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Nathan Monsarrat #1
Choice of Enemies
A tale of greed, betrayal, and vengeance, CHOICE OF ENEMIES is the first in a series of espionage novels featuring Nathan Monsarrat, a retired Central Intelligence Agency deep cover operative with an extensive knowledge of black gold and expertise in weapons, women, and Benjamins.
Light sweet crude is the mother's milk of the Niger Delta. As the price for each barrel of oil rises on the international markets and the stakes for securing the black gold increase, a consortium of American oil companies and the Central Intelligence Agency plot to secure the flow of the crude. In Africa, though, plans unravel as quickly as cheap socks, and promises between partners have the lifespan of a mayfly.
Nathan, now a Dean at a small college in Massachusetts, is visited by his former mentor at the Agency, who offers him a blunt choice: either travel to the Dark Continent to lay the groundwork for the coup d'etat, or condemn the woman who saved his life to a brutal execution. Out of options, he returns to Africa, where he discovers that the Agency plans to reward his services with an oil soaked grave.
Assisted by a coterie of new and old allies, including a beautiful vorwith a thirst for power and a yeshiva bocher with a fondness for Armani suits, as well as his own sharp intelligence, considerable wit, and substantial charm, Nathan parries the Agency, circumvents the consortium, and exacts his own vengeance. In doing so, he learns that his choice of friends is as important as his choice of enemies."
Light sweet crude is the mother's milk of the Niger Delta. As the price for each barrel of oil rises on the international markets and the stakes for securing the black gold increase, a consortium of American oil companies and the Central Intelligence Agency plot to secure the flow of the crude. In Africa, though, plans unravel as quickly as cheap socks, and promises between partners have the lifespan of a mayfly.
Nathan, now a Dean at a small college in Massachusetts, is visited by his former mentor at the Agency, who offers him a blunt choice: either travel to the Dark Continent to lay the groundwork for the coup d'etat, or condemn the woman who saved his life to a brutal execution. Out of options, he returns to Africa, where he discovers that the Agency plans to reward his services with an oil soaked grave.
Assisted by a coterie of new and old allies, including a beautiful vorwith a thirst for power and a yeshiva bocher with a fondness for Armani suits, as well as his own sharp intelligence, considerable wit, and substantial charm, Nathan parries the Agency, circumvents the consortium, and exacts his own vengeance. In doing so, he learns that his choice of friends is as important as his choice of enemies."
224 pages, Paperback
Published January 10, 2016
6 people are currently reading
215 people want to read
About the author
M.A. Richards
1 book50 followersBorn in Lowell, Massachusetts, M. A. Richards received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater Studies from Connecticut College and his Master of Arts degree in English from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
During a career as a Cultural Attaché in the Department of State that spanned more than two decades, he served in Baghdad, Jerusalem, Lagos, Moscow, Seoul, Tel Aviv, and Washington, D.C. He also served at U.S. Pacific Command in Honolulu as the Special Advisor to the Commander. He speaks Arabic, Hebrew, Korean, and Russian.
Visit www.marichardsbooks.com to learn more about M. A. Richards and Choice of Enemies.
During a career as a Cultural Attaché in the Department of State that spanned more than two decades, he served in Baghdad, Jerusalem, Lagos, Moscow, Seoul, Tel Aviv, and Washington, D.C. He also served at U.S. Pacific Command in Honolulu as the Special Advisor to the Commander. He speaks Arabic, Hebrew, Korean, and Russian.
Visit www.marichardsbooks.com to learn more about M. A. Richards and Choice of Enemies.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 18, 2016
I had never heard of M.A. Richards beforeI got the chance to read this book. I am happy I got the chance to read something from a new author and this book is very good and interesting with a very well developed story. The story drags you in and it is easy to follow the story and what is happening in the book.
Even if the book is good, I have a feeling that something is missing and I have been thinking about it for a few days and I think what I miss in the story is that little extra that you get from authors who has written a few books. What this book is missing is what a lot of first time books are missing and it that experience and that the author dare to do stuff with the material. This is not always something bad, and I dont say it is a big problem in this case but I do miss it in this book when I am reading it.
I can say that I have big hopes for M.A. Richards as an author and for future novels and crime books. This story makes it clear that more is to come and I think that M.A. Richards is an author who has the potential to be big with a little experience.
I can recommend this book because it is well written with a well developed story. I enjoyed every second I was reading the book and I do not regret reading it and I cant wait for more from M.A. Richards in the future!
Even if the book is good, I have a feeling that something is missing and I have been thinking about it for a few days and I think what I miss in the story is that little extra that you get from authors who has written a few books. What this book is missing is what a lot of first time books are missing and it that experience and that the author dare to do stuff with the material. This is not always something bad, and I dont say it is a big problem in this case but I do miss it in this book when I am reading it.
I can say that I have big hopes for M.A. Richards as an author and for future novels and crime books. This story makes it clear that more is to come and I think that M.A. Richards is an author who has the potential to be big with a little experience.
