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Mark Dawson
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The Cleaner (John Milton Series Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Mark Dawson (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 out of 5 stars 19,993 ratings
John Milton is the man the government calls when they want a problem to go away... but what happens when he’s the one who needs to disappear?

After a botched job leaves a bloody trail, government assassin John Milton does the one thing he’s never done before: he hides.

Disappearing into London’s bustling East End and holing up in a vacant flat, Milton becomes involved with his neighbour Sharon and her troubled son Elijah, who are caught in an increasingly bloody turf war between two rival gangs.

Unable to ignore the threat, Milton sets about protecting mother and son, meeting violence with violence. But his involvement puts him in the sights of the government’s next best killer, and before long Milton is not just fighting to save a family and a home - he’s fighting to stay alive...

If you like Lee Child's Jack Reacher, Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp, and Robert Ludlum's Jason Bourne, you won't be able to put down the compulsively addictive John Milton series.
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  1. Book 1 of 25
    John Milton
  2. Print length
    368 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    3 Jan. 2014
  6. File size
    1.2 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
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  9. Enhanced typesetting
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There are 25 books in this series.

In this series (25 books)

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  1. Yehya al Moussa had been an atomic research scientist. Sameera Najeeb was an expert in microwave technology.
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From the Publisher

Cleaner Assassin Killer
Cleaner Assassin Killer
Cleaner Assassin Killer

Product description

Review

'Mark Dawson has all the skills. A great thriller writer on the top of his game' - Steve Cavanagh, Sunday Times bestselling author

'The Cleaner was the ultimate page-turner!' - Inky Tavern

'A literary sensation' - Daily Telegraph

'Nerve-shreddingly tense. Utterly addictive' - M.J. Arlidge, Sunday Times bestselling author

'I loved it . . . I found myself invested in the characters' - Thriller Novel Nerd

'A terrific, fast-paced read. Mark Dawson knows how to tell a great story' - Scott Mariani, Sunday Times bestselling author

'Once I picked up the series, I couldn't stop. I bought each book' - Mystery Sequel

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00DUFCHVM
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Unputdownable Thrillers
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 3 Jan. 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.2 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 368 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 25 ‏ : ‎ John Milton
  • Customer reviews:
    4.1 out of 5 stars 19,993 ratings

About the author

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Mark Dawson

Mark Dawson

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Mark Dawson has worked as a lawyer and in the London film industry. He has sold over six million copies of his propulsive, exciting thrillers and is best known for his John Milton, Beatrix and Isabella Rose and Atticus Priest series.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
19,993 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging with superbly descriptive writing and a beautifully created character with depth. Moreover, they appreciate its insight into gang culture and consider it an excellent start to a great series. However, the pacing receives mixed reviews - while some find it interesting, others say the story never really gets going. Additionally, customers disagree on the book's length, with some finding it hard to put down while others find it boring.

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472 customers mention ‘Readability’466 positive6 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable and engaging, with several mentioning it kept them reading to the end.

"...I have no hesitation in recommending this - it is the perfect summer read." Read more

"...In my opinion the book is ok, but not earth shattering, but for a free quick read, it was more than adequate...." Read more

"...This is not a bad read and Mark Dawson will point, with some justification, to seven-figure downloads of his books as proof of his and his character..." Read more

"...The Cleaner is a taut, gripping story with a protagonist that I look forward to seeing again soon hopefully." Read more

173 customers mention ‘Writing quality’132 positive41 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, noting its superbly descriptive style and authentic use of language, with one customer highlighting its good use of modern street language.

"...THE CLEANER is set in the gritty East End of London, fabulously realized here in such as way as to make me think that Dawson knows it well...." Read more

"...It gave good detail around the the kind of lives some people find themselves leading due to limited life choices...." Read more

"...Milton, on the other hand, is an open book to the reader. We hear his every thought, his every worry...." Read more

"...and central character but the book suffers from plodding, storytelling-by-numbers writing, not a patch on the genre's best..." Read more

139 customers mention ‘Character development’116 positive23 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, noting that the protagonist is beautifully created with depth and serves as a good introduction to a new character.

"...John Milton is a great new character - comparisons will inevitably be made with Jack Reacher, but, for me, Milton is deeper and more complex than..." Read more

"...But I'd like to tell you more as this is one of the strongest original characters I've come across in a long time...." Read more

"...The character of John Milton is incredibly likable, and in fact, considerably more complex than Jack Reacher for instance...." Read more

"Really enjoyed my first of Mark Dawson and the John Milton series. Great characters and good story. Very good start." Read more

60 customers mention ‘Start’60 positive0 negative

Customers praise the book as an excellent start to a great series, serving as a fantastic first book that provides a great introduction to the series.

"...Great characters and good story. Very good start." Read more

"...On the positive side the opening premise is promising - a top UK government assassin, John Milton, who after 10 years on the job, wants out...." Read more

"...A good first book of a series and I will at some time continue with it." Read more

"...this problem to please persevere as this is a great book and a fantastic series...." Read more

53 customers mention ‘Insight’53 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's insight into real-life situations, particularly its exploration of gang culture and topical themes.

"...The urban gang scene plot line seemed fairly well researched...." Read more

"...Top marks for getting the vernacular and local knowledge spot on. Definitely recommend" Read more

"...There is also a relatively high body count as well as lots of other violent crimes...." Read more

"...Clearly Mark Dawson is a talented author with a particular flair in this genre - while not spoiling the end for anybody, I do wonder what's going to..." Read more

247 customers mention ‘Pacing’171 positive76 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book, with some praising its well-paced plot and exciting action, while others find that the story never really gets going.

"...The story that unfolds is fast. The plot is a real rollercoaster, convoluted and credible, and manages to deliver a surprise with every turn of the..." Read more

"...I thought the standard of writing was pretty high (though obviously not the writers best work), but showed he can produce a novel length work that..." Read more

"...that there's nothing inherently wrong with a fry-up, but it's fairly predictable and lacks the sophistication of haute cuisine...." Read more

"...The well paced, brisk story left me wanting more, and I'm looking forward to seeing what John gets up too next...." Read more

110 customers mention ‘Enjoyment’40 positive70 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's entertainment value, with some finding it extremely engaging and exciting, while others describe it as depressing and boring.

"...However, I found the story pretty bleak on a number of levels; it is set in the poorer parts of London and portrays the residents as being trapped..." Read more

"...quit, and tries to help a desperate single mother and her son in this engaging, exciting, and beautifully written opening book in a new series...." Read more

"...in a few areas the writing could have been better and also too many sad endings for me...." Read more

"...I also felt the ending was very sudden. A reasonable read but just a 4 out of 5 from me." Read more

29 customers mention ‘Book length’12 positive17 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's length, with some finding it hard to put down and ending brilliantly, while another customer mentions it ends with unresolved matters.

"...The book ends with matters unresolved, which is probably true to real life although but a follow up book could be interesting." Read more

"...of 2012 makes for a perfect backdrop for what turns out to be a cracking finale...." Read more

"...It is a very violent, hard read but very well written and John Milton is obviously going to be a force to be reckoned with in the future of these..." Read more

"...I liked the short chapters and the story kept moving along although for me never gripped me in an unputdownable way; maybe it was just all too..." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Gardener's World
    5.0 out of 5 stars My New Favourite Author
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 July 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Disgruntled government assassin goes underground after trying to quit, and tries to help a desperate single mother and her son in this engaging, exciting, and beautifully written opening book in a new series. I discovered Mark Dawson's work when I was given a previous novel for a present. I finished it in less than a day - I really couldn't put it down. This is a dynamic thriller, cleverly plotted, which makes it impossible to stop turning the pages. John Milton is a great new character - comparisons will inevitably be made with Jack Reacher, but, for me, Milton is deeper and more complex than Reacher, and all the better for it. After reading this (and the novella that looks back at one of his early cases, 1000 YARDS), he is becoming one of my favourite fiction characters.

    THE CLEANER is set in the gritty East End of London, fabulously realized here in such as way as to make me think that Dawson knows it well. Here, Milton gets embroiled in the youth gangs that have been running riot - quite literally in this case, as Dawson makes the brilliant decision to set this novel in the period before and during the summer riots of 2011. Milton is a complicated man, a hard man with a heart of gold. The relationships he makes with Sharon and Elijah and Rutherford balance the horror against which they are fighting, the evil as personified by the venal rapper, Bizness.

    The story that unfolds is fast. The plot is a real rollercoaster, convoluted and credible, and manages to deliver a surprise with every turn of the page. Mark Dawson is a superb writer and it's only a matter of time before he is better known. I'm hope he is going to continue this series, and I'm confident that the books will continue in the same way that this one has. I have no hesitation in recommending this - it is the perfect summer read.
    16 people found this helpful
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  • Dean Baker
    4.0 out of 5 stars Not bad
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 February 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I got this book free through a Book Bub promotion a while back and eventually got round to reading it a few weeks ago. I'm currently finding little spare time for reading, so it took me a while to finish it. I think under normal circumstances it would probably last me a few days.
    I've read some criticism of the book around plot holes/inconsistencies, so I won't go into those here, except to say that they didn't spoil my enjoyment of the book.
    In my opinion the book is ok, but not earth shattering, but for a free quick read, it was more than adequate. The plot is a well trodden path of someone with past demons looking for some kind of redemption but spy fiction/Thrillers don't really offer 'New' ideas, so I wasn't expecting that. The plot mainly takes the form of an urban gangland scenario which was at times reminiscent of The Wire. It gave good detail around the the kind of lives some people find themselves leading due to limited life choices. It also utilized the 2011 London riots as a plot device, which was interesting. I think there was a danger of taking a side and politicising the event, which the author skillfully avoided.
    The urban gang scene plot line seemed fairly well researched. By coincidence I'm currently working in Hackney where most of the book is set and I recognize many of the street and place names.
    Obviously due to the nature of the plot and how the story unfolds, sadly there's not much action until the last third of the book. Also as mentioned in other reviews, some of the 'spy craft' left a little to be desired and at times came across as a little amateurish (and made you wonder how he was still alive).
    I think my own personal criticism would be that it felt to me a little like it was torn between being a social commentary piece (judging from the rather awkward dying speech of the main villain which sounded a bit preachy) and a Jason Bournesque 'escape the system' type novel. It wasn't really clear if Milton's dalliance in social engineering was a busman's holiday or he really was trying to leave the service. If he was trying to leave the service, murdering gangland kingpins and celebrity DJ's isn't the way to keep a low-profile.
    I thought the standard of writing was pretty high (though obviously not the writers best work), but showed he can produce a novel length work that is entertaining. From reading this book, I would be interested to read other John Milton books and see where the story takes him.
    7 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Rappa
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fast moving.
    Reviewed in India on 4 July 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Gripping novel.
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  • Lion
    5.0 out of 5 stars イギリス英語
    Reviewed in Japan on 14 May 2025
    Verified Purchase
    イギリス英語で書かれています。
    先日読んだLee ChiledのJack Reacherシリーズより易しい英語だと聞いて読んだのですが、私が読んだkilling Floor（第一作目そして、奇数刊）は一人称で書かれていて、めちゃくちゃ読みやすかったせいか、三人称で書かれたこの作品の方がはじめは読みにくく感じていました。読み進めるうちに、リズムに慣れたのか、サクサク読めるようになってきて、気がつくと読み終えてました。易しいイギリス英語で書かれたスパイもの系（正確には元スパイ）として、とても良い本だと思います。ストーリーも面白いです。
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  • Elaine Emmerick
    5.0 out of 5 stars WHAT A 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ RIDE!!
    Reviewed in the United States on 5 May 2018
    Verified Purchase
    The Cleaner is a story about a man, John Milton, who is a government assassin. He's ranked "Number One" because of the targets he's eliminated. When he completes his last assignment, he decides to call it quits. He tells his boss, named Control that he wants out. Control tells him he can't resign or retire. Milton tells him again that he's done and Control puts him on suspension.

    When he leaves Control's office, he goes to the platform and sees a woman crying. He doesn't want to get involved so he moves away from her. Suddenly, he hears screaming - the woman jumped down to the rail tracks and a train can be heard coming down the track. Milton jumps down to save her but she doesn't want to be saved. He grabs her and puts her on the platform just in time. Her name is Sharon and he goes with her to the hospital.

    Sharon's son, Elijah, is 15 years old and is in a gang - London Fields Boys (LFB). She begins to tell Milton about him and how she worries about him. Milton tells her that he'll talk to her son.

    John meets Rutherford at an AA meeting and soon become friends. Rutherford runs a gym for at-risk kids. John thinks Elijah can benefit from the gym's boxing classes. The two men think there's a good chance they can save Elijah from the gang life.

    Things happen between Sharon, Elijah, Rutherford and Milton. He helps them out and when asked why, Milton says he's trying to right some wrongs...

    John Milton is a complicated and tortured soul. His past haunts him and he's tired of that life. Somehow, he's seeking redemption. He will protect Sharon, Elijah and Rutherford at any cost; they are important to him.

    Mark has written a fast-paced and page-turning story. The main characters he has created are people you care about. He shows the reader how gangs infiltrate a community and ruins the lives of the young and innocent. His attention to detail puts the reader right into the scene!

    This is Book 1 of the John Milton Series. I'm new to his books and I can tell you that I'm now a fan! It's a 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ read, so if you're looking for a story with heart-pounding, non-stop action, then this is the book for you!!
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  • Christopher Mann
    5.0 out of 5 stars Satisfaction guaranteed
    Reviewed in Canada on 12 June 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Completely drawn in to characterization & relationships, I've been a bit of a gypsy myself as well as an ex cop...easy to relate to Milton' s wanderlust & compassion when it's most needed... Locations & inhabitants well researched . Dawson manages to humanize & retain each individuals personal quest to realise their potential under most distressing circumstances. Compelling storyline, as good as this genre gets.
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  • John
    4.0 out of 5 stars A good read
    Reviewed in Australia on 29 June 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Two grenades go off in a room where he had his gun disassembled and he picked all of the pieces up? Also an intelligence agency can’t track a cellphone unless it’s used to make a call? & why didn’t he buy a burner phone? There were a couple of other marginal things, but on the whole it was easy to read & as it progressed I kept picking the book (iPad) up to continue reading. I’m off to read the next book in the series. NOT like Jack Reacher, more like Jason Bourne without the amnesia.
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