The Naked Edge

Cavanaugh #2

by David Morrell

Once they were boyhood best friends, playing in the woods near their homes, pretending to be soldiers surviving behind enemy lines. Grownup, they belonged to Delta Force and later worked as protectors for the world's best security company. Now their lives have taken drastically different paths, pitting them against one another, forcing them to play their boyhood game again, this time to learn who dies. The survival of a great city hangs in the balance as two friends-turned-enemies hunt one another and discover that there's a line between predators and prey, a line that's called The Naked Edge. From Rambo-creator David Morrell, the father of the modern action novel, comes a gripping international thriller that you won't want to end.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Action, Ebooks, Mystery Thriller

Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

David Morrell is a Canadian novelist from Kitchener, Ontario, who has been living in the United States for a number of years. He is best known for his debut 1972 novel First Blood, which would later become a successful film franchise starring Sylvester Stallone. More recently, he has been writing the Captain America comic books limited-series The Chosen.

Reviews

[Mike (the Paladin) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read several of David Morrell's books. Some I like (a lot) others I found stultifying. "For me" his writing can run the gamut.

This one I enjoy. If you read much of his writing you'll begin to see similarities. His approach can "often" (but always) take a familiar turn some of his characters can have similar traits. This isn't a bad thing so long as it's done well. I've seen it in other writers with a prolific out put (Dean Koontz for instance). This is the second book about "Cavanaugh" (this is an adopted code name to protect his identity) the "Protector" (don't call him a "Body Guard" he feels that title has a negative aura about it).

Also Morrell sometimes gives us details about some interest involved in the book.

In this case it could add to my interest. I do "leather work" and discovered that I enjoy making knife sheathes. This lead to me ending up with a moderate sized knife collection. I make sheaths for fixed blade knives, pouches for folding knives etc. So the fact that both the "hero" and the "villain" of the book know about knives was a plus for me.

The book is pretty much a straight forward action thriller with a suitably blood thirsty and cold bad guy leading an attack on...

Well, that would be a spoiler but it does involve our hero and drag him back into a business he thought he'd retired from.

I like the book, it's fast moving, holds the interest and the characters are deep enough to get to know. They stay true to themselves and don't suddenly shift after you've gotten to know them. Good book and it has sent me forward to find other unread Morrell books.

Recommended, enjoy.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Morrell is one of the few authors who has for me achieved the status of whatever he publishes I will purchase. The legendary Louis L'Amour was my first author to hit this level and only Tom Clancy has managed to get there in the past for his techno action thriller series. I had one other author who seemed to be there but has fallen off that perch recently. It is a difficult perch to maintain.

This book is a page turner. I love the way Morrell keeps the tension without losing focus on reality. The good folks are not superheros and the bad guys are not super bad guys. Everyone seems to have doubts even though they are very good at their respective roles.

In this one we get to see a strong lady presence which is much more reflective of how a real life issue would likely play out.

This issue for me was interesting. Fairbane's book Get Tough was mentioned. I have had this book for years, Palidin Press version from 1979. Morrell used some of the classic Fairbane tactics which are still practical today in his dialog for explaining to those not in the business how operators should think. Unfortunately for me I was already aware of these positive aspects and also the tactics which are promoted in the book but which don't work! The securing of prisoners tactic of the grapevine has been shown to fail in all practical tests we put it through as kids and as martial arts students. Morrell smartly stays away from this part of the book. Who said former Professors of Literature can't figure out what works from what doesn't?

I can't say just how much a pleasure it was to see the various knife makers and their wares reflected in this book. I own a Emerson so I could relate to his references. I am aware of many of the other knife makers even though I could not afford them.

This was a true pleasure to see so much knife history woven into the story, lifting the story rather than just added page filler.

This wasn't Roy Rodgers riding in on Silver with Bullet and Tonto to save the Army type of story. It was very real and you understood the emotions behind what each good and bad guy was up to. The presentation was such that each character felt real. I found that the most appealing aspect to this story. The tactics, trade craft which is claimed to be authentic, and all of the story line about the protective services business aspect was also believable. I found this book to be compelling.

I also loved the knife history. Some of it was unknown to me and I had figured I was a bit up on most people in that regard. He even provides photos of the various knives in his e-reader format!!
Dang, but you gotta love a man who delivers on his goods.

Worthy book on all fronts.

[Kaspars · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nezinu, varbūt pie vainas tulkojums (bet apšaubu, jo grāmata Latvijā ir izdota 2013. gadā), bet šis noteikti salīdzinot ar citiem autora darbiem likās vājš. Iespējams pie vainas bija tas, ka autors vēlējās pārāk daudz lietas un notikumus sabāzt vienā grāmatā/stāstā, līdz ar to, daudz kur darbs likās nenostrādāts līdz galam.

Kopumā - ne tas labākais darbs no autora, kurš tiek apzīmēts kā "modernā spriedzes romāna tēva" (uzreiz piebilstams, ka autors noteikti ir pelnījis atzinību par daudziem saviem spriedzes romāniem un iespējams ir pelnījis šādu titulu).

[Walter]

I understand as a writer new territory can be invigorating, but I’m not a big fan of the types of plts in Morrell’s last few books since the Protector.
With The Naked Edge Morrell brings back a character and plot that reminds the reader of his earlier work.
I've been a fan of David Morrell since reading Brotherhood Of The Rose in the 80's. Morrell’s work spoke to me, in that it showed the origin of his characters. Too often in thrillers we are confronted with protagonists having fully developed skillsets without insight into how they got there. I have to admit, in books or movies I am a sucker for a training scene. In Brotherhood Of The Rose, we got a look at how Chris and Saul came to be the operators they were. In The Naked Edge Morrell returns to this type of storytelling, giving the reader insight in to how the characters became who they are. Overall, Cavanaugh is an interesting protagonist. Morrell’s use of accurate tradecraft brings texture and authenticity to the work. Morrell also shows mastery of craft in that he keeps the story narrow and focused without introducing too many unweildy subplots.
The Naked Edge is a solid and entertaining thriller written by a solid professional, Morrell’s choice to release on Kindle shows that he is constantly reevaluating his market. If you like vintage Morrell, you will not be disappointed in The Naked Edge.

[itchy · Rating 5 out of 5]

wait, what?:
p105: As elderly people cued up to get on the bus, Cavanaugh and Jamie merged with them, the only young people in the group.

p214: "...We'll evacuate you as soon as possible."

Bladed weapons, sharp force trauma... what more can I ask for?

I just can't seem to recall Jamie.

[Albert · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Morrell surely IS the father of the modern action thriller and proves it again with this book.
Everything seems real, the characters are great and enjoyable.
Many of the concepts that are being used to describe the craft of "operators" are later (now) used by current best selling action crime writers.
But Morrell is were it all started.
So lean back and enjoy how Cavanaugh and his wife, friends and fellow operators live through a nightmare of hunting and being hunted, explosions, death and a most satisfying end.

[wendy harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could this really happen ?

Over my many years , I have come across several people that played outside our civilized rules . Violence melded with an acute understanding of how the law abiding masses expect to be protected , means that there are opportunities available for the darker forces to operate . This book allows a slight insight as to how we need to be understanding and vigilant

[Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

not sure what took me so long to find this one. David Morrell books never disappoint. they don't call him the Father of the Thriller novel for nothing! another excellent read, you can see the effort and research put into the tactical side of the weaponry and fights, and character development is superb as usual. sad to see no more books of his I have not read yet. time to reread a few!

[D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid action thriller from Morrell. Well-researched, as always, with a nice mix of characterization and adventure. This is a sequel to THE PROTECTOR, and you'd best read that one first, or you'll most likely feel like you've missed a lot of backstory. (Because, you know, you have.)

