J. D. Barker

DIE HARD meets TALK RADIO in this heart-pounding, relentlessly fast-paced thriller from the New York Times bestselling author of The Fourth Monkey-master of suspense, J.D. Barker. "I'm going to offer you a choice." Controversial satellite radio talk show host, Jordan Briggs, has clawed her way to the top of the broadcast world. 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. When a subdued 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, breathe life into the beginnings of drive-time for her listeners. Against her producer's advice, she agrees, and unwittingly opens a door to the past. Live on the air with an audience of millions, what starts out as a game quickly turns deadly-events long thought buried resurface and Jordan Briggs is forced to reconcile with one simple fact-All decisions have consequences.

A Caller's Game

Lori Keenom

JD Barker have quickly became a goto author. I get his books without even reading the descriptions now. 

This one is about talk show host Jordan, who is given a choice with deadly consequences. Full of twists and turns will keep you on your toes. Great read.

Monri

My thanks to J.D. Barker, Netgalley, and Hampton Creek Press for the opportunity to get this ARC for an unbiased review.


Review/Reseña en Español/English 




  Español


Este es el primer libro del autor que leo y debo decir que me agrado bastante, la trama trata de Jordan Briggs una mujer que trabaja como locutora de radio y una mañana al tomar la llamada de un hombre llamado Bernie comienza un juego violento que termina acabando con la vida de inocentes y poniendo en perspectiva las decisiones de la vida de Jordan. Con la ayuda del policía Cole Hundley intentara detener a Bernie y salvar a su hija.

Jordan es un personaje complicado, sinceramente no me gusto para nada, cada vez que quería proyectar su “intelecto” y superioridad era estresante porque la mujer no se preocupa por nadie más que ella y su show, su personaje cambio bastante a lo largo del libro le daré eso, y al final mi opinión respecto a ella fue neutral. 

El oficial Cole es mi personaje favorito, se enfrentó a todo para salvar a todos que merece lo mejor del mundo. Su situación con el resto de los policías me molesto demasiado (view spoiler)[ el abuso de poder policiaco de quitarle su puesto solo porque sale con la hija del jefe de la policía es una gran injusticia (hide spoiler)]. Las escenas de acción descritas fueron fáciles de leer e imaginar, me gusto la manera de pensar del policía y si bien algunas escenas fueron de película no me molesto, debido a que la sinopsis ya hacía referencia a eso, debo decir que no he visto las películas de DIE HARD, así que no lo puedo comparar. 

El villano Bernie fue escrito de una manera dramática y extravagante, su pasado hace que comprendas porque causa terror a Jordan pero aun así sus acciones no son justificadas, mato a demasiadas personas por su obsesión con el pasado y cosas que no puede cambiar. Realmente te hace plantear todas las decisiones que has hecho en tu vida y si alguna afecto a una persona.

La trama era entretenida y tuvo sus buenos momentos, hubo un punto donde pensé que cambiaría de rumbo pero no fue como esperaba para nada. Muchas escenas fueron predecibles, por lo que, pude predecir como sería el libro aunque debo admitir eso no le quito lo entretenido para nada. El final no me gusto, esperaba algo más fuerte o incluso trágico, sentí como si no hubiera conclusión. 


  Personajes Secundarios


Charlotte la hija de Jordan termino siendo un personaje muy importante y fuerte debo decir, al principio se me hacía como una niña caprichosa rica, y si lo es, pero realmente me gusto su personaje y lo que le aporto a la historia, se podría decir que humanizo más a Jordan. Su ex­esposo Nick también jugó un rol importante pero su personaje es muy olvidable y no es agradable, supongo que me gusto el amor que siente por su hija.

Billy, el joven que estuvo con Jordan durante todo y la apoyo, no esperaba menos de su personaje pero la verdad no pensé que sería tan importante y que viviría tanto tiempo. Él es otro personaje que me gustó mucho aunque su importancia al final era esperaba no se sintió tan fluida, aun así me agrado el cambio que le dio a la historia. El resto de los trabajadores de Jordan son importantes para la historia por su papel en todo pero son muy olvidables y no pude sentir nada por ellos. 

Para finalizar, la historia es predecible pero es muy entretenida, no dejaba de voltear la página para saber que ocurriría a continuación, realmente tiene material para ser una película de acción. Se las recomiendo a los que les gusta el thriller y la acción, pero recuerden que es algo explicito es las muertes y habla de terrorismo con un poco de política. 


