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Straight Up
Lieutenant Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels hates to fly. She hates the cramped leg room and the recycled air. She also hates the fact that she can't get a decent drink. The short flight to Florida is a necessary burden to visit her mother, but what escalates it beyond a mere inconvenience is the fact that the pilot is a gun-toting maniac.
Teaming up with an irritable, badly scarred woman from England, Jack sets about trying to protect the plane and its passengers from the homicidal Captain Clive while also making sure that they don't end up taking a deadly nose dive into the Sunshine State.
STRAIGHT UP by J.A. Konrath and Iain Rob Wright
Air Travel can be murder.
Teaming up with an irritable, badly scarred woman from England, Jack sets about trying to protect the plane and its passengers from the homicidal Captain Clive while also making sure that they don't end up taking a deadly nose dive into the Sunshine State.
STRAIGHT UP by J.A. Konrath and Iain Rob Wright
Air Travel can be murder.
- GenresThrillerShort Stories
42 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 5, 2013
33 people are currently reading
199 people want to read
About the author
J.A. Konrath
198 books3,013 followersJoe Konrath has written over twenty novels in the Lt. Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels thriller series. They do not have to be read chronologically to be enjoyed, but the order is: Whiskey Sour, Bloody Mary, Rusty Nail, Dirty Martini, Shot of Tequila, Fuzzy Navel, Cherry Bomb, Dead On My Feet, Serial Killers Uncut (with Blake Crouch), Shaken, Stirred (with Blake Crouch), Dying Breath, Everybody Dies, Rum Runner, Last Call, White Russian, Shot Girl, Chaser, Old Fashioned, Bite Force, and Witch Brew. More coming soon.
Wow, that's a lot of Jack.
If you like your thrillers on the dark side, check out the Konrath Dark Thriller Collective, which includes the books The List, Origin, Afraid, Trapped, Endurance, Haunted House, Webcam, Disturb, What Happened To Lori, The Nine, Second Coming, and Close Your Eyes.
Joe also wrote the Stop A Murder mystery puzzle series, where you become the sleuth and solve brain teasers to try and catch a killer.
He also wrote the sci-fi trilogy, Timecaster, Timecaster Supersymmetry, and Timecaster Steampunk. Even if you don't think you like sci-fi, give them a try. They feature Joe's well-known characters from his other series, and are insane.
With Ann Voss Peterson he wrote the Codename: Chandler thrillers, including Flee, Spree, Three, Hit, Exposed, Naughty, Fix (with F. Paul Wilson), Rescue, and Free.
And, finally, he writes erotica under the pen name Melinda DuChamp, also with Ann Voss Peterson. Those books are probably too spicy for you, so only the brave and bold should seek them out.
Joe writes a lot. You should probably read everything.
You can visit Joe and sign up for his newsletter at www.JAKonrath.com/mailing-list.php
Wow, that's a lot of Jack.
If you like your thrillers on the dark side, check out the Konrath Dark Thriller Collective, which includes the books The List, Origin, Afraid, Trapped, Endurance, Haunted House, Webcam, Disturb, What Happened To Lori, The Nine, Second Coming, and Close Your Eyes.
Joe also wrote the Stop A Murder mystery puzzle series, where you become the sleuth and solve brain teasers to try and catch a killer.
He also wrote the sci-fi trilogy, Timecaster, Timecaster Supersymmetry, and Timecaster Steampunk. Even if you don't think you like sci-fi, give them a try. They feature Joe's well-known characters from his other series, and are insane.
With Ann Voss Peterson he wrote the Codename: Chandler thrillers, including Flee, Spree, Three, Hit, Exposed, Naughty, Fix (with F. Paul Wilson), Rescue, and Free.
And, finally, he writes erotica under the pen name Melinda DuChamp, also with Ann Voss Peterson. Those books are probably too spicy for you, so only the brave and bold should seek them out.
Joe writes a lot. You should probably read everything.
You can visit Joe and sign up for his newsletter at www.JAKonrath.com/mailing-list.php
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 13, 2015
Actual rating - 3.5
Jack and Sarah were both strong characters, and I liked them both.
This was a pretty good short story. I'll definately have to read some of the other books in the series in the future.
Jack and Sarah were both strong characters, and I liked them both.
This was a pretty good short story. I'll definately have to read some of the other books in the series in the future.
May 3, 2020
I am rediscovering Jack Daniels thru these novellas. I just read the one that takes place right after Straight Up (Racked). I liked that one and decided to read this one as well. Several more of them are out there. I had read and enjoyed the first eight Jack Daniel novels, and I now see there are a few more to catch up on. Love these type of stories.
December 23, 2013
It`s been a year or so since I read The Peeling and knew that IRW was a name I'd want to read again. Straight Up mixes Konrath`s dark humor and love of action with Wright`s tight dialogue and smooth, believable characters. Absolutely worth the time and money for fans of either author.
June 24, 2019
Wish this was longer because I'm fond of both authors' various works. Not familiar with the Sarah character, but love Jack Daniels' series. It's a stretch to call this more than fuller between the main storyline, but a fun fast peek in between the timeline of Jack Daniel's books.
May 5, 2020
A good look at who Jack is, her style of humor. Which didn’t go well with the passenger seating by her. This is a unique story that shows Jack humor and how she is going to handle the situation with a manic pilot.
May 12, 2020
Dry humor and fast actions make this chilling and terrorizing short story worth reading. "I'm on a plane with Tom Collins, Jack Daniels, and a stewardess named Brandy?" This line made the icky feelings fade quickly for me. Fast read for lunchtime or waiting for someone!
May 4, 2022
an action packed thriller
No mystery in this book just a lot of fast paced action. Jack is flying to Florida to visit her mother. There is an incident in flight that puts everyone at risk so Jack dives in. A fun read.
No mystery in this book just a lot of fast paced action. Jack is flying to Florida to visit her mother. There is an incident in flight that puts everyone at risk so Jack dives in. A fun read.
November 29, 2018
Loved It!
I love Jack and this story was so much fun! I loved the banter between Jack and the passenger from England. This was a very quick read.
I love Jack and this story was so much fun! I loved the banter between Jack and the passenger from England. This was a very quick read.
May 10, 2020
Short, but good Jack Daniels story.
January 9, 2023
Love the quirky dialog and character monikers
See headline. Ridiculous, however, that a minimum number of words is required just to post good or bad review. Neener
See headline. Ridiculous, however, that a minimum number of words is required just to post good or bad review. Neener
January 3, 2014
An exciting short episode in the life of Homicide Detective Jacqueline 'Jack' Daniels as she flies to Florida to visit her mother. "Straight Up" (by Iain Rob Wright and Joe Konrath) is a mid-air collision of hi-jacking thrills and gutsy - and humorous - heroism. Jack's exploits continue in "Racked" (by Jude Hardin and Joe Konrath) which takes place soon after our famous lieutenant arrives in Florida. If you enjoy one story, you'll enjoy the other.
The premise of these new series of "Jack Daniels" mystery/thriller collaborations is that writers like Wright, Hardin, and others are bringing their own characters into the world created by J. A. Konrath. You'll soon be seeing collaborations between the collaborators as the various (new) characters meet, greet, and interact in their own exciting tales. It's an intriguing concept for storytelling and will provide continued reading pleasure to those who enjoy this brand of gritty - and often seriously funny - thriller.
The premise of these new series of "Jack Daniels" mystery/thriller collaborations is that writers like Wright, Hardin, and others are bringing their own characters into the world created by J. A. Konrath. You'll soon be seeing collaborations between the collaborators as the various (new) characters meet, greet, and interact in their own exciting tales. It's an intriguing concept for storytelling and will provide continued reading pleasure to those who enjoy this brand of gritty - and often seriously funny - thriller.
August 6, 2015
Loved It
Jack Daniels stories are always such fun to read. Her one-liners are so good! The other characters in this short story were right on spot -- Sarah, Brandy, Capt. Clive and especially Tom. Very enjoyable. Five stars and my recommendation.
Jack Daniels stories are always such fun to read. Her one-liners are so good! The other characters in this short story were right on spot -- Sarah, Brandy, Capt. Clive and especially Tom. Very enjoyable. Five stars and my recommendation.
December 30, 2021
Jack is flying to see her Mom in Florida when the pilot goes nuts and is trying to make all the passengers confess to sin or he will kill them. Jack and her seat partner Sarah (British ex army) take him down. Decent short read!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2015
Wow, fun and fast.
Four stars because I smiled at the jokes and hoped all would end well. It was over..didn't see the end coming.
Four stars because I smiled at the jokes and hoped all would end well. It was over..didn't see the end coming.
August 27, 2015
Fun
Not the usual jack novel. Very short, funny and read within 20 minutes. Dire situations are rarely taken care of that quickly
Not the usual jack novel. Very short, funny and read within 20 minutes. Dire situations are rarely taken care of that quickly
September 20, 2015
I don't usually rate short stories 5 stars, but I made an exception with this one.
October 16, 2015
I love when these two authors get together and write such wonderful stories.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews