The Jack Carr Channel

The Jack Carr Book Club July 2026 selection is SKYRING WATER by Louis L’Amour and Beau L’Amour.

A Cold War thriller, a secret that could change the world, and a deadly race to control it.

In this episode, I sit down with Beau L’Amour to talk about his father’s life, his path to writing, the stories behind classics like LAST OF THE BREED and THE HAUNTED MESA, and the newly released SKYRING WATER. FOLLOW Louis L'Amour & Beau L'Amour Instagram - @louis_lamour X - @Louis_LAmour Facebook - @louislamourpage Website - https://louislam...

Today on DANGER CLOSE: THE FOURTH OPTION, I’m joined by Greg Lapin. Greg is a former police officer and contractor, Jiu-Jitsu black belt, and tactical instructor with more than two decades of hard-earned experience. In this episode, we get into Hurricane Katrina, undercover narcotics, human trafficking, SWAT selection, explosive breaching, K9s, Jiu-Jitsu, everyday carry, preparedness, and the mindset required when things go bad. This is the final episode of the DANGER CLOSE companion series to my new thriller, THE FOURTH OPTION. This podcast series is presented by HUXWRX Safety Co., Staccato 2011, and Bravo Company. Follow Greg Lapin on...

The Jack Carr Book Club June 2026 selection is THE LOST EMPIRE OF EMANUEL NOBEL by New York Times bestselling author Douglas Brunt. With the exception of the tsar, Emanuel Nobel was likely the wealthiest man in early 20th-century Russia, and one of the wealthiest in the world. Over three generations, he and his family grew the Russian petroleum industry into a behemoth that surpassed even John D. Rockefeller’s Standard Oil. The Nobels imported best practices from America and improved on them, transforming every aspect of the industry. Though Emanuel’s uncle Alfred would become world famous due to his...

Today on DANGER CLOSE: THE FOURTH OPTION, I’m joined by Gerald Posner. Gerald is an investigative journalist, attorney, Pulitzer Prize finalist, and the author of thirteen books including CASE CLOSED, WHY AMERICA SLEPT, GOD’S BANKERS, and PHARMA. In this episode, we get into the pharmaceutical industry, the opioid crisis, the Sackler family, the JFK assassination and the conspiracy industry that grew in its aftermath, and the duty to follow the evidence wherever it leads. We also discuss how secrecy, power, money, and institutional failure shape public trust, and what it takes to stay focused on the facts. This...

Today on DANGER CLOSE: THE FOURTH OPTION, I’m joined by Peter Santenello. Peter is an independent filmmaker and storyteller who goes deep into places most people only know through headlines. From the southern border and forgotten corners of America to communities shaped by poverty, culture, politics, and pressure, Peter captures the human terrain with a small camera, honest questions, and a willingness to listen. In this episode, we get into cartel-run routes at the border, fentanyl, New Orleans, legacy media, the business of YouTube, and the stories most outlets miss. We also discuss Peter’s upcoming book, YOUR FELL...

Today on DANGER CLOSE: THE FOURTH OPTION, I’m joined by Derek Benner, CEO of OUR Rescue and a veteran of nearly three decades in federal law enforcement. Derek served with Homeland Security Investigations, helped lead the creation of the DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking, and now continues that mission through OUR Rescue’s work combating sex trafficking and child exploitation. We get into the evolution of Homeland Security Investigations, the adaptability of modern cartels, drug smuggling, money laundering, human trafficking, child exploitation, and how technology has become a weapon predators use to target children. We also discuss the...

Today on DANGER CLOSE: THE FOURTH OPTION, I’m joined by my former Navy SEAL Teammate John Devine of Devine K9s and the Rescue 22 Foundation. John brings decades of experience working with elite K9s, from the SEAL Teams to personal protection dogs and service dogs for veterans. We discuss the selection and training of SEAL K9s, the bond between handler and dog, how these dogs operate in combat, and what breeds like the Belgian Malinois require of those who take on the responsibility. This is a companion podcast to my new thriller, THE FOURTH OPTION, talking to...

Today on DANGER CLOSE: THE FOURTH OPTION, I’m joined by Ben and Jessica Owen, founders of We Fight Monsters, an organization dedicated to confronting trafficking and addiction with a lawful, boots-on-the-ground response. Ben and Jessica share their own battles with addiction, homelessness, and life inside trap houses in South Memphis, and how recovery led to restoration and a calling to go back for others. We get into their mission to Rescue, Recover, and Restore, the reality of addiction as a tool of control, the connection between narcotics and exploitation, their work converting former dope houses into recovery spaces, th...

Today on DANGER CLOSE: THE FOURTH OPTION, I’m joined by Ed Calderon, a former Mexican counter-narcotics officer with firsthand experience fighting organized crime on the front lines.

We get into the evolution of Mexican cartels from smuggling organizations into paramilitary forces, the rise of CJNG, drones, corruption, tradecraft, operational security, and why the security challenges facing Mexico are inseparable from the future of the United States.

This is a companion podcast to my new thriller, THE FOURTH OPTION, talking to those on the front lines, analyzing modern warfare, an...

Today on DANGER CLOSE: THE FOURTH OPTION, I’m joined by Steve Murphy and Javier Peña — the real DEA agents behind Netflix’s Narcos.
Straight from the agents who were there: working undercover in jeans and a polo with a target on their backs, Escobar’s self-built prison, treason charges, and the order that changed everything — “We’re not here to seize dope. We’re here to kill Pablo Escobar.”
This is a companion podcast to my new thriller, THE FOURTH OPTION, talking to those on the front lines, analyzing modern warfare, and taking listeners deeper into the themes tha...

Today, Jack is joined by Taylor Kitsch who plays Ben Edwards in The Terminal List: Dark Wolf on Prime Video for the final installment of this Danger Close Dark Wolf podcast series.
Jack and Taylor walk through the origin of Ben Edwards in The Terminal List, every episode of Dark Wolf, the moments that defined Ben’s character, and stories from behind the scenes covering what it took to bring Ben's depth and humanity to life on screen.
They also get into the motorcycles, Ben's tattoos, the physical toll of the action sequences, Jack's cameos, the opening sequen...

Get an early start on THE FOURTH OPTION. Listen to Prologue, Part 2, narrated by Ray Porter.
The audiobook drops along with the hardcover and eBook on May 12. Pre-order today: https://bit.ly/TheFourthOptionAudio
Audio excerpt courtesy of Simon & Schuster Audio from THE FOURTH OPTION by Jack Carr and M.P. Woodward, read by Ray Porter. Copyright © 2026 by Tomahawk Creative, Inc. Used with permission of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Get an early start on THE FOURTH OPTION. Listen to Prologue, Part 1, narrated by Ray Porter.
The audiobook drops along with the hardcover and eBook on May 12. Pre-order today: https://bit.ly/TheFourthOptionAudio
Audio excerpt courtesy of Simon & Schuster Audio from THE FOURTH OPTION by Jack Carr and M.P. Woodward, read by Ray Porter. Copyright © 2026 by Tomahawk Creative, Inc. Used with permission of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Today, Jack is joined by Dar Salim in Dar’s first ever podcast appearance! Dar plays Mohammed “Mo” Farooq in The Terminal List: Dark Wolf on Prime Video. 

In this episode, Jack and Dar cover the physicality of the character, the moral grey zone he operates in, and the subtle nuance that makes his decisions resonate with audiences. They explore the relationships that define the story, the scale and authenticity behind the action sequences, and the foundation that grounds the world of Dark Wolf.

Dar also shares the remarkable life journey tha...

Today, Jack is joined by Luke Hemsworth, who plays Jules Landry in The Terminal List: Dark Wolf.

In this episode, Luke and Jack discuss what it takes to portray a character who is likable but unsettling at the same time, Luke’s ability to bring Landry's dynamic with Ben, Tal, Eliza, and Raife to life, the tension beneath the surface and the fine line between charm and menace that defines the Jules Landry character.

They also cover Luke's first days on set with Taylor Kitsch, the difficult scenes with Tal and how those wer...

Get an early start on The Fourth Option.

The incomparable Ray Porter – voice of THE TERMINAL LIST series and TARGETED series - is BACK, bringing his talents to the audiobook edition of THE FOURTH OPTION. 

The audiobook drops along with the hardcover and eBook on May 12. Pre-order today: https://bit.ly/TheFourthOptionAudio

Audio excerpt courtesy of Simon & Schuster Audio from THE FOURTH OPTION by Jack Carr and M.P. Woodward, read by Ray Porter. Copyright © 2026 by Tomahawk Creative, Inc. Used with permission of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Today, Jack is joined by Shiraz Tzarfati, who plays Tal Varon in The Terminal List: Dark Wolf.

In this episode, Shiraz and Jack talk about discovering Tal’s character from the audition to her first meeting with Ben and Raife to one of the most brutal fight scenes of the season.  They discuss Shiraz’s first days on set, Tal’s place on the team, and the tension between her and Jules Landry.

Shiraz also reflects on Tal’s final scene and how the character has changed by the end of the...

Today, Jack is joined by Rona-Lee Shimon, who plays Eliza in The Terminal List: Dark Wolf.

In this episode, Rona-Lee and Jack talk about discovering Eliza’s character from the audition to the motorcycle and book market sequences, to some of her most pivotal moments in the series. They discuss the training behind the role, how Rona-Lee’s background as a ballet dancer shaped her approach to action, and the leadership and emotional depth Eliza brings to the team.

They also break down Eliza’s dynamic with Ben, her mentors...

Today, Jack is joined by Tom Hopper who brings Raife Hastings to life in The Terminal List: Dark Wolf.

In this episode, Tom and Jack talk about the weight of bringing fan favorite character Raife Hastings to the screen. Tom shares how he found the role through test reads, chemistry reads with Taylor Kitsch and Chris Pratt, and a deep dive into the books that made him even more fired up to step into Raife’s world.

They reflect on favorite moments from Dark Wolf, including Raife’s first scen...

Today, Jack is joined by Robert Wisdom, who plays Jed Haverford in The Terminal List: Dark Wolf.

In this episode, Robert and Jack talk about Jed’s role in Dark Wolf, from Robert’s first impressions reading the scripts to the opening scene that helped define the character. They discuss what drew Robert to the role, why he wanted the performance to come from the gut, and how Jed can smile, charm, and recruit while still feeling like the most dangerous man in the room.

They also get into the...

Today, Jack is joined by Chris Pratt, who stars as James Reece in The Terminal List.

In this episode, Chris and Jack talk Dark Wolf, True Believer, and the moments shaping what comes next in The Terminal List universe. They reflect on favorite scenes from Dark Wolf, the scale and authenticity of the production, and how the series moves from the battlefield into the gray world of intelligence and global spycraft.

They also explore the differences between James Reece, Ben Edwards, and Raife Hastings, touching on loyalty, family, pain, discipl...

Today, Jack is joined by The Terminal List: Dark Wolf producers Taylor Kitsch, Jared Shaw, and David DiGilio.

Taylor stars as Ben Edwards, Jared Shaw plays Ernest “Boozer” Vickers, and David DiGilio serves as co-creator, showrunner, writer, and executive producer. Together, they break down how Dark Wolf made it to the screen, the delays that shaped the production, and what it took to bring this story to life.

In this conversation, they discuss the origin of the series, the first episodes, the psychology behind the characters, and the weight carried...

The Jack Carr Book Club December 2025 Selection is THE TIN MEN by Nelson DeMille and Alex DeMille.

In THE TIN MEN, New York Times bestselling author Alex DeMille joins his father, the legendary Nelson DeMille, to deliver the final Nelson DeMille novel—delivering a high-stakes, cutting-edge thriller that drops readers into the future of warfare—where the lines between soldier, machine, and judgment begin to blur.

At a top-secret Army facility deep in the Mojave Desert, Army CID Special Agents Scott Brodie and Maggie Taylor are sent to investigate the...

In this episode, Jack sits down for a look back at 2025 — the books, conversations, milestones, and behind-the-scenes work that defined the last twelve months.

From the premiere of DARK WOLF and the launch of CRY HAVOC, to standout podcast guests, book club moments, this episode pulls back the curtain on a landmark year for the Jack Carr brand.

Jack also shares what’s coming in 2026, including:

Major updates in the Terminal List universe

A new novel in a new series 

Upcoming Danger Close theme...

Over the past year, the Jack Carr Book Club and the Danger Close Podcast brought together bestselling authors and literary legends to share hard-earned lessons from the page.

In this special Writing Advice episode, we’ve gathered the most insightful, actionable, and inspiring moments from those interviews. Whether you’re an aspiring writer, a reader fascinated by the craft, or someone looking to better understand the creative trenches, this episode delivers a master class in storytelling.

Highlights Include:

How the pros develop character, tension, and authenticity

Bu...

Throughout 2025, Danger Close featured some of the most powerful, emotional, and historically significant conversations in the show’s history — none more impactful than the interviews with the men of MACV-SOG, men who inspired the #1 New York Times bestselling novel, Cry Havoc. 

Formed during the Vietnam War, the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group was one of the most clandestine and highly trained units ever assembled. These warriors operated in the shadows, conducted missions that remained classified for decades, and carried the weight of those experiences long after coming home.

T...

The Jack Carr Book Club November 2025 Selection: EXIT STRATEGY by #1 New York Times bestselling author Lee Child & Andrew Child.

Jack Reacher will make three stops today. Not all of them were planned.

In EXIT STRATEGY, the blockbuster new Jack Reacher thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling authors Lee Child and Andrew Child, Reacher once again finds himself in the crosshairs of a mystery that only he can unravel. A suspicious brush in a Baltimore coffee shop. A forgotten coat in a store. And a handwritten note tucked into his pocket—a de...

Today’s guest is David McCloskey — former CIA analyst, bestselling author, and co-host of the hit podcast The Rest is Classified.

Before becoming a novelist, David served at the Central Intelligence Agency where he wrote for the President’s Daily Brief, testified before Congressional oversight committees, and briefed senior White House officials, ambassadors, and military leaders.  He spent years stationed across the Middle East during the Arab Spring and later worked in the CIA’s Counterterrorism Center focused on the conflicts in Syria and Iraq.

David’s acclaimed thrillers — DAMASCUS STAT...

Today’s guest is Billy Birdzell, founder of Horatius Group, an independent investment bank focused on creating exceptional outcomes for founder-led and family-owned businesses, and Horatius Impact, a non-profit dedicated to training and equipping scouts to defend endangered species like rhino and lion from poachers in Africa.  

Billy began his career as an infantry and special operations officer in the United States Marine Corps. On September 11, 2001, he was in New York City — an event that would forever shape his path. Soon after, he deployed to Iraq, meeting his platoon in combat and leading Marines throug...

The Jack Carr Book Club October 2025 selection is THE WIDOW by #1 New York Times bestselling author John Grisham.

Simon Latch is a small-town lawyer in rural Virginia, barely scraping by while his marriage slowly falls apart. Then Eleanor Barnett—a wealthy widow—walks into his office with a simple request: a new will. But when Eleanor’s story begins to unravel and she winds up in the hospital after a mysterious accident, Simon finds himself accused of a shocking crime—her murder.

To clear his name, Simon must uncover the trut...

Today’s guest is Dave Berke, a retired U.S. Marine Corps officer, fighter pilot, ground combat leader, and now a leadership instructor with Echelon Front.

As an F/A-18 pilot, Dave deployed twice from the USS John C. Stennis in support of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan before joining the ranks of TOPGUN, where he was dual-qualified in both the F/A-18 and F-16, serving as the Training Officer—the senior pilot responsible for the conduct of the TOPGUN course.

He later served on the ground in Rama...

Today’s guest is Charlie Sheen. From Red Dawn and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off to Platoon and Wall Street to Young Guns, Major League and Hot Shots to Spin City and Two and A Half Men, and, of course, Navy SEALs, Sheen’s career spans some of the most iconic roles in modern cinema. His new memoir, THE BOOK OF SHEEN, offers an unfiltered look at family, fame, survival, and redemption after a lifetime in the spotlight.  It is available now.

In this episode, Jack and Charlie reconnect on familiar ground, sharing stories that ra...

The wait is over. Jack Carr’s new novel—CRY HAVOC—is out now.

Chapter 3 drops us back into South Vietnam on January 27, 1968, where Tom Reece, Frank Quinn, and their Montagnard teammate Amiuh—run an off-the-books “hunting expedition” outside Phu Bai. These unsanctioned testing-and-evaluation missions sharpen skills and stress-test gear: suppressed Sten guns, silenced High Standards, and new Starlight setups. What begins as a quiet remain overnight site near a jungle trail pivots hard when the team encounters a seven-man NVA element with a courier holding a message that just might turn the tide of the war. ...

The countdown to October 7, 2025 is in its final days. Get ready! Jack Carr’s most visceral novel yet—CRY HAVOC—is almost here.

Chapter 2 moves the story from the seas off North Korea to GRU headquarters in Moscow where tradecraft, paranoia, and a web of intrigue ripples into one of the greatest intelligence coups of the Cold War.

Brought to life by the legendary voice of Ray Porter, this excerpt plunges you into the darkest corners of the Soviet Union’s ruthless intelligence apparatus, where the fate a young Navy SEA...

The Jack Carr Book Club September 2025 selection is THE SECRET OF SECRETS by #1 New York Times bestselling author Dan Brown.

When Robert Langdon travels to Prague with Katherine Solomon—a brilliant noetic scientist on the verge of publishing an explosive discovery about human consciousness—the trip is derailed by a brutal murder and Katherine’s sudden disappearance. Soon, Langdon is targeted by a shadowy organization and hunted by an enemy born from Prague’s most ancient mythology.

What follows is a relentless race through Prague, London, and New York, where La...

The countdown to October 7, 2025, continues. Jack Carr’s most visceral novel yet—CRY HAVOC—is almost here.

Chapter 1 captures one of the most dramatic real-world flashpoints of the Cold War - the 1968 seizure of the USS Pueblo by North Korean forces. This moment in history becomes the spark that thrusts Tom Reece into a world of war, espionage, and sacrifice.

Brought to life by the legendary voice of Ray Porter, this exclusive excerpt places you on the icy waters of the Sea of Japan—where a naval standoff becomes the open...

The wait is almost over. On October 7, 2025, Jack Carr unleashes his most visceral novel yet—CRY HAVOC.

What began as a traditional prologue evolved into a brutal, unflinching descent into the jungles of Laos in 1968. It’s the longest and most immersive opening Jack has ever written—part history lesson, part battlefield baptism. This prologue doesn’t just set the stage for CRY HAVOC—it drags you headlong into the chaos, sacrifice, and brotherhood that forged Tom Reece.

Jack invites you to experience the opening moments of CRY HAVOC, brought to...

The wait is almost over. On October 7, 2025, Jack Carr unleashes his most visceral novel yet—CRY HAVOC.

What began as a traditional prologue evolved into a brutal, unflinching descent into the jungles of Laos in 1968. It’s the longest and most immersive opening Jack has ever written—part history lesson, part battlefield baptism. This prologue doesn’t just set the stage for CRY HAVOC—it drags you headlong into the chaos, sacrifice, and brotherhood that forged Tom Reece.

Jack invites you to experience the opening moments of CRY HAVOC, brought to...

The Jack Carr Book Club August 2025 selection is AN INSIDE JOB by #1 New York Times bestselling author Daniel Silva.

Sometimes the only way to recover a stolen masterpiece is to steal it back . . .

In his latest thriller, Silva brings back legendary art restorer and spy Gabriel Allon for an electrifying tale of murder, stolen treasures, and high-stakes intrigue. What begins with the discovery of a woman’s body in the Venetian Lagoon unfolds into a chase for a lost Leonardo da Vinci portrait, a web of greed and corruption st...

Today’s guest is Richard Ryan, a tech innovator, media executive, and digital pioneer with over 20 years of experience driving growth at the intersection of technology and creative strategy. 

An early mover in digital media, Richard developed a YouTube app four years before YouTube released its own and built FullMag into a channel with over 2.7 million subscribers and a digital footprint totaling more than 20 billion views. He also launched Rated Red with Verizon Media and Hearst, scaling it to over one million organic subscribers in its first year and is a co-founder of Black Rif...