Having read now 4 of J.D. Barker's books, as well as his collaboration with James Patterson, I knew what to expect, and I was not disappointed: strong characters making difficult decisions, and, in this book, on the most trying of circumstances.
The "Game" in this book only serves as an anchor to kick off the stories behind each of the characters, with well-placed action-packed moments to keep us glued to the pages.

Besides the story, J. D. Barker took a few paragraphs to acknowledge the once-in-a-century event we are (or were, after 2021) living in, and that showed me although his mind is capable of going to very dark places, he also knows how his works allows that escapism we all need every once in a while.

I will be looking forward to his next book (hopefully soon!)

"I'm going to offer you a choice."

A Caller's Game was highly entertaining, non-stop action story. I felt like I was reading Die Hard: The Novel. I've been a long-time J.D. Barker fan, and this book defines why...he has written some of the most absorbing stories I've ever read. I always have to be careful when I pick up his books because before I know it, hours have passed, and my family is starving for a dinner that's very, very late. (Wanna order pizza, anyone?)

Barker writes characters I enjoy and isn't particularly political in his books, which I appreciate. (Too many authors today are preaching their politics instead of telling stories...and frankly, it's getting on my nerves.)

This could have been a five-star read for me, but I did feel the "why" behind all the chaos was, perhaps, a bit implausible. Not to mention the amount of work all that chaos required (much of it would have had to be completed months in advance, and the chance of somebody finding a bomb (or a camera), seems likely. Nevertheless, if you can suspend belief and just enjoy the ride, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. I know I was. I even told my husband, who is not a reader, that I thought he would enjoy this novel. I think he may actually give it a go.

4 super fun stars!
Available February 22, 2021!

My heartfelt thanks to NetGalley, J.D. Barker, and Hampton Creek Press for my much coveted review copy.

Let me start by saying that this is not my usual read. Thrillers don't hold a particular soft spot for me. But tell me it's a thriller written by JD Barker and I'm all in. That was some crazy, non-stop whirlwind of a story and I loved it!

So exciting from beginning till the end.

Talk show host Jordan Briggs is unstoppable and fairly dislikable in media world. Also, her personal life is a mess too. One day a misterious caller proposes her a game, which she gladly accepts, until the game becomes deadly serious.
Can she stop the caller to murder people and saves herself and others?

Unputdownable suspensful thriller!

I have enjoyed ‘She Has a Broken Thing Where Her Heart Should Be’ and ‘The Coast to Coast Murders’ and I was excited to receive a copy on J D Barker’s new book ‘A Caller’s Game’.
Jordan Briggs a radio talk show host lands herself in trouble when she accepts a offer to play a game online with a fan who listens to her show.
She finds herself in a cat and mouse game with a man who is out to destroy her.
An edge of your seat thriller with lots of action and unforgettable characters reminiscent of the Die Hard film.
I really enjoyed this book.
Thank you to NetGalley, Hampton Creek Press and JD Barker for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review

I just reviewed A Caller's Game by J.D. Barker. #ACallersGame #NetGalley - Another gem from J.D. It starts super fast, and ends even faster. The story has you hooked. J.D does an amazing job going back and forth with the key characters. I really enjoyed this book. I highly recommend it,

By the 20% mark, I wanted the protagonist dead.
That makes me a terrible person, yes, but it also proves the writer to be very effective! I instantly loathed our hero (antihero?). I instantly identified with the villain (before we even knew what his big plan was, or his motives, or what was going on in his head. Even though he was killing innocent people. Yeah, this isn't exactly reflecting well on me...)
I was hooked from the start. Why was he doing this? I needed to see it through to the end.
By the end... I hadn't changed my mind about the protagonist (whose redemption arc felt kind of hollow to me) and I still empathized with the villain. He was particularly well written, given a realistic backstory and genuine motivations. Yes, he was doing horrific, evil things, but you can see how he got to that point, how his mind snapped and how he lost any trace of humanity.
Here's the thing. The first half, I couldn't put it down. Then we learn what's going on and why, and my interest dropped off. It turned into the literary equivalent of a Michael Bay movie. Explosions!!
There's nothing wrong with, as the writer describes in his afterward, literary popcorn. It's a great genre. We all need to relax, unwind and distract ourselves. This was perfect for that. Rapid pace, well-written characters (with the exception of the gratingly precocious 11 year old daughter), and a nicely crafted plot with some well-timed twists to keep it interesting.
I was not the target audience for this. I lack the patience, if that's the word, for action movies/books. Like I said, once I learned what was going on, my attention waned. But that's a reader issue, not a writer issue, and the book should certainly not be penalized for it.

I’m calling it... top 5 thrillers of 2021!

When I heard Die Hard meets Talk Radio I thought that’s a bold claim there better be a lot of action! It gets better... there’s action, suspense, fast paced thrills...

I honestly don’t want to give anything away, go in without knowing what to expect, this book will be a huge success

This is a fast-paced fun read for when you want to be entertained without straining a single brain cell.

Jordan Briggs is a radio talk show host on SiriusXM. When a caller calls in asking her to play a game, Jordan follows it to see if it will lead to something interesting for her listeners. What happens is lethal, disrupting the city. Detective Cole Hundley was being punished with traffic duty when the first taxi was detonated outside the building Jordan works at. He and Jordan alternate telling the story.

The marketing calls this DIE HARD meets TALK RADIO, and, indeed, this is the novel equivalent of a movie. It was hard not to harken back to Die Hard and Speed, where the cop inside is trying to figure out the motivations of a person killing strangers from afar. Jordan, still raw from a bitter divorce, only wants to ensure that her eleven-year-old daughter is safe. Charlotte is a great character and keeps calm even in this dire situation.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book, which RELEASES FEBRUARY 22, 2021.

Another unbelievably thrilling read!

In the author's note, JD Barker says that when he writes he sees the story play out like a movie in his mind and that is very obvious when you read his books because he takes you on a visual roller coaster ride. In the end, you feel exhausted but it is one of those rides you don't want to get off of.

"Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night and wondered if this is it? If today is the day you'll die?"
I don't think any of us wake up with such morbid thought but if we do will that change how we approach the day or the decisions we make? If Jordan knew how her day will play out she might have just stayed in bed although that is not who she is. She is a strong woman who does not shy away from conflict. The same can be said about NYPD Officer Cole Hundley. He will always run into the fire rather than away from it and this gives us two very strong characters who can each carry a story on their own.

This is a story about choices. About making the wrong ones and the consequences these choices will have in the long run.
So...... Let's play a game......

I loved every minute of this, Saw meets Die Hard, book and I adore Charlotte! Her wit made me laugh out loud!

Most people love popcorn so please give us loads more literary popcorn Mr Barker!

Thank you to J.D Barker, NetGalley and Hampton Creek press for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion

Turn the last page and then have a lie down. The pace in this one is unrelenting.

Jordan Briggs is a controversial talk show host on SiriusXM. Brash talking, no holds barred, she has a following of millions. Recently divorced with an 11 year old daughter, her personal life is a mess. Her career is everything. When a caller named Bernie gets through he asks her does she want to play a game. Make a choice. Despite her producers advice she agrees to see where it will go and things go downhill from there. Her past secrets begin to surface and a terrifying game of deadly cat and mouse begins to unfold.

Our other main protagonist is a homicide detective Cole Hundley. Recently demoted to traffic duty, he is near the SiriusXM building in Manhattan when taxi cabs start to explode. Seeing a cab driver stuck in traffic looking terrified he goes over and the driver, who is sitting on a bomb, hands him a phone with Bernie on the line claiming responsibility. Cole gets drawn into his games with Jordan and ends up in the SiriusXM building trying to save the day.

Ok this was an enthralling read from start to finish. Relentless. High octane from first page to last, it may not be for everyone but I was absolutely engrossed. I found this the ultimate page turner and stayed up into the wee hours to finish it. I just couldn’t put it down.

I’m sure some will say that some of the scenarios were implausible, and perhaps so, but I had so much fun reading this I didn’t really care. You don’t really have time to think anyway as you are swept up in this story. Some great characters and some great fun writing, it’s like a cross between Die Hard and Phone Booth.

