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The Journalist: A Gripping, Addictive Thriller! (Book 1 in the Jamie Ryder thriller series) Kindle Edition

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 42 ratings

From master storyteller John Reid Young, this is the opening book in an adventure-filled and action-packed new series that’s perfect for fans of Nick Stone and Jack Reacher.

“An intelligent, enjoyable thriller tracking one man’s road to redemption.” – Thomas Waugh

Everyone makes mistakes. Not everyone does their duty.

Jamie Ryder is a highly-trained officer in the British army with a beautiful girlfriend and a bright future. But within a few days he has quit his regiment, and his girlfriend has left him.

Lost and alone, Jamie considers opportunities offered by security contacts in London. But a chance meeting sees him heading impulsively to the Scilly Isles to try and rebuild his life.

While there he meets Brendan, a personable Irishman who’s desperate for help to deliver a yacht to a port in northern Spain. Yet this isn’t any normal cruise, but a gun-running operation between the IRA and Basque Separatists.

Jamie finds himself at the centre of a deadly game of cat and mouse, and a terrifying plot only he can foil. It would be easy to look the other way, but he’s not running any more. With lives on the line Jamie knows he must do his duty…

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09DGH4XJF
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Reidten Publishing (August 23, 2021)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 23, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 551 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 258 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ B09DMQZMQV
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 42 ratings

About the author

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John Reid Young
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John Reid Young was born in London’s Welbeck Street in 1957. Although he has spent most of his life in the Canary Islands, home to his paternal ancestors since the middle of the 19th century, he was educated at private schools in England and Scotland. At university he read Law and Politics and completed his studies with a Master’s degree in Diplomatic Studies. After spending time in the UK and elsewhere he returned to the Canary Islands. A family man with a Spanish wife and two sons, he enjoys nothing more than swimming in the Atlantic Ocean, hiking in the mountains and gardening. He owns Tenerife Private Tours with which he finds great pleasure meeting people from all over the world. He has provided his voice to numerous recordings. He has translated numerous documents and publications. He has published several articles and keeps an historical blog, Travel Stories in Tenerife and the Canary Islands. His collections of short stories, and his first novel, a thriller, confirm his passion fo telling a goog story.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
42 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book an enjoyable and well-written read with a suspenseful plot. They describe it as a great first installment to the Jamie Ryder thriller series with an epic twist. The characters are likable and the story is action-packed with romance.

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5 customers mention "Readability"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find it well-written and interesting, with a fun mix of romance, history, and suspense. The epic twist makes it a great first installment to the Jamie Ryder thriller series, and the payoff is worth it.

"A winding start to an epic twist makes this a great first installment to the Jamie Ryder thriller series...." Read more

"...A truly fun read for a person that likes some romance, history, and suspense." Read more

"Wonderful book to read. Once you start, you can’t put it down. Can’t wait for the sequel!" Read more

"Excellent read that is well-written and interesting." Read more

4 customers mention "Suspenseful"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the suspenseful thriller with an epic twist. They find the characters likable and the story engaging, with action-packed scenes and an interesting take on the genre.

"...be a hilarious set of events, if they weren’t so gruesome, into an action packed, romance skimming, sea faring read!..." Read more

"...Spy thrillers aren’t usually my thing, but this one was a really interesting take. It definitely fits the category, but in a quirky new kind of way...." Read more

"The story kept me guessing about what would happen next, in this suspenseful thriller...." Read more

"This is a cracking good read with likeable characters and a great story. However, I'd place it more in the 'cozy' genre than call it a real thriller...." Read more

John Reid Young’s dashing new hero will give James Bond serious competition!
5 out of 5 stars
John Reid Young’s dashing new hero will give James Bond serious competition!
John Reid Young’s first full-length novel demonstrates his masterful ability to spellbind the reader. His shorter stories about authentic characters among the “English” community in Tenerife have already earned him a following of charmed and loyal readers. With “The Journalist” he introduces a more fictional but attractively swashbuckling character with robust ties to Tenerife and, the author hints, a proclivity for uncovering the seamier side of the island in the late 1980s as land development for time-shares and tourism rears its head. After resigning in 1988 from his regiment as an officer and trained combatant, young Jamie Ryder finds himself at a crossroads. He is the casualty of multiple circumstances: firstly, his deeply regretted decision to leave the British military and return to his home in Tenerife; secondly, the unexpected infidelity of his Spanish fiancée; and thirdly the menace of shady land development dealings that his ex-fiancé’s father may have become involved in.Uncertain what to do, Jamie leaves Tenerife first for London, then for Cornwall and then for the Isles of Scilly after a fortuitous meeting with a bright young woman at the annual reunion of his old boarding school. In Scilly, he impulsively agrees to crew a yacht to Northern Spain and unwittingly becomes embroiled in an IRA operation to purchase arms from Basque terrorists and smuggle them back to Ireland on a yacht stolen – unbeknownst to Jamie -- from a retired British brigadier who served in Northern Ireland. When Jamie discovers the true purpose of the voyage, his natural acumen and his military training take over.The resulting clashes between terrorist organizations, national governments, named politicians of the day like Margaret Thatcher and Sir Geoffrey Howe, the special services, the armed services, MI6, and the police are packed with suspense and action in which Jamie plays the lead role.As well as telling a spellbinding story in “The Journalist”, John Reid Young subtly prepares the stage for a series of novels featuring this daring young ex-British Army officer who is as comfortable in Spanish society as in English, as handy with a pistol as he is with the tiller of a yacht, and becomes involved in the underworld of espionage and political devilry.John Reid Young’s dashing new hero, Jamie Ryder, promises to become a special agent so outstanding that this, and future novels in the series, will give James Bond, Jason Bourne, Quiller, and even Modesty Blaise serious competition among devoted readers of undercover operations with a firm bond to true life.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2023
    “The Journalist” opens with heartbreak. Lost love and a beloved career in the British Army gone, Jamie Ryder is in a state of free fall, unsure what to do next. Travelling to London in search of a future outside of the military he stumbles upon a new and intriguing woman. Setting off to find this woman again, Jamie travels solo under the guise of being a journalist to avoid the judgement and questions, eventually getting talked into a sailing adventure to Spain on a yellow yacht.

    Beginning with heartbreak and espionage, this story turns what would be a hilarious set of events, if they weren’t so gruesome, into an action packed, romance skimming, sea faring read! Author John Reid Young takes his obvious skill with ships and sea to bring a wholly entertaining story to the page. Spanning beautiful scenery, Young transports readers to the Canary Islands, Ireland, Spain, and all across Europe.

    This story has a lot of intermingling parts leaving readers on the edges of their seats for the entirety of the ride. From land to sea, romance to organized crime, “The Journalist” had it all. “The Journalist” appears to just the beginning of Jamie Ryder’s adventures, as this hero and accidental journalist leaves the door open for more.
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2024
    A winding start to an epic twist makes this a great first installment to the Jamie Ryder thriller series.

    This book had a bit of a slow start. It’s the first in a series, so you’re just getting introduced to the character. At first, I wasn’t a huge fan of Jamie Ryder. Also, I was a little hesitant and confused about the storyline. Why were we following these random people – none of whom appeared to be a journalist?

    And bam! When you get the payoff, it is totally worth it! It’s definitely one of THOSE stories! Where, yeah, you have to wait for it, but it’s like a choo-choo train. You start slow and build up to it, and then you’re barreling along at breakneck speeds and can’t physically read fast enough to keep up with the pace of how fast you want to consume what is happening! And I love it! Sometimes it’s exactly perfect for how you’re feeling, and for the exact story.

    And every little random encounter ends up making perfect sense and making the story tie up into a perfect little package at the end. That is always chefs kiss Love it!!

    And our main character Jamie, definitely grows on me throughout this book! I’m not sure he’s my favorite character ever, but he’s going through some things in the beginning and we get to see him grow and change throughout the story. And I love Ruth so much!! She’s a firecracker who knows what she wants and gets it! My grandma was named Ruth, and she reminds me a lot of her. It’s a good representation of the name, I think.

    Spy thrillers aren’t usually my thing, but this one was a really interesting take. It definitely fits the category, but in a quirky new kind of way. So, I’d definitely give it a try, if you’re on the fence about the genre!

    Who’s It For?
    If you love a good spy novel, but with twists and turns you’d never see coming this book is for you. Also, if you enjoy some sweet romance thrown in, there’s some of that as well.

    Content Warnings: Murder, Violence, Death, Adult Situations, Adult Language, Crime, Alcohol Abuse
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2022
    The story kept me guessing about what would happen next, in this suspenseful thriller. The mix of historical references and Jamie Ryder's adventures were enjoyable. I look forward to the next exciting chapter in Jamie's life, in another book by John Reid Young. A truly fun read for a person that likes some romance, history, and suspense.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2022
    Wonderful book to read. Once you start, you can’t put it down. Can’t wait for the sequel!
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2022
    Excellent read that is well-written and interesting.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2023
    This is a cracking good read with likeable characters and a great story. However, I'd place it more in the 'cozy' genre than call it a real thriller. The villains are typical baddies and the hero is a thoroughly good type: honourable, gentlemanly and endearing. Nevertheless, I romped through it, appreciating the author's background knowledge of the Canary Islands, Spanish, the army and boats. My only issue was the political framing of the villains. I found it a bit stereotyped, but otherwise, this was a very enjoyable novel with potential for a sequel given the loose ends left dangling.

Top reviews from other countries

  • weaselhips
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping page turner!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 17, 2024
    The first in a new series of thrillers that offers an intelligent, gripping story with compelling characters. The premise is original and Jamie Ryder is an appealing protagonist - think an Andy McNab hero crossed with a thoughtful spy from a Gerald Seymour novel. Great research drives the storyline along, as well as perfectly realised locations from the UK to Spain. Highly recommended!
  • Nivar
    5.0 out of 5 stars What's a human being without a sense of duty?
    Reviewed in Spain on October 7, 2021
    "Te digna sequere" is the motto that lingers in all of Mr. Ryder's actions. A sense of dignity presides all his acts. Tension, emotion and romance are present in this exciting and enjoyable book written in a beautiful English.
  • Cliente Amazon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant storytelling!
    Reviewed in Spain on September 26, 2021
    Captivating characters, ruthless crime and the gentle touch of a love affair kept me turning the pages. Absolutely intriguing. Definitely material for a movie. I can't wait for the next story from this author!
  • Cliente de Amazon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping "Reid" !!
    Reviewed in Spain on January 20, 2022
    Living in Tenerife, I love knowing some of the places were the action takes place...and some of the people!
    Great read !!
  • Nick Felsing
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping! A real page turner - the mark of an exciting author!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 19, 2021
    The plot carries you along on countless waves of adventure, intrigue, and romance all within the ambience of the fabulous settings accompanied by a deliciously fluid narrative that makes you feel present with each character as they develop their particular involvement within the twists and turns as the plots reach their stunning conclusions.
    Loved every moment of my read.
    John Reid Young has a real talent for storytelling - cannot wait for the next installment.

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