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Presidential Agent #7
Covert Warriors
Charley Castillo and the former members of Presidential Agent’s Office of Organizational Analysis are officially “retired.” But that doesn’t mean they’re out of action… At a Mexican roadblock, a US Embassy SUV is stopped at gunpoint, three of its passengers murdered, and a fourth kidnapped. Everything points to the drug cartels, especially when the kidnappers say they will return the hostage if a cartel kingpin is released from US federal prison. But when word gets to Castillo and his group of retired spies and special operators, they have their doubts. They believe that it's a diversion—that the murders and kidnapping were ordered by someone to lure Castillo & Company to their deaths. But even knowing that may not save them. Powerful forces in the US government are arrayed against them as well, and if one side doesn't get them...the other side will.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 22, 2011
379 people are currently reading
1055 people want to read
About the author
W.E.B. Griffin
351 books1,298 followersW.E.B. Griffin was one of several pseudonyms for William E. Butterworth III.
From the Authors Website:
W.E.B. Griffin was the #1 best-selling author of more than fifty epic novels in seven series, all of which have made The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly, and other best-seller lists. More than fifty million of the books are in print in more than ten languages, including Hebrew, Chinese, Japanese, and Hungarian.
Mr. Griffin grew up in the suburbs of New York City and Philadelphia. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1946. After basic training, he received counterintelligence training at Fort Holabird, Maryland. He was assigned to the Army of Occupation in Germany, and ultimately to the staff of then-Major General I.D. White, commander of the U.S. Constabulary.
In 1951, Mr. Griffin was recalled to active duty for the Korean War, interrupting his education at Phillips University, Marburg an der Lahn, Germany. In Korea he earned the Combat Infantry Badge as a combat correspondent and later served as acting X Corps (Group) information officer under Lieutenant General White.
On his release from active duty in 1953, Mr. Griffin was appointed Chief of the Publications Division of the U.S. Army Signal Aviation Test & Support Activity at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
Mr. Griffin was a member of the Special Operations Association, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Army Aviation Association, the Armor Association, and the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) Society.
He was the 1991 recipient of the Brigadier General Robert L. Dening Memorial Distinguished Service Award of the U.S. Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association, and the August 1999 recipient of the Veterans of Foreign Wars News Media Award, presented at the 100th National Convention in Kansas City.
He has been vested into the Order of St. George of the U.S. Armor Association, and the Order of St. Andrew of the U.S. Army Aviation Association, and been awarded Honorary Doctoral degrees by Norwich University, the nation’s first and oldest private military college, and by Troy State University (Ala.). He was the graduation dinner speaker for the class of 1988 at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
He has been awarded honorary membership in the Special Forces Association, the Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association, the Marine Raiders Association, and the U.S. Army Otter & Caribou Association. In January 2003, he was made a life member of the Police Chiefs Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and the State of Delaware.
He was the co-founder, with historian Colonel Carlo D’Este, of the William E. Colby Seminar on Intelligence, Military, and Diplomatic Affairs. (Details here and here)
He was a Life Member of the National Rifle Association. And he belongs to the Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Pensacola, Florida, chapters of the Flat Earth Society.
Mr. Griffin’s novels, known for their historical accuracy, have been praised by The Philadelphia Inquirer for their “fierce, stop-for-nothing scenes.”
“Nothing honors me more than a serviceman, veteran, or cop telling me he enjoys reading my books,” Mr. Griffin says.
Mr. Griffin divides his time between the Gulf Coast and Buenos Aires.
Notes:
Other Pseudonyms
* Alex Baldwin
* Webb Beech
* Walker E. Blake
* W.E. Butterworth
* James McM. Douglas
* Eden Hughes
* Edmund O. Scholefield
* Patrick J. Williams
* W. E. Butterworth
* John Kevin Dugan
* Jac
From the Authors Website:
W.E.B. Griffin was the #1 best-selling author of more than fifty epic novels in seven series, all of which have made The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly, and other best-seller lists. More than fifty million of the books are in print in more than ten languages, including Hebrew, Chinese, Japanese, and Hungarian.
Mr. Griffin grew up in the suburbs of New York City and Philadelphia. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1946. After basic training, he received counterintelligence training at Fort Holabird, Maryland. He was assigned to the Army of Occupation in Germany, and ultimately to the staff of then-Major General I.D. White, commander of the U.S. Constabulary.
In 1951, Mr. Griffin was recalled to active duty for the Korean War, interrupting his education at Phillips University, Marburg an der Lahn, Germany. In Korea he earned the Combat Infantry Badge as a combat correspondent and later served as acting X Corps (Group) information officer under Lieutenant General White.
On his release from active duty in 1953, Mr. Griffin was appointed Chief of the Publications Division of the U.S. Army Signal Aviation Test & Support Activity at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
Mr. Griffin was a member of the Special Operations Association, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Army Aviation Association, the Armor Association, and the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) Society.
He was the 1991 recipient of the Brigadier General Robert L. Dening Memorial Distinguished Service Award of the U.S. Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association, and the August 1999 recipient of the Veterans of Foreign Wars News Media Award, presented at the 100th National Convention in Kansas City.
He has been vested into the Order of St. George of the U.S. Armor Association, and the Order of St. Andrew of the U.S. Army Aviation Association, and been awarded Honorary Doctoral degrees by Norwich University, the nation’s first and oldest private military college, and by Troy State University (Ala.). He was the graduation dinner speaker for the class of 1988 at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
He has been awarded honorary membership in the Special Forces Association, the Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association, the Marine Raiders Association, and the U.S. Army Otter & Caribou Association. In January 2003, he was made a life member of the Police Chiefs Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and the State of Delaware.
He was the co-founder, with historian Colonel Carlo D’Este, of the William E. Colby Seminar on Intelligence, Military, and Diplomatic Affairs. (Details here and here)
He was a Life Member of the National Rifle Association. And he belongs to the Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Pensacola, Florida, chapters of the Flat Earth Society.
Mr. Griffin’s novels, known for their historical accuracy, have been praised by The Philadelphia Inquirer for their “fierce, stop-for-nothing scenes.”
“Nothing honors me more than a serviceman, veteran, or cop telling me he enjoys reading my books,” Mr. Griffin says.
Mr. Griffin divides his time between the Gulf Coast and Buenos Aires.
Notes:
Other Pseudonyms
* Alex Baldwin
* Webb Beech
* Walker E. Blake
* W.E. Butterworth
* James McM. Douglas
* Eden Hughes
* Edmund O. Scholefield
* Patrick J. Williams
* W. E. Butterworth
* John Kevin Dugan
* Jac
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews
October 20, 2019
A major step back from the beginning of the series. 4 of 10 stars
June 24, 2017
Not a lot good about this book. It seems the later stories in the series are definitely of the same caliber as the early ones. The only I got from this story was a feeling of how it must feel to be part of the cabinet of the current administration -- the POTUS yelling at the top of his lungs for any little thing. The saving grace -- Dick Hill as narrator on the audio CD version! 3 out of 10.
January 15, 2012
NOTHING HAPPENED in this book after the first 2 pages until the last 5 pages. I am convinced W. E. B. Griffin did not write this book. His son, who clearly cannot write, must have done so. Griffin was pretty good at the descriptions that helped to put background into the almost neverending action. This book has neither of those things. Only endless dialogue that is extremely repetitive. The only reason this book got published is because his name is on it. It's a nice gig being a ghost writer, son of Griffin. Too bad you have no qualifications for the job!
June 16, 2012
My father got me reading WEB Griffin years ago, since then I haven't been able to stop. That said, it has become abundantly clear to me that WEB IV is not up to the challenge of continuing III's works. I purchased this book because I collect all of Griffins books, but also because the teaser was very well done.
This book has exactly 3 pages of action in it. 5 pages before the book ends, Castillo actually takes action and things are 'resolved'. Unfortunately for the reader the promising buildup of a CIC loosing his marbles and general control is in actuality a Secret Service Agent that is in the book for 1 page and never heard from again, as well as his brand new Press Secretary. I'm not sure where the Presidents Chief of Staff is during this book, or why the President has decided that he will place 100% of his trust in someone we're lead to believe he's just met.
Griffin IV takes a lot of liberties with reality in the writing of this book, it seems to me that he doesn't have the same understanding of the traditions of both politics in the United States or Military discipline.
At several points I found myself rereading sections in an attempt to understand why characters react the way they do, or why a character will spend 2-3 pages saying 'no' only to suddenly reverse themselves in the last sentence of a chapter.
For those who look you will see this is the first online review I've done for any book, that should be an indication of my frustration level.
As much as I love WEB Griffin III's writing, this will be the last book of his I purchase as long as it is in conjunction with William E. Butterworth IV. It's this readers opinion that he should go back to editing Boy's Life and leave the novels to daddy. At the very least he should write under his own pen name and stop ruining his fathers legacy.
Do not buy it, it's not worth the paper it's printed on.
This book has exactly 3 pages of action in it. 5 pages before the book ends, Castillo actually takes action and things are 'resolved'. Unfortunately for the reader the promising buildup of a CIC loosing his marbles and general control is in actuality a Secret Service Agent that is in the book for 1 page and never heard from again, as well as his brand new Press Secretary. I'm not sure where the Presidents Chief of Staff is during this book, or why the President has decided that he will place 100% of his trust in someone we're lead to believe he's just met.
Griffin IV takes a lot of liberties with reality in the writing of this book, it seems to me that he doesn't have the same understanding of the traditions of both politics in the United States or Military discipline.
At several points I found myself rereading sections in an attempt to understand why characters react the way they do, or why a character will spend 2-3 pages saying 'no' only to suddenly reverse themselves in the last sentence of a chapter.
For those who look you will see this is the first online review I've done for any book, that should be an indication of my frustration level.
As much as I love WEB Griffin III's writing, this will be the last book of his I purchase as long as it is in conjunction with William E. Butterworth IV. It's this readers opinion that he should go back to editing Boy's Life and leave the novels to daddy. At the very least he should write under his own pen name and stop ruining his fathers legacy.
Do not buy it, it's not worth the paper it's printed on.
January 6, 2012
First: The description of this book given above is not even close to the plot of the actual book. The story revolves around the kidnapping of a military attache assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City. The main plot revolves around whether the kidnapping was done by a drug cartel or by the SVR. (WEB III did a kidnapping in the second book of this series. I don't think another enhanced the series at all.)
Second: The sub plot involves the president and his ignorance of how things work in both the political and military arena. This aspect of the story is poorly done by WEB IV. Instead of the president having a functioning chief of staff to advise him, he is using his press secretary. Makes no sense.
Third: There are portions of the book that are so poorly written that I had to re-read them a couple of times to try to figure out what was going on. Very poor editing, especially for continuity within the characters. Misidentified characters, and so on.
As one other reviewer stated, "Get it from your local library, don't waste your money."
Tom Clancy reportedly once said "The difference between reality and fiction is fiction has to make sense." This book fails miserably.
Second: The sub plot involves the president and his ignorance of how things work in both the political and military arena. This aspect of the story is poorly done by WEB IV. Instead of the president having a functioning chief of staff to advise him, he is using his press secretary. Makes no sense.
Third: There are portions of the book that are so poorly written that I had to re-read them a couple of times to try to figure out what was going on. Very poor editing, especially for continuity within the characters. Misidentified characters, and so on.
As one other reviewer stated, "Get it from your local library, don't waste your money."
Tom Clancy reportedly once said "The difference between reality and fiction is fiction has to make sense." This book fails miserably.
July 5, 2021
Don't get fooled with the description above. (It's the wrong description on Goodreads) It has nothing to do with this book. Covert Warriors By W.E.B. Griffin is all about a kidnapping / murder of US personnel in Mexico and the problems with the president and his staff. Is the president crazy or are someone fooling him to not trust his advisors? Not all Griffin books are filled with action, most of the time they deal with the workings of how to get information and plan an action. I find it interesting to read about the different organisations and their rivalry. I also find the power struggle between power hungry people fascinating. I often think that's missing from a lot of books. Now I only have one more book in this series to reread and then it's a waiting game until December when the new one comes along.
December 28, 2011
This, the newest entry in the presidential agent series, was a decent read, but far from Griffin's best.
Charley Castillo and his merry band identify a problem, confront same, and take care of it with their usual dispatch.
Long time Griffin fans will feel a bit of a letdown.
There were a few loose ends, which one presumes will be resolved in the next book in this series. As always with Griffin, too much of the reader's time was wasted on backstory.
Charley Castillo and his merry band identify a problem, confront same, and take care of it with their usual dispatch.
Long time Griffin fans will feel a bit of a letdown.
There were a few loose ends, which one presumes will be resolved in the next book in this series. As always with Griffin, too much of the reader's time was wasted on backstory.
February 24, 2012
Really disappointing. Clearly there is something to the notion that W.E.B. is no longer writing at all, and his son and co-author is not up to the challenge of continuing Griffin's works.
This is a lousy book, to be attempted only by the most ardent fans who feel the need to devour every word about our favorite characters.
The plot lurches from silly point to silly point; outstanding questions from the past book are cleared up and forgotten in the course of 3 pages.
Awful.
This is a lousy book, to be attempted only by the most ardent fans who feel the need to devour every word about our favorite characters.
The plot lurches from silly point to silly point; outstanding questions from the past book are cleared up and forgotten in the course of 3 pages.
Awful.
January 3, 2012
Kept waiting it to go somewhere. The main problem in the book was resolved in about 1 1/2 pages st the very end. If you really want to read it, borrow it from the library. Save your money. Waste of time!
January 9, 2012
I'd had save money and time if I had read the reviews before buying this book.
It's nothing than a summary of the preceding book in this series.
It's nothing than a summary of the preceding book in this series.
July 23, 2016
Too many characters, too much re-hashing of former books in the series (as well as of the current plots), and not enough action. I slumbered through this one, I fear.
November 17, 2019
Very little happens, they spend so much time catching you up from the other (better) books. The new president is a moron and it gets even worse in the next book which I am currently listening too. I would have been better off stoping after the fifth book! I kept listening hoping it would get better, Charlie and his team do very little.
November 11, 2024
Another exciting adventure involving LtCol retired Carlos Castillo and his Outlaws. A former classmate is kidnapped near Mexico City by men dressed as Federales.
December 16, 2018
This is the 7th book in the series. I would read all the books back to back in order to connect the plot and characters.
If you want to read a blurb about what the book is about, it is located above the reviews.
Well, the circus is back in town. You have the hero running around putting things together and making everything right while having love shinning in his eyes and having sex all over the place. You have the nutty girlfriend who thinks she can do it all. You have the band of merry men and women who will tell our hero if they aren't treated right.
Now we're adding in the new president who's bat shit crazy and is doing nothing wrong. I'll give the author a thumbs up in creating something I wouldn't ever have put together. Add this to the recapping of the previous plots and of the list of characters, which there are more than a few, and that's most of the book.
I did like how if you take all the above away, the author still adds in a bit of political stuff in there to make it interesting. However, most of the time the hero isn't doing anything other than having sex, or eating.
I can only hope the last book will bring happiness to the entire series, but somehow I doubt it.
If you want to read a blurb about what the book is about, it is located above the reviews.
Well, the circus is back in town. You have the hero running around putting things together and making everything right while having love shinning in his eyes and having sex all over the place. You have the nutty girlfriend who thinks she can do it all. You have the band of merry men and women who will tell our hero if they aren't treated right.
Now we're adding in the new president who's bat shit crazy and is doing nothing wrong. I'll give the author a thumbs up in creating something I wouldn't ever have put together. Add this to the recapping of the previous plots and of the list of characters, which there are more than a few, and that's most of the book.
I did like how if you take all the above away, the author still adds in a bit of political stuff in there to make it interesting. However, most of the time the hero isn't doing anything other than having sex, or eating.
I can only hope the last book will bring happiness to the entire series, but somehow I doubt it.
August 19, 2022
This is my 2nd read of this author (with his son as co-author). So far I am on page 280 of a 372 pg book; maybe some actual action will start soon. It took several chapters for me to get interested in the story; too much military jargon and acronyms, defining the chain of command for the reader, then introducing the President, his cabinet, and their roles, then sorting through the Russian and Mexican players. I gave up and skimmed past all that. I liked Rogue Asset, the most recent Presidential Agent novels, written by Andrews & Wilson (to carry on W.E.B. Griffin's series) because it was much tighter written, faster pace, clearer problem to solve. Both these books involve kidnapped US diplomats that have to be rescued. I'll read another Andrews & Wilson, and maybe one more of the Griffin/Butterworth books.
May 23, 2021
Love this series
These books can be read singly but it leaves you a bit confused about all of the characters and their relationships. Best if you read them in order. These are fun, strong characters who don't fail when they are needed. They are mostly true patriots who skirt around the rules when they are dealing with incompetent or disloyal superiors. This one has lots of shady characters, including Russians, and Mexican drug dealers, as well as traitors. Lots of action and behind the scene maneuvers to ensure that the good guys win.
These books can be read singly but it leaves you a bit confused about all of the characters and their relationships. Best if you read them in order. These are fun, strong characters who don't fail when they are needed. They are mostly true patriots who skirt around the rules when they are dealing with incompetent or disloyal superiors. This one has lots of shady characters, including Russians, and Mexican drug dealers, as well as traitors. Lots of action and behind the scene maneuvers to ensure that the good guys win.
July 18, 2025
Good until the abrupt ending
In the last book we saw Charley & his merry band ordered by the President to fall off of the ends of the earth, not to be seen again. They follow the orders & scattered.
Ten days later the President dies of a sudden aneurysm. His replacement is rude, obnoxious and dictatorial. Despite his utter contempt for the Special Forces Operators he wants conflicting things done regarding them. When advised that some orders are completely against the law he orders various people to obey anyway. Then things go downhill from there…
In the last book we saw Charley & his merry band ordered by the President to fall off of the ends of the earth, not to be seen again. They follow the orders & scattered.
Ten days later the President dies of a sudden aneurysm. His replacement is rude, obnoxious and dictatorial. Despite his utter contempt for the Special Forces Operators he wants conflicting things done regarding them. When advised that some orders are completely against the law he orders various people to obey anyway. Then things go downhill from there…
November 14, 2017
Repeat of my review of The Outlaws
"Overall a decent read but the sarcastic and ironic narration is a part of hid descent to his absolute worst book, the final one of this series. I understand the feelings he had that took him there (see his comments at the end of Hazardous Duty) but as his readers we had a right to expect that he would continue to deliver what the book blurb and series promised. Not his best but worth reading anyway. "
Same feelings but worse!!!!
"Overall a decent read but the sarcastic and ironic narration is a part of hid descent to his absolute worst book, the final one of this series. I understand the feelings he had that took him there (see his comments at the end of Hazardous Duty) but as his readers we had a right to expect that he would continue to deliver what the book blurb and series promised. Not his best but worth reading anyway. "
Same feelings but worse!!!!
February 17, 2019
A little different from the earlier Presidential Agent novels. This one is more of a political thriller than an all out action adventure.
A Mexican cartel, Vladimir Putin and a (fictional) US President whose actions are impulsive or insane according to your interpretation form the background to the capture of a senior US soldier. Castillo and co want to get him back - but is he bait dangled to attract them to Mexico?
Not a bad novel, but a bit slow in places.
A Mexican cartel, Vladimir Putin and a (fictional) US President whose actions are impulsive or insane according to your interpretation form the background to the capture of a senior US soldier. Castillo and co want to get him back - but is he bait dangled to attract them to Mexico?
Not a bad novel, but a bit slow in places.
June 18, 2019
I feel like I may have missed info from earlier books, but this story was much too scattered for me to follow it well. It had some moments of good insider politics and conflict with Russia and Mexico along with a crack ex Special forces team, but at the end of the book, it felt like many of the characters were simply neglected or forgotten.
November 4, 2023
covert warriors
Just as good as the other four times I read it. Only critique is that there’s a lot of build up fluff, and very little finale detail. Would have liked couple more chapters to sort out the aftermath, and the “post game mortum “. Sorting out all the threads etc. still a good read though.
Just as good as the other four times I read it. Only critique is that there’s a lot of build up fluff, and very little finale detail. Would have liked couple more chapters to sort out the aftermath, and the “post game mortum “. Sorting out all the threads etc. still a good read though.
July 31, 2024
This is the five-star rating system I use:
★★★★★ Great book! Can’t wait to read it again (and I will).
★★★★☆ Good book. I am glad I read this.
★★★☆☆ OK book. Nothing special but not bad.
★★☆☆☆ Not good. Why did I waste my time?
★☆☆☆☆ Lousy. I didn’t finish.
If for whatever reason, I go back and reread a good book, I will change the rating to five-star because I read it again.
★★★★★ Great book! Can’t wait to read it again (and I will).
★★★★☆ Good book. I am glad I read this.
★★★☆☆ OK book. Nothing special but not bad.
★★☆☆☆ Not good. Why did I waste my time?
★☆☆☆☆ Lousy. I didn’t finish.
If for whatever reason, I go back and reread a good book, I will change the rating to five-star because I read it again.
November 28, 2025
finished 28th november 2025ggood read three stars i liked it no less no more kindle library loaner have read more than twenty from griffon w.e.b. enjoyed them all. entertaining read. they shake the mountains when they dance. the boys i mean are not refined. they do not give a shit for wit. they hump them thirteen times a night. jumped, humped, born to suffer. sing your ode to my cock.
July 24, 2017
A very good military action book.
This book has a wealth of twists and turns as the plot weaves you in and out of the action. I have read this series from the beginning through this book and I am planning to read book number eight very soon.
This book has a wealth of twists and turns as the plot weaves you in and out of the action. I have read this series from the beginning through this book and I am planning to read book number eight very soon.
May 21, 2019
Was an average read
The book needed a lot more action. Character development was overwhelming and hard to keep track of. The book ended abruptly and makes you ask the question, “what happened to the bad guy.”
The book needed a lot more action. Character development was overwhelming and hard to keep track of. The book ended abruptly and makes you ask the question, “what happened to the bad guy.”
January 10, 2022
Another Griffin great!
Griffin never fails to tell a great story! His stories are always entertaining and believable! He gets most details correct which makes his books so believable!
Griffin never fails to tell a great story! His stories are always entertaining and believable! He gets most details correct which makes his books so believable!
August 8, 2017
Another great episode in the Presidential Agent series. Like all W.E.B. Griffin novels, these are entertaining easy readers. Can't wait to start the next in the series!
August 29, 2017
Great book.
Another winning book by a great Arthur. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and the plot. Thank you for a very good read.
Another winning book by a great Arthur. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and the plot. Thank you for a very good read.
October 14, 2017
Not the best of Griffin's but still Charley saves the day and makes a pretty good story. Lesson learned here is to stay the hell out of Mexico.
June 27, 2018
More of the adventures of Charlie Castillo and his team, now dubbed the Merry Outlaws.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews