Signs of War

Cris De Niro #2

by Gerard de Marigny

Former hedge fund manager, billionaire Cris De Niro and his new counter-terrorism firm, The Watchman Agency just prevented a nuclear attack on the city of Las Vegas, but not without cost. Charley Santappia, the Agency’s Vice President of Operations sacrificed his life to save the city. While at Santappia’s funeral, a remorse-filled De Niro announces to his shocked staff that he needs to decide whether he wants to continue with their mission. In front of Santappia’s coffin, the squad leaders of The Watchman Agency’s paramilitary arm, ARCHANGEL, decide to raise one last toast to their fallen commander. They’re joined by a ‘small man dressed in black’ who is something of a legend to members of the Special Forces. A Delta Forces hero turned rogue operative, respected as much as he was feared … enter Scipio, a very different type of warrior, but could he be the one to replace Santappia? Back at The Watchman Agency’s headquarters, undercover CIA agent Felix Salazar shows up with a problem he brings to his old boss from Langley now the Agency’s V.P. of Intelligence Services, Michelle Wang. Salazar is convinced that Venezuela has just received a shipment of Iranian medium-range missiles and he thinks he’s tracked the missiles to a Venezuelan port closest to the United States. De Niro and company decide to get involved, sending Salazar back to Venezuela to investigate with a fire team from ARCHANGEL as backup. There is also more strange activity at the border. Soldiers of Tuco Ramirez’s Pacifico Drug Cartel have been infiltrating en masse onto the Tohono O’odham reservation. This time, Bryan Ahiga head of the legendary DHS/ICE Shadow Wolves doesn’t have his border patrol unit to patrol the tribal lands, so he asks De Niro if his team could lend a hand. At the same time, De Niro is contacted by his old friend, David Nicholls. The usually incorrigible British playboy is frantic. He just found out that his dear friends were kidnapped by Somali pirates aboard their yacht, and he wants De Niro and his people to rescue them. De Niro is hesitant to offer assistance, but Scipio proposes to take care of it, as long as he can borrow Santana, De Niro’s newly battle-equipped mega-yacht and her crew. The Watchman Agency is spread thin and, once again, on their own! Cris De Niro & The Watchman Agency return to deal with Somali pirates, an imminent threat from an Iranian/Venezuelan alliance and a Mexican drug cartel’s plot of immense proportions. These are the SIGNS of WAR …

328 pages, Paperback

First published October 12, 2011

About the author

Author website: http://www.GerarddeMarigny.com
Film Websites:
Production Co. website: http://www.cdnfilms.com
IMDb: http://www.imdb.me/gerarddemarigny
Official Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/GerarddeM
Official Twitter page:
http://www.twitter.com/GerarddeMarigny
Publisher website: http://www.JarRyJorNoPublishing.com

Gerard de Marigny is the author of the Amazon-Bestselling CRIS DE NIRO & ARCHANGEL series.

Reviews

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Signs of War
Author: Gerard de Marigny
Reviewed by Fran Lewis


Undercover agent Felix Salazar is not one to take his job lightly. Observing actions instead of acting on them is not what makes him a great agent. His new boss has him watching Iranian ships and informing the agency only when they come to port. Told not board the ships and wait for further orders does not play well with this agent. Realizing that there was much more to what was happening he decides to follow one caravan one evening and learns much more than he thought possible. Realizing that the Iranians had just sent a huge shipment of medium –range missiles to Venezuelan port closest to the United States alarms go off and he decides to do something other than sitting back and waiting for something to happen. Cris De Niro, the main character of the Watchman of Ephraim and the head of the Watchman Agency are back in another geo-political thriller that will send author Gerard de Marigny once again to the top of the bestseller lists. Cris De Niro and his new counter terrorism team come back for more. But, not before hard decisions have been made, a friend is remembered after losing his life and Cris needs to decide whether to continue on with his agency or not. Charley Santappia, De Niro’s agency’s Vice President of Operations lost his life in order to save others. At his funeral Cris announces that he might not want to continue on with his mission and his agency. Shocked and upset they hope he can be dissuaded. Attached to the Watchman Agency is a paramilitary team called Archangel, which played an integral part in helping to save the United States from a nuclear attack after September 11.

Guilt weighs heavily on Cris until one member of his team remind him of his true goals and the fact that if Charley had not done what he did many others would have died. But, Cris has to decide his course of action next and just what the future of his agency will be. Added into the mix again is Dr. Moriah Stevens who cares for him more deeply than he does for her.

Agent Felix Salazar boarded an Iranian cargo vessel and decided to look at the cargo. Realizing that this was not an ordinary shipment he decided to investigate on his own. What he learned would definitely put our country on high alert but his immediate superior you might say told him to stand down. When the Iranian ship made port it was met by a Venezuelan contingent along with two very high-ranking officers of the Iranian Revolutionary Army. Not wanting to stand down or wait until something tragic happens he contacts his former employer and boss at Langley, Michelle Wang. Wang is now part of the Watchman Team headed by Cris De Niro. Explaining to Michelle that he is positive that a shipment of Iranian medium-range missiles and received and tracked to a Venezuelan port which happens to be too close to the Unite States. Hoping De Niro will get involved. Solution: send Salazar back to Venezuela to do his real job of just watching for illegal shipments under cover for his agency but with backup from Archangel. But, there is much more. Dangerous, deadly and definitely a force no one wants to come up against known as Scipio- man in black- was added to the family of the Watchman to replace Charley as head of Archangel. With his skills and his knowledge they hope things will get done but he states only his way. Which brings up what happens next as many other signs of war such as this one come to light in this outstanding second novel by the author the Watchman of Ephraim.

David Nicholls is a long time friend of De Niro who calls him with a pressing and dire situation. Explaining that two British citizens have been kidnapped by Somali pirates and unfound, he needs his help to try and rescue them. Ransom asked and would definitely be paid but the strange part is the kidnappers leave no way for anyone to contact them or pay it. Enter De Niro who does not want to sacrifice any more men but they volunteer and along with Ricci, himself and Golden would set out to find them but Scipio as the head of Archangel states he should be included and head the search. But, there is more. Unusual border infiltration and activity at the crossing leading to the Tohono O’odham Nation’s reservation and agent Bryan Ahiga is concerned and needs the help of De Niro’s watchman. His superiors need concrete evidence that this is happening and he does not trust him. He wants his sources revealed and brought in for questioning and with the massacre of the Shadow of Wolves too many of their best warriors perished. Infiltration of the Indian tribe, missiles and two men missing and much more to come as we try and tie all of this together and wonder if these are the only Signs of War to come or are there more.

Learning more about what is happening at the reservation’s border we learn that soldiers of Tuco Ramirez’s Pacifico Drug Cartel are the ones crossing the border into the reservation. As head of the DHS/ICE Shadow Wolves Bryan needs help and does not have the manpower to defend his position.

As decisions are made and discussions ensue the manpower is disbursed for each of the three missions they are to handle. But, then something changes it all and one man calls with an urgent message and ICE shows up at his ship’s door and things take on another complexion. Stating the reason they are going to Sells and that he was being made an honorary member of the tribe, De Niro does not realize, as yet, what Agent Strom’s true motives are and who he is working for. Lies, betrayals, deceit and greed are just part of the deception this man hides behind as Bryan’s life is on the line and how Cris and his agency have to try and safe his life and many others before it is too late. Tuco Ramirez is one powerful drug lord and with the help of certain people hopes to be able to cross the border without any problems. What they have planned for De Niro and his men you will have to read for yourself. Will they succeed? That remains to be seen as I continue my review of Signs of War. Selling drugs for profit and using the reservation as his pipeline and selling drugs in large bulk in the United States would make this drug kingpin rich and those on the take too.

The Somali pirates would learn a lesson that they would not live to remember and one man on their crew just might come back to seek revenge as the man in Black handles the situation and eliminated a serious threat.

Felix gets transferred to the port at Punta Cardon and meets with the staff but their suspicions of him run high even though the Captain extends what appears as a hand of friendship. Returning to Bryan and his situation next. Dropping his phone caused many lives as he and another member of his tribe watched many total massacres of his people that he could not stop. As he contacted the Watchman and got Ricci on the phone he saw headlights coming toward him, dropped the phone and the end result was tragic.

As we now return to Felix and his job of infiltrating the port he enlists the help of others to find out more about Jetty One, why he cannot get access to it and how he will stop a possible missile attack of Shahab 4 missiles aimed at the United States. Those that are supposed to help him should not question him but did. Some doubt his knowledge and what he is trying to do and others would learn that he is not one to be crossed.

As De Niro and his men sat and waited patiently in their hotel room almost being held hostage until they decide to strike. How they saved the hostages you won’t believe and how they escaped the hotel was better than any episode of 24 or CSI. Descriptive, intense and hard nosed characters that are relentless in their pursuit of protecting America and their friends. Then the unthinkable happens and Salazar’s cover is blown. What happens you have to read for yourself as this one brave man chances his life in order to protect some many others? The missiles are discovered and how the Watchman move to protect our country is more than just heroic. Betrayals, loyalties, bravery, many lives lost and one objective in mind: America’s SAFETY and courses our freedom. Will they succeed? Will De Niro be released as those that betrayed our country are now holding him?

Will the drug cartel’s leader be able to get those drugs into America? What the end result will be you just won’t believe. The suspense is high the tensions run deep, the injuries are many and the what finally happens I will never reveal as I just inducted myself as an honorary member of the Watchman who makes sure that no reviews have spoilers and no one ever divulges the ending. The deal is made will stun you. The result well let’s just say one drug lord will learn whose in charge and a powerful much more. What will happen next and where will our outstanding author take his men? You will have to wait for the next in the series to come out but first I would recommend that you go to Barnes and Noble and buy this one.

This book gets: FIVE GOLD FLAGS OF FREEDOM

Fran Lewis: reviewer

[Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second in the Cris De Niro series and, like the first one, action abounds. We've got suspected Iranian medium range missiles delivered to Venezuela, an elderly couple held for ransom by Somali pirates and a Mexican drug lord taking over a mammoth Native American reservation in Arizona. Cris and the gang must deal with all of these simultaneously and it stretches their resources to the limit. We are also introduced to Scipio who is the new Vice President of Operations for The Watchman Agency. He is, to say the least, a take charge, hands on guy. In explaining technical references Gerard uses footnotes which I think is a great idea as it doesn't clutter up the prose. Gerard is one of my Goodreads friends and if you are a action/thriller fan and haven't
tried him yet I suggest you jump on board.

[Marie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as good, if not better, than the first book in the series.

Eagerly awaiting the second installment in the Cris De Niro series, ‘Signs of War’, I found I was not disappointed. It is with thanks to the author, Gerard De Marigny, that I received this book, for which I cannot thank him enough.

I found I developed a relationship and love for all the characters in the first book, The Watchman of Ephraim, and that love grew with this second installment. In fact, a new character was introduced, Scipio, mysterious from the off-set, yet Gerard allows you to catch glimpses of what makes this man. I can’t help but feel that you will learn more about Scipio and all the other characters as the series continues. That is what makes these books so enjoyable, the depth of the characters, not just in their appearance, but also in their thoughts, feelings, the reasoning behind their actions and behaviors. The author really brings these alive and I am glad to see that this great writing style has continued in this book.

The story itself also does not disappoint, bringing to life real issues that today’s modern world is faced with and answering those issues with realistic solutions. It is action-packed, yet never leaves you wanting, a compelling read from start to finish that makes you feel as if you are really there.

I would highly recommend that you do read the Watchman of Ephraim first but, it is not necessary as the author does a wonderful ‘catch-up’ so to speak, recapping the events of the first book. But, for those that have read the first installment, this debrief is very well incorporated, so doesn’t lend to boredom, in fact, it enhances the enjoyment leading into book 2.

I so excited to see what’s in store for Cris and his fellow Watchman as I continue into Book 3.

[Susan Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Signs of War was another exciting read. This is book 2 of The Cris De Niro series and is just good as the first book was. If you like Clive Cussler you will love Gerard De Marigny. He has created an exciting cast and stories that you just can't put down. I am on to the next book in the series!

[Krystle Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this book. It was a great read with a lot of action and a good pacing. I got this book for free to review but with continue to read the series! Reminds me of Tom Clancy.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having just finished the first book by Gerard de Marigny ("The Watchman of Ephraim"), I was excited to read "Signs of War" (both of which I had received from the author). "Signs of War" begins days after "The Watchman" ends, and The Watchman Agency is mourning the loss of one of their own...and the members learn the future of their agency is in doubt. Agency owner Cris De Niro is uncertain about continuing with his mission to prevent future attacks on the US and its citizens after facing the loss of a top team member. But a serious talk with his team, and the deceased team member's widow, persuade him to continue the cause. (This is hardly a spoiler since there are many pages left in the book at this point.)

Coincidentally (?), the day I began this book I heard a news report about Iran, nuclear weapons and Venezuela. These are key topics for "Signs of War" as the Watchman Agency learns about possible nuclear weapons which could pose deadly harm to the United States. At the same time, they hear from a border patrol officer they worked with in the previous book about trouble on the Native American reservation on which he lives and works.

The Watchman team adds a new team member, the mysterious Scipio, who seems to have the moves of a ghost and killing skills of a ninja. Scipio makes an agreement with De Niro and his brother-in-law, who is in charge of the Watchman Agency, that he will lead their "military" arm ARCHANGEL. With the caveat that he has the ability to make the overriding decision on what actions to take. While this doesn't sit well with all members of the team, De Niro trusts his guts and agrees. The reader may think this means greater bloodshed without mercy. As the story unfolds, we learn this is not true. The bad guys get what they deserve, but death is not the automatic answer. There are levels to this character that I hope will be unveiled as the story continues.

I don't care for reviews that tell the whole story (why bother reading the book then?), so I will simply say that in addition to the two story lines already revealed, a minor story line early in the book brings back a few support characters from the first book. While they are minor characters, they also reveal the tone of action and justice tempered with humanity.

A challenge faced by authors who write series is how to connect their books to entice readers to read all the books in the series, especially if the reader hasn't started with the first book. This is the area that I feel de Marigny needs to modify in his future books. I felt too much of the first book was retold in this book. If I had picked "Signs of War" up first, I'm not sure I would have gone back and read the first one since so much of the story was revealed.

I also found the footnotes to be somewhat distracting. I think some of the terms are well-known enough that they are unnecessary. Other terms may need further clarification, but that could be done within the regular text.

Those things said, I continue to recommend this series. I'm looking forward to the next book which is supposed to be out this spring.

[Sharon Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I eagerly awaited the second instalment of the Watchman Agency and Cris de Niro and I was hooked and enthralled within the first few pages. Gerard de Marigny has now matched my other favourite author Lee Child and the Jack Reacher series.

The Watchman Agency receive a tip off that the Mexican drug cartel are planning to wipe out the 'Shadow Wolves' border control in order to have a direct route to the USA for drug running. De Niro feels obliged to help due to the Shadow Wolves help in previous successes in The Watchman of Ephraim. The agency face an added problem, the drug cartel have paid government officials to help them. The corrupt officers have taken over the Shadow Wolves reservation and imprisoned all the inhabitants. Can De Niro and his men take back the reservation, stop the drug cartel with government help and upsetting the political situation between Mexico and the USA. Please remember the Watchman Agency is an independent organisation, funded by Cris de Niro and have no official status in the law, they were set up to prevent another 9/11 attack on the USA.

While the agency are busy with the Shadow Wolves, Cris is asked for help by the man who made him all of his money to help rescue some hostages from Somalian Pirates. Can the agency release the hostages safely. The agency also need to prevent a shipment of missiles to Venezuela, where backed by a rich Iranian they want to sail up close to the American Coast, launch the missiles and destroy the USA. The Watchman Agency is stretched to the limit, can De Niro, with all his resources, succeed?

The author brings to life the issues and threats that the modern world face and dominance of world power certain segments desire. This is an excellent novel, the emotions that the author draws from the reader are unbelievable. The scenes and characters are described not just in appearance but what they are thinking and feeling, this is why I rate the book highly. I am eagerly awaiting BOOK III, RISE TO THE CALL.


Although this is the second book it could be read on its own due to the fact that the author explains and links it very well in the first chapter to the first novel, The Watchman of Ephraim, enabling the reader catch up on events.

[Toni Osborne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 2 in the Cris de Niro series

Cris de Niro, the protagonist, realises his greatest challenge after a tragic incident is to find the will to go on and to make the decisions that will not only change the course of his life but also those around him. After years protecting Americans from enemies at home and abroad, Cris is starting to have second thoughts about his mandate to do so at any cost. At the end of “The Watchman of Ephraim” (book1) we witnessed some of Cris’s close colleagues sacrificing their lives in order to save the city of Las Vegas, a price that has taken a heavy toll on Cris’s conscience. “Signs of War” picks up at the funeral of one of these men and this political thriller follows in the same tradition as the 1st with nonstop action cover to cover.

This time we follow Cris and his team from the “Watchman Agency” on three fronts:

1st dealing with Somali pirates
2nd addressing an imminent threat from an Iranian/Venezuelan alliance
3rd attacking head on the infiltration of a Mexican drug cartel into a border Native reservation.

Mr. Marigny definitely knows how to put together an action packed thriller. This time he has outdone himself with complex multiple plotting that comes to life and incorporates all the technical jargon you can imagine, to some this may be a plus to others an overload of info. I was completely caught up in the web of suspense as I eagerly flipped through the pages, at times my attention span was put to the test with the abundance of the fast moving details. It is easy to relate to each character, they are patriotic and very devoted to their cause. Being a woman I was a little disappointed that Cris’s romantic side was not exploited further. Oh well maybe the sequel will address that side of him.

To sum things up, this is an interesting story that is quite captivating and very exciting. On the negative side, I found the repetitiveness of the reports passed between levels of management and the in-depth description of weapons somewhat overdone

[Wendy Hines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Signs of War is the second book in the Cris De Niro series. Fortunately, the author does a great job of catching the reader up with what happened in the first book in case you missed it. Therefore, Signs of War can be read as a standalone, but I highly urge you to read the first one - it's just that good.
Cris De Niro started a group called The Watchmen after 9/11 in the hope that they could help thwart terrorists. But when his good friend Charley Santappia, and the agency's Vice President of Operations, dies, Cris has second thoughts about the agency. Fortunately, his team reminds him why he created the agency, and Cris is back to business as usual.

The Watchmen become aware of a missiles deal between Venezuela and Iraq, thanks to an undercover ops against who goes against his commander's gag order and tells the agency about it. Now, the team must find out what is exactly going on and how much of a terrorist threat it is - then infiltrate, dismantle and destroy.

But nothing is every easy. An old friend of De Niro's calls needing help. British citizens have been kidnapped by Somali pirates and Cris's friend, David Nicholls wants Cris to rescue them. Then there is a call for help at Tohono O'odham Nation's reservation. Too much border infiltration and activity leads to The Watchmen becoming involved. For an agency that Cris was thinking of disbanding, they sure are busy! Cris spreads his team to cover all three missions, but they are all deadly and brimming with tension. Will they succeed and if so, at what cost?

Heart-stopping action, impossible decisions, a touch of romance, suspense, betrayal and courage set the tone for this thrilling installment in the Cris De Niro series. Gerard de Marigny writes with flair and attention to detail, ensnaring the reader in his web from the first page. If you enjoy political thrillers jam-packed with action and extraordinary characters, you won't want to miss Signs of War!

[Monnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

After finishing this book, the second in the series featuring billionnaire and counter-terrorism company founder Cris De Niro, I'm happy to report two positives: First, the plot is more interesting and exciting to me than the debut book - The Watchman of Ephraim - and second, the copy editing is noticeably better. I didn't find nearly as many errors in grammar and punctuation, although my husband and I did get a big chuckle over the character who had "been on the lamb [sic] for a decade." Wow, we said, that poor animal must be really exhausted by now!

I'll also make another plea for getting rid of the excessive exclamation points in the dialogue. They're reminiscent of the annoying laugh tracks in TV comedies; if you have to tell me where I'm supposed to laugh, chances are it's not funny to begin with.

As for the plot, there's a lot going on all over the world in this one, but it's easy to follow the action from place to place through the chapter headings. Here, the company's various teams of military experts deal with billions of dollars worth of illegal drugs, the threat of missile attacks, Somali pirates, corrupt U.S. officials and more - and all must thwarted in order to do what the company was founded to do: Protect the United States from the bad guys, usually in ways the U.S. government is unable, or unwilling, to do. Once again, technology is at the forefront, and the various characters perform feats of accomplishment that are close to super-human. But after all, isn't that what's supposed to happen in this kind of book?

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series and its even better than the first. While you dont have to read the first book in the series to read this one. I do recommend it and you are then more familiar with the previous events, characters and their overall mission.

The story is action packed and never lets you down or stops moving. The characters are so well developed and the events told in such a way that you can really envision the story as it happens. And you are completely caught up in the story and cant wait to turn the page and find out what happens.

The other thing is, and this is what I feel might really disturb some readers, is that you can really believe these events might happen in todays world. He really brings in situations similar to current events that really make you think while reading. What if this was real and what would we do if something like this happens? The only thing I can say is that should it ever come to pass I hope we have a group like the Watchman to watch out for us.

I am eagerly awaiting the third book. And I recommend this to anyone who likes a political thriller with plenty of action and great characters.

[Gareth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I enjoy the story lines of these works I am afraid the typographical errors are beginning to ruin the reading of these.
That being said my original review which this now replaces pointed out one in particular which stated that colonel was spelt incorrectly 6 times. Who better to correct me than the author himself who pointed out that the word used in the book was the Spanish spelling.
As a result I am more than happy to put my review up to 4 stars and I promise that I will do more research into perceived spelling mistakes by any author in future before I let it disrupt the enjoyment of a book

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the Cris de Nero series has definitely outdone the first. I loved this book from start to finish. It's complex and full of technical jargon and with the footnotes to explain it really comes to life.

Cris and his team embark on another adventure of high stakes, and include the cast from the first book as well as a few new additions to the team. Valued additions I might add too.

Review to come...

[Francie Wirkus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two thumbs up for reading while on the Computrainer!

I love all the Cris de Niro books by deMarigny. Thoroughly engaging from beginning to end. They are sharp, patriotic and even a little funny. I read Thor & Flynn, so I have some experience with geopolitical thrillers and political thrillers. DeMarigny has a way of differentiating his work from theirs, for which I keep coming back for more.

[Mike Welch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Signs of War

I found the story to be action packed and fast. You find the characters engaging and root for them.
The subject matter is interesting and imaginative, I'm not sure that it would fly in real life but what do I know.
I'll be reading more of Gerard decided Marigny's books soon.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed book 2 as much as the first. I cannot wait for book 3 to be published! Written with a good balance of realism and fiction, book 2 is equally as much a page-turner as book 1!

[Robert Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent brisk well written story that took in a wonderful adventure. A great read for these summer days.

[Cornelia DeDona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great! Really good writing, interesting, chilling, provocative!