What do you think?
Rate this book
Ryan Lock #3
À fleur de peau (Une aventure de Ryan Lock t. 3)
« Sean Black écrit avec le rythme de Lee Child et la passion d'Harlan Coben. » – New York Times Bestseller, Joseph Finder
« Black conduit son héros dans les situations les plus épineuses, avec une force et une énergie qui débordent de la page. Voici un écrivain, et un personnage, à surveiller de près. » – The Daily Mail
« Plus fin et incisif à chaque livre. À fleur de peau est aussi froid et tranchant qu'un couteau. » – New York Times Bestseller, Meg Gardiner
L'actrice Raven Lane est l'une des femmes les plus convoitées d'Amérique, comme en témoignent ses millions de fans. Mais lorsqu'un cadavre sans tête est retrouvé dans le coffre de sa voiture, elle prend conscience du prix amer de la célébrité.
Craignant pour sa vie, et devant l'impuissance de la police à la protéger, Raven fait appel au garde du corps d'élite Ryan Lock. Lock a toujours défendu les faibles contre les forts, mais pourra-t-il cette fois mettre un terme à la vague de violence qui menace désormais de s'abattre sur la ville de Los Angeles, alors que le prédateur de Raven décide d'éliminer tous ceux qui s'approchent d'elle ?
Les événements deviennent vite incontrôlables, et Lock est entraîné dans un monde dangereux où l'argent est roi, où le sexe se monnaie et où il ne doit faire confiance à personne – et encore moins à sa ravissante nouvelle cliente. Mais ce qu'il ignore, c'est le prix qu'il s'apprête à payer pour s'être mêlé à cette sombre affaire…
« Black conduit son héros dans les situations les plus épineuses, avec une force et une énergie qui débordent de la page. Voici un écrivain, et un personnage, à surveiller de près. » – The Daily Mail
« Plus fin et incisif à chaque livre. À fleur de peau est aussi froid et tranchant qu'un couteau. » – New York Times Bestseller, Meg Gardiner
L'actrice Raven Lane est l'une des femmes les plus convoitées d'Amérique, comme en témoignent ses millions de fans. Mais lorsqu'un cadavre sans tête est retrouvé dans le coffre de sa voiture, elle prend conscience du prix amer de la célébrité.
Craignant pour sa vie, et devant l'impuissance de la police à la protéger, Raven fait appel au garde du corps d'élite Ryan Lock. Lock a toujours défendu les faibles contre les forts, mais pourra-t-il cette fois mettre un terme à la vague de violence qui menace désormais de s'abattre sur la ville de Los Angeles, alors que le prédateur de Raven décide d'éliminer tous ceux qui s'approchent d'elle ?
Les événements deviennent vite incontrôlables, et Lock est entraîné dans un monde dangereux où l'argent est roi, où le sexe se monnaie et où il ne doit faire confiance à personne – et encore moins à sa ravissante nouvelle cliente. Mais ce qu'il ignore, c'est le prix qu'il s'apprête à payer pour s'être mêlé à cette sombre affaire…
340 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2011
511 people are currently reading
721 people want to read
About the author
Sean Black
82 books249 followersI write the Ryan Lock series of thrillers, which feature ex-military bodyguard Ryan Lock and his partner, former Marine, Ty Johnson. The first two books in the series, Lockdown and Deadlock, hit the Official UK Top 50 Bestseller Chart, and the third, Gridlock, has just been released in hardback. They have have also been translated into Dutch, German, and Russian.
I'm a firm believer in hands-on research, also known as 'any excuse to get out of the house', so before I wrote Lockdown, I trained for a month with former members of the Royal Military Police's specialist close protection unit. That turned out to be great preparation for Deadlock, which I researched by spending time inside Pelican Bay Supermax in California (see the TV interview on my author page). I recently completed a desert survival course in Arizona and ventured into the tunnels under Las Vegas, all as preparation for a new standalone thriller I will begin work on once I have completed the fourth Ryan Lock book.
Before I became a full-time novelist, I taught college and wrote television drama. I'm an Oxbridge and Ivy League graduate – try not to hold that against me.
I'm a firm believer in hands-on research, also known as 'any excuse to get out of the house', so before I wrote Lockdown, I trained for a month with former members of the Royal Military Police's specialist close protection unit. That turned out to be great preparation for Deadlock, which I researched by spending time inside Pelican Bay Supermax in California (see the TV interview on my author page). I recently completed a desert survival course in Arizona and ventured into the tunnels under Las Vegas, all as preparation for a new standalone thriller I will begin work on once I have completed the fourth Ryan Lock book.
Before I became a full-time novelist, I taught college and wrote television drama. I'm an Oxbridge and Ivy League graduate – try not to hold that against me.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
January 13, 2019
This was a fast-paced book with several twists and turns. I would have given it a four star rating except for the ending. This is actually the first book that I have read in this series. I would like to read others to see how the main character has developed and what will happen in the future.
November 11, 2019
i wonder what lengths black had to go through in researching this.
p222: raven, you writing me back has been about the best thing that's happened to me in my hole shitty life so far.
p222: raven, you writing me back has been about the best thing that's happened to me in my hole shitty life so far.
December 15, 2017
Another great book in the series. The events just kept happening, with little time to prepare for the next. I will be starting the next book when I can slow down the rate of my breathing. The racing of my heart. Get my head around the "Oh No" thoughts. How will the series carry on....? With the same type of action Black has laid out before us in the past I suspect.
Ok. I can breathe now....but do I dare? My heart is beating normally, but there just may remain a new heaviness to ponder. But I'm up for the challenge!
Ok. I can breathe now....but do I dare? My heart is beating normally, but there just may remain a new heaviness to ponder. But I'm up for the challenge!
October 26, 2024
Καλή περιπέτεια με γρήγορους ρυθμούς και δραση
March 4, 2017
Great story. Kept me up turning pages. Not too happy about the ending though. Good thing I had seen some spoilers about the end because if I hadn't I would have been devastated. Better to have had time to prepare for really sad ending. I'm loving this series and Ryan is really growing on me. Moving on to Book 4 now. But would like to know what happened to Angel?
June 19, 2012
I read Sean Blacks first and second books and absolutely loved them. Ryan Lock is an ex-military bodyguard who has worked private security and has now set up his own company that can be called upon for any type of job. He has a partner Ty Johnson who is an ex-marine who Ryan met whilst in Iraq. Together they make a formidable team and seem unafraid to take on any type of work.
In this book, Ryan and Ty are asked to work for famous adult movie actress Raven Lane. Raven is lusted after by many people across the world and has an army of fans, however, when a headless corpse turns up in the boot of her car she feels compelled to get Ryan and Ty in for her private security.
Before long what seems like a simple stalking case gone wrong, turns into a horrific crime spree by what looks like a cold blooded killer. Sean Black is now on his third book and you can tell that he is pushing himself and the book came across even better than his first two. The book is very fast paced, and this is a lot easier to read as things start off relatively simple but before long the pace picks up and you are thrown along with the characters as things progressively get worse.
The one major difference between this book and his previous is that the murders and crime scenes are a lot more graphic and descriptive. In my opinion this made the book a lot better because you then start questioning who is on the right side of the law and who isn’t. There are quite a lot of twists and turns too and I must say that I was shocked and saddened by the ending. Although shocked, it is an absolutely first class platform for the next book which I cannot wait to get my hands on. Sean Black is certainly coming into his own in this genre and I think this is his best yet, I can only hope that they continue to be this good.
In this book, Ryan and Ty are asked to work for famous adult movie actress Raven Lane. Raven is lusted after by many people across the world and has an army of fans, however, when a headless corpse turns up in the boot of her car she feels compelled to get Ryan and Ty in for her private security.
Before long what seems like a simple stalking case gone wrong, turns into a horrific crime spree by what looks like a cold blooded killer. Sean Black is now on his third book and you can tell that he is pushing himself and the book came across even better than his first two. The book is very fast paced, and this is a lot easier to read as things start off relatively simple but before long the pace picks up and you are thrown along with the characters as things progressively get worse.
The one major difference between this book and his previous is that the murders and crime scenes are a lot more graphic and descriptive. In my opinion this made the book a lot better because you then start questioning who is on the right side of the law and who isn’t. There are quite a lot of twists and turns too and I must say that I was shocked and saddened by the ending. Although shocked, it is an absolutely first class platform for the next book which I cannot wait to get my hands on. Sean Black is certainly coming into his own in this genre and I think this is his best yet, I can only hope that they continue to be this good.
June 29, 2011
Ryan Lock is a close-protection operative, a former member of Britain's Royal Corps of Military Police now working in the United States. In Los Angeles, he is hired by Raven Lane, a performer in the "adult entertainment industry" aka porn movies. Raven is being stalked. People she has been in contact with are being gruesomely murdered. The LAPD are on the case which only makes harder the protection for which Lock and his partner are employed.
Sean Black provides a fast-paced, gripping narrative. Inevitably there is a good deal of blood and violence. But there are mitigating factors. Although the milieu is sleazy, the portrayal is clear-eyed about the inherent tawdry exploitation. The author avoids cheap titillation. The characters feel real, the young Down's syndrome sufferer is handled with unsensational care.
Suspense builds and the mystery deepens. The solution is a surprise but there has been no cheating, Lock gets there with logic and perseverance rather than deductive inspiration. We are in Jack Reacher territory, tough guy fiction, and Ryan Lock need not fear comparison.
Sean Black provides a fast-paced, gripping narrative. Inevitably there is a good deal of blood and violence. But there are mitigating factors. Although the milieu is sleazy, the portrayal is clear-eyed about the inherent tawdry exploitation. The author avoids cheap titillation. The characters feel real, the young Down's syndrome sufferer is handled with unsensational care.
Suspense builds and the mystery deepens. The solution is a surprise but there has been no cheating, Lock gets there with logic and perseverance rather than deductive inspiration. We are in Jack Reacher territory, tough guy fiction, and Ryan Lock need not fear comparison.
October 10, 2011
Grid Lock is an fast-paced, action packed murder mystery chock full of mayhem and twists and turns.
Raven Lane, one of the porn industries premiere girls, is being stalked and the most recent threat to her pushes her to seek more protection that just what the police can offer. She hires on Lock and Ty, who make it their business to provide protection to those that can afford their services. What starts out as a pretty run of the mill job, quickly takes a turn. They will be battling a serial killer with a grudge to settle, as they are in the way of his prize.
Throughout Los Angeles they will battle papparazzi, traffic, time and lies until the killer is captured or killed as the threat to Raven extends past herself and becomes more personal for one of the guys.
If you are not offended by some unsettling graphic details and unsavory language, then this page turner should be on your list. Grid Lock will keep you glued to the pages as the story moves a mile a minute!
This book was a gift through a giveaway offered at Goodreads.com.
Raven Lane, one of the porn industries premiere girls, is being stalked and the most recent threat to her pushes her to seek more protection that just what the police can offer. She hires on Lock and Ty, who make it their business to provide protection to those that can afford their services. What starts out as a pretty run of the mill job, quickly takes a turn. They will be battling a serial killer with a grudge to settle, as they are in the way of his prize.
Throughout Los Angeles they will battle papparazzi, traffic, time and lies until the killer is captured or killed as the threat to Raven extends past herself and becomes more personal for one of the guys.
If you are not offended by some unsettling graphic details and unsavory language, then this page turner should be on your list. Grid Lock will keep you glued to the pages as the story moves a mile a minute!
This book was a gift through a giveaway offered at Goodreads.com.
June 21, 2013
I'm sorry I have to deduct 1 star from this fine book. I'm not happy when Carrie, Ryan Lock's fiancee whom I came to love since the second book DIED in this book. Sorry for the spoiler. I like her,she was the least possessive and dependable female character I've ever encountered in a book. But understandably, I assumed in the next book, Ryan Lock's character will surely change. It is something I look forward to in the next book.
All aside, I enjoy reading Grid Lock. Fast paced, hard not to keep on turning the pages with this kind of momentum. Although the plot seems to be downgrading, in the previous book Lock & Johnson thwarted a plan to kill the President of USA and now they are protecting a porn star, it still got the same intensity as from the previous case. If you like the previous books, you will definitely love this one.
All aside, I enjoy reading Grid Lock. Fast paced, hard not to keep on turning the pages with this kind of momentum. Although the plot seems to be downgrading, in the previous book Lock & Johnson thwarted a plan to kill the President of USA and now they are protecting a porn star, it still got the same intensity as from the previous case. If you like the previous books, you will definitely love this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2011
Lots of suspense in this novel. It's about a porn star who has a stalker and hires a body guard to keep her and her brother safe. It's a real life roller coaster ride for her as the stalker tries to get closer to her.
February 1, 2012
The Ryan Lock series is very, very good and this was the best one of the series. a serious twist toward the end that was unexpected but handled very well. Great books.
August 23, 2017
That moment when you recognise an actor/actress but can't admit it.
Adult film star Raven Lane has a stalker. Not the leave flowers kind of stalker, the kind that leaves bodies in the back of your car. The police are only mildly interested in catching someone killing people in the adult industry, so Raven hires Lock and Ty. Ryan Lock reluctantly takes the job, sensing that something is off about it all. There is. In the worst way possible.
It has been a while since I've read anything from Sean Black. His first Lock thriller novel was recommended to me and I loved it. Sean has since branched out into writing a mystery-comedy series that I've got on my TBR (at some point I'm going to have to admit I have a book buying problem). Reading another Ryan Lock novel was like putting on a comfy pair of shoes. Sean keeps the narrative interesting, keeps the pacing fast, and isn't afraid to land plot punches most authors would avoid.
Highly recommend this novel for thriller and crime-thriller fans.
Adult film star Raven Lane has a stalker. Not the leave flowers kind of stalker, the kind that leaves bodies in the back of your car. The police are only mildly interested in catching someone killing people in the adult industry, so Raven hires Lock and Ty. Ryan Lock reluctantly takes the job, sensing that something is off about it all. There is. In the worst way possible.
It has been a while since I've read anything from Sean Black. His first Lock thriller novel was recommended to me and I loved it. Sean has since branched out into writing a mystery-comedy series that I've got on my TBR (at some point I'm going to have to admit I have a book buying problem). Reading another Ryan Lock novel was like putting on a comfy pair of shoes. Sean keeps the narrative interesting, keeps the pacing fast, and isn't afraid to land plot punches most authors would avoid.
Highly recommend this novel for thriller and crime-thriller fans.
January 29, 2024
Un tome encore une fois qui m’a embarquée dans une intrigue pointue qui va trouver un dénouement dramatique que je n’ai même pas anticipé. Honnêtement, je ne comprends pas le choix de l’auteur, mais c’est le sien, et je me demande quel impact cela va avoir sur Ryan.
Cette intrigue autour d’une stripteaseuse commence assez simplement : un harceleur comme il en existe des centaines, mais celui-ci a un côté plus sanglant. Naviguer au milieu du porno dans ses aspects les plus retors et pervers est un véritable parcours du combattant pour Ryan et Ty, la victime n’est peut-être pas aussi innocente qu’elle le paraît. Les cadavres s’amoncellent, les pistes se refroidissent aussi vite qu’elles apparaissent.
C’est toujours sur un style fluide que l’auteur nous entraîne au milieu d’une véritable toile d’araignée. Moins d’humour dans les dialogues, mais toujours aussi percutants. Plus sombre que les précédents, peut-être une manière de nous préparer à cette fin surprenante et tragique.
Cette intrigue autour d’une stripteaseuse commence assez simplement : un harceleur comme il en existe des centaines, mais celui-ci a un côté plus sanglant. Naviguer au milieu du porno dans ses aspects les plus retors et pervers est un véritable parcours du combattant pour Ryan et Ty, la victime n’est peut-être pas aussi innocente qu’elle le paraît. Les cadavres s’amoncellent, les pistes se refroidissent aussi vite qu’elles apparaissent.
C’est toujours sur un style fluide que l’auteur nous entraîne au milieu d’une véritable toile d’araignée. Moins d’humour dans les dialogues, mais toujours aussi percutants. Plus sombre que les précédents, peut-être une manière de nous préparer à cette fin surprenante et tragique.
November 30, 2018
Rife with Twists and Turns
This tale of an assignment to protect the life of a porn star weaves out of the expected as bodies of those involved with the star wind up horrifically murdered. But, who is at fault, and why? This is an excellent read with fast paced action from beginning to end. The many twists and turns it takes along the way leave the reader totally unprepared for the ending.
This tale of an assignment to protect the life of a porn star weaves out of the expected as bodies of those involved with the star wind up horrifically murdered. But, who is at fault, and why? This is an excellent read with fast paced action from beginning to end. The many twists and turns it takes along the way leave the reader totally unprepared for the ending.
June 14, 2019
Really good read
Fast paced story about Ryan Lock who works with his friend, Ty as personal security experts. They take on a case that Ryan has his doubts about- a female porn star who needs protection from a stalker who's been threatening her. And she has some secrets.... Many unexpected twists & turn-some good, some bad. Kept me very intrigued & interested in reading more of this duo.
Fast paced story about Ryan Lock who works with his friend, Ty as personal security experts. They take on a case that Ryan has his doubts about- a female porn star who needs protection from a stalker who's been threatening her. And she has some secrets.... Many unexpected twists & turn-some good, some bad. Kept me very intrigued & interested in reading more of this duo.
October 28, 2017
Another great read in this series that I'm really enjoying. This tale sees Ryan Lock protecting an adult movie actress who has a stalker -she says she doesn't know who it is but can she be believed? Plenty of thrills & spills with tension building up nicely to an ending that made me go "Oh no!" with dismay. As a result I can't wait to see how the outcome affects Lock in the next book......
December 31, 2017
Another must read. You will not see the OMG part in this book. I will say that I was disappointed in one chapter. The chapter was bottom line a filler. Which is interesting because looking at his interview he stated that his books are about getting to the point. And, not a lot of Fluff . Oh well, it did not ruin the book . On to book 4!
November 26, 2018
Even though the 3rd book in the Ryan Lock series, it stood on its own. The characters were complex and believable. This took many unexpected turns and the conclusion was completely unexpected and sad. This was one of those books that was hard to put down and each time you thought you had things figured out, a new path was taken.
October 2, 2017
They just keep getting better and better........... Ryan helps a porn star being stalked. She has a brother Kevin who needs special care. We meet Ty, Carrie, and Angel again. Good characters and a good story.
December 16, 2018
Another gripping story by Sean Black. Once I got into it I didn’t want to put it down, the kind I like. Interesting characters with different lives from the everyday typical types. Very good read.
March 23, 2019
This book had everything!
The way that the book began had me thinking what was going to happen next. It came as quite a surprise. Unfortunately, there was also a sad twist at the end which I would never have expected.
The way that the book began had me thinking what was going to happen next. It came as quite a surprise. Unfortunately, there was also a sad twist at the end which I would never have expected.
April 17, 2019
A decent crime book with a protagonist bodyguard who is pretty real, not over the top. Story is good and moves along well. A surprise ending I've never seen in any crime book. This was a Nook eBook. Read my crime books.
June 1, 2019
I enjoyed it, even though it was really trying to be a tough guy story. Ryan is a likeable guy, and the story had enough twists and turns.
I enjoyed that it was not a straight line, but kept you wondering about motives.
I enjoyed that it was not a straight line, but kept you wondering about motives.
August 29, 2019
An unexpected twist
This was a well-written book. I enjoyed the characters very much. I thought I had it all figured out until an unexpected twist near the end, threw me for a loop. I recommend this book.
This was a well-written book. I enjoyed the characters very much. I thought I had it all figured out until an unexpected twist near the end, threw me for a loop. I recommend this book.
May 14, 2020
Great thrIller
This book kept you on your toes until the end. Lots of twist and turns.. Sad the way things turned out for Ryan.Can't wait to read the next book and see what happens to him.
This book kept you on your toes until the end. Lots of twist and turns.. Sad the way things turned out for Ryan.Can't wait to read the next book and see what happens to him.
May 31, 2020
This gets 4.5/5 from me.
Definitely head and shoulders above the previous chapters, a brilliant thriller.
Really high-paced, with a well constructed, complex plot.
I found Black's writing to be better on this one and the more prominent role of Ty is very welcome.
Definitely head and shoulders above the previous chapters, a brilliant thriller.
Really high-paced, with a well constructed, complex plot.
I found Black's writing to be better on this one and the more prominent role of Ty is very welcome.
February 11, 2022
I would love to meet Raven! I imagine she would favor Samantha Fox in real life. Forget the exotic dancing and after affairs rendezvous, I could overlook that.
Highly recommend the audio version, excellent narration.....
Highly recommend the audio version, excellent narration.....
August 6, 2017
Another great page turner from Sean Black which didn't disappoint. Not much more that can be said.
December 15, 2017
A nice average thriller but a bit by the numbers and predictable. It was going along ok and then fizzled out at the end. Very poor ending as in not very exciting.
October 9, 2018
Another great read in the Ryan lock series. Was edge of the seat from page to page
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews