Power Play by Tony Kent

Power Play by Tony Kent
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have only awarded 5 stars a handful of times and this is one of them. It is a books that panders to all my needs - action, thrills, political intrigue and requires your non stop attention. Jack Dempsey is an agent who is tasked with one of the most sensitive investigations possible, is the sitting President of USA corrupted? The author tells a great story of how the American dream can also be a horror story. Located in US, UK and Afghanistan, page after page you are drawn into the book and don't want to put it down. With "special services" action combined with corrupt political power is one of my favourite combinations. An excellent novel and will be seeking out other Tony Kent books.

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Ishmael Covenant by Terry Brennan

Ishmael Covenant by Terry Brennan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am not a religious person so you might find reading a book based on religious writings and stories a little strange. This however is only the background for an excellent geopolitical thriller with the US diplomatic service. Brian Mullaney is an agent of the diplomatic security service assigned to protect Ambassador Cleveland in Turkey. The author starts with a little history and background which is brief but informative, moving quickly to the main plot of a high stakes chase of a centuries old prophecy. With world peace in the balance Mullaney and his team have a roller coaster of a journey with the ambassador as he is posted to the Israeli mission. Recommended.

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Rewind by Catherine Ryan Howard

Rewind by Catherine Ryan Howard
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a good story, but is somewhat hampered by the style adopted. I stuck with it and enjoyed it more than I expected early on. The story moves around forward and back in time to fill in the gaps in the story line. I personally do not like this, and find it a little frustrating. The plot develops in a small village by the sea outside Cork in Ireland. An Instagram influencer has gone missing from a holiday home and the story follows a social media reporter who is investigating. The style does allow the author to hold back from revealing too much too early and add in some nice twists. All in all apart from the time jumps it is a very good read.

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The Last Hunt by Deon Meyer

The Last Hunt by Deon Meyer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Unexpected and great story, translated from Afrikaans it chronicles the struggle of the South Africa to live up to the promise of the Mandela era. With corruption rife the Hawks ( special operations group) pride themselves as not being "captured" or corrupted, are landed a peculiar case of a murder on a luxury train. Another thread follows Daniel and his life in Bordeaux, what is the connection? This a well written thriller, as it switches from story to story the gaps get shorter as the tension builds. It is difficult to say too much without spoiling, except you won't be disappointed. Try it.

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Blind Target by Brent Ladd

Blind Target: A Codi Sanders Thriller by Brent Ladd
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is my kind of book, something to keep your interest the whole way through. A great story originating with events taking place during the Cold War and resolving themselves in current day. Codi and Joel are FBI agents who always seem to attract trouble, but this means we get entertained. The author has a style that is effortless to read but does the main part of providing the information needed for a good story really well. You would wonder how on earth two FBI agents end up in China trying to "save the world" but they do, Brent Ladd writes in a very direct way which is very refreshing, no waffle, no fillers, allowing you to totally immerse yourself in the story. This is the second in the series and I will now look to read the first one "Terminal Pulse".

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Critical Incidents by Lucie Woodhouse

Critical Incidents by Lucie Whitehouse
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Good enough story but got very slow about half way through and had to work at it to finish. This novel is about a detective with a lot of self doubt, is it me or them? Encompassing all the common ailments of society with corruption, drugs, prostitution and violence. By setting it in Birmingham the author illustrates that these problems are not just the preserve of the capital where police detective Robyn Lyons trained and got experience. Sacked from her job she goes back to her home town where life does not get much better.

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All the Rage by Cara Hunter

All The Rage by Cara Hunter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Who knows what goes through a teenagers mind? This is an age old problem and central to the story line of this detective novel. Cara Hunter's fourth DI Adam Fawley story is very easy to read and up to date with all latest problems of today's teens - sex, sex id, peer pressure and mobile phones. Two crimes are committed, potentially linked by geography but more worryingly linked to an old case from Fawley's early career. Overall it is a great book that moves along fairly fast and always presenting new elements that add complications to the plot but never confusing. Only down side is there is nothing new in style or content, however it is a great format that works well used by many of the good crime novelists.

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