Tag Archives: thriller

Book Review – Allegiance

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Allegiance Book CoverAllegiance by Kermit Roosevelt

Allegiance is a provocative historical thriller set against the backdrop of World War II and Japanese internment. After Columbia law student Caswell “Cash” Harrison fails his military physical, he is offered the opportunity to clerk for Justice Hugo Black. He and a fellow clerk stumble on a conspiracy to steer the direction of the Court. But, when his friend ends up dead, Cash begins a dangerous mission that leads him from the hallowed marble palace of the Supreme Court to the Department of Justice and an internment camp in California. Being a Japanese American attorney, the premise of this novel definitely intrigued me but it was the excellent writing and narrative that had me struggling to put this book down. The journey that the protagonist, Cash, goes through from young, naïve law clerk to principled seeker of justice is at the heart of what makes this novel laudable.

Book Review – The Demeter Code

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The Demeter CodeThe Demeter Code by Russell Brooks

To say there is a lot going on in “The Demeter Code”  would be an understatement. Each of the first five chapters deal with a different character in a different part of the world. This novel is not a casual read; it requires attention. “The Demeter Code” is an international spy thriller where CIA agents Ridley Fox and Nita Parris chase down a corporate conspiracy and endeavor to stop a terrorist attack against the United States. While the premise was definitely interesting, I felt that it took too long to get to the heart of the story. I understand the need to build to a climactic point but I didn’t quite get into the action until about 70% of the way through. Also, Mr. Brooks’ writing had a level of vulgarity that made me slightly uncomfortable at times. That being said, I enjoyed the fast-paced conclusion to the story.

*Disclosure: I was provided a free copy of this novel with a request for an honest review.*

Book Review – Double Blind

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Double BlindDouble Blind by Tiffany Pitts

Delilah’s brother Paul has always been nothing but trouble so when he goes missing in Hong Kong, Delilah isn’t surprised. With only Paul’s nerdy roommate, Carl, for company, Delilah goes in search her brother and ends up in the middle of a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse. I was impressed by Ms. Pitts’ engrossing thriller. The character of Carl is refreshingly deeper than the stereotypical computer geek and teams well with the headstrong Delilah. The prose was humorous and a good mixture of character development, action, science fiction, geekery and mystery. If I had to choose a complaint, it would be that Delilah hates the Beatles. I mean, really, how can you hate the Beatles? That’s like hating Christmas or puppies. But, overall, “Double Blind” is not a bad way to spend a few hours.

*Disclosure: I was provided a free copy of this novel with a request for an honest review.*

Book Review – The Salinger Contract

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The Salinger ContractThe Salinger Contract by Adam Langer

Adam Langer has woven an intricate tale narrated by a somewhat autobiographical protagonist who becomes involved in a potentially dangerous series of events. The narrator, (also named Adam Langer), a one-book author, meets best-selling thriller writer Connor Joyce.  Langer becomes Joyce’s only confidant when Joyce receives a strange but lucrative proposal to write a one-of-a-kind book. “The Salinger Contract” quickly became a book that I couldn’t put down. It’s twisty, unpredictable action forms an absorbingly suspenseful story wherein the reader comes to repeatedly question almost everything that has previously occurred. I recommend “The Salinger Contract” as a refreshing literary mystery.

Book Review – The Atlantis Gene

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The Atlantis GeneThe Atlantis Gene by A.G. Riddle

“The Atlantis Gene” is a sci-fi, historical thriller. It contains everything from technologically advanced beings to secret societies vying for the fate of the human race. The book begins with Dr. Kate Warner doing autism research in Jakarta, Indonesia. She quickly becomes involved in a dangerous conspiracy when two of her child subjects are kidnapped. From there the story jumps around the world following a host of different plotlines which do not merge until much later. While I understood the interconnectedness of the narratives, I was much more invested in the characters of Kate Warner and her protector, David Vale, than I was in any of the other action. However, overall, I liked the action-packed, tension-filled writing. I also liked that the science fiction was far-fetched but still believable and had some very interesting historical links. “The Atlantis Gene” is the first of three novels and I can say I am intrigued enough to finish the trilogy.

Book Review – The Four Horsemen

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The Four HorsemenThe Four Horsemen by Ben Sussman

Review: I was most interested in the premise of this book – a historical thriller about the four horsemen of the apocalypse. And the plot/characters were well executed. Yet, this book had one major flaw that I find hard to overlook. There were errors in the text which pulled me out of the story. As someone who would absolutely love to be a book editor, I cannot forgive those types of mistakes. If I’m going to take the time/money to read a book, especially one published by an actual publishing house, I expect good editing.

Tom Clancy Remembrance

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Bestselling author Tom Clancy, 66, died this week and though I have never personally had the pleasure of reading one of his books (something I will have to remedy), I know the book world has lost a great talent.

Here is this remembrance from NPR Books.