When a SpyCo agent is killed on a deserted road during the wee hours, things begin falling apart for SpyCo chief J. Carlton Moore. A briefcase containing classified information disappears, leaving the future of the United States' war on terror in doubt. With the terrorist group Scorpion suspected of possessing the missing briefcase and vital information somehow leaking from the most secure SpyCo meetings, Moore calls on covert operative James Reagan Burke. Thrown together into an unlikely team composed of a former flame and a Grecian body-builder, and seeing shadowy pursuers at every turn, Burke must decide whom he can trust and recover the briefcase before it’s too late.
A fun romp in the Mediterranean, Assignment: Athens provides thrills without the darkness, and chills without the nightmares. Infused with wry humor, Assignment: Athens is an enjoyable beginning to the SpyCo novella series.
Craig A. Hart is a writer of thrillers. In a past life, he was also director for Northern Illinois Radio Information Service, a broadcast outreach that brought daily news and information to the visually impaired.
In 2015, Kindle Press published his literary novel BECOMING MOON. NPR affiliate Northern Public Radio featured BECOMING MOON in their Winter Book Series, and it won Best Novel of Summer 2015 from Pinnacle Awards. He is also the author of the historical mystery NIGHT AT KEY WEST, which is based on true events.
In 2016, he publishing SERENITY, the first book in the popular Shelby Alexander Thriller Series. Serenity alone has been downloaded over 400,000 times by eager readers.
In 2022, he launched the Maxwell Barnes Adventure Thriller Series, co-written with S.J. Varengo. The award-winning first book in that series, MAYAN SHADOWS, was published on May 11, 2022. Two more books follow in that series: MAYAN THUNDER and MAYAN TEMPEST.
A native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Craig lives in Iowa City, Iowa with his wife, sons, insane dog, and anti-social cat.
Assignment: Athens is the first SpyCo novella written by Craig Hart who really has a gift for writing wry, espionage thrillers. Don't get it twisted. Hart is not Ludlum, or Fleming, or even Thacker. However, he has a gift for getting the reader involved quickly with fast-paced action sequences, and intriguing story-beats laden with sardonic witticisms very much in the vain of Bond. Although some of the spy-speak leaves much to be desired, the plot traces a clear path from initiating incident to dynamic climax and dénouement. (SpyCo, really? Sounds like an alternative "no frills" espionage agency.) I clearly enjoyed the off-beat, secret agent narrative, but I don't want to oversell the idea that James Reagan Burke is a poor man's James Bond. Burke is an imitation that would pale in comparison, but if you ask if I enjoyed it? I did. It is funny when it has to be, thrilling with hair-raising sequences, staid. . . OK, maybe not so much, but it was an entertaining ride. I totally want to read me some more Hart.
I was interested in this series after having listened to and enjoyed several books in Craig A. Hart’s Shelby Alexander series. Hart has teamed up with S.J. Varengo to bring a series of fun thriller novellas to life. At less than two hours to read, these would be best enjoyed by readers who are looking for quick missions and witty banter. While each story has a complete storyline, subsequent books build on characters and events from previous books, so you’ll want to read these in order.
Assignment: Athens introduces SpyCo (yes, really), it’s taciturn leader J. Carlton Moore, and agents James Burke and Lindsey Archer. Burke, code name: Tiger and Lindsey, code name: Venus are tasked with recovering a stolen briefcase leading them to Greece. Just traveling turns out to be perilous and once they arrive it’s apparent there are forces working against them from more than one agency. Adding to the tension is the fact that Burke & Lindsey have a previous personal relationship.
This was an entertaining read and I’m looking forward to the next book, Assignment: Paris.
Narration: I had such a difficult time with the narration by Anthony Lee that I stopped listening and just read the book. His main voice was OK though somewhat robotic/AI sounding. However, outside of Burke, almost everyone’s speaking voice had an identical unidentifiable accent no matter what the text indicated they should sound like.
It wasn’t bad but it was a little ridiculous. Some of the key players reactions were ludicrous at times. It was a B movie version of Chasing Ivan, the last book I reviewed before this book. Still entertaining and a fast read but there are certainly better versions of this type of novella out there.
Quick and entertaining read for anyone wanting a fast-paced uncomplicated spy story that can be enjoyed in one sitting. The main characters were likeable and well-developed considering the brevity of the story. I look forward to more in this series.
Assignment series: Assignment: Athens #1 - A well written little spy story. Not in Ludlum's league, but Hart does a good, simplistic job. The prologue starts the ball rolling with favors of Mr. Majestyk and The Mechanic, which made me laugh. While this isn't my favorite story, I love the other books I've read from this author, especially the Serenity Series.
If you like Assignment: Athens, prepare to get your socks knocked off with Serenity. I am curious to see if the next book in the SpyCo series will be as well written as the Serenity, which by the way are all 5-star books. 4*
Assignment: Paris #2 - Another well written spy story from a good storyteller. The characters are believable, the fast paced plot twists and the humor rampant. Mr. Majestyk is replaced with James Bond, but the story still rocks. 5*
Assignment: Istanbul #3 - Another well written little spy story. The books in this series are getting better, as most good things do with age or practice, and the reader has a fast paced, suspense filled story laced with humor. I recommend reading the series from the beginning as the well developed characters pop in and out from various books. Plus, why not, they're a fun way to spend a couple of hours. 5*
Assignment: Sydney #4 - Again, another well written, suspense filled novel that keeps the reader immersed in the story while having fun reading it, too. The characters are interesting and the plot is well thought out, plus there's the signature humor found in this series and other Hart books. 5*
Assignment: Alaska #5 - These stories get better and better. A well written, action packed, humorous novel that keeps the reader in stitches while glued to the pages. Some of the characters have returned from previous stories and get more interesting. The well thought out plot and the return of Dot makes the intrigue rock. I noticed a new coauthor and can tell a difference with his contribution.
Update: I found the coauthor did not help write this book; it was written strictly by Mr. Hart. This is my favorite book of the series so far, including Dublin #6. The other books are missing him not being the only writer, but I understand his reason. 5*
Assignment Dublin #6 – Another well written little spy story. Dot appears again; she’s my favorite character. The gang’s off again with a new assignment, which if you read the other books, you know what to expect. A quick read done in a couple hours, good for relaxing. 4*
James Bond- style agent James Reagan Burke is on a mission to recover a missing important briefcase, stolen during a drop gone wrong in Craig A Hart's new thriller.,Assignment Athens.
Together with agent Lyndsey Archer Burke flies to Athens on the trail of the case, that's full of secrets. Burke's boss Carlton M Moore fears there's a mole in the Spyco organisation, with enemy agent Scorpion the prime suspect. Rendezvousing with local agent Andre, the trio are soon in peril as the trail leads to the lair pf another enemy, Kostas Kotsias, who hides in plain sight as a playboy.
What is the relationship between Andre and Kotsias? What happens despite this fact? Why do Lyndsey and Burke return to the mansion? What obstacles do they have to overcome in doing so? Who attacks them and what is the outcome? What does Kotsias tell them about the safe? What is inside the briefcase? What happens to Kotsias before Burke and Lyndsey leave? Do they fulfill their mission?
It's action all the way and fans of James Bond and Clive's Kussler's hero Dirk Pitt are sure to be be as thrilled by the tale of bravery and determination against the odds, and protagonists who are both endearing and believable. Your mission, [should you decide to accept it]. is to get a copy today and then tell all your friends!
( Format : Audiobook ) "I have a deal for you, Mr.Burke." A quick and easy read 'no frills' spy thriller. After the death of an agent, Burke (code name Tiger) is sent to Athens to recover a missing briefcase, believed to be stolen by the Scorpion group. There he is joined by two other backup agents, one of whom is an old girlfriend. But as his life is also threatened, who can be trusted?
Written in short, simple sentences and very little unecessary description, but hints of wry humour, there are fights without the usual emphasis on gore. The characters remain mostly two dimensional as the story moves at a fast pace. Anthony Lee's narration is similar in tone, the reading deadpan although the vocalisation of the protagonists is good, each distinctively individual, helping breathe life into them.
My thanks to the rights holder of Assignment:Athens for freely gifting me my copy, via Audiobook Boom, and this review is entirely voluntary on my part. I enjoyed the book, just right for in uncomplicated and fairly brief listen. I hope that there will be more adventures of Mr.Burke and friends
What worked? There was lots of action, and I loved that the female lead is an agent and not just fluff. The characters are well developed.
What didn't work? The bad guys continually did the 'bad guy monologue' allowing the good guys to get into position to defeat them. Yes, this is the classic formula, but it's so unrealistic and stereotypical that I find it disappointing. In fact the whole book was predictable and there were no surprises.
If you want something short that you can listen to that doesn't take a lot of concentration then this book might work for you.
The narration was also a bit disappointing. Overall it was OK, but only OK. The character voices for the main characters worked, but the bad guys tended to have really odd voices that were humorously ridiculous sounding. The delivery was a bit flat, there was lots of action in the book which sounded very dull when read like this. Fr me none of the tension or anticipation of the story came across in the narration.
I received this book free from the narrator/publisher/author in exchange for an honest review.
Assignment Athens and Assignment Paris Spyco Book 1 and 2 by Craig A. Hart and S.J.Varengo I am writing the two reviews together because my comments will be the both for both: excellent, quick reads. These two are novellas; which means they are shorter than a full novel. They are the first two in the series. Our hero, James Reagan Burke, or better known as Tiger, is a covert operative for SpyCo. He gets called in when the average SpyCo agent can’t solve the mystery. Scorpion is a terrorist group that Tiger is called upon to go up against; and go up against them he does. In Assignment Athens he is after a briefcase containing classified information that has disappeared. In Assignment Paris we meet agent Perry Hall who gets called into a very dangerous situation to ever face the SpyCo organization. Both novellas kept me reading from beginning to end. Both thrilled, chilled and entertained me. Both contained a touch of humor that fit what was going on. I am off now to download Book 3 Assignment: Istanbul. 09.23.18
James Reagan Burke is woken up by his code name "Tiger" with the news that fellow Spyco agent Willy had been killed, he may have been pulling a double cross, and that a briefcase with sensitive information in it had disappeared.
Lyndsey, code name "Venus" Burke's former fiancée will be his partner once he gets to Athens, which is where they think the briefcase is or will be heading there.
Burke is tracked at the airport, on the plane and attacked on the way to the hotel where he is assigned to stay. Apparently, his cover has been blown before he has even started.
Craig A. Hart has written a fast-paced book that will keep you turning the pages while you try to out guess who the criminals are, and what might happen next. There are several gun fights, narrow misses for Burke and his team, and all the danger you could want for a spy related book.
Clearly something so over the top is meant to be parody! Ian Fleming glamorized the Cold War, Agents Solo and Kuryakin added sly humor and of course Maxwell Smart upped the ante to slapstick. SpyCo is a throwback to the marvelous yarns of yesteryear with derring do and bullets flying and bodies piling up in the corridors as the "good guys" rappel down a cliff in Greece. While vocalizing the characters expertly, narrator Anthony Lee [AUDIO] seemed to add a deliberate heavy-handedness hinting at stuffy bureaucracy behind the freewheeling agents. Ah, nostalgia! I enjoyed this thoroughly!
Disclaimer: "I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."
When an operative turns up dead and the briefcase full of top secret documents he was carrying disappears, agent James Burke gets sent on a covert mission to Athens to track down the briefcase and find out who stole it. Aided by a former partner (and fiancee) he's not sure he can trust any more and a Greek body-builder he's never worked with, Burke dodges bullets while following the clues to unravel the mystery. I love Bond type heroes and super spy novels and this one's a good one founded in the tradition of shoot-em ups and spy craft dramas. There's a beautiful girl, a ruthless villain, a band of mercenary thugs, a red car, a high class soiree, an exotic city with lots of interesting backdrops for the action and plenty of gun play. What more could an espionage fan ask for?
Nothing good can come for James Burke when he’s sent to Athens with an old flame and a body-builder. There’s debate as to how many people are trying to kill him as he tries to complete his mission. Another exciting fast paced story by Craig Hart. I’m looking forward to seeing these characters again! The only complaint I have with this is the reader of the audio book. There was something annoying about his inflection and intonation. At times it almost took me out of the story. The story was good enough to keep me interested but I would definitely read future books with my eyes instead of my ears.
I received a free download code for the audio book from the author.
This novella and first in the series was quite interesting in characters, being short it didn't quite tell the whole story. I did enjoy it, though and would happily read another SpyCo book. Two different factions, SpyCo and Scorpion, appear to have a third unknown faction in their search for the central snatch back of a very important briefcase. Or is it really that special? Spies, heroes, partners, and other criminals all after the same briefcase, what do they have in common? Thrills, chills, murderers, terrorists, humor and hidden perils, I really enjoyed this book, Craig A. Hart really knows how to deliver.
Burke and a fellow agent must get to Athens to retrieve a briefcase that contains information that endangers many. Utilising humour :
Burke and a fellow agent make their way to Athens to retrieve a briefcase that contains information relating to the fate of many. Using his wily charm he enters the dragons den seeking his treasure but is spotted. Will he make it out with his partner and their prize?
This was a fun, short little adventure. I am hoping to see more of SpyCo and these agents Tiger and Venus, in future novels! I loved that they are a little quirky and don't always get it right, but can get the job done! Bad guys and evil doers at every turn! Thanks Craig! Can't wait for more 😁
SpyCo agents Lindsey and James are dispatched to retrieve a briefcase stolen from another agent by their European nemesis Scorpion. The briefcase contains US secret covert information. This novella takes us to Athens. Hart is a master at character development and thriller story spinning. If you like spy stories and action, this is a book for you.
An engaging fast read - somewhat sub-Bond but the protagonist is American (and the boss is no M... ). Athens is the background but the city is hardly relevant. One of the villains was a bit of a surprise - and I feel that the body count might shock some readers.
I have the next two instalments and will be working through to them soon.
I received this book for free. I am voluntarily posting this review and all opinions expressed herein are my own.
This is a quick, entertaining spy novella. It's got lots of action but is pretty predictable overall. I did like that there was strong female agent - who was more than just fluff.
I liked the narrator, Anthony Lee, who kept the action moving.
Lots of action, good spys and bad spys pitted against each other to regain an important briefcase. Characters are well developed, story is well plotted. It held my interest, but there were no surprises.
Was able to read in less than five hours. Intriguing story with lots of action. The author introduced two excellent characters I hope I will meet again in other stories by Craig A Hart. He is my favorite author
This story is packed full of cliches and plot holes. It reads more like a videogame script than a story. The author can't decide if his main character is a rip-off of James Bond or Archer. Skip this one.
Spies are after a briefcase filled with sensitive information. The journey takes them to Athens, where an influential tycoon is said to have the briefcase. Good short story with a bit of action and intrigue.
This is a pretty good story that has a few dry spots where nothing is happening, otherwise it moves along well. There is a lot taken for granted storywise which detracts from it.
Easily read in one night, this book had thrills and excitement for those that like spy books and a quick and easy read. Looking forward to reading his other spy books in the series.
This is classified as a novella. For me, anything under 150 pages is a short story, novellas are anywhere from 125 to 200 pages. Yes, there's an overlap there. After 200 pages, it's a novel.
Tiger and Venus are sent to Athenes to recover a briefcase filled with top secret information that is critical to the United States security. Lots of fighting, shooting, violence and spy craft.
I really wanted to like this story, but unfortunately I found it boring, with two-dimensional characters and a plot that did not captivate me. It simply could not hold my interest.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this review voluntarily.