Capitol Hell

The Penetrator #3

by Chet Cunningham

Washington, D.C., explodes with violence when Mark Hardin, the Penetrator, discovers a plot to kill the President!

Genres: Mystery

204 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

aka Jess Cody, Cathy Cunningham, Lionel Derrick (with Mark Roberts 2), Keith Douglass (with William H Keith), J.D. Bondie, Chad Calhoun, G.A. Carrington, Kit Dalton, Dirk Fletcher, Don Pendleton

Since his first novel was published in 1968 Chet Cunningham has written and had published nearly 300 works of fiction and 15 non fiction books. He is equally adept on horseback, in the techno-thriller arena, or recounting military history. His output includes 125 westerns and 50 men's action/adventure novels.

Reviews

[Josh Hitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fairly fast-paced men's adventure book where this time the Penetrator, Mark Hardin, doesn't have the backing of his normal allies. He learns about a secret plot to take out the president of the US while looking into the murder of his friend. Hardin finds out about a country club type outfit for the rich set that is a cover for a terrorist organization who are planning to take over the US through cartoonish ways. Though the ways are kind of silly, it doesn't take away from the fun of the book.

Recommended, sort of a generic combo of all the more known men's adventure heroes at the time, but fast-paced and fun in its own way.
Mark Roberts wrote this one.

[Mikepottz · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mention of Mark Spitz and Bobby Fisher in the same sentence. The penetrator smashing a bullet into the chest, the spine slammed out the back into a tree trunk. A club with a secret desire of ultimate power. Able to use hypnotic drugs to control upper echelons of politics. A plan to fly a plane full of explosives into Air Force One and burn the President to ashes. The life of the President, the freedom of the States and world peace is in the penetrator hands. During his busy schedule the penetrator plays golf and gets a hole in one haha. Even a would be assassin watches this and feels sorry for the penetrator that can't celebrate properly before unleashing bullets. The penetrator uses a grenade launcher and wrecks havoc.

[Jeff O'Brien · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard to overlook how awkward it felt reading this when one of the characters, who is a black police officer, is described as "the black man/cop/etc." almost every time his presence is acknowledged, sometimes even three times on a single page. A little research revealed that these books were revised by Chet Cunningham (one of the two authors of the series) shortly before his death, and though this is purely speculative, I think the snafus are a result of a well meaning author who is severely out of touch, instead of a racial bias.

Aside from the bizarre, constant reminders of a character's race, I enjoyed this third installment of The Penetrator series more than I did the previous two. The elite secret society/satanic cult villains were a lot of fun, and I wish I could have gotten more of their ritual practices that had a real Something Weird Video vibe to them. It had slightly less sex than the second installment, but packed a lot more action, especially toward the end where we were gifted with a sprawling final standoff that at no point became far-fetched or even unrealistic.

I'd award this one five stars were it not for the aforementioned cringe moments. Four stars are given for the book otherwise being what an action novel should be. Short, to the point, all killer no filler.

[Little Timmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another men's adventure series from the 70's. Pretty much standard action, violence and sex. However a good standout is that the hero is healed and trained by an old Cheyenne Indian in the ancient mystic warrior ways of the Cheyenne. Recommended

[Grump · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh heck. In this installment the Penetrator penetrates the Societe Internationale d'Elite, a cabal of generals, businessmen and press secretaries plotting to takeover the country. Their plan? To fly an explosive toy airplane into Air Force One! This means the Penetrator needs to kill a BUNCH of people and pretend to be an electronics rep and have sex with a redhead. No it doesn't make sense but it's awesome. There's a shootout on golf carts on the links and a bazooka assault on a country club. Lots of stabbing and poison darts and 45 ACPs blowing out the backs of bad guy heads. This is one of the best books ever written.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good and entertaining novel. I enjoyed reading this novel and recommend this book to everyone

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining book that I would recommend your consideration.

[Wayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Penetrator does it again. With a plot to take over the Vice-President with mind control so a cult? masquerading as a gentlemen's club can take over the country after they kill the President. Pretty out there, but it's done in 70's grindhouse fashion. A nice book for all those who like a little action with there penetration.