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Frank Corso #6
Blown Away
With each riveting new thriller, author G.M. Ford garners more critical praise for the breakneck, revved-up, nonstop style that has catapulted him into the upper echelon of contemporary crime writers. Now he returns with his most harrowing novel to date--based on an incredible but true unsolved case--as he plunges his dark and complex protagonist, disgraced journalist Frank Corso, into a lethal morass of revenge and conspiracy.
"The nightmare began a year ago with the curious and unfortunate death of a delivery driver--blown to pieces. With a little prodding from the media, the terror spread, burning a bloody swath from East Coast to West."
Bodies are piling up as a series of deadly bank robberies rocks the L.A. area. Where federal agencies see nothing but the random hand of a bomb-tossing lunatic, rogue journalist turned bestselling author Frank Corso sees the tracks of something more sinister--something with a motive and a message. And it's not going away.
Forced to work within the system, Corso and research assistant, Chris Andriatta, are never-theless ready to pull out all the stops to halt a time bomb of terror. But the closer they come to a maniac, the more a shocking and devastating truth comes to light--that the fuse to the horror that has killed many times over and will kill many times more may have been inadvertently lit by Frank Corso himself.
G.M. Ford delivers an edge-of-your-seat thriller that's gritty, harrowing, timely, and explosive--as past and present, fact and fiction crash head-on. You will be . . . "blown away."
"The nightmare began a year ago with the curious and unfortunate death of a delivery driver--blown to pieces. With a little prodding from the media, the terror spread, burning a bloody swath from East Coast to West."
Bodies are piling up as a series of deadly bank robberies rocks the L.A. area. Where federal agencies see nothing but the random hand of a bomb-tossing lunatic, rogue journalist turned bestselling author Frank Corso sees the tracks of something more sinister--something with a motive and a message. And it's not going away.
Forced to work within the system, Corso and research assistant, Chris Andriatta, are never-theless ready to pull out all the stops to halt a time bomb of terror. But the closer they come to a maniac, the more a shocking and devastating truth comes to light--that the fuse to the horror that has killed many times over and will kill many times more may have been inadvertently lit by Frank Corso himself.
G.M. Ford delivers an edge-of-your-seat thriller that's gritty, harrowing, timely, and explosive--as past and present, fact and fiction crash head-on. You will be . . . "blown away."
336 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2006
2 people are currently reading
170 people want to read
About the author
G.M. Ford
34 books219 followersGerald M. Ford was the author of the widely praised Frank Corso novels, Fury, Black River, A Blind Eye, Red Tide, No Man's Land, and Blown Away; six highly acclaimed mysteries, featuring Seattle private investigator Leo Waterman; and the stand-alone thriller Nameless Night. A former creative writing teacher in western Washington, Ford lived in San Diego.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 28, 2019
A lot of people didn't like this book. The reviews on Amazon are particularly negative. What the reader didn't understand was G.M. Ford's history with a series. His Waterman series was six books in total and Blown Away was the sixth book of the Corso series. That said, I knew going in that there would not be a follow on book using Corso as the protag.
I thought this book was very well written and very taunt as plots go. Then ending is going to leave the reader wanting closure, but it's not going to happen.
Without spoiling anything, Ford did the best job of ending a series of any author I have ever read.
EDIT EDIT
For all of you Internet Power Rangers who love to find fault with things, check the date on this review before you tell me that he has written more Waterman books. Several years went by before he revived Waterman series.
I thought this book was very well written and very taunt as plots go. Then ending is going to leave the reader wanting closure, but it's not going to happen.
Without spoiling anything, Ford did the best job of ending a series of any author I have ever read.
EDIT EDIT
For all of you Internet Power Rangers who love to find fault with things, check the date on this review before you tell me that he has written more Waterman books. Several years went by before he revived Waterman series.
October 10, 2009
I am a fan of G. M. Ford's, Frank Corso series. Corso, a disgraced journalist from the New York Times, turns to writing true crime books. Usually he has to solve the crime himself, all the while fighting for his life against those who do not want the crime solved. Oh, and fighting against the police, who sometimes think he's more trouble than he's worth.
That usually is the truth. Frank Corso does stir up some trouble wherever he goes. This book Blown Away left me a little bit cold. Innocent people all over the country are going into banks with a bomb strapped to their chests, and then they must follow instructions, or they will be blown up. The plot is sinister, etc., and the clever level is good, etc., but it's the et ceteras that leave me cold with this book.
It starts good, and ends with a ... wha??? Hence my three star rating. I liked it, that's it. No earth shattering denouement, in fact, the denouement was terrible. Why? because at the end, when he's figured it all out Frank ends up at a bank window, presenting a note...oh yes, with a bomb around his neck. End of book.
Unless another book is coming, this is the end of Frank. If it is the end of Frank, then it sucks.
That usually is the truth. Frank Corso does stir up some trouble wherever he goes. This book Blown Away left me a little bit cold. Innocent people all over the country are going into banks with a bomb strapped to their chests, and then they must follow instructions, or they will be blown up. The plot is sinister, etc., and the clever level is good, etc., but it's the et ceteras that leave me cold with this book.
It starts good, and ends with a ... wha??? Hence my three star rating. I liked it, that's it. No earth shattering denouement, in fact, the denouement was terrible. Why? because at the end, when he's figured it all out Frank ends up at a bank window, presenting a note...oh yes, with a bomb around his neck. End of book.
Unless another book is coming, this is the end of Frank. If it is the end of Frank, then it sucks.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2011
I've not read any other reviews of this book so that my views won't be tarnished by what others had to say. With that, I was completely disgusted when I finished the book. I can't give many details without ruining the end for others, but it will suffice to say that I was not at all happy with what G.M. Ford did on the final page of the book.
I have to say that I really enjoy Ford's writing and I especially like the Frank Corso series. This book is very entertaining and gripping until the last page. The protagainst, rogue investigative journalist Frank Corso, is hot on the trail of what will surely turn into another bestselling book for him. He has tracked down a group of ruthless bank robbers and is going to expose them.
Oh how I wish I could explain how angry I am with G.M. Ford, but sadly, I can't without ruining the book for other reader. I can say that I absolutely posively will not recommend this book to anyone. Save your money so that you won't be cheated the way Iwas and the way I suspect many others have been.
I have to say that I really enjoy Ford's writing and I especially like the Frank Corso series. This book is very entertaining and gripping until the last page. The protagainst, rogue investigative journalist Frank Corso, is hot on the trail of what will surely turn into another bestselling book for him. He has tracked down a group of ruthless bank robbers and is going to expose them.
Oh how I wish I could explain how angry I am with G.M. Ford, but sadly, I can't without ruining the book for other reader. I can say that I absolutely posively will not recommend this book to anyone. Save your money so that you won't be cheated the way Iwas and the way I suspect many others have been.
June 1, 2013
The word "meh" comes to mind. I've enjoyably read all of G.M. Fords books and generally they don't rely on an amassed collection of totally improbable concurrences taking place to make the story move along. It took me two tries, years apart, to actually finish this.
The series of joins that transpire when the FBI/ATF take Mr. Corso and his aide, Chris Andriatta into custody to further the feds investigation into a particularly interesting modus of bank robbery just left me a wonder about what leverage the publisher had on Ford to make him finish this muddle. From the way he tossed around pronouns and names when talking about his aide I think there was a word count clause in the contract, as well.
The ending, however, was one of the best I've run into for concluding (terminating) a series.
The series of joins that transpire when the FBI/ATF take Mr. Corso and his aide, Chris Andriatta into custody to further the feds investigation into a particularly interesting modus of bank robbery just left me a wonder about what leverage the publisher had on Ford to make him finish this muddle. From the way he tossed around pronouns and names when talking about his aide I think there was a word count clause in the contract, as well.
The ending, however, was one of the best I've run into for concluding (terminating) a series.
January 29, 2014
If there is to be no other novels starring Frank Corso then I will be really annoyed becos while I was not completely enamored with him as a protagonist the books had a way of drawing you in. Also that ending was not what I was expecting to say the least.
June 22, 2010
I didn't like this book. I didn't really like any of the characters.
Read
February 28, 2013Pretty good, better than the previous installment. A lot of suspension of disbelief is necessary, but the clever and quick moving plot is worth it.
February 8, 2013
After thoroughly enjoying the whole Frank Corso series, I was staggered at how it ended ... can't believe there won't be another book!!
June 21, 2021
It seems to me Ford went slightly off his rocker somewhere about ten pages before the end.
Got fed up with the whole thing and sent the book off to the publisher more or less mid sentence.
I have read a few of his books. But this ending is unprofessional.
I will stay far away from him henceforth.
Got fed up with the whole thing and sent the book off to the publisher more or less mid sentence.
I have read a few of his books. But this ending is unprofessional.
I will stay far away from him henceforth.
October 27, 2019
I’m glad Ford isn’t writing Corso books anymore. I lost interest in the series when he wrote Meg out and obviously he thought he needed to introduce a female character as he did in this one. Ford is overrated as an author and this book is proof. Totally unsatisfying.
December 2, 2025
me enteré que es un libro de una serie cuando lo terminé, no siento que haga falta leer los anteriores para entenderlo, me estaba gustando bastante hasta que llegue al final, odie ese final tan abierto, pensé que tenía continuación pero no, este fue el libro final
August 14, 2007
BLOWN AWAY (Suspense-Pennsylvania/Calif-Cont) – VG
Ford, G.M. – 6th in series
William Morrow, 2006, Hardcover
*** Frank Corso, now highly successful and very well paid, has been sent to Pennsylvania by his publisher. There he is to investigate the death of a young man who was sent in to rob a bank, a bomb attached to his body. But the young man is killed when the bomb is set off. The town refuses to talk about it and even an attempt on Corso’s life is written off as a suicide attempt. But when the FBI whisks Corso and this new research assistant, Chris Andriatta, off to California, they discover there have been other incidents similar to the one in Pennsylvania and the crimes are escalating.
*** With one of the best first sentence hooks I’ve read in awhile, Ford’s sixth Corso book is off and running. Corso is smart and dogged in his determination to find answers. Ford’s females are tough and independent. He creates excellent tension, sense of place and dialogue. He knows how to balance humor and violence, and puts in enough twists and revelations to keep the reader guessing but without letting the story get out of control. The motive in this was a bit weak. I have not decided how I feel about the ending yet, except it certainly had the “oh, wow” factor. Ford knows how to keep the reader on the edge of their seat and turning the pages from beginning to end without stopping. This is another series I definitely recommend reading in order.
Ford, G.M. – 6th in series
William Morrow, 2006, Hardcover
*** Frank Corso, now highly successful and very well paid, has been sent to Pennsylvania by his publisher. There he is to investigate the death of a young man who was sent in to rob a bank, a bomb attached to his body. But the young man is killed when the bomb is set off. The town refuses to talk about it and even an attempt on Corso’s life is written off as a suicide attempt. But when the FBI whisks Corso and this new research assistant, Chris Andriatta, off to California, they discover there have been other incidents similar to the one in Pennsylvania and the crimes are escalating.
*** With one of the best first sentence hooks I’ve read in awhile, Ford’s sixth Corso book is off and running. Corso is smart and dogged in his determination to find answers. Ford’s females are tough and independent. He creates excellent tension, sense of place and dialogue. He knows how to balance humor and violence, and puts in enough twists and revelations to keep the reader guessing but without letting the story get out of control. The motive in this was a bit weak. I have not decided how I feel about the ending yet, except it certainly had the “oh, wow” factor. Ford knows how to keep the reader on the edge of their seat and turning the pages from beginning to end without stopping. This is another series I definitely recommend reading in order.
November 21, 2012
I have read some of the Frank Corso series, not all and not in order. This is the sixth and can be read standalone.
The thread of the story is the death of Nathan Marino in a remote Pennsylvannia town, by being blown up by a collar bomb 18 months ago.
We learn bits about Marino's background, but not enough to know why he was killed. Then similar instances appear in California and Corso and his assistant are whisked off to California by the FBI.
The links back to Marino and Pennsylvania are gradually revealed, including some unexpected bad guys.
The book contains a highl cliff hangar finish - but it seems Mr Ford does not go beyond 6 books in a series so as a reader we have to assume what will happen - writing our own ending! Its obviously not a popular ending judging by other comments but one that stays in your head!
I enjoyed the book and whilst I'd love to see a 6.5 epilogue I Think it was a good ending.
May 8, 2015
#6 in the Frank Corso series. Frank Corso disgraced ex-reporter is now a best selling author and columnist for the Seattle Sun. Apparently this 2006 book is the final entry in the series, although author Ford's protagonist Leo Waterman had a hiatus from 2000 to 2012.
Frank Corso is forced by his publisher to take on the story of a PA bank robbery gone wrong when the robber is found to be wearing a bomb that is remotely detonated. Corso is scooped up by the FBI and taken to CA where a similar series of robberies are taking place. The problem is finding the common denominator and then understanding it.
Frank Corso is forced by his publisher to take on the story of a PA bank robbery gone wrong when the robber is found to be wearing a bomb that is remotely detonated. Corso is scooped up by the FBI and taken to CA where a similar series of robberies are taking place. The problem is finding the common denominator and then understanding it.
January 13, 2011
I have to say I expected better. This book was recommended by my boyfriend who noticed me reading some thrillers and said I would like this.
The book started excellently, I grew slightly bored/ irritated in the middle and then it did pick up pace towards the end. It ends with a twist - in my opinion quite a bad twist -it leaves you unsure of what really happened and I just don't feel that it all tied up together.
Quite a good 'inbetween' book when you are looking for something else.
The book started excellently, I grew slightly bored/ irritated in the middle and then it did pick up pace towards the end. It ends with a twist - in my opinion quite a bad twist -it leaves you unsure of what really happened and I just don't feel that it all tied up together.
Quite a good 'inbetween' book when you are looking for something else.
January 30, 2012
I thoroughly enjoyed this book by G.M. Ford which reals with an unusual death. Wealthy author Corso is ent by his new publisher to look into the matter as the possibility exists that there is the basis for a story,
What follows is a fast paced thrillers with enough curves and twists thrown in to keep the readers interest. A totally unexpected (at leat for me) ending to the book which begs for a sequel.
What follows is a fast paced thrillers with enough curves and twists thrown in to keep the readers interest. A totally unexpected (at leat for me) ending to the book which begs for a sequel.
November 3, 2009
Not a bad book, but having read the previous 5 novels in the Frank Corso series I know the author is capable of better. Perhaps the author is coming to the end (last few pages suggest so) & running out of ideas for Frank Corso thus the slight disappointment of this book..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2008
Starts off strong, gets tepid in the middle, and ends with a twist. Not my favorite book by a long shot, and I probably wouldn't recommend it to any friends.
February 19, 2013
A very good novel inspired by real events. I am a Frank Corso fan and I read all the books in the series. I liked the way this one ended. Wicked.
July 5, 2014
Where is book 7??? Excellent read as always. Had it on Audio books could not get out the car!
December 21, 2015
I loved this book! G.M. Ford's talent of keeping the suspense taught while revealing bit by bit makes him one of my favorites.
April 3, 2016
I found this rubbish, could not get into it no matter how far into the book I read
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews