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The Blackwell Files #8
When the Killing Starts: An International Thriller
"What I love about Steven F. Freeman’s writing is that he keeps you guessing; just when you think you’ve figured it all out, he throws another curveball at you. This clever style of writing keeps the reader on their toes throughout. The action in When the Killing Starts begins on page one and never lets up. This novel can be read as a stand-alone story. Action/thriller readers will love this book as much as I did." - Readers' Favorite
The Winter the perfect time for competition, sportsmanship…and mayhem
Days before the Winter Olympics are scheduled to begin, host country South Korea learns of a planned attack from the north to coincide with the Games. With no details supplied by the now-dead informant, a joint U.S./South Korean team must race the clock to discover the rogue nation’s plot and prevent a potential disaster.
Along the way, Alton Blackwell—leader of the U.S. team—must navigate through a landscape of misdirection, espionage, and cyber-attacks if he is to keep his team alive and uncover North Korea's deadly project.
The Winter the perfect time for competition, sportsmanship…and mayhem
Days before the Winter Olympics are scheduled to begin, host country South Korea learns of a planned attack from the north to coincide with the Games. With no details supplied by the now-dead informant, a joint U.S./South Korean team must race the clock to discover the rogue nation’s plot and prevent a potential disaster.
Along the way, Alton Blackwell—leader of the U.S. team—must navigate through a landscape of misdirection, espionage, and cyber-attacks if he is to keep his team alive and uncover North Korea's deadly project.
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Published January 17, 2024
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About the author
Steven F. Freeman
67 books80 followersThriller/mystery author Steve Freeman is a former member of the US Army's Signal Corps, a thirty-four-year employee of a large American technology company, and an avid traveler who has visited every continent but Antarctica. His novels draw from firsthand knowledge of military service, the tech industry, and the diverse cultures of our world.
He currently lives near Atlanta, Georgia with his wife, daughter, and four dogs.
He currently lives near Atlanta, Georgia with his wife, daughter, and four dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 23, 2017
When the Killing Starts, the eighth Blackwell Files book by Steven F. Freeman, sets up with exciting expectations. Alton Blackwell, an expert civilian cryptographer and former military team leader, is called upon to lead a team into South Korea to uncover and thwart a plan by the North Koreans just days before the start of the Winter Olympics. As a fan of Freeman’s books, I was looking forward to this adventure. While it delivered plenty of action, a touch of mystery, and instances of nerve-wracking tension, it also disappointed.
First, what I have always loved about the Blackwell books is the way that Alton and his wife Mallory communicate and relate to one another. Mallory is once again on the team in this mission, but I didn’t feel the strong chemistry between them that often permeates the story. Second, the amount of computer information made me dizzy. Granted, this is Alton’s area of expertize, and Freeman did his research well. It added credibility to the plot. For me, though, was more than I needed to know. Third, there was far too much military action for my taste. The strategizing was clever and even brilliant at times. And certainly, it was a dangerous operation. But for me, it was much too much. It was overly long. It felt unrealistic in terms of the numbers, kind of like a “Mission: Impossible” tactic. It also seemed to me that Alton and Mallory have been down this road before. There were even a couple twists that seemed awfully familiar from previous books.
This book could very well be read as a standalone, however, and for a first-time reader, it could be quite a ride. It has strategy. It has lots and lots of action. It has drama and heart-stopping scenes. It even has a hint of romance. If you are a fan of this type of thriller, then I recommend you read When the Killing Starts. As I continue to read more thrillers and mystery fiction, I’m finding that my tastes are evolving, so unfortunately, this was not one of my favorites.
My thanks to Steven F. Freeman for providing me with a copy of his book in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.
3.5 stars
August 14, 2017
I really liked the premise for the story: North Korean agents undertake a mission to disrupt the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. Moreover, why not? North Korea tried to sabotage the 1988 Seoul Olympics with a bomb in Kimpo Airport in 1986 (to dissuade Chinese participation who were in Korea for the Asia Games) and the downing of KAL 858 in 1987.
However, Freeman's book didn't grip me the way that I thought it would. Although he certainly knows his way around the cyber technology that is part of the story, the plot just didn't work for me, For starters, there was too much dialogue which had to convey most of the storyline. The problem was that the story plodded along. The main characters were spending too much time talking about what has happening which could have been better executed by more of the story being fleshed out. Another problem was that there were too many characters, so we lose the chance to get inside some of the main character's heads to help with the story.The dialogue also seemed stilted and contrived to the point where it didn't seem realistic.
There were some other minor nuisances such as the names of the Korean characters. I have lived in Korea since 1990, and some of the names used were ones that I never heard used. Likewise, I have never heard anyone refer to North Koreans as "northerners;" a more appropriate term would be "Norks."
Don't take my critical analysis to heart too much. As I said, I liked the premise of the story. It certainly is a viable one with North Korea being in the news so much these days. I just felt the author needed to develop the story better.
However, Freeman's book didn't grip me the way that I thought it would. Although he certainly knows his way around the cyber technology that is part of the story, the plot just didn't work for me, For starters, there was too much dialogue which had to convey most of the storyline. The problem was that the story plodded along. The main characters were spending too much time talking about what has happening which could have been better executed by more of the story being fleshed out. Another problem was that there were too many characters, so we lose the chance to get inside some of the main character's heads to help with the story.The dialogue also seemed stilted and contrived to the point where it didn't seem realistic.
There were some other minor nuisances such as the names of the Korean characters. I have lived in Korea since 1990, and some of the names used were ones that I never heard used. Likewise, I have never heard anyone refer to North Koreans as "northerners;" a more appropriate term would be "Norks."
Don't take my critical analysis to heart too much. As I said, I liked the premise of the story. It certainly is a viable one with North Korea being in the news so much these days. I just felt the author needed to develop the story better.
February 22, 2017
When the killing starts by Freeman. I received a free copy of this book and volunteered to review it. I've read previous Blackwell episodes and enjoyed the pace and the characters, especially the one set in Australia. In this episode I was taken to Korea and learnt a lot about the two countries. North Korea is the baddy and South Korea has the impending Olympics. There is friction amongst the Blackwell team but, as usual, Alton leads them all the way as they try to work what the North Koreans are up to. Well plotted and hard to put down.
August 27, 2018
When the Killing Starts (The Blackwell Files #8) by Steven F. Freeman is a hands down winner. Considering how much attention alternative energy is getting today, the plot and story line is believable. The story might have been tightened up in spots but it was still a page turner that kept the reader glued to the edge of his or her chair. The dialogue was crisp and realistic, sounded the way real people would sound. This book came to a satisfying conclusion but it ended in such a way that I wanted more. Needless to say I will be reading more books written by this author.
January 29, 2019
Another great action packed story
Freeman knows how to keep the action going from 1 impossible situation to the next. As that problem is resolved the FBI and the Blackwells continue to battle against great odds..
You know that they will come out fine in the end but the extraction ways are very creative out of impossible situations.
Freeman knows how to keep the action going from 1 impossible situation to the next. As that problem is resolved the FBI and the Blackwells continue to battle against great odds..
You know that they will come out fine in the end but the extraction ways are very creative out of impossible situations.
December 18, 2021
When the Killing Starts by Steven Freeman
Excellent thriller right from the first page till the end. The action-packed assignment for Mallory and Alton Blackwell and hire team is set in Korea, especially crossing the DMZ and into North Korea. This is the second book of this author (after The Dig that was excellent as well). I am eager to read more books of this author.
Excellent thriller right from the first page till the end. The action-packed assignment for Mallory and Alton Blackwell and hire team is set in Korea, especially crossing the DMZ and into North Korea. This is the second book of this author (after The Dig that was excellent as well). I am eager to read more books of this author.
June 19, 2018
A thoroughly intriguing adventure
One of gge most exciting and thoroughly suspense filled books I have had the pleasure of reading for a very long time. Not to be missed by any lover of thrills, spills and xuspense action.
One of gge most exciting and thoroughly suspense filled books I have had the pleasure of reading for a very long time. Not to be missed by any lover of thrills, spills and xuspense action.
June 22, 2018
Great read
Always keeping you wondering what was next, and how it may unfold. There were many times that I didn't want to put it down, and when I did I couldn't wait to get back to it.
Always keeping you wondering what was next, and how it may unfold. There were many times that I didn't want to put it down, and when I did I couldn't wait to get back to it.
July 10, 2018
Current Situations in a mystery
Enjoyed the twists and turns of Security at the Olympics, along with issues it causes in the country, leaving other important venues without the security they need. Well written!
Enjoyed the twists and turns of Security at the Olympics, along with issues it causes in the country, leaving other important venues without the security they need. Well written!
July 15, 2018
Lots of action!
Lots of action and suspense as the Blackwells go to check out security at the Olympics. At times it was hard for me to grasp all the cyber technology , but I kept plodding along. The book could have been shortened a little.
Lots of action and suspense as the Blackwells go to check out security at the Olympics. At times it was hard for me to grasp all the cyber technology , but I kept plodding along. The book could have been shortened a little.
August 20, 2018
Enjoyed.
Hi. I enjoyed reading this book. It was the first one if the Blackwell Files series that I have read but since I did enjoy it I now Will have to go back and read the others.
Hi. I enjoyed reading this book. It was the first one if the Blackwell Files series that I have read but since I did enjoy it I now Will have to go back and read the others.
April 6, 2019
Action packed and entertaining reading
The author has written a very interesting story of intrigue and espionage with fast action that is sure to keep you guessing as to what will happen next. This book is sure to keep you entertained and guessing what is next.
The author has written a very interesting story of intrigue and espionage with fast action that is sure to keep you guessing as to what will happen next. This book is sure to keep you entertained and guessing what is next.
May 28, 2019
Olympics Game are scheduled and Korea plans an attach while they are on. Alton and Mallory heading a team to stop the destruction before. A plan and in this too much dialog, on how. Good adventure overall to read.
December 5, 2018
Steven maintains a clearcut edge for this type of novel and lays it out in a story that is interesting, exciting, and well researched. Don't miss this read!
March 4, 2017
Very good book to read.
December 20, 2016
The Blackwell's must race against the clock to uncover a threat from North Korea before the Olympics start in South Korea and stop whatever it is they're planning from happening.
Alton and Mallory have become a well-oiled machine knowing how the other works makes it easier to figure out what the other is thinking so they can uncover clues faster.
Eight novels into the series and I am still excited about each new release as they are all different in storyline and the characters that you have come to know and love still keep you guessing throughout!
Alton and Mallory have become a well-oiled machine knowing how the other works makes it easier to figure out what the other is thinking so they can uncover clues faster.
Eight novels into the series and I am still excited about each new release as they are all different in storyline and the characters that you have come to know and love still keep you guessing throughout!
January 28, 2017
This is a wonderful series. I have enjoyed all the books so far and this book is no exception. There is lots of action, this book was very busy. The great characters that we love and so much more in this book. This series should keep coming at us! * I received this book from the author---this is my honest review*
December 14, 2016
Nonstop action kept me riveted! Mr. Freeman continues to deliver!
April 26, 2017
A joint task force of US and South Korean specialists work to thwart a suspected North Korean incursion with just a few days before the Olympic games are about to begin. The first problem is figuring out when and where and then how to stop it. Plenty of action and a hair raising raid across the DMZ to recapture stolen scientific information.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews