Lethal People (A Donovan Creed Novel) [Kindle Edition]

This is a novel dealing with a primary character named Donovan Creed. In his primary job, he works for homeland security killing terrorists. Since this doesn't fill all of his time he also tests out torture devices for the military and sometimes does contract killings for the mob. Not necessarily the type of person you think of when you want to have a fun time or a romantic evening. Donovan really is a nice guy though. It is just that his work tends to give him a different outlook on life and this makes him sometimes awkward when dealing with people in "normal" situations.

In Lethal People Donovan gets a call from his daughter who is concerned about the man who is engaged to his ex wife. Donovan finds out the man is a "reformed" wife beater and while investigating him meets a young burn victim whose family died in a house fire. He likes the girl and checks out the fire and finds that it was arson. He figures out why the fire was set and who was responsible and sets out to find justice for all involved.

"Lethal People" by John Locke is a book that shows us that just because you kill people for a living doesn't necessarily make you a bad guy.

Lethal People is a "unique" thriller that takes the same old recipe and then spices it up with a serious splash of Tobasco. I'd have to use both hands and feet to count the number of books that have starred professional killers (ex-CIA, ex-snipers, hitmen gone straight, Bourne clones, etc.). Donovan Creed fits the same mold. Not only is he a killer, he's kills for just about any and every reason. In fact, his whimsical nature towards killing is one of the many things that detract from the story's believability. But hold on to that thought. Once you get far enough into the story, his indifference to killing is the least of the believability issues. Back to Creed... who kills terrorists for the bad guys, kills for the mafia, kills anyone who might be useful as a look alike double, and kills absolutely anyone for money. No one seems to be off limits, although the author does state that he doesn't kill kids -- very often.

On the plus side, the story has so much going on that it is impossible to get bored. No way, no how. There are hookers hopping in and out of bed, bombs blowing up hotels, secret satelites being taken over, kidnappings, wife beaters, house fires, restaurant shootouts, and more! All in all, things hold together fairly well until the midget army shows up. Uh yes, you heard me right. Not only a midget army, but one led by a rather upset quadriplegic billionaire who wants to conduct his own "Pay It Forward" experiment. Over the top? Oh yeah, way over. Fun? Well, yeah that too.

A few words of caution. Donovan Creed is not the typical "bad guy gone good" character. Dare I say that he's a psycopath? Yeah, I think that's fair. He kills anyone, so don't get your feelings hurt when he grabs a perfectly innocent woman and murders her in cold blood. That's tough to read when you naturally really want to like the main character. You may well be feeling disgusted by some of his actions. On the other hand, he's a concerned father, falls in love at the drop of a hat, rescues strangers from burning buildings, and likes puppies and butterflies. A complex, not particularly understandable character. Did I mention that he sleeps in other people's attics and has his friends torture him with high tech devices? Why you ask? Not quite sure that there's a rational answer to that one - just because. Quit asking so many questions!

Now you probably see why I used the term "unique" to describe Lethal People. Perhaps bizarre would have been a better descriptor. I did not toss the book to the other side of the room as some reviewers have posted. In fact, I found it to be quite the page turner, even if it does lose its way during the second half. The writing is fairly solid, the story is fast paced, and the characters are twisted spinoffs of all too common thriller stereotypes. Yes, it's ridiculous and morally dark at some points, but if you dare, give this one a try. My advice... go into it with a light heart and look for the absurdity while enjoying the ride.

Would I ever read another Donovan Creed novel? Nope. Even for a 99 cents? Nope. What about if I were on a twelve hour flight with nothing else to read and no one interesting to chat with? Well, okay, maybe just one more. But that's it I swear.

Written by Arthur Bradley, author of "Process of Elimination" and "Handbook to Practical Disaster Preparedness for the Family."

Please be kind enough to indicate if reviews are helpful.

After reading numerous reviews that said this was a great read I downloaded it to my Kindle and dove in. Interesting characters for the most part but then he gets a little too far-fetched and it is a distraction from the story and dialogue. Kept waiting for a twist or a surprise but it never happened. Not even much of a climax in the plot. Could have been better, more thought out and more entertaining. It never really drew me in. I finished it just hoping for some kind of redemption in the ending but it did not happen.