Tower Down

Kirk McGarvey #21

by David Hagberg

A freelance killer, code-named Al-Nassar, “the Eagle,” blows the supports on a pencil tower in Manhattan and sends it crashing down. Hundreds of people are killed, both the multi-billionaires inside and the innocent bystanders on the street more than one thousand feet below. It's like 9/11 all over again, only this time, no airplanes are involved.

Retired CIA assassin Kirk McGarvey believes that someone in the Saudi Arabian government, feeling the internal pinch of sharply declining oil revenues and the escalating costs in money and manpower of defending its borders against ISIS, is behind the attack. The Saudis hope to awaken America's will and military might against ISIS.

But no one in the White House or even in the CIA wants to believe that more Americans are going to die. Only McGarvey, his partner Pete Boylan, and his long time friend, the computer genius odd-duck Otto Rencke, believe that another attack on a Manhattan skyscraper is imminent.

The trio embarks on a mission to find the Eagle and stop him before he strikes again. They’re hot on his trail—but the clock is ticking.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Mystery

320 pages, Hardcover

First published May 16, 2017

About the author

aka David Bannerman, Sean Flannery, David James, Robert Pell, Eric Ramsey

David Hagberg is a former Air Force cryptographer who has traveled extensively in Europe, the Arctic, and the Caribbean and has spoken at CIA functions. He has published more than twenty novels of suspense, including the bestselling High Flight, Assassin, and Joshua's Hammer.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/davidh...

Reviews

[Skip · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Middle Eastern assassin-for-hire sociopath (Kamal) is hired by the Saudi's intelligence agency to bring down two “pencil” towers in NYC, copycatting 9-11, to get America to declare war on ISIS. The highlight is the description of how the pencil towers are destroyed by manipulating its internal stabilizing architecture. Killing the super-rich though seems a bit far-fetched for the Saudis. Both Kamal and McGarvey bring illegal opportunities to the super rich to ingratiate themselves (for different reasons, of course.) It was very unclear why the Saudis suddenly decided to cancel the operation after destruction of the first tower and why Kamal continued (ego) despite his orders to stand down. The rest of the book is the usual Kirk McGarvey maverick stuff, assisted by his CIA girlfriend Pete Boylan, and the always capable, Otto Rencke.

[Ryan Hillis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great post 9/11 thriller.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad book but I found it really easy to put down. It took me over a week to read it which is a LONG time for me.

[Wayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I have mentioned in previous reviews of Krirk McGarvey thrillers, if you overlook the almost unbelievable way Kirk figures things out and , rather, accept his activities as described, you will enjoy the ride.
In Tower Down a new NYC skyscraper (pencil tower) is sabotaged. Everyone but Kirk, his girlfriend Pete, and best friend and CIA computer whiz Otto, believe the tower was too tall and fell due to construction deficiencies. Kirk and companions believe the Saudis are behind it. They plan to prove it and to prevent the next pencil tower from the same sabotage.
From England to France, from Monaco to Cannes, from Washington to NYC the entertaining action takes place with interesting characters, all folks of great wealth, from around the world.
As with many of David Hagberg's Kirk McGarvey novels, it helps to have read each one in order. This will definitely be the case when his next thriller comes out in 2018, as Tower Down leaves questions that need to be answered. Can't wait!

[Dan Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A freelance killer, code-named Al-Nassar, “the Eagle,” blows the supports on a pencil tower in Manhattan and sends it crashing down. Hundreds of people are killed, both the multi-billionaires inside and the innocent bystanders on the street more than one thousand feet below. It's like 9/11 all over again, only this time, no airplanes are involved.
Retired CIA assassin Kirk McGarvey believes that someone in the Saudi Arabian government, feeling the internal pinch of sharply declining oil revenues and the escalating costs in money and manpower of defending its borders against ISIS, is behind the attack. The Saudis hope to awaken America's will and military might against ISIS.

But no one in the White House or even in the CIA wants to believe that more Americans are going to die. Only McGarvey, his partner Pete Boylan, and his long time friend, the computer genius odd-duck Otto Rencke, believe that another attack on a Manhattan skyscraper is imminent.

[Mike Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book starts out fast. Someone takes down a residential tower in New York City. Toppling it over killing everyone inside and tons of innocent bystanders. The culprit has his eyes on a second tower. Mac and his team chase him all over the globe in the richest of the rich circles. I enjoyed this novel, the ending was a little anti climatic, but overall a good read. The end of the novel left some good options for the upcoming novels.

[Mark Zeid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book. It starts with action on the very first page and continues throughout the book. A terrorist hired to kill the richest and most influential people in the world brings down a modern skyscraper, killing all inside. A special team knows that a second attack is coming, more deadly and devastating than the first one. It's a race to save a second group of the rich and powerful before the terrorist can strike again. A thrilling read.

Mark Zeid, author of Media Murder Mysteries.

[Craig Wakefield · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Director, Kirk McGarvey, saves at least half of New York's skyline. Why hasn't the current administration found someone the like's of McGarvey to take out all the bad boys that threaten the U.S. of A? Kirk is coming back to life after some sad things have happened in his personal life. Kirk will still be called on in the future when harm's way threatens us. Thank you David Hagberg.

[Neil Schoolnik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do love this series. Having read all of them, some have been better than others. This book is a reminder of the times we currently live in. The ending to this particular book is perfect and makes you wonder, what is next?

[D. E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paul Newman as a fireman in the Towering Inferno was a stretch. However the novel was an excellent presentation of the words an author wrote, put to a script and made into one of the scariest fire movies made. DEHS

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been one hell of a year for McGarvey, it's the 5th straight book that says he's 50 years old. In this one he must take on an assassin/saboteur working for the Saudis while casting blame on ISIS

[Al Menaster · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but not great. Too much rushing around to no affect. I didn't like the ending.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Kirk McGarvey!

[Ron · Rating 1 out of 5]

Again this rating went from a 4 or a 5 down to a 1. A sh^t ending. This crap is not going to sell more books!!!

[Samuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would had given this a 5 star if not for the abrupt ending

[Richard L. Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Typical Kirk McGarvey novel. Non-stop action. I loved the book!

[Scott Mohn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ending way to simple and not up to usual standards.

[Rock · Rating 5 out of 5]

The series hasn't been quite as good since McGarvey left the CIA, but this one got back to some good action and excitement.

[Ernest · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a GREAT read

[Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fascinating read into the complexities of the war on terror. Plenty of intrigue, lots of twists and turns, and very hard to put down.

[Pat Malon]

Enjoyed the story