Bloodlands

John Milton #23

by Mark Dawson

The cold of Siberia meets the chill of betrayal.

In a world where loyalty is fleeting and alliances are temporary, John Milton is on a mission that will bring him face-to-face with enemies old and new. When his friend, Alex Hicks, finds himself pursued by mysterious adversaries, the two men are thrust back into the web of international espionage.

Navigating a perilous path that stretches from the war-torn streets of Ukraine to the icy wastelands of Siberia, Milton will stop at nothing to protect his friends and expose a conspiracy that could topple governments and jeopardize global security. As Russian intelligence crumbles from within and a new, unpredictable threat arises, can Milton outwit his most formidable enemies yet?

From the clandestine corridors of French intelligence to the explosive frontlines of a covert war, Bloodlands will keep you on the edge of your seat, questioning where true loyalty lies. In a daring game of cat and mouse that sees Milton, Hicks, and an ensemble of unforgettable characters crossing paths and double-crossing enemies, the stakes have never been higher.

Don't miss this lightning-paced instalment in the John Milton series—a tale of betrayal, survival, and the relentless pursuit of justice.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Crime, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller

472 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 17, 2024

About the author

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Mark Dawson was born in Lowestoft and grew up in Manchester and Chicago. He has worked as a lawyer and currently works in the London film industry. His first books, "The Art of Falling Apart" and "Subpoena Colada" have been published in multiple languages.

He is currently writing two series. Soho Noir is set in the West End of London between 1940 and 1970. The first book in the series, "The Black Mile", deals with the (real life but little known) serial killer who operated in the area during the Blitz. "The Imposter" traces the journey of a criminal family (think The Sopranos in austerity London and you'd be on the right track).

The John Milton series features a disgruntled special agent who aims to help people to make amends for the terrible things that he has done. Mark, as a child of the 80s, will freely admit that he watched a lot of The Equalizer in his youth.

Mark lives in Wiltshire with his family.

You can find him at www.markjdawson.com or www.facebook.com/markdawsonauthor.

Reviews

[Jennifer (Jaye) · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Loyalties*

Well, here I go again back into the crazy world of John Milton. He used to work for a government agency called Group Fifteen, but he came up against his next mark and couldn’t complete the mission. He wasn’t given all the information and found himself reaching his limit, refusing to kill a child.

Despite being the Group’s number one asset and having enough, he became an alcoholic and occasionally still attends meetings. The most dangerous thing about him is his ability to blend in; he’s unremarkable in many ways, but underestimate him at your peril.

This time, he’s once again running from the group because he’s been wrongly accused of something. The agent who actually committed this heinous crime is motivated by money to look after her daughter and is playing for both sides.

We see that everything has consequences, and John will stop at nothing to clear his name. So, who will come out on top?

[Abibliofob · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Milton is back. Bloodlands by Mark Dawson is another thrilling ride, (literally) It is a marvelous feat writing 23 books in a series about a man trying to stay safe from Group 15 and still manage to keep it fresh and entertaining. This book also involves the ongoing war in Ukraine and evil Russians and the author deals with it in a great way. Some thing is resolved (kind of) in this book and other stuff is not and we get some surprises along the way. I can really recommend this author and his work.

[James Thornton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Milton and I’ll always buy the next book but I hope the next one gets back to seeing Milton return to his roots. There was almost no action in this book, feels like his skills are being sidelined, this has been a gradual thing over the last 5 books or so.

There was lots of driving.

Enjoyable always but missing classic Milton.

[Paul McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story from Mark Dawson.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Dawson does it again with the most recent John Milton book, “Bloodlands”! He has written a very interesting storyline using current world situations and placed the best leading character, John Milton, in the middle of it. This was a great read and well done by the author. Look forward to the next book in this series.

[Darren Keighley · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent read

Another fantastic book from one of the best crime/thriller writers of his generation.
The book had me hooked from start to finish & I read it within 3 days (including whilst at work when I could).

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of Driving!

Goodness, the thousands of miles driven! The basic story was good, but I think about 100 pages could have been cut to make it more taut and engaging. I ended up skimming the last 75 or so.

[jerry Cursons · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's great having John Milton back again Set in the current horrors of Ukraine our hero is once,again choosing to do the right thing. Supported by his friends Ziggy and Hicks this story follows on from the Dublin escape. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series when it's published.

[Amanda Mc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Milton never fails to be my hero. Mark Dawson has kept us entertained through 23 stories featuring Milton and each of them have given us hours of nail-biting suspense, up to date weaponry, scenes we would never have thought of and exciting moments.

This book makes it even more thrilling as it is set in countries and in a war that people are living through now. I can picture Milton hiding from the Russians and being in some bombed out building in the Ukraine hiding with a price on his head. One thing about Milton is that he always keeps his promises come hell or high water. I look forward to meeting some of these characters in the next book. Never-say-die with Milton.

[Greg Strom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, 3.5 because I was just so darned happy to have John Milton back for an adventure. He is still dealing with the aftermath of the Lilly Moon defection (least scary name for assassin yet) and trying to get to control to clear his name, just has to get to Siberia via Paris and the war in Ukraine with the help of a Russian defector and his old pals Ziggy and Hicks (who sadly lost his wife they tried so hard to save). Ziggy nearly gets them killed but John escapes and for some reason they aren't tortured to give up the Milton whereabouts. With them out of the picture John and Hicks set off to find super sniper in Ukraine because lo and behold Polk just came from there and knew his way around. Sniper story interesting and tie in to Miltons dealing with drink and depression after deciding the killing game was not for him. Long story short they get control against all odds, baddy Russian Sommer that Samsinov wanted goes down in plane unceremoniously and because everyone is a god damned double crossing spy Lilly Moon finds out about Controls whereabouts (as she can testify on Lilly ) and does her in even though she has kids and Lilly couldn't carry out another hit for that very reason...WTH?? This is why this gets a 3, work so hard to rescue someone and have them offed anyway. The rest ride off into the sunset but of course Lilly need dealing with so that will be next on the hit parade. Time to get Isabella Rose out of mothballs and see what she can do, give John a rest in Sweden.

[Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars 🌟

After 23 books, I am running out of things to say about this series other than to say that it constantly amazes me that Mr. Dawson somehow manages to make each new book fresh, exciting and plausible.

This book is the continuation and culmination of the story arc started in the last couple of books that finishes with a huge climax in this book. Control has been kidnapped, an agent has turned traitor and of course, EVERYONE is blaming John Milton for ALL of it. Sound familiar?

Yep, thought so. But, even though this seems to happen quite often, it somehow just continues to work.

This time we have Zippy, John and Hicks on the run after the sleezeball turncoat continues to devolve lower and lower and find ways to "justify" her behavior.

I loved every minute of this and as always, it is over in the blink of an eye. I listened to this on audio (as I usually do) and just love the narration by David Thorpe. What can I say? I'm a sucker for that British accent :)

So, this one wraps up that entire story arc and I am curious to see where we are going to go from here. I hope book 23 is not the last book, but if so- there is still several other series he has in play......Atticus, and the other new series he just started....can't think of his name, and I think there is one more after that.

[Mrs V · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series never fails, the mark of a great author.

As usual this is a cracking read from start to finish.

It starts with Milton trying to find a way to get to Control and save her after she is captured and is held in Siberia. His journey takes us through today's Ukraine conflict searching for help in his quest from a Russian who holds a grudge with his country of birth and knows where she may be hidden.

Lilly Moon is now scared that her betrayal of the firm, which resulted in the death of many of its agents, will be exposed if Milton succeeds in his mission.

After a thrilling journey does Milton know what eventually happened to either of them? Will anyone find out about Sterling who is now at the heart of the Firm? Whoever stole his jacket and ear buds is a sub plot awaiting an answer.


A great ending leaves us wanting more and wanting it NOW.

Instead I find that the next book is not due until APRIL 2025!!!!

Oh come on please!!!! Mr Dawson, to prove you deserve your many fans' undying support, ditch your other writings and get stuck in with book 24 or......grrrrr😠😠.....🤬🤬🤬

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unbelievable Book 3 of the Milton vs. Group 15, a faction of the Russian government, and another nefarious spy group working against the West (and most especially, Milton) trilogy - resolving most of the issues of the two previous stories. Most......., but not quite. At the end of Book 2, Milton’s only chance to remove the death threats against him so that he can resume his life is to find Control who is imprisoned in Russia and bring her back to England to tell the truth about Lily Moon and her spy friends who framed him. Milton’s quest to save Control’s life and his own takes him deep into the Russian interior where he dodges assaults, shooters, and literally freezing to death. While Milton is on the run, his two close friends, Ziggy and Hicks, have been imprisoned by Group 15 with no way to get released unless they give up Milton. Another fantastic story that keeps you reading into the night. As with all Milton stories, there are continual twists and turns and breathtaking excitement. Really looking forward to the next in this incredible series.

[Ken Karcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy these multiple part stories provided they give a satisfying finish after such a smashing start. Dawson begins a book destined to go to Russia by taking Milton into the Ukrainian war and finding Hicks in the middle of the battle. The team is dynamically in the center of the action due to Milton being the most wanted, and he barely escapes (?) to Russia. The title blurb claimed that not everyone would survive this mission, and I spent most of the book waiting for one of my favorite characters to die and was still surprised by what happened. That shows the skill that Mark has in crafting a great story. He even teases the next book a few times in this one, but there's a terrible reckoning coming that might require every lethal friend Milton knows. I appreciate the struggle Milton lives, his trying to make amends for his past by trying to help people now, just seems to get him deeper into the muck. I can't wait to see where this leads next.

[Jeff Benham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not your coffee table book that you pick up when you have a few minutes for reading. This book is one you will want to spend time with, lots of time. The premise is simple and that is part of what makes it so great. Six, Lilly, is now working for the Russians. She has falsely implicated Milton in several murders and there is no one there to dispute it. The only other witness is Control and she is being held by Sommer, in Siberia. Nothing simple about the solution, which keeps it exciting. John and Ziggy need to find a Russian who defected to France and used to work for Sommer.He is in Ukraine. If Milton and Ziggy go to Ukraine. which you know they are going to do, will he be willing to help them? If he is, will they be able to get to Control before they turn her into a babbling idiot? You are going to have a blast finding out!

[John T · Rating 4 out of 5]

I probably use “compelling” too much but this was, actually, a compelling read which I happily followed to the end.

The only thing is, Johnny boy could have been anybody. None of his usual shenanigans, and no hint of the “A Team saving the day and those who can’t defend themselves”.

It’s kinda the same vibe as the new Jack Reacher series on Prime where the opening is excellent (the bit at the cashpoint) but then it’s just one set of thugs chasing another.

So.

I’ve read every John Milton book, and thanks for that Mr D.

The last two have been the weakest (though still good).

But, having said all this, this one was a bloody good yarn if you just pretend John M isn’t in it. Kinda like the 3rd Matrix movie which is good but not really a Matrix movie.

Or something.

[Louise Ridout · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the latest in the John Milton series, and book number 23! I usually really like this series even though there’s so many of them, I usually find them different enough and fast paced. But sadly this one I just didn’t get into like I normally do. It felt a little different to the typical narratives and themes, and I just couldn’t get into it and it took me longer than normal to read. I absolutely finished it because I knew some previous storylines were likely to be concluded in this and I wanted to see what happened and be prepared for the next book, but I can’t say it enthralled me unfortunately. I will continue with the next one and hope this was just a blip, and if you’ve read the series so far, it’s worth a read to see how certain stories and characters play out.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Mark Dawson’s writing style. It’s easy to read and just inviting you to sit down and have a conversation. My favorite series is John Milton, the Group 15 number one guy who walked away from it all. Picking himself over the group is a life of guaranteed death - if they find you, so John’s been on the run. Given his life back and is now on the run again. With a special set of skills, John is the protector of the underdog, the man up against the wall, the country being bullied. He uses those skills selectively and does so again in Bloodlands. I really liked this book. It’s not an edge of your seat nailbiter, but more of a thought experiment of whaat you would do and where would you go to clear your name.

[Clifton Rankin]

I am always happy when the next installment of the “John Milton Series” (not THAT John Milton) comes out, and Mark Dawson once again provides an action-packed thriller for his readers in “Bloodlands.” John is still on the run from MI6, and his only hope to clear his name is to rescue “Control” (the leader of MI6) from the hands of the Russian FSB in Siberia. He, Ziggy (tech guy extraordinaire), Mark Hicks (a former associate in MI6), and a former FSB agent who has defected, team up to try to accomplish the near impossible feat. Add in a double agent in London and the stakes go up significantly. Great book! (472 pages)

[John A. Sillasen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Saga of an Assassin Wrongly Accused & Trying to Make Amends

John Milton worked with the Group. Worked hi way to Number One and after killing a child seen as collateral, deciding how wrong that was he found solace interesting bottle. That story was 23 novels ago. Now forever on the run, he's wrongly accused of murdering the new Number One - someone he recruited and vet. Now the Groups leader, Control, is in Russian hands with John accused of putting her there by a Group turncoat. To clear his name he has to get Control out of an unknown location in a private Russian stronghold.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action-packed, fast-paced, gripping John Milton thriller!

John Milton is on a mission to prove his innocence and rescue Control. Lilly Moon, the betrayer and traitor, is hoping that John Milton is killed and not captured. Mark Dawson, an amazing author, takes the reader on a journey from Ireland to Paris to Ukraine, and eventually to Russia. Ziggy and Hicks are helping John to find a Russian defector who might know where Otto Sommer might be holding Control. This book is definitely
Is unputdownable. I loved this book, and I think you will enjoy it. Happy reading! ☺️

[Dale Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent tale of espionage and shady operatives, and it also brings a close (to an extent) of the Lily Moon overarching storyline from the previous 2 books. It's not fully closed however.

Even though I really enjoyed this book (and the others), I hope Milton gets put back into situations that can be resolved in one book, rather than spreading the story over 2 or 3. I like it when he rocks up to a random town/city, and helps someone in need, attracting disgruntled bad guys at the same time, and promptly kicking their asses.

[Sheila Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best story yet

Still on the move keeping two or three steps ahead of group being blamed for the death of a numbers of his group when he was number one and Lilly Moon's defection and the kidnapping of Control has made them more determined that he was the one defected which Lilly is responsible for. John Milton fans will know he will not sit back and hide he is more proactive than that. This puts him and his friends in more danger more life threatening and a number of near misses. Highly recommended

[Sheila Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

As expected...excellent!

This is book 23 in the series and I really love that the character of John Milton continues to be developed and grown. If you have enjoyed reading a book in this series, you will not be disappointed. If this is your first John Milton, I highly encourage you to read book 1 and continue through the rest of the books. What do I like about this series? Descriptive settings that make you feel like you're there, action-packed spy thriller sequences and well developed characters that continue to grow!

[Randy Pope · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Milton keeps getting better and better. I have read each and every book in this saga. The first few did not endear me to the author or the character but i felt a thread developing and keep reading and i am glad as Milton is a flawed man who has never stopped trying for redemption. His fall back to the "rooms" evokes memories for some of us in our humdrum lives. Add the secret agent / spy storylines and poof you have a great read with lots of action and characters you can root for. Keep it up Mr. Dawson!

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love supporting this Indie author. I like seeing Milton helping underdogs more than storylines like this book. It was a fast read. I'm really looking forward to the next one! The author was at a convention, and his air pods were stolen. You can track where they are online. People in the comments said he should have Milton go after stolen air pods. Looks like this is happening and I love the tie in to real life. The author's air pods ended up near where I live. Will I be seeing Milton in real life?!?!! lol

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

23 books in and still a great read. Topical as we are in Ukraine this time. John Milton is probably one of my favourite characters of all time and it’s a credit to the author that it’s as fresh as always. I particularly like that we caught up with Higgs this time too. Onwards to the next one where no doubt the firm are still out for his blood and no doubt he’ll outrun them again. Escapism at its best

[Kathryn Jamieson Sinclair · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Milton perfection once again, I really enjoyed seeing his humanity develop further. As always, brilliant research carried out by the author, and fabulous descriptions given of locations. Heartbreakingly descriptive of the current situation in the Ukraine and the agonies of those living through it.
The end result is a fast paced, engrossing story that I read in one sitting. Even after 23 books, they are not repetitive or stale but a new fresh story developing characters further.

[Bobby Keeland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything Goes Haywire

Agent Lilly Moon has accused Milton of murdering a fellow Group 13 agent even though she is the killer. Only Control, who witnessed the murder can clear Milton, but she has been captured by a Russian named Otto Sommer. Milton needs to find a man who knows how the location of Mr. Sommer. Even though Milton prefers to go alone, his two friends, Ziggy Penn and Alex Hicks, travel with him.

[Arleen D · Rating 5 out of 5]

A satisfying end to an arc in Milton's life

It was too much to ask for a truly happy ending for Milton, but this story had people who could be his friends and were actually looking out for him - it's a rare and welcome treat after long stretches of Milton's solitude. The ending was as satisfying in a way and closes a story arc that was several books in the making. Can't wait to see where Milton goes next.