Muffin Man by Stephan Collina

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review:'Muffin Man' by Stephan Collina.

The threat of terrorism is often realized throughout the world.  Many times these threats come from outside sources, different countries with differing beliefs and wants. Yet there is also the danger lurking within the countries, those ideas and beliefs that run a divergent path to what the government delivers. Nestled within the safety of being a citizen, the terror radiating from the internal patriots can prove more deadly than that from distant shores.

The Muffin Man by Stephan Collina, takes us on a collision course of betrayal, love, drugs and political manipulation.  Following a premonition of the President’s wife, a chain of events is set into motion and will rock the country to its very fiber. The events begin in strange incidences that seem very separate on the outside, yet begin to weave into delicate patterns that strengthen as time moves forward.  Interactions begin that tie and then later bind, guiding and directing an eclectic group of individuals to a common goal, one that is known to only a select few.

Acting with impunity and given free reign, nothing is considered sacred in the form of moral rectitude. Life and death hold little meaning, yet jealousy and rage burst forth with vigor, threatening to topple all the pieces already put into place. Betrayal carries a sentence and yet depravity guarantees its place.

In an intricate and deadly pattern, Collina takes us on a journey of time and gives us the characters of a nation diverse in history. The flaws and human emotion create a genuine feel while the anger and mistakes pull you forward, holding your interest.  The intensity builds slowly, and while there seems to be some strange and out of cycle distractions, Collina slowly pulls the rope allowing the curtain to raise just inches at a time, drawing out the drama.

While I found the buildup and foreshadowing to be slow reading, the events can only come together in such a way.  If you enjoy terror and history, political intrigue and human interest you may find this a book to look too. The surprise ending was a bit of a shock and I was not comfortable with it, yet as the plot settled I could finally understand the events. I enjoyed the interplay amongst many of the characters, and felt they seemed real. The events could carry plausibility, yet one can be glad of the fiction behind the story.

Some might find the telling of the story offensive, and if you are not comfortable about terrorism or internal strife, you might take a pass.  However if you enjoy a tale of intrigue with the possibility of immense and sinister repercussions, you have found the tale to take you there. This would be a strong book for a reading or discussion group, full of possible dialogue.

About Stephan Collina:

Stephan Collina grew up in the 1970s: a troubled time of recession, poverty, industrial disruption, political tension and terrorism. But for younger people, it was also a post-1960s wide-flared, drug-enhanced and extravagant-haired innocence.

Stephan later became a prominent businessman, acquainted with a number of high-ranking politicians. Stephen ran international technology businesses, spending a great deal of time in the USA and various European and African countries.

The Muffin Man grew from a combination of these unique experiences: his early knowledge of the sometime innocent business of drug dealing (although he never inhaled), and of the much dirtier businesses of covert political and military action, and of international business practices.

Stephan's first novel explored the nefarious and complicated emotional and sexual relationships of a remote village in Wales, where he had spent his early years.

Stephan holds a degree in Philosophy. He is also a qualified commercial ship's captain. He now lives quietly by the sea, and concentrates on his writing and related filmmaking activities.

Website: http://www.stephancollina.com/muffinman.html

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephan.collina Twitter: https://twitter.com/stephan_collina

 

Life of a Double Agent by Kenneth J. Kerr

Posted first on Blog critics as Book Review:'Life of a Double Agent' by Kenneth J. Kerr.

Have you ever wondered about the intricate and unsettled life of those who choose to be double agents for their governments?

Kenneth J. Kerr brings us a tale of intrigue in the life of a young man who makes this choice early in his career.

In The Life of a Double Agent by Kenneth J. Kerr, we follow Jim Hunt as he is first recruited in college to help monitor activities on campus, for the CIA. After graduation he joins the army and is recruited by the Chinese, all with the backing of the CIA.  After serving for his country Jim settles down working for Dow Chemical Company and later Renewable Power Company, all the while continuing to his double life even as he moves forward.

Years of intrigue and travel follow him and even as he retires he finds he needs to be of service. He chooses to work for the Peace Corps after his retirement from both his job and the CIA. Yet he soon finds that retirement is not always that easy.

Kerr has given us a unique and interesting perspective of life as an agent. Following the entire career of Jim Hunt from his first introduction to the agency, to the end of his career working the government, you travel the corridors of countries and areas through the eyes of the author.

Kerr’s extensive travel gives him a unique view of the countries he describes, and you find yourself pulled into the sights and wonders of it all. The interesting part of this work is the highs and lows of the profession, and how he was able to give you both sides of the character, his home, family and work side, as well as that of his other identity.

If you are interested in travel and intrigue, you will enjoy this work. The transition of Jim’s life as he continues to keep his integrity while working with the CIA, keep you guessing.  With the normalcy of how the interactions go you find yourself looking at the faces of those around you. Could they too be leading a double life?

This would be a great book for a reading group. The discussion of integrity and intrigue seem at odds and yet somehow it works.

Rating 3/5

This book was received from the author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

Waiting for Sunrise by William Boyd

Article first published as Book Review: Waiting for Sunrise by William Boyd on Blogcritics.

Life often takes strange and interesting twists and turns. Decisions made will often turn the direction of life in unique and different ways.

In Waiting for Sunrise by William Boyd, we follow the life of Lysander Rief, a young English actor who finds his life twisting in a spiral of emotion as he becomes involved in an affair with a young woman he meets during a visit to his psychotherapist. Unsure of her motives he is mortified to learn she has accused him of rape. Incarcerated in a jail in Vienna, he waits to tell his side of the story, yet he knows he has no answer as to why she would accuse him.
The world is on the brink of World War I and it is here at this time that Lysander escapes and leaves Vienna, with the help of two British Diplomats. This is only the beginning of the twists and turns he encounters as he tries to take his life back. When he is recruited for a mission by the very men who helped him escape he finds himself on the tail of a traitor. Using his talents as an actor he is drawn deeper into the world of espionage.

It is here, during this time of duress that he again runs into his lover and mistress, and nothing is as it seems. Still enamored even with the allegations against him, he finds that she is more than ready to resume their liaison. Is she too a part of the madness he finds himself embroiled in. What lengths will she go to, to get what she wants.

Boyd has taken a time in history and drawn us in with a thriller full of human foibles. His characters are charming and bold, and often quite ruthless. Lysander too has another side that is dark and well hidden, yet he must keep it buried in order to create the man he is challenged to be. Can he do what is required to deliver the traitor, or will he have to delve into the darker part of his own psyche.
Full of historical fact and fiction, this is a thriller that keeps you guessing. The insight and thought put into the characterization of the characters makes you feel as though you know them. Yet when they behave badly or unlike what is expected, you find yourself puzzling over their actions, as though you really should know why they are being as they are.
If you enjoy history and things pertaining to World War I and some of its background, this is an interesting novel. Throw in the side line of a thriller and the search for a traitor that could bring down the house, than this is a book for your library. The story seems to meander and yet it builds momentum to the very end. Everything in between is just a red herring, or a small piece of the puzzle.
Rating 4/5
This book was received free from the authors publisher. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

The Eden Prescription by Ethan Evers

Article first published as Book Review:The Eden Prescription by Ethan Evers on Blogcritics.

Finding a cure for cancer is often in the news. New progress, new research, and new discoveries are written about periodically, looking for that elusive cure. What would happen if a cure were found? Would there be different companies trying to hide the information, for the sake of the ever important money involved?

In The Eden Prescription by Ethan Evers, we follow the research of Dr. Elliott Liddell as he works to formulate a cocktail to eradicate cancer, which involves numerous natural supplements. Both elusive and secretive, the doctor works for a company called Mitogenica. They are in the running for a go ahead from the FDA for a release of new drugs that have done well in trial test groups. Or have they? In the game of who will be the first to release a drug that will create billions of dollars in revenue, there are always those who will cheat to win.

Dr. Elliot does not trust anyone; he knows the game better than anyone suspects. He understands the greed and the machinations of those involved. He has been secretly working with Annika Guthrie, an employee of Chromogen, one of Mitogenica’s greatest competitors. When Dr. Liddell disappears, along with his almost completed cancer model, the cancer community is in disarray. Concerned for her safety and that of the doctor, Annika is alarmed. When Dr. Liddell does contact her, he entrusts her with digital information that is at the root of everything that he holds to be important. There are those who are looking for this information and they are willing to do whatever it takes.

As espionage and deaths begin to pile up, Annika finds herself running for her life. Dr. Liddell is being followed and soon Annika finds that there are others that know her secret. Will she live to help those most in need of her information? Can they find a way to use this information to help those that deserve their assistance?

The Eden Prescription is a medical thriller full of depth and information. The characters are written in such detail you can picture them in your mind. Dr. Liddell is so well written, I kept having to remind myself this was only a book, and not real life. The information behind the drugs and supplements were extremely well researched and quite believable. Annika is a little too naive for the work she does, and is very quick to trust. She does not always see the obvious. She is young and the naivety comes out just right, and yet you wonder how she is able to keep such a belief of hope alive as she finds herself running for her life.

Each of the characters is driven by different motives that become clear as the information unravels. There is both surprise and at times dismay, as the characters either cement themselves as heroes or finally reveal just how jaded they have become. There is surprise and hope, as you are guided through a roller coaster of emotion.

This book is both believable and imaginative. I could imagine reading the headlines in a national newspaper, reporting much of what was written. With so much involvement and research, I found myself believing this was really happening. That is the mark of a well written book.

I would recommend this book for those who enjoy medical thrillers. It brought to mind several of the Michael Crichton books I have read in the past. The background is a little more like Clancy however, in order to do the content justice there had to be some in-depth information leading the way.

Rating 5/5

This book was received free from the author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the information.

Origial Sin: A Sally Sin Adventure

Article first published as Book Review: Original Sin: A Sally Sin Adventure by Beth McMullen on Blogcritics.

Being a working mother and raising a child is already a difficult job with responsibilities that create chaos in an otherwise routine existence. What would happen if the job were anything but routine? What if instead of going to the office, you worked in the government for the United States Agency for Weapons of Mass Destruction? (USAWMD)

In Original sin: A Sally Sin Adventure by Beth McMullen, we find some interesting answers to this question, as we follow the life and adventures of Sally Sin. Now Sally Sin is only a pseudonym and not her real name at all. Lucy Parks Hamilton is a mom and is happily married to the man of her dreams. Her life before meeting her husband Will, or even before her precocious child Theo came into being was anything but normal. In fact, much of what she did was extremely classified.

Lucy Hamilton is now a stay at home mom. However, little did she realize just how paranoid she would be after leaving the service. Often her days are spent staring at the door of her son’s preschool, just to make sure he is safe. She feels like she over reacts when she hear bushes rustling, or catches something out of the corner of her eye, and she certainly worries constantly about being found by her old nemesis. She tells herself she does not miss her old life, and she believes it most of the time. She loves being a wife and mother, but she can feel her paranoia beginning to spin out of control.

When her old handler shows up needing her expertise, she declines just as any mother would. Her past has no place in her presence, or does it? Her husband has no idea of her background, and she has been free of the job for over 10 years. Why now? As she begins to understand her family is at risk, she has no choice but to get back into the fold. But how does she do that and still maintain her secrecy? Will taking care of this one last job for the agency free her from her fear and cut her final link to the past?

This is a fun and action filled spy adventure that takes you along for a novel ride. Beth McMullen has developed a cast of wonderful characters, and created a fun and exciting story of adventure. Sally Sin is back, and her character is one you can really enjoy. Very funny and engaging, she is anything but a normal mom. She has all the caring and love for her family, but she also has the instincts and patterns of the job she thought she had left. McMullen has found a unique way of marrying the spy and the mom and making a very credible and fun story.

Each character is well thought out, and in some cases just a bit mysterious. Through all the various attempts at her life, Lucy is able to continue to juggle her family and keep them safe. I enjoyed the humor and intrigue, as well as the thought process that is important to the story.

If you enjoy Cozy Mysteries, and just a fun and action filled read with both humor and subtlety, you will enjoy the premise of this book. It is engaging and fun, I look forward to reading further adventures of Sally Sin.

This would be a great book for a trip or just a summertime treat. It is light and funny, with just a bit of darkness and evil twisted into the mix. The characters leap from the page, and the danger to Sally keeps you guessing how she will react. Yet each time you may find yourself surprised, she is quite adept at what she does. The pace will keep you turning the pages, and the story will have you chuckling. It is a must have summer read for the lighthearted mystery and spy fan.

Rating 4/5
Original Sin

This Book was recieved as an ARC. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

Agent X by Noah Boyd

Article first published as Book Review: Agent X by Noah Boyd on Blogcritics.

Kate Bannon, FBI agent is having one of her worst nightmares ever. She feels like she is dying. As she pries open her eyelids, she realizes there is no dream, only real life. Someone has left her car running and she is breathing in fumes, unable to open her garage, which is jammed, in the back of her mind she realizes that this will look like suicide instead of what it really is. Who is it that is responsible for her murder?

In the hospital, Bob Lasker, Director of the FBI is cautiously waiting for her to wake. He has questions only she can answer. Unlike the others, he does not believe the evidence. Kate needs to find out who is after her and why. It is time for her to call Steve Vail for help. Steve has always been at his best in these situations and she has always been able to rely on him. Will he help her this time? Never one to follow the rules he has left the business and is now pursuing his own way as Bricklayer. Growing up in his father’s footsteps, it was what he was groomed for. A rule breaker, not a rule taker, he chose to leave the business.

Kate is not sure he will help, and if he does, can she keep him within the guidelines required by her Director? With only one man believing her story, will Vail also understand that she is in danger, not from herself but from others? When Steve agrees to help, digging into the deceit behind her most recent problems, the evidence takes them into the dark and dangerous underground of the spy network. Whom do they trust, in this political game of tag?

In Agent X, Noah Boyd has built a layer of deceit that only the best minds could follow. Nevertheless, as each clue is unraveled the bad guys are murdered before they can be debriefed. Steve and his trusty companion Kate follow the trail, to find the deep undercover spy and unmask him, but at each turn, the adversary is ahead of them. While close and having a great respect for the other they both work off differing agendas, neither trusting the other with all their information.

Kate believes in Steve, but not all the information adds up when the ousted spy’s die, many at the hands of Steve himself. Is he only in the wrong place at the wrong time as he claims or is he responsible for the deaths? She is vulnerable without the entire backing of her crew. Whom does she believe when the evidence points in varying directions? She is strong and smart, but what is really happening? Can she take a leap of faith and follow her heart, or will she follow the advice and evidence as presented.

Steve is secretive and has his own agenda. He is extraordinarily bright when it comes to seeing the big picture, but he struggles with putting his faith in others. He is adept and cocky, going his own way, using the information he garners to flesh out further spies, and information. But who is guiding him with bits and pieces of clues, leading him into fray after fray, only to murder the suspects before they have a chance of digging out the truth. Steve is the quintessential MacGyver with just a bit of Mack Bolen thrown in. Boyd has written a fine, fast paced and intriguing suspense, keeping you guessing. Just who are the bad guys, and will Kate make the right choices?

I would recommend this book to those who enjoy fast-paced adventure, set in a spy thriller. Vail is a wonderful character and sure to be one to bring back time after time. The moniker of Bricklayer helps to flesh out his persona, both solid and well-constructed with strength of character. This is an exciting novel with strength of purpose and hard to put down. This is action and adventure at its finest, a thrilling ride.

Rating 4/5
Agent X
 
This book was received as a free copy by GoodReads First Reads. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

Afraid of the Dark By Games Grippando

Article first published as Book Review: Afraid of the Dark by James Grippando on Blogcritics.

Withdrawing as counsel on the case for Jamal Wakefield seems to be the only avenue Jack Swyteck feels comfortable with. His boss Neil is not so sure. Jack does not have all the information, and Neil makes him a deal. They will put Jamal through a lie detector and if Jack still feels the same way then Neil will take the case himself.

Jack’s problem with Jamal is the the crime he is being tried for. The accusation consists of him murdering his girlfriend McKenna, the daughter of Chuck Mays. It is during this murder that a friend of both Chuck and Jack is injured. Sergeant Vince Paulo is the officer on the scene, and as he clears the property looking for the murderer, there is an explosion nearly killing him, but taking his eyesight instead. To make matters worse, May’s wife disappears a short time later, a possible victim of suicide.

Having recently broken up with McKenna, the evidence is overwhelming. Secure in knowing that Jamal will not be able to pass the test he agrees to go forward. He is therefore unnerved when Jamal not only passes the lie detector test but also has a story to tell. This is a story that will take Jack to on a journey to the back stages of London and bring him into contact with an evil presence calling himself the dark. His presence as Jamal’s attorney also puts his wife Andie, an undercover operative for the government in grave danger.

In Afraid of the Dark, James Grippando has characterized an evil both chilling and bold. The Dark is a disturbing and well-named adversary. Jack is a charismatic character full of fun and passion, caring about his friends and family as well as those he represents in the legal system. Every move is leading him in a direction that puts all he holds dear in danger. As death begins to take its toll, Jack digs deeper into the unspoken secret facilities know as black houses only furthering his danger.

Grippando has set the stage on a fast paced, and gripping suspense novel, dealing with national security as well as homeland issues. He has peopled it with characters that are larger than life and quite believable. It is a story of darkness and yet one of discovery as well. The Dark is a great designation for the man with the power, capable and determined to protect his true name at all costs. Yet Jack is a worthy protagonist, even with a small glimmer of information, he takes the stage to bring him down.

I would recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a rapid paced, suspense-filled thriller. It is full of all the excitement and mayhem necessary in a classic whodunit, but brings in more of the homeland and national security issues common to the day. This would be a great book for your library, one to take and read time and time again. It would also be a good book for a reading club; the information would make great discussion fodder.

Rating 4/5

Afraid of the Dark

This book was received free from the publisher. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

The Digital Sea by Thomas Carpenter

Article first published as Book Review:The Digital Sea By Thomas Carpenter on Blogcritics.

In a futuristic world where the earth is slowly decaying, the digital sea is available to override the view of the decline. Not everyone is enthralled by the use of the digital sea; it can be manipulated in many ways and is now being engineered to create a war between Pakistan and India.

Zel Aurora is trying to live her life and take care of her daughter in the best way she knows how. As the shaking disease continues to consume the life of Liala, she decides it is time to see what the Djed wants from her. If the money she receives can save Liala further pain, it is time to go forward. She herself has a condition, a form of autism that does not allow her to see the obvious. She must rely on a program that is now a part of her, programed to read others thoughts. An integral part of her, known as Pandora it is virtually invisible to even the most updated technology. As she makes herself available, she finds that Djed needs her to find who is behind the manipulation of the digital sea.

In the Digital Sea, Thomas Carpenter has put together an extreme technological futuristic thriller. Fast paced, the action keeps you on the edge of your seat. It is important to follow the action closely because every part has a reason. The interplay is amazingly intricate. Because of the scope of the novel, the characters are numerous. Mr. Carpenter has put together an amazing group of characters, and tied them together with verve.

Initially some of the characters confused me, and yet without them the story would not have been the same. Carpenter developed each character fully making you feel for them, either liking them or disliking them, there was never a doubt. Well written, the descriptions of each character developed a picture in my mind. The technology is in depth, albeit a bit over my head. Some of the information seemed so advanced I struggled with it. Yet the story progressed in a fashion necessary to the plot.

It almost seemed as though several stories were going on at one time, yet the convergence was exactly as it should be.

I would recommend this story for the pure science fiction buff. Those who love technology will find this a fascinating read. The story is great but for me getting through the science was difficult. Thomas Carpenter is light years ahead, in a science fiction thriller set on earth. He has evolved the planet to the future and set the playing field in a game of chase sure to thrill science fiction fans all over.

Rating 4/5
The Digital Sea

This book was recieved as a free e-book from the author. All opinions are my own based of my reading and understanding of the material.

The Patirot Paradox by William Esmont

Article first published as Book Review:The Patriot Paradox by William Esmont on Blogcritics.

Drawn back into a world of espionage by the death of his brother Mike, Kurt Vetter is already suffering the loss of his wife and child, Kurt is doing his best to forget his prior life. A plea from his mother brings him back to the states, to just one more pain filled memory. The death of his only brother.

Following the funeral, Kurt receives a package from Mike; a package Kurt now knows caused his death. He is immediately aware that with his newfound knowledge gleaned from the package, he too is in danger. Mike leaves a request for to Kurt contact Amanda Carter in the case of his death and turn the information over to her. Mike copied the information, hoping to bring down the rogue faction of the CIA willing to start a war to get what they wanted. One-step ahead of the CIA, Kurt tracks down Amanda through the internet, and to London.

Amanda too is in intelligence and a good friend of Kurt’s brother. She grieves at his death; he had put himself on the line for her in the past and saved her life. His request for her help puts her in high gear. She takes the information to a friend to decipher, and she and Kurt try to stay ahead of their pursuers.

Immediately death begins to take a toll, the apartment of Amanda’s friend is incinerated, along with the information she gave him. However, she receives a summary of his findings, and understands the reason for Mike’s murder. Amanda and Kurt must track down the bomb and find a way to diffuse it before it is too late. Can they save a people and their way of life? How will they know who to trust when there are spies in the very heart of the U.S. CIA.

William Esmont has written a wonderful story of espionage and lingering distrust left from the end of the cold war. His characters are very human and extremely likable. In The Patriot Paradox, he has built a possibility of mammoth proportions. What would happen if a rogue group took it upon themselves to destroy a world power? Would they succeed?
Kurt is a great but unlikely hero, trying to bury himself in escape. His brother’s death brings him back to a reality he is not ready to face. His prior work with the CIA keeps him guessing just ahead of those that are now wanting him dead. He is somewhat of a klutz and yet he draws you in. With an edge of your seat suspense you can only standby and watch as he continues to escape the traps laid for him.

Amanda Carter is polished and knowledgeable, the opposite of Kurt in every way. She is secretive and beautiful, and he finds himself drawn to her. She is the strength of their unlikely partnership, looking for understanding of the mess they are in. Without backup, they are sitting ducks, unable to stay ahead of their nemesis. The CIA has the technology to find and follow them wherever they are, and it is an intricate game of cat and mouse, staying one-step ahead.

This is a great story by William Esmont, it is fast paced and gripping in areas. It is thought provoking and keeps you entertained. The characters blaze their way, and will be fun to follow in further works. If you like action and spy thrillers you will enjoy this rendition. Well Written, this book keeps you turning the pages. Once started I found it hard to put down.

Rating 4/5
The Patriot Paradox

This book was received as a free copy from the Author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the information.

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Jessica's Tune by Jim Wygant

Article first published as Book Review:Jessica's Tune by Jim Wygant on Blogcritics.

We first met Nick Dement a retired KGB agent as he unmasked a mole in the CIA. He is put in the witness protection program for his own safety, and as the years turn into his first decade in the program, he realizes he has been all but forgotten. He still receives his stipend but it did not grow with inflation, and he finds himself working part time for extra money. His recent gig was as an employment counselor with JBI transition consulting, and it is in this capacity that he first meets another Russian,Lenny Doburoff.

Nick is not interested or even comfortable dealing with Lenny, yet he does not feel comfortable turning him down for dinner because his job is to help him transition. Lenny’s wife, Jessica is extremely attractive and he finds himself quite taken with her. She is smart and attractive, not at all what he expected from Lenny. As he relaxes and learns more about Lenny, he finds out that Lenny has a grown son Peter. Lenny believes that Peter may be in trouble, and asks Nick for his help. Since Nick only works his job part time, he decides to drop in on Peter and find out if Lenny has anything to worry about.

Peter is intelligent, very good with computers and when Nick stops and introduces himself, Peter is very suspicious of his motives. Nick notices that Peter is a music aficionado and complements him on a piece that he hears in the apartment. The song is called Jessica’s Tune, after his Stepmother. Getting under Peter’s guard, while not easy, puts Nick in a position to see what he is working on with is computer.

As Nick begins to follow up, he feels the familiar thrill, a part of his earlier life he did not realize he was missing. As he digs deeper he finds that Peter has attracted the wrong kind of attention, that of the Mexican Cartel. As Nick works to extract Peter from his problems, they are drawn deeper into the shady and deadly pull of the Cartel. Can he rely on his rusty instincts to save Peter, or will they both perish?

In this second installment and sequel to Jim Wygant’s novel, The Spy’s Demise, we continue the saga of Nick Dement. In Jessica’s Tune, Wygant creates another scenario, where the hero from his first work has another opportunity to shine. Nick has grown and developed; he is still a bit of a loner and continues to have trust issues. Married for a short time, he moves on when it does not work out, and finds a comfortable life.

Jihad-Britain by Jack Everett and David Coles

Article first published as Book Review: Jihad-Britain by Jack Everett and David Coles on Blogcritics.

In a number of incidents sure to shock the world, a group known as the Black Knights, who have declared Jihad, attack Britain in a well-planned and set up maneuver. On a chill morning just before noon, at landmarks throughout the area, a series of bombings break the silence of January 1, 2012. These include a newly commissioned Cruise ship, Majesty, carrying 5000 passengers and being observed by a large crowd at Mayflower Park; Ibrox Stadium; an underground station, carrying 80000, for singing and fireworks; St Paul’s Cathedral, holding Thanksgiving services; a similar event in Trafalgar Square; and Millennium stadium for the Welsh National Choir slated for 74,000 attendees. These atrocities result in 15,000 deaths and 20,000 more injuries.

The Prime Minister calls a meeting of the COBRA committee, to assess the situation and to set a plan to find those who were guilty of such heinous acts. He also chooses to set a General Election against the advice of his party. The P.M. wants action and needs the backing of the public.

Another group of members have broken away from the old parties and decided to form a new different party. It is felt that this would be what it would take to protect British citizens from further attack and to find those who had accomplished these horrible deeds. Francis Raike, considered to be one of the brightest sparks in government, is elected to be the head of the party by the other constituents.

They call themselves the Independents and have a radical platform, ready for change for Britain, and their place in the world. Some of those ideas consist of the repeal of the Human Rights Act, secession from the EU, continued UN membership, immigration policies and conscription to name a few. Many of these are very controversial — and yet because the public is looking for safety, the Independents win the election by a landslide. The new government is then assigned the brightest stars in each field and made ready to find those responsible.

As every lead is followed and the culprits found and arrested, two remain invisible. They are the most ruthless of killers with plans that make even the madness of 2012 look like child’s play. In addition, as the new Prime Minister, Francis Raike digs deeper into the quagmire, he puts himself and those he holds dearest in danger from this group killing in the name of Allah. Will he succeed in his plan or will he lose all he holds dear?
Jack Everett and David Coles have put together a story of nightmarish proportions. In a post 9/11 world where terror once again raises its head, they have written a story of Jihad, a war against the British by those most extreme. In Jihad-Britain, they have taken the extremism to an ultimate place. However, they have also found a hero, or a group of heroes, willing to challenge the status quo, willing to make changes unpopular with many to rebuild a stronger county.

They have shown a bleak and challenging situation and founded a group of characters, capable of bringing it home. Each of the different characters, including the Prime Minister, Francis Raike, have a boldness and strength needed in this time, and yet they have their human side, which shows up, often in awkward times and places. They are human and very likable, but also give you a solid comfort that they are there on the scene.
At the same time, they have a formidable foe, two men with their own twisted beliefs, but with the charisma to build an army of thugs, those who enjoyed murder for the act itself as well as those fanatics just following their belief.

I had difficulty at the beginning of the book. It started slow, but within the first few chapters, an understanding of the story emerged, building a pace that was then both quick and interesting. I would recommend this book for those interested in this genre, and while it is a novel of war, it is also a novel of people. I found it quite fascinating. This would be a very interesting book for a reading group or book club.

Rating 4\5
Jihad-Britain

This book was received as a free e-copy from the authors. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the information.

Ameriqaeda by Markus Kane

Article first published as Book Review: Ameriqaeda by Markus Kane on Blogcritics.

In a post 9/11 world, when anger and excuses seem to have waned, a new type of terrorist organization has begun to seep into the very consciousness of the United States. Years in the making, working on and manipulating those most in need, an organization yet unnamed, makes its entrance into the landscape. The entire fabric and planning is both masterminded and directed by one man, Dr. Oberon Crevan. He has both the means and opportunity to create an apocalyptic scenario. His intelligence is off the charts and he is well respected in his field. And yet there is something off, something about him that makes him think in a different realm, he feels as if he is more than human, more then his fellow man. And as such he has the right to decide both life and death of a global scale.

Special Agent Ian Gray has been in the FBI for some time. Undercover assignments were his strong point and he had just completed his most recent. As he is debriefed and ready to get his next assignment, he finds that his Section Chief, Donald Crowhurst has concerns with his mental fitness. He is ordered to stand down for some rest. Taking the time to make his own decisions, he unwinds with his son. This time is precious, his son born with downs syndrome, is a joy and helps to center him. With his wife’s death, this is his one anchor, that which keeps him working,helping keep the world safe.

As he unwinds, he receives a call from Dr. Amanda Fuller, a prior colleague of his wife. He agrees to meet her not even beginning to understand the sequence of events that will be set in place by this visit. She is reaching out because she has a story, no one believes her and he is her last hope. Gray thanks her for thinking of him and gives her some suggestions of people to talk to and forgets her almost as soon as he leaves the meeting.

When Dr. Fuller is found murdered within hours of talking to him, Ian is contacted by another faction of the government, by another man he once worked with, Harold MacMillan, DDI of the CIA. Known as Mac, his group has been following the information as well as the deaths reported by Dr. Fuller and have grave concerns. In order for the information that she reported to have been covered up, by both CDC as well as government agencies, there is high expectation of a mole. Knowing and prior working experience with Gray makes him a person of interest to help investigate further. Being on leave from the FBI gives him some time, but it also creates some conflicts.

As Gray investigates for Mac, he is drawn into the very depth of the organization of Dr. Crevan, named by the CIA as Ameriqaeda. He is teamed up with another operative, Special Agent Lynd. As information begins to flow, the FBI and Gray’s Boss Crowhurst a pulled in, in an effort to put an end to this organization.

As they are drawn deeper into a world of technology, complete with nano particles and diseases, they must find a way to follow the trail of an intelligent madman, one who has developed a secret and deadly following, charismatic in the way that may fanatics are. Will they find the answer to the final plan, and if they do will they be able to pull the plug? Death and secrets follow them at every turn, and Gray finds that their nemesis is ahead of them in every respect. Can they get the drop they need, and will Dr. Crevan make a mistake, one that will give them the opportunity to shut down his plan and save the world?

Markus Kane has written a novel full of possibilities and realities. By using the anger and angst created by the terrorism of the current factions, and turning that about and against them in such a way as to create credible circumstances, he has created a fast paced and intelligent read. He has written his characters and given them dimension, finding both their strengths as well as their character flaws. Ian Gray is an excellent hero for the time, and Dr. Crevan makes a very credible protagonist. I found the technology and information systems informational as well as interesting. This area in many books seems slow and bogs you down and yet while I did not understand everything it was just a part of the backdrop, necessary to the story but not so overblown as to trip it up.
Ameriqaeda is written with an eye to reality, creating a haunting look at possibilities of the ever increasing terrorist actions perpetrated in our world today. It has characteristics of the day and yet is also creates a hero in the way of The Last Boy Scout, that one guy that will stand between terror and safety, someone to count on in time of need. I really enjoyed the story and yet it also disturbed me on many levels.

I would recommend this book as a great read. It will be appreciated by those that really love a good spy story, and while there is a realism that sets your teeth on edge, there is a also a little family and romance that lightens it up, making it more then just another spy story

Rating 4/5
Ameriqaeda

This book was received as a free e-book from the author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the information.

The Spy's Demise by Jim Wygant

Article first published as Book Review: The Spy's Demise by Jim Wygant on Blogcritics.

Throughout the “80’s” during the cold war, both Super Powers had agents, as well as counter agents, feeding information both real and fabricated. Valery Sevastoposky came to Washington D. C. to work in the Soviet Embassy as a case officer. His job was to hang around hoping to encounter someone with value as an asset to the KGB. It became a game getting bits and pieces of information, sometimes through greed, other times given due to a certain ideology. Most of what was learned had little of significant value in comparison to the amount of time entailed in the retrieval. There was one exception to this, a mole in the CIA known only as Badger. Valery was his handler though his years in Washington, but when he was sent back to Russia that duty fell on others of the KGB.

In the “90’s” everything in the Soviet Union began to fall apart. Beginning with Gorbachev, and moving on to Yeltsin, things began changing quickly. For months Valery could see that things were not going well for the KGB, and he prepared himself. Making his escape just before the coup of both the military and the KGB, setting up a broken trail so as not to be followed, he made his way back to the Washington D.C. area to start a new life. His journey leads him to Little Odessa, and he begins working with the Russian Mafia. It is here that he meets the man known only as Fungo on the streets, who becomes his best friend and confident. Beginning his new life calls for a new name, and he has prepared himself well, he is now known as George Seevast.

Little Odessa has quite a reputation and during his tenure working in the area, George has been approached first by a police officer, looking to get information on Little Odessa gang network, fighting amongst themselves leaves some heinous crimes on both sides and the police are anxious to solve the murders. He is also approached by the FBI who has tagged him as a former Soviet spy which he denies, leaving him in the sights of both organizations.

Living under the radar he has had no concerns with the previous entity known as the Badger, but now that he has had contact with two different agencies it creates concerns for George. The Badger is high up in government; George knew that rather then risk exposure, Badger would kill him. It all comes down to a phone call, one directly to him from Badger. Has George escaped his country only to be hunted down and terminated here on American soil? Will he be able to use his new contacts to help him dig up Badgers identity before it is too late?

Jim Wygant takes us back to a time when worry and fear were the daily meal of the day. The two largest superpowers fought for supremacy trying at all costs to outdo the other. He has introduced a plot, one that could have very well played out in this time in history. Valery, now known as George, has worked and believed in the KGB his entire career. In The Spy’s Demise, you follow the trail of an Ex-KGB spy and learn about him, not as a product of the Soviet Union but as a man. He is initially almost invisible, not much of a personality, but as the story unfolds his personality changes and grows stronger. As he begins to use his background to unlock the secrets of the Badger, he again takes on the role of a spy. His entire goal now is to flush out this mole to save his own life, and to close a channel that is long past due. He uses his new resources in the FBI and the Police more as a sounding board, having difficulty getting anyone to believe him.

The plots and plans he puts together are cagey and imaginative, but he is in a new country on his own, going up against a top government official. His life is in danger at every turn. You have to admire his tenacity, and hope that he makes it though.

I enjoyed the book, though it started out slow for me. The beginning was filled with a great deal of detail, but as soon as George left Russia, I began to get interested in what he was doing and where he was going. As he grew and gained more character the book just took off, keeping the pace tight and fast.

This would be a great book for a Book club riddled with information about a time in history that most Americans are very familiar with.

Rating 4/5
The Spy's Demise

This book was received as a free copy from the Author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the information.

Pandora's Succession by Russell Brooks

Article first published as Book Review:Pandora's Succession by Russell Brooks on Blogcritics.

After the death of his fiancé, CIA operative, Ridley Fox makes a decision to hunt the killers. Blaming his own ineptness, knowing he should have understood that danger, he goes in deep to uncover their plot and gather his revenge at the same time. The Arms of Ares which he knows as a terrorist group as well as the murderer of his fiancé has set in motion a plot to gain control of the world. He has received information that they have come into possession of a biological weapon called Pandora. In receiving the intelligence necessary to track down one of the labs he is not only compromised but also captured by the killers. Rescued by the wife of one of the biologists involved in the experimentation and later killed, he finds that Ares has infiltrated many of the top organizations of the world, including British and Russian intelligence. Fox tries to secure more information and learn if there are more labs or facilities working on the project but she is killed before he gets the information.

As he communicates within his organization he is also introduced to a Dr. Marx, one of several other Biologists in the CDC with knowledge of the Pandora organism. What he learns causes him and his superiors alarm; this weapon can destroy the world as they know it. In the hands of the Arms of Ares, the entire world is in danger. Following the leads and tracking the sources Ridley Fox, known as a renegade in his organization, finds himself in a position to view the result of this weapon first hand when one of his only friends is killed in action, during a raid on one of the facilities. The organism feeds on DNA and so far they have not found a way to stop the process. They must find a way of destroying Pandora before it can be used to create worldwide devastation.

As Fox is drawn deeper into the dregs of the terrorist organization dealing with and experimenting with Pandora he discovers that there are other groups also after the same organism, each with their own agenda and plans which in either case are not acceptable. He also finds that different factions of the government also have operatives in place working behind the scenes to help bring the danger of Pandora to a close. As he races against time to find the answers, more and more people are being killed. There is more at stake then anyone imagines, and the Arms of Ares as well a group of cultists, lead by the man known to Fox only as the October man, will do whatever it takes to be the one to control Pandora.

What Fox finds is that as each plan is breeched and every action compromised, there is a mole in his own organization as well as those in both the British and Russian intelligence. As bodies continue to drop he finds himself on his own, having to depend on a woman from his past who has no reason to help him. Through an unintentional missed meeting she was almost killed and blamed her current situation on him. But she too understands the importance of stopping Pandora before it can be used. Will they be able to find a way to protect the world from Pandora? Can they do what no one else can?

In Pandora’s Succession, Russell Brooks brought to life the very real worry of biological warfare and the possibility of what that would look like in our world. He has developed a group of terrorists, with no care of the human side of their business, but just who or what will bring the highest paycheck. He has then thrown in a group of zealots, a cult, interested in cleansing the world and setting themselves up as the new world order. He has taken different parts of our current history and used that madness to build a more cataclysmic horror, a picture that even the evil of those original perpetrators may not have dreamed of.

The story is fast paced and the characters very real and solid, capable of hurts and emotions, and as human as they could be. While Fox appears to get out of many situations that would seem to be impossible for a normal man, given the circumstances of each and with the thought behind each escape, Russell Brooks makes it seem both likely and possible for this to happen. There is a great deal of technical and biological information throughout the book guiding you though, giving you a great understanding of the science behind the story.

I really enjoyed this book, it was innovative and yet a bit reminiscent of the current events of the world now and in the past. It gives us both insight and motivation into how differences come into play within the different countries of the world. I found it both interesting and exciting, with just enough human emotion to keep it real.

Rating 4/5
Pandora's Succession

This book was received as a free e-book from the author. All opinions are my own based off my own reading and understanding of the information.