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A Bridge to Treachery: From Extortion to Terror
He's a good, solid man, a family man. But, what he wants---he wants too much. To stand out amidst his peers. To act out on the spur of the moment. To indulge his whims. That's power. And power eats money like a hearty breakfast.
"Give up two days of your life and we'll see to it that your checks keep coming, big checks for a very long time," they said.
A deal to die for. Except for the part about drawing on his Army Ranger chops to lead a crew of misfits on a mock terrorist operation.
So, buzz off.
"Think about it. You may need to think about the consequences for your family."
The mission is launched and rapidly unravels. Is it a terrible mistake or was he the victim of an ultimate act of betrayal? Lou Christopher and one teammate turn from hunted to hunters. As time runs out, they struggle to use his unique set of skills to exact a decisive revenge on those responsible for this treachery. Will New York--will anyone--survive?
This is a modern day John Rambo, with every bit the quality of writing and fantastic characters that David Morrell brought to his classic shining through. Larry Crane has created a lasting hero.
Lou Christopher is tough, all-American, and ready to defend what he believes in.
"Give up two days of your life and we'll see to it that your checks keep coming, big checks for a very long time," they said.
A deal to die for. Except for the part about drawing on his Army Ranger chops to lead a crew of misfits on a mock terrorist operation.
So, buzz off.
"Think about it. You may need to think about the consequences for your family."
The mission is launched and rapidly unravels. Is it a terrible mistake or was he the victim of an ultimate act of betrayal? Lou Christopher and one teammate turn from hunted to hunters. As time runs out, they struggle to use his unique set of skills to exact a decisive revenge on those responsible for this treachery. Will New York--will anyone--survive?
This is a modern day John Rambo, with every bit the quality of writing and fantastic characters that David Morrell brought to his classic shining through. Larry Crane has created a lasting hero.
Lou Christopher is tough, all-American, and ready to defend what he believes in.
- GenresThriller
350 pages, Paperback
Published December 23, 2015
79 people are currently reading
552 people want to read
About the author
Larry Crane
7 books151 followersTransplanted to Maine mid-westerner Larry Crane brings a Heartland sensibility to his writing. Larry graduated from West Point, served in the Army, and commuted to Wall Street from New Jersey. His writing includes articles for outdoor magazines, stage plays, short fiction, and his most recent thriller novel, A Bridge to Treachery. Crane is a volunteer videographer for his local Public Access Television Station. Larry and wife Jan now live on the coast of Maine.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MaineLarryCrane
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 4, 2012
Larry Crane’s novel A Bridge to Treachery takes the reader back to the “greed is good” Gordon Gecko mindset of Wall Street in the 1980s. The story opens with Lou Christopher contemplating, “Where had all the investment theory gone?” He’s a Viet Nam vet who has come late to the stockbroker trade, and he’s hungry to land a big account.
The promise of wealth and success gets dangled in front of Lou, but with strings attached. His prior life in the military makes him a valuable asset. He struggles with the morality of his choice, which adds depth to his character. Little by little, Lou realizes he’s just a pawn in a much bigger game; a game he isn’t supposed to live through.
The first quarter of A Bridge to Treachery builds slowly, but with purpose. One of the author’s greatest creations lies in Mag, Lou’s wife. The author carefully establishes the duo’s history and camaraderie. At one point Mag admits, “I am scared. Scared that there was nothing he did to get this [the big account].” One of the greatest strengths of the novel lies in the author’s deft ear for rendering dialogue, which is no doubt a result of his experience writing plays.
The action of the story contains exquisite detail akin to watching an action movie unfold. The author creates solid images which paint a vivid story world, and yet, such an abundance of detail can also become overbearing at times. Backstory of Lou’s military endeavors mix with the present storyline with mixed success. The narrative feels most disjointed with news bulletins regarding Lou’s act of domestic terrorism.
Larry Crane’s novel thrills, but it also gives the reader more than just surface story. A Bridge to Treachery will keep you turning the pages until the end. For those seeking an intense read, Lou’s role in blowing up a bridge as part of a Presidential re-election conspiracy will not disappoint. For those pursuing a book with intricate layers concerning what it means to do the right thing in love, business, and politics, the author delivers. Even better is the promise of a sequel. What will happen next between Mag and Lou?
JeriWB.com. A complimentary copy was received in exchange for this review.
The promise of wealth and success gets dangled in front of Lou, but with strings attached. His prior life in the military makes him a valuable asset. He struggles with the morality of his choice, which adds depth to his character. Little by little, Lou realizes he’s just a pawn in a much bigger game; a game he isn’t supposed to live through.
The first quarter of A Bridge to Treachery builds slowly, but with purpose. One of the author’s greatest creations lies in Mag, Lou’s wife. The author carefully establishes the duo’s history and camaraderie. At one point Mag admits, “I am scared. Scared that there was nothing he did to get this [the big account].” One of the greatest strengths of the novel lies in the author’s deft ear for rendering dialogue, which is no doubt a result of his experience writing plays.
The action of the story contains exquisite detail akin to watching an action movie unfold. The author creates solid images which paint a vivid story world, and yet, such an abundance of detail can also become overbearing at times. Backstory of Lou’s military endeavors mix with the present storyline with mixed success. The narrative feels most disjointed with news bulletins regarding Lou’s act of domestic terrorism.
Larry Crane’s novel thrills, but it also gives the reader more than just surface story. A Bridge to Treachery will keep you turning the pages until the end. For those seeking an intense read, Lou’s role in blowing up a bridge as part of a Presidential re-election conspiracy will not disappoint. For those pursuing a book with intricate layers concerning what it means to do the right thing in love, business, and politics, the author delivers. Even better is the promise of a sequel. What will happen next between Mag and Lou?
JeriWB.com. A complimentary copy was received in exchange for this review.
June 12, 2012
I received this book as part of the Goodreads First Reads program.
The book is about a former Army Officer, Lou Christopher and his adjustment to civilian life working at a brokerage firm. He's given a really big account by his boss, but there's a price to be paid in return.
Much of the book takes place in the Hudson Valley and in the Bear Mountain region of New York. Being a lifelong resident of the area, it was really interesting to see how events unfolded on roads I have actually traveled.
The book starts a little slow, and felt a little disjointed in the beginning, but the author soon picks up the pace. The writing also felt much more cohesive as the story progressed. It was a fun, enjoyable read, and I look forward to reading the sequel to it when it comes out.
The book is about a former Army Officer, Lou Christopher and his adjustment to civilian life working at a brokerage firm. He's given a really big account by his boss, but there's a price to be paid in return.
Much of the book takes place in the Hudson Valley and in the Bear Mountain region of New York. Being a lifelong resident of the area, it was really interesting to see how events unfolded on roads I have actually traveled.
The book starts a little slow, and felt a little disjointed in the beginning, but the author soon picks up the pace. The writing also felt much more cohesive as the story progressed. It was a fun, enjoyable read, and I look forward to reading the sequel to it when it comes out.
June 27, 2012
When you pick up this book, you are immediately thrown into the thick of the story. In sort of flashes, the reader gets to know the main characters. The reader gets a lot of detail about their lives together, the dynamic of the relationship, and what kept them together to where this story starts off. The most important parts of the book are all in the dialogue between the character. It’s largely in the dialogue that the reader gets to know the characters, the key plot points, and the dynamic of the relationships.
For fans of the genre, this book will be every bit as exciting and fun to read as expected. There is a lot of action, suspense, tense moments, and twists to keep the action reader engaged from start to finish.
For fans of the genre, this book will be every bit as exciting and fun to read as expected. There is a lot of action, suspense, tense moments, and twists to keep the action reader engaged from start to finish.
January 4, 2012
A page turner that starts slow and really picks up speed after "The Bridge." Its got some twists and turns that are interesting but the answers are just what's expected. I guess I'll read the sequel when it's published.
um-yeah
October 3, 2014Won A Bridge to Treachery from Goodreads First Reads. Will get to reading it soon.
September 3, 2022
Despite being a book I wanted to enjoy, A Bridge to Treachery: From Extortion to Terror proved to be a somewhat uneven read. What could have been a strong thriller, a nostalgic throwback to the pulp action thrillers of the 80s, suffers from a lack of world-building to anchor it in the historical and political landscape. Without those details to anchor events, we're left to read it as a contemporary thriller, which creates some issues with the basic premise. Where the concept of coordinated terrorist attacks across the USA would have been mind-blowing in the 80s, the targets seem rather petty and small in a post-9/11 reality.
That core issue aside, this is a rather enjoyable story, and one that builds upon its characters as well as its storyline. At first, I wasn't sure what kind of story Larry Crane was trying to tell, and found myself wondering where all this talk of investment brokering and auction hunting was headed. Somewhere along the line it all clicked, however, and I found myself invested in the lives of Lou and Meg. As such, by the time Lou receives the mysterious invite to his boss' office, soon finding himself the beneficiary of riches he didn't really earn, I felt the sense of dread that I'm sure the author intended.
While the whole terrorist operation fell a bit flat for me, as I mentioned above, the conspiracy behind it is quite entertaining. I think the story could have benefited from some transparency on the narrator's part, allowing to reader to understand more of the 'who' and the 'why' behind everything, but that's a personal preference. While I feel it would have lent more credence (or, perhaps, significance) to Lou's plight, it would admittedly have taken away from the central mystery of who to trust . . . and how far.
The actions scenes were very well done, carefully choreographed, but never weighted down with the the kind of gritty technical detail that so often turns similar thrillers into glorified gun-porn. I felt myself being carried along by the action, never quite sure from where the next blow would come, and honestly fearing for the safety of those involved. There were a few twists, especially later on, that I saw coming, but that didn't detract from the impact.
The ending itself seemed a bit forced, with Meg playing a far bigger role than I felt we'd been set up to expect, but I liked that she got to be more than just the once-jilted, twice-suspicious wife. Similarly, things seemed to work out a bit too easily for Lou, but that's the case with any action-hero. There were definitely some lingering questions for me regarding the overall conspiracy, but sometimes it's best to leave the reader guessing, rather than tying up every loose thread.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
That core issue aside, this is a rather enjoyable story, and one that builds upon its characters as well as its storyline. At first, I wasn't sure what kind of story Larry Crane was trying to tell, and found myself wondering where all this talk of investment brokering and auction hunting was headed. Somewhere along the line it all clicked, however, and I found myself invested in the lives of Lou and Meg. As such, by the time Lou receives the mysterious invite to his boss' office, soon finding himself the beneficiary of riches he didn't really earn, I felt the sense of dread that I'm sure the author intended.
While the whole terrorist operation fell a bit flat for me, as I mentioned above, the conspiracy behind it is quite entertaining. I think the story could have benefited from some transparency on the narrator's part, allowing to reader to understand more of the 'who' and the 'why' behind everything, but that's a personal preference. While I feel it would have lent more credence (or, perhaps, significance) to Lou's plight, it would admittedly have taken away from the central mystery of who to trust . . . and how far.
The actions scenes were very well done, carefully choreographed, but never weighted down with the the kind of gritty technical detail that so often turns similar thrillers into glorified gun-porn. I felt myself being carried along by the action, never quite sure from where the next blow would come, and honestly fearing for the safety of those involved. There were a few twists, especially later on, that I saw coming, but that didn't detract from the impact.
The ending itself seemed a bit forced, with Meg playing a far bigger role than I felt we'd been set up to expect, but I liked that she got to be more than just the once-jilted, twice-suspicious wife. Similarly, things seemed to work out a bit too easily for Lou, but that's the case with any action-hero. There were definitely some lingering questions for me regarding the overall conspiracy, but sometimes it's best to leave the reader guessing, rather than tying up every loose thread.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
March 17, 2019
Political mystery
I struggled to get into the main character as I never felt he was truly believable. I was over half done before I really figured out where characters belonged. A nice book but just could have been a little better in my opinion.
I struggled to get into the main character as I never felt he was truly believable. I was over half done before I really figured out where characters belonged. A nice book but just could have been a little better in my opinion.
Read
January 27, 2016--US Review of Books--
A Bridge to Treachery
by Larry Crane
Brighton Publishing LLC
reviewed by Russ Roberts
"He could almost feel the beaten down mud of a mountain trail under his hands as he lowered himself to the ground and lay there cringing against the next mortar shard."
There's an old saying that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Former Army Ranger and current investment broker Lou Christopher ignores that axiom when a plum account falls into his lap from nowhere. Suddenly he's raking in huge fees and ignoring that nagging voice in his head that things are never as good as they seem. Sure enough the nagging voice is right; that plum account leads to Christopher being recruited because of his military background to lead a strike force in a faux attack against a busy bridge. It's all part of an elaborate plot to scare people into voting for the incumbent conservative president, who is trailing badly in his re-election campaign. However the plot goes awry; the strike force is betrayed, and Christopher barely escapes with his life. He then must use his training to run the plotters to ground and clear his name.
Author Larry Crane is an ex-Army Ranger, and thus is working with familiar concepts as he maneuvers his characters and plot. The characters are strongly written, and, like all conspiracy books, the plot takes some surprising twists and turns. Crane has a crisp, punchy writing style that is well-suited to this type of fast-paced material. Although there are many flashbacks, Crane rescues the narrative just in time, and those who like action/conspiracy tales will be rewarded for their patience.
A Bridge to Treachery
by Larry Crane
Brighton Publishing LLC
reviewed by Russ Roberts
"He could almost feel the beaten down mud of a mountain trail under his hands as he lowered himself to the ground and lay there cringing against the next mortar shard."
There's an old saying that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Former Army Ranger and current investment broker Lou Christopher ignores that axiom when a plum account falls into his lap from nowhere. Suddenly he's raking in huge fees and ignoring that nagging voice in his head that things are never as good as they seem. Sure enough the nagging voice is right; that plum account leads to Christopher being recruited because of his military background to lead a strike force in a faux attack against a busy bridge. It's all part of an elaborate plot to scare people into voting for the incumbent conservative president, who is trailing badly in his re-election campaign. However the plot goes awry; the strike force is betrayed, and Christopher barely escapes with his life. He then must use his training to run the plotters to ground and clear his name.
Author Larry Crane is an ex-Army Ranger, and thus is working with familiar concepts as he maneuvers his characters and plot. The characters are strongly written, and, like all conspiracy books, the plot takes some surprising twists and turns. Crane has a crisp, punchy writing style that is well-suited to this type of fast-paced material. Although there are many flashbacks, Crane rescues the narrative just in time, and those who like action/conspiracy tales will be rewarded for their patience.
--US Review of Books --
November 25, 2012
A Bridge to Treachery:
From Extortion to Terror
By Larry Crane
Ex-Army Ranger Colonel Lou Christopher is getting used to life in the civilian world and is working for a New York investment broker when he is assigned more lucrative accounts he begins living the lap of luxury. When he is approached to use his former military training and is coerced into leading a team on a domestic terrorist mission, he goes through with the mission only to find out that all along his team was never supposed to survive. Now he vows to bring all the ones responsible to justice one way or another.
I wasn’t impressed by the main character in the beginning, he seemed pompous and annoying, but when it came down to it and he was knocked off his high horse he turned into a highly exciting character. Then you have the relationship between Lou and his wife though it seems tenuous at first as he is indeed keeping secrets from her and she believes that he is cheating on her as he has done it in the past, but as the novel goes on the relationship takes a turn and I found myself really enjoying it. Lou and Mag end up having a much stronger connection than you would think and though Lou is the main character it reminds me of the saying, “Behind every great man is an even greater woman.” Though it starts off slow and doesn’t actually pick up for until after a hundred pages or so the novel does turn around in the end making it an interesting read.
For More Reviews be sure to visit my blogs at:
http://reflectionsofabookworm.wordpre...
http://bookwormrflects8.blogspot.com/
From Extortion to Terror
By Larry Crane
Ex-Army Ranger Colonel Lou Christopher is getting used to life in the civilian world and is working for a New York investment broker when he is assigned more lucrative accounts he begins living the lap of luxury. When he is approached to use his former military training and is coerced into leading a team on a domestic terrorist mission, he goes through with the mission only to find out that all along his team was never supposed to survive. Now he vows to bring all the ones responsible to justice one way or another.
I wasn’t impressed by the main character in the beginning, he seemed pompous and annoying, but when it came down to it and he was knocked off his high horse he turned into a highly exciting character. Then you have the relationship between Lou and his wife though it seems tenuous at first as he is indeed keeping secrets from her and she believes that he is cheating on her as he has done it in the past, but as the novel goes on the relationship takes a turn and I found myself really enjoying it. Lou and Mag end up having a much stronger connection than you would think and though Lou is the main character it reminds me of the saying, “Behind every great man is an even greater woman.” Though it starts off slow and doesn’t actually pick up for until after a hundred pages or so the novel does turn around in the end making it an interesting read.
For More Reviews be sure to visit my blogs at:
http://reflectionsofabookworm.wordpre...
http://bookwormrflects8.blogspot.com/
January 12, 2013
The concept is interesting. The dialogue is very technical, but overall I did enjoy the plot and characters. While I liked this book I don't think it is for everyone. If you like Military-esq reads than why not give it a look!
Here is a snippet from my blog review:
"The book starts off slow. It took me a bit to get used to how the story is delivered mainly in dialogue, but eventually I found a rhythm. I felt the book read like someone was sitting across from me in a chair, sharing with me the wildest story of their life. It was a gruff and straightforward telling. My one complaint was there was a lot of broker talk, but given the nature of the characters job, I can let it slide.
It says at the end of the book that there is a sequel in the works, I am interested to see how the story will continue!"
For the full review visit my blog: http://reeniediva.blogspot.ca/2012/09...
Here is a snippet from my blog review:
"The book starts off slow. It took me a bit to get used to how the story is delivered mainly in dialogue, but eventually I found a rhythm. I felt the book read like someone was sitting across from me in a chair, sharing with me the wildest story of their life. It was a gruff and straightforward telling. My one complaint was there was a lot of broker talk, but given the nature of the characters job, I can let it slide.
It says at the end of the book that there is a sequel in the works, I am interested to see how the story will continue!"
For the full review visit my blog: http://reeniediva.blogspot.ca/2012/09...
November 27, 2013
A Bridge to Treachery: From Extortion to Terror by Larry Crane is a novel about a veteran, Lou, who finds himself in a sticky situation after a lucrative investing account lands in his lap. Of course, nothing in life is free. This worthwhile account is just a piece of the pie. Lou is presented with another offer he can't refuse, but this one is a little more hands on. The terror, the terror!
I really like mystery-crime stories, so this is right up my alley. I can relate to military life as my dad was in the Army. We lived in Fort Benning, GA, and Fort Drum, NY. So I liked that aspect of the story's setting.
The characters are entertaining. The story includes the typical good guys versus bad guys. Lou and his wife, Mag, are a cute couple with kids and grandchildren. The story also involves a cast of bad apples, ranging from political Panamanians to the president.
I enjoyed the book. The pace is pretty upbeat. The writing is good. Ther's certainly no naysaying here!
I really like mystery-crime stories, so this is right up my alley. I can relate to military life as my dad was in the Army. We lived in Fort Benning, GA, and Fort Drum, NY. So I liked that aspect of the story's setting.
The characters are entertaining. The story includes the typical good guys versus bad guys. Lou and his wife, Mag, are a cute couple with kids and grandchildren. The story also involves a cast of bad apples, ranging from political Panamanians to the president.
I enjoyed the book. The pace is pretty upbeat. The writing is good. Ther's certainly no naysaying here!
November 16, 2012
Larry Crane's A Bridge to Treachery is a mind blowing psychological thriller. It will definitely leave you lamenting on the role greed plays in your life, while questioning human mortality in general. Crane's book follows ex-Army officer turned New Jersey stock broker, Lou Christopher. Through the course of a complex series of twists, turns and complex plot points, Christopher finds himself drawn into an intense paramilitary mission.
Though Crane's suspense is enough to keep any reader on the edge of his seat, it was the characters who kept me turning the pages. The book not only explores Christopher's motivations but also his relationships with everyone around him.
Though Crane's suspense is enough to keep any reader on the edge of his seat, it was the characters who kept me turning the pages. The book not only explores Christopher's motivations but also his relationships with everyone around him.
March 18, 2013
I was very lucky to have won this book for free from the GoodReads Book Giveaway contest! I enjoyed this book and was anticipating the back-stabbing, betrayals that keep me on the edge of my seat and this book did not disappoint! I found myself thoroughly engaged because I was practically begging Lou not to take the bait! I wanted to shout "Don't do it man! Open your eyes!" But had Lou taken my advice the book would have been extremely boring and rather short! Definitely recommend this book.
November 20, 2012
Larry pens "A Bridge to Treachery" a good paced, action thriller with highly developed characters in a well written plot that didn't kicked in until around a quarter of the way into the book....but keep reading it will hook you right in. Recommended for all action packed thriller fans.
This review is based on a complimentary copy which was provided for an honest review.
This review is based on a complimentary copy which was provided for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews