Stop at Nothing

Michael Gannon #1

by Michael Ledwidge

When a Gulfstream jet goes down in the Bahamas carrying a fortune in cash and ill-gotten diamonds, expat diving instructor Michael Gannon is the only person on the scene. Assuming himself the beneficiary of a drug deal gone bad, Gannon thinks he’s home free with the sudden windfall until he realizes he forgot to ask one simple question.

Who were the six dead men on the plane?

Gannon soon learns the answer to that fateful question as he is thrust into an increasingly complex and deadly game of cat and mouse with a group of the world’s most powerful and dangerous men who will stop at nothing to catch him.

But as the walls close in, Gannon reveals a few secrets of his own. Before he retired to the islands, Gannon had another life, one with a lethal set of skills that he must now call back to the surface if he wants to make it out alive.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Mystery, Audiobook, Crime, Suspense, Mystery Thriller

416 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 3, 2020

About the author

Michael Ledwidge is the son of Irish parents and was born and raised in the Bronx. A graduate of Manhattan College, he is married and has two children.

As the co-author of a series of some of James Patterson’s most profitable books to date, Ledwidge has risen from an admired but, it’s fair to say, mostly unread author, to co-writing some of the most widely read books in the world. He’s made real money doing it, too, enough to change his life completely.

Reviews

[PamG · Rating 5 out of 5]

STOP AT NOTHING by Michael Ledwidge is an action packed thriller. The story largely takes place in the Bahamas, New York City, and London. However, some of it takes place in numerous other locations. Michael Gannon is deep sea fishing when he sees a plane crash into the ocean. Unfortunately, his antennae was snapped when a marlin got away a little while earlier. He dives at the site and finds no survivors, but he does find cash and uncut diamonds. Who were the six dead men and what were they doing with the cash and diamonds?

The characters are compelling and you either root for them or against them. They had distinct voices and their own flaws and virtues. The plot like a scenario that could actually happen. The motivations were well-drawn and seemed believable. The secondary characters were well-rounded and enhanced the story. There were some plot twists and the stakes and tension were high throughout this thriller. The author did a great job of giving a clear sense of time and place without being overly descriptive.

Overall, the plot intense, thought-provoking, suspenseful, entertaining and kept me fully engaged. The prose was well-written and engrossing. My only quibble is that there could have been a little more wrap up of certain situations after the action peaked and before the epilogue. However, I still thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more of Michael Ledwidge’s novels.

Thanks to HARLEQUIN – Trade Publishing (U S & Canada) – Hanover Square Press and Michael Ledwidge for an ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.

[MacWithBooksonMountains Marcus · Rating 2 out of 5]

Solid but neither imaginative nor creative in any way. The usual mild mannered, soft spoken ex-military character that gets involved in somebody’s illegal machination. The baddies then, to their utter disgust, find out how they underestimated the protagonist that in reality is a super-mega seal guy who wrote the book on pretty much all there is concerning being just totally awesome before he wipes the floor with them.
Despite all that predictability - we have read variations on that whole shebang in too many other comparable adventure novels - Ledwidge’s Stop At Nothing is definitely readable as it provides a modicum of entertainment.

[Laur · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is SO Good! Fast paced action through out - suspense, nail biting moments as Gannon and Lt. Ruby are in a race for their lives as they uncover a rogue part of high end FBI officials doing criminal work. Now their lives are danger, innocent people are being murdered, and they are being hunted by high tech surveillance. The odds are highly stacked against them!

Gannon’s character in this new series is fleshed out fully, and you won’t be disappointed with his background!
I’m 100% invested in following what happens next, and can’t wait to read next in series!

Totally recommended, especially the audiobook version which brings the story to awesomeness! Can be found free at Libby and/or hoopla!

5 STARS ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Pierre Tassé (Enjoying Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it. Easy reading. Short chapters and exciting plot.

[Scott A. Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice series start for Ledwidge. Not sure if this was his first solo outing without Patterson but Gannon is going to be a good character for a long time. I love the Michael Bennett books and this has the chance to be as good. This made you think about government and media. Makes you wonder just how close it is to some current events.

[Erth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect story from start to finish. Believable characters (as thrillers go), no high-tech suspension of belief required. It’s got a beginning, a middle, and an end with no back and forth time shifts. Just a good, old-fashioned “guy stumbles across somebody else’s conspiracy, finds himself in danger, meets comrades, goes after the bad guys, and then all hell breaks loose...”

[Soo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Notes:

I got the audiobook during one of Audible's sales.

Overall, 95% of the story is a generic & forgettable story that would make a decent action flick movie. The elements that made the story more interesting were not done until the tail end of the book. Except, by that point, it wasn't enough of a hook to make me want to read more books about Michael Gannon or push Ledwidge work up the TBR.

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael Gannon, a retired military veteran, enjoys a peaceful day of deep-sea fishing. However, his tranquility is abruptly shattered when he witnesses a plane crash in the middle of the ocean. Without hesitation, he prepares his gear and dives into the depths to investigate. Tragically, he discovers the wreckage of the plane, bearing the lifeless bodies of six men onboard.

Beyond the grim discovery of the deceased, Michael also finds a substantial sum of cash and a cache of uncut diamonds. His quick thinking leads him to suspect that this incident may have been a botched drug deal. In a moment of foresight, he recalls the existence of a concealed cave, completely imperceptible to the naked eye. With a deep breath, he descends into the abyss and conceals the drugs and money, at least for the present.

However, the allure of the recovered funds and diamonds proves to be too tempting for Michael to resist. He harbors the hope that retrieving these items could transform his life into a state of unparalleled prosperity. Nevertheless, he soon realizes that the plane, the diamonds, and the money are not as easily obtained as he had anticipated.

Michael’s past is not as ordinary as it may seem. He is not merely a retired individual pursuing a hobby of fishing. Rather, he possesses a wealth of training and experience gained during his military service, which proves invaluable in confronting the adversaries who seek to claim the stolen goods. This gripping action-packed novel delivers an exhilarating narrative, filled with peril and the exhilaration of the pursuit. It serves as an engaging introduction to a series that promises to captivate readers with its thrilling exploits.

Many thanks to Hanover Square Press and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Diving instructor Michael Gannon is deep sea fishing on his diving boat when he witnesses a corporate jet crash. He dives in to see about survivors but only finds 6 dead passengers. A suitcase floats up to his boat filled with money and uncut diamonds. What to do? Well, he hides them in a very secure place.

Office of Naval Safety Lt Ruby Everett is quickly called to the scene but suddenly told to back off before she can begin her investigation. A young military diver shows her the video he took while underwater and the video does not agree with the story being put out. Not long after, everyone who knows about the plane becomes hunted.

Author Michael Ledwidge came on my radar due to his co-authoring with James Patterson. This book reads much like a Patterson book. Fast paced, full of action.

For the first half of the book, I was not impressed with Gannon's character. About midway, an unexpected surprise revealed Gannon's previous life. My estimation picked up. By the end of the book, I decided I would definitely read another book in this series.

If you like books dealing with conspiracies, cover-ups, corruption at the highest level of government, black ops, and action packed thrillers, this may be a book for you.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, full of excitement and suspense! What more could you ask for?! I listened to the audiobook and during the first part, I wondered if I was going to be able to get into it. The action started and wow, I couldn’t stop listening. I so hope that this is the beginning of a series that will involve both Gannon and Ruby...we will see how he works out the location issues to keep this going!! Loved it!

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t know if there is anything “new” here. Ultra tough bad-ass becomes involved in a plot and kicks bad guy butt…HOWEVER I SIMPLY COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN!
I moved from audible to an e-book and back again. Compelling, short chapters with endings that made you keep reading. I already put the 2nd in the series on hold at my library.
Two thumbs up and looking forward to the movie.

[Pattyh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley for the opprortunity to preview Stop at Nothing by Michael Ledwidge. This book held me in suspense from the minute I started till the end. International esponiage, thrilling characters and impactful ending.
What would you do if you found money and diamonds and you thought would find out you took them? For Gannon, it is a no brainer, he hides the money and jewels but soon finds that there are alot of people looking for the stash. And these people are powerful and will stop at nothng to get it back.
Full of suprises and lots of energy. 5 stars.
Recommend.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

The good news it that this is a quick read. The action moves quickly. The bad news: It is easy to see what Ledwidge learned co-writing with James Patterson. Short chapters, lots of white space, no real character development, a surprise plot twist but otherwise pretty predictable. Like most of Patterson's work, it's good for a short read if you are looking for an escape.

[Lulu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast-paced thriller (which I’m always a fan of) with an interesting lead character, Michael Gannon.

Not a bad start to a series by Ledwidge as a solo writer, I’ll be back for more.

[Debra B · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried to like this book, I really did ... but I just could not connect with the story or the characters or, most of all, the narrator. Shame really, because I've read this author before.

[Vince Waechter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not that great, just average. The bad guys, their problem and their solutions are too far fetched. The hero got impossible breaks and advantages and single-handedly saved the world.

[John Rumery · Rating 2 out of 5]

Easy read. Very basic premise with little character development. Very macho with the lead female character being mostly there to be oogled.

I did like that the main characters first instinct was to take the money and run and spend it. And it was satisfying that the dude got revenge quickly and ferociously. Always happy to see bad guys get it at the end.

Too big of a leap though: from broke fishing bum to world class hunter/killer.

[Donne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 12th book by Michael Ledwidge that I've read. It was through his Michael Bennett books he co-authored with James Patterson that I became a fan of his action-packed, fast-paced writing style. He captures the reader from the get-go and keeps you so invested to the point where it's hard to put it down - at least that's what it was like for me.

If I could have given it 4.5stars, I would have. Looking forward to the next in the series.

[Lavins · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great book for someone that enjoys a conspiracy, spies, thriller type of a book.

The book is packed with action. Feels like a Hollywood movie full of action and shootings and car pursuits.

I don't find it to be a memorable book. It is an easy, entertaining book.

[T-Roy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book. Entertaining, very action packed (a bit crazy at times), and quick. The pages flew by (when I wasn't distracted by chores around the house).

[Mahoghani 23 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author leaves you hanging off a cliff! He drags you into the action-filled storyline and throughout the book, you're rooting for the underdog. The storyline is fast-paced with short chapters that leads to a cataclysmic ending that will please & surprise you. A must read for anyone that loves, action, deception, murder, political upheaval & retaliation.

[Denise Westlake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is so heart-racing!! I could read just one (short) chapter and put it down for a while. Suspenseful beyond my usual excitement genre.. but I did love it. Yikes! More my husband's speed.. but, there's a bit of love in there, too. :D

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very entertaining

[Angie Dokos · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a good action-packed read. The plot is nothing new, but it was still an enjoyable read.

[Jerry Peace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is so much fun. Memorable characters with very little back story (like "Law and Order). plenty of action, short chapters and just a great flow. So usually I would have rated a 3. But Ledwidge skewers our government, with its cowardly secrecy hiding behind the magic get-out-of -jail-free card of "national security, murderous black ops against U.S. citizens, the ubiquitous corruption of the highest levels of government, how not to trust the military and law enforcement, and where the true power lies-with oligarchs. Yes, there are government conspiracies. Not the Jewish laser beams from space per nutjob Greene, not the stolen election foolishness that Gaetz vomits when he's not diddling children, not the hallucinatory, whitewashed nonsense about January 6 that leaks from dimwitted Ron Johnson or the milquetoast cowardice of McCarthy. No, the oligarchs with their paid for courts and legislatures and shady but official enforcement cabals run things through all these for sale souls they have bought. One character puts it like this- "What do you think makes tis world go round, Pete? Truth, justice, and the American way.?" "Yes," Gannon said. "Lucky you," Wheldon said, letting out a breath. 'It's power, Pete. Power." And the more nutty Greene and Gaetz and Johnson and the rest of the Republican yahoos are, the more the oligarchs both like and reward them. Where does all Greene's money come from? I figure really rich guys and corporations who use that craziness to hide their real agenda-voter suppression (they want cheap workers, not voters), systemic racism (what better way to fracture class opposition than by sowing fear among whites that their privilege is going to end), total control over what happens inside a woman's body, a tax code that rewards their greed by sabotaging the quality of life for the rest of us, a Defense Department that hands out beaucoup dollars like Halloween candy to those very soul owners, and a judicial patronage system that allows military murderers to skate and secret renditions, criminal corporations to pay fines, which are tax deductible as an expense but avoid any individual responsibility, and, if the "law" does not sufficiently intimidate, to jail. I know, it's here, the old "any resemblance is coincidental" stuff. And yet??

[Scott Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Ledwidge has co-authored a number of books with James Patterson. While I gave up on James Patterson several years several of his "co-authors" are quite good in their own right. Michael Ledwidge is one of them. Stop At Nothing is a good example illustrating this point. Michael Gannon is an expat expert diver in the Bahamas. He hears a small plane fly by and crash in the ocean. So he dives to find out who is aboard. He finds six dead men and a cache of jewels and valuable. Suspecting they were up to no good, he retrieves the valuables and hides them as he waits for someone to come calling. Those searching for the downed plane soon come looking for Mike and after an initial encounter Mike decides to disappear for a while. The fast-paced action commences as the villains try to track him down. What those pursuing him do not know is that Mike had a previous career as a deep operative for the US government. Mike also is searching to find out who were on the plane. He discovers that a bunch of bad hombres from the FBI were escaping with ill-begotten gains so Michael decides to track out their partners in crime. He sets a trap and ensnares them.

Recommended for folks who like fast-paced good tales of adventure.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this novel to review.

[Larry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 1st in a new, soon to come, series. It was an inexpensive purchase. … While fishing in the Bahamas, Michael Gannon sees a plane go down. In an effort to help, he dives on the crash and finds cash and diamonds. But something is going on. A dead man in the plane is the Director of the FBI and news reports say he died of a heart attack in Rome. Powerful factions within the US government are the ‘bad guys’ and there are also WikiLeaks/Edward Snowden-like political issues. All in all, I liked the book and the series has possibilities. Though the action sequences could use expansion and some of the plot ‘explanations’ need shoring up, Gannon is an interesting character and I would like to learn more about his past. It’s not a Vince Flynn stemwinder, but few books are. I might read #2.

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
It’s a fun story but the first half was so slow and bland. It was until Gannon arrived in NYC that things started to kick in. The last 20% was action movie cliche….but that’s a guaranteed entertainment.

[BLD · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kept my interest in the story but characters not well developed. Engaging enough that I will probably continue with the series.

[Matt. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this. Fast paced book with no filler just the way I like it. I hope there's many more Michael Gannon books to come