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Veil of Civility: a Black Shuck thriller
NOTHING CAN STAY HIDDEN FOREVER...
During the Soviet-Afghan war an elite team of operatives were trained in the mountains of Afghanistan. Loyal to the Provisional Irish Republican Army, they were known only by their codename, Black Shuck.
In the years that followed — betrayed from within by the internal power struggles of the IRA — the team members were hunted down. Three survived, fading into the turbulent streets of Northern Ireland. To this day, their identities remain a mystery — but nothing can stay hidden forever.
For years, Declan McIver has lived under the radar — married to a beautiful woman and operating a successful business — but that life is about to change. When a planned meeting with an old friend goes horribly wrong, Declan finds himself on the run from a shadowy conspiracy that will stop at nothing to keep their evil intentions a closely guarded secret.
To survive, he'll have to rely on long dormant training and reach deep within himself to a place and time he'd hoped to never return. As his past is laid open for the world to see and events spiral further out of control — who will win and at what cost?
During the Soviet-Afghan war an elite team of operatives were trained in the mountains of Afghanistan. Loyal to the Provisional Irish Republican Army, they were known only by their codename, Black Shuck.
In the years that followed — betrayed from within by the internal power struggles of the IRA — the team members were hunted down. Three survived, fading into the turbulent streets of Northern Ireland. To this day, their identities remain a mystery — but nothing can stay hidden forever.
For years, Declan McIver has lived under the radar — married to a beautiful woman and operating a successful business — but that life is about to change. When a planned meeting with an old friend goes horribly wrong, Declan finds himself on the run from a shadowy conspiracy that will stop at nothing to keep their evil intentions a closely guarded secret.
To survive, he'll have to rely on long dormant training and reach deep within himself to a place and time he'd hoped to never return. As his past is laid open for the world to see and events spiral further out of control — who will win and at what cost?
512 pages, Paperback
First published January 16, 2013
59 people are currently reading
378 people want to read
About the author
Ian Graham
12 books23 followersIan Graham is an award-winning author and entrepreneur with an interest in politics, history, and religion. The stories and characters he writes about are centered on the explosive conflicts created when the three intersect. He is a firm believer in being yourself... unless you can be Batman. Always be Batman.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
May 9, 2013
Ian Graham delivers a slick, well-executed thriller with Veil of Civility. The novel’s plot flows extremely well, with no gaps, and just enough backstory to explain the motivations of a fascinating cast of characters. There’s a lot to like about this novel, and I found myself constantly stealing time to continue reading.
Declan McIver, former IRA commando turned legitimate business owner in the United States, finds himself embroiled in a conspiracy ripped from today’s headlines. An invitation from an old friend catapults McIver into a cat and mouse chase on par with Ludlum’s Jason Bourne series. His adversaries are relentless, employing technologies and ruthlessness that will leave you breathless. Spanning two continents, the chase is brilliant and worth the price of admission alone. Graham doesn’t let McIver off easy. Not in the least. The author paints a painstakingly realistic picture of how difficult it would be to go “off the grid” with the wrong people looking for you. He kept me in suspense throughout novel, never giving me the sense that McIver could rest, or that I could rest…I had to keep reading!
Declan McIver and his nebulous former IRA unit, Black Shuck, is exquisitely crafted from what appears to be exhaustive research on Graham’s part. Linked to a top-secret (and existing) Russian spetsnaz unit, Black Shuck is a devastatingly scary and utterly enthralling concept. Graham’s research is a strong point, and as a reader, I highly appreciated the way he weaved this research into the story. Though purely fiction, he integrates aspects of history into a speculative array of backstory that is so convincing, that I found myself hopelessly immersed. Graham spends considerable time delving into Declan McIver’s background, giving the reader a well-redacted history of Ireland’s turbulent recent history. I’m hoping that Graham plans to bring McIver back for future novels. He is by far one of the most interesting and crisply drawn thriller characters I’ve read in a long time.
Veil of Civility succeeds on many levels. As a political thriller, it far exceeds expectations. Behind the gut wrenching at of terrorism at the story’s core, there is a sinister plot afoot, embroiling senior politicians and law enforcement agents. With unexpected plot twists lurking everywhere, these behind the scenes manipulators nudge (in many cases push) the plot forward toward its unthinkable conclusion. This is a conspiracy of the highest order, set in motion to satisfy a powerful agenda.
Ian Graham succeeds brilliantly with his first full-length novel. He’s captured the essence the political thriller genre, topping off his effort with enough technothriller aspects to satisfy the most demanding genre readers. I look forward to Graham’s future endeavors and plan to read his collection of short stories, Patriots and Tyrants, which features characters from Veil of Civility.
Declan McIver, former IRA commando turned legitimate business owner in the United States, finds himself embroiled in a conspiracy ripped from today’s headlines. An invitation from an old friend catapults McIver into a cat and mouse chase on par with Ludlum’s Jason Bourne series. His adversaries are relentless, employing technologies and ruthlessness that will leave you breathless. Spanning two continents, the chase is brilliant and worth the price of admission alone. Graham doesn’t let McIver off easy. Not in the least. The author paints a painstakingly realistic picture of how difficult it would be to go “off the grid” with the wrong people looking for you. He kept me in suspense throughout novel, never giving me the sense that McIver could rest, or that I could rest…I had to keep reading!
Declan McIver and his nebulous former IRA unit, Black Shuck, is exquisitely crafted from what appears to be exhaustive research on Graham’s part. Linked to a top-secret (and existing) Russian spetsnaz unit, Black Shuck is a devastatingly scary and utterly enthralling concept. Graham’s research is a strong point, and as a reader, I highly appreciated the way he weaved this research into the story. Though purely fiction, he integrates aspects of history into a speculative array of backstory that is so convincing, that I found myself hopelessly immersed. Graham spends considerable time delving into Declan McIver’s background, giving the reader a well-redacted history of Ireland’s turbulent recent history. I’m hoping that Graham plans to bring McIver back for future novels. He is by far one of the most interesting and crisply drawn thriller characters I’ve read in a long time.
Veil of Civility succeeds on many levels. As a political thriller, it far exceeds expectations. Behind the gut wrenching at of terrorism at the story’s core, there is a sinister plot afoot, embroiling senior politicians and law enforcement agents. With unexpected plot twists lurking everywhere, these behind the scenes manipulators nudge (in many cases push) the plot forward toward its unthinkable conclusion. This is a conspiracy of the highest order, set in motion to satisfy a powerful agenda.
Ian Graham succeeds brilliantly with his first full-length novel. He’s captured the essence the political thriller genre, topping off his effort with enough technothriller aspects to satisfy the most demanding genre readers. I look forward to Graham’s future endeavors and plan to read his collection of short stories, Patriots and Tyrants, which features characters from Veil of Civility.
March 10, 2016
My original Veil of Civility audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.
Declan McIver is a former member of the IRA who is now living in the US, happily married and running his own real estate business. But when he witnesses the killing of a friend and former employer, he becomes a target for those who carried out the assassination and is set up to be the fall guy. Together with his wife, he finds himself on the run having to reconnect with his past which he thought was buried.
Veil of Civility is an intricate conspiracy thriller dealing with an organized terrorist attack by Chechen Islamists in America. It is a well-crafted mix of politics, religion, history and international terrorism. Because of these topics, it is not the type of book that I would usually choose to read. Therefore, it speaks highly of the author’s skill that I was fully engaged with the story from the first minute of listening, and I totally surprised myself when the author didn’t lose me once throughout the nearly 16 hours of listening. The plot flows extremely well and there is just the right balance between descriptive passages, background information and character dialogue and action.
Apparently, this is Ian Graham’s first full-length novel, which is pretty amazing. Listening to this, it becomes evident that an enormous amount of research must have gone into this book. Mr. Graham did a very good job of mixing fiction with historical events and actual locations, and thus manages to create plausibility. Veil of Civility is an action-filled thriller that takes the listener from the US to Wales, Scotland, and Ireland as well as Russia and the Mexican/US border.
I prefer some plot twists and a bit of humor in my reading, there isn’t much of that here. But it is extremely well written and very exciting, with a protagonist who comes off as quite a balanced individual despite his past. Declan McIver becomes pretty likable as the man on the run who takes on a corrupt system, and while many of these good-guy-saves-the-world type of stories are over the top and far-fetched, Mr. Graham succeeded in creating a story that was scarily believable.
The narration was fantastic. Being an international thriller, Steve Marvel certainly had his work cut out with the sheer amount of different accents he had to do. Declan’s very heavy drawl was a tad over the top, but Mr. Marvel kept all the characters distinct and clear, so dialogues were always easy to follow. There were no issues with the production.
For any listeners interested in political conspiracies or anybody looking for a gripping but plausible international thriller based on sound research, this should be on your list. 4.5 stars
Audiobook provided for review by the audiobookreviewer.com
Declan McIver is a former member of the IRA who is now living in the US, happily married and running his own real estate business. But when he witnesses the killing of a friend and former employer, he becomes a target for those who carried out the assassination and is set up to be the fall guy. Together with his wife, he finds himself on the run having to reconnect with his past which he thought was buried.
Veil of Civility is an intricate conspiracy thriller dealing with an organized terrorist attack by Chechen Islamists in America. It is a well-crafted mix of politics, religion, history and international terrorism. Because of these topics, it is not the type of book that I would usually choose to read. Therefore, it speaks highly of the author’s skill that I was fully engaged with the story from the first minute of listening, and I totally surprised myself when the author didn’t lose me once throughout the nearly 16 hours of listening. The plot flows extremely well and there is just the right balance between descriptive passages, background information and character dialogue and action.
Apparently, this is Ian Graham’s first full-length novel, which is pretty amazing. Listening to this, it becomes evident that an enormous amount of research must have gone into this book. Mr. Graham did a very good job of mixing fiction with historical events and actual locations, and thus manages to create plausibility. Veil of Civility is an action-filled thriller that takes the listener from the US to Wales, Scotland, and Ireland as well as Russia and the Mexican/US border.
I prefer some plot twists and a bit of humor in my reading, there isn’t much of that here. But it is extremely well written and very exciting, with a protagonist who comes off as quite a balanced individual despite his past. Declan McIver becomes pretty likable as the man on the run who takes on a corrupt system, and while many of these good-guy-saves-the-world type of stories are over the top and far-fetched, Mr. Graham succeeded in creating a story that was scarily believable.
The narration was fantastic. Being an international thriller, Steve Marvel certainly had his work cut out with the sheer amount of different accents he had to do. Declan’s very heavy drawl was a tad over the top, but Mr. Marvel kept all the characters distinct and clear, so dialogues were always easy to follow. There were no issues with the production.
For any listeners interested in political conspiracies or anybody looking for a gripping but plausible international thriller based on sound research, this should be on your list. 4.5 stars
Audiobook provided for review by the audiobookreviewer.com
November 22, 2013
The politics in Ian Graham’s Veil of Civility may require some willing suspension of disbelief, but the history’s well-drawn and the sources of terrorism, from Ireland to Russia and beyond, are plausibly imagined. The action’s fast and furious, with cinematic scope but a nicely restrained morality, a hero who will do whatever he can, but will not glorify evil, and a fine cast of flawed individuals, both good guys and bad.
There’s an odd irony to a former IRA terrorist agreeing that the only way to deal with another terrorist is to “rid the world of him.” But readers will soon be glad the world didn’t rid itself of Declan as he dodges the tightening net of a frame-up and escapes having himself turned into a martyr. In the process he loses friends, learns to trust his wife, and brings down corrupt politicians, all while being chased by law and outlaw, and bringing down the perpetrators of a terrorist threat.
The story takes place ten years after 9/11, so not quite the present day. Its terrorists are hauntingly real, especially when read in the light of the more recent Boston bombing. And its heroes are pleasingly flawed. The dialog’s great, just as convincing between Declan and his American wife, as it is between Declan and former IRA associates. My only complaint is that a politician following such a complex plan would surely have had a more complex understanding of consequences. I guess I didn’t want to be told his political flavor either, since it invites unwarranted analysis, but it really doesn't detract from a thoroughly engaging and exciting tale.
The novel’s well-edited, with fast, furious action, built on great characters, and filled with terror and threat. Veil of Civility steps behind the political veil to the dangers hiding behind political greed; old dangers and new, old terrorism and new, and one man against the system. A fine fun read.
Disclosure: I was given a free ecopy and I’m offering my honest review.
There’s an odd irony to a former IRA terrorist agreeing that the only way to deal with another terrorist is to “rid the world of him.” But readers will soon be glad the world didn’t rid itself of Declan as he dodges the tightening net of a frame-up and escapes having himself turned into a martyr. In the process he loses friends, learns to trust his wife, and brings down corrupt politicians, all while being chased by law and outlaw, and bringing down the perpetrators of a terrorist threat.
The story takes place ten years after 9/11, so not quite the present day. Its terrorists are hauntingly real, especially when read in the light of the more recent Boston bombing. And its heroes are pleasingly flawed. The dialog’s great, just as convincing between Declan and his American wife, as it is between Declan and former IRA associates. My only complaint is that a politician following such a complex plan would surely have had a more complex understanding of consequences. I guess I didn’t want to be told his political flavor either, since it invites unwarranted analysis, but it really doesn't detract from a thoroughly engaging and exciting tale.
The novel’s well-edited, with fast, furious action, built on great characters, and filled with terror and threat. Veil of Civility steps behind the political veil to the dangers hiding behind political greed; old dangers and new, old terrorism and new, and one man against the system. A fine fun read.
Disclosure: I was given a free ecopy and I’m offering my honest review.
June 19, 2013
Ian Graham's “Veil of Civility” is an action packed roller coaster ride of an espionage thriller that I enjoyed reading from cover to cover. It's quick pace, combined with twists and turns, kept me turning pages, and the intrigue of the story made me wonder who was doing what throughout. It was a fun action filled read that never let up during the entire 506 pages. It's an
I found the back story of the main character, Declan McIver, to be interesting and well thought out. I liked the idea of a former IRA member, trained by Russian Spetsnaz (Special Forces), now trying to live a peaceful life but getting pulled back into the violence he'd left behind. The story is very engaging and entertaining. I also liked the reluctance of McIver to use the skills of his past. The skills he wanted to leave behind, but is forced to rely on to keep himself and others alive.
I appreciated the research involved to make this story believable. Graham weaved history and actual locations with his fictional characters in a seamless fashion that makes the book seem not only plausible, but maybe something that actually happened.
But fiction it is, and good fiction at that. Graham plans on writing more about Declan McIver, and I for one am glad. I look forward to reading about this character again and again, and am willing to bet that Graham will carve out a nice little place in the political thriller genre. Highly recommended to anyone who likes a fast paced, action filled, political thriller.
I found the back story of the main character, Declan McIver, to be interesting and well thought out. I liked the idea of a former IRA member, trained by Russian Spetsnaz (Special Forces), now trying to live a peaceful life but getting pulled back into the violence he'd left behind. The story is very engaging and entertaining. I also liked the reluctance of McIver to use the skills of his past. The skills he wanted to leave behind, but is forced to rely on to keep himself and others alive.
I appreciated the research involved to make this story believable. Graham weaved history and actual locations with his fictional characters in a seamless fashion that makes the book seem not only plausible, but maybe something that actually happened.
But fiction it is, and good fiction at that. Graham plans on writing more about Declan McIver, and I for one am glad. I look forward to reading about this character again and again, and am willing to bet that Graham will carve out a nice little place in the political thriller genre. Highly recommended to anyone who likes a fast paced, action filled, political thriller.
June 12, 2013
With Veil of Civility Ian Graham brings us an all action page turner of a thriller. Following the terrible death of a friend former IRA man Declan McIver finds the peaceful life he has tried to build disintegrate before him. Hunted by the FBI and the police he must try to make sense of the conspiracy that surrounds him. Can Declan avenge his friend and keep his family safe?
There is a depth of descriptive prose not often found in novels of the genre and yet it still flows excellently. The characters are engaging and Graham gives all of their drives and actions purpose that makes clear sense to the reader, there’s no need to jump to wild assumptions. It’s clear that Ian Graham is an author to keep an eye on for fans of action novels. Could Declan McIver be the new Jack Reacher?
There is a depth of descriptive prose not often found in novels of the genre and yet it still flows excellently. The characters are engaging and Graham gives all of their drives and actions purpose that makes clear sense to the reader, there’s no need to jump to wild assumptions. It’s clear that Ian Graham is an author to keep an eye on for fans of action novels. Could Declan McIver be the new Jack Reacher?
May 9, 2013
Enjoyed this quite a bit once I got past the Abaddon issue. It's a promising start to a new series of Flynn/Thor-esque thrillers.
March 21, 2015
A GOOD MAN GOES TO WAR.
"F*** the revolution. They don't talk about the glory of killing for the revolution. What's the glory in taking a man from his bed and gunning him down in front of his wife and his children? Where's the glory in that? Where's the glory in bombing a Remembrance Day parade of old age pensioners, their medals taken out and polished up for the day. Where's the glory in that?"- Paul David Hewson
We live in a world which is influenced, for better or worse by history, politics and increasingly, religion. The author of this conspiracy thriller, Ian Graham is interested in the three and how they interact, such in the current war on terror which has been influenced by all three of these things. His first full length novel "Veil Of Civility" reflects this. With a focus on themes such as international terrorism past and present and the increasing political corruption of Public Life, the narrative of this thriller is enriched and helps prevent this book from becoming just another story about a man on the run. Now to the review. What happens when a man fighting for his future, has to return to his past?
We start the book in September 2004 with a little known real life event. A mysterious group of Chechens cross the US-Mexico border and melt into the population. They have murder on their minds and are perfectly happy to wait for the right time to strike. We then cut to sometime in the present day where a Chechen Jihadist is smuggled out of one of Russia's most remote prisons. We then cut to the protagonist of the novel, Declan McIver as he goes about his daily life, with a bit more caution than your average businessman. Elsewhere, the terrorist sprung from Russia arrives in the USA and is met by the 2004 sleeper cell. He already has a target and a plan for them to implement. At a high-profile speech in a Virginia University, they set off a bomb in order to isolate a former Mossad Officer turned lecturer who had previously apprehended the Chechen. They follow him to his residence, quickly overwhelm the security and behead him. Unfortunately for the terrorists, Declan McIver, who happens to be a friend of their victim witnesses the whole thing and manages to kill several members of the cell. This raises the alarm bells of a Senator and an FBI agent, both who would prefer to bury the matter and decide instead to bury McIver through a subtle, insidious conspiracy, which explodes into a blood soaked nightmare for everyone involved.
In terms of plot, Veil Of Civility is solid enough. Not many plot twists but the author's writing style succeeds greatly in keeping interest. This book, is basically Jack Higgins writ large, but with a decent portion of Vince Flynn thrown into the mix. It's far more complex and engaging than many of the 21st century Jack Higgins novels, but preserves what was great about them. The settings and action are also very good, not to mention down to earth and perfectly plausible, which at times is few and far between in the genre this book is a part of. From the escape McIver makes from a law enforcement manhunt after the plotters take the gloves off to a destructive climax through the corridors of a suburban Junior High School, Veil Of Civility equals and sometimes surpasses even the likes of Flynn and Thor in terms of action and pace, the latter which starts slow but soon becomes bullet-like in its speed. As for research, the author has done his homework on the issues and subjects that make up the narrative. From the NSA's growing surveillance capabilities to the history of conflicts such as the First Chechen War and The Troubles, along with the motivations of their participants, Veil Of Civility will satisfy and may even surprise some of the more jaded conspiracy thriller fans out there.
Now for the characters. The standouts are as follows. First, there's Declan McIver. Sean Dillion has nothing on this guy. McIver is a man who has tried to move on and live with the decisions he made early in his life as an Irish Republican militant. While he would concede the conflict he fought in became a lot more morally ambiguous than he would have liked, he never lost sight of why he joined the PIRA in the first place (which for him, was to get the abused, marginalized Northern Irish Catholic Minority the political standing it deserved along with avenging a horrible personal loss) and he's pretty satisfied with the end result. Hence, despite his past, Declan comes off as a far more sympathetic and likable character than your traditional post 9/11 anti-hero like Scott Harvath. Unlike others who fall into the trap of letting their past define them, McIver came to terms with what he did during "The Troubles" and as a result, is a more balanced individual, which, in a genre where the "tortured, damaged hero type" is popular, I find refreshing. He also defines himself in other ways. He's not a CIA officer or Tier One Operator. But he has some training, and unlike the men who come after him, his experience in terrorism/unconventional warfare, allows him to be a lot more flexible and dance around their heavy handed attempts at destroying him.
Next, it's the antagonists who steal the show from several of the other secondary characters. First we have Ruslan Baktayev, the Chechen Terrorist leader. Mad as a hatter is an understatement. He's depraved, rabid from his years participating in one of the most brutal wars ever waged in human history and is willing to go to horrifying lengths to accomplish his agenda. Then we have the conspiracy who push the plot of this novel. Caring only about greed, power and as McIver begins to put the pieces together, saving their own skin regardless of the innocents they've endangered and the abuses of power they've committed. They're not over the top antagonists, something which the conspiracy thriller genre has been notorious about and the author characterized them suitably.
Overall, Ian Graham's Veil Of Civility is a great conspiracy thriller. I might need to go read the short story collections with give background into the characters, but overall, this is a perfectly good start in a series with great potential. With a surprisingly well constructed blend of influences from Higgins and Flynn, this book is an exciting, well researched but down to earth story about a man who refuses to be defined by his past, and is willing to fight for the future and freedom he deserves from those in power who want to steal it from him.
RECOMMENDED READING.
"F*** the revolution. They don't talk about the glory of killing for the revolution. What's the glory in taking a man from his bed and gunning him down in front of his wife and his children? Where's the glory in that? Where's the glory in bombing a Remembrance Day parade of old age pensioners, their medals taken out and polished up for the day. Where's the glory in that?"- Paul David Hewson
We live in a world which is influenced, for better or worse by history, politics and increasingly, religion. The author of this conspiracy thriller, Ian Graham is interested in the three and how they interact, such in the current war on terror which has been influenced by all three of these things. His first full length novel "Veil Of Civility" reflects this. With a focus on themes such as international terrorism past and present and the increasing political corruption of Public Life, the narrative of this thriller is enriched and helps prevent this book from becoming just another story about a man on the run. Now to the review. What happens when a man fighting for his future, has to return to his past?
We start the book in September 2004 with a little known real life event. A mysterious group of Chechens cross the US-Mexico border and melt into the population. They have murder on their minds and are perfectly happy to wait for the right time to strike. We then cut to sometime in the present day where a Chechen Jihadist is smuggled out of one of Russia's most remote prisons. We then cut to the protagonist of the novel, Declan McIver as he goes about his daily life, with a bit more caution than your average businessman. Elsewhere, the terrorist sprung from Russia arrives in the USA and is met by the 2004 sleeper cell. He already has a target and a plan for them to implement. At a high-profile speech in a Virginia University, they set off a bomb in order to isolate a former Mossad Officer turned lecturer who had previously apprehended the Chechen. They follow him to his residence, quickly overwhelm the security and behead him. Unfortunately for the terrorists, Declan McIver, who happens to be a friend of their victim witnesses the whole thing and manages to kill several members of the cell. This raises the alarm bells of a Senator and an FBI agent, both who would prefer to bury the matter and decide instead to bury McIver through a subtle, insidious conspiracy, which explodes into a blood soaked nightmare for everyone involved.
In terms of plot, Veil Of Civility is solid enough. Not many plot twists but the author's writing style succeeds greatly in keeping interest. This book, is basically Jack Higgins writ large, but with a decent portion of Vince Flynn thrown into the mix. It's far more complex and engaging than many of the 21st century Jack Higgins novels, but preserves what was great about them. The settings and action are also very good, not to mention down to earth and perfectly plausible, which at times is few and far between in the genre this book is a part of. From the escape McIver makes from a law enforcement manhunt after the plotters take the gloves off to a destructive climax through the corridors of a suburban Junior High School, Veil Of Civility equals and sometimes surpasses even the likes of Flynn and Thor in terms of action and pace, the latter which starts slow but soon becomes bullet-like in its speed. As for research, the author has done his homework on the issues and subjects that make up the narrative. From the NSA's growing surveillance capabilities to the history of conflicts such as the First Chechen War and The Troubles, along with the motivations of their participants, Veil Of Civility will satisfy and may even surprise some of the more jaded conspiracy thriller fans out there.
Now for the characters. The standouts are as follows. First, there's Declan McIver. Sean Dillion has nothing on this guy. McIver is a man who has tried to move on and live with the decisions he made early in his life as an Irish Republican militant. While he would concede the conflict he fought in became a lot more morally ambiguous than he would have liked, he never lost sight of why he joined the PIRA in the first place (which for him, was to get the abused, marginalized Northern Irish Catholic Minority the political standing it deserved along with avenging a horrible personal loss) and he's pretty satisfied with the end result. Hence, despite his past, Declan comes off as a far more sympathetic and likable character than your traditional post 9/11 anti-hero like Scott Harvath. Unlike others who fall into the trap of letting their past define them, McIver came to terms with what he did during "The Troubles" and as a result, is a more balanced individual, which, in a genre where the "tortured, damaged hero type" is popular, I find refreshing. He also defines himself in other ways. He's not a CIA officer or Tier One Operator. But he has some training, and unlike the men who come after him, his experience in terrorism/unconventional warfare, allows him to be a lot more flexible and dance around their heavy handed attempts at destroying him.
Next, it's the antagonists who steal the show from several of the other secondary characters. First we have Ruslan Baktayev, the Chechen Terrorist leader. Mad as a hatter is an understatement. He's depraved, rabid from his years participating in one of the most brutal wars ever waged in human history and is willing to go to horrifying lengths to accomplish his agenda. Then we have the conspiracy who push the plot of this novel. Caring only about greed, power and as McIver begins to put the pieces together, saving their own skin regardless of the innocents they've endangered and the abuses of power they've committed. They're not over the top antagonists, something which the conspiracy thriller genre has been notorious about and the author characterized them suitably.
Overall, Ian Graham's Veil Of Civility is a great conspiracy thriller. I might need to go read the short story collections with give background into the characters, but overall, this is a perfectly good start in a series with great potential. With a surprisingly well constructed blend of influences from Higgins and Flynn, this book is an exciting, well researched but down to earth story about a man who refuses to be defined by his past, and is willing to fight for the future and freedom he deserves from those in power who want to steal it from him.
RECOMMENDED READING.
November 25, 2020
Several months ago I bought Patriots & Tyrants, Ian Graham's introduction to the Black Shuck characters. Although the writing was a bit rough in spots and the action scenes a bit over-the-top, that book's strong characters, the evil and brutality the good guys were challenged to overcome, and gut-wrenching action made me eager for the first full novel.
Well, I got my copy of Veil of Civility three days ago and WOW! I devoured it. All the best qualities of Patriots & Tyrants are here, in a more maturely written book. Graham brings a deliciously complex plot with layers of intrigue; credibly horrible bad guys of varying types; violence made all the more horrifying by the restraint in its description; deep understanding of hatreds around the globe and how they breed violence; sensory and factual details that render settings and scenes with immediacy and realism...
Veil of Civility also is a textbook for how to write an ultra-realistic thriller without the crutches of lurid sex, gore, and profanity. Yay!
I love to see a new fiction writer hit his stride. Ian Graham has done that, brilliantly, with Veil of Civility.
P.S. In the aftermath of the Boston bombings, Ian Graham's grasp of the potential for terrorism by Chechnyan radicals is especially powerful. Sad but true.
Well, I got my copy of Veil of Civility three days ago and WOW! I devoured it. All the best qualities of Patriots & Tyrants are here, in a more maturely written book. Graham brings a deliciously complex plot with layers of intrigue; credibly horrible bad guys of varying types; violence made all the more horrifying by the restraint in its description; deep understanding of hatreds around the globe and how they breed violence; sensory and factual details that render settings and scenes with immediacy and realism...
Veil of Civility also is a textbook for how to write an ultra-realistic thriller without the crutches of lurid sex, gore, and profanity. Yay!
I love to see a new fiction writer hit his stride. Ian Graham has done that, brilliantly, with Veil of Civility.
P.S. In the aftermath of the Boston bombings, Ian Graham's grasp of the potential for terrorism by Chechnyan radicals is especially powerful. Sad but true.
November 12, 2017
Declan McIver is a 1-dimensional character surrounded by 1/2 dimensional characters.
The premise promises intrigue and excitement. Ho hum.
Per my Kindle, the book became mildly interesting at 42% and faltered from there.
I purchased the first 2 books of this series after Goodreads pushed a 5 star review from 10 reviewers to my e-mail with a discount price. I normally enjoy this plot style of 1 man on the run versus the world. Spend your time and money on another author. If you don't heed my warning, then count how many times his wife rolls her eyes at him. And buy the novel to cure your insomnia. LOL
The premise promises intrigue and excitement. Ho hum.
Per my Kindle, the book became mildly interesting at 42% and faltered from there.
I purchased the first 2 books of this series after Goodreads pushed a 5 star review from 10 reviewers to my e-mail with a discount price. I normally enjoy this plot style of 1 man on the run versus the world. Spend your time and money on another author. If you don't heed my warning, then count how many times his wife rolls her eyes at him. And buy the novel to cure your insomnia. LOL
April 16, 2021
READ MY FULL REVIEW AT Best Thriller Books
What do an Israeli anti-terrorism expert, an Irish immigrant, and a US Senator have in common? It sounds like the opening to an odd joke, but in reality it’s the core question to a riveting political thriller.
Veil of Civility is a fantastic blend of intrigue and action sequences, with just the right amount of tidbits about a historical era that has always held a high level of interest for me. With the creation of one of the more interesting protagonists I’ve read in a while, Ian Graham takes readers on one hell of a ride spanning two continents.
Make sure to check out the full review
What do an Israeli anti-terrorism expert, an Irish immigrant, and a US Senator have in common? It sounds like the opening to an odd joke, but in reality it’s the core question to a riveting political thriller.
Veil of Civility is a fantastic blend of intrigue and action sequences, with just the right amount of tidbits about a historical era that has always held a high level of interest for me. With the creation of one of the more interesting protagonists I’ve read in a while, Ian Graham takes readers on one hell of a ride spanning two continents.
Make sure to check out the full review
April 12, 2018
Thrilling
This book is well researched and written. Just when you think he’s safe, something else happens. I’d also like to thank the author for keeping the language {clean} and making it a joy to read! So rare to find a good book without really vulgar words in every sentence. Well done mate. Looking forward to future books from you.
This book is well researched and written. Just when you think he’s safe, something else happens. I’d also like to thank the author for keeping the language {clean} and making it a joy to read! So rare to find a good book without really vulgar words in every sentence. Well done mate. Looking forward to future books from you.
May 4, 2021
A Real Good Story
An enjoyable story. Declan McIver is a very appealing character. The story is a clever mix of IRA, CIA, MI5 & a Chechnyian terrorist cell being used by an American Politician for a nefarious outcome. The story flows well & keeps one engaged & entertained. Well worth reading.
An enjoyable story. Declan McIver is a very appealing character. The story is a clever mix of IRA, CIA, MI5 & a Chechnyian terrorist cell being used by an American Politician for a nefarious outcome. The story flows well & keeps one engaged & entertained. Well worth reading.
October 2, 2020
This is the first book (I believe) of the series. I read as part of the Black Ops Bundle and it got me sucked in. I would go to the author, Ian, website because there you get some more stories about the Black Shuck group.
May 1, 2018
Fast-paced and action packed. Definitely a good read!
December 5, 2021
Lots of twists!
The author takes a bit of literary license with Irish history, but the story keeps the reader fully engaged to the end.
The author takes a bit of literary license with Irish history, but the story keeps the reader fully engaged to the end.
June 1, 2013
STUNNING, A REFRESHINGLY DIFFERENT APPROACH WITH A DISTINCTIVE NEW HERO! (SPOILER ALERT)
This is a very well written thriller, which in light of the bombings during the Boston Marathon makes the story very timely. Ian Graham has rejuvenated the thriller genre with “Veil of Civility” providing an entertaining, exciting, well-written book with characters and situations that are skillfully crafted.
Declan McIver has achieved the American dream, he has a wife, Constance, whom he loves and is loved in return, he owns his own business, which even in today’s real estate market he is still making money. He has come a long way since he first came to the states from Ireland and he has almost put his past behind him. What he does not know is that the events below, which began several years ago, are going to bring the comfortable life he has built crashing down around him, forcing him to revert to his former lifestyle to save his wife and himself.
The Past - September 4, 2004: A Mexican man and his 16-year-old son, Ignacio, lead 12 men through the desert along the Mexico/US border. The older man only knows that he has been hired to lead them through the border, as he has done so many other times for other people. However, there is something about the 12 men that scare him, especially the tallest man, with a jagged scar running down the entire left side of his face. He avoids looking into their eyes or at their faces for any length of time. They make him fear for his and his son’s life after they lead them to their destination. He thinks the men are possibly Romanians or Slovakians from their accents. He knows they are accustomed to much colder climates and that the heat of the desert shows that they are not accustomed to this climate. As they arrive he see a blue van waiting for the men and he crosses himself and watches in relief as the men head toward the van. “Speaking in their native Spanish and crossing himself again”, he said, “Let us pray for the souls of the Americans that these men have come to kill”. “Yes”, Ignacio responded, “Let us also ask God to forgive us for showing them the way”. Unknown to either man was that a week later, the 12 they has led across the border were joined by 12 more men that were the same ethnicity as the original men.
Two weeks ago Ognenny Ostrov Prison (Fire Island) Vologda Oblast, Russia: This is the prison where the worst criminals are sent to serve their time for the atrocities they’ve committed. Once they arrive, they never leave the island or the prison. When they die or they are executed their bodies are thrown into the incinerator and burned with the prison trash. However, today, someone has paid a lot of money to have one of the notorious Chechen child killer, Rusian Batayev released so he can be brought to the US to join the others that are already here. Once he is here, they are to execute the plans than have been in place for several years.
Constance and Declan are attending an event where Declan’s old friend and former employer is the keynote speaker. Declan has never told his wife about his past and he is planning to use this event as an opener to tell his wife about his past life. They have been happily married for several years, but she has no idea who and what he was while he was in Ireland and before he became a US citizen. He knows that he must tell her everything and he is not looking forward to the prospect. He only prays that her love is strong enough to forgive him for not telling her before now.
Things do not work out as planned and Declan soon finds that he is framed for the bombing at the event and the subsequent murder and other events that follow. He soon finds himself on the run as he tries to keep from being murdered by experienced killers hired to kill him. To his horror, he learns that they plan to kill Constance after they kill him and he is forced to hide her away in a secret location while he tries to find the evidence that will clear his name so they can return to their lives.
One of the reasons I enjoyed this so much is Graham’s of writing and the research he merged into the story. This research gives readers insight into Ireland's violent history during the “Troubles”. He combines an enjoyable complex plot and back-story that is so convincing the reader finds themselves engrossed in the story. Declan McIver is the best protagonist that has appeared in a long time. Unlike so many writers in this genre, Graham has not succumbed to writing one-worded and/or short sentences and short chapters to portray a greater sense of suspense that never happens. This does not mean that the writing is too verbose or the chapters too long, they are not and I have not been tempted to skim ahead because so I can reach the conclusion thinking I probably would not have missed reading anything that was significant. Of all the thrillers, I have read so far this year there are two that I would buy to give as a gift or recommend 100% and this is one of them.
This is a very well written thriller, which in light of the bombings during the Boston Marathon makes the story very timely. Ian Graham has rejuvenated the thriller genre with “Veil of Civility” providing an entertaining, exciting, well-written book with characters and situations that are skillfully crafted.
Declan McIver has achieved the American dream, he has a wife, Constance, whom he loves and is loved in return, he owns his own business, which even in today’s real estate market he is still making money. He has come a long way since he first came to the states from Ireland and he has almost put his past behind him. What he does not know is that the events below, which began several years ago, are going to bring the comfortable life he has built crashing down around him, forcing him to revert to his former lifestyle to save his wife and himself.
The Past - September 4, 2004: A Mexican man and his 16-year-old son, Ignacio, lead 12 men through the desert along the Mexico/US border. The older man only knows that he has been hired to lead them through the border, as he has done so many other times for other people. However, there is something about the 12 men that scare him, especially the tallest man, with a jagged scar running down the entire left side of his face. He avoids looking into their eyes or at their faces for any length of time. They make him fear for his and his son’s life after they lead them to their destination. He thinks the men are possibly Romanians or Slovakians from their accents. He knows they are accustomed to much colder climates and that the heat of the desert shows that they are not accustomed to this climate. As they arrive he see a blue van waiting for the men and he crosses himself and watches in relief as the men head toward the van. “Speaking in their native Spanish and crossing himself again”, he said, “Let us pray for the souls of the Americans that these men have come to kill”. “Yes”, Ignacio responded, “Let us also ask God to forgive us for showing them the way”. Unknown to either man was that a week later, the 12 they has led across the border were joined by 12 more men that were the same ethnicity as the original men.
Two weeks ago Ognenny Ostrov Prison (Fire Island) Vologda Oblast, Russia: This is the prison where the worst criminals are sent to serve their time for the atrocities they’ve committed. Once they arrive, they never leave the island or the prison. When they die or they are executed their bodies are thrown into the incinerator and burned with the prison trash. However, today, someone has paid a lot of money to have one of the notorious Chechen child killer, Rusian Batayev released so he can be brought to the US to join the others that are already here. Once he is here, they are to execute the plans than have been in place for several years.
Constance and Declan are attending an event where Declan’s old friend and former employer is the keynote speaker. Declan has never told his wife about his past and he is planning to use this event as an opener to tell his wife about his past life. They have been happily married for several years, but she has no idea who and what he was while he was in Ireland and before he became a US citizen. He knows that he must tell her everything and he is not looking forward to the prospect. He only prays that her love is strong enough to forgive him for not telling her before now.
Things do not work out as planned and Declan soon finds that he is framed for the bombing at the event and the subsequent murder and other events that follow. He soon finds himself on the run as he tries to keep from being murdered by experienced killers hired to kill him. To his horror, he learns that they plan to kill Constance after they kill him and he is forced to hide her away in a secret location while he tries to find the evidence that will clear his name so they can return to their lives.
One of the reasons I enjoyed this so much is Graham’s of writing and the research he merged into the story. This research gives readers insight into Ireland's violent history during the “Troubles”. He combines an enjoyable complex plot and back-story that is so convincing the reader finds themselves engrossed in the story. Declan McIver is the best protagonist that has appeared in a long time. Unlike so many writers in this genre, Graham has not succumbed to writing one-worded and/or short sentences and short chapters to portray a greater sense of suspense that never happens. This does not mean that the writing is too verbose or the chapters too long, they are not and I have not been tempted to skim ahead because so I can reach the conclusion thinking I probably would not have missed reading anything that was significant. Of all the thrillers, I have read so far this year there are two that I would buy to give as a gift or recommend 100% and this is one of them.
April 28, 2016
Veil of Civility: A Black Shuck Thriller is the first book in the Declan McIver series by award winning author Ian Graham and I’m really glad to bring you a review for the audiobook version of this awesome debut novel. Never heard of Mr. Graham before experiencing this immersive story, but his writing style reminds me of some great, entertaining and iconic works by Tom Clancy, Robert Ludlum and Daniel Silva.
The story opens with a series of seemingly unrelated events that will set the stage for a great adventure. The listener will be carried away from Mexico to the United States, from Russia to the United Kingdom and later, even to good old Ireland.
Our main character is Declan McIver, an ex-operative with the IRA (Irish Republican Army) that after living a life of violence has settled in the United States trying hard to forget the haunting past. He is happily married with a gorgeous woman that he loves more than anything, but things change when one of Declan’s friends is executed by a group of Islamic fundamentalist terrorists. I don’t want to go to much into the plot, because, as you may know, I hate spoilers, so all I’ll add is that Declan and his loving wife will be on the run, trying to escape false accusations and an ever expending conspiracy.
This book is excellent for many reasons and I’ll shine the spotlight just on a few of them: The writing is great, delivering instant immersion, the plot is easy to follow, although Mr. Graham created a story filled with non stop, thrilling and tensed action, a vivid cast of colorful characters, extending even to the bad guys, it never becomes too convoluted or tiresome. We’ll see political corruption at the highest levels of the government, terrorist, conspiracies, manipulation, murders and betrayals contrasting with friendship, love, honor and camaraderie.
Veil of Civility is a fantastic thriller that will be surely enjoyed by readers that liked The Sum of All Fears, Patriot Games and other top notch adventures written by masters like Vince Flynn, W.E.B. Griffin and Tom Clancy. The level of research that Mr. Graham did for this book must be staggering. The attention at details and facts is more than note worthy.
Since this is a review for an audiobook , I want to say a few words about the amazing narration delivered by the award winning actor Steve Marvel. Mr. Marvel brings the significant cast of characters to life like a true professional. He uses different voices, inflections and accents to keep them recognizable in the listeners mind. He switches with ease from Irish accented English to Jewish, British or even Arabic. I’m looking forward to experience more adventures performed with class and talent by Steve Marvel.
It was an absolute pleasure to spend almost 16 hours in this esteemed company! A great story from a promising writer that spins it like a master of thrillers, performed by a true professional, what can a book junkie want more than that? Just get it, it will be grand!
The story opens with a series of seemingly unrelated events that will set the stage for a great adventure. The listener will be carried away from Mexico to the United States, from Russia to the United Kingdom and later, even to good old Ireland.
Our main character is Declan McIver, an ex-operative with the IRA (Irish Republican Army) that after living a life of violence has settled in the United States trying hard to forget the haunting past. He is happily married with a gorgeous woman that he loves more than anything, but things change when one of Declan’s friends is executed by a group of Islamic fundamentalist terrorists. I don’t want to go to much into the plot, because, as you may know, I hate spoilers, so all I’ll add is that Declan and his loving wife will be on the run, trying to escape false accusations and an ever expending conspiracy.
This book is excellent for many reasons and I’ll shine the spotlight just on a few of them: The writing is great, delivering instant immersion, the plot is easy to follow, although Mr. Graham created a story filled with non stop, thrilling and tensed action, a vivid cast of colorful characters, extending even to the bad guys, it never becomes too convoluted or tiresome. We’ll see political corruption at the highest levels of the government, terrorist, conspiracies, manipulation, murders and betrayals contrasting with friendship, love, honor and camaraderie.
Veil of Civility is a fantastic thriller that will be surely enjoyed by readers that liked The Sum of All Fears, Patriot Games and other top notch adventures written by masters like Vince Flynn, W.E.B. Griffin and Tom Clancy. The level of research that Mr. Graham did for this book must be staggering. The attention at details and facts is more than note worthy.
Since this is a review for an audiobook , I want to say a few words about the amazing narration delivered by the award winning actor Steve Marvel. Mr. Marvel brings the significant cast of characters to life like a true professional. He uses different voices, inflections and accents to keep them recognizable in the listeners mind. He switches with ease from Irish accented English to Jewish, British or even Arabic. I’m looking forward to experience more adventures performed with class and talent by Steve Marvel.
It was an absolute pleasure to spend almost 16 hours in this esteemed company! A great story from a promising writer that spins it like a master of thrillers, performed by a true professional, what can a book junkie want more than that? Just get it, it will be grand!
November 13, 2016
I'm notoriously slow at clearing my reading log.
I received Ian Graham's VEIL OF CIVILITY about two years ago, and it sat on my shelf for a while. I tried reading it at one point, then my scatterbrain got distracted by something shiny. Finally, some time cleared up, and I was able to finally sit down and read the novel.
I'm glad that I did.
The novel follows Declan McIver, a reformed Spetsnaz-trained Provisional Irish Republican Army terrorist who has started a new life in the United States with his wife, Constance. An old friend and former Mossad operative arrives in town to give a speech, and gives McIver information that a Chechen terrorist with a grudge has been broken out of prison.
Soon thereafter, a terrorist attack occurs that claims the life of his friend. McIver is implicated by corrupt elements within the federal government, and is forced to take his wife on the run. His past, which he had kept under wraps from his wife for years, finally comes to the forefront. The manhunt goes international, and McIver finds allies in the most unlikely of places as he attempts to clear his name and shine light upon the conspiracy in which he has become entangled.
This is a very strong first work from Graham. The amount of research he did into the Troubles is staggering. It could be said that one could read VEIL OF CIVILITY and get a crash course on the insurgency between the PIRA and the British government in Northern Ireland. The action is well written, and the prose moves along at a steady pace.
The only reason why I give it four stars instead of five (I'd probably rate it 8.75/10 if I were given a more precise rating system) is that Graham becomes so focused on McIver's manhunt that the Chechen terrorists sort of fade into the background, with the exception of a couple of scenes here and there, until the very end of the novel, where it seems like it's more wrapping up loose ends than anything else.
Even so, it's still a very solid thriller with very human characters, and I would recommend it to any fan of the genre.
Definitely looking forward to Graham's next work.
I received Ian Graham's VEIL OF CIVILITY about two years ago, and it sat on my shelf for a while. I tried reading it at one point, then my scatterbrain got distracted by something shiny. Finally, some time cleared up, and I was able to finally sit down and read the novel.
I'm glad that I did.
The novel follows Declan McIver, a reformed Spetsnaz-trained Provisional Irish Republican Army terrorist who has started a new life in the United States with his wife, Constance. An old friend and former Mossad operative arrives in town to give a speech, and gives McIver information that a Chechen terrorist with a grudge has been broken out of prison.
Soon thereafter, a terrorist attack occurs that claims the life of his friend. McIver is implicated by corrupt elements within the federal government, and is forced to take his wife on the run. His past, which he had kept under wraps from his wife for years, finally comes to the forefront. The manhunt goes international, and McIver finds allies in the most unlikely of places as he attempts to clear his name and shine light upon the conspiracy in which he has become entangled.
This is a very strong first work from Graham. The amount of research he did into the Troubles is staggering. It could be said that one could read VEIL OF CIVILITY and get a crash course on the insurgency between the PIRA and the British government in Northern Ireland. The action is well written, and the prose moves along at a steady pace.
The only reason why I give it four stars instead of five (I'd probably rate it 8.75/10 if I were given a more precise rating system) is that Graham becomes so focused on McIver's manhunt that the Chechen terrorists sort of fade into the background, with the exception of a couple of scenes here and there, until the very end of the novel, where it seems like it's more wrapping up loose ends than anything else.
Even so, it's still a very solid thriller with very human characters, and I would recommend it to any fan of the genre.
Definitely looking forward to Graham's next work.
August 6, 2014
An intense thriller with a different twist.
VEIL OF CIVILITY is a political thriller with a lot of different twists and turns, drawing the reader in for a roller coaster of a fascinating ride filled with action.
The protagonist, Declan, is a superhero type of character who will risk his life to protect innocent people. He's likable and even with his skills and strengths, and the amount of bad guys he deals with, Declan is written in a believable manner.
The secondary characters were interesting, well written and their interactions with Declan were action packed. My one small disappointment was that I would have liked to have seen a female lead who matched Declan's strength in the book. The female characters that the author created added an extra element to the story, and they added to the page turning pace.
The plot unfolds at a good pace for a thriller, at times it is quick, and at times it slows down, but still keeps the reader riveted, which results in an excellent way to keep the tension up and eased when it was appropriate to the story line.
It is obvious the author did a lot of research, however he took great care in not thumping the reader over the head with the research, and instead threaded it throughout the well thought-out story line, and through the characters dialogue and actions.
I’m one of those readers who enjoys reading different points of views in novels, and the author offers scenes from the terrorist point of view which added another element to the intrigue.
For readers who enjoy political thrillers, and love to suspend reality when reading the action, and a bigger than life protagonist, and do not expect romantic connections between the characters, this book will keep your attention.
This book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.
VEIL OF CIVILITY is a political thriller with a lot of different twists and turns, drawing the reader in for a roller coaster of a fascinating ride filled with action.
The protagonist, Declan, is a superhero type of character who will risk his life to protect innocent people. He's likable and even with his skills and strengths, and the amount of bad guys he deals with, Declan is written in a believable manner.
The secondary characters were interesting, well written and their interactions with Declan were action packed. My one small disappointment was that I would have liked to have seen a female lead who matched Declan's strength in the book. The female characters that the author created added an extra element to the story, and they added to the page turning pace.
The plot unfolds at a good pace for a thriller, at times it is quick, and at times it slows down, but still keeps the reader riveted, which results in an excellent way to keep the tension up and eased when it was appropriate to the story line.
It is obvious the author did a lot of research, however he took great care in not thumping the reader over the head with the research, and instead threaded it throughout the well thought-out story line, and through the characters dialogue and actions.
I’m one of those readers who enjoys reading different points of views in novels, and the author offers scenes from the terrorist point of view which added another element to the intrigue.
For readers who enjoy political thrillers, and love to suspend reality when reading the action, and a bigger than life protagonist, and do not expect romantic connections between the characters, this book will keep your attention.
This book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.
July 11, 2013
We all remember a time when political thrillers involving terrorism were the flavor of the day. They all had a haunting sameness that acted as a bonus if you liked the character. I promise you readers; Veil of Civility (Declan McIver Series) is like no other political thriller. Despite the impression that this story is built from recent events, the true result could not be more different. The terrorists are organized and deadly. Political thrillers are a scary animal for readers in that they tend to be plausible. Are there terrorists slipping through the border? It has happened and it can happen. Veil of Civility (Declan McIver Series) was written before the Boston Marathon Bombing and deals with an organized terrorist attack by Chechen Islamists in America. Author Ian Graham’s work reads as an author who knows of what he speaks and Graham tells me that this is a topic he has studied for years.
Once a reader gets past the exposition, there is no turning back. Veil of Civility (Declan McIver Series) is a non-stop action ride and grabs the reader, not letting go. The plot rolls revealing each fascinating turn in its time. Declan McIver as a political thriller character is up there with Gabriel Allon and Mitch Rapp as a prime example of the genre. This is a series you will want to track. Veil of Civility (Declan McIver Series) will either make you proud or frightened to be American.
Once a reader gets past the exposition, there is no turning back. Veil of Civility (Declan McIver Series) is a non-stop action ride and grabs the reader, not letting go. The plot rolls revealing each fascinating turn in its time. Declan McIver as a political thriller character is up there with Gabriel Allon and Mitch Rapp as a prime example of the genre. This is a series you will want to track. Veil of Civility (Declan McIver Series) will either make you proud or frightened to be American.
April 5, 2014
This is a great take on the "man's dark past comes back to haunt him." It's a huge trope for thrillers, and I find that most authors don't get quite right in terms of believability. Not the case here. A very complete, sympathetic character in the middle of highly layered, fast paced international conspiracy thriller. A caring husband, loyal friend, ruthless killer and desperate fugitive- all the pieces are there inside of one person, and they all fit just so. The side characters are just as memorable, to the point where I see good spinoff/prequel potential for a few of them.
What takes book up on yet another level is the author's ability to create a sense of place. Whether it's a suburban Virginia home, an estate in Ireland or a terrorist hideout, the reader truly gets a feeling of being there, viewing it through the characters' eyes. (Lets' just say Ireland has shot way up on my travel destination list!) The only quibble I have is some loose ends that are obviously left over for the sequel, but there is enough closure to leave the reader satisfied. Recommended to fans of thriller or mystery genre, or to anyone interested in Irish-themed fiction.
What takes book up on yet another level is the author's ability to create a sense of place. Whether it's a suburban Virginia home, an estate in Ireland or a terrorist hideout, the reader truly gets a feeling of being there, viewing it through the characters' eyes. (Lets' just say Ireland has shot way up on my travel destination list!) The only quibble I have is some loose ends that are obviously left over for the sequel, but there is enough closure to leave the reader satisfied. Recommended to fans of thriller or mystery genre, or to anyone interested in Irish-themed fiction.
February 2, 2015
In the fall of 2012, I received a preview of this book, and it was on the basis of that preview that I called Ian Graham "one of the rising stars of the thriller genre".
I'm pleased to say that Veil of Civility not only lives up to that recommendation--but indeed, far exceeds it. In his first novel-length outing with ex-PIRA paramilitary Declan McIver, Graham has blown the doors off the genre, delivering a thriller focused on an Islamist threat from Chechnya from that comes off as remarkably prescient in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings.
With a character that is equal parts Ludlum's Bourne and Higgins' Dillon, Ian Graham spins a thoroughly plausible and realistic tale--racing from the countryside of suburban Virginia to the rocky coast of Wales and the moors of Scotland as Declan McIver struggles to stay out of reach of the conspiracy that has made him a wanted man. And one step ahead of his own past.
Action-packed and thoroughly captivating, this is a debut worthy of a veteran author--one of the best thrillers I read in 2013. Highly recommended.
I'm pleased to say that Veil of Civility not only lives up to that recommendation--but indeed, far exceeds it. In his first novel-length outing with ex-PIRA paramilitary Declan McIver, Graham has blown the doors off the genre, delivering a thriller focused on an Islamist threat from Chechnya from that comes off as remarkably prescient in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings.
With a character that is equal parts Ludlum's Bourne and Higgins' Dillon, Ian Graham spins a thoroughly plausible and realistic tale--racing from the countryside of suburban Virginia to the rocky coast of Wales and the moors of Scotland as Declan McIver struggles to stay out of reach of the conspiracy that has made him a wanted man. And one step ahead of his own past.
Action-packed and thoroughly captivating, this is a debut worthy of a veteran author--one of the best thrillers I read in 2013. Highly recommended.
February 6, 2014
This book is a Mulligan's stew of components that I love. Espionage, black-ops, corrupt politicians, clandestine organizations. The protagonist is a former IRA man who at age 41 has finally put his rocky childhood and fisticuffs activities in Northern Ireland during "The Troubles" behind him. A beautiful wife, a cozy house, a straight job, and anonymity from his past are finally attained. Then he encounters an old mentor, there is an assassination, and our man is framed. Despite a worldwide manhunt, he proceeds to untangle the enigmatic web, and to bring justice to the planners of a villainous ongoing terrorist plot. His name is cleared, as best it can be, and he returns to some semblance of normalcy, with a new baby on the horizon. Great page-turner.
June 14, 2015
As I said on a FB post, Wow, just wow!
SPOILERS!
If you like thrillers, this one has the Russians, it has Mossad, it has MI5, the CIA and the FBI, and it has Declan McIver one of the few remaining members of Black Shuck. Declan is a happily married man who had been specially trained by the Russians in years past. An old friend shows up, needing his help and ends up assassinated. That was a bit upsetting as Abe was Mossad. I was hoping for more input from the two agents that had accompanied him, but they came through in the end. The plot line was incredible. The low level bad guys were easily determined and we did not have to guess. At the highest level, though, we are given little information and can only be glad that the next Declan McIver is in the works!
SPOILERS!
If you like thrillers, this one has the Russians, it has Mossad, it has MI5, the CIA and the FBI, and it has Declan McIver one of the few remaining members of Black Shuck. Declan is a happily married man who had been specially trained by the Russians in years past. An old friend shows up, needing his help and ends up assassinated. That was a bit upsetting as Abe was Mossad. I was hoping for more input from the two agents that had accompanied him, but they came through in the end. The plot line was incredible. The low level bad guys were easily determined and we did not have to guess. At the highest level, though, we are given little information and can only be glad that the next Declan McIver is in the works!
July 8, 2016
A fun read, with enough action, suspense, espionage and intrigue to hold my interest throughout the 500+ pages. I was a little worried that the author's political perspective might get in the way of a good story at first, but I needn't have been concerned. The only fault I found with the storyline was that help seemed to come from former associates with whom he had not had contact in decades in several key moments in the book. This stretched my ability to suspend disbelief just a bit more than I would have liked. Still, an enjoyable read for anyone interested in the genre.
April 16, 2014
If you love stories with a mix of history and conspiracy, you definitely want to read Veil of Civility. The historical details the author included were enough to give the story background and depth without making it hard for your average person to enjoy. The plot is completely believable especially if you tend toward conspiracies. Veil of Civility is loaded with non stop action and suspense and I couldn’t wait to finish it and see what happened. Fans of political thrillers will definitely want to read Veil of Civility by Ian Graham.
I received a copy of this book for my honest review.
I received a copy of this book for my honest review.
October 25, 2014
Interesting suspense thriller about terrorists attacking targets in the US. During the attack the main character tries to stop it and in turn becomes a target of the "bad guys". The bad guys turn out to be part of the US government using these attacks as political fodder.
Fortunately the main character has a background that allows him to keep his family safe while taking down the terrorists and the guys directing the terrorism.
Fortunately the main character has a background that allows him to keep his family safe while taking down the terrorists and the guys directing the terrorism.
March 3, 2014
A new author for me and one I am glad to have met through this book. It is a well written action story with many inter related relationships from past to present converging together for the good of the public. I look forward to seeing what will transpire next that will cause Declan to need to use his survival skills again. Will it involve Keft?
February 16, 2014
Good reading
Good reading
The author skilfully wove together stories of seemingly disparate people, places and times. A good read for those of us who enjoy adventures.
Good reading
The author skilfully wove together stories of seemingly disparate people, places and times. A good read for those of us who enjoy adventures.
April 20, 2014
Enjoyable
Enjoyable
It could keep you involved,however there became too many murders with too many compatriots whom there no contact for years who were able to suddenly be immediately available
Enjoyable
It could keep you involved,however there became too many murders with too many compatriots whom there no contact for years who were able to suddenly be immediately available
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