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The Destroyer #10
Terror Squad
A wave of global terrorism spreads as a result of one madman's tyrannical powers. Even while the governments of three major world powers are on his trail, CURE, the United States' top secret agency, knows of only one way to solve the problem - The Destroyer. There's little doubt that Master Chiun's protégé Remo Williams is capable of waging any war, but when the mysterious radical assassin is out to kill, everyone runs for cover - except the fearless and most powerful.
135 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
51 people are currently reading
171 people want to read
About the author
Warren Murphy
295 books124 followersWarren Murphy was an American author, most famous as the co-creator of The Destroyer series, the basis for the film Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins. He worked as a reporter and editor and after service during the Korean War, he drifted into politics.
Murphy also wrote the screenplay for Lethal Weapon 2. He is the author of the Trace and Digger series. With Molly Cochran, he completed two books of a planned trilogy revolving around the character The Grandmaster, The Grandmaster (1984) and High Priest (1989). Murphy also shares writing credits with Cochran on The Forever King and several novels under the name Dev Stryker. The first Grandmaster book earned Murphy and Cochran a 1985 Edgar Award for Best Paperback Original, and Murphy's Pigs Get Fat took the same honor the following year.
His solo novels include Jericho Day, The Red Moon, The Ceiling of Hell, The Sure Thing and Honor Among Thieves. Over his career, Murphy sold over 60 million books.
He started his own publishing house, Ballybunion, to have a vehicle to start The Destroyer spin-off books. Ballybunion has reprinted The Assassin's Handbook, as well as the original works Assassin's Handbook 2, The Movie That Never Was (a screenplay he and Richard Sapir wrote for a Destroyer movie that was never optioned), The Way of the Assassin (the wisdom of Chiun), and New Blood, a collection of short stories written by fans of the series.
He served on the board of the Mystery Writers of America, and was a member of the Private Eye Writers of America, the International Association of Crime Writers, the American Crime Writers League and the Screenwriters Guild.
Murphy also wrote the screenplay for Lethal Weapon 2. He is the author of the Trace and Digger series. With Molly Cochran, he completed two books of a planned trilogy revolving around the character The Grandmaster, The Grandmaster (1984) and High Priest (1989). Murphy also shares writing credits with Cochran on The Forever King and several novels under the name Dev Stryker. The first Grandmaster book earned Murphy and Cochran a 1985 Edgar Award for Best Paperback Original, and Murphy's Pigs Get Fat took the same honor the following year.
His solo novels include Jericho Day, The Red Moon, The Ceiling of Hell, The Sure Thing and Honor Among Thieves. Over his career, Murphy sold over 60 million books.
He started his own publishing house, Ballybunion, to have a vehicle to start The Destroyer spin-off books. Ballybunion has reprinted The Assassin's Handbook, as well as the original works Assassin's Handbook 2, The Movie That Never Was (a screenplay he and Richard Sapir wrote for a Destroyer movie that was never optioned), The Way of the Assassin (the wisdom of Chiun), and New Blood, a collection of short stories written by fans of the series.
He served on the board of the Mystery Writers of America, and was a member of the Private Eye Writers of America, the International Association of Crime Writers, the American Crime Writers League and the Screenwriters Guild.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
June 9, 2024
Remo tackles the problem of terrorists who have acquired instant proficiency, such as sneaking weapons through metal detectors.
Chiun knows who's behind the mayhem, an old deadly foe.
Chiun knows who's behind the mayhem, an old deadly foe.
December 27, 2021
As a thrifter, I've seen these forever...the fact that there's about 150 novels in the series made me less, rather than more, interested in giving these a shot, but I was wrong.
This was a fun read.
The writing itself was surprisingly good. Sapir and Murphy have no literary pretentions aside from telling an engaging story. It also avoids the traps of trying (and failing) to show their depth of understanding of "modern" psychology, the human condition, etc.
Yet...that's also where it succeeds. The characters, while lampooned, feel real, feel like the simplifications we make of our friends, co-workers, and antagonists. And Remo Williams commitment to efficiency and self-improvement and self-reflection (even while bathed in a sauce of braggadocio) is something to admire.
Of course, the trope of the white man trained in the secrets of an ancient "oriental" martial art by a cranky old man is problematic by modern standards, but I, at least, find that Murphy and Sapir chide the US gov't as harshly as the radical groups of the 60's-70's, and part of the charm of the whole story is that Remo is a fallible lout as much as an ubermensch who is "the only one who can save the world."
I was extremely surprised (and a little ashamed) that this slid down as satisfyingly as it did, but I would gladly try another of these when looking to take a mental vacation.
This was a fun read.
The writing itself was surprisingly good. Sapir and Murphy have no literary pretentions aside from telling an engaging story. It also avoids the traps of trying (and failing) to show their depth of understanding of "modern" psychology, the human condition, etc.
Yet...that's also where it succeeds. The characters, while lampooned, feel real, feel like the simplifications we make of our friends, co-workers, and antagonists. And Remo Williams commitment to efficiency and self-improvement and self-reflection (even while bathed in a sauce of braggadocio) is something to admire.
Of course, the trope of the white man trained in the secrets of an ancient "oriental" martial art by a cranky old man is problematic by modern standards, but I, at least, find that Murphy and Sapir chide the US gov't as harshly as the radical groups of the 60's-70's, and part of the charm of the whole story is that Remo is a fallible lout as much as an ubermensch who is "the only one who can save the world."
I was extremely surprised (and a little ashamed) that this slid down as satisfyingly as it did, but I would gladly try another of these when looking to take a mental vacation.
January 26, 2021
In the tenth Destroyer novel, Murphy and Sapir satirize the far-left revolutionary groups of the early 1970s, humorously pointing out the basic lack of humanity in these organizations even as they oppose a system that they claim lacks humanity. They also, far less humorously, show the similarities to other totalitarian regimes which are universally despised for their human rights abuses. All of that is par for the course with the Destroyer series—satirizing some aspect of the world is a part of just about every novel. The thing that makes Terror Squad stand apart is the return of Chiun’s first pupil, Nuich, and watching him manipulate events in an effort to be the only Master of Sinanju left standing. It’s a journey any fan of the series will want to take.
July 3, 2018
Enjoyable pulp fare. Actually picked it up at a book swap and had no idea it was a Remo Williams novel. I recall the movie from when I was young, but didn't know it was based on a huge set of novels. Dated, but cool. This was action in pulp novels in the 1970's and it's great. Gonna hunt down some more and start working through the series if I can.
October 31, 2020
Always good
This was an interesting twist filled with Chiun’s humor. I really enjoyed this one. It had a new feel and obviously it was in numerous settings which are always terrific. Well done!
This was an interesting twist filled with Chiun’s humor. I really enjoyed this one. It had a new feel and obviously it was in numerous settings which are always terrific. Well done!
September 26, 2018
2 1/2 stars.
February 21, 2023
Two typhoons! But not quite Remo's equal.
January 8, 2024
#10 in the Destroyer series. Terrorists threaten a multinational agreement to end terrorism. Much chaos ensues.
May 6, 2015
My Rating Scale:
1 Star - Horrible book, It was so bad I stopped reading it. I have not read the whole book and wont
2 Star - Bad book, I forced myself to finish it and do NOT recommend. I can't believe I read it once
3 Star - Average book, Was entertaining but nothing special. No plans to ever re-read
4 Star - Good Book, Was a really good book and I would recommend. I am Likely to re-read this book
5 Star - GREAT book, A great story and well written. I can't wait for the next book. I Will Re-Read this one or more times.
Times Read: 1
One of the first series I read consistently. This series and the Executioner series are responsible for my love of reading and stories.
Characters - Looking back to my younger reading days, I loved Remo Williams and thought he was one of the coolest characters in history. I still think Remo is a good character. Unique in a number of ways even today.
Story - The stories are average and fairly typical. Bad guys going to kill or hurt, Remo is going to kill them first (no way he is going to die not with Chuin as his teacher). Not much in creativity but it really worked for me as a male teenager. I started learning Judo and Karate partly because of Remo.
Overall - I started reading these when I was 16. I enjoyed them up until about age 19. My tastes changed from Military intrigue to Fantasy / SciFi. I would recommend reading these especially for younger males.
NOTE: I am going to rate these all the books in this series the same. Some of the stories are a bit better or a bit worse but I can't find one that I would rate a 2 or 4.
1 Star - Horrible book, It was so bad I stopped reading it. I have not read the whole book and wont
2 Star - Bad book, I forced myself to finish it and do NOT recommend. I can't believe I read it once
3 Star - Average book, Was entertaining but nothing special. No plans to ever re-read
4 Star - Good Book, Was a really good book and I would recommend. I am Likely to re-read this book
5 Star - GREAT book, A great story and well written. I can't wait for the next book. I Will Re-Read this one or more times.
Times Read: 1
One of the first series I read consistently. This series and the Executioner series are responsible for my love of reading and stories.
Characters - Looking back to my younger reading days, I loved Remo Williams and thought he was one of the coolest characters in history. I still think Remo is a good character. Unique in a number of ways even today.
Story - The stories are average and fairly typical. Bad guys going to kill or hurt, Remo is going to kill them first (no way he is going to die not with Chuin as his teacher). Not much in creativity but it really worked for me as a male teenager. I started learning Judo and Karate partly because of Remo.
Overall - I started reading these when I was 16. I enjoyed them up until about age 19. My tastes changed from Military intrigue to Fantasy / SciFi. I would recommend reading these especially for younger males.
NOTE: I am going to rate these all the books in this series the same. Some of the stories are a bit better or a bit worse but I can't find one that I would rate a 2 or 4.
March 16, 2015
"Δίκτυο τρομοκρατίας", εκδόσεις ΒΙΠΕΡ.
Δέκατο βιβλίο της σειράς Ο Εξολοθρευτής, έβδομο που διαβάζω εγώ. Πως έχει η ιστορία: Υπάρχει ένα διεθνές δίκτυο τρομοκρατίας, το οποίο δεν βλέπει σύνορα και δεν αποτελείται από μια συγκεκριμένη ομάδα ανθρώπων, οπότε μπορεί να γίνει ιδιαίτερα επικίνδυνο για τις μεγάλες δυνάμεις, οι οποίες σε λίγο καιρό δεν θα μπορούν να το αντιμετωπίσουν, γιατί δεν θα ξέρουν τι ν'αντιμετωπίσουν. Έτσι, καλείται η μυστική κυβερνητική οργάνωση CURE να αναλάβει δράση. Φυσικά, αυτοί που θα φέρουν εις πέρας την αποστολή, δεν είναι άλλοι από τον Ρέμο Ουίλιαμς και τον Κορεάτη δάσκαλο του Σιναντζού, Τσιουν. Αυτό όμως που δεν ξέρουν οι Ρέμο και Τσιουν είναι το ποιος βρίσκεται πίσω από το δίκτυο αυτό και ποιος είναι πραγματικά ο στόχος του αρχηγού του δικτύου...
Το βιβλίο είναι ακριβώς στο ίδιο επίπεδο με τα άλλα που έχω διαβάσει, δηλαδή καλό και διασκεδαστικό, με μπόλικες σκηνές γραφικής βίας και καλό χιούμορ. Εννοείται πως παραμένει ένα παλπ περιπετειώδες ανάγνωσμα που δεν έχει ιδιαίτερες απαιτήσεις από το μυαλό του αναγνώστη. Ό,τι πρέπει για μια σύντομη και ευχάριστη ανάγνωση.
Δέκατο βιβλίο της σειράς Ο Εξολοθρευτής, έβδομο που διαβάζω εγώ. Πως έχει η ιστορία: Υπάρχει ένα διεθνές δίκτυο τρομοκρατίας, το οποίο δεν βλέπει σύνορα και δεν αποτελείται από μια συγκεκριμένη ομάδα ανθρώπων, οπότε μπορεί να γίνει ιδιαίτερα επικίνδυνο για τις μεγάλες δυνάμεις, οι οποίες σε λίγο καιρό δεν θα μπορούν να το αντιμετωπίσουν, γιατί δεν θα ξέρουν τι ν'αντιμετωπίσουν. Έτσι, καλείται η μυστική κυβερνητική οργάνωση CURE να αναλάβει δράση. Φυσικά, αυτοί που θα φέρουν εις πέρας την αποστολή, δεν είναι άλλοι από τον Ρέμο Ουίλιαμς και τον Κορεάτη δάσκαλο του Σιναντζού, Τσιουν. Αυτό όμως που δεν ξέρουν οι Ρέμο και Τσιουν είναι το ποιος βρίσκεται πίσω από το δίκτυο αυτό και ποιος είναι πραγματικά ο στόχος του αρχηγού του δικτύου...
Το βιβλίο είναι ακριβώς στο ίδιο επίπεδο με τα άλλα που έχω διαβάσει, δηλαδή καλό και διασκεδαστικό, με μπόλικες σκηνές γραφικής βίας και καλό χιούμορ. Εννοείται πως παραμένει ένα παλπ περιπετειώδες ανάγνωσμα που δεν έχει ιδιαίτερες απαιτήσεις από το μυαλό του αναγνώστη. Ό,τι πρέπει για μια σύντομη και ευχάριστη ανάγνωση.
October 25, 2023
The return of Nuihc, the Sinaju nemesis for our heroes. This book starts fairly dark in its depiction of a terrorist takeover of a flight including both rape and a baby killing. In pulp books of this type, you get accustomed to a lot of killing, but most of its done to the perceived “bad guys.” It’s obvious that the authors chose this beginning because of their opinion of terrorism and used their platform to try and make it as visceral as they could. Unfortunately, the remaining plot doesn’t delve into any kind of nuance regarding terrorism because of its focus on Nuihc’s return, and the ending tries to wrap up what they did in the beginning but, because of being disconnected from the main thrust of the book, fails pretty miserably. The other head-scratching part of this book is why Smith, the head of CURE, acts so strangely. Not recommended.
July 5, 2012
A really fun outting for Remo and Chiun. Terrorism is occurring at an alarming rate by groups instead of by countries. These groups seem to have received partial training: the question becomes "Who is training them?" Enter Remo and Chiun, who are led, after taking care of a highjacking over L.A., to a New York college where a pretty (what else?) co-ed with revolution on her mind seems to be the key. What was really nice about this entry in "The Destroyer" series was that, having read other entries, I knew what was actually going on and who/what the real enemy was. Lots of action, lots of Remo one liners, and lots of entertainment. The book is only 188 pages long and goes very quickly!
June 24, 2010
Nuihc, #2
Chiun's nephew, Nuihc, returns and plots a super terrorist group to draw out Remo and Chiun so that he can destroy them.
Great book. This one has everything that makes the Destroyer series the best. Good story, action, humor, and it's fun to read.
Favorite tidbits: Remo plays Truth or Consequences with terrorists on a plane. Tell the truth or the consequence is being thrown out. Chiun flicks off the antennas and mirrors of passing cars when he is angry at Remo.
Warning, sex and graphic gory violence.
Chiun's nephew, Nuihc, returns and plots a super terrorist group to draw out Remo and Chiun so that he can destroy them.
Great book. This one has everything that makes the Destroyer series the best. Good story, action, humor, and it's fun to read.
Favorite tidbits: Remo plays Truth or Consequences with terrorists on a plane. Tell the truth or the consequence is being thrown out. Chiun flicks off the antennas and mirrors of passing cars when he is angry at Remo.
Warning, sex and graphic gory violence.
February 8, 2016
One of the big men's adventure series from the 70's than ran an impressive 145 books. The series while an adventure/action story is also full of satire toward much of the mainstream fads and icons of the time. An interesting main character and the sarcastic mentor makes this a funny action/adventure read. This book chronicles the 2nd meeting with the renegade master of Sinanju, Nuihc. Recommended
October 31, 2012
As expected with the series.
July 10, 2013
Nuihc appears again in this story. He is a chilling villain. Thumbs up!
August 13, 2016
I have been reading this series all in a row, and I must say I didn't really enjoy this one as much as the rest. Mainly because of how it started.
December 23, 2015
Отдушина от слэша. Римо всех террористов мочит.
November 16, 2015
I read this hack series faithfully for years. Now I hear a movie (another move) is in the works. Not a bad read, And emojis a sympath tic character
Read
October 25, 2022average for the series.
September 11, 2016
These are my Chiun books, The Master of Sinanju says read them and learn why Sinanju is the Sun.
December 31, 2022
This story marks the second appearance of Nuihc and although not on par with the first, it continues the story which builds to a final conflict.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews