, I never knew what was going to happen or who was showing up. I would read this author again definitively!!!
September 25, 2020
Good story, original released as individual episodes, which meant putting together made it a bit longer than it needed to be. Lots of twists and turns, but bad guy stood out from the start.
January 23, 2023
Riveting novel novel
This novel kept me trying to outgas the writer! Looking for a new read, enjoyed the writer. Yes I could recommend this novel.
This novel kept me trying to outgas the writer! Looking for a new read, enjoyed the writer. Yes I could recommend this novel.
February 2, 2015
February 3, 2015
A review by Anthony T. Riggio of the book The Betrayer by Daniel Judson
This is the first book I have read written by Daniel Judson and I found it both interesting and well written. It has numerous characters and could be confusing but the author lays them out a very logical sequence and I never got confused as to who was who. It is basically about the Coyle family in New York City. The father, John Coyle is deceased and disgraced FBI who migrated to the dark side with a very close friend who is a notorious racketeer but who is the source for John Coyle’s undercover backstopping, which resulted in numerous cases being solved and elevated John Coyle to almost heroic status until he is killed in very suspicious circumstances and one of the conspirators puts out false information about Coyle’s corruption and disloyalty to his oath as an FBI agent.
This disgrace impacts on the lives of his three surviving children: his daughter is also an FBI agent and John Coyle’s besmirched reputation has a negative influence on her career and consequently she suffers from addictions to liquor and men. The next in line if Johnnie Coyle who becomes an expatriate in Thailand where he becomes involved with questionable individuals but meets the love of his life and due to things he and his girlfriend did in Thailand go into hiding in New York using his father’s underworld friend to assist them. The youngest, Jeremy, is a heroin addict and all siblings trace their problems to the disc race of their father.
The story in this novel revolves around the three children and the gangster friend of the father. It is both intriguing and compelling reading. It is a fast based story and the book is a page turner, though I bought this book in the Kindle edition from Amazon.
As a former FBI agent, I did note some inaccuracies but for the average reader, it will all seem plausible and believable. I highly recommend this to those who enjoy fast paced crime thrillers. The ending is surprising and here is where I had my most critical issues. Notwithstanding, I found the book worthy of recommendation and gave it five stars out of five.
A review by Anthony T. Riggio of the book The Betrayer by Daniel Judson
This is the first book I have read written by Daniel Judson and I found it both interesting and well written. It has numerous characters and could be confusing but the author lays them out a very logical sequence and I never got confused as to who was who. It is basically about the Coyle family in New York City. The father, John Coyle is deceased and disgraced FBI who migrated to the dark side with a very close friend who is a notorious racketeer but who is the source for John Coyle’s undercover backstopping, which resulted in numerous cases being solved and elevated John Coyle to almost heroic status until he is killed in very suspicious circumstances and one of the conspirators puts out false information about Coyle’s corruption and disloyalty to his oath as an FBI agent.
This disgrace impacts on the lives of his three surviving children: his daughter is also an FBI agent and John Coyle’s besmirched reputation has a negative influence on her career and consequently she suffers from addictions to liquor and men. The next in line if Johnnie Coyle who becomes an expatriate in Thailand where he becomes involved with questionable individuals but meets the love of his life and due to things he and his girlfriend did in Thailand go into hiding in New York using his father’s underworld friend to assist them. The youngest, Jeremy, is a heroin addict and all siblings trace their problems to the disc race of their father.
The story in this novel revolves around the three children and the gangster friend of the father. It is both intriguing and compelling reading. It is a fast based story and the book is a page turner, though I bought this book in the Kindle edition from Amazon.
As a former FBI agent, I did note some inaccuracies but for the average reader, it will all seem plausible and believable. I highly recommend this to those who enjoy fast paced crime thrillers. The ending is surprising and here is where I had my most critical issues. Notwithstanding, I found the book worthy of recommendation and gave it five stars out of five.
February 19, 2017
Keeps you on the edge of your seat!
This us my fourth book by Daniel Judson, have lived everyone! He pulls you in right away, then you're in the edge of your seat the whole way through!
This us my fourth book by Daniel Judson, have lived everyone! He pulls you in right away, then you're in the edge of your seat the whole way through!
May 31, 2014
"The Betrayer" by Daniel Judson moves at a breakneck pace, mystery shrouded on every page, propelling the reader toward a riveting to-be-continued cliffhanger.
Johnny Coyle, a former solider from Vietnam, and his girlfriend, Haley, are fugitives, running from their shady past by threatening men. But Johnny has secrets he wishes he could have left behind. And as those deep family secrets surface, his life becomes smaller, living in a proverbial fishbowl, running from a madman.
When Johnny's brother, Jeremy, goes missing late one night, while riding his motorcycle, the case gets even more sinister. Involving Cat, Johnny's sister, to help man the hunt, a man named Dickey McVicker materializes out of the shadows, injecting himself into the already hot flames of a harrowing situation. Who is he? What does he want?
But the case takes a twisty turn when a violent man named Vitali enters the picture, killing innocent people in his wake, moving from city to city, toward his main targets: Johnny and Haley.
The underlying question raised throughout this episode is: who betrayed Johnny's father back in Nam and why? And what, if anything, does Jeremy know about this shadowy dark figure?
If you have never read a Daniel Judson story, start here. The Betrayer, like The Violet Hour, is Judson's best literary effort. With believable storytelling and witty one-liners, The Betrayer is a white-knuckle suspense ride that will keep you up into the wee small hours and waiting for the next episode (seven total) with anticipation. Great reading. Recommended.
Johnny Coyle, a former solider from Vietnam, and his girlfriend, Haley, are fugitives, running from their shady past by threatening men. But Johnny has secrets he wishes he could have left behind. And as those deep family secrets surface, his life becomes smaller, living in a proverbial fishbowl, running from a madman.
When Johnny's brother, Jeremy, goes missing late one night, while riding his motorcycle, the case gets even more sinister. Involving Cat, Johnny's sister, to help man the hunt, a man named Dickey McVicker materializes out of the shadows, injecting himself into the already hot flames of a harrowing situation. Who is he? What does he want?
But the case takes a twisty turn when a violent man named Vitali enters the picture, killing innocent people in his wake, moving from city to city, toward his main targets: Johnny and Haley.
The underlying question raised throughout this episode is: who betrayed Johnny's father back in Nam and why? And what, if anything, does Jeremy know about this shadowy dark figure?
If you have never read a Daniel Judson story, start here. The Betrayer, like The Violet Hour, is Judson's best literary effort. With believable storytelling and witty one-liners, The Betrayer is a white-knuckle suspense ride that will keep you up into the wee small hours and waiting for the next episode (seven total) with anticipation. Great reading. Recommended.
February 3, 2016
I am A FAN! The author WRITES beautifully of violence, SECRETS, vengeance, justice, passion, family love, loyalty, betrayal, murder, crime bosses, FBI, cops, corruption...the stuff of great fictional life, and writes it in a way that keeps you up nights reading into the wee hours. I wrote of his "Gin Palace Trilogy," with the first book of the trilogy, that I didn't usually read books with heavy violence, and true that. However, I will read anything Mr. Judson writes, because, to be redundant, THE WRITING IS SO GOOD.
The Betrayer hits all the spots listed above, and especially this plot is driven by secrets and family love gone awry, and the deadly journey to mend it all. A pretty story, oh no, but one that captures you from the first, and never lets you go. Just when you think you've figured out what is going on, you are turned upside-down, again. The resolution hits like a hammer, and the ending even, is unexpected.
This author DELIVERS. I've just begun my next adventure with him: "The Avenged." If you've the love of high tension, surprises and secrets, this author's work is for you. If you can't take VIOLENCE, then best you skip it; I almost did with my first book of his, and am glad I didn't. Give his first book of "The Gin Palace Trilogy" a try, "The Poisoned Rose." It's a good place to start.
The Betrayer hits all the spots listed above, and especially this plot is driven by secrets and family love gone awry, and the deadly journey to mend it all. A pretty story, oh no, but one that captures you from the first, and never lets you go. Just when you think you've figured out what is going on, you are turned upside-down, again. The resolution hits like a hammer, and the ending even, is unexpected.
This author DELIVERS. I've just begun my next adventure with him: "The Avenged." If you've the love of high tension, surprises and secrets, this author's work is for you. If you can't take VIOLENCE, then best you skip it; I almost did with my first book of his, and am glad I didn't. Give his first book of "The Gin Palace Trilogy" a try, "The Poisoned Rose." It's a good place to start.
May 14, 2014
The Coyle family need to know exactly what happened to their father, FBI agent, John Coyle. Framed and killed by a Russian team of murderers and his reputation scarred, Coyle was a legend whose crown had slipped. Seeking answers, his two sons and one daughter risked their lives to clear his name, and, in the process, uncovered an unbelievable story. Well-told.
July 5, 2016
Writing with surgical / microscopic attention to detail, . .
And, that results in both characters, and plot lines, that are multidimensional, yet read as smooth as silk. This is the Second book I've read by Daniel Judson, and both were excellent in dissimilar ways. I hope there are other novels with this set of characters !
And, that results in both characters, and plot lines, that are multidimensional, yet read as smooth as silk. This is the Second book I've read by Daniel Judson, and both were excellent in dissimilar ways. I hope there are other novels with this set of characters !
July 28, 2016
The Betrayer
An interesting book that held my attention well. While not identifying with any of the characters, my attention to the action of the story continued to build to the point where I hated to put the book down. This was my 4th Daniel Judson book and I am excited that there are more to read.
An interesting book that held my attention well. While not identifying with any of the characters, my attention to the action of the story continued to build to the point where I hated to put the book down. This was my 4th Daniel Judson book and I am excited that there are more to read.
March 4, 2016
Judson has created a world of intrigue in this novel. Johnny's dad was killed and publicly humiliated. His little brother, the bipolar addict of the family, decides to reverse he humiliation. Lots of trouble ensues. And the mob plus the Russian mob play roles in this page turner.
April 17, 2016
I would say he has learned his craft.
Murder and mayhem not my thing but
this one held interest. Too many four
letter words but if this setting were
real that situation probably would be.
Katherine
Murder and mayhem not my thing but
this one held interest. Too many four
letter words but if this setting were
real that situation probably would be.
Katherine
June 27, 2016
Where were the editors?
I kept finding editing errors in this kindle edition. At one point the characters were even mixed up. It is so distracting when words are missing, misspelled or otherwise screwy.
I kept finding editing errors in this kindle edition. At one point the characters were even mixed up. It is so distracting when words are missing, misspelled or otherwise screwy.
June 1, 2014
Very suspenseful up to the last minute
October 16, 2014
I did enjoy the story line, however, it was long. I felt that some of the details and situations could have been left out with no effect on the overall story.
October 20, 2014
As far as thrillers/suspense/crime dramas go this was a decent one. It was a bit obvious from the get-go where it would end up, but getting there was fun. And fun is what book s like this are about.
December 2, 2022
Definitely a good read - a bit unbelievable but still well written.
April 8, 2016
It's ok. The typos drove me nuts.
Average writing and the editor did a horrible job of editing. It could have been much better than it came out.
Average writing and the editor did a horrible job of editing. It could have been much better than it came out.
June 22, 2016
Who is the Betrayer ?
Great book, Lot of twists and turns. Keeps you wondering what is going to happen next. Great read for anyone who likes this type novels.
Great book, Lot of twists and turns. Keeps you wondering what is going to happen next. Great read for anyone who likes this type novels.
June 25, 2016
Excellent
Couldn't put the book down . Best reading for a long time. Well written and intriguing plots.
Suspension in every chapter.
Couldn't put the book down . Best reading for a long time. Well written and intriguing plots.
Suspension in every chapter.
August 31, 2016
Page-turner!
Stayed up late every night to read. Good pace, interesting dimensional characters, plot twists. Highly recommended for action and thriller lovers.
Stayed up late every night to read. Good pace, interesting dimensional characters, plot twists. Highly recommended for action and thriller lovers.
October 3, 2016
Good book
This book held my attention.
It did not give everything away
You actually were able to contemplate what might happen.
I enjoyed reading it
This book held my attention.
It did not give everything away
You actually were able to contemplate what might happen.
I enjoyed reading it
December 31, 2016
Wow, what a roller coaster of a ride.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews