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Privateer: A Connor Stark Novel
Connor Stark, a former US Navy officer, is head of private maritime security company Highland Maritime Defense and is in the cross-hairs in Claude Berube’s second geopolitical thriller.
A resurgent Tamil Tiger insurgency has unexpectedly attacked the Sri Lankan navy. When the government issues Stark a letter of marque, Stark and his eclectic band of compatriots accept the challenge only to learn that the Sea Tigers are no ordinary terrorists.
The Sea Tigers have created a new weapon that not even the West possess, fueling it with a rare element. By creating a localized electromagnetic pulse, the group and its ruthless leader, Vanni, can effectively neutralize any ship, airplane, or missile. With this weapon, they are poised to destabilize the region.
Meanwhile, a US Diplomatic Security agent is found murdered, and Iranian-born Damien Golzari is tasked with the investigation. He finds more than just murder, uncovering a conspiracy connected to the Sea Tigers and their new weapon.
In the forests of Sri Lanka, veteran journalist Melanie Arden gets close to uncovering the Sea Tigers’ mining operation. She learns that they’re exploiting local children as laborers, but before she can find out what they’re mining, she is discovered by the Sea Tigers.
Connor Stark sets out on Syren, a former Navy experimental vessel that is now the flagship of Highland Maritime. He and his team race against the clock to prevent another Sea Tiger attack, aided by an old friend leading a US Navy force. They unite with Golzari and Arden. When the Sea Tigers surround Syren, Stark, Golzari, and Arden must come up with an escape plane, but the Tigers won’t be defeated so easily. Stark will learn firsthand if the relationships he has cultivated will prove strong enough to beat the odds.
A resurgent Tamil Tiger insurgency has unexpectedly attacked the Sri Lankan navy. When the government issues Stark a letter of marque, Stark and his eclectic band of compatriots accept the challenge only to learn that the Sea Tigers are no ordinary terrorists.
The Sea Tigers have created a new weapon that not even the West possess, fueling it with a rare element. By creating a localized electromagnetic pulse, the group and its ruthless leader, Vanni, can effectively neutralize any ship, airplane, or missile. With this weapon, they are poised to destabilize the region.
Meanwhile, a US Diplomatic Security agent is found murdered, and Iranian-born Damien Golzari is tasked with the investigation. He finds more than just murder, uncovering a conspiracy connected to the Sea Tigers and their new weapon.
In the forests of Sri Lanka, veteran journalist Melanie Arden gets close to uncovering the Sea Tigers’ mining operation. She learns that they’re exploiting local children as laborers, but before she can find out what they’re mining, she is discovered by the Sea Tigers.
Connor Stark sets out on Syren, a former Navy experimental vessel that is now the flagship of Highland Maritime. He and his team race against the clock to prevent another Sea Tiger attack, aided by an old friend leading a US Navy force. They unite with Golzari and Arden. When the Sea Tigers surround Syren, Stark, Golzari, and Arden must come up with an escape plane, but the Tigers won’t be defeated so easily. Stark will learn firsthand if the relationships he has cultivated will prove strong enough to beat the odds.
289 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 25, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 9, 2025
Privateer is the 2nd Connor Stark novel by Berube and I liked it enough to order the 1st novel and follow the author. Connor Stark is a former US Navel officer who started a successful Maritime Security Business. His past connections /deeds has opened doors to some lucrative contracts. His last ship blew up saving high level dignitaries (Novel 1) and he’s offered a mothballed project ship to retrofit. It’s as he is picking up the ship, he picks up a last minute mission that promises high reward for the expected high level of difficulty for success. But why not?
The mission takes him to Sri Lanka and the fight with a new improved version of the Tamil Tigers. He soon finds friends from his past also are following other leads to the same conclusion. They join forces and battle the enemy who is backed by everyone’s current enemy, China. It’s not a story unless the good guys win, but I won’t give everything away. If you like thrillers, new technology, possible world changing scenarios, then Privateer is a great book to give you a thrill.
The mission takes him to Sri Lanka and the fight with a new improved version of the Tamil Tigers. He soon finds friends from his past also are following other leads to the same conclusion. They join forces and battle the enemy who is backed by everyone’s current enemy, China. It’s not a story unless the good guys win, but I won’t give everything away. If you like thrillers, new technology, possible world changing scenarios, then Privateer is a great book to give you a thrill.
May 30, 2024
Privateer - A new author to me. Not the first book of the Connor Stark series, which did not matter since Privateer is an interesting and immersing story. The only complaint I have is Dr. Berube did too much rehashing of the past, which I will remember when I read the previous books. Well written, realistic and believable, nothing hollywood here, along with intriguing story lines and a variety of interesting characters. One, of which I would have personally thrown overboard with broken legs and a large batch of chum. Read the book and see who I mean. Source: Netgalley. 4*
May 14, 2024
Another excellent read for anyone interested in current events, military science and the future of our country. Hopefully the next book in the series will be able to involve the reader a bit more in the Connor/Maggie dynamic.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews