What do you think?
Rate this book
Jack Foster Space Opera #5
You Don't Know Jack
You Don’t Know Jack is book five in the Jack Foster Space Opera series – another rocketing read. Of course, it will be riveting. Jack Foster is missing.
A distant planet roasts in the sun.
Not all its properties are known to the Omega Corporation.
One of the slaves – human – is about to recover his memory. So will his companions.
Time could be his weapon of choice to use to escape from the slavers.
Meanwhile, Jenny Layton, Jack’s partner, is waging a defensive war against trespassers on Jack’s Planet. Jenny’s also assisting smaller systems and planets defend themselves against a corporate monolith that seemingly has more money than sense.
Corporate mercenaries continue to arrive.
In the meantime, Robert Van de Huis meets more opposition than perhaps he can handle.
Jenny prepares her presentation to the GalFed’s top legal assembly, a task which emphasizes Jack’s absence. All Jenny wants is his presence, or simply knowledge he is alive.
Jack finds timing is everything as he plans his escape from the slavers’ planet. Almost needless to say, he also is planning revenge on the slavers. His tasks successful, Jack turns his attention to rejoining Jenny.
Scars, deaths, and destruction follow both Jenny and Jack.
There’s a happy ending, though.
After John's death in May Craig Martelle finished the story.
A distant planet roasts in the sun.
Not all its properties are known to the Omega Corporation.
One of the slaves – human – is about to recover his memory. So will his companions.
Time could be his weapon of choice to use to escape from the slavers.
Meanwhile, Jenny Layton, Jack’s partner, is waging a defensive war against trespassers on Jack’s Planet. Jenny’s also assisting smaller systems and planets defend themselves against a corporate monolith that seemingly has more money than sense.
Corporate mercenaries continue to arrive.
In the meantime, Robert Van de Huis meets more opposition than perhaps he can handle.
Jenny prepares her presentation to the GalFed’s top legal assembly, a task which emphasizes Jack’s absence. All Jenny wants is his presence, or simply knowledge he is alive.
Jack finds timing is everything as he plans his escape from the slavers’ planet. Almost needless to say, he also is planning revenge on the slavers. His tasks successful, Jack turns his attention to rejoining Jenny.
Scars, deaths, and destruction follow both Jenny and Jack.
There’s a happy ending, though.
After John's death in May Craig Martelle finished the story.
- GenresScience Fiction
323 pages, Paperback
First published September 30, 2022
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
October 1, 2022
I didn’t like the ending of the previous book, I was already questioning whether these authors knew what they were doing, but this might have been the final straw. It was only because the book was available on Kindle Unlimited I decided to give them another try.
I can only presume the authors weren’t sure where to go next as they approached the end of book four, when one of them said they had another story they were going to throw away. This was about a soldier trapped on a slave mining planet and he suggested making Jack that soldier and to get him there, they could just stage an unexplainable and improbable kidnapping.
Unfortunately the book then went from bad to worse, with a few weird things thrown in, such as time-travelling dust and a lost non-FTL spaceship filled with Phoenician speaking aliens. It’s what you might expect in a teenagers ‘Comic Book’.
I was willing to give a generous two stars, but then they finish with a cliffhanger.
I can only presume the authors weren’t sure where to go next as they approached the end of book four, when one of them said they had another story they were going to throw away. This was about a soldier trapped on a slave mining planet and he suggested making Jack that soldier and to get him there, they could just stage an unexplainable and improbable kidnapping.
Unfortunately the book then went from bad to worse, with a few weird things thrown in, such as time-travelling dust and a lost non-FTL spaceship filled with Phoenician speaking aliens. It’s what you might expect in a teenagers ‘Comic Book’.
I was willing to give a generous two stars, but then they finish with a cliffhanger.
October 9, 2022
You Don't Know Jack - a review by Rosemary Kenny.
Started by the late John Hindmarch and completed by his friend Craig Martelle as a tribute, the title might give one pause to anticipate another Jack Reacher epic by the Child dynasty, but not so.
Nevertheless, the adventures of the eponymous Jack in this case, Jack Foster, gives the reader a space epic of daring, courage under fire and the battle for control in a galaxy beyond our own.... don't miss it!
Recommended to fans of Craig Martelle, Amy DuBoff and Mike Kraus.
Started by the late John Hindmarch and completed by his friend Craig Martelle as a tribute, the title might give one pause to anticipate another Jack Reacher epic by the Child dynasty, but not so.
