The Take

Simon Riske #1

by Christopher Reich

Riske is a freelance industrial spy who, despite his job title, lives a mostly quiet life above his auto garage in central London. He is hired to perform the odd job for a bank, an insurance company, or the British Secret Service, when he isn't expertly stealing a million-dollar watch off the wrist of a crooked Russian oligarch.

Riske has maintained his quiet life by avoiding big, messy jobs; until now. A gangster by the name of Tino Coluzzi has orchestrated the greatest street heist in the history of Paris: a visiting Saudi prince had his pockets lightened of millions in cash, and something else. Hidden within a stolen briefcase is a secret letter that could upend the balance of power in the Western world. The Russians have already killed in an attempt to get it back by the time the CIA comes knocking at Simon's door.

Coluzzi was once Riske's brother-in-arms, but their criminal alliance ended with Riske in prison, having narrowly avoided a hit Coluzzi ordered. Now, years later, it is thief against thief, and hot on their trail are a dangerous Parisian cop, a murderous Russian femme fatale, her equally unhinged boss, and perhaps the CIA itself.
Length: 11 hrs and 55 mins

From New York Times bestselling author Christopher Reich, an international spy thriller featuring Simon Riske: one part James Bond, one part Jack Reacher

In the grand tradition of The Day of the Jackal and The Bourne Identity, Christopher Reich's The Take is a stylish, breathtaking ride.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Mystery, Audiobook, Espionage, Mystery Thriller, Suspense

400 pages, ebook

First published January 16, 2018

About the author

Christopher Reich was born in Tokyo. In 1965 his family moved to Los Angeles. He attended Georgetown University and the University of Texas and worked in Switzerland before returning to the United States to become an author. His novel The Patriots Club won the International Thriller Writers award for Best Novel in 2006. He lives in Encinitas, California.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christopher Reich is back with the debut novel in a new series, which has much potential to grow into something electric and throughly entertaining. After a well-orchestrated heist in Paris leaves a Saudi prince’s convoy disrupted and a large sum of money stolen, the thieves realize that they have an added prize for their efforts; a letter containing security secrets that could be fatal if they fell into the wrong hands. When a member of the American Government arrives in London to speak with Simon Riske there is little interest in taking on the case of recovering the letter. However, once the name of the lead thief is revealed, Tino Coluzzi, Riske changes his tune. With a sordid past of his own, Riske crossed paths with Coluzzi when they were both part of the Corsican Mafia and ran the job that saw an armoured case robbery go awry and Riske take the fall. Now, RIske wants nothing more than to retrieve this mystery letter, if only to help the country of his birth and exact some form of revenge on Culuzzi. As Riske searches, Coluzzi has begun trying to contact the Russian Government, hoping to sell them the letter, but there seems to be little interest. That said, both Riske and Coluzzi are in trouble, as the SVR—Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service—is happy to collect the letter and exterminate these two in the process. As Riske works with a member of the Paris police, he offers just enough information to receive the assistance he needs, remaining one step behind Coluzzi but in the crosshairs of the Russians. This might be one adrenaline rush too many for Riske, long since out of the business. Reich does a masterful job at keeping the story clipping along and providing readers with proof as to why he is a master of the genre. Perfect for those who love a good thriller that mixes espionage with a dash of police procedural.

I have long admired Christopher Reich as a masterful storyteller, both for his storylines and the characters he uses. There is little doubt that this new novel will lay the groundwork for an exciting series, using this debut to develop a strong character who has straddled both sides of the law. Simon Riske’s backstory is on offer here, as Reich returns to shape him throughout the narrative. Abandoned and shipped off to France as a teenager, Riske turned to the only family that accepted him, the Mafia, to make ends meet. However, his epiphany came at a time when he could weigh his options and make a life-changing decision to use his past to effect change. Fuelled with this animosity, Riske is sent on a collision course to clash with his former friend in a case that leaves no stone unchecked. Some of the other characters peppered throughout the narrative provide key elements to the story that advances effectively. Even with a large number of characters, Reich is able to juggle the many storylines and deliver an effective narrative that does not bog down or leave the reader flipping back to recollect how everyone fits together. There are many loose ends woven into the story and this leaves the reader to wonder what might be coming next, while also providing Reich with an opening to explore them further in future novels. Reich is succinct in his writing and keeps the reader wanting to know more, pushing onward with these well-paced chapters. The technical jargon is present, more to inject realism than to drown the reader in minutiae. Readers can easily lose themselves in the story and yet demand more, leaving Reich to decide if this is a pathway he wants to continue, having laid such a powerful foundation.

Kudos, Mr. Reich, for such an explosive debut novel in the series. You are sure to captivate scores of new fans with this piece. I cannot wait to see what other ‘risks’ you’ll take with your next publication.

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

[Faith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was ok but not great and that was probably due more to my preferences than to the book. It reminded me of why I avoid spy thrillers. The plot was too complicated, there were too many characters and too much double and triple-dealing.

Simon Riske is hired to retrieve a stolen letter that is supposed be critically important for the state of the world. Simon is too good to be true. He is an expert thief, linguist, math genius and an incredible fighter trained by a defrocked priest. He is assisted by an improbably cooperative French police officer who just happens to be a beautiful woman. Eye rolling ensues. The book has spies or secret agents (all chasing each other), master thieves, Corsican mafia, a conspiracy, an old betrayal, the CIA, Russian politics, huge amounts of cash, a counterfeit watch, Saudi Arabian intelligence agents and a surprise at the end that ties much of this together. That combination was a little too much for me. I can actually see this as a movie but as a book it didn't quite do it for me.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Take is all about a huge payday when a bold robbery of $600,000 from a Saudi prince electrifies Paris and the chase is on for this hardened crew of Corsican criminals. Just like something out of The Italian Job with speeding cars and a split second plan. Only the plan didn't originate in any criminal mind and the real gold that half the world wants was in the Prince's briefcase and if it gets in the wrong hands, the world may never be the same.

Enter the latest super spy, Simon Riske. But, Riske is no government agent licensed to kill. He's a sauve, well-mannered pickpocket who runs a shop specializing in fine tuning Maseratis and their ilk. And he's got a past as a French armored car thief who did his time and reformed himself. It's a situation of an outsider being the super spy and Reich pulls this off and keeps you rooting for Riske throughout the entire story.

While some seems familiar, the book is great fun, hard to put down, and the first in a series with a third book coming out this August.

Many thanks to my local public library for providing a copy.

[Joseph Finder · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully constructed heist is only the beginning of this spectacular thriller, which sets thief vs. thief, spy vs. spy, and even cop vs. cop — THE TAKE is dazzling fun that surprises to the last page, with a hero who deserves an encore.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE TAKE is impossible to put down: nonstop action, a mysterious letter, and a fascinating, complicated, and sexy hero whose tool bag of wit and strength helps him fight his way through the dangerous back alleys of glittering European capitals. An engrossing thriller.

[Tim · Rating 2 out of 5]

This windy story was a let-down compared to Reich's other works. While there were murder and mayhem, it never comes together all the way to its weak end. Fact is, I may be rating it a star too high. Not recommended. 3 of 10 stars

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever main character, Simon Riske, is a former felon who has turned his life around. He owns a business that restores expensive cars (think Ferraris,etc), but he also is a forensic detective, as in investigating insurance fraud.
He gets himself involved in the pursuit of a very important letter that the Saudis, American CIA, Russian SVR and Corsican criminals are pursuing. The story unfolds in France after a daring gang commits a $600,000 daylight robbery of a Saudi prince, as he and his entourage are departing from a posh Parisian hotel.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Added to want-to-read list after seeing this blurb for it: "What do you get when you mix James Bond with Jack Reacher? Meet Simon Riske, the stylish and fun new hero from Christopher Reich's The Take."

After finishing, the highest compliment I can give this book is that I really hope there is a sequel. I really enjoyed the writing, the characters, and the plot. I very much liked how none of the characters felt one-dimensional, and the antagonists had very clear and believable motives. While some of what happened was a bit fanciful and unrealistic, it was well within the realm of my suspension of disbelief.

[Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars for The Take: Simon Riske Series, Book 1 (audiobook) by Christoper Reich read by Paul Michael. This is an action packed story. Lots of great characters. I’m looking forward to the second book in the series. Great narration.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had exciting start and introduction to the appealing Simon Riske ; plenty of action, crime, glitzy settings; spy thriller with very high stakes.
Maybe because it is 3 degrees as I finished the book, but I prefer a touch of warmth.

Library Loan

[Ed · Rating 1 out of 5]

When a book has swearing and curse words throughout the book, I always give the lowest rating, no matter what the rest of the book is like. I do not recommend this book to Christians or Teens. It is amazing how an author can put his own character into a fiction book.

[Sherri · Rating 4 out of 5]

James Bond meets Jason Bourne. Espionage. Fast cars. Government agencies. Foreign cities. Who is after who and why? A mysterious letter is underneath all the intrigue and spy games. All taking place in one week. Very good narrator on the audiobook.

[Cathie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first Christopher Reich read and I have to say if this becomes a series, I will follow.

Simon Riske and Tino Coluzzi. The names says it all – and a classic reunion!

A stolen letter seems to be the key to this chaos of sorts. In addition to the importance of the letter and whose hands it lands with (Russians, Americans), it’s sure to present a few femme fatale characters – and begs the question: who are the bad guys?

The revenge factor wasn’t as strong as I had thought it would be although it is there. This makes it quite different from the past espionage thriller reads.

As we travel through the perspectives of those who have redeemed themselves or haven’t changed a bit, we are led to believe of one “supposed” motive. But then a complete 360 happens.

There are many introductions of different parties which may leave some readers perturbed because this also causes simultaneous plot themes. This leads me to assume there will be a series? Enjoyed getting to know Simon and Nikki; however, would have liked to have known more about Lucy especially. Can’t wait to know more about the other characters that develop in the “assumed” next novel.

A fast-paced read – but hoped for more a straightforward read – for those who enjoy old-fashioned crime pulp.

Thank you Hachette & Mulholland Books for the recommendation. This did not disappoint and hopefully this will become a Simon Riske/Ledoux series.

Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for a fair review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.

[Heather Boaz ( mlleboaz.bibliophile) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Mulholland for the opportunity to read and review this ahead of its pub-date! This was a fun, fast-paced, and sexy read. I was delightfully surprised by the three dimensional characters and plot that kept spinning twists until the very last minute. Reich makes a daring move in including current political figures in his narrative - and I like it. In a genre that hosts a wide range of authors and styles, something that stands out about Reich's writing to me is the accessibility. Without "dumbing down" anything, he really clarifies the minutiae of the plot-twists for the reader in a way that doesn't leave you flipping back to double-check facts. I appreciate that he really lets the reader keep up with the pace of the story. Reich's leading man, Simon Riske, is like an American Bond, which basically means he's a little less sophisticated, and a whole lot more fun. With Parisian female cops and Russian gangsters, and of course your usual spy-thriller crop of high-tech gadget toys and fast cars, this is an excellent escapist read for January.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this action-packed thriller. I look for suspense and unpredictability in my books and THE TAKE delivered exactly what I wanted.
The characters are developed nicely and reek of mystery and intrigue. The line-up includes an ex-con crook / C.I. A. agent, Saudi royalty, and different Russians all with an ax to grind.
Add an alluring cop and old friends and you have an excellent recipe for an exciting, emotive, and amusing thriller written by a master of his trade.

[Jim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hate to knock a book. Too full of hyperbole. Characters not believable. Like a movie you walk out
on. Could not finish.

[Ryan Hillis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great thriller about a heist in Paris!!!

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little different than other books by Christopher Reich, The Take is a fun and enjoyable read. Simon Riske is a reformed criminal who in addition to owning his own automobile restoration shop in London also takes freelance jobs for insurance companies and other entities to solve problems as the need arises. A heist in Paris of a member of the Saudi royal family brings a mysterious man to his door with a job offer, which it turns out he cant refuse. The book is an entertaining journey as Riske works to complete the job as it opens doors from his past as well as trying to solve the surrounding mysteries of the job.
Reich is a talented writer and the book flows very well. The pace is not rushed, neither is it too slow. The characters are flawed, but that adds to their humanity and realism. There are many twists and turns throughout the book which kept me engaged as a reader and trying to outthink the characters to guess where the story was headed.
An easy and entertaining read. I give The take a solid 3.5 - 4 stars.

[Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

When it comes to the thriller genre, Christopher Reich is “un auteur par excellence” who skillfully takes the reader on fresh, credible and exhilarating journeys through fascinating places and events most people can only dream about. His new character, Simon Riske, walks the line between sinner and saint to make THE TAKE a gripping tale of a man’s transformation and redemption from small-time French/American criminal into a death-defying special agent in the pressure-packed world of global espionage and political intrigue. Reich’s latest work is a fantastic read teeming with artful, vivid descriptions of the non-stop action, and it’s a book highly recommended to anyone seeking an enjoyable trip through a murky world of Paris-based criminal activity.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A formulaic mystery of multinational intrigue, set mainly in France and featuring mainly mobsters, spies, and government officials. It is a story in which the bad guys are bad and most of the good guys are also bad. Despite its often cliché-riddled writing, the plot twists were enough to have held my interest during the second half of a long road trip. However, it is probably the excellent audio narration that kept me listening. The audiobook producers hired the right narrator: Paul Michael, a master of accents, effectively evokes the British, American, French, Italian, Russian, and Arab characters and brings them to life.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be an interesting and exciting story. This is the first in the Simon Riske series and I'll look for more. I've now read three of Christopher Reich's book and found all of them to be excellent. I'm all out of my stash, so I'll have to look at getting some. Highly recommended.

[Rich · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel spun a good story. it had a good pace to it and it was an enjoyable read. Once critic said that it had a lot of swear words in it-that is simply not true, maybe a couple at most lol. The main character was a good guy to root for maybe a little over the top. I thought the end was maybe a little rushed and to tidy and the very end maybe a little bit of a stretch but it was still good-I might have ended it a little differently but it was still a good ending. I would read another novel from him. I say go ahead and read it.

[Jim A · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent story about an asset recovery attempt. Simon Riske is tasked by the American C.I.A. to recover a letter stolen during a robbery in Paris.

Too many characters involved in the tale that add nothing to the story other than they are there. Also, too many bad guys. French and Russian.

A couple of interesting twists at the end. Some the reader sees coming, others not.

[Linda Power · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast paced novel. Simon Riske has a past. He is known as a fixer. A promising first novel in a series.

[Mulholland Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE TAKE introduces Simon Riske, Reich's dashing, daring, and devious new hero. If you're looking for a fast-paced espionage thriller to whisk you across the European continent, look no further. THE TAKE is so much fun. —Pamela Brown, Marketing Director, Mulholland Books

[Boris Feldman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb spy thriller with more double-crosses than the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Easter Sunday.

[Fred · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this fast-paced action thriller. It's got all the elements of a great suspenseful read: an ex-con/thief-turned-CIA freelancer; a rich Saudi prince who gets his hands on something that a lot of powerful people want; and a bunch of people looking to kill the main character, including the head of the Russian intelligence, a Russian spy, and an old "friend" of the protagonist from the "good old days." There's also a pretty French cop, a bag full of fun electronic tricks and devices, and some sleight-of-hand. It all makes for a rousing good time.

[willowdog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reich once again does an excellent job of keeping the reader guessing. Characters are rich in description with the world filled with con men, ex cons. I could not put the book down during the last 100 pages. Complicated plot that is torn from today's headlines. The detailed setting is a bonus.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.

[3 no 7 · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Take” by Christopher Reich is an international thriller that grabs readers from the start.

“Fifty-nine seconds. The robbery was carried out with precision and discipline, relying on surprise, speed, and brute force”

The take in the robbery was six hundred twenty-two thousand AND a calfskin briefcase, tan with leather handle. The money went to the team, but the briefcase; its contents were more valuable. And there it was, hidden inside, a document. Things had just gotten more complicated.

“With care he removed the paper inside and read the engraved header. Beneath it, in gold leaf, was a drawing of a structure he vaguely recognized.”

This document could upset the worldwide balance of power and irreparably change governments; a document with a value beyond imagination; a document that would go not to the originally intended recipient but to the highest bidder. Who would do anything to get that document? Who had the cash? The Russians? The Americans? The Saudis? Someone else?

Just what was that document anyway, and how could it be worth so much? Reich drops tantalizing little clues.

“He studied the address inscribed on the rear flap to make sure he was getting all this correctly. His skin turned to gooseflesh.”

The pace is frantic with pursuit taking place over six action-packed days. There is not a wasted word. Reich’s detailed descriptions and geography transport readers right into the scenes and give the book a dramatic sense of place amidst the chaos.

“The sky was cloudless. The Arc de Triomphe was a few blocks away in one direction.
The River Seine in the other.”

The characters are complex and distinct with detailed backstories revealed little by little over the storyline. Multiple points of view bring out all the unsavory details of the participants and their involvement in the quest. Actions in the past have consequences that must be settled in the present. In the end, there are secrets, traumas and startling revelations that none of the players anticipated.

The international intrigue, uncertainty, and drama, make “The Take” a compelling book. Page after page is filled with suspense, action, and non-stop twists and turns. I absolutely could not put this book down.

I picked up my signed copy at Christopher Reich's appearance at The Book Carnival in Orange, Ca. He was a very interesting speaker, and if you have the chance to hear him, I recommend you attend.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

#1 in the Simon Riske series. This 2018 fast reading thriller certainly seems like a series debut. Simon is a soldier of fortune running an auto restoration shop in London, where he has a young apprentice who adores him. His first quest took him to France and pitted him against a Corsican bandit from his past. At the mission's conclusion, he left behind a hot Parisian detective after exchanging kisses. Back in England, he gets robbed by a Russian billionaire, a situation he can't let stand. I look forward to a sequel.

Freelance spy Simon Riske operates a high-end auto repair shop in central London when he's not doing spook work. An American expat who grew up in France's street gang world, Riske is hired-most likely by the CIA-to track down Tino Coluzzi, who engineered the ambush robbery of a Saudi prince after he left his Paris hotel for the airport. Of more importance, however, is a letter that Coluzzi unwittingly stole from the prince, the contents of which could seriously undermine the Russian government. The CIA wants the letter, as does a Russian assassin and her stop-at-nothing handler. Riske, however, is driven by personal motivation: back when they were fellow gangsters, Coluzzi betrayed Riske during an armored car heist, leading to his capture and long imprisonment. Riske has been itching for payback ever since.