What do you think?
Rate this book
Sean O'Brien
The White Dragon - A Sean O'Brien Novel
As Sean O’Brien and his fiancée are planning their wedding day, someone from Sean’s past appears and plans change. The visitor is an old friend, and he comes with bad news. His only son mysteriously died. Sean’s friend wants him to examine the case—to see why a healthy college student would die.
Following a trail is not easy, but as Sean looks closely, he sees a pattern that leads to additional deaths. To solve the murders, he must travel into the darkest parts of an underworld that few people will ever know.
Getting in is one thing.
Getting out alive is something else
Following a trail is not easy, but as Sean looks closely, he sees a pattern that leads to additional deaths. To solve the murders, he must travel into the darkest parts of an underworld that few people will ever know.
Getting in is one thing.
Getting out alive is something else
390 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 20, 2022
About the author
Tom Lowe
27 books241 followersTom Lowe is an American novelist known for writing atmospheric, high-stakes thrillers that blend crime, mystery, and psychological suspense with a strong sense of place. His novels often explore the darker side of human nature where belief, greed, and obsession collide. Tom's books are grounded in authentic investigative detail and morally complex characters.
He is the author of more than 30 novels, including the acclaimed Sean O’Brien mystery-thriller series. Also, he writes the Elizabeth Monroe psychological thrillers, and the Paul Marcus books of international suspense. Tom has written two standalone novels of love and redemption - The Painter and Midnight’s Whisperer, winner of the Spur Award from the Western Writers of America.
Drawing from a career as a journalist, award-winning screenwriter, and world traveler, Tom writes emotionally rich stories of loss, courage, and second chances. His books span the globe and the human heart, blending suspense, moral complexity, and unforgettable characters.
Tom lives in Florida with his wife, Keri. To receive the latests updates on his novels, appearances, and writing - please visit Tom's website to subscribe to his quarterly newsletter. tomlowebooks.com
He is the author of more than 30 novels, including the acclaimed Sean O’Brien mystery-thriller series. Also, he writes the Elizabeth Monroe psychological thrillers, and the Paul Marcus books of international suspense. Tom has written two standalone novels of love and redemption - The Painter and Midnight’s Whisperer, winner of the Spur Award from the Western Writers of America.
Drawing from a career as a journalist, award-winning screenwriter, and world traveler, Tom writes emotionally rich stories of loss, courage, and second chances. His books span the globe and the human heart, blending suspense, moral complexity, and unforgettable characters.
Tom lives in Florida with his wife, Keri. To receive the latests updates on his novels, appearances, and writing - please visit Tom's website to subscribe to his quarterly newsletter. tomlowebooks.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 13, 2023
I have enjoyed every one of Lowe’s Sean O’Brien series up to Invisible, the book before this one. It was a big disappointment, and much of what I said in my review applies to this one.
This book is almost 500 pages long. Lowe is slipping into the writer’s version of the military’s ‘mission creep’ – the growth of an operation far beyond its original objective or goal. In writing a series, it’s the expansion of a character’s cases from straightforward ones that resolve a situation in his or her town or state to complex, convoluted ones that save the world, resulting in lengthy novels that tend to plod.
White Dragon revolves around drug cartels and outlaw biker gangs – two themes that have been used so often they’ve almost become tropes. It’s a given that both organizations are the epitome of cruel and evil. If you don’t like reading about violence, gore, and brutality, skip this book. It’s loaded with all three. People are beheaded, whipped, tortured, and slashed in explicit detail. Along with almost a dozen college students dying from taking drugs laced with fentanyl, one of the deadliest drugs ever created. It’s almost as if Lowe set out to stock this story with as much gore as possible – far, far more that necessary.
Then he balances that with chapters full of introspection and philosophical meanderings by primary good guys (something that’s grown by leaps and bounds in his latest books) and detailed descriptions of the environment. In small, infrequent doses, all are fine, but repeated regularly they bog the story down and are only slightly less boring than quoting a phone book.
And as in Invisible, he loads this story with ‘As you know, Bob’ moments – chunks of stilted dialog where one character spews statistics or sometimes repeats facts the characters he or she is talking to already know. I believe authors often do this not to enrich the story but to either (a) show off their extensive research or (b) pad their word count. And like the introspection, philosophizing, and descriptions of the environment, they slow the story down.
I had a hard time reading this book, and could only take the story in small doses. I constantly wavered between quitting it and slogging to the end. Well, I slogged through to the end. Taken as a whole it was a good story – but one in dire need of an editing devoted to cutting the flab.
I said in my review of Invisible that if this book wasn’t a big improvement over that one, I’d drop Lowe from my ‘To Read’ list. Good bye, Tom Lowe.
This book is almost 500 pages long. Lowe is slipping into the writer’s version of the military’s ‘mission creep’ – the growth of an operation far beyond its original objective or goal. In writing a series, it’s the expansion of a character’s cases from straightforward ones that resolve a situation in his or her town or state to complex, convoluted ones that save the world, resulting in lengthy novels that tend to plod.
White Dragon revolves around drug cartels and outlaw biker gangs – two themes that have been used so often they’ve almost become tropes. It’s a given that both organizations are the epitome of cruel and evil. If you don’t like reading about violence, gore, and brutality, skip this book. It’s loaded with all three. People are beheaded, whipped, tortured, and slashed in explicit detail. Along with almost a dozen college students dying from taking drugs laced with fentanyl, one of the deadliest drugs ever created. It’s almost as if Lowe set out to stock this story with as much gore as possible – far, far more that necessary.
Then he balances that with chapters full of introspection and philosophical meanderings by primary good guys (something that’s grown by leaps and bounds in his latest books) and detailed descriptions of the environment. In small, infrequent doses, all are fine, but repeated regularly they bog the story down and are only slightly less boring than quoting a phone book.
And as in Invisible, he loads this story with ‘As you know, Bob’ moments – chunks of stilted dialog where one character spews statistics or sometimes repeats facts the characters he or she is talking to already know. I believe authors often do this not to enrich the story but to either (a) show off their extensive research or (b) pad their word count. And like the introspection, philosophizing, and descriptions of the environment, they slow the story down.
I had a hard time reading this book, and could only take the story in small doses. I constantly wavered between quitting it and slogging to the end. Well, I slogged through to the end. Taken as a whole it was a good story – but one in dire need of an editing devoted to cutting the flab.
I said in my review of Invisible that if this book wasn’t a big improvement over that one, I’d drop Lowe from my ‘To Read’ list. Good bye, Tom Lowe.
January 5, 2023
Tom Lowe ranks among the top crime thriller writers. The Sean O'Brien series offers a likable protagonist, a lovable cast of supporting characters, fast moving plots and top shelf writing.
A friend and military comrade approaches Sean about the death of his son from a Fentanyl overdose. This leads to Sean discovering a trail that leads to Mexican cartels. As he continues to face danger, his wedding plans are temporarily on hold.
This is catnip for those who have followed the series as I have. All of the favorites from the marina, as well as his fiance Wynonna, newly adopted child Angela, and of course Max the dog are back.
Stretches in credibility and an ending that seems rushed, but great writing and highly recommended.
A friend and military comrade approaches Sean about the death of his son from a Fentanyl overdose. This leads to Sean discovering a trail that leads to Mexican cartels. As he continues to face danger, his wedding plans are temporarily on hold.
This is catnip for those who have followed the series as I have. All of the favorites from the marina, as well as his fiance Wynonna, newly adopted child Angela, and of course Max the dog are back.
Stretches in credibility and an ending that seems rushed, but great writing and highly recommended.
October 5, 2022
A Great New Book by Florida Author Tom Lowe
I just finished Tom's new book The White Dragon and found an exciting and smoothly written book. If you have read an of Lowe's other Sean O'Brien books, the main character, Sean O'Brien, is a great character, tough and a gentleman too.
The main subject of The White Dragon is a scourge that plagues many; drugs and the deadly consequences. Sean handles the deadly bad guys easily and imparts factual information on the reader.
Check out The White Dragon , its worth the read.
I just finished Tom's new book The White Dragon and found an exciting and smoothly written book. If you have read an of Lowe's other Sean O'Brien books, the main character, Sean O'Brien, is a great character, tough and a gentleman too.
The main subject of The White Dragon is a scourge that plagues many; drugs and the deadly consequences. Sean handles the deadly bad guys easily and imparts factual information on the reader.
Check out The White Dragon , its worth the read.
September 3, 2023
Sean O’Brien is such a badass…
Throughout the series, Sean O’Brien has always been a badass - a few times a little unbelievably extremes - mostly for the underdog, or the unfortunate who really need him. This book has a wonderful plot. I only gave such a low rating because though the book says over and over we’re worse off for our political ills, too much bias about the media etc., was written into this book, which takes away from Sean’s badassery. I hope he is less biased in future books.
Throughout the series, Sean O’Brien has always been a badass - a few times a little unbelievably extremes - mostly for the underdog, or the unfortunate who really need him. This book has a wonderful plot. I only gave such a low rating because though the book says over and over we’re worse off for our political ills, too much bias about the media etc., was written into this book, which takes away from Sean’s badassery. I hope he is less biased in future books.
July 1, 2024
Excellent series
I loved each and every book in this series, I'm sad there aren't anymore.
Tom Lowes' writing skills are excellent and smooth .
Sean O'Brien's character is very likable, and I found myself riveted to each book. Many emotions cross your soul.
This series is based out of central Florida, where I grew up, so it was also very nice to picture in my minds eye where everything was happening.
I highly recommend all the Sean O'Brien books. I'm probably going to read them all again!
I loved each and every book in this series, I'm sad there aren't anymore.
Tom Lowes' writing skills are excellent and smooth .
Sean O'Brien's character is very likable, and I found myself riveted to each book. Many emotions cross your soul.
This series is based out of central Florida, where I grew up, so it was also very nice to picture in my minds eye where everything was happening.
I highly recommend all the Sean O'Brien books. I'm probably going to read them all again!
October 8, 2022
This is one extremely important book and spellbinding fiction.
This story started with one young man who lost his life and grew and grew until it became a multinational hunt for evil people. Even though this is a fictional story, it represents an all too real horror throughout our country. We as Americans must come together to end the terrible toll that deadly drugs take away our children. Mr Lowe’s books are spellbinding and meaningful.
This story started with one young man who lost his life and grew and grew until it became a multinational hunt for evil people. Even though this is a fictional story, it represents an all too real horror throughout our country. We as Americans must come together to end the terrible toll that deadly drugs take away our children. Mr Lowe’s books are spellbinding and meaningful.
March 17, 2023
The White Dragon
This novel was the next in the series of Sean O'Brien. I have read every one and will say the writing is exceptional. This one again dealt with a very ugly subject, the fentanyl crisis. It was very dark in alot of respects, but the story was well laid out. As always, the action was crisp (maybe a bit superhuman), but flowed well. Looking forward to the next one. A 4.4 out of 5 rating.
This novel was the next in the series of Sean O'Brien. I have read every one and will say the writing is exceptional. This one again dealt with a very ugly subject, the fentanyl crisis. It was very dark in alot of respects, but the story was well laid out. As always, the action was crisp (maybe a bit superhuman), but flowed well. Looking forward to the next one. A 4.4 out of 5 rating.
September 29, 2022
Another Great Read!
I love all the books Tom Lowe has written, but the Sean O'Brien stories are my favorites. Maybe that is because I can identify with the lifestyle he lives, living part time on his boat. I like his friends at the marina, his dog Max, his friend Joe Billie, and now his wife Wynona. Please kee
p these great stories coming!
I love all the books Tom Lowe has written, but the Sean O'Brien stories are my favorites. Maybe that is because I can identify with the lifestyle he lives, living part time on his boat. I like his friends at the marina, his dog Max, his friend Joe Billie, and now his wife Wynona. Please kee
p these great stories coming!
October 2, 2022
Lots dead spots in the story. Endless conversations and thoughts. Seems to take a long time for Sean to get into the investigation. The worst parts are when Sean gets the victim’s girl friend involved using her real name and information. He also gives out his own information bringing bad guys to his family. Not smart. When there is action, it is good.
September 9, 2022
Great read...
I have read all of the Sean O'Brien novels. And each book just gets better and better. I like the message that every book comes across with. The main characters are pretty cool as well. I hope there will be many more Sean O'Brien books
I have read all of the Sean O'Brien novels. And each book just gets better and better. I like the message that every book comes across with. The main characters are pretty cool as well. I hope there will be many more Sean O'Brien books
February 18, 2025
While I’m committed to finishing this series, there are things that bother me. In the book previous to this one, his daughter was 7 going on 8. In the start of this book, she’s 6. I like the characters but the attention to some details is lacking.
October 6, 2025
I enjoyed this Sean O'Brien novel very much. It was about Sean helping an old army friend find out who sold his son fentanyl leading to his death and all he had to go through to do it. Every Sean O'Brien novel can be read in any order, they are all complete.
October 18, 2022
4.5 Stars
Not the 5 stars I usually give Sean O'Brien novels as this outting felt a bit 'preachy' in parts. Not sure why I felt this, only that I did. Otherwise it was, as usual, an excellent story and I eagerly await the next O'Brien adventure!
Not the 5 stars I usually give Sean O'Brien novels as this outting felt a bit 'preachy' in parts. Not sure why I felt this, only that I did. Otherwise it was, as usual, an excellent story and I eagerly await the next O'Brien adventure!
December 24, 2022
Really good book!
September 3, 2023
Fantastic read
Really enjoyed this one, my favorite Lowe novel so far! Highly recommended. Keep your crying towel handy for the ending😉
Really enjoyed this one, my favorite Lowe novel so far! Highly recommended. Keep your crying towel handy for the ending😉
April 30, 2024
awesome
Wow this read has everything I want in a book I wanted more by the end but what a great way to finish
Please get us more of the same
Wow this read has everything I want in a book I wanted more by the end but what a great way to finish
Please get us more of the same
June 19, 2025
a good long read.
I learned much about drugs coming into the United States - drugs that kill. The book was good but would have been better had it been shorter.
I learned much about drugs coming into the United States - drugs that kill. The book was good but would have been better had it been shorter.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews