Hard to decide between a three and a four star rating, so three and a half it is! The first 'Die Hard' movie is loosely based on this novel. The basicHard to decide between a three and a four star rating, so three and a half it is! The first 'Die Hard' movie is loosely based on this novel. The basic premise is the backbone of the book, but the setting is earlier in L.A.'s history, and our protagonist is a bit older--a veteran ace of World War II. Instead of visiting his ex-wife on Christmas Eve, it is his daughter who works at the oil company based in the high-rise. His grand kids are also in attendance at the company Christmas party. The ending is a little different, and believe it or not much more violence than in the movie. The reason I couldn't quite make it to the fourth star is that it just seemed to drag out towards the end. Thorp wrote a previous novel with the same character Joe Leland, called 'The Detective'. This was made into a movie starring Frank Sinatra. I'm still debating whether I want to read it, or the novel '58 minutes' by Walter Wager that 'Die Hard 2' was based on. This is one of the rare occasions I liked the movie version better. A couple of side notes--Thorp as a recent college graduate worked for his father's private detective agency, then later on taught college level literature and worked as a freelance journalist. He also wrote the novel 'Rainbow Drive' which also became a movie starring Peter Weller. ...more
A little disappointing after reading 'Icebreaker'. This seemed more of a formula Bond book. One of the notable things is the incorporation of microcomA little disappointing after reading 'Icebreaker'. This seemed more of a formula Bond book. One of the notable things is the incorporation of microcomputers back when they hadn't infiltrated every household in the US. The other is the bad guys using a dirigible to try and complete their evil mission. I'm taking a little break before preceding on to 'Nobody Lives Forever', ...more
I reread 'License Renewed' last month. Realized (thanks to Goodreads) that I read the second of Gardner's Bond books 'For Special Services' back in 20I reread 'License Renewed' last month. Realized (thanks to Goodreads) that I read the second of Gardner's Bond books 'For Special Services' back in 2016 and remember it well enough not to reread it. I think 'Icebreaker' is the best of Gardner's Bond efforts so far. Really enjoyed the setting in the frozen Finland, Russia, etc. during our Southern California desert record heat wave. Some surprises for me in this one. I'm taking a little break before moving on to 'Role of Honor....more
A two and a half star rating. I picked this up in my post-college days when I was reading Eric Van Lustbader books. It certainly isn't the quality of A two and a half star rating. I picked this up in my post-college days when I was reading Eric Van Lustbader books. It certainly isn't the quality of those. Russian spies, CIA operatives, Yakusa, ninjas, and a former Vietnam era Green Beret Chicago cop. Very stereotypical characters. The book opens with a gun battle on the abandoned streets of snowy Chicago. One of the police detectives is armed with a pistol shooting at the criminals like a cowboy in an old western movie. From that moment I knew this would be a check your brain at the door kind of read. Mostly ninja sword fights mixed with gun battles. There is a love story intermingled. One of the most entertaining parts of the book is the cover. An gun toting gangster on the front. Our hero Chicago cop with his gun on the back. Mildly entertaining. ...more
After reading 'Point of Contact' (10th book of series), I decided to go back and try the first book. I was a little disappointed, there seemed to be aAfter reading 'Point of Contact' (10th book of series), I decided to go back and try the first book. I was a little disappointed, there seemed to be a lot of filler in this book. I know that the premise for the series had to be established, but some of this really dragged along. The Jack Jr. and particularly the Caruso brother characters seemed a little immature for the types of careers they have had (FBI, Marine officer). Hopefully they mature as the series progresses. Some of the organizational decisions also seem idiotic. Spoiler: A target for a 'hit' is meeting some other unknown contact in his terrorist organization. Instead of waiting for the meeting, and potentially identifying another target, the person is killed before the meeting. It would have been just as feasible to eliminate the target after the meeting and gain intelligence regarding this unknown target. Knowing 'Point of Contact' was not written by Clancy makes me wonder about Clancy's writing ability at this point. I'll take a break, but since I've discovered I have a copy of the second book in the series 'Dead or Alive' I'll continue on!...more
Nelson DeMille is one of my favorite writers. I'm not sure what took me so long to get around to reading this one, maybe the length was a little intimNelson DeMille is one of my favorite writers. I'm not sure what took me so long to get around to reading this one, maybe the length was a little intimidating. Not that I avoid long books, but not usually in fiction. This is a little different than the typical DeMille book. As he explains in his acknowledgements the book came about after a re-visit to Vietnam in 1997 with some fellow war veterans and his association with the Vietnam Veterans of America.
A large part of the beginning of the book almost serves as a travelogue to post-war Vietnam, and most of the book relives the main character Paul Brenner's experiences during the war, which are probably very similar to DeMille's own experiences. Only as the book progresses does the reader get more information on the character's investigation into a murder of an American military officer and civilians by another military officer. Of course this leads to confrontations with Vietnamese police, re-visiting camps and battle fields from the war and the companionship of a beautiful American woman translator that may or may not be the person she claims to be. The Paul Brenner character is very much like another DeMille character I like--John Corey. The only reason I don't give the book five stars is I was disappointed in the ending. Probably a little too much like real life--definitely that could lead to a follow-up book, but maybe not. I did read DeMille's book 'The Panther' where John Corey and Paul Brenner meet each other, but I don't recall much being revealed about Brenner's personal life between this book, and that one. If you're a DeMille fan and have the patience to get through the first half this is for you....more
One of the few books I've re-read. I'm not sure when I read this the first time--probably forty or so years ago. I've read all of the Ian Fleming BondOne of the few books I've re-read. I'm not sure when I read this the first time--probably forty or so years ago. I've read all of the Ian Fleming Bond books, and read a couple of Gardner's. I have a couple of other of this series, and thought I should revisit the few I have read before continuing on. They probably don't have to be read in order, but it was a quick read. Surprising that I really didn't remember much of the plot, but some of the minor details I did remember. Certainly continues the Bond franchise, but a little disappointing compared to the thrillers of today....more
This took a little longer to read than I planned. The Afghanistan pullout took place while I was reading this, and the reality seemed to take much of This took a little longer to read than I planned. The Afghanistan pullout took place while I was reading this, and the reality seemed to take much of the fun away from reading about Afghani Al Qaeda terrorists trying to set off a nuclear weapon in DC.
On looking back, I finished the previous Mitch Rapp book 'Executive Power', about this time last year. I enjoyed this more, Mitch's wife plays a much smaller role without all the whining. This is the sixth book I've read in the series, and at this point they seem to follow a predictable pattern. I have several more of the Mitch Rapp books on hand so I will continue with the series at some point. ...more
DeMille is another of my favorite authors. Some of his books and series I like more than others. I particularly enjoyed 'Plum Island' where the John CDeMille is another of my favorite authors. Some of his books and series I like more than others. I particularly enjoyed 'Plum Island' where the John Corey character is introduced, 'The Charm School', and 'The General's Daughter'. I don't know why I had been saving this book, and was surprised that one character seemed to be a precursor of John Corey. Great mix of subplots and surprises without confusing the reader or on the other hand oversimplifying. A fast-paced action thriller in the days of the Soviet Union and pre-9-11....more
Now that I've read the sixth of this series I certainly see the formula here. I really enjoy the intricate plot, the covert operations, and the politiNow that I've read the sixth of this series I certainly see the formula here. I really enjoy the intricate plot, the covert operations, and the political maneuvering. However, I'm finding Rapp's relationship with his newlywed wife a bit tiresome. She marries a govt. agent/assassin, and expects him to sit in an office. If you married a bartender, would you not expect him to work in a bar? Hopefully, this gets better in the remainder of the series. Favorite line from the book: "It was not possible to reason with unreasonable people." Whether you're talking about terrorism, or entrenched political viewpoints on either side, this sums up today's condition of the world. ...more
I was excited to read this after Flynn's 'The Third Option', which leads right into 'Separation of Power'. At a point it seemed a little repetitive anI was excited to read this after Flynn's 'The Third Option', which leads right into 'Separation of Power'. At a point it seemed a little repetitive and I stopped reading it--instead I began reading a book on the history of the Persian Gulf War--a lead-in to this fictional setting. (Rick Atkinson's 'Crusade'). Today I finally got back into this, wondering how Flynn could wrap it up in 100 pages. The last part was an amazing fast-paced read. Everything is neatly packaged in the end--not much like the 'real' world, but aren't we trying to escape that? I'll probably take a break before I continue on with this series....more
Fast-paced, action-filled, politico thriller. Second in the original Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp series (two books written later I call prequels), I founFast-paced, action-filled, politico thriller. Second in the original Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp series (two books written later I call prequels), I found this book entertaining. Surprised looking back to see I read the previous book in the series three years ago. It seems so fresh in my mind I'm shocked! Also surprised I only gave it three stars--probably because I thought it unbelievable at the time. Also I'm discovering that ratings sometimes are skewed around what other books are being read by the reviewer in the same time frame. This book isn't as action -packed, but the plot moves along without Flynn getting to0 technical about methods and equipment, but enough to make it interesting. The reader gets a little more development on characters introduced in the first book, and meets some new political 'leaders' that you love to hate. Some are just myopic, greedy, fuss-budgets, some are truly evil. Flynn refers back to the previous story enough to remind readers of what happened before without getting repetitive. If you like fast-paced, quick reads in this genre--I recommend the book and the series....more
I give this a three and a half rating. A fast-paced page-turner that I found this hard to put down. It includes a little bit of history on Attila the I give this a three and a half rating. A fast-paced page-turner that I found this hard to put down. It includes a little bit of history on Attila the Hun, and I really enjoy the protagonist Fargo couple. I think this is actually the fourth book in the series, and I haven't read the others. I didn't find it necessary to read the others first, as the authors include enough information from the past books to clue readers like me in to the couples past history. Some of this doesn't seem that plausible, which is why I didn't give it four stars. However, it is a really enjoyable read. Now I plan on checking out the other books in the series. ...more
Not quite deserving of a four rating, but better than a three. Some parts of the story are implausible, but overall an entertaining read. Character deNot quite deserving of a four rating, but better than a three. Some parts of the story are implausible, but overall an entertaining read. Character development on the terrorist side of things, seemed a little lacking. Really still not sure why the lead bad guy chose the ruins of Babylon as the site for holding hostages. I found DeMille's description of the battles between the terrorists and the Concorde survivors to be edge of the seat reading. Interesting that this book came out in 1978--way before 9-11. At the time Iraq was probably not the focus of many Americans. ...more
One of those cheesy Bond rip-offs. Probably a top-ten candidate for worst fiction writing ever. Thankfully it was a quick read, and it does actually hOne of those cheesy Bond rip-offs. Probably a top-ten candidate for worst fiction writing ever. Thankfully it was a quick read, and it does actually have a plot. ...more
Nelson DeMille is one of my favorite writers. This is one of his early books. Although I loved the plot--A faction of the IRA takes over St. Patrick'sNelson DeMille is one of my favorite writers. This is one of his early books. Although I loved the plot--A faction of the IRA takes over St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York on St. Patrick's Day, I found the character development a little weak. I found the plot drug a little during the middle, but I loved about the last 100 pages or so. Some twists and turns, and an enjoyable read overall....more
A really fast read. I was expecting a classic thriller, but was surprised that it was such a campy book with such comical characters. Really a two andA really fast read. I was expecting a classic thriller, but was surprised that it was such a campy book with such comical characters. Really a two and half star rating. Some humor caught me off guard, and some really clever lines here and there. I thought I had read 'The Eiger Sanction', the first book in the series--but I'm probably remembering the Clint Eastwood movie. Same basic plot, but definitely without the campy spy-fiction satire. I really liked 'Shibumi' another of the author's books, but it incorporated history, and not any humor that I can remember. ...more
I found this book really hard to get into, but I persevered and managed to read the whole thing. I find it a little hard to call it a 'thriller' sinceI found this book really hard to get into, but I persevered and managed to read the whole thing. I find it a little hard to call it a 'thriller' since it really wasn't. Even the parts where killings, bombings, and other terrorist attacks are taking place are extremely understated. I would describe this book more as the psychological drama packaged as terrorist intrigue. Much of the plot I find to be so contrived as to be unbelievable. I also did not find any of the characters likable. A long slog, with very little reward. ...more
A must read for fans of James Bond. Supposedly a writer is persuaded to interview the 'real' James Bond partly to give positive publicity to British iA must read for fans of James Bond. Supposedly a writer is persuaded to interview the 'real' James Bond partly to give positive publicity to British intelligence, and supposedly to help an aging Bond deal with the possible end of his service. The first half of the book is Bond's back story before the British secret service, the other half sort of a behind the scenes of what really happened compared to Ian Fleming's novels. Pearson does an excellent job of mixing fictional characters and real persons throughout the book. Pearson seems to be the world's leading Bond expert--and for a good reason. He worked as Ian Fleming's assistant at the 'Sunday Times', and went on to write the first biography of Ian Fleming, 'The Life of Ian Fleming'. Some of the reasoning on why the Bond novels seems a little shaky, but otherwise an interesting and fast read. ...more
One of my favorite authors--and John Corey is one of my favorite literary characters. What's not to like? If you haven't read any of this series I recOne of my favorite authors--and John Corey is one of my favorite literary characters. What's not to like? If you haven't read any of this series I recommend 'Plum Island' first in the series, and one of my favorite books of all-time. ...more
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