John J. Cannon, a successful San Francisco lawyer, takes a leave of absence from the firm and buys a boat he names My GRL. John is unaware his boat has been targeted by a terrorist group to be used to destroy a symbol of America’s greatness. John’s first inkling of trouble is when he wakes up in the hospital and learns he was found unconscious next to the body of the young woman who sold him the … the boat in the first place. John now is the only one standing between the terrorists and the success of their mission.
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John Cannon is on a sabbatical from his high-powered attorney job and decides to spend a year on Mustang Island off the coast of Texas working on his used 65’ boat. Then his friend ends up shot, and the sheriff suspects that he’s keeping secrets. Add to that, it turns out that terrorists want his boat.
This book moves along at a good clip as John deals with the sheriff and then gets embroiled in the terrorists’ plot. He’s a great character, and for me, he brought the book to life. He’s kind of an average guy, but he’s smart and resourceful (for the most part), and he has some attitude. I had a great time watching him deal with all the problems while completely out of his element.
The story didn’t bog down with description or backstory, and it had just the right amount of shipboard detail to lend authenticity to the setting, John’s capabilities, and the story’s resolution. I would definitely read more of this character and author. Though a thriller, the book was also a lot of fun. Highly recommended for readers of action novels and thrillers, and book-lovers who enjoy great characters.
I read across a broad spectrum, and it’s been a while since I grabbed a thriller. My Grl did not disappoint. I appreciate the use of an ordinary guy as the main character. There are plenty of twists and turns, and this held my attention all the way. So many of these stories wind up with a Chuck Norris type lead, that this was a refreshing approach.
I also appreciate that the author knows when to bring down the curtain. Too many stories expand into future happiness and success. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys thrillers, or to those more like me who grab a bit of everything.
My GRL is the first of the John Cannon series. Having read the second book, His Revenge, and the third and final book, Our Justice, I wanted to complete the series with My GRL. Each book is independent of the others; however, there is a definite overlap which adds depth and intrigue.
In this book, the foundation is set, and much like Jack Webb on the old Dragnet series, the reader is introduced to the world of John Cannon through first-person monologues. I commend the writer on his skill to successfully engage the reader in the present, such that we walk with the protagonist through his various hurdles – which are many.
Terror becomes real within the first chapter. And, from this moment forward, the reader joins John Cannon in trying to understand what is going on, who can be trusted, and how to circumvent the threatened horror.
John Howell’s My GRL (Amazon Digital Services 2017) is the story of John Cannon, a man who retires from the rat race to live the life of no worries, no deadlines, and no one to answer to. He’s wealthy enough to make that happen and decides a boat–the My GRL–would be perfect for his new lifestyle. What starts out as a stress-free new lease on life ends up a fight for his life as he tangles with terrorists who decide My GRL is the last piece of their America-defeating terrorist plot. Cannon is knocked unconscious and finds out when he comes back that he’s the lucky one: The broker who sold him his boat (Gerry) and recently arranged a subsequent sale of My GRL at a significantly increased price, has been killed. Shortly after, John gets a message from her parents that if something happened to her they must tell John not to sell the boat. This advice takes on context when John is contacted by the FBI who suspects that the boat’s sale is part of a terrorist act against America and they’d like his help.
From there the action never stops. It is always tight and well planned, always clever and intriguing. John comes across as somewhat naive for a high-powered attorney but that works well for the stories action. Overall, this is a great read. I wonder if there’s a sequel. Hmmmmm.