Navy SEAL James Reece faces a devastating global conspiracy in this high-adrenaline thriller that is ripped from the headlines—from the #1 New York Times bestselling author Jack Carr.
In 1980, a freshman congressman was gunned down in Rhode Island, sending shockwaves through Washington that are still reverberating over four decades later.
Now, with the world on the brink of war and a weakened United States facing rampant inflation, political division, and shocking assassinations, a secret cabal of global elites is ready to assume control. And with the world’s most dangerous man locked in solitary confinement, the conspirators believe the final obstacle to complete domination has been eliminated. They’re wrong.
From the firms of Wall Street to the corridors of power in Washington, DC and Moscow, secrets from the past have the uncanny ability to rise to the surface in the present.
With the odds stacked against him, James Reece is on a mission generations in the making. Unfortunately for his enemies, the former SEAL is not concerned with odds. He is on the warpath. And when James Reece picks up his tomahawk and sniper rifle, no one is out of range.
Jack Carr is a former Navy SEAL who led special operations teams as a Team Leader, Platoon Commander, Troop Commander and Task Unit Commander. Over his 20 years in Naval Special Warfare he transitioned from an enlisted SEAL sniper specializing in communications and intelligence, to a junior officer leading assault and sniper teams in Iraq and Afghanistan, to a platoon commander practicing counterinsurgency in the southern Philippines, to commanding a Special Operations Task Unit in the most Iranian influenced section of southern Iraq throughout the tumultuous drawdown of U.S. Forces. Jack retired from active duty in 2016. He lives with his wife and three children in Park City, Utah. He is the author of The Terminal List, True Believer, and Savage Son.
Reading "Only the Dead" by Jack Carr was an absolute thrill ride from start to finish. The book's fast-paced narrative and relentless action had me hooked right from the opening pages. The link to the audiobook can be found here Only the Dead: A Thriller (Terminal List, Book 6). Carr's writing style is engaging and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire story.
The protagonist, James Reece, is a captivating character who undergoes a remarkable transformation throughout the book. Carr skillfully weaves together Reece's personal journey with the larger plot, creating a compelling and dynamic narrative. I found myself emotionally invested in Reece's struggles and rooting for his success.
Carr's attention to detail in depicting military tactics and weaponry is impressive. The authenticity of the action scenes and the accuracy of the technical aspects added a layer of realism that heightened the excitement of the story. It's clear that Carr's background in the military greatly influenced the book and brought an extra level of authenticity to the narrative.
The plot of "Only the Dead" is intricately woven, filled with twists and turns that kept me guessing until the end. The story seamlessly combines political intrigue with pulse-pounding action, creating a captivating blend that never loses its momentum. While at times it could be slightly complex to follow, the overall excitement and suspense made up for it.
Carr's writing style is concise and to the point, which helped maintain a brisk pace throughout the book. The dialogue was sharp and engaging, adding depth to the characters and driving the story forward. The balance between action and character development was well-handled, allowing me to connect with the characters on an emotional level.
Overall, "Only the Dead" is a gripping and immersive read that fans of military thrillers will thoroughly enjoy. Jack Carr's expertise in military affairs shines through, making it an authentic and thrilling experience. If you're looking for a high-octane page-turner that will keep you entertained from beginning to end, this book is well worth your time.
DANGER DANGER, what a way to start a novel after a huge cliffhanger! Sorry folks, you'll have to read this series in order.
I have to admit at first, I didn't think I will enjoy Only the Dead as much as Carr's previous novels. World domination, nuclear, Russia, China, and of course Washington ... been there done that? Not quite.
Carr's insights/theories on global affairs in regard to Ukraine-Russia war and the financial markets are interesting and make you wonder. FINALLY, an ongoing mystery involving James Reeces's father Thomas since the Vietnam days is revealed and the author has a compelling way to weave it all together. New enemies emerge. Who can Reece trust?
Beware, the action sequences can be gruesome. I LOVE action but I cringed at some of these scenes - wish I can look away!
Only the Dead is the 6th novel by Carr, a former Navy SEAL and #1 New York Times bestselling author. I'm looking forward to Terminal List season 2 and Ben Edwards spinoff on Amazon video. Or anything by Jack Carr! 4.5⭐
Note to bad guys: You do not mess with James Reece!!
After the explosive ending to In The Blood, James Reece have to solve the mysteries of the past to secure the future of the world. When he gets out of three months of solitary confinement, he again sets out to protect the ones he love by eliminating all threats. Yet while he does this there is a traitor among his inner circle that stays a step ahead of him, but only for a while.
Yet again Carr delivers a masterpiece. His inside knowledge of special operation, the gear and just overall world history is what makes these books just that much better. His take on certain historical events is also interesting and then adds some conspiracies in there and makes it believable. This book also bring a lot of loose ends together from the earlier books and ties them up nicely to make one believe that James and Katie can happily and peacefully enjoy the rest of their lives... But lets see if that will be the case.
This is the best book in the series for me and almost has that new feel that The Terminal List had. Highly recommended series!!
I feel like it is crazy to say this but Jack Carr has even become a better writer with this latest installment of the Terminal List series. What makes this the best book, to date, is that not only did Mr. Carr give us the military-grade action we’ve come to love. He also gave us a subtle analysis of modern-day geopolitics, enriching the story beyond its high-octane nature.
Great ending, but the journey there was a little rough. I'm in this series to see James Reece kick ass and the first two thirds absolutely did not deliver on that front. There might have been a single action scene during that time, but the rest was spent on the author trying to connect his narrative to real world politics. The endless commentary on the state of the world broke my immersion relatively quickly, because it often feels out of place and like the author is talking directly to the reader about his personal beliefs rather than anything serving the story.
Things got a lot better in the final third as Carr gears up the action and it is as good as it ever has been. The methodical way the author goes over every combat encounter is always enjoyable to read. It ended up redeeming the novel a bit for me and I don't think it's a bad book overall, but it is definitely still the weakest of the bunch.
Jack Carr is back with another great novel in the Terminal List series, where protagonist James Reece is trying to stay one step ahead of those who wish to neutralise him. After being tossed in jail for the assassination of the US president, Reece stews for months while the CIA slowly makes its case that Reece was not involved. Now, Reece must not only track down a cabal trying to wrest control over world events, but take on an old case his father was trying to solve. Carr delivers an impactful novel that will have readers turning pages well into the night.
After the murder of a US senator in 1978, the panic surrounding Washington was palpable, though it was the man’s wife in Rhode Island who seeks answers more than confidential reports. She hires Tom Reece to help her, though the operative comes up with little before he dies as well. The mystery sits dormant for years, though there is a new man who might be able to help.
In present day America, James Reece sits in a supermax prison somewhere in the US, detained for his part in assassinating the US President. Reece knows that he is innocent, and does the CIA, who have been sending him on missions for many years. While Reece has months to slowly work through all that has happened, the world around him continues to move, with new threats. A global cabal seeks to take control of the world’s major issues, driving the world right into their hands. They hope that Reece’s detention will keep their plans from being foiled, hoping to send panic into high gear.
With Reece’s released after being exonerated, he wants nothing more than to find out who framed him, though the current situation will also require his assistance. He rushes from place to place, in hopes of getting answers to the problem, while his own continue to stack up. He returns to the coast to gather some insight from his father’s spirit, only to find himself tasked with more questions that relate to the elder Reece’s death. James is tasked with finding the killer of a senator from 1978, the answer which might play into the current situation Reece is seeking to neutralise. It will take more than an interest in saving America to get to the bottom of it all, but James Reece has what it takes and the fortitude to do so covertly. America could find itself in the middle of a new war, leaving some of the larger powers to pluck their respective gems to deepen their own regional control. A brilliantly developed novel that provides Jack Carr has all the tools for a successful thriller.
I discovered the world of Jack Carr a few years ago and cannot stop reading these novels. While I have yet to partake in the television program, I am eager to do so before long. Carr brings his personal experience working within the Agency to reflect on the Reece character and how he thinks. This proves invaluable to the reader, as they can fully comprehend the struggles and thought processes taken by the protagonist. The narrative flow is exceptional and keeps the reader in the middle of the mix, providing great action and momentum, which is essential for this type of book. Other characters help flesh out the story and provided needed depth to keep the reader understanding the complex meanings of all taking place. I can only hope that some of these people will reappear soon, as Carr does so well with building them up. The plots found within the story are not only effectively placed, but help fuel an impactful story that all can enjoy. I will admit that not all readers will be pulled into the James Reece series, but those who are will surely keep coming back for more, as there is such attention to detail.
Kudos, Mr. Carr, for developing a series that never lets up.
Very good thriller. This series is still going strong. The only reason I gave it four stars instead of five is that it's a bit too long and the discussions of weapons is overly technical. Sometimes I felt that I was reading the latest issue of "Guns and Ammo."
Wow! This book is SO GOOD! My favorite book of the year, by far.
So after “In the Blood” the wait for this book, felt interminable, but now having read it, I can say it was absolutely worth the wait.
Book 5 ended with one of the most shocking cliffhangers I have ever read, where Reece is arrested out of nowhere for the murder of his friend, and kindred spirit, the President of the United States.
Only The Dead starts out finding Reece at his lowest point in the series since the murder of his wife, daughter, and unborn son in book 1. He is imprisoned in a manner that would drive not just weaker men, but MOST men to insanity.
After several months Reece is able to find his way out, and is enraged. There are people who will do anything to keep him quiet and from uncovering truths that date back over 50 years, including threatening the well being of those he cares most about, and if you have read even one of the Terminal List books you know that the carnage wrought by Reece will be absolute, and in this he does not disappoint. As he does his best to finish what his father started in the shadows of Vietnam, he uncovers an audacious plot that could alter the worlds pecking order permanently.
Jack Carr has a style of writing that personally I love. Somehow through works of fiction he conveys who he is, what he values, and how he thinks and views the world in a way that makes you think, while at the same time doesn’t feel like proselytizing. They never make me feel as if he wants me to believe the same thing he does, but instead that he wants his readers to educate themselves, and form educated opinions on their own, and if you pay attention every book includes suggestions for other books, both fiction and non-fiction. There are very few writers that can entertain and educate well simultaneously, but Carr has that innate ability.
To sum up why this author and this book are so great; after reading it I’m left with the thought that if I could sit down and have a conversation with one living person, Jack Carr would be at the very top of my list.
If you like the book(s), you will also enjoy his podcast, and of course the Terminal List TV show, which is great. Although there is no way I will ever read one of the books and picture Katie as Constance Wu.
I am getting tired of Carr's MAGA-centic point of view being inserted in every book. His character James Reese spends too much time running down the country. Gets in the way of a good story.
Honestly I’ve loved the rest of this series. And this book is not *BAD* but at this point things with James Reece are feeling relatively trite. Yes, we *KNOW* he’s going to get out of [insert obscene situation involving being immensely outnumbered/outgunned] and finding out *HOW* he gets out of these situations is genuinely fun and entertaining. There are always a few twists and turns along the way that keeps me intrigued, but rarely does it add any substance. Couple that with the repetitive built in pseudo advertisements for gear geeks - which, don’t get me wrong, I have definitely stopped to Google “Dynamis Combat Flathead” and I probably bought a pair of Salomon’s thanks to James Reece’s affinity, but I can really only hear about Gatorz sunglasses and carrying a Sig P365 Macro in a Black Wing tactical holster sooo many times before it gets nauseating. A lot of the dialogue is downright cheesy. So many instances of “what are you going to do, James?” “I’m going to… *HUNT* *KILL* etc” Which, again, ok, it’s part of the appeal of this particular flavor… but… can we get some potatoes and greens to go with all this meat? Anyway, I’ll keep coming back because Carr is not a bad writer by any means and Ray Porter’s narration is A-1. This book lacks the substance and depth of its predecessors, and tries to make up for it with plenty of blood. It doesn’t do a bad job of keeping me entertained, but is becoming quite formulaic.
I think this is my favorite James Reece adventure since book 1. I love stuff that involves the late Cold War era and this book checks all of those boxes with the cloak and dagger stuff. Also Carr's penchant for writing action and unblinking depictions of violence is at an all time high here. Really enjoyed every bit of this from beginning to end, and really appreciated how he finally brought things to a head that have been minor threads in previous books. Easy 5 stars.
Author should stick to action thrillers and away from politics. The irony of him complaining about division and then sowing the same. Also, someone needs to edit this, how does a book from a major publisher have so many typos. And for the love of god, pls stop with the product placements every other page.
"Only the Dead," penned by Jack Carr, delves into a world where the boundaries between fiction and troubling ideologies blur. While Carr's knack for storytelling is evident, the book's overt alignment with far-right extremism, its glorification of firearms, and its propagation of conspiracy theories cannot be ignored. The narrative appears to perpetuate dangerous ideas that have the potential to harm social cohesion and contribute to polarization. It's important to consider the broader impact of literature that normalizes such beliefs, as it can inadvertently legitimize extremist views. In an era where fostering understanding and unity is paramount, "Only the Dead" raises concerns about its potential to exacerbate divisions and undermine societal progress.
5 Stars. Once again, Carr and Reece knock it out of the park. I can read this stuff always. This one felt like Clancy at the top of his game. What great memories of those books Carr allowed me to remember. Can’t wait to see where they go next.
Only the Dead is another great read from Jack Carr, in this one James Reece still hunts for his fathers hidden documents while at the same time is trying to stay alive and save the world and his family. It maybe sounds a bit like a story with a superhero but it's far from it. Reece is no superman he is a man with a strong conviction of doing the right thing while protecting his loved ones. I found the economic thinking behind this story interesting and the action scenes are fantastic. Some great details both on how to solve problems when fighting multiple advesaries and some great use of equipment. Even though it sometimes feel like an advertisement of great gear, some explaining has to be done for those that aren't familiar with all the cool stuff out there. I like the way he mixes old gear with new and makes the most of it. Sadly I must confess that Raife is getting to be my favorite character and his interactions with Reece are some of the best.
Reece makes me wish i could really be a bad a** spy working in espionage and all that jazz. P.S. I wouldnt last a day 😂. My my what a ride, Jack Carr always knocks it out of the pack with his thrillers, I had to finish this quick cos book 7 is coming out in a few months.... Solid 4.5 stars!!!!!
Reece goes back to the past to identify why he was framed for the president's murder and put in order all the moving parts in this fast paced thriller !!!! ENJOY!
Finally I’ve finished Only the Dead novel by Jack Carr. This novel starts with the aftermath of US president getting assassinated by unknown individuals and falsely framed James Reece getting arrested for that. In my opinion this is one of the weakest novels of the author because I always enjoyed his work and constantly recommends to many people who are new to this genre. He knows how to make us readers to get involve with the characters and their plight but at the same time to rip roar to the violence dished by that same character which in normal life we’ll be horrified to even think about it. Me as an avid reader of special operation missions and history always love the way the author used to combine it with his story or sometimes just write a small description about that in middle of the novel just to take that story to the next level but in this novel he kind of mishmashed everything in a single book which becomes tiring and tough to recollect back while reading crucial scenes. As I said as always he combines the history to this story also but this time it’s been tough for me to follow up as he jumps for one conspiracy to another. I know conspiracies are part and parcel of the fiction genre but he always took his time to have believable yet compelling edge of the seat Hollywood action thriller movie kind of novel but not this time. In this novel what I enjoyed most was the way he wrote the dialogues that happens with himself while he was in solitary confinement which you could’ve heard in the preview and the way he carried that mental scar for the whole novel was commendable. Also in this novel the author has given more attention to the Hand to Hand combat scenes that involves bladed weapons more than the Guns and this elevates the combat scenes to the next level and eagerly I’m waiting to see how he’s going to top this of in his upcoming novel. This is one of the most violent, bloody, gory novels written by him and I’m eagerly waiting to see how they going to deliver it's depiction in the TV series. A common joke that I always tends to see in our thriller circles was how the author writes about the gear and knickknacks in a very descriptive way in his each and every novel but personally I always enjoyed it because aside from the brands I came to know what that individual gear gives an edge to the character or how it overall helps in the heat of the combat for the character in that novel or maybe in real life also but In this novel that scene was highly unnatural and totally kind of shoved in our throat in a sudden manner so you’ll be questioning yourself why there is a catalogue in middle of the novel and this time only after the 5 novels I understood some of the frustration behind that joke. Women in thriller genre was always made to play the second fiddle during 90s till early 2000s novels at least in the majority of books I’ve read but it slowly changing right now especially authors like Brad Taylor, Don Bentley, Gregg Horowitz were not only write kickass women characters but the way they write it makes us root for them no matter that they maybe a friend of foe. Even Jack Carr started this series with awesome female characters like Katie and Hastings mother but I think just like one of his favourite authors Tom Clancy he too began to take his female characters for granted like in this novel Katie comes in very few places she was written like a filler character to me rather than an important one as she is . Overall this novel is kind of felt rushed to me in terms of story and character development and definitely a very new take in combat department but this is not the usual kickass novel I expected from the author. I dunno maybe I was expecting too much from him so I give only 3/5 for this novel. As an end note I like to add that above review of mine may offend some of you guys but like you guys I’m also a big fan of his works but this isn’t his best and it’s obvious for me.So tell me your view in the comments if you’re interested and thanks for reading this whole review. Have a nice week ahead.
This series continue to be one of my favorite. I was sitting on this all year but since the next book is coming in a few months I had to read this. While this is an agent type thriller it never ceases to surprise me about the commentary on the military (specifically in the US) and even though this is obviously a work of fiction a lot of things ring true to today and the real world. There are a lot of moving pieces in this novel and sometimes when that happens it’s easier for me to lose focus on one of the moving pieces if it’s not as interesting. That being said the overarching plot is always interesting and I can’t wait to see the next chapter for James Reece.
I can’t say enough about this book and about the entire series. Carr is one of the few authors that has guts enough to write about the truth of what is going on in our country, including some of the manipulative history of such events as Vietnam and the JFK assassination.
Great story and it answered alot of questions from the previous books. I have issues with the extreme violence but that is just me. Like it enough to keep reading the series! I do really like Carr's take on the issues we are dealing with in the world and of course...our government.
When a book hits all the Fox News conspiracy theories before you are even half way through is it propaganda?
I have read all of the terminal list. I love them but with each book there has been a noticeable uptake in right wing conspiracy talking points and this book took it to a new level.
1) corrupt Ukraine 2) big pharma anti-vaccine 3) voter fraud 4) anti Prince Harry memoir
I am fully accepting of a book series where the main character is ex-military will be right-wing but this book is just so bloody blatant and over the top it was really hard to get past.
I have literally started and almost finished (like 6 paragraphs at least 🤦🏼♀️) reviewing this book three times now but the app keeps crashing! Ugh! For now, just know that I LOVED this last installment and so far it is the best of the series. I cannot wait for the next one!
1978, Rhode Island: A freshman senator is gunned down, sending shockwaves through Washington that are still reverberating over four decades later.
Now: In a world on the brink of war, facing rampant inflation, political division and shocking assassinations, a secret cabal of global elites are ready to assume control. And with the world’s most dangerous man locked in solitary confinement, the conspirators believe the final obstacle to complete domination has been eliminated. They’re wrong.
From the firms of Wall Street to the corridors of power in Washington, DC and Moscow, secrets from the past have an uncanny ability to rise to the surface, and with the odds stacked against him, James Reece is on a deadly mission generations in the making. But for a man on the warpath, odds are not important . . .
I have read all the James Reece books, by Jack Carr, and have never been disappointed. The storytelling is excellent. A strong, driven, hero with a fine cast of supporting strong characters who would fit into any Bond villain film role perfectly.
It's gritty, raw, well researched, full of details on weaponry, travelling around the world, to me where it looses a star it the building of the story and characters for the first half of the book, second half as always filled with action and suspense, shocks and with this one a powerful ending.
James Reece is also really becoming a new James Bond of America.
A great series action packed but I think could be a hundred pages less, my only compliant, well as well as a chapter long on thank you's and other acknowledgments..
Only the Dead introduced an interesting character named Alice. Will she appear in the next story, Red Sky Mourning? The one downside of finishing Only the Dead is I need to wait until the middle of May to start the next James Reece "mission".
“It was Alice” … if you’re a fan will understand. She’s not in the book often, but those few times her minor presence is representative of a bigger picture. Fits for me.
Current events play an important roll throughout the story. Feeling as though this is what’s happening behind the scenes of governments.
Ours is underestimated and it is our fault is a sub theme setting. We’re on a crash course. Distracted.
I dragged this book out on audio for a week because it is the final installation. No more badassery from Reece.
Partly because being in the story as a fly on the wall gave me time with a grandfather I’d recently found out had been a UDT or Underwater Demolition Team member until President Kennedy renamed them Navy Seals. In a way the series gave me time with my grandpa in spirit.
I did not know my grand dad, but if I had imagine he could share a lot of stories. For a little while it felt pretty cool to live vicariously through Reece’s eyes wondering about the tales of my grandpa.
For a year since seeing the Prime series and learning it was based on a book to the crescendo meeting Jack Carr tomorrow I’ve dined on six terrific thrillers and enjoy all including the special cover version from the Prime release autographed. My favorite is this book “shot and sign”. Mr. Carr shot an AR-15 bullet through 500 pages just under the title. Then signed underneath. Specially bound.
In honor of my grandfather’s memory and these fun fiction tales recommend taking the journey. Badassery at its best, to me.
As a veteran who worked certain jobs that require me to continue privacy am a little creeped out by fiction vibing facts of book six.
Favorite part of the book is hearing Jack Carr share details at the conclusion that frankly make me go “Hmmm”.
Fun side option, Mr. Carr interview on Joe Rogan May 16th. If you subscribe to Mr. Carr’s newsletter can get notified of updates, too.
Exhale, now what? Never have I ever been so sunk into an author so quickly. As I said earlier, spending fictional time with my grandpa was fun.
Even if your family didn’t serve in the military this book is an action packed source of intrigue and unbelievable heroism and a whole lot of death.
This book is not for you if you do not like guns or get upset about government stuff. It might agitate or anger your sensibilities. At times even I thought, holy F, this could be real.
The story is so entangled in current events and factual details (even the author notes them at the conclusion of the audio) the struggle to wonder or not is as real as the facts although fictional experiences when not ‘redacted’ by the government edits.
Sad the series is over. Cherry on top tomorrow at the book signing with Mr. Carr will make this one of my favorite reading journeys to date 🙌🏼