Into the Fire

I've now read all the John Milton novels by British author Mark Dawson and am waiting for the next one just like I do for Mitch Rapp's next stories. I'll save my overstated love for Mitch Rapp – still my Number One – for another day. John Milton is a British type of Rapp although he's much different in many ways.

John's mom and dad died when he was eight, and he was raised by an aunt. He didn't find himself until he'd fooled around at university and then joined the military where he obviously excelled, advanced, worked in the Regiment and with the SAS before he was recruited into the spy game. 

John Milton was eventually the premiere Number One of Group Fifteen which meant his career included triple digit kills (assassinations) of all kinds for the secret side of the British government among many other incredible missions. However, the killing began to get to him and he found that the operations assigned to him could no longer be done without ensuing nightmares, blackouts from over-indulging in drink to dull those nightmares, and real attacks of conscience. When he learned of the corruption and intent of his immediate boss "Control" after John's effort to quit Group 15, he was forced to leave the country and watch his back.

Although John will not believe in the "Higher Power" of the AA 12 Step Program, he finds peace at the meetings and the inspiration to stay sober for another day. Desiring more than anything to figure out a way to "atone" for his many deeds while Number One, he tries to help those in need along his life's path. Inevitably that requires yet another "neutralizing". 

Okay, that's his background. John Milton is intelligent, savvy, clever, innovative, strong-minded and willed, is remarkably tough, prefers to be alone most of the time but occasionally gets attached to certain people for two reasons. One, he needs a team to accomplish a mission of his own design and knows those well who he can trust. Or two, he finds that silent part of him that longs for connection. The second reason is the most infrequent, seems to always surprise him when it shows up, and is the most difficult for him to fulfill. This is because he doesn't feel worthy of that kind of deep connection, and he feels it can never be his reality due to the innate danger for someone being in his life.

Like Mitch Rapp, John Milton has a meter that registers good and evil and has no qualms eliminating evil which is why when he's trying to help someone who's being hunted, abused in some way, in terrible trouble at the hands of another, John will use his skills to eliminate the problem. 

Physically, he's handsome even with the fine-lined scar across his face, around 6' tall, well-muscled, fit, but hides it all well – except for the scar. He has ice blue eyes and near black hair, and his death stare is infamous to those who've been on the other end of it – if they live to tell about it. He has a huge tattoo of an angel on his back mixed with all of his scars from gunshot wounds and stabbings. 

Tell the truth, if you needed bona fide protection, wouldn't you want John Milton near you? And if you're female, wouldn't you like to make it a worthwhile challenge to see if you could establish a connection with him? Yeah, think about that. 

Mark Dawson has created a morose but fascinating character in John Milton who can sink to the depths of soul-searching when his guilt overpowers his reasoning. If only he would choose the One who made the atonement for all sin . . . now that would make an unforgettable story. 

Anyway, I love the character of John Milton. One of the best in thriller literature – even when I don't always agree with his creator. :) 

Father, your gifts are plentiful in Mark. May he recognize from whom they are generously given. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.