Jordan is a presenter on a radio station and accepts a challenge from a caller to play a game. Being feisty and argumentative of course she agrees and this is when the fun begins. Or rather it should have done but I didn’t like it. It was all a bit tedious really nor did I like Jordan or her child. I think I’ll leave this author until he writes another creepy book like Forsaken which I loved. Sorry but this book just wasn’t for me on this occasion!

This is a case of the blurb perfectly describing what you get in the book: ‘DIE HARD meets TALK RADIO’.

A Caller’s Game is a gripping thriller that is stuffed so full of explosions, chase scenes, shoot-outs and so on that the characters (and reader) barely get chance to draw a breath!

You could add the film ‘Speed’ to the description too, as the main characters – Jordan and Cole – have to divide and conquer with Cole as the John McClane-style action-hero, while Jordan has to follow the instructions and ‘play the game’, under duress.

There is a running theme of thoughtless impulses and throwaway words/actions having potentially far-reaching and severe consequences, which really had me overanalysing my behaviour towards others for quite a while afterwards, and thanking my luck that I chose to be an inoffensive bookblogger instead of a controversial ‘shock jock’. Hopefully my harsher reviews won’t come back to haunt me!

There are multiple climactic points throughout the novel… so many, in fact, that the final ‘climax’ ended up being a little anticlimactic in comparison. But maybe I was just a bit actioned out at that point. Did I mention there is A LOT of action? I could see this making an amazing action film and think fans of such films would love this book.

This was a very high octane thriller that never let up in pace. I did enjoy it but not as much as JD Barker’s previous thrillers. I didn’t much care for the main character Jordan. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.

Thank you Netgalley for the ebook in exchange for a honest review. Jordan Briggs is a radio talk show host. When Bernie rings in and asks her to play a game Jordan doesn't realise just how dangerous his game is. She will do anything to keep her daughter safe from her crazy caller.

When it comes to J.D. Barker, I'm running out of synonyms for the word "brilliant"!

Superb. Splendid. Impressive. Excellent.
All terms I've used multiple times to describe J.D. Barker's story telling skills. His newest? Absolutely no exception here.

The summary is limited. However, to give more details than that, would be to diminish the thrill the reader gets each time a piece of the puzzle is revealed. Though I can tell you this. It is a fast-paced rollercoaster with dynamic characters that are intricately spun together in a, wait for it, "brilliant" spiderweb. It's a rare treat to read a book that gives you all the action, mystery, and thrills as well as a feeling of pure reader satisfaction after the last page is turned.

I recommend reading the Author's Note. Fiction isn't always about trying to make a point or express an opinion on current issues. Sometimes, it's simply creating fiction for fiction's sake. With the only purpose being to provide another with a few hours of enjoyable respite. Barker's fiction is very successful in this purpose.

Well done, again, Mr. Barker. Your talent is utterly wicked (i.e. brilliant).

*Thank you to Hampton Creek Press & J.D. Barker via NetGalley for providing the digital reader copy.

Jordan Briggs is the extremely controversial and most unliked talk show host. She doesn’t hold back, doesn’t spare feelings, and has no trouble sharing what’s on her mind. Her rigorous pursuit of success has come at a price, though. Her marriage is in ruins, she hasn’t spoken to her mother in years, and she’s distanced herself from all those close to her. If not for her young daughter, Charlotte, her personal life would be in complete shambles.

One quiet morning, she receives a call at the studio. A man wants to play a game. His first question.. do you prefer Ubers or taxis? Innocuous question... right?

Live on air with millions of listeners, what starts as a game quickly turns deadly.

Who is the caller ,,, and what is his motive? Why does the entire New York area play this game with her? Why does Detective Cole care?

This is quite a thriller .. kept me glued to the pages throughout. The chapters are short and powerful .. but be warned. There is a cliffhanger after each one. The action is non-stop and the suspense starts on the very first page and doesn't let up until the surprising, unexpected conclusion. I have read this author previously and though the books were great ... this one is even better.

Many thanks to the author / Hampton Creek Press / Netgalley for the digital copy of this psychological thriller. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

Ready…Set…GO!

Jordan Briggs is a very controversial radio host. A rising star with a huge following.. Jordan won’t hold back! She tells it like she sees it!

But what happens when someone calls into her show and wants to play a game? Could be fun? Higher ratings? Or… it could end up being a deadly mistake!

Right from the start, this book is nonstop action! And it doesn’t let up until the final chapter! Hold on tight because you are in for a ride!

This book would make a fabulous movie! All I needed was my 🍿 comfy chair…and 🎬

Ok, I’ll admit, some of it was a bit over the top. But it was all in good fun. JD Barker has quite the imagination and we as readers are lucky enough that he shares it with us.

Oh and make sure to read the author’s note at the end. It gave me chills!

A buddy read with Susanne.

Posted to: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...

Thank you to NetGalley and Hampton Creek Press.
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A Fast-Paced Thrill Ride!

Jordan Briggs is a no holds barred satellite radio talk show host. She’s known for taking no prisoners. Little does she know she’s about to get played and the game is a deadly one.

The minute she takes a call from a man named Bernie, everything changes and I mean everything. Bernie you see has an agenda, and it’s all about revenge and Jordan is at the top of his list.

Detective Cole is at the right place at the right time, or is it the wrong time? Once he realizes that Jordan Briggs and her entire crew are in trouble, he takes it upon himself to help.

A suspenseful, fast-paced, full roller coaster of a ride, “A Caller’s Game” kept me glued to the edge of my seat, desperate to get to the end.

A huge thank you goes to NetGalley, Hampton Creek Press, RB Media/Recorded Books and J.D. Barker for the arc.

A buddy read with Kaceey.

Published on Goodreads, Twitter and Instagram.

The fast paced and remarkable plot in this book are great. I will read this again if given the chance.

When I read one of the blurbs: "DIE HARD meets TALK RADIO" i was very intrigued. I also love the author, having read and enjoyed the books in his 4MK-series. "A Callers game" is an action thriller in it´s truest form, and another great novel from an author that keeps building a big fanbase. The main character in the novel is talk show host Jordan Briggs. Briggs is surrounded by ruined relationships. Then, one Friday morning, she get a strange call. A man wants her to play a game. Briggs goes along, but her answers soon turns deadly ...

Barker sure knows how to write unputdownable thrillers, and this was no exception. He is a master at storytelling, I have had the pleasure of hearing him talk about storytelling in interviews and he knows what he is doing. I can see "A Caller´s Game" being turned into a movie one day. If so, I would love to watch it. The books has everything a thriller addict may want: A well thought out plot, with lots of action. If you love books that keep you turning the pages, all the while you can put the stresses of everyday life away, this is for you. A perfect beach read.

A fantastic roller coaster of a ride . . . a thrill a minute! A not very likable main character but a strong-willed woman who says and does whatever she wants, and an evil man who does whatever he wants. The mayhem and explosions never stop. I loved the author’s notes at the end of the book where he says, “ I’m not an expert at anything. I literally get paid to make shit up.” Well, keep that shit up, Mr. Barker. It’s pretty remarkable!

FAst paced and action packet, it kept me hooked and turning pages.
I liked the characters and the solid plot.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Wow what a wild ride! This is my first time reading this author but it certainly won’t be my last. The description was right when it said it was like Die Hard. This was a popcorn thriller through and through.

This was quite a fun-filled, fast-paced action thriller where a caller dialing into the talk show wanted to play a game. With many varied characters, both good and bad, some were really irritating, the story moved at the speed of a movie, well compared to the Die Hard franchise. The author wrote some hard-hitting action scenes which kept the pages turning. This was quite long for a thriller, but a lot of fun too.

DIE HARD meets TALK RADIO in this heart-pounding, relentlessly fast-paced thriller. If this doesn't reel anybody in I don't know what will.
Radio talk show host, Jordan Briggs, is a brash and opinionated woman who isn't having a great day. On a normal day she doesn't stop to think about other people and their feelings so imagine her on a bad day! Jordan decides to take a call from a person - the person in question, Bernie, calls her and asks her if she wants to play a game. She agrees, but what Jordan doesn't know is that it's not easy as she thought it would be. This is a very dangerous game, a game that no one would want to play willingly. A game which has her past come crashing in on her.

This book Was so good. It had me hooked from page one. It is superbly plotted and well-paced with great albeit unlikeable characters and despite going a little over the top where you do need to suspend your belief, this book is most definitely a page-turner.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Caller's Game is a total escapist story. It has action, adventure, twists and did I mention action. 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 with this game will change many people's lives as well as disrupt the city. Detective Cole Hundley was on traffic duty when the first taxi was detonated outside the building where Jordan works. He plunges into the middle of this story and between him and Jordan, we also find out what the caller has in store.

This book is a ride. It is told alternately from the POVS of Jordan and Cole. They are both in the building but on different floors and with different goals. Jordan's main goal is to keep her daughter safe, Cole wants to figure out what the motive is and how to stop this madman. My feelings for Jordan went back and forth throughout the novel. There were times I did not like this arrogant and rude woman and times I felt sorry for her. As the story unfolds, we find out why this crazy has targeted Jordan, and it is a doozy of a story. Cole is a dedicated cop, and yes as the blurb suggests, a bit John McClane from Die Hard. He puts his life on the line to stop what is happening. That is all I am going to say. If you are looking for a few hours of fun, action and a book you really don't have to think about grab A Caller's Game, it is pure entertainment and I can definitely see this being made into a movie.

4.5 action-packed, what-the-hell-is-happening stars!! Wow this book was non-stop!! It was totally different than anything I've read, & I was constantly on the edge of my seat! The characters were so realistic & flawed, I could understand & empathize, even with the ones I didn't like so much. I'm not always into action (the genre,) but for such an outrageous story the author did a great job at making it feel completely possible. I'd recommend this to all of my thriller-reading friends, & I'm genuinely looking forward to my next 1 by J.D. Barker.

As far as the audiobook version specifically.. I really enjoyed it & the narrators did an excellent job portraying the high stress situations without going overboard. The male narrators speech was a little halted at times, but not enough to take away from the story. I'm really glad I listened to this 1!

Thanks to NetGalley, J.D. Barker, & Hampton Creek Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is the first book I have read from this author and will definitely not be the last. I had read a book previously that he had done with James Patterson and was impressed with the writing so I decided to give this one a shot. In this book, a controversial radio talk show host has a caller call in wanting to play a game. The tables are quickly turned as the explosions and the action begin. I really felt the dialogue in this book was witty and compelling. Jordan comes across as really developed and relatable, although she is definitely someone who has pushed a lot of buttons as she rose in her career. I felt that the suspense was taut with peril and the overall action was well-planned and well-thought out in the story. This book was inventive and definitely well though out.

This book was a non-stop. pulse pounding, suspense novel!

For me, I rate books based on their "addictiveness". That is to say.. was I easily distracted while reading.. bored.. or was I completely unable to put down the book even when I had a million other things to do. If it's the latter of those things.. than the book gets an immediate 5 stars. A CALLER'S GAME makes everything in your life fade away and only concentrate on what's between the pages. 5 Stars. Easy. Well deserved.

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

The synopsis describes as "A Caller's Game DIE HARD meets TALK RADIO and it is delivers exactly that. If you have watched Die Hard, Talk Radio, and Speed, this is like reading the book version of the same action-packed, fast-paced thrillers.

Controversial satellite radio talk show host, Jordan Briggs, is one ruthless character. She doesn’t hold back, doesn’t spare feelings, and has no trouble speaking what's on her mind. When a strange man calls into the show and asks to play a game, she sees it as nothing more than a way to kick-start the morning show. Against her producer's advice, she agrees, and what starts out as a game quickly turns deadly adventure—and Jordan Briggs realizes that—All decisions have consequences.

The story is told from two different POVs, Jordan and Cole, with slightly different story tracks but both combine nicely. I won’t reveal much of the story as it’s best to go in blind. The plot is full of action, suspense, and plenty of twists and turns to keep you hooked. This book can be easily divided into two halves. The first half is more about intrigue. The second half is ALL action with shooting and explosions. J.D. Barker writes this story very well, especially the many action scenes.

Both the central characters; radio host Jordan Briggs and NYPD Officer Cole Hundley; are well developed and carry their part of the story. Jordan is rude, snarky, and not very likable while Cole is a competent hero but not in the same league as John McLane. The same can be said about the antagonist. Though competent, not quite at the same level as Hans Gruber in Die Hard or Dennis Hopper in Speed.

While I enjoyed the story overall, I felt the book is about two halves, the plot mostly unfolds in the first half and the second half is mostly action sequences till the end. While I do enjoy watching action, reading about the many action sequences proved to be too repetitive. The second half felt a bit drawn out and repetitive. The unlikable characters didn’t make you root for them. However, Barker's writing is top-notch and if you can suspend belief and ignore the loopholes, you will enjoy the story.

Overall, A Caller's Game is an enjoyable thriller with lots of action and suspense. If you like a thriller with lots of action, you will enjoy this one.