Sullivan's Revenge

The Specialist #3

by John Cutter

Jack Sullivan learns that the Blue Man, head of a terrorist organization, and the man who contracted a killer to kill him; the hit resulted in someone very dear to him being killed instead, and The Specialist is after revenge against the Blue Man. He discovers that his target is training a group of terrorist in the wilds of Oregon.

189 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 5, 1984

About the author

John Cutter is a pseudonym used by the author John Shirley.

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Reviews

[Joe Nelson]

This book frustrated me and I am doubly frustrated that I need to try and explain why.

First off, I love this series. The previous two books are stellar examples of how to write a "men's adventure" novel in my opinion. Ludicrous action setpieces, a character that lacks the usual bigotry we see in these, and plots with evil people getting their just desserts. This third novel does all of that as well and wraps up the backstory of hero Jack Sullivan hunting for the famed Blue Man who sent the terrorist who killed his girl Lily and created the vengeance-hungry mercenary known as the Specialist.

This time around, Sullivan is on a personal job to end the Blue Man and his terrorist training camp, which is located in the heart of picturesque Oregon. He teams up with his partner, Malta, and two new mercs, Johnny Merlin (his parents must have really loved him) and a German dude named Rolff, oh and a Native American Vet named Snag.

Sullivan spends most of the book infiltrating the terrorist training camp and deciding how to take it apart from within, while also finding time to get kinky with the Blue Man's daughter, because he's Jack fricking Sullivan!

So what's my beef? It's rare that I say this, but this book would have benefited from an extra fifty or so pages.

We have some lush descriptions of rural Oregon that I love, but the time spent in the terrorist camp feels rushed. We have a lot of minor characters introduced with interesting personalities and backstories, but most of them go nowhere because the race to the end is on before we even get settled in.

Most of the action scenes are also rather mild by The Specialist's standards. Although the ending chapter is packed with more delicious carnage and thrills than three Hollywood blockbusters put together, so I can forgive the average quality of the other scenes.

My biggest problems? The villain, the Blue Man, gets one good scene to build him up (and explain his nickname) and then is turned into a raving drug addict incapable of being a threat. And then, in a far greater sin, one of my favorite side characters is unceremoniously killed off-page and we only learn about it in two paragraphs long after the fact! That bogus nonsense almost made me throw the book!

But I guess my frustration is a solid indicator that John Cutter (actually a pseudonym for John Shirley) is one heck of a writer, because if we'd had a little more time to satisfy the needs of the plot, I think this would have been one of my favorite action novels of all time.

As it stands, it's a small letdown, but still a terrific action novel. I just know it could have been better.

[DJMikeG]

Another fine outing in the action packed Specialist series by John Cutter aka John Shirley. I didn't like this one quite as much as the other book I have read in the series, part 6, The Big One, but it was still a fun, fast moving read. I probably would rate it 3.5 stars, but I am rounding up and I really am enjoying the series overall. This one is not quite as over the top as The Big One, but still, it kept my interest and has very few, if any, slow spots. Looking forward to reading more of Jack Sullivan, the toughest action hero of them all's exploits!

[Angela]

A fantastic suspense series

4 1/2 stars

This was an intense, suspenseful, and heartbreaking story that you certainly won't want to miss. It has been a fantastic series so far, but there have been numerous editing errors in each book. They don't take away from the flow of the stories, but they certainly need to be addressed.
I would definitely recommend this book, series, and outstanding author.

[Wayne]

Sullivan is in the wilderness of Oregon to take revenge for the death of a very special woman. He normally is paid for this kind of thing, but he is paying for men and info to kill the Blue Man. Head of the terrorist camp which he will destroy.

Lots of action and very quick and fun read. There is the required gun porn, but it is, thankfully kept to a minimum. It lets the story flow without reading like an owner's manual. This series is shaping up to be one of the better 80s action books.

[Julie]

3rd book in the series and I'm still not totally convinced! It was my favourite so far but still no more than a 3.5*. There's just something not quite believable about the absolute success rate of this man. The amount of bullets that hit the wall just by his left ear, etc.... time and time and time again. I'll try one more then I might have to resign to the fact that life is just too short!

[David Berkley]

Plenty of action!

Plot moves well with plenty of twists and suspense to keep you going. Be interested to see what happens next with this character.

[Peggy Pancherz]

Good book

Read all of the books in order to really enjoy. Storyline continues to grow and develop. Characters are realistic and get better and better.

[Marty Brevik]

Good

This one was much better than book #2. Although the editing is still horrid. Now I will move onto book 4 and hope I can give the author a 5.

[Roger]

A good book.

[Jean]

Liking this series a lot.

[James]

Revenge

Jack needs r
To.infiltrate the Blue Msns csmp.to ascertain who.ordered Lilys death..
The mission progressively with two friends paying the price

[John Thurlbeck]

As I noted in my review of Manhattan Revenge, by the same author, these stories are great holiday and flying material!