Red Cell Seven

Red Cell Trilogy #2

by Stephen W. Frey

Created more than forty years ago by secret executive order, Red Cell Seven is a highly classified intelligence agency tasked with protecting America from the most catastrophic of terrorist attacks. But in the aftermath of a string of deadly terrorist attacks across the nation, Red Cell Seven finds itself drawn into a conspiracy that threatens to tear the organization apart.

The president himself calls on Troy Jensen, a high-level clandestine operative and the son of Red Cell Seven’s current leader, to spearhead the hunt for the terrorists—even though Troy is still reeling from the murder of his brother. The deeper Troy digs, the clearer it becomes that the “Holiday Mall Attacks” are just the opening salvo in a fiendishly complex plot. Powerful forces are working to undermine Red Cell Seven, and Troy will have to risk everything to uncover the truth and protect what’s left of his family.

The sequel from the bestselling author of Arctic Fire, Red Cell Seven delivers edge of your seat action.

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Audiobook, Espionage, Adventure, Suspense, Action

300 pages, Paperback

First published January 21, 2014

About the author

For the last 15 years I’ve been lucky enough to be a novelist. Until recently the books were set in the worlds of Wall Street and Washington. In addition to writing, I’ve also had a career in finance with specialties including merger & acquisition advisory and private equity at firms like J.P. Morgan in New York City and Winston Partners just outside D.C. in northern Virginia.

So, it seemed natural to write about those two worlds and, fortunately, the publishing industry agreed. My first book was published in 1995, The Takeover; about a secret group of men who were trying to destroy the U.S. monetary system by engineering a massive corporate takeover. I have followed The Takeover with 13 more novels all set in high-level finance and national politics.

Recently, I decided to alter the theme. The novels will still have a financial focus, but Wall Street won’t be the backdrop. We’ll get out into the world more. And there will be a man versus nature element for the hero in every novel. Hell’s Gate, available August 2009, is set in Montana and involves forest fires and why many of them start.

I live in southwest Florida with my wife, Diana, and we have since 2004 after moving down here from northern Virginia. Given the new direction of my books, it seems like a hurricane ought to make an appearance in a novel sometime soon.

Reviews

[Timothy Horn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Red Cell Seven Keeps You Guessing

Red Cell Seven Keeps you off balance with it's twists and turns. The books fast pace keeps you on the edge of your seat and makes it hard to put down. I don't particularly like the way the book shifts gears and changes scenes at critical junctures, but that's how the author keeps you interested and it's also what makes the book so hard to put down. The story itself plays with your emotion, your values and your sense of what's right and wrong. That's a sign of a good book. I can't wait to read the third book in the series.

[DOUG G · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Good Series so Far

Second in the series and it was as good, if not better than the first. It was a very quick read with a lot going on and some unknowns that unfold slowly throughout the book. Like most good stories, it compelled you to keep reading so you can get the characters out of the pinch they are in.

[Greg Eldred · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read. Now the President is trying to eliminate a group that has helped keep America safe. Great story showing excellent example of conspiracy, lying and deceit within the government.

[phyllis blevins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well worth reading because the concept is creative and thought provoking.

Another thriller, though somewhat predictable at times and the romantic side stories are a little sophomoric. It is the 2nd in a 3 book series and now I've just begun the 3rd. So far, the 1st has been the best but you'll enjoy this thrill ride and probably go back for book #3!

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A spider’s web of intrigue

Plenty of intrigue in the book of tangled trust. Red Cell 7 fights for its survival, but who is the enemy and who is an ally? Lacks the technical detail of a Clancy novel or I might have given it four stars. Also lacks some believability.

[Ed And · Rating 5 out of 5]

Building to a crescendo

This book was a great one. The opposing sides battling each other and the intrigue are great!

Now the saga will play out in the pages of the next book.

an

A story of intrigue that will go on, hopefully, in more forthcoming stories.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wanted to like to read this book, as it began with some intrigue, but quickly became boring to me, because the characters were very uni-dimensional; either good or not-so-good, or bad. It dragged on and on, and I only finished to see if anything improved. It did not improve.

[Trevor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Red Cell Seven return and again are trying to protect the US, while also trying to stay in operation. Story is okay, but characters seem to keep changing personalities and it seems to simple at times.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

RCS keeps on

Book 2 in the series is every bit as good as the first. Lots of action and twist and turns. I hope you enjoy as much as I did.

[Liupua Andrew Sunia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unpredictable

Interesting. Its got wicked twists with crazy terrorists. Can't be too sure who the good guys are. Lots of action.

[Jeanne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not as good as the first in the series. I didn't finish this one.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good.

I like it better then the 1st. This book had a lot of twists & turns, was hard at times to keep up with what was going on. But kept you want tp know more.

[johanna french · Rating 5 out of 5]

As good as the first in the series, if not better. Fast paced, exciting and full of twists and turns and some very unexpected events

[Marisia Robus · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good follow up on the first book in the trilogy, but a bit thin in places.
I am enjoying the trilogy

[Sharyn Wheatley]

great

[Odalis · Rating 5 out of 5]

♡♡♡♡♡

[Robin Cobb · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tried to like this book. Loved the first one. Couldn't finish the book (which is rare for me).

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked this book a great deal, but it tidied up and got everyone clean and forgiven with the relationship issues too quickly.

[Rob · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow

Gratuitous plot twists, cartoonish characters, and unlikeable "good guys" fighting unlikeable "bad guys". Doing whatever it takes to save America from itself has never been so annoying. I don't remember the first installment being nearly this bad, but based on this one, only my OCD will compel me to read the third and final installment. That and the fact that I already purchased it.

[Samyann · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Red Cell Seven is a covert group created in the 1970s by US President Richard Nixon in an effort to prevent attacks against this country. The black-ops group reports only to the President. No oversight. No restraints. Free from any prosecution. Unlimited budget. No questions asked. Basically, government-approved vigilante authority, include murdering at will as required, at their discretion - even innocents deemed a threat.

Book 1 starts with the formation of Red Cell Seven. It's called 'seven' to throw the Russians off - President Nixon thinks Russians spend all their time looking for the first six covert operations. That's pretty much the only reference to Russia - the series is mostly about preventing domestic and Islamic terrorism - in addition to targeting the current administration with multiple assassinations because the current President wants to shut down Red Cell Seven.

Liked. No explicit sex, no objectionable language, clean reads. Okay espionage stories.

Not so hot. The books are very similar, not that there is anything wrong with any of them - none stands out. It's just a very long espionage story. Depressing in that it's possible. Read from book 1, Arctic Fire. Book 2, Red Cell Seven, Book 3 Kodiak Sky.

You'll be left torn as to if the behavior portrayed in Red Cell Seven is a good thing - or not. It's sorta scary to think our government is capable of this stuff - but, it is. Exhibit the current President in 2019, who believes he can "do anything he wants", and America does nothing to stop him.

[David Rasner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Created more than forty years ago by secret executive order, Red Cell Seven is a highly classified intelligence agency tasked with protecting America from the most catastrophic of terrorist attacks. But in the aftermath of a string of deadly terrorist attacks across the nation, Red Cell Seven finds itself drawn into a conspiracy that threatens to tear the organization apart. The president himself calls on Troy Jensen, a high-level clandestine operative and the son of Red Cell Seven's current leader, to spearhead the hunt for the terrorists?even though Troy is still reeling from the murder of his brother. The deeper Troy digs, the clearer it becomes that the ?Holiday Mall Attacks? are just the opening salvo in fiendishly complex plot. Powerful forces are working to undermine Red Cell Seven, and Troy will have to risk everything to uncover the truth and protect what's left of his family. The sequel from the bestselling author of Arctic Fire, Red Cell Seven delivers edge of your seat action.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

The basic premise of Red Cell Seven was the idea they were sanctioned by President Nixon by Presidential Executive Order. The author was never clear why that order could not be revoked. Since the original copies only were in the hands of the main characters, it possibly was never filed. But revocation could still be done. The whole story revolves around a terrorist attack and the issue of the dissolution of Red Cell Seven. I did not read the first book and frankly there are enough comments throughout the book, it would be unnecessary. The book was written as page turner thriller without development of characters. Is this a beach read, absolutely meaning check your brains "at the door". I have read Steven Frey many times, so I do like his writing, but not this series. Time to go back to his core abilities and give this series a quiet "death". If you can get this book free, it might be worth the time, but not if you have to spend any funds.

[Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The back cover blurb was excellent, and I looked forward to reading the book. Even the prologue and characterization of President Nixon seemed spot on and it provided a brief explanation on the formation of Red Cell Seven, but as I began reading the present day story, I had trouble getting into the characters, the dialog, and the events. There seemed to be some plot issues or maybe just lack of explanation at times. Perhaps I would have liked this better if I read others in the series, but after this, I'm not sure I'll commit to reading the others.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to Stephen W. Frey and Goodreads First Reads Giveaway for my copy of Red Cell Seven that I won in the Giveaway.

Red Cell Seven is an action packed thriller about he fight of a secret organization to fight terrorist against the United States. The writing was full of excitement as the author drew the reader into the action building suspense so the hero could find the threats to the United States and his family and fellow agents.

[LLona Cunningham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good follow-up to the first novel in the series, carrying the characters and theme forward. I'll definitely recommend it to a few military friends who might appreciate the intricate operation more than I do. Especially anyone who has an interest in politics that dip backward to both Nixon and Regan administrations. Love one character's assessment that 'it's all about the image, not about results'.

[Nichole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book one was so good I was really looking forward to book two. However, book two has not been able to keep my attention. I rarely ever stop reading a book in the middle, but had to this time. The author has written this book very well, and so I do not think it is the book that is the problem, but rather my attention and mood at this time. I will come back to it later, and read it again. That may help my rating of this book. I stopped on page 73.

[Arthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Red Cell Seven (Red Cell book 2)

Frey completely takes you to places you won't have to like or even struggle with trying to keep track of the action. The second you think you've figured everything out, a new twist pops up leaving you mindless of the words you've just read, but not understanding how or why the plot has taken that direction. Thanks for another great read. Can't wait for the next one.

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced action

After a slow beginning (mostly to introduce the characters and explain red cell), the action was non-stop.

Political tension, old scores to settle, and some truly evil villains - a near perfect action thriller.

Some characters are both good and bad, depending on the situation, and double crosses happen when you least expect it.

I previously read Arctic Fire and this book is a great sequel.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not read the previous book, but this one catches you up on what you missed. A black ops group started by Nixon is threatened with being shut down by the current President even in the wake of a national terrorist crisis - some fun twists and characters make this otherwise formulaic story worthwhile for those who enjoy spy and conspiracy thrillers.

[Sarah Hembree · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this immediately following the first novel, as I was interested in the characters. For the most part this book keeps the suspense level up - although the cheese factor is sometimes high. At the end you are left with conflicting emotions, wondering who the bad guys really are. I will be reading the next book in this series.