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Monarch #1

The Monarch

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Fans of thrilling adventures and international suspense will love Jack Soren’s whirlwind debut novel—a tale of two thieves detoured on the road to redemption.

Imitation is the deadliest form of flattery …

When Jonathan Hall walked away from his career as an international art thief to be a father, he thought he’d made a clean break—from crime, from life as The Monarch, from an early grave.

But when The Monarch’s signature symbol resurfaces, carved into the mutilated bodies of New York’s elite, Jonathan realizes his retirement may have been short-lived. Someone is framing The Monarch for horrific slayings. But Jonathan and his former partner, Lew, know this isn’t just murder—it’s a message.

Now caught in a deadly game against a fanatical madman whose reach penetrates the darkest corners of the globe, Jonathan and Lew have no choice but to play along. But when Jonathan’s daughter becomes a pawn, all bets are off. To win this game, Jonathan and Lew will have to accept one final task as The Monarch—a job that could change the course of history forever. 

480 pages, Paperback

First published December 2, 2014

20 people are currently reading
531 people want to read

About the author

Jack Soren

7 books51 followers
Jack Soren was born and raised in Toronto, Canada.

Before becoming a thriller novelist, Jack wrote software manuals, drove a cab and spent six months as a really terrible private investigator.

His debut novel THE MONARCH was short-listed for the Kobo Emerging Writer award.

He lives in the Toronto area.

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5 stars
34 (22%)
4 stars
56 (37%)
3 stars
46 (30%)
2 stars
9 (5%)
1 star
6 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Profile Image for Margitte.
1,188 reviews661 followers
February 13, 2015

The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits. ~ ALBERT EINSTEIN

Two initially unlikely friends decided to quit their adventures as international art thieves and live normal lives. Jonathan Hall made a promise to his dying wife that he would never return to his old criminal life as The Monarch. Jonathan and Lew lost contact for a few years.

But then a serial killer is appearing in New York's art district, leaving the sign of The Monarch at all his killings.

" The first mutilated body had been found by a group of teens on the edge of Central Park; a local artist with no enemies to speak of. The second victim was an independent art gallery owner with no discernible enemies. The only connection between the two killings was the art world and the gruesome symbol carved into his flesh. He’d been killed somewhere else and then left strung up in St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Madison Avenue, the corpse’s arms outstretched like a crucifixion on an invisible cross, the same rudimentary butterfly carved into his bare chest."

The third body was found in the Cloisters Museum in Washington Heights - " blood ran in the egg cup-­shaped, cream limestone fountain at the center of one of the outdoor courtyards; a mutilated, half-­naked body stretched out across the trickling feature where monks once bent to satisfy their thirsts." The deceased was a well-known tv-presenter, which ensured national coverage of the murder.

Emily Burrows, the author of the book, The Monarch’s Reign is called in by the FBI to explain why her book, and the symbol on the cover page, is being used in the murders. The book was based on the real life of The Monarch and she was still trying to find the real identity of this thief. She is forced into the chaotic situation through extortion.

The problem is that The Monarch is innocent. It is time for Lew and Jonathan to secretly protect their honor and answer the call of the madman behind the killings. They have no choice. Their reunion will be dramatic and dangerous. Escape is not an option. A global manhunt is their only option, and the ultimate art work they have to find is not what was expected.

This debut novel is a thrilling, high-chase, suspenseful drama of life on the dark side of the art world. A fast-reading page turner. An entertaining experience. It could have been shorter though. However, it was still a great read! I appreciated the 'What If' elements in the book which made all the events as outrageous as it is possible.

The review copy was provided by Harper Collins Publishers / Witness Impulse through edelweissabovethetreeline.com. Thank you for the opportunity.
Profile Image for james gwisdala.
18 reviews
October 9, 2019
Worth the Read

The first part of the book was hard to follow and I had to concentrate more than usual to get all the players in focus. Once getting a good handle it was a worthwhile read. Would have enjoyed a little more recap of the lives of all at the end.
Profile Image for Zalira.
76 reviews16 followers
January 14, 2016
Eine rätselhafte Mordserie in New York erregt die Aufmerksamkeit der Medien, doch das ist erst der Anfang dieses komplexen Thriller-Debüts von Jack Soren. Allen Opfern ist gemein, dass sie auf irgendeine Weise mit der Kunstszene zu tun haben und eine Art Schmetterlingssymbol vom Mörder eingeritzt bekommen haben. Dieses Symbol ist allerdings nicht unbekannt, sondern wurde vor einigen Jahren von einem Kunstdieb bei seinen Einbrüchen hinterlassen. Aufgrund der Form hat man ihn den Monarchen genannt. Er stahl dabei wertvolle Kunstwerke, aus den (oft illegal erstandenen) Privatsammlungen reicher Kunstliebhaber und brachte sie zurück zu den Museen. Was auf den ersten Blick stark nach Robin Hood aussieht täuscht, da diese Aktionen nicht ganz uneigennützig waren und er einen ordentlichen "Finderlohn" kassierte.
Nachdem das Symbol ganz gezielt eine Botschaft darstellen soll, versucht der Monarch der Tatsache auf den Grund zu gehen. Die Ereignisse verstricken sich aber immer mehr, und der Monarch ist gezwungen nach langer Zeit wieder einen Raub durchzuführen. Was allerdings keiner weiß, ist das kleine Geheimnis um den Monarchen.

Das ganze Buch an sich ist in verschiedene Abschnitte aufgeteilt, wobei ein Teil einem Tag und dessen Geschehnisse entspricht. Die Geschichte ist meiner Meinung nach schon sehr komplex, durch Ortssprünge oder Rückblenden, aber auch durch die Verstrickung der einzelnen Figuren untereinander, muss man schon etwas mitdenken beim Lesen. Bei jedem Kapitel stehen aber Ort und Zeit dabei, dadurch wird das dann auch leichter. Gerade weil die Idee dahinter ein wenig zum Nachdenken anregt, ist es schön mit dem Monarchen auf eine Reise um die halbe Welt zu gehen. Neben der Hauptgeschichte um die Morde und der Aufdeckung der Identität des Monarchen, werden auch im Informatik-Bereich oder der medizinischen Forschung einige interessante Ideen vorgestellt und erklärt, was mir auch sehr gut gefallen hat. Von kleinen Wanzen über Überschallflugzeuge bis hin zum Supercomputer ist alles dabei!
Jack Soren schreibt dabei aus den Perspektiven verschiedener Charaktere. Gerade weil man aus der Sicht so vieler Personen miterlebt was passiert, erhält man einen ganz anderen Einblick in die Geschichte. Man liest die Gedanken und Handlungen der offensichtlichen/geliebten Hauptpersonen, aber auch von den Gegenspielern. Auch wenn man also die eine oder andere Person nicht leiden kann, ist doch nachvollziehbar -aus deren Sicht- warum sie so handelt.. vielleicht nicht immer, aber weitestgehend.
Gerade die Hauptsympathieträger wachsen einem im Handumdrehen ans Herz und bringen einen zum Lachen. Das ist ein weiterer Grund warum mir das Buch richtig gut gefällt: sehr humorvoll und absolut spannend!
Ein kleiner Wermutstropfen war für mich leider an manchen Stellen die Sprache. Oft war es gut geschrieben, aber an manchen Stellen fand ich die Sätze etwas kompliziert formuliert, ich habe teilweise 3 Anläufe gebraucht um den Sinn eines Satzes nachvollziehen zu können. Hier finde ich hätte man an der ein oder anderen Übersetzung noch etwas feilen können.
Im Buch wird beim Monarchen auch der Vergleich zu Robin Hood gezogen, aber ich finde durch das Schmetterlingssymbol, das der Monarch bei seinen Einbrüchen hinterlässt, hat das auch etwas von Zorro. Das Ende des Buches rundet die Geschichte gut ab und es werden alle kleinen Rätsel zum Schluss aufgeklärt. Im Englischen ist aber bereits eine Fortsetzung zum Band erschienen und ich bin schon sehr gespannt wie es mit allen Figuren weitergeht.

Fazit:
Ein unglaublich spannendes Buch mit sehr viel Witz und tollen Figuren. Ich freue mich auch schon auf Band 2!
Profile Image for Up All Night Book Addict.
1,240 reviews279 followers
October 18, 2016
This is one of those books that I like to curl up on a rainy night to read. Suspenseful. Page-turner. Edge of your seat! These books never get old!

This is a story about seeking redemption for past mistakes. The twists and turns will have you eager for the next page.

I live for thrillers. I don't read them on a regular basis. If I did, they wouldn't have such a strong effect on me. This book is a little haunting but a lot thrilling! Thrilling in every way a thriller should be!

I am not going to go into specifics of this book. These books are supposed to be suspenseful, therefore, I will leave you to the suspense at your own risk.

Profile Image for Natashya KitchenPuppies.
438 reviews25 followers
November 20, 2015
Extra star for being a dude from my local watering hole. Super proud and impressed.
Seriously. I didn't expect it to be so tight and well paced, plotted, and complex.
Proud and jealous at the same time.
9 reviews
November 15, 2015
The style and characterization is basically akin to a Michael Bay movie. So if you like hypothetically plot and random circumstance driven story and don't care about characters, then it's for you.
19 reviews
February 20, 2025
A fast-paced novel. The characters were nice, but I am dropping one star because I feel like there were so many things left unsaid about them. It did give me some closure, so I don't know if I will pick up a sequel.
25 reviews1 follower
July 9, 2020
Good Read

Kept me on th edge of my seat.
One of those "can't put it down" books.
Can't wait to start the next book.
Profile Image for Danie.
201 reviews2 followers
December 27, 2015
Jack Soren - Der Monarch - Harper Collins

New York City - "The-Cloisters-Museum"
ƸӜƷ
Special Agent Joseph Wagner vom FBI verfolgt seit 6 Wochen der Spur eines Serienmörders.
Der Brunnen im Kreuzgang Museum ist voll mit Blut, früher haben Mönche ihre Köpfe darüber gebeugt, um ihren Durst zu stillen, heute liegt die entkleidete Leiche eines Mannes darüber, ein mysteriöses Symbol in seine Brust geritzt. Joseph Wagner vernimmt gerade den Kurator Benoit. Eine Angestellte entdeckte den Mann und ihr entsetzter Schrei, der durch die Hallen gellte, ließ keinen Zweifel darüber, das etwas Schreckliches passiert ist. Leiche Nr 3 ist ein bekannter Nachrichensprecher und Ex-Polizist. Dieses Mal kann Director Matthews nicht seine Hand darüber halten, der Bischof ist immer noch wegen der aufgehängten Leiche vor seiner Kathedrale schockiert, aber er ging den Deal mit dem FBI ein.
Als Special Agent Wagner die Leiche in Augenschein nimmt, erkennt er sofort das Symbol, es ist ein Schmetterling, ein sogenannter Monachfalter, bei dem Anblick wird ihm eiskalt und der Hauch einer Ahnung unterstützt diese Erkenntnis.
Ein geheimnisvoller brauner Umschlag fördert ein Buch zu Tage, auf dem Cover ein Schmetterling, mit dem harmlos klingenden Titel: "Die Herrschaft des Monarchen".
An jede Redaktion der Stadt wurde ein Exemplar verschickt, der Täter will unbedingt an die Öffentlichkeit. Director Matthews will die Autorin sofort in der Gerichtsmedizin sehen, ein gezieltes Ablenkungsmanöver, die Frau wird entführt..
Florida:
Der ehemalige Robin Hood der Kunstdiebe, Jonathan Hall, hat sich mit seiner kleinen Tochter ein normales Leben in Tallahassee aufgebaut. Früher stahl er geraubte Kunstwerke zurück, um sie dem jeweiligen Museum zurückzubringen, damit sich ein breites Puplikum daran erfreuen möge. Er hasst Superreiche, die zB einen Van Gogh im Tresorraum haben und die Kunst für sich allein beanspruchen, obwohl sie eigentlich kein Interesse daran haben.
Sein ehemaliger Partner Lewis sitzt im Gefängnis und als der Sheriff stolz seinen neuen "gratis" ;-) Flatscreen vorstellt, läuft die Nachricht über den Newsticker.
Lewis traut seinen Augen nicht und ist hoch alarmiert, er muß hier irgendwie raus.
Im Gefängnis bricht gerade ein Tumult aus.
Ein hochkarätiger Thriller, der alle beliebten Klischees bedient und gleichzeitig ein sehr raffiniertes Netz darum spannt. Ausgekochte Charaktere, gerissene Bösewichte, geschäftstüchtige Ordnungshüter und ein gewieftes Duo, dass von der Vergangenheit eingeholt wird und ein arglistiger Hintermann, der Rache will.
Fesselnde Unterhaltung, packend und gut durchdacht bis zur letzten Seite!
Der Kanadier Jack Soren reanimiert den guten amerikanischen Thriller.
Ein furioses Debut! Bitte mehr davon!
Klare Empfehlung! 5/5

Der Schmetterling ist ein arabisches Symbol für Vergebung:
"Der, der dich verbrennt, soll nicht brennen!"

Profile Image for Tina.
612 reviews18 followers
December 12, 2014
The Monarch is an incredible story of intrigue, espionage, heist, and suspense. I loved this story! The Monarch plays out like a thrilling movie in your head while you read. The writing is well paced and the characters are intriguing. When the story begins, there are many moving parts and places involved with the plot line. At the beginning of this book, I had to focus on the who and where with each new chapter as we bounced around the globe, but once each individual story line was introduced and the players were developed, the intrigue takes off and I was hooked. This story takes places all over the world, in the present day with flashbacks to where this all began so many years ago. We meet Jonathan and Lew, two partners who became best friends after a chance meeting years ago off the beaten path. They worked together as the Robin Hood of art thieves and were so well known. Yet things changed when Jonathan’s daughter came into his life and both men have left the high adrenaline heist world behind. Yet someone, somewhere is creating havoc in their name and they must take charge to stop the murders and find out who is behind it all.
The plot line to this book was one of the things that hooked me. It was different from the slew books I have been reading lately, which was a refreshing experience that I am so happy for. The plot was very well written and brilliantly developed. This book is filled with intrigue, drama, and thrilling adventures. I had no idea what was around the next corner and loved the surprise of the story as I read. The writing style was lovely and I cannot wait to see what Jack Soren has in store for the future.
One of my favorite parts to see in any book I read is the character development. The characters introduced within this storyline have the potential to be shallow, considering there are so many moving parts and different people introduced all throughout the book. But Jack Soren is able to take a character and provide them with the perfect amount of back story and create people within each plot line that add authenticity and excitement to this tale. Jonathan was a single dad trying to make ends meet and leave his past behind. Lew was a man who has made mistakes but was fighting for what was right. Emily was the starry eyed writer who learned the truth behind her words. The list goes on and on. Each character is foundational to the story and I was beyond pleased with what each person brought to the table.
The Monarch is a must read for anyone who enjoys well written thrillers. It was such an awesome story full of adrenaline and excitement. Do not miss this one!
Profile Image for Marissa.
3,537 reviews45 followers
December 2, 2014
Kindle Copy for Review

It’s about two thieves on the road to redemption.

When Jonathan Hall became a father, he gave up his life as an international art thief. Know as The Monarch he thought he would make a clean break from his life of crime.

When Jonathan’s signature symbol resurfaces carved on mutilated dead bodies, he knows that his short lived retirement is in jeopardy. This is a sign for him and his former partner Lew that this is a message and they are being sought out.

They find themselves stuck as pawns in a madman game as they have no choice to be in the twisted plans. The stakes become higher when Jonathan’s daughter is kidnapped by the madmen. Can they rescue her before she is the next victim?

A page turner that keeps you glue to your seat.
Profile Image for Els .
2,227 reviews51 followers
May 16, 2016
Eigenlijk klopt het aantal sterren dat ik toeken niet. Het zijn er te weinig. Ik had dit totaal niet verwacht toen ik de achterflap las. Ik viel van de ene verbazing in de andere waarbij de bedrieger bedrogen wordt door een bedrieger die op zijn beurt ook bedrogen wordt. Het was over the top maar als het er zo dik bovenop ligt, dan vind ik dat geweldig. James Bond stijl is het echt wel en daar ben ik absoluut fan van. En als je dan denkt dat je alles weet, stopt het verhaal en blijf je daar zitten op het puntje van je stoel. Ik hoop heel snel een vervolg te kunnen lezen. Het gebeurt niet vaak dat ik zo door een boek werd meegenomen, maar deze auteur is er heel zeker in geslaagd. Het was genieten tot en met het laatste woord.
Bedankt Harper Collins Nederland
Profile Image for Breanna  Meyer.
253 reviews
November 20, 2015
Just an okay read for me. Don't have anything wonderful to say about it, but don't have anything horrible to say either. I feel like some of the more important moments in the story were too lightly touched upon, but nothing that ruins the story as a whole. I enjoyed these characters. Would've liked a bit more specific character detail, but that didn't stop me from being pulled towards Jonathan and Lew especially.
Profile Image for Dani Swoon.
1 review
December 11, 2014
A fun read. The Monarch has everything- fear, friends, family AND EXPLOSIONS! I fell in love with Jonathan and Lew. The characters drew me into themselves and there was humour in all the right places as the excitement unfolded and I got rocked across the globe and back in this thrillfest.
Loved it.
11 reviews
June 14, 2015
After finishing the book all I can say about this is that it was alright and slightly clichéd. It was very hard to stay intrigued throughout the novel. I am glad for a happy ending for the characters but do they need to be obsessively paired? Very dramatic in the later scenes, reminds me of an action film trying to keep a viewer's attention through explosions and fire.
Profile Image for LJ.
431 reviews39 followers
June 7, 2016
Searing action scenes, immersive plot, great read!

Could not put this book down, stated with a sample, immediately purchased and finished today. Really enjoyed the depth of characters, the development, the mystery, the intrigue, really well written. Pace is furious and relentless, enjoyable! Can't wait to read more asap. The Monarch delivers, Thanks, Jack Soren
Profile Image for Paul Anderson.
Author 35 books28 followers
September 1, 2016
The Monarch: A Thriller by Jack Soren
I love novels that have two strong protagonists. Lew and Jonathan are both my kind of tough guys. They’re hard around the edges and soft in the middle. Soren knows how to create memorable characters, and his villains are as unforgettable as his heroes. The Monarch is an excellent first novel by a writer worth watching.
Profile Image for Kirk.
235 reviews3 followers
August 23, 2015
More of a fantasy than a thriller. Normally I'm willing to suspend disbelief, but there's way to much here that's too incredible to countenance. If I hadn't been reading this as an ebook on the road I doubt I'd have finished it.
20 reviews
March 7, 2015
Fast Moving

Full of intrigue, with enough twists and turns to keep you hooked until the end. You will enjoy this book.
559 reviews
May 30, 2016
The Monarch

A wild unbelievable ride with a variety of likeable and detestable characters. Some of the science surpasses real knowledge but who can avoid liking the Monarch
648 reviews6 followers
August 27, 2016
Actiefilm in boekvorm; overtuigde me echter onvoldoende.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews

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