Jake Boulder – Bibliophile Book Club

Blog Tour~Die Cold (Jake Boulder #4) by Graham Smith Ellen’s Review

Hey guys,

Today Ellen is one of the stops on the blog tour for Die Cold, the latest Jake Boulder novel, by Graham Smith and I’ll be sharing her review with you all a little further down!

About the author:

Graham Smith is a time-served joiner who has built bridges, houses, dug drains and slated roofs to make ends meet. Since Christmas 2000, he has been manager of a busy hotel and wedding venue near Gretna Green, Scotland.

He is an internationally best-selling Kindle author and has six books featuring DI Harry Evans and the Cumbrian Major Crimes Team, and four novels, featuring Utah doorman, Jake Boulder.

An avid fan of crime fiction since being given one of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five books at the age of eight, he has also been a regular reviewer and interviewer for the well-respected website Crimesquad.com since 2009

Graham is the founder of Crime and Publishment, a weekend of crime-writing classes which includes the chance for attendees to pitch their novels to agents and publishers. Since the first weekend in 2013, ten attendees have gone on to sign publishing contracts.

Social Media Links:

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/grahamnsmithauthor

Twitter https://twitter.com/GrahamSmith1972 @GrahamSmith1972

Website www.grahamsmithauthor.com

About the book:

Boulder is back.

Jake Boulder is working as a bartender, at an exclusive Vermont ski resort on New Year’s Eve, when armed terrorists hold up the lodge and take the guests hostage.

Trapped with the other hostages, Boulder watches in horror as the female terrorist leader disfigures a singer to make her point. He wants to fight back, but is unarmed and being held at gunpoint.

When Boulder finds a way to escape from the terrorists he searches for a way to raise the alarm. After he discovers the terrorists plan to leave no witnesses to their crime, he knows he has a race against time to save as many innocent people as he can…

But will Boulder be the reluctant hero and save the day?

Die Cold (Jake Boulder #4) by Graham Smith

Ellen’s review:

Die Cold is a high octane thriller from first shot fired to the final punch thrown! Book four in the Jake Boulder series – a series that just keeps getting better and better.

After being concerned about how Jake would recover from the events of Past Echoes (book 3) it was fantastic to see him back on form and then some!

Jake is working as a barman for an exclusive ski resort favoured by the uber rich when a group of terrorists descend and take everyone hostage. This gang are obviously professionals and it is clear to Jake that no one is going to get out of this situation to tell the tale unless he takes action.

An absolutely gripping read that I could not put down, this book would make an amazing film although I’m not quite sure who would star as Jake, I’ll leave that to your own sordid imagination….

If I had to say there was anything missing from this book it would be a white vest for Mr Boulder.

Yippee Ki-Yay Boulder lovers!! Bring on book five!

Previous reviews:

Watching The Bodies- Graham Smith Ellen’s Review

The Kindred Killers by Graham Smith Ellen’s Review

Past Echoes by Graham Smith Ellen’s Review

Check out the tour:

Past Echoes (Jake Boulder #3) by Graham Smith Blog Blitz

Hi everyone,

Today I’m thrilled to be taking part in the blog tour for Past Echoes, the latest in the Jake Boulder series, by Graham Smith. I’ll be sharing my review with you all for this one a little further down, but first, the all-important bookish information!

About the author:

Graham Smith is a time served joiner who has built bridges, houses, dug drains and slated roofs to make ends meet. Since Christmas 2000, he has been manager of a busy hotel and wedding venue near Gretna Green, Scotland.

He is an internationally best-selling Kindle author and has four books featuring DI Harry Evans and the Cumbrian Major Crimes Team, and two novels, featuring Utah doorman, Jake Boulder.

2018 will be a busy year for Graham as he has the third Jake Boulder being published and a Harry Evans novel and novella.

Graham is the founder of Crime and Publishment, a weekend of crime-writing classes which includes the chance for attendees to pitch their novels to agents and publishers. Since the first weekend in 2013, eight attendees have gone on to sign publishing contracts.

Links:

Graham can be found at:

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/grahamnsmithauthor

Twitter
https://twitter.com/GrahamSmith1972

Website
www.grahamsmithauthor.com

About the book:

Jake Boulder is back and he’s tasked with tracking down a man due to inherit a small fortune. Not only that, he must also reveal the secret which forced a young woman to flee New York some forty years ago. The evidence he needs is hidden in a safety deposit box and while Boulder has the key, the only clue he has for box’s location is a series of numbers etched onto the key and a mysterious list of names.

Boulder has his work cut out since he must also locate his estranged father, Cameron MacDonald, so that Cameron can donate bone marrow to Boulder’s half-brother John.

In a game of cat and mouse, he must solve the case and find the two men without alerting those who control New York’s underworld.

Can Boulder survive against both the mafia and a professional hitman, in what is his toughest case yet?

My Review:

BEST BOULDER BOOK YET!!!!

Will that do as a review? No? Ok… read on to see why…

As you should know by now, I am a big fan of action thrillers. You know the type of ones I mean; cinematic, fast paced and full of stuff going on! Graham Smith’s Jake Boulder series is a prime example of these. I have said this before, but it bears repeating. Boulder can stand up there with Lee Child’s Jack Reacher in terms of addictive-ness and the quality of the plots and writing. I will happily follow Boulder the same way I follow Reacher for as long as Graham keeps writing this series. I am a Boulder fan for life!

Now that I’ve gotten that out of the way, onto my review of Past Echoes. Best one yet!!! Have I said that already LOL?! 🙂

Following on from the events of The Kindred Killers, Boulder is back in Past Echoes, doing what he does best. In this one, he has to track down a man who is the benefactor of a small fortune, but he also has to become whistleblower for a forty year old secret. Lets be honest here, it sounds a bit like trouble is a-comin’ for Jake! Not least because this secret caused a young woman to flee New York forty years ago.

Alongside all of this, Jake’s half-brother is also very ill, and needs a bone marrow transplant. Nobody is a match, except maybe one person, Jake’s estranged dad, Cameron MacDonald. Jake vows to find him to see if he is a match, and make him do one decent thing in his life for his kids.

There is quite a bit going on in Past Echoes, with the various plots in the narrative. But not once did I find myself lost, or struggling to keep up with the pace of the book. I loved how the momentum started at the beginning, and did not let up until the very end! The characters are excellent as always, there are plenty of twists and turns in the plot and the action is just top notch.

I am waiting patiently for the next book in the series now, and each one after that. And soon still isn’t soon enough, haha!

Past Echoes is a tense and thrilling read. Brilliant characters, an intricate narrative and clever denouement made this a top quality read!

Highly recommended!

Previous reviews:

Watching the Bodies by Graham Smith

The Kindred Killers by Graham Smith

Check out the blog blitz:

Blog Blitz-Past Echoes by Graham Smith Ellen’s Review

Hi everyone,

Today Ellen is taking part in the blog tour for Past Echoes, the latest in the Jake Boulder series, by Graham Smith. I’ll be sharing her review with you all for this one a little further down, but first, the all-important bookish information!

About the author:

He is an internationally best-selling Kindle author and has four books featuring DI Harry Evans and the Cumbrian Major Crimes Team, and two novels, featuring Utah doorman, Jake Boulder.

2018 will be a busy year for Graham as he has the third Jake Boulder being published and a Harry Evans novel and novella.

Graham is the founder of Crime and Publishment, a weekend of crime-writing classes which includes the chance for attendees to pitch their novels to agents and publishers. Since the first weekend in 2013, eight attendees have gone on to sign publishing contracts.

Links:

Graham can be found at:

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/grahamnsmithauthor

Twitter
https://twitter.com/GrahamSmith1972

Website
www.grahamsmithauthor.com

About the book:

Past Echoes 1.2_preview.jpeg

Boulder has his work cut out since he must also locate his estranged father, Cameron MacDonald, so that Cameron can donate bone marrow to Boulder’s half-brother John.

In a game of cat and mouse, he must solve the case and find the two men without alerting those who control New York’s underworld.

Can Boulder survive against both the mafia and a professional hitman, in what is his toughest case yet?

Ellen’s review:

I’m a fully paid up member of the Jake Boulder fan club so was delighted to have the opportunity to read and review the third novel in this series. In Past Echoes Jake is tasked with solving a mystery that Ms Rosenberg (the brash but likeable journalist from the previous books) has left for him to solve and to find his estranged father Cameron to “persuade” him to be a donor for his half-brother John.

The tagline for this novel could easily be “This time it’s personal” because as events snowball Jake is taken on a heart breaking journey. A journey which results in some of the bloodiest fights we have witnessed in the previous books. The events in Past Echoes change Jake Boulder into a different man and I definitely wouldn’t want to be on the wrong side of him!

As with Watching The Bodies and The Kindred Killers we are given a little bit more of an insight into Jake’s past and can see how these events have shaped him. In being introduced to his father Cameron I could definitely recognise similar traits in Jake but thankfully the tough love of his mother seems to have rounded off the harsher edges of this likeness.

Featuring political corruption, the New York underworld, family drama and a chilling hitman called The Mortician, Past Echoes is the most nerve-racking book that I have read in a long time. I’m interested to see what is next from Jake Boulder and if he can ever get over the life changing events he has been put through. Graham Smith has a talent for writing characters that are so personable and I do wonder if my emotions can handle much more! A fantastic addition to the Jake Boulder series; five stars from me.

Ellen’s previous reviews:

Watching The Bodies- Graham Smith Ellen’s Review

Ellen’s Review~ The Kindred Killers by Graham Smith

Check out the Blog Blitz:

BLOG TOUR

~Blog Tour Ellen’s Review~ The Kindred Killers by Graham Smith @GrahamSmith1972 @Bloodhoundbook

Hi everyone,

Today is Ellen’s turn to take part in the blog tour for The Kindred Killers, and I’ll be sharing her review with you in a bit, but here’s the all-important bookish information first!

The Kindred Killers FINAL correct .jpg

About the book:

Jake Boulder’s help is requested by his best friend, Alfonse, when his cousin is crucified and burned alive along with his wife and children. As Boulder tries to track the heinous killer, a young woman is abducted. Soon her body is discovered and Boulder realises both murders have something unusual in common.

With virtually no leads for Boulder to follow, he strives to find a way to get a clue as to the killer’s identity. But is he hunting for one killer or more?

After a young couple are snatched in the middle of the night the case takes a brutal turn. When the FBI are invited to help with the case, Boulder finds himself warned off the investigation. When gruesome, and incendiary, footage from a mobile phone is sent to all the major US News outlets and the pressure to find those responsible for the crimes mounts. But with the authorities against him can Boulder catch the killer before it’s too late?

Get your copy HERE!

About the author:

A time served joiner Graham has built bridges, houses, dug drains and slated roofs to make ends meet. Since Christmas 2000 he has been manager of a busy hotel and wedding venue near Gretna Green, Scotland.

He is the author of four books featuring DI Harry Evans and the Cumbrian Major Crimes Team and now two books in the crime series featuring Utah doorman, Jake Boulder.

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/grahamnsmithauthor/?fref=ts

https://www.grahamsmithauthor.com/

https://twitter.com/GrahamSmith1972?lang=en-gb

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Graham-Smith/e/B006FTIBBU/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1491159376&sr=8-1

Ellen’s Review:

Watching the Bodies was one of my top reads of 2017 so I jumped at the chance to review the next in this new series from Graham Smith! It was fantastic to get reacquainted with Jake Boulder and his particular brand of law enforcement.

Jake is really pushed to the limits this time when he is involved in a spate of what appear to be hate crimes in his hometown. The first of these are close to home as the victims are relatives of Alfonse; Jake’s friend and sometime business partner. Now I’m a pretty hard-core reader when it comes to gruesome deaths and torture but even my stomach of steel rolled at some of the murder methods described. It was a difficult read in places but only highlighted what is sadly occurring in the world right now to some extent and I think we all need a dose of reality with our fiction to keep it current.

In The Kindred Killers we get a little more understanding of how Jake is made up thanks to his psychologist Dr Edwards; I loved their relationship and how Dr Edwards traded his insight on the case with Jake in return for answers on his personal issues. It was also nice to see Jake finally (possibly,maybe!?) settling down with someone, much to the chagrin of book bloggers around the world who hold him dear as their fictional love interest!

Although this is the second in the series it could be read as a standalone but why deny yourself the joy of Jake!? Five shiny stars from me and I look forward to the next!

Make sure to catch up with the blog tour:

BLOG TOUR (3)

~Blog Tour Review~ The Kindred Killers by Graham Smith @GrahamSmith1972 @Bloodhoundbook

Hi everyone,

Thrilled to be taking part in the blog tour for The Kindred Killers today, and I’ll be sharing my review with you in a bit, but here’s the all-important bookish information first!

The Kindred Killers FINAL correct .jpg

About the book:

With virtually no leads for Boulder to follow, he strives to find a way to get a clue as to the killer’s identity. But is he hunting for one killer or more?

About the author:

He is the author of four books featuring DI Harry Evans and the Cumbrian Major Crimes Team and now two books in the crime series featuring Utah doorman, Jake Boulder.

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/grahamnsmithauthor/?fref=ts

https://www.grahamsmithauthor.com/

https://twitter.com/GrahamSmith1972?lang=en-gb

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Graham-Smith/e/B006FTIBBU/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1491159376&sr=8-1

My thoughts:

The Kindred Killers is the second installment in the Jake Boulder series, and dare I say, even better than Watching The Bodies. Something about this one got under my skin from the get go and I genuinely could not put it down.

In this book, Boulder is tasked with helping Alfonse, whose cousin was found crucified and burned alive along with his wife and kids. This horriffic crime seems to only be the beginning though. What follows is a speight of crimes that, though heinous and horriffic, are not gratuitous in their depictions. I found myself feeling anxious for Boulder with every new report because he just couldn’t catch a break in terms of evidence and catching whoever was responsible.

I’m not going to go into the plot any more than that. But I urge you, if you are looking for clever, well-plotted American crime writing with a thrilling edge, then this book (let’s be honest, the series!) should be on your list.

These books are pure escapism, in the best way possible. The Kindred Killers has it all. It is packed to the rafters with action, has a male lead that could stand proudly with the Reachers and the John Miltons of the world, and plenty of heart to boot.

Highly recommended!

Previous reviews:

Watching the Bodies by Graham Smith

Follow the blog tour:

BLOG TOUR (3).png

Blog Tour Watching the Bodies by Graham Smith

Hi everyone,

Today is my stop on the blog tour for Watching The Bodies by Graham Smith, along with Abbie from Bloomin’ Brilliant Books. I’m sharing my review with you all today!

About the book:

When Jake Boulder is asked by his PI friend to help investigate the vicious murder of Kira Niemeyer, he soon finds himself tracking a serial killer who selects his next victim in a most unusual manner.

As the body count rises, Boulder has to work with the police to identify the heinous killer before more lives are taken. What ensues is a twisted game of cat and mouse, that only Boulder or the Watcher can survive.

Watching The Bodies by Graham Smith

About the author:

Graham Smith is married with a young son. A time served joiner he has built bridges, houses, dug drains and slated roofs to make ends meet. Since Christmas 2000 he has been manager of a busy hotel and wedding venue near Gretna Green, Scotland.

He is the author of four books featuring DI Harry Evans and the Cumbrian Major Crimes Team and one book, WATCHING THE BODIES in a new series featuring Utah doorman, Jake Boulder.

Links:

My Thoughts:

I’ve read a couple of Graham’s books before, so I thought I knew what to expect when I started reading Watching The Bodies. I was wrong! Firstly, WTB is set in the USA so extra points from me as I love a good thriller from across the Atlantic! Secondly, the author has introduced us to Jake Boulder. I love a good macho/manly character, the Jack Reachers, the John Miltons of the world, and now, Jake Boulder is definitely another one for me to follow.

Boulder is tasked with investigating the death of Kira Niemeyer alongside the Police Dept and what he discovers, nobody was prepared for. There is a serial killer at work, and they have some seriously twisted methods of killing up their sleeve. It is literally a pick’n’mix as to how the killer selects the method, as they are selected from a jar filled with ways to kill. However, the victim selection is far more unusual. I’ll leave you guys to read that for yourself. Tis a good ‘un though!

I read Watching The Bodies really quickly. It’s the kind of book that you don’t want to put down as each turn of the page makes the reader say “one more page and I’ll stop”, and for me especially, I end up devouring the book super-fast! WTB was no different!

A belter of a start to a series. High stakes cat and mouse games with a twisted killer and a really likeable protagonist. Definitely one to add to your TBR if you enjoy fast-paced action with plenty of twists and turns!

Highly recommended!

Follow the blog tour:

Blog Tour Watching The Bodies- Graham Smith Ellen’s Review

Hi everyone,

Today is Ellen’s stop on the blog tour for Watching The Bodies by Graham Smith and she’s sharing her review with you all!

About the book:

Grab your copy by clicking HERE.

About the author:

He is the author of four books featuring DI Harry Evans and the Cumbrian Major Crimes Team and one book, WATCHING THE BODIES in a new series featuring Utah doorman, Jake Boulder.

Links:

Ellen’s review:

“Every day will see another kill

Every kill will add to the tally

Every kill MUST adhere to the pattern”

I love, love, LOVED this book! I’ve always been a fan of serial killer novels and this one absolutely nailed it. The murderer is known as The Watcher, and is intent on their name going down in history. Pattern is everything to The Watcher and the murder methods are chosen at random like an unlucky dip. Avoiding detection by disguising the murders as suicides and accidents to begin with then escalating to extreme methods including exsanguination and my personal favourite seppuku (self-disembowelment).

Now let’s have a conversation about Jake Boulder who is causing a little trouble between bloggers fighting over whose book boyfriend he is; I’ve had my warning so I’ll stand back and admire from afar! Jake is such a fantastic character, quick with his fists when required but a heart of gold and nerves of steel. He is not averse to blurring the lines of the law to get the answers that are required. My heart broke a little bit when we discovered more about Kira Niemeyer (one of The Watcher’s victims) and Jake’s connection.

I thoroughly recommend this book and it’s a stonking five stars from me, I’m already excited about the next in the series!!