I was hooked from the very beginning.

Grant Fletcher, an ex British royal marine, who's been called upon to investigate his friends daughters disappearance.

He finds himself in a town in Georgia, which time has forgotten, and a strange townsfolk whom seem to be under control by the family of a local timber firm

Not only has got to find Lila, but he comes across a FBI agent whom is out there looking for many disappearing girls over a short period of time

This is a great introduction to a new series of stories, which I can see will go far

This is a great start to a new series.
Grant Fletcher was a Royal Marine and his wife died young, leaving him to raise their daughter alone. An army friend calls in a favour and asks Grant to find his daughter who has disappeared and he can’t refuse.
The locals close ranks on him as an outsider and when a key witness is murdered, Grant wonders what he’s walked into.
This book is similar to Lee Child’s Jack Reacher books but different enough to keep your attention.
A good start to a new series and one I will read more of.
Thanks Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

First Shot is the first in a new series by John Ryder (pseudonym for Graham Smith author of the Jake Boulder and Beth Young series) and introduces us to ex-military loner Grant Fletcher. This is very much an American action thriller with heavy emphasis on the action!

When 24 year old Lila goes missing from Daversville in rural Georgia, Grant Fletcher goes looking for her as a favour to an old friend from his time in Afghanistan. He soon discovers that Lila isn't the first to disappear without trace from this small town and that the residents are keeping their mouths shut about what is happening to all these young women. It's not long before Grant has made an impression (literally) on the locals that attempt to run him out of town and it's clear that he will get no co-operation, not even from the local police. When a witness who had tried to warn about Lila being in danger is found murdered all suspicion swings Grant's way and he has to go on the run.

Grant is not alone in his search, Special Agent Zoey Quadrado has been sent by the government to investigate the disappearances and they end up (somewhat reluctantly) working together. I really enjoyed their working relationship and look forward to how this might develop in future.

There is a lot of graphic violence in First Shot and also some sensitive scenes which may not be for the faint hearted but if you're a fan of the Jack Reacher books you'll be just fine

An intense start to a new series which shows a lot of promise.

I agreed that the book gave a Jack Reacher kinda vibe while reading it. It made me nostalgic for those initial books. Author John Ryder went a step further and gave me two larger than life characters Grant Fletcher and Zoey Quadrado.

Grant's best friend Don's daughter Lila was missing and Grant owed his life to Don. So he went in search for her in the town of Daversile. Zoey too was sent to investigate the case of missing girls. Both join forces and made this book a high octane thriller.

My first book by this author, the story was like a bullet fired from a gun. Absolutely fast paced with evil villains the story was a tough read at times. Both the main characters were hot and happening. They had their pulls and pushes in their temperament, but soon their work chemistry flowed smoothly.

Fletcher was more of a open book where I got to know his backstory. He was tough and vulnerable with a young daughter. Zoey was an enigma and that made her more exciting. Something to look forward to in the next book.

The writing was like a three dimensional action movie where the action scenes got me on an adrenaline high. All that was missing was popcorn to make it a perfect read.

Overall, a fun book which read like a thriller movie.

Sadly, missing young women is nothing new. However, when Grant Fletcher learns of the fact that twenty-four-year-old Lila has disappeared, he takes notice. When he was in Afghanistan, Lila's father saved his life. So Fletcher feels a strong sense of duty when it comes to trying to discover what happened to Lila.

So Fletcher starts his search. The deeper he digs, the more unsettled he becomes. His search leads him to Georgia, and danger hits him front and center, as when he is at a motel, Fletcher faces a near-death experience when several men seek to silence him - for good. Why has his search for Lila led to more than one danger? Then when he gets a bit closer, he discovers that a woman connected with Lila has been murdered. This cannot be a coincidence.

Fletcher is not the kind of man who gives up easily. He reluctantly begins working with Special Agent Zoey Quadrado. This leads to more than one intense situation that brings incredible danger to Quadrado. Will helping Fletcher search for Lila bring an end to Quadrado? In addition, through the pages of this book, Fletcher's personal and military life are mentioned, and not without incredible angst. Now a single father to a daughter, Fletcher's responsibilities never come to an end.

This was rather a tough read. It was gritty, shocking and devastating at times. There was peril and action that had me racing through the pages. I love Fletcher and look forward to him and Quadrado working together again. Fletcher is a powerful hero and I can see this book by John Ryder gaining traction for readers of police procedurals who don't mind an imperfect protagonist.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

First Shot is the beginning of a new series by John Ryder, which is the pseudonym of British author Graham Smith, who writes the excellent DC Beth Young police procedural series. This is an American action thriller so the new name makes sense if he's looking for a different reader base, and features a Jack Reacher-like ex-military tough guy with a conscience battling impossible odds in a small town.

Grant Fletcher was a Royal Marine until an operation in Afghanistan went wrong. His American wife died young, leaving him to raise their daughter alone. Now an army friend to whom he owes his life has asked a favour - find his daughter who disappeared from outside a diner in a remote Georgia town. None of the locals will talk, and then an FBI agent shows up, also investigating a suspicious number of missing women, and a key witness is murdered. Something very sinister is going on, but how can a whole town be involved?

While this is indeed a lot like the early Reacher books, or even more like the less well known but equally propulsive John Milton series, that's OK - after all, Reacher isn't really Reacher any more so there's a gap in the market which this could fill very nicely. Who needs originality when you have a popular hero-type, a comfortingly familiar plot and well executed action sequences? It's well written, with a hero who's not afraid to use violence but won't harm the innocent, and a close third person narrative style that gets you right into Fletcher's head - he's a wonderfully analytical fighter!

Zoey Quadrado is a good support character and the villains are pretty evil. Various elements of the plot stretch credulity, but who reads this genre for realism? The ending leaves things set up for the rest of the series and I will happily read more of Fletcher's adventures.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC which allowed me to give an honest review. First Shot is published on June 4th.

Readable. That's the most positive, and some may also find this book entertaining. However, the language is stilted, the plot is naive and not very original, and the worst is that the main character is really, really stupid.

Twenty-four year old Lila has disappeared without trace. It’s the kind of case that ex-military loner Grant Fletcher would normally be happy to take on—he will always seek justice if someone has the money to pay him. But this one he’s doing for free. She last called her father from a small town in rural Georgia. Arriving there, Fletcher’s feet barely touch the ground before he finds trouble. He also discovers that his friend’s daughter wasn’t the first girl to go missing there. Not the first by far.

I'm of two minds on this one, well maybe more than two. Firstly, the main character Fletcher and his quasi FBI partner/adversary have interesting chemistry . Secondly, the story line is strong and not much beats small town Georgia for a book setting. Overall a pretty good read , would have been better if the brawling descriptions were shorter and the conversations were longer. First of a series, so if tightened up I would be interested in subsequent titles

Good start to a new series involving an ex Marine teaming up with an FBI agent. The book starts with the style of Lee Child. It is more an action thriller, the suspense somewhat predictable. Recommended for fans of Jack Reacher and Brad Thor. There are some places where the story slackens, but these could be covered as the series progresses. Good luck to the author for a new series.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this ARC.

This is a new author to me so I didn’t know what to expect. This book is a great read and I found it thrilling from beginning to end. Grant Fletcher is asked by an old friend to look into the disappearance of his daughter when travelling through a town in Georgia. An FBI Agent is there too investigating the number of women that have disappeared from there over the years. The two investigations cross over when Fletcher and the FBI Agent work together. I thought the book had mostly likeable and believable characters with good back stories. It was well written and full of suspense, leaving me desperate to know what happened next when quite a few chapters ended. I read this over 2 days and thoroughly enjoyed it. And there is a hint of more to come at the end of the book. I would definitely want to read the next book to see how the two main characters develop. 4 stars.

This is a great start and introduction to a new series and new characters.

There is always something about a small town, out in the sticks where new faces are looked on with distaste that you know is going to make for a killer read. This is a town that is hiding secrets and Fletcher doesn’t get the warmest of welcomes when he gets there in his quest to help a friend out.

Along with Fletcher, there is also Special Agent Zoey Quadrado who is another newby to the town, sent by the government to investigate the disappearances of women that have passed through Daversville. These two characters end up being thrown together to try and uncover what is just going in.

I enjoyed getting to know both Fletcher and Quadrado and whilst this is a bit of a rocky meeting of sorts, I can’t wait to see where the author takes us next. Fletcher I felt bared his soul as such in this book but Quadrado I feel there is more to her that we have yet to see.

First Shot is a great mix of crime, investigation and action that makes for an enthralling read. Fletcher is one of those men that seems to attract trouble so you know things are never going to be boring whilst he is around. Whilst not afraid of trouble, he also has a heart and think due to this he will appeal to all readers. Couldn’t ask for a better start to a new series and will definitely be first in line for the next book coming out.

Special Agent Zoey Quadrado is not a happy person; sent into the back of beyond to hunt for missing girls, alone, she wonders if this is how her career is going to go. She wants action, responsibility and to be doing something that matters and this case doesn't feel like it will be any of those things but she is determined to prove to her bosses why she is a vital part of the team.

Don Ogilvie's best friend, Grant Fletcher, has a troubled history but knows he would have had nothing if Don hadn't saved his life in Afghanistan. Now confined to a wheelchair because of his heroic act Ogilvie turns to Grant to find out what happened to his daughter Lila, who disappeared without trace while travelling through a small town in Georgia with her boyfriend.

Daversville, where Fletcher and Quadrado meet up, is a town in a time warp. No cell phone signal, no computers, no vaguely twenty first century anything. They both know something is very wrong but can they come together to discover what it is when they are working different sides of a legal line in a closed off world where no one is prepared to offer them any help?

This first book in the Grant Fletcher series First Shot does nothing to make you want to take a road trip through Georgia! I does however provide a very good read. I liked Fletcher immediately; he had personality and perspective from the start. His background and motivation became apparent as the story progressed and he definitely has enough character to drive the series forward.

Zoey Quadrado was more of a challenge! Keen to work by the rules, the lack of edge this gave her wasn't delved into deeply enough for me. I didn't feel in any way confident in her abilities as an FBI agent and never once felt Grant needed her anywhere near as much as she needed him.

The amount of description of the area around Daversville also seemed excessive; but the actual storyline, although not totally original, had more than enough action to keep me focused. There are stereotypes here but also things which surprise and overall the good outweighed the not so good sufficiently to provide a positive and promising start to a very likely successful new series.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an unbiased review and would recommend it to anyone looking to find a new series of books with a personable action hero main protagonist. I will definitely be on the lookout for book two.

First Shot by John Ryder. (Publication Day is 4th of June I'm sure)

I went to bed last night to start this book to read a few chapters. Well I couldn't sleep until I'd finished it (after 3 this morning)!!! From the first page I was totally hooked, it's fast paced, full of suspense and intrigue, It was like being on a rollercoaster that wouldn't stop. Brilliant story with weird and wonderful characters, Fletcher being my favourite. An absolute gem of a book!!!!

Really enjoyed this one.
It's an easy read with just the right pace and has all the elements (the attractive, if flawed hero, the pretty young female FBI agent, the bad guys without scruples etc) of a great weekend indulgence.
The ending was sweet and full of promise of future novels.
In Fletcher, one can't help making comparisons with iconic Reacher throughout but especially when you consider this is a debut novel I think the hero holds his own.
I'd back him.
Looking forward to the next in the series. Many thanks.

His name is Fletcher, Grant Fletcher. He is a James Bond without the glamour but with guts galore. He is a one-man army and you can take him down, but not for long. To the baddies he is like unwanted weeds. To the victims, he is a god-sent gift.

What a treasure this book is! I loved every minute of it and I was swept up by the fast paced story.

There is not a lot of time to take a breath after one action packed part before you are sucked into the next one. No rest for the wicked or so it seems.

Maybe now Daresville is a better place, but if someone would offer me a trip down there, my response to that will be 'Thank you, but no, thank you'. Better safe than sorry. :)

Well, Mr Fletcher, I for one cannot wait to meet you again and find out who you will be up against next.

Great story, great writing style, great author. 5 stars.

Thank you, John Ryder and Bookouture

Lila disappears from the diner parking lot while her boyfriend pays the check. The small town in Georgia closes ranks to protect the guilty. Lila’s father asks Grant Fletcher to find his daughter.

Zoey Quadrado is a young Latina FBI agent assigned to the case of missing women in this tiny town. She is a rule follower and is less than thrilled when she finds local law enforcement to be incompetent. Can Fletcher and Quadrado uncover the truth in time to save Lila?

John Ryder puts a lot of time into character development of Grant Fletcher. The reader comes to understand his motivations pretty well. He is singularly focused on the mission. Zoey Quadrado is not as well developed, but it is not a detriment to her character for the reader.

There were some parts of the description of Washington County, Georgia that I felt bordered on unbelievable. I felt like the reader got a bit too much of Fletcher’s internal monologue.

Overall, the book is an enjoyable read and I would like to read future books in the series.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for an electronic ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

When girls go missing here, no one says a word…”


Twenty-four year old Lila has disappeared without trace. It’s the kind of case that ex-military loner Grant Fletcher would normally be happy to take on—he will always seek justice if someone has the money to pay him. But this one he’s doing for free. This one’s personal.

Because Fletcher owes his life to Lila’s father. And Fletcher knows that returning Lila safe and sound is the only thing that matters to his wheelchair-bound friend.

She last called her father from a small town called Daversville, in rural Georgia. A place—Fletcher discovers as he checks into the only motel—where folks are proud to keep themselves to themselves, and almost all the business comes from the giant sawmill that looms large over the town.

Before he’s even started looking for Lila, Fletcher finds trouble. But he also discovers that his friend’s daughter wasn’t the first girl to go missing there. Not the first by far.

Then the last person to have seen Lila before she disappeared is murdered. With Fletcher on the scene when her body is found, he becomes the local deputy’s only suspect, leaving him no choice but to go on the run. Because he knows someone’s abducting girls in this town. And he also knows he’s the only one who can find them…

My thoughts about this fast moving thriller was outstanding ex military Grant Fletcher decides to help his friend who's daughter Lila has gone missing in the small town of Daversville while lila and her boyfriend were passing through and stopping at a dinner to have some food Grant Fletchers journey to find his friends missing daughter when he arrives in Daversville is not easy as it seems to be the things he finds out about the town and its people is shocking what I loved about this was Fletchers journey to find his friends missing daughter was brilliant and the FBI agent also investigating the desapence of not just Lila but other women as well a brilliantly clever written story that grips you from the start to the end loved it an amazing ending that I did not see it coming a fast paced story that tells you about women going missing is a big issue that really happens in real life an Action Packed thriller full on suspense and drama John Ryder's First Shot is surely packs a punch a fantastic book read can not wait for book 2 in October move over Jack Reacher Grant Fletchers here to stay. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐💥💥💥💥💥

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this brilliant book

a stop off in a town to eat and whilst the bill is being paid one of them is abducted, the boyfriend is then run out of town after being threatened...

grant is asked to look into the disappearance and he himself is threatened but he is an ex marine (think reacher) and isnt easily intimidated, but he falls foul of the deputy and finds himself arrested

an fbi agent is also assigned to look into several disappearances, but is it a case of being transferred out of the office, out of sight out of mind...

what is going on in this old fashioned town with its sawmill that has the highest rate of strangers disappearing...

brilliant first book in this new series...kept me guessing and who would have thought it...when you find out the truth...

will be keeping an eye out for more of this authors books

Why are people going missing in Daversville? When Brad and Lila stop for lunch in a diner in the small town, Lila disappears after going outside.

Grant Fletcher is asked by Lila’s father, Don to go and find his daughter. Fletcher owes Don his life from when he saved him when they were both stationed in Afghhanistan.

Special Agent, Zoey Quadrado is sent to Daversville to look into the cases of all the missing people. Can she find out what has happened to them all?

This is an action packed thriller that certainly got my heart rate up! There is tension throughout the story and I found my nerves were frazzled. The characters are interesting and there are some downright nasty ones where you can only hope they get beaten by the good ones. I found myself cheering every time a bad character got a pasting! An enjoyable read that had me hooked immediately.
This is a great start to a new series and I eagerly await book 2.

My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book.

Young women have gone missing after passing thru a small town. Grant, an ex Royal Marine is trying to locate the daughter of a friend who went missing from the town. He runs into opposition that try to chase him out of town. The citizens see nothing and hear nothing. This is edge of your seat thriller. The ending is set up in such a way that there will probably be a follow up, which I would definitely read. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.