Silent Threat

Another rip-roaring title from Phil Elmore, one of the best Bolan authors out there. This one sees Bolan go up against a death cult alongside a wisecracking interpol agent. I found this book to he quite energetic, offering up one crackling action scene after another. The only big flaw I could find with this one was the final chapter, which seems implausible at best. But, Elmore saves it with that zinger of a one-liner at the end. Good action and good times, definitely check this one out.

Yet another stunning title by this author which gets better and better the more that you read of it. A cult leader whose followers number in the thousands from all over the planet has a very good gig going where he is taking over multi national companies whose share prices have slumped as a result of accidents to their premises and also to their CEO's (one guess who is causing these calamities). Coupled with the cult is a consortium whose job it is to run the said companies when they have been taken over and everybody is making shit loads of money. Of course greed comes to the fore where some people always want more no matter how much they have and well you have to read it to see who it is and what they do. Lets talk characters and firstly the Interpol agent who the Big Guy teams up with here is a classic who not only very much holds up his end in the action scenes but comes out with some classic statements on how much he is actually enjoying himself working with the Big Guy. The leader of the consortium also is excellent as is his chief of staff but without doubt the cult leader is the stand out classic character in the title. Incidently the author had the following to say in the forum at some time in the past and I copied his words and saved them knowing that I would read this title in due course. " It features my favorite villain, ever, of all the books I've written. " High praise indeed considering some of the memorable characters the author has introduced previously but I must admit he is correct the cult leader is right up there with some of the classic characters introduced in these series. The ending sections which is quite long actually is riveting reading and you will have trouble puting the book down. Add in one of the most stunning covers going around I loved the different shades of blue especially and what more could you want. Do yourself a favour and grab this one you will love it I reckon.

Elmore is on top of his game with gripping action scenes, dynamic and memorable villains, and a foil for Bolan that really highlights the effect Mack has on those around him. Solid assault tactics and a hefty supply of foot soldiers form the core of the action. The plot has just enough turns to keep Bolan challenged, and the villains are compelling enough that I don't mind entire chapters spent on developing a character I *know* won't make it past the final chapter. This is solid, technically well executed storytelling, just like I like it. The stakes keep rising, the hero faces increasing challenges, and he has a measurable impact on those he meets. Setting the action in Germany gives the story a hint of espionage flair, but it is never developed beyond that. It's a good thing the villain characterizations are so compelling, because the plot is fairly standard fare, and suffers a bit for not using the exotic location and worldwide arms conspiracy to their fullest. Still, at 180 pages, it's a great, quick read. I want more!

Phil Elmore does it again! Not with quite the bullet between the eyes of the Stony Man novel "Season of Harm," but still quite a good thrill ride. In fact, this one starts with a briefing that, I hate to say it, had me thinking this was going to be a boring read. Relax, relax--given my above praise, that prediction proved very false indeed. Things didn't take long to heat up, and once they did, they never cooled off! A few things did bug me--the climax had a pivotal moment (Grrr...trying to keep this nonspoilery and it's *really* hard!) which stretched credibility for me, even given the genre ... and dammit, Phil, can't we just *once* have a cool villain meet an ambiguous end to come back and bother the big guy another day? I know he's the Executioner and all, but man! You come up with awesome bad guys and ... Ah well ... I guess I've always wanted to see Mack Bolan meet his Moriarti, but given the way the series works, that'll probably never happen. I suspect it's more a restriction from Gold Eagle than anything else. Of course, I'm only speculating here. Regardless of those minor irritants, I do highly recommend this book. It has a lot more working for it than it has working against it. Keep 'em coming, Mr. Elmore. I'll *definitely* keep reading 'em.