I chose this book as a “escapist read”, it’s not a genre I’d normally read much of and to be honest I really struggled with this book.

The plot is complicated, like others have said almost a stream of consciousness and at times felt like reading a very strange mash up of a script and a novel. Some plot points were not concluded, I have no idea what happened to some characters - and not in the good cliffhanger next book way. The writing often felt sloppy and in need of tighter edit.

I can’t recommend this book, there are far far far better action/military action/murder actions books for all of us to read.

The Blood Compass is crowded with heads of state, corruption a collection of dedicated freedom fighters and a fast moving agenda where trouble seems to follow every move. Trust no one should be the guide for Matt Christopher as he flies from Capri to London to DC and places in between. I didn’t realise that I’m coming to this thriller as the third in a series, not that it is necessary to have read the previous two adventures of Mr Christopher , there is, of necessity, a bit of backtracking as his former lives and lovers do require explanation. Impossible though the unfolding story seemed a bit of reflection meant that to include an idiot British PM and a corrupt US President that maybe the basis was more real thanI thought. I liked that what kept the MCM team in business so to speak was the eradication of child abuse and pornography but honestly given the challenges they were faced with it was a wonder the got anything done. Quick paced ( that’s an understatement) it was warp speed. Good for a long flight or short holiday. Thanks to @netgalley and the publisher for a copy to review. I did enjoy it but I need a rest now.

I really wanted to enjoy this book as it’s a genre I’ve always enjoyed. However, I struggled to keep track of the plot, the various characters and all their back stories, and I had to reread multiple paragraphs to try and make sense of what was happening.

This read more of a stream of consciousness than a novel with any structure. MCI - Matt Christopher Investigations - came across more as a group of assassins rather than a security and investigative firm. Even after finishing the book, I’m still not entirely sure what happened to some characters or exactly why things happened.

I considered giving up about a third of the way through, but I hate to DNF a book.

The only character I really liked was Mattie, Matt Christopher’s nephew, who is a sweet kid who has survived a whole host of trauma.

Overall, I wouldn’t recommend this book. There are way better action/military action and drama novels out there.

This is a well written entertaining high quality read. It is paced perfectly. Keeping me glued to the pages. I loved all the.jet setting.
I highly recommend this book

MC Matt has and so much on his shoulders and a lot of projects and justice to dole out. When he discovers he's the only blood relative left, of an abused nephew. He quickly becomes his guardian and vows to make his abusive father pay. His love interest, Francesca puts the breaks on and won't reciprocate until his previous wife is out of the picture.

All in all, there are more important
characters and all of them are vividly portrayed. The world build is phenomenal The storyline had a lot of twists, turns along with some happy moments and lots of suspenseful . I hope you enjoy it as much as I did,

From the very beginning, this book was one big, action-packed roller coaster ride of espionage and drama. If you enjoyed the television series "24", you will thoroughly enjoy this book. I am looking forward to more by this author.

Thank you NetGalley for early access to this book!This book only took me a day to read! It was a very fast paced, riveting political thriller that kept me guessing the entire time. It also taught me a lot about the military which I have very little knowledge of. I would definitely recommend to someone versed in the armed forces. The only qualm I had about this book was it was hard to keep track of the characters and their narratives. I found myself having to turn back the pages to figure out who was who.

This sounded like a book that might just be a great diversion from a lot of the heavy literary fiction I usually read. However sometimes what the blurb says and what you actually get are two completely different things.

I should have perhaps been more mindful that this is the third in a series of books about Matt Christopher, an ex-FBI agent who had been set up and disgraced before being exonerated and starting up his own company to ... well now there's the problem. I'm still not sure what his company does apart from fly around the world being "employed" by world leaders to sort out problems that may or may not have to do with child abuse.

There are so many characters with so many interwoven back stories that I got hopelessly lost several times. Then we have the people who work for Matt who all appear to have PTSD and can't stop killing people just because they want to.

This may sound ridiculous when describing a book about trained assassins but the thing that set my teeth in edge more than anything was the fact that none of them seemed to be able to return a cup or glass to a table - they were constantly throwing them at someone's head or over a balcony regardless of whether there was anyone below likely to be brained by this tiny idiocy.

I didn't like the characters, the plot was virtually incomprehensible and I won't be reading any more of Mr Kelly's work. It is a genre I often enjoy because of the escapism but this book left me cold.

The Blood Compass is a fast paced action story by J.R. Kelly that will keep you at the edge of your seat. The cast of characters is large and expansive, but they keep you on your toes and engaging. There's a lot happening throughout the story but the ending was a huge let down. I get it, I'm not going to always like the endings, but this one made me really question whether I liked the book at all.

The title is very interesting in this book because you didn't know what to expect. I It's like a mystery Like A game clue Whip agnina Christie thrown into the mix. This book had me spelled As Reading it. I love Matt how Was a private investigator. He had a lot of problems in his past He's working for the government but somehow he got thrown out of it because of his ex wife. You never knew what was going to happen in this book. It starts off in Italy f A problem because of the church. Then you find out His girlfriend was involved in this as well I like how he put the story together especially about his nephew he gets involved too. This man was amazing because he could fly anywhere he wanted to but he had so many different connections. This book Had so many different twist in turns At the end of the Booked you'll find out how everything was connected.

A rip-snorting thriller starring Matt Christopher, owner of an independent security company. Set in Italy and the US, Matt and his staff of former SEALs work to protect the US president and discover abusive priests whom the Vatican is trying to keep under wraps.
It is very fast-paced and tension increases exponentially throughout. Multiple characters make it essential to keep track of what is going on and where as they fly back and forth. The characters all have flaws and weaknesses as well as heavy doses of heroism.
Mildly recommended.

I have to say I enjoyed matt Christopher so much! He was such an enjoyable character to read. I felt his pain and I felt his strength. Definitely one of the best characters I’ve read in a while. I did also feel the book was super political with a mix of mystery but politics aren’t my absolute favorite but I did enjoy that ending quite a bit!

If fast-paced action tales are your thing, then The Blood Compass by J K Kelly will keep you riveted. It opens on the Isle of Capri, where former Navy Seal, Matt Christopher has been exiled. Matt and his dynamic team of former military personnel take on jobs requiring covert action and self-determined justice recompense. With its vast array of complicated, yet enjoyable characters, the flowing narrative reveals corruption at the highest levels. A frenetic-paced story with nonstop action, that seems almost surreal at times, as each chapter hails yet another physical confrontation. The ending is somewhat of a let-down and despite a romp of a tale overall, it is only a three stars read rating action-adventure tale. With thanks to Faber & Faber and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own and freely given.

This was a unique mystery novel, it was what I was hoping for from the description. I was drawn in from the first page and was able to get invested in what was happening with the characters. The characters were really well-done and I was glad to read them. J.K. Kelly has a great writing style and I look forward to more from the author.

“Secrets,” she said once they were alone again. “Everyone has them but this is one I can’t get past. Maybe after I’ve been in the trenches, spent some time with Francesca and heard some of her stories I will understand it more. But forgiving him, or letting him back in my heart?” Anne felt a wave of emotion coming but she choked it back. “Never say never. Let’s leave it at that for now, okay?”

Life can be complicated enough but for Matt Christopher, living far from home and away from the mad world his America had become, he was free to pursue his passions. He delivered justice and sought to protect the abused, all from the splendor of his Mediterranean villa on Capri. An orphaned nephew, a corrupt president, a practical pontiff, and a love interest in an elusive former Navy SEAL are just a few of the complicated characters that will compromise him and make THE BLOOD COMPASS a riveting read.

The Blood Compass has romance, murder, and revenge, evil politicians and you will be hooked. Matt Christopher is out to protect the abused and you will see it is no easy feat. Loved J.K. Kelly's writing style.

J.K.Kelly's writing draws you in and then takes you on a spectacular ride including spills and thrills, twists and turns, romance, murder, revenge, and so much more. Brilliant writing - sensational story. Highly recommended read and no hesitation in giving five stars to this chilling crime thriller novel.