Circle of Steel

Wow to each their own I guess but I totally disagree with everything the previous reviewer said relating to this title. Once again the author brings together massive opposing forces purely to harvest a massive body count. Once again a totally over the top title with endless descriptions of bodies being torn apart in explosions, heads exploding off necks, blood and guts running in rivers almost on every page. The main bad guy was almost laughable with what he is attempting to do and his interaction with the Arab terrorist leader poorly done. One good character introduced was the psychotic female assassin who certainly likes to get into her work but the way she was taken out at the ending of the title was a cop out. Who is the guy on the cover he doesn't look like any representation of the Big Guy that I have ever seen before. Poor title with one redeeming feature is that it has a finish. Not recommended from me.

This was the first Bolan book I ever read and was immediately hooked on Bolan. I thought it was a fantastic book and am sorry to see the negative reviews as this book holds fond memories for me. Granted, the crossbow type weapon is hard to picture and the logistics of such a weapon do not seem very likely, but nonetheless, this book and its cover art remain to this day my favorite.

This book is bland. I can't think of another word for it. It seemed too run of the mill to me. Schmidt is capable of much better.

Mack Bolan is hot on the trail of the world's most disorganized and stupidest arms dealer. This arms dealer not only deals arms, but also wants US senators killed, and UN peacekeepers hijacked. He skips along the globe from Montana to Haiti to Syria, screwing up again and again. Bolan has little to do in this novel; his enemy is so inept that Bolan is hardly challenged. The novel also introduce an assault rifle that sounds like the bowcaster Chewbacca used in the Star Wars movies. It has twin grenade launchers mounted crossbow-style around an assault rifle. Every time they used one of these it was hard not to laugh. The weapon seemed ridiculous. Not a very satisfying novel.

A so-so entry that was just all right. Another cover with a poor depiction of Bolan.

I came away from this one thinking that most of Bolan's efforts were wasted. His allies all died, save Grimaldi, and the hostages were all murdered. Everything was just Bolan sweeping everything under the rug... and was totally dissatisfying as a chase.

Schmidt's last great one, I'm afraid.