Nevertheless, the adventures of the eponymous Jack in this case, Jack Foster, gives the reader a space epic of daring, courage under fire and the battle for control in a galaxy beyond our own.... don't miss it!
Recommended to fans of Craig Martelle, Amy DuBoff and Mike Kraus.
October 7, 2022
Difficult to judge this book: I'm a great fan of John (RIP) and a fan of Craig, but….
Frankly, there are quite a few discordant parts of this book. It maintains some of the flavor and energy of the series, yet the yarn is not seamless: the continuity is broken in several areas in different (Small) ways, and some of the day scenarios are uncharacteristically abbreviated–either by the lead-in or by a sketchy description.
Craig has left this book ending with the achievement of closing down several evil entities; added another unusual lost race, and given us a hint that Jack Foster could be the most voluminous Space Opera series ever published. And I expect that the subsequent books will not suffer from the effort at matching John's 'artistic voice'–something that Craig noted was a huge challenge.
Frankly, there are quite a few discordant parts of this book. It maintains some of the flavor and energy of the series, yet the yarn is not seamless: the continuity is broken in several areas in different (Small) ways, and some of the day scenarios are uncharacteristically abbreviated–either by the lead-in or by a sketchy description.
Craig has left this book ending with the achievement of closing down several evil entities; added another unusual lost race, and given us a hint that Jack Foster could be the most voluminous Space Opera series ever published. And I expect that the subsequent books will not suffer from the effort at matching John's 'artistic voice'–something that Craig noted was a huge challenge.
July 22, 2023
Jack Foster continues to kick butt and take names
Awesome space opera! I knew that Omega Mining, Glory Corp and their minions wouldnt give up even after they were caught with their pants down around their ankles. Jack and his crew will have to expose all of their financial supporters and personally cart them off to the salt mines before they'll admit defeat. I still havent figured out what part the Phonecians will play in the final analysis, but I look forward to something interesting and unexpected.
Though I must confess that the first book, "Violent Graduation" was the best in the series, I continue to enjoy the further adventures of Jack Foster and look forward to the final installment.
Awesome space opera! I knew that Omega Mining, Glory Corp and their minions wouldnt give up even after they were caught with their pants down around their ankles. Jack and his crew will have to expose all of their financial supporters and personally cart them off to the salt mines before they'll admit defeat. I still havent figured out what part the Phonecians will play in the final analysis, but I look forward to something interesting and unexpected.
Though I must confess that the first book, "Violent Graduation" was the best in the series, I continue to enjoy the further adventures of Jack Foster and look forward to the final installment.
October 2, 2022
HERE COMES JACK
Our condolences to his wife Cathy and there son Daryl on the death in May of John, he and his imagination will be sorely missed especially with his brilliant writing career.
This story which has been concocted by Craig Martelle along with Cathy and Daryl carries on seamlessly the trials and tribulations of Jack and his crew right from when he was kidnapped at the end of book 4.
Considering that we will all have to wait until September next year to finish the series is going to be purgatory but common sense will hopefully prevail as long as the book is written!!!
Good luck to everyone.
Our condolences to his wife Cathy and there son Daryl on the death in May of John, he and his imagination will be sorely missed especially with his brilliant writing career.
This story which has been concocted by Craig Martelle along with Cathy and Daryl carries on seamlessly the trials and tribulations of Jack and his crew right from when he was kidnapped at the end of book 4.
Considering that we will all have to wait until September next year to finish the series is going to be purgatory but common sense will hopefully prevail as long as the book is written!!!
Good luck to everyone.
October 10, 2022
Invigorating and Frustrating
Well written, the storyline brings a long overdue resolution from book 4 and then launches the reader into a new series of challenges for Jack, Jenny, et al. Multiple story threads continue this series, some are resolved by the end of this installment but one newly opened thread leaves the reader hanging at the end of the book, waiting for answers. Not a preferred result, but the one we are provided.
Well written, the storyline brings a long overdue resolution from book 4 and then launches the reader into a new series of challenges for Jack, Jenny, et al. Multiple story threads continue this series, some are resolved by the end of this installment but one newly opened thread leaves the reader hanging at the end of the book, waiting for answers. Not a preferred result, but the one we are provided.
October 31, 2022
As fun as ever
Took a while to get into book 5, as book 4 seemed so long ago. Hopefully book 6 will carry a precis of the story so far
As to the story so far, it seems to be getting more complex by the minute, a new race of alien, a new group of released/escaped prisoners and GalFed seemingly siding with Omega mining
And if that wasn't exciting enough, they manage to make some inroads in to the Gallagher conspiracy
Book 6 has a lot to live up to
Took a while to get into book 5, as book 4 seemed so long ago. Hopefully book 6 will carry a precis of the story so far
As to the story so far, it seems to be getting more complex by the minute, a new race of alien, a new group of released/escaped prisoners and GalFed seemingly siding with Omega mining
And if that wasn't exciting enough, they manage to make some inroads in to the Gallagher conspiracy
Book 6 has a lot to live up to
October 13, 2022
Fantastic sci fi adventure
I was sad when I read that John Hindmarsh had died. He leaves a legacy of wonderful science fiction stories, and Craig Martelle did a great job writing this latest Jack Foster adventure, complete with cliffhanger ending. I have really enjoyed this series, especially the entertaining AIs.
I was sad when I read that John Hindmarsh had died. He leaves a legacy of wonderful science fiction stories, and Craig Martelle did a great job writing this latest Jack Foster adventure, complete with cliffhanger ending. I have really enjoyed this series, especially the entertaining AIs.
November 2, 2022
Surprisingly easy to follow
Surprisingly easy to pick up where the last book left off. The authors did not waste time trying to tie Jack's relationships from the previous books to his current situation allowing the reader to concentrate on the escape to the somewhat weak cliff hanger ending.
Surprisingly easy to pick up where the last book left off. The authors did not waste time trying to tie Jack's relationships from the previous books to his current situation allowing the reader to concentrate on the escape to the somewhat weak cliff hanger ending.
November 4, 2022
I just can't get enough of this series. The characters are so likeable and the action is non-stop - adding to this, the AIs are almost human like, some even showing a great sense of humour. Kudos to Craig Martelle who stepped in to finish the book that John Hindmarsh had started, but his life was cut short in May 2022.
December 3, 2022
The title says it all!
As we saw in the previous book, Jack was kidnapped and his large body of friends are concerned.
Jack being Jack, wastes no time in working on securing his freedom as only he can. Along the way Jack meets some potentially good people to befriend. Beware that the book ends with a deliberate cliffhanger.
As we saw in the previous book, Jack was kidnapped and his large body of friends are concerned.
Jack being Jack, wastes no time in working on securing his freedom as only he can. Along the way Jack meets some potentially good people to befriend. Beware that the book ends with a deliberate cliffhanger.
August 23, 2023
Fantastic Series
I loved this series and was sad to hear John passed away. Craig Martelle is such a classy guy. This is the second author that passed away that Craig stepped in to finish a series. Craig is one of my favorite authors has written many books. Peace and blessings to Johns family and Craig.
I loved this series and was sad to hear John passed away. Craig Martelle is such a classy guy. This is the second author that passed away that Craig stepped in to finish a series. Craig is one of my favorite authors has written many books. Peace and blessings to Johns family and Craig.
October 11, 2025
Stepping In is Hard!
Martelle did a good job of honoring Hindmarsh's legecy. Stepping in to complete another author's work after they have passed is a monumentally difficult task. Jack was more aristocratic but still his compassionate self. There were a few more hand wave solutions and other minor issues but I still woke up early on a Saturday morning to finish the book.
Martelle did a good job of honoring Hindmarsh's legecy. Stepping in to complete another author's work after they have passed is a monumentally difficult task. Jack was more aristocratic but still his compassionate self. There were a few more hand wave solutions and other minor issues but I still woke up early on a Saturday morning to finish the book.
October 1, 2022
Excellent space opera
Really an excellent sequence of books.Good solid charactera,good plots.Plenty of action for all sides.Have enjoyed immensely.Looking forward to the culmination in the last book.
Really an excellent sequence of books.Good solid charactera,good plots.Plenty of action for all sides.Have enjoyed immensely.Looking forward to the culmination in the last book.
October 1, 2022
too far fetched even for sci-fi
Action packed sci-fi “serial” similar to old tv shows that has gone too long. Author ran out of ideas and just started putting garbage on a page. Superman would be embarrassed.
Action packed sci-fi “serial” similar to old tv shows that has gone too long. Author ran out of ideas and just started putting garbage on a page. Superman would be embarrassed.
October 3, 2022
Great series..
Is your publisher on drugs? One more book in the series...but its just starting I'd be very disappointed if the next was the end...and cliffhangers now? Etc
Love the book, love the series so far... But 1 more book ..6 books is a series ...20 books is an opera
Is your publisher on drugs? One more book in the series...but its just starting I'd be very disappointed if the next was the end...and cliffhangers now? Etc
Love the book, love the series so far... But 1 more book ..6 books is a series ...20 books is an opera
October 14, 2022
Loving the series
I have enjoyed reading this series of books, seeing Jack and his team jump from one issue to the next. Jack, thinks he gets one problem sorted when the other shoe drops.
I have enjoyed reading this series of books, seeing Jack and his team jump from one issue to the next. Jack, thinks he gets one problem sorted when the other shoe drops.
October 31, 2022
Great Adventure
A great book full of fun and intrigue. The fast-paced storyline will keep you gasping for air. The characters are very real and easy to identify with. I really like this book and I highly recommend it.
A great book full of fun and intrigue. The fast-paced storyline will keep you gasping for air. The characters are very real and easy to identify with. I really like this book and I highly recommend it.
November 1, 2022
I am a big fan of Jack
I am good with a hero like Jack and his crew and clever story lines and plot twists. Keep the evil doers coming and let Jack’s team defend and keep Jack’s World safe.
I am good with a hero like Jack and his crew and clever story lines and plot twists. Keep the evil doers coming and let Jack’s team defend and keep Jack’s World safe.
November 30, 2022
I enjoyed it!
I really enjoyed reading book 5 and am really looking forward to book 6. Jack and Jens love story is a bit of a slow burn so I'm glad the Authors addressed it. I like the new characters.
I really enjoyed reading book 5 and am really looking forward to book 6. Jack and Jens love story is a bit of a slow burn so I'm glad the Authors addressed it. I like the new characters.
March 2, 2023
This entry in the series was actually written by Craig Martelle and I couldn't tell the difference from the books written by John Hindmarsh. That said, I've pretty much hit my limit on Flash Gordon stories and I'm not sure if I'll bother to read the final book in the series when it is published.
June 6, 2024
Very fantastic series
I'm amazed that this author can write so many fantastic novels, I hope that he never stops writing. His books are some of the best Entertainment I have read and worth the time to read them. Thank you for a very fun entertaining read.
I'm amazed that this author can write so many fantastic novels, I hope that he never stops writing. His books are some of the best Entertainment I have read and worth the time to read them. Thank you for a very fun entertaining read.
July 17, 2025
Lots of action
Lots of things going on in book #5. I love this series. I've read them all b4. They are just a good the second time around. If you want dinnertime to read that is entertaining, Jack Foster are the ones to grab.
Lots of things going on in book #5. I love this series. I've read them all b4. They are just a good the second time around. If you want dinnertime to read that is entertaining, Jack Foster are the ones to grab.
October 1, 2022
You did the man proud
You finished the book like the man himself, loved it from start to finish. Well done. Looking forward to book 6 next year.
You finished the book like the man himself, loved it from start to finish. Well done. Looking forward to book 6 next year.
October 1, 2022
Way to go!
What a great fun ride! Good balance of character development and adventure. Thank you for picking up where John left off, Craig!
What a great fun ride! Good balance of character development and adventure. Thank you for picking up where John left off, Craig!
October 2, 2022
Continuation of a great story line. Highly recommend!
October 2, 2022
Kidnapped
Craig Martelle did a masterful job filling in for Mr. Hindmarsh, gone but never forgotten. Jack Foster and crew are as feisty as ever. Thank you, Mr. Martelle.
Craig Martelle did a masterful job filling in for Mr. Hindmarsh, gone but never forgotten. Jack Foster and crew are as feisty as ever. Thank you, Mr. Martelle.
October 10, 2022
Not happy
Two cliff hangers in a row very not happy if this keeps up will move on too some thing else, and its such a good story
Two cliff hangers in a row very not happy if this keeps up will move on too some thing else, and its such a good story
October 20, 2022
Good Effort
I'm sorry that John has passed. I've throughly enjoyed the series. I look forward to the next installment. Best of luck to his family and friends.
I'm sorry that John has passed. I've throughly enjoyed the series. I look forward to the next installment. Best of luck to his family and friends.
October 29, 2022
Great
Thank you Craig for finishing this story for John. Great job, looking forward to the next story.
God bless you
Thank you Craig for finishing this story for John. Great job, looking forward to the next story.
God bless you
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews