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Extreme Denial
An American intelligence operative, Steve Decker suddenly moves to Santa Fe after a tragedy on his 40th birthday. There he finds peace of mind and a beautiful, sensual woman named Beth Dwyer. Steve will soon discover, however, that Beth harbors heinous secrets. Is she the love of his life--or his most deadly enemy?
466 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
71 people are currently reading
509 people want to read
About the author
David Morrell
217 books1,674 followersDavid Morrell is a Canadian novelist from Kitchener, Ontario, who has been living in the United States for a number of years. He is best known for his debut 1972 novel First Blood, which would later become a successful film franchise starring Sylvester Stallone. More recently, he has been writing the Captain America comic books limited-series The Chosen.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
January 13, 2023
This is one of 100 thrillers grabbed from an eBay lot for $45. David Morrell had previously written First Blood, which I thoroughly enjoyed a long time ago, so I had positive expectations for this novel. I was not disappointed. Extreme Denial is an action thriller that begins quickly, grabbing you by the hand to hurry you along, slows for a very brief exposition, but then ramps up the pace, and doesn’t lull until the very last page. Steve Decker is an anti-terrorist operative who on his 40th birthday is involved in a botched operation that claims the lives of 23 civilians. When he becomes the scapegoat for the mistakes of others, he retires. A year and a half later, he has a great job, a home, and a woman to love, but when his home is attacked, he is suddenly embroiled in a mess that causes him to doubt the woman he loves, and feel himself called back into the life he thought he left behind. This novel shares story beats with First Blood, but with the addition of a love interest, takes that story in diverse and exciting directions. The story was super good and super fun, even more so because although I had a high bar, it was better than expected.
August 17, 2010
What a fantastic story...for about 200 pages. Then the author decided he had better ratchet up the action at the expense of plot and characters and the book descended into formulaic violence from then on.
This is the first Morrell offering I remember reading, though I thought I had read a couple of his earlier thrillers. He is the author of the "Rambo" books which gave rise to the popular movie series starring Sylvester Stallone. I doubt if I'll go after any of his other books.
In this story Steve Decker, an experienced CIA operative, is paired with an incompetent fellow agent, Brian McKittrick. The result is a disaster in which 23 Americans are killed. While Decker isn't blamed, he decides to resign from the "life" and build a new existence in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He becomes a real estate agent, buys a house, falls in love and is grooving along until a group of men break into his house and try to kill him. Voila, time for him to revert to his previous existence, especially when his girl friend, Beth Dwyer is kidnapped. The story proceeds apace from there with lots and lots of killings, explosions, car chases, etc.
As I wrote above, the characters of Steve Decker and Beth Dwyer become completely lost in the bloodletting to say nothing of Santa Fe Detective Sergeant Federico Esperanza, McKittrick and other assorted terrorists, spies, Mafia goons and innocent by-standers.
This certainly is a quick read and ultimately an unsatisfying one. I couldn't wait for it to end.
This is the first Morrell offering I remember reading, though I thought I had read a couple of his earlier thrillers. He is the author of the "Rambo" books which gave rise to the popular movie series starring Sylvester Stallone. I doubt if I'll go after any of his other books.
In this story Steve Decker, an experienced CIA operative, is paired with an incompetent fellow agent, Brian McKittrick. The result is a disaster in which 23 Americans are killed. While Decker isn't blamed, he decides to resign from the "life" and build a new existence in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He becomes a real estate agent, buys a house, falls in love and is grooving along until a group of men break into his house and try to kill him. Voila, time for him to revert to his previous existence, especially when his girl friend, Beth Dwyer is kidnapped. The story proceeds apace from there with lots and lots of killings, explosions, car chases, etc.
As I wrote above, the characters of Steve Decker and Beth Dwyer become completely lost in the bloodletting to say nothing of Santa Fe Detective Sergeant Federico Esperanza, McKittrick and other assorted terrorists, spies, Mafia goons and innocent by-standers.
This certainly is a quick read and ultimately an unsatisfying one. I couldn't wait for it to end.
October 11, 2019
mixed feelings.
the ocr errors that cropped up towards the end are just laughable.
p28: after nodding to the night porter and showing one of the hotels keys to prove he belonged there, decker escorted mckittrick across the small lobby, past the elevator, up carpeted stairs.
the ocr errors that cropped up towards the end are just laughable.
p28: after nodding to the night porter and showing one of the hotels keys to prove he belonged there, decker escorted mckittrick across the small lobby, past the elevator, up carpeted stairs.
October 8, 2012
Do you like thrillers where ordinary people are thrust into unusual situations? Where an unprepared protagonist has to endure trials and learn things about him or herself to overcome an attacker or strange circumstance - you know, a realistic "it could happen to you" thriller? If yes, then stay away from David Morrell.
On the other hand, do you sometimes get in the mood for a superman protagonist? Not the kind who can fly, but the uber-trained warrior with battle experience, a man who can be lethal with his bare hands and operate any type of firearms and explosives and who, in turn, is facing an enemy of equal training? If yes, then look no further than David Morrell.
Morrell's protagonists such as Decker are B-A-D. They are merciless and efficient. Morrell researches action scenes so well that you get every mental preparation detail, every punch, every minute description of the firearms involved and all at high speed. The detail is astounding and feels so authentic even though it describes a protagonist who is never going to be you in a situation you'll never experience. It's loads of fun.
Okay, to the critics who talk about the shallow character development. First, it's not really that shallow. Second, get over it! It's David Morrell. His novels are efficient fun. He's still leagues better than James Patterson, even if his characters are not much more developed. There are some slow-paced moments, but some intense throttle in several scenes makes up for it.
On the other hand, do you sometimes get in the mood for a superman protagonist? Not the kind who can fly, but the uber-trained warrior with battle experience, a man who can be lethal with his bare hands and operate any type of firearms and explosives and who, in turn, is facing an enemy of equal training? If yes, then look no further than David Morrell.
Morrell's protagonists such as Decker are B-A-D. They are merciless and efficient. Morrell researches action scenes so well that you get every mental preparation detail, every punch, every minute description of the firearms involved and all at high speed. The detail is astounding and feels so authentic even though it describes a protagonist who is never going to be you in a situation you'll never experience. It's loads of fun.
Okay, to the critics who talk about the shallow character development. First, it's not really that shallow. Second, get over it! It's David Morrell. His novels are efficient fun. He's still leagues better than James Patterson, even if his characters are not much more developed. There are some slow-paced moments, but some intense throttle in several scenes makes up for it.
January 15, 2021
This book left me just wanting more. I would say this was one of the fastest books I've ever read several years ago.
March 9, 2020
Completely ludicrous. How many explosions can a guy survive? Almost an infinite number I guess if you’re a total bad ass like the hero of this very silly book.
The novel had a reasonably decent beginning but very swiftly deteriorated once the action really got going. The protagonist escaped violent death time after time after time. Bullets, bombs, more bullets, more bombs. One doesn’t expect much realism in a book like this, but c’mon.
The plot was far fetched and contrived. The partnership with the Santa Fe cop was just stupid.
I’ve read other books by this author and found them enjoyable. Not this time. I’ll think twice before I pick up another.
The novel had a reasonably decent beginning but very swiftly deteriorated once the action really got going. The protagonist escaped violent death time after time after time. Bullets, bombs, more bullets, more bombs. One doesn’t expect much realism in a book like this, but c’mon.
The plot was far fetched and contrived. The partnership with the Santa Fe cop was just stupid.
I’ve read other books by this author and found them enjoyable. Not this time. I’ll think twice before I pick up another.
December 30, 2012
Too much over the top explosive (literal) action. A romance novel for men- this guy explored love too often. Fast pace. Easy read. Had some good observations regarding being not found and especially about not leaving evidence.
June 1, 2019
Wow, for the amount of shooting, bombing, and fires started in this book, I’m surprised the author didn’t mention the National Guard coming out, but it was published in 1996, when you could definitely get away with more things!
The book starts out with “introducing” us to the main character, Decker, who works with the CIA and is after Italian terrorists. He’s working with Brian McKittrick, inexperienced, and screwing up the plans. The terrorists trick Brian, and in the aftermath, he shoots his father who tried to come and help the situation. Decker manages to shoot Renata, one of the terrorists, who had “hooked up” with McKittrick and also shot her two brothers. Her other brothers take her away, and as we will find out later, she survives. Brian blames Decker for everything, hence the title, Extreme Denial. Decker resigns. He goes to Santa Fe, New Mexico, to start a new life, to live a new way of life.
Decker buys a house and becomes a real estate agent. He meets Beth Dwyer who purchases a house next to his. They become involved, but one night, men come into Decker’s home while Beth is there and shoot up the place. Beth is wounded; Decker kills all the intruders. Then Beth’s house is blown up. She’s seen escaping and going into a car with a man, which we find out later is McKittrick.
Decker’s friends from the CIA, Hal and Ben, come to asses the situation, and even though they don’t have to, help Decker with finding out what happened to Beth. They go to a house where a supposed art gallery owner lives and was selling Beth’s paintings. They find out he’s actually a US Marshall. Before they can find out more information, men storm the place, kidnapping Decker, the marshal, and Hal. Ben is shot and killed. They are taken in a van where they find out Beth is actually Diana Scolari. She shot and killed her abusive mafia husband and was in the witness protection program. She was supposed to go to New York to testify about her husband, but these men want to stop her and kill her. A fight breaks out, and the van overturns. Hal and Hawkins are killed in the crash. Decker narrowly escapes before the van crashed onto a freeway from a bridge under construction.
With his friends killed, Decker teams up with Detective Esperanza from Santa Fe and they go to New York City where Beth is supposed to testify and godfather Nick Giordano is, who might tell them where Beth and McKittrick are. Decker goes to Nick’s home, where McKittrick calls and wants a million dollars for Beth not to testify against Nick. Nick wants Decker killed in exchange for McKittrick to hand over Beth. As guards come for Decker, he once again shows super human strength and escapes, shooting guards left and right. Esperanza shows up just in time for them to get out of there and catch Giordano’s son. With the rainy weather the cars go off the interstate and get in mud. Frank Giordano’s car goes over an embankment. Decker chases him in the woods and ultimately Frank gets impaled by a fallen tree branch. Decker finds the briefcase with the million dollars to free Beth. Decker and Esperanza now have the money to drop off to McKittrick. But Decker has to pretend he’s dead. McKittrick is fooled, since it’s easy to see with a plastic bag over his head that Decker must be a corpse. When McKittrick leaves with the money, Decker and Esperanza follow his car with a tracking device Decker put in between a wad of money. They wind up at a hotel in Closter, NJ! McKittrick is in a room with Beth and (surprise) Renata. Decker talks McKittrick into giving him Beth in exchange for the money. But Renata wants revenge for the killing of her brothers and shooting her in Rome. The hotel is bombed, and from there a cat and mouse chase occurs. They all wind up back in the city where Beth is being stitched up from a leg wound when the apartment building is bombed. McKittrick and Renata try and find the three but ultimately McKittrick is killed. Now to worry about Renata. Decker, Beth, and Esperanza head back to Santa Fe. Decker figures out a way to get Renata and her posse to a secluded mountain cabin. Decker buys enough guns and ammunition for an army and the three of them lure Renata and company to the cabin. There are a few surprises and killings but Decker, Beth, and Esperanza once again do what they set out to do. There are now officially no more mafia hit men or terrorists out for Decker or Beth. Phew! Now the only big question is will Decker and Beth’s relationship survive? For all the trouble Decker went through one would hope it would.
The book starts out with “introducing” us to the main character, Decker, who works with the CIA and is after Italian terrorists. He’s working with Brian McKittrick, inexperienced, and screwing up the plans. The terrorists trick Brian, and in the aftermath, he shoots his father who tried to come and help the situation. Decker manages to shoot Renata, one of the terrorists, who had “hooked up” with McKittrick and also shot her two brothers. Her other brothers take her away, and as we will find out later, she survives. Brian blames Decker for everything, hence the title, Extreme Denial. Decker resigns. He goes to Santa Fe, New Mexico, to start a new life, to live a new way of life.
Decker buys a house and becomes a real estate agent. He meets Beth Dwyer who purchases a house next to his. They become involved, but one night, men come into Decker’s home while Beth is there and shoot up the place. Beth is wounded; Decker kills all the intruders. Then Beth’s house is blown up. She’s seen escaping and going into a car with a man, which we find out later is McKittrick.
Decker’s friends from the CIA, Hal and Ben, come to asses the situation, and even though they don’t have to, help Decker with finding out what happened to Beth. They go to a house where a supposed art gallery owner lives and was selling Beth’s paintings. They find out he’s actually a US Marshall. Before they can find out more information, men storm the place, kidnapping Decker, the marshal, and Hal. Ben is shot and killed. They are taken in a van where they find out Beth is actually Diana Scolari. She shot and killed her abusive mafia husband and was in the witness protection program. She was supposed to go to New York to testify about her husband, but these men want to stop her and kill her. A fight breaks out, and the van overturns. Hal and Hawkins are killed in the crash. Decker narrowly escapes before the van crashed onto a freeway from a bridge under construction.
With his friends killed, Decker teams up with Detective Esperanza from Santa Fe and they go to New York City where Beth is supposed to testify and godfather Nick Giordano is, who might tell them where Beth and McKittrick are. Decker goes to Nick’s home, where McKittrick calls and wants a million dollars for Beth not to testify against Nick. Nick wants Decker killed in exchange for McKittrick to hand over Beth. As guards come for Decker, he once again shows super human strength and escapes, shooting guards left and right. Esperanza shows up just in time for them to get out of there and catch Giordano’s son. With the rainy weather the cars go off the interstate and get in mud. Frank Giordano’s car goes over an embankment. Decker chases him in the woods and ultimately Frank gets impaled by a fallen tree branch. Decker finds the briefcase with the million dollars to free Beth. Decker and Esperanza now have the money to drop off to McKittrick. But Decker has to pretend he’s dead. McKittrick is fooled, since it’s easy to see with a plastic bag over his head that Decker must be a corpse. When McKittrick leaves with the money, Decker and Esperanza follow his car with a tracking device Decker put in between a wad of money. They wind up at a hotel in Closter, NJ! McKittrick is in a room with Beth and (surprise) Renata. Decker talks McKittrick into giving him Beth in exchange for the money. But Renata wants revenge for the killing of her brothers and shooting her in Rome. The hotel is bombed, and from there a cat and mouse chase occurs. They all wind up back in the city where Beth is being stitched up from a leg wound when the apartment building is bombed. McKittrick and Renata try and find the three but ultimately McKittrick is killed. Now to worry about Renata. Decker, Beth, and Esperanza head back to Santa Fe. Decker figures out a way to get Renata and her posse to a secluded mountain cabin. Decker buys enough guns and ammunition for an army and the three of them lure Renata and company to the cabin. There are a few surprises and killings but Decker, Beth, and Esperanza once again do what they set out to do. There are now officially no more mafia hit men or terrorists out for Decker or Beth. Phew! Now the only big question is will Decker and Beth’s relationship survive? For all the trouble Decker went through one would hope it would.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2024
This story begins with Steve Decker, a veteran CIA operative forced to assist a junior officer and nepo-baby whose planned operation blows up in everyone's faces, leading to an international incident. Well, daddy shows up and even though Decker shows him how his boy basically fell into a honey trap and aided and abetted terrorism, Dad explains junior won't be left holding the bag, so Decker is told, you're gonna have to eat it. He refuses and instead resigns, much to the agency's shock and disappointment. But they won't upset big daddy by backing him up, so eventually they let him go. Steve moves on with his life, getting a new job in real estate in Sante Fe where he does very well, then a relationship with a beautiful and well off neighbor, things are looking great until a violent attack tells him his past caught up with him, or so he thinks.
The story is great for the first half of the novel. Once again like in every Morrell book the setting was done so well, the NM scenery, style, and atmosphere seemed so vivid. His characters may be chichés but the places he puts them in softens those weaknesses in the story. But it falls apart in the second half, it's just absurd.
The biggest weakness is the unlikeliness that all the stars could have aligned for all of the events to happen and frankly the villain's motivation seems a bit trite. Not to say impossible, the character was foreshadowed as having that type of personality, but it just seemed like they might have just moved on with their life instead rather than creating this too complex plan, but even if not there were much simpler ways to get what they wanted.
Another example where Morrell's wonderfully created set up and first few acts fell apart when he forced in a bad plot. That said, it's a good mindless thriller with a lot of action (Decker has to be deaf being around all these explosions) and in the end, a simple conclusion that will make the masses happy.
The story is great for the first half of the novel. Once again like in every Morrell book the setting was done so well, the NM scenery, style, and atmosphere seemed so vivid. His characters may be chichés but the places he puts them in softens those weaknesses in the story. But it falls apart in the second half, it's just absurd.
The biggest weakness is the unlikeliness that all the stars could have aligned for all of the events to happen and frankly the villain's motivation seems a bit trite. Not to say impossible, the character was foreshadowed as having that type of personality, but it just seemed like they might have just moved on with their life instead rather than creating this too complex plan, but even if not there were much simpler ways to get what they wanted.
Another example where Morrell's wonderfully created set up and first few acts fell apart when he forced in a bad plot. That said, it's a good mindless thriller with a lot of action (Decker has to be deaf being around all these explosions) and in the end, a simple conclusion that will make the masses happy.
October 5, 2024
Excellent and seemed tighter than some other fiction I've recently read.
Morrell is a master of the art and this is my first read of a Morrell book. He understands the intersection between secrets and action, well-crafted. I didn't want to put it down. Halfway through I did a big "duhh" and figured out that the title might apply to more than just a quote. More than one character might be engaging in extreme denial.
Morrell is a master of the art and this is my first read of a Morrell book. He understands the intersection between secrets and action, well-crafted. I didn't want to put it down. Halfway through I did a big "duhh" and figured out that the title might apply to more than just a quote. More than one character might be engaging in extreme denial.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2022
It's been years since I've read a David Morrell book. I remember the others more fondly than Extreme Denial. Could just be the cynicism that comes with age. :-)
Regardless, I finished this in five days, and I almost never read a book that quickly. Action, betrayal (and unappreciated romance) culminating in a thrilling conclusion.
Regardless, I finished this in five days, and I almost never read a book that quickly. Action, betrayal (and unappreciated romance) culminating in a thrilling conclusion.
June 10, 2025
Nice read
This was a lively novel with great characters and lots of action. If you are a fan of Mr. Morrell you will not be disappointed. I recommend him as an author and have read many of his books.
This was a lively novel with great characters and lots of action. If you are a fan of Mr. Morrell you will not be disappointed. I recommend him as an author and have read many of his books.
August 23, 2018
Excellent plot. Well written. A good read with borderline too much action but totally thrilling
July 5, 2019
Steve Decker, a former anti-terrorist operative, quits and moves to Santa Fe. There he meets Beth Dwyer who has a past of her own. Will they survive?
July 30, 2019
4 pluss til 4 1/2 Very good and intense thriller. Norwegian title: "Oppgjør med fortiden".
January 29, 2020
Excellent read.
June 15, 2020
This is such a great thriller it introduced me to the imagination of David Morrell. I couldn't put it down and read it over the course of two days while on the beach in Puerto Vallarta.
May 4, 2021
Read in 1996. An exciing. passionate tour de force of obsession and deadly terror.
July 4, 2021
A fast-action thriller.
March 11, 2022
Okish, not fabulous writing. Similar to 24 (the series)
February 27, 2023
Mīlestības spēks - pret ieroču spēku..
Aizraujoša , lasās raiti..
Aizraujoša , lasās raiti..
January 16, 2024
Predictable outcome, lots of suspense and violence that went on and on. I didn't care for any of the characters! I was just glad when it was over!
November 18, 2024
Strasznie się wynudziłem. Miał być thriller a bohater w większości latał za jakąś babą.
Fajnie, super, ale kto pytał? Kogo obchodzi jakaś baba, kiedy podobno są problemy wagi państwowej
Fajnie, super, ale kto pytał? Kogo obchodzi jakaś baba, kiedy podobno są problemy wagi państwowej
December 25, 2024
Satisfied my action/mystery craving, haven't read a good one in a while.
March 31, 2025
Enjoyable story. The main character reminds me of the Keller stories by Lawrence Block, so if you enjoy this one, you might give those a try.
March 22, 2017
A good quality high paced suspenseful thriller. The writing at points was shaky, kind of choppy and, the best way I can describe it is low quality, but the pace of action and suspense made it easy to deal with as I devoured every page wondering what would happen next. Really enjoyed it and look forward to picking up other books from this author.
February 2, 2017
Many of David Morrell's thrillers involve heroes who leave a dangerous profession seeking a peaceful, quiet life, only to be dragged back into a maelstrom of violence. Morrell's Extreme Denial falls into that category, but with a difference. In this long novel, Morrell spends a great deal of time exploring how difficult it is for such a person to settle into a "normal" life.
Extreme Denial begins with CIA operative Steve Decker arriving in Rome to check up on an operation run by a rookie agent. The operation explodes—literally—into a deadly and politically embarrassing disaster. After being made the fall guy for the cock-up, Decker resigns from the Agency.
A lengthy section of the book—and my favorite part of the storyline—deals with Decker moving to Santa Fe, New Mexico where he tries to adapt to civilian life. Finally able to make the adjustment, Decker eventually falls in love with his beautiful neighbor, Beth Dwyer, and begins to dream of a truly normal life.
That falls apart when a hit team assaults Decker's home. Decker and Beth escape, but then Beth disappears, apparently kidnapped. Decker discovers Beth had her own secret life from which she was escaping. With the help of Esperanza, a world-weary police detective, Decker sets out to find Beth. The remainder of the book is filled with intense, unrelenting action and suspense.
As I said, my favorite part of this book was getting to know Steve Decker as he struggles to shed the skin of distrust and suspicion that was his old life. Unfortunately, I felt the final third of the book, through an exciting read, was overdone, reading more like the script for a Hollywood action flick than the kind of masterful writing I've come to expect from Morrell. Nonetheless, reading anything David Morrell writes is never a waste of time.
Extreme Denial begins with CIA operative Steve Decker arriving in Rome to check up on an operation run by a rookie agent. The operation explodes—literally—into a deadly and politically embarrassing disaster. After being made the fall guy for the cock-up, Decker resigns from the Agency.
A lengthy section of the book—and my favorite part of the storyline—deals with Decker moving to Santa Fe, New Mexico where he tries to adapt to civilian life. Finally able to make the adjustment, Decker eventually falls in love with his beautiful neighbor, Beth Dwyer, and begins to dream of a truly normal life.
That falls apart when a hit team assaults Decker's home. Decker and Beth escape, but then Beth disappears, apparently kidnapped. Decker discovers Beth had her own secret life from which she was escaping. With the help of Esperanza, a world-weary police detective, Decker sets out to find Beth. The remainder of the book is filled with intense, unrelenting action and suspense.
As I said, my favorite part of this book was getting to know Steve Decker as he struggles to shed the skin of distrust and suspicion that was his old life. Unfortunately, I felt the final third of the book, through an exciting read, was overdone, reading more like the script for a Hollywood action flick than the kind of masterful writing I've come to expect from Morrell. Nonetheless, reading anything David Morrell writes is never a waste of time.
December 22, 2023
At the age of 40, Steve Decker was one of the best anti-terrorist agents in the CIA. He was asked to travel to Rome and oversee Brian McKittrick, a younger agent who was in charge of an operation for the very first time. Due to McKittrick's unbelievable incompetence, the operation failed spectacularly. Due to McKittrick's father being a highly decorated intelligence agent, Decker found himself saddled with the blame for the 23 American lives that were lost.
Instead of just taking one for the team and soldiering on, Decker followed his growing sense of not having a real life (that started before the fiasco in Rome) and resigned from the agency. On a whim, he moved to New Mexico and reinvented himself as a Realtor.
Selling a house to one Beth Dwyer changed his life. After a lifetime of looking over his shoulder and trusting nobody, he was ready to open his heart. He and Beth fell in love, but just as Decker contemplated a future with her, a brutal home invasion nearly killed him and Beth as they slept in his bed. Before Steve could get a handle on which of his old enemies was responsible, Beth's house was destroyed in a follow-up attack and she vanished.
With help from a Santa Fe police detective, Decker had to find answers to a ton of questions. Why was Beth targeted and not him? Where was she? Who was trying to kill both of them? Was Beth who she seemed to be? And how did his past tie into things?
This book was fast-paced, exciting and hard to put down. I enjoyed watching Decker try to unlearn his lifetime of training, only to have to revert to kind in order to get to the bottom of things.
Instead of just taking one for the team and soldiering on, Decker followed his growing sense of not having a real life (that started before the fiasco in Rome) and resigned from the agency. On a whim, he moved to New Mexico and reinvented himself as a Realtor.
Selling a house to one Beth Dwyer changed his life. After a lifetime of looking over his shoulder and trusting nobody, he was ready to open his heart. He and Beth fell in love, but just as Decker contemplated a future with her, a brutal home invasion nearly killed him and Beth as they slept in his bed. Before Steve could get a handle on which of his old enemies was responsible, Beth's house was destroyed in a follow-up attack and she vanished.
With help from a Santa Fe police detective, Decker had to find answers to a ton of questions. Why was Beth targeted and not him? Where was she? Who was trying to kill both of them? Was Beth who she seemed to be? And how did his past tie into things?
This book was fast-paced, exciting and hard to put down. I enjoyed watching Decker try to unlearn his lifetime of training, only to have to revert to kind in order to get to the bottom of things.
February 12, 2017
This used to be my favorite book by Morrell, but... I guess it's true what they say, that you shouldn't re-read your favorites, because this time around, my feelings were rather mixed. I still loved Esperanza and Beth, but Decker kind of got on my nerves. The way he kept accusing Beth of lying to him, as if he told her a single truth about himself in the two months they actually knew each other. When she finally stopped apologizing and told him off, I cheered!
May 11, 2012
I usually look to make sure an audio book is not abridged. I goofed on this one. I "borrowed" this from my local library as a digital download. The storyline was good, however the reader of this version left a lot to be desired. When he was reading the dialog he ignored the punctuation and it was difficult to follow the dialog most of the time because I didn't know whose voice was speaking. His reading was basically flat, very little inflection of his voice most of the time. However on a positive note while reading the narrative and action scenes he did a credible job.
While the storyline was good and I enjoyed the action especially toward the end I did think the main character seemed to be a bit naive. Here was a man who had spent several decades working for the CIA in what I supposed was black ops and he kept bumbling around. I mean, just because he was out of the company for over a year, he just forgot all of his training?! He was far too trusting in my opinion of other people to be a convincing spy.
While the storyline was good and I enjoyed the action especially toward the end I did think the main character seemed to be a bit naive. Here was a man who had spent several decades working for the CIA in what I supposed was black ops and he kept bumbling around. I mean, just because he was out of the company for over a year, he just forgot all of his training?! He was far too trusting in my opinion of other people to be a convincing spy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews