What do you think?
Rate this book
Paul Janson #2
The Janson Command
Reformed from his days of assassination and international conspiracy, Paul Janson has a new mission and a new partner. Working with kickass sharpshooter Jessica Kincaid, he helps other disenchanted covert operatives to be rehabilitated and create new lives. He also accepts independent jobs, but only missions he believes will contribute to the greater good.
Janson takes the job to rescue a doctor who has been kidnapped by West African rebels during an ambush of an American oil service boat. At first, it appears that the doctor's life was spared in order to treat the rebels' wounded leader Ferdinand Poe, a beacon of hope against a cruel dictator. But when the mission goes haywire, Janson realizes he's in the middle of something much bigger. The puppet dictator has anonymous backers with designs on the oil reserves of this struggling nation - and Janson may find he's been fighting for the wrong side the whole time.
Janson takes the job to rescue a doctor who has been kidnapped by West African rebels during an ambush of an American oil service boat. At first, it appears that the doctor's life was spared in order to treat the rebels' wounded leader Ferdinand Poe, a beacon of hope against a cruel dictator. But when the mission goes haywire, Janson realizes he's in the middle of something much bigger. The puppet dictator has anonymous backers with designs on the oil reserves of this struggling nation - and Janson may find he's been fighting for the wrong side the whole time.
353 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 14, 2012
412 people are currently reading
2616 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
February 18, 2022
I was extremely satisfied and excited with this book. This kept me on edge and curious and the book built up expectations and didn’t leave the listener wanting. I do recommend this book.
August 25, 2021
a great book just as its first one. paul garrison did a very good job of creating a story. intense thrilling and overly satisfying....just great !!!
February 11, 2012
Robert Ludlum’s
The Janson Command
By Paul Garrison
ISBN: 978-0-446-56450-2, Pages 432, $27.99, Publication Date: February 14, 2012, Hardcover, Published by Hachette Book Group, Grand Central Publishing
Robert Ludlum’s bestselling books had always centered on a theme of suspense and action. He was the author of 26 novels; each one was a New York Times best seller. Robert died in 2001, but his legacy of characters live on through additional novels written by an array of authors who continued to captivate the developed audience of 225 million readers. Paul Garrison has picked up the baton and has written a spine tingling novel the “Janson Command.”
Paul Garrison is a renowned author of critically acclaimed thrillers, “Fire and Ice,” “Red Sky at Morning,” “Buried at Sea,” “Sea Hunter,” and “The Ripple Effect.” His ability to create scenarios, which are compelling, complete, and challenging were hone to perfection so that when he wrote the “Janson Command” he was able to pick up the pace to perfection.
Readers will marvel at the first one hundred pages where the intensity of past encounters, new characters, and thrilling exploits move so fast that you cannot escape the compulsion to read on and turn the pages as fast as you can. Paul Janson is an outstanding lead character who introduces his ingénue Jessica Kincaid by demonstrating her skills as a crack shot and afraid of nothing in her quest to get the bad people. The involvement between Paul and Jessica make this an adult book, but do not be distracted by the side play between them, this book does not center upon their relationship, it is about a country which had been over thrown by a despot and is trying to regain its democracy through its previously deposed president.
To keep you entertained, there are plenty of murders, battles in murky waters, travel in luxurious jets, and this is all in the first segment of the book. One of the outstanding features of Paul Garrison’s writing is his ability to set the scene and then swiftly describe the action in detail, but with a paucity of words so that the reader does not get bored. His description of Janson’s personal jet makes you feel as though you are riding in one of the empty seats. Private jets now seem to be only for those who are engaged in high finance and Paul is no exception. A select clientele who pay millions for him to accomplish his assignments finances his activities.
Paul Janson’s background is interspersed throughout this novel so that as you go along you get a good understanding of what he is capable of doing. In his past, he had been a government assassin who would accept missions of eliminating targets of the United States. He was extremely good at his job earning the title ‘The Machine.’ This stood for the acknowledgement that he was methodical and performed extremely efficient.
A thriller that once again ends with a happy conclusion that leaves you satisfied, but at the same time opens the door for the next assignment that Janson and his associates will undertake. This is a five star book, which appeals to the thriller in all of us.
The Janson Command
By Paul Garrison
ISBN: 978-0-446-56450-2, Pages 432, $27.99, Publication Date: February 14, 2012, Hardcover, Published by Hachette Book Group, Grand Central Publishing
Robert Ludlum’s bestselling books had always centered on a theme of suspense and action. He was the author of 26 novels; each one was a New York Times best seller. Robert died in 2001, but his legacy of characters live on through additional novels written by an array of authors who continued to captivate the developed audience of 225 million readers. Paul Garrison has picked up the baton and has written a spine tingling novel the “Janson Command.”
Paul Garrison is a renowned author of critically acclaimed thrillers, “Fire and Ice,” “Red Sky at Morning,” “Buried at Sea,” “Sea Hunter,” and “The Ripple Effect.” His ability to create scenarios, which are compelling, complete, and challenging were hone to perfection so that when he wrote the “Janson Command” he was able to pick up the pace to perfection.
Readers will marvel at the first one hundred pages where the intensity of past encounters, new characters, and thrilling exploits move so fast that you cannot escape the compulsion to read on and turn the pages as fast as you can. Paul Janson is an outstanding lead character who introduces his ingénue Jessica Kincaid by demonstrating her skills as a crack shot and afraid of nothing in her quest to get the bad people. The involvement between Paul and Jessica make this an adult book, but do not be distracted by the side play between them, this book does not center upon their relationship, it is about a country which had been over thrown by a despot and is trying to regain its democracy through its previously deposed president.
To keep you entertained, there are plenty of murders, battles in murky waters, travel in luxurious jets, and this is all in the first segment of the book. One of the outstanding features of Paul Garrison’s writing is his ability to set the scene and then swiftly describe the action in detail, but with a paucity of words so that the reader does not get bored. His description of Janson’s personal jet makes you feel as though you are riding in one of the empty seats. Private jets now seem to be only for those who are engaged in high finance and Paul is no exception. A select clientele who pay millions for him to accomplish his assignments finances his activities.
Paul Janson’s background is interspersed throughout this novel so that as you go along you get a good understanding of what he is capable of doing. In his past, he had been a government assassin who would accept missions of eliminating targets of the United States. He was extremely good at his job earning the title ‘The Machine.’ This stood for the acknowledgement that he was methodical and performed extremely efficient.
A thriller that once again ends with a happy conclusion that leaves you satisfied, but at the same time opens the door for the next assignment that Janson and his associates will undertake. This is a five star book, which appeals to the thriller in all of us.
May 24, 2021
Action all the way through. A grippin plot packed with interesting characters.
March 2, 2012
I am of two minds with this "Robert Ludlum" book written by Paul Garrison. I was a huge fan of Ludlum but I found this over the top at times with Garrison stretching believe-ability in a way that Ludlum never did. It is a busy story with Ludlum's character Paul Janson and his sidekick Jessica Kincaid taking on all and sundry with enemies seemingly coming from all directions. Its OK but not as compelling as the master that Garrison is trying to emulate.
March 16, 2012
A good Ludlum-like story but a little too far fetched for my taste.
December 27, 2013
To be entirely honest, I always get nervous when I see something like "Robert Ludlum's The Janson Command" or "Tom Clancy's Op-Center." There's nothing wrong with passing the torch, per se, to another author, but it's usually an indication of lower quality in the work.
As far as this book goes -- it's good but not great. First up, can we please stop having oil companies be the villains? To call that particular trope worn out would be an understatement.
Secondly, it's apparent the author did some cursory research on a lot of topics but didn't delve into them enough to make them believable to those in the know. You can't pull down Google Maps on a satellite phone, you don't throw the slide on a Beretta Tomcat or Jetfire to load it (they use a tip-up barrel), and you wouldn't use TOR for business communications). These are minor quibbles, but if you're going to present details, please present accurate ones.
While engaging, I didn't find anything worth noodling over at its conclusion. Overall, it's a straightforward action book, quickly read and (likely) quickly forgotten. For all that, it's not bad. I'd pick up the rest of the books in the series were they available cheaply.
As far as this book goes -- it's good but not great. First up, can we please stop having oil companies be the villains? To call that particular trope worn out would be an understatement.
Secondly, it's apparent the author did some cursory research on a lot of topics but didn't delve into them enough to make them believable to those in the know. You can't pull down Google Maps on a satellite phone, you don't throw the slide on a Beretta Tomcat or Jetfire to load it (they use a tip-up barrel), and you wouldn't use TOR for business communications). These are minor quibbles, but if you're going to present details, please present accurate ones.
While engaging, I didn't find anything worth noodling over at its conclusion. Overall, it's a straightforward action book, quickly read and (likely) quickly forgotten. For all that, it's not bad. I'd pick up the rest of the books in the series were they available cheaply.
April 28, 2012
Silly. Cardboard characters, ridiculous dialog, beyond believable plot developments (apparently the main characters have a superpower ability to be in the right place at the right time), etc. Also, the continued use of the model make and number for planes, guns, etc. got to be like nails on a chalkboard. It would be similar to replacing the word "car" with a description every time it comes up in a sentence: "I'm going to drive my Jetta Wagon Turbo Diesel with sunroof and roof racks to the grocery store...."
March 11, 2012
Sadly not as good as Janson Objective
November 28, 2012
The Janson Command by Paul Garrison is a sequel to Robert Ludlum's The Janson Directive. The main character - Paul Janson - used to be one of the most skilled and ruthless assassins employed by the US government. At some point he decided to change his ways. He seized an opportunity to quit his job and establish an independent operation, where he could be his own commanding officer and use his skills in accordance with his conscience. Working with his business partner and skilled sniper Jessica Kincaid he gets involved in operations of his own choice, trying to support just causes and redeem his old sins.
The plot of this novel is very well crafted. It’s original, rather believable, with just the right amount of unexpected twists to keep the reader on the edge of his seat. The characters are very well defined and realistic, but at the same time mysterious, and in many cases the reader is not entirely sure who is on which side. Jessica Kincaid is an especially interesting character, strong, but undoubtedly feminine.
What I liked the most about this novel is that the author deliberately left a couple of threads unfinished, a couple of mysteries unsolved. Can we expect the third book in the series?
The plot of this novel is very well crafted. It’s original, rather believable, with just the right amount of unexpected twists to keep the reader on the edge of his seat. The characters are very well defined and realistic, but at the same time mysterious, and in many cases the reader is not entirely sure who is on which side. Jessica Kincaid is an especially interesting character, strong, but undoubtedly feminine.
What I liked the most about this novel is that the author deliberately left a couple of threads unfinished, a couple of mysteries unsolved. Can we expect the third book in the series?
October 17, 2013
This Ludlum book, actually written by Paul Garrison, intrigued me through proposing a novel hero. Paul Janson, himself a covert operative, rehabilitated the wreckage of lives left by the violent intelligence section. He is committed to recovering and healing damaged former agents or opertives. Out of these recovered men he has forged a small but adept group to use in international crises.
Janson along with his partner, sharpshooter Jessica Kincaid, maintains a strong ethic: 1. No torture, 2. No civiliaan casualties, and 3. No killing anyone who doesn't rty to kill them.
Janson's goal, to rehabilitate the wrecks left by American power plays, and his rules including no torture are refreshing after so many stories of intelligence agents bending the rules of civil society.
Aside from this, however, the plot involves the usual heroics and in that sense should rate a 3. I gave it a 4 due to the higher moral ground. An entertaining read.
Janson along with his partner, sharpshooter Jessica Kincaid, maintains a strong ethic: 1. No torture, 2. No civiliaan casualties, and 3. No killing anyone who doesn't rty to kill them.
Janson's goal, to rehabilitate the wrecks left by American power plays, and his rules including no torture are refreshing after so many stories of intelligence agents bending the rules of civil society.
Aside from this, however, the plot involves the usual heroics and in that sense should rate a 3. I gave it a 4 due to the higher moral ground. An entertaining read.
March 1, 2012
I was a little worried about a writer starting a series based on a book written by Ludlum over a decade ago. I haven't been happy with the direction the Bourne series has been taken, so naturally I was skeptical.
It's not bad though; it reads like Cussler's stuff, and it is well written.
It's not bad though; it reads like Cussler's stuff, and it is well written.
February 5, 2012
Read my review on bookreporter.com this week.
February 19, 2012
Another page turner probably will be a movie
February 27, 2012
Liked this. Waiting for his next book.
March 3, 2012
Really enjoyed the novel. Always a little nervous when a different author picks up a giant's characters. PaulGarrison did a good job.
January 3, 2015
Decent action, plot that moved with pace but total lack of character development and a good story made me glad this was an audiobook to fill the miles.
July 11, 2015
Excellent!
June 4, 2018
I prefer my thrillers full of jungle shoot-outs, high seas pirates, corrupt dictators, international smuggling, and evil oil tycoons. Luckily I found this book!
August 1, 2020
Not bad, but putting the Ludlum name on it put me on the wrong foot. This book was a good read, but not close to a book that Ludlum wrote himself.
March 22, 2021
Read it as it has Robert Ludlum name on it but not written by him. Not great
April 22, 2020
It’s been a long time (almost 20 years) since I read The Janson Directive, one of Robert Ludlum’s last “real” books. I remember it as typical Ludlum, highly trained operative, seeking justice, secretive organisations, conspiracy etc etc. All the stuff he excelled in with his writing.
This, written 18 (?) years later has author Paul Garrison taking on the character.
Janson and his partner Jessica Kincaid head up their own organisation now, with plenty of money, resources and contacts. They take on jobs that are right and just in order to give payback for the things they have done in the past. They are both smart, talented and lethal. Here they get involved when an island coup has its roots in the oil business. They may have bitten off more that they can chew when they find themselves up against an organisation that matches their own, but with firepower.
Two main things to say here, one is that this is nothing like a Robert Ludlum book, second is the fact that I really rather enjoyed it. Do not expect a Ludlum type thriller, this has not much in common with what you might expect. But it is a fast moving and slick thriller with engaging characters. The rather cold and focussed Janson is well balanced by the wilder and extrovert Kincaid.
So the author has taken the characters from Ludlum and made them his own. And done a good job of it too.
This, written 18 (?) years later has author Paul Garrison taking on the character.
Janson and his partner Jessica Kincaid head up their own organisation now, with plenty of money, resources and contacts. They take on jobs that are right and just in order to give payback for the things they have done in the past. They are both smart, talented and lethal. Here they get involved when an island coup has its roots in the oil business. They may have bitten off more that they can chew when they find themselves up against an organisation that matches their own, but with firepower.
Two main things to say here, one is that this is nothing like a Robert Ludlum book, second is the fact that I really rather enjoyed it. Do not expect a Ludlum type thriller, this has not much in common with what you might expect. But it is a fast moving and slick thriller with engaging characters. The rather cold and focussed Janson is well balanced by the wilder and extrovert Kincaid.
So the author has taken the characters from Ludlum and made them his own. And done a good job of it too.
November 12, 2018
The story starts three years previous when Paul Janson makes Doug Case his first recruit in an effort to help and rehabilitate veterans. Now, working with Jennifer Kincaid, he is tasked by his old friend Doug, chief security of American Synergy Corp, to find Terrence Flannigan, M.D., missing from the Gulf of Guinea. This puts him in the midst of a dispute between President for Life Iboga and Acting President Ferdinand Poe. Just when you think you have all the political intrigue and corporate corruption figured out; just when you think you know the good guys from the bad; just as you're in the final pages thinking you have it all figured out - surprise!
April 21, 2025
The Janson Command.
What an excellent book and story, held me transfixed for a couple of days. I read a lot of books but this is, without question, the best book I have read this year (2025). I find the author Paul Garrison, a superb writer and what startled me was the amount of research he must have done at the many many locations which was so exact and precise that it added hugely to the story. Very professional. If the next book in the series is as good I am in for a very pleasant time. Highly recommended.
What an excellent book and story, held me transfixed for a couple of days. I read a lot of books but this is, without question, the best book I have read this year (2025). I find the author Paul Garrison, a superb writer and what startled me was the amount of research he must have done at the many many locations which was so exact and precise that it added hugely to the story. Very professional. If the next book in the series is as good I am in for a very pleasant time. Highly recommended.
August 1, 2024
Decided to switch things up from my regular romance reads and get into some action. I saw this was by the author of the Jason Bourne novels and it was an immediate buy that did not disappoint!
Paul Janson is a badass operative, rightfully nicknamed “the machine” and his partner Jessica Kincaid equally so. This book had amazing action, and was written so smoothly that I truly felt like I was watching a movie rather than reading a book.
Paul Janson is a badass operative, rightfully nicknamed “the machine” and his partner Jessica Kincaid equally so. This book had amazing action, and was written so smoothly that I truly felt like I was watching a movie rather than reading a book.
February 22, 2019
you know what you're getting, fast paced . Did a good job
Reformed from his days of assassination and conspiracy, Paul Janson has a new mission and a new partner. Working with kick-ass sharpshooter Jessica Kincaid, he helps other disenchanted covert operatives to create new lives. He also accepts independent jobs, but only missions he believes will contribute to the greater good.
Reformed from his days of assassination and conspiracy, Paul Janson has a new mission and a new partner. Working with kick-ass sharpshooter Jessica Kincaid, he helps other disenchanted covert operatives to create new lives. He also accepts independent jobs, but only missions he believes will contribute to the greater good.
Read
July 21, 2023Absolutely brilliant!!
Janson and Kincaid have their work cut out for them as the job they've been hired to do drags them into a civil war that sees them travel the globe in search of the man they've been sent to save and an evil dictator and his private security team who always seem a step ahead in this top class addictive page turning thriller.
Janson and Kincaid have their work cut out for them as the job they've been hired to do drags them into a civil war that sees them travel the globe in search of the man they've been sent to save and an evil dictator and his private security team who always seem a step ahead in this top class addictive page turning thriller.
May 23, 2024
I guess I like my governments in fiction and my private entities in nonfiction. Similar to the Power Plays series by Tom Clancy, thrillers whose main protagonist is a private entity are a bit dull for me. While I would be happy to borrow the Janson series from a library, I don't think I'm missing out by not buying the series. The mainline Ludlums and the Bourne series are plenty, methinks.
June 4, 2018
This was a good read. Paul Garrison has taken the essence of the original book by Ludlum and carried on in the same vein. Much better than Eric Lustbader's continuation of the Bourne books by Ludlum. You can tell that Janson has actually read Ludlum's book!
August 1, 2020
A good book to read.
The leads you around on some crazy trips that have to go and hopefully get done what has come to them. There are times when you think they will not make it, but they due come close. Book well done good read.
The leads you around on some crazy trips that have to go and hopefully get done what has come to them. There are times when you think they will not make it, but they due come close. Book well done good read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews