No Remorse by Ian Walkley

This is a no holds barred international intrigue thriller. A Delta Force operator, Lee McCloud, finds himself facing not only drug dealing, child slavery but nuclear terrorism as well. He finds himself trying to decide who he can trust and if his own government is out to get him.

Lee McCloud (Mac) is a very uncomplicated protagonist. He has a steroid sense of right and wrong. He is astoundingly loyal and aggressively defends those who guard his back. In addition he is able to ruthlessly dispatch those who threaten his tasks and his friends. Frankly, I like that and it made the book more entertaining.

I’m not sure entertaining is the correct word to use as the book has so many horrific subplots. Mac has to deal with despicable types abducting children for sexual slavery and organ reaping while trying to avoid being stabbed in the back by the people who are supposed to be helping him. It isn’t exactly a relaxing book but it sure is exciting. Red Bull and Jolt should be so lucky to provide the rush you get reading this thriller.

Action, treachery, redemption and revenge abound in measures almost unbearable. I really enjoyed this thriller and the stalwart companions of Mac.

I highly recommend.

Body of work of Ian Walkley

Web Site: http://www.ianwalkley.com/

Target of Opportunity by Jeffrey S. Stephens

A terrorist plot by plausible partners threatens the U.S.   Jordon Sandor of the CIA is the only thing standing between global financial chaos.

The economics of oil and resultant potential for economic blackmail give plausibility to this novel.   As an aside, this should help all of us to recognize the need for energy independence.   That may have not been the more subtle plot line but that is what I felt reading the book.

Sandor is a ruthless defender of liberty.   He is an excellent protagonist as he displays emotion and action.   The book is fast paced and the plot is complex enough to maintain interest throughout.  

The intricate nature of the plot is very well done and keeps you guessing until the end.   Mr. Stehphens does an excellent job portraying an able weapon but loose canon in the character of Sandor.  His irreverence is endearing but I suspect in the real world of bureaucratic nonsense, he would end up on the street. 

Sandor is a worthy James Bond clone with skills and warmth abounding.  He comes across as real which is often a difficult characterization.   Sadly the only downside to the book is the likelihood that some demented soul out there is striving to perpetrate a similar scenario in real life.

I recommend it.

Body of work of Jeffrey S. Stephens

Web Site: http://jeffreystephens.com/

Original Sin by Beth McMullen

Sally Sin is a spy with Ian Blackford her personal nemesis.   Her retirement, marriage and motherhood complicate her life. 

Lucy Hamilton, not her real name, is an inept ex-spy.   She seems far more realistic than many of the two slick to be real “normal” spy characters.   There is a lot of humor in McMullen’s approach to spy stories.   Lucy/Sally/? Does her best to be a good wife and mother but life hands her complications.  

I enjoyed the characterizations and as polarized as some of the caricatures were, they didn’t seem all that far fetched.   The book was entertaining and held my interest.  Sally Sin isn’t exactly a butt kicking protagonist but she holds her own.  

I recommend the book.

Body of work of Beth McMullen

Web Site:   http://bethmcmullen.com/

The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson

This is an outstanding mystery that will hold your attention to the very last word.  This is without a doubt fictional investigative journalism at its very best.   What is interesting is that the very foundation of the book is investigative journalism and the protagonist, Mikael, is grossly dissatisfied with his own media and their morals.

I started my recommendation of The Girl With The Dragon Tatoo using the same sentence as above two posts back on the 4th.  This book may be even  more so.

Lisbeth Salander is back with a vengeance.   This book gives us even more insight as to how she became who she is.  The plot is illustrative of governmental and bureaucracy that has run amuck and is eminently believable.

Once again, Mikael Blomkvist character demonstrates ethics and tenacity that is seldom seen in real life.   If only the main stream media would take a page from Mikael’s fictional portfolio of ethics.   His tenacity in the face of daunting adversity was a joy to read and made it extraordinarily difficult to put the darn book down. 

I will repeat my caution from the last book recommendation, you are a flaming idiot if you underestimate a woman due to her size, demeanor or gender. 

The character development and depth of detail makes this book.  It is impossible not to become immersed in the story.  I am currently reading the third and last book and so far it is as stressful to put down as the first two.

I strongly recommend the book!

Body of work of Stieg Larsson

Web site: http://www.stieglarsson.com/

The Trinity Six by Charles Cumming

This was a story of insidious collusion of conflicting ideologies at the highest levels. MI6 meets KGB in a surprisingly convoluted mystery.

Sam Gaddis, a bit of a gadfly academic, finds himself immersed in something far different than the backstabbing of academic circles. Sam’s naiveté is a bit difficult to swallow but its eventual erosion is more believable. I enjoyed his tenacity and his loyalty to his friends. I dismayed over some of his obvious moves and his unwillingness to address the seamier side of government.

The story was well told and the characters provided with enough depth to create believability. Historic facts were used well to provide credence for the story line.

I enjoyed the book and I recommend the book.

Body of work of Charles Cumming

Web site: http://www.charlescumming.co.uk/

The Thyssen Affair by Mozelle Richardson

This book was highly reminiscent of the wealth of spy vs. spy stories that abounded during the Cold War. An ex-OSS operative is pulled out of retirement by his deceased son’s best friend. The interplay between the KGB, CIA, Nazis and the Mossad provide the grist for this mill.

Canyon Eliot was highly entertaining as the multi-talented, loveable and ruthless retiree returning to the fray. It may be a reflection of my own age but it was satisfying to have an older protagonist kicking butt. The Cold War setting may be hard to swallow for the younger readers. It seems like purely speculative fiction unless you are an age to have experienced the stresses of the Cold War. Anya was well portrayed as a woman who strove to succeed in a career predominantly peopled by males with testosterone issues.

I thought the story idea was good and the plot well thought out. I did feel that the ending was a bit abrupt. I think another 20 or 30 pages would have enabled a more “meaty” conclusion. Overall I really enjoyed the book.

I recommend the book.

Body of work of Mozelle Richardson

Web Site: googling her did not bring up a website.

Nerds by Michael Buckley

The class bully discovers that popularity can’t conquer all. He joins a group, he perceives as less gifted, and discovers a new depth to his character. The entire time the group is fighting an attempt to literally restructure the world.

I am not the appropriate demographic for this book. However young in heart I might be, I’m not sure I can get all the way back to middle school. I suspect my 11 year old grandson is going to love this book. My guess is that Buckley nailed his target market. The trials and tribulations of being “different” in middle school are delved while being entertained with a astoundingly overblown Bondesque spy thriller. Images, scenarios and plots of preposterous nature seem to be highly appealing to this age group. They are able to suspend their connection to reality and dive into the base humor and broad gags. Sadly, I enjoyed the book which probably says something about my level of maturity.

I recommend the book and it may be of particular value to the reluctant reader.

Body of work of Michael Buckley

Web Site None Found


Review:

Red To Black by Alex Dryden

The never ending Cold War is the theme of this book. The author paints a grim picture of Russian democracy, suggesting it is a total sham. The interaction and love between a British spy and a KGB Colonel fuel the exploration of the KGB’s domination of Russian affairs.

Many times this book seemed more historic than fictional. Having taught history years and years ago, this book accurately portrayed international events. Reading easily for a historic text it was a bit dry for a novel. The characterizations were colorful and confusing. The subterfuge of the intelligence community permeated the relationships in the book. There was never any certainty as to who was friend and who was foe. I found the book more frightening than any thriller. It reeks of truth and accuracy on a topic that affects the entire population of the world. Wars are fought over economics as often as religion. The military industrial complex has characterized the U.S. over the last century. There are still many who believe the Iraq war was simply over oil. When America feels economically threatened we generally react very negatively. The author’s premise may be fictional but if the KGB did subvert the economy of the European Union armed conflict could be inevitable.

This wasn’t an entertaining read as much as a thought provoking, scenario stimulating read. I recommend it but if you truly ponder the direction the author is leading to, it will make you uncomfortable.

Body of work of Alex Dryden

Review: http://bethsbookreviewblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/new-book-arrival-red-to-black-by-alex.html


Web site: No site found but an very interesting article in Publisher’s Weekly.