The Operative

by Willard Boyd Gardner

Paperback

Genres: Lds Fiction, Lds, Suspense, Mystery, Realistic Fiction, Adventure, Adult

279 pages

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Nathalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another story that makes you thankful for the men and women who put their lives in danger anonymously so that you and I can live our lives in relative peace. How glad I am that there is someone willing to run towards danger while I am running the other way. That said, the author infuses a lot of humor in his story which is always a plus for me. He keeps the tone pretty light even though this is a story of perilous rescue including getting a group of Yemeni children away from a horrendous life of you don't want to think about.

[Ranee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good action novel! One star off for a little repetitive parts but it had adventure, bravery, plot twists, humor (Utah drivers😃) and some relationship depth. And no swearing or other garbage

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't think I have read anything by this author. It was very good! Lots of funny moments, and an interesting story. We listened to the audio book.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I laughed when one character asked another how the first character was able to drive so well to avoid the enemy, and the response was that he was from Utah.

I read this book very quickly and enjoyed many of the plot twists. I really enjoyed learning more about the foreign countries that are the backdrops of the story, specifically Yemen.

I would have enjoyed more about the growth between Kam Daniels and his wife, but the book was more focused on the espionage and danger than the romance. The romance didn't seem unrealistic or skimped when it was mentioned though. I just always want more romance. :) More feelings. Hehe

One part kind of confused me about how it worked out, but that could have just been because I read it so quickly. I wasn't sure how I felt about who the girl who kept warning him really was.

It brings to light some different issues such as being Christian in a Muslim country, terrorists vs. tribal leaders, and child trafficking. Those are some pretty heavy topics for such a light novel, but I don't think they're superficially mentioned. Just briefly. And then the reader is left to go do research on his or her own and learn more about what is going on in the world.

[Linnae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kamir Daniels' life is a mess; admittedly, of his own making. When he left his wife a year ago without any explanation, and took a job in Timor Leste, you would expect that. What he doesn't expect is the government agent that tracks him down on this remote island, and offers him a job--top-secret work in Yemen, the country his mother was from. He'll be undercover as a translator for a group of scholars. And the last thing he expects is to see his CIA-agent wife, Rhiana, as part of the group. But it's a little late to back out now, so despite the awkwardness, he forges ahead. Good thing he watched so many spy movies as a kid.

Scenes alternate between bursts of action, and Kamir and Rhiana trying to piece their marriage back together. Kam's sarcastic running commentary adds a bit of humor to lighten the mood.

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am always leery of LDS fiction, but this book was definitely not a "and everyone was baptized and lived happily ever after" type of book--so that was a plus for me. Kamir Daniels is an ex-cop who has escaped from a traumatic experience by running away from his wife and life to a remote country. He receives an intriguing offer from the US government that is very vague, and he goes to Paris and find out more. He walks into his first meeting and gets a shock because the wife he left with no warning a year ago is sitting there. She is a CIA operative whose father was kidnapped in Yemen, and she has secretly arranged for Kamir to be the translator for their group. It goes on from there and is pretty good, but the relationship between Kamir and his wife was not very realistic in my opinion. She wasn't mad enough at him and they were still so in love--but maybe I am just a grudge holder.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Consumed with unbearable guilt, Kam Daniels, an ex-Seattle policeman, is unable to forget the horrific accident he is certain he could have prevented. Desperate to escape his anguish, he takes a job halfway across the world and leaves everything behind: his home, his career, and his beautiful, bewildered wife/CIA agent Rhiana Daniels. Then he is offered a job that he can't turn down, which will have untold consequences in his own life.

Although the book ended abrulptly- (I hope there is a sequel) I really enjoyed the wit and the thriller/spy elements of the story.I loved the MIddle East setting, having lived in Saudi Arabia. More, more!

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this book and wish there were a dozen more books of this calibre just waiting for me to read. Well, there probably are; I just don't know what they are. I loved the humor. I loved Kam's personality. I loved the tension between Kam and his wife. I loved learning about the Arab country details. I loved the writing--I read every single word. This was not the usual chick-lit LDS fiction--this would be one of those books to recommend when guys are looking for good LDS fiction. And it was not "in your face" religious LDS fiction, either. Great story!

[Darlis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A "Mormon" spy novel!?! Yes, a spy is imbedded with a BYU research team in Yemen. The book tells how a spy is rescued from a fanatic group. It is set in the Yemen so everything is suspicious and exotic. Willard Boyd Garner is not Ian Fleming, but if you like "mormon" fiction, this is rather fun.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this author's style, and enjoyed this book. There were a couple "rough" spots, but overall was a great read. I was excited to see a new novel by this author, since it's been a while since his last one. I was NOT disappointed. If you like spy/adventure novels and/or intrigue in the Middle East, this is one for you.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor academic professors up-to-their ears in danger. The story has you sitting on pins and needles. I don't think I will ever plan a family vacation to Kemen even if they do have a Sheraton hotel. I thought Kam's sarcastic conversations were great. Darrin really is my hero.

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It kept your interest throughout the enitire thing. The characters were people you could relate to. It was intense until the end.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great International Espionage mystery. Very guick read, could not put it down.

[Superstar05 · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's tough being a spy...

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thriller, slightly frustrating. I swear there is no way the CIA treats their operatives like that in real life, they would all be dead. Still I enjoyed the read.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good spy thriller taking place in the chaotic country of Yemen. Although I've read better, it wasn't a waste of time and I ended up really rooting for the main character - flaws and all.

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was fun and I chose it in audio. Hero was full of bravado.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Own: CD

[Jodee Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced easy read. Not preachy for LDS Fiction which was nice.

[Nephi Jenks · Rating 5 out of 5]

PG-13 violence. I love the mix of humor and serious situations. it kind of ended abruptly though.