Castle Bravo

Samantha Reid Mystery #2

by Karna Small Bodman

In Castle Bravo, a political thriller, White House Director of Homeland Security, Samantha Reid, discovers a potentially staggering threat to the country -- one that would imnperil our communications, internet, electricity grid, transportation and aviation. It would set us back 100 years! Could it happen now? The story is filled with international intrigue and political dealing at the highest levels and incorporates many of the author's own experiences serving in The White House as Senior Director of the National Security Council.

320 pages, Hardcover

First published May 29, 2012

About the author

Karna Small Bodman served in The White House for 6 years - last post: Senior Director of the National Security Council. She was also on the air for 15 years as a TV News Reporter and Anchor in S.F., L.A., and D.C. Now she's writing political thrillers based on her White House experiences. On tour, she has given over 80 speeches to groups nationwide."

Series:
* Cameron Talbot Mystery
* Samantha Reid Mystery

Reviews

[Rich · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you're looking for a book that tells a story about how the US might fare after an EMP attack, this is not what you're looking for. It is what I expected, but...

I found there to be WAY too much lightweight background material about the characters to be of much interest. I kept waiting for some action. As of page 100, it was still fluffing around with the characters, two of whom were trying to get reparations for the health effects from bomb testing in the '50s, two of whom where developing a love relationship, and providing a thin background story of trying to convince anybody in the US government to devote any resources to the threat of an EMP attack.


Finally, on page 132 a chapter begins that talks about an EMP attack... in Kazakhstan. I thought it to be okay, but thinly developed. It was also a little bit more interesting in telling of the concern that a similar thing might be used over San Francisco and in disabling an attempt by a fishing-trawler to accomplish it.

I found the Praises for Castle Bravo on the back cover to be overdone. I didn't think that the book was all that well written, nor that it was, "Smart, slick, and exciting as hell". And it certainly did not leave me lying awake at night, wondering how long I would last.

[Lisa Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really interesting book with insights as to how defense and government actually works. The idea of an EMP is absolutely terrifying, and i really hope it never happens!!!

[Jamie Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Little Rough Around the Edges

I liked the plot and the idea behind the book. I liked Samantha and the conversations involving her. I found the writing to be too childish when it came to Nurlan. I understand the need to show him as a foreign student, and English was not his language, but it came across as way over done and not authentic or believable. I also had problems with the character Pete. Again, he appeared to nice and not near dark or troubled enough for the plot. It almost resonated like a harlequin romance. Not quite what I expected.

[Peter Sidell · Rating 3 out of 5]

An exciting treatment of the challenges of EMP, electromagnetic pulses. The more complex a society and its electronics the more vulnerable it is. As a friend says all our money is basically bits in the cloud.
I had a little trouble with Susan death due to pacemaker failure. While that is possible it is actually rare. The characters weren’t quite as engaging as I would have liked. I will have to read more to see how she develops as a fiction writer. Clearly she knows how to present ideas with the written word.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging thriller

Karna Bodman used her clever mind to write a thriller with three strong women leading the way towards a resolution.
If you liked her earlier novels, you will totally be engaged in this one.

[April Salk]

Content was ok. My problem was grammatical issues, punctuation, etc. At one point, she throws a characters name into a conversation as if she is speaking and she isn't even truly introduced in the bio yet, let alone a part of the conversation!

[jan weiser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous. Book

Karna your you did it again I can hardly wait for your next book. Hurry back to NAPLES you are so talented

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Castle Bravo was an extremely interesting and slightly terrifying novel due to it's plausibility. It is apparent while reading that the author, Karna Small Bodman, is well versed and knowledgeable in her subject matter. The plot was interesting and well researched. It was a fast, easy read.

The reason I did not give Castle Bravo four stars was it's lack of detail and descriptors. I am an avid reader, and enjoy books that stretch my vocabulary and teach. This book was very simply written, it felt somewhat reminiscent of a young adult novel in vocabulary and writing style. It was lacking in descriptors of character appearances, emotions, and environments. I liked, though had a hard time connecting with, the main characters of the novel due to this. I also found the relationships to be slightly maudlin and artificial for this genre.

My objections to this book are completely due to personal preference in writing style. While the novel was simply written, it had me contemplating the hypothetical situation. It was educational and informative. Novels such as these are fantastic instruments to educating the public to the possibility of such an occurrence. Knowing the author was an 'insider' in the White House only strengthens her novel's credibility.

Over-all Castle Bravo is a worthy read for those who are looking for an interesting, easy thriller.



**I received this book free through Goodreads First Reads**

[J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cold war isn't really over, just set back. If President Surleimenov has his way, his little country of Kazakhstan will teach the Americans a lesson they will not soon forget. It is up to Samantha Reid, Director of Homeland Security, to understand the intelligence information and plot the correct course of action before electro-magnetic pulses are released, sending the United States back into pre-electric days. Follow along as a lone infiltrator tries to delay launch long enough so that Cameron Talbot and Hurt Daniels can counteract the pulse.

Premise is good, but lacks descriptions and details that would make the characters come alive.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first Karna Bodman book, and I enjoyed her writing style. Samantha is the head of Homeland Security, but even with a director title, she has trouble getting the higher-ups to take her suggestions seriously.

Bodman deftly brings together an intricate and complicated plot, creating a fast, enjoyable read.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Castle Bravo is an exciting page turner with a terrifying scenario written by someone formerly from "inside the beltway". With strong characters and attention to detail this puts Karna Small Bodman a the top of the espionage thriller writer's list. Castle Bravo was the fist book I'd read by this author and I'm eager to read more!

[Emily Boivin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I WON THIS BOOK ON GOODREADS, AND FROM THE FIRST PAGE I WAS ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT. THE PLOT IS INTENSE AND THE CHARECTERS ARE WELL ROUNDED. BY THE END OF THE BOOK YOUR HEART IS BEEATING SO FAST YOU THINK IT WILL BNEAT RIGHT OUT OF YOUR CHEST, AND THEN BANG THE NOVEL IS OVER AND YOU ARE SATISFIED WITH ENDING.

[H.B. Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first Karna Bodman book, and I enjoyed her writing style. Samantha is the head of Homeland Security, but even with a director title, she has trouble getting the higher-ups to take her suggestions seriously.

Bodman deftly brings together an intricate and complicated plot, creating a fast, enjoyable read.

[Brenda Bisson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting plot. Thought it could have been better written.