The Maltese Vengeance

by John Cutter

Jack Sullivan is resting in Malta after the death of his friend, when someone starts firing a cannon at his boat from the shore. Now he’s mad, and wants to know who’s trying to kill him. It turns out that he’s known to be on Malta, and a man selling stolen American weapons to Libya believes an old enemy has hired The Specialist to kill him. He has his men strike first, but they fail. Now The Specialist is really after him.

First published October 2, 1984

About the author

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

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

Reviews

[Wayne]

The Specialist is in Malta to have a bit of "R and R" when someone shoots a cannon at him while he's on a boat enjoying himself. That gets him a bit pissed so he sets out to find who would do such a thing. Once he finds out who did it, he also finds that that same man has done even worse things to someone in Malta as well. That man hires The Specialist to kill him. He was already planning on doing that anyway.

Great action throughout this book. It never gets dull. Even when they are unraveling the plot. Something always pops up and somebody gets hurt. This feels like an old Drive-in movie. Over the top action. Bullets just missing the hero while everyone of his hits home. Outlandish scenes, such as when The Specialist is making love to a beautiful woman, he sees out of the corner of his eye men looking in the window to kill him. Does he stop and try to fight? No. He keeps on going while grabbing his gun and killing the men all while pleasuring himself and the woman to monumental climaxes. What a guy.

[Roger]

A good read and series.

[Julie]

Number 5 in the series. 6 to go. Still no more than a 3* but good enough to keep going.
Positives: Decent story: Exciting: Good characters: Progressive story throughout the series
Negatives: Unbelievable "never can be killed" fight scenes: Weird porn-style sex scene in every book (not appealing at all).

[DJMikeG]

Yet another extremely entertaining entry in John Cutter aka John Shirley's The Specialist series. This one is action packed right out of the gate, giving our hero, and the reader, little time to rest or reflect. It is completely over the top pulp action schlock, 80s style, like a late night action movie you'd stay up a little too late watching over some beverages, because it is just too damn fun to turn off. Shirley's writing is economical and effective, and his tongue is located just slightly in his cheek. The action is awesome and the story works, but you kinda know that this is all just for fun, as well, without seeming like an out and out parody of the genre. These books are a blast to read and I look forward to the next one. 3.5 stars but rounding up to 4 because I enjoyed the hell out reading this.

[Jeffrey H. Bryden]

Nice trip down a bumpy road

Lots of action and Sullivan always comes through with victories over the bad guys no matter who they are. Reading (the trip) is made less enjoyable due to typos and factual errors throughout. Started to correct them but gave up as it seemed to be a constant need.

[Angela]

A fantastic suspense series!

This was another intense, suspenseful, action packed thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end. Jack Sullivan, aka The Specialist, has made many enemies throughout the world, but during this job, it seems as though he's went and made a lot more.
I would definitely recommend this book, series, and outstanding author.

[John Thurlbeck]

As I noted before about these books, the main character is beautifully drawn by John, as are the supporting actors and villains.

I found the opening sequence a little far-fetched but, nevertheless, the story moved at a pace, and the action and the storyline held my attention.

Great holiday and flying material - quick and easy to read!

[Penney]

Wow

I am glad I discovered John cutter .his novels are filled with action and suspense and a good plot wow

[Marty Brevik]

Very good

I really, really enjoyed this one for several reasons. The Specialist, Rosalita and of course piggy eyes. Still needs work with editing.

[John C. Malcolm]

Action filled foray into another Jack Sullivan adventure.

[James]

An unexpected mission

The Specialist is relaxing off Malta when someone fired a cannon at his boat.
He escapees and looks for revenge.