THE SHADOW GAME is the story of how one family can stir up a war between two countries, and how the terror of nuclear weapons on American soil creates chaos and demands for retribution. The Hakimi family has devoted decades to regime reform in their beloved Iran, finally realizing that they alone will never have the power to achieve it. But the regime can never survive the power of the United States, and so the family goes to work to provoke the U.S. into action. When a bomb goes off in Greensboro, North Carolina and America's extraordinary nuclear detection systems prove to be inadequate, Team Walker is activated, a group of brilliant misfits who somehow see things others don't and who find patterns others miss. After weeks of data mining, old fashioned espionage and traditional police work, the team is still at a loss as to how the weapon reached American soil and who detonated it, and most terrifyingly, why. If they can figure out who the enemy is, they might stop further destruction. That dream explodes along with part of Reno, Nevada as a second bomb is detonated. Intelligence patterns are detected by tracking multiple incidents, but when each incident guts an American city, there has to be a better way.
RODGER CARLYLE is a pilot, adventurer, political strategist, ghostwriter and novelist who writes both thrillers and historical fiction. He likes to find historic events that are ignored or covered up by the powerful when some strategy or plan goes completely to hell, and from there creates a passionate adventure that often tells a more complete story than traditional history…one that the reader just has to finish. Rodger’s thrillers are drawn from current events and conflicts such as the rekindled Cold War or US-Iranian hostilities. From there he develops a story that shows just how brutal unfinished business can be.
The heroes in his stories are ordinary people pushed to do extraordinary things that some writers would hand off to a superhero. Like in Rodger’s life, that includes a heightened passion that comes with life threatening events and periods of conflict.
Rodger is comfortable in black tie urban settings but is never happier than in the wilderness. As a world traveler, he’s faced down muggers in San Francisco, intimidation by Russian Mafia, and charging grizzly bears. Most of his stories take readers to places they will never visit. He likes to think that he is there with them. More at rodgercarlyle.com.
The Shadow Game, the explosive follow up to The Eel and the Angel, finds Team Walker back in action trying to prevent war between the US and Iran. Relying on their wit, resources and intuition Team Walker has to figure out who is behind two terror attacks on American soil before The United States is drawn into all out war. Rodger Carlyle again weaves a tale that will keep you in suspense until the final page. Highly recommend for for anyone to read, not just espionage thriller fans!
This is a new twist on the old nuclear terror plot. The Shadow Game by Rodger Carlyle is the second book about Team Walker. Sadly I haven't read book one and therefore I feel like I missed some stuff. I found the book very well written and the characters are great. It feels like there has been a lot of research going into this book and the twists are great. I do miss more involvment from team Walker and the different main characters, I felt that the bad guys took to much space. But for those that love a thrilling read it is something for you. I must thank the author and BTS design for making me a member of Team Walker and sending me this advance copy.
Explosive follow up in The Shadow Game series!! I came into this book having never heard of Rodger Carlyle or any of his books. I missed out on some character development from the first story, The Eel and the Angel, but it was still a solid stand alone thriller. Intense action and a scary good plot. I also liked seeing the nuanced views of the antagonists. War drives people to pick one side or the other, but it is fascinating to see things from all of the different angles.
Perhaps the best endorsement that I could make is that I now have purchased The Eel and the Angel and cant wait to dive in!
I was selected by BTS Design and Rodger Carlyle to be a member of Team Walker, including receiving an advance copy of the novel, in exchange for my thoughts on the book.
What a ride! Rodger Carlyle did it again with this third installment in the Team Walker series and this plot is closer to reality than I would care to imagine, especially with the state of the Middle East as of this review. Carlyle starts slow, building up the characters on both sides, then he turns loose. I appreciate that he did this because it allowed him to make the characters different and actually real. The motivations for the antagonists are not one-minded, but varied and nuanced, which comes into play quite often in the book. They aren't all evil, but you can understand why they feel like they do, even if you don't agree with them. On the other side, Team Walker is equally well-written and very cool. Gritt and Walker are a great pair and Olga is one of my favorite characters. I hope to see more of her in future books.
As I stated, the plot is pretty terrifying and real. I can see this happening to some extent, which makes for great reading. I couldn't put the book down, especially the last 100 pages or so which pull you in and don't let go. Obviously I can't wait to read more from this series and from Mr. Carlyle.
This is a pretty good thriller and plausible what if novel. What if a small, but determined, faction believed that they could work behind the scenes to affect change in their country by manipulating the U.S. to destroy part of their government? In this scenario, a group of Iranians believes that by destroying the Republican Guard, they can achieve change in the government. This frighteningly prophetic novel details just how easily such a plot might be carried out. The writing is concise, the characters believable, the tension progressive and the action moving right along. A good, enjoyable read.
Loved the Eel & the Angel and the introduction of Team Walker by Rodger Carlyle but The Shadow Game brings even a better thrill ride! The US is threatened into a nuclear conflict with Iran and thousands of Americans are dying. But an expanded Team Walker is on the case and are working to stop WW3! Impossible to put down, I highly recommend this military/spy thriller! 5 stars!!
I’ve had the pleasure of reading several books by Rodger Carlyle. I really enjoyed THE EEL AND THE ANGEL, which was the first book in the “Team Walker” series. His new book, THE SHADOW GAME, is a worthy successor. Carlyle has created several me great characters in Thad Walker, Chad Gritt and company. Good writing and fascinating plots, with some unexpected twists, make for great reading. I really enjoyed THE SHADOW GAME and highly recommend it.