Much like the third book in this series, readers looking for a story about a 'cleaner'; someone hired to dispose of bodies better left not found will Much like the third book in this series, readers looking for a story about a 'cleaner'; someone hired to dispose of bodies better left not found will be somewhat disappointed. As in The Unwanted, the tone of this series continues the turn towards the spy verse spy genre with Quinn's job as a cleaner used primarily as a plot devise which enables him to traverse the globe to fight round after round of bay guys.
The Silenced takes a more personal look at Quinn and exposes his family to the dangers of his day job, while not bad, I found the plot meandering a little - it's an okay read but I was hoping for more; a return to books 0.5 and book 1 in particular.
Despite not having read a Jonathan Quinn book for quite some time, the familiarity of the characters settled in quickly and the story is okay but it didn't blow me away. I enjoyed reading about Quinn's family and Liz seems like a character who could contribute some sass to the series.
Jonathan Quinn - highly skilled disposer of postmortem human waste lands a case which hits all too close ho'The Best Lies are those hidden in truths.'
Jonathan Quinn - highly skilled disposer of postmortem human waste lands a case which hits all too close home. The subject - Steven Markoff, a close friend of Quinn's with whom he owes his life - literately, is found dead in a shipping container fresh from the Singapore docks. The discovery soon sets a chain of events in motion which land Quinn in hot water from America to Singapore with many factions vying for his head and that of Markoff's partner and an up-and-coming Congressman.
The follow-up to Battles' debut, 'The Cleaner' lacks the same punch as its predecessor but still packs plenty of ammunition and highly entertaining action. Battles maintains the continuity to the complex protagonist in Quinn and his endearing cast of characters with apprentice and sometime comic relief Nate, the super smart and alluring Orlando, and the accidental hero of sorts, Murray all returning for a second go-round.
Early this seemed like a run of the mill spy verse spy thriller following a tried and true script with not much deviation from the norm - until the deception is revealed - and what a reveal it was! Battles executed the twists and plot turns to perfection and added another string to his impressive arsenal of characters in the process. I cant wait to see where he takes Quinn and co next.
Not edge of the seat thrills and spills as in 'The Clear', yet masterful in its twists and multiple turns. You'd be hard pressed to discover such well though out deception delivered so beautifully you'd question yourself as to how you didn't see it all along. 3.5 stars....more
One of the better 'origin' stories I've read. Jake Oliver (Quinn) is an honest cop too smart for his own good. First on the scene of a suspected arsonOne of the better 'origin' stories I've read. Jake Oliver (Quinn) is an honest cop too smart for his own good. First on the scene of a suspected arson, he soon uncovers clues about a more sinister crime, one that will lead him down a path of shattered dreams, fallen friends, and ultimately, a new profession.
Author Brett Battles instils a sense of the familiar to the origin tale by opening the novel with a scene likened to any of the Quinn books to date: A hit team on a mission with the 'cleaner' the eyes of the op. Durrie, the cleaner in BECOMING QUINN is cold, calculated, highly observant, and somewhat weighed down by the seemingly incompetent hitmen accompanying him on the op. It's easy to draw comparisons between Durrie and Quinn even at this early junction. Jake the 22yr old cop from Phoenix, Durrie, the professional clearer of murder sites operate in a similar manner despite their initially differing occupation.
I liked the way Battles added an emotional element to this take on the rookie cop. Enlisting the services of fellow rookie, Berit, a hard working female officer who recognises the seriousness of the crime and implications associated with evidence overlooked by the subdivision detectives, Battles ensures that the omnipresent danger lurking within the unsanctioned duo's investigation is more reality than sidebar.
BECOMING QUINN is fast paced, while not in league with other Quinn novels, the police procedural aspect borders on noir - it's perhaps more darker than the Quinn cleaner novels by virtual of it's unsanctioned, off-the-grid investigation by Jake and Berit which ultimately culminates in the creation that is Jonathan Quinn. I really enjoyed this - 5 stars. ...more
THE UNWANTED continues to push Quinn further from his occupation as a ‘cleaner’ and more towards spy/counter-terrorism territory. Not that the transitTHE UNWANTED continues to push Quinn further from his occupation as a ‘cleaner’ and more towards spy/counter-terrorism territory. Not that the transition is a bad thing, however the feel of THE CLEANER (book 1) and BECOMING QUINN (prequel) are much more in-tune with the character I’d come to enjoy.
THE UNWANTED is pure action laced with conspiracy theories and a separatist group known as LP which is determined to change the face of American politics and big business. The Office, headed by Peter, Quinn’s boss, looses some of its allure as the LP rise to prominence.
THE UNWANTED almost signifies the end of an exciting chapter in the Quinn saga with the emphasis on alphabet agencies and more extreme missions rather than clean-up jobs of past books.
Nate and Orlando are just as important as Quinn himself with Quinn assuming the role of a father-type figure to Nate and husband to Orlando to create a family dynamic built upon events of THE DECEIVED (book 2) and THE CLEANER.
There are some really interesting plot twists, though not as earth shattering as THE DECEIVED, the reasoning behind the disappearance of a kidnapped 5yr old will shock the reader – it certainly did me.
Overall, THE UNWANTED, is a solid spy thriller and one that doesn’t read well as a stand-alone (I had to refer to past books to determine the significance of returning bad guys). I’m jumping straight into THE SILENCED (book 4) to ensure the events of THE UNWANTED aren’t diluted by ability to recall important actions/characters. 3.5 stars....more
Battle's first book is an action packed thriller in which fans of Dan Brown and Matthew Reilly will enjoy. Battle's first book is an action packed thriller in which fans of Dan Brown and Matthew Reilly will enjoy. ...more