Executioner · #414
Prison Code
by Chuck Rogers
·
May 2013
8.8
/ 10 average from 6 rated reviews
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When a plot to unleash weapons of mass destruction on U.S. soil is discovered in a coded message, all clues lead to the country's most notorious prison in upstate New York. With time running out, Mack Bolan goes in undercover as an inmate to find out who's behind the attack and stop it from happening.
Surrounded by corrupt guards and convicted killers who want him dead, Bolan can't trust anybody-and one wrong move could be lethal. Weaponless and cut off from the outside world, he's aware that the only tools he has to track down the nuclear devices hidden in the prison walls are psychological warfare and hand-to-hand combat. This high-security facility may have been designed to keep the deadliest criminals in check, but nothing can keep the Executioner down.
Reviews (6)
The oft-talked about prison book with Mack Bolan. Definitely enjoyable, with Mack entering the "joint" and facing all comers---prison guards, brutal fights with cons, and the requisite break out.
The quirky team of supporting characters are there, also. The chubby guard, Barnes, the father and son mafia guys, Marilyn, Renzo and the super-cool Kal.
I knew there wasn't going to be the normal kind of action in this one, but it was a suspenseful read, and the final confrontation with Force's guys was brutal, as was Force's demise.
Currently the best-rated "Executioner" novel on this site and it's not hard to figure out why--it dared to do something different with the Executioner formula. For years, even decades, a stable of writers reliably churned out Executioner entries that rarely strayed from the successful path that made the series the top gun (pun definitely intended) in the men's action-adventure market. But while there is comfort in familiarity, weariness sometimes seeps in as well. "Prison Code" serves as a wake-up jolt, not only inserting our titular hero in an unorthodox setting, but also giving him a wise-cracking edge that we've never seen. In fact, some of Bolan's dialogue is so out of his usual stern/grim/serious character that it seems completely OUT of character. Truthfully, if you cling religiously to the Executioner canon, you might almost view this as a negative ... except it's so much fun.
Seriously, the publisher should take note of how enthusiastically fans responded to this entry and let The Executioner off his formulaic leash more often. We've come a long way since the Don Pendleton days, but we have not yet walked the last mile, and "Prison Code" shows there's still life left in the series.
This one is simply a MUST READ! We all know and love the Executioner formula but when a book in the series goes way off plan with so much style, it makes for a special read.
Mack goes deep undercover in the worst prison in the world and what follows is a trippy adventure I guarantee you you've not read before in the pages of an Executioner book.
Mack, undercover, is a hipster, wise-cracking, worldly guy, the center of attention in the hell hole. Throw in MMA cage fights, transvestites, cool enigmatic older prisoner, Shawshank-channelling and tons of action.
As I said, we all love the formula but if you're in the mood for Mack, but not necessarily the formula, then find a copy of this one. Do. Not. Miss. It
A very interesting story line with a fresh start, pace and plot and never had a dull moment :)
The big man goes through the worst prison in the country, like only he can, hurricane style from start to finish using his wits, the ability to control people and he basically owns the prison after a few moments inside this hell hole.
The support character and my yet very realistic and interesting and add a very nice flavor to the story line. Without them............the book would not have been as good as it turned out to be.
This is a totally different angle to the classical yet often lame jungle settings fighting lifeless characters which leaves nothing in the end. The book does leave a huge mark after the reading.
Chuck Rogers strikes again...........Bolan style :) This is a great author!!! Read and have fun....the book is more than worth it. (Iceland - 2014)
Best Bolan I've read so far. Excellent adventure filled with humour and action. Mack goes to jail undercover and must find what masterplan is brewing from the inside
Supporting cast of characters is well fleshed out and very likable (and despicable). Martial art fights are fast paced and very exciting. The whole thing has a underlying feeling of doom even though Chuck Rodgers keeps the whole thing light and enjoyable. Satisfying conclusion. A plus work.
How do you survive the worst prison in the country – walk in like you own it. Mack does just that by heinously impairing or befriending key inmates rewarding him with instant respect and allies. Chuck gives us everything you would want in a prison story the good, the bad and the ugly; fights, torture and weapons and Farm personnel getting some field time puts a new spin on a file baked in a cake getting the man inside a few survival tools. This entry is a fun and fast alternate mission locale to the typical urban, suburban or jungle settings. Read and enjoy!
