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The Adjusters #2
The ABC Affair
The ABC in the title refers to the first initials of the three highly important leaders from Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico. Heading to a vital conference in Washington, where they were to have met with Whittle, but were suddenly abducted. Peter Winston must track them down.
Unless they destroyed the ruthless Christopher Donne, the Western Hemisphere would erupt in the fulfillment of the war monger's hideous plan!
Unless they destroyed the ruthless Christopher Donne, the Western Hemisphere would erupt in the fulfillment of the war monger's hideous plan!
Paperback
Published January 1, 1967
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
January 3, 2026
Synopsis
The stage for “ABC Affairs” is set on an international crisis: three high-ranking South American diplomats have been brazenly kidnapped just days before the crucial Western Hemisphere Conference in Chicago. The mastermind? Christopher Donne, a charismatic villain who masks his greed with the rhetoric of world peace. In reality, Donne is a war profiteer seeking to ignite chaos and conflict across South America to line his pockets through his burgeoning munitions empire. Tasked with preventing this geopolitical catastrophe is A-2 agent Peter Winston, who must locate and free the diplomats before the clock runs out.
A Fast Pace on a Frail Foundation
From the opening pages, the novel moves with undeniable speed. If you are looking for a story that doesn't linger, the fast-moving plot certainly delivers. However, that speed comes at a very heavy cost. The narrative follows an incredibly linear path, peppered with superfluous plot twists that feel designed to shock rather than satisfy. Instead of a "wow" moment, these turns often leave the reader feeling more bewildered than entertained.
The biggest hurdle for me was the protagonist himself, Peter Winston. While the author clearly intended to portray him as a rugged, hyper-masculine "macho" hero, the execution often crosses the line into the absurd and unrealistic. There were several moments where his decision-making was so questionable I found myself asking, “Who in the world recruited this man as a top-tier spy?” For a genre that relies on cleverness and tradecraft, Winston feels more like a caricature than a capable operative. Furthermore, despite being billed as a spy thriller, the book is surprisingly light on the very thing fans crave: well-executed action. There are only a handful of action sequences scattered throughout, leaving the "spy" elements feeling underdeveloped.
In place of high-octane suspense or tactical intrigue, the book leans heavily on gratuitous and steamy scenes that feel disconnected from the central plot. Rather than adding tension or character depth, these moments often feel forced and, frankly, uninteresting. Between the lack of authentic spy-craft and the jarring attempts at "macho" storytelling, the immersion is frequently broken.
The Verdict
While the premise of a munitions mogul manipulating international diplomacy is a classic thriller setup, the execution here falls flat. Between the unrealistic protagonist and the lack of genuine action, it’s a difficult journey to recommend.
Rating: ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (2 out of 5 stars)
The stage for “ABC Affairs” is set on an international crisis: three high-ranking South American diplomats have been brazenly kidnapped just days before the crucial Western Hemisphere Conference in Chicago. The mastermind? Christopher Donne, a charismatic villain who masks his greed with the rhetoric of world peace. In reality, Donne is a war profiteer seeking to ignite chaos and conflict across South America to line his pockets through his burgeoning munitions empire. Tasked with preventing this geopolitical catastrophe is A-2 agent Peter Winston, who must locate and free the diplomats before the clock runs out.
A Fast Pace on a Frail Foundation
From the opening pages, the novel moves with undeniable speed. If you are looking for a story that doesn't linger, the fast-moving plot certainly delivers. However, that speed comes at a very heavy cost. The narrative follows an incredibly linear path, peppered with superfluous plot twists that feel designed to shock rather than satisfy. Instead of a "wow" moment, these turns often leave the reader feeling more bewildered than entertained.
The biggest hurdle for me was the protagonist himself, Peter Winston. While the author clearly intended to portray him as a rugged, hyper-masculine "macho" hero, the execution often crosses the line into the absurd and unrealistic. There were several moments where his decision-making was so questionable I found myself asking, “Who in the world recruited this man as a top-tier spy?” For a genre that relies on cleverness and tradecraft, Winston feels more like a caricature than a capable operative. Furthermore, despite being billed as a spy thriller, the book is surprisingly light on the very thing fans crave: well-executed action. There are only a handful of action sequences scattered throughout, leaving the "spy" elements feeling underdeveloped.
In place of high-octane suspense or tactical intrigue, the book leans heavily on gratuitous and steamy scenes that feel disconnected from the central plot. Rather than adding tension or character depth, these moments often feel forced and, frankly, uninteresting. Between the lack of authentic spy-craft and the jarring attempts at "macho" storytelling, the immersion is frequently broken.
The Verdict
While the premise of a munitions mogul manipulating international diplomacy is a classic thriller setup, the execution here falls flat. Between the unrealistic protagonist and the lack of genuine action, it’s a difficult journey to recommend.
Rating: ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (2 out of 5 stars)
Displaying 1 of 1 review