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Mike Ford #2
The Directive
Ex-con Mike Ford has turned his life around and has now got it all. An amazing fiancée, a beautiful house, his own business and all of it strictly above board. But amid all the wedding preparations he can't help feel a certain pang for the excitement and danger of the life he's left behind. And then his brother, Jack, comes back into his life. He also seems to be going straight these days and despite his better judgement, Mike starts to trust him again. So when armed men burst in one night and kidnap Jack, Mike is determined to find out who has taken him and get him back. Using all his old criminal contacts and helped by the charismatic Tim Bloom head of Bloom Security, Mike has to go undercover and infiltrate the gang responsible. But caught between the police and the underworld, it's not clear who he can trust and the more corruption he finds the question is just how far up does it go?
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
360 people are currently reading
1545 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Quirk
15 books1,052 followersMatthew Quirk studied history and literature at Harvard College. After graduation, he spent five years at The Atlantic reporting on crime, private military contractors, terrorism prosecutions, and international gangs. He lives in San Diego.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews
October 26, 2014
Quirk brings Mike Ford back for a new adventure, filled with the perfect mix to keep the avid reader hooked. With a new lease on life and a fiancee, Ford seeks to turn away from his deceptive past and make a proper life for himself. Faced with a father-in-law bent on screwing him over, Ford sees that life on the straight and narrow is sure to be an uphill battle. While visiting his brother, Jack, Ford witnesses a shake-down and agrees, against his better judgement, to help. Jack's got himself hooked to some people who have one thing in mind, getting back what's owed to them. When Ford takes it upon himself to help his brother, he finds himself back in the world of con games and deceit, a place to which he promised never to return. When he uncovers the con game at the centre of all this, Ford realises that he is in too deep to walk away; that Jack and his fiancee are in the crosshairs of some very bad people. With literally billions of dollars at stake and the lives of many on the line, Ford must devise and execute his greatest con ever, all in hopes of saving those he values most. Who can he trust and how will these con games take on a life of their own, leaving success anything put a three-card monte all its own? Quirk knows just how to hook the reader with fact, fiction, and a little sleight of hand. With breadcrumbs throughout, the intrigue and thrill factors stand front and centre for all to see. Not to be missed for fans of tech and financial thrillers.
Quirk's concept has a loose Christopher Reich feel to it (this could be because I recently finished his latest novel), with finance playing a key role in the larger plot. He also eases though the world of tech talk and hacker speak, creating a realistic narrative and dialogue sure to interest the reader. The plot moves quickly and the characters appear real and believable. Even the pace of the story is such that it does not bog down too much. Quirk is still in his infancy of fiction writing and Mike Ford creation, but with books such as this, his fan base is sure to grow and his popularity will skyrocket. While the book's premise may seem a little far-fetched, it fuels the action and lets Quirk's style lull the reader into trusting all that leaps from the page.
Kudos, Mr. Quirk for this great piece of work. You have a fan in me and I will surely spread the word.
Quirk's concept has a loose Christopher Reich feel to it (this could be because I recently finished his latest novel), with finance playing a key role in the larger plot. He also eases though the world of tech talk and hacker speak, creating a realistic narrative and dialogue sure to interest the reader. The plot moves quickly and the characters appear real and believable. Even the pace of the story is such that it does not bog down too much. Quirk is still in his infancy of fiction writing and Mike Ford creation, but with books such as this, his fan base is sure to grow and his popularity will skyrocket. While the book's premise may seem a little far-fetched, it fuels the action and lets Quirk's style lull the reader into trusting all that leaps from the page.
Kudos, Mr. Quirk for this great piece of work. You have a fan in me and I will surely spread the word.
October 20, 2014
A thriller about ... monetary policy? It's genuinely exciting. Some of most interesting parts were about lock picking -- and also getting through locked doors by manipulating trust. Pretend you belong, hold two cups of coffee, and office workers will let you in. Nobody wants to be a jerk.
July 31, 2021
I really like Matthew Quirk's books. This is my third one, and his second published. Fans of David Baldacci would really enjoy this author. To what extent would you break the law in order to protect your family? Cons, political hacks, conspiracies, and cover-ups, and murder. Yup, I'm in!! Recommended!!
October 3, 2021
Quirk writes another page Turner. An engrossing plot with lots of excitement!!!
December 26, 2018
The job posting for the hero of this book should read:
Wanted, an athletic young fellow who, while shot in the lower back, can hang by one hand off a concrete balcony, 150 feet up, in the sideways rain in bitterly cold New York after burgling papers from a D. C. up-and-comer’s locked apartment office, and then escape armed pursuers, etc. Sheees! Although just an adjunct to the plot it is this level of Batman-like powers that Matt would need to perform the super feats depicted here! Too hard to suspend judgement here for the sake of the read, alas.
Wanted, an athletic young fellow who, while shot in the lower back, can hang by one hand off a concrete balcony, 150 feet up, in the sideways rain in bitterly cold New York after burgling papers from a D. C. up-and-comer’s locked apartment office, and then escape armed pursuers, etc. Sheees! Although just an adjunct to the plot it is this level of Batman-like powers that Matt would need to perform the super feats depicted here! Too hard to suspend judgement here for the sake of the read, alas.
August 31, 2023
Enjoyed the characters, but story was mehhhh !
March 9, 2016
Mikea Forda imali smo već prilike upoznati u romanu '500', koji bi se najbolje mogao opisati kao pravni triler na tragu Johna Grishama, ali izrazito nabijen akcijom. 'Direktiva' je nastavak '500', a ako niste pročitali '500', predlažem da ga pročitate prije 'Direktive', inače vam puno toga neće biti baš jasno.
'Direktiva' je u mnogočemu slična '500', i tematski i brzinom odvijanja radnje, no ne bih ju nazvala isključivo pravnim trilerom već, pa... recimo to tako, bankarskim pravnim trilerom. (Kladim se da vam sad ovaj roman zvuči naprosto nevjerojatno zanimljivo, ha? ;)) Šalu na stranu, radi se o zaista zanimljivom romanu, u kojem se miješaju financijske prevare, kriminal, pljačka, neki jako loši tipovi spremni na ubojstvo zbog samo jednog pogrešnog koraka, puno jurnjave, akcije i pametno smišljenih obrata.
Mike Ford u ovom je romanu ponovno u velikoj nevolji. Nakon što je jedva izvukao živu glavu iz prošle nevolje u koju je upao i konačno sredio svoj život, Mike se ponovno nađe u već poznatom mu svijetu kriminala. Naime, u Mikeov život nenadano bane njegov problematični brat Jack, koji se upleo preko glave u nešto što ne može sam izvršiti. I sam uvučen u Jackove probleme, Mike će mu morati pomoći, inače će ih ljudi koji stoje iza svega natjerati da pate prije nego što ih ubiju. A ono što ti ljudi od njih žele je da provale u njujorške savezne rezerve SAD-a i ukradu Direktivu - najčuvaniji dokument u zemlji koji doslovno diktira sudbinu ne samo američkog, već i svjetskih tržišta novca.
Već nakon prvih 30-ak stranica, kad se radnja pokrene i Mike uleti u centar zbivanja, događaji koji se tada pokrenu nastavljaju se vrtjeti nevjerojatnom brzinom. Mike leti iz jedne opasne situacije u drugu, uvijek nekako balansirajući na samom rubu opasnosti, dok sa svake strane tog ruba lebdi neizvjesnost potencijalne opasnosti da završi mrtav, uhićen ili nešto još gore.
Mikeova motivacija za izvršavanje zadatka na koji su ga prisilili nije samo ta da spasi svoju vlastitu kožu, već da zaštiti svog brata i svoju obitelj, kao i zaručnicu Annie. Ni sam ne znajući ponekad koji će mu biti idući korak, Mike više ili manje uspješno glavinja prema opasnom cilju, znajući da mu iz ove igre u koju je upao u biti nema izlaza - osim ako savršeno ne odigra baš sve svoje karte, a pritom i ostavi još kojeg skrivenog asa u rukavu, za svaki slučaj.
Ljudi za koje Mike radi na krađi Direktive beskrupulozni su i nemilosrdni ubojice, čiji vođa je uvijek izvan fokusa, nedodirljiv i neuhvatljiv sve do samog kraja, na kojem tek slijede mnoga iznenađenja.
Iako bez sumnje uzbudljiv i napet, ovaj roman je i pomalo naporan za čitanje, u smislu da sadrži jako puno događaja i situacija koji se međusobno isprepliću, jako je puno detalja na koje treba paziti, a koje Mike nekako uvijek baš sve ima na umu; puno je i likova koji su svi na neki način povezani, iako je tu povezanost ponekad prilično teško dokučiti. Dodajmo na to još i neke osnovne opise i bankarske termine koje je potrebno upamtiti kako bi nam bilo jasno zašto je Direktiva baš toliko važna i što sve njena krađa implicira, i shvatit ćete zašto će vam u određenim dijelovima ove knjige biti potrebna malo žešća koncentracija.
Unatoč zanimljivoj temi, čitajući ovaj roman nisam se mogla oteti dojmu banalnosti i klišejiziranosti koji je ostavljao: Mike sve probleme rješava u hodu u stilu Jamesa Bonda, izvodeći vratolomije i intelektualne igrice koje su na granici nemogućeg, a opet nekako očekivane; ostatak likova, pa čak i sam Mike, živi su klišeji koji kao da su ispali iz nekog američkog akcijskog blockbustera, a način na koji Mike prepričava događaje u knjizi taj dojam samo još više potvrđuje.
Gledajući serijal o Mikeu Fordu u globalu, mogu reći da mi je '500' bio nešto bolji od 'Direktive', ali ako volite ovakav tip romana, vrijedi pročitati oba. Oni su tip akcijskih blockbuster trilera, koje ćete, dok čitate, istodobno vrtjeti u glavi baš poput filma. Nisu to knjige kojima ćete se često sa sjetom vraćati, ali, baš poput blockbustera, mogu biti ugodna razbibriga za jedno ili više popodneva.
'Direktiva' je u mnogočemu slična '500', i tematski i brzinom odvijanja radnje, no ne bih ju nazvala isključivo pravnim trilerom već, pa... recimo to tako, bankarskim pravnim trilerom. (Kladim se da vam sad ovaj roman zvuči naprosto nevjerojatno zanimljivo, ha? ;)) Šalu na stranu, radi se o zaista zanimljivom romanu, u kojem se miješaju financijske prevare, kriminal, pljačka, neki jako loši tipovi spremni na ubojstvo zbog samo jednog pogrešnog koraka, puno jurnjave, akcije i pametno smišljenih obrata.
Mike Ford u ovom je romanu ponovno u velikoj nevolji. Nakon što je jedva izvukao živu glavu iz prošle nevolje u koju je upao i konačno sredio svoj život, Mike se ponovno nađe u već poznatom mu svijetu kriminala. Naime, u Mikeov život nenadano bane njegov problematični brat Jack, koji se upleo preko glave u nešto što ne može sam izvršiti. I sam uvučen u Jackove probleme, Mike će mu morati pomoći, inače će ih ljudi koji stoje iza svega natjerati da pate prije nego što ih ubiju. A ono što ti ljudi od njih žele je da provale u njujorške savezne rezerve SAD-a i ukradu Direktivu - najčuvaniji dokument u zemlji koji doslovno diktira sudbinu ne samo američkog, već i svjetskih tržišta novca.
Već nakon prvih 30-ak stranica, kad se radnja pokrene i Mike uleti u centar zbivanja, događaji koji se tada pokrenu nastavljaju se vrtjeti nevjerojatnom brzinom. Mike leti iz jedne opasne situacije u drugu, uvijek nekako balansirajući na samom rubu opasnosti, dok sa svake strane tog ruba lebdi neizvjesnost potencijalne opasnosti da završi mrtav, uhićen ili nešto još gore.
Mikeova motivacija za izvršavanje zadatka na koji su ga prisilili nije samo ta da spasi svoju vlastitu kožu, već da zaštiti svog brata i svoju obitelj, kao i zaručnicu Annie. Ni sam ne znajući ponekad koji će mu biti idući korak, Mike više ili manje uspješno glavinja prema opasnom cilju, znajući da mu iz ove igre u koju je upao u biti nema izlaza - osim ako savršeno ne odigra baš sve svoje karte, a pritom i ostavi još kojeg skrivenog asa u rukavu, za svaki slučaj.
Ljudi za koje Mike radi na krađi Direktive beskrupulozni su i nemilosrdni ubojice, čiji vođa je uvijek izvan fokusa, nedodirljiv i neuhvatljiv sve do samog kraja, na kojem tek slijede mnoga iznenađenja.
Iako bez sumnje uzbudljiv i napet, ovaj roman je i pomalo naporan za čitanje, u smislu da sadrži jako puno događaja i situacija koji se međusobno isprepliću, jako je puno detalja na koje treba paziti, a koje Mike nekako uvijek baš sve ima na umu; puno je i likova koji su svi na neki način povezani, iako je tu povezanost ponekad prilično teško dokučiti. Dodajmo na to još i neke osnovne opise i bankarske termine koje je potrebno upamtiti kako bi nam bilo jasno zašto je Direktiva baš toliko važna i što sve njena krađa implicira, i shvatit ćete zašto će vam u određenim dijelovima ove knjige biti potrebna malo žešća koncentracija.
Unatoč zanimljivoj temi, čitajući ovaj roman nisam se mogla oteti dojmu banalnosti i klišejiziranosti koji je ostavljao: Mike sve probleme rješava u hodu u stilu Jamesa Bonda, izvodeći vratolomije i intelektualne igrice koje su na granici nemogućeg, a opet nekako očekivane; ostatak likova, pa čak i sam Mike, živi su klišeji koji kao da su ispali iz nekog američkog akcijskog blockbustera, a način na koji Mike prepričava događaje u knjizi taj dojam samo još više potvrđuje.
Gledajući serijal o Mikeu Fordu u globalu, mogu reći da mi je '500' bio nešto bolji od 'Direktive', ali ako volite ovakav tip romana, vrijedi pročitati oba. Oni su tip akcijskih blockbuster trilera, koje ćete, dok čitate, istodobno vrtjeti u glavi baš poput filma. Nisu to knjige kojima ćete se često sa sjetom vraćati, ali, baš poput blockbustera, mogu biti ugodna razbibriga za jedno ili više popodneva.
September 12, 2024
Buckle up for this fantastic thriller. This one went from 0-100 in 352 pages. Hard to put this book down because of non-stop action. Quirk is masterful in this one!
August 19, 2014
"The Directive" by Matthew Quirk which I won through Goodreads Giveaways is a heart-stopping, fast-paced thriller that begins in Washington, DC when Mike Ford's brother Jack cons him into stealing classified information from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. An ex-con with a promising career as an attorney and a wedding in his future Mike is trapped by threats against his family, and a murder where he's the chief suspect. With the stakes so high, his adrenaline in high gear and his life in constant danger, Mike hunts for a way to evade authorities and turn the tables on the crooks.
Told in a first person narrative Matthew Quirk takes the reader on a roller-coaster ride from the minute the crooks assault his brother, to a perilous robbery and a confrontation with the police swarming the Federal Reserve near the end. With his life on the line Mike faces deception, violence, intimidation and blackmail as high-powered crooks and the machinations of his brother force him back into a criminal world he thought long forgotten. Cleverly Matthew Quirk weaves in a "how-to" in robbing a bank and picking a lock, giving the story a stark sense of realism. The plot twists and turns as events unfold that find Mike not only trying to extricate himself from a crime with a long prison sentence, but scheming to save his brother and protect his fiancée.
Like the plot the characters are well-developed and realistic with all their foibles especially Mike Ford an ex-con skilled in the art of picking locks and pockets. Intelligent, resourceful and cunning, he loves the adrenaline boost that comes from living on the edge, but soon finds thoughts of a normal life more to his liking. His brother Jack is a smooth-talking, lying con-man who's self-centered and weak. Annie Clarke, Mike's level-headed, patient, no-nonsense and smart fiancée starkly contrasts with the crafty, manipulative and devious Emily Bloom, a rogue security investigator. Larry Clarke is a blustering, arrogant financier with a corrupt soul while Lynch is a controlling, merciless and shady cop. Although I found the Mike-Annie relationship a bit insipid, all the characters add to the high-impact of an entertaining and riveting story that I couldn't put down.
I thoroughly enjoyed "The Directive" a unique and imaginative crime novel that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat from the first page to the last. And just when you think all the criminals will find justice...the climax leaves your mouth hanging open and looking for another Mike Ford adventure.
Told in a first person narrative Matthew Quirk takes the reader on a roller-coaster ride from the minute the crooks assault his brother, to a perilous robbery and a confrontation with the police swarming the Federal Reserve near the end. With his life on the line Mike faces deception, violence, intimidation and blackmail as high-powered crooks and the machinations of his brother force him back into a criminal world he thought long forgotten. Cleverly Matthew Quirk weaves in a "how-to" in robbing a bank and picking a lock, giving the story a stark sense of realism. The plot twists and turns as events unfold that find Mike not only trying to extricate himself from a crime with a long prison sentence, but scheming to save his brother and protect his fiancée.
Like the plot the characters are well-developed and realistic with all their foibles especially Mike Ford an ex-con skilled in the art of picking locks and pockets. Intelligent, resourceful and cunning, he loves the adrenaline boost that comes from living on the edge, but soon finds thoughts of a normal life more to his liking. His brother Jack is a smooth-talking, lying con-man who's self-centered and weak. Annie Clarke, Mike's level-headed, patient, no-nonsense and smart fiancée starkly contrasts with the crafty, manipulative and devious Emily Bloom, a rogue security investigator. Larry Clarke is a blustering, arrogant financier with a corrupt soul while Lynch is a controlling, merciless and shady cop. Although I found the Mike-Annie relationship a bit insipid, all the characters add to the high-impact of an entertaining and riveting story that I couldn't put down.
I thoroughly enjoyed "The Directive" a unique and imaginative crime novel that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat from the first page to the last. And just when you think all the criminals will find justice...the climax leaves your mouth hanging open and looking for another Mike Ford adventure.
April 26, 2017
Mike Ford, Hauptfigur in Matthew Quirks neuem Thriller „Die Direktive“, kennt man bereits aus dem Vorgänger „Die 500“. Damals stand der ehrgeizige junge Mann noch ganz am Anfang seiner Anwaltskarriere, mittlerweile ist er einigermaßen etabliert und verdient sein Geld auf (meist) ehrliche Art und Weise als Consultant. Und auch sein Privatleben ist geregelt, denn er steht kurz davor, in die New Yorker Upper Class einzuheiraten. Als Trauzeugen hat er sich für seinen Bruder Jack entschieden, der sich im Gegensatz zu Mike noch immer in dubiosen Kreisen bewegt und ein Talent dafür hat, sich mit den falschen Leuten einzulassen. Da Jack diesen Typen eine Menge Geld schuldet, gerät auch sein persönliches Umfeld, und somit sein Bruder Mike, ins Visier von Lynch, einem Ganoven, der andere die Drecksarbeit machen lässt, während er sich die Hände reibt und den Traum vom großen Geld träumt. Und an diesen Geldregen will er mithilfe von Insiderinformationen, nämlich besagter „Direktive“ der Notenbank gelangen, die ihm Mike beschaffen soll.
Langweilig ist dieser Thriller beileibe nicht, im Gegenteil. Von Beginn an legt der Autor ein hohes Tempo vor und nimmt den Leser mit in die Welt des Mike Ford. Er zeigt uns die verschiedenen Facetten seiner Persönlichkeit, dessen gewitztes Verhalten, das fast schon an einen professionellen Hütchenspieler erinnert, bei der Kartenspiel-Szene im Park, das deplatzierte Gefühl bei der Geschirrauswahl mit seiner Verlobten und deren Großmutter, aber auch das Unwohlsein, als er feststellen muss, dass sich sein Bruder wieder auf illegale Geschäfte eingelassen hat und seiner Hilfe bedarf.
Und dann könnte die Story richtig an Fahrt gewinnen, wenn der Autor sich nicht immer wieder durch endlos erklärende Einschübe zur Funktionsweise der amerikanischen Finanzwelt ausbremsen würde. Diese Erklärungen sind zwar interessant, sorgen aber immer wieder für unnötige Längen. Wettgemacht wird dies allerdings durch den sympathischen Protagonisten, den Familienmensch und intelligenten Gentleman-Gauner mit den altmodischen Wertvorstellungen, der das Herz am rechten Fleck hat.
Ein spannender, aber auch unterhaltsamer Thriller, bestens geeignet als Urlaubslektüre.
Langweilig ist dieser Thriller beileibe nicht, im Gegenteil. Von Beginn an legt der Autor ein hohes Tempo vor und nimmt den Leser mit in die Welt des Mike Ford. Er zeigt uns die verschiedenen Facetten seiner Persönlichkeit, dessen gewitztes Verhalten, das fast schon an einen professionellen Hütchenspieler erinnert, bei der Kartenspiel-Szene im Park, das deplatzierte Gefühl bei der Geschirrauswahl mit seiner Verlobten und deren Großmutter, aber auch das Unwohlsein, als er feststellen muss, dass sich sein Bruder wieder auf illegale Geschäfte eingelassen hat und seiner Hilfe bedarf.
Und dann könnte die Story richtig an Fahrt gewinnen, wenn der Autor sich nicht immer wieder durch endlos erklärende Einschübe zur Funktionsweise der amerikanischen Finanzwelt ausbremsen würde. Diese Erklärungen sind zwar interessant, sorgen aber immer wieder für unnötige Längen. Wettgemacht wird dies allerdings durch den sympathischen Protagonisten, den Familienmensch und intelligenten Gentleman-Gauner mit den altmodischen Wertvorstellungen, der das Herz am rechten Fleck hat.
Ein spannender, aber auch unterhaltsamer Thriller, bestens geeignet als Urlaubslektüre.
October 22, 2020
A follow up to Quirk's exciting novel The 500. The Directive is a tension-filled, exciting ride...once again with Mike Ford & his fiancee, Annie. As in The 500, Mike gets suckered in to break into the Federal Reserve in NYC to get the 'directive' announcing the Feds' financial plans before it was released to the public. Double-crosses everywhere. This time his criminal brother is involved along with other nefarious characters. A fun read, though most likely improbable.
Read this book in August. Entered it again in October. Elder error!!!
Read this book in August. Entered it again in October. Elder error!!!
August 11, 2014
This book may have unsavory ramifications when it goes to press in May to the open market & purchased for reasons other than intended by the author.
Although the story itself does have merit, I feel it can more accurately be described as a step-by-step guide as to how to be a professional lock picker. Add to that the suggestions offered on how to successfully pick someone's pocket. The author would have been better off breezing over those finite details out of concern for the overall public. There's also a dirty FBI agent, a branch of government which Americans respect.
Mike, a successful lawyer with a criminal past & about to be married to a society girl, hooks up with his brother, Jack, with a similar past. Together they are coerced into seizing the directive from Washington immediately prior to its arrival at the Fed in NYC. The Fed (working with international banks) controls which direction the stock market will take. Having this knowledge in advance would allow one to buy or sell prior to the announcement, raking in huge sums of money.
Let's hope the author's future novels don't give instructions or ideas as to how to successfully rob banks or new possible ways to perform terrorism. The author is quite knowledgeable about his topics, possibly due to his long stint as a reporter specializing in criminal activities. His books should be purchased for their captivating story content only & he's valued for that. My personal opinion: even though this fast-moving story itself is fiction, there's much of what reads like information about sensitive subjects (including the Fed) mixed in, some of which should be considered for deletion by the author & publisher before going to press.
Although the story itself does have merit, I feel it can more accurately be described as a step-by-step guide as to how to be a professional lock picker. Add to that the suggestions offered on how to successfully pick someone's pocket. The author would have been better off breezing over those finite details out of concern for the overall public. There's also a dirty FBI agent, a branch of government which Americans respect.
Mike, a successful lawyer with a criminal past & about to be married to a society girl, hooks up with his brother, Jack, with a similar past. Together they are coerced into seizing the directive from Washington immediately prior to its arrival at the Fed in NYC. The Fed (working with international banks) controls which direction the stock market will take. Having this knowledge in advance would allow one to buy or sell prior to the announcement, raking in huge sums of money.
Let's hope the author's future novels don't give instructions or ideas as to how to successfully rob banks or new possible ways to perform terrorism. The author is quite knowledgeable about his topics, possibly due to his long stint as a reporter specializing in criminal activities. His books should be purchased for their captivating story content only & he's valued for that. My personal opinion: even though this fast-moving story itself is fiction, there's much of what reads like information about sensitive subjects (including the Fed) mixed in, some of which should be considered for deletion by the author & publisher before going to press.
December 26, 2015
Mike Ford has gone from criminal to lawyer in Washington, DC. He has met the love of his life, even though her family would rather her be with someone who truly fits with their social status.
His brother Jack, no matter how hard he tries, cannot seem to get his life together as Mike has. Now, his brother has gotten involved with some big power brokers, the kind that will kill Jack’s entire family if Jack does not cooperate.
This time the target is the FED’s Directive, a plan that can make someone extremely wealthy if they get could only get their hands on it before it was publicized. In order to save his family and his fiancé, Mike must now steal the most well guarded secret in the United States, the directive.
Mike must call on all of the skills he learned during his criminal past to bring this con to a successful end while deciphering who has set him up and how to get back at them. The question is, will he be able to do it; especially after realizing that highly placed law enforcement personnel are involved?
His brother Jack, no matter how hard he tries, cannot seem to get his life together as Mike has. Now, his brother has gotten involved with some big power brokers, the kind that will kill Jack’s entire family if Jack does not cooperate.
This time the target is the FED’s Directive, a plan that can make someone extremely wealthy if they get could only get their hands on it before it was publicized. In order to save his family and his fiancé, Mike must now steal the most well guarded secret in the United States, the directive.
Mike must call on all of the skills he learned during his criminal past to bring this con to a successful end while deciphering who has set him up and how to get back at them. The question is, will he be able to do it; especially after realizing that highly placed law enforcement personnel are involved?
August 7, 2018
AWFUL!
The plot is a big stretch – hey, why steal the Fed’s Directive when a good broker will be able to guide you effectively? Okay, in that case the directive is but a prop and the story is made by the characters, the enigma and the quest. Problem is that the characters are (at best) cardboard thin caricatures; the enigma as to who & why is behind the stealing of the directive is determined about halfway through – with Mike Ford’s fiancé, Annie, putting forth the essential clue – which the reader then figures out, but not the main character. And as for the quest, a series of predictive and bumbling episodes whereby Mike Ford falls into the obvious trap but is saved by Annie - who else - who also provides him with the solution that gets him & the feds out of an embarrassingly idiotic situation. First & last time reading this author.
The plot is a big stretch – hey, why steal the Fed’s Directive when a good broker will be able to guide you effectively? Okay, in that case the directive is but a prop and the story is made by the characters, the enigma and the quest. Problem is that the characters are (at best) cardboard thin caricatures; the enigma as to who & why is behind the stealing of the directive is determined about halfway through – with Mike Ford’s fiancé, Annie, putting forth the essential clue – which the reader then figures out, but not the main character. And as for the quest, a series of predictive and bumbling episodes whereby Mike Ford falls into the obvious trap but is saved by Annie - who else - who also provides him with the solution that gets him & the feds out of an embarrassingly idiotic situation. First & last time reading this author.
April 16, 2020
Loved “The Night Agent” and was looking forward to reading another Quirk thriller. “The Directive” was totally unbelievable. There wasn’t even one character that was likable. This main character/crook is not my type of hero. I did finish this book but won’t be searching out another one of this series.
March 20, 2019
1.5 stars. This book started pretty good, but got more and more far-fetched.
April 22, 2024
I had come to be this author after watching "The Night Agent" on Netflix. This was one of his books that I had downloaded from the website oceanofpdf.com.
A follow up to Quirk's exciting novel The 500. The Directive is a tension-filled, exciting ride...once again with Mike Ford & his fiancee, Annie. As in The 500, Mike gets suckered in to break into the Federal Reserve in NYC to get the 'directive' announcing the Feds' financial plans before it was released to the public. Double-crosses everywhere. This time his criminal brother is involved along with other nefarious characters.
"The Directive" by Matthew Quirk which I won through Goodreads Giveaways is a heart-stopping, fast-paced thriller that begins in Washington, DC when Mike Ford's brother Jack cons him into stealing classified information from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. An ex-con with a promising career as an attorney and a wedding in his future Mike is trapped by threats against his family, and a murder where he's the chief suspect. With the stakes so high, his adrenaline in high gear and his life in constant danger, Mike hunts for a way to evade authorities and turn the tables on the crooks.
Told in a first person narrative Matthew Quirk takes the reader on a roller-coaster ride from the minute the crooks assault his brother, to a perilous robbery and a confrontation with the police swarming the Federal Reserve near the end. With his life on the line Mike faces deception, violence, intimidation and blackmail as high-powered crooks and the machinations of his brother force him back into a criminal world he thought long forgotten. Cleverly Matthew Quirk weaves in a "how-to" in robbing a bank and picking a lock, giving the story a stark sense of realism. The plot twists and turns as events unfold that find Mike not only trying to extricate himself from a crime with a long prison sentence, but scheming to save his brother and protect his fiancée.
Like the plot the characters are well-developed and realistic with all their foibles especially Mike Ford - an ex-con skilled in the art of picking locks and pockets. Intelligent, resourceful and cunning, he loves the adrenaline boost that comes from living on the edge, but soon finds thoughts of a normal life more to his liking. His brother Jack is a smooth-talking, lying con man who's self-centered and weak. Annie Clarke, Mike's level-headed, patient, no-nonsense, and smart fiancée starkly contrasts with the crafty, manipulative, and devious Emily Bloom, a rogue security investigator. Larry Clarke is a blustering, arrogant financier with a corrupt soul while Lynch is a controlling, ruthless, and shady cop. Although I found the Mike-Annie relationship a bit bland, all the characters add to the high impact of an entertaining and riveting story that I couldn't put down.
I thoroughly enjoyed "The Directive" and found it to be a unique and imaginative crime novel that will keep the reader on the edge of their seat from the first page to the last. As such, I would give this novel a solid four stars out of five. And just when you think all the criminals will find justice...the climax leaves your mouth hanging open and looking for another Mike Ford adventure.
As with most of the literary ramblings, these are a few of my five cents worth.
A follow up to Quirk's exciting novel The 500. The Directive is a tension-filled, exciting ride...once again with Mike Ford & his fiancee, Annie. As in The 500, Mike gets suckered in to break into the Federal Reserve in NYC to get the 'directive' announcing the Feds' financial plans before it was released to the public. Double-crosses everywhere. This time his criminal brother is involved along with other nefarious characters.
"The Directive" by Matthew Quirk which I won through Goodreads Giveaways is a heart-stopping, fast-paced thriller that begins in Washington, DC when Mike Ford's brother Jack cons him into stealing classified information from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. An ex-con with a promising career as an attorney and a wedding in his future Mike is trapped by threats against his family, and a murder where he's the chief suspect. With the stakes so high, his adrenaline in high gear and his life in constant danger, Mike hunts for a way to evade authorities and turn the tables on the crooks.
Told in a first person narrative Matthew Quirk takes the reader on a roller-coaster ride from the minute the crooks assault his brother, to a perilous robbery and a confrontation with the police swarming the Federal Reserve near the end. With his life on the line Mike faces deception, violence, intimidation and blackmail as high-powered crooks and the machinations of his brother force him back into a criminal world he thought long forgotten. Cleverly Matthew Quirk weaves in a "how-to" in robbing a bank and picking a lock, giving the story a stark sense of realism. The plot twists and turns as events unfold that find Mike not only trying to extricate himself from a crime with a long prison sentence, but scheming to save his brother and protect his fiancée.
Like the plot the characters are well-developed and realistic with all their foibles especially Mike Ford - an ex-con skilled in the art of picking locks and pockets. Intelligent, resourceful and cunning, he loves the adrenaline boost that comes from living on the edge, but soon finds thoughts of a normal life more to his liking. His brother Jack is a smooth-talking, lying con man who's self-centered and weak. Annie Clarke, Mike's level-headed, patient, no-nonsense, and smart fiancée starkly contrasts with the crafty, manipulative, and devious Emily Bloom, a rogue security investigator. Larry Clarke is a blustering, arrogant financier with a corrupt soul while Lynch is a controlling, ruthless, and shady cop. Although I found the Mike-Annie relationship a bit bland, all the characters add to the high impact of an entertaining and riveting story that I couldn't put down.
I thoroughly enjoyed "The Directive" and found it to be a unique and imaginative crime novel that will keep the reader on the edge of their seat from the first page to the last. As such, I would give this novel a solid four stars out of five. And just when you think all the criminals will find justice...the climax leaves your mouth hanging open and looking for another Mike Ford adventure.
As with most of the literary ramblings, these are a few of my five cents worth.
June 20, 2017
Mike Ford läuft zu Höchstform auf. Zwischen Hochzeitsvorbereitungen und illegalen Machenschaften darf er zeigen, was er drauf hat, und muss ziemlich jonglieren, damit nicht alles aus dem Ruder läuft. Aber kann er das noch verhindern?
Inmitten seiner liebenswerten Verlobten, seiner zukünftigen Großmutter, die einem Schwiegermonster um nichts nachsteht, und dem nicht begeisterten Schwiegerdaddy Sir Lawrence packt ihn schnell die Lust auf ein Abenteuer, die er unterdrückt, weil er nichts riskieren will. Zur Hochzeit soll sein entfremdeter Bruder als Trauzeuge antanzen, doch das Treffen mit ihm stellt Mikes Leben ein weiteres Mal auf den Kopf...
Nach "Die 500" habe ich mich wahnsinnig darauf gefreut, endlich Mikes Bruder Jack kennenzulernen, der ja nicht ganz unschuldig an der kriminellen Karriere unseres Helden ist. Ich wurde nicht enttäuscht! Jack ist genau, wie ich ihn mir vorgestellt habe. Was nicht heißen soll, dass er mich nicht das ein oder andere Mal überraschen konnte. Ob im positiven oder im negativen Sinn, müsst ihr selbst herausfinden!
Matthew Quirk behält seinen gewohnten Stil bei, der es mir angetan hat. Er hat akribisch recherchiert, was er den Leser auch wissen lässt. Manchmal sind die Erklärungen ein wenig zu ausschweifend, aber für die ein oder andere Länge wird man mit rasanter Action und witzigen, originellen Dialogen mehr als entschädigt. Und meist findet man die Beschreibungen ohnehin derart interessant, dass keine Langeweile aufkommen kann.
Die Charaktere sind so liebevoll gestaltet und facettenreich ausgearbeitet, dass man die meisten von ihnen ins Herz schließt und dem Rest, der die Bösewichte darstellt, mit gefletschten Zähnen begegnet. Ich habe mich erneut in Mikes Dad verknallt, weil er einfach so ein goldiger, gutmütiger Kerl ist, der alles für seine kleine Familie tun würde.
Die Handlung ist rasant und mitreißend, der Protagonist wartet mit trickreichen Ideen auf, die ihm alle Türen öffnen und den Leser oftmals grinsen lassen. Matthew Quirk weiß einfach, wie man einen guten Thriller schreibt und ich danke ihm für eine adrenalinreiche Lesenacht!
Mit Mike Ford hat der Autor einfach einen Protagonisten geschaffen, den man gern haben muss. Und mit seinem Gespür vor einen vorzüglichen Spannungsbogen bleibt das Abenteuer spannend bis zur letzten Zeile! Greift unbedingt zu diesem Buch, aber plant euch genug Lesezeit ein, denn ihr werdet nicht mehr von Mikes Seite weichen wollen.
Mike Ford läuft zu Höchstform auf, während er seine Hochzeit und den Coup seines Lebens unter einen Hut zu bekommen versucht. Rasant und spannend!
Inmitten seiner liebenswerten Verlobten, seiner zukünftigen Großmutter, die einem Schwiegermonster um nichts nachsteht, und dem nicht begeisterten Schwiegerdaddy Sir Lawrence packt ihn schnell die Lust auf ein Abenteuer, die er unterdrückt, weil er nichts riskieren will. Zur Hochzeit soll sein entfremdeter Bruder als Trauzeuge antanzen, doch das Treffen mit ihm stellt Mikes Leben ein weiteres Mal auf den Kopf...
Nach "Die 500" habe ich mich wahnsinnig darauf gefreut, endlich Mikes Bruder Jack kennenzulernen, der ja nicht ganz unschuldig an der kriminellen Karriere unseres Helden ist. Ich wurde nicht enttäuscht! Jack ist genau, wie ich ihn mir vorgestellt habe. Was nicht heißen soll, dass er mich nicht das ein oder andere Mal überraschen konnte. Ob im positiven oder im negativen Sinn, müsst ihr selbst herausfinden!
Matthew Quirk behält seinen gewohnten Stil bei, der es mir angetan hat. Er hat akribisch recherchiert, was er den Leser auch wissen lässt. Manchmal sind die Erklärungen ein wenig zu ausschweifend, aber für die ein oder andere Länge wird man mit rasanter Action und witzigen, originellen Dialogen mehr als entschädigt. Und meist findet man die Beschreibungen ohnehin derart interessant, dass keine Langeweile aufkommen kann.
Die Charaktere sind so liebevoll gestaltet und facettenreich ausgearbeitet, dass man die meisten von ihnen ins Herz schließt und dem Rest, der die Bösewichte darstellt, mit gefletschten Zähnen begegnet. Ich habe mich erneut in Mikes Dad verknallt, weil er einfach so ein goldiger, gutmütiger Kerl ist, der alles für seine kleine Familie tun würde.
Die Handlung ist rasant und mitreißend, der Protagonist wartet mit trickreichen Ideen auf, die ihm alle Türen öffnen und den Leser oftmals grinsen lassen. Matthew Quirk weiß einfach, wie man einen guten Thriller schreibt und ich danke ihm für eine adrenalinreiche Lesenacht!
Mit Mike Ford hat der Autor einfach einen Protagonisten geschaffen, den man gern haben muss. Und mit seinem Gespür vor einen vorzüglichen Spannungsbogen bleibt das Abenteuer spannend bis zur letzten Zeile! Greift unbedingt zu diesem Buch, aber plant euch genug Lesezeit ein, denn ihr werdet nicht mehr von Mikes Seite weichen wollen.
Mike Ford läuft zu Höchstform auf, während er seine Hochzeit und den Coup seines Lebens unter einen Hut zu bekommen versucht. Rasant und spannend!
February 2, 2024
Book Review – The Directive – Matthew Quirk
Author Matthew Quirk’s “The Directive” is a high-speed, edge-of-your-seat, pulse pounding follow-up to his first Mike Ford novel, “The 500.” Attorney Mike Ford stars again as the cunning and courageous ex-con man that gets suckered by his criminal brother to break into the Federal Reserve Bank in New York City to steal the financial 'directive' plans before the Feds release them to the public. The highly secretive financial information is worth billions of dollars and to help save his brother, Ford finds himself trapped in a dangerous game with some extremely treacherous and wicked criminals – and is forced to call on his past illicit skills to escape the perilous situation. Ford hunts for a way to evade the authorities and turn the tables on the crooks. The story is tension-filled, excitingly thrilling, and suspense-laden. With his life and other family members’ lives on the line, Ford out-smarts, out-wits, and out maneuvers everyone to save the day. Quirk cleverly weaves fact, fiction, and a little sleight of hand in the storytelling, giving the fictional narrative a stark sense of pragmatism. The plot twists and turns are everywhere, the characters are well-developed and convincing, and while the book's premise may seem a little far-fetched, it fuels the creativity and ingenuity of Quirk's adventuresome writing style. I enjoyed The Directive; it is a unique and imaginative crime thriller that kept my attention and on the edge of my seat from the first page to the last. A very entertaining and noteworthy story as expected from author Matthew Quirk.
Author Matthew Quirk’s “The Directive” is a high-speed, edge-of-your-seat, pulse pounding follow-up to his first Mike Ford novel, “The 500.” Attorney Mike Ford stars again as the cunning and courageous ex-con man that gets suckered by his criminal brother to break into the Federal Reserve Bank in New York City to steal the financial 'directive' plans before the Feds release them to the public. The highly secretive financial information is worth billions of dollars and to help save his brother, Ford finds himself trapped in a dangerous game with some extremely treacherous and wicked criminals – and is forced to call on his past illicit skills to escape the perilous situation. Ford hunts for a way to evade the authorities and turn the tables on the crooks. The story is tension-filled, excitingly thrilling, and suspense-laden. With his life and other family members’ lives on the line, Ford out-smarts, out-wits, and out maneuvers everyone to save the day. Quirk cleverly weaves fact, fiction, and a little sleight of hand in the storytelling, giving the fictional narrative a stark sense of pragmatism. The plot twists and turns are everywhere, the characters are well-developed and convincing, and while the book's premise may seem a little far-fetched, it fuels the creativity and ingenuity of Quirk's adventuresome writing style. I enjoyed The Directive; it is a unique and imaginative crime thriller that kept my attention and on the edge of my seat from the first page to the last. A very entertaining and noteworthy story as expected from author Matthew Quirk.
July 21, 2023
He's a Complicated Man, Mama.
This is the 2nd book in the Mike Ford series, but I got something out of sequence, so it's the third book I've read with this enigmatic magnet for the worst kind of trouble. Mike Ford doesn't seem to know how to put his foot down without hitting a steaming pile and he does so repeatedly here.
With the pace of a steroid-laced thoroughbred in the home stretch, Matthew Quirk leads his readers on a romp through the political minefield that virtually no one knows exists as he tries once again to right the wrongs he's uncovered. Ford is such a complicated man with equally problematic issues. He's trying to be the man he wants to be: honest, fair, hard-working, loyal, and legal. He's engaged to a woman determined to keep him on that straight and narrow path. But... family. The Ford family is a mess, and our hero desperately wants to pull them together and bring some healing. You know the saying, you can lead a horse to water... but that addict has to want to change.
As with the other stories in this series, this one is a high-octane adventure full of all the stuff we patrons of the genre enjoy: action, betrayal, deceit, corruption, political hi-jinks, and an innocent man thrust into an impossible situation. The antagonists here are savvy and serious. Our protagonist is smart but outnumbered and overwhelmed. All of this makes a great read for us. Fans of political suspense/thrillers will love Mike Ford. If you're not familiar, dive in and see just how much better your life is than his!
This is the 2nd book in the Mike Ford series, but I got something out of sequence, so it's the third book I've read with this enigmatic magnet for the worst kind of trouble. Mike Ford doesn't seem to know how to put his foot down without hitting a steaming pile and he does so repeatedly here.
With the pace of a steroid-laced thoroughbred in the home stretch, Matthew Quirk leads his readers on a romp through the political minefield that virtually no one knows exists as he tries once again to right the wrongs he's uncovered. Ford is such a complicated man with equally problematic issues. He's trying to be the man he wants to be: honest, fair, hard-working, loyal, and legal. He's engaged to a woman determined to keep him on that straight and narrow path. But... family. The Ford family is a mess, and our hero desperately wants to pull them together and bring some healing. You know the saying, you can lead a horse to water... but that addict has to want to change.
As with the other stories in this series, this one is a high-octane adventure full of all the stuff we patrons of the genre enjoy: action, betrayal, deceit, corruption, political hi-jinks, and an innocent man thrust into an impossible situation. The antagonists here are savvy and serious. Our protagonist is smart but outnumbered and overwhelmed. All of this makes a great read for us. Fans of political suspense/thrillers will love Mike Ford. If you're not familiar, dive in and see just how much better your life is than his!
March 29, 2020
J’ai retrouvé avec un grand plaisir, l’avocat (ex-escroc) Mike Ford… à quelques jours de son mariage. Embarqué bien malgré lui dans une situation qui semble le dépasser très vite, une fois de plus, son passé tumultueux va l’aider à affronter cette épreuve. D’accord, c’est évidemment très rocambolesque, mais à la manière d’un film d’action américain, on se laisse entraîner dans cette aventure à rebondissements (un peu attendus !). L’ensemble est divertissant et l’on retrouve ce qui nous avait plu avec les 500 : le complot inextricable, la débrouillardise de notre séduisant héros, sa fiancée bien moins oie blanche qu’on pourrait le croire, et du rythme.
Si l’auteur remercie Jeff Abbott à la fin du roman, cela n’est pas étonnant. Nous voici tout à fait dans ces intrigues tarabiscotées mêlant thriller, espionnage, politique écrites par ces écrivains. C’est léger, très léger, visant seulement à divertir. Donc, ne cherchez pas une psychologie approfondie ! Mike Ford est un héros très attachant, roublard, pariant pour le tout ou son contraire suivant son interlocuteur, appréciant une vie bien rangée… mais aspirant secrètement à des émotions fortes… très fortes. Il ne va pas être déçu. Si l’auteur prend des fois un peu trop de temps pour nous expliquer « comment il fait pour « jouer » avec l’illégalité (et on survole un peu), en ces temps difficiles, c’est un roman d’action qui nous plonge dans une aventure échevelée bien loin de nos préoccupations !
Si l’auteur remercie Jeff Abbott à la fin du roman, cela n’est pas étonnant. Nous voici tout à fait dans ces intrigues tarabiscotées mêlant thriller, espionnage, politique écrites par ces écrivains. C’est léger, très léger, visant seulement à divertir. Donc, ne cherchez pas une psychologie approfondie ! Mike Ford est un héros très attachant, roublard, pariant pour le tout ou son contraire suivant son interlocuteur, appréciant une vie bien rangée… mais aspirant secrètement à des émotions fortes… très fortes. Il ne va pas être déçu. Si l’auteur prend des fois un peu trop de temps pour nous expliquer « comment il fait pour « jouer » avec l’illégalité (et on survole un peu), en ces temps difficiles, c’est un roman d’action qui nous plonge dans une aventure échevelée bien loin de nos préoccupations !
March 11, 2020
This is the third book I've read now by this author, and he has never disappointed. I may have ruined the experience a little by putting the book down for a couple of days due to other commitments, which impacted the momentum of the story line to where I had to review the prior 50 pages in one case to pick up the plot. Great cat-and-mouse type mystery, whereby a family of con men have to do a job of breaking into the Federal Reserve Bank to discover what the Board is going to announce insofar as any movement concerning the economy. If this proposed action is gained before the formal release to the public, obviously an investor could gain a lot from "insider trading!" At one point, the reader does not know who is conning whom, which was fun. A surprise ending that could be figured out, but did not negatively influence enjoyment of the novel. Details of the security measures of the Fed Reserve were interesting, too, and tools/skills of the "trade" for breaking and entering! Can't wait for his newest release later this month!
October 6, 2023
Matthew Quirk needs to be watched. He has a devious mind for crime of the very tricky sort. I hope he only exercises his criminal impulses through his protagonist, Mike Ford, and it will benefit those of us who enjoy a good thriller. I am a fast reader, but had to slow it down to appreciate all the details of this second novel in the series. Picking locks, Federal Reserve procedure and purpose, the former of which was responsibly changed so that real crimes could not be piggy-backed on this novel and the unwholesome dishonesty of the Washington environment make this a good, intellectual story. His characters are fleshed out and real, the plot complex and fun, and the writing is lean and effective. I have to admit that while I agree with Mike's opinion of most of the characters in the story (Annie is pretty great; Jack is a bag of contagious trouble), I actually liked Emily Bloom in spite of her penchant for evil. I could definitely read this series for as long as Quirk wants to write about Mike and Annie.
January 31, 2019
Mike Ford through his brother is obliged to take part in a heist. This is effectively a plot to make a killing money wise in getting hands on a directive which will shape US monetary policy. A fast paced novel where you have suspend belief because you start to question, could a lawyer really do all this physical stuff especially when injured?
I did like how the second chapter foreshadowed future events but it wasn't hard to second guess this, otherwise that chapter was pointless in being there.
Part of the crime involved hacking into computers and manipulating security cameras, the technical explanation of which went whoosing over my head.
Like wise some of the fight scenes seemed over complicated and I started to question, how did that happen?
Still it was readable and you wanted to know the fate of various characters both good and bad.
I did like how the second chapter foreshadowed future events but it wasn't hard to second guess this, otherwise that chapter was pointless in being there.
Part of the crime involved hacking into computers and manipulating security cameras, the technical explanation of which went whoosing over my head.
Like wise some of the fight scenes seemed over complicated and I started to question, how did that happen?
Still it was readable and you wanted to know the fate of various characters both good and bad.
April 14, 2022
6 días y 352 páginas (+4000 scrolleadas de Kindle). El segundo libro que leo del autor, y tal parece que en mi cerebro era una buena idea/momento para seguir con algunas sagas pendientes. Tal vez no fue lo mejor del mundo, pero se disfrutó.
Inevitables las comparaciones en el mundo de las secuelas, pero no se parece en nada a la primera, se siente todo muy forzado, y los mismos recursos pasan desapercibidos. Aunque, aunqueeeee sigue siendo interesante y sigue atrayendo. Menos, pero no deja de hacerlo. Mike Ford sigue siendo maravilloso y sus habilidades delictivas, mejor aún.
Un par de frases memorables pero no mucho más. Definitivamente se pierde mucho el punch. No se puede negar que el trabajo de investigación es bueno, moderno e ingenioso.
No habrá reseña, pero fue un buen experimento.
Inevitables las comparaciones en el mundo de las secuelas, pero no se parece en nada a la primera, se siente todo muy forzado, y los mismos recursos pasan desapercibidos. Aunque, aunqueeeee sigue siendo interesante y sigue atrayendo. Menos, pero no deja de hacerlo. Mike Ford sigue siendo maravilloso y sus habilidades delictivas, mejor aún.
Un par de frases memorables pero no mucho más. Definitivamente se pierde mucho el punch. No se puede negar que el trabajo de investigación es bueno, moderno e ingenioso.
No habrá reseña, pero fue un buen experimento.
August 12, 2017
Frequently a sophomore effort falls a bit short of the promise the freshman displayed. That appears to be the case here. Quirk's Mike Ford still talks a good game and knows plenty of the con man's tricks, but he is an incredible knothead. All the plot ploys are transparent, no twist unexpected, no face off satisfyingly violent. In fact, our hero gets knocked around pretty routinely, and when he finally retrieves his gun from its shoebox, we know it will be a futile effort.
Still in all, the writing moves along, and we can always hope the baddies eventually get their comeuppance.
Mike Ford #1 engaged me enough for me to grab #2 when it came out. Now that I've read it, I'll shelve it and not worry about its successors.
Still in all, the writing moves along, and we can always hope the baddies eventually get their comeuppance.
Mike Ford #1 engaged me enough for me to grab #2 when it came out. Now that I've read it, I'll shelve it and not worry about its successors.
December 20, 2018
Quirk is quickly becoming one of my favorite thriller writers especially within the financial storyline!
This story starts out strong and interesting drawing us into the main characters past experiences of cons and crimes.
Family matters to Mike Ford. His dad. His brother. His fiancée. And he will go to any and all extremes to protect the ones he loves.
The heist story has been well over played lately so the fresh spin that this story comes up with was exciting to read.
Unlike some other thrillers, this one doesn’t get slow or saggy in the middle. The plot grows, and twists and comes to a final ending that finishes the story strongly.
Read this book. Read The 500. And i can’t wait to read my next Quirk thriller!
This story starts out strong and interesting drawing us into the main characters past experiences of cons and crimes.
Family matters to Mike Ford. His dad. His brother. His fiancée. And he will go to any and all extremes to protect the ones he loves.
The heist story has been well over played lately so the fresh spin that this story comes up with was exciting to read.
Unlike some other thrillers, this one doesn’t get slow or saggy in the middle. The plot grows, and twists and comes to a final ending that finishes the story strongly.
Read this book. Read The 500. And i can’t wait to read my next Quirk thriller!
March 23, 2023
Mike Fore doesn’t have to find danger. It comes knocking on his door and he better be ready. Fast pace and twist will keep readers guessing til the end. The plot is good but did seem familiar l do think Mike needs to be given a better characterization and improve his attitude. He does have tech and street smarts so that is a huge plus for him. I think traders who haven’t read the first book need to do so.
I received a copy of this book from Goodreads Early Reader Program. The review is my own opinion.
I received a copy of this book from Goodreads Early Reader Program. The review is my own opinion.
July 1, 2023
Mike Ford wants to mind his own business as he tries to get his fledging law practice up and running. Life is going good, he is prepping for his wedding, but then his brother, who has a past equal to his fathers, tries to get into the good graces with Mike.
Mike finds himself in a situation where he does not complete a task, then people are going to get hurt or killed. He decides to complete the directive given him, but at the same time, intends on getting even with those who have messed up his life.
Quirk continues to captivate readers with his stories. Looking forward to # 3.
Mike finds himself in a situation where he does not complete a task, then people are going to get hurt or killed. He decides to complete the directive given him, but at the same time, intends on getting even with those who have messed up his life.
Quirk continues to captivate readers with his stories. Looking forward to # 3.
February 22, 2024
I like his writing style, and the character is interesting. But there's so much in this story that's completely implausible. Sure, he has a past growing up in a criminal family. But he went straight, and is now a 30- something attorney. Yet he manages to, among other out-there feats, crack one of the toughest safes in the world (using TINFOIL) while under pressure from an approaching SWAT team. There were at least 5 instances of "yeah I don't think so, buddy, couldn't happen" situations as the plot unfolded.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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