Not my favorite Morrell, but a nice reminder of how good he really is.

[Robbie Sheerin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely phenomenal! Loved this second installment by Morrell. Full of action and intensity as the first book. Morrell has such a deep knowledge of knives, covert missions, and surveillance tactics, you feel you you have had crash course in being a proctor.

Great story and wonderful characters!

[Bettinna Cartet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am gradually working my way through most of the books David Morrell has written. He is an excellent thriller writer. The Naked Edge did not disappoint. It has a great pace, full of action and twists. Very good read and recommend if you haven’t yet check out his other books when you finish this one.

[Darwin Little · Rating 2 out of 5]

The whole premise of this story line was just too unbelievable for me. The novel went from one improbable scene to another. I realize this is fiction but the whole plot was so silly it was hard for me to stay interested. I finished the book but just barely.

[Easy Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cavanaughs the man!

A great read from start to finish, The Naked Edge takes the reader in a roller coaster ride through the lives of two men, joined together by a shared history,and pits them against each other in a showdown where only one can win. "Want to make a bet?". I bet you won't put this one down till you've reached the bloody climax.

[Joe O'Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing character: Cavanaugh; as he tries to settle into retirement, Cavanaugh is pulled back into the business when protectors are being killed, and he comes face to face with a friend who has gone off the deep edge and is planning even more heinous killings

[Bob Wasserman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good - I like the various Protector stories with Cavanaugh - well written and quick reads

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fast paced good read with a flowing story line. Foul language was a bit much but not overwhelming.

[Karolina Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second book with Cavanaugh and I have really enjoyed reading them. Quick easy read with great action. I would recommend it.

[Billy Forbes]

excitement from page one to the end.

[Davey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cavanaugh the protector , childhood friends decimates company for revenge

[Martin Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Morrell is a multi-genre writer, but one common theme seems to run through all his books: relationships. Whether he writes spy novels, horror, westerns, or mysteries, his thrillers often explore the relationships between fathers and sons, fathers and daughter, between brothers, and—in The Naked Edge—between friends.

The second in Morrell's limited Protector series, The Naked Edge features the return of Cavanaugh, a former Delta Force soldier turned high-end personal security specialist. Having left the security business, Cavanaugh is forced out of retirement when his horse ranch is attacked by gunmen and burned to the ground.

Now the protector becomes the prey, targeted by one of the few men with the same training and background as Cavanaugh himself. The man who calls himself Bowie is an old childhood friend of Cavanaugh and fellow Delta Force operator who also worked as a protector at Cavanaugh's former employer Global Protective Services (GPS). When Bowie was dismissed from GPS for lack of discipline. Cavanaugh didn't stand up him, and Bowie seeks revenge for what he considers a breach of loyalty.

Yet there is more to the plot than a simple rivalry. Bowie's attempts to kill Cavanaugh are linked to a much larger plot that puts an entire American city in the sights of diabolical terrorist attack. Cavanaugh and his wife, Jamie, must fight to stay alive as they struggle to understand Bowie’s true intentions. At the same time, Cavanaugh is forced to come to terms with his own sense of culpability in turning his one-time best friend into a sociopathic killer.

In The Naked Edge, Morrell has succeeded in creating a page-turning, thumb-sucking, keep-you-on-edge thriller. But the best part of the book, in my opinion, was his creation of Bowie—a murderous sociopath, but a character so interesting and compelling you can't help but sympathize with him, even like him. The Naked Edge is another winner from the creator of Rambo.

[Brian O'Hare · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Friendship That Went Bad

The Naked Edge by David Morell is a high octane thriller in Lee Child mode. It explodes into action from page one and never lets up. Morell, consistent, reliable, never disappoints. I have loved his books since I first came across Rambo (First Blood) in the early 1970s. Many books were to follow including The Brotherhood of the Rose in the 1980s, The Fraternity of the Stone (late ‘80s), The Covenant of the Flame (mid-90s), to select only a couple. The great thrillers just kept on coming and The naked Edge is another one in a great line.

The protagonist in this tale, Cavanagh, is cut straight from Jack Reacher cloth and, also like Reacher, he is faced with an implacable foe who is equipped with all the military and fighting skills Delta Force could give him but lacking in any form of morality, empathy, or any modicum of restraint. This foe is driven by a hatred so intense that he is prepared to sacrifice everything, his work, his freedom, his very life and the lives of thousands of others, to wreak his vengeance on the man he once called friend.

No one does blood, guts and gore better than Morell and inevitably the two men clash in a tense and brutal climax. There is nothing neat or skilful about the pain-racked, groping, grovelling blood-soaked struggle that brings the climax to an end. The enemy pulls every dirty trick in the book while Cavanaugh, forced into retreat, valiantly tries to improvise responses that merely see him succumbing slowly to the relentless onslaught that threatens to overcome him.

Lovers of fast-paced, well written thrillers need look no further the The Naked Edge for their next purchase. A really great story.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this Action novel by Morrell. I really love David Morrell and realized I hadn't read any of his books for years so picked up a couple of audiobooks. This one was about protective agents and one who has to save the world... okay, maybe not the world, but like that. There was a lot to learn about knives, so that was interesting. The funny part was that I listened to the unabridged audio version and it was read by Dick Hill. He's a great narrator, but he IS the voice of Jack Reacher so it's hard to listen to an action novel with another big military male as the protagonist and not keep thinking you're listening to a Jack Reacher book!

Overall, it was good. I'd recommend for Morrell fans.

[Jim A · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the second of The Protector series featuring Cavanaugh although it was written seven years after the first.

Lots of action but very little story. Not what I expected from David Morrell based on his previous work. Written more like something he wanted to sell to movie director John Woo, that type of action.

The reader does learn a lot about premium knives and the craftsmen who make them. Also a quick primer on how to make a quality blade. On the downside of the filler material, Morrell tends to repeat himself in several places when describing the traits of protectors and how to spot 'operators'. In a couple of instances he writes the same information three times.

[Frank Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like a few of David Morrell other books, but this one just felt a bit too predictable and like all the characters were acting in a really cheezy action film, with the same old one liners, same old stereotyped characters and got really corny at bits also,
Definitely worth keep trying David Morrell's books if this is your first of his you got into, but if your a past fan, might do better off avoiding this one.

[D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, the pace of this thriller felt like a downhill roller coaster;) I especially loved the character Jamie. She was very strong, resourceful, intelligent, and truly an equal partner in her marriage to Cavanaugh. The narrative contains perhaps a little too much detail on knives, but that background likely is more appreciated by male readers. Although the book was published a few years ago, the story is quite timely considering current events.

[Sambasivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author of First Blood is in his elements in this taut action thriller that could chill your spine. The phenomenal research that he puts into this work shines through every chapter. It is a duel and a revenge story between once-upon-a-time thickest of friends but the pace is relentless. Visually captivating and arresting to say the least. The 'knife' history is fantastic. If you like action thrillers of the Navy Seal type, you can't get a better one than this.

[Pearce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun sequel

The Naked Edge is the follow-up to The Protector, and like most sequels it suffers in comparison to the original. David Morrell's commitment to exciting action scenes and thorough research keeps it entertaining, but the story is a bit forced and there's a feeling of déjà vu over the whole book. This one is probably only for people who are already faithful readers.

[Brad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Morrell's best since The Protector, the first novel to feature Cavanaugh, and quite possibly the best since The Fifth Profession. Morrell is the master of thriller novel and remains without comparison in the genre.

[Summer Daniels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this thriller. Great details about special "operators" who are highly trained - and highly deadly!!

Really enjoyed the interaction between the main character and his long lost friend from childhood.

[Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another masterful thriller by Morrell who almost single-handedly invented the genre. I consider this one of his best. The loss of a star was because of necessary coincidences to move the story along.