Blowback by Brad Thor

"Blowback" by Brad Thor. This book is published by Pocket Books in 2011 and has 688 pages.

An American soldier has brutally beaten a fruit seller in Iraq and it's caught on video. Muslim countries have lodged severe protests. Fatwa has been issued to kill the American. Opposition wants to embarrass the President and gain political milage. Muslim terrorists have developed a biological weapon that will kill only non Muslims. Agent Scott Harvath is in the middle of it all.

Will the terrorists unleash such a weapon? Who is the mastermind? What does the President want? Can he survived the scandal? Will Scott save the world? How is a weapon that kills only non Muslims is possible?

The cast includes an upright American President. Patriot CIA sleuth Scott Harvath, an ambitious senator, beautiful scientist Julian Alcott, all Qaida terrorist Khalid Al Omari, Turkish businessman Kalachka and Agakhan from Bombay.

The legend of Carthigenian general Hannibal's crossing of Alps with a secret weapon, inspired from Chanakya's Arthashastra, to attack on the Romans is the seed of this story. Hannibal attacked with only a handful of soldiers as compared to the Roman might. What is this secret weapon?

The plot is grand. Execution is good. Story is interesting. There is a blend of history, legend, terrorism, plot to overthrow House of Saud, murders and scandals. Narration is good. Keeps your interest up. Climax should have been more interesting.

All in all a good thriller. Recommend reading.

Blowback by Mukul Deva

"Blowback" by Mukul Deva. The book is published by Harper Collins in 2010 and is 349 pages long. This is the third book in Lashkar series.

Last book ended with Indian Force 22 commandos escaping from Pakistan and Tanaz and injured Iqbal going towards dessert to a doctor. This book starts where the previous book left. Tanaz and Iqbal are confronted by Pakistani military and are shot. A terrorist group saves them. When they are fit again they return to India. Force 22 is happy to see them alive. Tanaz is pregnant. Force 22 trains them for an infiltration operation. Their target is Indian Mujahideen.

Can Iqbal and Tanaz infiltrate Indian Mujahideen? Can Iqbal save lives? Will his cover hold? Or will it be blown? What will be the blow back?

The story is nicely paced. The infiltration in Indian Mujahideen seemed a little too easy. Force 22 and Iqbal work very cohesively. The book shows how technology and human Intel can save lives and how a small failure can cost lives. Author also provides a comprehensive, expensive but effective solution to get rid of problem of terrorism once and for all that would not be implemented by rulers due to possible political repercussions.

Iqbal in this book is not a confused youth any more, neither is he mad because of death of his loved ones. He has firm opinions and thinks clearly. He is a true patriot. He risks his life for the country.

Mukul is a master story teller. He keeps you interested till the end. Author has ended the book at a turn that sets the tone for next book (Tanzeem) firmly, which is already published.

A good book. Recommend reading, but read the series in order.