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John Milton #6
Salvation Row
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This is an updated cover of this Kindle edition.
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John Milton is trying to make amends for a career spent killing for the British Secret Service. He has a burning need to right wrongs - and rewrite his own bloody past.
He finds himself in Louisiana – the Big Sleazy, the bayou, and the post-Katrina wreckage of the Gulf Coast - with a debt of honor to repay. Isadora Bartholomew, who saved his partner's life, needs his help. Joel Babineaux, a ruthless property magnate, is out to sink the charity she established to help rebuild the Lower Ninth Ward.
Just when Milton thinks he has neutralised Babineaux’s scheming, a dangerous man from his past takes an unhealthy interest in his present. Claude Boon used to work for the Mossad and might be more than Milton can handle. And then the stakes get even higher…
‘Salvation Row’ is the most explosive thriller yet in Mark Dawson's bestselling John Milton series. It’s a book no self-respecting suspense fan will want to be without.
John Milton is trying to make amends for a career spent killing for the British Secret Service. He has a burning need to right wrongs - and rewrite his own bloody past.
He finds himself in Louisiana – the Big Sleazy, the bayou, and the post-Katrina wreckage of the Gulf Coast - with a debt of honor to repay. Isadora Bartholomew, who saved his partner's life, needs his help. Joel Babineaux, a ruthless property magnate, is out to sink the charity she established to help rebuild the Lower Ninth Ward.
Just when Milton thinks he has neutralised Babineaux’s scheming, a dangerous man from his past takes an unhealthy interest in his present. Claude Boon used to work for the Mossad and might be more than Milton can handle. And then the stakes get even higher…
‘Salvation Row’ is the most explosive thriller yet in Mark Dawson's bestselling John Milton series. It’s a book no self-respecting suspense fan will want to be without.
387 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 10, 2014
1860 people are currently reading
674 people want to read
About the author
Mark Dawson
114 books1,849 followersFor news and special offers join Mark's mailing list at:
http://eepurl.com/Cai5X
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.
http://eepurl.com/Cai5X
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 187 reviews
March 1, 2017
Very good thriller.
Story starts with Katrina, and what happened to New Orleans. Milton there with his friend to his job, hired assassin. He is in the flooded home of family. Nine years past, after seeing the news about this family he returns to New Orleans, to pay back all they did for him and his friend. His desire to do good, by helping people for all he did wrong brings him face to face his biggest ruthless enemy. This book will keep you up way past your bed time, if you have to get up and go to work wait until the weekend.
Story starts with Katrina, and what happened to New Orleans. Milton there with his friend to his job, hired assassin. He is in the flooded home of family. Nine years past, after seeing the news about this family he returns to New Orleans, to pay back all they did for him and his friend. His desire to do good, by helping people for all he did wrong brings him face to face his biggest ruthless enemy. This book will keep you up way past your bed time, if you have to get up and go to work wait until the weekend.
March 4, 2023
*Milton Meets His Match*
John Milton is looking back on his life and how he turned to Alcohol to the numb the pain of what he has done. He is in the AA program and has reached the stage where he wants to atone. With well over a 100 kills to his name as a Career Assassin for the British Secret Service working for ‘Group Fifteen’. He has work to do.
We see a flashback to a time in Louisiana when Ziggy an analyst working with Milton disobeys his orders nearly gets killed, the Bartholomew family helps to save Ziggy’s life. This was just when the tragedy of Katrina hit the State.
Now 10 years on he sees Isadora (Izzy) Bartholomew on tv. She has set up a charity to build homes for the people who lost their homes, she is fighting a ruthless businessman who wants the land, it has never sit well on his conscious that he got to fly home, leaving them to deal with the hurricane. That is where John is headed.
Well as usual nothing is ever straightforward and the whole thing involves the businessman hiring goons to kill Izzy and her charity being stopped. There are plenty of players involved to do the job but they had not counted on Milton. Just when Milton thinks he is on top of things, they send in an extremely dangerous killer who is a blast from Milton’s past. He was supposed to be dead. He is Milton’s match and John’s now infamous cold, dead, icy stare is acknowledged but this man does not fear Milton, that is all I am saying….
John Milton is looking back on his life and how he turned to Alcohol to the numb the pain of what he has done. He is in the AA program and has reached the stage where he wants to atone. With well over a 100 kills to his name as a Career Assassin for the British Secret Service working for ‘Group Fifteen’. He has work to do.
We see a flashback to a time in Louisiana when Ziggy an analyst working with Milton disobeys his orders nearly gets killed, the Bartholomew family helps to save Ziggy’s life. This was just when the tragedy of Katrina hit the State.
Now 10 years on he sees Isadora (Izzy) Bartholomew on tv. She has set up a charity to build homes for the people who lost their homes, she is fighting a ruthless businessman who wants the land, it has never sit well on his conscious that he got to fly home, leaving them to deal with the hurricane. That is where John is headed.
Well as usual nothing is ever straightforward and the whole thing involves the businessman hiring goons to kill Izzy and her charity being stopped. There are plenty of players involved to do the job but they had not counted on Milton. Just when Milton thinks he is on top of things, they send in an extremely dangerous killer who is a blast from Milton’s past. He was supposed to be dead. He is Milton’s match and John’s now infamous cold, dead, icy stare is acknowledged but this man does not fear Milton, that is all I am saying….
October 24, 2018
I am a big fan of this series, John Milton is a brilliant character and he is definitely the British Jack Reacher. Salvation Row might just be one of my favourites so far, but they have all been outstanding reads.
Salvation Row opens with Milton in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina and is a very atmospheric opening that really sets the scene well and was one that created a vivid picture in my mind. I love stories where, for want of a better description, the little people overcome the big powerful corporations and that’s what we have here when Milton returns to New Orleans in the present day and ends up helping out a woman who’s family saved the life of one of his friends. It was an interesting read seeing this post-hurricane city and how the residents coped with this upheaval and it was an emotive read in places because of that.
Characterisation wise and Milton only gets better with each book that I read. Constantly battling with his demons and the ghosts of his past he is such an intriguing and multi-layered character that I just really enjoy reading about. I especially enjoyed the fact that he didn’t end up in bed with the female character a la Jack Reacher. In the modern era of thrillers I like to think that the formulaic predictability of things like that can be left in the past. That said all the hallmarks of what make a thriller thrilling are here in abundance and if you are yet to discover Mark Dawson and this fantastic series then I wholeheartedly suggest that you check it out.
Salvation Row opens with Milton in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina and is a very atmospheric opening that really sets the scene well and was one that created a vivid picture in my mind. I love stories where, for want of a better description, the little people overcome the big powerful corporations and that’s what we have here when Milton returns to New Orleans in the present day and ends up helping out a woman who’s family saved the life of one of his friends. It was an interesting read seeing this post-hurricane city and how the residents coped with this upheaval and it was an emotive read in places because of that.
Characterisation wise and Milton only gets better with each book that I read. Constantly battling with his demons and the ghosts of his past he is such an intriguing and multi-layered character that I just really enjoy reading about. I especially enjoyed the fact that he didn’t end up in bed with the female character a la Jack Reacher. In the modern era of thrillers I like to think that the formulaic predictability of things like that can be left in the past. That said all the hallmarks of what make a thriller thrilling are here in abundance and if you are yet to discover Mark Dawson and this fantastic series then I wholeheartedly suggest that you check it out.
June 21, 2018
Salvation Row is the sixth in the John Milton series by Mark Dawson and, while enjoyable, it was not Dawson's best work. Nonetheless, I would recommend it to those who enjoy books featuring a modern day, Humphrey Bogart/Steve McQueen type of antihero - and there are a great many of them around, too damn many, it you ask me, but then again, you didn't ask - tough luck Bubba, it's my review.
Milton, using the incredibly clever cover name of John Smith has returned to New Orleans. His first trip had ended in disaster not just for himself but for the city itself as he was there as Katrina struck and devastated much of the Gulf Coast. His mission on that earlier trip was also a mess and his co-operative was badly injured.
In the post-Katrina New Orleans, much has changed, both for the city and for Milton. A family that had helped him on his earlier trip, needs his help. They are trying to pick up the pieces in their lives and in their part of town, which was devastated by Katrina. Bad guys are trying to take advantage of the city's plight for financial gain (say it ain't so, Donald) and that involves the previously mentioned benevolent family. Being the good guy assassin that he is, Milton does all he can to help.
Lots of action ensues, some of it plausible, some of it absurd. To enjoy the book, you really have to be willing to suspend reality somewhat more than one usually does in this type of book. If you can do so, you will find the book a good read. If not, not. Another observation is that some of the characters are a bit thin, but I expect more texture and depth than most authors deliver.
Now I am going to go on a personal rant. It will contain a very pointed opinion about a very small issue. There will also be some vulgar language so, you may want to stop here.
This is a note, not just to Mark Dawson, but to the fiction authors of the present and future. It is about a pet peeve of mine that no one else may care about. People walk, people stroll, they jaunt, march, step, ramble, saunter, stride. They hike, jog, trot, amble, dash, lope, sprint. They run, they sneak, they traipse, they creep. They even fucking perambulate, but goddamn it, they DO NOT pad. Now you may say, "Oh yeah! Well it's in the dictionary." Well, the hell with you and your dictionary! The English language is being ruined because when words are used incorrectly, for a long enough period, and by enough people, that incorrect meaning is declared to be correct by those buffoons that compile dictionaries.
The End
Milton, using the incredibly clever cover name of John Smith has returned to New Orleans. His first trip had ended in disaster not just for himself but for the city itself as he was there as Katrina struck and devastated much of the Gulf Coast. His mission on that earlier trip was also a mess and his co-operative was badly injured.
In the post-Katrina New Orleans, much has changed, both for the city and for Milton. A family that had helped him on his earlier trip, needs his help. They are trying to pick up the pieces in their lives and in their part of town, which was devastated by Katrina. Bad guys are trying to take advantage of the city's plight for financial gain (say it ain't so, Donald) and that involves the previously mentioned benevolent family. Being the good guy assassin that he is, Milton does all he can to help.
Lots of action ensues, some of it plausible, some of it absurd. To enjoy the book, you really have to be willing to suspend reality somewhat more than one usually does in this type of book. If you can do so, you will find the book a good read. If not, not. Another observation is that some of the characters are a bit thin, but I expect more texture and depth than most authors deliver.
Now I am going to go on a personal rant. It will contain a very pointed opinion about a very small issue. There will also be some vulgar language so, you may want to stop here.
This is a note, not just to Mark Dawson, but to the fiction authors of the present and future. It is about a pet peeve of mine that no one else may care about. People walk, people stroll, they jaunt, march, step, ramble, saunter, stride. They hike, jog, trot, amble, dash, lope, sprint. They run, they sneak, they traipse, they creep. They even fucking perambulate, but goddamn it, they DO NOT pad. Now you may say, "Oh yeah! Well it's in the dictionary." Well, the hell with you and your dictionary! The English language is being ruined because when words are used incorrectly, for a long enough period, and by enough people, that incorrect meaning is declared to be correct by those buffoons that compile dictionaries.
The End
June 9, 2023
As with all John Milton books in this series, I loved it. I was just a bit lost every now and then (blaming it on my memory) until I went to good reads and found that I never read #5 in the series. Note to others, it would be beneficial to read at least #5 before reading #6-not imperative, but I think worth while. On another note, loved the book.
September 1, 2015
Salvation Row is book 6 in the john Milton series. Initially it starts with Milton on assignment for the Group in New Orleans, just as Hurricane Katrina is about to wreak havoc. He is portrayed as №6, and his assignment doesn't go as planned, and his watcher is seriously injured. They take shelter with a family to ride out the storm, and thanks to their efforts the watcher's life is saved.
The main part of the story is set 9 years later, and Milton happens to see a news item involving that same family from all of those years ago. Feeling that he still owes them he finds himself back in New Orleans and offers his help. The daughter, Isadora, has set up a charity and is trying to regenerate the Lower Ninth, but is fighting corruption on all sides. Could Milton be the right person in the right place to help?
The reader does get to see more of Milton's character, but this book seems to have lost some of the series original 'Englishness'. It is still an enjoyable book, with the plot skillfully told, and the usual well crafted characters.
The main part of the story is set 9 years later, and Milton happens to see a news item involving that same family from all of those years ago. Feeling that he still owes them he finds himself back in New Orleans and offers his help. The daughter, Isadora, has set up a charity and is trying to regenerate the Lower Ninth, but is fighting corruption on all sides. Could Milton be the right person in the right place to help?
The reader does get to see more of Milton's character, but this book seems to have lost some of the series original 'Englishness'. It is still an enjoyable book, with the plot skillfully told, and the usual well crafted characters.
December 12, 2014
Another very good John Milton adventure from Mark Dawson.
Salvation Row begins on the eve of Hurricane Katrina. Milton is still an assassin for Group Fifteen as Number Six. The kill goes badly when Milton’s watcher gets too involved in a pursuit. Milton asks for help for the critically injured Ziggy. Taken into a home in the Lower Ninth Ward, Milton and the family ride out the hurricane.
Years later Milton is watching a news report while on his trek across America. One of the members of the family that took him in during the hurricane is working on redeveloping the Ninth. She is running into obstacles and Milton drops everything to head to New Orleans to give her what assistance he can. Those who follow the Milton series can see where this is going. Those who are new to the series should step in and go along for a great ride.
Dawson’s greatest writing strength, in my opinion, is his ability to write the scenes in a way the reader feels like they are walking through the Louisiana bayou with Milton. He also weaves back stories into the plot in a way as to not distract from the plot. And, for the main character, he gives enough back story so the new reader doesn’t feel lost, yet doesn’t bore the continuing readers with too much regurgitation of previous story lines.
Salvation Row begins on the eve of Hurricane Katrina. Milton is still an assassin for Group Fifteen as Number Six. The kill goes badly when Milton’s watcher gets too involved in a pursuit. Milton asks for help for the critically injured Ziggy. Taken into a home in the Lower Ninth Ward, Milton and the family ride out the hurricane.
Years later Milton is watching a news report while on his trek across America. One of the members of the family that took him in during the hurricane is working on redeveloping the Ninth. She is running into obstacles and Milton drops everything to head to New Orleans to give her what assistance he can. Those who follow the Milton series can see where this is going. Those who are new to the series should step in and go along for a great ride.
Dawson’s greatest writing strength, in my opinion, is his ability to write the scenes in a way the reader feels like they are walking through the Louisiana bayou with Milton. He also weaves back stories into the plot in a way as to not distract from the plot. And, for the main character, he gives enough back story so the new reader doesn’t feel lost, yet doesn’t bore the continuing readers with too much regurgitation of previous story lines.
November 5, 2022
This was a good one. The nicest thing is that I felt decline in quality of the stories from 1 to 5, this one ups it a notch again. Makes me want to continue. Good read.
July 14, 2023
One thing really distracted me in this book... why does everyone except the MC have a last name starting with B? (except for the one guy named DuBois...)
September 11, 2016
SALVATION ROW by Mark Dawson is proof that a series does not require you to have read the previous novels in order to enjoy the current one. We find Milton in New Orleans, again trying to help a woman in distress, but here they have a back story which means a deeper commitment on Milton's part. And more action as a result. Excitement almost leaks from this book.
October 20, 2019
The last time Milton came to New Orleans, it was on a mission on the eve of Katrina - a mission that went wrong, requiring the aid of a local family, the Bartholomews, to save his partner's life. Now he's back, only to find that that same family is in trouble with ruthless property developer Joel Babineaux who is willing to go to extreme lengths to get his hands on the land in the hurricane-ravaged Lower Ninth Ward Isadora Bartholomew's charity is building new homes on for those displaced by the disaster. Milton feels compelled to help out, but just when it looks like he has the situation under control, Babineaux brings in a new player: A man from Milton's past and of the same calibre.
Definitely better than the previous book, though I could've done without the Alpha male posturing face-off at the end. Also, I really wish Milton would pick himself a less ridiculously obvious fake name - "John Smith"? Really? He might as well go around calling himself Mr. Alias McAlias...
Definitely better than the previous book, though I could've done without the Alpha male posturing face-off at the end. Also, I really wish Milton would pick himself a less ridiculously obvious fake name - "John Smith"? Really? He might as well go around calling himself Mr. Alias McAlias...
August 3, 2022
Milton is charged with an assignment in New Orleans during Katrina. Everything goes sideways, and he winds up stranded with a family in the 9 ward during the flooding in that area.
When he returns a few years later, he finds himself protecting a charity against the usual rapacious developer while avoiding assassination attempts by the people after him.
The best part was actually the beginning, and the survival from the flood.
When he returns a few years later, he finds himself protecting a charity against the usual rapacious developer while avoiding assassination attempts by the people after him.
The best part was actually the beginning, and the survival from the flood.
August 15, 2020
Don't know why this one seemed like a long, slow haul. Maybe I wasn't comfortable in New Orleans?
Poor John Milton so badly beaten didn't help either. It's going to take a long rehab to get him fighting fit again.
Poor John Milton so badly beaten didn't help either. It's going to take a long rehab to get him fighting fit again.
October 26, 2018
Still ludicrous, repetitive and formulaic, but they're like Pringles. Once you pop...
March 15, 2017
The author is a good, solid, pulp fiction writer... and this a great book in a series if you want that uncomplicated Bond feeling... a book to dash off (read and instantly forget) on a wet afternoon. But the plots are pulp... and so are often unimaginative.
There are better action heroes out there (Jack Reacher), in stories that have taken their time to be constructed... I liked some books in the series... I've examined three, but this review is my summary... John Milton... you are just ok... I'll use my reading hours on a better action hero.
There are better action heroes out there (Jack Reacher), in stories that have taken their time to be constructed... I liked some books in the series... I've examined three, but this review is my summary... John Milton... you are just ok... I'll use my reading hours on a better action hero.
April 22, 2022
These are really entertaining stories, lots of action but also there is the human element and each time it’s different . I like following Milton on his life adventures….
June 27, 2017
Not as good as Jack Reacher.
March 30, 2016
A top read the whole trilogy has been very absorbing and highly attention keeping i see not everyone is
100 percent happy with this novel I feel it is one o marks standouts in the series
100 percent happy with this novel I feel it is one o marks standouts in the series
April 25, 2016
Weakest of those in the series I have read so far. The character relationships seemed highly implausible.
April 14, 2021
We start with a flashback of Milton working for Group 15 in Louisiana during Hurricane Katrina, then jump forward to the present. Having recovered from the injuries he sustained in Truth (not a spoiler I don’t think), we find Milton trekking towards the North West coast of the US. A stop for breakfast and a chance news item brings back memories of New Orleans, and Milton heads to the city post-Katrina, keen to repay a debt to the Bartholomew family.
When a ruthless property developer tries to destroy the charity Isadora Bartholomew has set up, Milton wants to help. Joel Babineaux is unscrupulous, vicious and thoroughly committed to getting what he wants. As things escalate, Babineaux employs ever more extreme measure to ensure he gets his way, and Milton finds himself encountering a lethal man from his past.
Overall another good outing for Milton. We again see a human side to him, and his desire to help someone who risked themselves for him in the past shows his honourable side. Izzy is well sketched too. I found Babineaux to be a thinner villain than some of the others we have seen in the Milton series and his henchman was an odd cliché bad guy. That said, I still enjoyed Salvation Row – the descriptions of Katrina and New Orleans are good, and we get another glimpse of Milton’s historic work and see a bit more of his character. Despite his dreadful past, you still engage with Milton, even if perhaps he would not be an overly engaging person – he does not feel like a bully, even though he could be if he wanted to.
When a ruthless property developer tries to destroy the charity Isadora Bartholomew has set up, Milton wants to help. Joel Babineaux is unscrupulous, vicious and thoroughly committed to getting what he wants. As things escalate, Babineaux employs ever more extreme measure to ensure he gets his way, and Milton finds himself encountering a lethal man from his past.
Overall another good outing for Milton. We again see a human side to him, and his desire to help someone who risked themselves for him in the past shows his honourable side. Izzy is well sketched too. I found Babineaux to be a thinner villain than some of the others we have seen in the Milton series and his henchman was an odd cliché bad guy. That said, I still enjoyed Salvation Row – the descriptions of Katrina and New Orleans are good, and we get another glimpse of Milton’s historic work and see a bit more of his character. Despite his dreadful past, you still engage with Milton, even if perhaps he would not be an overly engaging person – he does not feel like a bully, even though he could be if he wanted to.
March 25, 2017
Reading this had me thinking about being in the military, hurry up and wait. When the action hit it was exciting and engrossing. However, it was so infrequent I found myself trying to decide if I should finish it.
Page turner? No.
I had a problem with the time line. Perhaps I missed something. At first I thought it had only been four years since his last visit. Why? Mr. Dawson mentions a family that has been living in a shelter for four years since Katrina destroyed New Orleans. Then we find out it has been nine years. Which one is it? And how did our hero get out of NO the day after the hurricane flooded the city? Nothing and I mean nothing was getting out of that town the day after. And what about the last scene where John is getting the tar beat out of him. He is laying on the ground with his head bashed in on the carousel and yet is only two or three feet from the weapon Izzy has dropped. That’s a time space issue.
Lastly there is the political element that is laying just under the surface through the story. Bush had the dikes deliberately blown to wipe out the Ninth District. The illustrious film maker Spike Lee kept saying the same thing. One would think Katrina only hit NO and not another 1500 miles of coast line. I believe Biloxi, MS. took the brunt of the storm. But then, this is work of fiction isn’t it.
If you want a hard hitting action packed thriller, you can’t go wrong with Ludlum, Clancy, Patterson, Sean Sweeny J.C. Allen or Tom Hobbs.
Three Star push.
Page turner? No.
I had a problem with the time line. Perhaps I missed something. At first I thought it had only been four years since his last visit. Why? Mr. Dawson mentions a family that has been living in a shelter for four years since Katrina destroyed New Orleans. Then we find out it has been nine years. Which one is it? And how did our hero get out of NO the day after the hurricane flooded the city? Nothing and I mean nothing was getting out of that town the day after. And what about the last scene where John is getting the tar beat out of him. He is laying on the ground with his head bashed in on the carousel and yet is only two or three feet from the weapon Izzy has dropped. That’s a time space issue.
Lastly there is the political element that is laying just under the surface through the story. Bush had the dikes deliberately blown to wipe out the Ninth District. The illustrious film maker Spike Lee kept saying the same thing. One would think Katrina only hit NO and not another 1500 miles of coast line. I believe Biloxi, MS. took the brunt of the storm. But then, this is work of fiction isn’t it.
If you want a hard hitting action packed thriller, you can’t go wrong with Ludlum, Clancy, Patterson, Sean Sweeny J.C. Allen or Tom Hobbs.
Three Star push.
August 8, 2017
When John Milton was an off-the-books assassin for Jolly Old England, he found himself in a tight spot. Down in New Orleans to do a job while Katrina was raging, his partner was seriously injured, and a kindly family helped them out.
Milton is free of the Brits now and on his own, roaming the country doing good deeds ala Jack Reacher. Izzy Bartholomew and her family need his help - they're building houses for charity in the post-Katrina wreckage, and some big-time developers want them out of the way. John uses his skills to help, but finds that the bad guys have enlisted a former colleague (Avi Bachmann) to counter him.
Most of the second half of the story focuses on the battle between Avi (now known as Boon) and Milton. That's probably the weakest part of the story. The descriptions of New Orleans, during and after Katrina, are brilliantly written. John's efforts to help Izzy, and her family, are all well done. The book ends with a cliffhanger, and I guess it sets up the 7th book.
Very heavy notes of Jack Reacher here, but one of the better ones.
Milton is free of the Brits now and on his own, roaming the country doing good deeds ala Jack Reacher. Izzy Bartholomew and her family need his help - they're building houses for charity in the post-Katrina wreckage, and some big-time developers want them out of the way. John uses his skills to help, but finds that the bad guys have enlisted a former colleague (Avi Bachmann) to counter him.
Most of the second half of the story focuses on the battle between Avi (now known as Boon) and Milton. That's probably the weakest part of the story. The descriptions of New Orleans, during and after Katrina, are brilliantly written. John's efforts to help Izzy, and her family, are all well done. The book ends with a cliffhanger, and I guess it sets up the 7th book.
Very heavy notes of Jack Reacher here, but one of the better ones.
November 18, 2017
One of the best things about this series is that each one is set somewhere completely different, and while to some extent, much like the Reacher books, there's a formula - our hero arrives in a new place, discovers a female in trouble, takes out the bad guys... - the plots are varied enough to remain exciting. This one begins with Milton still working for the Group, on a mission in New Orleans as Hurricane Katrina strikes. Milton and his injured partner take refuge with a local family, and are rescued from the floodwaters which destroy the neighbourhood. Nine years later, the daughter is running a charity that rebuilds houses in the same district, but the project is threatened by a ruthless businessman who wants to build a mall on the site. Milton recognises her on tv and jets in to help.
Another action-packed adventure with good characters and resolution. I liked reading more about post-Katrina New Orleans too. 4.5 rounded up for Milton NOT sleeping with the heroine!
Another action-packed adventure with good characters and resolution. I liked reading more about post-Katrina New Orleans too. 4.5 rounded up for Milton NOT sleeping with the heroine!
November 10, 2021
Salvation Row By Mark Dawson
The sixth installment in the Milton series and a return to form from the last book with a smaller more tightly woven story.
Milton is a great Anti-hero and I would say the British Jack Reacher(yes I know Reacher is British but he served in the US military) we find Milton in New Orleans around and after the events 0f Katrina and this is where our story begins.
The writing is solid and Dawson brings to life New Orleans and the sad aftermath of Katrina leaps from the page, we get a very believable story and the action set pieces are well choregraphed and serve the story well.
We get more of Milton's backstory as he continues to struggle with alcoholism some solid minor characters that are all fleshed out and believable that enhance the book, we also get a big bad that looks like will be Milton's nemesis going fwd.
If you are a fan of this type genre there is plenty to enjoy in this series.
Well worth your time and hard-earned cash.
The sixth installment in the Milton series and a return to form from the last book with a smaller more tightly woven story.
Milton is a great Anti-hero and I would say the British Jack Reacher(yes I know Reacher is British but he served in the US military) we find Milton in New Orleans around and after the events 0f Katrina and this is where our story begins.
The writing is solid and Dawson brings to life New Orleans and the sad aftermath of Katrina leaps from the page, we get a very believable story and the action set pieces are well choregraphed and serve the story well.
We get more of Milton's backstory as he continues to struggle with alcoholism some solid minor characters that are all fleshed out and believable that enhance the book, we also get a big bad that looks like will be Milton's nemesis going fwd.
If you are a fan of this type genre there is plenty to enjoy in this series.
Well worth your time and hard-earned cash.
August 22, 2020
"Salvation Row" is set in New Orleans and, once again, John Milton has his hands full as a result of returning to the city to help a woman whose brother and family were instrumental in saving the life of a colleague during the height of Katrina. Milton finally meets his match, one Avi Bachman (a hired assassin), and is nearly killed by this former Mossad operative. Unfortunately, his nemesis, although arrested by city authorities and convicted to life in prison, telegraphs his determination to escape with the help of his clandestine organization. That spells certain "trouble" in future episodes and I am looking forward to Milton having a chance to redeem himself against this dangerous and skilled opponent. Another excellent episode and, though not quite as action-packed as #5 in the series, is still an entertaining and engaging thriller.
May 30, 2021
An engrossing read.
The Sixth John Milton novel does not disappoint. The foundations of the tale are laid during Hurricane Katrina when Milton still works for group 15. We then join Milton a number of years later when he is reunited with old acquaintances amidst corrupt politicians , businessmen and police; attempted intimidation ; death threats , murder and legal actions. Just up Milton's street you say - but then there is a deadly adversary as accomplished as Milton himself arrives which puts the outcome very much in doubt. You could read this as a standalone methinks, but a few things are unresolved until the next book ( I imagine) and though it would work ok as a starting point in the series I would still read the preceding books first! I will be reading Mi!ton book 7 very soon.
The Sixth John Milton novel does not disappoint. The foundations of the tale are laid during Hurricane Katrina when Milton still works for group 15. We then join Milton a number of years later when he is reunited with old acquaintances amidst corrupt politicians , businessmen and police; attempted intimidation ; death threats , murder and legal actions. Just up Milton's street you say - but then there is a deadly adversary as accomplished as Milton himself arrives which puts the outcome very much in doubt. You could read this as a standalone methinks, but a few things are unresolved until the next book ( I imagine) and though it would work ok as a starting point in the series I would still read the preceding books first! I will be reading Mi!ton book 7 very soon.
July 14, 2021
I am always amazed by how well Mark Dawson describes each location and the scenarios that happen, the attention to detail is amazing. This is particularly well shown in this installment as he puts Milton in the centre of hurricane Catrina in the poor district of New Orleans. I fully believed that he was there!
Now onto another slightly different subject (character back story), when he introduced a good looking female character that helped Milton's spook friend, I thought 'oh here we go, another female character set up to be a another one night stand for Milton!', luckily it wasn't the case this time and she was depicted as a clever, strong character that Milton admired.
I hope this will happen more often in future books.
Out of the books soo far, I put this one at the top after the first book. Well worth a read.
Now onto another slightly different subject (character back story), when he introduced a good looking female character that helped Milton's spook friend, I thought 'oh here we go, another female character set up to be a another one night stand for Milton!', luckily it wasn't the case this time and she was depicted as a clever, strong character that Milton admired.
I hope this will happen more often in future books.
Out of the books soo far, I put this one at the top after the first book. Well worth a read.
September 14, 2018
This is the this 6th John Milton book I've read, all in sequence. It's not the authors best work, normally I'd put the book down and leave it at that, but the story-line was good enough that I wanted to finish it. My issue was the writing style where the author would go on and on about little irrelevant details, I found myself skimming though pages and pages of the book until then next part relevant to the story came up. The main characters relationship with the girl in this book also gets a little tedious, the exchanges and denials and repetitiveness are tiresome. I like the books character and story-line, however I've grown tired of the authors writing style and it's likely time to put the series down and look for another one.
August 29, 2025
John has come to Louisiana to repay a debt of honor by helping the woman who once saved his partners life.
This is the book that introduces us to Ziggy Penn - a man who once worked with John and has also left 'The Firm', albeit a little more successfully than John did (as he was with the IT unit, not a 'Cleaner').
The dynamic between Ziggy and John is interesting and I look forward to seeing where this goes in the future.
The book also introduces us to John's new nemesis - Claude Boon.
I listed to the audio version of this book and found the narrator to be suited to the story.
Am I glad I read it - yes.
Was it a waste of my time - no.
Would I sit down and read it all over again - not really that kind of book - once you know how it ends, you know.
Would I read more by this author based on this book - yes.
This is the book that introduces us to Ziggy Penn - a man who once worked with John and has also left 'The Firm', albeit a little more successfully than John did (as he was with the IT unit, not a 'Cleaner').
The dynamic between Ziggy and John is interesting and I look forward to seeing where this goes in the future.
The book also introduces us to John's new nemesis - Claude Boon.
I listed to the audio version of this book and found the narrator to be suited to the story.
Am I glad I read it - yes.
Was it a waste of my time - no.
Would I sit down and read it all over again - not really that kind of book - once you know how it ends, you know.
Would I read more by this author based on this book - yes.
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