A painting. A memory. A death.Can safe refuge ever be found?Mindi Mendrano was a golden goddess with a tennis prowess few had ever seen.And then she vanished.Who had the greatest motive to kill her?Before Cooper Chain can finally get the green light to pen his first book — a biography on a once-famous tennis phenom — he must find her. If she’s still alive.Can secrets kill?A man disappears into … must find her. If she’s still alive.
Can secrets kill?
A man disappears into the bowels underneath the city of Dallas, and Willow Ball can’t make sense of it or the odd people she befriends. Does at least one man have an ulterior motive?
Two die the hard way, leaving Willow and Cooper scrambling to see the truth through a haze of lies.
Can secrets kill?
Retracing every aspect of Mindi’s former life, team Ball & Chain uncover a key to her past. But will it unlock memories that create the ultimate time bomb?
The very existence of a hidden society is on the line — and one man will either force their loyalty or recreate one of the deadliest events in modern history.
Can secrets kill?
Cooper and Willow have one chance to stop the killing and save a life. But will they be too late?
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You’ll love this Ball & Chain thriller if you’re a fan of the Fox & O’Hare novels by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg, Michael Connelly’s Ballard and Bosch, David Baldacci’s King and Maxwell, Tess Gerritsen’s Rizzoli and Isles, or the TV show “Castle.”
Don’t miss out on all the Ball & Chain Thrillers:
MERCY – Book 1
FEAR – Book 2
BURY – Book 3
LURE – Book 4
PREY – Book 5more
Lure Book 4 in the Ball and Chain Series by John W. Mefford this series just keeps getting better and better. I could not put this book down once I started reading it. This is such a well written book with well-defined characters that seem so real. This is a fast paced book with many twists and turns that keep you guessing until the end. Even though this is book 4 in this series it can be read as a standalone but I would suggest you read the whole series so it will be even more enjoyable. I can’t wait for the next book in this series.
Well this author did it again and wrote a book which is a total hit. What’s the saying something like “hitting it out of the ballpark?” The fourth book in his series, The Ball & Chain Thriller, Lure, was phenomenal. It had everything you love about mystery in it along with twist and turns and a bunch of humor. It took me a little longer to get hooked on the Ball and Chain relationship (actually I did in the second book), but know I love it. They have a crazy relationship with a lot of stuff going on around them at the same time.
I’m not sure how they get into everything, but Cooper Chain meets a gentleman at an art show who wants Cooper to find his daughter after he was convinced a painting he saw as done by her, Mindi Mendrano, a star tennis player who has disappeared for the past four years. If he finds the daughter, Cooper is promised to be able to write a biography on her. In Cooper’s lack of money situation this sounds pretty darn good. Meanwhile, Willow Ball, is dealing with a very sick man in the clinic who she believes might have ebola and follows him out of the clinic to try to save him. She ends up in the tunnels in Dallas. This starts a series of events that lead Cooper and Willow in dangerous situations. Somehow they always have humor on their side even when getting shot at, beaten up and dead man at Willow’s apartment. The book is awesome, the characters are great and as said there is a lot of thrill, mystery, twists and turns and tons of humor. In my view, it’s a must read and I can’t wait for book number five!!!
What a Great Series!
July 26, 2019
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
John Mefford is doing it again! The Ball and Chain Series just gets better and better. Lure is the 4th book in the series and it lives up to the high standard that Mefford has set. You will not be able to put it down. His characters seem like real people living real lives under extenuating circumstances. The world he has created for them seems like it could be our world and Mefford pulls you into it quickly. You won’t want to leave it because you want to know what’s going to happen next. I’m loving this series and “Lure” is the best book so far! My hat is off to you Mr. Mefford! I’m anxiously waiting for Book 5, “Prey.”
I just adore the main characters in this series. They don’t have any flashy stuff like James Bond, but they still get the job done. The interactions and actions that go on in this story is very interesting and makes you want to cheer them on! I have enjoyed another one of John Mefford’s books better than the last one, and I thought that feat was impossible!
I was lucky enough to have gotten a ARC copy of this book from the author. I am volunteering to leave this review. Once again this is a wild adventure with plenty of action and suspense.
John W Mefford never fails to astound me with how well he can LURE you into a book. As with any series, I always recommend starting with book one to get a full grip on the character backgrounds, situations that have led them to where they are now, etc. LURE brings us right into the action with the good ol’ Ball and Chain being caught up in the middle of an art heist. It doesn’t take long for both of them to be pulled into odd situations that connect in a twisted manner.
The pair is still dealing with the Sak brothers, their fists, and a point-shaving scheme. I am really enjoying the slow re-build of Cooper and Willow’s relationship — especially since Cooper’s daughter, Lauren is involved. She cracks me up with her teenage attitude and (slight) rebellion. Reminds me of my teens! Willow befriends an odd fellow, has a run in with a creepy guy, and suddenly finds herself being stalked after exploring the tunnels under Dallas. Like those tunnels, I was getting turned around in how everything fit together!
If you enjoy thrillers that keep turning you around corners, throwing you full-force in the midst of more twists, this series is one that is going to fulfill everything you’re looking for in a captivating book. The thrills kept me confused (in a good way!) and I had to dig deep to try and pull pieces together. Another 5-star for Mefford in this series!
I have volunteered to share my review and all the opinions are 100% my own.
This book was so good—I could not put it down. Cooper and Willow are at it again, crime solving and, of course, getting into trouble. The banter between them is priceless. The characters are realistic and intriguing. I love that Lauren, Cooper’s daughter, has become an integral part of this series. There’s a lot going on in this book—so interesting! Will Cooper and Willow take their relationship to the next level? Read and find out! 5++++ stars for Lure!
Cooper Chain and Willow Ball are art out again. In what I feel is Mefford’s best book yet, these two unofficial Pos user all of their words and daring tio uncover an underground world of mayhem and chaos. Willow feels her life being stalked and threatened by a mysterious unknown and Cooper is charged with finding a missing world ranked tennis player who suddenly d disappeared years ago. Of course the two worlds unite to form a bone chilling climax. A must read for all John Mefford fans.
The Ball&Chain team once again delivers a roller coaster ride of mystery, intrigue, and thrills to places unknown and secrets revealed, an inch at a time sometimes, and then there is a Grand Canyon sized LEAP at other times. Roller coaster ride for sure! Wonderful read with stupendous characters, who bring alive a living, evolving storyline, which is told in LURE by accomplished, master story teller Author, John W. Mefford. Who knew there was even an underground bowels Dallas walkway? Who knew how the points shaving scheme that loops in quite a few people existed? And how the heck did they find out? Secrets revealed. This book is full of those mysteries, secrets, a little love angle even, and the excitement built by Cooper and Willow as they team up, both professionally and personally, for who knows what in the future as well. LOVE this series. Stand alone book if you like, but with previous books by Mr. Mefford, it does add a lot to the mystery and mayhem for the next story. Every component needed to make a book is in each book. Well written is a gross understatement, and as excellent Author “extraordinaire”, John W. Mefford puts his pen to paper in LURE it proves that point. Can’t say enough about LURE, but don’t take my word for it, LURE is a great book you do not want to miss so grab this one! Author John W. Mefford once again brought delight to this readers eyes as I gobbled up page turner LURE, and it was a very satisfying and exciting read. Can’t wait to read the next installment by Mr. Mefford (always), in the Ball&Chain series!!
Enjoy!!!
Firstly, it was difficult to decide how many stars to give this book, it’s actually about a 4.6 for me, but not quite a 5.
As always John Mefford has produced a very good book, peopled by very well written characters and with a satisfyingly complex plot, which doesn’t resolve itself until the very end.
There is also the very interesting relationship between the two main characters, which is developing, and has very funny moments to offset some of the darker aspects of the story.
There are however two main issues that I have with the story, the first is the number of references to situations in previous books which are not really fully explained in this book, and the second is the continued references to ‘point-shaving’ as someone who has no interest in sports, and especially American sports, this has left me completely confused.
I received an advance copy of the book but have voluntarily written this honest review.
Lure is book 4 in the Ball & Chain series from John Mefford. I do advise you read from the start as there are story lines and connections that are central theme in this book – the Saks brother and the point shaving scheme that Copper and Willow seem to have gotten themselves into for example, you can read it as a stand alone but for the full back story start at the beginning.
This book had a lot going on at the same time as usual, Willow and Coop’s relationship is moving up a notch and the every present humour between them makes this lighthearted at times amidst the horror that is going on around them. Underground walking tunnels, missing tennis pros and of course dead bodies are all in store for our duo in this book
As I have come to learn from John’s books everything is eventually connected, and after this one I can’t wait to see how he pulls it all together into the bigger picture. We know what Willow’s father is up to something shady, but he has took off again, but his name pops up with the killer in this book, leaving me with many many questions that I can not wait to have answered as the books go on.
4 stars
Cooper Chain has his hands full and keeps getting knocked around in this one. His friend, Willow Ball, keeps getting herself in a mess of trouble as well. She is being stalked–but by who? And Cooper gets a job to find Mindi Mendrano. Her father is positive a painting they saw was painted by his daughter–but she has been missing for 4 years! Meanwhile, even though Dr. V has let Cooper off the hook–his two henchman have not! Willow and Cooper have decided that MAYBE they are more then friends. Coopers daughter and their dog are having a grand time playing and staying with Coopers landlady.
This is a fast moving novel with numerous twists and turns that will definitely catch you off guard.
While Cooper and Willow admire a painting at an art awards and auction, the lights go out and the painting is stolen. The next day, Cooper is enlisted to find the painting, to prove the artist is Mindi Mendrano, a former tennis prodigy who went missing four years ago, and hopefully find her alive. While Cooper and Willow follow leads, Willow has to contend with a stalker who is a little too close for comfort. And, of course, there’s always the Sack brothers looming over them with their own vengeance.
The trials of this duo just keep getting better and better. Their chemistry is almost explosive, the way they are almost together but not quite there yet. I like all the quirky moments that always seem to happen to them. There is always something new around the corner for them.