Hobby Stash » Espionage

Hell’s Corner by David Baldacci

Linda — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 11:08:52 +0000

I loved the first four books of the Camel Club series. If this was the first book I had read from the series, I definitely would not have gone back to read the first four. The Camel Club character roles are so minor and undeveloped they should not have been included. Clearly, their token appearances serve only to allow this book to be classified as part of that series. Subtract the Camel Club characters, subtract the normally fast-paced, intricate plot, and add a scratching-your-head ending, and you end up with a time-consuming, forgettable read–for me, a major disappointment.

Rating: ★★☆☆☆

The Jefferson Key by Steve Berry

Linda — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 09:36:24 +0000

It became clear to me once I started listening to The Jefferson Key that it was part of a series. Unfortunately, the problem with starting at the end of a series rather than the beginning is a good chunk of character development is usually done in prior novels and it definitely proved true for the main characters in this novel. In fact,while listening to the author credits, I discovered it was the seventh novel of the Cotton Malone series.

In spite of that, I thoroughly enjoyed the novel. It had shades of National Treasure type mystery in addition to espionage. And Berry did an excellent job of incorporating his ficition into America’s real history about pirates and presidential assinations. It was easy for me to imagine this as a movie. If my to be read list wasn’t so long, I’d definitely go back and start at the beginning of this series.

Rating: ★★★★☆

Dead or Alive by Tom Clancy

Linda — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 11:11:27 +0000

I wanted to like this book. I really did. I’ve read almost all the Jack Ryan series and loved it. But I had a difficult time getting through this one. Clancy’s novels have always been filled with numerous characters and intricate plots but the pace of the novels kept me moving forward to the point I didn’t want to put them down. That was definitely not the case here. The characters were flat, the plot confusing, and the pace slow. Either the series needs to be retired or Clancy needs to start writing his own books again. This one was not worthy of his name.

Rating: ★★☆☆☆

The Messenger by Daniel Silva

Linda — Tue, 12 May 2009 13:46:35 +0000

The Messenger focuses on Saudi funding of Islamic terrorism. Silva does an excellent job of fleshing out the characters, maintaining an intricate and fast-paced plot, and provoking thought on how to deal with terrorism in today’s world.

Unlike my recent read of Silva’s Moscow Rules, The Messenger kept me riveted until the very end.

Rating: ★★★★☆

Moscow Rules by Daniel Silva

Linda — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:06:15 +0000

I actually finished this novel last week but have been trying to motivate myself to write a review. It’s not that the novel was bad…it wasn’t. The first chapter hooked me in right away. But about two-thirds through the novel, it was like someone else took over the reins. It changed to a stereotypical action-packed rescue the victim theme and the ending was disappointing. Ho hum?

Rating: ★★★☆☆

The Chopin Manuscript by Jeffery Deaver (et al)

Linda — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:19:01 +0000

This suspense thriller was written by 15 different authors with each author taking a different chapter. Deaver introduced the characters in the first chapter and then passed it on to the next. Deaver brought it all back home in the last chapter.Frankly, it meandered all over the place as one would expect it to given that many authors. This concept was developed for Audible and was serialized with a new chapter published each week. I’m not sure I would have had the patience to finish the novel over that extended period of time. Suffice it to say, not one of your better thrillers. I felt like okay all the authors have contributed…time to finish…bye. I suspect each author’s chapter was written in an afternoon then passed on. Not bad, not good, and doubt I’ll try another one of these collaborations again.

Rating: ★★½☆☆

Divine Justice by David Baldacci

Linda — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 13:00:19 +0000

Okay, I loved Stone Cold. There was no way, in my opinion, that David Baldacci could top that ending and continue this series. Well darn if he didn’t do just that. At this rate, I’ll have have to rework my rating system. But seriously…

What a great follow on to Stone Cold. This sequel delves more into Oliver Stone’s past and the Camel Club takes a background seat for the first half of this book. But that doesn’t hurt the story in the least and I really enjoyed the rounding out of Stone’s character and history. As over the top unbelievable as the entire prison storyline was (in addition to the total inaction on the part of the town sheriff), the plot had me turning the pages as fast as I could trying to figure it out.

I suppose there’s a possibility for a sequel but I hope not. I liked the ending…finally some justice and the hint of a future for Stone.

Rating: ★★★★★

Stone Cold by David Baldacci

Linda — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:03:00 +0000

This is the third installment of Baldacci’s Camel Club series. Unlike the Sean King/Michelle Maxwell series, this one still rocks.

In this novel, Oliver Stone’s mysterious past is delved into and his resurrection provides danger to all. I hate to be mysterious but I don’t want to give away the plot. I’ve always enjoyed espionage plots and this one is no exception. I must say it is most helpful to start at the beginning of the series: The Camel Club and work your way forward.

The WOW ending leaves me wondering…where does Baldacci go from here???

Rating: ★★★★★

The First Billion by Christopher Reich

Linda — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:41:25 +0000

The plot centers around Jett Gavallan, CEO of Black Jet Securities, an international financial-consulting firm and his business venture to bring a Russian high-tech company to the U.S. Stock Exchange. I found the storyline improbable and long-winded.

Rating: ★★½☆☆

Simple Genius by David Baldacci

Linda — Wed, 28 May 2008 11:59:20 +0000

I have read all of Baldacci’s books and until now thoroughly enjoyed them. This is third in his Sean/Mchelle series and the series is going downhill fast. The plot was confusing, unrealistic, and written like an action movie. Even the characters are becoming unlikeable. I have two more of Balcacci’s books yet to read and I’m hoping they IMPROVE.

Time to retire this series!

Rating: ★★☆☆☆