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jacki_f's review against another edition
3.0
This is the second Andrew Grant novel to feature protagonist David Trevellyan, a British Navy intelligence officer. It picks up almost immediately after the end of Even (David Trevellyan Thriller 1), but it's not necessary to have read the previous book to enjoy this one. In fact, this is the better of the two, with a more tightly focused storyline. Grant has a highly readable writing style and he keeps the action up from beginning to end. As in the first book, he opens each chapter with Trevellyan disclosing a little more information about his past or an anecdote from his naval training, and this device works really well. Trevellyan is a great hero: highly resourceful, well seasoned and likeable. While it never turns into a "can't put down" thriller, it's a pacy and enjoyable read.
Having said that, there were several things I didn't like. The plot development prioritises pace to such an extent that the reader often is playing catch up: what happened there? why are they assuming that? what happened to those guys? I disliked the way that the bad guys hail from an imaginary African country - it makes it harder for me to suspend my disbelief and buy into the story. The ending is also extremely abrupt and feels almost as if Grant lost interest. One main plotline is wrapped up (this is supposed to come as a twist, but it was fairly well signposted), but another central character is just ignored. Perhaps to reappear in the next installment?
This is significantly better written than many others in the genre and is worth your time - but it's not a "must read".
Having said that, there were several things I didn't like. The plot development prioritises pace to such an extent that the reader often is playing catch up: what happened there? why are they assuming that? what happened to those guys? I disliked the way that the bad guys hail from an imaginary African country - it makes it harder for me to suspend my disbelief and buy into the story. The ending is also extremely abrupt and feels almost as if Grant lost interest. One main plotline is wrapped up (this is supposed to come as a twist, but it was fairly well signposted), but another central character is just ignored. Perhaps to reappear in the next installment?
This is significantly better written than many others in the genre and is worth your time - but it's not a "must read".
kcfromaustcrime's review against another edition
4.0
I probably should sit down and give a detailed, reasoned and careful analysis of DIE TWICE by Andrew Grant. But can I just go with "I really liked this book". Because "I really liked this book".
I'm not sure why to be frank. Perhaps it was the structure - I liked the opening of chapters laying out a principle that the central character David Trevellyan learnt in basic training, which he then went on to demonstrate. Perhaps it was the level of action which was fast paced, tight and very nicely done. Perhaps it was the character of David Trevellyan, a bit of a later day James Bond with a considerably sharper edge. Perhaps it was because DIE TWICE is a spy thriller with double-crossing, intrigue, a ridiculously high body count and a lot of nefarious goings-on.
Sticking pretty closely to spy thriller scenarios there are plot points that won't stand a lot of scrutiny and there's a hefty dose of energiser bunny about the central character, but I still found this a very good example of its kind. Interestingly, I haven't read the first book in the series, but that didn't seem to detract at all. Everything I needed to know about David Trevellyan I found out, or could work out. Everything I needed to know about his role as general problem-solver for the British Consulate I could glean. In short - "I really liked DIE TWICE".
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/die-twice-andrew-grant
I'm not sure why to be frank. Perhaps it was the structure - I liked the opening of chapters laying out a principle that the central character David Trevellyan learnt in basic training, which he then went on to demonstrate. Perhaps it was the level of action which was fast paced, tight and very nicely done. Perhaps it was the character of David Trevellyan, a bit of a later day James Bond with a considerably sharper edge. Perhaps it was because DIE TWICE is a spy thriller with double-crossing, intrigue, a ridiculously high body count and a lot of nefarious goings-on.
Sticking pretty closely to spy thriller scenarios there are plot points that won't stand a lot of scrutiny and there's a hefty dose of energiser bunny about the central character, but I still found this a very good example of its kind. Interestingly, I haven't read the first book in the series, but that didn't seem to detract at all. Everything I needed to know about David Trevellyan I found out, or could work out. Everything I needed to know about his role as general problem-solver for the British Consulate I could glean. In short - "I really liked DIE TWICE".
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/die-twice-andrew-grant
gawronma's review against another edition
3.0
It was enjoyable story. My only concern with it was that it felt like I reading a two person play. Despite this the David Trevellyan is a very charismatic character. Will definitely read his next adventure.
parto's review against another edition
1.0
Read a long time ago and this is the book that scares me that Grant will be taking over Reacher.
This is so badly written, shallow, trite.
An example - the full description of the 'baddies' is that they are African.
South African?
Somail?
Egyptian?
Nigerian?
Motivation apart from being cardboard baddies?
This is so badly written, shallow, trite.
An example - the full description of the 'baddies' is that they are African.
South African?
Somail?
Egyptian?
Nigerian?
Motivation apart from being cardboard baddies?
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