Mission Compromised , The Jericho Sanction, The Assassins by Oliver North

Synopsis

Major Peter Newman, US Marines, was a highly decorated hero, content doing his job – leading his troops into harm's way. He was good at it. But the White House has other plans for him.

When Newman is hand-picked for a dangerous clandestine operation as the head of the White House Special Projects Office, his orders are clear – hunt down and eliminate terrorists before they attack the United States with weapons of mass destruction.

From the corridors of power in Washington to the heart of the Middle East, Newman finds himself on an assignment so sensitive that it's known only to a handful of officials, as he becomes entangled in a nightmarish web of intrigue, revenge and betrayal.

When the mission is compromised, Newman embarks on a personal odyssey that threatens his career, his life and his loyalty to Corps and country.

My Two Cents Worth

I received both Mission Compromised and The Jericho Sanction as a gift from my sister - they were both first prints and Mission Compromised even included an autograph. At the time, I had no idea North wrote fiction. I finished the rather intimidating 656 page book the next day and immediately started reading The Jericho Sanction, finishing it the following day! Honestly, I couldn't put it down. I called my wife and had her stop by a bookstore that evening and get me the third installment, The Assassins.

This is one great story, and it is written by an extremely talented author - much to my surprise. I was captivated by the vivid descriptions of the characters, the mission, and the setting of the book. It was also intriguing because of the fact that there are American soldiers currently stationed in this war zone that are experiencing this scenario. It was very difficult, at times, to differentiate the parts of the story that were truly fiction and those that might not have been - the entire book was plausible.

I read fiction to be entertained. I appreciate, above all else, a talented storyteller, and this book delivered to my complete satisfaction. I did not try to relate this work of fiction to the real events from Colonel North's past and I did not read it with a politically partisan eye or from a particular religious point of view. That would have taken the sheer joy out of the experience and not allowed me to appreciate the story.

It wasn't until months later that I started my readers blog and noticed the horrible reviews from the publishers and a few members of the public, as well, that seemed to delight in trashing Colonel North. I found it a shame they could not separate their personal bias from such a delightful story.

This trilogy rates as one of the most pleasant surprises of the year in fiction, regardless of the genre for me. I would (and I have) highly recommend it. THANKS MEL!


Hardcover
Mission Compromised 656 pages

Jericho Sanction 624 pages

The Assassins 560 pages

Cross by James Patterson

Synopsis

Alex Cross was a rising star in the Washington, DC, Police Department when an unknown shooter gunned down his wife, Maria, in front of him. Alex's need for vengeance was placed on hold as he faced another huge challenge-raising his children without their mother.

Years later Alex is making a bold move in his life. He has left the FBI and set up practice as a psychologist once again. His life with Nana Mama, Damon, Jannie, and little Alex finally feels like it's in order. He even has a chance at a new love.

Then Cross's former partner, John Sampson, calls in a favor. He is tracking a serial rapist in Georgetown, one whose brutal modus operandi includes threatening his victims with terrifying photos. Cross and Sampson need the testimonies of these women to stop the predator, but the rape victims refuse to reveal anything about their attacker.

When the case triggers a connection to Maria's death, Alex may have a chance to catch his wife's murderer after all these years. Is this a chance for justice at long last? Or the culminating scene in his own deadly obsession?

My Two Cents Worth

Welcome back Mr. Patterson. I thought Cross was one of your best books in a very long time, and I believe you are much better served by showing us your story-telling talents without a co-author. This story had far more impact and substance than some of your previous releases.

Sullivan the Butcher was probably your best villain to date and provided the reader with a simple and straightforward picture of evil that we can wrap our minds around. Sullivan provided a stark measure of contrast for our beloved Alex Cross and ultimately made it such a personal vendetta that it encouraged the reader to devise their own plans of evil retribution as the book came to a close. I really wanted him to suffer for his crimes against the Cross family and his numerous other victims.

This is a book that set a scorching pace and maintained a sharper focus throughout the entire story than some earlier novels.

Good job, highly entertaining, keep them coming, please.

Hardcover

393 pages

4 hours

Divine Justice by David Baldacci

Synopsis

Oliver Stone is in deep water. The deep, cold salt water of the Chesapeake Bay, to be exact, as we begin this, the fourth installment of the Camel Club series.

After exacting his revenge on a U.S. Senator and the Chief Intelligence Officer at the end of Stone Cold, Stone is now the most wanted man in America and running for his life. His most immediate destination is New Orleans, but his plans are interrupted when he gets involved with a stranger who is attacked on the southbound train and has to make an immediate departure to avoid being identified. Mr. Stone, meet Dr. Richard Kimble.

Stone finds himself in the anonymous little town of Divine, Virginia, trying to keep a low-profile. But Divine, like most small towns where everyone knows everyone else, can't help but notice the mysterious stranger. And, like most small towns, Divine has some secrets that would be best kept from such nefarious transients. Secrets like a series of mysterious murders and a legion of coalminers who can't pass a whiz-test for the oxycodone that is in abundance. Small town - Big secrets.

As fate would have it, Stone sacrifices his personal safety to help a coal-miners widow and her son and uncover the mystery that surrounds the super max prison on the outskirts of town. It turns out that this mystery is one to die for.

My Two Cents Worth

I have never been a big fan of the "series" books to the extent that I couldn't put one down without picking up the next one in the series, but good grief! I assure you that each of the books in the Camel Club series can stand on it's own merits as far as the plot and characters are concerned, but I encourage you to read these novels in the order they are produced; it is a much richer reading experience.

The basic story has been around for forty years: American war hero blackballed by his government, tries to retire and lead a normal life in pursuit of the truth, uncovers government cover-up, threatened as a whistle blower, becomes public enemy number one, hunted to the ends of the earth, and barely surviving each confrontation; all the while trying to do the right thing.

The difference is that Baldacci can tell this modern day version of "The Fugitive" like nobody else. His version of Dr. Richard Kimble is more of a James Bond meets Rambo sort of character with a strong sense of right vs. wrong.

Do yourself a favor and see for yourself why David Baldacci is one of the most successful writers of his time.

Paperback

526 pages

6 hours

Stone Cold by David Baldacci

Synopsis

Oliver Stone, the leader of the mysterious group that calls itself the Camel Club, is both feared and respected by those who've crossed his path. Keeping a vigilant watch over our leaders in Washington, D.C., the Camel Club has won over some allies, but it has also earned formidable enemies - including those in power who will do anything to prevent Stone and his friends from uncovering the hidden, secret work of the government.

Annabelle Conroy, an honorary member of the Camel Club, is also the greatest con artist of her generation. She has swindled forty million dollars from casino king Jerry Bagger, the man who murdered her mother. Now he's hot on her trail with only one goal in mind: Annabelle's death. But as Stone and the Camel Club circle the wagons to protect Annabelle, a new opponent, who makes Bagger's menace pale by comparison, suddenly arises.

One by one, men from Stone's shadowy past are turning up dead. Behind this slaughter stands one man: Harry Finn. To almost all who know him, Finn is a doting father and loving husband who uses his skills behind the scenes to keep our nation safe. But the other face of Harry Finn is that of an unstoppable killer who inevitably sets his lethal bull's-eye on Oliver Stone. And with Finn, Stone may well have met his match.

As Annabelle and the Camel Club fight for their lives, the twists and turns whipsaw, leading to a finale that is as explosive as it is shattering. And when buried secrets are at last violently resurrected, the members of the Camel Club left standing will be changed forever.

My Two Cents Worth

In this, the third installment of The Camel Club Series, Baldacci finds another gear and it is off to the races from page 1. We are introduced to Mr. Harry Finn, smooth-talking killer with a double life as the consummate family man, and we are reacquainted with the quirky members of the Camel Club that includes Stone . . .Oliver Stone.

Baldacci's strength continues to be his characterizations and the ability to weave two or three subplots into a clear and concise tale of action, mystery and drama. The story unfolds effortlessly as he engages the reader page by page and suspends the passage of time. Credit also goes to those who edit his material so that it flows like a movie in the mind of the reader.

Consider giving a copy of a Baldacci to your boss, so he will understand your sleep deprivation.

The Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly

Synopsis

Things are finally looking up for defense attorney Mickey Haller. After two years of wrong turns, Haller is ready to go back to the courtroom. When Hollywood lawyer Jerry Vincent is murdered, Haller inherits his biggest case yet: the defense of Walter Elliott, a prominent studio executive accused of murdering his wife and her lover. But as Haller prepares for the case that could launch him into the big time, he learns that Vincent's killer may be coming for him next.

Enter Harry Bosch. Determined to find Vincent's killer, he is not opposed to using Haller as bait. But as danger mounts and the stakes rise, these two loners realize their only choice is to work together.

My Two Cents Worth

In The Brass Verdict, Connelly brings Mickey Haller, the troubled attorney, and the venerable detective Harry Bosch together again in this sequel to The Lincoln Lawyer.

The story certainly stands on it's own merits, with solid character introductions, and I don't feel it necessary to read all the Bosch prequels to appreciate the relationship, but I highly recommend reading The Lincoln Lawyer first to get up to speed on Mickey Haller.

Connelly asserts himself as one of the most clever and creative writers in the courtroom/thriller genre with The Brass Verdict. He weaves a tight tale of suspense and intrigue that gets off to a torrid pace right from the start, and seems to gain momentum throughout the entire 547 pages. This is one of the most solid and engaging novels I have read in several months and I recommend you schedule some quality time to give it your undivided attention. It is well worth the investment.

The Brass Verdict is begging for a sequel.

Paperback

547 pages

6 hours

The Quickie by James Patterson

Synopsis

When she sees her husband with another woman, Lauren Stillwell's heart nearly stops beating. Her marriage was perfect, she had a great job, and she loved her life. But his betrayal turns her into someone she never imagined she could be–a woman lusting for revenge.

Determined to even the score, Lauren seeks to have her own affair. It was supposed to be a quickie, but Lauren's night of passion takes a shocking turn when she witnesses an unexpected, unbelievable, and deadly crime.

Manipulating the evidence against her husband starts a web of deceit that threatens her career, but she is past the point of no return. Now her horrifying secret threatens to tear her life apart, pitting her need to uncover the truth against her fear that the truth may be too horrible to bear. And whichever choice she makes may cost her dearly - her job, her marriage, or even her life.

My Two Cents Worth

I truly enjoy reading Patterson's Cross series, but wanted to experience something just a little different from him, so I pulled The Quickie from the stack of prospects. I found it to be exactly what I had hoped - fresh and captivating. The action started on page 1 and the story unfolded without a glitch. The character of Lauren was well presented, and it was easy to be sympathetic to her plight.

One of the most surprising revelations came in chapter 17, when Lauren's occupation was revealed. (In true Patterson form, 17 chapters represents only 52 pages). This was a definite turning point in the story that added multiple layers of complication and intrigue.

This is also where a number of twists and turns began that kept me guessing the outcome until the final chapters.

I found The Quickie to be very engaging and satisfying and consider it one of my favorite efforts by Patterson. The writing was tight and focused, and difficult to put down.

Highly recommended reading.

Paperback

357 pages

3 1/4 hours