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38th out of 119 books
—
16 voters
Covert Warriors (The Presidential Agent #7)
The thrilling new novel in the #1 New York Times- bestselling series.
There's an uneasy and unholy alliance building across the Caribbean. Few in the U.S. government want to believe that a Third World country and its chest-thumping leader could pose a credible threat-but then why are the Chinese helping to train its special forces? Why are the Russians helping to build a...more
There's an uneasy and unholy alliance building across the Caribbean. Few in the U.S. government want to believe that a Third World country and its chest-thumping leader could pose a credible threat-but then why are the Chinese helping to train its special forces? Why are the Russians helping to build a...more
Hardcover, 384 pages
Published
December 22nd 2011
by Putnam Adult
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My father got me reading WEB Griffin years ago, since then I haven't been able to stop. That said, it has become abundantly clear to me that WEB IV is not up to the challenge of continuing III's works. I purchased this book because I collect all of Griffins books, but also because the teaser was very well done.
This book has exactly 3 pages of action in it. 5 pages before the book ends, Castillo actually takes action and things are 'resolved'. Unfortunately for the reader the promising buildup o...more
This book has exactly 3 pages of action in it. 5 pages before the book ends, Castillo actually takes action and things are 'resolved'. Unfortunately for the reader the promising buildup o...more
I hate to read series novels out of sequence, but the library does not always buy books or receive donations in accordance with my priorities. I apparently missed at least one and maybe two books ahead of this one in The Presidential Agent series, but it’s a minor pain, as Griffin always goes out of his way to tell you what’s already happened. Charley Castillo is now out of the service, having been forcibly retired when he did such a good job in the preceding book (which I got at the library whe...more
First: The description of this book given above is not even close to the plot of the actual book. The story revolves around the kidnapping of a military attache assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City. The main plot revolves around whether the kidnapping was done by a drug cartel or by the SVR. (WEB III did a kidnapping in the second book of this series. I don't think another enhanced the series at all.)
Second: The sub plot involves the president and his ignorance of how things work in both...more
Second: The sub plot involves the president and his ignorance of how things work in both...more
Can an author jump the shark? Do the authors grow tired of their characters yet continue to churn out books for the paycheck? One shouldn't expect too much from these books but I continue to be disappointed when an enjoyable series turns to garbage. Charly and the Merry Pranksters are still on the outs with the current president who is looking more and more unstable. The kidnapping of a US agent helping the Mexican police is the case to solve this time around. Castillo and company think it's a p...more
Based on the jacket blurb , I approached Covert Warriors looking forward to an action-packed read. I struggled through the first quarter of the book hoping for same before I called it a day and returned the book to my local library. I found the read bogged down with too much telling, not enough showing, starting with the characters. I want to discover characters through their actions, not via author descriptions of their physical characteristics, right down to their height and weight. I understa...more
This was my very first W.E.B Griffin book and honestly it was good until the end. I liked how throughout the novel it explained each character in depth and help each character grow. The story was amazing though and truly thought evoking to say the least. I found my self audibly saying "no way" quite a few times.
The only two things I didn't like about the book. First how some of the characters have more than one name that they are being called by different characters. It honestly confused me a f...more
The only two things I didn't like about the book. First how some of the characters have more than one name that they are being called by different characters. It honestly confused me a f...more
Book 7 of the Presidential Agent series. This work was primarily written by WEB Griffin's son, William E. Butterworth IV. The transition of authors is evident in the writing, but it is still a good story and continuation of the characters. The new writing style is not are rich as before and the customary 30 - 40 page recap of the series at the beginning of each book is missing - a pleasant surprise.
Two issues I have with this book are that the character list is now so large that it waters down t...more
Two issues I have with this book are that the character list is now so large that it waters down t...more
The trouble with reading Griffin is 1/5 of the book is a recap of previous stories to give a new reader a historical and informational background which is tiresome to one who has all the books. However having said that I still enjoy the storyline and premise behind the action.
Wonderboy Castillo probably needs to be brought down a little as his arrogance is beginning to rub me. Just an opinion. And this story lost track at the end with no real connection or believable set of facts to tie the "su...more
Wonderboy Castillo probably needs to be brought down a little as his arrogance is beginning to rub me. Just an opinion. And this story lost track at the end with no real connection or believable set of facts to tie the "su...more
This book was for the most part a solid read, however the continual character development from previous books makes it a tiresome read for those loyal to the Presidential Agent series. I would like to see more new plots that actually focus on new plots and less on continuing to tell the story of characters that people loyal to the series are already keenly aware of. Due to continuos character development, a person could read this as the first book of the series and understand 90% of each charact...more
Few in the government believe that a Third World country and its chest
thumping leader could pose a threat but then why are the Chinese helping
to train its special forces and why are the Russians helping to build a
nuclear power plant. Along comes Charlie Castillo and him and his men
go to investigate but they have no idea what they have gotten themselves
into. By the time they have connected the dots they are on the hit lists
of the Kremlin, the Cubans, the Venzuelans and the drug cartels not onl...more
thumping leader could pose a threat but then why are the Chinese helping
to train its special forces and why are the Russians helping to build a
nuclear power plant. Along comes Charlie Castillo and him and his men
go to investigate but they have no idea what they have gotten themselves
into. By the time they have connected the dots they are on the hit lists
of the Kremlin, the Cubans, the Venzuelans and the drug cartels not onl...more
I think this is the best Presidential Agent book since the first one by WEB Griffin alone. Abrupt ending aside, which I hope will be picked up in the next book, III and IV present a page-turning story of a pariahed agent (Castillo) working behind the scenes and against the wishes of an ever-increasing insane president to rescue an old friend kidnapped in Mexico. Castillo also has to deal with the fact that the kidnapping is related to those in the world who, quite simply, want him dead. This is...more
A American army officer on loan to the Mexican government to train anti-drug troops is kidnapped and his three companions murdered. A clandestine American group looks at how it can recover him alive while the president appears to be cracking up. Is a coup in the works. I enjoyed this work of Griffin almost as much as I did his Corps series. My problems were the predominence of difficult foriegn names and his tendency to prefer the officer ranks of the military and barely mentioned the enlisted i...more
At a Mexican roadblock, a US Embassy SUV is stopped at gunpoint, three of its passengers murdered, and a fourth kidnapped. Everything points to the drug cartels, especially when the kidnappers say they will return the hostage if a cartel kingpin is released from US federal prison.
But when word gets to Charley Castillo and his group of "retired" spies and special operators, they have their doubts. Fresh from having enraged the Kremlin by staging a covert raid in Venezuela that nabbed not only hig...more
But when word gets to Charley Castillo and his group of "retired" spies and special operators, they have their doubts. Fresh from having enraged the Kremlin by staging a covert raid in Venezuela that nabbed not only hig...more
I liked this book more than previous Presidential Agent novels. Using the same characters as the others in the series, Griffin has given them more personal stories to go along with their hero personas. Charley Castillo and his Merry Band of Outlaws need to save the country again from foreign adversaries but this time there are also adversaries surrounding the president. This was a "can't put it down" novel in the Presidential Agent series. There were many questions raised that will need answers...more
This, the newest entry in the presidential agent series, was a decent read, but far from Griffin's best.
Charley Castillo and his merry band identify a problem, confront same, and take care of it with their usual dispatch.
Long time Griffin fans will feel a bit of a letdown.
There were a few loose ends, which one presumes will be resolved in the next book in this series. As always with Griffin, too much of the reader's time was wasted on backstory.
Charley Castillo and his merry band identify a problem, confront same, and take care of it with their usual dispatch.
Long time Griffin fans will feel a bit of a letdown.
There were a few loose ends, which one presumes will be resolved in the next book in this series. As always with Griffin, too much of the reader's time was wasted on backstory.
Really disappointing. Clearly there is something to the notion that W.E.B. is no longer writing at all, and his son and co-author is not up to the challenge of continuing Griffin's works.
This is a lousy book, to be attempted only by the most ardent fans who feel the need to devour every word about our favorite characters.
The plot lurches from silly point to silly point; outstanding questions from the past book are cleared up and forgotten in the course of 3 pages.
Awful.
This is a lousy book, to be attempted only by the most ardent fans who feel the need to devour every word about our favorite characters.
The plot lurches from silly point to silly point; outstanding questions from the past book are cleared up and forgotten in the course of 3 pages.
Awful.
I listened to this book and Dick Hill is one of my favorite readers so once again, it was a joy to listen to. Having said that, I don't think this is one of the best WEB Griffith books. I have loved this series, but felt that 1/2 the book was just a rehash of his previous books in this series. There was never any real new action until right at the end of the book and then it was so rushed, it was unfulfilling. AND, he leaves it at a cliffhanger for the next book.
The latest in the Presidential Agent series finds 2 DEA agents and a special forces friend of Charley Castillo are murdered at a road block by Mexican drug lords. Another special forces solider is kidnapped. The drug lords offer to exchange him for one of their own held in a Us prison. Charley Castillo and his merry band of outlaws swing into action. Can they get the man back safely while avoiding the wrath of an “unstable” President. The series is becoming a bit unbelievable but an okay read.
NOTHING HAPPENED in this book after the first 2 pages until the last 5 pages. I am convinced W. E. B. Griffin did not write this book. His son, who clearly cannot write, must have done so. Griffin was pretty good at the descriptions that helped to put background into the almost neverending action. This book has neither of those things. Only endless dialogue that is extremely repetitive. The only reason this book got published is because his name is on it. It's a nice gig being a ghost writer, so...more
This series of W.E.B.'s keeps getting better and better. This was the 7th installment of the Presidential Agent novels and there are no signs of slowing down. Charlie and company are a huge cast of characters to keep track of, but Griffin pulls off a magic trick by making his characters distinctive, the plot complicated but not too challenging to follow, and the action nonstop. Great fun.
Feb 23, 2012
Jayw
added it
A car load of US special forces and DEA agents are ambushed in Mexico. One kidnapped. Friends of Charley Castillo, free lance spy and operator, were in that car. He's pissed and wants them back. Of course, this could all be a set up by the Russians to take Charley and his defector wife out. Meanwhile the president thinks this is all a plot against himself.
Book 7 in the The Presidential Agent Series.
It's hard for me to write individual reviews for Griffin as each book plays out more like chapters in on-going saga than stand-alone novels, which is great if you enjoy immersing yourself in the characters and the events, which I do.
Bottom line is that if you enjoy Griffin's work, you will enjoy this read.
It's hard for me to write individual reviews for Griffin as each book plays out more like chapters in on-going saga than stand-alone novels, which is great if you enjoy immersing yourself in the characters and the events, which I do.
Bottom line is that if you enjoy Griffin's work, you will enjoy this read.
For me, Griffin's books are a must read. However, they are of different levels of quality. This book is not one of his best. It tries to wrap up all the loose ends in four pages. It left me wanting more details. I guess I'll have to waiy for the next book.
A thoroughly enjoyable story (as are all of Griffin's) about his latest set of characters (Charley Castillo et al) dealing with Russian mobsters, Mexican drug cartels and American political corruption. Another story that one hates to see come to an end.
Another presidential agent novel (#7) as Charlie Castillo and fellow retired agents battle unknown powers that kidnap a federal agent in Mexico. It is well crafted and on the borderline of improbable like the previous books. It's a really good read in audio.
It was hard to connect characters and then I realized this is like the 7th in a line of books...guess I need to go back and pick up some others. I do enjoy the writing of these authors so I am sure that won't be too much of a chore for me...LOL!
Okay book overall but did little to really advance the narrative of the series on a whole. Plus the ending was very unsatisfying in that it just suddenly was resolved without the how of it was done. Has the feel of a rush job to meet a deadline.
Classic contemporary thriller set in Washinton, D.C. and Mexico, with Charlie Castillo leading a great cast of characters. A great read. It's books like these that confirm my decision to get my entertainment from books instead of TV and Movies.
The son is NOT as good a writer as his father. In this tale of the good-old-boys (and a few gals) against the baddies, the book consists of 98% chat and the odd page of action. It ends in a rush within the last couple of pages. A very unsatisfactory read.
I have swallowed each in this series like iced tea on a hot day. The characters are believable and lovable, especially the angst of Carlos! I'm a fan of Clancy and Flynn. Best to read this series in order.
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W.E.B. Griffin is one of several pseudonyms for William Edmund Butterworth III.
From the Authors Website:
W.E.B. Griffin is the author of thirty-six epic novels in six series, all of which have been listed on The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly and other best-seller lists. More than forty million of his books are in print in more than ten languages, including Hebrew, Chine...more
More about W.E.B. Griffin...
From the Authors Website:
W.E.B. Griffin is the author of thirty-six epic novels in six series, all of which have been listed on The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly and other best-seller lists. More than forty million of his books are in print in more than ten languages, including Hebrew, Chine...more
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Mar 04, 2012 06:39pm