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Sean Dillon #21
Rain on the Dead
It begins with the attempted assassination of the ex-President of the United States.
Only the presence of Sean Dillon and the fellow members of the ‘Prime Minister’s Private Army’ prevents it becoming a bloodbath. Soon they are on the trail of the perpetrators, confident they will catch them.
What Dillon & Co don’t realize is that they have just sprung a trap that will lead them to almost certain death.
For there is a new Master pulling the strings for al Qaeda in London, and this time he’s going to make sure the hated enemy is destroyed once and for all.
A storm is coming for Sean Dillon…
Only the presence of Sean Dillon and the fellow members of the ‘Prime Minister’s Private Army’ prevents it becoming a bloodbath. Soon they are on the trail of the perpetrators, confident they will catch them.
What Dillon & Co don’t realize is that they have just sprung a trap that will lead them to almost certain death.
For there is a new Master pulling the strings for al Qaeda in London, and this time he’s going to make sure the hated enemy is destroyed once and for all.
A storm is coming for Sean Dillon…
344 pages, Paperback
First published December 30, 2014
512 people are currently reading
1609 people want to read
About the author
Jack Higgins
484 books1,280 followersThere is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Jack Higgins was best known of the many pseudonyms of Henry Patterson. (See also Martin Fallon, Harry Patterson, Hugh Marlowe and James Graham.)
He was the New York Times bestselling author of more than seventy thrillers, including The Eagle Has Landed and The Wolf at the Door. His books have sold more than 250 million copies worldwide.
Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, Patterson grew up in Belfast, Northern Ireland. As a child, Patterson was a voracious reader and later credited his passion for reading with fueling his creative drive to be an author. His upbringing in Belfast also exposed him to the political and religious violence that characterized the city at the time. At seven years old, Patterson was caught in gunfire while riding a tram, and later was in a Belfast movie theater when it was bombed. Though he escaped from both attacks unharmed, the turmoil in Northern Ireland would later become a significant influence in his books, many of which prominently feature the Irish Republican Army. After attending grammar school and college in Leeds, England, Patterson joined the British Army and served two years in the Household Cavalry, from 1947 to 1949, stationed along the East German border. He was considered an expert sharpshooter.
Following his military service, Patterson earned a degree in sociology from the London School of Economics, which led to teaching jobs at two English colleges. In 1959, while teaching at James Graham College, Patterson began writing novels, including some under the alias James Graham. As his popularity grew, Patterson left teaching to write full time. With the 1975 publication of the international blockbuster The Eagle Has Landed, which was later made into a movie of the same name starring Michael Caine, Patterson became a regular fixture on bestseller lists. His books draw heavily from history and include prominent figures—such as John Dillinger—and often center around significant events from such conflicts as World War II, the Korean War, and the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Patterson lived in Jersey, in the Channel Islands.
Jack Higgins was best known of the many pseudonyms of Henry Patterson. (See also Martin Fallon, Harry Patterson, Hugh Marlowe and James Graham.)
He was the New York Times bestselling author of more than seventy thrillers, including The Eagle Has Landed and The Wolf at the Door. His books have sold more than 250 million copies worldwide.
Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, Patterson grew up in Belfast, Northern Ireland. As a child, Patterson was a voracious reader and later credited his passion for reading with fueling his creative drive to be an author. His upbringing in Belfast also exposed him to the political and religious violence that characterized the city at the time. At seven years old, Patterson was caught in gunfire while riding a tram, and later was in a Belfast movie theater when it was bombed. Though he escaped from both attacks unharmed, the turmoil in Northern Ireland would later become a significant influence in his books, many of which prominently feature the Irish Republican Army. After attending grammar school and college in Leeds, England, Patterson joined the British Army and served two years in the Household Cavalry, from 1947 to 1949, stationed along the East German border. He was considered an expert sharpshooter.
Following his military service, Patterson earned a degree in sociology from the London School of Economics, which led to teaching jobs at two English colleges. In 1959, while teaching at James Graham College, Patterson began writing novels, including some under the alias James Graham. As his popularity grew, Patterson left teaching to write full time. With the 1975 publication of the international blockbuster The Eagle Has Landed, which was later made into a movie of the same name starring Michael Caine, Patterson became a regular fixture on bestseller lists. His books draw heavily from history and include prominent figures—such as John Dillinger—and often center around significant events from such conflicts as World War II, the Korean War, and the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Patterson lived in Jersey, in the Channel Islands.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 205 reviews
July 22, 2018
The arch criminal known as The Master (C'mon Man, show some creativity. At least call yourself the Purple Claw or something) sends some inept assassins after the President of the United States. The attempt fails and Sean Dillon and Co start tracking things down.
A name from Dillon's past starts to surface.
It's OK. I liked it better than the last one of these I read.
A name from Dillon's past starts to surface.
It's OK. I liked it better than the last one of these I read.
February 2, 2018
Continuation of well-developed character, Sean Dillon. The more he is involved, the better the story. His sidekicks add little. 6 of 10 stars
January 28, 2015
With the unexpected invitation by former President Jake Cazalet for both Sean Dillon and Sara Gideon to visit his home in Nantucket, the coincidence of the visit was what saved Cazalet’s life. For Al Qaeda had ordered his assassination – the two Chechens tasked with the job took one too many risks, and it didn’t pay off. But the concern about security left Cazalet at a loss – and what Dillon discovered in his search for answers shocked him to the core. Was his Irish past finally catching up with him?
In London, the Master was once again pulling the strings. With his deep knowledge of what was happening around the world, evil was at his fingertips. And his minions were more than happy to help him; for a price of course. General Ferguson, Major Roper and the team of undercover MI5 operatives had known evil in their time, but this new Master was in a different and terrifying league.
From Europe to Ireland, the US to the UK – there was revenge in the hearts of many. The terrorists of Al Qaeda were hell-bent on eliminating those who had caused them grief in the past – and Dillon was on that list. As he worked with his trusted team, he wondered if it had all caught up with him at last. What would be the final outcome? The deeper the investigation went, the more determined they were that good would outweigh evil…
Rain on the Dead is another brilliant thriller by Jack Higgins! The growth of the characters has continued over the series; the grittiness and tension hasn’t lessened. The final twist was great – I definitely wasn’t expecting it! I haven’t been disappointed yet and I’ve been reading this series for a lot of years; except of course for the wait I have for the next in the series. Highly recommended.
In London, the Master was once again pulling the strings. With his deep knowledge of what was happening around the world, evil was at his fingertips. And his minions were more than happy to help him; for a price of course. General Ferguson, Major Roper and the team of undercover MI5 operatives had known evil in their time, but this new Master was in a different and terrifying league.
From Europe to Ireland, the US to the UK – there was revenge in the hearts of many. The terrorists of Al Qaeda were hell-bent on eliminating those who had caused them grief in the past – and Dillon was on that list. As he worked with his trusted team, he wondered if it had all caught up with him at last. What would be the final outcome? The deeper the investigation went, the more determined they were that good would outweigh evil…
Rain on the Dead is another brilliant thriller by Jack Higgins! The growth of the characters has continued over the series; the grittiness and tension hasn’t lessened. The final twist was great – I definitely wasn’t expecting it! I haven’t been disappointed yet and I’ve been reading this series for a lot of years; except of course for the wait I have for the next in the series. Highly recommended.
January 16, 2015
Let me start out by saying that I have read Jack Higgins for a LONG time. That being said, I fear either his writing skills are deteriorating or I have just simply outgrown him. How sad. I love his Sean Dillion series and the character, but I found myself struggling to get interested in his latest offering. It’s just too formulaic. The good guys always win; the bad guys always die. There’s simply too much ‘in the right place at the right time’ happenstance to really work for me. Perhaps at the age of 85 it’s unreasonable to expect the same quality of writing from Higgins.
March 15, 2015
I've lived the Sean Dillon novels as grand distractions with good plots and strong characters. Sadly, this is a muddle with a weak, overly complex plot and too many characters to sort out. Yawn. Sad. Disappointing.
September 1, 2024
This book nearly killed me as you can tell by how long it took me to read lol. Terrible plot, a million characters, bad writing. My parents are also reading it which is the only reason I finished, but this is a classic example of an author just pumping out terrible books because he can.
May 12, 2018
Second Read: An action-packed novel that goes from Nantucket to Ireland to England.
Sean Dillon and Sara Gideon are in the right place at the right time as they save former President Jake Cazalet from assassination at his Nantucket home. The would-be assassins are killed and are found to be Chechans. As leads are followed, Sean realizes they are up against the infamous manipulator known as The Master, who works for al-Qaeda. This man must be found and taken out and it is up to Sean and Sara.
First Read: I can't believe I've never read a Jack Higgins book before. This is my first one. Overall I liked it quite well, and probably will try another. Interesting reading. I've even had some in my house and apartment and still haven't read them. Shame on me. Recommend
Sean Dillon and Sara Gideon are in the right place at the right time as they save former President Jake Cazalet from assassination at his Nantucket home. The would-be assassins are killed and are found to be Chechans. As leads are followed, Sean realizes they are up against the infamous manipulator known as The Master, who works for al-Qaeda. This man must be found and taken out and it is up to Sean and Sara.
First Read: I can't believe I've never read a Jack Higgins book before. This is my first one. Overall I liked it quite well, and probably will try another. Interesting reading. I've even had some in my house and apartment and still haven't read them. Shame on me. Recommend
July 28, 2016
This is a fast paced thriller that I thoroughly enjoyed. Once started you can't put down, a terrific storyline with great characters, Sean Dillon is brilliant, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.
February 28, 2025
Started and realized I have already read it and pretty recently.
February 2, 2015
SUBJECTIVE READER REVIEW FOLLOWS:
Without sounding too dour, Jack Higgins' books are becoming a bit like Michael Connelly's; they make you comfortably numb. Maybe I'm just reading too many of them, but the characters and storylines only occasionally get exciting. I think Jack Higgins would be a major find to a first time reader--I sure reacted that way. When the posse headed off to Africa or the Middle East for intrigue things got interesting, but Rain on the Dead, although incorporating the Al Quada spectre, still relies on the Higgins trademark of the Provisional IRA for the meat of antagonism. Perhaps a new enemy might brighten up this 'Holland Park' series. I came close to giving this one three stars, so my rating is actually a 3.5, rounded up to the next whole number. Now for the positives; Higgins' books are not long, so it's a nice short read for a cross-country trip or a weekend. Another little boost to Holland Park's stogy Major Roper would be the sizzling sexual uptakes of Sara Gideon, Billy and Sean. A decent read, enjoy it.
SPOILER PLOT SUMMARY FOLLOWS:
The Emancipation of Hannah Flynn. Al Quada's High Council has designated a new Master for London, MI5 Safe House Supt Max Shelby, who takes on his new role with gusto. His two highest priorities are the elimination of Charles Ferguson's posse and the assassination of former POTUS Jake Cazalet, who insists on traveling without protection, narrowly escaping a hit by two Chechen boys in Nantucket. As Cazalet proceeds to Paris to attend an international conference, Sean Dillon and Sara Gideon are dispatched to cover the holes in a discordant DGSE Dir Claude Duval's coverage. They discourage the Paris hit and return to London, only to find conspiracy hits planned against Holland Park by Tim Kelly and Tod Flynn, the later a cousin of Sean Dillon's. They travel to Flynn's estate Drumgoole in County Down only to find the Master's Army of God has dispatched hitters from Belfast. They manage to eliminate Tully and Bell but lose one of their conscripts, Sean's cousin Tod Flynn. His niece Hannah, whose parents were killed by Tully and Bell years ago and badly wounded her, is of pure heart, is drawn to Sara Gideon-also crippled but from war in Afghan-and has been targeted for disposal by the Master. She agrees to go live in London with Sara and her father at Highfield Court, where she resumes her piano playing, enrolled to attend college there. Cazalet's visit to London is really about flushing out the Master, which they do with aplomb, killing most of his paid hitters and savants along the way. Billy Salter is finished with killing for a while and takes holiday.
Without sounding too dour, Jack Higgins' books are becoming a bit like Michael Connelly's; they make you comfortably numb. Maybe I'm just reading too many of them, but the characters and storylines only occasionally get exciting. I think Jack Higgins would be a major find to a first time reader--I sure reacted that way. When the posse headed off to Africa or the Middle East for intrigue things got interesting, but Rain on the Dead, although incorporating the Al Quada spectre, still relies on the Higgins trademark of the Provisional IRA for the meat of antagonism. Perhaps a new enemy might brighten up this 'Holland Park' series. I came close to giving this one three stars, so my rating is actually a 3.5, rounded up to the next whole number. Now for the positives; Higgins' books are not long, so it's a nice short read for a cross-country trip or a weekend. Another little boost to Holland Park's stogy Major Roper would be the sizzling sexual uptakes of Sara Gideon, Billy and Sean. A decent read, enjoy it.
SPOILER PLOT SUMMARY FOLLOWS:
The Emancipation of Hannah Flynn. Al Quada's High Council has designated a new Master for London, MI5 Safe House Supt Max Shelby, who takes on his new role with gusto. His two highest priorities are the elimination of Charles Ferguson's posse and the assassination of former POTUS Jake Cazalet, who insists on traveling without protection, narrowly escaping a hit by two Chechen boys in Nantucket. As Cazalet proceeds to Paris to attend an international conference, Sean Dillon and Sara Gideon are dispatched to cover the holes in a discordant DGSE Dir Claude Duval's coverage. They discourage the Paris hit and return to London, only to find conspiracy hits planned against Holland Park by Tim Kelly and Tod Flynn, the later a cousin of Sean Dillon's. They travel to Flynn's estate Drumgoole in County Down only to find the Master's Army of God has dispatched hitters from Belfast. They manage to eliminate Tully and Bell but lose one of their conscripts, Sean's cousin Tod Flynn. His niece Hannah, whose parents were killed by Tully and Bell years ago and badly wounded her, is of pure heart, is drawn to Sara Gideon-also crippled but from war in Afghan-and has been targeted for disposal by the Master. She agrees to go live in London with Sara and her father at Highfield Court, where she resumes her piano playing, enrolled to attend college there. Cazalet's visit to London is really about flushing out the Master, which they do with aplomb, killing most of his paid hitters and savants along the way. Billy Salter is finished with killing for a while and takes holiday.
April 26, 2016
I guess I shouldn't have read #21 or whatever in the series first. I was introduced to character after character without any real explanation or character development, so I spent most of the book confused. I'm still not quite sure of the point of the story, or who were the antag/protagonists. And the good guys beat the bad guys way too easily. Bad guys send in their best assassins, good guys kill them, end scene. And repeat. A bit repetitive and very UK. I had to work pretty hard a few times to figure out certain turns of phrase or vocabulary. Not my favorite book, but maybe I'll try again with book 1 of the series.
March 17, 2015
Really disappointing. It was a story that just dragged you along - so that was good. It wasn't very believable. The dialog was amazing. No one talks like that. Everyone talked the same, so matter where they were from, and every other line was a cliche - maybe even 2 of 3.
December 16, 2016
Uggh. Slowest read ever. 2-3 pages would put me to sleep every time. Writing - wooden. Story - bogus. Phoned in. Not the Higgins I remember from 'The Eagle Has Landed'. 2 stars.
December 12, 2023
Book 144: RAIN ON THE DEAD by Jack Higgins. Sean Dillon volume twenty-one - the penultimate instalment - sees Higgins adopting a back-to-basics approach. The prose is succinct, the pace effective, the action scenes front and centre, and best of all it’s not one of those Dillon-lite outings. Higgins’ tendency to introduce ever more protagonists is present and correct, with Dillon’s cousin, teenage sharpshooter and piano prodigy Hannah, joining in the fun and giving the novel an extra shot of sass.
March 2, 2017
Beyond awful. There was not enough plot to last 100 pages, never mind 300+ that it does. I couldn't even finish it, it was so bad.
There's endless amounts of people sitting around thinking about things, nobody seems to eat or drink anything else other than bacon sandwiches, champagne and tea. The dialogue is as weak as thin air, and some of the incidents are weaker still. Scenes, plots, dialogue have all been in nearly every other Jack Higgins book, especially the Sean Dillon series.
In this book, several times we're told more than once of the same thing happening within two pages. It happens the first time, then on the same page or next one, a character recounts the events to someone else, and then on the same page or next, the same thing happens again!
Somebody who has only been writing a couple of years could do better than this, so how someone with the experience of Jack Higgins has turned out this tosh is beyond me.
There's endless amounts of people sitting around thinking about things, nobody seems to eat or drink anything else other than bacon sandwiches, champagne and tea. The dialogue is as weak as thin air, and some of the incidents are weaker still. Scenes, plots, dialogue have all been in nearly every other Jack Higgins book, especially the Sean Dillon series.
In this book, several times we're told more than once of the same thing happening within two pages. It happens the first time, then on the same page or next one, a character recounts the events to someone else, and then on the same page or next, the same thing happens again!
Somebody who has only been writing a couple of years could do better than this, so how someone with the experience of Jack Higgins has turned out this tosh is beyond me.
February 5, 2015
To start, I've been reading Higgins for decades and adore this series. However, this book just didn't do it for me.
I still just don't like the Sara Gideon character. and the action? was not up to the usual high level I've come to expect from this author. The book plot started out very promisingly, but there was no follow through for this reader. Back to Ireland, of all places. Seems like it's become a go-to for this series.
Hannah adjusted to her new circumstances remarkably quickly and with apparent ease. I felt like Blake Johnson was just thrown into the storyline, however briefly, for no apparent reason.
Still, I'd take an average Jack Higgins book over many other authors.
I still just don't like the Sara Gideon character. and the action? was not up to the usual high level I've come to expect from this author. The book plot started out very promisingly, but there was no follow through for this reader. Back to Ireland, of all places. Seems like it's become a go-to for this series.
Hannah adjusted to her new circumstances remarkably quickly and with apparent ease. I felt like Blake Johnson was just thrown into the storyline, however briefly, for no apparent reason.
Still, I'd take an average Jack Higgins book over many other authors.
February 12, 2015
Sean Dillon and team...
While this book was a refreshing read from the last 2-3 books in this series, it still is no longer as exciting as it used to be earlier, what with Dillon clones appearing and disappearing - plus the large number of characters ensuring that some of them get put on a bus, with no mention in this book - especially people like Monica Starling, Daniel Holley, Declan Rashid. Plus tenuous IRA connections are brought in with hardly any relevance, not to mention that the villains keep holding the Idiot Ball and making things complicated, for no apparent reason. And the effective bad guys, end up turning good anyways.
Time for something new. After this series is retired.
While this book was a refreshing read from the last 2-3 books in this series, it still is no longer as exciting as it used to be earlier, what with Dillon clones appearing and disappearing - plus the large number of characters ensuring that some of them get put on a bus, with no mention in this book - especially people like Monica Starling, Daniel Holley, Declan Rashid. Plus tenuous IRA connections are brought in with hardly any relevance, not to mention that the villains keep holding the Idiot Ball and making things complicated, for no apparent reason. And the effective bad guys, end up turning good anyways.
Time for something new. After this series is retired.
January 5, 2015
It was good to catch up with Sean and the the team again even though it's become rather formulaic. It is however a good formula as I keep coming back for more, it's more like stopping by with old friends, and surely they must be in their dotage now? Some good action, but I still can't get used to Sean dressing in designer duds..
February 26, 2015
Quite a ride!
I had trouble with the deep language that Higgins writes this in, and I don't understand some of the historical references. However, I understood more than enough to really enjoy the plot, twists, action, and "foreign-ness" of this book to recommend it. Be patient, but read this for a pretty cool story.
I had trouble with the deep language that Higgins writes this in, and I don't understand some of the historical references. However, I understood more than enough to really enjoy the plot, twists, action, and "foreign-ness" of this book to recommend it. Be patient, but read this for a pretty cool story.
September 18, 2015
A decent story w/excellent narration by Michael Page.
May 16, 2019
This is another enjoyable Sean Dillon (and Company) caper, the 21st featuring the former Provisional IRA enforcer, turned agent for the British Secret Service. While not my favorite in this long-lasting franchise, it carries most all of the hallmarks that have come to be known throughout. The main difference being, in the last several books, that Dillon, who is now about 62, is not as spry as he was when the series started, though he is still feared and a threat to most. The plot is fairly typical with Dillon and his cohorts (Brig Gen Ferguson, Capt Sarah Gideon, Maj Charles Roper, Billy, and his uncle Harry, Salter) having to "save the day," so to speak, this time from the plans of an Al-Queda man, known only as the Master who is unknown outside the circle of his Council and who has utter control over several assets worldwide. The identity of the Master does add a twist to the story. They are joined in their escapade by none other than former US President Jake Cazalet (who first appeared in the series in the 1997 book "The President's Daughter"). I will admit it is not one of Higgins' best works, with incorrect details such as a non-existent protection detail for an ex-president, but for a Sean Dillon fan, it was an enjoyable read, containing plenty of action with some twists and turns along the way. The main action takes place in Nantucket (Massachusetts, USA), Drumgoole (Ireland), Paris (France) and London (England), with a few other locations thrown in for good measure. I rate this book half way between a 3 (due to a few detail inaccuracies, though many popular authors suffer from this) and a 4 (as I like the characters and the plot with sub-plots), so will round it up. For those interested, the Sean Dillon tales begin with "Eye of the Storm" (1992).
July 23, 2017
I have read all of the books with Sean Dillion and am amazed the man is still alive, more lives than James Bond. I so enjoy all the side characters too. Part of me feels we could get a better handle on this "Master" plot and end this AQ thing in London but one only needs to be partially watching the news to know this has a way to go before it is finished - sadly. So while Sean and his friends are just a figment of Mr Higgins mind, I do believe there are real Sean Dillion's in the world who keep me safe.
We start with a failed assignation on previous President Cazalet on Nantucket. That builds to a new Master in place in London will all sorts of havoc. Cazalet decides to run over to Paris and London and slightly upset the current President but to play with Dillion and Ferguson. Some of those that the Master has called to assist are not true followers. It is nice to see when they question some of his directives and end up on the good side, which grows each book.
A few English words confuse me with their meaning but I got the jist. Is this the best book in the series? No, but it is a book in the series and die hard Jack Higgins fans will be glad they read this book.
We start with a failed assignation on previous President Cazalet on Nantucket. That builds to a new Master in place in London will all sorts of havoc. Cazalet decides to run over to Paris and London and slightly upset the current President but to play with Dillion and Ferguson. Some of those that the Master has called to assist are not true followers. It is nice to see when they question some of his directives and end up on the good side, which grows each book.
A few English words confuse me with their meaning but I got the jist. Is this the best book in the series? No, but it is a book in the series and die hard Jack Higgins fans will be glad they read this book.
February 24, 2021
Before my review of ‘Rain on the Dead’, I should acknowledge that my reviews are always likely to be negative…… reading tastes are so individual that a recommendation to read a particular novel would be presumptuous of another person’s taste…. but, for reasons I can’t explain, a recommendation not to read seems less presumptuous…… so here goes…
Henry Patterson has been publishing novels under various names since 1959, and as Jack Higgins since 1966. As such, I have been aware of his novels from the late 1960’s onwards, but I have never read one of his novels until now.
I found this novel unreadable. A much greater than usual proportion of the text was speech, which can be a good thing as it tends to move the story on, but in this case the speech was so disjointed that the story didn’t flow at all…… so I gave up on it.
I would love to hear from anyone else who thought this novel was disappointing but who could tell me whether his earlier novels were any better……. I can’t believe that his previous 75 novels could be as bad as this and still be published.
Henry Patterson has been publishing novels under various names since 1959, and as Jack Higgins since 1966. As such, I have been aware of his novels from the late 1960’s onwards, but I have never read one of his novels until now.
I found this novel unreadable. A much greater than usual proportion of the text was speech, which can be a good thing as it tends to move the story on, but in this case the speech was so disjointed that the story didn’t flow at all…… so I gave up on it.
I would love to hear from anyone else who thought this novel was disappointing but who could tell me whether his earlier novels were any better……. I can’t believe that his previous 75 novels could be as bad as this and still be published.
May 25, 2022
finished yesterday 24th may 2022 good read three stars i liked it kindle library loaner first from higgins. fast-paced to the point where due to time and limits to read my focus was not what it could or should be and i had to backtrack a time or two. there's even one scene that i should have returned to to see what failed to register...the death of someone? more than a few of the characters sounded the same but they eat well...after a climatic moment they dine out. and now i read a headline about some al qaeda operative out to get president bush? wouldn't be the first time fiction seems to trigger reality. does king suffer a twinge of guilt each time there is a school shooting? and wonder what in the world he was thinking when he has charlie's classmates swoon to the floor over his murderous acts? beware the cheerleaders. they'll hit you with their pompoms.
September 18, 2017
Rain on the Dead
For those of you who enjoy Sean Dillon the former IRA operative who now works for British intelligence, you may be a little disappointed that he is not the main focus of the book although he plays a large part. At the beginning of the book he is faced with a perplexing problem when it seems that the persons involved in a botched attempt on the life of a former U. S. president is his cousin and his friend. However, he does end up telling Ferguson and Gideon.
This book was very depressing in a way because it revealed how war and the effects of war changes people. It also points out how the ineptitude of politicians keeps us in wars that don't really make a difference for anyone.
For those of you who enjoy Sean Dillon the former IRA operative who now works for British intelligence, you may be a little disappointed that he is not the main focus of the book although he plays a large part. At the beginning of the book he is faced with a perplexing problem when it seems that the persons involved in a botched attempt on the life of a former U. S. president is his cousin and his friend. However, he does end up telling Ferguson and Gideon.
This book was very depressing in a way because it revealed how war and the effects of war changes people. It also points out how the ineptitude of politicians keeps us in wars that don't really make a difference for anyone.
August 1, 2019
I don't usually bother to write a review but I have to with this book. It was simply awful. Far too many situations that simple do not make sense. A former US President, living on Nantucket, but with no Secret service or any security that would-be assassins can simply land on the beach and walk right up to his house to kill him. Fortunately, the bad guys are a bit strung out and really mess it up and the former President just happens to have well-armed guests visiting. How convenient.
On at least two other occasions, other would-be killers are too drunk at the key moment to carry out their missions. Add in one dimensional cliched characters and plot situations, this book really misses the mark.
Don't bother.
On at least two other occasions, other would-be killers are too drunk at the key moment to carry out their missions. Add in one dimensional cliched characters and plot situations, this book really misses the mark.
Don't bother.
December 5, 2017
This series was a recommended read through goodreads because of a previous preference for Colin Forbes - can see the similarities. In reality insignificant difference in plot formulation between Jack Higgins and Colin Forbes. Was a little annoyed with the language as not the best grammar, had me at times reconstructing the sentence. Put this down to churning out a prolific series, as imagine time constraints do not allow this to be cleaned up.
Originally was going to post 3 stars, although deserves an extra star, as even though the plot was somewhat tacky, still had me reading this in quick time, something that has not occurred with a book for sometime.
Originally was going to post 3 stars, although deserves an extra star, as even though the plot was somewhat tacky, still had me reading this in quick time, something that has not occurred with a book for sometime.
September 30, 2017
Great Read!
I have always loved Jack Higgins' novels and this one doesn't disappoint. Sean Dillon gives the hope of redemption for all who may have fought for a cause and then gone on to a different life. Sarah. Gideon is a great example of a strong, competent woman soldier. Ferguson is a wily one. Roper is a survivor who has created a new existence. I feel like I know all of the characters and have grown/aged along with them! Jake Cazelet is a relative newcomer and I look forward to his joining the"private army"!
I have always loved Jack Higgins' novels and this one doesn't disappoint. Sean Dillon gives the hope of redemption for all who may have fought for a cause and then gone on to a different life. Sarah. Gideon is a great example of a strong, competent woman soldier. Ferguson is a wily one. Roper is a survivor who has created a new existence. I feel like I know all of the characters and have grown/aged along with them! Jake Cazelet is a relative newcomer and I look forward to his joining the"private army"!
December 19, 2020
Engaging tale of derring do as a group of mostly British and Irish spies does battle with an Al Qaeda mastermind, lamely called The Master. He should have at least been called The Sword of Allah or The Black Death. The real hero of the novel is not the familiar characters of Dillon and Gideon, but ex-gangster Billy Salter. Next in line for kudos is the titanium bullet proof vest that all the good guys happen to wear. I guess the title comes from the fact that it seems to rain every day throughout the story.
October 30, 2017
First book read by this author.
A very fast paced thriller revolving around former IRA members, US government, MI5 and AQ....I liked Dillon and Sarah's characters and the plot itself was pretty good. I did however find at times it was hard to keep up with who was who and which side they were on!!
But, it was a very good read and i do recommend it, and will look forward to reading others in the series.
A very fast paced thriller revolving around former IRA members, US government, MI5 and AQ....I liked Dillon and Sarah's characters and the plot itself was pretty good. I did however find at times it was hard to keep up with who was who and which side they were on!!
But, it was a very good read and i do recommend it, and will look forward to reading others in the series.
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