Joe Pike Farr's A Time for Retribution is a fast ...
580886
Joe Pike Farr's A Time for Retribution is a fast moving page-turner!  His vivid descriptions enabled me to visualize the characters and the action as if I were watching a movie. I'm looking forward to the sequel!
1486915
In this action-packed and gripping thriller, Carl Logan has given 20 years to the Joint Intelligence Agency (JIA).  He's now living in an unknown place under the new name of James Ryker.  He needs a new life of peace and security.  However, he's soon tracked down by Peter Winter, his ex-boss at JIA.  The news he's told is about his adversary, Kim Walker, who has been missing and assumed dead.  When he sees the photos of her corpse, he knows it is not her.  The Red Cobra still lives and is still active.  He's swept into the hunt for her.  This is a very fast paced, high-action novel.  It will keep you submerged in the hunt.
272411
Courteous, soft-spoken Joe Pickett holds the state record for budget overruns. In his wake, his department has had to replace two pickups, a horse and a snowmobile. What does this tell us? That the head finance guy hates Joe and is out to get him. And that the reader has lucked into a real man of action!

In Out of Range, Joe is sent on temporary assignment to Jackson Hole, where the previous game warden went crazy and shot himself. Will Jenson was a friend of Joe's, ominously like Joe in many ways, not at all the type to commit suicide. Joe's boss asks him to find out what really happened.

Jackson Hole is a perfect setting for dirty dealings and sudden eruptions of violence - a volatile mix of cantankerous hunters, animal rights activists, big time developers, crackpots, crack shots, politicians and movie stars. It's fun to watch pure-hearted, uncomplicated Joe step into this bedlam, and after a while it gets downright scary. Will Joe fall prey to the same malevolent influences as Will?

Joe also has to deal with his attraction to the most dangerous woman in Jackson - while his wife is mostly out of reach or out of range by phone.

I was fascinated by the contrast between the dark, round-shouldered Bighorns (Joe's usual territory) and the glittering Tetons around Jackson. And as usual with Joe Pickett novels, I learned some interesting things, like how elk survive the winter, and where to aim if you need to shoot a bear.

I'm reading the Joe Pickett novels in order, and this is my favorite so far. It's just about perfect: scenes of intense drama, wonderful ironies, and deeply satisfying confrontations between good and evil. In fact, on the strength of this book I've ordered the rest of the series. I've gone western.
1883978
The Widow's Strike is a high impact, high action thriller and my first novel by Brad Taylor.

Blurb:
Pike Logan and Jennifer Cahill are members of The Taskforce Team (TTT), a secret U.S. government agency. Pike and Jennifer are friends and lovers, an element that adds an interesting dimension to this skillfully written novel.

*Spoilers*

The story leads in with fellow TTT member, Knuckles, jailed in Thailand. Pike and his team soon heads half way around the world to save him. After a daring rescue, TTT is assigned to another project, this time the subject is Malik Musavi a man with terrorist ties.

Motivated by his hatred for the United States, Musavi obtains vials of a lethal virus (bird flu) which he intends to unleash on the American people. The TTTs mission: stop Musavi before he executes his deadly plan. To contain the disease the TTT tracks clues all across Asia: Thailand, Hong Kong, Macau, and Singapore then returning to the States.

At the center of the terrorist plot is Elina, the Black Widow. After losing her entire family the Black Widow is out for revenge. She willingly accepts a suicide mission that involves infecting herself with Maliks toxic solution then blowing herself to pieces.

Mr. Taylor is clever to allow his characters to be imperfect. They aren't infallible. Mr. Taylor, also, goes out of his way to point out that not all Americans are religious bigots. On the downside, for a book that was shy of 500 pages, I felt the ending was rushed. The killing of the Black Widow and her dinner companion, then the clean up, the collateral damage, all of it was wrapped up in less than five pages.

The Widows Strike is jammed packed with conspiracy theories, secret missions, and heavy artillery. Mr. Taylor knows weapons and is particularly adept at describing military tactics.

I give The Widows Strike 4 1/2 stars for conflict and 4 on originality.
4552524
Early books from this author seem to lean quite a bit on Robert Parker's style, but that's not necessarily bad. Elvis Cole is interesting... supremely confident on the outside, but plagued with doubts when put into an ethical bind.

Pike is Pike, except not quite... in later books if he decides to say more than once sentence, he struggles and is almost painfully awkward. In this book he's so articulate (and sort of sentimental) that it almost feels like you're viewing an early, undeveloped version of the character. Joe Pike Alpha. The villains are also almost too colorful, but that extra color makes the bit players much more interesting... like Jodie Taylor's handlers or the people Cole contacts to learn about the world of coyotes.

Burned through it fast, and the only reason I couldn't give it 5 stars is I've seen the author develop into an even
better writer over the years.
1416156
"Allah's Revenge," is a self-published debut novel by Pete Barber, and a bloody good technothriller it is, too. Central to the plot is David Baker, as he is known to the Americans he has lived among, studied among, and worked among.  Dawud Ferran, as he is known within the Arab community.  He is a young, fervent Moslem, and a genius who has created a nanotechnology breakthrough that may be used to create ethanol gas from garbage.  Or as a weapon capable of destroying the human race, as they say.  Yet small enough to hide an amount sufficient for a mass kill in a bottle of perfume.

Dawud is recruited by Allah's Revenge, a Palestinian terrorist organization.  Soon his weapon suffocates the passengers on a crowded London train in 90 seconds, filling their lungs with hard black charcoal. First on the crime scene is Quinn, an English detective, who has a link to Abdul Ahmed, English journalist of Arab descent, who has a link to the terrorists.  Quinn begins to work with Ahmed, but before he can make much progress, the terrorists strike again, as their demands for the release of prisoners have not been met.  So Allah's Revenge wipes out world leaders attending the G20 summit in South Korea, including the U.S. Vice President.  Despite the fact that South Korea has spent one billion dollars trying to secure the premises.  Quinn tracks the terrorists to their Jerusalem lab, and then the fun really begins, as the killer nanobots are taken to U.S. soil, in Phoenix, Arizona.

The book certainly is a substantial thriller.  It's well-written, good narrative, dialog, descriptive writing.  The plot was interesting enough to keep me turning pages, and the macguffin, as famed Anglo-American film director Alfred Hitchcock called it, that which all the fuss is about - the nanobots, here, carried its weight.  Mind you, Quinn rather too much for my taste resembles Jack Reacher, the hero created by Lee Child, another Englishman now resident in America, though one I think who probably had a more privileged background than did Barber.  I don't really fancy heroes who can save the world single-handed.  And people who want even-handedness in their thrillers may be disturbed by the fact that bad Arabs seem to outweigh the good in this book.  Furthermore, I wish Barber had given his female characters more to do.  And although I know that the original Dragon Lady was Asian, I wish all Dragon Ladies weren't until this day portrayed as Asian.  But, still this novel is quite a debut.

Barber was born into a blue-collar family in Liverpool, England, and as did his peers, grew up working with his hands, until an aptitude for building computer software was discovered.  That aptitude allowed him to trade overalls and hard-hat for suit and tie, and to immigrate to the US in the early 90s, become an American citizen, and live the American dream.  After twenty successful years in the corporate world, he bought a run-down, dog-friendly motel in Carolina Beach, North Carolina.  He sold the motel, apparently at the top of the real estate bubble, and moved to Lake Lure, North Carolina, where he and his wife raise llamas.  Well, I've had a soft spot for working class Liverpudlians since the Beatles, and many years ago now, went to that city to follow the Beatles' tracks in an article published in New York's "Village Voice" that was much talked about at the time.  And I now live in Carolina Beach, N.C., and know exactly where Barber's motel was, so how could I resist reviewing the book?  Glad I did.
3503075
3.5 Stars

Casey Cox is running from the law after realizing that she is being framed for a crime she did not commit. Her best friend Brent is brutally murdered as he gets closer to uncovering the way Caseys father, a police officer, really died years before.  Understanding the dire nature of her circumstances and utilizing her intelligence to effectively stay off the grid, she is on a mission to clear her name. However, given her circumstances this is no small task and she must tread carefully.

Dylan Roberts is an ex-soldier suffering from moderate PTSD. After his childhood friend, Brent is killed he is tasked by the victims family with finding the murderer and bringing her in. He is working in conjunction with the police department who apparently does not have the manpower or resources to hunt a fugitive on the run or so hes told.

An unexpected occurrence plays at Caseys conscience as she puts herself at risk to assist in another unsolved crime, this one involving an adducted teenage girl.

The creative licenses taken with this story left me with a feeling of overreaching however it was crisply paced and entertaining. There are too many storylines crammed into one short novel but the strong characters were a plus. The strong Christian message woven throughout may not appeal to all however after reading the authors note, it is in alignment with Blackstocks beliefs and works well as it is interwoven into the story. I appreciated this aspect.

Short, fast paced with non-stop action. The story continues with a follow up book, If Im Found. I am looking forward to it.

BRB Rating: Read It
2802053
The more I read Robert Crais the bigger fan I become. Joe Pike and Elvis Cole are two of the best characters in crime fiction. This author's prose is tight, straightforward and he get's on with the story. He gets it right every time. If you haven't read a Robert Crais thriller, start with this one, It will make you a fan.
1982531
This book is highly recommended. It's pace is quick and the theme interesting and exciting. A good mix of characters, both likable and "I want to punch that guy in the face"! I'm off to read the sequel now!
2903893
Do you like fast action?  Do you like lots and lots of shooting, hitting, stabbing and blood?  Do you want a story that moves fast fast fast?  Well, here it is.  Ben Coes can and does deliver fast, hard hitting action.  He also brings in a plot that has a lot of moving parts.  I like all of that as do his readers.
  We do not get to know our characters as well as many other thriller writers introduce their characters.  If that is not a deal killer for you, enjoy the action.  Coes has a lot of interesting characters with developed back stories.  But we never feel comfortable with them, we never feel that we know them and that is a key for good writing.  I am not saying that this is a bad book, not at all.  It just isn't better than the average for the genre.
15591
The first Reggie Ridgway book I read, "In the Midnight Hour," gave me a taste for Ridgway's ability to write fast-paced, edgy, evocative fiction. His current book, "End Game" does it again. Ridgway has once more combined page-turning action with compelling characters and great plotting. Ridgway's background in the medical profession is evident here, and his use of political and terrorist motifs makes the book timely and topical. The relationship between Dr. Butcher and Blade has just the right tone to it as the two men learn to trust each other and work together. "End Game" is a solid work of fiction that merits a read over a long weekend or a week at the beach.
4972698
I read this compelling thriller in two days on my Kindle. It was hard to put down.

Bill Flynn's highly entertaining thriller deals with the important subject of schoolyard bullying and the devastating and sometimes fatal effects it can have. Think Columbine and you have some idea of the scope and effectiveness of this novel.

Lyle Emory decides to get even with his classmates and wreak revenge at a high school reunion. This thriller is not a Whodunnit, it is more a Whyhedunnit as it explores the motivations behind this serial killer.

A Deadly Class Reunion is an exciting read with a thrilling and explosive climax. Flynn is a polished writer who knows how to keep the reader's attention and interest. His short chapters are real page turners - shades of James Patterson or Nelson DeMille. Just when you think it is all over, there is an extra twist at the end. This one would make a good movie -- Hollywood take note.

If you are looking for a quick and exciting read, I highly recommend this book. Fully deserves 5 stars!

James A. Anderson, Author
DEADLINE
3871006
Jake is a tech-savvy rule-breaker, recently suspended from his tony prep school at the age of 15.  He hardly considers it a punishment to have to join his younger sister and parents (his dad is an ambassador) in Burkina Faso for the summer.  This action-packed thriller is on the Texas Lone Star Reading List (suggested for grades 6-8) and will appeal to the readers who like computers and a bit of snarky wit.  The politics in the plot take some patience to follow, but I suspect some readers may breeze past Yokuuba Sor and just what is his agenda, to get to the Jake's next daring escapade. There are a couple of violent murders that seemed out of context (to me) for the 12-14 year old audience in this good-guys versus bad-guys adventure. This book pretty much centers around guys and male heroes, though at only 13, it is easy to see why Jake's sister is mostly a person to be protected. And there is the impish Susie Cray towards the end.  Lots of dialogue, a fast-paced plot and airy typeface will make this a fast read for many.  Overall - easy to recommend action/adventure for teen readers craving techno-gadgets, exotic locales and occasional gunfire.
About me: I'm a middle school/high school librarian
How I got this book: purchased for the library
1314736
This is the fourteenth installment in Connollys Charlie Parker series. Its always difficult to come into a series this late, but I found A Time of Torment to be an engaging thriller.

Though the book weaves between several subplots (many of which are tied to events in previous books, or foreshadowing future books), the main focus of A Time of Torment is the unfortunate Jerome Burnel. Burnel is a fallen hero, lauded for preventing a massacre in the past, then brought low. Recently released from prison, Burnel seeks out private investigator Charlie Parker. Burnel tells Parker his story: the desperate few minutes fighting the horror that made him a hero, then the mysterious circumstances that presaged his imprisonment and torment. Burnel suspects his imprisonment may be related to his heroic actions, but there is only one lead to follow; a name whispered in the dark: The Dead King.

When Burnel goes missing, Charlie Parker must uncover the mysterious cabal that ruined Burnels life, and seek out and stop The Dead King before more blood is spilled.

A Time of Torment superbly blends the supernatural with a crime thriller. Connollys prose is elegant and visceral at the same time. While certain aspects of the plot are certainly better if one has read the previous books, A Time of Torment can stand alone with only a little difficulty. The pace of the book is fast, even in the detours from the main plot. The biggest complaint I can utter is that Charlie Parker seems to be a bit of a supporting character in this book, but that is mainly because the supporting characters are given a good bit of headway in which to grow. Charlie Parker doesnt grow much as a character in A Time of Torment, but with fourteen books under his belt, and having recently been dead, the reader can forgive him for taking a break.

In all, this is a fast paced and enjoyable thriller. Fans of Dean Koontz, or Jonathan Maberry will enjoy this series.

An advance ebook was provided by the publisher, Atria Books, via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
2454039
ACT OF TERROR is one of those books that should come with a warning on the cover: "Fasten seatbelt and secure objects around you before opening and reading." It needs this message because the story starts out fast and accelerates right to the end.

This second installment in Marc Cameron's Jericho Quinn series follows 2011's NATIONAL SECURITY. Quinn is a CIA Special Agent who reports directly to U.S. President Chris Clark as Clark's very own classified "instrument." And what an instrument he is. Quinn is an expert in weaponry, from firearms to bladed instruments, and has few if any peers in hand-to-hand-combat. You will be very glad that he is on our side because, as is evident from the jump, the enemy is brilliant, dangerous and deadly.

ACT OF TERROR more accurately might be titled "Many Acts of Terror" given that it begins with a brazen attack upon the federal government from within, followed by a series of secondary actions, including one directed at Quinn and his six-year-old daughter. Clark's reaction is both refreshing and, in a way, hilarious as he indicates that he has "had enough" (he's a bit more colorful in his description, but you have to read it in context to appreciate it) of the attacks and unleashes Quinn. The common thread linking all of these incidents is that the perpetrators all appear to be good solid American citizens. Quinn slowly but steadily follows a dangerous trail that leads to a remote corner of Asia and then into Afghanistan, where Quinn discovers a chilling training school for terrorists that is as ingenious as it is cold-blooded.

Meanwhile, the mastermind behind the plotting and the execution of the terrorist acts is gearing up for a main event that will strike at the very heart and soul of the United States government. Quinn and Jacques Thibodaux, his extremely capable sidekick, find themselves in a race against time to save the government on two different fronts, even as the dastardly attack seems all but certain to succeed.

There is much to love here. If you are a weapon, motorcycle, or technology aficionado, Cameron certainly will keep you entertained. His knowledge of weaponry is up-to-the-minute, and he gives Quinn many toys --- dangerous and otherwise --- to play with. Perhaps the most impressive element of the book is Quinn himself. Cameron gets deep inside the mindset of the soldier-warrior and gets it right from start to finish. His insight as revealed through Quinn into the offensive and defensive elements of enhanced interrogation and situational observation is particularly impressive. His biographical information indicates that he has spent over a quarter-century in law enforcement, with the last two decades in the employ of the federal government.

One gets the feeling that at least some of the events described here took place in the real world, albeit cloaked in shadow. Cameron's over-the-shoulder descriptions of what occurs in the halls and offices of government solidify this impression. It is the back-to-the-wall action of ACT OF TERROR, though, that makes the book an unmitigated, white-knuckle joy to read, from its first sentence to its last paragraph.

Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
1085819
I liked this book a lot. It did remind me heavily of Brad Taylor's Taskforce/Pike Logan series of books, along with Scott McEwen's Sniper Elite in that Kelso Jarvis and Bob Pope could be the same person.
There was lots of action. Extremely well written. Which reminds me of Steven Konkoly.
If you like Brad Thor, Brad Taylor, Dalton Fury, Scott McEwen, Mark Greater or Mitch Rapp, then this book is for you. The other reviews talk about plot, which is just as important but unless a book can keep the story going and entertain me at the same time, I don't bother reading it. A lot of authors add so much fluff to a story trying to set it up and the book plods down deep into an endless description of surveillance and nothing happens for pages and pages. This is a complaint I have on Brad Taylor's books. Thankfully though that is absent here. This book runs flat out on action or intrigue. No fluff or ennui here that distracts you. No lengthy description of some stupid wine the characters are drinking either (Yes Brad Thor, that is you).
There is the usual descriptions of weapons, which as a gun guy I appreciate. The action scenes are well described. None of that stopping the story mid-gunfight to have a navel gazing moment of exostentialism and delve deep into our hero's wounded psych about what it takes to be a warrior and the errors he's made (Yes Dalton Fury that was directed for you).
The banter is on point too which is always good to read. A hallmark of Scott McEwen's/John Sandford style writing I love.
This book also loves acronyms, bit if you have read any of the authors I've mentioned, then these acronyms are nothing to you and you easily translate them in your head without pause.
I recommend this book highly and look forward to the next story.
848303
Timely and realistic plot in today's terrorist world. Have enjoyed reading all Pike Logan adventures so far, as a few chapters in the evening helps to settle the evening down after a day at the office. The Pike Logan series is highly recommended  fiction reading.