Hiding out off the grid on a trout stream in the middle of rural New England, the last thing Mike Gannon is looking for is any more trouble. But then he bumps into an old girlfriend who is an investigator up from New York City looking into the mysterious death of a student at a nearby prestigious college. And soon, what Mike wants and what he’s about to get become two very different things.
First a whistleblower comes forward with evidence of a deadly scandal.
Then shortly after arrives a group of dangerous men who will do anything to keep secrets buried.
Then the lights go out.
No Safe Place is Mike Gannon’s most nail-biting, most hair-raising, most suspenseful and satisfying and thrilling adventure yet.
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.
I discovered this series through Ledwidge’s work on the 11 books he wrote for the Michael Bennett series. This series is an action-packed, fast-paced crime thriller that usually has me on the edge of my seat and often staying up way past my bedtime on a work night, chanting “just one more chapter”, kind of like his Michael Bennett books. Mike Gannon, former Navy SEAL and NYPD cop, is once again (this has been going on for the entire series) just trying to enjoy his retirement when trouble finds him and chaos and mayhem always ensues.
The book summary for this installment just basically lays out the start of the story. The old girlfriend, Colleen, actually turns out to be a teenage crush and unrequited love of Mike’s because back then Collen was “way out of his league”. So, of course, he accepts a dinner invitation from her after running into her in a remote CT town where he is on a fishing holiday. Colleen is in town investigating a murder of a female student, Olivia, from the local and prestigious college. Shortly thereafter, the wife, Jodi, of the college president, Martin Cushing, blows the whistle (she has a video) on her husband and his friend, Frank Stone, a gazillionaire Wall St bigwig thug, being involved in Olivia’s death.
Most of the story flips back and forth between Mike and Shaw, who is Frank Stone’s personal hitman; there are a few chapters from Cushing. Early in the story, Mike, Colleen and Jodi are holed up in a local restaurant, The Forge, along with a ragtag band of customers, a waitress and the restaurant owner, who all realize that they have to work together in order to survive the night.
Most of the story revolves around Mike and the rest of the gang not getting killed and/or captured by Shaw and the rest of the Cushing’s/Stone’s henchmen and lackeys, that is comprised of the local corrupt police department and the college security team. Unfortunately, the bad guys had no idea who they were dealing with when they decided to go up against Mike. Mike may be retired, but he’s most certainly not your typical retiree and proves that underestimating him is at your own risk. LOVED THE ENDING!!! Way to go Mike!!! Mike is a badass!!!
This was another one of Ledwidge’s action-packed, fast-paced stories, which are my fave kind of stories. The character development for Mike is already pretty well done, however, the character development for some of the MC’s was a little thin. The storyline was interesting and kept me engrossed to the end. I do want to mention one thing that I see so much more from male crime thriller authors than female crime thriller authors and that is an obsession with the brand name of guns, ammo, cars, boats, etc. I’m thinking it’s got to be just a guy thing that a lot of male fans/readers enjoy reading. I find is boring and unnecessary. Anyway, other than that, the writing was a perfect example of what Ledwidge does best. I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.3 that I will be rounding down to a 4star rating. I want to thank NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Sadly I more or less finished the book by reading the last few chapters after making it to part III first. Two stars because I think it's not totally bad, it's just not for me.
There is a good plot en I liked the ending. There are some interesting characters too. Unfortunately, the writing style was grating on my nerves pretty soon. At first I thought this must be a debut, but no, this is already part 4 in a series. It reads as if someone came up with a good idea and then forgot to have the manuscript edited.
In one of the first chapters there is talk about a literature professor who always, when confronted with new poems or stories by his students, said 'needs work'.
Well, this needs work to. Please go on with describing the wonderful nature, because this was pretty good. But please stop with describing every car that is being driven by every person in the book. Stop with describing every cup of coffee from Starbucks they drink. Stop with describing guns, houses, family members of characters that do not play a role in the book except as sort of shallow background information. Why are the good guys carrying burner phones anyway? And use it to call family members and then start talking about some expensive present they recently bought them? As if they could forget.
Phew. Sometimes it read like a catalogue what with all the fancy cars, the expensive shoes, even the art on the walls of an office is described in detail. Oh and lets not forget, the music some people are listening to - either 'great stars' (if you like women who prance the stage in minimalist swimsuits) or 'beautiful opera' (Puccini of course).
I'm going to calm my nerves now and start another book.
Thanks to Hanover Square and Edelweiss for this review copy.
Mike Gannon is just trying to enjoy his fishing trip when he runs into an old friend from childhood. She just happens to be the sister of his best friend, who he had a crush on growing up. She tells him that she is in town investigating a murder at the local college. They begin digging into the murder and realize that the corruption at the school is deeper than they thought. This was a page turner, and I really enjoyed it.
This was fast paced and full of suspense. However, it lagged in the middle and I found myself rolling my eyes at some of the characters antics. This tale of corruption was fun to read but it didn’t flow very well and left me feeling unsettled at the end. Ultimately, it was not for me but made for an entertaining read.
(2 1/2). No brain cells wasted on this one. The action is real. Michael Gannon is a fun protagonist. A wonderfully psychotic bad guy. But the story is beyond over the top. Totally indefensible. Craziness that just does not fly. So the mostly good is mostly wiped out by incredible silliness of the bad. Hence, marking it down to two stars. A ridiculously easy read and mediocre stuff.
Michael Gannon is no stranger with regard to trouble. Ex-Marine and ex-NYPD, he is highly trained and executes whatever skills necessary to essentially stay alive. Your average everyday guy doesn’t need this kind of training but Michael certainly does, even more it seems now that he is retired.
As a lover of the Michael Bennett series co-authored with James Patterson, it has been a real joy to see a different type of protagonist. This time around Michael is helping out an old friend named Colleen he had really liked to have dated, but never felt he was good enough for her. Colleen is in town trying to discover why a young student was murdered.
Things are really heated in this latest entry in the Michael Gannon series as the story delv es into some deep subjects. There is murder, whistle blowing and a high level of corruption. Danger is close on the heels of Mike and Colleen, as well as the wife who was the whistleblower. Then there are others who are there as well, and all of their lives are in jeopardy. With Mike’s exceptional offensive and defensive skills, the bad guys just might be getting more than they bargained for.
Not only is this my favorite of the four books in the series so far, I can see this produced as an action movie or a series television show. Mike is a tough guy, but easy to love, especially as justice is the name of his game.
Many thanks to Hanover Square Press and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
This book starts out leisurely. You get a little hint of a crime, meet some characters, talk about fishing, meet more characters, do some fishing, meet some more characters, and then…WHAM, BAM, THANK YOU, MA’AM!
Suddenly, things go boom, bullets fly, people die! And the rest of the book is non-stop, munch your popcorn action, heartbreak, and an attack of pure evil.
By the end, you’ll need to catch your breath.
And what a glorious surprise it was.
While I do wish the pacing in the first part of the book was a bit faster, I definitely want the next book now!
The beginning of the story had me intrigued . Sadly a mysterious death at a college. It seemed to go at a steady pace and then I felt like page after page I was in an outright battle along with the ones in the story. A war zone. Felt as if the author strayed from the beginning of the story of finding out about the college student. Seemed like military overkill. Finally after all of the war pages, FBI, Homeland Security .... they found the girl alive. At first it was like a Nancy Drew story then It felt like I was listening to an Indiana Jones/Call Of Duty/Tomb Raider book being read. Than at the end a Nancy Drew story. Didn't really like it. Sorry.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
Michael Ledwidge’s “No Safe Place” is the fourth book in the Michael Gannon series, and it delivers a relentless, high-stakes thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Set against the picturesque yet perilous backdrop of rural New England, this novel plunges protagonist Mike Gannon into a deadly game of cat and mouse that tests his skills and resolve to the limit.
The story begins with Gannon, a former Navy SEAL, seeking solace and anonymity off the grid. His peaceful retreat is shattered when he encounters an old flame investigating a mysterious death. This chance meeting thrusts Gannon into a web of secrets and deception, where he must navigate a treacherous landscape filled with ruthless adversaries and hidden dangers.
Ledwidge’s writing is crisp and fast-paced, perfectly capturing the urgency and intensity of Gannon’s predicament. The action sequences are meticulously crafted, providing a visceral experience that immerses readers in the heart-pounding drama. Gannon is a compelling protagonist—resourceful, determined, and haunted by his past. His personal stakes add a layer of emotional depth to the narrative, making his journey all the more gripping.
Ledwidge masterfully weaves together multiple threads, creating a complex web of intrigue and danger. The twists and turns keep readers guessing, and the revelations are both shocking and satisfying. The novel also delves into themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the lengths one will go to protect those they love.
“No Safe Place” is a thrilling addition to the Michael Gannon series. Michael Ledwidge has crafted a story that is exhilarating and emotionally resonant, with a protagonist who is as relentless as he is relatable. This book is a must-read for fans of action-packed thrillers and anyone looking for a gripping, edge-of-your-seat experience.
Thank you for the opportunity to preview No Safe Place. This is one action packed.novel. Took me by surprise and I finished it in one day. Mike a retired police detective among other things is in Connecticut fly fishing. He’s a self made man and he unexpectedly meets up with a school crush and they decide to have dinner. This woman is Coleen and she’s here in Connecticut investigating the disappearance of a young woman. Coleen has been getting stonewalled by all forces especially from the center of the investigation. A college somewhat like an Ivy League with a lot of money! Old money. Rich people own this college and the young woman was last seen there the night she disappeared. But while Colleen is preparing for her date a visitor comes to her with information that will blow her investigation apart. But there are no secrets in this small college town and there are some who will do anything to keep the lid on keeping things quiet. This college is powerful and they can employ forces to expunge and destroy those in their way. But Mike has a few tricks of his own and soon he will have to join forces with Colleen to fight for what’s right or die trying. For me 5 stars. I luved this book. I didn’t know it was a series and i will definitely start to read them. Recommend!!!
No Safe Place is a fascinating novel about the lengths people go to in order to cover up misdeeds. The action (and there is plenty of it) takes place in a small town in Connecticut in and around a so-called exclusive college. This reader found it interesting that Yale University (without actually being named) is referred to as a nearby minor Ivy League college. Without divulging the plot, the novel is replete with well defined characters and has many necessary story coincidences that further the plot. It was hard for me to stop reading and finished the book in one seating. I also feel that this would make an excellent movie. I thank NetGalley and Hanover Square Press for the opportunity to read and review this novel prior to publication and will wholeheartedly recommend this book to friends.
NO SAFE PLACE ON SALE AUGUST 20/24 BY MICHAEL LEDWIDGE
It starts out with an innocent university student thinking she could get a photo of whatever is happening at the University President’s house, but ends up with a whole town being held hostage…
Michael Gannon, former cop and Navy Seal just wanted to fish. Imagine his surprise when he runs into his childhood crush, Colleen in the same town. She is in this sleepy university town investigating the death of a student a year prior. When a whistleblower meets with Colleen the only thing to do is to involve the only person she would trust with her life, Mike.
As things escalate, a group of mercenaries arrive and they only want one thing, to prevent the scandal from getting out.
From the #1 New York Times bestselling co-author of James Patterson’s Michael Bennett series, comes an explosive thriller.
Fishing, Mike Gannon's passion has brought him to one of the "best" trout streams in New England. Toward the end of his trip, he runs into a childhood friend, sister to his best friend and childhood crush. Colleen tells him she works as an investigator for a law firm and is looking into the OD death of a college student -seems her father is unconvinced she overdosed.
Colleen runs into trouble and asks Mike for help-thus begins their flight from the local cops, college security and the "FBI" but really it's all a ploy to keep the truth from coming out. Little did she know he is a one man wrecking machine.
They survive a full day of being hunted and get to the truth. The storyline is ok, a bit slow to start but it seems inconceivable that he can fight all the threats alone (he's not Reacher!).
Hiding out off the grid on a trout stream in the middle of rural New England, the last thing Mike Gannon is looking for is more trouble in No Safe Place by Michael Ledwidge. Gannon bumps into an old girlfriend who is an investigator up from New York City looking into the mysterious death of a student at a nearby prestigious college.
First, a whistleblower comes forward with evidence of a deadly scandal. Then, shortly after, a group of dangerous men arrive who will do anything to keep secrets buried.
I really liked Olivia; she was a good character and relatable. However, there was so much going on in this book that sometimes it was hard to follow and keep the characters straight.
You'll have to suspend belief to fully enjoy this fast paced thriller that sees Michael Gannon, his old friend Colleen, and several others under full scale attack in a small college town because of Colleen's imvestigation of the death of a student. Oh and Gannon also has serious weaponry at his disposal, even though he was actually on a fly fishing trip. It's told from his perspective but there's also insight from the villain and the college President (those last two are just heinous). Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. I've been a fan of this series but this latest goes over the top (I mean just so much firepower). That's not to say, btw, that it's not a page turner and that I didn't enjoy it- I did.
My favorite James Patterson series is the Michael Bennett series, so it's no surprise that I'm a Michael Ledwidge fan. This is Book #4 in the Michael Gannon series. Each book is an excellent thriller with enough background information to be enjoyed but Gannon's character and his supporting cast have developed over the course of the series, making each book a little better for having read them all.
Gannon is just trying to go fishing when he is pulled into the investigation of a young woman's death on a college campus. When a video of the girl's murder is released, the race to catch the killers before they can disapppear becomes hazardous.
This was a fast read for me, but I knew I'd not stop until the end, that's how good Ledwidge's books are.
Ex-SEAL, ex-cop Mike Gannon is enjoying a fishing trip in Connecticut when he meets with a lady he had a crush on years ago.. She’s investigating a disappearance and finds she’s being stonewalled at every turn in the small New England college town.. Her questions create unrest with the wrong people, including the college president, his wife, the college’s Director of Security, and the police chief. All ‘heck’ breaks out. Mercenaries are brought in to eliminate various threats. Gannon turns the table on them and non-stop action ensues. I recall an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and voluntarily provided an honest review.
In "No Safe Place," Michael Ledwidge writes a compelling thriller set against the picturesque backdrop of rural New England. Mike Gannon's peaceful retreat is shattered when he stumbles upon an old flame investigating a mysterious death, thrusting him into a perilous game of secrets and deception. Ledwidge injects plenty of twists and turns to keep readers hooked. The brisk pacing and relentless action ensure an exhilarating read from start to finish.Overall, "No Safe Place" is a satisfying thriller that delivers on its promises of suspense and excitement. I would like to thank #NetGalley and Hanover Square Press for the advanced reader copy of the book for my honest review.
Thrilling story that keeps you riveted, so easily, from page one. Mike Gannon is a retired cop enjoying his fishing days when an old friend, now a NYC investigator drags him into her chilling case. She is working at the bequest of a father whose college daughter died from a drug overdose. Only he doesn't believe drugs were really involved and the investigator gets shut down at every inquiry for records and copies of reports at the college she was attending. She turns to Mike when things get dicey and a whistleblower comes forth with damming evidence of what really happened. The roller coaster thrills begin and the ride never slows down. Another terrific Ledwidge read. Next.
As a voracious reader, I have been concerned at my own lack of enthusiasm recently over the last few books that I’ve begun; however, in this fourth edition of the Michael Gannon series, I found the novel impossible to put down from beginning to end. As with the other books in the series, the story was an action packed thriller, which included fascinating characters and a believable plot. In this regard, I loved one of the main themes of the book…which involved the well-armed villains completely miscalculating Gannon, who they initially wrote off as simply a “retired cop,” All in all, highly recommended!
Mike Gannon is an ex-cop, ex Navy SEAL, who wants to spend his retirement fishing. When an old friend turns up investigating a cold case, things hit the fan quickly. Colleen enlists Mike's help to uncover some deep, dark secrets.
Overall, this was a good read. The beginning was a bit slow, but once the action started, it was nonstop. The story line is more like an action movie, really relies on suspension of disbelief. Thrilling yes, mystery kinda?
Thank you netgalley for the free copy for an honest review.
The only redeeming quality of this book is that it seemed based on my hometown (minus the college), a sleepy Connecticut village with an old factory and canoe rental shop along the Farmington River. If it hadn't been for that, it would have been a DNF for me, but I kept hoping it would get better. Overall, it just wasn't for me. I didn't like the main character's narration (first person, he was pretty snarky at times and it just got under my skin) or the far-fetched nature of the story (who goes on a peaceful fishing trip and just happens to have explosives in their truck?).
I enjoyed this book: a fun cat-&-mouse game between a merciless hitman and a retired Seal-turned-sports fisherman. Lots of shooting, dirty tricks, stuff blowing up, corrupt officials. No deep political or societal themes. Just straight good versus evil. Put me in mind of the book version of the Christmas classic, Diehard. Don’t read if you are looking to learn a deeper meaning of life. But if you like reading a book about good guys trading punches and kicking butt, this novel is for you.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #HarlequinTradePublishing for the book #NoSafePlace by #MichaelLedwidge. Mike Gannon is a retired NYPD and Navy Seal and he is on a nice fishing vacation. That is until Colleen, an old girlfriend runs into him and needs his help with a murder at a college a year ago. But what they uncover is very deadly and the men behind it will do anything to keep it covered. Will they make it out? Loved this book and can’t wait for the next one!
Thank you to Net Galley for this digital ARC! This book starts off slow but picks up quickly, holds your attention and doesn’t let go. Mike, a retired cop is on a fishing trip in Connecticut when he meets up with an old school crush who is in Connecticut working on a case. If you like mysteries, action, and suspense, this book is for you.
Don’t mess with Mike. When a fishing trip turns into a fight for his life Mike goes into action. His adversaries are formidable but don’t count him out. The action in this book is non stop. I couldn’t figure out how they were going to survive. This is a good thriller that will keep you engaged. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.
This my first read of a book by Michael Ledwidge. It was slow in the beginning and once you got past the introduction to the characters, the story became riveting. I was captivated by the action and the plot had many surprises. I missed giving it the 5th star as at times it seemed to ramble on with too much description of the settings. I will read more od his books in the future.
Outstanding; Continuing character: Michael Gannon; away on a fishing trip Gannon stumbles into an old crush, and ends up helping her when she is threatened by mercenaries and others trying to keep her from looking further into the death of a girl on a college campus