Hardy Belch and Hidden Valley by William G Bentrim

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The Underhanded by Adam Sikes

The Underhanded by Adam Sikes

This isn’t a spy thriller as much as it is an action-adventure.  Professor William Dresden is a discredited historian.  How a historian becomes discredited is part of the plot.  The Professor discovers that his research has inadvertently cast light on the underpinnings of an international conspiracy.  British Intelligence approaches him for help in discovering more about the international conspiracy.  Said approach triggers major changes in the Professor’s life.

Sike builds his characters with depth.  He uses intelligence briefings to give you the necessary background to understand their behavior.  The utilization of current events surrounding the neo-fascist nationalistic and anti-immigration issues provides fuel for the international plot.

Occasionally the complexity of the plot becomes confusing but eventually, all is worked out.   The sequel door is open. Interesting note, not once did anyone call Professor William Dresden, Bill.

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. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

The Edge by David Baldacci

 A CIA agent is killed in Putnam, Maine.  Travis Devine, a former Army Ranger, is tasked to discover who and why she was killed.   Sleepy little Putnam is anything but sleepy.  Devine seems to attract violence.

 Baldacci may be my favorite non-fantasy, non-science fiction author.  He develops a good plot and sprinkles it with tiny suggestions that often are incorrect as to the perpetrator’s identity.

 Travis is a new character to me, I don’t know if this is his first Baldacci book or not.  As much as I try and keep up with his writing, the man is a veritable machine in turning out new stories.  I will be watching for the next Travis Devine book who while no Amos, certainly gives Mercy a run.  

 Well drat!  While posting this on Amazon, I discovered it is the second book in the 6:20 man series. I've got some catching up to do. 

I recommend the author and all his books. 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Southern Man by Greg Iles

This novel was in many ways difficult to read.  Not because it wasn’t well written or throat-grabbing but because of so many of its themes.  Possibly I had difficulty because I couldn’t accept the inevitability of race war.  The fact that some of the closest relationships crossed racial lines seems to run contrary to the theme of White anger.  The book postulates the potential of a psychopathic closet-Nazi running for president. Bobby White feels that the end justifies the mean, any means. 

Penn Cage, once again, finds himself amid near-anarchy.  No longer the robust, arm-waving, gun-toting firebrand he was in previous books in this setting.  He faces the reality of his age and infirmity with ill humor and a wealth of denial.

The characters in Iles’ books are magnificent.   He paints with a wide robust brush and then fills all the details with a fine point.  The theme of this book was taken right off the pages of current polarization and political bad behavior.  It is so current that the Hamas attack on Israel is referenced. Considering the radicalization of the current two-party political system and the friction between races in the cities, this book as fiction may not be far from fact.

I highly recommend it, get friends to read it so you can argue about 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. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned