LiteraryLass

Most of the books in the Mack Bolan franchise became formulized A to B pot-boilers years ago so it's a surprise to come across one that not only breaks the formula but can stand on its own as a contemporary military thriller. ARMED RESPONSE by Glenn Williams is one of those very few. Tautly written, deeply researched with a great sense of place, this particular mission of Mack Bolan is an excellent read. The plot deals with a scheme on the part of rogue officer in the war-torn Middle East to take over an American military base. Bolan's mission is to keep this from happening but he soon finds out that the operation is not quite as cut-and-dried as it seems...several covert factions are at work behind the scenes, not the least of which is an American oil company. The action sequences are not padded out but presented in an almost “live video feed� fashion. The characterization is excellent and vivid throughout, particularly the CIA agent Douglas and Captain Xiblinti. Even Bolan, who is little more than a cipher is most of these books, displays a personality and even a sense of humor. Hopefully, circumstances will conspire to allow Glenn Williams to contribute more tales to the Mack Bolan universe.