Mass Destruction

by Carolyn McCray

Did you know that over four DOZEN times a year nuclear material is either lost or stolen? That is where the UN's NMRT (nuclear materials recovery team) comes in. Tracking down rogue spears, broken arrows and suitcase nukes, add in Brandt's team's tendency toward explosive action, and you've got quite a thriller.

Genres: Thriller, Science Fiction

325 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 21, 2014

About the author

This is a pen name of Goodreads author Cristyn West.

Reviews

[Nicko · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK, I often start with the reason the star(s) were taken away so let's stay true to form:

It could have used more research on military and intelligence procedures. Now before you all accuse me of having a Tom Clancy shrine I must admit there was a fair amount of rolling eyeballs with some of his books as well. So, while the urge to often yell "that's not what would have happened" was there, I get it. I really do. But really, for the record, CQB should have dictated the actions differently in the village and at the Syrian shack. And having your gear burned twice??? You carry your important stuff on you. And full mags fall under the "important stuff" category.

The second reason was because I honestly spent a good part of the beginning of the book trying to figure out who the heroes were. UN super-soldiers but with a clearly unauthorized-for-field-duty nuclear expert? And Gol is who? Then it hit me like a ton of bricks: I was reading Nikita. Val is Nikita, Brandt is Michael, Gol is Birkoff, the other analyst is Sonya and their boss is Percy.

The fact that I had to draw upon someone else's story to satisfy my mind's eye bothered me. Hence, one star less.

Now the good. This book is extremely entertaining and you will not want to put it down once the action kicks in. McCray's style is easy to not only read but also to absorb. She handles her characters with care and allows us to form our connections with them instead of her spoon-feeding us how awesome they are. Her characters might be super-soldiers caught in a fantastic situation but there is also a very human factor that anchors them in relevance.

Every time I was able to continue reading this book was a treat. And that, to me, is a success.

So really folks, the bad above is just me nitpicking and it is not that bad when you look at this book for entertainment. Go read it. Now.

[Monika · Rating 5 out of 5]

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Mass Destruction is another hit by Carolyn McCray! It is the first book in the Nuclear Threat Thriller Series and if this book is any indication it will be an exciting thrill ride.

I loved everything about it from the female lead Van, to the mission she’s on and the conclusion of that mission. Van is a strong more than capable woman who holds her own amongst the men she leads, at the same time she’s a woman who thinks family first. Like all families Van finds out she’s not as in tune to what’s going on in her own family as she thinks, I loved that Carolyn McCray wrote her this way it made her feel real and the story plausible. The secondary characters are great and strong reason why this book works so well.

Van leads a group of agents in and around the Middle East in search of a terrorist with a Nuclear Bomb headed to the US and the G8 summit. Their mission is to find and stop that bomb from reaching its target. It is one thrill ride after another, the action is nonstop and exiting. I literally couldn’t put this book down until I’d read the very last word. It’s a story like many others but written in a completely different light. There are a few surprises, a few laughs and a whole lot of story. The pace is perfect and the writing is amazing, in my opinion this is a must read.

I’m looking forward to the next installment and the continuing adventures of Van and her crew.

[Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given an advanced copy of “Mass Destruction,” by author Carolyn McCray to preview as a beta reader. I’m always excited when I get the email that indicates that she has finished her new book. I have yet to find one book of hers that has not left me wanting more. As you’ve guessed, she is one of my favorite authors.

*****

In “Mass Destruction” Ms. McCray has called in the troops from her best-selling series, “Betrayed” to help save the world from a nuclear attack. Van is our lead character who is a strong female, smart beyond her time and a force to be reckoned with in a man’s world. She is out to prove to herself and others that she is capable of pulling off what most men are responsible for.

Growing up as the only girl in a family of high-ranking military men, Van has garnished the respect of many around the world. Despite how much Van has done in the name of science, she is still the daughter of a high-ranking General. With her father suffering from Alzheimer’s, a mother that is overbearing of her husband, and the only girl of 5 high-ranking military brothers, Van has learned what it takes to hold her own in this world.

In the midst of a family crisis, Van is trying to locate the bomb maker. While on the hunt for this man, she stumbles across the paths of Svengard, Lopez, and Davidson. In the ever capable hands of these highly trained men, she is running down leads. With Brandt back in the United States, he is working behind the scene to try to save the G8 meeting that is targeted.

To top all this craziness off, Van’s behind the scene team has picked up on some shady financial dealings. Only problem is one of their own team members has signed off on some of these transactions with the enemy. Not feeling that they can just come out accuse a top military official of espionage, they are tasked with discovering what is actually going on.

*****

From the beginning to the end this story is action packed. Never is there a moment that you are left feeling idle. With Van and her team running over all over the Middle East. Brandt is here in the US trying to save everyone from disaster. The possibility of the betrayal of one of their own team members, you can be guaranteed a fast paced read.

Ms. McCray has the talent of developing such wonderful characters that you just fall in love with. When the Betrayed series ended, I was feeling down that I wasn’t going to be on anymore adventures with this crazy group. When she decided that she was going to bring them back in a new series, I was just excited beyond belief.

I’m so looking forward to seeing what Ms. McCray has in store for the team.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flying Bullets, Nukes, Non-Stop Action Thriller

Anyone who likes a fast paced, non-stop action thriller with strong male and female leads, will pick up this novel and read it to the end in no time. The author, Carolyn McCray, outdid herself in this high octane fueled book.

The reader can't help, but be involved in the mission. The action will draw you into the story and won't let you go until the conclusion of the epilogue. No worries. The text won't self destruct after you read it, although I found myself checking the pages for bullet holes.

[J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gut twisting, hold on to your seat ride

Suspense, twists and turns, a touch of romance. It’s got it all. This story will take you on a ride you won’t soon forget. This book will leave you wondering who you can really trust. Who’s got the bomb? Layers of deception on both sides. Love that the Brandt team joined in on this story. You can’t help but smile when Lopez comes on scene, the action really gets hot.

[John Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Move over Clancy, there is a new sheriff in town.v

what a great new book. fast paced,relevant in today s suspense charged world crisis.McCray expertly juggles high octane characters with a complex story line while cleverly letting their clay feet show from time to time. get in line adventure lovers for an adrenaline rush

[Randall Grewe · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was Ok

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

very good

[Michele bookloverforever · Rating 4 out of 5]

averting nuclear disaster....good action adventure