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Money—the universal merchant. Anyone can be bought, anyone can be sold.
Anyone.
Haunted by memories of an op gone bad, former assassin Leine Basso travels to Bangkok in search of a missing backpacker. With help from an old contact, she discovers the man responsible for the girl’s disappearance is connected to a violent Hong Kong triad and is the linchpin of an extensive trafficking network—both animal and human.
Making enemies isn’t new for Leine, but making one in the triad is—she soon finds herself a prisoner on board a cargo ship headed for sub-Saharan Africa. To ensure her survival and to continue her hunt for the missing girl, she must join forces with Derek, an ivory poacher who promises to help her.
For a price.
As her involvement intensifies, Leine delves deeper into a disturbing and treacherous criminal underworld where everything has a price.
Anyone.
Haunted by memories of an op gone bad, former assassin Leine Basso travels to Bangkok in search of a missing backpacker. With help from an old contact, she discovers the man responsible for the girl’s disappearance is connected to a violent Hong Kong triad and is the linchpin of an extensive trafficking network—both animal and human.
Making enemies isn’t new for Leine, but making one in the triad is—she soon finds herself a prisoner on board a cargo ship headed for sub-Saharan Africa. To ensure her survival and to continue her hunt for the missing girl, she must join forces with Derek, an ivory poacher who promises to help her.
For a price.
As her involvement intensifies, Leine delves deeper into a disturbing and treacherous criminal underworld where everything has a price.
330 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2015
661 people are currently reading
973 people want to read
About the author
D.V. Berkom
50 books365 followersDV Berkom is the USA Today bestselling author of action-packed, riveting adventure and crime thrillers. Known for creating resilient, kick-ass female characters and page-turning plots, her love of the genre stems from a lifelong addiction to reading spy novels, action/adventure stories, and thrillers.
A restless soul and adventurer at heart, she spent years moving around the US and traveling to exotic locales before she wrote her first novel and was hooked. More than a dozen books later, she now makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Mark, and several imaginary characters who like to tell her what to do. Her most recent books include the Claire Whitcomb Western Series: Retribution, Gunslinger, and Legend, and the latest in the Leine Basso thriller series: Final Encounter, Terminal Threat, Fatal Objective, A Plague of Traitors, and Shadow of the Jaguar. DV's currently hard at work on her next thriller.
For more information, visit her website at www.dvberkom.com. To be the first to hear about new releases and subscriber-only offers, go to: bit.ly/DVB_RL
Books by DV Berkom:
The Kate Jones Thriller Series:
Vol. 1 (books 1-3): Bad Spirits, Dead of Winter, Death Rites, Touring for Death
Cruising for Death
Yucatán Dead
A One Way Ticket to Dead
Vigilante Dead
The Leine Basso Thriller Series:
A Killing Truth
Serial Date
Bad Traffick
The Body Market
Cargo
The Last Deception
Dark Return
Absolution
Dakota Burn
Shadow of the Jaguar
A Plague of Traitors
Fatal Objective
Terminal Threat
Final Encounter
The Claire Whitcomb Western Series:
Retribution
Gunslinger
Legend
A restless soul and adventurer at heart, she spent years moving around the US and traveling to exotic locales before she wrote her first novel and was hooked. More than a dozen books later, she now makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Mark, and several imaginary characters who like to tell her what to do. Her most recent books include the Claire Whitcomb Western Series: Retribution, Gunslinger, and Legend, and the latest in the Leine Basso thriller series: Final Encounter, Terminal Threat, Fatal Objective, A Plague of Traitors, and Shadow of the Jaguar. DV's currently hard at work on her next thriller.
For more information, visit her website at www.dvberkom.com. To be the first to hear about new releases and subscriber-only offers, go to: bit.ly/DVB_RL
Books by DV Berkom:
The Kate Jones Thriller Series:
Vol. 1 (books 1-3): Bad Spirits, Dead of Winter, Death Rites, Touring for Death
Cruising for Death
Yucatán Dead
A One Way Ticket to Dead
Vigilante Dead
The Leine Basso Thriller Series:
A Killing Truth
Serial Date
Bad Traffick
The Body Market
Cargo
The Last Deception
Dark Return
Absolution
Dakota Burn
Shadow of the Jaguar
A Plague of Traitors
Fatal Objective
Terminal Threat
Final Encounter
The Claire Whitcomb Western Series:
Retribution
Gunslinger
Legend
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
August 19, 2015
Berkom must have looked up ‘thriller’ in the dictionary: ‘A novel, play or film with an exciting plot, typically involving crime or espionage', then decided that the definition needed cranking up a notch or two…or six.
I met Leine Basso in Serial Date. I was instantly smitten and stalked her unashamedly through books two and three. I adore her: she’s a doer. A job has to be done, she jolly well gets on and does it. She has determination, courage, intelligence and fearlessness. Well, she’s an ex assassin, after all, but the tough exterior houses a woman of passion, compassion and wit.
However, such sterling qualities don’t keep her out of trouble. A good friend’s headstrong daughter heads to the Far East for some time-out backpacking, but fears the worst when she realises she’s missing. Leine wastes no time and heads off to Bangkok to find her. She soon realises the young girl has been kidnapped for trafficking, but soon picks up her trail; things go badly awry and Leine becomes cargo on its way to Africa, along with ivory poacher Derek, who has seriously annoyed the leader of the trafficking ring. Since Derek values his life as much as Leine does her own, they merge their survival skills to escape. At the same time, the search for the missing girl must continue, but Leine discovers that the atrocity of trafficking isn’t confined to humans…animals are in grave danger too.
If Berkom can bear the weight, I’m just going to pile on another ton of praise for another excellent, fast-paced, gripping and riveting adventure in Leine Basso’s life. This author is described as being 'a slave to the voices in her head'. I hope they’re yelling at her very loudly, because I can’t wait to meet up with Leine again.
Highly recommended.
I met Leine Basso in Serial Date. I was instantly smitten and stalked her unashamedly through books two and three. I adore her: she’s a doer. A job has to be done, she jolly well gets on and does it. She has determination, courage, intelligence and fearlessness. Well, she’s an ex assassin, after all, but the tough exterior houses a woman of passion, compassion and wit.
However, such sterling qualities don’t keep her out of trouble. A good friend’s headstrong daughter heads to the Far East for some time-out backpacking, but fears the worst when she realises she’s missing. Leine wastes no time and heads off to Bangkok to find her. She soon realises the young girl has been kidnapped for trafficking, but soon picks up her trail; things go badly awry and Leine becomes cargo on its way to Africa, along with ivory poacher Derek, who has seriously annoyed the leader of the trafficking ring. Since Derek values his life as much as Leine does her own, they merge their survival skills to escape. At the same time, the search for the missing girl must continue, but Leine discovers that the atrocity of trafficking isn’t confined to humans…animals are in grave danger too.
If Berkom can bear the weight, I’m just going to pile on another ton of praise for another excellent, fast-paced, gripping and riveting adventure in Leine Basso’s life. This author is described as being 'a slave to the voices in her head'. I hope they’re yelling at her very loudly, because I can’t wait to meet up with Leine again.
Highly recommended.
July 1, 2016
Leine Basso is a strong and capable woman. In this adventure she drops back into a life she had abandoned when a friend's daughter goes missing in Thailand. In a parallel subplot her own daughter goes under cover to assist in the investigation of sex traffickers. The action covers several exotic locales that are well but briefly described. The characters all have depth and quickly enter the reader's emotions. The suspense is continuous and the action virtually non-stop. Berkom does a great job of developing the relationships between the characters, and establishing the gritty atmosphere of the locales. The book is an easy and exciting read that is impossible to put down.
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December 14, 2017💝 FREE on Amazon today (12/14/2017)! 💝
March 5, 2018
I think I picked this one up as a freebie in one of the BookBub specials, and I read through almost the entire book on the plane journey up from Dunedin. It was fun, brainless and action-packed with a nicely competent female protagonist, a suitably nasty one-dimensional bad guy, and zero thinking required on my part (although that said, there *were* some heart-breaking descriptions of the effects of illegal game hunting and ivory poaching that I had to skip through)
It does make me want to go back and read Book 1 of Leine's story - I'll check whether my library has it.
It does make me want to go back and read Book 1 of Leine's story - I'll check whether my library has it.
August 11, 2015
DV Berkom writes some fantastic thriller fiction and her latest, Cargo, does not disappoint. In fact, I think she took it up a notch. I anticipated a great read and wondered who Leine will be killing today. The twists and turns the characters and I went through kept the suspense building as the level of danger grew.
DV Berkom writes of strong, kickass, female protagonists and Leine Basso is a prime example. She is a complex character that is hard on the outside, with a soft filling. She is an expert shot and skilled in hand to hand combat. She wants to save everyone. Is it to atone for the guilt she carries from her past life as an assassin? How many lives has she ruined? Does she deserve the happiness she has found with Detective Santiago Jensen? She will do whatever is necessary to achieve her goal and right now, it is to rescue Kylie.
Kylie had been abducted while backpacking overseas and she was in for a horrific experience. She wondered what would become of her. Would they rape her? Would they take her organs and dump her somewhere far from home, never to be found? Would they sell her to the highest bidder? Or worse?
Things don't go the way Leine plans and she ends up in need of rescue herself. She teams up with Derek, who is locked on the ship with her, bound for Africa. He is a poacher and Africa is his home. We will see him grow and develop as DV Berkom takes us on this wild African adventure of...
Poaching, terrorists, animals parading as men. Leine will learn more than she ever wanted to know about poaching and the men behind it. Their brutality and lack of respect for life, whether human or animal is beyond my comprehension. Women are treated as less than human, sold, traded, bartered and murdered at will.
The debasement and abuse heaped on Kylie by another woman totally shocked me. I wasn't prepared for that. How depraved must she be to have no empathy, taking delight at treating her like a dog, or worse. I cannot imagine the terror Kylie felt thinking she may die.
I know this is fiction, but it reeks of realism. I was so angry about it all. I can see the women huddled in dank, dirty surroundings, scared out of their minds. I can see the herd of elephants after being brutally murdered and mutilated for their ivory. I recently read about their tusks being dyed pink so they no longer have any value. I agree with Leine's feelings of disgust with the men who think they can do whatever they want without consequence. I want to see them get theirs.
Wang is a poacher and hopes to become the king of canned hunts, but that is only one of his criminal enterprises. I am hoping, crossing my fingers and talking to the book, please, please, please, make sure he gets what he deserves. I want him to come across someone who can mete out an appropriate punishment. A quick death wouldn't be good enough for me. He needs to suffer horribly.
April is a bonus and I hope her role will grow as DV Berkom expands on the series. I am very curious about her. Leine is her mother and they were estranged for many years, but they had something in common. They had both been abducted. I know April has a story to tell and I want to hear it. What say you, DV?
I read a blog post of DV Berkom's in which she talks of the research she does and I can see it paying off in a big way. The depth and details of the events and how the characters dealt with them were horrific, yet uplifting.
Cargo unfolds at a steady pace as DV Berkom takes us into a dangerous world of abduction, animal and human trafficking, poaching, canned hunts and terrorists. As we travel from the United States, to Bangkok, to sub-Saharan Africa the danger mounts, tension increases and the suspense has me reading faster, telling myself no peeking. When I turned the last page, I sat, just thinking. How cool is that, when a book won't let you go, even after you have finished reading it? That is why DV Berkom is an author to have on your must read list.
I received Cargo by DV Berkom in return for an honest and unbiased review.
DV Berkom writes of strong, kickass, female protagonists and Leine Basso is a prime example. She is a complex character that is hard on the outside, with a soft filling. She is an expert shot and skilled in hand to hand combat. She wants to save everyone. Is it to atone for the guilt she carries from her past life as an assassin? How many lives has she ruined? Does she deserve the happiness she has found with Detective Santiago Jensen? She will do whatever is necessary to achieve her goal and right now, it is to rescue Kylie.
Kylie had been abducted while backpacking overseas and she was in for a horrific experience. She wondered what would become of her. Would they rape her? Would they take her organs and dump her somewhere far from home, never to be found? Would they sell her to the highest bidder? Or worse?
Things don't go the way Leine plans and she ends up in need of rescue herself. She teams up with Derek, who is locked on the ship with her, bound for Africa. He is a poacher and Africa is his home. We will see him grow and develop as DV Berkom takes us on this wild African adventure of...
Poaching, terrorists, animals parading as men. Leine will learn more than she ever wanted to know about poaching and the men behind it. Their brutality and lack of respect for life, whether human or animal is beyond my comprehension. Women are treated as less than human, sold, traded, bartered and murdered at will.
The debasement and abuse heaped on Kylie by another woman totally shocked me. I wasn't prepared for that. How depraved must she be to have no empathy, taking delight at treating her like a dog, or worse. I cannot imagine the terror Kylie felt thinking she may die.
I know this is fiction, but it reeks of realism. I was so angry about it all. I can see the women huddled in dank, dirty surroundings, scared out of their minds. I can see the herd of elephants after being brutally murdered and mutilated for their ivory. I recently read about their tusks being dyed pink so they no longer have any value. I agree with Leine's feelings of disgust with the men who think they can do whatever they want without consequence. I want to see them get theirs.
Wang is a poacher and hopes to become the king of canned hunts, but that is only one of his criminal enterprises. I am hoping, crossing my fingers and talking to the book, please, please, please, make sure he gets what he deserves. I want him to come across someone who can mete out an appropriate punishment. A quick death wouldn't be good enough for me. He needs to suffer horribly.
April is a bonus and I hope her role will grow as DV Berkom expands on the series. I am very curious about her. Leine is her mother and they were estranged for many years, but they had something in common. They had both been abducted. I know April has a story to tell and I want to hear it. What say you, DV?
I read a blog post of DV Berkom's in which she talks of the research she does and I can see it paying off in a big way. The depth and details of the events and how the characters dealt with them were horrific, yet uplifting.
Cargo unfolds at a steady pace as DV Berkom takes us into a dangerous world of abduction, animal and human trafficking, poaching, canned hunts and terrorists. As we travel from the United States, to Bangkok, to sub-Saharan Africa the danger mounts, tension increases and the suspense has me reading faster, telling myself no peeking. When I turned the last page, I sat, just thinking. How cool is that, when a book won't let you go, even after you have finished reading it? That is why DV Berkom is an author to have on your must read list.
I received Cargo by DV Berkom in return for an honest and unbiased review.
June 3, 2021
Leine Basso travels to Thailand and Tanzania in her anti-trafficking work, under circumstances that require her to forge an alliance with an Afrikaner poacher, a complex and fascinating rogue. A tightly structured page-turner with vivid settings and compelling characters, Cargo deals with some of the worst in human behavior: cruelty to fellow humans and to wildlife, motivated by greed. The harm to animals takes place offstage—the reader isn’t forced to watch—but the aftermath is tragic and appalling, and the scenes detailing a trafficking victim’s ordeal haunted me. This is an intense read, but I still recommend it. The last line troubled me, though. It’s closure, full-circle justice of a sort, but it’s disturbing, too—not healing.
December 31, 2017
This was the first of DV Berkoms novels that I had read and I'm hooked. The words flowed so seamlessly, I became entirely engrossed in the action that I lost myself, forgetting I was even reading a book. The pictures painted in my head by her descriptions of the African land and animals, the bad guys, and the big game hunting issues were so realistic, I lost myself in this book as if watching a movie. The only question is which one of her many books shall I read next?
October 21, 2016
Awesome!!
This was my first book from this author, and I couldn't put it down! That's saying a lot, as I'm not one to normally read a book straight through unless it grabs me. Love the strong female lead!
This was my first book from this author, and I couldn't put it down! That's saying a lot, as I'm not one to normally read a book straight through unless it grabs me. Love the strong female lead!
May 9, 2017
Leine is transforming before our eyes in this book series by DV Berkom. She is still tough and leery of relationships except with April, her daughter. She is so afraid of her choices in men and how people close to her parish. However, she is growing and changing. In Cargo Leine encounters old allies halfway across the world from home and makes new ones when she battles human and animal traffickers while distracted about the safety of a loved one.
This is the latest in the Leine Basso series; I can't wait for the next book release. While I wait I will return to DV Berkom series about Kate Jones.
This is the latest in the Leine Basso series; I can't wait for the next book release. While I wait I will return to DV Berkom series about Kate Jones.
October 24, 2017
"DV Delivers a True Mystery Thriller 5+ Stars! "
What did you love best about Cargo?
I loved how I was blindsided by the book. I half expected a decent suspenseful thriller. This knocked me over the head and I had to hold on tight for the ride.
Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?
The plot was deep and complex. I could not figure out how Leine was going to be the heroine. I held my breath so many times and would have flipped the book to the final pages just to appease my curiosity.
Have you listened to any of Kristi Alsip’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
This was my first audio from Kristi. I think I'm going to start her fan club.
In all honesty, she was magnificent in this book and I plan to download the other book she narrated in this series.
Any additional comments?
I've been hesitant to read MC (ex) assassins - to the point I usually avoid them. I've never found it even vaguely intriguing or interesting. But I came across this author on an InstaFreebie site and was instantly subscribed to her newsletter. She's one of the few I haven't clicked "unsubscribe". I figured if her emails keep me entertained, what could a seven hour audiobook do to me?
Oh my wow.
Although this was book 4 in a series, I was able to fall in behind the characters as if I grew up with them. They were an incredible bunch with realistic thoughts, sound judgement, and tangible emotions with corresponding actions. I'd love to invite them over for Thanksgiving dinner! (It's not too early for an RSVP because I'll have to carefully plan to impress!)
Rarely have I lost myself and track of time into the depths of an academically - and grammatically/editorially - deep and suspenseful adventure. The ops is transcontinental and mulit layered in several cultures. It's tight and holds water (and attention).
I am DYING to get to the other books in this series and may even check out the Kate Jones series.
Kristi Alsip was a DYNAMIC narrator for this book. It doesn't appear she has narrated all of Ms Berkom's books, but I will download the ones she voiced first. I'd prefer to keep up the momentum and my enthusiam within this genre (assassins MC) and am apprehensive to change to another narrator. We all know it's a blissful blessing when the two are on the same wavelength.
I strongly, wholeheartedly recommend this audio (author + narrator) for anyone who truly believes listening to a book is a well deserved mini vacation and treat, not to be taken lightly, and money and time well spent!
What did you love best about Cargo?
I loved how I was blindsided by the book. I half expected a decent suspenseful thriller. This knocked me over the head and I had to hold on tight for the ride.
Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?
The plot was deep and complex. I could not figure out how Leine was going to be the heroine. I held my breath so many times and would have flipped the book to the final pages just to appease my curiosity.
Have you listened to any of Kristi Alsip’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
This was my first audio from Kristi. I think I'm going to start her fan club.
In all honesty, she was magnificent in this book and I plan to download the other book she narrated in this series.
Any additional comments?
I've been hesitant to read MC (ex) assassins - to the point I usually avoid them. I've never found it even vaguely intriguing or interesting. But I came across this author on an InstaFreebie site and was instantly subscribed to her newsletter. She's one of the few I haven't clicked "unsubscribe". I figured if her emails keep me entertained, what could a seven hour audiobook do to me?
Oh my wow.
Although this was book 4 in a series, I was able to fall in behind the characters as if I grew up with them. They were an incredible bunch with realistic thoughts, sound judgement, and tangible emotions with corresponding actions. I'd love to invite them over for Thanksgiving dinner! (It's not too early for an RSVP because I'll have to carefully plan to impress!)
Rarely have I lost myself and track of time into the depths of an academically - and grammatically/editorially - deep and suspenseful adventure. The ops is transcontinental and mulit layered in several cultures. It's tight and holds water (and attention).
I am DYING to get to the other books in this series and may even check out the Kate Jones series.
Kristi Alsip was a DYNAMIC narrator for this book. It doesn't appear she has narrated all of Ms Berkom's books, but I will download the ones she voiced first. I'd prefer to keep up the momentum and my enthusiam within this genre (assassins MC) and am apprehensive to change to another narrator. We all know it's a blissful blessing when the two are on the same wavelength.
I strongly, wholeheartedly recommend this audio (author + narrator) for anyone who truly believes listening to a book is a well deserved mini vacation and treat, not to be taken lightly, and money and time well spent!
December 10, 2017
Cargo by D.V. Berkom
An intriguing story with a message. Often authors tend to let the message over-rule the story and the characters. D.V. does not do this. Her stories are gritty, intelligent, plausible for the most part, and exciting.
Her characters are well developed and keep you wanting to turn the pages and find out more about them. Even the baddies are interesting. Horrible yes, but they are baddies.
The atmospherics are well done and attention to detail is quite exciting. for example: "A cardboard box flew out of nowhere, smacking the windshield and whipping up and over the roof.” Nothing to do with the story but tells you about the storm through which they were driving. More please.
An intriguing story with a message. Often authors tend to let the message over-rule the story and the characters. D.V. does not do this. Her stories are gritty, intelligent, plausible for the most part, and exciting.
Her characters are well developed and keep you wanting to turn the pages and find out more about them. Even the baddies are interesting. Horrible yes, but they are baddies.
The atmospherics are well done and attention to detail is quite exciting. for example: "A cardboard box flew out of nowhere, smacking the windshield and whipping up and over the roof.” Nothing to do with the story but tells you about the storm through which they were driving. More please.
December 15, 2017
Gr8 story
When I first started with this story I figured it would be just another spy type of book. By the time I was part way through I realized I was wrong. Lot of believable action with enough twists to make this story very interesting. Definitely worth reading.
When I first started with this story I figured it would be just another spy type of book. By the time I was part way through I realized I was wrong. Lot of believable action with enough twists to make this story very interesting. Definitely worth reading.
May 2, 2022
it is just no
December 1, 2015
Thanks to netgalley.com, D.V. Berkom and Duct Tape Press for the advance ARC for my honest review.
I must confess, that I have all the prior books in this awesome series buried on my Kindle/TBR list and will have to read them now. This one is my favorite of all the 2015 published books I've read.
This one is brilliant written, beautifully done on it's subject content, perfect written to keep the reader reading verse getting upset and not wanting to finish 'Cargo'.
D.V. Berkom takes three hot topics right out of the news, then intertwines them, puts her super action hero Leine Basso right in the mix, you get a heart pounding edge of your seat book, full of twist and turns, fast paced and one that takes you from California to Bangkok and to Tanzania.
I really like the Leine Basso character, she's super human, tough as nails, has no fear, can handle any situation, lethal with any gun and protector of the weak, those that can't defend themselves.
With her daughter Alice wanting to be like Mom, Leine shows that deep inside that tough exterior, she's just like anyone else. With Santiago, even a tough cookie needs a little loving.
Cargo's about sex trafficking, poaching, the illegal ivory and black rhino black market trafficking. Berkom shows just how easy it's to do sex trafficking, with the two scenario's she uses in 'Cargo'.
Can't forget Alma, Zara and Hattie that work for a nonprofit organization that takes care of Lion cubs, then injured or sick adults and with the goal to release them back into the wild.
You also have poaching, the black market for Ivory and Black Rhino which I was familiar with it and found her writing made it more of an educational experience for me.
Berkom's characters are amazing, they are life like, stand out and either good or bad just add to make the story so good.
Even as bad as Derek van der Haar is, being a poacher, trafficking in Ivory and Black Rhino, with his interacting with Leine. You can tell he's really a decent guy and deep down knows he has to make some changes in his life.
I liked the Kylie, to be abducted and sold the way she was, man what a toughie. Knew that when Nassir popped into the story, that in somehow was connected to Leine's past and a host Ranger.
The only thing I would change would have had Leine taking out Kaui but I do like the way Berkom did it and the necklace thing was a brilliant way to end the book.
Better stop since I try not to just rewrite some of the storyline or give too much away and have a bunch of Berkom's books too catch up.
I highly recommend 'Cargo', D.V. Berkom's books and she'll end up being your new favorite.
I must confess, that I have all the prior books in this awesome series buried on my Kindle/TBR list and will have to read them now. This one is my favorite of all the 2015 published books I've read.
This one is brilliant written, beautifully done on it's subject content, perfect written to keep the reader reading verse getting upset and not wanting to finish 'Cargo'.
D.V. Berkom takes three hot topics right out of the news, then intertwines them, puts her super action hero Leine Basso right in the mix, you get a heart pounding edge of your seat book, full of twist and turns, fast paced and one that takes you from California to Bangkok and to Tanzania.
I really like the Leine Basso character, she's super human, tough as nails, has no fear, can handle any situation, lethal with any gun and protector of the weak, those that can't defend themselves.
With her daughter Alice wanting to be like Mom, Leine shows that deep inside that tough exterior, she's just like anyone else. With Santiago, even a tough cookie needs a little loving.
Cargo's about sex trafficking, poaching, the illegal ivory and black rhino black market trafficking. Berkom shows just how easy it's to do sex trafficking, with the two scenario's she uses in 'Cargo'.
Can't forget Alma, Zara and Hattie that work for a nonprofit organization that takes care of Lion cubs, then injured or sick adults and with the goal to release them back into the wild.
You also have poaching, the black market for Ivory and Black Rhino which I was familiar with it and found her writing made it more of an educational experience for me.
Berkom's characters are amazing, they are life like, stand out and either good or bad just add to make the story so good.
Even as bad as Derek van der Haar is, being a poacher, trafficking in Ivory and Black Rhino, with his interacting with Leine. You can tell he's really a decent guy and deep down knows he has to make some changes in his life.
I liked the Kylie, to be abducted and sold the way she was, man what a toughie. Knew that when Nassir popped into the story, that in somehow was connected to Leine's past and a host Ranger.
The only thing I would change would have had Leine taking out Kaui but I do like the way Berkom did it and the necklace thing was a brilliant way to end the book.
Better stop since I try not to just rewrite some of the storyline or give too much away and have a bunch of Berkom's books too catch up.
I highly recommend 'Cargo', D.V. Berkom's books and she'll end up being your new favorite.
April 9, 2017
This series keeps me on the edge of my seat and I love it. Cargo is gritty, fast paced and full of action and suspense. Leine Basso is like a modern day female version of The Equalizer... you know your day is going to get a whole lot better when she comes to the rescue. I like how Ms Berkom weaves both familiar characters and new ones into each story. I especially like how even though these books are part of a series, they can all be read as stand alone novels...and wish more authors would take this cue from Ms Berkom. All around great read.
November 12, 2017
Enjoyed this book . Really love the strong female character. And love that these books show how bad human trafficking really effects everyone.
February 17, 2018
I did not read the first book in this series, but the author touches upon it during this story. Kylie, and 18 year old American backpacker is drugged, kidnapped, and then sold into slavery while in Bangkok. Leine, is a former assassin, who now heads an agency that tracks and exposes human trafficking. Turns out that Kylie is the daughter of Leine's friend from her former life who contacts Leine and asked for her help. Leine leaves immediately for Bangkok to start the search. What she didn't count on was to be captured by the same group that took Kylie and was now headed to Africa in a cell with another prisoner - an African Poacher. Together, they plot their escape from the container ship.
Once in Africa, they begin a search to find Kylie and return to the U.S. Their trek across country is a learning experience for the two of them and for readers who learn about life in that country. Their search is hazardous as they move across country - the notorious slave trader only has to spread a few dollars around to have open eyes and ears everywhere. It is a great help to have acquaintances around who help the duo along on their journey.
When Kylie is finally located, the duo find that they are terribly outgunned and their successful rescue highly improbable. The Chinese trader is a formidable foe who seemed to have every base covered. He is brutal and without a conscience...only money talks.
This is a stand-alone story so there isn't a cliff hanger at the end to temp readers into purchasing the next installment. Even as a series, I'm assuming that each book will be a different mission, and will most likely purchase the next one to see what Leine gets involved in next.
Once in Africa, they begin a search to find Kylie and return to the U.S. Their trek across country is a learning experience for the two of them and for readers who learn about life in that country. Their search is hazardous as they move across country - the notorious slave trader only has to spread a few dollars around to have open eyes and ears everywhere. It is a great help to have acquaintances around who help the duo along on their journey.
When Kylie is finally located, the duo find that they are terribly outgunned and their successful rescue highly improbable. The Chinese trader is a formidable foe who seemed to have every base covered. He is brutal and without a conscience...only money talks.
This is a stand-alone story so there isn't a cliff hanger at the end to temp readers into purchasing the next installment. Even as a series, I'm assuming that each book will be a different mission, and will most likely purchase the next one to see what Leine gets involved in next.
January 17, 2021
One of the best suspence stories
This one of those books that you can't put down. Must say I got a "book hangover" a couple times because I couldn't put the book.
In case a reader doesn't know what a "book hangover". A "book hangover" is when the reader stays up late to try to finish a book.
Then the next day, the reader feels sugglish for staying up late.
It is a story about a powerful, independent woman, Leine Basso, who worked for the government on secret mission. Now retired, she works for organization to help stop human traficing. A friend asked her to look for her daughter who had disappeared while visiting Thailand.
After getting a lead on where the daughter might be, she is betrayed and becomes a prisoner herself on the same boat that daughter is held. Derek explain the reason that he is also a prisoner. He had betrayed a few so called big game hunters, including the most powerful one, Wang. Because of that, he will be sold to the highest bidder and maybe be killed.
While being held captive in a small room, she and the captive who is happen to a poacher formed an unlikely bound to escape. Afterward, the poacher, Derek, agrees to help Leine to find the daughter. Of course, he has his price.
Through most of the story, Leine questions herself if she could really trust Derek or will her betrayed her to save his own skin.
The story is suspensefull from the begining to end. Also, it shows how the different characters change through the stories.
The daughter, Kyle, changes from spoiled woman is very dependent on others, blossmes to independment woman when she realize that she believes no one is coming to help her.
Another reason is that shows the beauty of Africa and the uglyness of human traficing and proaching.
This one of those books that you can't put down. Must say I got a "book hangover" a couple times because I couldn't put the book.
In case a reader doesn't know what a "book hangover". A "book hangover" is when the reader stays up late to try to finish a book.
Then the next day, the reader feels sugglish for staying up late.
It is a story about a powerful, independent woman, Leine Basso, who worked for the government on secret mission. Now retired, she works for organization to help stop human traficing. A friend asked her to look for her daughter who had disappeared while visiting Thailand.
After getting a lead on where the daughter might be, she is betrayed and becomes a prisoner herself on the same boat that daughter is held. Derek explain the reason that he is also a prisoner. He had betrayed a few so called big game hunters, including the most powerful one, Wang. Because of that, he will be sold to the highest bidder and maybe be killed.
While being held captive in a small room, she and the captive who is happen to a poacher formed an unlikely bound to escape. Afterward, the poacher, Derek, agrees to help Leine to find the daughter. Of course, he has his price.
Through most of the story, Leine questions herself if she could really trust Derek or will her betrayed her to save his own skin.
The story is suspensefull from the begining to end. Also, it shows how the different characters change through the stories.
The daughter, Kyle, changes from spoiled woman is very dependent on others, blossmes to independment woman when she realize that she believes no one is coming to help her.
Another reason is that shows the beauty of Africa and the uglyness of human traficing and proaching.
July 15, 2016
Probably one of the best reads in the Leine Brasso series, Cargo sees Leine trying to track down an American backpacker, Kylie, who has disappeared in Thailand. Taking her role with SHEN as seriously as ever, Leine realises that Kylie won't be the only captive she finds.
However, things do not always go as planned and Leine finds herself captive on the same boat as Kylie being shipped to an unknown destination. Forming an unlikely alliance Leine does what she does best, defeat the poor odds against her to continue her quest to find Kylie.
As much as I enjoy reading capable and dynamic protagonist Leine Brasso, each book still keeps me on the edge of my seat as I wait to see how she will turn the tables and who will betray her trust as she battles alone to save the innocent.
Cargo was particularly touching and a challenging read as I find the hunting of animals deplorable and there were a few passages I found disturbing, but I do not blame the author for bringing the issue of poaching to the fore in Cargo. I feel its an issue that needs addressing and if reading this book makes another person take a stance against the destruction of beautiful animals, so be it.
Cargo is unrelenting compelling with a ruthless protagonist in Victor Wang. As usual I was caught up in the action and suspense of the story. I look forward to reading more from one of the most capable and entertaining female protagonists in thrillers at the moment.
However, things do not always go as planned and Leine finds herself captive on the same boat as Kylie being shipped to an unknown destination. Forming an unlikely alliance Leine does what she does best, defeat the poor odds against her to continue her quest to find Kylie.
As much as I enjoy reading capable and dynamic protagonist Leine Brasso, each book still keeps me on the edge of my seat as I wait to see how she will turn the tables and who will betray her trust as she battles alone to save the innocent.
Cargo was particularly touching and a challenging read as I find the hunting of animals deplorable and there were a few passages I found disturbing, but I do not blame the author for bringing the issue of poaching to the fore in Cargo. I feel its an issue that needs addressing and if reading this book makes another person take a stance against the destruction of beautiful animals, so be it.
Cargo is unrelenting compelling with a ruthless protagonist in Victor Wang. As usual I was caught up in the action and suspense of the story. I look forward to reading more from one of the most capable and entertaining female protagonists in thrillers at the moment.
December 20, 2019
My favorite kick-butt heroine
DV Berkom's Leine ( "I hate Madeleine") Basso has been around for some time, and I admit that I'm late to the game. In this, the fourth book, Basso, the former assassin for "the agency" who left after her corrupt (and now dead) former boss gave her false information that lead to her killing her lover, is tracking the missing daughter of a former colleague. Now working for an anti-trafficking organization, she makes use of old contacts and some gnarly combat skills.
Unfortunately, old contacts sometimes have their own agendas, so she goes from hunter to captive in the blink of an eye. At the same time, her daughter begin working for the same organization and disappears while under cover. Nadal teams with another captive - a former poacher - to complete her original mission and eventually succeed.
Berlin's either spent time in Africa or Has done great research. Nadal is clearly not in familiar territory - and neither is the reader. The ongoing romance with her detective friend and loved takes a background role here. Looking forward to reading #5!
DV Berkom's Leine ( "I hate Madeleine") Basso has been around for some time, and I admit that I'm late to the game. In this, the fourth book, Basso, the former assassin for "the agency" who left after her corrupt (and now dead) former boss gave her false information that lead to her killing her lover, is tracking the missing daughter of a former colleague. Now working for an anti-trafficking organization, she makes use of old contacts and some gnarly combat skills.
Unfortunately, old contacts sometimes have their own agendas, so she goes from hunter to captive in the blink of an eye. At the same time, her daughter begin working for the same organization and disappears while under cover. Nadal teams with another captive - a former poacher - to complete her original mission and eventually succeed.
Berlin's either spent time in Africa or Has done great research. Nadal is clearly not in familiar territory - and neither is the reader. The ongoing romance with her detective friend and loved takes a background role here. Looking forward to reading #5!
August 4, 2015
I've read all the Leine Basso stories and have enjoyed seeing how her character has changed over time. Cargo brings back many of the same characters, like Leine's on again, off again lover, mostly on again, Santiago Jensen. His former partner is back as is his buxom, built like a brick outhouse new partner, Bodacious Brady.
Cargo has Leine delving into the dark world of human trafficking, not just the sex trade so much in the news but the indentured slave traffic that has desperate people lured to this dark world with promises of a better life. In the case Leine is working, she is searching for the kidnapped daughter of an American.
The story also touches on the horrific practice of poaching in Africa and how the money can not only go to the poacher but in the end to terrorists. This is a "ripped from the headlines" fast-paced, well presented book that holds the reader's attention from page 1 to the end.
Cargo has Leine delving into the dark world of human trafficking, not just the sex trade so much in the news but the indentured slave traffic that has desperate people lured to this dark world with promises of a better life. In the case Leine is working, she is searching for the kidnapped daughter of an American.
The story also touches on the horrific practice of poaching in Africa and how the money can not only go to the poacher but in the end to terrorists. This is a "ripped from the headlines" fast-paced, well presented book that holds the reader's attention from page 1 to the end.
March 7, 2021
Former professional hit-woman Leine Basso can get into more trouble than most folks, and can usually find a way out. This time she��s trying to help a friend find a defiant daughter missing in a foreign country, a task that turns ugly when she discovers a ship with dozens of humans as cargo, including the one she’s trying to find. And her own daughter back home has flown off to prove herself as an undercover operative worthy of Leine’s praise--you can feel the tension and angst tearing at Leine from all directions. Three continents, a dozen or more subplots, illegal big-game hunts in Africa, and battles with several disgusting bad people will keep you reading this fast-paced thriller late into the night. Oh yeah! I rarely give five stars to thrillers, because it's not my favorite genre. But Dv Berkom is one of the best authors in this crowded field. Disclosure -- I received a pre-publication reviewer print copy in exchange for an honest review. Go Leine!
April 2, 2021
Cargo - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Leine Basso's daughter April is a new agent, like her, at SHEN, an organisation dedicated to helping rescue young foreigners from being drugged, kidnapped and forced into sex slavery.
One such is American Kylie Nelson, whose worried parents hire Leine to investigate, starting in Bangkok and then ending up in Tanzania, on evil mastermind Victor Wang's trail.
What does Leine find out - at first hand?
Who's Derek and where does Leine meet him?
Having made their way to Wang's jungle camp and
escaped from an ambush by armed guards, Leine and Derek must hasten to save not only Kylie but other prisoners at the camp, before it's too late.
Can they succeed and bring an end to the megalomaniac's inhuman machinations?
To find out, get your hands on a copy of D.V. Berkom's sensational fourth Leine Basso Thriller, Cargo, today - you'll take a walk on the wild side and realise how alert you need to be - wherever you go on holiday!
Leine Basso's daughter April is a new agent, like her, at SHEN, an organisation dedicated to helping rescue young foreigners from being drugged, kidnapped and forced into sex slavery.
One such is American Kylie Nelson, whose worried parents hire Leine to investigate, starting in Bangkok and then ending up in Tanzania, on evil mastermind Victor Wang's trail.
What does Leine find out - at first hand?
Who's Derek and where does Leine meet him?
Having made their way to Wang's jungle camp and
escaped from an ambush by armed guards, Leine and Derek must hasten to save not only Kylie but other prisoners at the camp, before it's too late.
Can they succeed and bring an end to the megalomaniac's inhuman machinations?
To find out, get your hands on a copy of D.V. Berkom's sensational fourth Leine Basso Thriller, Cargo, today - you'll take a walk on the wild side and realise how alert you need to be - wherever you go on holiday!
February 15, 2018
A Fast-paced Thriller
This is the 1st novel, I've read by D.V. Berkom + won't be the last.
Kylie, an 18 yr old, left Phoenix on a solo backpacking trip across Southeast Asia. She is abducted + sold on the black market in Bangkok.
Leine Basso, a former assassin, a friend of Kyie's mother, is asked to help find her.
With the help of an old contact, Lou, she tries to track down the man involved in the human trafficking.
The adventure starts when Leine becomes cargo on the way to Africa, along with Derek, an ivory poacher. Being locked up together gives them both a reason to work together.
This is a fast-paced novel that includes an ivory poaching, terrorist, animal + human trafficking, illegal big game hunts ...
A difficult book to put down.
This is the 1st novel, I've read by D.V. Berkom + won't be the last.
Kylie, an 18 yr old, left Phoenix on a solo backpacking trip across Southeast Asia. She is abducted + sold on the black market in Bangkok.
Leine Basso, a former assassin, a friend of Kyie's mother, is asked to help find her.
With the help of an old contact, Lou, she tries to track down the man involved in the human trafficking.
The adventure starts when Leine becomes cargo on the way to Africa, along with Derek, an ivory poacher. Being locked up together gives them both a reason to work together.
This is a fast-paced novel that includes an ivory poaching, terrorist, animal + human trafficking, illegal big game hunts ...
A difficult book to put down.
August 26, 2018
I have read a few of the Leine Basso books with gaps of time in between reads. For some reason, in the interrim, I forget just how much I enjoy the series.
Cargo is no exception. In fact, it may be my favorite of those I have read. Basis finds herself in Afrika trying to recover the daughter of a friend who went missing while travelling alone in Thailand. Basis teams up with a poacher who wants to change his ways. The book carries a strong message about wildlife preservation and the special challenges of the population in Africa.
Berkom's strong characters, quick pace and clear message make this book a great read.
Recommended for all readers who like thrillers. People who have a pro-wildlife bent will also appreciate this book.
Cargo is no exception. In fact, it may be my favorite of those I have read. Basis finds herself in Afrika trying to recover the daughter of a friend who went missing while travelling alone in Thailand. Basis teams up with a poacher who wants to change his ways. The book carries a strong message about wildlife preservation and the special challenges of the population in Africa.
Berkom's strong characters, quick pace and clear message make this book a great read.
Recommended for all readers who like thrillers. People who have a pro-wildlife bent will also appreciate this book.
July 9, 2016
Okay, I'll concede that the heroine can slip the pistol from an assailant's grasp before they can respond and that she can shoot through the eye of a needle at 200 yards, but I didn't see any other super moves on her part. Also, there are a few proofing errors in the story, but they can easily be overlooked as the action and pace more than make up for any trivial glitches. Overall, it's a well written thriller that will keep you involved from the beginning to the end. The pace moves quickly from one exciting scene to the next with little to no drivel in between. And the characters are well developed and believable, as far as a fiction thriller goes.
September 18, 2016
Cargo is the fourth book featuring Leine Basso. The short review is it is like the others, intense.
Leine has a talent for getting into tight situations that will have you on the edge of your seat, wondering how, or even if, she'll manage to accomplish whatever she set out to do. How is she going to manage to get out of whatever dangerous situation she's stumbled into. As in some of Leine's past adventures, in Cargo she finds herself dealing with human trafficking and having to find her way in foreign environments in what I thought was her most intense case so far.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
Leine has a talent for getting into tight situations that will have you on the edge of your seat, wondering how, or even if, she'll manage to accomplish whatever she set out to do. How is she going to manage to get out of whatever dangerous situation she's stumbled into. As in some of Leine's past adventures, in Cargo she finds herself dealing with human trafficking and having to find her way in foreign environments in what I thought was her most intense case so far.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
March 31, 2016
I received this book for free in exchange for a honest review......An excellent read with a strong, butt-kicking female lead- you can't go wrong. I really enjoyed this book from page one until the end. The first page opens up to action which draws you in and leaves you begging for more. It had a bit of everything; suspense, mystery, and a little romance. I wish i had started at book one in the Leine Basso series so i would't have been so lost on the characters but for sure I will start at book one and work my way up.
February 13, 2017
This book will keep you engrossed with the nightmares involved with human trafficking. I loved the strong female character of Leine and how she is trying to make a different life for herself after being an assassin. I also appreciated the risk she takes to save the people caught up in reality of human trafficking. The story line is terrific but more than that is the writer's ability to create and capture the beautiful scenery that the story occurs in. I can feel the atmosphere that she is able to create with her words and for me that takes a good story and makes it a great one.
October 11, 2020
I enjoyed this Leine Basso story set in Tanzania. I didn't start at the beginning of the series, but I enjoy spy type characters, so I decided to just go for it. This was a good one. Fast paced, with lots of action. Leine works for and organization called SHEN, who are the good guys. But her former life as an assassin seems to come in handy in her newer line of work. She meets a lot of interesting characters along the way and is learning how to play nice with others.
I might want to go back and read the other stories so I can figure out her former life more.
I might want to go back and read the other stories so I can figure out her former life more.
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