I can recommend this book because it is well written with a well developed story. I enjoyed every second I was reading the book and I do not regret reading it and I cant wait for more from M.A. Richards in the future!
January 20, 2016
I adore this book! M. A. Richards is a first-time author, but I rank CHOICE OF ENEMIES with the best novels of Martin Cruz Smith and Daniel Silva. The novel is written with passion, excitement, and knowledge – Richards certainly knows the dirty world of government and espionage. His pacing is taut, and his language is a joy to read. His sense of location is superb; I smelled the stench of oil in the Delta and felt the heat of the desert in Namibia. Most importantly, Nathan Monsarrat is one of the most likeable heroes I’ve met. When the novel ended (I read it in 48 hours), I was sad that the adventure was over but thrilled I had discovered Nathan Monsarrat. Also, Nathan’s antagonist, Felix Sanhedrin, is a delicious villain, a manipulative, dishonest, and neurotic full-bodied character. The relationship between Nathan and Felix is subtly drawn by Richards and is one of the most enjoyable aspects of this excellent novel. I grant it five stars and recommend it 100%!
January 30, 2016
A good first effort from a new author. The action reminds me of the The Rogue Warrior series but with the added twist of betrayal from Monsarrat's former CIA employer. Book is full of geographical descriptions that could only come from someone who has actually been there and gives added realism to the story telling. Once I started the book I kept turning the pages to find out what happens next. I look forward to the next addition in the series.
March 30, 2016
An oil rig off the coast of Africa, pirates, a couple of rebels named Innocence and Blessed, and the worst prison any real or fictional person could ever imagine. This is the way M. A. Richards introduces us to Nathan Monsarrat, a top CIA operative, and his protagonist in Choice Of Enemies.
Richards gets right down into the dirt from the first page. Nathan Monsarrat endures months of horrid conditions and treatment in an African prison, barely cheating death with the help of a kind Filipina nurse. He is finally rescued by his CIA boss, Felix Sanhedrin, but not without a steep cost. He’s had enough of the Agency. Nathan leaves Felix and the Mandarins (who rule the Agency) pulling his strings, and buries his guilt in the classroom of a small New England college.
As much as Nathan tries to break ties with his old employer, he is continually tempted with large sums of money which leads to ever more dangerous assignments. Reluctantly, he takes on one last assignment and returns to Africa, unaware he is walking into a showdown between himself, a beautiful and powerful Russian woman, and the one man whom he holds responsible for all the pain and guilt in his life.
M. A. Richards does an exceptional job navigating the reader down the secret paths of the CIA, and the dark underworld we only catch glimpses of in the newspapers. You can tell he knows what he's talking about. This is a thrilling first novel for Richards, and Nathan Monsarrat is a character who could easily stand beside Bryan Mills or John Reese. I’m eagerly looking forward to the next installment of this new series.
Richards gets right down into the dirt from the first page. Nathan Monsarrat endures months of horrid conditions and treatment in an African prison, barely cheating death with the help of a kind Filipina nurse. He is finally rescued by his CIA boss, Felix Sanhedrin, but not without a steep cost. He’s had enough of the Agency. Nathan leaves Felix and the Mandarins (who rule the Agency) pulling his strings, and buries his guilt in the classroom of a small New England college.
As much as Nathan tries to break ties with his old employer, he is continually tempted with large sums of money which leads to ever more dangerous assignments. Reluctantly, he takes on one last assignment and returns to Africa, unaware he is walking into a showdown between himself, a beautiful and powerful Russian woman, and the one man whom he holds responsible for all the pain and guilt in his life.
M. A. Richards does an exceptional job navigating the reader down the secret paths of the CIA, and the dark underworld we only catch glimpses of in the newspapers. You can tell he knows what he's talking about. This is a thrilling first novel for Richards, and Nathan Monsarrat is a character who could easily stand beside Bryan Mills or John Reese. I’m eagerly looking forward to the next installment of this new series.
Read
February 15, 2016MA Richards’ novel, Choice of Enemies, is a great read. The topic is timely and the flow of the narrative is both enjoyable and complex. The author brings a lot of knowledge to the story since he was with the Department of State and learned about foreign countries and their way of doing business. Richards moves the story along quickly but with detail so that the reader can understand the patterns of the parties.
March 24, 2016
A very impressive debut from M.A. Richards. The book is well paced, full of intrigue, betrayal, suspense and sharp dialogue. The author knows his characters well and the places they visit. The detail is impressive. Richards' words paint vivid pictures of the people and places they inhabit. One specific scene toward the end of the book continues to linger in me. Looking forward to more adventures of Nathan Monsarrat.
Read
April 8, 2016I was a recipient of a good reads give away on this book and what a lucky girl I am. This book draws you in from the beginning, is fast paced, knowledgeable, and informative. I would recommend reading this thriller.
March 18, 2016
I received this as a goodreads giveaway..
Good book from a new author. Time was perfect I just felt there was a little missing
Good book from a new author. Time was perfect I just felt there was a little missing
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews