KN Magazine: Reviews
Order to Kill by Kyle Mills / Reviewed by G. Robert FrazierKiller Nashville Book of the Day
Book of the Day
Vince Flynn’s CIA agent Mitch Rapp is in good hands with author Kyle Mills, who takes Rapp to the limit in his latest novel, Order to Kill ($28.99, Atria Books). This time around, Rapp is called upon to ferret out the location of nuclear fuel stolen from a half dozen Pakistani warheads and prevent the fissile material from being detonated in a series of dirty bombs.
Rapp goes deep undercover, taking on the identity of an American ISIS recruit. In doing so, he subjects himself to a ferocious beating at the hands of a friend in order to mimic the wounds inflicted on the actual recruit by interrogators. Apparently there is no easier way to play the part—there are no makeup artists on hand—showing the lengths that Rapp will go for God and country.
At the same time, Rapp is desperate to discover the identity of a Russian assassin who has critically injured his friend, Scott Coleman. Grisha Azarov, who is in the employ of Russian President Maxim Krupin, has an agenda of his own—specifically the death of Rapp—setting the stage for a knockdown kill-or-be-killed faceoff between the two.
Mills writes with authority and skill, making him a worthy successor to Flynn, who died in 2013. His prose literally puts you in the middle of the action so that you feel like you are ducking bullets right alongside Rapp.
While Rapp isn’t known for sentiment —this is an action-thriller, after all—Mills does a good job attempting to humanize him somewhat in this outing. For instance, when his friend Coleman is nearly killed, Rapp is clearly upset. He shirks orders just to bring Coleman home, even though it means letting his adversary get away.
Despite all of that, you never feel like Rapp is in any mortal danger. That’s the downside to a series character like Rapp or James Bond or Jack Bauer. You know that no matter what happens, he’ll survive and he’ll get the bad guy. It takes a bit of the suspense out, but not much. Because in the end, what readers really want from adventures like these is a hero kicking butt and taking names, which Rapp is.
When he’s not working on his own novel or screenplays, G. Robert Frazier writes about other writers and their works on his blog and other sites such as BookPage and US Review of Books. He is a script reader for both the Austin Film Festival and Nashville Film Festival screenwriting competitions and is a member of the Tennessee Screenwriting Association. He used to write and edit stories for several newspapers in the Nashville area until the industry caved in on itself and set him free. And he once won a flash fiction contest in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, so there’s that.
Disruption by Chuck Barrett / Reviewed by Clay Snellgrove
Killer Nashville Book of the Day
Look for DISRUPTION from Switchback Press on Killer Nashville's affiliate, Amazon.com*
Available now!
DISRUPTION by Chuck Barrett
Reviewed by Clay Snellgrove
Disruption is the fourth installment in author Chuck Barrett’s action-packed Jake Pendleton series. Pendleton, a Navy Intelligence Officer turned covert operative, is tracking a super-hacker known only as Boris. Only after Boris manages to barely avoid capture does Pendleton and his team discover the hacker is aiding an international terrorist in his plan to throw the world’s digital landscape into chaos. This chaos, known throughout the cyber community as disruption, will leave the world’s strongest countries crippled if put into motion, unable to see or defend against incoming attacks. A reset button will be pushed on existing global power structures.
Fans of the Pendleton Series will be unable to put down this newest addition to the franchise. Early in the narrative, tension rises between Jake and his trusted partner, his girlfriend goes missing after a targeted bombing, and the stress of constantly battling enemies of the state is taking a toll. Jake hints at retirement if he can manage to finish the current mission alive.
Barrett does not just pander to his long time readers. He shows his chops by quickly fleshing out his cast of characters so that readers new to his hero can easily invest in the journey. Barrett is masterful at building suspense and developing political intrigue. The writer pens this fantastic plot, which includes top-level hacking and a missing passenger jet, in such a way that readers can’t help but fear such that calamity and conspiracy might easily be the world’s reality in the near future. Readers will surely hope that similar off-the-books, clandestine operatives are on our own president’s speed dial (or perhaps just the speed dial of the head of the CIA).
While Disruption is a page-turner, the story takes readers on a tour of Europe as Pendelton and his partner Francesca follow clues in search of a missing computer wizard that can stall the terrorist’s plans. Without letting up on the throttle, Barrett allows readers to drink in interesting European locals where the bullets and blood continue to litter the landscape.
As his body of work grows, author Chuck Barrett continues to make his case that he belongs at the same table with the masters of the political thriller. Readers can only hope that this is not the end for Jake Pendleton, but if it is, they can be sure Barrett will continue to provide wild, heart-pounding entertainment with new heroes on into the future.
Clay Snellgrove is the author of The Ball Player. He’s a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University. A former professional baseball player. Clay holds an MFA in creative writing from Converse College.
Dead Girl Walking by Christopher Brookmyre / Reviewed by M.K. Sealy
Killer Nashville Book of the Day
Purchase Dead Girl Walking or read other reviews through Killer Nashville's affiliate, Amazon.com
Photo Credit: Tricia Malley and Ross Gillespie
With plots likened to those of director and writer Quentin Tarantino, Scottish author Christopher Brookmyre delivers a complex, engaging mystery masterpiece with his newest novel Dead Girl Walking.
Somewhat reminiscent of Stieg Larsson’s Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Dead Girl Walking is chock full of suspense and nail-biting tension. In Dead Girl Walking Brookmyre tells the story of a missing girl, murder, vice, the alternative music business, and the things that can come back to haunt you.
Dead Girl Walking opens with Heike, a musician with the world at her feet, who vanishes. And, for journalist Jack Parlabane, who has lost his career and marriage, finding Heike is the last opportunity to regain what little scrap of dignity he has left. But to unravel the complicated web surrounding Heike’s disappearance, Parlabane must begin by breaking down the secrets shared by Heike and her band, Savage Earth Heart.
But uncovering the band’s secrets may be more difficult than expected, regardless of the public’s crazed obsession of the band and the much-touted relationship between Heike and new band member Monica. Things are never as they seem and it turns out that Monica’s feelings toward Heike are less than favorable. As Parlabane uncovers the jealousy and anger behind the public façade, finding Heike becomes even more important.
Dead Girl Walking is superbly written, the suspense building from page one and culminating in an excellent dénouement that leaves readers with the undeniable aftertaste of a satisfying read.
Aside from the general intrigue and thrills, Brookmyre’s in-depth exploration of the alternative music scene is brought to life through both plot and form. Dead Girl Walking is an intense, wild ride, and one that I would highly suggest for readers of mysteries and thrillers.
M.K. Sealy earned a Bachelor of Arts in English with an emphasis in literature from a Nashville university. She is a copyeditor for a Nashville-based publication, but also writes poetry, fiction, and is currently attempting a screenplay, all while working to obtain a Master of Education.
(If you have a book you would like featured, send an ARC for consideration. The Killer Nashville Book Reviews are coordinated by Clay Stafford with the irreplaceable assistance of Clay Janeway, Maria Giordano, Will Chessor, and credited guest reviewers. For more writer resources, visit us at www.KillerNashville.com and www.KillerNashvilleMagazine.com)
*Killer Nashville is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you purchase a book from the links on this page, Amazon will give Killer Nashville a small percentage of the total sale. Killer Nashville receives zero compensation (other than sometimes the book to review) from publishers who have been selected for the Book of the Day.
Want to review books for the Killer Nashville family?
With over 24,000 visits monthly to the Killer Nashville website, over 300,000 reached through social media, and a potential outreach of over 22 million per press release, Killer Nashville provides another way for you to reach more people with your message. Send a query to books@killernashville.com or call us at 615-599-4032. We’d love to hear from you.
Dead Girl Walking by Christopher Brookmyre / Reviewed by M.K. Sealy
Killer Nashville Book of the Day
Dead Girl Walking by Christopher Brookmyre / Reviewed by M.K. Sealy
Purchase Dead Girl Walking
With plots likened to those of director and writer Quentin Tarantino, Scottish author Christopher Brookmyre delivers a complex, engaging mystery masterpiece with his newest novel Dead Girl Walking.
Somewhat reminiscent of Stieg Larsson’s Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Dead Girl Walking is chock full of suspense and nail-biting tension. In Dead Girl Walking
Dead Girl Walking opens with Heike, a musician with the world at her feet, who vanishes. And, for journalist Jack Parlabane, who has lost his career and marriage, finding Heike is the last opportunity to regain what little scrap of dignity he has left. But to unravel the complicated web surrounding Heike’s disappearance, Parlabane must begin by breaking down the secrets shared by Heike and her band, Savage Earth Heart.
But uncovering the band’s secrets may be more difficult than expected, regardless of the public’s crazed obsession of the band and the much-touted relationship between Heike and new band member Monica. Things are never as they seem and it turns out that Monica’s feelings toward Heike are less than favorable. As Parlabane uncovers the jealousy and anger behind the public façade, finding Heike becomes even more important.
Dead Girl Walking is superbly written, the suspense building from page one and culminating in an excellent dénouement that leaves readers with the undeniable aftertaste of a satisfying read.
Aside from the general intrigue and thrills, Brookmyre’s in-depth exploration of the alternative music scene is brought to life through both plot and form. Dead Girl Walking is an intense, wild ride, and one that I would highly suggest for readers of mysteries and thrillers.
M.K. Sealy earned a Bachelor of Arts in English with an emphasis in literature from a Nashville university. She is a copyeditor for a Nashville-based publication, but also writes poetry, fiction, and is currently attempting a screenplay, all while working to obtain a Master of Education.
(If you have a book you would like featured, send an ARC for consideration. The Killer Nashville Book Reviews are coordinated by Clay Stafford with the irreplaceable assistance of Clay Janeway, Maria Giordano, Will Chessor, and credited guest reviewers. For more writer resources, visit us at www.KillerNashville.com and www.KillerNashvilleMagazine.com)
*Killer Nashville is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you purchase a book from the links on this page, Amazon will give Killer Nashville a small percentage of the total sale. Killer Nashville receives zero compensation (other than sometimes the book to review) from publishers who have been selected for the Book of the Day.
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Want to review books for the Killer Nashville family?
With over 24,000 visits monthly to the Killer Nashville website, over 300,000 reached through social media, and a potential outreach of over 22 million per press release, Killer Nashville provides another way for you to reach more people with your message. Send a query to books@killernashville.com or call us at 615-599-4032. We’d love to hear from you.
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"Gun Street Girl" by Adrian McKinty / Reviewed by Maria Giordano
Killer Nashville Book of the Day
Purchase Gun Street Girl or read other reviews through Killer Nashville’s affiliate, Amazon.com*
Adrian McKinty Credit: Anna McGuire
Gun Street Girl by Adrian McKinty
Reviewed by Maria Giordano
Detective Sean Duffy is man out of water, or under water, depending on how you view this pack-a-day smoker using vodka gimlets and recreational drugs just to get by.
Still, there’s something endearing about this no-nonsense sleuth author Adrian McKinty has created. In this third book of the Detective Duffy series, the Irish-Catholic detective has some bad habits, but he is tough, maybe stupid tough at times. But he proves time after time, he’s the guy you want by your side to solve crime.
Gun Street Girl begins with the murder of an affluent couple supposedly killed by their embattled son, except he ends up dead, too. As the bodies start piling up, Duffy and his motley crew uncover layer upon layer of the the crime that takes them from North Ireland to London and back, face-to-face with an oddly familiar American operative, vengeful union leaders, and the mysterious disappearance of dangerous missiles, all during a tumultuous time in Northern Ireland’s history.
Set during the mid-1980s after the signing of the Anglo-Irish Agreement, Duffy also serves as an unlikely historian educating the reader about the chaos transpiring in his country. His investigation is stymied when he and his team must serve as riot police, often becoming targets of civil unrest. In addition, Duffy is a Catholic working among mostly Protestants making him also a target of prejudice.
While all this might sound like complex stuff, McKinty serves up Gun Street Girl simply with deadpan humor, and a lot of booze. It’s also action-packed with glimpses of the Irish culture and countryside. From blacked-out helicopters and MI6 associates, there’s truly never a dull moment.
McKinty also masterfully sets the tone nicely and subtly with Duffy’s musical taste. From the blues to punk to classical, music is the conveyance that drives both the reader and this melancholy detective onward.
Maria Giordano is wannabe superhero. She loves reading, seeing films, and catching the eclectic sounds found in Nashville, Tennessee.
(If you have a book you would like featured, send an ARC for consideration. The Killer Nashville Book Reviews are coordinated by Clay Stafford with the irreplaceable assistance of Clay Janeway, Maria Giordano, Will Chessor, and credited guest reviewers. For more writer resources, visit us at www.KillerNashville.com and www.KillerNashvilleMagazine.com)
*Killer Nashville is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you purchase a book from the links on this page, Amazon will give Killer Nashville a small percentage of the total sale. Killer Nashville receives zero compensation (other than sometimes the book to review) from publishers who have been selected for the Book of the Day.
Want to review books for the Killer Nashville family?
With over 24,000 visits monthly to the Killer Nashville website, over 300,000 reached through social media, and a potential outreach of over 22 million per press release, Killer Nashville provides another way for you to reach more people with your message. Send a query to books@killernashville.com or call us at 615-599-4032. We’d love to hear from you.
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