Asterisk Destiny

by Campbell Black

Master of suspense Campbell Armstrong delivers a spine-tingling espionage novel about two men struggling to stop—and survive—a murderous conspiracy based in the darkest corners of the American governmentJohn Thorne lives a good life in Washington, DC, with a girlfriend he adores and a stable job at the White House. But when an old family friend, Major General Burckhardt, gives him an attaché case with a file inside labeled “the Asterisk Project,” John starts investigating. What he uncovers is a secret that could change the world—if it doesn’t kill him first.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction

287 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1976

About the author

Pseudonym for Campbell Armstrong

Reviews

[Jeremy Herbert · Rating 2 out of 5]

Campbell Black has written some top-shelf potboilers, but Asterisk Destiny reads like a Mad Libs draft of better work. You already know the plot. There's a briefcase with a thing in it that government stooges young and retired would really like to get their leather-gloved hands on. That's my kind of catnip, or at least it should be. But the Relatable Protagonist is the least interesting character in a novel lousy with eccentric alternatives, the twist doesn't add much, and there are only so many times you can read "had had" before your eyes cross.

[Damon Noel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Small parts and pieces I really loved, but overall very on the nose. Some nights when I had trouble getting to sleep this would put me right to bed. I liked the reveal but not the ending. The focus on the very main character was misguided, I felt Hollander was a much more interesting and compelling character. Thorne is supposed to represent us as the audience but it was so straightforward. A political thriller, probably not the worst but definitely not the best. Still a fun light read.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this story about the cold war but was disapponted with the ending