Dead Simple

Blaine McCracken #9

by Jon Land

April 1998: A tanker hauling a deadly new explosive vanishes without a trace in a raging storm.... That explosive falls into the hands of Jack "Terror" Tyrell. Now, he's more determined than ever to realize his deadly vision: to lead a radical underground group that spreads its message via bombs and blood.

Enter Blaine McCracken. McCracken seeks out his mentor, Sergeant Major Buck Torrey, to get his edge back after being wounded in a terrorist attack. But Torrey has disappeared. McCracken reconnoiters with beautiful Liz Halprin, Torrey's daughter, and their hunt takes them on a perilous journey where secrets can be as deadly as bullets.

McCracken and Halprin are hot on Jackie Terror's tail, which brings them to Manhattan, where Terror's going to hold seven million people hostage.

Genres: Thriller, Adventure, Action, Mystery

404 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Jon Land is an American author of thriller novels and a screenwriter. He graduated from Brown University in 1979 Phi Beta Kappa and Magna cum Laude. He often bases his novels and scripts on extensive travel and research as well as a twenty-five year career in martial arts. He is an associate member of the US Special Forces and is an emeritus board member the International Thriller Writers. John currently lives in Providence, Rhode Island.

Reviews

[Dave Edlund · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Blaine McCracken novels, and this one is no exception. Action-packed, and an intriguing plot make this a must read.

[Roger Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like nonstop action and violence you will probably like this book. The violence and fast moving action does not let up. Well, I suppose it wouldn't be a thriller novel without all of that action and violence. However, a little attention needs to be paid to other things like plot and characterization. The plot is pretty simplistic. A terrorist is out to wreck havoc on New York City and it is up to the hero to stop him. There is a subplot about the hunt for a missing treasure too, but that just kind of peters out and is left behind. A little more complexity in plot would have been really nice. Worse, though, is characterization. All the characters, every one of them, is a stereotype. I suppose the nonstop action would have to have to been interrupted to give the characters some complexity, but it would have made a better story. You have the muscle bound hero who meets one deadly situation after another without blinking and then just goes on to the next with weapons blazing. You have the evil land developer who will kill to get his way. And then you have the terrorist. He wants to make this country really hurt. Why does he want this country to really hurt? He doesn't say and no one else does either. There was a point where I thought his motive was going to be revealed, but it turned out that it simply told why he felt free to go on his rampage.
Nevertheless, despite the flaws the book was at least entertaining and it was not trying to be a great piece of literature. I will give it three stars for succeeding in being entertaining.

[Larry James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is action packed from beginning to end. You will find it hard to put down. Another good book from Jon Land.