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Headwind
In Athens, a Boeing 737 noses into the gate, and its crew is suddenly confronted by Greek officials waiting to arrest one of its passengers, a beloved ex-President of the United States, John Harris. Captain Craig Dayton, believing Harris' life is in danger, stages a daring escape by backing the jet away from the gate without clearance and taking off down a vacant runway.
The dilemma for Captain Dayton and his precious cargo is that Peru has signed an Interpol warrant for President Harris' arrest, using the same treaty employed to extradite former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet. The Peruvian government alleges that Harris is personally responsible for a supposed CIA-led strike against a biological weapons factory during his term of office. But the nightmare for Harris - and the U.S. State Department - is this: There is no place to hide, because almost every nation in the world has signed the treaty and every one of them must honor the warrant and give Peru what it wants - a president to humiliate on the international stage.
Captain Dayton flies Harris and his crew on an against-the-clock mission around the world to find a safe haven, while Harris' rumpled and out-gunned lawyer wrestles an international team of legal sharks snapping at their biggest prize yet.
The dilemma for Captain Dayton and his precious cargo is that Peru has signed an Interpol warrant for President Harris' arrest, using the same treaty employed to extradite former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet. The Peruvian government alleges that Harris is personally responsible for a supposed CIA-led strike against a biological weapons factory during his term of office. But the nightmare for Harris - and the U.S. State Department - is this: There is no place to hide, because almost every nation in the world has signed the treaty and every one of them must honor the warrant and give Peru what it wants - a president to humiliate on the international stage.
Captain Dayton flies Harris and his crew on an against-the-clock mission around the world to find a safe haven, while Harris' rumpled and out-gunned lawyer wrestles an international team of legal sharks snapping at their biggest prize yet.
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First published April 2, 2001
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About the author
John J. Nance
66 books227 followersJohn J. Nance is an American pilot, aviation safety expert, and author. He served in the USAF during the Vietnam War and also as a Lt. Colonel in Operation Desert Storm.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
August 25, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyable in spite of credibility issues
Using the real-life Augusto Pinochet extradition case as a seed for an imaginative plot-line, John J Nance has penned the perfect light-on-the-grey-matter combo legal/political/techno-thriller for you to take along on your next flight over the big pond!
Former US President, John Harris, has been charged by the Peruvian government under a recently ratified treaty - the International Treaty Against Torture - with authorizing the cold-blooded murder of hundreds of civilians during a CIA raid on a Peruvian drug factory. British lawyer, Sir William Stuart Campbell, who has been hired to represent the Peruvian government, makes his first attempt to execute an arrest warrant for Harris as he sits aboard a Boeing 737 about to take off from Athens. When Captain Craig Drayton learns of the legal process that is about to take place on his aircraft, he quickly reaches the emotional and patriotic decision that the charges couldn't possibly be anything other than a bogus attempt to kidnap and ultimately execute the former president, as well as embarrass the US government. Faking a hijacking attempt, he rolls his plane, takes off with the former president and a full load of passengers who have no idea of the perilous adventure in which they are now embroiled.
When Harris asks his friend and former law partner, Jay Reinhart, to represent him in the ensuing legal battle, he also advises him that the plane, ostensibly en route to Rome, effectively has nowhere to land that wouldn't endanger Harris' safety! Campbell, a brilliant barrister and legal strategist, has filed a warrant at virtually every airport in Europe. The only obvious escape route is to land at an American Air Force Base in Europe, spirit the former President aboard a US jet and run like a scared rabbit for the safety of US home turf! But the sitting president refuses to condone that particular rescue because of the enormous political fallout that would certainly result! The entire world would recognize that the US signature on the International Treaty Against Torture was absolutely meaningless!
When a secretly recorded video surfaces that clearly films Harris authorizing the black-op that would kill the innocent civilians during the execution of the raid, the problem is no longer how to save a former President from legalized assassination by a kangaroo court in Peru! Now the question revolves around Harris' guilt and whether the US government should force Drayton to deliver Harris into the hands of the Peruvian government for a legitimate trial.
From the standpoint of a Canadian reader, the patriotism and flag-waving is typical, blustery US jingoism and, at least in my opinion, is outrageously overdone. That a senior airline pilot would unilaterally reach the decision to endanger his own life, his plane, his crew and a full load of passengers to save a former US president from a dubious legal process is more than a bit of a credibility stretch. BUT, that said, Nance does a fine job with the plot and the legal process on an international stage. It's a compelling page-turner in which I found myself fully absorbed despite my misgivings at the likelihood of such a series of events. Unlike many thrillers, Nance even takes time to develop his characters and make them considerably more life-like than the typical cardboard cutout heroes of many of today's thrillers.
With a minor suspension of credibility, HEADWIND is a thoroughly enjoyable read.
Paul Weiss
Using the real-life Augusto Pinochet extradition case as a seed for an imaginative plot-line, John J Nance has penned the perfect light-on-the-grey-matter combo legal/political/techno-thriller for you to take along on your next flight over the big pond!
Former US President, John Harris, has been charged by the Peruvian government under a recently ratified treaty - the International Treaty Against Torture - with authorizing the cold-blooded murder of hundreds of civilians during a CIA raid on a Peruvian drug factory. British lawyer, Sir William Stuart Campbell, who has been hired to represent the Peruvian government, makes his first attempt to execute an arrest warrant for Harris as he sits aboard a Boeing 737 about to take off from Athens. When Captain Craig Drayton learns of the legal process that is about to take place on his aircraft, he quickly reaches the emotional and patriotic decision that the charges couldn't possibly be anything other than a bogus attempt to kidnap and ultimately execute the former president, as well as embarrass the US government. Faking a hijacking attempt, he rolls his plane, takes off with the former president and a full load of passengers who have no idea of the perilous adventure in which they are now embroiled.
When Harris asks his friend and former law partner, Jay Reinhart, to represent him in the ensuing legal battle, he also advises him that the plane, ostensibly en route to Rome, effectively has nowhere to land that wouldn't endanger Harris' safety! Campbell, a brilliant barrister and legal strategist, has filed a warrant at virtually every airport in Europe. The only obvious escape route is to land at an American Air Force Base in Europe, spirit the former President aboard a US jet and run like a scared rabbit for the safety of US home turf! But the sitting president refuses to condone that particular rescue because of the enormous political fallout that would certainly result! The entire world would recognize that the US signature on the International Treaty Against Torture was absolutely meaningless!
When a secretly recorded video surfaces that clearly films Harris authorizing the black-op that would kill the innocent civilians during the execution of the raid, the problem is no longer how to save a former President from legalized assassination by a kangaroo court in Peru! Now the question revolves around Harris' guilt and whether the US government should force Drayton to deliver Harris into the hands of the Peruvian government for a legitimate trial.
From the standpoint of a Canadian reader, the patriotism and flag-waving is typical, blustery US jingoism and, at least in my opinion, is outrageously overdone. That a senior airline pilot would unilaterally reach the decision to endanger his own life, his plane, his crew and a full load of passengers to save a former US president from a dubious legal process is more than a bit of a credibility stretch. BUT, that said, Nance does a fine job with the plot and the legal process on an international stage. It's a compelling page-turner in which I found myself fully absorbed despite my misgivings at the likelihood of such a series of events. Unlike many thrillers, Nance even takes time to develop his characters and make them considerably more life-like than the typical cardboard cutout heroes of many of today's thrillers.
With a minor suspension of credibility, HEADWIND is a thoroughly enjoyable read.
Paul Weiss
May 13, 2012
This book is a thrilling chess game between two international lawyers. One lawyer, a very well known British barrister (Stewart Campbell), is trying to serve a warrant from Peru on a former American president, John Harris. Campbell has "irrefutable evidence" that Harris ordered a group of thugs to invade an illicit drug factory in Peru and kill and torture the workers. Campbell's opponent is Jay Reinhart, a little-known lawyer--a former law partner of John Harris--who was just recently released from a suspension from practicing law. Juxtaposed on this scenario are two aviators--pilot and copilot--who daringly fly a commercial 737 jet, who try to fly the former president to locations out of reach from Campbell.
While the premise of the story is a little shaky, it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. There are surprises aplenty along the way. There are enough technical details about aviation, and about international law to infuse some realism into the book.
While the premise of the story is a little shaky, it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. There are surprises aplenty along the way. There are enough technical details about aviation, and about international law to infuse some realism into the book.
January 2, 2021
If you need a bit of book adrenaline to start the new year, this will provide the adrenaline and more. But don’t reserve it to the beginning of a year. Whenever you discover this review is the right time to read this.
It starts as a routine flight for Craig Dayton, an American pilot employed by a European airline. His copilot is a Brit, and the two work well together. It’s just another day for the two until they prepare to land in Athens, Greece and learn that a well-beloved former American president is on their flight. Upon its arrival in Greece, Greek law-enforcement authorities seek to detain the plane. The Peruvians have sworn out a warrant for the former president’s arrest. They insist the American president authorized a CIA raid on a manufacturing plant that ended in the brutal death and torture of plant workers and Peruvian civilians.
Captain Dayton determines that no one is going to arrest his former commander in chief while he oversees the plane, so he engages in a healthy amount of derring-do and backs the plane away from the gate without authorization and flings it onto an empty runway where it takes it airborne en route to another country, perhaps one that won’t arrest the ex-President.
The suspense grows as Captain Dayton realizes that every country in which he wants to land is a signatory to a treaty that allows Peru to arrest and humiliate the former president. The Peruvians have a world-famous barrister with a specialty in international law fighting for them. The former president hires Jay Reinhart, a once-suspended lawyer and professor at the University of Wyoming in Laramie to handle his case.
In desperation, Dayton brings the plane down in Sicily, hoping Italian authorities will let it fly on to London after refueling. The former president and his lawyer think he has the best chance at attaining freedom if he lands in London.
This is an adrenaline-soaked encounter with aviation and international law, and you’ll learn a great deal about both if you read this. In 2021, we are familiar with the concept of deep fakes. That wasn’t the case in 2001 when the author wrote this. It’s amazing how prescient the author is. You’ll be on the edge of your chair for numerous reasons with this book. Some of them are related to international law and the long odds the former president faces. Others focus on basic nail-biting things like physics and fuel. Regardless of which aspect of this you focus on, you’ll likely experience heart-rate increases.
It starts as a routine flight for Craig Dayton, an American pilot employed by a European airline. His copilot is a Brit, and the two work well together. It’s just another day for the two until they prepare to land in Athens, Greece and learn that a well-beloved former American president is on their flight. Upon its arrival in Greece, Greek law-enforcement authorities seek to detain the plane. The Peruvians have sworn out a warrant for the former president’s arrest. They insist the American president authorized a CIA raid on a manufacturing plant that ended in the brutal death and torture of plant workers and Peruvian civilians.
Captain Dayton determines that no one is going to arrest his former commander in chief while he oversees the plane, so he engages in a healthy amount of derring-do and backs the plane away from the gate without authorization and flings it onto an empty runway where it takes it airborne en route to another country, perhaps one that won’t arrest the ex-President.
The suspense grows as Captain Dayton realizes that every country in which he wants to land is a signatory to a treaty that allows Peru to arrest and humiliate the former president. The Peruvians have a world-famous barrister with a specialty in international law fighting for them. The former president hires Jay Reinhart, a once-suspended lawyer and professor at the University of Wyoming in Laramie to handle his case.
In desperation, Dayton brings the plane down in Sicily, hoping Italian authorities will let it fly on to London after refueling. The former president and his lawyer think he has the best chance at attaining freedom if he lands in London.
This is an adrenaline-soaked encounter with aviation and international law, and you’ll learn a great deal about both if you read this. In 2021, we are familiar with the concept of deep fakes. That wasn’t the case in 2001 when the author wrote this. It’s amazing how prescient the author is. You’ll be on the edge of your chair for numerous reasons with this book. Some of them are related to international law and the long odds the former president faces. Others focus on basic nail-biting things like physics and fuel. Regardless of which aspect of this you focus on, you’ll likely experience heart-rate increases.
October 27, 2024
As an airplane geek, I loved John Nance’s vivid descriptions of the harrowing flights depicted in this book. Very suspenseful read. Nance is one of my favorite analysts on “Air Disasters.”
December 21, 2021
Disclaimer: I love any John Nance novel. I have no objectivity whatsoever. Headwind is his latest and it's as good as the rest which is to say, great. Former President, John Harris is heading back home from Rome. He's in the plane and they are getting ready for takeoff when the crew leans that they've been ordered to stop and wait for the Italian authorities to serve an arrest warrant to be served on Harris for crimes he is allegedly responsible for in Peru. He does not get arrested and the rest of the book is a thrill ride about how that arrest didn't happen.
April 25, 2009
While I found the premise of this book (an ex-US president being sought on an international warrant for crimes during his presidency) original and highly intriguing, the plot development didn't live up to my initial enthusiasm. Still, a quick and enjoyable read.
February 9, 2017
Good read. I like John Nance's books in general. This one kept my interest throughout.
March 27, 2022
John J. Nance doesn't disappoint. In Headwind, he creates a thriller that is full of aviation difficulties coupled with a diplomatic/political crisis and legal wrangling. The combination is like a perfectly formed smoothie, with all of the elements coming together and making a novel that is a truly sweet page turner.
The trouble begins when a loophole in an international treaty allows an interpol warrant being created for a former president for ordering a raid on a Bolivian drug stronghold. The agents of this act are mercenaries and thugs and they murder and torture not only the producers, but their wives and children as well. The legality of the warrant is questionable, but an Italian team of police are prepared to serve the warrant and remove the former president from an international flight when it lands at Rome. Meanwhile, the White House has distanced itself from the crisis and only offers help in a minimal and behind the scenes manner. The pilot contrives a plan while the president reaches out to an attorney in order to defend him. The attorney feels completely out-of-his depth immediately. So, the story concerns trying to escape countries (almost all of them) where the former president is at risk.
Along the way, the author throws in some aviation tricks and thrills. This is where Nance truly shines. He has written a fine story and adds legal maneuvers that are worthy of Perry Mason and/or Matlock.
This is a page turner and perhaps one of the reasons I had trouble sleeping this week, as I continued to stay up each night to discover what would happen next. This was a great book on multiple levels and I appreciated the careful layers Nance created.
The trouble begins when a loophole in an international treaty allows an interpol warrant being created for a former president for ordering a raid on a Bolivian drug stronghold. The agents of this act are mercenaries and thugs and they murder and torture not only the producers, but their wives and children as well. The legality of the warrant is questionable, but an Italian team of police are prepared to serve the warrant and remove the former president from an international flight when it lands at Rome. Meanwhile, the White House has distanced itself from the crisis and only offers help in a minimal and behind the scenes manner. The pilot contrives a plan while the president reaches out to an attorney in order to defend him. The attorney feels completely out-of-his depth immediately. So, the story concerns trying to escape countries (almost all of them) where the former president is at risk.
Along the way, the author throws in some aviation tricks and thrills. This is where Nance truly shines. He has written a fine story and adds legal maneuvers that are worthy of Perry Mason and/or Matlock.
This is a page turner and perhaps one of the reasons I had trouble sleeping this week, as I continued to stay up each night to discover what would happen next. This was a great book on multiple levels and I appreciated the careful layers Nance created.
November 5, 2020
Highly Recommended – A Page-Turner ... Captain Nance draws on his background as a former military pilot, retired commercial airline pilot, and attorney to skillfully weave this action-packed thriller. Peppered with flawless technical details, it engages the reader from beginning to end. The author is a skilled literary artist exemplified by his vivid descriptions of local settings and his talent for rich character development. I highly recommend “Headwind” for anyone who enjoys a fast-moving novel. - David B. Crawley, M.D. – Author of “Steep Turn: A Physician's Journey from Clinic to Cockpit” and “A Mile of String: A Boy's Recollection of His Midwest Childhood.”
June 13, 2020
Headwind is a fast-paced thriller with international intrigue and human folly. I often go into these types of airport-convenience-store novels with low expectations, but Headwind surpasses them all. The characters feel dynamic enough to warrant our sympathies and disdain, and they develop in a way that not many thrillers allow them to develop.
Still, there is a big emphasis on revealing that twist at the end, that solution to the mystery that drives the plot, where I'd rather see more emphasis on the mysteries of our human nature. But overall, I was never dissatisfied with engaging in the story.
Still, there is a big emphasis on revealing that twist at the end, that solution to the mystery that drives the plot, where I'd rather see more emphasis on the mysteries of our human nature. But overall, I was never dissatisfied with engaging in the story.
October 13, 2023
An entertaining read
I enjoyed this read, although the author really stretched the limits of believability a few times. The four stars are because there were editing errors, duplication of lines separated by a paragraph and evidence this just wasn’t proof read enough(a first out of all this authors works). The plot and plot twists were great, character development and relational contrasts very well done. A nice escape for a few hours and a recommended read. I am hoping the author reads this review and has his editor give the last few chapters a close look. Specifically Jay and Sherry’s lines about “they miscalculated the fuel” and “now my hair is solve”(duplicated).
I enjoyed this read, although the author really stretched the limits of believability a few times. The four stars are because there were editing errors, duplication of lines separated by a paragraph and evidence this just wasn’t proof read enough(a first out of all this authors works). The plot and plot twists were great, character development and relational contrasts very well done. A nice escape for a few hours and a recommended read. I am hoping the author reads this review and has his editor give the last few chapters a close look. Specifically Jay and Sherry’s lines about “they miscalculated the fuel” and “now my hair is solve”(duplicated).
June 9, 2021
My dad loved planes, pilots, and presidents, so it figures he gave me this book to read. Two fictional books about planes? And my mom gave me a Christian mystery book? No wonder I gave up on reading! Those are not my genres lol. But I didn't know any better, so, whatever.
I remember this book being not the greatest, but it's always fun to see how it ends I guess. I don't have the best memory, but let's say 2.5-3.0 stars.
I remember this book being not the greatest, but it's always fun to see how it ends I guess. I don't have the best memory, but let's say 2.5-3.0 stars.
November 6, 2019
Solid, riveting thriller revolving around an ex-President's attempt to avoid extradition to Peru on false charges stemming from a raid on a Peruvian drug factory that killed a number of innocent civilians while he was in office. Author Nance uses his vast knowledge of aeronautics to spin a complex tale that moves as fast as the 737 airliner that serves as the backdrop for the book.
January 25, 2020
I managed to get to chapter nine. This means the writing is not bad and the pace is good. But I did not finish the book because the plot seems to be very straightforward with little to make the story captivating. The technical details concerning airplanes, international law, and so on, might be there where needed but they do not make it a good story that you want to finish reading.
February 28, 2021
Headwinds Indeed
So much to process on so many levels...Nance does it again, in superb fashion. It’s a very thoughtful book, yet filled with all sorts of compelling tension and angst, with many headwinds on various stages, all converging into one grand finale. Great read, meant to linger with the reader after the last few words have been read.
So much to process on so many levels...Nance does it again, in superb fashion. It’s a very thoughtful book, yet filled with all sorts of compelling tension and angst, with many headwinds on various stages, all converging into one grand finale. Great read, meant to linger with the reader after the last few words have been read.
September 8, 2023
Lost sleep over this book
Couldn't put it down... but had to, in order to get up at a decent hour. Enjoyed the plot, characters, descriptions, conversations, etc. First read of author J. Nance but definitely not the last. Strongly recommended for fans of a fast moving story. Kudos J. Nance.
Couldn't put it down... but had to, in order to get up at a decent hour. Enjoyed the plot, characters, descriptions, conversations, etc. First read of author J. Nance but definitely not the last. Strongly recommended for fans of a fast moving story. Kudos J. Nance.
September 4, 2025
John J Nance is a truly great storyteller. Expertise in Law and Flying and encapsulates great tales combining both. This book goes across Europe as President Harris attempts to refute the claims of Peru. Two pilots and Jay Reinhart look to get the president to safety and the claims quashed. A great action packed escape.
April 4, 2019
i will Be quite bothered when i have not another of Mr. Nance's books to read.
a plus , i. read into the night unable to put the book down, it is past midnight sleep is not. an option until finished.
a plus , i. read into the night unable to put the book down, it is past midnight sleep is not. an option until finished.
March 11, 2022
Another cliff hanger!!!
I just love John Nance's books. He is so well accomplished he boggles my pea brain. My only criticism is the length of the books. I want it all now,so, he makes me read for the end of the novel!
I just love John Nance's books. He is so well accomplished he boggles my pea brain. My only criticism is the length of the books. I want it all now,so, he makes me read for the end of the novel!
September 16, 2023
This was a first John J. Nance book for me and I liked it more than I anticipated. The mix of legal and flight story lines mixed with a few nail biter landings made for a good read that kept my interests right to the final page in this book
December 28, 2024
Very enjoyable beach read. Appreciate the authors straightforward style absent a lot of turns of phrase or cheekiness that sometimes permeates the genre. Thought the plot lost steam at the 3/4 mark when this reader was expecting a twist or other big plot point.
September 15, 2025
Great read
Another winner for john j. Nance! He keeps the reader '' in the air '' with twists and turns and suspense. I have read a few of his novels and have never been disappointed. Now I will look for another of his great novels !
Another winner for john j. Nance! He keeps the reader '' in the air '' with twists and turns and suspense. I have read a few of his novels and have never been disappointed. Now I will look for another of his great novels !
May 15, 2022
Well written in the action thriller genre style. I liked the aviation aspects, but did not like the characters. Really not my kinda thing.
August 18, 2024
Excellent story!
Having read other books by this author, I knew that I would not be disappointed with this one. Excellent storytelling at its best!
Having read other books by this author, I knew that I would not be disappointed with this one. Excellent storytelling at its best!
July 19, 2025
engrossing book. Grisham meets Clancy meets a guy who know a LOT about planes (which does not all need to be shared). difficult to put this one down.
Read
May 2, 2013Headwinds, by John J. Nance, B-plus, Borrowed from National Library Service for the Blind.
This is one of Nance’s thrillers. Nance is a pilot and consultant for ABC on airport and transportation issues. He knows of what he speaks when he writes about what goes on in the cockpit of a plane. In this case, a former president of the United States is traveling by commercial airlines to Greece. Suddenly he receives news that the country of Peru is accusing him of having deliberately put in place a program dealing with preventing drugs from flowing from Peru to the United States, which used mercenaries for torture and murder. Peru is issuing a warrant to have the former president arrested and returned to Lima, Peru for trial. The president firmly denies authorizing any such program with foreknowledge that it would create the blood bath it did. He and his staff know that allowing the president to be expedited to Peru, regardless of their allegations of a fair trial, would constitute almost certain slow death and torture for the former president. The attorney representing Peru is a well-known British attorney and he is seeing to it that orders for issuing an arrest warrant are planted in every European country with the idea of finding a judge to issue the warrant should the president go to that country. The commercial pilot and co-pilot on the plane are former Air Force pilots who put protecting a former president higher than retaining their pilot jobs for the company they work for. What follows is a chase all over Europe to try to catch the former president. Finally, the climax comes with a hearing on the warrant in Ireland which threatens to go very wrong because of a judge inflamed against the United States. It’s a thriller, a real page-turner, if you’re reading it in print and turning pages. Quite good.
This is one of Nance’s thrillers. Nance is a pilot and consultant for ABC on airport and transportation issues. He knows of what he speaks when he writes about what goes on in the cockpit of a plane. In this case, a former president of the United States is traveling by commercial airlines to Greece. Suddenly he receives news that the country of Peru is accusing him of having deliberately put in place a program dealing with preventing drugs from flowing from Peru to the United States, which used mercenaries for torture and murder. Peru is issuing a warrant to have the former president arrested and returned to Lima, Peru for trial. The president firmly denies authorizing any such program with foreknowledge that it would create the blood bath it did. He and his staff know that allowing the president to be expedited to Peru, regardless of their allegations of a fair trial, would constitute almost certain slow death and torture for the former president. The attorney representing Peru is a well-known British attorney and he is seeing to it that orders for issuing an arrest warrant are planted in every European country with the idea of finding a judge to issue the warrant should the president go to that country. The commercial pilot and co-pilot on the plane are former Air Force pilots who put protecting a former president higher than retaining their pilot jobs for the company they work for. What follows is a chase all over Europe to try to catch the former president. Finally, the climax comes with a hearing on the warrant in Ireland which threatens to go very wrong because of a judge inflamed against the United States. It’s a thriller, a real page-turner, if you’re reading it in print and turning pages. Quite good.
February 18, 2017
I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14065304
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14065304
June 21, 2011
Nance has once again entwined international espionage and a jumbo commercial aircraft is a legal/psychological thriller. This tale includes an unlikely duo of a former international lawyer, now an ex-suspended judge, a former U.S. President, a Marine Reservist/pilot and an International Treaty on Terror. The'criminal' President of Peru has taken it upon himself to find justice for his brother's murder during a CIA raid against a raid of a Peruvian drug lab, he finds the CIA mastermind of the plot. To save his own skin, the CIA operative hands over a taped conversation woth the former U.S. President which seems to clearly indicate that the ex-President understood that torture and murder was to be part of the CIA operation; but, all is not as it seems and Jance portrays this is page turning detail.
January 29, 2011
It was quite fun to read
Favorite quote:
“John, have you ever given a speech to some important world function, and found yourself mentally standing in the wings watching yourself, and wondering why all those important people were listening to the likes of you, because, in your mind, you’re still a pimply-faced fifteen-year-old?”
John Harris was nodding. “More times than I’ll ever admit.” He sat forward. “See, Stuart, when we strip away all the veneer and the fancy jargon and the cloak of noble purpose and official position, we are just a couple of overgrown boys doing a pretty good job of acting out our respective roles.”
Stuart nodded. “Which is a pretty apt description of life in general.”
Favorite quote:
“John, have you ever given a speech to some important world function, and found yourself mentally standing in the wings watching yourself, and wondering why all those important people were listening to the likes of you, because, in your mind, you’re still a pimply-faced fifteen-year-old?”
John Harris was nodding. “More times than I’ll ever admit.” He sat forward. “See, Stuart, when we strip away all the veneer and the fancy jargon and the cloak of noble purpose and official position, we are just a couple of overgrown boys doing a pretty good job of acting out our respective roles.”
Stuart nodded. “Which is a pretty apt description of life in general.”
August 4, 2016
Lately I have become compulsive in my reading. This legal thriller is carefully crafted with a steady drumbeat building until the climax (in terms of a Greek Tragedy) and finally the denouement of the final scene. Before picking up this book you had better have a love of legal thrillers and more than passing knowledge of commercial and general aviation.
The action begins as past President John Harris is sitting on a German flagged carrier sitting on the ground in Athens when local law enforcement arrives to remove President Harris from the flight based on a warrant from Interpol. The intrepid captain of the airliner is forced to pull back from the gate and effect a take-off, headed for Rome. Yes, I did use the word intrepid, this is a book for aviation fans.
The action begins as past President John Harris is sitting on a German flagged carrier sitting on the ground in Athens when local law enforcement arrives to remove President Harris from the flight based on a warrant from Interpol. The intrepid captain of the airliner is forced to pull back from the gate and effect a take-off, headed for Rome. Yes, I did use the word intrepid, this is a book for aviation fans.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews