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Ryan Kealey #3
The Invisible by Andrew Britton
For more than a decade, Ryan Kealey has been a key player in the war on terror. First, as a captain in the U.S. Army’s third Special Forces Group, then as a contract operative with the CIA. His actions have saved thousands of lives, including that of the U.S. President. Now once again, Kealey receives the call of duty - only this time, the odds for success are slim to none…
Tensions between Pakistan and India are at an all-time high. To complicate matters, twelve American climbers have disappeared in the snow-capped peaks of Pakistan’s Hindu Kush range. The President is demanding answers, but neither government is supplying them.
As the conflict escalates, Brynn Fitzgerald departs Washington D.C. on her first official trip as acting secretary of state. Her goal is to serve as an intermediary between the leaders of both nations as well as to ensure all efforts are being made in the search for the missing American climbers. But when Fitzgerald’s motorcade is ambushed on the outskirts of Islamabad, her back-up team arrives to discover a disastrous scene: dozens are dead, including seven diplomatic security agents, and the secretary of state has vanished without a trace.
In the wake of the unprecedented attack, Kealey’s operation goes into high gear. Once again, he is joined by Naomi Kharmai, the British-born analyst who has taken on a daring new role with the Agency. But Kharmai is becoming as unpredictable as the man they’re going after, and as they work their way toward the target, it becomes clear to Kealey that anyone is fair game - and no one can be trusted.
Tensions between Pakistan and India are at an all-time high. To complicate matters, twelve American climbers have disappeared in the snow-capped peaks of Pakistan’s Hindu Kush range. The President is demanding answers, but neither government is supplying them.
As the conflict escalates, Brynn Fitzgerald departs Washington D.C. on her first official trip as acting secretary of state. Her goal is to serve as an intermediary between the leaders of both nations as well as to ensure all efforts are being made in the search for the missing American climbers. But when Fitzgerald’s motorcade is ambushed on the outskirts of Islamabad, her back-up team arrives to discover a disastrous scene: dozens are dead, including seven diplomatic security agents, and the secretary of state has vanished without a trace.
In the wake of the unprecedented attack, Kealey’s operation goes into high gear. Once again, he is joined by Naomi Kharmai, the British-born analyst who has taken on a daring new role with the Agency. But Kharmai is becoming as unpredictable as the man they’re going after, and as they work their way toward the target, it becomes clear to Kealey that anyone is fair game - and no one can be trusted.
Mass Market Paperback
First published March 1, 2008
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702 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 66 reviews
November 10, 2019
I remember reading the first two books in the Ryan Kealey series by Andrew Britton very distinctly. I'm not sure why I don't remember previously reading THE INVISIBLE, the first posthumous novel released after Britton's untimely passing. The second novel, THE ASSASSIN, ends on something of a soft cliffhanger, with Naomi Kharmai in recovery, Kealey determined to leave Agency life behind and care for Kharmai, and DDO John Harper about to be assassinated by an unknown daughter of Saddam Hussein.
THE INVISIBLE focuses largely on the first two plot points and only mentions the third in passing at the beginning. Kharmai has abandoned Kealey, and to distract himself from the pain, he has gone challenging himself physically on many extreme hiking trips. Harper tracks him down in Iceland and dangles Kharmai (who is now a case officer rather than an analyst) in front of him for a mission: track down an Algerian terrorist who is suspected of kidnapping American tourists in Pakistan. Things rapidly escalate with the kidnapping of a Cabinet-level official, and the stakes increase as Kealey and Kharmai race to locate their target and the hostages.
The biggest pro to this novel is that it is a page turner. Britton's last novel worked on while he was among us is tighter than his previous two entries and keeps the reader wondering what will happen next. The action is crisp and the prose gripping. In previous reviews, I noted Britton struggled with noticing the female form at random and sometimes inappropriate times. This is vastly reduced in THE INVISIBLE, and I'm glad that his prose showed growth in that direction.
The biggest con to this novel is that the Kharmai storyline is wrapped up rather...too quickly, especially after spending two novels investing in the character. I wish we would have seen more of that storyline...but given how it wrapped up, that'll be the last we see of the character. I also would have liked to see more of the initial hostages and seen their rescue.
Overall, though, it was a real fun novel to read and I recommend it to fans of the genre.
THE INVISIBLE focuses largely on the first two plot points and only mentions the third in passing at the beginning. Kharmai has abandoned Kealey, and to distract himself from the pain, he has gone challenging himself physically on many extreme hiking trips. Harper tracks him down in Iceland and dangles Kharmai (who is now a case officer rather than an analyst) in front of him for a mission: track down an Algerian terrorist who is suspected of kidnapping American tourists in Pakistan. Things rapidly escalate with the kidnapping of a Cabinet-level official, and the stakes increase as Kealey and Kharmai race to locate their target and the hostages.
The biggest pro to this novel is that it is a page turner. Britton's last novel worked on while he was among us is tighter than his previous two entries and keeps the reader wondering what will happen next. The action is crisp and the prose gripping. In previous reviews, I noted Britton struggled with noticing the female form at random and sometimes inappropriate times. This is vastly reduced in THE INVISIBLE, and I'm glad that his prose showed growth in that direction.
The biggest con to this novel is that the Kharmai storyline is wrapped up rather...too quickly, especially after spending two novels investing in the character. I wish we would have seen more of that storyline...but given how it wrapped up, that'll be the last we see of the character. I also would have liked to see more of the initial hostages and seen their rescue.
Overall, though, it was a real fun novel to read and I recommend it to fans of the genre.
April 21, 2012
Overall, a smart and fun read. I especially liked the brief "aside" on page 90 (in the volume I read), where Britton is reflecting upon the complexity of emerging terrorist threats. Excellent point that terrorist organizations are adapting their funding, their recruiting, and their short-term cooperative attacks.
Compared with the previous book (which I haven't actually finished), there are still a dizzying number of characters and perspectives through/from which the story unfolds. Now that it's obvious who are the main characters, that's a little less disconcerting. Even so, there are sections where the character depth is cumbersome ... such as, the long description of one character's contact with Noriega. Cumbersome and distracting ... leads to skimming!
The biggest issue I have with the storytelling is that the three female characters are just damsels in distress:
1) The female Secretary of State is makes a bad judgment about her motorcade route (against the advice of her male security guards, of course) and after being kidnapped only able to communicate an emotional charge with her eyes.
2) One of the female agents tries something heroic to rescue other agents in distress, but then she totally falls apart from the indirect consequences of this effort. And it turns out that she has a really bad drug problem due to a previous traumatic situation from book 2.
3) The other female agent is a total pawn of a family member. And basically all she contributes to the story is fawning over our macho lead character who decides to spare her from what the family member tried to force.
Seriously?! For a young writer, I expected Britton to have stronger female characters who are the equals of his male characters. Disappointed enough that it dropped my rating by a star.
Compared with the previous book (which I haven't actually finished), there are still a dizzying number of characters and perspectives through/from which the story unfolds. Now that it's obvious who are the main characters, that's a little less disconcerting. Even so, there are sections where the character depth is cumbersome ... such as, the long description of one character's contact with Noriega. Cumbersome and distracting ... leads to skimming!
The biggest issue I have with the storytelling is that the three female characters are just damsels in distress:
1) The female Secretary of State is makes a bad judgment about her motorcade route (against the advice of her male security guards, of course) and after being kidnapped only able to communicate an emotional charge with her eyes.
2) One of the female agents tries something heroic to rescue other agents in distress, but then she totally falls apart from the indirect consequences of this effort. And it turns out that she has a really bad drug problem due to a previous traumatic situation from book 2.
3) The other female agent is a total pawn of a family member. And basically all she contributes to the story is fawning over our macho lead character who decides to spare her from what the family member tried to force.
Seriously?! For a young writer, I expected Britton to have stronger female characters who are the equals of his male characters. Disappointed enough that it dropped my rating by a star.
August 19, 2013
MAKE IT STOP!!!! Sometimes you try to listen to a book, and it's soooo bad that you keep telling yourself you must go write a review to save others the torture. The narrator, Mr. J. Charles, was bad enough - worst narrator ever for a terrorist thriller!!! Horrible portrayal of accents, of female characters, etc. and his voice is completely wrong for the main characters in the first place - but a thriller that is non-stop background narration/explanation?!? very poor use of dialogue and other techniques to develop the story. It drones on and on and on. I usually consume a quality thriller in 3 days or less, but this one bored me to sleep - figuratively and literally - so many times that I had to go back and re-listen to parts over and over. This book is a huge waste of a potential.
May 2, 2013
The main character, CIA operative Ryan Kealy is kept pretty busy during this novel as several hikers disappear in Pakistan's Hindu Kush and the secretary of state is kidnapped. Quite a compelling and ambitious plot, but, in all, this wasn't as great as I expected it to be. Then again, having never read Britton before this, I wasn't sure what to expect.
I enjoyed the plot, not really for its execution, but because of the idea behind it. Kidnapping a top US official isn't a new idea when it comes to spy thrillers, but Britton made it all very suspenseful and believable.
However, the sheer paternalism of the main character and the narrator struck me dumb. Well, almost dumb. Ryan Kealey (always called Kealey by the narrator) has a history with Naomi Kharmai (always called Naomi by the narrator) to which I'm not privy, since this is my first Britton book. Clearly something bad happened. We are given to understand that R K loves N K; he also thinks she's a idiot. OK, not actually stupid, but the adjective "naive" is used more often than GSPC, while Britton finds and employs every known synonym for "damaged." She needs saving and Ryan is just the man for the job. She has "shimmering black tresses" -- no, I'm not kidding, _tresses_ -- drifting around her face and shoulders and "flawless caramel-colored skin." We don't know what he looks like.
Oh come on. Is this still the 21st century, or did I miss something?
I enjoyed the plot, not really for its execution, but because of the idea behind it. Kidnapping a top US official isn't a new idea when it comes to spy thrillers, but Britton made it all very suspenseful and believable.
However, the sheer paternalism of the main character and the narrator struck me dumb. Well, almost dumb. Ryan Kealey (always called Kealey by the narrator) has a history with Naomi Kharmai (always called Naomi by the narrator) to which I'm not privy, since this is my first Britton book. Clearly something bad happened. We are given to understand that R K loves N K; he also thinks she's a idiot. OK, not actually stupid, but the adjective "naive" is used more often than GSPC, while Britton finds and employs every known synonym for "damaged." She needs saving and Ryan is just the man for the job. She has "shimmering black tresses" -- no, I'm not kidding, _tresses_ -- drifting around her face and shoulders and "flawless caramel-colored skin." We don't know what he looks like.
Oh come on. Is this still the 21st century, or did I miss something?
November 30, 2016
The Invisible (Ryan Kealey #3)
Andrew Britton
This is my second Ryan Kealey novel; my first was #1. This is a small improvement over #1, in that the characters are a little less stereotyped and have a bit more emotional content. But basically, this is a fast-paced action story, with a written-for-TV feel.
Andrew Britton
This is my second Ryan Kealey novel; my first was #1. This is a small improvement over #1, in that the characters are a little less stereotyped and have a bit more emotional content. But basically, this is a fast-paced action story, with a written-for-TV feel.
June 13, 2015
ROCK BOTTOM
"Whatever may go wrong will go wrong."- Murphy's Law.
High value hostage taking. A mainstay of spy fiction since the days when leftist radicals in 1970's Germany and Italy were snatching Politicians and corporate executives for ransome and airtime. In the Post 9/11 Era, such a threat is still plausible but, with the updates in technology and money spent to train and deploy manpower, authors must be selective when finding a target. The head of state? They get the lions share of security. Armoured SUVs and Luxury saloons, sniper teams and enough bodyguards to fight off a good sized terrorist cell. So sights must be set lower. In Andrew Britton's "The Invisible", the third book in the Ryan Kealey counter-terrorism series, a public servant is taken, forcing the CIA to call upon the unstable, retired CIA Special Activities Division officer for assistance. His successful re-recruitment is the catalyst for his descent into the final circle of his personal hell on earth, an operation which will crush the last vestiges of hope and happiness in his soul, along with taking the last chance of a normal life from him. Now to the review. What happens when the SecState gets taken for a ride in Pakistan?
The story begins in the mountains of North Eastern Pakistan. A tour bus is stopped by border guards who promptly kill some of the occupants and kidnap the others. We then cut to Iceland where a retired Ryan Kealey is rock climbing on a glacier. We learn that his personal life has been turned to ashes, he's been on a round-the world vacation and he's bored out of his mind. This mid-life crisis is brought to a crashing halt with newly promoted Deputy Director Of Central Intelligence John Harper materializing in the hotel bar. Despite finally catching on to the recruitment pitch, Harper works his magic by presenting Kealey's missing lover to him and drags him on board to investigate on behalf of the Agency, the upcoming plan by an escaped Algerian Islamic Extremist who is potentially responsible for the tour bus kidnap. We also learn that Pakistan is on the verge of war-footing in the Kashmir due to India purchasing some game-changing UAV's from Israel. In order to mollify tensions, the SecState has been flown to South Asia to talk terms. In Pakistan, a mid-level political staffer is contacted by his benefactor for a special task. A killing ground is scouted. A doctor is paid a visit by an old friend who wants to borrow his farm for a few days. These threads come together in a terrorist incident designed to push one of the most twisted geopolitical hot-spots into the fires of war with the USA.
In terms of plot, "The Invisible" is a step down from the second book. Certain subplots, while adding complications, are more akin to padding and highly detrimental to the pace, chief among which are the medical sections of the book. While accurate and due to how the terrorist attack goes, necessary, the pacing drags unlike "The Assassin". For the settings, apart from Pakistan, we also have a section set in Spain, where Kealey pays a highly destructive visit to a terrorist sympathizer within a construction site, and becomes the center of a diplomatic incident. In terms of research, "The Invisible" is up to the series standard. From infiltration strategies to how a close protection detail operates, like the second book, it manages to pack a lot of detail and integrate it mostly well into the narrative.
Now, characters There were only three standouts in this book, due to bad characterization. Most were bland, unpleasent or just plain idiotic. First, Kealey. His story is that of a tragedy, in which his life and sanity begin to burn down around him. And in "The Invisible", we reach the critical third act. With his life complicated once more with being suckered into another mission by the CIA, he progressively begins to deteriorate psychologically, up to the end of the book, when all that's left is an empty shell of a man with a gun in his hand. As the anti-Mitch Rapp, while those cowboy antics get results, Kealey also suffers from doing them and does not get away scott free like "Iron Man" Rapp does. People die due to the choices he makes, half his friends are estranged from him, barely tolerating working with him and one either gets annoyed or pities the poor chump for clingling onto his final delusions regarding the dillema he has between retirement or staying at the agency. Next, we have Javier Machado, a former CIA officer. He's the catalyst of Kealey's final fall into the abyss. Epitomizing the "well intentioned extremist" template, he drags Kealey into a personal matter and demands he commit a wrong, for all the right reasons. Far more sympathetic than Kealey, he stole the show from our erstwhile protagonist with perfectly understandable motivations, due to Britton's faliure in trying to inject some moral ambiguity into the subplot. Finally, we have the brilliant snake John Harper. Still managing to find ways of roping his long suffering subordinate back into the company, with his new promotion, Harper is at the top of his game, skillfully corordinating the search for the SecState with a consumate skill.
So, now we come to the criticism. I'll get to the point. Firstly, my suspension of disbelief snapped. In any other spy novel, the US government would not put their faith in two psychologically unstable CIA employees to go recover a V.I.P. The state the main characters are in would be grounds for confinement and serious counselling. Secondly, the treatment of the female characters in this book is a bit insulting to be honest. They're either out of their depth, gung-ho and careless compared to the male characters or just plain weak. Considering book 2 had a strong, reliable female antagonist in the form of Yasmin Ransin who gave as good as she got with her sociopath partner in crime, it's interesting how Britton never did the same with any of his female protagonists.
I suppose it's also the depressing tone which has caused my negativity but then again, the Ryan Kealey series is supposed to be a tragedy. The "Invisible" does not reach the heights its fantastic predecessor did. The characterization combined with some of the most erratic pacing I have seen in a counter-terrorist thriller make what might have been a good premise into quite frustrating reading. While the research is good, the tragedy of Ryan Kealey completes its arc and there are a few gems here or there, I really don't recommend it as much as the previous book.
NOT FOR READING IF YOU WANT TRUE THRILLS.
"Whatever may go wrong will go wrong."- Murphy's Law.
High value hostage taking. A mainstay of spy fiction since the days when leftist radicals in 1970's Germany and Italy were snatching Politicians and corporate executives for ransome and airtime. In the Post 9/11 Era, such a threat is still plausible but, with the updates in technology and money spent to train and deploy manpower, authors must be selective when finding a target. The head of state? They get the lions share of security. Armoured SUVs and Luxury saloons, sniper teams and enough bodyguards to fight off a good sized terrorist cell. So sights must be set lower. In Andrew Britton's "The Invisible", the third book in the Ryan Kealey counter-terrorism series, a public servant is taken, forcing the CIA to call upon the unstable, retired CIA Special Activities Division officer for assistance. His successful re-recruitment is the catalyst for his descent into the final circle of his personal hell on earth, an operation which will crush the last vestiges of hope and happiness in his soul, along with taking the last chance of a normal life from him. Now to the review. What happens when the SecState gets taken for a ride in Pakistan?
The story begins in the mountains of North Eastern Pakistan. A tour bus is stopped by border guards who promptly kill some of the occupants and kidnap the others. We then cut to Iceland where a retired Ryan Kealey is rock climbing on a glacier. We learn that his personal life has been turned to ashes, he's been on a round-the world vacation and he's bored out of his mind. This mid-life crisis is brought to a crashing halt with newly promoted Deputy Director Of Central Intelligence John Harper materializing in the hotel bar. Despite finally catching on to the recruitment pitch, Harper works his magic by presenting Kealey's missing lover to him and drags him on board to investigate on behalf of the Agency, the upcoming plan by an escaped Algerian Islamic Extremist who is potentially responsible for the tour bus kidnap. We also learn that Pakistan is on the verge of war-footing in the Kashmir due to India purchasing some game-changing UAV's from Israel. In order to mollify tensions, the SecState has been flown to South Asia to talk terms. In Pakistan, a mid-level political staffer is contacted by his benefactor for a special task. A killing ground is scouted. A doctor is paid a visit by an old friend who wants to borrow his farm for a few days. These threads come together in a terrorist incident designed to push one of the most twisted geopolitical hot-spots into the fires of war with the USA.
In terms of plot, "The Invisible" is a step down from the second book. Certain subplots, while adding complications, are more akin to padding and highly detrimental to the pace, chief among which are the medical sections of the book. While accurate and due to how the terrorist attack goes, necessary, the pacing drags unlike "The Assassin". For the settings, apart from Pakistan, we also have a section set in Spain, where Kealey pays a highly destructive visit to a terrorist sympathizer within a construction site, and becomes the center of a diplomatic incident. In terms of research, "The Invisible" is up to the series standard. From infiltration strategies to how a close protection detail operates, like the second book, it manages to pack a lot of detail and integrate it mostly well into the narrative.
Now, characters There were only three standouts in this book, due to bad characterization. Most were bland, unpleasent or just plain idiotic. First, Kealey. His story is that of a tragedy, in which his life and sanity begin to burn down around him. And in "The Invisible", we reach the critical third act. With his life complicated once more with being suckered into another mission by the CIA, he progressively begins to deteriorate psychologically, up to the end of the book, when all that's left is an empty shell of a man with a gun in his hand. As the anti-Mitch Rapp, while those cowboy antics get results, Kealey also suffers from doing them and does not get away scott free like "Iron Man" Rapp does. People die due to the choices he makes, half his friends are estranged from him, barely tolerating working with him and one either gets annoyed or pities the poor chump for clingling onto his final delusions regarding the dillema he has between retirement or staying at the agency. Next, we have Javier Machado, a former CIA officer. He's the catalyst of Kealey's final fall into the abyss. Epitomizing the "well intentioned extremist" template, he drags Kealey into a personal matter and demands he commit a wrong, for all the right reasons. Far more sympathetic than Kealey, he stole the show from our erstwhile protagonist with perfectly understandable motivations, due to Britton's faliure in trying to inject some moral ambiguity into the subplot. Finally, we have the brilliant snake John Harper. Still managing to find ways of roping his long suffering subordinate back into the company, with his new promotion, Harper is at the top of his game, skillfully corordinating the search for the SecState with a consumate skill.
So, now we come to the criticism. I'll get to the point. Firstly, my suspension of disbelief snapped. In any other spy novel, the US government would not put their faith in two psychologically unstable CIA employees to go recover a V.I.P. The state the main characters are in would be grounds for confinement and serious counselling. Secondly, the treatment of the female characters in this book is a bit insulting to be honest. They're either out of their depth, gung-ho and careless compared to the male characters or just plain weak. Considering book 2 had a strong, reliable female antagonist in the form of Yasmin Ransin who gave as good as she got with her sociopath partner in crime, it's interesting how Britton never did the same with any of his female protagonists.
I suppose it's also the depressing tone which has caused my negativity but then again, the Ryan Kealey series is supposed to be a tragedy. The "Invisible" does not reach the heights its fantastic predecessor did. The characterization combined with some of the most erratic pacing I have seen in a counter-terrorist thriller make what might have been a good premise into quite frustrating reading. While the research is good, the tragedy of Ryan Kealey completes its arc and there are a few gems here or there, I really don't recommend it as much as the previous book.
NOT FOR READING IF YOU WANT TRUE THRILLS.
September 23, 2018
Numerous tourists have been going missing in Pakistan, presumably kidnapped with the involvement of a known terrorist. At the President's behest, Harper sets out to bring former CIA operative Ryan Kealey out of retirement to look into the case, manipulating him into agreeing by involving Naomi Kharmai, the former colleague Kealey had fallen in love with and almost lost. Their task gains a lot of urgency when the Secretary of State is kidnapped in Pakistan, likely by the same people behind the previous kidnappings.
Another gripping, action-packed read with numerous twists. I really wish we could have done without the whole "Kealey and Kharmai's terribly doomed romance" subplot that has been frustrating me (along with Kharmai herself) since the first book, though.
Another gripping, action-packed read with numerous twists. I really wish we could have done without the whole "Kealey and Kharmai's terribly doomed romance" subplot that has been frustrating me (along with Kharmai herself) since the first book, though.
June 14, 2018
Non-stop action here. This series is very similar to the Mitch Rapp series though Kealy is not as capable as Rapp. The personal twists and turns in this book add as much drama to the story as the main plot. This is page turning, entertaining stuff just a notch below the best of this genre.
March 18, 2020
The Secretary of State is kidnapped in Pakistan and held by terrorists. The President of the United States asks for Ryan Kealey to be brought in to find her. Britton's 3rd thriller is action packed right up to the final page. A very entertaining read.
April 24, 2023
The American was a thumbs down for me but since I owned The Assassin I went ahead and read it and was glad I did. The Invisible was a combination of dull and too much gore -- and the ending? Really?
February 29, 2024
The invisible
Loved the story. Great plot and lots of action. I still feel some situations are dragged out but each chapter kept me asking ( what is happening next. ) .Hard book to put down.
Loved the story. Great plot and lots of action. I still feel some situations are dragged out but each chapter kept me asking ( what is happening next. ) .Hard book to put down.
November 25, 2017
Excellent love the character
September 3, 2019
Strong ending. A good read.
January 5, 2020
Pretty good & intriguing story but seemed to wrap up and end quickly.
August 25, 2021
Another excellent Ryan Kealey thriller. I enjoy Britton’s writing and look forward to his next book(s)
October 9, 2023
Even till the end,I was expecting something that a certain person was still alive.
.
.
October 21, 2024
First book I’ve read by this author. It was what I expected: fast-paced CIA story. It was good for what it is.
November 23, 2010
2.5 stars Recording as 3 stars because Britton was such a nice guy that he dedicated this book to his grandmother. That's worth the bump to 3 stars above.
Actually was surprised with the plot change-ups that popped up throughout the novel, but I did find a lot of the writing covering the same details, over and over, repeating the same information. There is also something that pops up often: a character is covered in such detail in a short period of time that it is obvious that he or she will not make it past the next section of the book...or possibly to the end of the chapter. I know that was meant to put a human face on the reasons why someone is playing the role they are, but it often seems like it's too much for the space.
So I skimmed quite a bit.
It is still much improved over the second book and seemed to be the book that sets up a longer term arc. I mean Kealey can't keep doing the same "pulled in for one last job" story if it needs to stay somewhat realistic.
I am upgrading this book in the series from "mens formula fiction" to "thriller." I might read the last book just to wrap it up, but not rushing to pick it up as my next book.
Actually was surprised with the plot change-ups that popped up throughout the novel, but I did find a lot of the writing covering the same details, over and over, repeating the same information. There is also something that pops up often: a character is covered in such detail in a short period of time that it is obvious that he or she will not make it past the next section of the book...or possibly to the end of the chapter. I know that was meant to put a human face on the reasons why someone is playing the role they are, but it often seems like it's too much for the space.
So I skimmed quite a bit.
It is still much improved over the second book and seemed to be the book that sets up a longer term arc. I mean Kealey can't keep doing the same "pulled in for one last job" story if it needs to stay somewhat realistic.
I am upgrading this book in the series from "mens formula fiction" to "thriller." I might read the last book just to wrap it up, but not rushing to pick it up as my next book.
December 1, 2014
Audiobook Review
Narrator: J. Charles
Every writer has an off-book. With all due respect to the memory of the late, great Andrew Britton, this one was a real looser. First, the writing: Ryan Kealey spends the majority of the story twisting in the wind over women, self-doubt, and emotional lone-wolf assaults on the enemy. If he was a true CIA asset working at the highest levels, he'd be tossed to the curb. There is little action in this book, only lonely hearts club.
The lengthy 15 hour audio tirade is made unbearable by the narrator, J. Charles. Charles has been in the business for 40 years and has narrated many great popular action/thriller authors from Clive Cussler to Tom Clancy. But J. Charles cannot do female voice nor accents or foreign languages. Often, he can't even pronounce American English. A grinding, abysmal outing in this reading. It was so bad, I stopped and started again 3 times until I just gritted my teeth and finished it.
Since The Invisible, Britton's publishers have thankfully returned to Christopher Lane. For the writer that carries on Britton's legacy, please don't ever let J. Charles near your recording studio again.
Narrator: J. Charles
Every writer has an off-book. With all due respect to the memory of the late, great Andrew Britton, this one was a real looser. First, the writing: Ryan Kealey spends the majority of the story twisting in the wind over women, self-doubt, and emotional lone-wolf assaults on the enemy. If he was a true CIA asset working at the highest levels, he'd be tossed to the curb. There is little action in this book, only lonely hearts club.
The lengthy 15 hour audio tirade is made unbearable by the narrator, J. Charles. Charles has been in the business for 40 years and has narrated many great popular action/thriller authors from Clive Cussler to Tom Clancy. But J. Charles cannot do female voice nor accents or foreign languages. Often, he can't even pronounce American English. A grinding, abysmal outing in this reading. It was so bad, I stopped and started again 3 times until I just gritted my teeth and finished it.
Since The Invisible, Britton's publishers have thankfully returned to Christopher Lane. For the writer that carries on Britton's legacy, please don't ever let J. Charles near your recording studio again.
February 12, 2017
This is the third book by Andrew Britton in this series. They are much in the Clancy, Flynn, Thor genre. Overall they are well written and worthy of the time. I'm concerned about continuing since I'm not sure about how much of each book was written by Britton before his untimely death after book 3.
May 13, 2008
This is a completely timely novel of political suspense--the female Secretary of State is abducted after a terrorist attack on her convoy in Pakistan. This is VERY realistically written by Britton, a former Army combat engineer who is currently pursuing a double major in economics and psychology. He paints an all too familiar and tense political picture from many angles, including inside
the minds of the players on both sides of the action. He walks a fine line between technical and personal which will keep a wide range of readers involved and wanting more (fortunately there is more--this is Britton's third book).
This book has it's graphic moments, but they are important to the context of the story and not just to shock the reader. There is a lot of gray in this book--the good guys aren't exactly wearing white hats and halos and the bad
guys have some humanity mixed in with their hate. Like I said--realistic.
the minds of the players on both sides of the action. He walks a fine line between technical and personal which will keep a wide range of readers involved and wanting more (fortunately there is more--this is Britton's third book).
This book has it's graphic moments, but they are important to the context of the story and not just to shock the reader. There is a lot of gray in this book--the good guys aren't exactly wearing white hats and halos and the bad
guys have some humanity mixed in with their hate. Like I said--realistic.
September 4, 2013
This is the third book in the Ryan Kealey series I have read. Good lightweight action thriller with the CIA, washington politics, muslim terrorists and a rule-breaking action star as the protagonist. Fun to read but somewhat of a guilty pleasure!I'm pleased there is none of the political speech-making that fills Brad Thor's similar books. Somewhat unnecessary need by the author to give brand names and model numbers of anything technical. I will certainly be reading the next book in the series soon!
December 31, 2010
3rd in the series of poor "Joe Blitzflik-like" characteer Ryan Kealey...Kealey is dragged back into the "business" to rescue the Secretary of State from Pakistan... Kealy just can't catch a break in his life outside of the "business" as he faces more personal tragedy...well researched with a decent examination of the tensions of competing factions within Pakistan...solid delivery for the Late Andrew Britton...looking forward to the 4th in the series!!!
April 16, 2013
The Third Ryan Kealey book starts with a ramp up in intensity between Pakistan and India. The acting Secretary of State is in Pakistan attempting to pacify things when her motorcade is ambushed and she is kidnapped. Although out of the CIA Kealey is once again thrust into trying to save the Secretary of State’s life. With danger at every turn he must fight foes within and outside the agency to accomplish his mission. Another good effort from Britton.
August 8, 2011
This was more or less a standard spy/thriller book. Once again a lone agent with minimal support must save the day. I thought some of the medical passages got a little bogged down.I understand that first two of books by author were better so I may go back and check them out later. Sadly he passed away at a very young age.
April 22, 2013
I enjoyed this installment of the Ryan Kealey series. It was a good read. As typically with Britton's books, there are a lot of details - some often unnecessary to the flow of the story. The book took unexpected turns - some of which I really didn't like but appreciate that they worked well with the story.
March 26, 2008
I wanted a thriller, something that would make me want to sit in my chair (or lie on my bed) and just keep reading until the book was gone.
this isn't it. Too formulaic. Too politically correct and rah-rah. Didn't care about any of the characters.
this isn't it. Too formulaic. Too politically correct and rah-rah. Didn't care about any of the characters.
May 31, 2009
What a great read from such a young author. I was saddened to hear of his death, as I'm sure he would've continued to grow as a writer and storyteller, eventually earning a place right up there with the greats of the genre.
February 18, 2009
Ryan Kealey is dragged back into rescuing the Secretary of State from Pakistan, during a period of rising tensions between Pakistan and India, by his conniving boss, Jonathan Harper (using his "girlfriend" Naomi, who had developed a chemical dependency to deal with her emotional trauma.)
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