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Kirk McGarvey #13
The Expediter
Late one balmy summer evening in Pyongyang, an important Chinese intelligence general on his way to a secret meeting with Kim Jon-Il is assassinated in plain sight of a surveillance camera. The two shooters are wearing the uniforms of North Korean police officers.
Kim Jong-Il denies any knowledge of the shooting, but the Chinese do not believe him. As they prepare to attack, Jong-Il promises to unleash his nuclear weapons on downtown Beijing, Seoul, and Tokyo, plunging the entire region into nuclear war.
Kirk McGarvey, just off a difficult assignment that took him to Mexico City, has returned to his visiting professorship at the University of South Florida. A colonel in North Korea's intelligence service shows up in person, asking McGarvey to prove that North Korea did not authorize the hit.
It's the most extraordinary request McGarvey has ever received. He enters a dangerous international shadow world where almost nothing is as it seems. The puzzles lead him to a mysterious Russian ex-KGB multimillionaire whose specialty is expediting assassins for hire, to Pyongyang where he finds the wedge to open up a far-reaching plot so monstrous the entire world could go up into flames, and finally back to the one nation that potentially has the most to gain by such a war.
And the most to lose . . .
Kim Jong-Il denies any knowledge of the shooting, but the Chinese do not believe him. As they prepare to attack, Jong-Il promises to unleash his nuclear weapons on downtown Beijing, Seoul, and Tokyo, plunging the entire region into nuclear war.
Kirk McGarvey, just off a difficult assignment that took him to Mexico City, has returned to his visiting professorship at the University of South Florida. A colonel in North Korea's intelligence service shows up in person, asking McGarvey to prove that North Korea did not authorize the hit.
It's the most extraordinary request McGarvey has ever received. He enters a dangerous international shadow world where almost nothing is as it seems. The puzzles lead him to a mysterious Russian ex-KGB multimillionaire whose specialty is expediting assassins for hire, to Pyongyang where he finds the wedge to open up a far-reaching plot so monstrous the entire world could go up into flames, and finally back to the one nation that potentially has the most to gain by such a war.
And the most to lose . . .
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 17, 2009
39 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
About the author
David Hagberg
80 books137 followersaka David Bannerman, Sean Flannery, David James, Robert Pell, Eric Ramsey
David Hagberg is a former Air Force cryptographer who has traveled extensively in Europe, the Arctic, and the Caribbean and has spoken at CIA functions. He has published more than twenty novels of suspense, including the bestselling High Flight, Assassin, and Joshua's Hammer.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/davidh...
David Hagberg is a former Air Force cryptographer who has traveled extensively in Europe, the Arctic, and the Caribbean and has spoken at CIA functions. He has published more than twenty novels of suspense, including the bestselling High Flight, Assassin, and Joshua's Hammer.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/davidh...
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 25, 2010
I think I have read almost every novel that Hagberg has penned. I am a big fan, so watch out. I read a few reviews of this novel back when it came out and I felt they were way off base, especially Publishers Weekly. Their big beef was that Hagberg didn’t offer enough insight into the North Korean society ala James Church’s Inspector O series. No disrespect to Mr. O, but I really didn’t care when I read The Expediter if it gave me a deep and thorough insight. I like being sightless, but entertained. That’s what David Hagberg delivered here in The Expediter, pure adrenaline, suspense and action. Insight for me can be left behind. Besides how much insight can be gained into Kim Jung Il?
The Expediter has the forces that be, interrupting McGarvey’s peace and pseudoretirement to help them solve the World’s newest crisis du jour. Basically they need his unique skill set and attitude to unravel yet another plot that the alleged masterminds cannot solve. McGarvey packs a toothbrush, says goodbye to his loved ones and goes about his business. Hagberg puts together a great plot, executes it well and keeps the action going from the beginning to end; one cannot ask for more in a novel of this type. The character is hard hitting and in your face and that is when he is at his best. The narrative of the places McGarvey visits and the speed in which he is changing time zones doesn’t really lend itself to learning the history and culture of a Nation State.
I am not going out on a limb here when I say that David Hagberg can pen a really good suspense/action novel. If you haven’t had a chance to get a dose of Kirk McGarvey there are plenty of other novels in the Hagberg library to check out, grab one; they are just as good. The Cabel is his newest to date and that should be available now ( hint, click the tab ). I look forward to reading it.
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May 10, 2011
I've always been fascinated by North Korea, curious about the mysteries lying behind its heavily shrouded borders. David Hagberg rips open that screen in a most ingenious and captivating way. He takes you inside the very sanctums of Kim Il Jong, himself, seen first through the eyes of slinky assassins, then via the exploits of super-spy Kirk McGarvey--(a roguish and intriguing character). The tension is unrelenting, ratcheting toward a climax of global proportions. THE EXPEDITER is a truly unique and engaging story from an author at the top of his game.
April 2, 2016
This book was MUCH better than I thought it would be. A page turner and a quick read. Interesting information about North Korea and Kim Jong Il's regime.
September 4, 2021
An important Chinese intelligence general on his way to a secret meeting with Kim Jon-Il is assassinated in plain sight of a surveillance camera. The two shooters are wearing the uniforms of North Korean police officers. Kim Jong-Il denies any knowledge of the shooting, but the Chinese do not believe him. As they prepare to attack, Jong-Il promises to unleash his nuclear weapons on downtown Beijing, Seoul, and Tokyo, plunging the entire region into nuclear war. Kirk McGarvey, just off a difficult assignment that took him to Mexico City, has returned to his visiting professorship at the University of South Florida. A colonel in North Korea's intelligence service shows up in person, asking McGarvey to prove that North Korea did not authorize the hit. It's the most extraordinary request McGarvey has ever received. He enters a dangerous international shadow world where almost nothing is as it seems. The puzzles lead him to a mysterious Russian ex-KGB multimillionaire whose specialty is expediting assassins for hire, to Pyongyang where he finds the wedge to open up a far-reaching plot so monstrous the entire world could go up into flames, and finally back to the one nation that potentially has the most to gain by such a war
May 9, 2018
Who was the money man?
December 29, 2019
Not convincing enough, the characters are overpowering and vague
October 3, 2022
Though a little slow at times, Mac gets back to what he does best!
A huge improvement over the last book, Dance with the Dragon.
A huge improvement over the last book, Dance with the Dragon.
May 6, 2025
Page turning cia. Good for a plane ride type of book
May 31, 2010
PROTAGONIST: Kirk McGarvey, former CIA director
SETTING: Korea, China, US
SERIES: #13 of 13
RATING: 3.5
If you think about relationships between countries around the globe, I'm sure that you can cite many that are tenuous at best, where one wrong move or indelicate statement could lead to a major confrontation. That is the territory that David Hagberg explores in THE EXPEDITER, where a team of assassins kill a Chinese intelligence general who is on his way to meet with Kim Jong Il and stage it to appear that the murder was committed by the North Koreans.
The incident brings the two countries to the brink of war, when a member of the North Korean intelligence service recalls an ally who may be able to help. He meets with the former director of the CIA, Kirk McGarvey, who agrees to investigate on behalf of the North Koreans. What he finds is a strange series of deaths that have been orchestrated by an ex-KGB Russian millionaire, who has hired assassins to conduct operations in other countries as well. Someone is the power behind the Russian; what Kirk struggles to determine is who has the most to win by setting off a war. On the face of it, it appears the answer would be the United States.
Hagberg serves up a fascinating look at a place that is most often shrouded in secrecy. His depiction of the way of life in Pyongyang is very revealing, both in terms of its architecture and culture. Despite its size, it is a quiet place, very clean, with citizens following the dictates of the regime to the letter.
One of the most interesting threads in the book was the focus on the two assassins who killed General Ho Chang Li. Huk Kim and her husband Soon were two South Koreans who had been used by the Russian several times in the past. Soon is captured by the North Koreans; Kim goes to extraordinary lengths to try to free him—her efforts to do so are riveting.
I didn't find the resolution to be quite credible; McGarvey seems to have enormous power for a person who is not active in government any longer. I was puzzled by how he was able to move mountains just on his order alone. The conclusion was very unsatisfying, as the book ends without identifying the ultimate villain and source of the money that financed all of these shenanigans.
THE EXPEDITER is a solid international thriller. However, I felt cheated by the way the book ended, which leads to a less than enthusiastic recommendation on my part.
SETTING: Korea, China, US
SERIES: #13 of 13
RATING: 3.5
If you think about relationships between countries around the globe, I'm sure that you can cite many that are tenuous at best, where one wrong move or indelicate statement could lead to a major confrontation. That is the territory that David Hagberg explores in THE EXPEDITER, where a team of assassins kill a Chinese intelligence general who is on his way to meet with Kim Jong Il and stage it to appear that the murder was committed by the North Koreans.
The incident brings the two countries to the brink of war, when a member of the North Korean intelligence service recalls an ally who may be able to help. He meets with the former director of the CIA, Kirk McGarvey, who agrees to investigate on behalf of the North Koreans. What he finds is a strange series of deaths that have been orchestrated by an ex-KGB Russian millionaire, who has hired assassins to conduct operations in other countries as well. Someone is the power behind the Russian; what Kirk struggles to determine is who has the most to win by setting off a war. On the face of it, it appears the answer would be the United States.
Hagberg serves up a fascinating look at a place that is most often shrouded in secrecy. His depiction of the way of life in Pyongyang is very revealing, both in terms of its architecture and culture. Despite its size, it is a quiet place, very clean, with citizens following the dictates of the regime to the letter.
One of the most interesting threads in the book was the focus on the two assassins who killed General Ho Chang Li. Huk Kim and her husband Soon were two South Koreans who had been used by the Russian several times in the past. Soon is captured by the North Koreans; Kim goes to extraordinary lengths to try to free him—her efforts to do so are riveting.
I didn't find the resolution to be quite credible; McGarvey seems to have enormous power for a person who is not active in government any longer. I was puzzled by how he was able to move mountains just on his order alone. The conclusion was very unsatisfying, as the book ends without identifying the ultimate villain and source of the money that financed all of these shenanigans.
THE EXPEDITER is a solid international thriller. However, I felt cheated by the way the book ended, which leads to a less than enthusiastic recommendation on my part.
July 29, 2015
Little did I know as I wandered into this book that the author lives in Florida and places his main character's home in Sarasota. Though Sarasota is a mere backdrop for a far more involved story, it does place the book on my Florida shelf.
About the Florida setting: Hardly even a setting. It's a hit and run with little description and no feeling that the author cared to expand further upon the glancing blow. Much like the rest of the book. There is a mention of the Sarasota airport but nothing of the interesting drive along 41 or any other road. Considering the circumstances of the character who arrives in Sarasota, his point of view of that area would have been very interesting. The visiting character seems not to care or aware of where he is. That is the problem with this entire book.
I guess author Hagberg is getting tired of the McGarvey series after 12 books and strung his characters, a see-through plot unto a simple stage with cardboard backdrop. The book starts at an interesting level and slowly comes apart along the way. Seems to me it's pretty obvious early on who certain bad guys are and even why they are motivated to their actions. With that realized the only fun is a cat and mouse game between McGarvey and the bad guys for a few hundred pages. A bit long for cat and mouse, knowing how likely all will end. Another contemporary book that needed severe editing. If a writer is going to assemble a simple plot, best make the book far shorter.
All of the characters are typical of their rolls. There is some depth written for some, while others are handled with a few sentences here and there. Overall, it's all too familiar. I really didn't like how family played a part in this. It's too simple a plot device.
This was my first Hagberg book. I best go back and try earlier ones hoping for better results and far more depth.
Bottom line: I don't recommend this book. 5 of 10 points.
About the Florida setting: Hardly even a setting. It's a hit and run with little description and no feeling that the author cared to expand further upon the glancing blow. Much like the rest of the book. There is a mention of the Sarasota airport but nothing of the interesting drive along 41 or any other road. Considering the circumstances of the character who arrives in Sarasota, his point of view of that area would have been very interesting. The visiting character seems not to care or aware of where he is. That is the problem with this entire book.
I guess author Hagberg is getting tired of the McGarvey series after 12 books and strung his characters, a see-through plot unto a simple stage with cardboard backdrop. The book starts at an interesting level and slowly comes apart along the way. Seems to me it's pretty obvious early on who certain bad guys are and even why they are motivated to their actions. With that realized the only fun is a cat and mouse game between McGarvey and the bad guys for a few hundred pages. A bit long for cat and mouse, knowing how likely all will end. Another contemporary book that needed severe editing. If a writer is going to assemble a simple plot, best make the book far shorter.
All of the characters are typical of their rolls. There is some depth written for some, while others are handled with a few sentences here and there. Overall, it's all too familiar. I really didn't like how family played a part in this. It's too simple a plot device.
This was my first Hagberg book. I best go back and try earlier ones hoping for better results and far more depth.
Bottom line: I don't recommend this book. 5 of 10 points.
June 18, 2016
Another fine suspenseful novel by David Hagberg.
Anyone who in his youth was a fan of the Saturday matinee serials, or later was a fan of the James Bond movies or Ian Fleming films, can't help but enjoy Kirk McGarvey's adventures. For those that feel McGarvey has little trouble figuring things out, thus making situations unreal, just put that feeling aside and enjoy.
The Expediter is a former Russian officer who hires out assassinations for big bucks. After a Chinese general is killed while visiting Dear Leader in No. Korea, the No. Koreans seek help from Kirk McGarvey to prevent a catastrophic war between China and No. Korea. They feel McGarvey just might be able to prove the No. Koreans were not responsible for the Chinese General's death.
Although the ending does not solve the whole situation, it most likely will in the next McGarvey adventure.
I really enjoy David Hagberg's Kirk McGarvey series.
Anyone who in his youth was a fan of the Saturday matinee serials, or later was a fan of the James Bond movies or Ian Fleming films, can't help but enjoy Kirk McGarvey's adventures. For those that feel McGarvey has little trouble figuring things out, thus making situations unreal, just put that feeling aside and enjoy.
The Expediter is a former Russian officer who hires out assassinations for big bucks. After a Chinese general is killed while visiting Dear Leader in No. Korea, the No. Koreans seek help from Kirk McGarvey to prevent a catastrophic war between China and No. Korea. They feel McGarvey just might be able to prove the No. Koreans were not responsible for the Chinese General's death.
Although the ending does not solve the whole situation, it most likely will in the next McGarvey adventure.
I really enjoy David Hagberg's Kirk McGarvey series.
May 4, 2009
The retired US Director of Central Intelligence is startled to discover a North Korean State Security officer at his Florida home requesting help in proving North Korea had not assassinated a Chinese diplomat. This act has thrown the entire area to the brink of atomic warfare.
The resulting story leads us from D.C. to both Koreas, China, Japan and back again before the mystery is solved and 'peace' is restored...or is it?
Hagberg always provides an exciting read, whether it's Terminator or Mutiny: the true events that inspired The Hunt for Red October.
The resulting story leads us from D.C. to both Koreas, China, Japan and back again before the mystery is solved and 'peace' is restored...or is it?
Hagberg always provides an exciting read, whether it's Terminator or Mutiny: the true events that inspired The Hunt for Red October.
May 18, 2016
The McGarvey character is completely lacking in credibility. Nothing in the book explains how he could have developed so much influence, and nothing explains why he is so well respected. Nothing was demonstrated to the reader; we have to take it all on faith.
The book has a weak plot that is hard to follow. The things McGarvey did were totally unbelievable, from his ability to control the US intelligence agency to his ability to influence the Dear Leader.
And the author doesn't even understand basic punctuation rules; he often combines two sentences with nothing but a comma.
The book has a weak plot that is hard to follow. The things McGarvey did were totally unbelievable, from his ability to control the US intelligence agency to his ability to influence the Dear Leader.
And the author doesn't even understand basic punctuation rules; he often combines two sentences with nothing but a comma.
May 13, 2011
I have read many books by this author and have enjoyed them all. this one continues the the hero's struggle to find the source of the money that ha been financing the efforts to cause a major strike against the US. Even though the struggle continues thru this the 2nd book, (and I think further books) each book has it's own story that is concluded within the book.
November 7, 2009
Good action packed thriller where retired assassin and CIA Director Kirk McGarvey is asked by the North Korean police to help solve an assassination of a Chinese general in Pyongyang, and avert a nuclear war by ferreting out the identity of the "Expediter" and his employer.
September 2, 2010
Decent read. I'd give it 3.5 stars if I could but can't go to four. Interesting story revolving around North Korean nukes and the country's relationship with China. Of course, Kirk McGarvey comes to the rescue. Would problably be a good beach book you could consume in a few idle hours.
November 14, 2012
I do love David Hagberg's writing style. They keep my attention and I never want to put them down.
In this one our hero Kirk McGarvey goes to Korea to track down the person who ordered a hit on a Chinese official and to find out why.
In this one our hero Kirk McGarvey goes to Korea to track down the person who ordered a hit on a Chinese official and to find out why.
June 14, 2009
Awesome, Hagberg writes realistic terrorist novels. In The Expediter, a standoff between China and North Korea threatens the world.
November 26, 2011
Great Fiction with a little bit of reality. Still difficult to believe that a former CIA Director would do all that stuff, but he is a hero!!
Read
March 27, 2011very good
Read
July 28, 2011This book was OK. It kept my interest. It was a fast read.
March 30, 2012
pretty good
November 23, 2013
11-23-13
July 22, 2014
I seem to have parachuted into the middle of another series, one I probably should have done some catchup on. Interesting characters, interesting settings and a quick read. 3.5 out of 5.
September 19, 2015
It was really good at the beginning, but then I lost interest. Lots of action and suspense in short small spurts, otherwise fairly boring. I might try some of Hagberg's other books.
Want to read
April 2, 2009On the April 12th NYTimes Bestseller list!! A Tor book!
April 22, 2018
A solid B in it's genre.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews