Ever been forced to do something despicable? Would you betray your family to save your child? Undermine your employer? Commit treason?
Bin Laden gave terrorism a Middle-Eastern face. Now another misguided mastermind is giving it yours. But don’t feel bad, you’re not alone….
On the eve of perestroika, Alex Ferris stumbles onto KGB General Karpov’s scheme to regain Russia’s superpower status while investigating his brother’s death. After surviving attempts on his life and assembling bizarre clues, Alex settles on a most unusual suspect only to discover that Elaine is a victim herself. Unseen masters are forcing her into traitorous acts through nefarious threats. How many silent slaves like Elaine are out there? What do her tormenters want? Can he stop them?
Alex flies from San Francisco to Siberia to find those answers and avenge his brother. In the midst of that frozen landscape and those tumultuous times, he survives infiltration, interrogation, and romance only to learn that he too is being manipulated as part of a much grander scheme.
Written by a former Green Beret and counterintelligence specialist with a decade of experience on the ground in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
Tim began his career in Soviet Counterintelligence with the US Army Special Forces, the Green Berets. That was back in the Cold War days when, “We learned Russian so you didn't have to,” something he did at the Presidio of Monterey alongside Recon Marines and Navy SEALs.
With the fall of the Berlin Wall, Tim switched from espionage to arbitrage. Armed with a Wharton MBA rather than a Colt M16, he moved to Moscow in the midst of Perestroika. There, he led prominent multinational medical companies, worked with cosmonauts on the MIR Space Station (from Earth, alas), chaired the Association of International Pharmaceutical Manufacturers, and helped write Russia’s first law on healthcare.
Moving to Brussels during the formation of the EU, Tim ran Europe, Middle East, and Africa for a Johnson & Johnson company and traveled like a character in a Robert Ludlum novel. He eventually landed in Silicon Valley, where he launched new medical technologies as a startup CEO.
In his free time, Tim has climbed the peaks of Mount Olympus, went hang gliding from the cliffs of Rio de Janeiro, and ballooned over Belgium. He earned scuba certification in Turkey, learned to ski in Slovenia, and ran the Serengeti with a Maasai warrior. He acted on stage in Portugal, taught negotiations in Germany, and chaired a healthcare conference in Holland. Tim studied psychology in France, radiology in England, and philosophy in Greece. He has enjoyed ballet at the Bolshoi, the opera on Lake Como, and the symphony in Vienna. He’s been a marathoner, paratrooper, triathlete, and yogi.
Intent on combining his creativity with his experience, Tim began writing thrillers in 1996 from an apartment overlooking Moscow’s Gorky Park. Twenty years later, his passion for creative writing continues to grow every day. His home office now overlooks a vineyard in Northern California.
Tim grew up in the Midwest, and graduated from Hanover College with a BA in Philosophy and Mathematics. After military service and work as a financial analyst and foreign-exchange trader, he earned an MBA in Finance and an MA in International Studies from the University of Pennsylvania.
Thank you for taking the time to read about the author. Tim loves to correspond with readers like you. You are welcome to reach him through Goodreads or directly at timtigner.com/contact
I felt a bit lost at the beginning of the book when the main characters Alex discovered that his brother Frank is dead and that there is a mole in the company that Frank worked at and he discovers that the mole is forced to cooperate. And, then someone tried to kill Alex. It got a bit clear after a bit when more of the reason behind his brother's death was revealed and why just Alex was the one that pretty much goaded to Siberia.
As a thriller was it quite good with lots of action, not any boring parts that dragged the story down. I found the book perfect for reading for when you are in need of something fast-paced to read. The book has short chapters that kept the story going forward. When it comes to adventure and thrillers then there should be short cliffhanger types of chapters that make you read chapter after chapters because you need to find out more about what is going on.
The one thing in the book that kind of bothered me was that it was a bit too easy for Alex, at least I felt that way. Everything just happens to just go his way all the time. I mean in Siberia he manages to find the one person, a woman that has lost a brother in a suspicious “accident” that seems to have a connection to the man that his behind Alex brother Franks death. She is also being courted by the same man. That felt just a bit too much coincident for my liking. So even though I did enjoy reading the book, it just never really got that intense to read and the ending felt a bit like a typical movie ending, a perfect set-up for the next book (if there is a next book).
But nerveless it was a good book and I would like more books by Tim Tigner. But I hope for a more intense story.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for a blog tour at TLC Book Tours.
I worked in Soviet Counterintelligence during the Cold War, and then lived in Moscow throughout perestroika. What an odd and humbling experience it was, to watch a superpower crumble. It got me thinking about what one man could have done to prevent it—if he was prescient, and resourceful, and ruthless enough. Coercion was the result.
You can read an interview with more detail on this topic in The Big Thrill.
While Coercion contains the requisite larger-than-life heroes and villains, I endeavored to keep the framework entirely realistic. I quote a few historical figures in the novel, including Cold War Secretary of State James A. Baker, who was kind enough to then provide a cover blurb:
“Tim Tigner is a masterful storyteller with a nose for intrigue and a careful eye for historical detail. Set in the aftermath of the collapse of the Iron Curtain, his latest book, “Coercion,” is a compelling tale of espionage and betrayal, one that will leave its readers wanting more.”
There’s more info on this quote along with some fun background stories and photos available at The Books Chatter .
I’ll respond promptly to comments or questions posted below, or you can feel free to reach me directly at timtigner.com.
An American Special Forces guy, now a PI, gets involved in stopping chicanery from the KGB. In this case, biological bombs the KGB is injecting into people and their families, forcing them to do the KGB's bidding. Along the way, he meets a nice Russian girl who looks like a supermodel, but is a regular genius.
Not bad. Some great action sequences in Siberia set this one apart.
Alex Ferris is a former U.S. soldier and ex-CIA operative. Now an International P.I., he finds himself in the worse case ever – finding his twin brother’s killer.
With the one strong lead he has, he travels to Siberia and Russia. Relying on his military tactics and genuine intuition, we are taken through his journey that opens up to what his brother was involved in and the people he meets along the way, coerced by an unknown powerful resurgence group that controls a secret deadly weapon. And in the midst of Perestroika, he perseveres in finding out the truth.
I appreciated the depth of his character development and the time crossing of a decade at the beginning of the novel. As the author shared his insightful experiences in espionage and sabotage, he notes to his readers:
“I am disheartened to find that so very few politicians have the decency to choose what is right for tomorrow over what is popular today. Surely that, too, cannot go on forever.”
I’m not one for historical political thrillers. But this is what is so great about joining Goodreads – by taking a chance on a book that piques my interest to go ahead and click Enter Giveaway. I won my copy from Goodreads – and what an amazing story! A recommended read!
This aptly titled spy thriller is about power and control. Those who have it, those who want it, and finally… those who will do ANYTHING to get it. The ‘anything’ in this case is coercion in it’s true and most diabolical sense. The deadliest form of coercion comes not when you threaten a person’s life, but rather when you threaten the life of those that that person loves most in the world.
That’s where the Peitho Pill comes into play. Named for the Greek goddess of persuasion, when injected into a body, the Peitho Pill is harmless in itself, but it can be triggered remotely causing it to divulge it’s poison and kill the target instantly. People can live for years with the time-bomb Peitho implanted in them, leaving their loved ones under the complete control of KNYAZ. For they know that if they do not follow orders their loved one will perish. Sabotage and industrial espionage are the norm for the family members of those implanted with the Peitho Pill.
KNYAZ is a clandestine organization within the Russian government who wants to gain control by ridding the country of Gorbachev and endowing Russia with their own version of Peristroika. With Vasily Karpov, a KGB General, as it’s leader, they procure control over those who can help them attain their goal. Whether it be politicians, scientists, industrial workers, or anyone else – the use of the Peitho Pill makes them almost omnipotent. They infiltrate American industry so as to gain an advantage over them and outshine them in international competitions.
In the United States we meet Victor Titov, who is Karpov’s son. He has lived for years as a U.S. citizen with the name of Jason Stormer, but he is a deep-cover mole for his father’s group KNYAZ. Always seeking his father’s approval, he is devoted to his cause. And believe me – you’ll be hard put to find a more evil father and son duo in popular fiction.
Alex and Frank Ferris are twins. Alex, our protagonist, is a former United States intelligence agent and Special Forces soldier – a Green Beret. Frank is a brilliant scientist who is working on an airplane engine. When Frank apparently commits suicide, Alex investigates his brother’s death. His investigations take him on a path around the world where he becomes intimately acquainted with the Peitho Pill and KNYAZ.
Set in late 1990, “Coercion” is a political thriller that reads like a cross between the television show “The Americans” and a James Bond or Jason Bourne movie. Well written, with lots of action and violence, it is my opinion that this book will appeal more to men than to women. A novel of heroes, assassins, martyrs and international espionage which will be loved by fans of Vince Flynn, Chris Ryan, Brad Thor, Stephen Coonts and Robert Ludlum.
A good portion of the novel takes place in the desolation of rural Siberia in winter. The ingenious survival skills portrayed astounds the reader with the training, courage, audacity and physical stamina of the characters.
I found the first third of the novel to be a tad confusing due to the myriad characters, many of whom have Russian names that are unfamiliar to my personal experience. However, once I got everyone straight, the fast pace of the narrative ensured that I was in for an exciting ride/read.
I received a copy of this book for free through GoodReads FirstReads competitions.
When I first read the blurb of this book I couldn't wait to read it as it sounded like my kind of book, however when I started to read the book I was completely lost! It did all become a bit clearer as the book went on, but because it wasn't a very clear beginning it made me want to continue reading to find out what had happened and what the reason was behind Franks death (Alex's brother). There wasn't any part of the book where I didn't want to continue or found it a bit boring or obvious to read. I thought it was a really good thriller that kept my attention throughout the novel and managed to keep a good pace throughout. If you enjoy reading fast paced books that will pass the hours by then this is going to be a great book for you! The writing style of Tim Tigner is very good and the description he uses reading makes the book come to life in your mind so you can actually see it happening in your imagination. I very much enjoyed this book and I would love to read more books by Tim Tigner!
Coercion by Tim Tigner is a non-stop page turning thriller that will keep you guessing with every chapter read, but the genius of Tim is sure to win and your guess will be wrong every time, mine was! There is so much happening and each tiny detail comes back and connects the dots for a full circle effect that will leave the most critical readers satisfied. Giving this book a five star rating is the least I could do, because it’s one of those very few books that can stand tall amongst the very best from Vince Flynn & Brad Thor. Definitely a MUST READ for all thriller fans.
A team of scientists working in Russia have been wiped out in order to keep secret knowledge of the latest weapon they were working on. The weapon? The Peitho Pill, aptly named after the Greek goddess of persuasion. In the right hands (or wrong in this instance) this weapon will cause the ultimate shift in power from the US to the USSR. Once the pea sized pill is injected into its victim, the target will not be harmed as long as he does the controllers bidding. Should he fail in any way, either he or his loved ones will pay the price.
Frank Ferris a brilliant scientist apparently commits suicide. Alex Ferris, our main protagonist, does not believe that his twin brother would kill himself and decides to find out what really happened.
Victor Tito, a 'sleeping agent', and citizen of the USA, has been awoken and summoned back home to the USSR to receive new orders from Vasily Karpov a KGB General.
The action is about to ramp up and escalate...just hold on tight and enjoy the ride.
With a multitude of characters to keep track of, a useful “Cast of Characters” list is included at the beginning of the book. After an initial period of confusion mainly over the Russian names, I quickly recognised who was who and only referred to the list as and when new characters appeared.
Tigner spent some considerable time as an intelligence agent in Russia, at the end of the cold war, and it is obvious that he has drawn upon his extensive field of expertise and experience to bring some authenticity into play in this novel. Even so, there is still a large element of belief suspension required as Coercion is pure entertainment with our action-hero on a 'mission impossible', and one who always manages to save the day. Coincidences features highly in the plot, and our invincible hero is always in the right place at just the right time.
Coercion is a high octane political thriller about power, control, loyalty and trust. It is an exceptional, and intelligently written espionage thriller with well developed characters, including some pretty formidable ones at that.
I would have no hesitation in recommending Coercion to fans of Lee Child, Robert Ludlum, and Vince Flynn or to fans of Mission Impossible and The Jason Bourne films.
Certainly, it has everything you'd want from an action packed, fast paced spy-espionage read and I seriously hope that this is the start of a great series as I think it would certainly give Jack Reacher a run for his money.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary digital arc copy for my honest, unbiased review.
COERCION is in a category of its own: Thriller with Heart! Even the villains have emotions, a sense of honor and duty, and patriotism. Quite a few of the characters have families to whom they are dedicated, and for whom no sacrifice is too great--even at cost of life. This deepening of the story renders it even more engrossing, since we reader's identify and empathize with the various characters, and for us, the tension ratchets high.
The characters were great. I enjoyed the time frame & locations of the story. The story itself was fantastic from beginning to end. Hope there will be another Alex Ferris story in the future. Well done Tim.
Fast paced, tension filled. Alex is a worthy, super hero type character. You really only see this towards the end. The main story is bone chilling , the chemical technology being used for evil intent, masked as economic savior for a country. In the end , evil is it's own downfall.
"Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy night" - Joseph L. Mankiewicz - screen play for All About Eve. Another rousing thriller by Tim Tigner. What I love about his books is that the protagonist seems almost super human, but has a vulnerability and humanity that makes him a human being. A page turner that is tightly woven and clever. Enjoy!
An extremely clever book , meshing technology, politics, business and economics into a captivating story. Well written with a satisfying ending wrapped up nicely.
A solid, fast-moving thriller set in 1980's Russia (mostly). Parts of the plot seem a little too convenient or come out of nowhere, and it seems like it should be part of a series, but it's a fun read.
I’m not a fan of Tom Clancy due to his wooden prose nor do I eagerly anticipate the new Vince Flynn novel, all of which means I didn’t come to Tim Tigner’s “Coercion” with high expectations or anticipation. I didn’t need them. Once I started the book, I kept turning the pages (or in this instance, swiping the screen).
I like political thrillers, and I also like historical thrillers. “Coercion” provides both, albeit recent history, for Tigner’s novel is set in Russia in the midst of Perestroika. While Mikhail Gorbachev is a hero to the West, at home, powerful and wealthy people want Gorbachev dead and the Soviet Union returned to power. The mastermind behind the plot to undermine Perestroika is KGB general, Vasily Karpov. Karpov plans to build an economic empire by stealing Intellectual property from U.S. companies while sabotaging the US development. How Karpov achieves sabotage is imaginative and chilling (the title) and sets his novel apart from most others. Meanwhile, Karpov will copy the products in Russia, where patent infringement questions cannot be asked, and present the world with cutting edge designs in aerospace - an airplane engine that uses less than 50% of the fuel conventional engines use, and in energy - a building material that collects energy. Karpov intends to assassinate Gorbachev, frame an American, an ex-CIA agent, and, using his great wealth, become Russia’s new leader.
The hero of “Coercion” is Alex Ferris, formerly in the CIA, and currently an International Private Investigator. A simple phone call kicks off the action. Alex’s twin brother needs his help. But Alex is too late. His brother is dead. Police call it suicide, but Alex doesn’t buy it. Instead of digging up answers, Alex instead digs up an international disaster with a ticking clock. Racing from San Francisco to Siberia, Alex must survive ambushes, assassins, imprisonment, poison pills, and death from exposure as he wages war against Karpov and his associates. Caught between Alex and Karpov is the woman they both desire, Anna Zaitseva, a doctor, who also lost a brother, and who, like Alex, is searching for truth.
Tigner characters are well developed and the plot moves rapidly from adventure to adventure toward the final action. Some readers may be disappointed by the lack of a big scene to end the book. After all, we want David to bring down Goliath; we don’t want the crowd gathered to watch the battle to do David’s work for him. Endings are difficult and Tigner’s could have been better. But this is a small grievance, and perhaps would not be worth mentioning if the rest of the novel were not a page-turner than surpasses most political thrillers on the bestseller list, which is where “Coercion” belongs.
Though this paragraph opens a review of a different Tim Tigner novel, it is worth repeating. Tim Tigner comes to his role as a novelist specializing in political intrigue with a rich background. His academic preparation is a combination of mathematics and philosophy, but after academia his instinct for investigation and thrill seeking led him to serve in the Green Berets, specializing in Russian and Soviet counterintelligence. When Perestroika/Glasnost ‘opened’ Russia (or at least by their definition made it more transparent) led to the fall of the Berlin wall, Tigner’s direction shifted from espionage to arbitrage and he moved form Russia to Brussels where he witnessed the formation of the European Union: his change in focus shifted back to the US and further degrees in business and International Studies and settled in the Silicon Valley as a corporate type in the medical device industry. And as if that background weren’t sufficient he continued his travels around the world expending energy as mountain climber, a hand glider, a parachuter, and in every sense of the word an adventurer. Now he follows his obsession with reading thrillers by writing them.
A different time and different places, COERCION takes place between Siberia and the West Coast of the US during the time frame of 1987-91 The KGB schemes to preserve the USSR as Perestroika is taking hold. The manner in which the secretive KGB holdovers plan to obtain secrets of Western technology is discovered by the hero of the novel, Alex Ferris, who becomes involved in an intrigue that involves the death of his brother and the subsequent investigation. The fact that Alex has some insider skills due to this mother’s Russian roots and his CIA and Seal team like experiences and training places him in the crosshairs of the secretive KGB organization. Couple these harrowing facts with Tigner’s gift for transplanting his characters into situations that seem destined to destruction and yet manipulating them out with keen pacing and skill and there you have yet another thriller by the gifted Tim Tigner. He writes so well that one could quite easily become addicted…Smart, sophisticated and always with a surprise at the turn of every page, Tigner simply has it.
Reviewed for Readers' Favorite (at ReadersFavorite.com)
The year 2013 was one fraught with mourning for fans of spy/espionage thrillers, with the loss of Vince Flynn in June and of Tom Clancy in October. While these great storytellers will continue to be missed long into the future, thriller fans will be pleased to learn that there is a new man in town. His name is Tim Tigner and just this fall, he published three works, including Coercion. If Tigner’s works are not on your “to be read” list as yet, wait no longer, for soon every thriller fan will be talking about them!
Coercion is the second of Tim Tigner’s works that I have read (in as many days). Just as with the first, I was spellbound from the outset. In Coercion, one from amongst the communist party ranks, Vasily Karpov, seeks the ultimate power for himself. To reach his goal, Karpov is willing to make use of a weapon that may be detonated from any distance once inserted into the body of another. Under threat that the weapon will be activated, Karpov is then able to coerce the assistance of a person who can provide Karpov with industrial secrets and help to sabotage the efforts of American industries. When Alex Ferris discovers Karpov’s means of coercing others, he seeks to save a little girl whose life is at risk. To do so, he must discover Karpov’s identity. Ferris’s mission takes him to the heart of Siberia in the days of the Soviets.
Tim Tigner has delivered in Coercion, a tale that is sure to rank amongst the best of today’s thrillers. In the figure of Alex Ferris, a man’s man, readers will experience the rough and tumble life of falling from a plane with a parachute that does not open, trekking across the Siberian waste during a winter storm and, ultimately, vanquishing the enemy. Along the way, Ferris meets the lovely Anna Zaitseva. Though he fears he cannot be all he ought for Anna, Alex will steal a bit of every woman’s heart when he goes to extreme lengths to insure her safety. So, take heart thriller readers—men and women alike—your favorite genre has been saved. . . .
Review also posted at www.Oathtaker.com and on GoodReads and BookLikes. Review noted on Google+, Tweeted and cover pinned.
Step aside, Jason Bourne, Alex Ferris has it covered. COERCION by Tim Tigner is a fast paced action thriller set in the final years of Communist Russia. The beginning instantly grabs you and, though there is a small lull between 25 to 50%, is completely action packed.
The book is well written and divided into four parts. The beginning may confuse someone because there is a bit of year jumping, but the times quickly balance themselves out. Like I said before, there is a slight lull, but I only really experienced that for a few chapters and that was before Alex decided to go to Siberia. Once you're in Siberia, you are on the edge of your seat.
There are many characters and a few of them have chapters specifically for them so that the reader can see what is happening through their eyes. There is Alex Ferris, Yarik, Victor, Vasily, and Anna for most of the book. That may sound confusing, but it really isn't. It's needed so that you can see the growing tension in both antagonist and protagonist.
Alex Ferris is an ex-CIA agent turned P.I. turned quasi-CIA/quasi-P.I. for a case close to his heart: his twin's death He is a strong character who laughs in the face of danger(literally). Even if he's secretly shitting his pants. He goes through so much in this book that I couldn't help rooting for him and hoping he would find a way out of the mess.
Anna is a doctor in the USSR who is not afraid to speak her mind. She knows how to keep her mouth shut, but for the most part she will do everything in her power to help those in need. I really liked her as a character and could understand everything she was coming from.
Tigner expertly seeds in tiny details that don't seem important until the end where you are left smacking your head at yourself. I did catch one little detail and was proud to see that my assumption was correct. This is definitely a book that gets you going and keeps you going until the end. I think there might be a hint at a sequel, but this book is great as a stand alone.
I received this book as an ARC from Amazon Publishing, Thomas & Mercer, on NetGalley. This is the first book by Tim Tigner I have read, and it will not be the last.
Coercion grips you from the first chapter with a scenario so frightening and bizarre that you think there is no way could ever happen...yet it is totally possible.
The first part of the book jumps back and forth in time and across several different countries, but I did not find it to be that confusing - plus it really helps to establish the plot. I really appreciate the "cast of characters" page at the beginning of the book. There are many different characters, and it is nice to be able to look them up and keeo them straight. Plus, all the Russian names look the same to me.
Alex Ferris is an ex-CIA agent turned PI who sets about to investigate his brother's suspicious suicide. Along the way he uncovers a plot by the KGB that they've apparently been working on for quite some time. Convicted by his sense of duty, Ferris returns to his former clandestine life to try to get to the root of the problem. All of the common buzz words can apply to this novel (pulse pounding, edge of your seat, rollercoaster, could not put it down, keeps you up late into the night), so take your pick! The fact is that coercion is a solid, well written novel. The build up at the end is palpable, and once you have finished the book, you will definitely be looking forward to the next installment.
Tim Tigner is a former Green Beret. He is fluent in Russian and specialized in Soviet counterintelligence. Later on he switched from espionage to arbitrage after the fall of the Berlin Wall. You can easily spot some of the authors that influence Tigner's writing: Robert Ludlum, Tom Clancy, Vince Flynn, Lee Child, Daniel Silva, Kyle Mills. His past experience and knowledge shine through in this book and increase the believability and provide credibility to the story he has written.
Ah, Perestroika. This is my third Tim Tigner novel and it’s another brilliant read. My family (mother, siblings) came to the US as political refugees from the Soviet Union (medium-length story there) in the 1960s. As such, I grew up around religious refugees (yes, that’s how many got out, despite being atheists) and many a weekend was spent over much vodka telling stories of life behind the Iron Curtain. Reading this novel was a flashback to family gatherings (luckily without the vodka, my stomach can’t handle it anymore) that continued well into the 90s and early 2000s. The dentists. The doctors. The lawyers. The pianist. The students. The laborers. So many stories to tell. Growing up around these folks, you gain a certain level of suspicion as to whether their fishing stories are indeed true (that’s a euphemism). Coercion, backs up the despair and apathy that permeates the souls of these people struggling to survive in an environment that is more about power, oppression and survival and less about living.
And, oh my, you have to love the politics. From the carefully-worded deference to a military officer to the backroom conniving over money to the mumbled platitudes on park benches, in churches and in the local pubs, from beginning to end, this is a brilliant portrayal of power during a time and in a place where it is everything and to lose it means certain death. And don’t even get me started on the espionage through fear and manipulation (damn, spoiler). Or to quote Tigner, “diabolic coercion” (love it, grins gleefully). If you are a Clancy fan and loved “The Hunt for Red October,” this is the book for you. Buy it. Buy it now. You know you want to. *points to the 1-Click.
If you enjoy stories by Tom Clancy, James Patterson or Robert Ludlum, take note of Tim Tigner, and read his book Coercion. I’ve never been able to make it through a single one of Tom Clancy’s books. Simply put, Tim Tigner just writes better. You won’t be disappointed, and you won’t be able to put it down. Tigner draws on his personal experience to create a believable, and action packed story to become enthralled by.
In Coercion, we meet ex-CIA agent, Alex Ferris, who goes from private investigating, to investigating his twin’s apparent (and suspicious) suicide. The deeper he digs, the more he uncovers, and discovers a Russian plot to overtake America as a world power by stealing our newest military and technological developments. Ferris takes it upon himself to stop the KGB from its nefarious plans of world domination in this exciting, edge of your seat thriller.
Tigner delivers an amazing story on every level, from his depth of character development, strong and action packed plot, and plenty of believable scenarios to keep it moving. There is a great balance between the hero, and villain and the reader can relate to both. I think Tigner’s personal life experiences is what gives his stories more credibility and believability. He brings it all to life with an amazing clarity that will leave you questioning…what if this really happened? I hope his publishers are working to make this book into a major motion picture. I think it would make a great movie. I’ll be reading every one of Tigner’s books in the future.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and if you are one to enjoy Vince Flynn, Brad Thor, or Brad Taylor books than you are sure to enjoy this. Tigner uses his first hand knowledge of communist Soviet Union (and I'm sure his special forces experience) to give the reader a great perspective into one of the most fascinating wars in world history. I only wish that this was the beginning of Alex Ferris's tale because he is right up the with Mitch Rapp, Scott Harvath, and Pike Logan. Although the "love story" parts of these books are not my favorite part, in this book I find Anna very intriguing, she willfully breaks the rules to play to the good guys in the right way. I have to thank Tim Tigner for reaching out to me here on good reads to tell me about his books. Now instead of filling the space between Taylor and Thor's books, I'll be filling the space between Tigner's books with Thor and Taylor.
Thanks to netgalley.com, Tim Tigner and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC advance for my honest review.
You'll want to highlight or make a cheat sheet of the list of characters. With so many characters, you would think that the story would take off from page 1, rather than from Part 2.
It was a tough read for me, had to stop reading two other books, just concentrate on this one and doing that finished it. Other wise, I doubt I would have finished it.
Really liked Alex's character, parts of this book are really good. Tigner has you riveted one minute and the next it gets a little unbelievable or predictable.
The best part was when Alex kills Yarik, who really nothing more than a bully.
I also hated the Victor/Jason character, especially in the end that the cold calculating idiot becomes a pussycat around a pretty women and just makes everything he did in the story unbelievable.
I'm glad I read it, sure fans of Russian KGB/espionage will like it.
What a damn good book! First, I would like to say I won this book from the Goodreads free book giveaway contest. Second, I would give this book 4 1/2 stars if able. It was really good, with a lot of action and suspense surrounding the characters. As a kid from the 80's, I enjoy the "Us vs Them" sagas between 2 world super powers and how the Soviet Union and the USA are always dueling and trying to out do each other. Enter Alex, a former CIA agent, hell-bent on investigating his brothers murder and the chilling message he received just prior to his bro's death. Alex is all in, and his investigation will take him around the world, face-to-face with some of the most ruthless, evil mo'fo's you could face. Couple that with Alex being an American, well, disaster surely awaits. But for whom?
Coercion is a fast-paced, action packed adventure that will make you beg for more. Go ahead and give this book a try. You'll enjoy every moment too...
This book was FANTASTIC!! I wish I could give it more stars. Tim Tigner's writing excels on so many levels. It has: * intellectual brilliance (think Michael Crichton); * superb plotting, with a hero fighting unknown (to him) enemies (hello, Robert Ludlum); * well-crafted characters that draw the reader in emotionally (hey, Jack Higgins and Mark Dawson); * non-stop action (yo, Lee Child and Vince Flynn); * enough twists to screw your mind; * and a touch of romance to spice things up a bit.
I have been reading conspiracy/political thrillers (my favorite genre) for about 50 years and most of them contain two or three of the above bullets, but none of them combine all those ingredients so masterfully. This is not a "popcorn" thriller (easy read, lots of action). It will stimulate you intellectually as well as totally entertain you for a few hours. Tim Tigner should be on every thriller-reader's "must read" list. He is on mine -- FOREVER.
This book is another home run by by Tim Tigner. Every single time I read a book by this author I am enthralled and this was the same. The characters are so real you hear their voices and see them talking. The story surrounds you and involves thou shoo that you can't even set the book down-you have to just keep turning pages so you know what's happening. This book has all the parts that make it great entertainment to me-characters you live with, a story you live to the point you're actually experiencing it and an ending that leaves you thinking about the book long after you've finished it. Gen yes you should read this book. I recommend it and anything by this author. :)
Alex Ferris is an ex-CIA operative. As the cold war thaws, he encounters a KGB plan that once again makes Russia a country to fear. Investigating the murder of his sibling, and creeping closer to the truth, his suspicions are confirmed as he is nearly snuffed out several times. Ferris travels to Siberia to not only avenge his brother's death, but neutralize the impending Russian threat as well.
Coercion was all that I hoped it'd be. The action is addicting and the build-up at the end is just fabulous. I look forward to reading other Tigner works. There is a lot of talent in his writing style.