Dive into the pulse-pounding world of the Jack Taggart Mystery series, where the line between hero and villain blurs in the gritty streets of Vancouver! Written by Don Easton, a former undercover RCMP officer, this gripping crime thriller series follows Jack Taggart, a rogue Mountie navigating the dangerous underworld of organized crime. With raw realism and heart-wrenching moral dilemmas, it’s a must-read for fans of intense, character-driven mysteries.
What sets this series apart? Easton’s 20 years of real-life undercover experience infuse every page with authenticity, making you feel the weight of Taggart’s double life. From biker gangs to international crime syndicates, the stakes are always sky-high, and the twists keep you guessing.
How Jack Taggart Mystery Began
Don Easton, a 25-year RCMP veteran, turned his harrowing career into fiction after retiring in Victoria, B.C. Having faced lies, betrayal, and even contracts on his life, Easton crafted Jack Taggart as a reflection of his own experiences. His debut novel, Loose Ends, hit shelves in 2005, launching a series that blends fact and fiction so seamlessly it’s hard to tell where one ends and the other begins. Easton’s goal? To challenge readers’ notions of right and wrong in a morally gray world.
The Heart of Jack Taggart Mystery
The series kicks off with Loose Ends, where Taggart, an undercover RCMP officer, battles a Vancouver crime family while wrestling with a flawed justice system. In Above Ground, he seeks revenge for his niece and nephew’s murders, navigating a deal with the Satans Wrath biker gang. Angel in the Full Moon takes Taggart from Cuba to Hanoi, exposing the horrors of human trafficking. Samurai Code sees him infiltrating a Yakuza crime family in Japan, caught in a clash of criminal cultures.
Easton’s novels are steeped in themes of justice, morality, and the psychological toll of undercover work. Taggart’s obsessive drive for justice often pushes him beyond the law, forcing readers to question what’s right. The Vancouver setting, from seedy alleys to coastal beaches, grounds the series in a vivid, relatable backdrop. With fast-paced plots and raw dialogue, each book feels like a front-row seat to Taggart’s high-stakes missions.
The series’ realism is its hallmark. Easton’s insider knowledge paints a world where good and evil aren’t clear-cut, and Taggart’s choices—working with informants who are murderers or bending rules—reflect the messy reality of undercover life. Fans praise the emotional depth and gritty action, though some note early books have rough edges in dialogue.
Why Jack Taggart Mystery Resonates
The Jack Taggart Mystery series has carved a niche in Canadian crime fiction, offering a raw, unfiltered look at law enforcement’s darker side. Its blend of authenticity and moral complexity appeals to readers who crave more than typical cop dramas. The series has built a loyal fanbase, with reviewers calling it “fictional crime writing at its best” for its tense thrills and real-world insights. Longlisted for the 2008 City of Victoria Butler Book Prize, it’s a testament to Easton’s storytelling prowess.
Beyond entertainment, the series sheds light on the sacrifices of undercover officers, exploring the toll on their families and psyches. It’s a gripping reminder that justice often comes at a personal cost, making Taggart a flawed yet relatable hero.
- First Published: 2005 (Loose Ends)
- Number of Books: 13 (as of 2019, including The Grey Zone)
- Award: Longlisted for the 2008 City of Victoria Butler Book Prize
Ready to step into Jack Taggart’s shadowy world? Grab Loose Ends and buckle up for a thrilling ride through Vancouver’s criminal underworld!