REVIEW 5 ⭐️

I didn’t know what to expect as I haven’t read a book of this genre before, took me a few chapters to get into it, but when I did it was quick moving which I loved, although only spread out over a couple of days, but I think that fit the story line very well with the pressure of pace, It felt like a movie in the way it wanted to make me read faster just to keep up with it, overall absolutely brilliant & I cannot wait to read some more by this author!

John Cunningham’s newest installment of the Buck Reilly Adventure Series presents high stakes situations for Buck and his cohorts. Although this is a fictional story, the author brings his own life experiences to his novels, having lived or visited most of the locations.

I loved learning the background story behind the secret society, The Sect. I also enjoyed reading the history, especially of Robert I, known as Robert the Bruce, who was King of Scots and led the country during the first war of Scottish independence against England. John writes what he knows. In this story, Buck discovers that he was adopted, as was the author. His own experiences bring an authenticity to his writing.

The plot flows smoothly, and all the loose ends are connected before the novel ends. This book is part of a series, but it can easily be read as a standalone.

This book is a race against the clock and will take you to a non stop adventure to fantastic European destinations.
Beleive me when I say that once you start you won’t be able to stop reading, fast-paced, thrilling and epic.

𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗸𝘆 is part of the Buck Reilly Adventure Series but can be read as a standalone.

Thank you @getredprbooks @johnhcunningham #partner for the gifted copy of this book!

This is my second book by Mr. Cunningham and it’s safe to say that if you’re looking to escape on a fast paced mystery adventure that these books should be a go to! This particular book was set in Scotland, 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿which I adore as a setting. It just screams history and secrets and John does a great job working that aspect into the book. Buck Reilly learns of a family secret that he must make right in a very short period of time. His family members long ago made a decision that now has come full circle and is haunting him. The people his family has wronged have long memories and will not stop until they get what they want…and that could cost Buck his life!

This book is perfect for readers looking for fast paced, high adventure that focuses on the history of family lineage. Buck as a character is easy to love and root for. He’s strong willed, creative and clever allowing him to get out of some sticky situations. I loved the mystery behind the treasure, the secret societies and of course his ability to fly a plane! Was the timeline completely believable…no….but I honestly think it fits this character perfectly. I am intrigued to see what sort of action and trouble he gets into next!

A modern day Indiana Jones type of adventure. This wss a very fun and exciting read. Buck and his gang of misfits must race against time and the evil sect to stay alive. A globe trotting thrill ride. How will the secrets revealed affect Buck and his friends? Also a great history lesson (think Braveheart). Buck will go to the end of the Earth to protect his loved ones.

It moved quickly to the crux of the story, finding out Buck’s natural parentage. This was interesting and did help bring me into the story.
The writing and overall action were enjoyable. It was an easy read. I’m not against maybe reading from the beginning. I think I’d like getting to know the characters better this way.

This was fast paced and high stakes for Buck and his friends. I loved the history behind the secret society and the small treasure hunt that came with it. I never felt like there was a dull moment and I liked how Buck worked through the many dilemmas he faced. It had some good popcorn thriller vibes when the bad guys give him an unrealistic timeline for the secrets he just uncovered. The build-up to the end was great and I enjoyed how everything came together and I found it an entertaining read.

Thank you @johnhcunningham @getredprbooks @netgalley for the gifted copy.

This was a fun, thrilling, and fast-paced adventure.

Buck Reilly, an archeologist, now the owner of the Last Resort Charter and Salvage, is searching for his birthmother's identity, and his friends are along for the ride. Their search takes them to England, Scotland, and the Northernmost city in Norway.

It’s a high-stakes adventure as Buck and his friends embark on a treasure hunt of sorts, risking their lives to find hidden documents. The ever-present danger adds a layer of suspense that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

The travel, along with all the royal clan lineage woven in, makes for an interesting read. But it's Buck and his friends who steal the show with their witty banter, adding a layer of humor that keeps you thoroughly entertained. This is the twelfth book in the series, but you can jump in and enjoy this one.


Thank you @getredprbooks and @johnhcunningham for a gifted ebook via #NetGalley

Under the Charcoal Sky is the 12th book in the Buck Reilly Adventure Series. This is the third book in the series I’ve read, and, as expected from John H. Cunningham’s writing, it delivers life-or-death scenarios, plenty of fast-paced action scenes, and a consistent gang of friends who are always at Buck’s side.

That said, I struggled to invest in this storyline, which centers around a 700-year-old royal agreement between the Campbell Clan and the Stewart Clan. Buck becomes entangled in this centuries-old feud through his birth parents. Within a very short span of time, Buck discovers who his birth father is, learns what happened to his birth mother, and finds himself with a bounty on his head, placed by a secret shadow society. The reasons behind the bounty aren’t clear until the end.

While the other books I’ve read in the series primarily take place in Key West, Florida, Under the Charcoal Sky is set largely in Scotland, Norway, and England. Big Mama is up and down more times than I could count, and the constant references to it repeatedly pulled me out of the story. Additionally, I struggled with the plausibility of 700-year-old documents having enough power to topple monarchies and make a centuries-old bounty still relevant.

Under the Charcoal Sky is a fast read and could be enjoyed as a standalone if you haven’t started the series yet. I appreciate the opportunity to review this eARC.

Review: The tropes were heavy handed from the get go. See Buck,used to be super rich but now is mildly rich and just found out that his biological father is a scottish billionaire. WAH!? His girlfriend/ex-wife is a super hot, super sexy, international super model because she has to be. And based on a 700 year old agreement between royalty, he could be KING BUCK!! But screw dat, he just wants he cadre of Island boys to be safe. Yawn.

This seemed a thinly built story line where everything conveniently falls into place. The action sequences are mainly derived from plot holes scattered about the novel. While logic takes a back seat in many instances, I liked the various changing venues.

This was corny as heck, but is a good time no-brainer read.

2.5/5

This is such a fast paced and fun thriller! I love a good fast paced read, and this one was just that. I propelled through the almost 300 pages in such a quick fashion. I couldn’t wait to find out what was going on and I needed to keep turning the pages. Before I knew it, I’d finished the whole book and I was just shocked at how quickly I devoured it, but I didn’t want it to end it was so good. The story was really fun, and I enjoyed following Buck on his journey. It was full of action and loads of fun. The writing was very well done and kept my attention peaked the whole time. The twists were fantastic and I didn’t see them coming, it was a fun reading experience and I will be checking out the rest of this series.



If you’re looking for a really fun thriller then check this one out.

Under the Charcoal Sky bynew to me author J.H. Cunningham, published by Storm Publishing, is book 12 in the Buck Reilly Series.
An incredible read, excellent writtenfull of suspense, unexpected twists and turns.
Blurb: After a life-changing discovery, Buck Reilly embarks on his greatest adventure, which could be his last. The identity of the woman who gave him life is a closely guarded secret for reasons that go far beyond her own short existence. As Buck pursues information that has been fiercely hidden in Scotland for generations, it puts him and his friends in the crosshairs of a secret society whose sole purpose is to eliminate any threat of exposing the truth. Their lives depend on Buck finding missing ancient documents and treasure, impossibly fast, or they will all be in great danger.