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Cargo
Looking for a crime thriller you won't be able to put down?
Over the years Anthony Peterson has amassed a fortune, numerous properties, a trophy wife and a reputation for ruthless business dealings. He is a man who is used to getting his own way.
But when Peterson wakes to find himself locked in a metal shipping container, with only a cell phone and twenty-four hours of air left, he begins to unravel.
Desperate to escape, Peterson soon learns that there is more to the container than he first realised. And when the kidnappers call and demand ten million dollars, while threatening to murder and rape his beautiful wife if he doesn’t comply, Peterson must fight to meet their impossible terms or face being left to die alone in the darkness.
Why has Peterson been targeted?
Who are those responsible for his kidnap?
And can Peterson make out of the container alive?
Cargo is an edge of your seat thriller about the choices we make. This novel is based on James Dylan's upcoming feature film [Cargo], it will appeal to fans of authors like Michael Connelly, Robert Dugoni & Michael C. Grumley
Over the years Anthony Peterson has amassed a fortune, numerous properties, a trophy wife and a reputation for ruthless business dealings. He is a man who is used to getting his own way.
But when Peterson wakes to find himself locked in a metal shipping container, with only a cell phone and twenty-four hours of air left, he begins to unravel.
Desperate to escape, Peterson soon learns that there is more to the container than he first realised. And when the kidnappers call and demand ten million dollars, while threatening to murder and rape his beautiful wife if he doesn’t comply, Peterson must fight to meet their impossible terms or face being left to die alone in the darkness.
Why has Peterson been targeted?
Who are those responsible for his kidnap?
And can Peterson make out of the container alive?
Cargo is an edge of your seat thriller about the choices we make. This novel is based on James Dylan's upcoming feature film [Cargo], it will appeal to fans of authors like Michael Connelly, Robert Dugoni & Michael C. Grumley
250 pages, Paperback
First published January 21, 2017
About the author
J.C. Macek III
12 books15 followersJ.C. Maçek III is a professional journalist, novelist, columnist, interviewer, critic, actor, musician and producer.
Since creating WorldsGreatestCritic in 2003, he has written thousands of reviews and historical articles. This led to his work at PopMatters, one of the largest Arts and Culture magazines in the world, where he writes the popular film column The Next Reel. At PopMatters he also conducts celebrity interviews (with the likes of Aerosmith, Faith No More, Judas Priest, The Zombies, The Cult and more) and has written hundreds more reviews, articles and film history features.
He has been syndicated to such print publications as The Sacramento Bee and has also contributed reviews for SpectrumCulture and political articles for TheHill.
His first novel Seven Days to Die: A Jake Slater Mystery was published in 2016 and has met with acclaim.
The J.C. Maçek III produced motion picture thriller [Cargo] was released in 2018 and a novelization of the [Cargo] motion picture by J.C. Maçek III was published by Bloodhound Books on January 21, 2018. After [Cargo], J.C. returned to Jake Slater's mysteries with 2022's The Antagonist: A Jake Slater Mystery.
His latest novel is The Black Dahlia, a meticulously researched True Crime thriller based entirely on real life events.
He currently resides in Southern California with his greyhound, bunnies and ill-tempered cat.
Since creating WorldsGreatestCritic in 2003, he has written thousands of reviews and historical articles. This led to his work at PopMatters, one of the largest Arts and Culture magazines in the world, where he writes the popular film column The Next Reel. At PopMatters he also conducts celebrity interviews (with the likes of Aerosmith, Faith No More, Judas Priest, The Zombies, The Cult and more) and has written hundreds more reviews, articles and film history features.
He has been syndicated to such print publications as The Sacramento Bee and has also contributed reviews for SpectrumCulture and political articles for TheHill.
His first novel Seven Days to Die: A Jake Slater Mystery was published in 2016 and has met with acclaim.
The J.C. Maçek III produced motion picture thriller [Cargo] was released in 2018 and a novelization of the [Cargo] motion picture by J.C. Maçek III was published by Bloodhound Books on January 21, 2018. After [Cargo], J.C. returned to Jake Slater's mysteries with 2022's The Antagonist: A Jake Slater Mystery.
His latest novel is The Black Dahlia, a meticulously researched True Crime thriller based entirely on real life events.
He currently resides in Southern California with his greyhound, bunnies and ill-tempered cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
May 18, 2018
★★★★★
Well, this was an easy one to rate. Didn't even have to think about it, which is good; because, self-debates are wearing me down.
Anthony Peterson, a wealthy businessman, wakes up, to a proverbial living nightmare, after he's drugged, and taken off the streets by unknown assailants. At first, he has no idea where he is - or what has happened to him - until he can clear his head and focus more clearly - which leads him to the vibrating and flashing phone, taped to the wall. Wall of what? He answers the phone, and so begins a psychological game, with his kidnapper (s).
He's told: he's in a forty-foot shipping container; that his 'trophy wife' Susan is being held hostage (at a different locale); that he has to pay $10,000,000 within the 24hr period; that he has oxygen for the next 24hrs - and if he doesn't pay up, he and his wife will pay the ultimate price; which he's warned - will be far worse for Susan. His soulmate.
All he has to work with: is the cheap smart-phone, he's given, which he can use to make calls - but not much else. As his calls are being monitored, calling the Cavalry is out of the question. Plus, he doesn't have a clue where he is - or why this is happening to him. Most of the useful stuff on the phone, has been disabled - so no Internet, etc.
Well, if you got a phone, you may as well, use it. It doesn't take him long to figure out, who he should call. So he calls his business associate, Tom Pocase. After giving Tom, a heads-up, on his current status - it's a race against time to save his boss. Will he be able to get the money in time? Or will Peterson' die - in his forty-foot coffin?
I thought this was going to be a straightforward, race-against-the-clock thriller, but it's so much more. Some of my favourite parts was: when Peterson was giving Pocase' instructions to complete a simple task, and more often than not, something would go awry. The conversations between Pocase and his boss, were very funny. Peterson' would give him instructions to do something, then something would go wrong, and all Peterson can hear is noise in the background, making him wonder if this is it. The end.
At some juncture, the cops get involved, but they don't really know what they're dealing with.
