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The Lions of Lucerne
(Scot Harvath #1)
by
On the snowy Utah slopes, thirty Secret Service agents are viciously executed and the vacationing president of the United States kidnapped, seemingly by the Fatah, a lethal terrorist organization in the Middle East. But Scot Harvath, surviving agent and ex-Navy SEAL, doesn't believe the Fatah is responsible.
A shadowy coalition comprises some of the highest-ranking ...more
A shadowy coalition comprises some of the highest-ranking ...more
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Kindle Edition, 544 pages
Published
April 25th 2003
by Atria Books
(first published January 2nd 2002)
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Start your review of The Lions of Lucerne (Scot Harvath, #1)
Sloppy writing with an entirely too predictable plot.
Sep 26, 2012
Eric
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Fans of gritty spy thrillers
Shelves:
action-adventure-thriller
After loving my first exposure to Brad Thor and his Scot Harvath character, in Black List, I figured I would start back at the beginning with the first in the series. While the writing isn't as tight -- this is Thor's first published book -- the story was just as compelling, if not more so. The stakes couldn't be higher, with Secret Service Agent Scot Harvath having to hunt down those responsible for the kidnapping of the U.S. President and the killing of thirty of Scot's Secret Service
...more
Meh.
After reading 11 Vince Flynn novels, and being unable to wait until Vince beats cancer so he can write some more, I decided to give this Brad Thor guy a shot. I'll keep looking for a fix elsewhere. This is very mediocre writing; the dialogue often didn't fit the intensity level of the situation. For example, they just had 30 fellow Secret Service agents shot up, and the president kidnapped, and immediately after Thor feels like it is a good time to develop protagonist Scot Harvath's ...more
After reading 11 Vince Flynn novels, and being unable to wait until Vince beats cancer so he can write some more, I decided to give this Brad Thor guy a shot. I'll keep looking for a fix elsewhere. This is very mediocre writing; the dialogue often didn't fit the intensity level of the situation. For example, they just had 30 fellow Secret Service agents shot up, and the president kidnapped, and immediately after Thor feels like it is a good time to develop protagonist Scot Harvath's ...more
Oct 15, 2011
Lisa (Harmonybites)
rated it
did not like it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
No One
Recommended to Lisa (Harmonybites) by:
The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Ultimate Reading List
Uhm...not sure where to start to convey all the ways this struck me as ludicrous. I read it because it was recommended in the Suspense part of The Ultimate Reading List. I probably should have been warned it wasn't for me when I saw blurbs praising it by Vince Flynn of Term Limits and Glenn Beck. But hey, as it turned out, it wasn't that it was outre right-wing that turned me off, but that when it comes down to it I'm the kind of gal who believes Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone to assassinate
...more
This book was generally good. It centers on Scot Harvath, an intelligence agent for the US government. The plot involves the kidnapping of the president and the framing of Harvarth for the crime. It reads a lot like a Ludlum novel, with contemporary overtones.
There were times that the character development and individual scenes really drew me in, and there were times, especially during the gun fights, where it felt stereotypical. The action scenes were interesting, but they felt like every ...more
There were times that the character development and individual scenes really drew me in, and there were times, especially during the gun fights, where it felt stereotypical. The action scenes were interesting, but they felt like every ...more
THE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN KIDNAPPED. If that isn't engrossing, I don't know what is. Highly impressed with Brad Thor's debut novel, & it's precisely what I had been looking for. I wanted a spy/intelligence series with plausible, real-world characters, heavy on action, without being too partisan in politics, but yet have a strong governmental aspect to it all. This book fit the bill. Sort of a cross between TV's "24" and a Tom Clancy thriller, the Scot Harvath character is well-written and can
...more
wanted to read the Brad Thor book on the best seller list and found that this book is first in a group (Tom Clancey-like) of thrillers with the same main character. Since the first book "sets" the character I decided to read it first and I wasn't disappointed. A funny sideline is that - being set in the DeerValley/Park City area a Mormon family became part of the plot. The descriptions of the Mormon relegion was really hilarious to a Mormon. Just when I decided the author had researched with a
...more
One does not expect Shakespearean prose, Holmesian smarts or Dilbertian wit while picking up the books of this genre but even by the usual standards, the plot and the tale are below par. It is all action, which is what is needed, but even more "luck".
The entire story is full of accidental discoveries, charmed life-saving instances, the complete stupidity of the villains who are otherwise extremely intelligent in committing the most difficult of the crime and coincidences that break open the ...more
The entire story is full of accidental discoveries, charmed life-saving instances, the complete stupidity of the villains who are otherwise extremely intelligent in committing the most difficult of the crime and coincidences that break open the ...more
I did not read this novel completely by choice. I got caught in a long-wait situation without a book--it can only happen when I’m using someone else’s car--so I ducked into a used bookstore. That meant buying a standalone or the first in a series, because I already own the next book in line of any series I enjoy. I chose the first Scot Harvath book.
I have mixed feeling on this effort. It contained multiple transgressions of the single thing I hate most: the seasoned professional whose does ...more
I have mixed feeling on this effort. It contained multiple transgressions of the single thing I hate most: the seasoned professional whose does ...more
Well written, adrenalin filled novel featuring agent Scot Harvath with a very good ending. 9 of 10 stars
I am beyond stunned that this book averages a four-star rating; I can't believe that there are intelligent people who love this stuff. I can only hope that Thor becomes a better writer in the subsequent books, but I will not be sticking around to find out.
Much of this book was stunningly awful. I only had five chapters of the 83 left to read and it took me two weeks to finally polish it off. If I wasn't in a public place when I finally killed it, I would have screamed with exasperation at how ...more
Much of this book was stunningly awful. I only had five chapters of the 83 left to read and it took me two weeks to finally polish it off. If I wasn't in a public place when I finally killed it, I would have screamed with exasperation at how ...more
This book shows why I first became hooked on Brad Thor novels; it's fast paced, alternately tense, with a wise cracking tough guy character truly different from most series technothrillers. Scot Harvath is tough, smart, resourceful, and has a sense of humor about himself and others. He is also on the President's secret service detail, and was 'on watch' when the Commander in Chief was kidnapped. In disgrace, he realizes the investigation into the President's disappearance is on the wrong track,
...more
08/23/08
TITLE/AUTHOR: LIONS OF LUCERNE by Brad Thor
RATING: 4.5/B+
GENRE/PUB DATE/# OF PGS: Thriller/2002/416 pgs
SERIES/STAND ALONE: 1st Scot Harvath
TIME/PLACE: Early 2000's/Utah, Washington, DC, Switzerland
CHARACTERS: Scot Harvath/Secret Service Agent
FIRST LINES: "Senators" said Fawcett as he strode across the polished floor in his monogrammed Stubbs * Wooton opera slippers. "I'm so very pleased you could make it."
COMMENTS: Library book. Fast paced -- full of action and adventure. Don't ...more
TITLE/AUTHOR: LIONS OF LUCERNE by Brad Thor
RATING: 4.5/B+
GENRE/PUB DATE/# OF PGS: Thriller/2002/416 pgs
SERIES/STAND ALONE: 1st Scot Harvath
TIME/PLACE: Early 2000's/Utah, Washington, DC, Switzerland
CHARACTERS: Scot Harvath/Secret Service Agent
FIRST LINES: "Senators" said Fawcett as he strode across the polished floor in his monogrammed Stubbs * Wooton opera slippers. "I'm so very pleased you could make it."
COMMENTS: Library book. Fast paced -- full of action and adventure. Don't ...more
Mar 08, 2017
Sheila
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
will-read-authors-other-novels,
brad-thor
Very thrilling and page turning read. I will read other books of this author.
Being a fan of Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan series and Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp series, I finally decided to give Brad Thor a shot, and for my first book of his I didn't come back disappointed!
In The Lions of Lucerne, the US President is on vacation on the snow-covered slopes of Utah, and while skiing, the President and his Secret Service team are ambushed by a group of highly-trained Hitmen, who wipe out the Secret Service agents, and kidnap the President, only one SS agent has survived the ambush, ...more
In The Lions of Lucerne, the US President is on vacation on the snow-covered slopes of Utah, and while skiing, the President and his Secret Service team are ambushed by a group of highly-trained Hitmen, who wipe out the Secret Service agents, and kidnap the President, only one SS agent has survived the ambush, ...more
Apr 15, 2011
Ren Santos
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
action-triller,
audiobooks
This was one heck of a good read. fast passed and full action on your face writhing. Although the finale was a bit predictable. Anyway 4* is well placed score.
Scott Harvath, a Secret Service Agent is part of the detail that is protecting the President and his daughter while on a skiing vacation in Utah. A conspiracy at the highest levels of government causes the skiing party to be ambushed and only Harvath, the President and his daughter survive the assault. However, the President has been ...more
Scott Harvath, a Secret Service Agent is part of the detail that is protecting the President and his daughter while on a skiing vacation in Utah. A conspiracy at the highest levels of government causes the skiing party to be ambushed and only Harvath, the President and his daughter survive the assault. However, the President has been ...more
I just found Brad Thor and I love his books. I am on the third book right now. If you like action and suspense, you will love his books. His hero is Scot Horvath former Navy Seal, Secret Service, CIA and Homeland Security agent. I'm not sure who he works for now but the adventures and excitment just keep on coming. The Lions of Lucerne is his first book about Scot. In this book he is on the president's detail. They are on vacation in Utah skiing with the president and his daughter. All the
...more
Action packed from page 1, Scot Harvath gets beaten, mugged, shot at but keeps popping back up until he identifies and kills all the bad guys!! If you like action, political intrigue and a quick read - this is the book for you. Scot does look like invincible superman though - the bad guys fail to kill him many times. Non- stop action thriller that keeps you turning the page. Lots of action over US and Switzerland searching for missing President. Some action parts not real believable - hero had
...more
This is my first Brad Thor. He's gained a new lifetime reader. It's always a wonderful feeling when you discover someone new!
Scot Harvath is a great character. Well rounded and believable. I hate when an author has the main character sleeping with a new woman every book and so far so good. I'm not in it for the romance!
The dialogue was natural- some of the best I've seen in a while. I really hope the rest of the series doesn't become a convoluted mess. Here's hoping Brad Thor stays on a similar ...more
Scot Harvath is a great character. Well rounded and believable. I hate when an author has the main character sleeping with a new woman every book and so far so good. I'm not in it for the romance!
The dialogue was natural- some of the best I've seen in a while. I really hope the rest of the series doesn't become a convoluted mess. Here's hoping Brad Thor stays on a similar ...more
Aug 23, 2009
Bryce Johnson
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
thriller-adventure
This author really "gets" the current political clime vis-a-vis certain "religions of peace" and their suicidal war against western civilization. Thor's no-holds-barred anti-PC books are excellent if you like a quick paced taught thriller that you won't be able to put down until you've finished reading. "Lions of Lucerne" is the book that started it all, and it's always fun to crack open the next Scott Harvath novel because I know I'll be in for a great ride!
"For reasons of national security, certain names, places, and tactical procedures have been changed within this novel."
We're off to a bad start, Brad. It's a novel. What (fictional) names need to be changed? What "tactical procedures" need to be changed? There may be no cavernous, built-out place in the side of a mountain with a church on top as the entry point in Switzerland where the Swiss store their war-like stuff, but again: it's a novel.
The book opens with a prologue. Tsk. I'm not against ...more
We're off to a bad start, Brad. It's a novel. What (fictional) names need to be changed? What "tactical procedures" need to be changed? There may be no cavernous, built-out place in the side of a mountain with a church on top as the entry point in Switzerland where the Swiss store their war-like stuff, but again: it's a novel.
The book opens with a prologue. Tsk. I'm not against ...more
Starting to read this book I wanted to love it however, it never really picked up for me. The sign of a fantastic thriller is the desire to stay up much later than you ought to trying to fly through the book as quickly as possible. This is done to see how all of the crazy situations are resolved. At no point throughout this book did I feel that compulsion kick in.
***Spoilers to follow***
This story just seemed so unreal on many more levels than a normal spy thriller that it didn't seem remotely ...more
***Spoilers to follow***
This story just seemed so unreal on many more levels than a normal spy thriller that it didn't seem remotely ...more
REVIEW OF AUDIOBOOK; NOVEMBER 26, 2015
Narrator: Armand Schultz
I struggled with this one even though I thought the plot had good potential. First, I did not like the way Harvath was portrayed - he came across as inexperienced, awkward with authority figures and generally stumbled around. Of course, I did compare him with Mitch Rapp, who was much more self-assured and confident at 23 and a rookie operative than Harvath who is older and already a SEAL.
I was disappointed with the overall writing ...more
Narrator: Armand Schultz
I struggled with this one even though I thought the plot had good potential. First, I did not like the way Harvath was portrayed - he came across as inexperienced, awkward with authority figures and generally stumbled around. Of course, I did compare him with Mitch Rapp, who was much more self-assured and confident at 23 and a rookie operative than Harvath who is older and already a SEAL.
I was disappointed with the overall writing ...more
I'm having a hard time just giving this book 3 stars. It just doesn't measure up to more than average, at best.
First of all, I found the pacing rather off. There is some good action at the beginning to set the stage, but then for the next 80% it just goes from one random action scene to the next. The bad guys are inept and Harvath is just as inept. He is never in control of the situation and relies more on luck than what little skill he exhibits. Movies with never-ending action sequences bore me ...more
First of all, I found the pacing rather off. There is some good action at the beginning to set the stage, but then for the next 80% it just goes from one random action scene to the next. The bad guys are inept and Harvath is just as inept. He is never in control of the situation and relies more on luck than what little skill he exhibits. Movies with never-ending action sequences bore me ...more
My dad recommended this author to me. This is his first novel with recurring character Scot Harvath.
The first of Brad Thor's political thrillers involving main character Scot Harvath, Lions of Lucerne will not disappoint. This fast paced novel is hard to put down. When I was forced to step away from the book I found myself thinking about it... wondering how Agent Harvath was going to escape his current life or death situation.
I typically read in bed to help me fall asleep at night. This is not ...more
The first of Brad Thor's political thrillers involving main character Scot Harvath, Lions of Lucerne will not disappoint. This fast paced novel is hard to put down. When I was forced to step away from the book I found myself thinking about it... wondering how Agent Harvath was going to escape his current life or death situation.
I typically read in bed to help me fall asleep at night. This is not ...more
I read this for the first time years ago. Now, after 18 Harvath books, I wanted to go back to the beginning to remind myself how it all began. I recall Scot being a very different character at the start and wasn't disappointed. If anything, I think the early books showed a Harvath with a little more emotional range. It was before he became the hero who didn't make mistakes. Going back to his time with the Secret Service was a great deal of fun.
4.5 Stars. This is a big book in so many ways and does a good job of introducing the main character to the series, Scot Horvath. By the end of the book we know him very well, what makes him tick and his key strengths, but whatever you do don't point a gun, a knife or even a finger at him - you will regret it! An interesting theme is set up in this book with the kidnapping of the American President and Scot sets about finding the President to bring him home. Thoroughly recommended.
So bad it was...so bad.
THE LIONS OF LUCERNE is a highly ambitious debut novel; deftly crafted in a technical sense, but with next to no literary value.
It's what I call a "dumb smart thriller," meaning that it is incredibly detailed and well researched, yet plagued with childish prose and characters that continually say and do stupid and/or unrealistic things.
Perhaps the editor is partially to blame. Brad Thor is by no means an economical writer, and LIONS could easily shed 50 pages simply by cutting out any ...more
It's what I call a "dumb smart thriller," meaning that it is incredibly detailed and well researched, yet plagued with childish prose and characters that continually say and do stupid and/or unrealistic things.
Perhaps the editor is partially to blame. Brad Thor is by no means an economical writer, and LIONS could easily shed 50 pages simply by cutting out any ...more
My first exposure to Mr. Thor's Scot character and - wow, what a ride!
Action-packed and continuously moving, our intrepid hero is above average smart and resilient. Tasked as main bodyguard to the President's daughter, he goes from hero to scapegoat in a small matter of time.
His travels take him to Switzerland, where he meets a beautiful and smart intelligence officer.
These escapades remind me of some 70's men's adventure novels, similar to Don Pendleton's "The Executioner" series.
Action-packed and continuously moving, our intrepid hero is above average smart and resilient. Tasked as main bodyguard to the President's daughter, he goes from hero to scapegoat in a small matter of time.
His travels take him to Switzerland, where he meets a beautiful and smart intelligence officer.
These escapades remind me of some 70's men's adventure novels, similar to Don Pendleton's "The Executioner" series.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goodreads Librari...: incorrect page count | 3 | 11 | Aug 14, 2017 08:10AM | |
| Bookwarts Club of...: Gryffindor Reading Challenge | 9 | 22 | Mar 12, 2017 07:35PM | |
| Flawed hero? | 4 | 28 | Jan 11, 2017 02:44AM | |
| Goodreads Librari...: Title needs fixing please | 3 | 192 | Dec 16, 2012 06:34AM | |
| Goodreads Librari...: "The Lions of Lucerne" needs fixing | 3 | 35 | Oct 04, 2012 07:22PM |
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“I know my limits. You don’t ever need to worry about me.” “Thanks, Scot. I’ll remind myself of that next time I see you looking like a flipped turtle.”
—
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“PC or not, Middle Eastern groups, including Abu Nidal’s, are not tacticians. They walk into nightclubs strapped with explosives, plant car bombs, spray crowded markets with machine-gun fire, and fly hijacked planes full of fuel into buildings. Plain and simple, they’re cowards. They won’t confront anyone on a one-to-one basis. They don’t have the savvy or the courage to do in-your-face operations.”
—
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