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Presidential Agent #5
Black Ops
In the wake of a series of murders involving covert intelligence informers, Delta Force Lieutenant Colonel Charley Castillo wonders about vague similarities between the killings and a recent case involving a pair of CIA traitors, a situation that is further complicated by an arms dealer's prediction that the deaths are linked to Kremlin activities. 400,000 first printing.
464 pages, Hardcover
First published December 31, 2008
341 people are currently reading
1383 people want to read
About the author
W.E.B. Griffin
351 books1,299 followersW.E.B. Griffin was one of several pseudonyms for William E. Butterworth III.
From the Authors Website:
W.E.B. Griffin was the #1 best-selling author of more than fifty epic novels in seven series, all of which have made The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly, and other best-seller lists. More than fifty million of the books are in print in more than ten languages, including Hebrew, Chinese, Japanese, and Hungarian.
Mr. Griffin grew up in the suburbs of New York City and Philadelphia. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1946. After basic training, he received counterintelligence training at Fort Holabird, Maryland. He was assigned to the Army of Occupation in Germany, and ultimately to the staff of then-Major General I.D. White, commander of the U.S. Constabulary.
In 1951, Mr. Griffin was recalled to active duty for the Korean War, interrupting his education at Phillips University, Marburg an der Lahn, Germany. In Korea he earned the Combat Infantry Badge as a combat correspondent and later served as acting X Corps (Group) information officer under Lieutenant General White.
On his release from active duty in 1953, Mr. Griffin was appointed Chief of the Publications Division of the U.S. Army Signal Aviation Test & Support Activity at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
Mr. Griffin was a member of the Special Operations Association, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Army Aviation Association, the Armor Association, and the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) Society.
He was the 1991 recipient of the Brigadier General Robert L. Dening Memorial Distinguished Service Award of the U.S. Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association, and the August 1999 recipient of the Veterans of Foreign Wars News Media Award, presented at the 100th National Convention in Kansas City.
He has been vested into the Order of St. George of the U.S. Armor Association, and the Order of St. Andrew of the U.S. Army Aviation Association, and been awarded Honorary Doctoral degrees by Norwich University, the nation’s first and oldest private military college, and by Troy State University (Ala.). He was the graduation dinner speaker for the class of 1988 at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
He has been awarded honorary membership in the Special Forces Association, the Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association, the Marine Raiders Association, and the U.S. Army Otter & Caribou Association. In January 2003, he was made a life member of the Police Chiefs Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and the State of Delaware.
He was the co-founder, with historian Colonel Carlo D’Este, of the William E. Colby Seminar on Intelligence, Military, and Diplomatic Affairs. (Details here and here)
He was a Life Member of the National Rifle Association. And he belongs to the Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Pensacola, Florida, chapters of the Flat Earth Society.
Mr. Griffin’s novels, known for their historical accuracy, have been praised by The Philadelphia Inquirer for their “fierce, stop-for-nothing scenes.”
“Nothing honors me more than a serviceman, veteran, or cop telling me he enjoys reading my books,” Mr. Griffin says.
Mr. Griffin divides his time between the Gulf Coast and Buenos Aires.
Notes:
Other Pseudonyms
* Alex Baldwin
* Webb Beech
* Walker E. Blake
* W.E. Butterworth
* James McM. Douglas
* Eden Hughes
* Edmund O. Scholefield
* Patrick J. Williams
* W. E. Butterworth
* John Kevin Dugan
* Jac
From the Authors Website:
W.E.B. Griffin was the #1 best-selling author of more than fifty epic novels in seven series, all of which have made The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly, and other best-seller lists. More than fifty million of the books are in print in more than ten languages, including Hebrew, Chinese, Japanese, and Hungarian.
Mr. Griffin grew up in the suburbs of New York City and Philadelphia. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1946. After basic training, he received counterintelligence training at Fort Holabird, Maryland. He was assigned to the Army of Occupation in Germany, and ultimately to the staff of then-Major General I.D. White, commander of the U.S. Constabulary.
In 1951, Mr. Griffin was recalled to active duty for the Korean War, interrupting his education at Phillips University, Marburg an der Lahn, Germany. In Korea he earned the Combat Infantry Badge as a combat correspondent and later served as acting X Corps (Group) information officer under Lieutenant General White.
On his release from active duty in 1953, Mr. Griffin was appointed Chief of the Publications Division of the U.S. Army Signal Aviation Test & Support Activity at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
Mr. Griffin was a member of the Special Operations Association, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Army Aviation Association, the Armor Association, and the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) Society.
He was the 1991 recipient of the Brigadier General Robert L. Dening Memorial Distinguished Service Award of the U.S. Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association, and the August 1999 recipient of the Veterans of Foreign Wars News Media Award, presented at the 100th National Convention in Kansas City.
He has been vested into the Order of St. George of the U.S. Armor Association, and the Order of St. Andrew of the U.S. Army Aviation Association, and been awarded Honorary Doctoral degrees by Norwich University, the nation’s first and oldest private military college, and by Troy State University (Ala.). He was the graduation dinner speaker for the class of 1988 at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
He has been awarded honorary membership in the Special Forces Association, the Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association, the Marine Raiders Association, and the U.S. Army Otter & Caribou Association. In January 2003, he was made a life member of the Police Chiefs Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and the State of Delaware.
He was the co-founder, with historian Colonel Carlo D’Este, of the William E. Colby Seminar on Intelligence, Military, and Diplomatic Affairs. (Details here and here)
He was a Life Member of the National Rifle Association. And he belongs to the Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Pensacola, Florida, chapters of the Flat Earth Society.
Mr. Griffin’s novels, known for their historical accuracy, have been praised by The Philadelphia Inquirer for their “fierce, stop-for-nothing scenes.”
“Nothing honors me more than a serviceman, veteran, or cop telling me he enjoys reading my books,” Mr. Griffin says.
Mr. Griffin divides his time between the Gulf Coast and Buenos Aires.
Notes:
Other Pseudonyms
* Alex Baldwin
* Webb Beech
* Walker E. Blake
* W.E. Butterworth
* James McM. Douglas
* Eden Hughes
* Edmund O. Scholefield
* Patrick J. Williams
* W. E. Butterworth
* John Kevin Dugan
* Jac
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews
January 20, 2019
Deep cover assets are being murdered, and Charley Castillo has to find out why. Along the way, he meets up with a beautiful Russian agent.
Another soap opera.
Another soap opera.
June 6, 2009
Griffin's books are usually action packed with high-stress situations. Well, this book was different. A very long and very slow story that spent way too much time in character development and useless dialog. As I was listening thru this marathon, I kept hoping something would happen. It didn't. The finale was kinda interesting but seemed short and under-done compared to the long build-up.
Save time, skip this one.
Save time, skip this one.
February 5, 2013
A typical Griffin presidential novel of interest and intrigue, which means it’s good. 8 of 10 stars
July 2, 2021
Multiple assassinations and attempts start this book of on a wild ride in South America, north America, Europe and deepest Africa. Black Ops is another masterpiece about The Presidential Agent Castillo and his merry band of rascals by W.E.B. Griffin. Apart from the killings there is also a couple of Russian defectors and a secret bio weapons laboratory in Congo. If you readers out there have missed this author it's high time that you correct that misstake and start reading. There is about 60 books by him and his son and there will be a new one in December by Andrews & Wilson.
August 15, 2019
Well written and incredibly detailed- like all Griffin novels. Also like all of his novels... you listen through 16 CDs worth of novel only to get to the end and are meet with a "to be continued" at the end of the story. If there is any criticism of Griffin it's that... the plot goes on from novel to novel seemingly without end. Loving it. Lt. Colonel Charley Castillo rocks the role of protagonist.
August 9, 2018
Other reviews I've read lead me to believe that some are becoming bogged down in the slow pace of this one. Come on. All these books are slow paced. The characters never have a meal without the menu and frequently a disquisition on it's preparation. Me, I like that, because he also explores the thinking behind every action, and the thinking behind trying to impede said action. You learn a lot about how soldiers and diplomats and bureaucrats think and that's useful in the day to day, but also really highlights what's going on.
My favorite thing about this book though is LTC Alexeeva. LTC Castillo's lack of control of his zipper in this instance is consistently amusing and, well, believable is not exactly the term, but I choose to believe it because I want to believe it.
There is another in this series and I'm looking forward to it, though I do think I'll pause to finish two or three of the other books i'm reading before I tackle it.
My problem with this, and much of his other work is that, although he researches everything he must sometimes ask the wrong people, because the minor mistakes are legion. But I am tolerant and find them amusing.
My favorite thing about this book though is LTC Alexeeva. LTC Castillo's lack of control of his zipper in this instance is consistently amusing and, well, believable is not exactly the term, but I choose to believe it because I want to believe it.
There is another in this series and I'm looking forward to it, though I do think I'll pause to finish two or three of the other books i'm reading before I tackle it.
My problem with this, and much of his other work is that, although he researches everything he must sometimes ask the wrong people, because the minor mistakes are legion. But I am tolerant and find them amusing.
August 10, 2012
I like the characters in this series.. I really do.. Maybe that's why I am furious that the author chose to play what I call the "conicidence" card.
Castillo, our hero, gets on a train where he meets a pair of Russian defectors. After he agrees to help them avoid their own intelligence agencies and the CIA he discovers (SHOCK) that they are actually related to his old "friend" Alexander Pevsner, who we've met in previous novels. COME ON! This is just patently absurd.
Griffin takes the series towards a new, vigilante direction as Castillo ignores his orders and acts defiantly to the DCI, etc.
A secret black op is planned, but is so summarily handled as to be extremely anti-climactic.. Griffin wants you to care about the characters-- but he just keeps adding in "old friends" and the romance with the female Russian defector is so far over the top that Griffin begins to defy the reality that he really could be creating for the reader.
I haven't given up yet.. but the series better get better with the next novel or I'm done.
Oh.. and I've figured out the pay scale for this novel as well..
Griffin gets paid extra every time a dog pees on the landing gear of an airplane.. Some editor must've thought it was funny based on the number of times it has been used.
If Griffin would write a little less conversation and a little more action- this series would improve.
Still, the historical backgrounds and in -depth character backgrounds prevent this novel from being a total loss.
Castillo, our hero, gets on a train where he meets a pair of Russian defectors. After he agrees to help them avoid their own intelligence agencies and the CIA he discovers (SHOCK) that they are actually related to his old "friend" Alexander Pevsner, who we've met in previous novels. COME ON! This is just patently absurd.
Griffin takes the series towards a new, vigilante direction as Castillo ignores his orders and acts defiantly to the DCI, etc.
A secret black op is planned, but is so summarily handled as to be extremely anti-climactic.. Griffin wants you to care about the characters-- but he just keeps adding in "old friends" and the romance with the female Russian defector is so far over the top that Griffin begins to defy the reality that he really could be creating for the reader.
I haven't given up yet.. but the series better get better with the next novel or I'm done.
Oh.. and I've figured out the pay scale for this novel as well..
Griffin gets paid extra every time a dog pees on the landing gear of an airplane.. Some editor must've thought it was funny based on the number of times it has been used.
If Griffin would write a little less conversation and a little more action- this series would improve.
Still, the historical backgrounds and in -depth character backgrounds prevent this novel from being a total loss.
April 18, 2013
This is the first book by Griffin that I did not enjoy – way too much dialogue and set-up and not nearly enough action. Not at all like his other books/series…pretty much a waste of time reading it.
Griffin's latest in the best-selling but generally disappointing series involving terrorism in the modern world picks up immediately after its predecessor, The Shooters, and features the same confusing ensemble of characters led by super-agent Charley Castillo.
People in the intelligence world are being murdered, and Charley might
be next. But neither Charley nor his companions are fazed; they are
sometimes more concerned with finding homes for a bunch of puppies
than solving the killings, handling Russian defectors, and finding a biological warfare center in Africa. Far too much time is spent on irrelevant digressions
and explaining past relationships instead of developing the story.
Ultimately, of course, Charley and the good guys prevail. Griffin's fans will be happy that the club has resurfaced, but new readers will likely be turned off by the complicated tale and the too-flippant dialog. Based on this novel's conclusion, the series is either changing drastically or ending - either is overdue.
Griffin's latest in the best-selling but generally disappointing series involving terrorism in the modern world picks up immediately after its predecessor, The Shooters, and features the same confusing ensemble of characters led by super-agent Charley Castillo.
People in the intelligence world are being murdered, and Charley might
be next. But neither Charley nor his companions are fazed; they are
sometimes more concerned with finding homes for a bunch of puppies
than solving the killings, handling Russian defectors, and finding a biological warfare center in Africa. Far too much time is spent on irrelevant digressions
and explaining past relationships instead of developing the story.
Ultimately, of course, Charley and the good guys prevail. Griffin's fans will be happy that the club has resurfaced, but new readers will likely be turned off by the complicated tale and the too-flippant dialog. Based on this novel's conclusion, the series is either changing drastically or ending - either is overdue.
September 20, 2020
I was stuck between a three and a four on this book because it was interesting, however I gave it the lower rating for a couple of reasons but one of the main reasons is his falling head over heels in love for the second time within a few months. The author tries to give a Personal Touch because his experience in his writing then he goes wandering off when it comes to these love affair seems, very corny. Other than that, the book was interesting. I feel another problem this author has like I’ve mentioned before is repeating a lot of things and also there’s many parts that you’re reading then you look back and think to yourself, why did he just go there. Carlos seems to be a good character but he really messes him up when he goes overboard being sarcastic with people and falling in love after one day. I wouldn’t be as harsh if it wasn’t for these books to come across more realistic and serious.
September 1, 2016
audio book
The title is very misleading; should have been something like "The troubles leading up to a 'Black Op' while re-introducing EVERY character that was in the preceding books, four. Sixteen discs and what I learned that was new would not have filled one.
This is the second one star in a row and looking at when the average rating is over four, I believe that I am not in that group that enjoys this series. As an Army vet, '65-'68, I was captured by Griffin's reality exhibited in the 'Corps' series. This presidential Agent series seems to be written for those who think that playing a computer game is the same as actual service. Maybe, I'm not fair, but I know that I am very disappointed in books 4 and 5.
The title is very misleading; should have been something like "The troubles leading up to a 'Black Op' while re-introducing EVERY character that was in the preceding books, four. Sixteen discs and what I learned that was new would not have filled one.
This is the second one star in a row and looking at when the average rating is over four, I believe that I am not in that group that enjoys this series. As an Army vet, '65-'68, I was captured by Griffin's reality exhibited in the 'Corps' series. This presidential Agent series seems to be written for those who think that playing a computer game is the same as actual service. Maybe, I'm not fair, but I know that I am very disappointed in books 4 and 5.
November 17, 2019
This was a good finale to the oil for food plot, I'm excited to see what the team can accomplish next. The one thing I don't understand is why Charlie falls for women so hard and fast!
Update: I listened to the rest of the series- don't waste your time!
Update: I listened to the rest of the series- don't waste your time!
October 17, 2024
The story starts with multiple assassinations and attempted attacks on various people either connected with Castillo or the investigation into the oil for food shenanigans.
Another fun, exciting thriller featuring Castillo and his merry band
Another fun, exciting thriller featuring Castillo and his merry band
October 10, 2020
While not academically insightful, theses are a great sequential series to read. They provide a distraction from the mundane and profile a plausible situation.
November 13, 2021
I never really write negative reviews but cmon… this book was just your typical male power fantasy, secret agent who reports directly to the president, sasses back his bosses, sleeps with Russian spies… oh and he’s also independently a multimillionaire. I honestly kept reading because it was getting so unbelievable I genuinely expected some kind of subversive ending in which it all came crashing down. I really expected the subplot with the dogs to be foreshadowing for something else but it ultimately meant nothing.
One star bc some of the characters were charismatic but oof. Kinda had enough of these spy thrillers haha
One star bc some of the characters were charismatic but oof. Kinda had enough of these spy thrillers haha
January 24, 2023
A great author but,not their best work.
January 14, 2009
Also, pls refer to my previous comment about this book. I wouldn't be surprised if this is the last book in WEB Griffin's Presidential Agent series.
While following up his investigation into the murder of an American diplomat, Charley stumbled into information showing the existence of a biological warfare lab/manufacturing facility somewhere in Africa. All the alphabet agencies, CIA, FBI, ABC & XYZ, says this is a harmless fish processing plant. But Charley and his band of merry men and women decided to investigate and when they were sure that their information was correct, Charley decides to bring the results of their investigation to the president and the president orders the lab destroyed by the military. Along, the way, Charley offends almost all the heads of these agencies. Some of the members of his group, including Charley, have decided to go into retirement after this adventure.
Near the end of the book, the president has disbanded the OOA (Office of Organizational Analysis) headed by Charley Castillo because he probably decided that Charley is unable to work with the established bureacratic/legal process. His advisers are even comparing Charley with Oliver North. It looks like Charley has found another love of his life in a beautiful Russian defector. Also in this book, his teenage son, Randy found out that Charley is his father, not the man his mother is married to. If Charley Castillo's adventures ever continue, it might be in another series, since he was offered a job by a secret organization of wealthy and prominent men, whose profess aim is the protection of the planet, humanity and the American way (this is conjecture on my part, because the organization was not even named).
Would I read the next book if the series continues? Probably because of fan loyalty and I enjoyed the previous books. But I'm giving this book only 3 stars.
While following up his investigation into the murder of an American diplomat, Charley stumbled into information showing the existence of a biological warfare lab/manufacturing facility somewhere in Africa. All the alphabet agencies, CIA, FBI, ABC & XYZ, says this is a harmless fish processing plant. But Charley and his band of merry men and women decided to investigate and when they were sure that their information was correct, Charley decides to bring the results of their investigation to the president and the president orders the lab destroyed by the military. Along, the way, Charley offends almost all the heads of these agencies. Some of the members of his group, including Charley, have decided to go into retirement after this adventure.
Near the end of the book, the president has disbanded the OOA (Office of Organizational Analysis) headed by Charley Castillo because he probably decided that Charley is unable to work with the established bureacratic/legal process. His advisers are even comparing Charley with Oliver North. It looks like Charley has found another love of his life in a beautiful Russian defector. Also in this book, his teenage son, Randy found out that Charley is his father, not the man his mother is married to. If Charley Castillo's adventures ever continue, it might be in another series, since he was offered a job by a secret organization of wealthy and prominent men, whose profess aim is the protection of the planet, humanity and the American way (this is conjecture on my part, because the organization was not even named).
Would I read the next book if the series continues? Probably because of fan loyalty and I enjoyed the previous books. But I'm giving this book only 3 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 8, 2009
I was disappointed in this novel. Overall, I liked the presidential agent series, but really, the first one was the best. This 5th installment in the series was loaded with details that did not exactly move the story along. The stage-setting was almost comical at times - I mean, does the author really have to point out that "Chairs had been arranged around the table, and there were lined pads and several ballpoint pends on each pad"? That was just one sentence in three paragraphs that included which chair each person sat in - which ended up not being significant.
Much of the rest was conversational. When it came to the actual operations, is was basically: all talk, no action. The "love interest" started with sex and never got beyond that to anything that you'd consider meaningful. To top it off, the book had a disappointing ending. I was left wondering, after reading nearly 500 pages, "What was that all about?"
Much of the rest was conversational. When it came to the actual operations, is was basically: all talk, no action. The "love interest" started with sex and never got beyond that to anything that you'd consider meaningful. To top it off, the book had a disappointing ending. I was left wondering, after reading nearly 500 pages, "What was that all about?"
Read
July 23, 2024I've read most everything W. E. B. Griffin has written over the years. None of them I would say are great literature. I always view them more as brain candy, something to read and pass the time over the holidays. This one wasn't bad. Like many of his books, it follows a certain formula with bureaucratic backroom fighting mixed in with some bit of arcane history set in the shady world of Black Programs, but enjoyable never the less. I didn't care for the love interest in this book. I found her to be very unbelievable, in general I see her character as a Macguffin, an irrelevant plot mover that took up to much space in this book. I could of dealt without her. This is probably the last of the Presidential Agent Books in that he has drawn to conclusion many of the plot themes of this series of books. If your thinking of reading this, maybe wait for the paperback to come out
March 30, 2014
This was a well-written thriller as I learned a lot about the world. It just took longer to read than I feel a book in this genre should read faster, but the history lessons bogged down the text. The history lessons were necessary to understand the operation involved. How a story that starts in Germany can end up in Las Vegas takes a long time to tell. Maybe it was my own ignorance of the topic at hand as I have not read a lot of books on black ops or South America and Russian relations in the post Berlin wall fall world in which we now live. It is interesting in light of recent news articles that Vladimir Putin is not to be trusted. As I have not read any other books in this series I do not know what happens next.
August 18, 2010
This was the second W.E.B. Griffin book I've listened to. I remembered that a good friend of mine was always on the lookout for books by this author, so I thought I would give him a try.
I got the unabridged version of this audio book. I only gave it three stars because much of it included redundancies and a lot, I mean a TON, of finger-giving instead of verbal responses. The book would have been better with a thorough editing and some actual action, particularly on the part of the hero, Castillo. Too much action took place off screen and by other characters, while Castillo was forced by circumstances to sit on his hands. I was disappointed.
I got the unabridged version of this audio book. I only gave it three stars because much of it included redundancies and a lot, I mean a TON, of finger-giving instead of verbal responses. The book would have been better with a thorough editing and some actual action, particularly on the part of the hero, Castillo. Too much action took place off screen and by other characters, while Castillo was forced by circumstances to sit on his hands. I was disappointed.
June 19, 2015
More of the "oil for food scam" . . . will this story line EVER end? Listening on audio CD, total of 16 disks--the story starts to get to what C G Castillo and the boys do best on disk 15, only to come to a very abrupt and anti-climatic ending just one disk later. If I didn't like the cast of characters so well in the Presidential Agent series, I would give up. Hopefully installment #6 in the series will turn things around! 4 out of 10 for me.
March 22, 2023
The first disturbing reports reached Delta Force Lieutenant Colonel Charley Castillo in the form of backchannel messages concerning covert U.S. intelligence assets working for a variety of agencies suddenly gone missing and then, suddenly, inexplicably, found dying. Or dead. One in Budapest, Hungary. One in Kiev, Ukraine. One in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, mere klicks from the Iran border. And then one in Virginia, along the Potomac River, practically in the shadow of CIA headquarters.
Castillo finds the information both infuriating and fascinating, particularly after a recent experience with two CIA traitors whose own deaths were swift and suspicious. Despite there being some similarities, though, he thinks there's something different with these new cases, something he can?t quite put his finger on. At first, it's idle thought, but Castillo expects it's only a matter of time before the commander in chief assigns him and his group of troubleshooters in the innocuously named Office of Organizational Analysis to look into the deaths while all those intel agencies fight among themselves trying to put the pieces together.
Meanwhile, Castillo has problems of his own?fallout from recent missions involving a clandestine rescue of a DEA agent from South American drug runners, and the confiscation of some fifty million dollars from thieves in the Iraqi oil-for-food scandal. He's made more than a few enemies, he knows?both foreign and domestic. And then comes another back-channel message, this one delivered personally by his lethal friend, the Russian mobster arms dealer. All that has happened so far, he says, is just a warm-up for what's about to come out of the Kremlin.
Castillo finds the information both infuriating and fascinating, particularly after a recent experience with two CIA traitors whose own deaths were swift and suspicious. Despite there being some similarities, though, he thinks there's something different with these new cases, something he can?t quite put his finger on. At first, it's idle thought, but Castillo expects it's only a matter of time before the commander in chief assigns him and his group of troubleshooters in the innocuously named Office of Organizational Analysis to look into the deaths while all those intel agencies fight among themselves trying to put the pieces together.
Meanwhile, Castillo has problems of his own?fallout from recent missions involving a clandestine rescue of a DEA agent from South American drug runners, and the confiscation of some fifty million dollars from thieves in the Iraqi oil-for-food scandal. He's made more than a few enemies, he knows?both foreign and domestic. And then comes another back-channel message, this one delivered personally by his lethal friend, the Russian mobster arms dealer. All that has happened so far, he says, is just a warm-up for what's about to come out of the Kremlin.
February 11, 2022
I don't want to give anything away, but I didn't believe it. If you have read the book you know what I mean.
The story: the oil-for-food scam people have returned to killing off people. When Charley attends a funeral he gets a warning that he will be assassinated if he attends. Who gives him the warning? Well... the person who ordered the assassination, of course! Who else would know?
Any problems with this story? While the story is intriguing at first it eventually breaks down into somewhat of a farce. If the author meant this stuff seriously, he needed to check his meds. (The author has passed away, and may he rest in peace, but you know what I mean.) While I don't doubt the sincerity of the average person who might say some of the things that are said in this book, I would seriously doubt that a high-level Russian spy would... much less two... or four.
Any modesty issues? The F-word was used well over 30 times. I stopped counting. Sex between an unmarried couple occurs and the fact that they were not married was discussed... and then dismissed as a religious matter best left between the couple and God.
The ending was interesting, but not particularly exciting.
This was my second reading of this book. I recall not particularly liking the turn of events in the book the first time. I didn't like it any better the second time. I might read this book again as part of reading the entire series, but otherwise, not.
The story: the oil-for-food scam people have returned to killing off people. When Charley attends a funeral he gets a warning that he will be assassinated if he attends. Who gives him the warning? Well... the person who ordered the assassination, of course! Who else would know?
Any problems with this story? While the story is intriguing at first it eventually breaks down into somewhat of a farce. If the author meant this stuff seriously, he needed to check his meds. (The author has passed away, and may he rest in peace, but you know what I mean.) While I don't doubt the sincerity of the average person who might say some of the things that are said in this book, I would seriously doubt that a high-level Russian spy would... much less two... or four.
Any modesty issues? The F-word was used well over 30 times. I stopped counting. Sex between an unmarried couple occurs and the fact that they were not married was discussed... and then dismissed as a religious matter best left between the couple and God.
The ending was interesting, but not particularly exciting.
This was my second reading of this book. I recall not particularly liking the turn of events in the book the first time. I didn't like it any better the second time. I might read this book again as part of reading the entire series, but otherwise, not.
January 21, 2024
I am working my way down the W.E.B. Griffin ‘Presidential Agent Books’. Black Ops almost convinced me to stop. I haven’t bothered to figure out who wrote this one: three (3) names display as author, which is weird.
This is my criticism with this series (I just finished the next one in the series: At least 75% of each book (after the first one) is wasted reintroducing the multiple characters and what happened in the earlier books in the series. I suspect he is getting paid by word count. It’s like bad summer reruns of a TV series. In other words - boring.
I also have tired of all the full names and full titles repeating throughout the book—-again, I suspect word count. And, oh my gosh, the “Sir, Yes Sir Major or General or anybody in range, becomes really tiring.
Now a specific complaint for this book: Russian agents found God, and they go on and on throughout with it. I am happy they did, but enough is enough. When you add all the sacrilegious cursing by the protagonist, it’s enough to make you gag. I am no prude and consider myself a pretty good Southern Baptist, but this was disgusting.
In conclusion, not nearly as good as the previous books in the series. It and the next one, ‘The Outlaws,’ have been disappointments.
I just checked out the next one of the series, but after putting down my thought on the last two books I am thinking about dumping it. No, I cannot recommend these books beyond the first and maybe second one.
This is my criticism with this series (I just finished the next one in the series: At least 75% of each book (after the first one) is wasted reintroducing the multiple characters and what happened in the earlier books in the series. I suspect he is getting paid by word count. It’s like bad summer reruns of a TV series. In other words - boring.
I also have tired of all the full names and full titles repeating throughout the book—-again, I suspect word count. And, oh my gosh, the “Sir, Yes Sir Major or General or anybody in range, becomes really tiring.
Now a specific complaint for this book: Russian agents found God, and they go on and on throughout with it. I am happy they did, but enough is enough. When you add all the sacrilegious cursing by the protagonist, it’s enough to make you gag. I am no prude and consider myself a pretty good Southern Baptist, but this was disgusting.
In conclusion, not nearly as good as the previous books in the series. It and the next one, ‘The Outlaws,’ have been disappointments.
I just checked out the next one of the series, but after putting down my thought on the last two books I am thinking about dumping it. No, I cannot recommend these books beyond the first and maybe second one.
December 16, 2018
This is the 5th book in the series.
It would be better to read the entire series one after another due to how complex the plot and characters are. If you want to read what the book is about please see the blurb above the reviews.
We are once again with our hero. This time our objective is to find out has our hero's buddies in their line of fire and why. Some people have died and others got lucky to be alive. When our hero finds this out, he knows they want him and are trying to flush him out.
The plot is good and keeps you guessing and moving along. Thankfully, the characters involved are from the past books and the author spends a bit of time going over each of these people. Then add the presidents special orders and the amount of times our hero has to recite it, it gets really old and fast.
The author does introduce a couple of new characters. One of these is a love interest of our hero. I don't like her at all. Too pushy and much like a princess. She gets on my nerves. By the end of the book I think I was in sugar shock from the hero and his new love interest.
I'm starting to lose my interest in the series. Its getting further away from what the whole series was to be about. I hate to leave anything unfinished though.
It would be better to read the entire series one after another due to how complex the plot and characters are. If you want to read what the book is about please see the blurb above the reviews.
We are once again with our hero. This time our objective is to find out has our hero's buddies in their line of fire and why. Some people have died and others got lucky to be alive. When our hero finds this out, he knows they want him and are trying to flush him out.
The plot is good and keeps you guessing and moving along. Thankfully, the characters involved are from the past books and the author spends a bit of time going over each of these people. Then add the presidents special orders and the amount of times our hero has to recite it, it gets really old and fast.
The author does introduce a couple of new characters. One of these is a love interest of our hero. I don't like her at all. Too pushy and much like a princess. She gets on my nerves. By the end of the book I think I was in sugar shock from the hero and his new love interest.
I'm starting to lose my interest in the series. Its getting further away from what the whole series was to be about. I hate to leave anything unfinished though.
May 23, 2022
This is the 36th book by W.E.B. Griffin that I have read. I have greatly enjoyed them all - until this one. While it was a good story, the book contained far too much "talkiness" compared to all the others I've read. This is especially true concerning Colonel Castillo's love life, and the amount of time spent rehashing his past exploits from the first four books in the series. In a very real sense this book presents a sort of reset for the series which should be interesting to follow in further series entries. To say more about this book, which involves defecting Russian spies, would risk acting as a spoiler. It is interesting to see how this book, which appeared in 2008, presages current events in Russia.
November 26, 2022
One man against the alphabet soup of the US intelligence community
This an ever evolving story covering five books. Seemingly unrelated events are examined on their individual merit to culminate in a global web of intrigue resulting in the uncovering of a potential threat of f the global population and life as we know it. Led by a stalwart junior officer who is underestimated for his ability and focus to complete his mission. Its an interesting yarn that will captivate you through all five books.
This an ever evolving story covering five books. Seemingly unrelated events are examined on their individual merit to culminate in a global web of intrigue resulting in the uncovering of a potential threat of f the global population and life as we know it. Led by a stalwart junior officer who is underestimated for his ability and focus to complete his mission. Its an interesting yarn that will captivate you through all five books.
September 26, 2025
I probably picked a bad WEB Griffin book to start with, but this was Dull with a capital "D". Nothing happens outside the first chapter of any consequence, mostly just a group of characters having long drawn out conversations, travelling to a new country and having another long conversation. Then multiply by 20 or so. Just walking and talking, and a god-awful torrid romance plot line which is just unnecessary. I can't say I've ever been so bored by a book. There's no climax, no character development, nothing redeeming whatsoever.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2025
finished 24th november 2025 good read three stars i liked it no less no more kindle library loaner have read more than twenty from griffin w.e.b. and have enjoyed them all he writes a convincing tale about historical military and intelligence and though this series is not based on actual events there's enough here to keep more curious. have been reading the series in order and am curious to see where it goes have #6 open and well underway.
July 31, 2024
This is the five-star rating system I use:
★★★★★ Great book! Can’t wait to read it again (and I will).
★★★★☆ Good book. I am glad I read this.
★★★☆☆ OK book. Nothing special but not bad.
★★☆☆☆ Not good. Why did I waste my time?
★☆☆☆☆ Lousy. I didn’t finish.
If for whatever reason, I go back and reread a good book, I will change the rating to five-star because I read it again.
★★★★★ Great book! Can’t wait to read it again (and I will).
★★★★☆ Good book. I am glad I read this.
★★★☆☆ OK book. Nothing special but not bad.
★★☆☆☆ Not good. Why did I waste my time?
★☆☆☆☆ Lousy. I didn’t finish.
If for whatever reason, I go back and reread a good book, I will change the rating to five-star because I read it again.
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