The first title is an enjoyable action flick that introduces Dan Track, a somewhat generic but likable hero who gets caught up in finding a nuclear threat in Chicago. A few side characters are introduced, one being his nephew George, who is sort of a sidekick, and some intense action ensues.
The strength of Ahern's writing is the action scenes. I found myself riveted to the pages whenever the action got heavy. In between there were some areas where I wasn't following what was going on, and others where it seemed there were too many coincidences going on, but overall the writing was entertaining to read.
The Villain here is an oddball, but I did like the way he was a master of disguise, this made for an interesting villain, and the story is not quite finished as this book acts as book one of a three book story arc, so more of this villain will be explored in the next couple of books. The ending was awesome as Track got on the train, bringing this story to a down to the second conclusion. Good enough of a book to want to read more of this series.
Believe it or not, this THE book that got me hooked onto Gold Eagle. Yup, before I met Bolan or Able Team, I read Track. Jerry Ahern really put some great stuff in the books, part adventure,all action, some humour, part Dirk Pitt and Indy Jones. Here is my review of #1.
Here we meet Track and Desiree in bed, having just finsihed making love after meeting at a dinner function. ( Can you say shades of James Bond?)
Track tries to arrest her,( as he is working for Military Police and she is a gun runner) but is himself captured by her and Zulu. Strangely enough, he helps them escape the cluthes of a gun dealer at a gun rip off.
We flash forward to three years later, when Track is now a civilian. He’s teaching SWAT tactics to the British Flying Squad, when the some robbery suspects seize a dept. store with hostages.
Going along as an “observer” Track engages the terrorists taking out most of them , but leaving just enough alive to be a pain in the ass later. Track does such a good job of dispatching them that Sir Abner Chesterson again offers him a job as a trouble shooter with the Consortium, a conglomerate of insurance underwriters. Track declines, enjoying the freedom of self employment.
Meanhwile, Stateside, we see his nephew Geroge transporting an incognito nuclear arms delivery. Seems one hundred nuclear warheads have defective detonators as they have a tendency to arm when there’s an elctrical storm, so the military is sending them for repairs.
The surving terrorists are busted free by the main villian, Johannes Krieger. Who pulls it off by masquarading as a head police official.
Track makes it home, where he plans to relax by testing some guns. He fights off a hit team hired by the surviving terrorists .
Shortly after, George is driving on the highway close to his uncle’s ranch, when Krieger and his crew using hijacked army helicopters, attack the convoy and kill the military guard. Track is nearby and of course jumps in and saves his newhew, the only survivor.
Kreiger makes off with one hundred nuclear warheads by copter.
Track, now thoroughly mad, accepts Chestersons' offer of employment on the conditon that he be allowed to chase the terrorists.
Track goes to Chicago and with the help of a former rival gang member and nam veteran, storm a passenger train where Krieger had planted a nuclear bomb set to go off in downtown Chicago.
Review:
This was a really excellent introduction to the series. Ahern shows he knows his gun stuff, and you almost feel like you are reading a gun catalogue.
The action is intense , with the same feel as a Die Hard and James Bond movie. The scenes are descriptive but not overly so with technical details like a Clancy novel, and not overlaid with character background and story set up like Robert Ludlum. Lots of action, but well spaced.
Ahern was very amibtious from the start; this is only part one of a trilogy!
Strong points: great action and pacing.
Weak points: sometines Track appeared too comical in the face of danger, as if he was invincible. Also, I doubt that he would be allowed by the Britsh police to lead a SWAT team if he was a civilian instructor, too much liability.
Rating;9 out of ten
