The Masada Protocol

by Lee Broad

After a series of risky black ops missions, Steve is looking forward to a straightforward intelligence assignment in beautiful Israel. What he finds is a conspiracy that will rock the Middle East and the world. He also finds Neena Shahud, an attractive Mossad agent waging a personal vendetta against Hezbollah. First Steve must save Neena’s life, then he must figure out why the Middle East is about to explode and stop it. But, by the time Steve and Neena put the pieces in place, it may be too late. If Masada, an historic fortress, the object of an oath taken by the Israel’s elite soldiers, and a symbol of Jewish freedom is not to fall to enemies a second time, what will be the price? Who will pay it?

Genres: Thriller

348 pages, Paperback

First published April 4, 2011

About the author

I am an author and business consultant. I have held various positions in international banking, strategic and organizational consulting, and on Wall Street.

I used my domestic and international business experience, and interest in foreign affairs to write my first book The Masada Protocol. The book is set in the Middle East, an area long known for being a hotbed of war, civil unrest, and now, fanatical terrorism.

I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an MBA with a concentration in Finance from Columbia University.

I live in New Jersey, where I am working on my second book, The Masada Retribution. A dog may soon join the household.

Reviews

[Rachel Simeone · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a huge reader. I read fiction, non-fiction, thrillers, mysteries, books in Spanish and marketing books. A friend recommended this book to me because he knew that I love to read book about other countries.

I expected to enjoy the book as I generally like thrillers, especially if it is set in an interesting location. I learned a lot about Israel and Masada. The book was clearly well researched and described. I felt as if I was in Israel walking along side Steve and Neena. I could feel the heat, the dust and each piece of equipment that they were carrying.

This is an engaging, intelligent thriller. If you like Daniel Silva or Lee Childs you will love this book.

[Jody · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good political thriller. It was so good that you tend to forget this is the author's first book. I won this book on Goodread's giveaways and it wasn't but just a few days and I got it in the mail. The author had typed up a personal note and inserted it in the envelope and also gave me a personalized autograph on the title page. (If you read this Mr. Broad, thanks!) This is one of those books that could come right out of today's headlines with all of the unrest going on in the Middle East. The author did his homework well and was able to not only entertain me with a good thriller but he also educated me on some historical landmarks in and around Israel. The characters are strong and the book ends with an excellent opening for another. I see a series coming along out of this book. Congratulations on your first book Mr. Broad, I believe it is going to be successful.

[Kelly Knapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lee Broad’s political thriller is a well-armed, precision directed, timely piece of literature. It reads like the story everyone expects to find in their morning paper under international politics. The plot is full of frightfully real suspense. His characters are strong and distinctive. Broad writes in the style of Clancy, yet manages to keep a unique edge that sets him apart as an author. And for once, the love story seems to fit with the flow of the plot, instead of being shoved into the story because “sex” sells. Will there be a sequel? Let’s hope so!

I received this book as part of the Goodreads first reads program.

[Bob Padgette · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great action packed read from beginning to end. My personal acid test is I had better be involved within the first 20 pages and the Masada Protocol passed with flying colors. I’ve always enjoyed books that start with seemingly unrelated settings and characters and as the story unfolds it becomes evident how they are intertwined. The reader knows it will happen, but it’s a talent that some authors have to make this work and it’s evident that Lee Broad has accomplished that with style. It’s hard to believe this is his first book, but I’m ready for the second one.

[D. Brothers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun reading, excellent character develoment, vivid and colorful settings against challenging geo political background. It could actually happen. Really enjoyed the cast and looking forward to more of their adventures.

This story teller is much in the line of my favorites like Bernard Cornwell, Harold Coyle and Dale Brown. If you are engaged by these authors this is right up your alley

[Dennis Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read--- immediately got involved and sucked into the intrigue! Loved the current nature of the book and in true Ludlum and VClancy fashion, Broad gets you hooked early and brings you through a complex series of twists and turns. Looking foreward to new adventures with Steve Barber

[Shel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first Lee Broad read but won't be my last. This book contains it all - action, mystery and even romance. The story is full of wonderful descriptions and details that make you feel you are right there with the characters. An all around great read and I recommend it highly.

[Liz V. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Published in 2011, The Masada Protocol takes place in 2014 in a Middle East hurtling towards nuclear Armageddon. Two plotlines interweave as rogue elements, in an Iran enlarged by absorbtion of Iraq and in an Israel feeling increasingly abandoned by the U.S. and Europe, plot to satisfy their respective goals of wealth and destruction of enemies.

The suspense never lets up and is regrettably believable. The Arab Spring had only just begun when the book came out, and the ensuing events offer sparse hope for peace. I found myself wishing that the Romans had stayed on their side of the Mediterranean.

[Ian Higgs · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring. Unable to finish.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

My passion for English spy thrillers began once I read “Der Schläfer”, the German version of “Prince of Fire” by Daniel Silva. After the first few pages I loved the characters, the atmosphere, the tension and the speed of story. As a German reader you have two opportunities: wait weeks and weeks for sometimes not well translated books or read the Original. I really love the Internet for giving me the possibility to buy all those wonderful books in the language they should be read in.

After becoming a huge fan of all work done by the amazing Daniel Silva, twitter brought me to “The Masada Protocol” by Lee Broad. Although it was really difficult to tell Amazon what exactly I wanted to buy the book arrived three weeks later.

At first glance American books always make me laugh because of their size. They usually don't fit into my cabinet. Books that are printed in Germany are way smaller. I have no idea why.

Reading a novel in a foreign language isn't of course as easy as reading one that's written in one's mother tongue. “The Masada Protocol” was easy to read though (although I consider myself a well speaker of the English language). The only parts I didn't fully get were those about financial transactions and the whole business of bonds & insurances. But I don't really blame that to the foreign language since I'm not sure I would have understood it in German. I think it's not necessary to understand every single detail of the financial tricks which are used in this book.

In retrospect I may find the first chapters a little dull but once you know everyone involved the novel picks up pace and rushes into a frightening, tense story. Once the evil plan is fully relieved you can't stop reading any more. I remember a long Sunday night when I desperately wanted to close the book but couldn't stop reading. The scenario that is created is terrifying, shocking but – and that's the even more terrifying! - not unlikely to happen. Whenever I read the newspaper or watch the news regarding Israel I can see parallels to the stories both Silva and Broad created.

The moment I met Steve Barber I liked him. Strangely the same happened when Jack Trevane was introduced later. At first I had some problems with Neena Shahud, the heroine of “The Masada Protocol”. She was almost impalpable at the beginning and seemed invincible. This might be one of the few problems concerning the book in all. Broads characters are strong – physically and mentally – but it's really difficult to find a weakness. Facing terrifying events they always act rational without a slight sign of fear or desperation. But then again there are the “ordinary” people like Brian Kendrick who turns into a everyday hero by simply doing his work (in an extremely skilled way of course) without fighting or killing or even touching anybody.

Broad describes the surroundings and settings in detail and I immediately could picture everything. The actual capture of Pädäh is an array of danger, action, death and fights and you can almost feel the tension in the air.

Of course Broad leaves us with some cliffhanger (and seriously – I hate these things!). This means we all hopefully will meet the team around Steve and Neena again. With this in view I probably would have liked a more developing love story between the main characters. But as the end tells us, there are some great things yet to come and I'm sure I'll get the sequel to “The Masada Protocol”.

All in all this book provides you with a highly interesting story which could woefully become reality. If you like agent thrillers like the Gabriel Allon series you should not miss “The Masada Protocol”.

[ILoveBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brand has created a storyline that has adventure, loss, politics, and love. All of these aspects together make a wonderful thriller novel. The main character, Steve Barber, has been fighting for his country with all his heart. He does pretty much anything for the good of the people, even if it gets him into trouble. This is admirable and a personality a reader will find ideal for all soldiers around the world. There is a secondary character named Neena. She’s the love interest, and both of them together make for a captivating couple and a good backstory. This story is definitely heart breaking… many deaths and hard pasts-a reader should be prepared to truly think about the message behind this book.

The plot moves at a steady pace, maybe one or two parts went a little too fast and it would be nice to know a little more. Otherwise, I understood everything and what was going on. I went online and actually fact-checked some lines and places the team went (I know that’s weird, shush.) and everything was fine. He did his research around the world and in the military, this is a very credible author.

ONE critique I have: sometimes the storyline was choppy… it didn’t flow as nicely in some parts, but the story gets back on track with ease. It’s a book I would recommend to people who like books about politics and thrillers with a little bit of romance.

[Janeice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was wonderful and I am grateful to first reads for allowing me to read it. It was a neat thing to open up the front of the book and have a note from the author to me personally, he congratulated me in winning the first reads contest. I had a hard time putting it down. Such great detail and you could imagine walking with these people and hearing and feeling the bombs go off around you. Lee Broad did an excellent job writing and I would read his work again without any trouble. It seemed to me it could actually happen and that made it very interesting. It gives a hope that maybe we could have real peace among the nations and I hope and pray we stay as friends to Israel. Thank you Goodreads for this wonderful read and also thank you to Lee Broad for being such a good writer.

[Jim A · Rating 2 out of 5]

Masada Protocol started off in great fashion. I was really looking forward to a great read, similar to Flynn, Britton or Berenson. Then about a third of the way through it started to bog down and by the half way mark it had turned totally pedestrian. When the Undersecretary of Defense briefed a Wall Street banker on what was going on in Israel so he would be prepared to help stop a retaliatory strike, the author’s tale lost all credibility with me. The author did a good job initially of developing the two main characters and then completely turned them around when he made them into a love interest.

Too bad, it really had the potential to be a great book.

[Martin Labber · Rating 5 out of 5]

The plot and sidebars are developed with clarity and yet I can exercise my personal insights.

The pace is excellent with a complexity that requires a steady read. I especially enjoy the irreverent sidebars – a nice touch.

Having experienced the settings described, I can attest to the detail provided even though I left that part of the world 40 years ago.

Among my favorite authors are Cussler, Hiasson, Hillerman, Patterson and Sanford.

While I have read novels as good, I have read only a few that are better and I am hoping for more

[Paula Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 1st Lee Broad book I have read and it won't be the last.

Steve is an intelligent officer from the U.S. searching for the reason for the intelligence slowdown coming from the Middle East. Neena is a Mossad agent who is deep undercover in Hezbollah who is saved by Steve.

Steve and Neena combine efforts and information to stop two high up, misguided Israelis from firing shots that could lead to the destruction of Israel.

The Masada Protocol is well researched and written. It sucks the reading in from the beginning and never lets go.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fast paced political thriller that takes the reader to the Middle East. Steve Barber is a Defense Department Black Ops Specialist. He has been given an assignment in Israel where he partners with a mossad agent Neena Shahud. The have to find out why the Middle East is about to explode and how to stop it.

This book had it all, espionage, politics, plenty of action, all wrapped up in a gripping roller coaster ride to the end. Loved it! I won this book from LibraryThing.

[Susan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't really read this, just a quarter of it. I kept finding other things to do besides reading, it, and after several bouts of forcing myself, I decided life is too short to keep forcing myself to read it. Daniel Silva writes such highly suspenseful, "tight" books that he has spoiled me for other writers of international intrigue. And the author of The Masada Protocol just couldn't keep my attention.

[Will Mcclinton]

This was a very good read. The story gave me cold chills of excitement through the climatic chapters. It's a definite must read for people that like action adventure. Also Muslims of the middle east were not presented as the bad guys and fanatics.

[Joe Newell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book. The synopsis intrigued me and I got it cheap on Kindle sale. But unfortunately this book was just ho hum. The Author really tried, but it was just trying really hard-too hard- to be a "thrill a minute". It ended up being something less, and a bit predictable.

[UptownGirl]

good storyline- horribly written characters. Artificial dialogue. Dinner parties with icebreaker games while trying to prevent a nuclear attack-really? Author over explains each character's comments, feelings.

[Yy]

I won this book for free through Goodreads First Reads. Hope to read it soon. Thanks.

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, well worth the purchase. I enjoyed it very much!

[David Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining book. It is a good thriller from a rookie author. There are a few weak spots in the story, but over all it was a lot of fun and I will read the sequel when it comes out.

[Joni · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good thriller, but not great. It seemed more of a young adult read than a James Rollins, Clive Cussler, or Lee Child's type of military based thriller.

[Elaine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Missed the mark

Missed the mark. Too convoluted and unrealistic with a totally false love store mixed in. A decent premise but did not develop realistically.

[alla kanter]

A very relevant book

I thought that the book was very relevant ,although maybe I would have liked more attention to the human interest and less to the military action .

[Chris Wiegman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad, not bad at all.