In the blink of an eye, Robert Jake’s perfect life became hell. Robert Jake, a radio talk show host with a pregnant wife, had the perfect life until, in a moment of “Patriotic Stupidity” he decided to stop talking for a living and start shooting to help his country. Deployed to Iraq, he barely made it home alive, shot-up and full of shrapnel, after a fatal ambush.Moves is a mixture of single … ambush.
Moves is a mixture of single parent meets thriller, action, and suspense in bucket loads. If you like intrigue, plots with twists and turns, a little bit of romance and a story that keeps you holding your breath until the very last page; read on. Moves is a chess game of a page turner, where each chapter keeps you trying to outguess the killer.
E. Walsh Review
“It’s intense, incredibly detailed, twisted, unpredictable and thrilling. From the very beginning I was hooked, I was so intrigued by the storyline and I was caught up in all the detail. Throughout the story I found myself trying to piece everything all together, however, I was always wrong! I never seen the ending coming which made me enjoy it even more.”
We encounter Robert Jakes story, and the stories of those around him, at several points as flashbacks and therapy start to fill in aspects of his past. Jakes suffers with memory loss, bouts of depression and anger caused through PTSD. During an ambush 18 soldiers under his command lost their lives. His wife having died of breast cancer forces him to be a single parent to Rose, his young daughter, whom he loves deeply. She has inherited a little of both her parents, mom’s DNA and his love for flying. He will do anything to protect her. Not understanding why, his life suddenly becomes complicated when the murders of the Dallas District Attorney and two innocent women seem to be connected to him. He gets help from a colleague to help join the dots as his life tumbles out of control.
Jakes life is now embroiled with murder attempts, not only on himself, but on the important people in his life. He has to dig in deep to keep himself balanced while trying to figure out, what the hell is going on. What does the killer want and will they be caught?
Kirkus Review…A riveting murder mystery with well-drawn characters.
“Michaels effectively conceals the killer’s identity and specific motive, which keeps the story engaging. At the same time, the author proficiently develops his characters; for example, widower Jake’s relationships with Rose and his sister, Bonnie, are particularly rewarding.”more
MOVES is the first book I’ve read by John Michaels. I picked it up and put it down a few times because of the space I was in; I didn’t feel like reading something I had to put too much thought into.
This is one of those stories that you think you know, you think you know how it is all going to flesh out and while reading, things change – just a tiny bit, but it changes the way you look at things.
This story is told in present and past pov so the story unfolds in a very non-linear way that makes total sense. The writing flows naturally and the character development is on point. This was a real page turner and I will go back and read it again to find the nuances and see if it changes my view point.
I absolutely recommend this story.
*****
My knuckles are still clenched! This heart pounding thriller simply didn’t stop. Twists and turns, fantastic detail. I fell head first into the story and couldn’t tear myself away. What an excellent book! I hope to read more from this author very soon.
Moves by John Michaels got me with the synopsis and refused to let me go. I knew I was going to like this book almost as soon as I started reading it, what I didnt know was how much I was going to like it. It exceeded all expectations.
There are lots of moving parts and people in this book, at first I was like, anothernew character? How many more will there be? But as I got deeper into the story I realized how important each and every one of them was.
Robert Jake is great but his daughter Rose was amazing, reminded me a lot of both of my girls. She was great at cutting the tension with a quick comment and made me laugh more than once.
This was a great suspenseful experience and I’m so glad I spent my time with these characters. I suggest you give it a read and keep an eye for more books by Mr. Michaels, I hope to see more from him in the future.
Moves by John Michaels was an amazing book that had me on the edge of my seat. I cannot believe this was his first book, it was a mystery thriller, that competes with top sellers in its genre. In the beginning, it was a lot of characters and stories that didn’t seem to fit together. I love how it was several pieces of the puzzle, and they slowly connected, until it was all one story by the end. The back story and connections with all the characters was done with precision. I was even more impressed that I didn’t figure out the killer until the very end. It kept me guessing and wondering all the way through. I didn’t want to put the book down. Highly recommend it, and hope Michaels continues writing!
Moves by John Michaels
5-Stars
Moves by John Michaels is an excellent thriller with amazing characters. I was extremely impressed with the authors writing style and how well the story flows. I could not put this novel down. I was glued to the story from page one. I loved that the main setting was in the Dallas Texas area. John and Jake were amazing and wow how it ended. I absolutely loved this book and I highly recommend it!
Moves
By John Michaels
A mixture of single parent meets thriller, action,and ending with? Well heck you will need to read this book to find out what else happens.
Robert Jake is a single father, works as a radio personality. Although he struggles with depression. As a Special Forces commander. Under his watch, he lost 18 soldiers followed by the loss of his wife. His daughter is a little of both her parents, mom’s DNA and his love for flying. So the mystery begins…….
John Michael’s story is one that you can’t put down. His story starts on page one, mystery begins. He will keep you involved as well as on the edge of your seat. There is no safe place to stop reading. So grab your chocolate, drinks and book. For you are in for the long haul. I love how John Michael’s sets his stage. His character’s are well suited for this story, could even be your friends. That’s how real this story is. John Michaels is a new author for me, I can guarantee I will be looking for more from him. Keep the books coming John Michaels! I need so much more!
John Michaels is a new author for me and what a brilliant introduction he has brought! Moves is suspenseful read, that will have you on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next. John Michaels has created a read that is compelling to read, it has an epic storyline and brilliant characters that have depth. I was totally captivated by Robert’s story you couldn’t help but want the best for him after everything he has been through. This is a story that brings you twists and turns, you will never be bored while reading this!
I highly recommend you picking up this book. I can’t wait to see what else John Michaels brings, I’ll sure to look out for more books.
Moves by John Michaels a four-star read that will put the moves on. This is a totally new author to me, I will admit I was entranced by the cover, I know we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but this one intrigued me, there is a lot going on it looked almost like a puzzle in itself, so I figured why not give it a try and it didn’t disappoint. Robert Jake will make you feel his everything, he is such a well written character that he makes the story, there were a couple of points that didn’t ring with me so I gave it a four, but I am not sure with another reading if this will be re-starred. I have put it on my re-read pile so who knows.
Moves by John Michaels tells the story of Robert Jake, Disc Jockey and former military man. Having survived an attack that killed 18 of his men in a war zone all Jake is trying to do is live a normal life, doing his job and taking care of his teenaged daughter. Unfortunately, the death of a District Attorney and two women change the course of his life. Is the killer trying to pin the murders on Jake or is the killer trying to protect Jake using a sadistic game of chess?
Moves is the first book I have read by this author and while I was confused in the beginning this story dragged me in to it in no time flat. I’m glad I took a chance and now I have one more author to add to my one click buy list.
Moves by John Michaels is my first book by this author. The summary is what intrigued me the most. The plot line is engaging as it keeps you on the edge of your seat at times. The characters are fully developed and personable. Michaels understands the single parent angle and what I enjoyed about this story is the relationship between Robert and his daughter. Little girls need their dads in the picture and that is what really sold me on the story. Robert has some demons in his closet from the tour in Iraq but nothing like being home and have your wife murdered. Robert has his young daughter to look after and if that is not enough, he will have to be strong for her. Will Robert prevail? Will Robert figure what is going on in time?
I don’t often go for thrillers but I found Moves by John Michaels totally gripping. Michaels sets up a mysterious and intriguing murder right at the start of the book and then launches into several chapters of character development that are seemingly only tangentially related. You KNOW it must all be linked in some way and have to keep reading to get more clues as to how.
The protagonist, Robert Jake, is a well developed and interesting character. He struggles with PTSD, depression and grief. He is also a popular radio host and a caring father. We encounter his story, and the stories of those around him, at several points at once as flashbacks and therapy fill in aspects of his past.
I also found the character John Assisi quite interesting. We get to see him develop through Jake’s flashbacks and then through his detective work in the present. Jake and Assisi balance each other well and I like the underlying respect they have from the start in spite of a less than friendly initial encounter.
For me, this is a five-star book. It’s a real page turner, and one you won’t be able to stop thinking about! It’s great if you’re after a bit of excitement and mystery – thoroughly enjoyable!
Moves by John Michaels is a five star novel. I loved how this novel took off right away and didn’t really take any time at all to get into the thrilling part of the novel. Everyone in this book are connected somehow and they all let you know in due time how they are all connected. When the district attorney is murdered along with two randomly seeming females, it is hard for everyone to connect the dots but because of who is on the case and his previous brushes with the law, he is able to figure it all out eventually. I loved how this novel really kept me on my toes and made me know that things aren’t always as they might seem and some people can change for the better.
My goodness! ‘Moves’ by John Michaels was by far in my top ten mystery/thrillers of 2019 that I have had the pleasure to read! John Michaels was a completely new author to me, but when the stunning cover captivated my eye I just knew I had to know what story accompanied it. I am so glad that I scooped this up, and I look forward to now getting to read whatever else by Michaels that I can get my hands on in the very near future.
‘Moves’ literally gripped me from that very first chapter and refused to let me go well past my bedtime. I devoured this in one sitting and honestly it was a constant struggle between wanting to drag it out and savor the delight or scramble to finish in order to find out what will happen! Robert Jake is the kind of main character that you fall in love with and feel as if you know in real life by the time you finish the book. This man struggles with the grief and guilt of the loss of 18 of his soldiers while under his command and protection. He is also a single father and the host of a popular radio show. What doesn’t even seem fair is when the murders of two innocent women and the district attorney winds up coming connected to him! What will come of the situation? Will Robert find a way to live the remainder of his days in peace with his past so he can enjoy his future? You have to pick this gem up for yourself to find out. I can guarantee it is one story you do not want to miss!
Moves by John Michaels is a thriller that had my heart pounding and in my throat. John is a new author for me and he did well, with this story. Once I started I found it sooooooo, hard to put down, I was hooked and found myself thoroughly focused and enthralled in the story that I missed the world turning around me. It is one of those stories that you think about long after you have finished it. You know it’s good when that happens and I love stories that keep me guessing and on high alert. John has woven a world of mystery and murder, danger and lies, thrills and spill, intrigue and much more.
I will not spill the beans on the story but will tell you that if you like things that go bump in the night then this is a must read.
Moves by John Michaels was a heart pounding thriller that had me hooked, hard!
Wow, like, wow, I’m still trying to process everything that went on on this crazy good read. So much, like, as I was trying to piece everything together I kept thinking I was missing something, like a word you forgot, or a lost memory that just keeps slipping away from you. I love books like that, books that keep you guessing, on the edge of your seat, and just captures you fully, to the point were it’s 3 in the morning and you’re deciding if you’re going to call in sick to finish the book, or force yourself to stop and try and get your mind to rest. That my friends is this book.
It’s been awhile since I got this obsessed with a thriller, and as mush as I was happy for it to end, I’m sad that I had to leave that wonderful crazy dangerous world, that John Michaels has created. But all good things must end, so yes I will be checking out this authors other works.
So please take my super high recommendation and my golden stamp of approval, that this book is grip will you, break you, and have you second guessing everything.
Happy Reading
-E.A. Walsh
Moves by John Michaels
4-stars
Moves by John Michaels had me highly entertained from start to finish. It’s intense, incredibly detailed, twisted, unpredictable and thrilling. From the very beginning I was hooked, I was so intrigued by the storyline and I was caught up in all the detail. Throughout the story I found myself trying to piece everything all together, however, I was always wrong! I never seen the ending coming which made me enjoy it even more.
I feel amazed by John’s attention to detail; everything is clearly described making it easy to picture everything in my mind. I enjoyed everything about this story and would absolutely recommend it to others.
Moves by John Michaels. I LOVED this book. This is my favorite type of book, murders, mystery and lots of action. Its the story of Robert Jake who is living with trauma from being in command in Iraq and losing several of his men. Then his wife passes away. He’s depressed and tired and now a single dad to a young girl. Robert is a well known radio personality in Dallas when the Dallas Prosecuting Attorney is murdered. There is also a murder of 2 young women and they all seem to be connected to Robert. What does the killer want with him and how can he keep his daughter safe. There are very defined characters in this book and I loved them all. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat and you will be shocked at the ending! This book is one that will stick with you for a long time.
5 Star
Moves by John Michaels
Moves by John Michael is a book I honestly wasn’t sure about ,I had some hesitation about reading but I’m glad I picked it up. Once I started reading I found myself lost in the pages and at times was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out what happens next. This a wonderfully written Book that has very well developed characters, they are relatable. Robert Jake is a man who deals with depression and has some anger because of the 18 soldiers lost under his command. Robert is also a well known radio personality and a single parent to a young girl whom he loves deeply. The murders of two innocent women and the Dallas District Attorney seem to be connected to him. Who is behind these murders? Will they be caught? Find out what happens next. I highly recommend reading this Book.
Moves by John Michaels is a gripping story that will have you hooked from the word go. This book kept me on the edge of my seat and desperate to know how it was going to end – which was brilliant!
As a new author to me I didn’t know what to expect going into this book but what I found was strong character development, intricate storylines and a book I just could not put down. This was one of those book that I would read “just a few chapters of” and before I knew it I had finished it.
I was really taken by the main character Robert Jake. I though the author did an amazing job at building the connection between me and the author and him as the character. I was invested in him and his story. I wanted him to find his version of a happy ending. I wanted him to be able to put the past behind him.
This was a very well written and intriguing book. I cannot wait to read more by this author in the future.
This is my first book by this author, I enjoyed it from beginning to end. This is a well written story that has characters that are well developed. It had a few times that left me sitting on the edge of my seat just waiting to see what would happen next. It is about Robert and his journey of guilt, finding love and being a single parent to his daughter. It centers around the theft of money and unexplained murders. You won’t regret picking up this book, I highly recommend reading it.