Genre: Thriller
Click book cover for Amazon.com
Starting on #17 in an author's series might seem a bit odd, but this book, Use of Force by Brad Thor, was strongly recommended, and I decided to give it a try. Current politics and terrorism fears being what they are, I try to avoid books that highlight the horror. This book did give me nightmares, but I must admit the author does keep the tension high. He begins with an exciting prologue, and introduces us to his protagonist, Scot Harvath, in the first chapter.
​When the body of a well known terrorist washes up on shore, panic sets in. Where was he going, and what was he planning? The CIA is involved, and brings in Horvath, a covert counter-terrorism operative, to help stop a feared attack. He is surrounded by a strong team who works with him as he faces one challenge after another. I am having difficulty picking out things to write that won't tell too much of the story, but there are exploding bombs, people dying and terrorists on the loose. The main plot is exciting, and the subplots are strong.
I appreciate Thor humanizing his characters and felt the irony of watching spy master Reed Carlton battle with Alzheimer's disease. I imagine that many of these characters have been regulars in Thor's series, and his readers probably look forward to seeing them through the years.
The author reminds me a bit of the old Robert Ludlum thrillers that captured my attention so many years ago. Like Ludlum, Thor ends chapters in spots that make it impossible to close the book. The last line of chapter one reads, "That was when it exploded." I defy anyone to just put down the book and walk away from sentences like that.
I understand why Brad Thor is such a popular author in his genre. His books might be technical and frightening, but his characters are well developed and his style is easy. I still find reading books that display terrorism more anxiety provoking than I would like, I strongly recommend this to those of you with a stronger stomach than mine.
- Beverly
Publisher - Atria/Emily Bestler Books
Date of Publication - June 27, 2017
​When the body of a well known terrorist washes up on shore, panic sets in. Where was he going, and what was he planning? The CIA is involved, and brings in Horvath, a covert counter-terrorism operative, to help stop a feared attack. He is surrounded by a strong team who works with him as he faces one challenge after another. I am having difficulty picking out things to write that won't tell too much of the story, but there are exploding bombs, people dying and terrorists on the loose. The main plot is exciting, and the subplots are strong.
I appreciate Thor humanizing his characters and felt the irony of watching spy master Reed Carlton battle with Alzheimer's disease. I imagine that many of these characters have been regulars in Thor's series, and his readers probably look forward to seeing them through the years.
The author reminds me a bit of the old Robert Ludlum thrillers that captured my attention so many years ago. Like Ludlum, Thor ends chapters in spots that make it impossible to close the book. The last line of chapter one reads, "That was when it exploded." I defy anyone to just put down the book and walk away from sentences like that.
I understand why Brad Thor is such a popular author in his genre. His books might be technical and frightening, but his characters are well developed and his style is easy. I still find reading books that display terrorism more anxiety provoking than I would like, I strongly recommend this to those of you with a stronger stomach than mine.
- Beverly
Publisher - Atria/Emily Bestler Books
Date of Publication - June 27, 2017
