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John Flynn #1
The Final Tour
Jacques Fontaine always wanted to serve but he never expected to lead this band of brothers. Different nationalities, different languages, a collection of misfits. And the world's elite terrorist hunters. Sent to Iraq during the US drawdown on what appears to be a routine investigation, they find themselves under attack from insurgents, the military and unseen forces with widespread political connections.
With their careers-if not their lives-under threat, Fontaine must lead his unit through the fire if this isn't to become their final tour of duty.
With their careers-if not their lives-under threat, Fontaine must lead his unit through the fire if this isn't to become their final tour of duty.
262 pages, Paperback
Published August 30, 2017
About the author
A.J. Stewart
46 books128 followersA.J. Stewart has lived in so many places it feels like he has a home team in every game he sees. Which explains why his wife begins any sports telecast with "who are going for today?" A.J. and his family currently spend their time in Los Angeles and South Florida, but stay tuned, anything could happen.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
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February 22, 2018💝 FREE on Amazon today (2/22/2018)! 💝
September 21, 2017
If you have ever read any of AJ Stewart's Miami Jones novels you probably have a pretty good idea of what to expect from The Final Tour. Except you would be wrong. I love the Miami Jones series but the writing in the The Final Tour is on another level again.
The story focuses on a group of French Foreign Legionnaires who enter Iraq under complete secrecy as the French refused to send in troops to support NATO. Their mission is to track down a cache of biological weapons and get them out of the country unnoticed, but things come unstuck when their mission is undermined by another section of the French army. Long story short, the mission changes and the soldiers have to figure out who knows they are there and why they are being targetted.
I'm curious as to how much of AJ's knowledge comes from his own research and how much from someone he knows and based the characters on? I say this because i'm no expert on modern soldiers, but there is something really believable about the characters. Yes you will find a little bit of Hollywood in some passages, but the pace of the story and the fact that there is just the right amount of detail to paint a picture, makes this an engrossing read.
I read AJ's novella The Compound before reading this and although I don't think the reading order matters, I think it set me up well for The Final Tour.
I'm now sweating on the next in this series AND the next Miami Jones!
The story focuses on a group of French Foreign Legionnaires who enter Iraq under complete secrecy as the French refused to send in troops to support NATO. Their mission is to track down a cache of biological weapons and get them out of the country unnoticed, but things come unstuck when their mission is undermined by another section of the French army. Long story short, the mission changes and the soldiers have to figure out who knows they are there and why they are being targetted.
I'm curious as to how much of AJ's knowledge comes from his own research and how much from someone he knows and based the characters on? I say this because i'm no expert on modern soldiers, but there is something really believable about the characters. Yes you will find a little bit of Hollywood in some passages, but the pace of the story and the fact that there is just the right amount of detail to paint a picture, makes this an engrossing read.
I read AJ's novella The Compound before reading this and although I don't think the reading order matters, I think it set me up well for The Final Tour.
I'm now sweating on the next in this series AND the next Miami Jones!
March 20, 2018
This was another thriller I discovered, thanks to bookbub. This was the first book in the John Flynn series, but the main character's name is Jacques Fontaine (read the book to see why the name's different). Jacques is the leader of an elite group associated with the French Foreign Legion. They are in Iraq hunting for whoever is attempting to sell weapons to the terrorists during the US drawdown of forces after the Second Gulf War. Jacques and his men are not supposed to be in Iraq, and have to deal with political enemies as well as the weapons dealers.
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This was a nice little read, with a decent storyline. The stereotypical military and paramilitary personnel are all in play in this story, but Stewart did a good job keeping the story flowing along fast enough to keep the reader's interest. There was a lapse at the end, in which there wasn't full closure, but since this is the beginning of a series of books, that is understandable. Stewart's research into tactics and weaponry paid off, in that there is more of a sense of realism to this story. The rest of the series may be on my horizon.
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My Rating: 3.75/5 stars
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This was a nice little read, with a decent storyline. The stereotypical military and paramilitary personnel are all in play in this story, but Stewart did a good job keeping the story flowing along fast enough to keep the reader's interest. There was a lapse at the end, in which there wasn't full closure, but since this is the beginning of a series of books, that is understandable. Stewart's research into tactics and weaponry paid off, in that there is more of a sense of realism to this story. The rest of the series may be on my horizon.
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My Rating: 3.75/5 stars
September 7, 2017
Known for his very good Miami Jones P.I. series, Stewart jumps genre over to the action thriller. I won't say he did so seamlessly, it took me a while to warm up to the characters, Fontaine and his fellow Foreign Legionaries, but it all worked out.
The beginning, or so it appears, of a new series for Stewart. It will be interesting to me to see how he balances the Jones series with the new series. Good luck to him on this.
The beginning, or so it appears, of a new series for Stewart. It will be interesting to me to see how he balances the Jones series with the new series. Good luck to him on this.
March 2, 2018
What a good book. It takes you to Irak, Iran with the French Legion who have no business being there. Much intrigue and good and bad guys. I’m looking for the second book Burned Bridges, a few bad reviews, but I’ll overcome this. I would like the hero to find his way to Colorado after being thought dead and having to disappear the blurb does not make me think that it follows the first book but I’ll give it a try purely on having loved the first book so much.
March 11, 2018
This is an excellent military action thriller, set mostly in Iraq during the drawdown of US troops. There are many factions involved, and it's not always clear who are the good guys and who are the bad guys. Our hero, 'the adjutant' has to sort this out and achieve his goals without revealing himself, which he finally accomplishes with great difficulty, and great loss. I very much look forward to reading the subsequent books in the series.
May 1, 2018
I enjoyed this military thriller set in the Middle East around 2011 but I would have enjoyed it more if there was more back story surrounding the main character even though you got bits and pieces through out the book and I suspect more will be revealed further along the series, it would have been nice to know more about the men who respected and trusted the main character Jacques Fontaine as their leader. I also would have liked to have found out exactly what were the men trying to keep out of enemy hands that caused so much pressure from higher ups to halt the mission.
March 11, 2020
Great origin story for my intro to Stewart
I really enjoyed this look into the beginning of 'John Flynn.' The action flowed nicely, but one of my favorite parts about this book was the inside look at the Foreign Legion. I've never known that much about them, other than what I saw in the Van Damm movie, Lionheart.
This was great, and I plan on finding more stories about Fontaine, I mean, Flynn.
I really enjoyed this look into the beginning of 'John Flynn.' The action flowed nicely, but one of my favorite parts about this book was the inside look at the Foreign Legion. I've never known that much about them, other than what I saw in the Van Damm movie, Lionheart.
This was great, and I plan on finding more stories about Fontaine, I mean, Flynn.
March 18, 2018
This should be re titled, An Introduction to John Flynn. I kept wondering what the book was about. Then it occurred on me it was a lead up to a series about a character called John Flynn and nothing more. It's not particularly bad. It just takes 200 + pages to do what could have been done in 10. (2.5)
October 31, 2017
GREAT READ
I found this read one I could not put down - it kept my interest from the beginning through the last page. The author is a great storyteller able to express his tale in writing. I highly recommend this book.
I found this read one I could not put down - it kept my interest from the beginning through the last page. The author is a great storyteller able to express his tale in writing. I highly recommend this book.
December 17, 2017
I liked the book a lot. First one from this author. Was glad to try something new. It was good introduction to a character. Need to know a lot of backstory of him. The idea of the big 8 that is pulling strings around the works isn’t new but works here well. Enjoyable read.
January 19, 2018
Not my thing
Love AJ's writing but was thrillers aren't my thing. I'm not basing my review on the content of style of writing (which are too notch) but my lack of enthusiasm for this genre.
Love AJ's writing but was thrillers aren't my thing. I'm not basing my review on the content of style of writing (which are too notch) but my lack of enthusiasm for this genre.
February 26, 2018
A New Beginning!
Excellent thriller. The first book is a good adventure novel filled with twists, turns and unexpected outcomes. It took until the end of book 1 to explain John Flynn. I'm looking forward to his continued adventures.
Excellent thriller. The first book is a good adventure novel filled with twists, turns and unexpected outcomes. It took until the end of book 1 to explain John Flynn. I'm looking forward to his continued adventures.
February 28, 2018
Good Read
I gave it a 4 star as it wasn't among the best books I have ever read but at times I had a hard time putting it down. Liked it well enough to buy the next book in the series.
I gave it a 4 star as it wasn't among the best books I have ever read but at times I had a hard time putting it down. Liked it well enough to buy the next book in the series.
March 2, 2018
Accurate account of draw down in Iraq
All too true to events in the Middle East. Terrorists, traitors, opportunists amid a background of despair. I'm sure the author has touched a few nerves. A good read!
All too true to events in the Middle East. Terrorists, traitors, opportunists amid a background of despair. I'm sure the author has touched a few nerves. A good read!
April 2, 2018
A great thriller
This was a great read, couldn't put it down. Excitement on every page. I Plan on reading more books from this writer. The book grabbed my attention from the first page and ended in the last page. I recommend this thriller.
This was a great read, couldn't put it down. Excitement on every page. I Plan on reading more books from this writer. The book grabbed my attention from the first page and ended in the last page. I recommend this thriller.
June 5, 2018
A very enjoyable story of intrigue and deceit
The author has written a very interesting story about those who are willing to carry out acts of treason and of those who are determined to stop them. Not your normal story of stopping traitors.
The author has written a very interesting story about those who are willing to carry out acts of treason and of those who are determined to stop them. Not your normal story of stopping traitors.
July 20, 2023
First book in the series
This is the backstory for John Flynn and is about his last mission in the French Foreign Legion. It gives a lot of insight into the character and is a good place to start the series.
This is the backstory for John Flynn and is about his last mission in the French Foreign Legion. It gives a lot of insight into the character and is a good place to start the series.
March 3, 2018
WOW! What a great read!
Great story, great writing, great characters. Recommend this author and this book. Best thing I have read this year so far.
Great story, great writing, great characters. Recommend this author and this book. Best thing I have read this year so far.
March 4, 2018
Slow burner...
Started slow but gradually built up quite a head of steam and not because of the heat of the desert sun.
Started slow but gradually built up quite a head of steam and not because of the heat of the desert sun.
May 3, 2018
Fontaine the character
French version of a Navy seal- capable and scary. Not quite a Jack Reacher but close. If you like action you’ll like “The Final Tour”
French version of a Navy seal- capable and scary. Not quite a Jack Reacher but close. If you like action you’ll like “The Final Tour”
May 5, 2018
I enjoyed this book very much and will read this author again
November 29, 2019
Fun read
Picked this up as a freebie. Wasn't overly enthralled with the first few chapters but the book drew me in. Enjoyed it more than i had expected to.
Picked this up as a freebie. Wasn't overly enthralled with the first few chapters but the book drew me in. Enjoyed it more than i had expected to.
June 3, 2020
Good read. Will get #2
September 1, 2020
French Foreign Legion
Great action, but some characters are hard to understand. Mr. Stewart does not explain all the action or motives, but it unfolds into a riveting story!
Great action, but some characters are hard to understand. Mr. Stewart does not explain all the action or motives, but it unfolds into a riveting story!
October 19, 2024
Excellent story, fast paced, keeps you guessing. Love the team working in tandem with few words needed.
May 26, 2025
Intrigue from beginning to end.
A long introduction to John Flynn. Great background in Iraq. Interesting characters. Totally different style than Miami Jones. Fine writing.
A long introduction to John Flynn. Great background in Iraq. Interesting characters. Totally different style than Miami Jones. Fine writing.
October 7, 2023
A.J. Stewart is a writer who I came across thanks to some of his quirky novels set in South Florida. They aren’t quite as out there as some of the novels by Tim Dorsey and Carl Hiaasen, which is probably why I like them better than some of the others. The Final Tour marks a different tack for Stewart, as he leaves Miami Jones behind and takes on the seriousness of war-torn Iraq during the U.S. drawdown.
Jacques Fontaine is a member of the French Foreign Legion. Unfortunately, the French refused to send troops to Iraq, so when the French get wind of weapons being sold to terrorists as the United States is leaving the country, there’s not much they can do about it. Or is there? Fontaine is tapped to bring in his elite group of Legionnaires to track down the weapons, while the French government can disavow all knowledge.
If it sounds a bit like Mission Impossible, you wouldn’t be far from the mark. The whole book has that kind of feel to it, with plenty of action and suspense as Fontaine and his men criss-cross dangerous part of Iraq trying to stop weapons from falling into the hands of terrorists. They must think on their feet with not government support, although their presence does not go unnoticed.
To read my full review, please go to: https://thoughtsfromthemountaintop.co...
Jacques Fontaine is a member of the French Foreign Legion. Unfortunately, the French refused to send troops to Iraq, so when the French get wind of weapons being sold to terrorists as the United States is leaving the country, there’s not much they can do about it. Or is there? Fontaine is tapped to bring in his elite group of Legionnaires to track down the weapons, while the French government can disavow all knowledge.
If it sounds a bit like Mission Impossible, you wouldn’t be far from the mark. The whole book has that kind of feel to it, with plenty of action and suspense as Fontaine and his men criss-cross dangerous part of Iraq trying to stop weapons from falling into the hands of terrorists. They must think on their feet with not government support, although their presence does not go unnoticed.
To read my full review, please go to: https://thoughtsfromthemountaintop.co...
July 9, 2020
Just escapes me...
Made it through 100 pages or so, completely boring. The characters, the plot, everything about it not in the least engaging.
Made it through 100 pages or so, completely boring. The characters, the plot, everything about it not in the least engaging.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews