Book Review: HAWKE, by Ted Bell

Ted Bell
HAWKE (Alex Hawke #1)
Atria, 2003
438 pages
Suspense / Thriller / Military / Espionage

I love when I discover new-to-me writers. Stumbled across HAWKE accidentally. Read the synopsis. Bought the book. It introduces a new series character, billionaire, ex-Royal Navy man Alexander Hawke. The book gets the action going on page one, and literally keeps a ferocious pace until the last page.

Hawke, because of his past, because of his reach, because of his contacts, because of his unlimited resources is contacted by the authorities for help on a serious matter. One of two Russian submarines have gone missing. These are not ordinary subs. The V shaped machines are equipped with forty armed nukes, twenty per wing. The vessel also has a state-of-the-art cloaking device, making it virtually invisible in the ocean. Once delivery of the war machine is made, stopping any attack would be nearly impossible.

Cubans are the believed buyers. Fidel Castro's reign is in danger. The Telarana are planning a coup. The three de Herreras brothers pose a serious threat to an already unstable country. If they are successful with overthrowing Castro, and get their hands on the submarine, all hell will break lose in America.

Subliminally, Hawke does not realize his path with the de Herrerars crossed once before. The memories of their "meeting" are buried within the subconscious mind. Glimpses of pirates, and hidden treasures are all that remain at the forefront. The details --horrific as they are-- remain buried, and are maybe just too painful to excavate!

Putting together a team of his own, one of trusted friends, and new allies, Hawke embarks on a trek to stop the sale of the submarine and settle old debts. Plans, however, are only as good as the paper they are written on. Variables come from all different directions. With a biochemical bomb hidden on US soil, set to detonate, and the kidnapping of a close friend, Hawke and his band of partners are facing impossible odds. Beating the ticking clock, and an ensuring everyone's safety is just not possible!

Hawke is determined, and will not give up! But will that be enough?

A fantastic novel, with great characters, exotic locations, and a timeless plot! I loved every chapter, and am so thankful there are like eight more Hawke novels in the series.

Phillip Tomasso
Author of the Severed Empire Series,
and The Vaccination Trilogy

Book Review: WORLD GONE BY, by Dennis Lehane

Dennis Lehane
WORLD GONE BY
William Morrow, 2016
320 pages
Crime

I am reading this series, the Coughlin Series, so out of order. I started with LIVE BY NIGHT (Book 2) because I wanted to read it before seeing the movie (starring Ben Affleck, which, by the way, I enjoyed both). And rather than go back and read Book 1, THE GIVEN DAY, I decided I'd read Book 3, WORLD GONE BY. My reason being, THE GIVEN DAY deals with Joe Coughlin's father, and Books 2 and 3 deal with Joe. Anywho . . .

WORLD GONE BY takes place roughly ten years after LIVE BY NIGHT (Click HERE to see my review of LIVE BY NIGHT). Joe Coughlin has his hands full. He is still down south, in Tampa, doing his best to run an honest business, but out there is a bullet with his name on it, there is a rat in the organization, and Joe--he's seeing ghosts!

In WORLD GONE BY it all comes down to someone owing you a favor. Joe never goes soft. He has just never been about the killing. He never considered himself a gangster, just an outlaw. But along the way, did all of that change?

Not nearly as complex as LIVE BY NIGHT, but still an amazing crime novel, WORLD GONE BY seems like the perfect end to an amazing trilogy.

Phillip Tomasso
Author of the Severed Empire Series
and The Vaccination Trilogy

Book Review: LIVE BY NIGHT, by Dennis Lehane

Dennis Lehane
LIVE BY NIGHT
William Morrow, 2012
402 pages
Crime / Fiction

I first discovered Dennis Lehane when I stumbled upon a paperback copy of Mystic River. I knew then I loved this writer. And although I then read several more titles, for some odd reason I drifted away from his books. No blame placed on the author whatsoever!

LIVE BY NIGHT has kind of a Departed, or Scarface feel to it. It was layered with an array of characters, three different settings, and constantly twisting plots! The story takes place during prohibition. And even those of us who are considered history-challenged know what happened when booze was outlawed?!? Speakeasies, moonshine, and gangsters sprang up everywhere!

Despite being the son of a Boston police captain, Joe Coughlin, has become an outlaw. He starts out small-time with the Bartolos brothers, Dion and Paolo. Given bad information they decide to hold-up a card game. Little did they know it was Albert White's game. Albert White was bad news. One of the big bad names in Boston. Once Coughlin realizes the error, he also realizes it is too late to stop what is already in motion.

When things get hot in town, and Coughlin knows it is best to back-off some, he commits to once last heist. A bank job. Only problem is, people are onto the game. Cops are tipped off. Nothing goes as planned. Coughlin does time in prison. Attempts are made on his life. He has a chance to turn things around, and takes it, placing himself in the hands of Albert White's enemy, Maso Pescatore.

Tasked with running the operation in Florida, Coughlin begins a new life, improving on his old way of life. He turns the swampy mass of Tampa into a thriving rum-running business for Pescatore. His rise to the top creates a host of enemies. There is no sleep for the man on top when there is always someone scheming to knock you down, or take you out.

Prohibition won't last forever, and as the end of a dry-reign is in sight, Coughlin clearly sees the writing on the wall. What is going to happen to his empire, to his family, to him?

At the movies not long ago, they showed a trailer for an upcoming Ben Affleck film, LIVE BY NIGHT. I knew that was a more recent Lehane novel, and immediately picked myself up a copy. I had to read it. My interest in Lehane has been restored. I devoured the novel in a few nights. it was absolutely absorbing. (Be advised, LIVE BY NIGHT is actually Book 2 in Lehane's Coughlin series).

Phillip Tomasso
Author of the Severed Empire Series, 
and The Vaccination Trilogy