Trap the Devil by Ben Coes (Dewey Andreas #7)

Trap the Devil by Ben Coes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ben Coe's has really outdone himself with Trap the Devil. This the 7th entry in the Dewey Andreas series shows how the modern thriller should be. I didn't think That Coe's could top 2016's First Strike, but somehow he did.

I have a confession to make. It took me awhile to even try the first book in the series, Power Down. I just couldn't see how power plants and terrorism could hold my interest, but my gosh was it good. I attribute this to the skill of Coe's in formulating scarily plausible scenarios for his hero to navigate and at the same time grow his character. Dewey has grown with each book and in Trap the Devil staggering revelations present themselves to Dewey and we see a peek into his soul. Very sobering stuff.

In Trap the Devil, Coe's presents the frightening possibility of people in the government taking matters into their own hands to stem the rise of terror from the Muslim world who would seek to destroy us. Even to the point of killing their own colleagues in our government and targeting even the President to accomplish their agenda.

Coes is a master of building tension and fleshing out his characters so much so that at times I had to put the book down because I was afraid of what was going to happen next. I am not a big fan of spoilers. I would prefer that you be surprised on your own.

Suffice it to say that Trap the Devil, after a brief prologue that sets the stage of events from 20 years before, starts with a physically and emotionally damaged Dewey. Forced to see a shrink by his boss Hector Calibrisi, Dewey learns that he might be relegated to a softer agency roll. Far from something that Dewey wants or needs, he is seen as one almost driven to kill himself in the line of duty, always putting himself on the line. Guilt is eating away at him for not only the death of his fiance, Jessica, but also his wife Holly from many years before.

Basically relegated to babysitting the Sec State on a trip to Paris, Dewey is not happy and fueling up on alcohol and self pity. Until something happens to begin a rollercoaster ride that doesn't end until the last page.

Don't be like me.. Pick up Power Down, discover Dewey and be prepared to have a great summer!



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Nevernight by Jay Kristoff (Nevernight #1)

Nevernight by Jay Kristoff
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the first book by Jay Kristoff that I have read. I can tell you now it will not be the last. Nevernight is one of the most original fantasies that I have read in awhile. At times it's equally magical and disturbing but what a book.
I should say right up front, there is an overabundance of language, sex and violence, surely a hard R rating.
The book is set in a world that is equal parts ancient Rome and Venice and is fascinating. As the book opens we meet our heroine, Mia Covere, daughter of Justicus Darius Covere, a leader of the Republic accused of being a traitor. As such he is hung and his family is stripped of all wealth. Her mother and baby brother thrown into prison and a sentence of death to come at the hands of two legionnaires for 10 year old Mia.
Through mystical and not understood means, Mia escapes and vows revenge against those responsible. Taken in by an old man, Mia is put on the path to become one of the world's great
assassins.
The world that Kristoff has built is rich and brutal as is Mia's schooling.
A world well worth visiting. No spoilers here. Read this at your peril. You will be hooked.

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Whispers of the Dead by Spencer Kope (Special Tracking Unit #2)

Whispers of the Dead by Spencer Kope
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A year ago, I discovered a thriller by a new author, Spencer Kope. The book was "Collecting the Dead" and was one of the best and most unique thrillers of the last 10 years. I considered myself fortunate due to the fact that I took a chance on a book that just sounded interesting. I have regular correspondence with Mr. Kope an he is also a very nice guy. So, imagine my happiness while searching NetGalley for some titles and there before my eyes was book #2 of the now titled, Special Tracking Unit series. "Whispers of the Dead by Spencer Kope. I have to say as well, lightning does strike twice.
Whispers is very much the equal of book 1. Probably because Kope's characters are so memorable that you can't wait to catch up with them again. FBI Special Agent James Donovan and Operations Specialist Magnus Craig are very good at what they do, which is solving crimes. But as explained in book one there is a catch or secret if you will. Magnus "Steps" Craig has a gift. A very special and specific gift. He can see the residue that is left behind by killers as well as those they come in contact with. He calls it "shine" and it is manifested in colors only Steps can see. Not only colors but textures as well. A person's shine is as unique as a person's DNA therefore everyone's is different. The only people that know of Steps gift are his partner and the Director of the FBI. Known as the human bloodhound, Steps not only helps those that can't help themselves but those who may be listed as well.
In Whispers, the STU is called to Albuquerque where a styrofoam cooler is left in a judges living room holding a pair of feet not attached to a body. The killer is dubbed the Ice Box Killer due to the cold ice blue shine that the killer leaves behind. After more coolers and more feet are found Steps must out his gift to work and catch a killer before it's to late.
Kope's thrillers are well written and the dialogue is witty and humorous at times. But it is the humanity of Steps and Jimmy that really make both books hum.
Whispers of the Dead will not be released until April 2018 from St. Martin's Minotaur. In the meantime, pick up book one and enjoy.


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Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ready Player One was incredibly fun, especially if you grew up during the 70's and 80's. It is full of pop culture references that will take you back to those days. It is obvious that Cline has a fondness for that era.
The story takes place about 20 years in our future and the respite many have from real life is the Oasis. A highly realistic virtual reality where you create an Avatar that essentially acts for you. The Oasis has changed life as we know it and almost every function of society is ran through it.
Created by a Bill Gates\Steve Jobs like person named James Halliday, it is massive consisting of thousands of worlds. It is also worth billions and billions of dollars. Upon his death, Halliday sets into motion a quest to solve puzzles and if you are clever enough to win, inherit all that Halliday left.
Needless to say it is a prize worth killing for and a rival tech company has devoted it's existence to taking control of the Oasis and highly monetizing it, unlike Halliday who has made it virtually free for all, the only cost being .50 cents.
The story involves Wade Wyatt who as his avatar, Parzival, is one if millions if "Gutters" who are trying to figure the puzzle.
This is a spoiler free review. Just read this and enjoy it. A truly imaginitive work. Brilliantly rendered.







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The Nowhere Man by Gregg Hurwitz (Evan Smoak #2)

The Nowhere Man by Gregg Hurwitz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Let me say Wow! Gregg Hurwitz just may have written the Thriller of the Year for 2017 with The Nowhere Man. This is the 2nd book in the Evan Smoak series which began with last year's Orphan X. I received an advance readers copy of this book and started it right away.

This was a joy to read. It is so hard to see a sequel that is better than the original but Hurwitz succeeds. In The Nowhere Man, Evan Smoak is once again helping those who cannot help themselves. But in the process of an operation is captured himself and soon realizes that there is no one to help him. He can only rely on himself. Throw into the mix a giant mute, a fastidious psychopath and Sinaloa Cartel guns for hire in the midst of a harsh winter landscape and you have the makings of a book that you cannot put down.

This book is notable in the growth of Evan Smoak as a character. His humanity is on full display as is his ingenuity. There is also the reappearance of old friends as well as enemies that comlicate matters and make an already good thriller richer.

If you haven't read Orphan X, do so! Right now! You will not be dissapointed.

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The Immortals by Jordanna Max Brodsky

The Immortals by Jordanna Max Brodsky
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was intrigued by the cover of this book initially and then read the first chapter and was hooked. The Immortals is very good urban fantasy. Very reminiscent of the classic American Gods by Neil Gaiman, though Brodsky's story is all her own.
Modern day Manhattan is home is many of the Greek gods. If that doesn't pique your interest right there this probably isn't for you.

The story concerns the Greek goddess Artemis, who is now know as Selene. She spends her time saving women from abusive husbands and boyfriends and protecting the innocent wherever she may. Through the years her powers have diminished due to the lack of belief in her and the other gods, but she is still pretty formidable in her own right.

The book concerns a group who are committing murders across Manhattan by reviving the ancient Eleusinian Mysteries. Unfortunately, these rights are making Selene stronger while they are in direct opposition to all she holds dear. She is joined by a Columbia Classics professor, Theo Schultz, whose previous lover was one of those murdered, and who is looking for justice.

This book is a gem. Selene's memories of the island of Manhattan through the years is fascinating along with all of the historical tidbits. When one has lived for 3,000 years there is a lot to remember. Theo, unaware that Selene is really a Goddess and an ardent admirer of anything and everything that has to do with the Gods has his own special part to play.

Throw in Dionysus, Apollo, Hermes and the rest and this is worth every page. The ending does not disappoint. I can see this being made into a movie or miniseries quite easily and I am curious to see where Brodsky goes from here with the story.

Consider this Percy Jackson for adults, but so much more.

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Deadeye by Mark Greaney ( The Gray Man #4)

Dead Eye by Mark Greaney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I discovered Mark Greaney years ago when I saw an intriguing paperback titled, "The Gray Man. I read the back of the book and thought that this might be something worth reading. It turned out it was and I have been a Greaney fan ever since. I knew he had talent to tell a great story, but I guess that the late Tom Clancy thought so as well when he picked Greaney to help with the continuing story of Jack Ryan and the Campus, which has gone on to do quite well, including catapulting Greaney to #1 New York Bestseller status.

All of which left little time for Court Gentry or The Gray Man and his story. I just finished the 4th entry in the Court Gentry saga and I have to admit, it was a barnburner! Writing with Clancy has only strengthened Greaney as a writer and has moved Mr. Greaney into the forefront of the new breed of thriller writers that are a cut above the rest. Along with Ben Coes, Matthew Dunn, and others the genre is in good hands.

In Deadeye, Court is still on the run from his former handlers the CIA, really still not understanding why, but only knowing that he must stay one step ahead or else he will be killed. Deciding to wrap up a loose end and take a former patron off the board, Court is marked by the new technology that has been developed to catch bad guys. Unbeknownst to Court, he is being watched and tracked by the Townsend Group, an off the books contractor to the US government tasked with bringing the Gray Man down. Enter, Russell Whitlock aka Deadeye. For Court it is like looking in the mirror, here is a man just as deadly as he is, because he was trained by the same group and the kicker. He wants to help.

Court has lived as long as he has by not trusting anyone, but the near constant hyper vigilance has taken its toll and he wants to believe that he can trust Deadeye. Unfortunately, Deadeye has other agendas. Throw into the mix a brilliant Israeli tracker and her team and you have the makings of a great story reminiscent of The English Assassin by Daniel Silva.

Give Greaney a try.. Just a caution, he is a little rough with language, but can sure tell a story and keep the pages turning.


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