Book Review: Killer Lawyer (Jake Wolfe Book 3) by Mark Nolan

This is a very good crime thriller. I want to continue the series.
Killer Lawyer (Jake Wolfe Book 3)
by Mark Nolan

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07L5GLJQ1
Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 19, 2018
File size ‏ : ‎ 2208 KB, 416 pages
Genre: Action, Crime Thriller, Mystery
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.

Jake Wolfe is a young lawyer who leads a secret life as a government assassin. Trained by the CIA, Jake now wants a new life of peace and quiet, living on a boat and practicing law. But when his city is shocked by a serial killer and he’s framed for the murder of a friend, Jake must race against time to find the killer before he strikes again.
Drawn into a deadly game of cat and mouse; at every step Jake and his loved ones are being hunted by the clever, twisted madman. As the city is gripped in fear of the seemingly random shootings that could strike anybody, Jake investigates and uncovers ominous clues until a shocking reversal of fortune changes everything.
With the clock ticking and lives at stake, will Jake be able to find and stop the killer in time, or will he become the next victim?
Buckle up for a wild ride as Jake Wolfe and his exceptionally intelligent dog, Cody, return to action in this page-turning thriller in Mark Nolan’s bestselling series that has earned thousands of 5-star ratings on Amazon and Goodreads.

Review:
Jake is a former military man who has been recruited as a secret government assassin. He has passed the bar to become an attorney although he doesn’t exactly have paying clients yet. Mainly because he keeps charging only a $1.00. Jake lives on a friend’s boat with his ‘retired’ military dog, Cody. Jake has been dating local veterinarian, Sarah, but she put a hold on their growing relationship after seeing Jake in defensive mode. She feels his life style is too dangerous… which may be true.

Currently Jake is executing (no pun intended) a mission directed by his ‘handler’. He community is dealing with a serial killer called the “Random Killer”. Jake’s sweet elderly neighbor is killed and clues left implicating Jake. Before the local authorities have fully cleared Jake, he has convinced his handler to get him deputized to the Marshall’s office so he can get on the task force hunting this killer.

Jake and Cody set off to find the killer who leads everyone on a chase from one end of town to the other. Unfortunately, Jake’s actions have put the killer on the hunt for Jake and those he loves. Will Jake be able to get the killer before he injures someone he loves? Will his activities result in Sarah totally ending their relationship?

I really like Jake as a character although it does cause mixed feelings to think that assassins and secret organizations exist around us. Author Nolan gives the reader an intriguing view of the killer too, following his thoughts and activities. I like the combination of danger, action, issues of diplomatic immunity, tidbits of law, and a touch of romance in this series and I will look to read more. I recommend this to fans of the strong, silent hero crime thriller.

Source: Author 2019. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021 Alphabet, and Author goals.

 Dead Lawyers Don't Lie: A Gripping Thriller (Jake Wolfe Book 1) by Mark Nolan; 4.75
 Vigilante Assassin (Jake Wolfe Book 2) by Mark Nolan; 4.5

Book Review: Vigilante Assassin (Jake Wolfe Book 2) by Mark Nolan

This is a high action and I love Cody, the former war dog.
Vigilante Assassin: An Action Thriller
(Jake Wolfe Book 2)
by Mark Nolan

File Size: 2775 KB
Print Length: 362 pages
Publication Date: October 27, 2017
ASIN: B075665WN5
Genre: Action, Mystery, Thriller
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0

Every marriage has a secret, and this one is deadly. Lauren Stephens wakes up to find her husband, Gene, has vanished during the night. His phone is dead. Desperate, she hires Jake Wolfe and his war dog, Cody. They search the house and discover something so disturbing that Jake won’t allow Lauren near it. “No, if you see this, there is no unseeing it.”
Lauren thought she had it all: a loving partner, two great kids, a successful business, and a beautiful home in the San Francisco hills. But all of that is about to come crashing down, due to a missing husband, a hidden past, and a frightening secret that will shock a trusting wife to the core. Gene has enemies, and now they want something from Lauren.
Jake Wolfe is a flawed man who has a habit of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. He wants to leave his secret, violent past behind him, but when Lauren and her children are threatened, his protective instinct takes command. Jake soon finds himself involved in a dangerous conspiracy, targeted for death, and engaged in battle with a powerful, unseen group who will stop at nothing to get what they want.
Jake’s going to have to think fast and fight hard to protect Cody, Lauren and her kids.

Review:
Jake is contemplating peace and quiet as he relaxes on his friend’s boat with his new girlfriend, Sarah. He wakes early and his retired war dog, Cody, warns him of danger in the water. The sun hasn’t even risen as Jake faces the first attack of the day.

As soon as Jake docks, the head of an executive security company appears to ask for his help to protect Lauren Stephens, a wealthy woman whose husband has just gone missing. Soon Jake locates a body in a secret room and discovers dangerous, scandalous secrets. Jake dodges weaponized drones as he begins to hunt for a motive and a killer.

Jake can’t even get to breakfast before he is stopped by a cop who resents Jake. Jake ends up with a head lump and wakes up in jail facing a sexual predator. Jake calls in a government agency to help him get out of jail quickly. The government people will be glad for this extra leverage to get Jake to sign on to their special project(s).

The excitement continues with multiple kidnappings, another beating and Jake facing death threats by a powerful, mysterious enemy. In addition to finding Mr. Stephens’ killer, Jake and his long-time detective friend, Terrell, are tracking drug and arms dealers. While rushing from one danger to another Jake is intent on protecting Lauren and her kids, as well as protecting Sarah and Cody. Jake is even willing to risk teaming up with the mob in order to get quick, on the street help.

Wow! This is packed with high octane action! It reminded me of the TV show 24 with all the things that go in such a short time. Jake and Cody are at the center of all the action and Cody shines with his brilliant nose work. Cody’s skills and complex character are almost on level with Jake’s. The story reads very quickly as the mysteries and danger twists and turns.

This is the second in the series and I do recommend reading the first book, Dead Lawyer’s Don’t Lie. That book introduces the primary characters and explains their backgrounds. I am very glad that I have book three to read soon. I recommend this series to readers who enjoy fast paced action with an extra smart dog as a great partner.

Source: Author review request December 2018. This qualifies for 2019TBR and Author goals.

Book Review: Dead Lawyers Don't Lie: A Gripping Thriller (Jake Wolfe Book 1) by Mark Nolan

This is a page-turner thriller with full on action and a good dose of humor.

Dead Lawyers Don't Lie: A Gripping Thriller (Jake Wolfe Book 1)
by Mark Nolan

File Size: 4886 KB
Print Length: 642 pages
Publication Date: January 1, 2016
ASIN: B018SCGDWK
Genre: Suspense Thriller, Mystery Thriller
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

A mysterious killer who calls himself The Artist is assassinating wealthy lawyers in San Francisco. When war veteran Jake Wolfe accidentally takes his picture during a murder, The Artist adds Jake to his kill list and he becomes a target in a deadly game of cat and mouse that only one of them can survive. How far would you go to protect your loved ones from a killer? Jake wants to leave his secret, violent past life behind him. But the reluctant, flawed hero can't ignore his duty and his personal moral compass.
This gripping thriller is full of suspense, plot twists and surprises. It features a cast of interesting characters, including several strong-willed women, two wise-cracking San Francisco Police Homicide Inspectors, one highly intelligent dog, and a philosophical killer who shares Jake's admiration for Van Gogh paintings but still plans to kill him anyway. As Jake gets closer to unraveling a merciless conspiracy, his life gets turned upside down and the danger level increases, adding to the growing suspense. This entertaining page-turner starts out as a murder mystery and then shifts gears into a high-speed action thriller that takes you on a roller-coaster ride to the riveting ending. A good read for those who enjoy mysteries, suspense, action and adventure, vigilante justice, unique characters, witty dialogue and a little romance too. Now on sale in over a dozen countries around the world. Be the first among your friends to read it.

Review:
Jake Wolfe, a former Marine, is now an investigative, photo journalist. He is a tough veteran who still carries the protective mode for those in need or distress. He was a dog handler in the service and realizes he must help a military dog who has PTSD and is distraught when the another former Marine friend of Jake's is buried. Now he has Cody as a constant companion which eventually brings him into contact with a lovely, but beleaguered, veterinarian, Sarah.

Jake’s best friend, Terrell, a former Infantry Rifleman, is now a Police Homicide Inspector with the San Francisco Police Department. When Jake witnesses a sniper murder of a local attorney he quickly texts Terrell who heads up the investigation. Jake is never far away and will need Terrell to have his back since he has become a target for the sniper, “The Artist”.

The Artist takes pride in planning unique and precise hits. He has gained renown for his skills but knows that some of his employers consider him replaceable. But he will prove them wrong, as long as his manic swings don’t push him into making a mistake.

The banter between Jake and Terrell reminded me of the super fun dialog between 'Riggs' (Mel Gibson) and Roger (Danny Glover) in the 1987 Lethal Weapon series. Mark Nolan does a great job creating all of these characters: Jake, Terrell, The Artist, Sarah and even the crazed officer, Denton, who wants to remove Jake from her world. I enjoyed how Nolan used humor to ease difficult situations.

I was really surprised at the wide range of topics the author covered including corporate corruption, police jealousies, PTSD, cancer and pregnancy, military dogs and more. At one point I thought there might have been too much in one story but it all worked in the plot plan. Nolan uses the story development to reveal Jake’s talents, connections and skills that make him the one man who might be able to stop The Artist. There were several good twists and I loved the intense, non-stop action. The writing could use a sharp editing but still the package and pacing kept the book moving along with good entertainment. Anyone who enjoys a fast paced, murder chase thriller should make a point to read this one. I hope to read more adventures for Jake, Cody and Terrell.

I received this ebook from the author for an honest review.