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Pug Connor #3
To Faithfully Execute
Domestic terrorism, both imported and home grown, is unchecked in the streets of America following a nuclear attack on western water sources. General Pug Connor is invited to New Zealand to meet with the ultra secret Cloister, an international group of former world leaders who are intent on changing the course of history. At home, politicians fight even harder for the formation of the Republic of Western America and many western states seek to join California in secession.
Pug faces his internal demons, trying to determine what kind of man he is and how he will respond as the warrior in him is unleashed. The Cloister has forced Pug to confront the toughest decision of his is he a patriot or a traitor? Is he a killer or the director of a government intelligence agency? His growing love for Senator Rachel McKenzie makes his choices much tougher.
But Pug's deputy director, Carlos Castro, a retired Marine Corps Command Sergeant Major, faces no such conflict. He fully understands his he is a stone cold, instinctive killer, single handedly seeking to rid the world of evil one terrorist at a time when he is called upon To Faithfully Execute!
Pug faces his internal demons, trying to determine what kind of man he is and how he will respond as the warrior in him is unleashed. The Cloister has forced Pug to confront the toughest decision of his is he a patriot or a traitor? Is he a killer or the director of a government intelligence agency? His growing love for Senator Rachel McKenzie makes his choices much tougher.
But Pug's deputy director, Carlos Castro, a retired Marine Corps Command Sergeant Major, faces no such conflict. He fully understands his he is a stone cold, instinctive killer, single handedly seeking to rid the world of evil one terrorist at a time when he is called upon To Faithfully Execute!
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 3, 2011
2 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
Gordon Ryan
23 books14 followersPassed away November 14th, 2012. He was 69.
Gordon Ryan was a writer with a varied history. He lived and worked in six foreign nations and a dozen or more states, including Alaska. He served in the 1st Recon Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps in the aftermath of the Cuban Missile Crisis, and in the Air Force in Thailand during the Vietnam War. He also served as a member of the American Embassy staff in Dublin, Ireland, during the violent seventies. His first published novel, Dangerous Legacy, was released in 1994 and he published ten more over the intervening years with the three Pug Connor novels, the last one released in early 2011.
Gordon Ryan was a writer with a varied history. He lived and worked in six foreign nations and a dozen or more states, including Alaska. He served in the 1st Recon Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps in the aftermath of the Cuban Missile Crisis, and in the Air Force in Thailand during the Vietnam War. He also served as a member of the American Embassy staff in Dublin, Ireland, during the violent seventies. His first published novel, Dangerous Legacy, was released in 1994 and he published ten more over the intervening years with the three Pug Connor novels, the last one released in early 2011.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 17, 2012
Overall: 5 stars
Plot/Storyline: 5 stars
I reviewed State of Rebellion, the first Pug Connor book, on Red Adept Reviews on February 22, 2011. Since that time, I've read Uncivil Liberties (the second book in the series) and To Faithfully Execute, which is the third book. The title is actually a double entendre, referring to the oath of office for President of the United States, as well as referring to the political assassinations that took place in the book.
To Faithfully Execute was a continuation of events which transpired in the first two books. The western states of the U.S. were coming closer to seceding, with the federal government unsure about how to deal with the rebellion. Terrorists had destroyed Hoover Dam, which had caused enormous casualties and economic losses in the Southwest. And Pug Connor's "Trojan" unit, a small, elite counterterrorist group under Homeland Security, was under fire from both political and military leaders.
Against this backdrop, Pug was invited to join a shadowy, super-secret multinational group called the Cloister, created for the purpose of assassinating terrorists–or anyone, for that matter–who posed a threat to western countries. Killing his country's enemies in wartime was one thing, but could Pug and his assistant, Carlos Castro, plan and execute assassinations in cold blood? (Coincidentally, I began reading To Faithfully Execute a few days after elite American military forces killed Osama bin Laden, so it wasn't too farfetched to believe that such an operation might really exist.)
There were two huge surprises at the end of the story. Both of these involved Pug Connor, and they certainly had an impact on how the story will evolve in the next book in the series.
NOTE: The Pug Connor books are a serial series. The books are part of a continuing story, and although each book has an ending of sorts, each one leaves unresolved issues to be dealt with in the following book. The second and third books contained flashbacks to remind a reader of what has happened previously, but the books were really intended to be read in order.
Characters: 5 stars
The main characters were flesh-and-blood people who lived and loved and agonized over difficult moral dilemmas. Were the people who pushed for secession patriots or traitors? Was cold-blooded murder of an enemy of the United States a heroic or a criminal act? Characters like Pug Connor, Carlos Castro, Daniel Rawlings, Senator Rachel McKenzie, Clarene Prescott, and President William Snow were back from the first two books in the series. There were good guys and bad guys, and it wasn't always obvious whose side someone was on. The old phrase "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer" was never truer.
There was more romance in the story than in the two previous books, as Carlos Castro found the lady of his dreams, and Pug and Rachel came closer together.
Writing style: 5 stars
I noted in my review of State of Rebellion that the author did Tom Clancy as well or better than Clancy himself. That held true for this story, which was another action-packed, suspenseful page-turner. There were some violent scenes, and one of the assassinations was a bit gruesome for me, but the violence fit the circumstances and was not just gratuitous.
Dialogues were realistic, and the characters' debates and conversations regarding weighty issues like the proper role of the federal government and why states might believe they must secede in order to guard their best interests were very timely. Also, the characters who were involved in assassinations really struggled with their decision to engage in cold-blooded murder, even when the target was a terrorist known to have killed hundreds or thousands of people.
Editing: 5 stars
Editing and formatting were as close to perfect as I've seen in a while.
Plot/Storyline: 5 stars
I reviewed State of Rebellion, the first Pug Connor book, on Red Adept Reviews on February 22, 2011. Since that time, I've read Uncivil Liberties (the second book in the series) and To Faithfully Execute, which is the third book. The title is actually a double entendre, referring to the oath of office for President of the United States, as well as referring to the political assassinations that took place in the book.
To Faithfully Execute was a continuation of events which transpired in the first two books. The western states of the U.S. were coming closer to seceding, with the federal government unsure about how to deal with the rebellion. Terrorists had destroyed Hoover Dam, which had caused enormous casualties and economic losses in the Southwest. And Pug Connor's "Trojan" unit, a small, elite counterterrorist group under Homeland Security, was under fire from both political and military leaders.
Against this backdrop, Pug was invited to join a shadowy, super-secret multinational group called the Cloister, created for the purpose of assassinating terrorists–or anyone, for that matter–who posed a threat to western countries. Killing his country's enemies in wartime was one thing, but could Pug and his assistant, Carlos Castro, plan and execute assassinations in cold blood? (Coincidentally, I began reading To Faithfully Execute a few days after elite American military forces killed Osama bin Laden, so it wasn't too farfetched to believe that such an operation might really exist.)
There were two huge surprises at the end of the story. Both of these involved Pug Connor, and they certainly had an impact on how the story will evolve in the next book in the series.
NOTE: The Pug Connor books are a serial series. The books are part of a continuing story, and although each book has an ending of sorts, each one leaves unresolved issues to be dealt with in the following book. The second and third books contained flashbacks to remind a reader of what has happened previously, but the books were really intended to be read in order.
Characters: 5 stars
The main characters were flesh-and-blood people who lived and loved and agonized over difficult moral dilemmas. Were the people who pushed for secession patriots or traitors? Was cold-blooded murder of an enemy of the United States a heroic or a criminal act? Characters like Pug Connor, Carlos Castro, Daniel Rawlings, Senator Rachel McKenzie, Clarene Prescott, and President William Snow were back from the first two books in the series. There were good guys and bad guys, and it wasn't always obvious whose side someone was on. The old phrase "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer" was never truer.
There was more romance in the story than in the two previous books, as Carlos Castro found the lady of his dreams, and Pug and Rachel came closer together.
Writing style: 5 stars
I noted in my review of State of Rebellion that the author did Tom Clancy as well or better than Clancy himself. That held true for this story, which was another action-packed, suspenseful page-turner. There were some violent scenes, and one of the assassinations was a bit gruesome for me, but the violence fit the circumstances and was not just gratuitous.
Dialogues were realistic, and the characters' debates and conversations regarding weighty issues like the proper role of the federal government and why states might believe they must secede in order to guard their best interests were very timely. Also, the characters who were involved in assassinations really struggled with their decision to engage in cold-blooded murder, even when the target was a terrorist known to have killed hundreds or thousands of people.
Editing: 5 stars
Editing and formatting were as close to perfect as I've seen in a while.
October 17, 2011
Having previously read book 1, State of Rebellion, and book 2, Uncivil Liberties, and with the fourth book apparently due Autumn 2011 I thought it was time for me to read the third book in the series.
In the United States moves are afoot for a number of states to secede and create a new country. Many are loathe to see the USA torn apart while others are determined to break away from the burdensome central government. How far will the President go to keep the USA intact?
Pug Connor's Trojan team is under threat as changes are made, and he is offered a new role with a clandestine multi-national organisation. They intend to combat terrorism in a way that will make him search his soul. As he finds himself moved from one new role to another he has a lot of choices to make, although he feels there is someone pulling strings behind the scenes.
Once again we meet many of the characters who feature in books 1 & 2 and find out what has happened to them since we last met. I like the continuity but also found that with references back to the earlier books this would probably work fine as on its own if you had picked it up before reading the others. The story of the secession movement that started in California really moves on and the author develops both old and new plots deftly, building to a climax that sets up the next book nicely.
I do enjoy this authors style and will be awaiting the arrival of Blood & Treasure after this deft mix of action and political manoeuvring. Largely this is a polished offering that stands up against other well known authors of similar that I have read. However there were a sprinkling of minor typos that took a little of the sparkle off. With those dealt with I think this might have been a 5* review.
In the United States moves are afoot for a number of states to secede and create a new country. Many are loathe to see the USA torn apart while others are determined to break away from the burdensome central government. How far will the President go to keep the USA intact?
Pug Connor's Trojan team is under threat as changes are made, and he is offered a new role with a clandestine multi-national organisation. They intend to combat terrorism in a way that will make him search his soul. As he finds himself moved from one new role to another he has a lot of choices to make, although he feels there is someone pulling strings behind the scenes.
Once again we meet many of the characters who feature in books 1 & 2 and find out what has happened to them since we last met. I like the continuity but also found that with references back to the earlier books this would probably work fine as on its own if you had picked it up before reading the others. The story of the secession movement that started in California really moves on and the author develops both old and new plots deftly, building to a climax that sets up the next book nicely.
I do enjoy this authors style and will be awaiting the arrival of Blood & Treasure after this deft mix of action and political manoeuvring. Largely this is a polished offering that stands up against other well known authors of similar that I have read. However there were a sprinkling of minor typos that took a little of the sparkle off. With those dealt with I think this might have been a 5* review.
April 2, 2012
The saga continues.
What started out, to me at least, as a different concept in political thrillers has evolved into a familiar series of plots and sub plots. That said, I still found the third book in the REBELLION TRILOGY, TO FAITHFULLY EXECUTE, to be a worthwhile read. The Pug Connor and Carlos Castro characters begin to take on the personalities of Mitch Rapp and Gabriel Allon (Thriller readers know these characters) while using some of the financing methods found in W.E.B. Griffith's Presidential series. These are not bad traits by the way, just not new and original.
I am looking forward to the eventual publication of the fourth in this series. I am interested in which direction Mr. Ryan takes the series.
What started out, to me at least, as a different concept in political thrillers has evolved into a familiar series of plots and sub plots. That said, I still found the third book in the REBELLION TRILOGY, TO FAITHFULLY EXECUTE, to be a worthwhile read. The Pug Connor and Carlos Castro characters begin to take on the personalities of Mitch Rapp and Gabriel Allon (Thriller readers know these characters) while using some of the financing methods found in W.E.B. Griffith's Presidential series. These are not bad traits by the way, just not new and original.
I am looking forward to the eventual publication of the fourth in this series. I am interested in which direction Mr. Ryan takes the series.
February 25, 2012
As the series continues, we observe the decisions that are made about whether the United States will remain united or become separate governments. The machinations of the politicians will keep you reading and the end leaves you anxious for the next book, BLOOD AND TREASURE, to be published.
September 11, 2012
I gave the first 2 books in the series 5 stars but wow, what a change. It's just a very unsatisfying, and short, conclusion. Despite the deserved, and not quite surprising final scene, the whole thing wraps up too neatly. Hugs, kisses and mutually supportive friends all around after the western states secede. It is unfortunately no way, no how, even remotely believable.
Basically the problem for me is that after the secession vote is taken, that's it, all conflict is now resolved. In real life of course (and yeah, I get it's fiction and not real life) the conflict would just be beginning at that point. Maybe, MAYBE not civil war, but it wouldn't be all sunshine, rainbows and unicorns as it is presented in the book. As an example. United States naval assets based on the west coast are simply appropriated by the new nation from the US without so much as a whimper from D.C. Really? Please.
Perhaps I'm being too harsh too early. There are more Pug Connor novels planned, and maybe in those we will see some tension between the rebels and the mother country; I sincerely hope so. I will definitely buy the next book due out, Blood and Treasure but it's really going to have to step up to the plate if I'm going to continue with this series.
I am looking forward to trying more of Gordon Ryan's work. Like I said, the first two books in this series really were 5 stars and Ryan's writing is smooth and fast paced which is very appealing to me.
Basically the problem for me is that after the secession vote is taken, that's it, all conflict is now resolved. In real life of course (and yeah, I get it's fiction and not real life) the conflict would just be beginning at that point. Maybe, MAYBE not civil war, but it wouldn't be all sunshine, rainbows and unicorns as it is presented in the book. As an example. United States naval assets based on the west coast are simply appropriated by the new nation from the US without so much as a whimper from D.C. Really? Please.
Perhaps I'm being too harsh too early. There are more Pug Connor novels planned, and maybe in those we will see some tension between the rebels and the mother country; I sincerely hope so. I will definitely buy the next book due out, Blood and Treasure but it's really going to have to step up to the plate if I'm going to continue with this series.
I am looking forward to trying more of Gordon Ryan's work. Like I said, the first two books in this series really were 5 stars and Ryan's writing is smooth and fast paced which is very appealing to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews