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The Project #4
Black Harvest
Three world experts on crop disease discover a secret from the time of Alexander the Great and are brutally murdered...
A centuries old conspiracy plots to destroy much of the world's food supply as part of a plan for world domination...
The PROJECT team must stop a traitor and prevent a world-wide disaster...
The hunt for answers leads Nick Carter and Selena Connor to Greece, Bulgaria and the United States. In a series of life and death confrontations they encounter unlikely allies, an ancient legacy of bio-warfare and a cover up with ominous implications for freedom.
James Campbell is a world expert in crop viruses. He discovers nine clay tablets from ancient Persia containing a clue to the location of a golden urn marked with the curse of a Greek goddess, part of treasure seized by Alexander the Great during the fall of Babylon. Then he's horribly murdered, along with two of his colleagues. Campbell has been working on a secret bio-warfare program for the Pentagon. The murders get the attention of Elizabeth Harker, Director of a covert intelligence unit called the Project.
A centuries old conspiracy plots to destroy much of the world's food supply as part of a plan for world domination...
The PROJECT team must stop a traitor and prevent a world-wide disaster...
The hunt for answers leads Nick Carter and Selena Connor to Greece, Bulgaria and the United States. In a series of life and death confrontations they encounter unlikely allies, an ancient legacy of bio-warfare and a cover up with ominous implications for freedom.
James Campbell is a world expert in crop viruses. He discovers nine clay tablets from ancient Persia containing a clue to the location of a golden urn marked with the curse of a Greek goddess, part of treasure seized by Alexander the Great during the fall of Babylon. Then he's horribly murdered, along with two of his colleagues. Campbell has been working on a secret bio-warfare program for the Pentagon. The murders get the attention of Elizabeth Harker, Director of a covert intelligence unit called the Project.
230 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2012
116 people are currently reading
608 people want to read
About the author
Alex Lukeman
27 books206 followersI like Barbados rum, old,fast motorcycles, playing guitar and books by authors like Michael Connelly, Robert Crais, Alex Berenson, Craig Johnson and Lee Child. I write action/adventure thrillers. WHITE JADE is the first in a series featuring the PROJECT, a small, elite counter-terrorism unit. There are currently 23 books in the series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
April 5, 2015
I have to admit that I was a bit confused at the start of the book because there appeared to be a number of disparate things going on. However, once these came together coherently, I found this book to be as enjoyable as its predecessors, and finished it quite quickly despite all my commitments around this Easter period.
The story centres on a group called AEON and their desire for world domination, and involves the preparation of a crop blight that would decimate plant growth and result in mass starvation before AEON, or its representatives, would come forward with an already prepared antidote.
The hunt for answers leads Nick Carter and Selena Connor to Greece, Bulgaria and the United States. In a series of life and death confrontations they encounter unlikely allies, an ancient legacy of bio-warfare and a cover up with ominous implications for freedom. They are assisted by their usual colleagues, and led by Elizabeth Harker, recovering from a serious illness, but still under treatment.
The Project is supposed to be extremely covert, but it is amazing how many people are betting to know about it, so their future operations will become more difficult, and although they do win through on this occasion, AEON is still out there and will no doubt feature in future novels.
We get to know more about the main characters in the series, and they remain true character traits developed in the previous novels. Lucas Monroe, introduced in Book 3 of the series, features again, and plays quite a significant part in the development of the storyline particularly towards the end.
It is a very good read, had me gripped towards the end, and has me looking forward to the next in the series.
The story centres on a group called AEON and their desire for world domination, and involves the preparation of a crop blight that would decimate plant growth and result in mass starvation before AEON, or its representatives, would come forward with an already prepared antidote.
The hunt for answers leads Nick Carter and Selena Connor to Greece, Bulgaria and the United States. In a series of life and death confrontations they encounter unlikely allies, an ancient legacy of bio-warfare and a cover up with ominous implications for freedom. They are assisted by their usual colleagues, and led by Elizabeth Harker, recovering from a serious illness, but still under treatment.
The Project is supposed to be extremely covert, but it is amazing how many people are betting to know about it, so their future operations will become more difficult, and although they do win through on this occasion, AEON is still out there and will no doubt feature in future novels.
We get to know more about the main characters in the series, and they remain true character traits developed in the previous novels. Lucas Monroe, introduced in Book 3 of the series, features again, and plays quite a significant part in the development of the storyline particularly towards the end.
It is a very good read, had me gripped towards the end, and has me looking forward to the next in the series.
August 30, 2013
You know, once I got into the book a LONG ways, it finally became interesting. However, I found the first half rife with obligatory sex scenes, detailed discussion of inconsequential firearms and things that just didn't add to the story at all. Also, the archaeological and historical parts weren't discussed enough for me. I was extremely disappointed. Once I got past the concept that this really wasn't much along the lines of historical fiction, I was okay with the last half of the book. To be honest, I'm surprised I lasted that long. More than once, I considered tossing it, but kept thinking if I read a little farther, it would pick up the historical pace. I was wrong and just finally gave up that notion.
It was fair for a shoot-'em-up. Not much for a thinker.
It was fair for a shoot-'em-up. Not much for a thinker.
October 16, 2014
Series continues
to be good. However, this one felt like an episode from a TV show. The ending in particular did not provide much closure - more if a season cliff hanger.
to be good. However, this one felt like an episode from a TV show. The ending in particular did not provide much closure - more if a season cliff hanger.
September 6, 2017
A well written and largely well paced book, full of intrique, subterfuge and underhand cold war tactics.
The personal side to a couple of characterisations adds a lot too.
But on the downide, the book needed to be a little longer, it's not the longest Project and given the number of twists and turns - more rings than the Olympic flag.
I'm still undecided on Adam, a faceless character. Could be a lazy way to provide a tip off, or a really clever move; given the open end of part of the storyline, I sense a return, my mind to be made up in the next one.
The personal side to a couple of characterisations adds a lot too.
But on the downide, the book needed to be a little longer, it's not the longest Project and given the number of twists and turns - more rings than the Olympic flag.
I'm still undecided on Adam, a faceless character. Could be a lazy way to provide a tip off, or a really clever move; given the open end of part of the storyline, I sense a return, my mind to be made up in the next one.
May 12, 2024
Just as I thought book 4 is just as good and as fast paced and interesting as the other three in this series have been. Nick Carter and his small Project team mates go up against assassins and some very ruthless people in their own government with some unexpected help from Moscow and a new friend Nick was also not expecting to make or to like this book is awesome looking forward to book 5 as well as the rest of the series if you like thrillers, spy books, or a combination of both try this author if you haven't...I don't think you will be disappointed.
October 31, 2017
THE PROJECT GOES DEEPER DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE IT DOES.....
Hello, this story is really showing the series coming alive. Lots of bad guys and conspiracies around every corner. Good stuff. Thanks.
Hello, this story is really showing the series coming alive. Lots of bad guys and conspiracies around every corner. Good stuff. Thanks.
September 14, 2018
Really scary idea for a book because it really could be something credible for the future or even the present. I think that is why this book is so freaky, and also why I think these books are so scary to a certain extent. Wow, is really all there is, just Wow.
March 21, 2019
Lukeman incorporated popular views of a form of biological warfare into a thought provoking thriller. I just hope our government is prepared to respond to someone destroying or tampering with our farm/food industries.
November 15, 2020
Can't wait to start the next book in the series
Alex Lukeman always makes for a good read! The characters are realistic, with personal lives and emotions. People you get involved with and want to know what's happening next for them. I do suggest reading these in order.
Alex Lukeman always makes for a good read! The characters are realistic, with personal lives and emotions. People you get involved with and want to know what's happening next for them. I do suggest reading these in order.
November 26, 2021
Another good read!A bio germ,from long ago is going to affect our food sources now.Nick and Selena are called on to fix it. Jack de Golia was a fine narrator.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
June 12, 2022
This book was going along at a pretty good pace until near the end. I felt like several chapters with significant plot happenings were deleted. Also, it needs a recap of previous installments as a reminder to those of us who do not read them back to back.
November 5, 2017
Enjoying this series
This was another good book by Alex Lukeman. I enjoyed this book. It kept a good pace, and has likable characters.
This was another good book by Alex Lukeman. I enjoyed this book. It kept a good pace, and has likable characters.
November 24, 2017
This book has a terrifying plot. More to come?
February 17, 2018
Good book
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
February 22, 2018
A gripping read
And the story continues. Great gripping plot with the team coming in and taking care of things. This type of terrorism could actually happen in today’s society.
And the story continues. Great gripping plot with the team coming in and taking care of things. This type of terrorism could actually happen in today’s society.
May 18, 2018
This is a great series.
Good character development and storyline. The characters are believable, the plot realistic and fast moving. I'm hooked on this series.
Good character development and storyline. The characters are believable, the plot realistic and fast moving. I'm hooked on this series.
June 9, 2019
Gripping Suspense!
I love a good thriller, with a hero and a heroine, and a love story mixed in.
Full of action, twists, and romance.
I love a good thriller, with a hero and a heroine, and a love story mixed in.
Full of action, twists, and romance.
May 22, 2020
AEON a group wanting the control and power over the world, using mass starvation to get the followers. Once again the team is global trotting to stop them. Took a few chapters to get the plot, and once then another good story. Given audio for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
March 22, 2023
Amazing read
Excellently written and was good right to the final page. I will follow these books on after reading what I have to read next. Would recommend this book to anyone.
Excellently written and was good right to the final page. I will follow these books on after reading what I have to read next. Would recommend this book to anyone.
March 12, 2024
great read
I hv read four project books in two weeks.. I intend reading the rest. Well written. Great entertaining storytelling. Many thanks.
I hv read four project books in two weeks.. I intend reading the rest. Well written. Great entertaining storytelling. Many thanks.
August 29, 2025
A gripping adventure
This book has everything in it: action, intrigue, fights, good food, quality chaacter development, and romance. I highly recommend it.
This book has everything in it: action, intrigue, fights, good food, quality chaacter development, and romance. I highly recommend it.
June 29, 2012
The US government has an alphabet soup of groups, all supposedly reporting to the president and all having their own agendas. The Project is not one of these, as it is set up by the President so that he would have one agency he could explicitly trust. It’s made up of well trained covert operatives, all of whom report to their director Elizabeth Harker. Elizabeth and her team are completely loyal to the President, their country and each other, not necessarily in that order.
Recently returned from their last op, Nick Carter uses a hard work out to wrestle with his personal demons and his confusion over his budding relationship with Selena Conner. He is joined by Selena, who gets a phone call from a friend, Keven McCullough, asking her to see if she can translate some pictures of cuneiform tablets. As soon as Nick and Selena get to Kevin’s office he tells them that the friend he received the pictures from, Jim Campbell, was murdered the night before.
Jim worked for the CDC and had been in Iraq researching clues to ancient famines. He sent the pictures with a message that Keven should have them translated, and to be careful. Selena translates part of the document as an inventory from the treasury of Darious III in Babylon. It tells of a golden urn filled with gold, sealed, graven with a black horse and an inscription saying the urn contains the Curse of Demeter Erinys, the Greek goddess of the harvest and was sent to someone in Greece.
Taking the copy of the document with her so she can study it, she and Nick leave as a package is delivered to Keven. As they are walking away, the sky lights up, and they are knocked from their feet with debris raining down upon their head. There has been an explosion in the building, right where Keven’s office would have been.
Back at Project headquarters, it is discovered that another man Campbell had been in contact with was killed with a car bomb. The team’s computer guru, Stephanie, manages to tap into their last phone conversation, in which Campbell discloses that the he thinks the urn might have contained spores from infected grains that caused a horrible famine. Campbell thought this could possibly be a way to find a cure for a nasty crop blight called Fusarium. Since Selena speaks Greek and is a whiz at ancient research, the director decides to send her on her first solo mission to Greece to try to find the location of the urn.
It turns out that more than one party are interested in the urn. A nasty Russian mobster named Zviad Gelashvili is determined to get his hands on it. The Russian government’s equivalent to The Project is also watching what’s going on and would love a way to take Gelashvili down. Once again the team of The Project must go against impossible odds to discover just who is behind the murders, what they are after and take them out. They may find that the enemy could very well be in their own back yard.
What can I say about Mr. Lukeman’s writing? His style is so descriptive that we hear the sound of bullets as they whiz by, we smell the musky smell of long decayed bones in an underground crypt, we feel the pain of torture, and see the sights of a small Greek village. His characters are real; we know their thoughts and feel like we are right there beside them.
The entire team of The Project is back together again, led once more with unshakable skill by Director Harkins. Nick and Selena are dealing with their relationship while both are fighting their own personal demons. Stephanie will find herself in a position of peril, and must rely not only on her training, but her own self resolve to get through. Ronnie Peete, legendary for his tracking skills in his Marine Recon unit, is back along with Lamont Cameron, who even with his arm in a cast can hold his own. The team is joined by an unlikely ally, Nick’s Russian equivalent, Arkady Korov, a walking, thinking lethal weapon.
Once again, Mr. Lukeman has transported us into his world of spies, espionage and things that go boom. If I had one complaint about this book, it would be that when I finished I felt like I had not had enough. I wanted to hold my hands out and like the fictional Oliver, beg “please sir, may I have some more”. If you enjoy a good action packed, modern drama/thriller you won’t be disappointed, except when it’s over and, like me, you are left wanting more.
Member of the Paranormal Romance Guild Dual Review Team
Recently returned from their last op, Nick Carter uses a hard work out to wrestle with his personal demons and his confusion over his budding relationship with Selena Conner. He is joined by Selena, who gets a phone call from a friend, Keven McCullough, asking her to see if she can translate some pictures of cuneiform tablets. As soon as Nick and Selena get to Kevin’s office he tells them that the friend he received the pictures from, Jim Campbell, was murdered the night before.
Jim worked for the CDC and had been in Iraq researching clues to ancient famines. He sent the pictures with a message that Keven should have them translated, and to be careful. Selena translates part of the document as an inventory from the treasury of Darious III in Babylon. It tells of a golden urn filled with gold, sealed, graven with a black horse and an inscription saying the urn contains the Curse of Demeter Erinys, the Greek goddess of the harvest and was sent to someone in Greece.
Taking the copy of the document with her so she can study it, she and Nick leave as a package is delivered to Keven. As they are walking away, the sky lights up, and they are knocked from their feet with debris raining down upon their head. There has been an explosion in the building, right where Keven’s office would have been.
Back at Project headquarters, it is discovered that another man Campbell had been in contact with was killed with a car bomb. The team’s computer guru, Stephanie, manages to tap into their last phone conversation, in which Campbell discloses that the he thinks the urn might have contained spores from infected grains that caused a horrible famine. Campbell thought this could possibly be a way to find a cure for a nasty crop blight called Fusarium. Since Selena speaks Greek and is a whiz at ancient research, the director decides to send her on her first solo mission to Greece to try to find the location of the urn.
It turns out that more than one party are interested in the urn. A nasty Russian mobster named Zviad Gelashvili is determined to get his hands on it. The Russian government’s equivalent to The Project is also watching what’s going on and would love a way to take Gelashvili down. Once again the team of The Project must go against impossible odds to discover just who is behind the murders, what they are after and take them out. They may find that the enemy could very well be in their own back yard.
What can I say about Mr. Lukeman’s writing? His style is so descriptive that we hear the sound of bullets as they whiz by, we smell the musky smell of long decayed bones in an underground crypt, we feel the pain of torture, and see the sights of a small Greek village. His characters are real; we know their thoughts and feel like we are right there beside them.
The entire team of The Project is back together again, led once more with unshakable skill by Director Harkins. Nick and Selena are dealing with their relationship while both are fighting their own personal demons. Stephanie will find herself in a position of peril, and must rely not only on her training, but her own self resolve to get through. Ronnie Peete, legendary for his tracking skills in his Marine Recon unit, is back along with Lamont Cameron, who even with his arm in a cast can hold his own. The team is joined by an unlikely ally, Nick’s Russian equivalent, Arkady Korov, a walking, thinking lethal weapon.
Once again, Mr. Lukeman has transported us into his world of spies, espionage and things that go boom. If I had one complaint about this book, it would be that when I finished I felt like I had not had enough. I wanted to hold my hands out and like the fictional Oliver, beg “please sir, may I have some more”. If you enjoy a good action packed, modern drama/thriller you won’t be disappointed, except when it’s over and, like me, you are left wanting more.
Member of the Paranormal Romance Guild Dual Review Team
June 29, 2012
This is the fourth book in Alex Lukeman's fabulous Project Series. The Project is a very small group of dedicated men and women who put their lives on the line for only one thing: Protecting America. Their leader Elizabeth Harker has `the ear' of the President and she works her `Team" outside the reach of the CIA, FBI and any other government agency They are a covert Presidential counter-terrorism unit. They stand alone and will die alone if ever caught.
Stephanie Willits is Elizabeth's assistant who can hack in to any computer program, even The Pentagon is not safe from her keen mind and nimble fingers. Nick Carter a former recon Marine heads the team. Ronnie Peete also ex military is an American Indian, Lamont (the shadow)Cameron is ex Navy Seal and lastly Selena Connors. We met Selena in our first book White Jade, a young socialite whose rich Uncle was killed during that story. Selena's talents make her able to read and speak many languages including old dead languages, She can jump from a plane, has been trained in martial arts and can dives to depths like a pro. Being wealthy had gained her the ability to learn many things in life, all that money could buy. She has now become quite an asset to the team and to the relationship she is forming with Nick Carter. Lastly we have Lucas Monroe who joined at the end of our last book. He is there to help the team watch as he is CIA. Stephanie and his eyes met in The Seventh Pillar and sparks flew. I was interested to see what was going on with our "gang" in Black Harvest.
Alex Lukeman never ceases to amaze me. His newest storyline was brilliant. There have been 3 men killed. Each worked in different government departments that had to do with food supply. James Campbell worked for the CDC and was researching tablets from the time of Alexander the Great for clues to ancient famines. He sent message to Kevin Mc Cullough and Arnold Weinstein with some information and a note to `be careful'. Selena and Nick went to meet with Kevin at his offices. The information was in an old language that Selena took to translate. Upon returning to their car the entire floor of Kevin's office building exploded. Arnold Weinstein had a car bomb waiting for him as well. Nicks ear began to itch.
We have been all over the world in these stories and this book is not any different, In Black Harvest we are in Greece and in Bulgaria with the team all looking for clues to solve this mystery. We learn The Project is becoming well known now in many quarters both good and bad. A Russian mobster becomes involved in this, setting us up for meeting the head of the SVR, the Russian equivalent of the Project. Its head, sends Major Arkady Korov to intercede on their behalf. Korov is to take out the Russian mobster Gelashvili, and any others; all are disposable. Korov comes to Greece and becomes an unlikely ally to our team when he is given orders to help The Project members.
This is where Alex Lukeman is at his best. He is a chess master moving his men all around the board or for him the globe. Our small band becomes larger as Lucas joins us to help with an abduction of one of the team members. His C.I A knowledge helps the cause. The respect the Americans show the Russian Korov surprises him and he is also becomes an integral member of the team. What the team must do, to thwart this threat astounds the Russians when the Project Members learn a top member in the American government is on the wrong side and he is taken out! Our author brings up the name AEON. We have met their fringe before, with the Hitler followers. Now we might have met another fringe. Who are these men from every country who want the Power of the world.
After you can take a breather, the pictures in your head reeling, like a motion picture, Mr Lukeman humanizes us by getting back to the relationship growing between Selena and Nick. Nick struggles with his monsters and Selena is starting to have some of her own. . Alex you had me hooked from White Jade. You write well, describe beautifully and the books are action packed. I cannot wait to see what is up your sleeve next.
Review by Gloria Lakritz
Sr Member and Review Chair for the Paranormal Romance Guild Review Team
Stephanie Willits is Elizabeth's assistant who can hack in to any computer program, even The Pentagon is not safe from her keen mind and nimble fingers. Nick Carter a former recon Marine heads the team. Ronnie Peete also ex military is an American Indian, Lamont (the shadow)Cameron is ex Navy Seal and lastly Selena Connors. We met Selena in our first book White Jade, a young socialite whose rich Uncle was killed during that story. Selena's talents make her able to read and speak many languages including old dead languages, She can jump from a plane, has been trained in martial arts and can dives to depths like a pro. Being wealthy had gained her the ability to learn many things in life, all that money could buy. She has now become quite an asset to the team and to the relationship she is forming with Nick Carter. Lastly we have Lucas Monroe who joined at the end of our last book. He is there to help the team watch as he is CIA. Stephanie and his eyes met in The Seventh Pillar and sparks flew. I was interested to see what was going on with our "gang" in Black Harvest.
Alex Lukeman never ceases to amaze me. His newest storyline was brilliant. There have been 3 men killed. Each worked in different government departments that had to do with food supply. James Campbell worked for the CDC and was researching tablets from the time of Alexander the Great for clues to ancient famines. He sent message to Kevin Mc Cullough and Arnold Weinstein with some information and a note to `be careful'. Selena and Nick went to meet with Kevin at his offices. The information was in an old language that Selena took to translate. Upon returning to their car the entire floor of Kevin's office building exploded. Arnold Weinstein had a car bomb waiting for him as well. Nicks ear began to itch.
We have been all over the world in these stories and this book is not any different, In Black Harvest we are in Greece and in Bulgaria with the team all looking for clues to solve this mystery. We learn The Project is becoming well known now in many quarters both good and bad. A Russian mobster becomes involved in this, setting us up for meeting the head of the SVR, the Russian equivalent of the Project. Its head, sends Major Arkady Korov to intercede on their behalf. Korov is to take out the Russian mobster Gelashvili, and any others; all are disposable. Korov comes to Greece and becomes an unlikely ally to our team when he is given orders to help The Project members.
This is where Alex Lukeman is at his best. He is a chess master moving his men all around the board or for him the globe. Our small band becomes larger as Lucas joins us to help with an abduction of one of the team members. His C.I A knowledge helps the cause. The respect the Americans show the Russian Korov surprises him and he is also becomes an integral member of the team. What the team must do, to thwart this threat astounds the Russians when the Project Members learn a top member in the American government is on the wrong side and he is taken out! Our author brings up the name AEON. We have met their fringe before, with the Hitler followers. Now we might have met another fringe. Who are these men from every country who want the Power of the world.
After you can take a breather, the pictures in your head reeling, like a motion picture, Mr Lukeman humanizes us by getting back to the relationship growing between Selena and Nick. Nick struggles with his monsters and Selena is starting to have some of her own. . Alex you had me hooked from White Jade. You write well, describe beautifully and the books are action packed. I cannot wait to see what is up your sleeve next.
Review by Gloria Lakritz
Sr Member and Review Chair for the Paranormal Romance Guild Review Team
June 15, 2015
“The Black Harvest” is the 4th in Alex Lukeman’s “The Project” series. I have grown to greatly enjoy this series primarily due to his character development. As I have read the books, I have not only come to like his characters, but I have stared to care about this central group of characters who make up the Project. I originally purchased “White Jade,” a fast-paced thriller, on a special deal from Amazon for my Kindle. Since that first book, I have slowly added more and more of Lukeman’s Project books to my Kindle. The series centers on a covert intelligence unit called the PROJECT, which answers directly to the President.
The book starts off with the murders of several genetic scientists. We quickly discover that nine ancient tablets from the time of Alexander the Great reveal the secrets to an ancient crop plague. Supposedly, the spores from the plague are stored in a sealed urn within the hidden treasures of Alexander the Great. A sinister secretive world wide group called AEON is using this information and the ancient plague as a weapon for world domination. AEON, we later discover, has been around for a long, long time. As the story progresses, one is not sure who one can trust . . . especially the rich and powerful of the world. Hold your breath - you are in for a ride!
Early on, the plot strands seem confusing and going in different directions. But what Lukeman has done is crafted an intriguing tale complete with plot twists which will keep the reader reading. What makes “Black Harvest” better than the run-of-the-mill high-concept thrillers are the well-drawn and engaging characters – especially Nick Carter and Selena Connor. Even the other members of The Project are well developed and interesting characters as well. As Baldacci and Steve Berry, Lukeman has a special gift in developing memorable characters for his novels. Now it is time for me to order the fifth book in the series: “The Tesla Secret.” Perhaps it is time for you to order one too?
The book starts off with the murders of several genetic scientists. We quickly discover that nine ancient tablets from the time of Alexander the Great reveal the secrets to an ancient crop plague. Supposedly, the spores from the plague are stored in a sealed urn within the hidden treasures of Alexander the Great. A sinister secretive world wide group called AEON is using this information and the ancient plague as a weapon for world domination. AEON, we later discover, has been around for a long, long time. As the story progresses, one is not sure who one can trust . . . especially the rich and powerful of the world. Hold your breath - you are in for a ride!
Early on, the plot strands seem confusing and going in different directions. But what Lukeman has done is crafted an intriguing tale complete with plot twists which will keep the reader reading. What makes “Black Harvest” better than the run-of-the-mill high-concept thrillers are the well-drawn and engaging characters – especially Nick Carter and Selena Connor. Even the other members of The Project are well developed and interesting characters as well. As Baldacci and Steve Berry, Lukeman has a special gift in developing memorable characters for his novels. Now it is time for me to order the fifth book in the series: “The Tesla Secret.” Perhaps it is time for you to order one too?
February 7, 2015
Another brilliant storyline, Black Harvest is book 4 in "The Project" series. The Project is an investigative team, dedicated to protecting the homeland and, ultimately, committed to saving the world from evil leaders. Nick Carter is a man on a mission, traveling to historical destinations to gain helpful information. He doesn't let anything get in his way. Nick Carter is an alpha, and he is daring. He likes a nice glass of whisky, and he is not afraid to take risks. This adventure thriller has it all: quality writing, excellent pace, an interesting storyline, developed characters, and believability. Nick's partner at The Project, Selena, is also his lover, but work comes first. Selena trusts no one but does she want to trust Nick? She is a smart fighter, trained in martial arts, and knowledgeable about various languages and inscriptions. Nick, haunted by memories and the pain of losing his last lover, Megan, struggles to give up the ghost of Megan for another relationship. The history and research in this book are rich; including a brief reference to Demeter, the Greek god of the harvest, and an ancient artifact. Find out what this piece of treasure has to do with the story: an urn that was sent to Greece by Alexander. I kept reading to find out more about the three murders and the motive. With torture, strong language, and sex, this book is for ages eighteen and up.
The adventure and storyline kept me turning the pages for more. In third person narrative, Alex Lukeman can present a well-rounded storyline from chapter to chapter, zeroing in on Nick, Selena, and the thugs in Asia, Athens, and Thessaloniki. I look forward to reading more thriller books in The Project series.
The adventure and storyline kept me turning the pages for more. In third person narrative, Alex Lukeman can present a well-rounded storyline from chapter to chapter, zeroing in on Nick, Selena, and the thugs in Asia, Athens, and Thessaloniki. I look forward to reading more thriller books in The Project series.
December 16, 2013
Fourth in this action/adventure series centered around a covert special ops team known as The Project, this is my favorite so far. Each book in the series integrates across a few conspiracy theories, is a fast-paced, easy to read page turner, takes you to a diverse range of exotic locations, and has plenty of violent encounters and threats of severe international crisis or planet annihilation. Each also focuses on an ancient relic tied to a legend, so you get an entertaining mix of mythology, geography, state-of-the-art surveillance and weaponry development, and international relations current events concerns.
The relic this time is an ancient urn from the days of Alexander the Great that contains the spore for a deadly grain blight that is capable of wiping out a nation's food supply speedily, inducing famine and chaos. We also learn more about AEON, a secret cabal that has controlled the world for centuries, and our heroes must convince some highly skilled Russian operatives to work with them against AEON if the US or Russia either want to survive.(As AEON has incredibly powerful operatives at the highest level in all industrialized countries, this will not be easy...)
The relic this time is an ancient urn from the days of Alexander the Great that contains the spore for a deadly grain blight that is capable of wiping out a nation's food supply speedily, inducing famine and chaos. We also learn more about AEON, a secret cabal that has controlled the world for centuries, and our heroes must convince some highly skilled Russian operatives to work with them against AEON if the US or Russia either want to survive.(As AEON has incredibly powerful operatives at the highest level in all industrialized countries, this will not be easy...)
March 31, 2015
Black Harvest is the fourth novel in The Project series.
I haven’t read the preceding three but this book holds itself well as a standalone and has a plot as tangled as Japanese knotweed; just as you think you have been clever and unravelled a section (aha, an ancient stone tablet – could it be an Indiana Jones type story?) No! Wrong. Lukeman has crafted an intriguing tale: a hybrid original. Most of the chapters are quick-fire action; whizzing by in a hail of words. Then breathe – there are backstory sections, slower, more empathetic, allowing the characters a chance to grow. The political and powertastic machinations do make you shiver at the thought of what we may not know about who sits behind and above governments around the globe, and the fragile connectivity between them which could snap at any moment. Pause to shudder at scary autocracy.
I did think about the plot after I finished this novel. There are levels which promote a quick stray into apocryphal legend/conspiracy theory territory. I enjoyed this book; all the more so because I love to guess a plot and this one twisted about so much it kept my synapses snapping.
I haven’t read the preceding three but this book holds itself well as a standalone and has a plot as tangled as Japanese knotweed; just as you think you have been clever and unravelled a section (aha, an ancient stone tablet – could it be an Indiana Jones type story?) No! Wrong. Lukeman has crafted an intriguing tale: a hybrid original. Most of the chapters are quick-fire action; whizzing by in a hail of words. Then breathe – there are backstory sections, slower, more empathetic, allowing the characters a chance to grow. The political and powertastic machinations do make you shiver at the thought of what we may not know about who sits behind and above governments around the globe, and the fragile connectivity between them which could snap at any moment. Pause to shudder at scary autocracy.
I did think about the plot after I finished this novel. There are levels which promote a quick stray into apocryphal legend/conspiracy theory territory. I enjoyed this book; all the more so because I love to guess a plot and this one twisted about so much it kept my synapses snapping.
March 26, 2014
Warning: Do not start this book unless you can devote enough time to finish it. The tale is masterfully written and fun to read. Alex Lukeman has put his "Project" characters in another outlandish circumstance which is frighteningly plausible. We downloaded and greatly enjoyed White Jade, the first of the Project series wherein we were introduced to Nick and Selena and several of the other main characters, including Elizabeth Harker head of the Project. Harker maintains her elite team with extreme efficiency and answers to no one except the president. When this (the 4th of the series) was offered, we jumped on it. Nick and Selena are out to save the world--again. Love the references to ancient Greece; the gods and goddesses and how they're interwoven in the plot. The characters continued to develop, and at this point, we love them, baggage, foibles and all. They all fit the picture and form a formidable team. And the picture moves with 007 speed. You can't put the book down; intelligent, plausible deniability at its most fun. Enjoy!
April 2, 2014
Conspiracy theorists would love this book. A group of international power brokers decide to use a crop blight that's spread in the air by spores to selectively create famine. Famine in turn creates riots and political turmoil, and proper intervention with a cure can put a new regime in power. The plot is complicated, since it is the same agricultural disease used in ancient times and documented in scrolls on pottery discovered in Greece. The good guys are heralded by individuals of a clandestine group of problem solvers that reports only to the president. Alliances need to be made with a select few Russians, who also face disparities about who can and cannot be trusted in their own government foreign service agencies. The lack of closure at the end of this book is bothersome to me, but it's a common technique used by an author who's bound and determined to create a series of novels with the same protagonist, cast of characters, and where there's story continuity.
February 22, 2015
A Rip Roaring Read
Light the fuse and stand back for a mighty explosian of armageddon scale, full-on, no prisioners taken, pusle quickening action! If you like to dive into a book to inhabit a world of international scheming, danger to the max, and intrigue off the scale, then Black Harvest should be sitting on your bedside table, stuffed in your briefcase or lying by your sun-lounger. Alex Lukeman style of writing grips you from the first page and drops you exhausted but happy at the last full stop. The plot of Black Harvest is a switchback of compelling and highly plausible threads. Alex shares this with other outstanding thriller writers where his imagination is often one step ahead of reality. The difference is that you can take a refreshing shower and hope against hope that his reality does not become ours.
Oh, and have a blood pressure check before reading. You may need need an 'all-clear' before you tackle page one.
Light the fuse and stand back for a mighty explosian of armageddon scale, full-on, no prisioners taken, pusle quickening action! If you like to dive into a book to inhabit a world of international scheming, danger to the max, and intrigue off the scale, then Black Harvest should be sitting on your bedside table, stuffed in your briefcase or lying by your sun-lounger. Alex Lukeman style of writing grips you from the first page and drops you exhausted but happy at the last full stop. The plot of Black Harvest is a switchback of compelling and highly plausible threads. Alex shares this with other outstanding thriller writers where his imagination is often one step ahead of reality. The difference is that you can take a refreshing shower and hope against hope that his reality does not become ours.
Oh, and have a blood pressure check before reading. You may need need an 'all-clear' before you tackle page one.
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