This is a great continuation in a great series that just keeps on going and going, entertaining and petrifying its audiences as it goes. This book really asks some hard questions of the reader as it focuses on terrorists and what we are willing to do about it. Are we willing to torture them for information, are we willing to sink to their level? Its a hard question, and one that I don't like the answer I came up with in response. But the truth is we are at war - this book just reminds the reader that while we are cooped up in our 'idyllic worlds' there are people out there who want to kill us, to destroy us and this book is a wake up call for all of those who do not believe that we are at war with these people - whether we want to be or not.Now, apart from the hard questioning, this book also produced on the simple story telling aspect, examples of how good it is are;1. The relationship between Dan and his Son - this really does bring a sense of realism to the story. Most action packed novels such as this tend to have that sense of fanaticism that means we can disassociate it with our world, but this relationship is real. The reactions true, I wouldn't be surprised if the author has some experience in such a father/son relationship. 2. The emotional baggage of Dan in regard to his wife's death. This truly brings home his character and sells the story brilliantly. 3. Dan's reaction to the 'assassin' tag and job offer. 4. The suspense built into the text is heart stopping. 5. The plot line itself is original and captivating and the way that it is intertwined with reality just adds to the emotional investment in the story.Overall this is a VERY GOOD BOOK on a simple storytelling level and rates a 4, but add in the hard questions that Stephen Leather asks you this becomes a VERY GREAT BOOK and easily a 5.Read this book, it will truly hit home. Have fun reading.
(Contains potential spoilers)Reading the other reviews had me thinking I had a 'mixed-up' audio book from Isis, but after reading the first 50 pages again on Kindle, it appears not. So what was with the introductory pages and the Man Utd fan and satellite pictures? That never resurfaced. And also, the conversation Dan had with 'the American' after being introduced by Hargreaves never made much sense.Although I found the general story interesting and a bit more focussed than Soft Target, I still felt that there were too many distractions from the main plot, and some bylines which were just unnecessary: for example, the whole scene with Charlotte Button's interrogation was far too long-winded and I still don't understand why she was obliged to take part. After the first Shepherd story which I loved, I'm starting to doubt the series after the last two average contributions. I feel that, although Leather is a very talented writer, his means of focusing is not inline with my idea of a page-turning novel. I've just started on the 4th book, Hot Blood, but fear that a break from Leather may be in order if it's not up to the standards that I've come to expect from Lee Child and, one of my new faves, the awesome Gary Ponzo.Ok, but not anywhere near as good as the first, due to more loose ends and an unfocused story line.
What do You think about Cold Kill (2007)?
Este libro de Stephen Leather está bastante entretenido. Es actual y deja ver el mundo actual en que viven los países occidentales frente a la amenaza de los terroristas islámicos extremistas. También deja ver la forma de obtener información que me parece deplorable, pero es algo que siempre ha existido en la naturaleza humana de provocar dolor con tal de obtener información.Me gustó mucho que el autor describe tanto los aspectos profesionales como personales del personaje principal dándole el lado humano pero sin dejar de ser un buen elemento de la policia.Al parecer es la tercera novela del protagonista y deja espacio para continuar con su historia. El único pero (casi siempre lo hay) es que él termina siendo así como un "superhéroe" al detener la amenaza que acababa de descubrir, así como si fuera un James Bond.Aún así, su forma de actuar es creible y lógica. Otro aspecto que no me terminó de gustar es que también en la parte final tiene una conversación en francés y el autor o editor no traducen esa conversación y pues no sé qué se dijeron. No sucede así con las frases en árabe que sí son explicadas o por lo menos lógicas de deducir.Nigger.
—Superiu
