Merchants of Death

A Kate Dawson Thriller

By: John Flynn

Narrated by: Geoffrey Boyes

When a BART subway car arrives at its destination, with 24 passengers all dead, Inspector Kate Dawson, a homicide detective with the San Francisco police department, must find out what killed them and who is responsible for their deaths. Her investigation takes her from the treacherous back streets of Chinatown to a luxurious chateau nestled in the Northern California hills, and from a lavish horse race track to a perilous underground lair. She is pitted against a young rival who covets her job, a twisted but wealthy brother and sister duo who deal in illegal arms and drugs, and a deadly group of U.S. army deserters, known as Task Force Red.

The story twists and turns its way through the streets of San Francisco to a thrilling climax aboard a runaway train loaded with a deadly toxin headed to game number one of the world series, where the president of the United States is scheduled to throw the first pitch.

Can she stop the train in time to save the president's life and prevent the deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocent citizens?

©2018 W&B Publishers (P)2019 John L. Flynn

Rating this Audio Book 5 Stars!

I would like to rate this audio book 5 Stars! The story started out with a real bang. How else can I describe the shooting of a police officer and the deaths of passengers aboard a subway car? But then, as the police investigation gets rolling into the two disparate crimes, the level of suspense and tension increases. I pride myself on being one step ahead of most mystery writers, but alas, I was surprised by each turn of the plot. I was pleasantly surprised. The narrator's performance was above average. I really liked how he captured each character with a different inflection in his voice. Expertly done. Overall, I have lots of praise for this audio book. Never a dull moment or spot in the narrative where I wanted to fast-forward. Since I bought this audio book, I will be listening to it again and again. Like a well-loved book or movie. 5 Stars!

More Action & Adventure is Good!

Merchants of Death is packed with more action and adventure, romance, intrigue, suspense, mystery, and good-ole-fashioned thrills than any three or four thrillers that I've read this year. Flynn's narrative, as expertly executed by Geoffrey Boyes, is fast-paced and exciting from page one, and doesn't surrender its frantic pace until a quiet, heart-felt flashback to the day when Kate Dawson first walked into the Homicide Bureau in its epilogue. I loved the characters, the setting (from a dangerous Chinatown to a luxurious castle in the hills above San Francisco Bay), overall story, and a tale which seems to be ripped from today's headlines. Do yourself a favor: Find a nice easy chair, stock the room with plenty of soft drinks and popcorn, and settle in for a thrilling audio book that's better than anything you'll find on television tonight. You can thank me later.

Another Home Run

Another thrilling thriller from John L. Flynn. His hero is alluring, attractive, a female 007!

Powerful Story! Outstanding Characters!

Merchants of Death was one of the most powerful thrillers I have ever listened to on audio books. I started listening to the book on the way to work Monday morning, and the shocking death of a policeman as well as the "unexplained" deaths of 24 passengers on board a Bart train in San Francisco gave me pause when I was supposed to be heading into work for the weekly Monday morning meeting. By Wednesday, I found myself taking breaks throughout the day, so that I could sit in my car and listen to the next chapters of the story. By Friday, I sat in my car after work, and just listened as Kate Dawsonand her cohorts stormed a train filled with a deadly toxin to stop it from killing thousands (including the President) at a World Series game. The plot from beginning to end was simply riveting, and I'm sure that I wasn't the only person sitting in his car, avidly listening as the story unfolded. I've listened to several other novels written by Author John Flynn, including two other books in the Kate Dawson thrillers, and I'm convinced that he is one of the best storytellers writing today. His characters are always interesting and reflect real-life figures that you might know. Kate Dawson, Flynn's female homicide detective, is slowing down with age and the normal wear and tear of life when she finds herself confronted with a younger rival who wants to take her job. Dawson is also dealing with issues related to wanting a child but knowing she has only a few years left to give birth to one. She is also being harassed as a woman by the mostly male-department, and becomes a member of the me-too movement when a superior demands sex from her. Suffice it to say, she struggles with a great deal, but still manages to stay on the track of killers with a brand new nerve gas. The other characters in her orbit also experience similar changes, not the least of which is her annoying neighbor Lenny. His story appears to have reached an end of sorts, and is not likely to pop up in future novels. I cannot really say much more without giving away key plot points. I will simply close by suggesting you forego listening to this tale until you're ready to listen from beginning to end. Or you'll share my experience of sitting in my car moments before work to find out what happens next. A powerful story, with outstanding characters.

Netflix or Amazon Prime--Pay Attention!

I encourage Netflix or Amazon Prime to pay attention. The Kate Dawson thrillers are a winner. Flynn's mystery thrillers, featuring a female homicide detective with the San Francisco Police Department, represent the best of the genre today, as well as showcase some excellent narrative writing. The characters are always interesting and believable. The mystery is always a solid one with some kind of larger mystery at hand. The setting is the City by the Bay, with all of its lively and interesting neighborhoods showcased. These books should be made into a television series or series of movies. In the current thriller, 24 people arrive at a BART station, all dead, and Kate Dawson follows the clues to Chinatown, then a race course in Oakland, and finally a castle nestled in the hills. You'll find yourself on the edge of your seat as Dawson goes undercover to reveal what the "merchants of death" are plotting, then it's a race to the finish, with the President's life in danger. The way this book is written you'd think you're watching a movie in your mind's eye. Great stuff!

WOW! That is a great story! Brilliant writer!

I listened Merchants of Death by John L. Flynn in one breath. I love the book! From the chilling opening, in which a Bart subway car reaches its destination with everyone on board dead, to the twists as the thrilling plot unfolds, this book grabbed me, held me tight, and never let me to stop listening. It has edge-of-your seat action, blood-curdling suspense, intensely-real characters, and a blockbuster storyline that you’d expect to see playing at the local Cineplex but is actually an audio book. Geoffrey Boyes lends his excellent narrative skills in relaying the events of the story and breathing life into Kate Dawson and her unique ensemble of supporting players. The book is not only immensely fun but also thoroughly researched with details that make every scene pop and sparkle with realism. Flynn’s writing style is absolutely top notch. I can’t wait to listening to other audio books in his Kate Dawson thriller series! Apparently, each book tells a separate story, and you don’t have to listen to the books in any particular order to enjoy the amazing adventures of SFPD Homicide Detective Kate Dawson. I took this audio book with me on my long trip, and I watched the miles fly by as I was whisked away on an incredible thrill-ride. I highly recommend this book to everyone!

Eagerly Awaited! First-rate Entertainment!

I am a fan of the Kate Dawson thrillers! I have been eagerly awaiting this audio book since the author tweeted about his detective series being made into audio books. I had read the print book earlier in the year, and loved it. So, when the audio book came out, I cleared my calendar and listened with glee. This is first-rate entertainment! Boyes as the narrator makes the story come alive, like a big-screen production, with his clever take on each of the off-beat characters. Now, if only some big-time Hollywood producer would take notice, this would make an excellent series of films! I can imagine Jennifer Lawrence in the lead role as Kate Dawson. Forget the James Bond series! This woman detective would easily make you forget 007, and have you subscribing to each audio book!

Extraordinary Story! Incredible Characters!

I have listened to this audio book twice now, once for my book group and the second time with my girlfriend on a trip. The story is simply extraordinary, with an incredible array of characters led by a very real Kate Dawson. If you want to take a thrill ride with a top-notch mystery-thriller, then this is the book for you. I loved it, and I continue to recommend it to other readers who want to listen to a well-written and highly-original plot.

Thoroughly entertaining! Couldn't stop listening!

I enjoy listening to audio books in my car on days when I've got a lot of household chores to run. On Thursday, after sampling a couple of new books, I decided to give Merchants of Death by John L. Flynn a try. After stops at the bank, my local drive-up pharmacy, church, and thrift store, I was totally hooked by the riveting story. I didn't even mind sitting in my car to let a sudden rainstorm pass, while Geoffrey Boyes skillfully described a suspense-filled race against time to stop a runaway train, filled with a deadly toxin, from killing thousands at a baseball game. The writing was crisp, characters interesting, and plot thoroughly entertaining. I just couldn't stop listening. I had never "read" a book by Flynn before, but believe you me, I will be on the lookout for his other Kate Dawson thrillers on audio books in the future. What a great way to spend a day filled with chores!

Exceptional! Five Stars!

I have read each of the Kate Dawson thrillers, and loved all of them. No one weaves a better mystery than John Flynn. So, when the latest one became an audio book, I was curious how it would hold up. I am happy to report Merchants of Death, as narrated by Geoffrey Boyes, is exceptional. Boyes manages to bring each of the characters to life with his narrative skills. I loved listening to the book almost as much as I did reading it. Five stars for an exceptional audio book.