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Adam Drake #2
Oath To Defend
The trail of the terrorist who avoided capture in THE ASSASSIN'S LIST goes cold in Tijuana. Then radiation is detected from a nuclear device across the border in San Diego. Drake believes it's his terrorist who has the nuke and thinks he knows where he's headed. He's determined to hunt down the man who almost killed his family, but time's running out to prevent an unimaginable catastrophe.
312 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 31, 2013
612 people are currently reading
428 people want to read
About the author
Scott Matthews
11 books64 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
April 10, 2015
Disclaimer: I won this book through the Goodreads First Reads Contest.
I was not a fan of this book. While the over arching storyline of an ex-military, current lawyer, guy tracking down a terrorist was interesting the execution of the story was lacking.
The first problem with the book is the fact that every setting in the book is basically the same, a luxurious house or hotel next to a golf course. I thought it was strange that terrorists trying to lay low would hang out in these more public and exposed types of places. The other problem with the settings is that the characters are almost always doing the same thing in these redundant settings, eating! Every chapter involves the characters eating. I realize the author is trying to make one of the secondary characters endearing by joking about the amount he eats, but everyone is eating and that is their main activity in the book. The book even goes into detail about the components of each meal. The process of discussing the upcoming mission over a meal in one chapter and then immediately coming back in the next chapter to have a meal and discuss what happened on the mission gets old quickly.
While the obsession of the luxury lifestyle and constant eating helped make the book dull, the political and sexist jabs sprinkled throughout the book made the story terrible. While I won't get into the specifics of the politics involved, the jabs only took me out of the story and never added anything. The secret agenda of the author to assert his political beliefs only helps to potentially alienate at least half of a potential audience and weaken the story. While the topic of national security somewhat requires the need to be somewhat political, the blatant bashing of the political party you disagree with only ensures your readership will remain small or shrink. Additionally, there are several rather sexist remarks that also have this same effect. Again, they don't add to the story and also make your main character look like a jerk.
Despite all this, I do have to admit that the last few chapters, where the main characters are actually chasing the terrorists, kept me entertained. Had the rest of the book been more like this minus the political and sexist jabs, I would have liked the book a lot more.
I was not a fan of this book. While the over arching storyline of an ex-military, current lawyer, guy tracking down a terrorist was interesting the execution of the story was lacking.
The first problem with the book is the fact that every setting in the book is basically the same, a luxurious house or hotel next to a golf course. I thought it was strange that terrorists trying to lay low would hang out in these more public and exposed types of places. The other problem with the settings is that the characters are almost always doing the same thing in these redundant settings, eating! Every chapter involves the characters eating. I realize the author is trying to make one of the secondary characters endearing by joking about the amount he eats, but everyone is eating and that is their main activity in the book. The book even goes into detail about the components of each meal. The process of discussing the upcoming mission over a meal in one chapter and then immediately coming back in the next chapter to have a meal and discuss what happened on the mission gets old quickly.
While the obsession of the luxury lifestyle and constant eating helped make the book dull, the political and sexist jabs sprinkled throughout the book made the story terrible. While I won't get into the specifics of the politics involved, the jabs only took me out of the story and never added anything. The secret agenda of the author to assert his political beliefs only helps to potentially alienate at least half of a potential audience and weaken the story. While the topic of national security somewhat requires the need to be somewhat political, the blatant bashing of the political party you disagree with only ensures your readership will remain small or shrink. Additionally, there are several rather sexist remarks that also have this same effect. Again, they don't add to the story and also make your main character look like a jerk.
Despite all this, I do have to admit that the last few chapters, where the main characters are actually chasing the terrorists, kept me entertained. Had the rest of the book been more like this minus the political and sexist jabs, I would have liked the book a lot more.
February 8, 2014
This action thriller takes place about a month after the ending of The Assassin's List. Adam Drake, attorney and sometimes consultant to Department of Homeland Security, is still looking for the antagonist, Barak.
In the meantime, a nuclear device has been detected being smuggled into the U.S. via a tunnel from Tijuana. Connected?
The action moves to the greater Bend, Oregon area in the search for that nuke. Drake seems to feel that the nuke and a polo exhibition are related. The DHS representative is not so sure and won't commit resources to the search.
This book is an entertaining and fast paced read. Matthews has one character, Mike Casey, constantly eating or asking when the next meal is scheduled. This reminded me of Ian Fleming's James Bond novels and Fleming's many references to Bond's meals. Matthews even mentions Bond while describing an egg dish Casey is preparing.
In the meantime, a nuclear device has been detected being smuggled into the U.S. via a tunnel from Tijuana. Connected?
The action moves to the greater Bend, Oregon area in the search for that nuke. Drake seems to feel that the nuke and a polo exhibition are related. The DHS representative is not so sure and won't commit resources to the search.
This book is an entertaining and fast paced read. Matthews has one character, Mike Casey, constantly eating or asking when the next meal is scheduled. This reminded me of Ian Fleming's James Bond novels and Fleming's many references to Bond's meals. Matthews even mentions Bond while describing an egg dish Casey is preparing.
April 15, 2015
Story that's plausible.
Jihadist cell known as Brotherhood, Mexican cartels, Hezbollah all working together advance their businesses and the destroying America. Russian Special Atomic Demolition Device, vulnerable infrastructure in USA, our dams. Terrifying story, but learned some things, like war with Muslim terrorists started while back when Thomas Jefferson was president at Tripoli.
Jihadist cell known as Brotherhood, Mexican cartels, Hezbollah all working together advance their businesses and the destroying America. Russian Special Atomic Demolition Device, vulnerable infrastructure in USA, our dams. Terrifying story, but learned some things, like war with Muslim terrorists started while back when Thomas Jefferson was president at Tripoli.
September 8, 2019
Forgettable espionage novel about the usual Muslim terrorist who is going to explode a nuke in the US. The usual agent has to stop them.
All the ingredients are here for an exciting novel, but the author never really generates any tension. He uses a breezy sort of style that doesn't seem to fit the genre.
All the ingredients are here for an exciting novel, but the author never really generates any tension. He uses a breezy sort of style that doesn't seem to fit the genre.
November 3, 2020
Where do I begin? My rating is 2.5 - between it was okay and I liked it. The first half was much better than the rest of the book. It all fell apart for me around 75% and I couldn't wait to finish it (and not in a good way). This is the third book I've read in this series, and the only one I thought was really good was "Special Counsel".
December 29, 2025
MAGA
I found this story to be copied right out of the MAGA playbook.
The vilification of Muslims, Venezuela and stunning support for Israel in the war on Palestinians was shocking.
The generalisation that Latin men mistreat women was grossly insulting but yet all the men in the team, Drake included, objectified every women in the book and were quite happy to ogle them.
Every encounter with their opponents was preceded by drinking. Surely it is inappropriate to drink heavily before driving or handling powerful automatic weapons.
I read the first book some time ago and only had a hazy recollection of the tale so I read book 2. A big mistake.
I'm sure the president and the 6th January insurrectionists will lap this hyperbolic nonsense right up and continue to use this as justification for the continued inhumane treatment and unjustifiable incarceration of anyone they dont like.
I weep for America.
I found this story to be copied right out of the MAGA playbook.
The vilification of Muslims, Venezuela and stunning support for Israel in the war on Palestinians was shocking.
The generalisation that Latin men mistreat women was grossly insulting but yet all the men in the team, Drake included, objectified every women in the book and were quite happy to ogle them.
Every encounter with their opponents was preceded by drinking. Surely it is inappropriate to drink heavily before driving or handling powerful automatic weapons.
I read the first book some time ago and only had a hazy recollection of the tale so I read book 2. A big mistake.
I'm sure the president and the 6th January insurrectionists will lap this hyperbolic nonsense right up and continue to use this as justification for the continued inhumane treatment and unjustifiable incarceration of anyone they dont like.
I weep for America.
January 27, 2024
Book 2 in.this series and finishes the story in book 1. The group mis back.in action and it is a good group.
Polo takes partnof the story and you get to learn a bit about the sport.
Some of the action in Mexico seems out there, but probably closer to truth than many know.
Barak, the bad guy, makes a creative escape in Mexico. Well done!
Lots of action. Terrorism attack seems very plausible and scarry.
Liz baxk in the story and yet I appreciate that the relationship is slow to develop.
Look forward to.book 3.
Polo takes partnof the story and you get to learn a bit about the sport.
Some of the action in Mexico seems out there, but probably closer to truth than many know.
Barak, the bad guy, makes a creative escape in Mexico. Well done!
Lots of action. Terrorism attack seems very plausible and scarry.
Liz baxk in the story and yet I appreciate that the relationship is slow to develop.
Look forward to.book 3.
May 20, 2024
slow read
All the evidence punched them in the face yet all they did was talk about eating, then eat, then watch a place or thing of interest, then say, we’ll look into it tomorrow…literally after a nuke, see a trailer with a bunch of known suspects and never once think to break into the ranch, do little recon to see what’s in the trailer…spoiler alert..it was the nuke. Stupid, sloppy story..literally skimmed every other page because the sheer idiocy of the so called tier 1 operators enraged me.
All the evidence punched them in the face yet all they did was talk about eating, then eat, then watch a place or thing of interest, then say, we’ll look into it tomorrow…literally after a nuke, see a trailer with a bunch of known suspects and never once think to break into the ranch, do little recon to see what’s in the trailer…spoiler alert..it was the nuke. Stupid, sloppy story..literally skimmed every other page because the sheer idiocy of the so called tier 1 operators enraged me.
October 9, 2023
Great New series for action thriller oficianados
Scott Mathew's Adam Blake series has started out with two fast flowing easy to read thrillers that are developing into a straight read them all in a row series!! Great Characters & plots leave you eager to turn the pages to keep the action flowing! From the First ( Assasins List) to the second Oath to Defend, you are drawn I to the characters, the relationships and the wonder of what's next! I know what's next for me! Book 3
Scott Mathew's Adam Blake series has started out with two fast flowing easy to read thrillers that are developing into a straight read them all in a row series!! Great Characters & plots leave you eager to turn the pages to keep the action flowing! From the First ( Assasins List) to the second Oath to Defend, you are drawn I to the characters, the relationships and the wonder of what's next! I know what's next for me! Book 3
April 11, 2026
Absurd and Ridiculous
The portrayal of the ‘Operators’ was disturbing and insulting.The absolute moronic obsession with Food and Wine, and that these guys weren’t centered on task was just unbelievable. One of the worst book’s I’ve ever read. So many mistakes and missed opportunities to develop the storyline. Again, so absurd and insulting to real military. I don’t have enough adjectives to convey my disgust.
The portrayal of the ‘Operators’ was disturbing and insulting.The absolute moronic obsession with Food and Wine, and that these guys weren’t centered on task was just unbelievable. One of the worst book’s I’ve ever read. So many mistakes and missed opportunities to develop the storyline. Again, so absurd and insulting to real military. I don’t have enough adjectives to convey my disgust.
April 1, 2025
Another Great Book
Book #2 in the series "oath to Defend" is the sequel to book 1 and has a quality surprise ending with the demise of the terrorist leader. Again, as I mentioned in my review of book 1, this story line is very believable and very well written. I'm off to read book #3.
Book #2 in the series "oath to Defend" is the sequel to book 1 and has a quality surprise ending with the demise of the terrorist leader. Again, as I mentioned in my review of book 1, this story line is very believable and very well written. I'm off to read book #3.
September 13, 2018
An exciting and scary read!!
Love the Adam Drake series! Just purchased book 3. The best part about these books is that it's something that can actually happen here in America if not for the diligence of our homeland security! Bravo Scott Matthews!!
Love the Adam Drake series! Just purchased book 3. The best part about these books is that it's something that can actually happen here in America if not for the diligence of our homeland security! Bravo Scott Matthews!!
January 14, 2022
A New Hero!
The Adam Drake series promises to be the next Mitch Rapp or Dewey Andreas. The characters are believable and well written. I enjoyed this story and will continue to look for these books.
The Adam Drake series promises to be the next Mitch Rapp or Dewey Andreas. The characters are believable and well written. I enjoyed this story and will continue to look for these books.
August 19, 2024
Oath to Defend
Very well written and terrifyingly believable storyline. The author paints a good picture of the surrounding lanscape, etc. Great lead and supporting characters. Intense action! Looking forward to Book 3 and hopefully beyond!!
Very well written and terrifyingly believable storyline. The author paints a good picture of the surrounding lanscape, etc. Great lead and supporting characters. Intense action! Looking forward to Book 3 and hopefully beyond!!
March 2, 2025
oath to Defend
All action thriller that gripped the reader from beginning to end. Adam Drake and his ex military friends step up to the plate to successfully foil a plot by terrorists. Greatvread.
All action thriller that gripped the reader from beginning to end. Adam Drake and his ex military friends step up to the plate to successfully foil a plot by terrorists. Greatvread.
April 10, 2025
Oath to Defend -
Book 2 of the series and another good read. Drake and Co help Liz chase the bad guy from book 1, with him planning a massive terrorist attack on the US. The book was good but I felt had less action than the first. 4.75 out of 5 for this one.
Book 2 of the series and another good read. Drake and Co help Liz chase the bad guy from book 1, with him planning a massive terrorist attack on the US. The book was good but I felt had less action than the first. 4.75 out of 5 for this one.
June 21, 2025
Another Excellent Story
Another excellent story by Scott Matthews in the Adam Drake series. Great cast of characters and an excellent storyline with action from start to finish.Looking forward to reading more.
Another excellent story by Scott Matthews in the Adam Drake series. Great cast of characters and an excellent storyline with action from start to finish.Looking forward to reading more.
July 1, 2025
Action from start to finish.
Totally believable story .Could almost see this story line being used by a jehad group somewhere around the country at some point in time . Greg story and really enjoyed it
Totally believable story .Could almost see this story line being used by a jehad group somewhere around the country at some point in time . Greg story and really enjoyed it
January 11, 2026
Action packed
A great book and really good characters . Love how hector popped up at the end. Loved how drake and Liz were getting on and loved learning more about Casey and gang. How they found it all was great and the book is very detailed in its action.
A great book and really good characters . Love how hector popped up at the end. Loved how drake and Liz were getting on and loved learning more about Casey and gang. How they found it all was great and the book is very detailed in its action.
May 10, 2026
Good thriller, good characters
The author has developed a compelling character in Adam Drake. A lawyer and a skilled guy with a brilliant history of military service. He puts it all to good use in this story of Jihadists vs the West.
The author has developed a compelling character in Adam Drake. A lawyer and a skilled guy with a brilliant history of military service. He puts it all to good use in this story of Jihadists vs the West.
December 29, 2017
Great read. Good action. Fantastic storyline. Excellent characters. Engaging pace. Superb settings. Adam Drake is my new favorite literary hero.
June 8, 2022
Exciting from start to finish!
The second book of the Adam Drake series is excellent just like the first. Hard to put down. Can't wait to read more.
The second book of the Adam Drake series is excellent just like the first. Hard to put down. Can't wait to read more.
September 6, 2022
A good read. Looking forward
to continuing the series.
to continuing the series.
October 12, 2023
Really enjoyed this second book in the Adam Drake series. Highly recommended 👍🏻
March 19, 2024
Excellent
This was yet another excellent Adam Drake novel. The plots are interesting and the main characters are very likable. On to book three.
This was yet another excellent Adam Drake novel. The plots are interesting and the main characters are very likable. On to book three.
August 22, 2024
tense from start to finish
Excellent read, keeps you gripped throughout. Been really impressed with both books so far, hope this continues with future reads
Excellent read, keeps you gripped throughout. Been really impressed with both books so far, hope this continues with future reads
April 22, 2025
Excellent read!
Enjoyed this book very much. I'm a fan of Grisham, Baldacci, Thor. and Ryan. I can now add Matthew's to the list!
Enjoyed this book very much. I'm a fan of Grisham, Baldacci, Thor. and Ryan. I can now add Matthew's to the list!
May 31, 2025
great read
Can’t wait to read the next book fast moving action packed. Highly recommended read and a fantastic author.A must read
Can’t wait to read the next book fast moving action packed. Highly recommended read and a fantastic author.A must read
July 15, 2025
Adam Drake series
This is the second book in the Drake series. Interesting characters and enough action to keep you wanting more. I'll definitely continue on to book three.
This is the second book in the Drake series. Interesting characters and enough action to keep you wanting more. I'll definitely continue on to book three.
September 14, 2025
get ready to rumble
Exciting book, easy read, a good thriller that had enough victims and hero’s to keep you happy. I hope you enjoy!
Exciting book, easy read, a good thriller that had enough victims and hero’s to keep you happy. I hope you enjoy!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews