The Mercenary Option

by Dick Couch

When the U.S. announces plans to construct an oil pipeline across Afghanistan, a Saudi prince, determined to deter further Western involvement in Central Asia, retains former KGB terror broker Pavel Zelinkow who plots to use stolen nuclear weapons against the U.S., prompting the use of IFOR (the Intervention Force), a supposedly rogue operation manned by mercenaries, to stop him. Original.

Genres: Military Fiction

400 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published November 1, 2003

About the author

Mr. Couch graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1967. He graduated from BUD/S training in Class 45 in 1969. He was a case officer for the CIA.

Reviews

[anthony lanigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent thriller

This book has been brilliantly written, showing obviously detailed research and yet it still flows as an excellent story.
I really enjoyed reading this book and I recommend it to others.

[John F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Great Adventure!

Mr. Couch is an outstanding story teller. I love how he translates his own experiences to his fictional characters. I will recommend this book to everyone I know.

[nick eaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read

Nice to get a story that gives you the whole story of how the team gets started and the story unfolds and is totally believable ,Can't wait to read the next one

[robert kerr · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bit too much detail for my liking

Lots of action, nice to see that a new force is in action rather than the usual gung ho forces. Quite believable. Loved it

[Brett Tompkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almost put down because the first 80-90 pages were dreadful. Picked up after that and ended pretty good.

[Fred Brotherly · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Shortly after the terror attacks on America, the American president announces the construction of an oil pipeline across Afghanistan. To stop this, and deter further Western encroachment in Central Asia, a vindictive Saudi prince retains ex-KGB terror broker Pavel Zelinkow -- a prime mover behind al Qaeda's 9/11 attack. Zelinkow plans to steal two nuclear weapons, detonating one of them among the pipeline construction crews and their military guardians, while the target of the second bomb is a mystery. U.S. special operations forces cannot be used against the terrorists hiding in Iran, so IFOR is called into action for the first time on a mission that will test them to their limits: take out the terrorists, recover the nukes, and get Zelinkow -- dead or alive.

"

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read! Has all of the ingredients to keep you up all night flipping pages.

[Jim · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked Rising Wind much better. Way too much set up for so little payoff

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read.