Jack Kost: 08/12/25

Tuesday, August 12, 2025

The Breaker - series. Books 1 - 3:

The Breaker

ISBN: 9781656281517

Description:

How do you know the one you love won’t hurt you?

Or even try to kill you?
In many cases … you don’t.

How do we choose our path and purpose in life?

What makes us who we are?
When Seth Egan starts working as a private detective, he knows he’ll make enemies.
It goes with the territory.
As Seth works on a murder case and hunts down the killers, he becomes the target.
Some people have no conscience, shame, empathy, or remorse.
To get their own way, to get what they want, to take everything, they will do anything.
Even murder.
In the end, they will drag you down to hell with them.
Sometimes, our enemies are those closest to us.

Amazon link:

https://t.co/eKFZ03giKR?amp=1

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Bad Blood

ISBN: 9798682203192

Description:

No one is paying Seth Egan for his latest case.

He keeps this one unofficial.

Pro bono publico.

Off the books.

For him, this one is personal.

A matter of bad blood.

A woman with a grudge of her own leads Seth to a place where people vanish without trace.

Money is the motive.

Greed is the motivator.

Scores that can only be settled in blood.

A dark underworld of illegal gambling, prostitution, drugs, violence and murder.

Amazon link:

https://t.co/e0XiS8crAr?amp=1

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Mall Maze

ISBN: 9798729917235

Description:

Friday the 13th.

Unlucky for many.

What should have been a routine adultery case ends with Seth Egan fighting for his life.

Cut off from the world.

With no way to call for help.

Trapped in a place where the walls are coming down around him.

Seth is running out of places to hide.

As chaos reigns and the city burns … the hunters close in.

Amazon link:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09244XVYW/

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Themes:

Abuse by proxy, Adultery, C-PTSD, crime, detective, domestic abuse, enabler, flying monkey, gaslighting, hardboiled, heist, infidelity, murder, narcissism, narcissist, narcissistic abuse, neo-noir, personality disorder, psychopath, sociopath, suspense, thriller, vigilante, violence.

Books available in hardcover, paperback and Kindle.

A percentage from sales of my books is donated to Multiple Sclerosis (MS) research.

What’s On?

A Guide to Movies and TV Shows

Hardcover

ISBN-13: 9798342696098

Paperback

ISBN-13: 9798341177307

Kindle

ASIN: B0DJTZ8T58

Back cover description:

What’s On? … is the timeless question we have all asked ourselves almost every day of our lives, as we reach for the remote control and settle in front of the TV screen.

Jack Kost, a life-long movie buff and coffee addict, offers his choice of favorite movie and television masterpieces.

Providing possible answers to the question of What’s On? with over 1,900 titles, from golden oldies and timeless classics, to more recent releases, all meticulously logged and summarized.

An invaluable and collectable go-to source for discovering new favorites and revisiting old ones.

Perfect for film enthusiasts and casual viewers alike, this guide will spark conversations, bring back memories, and help you navigate the ever-evolving world of screen entertainment.

A wealth of recommendations and insights from a passionate movie buff to enrich your viewing experience, complete with personal reminiscences and nostalgic reflections, told with a world-wise critical eye, sardonic dry wit, a healthy dose of cynicism, biting observations, and a well-founded rant here and there.

Just don’t challenge or get him started on his personal favorites, like The Shining, Point Blank, Jaws, The Exorcist, The Duellists, Romeo Is Bleeding, or The Ninth Configuration. His opinions on these and other iconic titles are as intense and unyielding as the movies themselves.

All compiled by an author who not only watched the movies, but also read the books on which they were based, did his research, drank a lot of coffee in the process, and advocates for the importance and value of reading.

A glimpse into the over-caffeinated mind of a writer with a passion for great stories.

What’s On? is a celebration of the intersection between page and screen, and a reminder that great on-screen adaptations often start with a great book and a strong cup of coffee.

Kick back, grab your coffee, and enjoy the show!

As author Jack Kost says:

“Happy viewing … and do yourself a favor … read the books.”

Slipped Masks:

Slipped Masks

ISBN: 9781719330640

Description:

I can’t call you because if he hears me talking on the phone he’ll hit me again. He scares me. I know sooner or later he’s going to kill me. I’ll text you again when I can. I love you, Casey. I’ll spend the rest of our lives proving to you how much I love you. Please come. Please save me …

With only text messages to guide him, Casey Byrne is on the hunt, racing across five states to save his ex-girlfriend, Madison.

Casey loves Madison deeply and wants desperately to save her life and rekindle their relationship.

But the closer he gets to her, the more surreal his journey becomes as the dead bodies pile up in his wake.

Clinical Lycanthropy: the delusion that a human can physically transform into a wolf.

If you were insane, would you know it?

How would you see the world if you were convinced you could transform into a wolf?

The hunter … and the hunted.

Slipped Masks is a dark neo-noir thriller about how the need for love and companionship becomes twisted into obsession, possession, jealousy, violence and murder.

A horrifying portrait of Clinical Lycanthropy.

Amazon link:

https://t.co/2Gwb135V3m

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Themes:

Sociopathy, narcissistic abuse, personality disorder, Clinical Lycanthropy, crime, murder.

Book available in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle.

A percentage from sales of this book is donated to Multiple Sclerosis (MS) research.

Work in progress:

My next books are Triangulation and Stinger.

Books 4 and 5 in The Breaker series.

Set in the year 2001, the story continues from Mall Maze.

Themes:

Crime, detective, hardboiled, heist, murder, narcissism, narcissistic abuse, neo-noir, psychopath, sociopath, thriller, vigilante.

A percentage from book sales is donated to Multiple Sclerosis (MS) research.

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The Breaker is an on-going series.

I’m outlining other stand-alone thriller novels.

Several coffee table books on my photography and my wife’s artwork.

A humorous book, based on the antics of our crazy pet Ragdoll cat, entitled: It’s That F****** Cat Again!

Here’s a GIF I made of our cat, settling down for another of his daily naps:

On this day in movie history - Hell or High Water (2016):

Hell or High Water

directed by David Mackenzie,

written by Taylor Sheridan,

was released in the United States on August 12, 2016.
Music by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis.

Cast:

Ben Foster, Chris Pine, William Sterchi, Buck Taylor, Kristin K. Berg, Jeff Bridges, Dale Dickey, Gil Birmingham, Keith Meriweather, Jackamoe Buzzell, Katy Mixon, Amber Midthunder, Joe Berryman, Taylor Sheridan, Howard Ferguson Jr., Debrianna Mansini, Paul Howard Smith, Nathaniel Augustson, Ariel Holmes, Marie A.K. McMaster, Jim Burleson, Gregory Cruz, Melanie Papalia, Kim Gleason, Alma Sisneros, Kevin Rankin, Margaret Bowman, Ivan Brutsche, Marin Ireland, John-Paul Howard, Kevin Wiggins, Dylan Kenin, Nicole Brady, Richard Christie, Heidi Sulzman, Christopher W. Garcia, Rick Anglada, Brian Barela, Richard Beal, Brian Bolman, Mary Bowman, Marika Day, Lyle DeRose, Melissa-Lou Ellis, Michael Fletcher, Crystal Gonzales, Karen M. Hudson, Darlene Kellum, James E. Lane, Ricky Lee, Jameson Macmillan, Lora Martinez-Cunningham, Gustavo Montes, Martin Palmer, Terry Dale Parks, Francisco Peramos, Daniel Pimentel, Jack T. Silliman, J. Nathan Simmons, Michael E. Stogner, Aaron Templeton, Art Westgate, Kathie Westgate, Danny Winn, Julian Wondolowski.

On this day in movie history - Anthropoid (2016):

Anthropoid

directed by Sean Ellis,

written by Sean Ellis and Anthony Frewin,

was released in the United States on August 12, 2016.
Music by Robin Foster.

Cast:

Jamie Dornan, Cillian Murphy, Brian Caspe, Karel Hermánek Jr., Sára Arnsteinová, Hana Frejková, Sean Mahon, Jan Hájek, Marcin Dorocinski, Toby Jones, Alena Mihulová, Bill Milner, Charlotte Le Bon, Pavel Reznícek, Anna Geislerová, Vaclav Marek and his Blue Star, Justin Svoboda, Harry Lloyd, Václav Neuzil, Jirí Simek, Detlef Bothe.

On this day in music history - Close Your Eyes, by Amy Lauren (2011):

Close Your Eyes

Album by Amy Lauren,
released August 12, 2011.

Track list:

A Mother’s Prayer; Bed of Stars; Calm Is the Night; I’m Right Here; Drifting Starlight; Angels Are Sleeping; Nighttime Falls; Midnight Song; Search the Stars; When You Sleep; Close Your Eyes; Goodnight.

On this day in music history - Crossing the Stone, by Catrin Finch (2003):

Crossing the Stone

Album by Catrin Finch,
released August 12, 2003.

Track list:

Mountain Dance; Harpers Bizarre; James; Over the Stone (Tros y Garreg), concerto for 2 harps & orchestra; Crossing the Stone (Tros y Garreg); Partita for solo violin No. 3 in E major, BWV 1006; Prelude / Johann Sebastian Bach; Electric Counterpoint, for electric guitar, bass guitar & tape; 3rd movement; Over the Stone (Tros y Garreg), concerto for 2 harps & orchestra; Eternal Dream; Solomon, oratorio, HWV 67; The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba / George Frederick Handel; Over the Stone (Tros y Garreg), concerto for 2 harps & orchestra; Café Vamp Latino; Spain, for voice & ensemble; Buenos Aires hora cero (Zero Hour), tango; Clair de lune, for orchestra or other arrangement (from “Suite Bergamasque” for piano), L. 75/3 / Claude Debussy; Meditation on Prelude No. 1 of Bach, for violin or cello & piano with organ or cello ad lib. (or other instrumental arrangement) / Johann Sebastian Bach / Charles Gounod; Thingamujig; Suo Gân (Lullaby), song / Traditional / Welsh Traditional; Palladio, for string orchestra (or band); 1st movement (Dance mix version).

On this day in movie history - Young Guns (1988):

Young Guns

directed by Christopher Cain,

written by John Fusco,

was released in the United States on August 12, 1988.

Music by Anthony Marinelli and Brian Banks.

Cast:

Emilio Estevez, Kiefer Sutherland, Lou Diamond Phillips, Charlie Sheen, Dermot Mulroney, Casey Siemaszko, Terence Stamp, Jack Palance, Terry O'Quinn, Sharon Thomas Cain, Geoffrey Blake, Alice Carter, Brian Keith, Thomas Callaway, Patrick Wayne, Lisa Banes, Sam Gauny, Cody Palance, Gadeek, Victor Izay, Allen Keller, Craig Erickson, Jeremy Lepard, Danny Kamin, Richela Renkun, Pat Finn-Lee, Gary Kanin, Forrest Broadley, Alan Tobin, Joey Hamlin, Loyd Lee Brown, Elena Parres, Tom Cruise, Tomas Moore, John Pattison, W. Thomas Snyder, Lee Sollenberger, Randy Travis.

On this day in movie history - Darker Than Amber (1970):

Darker Than Amber

directed by Robert Clouse,

written by Ed Waters,

based on the novel by John D. MacDonald,

was released in the United States on August 12, 1970.

Music by John Carl Parker.

Cast:

Rod Taylor, Theodore Bikel, Suzy Kendall, Ahna Capri, William Smith, Janet MacLachlan, Robert Phillips, Jane Russell, James Booth, Oswaldo Calvo, Sherry Faber, Marcia Knight, James H. Frysinger, Harry A. Wood, Jack Nagle, Judy Wallace, Michael DeBeausset, Jeff Gillen, Chris Robinson, Warren Bauer, Wayne Bauer, Don Schoff, Ted Swanson.

Born on this day – John Cazale:

John Cazale

Actor

August 12, 1935 – March 13, 1978

Credits:

Al Pacino, le Bronx et la fureur (2022); Based on a True Story (2004); Dog Day Afternoon (1975); 'Dog Day Afternoon': The Story (2006); I Knew It Was You: Rediscovering John Cazale (2009); Lumet: Film Maker (1975); N.Y.P.D. (1968); Premio Donostia a Meryl Streep (2008); The American Way (1962); The Box (1969); The Conversation (1974); The Deer Hunter (1978); The Freshman (1990); The Godfather (1972); The Godfather (2006); The Godfather and the Mob (2006); The Godfather Family: A Look Inside (1990); The Godfather Part II (1974); The Godfather Part III (1990); The Godfather Saga (1977); The Godfather Trilogy: 1901-1980 (1992); The Godfather: Behind the Scenes (1971); The Masterpiece That Almost Wasn't (2008).

Born on this day – William Goldman:

William Goldman

Writer

August 12, 1931 – November 16, 2018

Credits:

Books:

Absolute Power (1997); Adventures in the Screen Trade (1983); Blood Sweat and Stanley Poole (1962); Boys and Girls Together (1969); Brothers (1986); Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid (1969); Control (1982); Father's Day (1971); Five Screenplays with Essays (1984); Four Screenplays with Essays (1994); Heat / aka Edged Weapons (1985); Hype and Glory (1990); Magic (1976); Marathon Man (1974); No Way to Treat A Lady (1964); Soldier in the Rain (1963); The Best of All Possible Worlds (1980); The Big Picture (2000); The Color of Light (1984); The Great Waldo Pepper (1975); The Princess Bride (1973); The Season (1969); The Silent Gondoliers (1983); The Temple of Gold (1957); The Thing of It Is... (1967); Tinsel (1979); Wait Till Next Year (1988); Which Lie Did I Tell? (2000); Wigger (1974); Your Turn to Curtsy, My Turn to Bow (1958).

Movies and television:

5 Minutes (2018); A Bridge Too Far (1977); A Cinematic Life: The Art & Influence of Conrad Hall (2010); A Few Good Men (1992); Absolute Power (1997); AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movie Quotes: America's Greatest Quips, Comebacks and Catchphrases (2005); AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies: America's Greatest Movies (1998); All Aboard: Riding the Rails of American Film (1993); All of What Follows Is True: The Making of 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid' (2006); All the President's Men (1976); Amateur (2005); American Experience (2002); American Masters (2000); Animaniacs (2020–2023); Arena (2000); As You Wish: The Story of 'The Princess Bride' (2001); Be Water / 30 for 30 (2014); Biography (1995–2000); Butch and Sundance: The Early Days (1979); Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969); Chaplin (1992); Charlie Rose (1997); Checkpoint Echo (2006); Da Vinci (1996); Dateline NBC (2006); Dolores Claiborne (1995); Dreamcatcher (2003); Fierce Creatures (1997); Film Genre (2002); Film Noir: Bringing Darkness to Light (2006); Fry's Planet Word (2011); Going the Distance: Remembering 'Marathon Man' (2001); Good Will Hunting (1997); Harper (1966); HBO First Look (2003); Hearts in Atlantis (2001); Heat (1986); History vs. Hollywood (2001); Hollywood Insider (2021); Home Movie: The Princess Bride (2020); Inside the Actors Studio (1994); Last Action Hero (1993); Magic (1978); Malice (1993); Marathon Man (1976); Masquerade (1965); Maverick (1994); Memoirs of an Invisible Man (1992); Minty Comedic Arts (2019); Miracles and Mystery: Creating 'the Green Mile' (2006); Misery (1990); Misery Loves Company (2002); Movie Night Extravaganza (2022); Moving Pictures (1990); Mr. Horn (1979); NBA 100 Greatest Plays (1999); No Way to Treat a Lady (1968); On Location with 'Gunga Din' (2004); Out of the Shadows: The Man Who Was Deep Throat (2006); Papillon (1973); Pierrot the Fool / Cannes Film Festival (1988); Richard Attenborough: A Life (2014); Screenwriters: Word Into Image (1982); Screenwriting for Dummies (2006); ShowBusiness: The Road to Broadway (2007); Soldier in the Rain (1963); Tales from the Script (2009); Talking Pictures (1988); TCM Remembers 2018 (2018); Telling the Truth About Lies: The Making of 'All the President's Men' (2006); The 45th Annual Academy Awards (1973); The 49th Annual Academy Awards (1977); The Chamber (1996); The Garden's Defining Moments (2015); The General's Daughter (1999); The Ghost and the Darkness (1996); The Gospel According to Bill (2010); The Great Waldo Pepper (1975); The Hot Rock (1972); The Human Face (2001); The Making of 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid' (1970); The Oscars (2019); The Princess Bride (1987 / 1999 / 2012); The Princess Bride Making Of (1987); The South Bank Show (1990–2009); The Stepford Wives (1975); The War of the Roses (1989); True Love: The Princess Bride Phenomenon - Entering the Zeitgeist (2012); Twins (1988); Under Suspicion (2000); Wild Card (2015); Year of the Comet (1992).

Born on this day – Olympe Bradna:

Olympe Bradna

Actress

Dancer

August 12, 1920 – November 5, 2012

Credits:

Meet the Stars #5: Hollywood Meets the Navy (1941); International Squadron (1941); Highway West (1941); Knockout (1941); South of Pago Pago (1940); The Night of Nights (1939); Say It in French (1938); Stolen Heaven (1938); Souls at Sea (1937); The Last Train from Madrid (1937); College Holiday (1936); Three Cheers for Love (1936); Flofloche (1934); Roger la Honte (1933).