Jackson Coppley's Blog, page 4

Daniel Silva's "The Collector"

The Collector is the 23rd installment in Daniel Silva’s Gabriel Allon series, and it serves as a perfect entry point even for newcomers. As someone who dove into the series with this book, I found no issue in learning more about Allon.

 

Gabriel Allon, the protagonist, is a retired, esteemed spy for the Israeli government and an art expert. Now settled with his family in Venice, Allon’s quiet life is disrupted when Italian authorities seek his expertise to track down a stolen Vermeer masterpiece. Despite the Venetian setting suggested by the cover, the story’s action largely unfolds elsewhere.

 

Allon’s pursuit of the Vermeer soon entangles him with a captivating young thief, a woman who appears to steal purely for the thrill. As the plot progresses, it becomes clear that the stolen painting is merely a pawn in a larger international plot orchestrated by the Russians.

 

Silva expertly weaves together themes of art, espionage, and geopolitical intrigue, crafting a suspenseful narrative that keeps readers on edge. The novel’s incorporation of current events, such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, climate change issues, and the intricacies of Russian political maneuvers, lends a contemporary feel, though it may also limit its long-term relevance.

 

The book constantly shifts, keeping readers guessing and turning pages at a rapid pace.

 

Recommended.

Action, Adventure, and Thrills

I am pleased to announce I am joining my fellow Action Adventure authors in a special sale.

Science Fiction Series Sale

I'm joining a group of fellow authors in a sale of science fiction titles you're sure to enjoy, including my own The Air Riders.

David Baldacci's Long Shadows

David Baldacci starts his novel “Long Shadows” with a tragic event witnessed by Amos Decker, a consultant for the FBI. The event is painful for Decker since it involves a former partner, and he hears it over the phone and is helpless to do anything about it.

However, that event is not the central story of the novel. The central story is a murder of a judge and her bodyguard in South Florida. The FBI assigns Decker to the case. His boss matches Decker up with a new partner for the case, Special Agent Frederica “Freddie” White. Neither one of them is happy to be teamed up with the other, making for a personal conflict and adding interest for the reader.

Decker is a large man, a former football player for Cleveland. A traumatic head injury in a game cut his career short but gives him perfect recall. It’s a handy thing for an investigator to have. He also sees blinding electric blue when around a dead person. That’s not so handy. He sees several dead people.

However, Decker’s “superpower,” as he calls his perfect memory, while handy, is not essential to the plot. And what a plot it is. The killing of a judge who tried terrible criminals may seem like an unfortunate risk of the job. But nothing is what it seems. Decker and White peel back layer after layer of the case, keeping the reader waiting for another shoe to drop. Decker continues to come up with plausible theories that explain everything except for one or two items that make no sense at all. For example, why was the bodyguard’s throat stuffed with obsolete Slovak currency?

Baldacci’s “Long Shadows” is entertaining from beginning to end.

Recommended.

Mysteries Resolved, Deals Sealed

Kindle Unlimited Subscriber? (Or considering being one?)

Here are titles you can read for free on KU (including my The Code Hunters)

Even if you're not a KU subscriber, the prices are hard to beat!

Leaving Lisa

I am pleased to announce a new version of my novel Leaving Lisa. Preorder now.

A Captivating Blend of Adventure and Science Fiction

In the wake of a tragic loss, Jason's world crumbles around him. But from the ashes of grief emerges a remarkable journey fueled by technology and the resilience of the human spirit.

Haunted by the memory of his beloved wife Lisa, Jason discovers a lifeline in an Artificial Intelligence device she crafted before her untimely demise. Through this remarkable creation, Lisa's voice echoes across the digital divide, guiding Jason on an odyssey that spans continents and defies conventional boundaries.

From the lush rainforests of Costa Rica to the bustling streets of Vietnam, and the ancient wonders of Italy, Jason embarks on a quest to honor Lisa's memory by scattering her ashes in far-flung locales. Along the way, the AI device evolves, blurring the lines between machine and human, as Lisa's essence seems to grow more tangible with each passing conversation.

Yet, amidst the adventure and technological marvels, a chance encounter in the heart of Rome disrupts Jason's carefully constructed path. Irina, a spirited American divorcée, ignites a spark within him, challenging his steadfast dedication to the past.

As Jason grapples with the allure of new love and the shadows of old wounds, he must confront the ultimate question: Is he prepared to embrace a future beyond the confines of grief and embark on a new chapter of his life?

In this gripping tale of love, loss, and redemption, Jason's journey transcends the boundaries of time and space, weaving together the threads of human connection and the promise of tomorrow in a captivating blend of adventure and science fiction.

Available April 1, 2024

The Recovery Agent by Janet Evanovich

"The Recovery Agent" by Janet Evanovich follows the story of Gabriela Rose, a recovery agent hired to retrieve lost treasures, stolen heirlooms, or missing assets. It’s a novel that may require the reader’s suspension of disbelieve. Then again, suspension of disbelief makes an Indiana Jones movie more enjoyable. This novel is more like Indy.

The book opens with Gabriela, deep in the rain forests of South America, finding a precious amulet, only to have it snagged by a cougar. It sets the tone of the book.

Gabriela then embarks on a mission to find the Ring of Solomon and the lost treasure of Lima in the jungles of Peru. However, her ex-husband, Rafer, holds the map that could lead them to the treasure, leading to a reluctant partnership between the two. As they navigate through the Ecuadorian rainforest and face challenges like drug lords and dangerous situations, they must work together to outsmart their enemies and secure the fabled ring.

Relax, sit back, and enjoy.

The Secret - Lee & Andrew Child

Few readers would recognize the writing team of brothers James and Andrew Grant. However, they would immediately recognize the pen name of Lee Child, author of Jack Reacher novels. His brother Andrew has adopted the moniker of Child when he began collaborating with Lee on the 25th book in the Jack Reacher series. “The Secret” is their fifth novel together.

 

“The Secret” is not only the fifth collaboration between the brothers, but it is designed to be the last before brother Andrew takes over the series on his own.

 

“The Secret” is a prequel set when Jack Reacher was still in the army. The reader may enjoy stories set in the near past to see if the author gets technical things right. With “The Secret,” the fax machine plays a role. No texting. No cell phones. The Childs get things right.

 

The novel intertwines two distinct plotlines. One follows a duo of sisters methodically executing men listed in connection to a secretive project, their sinister inquiries about the elusive "ninth name" serving as a repeated refrain. Meanwhile, Reacher finds himself embroiled in a separate investigation as part of a specialized task force, initially seemingly disconnected but ultimately converging with the sisters' deadly agenda.

 

As Reacher navigates twists and turns, his pursuit of the sisters unveils not only a string of preventable deaths but also exposes a clandestine cover-up surrounding the enigmatic project. The revelation of the elusive ninth name holds a startling revelation, challenging readers' expectations and culminating in a truly shocking climax.

 

What the ninth name is comes out, eventually. But who included the ninth name on the list that may surprise the reader. That’s the real shocker.

Mysterious Men & Women

Kindle Unlimited Subscriber? (Or considering being one?)

Here are titles you can read for free on KU (including my The Code Hunters)

Even if you're not a KU subscriber, the prices are hard to beat!

Mystery / Thriller Giveaway

I'm participating in a limited-time giveaway of exciting titles from my fellow authors.