Buddy Read for Dance With the Enemy by Rob Sinclair - February 15

[Agnieszka]

Dance with the Enemy by Rob Sinclair

Carl Logan was the perfect agent. A loner. No real friends or family. Trained to deal with any situation with cold efficiency, devoid of emotion. But Logan isn’t the man he used to be, or the asset he once was. Five months ago his life changed forever when he was captured, tortured and left for dead by Youssef Selim, one of the world’s most violent terrorists. When Selim mysteriously reappears in Paris, linked to the kidnapping of America’s Attorney General, Logan smells his chance for revenge. Pursuing his man relentlessly, oblivious to the growing trail of destruction that he leaves in his wake, Logan delves increasingly deep into the web of lies and deceit surrounding the kidnapping. Finally, he comes to learn just what it means to Dance with the Enemy.

[Ann]

Hi Agnieszka,
I started the book Sunday night and got up to Chapter 6.

My thoughts so far -
Logan is an interesting character. I'd like to find out more about his nightmares and what he's done. I hope we get more juicy details later on.
He wants an ordinary life but I don't get the feeling he's going to get that...

I like it that he's described as 'unhinged and incompetent' - it makes him even more interesting and I think that's going to give him an edge!

Question - The kidnapping of Modena seemed a bit easy. Surely the agents with him would have been more competent?

[Agnieszka]

I'm a little bit behind but hope to start either later today or tomorrow moring :-)

[Ann]

I'll try to make my comments spoiler free (or spoiler hidden)

[Mandy]

I might try to catch up with this if I can finish my other one today

[Agnieszka]

Ann wrote: "...Logan is an interesting character. I'd like to find out more about his nightmares and what he's done. I hope we get more juicy details later on.
He wants an ordinary life but I don't get the feeling he's going to get that...

I like it that he's described as 'unhinged and incompetent' - it makes him even more interesting and I think that's going to give him an edge!

Question - The kidnapping of Modena seemed a bit easy. Surely the agents with him would have been more competent?"

I started the day with the first four chapters and I'm on the same page Ann :-) I think as well Logan's not going to get his 'normal' life and I suppose the fact he has to prove himself (again) is what will help to succeed or at least to complete his task well enough.

I didn't think the kidnapping was too easy but you're right. My first thought was this smells like an inside job and after the interaction between the two agents when the goons demanded they leave the car I'm convinced Carlson had something to do with it. I agree with you the agents appeared very incompetent and from some of the books I read I would think an accident regardless of the fact if it seems genuine or staged should grab the agents' attention and make them more vigilant/allert.
I was wondering about the unplanned conference and got the impression the other guys weren't happy about Logans involvement but for other reasons than we know so far which let me wonder about the hinted disaster/Logan's failed mission five month ago and if there's some link and the real issue behind - we'll see :-)

I hope to read at least another four chapters later today.


Mandy wrote: "I might try to catch up with this if I can finish my other one today"

Cool Mandy, the more the merrier :-)

[Ann]

Oh yes, Mandy, I hope you can join in.

[Ann]

Agnieszka said, '...I'm convinced Carlson had something to do with it...'

You might be right there. This book has plenty of murky backstory.

In fact, I'm getting the feeling that a lot of the story is in what's happened in the past between Mackie, Logan and the perpetrator, Selim.

Mackie - (view spoiler)[ Curious that he sees Logan as the son he never had. I was actually beginning to suspect Mackie until I read this. Is he really wanting Logan to get back in the game or is he setting him up?? (hide spoiler)]

Logan - (view spoiler)[the PTSD scene in the hospital worked well. Who is this woman that died? Who was she to Logan? There's so much going on in the backstory and it gives plenty of questions to keep me turning the pages. (hide spoiler)]

[Agnieszka]

Ann wrote: "Agnieszka said, '...I'm convinced Carlson had something to do with it...'

You might be right there. This book has plenty of murky backstory.

In fact, I'm getting the feeling that a lot of the st..."

So far I finished chapter 30 - so I edited my notes I've written after finishing chapter 16 & chapter 20 - if there were any changes in my peception I indicated both and hope it's not making it too complicated:

Mackie - (view spoiler)[I never had the impresion he isn't genuily supporting and interested in Logan and since I thought last night while soaking in warm water I should change my kind of books for a while I'm seeing betrayal or conspiracy behind each tree so I'm not sure if I'm just too blind and want him be Logan's friend or if there's really no indication in the story (so far).
For me it was interesting to see he felt guilty for Logan's capture until I read he knew Logan's cover was blown and didn't pull him out or at least warn him and with this knowledge I can even less imagine he would be willing to risk Logan's life or safety a second time. (utnil end of chapter 16)
Interesting Mackie was the one who is 'responsible' for Logan's course of life - now it makes more sense why he feels responsible.
I'm wondering if there's a deeper reason why he didn't tell Logan he's got only 24 hours to 'solve the case' and find Modena or if he was kind of considerate and didn't want to put any more pressure on Logan (hide spoiler)]

Logan - (view spoiler)[I don't know enough about PTSD to have a solid oppinion but I'm glad about your note about this - I trust you know what you're talking about :-) especially being psycholigist *grins*
I'm curious if Logan really didn't notice he's being tailed from the hospital or if he's only acting this way to get the upper hand and find out more about the guys involved. (until end of chapter 16) this question got anwered now - he war really oblivious to that fact
After reading Logan left Djourou - the counterfeiter - alive when he got his infromations I thought 'Wow could it be he's really one of the few decent guys in this kind of business?' though now I'm not sure if it was not a mistake - especially since he gave him his cover name - which the 'bad guys' alreday know.
I'm glad he's aware he's cover got blown and can act accordingly now.
I like the twist with Angela and I'm so curious if they will have a chance in terms of relationship and if their contact/relationship will continue in the following books in series (hide spoiler)]

Jay Lindegaard (view spoiler)[I really don't like this guy and wouldn't be surprised if he had some nefarios plans regarding Logan - we'll see (hide spoiler)]

Johnny (view spoiler)[Around one or two pages into chapter 17 I was wondering if his former police background combined with his unease about Selim would work in the end in Logan's favor but after finishing the chapter I fear it will be quite the opposite and Johnny will cause pretty much trouble for Logan (chpater 20)
That was unexpected. Now I have my answers but I'm not sure it makes sense to me - somehow he appeared to be more important than some kind of nameless thug that will be 'disposed of' soon. (hide spoiler)]

chapter 20: (view spoiler)[Selim is a sick SOB and I think more and more he's unhappy Logan got away and wants finish the job and kill Logan.
Alread in the beginning I wasn't sure if the extent of the graphic descriptions won't be a bit too much but now after reading chapter 20 I only hope it won't get any worse - that's as much as I can deal with (hide spoiler)]

Winter: (view spoiler)[I disliked him from the very beginning and somehow blend him out as soon as he's not more 'visible'. He's another example for my feeling of a neverending conspiracy thinking. I can't say why but I'm deeply convinced he's trouble and is either monitoring Mackie on behalf of the comittee or will use his position to cause trouble for at least Logan but most likely for Logan & Mackie - we'll see :-) (hide spoiler)]

[Agnieszka]

My sister called and will stop by this week, so my reading progress will slow pretty much for the next four days :-) Sorry, wasn't planned - but I'm looking forward to it - especially to see (for the first time) her baby belly :-))))))))))))

[Mandy]

Didn't get much reading done last weekend so still have my current kindle read on the go so haven't started this yet :-(

[Ann]

Logan - I finally started to like Logan a lot around chapter 30.
Up until then I was pretty lukewarm about him but once his backstory caught up with him - bam - I was completely on side.

Grainger - about 70% into the book (view spoiler)[ We see another side to Grainger with her 'confession' to Logan. They are both after revenge. The big question is, who is Grainger after? I have my idea and can't wait to find out... (hide spoiler)]

[Ann]

Agnieszka - have fun with your sister!

[Ann]

I finished the book yesterday but I'll keep checking the thread to join in the discussion...

[Agnieszka]

Ann wrote: "I finished the book yesterday but I'll keep checking the thread to join in the discussion..."

I hope to continue and perhaps even finish tomorrow

Ann wrote: "Agnieszka - have fun with your sister!"

Thank you!

[Agnieszka]

It took me a few days longer than I wanted but I'm finished now. Wow what a ride.

Mandy in case you still want join I'll hide my notes behind spoilers :-)

(view spoiler)[Despite some minor flaws and some typos I rated this book 5*.
I loved the way Logan's thoughts and emotions were described/displayed and his inner development even more - and it's something I'm not used in books by male author's or with male main characters.
I had my suspicions Angela had a hidden agenda from the moment she left Logan at the restaurant pretty early in their relationship but ignored it until their final discussion in Paris. When she asked about Rosenberg all the alarm bells started to go off in my mind and when she asked Logan to 'say proper hello' in the car in the small NY-town I knew it's not a good idea - her actions and words didn't fit.
I still don't get it how she could mouth 'I love you' to Logan and shoot him afterwards though I suppose it's only due to my lacking imagination.
I have to admit I was somehow blindsided by Grainger I so wished she's honest and true to her words (and some of her actions) and have some idea what will be the general direction of the next two books. After reading the included Prologue of book 2 I'm really hot for the next one and I'm very intrigued how it came to that development and suspect Angela will be main topic of book 3 again. We'll see. (hide spoiler)]

Are you interested to continue this series and a buddy read for the next book or even both in the future?

[Ann]

I liked the book but I didn't like it enough to continue with the series. I think it's because the romance part didn't really work for me.

I look forward to reading your reviews of the other books, Agnieszka :)

[Agnieszka]

I let you know when I finish each of them :-)

[Ann]

Ok, great

[Agnieszka]

Mandy,
I won't check this thread daily but will keep an eye on it so feel free to post if you start the book :-)

[Mandy]

Agnieszka wrote: "Mandy,
I won't check this thread daily but will keep an eye on it so feel free to post if you start the book :-)"

Well I finally got to start this and am now about 50% through :) As Ann has said I find the romance part surprising under the circumstances.

[Agnieszka]

I'm curious how you will like it and what you think about this story :-)

[Mandy]

Finished this yesterday and while I thought it was a great story line I don't think I will be continuing with the series. The actions and comments of the two MC seemed a little unrealistic considering their training and expertise

[Agnieszka]

Thank you Mandy for your thoughts!