Helpful Score: 7
This political thriller, featuring quirky Jacob Winter, kept me turning the pages all the way to the end. I usually get bored with stories with a heavy political theme. However, this book kept the political aspects fresh and relevant to the plot. Dead Watch was well written with a well developed storyline.
Helpful Score: 6
As a die-hard John Sandford fan (I've read most of the Prey series and all the Kidd series plus a couple of stand alones). I bought this and finished it in a day, and it was indeed a page-turner.
Yet, it fell short of the Prey and Kidd series.
I think the thing that makes certain political thrillers work and others fail is character construction, and for me, there were a few too many characters to keep track of, and it's a fairly convoluted plot as well.
I think the main character, Jake Winter, has a lot of potential, he's consided a
"forensic bureaucrat". It's a unique approach for a protagonist and one that could open up a new avenue for Sandford.
All in all I give it 4 stars; it kept me interested, and was a quick and easy read, but at times was a bit hard to follow, like the conversation on a where references are made to people, events and places with which you're unfamiliar.
I look forward to the return of Kidd or Lucas, but I would read another Jake Winter novel.
Yet, it fell short of the Prey and Kidd series.
I think the thing that makes certain political thrillers work and others fail is character construction, and for me, there were a few too many characters to keep track of, and it's a fairly convoluted plot as well.
I think the main character, Jake Winter, has a lot of potential, he's consided a
"forensic bureaucrat". It's a unique approach for a protagonist and one that could open up a new avenue for Sandford.
All in all I give it 4 stars; it kept me interested, and was a quick and easy read, but at times was a bit hard to follow, like the conversation on a where references are made to people, events and places with which you're unfamiliar.
I look forward to the return of Kidd or Lucas, but I would read another Jake Winter novel.
Helpful Score: 3
My first John Sandford book. Good story. A bit slow at times. Great characters.
Helpful Score: 3
I've read every John Sandford book and I really liked these new characters! Great read.
Helpful Score: 2
A FAST read with turns at every corner. Political at the national and state level. Jack Winter is an excellent main character who takes the reader along for a fast ride.
Helpful Score: 1
Not his best book, never could get into it, very slow going. One of my fave authors so it was a little disappointing.
Helpful Score: 1
Could not put the book down. Another great read from John Sanford.
Helpful Score: 1
Sandford took a break from his two big series to bang out a little standalone political thriller. Our hero Jake Winter is in the same mold as Davenport or Flowers,, he's a "fixer" - he knows everyone, they all listen to him, etc etc. Sandford has fun mixing political stereotypes and sort of randomly assigning some to each party, assuring the readers who care about such things that they can either nod knowingly and be offended pretty much in equal measure. They're all rotten, basically. I've often said that Sandford novels are like potato chips for me - tasty, fast to consume, and forgettable. I'm writing this about a week after I read it and I'm slightly embarrassed to admit I have forgotton exactly how it ended. I remember I read it in a day, I even stayed up a little late to finish, so it definitely kept my attention and i wanted to know what happened. There are a number of iittle twists and turns, the good guys (the ones Jake works for) get what they want, and the bad guys (the ones who murder people) mostly get punished. Oh and Jake gets the girl. You know what you're getting with Sandford and it's always a good beach or airplane book.
Helpful Score: 1
Former Virginia senator Lincoln Bowe is missing. His wife, Madison, believes his bitter political rival, Governor Arlo Goodman, is behind it. Critics scoff until she reveals a security tape showing two men loosely affiliated with Goodman threatening her in her home. Bowe's disappearance is a political time bomb. The presidential conventions are just over the horizon, and both parties fear the consequences if it detonates. The president, through his chief of staff, hires Jake Winter to investigate. Bowe's body is found soon after Winter initiates his investigation. Bowe was not a saint: his sexual dalliances, with both men and women, were numerous, and his obsession with destroying Goodman's political career may have driven him to contemplate political blackmail. Winter has plenty of suspects to choose from, and he knows the answer can be found somewhere in Washington's backrooms, where third-string campaign dirty tricksters change allegiances like other people change socks. Sandford, the best-selling author of the Prey series, displays an insider's knowledge of political infighting and couples it with his skill at creating memorable characters working through the maze of a diabolical plot. (Readers of a certain age will be reminded of Ross Thomas, grand master of the D.C. thriller from an earlier era.) The real Washington is awash with its own scandals and political time bombs, so expect readers to flock to this funhouse-mirror reflection of the real thing.
Helpful Score: 1
I like his books but find his "Prey" books to be a little too intense at times. This one could have used a little more intensity, but I enjoyed it.
Helpful Score: 1
not anything like his others. Boring, some what slow.
Helpful Score: 1
A little slow going in comparison to some of his other books, but still good. If you are looking for something similar to the Kidd novels...this is not it..but a good stand alone novel.
Helpful Score: 1
Great suspense with a political twist. Good read.
Helpful Score: 1
Very different from his usual fair. Took a while to get into.
Found this to be very hard to follow and very hard to keep up with all the characters, way too many characters to keep track of, finally it just boring. I'm about done with the Sandford books they just don't seem to get any better anymore
Excellent read.
I'm a HUGE fan of Sanfords "Prey" books. This one was totally different. A political thriller that's driven by some interesting Washington insider action.
Excellent! Follows in the great character development and plot twists that make Sandford great. Doesn't dwell overmuch on the bloody violence that have slowed my enjoyment of the "Prey" series.
Another good book by Sandford, with a new hero, Jake Winter (he seems to have a penchant for the name or word Winter). While the mystery was engaging, I usually find politics a little off-putting and had to read this in stops and starts. For those who like the twists and turns of the political thriller, this is a great read. Personally I prefer the Lucas Davenport books, but Jake is in himself a fascinating character that I would not mind reading more of. I just have to be in the right mood. It starts off with Jake, who is ex-Army Intelligence, being asked to look into the disappearance of a US Republican Senator by the Democratic president. The senator's wife believes that the Democratic Virginia governor and his pseudo-army of "Watchmen" are responsible and is making trouble for the Democrats about it. Through pretzel-like twists and turns, Jake burrows deeper into danger as his investigation slowly uncovers the truth.
My husband has read all of the Prey books and then read this one. He enjoyed it as well as the others.
Love Sandford and all the Prey books -- this is a new type of thriller -- politics and investigation -- very enjoyable.
Murder, passion and deadly ambition - this book can only be a political thriller! LOL Former U.S. Senator Lincoln Bowe, has been missing for days. Kidnapped? Murdered? Madison Bowe, his wife, doesn't know, but she thinks she knows who's involved. Help comes along for her in the form of Jacob Winter, an Army intelligence veteran.
Good, interesting read.
Good, interesting read.
ONE OF HIS BEST EVER !
Good story...I like all of his books.
Great writer but the further you got in the book the more improbable it became.
I had not read any of John Sandford Novels and became very curious about this story. Right from the beginning I was captivated. I could not leave this story for too long. I thoroughly enjoy the way you just never knew what was going to happen next or who is was. It is a very good Novel to read and recommend this to all who love a good mystery.
This was my first book by Sandford and I'm not sure if I like him or not. I had a hard time getting through the story it felt very drawn out, but yet I wanted to know the ending. I want to say it was not well written but parts were. Also, he does not define his characters all that well. It was a good enough read that I will pick up another of his books.
Late afternoon, Virginia, and a woman is on the run. Her husband, a former U.S. senator named Lincoln Bowe, has been missing for days. Kidnapped? Murdered? She doesn't know, but she thinks she knows who's involved, and why. And that she may be next.
Good book, I hope we see more of these characters!
Intriguing Washington drama - different from most Sandford but compelling.
Always hard to break in a new hero, but I'm liking what I'm reading about Jake Winter! Very engrossing, political thriller!
Great story- though not his best work
A little different from his other books--but a good read.
I haven't read a book yet in the Detective Davenport series that I didn't like. This one did not disappoint!
When a high-profile politician goes missing, Sandford's thriller takes off! Jake Winter is a political "fixer" who gets assigned to the case. Winter's character is breezy, competent and wise to the insincere ways of Washington. A quick read...great for the summer.
Late afternoon, Virigina, and a woman is on the run. Her husband, a former US sentaor named Lincoln Bowe, has been missing for days. Kidnapped? Murdered? She doesn't know but she thinks she knows who's involved and why. And that she may be next.
House later, a phone rings in the pocket of Jacob Winter. An Army Intelligence veteran, Winter specializes in what he thinks of as forensic bureaucracy. Congress, the Pentagon, the FBI, CIA, Honeland Security -- when something goes wrong. Winter kicks over rocks until he finds out what really happened. The White House is his main client, and the chief of staff is on the phone now. If Bowe isn't located soon, he is told, all hell will break loose.
What Winter doesn't realize is -- all hell will break loose anyway. And he will be right in the middle of it. Large forces are at work, men determined to do whatever it takes to achieve unprecendented ends. Before the next few days are out, Winter will discover he has to use every one of his resources not only to prevail...but just to survive. And so will the nation.
House later, a phone rings in the pocket of Jacob Winter. An Army Intelligence veteran, Winter specializes in what he thinks of as forensic bureaucracy. Congress, the Pentagon, the FBI, CIA, Honeland Security -- when something goes wrong. Winter kicks over rocks until he finds out what really happened. The White House is his main client, and the chief of staff is on the phone now. If Bowe isn't located soon, he is told, all hell will break loose.
What Winter doesn't realize is -- all hell will break loose anyway. And he will be right in the middle of it. Large forces are at work, men determined to do whatever it takes to achieve unprecendented ends. Before the next few days are out, Winter will discover he has to use every one of his resources not only to prevail...but just to survive. And so will the nation.
Good book - must read for Lucas Davenport fans.
Sometimes justice isn't enough. From the author of the number one best selling prey novels comes an extraordinary story of murder, passion, and deadly ambition. A political thriller like no other. Dead Watch sets a whole new level!
Definitly different from the Prey series, Political this time, weak ending but a good story nonetheless.
I gave this story my best shot, gave it the 100 page rule and had to let it go. Lost interest. Dialogue was difficult to engage in. This may be the first of Sandford I've read and doubt if I'll look for more.
When Lincoln Bowe, a controversial Republican ex-senator, disappears at the start of this fast-paced thriller from bestseller Sandford (Broken Prey), the White House puts Jacob Winter, a veteran political operative with "an uncanny ability to navigate the world of bureaucracy," on the case. Bowe vanished shortly after making a fiery speech denouncing a rival, Arlo Goodman, the governor of Virginia and a demagogue who heads a volunteer militia group known as the Watchmen. When Bowe's burnt and headless corpse turns up, Winter is under even more pressure to discover those behind his murder. Aided by the dead man's attractive and possibly duplicitous widow, Madison, the fixer follows a trail of corpses and deception that suggests the killing may have been a staged piece of theater intended to derail Goodman's ascent to the presidency.
I don't want to keep any of John Sandford's fans from reading this book, but to me it was flat.
This copy id signed by the Author
