Leo J. Maloney

War of Shadows by Leo J. Maloney
The Dan Morgan Thriller Series #8

After reading the author’s biography and some of the reviews by authors I enjoy reading I was looking forward to reading his book. I knew I was coming in on the series late but had enjoyed a previous novella length story and really liked it so...in I jumped.

The beginning opened with a bang – literally! Dan’s home explodes in front of his eyes and he is left wondering if his wife and daughter are okay. Seeing the presumed bad guy he pursues and sees another big explosion. Following Zeta protocol he ends up in his first ambush and is saved by his sniper daughter. The middle of the book includes car chases, more ambushes, numerous fight sequences, a trip half way around the world, mysteries to unravel, multiple groups after him and at the end there is the question of what Zeta will do next...as well as finding out whether or not his wife survived.

What I liked:
* fight sequences seemed realistic – for the most part
* the main character’s thinking process
* the knowledgeable discussion of weaponry
* the camaraderie
* the interaction between Dan and his daughter

What I didn’t lie:
* the sci-fi feel of the weapons and armor
* the comic book feel – though it might make a good illustrated novel
* the unvelievability factor – just couldn’t see a lot of this happening in real life

Did I enjoy the book? Sort of
Would I read more by this author? Maybe

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington-Lyrical-Underground for the ARC – This is my honest review.

3-4 Stars… (mere)

Caught – yes, I was caught by what I read on the very first page of this book and as I realized that the prisoner mentioned, Dan Morgan, would have his life unfold in raw gritty detail from torture to imprisonment in a Siberian Gulag and then beyond I was hooked and unable to leave the story until I had finished in the wee hours of the morning. There were twists, turns, surprises, murder, mayhem and realism that might not appeal to all but it did appeal to me as it was not gratuitous but oh so very relevant and in keeping with the story. The work Dan Morgan does is not for the faint of heart and reading about it isn’t either.

This is a standalone book that made me want to read from the past books in the series and then read those that will follow. Dan works for a clandestine group named “Zeta” and from what I gleaned from the story it is an elite and talented group of men and women who are able to do much in many places without being caught BUT if they are caught realize they are on their own with no outside help to rely on. Dan’s daughter is in the group and a portion of the story was relevant to her experience searching for her father – who went missing – in Russia.

With bad guys aplenty, a secret mission to accomplish, many in the dark and more going on than many books I have recently this is a page-turner of a book that I highly recommend to those looking for a book that has a bit of espionage, time overseas, thrills and chills and a hero to root for. I also have to say it made me think and a book that makes me think is one I give high praise to.

This is a new author to me but one I plan to read again. I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC. This is my honest review.… (mere)

Who or what is the silent assassin? You may begin to wonder as you get into this book. Maybe a unique unit of non-identities who miraculously come back alive...most of the time. Maybe the good one, maybe the bad one, maybe a conspiracy. Seat of the pants innovative methods of attack and rescue are consistently used or developed in this high, above top security, group of individuals as slick as a single entity. Country-jumping...or maybe not since they rarely have any idea where they are going, nor often where they are when they get there.

I was drawn in very quickly. The writing was great and kept me on my toes. If I stopped to backtrack to check something out I invariably got left behind in the action from which I had come. Such are the heroes and heroines and yes, often assassins who keep the country safe, the world on track, and on whose quick actions and snap decisions the reader can count on...if you can keep up. 'Cobra' is well-named.

If you like a book you won't want to put down, this is it! Spies in covert operations, cloak and dagger is only a cliche; innocent businesses that may or may not house something very dark and very deep, non-traditional inventions, technology breaking the limits of invention. CIA and FBI forget it, some groups have far surpassed their capabilities and with the hand-picked staff, tightly kept secrets, covert operators, and rife with tension this group kept me going full blast! Leo J. Maloney is an author to take the breath away.… (mere)