Most of the characters' were amusing in their own way - just not of the same calibre, as Pocase - who is the funniest character, ever. Probably. Although, he did have his moments of ingenuity, which impressed his boss a few times. Listening to each characters' inner monologues, was funny, too. My favourite was, Calderón, questioning himself, as to the reasons 'why' - which is a recent development for him.
Every so often, Peterson would momentarily, forget his predicament; how powerless he is - so courtesy of the kidnapper - he would get electroshocked; as the container is electrified. Those scenes were strangely, amusing, He didn't think much of his re-edification, though. Under the kidnappers' tutelage, he soon realises, how futile it is - to piss him off.
And who are the kidnappers? Why has he been kidnapped? Why him? Who could come up with something so elaborate? How does the kidnapper know so much about him - including his past. Most of those questions get answered, eventually.
In conclusion: This is easily my favourite book - this year - so far. It's funny, gory, dark, suspenseful, and totally insane - and I'm really going to miss reading about these crazy characters. The interaction between characters is truly amazing. too. I think there's room for a possible sequel, and hope there is one. If not, maybe an unrelated story with some of the cast from this book - would suffice. I'll definitely be checking out other books by this author, sometime.
Courtesy of the author: the film adaption of this book will be released on August 14th.
Well, this was an easy one to rate. Didn't even have to think about it, which is good; because, self-debates are wearing me down.
Anthony Peterson, a wealthy businessman, wakes up, to a proverbial living nightmare, after he's drugged, and taken off the streets by unknown assailants. At first, he has no idea where he is - or what has happened to him - until he can clear his head and focus more clearly - which leads him to the vibrating and flashing phone, taped to the wall. Wall of what? He answers the phone, and so begins a psychological game, with his kidnapper (s).
He's told: he's in a forty-foot shipping container; that his 'trophy wife' Susan is being held hostage (at a different locale); that he has to pay $10,000,000 within the 24hr period; that he has oxygen for the next 24hrs - and if he doesn't pay up, he and his wife will pay the ultimate price; which he's warned - will be far worse for Susan. His soulmate.
All he has to work with: is the cheap smart-phone, he's given, which he can use to make calls - but not much else. As his calls are being monitored, calling the Cavalry is out of the question. Plus, he doesn't have a clue where he is - or why this is happening to him. Most of the useful stuff on the phone, has been disabled - so no Internet, etc.
Well, if you got a phone, you may as well, use it. It doesn't take him long to figure out, who he should call. So he calls his business associate, Tom Pocase. After giving Tom, a heads-up, on his current status - it's a race against time to save his boss. Will he be able to get the money in time? Or will Peterson' die - in his forty-foot coffin?
I thought this was going to be a straightforward, race-against-the-clock thriller, but it's so much more. Some of my favourite parts was: when Peterson was giving Pocase' instructions to complete a simple task, and more often than not, something would go awry. The conversations between Pocase and his boss, were very funny. Peterson' would give him instructions to do something, then something would go wrong, and all Peterson can hear is noise in the background, making him wonder if this is it. The end.
At some juncture, the cops get involved, but they don't really know what they're dealing with.
Most of the characters' were amusing in their own way - just not of the same calibre, as Pocase - who is the funniest character, ever. Probably. Although, he did have his moments of ingenuity, which impressed his boss a few times. Listening to each characters' inner monologues, was funny, too. My favourite was, Calderón, questioning himself, as to the reasons 'why' - which is a recent development for him.
Every so often, Peterson would momentarily, forget his predicament; how powerless he is - so courtesy of the kidnapper - he would get electroshocked; as the container is electrified. Those scenes were strangely, amusing, He didn't think much of his re-edification, though. Under the kidnappers' tutelage, he soon realises, how futile it is - to piss him off.
And who are the kidnappers? Why has he been kidnapped? Why him? Who could come up with something so elaborate? How does the kidnapper know so much about him - including his past. Most of those questions get answered, eventually.
In conclusion: This is easily my favourite book - this year - so far. It's funny, gory, dark, suspenseful, and totally insane - and I'm really going to miss reading about these crazy characters. The interaction between characters is truly amazing. too. I think there's room for a possible sequel, and hope there is one. If not, maybe an unrelated story with some of the cast from this book - would suffice. I'll definitely be checking out other books by this author, sometime.
Courtesy of the author: the film adaption of this book will be released on August 14th.
January 22, 2018
5☆ Edge of your seat, Thrilling, Gripping
I literally read Cargo in one night, I couldn't put it down. There is not many books that I do that with!
It was extremely gripping, brutal, edge of your seat, twists & turns, tick tock race against time, at times is was humorous in a dark way, the characters were sadistic, self obsessed yet utterly brilliant.
Ok first let me say... this book is NOT for the faint hearted! It's Brutal, but gets your pulses racing! If you can overlook the brutality then your in for a thrilling ride!
Anthony Peterson is not a man to be messed with!
However he finds himself drugged and kidnapped, and given 24hours Air to live. However that's not all the kidnappers have his 'trophy wife Susan' too and they are threatening to rape and kill her unless he comes up with the ransom.
All Anthony is given is a mobile.
He has to think quick..... so he calls his loyal trustworthy business associate Tom Pocase.
Tom Pocase was one of my favourite characters, he comes across as a lil Dim, high on drugs, loyal, impulsive, a lil crazy, but is that just a facade??
Tom was the glue to the story and without all his mishaps and mayhem to make light so to speak of the tension, the story wouldn't of been as good.
Tom and Anthony's phone calls were so clever, the tension, anxiety, the comedy, pure craziness. I found their conversations to be enthralling....
...one bit that sticks into my mind was when Tom is trying to break into Anthony's house and he meets.... Satan.... the guard dog!...he didn't quite bank on getting bit!
Anthony isn't a great person, he has a underlying evil personality, but I guess he didn't become a sucessful, powerful business man without making enemies.
He is ruthless!
His children despise him, his ex wife hates him.
But when push comes to shove can he redeem all his evil qualities and save his 'trophy wife Susan '
I can't say anymore about this story, it's far too good not to read it for yourself.
At no point did I guess the kidnappers and I'm still not 100% sure I know the truth now!
What I do know is once you pick up Cargo you won't be able to put it down!
The ending for me was good as I think it could be left open for another book.... which I'm hoping for!
I 100% recommend Cargo, if your looking for a book that will literally keep you on tender hooks the whole way through!
But it will have you laughing at the craziness between Anthony and Tom!
Then this is Definetly the book for you!
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my blog website:
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2018/0...
I literally read Cargo in one night, I couldn't put it down. There is not many books that I do that with!
It was extremely gripping, brutal, edge of your seat, twists & turns, tick tock race against time, at times is was humorous in a dark way, the characters were sadistic, self obsessed yet utterly brilliant.
Ok first let me say... this book is NOT for the faint hearted! It's Brutal, but gets your pulses racing! If you can overlook the brutality then your in for a thrilling ride!
Anthony Peterson is not a man to be messed with!
However he finds himself drugged and kidnapped, and given 24hours Air to live. However that's not all the kidnappers have his 'trophy wife Susan' too and they are threatening to rape and kill her unless he comes up with the ransom.
All Anthony is given is a mobile.
He has to think quick..... so he calls his loyal trustworthy business associate Tom Pocase.
Tom Pocase was one of my favourite characters, he comes across as a lil Dim, high on drugs, loyal, impulsive, a lil crazy, but is that just a facade??
Tom was the glue to the story and without all his mishaps and mayhem to make light so to speak of the tension, the story wouldn't of been as good.
Tom and Anthony's phone calls were so clever, the tension, anxiety, the comedy, pure craziness. I found their conversations to be enthralling....
...one bit that sticks into my mind was when Tom is trying to break into Anthony's house and he meets.... Satan.... the guard dog!...he didn't quite bank on getting bit!
Anthony isn't a great person, he has a underlying evil personality, but I guess he didn't become a sucessful, powerful business man without making enemies.
He is ruthless!
His children despise him, his ex wife hates him.
But when push comes to shove can he redeem all his evil qualities and save his 'trophy wife Susan '
I can't say anymore about this story, it's far too good not to read it for yourself.
At no point did I guess the kidnappers and I'm still not 100% sure I know the truth now!
What I do know is once you pick up Cargo you won't be able to put it down!
The ending for me was good as I think it could be left open for another book.... which I'm hoping for!
I 100% recommend Cargo, if your looking for a book that will literally keep you on tender hooks the whole way through!
But it will have you laughing at the craziness between Anthony and Tom!
Then this is Definetly the book for you!
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my blog website:
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2018/0...
January 19, 2018
Anthony Peterson is a ruthless business man who is used to getting his own way.
But when Peterson wakes to find himself locked in a metal shipping container with only a cell phone and twenty four hours of air left,he begins to unravel.
Peterson soon learns that there is more to the container than he first realised.And when the kidnappers call and demand ten million dollars,while threatening to rape and murder his beautiful trophy wife,Peterson must fight to meet their impossible demands or face being left to die alone in the darkness.
Why has Peterson been targeted?
Who is responsible for his kidnap?
And can Peterson make it out of the container alive?
Now you might read the synopsis of this book and think,Won't that get a bit boring?,it's just about a bloke who is locked in a storage container.Well believe me,there is no way this book can be described as boring.Set over twenty four hours, It's a fast paced,thrill ride from start to finish.Gripping,nail biting,action packed with a large amount of humour thrown in for good measure.I loved the banter between the police officers and the chapters featuring Peterson's disaster prone assistant Tom Pocase.The rest of the characters including our protagonist Anthony Peterson where a multi layered,realistic bunch of personalities,some likeable,some very very unlikable.
I absolutely loved this fast paced,roller coaster ride and would have give it far more than five stars if I could.I look forward to hopefully reading more books by this author in the future.
Highly recommendation to fans of thrillers written by authors such as Richard Parker,Simon Kernick and Andrew Gross.
But when Peterson wakes to find himself locked in a metal shipping container with only a cell phone and twenty four hours of air left,he begins to unravel.
Peterson soon learns that there is more to the container than he first realised.And when the kidnappers call and demand ten million dollars,while threatening to rape and murder his beautiful trophy wife,Peterson must fight to meet their impossible demands or face being left to die alone in the darkness.
Why has Peterson been targeted?
Who is responsible for his kidnap?
And can Peterson make it out of the container alive?
Now you might read the synopsis of this book and think,Won't that get a bit boring?,it's just about a bloke who is locked in a storage container.Well believe me,there is no way this book can be described as boring.Set over twenty four hours, It's a fast paced,thrill ride from start to finish.Gripping,nail biting,action packed with a large amount of humour thrown in for good measure.I loved the banter between the police officers and the chapters featuring Peterson's disaster prone assistant Tom Pocase.The rest of the characters including our protagonist Anthony Peterson where a multi layered,realistic bunch of personalities,some likeable,some very very unlikable.
I absolutely loved this fast paced,roller coaster ride and would have give it far more than five stars if I could.I look forward to hopefully reading more books by this author in the future.
Highly recommendation to fans of thrillers written by authors such as Richard Parker,Simon Kernick and Andrew Gross.
January 7, 2018
Every once in a while, a book comes along and literally knocks you off your feet and this is exactly what [Cargo] did. From the book description I knew the author was going to take me on a thrilling journey but didn’t realise just how many thrills were in store for me.
The story is set over the course of twenty four hours which gave the story more urgency and set the pace fast. From picking the book up I literally could not put it down and read it in one day.
I was as desperate to know as Peterson himself, why the kidnappers would choose him above many other rich people. You could be mistaken in thinking that a story about a man locked up in a container couldn’t possibly be that thrilling, but boy it has to be one of the most thrilling as well as chilling reads I’ve read in a while!
The least you know about this story the better before heading into it. It is very much a race against time which literally had me on the edge of my seat and left me feeling on a high as I had been so invested in Peterson and what was happening to him and it didn’t disappoint one little bit.
[Cargo] is a must read for fans of fast paced, adrenaline fuelled thrillers. There is plenty of hair raising moments that sent shivers down my spine and made my skin crawl. I absolutely loved every minute of it and can not wait to read more by the author.
The story is set over the course of twenty four hours which gave the story more urgency and set the pace fast. From picking the book up I literally could not put it down and read it in one day.
I was as desperate to know as Peterson himself, why the kidnappers would choose him above many other rich people. You could be mistaken in thinking that a story about a man locked up in a container couldn’t possibly be that thrilling, but boy it has to be one of the most thrilling as well as chilling reads I’ve read in a while!
The least you know about this story the better before heading into it. It is very much a race against time which literally had me on the edge of my seat and left me feeling on a high as I had been so invested in Peterson and what was happening to him and it didn’t disappoint one little bit.
[Cargo] is a must read for fans of fast paced, adrenaline fuelled thrillers. There is plenty of hair raising moments that sent shivers down my spine and made my skin crawl. I absolutely loved every minute of it and can not wait to read more by the author.
January 23, 2018
Cargo is the first book by author J.C. Macek III I’ve had the opportunity to read and it certainly won’t be the last.
Cargo took me on an exhilarating journey over a period of 24 hrs, following the plight of Anthony Peterson, who finds himself trapped in a cargo container with demands from his kidnappers for a ransom sum of 10 million dollars, with the stipulation no police involvement or his wife will be murdered. A mobile phone, 24hrs of oxygen, can Peterson raise the money before the time runs out.
Cargo is very much an underestimated book in my opinion, the slight inclination of the what the plot is about was enough for me to falter, draw breath and plow through the book. I felt the power of the kidnappers, the helplessness of Peterson and the very air sucking out of my own body as I turned the pages. I love a book synopsis that hints but doesn’t fill my boots as such before I open the book, J.C Macek III nailed it for me.
There are loads of questions to be answered, Who is involved? Why have they chosen Peterson? Will Peterson make it out alive? Has the past a bearing on the present? Only you can discover the answers.
As you can see I didn’t really go into any detail of the book only because I want you to read it for yourself, find out what I loved about it, if you’ve not read any from Macek III what you waiting for I can’t see you being disappointed.
Are you ready for a book that I found hard to lay down, well get a wriggle on and grab your copy today.
Amazon UK / Amazon US
Thank you to Bloodhound Books, Sarah Hardy and J.C. Macek III for the advanced readers copy of Cargo to read in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
Cargo took me on an exhilarating journey over a period of 24 hrs, following the plight of Anthony Peterson, who finds himself trapped in a cargo container with demands from his kidnappers for a ransom sum of 10 million dollars, with the stipulation no police involvement or his wife will be murdered. A mobile phone, 24hrs of oxygen, can Peterson raise the money before the time runs out.
Cargo is very much an underestimated book in my opinion, the slight inclination of the what the plot is about was enough for me to falter, draw breath and plow through the book. I felt the power of the kidnappers, the helplessness of Peterson and the very air sucking out of my own body as I turned the pages. I love a book synopsis that hints but doesn’t fill my boots as such before I open the book, J.C Macek III nailed it for me.
There are loads of questions to be answered, Who is involved? Why have they chosen Peterson? Will Peterson make it out alive? Has the past a bearing on the present? Only you can discover the answers.
As you can see I didn’t really go into any detail of the book only because I want you to read it for yourself, find out what I loved about it, if you’ve not read any from Macek III what you waiting for I can’t see you being disappointed.
Are you ready for a book that I found hard to lay down, well get a wriggle on and grab your copy today.
Amazon UK / Amazon US
Thank you to Bloodhound Books, Sarah Hardy and J.C. Macek III for the advanced readers copy of Cargo to read in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
January 22, 2018
All reviews can be found on my blog at https://thewritinggarnet.wordpress.com
Sheeeeeeesh!!!! I am SO glad I didn't decide to get some snacks to munch on whilst I was reading this book!! Don't get me wrong, I like the graphic details in books now that I'm not so much of a wimp, BUT I think eating whilst reading the hardcore, graphic details of said events in this storyline would be a little TOO much on my part!
Anthony Peterson likes to think of himself as a highly regarded businessman with a trophy wife to boot. Of course it doesn't seem to matter to Anthony whether his business dealings are above board, or whether those dealings have a high chance of coming back too bite him on the backside. Since when has a businessman not thought of every angle? Surely people like Anthony would have put a plan in place to cover his backside should anything not go the way he had arranged? WELL, the moment Anthony Peterson woke up to find that his bed has been swapped with something metal, a lightbulb would have gone off in his head.....or so you would have thought...
At first, I felt so sorry for Anthony has I had no idea why he was trapped. What did he get so wrong? Who did he annoy so badly? But then, as the story progressed, my opinion of Anthony changed drastically. I started to see him in a completely different light as his life unraveled before his very eyes. The choices he had to make to keep his heart beating weren't made the same good intentions as if someone like us had to make those decisions. Was Anthony thinking with his heart? Or was he thinking with his business mind? Either way Anthony was stuffed. Watching him realise that ever so slowly however, made for an exceptionally entertaining read.
Without giving too much away, there is more to this storyline than whether Peterson works out why he is being held hostage. All of the other characters involved in this story play their parts very cleverly as they, once again, show Anthony in yet another light. If you still feel empathy towards Peterson after the other characters have made themselves known, then I am impressed.
I found 'Cargo' to be a cleverly written, intense, dark, and highly graphic read which kept me hanging until the very last page. It's not often I read a book which, once finished, has me staring at it thinking 'what the falalala did I just read?!' (and no, not in a bad way either). If you're needing a bit of excitement in your life and don't wish to get out of your PJS, then 'Cargo' is the perfect read for you!
Highly recommended.
Sheeeeeeesh!!!! I am SO glad I didn't decide to get some snacks to munch on whilst I was reading this book!! Don't get me wrong, I like the graphic details in books now that I'm not so much of a wimp, BUT I think eating whilst reading the hardcore, graphic details of said events in this storyline would be a little TOO much on my part!
Anthony Peterson likes to think of himself as a highly regarded businessman with a trophy wife to boot. Of course it doesn't seem to matter to Anthony whether his business dealings are above board, or whether those dealings have a high chance of coming back too bite him on the backside. Since when has a businessman not thought of every angle? Surely people like Anthony would have put a plan in place to cover his backside should anything not go the way he had arranged? WELL, the moment Anthony Peterson woke up to find that his bed has been swapped with something metal, a lightbulb would have gone off in his head.....or so you would have thought...
