Vendetta – Iris Johansen

I love Johansen's work.

In this one she introduced a couple new characters who you completely fall in love with. Add in older characters, Venable, Ling and Hu Chang and you know you're about to devour a story you're going to love for years to come. A lot of action starts us off with Venable inciting the help of others who eventually are asked to save Rachel, Venable's daughter. Rachel, with a troublesome past is forced to fight the evil that lurks within her father's world. But like most of Johansen's characters she doesn't disappoint. She does fight and she does it with class, in her own way.

At the climax we are left speechless and ready for the next installment.

Definitely a story worth reading again and again. Many thanks to St. Martin's Press for the ARC of Vendetta!

Book title:Vendetta

series :Catherine Ling #5

author: Iris Johansen

Netgalley ARC

Comes out:Oct 23 ,2018

Pages:416

Book synopsis
With his dying breath, Carl Venable, head of the CIA task force on terrorism and Jude Brandon’s final link to terrorist ringleader Max Huber, gives Brandon a mandate: to keep his daughter, Rachel, safe at any cost. But Rachel Venable has a shocking, twisted past of her own, one that comes rushing back after her medical clinic in Guyana is attacked by Huber—the same man who murdered her father and kept her imprisoned for months. Brandon and Catherine Ling, Rachel’s longtime ally and fierce protector, are determined to keep Rachel out of danger, but she knows that it’s impossible to stay hidden when Max Huber wants you dead.

As Rachel and Brandon race against the clock to bring Huber down before he can orchestrate a nuclear explosion that will lay waste to the west coast, they also fight a growing attraction to each other – an attraction that could prove just as dangerous as Huber himself. In this gripping, fast-paced novel full of dark secrets and tangled lies, one thing is clear: everyone has a vendetta, and no one will rest until they get their revenge.



My thoughts

First time Ive read from this series but not from this author , and I loved it, loved the characters , and the story , loved how it flow together and now I want more of this series , with that said I want to thank Netgalley as well as the publishers for reaching out to me and letting me read it and review it in a change for my honest opinion.

Iris Johansen has been one of my favorite authors for years. I think I have enjoyed every single one of her novels. VENDETTA is another example of amazing writing, great character development and an intriguing story. I enjoyed this novel immensely

I loved everything about this book. It’s ending left a question mark on one of the characters. I loved Brandon and Rachel as a couple. They are complete opposites. There’s lots of mystery and suspense. I received an advance review copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

No one does suspense like this author! I know whenever I am opening a book by her, that I am not going to be disappointed. The way this author weaves the story, it just wraps around you and sucks you in from the first chapter all the way until the last page! This book left nothing out, characters that made you feel, and a plot that was written superbly. If you want a book you cannot put down, look no further!

I love the Catherine Ling series and this book did not disappoint . It was action packed and kept you on the edge of your seat through the whole thing.
The book features Rachel Venable who is the daughter of Carl Venable and how she has to flee to the jungle after her clinic is attacked. The book leaves you hoping the next book was already out.
I received an ARC of this book for an honest review from Netgalley.

There was so much action in this book! I absolutely loved it. It should totally be made into a movie. As a long time Iris Johansen fan, I was thrilled to get a chance to review this book. She never writes a bad book and can always be counted on to provide an entertaining book.

This was quite the edge of your seat thriller. I will say that some of the character's left me feeling a little flat but then I turned the page and the story picked right up again.

Many thanks to netgalley and St Martins Press for this advanced readers copy.

I really enjoyed this action packed suspenseful novel. Brandon has been given a mission to find Rachel and keep her safe but that proves to be very difficult. So many people are after her and want to use her for their own purposes. Rachel has been through hell in the past and it's made her stronger. Brandon is impressed and frustrated with her independent spirit and determination. It's hard to keep her safe when she keeps putting herself in harms way. The book ends rather abruptly so I assume the story will be continued in another book. I would have rather it had a definite ending.

Mortally wounded, Carl Venable, the head of the CIA task force on terrorism, instructs his most trusted fellow terrorism fighter, Brandon to get his daughter Rachel and keep her safe no matter the cost.

The worlds most hated terrorist, Conrad Huber was taken out and his son, Max is looking for revenge. A slow and painful revenge if he can get to Rachel before her friends in and out of the CIA do. At the same time he is planning to 'change the coast of California forever'.  And when he gives them a small sample they all will have to work together and figure out a way to stop Huber while keeping Rachel alive. But Rachel has her own demons and sins not to mention skills! Who will end their vendetta and who will end their life?

I loved that Cameron was back. He and Catherine have such an intriguing relationship. Between Rachel and Catherine they could probably take down anything!

I have read all of Johansen's books and the ones with Catherine are my favorite.

5 star read for me.

Netgalley/October 23rd 2018 by St. Martin's Press

Nice twists and turns, lots of action and interesting characters. I didn't feel much for either of the lead characters but the story was good enough that I could overlook that. Decent character development and an engaging plot made this a quick read and I recommend to anyone interested in a good suspense novel.

Vendetta – Iris Johansen

I was fortunate to receive this novel from Netgalley.com as an Advance Reader Copy, in exchange for an objective review.

On a mission gone bad, CIA Terrorism Task Force Leader Carl Venable, lies mortally wounded when found by fellow team member Jude Brandon. With his last breath, Carl implores Brandon to find and protect his daughter Rachel from terrorist Max Huber, who is hell bent on revenge, as he believes that Rachel killed his father.

Rachel Venable is a physician with One World Medical, and is deep in the rain forests of Guyana, as they try to save village residents from the devastation of the Taran Virus, a mosquito borne illness. As traditional medicine has failed, Rachel has turned to her training as an herbalist in attempts to save an 8-year-old girl from certain death from the virus.

Catherine Ling, CIA agent and long-time friend of Rachel Venable is also invested in keeping her friend safe. As word comes down that Max Huber may be enroute to the rain forest to take Rachel, she joins forces with an eclectic group of people whose objective is to keep Rachel safe and to shut down Red Star, Huber’s terrorist organization.

When Rachel is evacuated from Guyana right under Huber’s grasp, he retaliates by kidnapping Maria, the 8-year-old child that Rachel was so desperately trying to save, promising to torture her if Rachel doesn’t come to him. He is also threatening a catastrophic terrorist act on US soil in the days to come.

As Rachel, Brandon and Catherine and their group team up to identify the planned attack and stop Huber, Rachel prepares to stop at nothing to save Maria, and plans her own special surprise for her tormentor. But will they be able to stop him in time and bring Maria home safely??

I’ve been a huge fan of Ms. Johansen since the first Eve Duncan book as released, and that adoration continues! With Catherine Ling taking a small role, this could be considered another of the Ling series, or perhaps the start of yet another fabulous series starring Rachel Venable and Jude Brandon – at least that’s what this reader fervently hopes!! Great characters, lots of non-stop action, and not one, but two heroines!! Awesome read!!

Wow, fantastic book. Not only do you get new characters with Rachel and Brandon, but old characters help out though out the story.
Received a digital ARC from NetGalley

A fast paced thriller with lots of suspense and great characters. Iris Johansen never fails to disappoint. This book is a stand-alone novel that will appeal to everyone. I received a free copy for my review and here it is! Get it, read it, love it!

I've been a huge fan of Iris Johansen for years and I have to admit it's been sometime since I've had the chance to read one of her books. But what can I say other then she sucked me right in from the start like she use to do and I knew she would it again. Vendetta may be book 5 in Catherine Ling series but you can pick it up and not be lost at all on who the key players are. If you love suspenseful reads and love being kept on your toes then this one needs to be picked up. I couldn't put this one down. That right there says a lot. CIA, terrorist, kidnaping, bombings have Brandon and Rachel on the run to figure out how to take down Max. Vendetta is all about revenge and how Max is trying to get his on Rachel. I love how strong and smart Rachel is. She overcame so much just as a young teen and taken what she learned after to help not only heal herself but to use that all and become a doctor. As a target you know she is not going to cower and hide in the corner. She is a fighter and as she works with Catherine, Brandon and a few other key players to solve what her father knew and take on Max you see the strength in her grow. Lies and secrets all come out and within the CIA who can you really trust. Brandon even as a member of the special forces comes in even as an alpha has a gentle way about him. I love how he lets Rachel lead the way she needs to but is always there in the background for her to lean on if needed. You can feel the sparks between them and as you watch the slow build can't help but root for them to be partners in all ways. I loved this book so much and I all I can say is I'm going to keep an closer eye out for more Iris Johansen reads so I don't miss out of anymore master pieces like this. Vendetta is one fantastic read.

I received an arc from Netgalley. Iris has a way of weaving mystery, suspense and romance in a way that you cannot put the book down.

Rachel has a lot of heartache and issues from her past that seem overwhelming but she finds Hu Chang and Catherine have always been there for her and gotten her through. When tragedy strikes and her father is killed, his dying wish was to send Brandon to rescue and protect her.

They begin a treacherous journey that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Definitely a five star read.

Excellent Catherine Ling book. With CIA operative Carl Venable's dying breath he entrusts Jude Brandon to keep his daughter Dr. Rachel Venable safe. Rachel is working in Guyana for a medical organization. She is in the crosshairs of the son of the terrorist her father and her brought down two years before. Many familiar characters, Hu Chang and Richard Cameron among them. Wonderful book with twists and turns. The ending leads me to believe there will be another story. Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and the Author for allowing me to read and review this book.

This book was awesome!!! I loved Rachel and hope to see more books about her in the future. Catherine and Hu Chang have always been some of my favorite characters and they were as amazing as always. This book kept me on the edge of my seat and the ending blew me away! Don’t hesitate to buy this book!

Rachel’s CIA Agent Father has sent Brandon to her to protect her. She has gained the attention of the head of a terrorist organization. The head of the organization is obsessed with getting revenge on Rachel and will stop at nothing to get it. He also has an event scheduled that will cause massive death and havoc. Rachel and Brandon, with the help of Catherine and Cameron are trying to keep Rachel safe and stop the attack.

This was a stand alone book by Johansen. I was leaning towards a 4 til the end, I wasn’t happy with how it was left hanging. Maybe there is a follow up book coming? I also found the story a bit convoluted for me. It wasn’t lacking in suspense. Readers who have enjoyed Johansen in the past will probably find this book worth their time. I would give this book 3 1/2 stars. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

Vendetta is a fast paced thriller! The dynamic characters, the intrigue and action driven storyline kept me engaged throughout. I am really glad I started reading Iris Johansen as I am truly loving her books