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Risk Agent #2
Choke Point
When an award-winning foreign journalist reveals the existence of an Amsterdam-based sweatshop known as a “knot shop” that employs and enslaves young girls as laborers, private security firm Rutherford Risk is hired by a philanthropist to find it and shut it down.
David “Sarge” Dulwich, Knox’s former boss from their government contractor days, knows that Knox's cultural knowledge, combat skills, and sympathy for the abused make him right for the job. Joined by Grace Chu, whose more subtle skills for acquiring sensitive tech information help to balance Knox's improvisational style, he heads to Amsterdam in an attempt to dismantle the child labor operation and rescue the girls. In their way is a crime organization that has permeated the neighborhoods with goodwill turning even the victims' parents against their would-be saviors. With enemies around every corner, Knox and Grace can't tell the good from the bad.
David “Sarge” Dulwich, Knox’s former boss from their government contractor days, knows that Knox's cultural knowledge, combat skills, and sympathy for the abused make him right for the job. Joined by Grace Chu, whose more subtle skills for acquiring sensitive tech information help to balance Knox's improvisational style, he heads to Amsterdam in an attempt to dismantle the child labor operation and rescue the girls. In their way is a crime organization that has permeated the neighborhoods with goodwill turning even the victims' parents against their would-be saviors. With enemies around every corner, Knox and Grace can't tell the good from the bad.
399 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2013
86 people are currently reading
1119 people want to read
About the author
Ridley Pearson
191 books2,116 followersRidley Pearson is the author of more than fifty novels, including the New York Times bestseller Killer Weekend; the Lou Boldt crime series; and many books for young readers, including the award-winning children's novels Peter and the Starcatchers, Peter and the Shadow Thieves, and Peter and the Secret of Rundoon, which he cowrote with Dave Barry. Pearson lives with his wife and two daughters, dividing their time between Missouri and Idaho.
Also writes Chris Klick mysteries as Wendell McCall.
Also writes Chris Klick mysteries as Wendell McCall.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews
August 16, 2017
Ridley Pearson is a prolific writer, yet his works seem uneven to me. I enjoyed CUT AND RUN and have been trying to love/like his other publications.
RISK AGENT was good, so I tried CHOKE POINT (2nd in this series), which was barely tolerable. I certainly boned up on skimming and scanning reading techniques toward the last quarter of the book. I wanted to finish it - to just FINISH it, but I wasn't surprised when it did not offer a satisfying denouement.
The characters are flat; the plot fails to develop empathy with the reader. Instead,it is plot driven: point by point by point of "happenings" that becomes boring in their tedium. Pearson creates scenes that tell of the conflict, but do not engage the reader into caring about the characters in the scenes. It certainly does not live up to its description as a thriller. It is not suspenseful, or even particularly interesting, although it should have been with the topic of Asian sweatshops and imprisonment of young girls for manual labor. What a disappointment!
RISK AGENT was good, so I tried CHOKE POINT (2nd in this series), which was barely tolerable. I certainly boned up on skimming and scanning reading techniques toward the last quarter of the book. I wanted to finish it - to just FINISH it, but I wasn't surprised when it did not offer a satisfying denouement.
The characters are flat; the plot fails to develop empathy with the reader. Instead,it is plot driven: point by point by point of "happenings" that becomes boring in their tedium. Pearson creates scenes that tell of the conflict, but do not engage the reader into caring about the characters in the scenes. It certainly does not live up to its description as a thriller. It is not suspenseful, or even particularly interesting, although it should have been with the topic of Asian sweatshops and imprisonment of young girls for manual labor. What a disappointment!
June 20, 2013
John Knox, Grace Chu and David "Sarge" Dulwich are agents for Rutherford Risk, an international security firm. John and Grace have worked together before, and Dulwich is Knox's former boss from their days as government "contractors." Their mission, on behalf of an philanthropist, is to shut down a knot shop in Amsterdam that uses young girls as laborers and sometimes prostitutes. The anonymous philanthropist angle is a bit far-fetched, but allows our team to fight crime without considering the financial liabilities and to use methods not normally employed by the police. Whereas Dulwich serves as the team leader, Knox provides the muscle and street smarts, and Grace Chu, the most valuable of the team, is the clandestine hacker and financial guru who follows the money trail.
I have enjoyed all of the Lou Boldt and Walt Fleming series by Ridley Pearson, and this is the second in the Risk Agent series. I find the writing in this particular series inscrutable at times, as though the author lives in his head and can see the play-by-play, but can only offer glimpses to the reader. I have not had this experience with the other books. It seems like all the words are there, but we don't have real insight into what is happening, and I often had to go back and figure out the role of some of the minor characters. Some of the action scenes whizz by, and at other times it feels as if we are on hold, so pacing is an issue. Whether it's due to editing or because the author is trying out a new style, or because I really needed a light read instead, these books are more of a challenge than I was seeking when I picked them up.
I have enjoyed all of the Lou Boldt and Walt Fleming series by Ridley Pearson, and this is the second in the Risk Agent series. I find the writing in this particular series inscrutable at times, as though the author lives in his head and can see the play-by-play, but can only offer glimpses to the reader. I have not had this experience with the other books. It seems like all the words are there, but we don't have real insight into what is happening, and I often had to go back and figure out the role of some of the minor characters. Some of the action scenes whizz by, and at other times it feels as if we are on hold, so pacing is an issue. Whether it's due to editing or because the author is trying out a new style, or because I really needed a light read instead, these books are more of a challenge than I was seeking when I picked them up.
June 7, 2015
I love this new series from Ridley Pearson, but I have a hard time really saying why. Hard enough that I never did get around to reviewing the first book.
John Knox is an ex-mercenary (oh, sorry, the Americans call them "security consultants", because mercenaries are only used by evil people) and currently runs an import-export business with his handicapped brother. Grace Chu is a an ex-Chinese People's Army soldier and currently a forensic accountant and hot (in every way) hacker.
They get called in by their employer, Rutherford Risk, whenever one of Rutherford's clients is in trouble that can't be solved by legal means. In this case, Rutherford's client isn't in trouble himself, but dozens of young girls in Amsterdam are—forced to work in a "knot shop", making Turkish rugs; some of them in absolute slavery, some for a wage that might as well be considered slavery.
What follows is absolute mayhem, lots of blood, and a high body count. Yet, it still manages to be smart, funny, and full of really good detective work. I must say, through much of this story I didn't like Knox much. He got all macho, and insisted that he was the only one who knew how to go about their investigation, even though Grace had an important—and probably better—approach, but rather than detract from the story it gives both John and Grace more depth; and John learns that he isn't always right.
August 9, 2013
The action never pauses in this thriller, set in the charming city of Amsterdam. A sophisticated team of investigators is on the trail of an elusive sweatshop operator, who enslaves youngsters to manufacture faux oriental rugs. The plot unwinds nicely, although the constant stream of fights, chases and sex scenes is a bit overwhelming. An entertaining airplane read.
July 5, 2013
I like this author but just can't get into this particular series.
February 7, 2020
Straight up, I much prefer Ridley Pearson's Walt Fleming to this series...The 1st in the series was OK and Pearson with “Choke Point,” is just OK...John Knox, Grace Chu and Sarge Dulwich, agents for Rutherford Risk, an international security firm are called to Amsterdam to shut down a sweat shop that uses impoverished young girls as labor for Oriental rug production and the sex industry by a well-meaning, shadowy philanthropist...decent action with more character development creates an OK page-turner...OK read!
May 29, 2013
By definition a ‘choke point’ is a geographical feature on land such as a valley, defile or a bridge, or at sea such as a strait which an armed force is forced to pass, sometimes on a substantially narrower front, and therefore greatly decreasing its combat power, in order to reach its objective. A choke point would allow a numerically inferior defending force to successfully prevent a larger opponent because the attacker would not be able to bring their superior numbers to bear.
In Ridley Pearson’s latest novel entitled CHOKE POINT, the trio of protagonists that represent the private security firm known as Rutherford Risk are up against a much larger adversary with international ties and seemingly unlimited resources.
First introduced in last year’s novel THE RISK AGENT the team of David Dulwich (team leader) and his ‘employees’ John Knox and Grace Chu are doing battle in Amsterdam against a ring of knot shops that are utilizing and exploiting underage labor. A knot shop is literally a manufacturer known for providing knock-off versions of Oriental rugs that are sold for export at a significant profit.
The very thought of this crime against humanity --- and children in particular --- disgusts Knox and Chu and they quickly become personally engaged in doing all they can to bring down this crime ring. Knox is an American freelance operative with a skill-set that includes the ability to think quickly on his feet and raise the level of violence beyond the appropriate level when necessary. Chu is a forensic accountant from China who also can handle herself physically. They are both well-written and multi-layered characters that Ridley Pearson develops perfectly, never allowing the reader to know everything about them as he peels away their backgrounds chapter by chapter.
The ‘bad guys’ in this novel are harder to pinpoint. Knox takes on an undercover guise to team up with an international journalist who has a personal stake in uncovering the knot shops of the Netherlands as she continues to search for her missing niece. Chu meanwhile attempts to keep tabs on the Middle Eastern man who was the apparent victim of a hate crime but may actually be at the center of the knot shop ring.
Unlike other thrillers that explore international espionage and intrigue, the characters in this Pearson series are not super-human and literally operate without a net or any form of back-up throughout their mission. As a result, they take their lumps at every turn and the reader can only marvel at how they survive each skirmish without losing their lives.
CHOKE POINT exposes a very real and controversial topic and does so without pulling any punches. Pearson is in top form here as his novels are famous for their intricate plotting and character development. CHOKE POINT does what good thrillers are supposed to do --- entertain while keeping the reader guessing.
I was at a recent reading/book-signing for Ridley Pearson for his highly popular YA KINGDOM KEEPERS series (books based on Walt Disney World and all things Disney). I was amazed at the dedicated following he has amassed for those novels (in addition to penning PETER AND THE STARCATCHERS which was turned into a Tony-winning Broadway show). More pointedly, I looked around the room at that reading event and felt privileged that I was one of the few who realized that Pearson has been writing top-notch ‘adult’ thrillers for several decades and CHOKE POINT is yet another example of this versatile and skilled writer operating at the top of his game.
Reviewed by Ray Palen for New Mystery Reader
In Ridley Pearson’s latest novel entitled CHOKE POINT, the trio of protagonists that represent the private security firm known as Rutherford Risk are up against a much larger adversary with international ties and seemingly unlimited resources.
First introduced in last year’s novel THE RISK AGENT the team of David Dulwich (team leader) and his ‘employees’ John Knox and Grace Chu are doing battle in Amsterdam against a ring of knot shops that are utilizing and exploiting underage labor. A knot shop is literally a manufacturer known for providing knock-off versions of Oriental rugs that are sold for export at a significant profit.
The very thought of this crime against humanity --- and children in particular --- disgusts Knox and Chu and they quickly become personally engaged in doing all they can to bring down this crime ring. Knox is an American freelance operative with a skill-set that includes the ability to think quickly on his feet and raise the level of violence beyond the appropriate level when necessary. Chu is a forensic accountant from China who also can handle herself physically. They are both well-written and multi-layered characters that Ridley Pearson develops perfectly, never allowing the reader to know everything about them as he peels away their backgrounds chapter by chapter.
The ‘bad guys’ in this novel are harder to pinpoint. Knox takes on an undercover guise to team up with an international journalist who has a personal stake in uncovering the knot shops of the Netherlands as she continues to search for her missing niece. Chu meanwhile attempts to keep tabs on the Middle Eastern man who was the apparent victim of a hate crime but may actually be at the center of the knot shop ring.
Unlike other thrillers that explore international espionage and intrigue, the characters in this Pearson series are not super-human and literally operate without a net or any form of back-up throughout their mission. As a result, they take their lumps at every turn and the reader can only marvel at how they survive each skirmish without losing their lives.
CHOKE POINT exposes a very real and controversial topic and does so without pulling any punches. Pearson is in top form here as his novels are famous for their intricate plotting and character development. CHOKE POINT does what good thrillers are supposed to do --- entertain while keeping the reader guessing.
I was at a recent reading/book-signing for Ridley Pearson for his highly popular YA KINGDOM KEEPERS series (books based on Walt Disney World and all things Disney). I was amazed at the dedicated following he has amassed for those novels (in addition to penning PETER AND THE STARCATCHERS which was turned into a Tony-winning Broadway show). More pointedly, I looked around the room at that reading event and felt privileged that I was one of the few who realized that Pearson has been writing top-notch ‘adult’ thrillers for several decades and CHOKE POINT is yet another example of this versatile and skilled writer operating at the top of his game.
Reviewed by Ray Palen for New Mystery Reader
August 26, 2013
Loved the first book in this series, last year's Risk Agent, so this was very disappointing. Perhaps there's too much plot--too many twists, too many characters with a role to play; I found it hard to follow and to stay engaged. Pearson also threw his protagonists into situations that showed up their weaknesses rather than strengths, and while I suppose that ultimately creates more complex characters, it seemed overdone. Pearson's strengths are his sympathetic characters (and evil antagonists), his compelling pace, his labyrinthine plots, the social issues, the nightmare tone, and in this series, the interesting blend of physical violence and computer technology to get to the bottom of problems. Those elements are all here in this adventure which pits Rutherfurd Risk agents against the well-protected owners of Amsterdam sweat shops that abuse their often kidnapped child workers. Somehow the formula didn't work for me this time. An open ending promises a sequel; I'll hope for a better outing next time.
March 24, 2014
I read this book because it's a follow-up on the first in the series, THE RISK AGENT, which I enjoyed.
The story is based in the existence of an Oriental rug making sweat shop in Amsterdam, populated by young girls, 13 or younger, whose small fingers are adept at tying the wool. Some of these girls are working to support their families, but some of them are actual slaves, kidnapped and chained to the floor, who are sold once judged to be less efficient at their task. All are exploited or intimidated and afraid for their lives. Grace and John are assigned by Rutherford Risk, their employer, to shut this business down. RR has been hired by an outraged wealthy American for this purpose. The rest is all investigative action, either physically or digitally, in pursuit of the objective. David, their immediate superior, joins them in the action for this book.
This book had a slower start and the action was less thrilling and engrossing than in the first book. For all that, it's a good read, especially for anyone having read THE RISK AGENT.
The story is based in the existence of an Oriental rug making sweat shop in Amsterdam, populated by young girls, 13 or younger, whose small fingers are adept at tying the wool. Some of these girls are working to support their families, but some of them are actual slaves, kidnapped and chained to the floor, who are sold once judged to be less efficient at their task. All are exploited or intimidated and afraid for their lives. Grace and John are assigned by Rutherford Risk, their employer, to shut this business down. RR has been hired by an outraged wealthy American for this purpose. The rest is all investigative action, either physically or digitally, in pursuit of the objective. David, their immediate superior, joins them in the action for this book.
This book had a slower start and the action was less thrilling and engrossing than in the first book. For all that, it's a good read, especially for anyone having read THE RISK AGENT.
July 8, 2013
A confusing and chaotic book that is not up to Mr. Pearson's usual level of work. Far too much of Superman and Superwoman rather than real people no matter how well trained they might be. This is unfortunate because I thought that John Knox and Grace Chu had real potential based on their previous appearance in The Risk Agent. This book is well below that one. I think it is time for Mr. Pearson to return to either a Boldt/Mathews mystery or go back to Walt Flemming.
May 4, 2014
Grace Chu and John Knox "Risk Agents"are sent to Amsterdam to find and shut down a rug knotting business using underage girls some of whom are held prisoner while others are free to go to their families but are subject to the same conditions. Many scrapes with the men in charge of the rug makers and the Dutch police as they work to find out the identities of the people grabbing and holding and selling the girls. Most of he book is set in Amsterdam and has some local color through out..
May 7, 2017
John Knox and Grace Chu travelled to Amsterdam to shutdown a sweatshop aka knot shop that used young girls as laborers. When they arrive they found it difficult to recognize the bad guys from the good guys.
Choke Point was the old fashioned cloak and dagger police thriller. Choke Point was a good read. Todd Haberkorn told the story well.
Choke Point was the old fashioned cloak and dagger police thriller. Choke Point was a good read. Todd Haberkorn told the story well.
February 4, 2014
This was my first Ridley Pearson book. I have to say that I found it very hard to follow. I ended up putting it down and reading 2 books in full before I finished this one. Really had to force myself to finish it. Might try one more of his books... based on the reviews it looks like the 1st book in this series was a lot better.
April 14, 2023
Read in 2013. When an award winning foreign journalist reveals the existence of an Amsterdam -based sweatshop that enslaves young girls, private security firm Rutherford Risk is hired by a philanthropist to find it and shut it down. My rating from 2013.
June 15, 2013
Lots of action and character development. I liked the 3 main characters who had their human flaws in addition to their extraordinary strengths, esp. the Chinese woman. An interesting look at the immigrant neighborhoods of Amsterdam.
November 29, 2016
Well I tried. I've never read a story that has NO pronouns until this one. After three chapters, I don't know where the story occurs, who the characters are, or what the issue is.
Finally finished it. OKay.
Finally finished it. OKay.
July 27, 2013
I don't care for stories based on brutality with victims unable to defend and care for themselves. Child abuse and victimization sums up this story in a nut shell. 1 of 10 stars
July 16, 2018
John Knox is on a mission to locate and shut down an Amsterdam-based sweatshop or knot shop that uses enslaved pre-teen girls as forced labor to make rugs. Knox is paired with forensic accountant Grace Chu, who can trap and trace even the most sensitive financial information using her finest hacking skills.
Pearson spins a tale with vivid descriptions of the beautiful streets and canals of Amsterdam and action packed scenes where Knox and Grace face Middle Eastern mobsters, the owner of a local brothel and police officers they don’t trust.
Readers are caught up in the dark side of a secret world where people who are thought to be friends but are actually enemies, and the victims or young girls themselves don’t want to be saved.
My suggestion is the read the first in the series to know the back story of John's brother, Tommy which is an important side story to this one.
Pearson spins a tale with vivid descriptions of the beautiful streets and canals of Amsterdam and action packed scenes where Knox and Grace face Middle Eastern mobsters, the owner of a local brothel and police officers they don’t trust.
Readers are caught up in the dark side of a secret world where people who are thought to be friends but are actually enemies, and the victims or young girls themselves don’t want to be saved.
My suggestion is the read the first in the series to know the back story of John's brother, Tommy which is an important side story to this one.
August 11, 2018
I jumped into this saga on book 2, so I was a little lost about certain things, but the main story was pretty engaging. I plan to go back and start from book 1 at this point. Pearson, as always, does a lot of research into the police procedural practices, and Choke Point was no exception. Here we see a special ops company trying to save children from forced child labor and sex trafficking. It takes place in Amsterdam where we get an in-depth look at both the legal and illegal sex trades. Rife with gun fights, car chases, computer hacking battles, sleuthing and sex, Choke Point is perfect popcorn movie type fun with social commentary peppered in for good measure.
July 10, 2019
Took me awhile to finish this book, because it was hard to read. Very complicated, and repetitious. But I also was determined to finish it. I couldn't help comparing the main character Knox to other anti hero's such as Reacher, Rapp...and came to the conclusion that he isn't in their league. I like Reacher and Rapp; but I didn't like Knox or Grace or the other guy.... didn't care about any of them. I have found if I don't care about the characters, I end up not really liking the book.
I was taken in by the plot and finished the book to see how it would end. Not sure if I will read another by this writer.
I was taken in by the plot and finished the book to see how it would end. Not sure if I will read another by this writer.
December 16, 2017
My first Ridley Pearson book. My last. His protagonists are just too cool for me. They converse in crypto-talk: sort of ESP anticipation of what the other is going to say two or three conversational turn-arounds later. Their repartee usually leaves me in the dust. Not always though (am not completely senile yet). Regardless, these agents are devoid of personality. So are all the people (good and bad) who they interact with. Their prowess and spy-craft are superhuman. I have a feeling this book was written with the idea in mind by the author of it being turned into a movie.
July 10, 2022
Pearson's second entry in The Risk Agent series is a fast paced, action filled book that follows John Know and Grace Chu in their next adventure - seeking out bad guys in Amsterdam. In spite of being nearly 10 years old, this book holds up well today. I thoroughly enjoyed this chapter in the Risk Agent series and I'm glad I finishing the first one (It was a struggle to get through the first half of that book) - because this one makes up for! Ready to read the next one (The Red Room).
May 21, 2018
The crew from Rutherford Risk goes to Amsterdam to investigate and shut down a knot shop, which uses child labor and slave labor to make rugs, after an article is written about a young girl with an infected leg ulcer from leg irons.
Knox, Grace Chu and Sarge again take no prisoners in their quest to right wrongs.
Knox, Grace Chu and Sarge again take no prisoners in their quest to right wrongs.
June 6, 2025
First book was okay. I did not enjoy this one. Plot was confusing and the ADULTS who you would think would be mature were not and none of the characters stuck out to me. 2 more books in this series... I dont plan on reading them. If you want to waste your time on a book series like this, go ahead. It just wasn't for me.
May 8, 2017
Still like John Knox and Grace Chu in Book #2 of the Risk Agent series....this time we are in Amsterdam and dealing with child labor...still the intrigue, still some violence and still a little innuendo and romance...great combination!
May 16, 2018
Grace and Knox are back at it and this time going against child labor and the child sex trade. It is a different story angle and there's enough action and imaging to keep readers happy. This was a library book. Read my Mexico crime novel Teeth of the Cocodrilo
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October 8, 2021Disappointing. After enjoying the depth of characters in the Lou Boult series, I was surprised that this series consisted of nothing but one-dimensional arrogant characters. Halfway through I didn’t care what happened to any of them.
July 21, 2023
honestly...not a great book. maybe it was because book #2 got off hold at the library, and i didn't really know the characters. something about the pacing of the book as well as the stilted writing (especially of the female characters) had me super uninvested in the outcome. 2/5 stars.
May 25, 2017
Well written - a little unbelievable towards the end - ending was a little confusing as to who he went to see
August 28, 2017
Very disappointing. There was non-stop action; however, the story made little or no sense. The characters didn't seem real.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews