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Ryan Kealey #5
The Operative
After more than a decade on the deadly front lines of the war on terror, Ryan Kealey believes he's finally put danger behind him--and some of his demons to rest. But his calm is shattered when he's swept into a merciless terror attack during a charity gala in downtown Baltimore. Among the dozens of casualties is the wife of CIA Deputy Director John Harper. With normal channels of investigation obstructed, Harper turns to Kealey, the one man with the resources, expertise--and freedom from government interference--to pursue the awful truth.
Following a string of secrets and violence, Kealey blazes a trail from the confines of the innermost chambers of government and big business to the dimmest reaches of the human psyche, forced to match wits with a new nemesis aided by new allies, each with a unique agenda. Slowly, Kealey unspools an unimaginable conspiracy that suggests America may in fact be its own worst enemy.
"[Britton] may well give Tom Clancy a run for the money." – St. Louis Post-Dispatch
"No-holds-barred action and gripping suspense." -- Library Journal on The Exile
"The 'best' of Tom Clancy, Michael Connelly, and Robert Ludlum all rolled into a single book." --armchairinterviews.com on The Assassin
"Brilliantly well-written with plotting sharper than a fence full of razor wire, a sizzling page-turner." --Brad Thor, New York Times bestselling author on The American
Following a string of secrets and violence, Kealey blazes a trail from the confines of the innermost chambers of government and big business to the dimmest reaches of the human psyche, forced to match wits with a new nemesis aided by new allies, each with a unique agenda. Slowly, Kealey unspools an unimaginable conspiracy that suggests America may in fact be its own worst enemy.
"[Britton] may well give Tom Clancy a run for the money." – St. Louis Post-Dispatch
"No-holds-barred action and gripping suspense." -- Library Journal on The Exile
"The 'best' of Tom Clancy, Michael Connelly, and Robert Ludlum all rolled into a single book." --armchairinterviews.com on The Assassin
"Brilliantly well-written with plotting sharper than a fence full of razor wire, a sizzling page-turner." --Brad Thor, New York Times bestselling author on The American
464 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 2012
97 people are currently reading
550 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Britton
30 books161 followersDuring his early childhood, Andrew Britton lived between England and Camlough, County Armagh, Northern Ireland, until the family emigrated to the United States in 1988 at age seven. Britton spent years in both Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Raleigh, North Carolina. After graduating from Leesville Road High School in Raleigh in 1999, Britton joined the U.S. Army as a combat engineer. He stayed in the Army for three years and served in Korea.
After his military service, Britton attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he studied economics and psychology.
He published his first novel at age 23.
Britton died at the age of 27 of an undiagnosed heart condition in Durham, North Carolina.
After his military service, Britton attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he studied economics and psychology.
He published his first novel at age 23.
Britton died at the age of 27 of an undiagnosed heart condition in Durham, North Carolina.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
February 15, 2015
OPERATING AGAINST ENEMIES
Andrew Britton. A promising author in the counter-terrorist thriller genre who took the "Mitch Rapp" archetype and ruthlessly experimented with it. Unlike Vince Flynn's creation, Britton's protagonist, CIA Special Activities Division officer Ryan Kealey suffers for his cowboy antics, lacks the teflon political protection Rapp had (with sympathetic presidents and a savvy DCI deftly keeping the bureaucratic busybodies at bay), and is far more psychologically destroyed than the original counter terrorist operative ever was. Tragically, by the time he was about to finish book 4, he passed away. His estate found he had several outlines prepared and got a ghost writer who after finishing book 4, began to work on them. I've read them all and out of the ghost writer's three efforts, Book 5, "The Operative" is the best of the bunch with decent pacing, an interesting threat and loads of kit. This one reads like a collaboration between Vince Flynn and Tom Clancy when the latter was filling his books with technical details. Unlike the 1990's Clancy books, this is shorter. Now to the review. What happens when an insider threat is on the loose?
We begin in 2010 in Islamabad Pakistan where a man goes on a one way trip, delivering a suicide bomb to a missionary school. He kills dozens in the blast and the attack is revealed to be a twisted psychological experiment where one of the antagonists is monitoring a unique method of brainwashing which she has developed. Cut to two years later where Ryan Kealey, for the first time in his life, isn't getting shot at or brought to the brink of madness. He's built a steady romantic liason with his therapist and is taking it easy. They're set to meet with the wife of Kealey's old boss who happens to be the keynote speaker at a convention in Baltimore Maryland. Unfortunately, the convention center is subject to a coordinated suicide bombing operation and hostage taking. Kealey arrives just at the bullets start to fly and helps thin the opposition before the FBI HRT wipe out the rest of the terrorists. Meanwhile, a billionare arch-patriot by the name of Trask sets in motion a long planned operation while in New York, one of the most lethal Islamic Terrorists is subject to strange preparations for an even more terrifying operation. All these threads come together in a blazing race through New York City to pick apart a plot which takes advantage of all the tactics which are supposed to keep us safe.
In terms of plot, The Operative is solid. The first three books in the series are a little more refined and complex. The story in the book however is more brute force and small scale, barely any globe trotting occurs in this book, which is set in Northeastern America. However, The Operative has a lot more action and in my opinion, is much more fast paced than the previous books due to being set in a smaller time frame. From the first suicide bomb blast in the convention center chapters to a nail biting race across the Hudson River to stop a terrorist attack designed to destroy a large chunk of Manhattan, The Operative is a solid counter-terrorist thriller and a whole lot better than the two books which come after it. Where it shines however is the research. Love those 1990's Tom Clancy books with all the technical details? The Operative is the spiritual successor to those novels. From assault tactics to the modern surveillance technology which the American Intelligence community uses and one of the most flexible WMD's ever devised, the book does create that "insider feel".
In terms of characters, "The Operative" is a little more bland than in the past. Ryan Kealey is a solid protagonist and this book is the part in his life where his mental stability is on the up. He provides a great contrast to FBI Agent Bishop, the secondary protagonist who loses his loved one in the opening chapters and goes into the dark places where Kealey once was in the earlier books. The antagonists are where this book fails. They're clever but in terms of characterization, a bit bland. Except for one, another FBI agent who is the point man for Trask's conspiracy and is basically a dark reflection of Kealey, well intentioned but unlike the main character, willing to help facilitate mass murder to force his country to "let slip the dogs of war". However, despite being bland at characters, their motives are not. How far would you go to wake your country up to the biggest threat to it? They are used to darkly twist the "whatever it takes" mentality in the counter-terrorist thriller genre and turn it right back on the protagonists.
Overall, The Operative is a good book. Solid plotting (except for a minor retcon if you've read book 2) great technology, action and a fully fleshed out protagonist, it's a perfectly decent entry for any reading list focusing on the counter-terrorist genre.
Andrew Britton. A promising author in the counter-terrorist thriller genre who took the "Mitch Rapp" archetype and ruthlessly experimented with it. Unlike Vince Flynn's creation, Britton's protagonist, CIA Special Activities Division officer Ryan Kealey suffers for his cowboy antics, lacks the teflon political protection Rapp had (with sympathetic presidents and a savvy DCI deftly keeping the bureaucratic busybodies at bay), and is far more psychologically destroyed than the original counter terrorist operative ever was. Tragically, by the time he was about to finish book 4, he passed away. His estate found he had several outlines prepared and got a ghost writer who after finishing book 4, began to work on them. I've read them all and out of the ghost writer's three efforts, Book 5, "The Operative" is the best of the bunch with decent pacing, an interesting threat and loads of kit. This one reads like a collaboration between Vince Flynn and Tom Clancy when the latter was filling his books with technical details. Unlike the 1990's Clancy books, this is shorter. Now to the review. What happens when an insider threat is on the loose?
We begin in 2010 in Islamabad Pakistan where a man goes on a one way trip, delivering a suicide bomb to a missionary school. He kills dozens in the blast and the attack is revealed to be a twisted psychological experiment where one of the antagonists is monitoring a unique method of brainwashing which she has developed. Cut to two years later where Ryan Kealey, for the first time in his life, isn't getting shot at or brought to the brink of madness. He's built a steady romantic liason with his therapist and is taking it easy. They're set to meet with the wife of Kealey's old boss who happens to be the keynote speaker at a convention in Baltimore Maryland. Unfortunately, the convention center is subject to a coordinated suicide bombing operation and hostage taking. Kealey arrives just at the bullets start to fly and helps thin the opposition before the FBI HRT wipe out the rest of the terrorists. Meanwhile, a billionare arch-patriot by the name of Trask sets in motion a long planned operation while in New York, one of the most lethal Islamic Terrorists is subject to strange preparations for an even more terrifying operation. All these threads come together in a blazing race through New York City to pick apart a plot which takes advantage of all the tactics which are supposed to keep us safe.
In terms of plot, The Operative is solid. The first three books in the series are a little more refined and complex. The story in the book however is more brute force and small scale, barely any globe trotting occurs in this book, which is set in Northeastern America. However, The Operative has a lot more action and in my opinion, is much more fast paced than the previous books due to being set in a smaller time frame. From the first suicide bomb blast in the convention center chapters to a nail biting race across the Hudson River to stop a terrorist attack designed to destroy a large chunk of Manhattan, The Operative is a solid counter-terrorist thriller and a whole lot better than the two books which come after it. Where it shines however is the research. Love those 1990's Tom Clancy books with all the technical details? The Operative is the spiritual successor to those novels. From assault tactics to the modern surveillance technology which the American Intelligence community uses and one of the most flexible WMD's ever devised, the book does create that "insider feel".
In terms of characters, "The Operative" is a little more bland than in the past. Ryan Kealey is a solid protagonist and this book is the part in his life where his mental stability is on the up. He provides a great contrast to FBI Agent Bishop, the secondary protagonist who loses his loved one in the opening chapters and goes into the dark places where Kealey once was in the earlier books. The antagonists are where this book fails. They're clever but in terms of characterization, a bit bland. Except for one, another FBI agent who is the point man for Trask's conspiracy and is basically a dark reflection of Kealey, well intentioned but unlike the main character, willing to help facilitate mass murder to force his country to "let slip the dogs of war". However, despite being bland at characters, their motives are not. How far would you go to wake your country up to the biggest threat to it? They are used to darkly twist the "whatever it takes" mentality in the counter-terrorist thriller genre and turn it right back on the protagonists.
Overall, The Operative is a good book. Solid plotting (except for a minor retcon if you've read book 2) great technology, action and a fully fleshed out protagonist, it's a perfectly decent entry for any reading list focusing on the counter-terrorist genre.
July 19, 2015
Lots of action and enjoyed the read.
October 28, 2018
After over a decade constantly on the move from one kind of battlefield to another, always on the frontline of the war on terror, Ryan Kealey is finally out of the field for good, settling into a quieter life and coming to terms with all that haunts him. His newly peaceful existence is shattered when a terror attack in Baltimore, targeting a charity event Kealey was about to attend, rocks the nation. Among its victims is Julie Harper, a close friend and the wife of Kealey's former boss, CIA Deputy Director Jonathan Harper. Early evidence suggests that the massive and extraordinarily well-coordinated attack appears to have been organized with inside help. With regular channels of investigation potentially compromised, the President tasks Kealey, temporarily reactivated by his order, with finding out who was behind the attack - and what more there might be to come.
Contrary to the fairly disappointing previous book, this one was very much back on track, with a tightly plotted conspiracy, non-stop action, and multiple twists keeping taut suspense throughout the book and ensuring I remained glued to the page all the way through. Whoever it is that has been playing around with the manuscripts the late Andrew Britton left behind after his untimely death in 2008 did a much better job with this one - a trend that I hope will continue with the remaining two books.
Contrary to the fairly disappointing previous book, this one was very much back on track, with a tightly plotted conspiracy, non-stop action, and multiple twists keeping taut suspense throughout the book and ensuring I remained glued to the page all the way through. Whoever it is that has been playing around with the manuscripts the late Andrew Britton left behind after his untimely death in 2008 did a much better job with this one - a trend that I hope will continue with the remaining two books.
February 7, 2017
An elite assassin escapes federal custody in Canada and disappears. Multiple bombings happen in Baltimore. CIA agent, Ryan Kealey finds himself in the middle of the chaos from the bombings and is able to help put an end to the attacks.
Caught in the blast is FBI agent Reed Bishop and his daughter. His daughter is killed in one of the explosions. Agent Bishop is one of two agents escorting the escaped assassin. President David Brenneman teams him with Ryan Kealey to have them determine who is responsible for the attacks.
They are led to New York where the assassin shows up and starts randomly killing innocent citizens.
During the investigation it is discovered that two hand-held nuclear weapons have gone missing. All indications point to radical Muslims being responsible for all the attacks. However, evidence begins to come forth to show that may not be the case.
This is a worthwhile story with some interesting concepts concerning the various terrorist actions. I enjoyed reading it.
Caught in the blast is FBI agent Reed Bishop and his daughter. His daughter is killed in one of the explosions. Agent Bishop is one of two agents escorting the escaped assassin. President David Brenneman teams him with Ryan Kealey to have them determine who is responsible for the attacks.
They are led to New York where the assassin shows up and starts randomly killing innocent citizens.
During the investigation it is discovered that two hand-held nuclear weapons have gone missing. All indications point to radical Muslims being responsible for all the attacks. However, evidence begins to come forth to show that may not be the case.
This is a worthwhile story with some interesting concepts concerning the various terrorist actions. I enjoyed reading it.
August 7, 2017
Not bad for the genre. Kept a fast pace.
November 23, 2017
Too choppy
March 10, 2020
A pretty standard offering for the genre. Fast paced but just too convoluted for my liking. Britton should have abandoned the Manchurian Candidate approach for something more original.
June 6, 2020
The Operative was a pleasant surprise after Britton's last book The Exile. Very well written and fast moving. Good plot and excellent characters.
November 17, 2020
zzzzzzz... couldn't finish
February 6, 2021
Thriller with a surprise happy ending.
August 21, 2021
Enjoyed the book and really like the Ryan Keally character. I have put the next book on my want to read list, but have concerns sine this book was also a transcript when the author died.
November 15, 2021
Another excellent Ryan Kealey book.
February 15, 2022
It gets bogged down at times in the minutia of military time operations; but it's overall a nicely paced book with a good ending.
April 20, 2025
#5 of Ryan Kealy series
August 24, 2025
I always enjoy a good CIA-style book. 👍🏻
March 26, 2024
A fun, action packed book. It had some great twists and turns. It would actually make a good movie. A retired special forces guy ends up in the middle of a terrorist attack in Baltimore. Since I am from Baltimore, that made it more fun. But the terrorist attack wasn't what it seemed to be. The story leads to NYC and the Hudson River. I don't want to give anything away, so I will leave it at that.
December 10, 2012
Like many other deceased authors, Michael Crichton and Sydney Sheldon immediately come to mind, author Andrew Britton's untimely death in 2008 has not halted the production of new novels under his name. Of course, this opens the whole debate about ghost writers and unreleased manuscripts that are passed off as new material from bestselling authors. Despite my growing dislike of this practice, the book jacket summary seemed promising enough that I decided to give The Operative a read.
After years as a counter terrorism operative, Ryan Kealey is finally adjusting to a more peaceful lifestyle. This newfound peace is quickly shattered when Kealey finds himself smack in the middle of a large-scale terror attack at a charity gala. With many deaths and injuries, the CIA fears that some of their units may be compromised. Now Kealey is the only man who is both trusted by the US Government and capable to discover the truth behind the attack. As he delves into the depts of the conspiracy, he discovers unimaginable secrets that could shatter the stability of the entire country.
There is nothing horribly wrong with this novel. The writing is serviceable, the characters do what they are intended to do, and the story comes to a solid, if a bit predictable, conclusion. To my taste, however, the pacing and structure of the story is too disjointed. The opening and build up to the main action takes entirely too much time. When Kealey is finally allowed to begin his investigation, the part that should be the most interesting, he blazes through to the conclusion without the intelligence and suspense that modern thriller readers have come to expect. Overall, the novel was a fine diversion, but ultimately not worth the time.
Thanks to the author and publishers for the opportunity to read this as part of the First Reads program.
After years as a counter terrorism operative, Ryan Kealey is finally adjusting to a more peaceful lifestyle. This newfound peace is quickly shattered when Kealey finds himself smack in the middle of a large-scale terror attack at a charity gala. With many deaths and injuries, the CIA fears that some of their units may be compromised. Now Kealey is the only man who is both trusted by the US Government and capable to discover the truth behind the attack. As he delves into the depts of the conspiracy, he discovers unimaginable secrets that could shatter the stability of the entire country.
There is nothing horribly wrong with this novel. The writing is serviceable, the characters do what they are intended to do, and the story comes to a solid, if a bit predictable, conclusion. To my taste, however, the pacing and structure of the story is too disjointed. The opening and build up to the main action takes entirely too much time. When Kealey is finally allowed to begin his investigation, the part that should be the most interesting, he blazes through to the conclusion without the intelligence and suspense that modern thriller readers have come to expect. Overall, the novel was a fine diversion, but ultimately not worth the time.
Thanks to the author and publishers for the opportunity to read this as part of the First Reads program.
Read
December 30, 2012Americans thought the events on September 11, 2011 were the worst things they’d ever experienced. Britton’s latest thriller proves them wrong. To make it worse, those responsible aren’t foreign fanatics—they’re homegrown. This one keeps you biting your nails on the edge of your seat and will take you to the brink of destruction…and beyond.
Government agents, Reed Bishop and Jessica Muloni are in Canada to oversee the transfer of a foreign assassin. Unbeknownst to them, the transfer goes sideways and the prisoner is kidnapped to be used for nefarious purposes. Back in Baltimore, the Convention Center is host to a gala featuring several important guests. Attending are Bishop and his ten-year-old daughter as well as psychotherapist Allison Dearborn and foreign intelligence officer Ryan Kealey. As guests enjoy food and drinks, disaster strikes, killing scores. The explosion and subsequent murders are only the prelude to a bigger scheme. Soon Bishop finds himself partnered with Kealey tracking down an assassin in New York. They soon discover they are being played and the game is bigger than anyone ever imagined.
I enjoyed the technology and complexities involved in this novel. Britton doles out the plan in bits and pieces and you don’t understand the full scope of it until you’re well hooked. This novel hardly stops to allow anyone to catch his breath. “The Operative” is a fast-moving, thrilla-minute story with all too scary possibilities. It’s high impact with high stakes and Britton delivers them with a heavy punch.
Reviewed by Stephen L. Brayton, author of “Beta” for Suspense Magazine
Government agents, Reed Bishop and Jessica Muloni are in Canada to oversee the transfer of a foreign assassin. Unbeknownst to them, the transfer goes sideways and the prisoner is kidnapped to be used for nefarious purposes. Back in Baltimore, the Convention Center is host to a gala featuring several important guests. Attending are Bishop and his ten-year-old daughter as well as psychotherapist Allison Dearborn and foreign intelligence officer Ryan Kealey. As guests enjoy food and drinks, disaster strikes, killing scores. The explosion and subsequent murders are only the prelude to a bigger scheme. Soon Bishop finds himself partnered with Kealey tracking down an assassin in New York. They soon discover they are being played and the game is bigger than anyone ever imagined.
I enjoyed the technology and complexities involved in this novel. Britton doles out the plan in bits and pieces and you don’t understand the full scope of it until you’re well hooked. This novel hardly stops to allow anyone to catch his breath. “The Operative” is a fast-moving, thrilla-minute story with all too scary possibilities. It’s high impact with high stakes and Britton delivers them with a heavy punch.
Reviewed by Stephen L. Brayton, author of “Beta” for Suspense Magazine
December 5, 2014
According to Wikipedia, Andrew Britton died in 2008. How tragic for such a young life to be taken at the peak of his career. THE OPERATIVE (978- 0786026234, paperback, $9.99) is my first exposure to the work of this talented writer. Fortunately there are 4 prior books and at least two successor books in the Ryan Kealey saga. I hope to be able go back to book one at some point and read the series.
THE OPERATIVE finds super agent (formerly C.I.A. now freelancing) Ryan Kealey who is teamed with an F.B.I. Internal Affairs agent working under the direct supervision of the U.S. President. Their mission - find out who blew up the Baltimore Convention Center and adjoining Hilton Hotel. Among the dead is the teenage daughter of Kealey's new partner. The team has a lead that takes them to New York City. The lead is an assassin known as "The Veil" and she is killing people in Manhattan. She is tracked to a rogue F.B.I. operation that has nuclear devices aimed at New York City. There are brief excursions to Atlanta and White Sands Testing Center in New Mexico by other characters.
Andrew Britton writes with a page-turning style that has the reader thinking Clive Cussler or Tom Clancy. There is a mystery as to who is behind the events until well into the story. There are no James Bond like gadgets and the operatives actually take a train from Washington, D.C. to New York City. If you like spy thrillers, I give my endorsement to this book.
GO! BUY! READ!
THE OPERATIVE finds super agent (formerly C.I.A. now freelancing) Ryan Kealey who is teamed with an F.B.I. Internal Affairs agent working under the direct supervision of the U.S. President. Their mission - find out who blew up the Baltimore Convention Center and adjoining Hilton Hotel. Among the dead is the teenage daughter of Kealey's new partner. The team has a lead that takes them to New York City. The lead is an assassin known as "The Veil" and she is killing people in Manhattan. She is tracked to a rogue F.B.I. operation that has nuclear devices aimed at New York City. There are brief excursions to Atlanta and White Sands Testing Center in New Mexico by other characters.
Andrew Britton writes with a page-turning style that has the reader thinking Clive Cussler or Tom Clancy. There is a mystery as to who is behind the events until well into the story. There are no James Bond like gadgets and the operatives actually take a train from Washington, D.C. to New York City. If you like spy thrillers, I give my endorsement to this book.
GO! BUY! READ!
August 20, 2012
This was another well-written, fast paced Ryan Kealey book. There is a terrorist attack in the Baltimore Convention Center involving several suicide bombers and gunmen--a very sophisticated plot that kills hundreds and injures many more, one of them being the wife of the CIA director. Ryan Kealey, a former CIA agent, happens to be on his way to the Baltimore event and enters the fray to end the attack. From there, things move forward quickly with a crazy, scary plot and a race against time to find the bad guys. This wasn't quite as good as some of his other books but an interesting read with a plausible plot and complex characters. I'm sad to hear that the author passed away a few years ago--I would definitely read more from him. Fortunately, this one ends well if it is Kealey's last mission.
July 5, 2012
I was so sorry to hear of Andrew Britton's death several years ago but am glad that he left behind several manuscripts. This one was not as good as his previous novels and would probably have been "tweaked" if he had lived. There are a lot of acronyms which are explained but are obnoxious to read.
In this one Ryan Kealey has been asked by the President of the United States to find the terrorists responsible for the blast at the Baltimore Convention Center. With the help of FBI agent Reed Bishop, they take down several of the shooters and find they are not Muslims. Both are thinking it is an inside job. When an FBI assistant director is found murdered and evidence points to a homeless person, Kealey and Bishop hone in on the director's assistant.
In this one Ryan Kealey has been asked by the President of the United States to find the terrorists responsible for the blast at the Baltimore Convention Center. With the help of FBI agent Reed Bishop, they take down several of the shooters and find they are not Muslims. Both are thinking it is an inside job. When an FBI assistant director is found murdered and evidence points to a homeless person, Kealey and Bishop hone in on the director's assistant.
March 17, 2013
Mr. Britton has a very active imagination. This is a very good action, thriller story line with all the ingredients i.e. FBI, CIA, NSA, POTUS, etc. but the author's style is so tedious it becomes painful. He tells you in minute detail how many of the government's bureaucracies work including the acronyms for them and on occasion he will use acronyms before he defines them. There is a lot of weapons systems described here, once again in great detail. OK, so we have a billionaire industrialist heading up an organization of paranoid wackos trying to save the U. S. of A. from terrorism. One of his industrial products are
small nuclear projectiles that can be launched from a shoulder mounted
launcher. It's an interesting concept if you have the patience.
small nuclear projectiles that can be launched from a shoulder mounted
launcher. It's an interesting concept if you have the patience.
August 14, 2013
Britton gives the big names a real run for the lead in espionage and political thrillers. This one is right at the top of the list. Ryan Kealey remains larger than life, but not too large to be believable. The flow of the action distinguishes this effort from the sometimes trite stories in which loyal operatives are being betrayed by an unknown force. My reaction to this well plotted action thriller with a new satisfying cerebral dimension was to immediately go back and download the one other Britton book in the Ryan Kealey series that I have not read. A tad more originality would have earned this one a fifth star.
December 25, 2015
TOO MUCH EXPLANATION.
I really do like the Ryan Kealey series a lot but I also think it would be much better without all the explanations or detailed descriptions of very very unimportant characters, places and items. I don’t need the history or background or the fact he like grilled cheese sandwiches of an army sniper who’s appearance is only one page long (twelve pages with all the unimportant detailed background). I don’t need to know who, what, why, where or when, about a certain gun or rifle and it’s bullets are more accurate in summer air and not winter. Other than that, the protagonist was great, the story was awesome and i’m looking forward to the next part of the series.
I really do like the Ryan Kealey series a lot but I also think it would be much better without all the explanations or detailed descriptions of very very unimportant characters, places and items. I don’t need the history or background or the fact he like grilled cheese sandwiches of an army sniper who’s appearance is only one page long (twelve pages with all the unimportant detailed background). I don’t need to know who, what, why, where or when, about a certain gun or rifle and it’s bullets are more accurate in summer air and not winter. Other than that, the protagonist was great, the story was awesome and i’m looking forward to the next part of the series.
Read
May 1, 2014This is my first novel by Britton and I will be looking for earlier Ryan Kealey novels. This is a fast paced thriller very much in the Clancy mold. I really enjoyed the character development and Britton's action sequences are well written. All said, 'The Operative' is a very enjoyable read and the ending has a few nice twists.
July 29, 2012
This was the first time I have read anything by Andrew Britton. I like his style. The story was good and kept me interested throughout the book. I could tell who "the bad guy" really was a bit too soon with the hints given in the book.
I will read some other works by him and see how they compare.
I will read some other works by him and see how they compare.
April 20, 2014
The last of the Ryan Kealey novels due to Andrew Britton’s unfortunate demise, this book finds him trying to stop an internal enemy which is attacking point throughout the United States. Teaming with an internal affairs officer from the FBI they try to take down the terrorists before they can cause any further damage. Ok read.
January 6, 2016
Could have been better
I thought the premise of the story was very good, but, sloppily written ( sorry Mr. Britton!) Had the author added a little more depth to the characters involved and he didn't jump from one scenario to the next so quickly it would have been a more fluid read.
I thought the premise of the story was very good, but, sloppily written ( sorry Mr. Britton!) Had the author added a little more depth to the characters involved and he didn't jump from one scenario to the next so quickly it would have been a more fluid read.
February 9, 2016
Plausible
Timely, believable, all too frightening. Makes one wonder just how secure some of our American institutions are. Hopefully the bridges and tunnels are safer than the twin towers were. We keep allowing special interest groups dictate what rights they have, and disregard our laws. God help us and save us from the ACLU.
Timely, believable, all too frightening. Makes one wonder just how secure some of our American institutions are. Hopefully the bridges and tunnels are safer than the twin towers were. We keep allowing special interest groups dictate what rights they have, and disregard our laws. God help us and save us from the ACLU.
November 17, 2012
Love all of his books... But this one not so much. Very scattered and several characters that I feel didn't belong. I have become a fan of Ryan Kealy and I hope the next installment is better. I will not give up on Britton, I think he is very talented. Somehow this one seemed forced.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews