Victor, the assassin, is contacted by an old Russian friend, Norimov, who is being targeted; he fears for his daughter, Gisele, who has gone missing aVictor, the assassin, is contacted by an old Russian friend, Norimov, who is being targeted; he fears for his daughter, Gisele, who has gone missing and is in danger. Because Norimov betrayed Victor in the past, Victor refuses his plea to protect her until Norimov asks him to help in memory of and respect for his dead wife. Victor's efforts to find Gisele, a junior human rights lawyer, put them both in the crosshairs of dangerous network. Victor must learn how to work with Gisele, since he always works alone. Lots of mayhem and violence in a hectic race across London where seconds count....more
Brett Battles has breathed some new life into the Stuart Woods' series, as the newest ones are less formulaic and Teddy Fay is a multi-faceted charactBrett Battles has breathed some new life into the Stuart Woods' series, as the newest ones are less formulaic and Teddy Fay is a multi-faceted character as well. Centurion Pictures is having trouble with a male lead, requiring producer Billy Barnett to support his director and threaten the actor's agent with his firing. The main plot revolves around an Eastern European oligarch (Victor Popov), who has made a killing by identifying business opportunities in alternative energy and finding an insider to find dirt to negotiate a low-ball acquisition price. At the birthday party of a famous retired actor, the chief engineer has a fight with the organizer's ex-girlfriend, who ends up dead in the pool. Billy Barnett has to find the mole, free the engineer from suspicion, and stop the gangster, his mole, and his thugs. He's the man for this job....more
Gabriel Dax is a London-based travel writer. While visiting the 1960s Congo, a friend asks him to interview the new Prime Minister, Patrice Lumumba, wGabriel Dax is a London-based travel writer. While visiting the 1960s Congo, a friend asks him to interview the new Prime Minister, Patrice Lumumba, with the interview tape recorded at Lumumba's request. As people start dying, a number of parties are interested in burying the recording in which Lumumba says he fears assassination and names possible threats. Gabriel's older brother works for the Foreign Service, doing an occasional favor. Then, he is asked by a female MI-6 agent to do similar favors for money, including buying art from an Iberian artist and delivering it. Separately, Gabriel survived a house fire as a child, for which his candle nightlight is blamed. His mother was killed in the fire and Gabriel's sleep has plagued with nightmares. He starts seeing a psychoanalyst to help him sleep better through open dialogue, whereby Gabriel admits an obsession with the agent. Strange happenings, but oddly satisfying....more
Walter Nash runs mergers and acquisitions brilliantly for Sybaritic Investments, helping the owners make lots of money. He is estranged from his fatheWalter Nash runs mergers and acquisitions brilliantly for Sybaritic Investments, helping the owners make lots of money. He is estranged from his father, a Vietnam vet, who dies and a war buddy (Shock or Isaiah York) says terrible things at the funeral. Nash is asked to assist the FBI gathering evidence of money laundering, only to find out their prior recruits have all died. Barton and Rhett Temple cooperate with the manipulative Victoria Steers (who rescued Sybaritic when things were dire) to destroy Nash's life, including kidnapping his daughter and creating a false narrative about sexual abuse. Nash disappears with the help of Shock, and trains to become a warrior while Rhett Temple takes initiative with his father and stepmother to ensure his ascendancy. A strong need to suspend belief, a few too many subplots, and a cliffhanger ending, which should be resolved in April 2026, with the release of the sequel. ...more
Victor, the assassin, completes a hit on a fellow assassin in Algiers when his CIA masters ask him to pose as the dead assassin to discover the clientVictor, the assassin, completes a hit on a fellow assassin in Algiers when his CIA masters ask him to pose as the dead assassin to discover the client who hired the dead assassin for his final job. In Rome, things quickly spiral out of his control as Victor is forced to work with a ruthless group of mercenaries, culminating in an assassination mission he tries to refuse. When the mercenaries threaten him with killing the innocent wife and child of the dead assassin, he must either move ahead or reveal he is an impostor. Action-packed all the way through, culminating in an intense ending....more
The tone of the Jack Reacher novels has changed, with the clever dialogue fading away and violence that now leads to death versus grievous injuries. IThe tone of the Jack Reacher novels has changed, with the clever dialogue fading away and violence that now leads to death versus grievous injuries. In Book #30, Jack Reacher, rescues a couple's life savings from a scam he overhears into a Baltimore coffee shop, angering local thugs. While in the coffee shop, a desperate man, ex-military intelligence officer Nathan Gilmour, slips a note for help into Reacher's pocket, thinking he is his contact for help with his life-threatening troubles in port administration. Gilmour, a degenerate gambler, has been coerced into feeding shipment data to a private security company owner, who seeks a government contract to engage in a phony war in a volatile country in exchange for massive profits. Naturally, Reacher stays to help Gilmour stop Strickland's dirty operation....more
Mac Dekker’s girlfriend Ava Attal, a former Mossad agent, is kidnapped from the Eiffel Tower restaurants moments before his planned marriage proposal.Mac Dekker’s girlfriend Ava Attal, a former Mossad agent, is kidnapped from the Eiffel Tower restaurants moments before his planned marriage proposal. Returned to their hotel, Mac is attacked by Saudi assassins and manages to escape, leaving two corpses. Now he is also a wanted man in Paris, he has violated the "lay low" provisions of his CIA protection, and the new Deputy Director of CIA Ops, Elizabeth Elkins, puts out a contract on him. In an early mission, Ava Attal and her team lose a single, small nuclear device, called Sampson: one of many placed along Israel’s border. Sampson, one of the devices, was never recovered. While recuperating from mission injuries, Ava meets Tariq, a renowned playboy and the second son of Qatar’s ruler. Further, she learns he has possession of Sampson and becomes his lover to learn his plan to destroy his older brother's plans for peace in the Middle East. Lots of action, mayhem, and timely help....more
Following the success of his seven book series, Terminal List (featuring James Reece), author Jack Carr has gone back in time to provide the back storFollowing the success of his seven book series, Terminal List (featuring James Reece), author Jack Carr has gone back in time to provide the back story on Tom Reece, James' father. This first book describes some of the challenges faced by Tom, while fighting in the jungles of Vietnam during the 60's, including some American MIA soldiers taken by Russia to Siberia as potential hostages. Tom sees much death, followed by political decisions derailing his intention to free the captives and deliver some retribution. Personally, I liked the James Reece character better than the Tom Reece character....more
Following the events in Book #1, Travis Chase is living a simple life under an assumed identity. When Paige Campbell and her team discover a new pieceFollowing the events in Book #1, Travis Chase is living a simple life under an assumed identity. When Paige Campbell and her team discover a new piece of alien technology from the future, she goes to see the President. On her return, her SUV is violently attacked, Paige is captured, and Paige's colleague goes to Travis for help based on a frantic call. Travis and the colleague manage to find Paige, and once reunited, the dynamic duo have to time travel to prevent a desolate and ruined America (i.e., a "ghost country") and confront a conspiracy at the highest levels of government. Not as good as the The Breach....more
Missing persons expert Frankie Elkin comes to Tucson at the request of Afghan refugee Sabera Ahmadi's social worker and best friend because Sabera hasMissing persons expert Frankie Elkin comes to Tucson at the request of Afghan refugee Sabera Ahmadi's social worker and best friend because Sabera has been missing for three weeks, seemingly abandoning her young, gifted, 3-year old daughter, Zahra. Frankie finds free housing with a tech guy in his mansion to take care of his pet reptiles. It is the home of misfit toys: ex-con, chauffeur Daryl and transgender cook, Ginny. Suddenly, Sabera is caught on a surveillance camera, leaving the scene of a double murder by hammer. Her husband, Isaad, then also disappears after receiving a package, ending up dead. Frankie, the local detective, whose sister ballroom dances with Daryl, start working the case to save Sabera, an amazing linguist, and Zahra from whomever is after them and the family secret. I did not care for the dual timeline, tracing the sad history of Kabul, the Taliban, and the good and bad parts of the Ahmadi family. I did like Lilla No Name though....more
Alex Rider's best friend, Tom Harris, is kidnapped (during a skateboarding break from studying) by the Nightshade organization. To save him, Alex is fAlex Rider's best friend, Tom Harris, is kidnapped (during a skateboarding break from studying) by the Nightshade organization. To save him, Alex is forced help a developing friend, assassin Freddy Gray/Number 9, escape a high security prison. It is unclear where Freddy's allegiance lays. The core of the rising threat lies in the virtual reality gaming world. Nightshade wants to use an augmented reality game called "Eden Falls" to cause mass deaths and chaos, to bankrupt the game's parent company, Real Time, and give power to a former employee turned competitor, Jon Lucas. Lots of action, included a duel in an old western town pitting Freddy against Alex. The CIA wants to stop Nightshade at any cost, including sacrificing Alex's life. Mrs. Jones has a personal interest here, as her son, William, is still in the clutches of Nightshade....more
Lauren Pauling's sister and her family are vacationing in Florida, when she is abducted. Lauren's brother-in-law calls her, desperate for help. LaurenLauren Pauling's sister and her family are vacationing in Florida, when she is abducted. Lauren's brother-in-law calls her, desperate for help. Lauren arrives, befriends the local officer, who connects her with a private investigator (Wade Carver) knowledgeable about the local players and not afraid to take decisive action. The local guy manages to extract the name of the town, where the sister has been taken. It is where Jack Reacher supposedly put the bad guys out of business. Lauren's sister is being auctioned to star in a private snuff film. Michael Tallon meets Lauren there, with no time to spare, to save her sister's life.
P.S. Very disappointed that Los Angeles Public Library only bought the first 10 books in this series....more
Dan Garvie’s life has been haunted by his inaction as a 12-year old in helping a desperate boy in a gas station restroom, under the control of a notorDan Garvie’s life has been haunted by his inaction as a 12-year old in helping a desperate boy in a gas station restroom, under the control of a notorious serial killer. Dan has tried to make amends working to help criminals reform in prison. When his retired policeman father is suspected of committing suicide by jumping off a cliff, Dan returns to his small island community, determined to uncover the truth about his suicide. And finds a trail drawing him back to a point in his life he wants to forget. Dan finds a series of recent deaths that cannot be traced back to the serial killer, who was found dead many years ago, and yet the deaths are methodical and malicious, eventually turning to Dan and his old playmate Sarah. A bit too much crazy for my liking....more
At her sponsor Senator's request, Letty Davenport goes undercover as a programmer to infiltrate a hacker group called "Ordinary People," suspected of At her sponsor Senator's request, Letty Davenport goes undercover as a programmer to infiltrate a hacker group called "Ordinary People," suspected of plotting to disable the natural gas supply to a major northern U.S. city. Posing as the "tatted" girlfriend of hacker/programmer Rod Baxter, running from the government over a ransomware deal gone bad, they see some of the Ordinary People executed as retribution for disrupting Russian logistics, realizing that there are a number of competing interests, and even some governmental duplicity as Russia is planning to invade the Ukraine and cannot afford logistical problems. 3.5 stars. ...more
The premise of this art swindle is a previously unknown Picasso is discovered in the attic of a French villa, and brought to a renowned New York auctiThe premise of this art swindle is a previously unknown Picasso is discovered in the attic of a French villa, and brought to a renowned New York auction house. Halston Graham works there as an intern, but is the daughter of a felon convicted of an art heist and serving a long sentence for his crime. She quickly gets involved in a swindle, with a forged version of the painting, working precariously between a mobster and a famous clothes designer, each of whom wants the original. Things get really out of hand as the District Attorney wants to prosecute the mobster at any cost, and Halston and her brother Skip want their father released from prison. The twists and turns are vicious and numerous: wear a neck brace (you have been warned.)...more
Don Bentley completes the trilogy of Mitch Rapp's formative days as an Orion Team member in the early 1990s, which Vince Flynn started in 2010/2012 wiDon Bentley completes the trilogy of Mitch Rapp's formative days as an Orion Team member in the early 1990s, which Vince Flynn started in 2010/2012 with American Assassin and Kill Shot. Saved by his Swiss girlfriend, Greta, Mitch is recovering and keeping a low profile. Things get hot fast, as Greta's grandfather grabs her for her own safety, and Russia grabs the wife of a CIA agent in Moscow, violating the longstanding practice of leaving families alone. Thomas Stansfield is on the hot seat as acting director, and sends Irene Kennedy to Moscow Station to take charge. Mitch finds himself in the center of the European spy capital of Vienna, as a Soviet foe is killing off the old guard with serious violence. Mitch is sent to Moscow to eliminate the bad guy, including a trip into the lion's den, Lubyanka, where he has to call an audible in order to escape with his life. A bit more Stanfield and Hurley than I wanted, but Irene emerges as a force with which to be reckoned (like Mitch.)...more
Book #9 begins when a retiring FBI special agent-in-charge named Edward Giles is brutally murdered in his home, and the FBI goes nuts when they cannotBook #9 begins when a retiring FBI special agent-in-charge named Edward Giles is brutally murdered in his home, and the FBI goes nuts when they cannot find a motive nor the perp. Of course, there is a Reacher connection to an old counterfeiting case, which makes the FBI team interested in Lauren Pauling. Meanwhile, Michael Tallon is offered a plum job overseas, which turns out to be a feint, and he barely escapes being killed. The two begin to investigate the old case, eventually leading to a surprise person responsible for the sadistic deaths of both Giles and an Buckhead, Atlanta financial advisor....more
Lucy Smith is an 18 year old protagonist, who grew up in foster care after after her mother left her at birth with her father, who loved her dearly, bLucy Smith is an 18 year old protagonist, who grew up in foster care after after her mother left her at birth with her father, who loved her dearly, but succumbed to cancer. Lucy had varied experiences in foster care: some good, some very bad. The book is told in different timelines, with the current one focused on Lucy's recovery from nearly dying in a bombing in the diner where she worked. A male attorney and a close friend of a sister Lucy never knew are both kind to her, paying for her care and helping her heal physically and mentally; however, Lucy knows she is a target and wants nothing more to flee from vengeance and treachery. She learns that her father lied about her heritage, with her mother being Ojibwe (not Italian), and how the atrocious Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) adversely impacted her development....more
Buddy Mercurio is a rising mobster in Las Vegas, and falls in love with Lillian, an utterly charming pickpocket. They quickly build a family, but the Buddy Mercurio is a rising mobster in Las Vegas, and falls in love with Lillian, an utterly charming pickpocket. They quickly build a family, but the bosses catch on the Buddy's scamming and they skip town after receiving a phone call warning them of their future demise. The family relocates to Lillian's hometown, Oklahoma City, where things do not go well until they open a disco club, where the children all learn the business of crime. The club eventually implodes and the family scatters, with subsequent sections devoted to each of the five kids lives: pretty boy Jeremy's adventures in Hollywood; daredevil Tallulah adventures in Moscow, Russia; slow Ray Jr.'s adventures working as an enforcer returning to Vegas; supersmart Alice, the lawyer, having to save her mentor/boss from blackmail; and young Piggy, who wants to be a writer and reunite with his brothers and sisters.
Eventually, events force them together, with some major changes in familial roles. However, as a reader, I felt that each section ended ambiguously, which I suspect was intentional, but I found unsatisfying. ...more
Recently paroled, Travis Chase is hiking in Alaska, hiding from his past when he stumbles on a crashed 747. He finds a number of bullet riddled bodiesRecently paroled, Travis Chase is hiking in Alaska, hiding from his past when he stumbles on a crashed 747. He finds a number of bullet riddled bodies, who survived the crash, including the First Lady, who is clutching some instructions about killing any other survivors to keep a world-threatening secret. Chase finds a father and daughter, but decides a rescue is possible, only to find himself in the middle of a battle for alien technology. Intriguing, with some extraordinary devices and questions about whether even the good guys are really good. Maybe there will be some clarity in Book #2?...more
Loading...
