This book defines the thriller genre! In Hard Target, book 8 in the Jon Reznick series, Reznick sets out to warn a whistleblower, who’s preparing to testify before congress, that she is targeted for assassination by a private security firm hired by the government. He empathizes with the women’s desire to do the right thing and, as a result, does what he can to defend her. Of course, that defense involves taking out a few assassins and blowing up the plane that the head of the security company is piloting. Luckily for Reznick, he is protected by the assistant director of the FBI who happens to be a close friend.

I love action thrillers like Hard Target and am dismayed that I hadn’t come across this series sooner. Book 8 was the first in the series that I read. What I can say with certainty is that this book stands alone and can be read without any foreknowledge of the characters.

Hard Target’s action made it impossible to put down. Neglecting more important responsibilities, I finished the book in one sitting. ( )