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Chris Morehouse #1

The Potential

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Seeing the Possibilities

What’s a threat? What’s to ignore? With the uncanny ability to take in all and size up the situation instantaneously, Chris Morehouse provides invaluable service as a chauffeur for the CIA in Bonn. Reacting from his usual instinct tempered with exceptional judgment, he saves the life of the US ambassador to Germany during a terrorist attack and gives the CIA further reason to prepare Chris for a greater role in the security of the United States.

Should Chris, a British citizen, dream so big? Will he live long enough to make dreams a reality? Life-threatening danger seems to follow him everywhere, even in his travels outside Europe. Does he have a wild imagination, as some in the FBI think, or is someone truly out to kill him?

In The Potential, David A. Davies ties together a plot twisting with terror, intrigue, and suspense spanning continents. From Germany to the Middle East to the United States, including the hallowed halls of Congress, justice struggles to leave its mark.

281 pages, Paperback

First published March 15, 2014

437 people are currently reading
360 people want to read

About the author

David A. Davies

5 books5 followers
David A. Davies is a former security consultant with experience in executive protection, investigations and physical security design. David was engaged in the security industry in both the public and private sectors for more than 25 years and is now living quietly in Central Washington State. To date David has written five books in the Chris Morehouse series of espionage thrillers.

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5 stars
230 (44%)
4 stars
173 (33%)
3 stars
81 (15%)
2 stars
20 (3%)
1 star
10 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Profile Image for Frank Kelso.
Author 12 books368 followers
March 2, 2021
Chris could be the CIA's replacement for Bourne

Davies has crafted a great political thriller to start his new series. A reluctant hero who keeps wondering "what am I doing?" The plot twist keep shifting between vilians and politics and countries in turmoil, but Chris is always the champion ready to do right thing. Well-writtn, fast paced & a dash of humor.
Profile Image for Patty.
2 reviews1 follower
April 18, 2014
Excellent thriller that starts with unbelievable action that just never let's up. You can't help but become involved with the characters and there are plenty of plot twists that never cease to amaze. One of those page turners that make it all but impossible to put the book down for even a moment. The "hero" is seemingly simple and unassuming, but he is hardly that. He is what we all wish we could be in our fantasies, but he is just a regular guy....with a great deal of potential. Hope that a sequel comes out soon!
Profile Image for Vivian.
8 reviews2 followers
June 16, 2014
I loved this story! The author’s writing style was surprisingly easy to follow given the narrative crosses the globe with many geographical colloquialisms and references unfamiliar to this reader. However, what pulled me in and refused to let go was the story of the main character, Chris, who is extremely skilled and yet wrestles with the same insecurities we all face. The backdrop of the story reveals the dark side of humanity and yet the author presents even the most sadistic character as profoundly human. Not only will you love this novel, you will recommend it to a friend…it is that good!
Profile Image for Linda Bryan.
24 reviews3 followers
January 7, 2015
Excellent political drama

Great characters. Surprising twists and turns in the plot. Once you start it is hard to put down.
Highly recommend it.
Profile Image for Kelly Brewer.
116 reviews14 followers
May 6, 2025
Well now lemme tell ya somethin bout this here book The Potential. I reckon if you like them fellas like Vince Flynn and Brad Thor then this one might just tickle your fancy.
See this fella Chris Morehouse he's drivin for the US embassy over in Germany mindin his own businessb when BAM! All hell breaks loose. The ambassador's car it's gettin shot at by some kinda bad guys real organized like.
Now Chris he ain't no soldier but somethin just kicks in. He's thinkin Do I get involved or do I just look the other way? But his gut tells him somethin and next thing ya know he's hittin the gas and takin out one of them fellas with his car. His first kill for Uncle Sam but the story says it ain't gonna be his last.
This kinda thing gets the attention of some secret government folks a three letter agency they call 'em. They think Chris might be somethin special a new recruit.
But Chris he's got a feelin' that now he's the one in the crosshairs. He tries to tell the FBI but they don't seem too worried. But there's this hired gun, a big shot terrorist, and some crooked politician who might have other plans for Chris.
It is a real page turner somethin to keep ya on the edge of your seat. They say if you like them action packed stories then The Potential is right up your alley. You can get it on your Kindle or in a real book if you still like holdin one. Sounds like the start of a whole series too so if you like this one there might be more where that came from. So yeah might be worth checkin out if you're lookin for a good simple story with some excitement.
Profile Image for Sandra.
109 reviews5 followers
August 9, 2019
Oh man

Amazing, never read a book quite like this; the suspense of waiting.... the thrill of every chapter showing some action and- gosh this book is so perfect that i literary can't describe it other than these few words.

I do hate that one part where a certain character was killed off and i was left with a river flow from my eyes. 😢. Still a great book though.

Hate that it took me this long to read it, had it since March but hey I'm glad that i got to read and would definitely recommend it to those late readers that want to enjoy a great action book.
107 reviews1 follower
November 29, 2023
Like a Fine Timepiece

This is undoubtedly one of the best books , I have read in this genre. There are an incredible number of moving parts (people and organizations) all coming together toward a conclusion. There is also a tremendous amount of factual backstory that makes this story so real. The protagonist is not perfect (by the author's design). Not all the good people win and not all the bad people lose. While it is fiction, it is a real reflection of how life works. This is a first rate read that I think most people will greatly enjoy.
236 reviews3 followers
January 28, 2021
Potential Lost

Starts interestingly but during Chapter 5, this turns into a bureaucratic recitation about the history of various files, facts,and individuals. It’s a blizzard of details that is appropriate for documenting, not for entertaining. I gave up — I’m looking for a comfortable read, not to follow an organizational chart.
21 reviews
March 21, 2021
Great plot

The book has several stories going on at the same time. It's not clear how they all connect. No surprise they do eventually and the complexity kept me reading to early in the morning. Written by an actual security expert, compelled me to overlook the rougher writing skills. Show me, don't tell me🙂
Profile Image for David Pospisil.
613 reviews3 followers
December 2, 2021
What a great book with outstanding characters and action.
The only thing that kept it from 5 stars was long depressing stretches when the main character was consumed with self-doubt.
I am looking forward to how Chris deals with that in the next book.
Also wondering whether he will reconnect with Pam Corbin.
414 reviews1 follower
February 25, 2022
Right spot wrong time

Good beginning and then slowed to allow back story to fill in basis for reader to understand rest of book. At times got confused on who what where story was going. I do recommend book to reader wanting action and vengeful plots. Very good integration of many different characters interests.
Profile Image for Jefrois.
481 reviews4 followers
May 1, 2022
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Boring for me.

This book has NOTHING for me.

NOTHING!!!

One of the worst, most boring books i have ever seen.

I just quit reading and returned the book; i thought it stunk too badly for me to bother with it.
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53 reviews2 followers
January 20, 2024
Espionage and intrigue. Chris goes from being a chauffeur to using his powers of observation and his detail oriented mind to bring down a corrupt politician. Who doesn’t love to see the untouchables brought down?!
11 reviews
May 14, 2020
Super read.

Great overall story. Lots of detail and super fast pace. Overall, just what a spy novel should be. Would recommend it to anyone who
likes a lot of complex plots.
348 reviews1 follower
July 9, 2020
Great book lots of content interesting characters, fascinating plot
1 review
April 15, 2021
I enjoyed it very much, I simply couldn't put it down. Excellent.
2 reviews
May 31, 2021
Disappointed

Too long with too many underdeveloped characters. I was left feeling dissatisfied. Give us more with less and it will be better
354 reviews3 followers
December 31, 2021
Took awhile then hooked

It took me awhile to figure out who everyone was and what they were after. then I got involved and couldn't put it down. Had to finish it. Great writing.
263 reviews2 followers
June 22, 2023
Action-packed Intrigue

Lots of action and great characters. Many intriguing subplots all fit together at the end. I'm looking forward to reading more in this series.
1,983 reviews10 followers
November 22, 2023
Good read. Maybe a bit long. I like Chris's character. Lots of moving parts here to keep track of.
2 reviews
December 21, 2023
really good story,easy to engage in

I want to read the whole series as it becomes available. This also gave an overview of some of the duties of agencies for a civilian to glimpse
Profile Image for Robert Mitchell.
Author 2 books25 followers
August 23, 2014
David A. Davies’ debut novel The Potential is a game-changer poised to both reinvigorate loyal genre devotees and introduce a whole new audience to the thought-provoking adventure of the spy thriller. Die-hard Forsyth readers will enjoy Davies’ cosmopolitan perspective and multiple tie-ins to actual historical events. Clancy fans will appreciate the spot on tactical and technical details. Readers looking for a hero who battles overwhelming odds a la Ludlum will appreciate getting in on the ground floor of what will certainly become an extraordinary franchise centered around Chris Morehouse. Davies pays his respects to the genre and the giants who came before him, but make no mistake: this is not your parents’ spy thriller.

The dateline is 1995 but the story is written for the 21st century. The writing itself is lean, clean and evocative. Davies delivers suspense and adventure via the perfect combination of technical detail, history, conversation, character development and description. The Potential is gritty and real and that begins with its hero, Chris Morehouse. Chris doesn't leap from rooftop to rooftop with superhuman strength, employ millions of dollars of sci-fi gadgetry or demonstrate near-psychic intuition to inevitably stay one step ahead of the bad guys. He’s a good soldier who sets out to make a life for himself after the military and finds that his determination, insatiable desire to decipher intrigues and situational awareness combine to make him a valuable commodity and inevitably, a target. Chris is a reluctant hero, extraordinarily skilled and courageous under fire, but as capable of screwing up as any of us. The Potential is the beginning of his captivating story.
Profile Image for Marjorie.
835 reviews68 followers
April 6, 2015
Given To Me For An Honest Review

The Potential by David A. Davies is a great espionage thriller. It's a page turner with twists and turns. Be ready to be held down and watch the pages turn and turn. The plot is excellent and it has great character development. As you read, it will draw you in and you will feel as though you are part of the story. You'll find yourself traveling across Europe to the Middle East and to America. This book is really hard to put down. I highly recommend this to everyone, especially those who enjoy reading suspense, thriller, drama, and mystery. I look for much more from David A. Davies.
4 reviews1 follower
May 10, 2015
I received The Potential in a goodreads giveaway.

An excellent thriller, and hopefully the first of many for Dave Davies. The Potential follows Chris Morehouse and the beginnings of his career as a driver for the CIA in mid-nineties Bonn. There is never a dull moment as multiple plot threads are intertwined, showing along the way that Chris is no ordinary driver.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews

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