Avenger by Frederick Forsyth

"Avenger" by Frederick Forsyth.

This book is published by RHUK in 2004 and has 432 pages.

Calvin (Cal) Dexter is a Vietnam veteran and an attorney at law. Grandson of a Canadian mining tycoon has gone missing in what was then known as Yugoslavia. A discreet agency in London is tasked to find him. The subject is dead. Paul Devereaux is planning something big.

Who is the avenger? What is to be avenged? What is Paul Devereaux's plan? Will the killer be apprehended?

Two stories run in parallel. One of Cal Dexter and another of the American Grandson of Canadian businessman, until they eventually converge. Then a third story emerges and quickly converges into main story. The name of book tells us that this is a story of revenge, but it's not a typical thriller revenge of killing the bad guy. Here the objective is to apprehend the bad guy and bring him alive back to USA.

Author has spent a lot of time in background creation. The story of tunnel rat and boy in Yugoslavia take too long. At times readers are not sure which story is the main story. Curtailing the background stories would have cut the flab and made this story leaner.

Cal Dexter's assignment is the real story. But it starts when you have read half of the book. Entering an ultra secure facility, capturing the criminal and safe extraction form the main plot. CIA's Paul Devereaux is on the other side of Avenger, despite being a good guy. Why? It becomes a fight between good guys. One trying to apprehend and another trying to save for operation Peregrine. 

Story doesn't have a uniform pace. It is entertaining, OK and drags in patches. Cal Dexter is an interesting character. He is the ultimate warrior and specializes in apprehending. He is a lawyer by the day and Avenger once in a while.

Final phase of the book is interesting. The methods employed by Avenger are innovative. Climax is good but could have been better. Although the readers don't get bored, they do not sit on the edge of their seats either. There is a big surprise on the last page that stumps the reader.  But it's execution should have been more subtle for greater impact. Book cover shows an eagle in flight with a serpent in its talons. It is the essence of the story.

  

Trivia: Paul Devereaux, who is a high ranked counter terrorism expert of CIA, and Cal Dexter, the Avenger, also made an appearance in author's another book titled 'The Cobra', a few years later. However, I read that book before this. 

Although it's a good book, Frederick Forsyth has written better ones.

Why did I read this book? Frederick Forsyth. 

What I didn't like?  Execution of last surprise, some flab. 

What did I like?  Plot and Avenger's methodical execution of plan.

A good book.  Read if you like the review.