My first review of 2021 and it’s a 5 star review. A great way to start the year. This was a lovely surprise. I was thoroughly entertained from start to finish and what more can you ask of a book?

Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC.

Jordan Briggs is a radio hostess at the SiriusXM building in New York. The success of her show has allowed her many fans and her ratings to continue to increase. Cole Hundley is an NYPD Officer whose specialty is homicide, but because of a misunderstanding with his chief officer, he has been reassigned to temporary traffic duty. Jordan and Cole’s encounter begins when he sees her running down the sidewalk after abandoning her car in the middle of heavy traffic. He follows her to the SiriusXM building, but they have a brief conversation, and she heads to conduct her broadcasts.

An interesting caller captures Jordan’s attention, and this is where all the fun begins. The caller entices Jordan in a game which she believes is innocent, but the caller has other plans. The game turns out to be catastrophic and Jordan is caught in the heart of the events that occurs with the game. Officer Cole must now intervene and save Jordan before it is too late.

Jordan Briggs is an independent, confident, and bold individual. She challenges her audience and speaks her mind without regards on repercussions. She is divorced and has a daughter who is intelligent and mature.
Cole Hundley is kind, caring and loves his job, but being put on traffic duty does not sit well with him. Luckily, he was at the right place at the right time, putting him in the heart of the action.

A Caller’s Game by J.D Barker entails action, drama, suspense, and thrill. It is a riveting novel. I loved the characters and the plot. Jordan Briggs character is very bold which I admire, she is not afraid to discuss her views on certain topics and persons on air. She is quite an outstanding character with an understanding of the everyday events around her.

I thought Cole’s soft nature was endearing, given that he has experienced various criminal activities and still possess this quality is pleasing.

The antagonist was the most exciting character. I felt his pain and understood his cold demeanour as well as wanting to seek revenge for what happen in the past. However, I found his antics to be a little overboard as innocent people were caught in the crossfire.

In the end, I was pleased that Jordan decided to change her attitude towards people and appreciate what she has and does not take things for granted as she did in her past. I also liked the friendship that developed between her and Cole.

The author J.D Barker is a great writer; I can recommend this novel; you will enjoy it. The characters each have their own background story and the reasoning that led to the events is quite emotional. This novel is an exquisite read if you are into action and thrillers.

I rate this novel 5 out of 5 stars, it was a book I could not put down with the thrill and excitement. It was my first novel by the author, it was not disappointing, and I definitely will be reading more of his novels.

I really enjoyed this action packed thriller. Reminded me of Speed meets Die Hard and it was a pretty fun ride!

Ok, let me catch my breath...
Wow! What a thriller!!! Fast paced is an understatement.

A well needed distraction in these times. Thank you J.D.. You definitely accomplished what you set out to do.

Highly recommend.

A thriller where a caller, Bernie, asks a radio host Jordan, live on air, a series of no win questions that have awful consequences for the city of New York. As the story develops you learn why Jordan has been chosen by Bernie. Other pieces of the puzzle slot into place as the story continues. The police officer Cole is a force to be reckoned with.

This is the third book I have read by JD Barker (the others being SHE HAS A BROKEN THING WHERE HER HEART SHOULD BE and THE COAST-TO-COAST MURDERS - co-written with James Patterson), with all three being excellent.

In A Caller's Game there are thrills and spills constantly as this real time novel races along to the end. Told from several different perspectives this was a joy to read. 5/5

JD Barker is destined to become a bigger name than he is now, the writing is like James Patterson (has a punch and a rocking narrative that flies along at a cracking pace) but there appears to be more depth and the additional words do not feel superfluous. If you like Patterson but want something with a little more heft then you will love this. I look forward to more from JD Barker.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

Talk radio host Jordan Briggs is confronted by a caller who involves her in a game that determines where and when bombs will be exploded in and around NYC. Unfortunately, Bernie has selected a day when both a US Senator and Jordan’s young daughter Charlotte are visiting the radio station. Soon, the entire country is listening to the radio and waiting to hear what Bernie will demand next.

This book would make an excellent action movie. It has certain characteristics of both Speed and Die Hard. Police Detective Cole Huntley raced from bomb to bomb, trying to identify Bernie and stop the death and destruction. Jordan was a complete asshole but was humanized by the presence of Charlotte. It all culminated in an extremely exciting finale. Bernie had a very well thought out plan and I sincerely hope that there aren’t any potential “Bernies” out there reading this book. 4.5 stars

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

A Caller’s Game by J.D.Barker is an action-packed rollercoaster ride that turns your insides out! I was hooked from the very first page. I read it in one day – it was that good!

I loved Jordan – she’s sassy, strong, feisty and determined. I wouldn’t want to be her, but I’d love for her to be my best friend. I also enjoyed Charlotte’s precocious manner and her interactions with Detective Cole.

The premise is an intriguing one and it is totally believable. The storyline flowed easily, and the action scenes moved smoothly from one mini climax to the next.

I would vote this THE BEST action thriller of 2020 / 2021!

#netgalley #acallersgame #jdbarker #hamptoncreekpress

An absolutely superb thriller, one of the best I've read in a very long time. It has a solid narrative structure with just the right degree of propulsion to keep people turning pages, but what really makes it work so well is the believable characters and the natural dialogue. It's just a wonderfully written book in every respect. The only thing wrong with it in my view is that I didn't write it.

When it is published, it will be my pleasure to recommend it to my newsletter subscribers. Thank you for providing me with an ARC.

Jordan Briggs is a morning talk show host with a huge audience for her brash, straight talk. One morning while stuck in traffic on her way to her studio in the Siriusxm building she has minutes until airtime and abandons her car in the middle of the street. Cole, a homicide detective who has been assigned to the traffic division after angering his boss sees her and leaves his car to chase Jordan down and ends up being caught in the middle of everything that comes next.
While Jordan is answering callers she gets one from a man who gives his name as “Bernie” and invites her to “ play a game” and asks her to choose between Uber and NY taxis. Her choice leads to Bernie setting off bombs and a day of death, destruction and chaos.
Cole is on his way back to the patrol car when the first bombs go off and is drawn into the investigation. How do murders in Brooklyn, New Jersey and the bombings tie in with the controversial radio host and the Senator who is her guest?
J.D. Barker is an author that I do not need to know what his next book is about, I just know I can’t wait to read it and this is no exception. This draws you in from the very first page and is one of those times where you empathize with the “ bad guy”.
Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for the advanced e-book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Jordan Briggs is a satellite radio talk show host who doesn't shy away from controversy. Her pursuit for success hasn't come without a cost: an estranged relationship with her mother, a divorce, and a list of people who hate her. Her career and daughter Charlotte seem to be the only things she is capable of holding together. When a man calls the show and asks Jordan to play a game she doesn't think much about it. The game quickly turns deadly with each call broadcasting live to thousands of listeners. Jordan is forced to play the game; with each of her decisions having deadly consequences and pointing to those she has wronged in her past. She will have to play his game in order to stop him before he takes everyone she loves from her.

A Caller's Game was a fantastic, intense, edge of my seat, thrill ride. This novel had me hooked from the first chapter and I couldn't put it down. Jordan is a powerful career driven woman who willing to sacrifice others to get to the top. You don't want to like her but at the same time you can start to see where she is coming from, especially as the story unfolds. The caller, "Bernie", is a man with a vengeance, a very scary man who has no problem killing others to make Jordan suffer the consequences of her actions. Cole is a detective who happens to cross paths with Jordan and gets pulled into Bernie's game. The plot compared this novel to "Talk Radio meets Die Hard" and I would definitely agree that Cole is the "John McClane" of this novel. My only complaint was that Charlotte's character is eleven but comes across as much younger in my opinion. I kept seeing her as a feisty eight year old...not much of a complaint. I also found the authors notes noteworthy as he described his thoughts writing this novel during the start of the COVID pandemic and how he writes his stories as entertainment i.e. an escape from reality; which is exactly why I read so much fiction in 2020...so thank you J.D. Barker for entertaining me. A must read for 2021!