This book is a dream for anyone who loves Die Hard, The Dark Knight, or the TV series 24. Being a fan of those and Barker's 4MK trilogy, I came into A Caller's Game with high expectations yet was never disappointed for a second. Despite weighing in at 400+ pages, A Caller's Game doesn't have an ounce of fat on it. The story bounces back between two POV characters, with each chapter ending on a cliffhanger that essentially demanded that I keep reading on.

The two main POV characters--a spoiled-yet-charismatic radio host named Jordan and a good-guy NYPD cop named Cole--rally to outsmart a mastermind radio caller who terrorizes NYC for reasons that I won't spoil. The radio caller gimmick adds a fresh dynamic to this type of thriller, as does Jordan's over-the-top personality and her emotional journey. I thought she was a great antihero, and her deep flaws gave this wild book plenty of heart and realism. Cole is a much more traditional hero by comparison, someone who works well as a palate-cleanser in the context of this story.

The plot itself is relentless. Barker lights one fuse after another, driving the reader's curiosity at full-speed toward each and every payoff. While a couple payoffs fell flat in my opinion (most notably one involving Cole's backstory), the vast majority landed with impact and kept me gripped until the very end.

This starts off as a "you choose" type of novel, and at first I was worried it would fall into a world of clichés …I was wrong!
The book is set over a few hours, so reading it was like it was all happening in real time. The action was great, the twists and turns were brilliant and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I', not discussing the story because if I mention anything it could give away a spoiler to future readers.
If you like continuous action stories, then please pick up a copy of this book as they will not be disappointed! I enjoyed it that much I will be keeping an eye out for future releases from this author.

I was provided an ARC from Netgalley in return for a honest review.

I won’t detail the plot; you can read the descriptions on Amazon or Goodreads yourself. But, if you must have a synopsis, the publisher’s description is perfect: “talk radio meet Diehard”.
At one time, I would have thought this book quite fantastical. However, since Jan. 6, I find it much less so. J.D. Barker makes one take pause and think about the repercussions of all the talk radio, shock TV and the ethics and decency that are compromised in the pursuit of ratings, as well as the danger of the alt militia groups that seem to have formed all over our country. A suspenseful, character driven novel that was a quick, enjoyable read.

This book was amazing from the first word to the very last...J.D. Barker has now become one of my favorite authors ever!! Jordan Briggs is a satellite radio host who is somewhat controversial in her broadcasting and interviews. She is a no-holds-barred type of person who says everything she thinks and does not hold anything back. Her radio persona has transferred over to her real life which is currently in chaos after her recent divorce all while she is trying to hold it together for her pride and joy, her 11 year old daughter Charlotte.
One morning a man calls in to chat on her show, asking if she wants to play a game while unbeknownst to Jordan, a totally insane and deadly morning is about unfold before her eyes, in real time, while she broadcasts her radio show; with each disaster, more and more listeners tune in to hear her talk to Bernie, the mad man on a mission to destroy her life & everything that she cares about, along with much of New York City as well! Each answer she gives has consequences which Jordan slowly learns as people are killed as a result of her choices each minute....
This is a book that I only stopped reading because I was SO tired and falling asleep. If I could have read all night, I would have! There is not one dull moment and the action is fast-paced, making this book a page-turning thriller from the very beginning! I highly recommend this amazingly exciting and action-packed, jaw-dropping twisty thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat as you delve further into the story!!! Do not miss this fabulous book!!! Thanks to NG for the ARC!!!

Whew! This book was a nonstop thrill a minute read! It was like watching a movie unfold on the pages. I initially disliked Jordan and actually didn’t want her to survive the book (I know terrible!) but I changed my mind as the plot developed. JD Barkers books never disappoint if I’m looking for a fast paced thriller/murder mystery. Always well plotted with tons of action and suspense. Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book!

When I've read J.D. Barker's "She has a broken thing where her Heart should be", it was my first foray into his world. And, I've been thoroughly impressed. A paranormal thriler, but also a story about growing up, friendship, love, obsession, addiction. A story about conspiracy, about good and evil, but also all shades of grey in between. A book Stephen King could have written.

I've then been advised to read his 4MK trilogy. That was a 180° change of scenery, pure thriller with an over the board villain, and splashes of horror.

There is a Barker / James Patterson collaboration I haven't read yet. I rather opened his next solo book : A Caller's Game.

JD Barker is a versatile author. A Caller's Game is, this time, a thriller-action book

It doesn't seem so, at first, as we are shown the frenetic lives of Jordan Thomas, Host offre à population talk show on SiriusXM, and her team. Earl'y in the book, the reader is already well acquainted with characters, including Charlotte, Jordan's daughter, staying at the station and Mick, the ex-husband ,who had to brought her there. We are also, over a few pages, introduced to a disgruntled detective temporally demoted to traffic stop. (Over a girl - What else ?)

On the radio. Jordan is no-nonsense, uncontrollable, but bring large ratings. She takes phone calls, and rows rows her boat to the finish line... I used to love this kind of talk shows (similar to Maurice Champvert's programs in France).

On the day we're introduced to this casg, Jordan gets a few boring calls, nothing to boost the ratings, until a prompt appears on her screen ;"Bernie on line 5 wants to play a game". A click of a button later, "Hey Bernie, what kind of game do you have for me ?"...

Thus begins a succession of horrifying sequences I won't describe there in details, as anything would be spoilery. But, donot forget to fasten your seat belts !

Cars explode. many things explode. Bernie has trained and planned this game for years. But to what end ? What is the mobile explaining his actions ?

Among the many disoriented characters in the book, only one seens to know what he's doing : The demoted disgruntled detective...

J.D Barker proves once again he can craft books of many genres. The second part of this book is a lot of action. Writing widescope cinematic action in books is a skill not many writers master. But, Barker does.

And, he does it with class, even paying hommage to the book that gave us the best Christmas movie ever (Nothing Lasts Forever), while making us question how our society works. A little like these late night talk shows...

Thanks to Hampton Creek Press, Netgalley, and J.D. Barker himself for the ARC provided in exchange for this unbiased review

I don't normally start a review like this but you need to find this book and read it now. What a ride from JB Barker with A Caller's Game..

"Jordan Briggs has a talk radio show. She has risen to the top by saying what she wants and sparing no feelings. But it's come at a cost - her marriage is over, she hasn't spoken to her mother in years and her personal life is empty. A caller wants to play a game and Jordan sees it as a way to kickstart the morning. The game quickly turns deadly and Jordan's past comes back to remind her that all decisions have consequences..."

Barker starts us off with gridlock - everything is at a standstill in NYC. And then things start blowing up. And from that point Barker has you guessing about what's going to happen next. You're not sure how to feel about Briggs. She's abrasive and arrogant and self-centered. But it seems at first that she is put in an impossible position ...until we slowly see the connections. The countdown to the endgame is insane. Barker is not hesitant to kill some characters so you never know who is going to make it

Barker makes you feel empathy for the bad guy, even as he tries to destroy a city for his revenge. And the most vanilla name for a villain ever. Or is he even the villain?

Great story from Barker! Go read it now!

Are you in the mood for a pulse-pounding thriller that will keep you completely held in its grip until the very last pages? Then, this is the high octane entertainment that you're looking for!

Mix a mouthy, irreverent, no-holds-barred satellite radio talk show star (Jordan Briggs) with a tormented, grief-stricken man (Bernie Bretz) bent on revenge -- add in a dash of NYPD cop with bravado to spare (Cole Huntley) and fold in a war-mongering militia (The Sentinels) and you have the recipe for a story that screams to be adapted to the screen. Although a bit of suspension of disbelief is required in order for this all to work, just go with it and enjoy.

The fireworks are kicked off early as Bernie calls in to the radio show and asks Jordan to play a little game involving her making some initially banal choices, i.e. -- do you prefer a taxi or an Uber to get around in New York City? Jordan has no idea what this devious guy has in mind as he slowly takes control of the SiriusXM building and everyone in it. As the true nature of Bernie's plan becomes clear, Jordan has some impossible choices to make. NO SPOILERS.

The writing was engaging and the narrative is character driven as you will immediately form opinions about them though perhaps will change your mind as the plot evolves. Told in alternating points of view between Jordan and Cole, there is just the right amount of suspense as you try to guess how this is all going to turn out. The bombs go off, people die, the building burns as it floods, and things look pretty bleak as Jordan interacts with Bernie who has designed this "game" especially for her. And everything is being streamed live to an ever increasing audience.

I like this author's books and I especially appreciated his notes at the end. I read this over a couple of hours and hope you relish it as much as I did. Some have said that it's DIE HARD meets TALK RADIO but I'm not that familiar with either so I had no preconceptions.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hampton Creek Press for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend.

It’s no secret that J.D. Barker has made it to the top of my auto-buy author list and after reading A Caller’s Game it’s no surprise that he will continue to hold that spot for a long time coming.

I actually set this book aside for a long time because, while I adore Barker’s writing, I am NOT an adrenaline junkie. Steadily paced books tend to be more my go-to and I am not into those “shoot-em-up” action movies at all. Sorry Die Hard…you’re not on my list. Fortunately for me, I just can’t step away from Barker’s work. It had to be read.

The first meeting with Jordan pulled me in.

The words “Do you want to play a game?” kept me there.

The clock damn near killed me.

If you love non-stop adrenaline pumping action, unlikeable characters, unique situations and a race against the clock…A Caller’ Game is the book for you.

If none of that appeals to you but there is nothing better than a snarky and unforgiving female lead, intense plot twists and a desire to find all those missing pieces to solve that puzzle….this is still the book for you.

Here’s one solid piece of advice though: Do NOT start this book before bed thinking you will read a chapter and then get a blissful night’s sleep. This book goes from zero to one hundred and holds. There is no sleep. There is only lying there, heart racing, eyes wide, releasing the many breaths you didn’t know you were holding until you finally succumb to a restless, adrenaline filled hour or two before you need to get up for work.
I finished this book days ago and I’ve been exhausted ever since.

Sounds like something everyone needs to pick up if you ask me.

Many, many thanks to NetGalley and Hampton Creek Press for providing an early copy of this book for me to read. All opinions are my own.

This exciting high-octane read I felt like I was watching an action movie with lots of shooting, lots of deaths, so many explosions. In the author’s note at the end Barker notes that he is writing at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic and hopes this story will be an entertaining distraction from the horrors of the real world. He calls it “literary popcorn”, and this is a perfect description. There are no deep messages, and it was not taxing to the brain. This was just a fun escape from life and sometimes that is exactly what I am wanting.

“A Caller’s Game” is a particularly good action thriller. It is a genre I don’t usually gravitate towards, but I’ve loved some of Barker’s past work and was willing to give this a try. It ended up being exactly as advertised; a tension-filled high energy roller-coaster ride of a story. No thought required or even recommended. This is likely just what many readers are wanting right now as the real world is rather bleak and scary. As we all fight an invisible enemy there is something comforting about seeing a hero save the day and beat the bad guy. The non-stop action kept me engaged and kept my mind focused which has been no mean feat lately. Literary popcorn is just what I needed.

I do have to say that there was something about this book that rubbed me a bit the wrong way. Was it the super violent action? Was it the completely awful main character Jordan? Was it the unbelievable plot twists that demanded I suspend disbelief? Probably all of the above contributed and kept me from a 5 star rating. This wasn’t a perfect book and I have some minor quibbles about the characters but if you can let yourself go with the flow and not overthink it, I suspect you will like this one, or at the very least be entertained for a few hours.

Thank you to Hampton Creek Press for providing an Electronic Advance Reader Copy via NetGalley for review

This is the 5th book I've read by this author this year and I've loved all of them. I read the collaboration with Patterson, and then his 4 Monkey Killer Trilogy which was phenomenal so when I saw this as an option I had to jump at it. I read A Caller's Game in two sittings, involving staying up way too late on a work night. From the start you're engrossed in the story and don't want to stop. The storytelling, characters, dialogue, plot, and ending were fantastic, and I loved that it was pretty straightforward, none of that common trying to twist and turn and confuse the reader; instead in this you're part of the story and varying between hating the perpetrator as well as sympathizing with them. I felt connected to the characters and knew what I needed to know to move the story forward. I also like that the book is more on the longer side than most lately (400+ pages) but the story just flies by. I think I'll be devouring all this authors' work!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read this wonderful book and provide an honest review.

Another hit by JD Barker. I fell in love with his writing previously and was thrilled to have the chance to review his latest.
A Caller's Game is a story centered around the protagonist, Jordan, who is a radio talk show host at SiriusXM. She is a fast talker, fast moving, go-getter, who has been highly successful in her career. She has a daughter and an ex-husband. At the beginning of the story, Jordan is answering calls from people calling into her show when Bernie calls in and challenges her to play a game. The game begins with Bernie's initial question, "Which do you pick, Uber or taxi?" Seems straightforward but starts the series of events. I don't want to spoil anything so I will limit the information about the story itself.
This book was largely a page turner and fun to read. I enjoyed the story and characters. I really enjoyed this story. I only critique was that the action was somewhat difficult to follow at times and I found myself reading a section and realizing that I wasn't focusing at all. This was only mildly distracting to me and didn't cause me to reconsider reading this story.
I had initially thought this was maybe a 4/5 stars but for anyone who reads this book, I highly, highly recommend reading the Author's Note at the end. It was fantastic. Truly an interesting insight into the mindset into the writing process for this book as well as a reflection on the events of the world at the time of the writing. Wonderful!
Highly recommend!
#ACallersGame #Netgalley #HamptonCreekPress #IBPA

Jordan is a controversial satellite radio talk show host when she sees this on her monitor: “Line 5 —Bernie (wants to play a game)”. Soon it is clear that the game is real, dangerous and it truly is A Caller’s Game.

You see, Bernie has a hidden and complex agenda that he will do anything to fulfill. Now it is up to Jordan, her producer Billy, and Detective Cole to unravel Bernie’s plan before more people die— including Jordan’s eleven-year-old daughter Charlotte.

This thriller was a rousing thrill ride from start to finish. The plot was so clever and had enough twists for a Disneyland ride. Just a fun delight overall! I wouldn’t be surprised if it was picked up as a series because it is easy to picture each scene in your head. Plus the characters’ reactions make your feelings about the characters change as the story continues. Don’t miss A Caller’s Game! It’s excellent. 5 stars and a favorite!

Thanks to Hampton Creek Press and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

A Caller's Game is an action packed and high octane read. It's compared to Die Hard and that comparison is dead on. It has a script like feel as the tension and momentum builds and grows throughout the story. Think non-stop explosions, lots of death and some high stakes games.

The radio show format was a fun take and environment for the action. Jordan is your typical unlikeable lead with a kid that helps to humanize her.

Recommend this one for readers who want lots of action from their thrillers.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the gifted eARC.

3.5

Rating: 5/5 stars.

“A Caller’s Game” is a nonstop thrill ride from start to finish. It may be cliché to say this, but the story begins with a literal ‘bang’ and does not let up from there. I thought the story would burn out and lose its pace, but the author manages to keep it going, and even finds ways to ramp up the intensity. I had to put the book down a few times to give myself the chance to breathe and relax! The author manages to take what should be an unlikeable lead character, and make her relatable and charming in her own way. I highly recommend this book to any adult looking for a fast-paced, intense thriller novel.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book on NetGalley and have provided an honest review.*

I am not sure if action-packed stories that feel like watching a movie in my head are for me. I would rather watch them than read them. I know what a shocking thing to say.

I liked the premise of the story with the caller's game played with talk show host Jordan. However, after a few explosions and bodies, I didn't want to play anymore, and I lost interest in the storyline. I tried, I really did not overthink "crazy woman" Jordan's character. After calling her that for pages, that's all, I could think about and see her as being portrayed. I am letting it go now.....

Such a great story! The suspense was building and building with each page and chapter. In the beginning I didn’t like? She was arrogant, egoistical and had this aura of entitlement. There where times when I wanted to scream ”You asked the wrong question”. Or ”Careful, you don’t know who you can trust. ” I love how the writer plays with our believe system. We all are capable of doing dark things when pressured to our limits.

EXCERPT: 'I asked if you've ever woken up in the middle of the night and wondered if this is it. If today is the day you'll die. And if it was, if you could be absolutely certain of that, how would you live out the rest of the day?'

'Are you threatening me, Bernie? I thought we were friends.'

'No, of course not. Like I said, I'm just making conversation'

Jordan sighed. 'Well, I'm getting bored, and I don't do bored.' Her finger hovered over the disconnect button. She studied the list of callers on her second monitor.

'All this talk, and we nearly forgot the game,' Bernie said softly. 'Don't you want to play with me?'

ABOUT 'A CALLER'S GAME': "I'm going to offer you a choice."

Controversial satellite radio talk show host, Jordan Briggs, has clawed her way to the top of the broadcast world. She doesn’t hold back, doesn’t spare feelings, and has no trouble sharing what's on her mind. Her rigorous pursuit of success has come at a price, though. Her marriage is in ruins, she hasn’t spoken to her mother in years, and she's distanced herself from all those close to her. If not for her young daughter, Charlotte, her personal life would be in complete shambles.

When a subdued man calls into the show and asks to play a game, she sees it as nothing more than a way to kick-start the morning, breathe life into the beginnings of drive-time for her listeners. Against her producer's advice, she agrees, and unwittingly opens a door to the past.

Live on the air with an audience of millions, what starts out as a game quickly turns deadly—events long thought buried resurface and Jordan Briggs is forced to reconcile with one simple fact—All decisions have consequences.

MY THOUGHTS: J.D. Barker would have to be the best crime thriller writer out there.

Having said that I detest 'shoot them/blow them up' books and movies, usually because any vestige of a plot they may have is simply a vehicle for mindless violence. Barker has turned that belief on its head.

I was hooked from the beginning. A Caller's Game is a breathless, heart-pounding, runaway train wreck of a read and I loved it. The plot is devious and clever, the pace warp speed 9.9. The characters are magnificently depicted. Some you will love, some you will hate, and some will shock you. I still have nail marks in the palms of my hands over Charlotte!

And the twists! Diabolical and totally unexpected.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Yes, the full five stars!

#ACallersGame #NetGalley @jdbarker_author @jdbarker
#hamptoncreekpress

#fivestarread #crime #detectivefiction #suspense #thriller

THE AUTHOR: A note from J.D.
As a child I was always told the dark could not hurt me, that the shadows creeping in the corners of my room were nothing more than just that, shadows. The sounds nothing more than the settling of our old home, creaking as it found comfort in the earth only to move again when it became restless, if ever so slightly. I would never sleep without closing the closet door, oh no; the door had to be shut tight. The darkness lurking inside needed to be held at bay, the whispers silenced. Rest would only come after I checked under the bed at least twice and quickly wrapped myself in the safety of the sheets (which no monster could penetrate), pulling them tight over my head.

I would never go down to the basement.

Never.

I had seen enough movies to know better, I had read enough stories to know what happens to little boys who wandered off into dark, dismal places alone. And there were stories, so many stories.

Reading was my sanctuary, a place where I could disappear for hours at a time, lost in the pages of a good book. It didn’t take long before I felt the urge to create my own.

I first began to write as a child, spinning tales of ghosts and gremlins, mystical places and people. For most of us, that’s where it begins—as children we have such wonderful imaginations, some of us have simply found it hard to grow up. I’ve spent countless hours trying to explain to friends and family why I enjoy it, why I would rather lock myself in a quiet little room and put pen to paper for hours at a time than throw around a baseball or simply watch television. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes I want to do just that, sometimes I wish for it, but even then the need to write is always there in the back of my mind, the characters are impatiently tapping their feet, waiting their turn, wanting to be heard. I wake in the middle of the night and reach for the pad beside my bed, sometimes scrawling page after page of their words, their lives. Then they’re quiet, if only for a little while. To stop would mean madness, or even worse—the calm, numbing sanity I see in others as they slip through the day without purpose. They don’t know what it’s like, they don’t understand. Something as simple as a pencil can open the door to a new world, can create life or experience death. Writing can take you to places you’ve never been, introduce you to people you’ve never met, take you back to when you first saw those shadows in your room, when you first heard the sounds mumbling ever so softly from your closet, and it can show you what uttered them. It can scare the hell out of you, and that’s when you know it’s good.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Hampton Creek Press (IBPA) via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of A Caller's Game by J.D. Barker for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage

I know a lot of people loved this book but I just could not finish it. While I normally love thrillers I just couldn’t connect with it or the main character.

If JD Barker is categorized as a “popcorn author” then THIS is that extra large bucket of popcorn with tons of extra butter and chocolate covered caramel candies on the side!

This is a non-stop, action packed, adrenaline fueled, hard hitting thrill book thats reads better than most action movies watch in theaters! All I could hear was that line from the Saw movies when Jigsaw says “Do you wanna play a game?” I kept saying no don’t go there! Ahhh!! Look around the corner!! This was one that was hard to put down.

Highly recommend for people who love thriller books, actions films, really well written novels, and just want a fun escape for awhile.

Many thanks to NetGalley, J.D. Barker, and Hampton Creek Press for the ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.

This will be posted on 4 blogs, Goodreads, Amazon, Twitter review, suggested for the book club as monthly book read and Zoom recommended in my “Read it with Oceans of Books” online book club as well as featured as one of my in store display tables for my book of the month display as it was that fun of a read!