What do you think?
Rate this book
Scott Brodie & Maggie Taylor #2
Blood Lines
From New York Times bestselling authors Nelson DeMille and Alex DeMille, Blood Lines features the return of Special Agents Brodie and Taylor who are on the hunt for the cold-blooded murderer of one of their fellow agents.
Army Criminal Investigation Agents Scott Brodie and Maggie Taylor have been separated for five months following their last assignment, a dangerous mission in Venezuela to locate and detain an infamous Army deserter. Now, in Berlin, they are reunited and tasked with investigating the murder of one of their CID Special Agent Harry Vance of the 5th MP Battalion, an accomplished counterterrorism agent who had been stationed in western Germany, and whose body was discovered in a city park in the heart of Berlin’s Arab refugee community.
The authorities suspect this is an act of Islamic terrorism, but Brodie and Taylor soon believe there is more to this case. The reason for Vance’s presence in Berlin is unknown, and as Brodie and Taylor work to discover what the murder victim was doing in the days and weeks preceding his death, they become immersed in the many conflicts and contradictions of modern Germany—the Arab refugee crisis, the dark legacy of the Cold War and the Stasi secret police, and the imminent threats of a rising neo-Nazi movement. At the same time, they are butting heads with the authorities—both German and American—and facing a possible threat from American intelligence agents who fear that Brodie and Taylor might have learned too much about US clandestine operations during their mission in Venezuela.
Ultimately, Brodie and Taylor realize that the murder of Harry Vance was merely the prelude to a much more sinister future event—unless they can unravel the mystery in time to stop it.
Army Criminal Investigation Agents Scott Brodie and Maggie Taylor have been separated for five months following their last assignment, a dangerous mission in Venezuela to locate and detain an infamous Army deserter. Now, in Berlin, they are reunited and tasked with investigating the murder of one of their CID Special Agent Harry Vance of the 5th MP Battalion, an accomplished counterterrorism agent who had been stationed in western Germany, and whose body was discovered in a city park in the heart of Berlin’s Arab refugee community.
The authorities suspect this is an act of Islamic terrorism, but Brodie and Taylor soon believe there is more to this case. The reason for Vance’s presence in Berlin is unknown, and as Brodie and Taylor work to discover what the murder victim was doing in the days and weeks preceding his death, they become immersed in the many conflicts and contradictions of modern Germany—the Arab refugee crisis, the dark legacy of the Cold War and the Stasi secret police, and the imminent threats of a rising neo-Nazi movement. At the same time, they are butting heads with the authorities—both German and American—and facing a possible threat from American intelligence agents who fear that Brodie and Taylor might have learned too much about US clandestine operations during their mission in Venezuela.
Ultimately, Brodie and Taylor realize that the murder of Harry Vance was merely the prelude to a much more sinister future event—unless they can unravel the mystery in time to stop it.
512 pages, Paperback
First published October 10, 2023
3008 people are currently reading
11531 people want to read
About the author
Nelson DeMille
260 books7,377 followersNelson Richard DeMille was an American author of action adventure and suspense novels. His novels include Plum Island, The Charm School, and The General's Daughter. DeMille also wrote under the pen names Jack Cannon, Kurt Ladner, Ellen Kay and Brad Matthews.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 711 reviews
August 21, 2024
I really like the way Nelson DeMille’s writes, he tends to produce lengthy tales featuring spikey characters who always have a good deal to say for themselves. There’s always humour too, plenty of it. But dialogue – great dialogue – is unfailingly my favourite element. Here, U.S. based Army CID Agents Scott Brodie and Maggie Taylor, a typically forthright pair, are brought together to investigate (well, in a black ops kind of way) the murder of a colleague in Berlin. I’d missed the earlier novel featuring this pair, but I went in, hoping that this story would be fine as a stand-alone read. It was. I was also slightly nervous about how teaming up with his son Alex to pen this tale would impact the style and feel of the story. Once again, I shouldn’t have worried. The familiar feel and flow is in clear evidence here.
It’s obvious from the start that there’s a simmering sexual tension between Scott and Maggie. By all accounts they’d come close to sharing a bed in their previous adventure; this would continue to be a background theme during their time in Berlin. Once in situ, it quickly becomes clear that Maggie is to be the more forward thinking of the pair, whilst Scott will continually operate based on the next thought that comes into his head. It’s also evident that the vast array of government agents, police, army officers and politicians assembled to oversee the formal investigative process neither appreciate the pair’s involvement or feel inclined to pass much useful information their way.
In consequence, the investigation proceeds largely based on groundwork (much of it unauthorised) carried out by Brodie and Taylor. Danger is an ever-present companion, with racial tensions, a neo-Nazi group, and even the spectre of the old East German Stasi secret police presenting a potential threat. But Brodie, barely controlled by Taylor, is intent on bullying his way to the truth. It’s all great fun as the pair scuttle around the city, constantly in search of clues and answers.
This isn’t my favourite DeMille novel – that goes to either of his brace of hilarious John Sutter books: Gold Coast and The Gate House. But the (perhaps unlikely) events in this book really are great fun. And in Brodie and Taylor, the authors have definitely come up with a pair I’d be very happy to meet up with again.
My thanks to Scribner for providing an ARC of this book via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
It’s obvious from the start that there’s a simmering sexual tension between Scott and Maggie. By all accounts they’d come close to sharing a bed in their previous adventure; this would continue to be a background theme during their time in Berlin. Once in situ, it quickly becomes clear that Maggie is to be the more forward thinking of the pair, whilst Scott will continually operate based on the next thought that comes into his head. It’s also evident that the vast array of government agents, police, army officers and politicians assembled to oversee the formal investigative process neither appreciate the pair’s involvement or feel inclined to pass much useful information their way.
In consequence, the investigation proceeds largely based on groundwork (much of it unauthorised) carried out by Brodie and Taylor. Danger is an ever-present companion, with racial tensions, a neo-Nazi group, and even the spectre of the old East German Stasi secret police presenting a potential threat. But Brodie, barely controlled by Taylor, is intent on bullying his way to the truth. It’s all great fun as the pair scuttle around the city, constantly in search of clues and answers.
This isn’t my favourite DeMille novel – that goes to either of his brace of hilarious John Sutter books: Gold Coast and The Gate House. But the (perhaps unlikely) events in this book really are great fun. And in Brodie and Taylor, the authors have definitely come up with a pair I’d be very happy to meet up with again.
My thanks to Scribner for providing an ARC of this book via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
September 29, 2023
I enjoy the thrills and suspense of a good espionage and crime novel and this one, written by the father/son team of Nelson and Alex DeMille, fits the bill.
Scott Brodie and Maggie Taylor who are Special Agents in the US Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID), who worked together as the primary characters in the first book in this series, "The Deserter", are reunited to solve the murder of an Army CIC Agent in Berlin. The book lays down a good amount of backstory to start, in case the reader hasn't read the previous book. This can definitely be read as a standalone. There are enough military and investigative acronyms to fill the alphabet: CID, CIC, FBI, OCS, CIA, KIA, BKO, TCIC, DIA, JSOC, DMZ, CO, PFC, DOD, to name a few, and CVS (the pharmacy) for good measure.
Scott and Maggie's investigation in Germany takes them down a dark path of Islamic terrorism, organized crime, neo-Nazism, and the search for an American military double agent from the vestiges of the Cold War. They follow a murderous trail of subterfuge. Can they find out who the double agent is before they become the next targets? Are they on a path of seeking justice or does it end up being an act of revenge?
The brave and daring duo of Scott and Maggie walk a tightrope between helping the investigation and alienating everyone they work with. They attempt to put all the puzzle pieces together without losing their jobs or their lives.
This story's narrative has good flow and contains the perfect amount of excitement and mystery, underlined by DeMille's signature sharp wit and barbed humor. DeMille's fans are sure to enjoy this sophomore book in the series and I hope that there will be many more adventures in the future with Scott Brodie and Maggie Taylor.
My sincere thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for allowing me to read a digital ARC copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
Scott Brodie and Maggie Taylor who are Special Agents in the US Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID), who worked together as the primary characters in the first book in this series, "The Deserter", are reunited to solve the murder of an Army CIC Agent in Berlin. The book lays down a good amount of backstory to start, in case the reader hasn't read the previous book. This can definitely be read as a standalone. There are enough military and investigative acronyms to fill the alphabet: CID, CIC, FBI, OCS, CIA, KIA, BKO, TCIC, DIA, JSOC, DMZ, CO, PFC, DOD, to name a few, and CVS (the pharmacy) for good measure.
Scott and Maggie's investigation in Germany takes them down a dark path of Islamic terrorism, organized crime, neo-Nazism, and the search for an American military double agent from the vestiges of the Cold War. They follow a murderous trail of subterfuge. Can they find out who the double agent is before they become the next targets? Are they on a path of seeking justice or does it end up being an act of revenge?
The brave and daring duo of Scott and Maggie walk a tightrope between helping the investigation and alienating everyone they work with. They attempt to put all the puzzle pieces together without losing their jobs or their lives.
This story's narrative has good flow and contains the perfect amount of excitement and mystery, underlined by DeMille's signature sharp wit and barbed humor. DeMille's fans are sure to enjoy this sophomore book in the series and I hope that there will be many more adventures in the future with Scott Brodie and Maggie Taylor.
My sincere thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for allowing me to read a digital ARC copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
February 29, 2024
Long a fan of Nelson DeMille’s writing, I was eager to see how he would work alongside his son, Alex. The two have a great ability to meld their writing styles and create an impactful story that is sure to pull the reader into the middle of a stunning story with just the right amount of humour. A politically powerful novel that has strong historical aspects, the authors present this stunning piece that is as entertaining as it is long. Well worth the reader’s time and effort, Nelson and Alex DeMillie make the experience one readers will remember for the foreseeable future
After their last assignment, Army Criminal Investigation Agents Scott Brodie and Maggie Taylor spent five months apart, trying to piece together what took place on a mission in Venezuela. Their stellar abilities and great working relationship has them both summoned to return to action, this time in Germany, where fellow CID Special Agent Harry Vance has been found dead in a park at the centre of Berlin’s Arab refugee community. Brody and Taylor have great skills and must sift through all the rhetoric to gather answers, though they must work alongside the German authorities, rather than calling the shots. Working to discover what happened to Special Agent Vance, a counterterrorism expert, will take more than simply looking at the crime scene photos.
German authorities are sure that this has been an act of Islamic terrorism, though Special Agents Brodie and Taylor cannot dismiss all angles. While Germany is retuning to its right-wing views and strong Islamaphobia, there is something that does not seem right with the case. Brodie and Taylor cannot dismiss the strong sentiments, but even if they explore the victim’s past, something other than terrorism comes to the surface. Vance’s presence in the German capital is not entirely related to his work, with a mystery that few have yet to uncover. There is also a strong Cold War element, one that could turn the case on its head, should anyone want to look under the surface.
Butting heads on both sides of the Atlantic, Brodie and Taylor must forge onwards to see if this could simply be an attack on a group that has been vilified in the country or whether there may be some Stasi-era double agents that have been sitting under the radar since the fall of the Berlin Wall. There is nothing like taking the case into their own control, as Brodie and Taylor are sure someone is trying to sweep things under the rug. Forced to get to the core of the issue, Brodie and Taylor refuse to stand down and force themselves into the uncomfortable areas of the investigation, while others would do all they can to silence them. With a larger event looming, CID Special Agents Brodie and Taylor must solve the murder of Harry Vance before disaster strikes for everyone and turns the German nation into a mess it has not seen since the Nazis rose to power. A stunning piece that has all the needed elements, Nelson and Alex DeMille make it a must-read for many.
While dry wit is one of the key aspects to Nelson DeMille’s work, there is always a strong storyline under there. This has surely been passed along to Alex when the elder DeMille decided to collaborate. These two have been able to pen two great novels and keep the reef in the middle of it all. There is a great historical backstory here, as the narrative builds, while also addressing many political and social aspects of the German state, a key aspect to the story’s core. As things advance, the authors make sure the reader is kept on the edge of their seat. Things are never what they appear, especially with DeMillie at the helm. Adding great character development, the authors provide strong views and just the right amount of humour to cut through some of the denser moments throughout. I hope to see more of Brodie and Taylor before too long.
Plot development helps make this the strong book it has become. There is a need for a central theme, which the authors present with ease, but also some historical aspects that fuel sub-plots and ideas that could steer things in other directions. The authors cannot help but inject both to keep things from becoming too linear. I can only hope that the reader is able to juggle everything in order to get o the core of the matter. I cannot wait to see when next the protagonists will come together, offering the authors a chance to collaborate once more.
Kudos, Messrs. DeMille, for another great piece that kept me hooked.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
After their last assignment, Army Criminal Investigation Agents Scott Brodie and Maggie Taylor spent five months apart, trying to piece together what took place on a mission in Venezuela. Their stellar abilities and great working relationship has them both summoned to return to action, this time in Germany, where fellow CID Special Agent Harry Vance has been found dead in a park at the centre of Berlin’s Arab refugee community. Brody and Taylor have great skills and must sift through all the rhetoric to gather answers, though they must work alongside the German authorities, rather than calling the shots. Working to discover what happened to Special Agent Vance, a counterterrorism expert, will take more than simply looking at the crime scene photos.
German authorities are sure that this has been an act of Islamic terrorism, though Special Agents Brodie and Taylor cannot dismiss all angles. While Germany is retuning to its right-wing views and strong Islamaphobia, there is something that does not seem right with the case. Brodie and Taylor cannot dismiss the strong sentiments, but even if they explore the victim’s past, something other than terrorism comes to the surface. Vance’s presence in the German capital is not entirely related to his work, with a mystery that few have yet to uncover. There is also a strong Cold War element, one that could turn the case on its head, should anyone want to look under the surface.
Butting heads on both sides of the Atlantic, Brodie and Taylor must forge onwards to see if this could simply be an attack on a group that has been vilified in the country or whether there may be some Stasi-era double agents that have been sitting under the radar since the fall of the Berlin Wall. There is nothing like taking the case into their own control, as Brodie and Taylor are sure someone is trying to sweep things under the rug. Forced to get to the core of the issue, Brodie and Taylor refuse to stand down and force themselves into the uncomfortable areas of the investigation, while others would do all they can to silence them. With a larger event looming, CID Special Agents Brodie and Taylor must solve the murder of Harry Vance before disaster strikes for everyone and turns the German nation into a mess it has not seen since the Nazis rose to power. A stunning piece that has all the needed elements, Nelson and Alex DeMille make it a must-read for many.
While dry wit is one of the key aspects to Nelson DeMille’s work, there is always a strong storyline under there. This has surely been passed along to Alex when the elder DeMille decided to collaborate. These two have been able to pen two great novels and keep the reef in the middle of it all. There is a great historical backstory here, as the narrative builds, while also addressing many political and social aspects of the German state, a key aspect to the story’s core. As things advance, the authors make sure the reader is kept on the edge of their seat. Things are never what they appear, especially with DeMillie at the helm. Adding great character development, the authors provide strong views and just the right amount of humour to cut through some of the denser moments throughout. I hope to see more of Brodie and Taylor before too long.
Plot development helps make this the strong book it has become. There is a need for a central theme, which the authors present with ease, but also some historical aspects that fuel sub-plots and ideas that could steer things in other directions. The authors cannot help but inject both to keep things from becoming too linear. I can only hope that the reader is able to juggle everything in order to get o the core of the matter. I cannot wait to see when next the protagonists will come together, offering the authors a chance to collaborate once more.
Kudos, Messrs. DeMille, for another great piece that kept me hooked.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
January 16, 2024
Awful.
November 6, 2023
Sheesh I’ve run into a streak of BORING books lately. Usually like Demille but this book was so wordy and slow moving.
January 14, 2024
Blood Lines starts out engaging and intriguing, but quickly turns tedious and onerous. By the time Brodie and Taylor are checking out of the Art Hotel and the innkeeper informs them there is a three-night minimum, you are totally confused. They’ve only been in Berlin for two days? Two days?! At this point in the novel there’s been so much writing and yet so much inactivity you figure it’s been at least two weeks!
In addition to the lack of a swift moving plot, good luck keeping track of the characters, not to mention the agencies they represent. There were more letters in here than a bowl of alphabet soup.
By the time I got to the last third of the book I was scanning major sections of prose because I could not arduous task of continuing on. And while I did finish, like Brodie, I was all too ready to submit my resignation.
In addition to the lack of a swift moving plot, good luck keeping track of the characters, not to mention the agencies they represent. There were more letters in here than a bowl of alphabet soup.
By the time I got to the last third of the book I was scanning major sections of prose because I could not arduous task of continuing on. And while I did finish, like Brodie, I was all too ready to submit my resignation.
August 7, 2023
This is a story about Scott Brodie and Maggie Taylor who are US Army CID agents. They are sent to Berlin to investigate the murder of their work colleague Harry Vance. Once they arrive at the scene and are in their first inter agency meeting with the FBI, State Department, Berlin Police and German Intelligence they soon learn that their hands are tied and they aren’t allowed to investigate only to observe. Well of course this doesn’t sit well with Brodie and he immediately decides to go his own rogue way. Maggie tries to keep him in line some what but soon sees that his methods get results.
This is a complete spy adventure story with multiple bad guys from neo-Nazi groups to old East German Stasi spy’s. Throw in a bunch of Syrian Arab immigrants and it’s chaos everywhere.
I was happy to see that Maggie became a bad ass warrior and was a true heroine in this story. And two great quotes from the book gave me food for thought. “The past is not past” and from Nietzsche: “ Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he too does not become a monster”.
I’m a big fan of Nelson DeMille and I hope he keeps turning out great books with snarky characters.
ARC received from Scribner thru Net Galley for an honest and voluntary review.
This is a complete spy adventure story with multiple bad guys from neo-Nazi groups to old East German Stasi spy’s. Throw in a bunch of Syrian Arab immigrants and it’s chaos everywhere.
I was happy to see that Maggie became a bad ass warrior and was a true heroine in this story. And two great quotes from the book gave me food for thought. “The past is not past” and from Nietzsche: “ Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he too does not become a monster”.
I’m a big fan of Nelson DeMille and I hope he keeps turning out great books with snarky characters.
ARC received from Scribner thru Net Galley for an honest and voluntary review.
February 27, 2024
Not having seen each other since their last mission, Army Criminal Investigation Agents Maagie Taylor and Scott Brodie are reunited in Berlin to investigate the murder of a fellow Army CID agent. Scott and Maggie don’t know why the agent was in Berlin but the story German authorities are selling doesn’t make sense. The search for the truth will lead Scott and Maggie into the cesspool of humanity and ultimately uncover a plot so sinister it defies logic.
Nelson and Alex DeMille have penned an exciting and terrifying thriller that feels all too real, unfortunately. It’s quintessential Nelson DeMille: funny, snarky, and complex. Blood Lines kept me engaged and I even learned a few things which is always nice.
Thank you to Scribner and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Blood Lines.
Nelson and Alex DeMille have penned an exciting and terrifying thriller that feels all too real, unfortunately. It’s quintessential Nelson DeMille: funny, snarky, and complex. Blood Lines kept me engaged and I even learned a few things which is always nice.
Thank you to Scribner and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Blood Lines.
July 11, 2023
In Nelson and Alex DeMille's second book in the Scott Brodie series, Blood Lines (Scribner 2023), Scot and Maggie, his partner from the prior assignment (who swore she'd never again work with him), again team up to solve the murder of a fellow CID officer in Germany. The investigation requires interagency cooperation across geopolitical and international lines. Scott's aggressive approach to crime solving is again out of sync with everyone else which causes him problems, even though he gets results. The biggest question became: Will he solve the murder of his friend before he is pulled off the case? Throughout the process, the reader is treated to lots of Scott's irreverent humor and Maggie's tough investigation skills. You can't go wrong with this book if you love international intrigue, lots of twists and turns, and clues that never lead where you think they should. The plot moves like an out of control rocket ship. Don’t take a nap because you’ll miss too much.
Why a 4 out of 5? If you read Book 1, you already know that Scott is not easy to like and his almost insulting and irritating approach to people makes it clear why other agencies don't want to work with him despite the effectiveness of his methods. And, it often made for cringe-worthy reading as he seemed to ignore his personal filter (or maybe didn't have one). Another reason is there were so many names and places, I had a hard time keeping track.
Still, it's a great read, especially for those who love geopolitical spiderwebs that keep you guessing at every turn.
Why a 4 out of 5? If you read Book 1, you already know that Scott is not easy to like and his almost insulting and irritating approach to people makes it clear why other agencies don't want to work with him despite the effectiveness of his methods. And, it often made for cringe-worthy reading as he seemed to ignore his personal filter (or maybe didn't have one). Another reason is there were so many names and places, I had a hard time keeping track.
Still, it's a great read, especially for those who love geopolitical spiderwebs that keep you guessing at every turn.
September 18, 2023
Book Review
Blood Lines
Alex DeMille & Nelson DeMille
reviewed by Lou Jacobs
readersremains.com | Goodreads
Never underestimate the insane; they may be crazy, but they’re not stupid. This phrase aptly describes several of the main protagonists encountered by Army Criminal Investigation Agents (CID) Scott Brodie and Maggie Taylor. This cinematic tour-de-force thriller marks the welcome return of this unconventional duo. Scott Brodie is a blend of James Bond and “Rambo”, endowed with wit and sarcasm, and is teamed with the equally dangerous and feisty Maggie Taylor, who is “tough as nails” and has a striking blonde appearance.
They have been apart for the last five months, following the successful yet controversial completion of their perilous mission to Venezuela to apprehend the infamous Army deserter, Captain Kyle Mercer of the elite Delta Force. This riveting sequel can be enjoyed as a standalone, as the authors expertly incorporate any necessary backstory into the narrative. They are tasked with investigating the murder of one of their own: CID Special Agent Harry Vance, a skilled and decorated counterterrorism agent found dead in a city park nestled in the heart of Berlin’s Arab refugee community. Discovered lying on his back with a single bullet wound to his temple, his right hand clutching his Beretta in his coat pocket, and his left eye “scooped out”, his cell phone was missing, but his wallet remained.
The reason for Vance’s presence in Berlin remains unknown, with no ongoing investigative case noted in available records. These two aggressive and rule-bending detectives have been enlisted to “assist” the alphabet soup of agencies already deeply entrenched in the investigation. In addition to the German federal police and Berlin Police, the FBI, CIA, and State Department are supposedly collaborating with the U.S. military to circumvent the impending political and diplomatic storm. Brodie and Taylor find themselves navigating the complex socio-political landscape of modern Germany, uncovering clues and evidence overlooked by other agencies. At the heart of their investigation is the ongoing Arab refugee crisis, the dark legacy of the Cold War with ties to the Stasi secret police, and the looming threat of a resurgent neo-Nazi movement. Will the murder be conveniently attributed to Muslims, or is it a precursor to a more sinister future event?
The DeMille team proves themselves master storytellers, weaving a high-octane action thriller teeming with intrigue, tension, and suspense. As the narrative unfolds, the reader’s anxiety escalates, with Brodie and Taylor traversing the dangerous streets of Berlin, embroiled in unraveling a convoluted tale of deceit and cunning that culminates in an exhilarating denouement. As nuanced conspiracies come to light, the identity of an American traitor is revealed. I can easily picture Bradley Cooper and Scarlett Johansson portraying the lead CID investigators. My gratitude to NetGalley and Scribner Books for providing an uncorrected proof in exchange for an honest review. I am eagerly anticipating further adventures featuring Brodie and Taylor.
.... Published at MysteryAndSuspenseMagazine.com ....
Blood Lines
Alex DeMille & Nelson DeMille
reviewed by Lou Jacobs
readersremains.com | Goodreads
Never underestimate the insane; they may be crazy, but they’re not stupid. This phrase aptly describes several of the main protagonists encountered by Army Criminal Investigation Agents (CID) Scott Brodie and Maggie Taylor. This cinematic tour-de-force thriller marks the welcome return of this unconventional duo. Scott Brodie is a blend of James Bond and “Rambo”, endowed with wit and sarcasm, and is teamed with the equally dangerous and feisty Maggie Taylor, who is “tough as nails” and has a striking blonde appearance.
They have been apart for the last five months, following the successful yet controversial completion of their perilous mission to Venezuela to apprehend the infamous Army deserter, Captain Kyle Mercer of the elite Delta Force. This riveting sequel can be enjoyed as a standalone, as the authors expertly incorporate any necessary backstory into the narrative. They are tasked with investigating the murder of one of their own: CID Special Agent Harry Vance, a skilled and decorated counterterrorism agent found dead in a city park nestled in the heart of Berlin’s Arab refugee community. Discovered lying on his back with a single bullet wound to his temple, his right hand clutching his Beretta in his coat pocket, and his left eye “scooped out”, his cell phone was missing, but his wallet remained.
The reason for Vance’s presence in Berlin remains unknown, with no ongoing investigative case noted in available records. These two aggressive and rule-bending detectives have been enlisted to “assist” the alphabet soup of agencies already deeply entrenched in the investigation. In addition to the German federal police and Berlin Police, the FBI, CIA, and State Department are supposedly collaborating with the U.S. military to circumvent the impending political and diplomatic storm. Brodie and Taylor find themselves navigating the complex socio-political landscape of modern Germany, uncovering clues and evidence overlooked by other agencies. At the heart of their investigation is the ongoing Arab refugee crisis, the dark legacy of the Cold War with ties to the Stasi secret police, and the looming threat of a resurgent neo-Nazi movement. Will the murder be conveniently attributed to Muslims, or is it a precursor to a more sinister future event?
The DeMille team proves themselves master storytellers, weaving a high-octane action thriller teeming with intrigue, tension, and suspense. As the narrative unfolds, the reader’s anxiety escalates, with Brodie and Taylor traversing the dangerous streets of Berlin, embroiled in unraveling a convoluted tale of deceit and cunning that culminates in an exhilarating denouement. As nuanced conspiracies come to light, the identity of an American traitor is revealed. I can easily picture Bradley Cooper and Scarlett Johansson portraying the lead CID investigators. My gratitude to NetGalley and Scribner Books for providing an uncorrected proof in exchange for an honest review. I am eagerly anticipating further adventures featuring Brodie and Taylor.
.... Published at MysteryAndSuspenseMagazine.com ....
June 15, 2023
series about Army CID Agents Scott Brodie and Maggie Taylor, set five years after the first novel, The Deserter, we find that Brodie at least has spent the last few years doing routine cases in the hinterland with worthless partners. There has been no contact with Maggie at all and he has been warned in the strongest terms not to discuss what took place in Venezuela. The setting for the latest novel in this series, which is a detective series that has elements of espionage and black ops military action, we travel to unified Berlin. Though the city was unified over twenty years earlier and the only remnants of the wall are found in museums, presidential libraries, or a thin line painted in the roadway, it is difficult to escape the ghosts of the past. As Scott and Maggie investigate the death of one of their own in a park at night without backup, there is little that makes sense. The death may be related to the Islamic terror cells that have immigrated to Germany in the wake of a refugee crisis from the Syrian Civil War or it might be related to other secrets. Scott and Maggie play the role of tireless investigators, but they are out of their element and without much authority or jurisdiction to accomplish much other than to piss off their host country or their superiors in Washington, D.C. This is a well-written and exciting novel that is hard to put down once you open it up.
April 29, 2024
Sequels are never as good as the first in the book series. The first one was a 5, the second one-a 4. Still good and have lots to offer a reader. You should read the 1st one but not necessary. Enjoy
November 13, 2023
As a fan of DeMille I was a little disappointed.
It is a lengthy, tedious read with too many characters to keep track of. I don’t think counterterrorism is my thing….too many organizations to follow CIA,FBI,CID and other military acronyms that overwhelmed me. I’d like to see some more John Corey novels from Mr. DeMille.
September 11, 2023
This was a very exciting and interesting book. Alex Demille is following in his father's footsteps in a very good way. Brodie and Taylor are Army CID officers who barely made it out of Venezuela alive in the first book in this series, The Deserter, which I skimmed to remind myself of the story.
5 months later, after being sent to different cities, are reunited and sent to Berlin to solve a homicide of a CID officer there. The interactions of State Department personnel, FBI, CIA and NSA are quite fascinating to me. The discussions of German history, especially the Stasi and East Berlin were quite scary, yet sad.
Demille, as always writes stories right from the headlines that make me quite apprehensive about the world.
The last few chapters were just such worries, neo-nazis, biological warfare, fanaticism, hatred of the other, all come together for a particularly exciting climax. Will be looking forward to the next one.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my EARC, in exchange for an honest review. I highly recommend this book.
5 months later, after being sent to different cities, are reunited and sent to Berlin to solve a homicide of a CID officer there. The interactions of State Department personnel, FBI, CIA and NSA are quite fascinating to me. The discussions of German history, especially the Stasi and East Berlin were quite scary, yet sad.
Demille, as always writes stories right from the headlines that make me quite apprehensive about the world.
The last few chapters were just such worries, neo-nazis, biological warfare, fanaticism, hatred of the other, all come together for a particularly exciting climax. Will be looking forward to the next one.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my EARC, in exchange for an honest review. I highly recommend this book.
July 1, 2024
I was really disappointed in this sequel to a book I greatly enjoyed, The Deserter. It’s just not very interesting, ludicrous at times, and the main characters lost their appeal from the first book and became very tiresome.
November 22, 2023
Ending was good but first three quarters were trite and slow
September 4, 2023
Nelson DeMille has a formula. He also has a fanbase that enjoys this formula of quick-witted alpha males that treat life as an eighties action movie full of beer, blondes, and big booms. Yet over the past decade, the DeMille formula has slowly become tiresome with its repetitive cycle. Moments of joy, such as the release of a new John Corey novel, slipped into the ennui of been-there and done-that. Fortunately, the DeMille method gets a needed infusion with Blood Lines. Co-written with his son, Alex DeMille, this is the second book featuring CID agents Scott Brodie and Maggie Taylor. Yes, Brodie still thinks on his feet - and usually after a few beers - and Taylor is often exasperated at his exploits and attitude, but this one feels like a DeMille tale of old. Blood Lines is fresh, exciting, and contains a deep mystery that slowly, cleverly unfolds.
Blood Lines opens with murder, specifically that of a CID agent in Berlin. The DeMille father and son team immediately throws the reader into a new environment with a clean set up and plenty of questions. And these questions do not have the most direct of answers - as a reunited Brodie and Taylor quickly discover.
The DeMilles showcase a unique premise in a prime European location not yet used by father and son. The murder mystery unfolds into one of international intrigue as Brodie and Taylor discover that the deceased, Harry Vance, was involved with something well beyond the typical counterterrorism milieu. Their quest soon involves Arab refugees, Cold War era Stasi spies, and everyone’s go-to villain, neo-Nazis.
Outside of the usual ticking clock thriller, the style of Blood Lines is handled differently, too. Brodie and Taylor are at the top of their game and they get to showcase their know-how. Additionally, the DeMilles do away with the usual procedural where every minute is heavily counted and logged, like in The Panther and Cathedral. Although time is against them, the mystery is what counts as the DeMilles focus instead on the unraveling rather than forensics.
Recently, and most noticeably in the John Corey novel The Maze, DeMille’s narrative thought-process became circuitous, which was a daunting task given Corey’s one-track mind. In Blood Lines the exposition explodes as theory works its way into fact with each question presenting a new challenge. Brodie’s internal monologue serves as a path for the reader to play along as a detective - albeit with the occasional detour.
Mostly concerning Maggie.
And her bikini.
After all, as clever and entertaining as Blood Lines is, this is still a DeMille novel. This also happens to be one of DeMille’s best. Prost.
And Prost again to the fine folks at Scribner and NetGalley for the advance read. I love getting my hands on a new DeMille and I always appreciate your consideration.
For more on this review, as well as other Nelson DeMille books, check out Read @ Joe's. Tell 'em John sent ya and that you like Dewar's. Neat. Right?
Blood Lines opens with murder, specifically that of a CID agent in Berlin. The DeMille father and son team immediately throws the reader into a new environment with a clean set up and plenty of questions. And these questions do not have the most direct of answers - as a reunited Brodie and Taylor quickly discover.
The DeMilles showcase a unique premise in a prime European location not yet used by father and son. The murder mystery unfolds into one of international intrigue as Brodie and Taylor discover that the deceased, Harry Vance, was involved with something well beyond the typical counterterrorism milieu. Their quest soon involves Arab refugees, Cold War era Stasi spies, and everyone’s go-to villain, neo-Nazis.
Outside of the usual ticking clock thriller, the style of Blood Lines is handled differently, too. Brodie and Taylor are at the top of their game and they get to showcase their know-how. Additionally, the DeMilles do away with the usual procedural where every minute is heavily counted and logged, like in The Panther and Cathedral. Although time is against them, the mystery is what counts as the DeMilles focus instead on the unraveling rather than forensics.
Recently, and most noticeably in the John Corey novel The Maze, DeMille’s narrative thought-process became circuitous, which was a daunting task given Corey’s one-track mind. In Blood Lines the exposition explodes as theory works its way into fact with each question presenting a new challenge. Brodie’s internal monologue serves as a path for the reader to play along as a detective - albeit with the occasional detour.
Mostly concerning Maggie.
And her bikini.
After all, as clever and entertaining as Blood Lines is, this is still a DeMille novel. This also happens to be one of DeMille’s best. Prost.
And Prost again to the fine folks at Scribner and NetGalley for the advance read. I love getting my hands on a new DeMille and I always appreciate your consideration.
For more on this review, as well as other Nelson DeMille books, check out Read @ Joe's. Tell 'em John sent ya and that you like Dewar's. Neat. Right?
August 7, 2023
Some five years have passed since the first novel in this series took place (The Deserter) and Army CID agent Scott Brodie is stuck. He’s been assigned a less-than-ideal partner and has been put on basic, boring run-of-the-mill cases. Despite many attempts, his efforts to communicate with his previous partner, Maggie Taylor, have gone unanswered. It’s obvious their time in Venezuela and subsequent uncovering of highly classified operations there have led to their being sidelined at work.
But now one of their own, an Army CID agent has been murdered in the unified city of Berlin, Germany. His death in a park at midnight leads to speculation that he was on the trail of something important. Brodie and Taylor have been assigned as part of an international and interdepartmental team.
Clues are uncovered but the more they find, the less sense it all makes. The ghosts of Berlin’s past seem to be playing a role in the form of neo Nazi’s, but other forces such as a myriad of Islamic terror cells and refugees from Syria’s civil war also appear to be involved. At one point, Maggie Taylor even remarks that they keep finding puzzle pieces, but they seem to be from different puzzles.
Essentially, this novel is a detective-style mystery with large overtones of international and military thriller action. The mystery is, indeed, complex with lots of moving parts. Brodie is a character much like Nelson Demille’s other series characters such as John Corey and Paul Brenner: snarky humor combined with an unerring need to seek justice even if it means bending the rules so far, they break completely. Maggie serves as his foil, often pulling him back from the brink but occasionally egging him on and going over the waterfall with him. Together they make a great team, both in the field, and on the pages as characters in a novel. The plot is a bit of a slow burn but the finale has all the action you would expect from a Demille novel or an action movie, with a nicely satisfying conclusion.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free e-book copy in return for an honest review
But now one of their own, an Army CID agent has been murdered in the unified city of Berlin, Germany. His death in a park at midnight leads to speculation that he was on the trail of something important. Brodie and Taylor have been assigned as part of an international and interdepartmental team.
Clues are uncovered but the more they find, the less sense it all makes. The ghosts of Berlin’s past seem to be playing a role in the form of neo Nazi’s, but other forces such as a myriad of Islamic terror cells and refugees from Syria’s civil war also appear to be involved. At one point, Maggie Taylor even remarks that they keep finding puzzle pieces, but they seem to be from different puzzles.
Essentially, this novel is a detective-style mystery with large overtones of international and military thriller action. The mystery is, indeed, complex with lots of moving parts. Brodie is a character much like Nelson Demille’s other series characters such as John Corey and Paul Brenner: snarky humor combined with an unerring need to seek justice even if it means bending the rules so far, they break completely. Maggie serves as his foil, often pulling him back from the brink but occasionally egging him on and going over the waterfall with him. Together they make a great team, both in the field, and on the pages as characters in a novel. The plot is a bit of a slow burn but the finale has all the action you would expect from a Demille novel or an action movie, with a nicely satisfying conclusion.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free e-book copy in return for an honest review
July 11, 2023
DeMille is back! Following a strange and disappointing last effort with John Corey, this book is a welcome relief in a complex, engaging, thoroughly researched, and exciting tale.
I gave it the following SCORE:
Setting: Present day Germany, including an interesting examination of the current political and civil situation
Characters: Returning protagonists from “The Deserter” – Military CID special agents Scott Brodie and Maggie Taylor, who play off each other with the expected difference of opinions and philosophies, including Brodie’s perpetual optimism and sarcasm. A wide supporting cast of FBI, CIA, State Department and various German police and military officials make this a story where attention to detail is required. Also, a mandatory appearance by Brodie’s old nemesis adds to the fun, excitement, and plot convolutions.
Overview: Brodie and Maggie are brought back together, despite opposition, to help solve the murder of a fellow agent in Berlin. Of course, Brodie goes well beyond his assigned task, breaks all the imposed regulations, and discovers there is a much more sinister, clandestine operation behind the supposed isolated murder. Where the story takes him against all odds and how it eventually ties in to the title of the book is a terrific tale.
Recommendation: I rate this book 5 stars and thoroughly recommend it.
Extras: Reading the first book in the series would be helpful for some of the backstory and the characters’ former relationship but not at all necessary since they are well covered in this book. There is no doubt at the conclusion of the story that Scott and Maggie will be welcomed in further tales. Thank you, Nelson and Alex.
In summary, thriller fans will definitely enjoy this great story.
Thanx to NetGalley and Scribner for the opportunity to provide this unbiased review.
I gave it the following SCORE:
Setting: Present day Germany, including an interesting examination of the current political and civil situation
Characters: Returning protagonists from “The Deserter” – Military CID special agents Scott Brodie and Maggie Taylor, who play off each other with the expected difference of opinions and philosophies, including Brodie’s perpetual optimism and sarcasm. A wide supporting cast of FBI, CIA, State Department and various German police and military officials make this a story where attention to detail is required. Also, a mandatory appearance by Brodie’s old nemesis adds to the fun, excitement, and plot convolutions.
Overview: Brodie and Maggie are brought back together, despite opposition, to help solve the murder of a fellow agent in Berlin. Of course, Brodie goes well beyond his assigned task, breaks all the imposed regulations, and discovers there is a much more sinister, clandestine operation behind the supposed isolated murder. Where the story takes him against all odds and how it eventually ties in to the title of the book is a terrific tale.
Recommendation: I rate this book 5 stars and thoroughly recommend it.
Extras: Reading the first book in the series would be helpful for some of the backstory and the characters’ former relationship but not at all necessary since they are well covered in this book. There is no doubt at the conclusion of the story that Scott and Maggie will be welcomed in further tales. Thank you, Nelson and Alex.
In summary, thriller fans will definitely enjoy this great story.
Thanx to NetGalley and Scribner for the opportunity to provide this unbiased review.
March 8, 2024
I remember a multi-day road trip a couple decades ago, before satellite radio, when my wife and I were enthralled by a Nelson DeMille audiobook. We arrived at our destination with one cassette left to play, so we drove around another hour until we heard how John Corey — or whoever DeMille’s hero was in that novel — defeated the bad guys. I thought of that audiobook as I labored through the 495-page “Blood Lines,” the latest novel by DeMille and his son Alex. The first 50 pages dragged so much that I might have given up if we hadn’t paid almost $30 for the book. Maybe I was bored because the plot involved Islamic terrorism, at least at the outset. Maybe it was because the setting was Berlin. The lead characters — the Corey-like Scott Brodie and his partner Maggie Taylor — were fine. And the plot eventually became imaginative and interesting. But “Blood Lines” would have been a better read had it been at least 100 pages shorter.
October 21, 2023
Soctt Brodie and Maggie Taylor,Army Criminal Investigators were successful on their last joint case but were sworn to secrecy and separated as partners once home in the US due to the "nature" of the case. Now, a longtime CID agent Harry Vance is murdered in Berlin and the dept needs their top investigators on the case but are not in charge and have no real investigative powers.
That however doesn't stop Brodie. He follows leads however thin, and uncovers the real reason for Harry's murder- a spy named Odin never uncovered during WWII.
It's a bit slow in parts but believeable.
That however doesn't stop Brodie. He follows leads however thin, and uncovers the real reason for Harry's murder- a spy named Odin never uncovered during WWII.
It's a bit slow in parts but believeable.
February 28, 2024
Nelson and Alex DeMille make a great team, and Scott Brick's narration enhances the audio version. Blood Lines has a title that initially mystifies readers because the book appears to be a version of a typical managed news story about a dead US military agent explained as a "wrong place, wrong time" incident. Readers keep looking for the "spy," "terrorist," or "criminal," explanation to explain why the deceased was a victim or bad actor. This time, special agents Scott Brodie and Maggie Taylor are on assignment in Berlin to investigate the murder of Harry Vance, an antiterrorist agent in Berlin. Vance had no military police reason for his presence there. He was not working a case. Brodie and Taylor had only a limited role in the murder investigation. They went against their official orders in trying to interview potential witnesses and conduct a full-scale investigation. The German authorities were creating an explanation for the death that ignored reality. (For example, three bombing victims who might have been witnesses were being characterized as Islamic terrorists, but one was Christian.) Brodie and Taylor discovered that one reason for Vance's presence in Berlin was a visit to his girlfriend. They also discovered that he was interested in stasi secret police activities during the Cold War. A microscope slide in Vance's pocket was harder to explain; it led to questions regarding implications for bioterrorism. Expect violence and suspense- definitely an action-filled book.
December 1, 2024
If you like international and political intrigue with great characters and a storyline that keeps you reading, then give this book a look. I found it hard to put this book down and I wasn’t ready to finish it. When I did finish it, I wanted to immediately read another one! It’s been a while since I have read a Nelson DeMille book and I look forward to catching up on his books including those co-written with his son, Alex DeMille.
January 22, 2024
Another Excellent Read!
I have been a fan of Nelson DeMille for years. This book did not disappoint! Another political thriller that kept you on your toes wondering where the next plot twist would take you. Excellent tidbits bout the East German Stasi just as the Berlin wall was falling.
I found this to be a bit slower in places than some of the author’s (plural authors too) earlier books but it was a very fun read and I will eagerly await the next book in this series with “Scott Brodie” and “Maggie Taylor”. I can easily see this as a movie……
I have been a fan of Nelson DeMille for years. This book did not disappoint! Another political thriller that kept you on your toes wondering where the next plot twist would take you. Excellent tidbits bout the East German Stasi just as the Berlin wall was falling.
I found this to be a bit slower in places than some of the author’s (plural authors too) earlier books but it was a very fun read and I will eagerly await the next book in this series with “Scott Brodie” and “Maggie Taylor”. I can easily see this as a movie……
January 24, 2024
The only very small complaint I have - is this was a more serious novel - even by Nelson DeMille's standards. Where is the snarky John Corey when you need him.
February 10, 2024
First 75% 3 stars.
Last 25% 4 stars.
Last 25% 4 stars.
August 19, 2024
This is the second book with Scott Bradie and Maggie Taylor. This time they are teamed together to find who murdered an army investigator in Berlin. If they can solve this case they will be back to working important cases, but at every turn they are told that they have no authority. But Scott is no stranger to working outside the limits binding him.
Another great book by Nelson DeMille
Another great book by Nelson DeMille
November 27, 2023
Lots of action, suspense and intrigue! 5 ⭐️s!
June 19, 2025
great action, twists, some dumb stuff, guns, spies and good times and maybe a bomb or two.
December 7, 2023
Berlin Germany is the setting for this murder/mystery. Sent to find out why one of their own was murdered, Brodie and Maggie run into so many obstacles. The rest is hard to follow as it involves treason, bio weapons, and so much more. There was too much German history of Stasi secret police which was hard to understand.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 711 reviews