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James Acton Thrillers #5
Flags of Sin
Archaeology Professor James Acton simply wants to get away from everything, and relax. A trip to China seems just the answer, and he and his fiancée, Professor Laura Palmer, are soon on a flight to Beijing.But while boarding, they bump into an old friend, Delta Force Command Sergeant Major Burt Dawson, who surreptitiously delivers a message that they must meet the next day, for Dawson knows something they don't.China is about to erupt into chaos.Foreign tourists and diplomats are being targeted by unknown forces, and if they don't get out of China in time, they could be caught up in events no one had seen coming.J. Robert Kennedy, the author of eight international best sellers, including the smash hit James Acton Thrillers, takes history once again and turns it on its head, sending his reluctant heroes James Acton and Laura Palmer into harm's way, to not only save themselves, but to try and save a country from a century old conspiracy it knew nothing about.
336 pages, Paperback
First published February 6, 2013
193 people are currently reading
175 people want to read
About the author
J. Robert Kennedy
100 books297 followersWith over one million books sold, award winning and USA Today bestselling author J. Robert Kennedy has been ranked by Amazon as the #1 Bestselling Action Adventure novelist based upon combined sales. He is the author of over fifty international bestsellers including the smash hit James Acton Thrillers. He lives with his wife and daughter and writes full-time.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
December 12, 2020
Another high octane, fast paced thriller from the pen of a very prolific writer. If you like adventure, you will love both this book and Professor James Acton!
March 3, 2020
Another exciting read from J. Robert Kennedy. The story moved at lightening speed and was a very quick read. Short chapters and an engaging story had me turning pages at a furious pace. The action was good and mostly believable with many of the characters familiar friends from earlier James Acton adventures. I had one minor issue with the story though. In one chapter early in the book there's what I call an author rant about the recession experienced in the US early earlier in this century. It wasn't just a few passing sentences. Oh,no. It was almost an entire chapter. I realize this book was released in 2014 and the pain was still very real for a lot of people but considering the character was killed just a few pages later I thought the rant was unnecessary and somewhat self serving. It was a minor complaint that took me out of the moment but it did stick with me. Overall, I recommend the book and will definitely be picking up the next book in the series soon.
December 21, 2020
So I have been binge reading this series, this is the fifth book in as many days, and I dont want to stop.
Kennedy has mastered the blending of history, conspiracy, and action so you get a mile a minute story that while fantastic, seems plausible. Using China as a backdrop, with all the modern political complexities is a challenge, and while there were parts that seemed a bit rushed - the ending most notably - it is an excellent addition to the series.
Kennedy has mastered the blending of history, conspiracy, and action so you get a mile a minute story that while fantastic, seems plausible. Using China as a backdrop, with all the modern political complexities is a challenge, and while there were parts that seemed a bit rushed - the ending most notably - it is an excellent addition to the series.
September 4, 2017
Great book
I would recommend reading these books in order as everything makes more sense that way. This one starts slower but it needs to to get the back ground th th story. By the time you get 1\4 of the way into the book you are hooked. The action never slows down until the end. Read it in 2 reading only because I was too tired to finish it the first day.
I would recommend reading these books in order as everything makes more sense that way. This one starts slower but it needs to to get the back ground th th story. By the time you get 1\4 of the way into the book you are hooked. The action never slows down until the end. Read it in 2 reading only because I was too tired to finish it the first day.
February 23, 2023
Great story. Good grounding on historical figures and highlights of history is woven into a narrative that, while farfetched yet somehow plausible, keeps your interest from cover to cover. The description of faction fighting and the heroes of the plot trying to escape it is thrilling; pages turn faster than you can absorb their content. Really enjoyable.
July 27, 2024
Vacation in China, NOT
James Acton and his fiancee, Laura, are taking a well deserved vacation in China.
Unbeknown to them a descendant of the last Chinese Emperor is planning a coup to reclaim his destiny.
Action abounds non stop as James and Laura are immersed in this attempted coup.
Page Turner
James Acton and his fiancee, Laura, are taking a well deserved vacation in China.
Unbeknown to them a descendant of the last Chinese Emperor is planning a coup to reclaim his destiny.
Action abounds non stop as James and Laura are immersed in this attempted coup.
Page Turner
September 10, 2017
An enjoyable read.
For any readers from the Ottawa area, you may find a bit of humour in the way the author weaves the names of three local CFRA radio station personalities into one of the chapters.
For any readers from the Ottawa area, you may find a bit of humour in the way the author weaves the names of three local CFRA radio station personalities into one of the chapters.
December 21, 2020
Acton and Laura go to China for vacation and get caught up in a coup of the old dynasty and the regime. Love these books although this one wasn’t about archeology and ended way before I wanted it to.
March 12, 2021
Sadly, this book wasn't nearly as good as the former ones. There was (and this is odd to say) way too much backstory, and not enough of the main story, and every bit of the main story was go go go.
I wanted to like this story more, believe me... and I hope the next books is better.
I wanted to like this story more, believe me... and I hope the next books is better.
August 26, 2023
Book 5
Book 5 was a fun read and had errors throughout. The plot and characters were a bit different in this book from the others. The different points of view developed well and had a few twists. I look forward to the next book.
Book 5 was a fun read and had errors throughout. The plot and characters were a bit different in this book from the others. The different points of view developed well and had a few twists. I look forward to the next book.
March 12, 2025
There was some interesting Chinese history woven into this thriller, but some of the action sequences and coup attempt defied belief. I will keep reading as the combination of history and fictional thriller never fails to entertain.
December 23, 2017
Another good Kennedy read.
January 10, 2019
Lynnie
Another of his books, very sit on edge of your seat, to see what would happen to all the characters we have learned to like and cheer for.
Another of his books, very sit on edge of your seat, to see what would happen to all the characters we have learned to like and cheer for.
April 18, 2019
One of my favorite authors and set of characters. Great storyline!
April 6, 2020
Good as usual with the good Professor(s)
April 7, 2020
Wow. I'm finally getting back to the series after a bit of a break, and am I ever glad I did. I love having some history mixed with a fast paced, edge of your seat thriller. On to the next one!
May 13, 2020
another thriller!
what a great read. the history part was interesting as well as the rest of the book. throughout the book, it was hard to put down
what a great read. the history part was interesting as well as the rest of the book. throughout the book, it was hard to put down
April 23, 2021
Love this series. Five down and a ton left to read.
July 26, 2022
Not his best work.
I often thought of dumping out of this book and just moving to the next in the series. It plodded in places. However, I stuck it out.
I often thought of dumping out of this book and just moving to the next in the series. It plodded in places. However, I stuck it out.
April 3, 2023
So far this has been my least favorite of the series however still a page turner. I’ve been to Tiananmen Square so knowing the logistics helped. There are many characters that are actually real so again very interesting. I loved the beginning of the story and the middle…the ending was just a little dragged out and that’s why I rated it with 4 stars. I look forward to book 5.
October 3, 2023
Laura and James thought they were going to have a relaxing holiday ... fate had other plans for them.
February 6, 2025
Keep them coming J. Robert!
January 12, 2026
Brilliant
Yet another Acton action book I couldn't put down. I felt I was standing in Tiananmen Square, rushing around the streets. As someone who loves reading about history I like how Kennedy blends facts with fiction.
Yet another Acton action book I couldn't put down. I felt I was standing in Tiananmen Square, rushing around the streets. As someone who loves reading about history I like how Kennedy blends facts with fiction.
December 23, 2023
Another edge of the seat adventure with Professors James Acton and Laura Palmer. These two can't even go on vacation without ending up in a dangerous international event.
This time they walk right into an attempted coup.
The story moves back and forth from the late 19th century to the present; from the end of the Imperial dynasty to the present and from one harrowing near death incident to the next.
I love this series! While it isn't necessary to read these in order, I recommend it because the recurring characters and their relationships are such an important part of the series.
This time they walk right into an attempted coup.
The story moves back and forth from the late 19th century to the present; from the end of the Imperial dynasty to the present and from one harrowing near death incident to the next.
I love this series! While it isn't necessary to read these in order, I recommend it because the recurring characters and their relationships are such an important part of the series.
April 15, 2013
Another installment of the James Acton series. This one takes place in China, and tells the story of the last emperor and his son, lost to history. Flash to modern day, and Acton and the usual cast of characters are swept up in a coup de tat taking place during a vacation in China. This one has plenty of action, though it's not my favorite in the series. Still, a fun read and a good series.
June 25, 2016
this book is fantastic... history at its best. violence and aggression, ACTION!!! just a fictional book based on real life events. I like how James Acton and Laura Palmer ended in the midst of yet more trouble and historic events. and the delta teams mission. fantastic to read, and the jumping from old events to present day events worked for this book. x
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews