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Jack Swyteck #6
When Darkness Falls
In the latest novel from the bestselling author whom critics have called "the thriller writer to watch," lawyer Jack Swyteck tackles a case in which the life of his best friend hangs in the balance—and in which nothing is as it seems.
Miami criminal defense attorney Jack Swyteck isn't looking for a new client, at least not one who is homeless and in jail for threatening to jump off a bridge. But from the moment Jack is called to defend the man, who goes by the name Falcon, something is amiss. For one thing, Falcon comes up with the $10,000 bail—in cash. Then the body of a brutally murdered woman is found in the trunk of the abandoned car in which he is living.
Panicked and on the run, Falcon takes Jack's best friend, Theo, hostage. They end up barricaded in a motel room, and Theo isn't the only one at Falcon's mercy. Jack must work with the cops and their crackerjack negotiator to free Theo and the other captives before Falcon decides he has nothing to lose by killing them all.
What Jack doesn't know is that Falcon has a much bigger agenda, and that there are people behind the scenes who will stop at nothing to keep their dangerous secrets. Thus unfolds a riveting, lightning-paced story, as only James Grippando can tell it.
Miami criminal defense attorney Jack Swyteck isn't looking for a new client, at least not one who is homeless and in jail for threatening to jump off a bridge. But from the moment Jack is called to defend the man, who goes by the name Falcon, something is amiss. For one thing, Falcon comes up with the $10,000 bail—in cash. Then the body of a brutally murdered woman is found in the trunk of the abandoned car in which he is living.
Panicked and on the run, Falcon takes Jack's best friend, Theo, hostage. They end up barricaded in a motel room, and Theo isn't the only one at Falcon's mercy. Jack must work with the cops and their crackerjack negotiator to free Theo and the other captives before Falcon decides he has nothing to lose by killing them all.
What Jack doesn't know is that Falcon has a much bigger agenda, and that there are people behind the scenes who will stop at nothing to keep their dangerous secrets. Thus unfolds a riveting, lightning-paced story, as only James Grippando can tell it.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
141 people are currently reading
1102 people want to read
About the author
James Grippando
71Ìýbooks1,156Ìýfollowers The first thing you should know about bestselling author James Grippando is that he is no longer clueless—or so they say, after “A James Grippando Novelâ€� was a clue for #38 Across in the New York Times crossword puzzle. James is the winner of the Harper Lee Prize for legal fiction and a New York Times bestselling author with more than 30 novels to his credit, including the popular series featuring Miami criminal defense attorney Jack Swyteck. His latest, "Goodbye Girl" (HarperCollins 2024), is the 18th in the Swyteck series. His novels are enjoyed worldwide in 28 languages. As an adjunct professor he teaches "The Law & Lawyers in Modern Literature" at the University of Miami School of Law. He is also counsel at one of the nation’s leading law firms, where he specializes in entertainment and intellectual property law, representing clients who have won more than 40 Tony Awards. He writes in south Florida with Atlas at his side, a faithful golden retriever who has no idea he’s a dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 190 reviews
April 6, 2011
This was the first Grippando book that I have read, so Swyteck was a new character for me. This was a free read in three parts from the kindle store, but I waited for all three parts to be available before I started reading. I did not want to risk being left hanging.
From the book description, I though that this book would have a more legal or sleuthing edge to it, but it was more of a thriller suspense read. However, there were not enough nuggets given to uncover the mystery during the first two thirds of the book. Because of this, the events from the first part of the book, although they involved the same players, just seemed like random events. The last third of the book, then, had an overload of information finally linking all of the earlier events together. When the last "thrilling" event finally ends, the book should have ended there. Instead there are about four more chapters extending the story out more than it needed to be.
The book was well written otherwise, and there were interesting parts in the book. Perhaps I would have enjoyed this more if I had read other books in the series. I cannot tell. After having read this one, though, I have no plans to read any of the others.
From the book description, I though that this book would have a more legal or sleuthing edge to it, but it was more of a thriller suspense read. However, there were not enough nuggets given to uncover the mystery during the first two thirds of the book. Because of this, the events from the first part of the book, although they involved the same players, just seemed like random events. The last third of the book, then, had an overload of information finally linking all of the earlier events together. When the last "thrilling" event finally ends, the book should have ended there. Instead there are about four more chapters extending the story out more than it needed to be.
The book was well written otherwise, and there were interesting parts in the book. Perhaps I would have enjoyed this more if I had read other books in the series. I cannot tell. After having read this one, though, I have no plans to read any of the others.
December 6, 2013
RATING: 4.25
Most defense attorneys will tell you that many of the people that they represent are not innocent. In spite of that fact, they are sworn to provide them with the best possible legal defense. Miami defense attorney Jack Swyteck finds himself in a real dilemma when he is assigned a homeless man known as "Falcon". He is certain that he won't receive his fees; much to his surprise, Falcon has no problem at all coming up with the required $10,000. In fact, he sends Jack to Bermuda to retrieve it, at which time Jack finds Falcon has stashed $200,000 in a safe deposit box.
Falcon had been arrested after threatening to jump from a bridge unless the mayor's daughter is brought to the scene. Once released from jail, he is implicated in the brutal murder of a woman found in the trunk of the abandoned car which he had been calling home. Panicked, Falcon takes Jack's best friend, Theo, hostage, along with two women and a man found in a seedy motel room.
Grippando takes us deep into the twisted mind of Falcon. Along with the police, the reader is never certain what he will do next. Will he kill one of the hostages? Will he be satisfied if the mayor's daughter, Alicia Mendoza, comes to talk to him? The motel is surrounded by SWAT teams and eagle-eyed snipers. Alicia's former boyfriend,
Vince Paulo, is assigned as the negotiator. There's a lot on the line for Vince, as he lost his sight during a similar stand-off. Alicia, Jack and Vince form a team who desperately try to figure out how to put the Falcon out of commission without harming the hostages.
WHEN DARKNESS FALLS is a suspenseful thriller that goes beyond action and provides a good look at the motivations of the various characters in the book, as well as portraying some of the political influences that are impacting the situation. I really liked Jack Swyteck, who was a defense attorney with a conscience. In spite of the fact that he had an extremely unlikable client, he provided him with the best defense that he could and would not allow himself to use information about Falcon to barter with the mayor and others for personal gain. Grippando also did a great job in his depiction of Vince Paulo, who was only recently blinded and struggling with other people's reactions to him as well as finding a way to live a meaningful life.
In addition to the present-day situation, Grippando weaves in a sub-plot about Argentina in the late 1970s and early 80s having to do with the "Disappeared" during the "dirty war". The connections to the present day were a little too convenient, but do add another dimension to the narrative.
WHEN DARKNESS FALLS is the sixth book in the Swyteck series. This is my first exposure to the author and the character. Based on how much I enjoyed this book, it won't be my last.
Most defense attorneys will tell you that many of the people that they represent are not innocent. In spite of that fact, they are sworn to provide them with the best possible legal defense. Miami defense attorney Jack Swyteck finds himself in a real dilemma when he is assigned a homeless man known as "Falcon". He is certain that he won't receive his fees; much to his surprise, Falcon has no problem at all coming up with the required $10,000. In fact, he sends Jack to Bermuda to retrieve it, at which time Jack finds Falcon has stashed $200,000 in a safe deposit box.
Falcon had been arrested after threatening to jump from a bridge unless the mayor's daughter is brought to the scene. Once released from jail, he is implicated in the brutal murder of a woman found in the trunk of the abandoned car which he had been calling home. Panicked, Falcon takes Jack's best friend, Theo, hostage, along with two women and a man found in a seedy motel room.
Grippando takes us deep into the twisted mind of Falcon. Along with the police, the reader is never certain what he will do next. Will he kill one of the hostages? Will he be satisfied if the mayor's daughter, Alicia Mendoza, comes to talk to him? The motel is surrounded by SWAT teams and eagle-eyed snipers. Alicia's former boyfriend,
Vince Paulo, is assigned as the negotiator. There's a lot on the line for Vince, as he lost his sight during a similar stand-off. Alicia, Jack and Vince form a team who desperately try to figure out how to put the Falcon out of commission without harming the hostages.
WHEN DARKNESS FALLS is a suspenseful thriller that goes beyond action and provides a good look at the motivations of the various characters in the book, as well as portraying some of the political influences that are impacting the situation. I really liked Jack Swyteck, who was a defense attorney with a conscience. In spite of the fact that he had an extremely unlikable client, he provided him with the best defense that he could and would not allow himself to use information about Falcon to barter with the mayor and others for personal gain. Grippando also did a great job in his depiction of Vince Paulo, who was only recently blinded and struggling with other people's reactions to him as well as finding a way to live a meaningful life.
In addition to the present-day situation, Grippando weaves in a sub-plot about Argentina in the late 1970s and early 80s having to do with the "Disappeared" during the "dirty war". The connections to the present day were a little too convenient, but do add another dimension to the narrative.
WHEN DARKNESS FALLS is the sixth book in the Swyteck series. This is my first exposure to the author and the character. Based on how much I enjoyed this book, it won't be my last.
April 13, 2011
The concepts I found most interesting in the book, was how Grippando based the circumstances of the plot and it's characters in part on the story of the "Disappeared's" from Argentina's Civil War as well as the idea to have a blind negotiator who's blindness was influenced by his own father's blindness due to macular degeneration. The race to discover the truth behind homeless man Falcon's past and his reasons for holing up in a hotel with four hostages while $200,000 is being kept in a Bahamian Bank in his name was both intriguing and kept me reading without breaks in order to discover the frightening past of Falcon and the truth behind the Mayor's daughter's heritage. Having completed the book, I find myself interested in wanting to read more about the "Disappeared's" of Argentina, as well as take a mini vacation down to Miami for the beach and some good Cuban food. Well worth a read for those who like mysteries; and interesting enough that I may read more by the author.
April 7, 2019
this story was a little weird. a bit graphic at times.
an intriguing mystery.
w/out giving any spoilers: A homeless man Falcon is obsessed w/the mayor's daughter Alyssia (who's a cop). Why? Jack is Falcon's lawyer.
a hostage situation occurs. I wasn't sure where the story was going b/c the suspense seemed to happen too early.
then some things happen, and clues are slowly brought to light. more pieces to the puzzle to figure out.
I like Vince. I already read the later book that explains how he lost his sight so this was his introduction to the series which was interesting.
I must say, Grippando certainly doesn’t shy away from relevant, news worthy topics as themes for his books. W/out giving away a big spoiler, i will urge those to google "dirty war" after finishing this book. It is a subject worth knowing about.
an intriguing mystery.
w/out giving any spoilers: A homeless man Falcon is obsessed w/the mayor's daughter Alyssia (who's a cop). Why? Jack is Falcon's lawyer.
a hostage situation occurs. I wasn't sure where the story was going b/c the suspense seemed to happen too early.
then some things happen, and clues are slowly brought to light. more pieces to the puzzle to figure out.
I like Vince. I already read the later book that explains how he lost his sight so this was his introduction to the series which was interesting.
I must say, Grippando certainly doesn’t shy away from relevant, news worthy topics as themes for his books. W/out giving away a big spoiler, i will urge those to google "dirty war" after finishing this book. It is a subject worth knowing about.
November 25, 2020
Finished this one in one day! Of course we had a road trip where we listened to it, but we made sure to finish it to find out what was happening...and to see if my husband was right because of course he guessed everything! Ok, there was one small part at the end that he didn't guess, but the rest he did. I'm not sure how he does it, but I didn't realize what was happening.
Another enjoyable book in the series and I'm glad we have more left to listen to!
Another enjoyable book in the series and I'm glad we have more left to listen to!
October 31, 2021
A rather convoluted plot, but some exciting moments. As usual, Jack Swyteck finds himself in the middle of tense negotiations between police and Falcon, who holds hostages. Still enjoying this series.
August 21, 2024
Audiobook. Another good Jack Swytek novel.
October 30, 2022
WHEN DARKNESS FALLS [2007] By James Grippando
My Review Four Stars****
This is the sixth book in bestselling author James Grippando’s Jack Swytek series set in beautiful Miami, Florida. I have been a fan of his legal thrillers for years and decided to read the book series in their order of publication. I have never been disappointed and this early work was no exception.
Fans of the Jack Swytek novels are naturally familiar with Defense Attorney Jack’s backstory, particularly his friendship with the larger-than-life Theo Night, former death row inmate. I am an advocate of the school of thought that a reader will invariably enjoy any given book series more when they start at the beginning and read the genesis of the main character and are introduced to the people who populate the universe of the protagonist. The richness of the backstory and the enlightenment of the character arcs are missed when a reader plucks the tenth installment out of a twenty-book series to read. That said “When Darkness Falls� is one Swytek novel that could be easily enjoyed as a standalone. I say that because Grippando offers up a complex plot with many moving pieces in this mystifying selection. First, it is not a “Legal Thriller� as advertised. That fact does not impact this engaging if not epic plot line in the least.
There are several likeable, strong, and sympathetic protagonists. We are introduced to Vince Paolo, a Hostage Negotiator who had been permanently blinded during his last case. Vince’s love interest is savvy streetwise homicide detective Alicia Mendoza, also the 27-year-old daughter of the politically influential Mayor. Their troubled romantic relationship aside, there is enough happening in this thriller to keep you turning the pages.
The narrative is launched by a homeless man known only as Falcon threatening to jump off the Powell Bridge and plunge 130 feet into the bay below. The now blind Paolo is leading the negotiation because of his prior history with Falcon. Falcon’s demand is to speak to Alicia Mendoza, the cop. She is there at the scene and willing to talk to Falcon if that will end the standoff. Vince promises Falcon if he will come down then his request will be honored. However, he is swarmed by the police the moment he descends and hauled to jail. This turn of events fractures Falcon’s trust in Paulo’s word and overshadows the high intensity action packed story that follows.
Jack is expecting a Pro Bono case when he meets the grungy figure of Falcon in the jail cell. The dirty disheveled homeless man had adamantly refused a Public Defender so Jack had been amenable to stepping in to provide counsel Pro Bono to meet his quota of free counsel cases for the year. The two trade hysterical insults with one another initially which is entertaining dialogue. Jack’s inadvertent detour from reality to the Twilight Zone begins when the bum informs Jack that he can meet bail set at $10,000. Swytek laughs at Falcon and relays to him that he does not believe that he has money to pay his attorney alone make $10,000 Bail.
The narrative leads Jack, accompanied by Theo, to a safety deposit box in the Bahamas. Falcon is let out on bail and later slaughters an older woman who he finds lurking at his home (the abandoned skeletal remains of a Ford Falcon along the river). Falcon becomes a wanted fugitive when the body is found in the trunk of the gutted car on the beach. Subsequently Falcon has a face off with police leaving one casualty and another wounded officer of the law. Falcon begins to think strange thoughts which are suggested to be actual memories of the past. However, he says odd statements aloud about his murder victim in the trunk of the Falcon, calling her “The Mother Of The Disappeared�.
The Mayor makes several power plays to Jack and the authorities to keep Falcon away from his daughter Alicia, including phone contact of any kind. The Mayor’s response is suggested to be extreme and is not easily understood. Then the whole plot shifts into high gear when an armed and dangerous Falcon confronts Jack and manages to take Theo hostage.
Falcon is armed to the teeth, proves himself to be a crack shot, exhibits street savvy with holding his own, barricades the doors and windows of a motel room while holding a bound Theo and three other innocent people hostages. Grippando proves once again that he can write action and suspense thrillers with the best of today’s thriller writers. The identity of the homeless dirtbag known as “Falcon� is a revelation and proves to be only the chilling tip of the iceberg.
When Darkness Falls is a complex mystery about evil that existed decades ago in what was called “Argentina’s Dirty War.� The truth about the events are both chilling and heart-rendering. This is an epic story that spans time and space to bring truth to the surface in present day. The tale accomplishes all of this while also allowing one of Hell’s lost souls to make a down payment on redemption. Tragically, his sins of the past could never be atoned. The explosive climax is unforgettable and gut-wrenching. The author also provides an ending which is both heart warming and ultimately as satisfying as possible given the gravity of the revelations.
It is not my intent to provide a synopsis of this grand tale by Grippando. It is highly recommended to any fans who somehow missed this sixth installment of the series. However, most readers who enjoy suspense, a story with depth, scintillating dialogue and lovable protagonists are going to love this book even if they have never heard of James Grippando. I dare say though once they read it, his name will become more familiar to them.
ANOTHER SOLID THRILLER FROM THE EARLY WORKS OF JAMES GRIPPANDO
My Review Four Stars****
This is the sixth book in bestselling author James Grippando’s Jack Swytek series set in beautiful Miami, Florida. I have been a fan of his legal thrillers for years and decided to read the book series in their order of publication. I have never been disappointed and this early work was no exception.
Fans of the Jack Swytek novels are naturally familiar with Defense Attorney Jack’s backstory, particularly his friendship with the larger-than-life Theo Night, former death row inmate. I am an advocate of the school of thought that a reader will invariably enjoy any given book series more when they start at the beginning and read the genesis of the main character and are introduced to the people who populate the universe of the protagonist. The richness of the backstory and the enlightenment of the character arcs are missed when a reader plucks the tenth installment out of a twenty-book series to read. That said “When Darkness Falls� is one Swytek novel that could be easily enjoyed as a standalone. I say that because Grippando offers up a complex plot with many moving pieces in this mystifying selection. First, it is not a “Legal Thriller� as advertised. That fact does not impact this engaging if not epic plot line in the least.
There are several likeable, strong, and sympathetic protagonists. We are introduced to Vince Paolo, a Hostage Negotiator who had been permanently blinded during his last case. Vince’s love interest is savvy streetwise homicide detective Alicia Mendoza, also the 27-year-old daughter of the politically influential Mayor. Their troubled romantic relationship aside, there is enough happening in this thriller to keep you turning the pages.
The narrative is launched by a homeless man known only as Falcon threatening to jump off the Powell Bridge and plunge 130 feet into the bay below. The now blind Paolo is leading the negotiation because of his prior history with Falcon. Falcon’s demand is to speak to Alicia Mendoza, the cop. She is there at the scene and willing to talk to Falcon if that will end the standoff. Vince promises Falcon if he will come down then his request will be honored. However, he is swarmed by the police the moment he descends and hauled to jail. This turn of events fractures Falcon’s trust in Paulo’s word and overshadows the high intensity action packed story that follows.
Jack is expecting a Pro Bono case when he meets the grungy figure of Falcon in the jail cell. The dirty disheveled homeless man had adamantly refused a Public Defender so Jack had been amenable to stepping in to provide counsel Pro Bono to meet his quota of free counsel cases for the year. The two trade hysterical insults with one another initially which is entertaining dialogue. Jack’s inadvertent detour from reality to the Twilight Zone begins when the bum informs Jack that he can meet bail set at $10,000. Swytek laughs at Falcon and relays to him that he does not believe that he has money to pay his attorney alone make $10,000 Bail.
The narrative leads Jack, accompanied by Theo, to a safety deposit box in the Bahamas. Falcon is let out on bail and later slaughters an older woman who he finds lurking at his home (the abandoned skeletal remains of a Ford Falcon along the river). Falcon becomes a wanted fugitive when the body is found in the trunk of the gutted car on the beach. Subsequently Falcon has a face off with police leaving one casualty and another wounded officer of the law. Falcon begins to think strange thoughts which are suggested to be actual memories of the past. However, he says odd statements aloud about his murder victim in the trunk of the Falcon, calling her “The Mother Of The Disappeared�.
The Mayor makes several power plays to Jack and the authorities to keep Falcon away from his daughter Alicia, including phone contact of any kind. The Mayor’s response is suggested to be extreme and is not easily understood. Then the whole plot shifts into high gear when an armed and dangerous Falcon confronts Jack and manages to take Theo hostage.
Falcon is armed to the teeth, proves himself to be a crack shot, exhibits street savvy with holding his own, barricades the doors and windows of a motel room while holding a bound Theo and three other innocent people hostages. Grippando proves once again that he can write action and suspense thrillers with the best of today’s thriller writers. The identity of the homeless dirtbag known as “Falcon� is a revelation and proves to be only the chilling tip of the iceberg.
When Darkness Falls is a complex mystery about evil that existed decades ago in what was called “Argentina’s Dirty War.� The truth about the events are both chilling and heart-rendering. This is an epic story that spans time and space to bring truth to the surface in present day. The tale accomplishes all of this while also allowing one of Hell’s lost souls to make a down payment on redemption. Tragically, his sins of the past could never be atoned. The explosive climax is unforgettable and gut-wrenching. The author also provides an ending which is both heart warming and ultimately as satisfying as possible given the gravity of the revelations.
It is not my intent to provide a synopsis of this grand tale by Grippando. It is highly recommended to any fans who somehow missed this sixth installment of the series. However, most readers who enjoy suspense, a story with depth, scintillating dialogue and lovable protagonists are going to love this book even if they have never heard of James Grippando. I dare say though once they read it, his name will become more familiar to them.
ANOTHER SOLID THRILLER FROM THE EARLY WORKS OF JAMES GRIPPANDO
March 3, 2013
Good book made greater by Narrator Jonathan Davis. Easy to follow and not too many characters. Hostage situation may have been to drawn out but finally wrapped. I'll read another Grappando book as long as it's narrated by Jonathan Davis.
July 9, 2015
On the suggestion of a fellow reader (we both enjoy Harlan Coben) I entered the world of James Grippando. it was a fast and twisting read and I did enjoy it but not as much as Myran Bolitar. Will, however give him another shot in the future.
January 28, 2024
I enjoyed this because the author’s research was thorough and solid. He acknowledges the National Federation of the Blind in his acknowledgments for the book and for good reason. One of the main characters, a hostage negotiator, is newly blinded and was once a cop. He now teaches at the police academy and helps in the arena of hostage negotiation for the Miami-Dade cops. Until his blindness, he dated the exotically lovely Alicia Mendoza, a cop who plays an important role in this book. The struggles that relationship experienced resulting from the cop’s blindness feels accurate to me. It made for arresting reading.
Attorney Jack Swyteck’s latest client first attempts suicide then captures and holds hostage a group of people at a hotel. One of those is Swyteck’s assistant, Theo. If you read this, you’ll learn a lot about hostage negotiation and some things you may never have known about Argentina in the 1970s. I won’t go into that any deeper. But those sections were also interesting reading.
Attorney Jack Swyteck’s latest client first attempts suicide then captures and holds hostage a group of people at a hotel. One of those is Swyteck’s assistant, Theo. If you read this, you’ll learn a lot about hostage negotiation and some things you may never have known about Argentina in the 1970s. I won’t go into that any deeper. But those sections were also interesting reading.
February 17, 2018
Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ needs to improve its rating system, because I want to give this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars, but I couldn't do so. The book is not that perfect to be given a round up of 4 stars, yet not that bad to be given just 3.
I like how the majority of the plot was actually revolved around a hold up situation, which means, it didn't dragged on from day to days. It also didn't felt like a rush, although I hate to say that the way it ended was anti-climatic and waste of adrenaline, actually. Here we had Theo, his life hanging by the thread, teased with death just hovering over him, and I expected a little bit of a fight from him to save himself, but no, it didn't happen that way. He just got lucky.
This book is mostly about a day in a life of Jack Swyteck and Theo, so if you are expecting a mystery that is a little harder to resolve, this is probably not the one for you. But hey, Jack Swyteck is always a breeze.
I like how the majority of the plot was actually revolved around a hold up situation, which means, it didn't dragged on from day to days. It also didn't felt like a rush, although I hate to say that the way it ended was anti-climatic and waste of adrenaline, actually. Here we had Theo, his life hanging by the thread, teased with death just hovering over him, and I expected a little bit of a fight from him to save himself, but no, it didn't happen that way. He just got lucky.
This book is mostly about a day in a life of Jack Swyteck and Theo, so if you are expecting a mystery that is a little harder to resolve, this is probably not the one for you. But hey, Jack Swyteck is always a breeze.
July 4, 2019
Jack Swyteck, a Miami criminal defense attorney, isn't looking for a new client, at least not one who is homeless and in jail for threatening to jump off a bridge. But from the moment Jack is called to defend the man, who goes by the name Falcon, something is amiss. For one thing, Falcon comes up with the $10,000 bail—in cash. Then the body of a brutally murdered woman is found in the trunk of the abandoned car in which he is living.
Panicked and on the run, Falcon takes Jack's best friend, Theo, hostage. They end up barricaded in a motel room, and Theo isn't the only one at Falcon's mercy. Jack must work with the cops and their crackerjack negotiator to free Theo and the other captives before Falcon decides he has nothing to lose by killing them all.
What Jack doesn't know is that Falcon has a much bigger agenda, and that there are people behind the scenes who will stop at nothing to keep their dangerous secrets.
Panicked and on the run, Falcon takes Jack's best friend, Theo, hostage. They end up barricaded in a motel room, and Theo isn't the only one at Falcon's mercy. Jack must work with the cops and their crackerjack negotiator to free Theo and the other captives before Falcon decides he has nothing to lose by killing them all.
What Jack doesn't know is that Falcon has a much bigger agenda, and that there are people behind the scenes who will stop at nothing to keep their dangerous secrets.
May 25, 2025
finished 23rd may 2025 good read three stars i liked it no more no less kindle library loaner first from grippando james have another from this series open and ready to go i take chances like that give me a treat and say good boy. entertaining story about a lawyer a homeless guy with access to a couple thousand dollars and a blind negotiator who tries to talk down people bent on killing themselves and a cast of other characters and yes rich powerful and ruthless are among them. kept me reading fast pace for the most believable action and dialogue and likeable characters...who could dislike a blind person? but yeah, put a maga hat on him and someone hits them in the head with a can and pours the contents over the guy's head before climbing a fence. the world is full of drama and much of it is not pretty. choose what section of bleachers you want to sit in and yell loudly, be somebody.
October 1, 2024
So what lawyer takes the case of a guy about to jump from a bridge? Jack does.
What lawyer stays when a dead body is found in his homeless client's car trunk? Jack does.
Who gets kidnapped? Not Jack this time... !!!
Jack takes on a homeless client who threatened to jump off a bridge, but he can make 10,000.00 in bail! Once out on bail, a body is found and the plot tightens up and the twist start popping out. In one of those twists, Theo ends up a hostage and we all know how Jack feels about his best friend.... so adds stress to an already tough situation with people with agendas in the background.
As always this is a riveting plot that moves as fast as lightening.
5 stars
Happy Reading!
September 18, 2023
I listened to this one and the narrator did a great job of making the characters come to life for me.
I enjoyed this one even though I didn't understand what was going on at first. It was quickly revealed though and it was the unraveling of the tale that made this a good listen.
This one had some humorous banter between Jack's Abuela and himself. Sometimes we don't realize the wisdom of those older than us and because Abuela came from a different culture, you might even think it would be harder. James Grippando makes this clear and tries to give you a feeling how this would be.
I love reading about Theo and all the trouble he gets into. I am giving this 5 out of 5 stars.
I enjoyed this one even though I didn't understand what was going on at first. It was quickly revealed though and it was the unraveling of the tale that made this a good listen.
This one had some humorous banter between Jack's Abuela and himself. Sometimes we don't realize the wisdom of those older than us and because Abuela came from a different culture, you might even think it would be harder. James Grippando makes this clear and tries to give you a feeling how this would be.
I love reading about Theo and all the trouble he gets into. I am giving this 5 out of 5 stars.
January 2, 2025
Jack's homeless client, Falcon, has managed to post $10,000 cash bond and then kidnapped Theo, Jack's best friend. While Jack works with the police to try to negotiate with his client he has to unravel clues in the rantings of Falcon, while coming to grips with how much Theo has become entwined in his life, Negoiating is no longer a black and white issue due to Theo's involvement. Story brings up a dark time in the past of Argentina and the pain that can exist years later for those affected by blind hatred.
May 22, 2018
Audio book read by Jonathan Davis who always does a great job. I didn't care for this book very much. I want to see Jack do more criminal defense work, not be involved in police cases where he is pretty much a bystander, in my opinion. Sure he starts out defending the character "Falcon", but then becomes involved in Falcon's craziness due to his past and hostage situation. These last two novels have not met my expectations of what a true legal thriller is.
October 18, 2020
this book was written with short chapters and the writing style flowed so well that i kept telling myself one more chapter but ended up reading 5 more. it was a great read and was hard to put down at times. this is the 1st book in the series that i read and i would think the other 5 were great but it did not hinder me starting the series her at this point. on the cover there was a review from James Patterson and i can see the similarities between the two writers.
July 4, 2022
I have not read this author before, but starting with Book #6 was not a problem, so these can be read out of order. I liked the setting, and now want to take a trip to Miami!!!! The story itself was very suspenseful and kept me on the edge of my seat. I will say that the ending was a little confusing, although, looking back there were clues sprinkled throughout.
I’ll be reading more Grippando in the future.
I’ll be reading more Grippando in the future.
March 3, 2021
A decent read but nothing special. Some interesting South Florida and Latin America characters and details. The mystery was not very exciting and the action only so so. The hostage parts were a bit boring. The ending seemed a little contrived, predictable and not very satisfying. Probably I won't read anything else by this author.
April 24, 2023
I didn't realize this was the 6th book in a series when I picked it up at a 'free' table, but read it anyway and glad I did. Now I have reserved book #1 and will start at the beginning.
I enjoyed the quick chapters, the colorful characters which undoubtly have a storyline that begins in previous books. Looking forward to reading this series.
I enjoyed the quick chapters, the colorful characters which undoubtly have a storyline that begins in previous books. Looking forward to reading this series.
December 2, 2024
I became bored when reading this book at first. However, this change as the story progresses. The author intertwines with the political persecutions happening in Argentina in the 1980s with his present day story. The story reveals how one can never outrun one's past sin. Plow through the story to the end and you will be rewarded.
January 29, 2017
One of Jack’s current clients, The Falcon, take his former client Theo hostage in a motel room and Jack and a blind hostage negotiator must try to save his life along with the other hostages while getting to the bottom of this disturbed man’s inane ramblings.
May 21, 2017
It started off a it slow, but was quite riveting by the end. Even though it's number 6 in the series, it's readable as a stand-alone. I did feel that as the main character, Jack was side-lined and became just one of the many.
April 30, 2018
4.5 stars! Talk about a twisty-turny read!! I was definitely surprised by the end. It was different, having a book where Jack wasn't in the courtroom and, although I missed that part, the rest was so good that it was actually okay with me. This was one of my favorite Jack Swyteck novels!!
May 31, 2018
Some murder mysteries are predictable. This one is not. The homeless character had surprising depth and a well-honed history which adds intrigue to this Jack Swyteck novel. I am not reading them in any order, actually, and have not found that to be a hindrance.
January 15, 2020
The hostage scene is drawn out way too long. While the conclusion seems obvious, there’s not much in the story to lead to it. It would have been nice to include more of the history of Falcon and the mayor earlier in the novel.
August 27, 2022
James Grippando takes you through the a homeless man, Falcon's obsession with Alicia Mendoza a female cop and daughter of the Mayor of Miami. What secrets does Falcon's past intersect with Alicia's and how will they change her life?
January 12, 2023
I like James Grippando’s Jack Swyteck novels. Not only do they include an interest holding plot and well developed characters but although fiction include background and facts from which I learn. On to book #7!
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