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.

Circus by Alistair Maclean

"Circus" by Alistair Maclean. This book is published by Harper in 2009 and has 288 pages. 

A circus has a star performer, a naturalized American, who is a trapeze artist and a mentalist. CIA recruits him to go to his former home country and break into Fort Lubylan to steal the documents regarding anti matter. In the wrong hands, a few grams of anti matter can annihilate entire world.

Will Bruno accept? What obstacles will he face? How many lives will be lost? Will there be a romance? Will he accomplish the job?

Bruno, his brothers, the big man Candan, the knife thrower, CIA recruit Maria, Dr. Harper and owner of circus are the main characters. The story is good. Book is not lengthy. Bruno's unique skills make him the only person who can accomplish this apparently impossible job.

Two main characters who start the story die very soon after the story begins and the plot thickens. Narration is leisurely, no hurry. So even the high adrenaline scenes glide easily. It's a different style and sounds good.

As expected, there is a twist in the tale that comes towards the end. East Europe under the influence of communists Vs Capitalist America tussel may seem out of context in today's times but one had to understand that the book was written in cold war era.

Read if you have time.

The Survivor by Kyle Mills

"The Survivor" by Kyle Mills. This book is published by Simon and Schuster in Oct 2015 and has 448 pages. This is Book 14 of Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp series. This one is written by Kyle Mills after death of Vince Flynn.

Rogue CIA agent, Joe Rickman, who was killed by Rapp in previous book has set up an automated system of exposing damaging information about CIA. Pakistan's ISI chief, who is considered a weak man by all, has plans to get his hands on the files and make Pakistan first Muslim superpower of the world.

What's in the files? Who is releasing the information to the media? How damaging is it? What would be the fall out? Why ISI wants it? Will they get it? What will Rapp do?

This book takes off where the previous one ends. The story continues and gets complicated. It's a complex plot where the very existence of CIA is threatened. Author has decided to bump off the character of Stan Hurley and it is done in keeping with the story and the traits of the character. The climax is a bit fast.

A few questions seem to be left unanswered deliberately. How Rickman gets hold of information he is not privy to? What happens to Taj's laptop? What happens to encryption key?

The character of Rapp is shown to be thinking of his future, his death and looking back at the past. In short the effects of age are showing. Is this a change in character with the change of author?

It is not easy to step into the shoes of a successful writer like Vince Flynn. Kyle Mills has accomplished the task really well. Though his writing style is different than Vince, he has remained true to the general theme of the series. It looks like Kyle Mills is acquiring a reputation of taking over literary enterprise of successful writers after their death.

Read it. If you are a Mitch Rapp fan, you will not be disappointed.

The Mark of the Assassin" by Daniel Silva

"The Mark of the Assassin" by Daniel Silva. This book is published by Signet in 2003 and has 528 pages.

A known Palestinian terrorist shoots down an American civilian airliner. 200 dead. The terrorist is also found dead, shot 3 times in the face. Michael from CIA is on the case. He has previously encountered an assassin who shoots his victims 3 times in the face. It's the mark of this assassin.

Who is behind the attack on airliner? Who is the assassin? Why does he have a mark? Can Michael catch him?

It's a classic tale of a high profile CIA operative and world's best assassin. Here both are hunting for each other. Author has also introduced a personal angle in the story that makes it more appealing.

Elaborate plot by the wealthy & powerful to become wealthier and more powerful, use of terrorists and assassins to achieve the goal, misleading, deception, campaign financing, espionage, love; the story contains everything.

Daniel has written a good story. It has a crisp pace. Doesn't slow down. Nails you to the book. Characterization is good. The book ends where the next book will start. It's not over yet, wait for the sequel.

Recommend reading.

Saving Faith by David Baldacci

"Saving Faith" by David Baldacci. This book is published by Pan Books in 2003 and has 453 pages.

Saving Faith is an interesting name. And it's neither about philosophy nor about spirituality. It's a thriller and 'Faith' is name of the female protagonist.

Danny Buchanan is a lobbyist in Washington DC. Over a period of time he develops empathy towards poor children in Africa and starts to use his money for them and use his lobbying to get grants for Africa. Being a lobbyist he regularly bribes lawmakers. Faith Lockhart is his partner and is like a daughter to Danny. Faith decides to expose Danny to FBI. Someone tries to kill her but she is saved by Lee Adams, a private detective, by chance.

Why does Faith go to FBI?  Why does she betray Danny, who is like a father? Who tries to kill her? How does Lee happen to be there? Why CIA is involved? Can they save Faith? How long?

The book is gripping. Although it's a thriller, it's not action packed. The story takes place in America circa 2003. The book contains corruption, good cops, good and bad politicians, traitors, chases, love, deceptions, betrayal and solidarity

Can a person in America hide from FBI & CIA at the same time? Looks impossible isn't it? Read the book to know more.

It is surprising to read that the secret audio and video recording was done on tapes rather than hard disks and that it was done locally and not remotely. Sophisticated agencies would not be using that in 2003.

The trick used by the protagonists towards end to win the final battle seems relatively elementary. One wonders why the villain can not foresee it.

Narration is decent. One does not sit on the edge of his chair but does not get bored either. Character of Danny is a unique one and everyone would like to meet such a man in real life. But does such a man exist?

A good book. Read if you have time.

Command authority by Tom Clancy with Mark Greaney

"Command authority" by Tom Clancy with Mark Greaney . This is the 9th and probably last book in Jack Ryan series (Clancy died in 2013 & this book was published posthumously). It is published in 2013 by Putnam adult and has 752 pages.

Jack Ryan Sr is now president of America. Jack Ryan Jr, is not working at the campus any more. He works as business analyst in London and has changed his appearance slightly so that he is not easily recognized.

New president of Russia harbors imperialistic ambitions and wants to take over former Soviet republics by installing friendly presidents, terrorism, killings and war. Chief of SVR (Russia's internal security agency) is killed in a bomb blast. Ex chief of SVR, and an old friend, comes to meet American president, falls ill, is detected exposed to radiation and dies. SVR and FSB are merged. The new chief is a little known entity.

The name Zeenat, a Russian assassin 25 years ago, comes back. There was only rumor of Zeenat, no proof. Jack Ryan Sr. wants to find out and requests his son, Jack Ryan Jr, to look into it. Jack Jr starts investigation. The answer lies in the past of Jack Sr. Russia attacks Ukraine.

Who is Zeenat? What has he to do with new spy chief of Russia? Why is Jack Ryan Sr. interested in him? What can Jack Ryan Jr. do? What is Russia's ultimate goal? Why is Ukraine attacked? Can America stop the war?

The emotional side of Jack Sr comes to fore. Too many things happen all the time and reader tends to loose focus on the main plot. The book is not exactly written in Tom Clancy style. Either he could not complete final draft before his death or he relied a lot on the co-writer and Mark's writing style has seeped in. This book is not written crisply.

The story is loose. It lacks action. Tom Clancy's signature knowledge and description of weponery is missing. The climax turns out to be anti climax. The book ends sowing seeds of next book. But will there be next book?

Those who have read Jack Ryan series earlier can read it in spare time but if you have not read Jack Ryan series then give it a miss.

Clear line of fire by Badrinath Nuggehalli

Mandar's book review (24th April 2014)

Completed reading "Clear line of fire", debut novel of Badrinath Nuggehalli. This book is published by Rupa and has 232 pages.

Czech republic has an agreement to provide Howitzer guns to India. America leans on Russia (after the break up of USSR) and Russia leans on Czech republic to cancel the deal.

There is no gun better suited for mountain terrain as it can fire from steep slopes. Uzbekistan has the technology to make the gun but does not have the requisite software (Fire control unit - FCU). A niche Indian software company headed by Satyan Sharma can develop the technology. Indian defense ministry ties up with Satyan to develop it. This joint Uzbek - Indian gun will be the best in the world. The gun is close to prototype testing. It will then be produced en mass and inducted in Indian army. The big contractors will lose out.

Now America wants it. Russia wants it too. Covert operatives from these countries are pressed into action. Politicians  want to  discredit the indigenously developed gun as there would be no kick backs from local contractors. Other gun manufacturers and Pentagon is also interested. There are attempts of sabotage, threats, physical violence, kidnapping.

Satyan doesn't know who to trust. Who is a friend and who's the foe. The only person he can trust is his fiancé and TV journalist Rubita. Can he save his software from bad guys? Can he save his company? Will he get caught up in red tape? Who is behind all this? Is there a traitor? Are the politicians really patriots? Is the army corrupt?

Author has tried to create a spectacular story with unimaginable twists and turns and make it grand. However in this what has come out is only an unsuccessful attempt at everything and success in only a few. Author has tried to cram in a lot of things thereby either not justifying them or making them unrealistic (even more unrealistic than fiction writers freedom)

He had not been able to decide if the protagonist Satyan Sharma should be portrayed as a technocrat, a hero or a businessman who does heroic deeds in a particular situation.

Politicians are all corrupt and traitors. So are the bureaucrats. Russians and Americans operate freely in India and Indian intelligence does not even know it. Satyan is backed by some powerful persons but acts alone as if he is the sole savior.

The end of this book baffled me.  Completely out of synch. It had little to do with the story and could have been avoided completely.

It would have been a good book if author had not tried to do too much. Avoid.

Mirage by Clive Cussler and Jack Du Brul

"Mirage" by Clive Cussler and Jack Du Brul. This is the 9th book in Oregon files series.

For those who do not know; Oregon is a high tech ship  disguised as a rusty old tramp steamer. It's the headquarter of private secret service organization called 'The corporation'. It works with CIA and other agencies to stop crime and terrorism. It's headed by Chairman Juan Cabrillo, a superb innovative planner and great leader. The crew has multiple specializations like disguise, deception, combat capabilities, technological expertise, weaponry and daring, that help them get the job done. In short they are good mercenaries.

In this book, The corporation is tasked to steal a prisoner from Siberian prison. The prisoner informs that a rogue Russian admiral, Pyotr Kyenin, has got hold of unknown research work of Nicola Tesla. He plans to sell it to the Chinese and disappear.

Juan Cabrillo and team Oregon stand in his way. Can Oregon stop him? Will he get better of The Corporation? Will the admiral be able to destroy a yacht protected by The Corporation? Will the admiral sink Oregon? What is the research? What is the miracle? Can Oregon save the day? Who wins?

This thriller is true to Cussler's reputation. The story is fast paced, full of action and keeps you interested even when there is no action.

The book includes a prison break, high speed chase on snow mobiles, diving to the bottom of ocean, firing of torpedoes, near death and survival, disguise, rescue, boat chase, deception, harpoon attack and retribution. In short everything that makes a book bestseller. The book does not disappoint on any front. It's a cliff hanger.

Cussler has been churning novels after novels with water theme in general and sea or ocean in particular but had managed to maintain variety. It's amazing.

It's a page turner. Recommend reading.

A wanted man by Lee Chil

"A wanted man" by Lee Child. This book won "National Book Award" (An award for British writers) in 'Thriller and crime novel' category in 2012. More than a million copies of this novel have been sold.

This is the 17th book of Jack Reacher series but the first one I read. Jack, the protagonist, is ex-military police.

A man is murdered by two men. There is a eye witness. County sheriff starts the investigation. Soon FBI special agent Jessica Sorenson takes over the investigation. State department and CIA are also interested. Hunt for the killers begins. Eye witness goes missing.

Jack Reacher, a huge ex army police investigator, hitches a ride with 2 men and a women, who claim to be a team working together. Jacks finds discrepancies in their statements, that a common man would have easily missed. The women in the car communicates to Jack by blinking eyes while other two are asleep (don't know why she does not simply mouth the words) and tells him that the two men have hijacked her car.

Who are the two men? Who is the murdered man? What is the motive? These two guys seem to be resourceful, how come? Can FBI track them? What role does Jack play?

Lee Child has displayed amazing power of deduction. Identifying inconsistencies and drawing conclusions has been shown as Jack Reacher's forte. A lot of time is spent traveling on straight roads in the american dessert. Not much happens for long stretches of time in the book but you still do not get bored. Readers are hooked to the story. This, I think, is the key to success of this book.

The climax was supposed to be full of action, but turns our to be a low key affair.

Read if you have time. It's also OK to give it a miss.

The shadow throne by Aroon Raman

"The Shadow Throne", debut novel by Aroon Raman. 

There is a sinister plot, code named Shadow Throne, to assemble nuclear war heads in Afganistan and launch them using Ghauri missiles from Pakistan, destination India.

A journalist, an Inspector and a History professor with support of a bureaucrat must stop the world from nuclear WW III. Story takes place mainly in India & Afganistan.

Who is behind the plot? ISI, RAW, Taliban, Shia Hazaras, Kushans (8 feet tall giants of indo-greek origin) who are believed to be extinct? Can this madness be stopped? What is the damage? What are the repercussions?

The story seems somewhat far fetched (but thats what thrillers are supposed to be, isn't it?). The pace is not even, bit jerky at times. However the seed is good & narrative is fine. Climax is abrupt. Current political situation in India is used as apt backdrop. Considering that this is the debut novel of the author we can expect more good novels from Aroon in future. 

A new age has dawned where english fictions of Indian writers are being widely accepted. This story provides a fresh perspective & a different landscape if you read too many western novels. One should read such novels to support Indian writers.

Act of terror by Marc Cameron

"Act of terror", a novel by Marc Cameron. This is his 2nd book after 'National Security'.

America faces strange attacks. The attacks are perpetrated by seemingly American citizens having no link to terrorism and working in reputed institutes like Airforce, FBI, CIA etc.

Who are these people? Why are they doing this? What has it to with an orphanage at Tajikistan -Afganistan border? Who is behind this? Will America survive?

Jericho Quinn is tasked to find out. There is an attempt on the life of his daughter and ex-wife. A new character of Veronica Garcia, an American with Cuban mother and Russian father, is introduced. There is a hint of romance between them at the end.

Story takes place in USA, China, Tajikistan and Afganistan. This book also has motorcycle chases. In the climax Quinn jumps from a chopper riding bike. Little too far fetched.

Pace of story is not uniform. Reader tends to loose interest a couple of times. Although the book is not bad, the raised expectations after first book, are not fulfilled.

Kill shot by Vince Flynn

"Kill Shot", a novel by Vince Flynn.
This book is a prequel to Mitch Rapp series. The story is set up mostly in France and tells us story of Mitch Rapp in his first year at CIA. This is second prequel of Flynn (after 'American assassin') and he has used these two prequels to bridge some gaps of Mitch's character, explain some interpersonal relations and bring in new characters and a love interest.

Mitch is sent to kill a person and result is 9 dead bodies including 3 innocents. Mitch has screwed up big time, or has he? His old enemy raises head. There is CIA politics to not let Thomas Stansfield become director. How do the 2 things relate? Is this a setup? Who is behind it all?

Flynn's writing style is dynamic, we live the story through his narrative. Pace is good and keeps us on the edge of chair. You do not get bored and do not loose interest.

Although there are a couple of loose ends, they may have been left intentionally for another prequel.

 Needless to say that I liked the book & recommend it. Now I have read all Vince Flynn books of Mitch Rapp series and have to wait for the release of new one.

Doomsday conspiracy by Sidney Sheldon

"Doomsday Conspiracy", a novel by Sidney Sheldon.
I have read 9-10 Sheldon books earlier and what I like most is that he doesn't write series books. Each book is a standalone book.
                                         
Commander Robert Bellamy is recruited from Navel Intelligence by CIA to find out the witnesses of a weather ballone crash. He later finds out that it was actually a UFO crash. Unknown to him a secret multinational oganization, headed by mysterious Janus, is killing the witnesses he found.

Why did CIA lie to him? Why the killings? Are there aliens? Things take a nasty turn and he is on a run. Police and intelligence agencies all round the world are hunting him. Who is behind this? Has it anything to do with his ex-wife, who he still loves. Who is Janus?

The story takes place in Europe and USA. Robert Bellamy is portrayed as emotional secret agent, but his past is shown as an efficient and hard sleuth. A bit of contradiction because sometimes he seems naive.

Since Bellamy is on run a large portion of book is dedicated in describing his travels. Story is not revetting, but one does not abandon the book either. The climax and end is abrupt.

The book promotes environmentalism. This book is not in the same class as some other Sheldon novels.

Lost city by Clive Cussler

"Lost city" a novel by Clive Cussler with Paul Kemprecos.

This is a Numa Files adventure and the protagonist is Kurt Austin, director of Special Assignments team of NUMA (National Underwater & Marine Agency - underwater equivalent of CIA) alongwith his sidekick Joe Zavala.

A frozen body of an aviator is found entoumbed in a glacier with a strange helmet. Its the body of a person from one of the most powerful families that has thrived on arms business for centuries. Scientists on a deserted island may have reinvented elixer of life and horrible mutants. What links the two? How does Numa get involved? What is the relation of all this with the Lost City (a field of hydrothermal vents in atlantic ocean)?
                   
Clive Cussler thrillers are all centered around the theme of water. I wonder how he can write so many novels. This is 6th in Numa series that I read and I have read another 16 of Dirk Pitt adventures, Oregon files, Isac Bell adventures & Sam Fargo adventures. And there are more to be read.
               
Clive Cussler is a master story teller and keeps you transfixed to the book till the end. This book is no exception. This thriller enters into science fiction zone.
                               
If you like Cussler read it. However this is not a book to start reading Cussler.

The last man by Vince Flynn

"The last man", latest thriller by Vince Flynn (2012). This is his 13th book of 'Mitch Rapp' series and now I have read all but one.

Mitch Rapp is a top CIA operative who has little regard for authority & rules when national security is in question. He is difficult to manage but is best at what he does that is killing tge bad guys.

One important CIA operative (Rick) goes missing in Jalalabad. Rapp goes to find him and an assassination attempt is made on him by a killer from his past. In the fight for his life Rapp sustains head injuries and has a short term memory loss.

Will he find Rick? Is he alive? Is it the doing of intelligence agency of another country? Is there a bigger plot than what meets the eyes?

There are multiple layers of deception & misinformation is difficult to segregate from fact. The plot is full of subplots. Story takes place mainly in Afghanistan, USA and Pakistan. Its a real thriller.    
                             
Loss of nemory and recovery brings a new dimension to Rapp's personality. The end also sows seeds for the next book that is expected this year.

Vince Flynn's writing style is very good. It is very difficult to put the book down. Story is well paced and keeps you on tenterhook. (It is hard to believe that Vince Flynn was a dyslexic.)

All in all worth spending the time.

Those who like thrillers should read Vince Flynn.

The Bankster by Ravi Subramanian

"The Bankster", by Ravi Subramanian, who is dubbed as John Grisham of banking, by Wall Street Journal. This is his 4th book, although 1st one I read.

Three stories run in parallel. A CIA agent works as arms supplier. A nuclear power plant is built in Kerala and locals oppose it. Three employees of a multinational bank are murdered.

Who has done it? Is it related to money laundering? Is there any connection between 3 stories?
How does it end?

This book has all the ingredients for a thriller. Corporate politics, governance issues, ambitious managers, extra marital affair, use of good looks to further ones clause, NGO's controlled by external powers, nuclear politics, religion, murders and investigative journalists.

Character of Indrani appears to be inspired by Chanda Khochar of ICICI. All characters are sufficiently developed. Inner workings of banking industry is used as background for the story. How bankers run after business, how protocol is overlooked, how rules are bypassed and how things are influenced is shown in detail. I liked the title. By calling it Bankster, author has simultaniously raised curiosity and made it look sinister. Full marks for the title.

Story keeps you interested. Pace is even.You do not get bored. After reading this book, I do not mind reading other 3 books by Ravi.

Although it is not a 'wow' book, it's a good read.