Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Junkyard Pirate #8

Junkyard Mercenary

Rate this book
In a galaxy on the brink, old soldiers never fade away—they just get tougher!

Vietnam vet Albert Jenkins, faces one of his most dangerous missions yet. When a high-ranking Galactic Empire diplomat named Cer vanishes while investigating a suspicious buildup of enemy forces on the neutral planet Gnarz-2, the stakes couldn't be higher. AJ is tasked with tracking down Cer and uncovering the truth behind his mysterious disappearance.

As AJ and his crew follow the trail, they uncover a tangled web of deceit and conspiracy that stretches far beyond a simple disappearance. The planet of Gnarz-2, long considered neutral ground, harbors darker intentions. Their leaders are planning to invade a peaceful system—a move designed to test the Galactic Empire’s defenses and potentially ignite a war that could engulf countless worlds.

Time is running out. AJ must race against the clock, navigating treacherous political waters, and a planet full of hidden dangers. The stakes have never been higher as AJ and his team fight to uncover the truth, rescue Cer, and prevent a devastating conflict before it’s too late.

It's an action-packed ride with Junkyard Mercenary, where old soldiers never fade away—they just get tougher. Pick up your copy today and join AJ in the battle for the galaxy's future!

382 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 5, 2024

Loading...
Loading...

About the author

Jamie McFarlane

58 books464 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
561 (66%)
4 stars
224 (26%)
3 stars
54 (6%)
2 stars
8 (<1%)
1 star
2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
908 reviews4 followers
September 22, 2024
Excellent Fast Paced Tale

AJ, Big D and Lisa are on a rescue and recovery mission to find and retrieve CDR Cir. Just what he needs to clear his head after she who will not be named broke his heart. Now a cosmic plot a good looking alien, area genetic modification s and it is a Recipe for a fast moving story that hold your attention.
2 reviews
September 19, 2024
Great series.

I have read the whole series of the Junkyard Pirates . I really enjoyed the whole series. The latest book (Mercenary) was a fast enjoyable read. My only problem with the story is Cer is female in the other stories and at the beginning of this book. By the middle of the book to the ending Cer is male. What gives? That's the reason for 4 stars.
Profile Image for Michael  Keller.
973 reviews10 followers
December 18, 2024
AJ, Darnell and Lisa accepted a mission to stop the Quarr plan to disrupt the galaxy

With their bodies genetically altered to as Stora with tougher skins and quick healing from any damage, with their Beltigersk riders onboard and a newly rescued singer (AJ has a new paramour! 'Bout time!), they take on the Quarr and and their vat-grown Togath fighters. They're responding to the Tok request to intervene in the Quarr plans to disrupt the Galactic Empire's control. Once again the Junkyard team is responsible for saving the universe from the evil Quarr.

The characters we know well, along with their Beltigersk riders. Especially the junkyard owner Albert Jenkins and 49231135-0-B (AJ and Beverly, to their friends and cohorts) along with their friends Lisa and Darnell Jackson (also accompanied by Beltigersk riders). The mission they have chosen to accept is to investigate and immobilize the Quarr invasion plans before they create a near invincible army of Togath fighters and use them to disrupt the control of the Tok on their Galactic Empire. AJ's new romantic interest, a beautiful singer known as Lamia Tragonar, incites AJ's heart in ways he needs. She becomes a necessary 4th member of the crew.

The action we've gotten used to is nearly non-stop with bullets and explosives flying right, left and center of the team. In spite of his appearance as a Stora, Lamia has found AJ's heart and he's beginning to recover from a broken heart despite fighting through hordes of Togath. Great characters, non-stop action and a galaxy threatening storyline combine to offer an exciting read!
193 reviews2 followers
October 27, 2024
love the series, hate the wait!

love this series but I hate the wait of almost one year between each release. The compliment is that if they weren’t so good then I wouldn’t care so much, but the fact is that I want to see what’s happening next ASAP, which in my mind seems fair within a wait time of 3-6 months. I’m not a writer so I don’t know about these things; I’m only an avid reader with lots of exposure to this genre as well as others and many different authors. I know he’s a full time writer (lucky him) but his writing seems to have more the pace of a working person trying to write on the side and do it well enough that he can then do it full time. If the characters weren’t so great and the adventures always exciting then I’d probably simply move on but he does write well and I’m invested in the characters now. Taking one year to write in a well founded series seems risky though, as there are lots of authors out there cranking out several books a year who have really great stories with equal the talent and some are writing in different genres as well. Anyways….
This book has some twists, turns, evil characters, traitors and truths that turn out to be lies. Just more of the same old-same old for this wiley group of heroes who know how to make their presence known! Lol
On other details, I’m definitely rooting for AJ and his love life!
Hopefully this next one has more of a 6 month turnaround time. 🙏🏻 Lol
To the author— Thanks for another great installment in this wonderful series. ❤️
322 reviews1 follower
September 12, 2024
A radical change makes this the best of the series yet for me

I loved this book. What a (literal) change in the characters. As usual, someone takes advantage of AJ's good nature for their own ends. There's always someone else's battles that need fighting and as soon as a moral dilemma comes onto the scene, AJ can't help himself.

Without any identifiable spoilers, the cast here differs from earlier books. Is it for the better? You need to decide. I found it almost lightened the overall mood - if that's possible in such a vicious background. Maybe a change was needed and who knows, it might only be temporary.

I felt I should have seen the ending coming, but even though you might slap your forehead, it's worth it.

At the end of every single review, I find myself waiting for the next installment. And not only for this, but also the next Starfighter series.

Great work once again.Mr McFarlane.
41 reviews1 follower
Read
October 5, 2024
Love these characters😔😳🤔😂💩👍🙏

This book reminds me that volunteering is what everyone in the military says don't do, but everyone in the military for fifty years has done 👍🤘😁😎 I would definitely love to join this unit (family First) dying saving others is the noblest cause, the humor is so good and absolute power corruption and greed is so twisted
6 reviews
December 8, 2024
Waiting for Ten More Books

I don't want to give anything away. So I'll just say that I'm looking forward to seeing how the big long-term storyline plays out. There is a lot going on here. Great individual character development. Enough tragedy to keep an emotional element in there. The unresolved tensions and changing nature of some relationships keep a few question marks floating just out of reach. Overall, it's really entertaining.
Profile Image for Nancy Kosek.
7 reviews
September 8, 2024
Wonderful

You did it again. Now I need to go back to all the beginners , of each and every story you wrote. I'm a big fan. Write moe, please. Love this series. 😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😋
Profile Image for Warren W..
Author 5 books1 follower
October 2, 2024
what a great series! you cant beat alien chicks! (don’t tell my wife!)

Full of adventure and excitement! i loved the story line as well asa the characters. makers me want to sign up- again! u hop there is more…
24 reviews
October 7, 2024
Perfect continuity

I've been waiting for the continuing story to be available, and it was all I hoped for. Gripping; full of adventure and didn't disappoint. Brilliant just brilliant.
7 reviews
December 21, 2024
Amazing series's.

If you like adventure science fiction. Large universes, great characters, amazing writing, you will live this series. I went thru the series's, and I couldn't stop reading.
38 reviews1 follower
February 16, 2025
Well paced, great read

This author never fails to please me greatly! Very enjoyable pacing with plenty of action, yet time still given to fully develop 3 dimensional, very believable characters. I'll read anything he writes.
24 reviews
April 6, 2025
Wow, does McFarlane ever keep you on the edge of your seat

I've been doing my best to keep up with AJ, and it's very difficult
to put this book down. I just fly airplanes and drive fast cars. This guy I want to meet. Looking forward to meet up with AJ again.
162 reviews1 follower
May 8, 2025
A very good story

I have enjoyed each of the books in this series and I apologize to the author for not doing more reviews. These were stories that I didn't want to put down until I finished them all. I will look for more from the author
661 reviews2 followers
June 15, 2025
great series

I'm amazed that this author can write so many fantastic novels, I hope that he never stops writing. His books are some of the best Entertainment  I have read and worth the time to read them. Thank you for a very fun entertaining read.
239 reviews1 follower
June 18, 2025
Wow !!!!

How do you describe excellence This book definitely has ITIT's action packed yet you find the banter between the characters so enjoyable Lisa and Darnell and their flighty little flirts go wonderful in this story Keep up the good work
8 reviews
July 27, 2025
Great writer

I have enjoyed reading this series immentally it amazes me how the author can write with such depth and excitement as well as in detail. I look forward to the next book.
Profile Image for Phillip Mclaughlin.
692 reviews8 followers
December 20, 2025
really in the swamp this time

A great eighth book in the series, Darrell, Lisa and AJ are tagged to rescue Commander Cer who is either kidnapped or undercover. All the worst comes together. Great adventure
160 reviews1 follower
September 10, 2024
Outstanding

This was a fast paced story from start and it never let up. Loved the transition of the story from the past too the future. I hope there are many more.
1 review
September 14, 2024
Super Story

As always a great read, runs at a mile a minute. New twist for AJ and company. Looking forward to "but thats another story"
13 reviews
September 14, 2024
Regarding Junkyard Pirate Series

I'm a fan...it is difficult for me to put down any of the books I've read from Mr. McFarlane.

Looking forward to the next adventure.

Thank you
13 reviews
September 15, 2024
More

All I can say is, I need more. AJ and company are great, I love reading from Mr. McFarlanes imagination, I just need more.
62 reviews1 follower
September 22, 2024
Worth the time and effort

Sometimes writers just make stuff as they go along. As in the case here. But that said I still did enjoy the read and look forward to the next book
Profile Image for Tom Coakley.
83 reviews4 followers
September 22, 2024
This entire series is candy for people who are old enough to have owned 8-tracks.
11 reviews
September 27, 2024
Fair to Middlen

Jamie is still looking for the magic he had in the Privateer Series, and maybe the transition to stronger language and sexual innuendo appeals to some of his readers. The story line has a little too much "Marvel Comics" vibe for my taste. It was okay, I enjoyed it but it was not as good as the earlier books in this series. Yes, I will buy the next one.
64 reviews
October 7, 2024
#8

Although I have a 5 star, I want crazy about some of it.
It was still exciting and had lots of action. Interaction with the Tok was interesting.
1 review
October 20, 2024
Awsome series to read.

Started out good and continues to get better. Already looking g forward to the next book. Looks like it should be a good one.
43 reviews
October 23, 2024
Terrific series

Warrior series. Does not flinch on details. Definitely science fiction intermixed with tales of human heroes and alien encounters. Good reading.
Profile Image for Jim.
797 reviews
October 30, 2024
Book 8 in the series

AJ and his friends are contacted by the Tok for a mission to recover a Tok that has been abducted. The mission is very dangerous. A great story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews