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Drive
Et Omnia Recta—to make things right.
In the late 1800s, a secret society is formed by a captain from Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders with the support of the nation’s leading industrialists and bankers. Over a century later, the tradition continues, in the same saloons and boardrooms of New York City where it all began.
In this crime thriller, where history and current events unite, Woodbury Kane, Jacob Riis, and Roosevelt himself fight the tyranny of Tammany Hall in the first mission of the Volunteers during the turn of the last century.
In today’s New York, the descendants of the Volunteers recruit Annie Falcone, a New York police officer, who takes the oath: Et Omnia Recta. She is to provide protection to one man, America’s top technological mind, from his longtime adversary, Sheng, China’s most brutal hacker.
Annie is unaware that she’s merely a decoy to draw Sheng out for the hit squad that was sent ahead of her. Her instincts alone will be the force behind the success or failure of the mission.
Like so many other Volunteers before her, Annie’s survival depends upon her courage, her skill, and her DRIVE.
In the late 1800s, a secret society is formed by a captain from Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders with the support of the nation’s leading industrialists and bankers. Over a century later, the tradition continues, in the same saloons and boardrooms of New York City where it all began.
In this crime thriller, where history and current events unite, Woodbury Kane, Jacob Riis, and Roosevelt himself fight the tyranny of Tammany Hall in the first mission of the Volunteers during the turn of the last century.
In today’s New York, the descendants of the Volunteers recruit Annie Falcone, a New York police officer, who takes the oath: Et Omnia Recta. She is to provide protection to one man, America’s top technological mind, from his longtime adversary, Sheng, China’s most brutal hacker.
Annie is unaware that she’s merely a decoy to draw Sheng out for the hit squad that was sent ahead of her. Her instincts alone will be the force behind the success or failure of the mission.
Like so many other Volunteers before her, Annie’s survival depends upon her courage, her skill, and her DRIVE.
230 pages, Paperback
Published March 6, 2018
9 people are currently reading
498 people want to read
About the author
John M. Nuckel
9 books23 followersThrough his thought-inspiring and provocative trilogy of books, author John Nuckel has not only written a definitive history of New York City from the early 1900s through the 40s, but he has also delivered a series ripe for development. These stories are some of the most thought-provoking periods of American history, and each book features the heroism of the Volunteers Nuckel reveres.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 4, 2018
"Drive" is a dual narrative set in the late 1800s/ early 1900s and the present day. The historical part of the book is all about a group of people with the likes of Teddy Roosevelt (I will read anything about this man) and infamous journalist Jacob Riis at the forefront of the fight against the Tammany Hall machine. They are the Volunteers and they seek to make the world a better, more fair place even if it puts them in danger. The present day is a more typical thriller where Annie, a young woman who finds herself suddenly working under the Volunteers is charged with a super dangerous mission and she will have to decide whether or not this is really the path she wants her life to go down.
Both story lines were very exciting to me; however, as with most dual narrative books, I liked the historical narrative better. First off, Teddy Roosevelt is one of my very favorite people to read about ever. He's my favorite President and I love reading about his time both before and after his presidency. There was a man who really knew how to shake things up and keep things interesting. I loved reading about what he was trying to do with the Volunteers and what he was like as a leader in the dual role that he had in this book.
On the other hand, I just really don't read that many thrillers like the present day story line. They just usually don't grab my attention. I liked the present day story line though and really feel that the historical story line got me into it and I really liked how it stretched me. Annie is a great character. I liked reading about her past and how she got to where she was. I also liked seeing how the Volunteers transformed over time while still sticking to the motto of "Et Omnia Recta" - to make things right.
The writing of the book was good. I thought the author did a really good job of bringing the real historical figures as well as the fictional characters to life. In both of the story lines, the author does a great job of infusing excitement throughout the story lines to keep you guessing where it's going to go. Overall, this was a good read!
Both story lines were very exciting to me; however, as with most dual narrative books, I liked the historical narrative better. First off, Teddy Roosevelt is one of my very favorite people to read about ever. He's my favorite President and I love reading about his time both before and after his presidency. There was a man who really knew how to shake things up and keep things interesting. I loved reading about what he was trying to do with the Volunteers and what he was like as a leader in the dual role that he had in this book.
On the other hand, I just really don't read that many thrillers like the present day story line. They just usually don't grab my attention. I liked the present day story line though and really feel that the historical story line got me into it and I really liked how it stretched me. Annie is a great character. I liked reading about her past and how she got to where she was. I also liked seeing how the Volunteers transformed over time while still sticking to the motto of "Et Omnia Recta" - to make things right.
The writing of the book was good. I thought the author did a really good job of bringing the real historical figures as well as the fictional characters to life. In both of the story lines, the author does a great job of infusing excitement throughout the story lines to keep you guessing where it's going to go. Overall, this was a good read!
April 27, 2018
I received this book via a goodreads giveaway.
It begins in the early 1900’s, a tradition of being responsible behind the scenes; clearing up injustices and righting wrongs. The background to this group of “Volunteers” is concise and rather exciting; but more than a century later this group is still active behind the scenes. In fact, the meetings are being held in some of the original boardrooms and saloons from a century prior.
Today, many members of the Volunteers are descendants of the original members; others have been recruited just as NYPD Officer Annie Falcone is about to be. She is to provide protection to America’s top technical mind against China’s most notorious and brutal hacker, Sheng; a man who wants nothing more than to trade this man’s life for his own.
Annie does not realize that she has been deemed no more than a decoy; someone to draw Sheng into the spotlight. Instead, she takes her assignment seriously; knowing that the survival of both the man she has been assigned to protect and her own survival are dependent on three things…COURAGE, SKILL & DRIVE.
Great book! Goes between centuries smoothly, without loosing the reader.
It begins in the early 1900’s, a tradition of being responsible behind the scenes; clearing up injustices and righting wrongs. The background to this group of “Volunteers” is concise and rather exciting; but more than a century later this group is still active behind the scenes. In fact, the meetings are being held in some of the original boardrooms and saloons from a century prior.
Today, many members of the Volunteers are descendants of the original members; others have been recruited just as NYPD Officer Annie Falcone is about to be. She is to provide protection to America’s top technical mind against China’s most notorious and brutal hacker, Sheng; a man who wants nothing more than to trade this man’s life for his own.
Annie does not realize that she has been deemed no more than a decoy; someone to draw Sheng into the spotlight. Instead, she takes her assignment seriously; knowing that the survival of both the man she has been assigned to protect and her own survival are dependent on three things…COURAGE, SKILL & DRIVE.
Great book! Goes between centuries smoothly, without loosing the reader.
March 4, 2018
I voluntarily read a advanced reader's copy of this book NetGalley
Drive by John Nuckel. The first book in The Volunteers series. Not my usual type of read. It did take my longer to get though but I did enjoy it in the end. The storyline goes back and forth in time. I did enjoy the current main times of the story it had me going back to find out what happened at the end.
Drive by John Nuckel. The first book in The Volunteers series. Not my usual type of read. It did take my longer to get though but I did enjoy it in the end. The storyline goes back and forth in time. I did enjoy the current main times of the story it had me going back to find out what happened at the end.
April 3, 2018
Secret society. You hear these words all the time and yet, most do not believe them. The story follows a secret society known as The Volunteers, that is told from the past view and the present. It's a story full of history and mystery. From past members that include Teddy Roosevelt and Woodbury Kane to present day members that include Annie Falcone, a cop of New York, this story is a thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
I am surprised to say that I liked this book. I am a lover of history but have never been a reader of these types of books. You know those with secret societies and conspiracy. I did find this book very intriguing. The characters were great. They were driven and full of pride and honor. The story itself was full of action and kept me enthralled from the beginning. Annie was by far my favorite character. Her wit and get them attitude was excellent. For a chick, she is pretty impressive and I'm a girl so I would know. The writing was done well and in a way that kept you wanting to know more, making this a hard to put down.
The ending was great. A little touch of romance never hurts. Overall, I have to say I'm very impressed with this book.
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I am surprised to say that I liked this book. I am a lover of history but have never been a reader of these types of books. You know those with secret societies and conspiracy. I did find this book very intriguing. The characters were great. They were driven and full of pride and honor. The story itself was full of action and kept me enthralled from the beginning. Annie was by far my favorite character. Her wit and get them attitude was excellent. For a chick, she is pretty impressive and I'm a girl so I would know. The writing was done well and in a way that kept you wanting to know more, making this a hard to put down.
The ending was great. A little touch of romance never hurts. Overall, I have to say I'm very impressed with this book.
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April 2, 2018
Fantastic ride
John Nuckel’s writing is smooth and intelligently executed. Drive walks two timelines and both timeline stories are complete but open to future continuation. His character development is solid and his historical research must have been very thorough for the historical figures to be so well articulated.
Drive is a fast paced page turner, but unlike many in this genre it is fully fleshed out and does not rely solely on action to move the stories along, there is ample backstory and character detail to draw the reader into the internal lives of the characters.
I’ll be anxiously looking forward to next book in The Volunteers series. Excellent work, John Nuckel!
John Nuckel’s writing is smooth and intelligently executed. Drive walks two timelines and both timeline stories are complete but open to future continuation. His character development is solid and his historical research must have been very thorough for the historical figures to be so well articulated.
Drive is a fast paced page turner, but unlike many in this genre it is fully fleshed out and does not rely solely on action to move the stories along, there is ample backstory and character detail to draw the reader into the internal lives of the characters.
I’ll be anxiously looking forward to next book in The Volunteers series. Excellent work, John Nuckel!
February 1, 2018
I enjoyed reading this book. It had a large historical context since the author referenced the late 1800's and early 1900's and the time of Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders. Teddy Roosevelt was also the chief of police in NYC for a while. The author provides the historical context of a volunteer organization. I didn't research it to see if it was based on fact but it was very believable.
The main plot was very interesting since it took a modern day focus on a volunteer secret society that was formed 200 years earlier. The characters are well developed and I wondered if there would be a sequel since you liked the characters over time.
The main plot was very interesting since it took a modern day focus on a volunteer secret society that was formed 200 years earlier. The characters are well developed and I wondered if there would be a sequel since you liked the characters over time.
August 31, 2020
This story takes place in the present and in the past as a group of vigilantes is formed that continues through the present day. While the past sets the stage for a clandestine organization called the Volunteers, the story in the present involves a New York City Policewoman who is recruited to the Volunteers by her father. The tension ratchets up as she is assigned to protect a top hacker who has staged his own death to hide from his pursuers. All the characters are very realistic and some are historical figures. The action is realistic and the ending is bittersweet. This is a good book.
January 12, 2018
I really enjoyed how this story took place in both the present and the past, plus the honor and duty demonstrated by the good characters. It was exciting and I had to keep reading to find out what happened next!
I received a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher vie NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher vie NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 31, 2018
I was fortunate enough to receive an advance copy of Drive to review. I was pleasantly surprised at the historical nature of the novel - tied to today. Mr. Nuckel achieves what few others have for me, (think James Clavell), by creating a historical thriller that blurs the lines between reality and fiction - in essence, you are left wondering if it IS truly fiction... Well met Mr. Nuckel.
January 10, 2018
This gripping book will keep fans of thrillers AND historical fiction entertained. You can tell how much research the author put into writing it, and I found it immensely enjoyable!!
January 11, 2018
This historical thriller will have you on your toes from start to end! I already cannot wait for the next book in this series.
January 11, 2018
Drive ties together real historical events from the turn of the century with modern-day conspiracy and intrigue in this intricate crime drama.
September 12, 2020
Decent crime novel, listened to on our way to Montana. The narrator, Garfield Maitland, is an old friend and did a great job.
February 5, 2019
John Nuckel what a great thrill ride! I loved the world he created and what a pageturner! High recommend this novel, and can't wait for the next one! John, we want the next one!! 5 out of 5 stars!!
March 23, 2019
The book jumps around a little bit but it all makes sense. I enjoyed the book and happily recommend it.
March 17, 2018
What promises to be a series combines suspense with a sense of history. Author John Nuckle writes in a galloping style that builds tension and he has an eye for tasty dialogue. It's a little reminiscent of Dan Brown, a little bit David Morrell, but with a sense of its own. I would recommend Drive for readers male and female...especially those readers among my friends and colleagues who are looking for a historial novel with a little more octane.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews