March Into Hell: (A Psychological Thriller) (The Mark Taylor Series Book 2)

Ok only 4th book read by this author and I am hooked- loved the obvious research done to make the unbelievable believable! Keep going- Great main character - suspense building- totally enjoyed the ride ❣️ keep up the great work 👍

As a book series progresses you'll ideally get to know the main characters a little better; hopefully watch them grow and learn. During "No Good Deed," Mark was mostly on his own. His powers were secret from most and not totally believed by the few who were aware. In "March into Hell," Mark gets a needed support team (whether he realizes he needs it or even wants it). However, he struggles with his inclination to do what he believes is right while being uncomfortable with the attention he receives. Mark starts to give serious thought as to who or what is behind the power he's been given. In the process, he grows as a person and becomes better equipped to deal with his situation.In "No Good Deed" Taylor was under almost constant stress, both physical and emotional. Without giving spoilers, I can't say how, but think you'll find his experiences in "March into Hell" are almost as intense. McDonald does very well putting you inside Mark's head in a way that jacks up the intensity. Luckily for you she doesn't make you actually feel it.The only quality those who read "No Good Deed" won't find in this latest installment of Mark Taylor's adventures is the political angle. (For first timer's Mark was imprisoned as a post-9/11 "enemy combatant" in that book.) Because of this, the good guys and bad guys are much easier to determine. The real life questions provoked by the politics of Mark's situation aren't there. Instead, for those who want more than just a good thriller, McDonald gives you plenty of opportunity to consider questions of heroism and hero worship. What makes a hero? Does being a hero commit a person to additional obligations? Is it reasonable to consider a hero a public figure with the loss of privacy that implies?**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog.**

An online resouce cites that "Paparazza is an Italian term used to refer to photographers who hunt and exploit athletes, celebrities, politicians, and other prominent people. Paparazzi tend to be independent contractors, unaffiliated with any mainstream media organization. They are not journalists and usually do not hold any degree in photography or fine art."Mark Taylor does not seek out celebrity, abhors publicity and is assuredly not paparazzi. His days revolve around his work as a professional photographer, his relationships and his sometimes heroic adventures which are the result of his ownership of a very unusual camera. Having found this ancient camera in a bazaar in Afghanistan, Mark learns that it yields photos of future events which he can sometimes alter to produce a more favorable outcome. Unfortunately, his life become a nightmare when one journalist hounds him for a story which may be his undoing.Denise Jeffries initiates Mark's descent into Hell with a simple telephone call. Asking Mark if he is the Mark Taylor the govenment recently designated as an enemy combatant, and totally disregarding Mark's "no comment" reply, Denise spews out fact after fact regarding Mark's Good Samaritan acts some of which she has researched in newspaper archives and others which she has verified through a source with the police; "incidents" which never made the news. The caller then questions Mark about his religious beliefs. Is he a religious person? Running with her own grandios idea, Denise finally asks, "Mark, do you feel like you have a connection to God?" Finally hanging up the phone Taylor tells his assistant with a chuckle, "that reporter had some crazy notion that I worked miracles."Now the players are in place, the thread of danger has been sewn into the fabric of Mark's daily life. He is ready for his descent into Hell shoved, as it were, by the hands of one unscrupulous journalist, television reporters and the ever present paparazzi, clawing and pushing, hungering for photographs of this unwilling pawn. As the thread unravels, Mark becomes the victim in a power struggle, a struggle that threatens his very life.Over-eager news people, pushing crowds of those who believe he is a miracle worker, and the keen attention of a sinster leader of a religious cult carry the reader along as Mark continues to take photographs with his "magic camera." The camera now produces dark and threatening scenes of robed persons enacting strange rituals, a picture of a young woman with terror in her eyes and the dreams that flesh out what the photos are showing are equally frightening and unreal.M.P. McDonald weaves a brilliant, well researched tale, equally as riveting as her first novel. "March into Hell" will keep you on the edge of your seat rooting for the good guys and hissing at the evil one who is designing a plot to have the power that is inherent in Mark Taylor's unusual camera. It's a great read and one that lives up to its description, "psychological thriller." Just what we need on a cold winter's evening. Curl up and feel your pulse quicken with the fast paced story line. An exciting suspense filled page turner, two years old this month, "March into Hell" continues to carry the reader into the vivid imagination of the author. It leaves the reader checking book sellers for sequels and wanting more. Makes me ask, "what's next for Mark Taylor". Only his creator knows for sure.

It wasn't that long ago that I read Book One in the series, No Good Deed, which I had really enjoyed. Therefore I was pleased I didn't have to wait too long for the next installment. As a brief precis Mark Taylor is a photographer who owns a camera, purchased in Afghanistan, which provides him with pictures of tragedies, followed by detailed dreams that mean if he intervenes in time he can stop them happening.In this book we find Mark has been able to start over after the life changing events of book one, he has a new home, business and business partner, but things aren't going well with girlfriend Jessie. He is still using the camera to save lives and unfortunately for him becomes the centre of media attention when a journalist notices a pattern to various Good Samaritan acts being carried out. One particular save brings him within the sights of a cult leader who wants his power. The book is pretty action-packed, working it's way to a dramatic end but one that (I'm hoping) leaves scope for further Mark Taylor booksMark is a great character, with plenty of positive characteristics but also enough flaws and self-doubt to make him believable. I liked the developing relationship with Jim, his tormentor in the first book. While this book is quite dark and with some graphic descriptions of how the cult treats it's victims this was offset by the relationships between the two men, Jessie and Mark's business partner Lily.Book two spends a little more time contemplating the nature of the powers the camera has and where the powers come from. Mark finds himself thinking he is being tested by God but it is never made implicit whether the camera is some sort of divine apparatus or whether there is another explanation. This was one of the aspects I found really interesting in the first book so this reflection pleased me but I'm also happy that the reader isn't given a definite answer as to the source of the powers.I found the first book more thought provoking, probably because of the coverage of the treatment of enemy-combatants in a post 9/11 world but this is a worthy sequel and I'll be waiting for news of further installments in due course!

After reading book one "No Good Deed" I was looking forward to this book and overall it didn't disappoint.While Mark is still running his fingers thorugh his hair at every available opportunity it certainly didn't start to grate on the nerves as it did in book one possibly because a deeper character development makes up for it. I am glad Jim stuck around for the sequel and I'd like to read more about the adventures these two have.I must confess at about the 86% point I thought the story telling started to lack focus and I was getting a bit bored but I stuck with it and before I knew it the book had ended. I am hoping there will be another book in the series but I'm not sure I like the idea of it being a foursome with Jessie and Lily tagging along so much, Lily is nice but limp lettuce-ish and Jessie is, well, Jessie!

This read was far different from the first novel - Mark had to deal with far more issues, mentally and physically. Anguish he suffered was palpable, and again, I read it in one night! Will now read third book, and I eagerly wait to see what happens next! Thank you from an old buddy who loves a good, and exciting read.

Intriguing series - great story. Keep them coming M.P. McDonald. I love them.Great series and well written - I can't put them down.Great that Amazon are putting the book number sequence in the title - been a pain on other books like Jack Reacher to work out what to buy next.

As far as sequels goes this is very good. I enjoyed catching-up with the story and the exciting lead-up to an even more complicated life for the hero. I think there were some missed opportunities in this though and hope the next episode doesn't become as predictable at it seems from the titbit provided at the end of this book.