  ¿Es este libro para ti? 



  Perfecto para: 
 Amantes de las explosiones, protagonistas fuertes y thriller. 

  ¿Lo recomiendo?
 Si, me agrado. 

TW: violencia explícita, terrorismo, asesinatos, abuso de poder, corrupción, cyber-terrorismo, trauma, muerte, abuso infantil, bombas. 
Troupe: crimen, acción, thriller, suspenso. 
Heroína: 6/10
Héroe: 7/10
Violencia/ escenas turbias: 6.5/10
Trama: 7.5/10


  English


This is the first book by this author that I read and I must say that I quite like it, the plot is about Jordan Briggs a woman who works as a radio host and one morning when taking a call from a man named Bernie, a violent game begins that ends up ending with the lives of innocents and putting Jordan's life decisions into perspective. With the help of the policeman Cole Hundley she tries to stop Bernie and save her daughter.

  
     Line 4 – Bernie (wants to play a game)
“Hey, Bernie, what kind of game do you have for me?”
  

Jordan is a complicated character, I honestly didn’t like her at all, every time she wanted to project her "intellect" and superiority it was stressful because the woman does not care about anyone other than her and her show, her character changed a lot throughout the book I'll give her that, and in the end, my opinion of her was neutral.

  
     I go through life trying to do what’s right, what’s right in my mind, and that’s an important distinction because what’s right to me may not be to someone else.
  

Officer Cole is my favorite character, he faced everything to save everyone, he deserves the best in the world. His situation with the rest of the police officers bothered me too much (view spoiler)[ the abuse of police power to take away his position just because he dates the daughter of the police chief is a great injustice  (hide spoiler)]. The action scenes described were easy to read and imagine, I liked the way the policeman thought and although some scenes seemed like they were from a movie I didn’t mind it because the synopsis already referred to that, I must say that I have not seen the DIE HARD movies, so I can't compare it.

The villain Bernie was written dramatically and extravagantly, his past makes you understand why he terrifies and hates Jordan but even so his actions are not justified, he killed too many people because he was obsessed with the past and things that he cannot change. It really makes you question all the decisions you have made in your life and if any affected another person.

  
     “Five million dollars,” she said softly. “I’d like to put up five million dollars to whoever puts a bullet in Bernie’s head.”
  

The plot was entertaining and had its good moments, there was a point where I thought it would change the course of the story but it wasn’t what I expected at all. Many scenes were predictable, so I was able to predict what the book would be like, although I must admit that doesn't take away the fun at all. I didn’t like the ending, I expected something stronger or even tragic, it felt as if had not concluded.

  
     "Social media is the new judge, jury, and executioner. The 21st-century hangman.”
  

  Side Characters  

Charlotte the daughter of Jordan ended up being a very important and strong character, I must say, at first she seemed like a rich capricious girl, and yes she is, but I really liked her character and what she brings to the story, you could say that she made Jordan more human. Her ex-husband Nick also played an important role but his character is very forgettable and not pleasant, I guess I liked the love he feels for his daughter.

Billy, the young man who was with Jordan throughout the whole book and supported her, did not expect less from his character but I really didn’t think that he would be that important and that he would live so long. He is another character that I really liked although his importance, in the end, was expected, it didn’t feel so fluid, even so, I like the change he gave to the story. The rest of Jordan's workers are important to the story for their role in everything but they are very forgettable and I couldn't feel anything for them.

Finally, the story is predictable but it is very entertaining, I kept turning the page to know what would happen next, it really has the material to be an action movie. I recommend this to those who like thrillers and action, but remember that it’s explicit in the descriptions of the deaths and talks about terrorism with a bit of politics.
 When I write a story, when I share it with you, my sole purpose is to entertain you. Distract you for a little bit from all the goings-on in the world. J D. Barker
  Is this book for you? 

  Perfect for:   Lovers of explosions, strong protagonists and thriller.
  Do I recommend it?   Yes, I like it.

 TW: explicit violence, terrorism, murder, abuse of power, corruption, cyber-terrorism, trauma, death, child abuse, bombs.
Troupe: crime, action, thriller, suspense.
Heroine: 6/10
Hero: 7/10
Violence/dark scenes: 6.5/10
Plot: 7.5/10

A Caller's Game

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