John Gilstrap

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About John Gilstrap

When John Gilstrap's first novel, Nathan's Run, hit the market in 1996, it set the literary world on fire. Publication rights sold in 23 countries, the movie rights were scooped up at auction by Warner Brothers, and John changed professions. A safety engineer by training and education, he specialized in explosives and hazardous materials, and also served 15 years in the fire and rescue service, rising to the rank of lieutenant.

That "first" book was really his fourth, and that one call from an agent (after logging 27 rejections) changed the trajectory of his life. Twenty books and seven movie projects later, it's been a good run, and it's still running. But his career track looks more like a sine curve than a rocket ship. There were lots of setbacks along the way. At one point, his writing career appeared to be dead. Then came the comeback.

John's presentation, "Dare to Dream", tells the story of triumph, disappointment, despair and finally some long-lasting success.

John has spoken at events across the country, most recently at the Pike's Peak Writers Conference in Colorado Springs, and Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers in Denver. In February, he will be the keynote speaker at the annual meeting of the California Association of Teachers of English in Los Angeles. His YouTube channel, "A Writer's View of Writing and Publishing" has over 1,700 subscribers and more are coming aboard every day.

Outside of his writing life, John is a renowned safety expert with extensive knowledge of explosives, hazardous materials, and fire behavior. John lives in Fairfax, VA.

Please visit John's website, www.johngilstrap.com for more information.

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Author Updates

Titles By John Gilstrap

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End Game (A Jonathan Grave Thriller Book 6) Jun 24, 2014

by John Gilstrap

( 395 )

$7.99

The son of a government scientist must be found at any cost in this taut political thriller that “starts off explosively and keeps on rolling” (Joe Hartlaub, BookReporter).

Deep in the American Heartland, a team of assassins goes to work. In short order, a Chechen scientist and double agent for the U.S. government is dead. But the team didn’t exactly finish the job. The man’s teenage son is still alive. In possession of crucial and potentially lethal information, he’s now on the run—and off the grid.

The feds know who to call: Jonathan Grave and his elite rescue team at Security Solutions. Their mission is simple: find the boy and keep his information out of the wrong hands. But simple doesn’t mean easy. The boy has a bodyguard with unusual talents, and she's not giving up without a fight. Only by bringing them both back alive can Grave expose the traitor in the highest levels of power—and prevent an all-out nuclear war.

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Mass Market Paperback

This title and over 1 million more available with Kindle Unlimited.

Friendly Fire (A Jonathan Grave Thriller Book 8) Jul 1, 2016

by John Gilstrap

( 437 )

$7.99

It begins with a shocking act of vengeance. Barista Ethan Falk chases a customer into the parking lot and kills him. He tells police that years ago the older man abducted and tortured him. Then Ethan's story takes an even stranger turn: he says he was rescued by a guy named Scorpion. Of course, there is no record of either the kidnapping or the rescue, because Scorpion--Jonathan Grave--operates outside the law and leaves no evidence.

As Grave struggles to find a way to defend his former precious cargo without blowing his cover, he learns the dead man has secrets that trace to an ongoing terrorist plot against the heart of America. It's up to Grave and his team to stop it. But first they must rescue Ethan Falk--a second time.

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Mass Market Paperback , MP3 CD

This title and over 1 million more available with Kindle Unlimited.

Nick of Time Sep 27, 2016

by John Gilstrap

( 44 )

$3.99

The New York Times bestselling author’s pulse-pounding series of two young lovers racing against the clock and against the law—now in one volume.

Nicki Janssen’s days are numbered, but she refuses to accept her fate lying down. Defying her father and her doctors, she hits the road with a pocketful of cash, a bus ticket—and a romantic fantasy of riding off with her childhood crush . . .

Handsome, dangerous Brad Ward is facing a different kind of sentence. Sent to prison for felony murder, he has escaped and rekindled his relationship with Nicki. But when Nicki’s father joins forces with a deputy sheriff, the search for the runaways ignites a manhunt—a blistering chase that accelerates with every stolen car, every act of violence . . .

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Paperback , Mass Market Paperback , MP3 CD

Soft Targets (A Jonathan Grave Thriller) Oct 1, 2013

by John Gilstrap

( 289 )

$3.99

An exclusive eBook prequel novella to the New York Times bestselling author’s award-winning thriller series.

FBI Special Agent Irene Rivers is horrified to learn that because of mistakes made by agents under her command, a murderer and child molester will walk free. But now her worst nightmare has come true: the monster has abducted Irene’s own daughters. With nowhere else to turn, she reaches out to an elite Special Forces operator named Jonathan Grave.

While Rivers has always observed the letter of the law, Grave cares more about results than procedures. Together, they will face a new breed of evil—and pursue a new kind of justice.

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook

At All Costs Apr 1, 2011

by John Gilstrap

( 254 )

$3.99

When undercover fugitives are found in the suburbs, they must race against time—and the FBI—to clear their names in this “superior page turner” (David Baldacci).

The Brightons are just an ordinary, small-town, law-abiding family—until somebody else's mistake uncovers the truth. Jake and Carolyn Brighton are the FBI's two most wanted fugitives. Jake and Carolyn have lived a lie for fourteen years to protect themselves. But now they have to protect their thirteen-year-old son.

Their only chance is to return to the hellish scene of an unprecedented crime and collect the evidence that may finally set them free. But can they elude a massive manhunt long enough to get there?

“Gilstrap has ingeniously twisted his simple premise six ways from Sunday. Does for families what Nathan’s Run did for preteens—puts them through endless rounds of entertainingly action-packed pursuit.” —Kirkus

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , School & Library Binding , Paperback , Mass Market Paperback , MP3 CD

Scott Free: A Thriller by the Author of EVEN STEVEN and NATHAN'S RUN Mar 18, 2003

by John Gilstrap

( 60 )

$15.99

One of America's most acclaimed suspense writers now serves up a bracingly original nail-biter that takes us deep into the rugged terrain of the Utah mountains.

Sherry Carrigan O'Toole can't seem to apply the prescriptions she offers in her bestselling self-help books to her own life. Six years after her marriage to Brandon disintegrated and he won custody of their son, Scott, there's no room in their lives for her. Hoping to win back the teenager's heart, Sherry arranges a week's skiing at the plush SkyTop Village resort.
But Scott has other plans. Determined to evade his mother's clutches, he jumps at the chance to join a foolhardy adventure: flying a Cessna through a nighttime storm to Salt Lake City for a Metallica concert. After the plane crashes, Scott is lost and alone in the frozen wilderness, miles from anywhere anyone would search for him.
As Brandon and Sherry revisit the old battles that tore them apart, they have to fight a bureaucracy that wants to abandon the search even as their son struggles to survive impossible odds.
Barely alive, Scott finally finds a cabin for shelter. He thinks his troubles are over. When he discovers the truth about the man who lives there, however, it's clear that his terror has hardly begun.
With his latest page-turner, John Gilstrap cements his position among today's most ingenious thriller writers.

Other Formats: Hardcover , Paperback

Time to Run: Part One (Nick of Time Book 1) Mar 29, 2016

by John Gilstrap

( 56 )

$2.99

Part Four of the Suspenseful Five-Part E-Serial Novel!

WIN, LOSE, OR DIE

In the fourth electrifying installment of John Gilstrap’s five-part novel, a desperate manhunt for two reckless lovers takes a dangerous turn—heading straight for a dead end . . .

Nicki Janssen is no longer the innocent little girl her father thinks she is. She’s a wanted criminal on the run—with a convicted killer she thought she could trust . . .

Brad Ward knows he can’t outrun the cops forever. But it’s too late to stop now. With Nicki’s life and health at risk, he’s got no time to waste—and nothing left to lose . . .

Speeding away from the scene of a brutal robbery-murder, the lovers manage to stay one step ahead of the law. Nicki’s father, Carter Janssen, teams up with Deputy Sheriff Darla Sweet to follow their trail across North Carolina. But when Alex and Nicki hijack a car—and take two hostages with them—all bets are off. All stakes are raised. And all roads lead straight to danger . . .

“Grabs hold of you on page one and doesn’t let go.”—Harlan Coben

“Gilstrap as a master of jaw-dropping action and heart-squeezing suspense.”—Austin Camacho

“If you like Vince Flynn and Brad Thor, you’ll love John Gilstrap.”—Gayle Lynds

“Gilstrap is one of the finest thriller writers on the planet.”—Tess Gerritsen

Includes a preview chapter from John Gilstrap’s next thriller, Friendly Fire

Nathan's Run Aug 1, 2011

by John Gilstrap

( 241 )

$7.11

"IMPRESSIVE AND PROVOCATIVE. . .VASTLY ENTERTAINING."

–San Francisco Chronicle

Nathan Bailey is on the run. Not only is he the target of a nationwide manhunt—he's the prey of a savage hit man. Nathan is twelve-years-old, with no one to turn to. He already knows life is unfair, and that to survive he has only himself, his smarts, and his honesty to depend on. But will that be enough as he takes flight into a terrifying world that has branded him a killer—and is waiting at every turn to destroy him?

"FAST, INTRIGUING. . .A CLEVER PLOT WITH ENOUGH MENACE TO KEEP READERS ON THE EDGE OF THEIR SEATS." –Boston Herald

"A HEART-POUNDING TALE OF SUSPENSE." –People

"SEE NATHAN RUN. BETTER, READ NATHAN'S RUN. IT'S SERIOUS FUN." --New York Daily News

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Library Binding , Paperback , Mass Market Paperback , Audio, Cassette

Even Steven Mar 18, 2003

by John Gilstrap

( 66 )

$15.99

When Bobby and Susan Martin come across a dirty, shivering child at their campsite, the last thing the childless couple expects is to be drawn into an unthinkable crime. But when one of the boy's kidnappers comes out of the brush waving a gun, Bobby is forced to react. In one chaotic, explosive moment, the predator is brutally murdered. But was he a criminal -- or a cop?
With a vicious crime ring closing in on them, and unsure of whom to trust, Bobby and Susan desperately plunge into the heart of danger to save the boy -- and themselves.
John Gilstrap's Even Steven enhances his reputation as an ingenious and innovative contemporary thriller writer.

Other Formats: Hardcover , Paperback , Mass Market Paperback

Time to Hide: Part Two (Nick of Time Book 2) Apr 12, 2016

by John Gilstrap

( 32 )

$2.99

Time to Die: Part Four (Nick of Time Book 4) May 10, 2016

by John Gilstrap

( 28 )

$2.99

Part Five of the Suspenseful Five-Part E-Serial Novel!

Fasten Your Seatbelts

In the explosive conclusion of John Gilstrap's five-part novel, the high-speed pursuit of two fugitive lovers kicks into overdrive--on the ultimate collison course with destiny . . .

After plotting their escape, evading the police, and witnessing a murder, Nicki and Brad have reached the end of the line--and there's nowhere left to hide . . .

Holed up in a house in a North Carolina fishing village, they've run out of time, run out of luck, and run out of options. All they've got are a couple of hostages . . .

Two innocent people--a feisty senior and her grandson--are the bargaining chips Alex needs to buy more time. But Nicki can't wait any longer. Her life is in jeopardy, and her father is desperate enough to do anything to save her. Deputy Sheriff Darla Sweet is finding evidence that could change everything for the young lovers. But when every second counts, the only real justice comes in a hail of bullets. . .

"Gilstrap is a master of action and drama."--Gayle Lynds

"When you pick up a Gilstrap novel, one thing is always true--you are going to be entertained at a high rate of speed."--Suspense Magazine

"One of the best thriller writers."--Genre Go Round

Includes a preview chapter from John Gilstrap's next thriller, Friendly Fire

Time to Live: Part Five (Nick of Time Book 5) May 24, 2016

by John Gilstrap

( 35 )

$2.99

Part Three of the Suspenseful Five-Part E-Serial Novel!

DANGER—CURVES AHEAD

In the third pulse-pounding installment of John Gilstrap’s five-part novel, a nationwide manhunt for two young lovers spins out of control—and where it stops, nobody knows . . .

Nicki Janssen knows she can’t cheat death. But she can live out her last days in the arms of her beloved Brad—at least until the police catch up with them . . .

Brad Ward knows the road ahead will be filled with twists and turns. But if he hopes to beat a murder rap, he’s got to outrun the cops—with Nicki by his side . . .

They’ve stolen a car. Witnessed an armed robbery. And crossed state lines from Virginia to North Carolina. But prosecuting attorney Carter Janssen knows that his daughter is about to hit one major roadblock. Nicki needs medicine to stay alive—and every minute without it brings her closer to a dead end . . .

“Gilstrap is one of the finest thriller writers on the planet.”—Tess Gerritsen

“When you pick up a Gilstrap novel, one thing is always true—you are going
to be entertained at a high rate of speed.”—Suspense Magazine

“Gilstrap pushes every thriller button.”—San Francisco Chronicle

Includes a preview chapter from John Gilstrap’s next thriller, Friendly Fire

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