At first, I felt so sorry for Anthony has I had no idea why he was trapped. What did he get so wrong? Who did he annoy so badly? But then, as the story progressed, my opinion of Anthony changed drastically. I started to see him in a completely different light as his life unraveled before his very eyes. The choices he had to make to keep his heart beating weren't made the same good intentions as if someone like us had to make those decisions. Was Anthony thinking with his heart? Or was he thinking with his business mind? Either way Anthony was stuffed. Watching him realise that ever so slowly however, made for an exceptionally entertaining read.
Without giving too much away, there is more to this storyline than whether Peterson works out why he is being held hostage. All of the other characters involved in this story play their parts very cleverly as they, once again, show Anthony in yet another light. If you still feel empathy towards Peterson after the other characters have made themselves known, then I am impressed.
I found 'Cargo' to be a cleverly written, intense, dark, and highly graphic read which kept me hanging until the very last page. It's not often I read a book which, once finished, has me staring at it thinking 'what the falalala did I just read?!' (and no, not in a bad way either). If you're needing a bit of excitement in your life and don't wish to get out of your PJS, then 'Cargo' is the perfect read for you!
Highly recommended.
January 7, 2018
First impressions were good, I loved the cover. Cargo does have parts within that are a bit brutal and dark for my liking but thats what makes a great thriller. I really enjoyed reading this story and how its twists towards the end was brilliant… A fast paced story. One of a kind with a cliffhanger of an ending. A cleverly written story with suspense throughout. A well deserved five stars from myself and I would highly recommend it to you all. I didn’t want to put it down, could easily have read it in one setting. Clever story. Will have you on edge throughout.
Anthony has just 24 hours to do as requested by his kidnappers, can he make it? Who would you trust with your life?
Anthony has just 24 hours to do as requested by his kidnappers, can he make it? Who would you trust with your life?
January 21, 2018
There is so much more to this story than a man locked in a container for 24 hours while his life disintegrates around him. He isn’t able to do anything while captured within a metal container.
He has to raise the funds to aid his escape. Can he make it in time?
Peterson is a man with a past that you are desperate to find out what put him in this position, is he likeable? Not particularly, is he addictive reading, definitely.
With the clock running down, this book had a desperate feel to it and an urgency to turn the pages quickly.
This was a thrilling read that turned out to be so much more than I expected. Which in turn became a riveting read with plenty of drama, tension and a feeling of dread as you see the time count down within the chapter headings.
A great cast of characters with humour, fear, and a detection of likeability in a few characters made this a multi layered read for a variety of reasons.
Which I can whole heartedly recommend [Cargo] for readers who enjoy thrillers that give you an impact read.
He has to raise the funds to aid his escape. Can he make it in time?
Peterson is a man with a past that you are desperate to find out what put him in this position, is he likeable? Not particularly, is he addictive reading, definitely.
With the clock running down, this book had a desperate feel to it and an urgency to turn the pages quickly.
This was a thrilling read that turned out to be so much more than I expected. Which in turn became a riveting read with plenty of drama, tension and a feeling of dread as you see the time count down within the chapter headings.
A great cast of characters with humour, fear, and a detection of likeability in a few characters made this a multi layered read for a variety of reasons.
Which I can whole heartedly recommend [Cargo] for readers who enjoy thrillers that give you an impact read.
February 6, 2018
After a slow start this year with my reading it got to the stage where nothing just wasn't grabbing me until I read Cargo. Who I have Sarah Hardy to thank for the recommendation. Cargo has certainly restored my faith in crime thrillers that’s for sure.
In this story we meet Anthony Peterson who finds himself locked locked in a metal shipping container, with only a cell phone and twenty-four hours of air left! Has the plot thickens he soon learns that the kidnappers have his wife hostage and want ten million dollars. threatening to murder and rape her if he doesn’t comply.
I found myself hooked from start to end this is definitely one of those books that you won't be able to put down.The whole time I read this I kept thinking this would make a brilliant film….to find out is actually is! You can find out more about that in the acknowledgements.
I always say the more gruesome the better and the is certainly that Cargo is full of OMFG moments which totally made me cringe In fact I found myself having to look away….and this is a book we are talking about lol so this isn't a book for the faint hearted.
With the plot being based around the main character Peterson you can not help but feel sorry for him. I know I wouldn't like to wake up in a shipping container. With the reader asking themselves who? What? And why? But has the story unfolds all the questions have answers and everything is nicely woven together, with an OMG ending which I was expecting
If you are looking for a fast paced read that will keep you on the edge of your seat, this is the book for you. Which I cannot recommend enough, giving it 5 massive stars.
In this story we meet Anthony Peterson who finds himself locked locked in a metal shipping container, with only a cell phone and twenty-four hours of air left! Has the plot thickens he soon learns that the kidnappers have his wife hostage and want ten million dollars. threatening to murder and rape her if he doesn’t comply.
I found myself hooked from start to end this is definitely one of those books that you won't be able to put down.The whole time I read this I kept thinking this would make a brilliant film….to find out is actually is! You can find out more about that in the acknowledgements.
I always say the more gruesome the better and the is certainly that Cargo is full of OMFG moments which totally made me cringe In fact I found myself having to look away….and this is a book we are talking about lol so this isn't a book for the faint hearted.
With the plot being based around the main character Peterson you can not help but feel sorry for him. I know I wouldn't like to wake up in a shipping container. With the reader asking themselves who? What? And why? But has the story unfolds all the questions have answers and everything is nicely woven together, with an OMG ending which I was expecting
If you are looking for a fast paced read that will keep you on the edge of your seat, this is the book for you. Which I cannot recommend enough, giving it 5 massive stars.
January 15, 2018
Anthony wakes to find himself in a metal shipping container. He struggles to remember how he got there but remembers having a drink in a bar and then everything going black. There is a phone taped to the wall. Through this he receives a message telling him he has twenty four hours to raise $10 million or both he and his wife will die. He is given evidence of her capture and torture and if he contacts any authorities then again they will both die. The air in the container will last 24 hours. This is a very clever premise. Anthony’s thoughts and actions whilst incarcerated are very interesting along with his past. His misdemeanours, his love for his wife and how things will change once he gets out are powerfully portrayed. A very different story, well told.
January 18, 2018
This is a fast paced story where people’s lives are at stake if the kidnapper’s demands are not met.
Anthony Peterson is kidnapped and held in a shipping container and told to find ten million dollars within 24 hours.
He has a phone in the container but is told not to call the Police or FBI, or else his wife will die.
Anthony calls his assistant who tries to help but things soon go from bad to worse.
I did enjoy this book but I didn’t really like the ending. I can’t really explain why as it will spoil it so I’ll let you make your own mind up...
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for sending me a copy to read and review.
Anthony Peterson is kidnapped and held in a shipping container and told to find ten million dollars within 24 hours.
He has a phone in the container but is told not to call the Police or FBI, or else his wife will die.
Anthony calls his assistant who tries to help but things soon go from bad to worse.
I did enjoy this book but I didn’t really like the ending. I can’t really explain why as it will spoil it so I’ll let you make your own mind up...
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for sending me a copy to read and review.
February 19, 2018
Noted author J.C. Macek's "Cargo" is an expertly written Hitchcockian and labyrinthine thriller from beginning to end. The book adeptly throws the reader into the downward spiraling world of the definitely not "everyman" Anthony Peterson, a man who seems to have more demons in his past than he cares to acknowledge. In fact, it seems that he is in a state of denial about his own morality and mortality.
However, after he received the phantom call from his omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent adversary, it seems that Anthony is going to be reminded in the harshest ways possible about this shady past, which includes torture and moral force feeding in ways that will chill the reader's spine. Also unfortunately, it seems that Anthony doesn't have the assets or reliable colleagues to help him successfully facilitate the caller's extraordinary demands. It is obvious that Anthony is a man of relentlessly cunning character who has not lost many battles in life, which is why he "was" as successful before this ordeal happened. In addition, he certainly was not ready for this unseen, very resourceful, and formidable opponent that has fearlessly delved all the way into Anthony's life to completely eviscerate it, and others who are close to him.
The real and undoubtedly pressing questions are: How close are Anthony's loved ones to him? Does anyone "really" love him? Is he fighting to save the lives of those who truly care about him? Is anyone close to him involved in this serpentine scheme? Does Anthony even love himself enough to see this fight for his and others' lives through? All of these crucial questions evolve into engrossing, visceral, and compelling answers which will leave any avid reader of thrillers and mysteries on the edge of his or her seat.
My favorite line in the book: "He would have vomited had he not been so empty."
Think of a more cerebral literary version of the hit movie "Saw" and get ready for a jolting dramatic life or death ride that will keep your fingers feverishly going until the very end. Or is it?
However, after he received the phantom call from his omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent adversary, it seems that Anthony is going to be reminded in the harshest ways possible about this shady past, which includes torture and moral force feeding in ways that will chill the reader's spine. Also unfortunately, it seems that Anthony doesn't have the assets or reliable colleagues to help him successfully facilitate the caller's extraordinary demands. It is obvious that Anthony is a man of relentlessly cunning character who has not lost many battles in life, which is why he "was" as successful before this ordeal happened. In addition, he certainly was not ready for this unseen, very resourceful, and formidable opponent that has fearlessly delved all the way into Anthony's life to completely eviscerate it, and others who are close to him.
The real and undoubtedly pressing questions are: How close are Anthony's loved ones to him? Does anyone "really" love him? Is he fighting to save the lives of those who truly care about him? Is anyone close to him involved in this serpentine scheme? Does Anthony even love himself enough to see this fight for his and others' lives through? All of these crucial questions evolve into engrossing, visceral, and compelling answers which will leave any avid reader of thrillers and mysteries on the edge of his or her seat.
My favorite line in the book: "He would have vomited had he not been so empty."
Think of a more cerebral literary version of the hit movie "Saw" and get ready for a jolting dramatic life or death ride that will keep your fingers feverishly going until the very end. Or is it?
January 21, 2018
Anthony Peterson wakes up inside a metal shipping container, with no memory of how he got there. He receives a phone call telling him that they have his wife Susan and want 10 million dollars in exchange for their safe release.
This book opens with a bang! You’re thrown right into the story, wondering who and why businessman Anthony Peterson has been kidnapped. As the story progresses it’s revealed that he’s not the upstanding citizen that he claims to be, in fact in my opinion he’s a nasty piece of work. His associate Tom, whom he’s using to amass the 10 million dollars for his release, is not much better, in fact at times I thought he was a little insane!
It’s quite an engrossing read, action packed and a little violent, but it also it brings up questions about how you live your life. What I mean is, if you’re greedy and treat everyone around you badly, like Anthony, who is going to help you when you need it the most?
The story has been adapted from a screenplay and unfortunately at times you can tell. There were some things that may work for a film, like Anthony listening to things on the end of a phone, that just don’t work for a book. There was a lack of atmosphere too, I mean being trapped in such a small space, (okay not quite a coffin but still), would be quite claustrophobic but I didn’t really feel that in the story. I also felt an injection of Tom’s point of view would have made it a bit more absorbing.
Overall an intense read perfect for action movie fans.
This book opens with a bang! You’re thrown right into the story, wondering who and why businessman Anthony Peterson has been kidnapped. As the story progresses it’s revealed that he’s not the upstanding citizen that he claims to be, in fact in my opinion he’s a nasty piece of work. His associate Tom, whom he’s using to amass the 10 million dollars for his release, is not much better, in fact at times I thought he was a little insane!
It’s quite an engrossing read, action packed and a little violent, but it also it brings up questions about how you live your life. What I mean is, if you’re greedy and treat everyone around you badly, like Anthony, who is going to help you when you need it the most?
The story has been adapted from a screenplay and unfortunately at times you can tell. There were some things that may work for a film, like Anthony listening to things on the end of a phone, that just don’t work for a book. There was a lack of atmosphere too, I mean being trapped in such a small space, (okay not quite a coffin but still), would be quite claustrophobic but I didn’t really feel that in the story. I also felt an injection of Tom’s point of view would have made it a bit more absorbing.
Overall an intense read perfect for action movie fans.
January 21, 2018
I would like to thank the author, publisher Blood Hound Books and blog tour organiser Sarah Hardy for the ARC copy of Cargo in return for an honest review.
Cargo is exactly what it claims to be on the cover, an edge of your seat thriller. Without any doubt it’s fast paced and kept my attention throughout. There is a compulsion to keep turning the pages to discover the fate of Anthony Pearson, who’s life hangs in the balance. You know he has a limited time to save his life and that of his wife and this helps to build the tension to the point your reduced to a state nervous trepidation about what you’ll read next.
Most of the character’s are less than likeable. But that’s fitting for this often violent thriller, about the choices we make and the price we pay. I can’t say I liked Anthony, because I didn’t, yet the writer kept me turning the pages, still wanting to know want happened to him. You don’t have to like a character to be invested in their story and fate, the writer just has to make it exciting. I wanted to know if this ruthless businessman deserved his fate! Why he had been kidnapped. It is a thriller that does what it is meant to do, it thrills!
Cargo is exactly what it claims to be on the cover, an edge of your seat thriller. Without any doubt it’s fast paced and kept my attention throughout. There is a compulsion to keep turning the pages to discover the fate of Anthony Pearson, who’s life hangs in the balance. You know he has a limited time to save his life and that of his wife and this helps to build the tension to the point your reduced to a state nervous trepidation about what you’ll read next.
Most of the character’s are less than likeable. But that’s fitting for this often violent thriller, about the choices we make and the price we pay. I can’t say I liked Anthony, because I didn’t, yet the writer kept me turning the pages, still wanting to know want happened to him. You don’t have to like a character to be invested in their story and fate, the writer just has to make it exciting. I wanted to know if this ruthless businessman deserved his fate! Why he had been kidnapped. It is a thriller that does what it is meant to do, it thrills!
January 22, 2018
He should have been careful who he trampled over on his way up.
Anthony Peterson wakes to find himself in a container with nothing but a cell phone. He soon finds out he has been kidnapped and so has his beautiful, trophy wife. Both their lives will be forfeit if Anthony cannot get ten million dollars within 24 hours. At that time his air would be running out and his wife dead - murdered and raped.
He must work fast with just the phone to arrange the money and save everything he loves and has worked for.
Wow! This book was so good, well-written, gory, the edge of your seat job with a touch of well-needed humour. Anthony is not a nice man, although he thinks he is, and all the wrong and hurt he has caused people was just business. The book tells of the many emotions Anthony goes through in the 24 hours. There are a couple of places not for the faint-hearted, as they are a little sick, but it is not gratuitous as it is all part of the agony and fear the kidnappers put him through.
Apparently, this book is being made into a film and if it’s like the book it will be good!!
Shesat
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
Anthony Peterson wakes to find himself in a container with nothing but a cell phone. He soon finds out he has been kidnapped and so has his beautiful, trophy wife. Both their lives will be forfeit if Anthony cannot get ten million dollars within 24 hours. At that time his air would be running out and his wife dead - murdered and raped.
He must work fast with just the phone to arrange the money and save everything he loves and has worked for.
Wow! This book was so good, well-written, gory, the edge of your seat job with a touch of well-needed humour. Anthony is not a nice man, although he thinks he is, and all the wrong and hurt he has caused people was just business. The book tells of the many emotions Anthony goes through in the 24 hours. There are a couple of places not for the faint-hearted, as they are a little sick, but it is not gratuitous as it is all part of the agony and fear the kidnappers put him through.
Apparently, this book is being made into a film and if it’s like the book it will be good!!
Shesat
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
January 22, 2018
Chilling...Clever ...Twisted...and brilliant
Anthony Peterson really does have it all .The beautiful young wife..,wealth, prestige...and the world at his feet...that is until the day he is kidnapped and thrown into a container ..and given 24 hours to come up with ten million readies...As the story unfolds we get to meet the cast of characters...( some of them monsters...but real)...At first I felt sorry for Anthony...my mind was whirling as I turned the pages...The story flits in parts to the passed...But can Anthony survive in the hellhole he has ended up in?.....Is there anyone out there he can trust....I read this in one sitting..A story of Greed...The bad ...the unthinkable...and Murder.... I'm going to look under my bed now before I go to sleep...A Chilling Story.....I loved it..
Anthony Peterson really does have it all .The beautiful young wife..,wealth, prestige...and the world at his feet...that is until the day he is kidnapped and thrown into a container ..and given 24 hours to come up with ten million readies...As the story unfolds we get to meet the cast of characters...( some of them monsters...but real)...At first I felt sorry for Anthony...my mind was whirling as I turned the pages...The story flits in parts to the passed...But can Anthony survive in the hellhole he has ended up in?.....Is there anyone out there he can trust....I read this in one sitting..A story of Greed...The bad ...the unthinkable...and Murder.... I'm going to look under my bed now before I go to sleep...A Chilling Story.....I loved it..
January 8, 2018
The best book of its kind!
September 29, 2019
There were so many different twists and turns that the author could have taken to have made this an awesome storyline, but the one path that was driven down was unbelievable and too convenient. Also, several grammatical errors at the end of the book and repetition throughout that was pretty annoying. Fell flat, in my opinion.
February 22, 2018
Really loved this off-the-wall thriller! It starts off with the reader thinking the story will go one way and then it ends up taking you in a totally different direction. Great suspense and excellent prose. I wasn't one hundred percent sure what to expect from this novel but it surpassed my unusually high expectations. Anthony Peterson, the main character, is a dastardly (and great) antihero and his sidekick Tom is a hilarious first class sleaze and one man demolition crew! Check this book out, definitely one for the bookshelf.
February 23, 2018
Loved this book!
I usually read pretty slowly. This book went so fast, too fast in fact! Now I'm aching for the new one! He left me hanging, right on the edge!
But it's ok, it was so good, I forgive you! As long as you don't make me wait too long!!!
I usually read pretty slowly. This book went so fast, too fast in fact! Now I'm aching for the new one! He left me hanging, right on the edge!
But it's ok, it was so good, I forgive you! As long as you don't make me wait too long!!!
February 18, 2018
A nail biting thriller that is hard to put down. Anthony Peterson, a hard nosed millionaire businessman has been kidnapped and is in a container in an unknown location.
This story, as well as being a thriller, also explores the feelings of each character - and there are plenty of deeply unsavoury ones to get your teeth into! There is a deep sense of pathos surrounding the main character that leaves the reader feeling fulfilled at the end.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a hard-hitting crime thriller with lots of shocks along the way.
This story, as well as being a thriller, also explores the feelings of each character - and there are plenty of deeply unsavoury ones to get your teeth into! There is a deep sense of pathos surrounding the main character that leaves the reader feeling fulfilled at the end.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a hard-hitting crime thriller with lots of shocks along the way.
February 20, 2018
One of the best novels I've read in recent months. After a slow burn start the book really kicks into overdrive just a few pages in. This is a book for hardcore crime novel fans, great mystery and a killer cliffhanger ending. Check this novel out!
February 18, 2018
Wow
Wow what a story ! Great thriller. The brutality was gut wrenching. It gave me chills. Could not stop reading, had to know why and who wanted Anthony prisoner in this metal box !. And will be ever get out !
Wow what a story ! Great thriller. The brutality was gut wrenching. It gave me chills. Could not stop reading, had to know why and who wanted Anthony prisoner in this metal box !. And will be ever get out !
February 9, 2018
Anthony Peterson was a man who always got what he wanted he made sure of that by any means possible. He was a multimillionaire with a massive house a trophy wife big flash cars, etc. On his way up he had made a lot of bad decisions treated people very badly including his ex wife and children.
So when he wakes up in pain on the floor and doesn’t know where he is he’s really angry no one f***s with Anthony Peterson.
Then there is a lot of vibrations when he feels around it seems he is in a small space maybe 40 ft by 8 ft. A phone starts to ring they tell him he has been kidnapped was in a container could be anywhere they had also kidnapped Susan his trophy wife. The ransom to save himself and his wife is ten million pounds. Anthony says he can’t get that. He is told you’ll get it within 24 hours or we’ll live stream us raping your wife then her and kill you!
I really enjoyed this book altho I felt maybe at the end some things could have been clearer. I like everything cut and dried felt a couple of loose ends. Definitely recommend it.
So when he wakes up in pain on the floor and doesn’t know where he is he’s really angry no one f***s with Anthony Peterson.
Then there is a lot of vibrations when he feels around it seems he is in a small space maybe 40 ft by 8 ft. A phone starts to ring they tell him he has been kidnapped was in a container could be anywhere they had also kidnapped Susan his trophy wife. The ransom to save himself and his wife is ten million pounds. Anthony says he can’t get that. He is told you’ll get it within 24 hours or we’ll live stream us raping your wife then her and kill you!
I really enjoyed this book altho I felt maybe at the end some things could have been clearer. I like everything cut and dried felt a couple of loose ends. Definitely recommend it.
January 22, 2018
What would you do if you woke up trapped in a shipping container with seemingly no way out and no understanding of why or how you arrived there? Panic? Try to get out? That’s the reality for Anthony Peterson when he finds himself in exactly that predicament. There is a mobile phone in the container with him and via conversations with a mysterious voice on the other end of the call he ascertains that he has 24 hours of air, his wife has also been taken and the kidnappers are demanding $10 million to secure both of their releases.
What follows is a race against time where he tries to secure the funds and keep his sanity. He discovers that his past deeds have caught up with him, that actions do speak louder than words and the depths that he is willing to sink to. There are moments of real peril and threat mixed with some moments of humour whilst Anthony tries with varying degrees of success to secure the funds required.
This is a book that explores what drives people – money, love, lust, power. Anthony Peterson is a pretty contemptible character and he is forced to examine the darkest parts of himself when trapped, inactive in a metal box. I liked that there were some hints here and there about things he had done, people he had hurt and how his actions had reverberated on a wider scale. I also liked how these actions helped him realise what was important – it humanised him and stopped him from becoming a cartoon character bad guy.
Via chapters from the perspective of other people; a captor, Anthony’s son and Anthony’s PA we get an all-round image of the man trapped in the container. It also brings some moments of real sadness and there were some difficult passages to read. This multi-person narrative builds depth and I really liked that it let us try to put the pieces together ourselves.
This is an enjoyable and different thriller with an interesting slant – there is action and human emotion mixed with some moments of real threat and terror.
What follows is a race against time where he tries to secure the funds and keep his sanity. He discovers that his past deeds have caught up with him, that actions do speak louder than words and the depths that he is willing to sink to. There are moments of real peril and threat mixed with some moments of humour whilst Anthony tries with varying degrees of success to secure the funds required.
This is a book that explores what drives people – money, love, lust, power. Anthony Peterson is a pretty contemptible character and he is forced to examine the darkest parts of himself when trapped, inactive in a metal box. I liked that there were some hints here and there about things he had done, people he had hurt and how his actions had reverberated on a wider scale. I also liked how these actions helped him realise what was important – it humanised him and stopped him from becoming a cartoon character bad guy.
Via chapters from the perspective of other people; a captor, Anthony’s son and Anthony’s PA we get an all-round image of the man trapped in the container. It also brings some moments of real sadness and there were some difficult passages to read. This multi-person narrative builds depth and I really liked that it let us try to put the pieces together ourselves.
This is an enjoyable and different thriller with an interesting slant – there is action and human emotion mixed with some moments of real threat and terror.
February 6, 2018
Fantastic novel! This book surprised me. It starts out with an interesting enough premise and then takes on a myriad of twists and turns. The main character, Anthony Peterson, is a fascinating creation. An excellent thriller!!
January 11, 2018
** Full review to come as part of blog tour **
January 27, 2018
I give ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ for this great story with twist and turn's all the way through with a unique storyline which I really enjoyed ,a must read from a new author
February 28, 2018
A true edge of your seat thriller! The ending is left very much open to interpretation by the reader. I'd recommended this book to anyone who likes edgy, dangerous, sometimes violent crime thrillers.
February 28, 2018
Self indulgent rubbish. It should have been one star but I thought it started out OK. Then it went downhill rapidly.
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