This is the second book by J.D. Barker that I have read this week. I thought Coast to
Coast Murders was quite action-packed. A Caller’s Game is on the next level. The
marketing tagline that compared this to Die Hard was spot on.


I won’t say much about the plot because this is the kind of book best enjoyed without
much prior knowledge. I didn’t even read the blurb before turning the first page. All I can
say is that a talk show is in progress when someone calls in and starts a deadly game.
All the participants have to play. Refusing to do so has deadly consequences.


Jordan Briggs is the talk shows host and the main character caught up in this dark,
twisted game. As a professional, she is driven to the point of ruthlessness. Jordan is the
kind of character who is easy to dislike. However, the author gave her a complex
personality and my feelings about her kept changing. There are other key characters
who I enjoyed reading about. Jordan’s daughter Charlotte is my favorite. She made me
smile even when I was reading the most intense scenes.

This is a fast-paced, highly entertaining, suspenseful thriller that reads a lot like an
action movie. You might have to suspend your disbelief as you read it, I know I did. I
stopped asking questions and went with the flow and was rewarded for it. J.D. Barker is
such a masterful narrator.

Here is what I know:

1. Action stories are fine on the big screen, but I tune out the action waiting for the end result.
2. I don't like action in book form
3. This is an action book
4. I am absolutely loving it
5. I don't know myself at all 🤣

Have you ever gone into a book assuming you wouldn't enjoy it, but we're pleasantly surprised?

This is definitely that book for me. Take one female shock jock add a local terrorist unleashed in NYC add a sprinkling of a highly likable detective, and you have the making of a an addictive book.

In the Author's Note, J. D. Barker calls his books Literary Popcorn, and I couldn't have said it better. You just have to gobble it up.

I enjoyed this book so much, it was so entertaining, but to be honest, his note at the end was probably my favorite part. It's not often I read an author's note and feel moved and connected. He was honest and vulnerable as he spoke of his experience in March 2020, when he wrote the note just as Covid 19 was taking hold of the US.

I can't wait to read more of his work.

Thank you Independent Book Publishers Association and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was definitely a rollercoaster ride! A fascinating cat and mouse 'game' - the purpose of which was teased out over the first part of the book. I have to admit I may not have requested this book if I had read all the blurb as I am not a fan of Die Hard type films/books. This did not detract from this cleverly plotted, character-driven thriller.
My first book by this author - definitely not my last.
4 Solid stars!
Many thanks to Netgalley/J.D. Barker/Hampton Creek Press for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

Okay this is my first book by J.D. Barker and it won't be my last! I've seen people comparing this novel to "Die Hard," and I get it. It's non-stop action, fast paced from page ONE. It's not really my genre, my genre is thriller but not exactly the overly heart- hammering, unrelenting paced thrillers. I enjoyed the book so I would recommend it.
Jordan Briggs is a disc jockey in the vein of Howard Stern on an online radio show. She takes a call from Bernie and with a live audience and is thrust into his deceptive and dangerous game. The read is entertaining and fast with a lot of suspense and twists to keep you shocked and turning the pages wildly. 3.5 stars.

This was a cleverly crafted plot that left me reeling. I couldn’t put it down.
Many thanks to Hampton Creek Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was an action-packed book. If you enjoy stories that keep moving with lots of bombs and a couple of twists, this is a great read. I found it entertaining and enjoyed the fast pace.

I was surprised when a big part of the plot was revealed just before the halfway point. I checked to see how far along I was because it seemed like a revelation that should have happened near the end of the book, but nope only halfway through. I was wondering what was going to take up the second half of the book if you already knew that major reveal, but the plot kept moving along quickly and never stalled.

My only issue with the book was that the MC's daughter didn't feel true to age. It was a little disorienting to have a child who could act anywhere from 3 to 15 years old. I mean the host’s daughter is eleven and hugging her mommy’s leg? Yet she comes out with comments that a streetwise, angsty older teen would say. I could get on board with her being small, immature or mature for her age, smart, sassy, etc as long as it was consistent. This became less an issue as the book progressed, but it really threw me off in the beginning.

Overall, an engaging, fast-paced read with a lot of action.

I will always accept widgets for anything Barker writes. He is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.

J.D. Barker is one of my favorite authors! I will literally read anything this guy comes out with. While A Caller's Game had a lot of the staples of an action packed Barker book this one wasn't a favorite. I really enjoyed this novel but I think my main issue was how unlikable Jordan Briggs was I know she was supposed to be unlikable but I couldn't stand her. I loved Detective Cole and the high stacks drama that played out through out the novel. I definitely hope to see this as a movie some day because I think it would transfer to film beautifully!

As a fast paced story this is a good book. But it lacks logic or reality. The killer seems to be too skilled in too many things to believe, the child talks and behaves beyond her age, the people aiding the killer don’t seem to have any reason for doing it and the main character shows no remorse whatsoever. There seem to be too much of bloodshed to avenge two lives and suddenly the killer develops a kind heart in the end. Overall unbelievable.

I like the characters in this story they were real, relatable, and interesting. The story was good and there was enough excitement through out to keep me interested and committed to reading. Enjoyable to read!

Thank you Net Galley for the advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review!

Book Review : ★★★★★

Characters : ★★★★
Plot : ★★★★‌★

▪️Thoughts ▪️

WHAT A RIDE!!

When a man called into Jordan Brigg's radio show and asked to play a game, she did not know it would lead to such deadly events. Never in her life could she have guessed that this game would cause her to fear for the lives of herself and all those around her.

This was a fast-paced, entertaining read! There was non-stop action and a lot of tension throughout. Every page kept me wanting to know more! I was on the edge of my seat, trying to catch my breath through all the excitement. Not a single dull moment!

The characters were brilliantly done. The dialogues were well written. I loved the dialogues of Charlotte. In between all the tension, those made me chuckle. I had a love-hate relationship with both the protagonist and the villain. It was a cat-and-mouse game, and I was confused about whom to support. In between all the action, the back stories of the characters was added in cleverly. I couldn't help but feel for them.

Loved it! It made my heart pound and I am pretty sure my heart beats were off the charts especially towards the end!

Thank you to J.D. Barker and Hampton Creek Press for the Advanced Review Copy from Netgalley.

In one of my last reviews, namely the one from “The Girl from Silent Lake” I wrote that liking or not liking the main character is quite important for me when it comes to enjoy a book or not.

And I am afraid this is what has happened to me with “A Caller’s Name”. Jordan Briggs is a very unpleasant character. She is mean, selfish, greedy and very nasty.

Her antagonist, the killer, is not really an angel either. For obvious reasons, of course: he is the killer.

The only one I could relate to a bit was NYPD Office Cole Hundley.

Even the secondary characters are all unpleasant. Jordan’s daughter, for example, is unnerving; furthermore, I don’t know any 11 year old who speaks like her, thanks God! And I’ve been a teacher in the past…

And this circumstance is a pity, because the premise for the plot is quite good, thence the three starts of my rating.

But it may just be me, so let’s get into the story.

THE STORY

On one side, we have Jordan Briggs (divorcée with one daughter, Charlotte) who is the star of a radio show at SiriusXM radio. Her audience likes her show because Jordan always says what is on her mind, no matter how rude it is of if she hurts someone’s feelings. She likes to shock her audience.

Furthermore, for Jordan, ratings are the most important thing in her life. Neither her daughter nor the people who work with her for years are so significant as the numbers of her audience.

So she would do ANYTHING for raising her show’s ratings. Literary anything. Including risking the life of one of her hearers.

On the other side, we have NYPD Office Cole Hundley who, for a situation later explained in the book, has been sent to traffic patrol as a kind of “punishment”.

At the very beginning of the book, Jordan Briggs is running late for her radio show and parks her car literally in the middle of the street, close to the ratio station entrance. Cole sees this and follows her inside the building.

However, Jordan makes it to the radio show on time. She normally takes calls from her hearers and engages in a conversation with them.

She takes one call from one of her listeners, a guy called Bernie, who proposes a game to her. Jordan thinks this would raise her ratings so she agrees. And this is the beginning of chaos.

Taxis start to explode down in the street and people start appearing dead in their apartments, in which old, rusty pieces of furniture (which are not part of the flat’s furnishings) have been placed.

From now on the story develops in a very (too much for my taste) fast pace. Lots of blood and dead people, lots of unrealistic situations and lots of incredible decisions take place. And explosions. Way too many explosions.

Furthermore, from the beginning we know who the killer is but not his motivation for such horrendous crimes. This comes later. But I still cannot sympathise with the killer, not even a little. Plus the motivation for the people who help Bernie is simply not explained.

In addition, Bernie knows about everything. He would be a hell of a hacker or an explosives expert to name only a few of his (too) many qualities…And he can be literary EVERYWHERE…

FINAL THOUGHTS ABOUT “A CALLER’S GAME”

After such an ordeal as it is described in the book, one could expect the main character to have learnt something. I think Jordan did, but not 100%. So this makes me think, what is the point of so much destruction and deaths? What is the point of the whole book if you are not going to learn anything from your past “sins”?

Anyway, if you like “easy” thrillers where there is only action and not much logic this is probably your book. There is nothing more here. There is no much development in the characters and the situations are just not credible. Some twists in the story were just too much.

When I read a book, it doesn’t have to be Kafka for me to like it. I look for entertainment, but a good one. Unfortunately, this book was not my cup of tea. And I still think this is in fact because of the unpleasant characters.
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Thanks to the publisher, Hampton Creek Press, the author J.D. Barker and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of “A Caller’s Game” in exchange for an honest review.

Jordan Briggs is a New York City shock jock who has a show on an Internet radio station. She's not afraid to speak her mind. No matter who's feelings get hurt. This means she often gets calls from upset listeners, so when things get a bit weird with a caller named Bernie she just shrugs it off. She even plays on with the game of choices he had devised. When these choices appear to have devastating consequences to innocent people, maybe it's time to take Bernie a little more seriously.

I really enjoyed this book. It was so intense and exciting. I really felt part of it. This is a non-stop action packed book. It's one that you will stay up into the early hours until it's finished because it's so full on and fast paced. There isn't a suitable point to take a break. When it's finished you'll almost feel relieved because you can finally take a breather.

Jordan Briggs is a terrible person. I really dislike her. She's rude, arrogant, insensitive, completely oblivious to other people and prioritises her ratings above all else. She does show softer parts to her personality eventually, but you know after a short break she will probably revert back to her old self. However, I am a firm believer that I wouldn't have such strong feelings about her if I didn't care. I'd much rather dislike a main character and remember them forever then find them really bland and not bothering to finish the book.

I feel a special mention is in order for the author's note at the end. Written at the start of the pandemic, talking to the future reader and hoping they are near the end. Please, please make sure you read it. I found it very moving.

I would recommend this to anyone who loves action. This is full to the brim. It's been compared a lot to the die hard films all combined into one. I loved it. Great fun.

When something is credited as Die Hard meets Talk Radio, you definitely go in with a high expectation that what you’re about to read will be badass and thoroughly entertaining. As usual, Barker does not disappoint!

Jordan Briggs is a forthright talk radio host who is at the top of her game professionally, if not personally. She’s opinionated, confident and above all else has the gift of the gab. Sometimes when a strong female is written, it doesn’t translate well and they end up being too preachy or just downright unlikeable and unrelatable. I found Jordan Briggs, however, to be a very likeable strong female character and her daughter is an absolute delight to read.

NYPD Officer Cole Hundley is a well-rounded, expertly written character who has a delightful subplot to counter the action hero trope he could easily fall into — and which would have been fine too but I love layers!

Their stories come together in a seemingly innocuous way — a parking violation — when suddenly the world turns upside down, the action hits to go button and the thrills come through steadily. This is easily one of my favourite novels from Barker and, although the year is young, is already one of my favourite releases of 2021.

One of the things I love most about J.D. Barker’s writing is that he has the ability to grab the reader with consistent, well paced stories and great characters. These traits are abundant in A Caller’s Game and I highly recommend it for anyone who loves crime and/or action thrillers.

Yes! Die Hard is mentioned in the blurb and I'm not surprised about that. I had strong Die Hard vibes throughout a part of the book.

This novel is about a controversial talkshow host Jordan Briggs. She's not the nicest of protagonists, but she is portrayed this way for a purpose. She is cut-throat, honest to a fault and she doesn't try to spare anyone's feelings. She is successful for a reason.

Then one morning a man calls into her studio to play a game. She makes fun of the situation until this game turns deadly and she is taught that her actions and decisions have harrowing consequences.

The pacing of this novel is a little bit off. It starts out so thrilling and horrific and then it slows down a little bit towards the middle right until the end. That's OK though, because it's still a wild ride from start to finish with unexpected and a few expected twists-and-turns.

We follow Jordan Briggs and officer Cole all the way through the book, which offers different perspectives as Jordan is stuck in her studio and Cole can roam around the city. I didn't like any of the characters at the beginning - apart from Jordan's kick-ass clever 11-year-old daughter - but they certainly did grow on me as the plot unfolded.

Overall, I had a good time reading it.

Now that's an adrenaline junkies wet dream!
Jordan is shock jock radio host who doesn't care that I don't like her. She's in it for the ratings at the expense of her marriage and daughter. She never expected the ratings she got from her latest show though and it's a real shit show! Everything was going along smoothly and then Bernie called and requested Jordan play a game, a game where there are no good answers and very high stakes.
Cole is an NYPD officer stuck on traffic duty when during gridlock Jordan abandons her car on the street to get to her show on time right in front of him. After chasing her to her building with little luck he finds himself back at his car when the explosions start and the game gets serious. Taxis are blowing up and Bernie takes credit. And, it's soon discovered that Bernie has control of the radio station and won't let Jordan off the hook. From here the action comes fast and furious, white knuckling it straight thru to the explosive climax.
This is a character driven story, rich in detail and very cinematic. The tension and suspense are ratcheted up to the nth degree causing many breathless moments. The writing is excellent and told from the alternating perspectives of Jordan and Cole. I found the chapters to be the perfect length to keep me saying 'just one more' and boy do they fly by! I loved it!
Are you an adrenaline thriller lover looking for that next big thrill? Then look no further than this one.

A Caller's Game is the first J.D. Barker book I've read and it did not disappoint! I've heard nothing but great things about this author so I was happy to discover that they were all right!

The book is set over a span of a several hours but it's nonstop action all throughout the book! It's fast-paced with lots of twists & turns and suspense! I liked the fact that the characters were well-developed and the plot was brilliantly executed.

I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to others. Looking forward to reading Barker's other books!

A huge thanks to NetGalley, Hampton Creek Press and J.D. Barker for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

If you have hated any of your lead characters, forget all of them. Jordan Briggs is the biggest bitch of them all. She is so obnoxious and a motormouth that you cannot help hating her.

She has used this very quality to reach where she is - at the top of the radio world. But such success comes with only a dirty past. And this past is going to come tumbling out one morning on a radio show.

Coincidentally, only today I came across a glowing review for the first book of the 4MK series and I put it on my TBR. I don't know how that book is yet, but this one is nothing short of awesome.

4.5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley, Hampton Creek Press, and J. D. Barker for this ARC.

A action packed thriller that doesn’t stop! This book is just full to the brim of fast paced action and characters. Brilliant plot that has at times witty dialogue and unique in itself. At first I hated the main character Jordon but she grows on you and her dialogue kept me engaged. Definitely reads like an action movie.

I enjoyed this one. It's a fast paced thrill ride. It's very fast paced actually, perhaps a slight downside is how fast some of the action bits are. It feels like we are thrown into one thing and then instantly pulled out of it, at times.

The concept is unique and I loved the actual premise of the plot. Really original and captivating. I can't wait to read more of this author.

Loved Detective Cole. Loved the similarities to movies like Die Hard, which I know other people have referenced before. The characters were so good, and well fleshed out - I really cared about what was happening with each of them. And I wanted to read about the bad guy - even if his motives were a little elusive.

It's long, so be prepared to spend some time with this one.

Overall a suspenseful and unique read. Recommended to fans of thrillers, psychological games etc

J.D. Barker is becoming one of those names. A name that you recognize. A name that you associate with gruesome murders and deadly attacks. I'm honestly here for it. So when I saw A Caller's Game available as a Read Now, I took approximately no seconds in requesting the book.

The book started off incredibly strong. I was hooked. A major attack on NYC straight from the get. Okay, I could get into this. And I absolutely did. But I must admit the novel lost its charm after the halfway mark. Which I found to be true for quite a few reviewers. For me, it began to get redundant and quite frankly boring. It felt like Barker took a stellar story and dragged it out to meet a minimum page requirement enforced by the publisher.

One other critic which is kind of harsh, but I am just going to write it. J.D. Barker does not write a convincing female voice. He can write one type of female and they are all like Jordan Briggs. They are typically alpha women with smartass attitudes. He lacks the emotional intelligence that women are known for. I'm not truly impressed with his narration when it is supposed to be from a woman's point of view. Needs work. Very one-dimensional female characters in my Barker experience.

This book is without a doubt going to be a hit. Like I said, the beginning is so amazing and addicting. But at a certain point, as a reader, I was done with the whole ordeal. Which is a shame because I was certain this was going to be a 5 star read.

One last note, this one reminded me a bit of John Marrs style. Anyone else?

Thank you NetGalley and Hampton Creek Press for the Read Now option!