What do you think?
Byron Tibor #2
Blood Country
After years as a government trouble-shooter, working in the most dangerous places in the world, Byron Tibor suffered a breakdown.Enrolled in a special DARPA experiment known as the ‘guilt-free soldier’ program, Byron’s PTSD is cured, and he is given augmented powers.But his newfound abilities leave him isolated and prone to unpredictable rages.Still hunted by the Federal government, Special Forces Veteran Byron is forced to intervene when he stumbles across unsettling events in a small Texas border town. The first novel in the series, Post, was nominated for the 2015 International Thriller Writers' Awards.
- GenresThriller
318 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 7, 2015
About the author
Sean Black
84 books252 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.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 1, 2019
brief synopsis:
an interlude that explores a texas county penal system following byron's continuing evasion of the government.
setting:
langley, virginia
kelsen county, texas
named personalities:
byron tibor aka john davis - a fugitive who was a former special forces operator for the state department
lauren stanley - a cia analyst looking to capture byron
matilde - a little girl
john martin (martinez) - the sheriff of kelsen county, texas
pepe le pew - an overly amorous skunk smitten with a cat
arlo - a cop
thea martinez - a public defender; a civil-rights crusader
william 'billy' kelson - a judge
castro - the warden of kelsen county jail
mills - a lieutenant
clayton 'red' rice - a convict
franco - a convict shot-caller
victor romero - a mexican labor organizer
julia - byron's wife
bradley stang - thea's friend from washington dc
arturo - a mexican convict who had a bad fall
dallas - a drifter from seattle
nick frinz - a yale and harvard graduate working for the state department
hector (1) - a mexican inmate whose wife works for the prison hospital
buster keaton - an actor
bobby slaw - a former marine who established a bomb squad for keaton county
hank foley - a rancher
clay - a sergeant
fidelius kelsen - billy's brother
sasha - an afghan girl
jacqueline - one of the jail's civilian administration workers
cesar - a mexican in his late twenties
miguel - a mexican inmate
john mcgarry - the town undertaker
strand - a big, young officer with a blonde crew-cut
cross - a deputy
jd (1) - another deputy
hector (2) - a little boy of about four
jd (2) - a red pickup truck driver
harris troy - the owner of the red pickup truck; the leader of a local milita who patrol the border
typo:
p61: the darwinian law of survival of the fittest dictated that, sooner or later, someone would to knock him off his perch.
p113: "a man like you wouldn't to know what to do with a woman like her...."
labels:
p190: a mexican prisoner with full sleeves and a chest like the front of a mac truck stood up and popped red in the face with a looping right hand that seemed to start in the nect county.
major editing improvement since the last episode.
a little thin plot-wise though; this could have happened to somebody else not specifically our cyborg hero.
an interlude that explores a texas county penal system following byron's continuing evasion of the government.
setting:
langley, virginia
kelsen county, texas
named personalities:
byron tibor aka john davis - a fugitive who was a former special forces operator for the state department
lauren stanley - a cia analyst looking to capture byron
matilde - a little girl
john martin (martinez) - the sheriff of kelsen county, texas
pepe le pew - an overly amorous skunk smitten with a cat
arlo - a cop
thea martinez - a public defender; a civil-rights crusader
william 'billy' kelson - a judge
castro - the warden of kelsen county jail
mills - a lieutenant
clayton 'red' rice - a convict
franco - a convict shot-caller
victor romero - a mexican labor organizer
julia - byron's wife
bradley stang - thea's friend from washington dc
arturo - a mexican convict who had a bad fall
dallas - a drifter from seattle
nick frinz - a yale and harvard graduate working for the state department
hector (1) - a mexican inmate whose wife works for the prison hospital
buster keaton - an actor
bobby slaw - a former marine who established a bomb squad for keaton county
hank foley - a rancher
clay - a sergeant
fidelius kelsen - billy's brother
sasha - an afghan girl
jacqueline - one of the jail's civilian administration workers
cesar - a mexican in his late twenties
miguel - a mexican inmate
john mcgarry - the town undertaker
strand - a big, young officer with a blonde crew-cut
cross - a deputy
jd (1) - another deputy
hector (2) - a little boy of about four
jd (2) - a red pickup truck driver
harris troy - the owner of the red pickup truck; the leader of a local milita who patrol the border
typo:
p61: the darwinian law of survival of the fittest dictated that, sooner or later, someone would to knock him off his perch.
p113: "a man like you wouldn't to know what to do with a woman like her...."
labels:
p190: a mexican prisoner with full sleeves and a chest like the front of a mac truck stood up and popped red in the face with a looping right hand that seemed to start in the nect county.
major editing improvement since the last episode.
a little thin plot-wise though; this could have happened to somebody else not specifically our cyborg hero.
October 16, 2015
First off if you haven’t read the first book featuring Byron Tibor I really think you should. Yes, you could read this as a standalone, but reading the first book gives you a real feel for Byron as a character and what he has been through. We start off watching as Byron makes his way across Texas still on the run from the Federal Government. When he reaches a small town in Kelson County things start to take a very strange turn.
When I read the first book in this series I really had my reservations, however once I’d read the first book I was hooked. Byron Tibor is not an ordinary ex-veteran; he is one that underwent an a programme which involved the US Government inserting an implant into their best soldiers to create a ‘guilt free and enhanced’ soldier. No doubt some will be rolling their eyes (as I was when I read the synopsis to Post, Book 1) however there is so much more to these stories and the character that you are compelled to keep reading. This element of the story hasn’t been overdone and is balanced with fantastic writing and characters you like. It also helps that Sean Black has come up with a particularly cool name for a lead, Byron Tibor just has that ring about it!
When Byron reaches Kelson County he is put into a situation that even he can’t get out of. The whole thing had a surreal kind of ‘Trueman Show’ feel to it and I couldn’t help but feel a little ‘weirded out’ at all the goings on in this small Texas town. To be honest I can’t really say any more about the actual storyline because I think it will ruin it for people. What I did find was that, once again SB has written a book that I didn’t want to leave alone. Byron is a fantastic character and the friendship he makes and decisions he comes to make you empathise with his situation all the more.
I have been an avid fan of the Ryan Lock series that Sean Black writes but Byron Tibor is practically matching it for the love of the series now. I think what makes this refreshing is that Byron doesn’t always make the right choices, and in this latest instalment we see even the toughest lead characters in situations even they can’t fix. The different plot threads that unravel are intriguing and full of tension and I just wanted to read on and see what happens next top Byron.
I know that many well-known writers have their loyal fans such as Peter James, Lee Child, Mark Billingham and the like. However, I truly think that Sean Black is one of THE most underrated authors out there. He continues to write brilliant book after brilliant book (no I’m not on his Payroll!). I just think it’s a shame that people automatically choose the more mainstream authors and never glance outside of that. I truly hope that if you haven’t read a Sean Black before you debate picking one up, I don’t think anybody would be disappointed!
When I read the first book in this series I really had my reservations, however once I’d read the first book I was hooked. Byron Tibor is not an ordinary ex-veteran; he is one that underwent an a programme which involved the US Government inserting an implant into their best soldiers to create a ‘guilt free and enhanced’ soldier. No doubt some will be rolling their eyes (as I was when I read the synopsis to Post, Book 1) however there is so much more to these stories and the character that you are compelled to keep reading. This element of the story hasn’t been overdone and is balanced with fantastic writing and characters you like. It also helps that Sean Black has come up with a particularly cool name for a lead, Byron Tibor just has that ring about it!
When Byron reaches Kelson County he is put into a situation that even he can’t get out of. The whole thing had a surreal kind of ‘Trueman Show’ feel to it and I couldn’t help but feel a little ‘weirded out’ at all the goings on in this small Texas town. To be honest I can’t really say any more about the actual storyline because I think it will ruin it for people. What I did find was that, once again SB has written a book that I didn’t want to leave alone. Byron is a fantastic character and the friendship he makes and decisions he comes to make you empathise with his situation all the more.
I have been an avid fan of the Ryan Lock series that Sean Black writes but Byron Tibor is practically matching it for the love of the series now. I think what makes this refreshing is that Byron doesn’t always make the right choices, and in this latest instalment we see even the toughest lead characters in situations even they can’t fix. The different plot threads that unravel are intriguing and full of tension and I just wanted to read on and see what happens next top Byron.
I know that many well-known writers have their loyal fans such as Peter James, Lee Child, Mark Billingham and the like. However, I truly think that Sean Black is one of THE most underrated authors out there. He continues to write brilliant book after brilliant book (no I’m not on his Payroll!). I just think it’s a shame that people automatically choose the more mainstream authors and never glance outside of that. I truly hope that if you haven’t read a Sean Black before you debate picking one up, I don’t think anybody would be disappointed!
August 18, 2021
Disappointing
Instead of developing the central character into his own unique persona with multiple possible storylines the author has turned him into another Jack Reacher clone. Although well written and quite interesting the book reminded me, in broad strokes, of any number of Lee Child's novels, therefore my disappointment. I've already downloaded the third book so I will be reading it shortly but I doubt whether I'll enjoy it as much as I thought I would.
Instead of developing the central character into his own unique persona with multiple possible storylines the author has turned him into another Jack Reacher clone. Although well written and quite interesting the book reminded me, in broad strokes, of any number of Lee Child's novels, therefore my disappointment. I've already downloaded the third book so I will be reading it shortly but I doubt whether I'll enjoy it as much as I thought I would.
March 8, 2020
POST - Book 1 is a fast paced adventure that makes you wonder if something like this is already going on. The government is trying to build a super human with enhanced powers but the trick is to not let the enhancements overtake the humanity. Seeking candidates for the implants backfires on the government scientists. They picked former soldiers with PTSD and used the enhancements to block the memories that trigger PTSD. It isn’t always positive but it makes for a riveting story. I couldn’t put the book down until the end, which is fulfilling. It leads to the next book.
BLOOD COUNTRY - Book 2 catches Byron Tiber along side a highway in Texas looking for a ride. He is in a county where such events wind up with the guy arrested and given a fine for vagrancy. Tiber shows up before the judge, is fined $10K, can’t pay and is put in county jail for 90 days. The entire book with a few exceptions takes place in the jail. It is an interesting storyline. While he is in jail, the federal government continues to search for him to kill him. He continues to elude them. He realizes that the county is using the inmates for free labor and figures he will escape and move on but events take over and he winds up helping a civil rights lawyer, Thea, gather evidence. Nothing happens like you would expect. It is a fast adventure. Be sure to read Book 1 first.
BLOOD COUNTRY - Book 2 catches Byron Tiber along side a highway in Texas looking for a ride. He is in a county where such events wind up with the guy arrested and given a fine for vagrancy. Tiber shows up before the judge, is fined $10K, can’t pay and is put in county jail for 90 days. The entire book with a few exceptions takes place in the jail. It is an interesting storyline. While he is in jail, the federal government continues to search for him to kill him. He continues to elude them. He realizes that the county is using the inmates for free labor and figures he will escape and move on but events take over and he winds up helping a civil rights lawyer, Thea, gather evidence. Nothing happens like you would expect. It is a fast adventure. Be sure to read Book 1 first.
October 23, 2018
Byron Tibor used to be Special OPs, keeping his country safe. When he suffered PTSD he was placed in an experimental government program. While it cured him from the disorder, it left him with fits of rage when provoked. The Federal Government wants to find him. One person in particular, Lauren, sees him as a big stepping stone in her career. She had been told he was an emotionless assassin who didn't care about collateral damage. He is hitch hiking through Kelson County, TX to catch a bus, when he was arrested for vagrancy. Not having any money for bail ($10,000), Byron is sent to the county correctional facility. He quickly finds out that it is nothing more than a save labor camp and there is another one for women. Almost no locals are incarcerated. Mostly Illegal Mexicans and whites who were caught up in much the same scam as Byron was. Total action from beginning to end. You will need to read it to find out how Lauren fared.
August 20, 2021
3.5 stars for being nicely written
Byron Tibor is the augmented human we met in the first book. Byron is a stand-up kind of guy. Not too cocky and with a good set of values. This book deals with Byron Silk facing those government types who want to weapon use him. Byron ends up in jail in a corrupt town, but of course he escapes.
Then Byron makes his way to an isolated mountain town. He earns the trust of a local and then we're set up for the next book.
It's really well-written which makes forgivable a familiar story.
Byron Tibor is the augmented human we met in the first book. Byron is a stand-up kind of guy. Not too cocky and with a good set of values. This book deals with Byron Silk facing those government types who want to weapon use him. Byron ends up in jail in a corrupt town, but of course he escapes.
Then Byron makes his way to an isolated mountain town. He earns the trust of a local and then we're set up for the next book.
It's really well-written which makes forgivable a familiar story.
July 18, 2018
Not everyone's kind of justice but-----
Another interesting cast of characters with some interesting sub plots and with the main character ever evolving change made for a well paced story ending in a twisted sort of justice. A very interesting story right up to the end with the promise of more to come.
Another interesting cast of characters with some interesting sub plots and with the main character ever evolving change made for a well paced story ending in a twisted sort of justice. A very interesting story right up to the end with the promise of more to come.
September 25, 2018
Thriller
Excellent thriller with unexpected twists and turns. Timor is thrown into a series of situations which seemed impossible to escape, but escape he did. Sad ending for Vector but a good resolution for Sherrod Martin.
Excellent thriller with unexpected twists and turns. Timor is thrown into a series of situations which seemed impossible to escape, but escape he did. Sad ending for Vector but a good resolution for Sherrod Martin.
August 12, 2021
Blood country
Sean Black writes a riveting story.
This is the 2nd one in the series
Byron is a multifaceted character whose escapades will keep you enthralled. I was unable to put them down.
Sean Black writes a riveting story.
This is the 2nd one in the series
Byron is a multifaceted character whose escapades will keep you enthralled. I was unable to put them down.
September 30, 2021
Fun, action-filled action novel
Very enjoyable action novel, with believable characters. Violence is not gratuitous but congruent with events. I am ordering the second in the Tibor series.
Very enjoyable action novel, with believable characters. Violence is not gratuitous but congruent with events. I am ordering the second in the Tibor series.
August 17, 2022
Anything but dull!
They say power corrupts. That is certainly true in Kelsen. I hope there are no real places like this but I fear there may be. It makes an intriguing story and at least some justice was realized.
They say power corrupts. That is certainly true in Kelsen. I hope there are no real places like this but I fear there may be. It makes an intriguing story and at least some justice was realized.
June 18, 2017
An excellent thriller with a clever, unique plot. looking forward to book 3
October 19, 2018
Tibor is no Reacher
Thin plot, no explanation of what the townspeople did for a living. Book was an attempt to imitate Lee Child, didn't pull it off.
Thin plot, no explanation of what the townspeople did for a living. Book was an attempt to imitate Lee Child, didn't pull it off.
February 18, 2019
Somewhat unique story, but over the last 300 books I've read, never have I seen so many grammatical errors in a series book. Really pathetic.
August 29, 2021
5 Star
This author is a great story teller. Byron Tibor a wonderful multilayered character. I will read all of these books.
This author is a great story teller. Byron Tibor a wonderful multilayered character. I will read all of these books.
Read
June 13, 2022Bloody for certain!
Extreme peril, terror, action, and sorrow.
Black definitely keeps the reader involved in his thrillers. I'm looking forward to reading more of this series.
Extreme peril, terror, action, and sorrow.
Black definitely keeps the reader involved in his thrillers. I'm looking forward to reading more of this series.
January 23, 2023
Wow!!!
This is the second Byron Tibor book I have read and cannot wait to read the third none. If you like a book with non-stop action and thrill Tumor is for you. Highly recommend.
This is the second Byron Tibor book I have read and cannot wait to read the third none. If you like a book with non-stop action and thrill Tumor is for you. Highly recommend.
March 23, 2016
Great read with great twists
Tibor the main character finds himself being jailed by a corrupt sherrif and enters a prison where illegal immigrants are being used as slave labourers. His special sets of skills provides more than the guards can handle and provides the reader with a great read. This second book about this character is as good as the first if not better. Readers who enjoy a great action book with great characters will love this. I enjoyed it a lot and am looking forward to the next book by this author.
Tibor the main character finds himself being jailed by a corrupt sherrif and enters a prison where illegal immigrants are being used as slave labourers. His special sets of skills provides more than the guards can handle and provides the reader with a great read. This second book about this character is as good as the first if not better. Readers who enjoy a great action book with great characters will love this. I enjoyed it a lot and am looking forward to the next book by this author.
November 7, 2015
Superb book, really liking Byron as a character. Started reading them after enjoying the Ryan Lock series. I would also suggest reading the 1st one before this one for background information. Looking forward to next one.
One gripe - Chapter 53 mentions the Bernabeu stadium in Barcelona. Its in Madrid ;)
One gripe - Chapter 53 mentions the Bernabeu stadium in Barcelona. Its in Madrid ;)
February 9, 2016
One lone good guy with skills against the world.
This is the kind of story I like. Just one lone man against the evil in the world. No help from some wealthy and powerful executive in Washington. Some really bad guys. Some piles of dead bodies, hard choices and good reading. Maybe what Jack Reacher could have become is Lee Child hadn't sold him out.
This is the kind of story I like. Just one lone man against the evil in the world. No help from some wealthy and powerful executive in Washington. Some really bad guys. Some piles of dead bodies, hard choices and good reading. Maybe what Jack Reacher could have become is Lee Child hadn't sold him out.
October 7, 2015
This was my second book in the Byron Tibor series and I found it very well-written, fast-paced and the protagonist became very likeable as the author developed his character. I rated this one 4.7 stars.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews