Have you ever been betrayed by your government, your best friend, and your fiancé—all at the same time?Jacob is about to propose to his girl when he discovers the next generation of weapons are being shipped to our enemies. Factions in the government ask him to find the perpetrators while others work to make sure he fails. His intended fiancé does not understand his disappearance and he can’t … his disappearance and he can’t give an explanation. Can he lose the woman he loves to save the nation?
“I love Seeley James novels and this one was a real thrill ride from beginning to end.” – Amazon Reviewer, Karen S.
When Jacob sets out to expose the billionaire intending to auction off national secrets, he is fired, expelled, and hunted by the government that once awarded him medals. If he ever wants to return to his homeland, he must insert himself into the dangerous world of technology smugglers. It’s a place where only the aggressive and ruthless survive. In the cutthroat world of modern-day pirates, every breath he takes may be his last.
“I always find myself going from breath-holding tension to laugh out loud sarcasm and since sarcastic humor is my favorite kind, I’m always in hog heaven with these books.” – Amazon Reviewer, Teresa
As the bad guys close in and those who could deny him aid, he confronts a terrible choice: to complete his mission or take millions in cash and run. The former is a death sentence and the latter is a lonely future. He must ask himself, can he outsmart the most corrupt billionaires in history before democracy is destroyed?
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DEATH AND BETRAYAL (A Jacob Stearne Thriller; Sabel Security Book #8) by Seeley James is another great addition to this thriller series. I always find these books to be so entertaining. I start a book in the series and get immersed in Pia and Jacob’s world immediately.
Jacob and the winged god Mercury are once again at the center of a fast-paced, action packed plot full of bad billionaires, arms dealers and a weapon that could destroy the balance of power in a country.
This time though, Jacob is without Pia and Sabel Securities. He is fired without knowledge of just what he did wrong and thrown into a dangerous world of a billionaire auctioning off a new technological weapon. To survive, he becomes a modern-day pirate and becomes as ruthless as the bad guys.
Jacob has decisions to make that will change his entire life and future.
I love all of these characters, especially Jacob. Jacob has so much to deal with physically, mentally and emotionally in this addition to the series and I could not stop reading until the end. The plots of all the books in this series are fast-paced and entertaining and this one was no exception. Mr. James writes plot twists and turns that keep me riveted throughout.
I highly recommend this thriller and all of the books in this series!
I received an ARC from the author at my request and this is my honest opinion. Once more my favorite Roman god, Mercury and his side-kick Jacob Sterne have gotten themselves into an almost bigger mess than Mercury, with all his talents can get them out of. This story starts off with a bang, grabs hold of your throat and doesn’t let go until you turn the last page. There are more shoot ’em ups, explosions, betrayals (hence the title), fancy gadgets, spies, evil villains, and their henchmen than you can shake three sticks at. Mr. James just keeps putting out better and better novels. His characters are so multi-faceted, and “real” you almost expect them to walk off the page. And expect more twists and turns than you can count. But there is one thing that this novel has that all the previous Seeley James’ books didn’t have (or at least not that I noticed); this one had more of an emotional component for Jacob. The reader has seen Jacob hurt physically on his adventures, and emotionally by some of the women in his life, but this time it seemed the hits just kept on coming. Mr. James reveals a deeper side of Jacob than I remember seeing before and even though it was painful to a certain extent, it was enlightening. It says a lot for an author’s abilities when he can make the reader “see” his character and feel like they are someone we actually know. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. If you haven’t read them. you are missing out.
The blurb summarises the plot well enough. But what the reader cannot fully realise is the intensity and speed on which everything happens. Irrespective of where the action takes place: on the sea, in meetings or hospital rooms, on dark streets or a forsaken church… there is no still moment, not lost time, no breaks, no useless information. The clues are all there, everything that’s happening is linked and there is no deus ex machina.
And speaking about god…s, I have to say that I met Jacob Stearne only in this eighth volume so I’m still curious about his “relationship” with Mercury who not only helps JS and guides his moral compass but also, in a personal way, whispers him “Respice te, hominem te memento”. I liked how the author uses Mercury without adding to the impossibility of the story.
Thriller aspects are paired with the funny ones, trust with betrayal, heroism with mercantilism, despair with hope, secrets with security and intelligence (or lack of them) all being the needlepoints in a very attractive embroidery on the tapestry of what Jacob Stearne’ life became. The colors of this tapestry form a wide palette of grays, keeping the white as the final personal finis, even when the dark side seems more alluring.
Even if it is a thriller – mystery – pure action book, the author’s language is not stripped of color, variety, and appeal. Also, between the lines or just embedded into the story, the author makes some good appreciations about the social statutes and their differences.
Seeley James, you might say that you have struggled at times, but I didn’t need to resort to my perseverance. Your story is great and kept me in the middle of everything. I could imagine every step, any thought, any disappoint or Jacob’s fear, but also his power, his determination, and his heart. Now, I have to read the rest of the volumes and to adhere to your secret society… do we have a secret handshake?
The rest of you, boys and girls, it does not matter if you do not usually read this kind of book, you’ll love Jacob and his friends… and enemies… Enjoy!
https://mythicalbooks.blogspot.com/2020/03/review-death-and-betrayal-sabel.html
Best Jacob Stearne story, yet. Some things the same, but some things to be discovered. You won’t find any spoilers here. Just know I loved it. Highly recommended.
Return of Jacob and Mercury is fantastic! Looking for a straight up thriller…this isn’t for you. Gods, mental illness, or a combination of these lead to a great story with twists and turns throughout. You kind of know the ending but are never sure that James isn’t ready to say goodbye to the series. Entertaining throughout and is sure to keep your attention.
The best one yet! Utterly different from the other books, and yet, utterly amazing. Jacob, Pia, & Mercury are at their best (& worst) and the plot never lets you stop to rest. Definitely not a series that is falling into a rut! Loved it!!