A special thank you to Amazon Publishing, Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Carson Black’s HARD RETURN, (Cyril Landry #2) is a riveting suspense crime thriller of mystery and intrigue, action packed, fast-paced, and full of danger.

Former Navy Seal, Cyril Landry main protagonist, has been assumed dead, and lives off the grid to protect his wife, Cindi, and his teenage daughter, Kristal (his girls).

However, he continues to watch them from a distance by going to high school every day. One day when a shooter unloads his fire on the students at his daughter’s school, killing eight kids, including Kristal’s boyfriend, Luke; Landry is there to there to take out the gunman.

His wife is dating a boring accountant named Todd and his daughter is growing up too fast. However, Laundry knows he has to stay on the sidelines, due to his past. However, this is not always an easy task.

The school shooting was not random—it was intended to send him a message to bring him out of hiding. Someone knows he is alive, and wants him dead (once again)-wow, this guy dies a lot. He now is on the hunt of his life to uncover who is out to get him, through his family.

Laundry moves from one hotel and place to another, using different names, personalities, and has more cars and guns than an army. He has so many enemies, it is hard for him to narrow down which one wants revenge more.

Enemies from his extensive past, circle around every corner, and some characters get in the way which have no clue what Laundry is capable of. Some characters make an appearance from THE SHOP and their Florida days; Detective Jolie, now in a cop in New Mexico (three years later, when she is front a center taking down a bank robbery). Jolie and Landry - hot, funny, and sexy together, so hoping we will see them again in Book 3!

Wow, HARD RETURN is totally EPIC! This was my first book by J. Carlson Black, and was blown away and highly impressed. HARD RETURN is a riveting intense, page-turner with twists and turns you do not see coming.

Loved, loved the main character, Cyril Landry—a fearless, witty, and an intelligent paid assassin, (baby-boomer Clint Eastwood), is one step ahead of anyone who gets in his way (however, he loves his family). He is my hero! (movie worthy).

Black reminds me of David Baldacci and Michael Connelly’s (Harry Bosch) crime writing, with her own unique style, powerful plot planning, and rich character development. Black hooks you from the first page and never let’s go for a wild, exciting, thrilling, and satisfying ride. She creates several sub-plots to add more intrigue to throw you off, without losing or distracting you - keeping the suspense high.

I have not read the first book in the series, THE SHOP; however, HARD RETURN can be read as a standalone. Cannot wait to explore more about Laundry and Jolie, so have already purchased THE SHOP, and cannot wait to dive in!

Looking forward to reading more from this captivating and talented author, who has made it to my favorite author list. Highly recommend!

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