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Siege of Silence
A US ambassador with a deadly secret is held hostage in Central America by Cuban-backed guerillas. The President must face up to the toughest choice of all: mount a rescue operation against terrible odds, or kill his own ambassador to make sure his secret doesn't fall into the wrong hands. While the CIA counsels assassination, one man — maverick special-operations officer Silas Slocum — believes he can pull off the rescue of the century...
'An exceptional thriller... you cannot wait to turn the page'
DAILY TELEGRAPH
'The best damned action yarn I've read in years'
TOM CLANCY
‘Take a very deep breath when you start. It will have to last until you’re finished. This novel is nothing less than brilliant’.
TOM CLANCY JNR – AUTHOR OF THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER
‘It starts with a bang and goes off like a rocket! The tension continues to mount all the way to the violent climax of the book. I was glued to it from start to finish. A real rip-snorter!’
KEN FOLLETT
‘Catapults Quinnell into the ranks of such masters as Ludlum (at his best), Trevanian and Le Carre…compelling…more than just another thriller…you can’t put it down!’
THE LOS ANGELES HERALD EXAMINER
‘Exceptional! A story of impact and dimension. It takes off from the first page with an urgency that never quits’.
THE HOUSTON POST
'An exceptional thriller... you cannot wait to turn the page'
DAILY TELEGRAPH
'The best damned action yarn I've read in years'
TOM CLANCY
‘Take a very deep breath when you start. It will have to last until you’re finished. This novel is nothing less than brilliant’.
TOM CLANCY JNR – AUTHOR OF THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER
‘It starts with a bang and goes off like a rocket! The tension continues to mount all the way to the violent climax of the book. I was glued to it from start to finish. A real rip-snorter!’
KEN FOLLETT
‘Catapults Quinnell into the ranks of such masters as Ludlum (at his best), Trevanian and Le Carre…compelling…more than just another thriller…you can’t put it down!’
THE LOS ANGELES HERALD EXAMINER
‘Exceptional! A story of impact and dimension. It takes off from the first page with an urgency that never quits’.
THE HOUSTON POST
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1986
About the author
A.J. Quinnell
30 books167 followersA. J. Quinnell was the pen name of Philip Nicholson, a mystery and thriller writer. He is best known for his novel "Man on Fire", which has been adapted to film twice, most recently in 2004 featuring Denzel Washington.
When the author was preparing to publish his first book, "Man on Fire", he wanted to keep his real identity a secret. During a conversation in a bar, his agent, Chris Little, told him he could use a pseudonym. The author chose "Quinnell", after the rugby union player Derek Quinnell and "A. J." from the initials of the bartender's son.
Nicholson frequented Gleneagles bar in Mġarr, Gozo, the town where the Malta ferry disembarks. He could often be found drinking vodkas with soda. He wrote late at night and through until the morning, always standing up.
The author's best-known creation was the character of Marcus Creasy, an American-born former member of the French Foreign Legion.
When the author was preparing to publish his first book, "Man on Fire", he wanted to keep his real identity a secret. During a conversation in a bar, his agent, Chris Little, told him he could use a pseudonym. The author chose "Quinnell", after the rugby union player Derek Quinnell and "A. J." from the initials of the bartender's son.
Nicholson frequented Gleneagles bar in Mġarr, Gozo, the town where the Malta ferry disembarks. He could often be found drinking vodkas with soda. He wrote late at night and through until the morning, always standing up.
The author's best-known creation was the character of Marcus Creasy, an American-born former member of the French Foreign Legion.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 8, 2026
Dalykiškas dėstymas pirmuoju asmeniu iš trijų skirtingų žmonių perspektyvos sukuria sprogstamą įtampą. Blogieji kubiečiai turi velnišką planą. Ar geriesiems amerikiečiams pavyks sutrukdyti? Tik kad blogieji ne tokie jau blogi, o gerieji ne tokie jau geri. Įdomūs personažai ir profesionali kompozicija - patikimas receptas geram trileriui. Plius Quinnelliui įprastas politinis realizmas ir apskritai blaivus požiūris į gyvenimą. Šedevras.
March 18, 2011
Each chapter is narrated in the first person by one of three characters:
Jason Peabody--The US ambassador caught up in a military coup in South America. He must resist interrogation by his captors about secret CIA plans.
Jorge Calderson--a brilliant revolutionary, protege of Castro, he is determined to break Peabody before he can be rescued.
Colonel Silas Slocum--He wants to rescue Peabody. Besides the enemy , he has to fight the brass and the CIA who want to silence the ambassador before he talks.
A fast, paced enjoyable tale with a neat pyschological twist. The politics are a bit dated--it was written in 1986. However, the characters are very well drawn and the physcholgical suspense is handled well.
Do be aware that some of the violence is a bit graphic. Despite that, I found the book well worth a read.
Recommended for fans of action novels, thrillers; and spy novels.
Jason Peabody--The US ambassador caught up in a military coup in South America. He must resist interrogation by his captors about secret CIA plans.
Jorge Calderson--a brilliant revolutionary, protege of Castro, he is determined to break Peabody before he can be rescued.
Colonel Silas Slocum--He wants to rescue Peabody. Besides the enemy , he has to fight the brass and the CIA who want to silence the ambassador before he talks.
A fast, paced enjoyable tale with a neat pyschological twist. The politics are a bit dated--it was written in 1986. However, the characters are very well drawn and the physcholgical suspense is handled well.
Do be aware that some of the violence is a bit graphic. Despite that, I found the book well worth a read.
Recommended for fans of action novels, thrillers; and spy novels.
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April 13, 2009Another work in the opus of A.J. Quinnell. All his books are richly insightful, coming from a lifetime in the clandestine services. This one concerns the rescue of embassy officers in San Carlo, with Col. Silas Slocum the renegade officer in charge. This one better fits Denzel Washington than Man on Fire, especially since Slocum is African-American.
Quinnell does it again, as this reads fast and furious, despite the internal monologues between Peabody and his interrogator, Jorge.
Quinnell does it again, as this reads fast and furious, despite the internal monologues between Peabody and his interrogator, Jorge.
August 17, 2012
I had never heard of this author before picking up this book and then only did so to help my personal 2012 A-Z of authors challenge. It was a hard decision whether or not to award it 2 or 3 stars but finally decided to plump for a 2.
A group of Cuban backed terrorists overthrow a Central American Government and take the US Ambassador and his staff hostage. The Ambassador is an expert on Cuba and has information about a possible coup attempt against Fidel Castro, a Cuban interrogator is on hand to try to extract the names of the conspirators from the Ambassador. Meanwhile the American Government must decide whether or not to make a rescue attempt before the Ambassador cracks.
Each chapter is told in the 1st person by the three main characters which I found an interesting technique. Some of the psychological battles between Peabody, the Ambassador, and Jorge, the interrogator, are fascinating and the story is told at a fast pace. Those are the plus points. On the negative side there is a lack of meaningful action, Jorge seems more interested in his lovelife than his objective and overall I found it all pretty predictable pandering to the American jingoistic mass market. There is also the question of whether or not the US President would really believe that a rogue Army Officer could mastermind a better rescue attempt than the combined Heads of his Armed Forces. Personally I'm not convinced.
An interseting read but not one that will live long in the memory quite frankly.
A group of Cuban backed terrorists overthrow a Central American Government and take the US Ambassador and his staff hostage. The Ambassador is an expert on Cuba and has information about a possible coup attempt against Fidel Castro, a Cuban interrogator is on hand to try to extract the names of the conspirators from the Ambassador. Meanwhile the American Government must decide whether or not to make a rescue attempt before the Ambassador cracks.
Each chapter is told in the 1st person by the three main characters which I found an interesting technique. Some of the psychological battles between Peabody, the Ambassador, and Jorge, the interrogator, are fascinating and the story is told at a fast pace. Those are the plus points. On the negative side there is a lack of meaningful action, Jorge seems more interested in his lovelife than his objective and overall I found it all pretty predictable pandering to the American jingoistic mass market. There is also the question of whether or not the US President would really believe that a rogue Army Officer could mastermind a better rescue attempt than the combined Heads of his Armed Forces. Personally I'm not convinced.
An interseting read but not one that will live long in the memory quite frankly.
January 28, 2018
Easily Quinnell’s best novel, this superb thriller doesn’t waste a word; totally involving and very moving as a US Ambassador is held hostage and interrogated by a Cuban while the Americans plan and then launch a rescue attempt. It’s a totally believable plot where the tension is palpable as the battle of wills between the two masterfully-drawn main characters moves towards an exciting climax
February 17, 2010
This is another of A.J.Quinnell's books I've recently "discovered." Published in the mid-80's and set in that era, the story still feels fresh and exciting. I really enjoyed this read.
December 5, 2017
Me ha dejado un amargo e inquietante sabor de boca, no me gustan la crueldad ni la tortura. Los personajes están bien, pero yo sólo quería acabarlo para quitármelo de encima. El giro de la comida final ( no quiero fastidiar el asunto ) está bien, aunque me apena. Me gusta el personaje de Jorge.
February 14, 2018
This book was the second I've read by this author, barely 3 stars, not as good as Man on Fire but I will try other A J Quinnell books for sure.
December 14, 2018
A very good book.
February 28, 2020
Corto. Sencillo. Interesante, aunque toda la cuestión se resuelve en unas pocas páginas
October 17, 2020
OK read but not a Creasy novel.
October 28, 2020
Read in 1987. Political thriller.
August 10, 2020
This was a thriller based around the invasion of a US consulate in San Carlo. The ambassador is being held and questioned by an interrogator determined to find the names of the people involved in a plot to overthrow Castro.
I thought it was ok but wasn't something I would rave about.
I thought it was ok but wasn't something I would rave about.
October 19, 2013
This is the second book that I have read by this author. The first was Man on Fire. Man on Fire was exceptional. That was the main reason I chose another book by A.J. Quinnell. I liked the development of some friendships that occurred within this book. However, overall it was not up to this author's potential.
September 17, 2014
My Copy. Published July 30th 1986 by Dutton Books Hardback.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews