The Cleaner (John Milton Thrillers) Paperback – September 16, 2013

My initial interest was sparked when researching self-publishing and came across the author, Mark Dawson, as one of the stars in this world. So I have to admit that I have not read other books that I have seen compared to this series such as Jack Reacher nor did I see the Jack Reacher movies (the previews really didn’t seem that good). I have, however, seen the Jason Bourne movies (alas also did not read those books either) as well as the Jason Statham movies like Transporter and the Mechanic where the feel is roughly the same. So I’d give myself a 50/50 on understanding the story construct and plot-lines. Interestingly enough Statham has been rumoured to have been cast in either a television series or movie for the main character in this book. As a reader once hearing that it is hard to dislodge the image of Statham from the one that Dawson creates here especially since while the characters that Statham has played do line up with this one insofar as action and experience the appearance, look, feel and capabilities do not (read on for why).This was Mark Dawson’s first novel in the series featuring the character John Milton a former specialist with a military background that works for a sister spy agency of Britain’s of 007’s Mi6 called Control. Dawson builds a classic portrayal in Milton of a soldier who did what he was told, asked no questions but as a result of one epic moment has an epiphany that maybe not everything he had been doing was good. We get only a brief glimpse into what the event was in this novel but certainly something that serves as a lure to bring the reader on to another novel in this series where Dawson may provide more depth. The sudden realization for the main character set him on a path of repentance that very formulaically puts him on a confrontation course with his now ex-employer, Control (the classic; once you’re in you never leave..at least not alive). Dawson’s writing and interweaving of other characters does help provide more colour to a painting by numbers storyline and I have to say the character interaction and how they articulate themselves feels genuine and authentic which is no doubt a nod to Dawson’s skill at both research and creating believable constructs.The story’s pace continues about with a quick but deliberate pace with Milton forced to balance helping a friend/lover and her son while trying to reconstruct his life. This element brings in a certain twist to Milton’s character that not only did he want to get out of being a killer but he is searching for ways to redeem himself. Between that and how the younger characters in the book refer to Milton as an old man it’s hard to shake the connection to a TV series from the 80s called the Equalizer wherein an agent, presumed to be from the CIA, tries to atone for his past. The connection is clearer to Milton because even though the agent in the Equalizer was supposed to be former CIA he was played by Edward Woodward an English actor. Woodward was in his 50s when he starred in the Equalizer so it’s hard to align that look and feel of that character with the one Dawson creates in Milton but perhaps a reader without that connection point could think the kids referred to Milton as an old man simply because he was older than they were.While also trying to move on from being a super spy Milton, it is revealed, is a recovering alcoholic. This adds an element of realistic weakness to Milton but Dawson just scratches the surface of Milton’s struggles. Another potentially rich storyline vein that perhaps will be explored more in other novels in this series. On that note, there are times where it seems that Milton’s character has more flaws then the ones that someone should have based on the experience that Dawson outlines. He is supposed to be a trained assassin. Maybe not quite in the vein of Jason Bourne meaning that he isn’t supposed to be (or at least Dawson doesn’t portray him as) someone who has had their mind completely wiped and turned into a super solider. But still Milton is supposed to be number 1 (meaning the best) of a group of special agents and yet he has no idea anyone is tracking him from Control until one man is dead and his home is broken into without him knowing. He also almost gets killled by an untrained, drugged up wannabe gangster (e.g.: he drops his gun while doing a tuck role behind a sofa?). Maybe Dawson is trying to instill a sense of mortality or humanness. After all not everyone is James Bond or a ninja but again with the buildup that this man was number one in a group of assassins it just seems…off.For an entry novel to a series it intrigued me enough to purchase another book in the Milton series as well as a book from another of his series (Beatrix Rose).

“Rutherford had seen s—t like this before in Baghdad, but this was London”This novel made for an intriguing read and introduced me to the street gang culture prevalent in Hackney, London. Although I've read the odd article about these gangs, it was an altogether different experience living and breathing their existence through the pages of a well-researched work of fiction.I was surprised to discover the lawlessness of these UK street gangs, which attract countless minors from underprivileged immigrant backgrounds. With the authorities unable to effectively curb the influence of the gangs, these kids are drawn into a violent and merciless world in which they are either turned into hardened criminals or murdered by rivals.London riots also serve as a backdrop to the events of this novel, which I assume are based on the ones of 2011. As an occasional listener to Mark Dawson's podcast I was interested to read some of his work. Dawson is renowned to be a successful self-published author, one of those who seized up the Amazon gold rush in its early stages, thereby managing to elude the dismal life of a legal professional by selling his fiction and also teaching people to embark on the indie (independent author) path.I have to say that I was greatly impressed by the quality of his writing. I - perhaps unfairly - expected him to avoid the use of 'hard words' (a term that the US publishing industry uses to refer to words of more than two syllables or words that have readers reaching for a dictionary). However Dawson's prose is rich and he does not sidestep the use of the occasional lesser-used word like 'declamatory', which was a heartening and a welcome change from the slew of dumbed down prose by indie authors over the last decade. Personally I can't think why a reader would want to read fiction if it's not going to expand their vocabulary at all, although I'm probably part of a fast shrinking group of people that think this.The book summary was somewhat misleading, which is not necessarily a bad thing. I was expecting the main protagonist, UK black ops assassin John Milton, to be flung into a rip-roaring action adventure early on in the story. I also expected the wayward boy Elijah to be kidnapped early on in the piece and his eventual fate to be Dawson's McGuffin. However this didn't occur and there instead unfolded a slow paced narrative in which the reader visits the inhumane environs of gangland London. Through Milton we infiltrate a world that is richly textured and which at all times feels real and convincing. There is a hugely detailed and satisfying description of engaging characters who include Jaja, Sharon, Pops, Rutherford, Pinky and Bizness.The subplot involving Control and number 12 quickly became too peripheral for me to get too excited about its conclusion. Furthermore, I found that the standoff between Milton and Bizness lacked ingenuity so that it was basically just a shootout. I also felt that the unexpected appearance of the French policeman and the child in the first scene was never satisfactorily explained. I kept expecting it to eventually be revealed as a frame-up of some sort but no explanation was forthcoming and I think this was an opportunity missed.Some might also complain about the open ending but to my mind this did not make the underlying messages in the novel any less powerful. Two days after finishing the book the question still lingers in my mind: were Sharon and Jaja better off after Milton entered their life?

Judging by the other comments on this page my literary skills must be pretty low, despite having got a high pass rate ‘O’ level in English Language and Literature, I don’t look for structure or prose or even credibility. I look for escapism, and these books have that in spades. I also don’t read a book in order to discover the flaws and continuity errors in it, although I can understand how this could be rewarding to some personalities who can find fault with anything. I have now read 9 books from the “John Milton” series and enjoyed every one; my advice is to buy the 3 book sets right from the start. I have now signed up to the emails and received some free short stories that I will read and enjoy, and maybe even indulge in some more escapism! If you liked Reacher you’ll like Milton, but the two are not the same.

The claim is that you won't be able to put this book down. Yes you will, I did it many times and amazed myself for picking it up again. This "hero" must be one of the most inept agents in the history of fiction. His decision making is unbelievably poor and all those whom he "helps" wind up either dead or injured while he slopes off without seemingly to care about the havoc he has caused. A depressing book and even more depressing to find out that there is a series of books about this character. No more for me!

I hate to be negative but this is the worse book I have ever read. Lee Childs with his Jack Reacher has nothing to worry about. Idea was good, assassin wanting to retire BUT all the talk between rival gangs of kids in Hackney so boring. Since when have we called the police the "Feds" in England.

I bought the second book in the series immediately after finishing this one so that says something.The cleaner is a Brit novel which is different in this age of American thrillers. John Milton is an ex-SAS special forces man working now for Military Intelligence. He is tired of it and wants to get out but they won't let him.Think about a British Jack Reacher crossed with the Equalizer. I'm about a third through the second book in the series as I write this review and am enjoying it immensely do it looks good for the series.

After downloading this based on reviews I have to admit I was slightly disappointed in it. A very slow start. So much so that I almost finished the book before I'd really started. Boring start. However, it started to pick up pace so I continued. If Milton is SAS then I wouldn't t want him in my corner. Couldn't believe how it was written so that he missed, this, that and the other.Number 12 who was supposed to be following him hardly appeared in the story, only at the end. Pointless.Without wanting to give too much away, there were innocent people shot that he should have been able to protect. The story is based on Ellijah but you get to the end and what has happened to him and his mother?Not a very well thought out book at all. Disappointed that I paid for it.