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gassyhaggis's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
jacki_f's review
2.0
David Trevellyan is a British Navy intelligence officer (his specific role is somewhat vague) who is wrapping up a job in the US when he discovers a recently murdered tramp lying in a dark alleyway. He is swiftly apprehended by the police department who then pass him onto the FBI. The body was actually an undercover FBI agent and Trevellyan is now the FBI's prime suspect.
The book starts well and grabs your attention, but from there it loses its way. The plot is overly complicated with two main strands that are only tenuously linked. So about half way through the book it stops being about one silly plot and starts being about another. Trevellyan ends up working with the FBI on the cases - a development that doesn't feel even remotely believable.
There are parts of this book that are exciting and well written, but they are few between with far too many long conversations and erratic changes in direction. Ultimately I got bored, and also confused by the large cast of sketchily drawn characters. The ending is quite abrupt and with at least one villain still on the loose, sets up the book for a sequel.
Grant starts each chapter with Trevellyan disclosing a little more information about his past or an anecdote from his naval training. While this occasionally feels forced, these sections gave a tantalizing glimpse of the novel that this might have been. His writing style has many similarities to that of his brother (Lee Child), but the novel lacks the punch of the Reacher series.
The book starts well and grabs your attention, but from there it loses its way. The plot is overly complicated with two main strands that are only tenuously linked. So about half way through the book it stops being about one silly plot and starts being about another. Trevellyan ends up working with the FBI on the cases - a development that doesn't feel even remotely believable.
There are parts of this book that are exciting and well written, but they are few between with far too many long conversations and erratic changes in direction. Ultimately I got bored, and also confused by the large cast of sketchily drawn characters. The ending is quite abrupt and with at least one villain still on the loose, sets up the book for a sequel.
Grant starts each chapter with Trevellyan disclosing a little more information about his past or an anecdote from his naval training. While this occasionally feels forced, these sections gave a tantalizing glimpse of the novel that this might have been. His writing style has many similarities to that of his brother (Lee Child), but the novel lacks the punch of the Reacher series.
kstumpf's review
2.0
Was enjoying this book until….I wasn’t. Plot got jumbled. Story became irrelevant and incoherent, and implausible. Chapter 40 was the old “James Bond moment” where the villain reveals the entire plot in a few paragraphs. And a cliffhanger….really?
appalonia's review against another edition
3.0
Disappointing. It started out very well, but the plot seemed to become too complicated, with too many players. And I figured out that a certain character was working for the bad guys long before the hero did. I hate it when that happens. I don't even try to figure that stuff out in advance, but this was just obvious. The book has it's moments, but for such a supposedly clever person, he came across as pretty dumb.
kimgabriel's review against another edition
1.0
Just discovered the connection with Lee Child. I was quite prepared to like this guy but the plot was so goofy, he lost me. Not even tempted to read anything else by him.
scott_a_miller's review against another edition
4.0
I wanted to check out Grant as he is about to begin co-authoring one of the greatest series of books ever written with his brother, as the brother heads towards retirement. I’m really glad I did. This mystery was layered and satisfying. The lead character was excellent. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series but will have to wait as the other books aren’t available on Apple Books. That’s frustrating. David is a loner, and I liked the way he went about his business in this story. Give EVEN a shot. It’s well worth the time.
While I’m still horribly disappointed that his brother is looking towards retirement, I think this little brother might do a respectable job and make him proud.
While I’m still horribly disappointed that his brother is looking towards retirement, I think this little brother might do a respectable job and make him proud.
lisaarnsdorf's review against another edition
3.0
I had a hard time getting into this book. But at the half-way point, it turned into a different novel completely and I couldn't put it down. It started as a dry FBI procedural with a British spy twist that turned into an exciting and inventive terrorist plot. There were a lot of threads that came together extremely well. I especially liked that each chapter began with a story from David's childhood or training.
victhenasty's review against another edition
4.0
Pretty standard action/thriller but with enough plot twists to keep it fresh. Worth reading if you like the genre.
gawronma's review against another edition
4.0
What a great adventure story. The main character is such a charming, smart funny. I can't wait for the next book.