Oh my. This book was bad. I was going to say really bad, but in the penultimate chapter I actually was engaged by the plot for about 3 pages.It bothers me when publishers deke the reader with a cover that screams ROBERT LUDLUM'S MOSCOW VECTOR then in tiny letters written by patrick larkin. I want to know exactly the extent of Robert Ludlum's involvement in this book project. I bet he didn't read it. If he had he wouldn't have put his name on it.The body count? I lost count. There was no holding back for Robert Ludlum's Patrick Larkin. Every time you turned around somebody was getting executed. Really unnecessary massacres.The dialogue in this book was awkward & not like real conversations between people. Every male character called every female character "Ms." The Russian bad guys called the female CIA agents "Ms" Whatever. At one point even another woman called a female agent "Ms." Um, we don't talk like that in real life.The use of cliches was rampant. Whew. No original writing here. Also the writer used weird phrasing like he'd run out of ways to say "he said." At one point the dialogue went something like this: "'The drone missile has missed its target & hit civilians,' he said seriously." Isn't the fact he said it "seriously" implied?The author (who was the author?) seemed to be intent on sharing his knowledge (or recently-acquired research) about firearms & ammunition. Detailed descriptions of every weapon & its magazine, clip, bullet, or whatever other name you want to use for it was supplied in almost every chapter.And speaking of chapters: When is a lot too many? There were at least 50 chapters in this book. I was more engaged by the old Nancy Drew books written by the old syndicates. They stuck to a 20-or-so chapter maximum (you always knew whodunit by Chapter XX).The reader of this book had an annoying habit of making (US) President Sam Castilla sound just like George W. Bush. I was waiting for him to say, "That dog don't hunt" or "Big hat, no cattle." He came close. That was really irksome, having to be reminded of W, just when I was trying so hard to forget him (along with the rest of the country).The main reason why I disliked this book was because it was boring. Also, I love John le Carre & this book wasn't fit to act as a bookend to his spy novels.
I had to give up on this book. Partly because it has been overtaken by events. The Russians aren't nearly as devious as the fevered imagination of American writers would have us believe. Partly because I found the style turgid. Partly because I find the genre of thriller where one Murican with almost superhuman powers saves the free world almost single handed, tedious. Also I must make a mental note that two author books - written thus, I guess because the well known half of the duo can't really be bothered and the lesser known is cashing in - are invariably bad.
The plot is interesting because, though it was written in the mid 2000's, it mirrors a lot of what has gone on in the world these past few years. Having said that, for an international suspense thriller mystery type book the beginning is quite slow and the way the story lines weave together requires too much suspension of disbelief.Some of the dialogue is incredibly awkward. The writing is lacking in general. Not only is it awkward, the author made mistakes with the characters actions that made them incompetent in a way they shouldn't have been e.g. There is a complicated ruse for an informant to hand and envelope concealed within a magazine. Once the main character, Jon Smith, is in possession of the envelope he takes it out of the magazine and opens it in plain sight of everyone. There were lapses in the authors thinking of how a clandestine agent might act. The relationship between the male and female agents also takes on a weird turn at the end. Of course the men are keen to protect the woman, and there must be a bit of a love story, always. I gave it three stars because it is a quick read that did draw me in. I found the dialogue annoying, but the overall plot was interesting enough to keep me guessing as to what will happen next. It's a light, if not particularly well written, read.
—Paula Agata
Intriguing plot, interesting cast.Recommended. Nice series because different writers take on theme so series doesn't get boring. Patrick Larkin writes for Rob't. Ludlum in #6. Reader: Eric Bergman is terrific. ©2003 text/2005 audio
—Cindy
Once again, amazing book. I'm so loving this series and I wish I had the time to read them faster! Patrick Larkin gives another great addition to this series, with his intense attention to detail and great action scenes. Love it! Many of my fellow readers are naming vampires and werewolves as their book boyfriends, but I'm all for Jon Smith as mine! He's badass in more ways than one. And so are the people he comes in contact with. A new character was introduced in this one, and while Randi Russel's character is amazing, Fiona Deavon had some great action scenes and baddass-ness of her own going on. Wonderful to see some strong female characters in this series. Can't wait to read the next one!
—Anastasia Pergakis
