From the #1 New York Times bestselling author Iris Johansen comes a new explosive, compelling thriller. With his dying breath, Carl Venable, head of the CIA task force on terrorism and Jude Brandon’s final link to terrorist ringleader Max Huber, gives Brandon a mandate: keep his daughter, Rachel, safe at any cost. But Rachel Venable has a shocking, twisted past of her own, one that comes rushing … own, one that comes rushing back after her medical clinic in Guyana is attacked by Huber–the same man who murdered her father and kept her imprisoned for months.
Brandon and Catherine Ling, Rachel’s longtime ally and fierce protector, are determined to keep Rachel out of danger, but she knows that it’s impossible to stay hidden when Max Huber wants you dead.
As Rachel and Brandon race against the clock to bring Huber down before he can orchestrate a disaster that will lay waste to half the country, they also fight a growing attraction to each other – an attraction that could prove just as dangerous as Huber himself.
In this gripping, fast-paced novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Iris Johansen, one thing is clear: everyone has a vendetta, and no one will rest until they get their revenge.
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When Carl venable head of terrorism for the CIA is shot and killed it sets off a dangerous series of events and his daughter rachel is put into the crosshairs of a demented madman who wants revenge against Rachel for poisoning his father!! When max Huber comes gunning for her, Jude Brandon a agent who has been working with venable to take down terrorist ring leader is their to get her away,but they must keep on the run. Brandon is another of johansen’s dark hero’s and he’s a strong alpha male who’s lines are blurred and who is used to using and manipulating those around him,but with Rachel it’s not so easy. Rachel is a doctor who not only heals withcallingntual medicine but is also well versed in potions and poisions. When she was thirteen she was kidnapped and tortured mentally and physically for months until the mysterious HuChang came and helped her to get released and took her to live with him.Between HuChang and Catherine ling they helped her to heal and become strong and she was also taught about potions and poisons.But Rachel is pulled into the dark once again,she’s a strong woman who refuses to be a victim again but it’s going to take all her strength when old ghosts of the past come calling, but with help from Brandon,Catherine and huchang and the mysterious cameron they just might out smart this madman because not only does he want Rachel’s head on a silver platter,but he has big plans to cause chaos and death to those on the west coast to show everyone how powerful he is!!
I am a huge Johansen fans so I knew i had to read this one. While it is listed as part of the Catherine Ling series I must say that I kind-of disagree with that since she is only a part time character to say the least. Our MC is Rachel Venable’s daughter who we have not heard about in awhile. Venable is taken out by some bad guys which puts her next in the cross hairs so help is sent her way in the form of Brandon. He tries to make her do things his way but a strong, determined, well trained woman she makes a few tweaks along the way. What follows is a fast paced suspenseful story as they try to safe while at the same time figure out the plan of the bad guys so they can take them down. Makes for a great read. I really liked it so I give it 4/5 stars.
4 Stars
Review by Morgen
Late Night Reviewer
Up All Night w/ Books Blog
Vendetta by New York Times best selling author, Iris Johansen is a standalone and a stunningly captivating thriller. It is a swiftly moving adventure that doesn’t pull punches. The story is about revenge, racing against the clock and the ever evolving truth that comes with a life full of secrets.
Rachel Venable is a doctor with One World Medical. Her team brings medical aid to those in poor and war-torn countries often risking life and limb to do so. She is truly compassionate and caring and puts the needs of others above her own. She has been taught in the art of herbs and can brew potions to either heal or poison. She is brilliant, determined and stubborn.
With the last few breaths he had before dying, Carl Venable, the head of the CIA task force on terrorism, gives Brandon a mission. His main objectives are to keep Rachel safe and utilize her vast skills and knowledge to assist in the take-down of the terrorist known as Huber.
Huber’s violence and reach knows no bounds. Regretfully, Rachel is currently in his crosshairs. He believes he can use her to his advantage. Brandon must get his squad together to find her first and assist in his obsessive quest for revenge. This starts an adventure of epic proportions as they try to stay alive by being a few steps ahead of Huber. It’s not as easy as it seems.
The book is written in third person which gives the reader a more extensive view of the scenes. The author smoothly switches from scene to scene and from character to character. My favorite part was that this is not a two person team. The squad is made up of fun and exciting characters I couldn’t wait to learn more about. The characters have a foundation that is built on naturally. The banter was fun to watch.
The story is faced-paced, and takes the reader on a ride they’ll never want to end. The attention to detail is amazing.
Rachel’s character has a lot of depth that I connected with. I couldn’t help but be intrigued and root for her. I loved her willpower and her inability to let anything keep her down. It was a roller coaster full of emotions and intrigue. The more you learned the more you needed to know. I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good crime thriller.
Vendetta by Iris Johansen is the continuing fast-paced thriller with Rachel Venable still trying to save lives during the health crisis in Guyana. As Rachel’s father Carl Venable was bleeding out he gave Jude Brandon a mission to go and save his daughter. Her clinic is attacked from orders of Huber and she has to flee to the jungle with little Maria and her mother.
The story is filled with twists into the past of Carl Venable and how his actions for the CIA have triggered animosity among other operatives who want personal power above actually solving the problems facing the country and humanity as a whole. Rachel must re-think all she has perceived about her father. Huber strikes more than once in an attempt to kill Rachel!
Publication Date: October 23, 2018
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I have read a lot of this author’s novels. I can’t put them down until I finish it. I highly recommend this book.
This is the first book I’ve read in this series. I did not enjoy it as much as the early Eve Duncan books. The main character, Rachel, basically got on my nerves. The book drags in places and it made it difficult for me to stay invested in the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Good read but I like all her books. Like these characters and the plot. Looking forward to seeing these characters in future books.
When a powerful CIA leader is murdered, his daughter becomes the target of a world-class terrorist! She’s smart, sensitive a trained chemist and physician, but will she be able to have the where-with-all to deal with a ruthless killer? Scary good read!
Once again Iris Johansen has written a wonderful book that is hard to put down!
Johansen delivers–again!
I did not think book is on the same level as most of Iris Johansen’s books. I had a hard time staying interested.
I haven’t read all of this series, but this one does stand alone.
It was suspenseful, dramatic and had a great realistic plot. Like a rollercoaster it stalled a little half way before taking off again keeping my interest. The ending though….bring on the next book.
Iris Johansson never disappoints. Another great read.
Oh My. It’s been a while since I’ve read an Iris Johansen book and I was beyond thrilled when I saw Vendetta was available. I picked up the book with high expectations of being pulled into the story and reconnecting with characters. I was not disappointed. Iris Johansen pulled me in, took hold of me, and never let go until the very end of the book. The best part is that she left me excited for more of Catherine Ling without leaving me with a cliffhanger. While Vendetta is part of a series it is a stand-alone book.
I was a little confused why the cover states that it is part of the Eve Duncan series where really this is part of the Catherine Ling story, with a very very small mention of Eve Duncan. Yet, the mention of Eve Duncan may have been what made me excited to pick up the book, the storyline is what kept me reading.
Rachel Venable is a character that I loved getting to know. I loved learning about her history, her wit, and her smarts. She finds out her father has been killed and that she is now being wanted by the man who killed him. There is so much more to that story but I am not going to give away any spoilers. It was amazing how her friends and her father’s friends came to her defense and protected her. I loved how they became a family that she needed and didn’t hesitate to help her when needed and keep her safe when she wasn’t looking to do so herself.
Iris Johansen is a must-read author for me. The Catherine Ling series is one that I enjoy and am excited to continue reading. I recommend picking up your own copies ASAP.
VENDETTA. by Iris Johanson
Head of the CIA wants to keep his daughter Rachel,safe. Impossible, when Max head of terriorism already has had her imprisoned, and wants her dead.Her father’s dying words were to Jude, can he fulfill the request, and keep her safe. There is twists and lies, wherever they turn. The attraction between, is heighten by the need to survive. A gripping story once again that leaves you to the end to find out. Given ARC by Net Galley and St Martin’s Press for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.EllenOceanside
Although I am a big fan of Iris Johansen’s Eve Duncan series, this is the first book that features Catherine LIng that I have read. That being said, it will certainly not be my last since I thoroughly enjoyed this fast-paced romantic suspense. Catherine is a CIA agent and a friend of Rachel Venable, the target of mastermind terrorists leader Max Huber. Huber is the head of a cell called the Red Star and has planned a big explosion in San Francisco. Rachel and Catherine, along with Rachel’s bodyguard Jude Brandon, are tasked with stopping Huber from carrying out his terrorist plot and also keeping Rachel from falling into his hands. The action is fast-paced and non-stop with a lot of lies and secrets mixed in. There are several surprises in the plot along the way, so the readers will not be disappointed. My favorite character was Rachel. Although she was stubborn and determined to put herself into harm’s way in order to avenge her father, she was also a strong lead in the quest to stop Huber. Her romance with Brandon seemed to be emphasized a little too much for me because it distracted from all of the action with Huber,. Readers of romantic suspense will definitely want to read this latest book by Johansen with her trademark explosive finale and twisted villains.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
I received this book thru a Good reads giveaway. Didn’t disappoint this is one of my favorite authors and once again she hit it out of the ballpark with this book. Full of action filled in lots of background from the past of some of the characters. Would certainly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys Iris Johansen books.
A great entertaining read! Iris Johansen always writes strong female characters who are independent, almost stubbornly so, as well as intelligent and excel in their chosen professions. It is nice to have someone who can write female characters that are something other than constant damsels in distress. This book is a fast paced action book with a lot going on as you have to figure out who are really the good guys and who are trying to take the characters out. The character development is decent although the dialogue could use a little finessing as the same conversation seemed to be taking place repeatedly at times. All in all it was great to see favorite characters reappear such as Catherine Ling, Cameron and Hu Chang, but the story is definitely centered around Rachel and Brandon as they fight with each other and against a common enemy to become a cohesive unit. A very entertaining action thriller, but I was left hoping the next story has a bit more meat to the dialogue.