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Jack West Jr #5.5
Jack West Jr and the Chinese Splashdown
A special prequel to The Two Lost Mountains from Australia's favourite novelist and the author of both the Jack West Jr and Scarecrow series.
When a satellite hunter intercepts a top-secret transmission from the Moon, his old friend Jack West Jr is his only hope...
The Two Lost Mountains is out now.
When a satellite hunter intercepts a top-secret transmission from the Moon, his old friend Jack West Jr is his only hope...
The Two Lost Mountains is out now.
40 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 5, 2020
75 people are currently reading
1187 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Reilly
75 books6,350 followersBorn in Sydney in 1974, Matthew Reilly was not always a big fan of reading. It was only after he read To Kill A Mockingbird and Lord of the Flies in Year 10 that he realised reading could transport you to another world. Following this revelation, Matthew soon began creating stories of his own and set about writing his first novel, Contest, at the age of 19 while still at university studying law.
Following rejections from all the major publishers, Matthew self-published Contest in 1996, printing 1000 copies. He produced a big-budget-looking novel which he sold into bookshops throughout Sydney, one shop at a time.
In January 1997, a Commissioning Editor for Pan Macmillan Australia walked into Angus & Robertson's Pitt Street Mall store and bought a copy of Contest. The editor tracked Matthew down through his contact details in the front of the book. Interestingly, those original self-published editions of Contest have now become much sought after collectors' items. One recently sold on eBay for $1200!
Matthew Reilly is now the internationally bestselling author of the Scarecrow novels: Ice Station, Area 7, Scarecrow, Scarecrow and the Army of Thieves and the novella Hell Island; the Jack West novels: Seven Ancient Wonders, The Six Sacred Stones, The Five Greatest Warriors, The Four Legendary Kingdoms, and The Three Secret Cities; and the standalone novels Contest, Temple, Hover Car Racer, The Tournament, Troll Mountain, The Great Zoo of China and The Secret Runners of New York.
His books are published in over 20 languages with worldwide sales of over 7 million copies.
Since Seven Ancient Wonders in 2005, Matthew's novels have been the biggest selling new fiction title released in Australia for that year.
Matthew has also written several short stories, including Roger Ascham and the King's Lost Girl, a special free prequel to The Tournament which is available online. Other short stories include Time Tours, The Mine and the hyper-adrenalised romp, Altitude Rush.
He owns and drives a DeLorean DMC-12, the car made famous in the Back to the Future movies. He also has a life-sized Han Solo in carbonite hanging on the wall of his office! When not writing or penning a film script, Matthew can be found on the golf course.
Matthew Reilly is currently living in Los Angeles.
(source: Amazon)
Following rejections from all the major publishers, Matthew self-published Contest in 1996, printing 1000 copies. He produced a big-budget-looking novel which he sold into bookshops throughout Sydney, one shop at a time.
In January 1997, a Commissioning Editor for Pan Macmillan Australia walked into Angus & Robertson's Pitt Street Mall store and bought a copy of Contest. The editor tracked Matthew down through his contact details in the front of the book. Interestingly, those original self-published editions of Contest have now become much sought after collectors' items. One recently sold on eBay for $1200!
Matthew Reilly is now the internationally bestselling author of the Scarecrow novels: Ice Station, Area 7, Scarecrow, Scarecrow and the Army of Thieves and the novella Hell Island; the Jack West novels: Seven Ancient Wonders, The Six Sacred Stones, The Five Greatest Warriors, The Four Legendary Kingdoms, and The Three Secret Cities; and the standalone novels Contest, Temple, Hover Car Racer, The Tournament, Troll Mountain, The Great Zoo of China and The Secret Runners of New York.
His books are published in over 20 languages with worldwide sales of over 7 million copies.
Since Seven Ancient Wonders in 2005, Matthew's novels have been the biggest selling new fiction title released in Australia for that year.
Matthew has also written several short stories, including Roger Ascham and the King's Lost Girl, a special free prequel to The Tournament which is available online. Other short stories include Time Tours, The Mine and the hyper-adrenalised romp, Altitude Rush.
He owns and drives a DeLorean DMC-12, the car made famous in the Back to the Future movies. He also has a life-sized Han Solo in carbonite hanging on the wall of his office! When not writing or penning a film script, Matthew can be found on the golf course.
Matthew Reilly is currently living in Los Angeles.
(source: Amazon)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
October 28, 2020
Look, on its own, this is a pretty random short story.
But in the role of an appetiser before the main course of The Two Lost Mountains, it does the job.
Something else to get you excited for what's to come.
Consider me excited.
But in the role of an appetiser before the main course of The Two Lost Mountains, it does the job.
Something else to get you excited for what's to come.
Consider me excited.
April 5, 2023
A small teaser prequel story to The Two Lost Mountains in Matthew Reilly’s Jack West Jr series. It’s a few flashes of previous adventures featuring Jack’s old neighbor Wally. Then Wally gets in trouble and Jack comes to his rescue. Overall, nothing must read. Just a fun little bonus story to hype up The Two Lost Mountains.
June 7, 2020
Slightly disjointed 38 page short story available for free from the author’s website and serving as an amuse-bouche for the next book in the Jack West Jr series, which is due out in October this year. There’s only any point reading this if you know the series, as it’s about events interspersed between the main books.
The story begins in 2006 with Jack & 9 year old Lily visiting his oddball neighbour Wally, amateur astronomer and conspiracy theorist. Ten years on, Wally’s in trouble after witnessing Chinese soldiers retrieving a mysterious object , and only Jack can save him!
I adore this series but don’t tend to remember the plots, and they’re only published once every couple of years, so the footnotes were helpful. It takes us up to the beginning of Four Legendary Kingdoms and introduces a new plot thread to be developed in book 6.
The story begins in 2006 with Jack & 9 year old Lily visiting his oddball neighbour Wally, amateur astronomer and conspiracy theorist. Ten years on, Wally’s in trouble after witnessing Chinese soldiers retrieving a mysterious object , and only Jack can save him!
I adore this series but don’t tend to remember the plots, and they’re only published once every couple of years, so the footnotes were helpful. It takes us up to the beginning of Four Legendary Kingdoms and introduces a new plot thread to be developed in book 6.
July 20, 2020
Hard to believe, but 'Secret Chinese Moon Mission' is not the most ridiculous part of the plot.
October 16, 2021
Jack West Jr. and the Chinese Splashdown is a short story from the Jack West Jr. series written by Matthew Reilly, which tells the story of Jonathan "Jack" James West Jr. and his old neighbor, Wally Ferguson, a retired astronomer, intercepted a heavily encrypted Chinese signal being transmitted from the moon, which the Chinese wants to retrieve at any cost. This short story takes place prior to The Four Legendary Kingdoms, but should be read after it as there is a scene that takes place during the Hydra Games.
After the death of his wife, Wally Ferguson had a nervous breakdown, retired, and moved to Simpson's Crossing and become neighbors to one Jonathan "Jack" James West Jr., who with his daughter, Lilly, visits sparingly. Two such of the many occasions mentioned are right after the Capstone mission in 2006 (The Seven Ancient/Deadly Wonders) and a year later shortly after his move.
Ferguson spends his time looking for zombie satellites – the abandoned satellites which still orbit above Earth's atmosphere. Years later in 2016, Wally has been kidnapped by Chinese Special Forces from his home and taken to the Fiery Cross Reef military base in the South China Sea, after having intercepted an encrypted transmission of theirs from the moon.
Though Ferguson promises not to say anything if they let him go, the lead kidnapper orders him to be quiet and that the Sky King is coming to interrogate Ferguson, which the Australian doesn't understand. Luckily, help swoops in as the gull wing-equipped West takes out the kidnappers holding him, which begins the adventure between West, Ferguson, and a secret society within China that has the ability to covertly send a rover to the moon and back.
Jack West Jr. and the Chinese Splashdown is written rather well. It tells a side adventure that West had prior to being kidnapped in The Four Legendary Kingdoms, which pertains to his relationship to his old neighbor Wally Ferguson, who has inadvertently intercepted a highly encrypted Chinese transmission from the moon. While short, the narrative is gives a slight glimpse of what West may have been up to during the eight years between The Five Greatest Warriors and The Four Legendary Kingdoms.
All in all, Jack West Jr. and the Chinese Splashdown is a wonderfully written short story about a side quest that happened during the eight year gap between books. While not necessarily needed to read for the core series, it is a worthy addition to the Jack West Jr. universe – enriching it just a tad more.
After the death of his wife, Wally Ferguson had a nervous breakdown, retired, and moved to Simpson's Crossing and become neighbors to one Jonathan "Jack" James West Jr., who with his daughter, Lilly, visits sparingly. Two such of the many occasions mentioned are right after the Capstone mission in 2006 (The Seven Ancient/Deadly Wonders) and a year later shortly after his move.
Ferguson spends his time looking for zombie satellites – the abandoned satellites which still orbit above Earth's atmosphere. Years later in 2016, Wally has been kidnapped by Chinese Special Forces from his home and taken to the Fiery Cross Reef military base in the South China Sea, after having intercepted an encrypted transmission of theirs from the moon.
Though Ferguson promises not to say anything if they let him go, the lead kidnapper orders him to be quiet and that the Sky King is coming to interrogate Ferguson, which the Australian doesn't understand. Luckily, help swoops in as the gull wing-equipped West takes out the kidnappers holding him, which begins the adventure between West, Ferguson, and a secret society within China that has the ability to covertly send a rover to the moon and back.
Jack West Jr. and the Chinese Splashdown is written rather well. It tells a side adventure that West had prior to being kidnapped in The Four Legendary Kingdoms, which pertains to his relationship to his old neighbor Wally Ferguson, who has inadvertently intercepted a highly encrypted Chinese transmission from the moon. While short, the narrative is gives a slight glimpse of what West may have been up to during the eight years between The Five Greatest Warriors and The Four Legendary Kingdoms.
All in all, Jack West Jr. and the Chinese Splashdown is a wonderfully written short story about a side quest that happened during the eight year gap between books. While not necessarily needed to read for the core series, it is a worthy addition to the Jack West Jr. universe – enriching it just a tad more.
January 13, 2022
13/01/2022
3 ⭐️
Was this necessary? No. Was this still fun? Yes.
I honestly just think Jack West Jr needs a nap and for people to stop kidnapping the poor guy.
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3 ⭐️
Was this necessary? No. Was this still fun? Yes.
I honestly just think Jack West Jr needs a nap and for people to stop kidnapping the poor guy.
Blog | Letterboxd | Instagram | Tumblr | Twitter | StoryGraph
September 25, 2023
A nice quick novella in the Jack West series which leads into the two lost mountains. Are we going to the moon next?
June 5, 2020
Another great short story to keep the World entertained in lockdown. Also a teaser for the upcoming book later this year. A good, speedy yarn and one that will add to what will surely be another masterpiece later this year.
June 6, 2020
Love that this short story is set just before The Four Legendary Kingdoms (my fave) and provides some context for how Jack gets there. Also giving us some clues for the next book, which is exciting!!!
June 7, 2020
Cant wait for his new book
February 5, 2023
Bonkers
June 29, 2020
Oh my oh my!!! Now hurry up October so I can get my hands on The Two Lost Mountains!! This may be short (40 pages) but jam packed with action. I do hope Wally makes an appearence in the new one. He was great.
March 10, 2026
It was a fine interlude, just too short to feel like it was anything close to a story. There were no risks for our hero, and we see Riley’s MO of escaping any situation (a conveniently available ejection seat).
February 13, 2021
Not as much fast packed action as in the real books. But I still enjoyed this short story very much.
October 19, 2021
A quick short story following a neighbour of Jack’s who lives in the Simpson desert and uses radio telescopes to track zombie satellites.. Jack and Lily visit sometimes… Lily is nine. Jack suddenly moves away and Wally doesn’t know where he went…
Then his telescopes pick up transmissions from the moon!
And within a day he is kidnapped by Chinese soldiers then rescued by Jack and taken to a super secret underground surveillance station…
They watch as the Chinese lander comes to land in the Indian ocean and then an aero sub brings in commandos who kill the Chinese crew and sell the lander..
Jack (in true mission impossible style, flys gull wings to intersect with the aero sub, incapacitate the crew open the plane take the lander then set auto landing…
Back the hidden facility they watch the footage… then Jack takes Wally home with instructions to move out .. he goes to meet the general who has the footage only to be gassed and kidnapped to be entered into the Great Game..
Then his telescopes pick up transmissions from the moon!
And within a day he is kidnapped by Chinese soldiers then rescued by Jack and taken to a super secret underground surveillance station…
They watch as the Chinese lander comes to land in the Indian ocean and then an aero sub brings in commandos who kill the Chinese crew and sell the lander..
Jack (in true mission impossible style, flys gull wings to intersect with the aero sub, incapacitate the crew open the plane take the lander then set auto landing…
Back the hidden facility they watch the footage… then Jack takes Wally home with instructions to move out .. he goes to meet the general who has the footage only to be gassed and kidnapped to be entered into the Great Game..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2020
Once again, wonderful that Reilly has blessed his peeps with another free novella. This one is a teaser for the October release The Two Lost Mountains and so useful for all Jack West fans to download this freebie.
West is up to his usual daredevil stunts to rescue an old neighbour and in so doing stumbled across something mysterious that presently resides on of all places, the moon.
But we have to wait for the long form release later in the year to discover what this mystery involves.
A very quick read, takes 20 minutes or so.
West is up to his usual daredevil stunts to rescue an old neighbour and in so doing stumbled across something mysterious that presently resides on of all places, the moon.
But we have to wait for the long form release later in the year to discover what this mystery involves.
A very quick read, takes 20 minutes or so.
June 30, 2020
Haha... well played, Mr Reilly. Well played.
Not really a short story even, but more like the opening paragraph to Four Legendary Kingdoms. More or less bridging the gap between Five... and Four... Sort of. Not enough to entertain, per se, but enough to let you remember back to when you read Three Secret Cities at Christmas 2018 and to make you want to go out and buy Two Lost Mountains... but it hasn't been published yet! Aggravating. (Bring on October!)
As I said at the start, well played Mr Reilly.
Not really a short story even, but more like the opening paragraph to Four Legendary Kingdoms. More or less bridging the gap between Five... and Four... Sort of. Not enough to entertain, per se, but enough to let you remember back to when you read Three Secret Cities at Christmas 2018 and to make you want to go out and buy Two Lost Mountains... but it hasn't been published yet! Aggravating. (Bring on October!)
As I said at the start, well played Mr Reilly.
December 22, 2020
Quick entertaining read
I absolutely love the Jack West series and have read the entire series out so far a number of times. They are full of action, fast paced and pull the reader in to take them along for the ride of their life. They are extremely hard to put down until finished and there have been many a 3 or 4am finish. Matthew Reilly is up there amongst my top 10 authors and I would definitely recommend reading this series and all his other books if you love action and doing good for the human race.
I absolutely love the Jack West series and have read the entire series out so far a number of times. They are full of action, fast paced and pull the reader in to take them along for the ride of their life. They are extremely hard to put down until finished and there have been many a 3 or 4am finish. Matthew Reilly is up there amongst my top 10 authors and I would definitely recommend reading this series and all his other books if you love action and doing good for the human race.
June 17, 2021
I love the short stories that Matthew Reilly pens, especially those that have to deal with Jack West, Jr. I wish I had known that this short story existed before I read his most recent JWJ novel, The Two Lost Mountains, as it would have provided a helpful image of the mysterious object on the moon, but both stories were entertaining nonetheless. I can’t wait for the next (and final) Jack West, Jr. novel.
April 6, 2023
Retired Australian astronomer, Wally Ferguson, intercepted a Chinese signal being sent from the moon, and although it was heavily encrypted, the Chinese are aware of Wally’s discovery, and they want his recordings back. Needless to say, this puts him in grave danger, and that’s where his old friend and ex neighbour Jack West comes to his rescue. Not one of my favourites but a fun read nevertheless.
October 30, 2021
Lot of other reviews nailed this one on the head- as a stand alone story I wish it was way more involved. Author could have written a full book just on this that would have been a great addition to the series. But understand this wasn’t the author’s intent. So as a teaser in between novels I really liked it. I’ve really enjoyed this series so I always want more written.
June 6, 2020
A quick teaser for the next book covering events a few days before The Great Games. I liked the one about the helmet a lot more but it was still a nice read to get excited for The Two Lost Mountains.
July 3, 2020
Good short story
I gave it a 5
Was a really good read
Jack West living in Australia comes across a Chinese satellite
Landing in the Indian ocean
A rouge team take the satellite
It is a good short story
I gave it a 5
Was a really good read
Jack West living in Australia comes across a Chinese satellite
Landing in the Indian ocean
A rouge team take the satellite
It is a good short story
October 24, 2020
Great sneak peak to join the dots
Great sneak peak to help refresh yourself on Jack’s adventures before the latest installment! Highly recommended and am left with a need to get into the next Jack West adventure!!! Like now!
Great sneak peak to help refresh yourself on Jack’s adventures before the latest installment! Highly recommended and am left with a need to get into the next Jack West adventure!!! Like now!
October 30, 2020
In a nutshell : a back to back heist with all the disbelief suspended, just to introduce a new mysterious object for the next novel.
Too many things happened in too few pages, basically did not particularly enjoy the ride. But can't wait for the two mountains to be explored!
Too many things happened in too few pages, basically did not particularly enjoy the ride. But can't wait for the two mountains to be explored!
November 5, 2020
This is a small teaser book that sets the scene for the next full Jack West Jr book which has just been released. It’s a fun read and whets my appetite for the main book.
This is free on Amazon if you’re keen to get one for yourself.
This is free on Amazon if you’re keen to get one for yourself.
December 9, 2020
Nice little teaser before The Two Lost Mountains (Jack West #6) and it gets me pumped for the next book.
Jacks neighbour intercept a transmission from China and the moon and it’s up to Jack to decipher it and to keep his neighbour safe.
Jacks neighbour intercept a transmission from China and the moon and it’s up to Jack to decipher it and to keep his neighbour safe.
December 10, 2020
Awesome as always
Always love Matt's short stories in between the big ones. He always puts just as much effort into them and they never fail to draw you in and keep the pages turning. Highly recommend!!!
Always love Matt's short stories in between the big ones. He always puts just as much effort into them and they never fail to draw you in and keep the pages turning. Highly recommend!!!
January 21, 2021
I saved this until just before I started Two Lost Mountains and it just got me all revved and excited for that book. Not sure how essential it will be yet but it does explain some of the bits in previous books - worth reading after Three Cities.
May 29, 2021
Matthew Reilly has done a great entwining this story in among two other novels, and produced a great story.
The story itself is quick and easy to read, and has been a great break from the typical books that i typically read. The name of the story is a big enough spoiler alert, so i won't bother with the details, but it does tie two books together very neatly.
The story itself is quick and easy to read, and has been a great break from the typical books that i typically read. The name of the story is a big enough spoiler alert, so i won't bother with the details, but it does tie two books together very neatly.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews