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Mac Ambrose #2
Deceits of Borneo
A disappearance. A murder. An ominous conspiracy.
A determined, young CIA operative races to uncover the secrets of powerful interests that threaten Borneo’s rainforest.
Haunted by her last mission, solitary Mac Ambrose craves a fresh start. But a call from Langley interrupts her undercover assignment at Legion Bank in Hong Kong--a fellow spy is missing.
With the help of an activist, Mac plunges into Malaysia’s rainforest to track down the disappearance of the wily Josh Halloway. But the search soon uncovers a mysterious murder with links to a powerful timber corporation. Back in Hong Kong, Mac finds herself entangled in a conspiracy of international finance, environmental destruction, and national security. What will she risk to help Josh right his wrongs? How far will she go to expose the complicity of governments and international banks?
Murder, greed, betrayal and redemption combine into one gratifyingly taut and intricate novel that could have been written only by an insider.
A determined, young CIA operative races to uncover the secrets of powerful interests that threaten Borneo’s rainforest.
Haunted by her last mission, solitary Mac Ambrose craves a fresh start. But a call from Langley interrupts her undercover assignment at Legion Bank in Hong Kong--a fellow spy is missing.
With the help of an activist, Mac plunges into Malaysia’s rainforest to track down the disappearance of the wily Josh Halloway. But the search soon uncovers a mysterious murder with links to a powerful timber corporation. Back in Hong Kong, Mac finds herself entangled in a conspiracy of international finance, environmental destruction, and national security. What will she risk to help Josh right his wrongs? How far will she go to expose the complicity of governments and international banks?
Murder, greed, betrayal and redemption combine into one gratifyingly taut and intricate novel that could have been written only by an insider.
332 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 7, 2015
101 people are currently reading
385 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 2, 2015
4.5 stars
I wish to thank the author, H.N. Wake, for gifting me a copy of Deceits of Borneo in exchange for an unbiased review. I also want to say that I beta read this book for Ms. Wake, but have not let that experience falsely color my review.
I do not generally read spy or political novels, but I am a huge fan of H.N. Wake and her Mac Ambrose writings. Deceits of Borneo is her second novel. She also has a Mac Ambrose novella titled Ghosts of Macau. As a beta reader for Ms. Wake, I have had the pleasure of seeing her grow and develop her craft and transition from a writer to an author.
In Deceits of Borneo, Mac is assigned to search out a missing CIA agent. Her investigation leads her to the Malaysian rainforest where she becomes deeply involved in the issue of its merciless destruction by the timber industry.
There is a lot to like here, readers. Firstly, Ms. Wake has honed her skills in character development so that we can now see why Mac is geared the way she is. We also get insight into several of the lesser characters, which added significantly to my enjoyment. I particularly liked Joyce Tattle and nerdy agent 89 and their repartee. In addition, there is a hint of romance and some real “haha moments” that had me laughing out loud. The plot is intriguing; the clues and the twists are laid out beautifully. There are several well done flashbacks scenes, which are perfectly positioned within the ongoing tale. With no filler or wasted words, the pace of the story is excellent.
Ms. Wake is now displaying her talent for showcasing her setting. The author has spent a couple of decades living in Asia and this is obvious in her writings. I was not only able to see, but also hear and smell the rainforest in all its beauty through her words. Her descriptions of the plight of the natives and animals indigenous to the jungle are both powerful and heartbreaking. Through her portrayal of the land and its people I found myself becoming more and more invested in the struggle to save the rainforests.
Ms. Wake’s stories are not just about generic good guys and bad guys, but about real issues facing the world today. Ms. Wake, through Mac Ambrose, tackles the gun control issue in the United States in book 1 of this series, A Spy Came Home. This time she goes after the destruction of the rainforest. Both books are incredibly well researched, giving us what appears to be a real insider’s view of these concerns and the workings of the CIA. I highly recommend Deceits of Borneo to not only fans of spy or political novels, but to any reader looking for an excellent book to dig into.
I wish to thank the author, H.N. Wake, for gifting me a copy of Deceits of Borneo in exchange for an unbiased review. I also want to say that I beta read this book for Ms. Wake, but have not let that experience falsely color my review.
I do not generally read spy or political novels, but I am a huge fan of H.N. Wake and her Mac Ambrose writings. Deceits of Borneo is her second novel. She also has a Mac Ambrose novella titled Ghosts of Macau. As a beta reader for Ms. Wake, I have had the pleasure of seeing her grow and develop her craft and transition from a writer to an author.
In Deceits of Borneo, Mac is assigned to search out a missing CIA agent. Her investigation leads her to the Malaysian rainforest where she becomes deeply involved in the issue of its merciless destruction by the timber industry.
There is a lot to like here, readers. Firstly, Ms. Wake has honed her skills in character development so that we can now see why Mac is geared the way she is. We also get insight into several of the lesser characters, which added significantly to my enjoyment. I particularly liked Joyce Tattle and nerdy agent 89 and their repartee. In addition, there is a hint of romance and some real “haha moments” that had me laughing out loud. The plot is intriguing; the clues and the twists are laid out beautifully. There are several well done flashbacks scenes, which are perfectly positioned within the ongoing tale. With no filler or wasted words, the pace of the story is excellent.
Ms. Wake is now displaying her talent for showcasing her setting. The author has spent a couple of decades living in Asia and this is obvious in her writings. I was not only able to see, but also hear and smell the rainforest in all its beauty through her words. Her descriptions of the plight of the natives and animals indigenous to the jungle are both powerful and heartbreaking. Through her portrayal of the land and its people I found myself becoming more and more invested in the struggle to save the rainforests.
Ms. Wake’s stories are not just about generic good guys and bad guys, but about real issues facing the world today. Ms. Wake, through Mac Ambrose, tackles the gun control issue in the United States in book 1 of this series, A Spy Came Home. This time she goes after the destruction of the rainforest. Both books are incredibly well researched, giving us what appears to be a real insider’s view of these concerns and the workings of the CIA. I highly recommend Deceits of Borneo to not only fans of spy or political novels, but to any reader looking for an excellent book to dig into.
July 16, 2021
“Her mother’s voice whispered in the dark, soft and insidious against her ear. ‘Keep up, Mac, I don’t have time for your slowness today…You are less than we expected.” Mac Ambrose, a resourceful, tenacious CIA agent is haunted not just by ghosts of her last mission, but also by the recurring tapes playing in her head, the ones echoing her mother’s reproach. Those criticisms seemed to have cast doubts in her psyche and fed her loneliness.
We first met Mac in Ms. Wake’s debut novel, A Spy Came Home, which was followed by the novella, Ghosts in Macau. If you liked Mac in those works, I promise, you will love her in Deceits of Borneo. She starts out working undercover for Legion Bank, but when she is called away to search for a missing agent, that’s when things get good. Really, really good. Good, as in “what’s going on, who’s involved, and what’s going to happen next?” kind of good. Josh Halloway is almost too good to be true. He says he works in oil. He’s handsome, charming, and wealthy. It turns out, he’s also a fellow agent. Suddenly, he disappears, and Mac is assigned to find him.
As the beautiful cover indicates, Borneo has magnificent rainforests. Unfortunately, Mac learns that they are endangered by greedy timber companies that harvest the palm trees for the oil that is in high demand throughout the world. Ms. Wake’s descriptions of the forest with all its wildlife, fauna, and native people who rely on its bounty are simply breathtaking. Did Josh visit the jungle? What does that have to do with his disappearance and the murder of a medical student?
We meet other entertaining characters in this story. Johnson Koh is an environmental activist. He is totally, completely, passionately committed toward saving the forests and the orangutans of Malaysia. He is annoying in the way that a lot of fanatics are – I think HN got his personality down just right – eventually, we see that he’s a decent guy. I love the strong female characters in this book. Meredith Coldwell, Mac’s boss at the bank, is a kick-ass executive who doesn’t take any guff from anyone. Joyce Terrell Tattle, the young newbie in intelligence at Langley is a go-getter with tons of potential. Some sections that include her character are humorous and quite delightful. Her pal Isaac is a keeper too. The author gives us plenty to like about these folks. But there is no shortage of characters to boo and hiss at here either. The bigwigs in the Agency are odious. The timber company, of course, is evil. What about Josh Halloway? Is he one of the good guys, or did he cross over to the dark side?
This story is complex. We have murder, intimidation, torture, deception, and governmental entanglement to the max. Can Mac unravel the sordid mess with the help of her unseen cohorts, the “peons” in IT and intelligence back in D.C.?
As much as I cared about the plot, the whereabouts of Josh, and the outcome of the Alghaba deal, I was even more impressed by the development of Mac Ambrose. Part Four begins with a quote from Rose Lichter-Marck in the May 9, 2014, New York Times article, “Vivian Maier and the Problem of Difficult Women.” “She was a perpetual outsider, and she liked it that way.” Maier was a solitary individual who worked as a nanny. She was also a secret street photographer; after her death, thousands of photographs and rolls of undeveloped film were found. Why is this important? Vivian Maier is the name that Mac chooses to use as an alias when she goes looking for Josh and also when she poses as a reporter up in the rainforest. I believe it says a lot about who Mac is – and whom Mac believes she is – an independent soul who observes and reports. Deep down, however, Mac Ambrose allows herself to be vulnerable, and in that, she seems to me to be more human.
I had the honor of reading Deceits of Borneo as one of HN Wake’s beta readers. I can honestly say that from the first draft to the final edition, I see evidence of so much hard work, effort, and heart. Thank you, HN, for listening, for trusting, and for creating such a strong work of fiction. I know that it comes from your experience and knowledge of Asia, and I hope that it touches many, many readers.
4-1/2 stars
We first met Mac in Ms. Wake’s debut novel, A Spy Came Home, which was followed by the novella, Ghosts in Macau. If you liked Mac in those works, I promise, you will love her in Deceits of Borneo. She starts out working undercover for Legion Bank, but when she is called away to search for a missing agent, that’s when things get good. Really, really good. Good, as in “what’s going on, who’s involved, and what’s going to happen next?” kind of good. Josh Halloway is almost too good to be true. He says he works in oil. He’s handsome, charming, and wealthy. It turns out, he’s also a fellow agent. Suddenly, he disappears, and Mac is assigned to find him.
As the beautiful cover indicates, Borneo has magnificent rainforests. Unfortunately, Mac learns that they are endangered by greedy timber companies that harvest the palm trees for the oil that is in high demand throughout the world. Ms. Wake’s descriptions of the forest with all its wildlife, fauna, and native people who rely on its bounty are simply breathtaking. Did Josh visit the jungle? What does that have to do with his disappearance and the murder of a medical student?
We meet other entertaining characters in this story. Johnson Koh is an environmental activist. He is totally, completely, passionately committed toward saving the forests and the orangutans of Malaysia. He is annoying in the way that a lot of fanatics are – I think HN got his personality down just right – eventually, we see that he’s a decent guy. I love the strong female characters in this book. Meredith Coldwell, Mac’s boss at the bank, is a kick-ass executive who doesn’t take any guff from anyone. Joyce Terrell Tattle, the young newbie in intelligence at Langley is a go-getter with tons of potential. Some sections that include her character are humorous and quite delightful. Her pal Isaac is a keeper too. The author gives us plenty to like about these folks. But there is no shortage of characters to boo and hiss at here either. The bigwigs in the Agency are odious. The timber company, of course, is evil. What about Josh Halloway? Is he one of the good guys, or did he cross over to the dark side?
This story is complex. We have murder, intimidation, torture, deception, and governmental entanglement to the max. Can Mac unravel the sordid mess with the help of her unseen cohorts, the “peons” in IT and intelligence back in D.C.?
As much as I cared about the plot, the whereabouts of Josh, and the outcome of the Alghaba deal, I was even more impressed by the development of Mac Ambrose. Part Four begins with a quote from Rose Lichter-Marck in the May 9, 2014, New York Times article, “Vivian Maier and the Problem of Difficult Women.” “She was a perpetual outsider, and she liked it that way.” Maier was a solitary individual who worked as a nanny. She was also a secret street photographer; after her death, thousands of photographs and rolls of undeveloped film were found. Why is this important? Vivian Maier is the name that Mac chooses to use as an alias when she goes looking for Josh and also when she poses as a reporter up in the rainforest. I believe it says a lot about who Mac is – and whom Mac believes she is – an independent soul who observes and reports. Deep down, however, Mac Ambrose allows herself to be vulnerable, and in that, she seems to me to be more human.
I had the honor of reading Deceits of Borneo as one of HN Wake’s beta readers. I can honestly say that from the first draft to the final edition, I see evidence of so much hard work, effort, and heart. Thank you, HN, for listening, for trusting, and for creating such a strong work of fiction. I know that it comes from your experience and knowledge of Asia, and I hope that it touches many, many readers.
4-1/2 stars
October 28, 2015
Mac is back! She's on R & R haunted from her last mission which left her shaken to the core. Unfortunately, her 'vacation' is over, as she gets called in to look for another operative who has gone missing... an operative which whom she had a personal relationship.
Meanwhile, a brand new operative finds information that threatens Borneo's rain forests ...and ties in with Mac's case.
Mac is a great series character. She's strong, she's willful, and she wants to do right by her country and by her own set of standards. Looking for Josh, she gets involved in some heavy-duty international corruption. So how much will she be willing to do to get Josh out of this mess?
I've been following this author since the first Mac Ambrose book. Normally, books dealing with spies and national security, etc. aren't ones I'd be all that interested in. However, this author does a really great job in making the characters much believable. The story line remains well-written, tightly plotted, full of excitement and danger .. with a dead body here and there.
My thanks to the author who furnished a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
NOTE: Next Mac Ambrose book will be Serpents in the City.
Meanwhile, a brand new operative finds information that threatens Borneo's rain forests ...and ties in with Mac's case.
Mac is a great series character. She's strong, she's willful, and she wants to do right by her country and by her own set of standards. Looking for Josh, she gets involved in some heavy-duty international corruption. So how much will she be willing to do to get Josh out of this mess?
I've been following this author since the first Mac Ambrose book. Normally, books dealing with spies and national security, etc. aren't ones I'd be all that interested in. However, this author does a really great job in making the characters much believable. The story line remains well-written, tightly plotted, full of excitement and danger .. with a dead body here and there.
My thanks to the author who furnished a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
NOTE: Next Mac Ambrose book will be Serpents in the City.
December 11, 2015
I was a first-time beta reader for this book. I had some trepidation about reading the final product, which was provided to me by the author. I needn't have worried! And I learned some things about the process.
HN Wake has written another great Mac Ambrose book! In this one, Mac lets her guard down a little and we see some vulnerability. She's a strong and intelligent character, but I like her having some misgivings and doubts. I also liked the new romance between the CIA researcher and the IT guy. I hope Mac doesn't lose those contacts.
What is really scary is the collusion of banks and governments resulting in the concerted destruction of virgin rainforest and the people and wildlife that depend on that habitat. Kudos to the author for raising awareness of the problems with the palm oil industry.
I'm looking forward to HN Wake's next novel!
HN Wake has written another great Mac Ambrose book! In this one, Mac lets her guard down a little and we see some vulnerability. She's a strong and intelligent character, but I like her having some misgivings and doubts. I also liked the new romance between the CIA researcher and the IT guy. I hope Mac doesn't lose those contacts.
What is really scary is the collusion of banks and governments resulting in the concerted destruction of virgin rainforest and the people and wildlife that depend on that habitat. Kudos to the author for raising awareness of the problems with the palm oil industry.
I'm looking forward to HN Wake's next novel!
April 12, 2016
The author, H. N. Wake, sent a copy of this book to me and I agreed to read it and write a review. I will be very reluctant to do such a thing again because I had a strong tendency to read the book with even more of a critical eye than is normal - and normally, I am pretty damn critical. This caused me to enjoy the book much less than I might have, otherwise.
The story/plot was quite good in that it realistically dealt with the rape of Malaysia by those in pursuit of massive profits from the sale of palm oil. A large corporation, working with corrupt officials and bankers, was in the process of decimating the rain forest without regard for the impact on the wildlife, the indigenous people or the long term interests of the country. Our hero, a CIA operative named Mac Ambrose, along with a environmental activist must deal with the pernicious forces at work and stop the deforestation before irreversible damage is done.
Ambrose was initially sent to Malaysia in search of a missing CIA agent and discovers the palm oil profiteers. She also discovers that the agent for whom she is searching is deeply embroiled in the ongoing shenanigans. While all this is happening in Malaysia, an intrepid CIA employee in the states happens onto the same activities, but from a quite different perspective. Wake does a good job of weaving in several interesting twists and tying most of the loose ends together.
Our hero, Mac Ambrose, unfortunately, has the emotional makeup of lovesick teenager and I thought that a bit unrealistic for a skilled CIA field agent. The environmental activist, whose name I just can't remember, is pretty annoying and, I thought, a bit too annoying for a character with his mission in life.
I also have to comment on Wake's writing style because it was quite distracting during the first half of the book. She had a strong tendency to use very simple, subject, predicate sentences. He did this, She said that. The corporation was this. I may have been distracted because of my hypercritical nature and the request for a review mentioned earlier. Nonetheless, I have to report what I have experienced. This tendency of the author seemed to decrease in the second half of the book. A last criticism that I will mention involves the way in which the book ended. Since I don't include spoilers in my reviews, I will simply say that an issue that was absolutely critical to the plot was resolved (unsatisfactorily) with a single throw away line.
Having said all that, I have to add that I did enjoy the book more than it might seem from my review.
The story/plot was quite good in that it realistically dealt with the rape of Malaysia by those in pursuit of massive profits from the sale of palm oil. A large corporation, working with corrupt officials and bankers, was in the process of decimating the rain forest without regard for the impact on the wildlife, the indigenous people or the long term interests of the country. Our hero, a CIA operative named Mac Ambrose, along with a environmental activist must deal with the pernicious forces at work and stop the deforestation before irreversible damage is done.
Ambrose was initially sent to Malaysia in search of a missing CIA agent and discovers the palm oil profiteers. She also discovers that the agent for whom she is searching is deeply embroiled in the ongoing shenanigans. While all this is happening in Malaysia, an intrepid CIA employee in the states happens onto the same activities, but from a quite different perspective. Wake does a good job of weaving in several interesting twists and tying most of the loose ends together.
Our hero, Mac Ambrose, unfortunately, has the emotional makeup of lovesick teenager and I thought that a bit unrealistic for a skilled CIA field agent. The environmental activist, whose name I just can't remember, is pretty annoying and, I thought, a bit too annoying for a character with his mission in life.
I also have to comment on Wake's writing style because it was quite distracting during the first half of the book. She had a strong tendency to use very simple, subject, predicate sentences. He did this, She said that. The corporation was this. I may have been distracted because of my hypercritical nature and the request for a review mentioned earlier. Nonetheless, I have to report what I have experienced. This tendency of the author seemed to decrease in the second half of the book. A last criticism that I will mention involves the way in which the book ended. Since I don't include spoilers in my reviews, I will simply say that an issue that was absolutely critical to the plot was resolved (unsatisfactorily) with a single throw away line.
Having said all that, I have to add that I did enjoy the book more than it might seem from my review.
December 3, 2015
I have to say that I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I am always slightly wary in these circumstances, as I never really know what to expect from a previously unknown author. The premise of the book sounded ideal, a thriller/espionage type book with some political intrigue added. Although this isn't the first Mac Ambrose book written, chronologically it helps with starting to understand the character, as it dealt with an early mission. I am pleased to report that I was more than pleasantly surprised.
The plot line was well thought out, as were the sub plots which ran alongside without really intruding. Everything was well paced, with the tension building up nicely, and it all had that air of plausibility. The subject of deforestation was dealt with sympathetically, and realistically. It was all too apparent that a lot of research had been carried out before pen was put to paper.
The locations were well depicted skillfully. You could sense the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong, and almost smell the rotting vegetation and feel the humidity of the rainforest. Such things can only come from personal experience, and their careful use really does draw the reader in.
For me the best thing about this book were the characters. The main character, Mac Ambrose, was well crafted and believable, and came complete with her own emotional baggage. It made a pleasant change to have a female in the lead role in a thriller. The support characters had as much attention spent on them, and as a result everything had that ring of truth and honesty about it. The further up the ladder people climbed the more skewed became their outlooks and objectives. So it also became a case of who could actually be trusted.
I can whole heartedly recommend this book. I would also like to thank the writer for sending me a copy, and I shall definitely be searching out your other works.
The plot line was well thought out, as were the sub plots which ran alongside without really intruding. Everything was well paced, with the tension building up nicely, and it all had that air of plausibility. The subject of deforestation was dealt with sympathetically, and realistically. It was all too apparent that a lot of research had been carried out before pen was put to paper.
The locations were well depicted skillfully. You could sense the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong, and almost smell the rotting vegetation and feel the humidity of the rainforest. Such things can only come from personal experience, and their careful use really does draw the reader in.
For me the best thing about this book were the characters. The main character, Mac Ambrose, was well crafted and believable, and came complete with her own emotional baggage. It made a pleasant change to have a female in the lead role in a thriller. The support characters had as much attention spent on them, and as a result everything had that ring of truth and honesty about it. The further up the ladder people climbed the more skewed became their outlooks and objectives. So it also became a case of who could actually be trusted.
I can whole heartedly recommend this book. I would also like to thank the writer for sending me a copy, and I shall definitely be searching out your other works.
November 16, 2015
Deceits of Borneo is our third chance to get a glimpse into the head of a fascinating character, Mac Ambrose. Mac is an operative for the CIA, but unlike most movie or mystery book spys, she has the characteristics of a real person. She is flawed and yet perfect for her role. Most of the action adventure spys you see in the movies are boderline if not full fledged sociopaths. They have no real moral compass, killing when it suits their mission with literally no regrets. They are often rogues who follow orders only when they feel like it. Mac has almost none of the characteristics of your typical fictional spy. She has a strong moral compass but she too can go rogue. She has a past that effects everything she is and does. We learn in this book that her relationship with her domineering, disapproving mother effects most of her decision making, in one way or another. We come to get a better understanding of not only how her mind works, but why she is who she is. Mac is brilliant and uses that brilliance to manipulate situations to her advantage. We still have a lot to learn about this Mac Ambrose character. I for one am looking forward to getting to know her better in the next Mac Ambrose book.
November 8, 2015
Disclaimer: I received an unsolicited epub review copy of this book from the Author, in return for my feedback. My review is unbiased and entirely my own thoughts.
Firstly, my appreciation and thanks to H.N. Wake for kindly allowing me to read another epub review copy of her latest Mac Ambrose novel. Unusually, for me, I commenced reading it on Thursday, and finished it the very same day - I don't typically read a book in much less than a week, but I simply couldn't put it down! H.N.'s skill at crafting Mac's attention-grabbing character, and her commitment to doing the right thing, is remarkable! Only an insider's insight and understanding of clandestine government services - combined here in this story with corporate malfeasance at the highest levels, personal greed and a highly emotive subject - could weave yet simplify the reality and complexities of such international intrigue. Another winner, Ms. Wake - I can't wait for Mac's next episode! Thank you!
Firstly, my appreciation and thanks to H.N. Wake for kindly allowing me to read another epub review copy of her latest Mac Ambrose novel. Unusually, for me, I commenced reading it on Thursday, and finished it the very same day - I don't typically read a book in much less than a week, but I simply couldn't put it down! H.N.'s skill at crafting Mac's attention-grabbing character, and her commitment to doing the right thing, is remarkable! Only an insider's insight and understanding of clandestine government services - combined here in this story with corporate malfeasance at the highest levels, personal greed and a highly emotive subject - could weave yet simplify the reality and complexities of such international intrigue. Another winner, Ms. Wake - I can't wait for Mac's next episode! Thank you!
February 25, 2020
Fast paced with a conscience
Well paced and intricately plotted. I found myself looking forward to opening it every time I got the chance. Sometimes when you read instalments of a series back to back holes or inconsistencies appear, contradicting previous episodes in the protagonist's back story, but I am very pleased not to spot anything of the sort in Wake's work. It's a small thing but one of my bugbears, so it's very nice not to have it here to spoil my enjoyment in getting to know Mac Ambrose.
Well paced and intricately plotted. I found myself looking forward to opening it every time I got the chance. Sometimes when you read instalments of a series back to back holes or inconsistencies appear, contradicting previous episodes in the protagonist's back story, but I am very pleased not to spot anything of the sort in Wake's work. It's a small thing but one of my bugbears, so it's very nice not to have it here to spoil my enjoyment in getting to know Mac Ambrose.
January 8, 2019
Mac gets a call from her handler, asking did she know Josh Halloway. She would find him, that’s what agency colleagues did. Josh was a former spy, that leds Mac into the rainforest of Malaysia. She is tough, has certain principle and morals and needs to get this job done right. Her overbearing mother and the criticism continually runs thru her mind, until she doubts her self. She is human and is great at her job. Another twisted plot of a missing spy, and corruption, political, and government, this has it all. It will keep you to the end to figure it all out.
April 8, 2020
This the second Mac Ambrose book that I have read in the last few weeks. Entertaining and kept my interest. A decent mix of past and current segments to provide a background on what and why. Good way to spend my quarantine during this times. Well worth the time spent. Looking forward to the next book. thanks.
June 27, 2021
The writing of HN Wake is not to be missed!
The writing of HN Wake is not to be missed! You know what is important to you in an author. Complex plots that bear surprises, complex characters that are wondrously intriguing to read, all set in locales that run the gamut of multiple cultures. Wake has it all.
The writing of HN Wake is not to be missed! You know what is important to you in an author. Complex plots that bear surprises, complex characters that are wondrously intriguing to read, all set in locales that run the gamut of multiple cultures. Wake has it all.
July 26, 2019
Excellent!
Well-crafted. Kept me reading with plot twists, three-dimensional characters and a complex protagonist whose story I want to continue to follow.
Unlike so many of today's authors this one did not tell me a story. This one drew me in and let me live it instead!
Well-crafted. Kept me reading with plot twists, three-dimensional characters and a complex protagonist whose story I want to continue to follow.
Unlike so many of today's authors this one did not tell me a story. This one drew me in and let me live it instead!
October 7, 2019
Different take on CIA activities.
A complex stories with multiple deceptions by several institutions with monetary political and personal gains. Mac Ambrose duped on several levels but figures out enough to survive.
A complex stories with multiple deceptions by several institutions with monetary political and personal gains. Mac Ambrose duped on several levels but figures out enough to survive.
October 1, 2020
Better & Better
A hard hitting super relevant topic. The story is so important & real. The author takes you to the heart of the problem... geopolitics, money & greed. Well written. Cannot wait to read the next in line.
A hard hitting super relevant topic. The story is so important & real. The author takes you to the heart of the problem... geopolitics, money & greed. Well written. Cannot wait to read the next in line.
August 21, 2019
Still Nice Writing But...
Still some very nice writing that elevates spy thriller to literature level, but a very heavy environmental message tainted the overall experience.
Still some very nice writing that elevates spy thriller to literature level, but a very heavy environmental message tainted the overall experience.
August 5, 2023
Excellent compilation of events
The author has developed an extensive and creative plot to go with an impressive group of characters making this hard to put down
The author has developed an extensive and creative plot to go with an impressive group of characters making this hard to put down
December 9, 2015
By H.N. Wake – This is the second full-length thriller by H.N. Wake and a repeat outing for her gutsy female protagonist, CIA Agent Mac Ambrose. (Read my interview with H.N. Wake to find out what she loves about this character.) The action takes place in Hong Kong and various spots in Malaysia—Kuala Lumpur, Miri, and the rain forests of Sarawak Province—with occasional scenes back at the CIA mothership in Langley, Virginia. Wake’s familiarity with Asia and Southeast Asia, gained during more than 20 years’ working overseas for the U.S. government, stands her in good stead here, as the ease and detail with which she describes these lush locales effectively transport the reader right into the setting.
Mac is deep under cover in Hong Kong, at a new job in the Risk Analysis department of a major international financial institution called Legion Bank, and her real identity is known only to one of the bank’s executives. When another Non-Official Cover CIA agent—Josh Halloway—goes missing out of Kuala Lumpur, Mac’s boss back in Langley tells her to find him.
Gradually we learn her concern about Halloway’s disappearance is not just collegial solidarity, it’s also personal. Halloway is handsome, charming, and intriguing, and they’d met and connected in Hong Kong. Mac was falling for him. The Bank provides cover for her search, when she’s assigned to the risk appraisal of a potential Malaysian client, Alghaba Financing, a major player in Malaysia’s timber and palm oil industries. If the bank takes the company on, it will receive millions of dollars in fees.
Given the opportunity to kill two birds at once, Mac flies to the Malaysian capital. When she checks in with the U.S. Embassy, she finds the ambassador has a chip on his shoulder the size of a teak log and is unwilling to help her. Evidence on the ground is scant, but Mac picks up Halloway’s trail, and the game is literally afoot in the jungles of Borneo. Wake’s choice of a female protagonist with the investigatory skills, cunning, and physical courage to undertake her next steps make this a refreshing antidote to the overdose of testosterone in many thrillers.
However, the goings-on back at Langley aren’t as persuasive. They add complication and some coincidence that detract from the main story. Perhaps it’s a reflection of how people in the field always regard the folks back at the main office: “What are they thinking?” At times Mac’s own behavior is a bit murky. She frequently presses a little too hard in trying to get information from a potential informant, and I never did figure out how she got the key to Josh’s room at the Miri Beach Resort.
What Mac discovers in the rain forest, the lengths people will go to keep her discovery a secret, and the fate of Josh Halloway are the key questions of this compelling story. Wake knows how to put together an exciting narrative, an exotic and interesting setting, and believable characters. H.N. Wake is an exciting new author worth tracking.
Mac is deep under cover in Hong Kong, at a new job in the Risk Analysis department of a major international financial institution called Legion Bank, and her real identity is known only to one of the bank’s executives. When another Non-Official Cover CIA agent—Josh Halloway—goes missing out of Kuala Lumpur, Mac’s boss back in Langley tells her to find him.
Gradually we learn her concern about Halloway’s disappearance is not just collegial solidarity, it’s also personal. Halloway is handsome, charming, and intriguing, and they’d met and connected in Hong Kong. Mac was falling for him. The Bank provides cover for her search, when she’s assigned to the risk appraisal of a potential Malaysian client, Alghaba Financing, a major player in Malaysia’s timber and palm oil industries. If the bank takes the company on, it will receive millions of dollars in fees.
Given the opportunity to kill two birds at once, Mac flies to the Malaysian capital. When she checks in with the U.S. Embassy, she finds the ambassador has a chip on his shoulder the size of a teak log and is unwilling to help her. Evidence on the ground is scant, but Mac picks up Halloway’s trail, and the game is literally afoot in the jungles of Borneo. Wake’s choice of a female protagonist with the investigatory skills, cunning, and physical courage to undertake her next steps make this a refreshing antidote to the overdose of testosterone in many thrillers.
However, the goings-on back at Langley aren’t as persuasive. They add complication and some coincidence that detract from the main story. Perhaps it’s a reflection of how people in the field always regard the folks back at the main office: “What are they thinking?” At times Mac’s own behavior is a bit murky. She frequently presses a little too hard in trying to get information from a potential informant, and I never did figure out how she got the key to Josh’s room at the Miri Beach Resort.
What Mac discovers in the rain forest, the lengths people will go to keep her discovery a secret, and the fate of Josh Halloway are the key questions of this compelling story. Wake knows how to put together an exciting narrative, an exotic and interesting setting, and believable characters. H.N. Wake is an exciting new author worth tracking.
July 2, 2016
I am not normally a fan of spy thrillers. Having said that, this was a wonderful way to spend several days. The pace of the story was constant, with no tangents or confusing passages to detract from the momentum of the plot. Wake has crafted believable characters to which I can relate on a human level, and I'm inclined to seek out other adventures of Mac Ambrose in the future.
There are two features of this particular book that made it engaging for me. First, it's set in the context of a much larger consideration--the corruption of politics by business and corporate involvement in rapacious destruction of delicate ecosystems. These themes are then nested within the considerations of international politics and the covert race to ensure a tenuous supremacy over the governments of other countries. I found Wake's use of these broader themes fascinating, and felt that she handled them with intelligence and aplomb.
The second feature of the narrative that kept me reading late into the night is her explication of feminist ideologies in a believable context. The deeply ingrained misogyny that permeates many fields of business, politics, and even espionage is laid bare on the page. The characters struggle against, consciously manipulate, or unconsciously enact this embedded misogyny in wholly believable ways. The fact that the main character, Mac, is also a female deep cover agent made this book appealing. I have, in the past, shied away from the genre of spy thrillers because I grew weary of the repetitive James Bond tropes, in which all women were foils for the main character--generally a man.
Women are, in many instances, branded as villains if they exercise agency or possess intelligence that is not bent to serve the aims of men. In Wake's novel, the characters are all complex--neither wholly bad nor wholly good. They grapple with the conundrums of conscience, become enmeshed in patterns far larger than they perceive, and are realistic in their humanity. What a wonderful, satisfying read this was. I'm so pleased I was given the chance to discover H.N. Wake and her novel's engaging cast of characters.
There are two features of this particular book that made it engaging for me. First, it's set in the context of a much larger consideration--the corruption of politics by business and corporate involvement in rapacious destruction of delicate ecosystems. These themes are then nested within the considerations of international politics and the covert race to ensure a tenuous supremacy over the governments of other countries. I found Wake's use of these broader themes fascinating, and felt that she handled them with intelligence and aplomb.
The second feature of the narrative that kept me reading late into the night is her explication of feminist ideologies in a believable context. The deeply ingrained misogyny that permeates many fields of business, politics, and even espionage is laid bare on the page. The characters struggle against, consciously manipulate, or unconsciously enact this embedded misogyny in wholly believable ways. The fact that the main character, Mac, is also a female deep cover agent made this book appealing. I have, in the past, shied away from the genre of spy thrillers because I grew weary of the repetitive James Bond tropes, in which all women were foils for the main character--generally a man.
Women are, in many instances, branded as villains if they exercise agency or possess intelligence that is not bent to serve the aims of men. In Wake's novel, the characters are all complex--neither wholly bad nor wholly good. They grapple with the conundrums of conscience, become enmeshed in patterns far larger than they perceive, and are realistic in their humanity. What a wonderful, satisfying read this was. I'm so pleased I was given the chance to discover H.N. Wake and her novel's engaging cast of characters.
December 19, 2015
Ms. Wake continues to please. All too often when an author writes an "issue-oriented" book, it is preachy, and is not much of a story. This does not happen in "Deceits of Borneo," as it did not in "A Spy Comes Home." She gives us a STORY! The pace here is slower than her first book, but that serves the story well. I understand the author worked "in the government," in some capacity; I have no idea what that was, but she certainly has the background to demonstrate how and why, not a lot gets done that helps people, or the planet we occupy. We are served up maddening bureaucracy, conspiracy, greed, murder, all involving wonderfully drawn characters. The return of CIA NOC Mac Ambrose, guarantees a different and compelling protagonist. I look forward to reading her next adventure, and a well-done spotlight on an ongoing, and important issue facing us all. Excellent Book! Don't miss it.
So often the author drew me emotionally into the story, because she lets us into Mac's mind and heart in ways that resonate personally. When flying in a small plane over the rain forest, the plane turns to land, and Mac knows the physics of the landing makes sense, but her heart doesn't quiet believe it. This is so much how I feel about flying; it's really impossible that little machine can actually stay up there; I don't quite believe it either.
Also, descriptions are wonderful: Looking out the window of the place, Mac saw the small landing field..it is described as, "a small incision" in the forest/jungle. I could SEE it in my mind. That's fine writing.
So often the author drew me emotionally into the story, because she lets us into Mac's mind and heart in ways that resonate personally. When flying in a small plane over the rain forest, the plane turns to land, and Mac knows the physics of the landing makes sense, but her heart doesn't quiet believe it. This is so much how I feel about flying; it's really impossible that little machine can actually stay up there; I don't quite believe it either.
Also, descriptions are wonderful: Looking out the window of the place, Mac saw the small landing field..it is described as, "a small incision" in the forest/jungle. I could SEE it in my mind. That's fine writing.
February 6, 2016
I am such a FAN of Ms. Wake. This book is wonderful and heartbreaking. I love spy novels, but Mac Ambrose is not your typical spy. She is smart, wise, funny, devoted, determined to make a difference in this sad world. She joined the CIA for all the right reasons, but has learned that she has to play their game, but in her own way. Ms. Wake writes of the issues of our times, how politicians are so unaware of the real damage they do just to be reelected, and how much harm they do to our fine country. This book is a joy to read, because Mac uses all this knowledge to play her own end game, uses the bureaucratic BS in a way that shows them, and us, how bad things are. Even worse are the corporations for whom profit is all that matters, regardless of how they make it, regardless of the harm they knowingly cause. The main issue of this book is one that is dangerous to all of us; how one area of the world is affecting the whole world. I learned so much from this book about something of which I was marginally aware. No more. In my own small way, I can make a difference by being alert to how I live my own life. I recommend this book to everyone; don't miss it . I've pre-ordered the next Mac Ambrose book, out in March.
April 27, 2016
This review can also be read at The Review Court
Like the first Mac Ambrose story, this one was exciting from the start. Mac uses all her resources to find her fellow agent who’s gone missing. But along the way she discovers a sinister plot to destroy the rainforest and finds corruption and betrayal at every turn.
H. N. Wake has a way of writing that pulls you in. You know that Mac is going to pull it off but at the time you just don’t know how. There’s also another story happening with a character named Joyce Tattle who’s pulling intel. She comes across something she thinks is suspicious but her boss refuses to give her the go ahead to do more investigation into it since it’s not related to what they are looking for.
You wonder how these two stories will connect but of course, H. N. will put it together at the right time.
Like the first Mac Ambrose story, this one was exciting from the start. Mac uses all her resources to find her fellow agent who’s gone missing. But along the way she discovers a sinister plot to destroy the rainforest and finds corruption and betrayal at every turn.
H. N. Wake has a way of writing that pulls you in. You know that Mac is going to pull it off but at the time you just don’t know how. There’s also another story happening with a character named Joyce Tattle who’s pulling intel. She comes across something she thinks is suspicious but her boss refuses to give her the go ahead to do more investigation into it since it’s not related to what they are looking for.
You wonder how these two stories will connect but of course, H. N. will put it together at the right time.
February 7, 2016
I received this book free in exchange of an unbiased review.
First off, I love this genre and was very happy to finally read a female protagonist. I found Mac tough, yet relatable and real. I liked that she drank (and smoked!) and her emotional struggles with her past and certain aspects of her job felt genuine. She is kick-ass without being a caricature of a superhero.
I found the "faction" regarding the Palm oil industry fascinating and heartbreaking at the same time. I felt that this book was well-paced and had a good flow.
Only complaints would be that I found Johnson Koh character highly irritating. Also, sometimes the author could be repetitive and drag scenes out too long. There were a few times during conversations that the repetition slowed the pace and distracted me from the point.
I look forward to reading this author in the future who I'm sure will only improve over time.
First off, I love this genre and was very happy to finally read a female protagonist. I found Mac tough, yet relatable and real. I liked that she drank (and smoked!) and her emotional struggles with her past and certain aspects of her job felt genuine. She is kick-ass without being a caricature of a superhero.
I found the "faction" regarding the Palm oil industry fascinating and heartbreaking at the same time. I felt that this book was well-paced and had a good flow.
Only complaints would be that I found Johnson Koh character highly irritating. Also, sometimes the author could be repetitive and drag scenes out too long. There were a few times during conversations that the repetition slowed the pace and distracted me from the point.
I look forward to reading this author in the future who I'm sure will only improve over time.
February 4, 2016
Set fifteen years earlier than the first Mac Ambrose novel, Mac is under cover with an international bank. A CIA field agent has gone missing so Mac is assigned to find him. Initial investigations show the search for Josh is crossing with her job with the bank as a risk investigator. It appears there is significant evidence that the bank maybe getting drawn into supporting illegal logging activities and Josh could be involved. This is a great story and explores how big business and countries are involved in global climate change for good and bad. I like the way the author ties Mac into these everyday issues raising very important questions that affect us all. This novel is stand alone, in that you don't need to read the first for it to make sense. It is also very easy reading with no unnecessary filler material. I am looking forward to the next Mac Ambrose story.
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