• Author: Russell Blake
• Performed by Braden Wright
• Published: Janda Management and released June 2013 on Audible
• Category: Crime/Thriller, Espionage
• 

Twenty-eight-year-old Jet was once the Mossad’s most lethal operative before faking her own death and burying that identity forever. But the past doesn’t give up on its secrets easily. 

When her new life on a tranquil island is shattered by a brutal attack, Jet must return to a clandestine existence of savagery and deception to save herself and those she loves. A gritty, unflinching roller-coaster of high-stakes twists and shocking turns, JET features a new breed of protagonist that breaks the mold.

Jet is a protagonist with a difference, a deadly but complex personality who has suffered one of the worst experiences. She has intellect and depth of character and, as a trained operative is adept with all manner of weaponry, not to mention hand to hand combat. In her past as a covert special agent for Mossad she fought terrorism and corruption and, after faking her own death, hoped that part of her life could be laid to rest. But someone knows she is still alive. Someone who has very close and personal links to a past assassination and wants revenge at any cost.

As she shouldered through the hanging beads that separated the back from the storefront, a garrote looped over her head and she barely got her left hand up in time to keep it from closing around her throat…….Ignoring the pain from the garrote she stabbed behind her head with the jagged edge of the broken bottle, again and again, then heard a muted exclamation as a warm gush sprayed against her upper back.

The story opens with an assassination attempt that draws Jet back into her old life and there is really only one person who can help her. Her former lover, David. Travelling to various exotic, and not so exotic, locales in several countries, they try to work out who wants Jet dead, and why, whilst trying to stay ahead of the villains. Plenty of action, clear and colourful depictions of weapons and fighting scenes which paint a vivid picture of operatives in combat, living on the edge and never quite knowing where, or when, the next attack will occur.

Jet’s backstory is filled in with flashback chapters which add to the overall picture and the connection to the character. Russell Blake’s excellent and very descriptive writing is fascinating, solid and flows seemingly effortlessly, dropping the reader (or listener) right in the middle of the story, which is completely over the top and sheer escapism but that’s what makes it such a fun and enjoyable experience. A surprise twist at the end means I have to get Jet #2!

• Jet ~ Betrayal (Jet #2)
• 

Twenty-eight year old Jet, the former Mossad operative from the eponymous novel JET, must battle insurmountable odds to protect those she loves in a deadly race that stretches from the heartland of Nebraska to the corridors of power in Washington, D.C., from the lurid streets of Bangkok to the deadly jungles of Laos and Myanmar. 

Possible spoilers

Jet is coerced by a prominent CIA operative into agreeing to assassinate former member, Matt Hawker, who absconded with a fortune in diamonds. The previous attempts failed and if Jet wants to see her daughter again she must succeed.

The only jarring note in the story is the way Jet spirits her daughter away from the adoptive parents. At two years old Hannah would be aware that Jet is a stranger and would, I imagine, want the people she thinks of as her parents. But that aside, it’s another wild and entertaining ride with Jet, the super heroine, taking on all comers with an assortment of weapons and despatching them in good style in her mission for justice and revenge.

Her assignment takes Jet to Thailand, into the worst the country has to offer, where anything and everything available for a price. The descriptions of the sex industry and more especially, child prostitution, is horrifying and hopefully greatly exaggerated. Jet’s search leads her from Thailand to Bangkok and into the dangerous jungles of Myanmar and Laos where she locates her target but finds all is not as she believed. Conspiracies, drug lords and the despicable aspects of humanity all adding to the surprises in the fast-moving plot.

We get to see another side of Jet in this story, softer and more compassionate, especially when dealing with children, and showing more emotion generally. But just when she thinks there’s a second chance at love the unthinkable happens again.

Braden Wright has a nice narrative style and good characterisation and I like Russell Blake’s succinct and descriptive writing very much.

Russell Blake’s books may be purchased through Amazon US and Amazon UK