Long Way Down (A Jason Stafford Novel)

There are many suspense and mystery series which can be read out of order. This isn't one of them. There isn't sufficient backstory (though the author does try) to place a new reader in context and allow him to catch up with the regular characters. So, if you haven't read anything by Mr. Sears before, don't start here. After a promising, but not stellar, debut novel, and a much better sequel, this third book flounders a bit. It settles down in the second half, with clever chase scenes, thrills and a few chills. As for the Villain, there's more than one, and I guessed the identity at the first mention. There's a clever little bread crumb in the description of the character that the reader can detect right away. As for the convoluted plot, it includes insider trading, the rich and shameless, alternative energy sources, and computer hackers. There are any number of murders, endless Bad Guys willing to commit more, and the usual cast of characters: the almost-middle-aged hero, his autistic son, his girlfriend...who wants to become the mother of his next child...his father, his father's girlfriend, his employer, a buddy in the FBI, a friend who used to be his girlfriend's employer, the friend's new employee...as you can see, there are many characters. That's apart from a victim (or is he a villain), his wife, assorted lawyers and bankers...now you know why it isn't possible to convey sufficient details on the people, and you'll need to read the first two books to understand the third. In 340 pages, you have all the above characters, and plenty more, as well as the intricate plot and assorted secondary characters who appear for a few pages, and to top it off, there are chase scenes and fight scenes and scenes from Long Island to the Caribbean to New Mexico. I think the author needs to consider what he wants to tell the reader and pare down the rest. He's trying to cram an awful lot into too few pages. However, I'm willing to read the next book in the series to see if he improves.

I have read all three novels by this author, Black Fridays, Mortal Bonds(my favorite), and this one, and I eagerly await the fourth. I read a lot of suspense novels; the protagonist's Wall Street background and connections give it a freshness; and although some reviewers have thought the story line about Jason Stafford's autistic child was extraneous, I think it gives the novel its heart. Michael Sears is a very competent writer; these are page turners, which is of course what I want from a thriller I think it would be best to read them in order for a full understanding of Jason Stafford.Four stars is a very good rating for me--the only author who would get five would be Jane Austen.

The third installment in the series is another fast-paced and well written thriller. Once again Jason Strafford finds himself facing off with financial giants, ruthless thugs and his own personal demons. A true page-turner with a strong lead and an engaging background cast. I read the first three books in less than a week and can't wait to start the fourth.

This is the third of Michael Sears books that I've read and I've enjoyed them equally. His writing provides insight into the world of high risk investment from a traders viewpoint and adds a human side of parenting a child with autism. Watching Jason learn from his child such valuable lessons of life while he deals with a group of very powerful and devious makes the story constantly moving, enticing, and enjoyable. A nice change from the same old same old.

I'm really enjoying this series, but book three was my least favorite. I'm drawn to this series because of the "Kid" with autism and what his condition does to the father's life. Long Way Down didn't have nearly as much of the "Kid" as the first two books. That being said, I'm really looking forward to the next book in the series. Michael Sears is a good story teller - and that's why I read - for the stories.

Its possible that I read his three books to quickly together. I noticed a very distinct people chasing the good guys pretty quickly pattern. Always some thugs around. I really enjoy the main characters in the books but the story needs some reality. There are a lot of available hit people in his books. I skipped many pages of chases just to find out the ending.

This is the third in the Jason Stafford series. I read all three books in a week. Compelling storyline. Interesting protagonist. Both the 'crime' and the 'context' are gripping. I recommend reading the books in sequence, although not required. The Jason Stafford character evolves and in Long Way Down, Stafford is 'stepping out' and is an evolved character. His journey is worth reading from Black Fridays and Mortal Bonds. Highly recommended. A definite page turner (with many twists).

For the first half of the book, nothing happens. The last half is just confusing, not very illuminating, and not at all believable. The last time I looked, there was NO commercial passenger air traffic in or out of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the locals like it that way! I found the book boring.

Top writer. Great book.