The President's Daughter

Sean Dillon #6

by Jack Higgins

In Mekong Delta, Jake Cazalet, US Special Forces Officer, rescues a woman. Many years later, someone is using the discovery of what really happened to blackmail him - a move which threatens the world, because Cazalet is now President of the United States.

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

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 19, 1997

About the author

There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Jack Higgins was best known of the many pseudonyms of Henry Patterson. (See also Martin Fallon, Harry Patterson, Hugh Marlowe and James Graham.)

He was the New York Times bestselling author of more than seventy thrillers, including The Eagle Has Landed and The Wolf at the Door. His books have sold more than 250 million copies worldwide.

Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, Patterson grew up in Belfast, Northern Ireland. As a child, Patterson was a voracious reader and later credited his passion for reading with fueling his creative drive to be an author. His upbringing in Belfast also exposed him to the political and religious violence that characterized the city at the time. At seven years old, Patterson was caught in gunfire while riding a tram, and later was in a Belfast movie theater when it was bombed. Though he escaped from both attacks unharmed, the turmoil in Northern Ireland would later become a significant influence in his books, many of which prominently feature the Irish Republican Army. After attending grammar school and college in Leeds, England, Patterson joined the British Army and served two years in the Household Cavalry, from 1947 to 1949, stationed along the East German border. He was considered an expert sharpshooter.

Following his military service, Patterson earned a degree in sociology from the London School of Economics, which led to teaching jobs at two English colleges. In 1959, while teaching at James Graham College, Patterson began writing novels, including some under the alias James Graham. As his popularity grew, Patterson left teaching to write full time. With the 1975 publication of the international blockbuster The Eagle Has Landed, which was later made into a movie of the same name starring Michael Caine, Patterson became a regular fixture on bestseller lists. His books draw heavily from history and include prominent figures—such as John Dillinger—and often center around significant events from such conflicts as World War II, the Korean War, and the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Patterson lived in Jersey, in the Channel Islands.

Reviews

[Darren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book more than 10 years ago. It was my first Sean Dillon book and it was difficult to understand the history. However, I plan on going back and re-reading this book at some time in the future. From what I remember, it was good, but hard to follow.

[Dina Begum · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brave young American in Vietnam saved the life of a Frenchwoman whose husband was presumably dead. The 2 had an affair which ended abruptly when the lovers discovered that her husband was alive after all. Now, 20 years later, the young man has become the President of the United States and has discovered that he had a daughter with the Frenchwoman. But a group of terrorists has also learned of the girl's relationship to the president, and when they seize her and hold her at ransom, the president faces the most momentous decision in his career - and his life. Only Sean Dillon, former IRA enforcer and now British operative, and FBI agent Blake Johnson have the president's confidence and can save the daughter he never knew.

Most girls attracted to bad boys character but they always bring home the good guys. I’m no different, that's why I love Jack Higgins' Sean Dillon character.

In this story, Dillon, an ex IRA enforcer who has gone good saved the day… again.

He killed with ease and not because he’s damn good but I think it’s because Higgins didn’t give him enough challenge. Why, ofcourse it’s only 304 pages – what can you epect? He had to put together some IRA thugs, some illegal treders and former Israelis soldier for Dillon to fight and some ruthless smugglers to work with. As if the book wasn’t crowded enough, he garnished a little romance on it.

This book is better read in a hot day because there’s rain everywhere except for when the Countess got kidnapped.

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid story is nearly derailed by an eccentric cult. Had Mr. Higgins chose to devote less time and ink with this group, the story would have been better. 6 of 10 stars

[Somnath Banerjee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pretty standard Jack Higgins offering, with a fairly good plot and the old pals Dillon and Farguson now being on the same side. The plot unveils nicely, and the way Dillon and his team tracks down the perpetrator makes quite a readable adventure. After first 50 pages the story picks up speed and it remains till the end. However I expected some kind of twist at the end, specially because the story fashioned itself as more or less of "who-dun-it" genre, but no such unexpected twist was there. Overall good book.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book by Jack Higgins.

[Oli Turner]

The fifty-fifth #jackhiggins #martinfallon #hughmarlowe #harrypatterson #henrypatterson #jamesgraham novel #thepresidentsdaughter published in 1997. The sixth appearance of #seandillon with a reference to Higgins 41st novel #lucianosluck (published in 1981). Plus a cameo from #liamdevlin as well as Harry and billy salter. The team continues to expand as the Americans are brought in once more with Blake Johnson taking a more active role this time. Ferguson’s pilots are back too. The American president has a secret illegitimate French daughter, a splinter group of extremist Israelis kidnap Dillon for the flimsy reason of proving that they have also kidnapped the titular daughter. All manner of excitement and small action set pieces. The pace is very fast almost taking the old screenplay rule of having a bit of action every ten pages. I read this when it was first published but I had forgotten most if not all of it. But I had a great time revisiting it and it still holds up. Not great literature but a good action packed time. I was impressed that some effort had been made in respect of Middle East geopolitical research. The plot device of blackmailing the US president into destroying Israel’s enemies still seems relevant today. Another great Dillon adventure.

[Gregory Tait · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack Higgins is a go to for me.. Good story and the bad guy is taken out. I like that! it is nice that it's so cut and dry, not like how the world is today.

[Gerald Sinstadt · Rating 1 out of 5]

There are 84 Jack Higgins novels. They are said to have sold 150 million copies world wide. A special award for industry would seem to be in order. However, if The President's Daughter is any guide, much of the writing has been done on auto-pilot.

Even so, I will respect the conventions and try not to reveal too much about the title in question here. The basis of the plot stretches credulity to the limit but might b forgiven as the launch pad for what follows. That involves frequent trips in private jets, s good deal of violence and a number of dead bodies. Well,OK, his is meant to be thriller.

It would be acceptable in those terms if the characters were not cardboard, the dialogue saturated with cliche and the dependence on coincidence ("as it happens I know the wold's greatest expert in ...") simply unbelievable. Brigadier Ferguson, supposedly a top man i British intelligence, does little more than frequently ask, "So what happens now?"

Jak Higgins devotees will know what to expect. Others might do better to look elsewhere.

[Henri Moreaux · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel is number 6 in the Dillon series and is basically a kidnapping & ransom story with the details jiggled a little.

The illegitimate daughter of the President of the United States is kidnapped by Israeli hardliners in an attempt to blackmail him into signing off on the wholesale attack of Israel's enemies - Iran, Iraq & Syria.

Predictably the hero, Sean Dillon, enters the fray and after a few ups and downs the day is saved yet again.

Overall, it's not a bad book, it doesn't redefine the genre by any means but if you're looking for something to pass the time it will do the job.

I do have to say though, 6 books in to the Sean Dillon series the plot paths are getting a little stale: problem occurs visit someone from past who miraculously has the solution, or miraculously is in strife and will trade help for the solution go on to save the day after a temporary set back occurs.

Am hoping the next one mixes things up a bit.

[Uri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not bad, it was ok. I guess it's worth reading if you already are into the Sean Dillon series by Higgins, otherwise it's nothing special.

The funny thing is, by the time I was halfway done with this book I realized I had already read it. Nonetheless, I decided to finish reading it even though it's quite predictable and the end came back to me as the last part of the plot was unfolding.

Sean Dillon books are just like watching a TV series: you know that no matter what dangers he and his allies are facing they will always save the day and survive. If you are cool with that, then these books are for you.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

#6 in the Sean Dillon series.

Sean Dillon series - Jake Cazalet was 26 years old when he rescued a young Frenchwoman in Vietnam. Their short, passionate affair resulted in a daughter, Marie, unknown to Jake during his meteoric rise from decorated war hero to senator to U.S. president. Now, he meets her briefly before her mother's death, and all agree her identity must be kept a secret. But someone has found out, and Marie's life is in danger unless the president meets terrorists' demands. Enter Brigadier Gen. Charles Ferguson and his man in the field, Sean Dillon, former IRA terrorist, invincible at escape and unforgiving in battle.

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

The beginning - a bit too far-fetched for my liking, but then again, maybe I am just not romantic enough. Definitely a quick read, so if someone is looking for a page turner - that might be it. I just have a bit of mixed feelings with regards to the books with predictable finale.

[Brett Milam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been reading a lot of heavy books lately about grief, loss, and trauma, so, I needed something of a palate cleanser. Phew, Jack Higgins’ 1997 book, The President’s Daughter, hit me at the right time: it was so fun. As long-time readers of my book reviews will know, I’m a big fan of the Jack Reacher series by Lee Child (and now his brother, Andrew Child), and around the same time I picked up Reacher, I also became obsessed with the Mitch Rapp series by the gone-too-soon Vince Flynn. In other words, I dig a good action book, with a bad-ass protagonist to root for, and an intriguing mystery along the way. Higgins’ novel, with his protagonist, Sean Dillon, met that criteria, and I had a blast reading it.

Dillon used to work for the Irish Republican Army to take down the British, and then later, was an assassin for hire to the highest bidder, but eventually, he came to the side of the British to do good. He’s the protagonist in the mold of Reacher and Rapp, albeit he actually came before them (1992 versus 1997 for Reacher and 1999 for Rapp), in that he’s confident to the extreme, but capable. As an assassin, he’s worldly, picking up multiple languages and geography lessons. But, Dillon isn’t alone. He has the help of the British, Americans, Greeks, and his former IRA running buddies to help him. That is, I love books that give us cause for comradery, leaning on connections, and globetrotting, as this one does. And like Reacher and Rapp, there’s always a little flirtation with a woman, in this case, a British detective, Hannah, who is also rather bold and bad-ass herself. Moreover, instead of needing to rescue one damsel in distress, as it were, in Hannah, Dillon needs to rescue two women.

The second? You guessed it, the president’s daughter. Except, it’s not as direct as that. The book opens with the president prior to him being president during his exploits in Vietnam. Jake Cazalet, was a on the fast-track of life, a Harvard man, with wealth, and instead, he chose to serve in Vietnam — remember, most men were drafted into fighting the war. The reason Jake made that decision is after seeing Teddy, a soldier back from Vietnam with one less arm, bullied for his service. Jake stood up for him. Ever since then, including through to Jake’s presidency, Teddy became his righthand man. More on that in a moment.

So, Jake serves in Vietnam, rescues a French woman, has a one-night-stand, and it turns out the French woman is a valuable member of French society and becomes pregnant with his child. She only tells him this years later, and they agree that they don’t want to ruin Jake’s fast-track to the presidency with an illegitimate child. At this point, it seems like only she, the daughter, Jake, and Teddy know about this secret. The French woman later dies of cancer. We’re down to three people who know.

Fundamentalist Israelis, inspired by payback against Hamas and other Islamic fundamentalists who’ve bombed Israel, concoct a plan to kidnap Jake’s daughter once he’s president to force his hand into bombing Iran, Iraq, and Syria. At this point, I started worrying that Higgins was going to have Teddy betray Jake. Because how else would the fundamentalist Israeli leader, Judas, know about the connection? As it turned out, the French family’s longtime lawyer, a Holocaust survivor sucked into the plot, overheard the secret and told Judas. Phew! I’ve gotten too used to authors going for the twist instead of telling a straightforward story, and I think that’s what I most appreciated about Higgins’ book: Aside from being just fun to read, it was a tight, straightforward book, aiming to tell a good story and achieving that aim. At only 278 pages, it didn’t overstay its welcome either.

And in further point-of-fact about Teddy, who owes his career to Jake’s kindness and friendship, rather than seeking to betray Jake, he felt that pressure to do something good in return, and finds his moment by uncovering the real identity of Judas, who happens to be an American. In the end, Dillon and a few others do their thing and rescue the “damsels in distress” with much aplomb, and Higgins is even self-referential about how Jake gets his happy ending by reuniting with his daughter, this time with them both having the knowledge of their familial connection.

Have I mentioned this was fun? If you need a fun … winter read, as it were, I’d give this a whirl, if I were you, you old codger, you old sod (a taste of the dialogue that was cracking me up).

[Thrillers R Us · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before the wave of internet activity, Saudi oil money for Silicon Valley, and ad-money craze fully took hold and made a bubble of prosperity burst, meddling with corporate governance, federal databases, comm structures, and surfing BBS struck a chord with certain young people affected by ennui. Exploring this demographic, their curiosity, activities and societal consequences is what HACKERS was tasked with in 1995, launching the careers of a slew of young actors and furnishing upwards of 90 minutes of cybertainment. While Zero Cool or Crash Override is the focal point of the movie, good old Ben Jhaveri of SHORT CIRCUIT fame steals the show. Not since Fisher Stevens aka 'The Plague' made the oceans and oil tanker captains unsafe in HACKERS has there been an evil mastermind, this one a devout Zionist, who dominated computer access and pressed his advantage with the US Government to his...advantage. Aptly relevant (again) after the October 2023 chaos in the Holy Land, THE PRESIDENT'S DAUGHTER from 1997 brings back a terrorist to stop a terrorist, or as DEMOLITION MAN so nicely said, send a maniac to catch one.

The first maniac in question, of course, is Sean Dillon in his sixth outing as the man of a thousand faces, a chameleon, wanted in a bad way by Brit Intelligence for twenty years, which, of course, makes MI6 look like Keystone Kops in a MR. BEAN sketch as Dillon's bag is about as good as Dana Carvey's in MASTER OF DISGUISE. Those tasting this Boxty for the first time, fret not, THE PRESIDENT'S DAUGHTER lays it out, over and over. It all started with a parade ground mortar attack on the hated English in the early nineties and the once most feared enforcer of the Provisional IRA has not looked back since. At 5'5", flaxen haired, a kink in his brain for languages and utterly PC, Sean Dillon is the Irish James Bond, just that he's a free-lance gun for hire, not on HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE, and is wont to accept contracts from criminal and tango scumbags. He's witty, charming, intelligent, and favors a Walther PPK, but tends to kill too easily, the latter a deal breaker for many of the ladies. Sometimes situations need a public executioner and Sean Dillon happens to be good at it.

Ideally suited for the SNAFU of THE PRESIDENT'S DAUGHTER, Dillon is initially not needed for disposal but for rescue, as the title should suggest for the astute thriller reader. Quite timely in light of the Gaza mess, a group of radical Israelis who believe that the State of Israel must survive (at all costs) and counter the terror threat of Hamas seek a nuclear holocaust, courtesy of friendly American intervention. The objective: Iraq, Syria, and Iran must be brought to heel for all time, and nothing else is acceptable. OPLAN Nemesis, devised by fanatics and the truly mad, a lethal combo in any milieu. They, however, are true believers who think that the end justifies the means and that their cause is just. At the helm of this group of faithful and global Sayanim is a ruthless figure with the mysterious nom de guerre Judas Iscariot. Yep, that's right, and late in the game is a plot twist you'll NEVER see coming. Jk. THE PRESIDENT'S DAUGHTER is a novel with reckless charm possessed by the truly insincere thrillers, nonetheless making it fun with cheeky references to Mario Puzo, Irving King, James Bond, DEATH WISH, and RAMBO III. Insisting that it's not the big people that should be worried about, but the invisible ones, THE PRESIDENT'S DAUGHTER boldly proclaims that all time is relative, and reiterates Kennedy's quote that anyone who believes in fairness in this life's been seriously misinformed. Essentially, life's a bitch, but it's all we've got. Going to great length to teach the reader about Chanukah while setting up a fake mission, a betrayal, and letting Europe's favorite radical turned Rambo off the leash, ready to rumble, THE PRESIDENT'S DAUGHTER curiously works. Just keep the faith.

[Serdar Poirot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jake Cazalet, Vietnam savaşına arkadaşı Teddy Grant sebebiyle katıldığında De Brissac kontes ile tanışır. Kocasını arayan bu kadına tutulur ve bir ilişki yaşarlar. Kocasının hayatta olduğunu öğrenince ayrılırlar. Yıllar sonra senatör olduğunda tekrar kadınla karşılaşır ve Marie De Brissac'ın kendi kızı olduğunu öğrenir. Onu yanına almak ister ama kadın, ABD başkanı olacağını, bu durumun kendisi için sıkıntı olacağını söyler. Ve gerçekten Jake ABD başkanı olur. Ancak kendisine Judas diyen biri Marie'yi kaçırır. Eski bir IRA elemanı da hapisten çıkarılıp Dillon ile bir Arap teröristi yakalama bahanesi ile gider ama Dillon da yakalanır. Sonra Judas tarafından serbest bırakılır. Amaç Cazalet'in Nemesis adlı protokolü imzalamasıdır. İran, Suriye ve Irak'a topyekün saldırı anlamına gelir. Judas İsraillidir ve ülkesini korumak için bunu yaptığını söyler. IRA elemanı kaçar ve köyüne sığınır. Dillon, Blake Johnson ve Liam Devlin onu bulurlar ve idam kararını engellerler. Ayrıca avukatın kimliğine de ulaşırlar. Paul Berger'i sorgulayınca Brissac'ın aile avukatına ulaşırlar. Teddy de askerlik kayıtlarını inceler ve Judas'ın Amerikalı Yahudi albay Daniel Levy olduğunu bulur. Korfu'da bir kalesi vardır ve Hannah Bernstein de oradadır. Gangster Harry Salter da yardım eder. Kendini öldü gösteren Dillon, Blake, Ferguson Korfu adasına gider. Burada Aleko adlı kaçakçının yardımıyla bir plan yaparlar. Bu plan işe yarayacak mıdır? Marie kurtarılacak mıdır? Başkan ne yapacaktır? Ferguson ve diğerleri bu işten sağ salim kurtulacak mıdır? Keyifle soluksuz okunan bir roman.

[Smith Kumar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first selection in this series.
It was an interesting story and an interesting concept but the author could have told the story better I suppose.
There are too many dialogues in the book and a couple of "Show not tell" descriptions would have helped a lot.

Overall it was an interesting read, specially for the mystery genre where most books are slow moving.
However, compared to thriller genre, where this book is also listed, I found the plot a little slow when compared to other thrillers I have read. For example, the main character Sean Dillon didn't make an appearance till many chapters later. Most other thrillers would put their MC in the front in first chapter or maybe the second chapter at the max. The author used the opening chapters to describe the background of the President who inspite of the title of the book, is actually not the main character in the book. Reading the starting chapters, I was beginning to assume that the president, with his tough Vietnam army background, would be responsible for the later action in the book. It didn't turn out that way.
I would have still really enjoyed this book if not for so much of dialogues. That takes out the fun for me even in more interesting fantasy like genres.

If you don't find too many dialogues a turn off, and are a fan of mystery genre, then you will probably enjoy the book and the plot, no doubt in that.

[Neil Fulwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sean Dillon volume six, and a plot that can best be described as ludicrous with a side order of ridiculous the one-time IRA hard nut is betrayed by a former comrade, kidnapped by a bunch of religious zealots and compelled to act as messenger boy in a blackmail scheme involving the US president and his illegitimate daughter. Surviving an assassination attempt after he’s delivered the message, Dillon sets out to turn the tables on the loonies and rescue the girl. En route, he teams up with an American secret agent, does more glove-trotting than 007, pals about with London gangsters, and seeks the assistance of mentor and ‘Eagle Has Landed’ anti-hero Liam Devlin. The usual copy-and-paste approach re: previous material is glaringly obvious, and Dillon continues to stomp through these novels with such unshakeable machismo that he makes Jack Reacher look like Hamlet at his most indecisive, but ‘The President’s Daughter’, for all its silliness, is comfort reading for the thriller aficionado: good clean(ish) fun.

[Lyn Ambrose · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first Jack Higgins book I have read and I was disappointed. Because of the title I was expecting to read more about US President Jack Cazalet's character and relationship with his daughter. However the plot centred around the popular fictional character Sean Dillon previously created by Jack Higgins.

The plot is straight forward. Jake Cazalet becomes President of the United States about twenty years after saving a beautiful young French widow's life in Vietnam. They have a very brief affair. Unbeknown to President Cazalet the Frenchwoman falls pregnant and a girl is born. The child is his daughter.

As a young woman, his daughter is captured by a group of terrorists who somehow discover this secret. They blackmail the President and will execute his daughter if he does not do what they order him to do. Security specialist Sean Dillon (ex IRA) and FBI agent Blake Johnson are tasked with finding the President's daughter before he must carry out the terrorists' demands.

Three stars for this one.

[Sarah Pongracz · Rating 3 out of 5]

The President's Daughter is a thriller about trying to rescue the daughter of the President of the United States who has been kidnapped by terrorists, and is being held with the threat of execution, if the President doesn't meet their demands. As a young soldier in Viet Nam, the future President has a brief affair with a French woman whose life he saved. Twenty years later in Paris, now as the President of the United States, he is reunited with his former lover, and she shares the secret that they had a daughter. When his daughter is kidnapped by a radical Jewish terrorist group, who has given the President 10 days to agree to their demands or they will execute his newly discovered daughter, the President in desperation enlists Sean Dillon, a former IRA enforcer, who is working with British security and Blake Johnson, an FBI agent whp0 heads a secret White House security organization, to try and rescue his daughter.

[Tim Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a Jack Higgins thriller, one of several in his Sean Dillon series. Dillion is a former IRA soldier, who is saved from an untimely death in Albania by Brigadier Charles Ferguson, leader of the British Prime Minister's "private army". Now, Dillon is Ferguson's primary enforcer, doing the dirty work of the British government no one else will touch.

In this version, Dillon joins forces with Blake Johnson, Ferguson's United States counterpart, to rescue the US President's daughter. Who she is and how she came to be abducted is too much a spoiler to write into the review. As one might imagine, Dillon (and Johnson) find her, rescue her, and restore her to the President in many more ways than one.

Great book and fun read that helped pass many hours at 39,000 feet over the Pacific Ocean.

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Jack Higgins and his hero: Sean Dillon. No disappointments here. Good character development, and great adventure.
Sean Dillon figures out how to rescue the kidnapped illegitimate daughter of the President of the United States. Kidnapper is a madman with followers who are all nuts too.
First they had to find out who he was...
So this book came out in 1997. I looked it up because I was wondering why they didn't use drones.
Much as I love the Sean Dillon persona, back then authors were still leaving damsels in castles to be rescued - even a police inspector who should, IMO, be more like Kensie in NCIS LA!!
I'm going to look for the latest book Jack Higgens has written to see if he's understanding now that women can save themselves.

[Debra Jeakins · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE PRESIDENTS DAUGHTER BY JACK HIGGINS is the sixth book in the series featuring Sean Dillon. If you like the fast paced, special op,slam bam type of hero, then you will love Sean Dillon and his group.

Sean and his special team (and not so legal friends) are trying to find the President of the United States,illegitimate daughter who has been kidnapped by a very radical Jewish group. Led by Judas,this group threatens to kill the daughter unless the President does his bidding. Sean's job: rescue her.

I have gotten rather hooked on Mr.Higgins novels. I love the good and explosive pace which they are set.

[GhostofMyrtle]

The President's Daughter is the sixth Jack Higgins novel to feature Sean Dillon, former IRA bomber turned good. The plot involves the kidnapping of the daughter of U.S President, Jack Cazalet by a fringe group of Israelis.

This is a fairly typical Jack Higgins novel, with some action and a couple of twists. There is nothing much for this to stand out from many of his (and other writers of the same genre) other novels.

If you are a Higgins fan you will probably enjoy it. I don't see it would win him any new fans. Overall a solid action book that doesn't really stand out from the pack.

[Dean Cummings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jake Cazalet was once a lieutenant in the Vietnam War. During that time, he had a one-night affair with a French countess he'd rescued. In the twenty years that passed, Cazalet had fond memories of the French woman and unknown to him, she had their daughter Marie de Brissac.

A terrorist snatches Marie and attempts to coerce the president into a series of bomb strikes on Iraq, Iran and Syria using his daughter as a bargaining chip.

It's not the deepest, or best written story, but I found the premise fascinating. The book moved very quickly and in the end I was actually quite satisfied.

[Pam Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

When an evil extremist named Judas Maccabeus discovers that the president of the United States has an illegitimate daughter living in France, he strikes quickly, kidnapping and threatening to execute her if the president does not launch a military attack against Iraq, Iran, and Syria. The President turns to British operative, Sean Dillon, to find and rescue his daughter. He is helped by FBI agent Blake Johnson and a whole network of operatives at the beck and call of Ferguson. I have read many books by Jack Higgins, but like the Sean Dillon series the best. I highly recommend.

[Ajitabh Pandey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a kidnapping and ransom story, wherein US President’s illegitimate daughter was kidnapped by some Israeli hard liners who wanted the President to sanction a strike on some Arab countries. Dillon comes to rescue with the help of an American ex FBI agent.

Overall it’s a story which flows at a decent pace, however one thing is funny that why terrorist chose Dillon to communicate the kidnapping news to USPresident, and then the British intelligence comes to the rescue. Where was FBI or CIA?

[james leavy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lazarus dillon

Reading the names of earlier Gaelic gangsters turned good guys peaks the readers interest in expectation of what ,if any , lawful assistance is to be offered to sean.

As sean chases the bad guys across the globe will be arrive in time ?

Hanna , is then kidnapped , if sean had a reason for an attempt at rescue having been shot and killed , it's a way to rise up and Greece a few palms in order to complete this mission , aided by the odd Irish ...another tale that wou!d make a good movie ,methinks ?

Entertaining read , once again ...enjoy the ride

[Fiona Humphries · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a new favourite author - this was great! It was a little cliche at the beginning but still balanced out perfectly. I loved the action scenes and couldn't put it down. Great pacing and interesting characters. I see that the author has included some of these characters in other books so I intend to check out more (in-between reading my academic books!!!). I totally recommend this and would love to see it as a movie.

[VeraH · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my type of book tbh, of course I genuinely enjoyed it at times however there was too many military words and abbreviations that I didn’t understand. There was to much focus on exactly what gun they were holding which gave me nothing and because it is an older book I didn’t really understand all the references.

If you are the same generation as this author and/or have an interest in war and the military this book is for you.

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Sean Dillon books. Readers really should hate him as a former member of the IRA, but you can't help but like him. This time Ferguson calls on Dillon to help rescue the secret daughter of the President of the United States. A great read with lots of action, twists and turns. This is the second time I have read this and I am sure it won't be the last.