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Donovan Nash #3
Zero Separation: A Novel (3)
Best-Selling and Award-Winning Author
A gripping tale of terrorism, brutality, and personal conflict
Donovan Nash has a secret he’ll do anything to keep. But he’s the prime suspect after someone steals a fifty-million-dollar executive jet, and FBI agent Veronica Montero put him squarely in the crosshairs. As she digs, she discovers Nash’s secret—a revelation that, if made public, would stun the world. Operating on her own agenda, Montero blackmails Nash into helping her hunt down a man she wants dead.
Powerless against the information Montero holds, Nash is forced into a situation far deadlier than either of them could ever have imagined. The man they are after isn’t the criminal they expect, he’s a terrorist with a plan to use the stolen jet to carry out an unthinkable and devastating act that could plunge America into the most heinous conflict since World War II.
When Nash and Montero are taken prisoner aboard the stolen jet, they will have only one opportunity to execute a daring midair attempt to stop the attack. Success could cost them their own lives—failure could cost millions of innocent lives.
Perfect for fans of David Baldacci and Daniel Silva
While all of the novels in the Donovan Nash Series stand on their own and can be read in any order, the publication sequence
Category Five
Code Black
Zero Separation
Deadly Echoes
Aftershock
Pegasus Down
Seconds to Midnight Speed the Dawn
A gripping tale of terrorism, brutality, and personal conflict
Donovan Nash has a secret he’ll do anything to keep. But he’s the prime suspect after someone steals a fifty-million-dollar executive jet, and FBI agent Veronica Montero put him squarely in the crosshairs. As she digs, she discovers Nash’s secret—a revelation that, if made public, would stun the world. Operating on her own agenda, Montero blackmails Nash into helping her hunt down a man she wants dead.
Powerless against the information Montero holds, Nash is forced into a situation far deadlier than either of them could ever have imagined. The man they are after isn’t the criminal they expect, he’s a terrorist with a plan to use the stolen jet to carry out an unthinkable and devastating act that could plunge America into the most heinous conflict since World War II.
When Nash and Montero are taken prisoner aboard the stolen jet, they will have only one opportunity to execute a daring midair attempt to stop the attack. Success could cost them their own lives—failure could cost millions of innocent lives.
Perfect for fans of David Baldacci and Daniel Silva
While all of the novels in the Donovan Nash Series stand on their own and can be read in any order, the publication sequence
Category Five
Code Black
Zero Separation
Deadly Echoes
Aftershock
Pegasus Down
Seconds to Midnight Speed the Dawn
320 pages, Paperback
First published February 23, 2013
373 people are currently reading
502 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
February 22, 2015
4.5 stars
Donovan Nash, the founder of Eco Watch, an environmental research company, and his partner and best friend, Michael Ross are flying their Gulfstream to Palm Beach. Getting caught in a thunderstorm forces them to divert to Boca Raton in Florida. This triggers a series of events, the magnitude of which no-one could have imagined. Michael is attacked and left for dead, the plane is stolen and Donovan crosses paths with FBI agent Veronica Montero.
Donovan is hiding a secret that could ruin his life as well as that of his family and friends. Veronica Montero discovers Donovan’s hidden past and blackmails him into helping her with her plan to avenge her lover’s murder. They are drawn into life threatening danger, involving bio terrorism, murders, political intrigue and stolen airplanes. After a terrifying ordeal they just have one slim chance to stop a horrendous atrocity that would cause widespread loss of life. Which also looks likely to cost their own.
I’m not a fan of an audiobook series with different narrators for each story so I took a chance with this one, since it’s the third book in the Donovan Nash series, (Luke Daniels narrating – so it was no contest) and actually, it can be listened to as a stand alone. There’s enough back information in the narrative, so I wasn’t ever lost with the storyline. It’s an exciting and tense thriller with an intricate plot and some amazing action sequences, in the air as well as on the ground. The fact that Mr Donlay is an experienced pilot, and is obviously very knowledgeable about aircraft and the associated technicalities, adds authenticity to the imaginative and dramatic story.
Donovan Nash is an intriguing protagonist with a complex background. I like the fact that he’s not a stereotypical action man, the type who’s an expert shot and never loses a fight sort of hero. His background unfolds as the story progresses revealing a complex, likeable and fallible character. Veronica Montero, on the other hand, is a woman on the edge, desperate to find the men who killed her partner and willing to go to any lengths to make them pay. The supporting characters are well defined and believable with realistic interaction. Great performance by Luke Daniels who never fails to deliver a perfectly voiced narration.
Donovan Nash, the founder of Eco Watch, an environmental research company, and his partner and best friend, Michael Ross are flying their Gulfstream to Palm Beach. Getting caught in a thunderstorm forces them to divert to Boca Raton in Florida. This triggers a series of events, the magnitude of which no-one could have imagined. Michael is attacked and left for dead, the plane is stolen and Donovan crosses paths with FBI agent Veronica Montero.
Donovan is hiding a secret that could ruin his life as well as that of his family and friends. Veronica Montero discovers Donovan’s hidden past and blackmails him into helping her with her plan to avenge her lover’s murder. They are drawn into life threatening danger, involving bio terrorism, murders, political intrigue and stolen airplanes. After a terrifying ordeal they just have one slim chance to stop a horrendous atrocity that would cause widespread loss of life. Which also looks likely to cost their own.
I’m not a fan of an audiobook series with different narrators for each story so I took a chance with this one, since it’s the third book in the Donovan Nash series, (Luke Daniels narrating – so it was no contest) and actually, it can be listened to as a stand alone. There’s enough back information in the narrative, so I wasn’t ever lost with the storyline. It’s an exciting and tense thriller with an intricate plot and some amazing action sequences, in the air as well as on the ground. The fact that Mr Donlay is an experienced pilot, and is obviously very knowledgeable about aircraft and the associated technicalities, adds authenticity to the imaginative and dramatic story.
Donovan Nash is an intriguing protagonist with a complex background. I like the fact that he’s not a stereotypical action man, the type who’s an expert shot and never loses a fight sort of hero. His background unfolds as the story progresses revealing a complex, likeable and fallible character. Veronica Montero, on the other hand, is a woman on the edge, desperate to find the men who killed her partner and willing to go to any lengths to make them pay. The supporting characters are well defined and believable with realistic interaction. Great performance by Luke Daniels who never fails to deliver a perfectly voiced narration.
January 3, 2017
Okay
If they make a movie out of this book, males under thirty will love it. Parts are emotional in the middle of action. Kept on reading and expecting to get better. Fights, injuries and didn't go no where. Stolen planes, amtrak, people with secret missions. Sorry to say, I even paid for this book.
If they make a movie out of this book, males under thirty will love it. Parts are emotional in the middle of action. Kept on reading and expecting to get better. Fights, injuries and didn't go no where. Stolen planes, amtrak, people with secret missions. Sorry to say, I even paid for this book.
March 21, 2015
Review: ZERO SEPARATION by Philip Donlay
The Donovan Nash series by Philip Donlay are truly action-packed, racing non-stop, but they're also beautifully psychological thrillers. Donlay postulates an unhealthy, brilliant gentleman who is a flight wiz, an environmentalist, a husband and father. Yet this man, with so much to offer, has enormous, earth-shaking secrets, and tremendous post-traumatic stress disorder. Yet Nash never backs down, never turns away. When there's danger or need, Donovan Nash is the go-to man.
The Donovan Nash series by Philip Donlay are truly action-packed, racing non-stop, but they're also beautifully psychological thrillers. Donlay postulates an unhealthy, brilliant gentleman who is a flight wiz, an environmentalist, a husband and father. Yet this man, with so much to offer, has enormous, earth-shaking secrets, and tremendous post-traumatic stress disorder. Yet Nash never backs down, never turns away. When there's danger or need, Donovan Nash is the go-to man.
Read
March 19, 2013ZERO SEPARATION
By Philip Donlay
“Zero Separation” is a fast-paced thriller with everything you expect from a summer actioner: a revenge-seeking terrorist, rouge agents, a billionaire with secrets, plot twists, shootouts, and explosions. Also like most summer movies, you can’t really think about it too much as the heroes rush from scene to scene, the plot relying on unlikely coincidences to propel the page-turning action.
Donovan Nash is a rich environmental researcher and entrepreneur. But when he and his best friend and business partner interrupt the theft of the Gulfstream jet next to theirs, his friend ends up shot and near death and the investigation threatens to expose Nash’s secret past. FBI agent Veronica Montero uncovers Nash’s previous life as billionaire oilman Robert Huntington, convicted by the court of public opinion in the tragic death of a beloved environmental activist kidnapped and murdered while in a relationship with him. The continuing controversy drove Huntington to fake his own death. Years later, Nash is married and has a toddler, but his wife has always known that if his secret was exposed they might have to go into hiding.
Now Montero threatens to expose Nash unless he helps her pursue the people who stole the plane. Montero’s partner and lover was killed recently, and there seems to be a connection between the two crimes. Montero’s loose-cannon behavior gets her kicked off the case, but she’s not willing to stop. Nash himself wants to avenge his friend’s shooting and keep his secret from being exposed. Soon the two are involved in increasingly dangerous situations as they chase the killers and get closer to the terrorist plot involving the stolen plane.
The novel is entertaining as a series of cinematic set pieces, although the coincidences linking the characters are a bit hard to swallow. As the plot gets more convoluted, drawing in various government agencies—and Nash’s wife just happens to be in the Defense Intelligence Agency—Nash himself, implausibly, calls some of the shots.
Such threats to the suspension of disbelief aside, the novel charges along with bigger and bigger action scenes building to a nail-biting conclusion. Readers may roll their eyes sometimes, but a generally entertaining read.
Reviewed by Scott Pearson, author of “Star Trek: Honor in the Night” and co-host of the Generations Geek podcast, for Suspense Magazine
By Philip Donlay
“Zero Separation” is a fast-paced thriller with everything you expect from a summer actioner: a revenge-seeking terrorist, rouge agents, a billionaire with secrets, plot twists, shootouts, and explosions. Also like most summer movies, you can’t really think about it too much as the heroes rush from scene to scene, the plot relying on unlikely coincidences to propel the page-turning action.
Donovan Nash is a rich environmental researcher and entrepreneur. But when he and his best friend and business partner interrupt the theft of the Gulfstream jet next to theirs, his friend ends up shot and near death and the investigation threatens to expose Nash’s secret past. FBI agent Veronica Montero uncovers Nash’s previous life as billionaire oilman Robert Huntington, convicted by the court of public opinion in the tragic death of a beloved environmental activist kidnapped and murdered while in a relationship with him. The continuing controversy drove Huntington to fake his own death. Years later, Nash is married and has a toddler, but his wife has always known that if his secret was exposed they might have to go into hiding.
Now Montero threatens to expose Nash unless he helps her pursue the people who stole the plane. Montero’s partner and lover was killed recently, and there seems to be a connection between the two crimes. Montero’s loose-cannon behavior gets her kicked off the case, but she’s not willing to stop. Nash himself wants to avenge his friend’s shooting and keep his secret from being exposed. Soon the two are involved in increasingly dangerous situations as they chase the killers and get closer to the terrorist plot involving the stolen plane.
The novel is entertaining as a series of cinematic set pieces, although the coincidences linking the characters are a bit hard to swallow. As the plot gets more convoluted, drawing in various government agencies—and Nash’s wife just happens to be in the Defense Intelligence Agency—Nash himself, implausibly, calls some of the shots.
Such threats to the suspension of disbelief aside, the novel charges along with bigger and bigger action scenes building to a nail-biting conclusion. Readers may roll their eyes sometimes, but a generally entertaining read.
Reviewed by Scott Pearson, author of “Star Trek: Honor in the Night” and co-host of the Generations Geek podcast, for Suspense Magazine
October 24, 2015
This is book three in the Donovan Nash. It is a thriller to the end. I can't wait till I read the next book in the series. There is a lot of drama, mystery ,action and danger on every page, I was never sure where the story was going to take me to next.
As with the other story follows the action of two people Donovan Nash and his wife Dr. Lauren McKenna.
Donovan Nash works for non for profit company as pilot and basically runs the company. They research the planet and try to understand it. They have the best equipment labs that different groups can use.
He also has a secret that only a handful know. He used to go by a different name and had faked his death. He is also a billionaire.
Dr. Lauren McKenna is married mother of one little girl who is married to Nash. She is smart, beautiful and works for the DIA.
Donovan and his co-pilot Michael have flown into Boca Raton after getting struck by lightning.
While Donovan is inside the plane still Michael is outside someone shot Michael. Which leads Nash to being blackmailed by a FBI Agent Veronica Montero. She will reveal his secret unless he helps her catch a bad guy.
This story takes us many places before we figure out who the terrorist is targeting and why. Nash is not sure who to trust. He has a plan to flee if his past comes out. He does not want his daughter to be known as his heir.
Some violence , car chases even plane chases, before it ends. Which the ending was not what I wanted but since I read book 6 first I knew some of the events in their lives had to happen. You can read the books by themselves but I have liked reading the rest of series in order.
I was given this ebook to read by NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing. In return I agreed to give Zero Seperation a honest review.
May 14, 2013
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley for the purpose of review. The review is my honest opinion and I was not paid for this service.
Zero Separation was a fast-paced edge of your seat thriller that captures the reader's attention from the beginning and keeps it until the very last page. The author has an uncanny ability to create wonderful plots with unexpected twists and turns that definitely help to keep you turning the pages This is one of those books that you just simply cannot put down until you have finished it. The author is a wonderful, descriptive story-teller with an incredible imagination. The story is so believable that at times you'll forget that you are actually reading a book. While this is not the first book in the series, it is the first book that I have read by this author. The book is written in such a way that it could be successful as a stand-alone as well as part of a series.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good action-packed thriller and anyone who wants a great read to enjoy. I will definitely be checking out the other books that this author has written.
Zero Separation was a fast-paced edge of your seat thriller that captures the reader's attention from the beginning and keeps it until the very last page. The author has an uncanny ability to create wonderful plots with unexpected twists and turns that definitely help to keep you turning the pages This is one of those books that you just simply cannot put down until you have finished it. The author is a wonderful, descriptive story-teller with an incredible imagination. The story is so believable that at times you'll forget that you are actually reading a book. While this is not the first book in the series, it is the first book that I have read by this author. The book is written in such a way that it could be successful as a stand-alone as well as part of a series.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good action-packed thriller and anyone who wants a great read to enjoy. I will definitely be checking out the other books that this author has written.
September 4, 2015
Great Book! Lots of suspense and moves fairly fast. Donovan is having to set his Gulfstream down due to lightening strikes and as he and Michael, his co-pilot are checking their plane Michael is attacked by a man who steals the Gulfstream next to them. Donovan has been living under another name for many years. Is he going to be exposed? You need to read to find out. Why did the guy still the plane? that is something it takes awhile to find out. There is an attack on the Capital planned. How will they stop it? Be sure to read.
December 17, 2016
Good, fast-paced book. The type you think you can put down for a while. Next thing you know, you have picked it up again to continue reading.
March 2, 2022
I've been steadily working my way through this series and it's a fun ride. It's crazy over the top action with little to no room for any rational thought or logic. Even though they are technically stand alone novels, you'll appreciate this book more by starting from Book 1 and moving forward.
I won't delve too deeply into the plot here but as per usual, it's up to Nash to save himself, his family and seemingly half the United States using his daredevil pilot skills. All these books revolve heavily around aviation, so enthusiasts will definitely like this since the aircraft descriptions and procedures all seem authentic. That said, the ridiculousness of the situations Nash finds himself in reaches new heights here. He's become almost Terminator like in his ability to take punishment, and is getting dangerously close to 1990's Steven Seagal invincibility status. In this book alone he gets beaten down, stabbed, sliced open, shot, and poisoned with anthrax - not kidding. On top of that he's able to walk away from plane crash landings, participate in high speed chases and leap buildings in a single bound with the aforementioned injuries. OK, I made that last one up but you get my point. That's the style of this series - entertaining, but not even close to realistic. If you're good with that, then you'll enjoy this.
I won't delve too deeply into the plot here but as per usual, it's up to Nash to save himself, his family and seemingly half the United States using his daredevil pilot skills. All these books revolve heavily around aviation, so enthusiasts will definitely like this since the aircraft descriptions and procedures all seem authentic. That said, the ridiculousness of the situations Nash finds himself in reaches new heights here. He's become almost Terminator like in his ability to take punishment, and is getting dangerously close to 1990's Steven Seagal invincibility status. In this book alone he gets beaten down, stabbed, sliced open, shot, and poisoned with anthrax - not kidding. On top of that he's able to walk away from plane crash landings, participate in high speed chases and leap buildings in a single bound with the aforementioned injuries. OK, I made that last one up but you get my point. That's the style of this series - entertaining, but not even close to realistic. If you're good with that, then you'll enjoy this.
February 28, 2026
5 Stars. This is the third book of the series and every one has been 5 Stars. That said, I think this one was the best so far. The characters are as good as any that I have read. This mystery was outstanding and it was a full on edge of my seat thriller. I found this, possibly after Donlay had completed his work on the series. It doesn’t seem like the series goes beyond the 8th entry in 2018. That truly sucks if he’s done writing. I hope I’m wrong. At least there’s 5 left.
If you haven’t tries these books, I urge you to. You’ll thank me later.
If you haven’t tries these books, I urge you to. You’ll thank me later.
February 20, 2018
The Best of the series so far
I found the first book in the Donovan Nash series weak but decided to read the second. Being a pilot, I enjoyed the detailed aviation background which for a novel was plausible and showed the authors aviation experience.
However, this book was brilliant. It’s as though the author had grown and developed. It has twists, intrigue and of course the hero who always wins (sort of).
I highly recommend this
I found the first book in the Donovan Nash series weak but decided to read the second. Being a pilot, I enjoyed the detailed aviation background which for a novel was plausible and showed the authors aviation experience.
However, this book was brilliant. It’s as though the author had grown and developed. It has twists, intrigue and of course the hero who always wins (sort of).
I highly recommend this
January 10, 2025
I’ve seen several well-reviewed books by Mr. Donley and had had this one on my list for quite some time. I’m glad I finally got to it. Turns out this is #3 in a series of 8 of the Donovan Nash series. It was a real page-turner, well-plotted, and very suspenseful. “We live in a society that worships our heroes and cononizes them until the myth expands far beyond the reality.” That serves as a caution and provides context for the story. Well done. I look forward to more.
June 7, 2019
Great heroes and heroines with lots of action
Loved the story. Typical action thriller with bad guys that are just as trained and lethal as the good guys to keep you turning pages. Donovan is not your typical navy seal character but manages to hold his own when the need arises. Read this in two sittings.
Loved the story. Typical action thriller with bad guys that are just as trained and lethal as the good guys to keep you turning pages. Donovan is not your typical navy seal character but manages to hold his own when the need arises. Read this in two sittings.
July 13, 2019
Non-stop
Whew!! What an intense roller coaster ride! The action just keeps going and going!! Airplane crashes, shoot outs, bombs, it's all there, then some more. Eco-Watch certainly gets into terrorism too. Donovan is like a magnet for trouble. But this time is different: will his real identity be exposed???
Whew!! What an intense roller coaster ride! The action just keeps going and going!! Airplane crashes, shoot outs, bombs, it's all there, then some more. Eco-Watch certainly gets into terrorism too. Donovan is like a magnet for trouble. But this time is different: will his real identity be exposed???
February 2, 2022
Thrillers usually include a lot of action but there can be too much of a good thing. In this tale our hero survives a plane crash, two kidnappings, a stab wound, a knife wound, a gunshot wound, two drug injections, exposure to a life threatening bacterial disease, and another plane crash. (Did I miss anything?) Good stories have to be believable. This one is not.
Read
June 25, 2022Another fantastic book, fast paced. Great new characters. The knowledge of airplanes is really fantastic. I haven't been able to read the second book yet, so I'm looking forward to reading that.
The story is compelling and could so easily happen. I wont give away anything, it would rob you of the enjoyment of this book and the continuing relationships from these characters.
The story is compelling and could so easily happen. I wont give away anything, it would rob you of the enjoyment of this book and the continuing relationships from these characters.
January 28, 2018
A great read! Another great mystery with Donovan Nash and his crew. I love the new character, Veronica Montero too. I've been to D.C. quite a bit and I like that part of the book is set there. It's the third Donovan Nash book, but you don't have to read them in order.
February 4, 2019
I received a free copy from NetGalley. Rich guy with a secret. Non stop action. No characters you can ever fully trust. Thriller that reads like a movie. Enough twists to keep it interesting. Seemed to be okay to start in the middle of the series.
October 15, 2021
Zero Separation
Some portions I really enjoyed but some seemed confusing and orchestrated for drama. Loads of errors and fundamental errors that a simple second reading could catch. All in all not a great book but it did have some elements of suspense.
Some portions I really enjoyed but some seemed confusing and orchestrated for drama. Loads of errors and fundamental errors that a simple second reading could catch. All in all not a great book but it did have some elements of suspense.
January 4, 2022
Easy Read
Good story. Believable characters. No graphic sex. Good book for over 16 years old. Gave it 5 stars because it kept me interested and wanting to get back to it after I had to stop reading to do other things.
Good story. Believable characters. No graphic sex. Good book for over 16 years old. Gave it 5 stars because it kept me interested and wanting to get back to it after I had to stop reading to do other things.
February 4, 2018
This is a really good series.
August 16, 2020
Another great book in this series. Love the characters and the story line. Great action books.
February 23, 2021
Entertaining.
October 20, 2021
Good read
Good read exciting from start to finish. Looking forward to next Donovan adventure knowing to expect the unexpected at every opportunity.
Good read exciting from start to finish. Looking forward to next Donovan adventure knowing to expect the unexpected at every opportunity.
July 9, 2022
The past begun to make a clearer form. More and more women interconnected with the main character past. And still in the theme of airlines, here another thriller, now on terrorism theme.
July 16, 2023
Spellbinding
This book keeps you on the edge of your seat. Many things going on and it keeps you guessing. Definitely a 5star read.
This book keeps you on the edge of your seat. Many things going on and it keeps you guessing. Definitely a 5star read.
October 29, 2023
I am really enjoying this series!
February 2, 2026
What an absolute thrill ride of emotions, action and treachery. My heart was pounding for the last half of the book. I can't wait for book #4!
July 23, 2017
Another unique and deadly adventure!
This author certainly knows how to ramp up the suspense! The main character, Nash, seems to land in one dangerous predicament, narrowly jumps out, only to land in a far worse potential disaster! This time he is scared to death his secret will be revealed -- an agent for the FBI has learned what it is and uses it to blackmail Nash into helping her solve a series crimes that threaten the very lives of thousands, if not millions, of American citizens. The action and suspense continue to the very end!
P.S. Upon finishing books 1 through 7, I can honestly tell you the quality and suspense and action are in every single book and I recommend them all!
This author certainly knows how to ramp up the suspense! The main character, Nash, seems to land in one dangerous predicament, narrowly jumps out, only to land in a far worse potential disaster! This time he is scared to death his secret will be revealed -- an agent for the FBI has learned what it is and uses it to blackmail Nash into helping her solve a series crimes that threaten the very lives of thousands, if not millions, of American citizens. The action and suspense continue to the very end!
P.S. Upon finishing books 1 through 7, I can honestly tell you the quality and suspense and action are in every single book and I recommend them all!
July 7, 2013
To be honest, I picked this up purely because it started with a Z. (I'm aiming to read two books from each letter of the alphabet this year.) The fact that it was a fun read was a bonus.
The author is a career pilot, so I was surprised there isn't more plane porn in the book. There was just enough to let you know the details were right, and certain small points of the plot hinge on aspects of planes, but if the one-sentence explanations weren't there you'd never miss them.
This probably wasn't the best choice to read while flying during the dangerously stormy weather that blanketed the country this week (July 1-6 2013), since it starts with an airplane getting struck by lightning. My initial flight was actually cancelled due to heavy weather. Plane crashes factor into the plot, of course, and there are a number of them. It didn't help that as I sat in O'Hare reading the last few chapters, a plane from China crashed and burned upon landing in San Francisco.
I also had two of the bumpiest plane rides in a long time. All of which should have lessened my enjoyment of this novel, but it moves right along, enough to distract me from the outside world. (As I write this, it looks as if two 16-year-old Chinese students died in the SFO crash and a hundred people are seriously injured. I don't want to minimize the tragedy by making this all about me. I don't do prayers, but my condolences go out to those affected by the Asiana Airlines flight 214 crash. I hate to say "it could have been worse," but it sure could've been.)
Back to this book.
I like how Donlay subverts the usual trope of a wealthy man teaming up with a beautiful, competent woman (sometimes in these books it's a scientist, here it's an FBI agent) as they are thrust into a situation neither had anticipated and is bigger than they suspect.
The characters aren't particularly deep, but they're far more complex than the usual ones you find in thrillers, so I consider that a bonus, too. For these types of genre books, anything that goes slightly above and beyond the normal cliches is grounds for an extra star. Donlay does this a couple of times on the character front as well as on the plot front. And even though everything is wrapped up by the end, it's not exactly a happy ending.
I especially liked the main character, who is more true-to-life than most of these wish-fulfillment types. He's really good at one thing, not bad at a couple others, and not so hot at a whole bunch of stuff. Just like normal people. Usually these guys are all James Bond-alikes, expert at everything.
Anyway, fun book, easy read, with a bit more to it than the usual thriller.
The author is a career pilot, so I was surprised there isn't more plane porn in the book. There was just enough to let you know the details were right, and certain small points of the plot hinge on aspects of planes, but if the one-sentence explanations weren't there you'd never miss them.
This probably wasn't the best choice to read while flying during the dangerously stormy weather that blanketed the country this week (July 1-6 2013), since it starts with an airplane getting struck by lightning. My initial flight was actually cancelled due to heavy weather. Plane crashes factor into the plot, of course, and there are a number of them. It didn't help that as I sat in O'Hare reading the last few chapters, a plane from China crashed and burned upon landing in San Francisco.
I also had two of the bumpiest plane rides in a long time. All of which should have lessened my enjoyment of this novel, but it moves right along, enough to distract me from the outside world. (As I write this, it looks as if two 16-year-old Chinese students died in the SFO crash and a hundred people are seriously injured. I don't want to minimize the tragedy by making this all about me. I don't do prayers, but my condolences go out to those affected by the Asiana Airlines flight 214 crash. I hate to say "it could have been worse," but it sure could've been.)
Back to this book.
I like how Donlay subverts the usual trope of a wealthy man teaming up with a beautiful, competent woman (sometimes in these books it's a scientist, here it's an FBI agent) as they are thrust into a situation neither had anticipated and is bigger than they suspect.
The characters aren't particularly deep, but they're far more complex than the usual ones you find in thrillers, so I consider that a bonus, too. For these types of genre books, anything that goes slightly above and beyond the normal cliches is grounds for an extra star. Donlay does this a couple of times on the character front as well as on the plot front. And even though everything is wrapped up by the end, it's not exactly a happy ending.
I especially liked the main character, who is more true-to-life than most of these wish-fulfillment types. He's really good at one thing, not bad at a couple others, and not so hot at a whole bunch of stuff. Just like normal people. Usually these guys are all James Bond-alikes, expert at everything.
Anyway, fun book, easy read, with a bit more to it than the usual thriller.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews