Permanent Interests in Espionage Aficionados

Sep 03, 2013 Jim Crocker rated it it was amazing

ESPIONAGE AND SUSPENSE IN A CONTEMPORARY SETTING

Permanent Interests is a startling account of espionage and suspense in a contemporary setting. Twenty-five years ago, the Red Army withdrew from Afghanistan and Mikhail Gorbachev became president of the USSR. The world had begun to tilt. Before the end of 1989, the Berlin Wall had fallen, the USSR had crumbled into dust and the poles of worldwide, geo-political reality had flipped. Everything changed. There was a new game in town. To what extent a ESPIONAGE AND SUSPENSE IN A CONTEMPORARY SETTING

Permanent Interests is a startling account of espionage and suspense in a contemporary setting. Twenty-five years ago, the Red Army withdrew from Afghanistan and Mikhail Gorbachev became president of the USSR. The world had begun to tilt. Before the end of 1989, the Berlin Wall had fallen, the USSR had crumbled into dust and the poles of worldwide, geo-political reality had flipped. Everything changed. There was a new game in town. To what extent and in what way was not apparent at the time. Now it’s 2013, and we’re finding out. Fortunately, we have James Bruno to explain everything. Case you haven’t noticed, the entire world has turned inside-out.

In this changing world, adaptation, learning and growth are the keys to survival. That this edict equally applies to forces from the darkside, along with the rest of us, should come as no surprise. In Permanent Interests, James Bruno lays it out for everyone to see. I’m amazed this novel ever saw the light of day. More astounding is that Bruno has followed up with two more blockbusters: Tribe (Jul 16, 2011) and Havana Queen (Apr 25, 2013). His first novel, Chasm (Feb 6, 2007), I’ve totally overlooked. He claims all this is just fiction, but it certainly comes across with a ring of truth that bites harder than, Bubbie, my old Rottweiler.

Blast straight through all of Bruno’s masterpieces. Do it before they’re pulled off the shelf and buried at sea somewhere. I found Bruno’s characters fascinating and alive. His scenes are vivid and quite often chilling. In Chapter Nine of Permanent Interests, the visit to Pironi’s Restaurante outdoes the scene in Goodfellas, where the camera follows Ray Liotta around as he introduces various Wiseguys, like Nicky Eyes and Jimmie Two Times. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD3y43...] In the background, you can hear Mina Mazzini singing Il Cielo In Una Stanza (The World We Love In), a song so beautiful it nearly rips the heart out from your chest. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11mejV...] Bruno tops all this, while dropping an occasional one-liner on you funny enough to make you laugh out loud. But, trust me, Permanent Interest is no comedy. Suspense builds and bullets fly all the way to the book’s heart-pounding conclusion.

It has been my pleasure to discover the fascinating world of James Bruno. Those having read my past reviews will find this is my longest to date—and for good reason. If you’re a fan of Allan Furst, Philip Kerr, Olen Seinhauer or David Ignatius—as I am—then you’ll also want your spezzatino di manzo served with a healthy portion of realism—just like in James Bruno’s stories.

Abbondanza! And good reading.
...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Sep 22, 2011 Richard rated it it was amazing

Wow, what a surprise. I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish. I stepped out of my normal genre a bit and I'm glad I did. I am now going to read Chasm. I will keep you guys posted.. My advice is give James Bruno a shot, you could do much worse.. Thanks James for a great read ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Dec 21, 2013 Icy-Cobwebs-In-Space rated it it was amazing

Shelves: march-2014_reads, a1-netgalley, armchair-mid-atlantic, a1-i-own-books, 2014_reads, armchair-eastern-europe, armchair-italy-sicily-monaco-corsic

Riveting political espionage thriller: this is not "terrorism" as we think.we know it, or as we expect. Instead, this revolves around a conspiracy far more insidious, one which cares not who had to die, nor how many. The unlikely but likeable hero sort of falls into the case (wrong place, wrong time) and demonstrates his.good moral character by determining to unravel, and end, this conspiracy.
...more

Like · see review

Mar 11, 2011 James Bruno rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author) · review of another edition

Like

From the Bookshelf of Espionage Aficionados…

Find A Copy At

Group Discussions About This Book

What Members Thought

Espionage Aficionados