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The War Planners #3
Pawns of the Pacific
A nation on the brink of war.
A conspiracy that threatens the globe.
And one military family, caught in the middle, fighting for freedom.
Pawns of the Pacific is the electrifying third book in The War Planners military technothriller series.
While the United States is preparing for war with Iran, Chinese billionaire Cheng Jinshan and his wicked spy, Lena Chou, are moving their pieces on the board. Deception and misinformation are everywhere.
Now, in order to save America, the leaders in the CIA and Pentagon have set up a secretive task force at the CIA headquarters. Their mission: to thwart Jinshan's plans, and reveal the truth to the world.
Each member of the Manning family has a critical role to play. David Manning is brought in to the CIA task force. Chase Manning is sent to team up with a US Marine Corps special operations unit. Admiral Manning leads the USS Ford Carrier Strike Group, filled with America's latest and greatest naval technology. And Lieutenant Commander Victoria Manning is the officer in charge of a helicopter detachment on the navy destroyer, the USS Farragut - the only ship that stands in the way of a Chinese onslaught.
Filled with pulse-pounding action, well-rounded characters, and unpredictable twists, Pawns of the Pacific delivers a satisfying third chapter to The War Planners series.
---------------
The War Planners series is best enjoyed when read in the correct order. Reading order:
Book 1: The War Planners (find out how to get it free at andrewwattsauthor.com)
Book 2: The War Stage
Book 3: Pawns of the Pacific
You can also get all three books for one low price. Search for "The War Planners Series: Books 1-3".
A conspiracy that threatens the globe.
And one military family, caught in the middle, fighting for freedom.
Pawns of the Pacific is the electrifying third book in The War Planners military technothriller series.
While the United States is preparing for war with Iran, Chinese billionaire Cheng Jinshan and his wicked spy, Lena Chou, are moving their pieces on the board. Deception and misinformation are everywhere.
Now, in order to save America, the leaders in the CIA and Pentagon have set up a secretive task force at the CIA headquarters. Their mission: to thwart Jinshan's plans, and reveal the truth to the world.
Each member of the Manning family has a critical role to play. David Manning is brought in to the CIA task force. Chase Manning is sent to team up with a US Marine Corps special operations unit. Admiral Manning leads the USS Ford Carrier Strike Group, filled with America's latest and greatest naval technology. And Lieutenant Commander Victoria Manning is the officer in charge of a helicopter detachment on the navy destroyer, the USS Farragut - the only ship that stands in the way of a Chinese onslaught.
Filled with pulse-pounding action, well-rounded characters, and unpredictable twists, Pawns of the Pacific delivers a satisfying third chapter to The War Planners series.
---------------
The War Planners series is best enjoyed when read in the correct order. Reading order:
Book 1: The War Planners (find out how to get it free at andrewwattsauthor.com)
Book 2: The War Stage
Book 3: Pawns of the Pacific
You can also get all three books for one low price. Search for "The War Planners Series: Books 1-3".
388 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 25, 2017
2310 people are currently reading
230 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Watts
42 books247 followersAndrew Watts graduated from the US Naval Academy in 2003 and served as a naval officer and helicopter pilot until 2013. During that time, he flew counter-narcotic missions in the Eastern Pacific and counter-piracy missions off the Horn of Africa. He was a flight instructor in Pensacola, FL, and helped to run ship and flight operations while embarked on a nuclear aircraft carrier deployed in the Middle East.
Today, he lives with his family in Ohio.
Today, he lives with his family in Ohio.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
May 17, 2017
The latest in the series is the best in my opinion.
May 29, 2020
There's nothing like a carrier landing. In 1983, I had that experience. So, when Victoria Manning, a female navy helicopter pilot, landed upon a Navy ship, it brought back memories of sailing the ocean. A Marine special operations team needs to infiltrate a secret Chinese base in the jungles of South America. Catastrophe strikes. The Admiral of America's newest aircraft carrier strike group must save his daughter from a Chinese naval attack.
What an action-packed read. I loved the page-turning suspense. My pulse stayed high much through the book. Very good. Ready for the next book.
What an action-packed read. I loved the page-turning suspense. My pulse stayed high much through the book. Very good. Ready for the next book.
January 23, 2018
Another great read!
This book was impossible to put down. It was riveting, exciting, emotional and detailed. Being a military brat, I loved the extensive detail about military operations. It made the book seem real. I was always trying to figure out why we were given this detail and it was just for the full effect. I love it. This book series was not generic or predictable. It was a surprise around every corner.
This book was impossible to put down. It was riveting, exciting, emotional and detailed. Being a military brat, I loved the extensive detail about military operations. It made the book seem real. I was always trying to figure out why we were given this detail and it was just for the full effect. I love it. This book series was not generic or predictable. It was a surprise around every corner.
May 4, 2018
Andrew Watts' The War Planners series reminds me of an early Vince Flynn. He pulls you into the techno-thriller story and keeps you there. Highly recommend!
December 22, 2018
Possible military fiction
Each book in the War Planners series gets better. This one keep me up reading long after I had intended to go to bed. Highly recommend that the book be read in order.
Each book in the War Planners series gets better. This one keep me up reading long after I had intended to go to bed. Highly recommend that the book be read in order.
September 13, 2019
Better and Better
Pace is picking up and storyline expanding with realistic military actions. Characters are being developed so the reader feels like we’re truly getting to know them. Looking forward to starting next sequencing novel. The Warplanners series has got me hooked.
Pace is picking up and storyline expanding with realistic military actions. Characters are being developed so the reader feels like we’re truly getting to know them. Looking forward to starting next sequencing novel. The Warplanners series has got me hooked.
April 3, 2016
You will need all 4 of these to keep up with the storyline. It's a very compelling plot with good characters and will keep you wanting to read more.
June 15, 2022
I read this book through Prime Reads.
The 3rd book in this series will keep you reading right till you finish. The story continues and this time David has been working with the CIA based on his "Red Cell" experience. This group has been established to look into whether China wants to go to war with the U.S. The country does not believe that China is important and Iran should be in our crosshairs because of what has happened in the Middle East. An attack on a highway has put more fuel on the fire since the people responsible were Iranian. Luckily, Chase was around and through his efforts, he was able to capture one of the attackers. Through questioning, the connection to the Chines came out.
The Cia developed a plan that if they were able to obtain a crypto key, they could possibly stop the war from starting with China. It was discovered that only two individuals were reponsible. One being the person who coontrolled China's South Pacific Fleet and the other one who was responsible for Dubai, Red Cell and other actions. A plan was established and Chase along with members of the Marines, would attempt to steal the crypto key. The key was located at a camp in Ecudor and getting in and out would not be easy. Chase was able to get the key, but now he needed to get away. The 1st option for extraction did not work and they had to use a backup. This will bring both Chase's sister and father now into the picture. Lena Chou was at the camp where the key was stolen from and she put in place a plan to stop Chase from reaching the CIA team. As a result of this plan, a sea battle ensued where several ships were destroyed or damaged with a lot of casualties.
To discover how the CIA used the information obtained from the crypto key, what actions both China and the U.S. took and what happened to the two rogue Chinese men responsible, then you need to read this book.
The 3rd book in this series will keep you reading right till you finish. The story continues and this time David has been working with the CIA based on his "Red Cell" experience. This group has been established to look into whether China wants to go to war with the U.S. The country does not believe that China is important and Iran should be in our crosshairs because of what has happened in the Middle East. An attack on a highway has put more fuel on the fire since the people responsible were Iranian. Luckily, Chase was around and through his efforts, he was able to capture one of the attackers. Through questioning, the connection to the Chines came out.
The Cia developed a plan that if they were able to obtain a crypto key, they could possibly stop the war from starting with China. It was discovered that only two individuals were reponsible. One being the person who coontrolled China's South Pacific Fleet and the other one who was responsible for Dubai, Red Cell and other actions. A plan was established and Chase along with members of the Marines, would attempt to steal the crypto key. The key was located at a camp in Ecudor and getting in and out would not be easy. Chase was able to get the key, but now he needed to get away. The 1st option for extraction did not work and they had to use a backup. This will bring both Chase's sister and father now into the picture. Lena Chou was at the camp where the key was stolen from and she put in place a plan to stop Chase from reaching the CIA team. As a result of this plan, a sea battle ensued where several ships were destroyed or damaged with a lot of casualties.
To discover how the CIA used the information obtained from the crypto key, what actions both China and the U.S. took and what happened to the two rogue Chinese men responsible, then you need to read this book.
February 26, 2021
i have two grades for this book. This 4 is for the characters of this book series so far. they have been awesome. Done heroic things and prevented the bad guys from doing anything. Victoria got the shine this time around and she did a fantastic job. Chase had a good mission too. Lena had a cool backstory. well i thought it was interesting. Cool submarine action.
Alright time for my other grade for the series so far.3.5
why? cuz of the threat. first book threat felt real. Second book. threat felt it was loosing steam. third book, i won't ruin it but lets just say i didn't like it.Yeah the threat had a little win but they did nothing in the bigger picture. I honestly don't know how this book series will continue but chances are I won't continue the series. maybe if the remaining books are on sale i will as i bought the first 3 books on bundle. The Bundle i would grade 4.5/5 and should be bought together if any future readers find it. Having all the books in one continuation was great. made it easier to continue the series. Overall i liked the series and if you like military operations with family members and rogue agents from china read this series.
Alright time for my other grade for the series so far.3.5
why? cuz of the threat. first book threat felt real. Second book. threat felt it was loosing steam. third book, i won't ruin it but lets just say i didn't like it.Yeah the threat had a little win but they did nothing in the bigger picture. I honestly don't know how this book series will continue but chances are I won't continue the series. maybe if the remaining books are on sale i will as i bought the first 3 books on bundle. The Bundle i would grade 4.5/5 and should be bought together if any future readers find it. Having all the books in one continuation was great. made it easier to continue the series. Overall i liked the series and if you like military operations with family members and rogue agents from china read this series.
February 5, 2020
Book #3 of the War Planners series was maybe my favorite so far. Looking back over the previous books, #1 was a good start with a good premise. Book #2 introduced David’s brother Chace in a fuller way but was my least favorite of the 3. This one, the Pawns of the Pacific was riveting in places.
SPOILER Alert:
The scenes in the jungle after the theft of the crypto key reminded me of “Ding” in an early Clancy book. The drones were a new surprise to deal with.
This book featured the sister, Victoria, the helicopter pilot/Air Boss. The scenes with her in the helicopter, the sea battles, the movements of friend & foes in the air, sea, below the sea were throwbacks to great Clancy stories. Not saying Watts stole anything but on the same level. Great!
I’m not so interested in the politics of some of the events but there is enough of this to understand the motivations.
Good read & I’m looking forward to the next.
SPOILER Alert:
The scenes in the jungle after the theft of the crypto key reminded me of “Ding” in an early Clancy book. The drones were a new surprise to deal with.
This book featured the sister, Victoria, the helicopter pilot/Air Boss. The scenes with her in the helicopter, the sea battles, the movements of friend & foes in the air, sea, below the sea were throwbacks to great Clancy stories. Not saying Watts stole anything but on the same level. Great!
I’m not so interested in the politics of some of the events but there is enough of this to understand the motivations.
Good read & I’m looking forward to the next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2022
¡Por fin! Muy buen final para la trilogía de The War Planners. Este tercero ya es más puramente militar, con los contendientes en conflicto abierto, al menos, en escenarios limitados.
La mayoría de la historia la vivimos desde la perspectiva de la tercera de los hermanos Manning y me ha gustado mucho: piloto de MH60R enfrentándose a un submarino.
Aparece un muy moderno portaviones, P-8 Poseidon, destructores Arleigh Burke y una parte de operaciones especiales con el Manning SEAL muy buena.
La historia da pie a continuar (ya he visto que están publicados los libros 4-6), ya que una de los dos antagonistas no aparece, pero este libro sí cierra la historia satisfactoriamente. Muy bueno.
La mayoría de la historia la vivimos desde la perspectiva de la tercera de los hermanos Manning y me ha gustado mucho: piloto de MH60R enfrentándose a un submarino.
Aparece un muy moderno portaviones, P-8 Poseidon, destructores Arleigh Burke y una parte de operaciones especiales con el Manning SEAL muy buena.
La historia da pie a continuar (ya he visto que están publicados los libros 4-6), ya que una de los dos antagonistas no aparece, pero este libro sí cierra la historia satisfactoriamente. Muy bueno.
June 15, 2021
Scary plot!
I really like author Andrew Watts, and his ability to plan an incredibly chilling and twisting plot! I do however, recommend sticking with reading the book and skipping the audiobook, which is completely weird. (A few examples - Buckingham is suddenly called O’Malley twice before going back to Buckingham; NASA pronounced as Nassau; a semiactive missile is misread as a semi-automatic missile; entire paragraphs omitted). Just skip the audiobook and read the book instead. You will not be disappointed and you will get the full excitement of the book without having to stop and figure out all these oddities in the middle of the story.
I really like author Andrew Watts, and his ability to plan an incredibly chilling and twisting plot! I do however, recommend sticking with reading the book and skipping the audiobook, which is completely weird. (A few examples - Buckingham is suddenly called O’Malley twice before going back to Buckingham; NASA pronounced as Nassau; a semiactive missile is misread as a semi-automatic missile; entire paragraphs omitted). Just skip the audiobook and read the book instead. You will not be disappointed and you will get the full excitement of the book without having to stop and figure out all these oddities in the middle of the story.
August 2, 2017
Pawns of the Pacific is my third read from author Andrew Watts read immediately following The War Planner & The War Stage, I highly recommend reading them back-to-back-to-back. This is all in all a family story wth Father, two sons and a daughter each of the books goes more in depth to one of the admirals children. An incredibly well developed, well-written story that takes off like a jet from an aircraft carrier blending seamlessly to the first two books. The primary characters are well-developed over the course of the book, the lesser characters not so much.
November 29, 2018
Watts shows improvement
This ebook has a suspenseful plot that develops well as the book advances. Sometimes, the author falls into the trap of telling things rather than showing them, to feel his need to give background information to the reader. And there's some holes in the plot . However, the battle scenes are well developed thanks to the fact that the author is a former military pilot.
This ebook has a suspenseful plot that develops well as the book advances. Sometimes, the author falls into the trap of telling things rather than showing them, to feel his need to give background information to the reader. And there's some holes in the plot . However, the battle scenes are well developed thanks to the fact that the author is a former military pilot.
January 19, 2019
Great series
Let's get this straight. This is a very good series. I had my doubts initially and book 2 timeline really didn't help, but if you have got this far you will understand why 1 came before 2. My problem with this book is the 96 hour deadline. Spoiler. As the code changes every 96 hours but the raid is not coordinated with the switch, surely there is no 96 hour window.
Let's get this straight. This is a very good series. I had my doubts initially and book 2 timeline really didn't help, but if you have got this far you will understand why 1 came before 2. My problem with this book is the 96 hour deadline. Spoiler. As the code changes every 96 hours but the raid is not coordinated with the switch, surely there is no 96 hour window.
June 9, 2021
Continued excellence
More of the Manning family get involved as the U.S. intelligence community can not agree on who is responsible for the attacks against the United States. In the Pacific Chinese elements attack U.S. and international ships and the destroyer must fight off a submarine by itself. Action packed and realistic to Naval warfare
More of the Manning family get involved as the U.S. intelligence community can not agree on who is responsible for the attacks against the United States. In the Pacific Chinese elements attack U.S. and international ships and the destroyer must fight off a submarine by itself. Action packed and realistic to Naval warfare
April 8, 2023
Exciting, but painfully short
I loved it. Yes, I took of 1 star because I thought this book, as the 2 previous others, was a bit short. However, the excitement was fantastic, and things happened at a break neck speed. I'm eagerly looking forward to reading the next book. Thank you, Mr. Watts for a very fun read.
I loved it. Yes, I took of 1 star because I thought this book, as the 2 previous others, was a bit short. However, the excitement was fantastic, and things happened at a break neck speed. I'm eagerly looking forward to reading the next book. Thank you, Mr. Watts for a very fun read.
July 31, 2017
New character. How many Mannings can there be? Pay attention, because they all play an important role and the action gets intense! While Books 1&2 were a set and really should be read together, this one is comfortably by itself.
February 6, 2018
Fantastic!
Another page-turner! I thoroughly enjoyed this book, third in the series. I can't wait for the next one in the series. We,l written even though language got q little rough for my liking.
Another page-turner! I thoroughly enjoyed this book, third in the series. I can't wait for the next one in the series. We,l written even though language got q little rough for my liking.
March 3, 2019
I have read the first three books in Andrew Watts series -The War Planners-. I just started #4 and am equally pulled into this book. Watts knowledge of the theater and his characters thought processes makes them believable. I will await more from after I finish this series.
November 12, 2020
Continues a great story
Love this series. At times it gets a little boring. And sometimes he gets a little to detailed with some descriptions and explanations so it gets confusing. Ready to read the next book in the series.
Love this series. At times it gets a little boring. And sometimes he gets a little to detailed with some descriptions and explanations so it gets confusing. Ready to read the next book in the series.
May 23, 2017
Great & exciting read
Highly recommend this series. Enjoyed the book from page 1. Looking forward to more from the author. Thanks very much.
Highly recommend this series. Enjoyed the book from page 1. Looking forward to more from the author. Thanks very much.
July 24, 2017
Great read
The series is wonderful. Great knowledge of Navy operations. Great characters.
I highly recommend the series. Watts knows his stuff. Looking forward to the next book.
The series is wonderful. Great knowledge of Navy operations. Great characters.
I highly recommend the series. Watts knows his stuff. Looking forward to the next book.
November 30, 2017
Great series, great book
Andrew Watts tells a great story and keeps you spell bound as you follow the adventures of the Manning family preventing WWIII.
Andrew Watts tells a great story and keeps you spell bound as you follow the adventures of the Manning family preventing WWIII.
December 10, 2017
Pawns of the Pacific
An exciting page turner! It is an exciting story that reads quickly. I am looking forward to the fourth book, Elephant Game.
An exciting page turner! It is an exciting story that reads quickly. I am looking forward to the fourth book, Elephant Game.
January 27, 2018
Strong finish
With a new female hero, the story continues very smoothly. Lots of action, wit and great spin. Hoping for more action from the Dad.
With a new female hero, the story continues very smoothly. Lots of action, wit and great spin. Hoping for more action from the Dad.
February 6, 2018
Great book---a real page-turner
May 13, 2019
Excellent Naval Thriller
This novel was spelling binding, I couldn’t put it down wanting to know what would happen next. Excellent flow to the story line(s).
This novel was spelling binding, I couldn’t put it down wanting to know what would happen next. Excellent flow to the story line(s).
April 10, 2018
A different sea story
An almost unbelievable conspiracy along with naval and air acton, then add, family plus politics. There was a whole lot going on.
An almost unbelievable conspiracy along with naval and air acton, then add, family plus politics. There was a whole lot going on.
September 5, 2018
It looks like there are more books to come in this series. The Lena character will be back - possibly in another life form. Story line is a little over the top!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews