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FEAR (The Ball & Chain Thrillers Book 2) Kindle Edition

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 333 ratings

His heart beats. Barely.

Each thump pounds his mind deeper into oblivion.

And he wonders...
How did I get here?

A father goes missing. Not just any father. But a person once worshipped for his world-class talent.

Enter the most unconventional team around: Willow Ball and Cooper Chain.

As a nurse at the community clinic, Willow has seen the painful effects of heroin addiction. But now she's compelled to help a grieving wife and mother.

Dodging the mob at every turn, Cooper has a plan to bring them down while getting traction on his upstart career. Is he marching into a trap?

With their relationship bordering the "friends with benefits" stage, Willow and Cooper team up to find the missing person. But it's not that simple. Nothing with them is ever simple.

The hunt corkscrews into an impossible maze of events—their lives threatened by a swarm of twisted deviants and social misfits.

Emotions run rampant, stoking one savage response after another. A spark ignites the hate, but the real fuel for this wave of brutal crimes is impossible to detect.

Can Willow and Cooper save a family from the torment before it's too late?

Only if they can overcome their own…fear.

If you're a fan of Michael Connelly's
Ballard and Bosch, David Baldacci's King and Maxwell, Tess Gerritsen's Rizzoli and Isles, Harlan Coben's Myron Bolitar, or the TV show "Castle," you'll be enthralled by this gut-busting Ball & Chain thriller.

*Warning: The Ball & Chain Thrillers are full of white-knuckle suspense and sarcastic sass. Proceed with caution.

The Ball & Chain Thrillers:
MERCY (Book 1)
FEAR (Book 2)
BURY (Book 3)
LURE (Book 4)
PREY (Book 5)
VANISH (Book 6)
ESCAPE (Book 7)
TRAP (Book 8)

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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07M94SM88
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sugar Hill Press (March 19, 2019)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 19, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.9 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 333 ratings

About the author

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John W. Mefford
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Amazon #1 Bestselling Author and a Readers' Favorite Gold Medal winner.

A veteran of the corporate rat-race, John W. Mefford never realized he was mentally documenting every experience of his professional journey—not until he started his first novel during a so-called "corporate timeout."

A voracious reader of mystery-thrillers since before he could shave, John enjoys weaving a twisty tale that keeps readers riveted until the last page. ​He's also learned he's pretty good at embellishing. Just don't tell his fourth-grade teacher.

Connect with John on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JohnWMeffordAuthor

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
333 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy the book's entertaining and suspenseful plots with twists and turns. They praise the excellent writing and find the series fantastic. The characters develop chemistry and relationships that are enjoyable to watch. The conversations feel realistic and add to the development of their relationship.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

15 customers mention "Enjoyment"15 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it entertaining, fun, and easy to read. The story keeps them engrossed throughout with comedy and adventure. Readers have enjoyed other series by the author and consider this series better after reading the first book.

"...plots, horrible crimes, and character relationships that are fun to watch develop. This is a series to enjoy as it grows. Lots of fun...." Read more

"Fun lighthearted reading. A pair of unlikely detectives keep stumbling into new mysteries to solve...." Read more

"...to become reacquainted while finding themselves in an entertaining mix of dilemmas...." Read more

"...With Cooper Ball and Willow chain the adventure is sure to please.. I must say I have read all of Mr Mefford's books and this series is the best..." Read more

12 customers mention "Suspenseful"12 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the exciting plots and twists in the book. They find it thrilling and suspenseful, with never-ending drama and surprises until the end. The book is described as funny and lighter in tone, with a touch of romance.

"...their unusual relationship which includes slapstick comedy, horrible bad guys, crime solving, very needy and not so needy friends and relatives, and..." Read more

"...The surprises continued until the very end, leaving me very anxious for the next book in the series...." Read more

"...real-life flawed characters that are very relative .. His mysteries are exciting as he aims to kidnap the reader from the mundane and plunge them..." Read more

"...It's funny and lighter in tone, with a tad more romance, while still not losing any of the twists and mysteries that we have come to anticipate from..." Read more

7 customers mention "Story quality"7 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality. They find it well-written, with action-packed adventures and excellent plots. The author provides background for new readers, making it easy to immerse themselves in the story.

"...series which was more serious, but we still have the same excellent writing, exciting plots, horrible crimes, and character relationships that are..." Read more

"...The author provides background for new readers, but so much more will be gained by actually reading the book for one's self...." Read more

"...As a master of story telling from his pen flows action-packed adventures for the armchair traveler who enjoys a thrilling escape...." Read more

"...You won’t be disappointed! Kudos to John Mefford on another fantastic series." Read more

5 customers mention "Character development"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy watching the characters develop relationships. They find themselves quickly immersed in the characters' lives and chemistry.

"...same excellent writing, exciting plots, horrible crimes, and character relationships that are fun to watch develop...." Read more

"...Devoid of the predictable he incorporates real-life flawed characters that are very relative .. His mysteries are exciting as he aims to kidnap the..." Read more

"...What flawed characters and relationships - they're just like my life. And to me those things make for an interesting read because I can relate...." Read more

"...I was quickly thrust into the characters and their developing chemistry. The plot has multiple angles and it will keep you engrossed throughout...." Read more

4 customers mention "Interaction"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the partner interactions and find it enjoyable to get to know Cooper and Willow. The conversations feel realistic and add to the redevelopment of their relationship, making it easy to get swept away into the story.

"...This makes them seem all the more realistic, and adds to the redevelopment of their relationship...." Read more

"...The conversations feel very real and it's easy to get swept away into the story...." Read more

"Enjoyable getting to know Cooper and Willow. There is a lot of flirting between them as they get caught up in many different crimes...." Read more

"This is an interesting partner interaction." Read more

There are LOTs of BAD people who do things that might leave you with nightmares.
5 out of 5 stars
There are LOTs of BAD people who do things that might leave you with nightmares.
This novel is filled with twists and turns. There are LOTs of BAD people who do things that might leave you with nightmares.Cooper and Willow flounder around attempting to help people--and I mean flounder! It gets almost comical in places. Willow's Mom is kind of a main character and what a character she is--all I can say thank heavens my Mom is not like her!! They are also being followed and threatened and not only by Cooper's arch nemesis and his 2 Goons. People are kidnapped--will they be found in time or sliced and diced?Fear can generate hate and there is someone out there trying to prove this in the most ruthless way!! Can he be found and stopped?There will be a book after this one and I am hoping it will answer some the questions that are left hanging--or at least I hope it will--I am actually looking forward to it!!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2019
    This is Book 2 in the new series Ball & Chain. The way it is presented, I found it to be quite a fun read even though it deals with a horrible crime. Willow Ball and Cooper Chain have a very comedic relationship that actually is the foundation for the story. Since he is starting from scratch on these two characters in this new series (there is no carry-over from the Redemption series), the author is building their characters and relationships through comedy and considerable adventure. 18 years ago Chain and Ball were close friends/somewhat lovers, and, due to a rash educational/athletic decision by Chain, separated without any further contact. Until recently... Book 1 introduces these crazy friends/now associates/now crime solvers, and Book 2 continues their unusual relationship which includes slapstick comedy, horrible bad guys, crime solving, very needy and not so needy friends and relatives, and very complicated personal relationships from now and from the 18 years they were apart. This series is definitely a change from the Redemption series which was more serious, but we still have the same excellent writing, exciting plots, horrible crimes, and character relationships that are fun to watch develop. This is a series to enjoy as it grows. Lots of fun. Highly recommend.
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2019
    Fun lighthearted reading. A pair of unlikely detectives keep stumbling into new mysteries to solve. I always look forward to picking up where I left off to discover the next caper
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2019
    This second book of The Ball and Chain Thrillers allows the reader to get to know Cooper and Willow better, as these old friends continue to become reacquainted while finding themselves in an entertaining mix of dilemmas. Both characters have some pretty heavy baggage from the many years their lives were on separate paths. This makes them seem all the more realistic, and adds to the redevelopment of their relationship. The overlapping of Cooper's magazine article and issues involving a patient of Willow's was well done. The surprises continued until the very end, leaving me very anxious for the next book in the series.
    The main story of this book can stand alone, but the reader will enjoy it even more if book one has been read first. The author provides background for new readers, but so much more will be gained by actually reading the book for one's self.
    I received an ARC of this book. I have since purchased my own copy of the novel to show my support of Mr. Mefford whose writings are among my favorites.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2019
    I have been basically following Mefford's work since I first started reading him. All the releases (I think). This is the second one in this series, and I hoped it would be better than the first one, but, instead, I find I have bigger issues with it than the previous book.

    The first - and biggest - problem is his shifting of perspective AND narrative between both his protagonists. Chain is a man. Ball is a woman. He attempts to write each in first person - but they don't occur to me as distinct and different. It is possible for a man to write first person from a woman's perspective - that's not the issue. It can be done - I just don't find that he did it distinctly enough so I can tell one from the other.

    Add, of course, that he's also got a third narrative voice - in this case third person - and it doesn't do well. One literally must read his little marker before each chapter to find out who he's talking as, versus knowing by the way the character's voice appears that it's definitely one - or the other.

    I suspect my review is one of the few for less than 5 stars. But in my world, that's got to be earned. There are too many thriller writers self-publishing. If there was no competition - or he had no back catalog - I could see a higher rating. But based on his work to date, this series is not on the same plane as his other work. Sorry to see that.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2019
    Cooper Chain has finally started back to work on his sports journalist career. He and Willow Ball are still friends and sometimes work together when they are investigating missing people. Apparently, Willow Ball was to get married to a very rich accountant, but when a Cooper showed up at the wedding, she began to wonder if she really did love her fiancé, or was he just a fantasy for a better life. Consequently, the wedding did not happen. And to make matters worse, Cooper is still being hounded by the Sack Brothers, who were hired by his nemesis, Dr. V. He had paid Dr. V back on his gambling debts, but Dr. V mentioned that he still had to do him two favors before he was paid in full. What else could he possibly do for Dr. V.? While Willow was working at the clinic, one of her patients, Jada Hatley lived her concerns about her husband. Jada is the wife of a very famous basketball player, Rashad Harley. Jada was extremely worried that her husband had gone back to using drugs. She mentioned that she had not seen him in few weeks. Willow contacted Cooper and asked for his help to try to track Rashad Hatley down. Of course, he agreed, since he would be able to hopefully get a story out of it for his newspaper. It seems as if there are all kinds of family dysfunctions going in the Hatley family. Could this be one of the reasons for Rashad to disappear? Where is he? What happened to have caused him to take off and not to have had any contact with his family? As they start to investigate clues, it seems as if more people are disappearing. The perpetrator is driving a white van. Who is the culprit, and why is he snatching people? Will they find Rashad? Will he be alive? What will they uncover? Will Cooper and Willow rekindle their past romantic relationship? The plot was one that definitely kept the attention of the reader. The character development certainly kept the reader captivated with all their faults and flaws. I was surprised by the ending. It was not what I had expected. The culprit was not who I thought it would be. I did not really like the ending of the book though. It seemed to be too abrupt. Other than that I can’t wait to see what kind of trouble these two will get into.

Top reviews from other countries

  • Kitler1704
    5.0 out of 5 stars Buckle Up!
    Reviewed in Canada on March 19, 2019
    Magnificently executed! Edge of your seat, holding your breath, gut clenched reading! Cooper and Willow have mastered attaining the impossible with nothing. A chance encounter with a woman who casually mentions she hasn't seen her husband for a few days leads to a race against time with some very large stumbling blocks thrown in front of them. Trying to dig up clues and act on them is hampered with periodic appearances by the Sack Brothers who like to inflict massive amounts of pain in the direction of Cooper and Willow. Blow torch, waterboarding, electrical shock...every cell in your body reacts to the point of needing to catch your breath afterwards. There is no putting this book down until it is finished so make sure to give yourself enough time.
  • Norma Miles
    5.0 out of 5 stars "The carrot and the stick."
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 23, 2019
    There's always a tingle of excitement with each new John Mefford publication. Fear is the second of his Ball and Chain novels, featuring the unlikely couple, Cooper and Willow, college sweethearts who parted and didn't see each other again for twenty years. Unexpectedly reunited on the eve of Willow's marriage, she and the Orange crush loving, ex sports reporter, Cooper, are this time looking for a missing sporting celebrity at the same time trying to dodge the terrible twins, Milo and Elan Sucken, enforcers for the shadowy Dr.V.
    The delightfully dozy duo, more teenagers at heart than forty somethhings, conduct witty (and silly) banter at the same time as they battle exceedingly dark forces and try to come out relatively unharmed. And, as always, everything is in Technicolor thanks to the Mefford vibrant and visual writing style.
    Humour, excitement, brutality and great character development, this is another not to be missed Ball and Chain thriller.
  • Alison
    3.0 out of 5 stars Ball n chain
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 25, 2019
    This is the 2nd ebook in the series of ball n chain I'm still not overly thrilled I suppose I've been spoilt with the redemption series with Alex, Ozzie n ivy . In having said that I have pre ordered book 3 in ball n chain . I'm sure they'll grow on me they're quite a duo and have good banter with each other. There is something missing but not sure what .
  • Duane E. Campbell
    1.0 out of 5 stars Fear
    Reviewed in Canada on April 18, 2019
    Too violent for my taste!

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