When the hunter becomes the hunted there is only one survivor
Mike Delaney's past as a retired assassin erupts to entangle him in an international high-tech conspiracy. His former commanding officer is murdered and Delaney's true identity is uncovered.
He stumbles upon a plot at the heart of government. Now he knows too much.
A worldwide humanitarian program is dedicated to health and mental wellbeing. But people are disappearing without trace.
Delaney is sucked into the investigation along with the seductively attractive Melody Roth, whom Delaney finds a potent brew.
When Delaney uncovers the real truth about the program, he cannot be allowed to live.
David Callinan is Anglo-Irish, born into a family from Limerick in the west of Ireland who grew up in the UK. After a spell at art school, early years saw a host of jobs from telegraphist to salesman – before discovering music. After busking all over Europe he rediscovered Irish music and formed The Spalpeens playing all over the UK, Europe and Ireland touring with The Dubliners, Sweeney's Men, The Chieftains and many others.
He appeared in films such as The Lion In Winter (Peter O'Toole, Katherine Hepburn) and Sinful Davey (John Hurt) and scores of television advertisements (was even directed by the late, great John Huston).
Later, he formed Urban Clearway, touring and performing with artists such as Elton John, Billy Connolly, Rod Stewart and Long John Baldry.
He co-wrote a Celtic rock opera for the Edinburgh Festival. 'Pucka-Ri' starred a young Pierce Brosnan and became one of the hits of the Fringe, before transferring to the Arts Theatre in London.
Latterly, an earlier spacey, folk-rock album, Freedom's Lament, recorded by Callinan-Flynn, has emerged as a highly sought after title on the Internet – and new wave Irish chanteur Sean Tyrrell has recorded a number of his songs on recent albums.
He began to write seriously, producing a string of screenplays and novels, the first of which, 'Fortress Manhattan' was published by Gollancz (Orion) and the '10-Minute Miracle' by HarperCollins.
Current books include thrillers: 'The Immortality Plot'; 'Knife Edge'; 'Bodyswitch' and 'An Angel On My Shoulder'.
He has written the YA fantasy trilogy, 'The Kingdoms Of Time And Space' and a chapter series for 7-10 year olds, 'The Weather Kids'.
The Exterminator is my third David Callinan novel. An assassination Delaney carried out as a G-Force operative five years earlier comes back to haunt him as an evil organization discovers his role in killing their founder. Delaney learns more about Concordiat's master plan as the investigation into his former G-Force boss proceeds.
Jezebel is the character of interest in this book and adds to the uniquely strange villains in the Mike Delaney series.
Mike Delaney, a past assassin for the US President, gets involved in a major world disaster waiting to happen, because his boss/handler was murdered. His boss passed a warning to Delaney that his life too was in danger. Delaney searches for the reason his boss was murdered and when he finds his boss’s notes, he is frightened by what it means for the world. He struggles at the end when the President asks him to assassinate the leader of a cult out to take over the world through mind manipulation. ENJOY!
This is the latest book in the Mike Delaney thriller series and has Mike’s undercover persona revealed to some pretty bad guys. The book starts with Mike acting as the bag man on a kidnapping exchange and being offered a favour, as a result of a good ending to the situation. Mike is also known as the ‘Monk’ from his time spent in a monastery where he goes regularly to recharge his body and mind, but also got to learn some pretty hardcore martial arts holds and pressure points. He uses these in confrontations to quickly subdue people as needed.
A religious group called Concordiat have set in place a grand scheme which they are hiding under their guise of humanitarian good deeds. They also run ‘end of life’ centres around the world, where euthanasia is legal, and also some where it isn’t! They are led by a man called Alvin Rivers, called Eminence in their organisation. Some five years before, their founder, Merle Peterson was murdered and they have been seeking to find out who was responsible. This investigation has led them to a secret US blacktops group called G-Force and its commanding officer, Colonel Richard Craine.
Rivers wants to find out what he knows about their group and if he knows anything about their project Final Curtain. Rivers hires a man to find and interrogate him for information and then dispose of him. This is when Mike gets a warning that his G-Force persona has been exposed and that there may be some dangerous people after him. Mike has not worked for G-Force for five years, but has still been left on their books as you never really get to leave it whilst still alive! After his forced removal from the army with an event in Hong Kong, his best friend Messenger, set up a website called Confess-Confess to be used to expose criminals and secret information.
Mike asks Messenger to find out what he can about anyone looking for him and once he finds the link to Concordiat, to also search about them as well. He realises that since his boss has been killed, he has no way of knowing how he contacts anyone else involved in G-Force, as they all had secret codenames and weren’t known to each other. The only other person in the chain of command would be the President of the USA and he has no idea how Craine contacted her. He asks to be involved in the official investigation of Craine’s death and there meets an attractive Captain Melody Roth, with whom some sparks fly.
A great, well-paced thriller of a read, with everything you could ever want. You have murder, a mysterious organisation hiding their more evil undertakings and grand plans, a bit of romance, involvement of police, army investigations, CIA and FBI, as well as G-Force and paid mercenaries. I read this in one sitting, as the book leaves you wanting to get to the end and see if Mike can overcome all the obstacles in his path and also survive those looking to kill him. Another cracking thriller in the Mike Delaney series and I can’t wait for more. I received and ARC copy of this book from the author, but have also bought the book to have its final version in my library. I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
After I read the first chapter of The Exterminator I sent an E-mail to the author, David Callinan, asking him the order I should read this fast paced thriller series about secret operative Mike Delaney. This book works as a stand alone novel but I was hooked on wanting to know everything about Mike Delaney.
The first chapter is not that long but it has a kidnapping, a gun fight, a rescue and a visit to a monastery that I didn't anticipate being on the agenda for this character.
Mike Delaney has worked on secrets missions for the government that very few people know about and he has tried hard to leave that life behind but as the famous saying goes they keep pulling him back in.
When Mike hears that his boss during these past missions is dead he knows he is the only one who can figure out who is behind the murder. Teaming up with army Investigator, Melody Roth, he does what he has to get to the truth.
The author takes us on a roller coaster ride as Mike and Melody decipher clues that leads to a conglomerate basically looking for world domination under the guise of being a philanthropic health company. To say more would spoil how horrible this company really is or at least it's president.
The writing is superb. I easily pictured every scene that was so brilliantly described to the reader such as when Mike and Melody have to try to take down two armed guards while strapped to stretchers, mildly drugged on home made truth serum and, oh yeah, naked! There are many thrills and surprises but there is also heart. Mike is not a one dimensional protagonist which is why I'm excited to read the rest of this series.
I'm sure this book series is headed to either a movie franchise of a tv series in line with Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan Amazon series. In fact, if you are a Tom Clancy fan you will really enjoy this Mike Delaney series.
Mr. David Callinan was kind enough to respond to my E-mail. To give you a head start after you read The Exterminator you should read the following in this order 1. The Immortality Plot, 2. Torn Apart, 3. Captured, 4. One False Move- a permafree short story.
I received a free download of The Exterminator for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
*slight spoilers* Mike Delaney is an agent for G-Force, a special black-ops team answerable directly to POTUS. He's been training in MMA with the monks in the Buddhist monastery of the Brothers of Light, (since the brutal murder of his young wife Maria, 5 years earlier in San Francisco) leading to his nickname of 'Monk'. He and the members of G-Force work to thwart criminals of every kind, in David Callinan's excellent Mike Delaney thriller series, of which The Exterminator is the latest.
When a hostage/kidnap/exchange of ransom for the victim scenario turns into a double-cross, Monk is able to not only save the female hostage, but also retain the ransom which his grateful client insists he keep. Unwilling to keep it all, he travels back to his former monasterial refuge and gives half the vast sum to the head monk, to pay back some of what they gifted him and to help others in need.
Then, he seeks out the maniac who has a hidden agenda (and a powerful drug/ evil master plan to gradually euthanise, (willing or not) huge numbers of people who stand in his way, the so-called Final Curtain at 'Centres of Rest', gradually replacing almost all the world's population with AI/androids, leaving just him and his Concordiat 'elite' to rule over everything. Guess what happens next?
Cleverly-woven dual themes of loyalty, integrity, serenity and doing the right thing, no matter the personal cost, are contrasted with the treachery, evil intentions, nefarious and ruthless plans of a megalomaniac and his cronies, who hide under a guise of philanthropy and bonhomie in plain sight. Get your copy of David Callinan's The Exterminator today and then tell all your friends!
This is my first Mike Delaney thriller and I am certain it will not be my last. NO SPOILERS here – just be prepared to lose some sleep because you will be unwilling and unable to put this one down once you start the book. In this fast-paced action adventure, the main character, Mike Delaney, investigates the murder of his former commanding officer. Mike is retired from the military but still has connections and a kick-**s skill set that allow him to pursue the case to an unlikely, highly positioned person of influence. This influential person redefines the term duplicitous. Perceived by the public as a philanthropic advocate of the people, we discover that, in reality, his organization is decidedly more Machiavellian in its pursuits. If hard-hitting, non-stop action featuring interesting and well-developed characters following a multitude of twists and turns as the storyline unfolds sounds like a good read to you, you are in for a treat with this one.
I was gifted an advance copy of this book by the author and am voluntarily leaving this honest and unbiased review.
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When the hunter becomes the hunted there is only one survivor. Mike Delaney's past as a retired assassin erupts to entangle him in an international high-tech conspiracy. His former commanding officer is murdered and Delaney's true identity is uncovered. He stumbles upon a plot at the heart of government. Now he knows too much. A worldwide humanitarian program is dedicated to health and mental wellbeing. But people are disappearing without trace. Delaney is sucked into the investigation along with the seductively attractive Melody Roth, whom Delaney finds a potent brew. When Delaney uncovers the real truth about the program, he cannot be allowed to live. A bizarre assassin is hired to track him down. Will he escape The Exterminator?
Well written thriller that was engaging from the start. Plot and story line are very well done with the suspense and action throughout. Characters are well fleshed out and engaging. Kept me glued til the ending. Will be reading more from this author.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
I really liked the premise of this story, and the cover is a definite draw, but aside from the action and violence, I had a hard time relating to the characters. They felt too milk-toasty, if that's even a word, and contrived. Too much telling and not enough showing to draw me in. Characters should make you feel something emotionally, whether it's love or hate. I felt no emotional connection with the characters. With that said, I was provided an ARC copy for an honest review and I really wanted to like it. Unfortunately, the ARC copy was not formatted properly for a Kindle and no one had attempted editing at that point. Lots of hiccups that really interfered with the flow of the words making it difficult at best to enjoy. If you've enjoyed this author's earlier stories, you will enjoy this one too.
I really enjoy the Mike Delaney series, he is a fantastic character, an ex-assassin and now part time eastern monk, dedicated to helping people and trying to be non-violent. Unfortunately his past comes back to bite him when the boss of his secret group is forced to reveal his identity and some very unsavoury people want him dead. The story is very exciting, with lots of action and some very inventive characters and situations and even some romance between Mike and Melody Roth, an army investigator. It is never clear just which of the characters are going to survive to the end of the book, which really did keep me turning the pages to see just where the plot was going next. This is one of the best action books that I have read this year and a great addition to the series. I did receive an advance copy of the book, but have voluntarily reviewed it.
Before Confess-Confess Mike Delaney/the monk was part of a super-secret unit, G-force, that answered only to the president of the US. His last job, years ago, was to execute the founder of 'Concordiate', a humanitarian organisation at first sight but with far different ulterior motives. Now they want to retaliate and they murder the boss that Delaney reported to who manages to send a pre-set message seconds before he dies; warning him that cover has been blown. This was the first book in this series that I read and I'm more than pleased. It's fast-paced, as the whole story is finished in 200 pages. Definetly a thrilling and exciting read. Perfectly works as a stand-alone, even though it's part of a series. And yes I'll read more of the books when presented with the opportunity! I received a free ARC of this book and this is my honest review.
For a while there I thought Mike Delaney had got himself into a situation he couldn't get himself out of, but I needn't have worried. I was pleased that he didn't have to become an assassin again, even for such a good reason, as he really did not want to break the vow he had made to himself. It also looks like Mike Delaney may have found himself a permanent love interest. I hope so as he deserves some happiness and a reason to put down roots. Happy reading. Annemarie
Michael Delaney is know as the Monk in some circles. He spent time in a monastery, but did not commit to the life of a monk. He is also an exterminator for a secret government agency. The boss he reports to gets murdered. There is a hit list out on anyone that is part of this secret organization. Mike Delaney goes on the defensive to find out who is behind this threat. This novel is another in the series that will keep your interest. A real page turner thriller.
This is my first exposure to this author and it definitely will not be my last! This is a well written, action packed story that is sure to keep you turning the pages. I found it well-paced, with well-developed characters and believable motivations, with an interesting plot and satisfying ending.
Thank you to David Callinan for providing me with an advanced review copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Delaney also known as the Monk, says a lot about who he is. A job to investigate his former commanding officer from his military days. Now he works for a secret agency, in which his boss is murdered, and the next ones are anyone who works there. Fast action, with many turns, the characters are good. I especially like Delaney, he has special skill, a no nonsense type of guy, who wants answers. Another winner for the author.
A potent reader's hook launches Mike Delaney, former assassin and currently member of an investigative website, into a cunningly concealed conspiracy-for-change that is literally global in scope and figuratively earth-shaking. Now that he "knows too much," he then becomes a target for assassination himself.
So, another Mike Delaney thriller. You have to say that this is an excellent thriller written by an excellent author. The interest and intrigue is there from the beginning to the end. You just cannot put it down. Can’t get enough of these books. I hope it’s not too long before the next one comes out. Highly recommended.
This is an imaginative story with many unique and interesting characters. It is filled with suspense and has several surprises right up to the ending. Although it is later on in the Mike Delaney series, it is fresh and interesting, and easy to read and appreciate as a standalone.
Very enjoyable! The story of a retired black-ops assassin who receives a ‘you are exposed’ message from his assassinated former boss. As Mike attempts to discover what the danger is, he discovers a nefarious plot. Great characters and action as well as an interesting mystery.
This is a seriously intense book! Mike Delaney thrillers keep you on the edge of your seat! I love the intensity of this story and the whole sci-fi influence. It was immensely thrilling and Imreally could not put it down!