Customer Reviews: Read 6 more reviews...
 Probably Would Have Made a Better Movie June 27, 2007
I made it to page 210 out of the 251, then didn't bother to finish. I couldn't muster up enough interest to care about what happens at the end. It had been slow going from the beginning and the only reason I continued was to find out the "big coverup." Once that was revealed, and it was shockingly underwhelming, I was through wasting my time.
If the back cover hadn't revealed that the writer was a screenwriter, I probably could have guessed. The major problem with the book is its inconsistent inclusion of descriptive detail. The only character thoroughly described and developed is a peripheral one. The two leads are little more that stock characters who get a couple of lines descibing them (compared to the couple of paragraphs for that peripheral one). The main supporting characters are practically stick figures.
The author takes great pains to describe the music Luther listens to (the movie soundtrack), yet just about every other detail is glossed over. There was one 3 or so page passage that felt like part of a novel - Alex reliving the explosion. It's too bad there weren't more like it. I think this story would have been more enjoyable if it had been a screenplay/script rather than badly masquerading as a novel.
 Became a Hardwick Fan April 10, 2007
I enjoyed the straight forward story and although I pretty much could see everything coming I still enjoyed the book's mysteries as they unfolded. The book is ultra-violent in places and I consider that a good thing. It was definately a page turner and I got through it very quickly. I've since read three other Hardwick books and consider this one of the better ones.
 Thumbs Up! August 9, 2005
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I am probably the biggest Gary Hardwick Fan out there, so I'm partial to his books, and I don't miss any of them.
This is yet another impressive entry, by Mr. Hardwick. His effortless ability to engulf you in the crimes and chase of his books, is uncanny. He is detailed and precise in his delivery, thus, you feel as if you are the central character or the prey, being chased.
The protagonist, Luther Green, is believable and authentic, his mannerisms, attitude and belief, that he has left his old life behind, is challenged, when he is forced to do what he was trained to do, despite his underlying gut, that alarms him that something is amiss, in this current mission.
He faces a formidable opponent, in that of his mentor, Alex Deavers, whom has been more than a teacher, but that of a friend.
He consciously decides to uncover the real truth behind his mission, while stopping on the way to protect his family and a long lost love. Luther is oblivious to the revelations, occuring within himself, that regardless, of how far you stray, you still have a level of allegiance to those you love.
The plot delivers crime, espionage, politics, strategies, violence, and urban life, while carrying you from one continent to the next. The shady characters, he and Deavers encounter, are realistic, and plausible, while igniting action and uncertainty, to the pace of the novel.
The story line is masterful, in that it encourages readers to go further in their knowledge, of political structures, government processes and politics. It's refreshing to see an author that believes in the intelligence of his readers enough to go beyond, the standard; boy meets girl, they fall in love, someone cheats, blah, blah blah rhetoric, which I have grown overly tired of reading.
Do yourself a favor, and pick up any one of Gary Hardwick's mystery novels, sit back, relax and allow yourself to be transported into a crime.
So Cool To Be So Cold July 20, 2005
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I really enjoyed the characters in this journey of the governmental backwashers. The storyline and premise are fictional--or are they? The secretive governmental assassin program is purely fictional--right? And what about the conspiracy in the Motherland that describes events 1,000 times worse than Hitler's genocide; that is pure fiction--isn't it? Let me put it like this, if the author of this book is NOT under governmental surveilance,well......
The main character is a cold, calculating, patriotic governmental assassin who is 100% willing to sacrifice EVERYTHING and EVERYONE to complete his mission; that is, until he starts to uncover truths left by his "rogue" mentor that are beginning to make him analyze his loyalty and the government "brass" issuing the missions.
It's non-stop action from beginning to end! I highly recommend this author's work. He has the ability to transport you into the scenery and have your pulse quickening thru-out the action scenes. It's not too long or too short. He don't waste pages and pages of reduntant backstory stuff; gives U just enough to keep it rollin'.
If you enjoy suspense, conspiracy, assassins, honor and code type of stories, U better add this one to your collection mannnn!!
--BnHereB4
Political Drama April 12, 2005
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I'm not usually a big fan of books like this but I like Hardwicks others books. I wasn't disappointed by any means. This was so full of twists and turns it kept me turning the pages. I enjoyed this political thrill ride. This would make an excellent movie... hint..hint...
reviewed by
Dawnny
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