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El Tiburon
CIA Agent Sean McGee is on a drug trafficking case in Guatemala when his wife is kidnapped in an attempt to stop him. It has the opposite effect. McGee follows a trail of corruption leading him back to the USA.The much sought after criminal, El Tiburon (The Shark), is watching from the shadows. He has been controlling the drug borders of the USA from the inside. He is untouchable, until now. Suddenly exposed, El Tiburon fights back.But McGee and his own team of local indigenous Guatemalans and military-trained Americans refuse to back down. The tension mounts as the victims of generations of suppression join in the battle that will risk lives. McGee will rescue his wife no matter the stakes, but will this be his final fight?
360 pages, ebook
Published December 31, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 8, 2018
Can't put this book down as continuous suspense carries you through both the Guatemalan/USA drug wars, CIA agent Sean McGee's missing wife and the journey to get her back.
August 31, 2019
I really enjoyed this book just like the first book in the series. I enjoyed getting to meet some of the characters again like sport and Sean. The narration again was great. The story was really brought to life. I am not usually in to thrillers, but love Christian fiction, so thought I would give this series a try. I am so glad I did. They manage to be exciting, funny, sad, and have a certain quality that I really enjoy.
I even learned lots of things. I didn't know something like the rubbish dump city existed.
Great job and I am going to start on the third book as soon as possible. I would highly recommend this series.
I even learned lots of things. I didn't know something like the rubbish dump city existed.
Great job and I am going to start on the third book as soon as possible. I would highly recommend this series.
December 28, 2015
I received a preview copy of this book from the author for an honest review. Here it is.
CIA Agent Sean McGee is normally a laid-back guy. Even on a mission, he takes things in stride and does his job. His latest mission is to set up cameras in the compound of a drug lord in Guatemala. It sounds simple. Then El Jefe, the drug lord of all drug lords in Guatemala, decides to kidnap Sean’s wife, Sport, to use against him. Sean changes his plans.
Read that paragraph and you miss the real story of El Tiburon.
Thriller-YES
CIA Agents-YES
Covert Marines-YES
Drug Lords and Double Agents-Check Check
One thing you also get is the inclusion of fleshed out roles for women as integral parts of the story, the mission, and more, not a plot device for the macho man to rescue.
Why do I make a point about women?
In many books, the writer throws a woman into a role that the reader can tell was written for a male, and the name was changed for some reason. The writer doesn’t do anything to make the character a woman except for that name change. Schussman goes through the process of creating parts and roles for each woman involved. Believe me; women are essential to the success or failure of McGee’s mission. (Writers, it’s not that difficult to write women. Even I can do it. If I can, anyone can.)
A thriller needs to have three qualities to make me happy.
Relationships
With any book I enjoy, it must have relationships. In a thriller, the action serves as the setting to relationships, and that is what H. Schussman does with El Tiburon.
This book isn’t about taking down a drug lord, it’s not even about taking down the king of the drug business of the Americas, El Tiburon, The Shark himself. This book is about not messing with family, friends, and loved ones.
Not only is their Sean’s wife Sport being put in danger, but his partner Gary develops feelings for a change. Dr. Janet McGee, Sport, ends up caring for a people group that no one else seems to bother with, ignores, or doesn’t even know exists.
Realism/Research
Two of my favorite authors are John Gardner and Clive Cussler: the first for his realistic handling of the spy genre of James Bond, Herbie Kruger, and Secret Generations, and the second for his research and attention to details. With El Tiburon all three of those aspects come together.
Learning
Schussman also does the third thing I enjoy in a book; she teaches or reveals something that I didn’t know about before in a culture or society. She’s definitely done her homework for this novel. There were certain parts I went to the search engines and did my own searching. She hadn’t made things up.
Recommendation
Given time I’ll read this book again. As I started to read I had a difficult time getting into the book. The prologue and the first few paragraphs of the first chapter are only a couple of pages long, so when you begin reading, keep reading. But once past those couple of pages and reading where the main characters begin I started enjoying things in a big way. The prologue does give some information that’s useful and maybe give a sense of immediacy to the book, and the beginning of the first chapter lets you know about one of the characters involved.
CIA Agent Sean McGee is normally a laid-back guy. Even on a mission, he takes things in stride and does his job. His latest mission is to set up cameras in the compound of a drug lord in Guatemala. It sounds simple. Then El Jefe, the drug lord of all drug lords in Guatemala, decides to kidnap Sean’s wife, Sport, to use against him. Sean changes his plans.
Read that paragraph and you miss the real story of El Tiburon.
Thriller-YES
CIA Agents-YES
Covert Marines-YES
Drug Lords and Double Agents-Check Check
One thing you also get is the inclusion of fleshed out roles for women as integral parts of the story, the mission, and more, not a plot device for the macho man to rescue.
Why do I make a point about women?
In many books, the writer throws a woman into a role that the reader can tell was written for a male, and the name was changed for some reason. The writer doesn’t do anything to make the character a woman except for that name change. Schussman goes through the process of creating parts and roles for each woman involved. Believe me; women are essential to the success or failure of McGee’s mission. (Writers, it’s not that difficult to write women. Even I can do it. If I can, anyone can.)
A thriller needs to have three qualities to make me happy.
Relationships
With any book I enjoy, it must have relationships. In a thriller, the action serves as the setting to relationships, and that is what H. Schussman does with El Tiburon.
This book isn’t about taking down a drug lord, it’s not even about taking down the king of the drug business of the Americas, El Tiburon, The Shark himself. This book is about not messing with family, friends, and loved ones.
Not only is their Sean’s wife Sport being put in danger, but his partner Gary develops feelings for a change. Dr. Janet McGee, Sport, ends up caring for a people group that no one else seems to bother with, ignores, or doesn’t even know exists.
Realism/Research
Two of my favorite authors are John Gardner and Clive Cussler: the first for his realistic handling of the spy genre of James Bond, Herbie Kruger, and Secret Generations, and the second for his research and attention to details. With El Tiburon all three of those aspects come together.
Learning
Schussman also does the third thing I enjoy in a book; she teaches or reveals something that I didn’t know about before in a culture or society. She’s definitely done her homework for this novel. There were certain parts I went to the search engines and did my own searching. She hadn’t made things up.
Recommendation
Given time I’ll read this book again. As I started to read I had a difficult time getting into the book. The prologue and the first few paragraphs of the first chapter are only a couple of pages long, so when you begin reading, keep reading. But once past those couple of pages and reading where the main characters begin I started enjoying things in a big way. The prologue does give some information that’s useful and maybe give a sense of immediacy to the book, and the beginning of the first chapter lets you know about one of the characters involved.
November 4, 2016
Really entertaining, enjoyable, well written and interesting mystery thriller that keeps you glued to your iPod. The story is fast paced and constantly moving forward. Plenty of twists, turns and suspense that keep you guessing. Definitely a book worth your time.
Sean is on a mission for the CIA. When a Guatemalan drug lord kidnaps his wife, Sean will do whatever it takes to get her back. What he doesn't realize is just how tough and resourceful his wife actually is.
Great characters. Love a story that has smart, interesting and independent characters.
Love that the author incorporated an overlooked group of people.
James Foster does a really good job with the narration. Great voice easy to listen to for hours. Good character voices. Clearly spoken with a smooth even pace. Occasionally his narration could of used a little more enthusiasm. Overall though, very enjoyable.
Background noise occasionally throughout the book. Chapter 23 overlapping narration can't tell what is being said. I even re-downloaded the book just to double check and it was the same. I would really like to know what was in the chapter I couldn't listen to.
I was voluntarily provided this free review copy by the author, narrator or publisher
Sean is on a mission for the CIA. When a Guatemalan drug lord kidnaps his wife, Sean will do whatever it takes to get her back. What he doesn't realize is just how tough and resourceful his wife actually is.
Great characters. Love a story that has smart, interesting and independent characters.
Love that the author incorporated an overlooked group of people.
James Foster does a really good job with the narration. Great voice easy to listen to for hours. Good character voices. Clearly spoken with a smooth even pace. Occasionally his narration could of used a little more enthusiasm. Overall though, very enjoyable.
Background noise occasionally throughout the book. Chapter 23 overlapping narration can't tell what is being said. I even re-downloaded the book just to double check and it was the same. I would really like to know what was in the chapter I couldn't listen to.
I was voluntarily provided this free review copy by the author, narrator or publisher
August 28, 2016
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
El Tibruon has one of the most complex plots that I have ever read, with multiple characters coming in and out of the story. I was impressed with the backdrop of the cities and towns of Central America, along with the author’s portrayal of the culture and customs of the people.
The story has many twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the end. If you like stories about drug cartels and the agents who seek to put them out of business, you’ll love El Tiburon.
El Tibruon has one of the most complex plots that I have ever read, with multiple characters coming in and out of the story. I was impressed with the backdrop of the cities and towns of Central America, along with the author’s portrayal of the culture and customs of the people.
The story has many twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the end. If you like stories about drug cartels and the agents who seek to put them out of business, you’ll love El Tiburon.
October 29, 2016
An Action Thriller..
The main character, Sean, is on a drug case when his wife is kidnapped by the drug lord.
The story took place in Central America, starts off at a good pace, and then quickly picks
up even more as Sean races to put a stop to the drug trafficking and find his wife.
Jim Foster did well with the narration.
Note:
"This audio book was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review."
November 14, 2016
H. Schussman wrote another face-paced, action-packed book. I really like the two main characters together. I did have some audible trouble though. Not sure if it is my device or the actual audio recording. Regardless, nice job!
February 11, 2016
Great book. Kept me up late many nights turning pages.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews