House of Spies by Daniel Silva

Gabriel is back but now the top dog and not totally comfortable in the role.   Saladin, the premier terrorist, is the office’s target. 

The book tears its plot off the headlines of practically any international news source.  Terrorism is fueling a wealth of books on its existence.  Silva’s talent allows his books to stand above the plethora of “current event” novels. 

Reading, once again, about Gabriel is liking encountering an old, scary friend.   His intensity leaps off the pages and again showcases Silva’s talent.

Lots of action and some old characters from the British, French and US intelligence apparatus.

As usual a good reading experience from Daniel Silva.

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

The Edge by Catherine Coulter

Coulter seems to have a formula that works.  Take a friend of Savich and Sherlock, Mac, and dump into a bad situation, let him struggle and then come and participate in the rescue.   In this case, Mac leaves a hospital bed to rescue his sister who is in trouble.

Mac is a likable character and even though there is a formula aspect to the story I found it enjoyable.  Money and drugs seem inseparable in our society.  Sadly my cynicism regarding big pharma makes me skeptical about their discontinuing any research that looks profitable regardless of ethics.

There is plenty of action and even some love in the book.

I enjoyed it and have more Coulter on my to be read pile. 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

The Unrepentant by E.A. Aymar

Slavers will Burn in Hell. 

This book was hard to read due to the subject matter.  Human trafficking is despicable and ostrich like, it is easier to put your head in the sand than to actually think about the horrific nature of selling people.  The book is about a young girl kidnapped and forced into sexual slavery.

The author did a very good job on making the subject utterly repugnant.   His characterizations were brash and strong.  Charlotte was astoundingly resilient.   Mace demonstrated both humanity and need for repair after the fact.  Barnes’ self-image as strictly a business man was the pinnacle of self-delusion. 

The book flows well and despite the topic it was a good read.

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Clean Sweep by Michael J. Clark

This book was a somewhat confusing as it bounced from character to character.   Character probably should be capitalized due to the bizarreness of the characters.   The book is populated by hookers, reformed hookers, good cops, bad cops, drug dealers, reformed drug dealers, hit men and family hit men as well as conspiracy overtones. 

The plot was intricate to say the least.   Giving the author credit, he brought about closure and wrapped up what could have been myriad loose ends.

It is graphic and if street language is offensive to you, consider yourself warned.

I liked the book.

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Extinction Horizon by Nicholas Sansbury Smith

Smith’s goal was to address the zombie genre with a rational explanation for zombies to exist.  He accomplished his goal, dismayingly well as there is a certain plausibility in his explanation.  The infected in this story, zombies by any other definition, are a result of governmental malfeasance.   It isn’t too  far-fetched to suspect government malfeasance when on a daily  basis the news is full of government treachery, both here and abroad.

I missed  this series when it first appeared and am only catching up with the  reprint.  A team of special  ops labeled the Ghosts and a government scientist are the main characters.  Smith does not hesitate to clear the table so don’t get too terribly involved with any particular characters.  

The plot of societal extinction is leaved with plenty of action and human interest.

I enjoyed the book and recommend it. 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.