The Death and Life of Nicholas Linnear

Nicholas Linnear #6.5

by Eric Van Lustbader

The deadly ninja Nicholas Linnear returns in his first all-new adventure in more than twenty years

This was to be one of the greatest nights of Nicholas Linnear’s life—a crowning achievement. After taking over his family’s company and quadrupling its size, he has gambled it all on a liquid natural gas trade with the Chinese, a deal worth untold billions. Is that why he just woke up in a pinewood coffin?

In honor of the ebook publication of the original Nicholas Linnear novels—The Ninja, The Miko, and White Ninja—Eric Van Lustbader returns to the series for a new heart-stopping adventure. Drugged to the brink of death, Linnear reemerges in a desperate attempt to save his business and find the people who tried to bury him alive. No time has passed for Nicholas Linnear. The Ninja is as deadly as ever, and his blade is just as sharp.

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Mystery, Action, Short Stories, Suspense

36 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Eric Van Lustbader was born and raised in Greenwich Village. He is the author of more than twenty-five best-selling novels, including The Ninja, in which he introduced Nicholas Linnear, one of modern fiction's most beloved and enduring heroes. The Ninja was sold to 20th CenturyFox, to be made into a major motion picture. His novels have been translated into over twenty languages.

Mr. Lustbader is a graduate of Columbia College, with a degree in Sociology. Before turning to writing full time, he enjoyed highly successful careers in the New York City public school system, where he holds licenses in both elementary and early childhood education, and in the music business, where he worked for Elektra Records and CBS Records, among other companies.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/ericva...

Reviews

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eric Van Lustbader is an extremely prolific thriller writer who back in 1980, wrote the first of six exceptionally entertaining thrillers about Nicolas Linnear, aka "The Ninja". Half Asian and half English, Nicholas is one of those exceptionally unforgettable fictional characters so I grabbed this, too short E book about Nicholas Linnear some 30 years later. As the owner of a newly constructed LNG (Liquid Natural Gas) tanker, he tries to make a delivery in Shanghai, China. Evil forces on the Chinese Communist Central Committee are trying to kill him and destroy the tanker for political reasons of their own. Nicholas, even at his advanced age, reverts to the ninja training of his youth to protect his cargo and survive a team of Chinese assassins. How he manages those objectives reminded me what an outstanding thriller series this was. Hopefully, Eric Van Lustbader will consider bringing Nicholas Linnear back in a full length book format or better yet, reconstitute the series!

[Petra Rapaić · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Damascus steel blade extended from his left hand. His right hand hung at his side, the fingers pressed together, slightly curled. His breathing was slow—deep, even. Like a child asleep, he was perfectly calm, his mind flooded with the silver moonlight that revealed everything, even the men working in deep shadow. He heard them, smelled them, sensed precisely what they were doing and why.
Hand-to-hand combat was no different than being on a battlefield of thousands or going to war with millions. As Ang had taught him, there were only three paths to victory and they all began and ended the same way: in no-mind. Assumptions, anticipation, reaction all took time away from no-mind. In no-mind you did not anticipate, you did not react; you simply were. And it was this almost mystical state of being that would gain you victory—no matter the odds."

[Ellen Klock · Rating 4 out of 5]

The minute I started reading this piece, I was in love. Eric Von Lustbader references Sun Tsu's The Art of War, but it is Eric who is truly the master of the Art of the Written Word. And in my infatuation of his craft, I couldn't get enough of Nicholas Linnear. Let me express my dismay when I finished what I believed was the first chapter, only to discover that the story had abruptly ended. What a teaser, I thought. Surely there must be more. Perhaps I only downloaded an excerpt. Alas, this brief encounter was too soon over. My appetite whetted, but no dessert. Hell, there wasn't even a main course, just some hors d'oeuvres.

But all is not lost, Nicholas Linnear actually has appeared in six other stories, in truly complete novels. Lustbader was simply reminding us of their existence. I recommend that he give this short, short story away to his readers gratis. That will either introduce readers to this character, peaking their interest to download or purchase the entire cycle, or remind them of "stories past" so they can revisit the previously out-of-mind adventures of this protagonist.

Or, Eric Von Lustbader can finish the book we felt we had only begun to read.

Simply put, The Death and Life of Nicholas Linnear by Eric Von Lustbader begins with Nicholas wearing a tuxedo, buried in a cheap coffin, and left for dead. And dead he will be if he can't escape this trap. Obviously he does, since the title alludes to his life after this almost death. The rest of the time, we are subjected to a fastly paced plot as Nicholas attempts to discover the whys and wherefores of this murder attempt. Let me just say that bodies fly throughout as we witness the finess and style of a Ninja Master. I will stop there as any more discussion will ruin the experience.

Since this review has taken me more time to write then this selection took to read, I only give it four stars. Four stars for a tease of a download. Call it the revenge of a woman scorned.

I wish to thank Open Road Integrated Media and Netgalley for allowing me a free download in exchange for an unbiased review. This review has also been posted on my blog, Gotta Read:

ellenk59.wordpress.com

[CD · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too short.
Too 'linear'. (couldn't resist the pun)
Too predictable.

Eric Van Lustabader needs to revisit why he thought about this short story as being worthy of release. Or get the full story arc published!

[Isis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to thank NetGalley & Open Road Integrated Media for granting me a copy of this e-book to read in exchange for an honest review. Though I received this e-book for free that in no way impacts my review.


Goodreads Blurb:

The deadly ninja Nicholas Linnear returns in his first all-new adventure in more than twenty years

This was to be one of the greatest nights of Nicholas Linnear’s life—a crowning achievement. After taking over his family’s company and quadrupling its size, he has gambled it all on a liquid natural gas trade with the Chinese, a deal worth untold billions. Is that why he just woke up in a pinewood coffin?

In honor of the ebook publication of the original Nicholas Linnear novels—The Ninja, The Miko, and White Ninja—Eric Van Lustbader returns to the series for a new heart-stopping adventure. Drugged to the brink of death, Linnear reemerges in a desperate attempt to save his business and find the people who tried to bury him alive. No time has passed for Nicholas Linnear. The Ninja is as deadly as ever, and his blade is just as sharp.

A brief, but utterly realistic, re-entry that plunges you immediately back into the brutal world of Nicholas Linnear, as though you'd never left it. Nicholas remains an Outsider wherever he is, all thanks to his mixed heritage. The Japanese barely tolerate him thanks to his father's legacy, the Chinese only use him for his prodigious business acumen, and the Americans only see his external appearance that signals his mixed heritage. Yet all his challenges made Nicholas into the man he is in this short story - lethal, sharp, a ninja to the very core.

This mini story showcases the Nicholas that suffered to attain his dreams. The action spikes as the story opens, and it never stops until the story's close. He remains true to his character, and the arc of this story is impeccable. It starts up, climbs a bit more, plateaus for a short time, then climbs even higher before the climactic end. It is almost as if Van Lustbader had an idea for a chapter in one of his other books, was unable to fit it in without spoiling the flow of any of those tales, so he molded it into a short story. An excellent one at that. It certainly reminded me why I so enjoyed The Ninja, and why I'm anxious to get to his other books.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a fast exciting story. I gave it 5 stars even if it not something I would normally read. The writing is clear and concise. You feel that you are with the protagonist. You rooted for him to handle his enemies. The first time for this author.

[David Dalton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read and loved all the Nicholas Linnear novels over the years. This was a nice short reunion of sorts, and brought back many fond memories of the White Ninja novels. Would really love to read an expanded full novel length novel with Nicholas.

[Ruby Bibi · Rating 4 out of 5]

-Very short story which takes place after a 6 book series written by the author, of a modern day man who was trained as a ninja. Nicholas Linnear was the son of a British officer and an Asian mother, and was raised in Tokyo. Besides his training in the ninja arts, once he became an adult, he proved to be a very successful businessman.
-He now owns a large LNG tanker and is taking it out on its maiden voyage. During a party before the ship would be leaving, he was having champagne. It was laced and the next thing he knew, he woke up in a pine box, underground, with the air running out. It’s here that we see that nothing phases him as he still keeps his cool. He has a knife that he keeps strapped to his ankle and uses it to escape. He realizes that someone wants to do something to his tanker and gets back to his ship before it departs. His ship’s captain informed him that, a little earlier, 6 men from the government came on board to inspect the ship, but Nicholas realizes that their identification badges were bogus and the real intent of these men was to destroy his ship. It’s here that we first see his fighting abilities, as he searches them out, one by one, and dispatches them.
-He now continues in his search to discover who was behind this act against him and he gets involved in a series of events where both his detective skills and fighting ability come into play.
-It’s an interesting story, even though it’s very short, but it gives us a window into the action that could be expected from the prior books of the series. The character is almost like a Superman, though he could get injured, but his coolness under pressure and his ability to lessen the odds against himself when he’s attacked is admirable. This same author has taken over the writing of the Jason Bourne books and his writing style of action scenes, based on the writing in this book, would be well suited to those books as well.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded down.

I first read book one of the Nicholas Linnear series around forty years ago and loved it. He can write some tense scenes! I read each new book as soon it was published. Eric Van Lustbader relatively recently wrote two short stories with the MC but I didn't find out until yesterday. I bought them both. Tonight I read this one.

I remember the series always had detailed plots, character histories, intrigue, espionage, violence, martial arts and more. Density comes to mind. So a short story in this setting just didn't really work for me. Things had to progress too quickly and the story suffered from a lack of nuance. The MC came across more like a James Bond rather than Bruce Lee.

I'll still read the second short story since I already bought it. But I might reread the series proper beginning with The Ninja one of these days.

[Skip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sadly, this is a short story tease. Nicholas Linnear is a superman: a trained ninja, half Asian, half Caucasian. He now wealth, and owns a large LNG tanker, which is about to launch on its maiden voyage. During a celebratory launch party, Nicholas is drinking champagne, only to wake up buried in a coffin. Clearly, somebody wants his shipping plans scuttled. After a miraculous escape, he goes to the tanker, only to discover six men, posing as inspectors have come aboard with nefarious plans. Again, his elite training does not fail, and he seeks out the person trying to stop his business venture before it can succeed.

[Sandeep Mangaraj]

In honor of the original Nicholas Linnear novels—The Ninja, The Miko, and White Ninja—Eric Van Lustbader returns to the series for a new heart-stopping adventure. Drugged to the brink of death, Linnear reemerges in a desperate attempt to save his business and find the people who tried to bury him alive. No time has passed for Nicholas Linnear. The Ninja is as deadly as ever, and his blade is just as sharp.

[Barbara J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Long time, Nicholas!

After reading the 1st six book's, some several times, I was certain that E. Van Lustbader was retiring the hero. I read a couple of other book's, but not with the same enthusiasm. Even though this was quite short, it revived that old spark for the adventures of Nicholas Linnear.

[Phillip Hazleton · Rating 2 out of 5]

A rather absurd mini-novella that failed to keep up with the strength and complexity of the preceding novels in the Shadow Warrior series. Thus the legend ends … “not with a bang but a whimper” for both Linear and Lustbader! A disappointing waste of time.

[MCHJR Budgen bsns]

This is an incredibly gripping series & every page is such a great story.

I so look forward to Nocholas's next endeavours. I am certainly expecting more to come from Baron Po in the next book.

[Neil · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have not read a Nicholas Linnear book for over 25 years and now 2 more pop up. This was a short but welcome warming up for the next book. Fun read and made me remember the past reads as the style has not changed.

[Philip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great to have Nicholas back. It's the same descriptive detail that Lustbader is known for but only 3 stars because it wasn't enough. I felt cheated. It's a few chapters of a book.

[Cockneylen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed it, but disappointed that it's only a short story. I'd love to see a ew, full length Nicholas Linnear appear on the book shelves. Good story, action all the way.

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

Entertaining and intregue throughout the story. Kept me riveted to very end. Definitely will pick up the next book in the series

[See · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short novela that encapsulates the usual Nicholas Linnear fights with death and life.

[Sean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disclaimer: ARC copy from Netgalley.

The Death and Life of Nicholas Linnear, by Eric Van Lustbader, is another intriguing ninja novel, in keeping with the grand traditions he created in previous volumes featuring Nicholas Linnear. Sadly, this is a short novel, and I do mean short. It is almost a novella - meant to whet our appetite for more. In this case, it does that, but not in a satisfying way. Yes, he dies and yes, he lives again, but the drama and ninja art that seem a hallmark of his books almost seem crammed in in this book. It's as if he was not allowed to expand on his normal writing, and was forced to write a teaser book.

Still, Eric does not disappoint when it comes to writing about ninjas. There are several ninja scenes, and Nicholas Linnear carries them off with his usual grace and panache. However, the scenes seem rushed and don't play out to their logical conclusion like they normally do.

I would recommend this book to those who like ninja stories and those who like reading previous Nicholas Linnear books, but in good conscience, this is not a book I would recommend to all readers. That's why this book only gets 3 stars.

[J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

As Eric Van Lustbader’s short story, “The Death and Life of Nicholas Linnear” opens we find the title character buried in a pine coffin. But never fear, the grave is shallow, the earth dry and loose and Nicholas is soon out of that predicament and on the trail of the bungling assassins.

This story, like Lustbader’s famous novel “The Bourne Identity,” features a central character who has no peer in his ability to dodge bullets and outwit his opponents. In fact Nicholas Linnear may qualify as superhuman as he uses his Ninja training to survive several attempts on his life. And while it is a bit like Bond and Bourne there are differences: Linnear’s mother was Asian and his father a British officer; He works for his own company, not a government; The field of battle is Shanghai, PRC; There is a strong martial arts theme to the story.

As you would expect from so famous an author, the story unwinds smoothly at a blistering pace with plenty of questions to answer. And don’t worry, ol’ Nick is not a monk.

I received this story as an eARC through NetGalley in return for this review.

[Carolyn Injoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Death and Life of Nicholas Linnear: An All-New Story of the Ninja by Eric Van Lustbader The Death and Life of Nicholas Linnear:  An All-New Story of the Ninja by Eric Van Lustbader is an entertaining fast-paced story to read.   It captivated my attention from beginning to end.  The characters are well developed & the story line is intriguing.  I gave it five stars.
 
"The sound inside the coffin was akin to a vault door closing.  The acoustics were eerie, as if the interior was a miniature theatre, its unseen audience hushed & waiting for the curtain to rise & the lights to snap on.
 
There were no lights, but the sound reverberated in the confined space, doubling & redoubling like pinballs crisscrossing each other.
 
Nicholas Linnear lay, hands crossed over his chest, as he returned to consciousness."
 
I would like to thank Open Road Integrated Media & NetGalley for a complimentary kindle copy.  This did not change my opinion for this review.
 
Link to purchase: http://www.amazon.com/Death-Nicholas-... 36

[John Purvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Death and Life of Nicholas Linnear” was published in 2014 and was written by Eric Van Lustbader (http://www.ericvanlustbader.com/thril...). Mr. Linnear has published more than 40 novels. This is a Short Story in the “Nicholas Linnear/Ninja” series.

I obtained a galley of this short story for review through https://www.netgalley.com. I would categorize this story as ‘R’ as there are instances of Violence. This Thriller Short Story is set in contemporary Shanghai, China.

The primary character in the series, Nicholas Linnear, is unexpectedly attacked by unknown forces. He thwarts the attack, and goes on the offensive to find the man who he thinks is behind the attack. But he soon discovers that all is not what it seems.

This is a nice return of Nicholas Linnear after 20 years. I have read and enjoyed many of the books in this series. Much of the old Linnear can be found in this story. However the short format, I read the story in 45 minutes, really limits how full the story can be. I give this novel a 3.7 (rounded up to 4) out of 5.

Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at http://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.

[Philip Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A condensed story with potential of a decent novel. With all the exaggerated elements of a super ninja warrior. A taste of the orient with one man who can single handedly wipe out all the bad guys no matter how many attack at once, then make love with a conspirator who he then has to kill. All this after digging out of a coffin. He is faster than a speeding missile, able to leap over huge piles of bovine excreta or maybe that was his vast mounds of money and undoubtedly the most attractive dude in the history of the planet. A very brief great thriller or a total fantasy penned in a few minutes with just enough talent to offer potential. Leaves me in no hurry to try other works by this author.

[SherrieB · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short story packs a lot into a few pages. In fact, it's hard to believe how much depth is here. I’ve read all the books in Lustbader’s Ninja series and even though it’s been years since his last book, it didn’t feel like that in reading this story.
It’s very hard to describe this story without giving away spoilers. Let’s just say that it’s action packed and spans only a couple of days. It begins with a near death, and ends with several deaths.
One can only hope that Lustbader will pen another Linnear book in the near future.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Steven Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am glad to see this author return to some of my favorite books, and favorite character. Nicholas Linnear has always been one of my favorite, if tragic, characters. I read most of the Nicholas Linnear books while on various deployments early in my military career, and they have a way of reminding me of those early days. I hope to see more books by this author with Nicholas Linnear, but the character is getting old (age wise) and might have to retire soon.

[Jay Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am amazed at the depth and meaning of this short story. I was drawn in deeply and elements flashed by in great detail. the martial arts battles are unique as they focus on the inner being, not the external gesture.. The richness of the language gives meaning to every action and relationship. I definitely want to read more about Nicholas Linnear.

[Yatish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Linnear is back!! unfortunately though only for a short story...the action and intrigue is typical of Lustbader and he suprises by packing so much in so few pages! I hope though that Linnear returns in a full fledged novel!
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a review copy!

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

wish there was more!

So good to see more Nicholas Linnear. Lustbader's writing retains its balance of discipline and color. Looking forward to more!

[Erik · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not worth the paper it's written on