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Derrick Storm #1
Storm Front
With the help of a beautiful and mysterious foreign agent--with whom Storm is becoming romantically and professionally entangled--he discovers that Volkov's treachery has embroiled a wealthy hedge-fund manager and a U.S. senator. In a heated race against time, Storm chases Volkov's shadow from Paris, to the lair of a computer genius in Iowa, to the streets of Manhattan, then through a bullet-riddled car chase on the New Jersey Turnpike. In the process, Storm uncovers a plot that could destroy the global economy--unleashing untold chaos--which only he can stop.
314 pages, Hardcover
First published April 30, 2013
About the author
Richard Castle
56 books4,671 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Richard Castle is the author of numerous bestsellers, including the critically acclaimed Derrick Storm series. His first novel, In a Hail of Bullets, published while he was still in college, received the Nom DePlume Society's prestigious Tom Straw Award for Mystery Literature. Castle currently lives in Manhattan with his daughter and mother, both of whom infuse his life with humor and inspiration.
Note: Richard Castle is a fictional character from the ABC television show, Castle, played by Nathan Fillion. The biography is of this character. His name is being used as a pseudonym for tie-in novels to the TV show.
Richard Castle is the author of numerous bestsellers, including the critically acclaimed Derrick Storm series. His first novel, In a Hail of Bullets, published while he was still in college, received the Nom DePlume Society's prestigious Tom Straw Award for Mystery Literature. Castle currently lives in Manhattan with his daughter and mother, both of whom infuse his life with humor and inspiration.
Note: Richard Castle is a fictional character from the ABC television show, Castle, played by Nathan Fillion. The biography is of this character. His name is being used as a pseudonym for tie-in novels to the TV show.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 423 reviews
June 12, 2013
I was a little apprehensive about reading this, I have always thought books by fake authors from soaps and TV series to really be bad and just a way to cash in on a successful show. Having said that, I'm sure that is still the case for the Richard Castle books. Don't know why I decided to pick this up and read it, but I'm glad I did. It's pretty good! Not the best spy story I've ever read, but not bad. It was a little hard to get into the first chapter but I hung in there and it got better. The cast of the book, especially Derrick Storm actually feel like they were written by Richard Castle from the show. I also loved bringing Nikki Heat and Rook into the story. The mutual admiration between Rook and Storm made me laugh, and it sounded just like something Castle would put into a book. I also liked the name drops from the Castle series.
If you haven't picked up a Castle book yet, I would suggest this one to start. You won't try to picture the cast of Castle while you're reading, which I've done with the Nikki Heat books.
If you haven't picked up a Castle book yet, I would suggest this one to start. You won't try to picture the cast of Castle while you're reading, which I've done with the Nikki Heat books.
May 31, 2013
If this were a "serious" mystery novel that I was reading on its own, I wouldn't give it as many stars as I did, but as a fun tie-in to one of my favorite TV shows? This book is quite enjoyable. The little call backs (particularly in character names) just make me smile and Chapter 23 is super fun! Worlds collide! I won't give anything away, though I did peg what I think could be described as the main "twist" pretty early on. All in all, I'd recommend this to anyone who watches and enjoys the Castle TV show, particularly if they'd read any of the other tie-in novels (the Nikki Heat series). Richard Castle's books are perfect summer reading - fun and quick with little tongue-in-cheek touches throughout.
January 24, 2023
I really enjoyed this. Derrick Storm is a likeable and memorable character. And this introduction to this series had it all including a fast paced plot, action, international settings, romance and intrigue. I will definitely read more in this series.
May 22, 2022
When I started this, I thought it was going to be another short story and pick up where A Bloody Storm ended. Storm and April Showers would be off trying to find the $60B in gold bullion. Apparently that whole story has ended because this was a full length Storm novel and he’s moved on to a new clandestine CIA operation. No problem! This new story did not disappoint and actually had even more action than the previous. Storm is called upon to go after an old Russian nemesis that was supposedly dead. He’s left behind a string of murders with his telltale signs of torture. You’ll move all over the globe along with Storm and a “friendly” Chinese operative, to try to put this bad guy down! This is a page-turner that’s fun and full of action. Think James Bond, but with more fun and humor. I’m really enjoying this series!
June 3, 2013
If you want a serious spy thriller, don't read this. If you want a James Bond-style spy who accomplishes daring and physically impossible feats, this is a "to read." If you are a Castle/Beckett fan, it is a must read (with cameo appearances by Nikki Heat and Jameson Rook; a nod to Captain Montgomery with a character named after him; and numerous references to how "ruggedly handsome" Derrick Storm is). It may not be great literature, but it is a great addition to the Nikki Heat books.
August 30, 2014
I finished the book. My mother would not be proud. She told me to quit awhile ago. However, I stuck it out for no really good reason. But I finished it. That's about the only positive comment my review has.
SPOILER ALERT
1) Manufactured financial crisis story line. Ugh. Please stop writing these and pretending they are thrilling. They aren't. They're boring. So. So. Boring.
2) Unlikeable characters. They are all over the place! I am still finding it hard to believe the trope that claims that Storm is Castle's beloved character and people actually want him back from the dead. If he was supposed to be this type of person in previous works, I certainly would not have read more than the first one. I definitely wouldn't have wished him back. The only really likeable character was the Chinese agent.
3) Lame crossover chapter. So there is a Storm/Heat crossover moment. That might have been okay. What was really awful was having Storm and Rook play the "ruggedly handsome" game on and off for pages. I can see Castle the character making some crack about doing it in the show, but I don't see him doing that in the actual novel. His characters is portrayed as taking his craft mostly seriously when it comes down to it. The Heat novels have a ghost writer that does a better job of capturing what I think of as Castle's voice than this writer does. I accept that Jameson Rook is a Mary Sue for Castle. I don't accept that Derrick Storm is as well.
4) Tribute to Captain Montgomery. Okay. You, ghost writer/producers/whomever, get props for that touch. THAT was something I could see Castle doing. Well played. Doesn't make up for the half-baked novel, though.
SPOILER ALERT
1) Manufactured financial crisis story line. Ugh. Please stop writing these and pretending they are thrilling. They aren't. They're boring. So. So. Boring.
2) Unlikeable characters. They are all over the place! I am still finding it hard to believe the trope that claims that Storm is Castle's beloved character and people actually want him back from the dead. If he was supposed to be this type of person in previous works, I certainly would not have read more than the first one. I definitely wouldn't have wished him back. The only really likeable character was the Chinese agent.
3) Lame crossover chapter. So there is a Storm/Heat crossover moment. That might have been okay. What was really awful was having Storm and Rook play the "ruggedly handsome" game on and off for pages. I can see Castle the character making some crack about doing it in the show, but I don't see him doing that in the actual novel. His characters is portrayed as taking his craft mostly seriously when it comes down to it. The Heat novels have a ghost writer that does a better job of capturing what I think of as Castle's voice than this writer does. I accept that Jameson Rook is a Mary Sue for Castle. I don't accept that Derrick Storm is as well.
4) Tribute to Captain Montgomery. Okay. You, ghost writer/producers/whomever, get props for that touch. THAT was something I could see Castle doing. Well played. Doesn't make up for the half-baked novel, though.
June 4, 2018
This book is an offering from the fictional main character on the television series Castle. It is not known who the actual writer is of the two different series. In this one, several high influential bankers are being tortured to death and Derrick Storm is brought into to investigate. This book is basically a spy thriller book.
If you take these books in this series and the Nikki Heat series for face value they are very enjoyable. They are entertaining and not meant to be serious. Storm is basically a copy version of James Bond and there are other tropes that this book borrows. That is part of the charm of this book. It doesn't take itself too seriously and is meant for a fun adventure. The tropes that are borrowed range from silly names like Ling Xi Bang (pronounced she bang) to the eye patched villain that is set on financial domination. Like I said it is not a serious book. I was never bored with the pace and I loved the connection to the other series written by this author. The ode to a character from the television show was perfect too.
This is a prime example of a beach read book. Not too dramatic but pure fun to read. I do believe that fans of the show are more primed to read this because they would have the feel of the mood and atmosphere setting. This book also reminded me of how much I miss the television series.
If you take these books in this series and the Nikki Heat series for face value they are very enjoyable. They are entertaining and not meant to be serious. Storm is basically a copy version of James Bond and there are other tropes that this book borrows. That is part of the charm of this book. It doesn't take itself too seriously and is meant for a fun adventure. The tropes that are borrowed range from silly names like Ling Xi Bang (pronounced she bang) to the eye patched villain that is set on financial domination. Like I said it is not a serious book. I was never bored with the pace and I loved the connection to the other series written by this author. The ode to a character from the television show was perfect too.
This is a prime example of a beach read book. Not too dramatic but pure fun to read. I do believe that fans of the show are more primed to read this because they would have the feel of the mood and atmosphere setting. This book also reminded me of how much I miss the television series.
November 25, 2015
There's a patch-wearing psycho torturing and killing bankers across the globe. The CIA brings in Derrick Storm to hunt him down. Okay, I admit I picked this up because I'm a fan of the tv show Castle and I thoroughly enjoyed the Nikki Heat novels. This must have been written by somebody different as it lacked the charm of the Heat books. It was trashy and cheesy and not as good as I was expecting it to be. Slightly disappointed.
April 14, 2023
This fictional book written by fictional writer Richard Castle was a fun CIA-FBI thriller with the hero Derrick Storm, a good looking, always gets out of a jam, agent. A little cheeky but a good read.
April 5, 2014
The ABC TV series Castle began with the premise that a James Patterson/Robert Ludlum type author was shadowing a NYC detective to write a new series of novels. Someone at the show cleverly hired a ghost writer to write Heat Wave, a novel about 'Nicki Heat' Richard Castle's supposed book on the show. It wasn't bad. So they wrote more.
However, the TV show back story was that Richard Castle had originally become famous for a series character named Derrick Storm. After the success of the Nicki Heat someone decided to hire a ghost writer to create some short ebooks and this novel Storm Front.
To maintain the illusion, TV star Nathan Fillon's photo graces the cover of both series and the author is listed as Richard Castle.
I found Storm Front lacking whatever made the Nicki Heat books work, was lacking in this Storm book. The novel was formalistic and would have probably been turned down for publication if it had not had the conceit of the ABC series behind it.
If you're a Castle TV fan and are interested in Richard Castle's books, I'd suggest Heat Wave instead of Storm Front.
However, the TV show back story was that Richard Castle had originally become famous for a series character named Derrick Storm. After the success of the Nicki Heat someone decided to hire a ghost writer to create some short ebooks and this novel Storm Front.
To maintain the illusion, TV star Nathan Fillon's photo graces the cover of both series and the author is listed as Richard Castle.
I found Storm Front lacking whatever made the Nicki Heat books work, was lacking in this Storm book. The novel was formalistic and would have probably been turned down for publication if it had not had the conceit of the ABC series behind it.
If you're a Castle TV fan and are interested in Richard Castle's books, I'd suggest Heat Wave instead of Storm Front.
October 26, 2014
Well, this book was meant to be read...for I follow the author's supposed personal life so closely, right till the latest episode ;)
Its rare that you find that a character in your series is made so believable that there are people who write books and publish under his pen name...why would one do that you wonder...and then you pick up the book, just out of curiosity...debating that the book might actually be good because the series is still decent in the 7th season and you still like the author whose name has been used for the book...wondering that the book would be a crap for its banking on the name of a fictional character...
But well, this one doesn't disappoint...its worthy of a 4, but I just am not an action figure...all the angles of shooting...and the thrill of chase...well, they kind of are lost in me...so while I did enjoy the story and am sure that the book is a good attempt and had a story, I just lose my interest in the runs, chase, action and fight sequence...
All in all, I would one day definitely pick another name penned by Mr. Castle...and it might be the one on Miss Heat rather than our Mister Storm!
Its rare that you find that a character in your series is made so believable that there are people who write books and publish under his pen name...why would one do that you wonder...and then you pick up the book, just out of curiosity...debating that the book might actually be good because the series is still decent in the 7th season and you still like the author whose name has been used for the book...wondering that the book would be a crap for its banking on the name of a fictional character...
But well, this one doesn't disappoint...its worthy of a 4, but I just am not an action figure...all the angles of shooting...and the thrill of chase...well, they kind of are lost in me...so while I did enjoy the story and am sure that the book is a good attempt and had a story, I just lose my interest in the runs, chase, action and fight sequence...
All in all, I would one day definitely pick another name penned by Mr. Castle...and it might be the one on Miss Heat rather than our Mister Storm!
May 7, 2013
"Richard Castle" books are fun, quick reads. The Nikki Heat books are love letters to the TV show fans. The Derrick Storm books lack the parallel to the show, but retain the fun. This installment, however, is replete with wink-wink references to the TV show and a heroic character named after a show character that feels authentic - it's something "Rick Castle" would do in his writing. I hope this promotional gimmick continues as I'm really enjoying both the Storm and Heat series.
December 16, 2020
(3.5) Definitely something Richard Castle would write. Kudos to the ghostwriter.
January 14, 2021
A fun book with lots of good old-fashioned action!
August 3, 2018
Stars: 3.5 / 5
Recommendation: Easy breezy mystery plots with heavy political and international crimes being solved by the most capable person of all in CIA; naturally there is lot of intrigue, suspense, a bit gory and edged with light romance.
Storm Front is the fourth Derrick Storm novel published in April of 2013 by fictional author Richard Castle from the TV series Castle (portrayed by Nathan Fillion) (My review of the TV series here: http://inspirethoughts.livejournal.co...). In this plot Derrick Storm is pulled into a web of his nemesis, Gregor Volkov's treachery and his idea to destroy global economy; and Derrick Storm is the only one who can stop Volkov.
In the eighth Nikki Heat book, High Heat , Richard Castle leaves a cliff-hanger when he re-introduces Derrick Storm, having both Heat and Storm cross paths. Nikki Heat ponders that she had met Storm as a suspect in a case she had caught a few years earlier, a brutal murder of a currency trader. I had wondered what the case was since I hadn't come across any such case in all of her eight books.
Then on Wikipedia, in the character bios of Detective Nikki Heat and her husband and Pulitzer prize winning journalist Jameson Rook, it is mentioned that they had made cameo appearances in the Derrick Storm novel Storm Front. I had to read Storm Front novel to see how that scenario played out. Hence my review here. And they do indeed make cameo appearances in the novel.
Derrick Storm is called in by Jedidiah Jones when Gregor Volkov - Storm's nemesis and one of the cruelest ex-KGB - goes a rampage on torturing in his signature style and killing financial bankers. Storm is tied to a foreign agent to investigate the murders and understand what is Volkov's ultimate goal and who he was working for. Despite his initial apprehensions, he becomes tangled with this foreign agent in more ways than needed.
How will Storm and his agent work together to get to the crux of Volkov's goal, destroy him and his employer is what the rest of the plot is - a very dangerous and thrilling journey that these two agents take on starting in Paris to London to Iowa in US and finally to New York.
And we get to see sights around the places that the plot takes, with some of we get a history or architectural lesson too - Marlowe Towers in Manhattan, George Washington Memorial Parkway in Washington, D.C., George Bush Center for Intelligence (which is often mocked per Storm and Castle), Hotel de la Dame in Paris, Champs Elysees in Paris, The Shard in London (whose construction had been halted at the time this book was being written. It has since been completed and open for business), Saw Mill River Parkway in New York, Henry Hudson Parkway, West Side Highway (renamed after Joe DiMaggio in 1999), W in Union Square in NYC.
Apart from getting architectural and historical tour, we get educated briefly in the international financial business of trading currency. Oh it blew my brains off and took a second read for me to really understand what all that blah blah blah was. :P
In the previous novella trilogy, Ultimate Storm, when Derrick Storm starts a relationship with the FBI Agent April Showers, I assumed in his next dig also Castle would retain his love interest the same. Instead Castle has him paired with a foreign agent - both professionally and personally. Wonder what happened to April Showers?
However, we do meet with the elusive Clara Strike who was frequently mentioned in the novella trilogy, who had first found Derrick Storm and introduced him to Jedidiah Jones at the National Clandestine Services (NCS), the clandestine branch if CIA, with whom he seemed to have a romantic relationship, and who also faked her death and disappeared just like Storm.
Richard Castle shows a comedy side to Derrick Storm which was not so visible in the previous novella, although some his jokes are really lame - just like the ones Castle used to do on the TV Show.
It is so funny that Richard Castle had written Derrick Storm's choice of vehicle is anything made by Ford. I have a rather large affinity towards Ford Mustang, and within it a Thunderbird for sure, but not any of the other Ford vehicles. The fight and chase scenes in the plot are very impressive although cause a lot of vehicle and property damage, and perhaps people damage too, which surprisingly is not shown to be alerted to the local cops. Other than that fact, they have been super impressive - Derrick even uses a Novak Djokovic racket to thwart his pursuers.
As I am progressing in reading the Derrick Storm novels by Richard Castle, I am liking him more and more. Not that I didn’t like Nikki Heat and Jameson Rook. But there is something about Derrick Storm's character that reaches to your heart and yearns for him.
On a side note, Nathan Fillion the one who portrayed the role of Richard Castle in the TV Show Castle and the so-called author of these books will be seen this fall (October 2018) in a new TV Show The Rookie. I can't wait to watch Nathan again on TV.
All in all another entertaining thriller filled with espionage and financial scams involving Derrick Storm and his chase in solving the mystery. I only wish he had a little less heart break. Hopefully next time we will see a happier ending for Derrick Storm.
Spoiler Alerts:
1. Plot Reveals:
a. Derrick Storm returns to the Orphanage of the Holy Name in Bacau, Romania frequently. This time he meets a little girl, Katya Beckesku, when he meets with Sister Rose McAvoy. Will Castle tie this tidbit somewhere in the next book?
b. We get introduced to Derrick Storm's father, Carl Storm, in this book. He is a retired FBI agent. He likes to read and we see him reading the collected works of Stephen J. Cannell - who as we all know was famous for his creations on TV such as Rockford Files, 21 Jump Street, etc.
c. There is still unfinished business between Derrick Storm and Clara Strike. Will Richard explore it in the next episode?
d. It is very shocking to see the demise of a key character that is personally and professionally close to Derrick Storm. I was hoping he would get a happy ending for once. Perhaps the next book will bring it to him.
2. Interesting Tidbits:
a. Jedediah Jones installs "The Clapper" (a wireless light switch) in his conference room in the area where his offices reside in the CIA. So funny that as seen on TV product is also used by the CIA.
b. The Seventies were called as Ugly is something that I learned after reading this book. Then a google search indeed showed quite a few things made or built in the 70s take on a flair leaning towards ugly.
c. Incidentally Derrick Storm and Jedediah Jones love the classic Road Runner cartoon series. Just like me. :P
d. Chinese Agent Ling Xi Bang gifts Derrick Storm with a SuperSpy Espio-Talk Wristwatch Communicator manufactured by Cloak and Dagger Enterprises. I didn’t find such an enterprise that is legitimate, but I know that the Marvel comics based on the characters Cloak and Dagger have been reprised into a TV show this past summer with Season I concluding on August 2 2018. I havent read their comics, but the TV show is very intriguing. More about that show here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloak_%....
e. The FBI field office in East Rutherford, New Jersey, is aptly named as "The Poison Pill" building by many just for it's structure that looks like a rounded pill. Some compare it to a tic-tac too.
3. Sub Plots:
a. Richard Castle introduces Derrick Storm at the end of the book, High Heat (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...), giving a segue that his next book would be a Heat and Storm combo. And yes indeed the last book in the Nikki Heat series was titled Heat Storm, which I am yet to read it and I am guessing that the plot surrounds around the reappearance of Cynthia Heat, Nikki's mother who was thought to be dead. However bringing in Derrick Storm – even though I distinctly remember that he was killed off by Castle when he was introduced in Season I of the TV Series – adds another layer of strength and power. It would be interesting to see how the two strong alpha characters fare in the next book.
b. The plot in the final book in the trilogy, A Bloody Storm (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...), ends with Jedidiah Jones and Derrick Storm (without the knowledge of Jones) have the actual location of the Russian Gold. Or so he thought. Will Richard Castle set the next plot for Derrick Storm on hunting this gold? One has to wait and see.
c. Finally I found out who was the actual author of Richard Castle books. It is written by Tom Straw who is an Emmy-nominated TV writer and producer. More about the truth here: http://jeannieruesch.com/2010/06/who-... and here https://mysteryscenemag.com/blog-arti....
4. Grammatical / Historical / Geographical / Character / Mythological / Plot Errors:
a. On Pg. 271, line 14, it should be "…I know you're not…."
Recommendation: Easy breezy mystery plots with heavy political and international crimes being solved by the most capable person of all in CIA; naturally there is lot of intrigue, suspense, a bit gory and edged with light romance.
Storm Front is the fourth Derrick Storm novel published in April of 2013 by fictional author Richard Castle from the TV series Castle (portrayed by Nathan Fillion) (My review of the TV series here: http://inspirethoughts.livejournal.co...). In this plot Derrick Storm is pulled into a web of his nemesis, Gregor Volkov's treachery and his idea to destroy global economy; and Derrick Storm is the only one who can stop Volkov.
In the eighth Nikki Heat book, High Heat , Richard Castle leaves a cliff-hanger when he re-introduces Derrick Storm, having both Heat and Storm cross paths. Nikki Heat ponders that she had met Storm as a suspect in a case she had caught a few years earlier, a brutal murder of a currency trader. I had wondered what the case was since I hadn't come across any such case in all of her eight books.
Then on Wikipedia, in the character bios of Detective Nikki Heat and her husband and Pulitzer prize winning journalist Jameson Rook, it is mentioned that they had made cameo appearances in the Derrick Storm novel Storm Front. I had to read Storm Front novel to see how that scenario played out. Hence my review here. And they do indeed make cameo appearances in the novel.
Derrick Storm is called in by Jedidiah Jones when Gregor Volkov - Storm's nemesis and one of the cruelest ex-KGB - goes a rampage on torturing in his signature style and killing financial bankers. Storm is tied to a foreign agent to investigate the murders and understand what is Volkov's ultimate goal and who he was working for. Despite his initial apprehensions, he becomes tangled with this foreign agent in more ways than needed.
How will Storm and his agent work together to get to the crux of Volkov's goal, destroy him and his employer is what the rest of the plot is - a very dangerous and thrilling journey that these two agents take on starting in Paris to London to Iowa in US and finally to New York.
And we get to see sights around the places that the plot takes, with some of we get a history or architectural lesson too - Marlowe Towers in Manhattan, George Washington Memorial Parkway in Washington, D.C., George Bush Center for Intelligence (which is often mocked per Storm and Castle), Hotel de la Dame in Paris, Champs Elysees in Paris, The Shard in London (whose construction had been halted at the time this book was being written. It has since been completed and open for business), Saw Mill River Parkway in New York, Henry Hudson Parkway, West Side Highway (renamed after Joe DiMaggio in 1999), W in Union Square in NYC.
Apart from getting architectural and historical tour, we get educated briefly in the international financial business of trading currency. Oh it blew my brains off and took a second read for me to really understand what all that blah blah blah was. :P
In the previous novella trilogy, Ultimate Storm, when Derrick Storm starts a relationship with the FBI Agent April Showers, I assumed in his next dig also Castle would retain his love interest the same. Instead Castle has him paired with a foreign agent - both professionally and personally. Wonder what happened to April Showers?
However, we do meet with the elusive Clara Strike who was frequently mentioned in the novella trilogy, who had first found Derrick Storm and introduced him to Jedidiah Jones at the National Clandestine Services (NCS), the clandestine branch if CIA, with whom he seemed to have a romantic relationship, and who also faked her death and disappeared just like Storm.
Richard Castle shows a comedy side to Derrick Storm which was not so visible in the previous novella, although some his jokes are really lame - just like the ones Castle used to do on the TV Show.
It is so funny that Richard Castle had written Derrick Storm's choice of vehicle is anything made by Ford. I have a rather large affinity towards Ford Mustang, and within it a Thunderbird for sure, but not any of the other Ford vehicles. The fight and chase scenes in the plot are very impressive although cause a lot of vehicle and property damage, and perhaps people damage too, which surprisingly is not shown to be alerted to the local cops. Other than that fact, they have been super impressive - Derrick even uses a Novak Djokovic racket to thwart his pursuers.
As I am progressing in reading the Derrick Storm novels by Richard Castle, I am liking him more and more. Not that I didn’t like Nikki Heat and Jameson Rook. But there is something about Derrick Storm's character that reaches to your heart and yearns for him.
On a side note, Nathan Fillion the one who portrayed the role of Richard Castle in the TV Show Castle and the so-called author of these books will be seen this fall (October 2018) in a new TV Show The Rookie. I can't wait to watch Nathan again on TV.
All in all another entertaining thriller filled with espionage and financial scams involving Derrick Storm and his chase in solving the mystery. I only wish he had a little less heart break. Hopefully next time we will see a happier ending for Derrick Storm.
Spoiler Alerts:
1. Plot Reveals:
a. Derrick Storm returns to the Orphanage of the Holy Name in Bacau, Romania frequently. This time he meets a little girl, Katya Beckesku, when he meets with Sister Rose McAvoy. Will Castle tie this tidbit somewhere in the next book?
b. We get introduced to Derrick Storm's father, Carl Storm, in this book. He is a retired FBI agent. He likes to read and we see him reading the collected works of Stephen J. Cannell - who as we all know was famous for his creations on TV such as Rockford Files, 21 Jump Street, etc.
c. There is still unfinished business between Derrick Storm and Clara Strike. Will Richard explore it in the next episode?
d. It is very shocking to see the demise of a key character that is personally and professionally close to Derrick Storm. I was hoping he would get a happy ending for once. Perhaps the next book will bring it to him.
2. Interesting Tidbits:
a. Jedediah Jones installs "The Clapper" (a wireless light switch) in his conference room in the area where his offices reside in the CIA. So funny that as seen on TV product is also used by the CIA.
b. The Seventies were called as Ugly is something that I learned after reading this book. Then a google search indeed showed quite a few things made or built in the 70s take on a flair leaning towards ugly.
c. Incidentally Derrick Storm and Jedediah Jones love the classic Road Runner cartoon series. Just like me. :P
d. Chinese Agent Ling Xi Bang gifts Derrick Storm with a SuperSpy Espio-Talk Wristwatch Communicator manufactured by Cloak and Dagger Enterprises. I didn’t find such an enterprise that is legitimate, but I know that the Marvel comics based on the characters Cloak and Dagger have been reprised into a TV show this past summer with Season I concluding on August 2 2018. I havent read their comics, but the TV show is very intriguing. More about that show here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloak_%....
e. The FBI field office in East Rutherford, New Jersey, is aptly named as "The Poison Pill" building by many just for it's structure that looks like a rounded pill. Some compare it to a tic-tac too.
3. Sub Plots:
a. Richard Castle introduces Derrick Storm at the end of the book, High Heat (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...), giving a segue that his next book would be a Heat and Storm combo. And yes indeed the last book in the Nikki Heat series was titled Heat Storm, which I am yet to read it and I am guessing that the plot surrounds around the reappearance of Cynthia Heat, Nikki's mother who was thought to be dead. However bringing in Derrick Storm – even though I distinctly remember that he was killed off by Castle when he was introduced in Season I of the TV Series – adds another layer of strength and power. It would be interesting to see how the two strong alpha characters fare in the next book.
b. The plot in the final book in the trilogy, A Bloody Storm (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...), ends with Jedidiah Jones and Derrick Storm (without the knowledge of Jones) have the actual location of the Russian Gold. Or so he thought. Will Richard Castle set the next plot for Derrick Storm on hunting this gold? One has to wait and see.
c. Finally I found out who was the actual author of Richard Castle books. It is written by Tom Straw who is an Emmy-nominated TV writer and producer. More about the truth here: http://jeannieruesch.com/2010/06/who-... and here https://mysteryscenemag.com/blog-arti....
4. Grammatical / Historical / Geographical / Character / Mythological / Plot Errors:
a. On Pg. 271, line 14, it should be "…I know you're not…."
May 17, 2015
Storm Front (Derrick Storm, #4) by Richard Castle
First impression: 1 star
Have you ever started reading a book that was so bad that you became convinced the author was doing it on purpose? With characters names like 'Graham Cracker' and 'XXXX Wormsley' and 'Xiangbang'(pronounced she-bang in the book), I quickly decided I must have picked up an audio edition of a comic book. Even the reader gave it a comic-book like cadence.
I admit it, I didn't get the joke. After reading great authors like Vince Flynn and Steve Berry, I couldn't believe what I was hearing. So I popped out CD #3 and took it back to the library.
I mentioned my impression to one of the librarians and was a bit taken aback when she started to laugh. (Not the normal reception I'm used to receiving there.) She apologized and asked "Do you watch the TV show 'Castle'?" I said no, but I'd seen commercials for it. So she took pity on me and explained the joke.
'Richard Castle' is the name of the main character on the TV show 'Castle'; he's a wanna-be mystery writer and through his connections he has convinced somebody to let him tag along with a real police detective (female) to get ideas for his stories. Hilarity and romance supposedly ensues.
Someone decided it would be great fun to publish stories by Richard Castle and they would be of the same quality that the TV character would write.
Okay, now that I'm in on the joke I can take the book for what it is and not expect great dialog/plotting/serious anything. The next time I'm in the mood for a lighter read, I may try one of these books again. But for now, I'm done. I quit 2 1/2 discs into it.
First impression: 1 star
Have you ever started reading a book that was so bad that you became convinced the author was doing it on purpose? With characters names like 'Graham Cracker' and 'XXXX Wormsley' and 'Xiangbang'(pronounced she-bang in the book), I quickly decided I must have picked up an audio edition of a comic book. Even the reader gave it a comic-book like cadence.
I admit it, I didn't get the joke. After reading great authors like Vince Flynn and Steve Berry, I couldn't believe what I was hearing. So I popped out CD #3 and took it back to the library.
I mentioned my impression to one of the librarians and was a bit taken aback when she started to laugh. (Not the normal reception I'm used to receiving there.) She apologized and asked "Do you watch the TV show 'Castle'?" I said no, but I'd seen commercials for it. So she took pity on me and explained the joke.
'Richard Castle' is the name of the main character on the TV show 'Castle'; he's a wanna-be mystery writer and through his connections he has convinced somebody to let him tag along with a real police detective (female) to get ideas for his stories. Hilarity and romance supposedly ensues.
Someone decided it would be great fun to publish stories by Richard Castle and they would be of the same quality that the TV character would write.
Okay, now that I'm in on the joke I can take the book for what it is and not expect great dialog/plotting/serious anything. The next time I'm in the mood for a lighter read, I may try one of these books again. But for now, I'm done. I quit 2 1/2 discs into it.
July 30, 2013
Imagine a tongue-in-cheek novel parodying another set of tongue-in-cheek novels -- the James Bond series. That's what this book is: an over-sexed hero doing over-the-top deeds of derring-do, getting into (and out of, naturally) impossible situations, and in bed with gorgeous women. Of course the dialog is completely asinine, with jokes and double-entendres and the like, all far too lighthearted for the situation at hand. Not to mention shadowy, more secret than top secret, sections of US intelligence organizations, a corrupt US Senator, lots of high-flying currency exchange manipulators, almost all less than impressive human beings, and of course a couple of gorgeous members of the female persuasion.
The book is, undoubtedly, trite and banal, but it is written with so much tongue-in-cheek, it is entertaining -- but certainly not believable, especially in the final scene. Whether you enjoy the book depends on how much banality you can take!
The "author", ostensibly Richard Castle, is (presumably) the same pseudo-author of the "Nikki Heat" series on which the "Castle" TV series is based. In fact, the two main characters of the "Nikki Heat" book series, Nikki Heat and Jameson Rook, play brief cameo roles in this book, which (other than that) has nothing whatsoever to do with the "Nikki Heat" books.
Here's an example how tongue-in-cheek this book gets (this will only be understood by those who have watched the "Castle" TV series):
A minor character in this book, who is a 5-year old Romanian orphan, is named Katya Beckescu. I rest my case.
The book is, undoubtedly, trite and banal, but it is written with so much tongue-in-cheek, it is entertaining -- but certainly not believable, especially in the final scene. Whether you enjoy the book depends on how much banality you can take!
The "author", ostensibly Richard Castle, is (presumably) the same pseudo-author of the "Nikki Heat" series on which the "Castle" TV series is based. In fact, the two main characters of the "Nikki Heat" book series, Nikki Heat and Jameson Rook, play brief cameo roles in this book, which (other than that) has nothing whatsoever to do with the "Nikki Heat" books.
Here's an example how tongue-in-cheek this book gets (this will only be understood by those who have watched the "Castle" TV series):
A minor character in this book, who is a 5-year old Romanian orphan, is named Katya Beckescu. I rest my case.
April 10, 2020
This was far better than the e-book trilogy for Derrick Storm. Yes it was a little slow but the action and the crossover and oh the tribute to Capt. Roy Montgomery all were awesome points. Love Storm in action and and the action packed scenes. I loved this Storm novel and would suggest that you also check it. Because it's supposed to be done by Castle before he came to work with Beckett there is no character to map the characters but the crossover moment was just pure Gold and the like I said the tribute to Montgomery towards the end was too hit the mark.
So yes I would suggest that you do read this novel by fictional author Richard Castle from the TV show castle and do so ASAP and then Keep on Reading.
People who don't read generally ask me my reasons for reading. Simply put I just love reading and so to that end I have made it my motto to just Keep on Reading. I love to read everything except for Self Help books but even those once in a while. I read almost all the genre but YA, Fantasy, Biographies are the most. My favorite series is, of course, Harry Potter but then there are many more books that I just adore. I have bookcases filled with books which are waiting to be read so can't stay and spend more time in this review, so remember I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
So yes I would suggest that you do read this novel by fictional author Richard Castle from the TV show castle and do so ASAP and then Keep on Reading.
People who don't read generally ask me my reasons for reading. Simply put I just love reading and so to that end I have made it my motto to just Keep on Reading. I love to read everything except for Self Help books but even those once in a while. I read almost all the genre but YA, Fantasy, Biographies are the most. My favorite series is, of course, Harry Potter but then there are many more books that I just adore. I have bookcases filled with books which are waiting to be read so can't stay and spend more time in this review, so remember I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
October 22, 2014
Los que son asiduos espectadores de la serie Castle sabrán de sobra la trayectoria literaria de este escritor. Aunque la genialidad de la serie radica en justamente el personaje de Richard Castle, su relación con la detective Kate Beckett y los casos tan variopintos a los que se enfrentan a lo largo de las ya siete (!) temporadas, alguien un buen día decidió que era una buena idea hacer realidad las novelas escritas por Richard Castle en la ficción. Yo personalmente no me puedo quejar.
Storm Front es un libro que para ser sincera resulta ser muy tópico. Un ex agente que quiere tener una vida tranquila y finge su propia muerte, es reclutado para una nueva misión que tiene que ver en principio con un secuestro -aunque esconde mucho más en realidad, y cuya trama se va desvelando poco a poco-. Pero se disfruta plenamente siempre y cuando lo único que busques sea un rato de entretenimiento sin pedir algo novedoso. Con un estilo simple, sin andarse por las ramas, directo y conciso, Storm Front es una novela que cuenta con una buena dosis de acción, intriga y varias tramas que se van entretejiendo delante de nuestros ojos para desembarcar en un final que llega sin que te des casi ni cuenta. Eso sí, si buscas respuestas me parece que aquí no las vas a encontrar. Otro de las cosas buenas que tiene es que se lee en un suspiro y el nivel de inglés es muy fácil.
Storm Front es un libro que para ser sincera resulta ser muy tópico. Un ex agente que quiere tener una vida tranquila y finge su propia muerte, es reclutado para una nueva misión que tiene que ver en principio con un secuestro -aunque esconde mucho más en realidad, y cuya trama se va desvelando poco a poco-. Pero se disfruta plenamente siempre y cuando lo único que busques sea un rato de entretenimiento sin pedir algo novedoso. Con un estilo simple, sin andarse por las ramas, directo y conciso, Storm Front es una novela que cuenta con una buena dosis de acción, intriga y varias tramas que se van entretejiendo delante de nuestros ojos para desembarcar en un final que llega sin que te des casi ni cuenta. Eso sí, si buscas respuestas me parece que aquí no las vas a encontrar. Otro de las cosas buenas que tiene es que se lee en un suspiro y el nivel de inglés es muy fácil.
July 5, 2015
Richard Castle's Storm Front brings something new to the table for the Derrick Storm series; a fresh new look at a rouggedley handsome spy. For those who are not familiar with the television show Castle, Derrick Storm is write Richard Castles firs creation. A spy, who of course, always gets the ladies and the bad guys. Castle killed off Storm at the start of the television series but recently decided to bring him back in a way only the FBI and the CIA could pull off. After three mini e-novels it was clear that Derrick Storm was back and even better than before.
Storm Front brings us on the first complete full fledged mission that Derrick Storm has taken on since his death. The mystery is completely original bringing in a political side that was entertaining and that I didn't see coming. Though some characters who were in the e-novels were not in this one I did in enjoy the new characters. Some characters continue to remain a mystery particularity one woman who I didn't think we would be seeing anytime soon!
Overall Richard Castle takes us on a great thrill ride with Derrick Storm that keeps the pages turning, the questions brewing, and leaves the reader with one question; are you ready to take on the Storm? :D
Storm Front brings us on the first complete full fledged mission that Derrick Storm has taken on since his death. The mystery is completely original bringing in a political side that was entertaining and that I didn't see coming. Though some characters who were in the e-novels were not in this one I did in enjoy the new characters. Some characters continue to remain a mystery particularity one woman who I didn't think we would be seeing anytime soon!
Overall Richard Castle takes us on a great thrill ride with Derrick Storm that keeps the pages turning, the questions brewing, and leaves the reader with one question; are you ready to take on the Storm? :D
August 13, 2013
Starting in Venice with "The gondolier could only be described as ruggedly handsome....." you smile and are confident that you're in for an entertaining read. From one action filled adventure straight into the next as Derek gets called in to get insider information where the FBI can't go. As a rogue agent you can only envisage him suited and booted to look exactly the role he's playing. Hints at having learnt several languages to aid his characters fit the "00" casting perfectly.
All the way through reading this, I found myself chuckling with the familiarity of the characters. This is mainly due to me being a huge fan of the t.v. show "Castle" so when there were references to other Castle counterparts albeit loosely i.e. Katya Beckesscu, the orphan with whom Storm holds dear, I thought it clever and endeared me to the narrative more so. Richard Castle even managed to wedge in his two other literary stars with a hilarious chance encounter that had the men complimenting each others physiques, much to the disgust of Ms Heat.
Derek Storm is a Bond-esque fun filled hero who really is handsome, in a rugged way. I can't wait for the next one!
All the way through reading this, I found myself chuckling with the familiarity of the characters. This is mainly due to me being a huge fan of the t.v. show "Castle" so when there were references to other Castle counterparts albeit loosely i.e. Katya Beckesscu, the orphan with whom Storm holds dear, I thought it clever and endeared me to the narrative more so. Richard Castle even managed to wedge in his two other literary stars with a hilarious chance encounter that had the men complimenting each others physiques, much to the disgust of Ms Heat.
Derek Storm is a Bond-esque fun filled hero who really is handsome, in a rugged way. I can't wait for the next one!
March 26, 2015
Storm Front is definitely my favorite Derrick Storm novel so far. For me, it was more exciting than A Brewing Storm, A Raging Storm, and A Bloody Storm combined. I didn't mind feeling so confused at fist because there were so many things happening with so many different characters in so many different places because it was so much fun to make sense of it all later on. I loved the twists and how I think I went through every emotion I was familiar with while reading the book, from confusion to joy to love to anger to hate to shock to pain to relief.
Major plus points to having characters named Javi Rodriguez, Kevin Bryan, and Captain Roy Montgomery (may he rest in peace). Plus plus points to the cameos of Nikki Heat, Jameson Rook, and Dr. Lauren Parry. I could not stop laughing at the exchange between Storm and Rook. That was, without a doubt, my favorite scene next to Storm and Ling Xi Bang's chase up the abandoned building and the car chase with the improvised Molotovs.
The book had me biting my nails and I couldn't put it down.
A million points to Castle! This book was great. I would definitely consider reading it again.
Major plus points to having characters named Javi Rodriguez, Kevin Bryan, and Captain Roy Montgomery (may he rest in peace). Plus plus points to the cameos of Nikki Heat, Jameson Rook, and Dr. Lauren Parry. I could not stop laughing at the exchange between Storm and Rook. That was, without a doubt, my favorite scene next to Storm and Ling Xi Bang's chase up the abandoned building and the car chase with the improvised Molotovs.
The book had me biting my nails and I couldn't put it down.
A million points to Castle! This book was great. I would definitely consider reading it again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 13, 2017
New direction from the previous two works. Chasing Volkov, a Russian political zealot/criminal mastermind. Geopolitical and international economic crises.
May 21, 2013
Not really impressed with this. I really enjoyed the Derrick Storm short stories, but this one felt really disconnected. One thing that really irritated me was the lack of editing (or overuse of the auto-correct/correct all function). I lost count of the times the words budget and pilot were misspelled. Budget was turned into bud get, and pilot was pi lot. There were a couple other words that this also happened with, but those just stuck out for me.
Fictional author or not, I would expect much more from the ghost author to at least make it seem the TV version of Castle wrote this.
The Nikki Heat series, on the other hand, completely fits my vision of Richard Castle's writing persona.
Fictional author or not, I would expect much more from the ghost author to at least make it seem the TV version of Castle wrote this.
The Nikki Heat series, on the other hand, completely fits my vision of Richard Castle's writing persona.
April 2, 2023
From Tokyo, to Bonn, to London, high-level bankers are being tortured and murdered. The killer, caught in a fleeting glimpse on a surveillance camera, has been described as a psychopath with an eye patch. And that means Gregor Volkov, Derrick Storm's old nemesis, has returned. Knowing only one man can match Volkov's strength and cunning, the CIA calls on Storm to track him down, figure out who he's working for and why. With the help of a beautiful and mysterious foreign agent, Storm discovers a plot that could destroy the global economy bringing with it untold chaos and the time he has to stop it is running short. It's the novel Castle fans have been clamoring for: there's a STORM FRONT coming!
April 15, 2015
I loved this book! The story was fast passed so I never lost interest as I was listening to it. There were a few things that made me smile because they were obvious nods to the Castle series- like naming the pilot Roy Montgomery. At the same time, the brief cross over where Storm meets Nikki Heat was awesome- but I did find myself wondering for a few minutes if that would have happened because the show gives us the impression that the concept of Nikki Heat didn't come around until AFTER he met Detective Beckett, which was after this book would have been published. However, that wasn't enough to detract from the story. If you like the Castle TV series and/or the Nikki Heat series, I highly recommend this book.
September 4, 2019
An incredibly well written book. It's written with a lot of humor and wit. The timing is fast paced and it kept me engaged from the opening scene. Very much 007 on steroids! I enjoyed Castle the TV show and this story does not disappoint. Whoever is writing these books is clearly a talented comedy writer with fun and adventure thrown in. I like stories where I don't see the twists and turns coming. I will continue to read these books. I need this kind of humor and lightheartedness in my life. More than anything, I enjoy the story setup and delivery.
May 27, 2013
Just as good as the Nikki Heat books. I laughed when Nikki & Jameson actually popped up in this book. Jameson & Derrick together though is definately not a good idea. That much ego in one room though did prove entertaining and I felt bad that Nikki had to deal with both (even if it was just briefly). Can't wait for Deadly Heat (September can not come fast enough) and I wonder if any mention of Derrick will pop up.
September 12, 2013
I have read and enjoyed the other Richard Castle books and was surprised that this book is based on Castle's character (or should I say alter-ego) Derrick Storm. It is a fun, fast-paced read; lots of tongue-in-cheek sarcasm and impossible action. The characters from the TV show make a brief appearance, and I caught myself laughing when Castle and Storm were complimenting each other on their good looks. I could definitely get into a Derrick Storm series -- hunky and likeable.
August 30, 2015
Another really fun romp with the devilishly charming and determined Derrick Storm. It's beautifully written and exciting, but I do get the occasional feeling like it's a little overstuffed with extraneous information. Bells and whistles kind of thing, but overall, very enjoyable. The only other thing that irked me a bit was the cliche of having the love interest die in order to enrage the male hero and make him zero in on revenge with his archnemesis. Other than that, I enjoyed it quite a bit.
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