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Tommy Carmellini #9
The Russia Account
Stephen Coonts’ newest novel The Russia Account pits CIA officer Tommy Carmellini against a murderous, international financial conspiracy that leaves a trail of death and corruption, extending from a small bank in Estonia, to the highest reaches of the Kremlin, to the halls of the Congress, and perhaps even to the CIA itself -- putting Admiral Jake Grafton, the head of the CIA, in the crosshairs of an assassin.
Burglar turned CIA warrior Tommy Carmellini has starred in eight previous Coonts’ thrillers, from Liars and Thieves to Coonts’ latest from Regnery, The Armageddon File. Realistic, passionate, in love with life, Tommy struggles in our turbulent age. Critics have labeled him a “hip, modern hero.” With the help of his mentor Jake Grafton, up to now Carmellini has always managed to foil his enemies. Discovering and defeating the powerful forces behind this massive, blood-stained financial conspiracy that threatens the very foundations of the United States government will be his most difficult challenge. Perhaps, he suspects, an impossible one.
Burglar turned CIA warrior Tommy Carmellini has starred in eight previous Coonts’ thrillers, from Liars and Thieves to Coonts’ latest from Regnery, The Armageddon File. Realistic, passionate, in love with life, Tommy struggles in our turbulent age. Critics have labeled him a “hip, modern hero.” With the help of his mentor Jake Grafton, up to now Carmellini has always managed to foil his enemies. Discovering and defeating the powerful forces behind this massive, blood-stained financial conspiracy that threatens the very foundations of the United States government will be his most difficult challenge. Perhaps, he suspects, an impossible one.
323 pages, Hardcover
First published August 13, 2019
488 people are currently reading
1825 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Coonts
181 books755 followersStephen Coonts (born July 19, 1946) is an American thriller and suspense novelist.
Coonts grew up in Buckhannon, West Virginia, a small coal-mining town and earned an B.A. degree in political science at West Virginia University in 1968. He entered the Navy the following year and flew an A-6 Intruder medium attack plane during the Vietnam War, where he served on two combat cruises aboard the USS Enterprise (CVN-65). He accumulated 1600 hours in the A-6 Intruder and earned a number of Navy commendations, including the Distinguished Flying Cross. After the war he served as a flight instructor on A-6 aircraft for two years, then did a tour as an assistant catapult and arresting gear officer aboard USS Nimitz (CVN-68). His navigator-bombardier was LTjg Stanley W. Bryant who later became a Rear Admiral and deputy commander-in-chief of the US naval forces in Europe.
After being honorably discharged from duty as a lieutenant in 1977, Coonts pursued a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree at the University of Colorado, graduating in 1979. He then worked as an oil and gas lawyer for several companies, entertaining his writing interests in his free time.
He published short stories in a number of publications before writing Flight of the Intruder in 1986 (made into a movie in 1991). Intruder, based in part on his experiences as a bomber pilot, spent 28 weeks on the New York Times bestseller lists in hardcover and launched his career as a novelist. From there he continued writing adventure-mysteries using the character from his first book, Jake Grafton. He has written several other series and stand-alone novels since then, but is most notable for the Grafton books.
Today Coonts continues to write, having had seventeen New York Times bestsellers (out of 20 books), and lives in Las Vegas, Nevada with his wife and son.
Taken from Wikipedia
Learn more about Stephen Coonts on the Macmillan website.
Coonts grew up in Buckhannon, West Virginia, a small coal-mining town and earned an B.A. degree in political science at West Virginia University in 1968. He entered the Navy the following year and flew an A-6 Intruder medium attack plane during the Vietnam War, where he served on two combat cruises aboard the USS Enterprise (CVN-65). He accumulated 1600 hours in the A-6 Intruder and earned a number of Navy commendations, including the Distinguished Flying Cross. After the war he served as a flight instructor on A-6 aircraft for two years, then did a tour as an assistant catapult and arresting gear officer aboard USS Nimitz (CVN-68). His navigator-bombardier was LTjg Stanley W. Bryant who later became a Rear Admiral and deputy commander-in-chief of the US naval forces in Europe.
After being honorably discharged from duty as a lieutenant in 1977, Coonts pursued a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree at the University of Colorado, graduating in 1979. He then worked as an oil and gas lawyer for several companies, entertaining his writing interests in his free time.
He published short stories in a number of publications before writing Flight of the Intruder in 1986 (made into a movie in 1991). Intruder, based in part on his experiences as a bomber pilot, spent 28 weeks on the New York Times bestseller lists in hardcover and launched his career as a novelist. From there he continued writing adventure-mysteries using the character from his first book, Jake Grafton. He has written several other series and stand-alone novels since then, but is most notable for the Grafton books.
Today Coonts continues to write, having had seventeen New York Times bestsellers (out of 20 books), and lives in Las Vegas, Nevada with his wife and son.
Taken from Wikipedia
Learn more about Stephen Coonts on the Macmillan website.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
December 2, 2021
In Stephen Coonts Tommy Carmelini is up against an Internaional conspiracy trying to Russia while a pile of dead bodies build up. I really the characters and plot. It was a blast action fun read:)
January 2, 2020
Likely my last read of this author. 2 of 10 stars
September 21, 2019
Current climate political-financial thriller with Russia injecting over 200 billion fake dollars into the US to cause turmoil and it did just that. An exciting novel, but sad to say good bye to the cast because I really like Carmellini's character. Hopefully there will be a new adventure.
April 5, 2020
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
Probably the final book in the Tommy Carmellini series starts with a kidnapping. The daughter of an official in a minor bank in Europe is kidnapped. This attracts the attention of the state department and the CIA. It turns out this bank was used to launder billions of dollars for the latest scheme by Putin.
Tommy and the boss have to get to the bottom of things before the US is in another Civil War.
Humorous, and entertaining, but possibly not for those on the Left.
Probably the final book in the Tommy Carmellini series starts with a kidnapping. The daughter of an official in a minor bank in Europe is kidnapped. This attracts the attention of the state department and the CIA. It turns out this bank was used to launder billions of dollars for the latest scheme by Putin.
Tommy and the boss have to get to the bottom of things before the US is in another Civil War.
Humorous, and entertaining, but possibly not for those on the Left.
August 23, 2019
Well written as usual from Coonts.. but he went off on a weird MAGA rant for most of the book. Incredible levels of vitriol aimed at a thinly veiled Clinton character "Cynthia Hinton". So badly I see a libel suit. Used "nigger" just to make a Democratic character look bad.. Being Canadian I found the whole thing in incredibly bad taste. Author should stick to writing good mindless action books and leave his political bent out of it.
August 20, 2019
Incredible story. It is today's story. Names have been changed to - yeah, you know the rest. The story starts out with a BANG and ends with a BANG. It is a political event about an enormous amount of money fed thru various banks around the world and many millions going to Universities and the like. The Russians are suspect in this money- laundry business. Money talks. Death, snitches, and coverups are in every corner. The whole idea is for the Russians to weaken and practically destroy America.
Warning ----- do not fast skip pages for you will miss the twists and turns in this UP TO DATE current adventure. Also, it doesn't take a genius to figure out who the fictional characters are in real life.
Yes, I did receive this book thru Goodreads.com for an honest review.
Warning ----- do not fast skip pages for you will miss the twists and turns in this UP TO DATE current adventure. Also, it doesn't take a genius to figure out who the fictional characters are in real life.
Yes, I did receive this book thru Goodreads.com for an honest review.
July 17, 2019
I just finished The Russia Account by Stephen Coonts. This was my kind of spy/intrigue/thriller. Every time I thought I had the story figured out, the plot line morphed into something more suspenseful and unexpected. I’ve always been a fan of the slow story burn, that is, the slow escalation of suspense. I find myself reading faster and faster. With Stephen Coonts, it’s the ending that I like best. He is a master of the clutch last scene that I would not have thought of myself. Five stars for Stephen Coonts and The Russia Account. My kind of read. Jeff Bailey, author of Not On My Watch.
June 27, 2019
I won an advance copy of this book through Goodreads.
This is my first book with this author. I've had him, and this particular series, on my future read list for a while now. So I was very excited to receive it.
The storyline is scarily real. It could happen in today's world.
We start off quickly with a kidnapping of a bank employee in a small branch in Estonia. She inquires to higher ups about strange activity. The bank is moving millions of dollars every week. It definitely doesn't fit.
The head of the CIA is approached to look into the kidnapping and the unusual bank activity.
They start off trying to save a young girl, but end up uncovering a very complex scheme staring at the Kremlin, and ending in the halls of Congress in the good old USA.
The story takes many twists and turns and is an easy read.
The only thing lacking is the action. I am a fan of the Scott Harvath's and Mitch Rapp's of the thriller world. I would of liked to see a little more "justice", particularly in the ending.
Other than that, it was a good book and I am looking forward to reading more of the series.
This is my first book with this author. I've had him, and this particular series, on my future read list for a while now. So I was very excited to receive it.
The storyline is scarily real. It could happen in today's world.
We start off quickly with a kidnapping of a bank employee in a small branch in Estonia. She inquires to higher ups about strange activity. The bank is moving millions of dollars every week. It definitely doesn't fit.
The head of the CIA is approached to look into the kidnapping and the unusual bank activity.
They start off trying to save a young girl, but end up uncovering a very complex scheme staring at the Kremlin, and ending in the halls of Congress in the good old USA.
The story takes many twists and turns and is an easy read.
The only thing lacking is the action. I am a fan of the Scott Harvath's and Mitch Rapp's of the thriller world. I would of liked to see a little more "justice", particularly in the ending.
Other than that, it was a good book and I am looking forward to reading more of the series.
May 13, 2019
Love this author. Mr. Coonts has a way of writing about todays political messes without using real names. He sure hits the nail on it's head. This novel will not be out til August so prepare to read it. Thanks Stephen Coonts and thanks to the publisher who sent me an arc copy. Regnery.com.
April 21, 2020
Boring just like rehashing all the political scandles
May 5, 2019
Review of uncorrected page proof
A highly suspicious volume of money moving through a small bank branch in Estonia throws CIA officer Tommy Carmellini into a conspiracy that may have roots in Congress or the Kremlin or perhaps even the CIA itself. As Tommy doggedly pursues the investigation, what he uncovers may put his life . . . and Jake Grafton’s . . . in jeopardy. Can Tommy and Jake unravel the web of conspiracy before they become the targets of an assassin?
This gritty yet compelling tale, the ninth in the Tommy Carmellini series, grabs the reader from the first page and races along, the tension skyrocketing as the ever-present threat of an assassin’s attack ratchets up the suspense and gives rise to unexpected revelations. As the plot twists and turns in surprising directions, readers will find much to appreciate in the riveting tale.
This-edge-of-your-seat thriller doesn’t disappoint; the ripped-from-the-headlines narrative is a complex, skillfully-woven tapestry. Strong, well-defined characters and a frighteningly plausible plot guarantee readers will find it difficult to set this one aside before turning the final page. It’s a must-read for thriller fans . . . don’t miss this one.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher
A highly suspicious volume of money moving through a small bank branch in Estonia throws CIA officer Tommy Carmellini into a conspiracy that may have roots in Congress or the Kremlin or perhaps even the CIA itself. As Tommy doggedly pursues the investigation, what he uncovers may put his life . . . and Jake Grafton’s . . . in jeopardy. Can Tommy and Jake unravel the web of conspiracy before they become the targets of an assassin?
This gritty yet compelling tale, the ninth in the Tommy Carmellini series, grabs the reader from the first page and races along, the tension skyrocketing as the ever-present threat of an assassin’s attack ratchets up the suspense and gives rise to unexpected revelations. As the plot twists and turns in surprising directions, readers will find much to appreciate in the riveting tale.
This-edge-of-your-seat thriller doesn’t disappoint; the ripped-from-the-headlines narrative is a complex, skillfully-woven tapestry. Strong, well-defined characters and a frighteningly plausible plot guarantee readers will find it difficult to set this one aside before turning the final page. It’s a must-read for thriller fans . . . don’t miss this one.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher
September 7, 2019
Fans of Saul Alinski and the very liberal left certainly would not get through this novel. So be it!!
The Russia Account reads like current political events in the US, with Russia involved in money schemes with US politicians; with characters like Barry Sotero, former Presidential candidate Cynthia Hinton, former President Willy Hinton, current candidate 'Squaw, and even Presidential assistant Reem Kiddus! It involves the attempt to impeach the current President by members of the House and Senate. The novel shows the current discord in American politics. "Where is all this going,Jake? "
"They hate each other, the mutual hatred society." "People used to be able to disagree about politics." "We've lost that somewhere along the way."
Stephen Coonts brings back CIA Director Jake Grafton along with his good friend and CIA officer Tommy Carmellini who investigate the Russian money trail from Estonia to the US. While Democratic politicians attempt to link the current President with the Russian money, Grafton & Carmellini attempt to discover the truth. Sometimes the truth is best not revealed for the good of the nation.
The Russia Account is a fun read dealing with scary events and exciting situations. A typical Stephen Coonts novel.
The Russia Account reads like current political events in the US, with Russia involved in money schemes with US politicians; with characters like Barry Sotero, former Presidential candidate Cynthia Hinton, former President Willy Hinton, current candidate 'Squaw, and even Presidential assistant Reem Kiddus! It involves the attempt to impeach the current President by members of the House and Senate. The novel shows the current discord in American politics. "Where is all this going,Jake? "
"They hate each other, the mutual hatred society." "People used to be able to disagree about politics." "We've lost that somewhere along the way."
Stephen Coonts brings back CIA Director Jake Grafton along with his good friend and CIA officer Tommy Carmellini who investigate the Russian money trail from Estonia to the US. While Democratic politicians attempt to link the current President with the Russian money, Grafton & Carmellini attempt to discover the truth. Sometimes the truth is best not revealed for the good of the nation.
The Russia Account is a fun read dealing with scary events and exciting situations. A typical Stephen Coonts novel.
June 7, 2019
This is another thriller by Stephen Coonts starring Tommy Carmellini and some other folks from the prior CIA -FBI - type novels.
I recently read the author's 'Liberty Last Stand' and enjoyed it and can write the same about enjoying this one. It is an easy read and moves quickly. Not difficult to follow and an interesting theme. What is particularly interesting about the theme is that a friend of mine very shortly before I started reading the book, described a worrisome [to her] similar scenario to the one that is presented in the book. No. She had not read, nor heard of, the book, nor had she in any way [I am positive] suggested the idea to the author.
I can't wait to tell her about the book and the story! I won this uncorrected proof book in a Goodreads giveaway.
I recently read the author's 'Liberty Last Stand' and enjoyed it and can write the same about enjoying this one. It is an easy read and moves quickly. Not difficult to follow and an interesting theme. What is particularly interesting about the theme is that a friend of mine very shortly before I started reading the book, described a worrisome [to her] similar scenario to the one that is presented in the book. No. She had not read, nor heard of, the book, nor had she in any way [I am positive] suggested the idea to the author.
I can't wait to tell her about the book and the story! I won this uncorrected proof book in a Goodreads giveaway.
September 9, 2019
A sequel and kind of a conclusion to the 8th in the Tommy Carmellini/Jake Grafton spy world, "The Armageddon File."...basically the two novels are not-so-subtle political thrillers based on the 2016 Presidential Election, Russian efforts to sew discord and the Left & Deep State's efforts to dislodge a duly elected President...Russians have dumped tons of "electronic cash" into the American economy & both the Left & Right's political operations and then allowed it to be discovered splitting the fabric of American political culture...Fun Read!!!
March 7, 2020
I won an advanced reading copy of this book during a Goodreads giveaway. I am under no obligation to leave a review or rating and do so voluntarily. So that others may also enjoy this book, I am paying it forward by donating it to a “take-one, leave-one” free library box.
September 5, 2019
Very thinly disguised pro-Trump political screed. Too bad, because it had an interesting premise.
August 8, 2019
Easy read with intriguing characters. Enjoyed it, but prefer more twists and turns as plot was predictable about halfway through. I did enjoy Mr. Coonts writing style.
April 8, 2021
Great read! Fast paced with curent themes right out of true life!
February 21, 2021
The Russia Account is a frightening tale of a hostile government, those who want to propel their own agenda and the dupes they used to do so in an attempt to take down western governments through world wide monetary manipulation. . . that involved nonexistent money.
I found some of financial machinations difficult to follow at first, but as the monetary scheme is fleshed out it became easier to understand.
I do not disagree one iota with Coonts's take down of the ideology of Saul Alinksy:
Hard truths are difficult to say and more difficult to hear by those who neither want to hear them nor acknowledge them. Those of us who have ever parented a teen going down a wrong road can attest to that fact. Those who don't want to hear hard truths that don't meet their ideology will naturally hate the story and the teller of it. Sadly, that is such as we are today: 'Confirm my bias or I will hate you'.
Further, whether we want to admit it, the fact is that there are people holding the levers of power that are less dedicated to the people who elected them than they are to that power they hold over those people. When they are "on our side" we tend to overlook their sins.
The problem is, there shouldn't be an "our side" within ones own country, it should be an American side, an 'our nation side', whether ours or Canada's or France's. . . "
4.5 Stars because I'm worried about the ending, which I don't want to be the end.
I found some of financial machinations difficult to follow at first, but as the monetary scheme is fleshed out it became easier to understand.
I do not disagree one iota with Coonts's take down of the ideology of Saul Alinksy:
""Dedicated to Lucifer", [Alinsky's Rules for Radicals published in 1971] "the book championed ammorality. The electorate were sheep Alinsky believed, to be herded, lied to, and manipulated so that the radical few could "change the world from what it is to what they believe it should be". . . . The book was a crackpot vision of mankind and civilization, . . . right down there in the sewer with Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler, whose tactics for taking over a democratic state Alinsky had used as for model. Although Alinsky made his bows to the values of democracy, he urged political action by whatever means necessary to achieve the radicals' goals. The question, he said, was always, "Does this particular end justify this particular means?" That was the question he put to the person trying to decide if he was justified in lying, manipulating, cheating, and slandering to get what he and his fellow believers wanted. Of course, the answer was and is always yes. Yes, yes, yes. Folks. let's welcome Lenin, Hitler, Stalin, Chairman Mao, and Fidel Castro to the stage.
Lucifer . . . Satan. The Devil."
""The world as it should be. . ." That Alinsky phrase sounded benign enough, until one realizes that Alinsky advocated amoral means to get there: lying, cheating, election fraud and character assassination, all of which were the antithesis of the underlying philosophy of democratic, representative government."
". . . the world that Alinsky and his disciples envisioned, the world as it should be, was a socialist dictatorship that jettisoned the right of the governed to choose their rulers The ruled were to be manipulated by radical visionaries for their own benefit. This prescription had been used with catastrophic effect by revolutionaries during the 20th century. Alinsky merely defined their methods. In effect, he updated Machiavelli's 16th century advice to the prince. And, appropriately enough, dedicated his efforts to the Devil."It appear many reviews are based on the political biases of the reviewers. That's too bad, because underneath the obvious is the less obvious. Like Tom Clancy, Stephen Coonts is scarily prescient about the state of the world and brutally honest about the world as it is.
". . . Fanatics know to an absolute certainty that their view of the world is correct and that their enemies are not merely misguided, but evil. One must fight the devil with any tools at hand. Any tactics are justified. Unfortunately, today, the political scene in America has radicalized many on both the left and right who had never read or even heard of Saul Alinksy. How can one who knows the truth in the depths of his soul compromise with evil?"
Hard truths are difficult to say and more difficult to hear by those who neither want to hear them nor acknowledge them. Those of us who have ever parented a teen going down a wrong road can attest to that fact. Those who don't want to hear hard truths that don't meet their ideology will naturally hate the story and the teller of it. Sadly, that is such as we are today: 'Confirm my bias or I will hate you'.
Further, whether we want to admit it, the fact is that there are people holding the levers of power that are less dedicated to the people who elected them than they are to that power they hold over those people. When they are "on our side" we tend to overlook their sins.
The problem is, there shouldn't be an "our side" within ones own country, it should be an American side, an 'our nation side', whether ours or Canada's or France's. . . "
"It came, I suspect from the Kremlin. The political conditions in Europe and America are ripe. The liberals and conservatives hate each other; each considers the other subhuman. They are ready for war to death. Given weapons, they will destroy each other. It is in Russia's best interest that they do."Sadly, truer words haven't been written.
4.5 Stars because I'm worried about the ending, which I don't want to be the end.
September 3, 2019
Not his best in this series but I admit I was negatively impacted by the political overtones.
August 29, 2019
Pretty lame
A slow paced and improbable story line laced with the author’s eight grade right wing political nonsense. A waste of the reader’s time.
A slow paced and improbable story line laced with the author’s eight grade right wing political nonsense. A waste of the reader’s time.
June 20, 2019
Stephen Coonts is a master at quickly transforming current events within our socio-political landscape into partisan novels featuring his recurring characters, Jake Grafton and Tommy Carmellini. The Russia Account is no exception. It is published by Regnery Publishing, whose tag line is “Great Conservative Books. Great Conservative Authors.” It’s not rocket science to figure out which side of the political spectrum this will fall. And it falls with the weight and force of a sledgehammer.
For a thriller, The Russia Account did not inspire much optimism for an action-packed read. Money laundering as a central premise just doesn’t trip my trigger. The plot concerns Russia destabilizing our democracy with the surreptitious infusion of tremendous amounts of dirty money (i.e. billions of dollars) into the pockets of those in power and with much to lose. As pessimistic as that had me feeling, I must say Coonts successfully added the necessary intrigue, jeopardy, and bloodshed to grab my attention and hold it.
In the real world, I believe Russian interference with our 2016 elections is pretty well established at this point. The great liberal conceit is that it was a vast conspiracy concocted and carried out with the aid of then candidate Donald Trump and his campaign staff. Au contraire in Coonts’ world.
The author does not attempt to disguise the real-world identities of his fictional doppelgangers. Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, Elizabeth Warren, even George Soros are all easily identified, and their intentions and motivations in this story will not be appreciated by those on the left. Suffice it to say Coonts really knows how to grind the gears of his liberal friends. However, if you can set aside your political leanings this book can be a lot of fun, though I get that is easier said than done.
I have read a handful of Coonts’ Grafton/Carmellini thrillers and I enjoy them. I do recognize, though, that they are almost parodies of the absurd polarization in our society. While the stories take themselves seriously, they really play on the “if you disagree with me you are evil and must be silenced” mantra that social media has done so much to engender in our society. The reviews for this book will be equally polarizing; 1-star and 5-star reviews will be given based on political ideologies and both will be of equal value to the overall success of this novel.
For a thriller, The Russia Account did not inspire much optimism for an action-packed read. Money laundering as a central premise just doesn’t trip my trigger. The plot concerns Russia destabilizing our democracy with the surreptitious infusion of tremendous amounts of dirty money (i.e. billions of dollars) into the pockets of those in power and with much to lose. As pessimistic as that had me feeling, I must say Coonts successfully added the necessary intrigue, jeopardy, and bloodshed to grab my attention and hold it.
In the real world, I believe Russian interference with our 2016 elections is pretty well established at this point. The great liberal conceit is that it was a vast conspiracy concocted and carried out with the aid of then candidate Donald Trump and his campaign staff. Au contraire in Coonts’ world.
The author does not attempt to disguise the real-world identities of his fictional doppelgangers. Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, Elizabeth Warren, even George Soros are all easily identified, and their intentions and motivations in this story will not be appreciated by those on the left. Suffice it to say Coonts really knows how to grind the gears of his liberal friends. However, if you can set aside your political leanings this book can be a lot of fun, though I get that is easier said than done.
I have read a handful of Coonts’ Grafton/Carmellini thrillers and I enjoy them. I do recognize, though, that they are almost parodies of the absurd polarization in our society. While the stories take themselves seriously, they really play on the “if you disagree with me you are evil and must be silenced” mantra that social media has done so much to engender in our society. The reviews for this book will be equally polarizing; 1-star and 5-star reviews will be given based on political ideologies and both will be of equal value to the overall success of this novel.
June 5, 2019
When a nine-year-old American girl is kidnapped in Tallinn, Estonia CIA operative Tommy Carmellini is tasked with finding her. What he discovers is that the girl's mother is manager for a small branch of the Bank of Scandinavia and that about 50 billion dollars are flowing through the branch each year. The money comes from Russia and goes to individuals in many countries with most going to the U.S. Those people then distribute it to numerous people and organizations including churches, schools, businesses, and politicians.
CIA director Admiral Jake Grafton assigns his top people to learn where the money is coming from, who it is going to, who is behind this, and why it is being done.
Many of the characters are taken from today's political world. We have a wealthy president with a bad hairdo and a beautiful wife who, in spite of all predictions, won the 2016 election. There is the Senate Miniorty leader and the Speaker of the House who both want to see the president impeached. There is another senator who claimed to be a Native American is involved. We also have former Secretary of State Hinton and her husband, former president Willy Hinton.
The river of money brings with it a trail of assassination attempts, murders, and other killings. We learn about tools the CIA uses in keeping tabs on those involved and which Americans are working with the Russians.
Today's political events are brought into play in the story. It is well written, entertaining, and makes one wonder if something like this could really happen. I enjoyed the novel and highly recommend it.
CIA director Admiral Jake Grafton assigns his top people to learn where the money is coming from, who it is going to, who is behind this, and why it is being done.
Many of the characters are taken from today's political world. We have a wealthy president with a bad hairdo and a beautiful wife who, in spite of all predictions, won the 2016 election. There is the Senate Miniorty leader and the Speaker of the House who both want to see the president impeached. There is another senator who claimed to be a Native American is involved. We also have former Secretary of State Hinton and her husband, former president Willy Hinton.
The river of money brings with it a trail of assassination attempts, murders, and other killings. We learn about tools the CIA uses in keeping tabs on those involved and which Americans are working with the Russians.
Today's political events are brought into play in the story. It is well written, entertaining, and makes one wonder if something like this could really happen. I enjoyed the novel and highly recommend it.
August 17, 2019
not the best of the series
May 6, 2019
I was sent an ARC by the publisher because I have read & reviewed many of Coonts' books. I love this book! I enjoy reading about places I have visited such as Capri. The details of places are very well done. Tommy Carmellini is one of my favorite characters. Jake Grafton also is in the story; he is the one who ultimately figures out who started the problem. The premise is interesting. Russia has sent "fake", not counterfeit, but fake wire transfers of money through a small bank in Estonia. From there, the money is transferred throughout Europe and the US. Vast amounts are sent and show up primarily in political campaigns and charities. The point was to destabilize Western economies. Other authors have suggested that very rich people and conglomerates have tried to control governments. It is easy to believe that it could happen. At the climax, Jake Grafton reveals who had the original idea, which was expanded by the Russians exponentially. In the end, Jake & Tommy both have had enough of the CIA and have moved on with their lives. Rats! I could read the further adventures of these two for a long time. Maybe they'll be lured back to action when the next crisis occurs.
August 13, 2019
Funny Money Tsunami?
Beginning with Tommy Carmellini bringing off a “black bag” job in the offices of a European Bank at midnight, this new thriller from Stephen Coontz starts with a bang, just as his readers have a right to expect.
The plot grows from a political kidnapping, and evidence that said bank is engaged in massive money laundering. The plot accelerates in the usual Coontz fashion, and the specter of Russian involvement with all the attending complications takes center stage.
The plot thickens when Carmellini is dispatched to the Mediterranean, to ascertain in his usual sneaky fashion, the identity of the shadowy character responsible for moving massive amounts of cash around the world.
Meanwhile, back in D.C., Admiral Grafton, DCI, and Sarah Huston master hacker for the CIA, arrive at the essential question: Is all of this cash real. No spoilers here, you have to read this story to find out! Don’t miss this one.
Beginning with Tommy Carmellini bringing off a “black bag” job in the offices of a European Bank at midnight, this new thriller from Stephen Coontz starts with a bang, just as his readers have a right to expect.
The plot grows from a political kidnapping, and evidence that said bank is engaged in massive money laundering. The plot accelerates in the usual Coontz fashion, and the specter of Russian involvement with all the attending complications takes center stage.
The plot thickens when Carmellini is dispatched to the Mediterranean, to ascertain in his usual sneaky fashion, the identity of the shadowy character responsible for moving massive amounts of cash around the world.
Meanwhile, back in D.C., Admiral Grafton, DCI, and Sarah Huston master hacker for the CIA, arrive at the essential question: Is all of this cash real. No spoilers here, you have to read this story to find out! Don’t miss this one.
September 29, 2019
While it has some interesting parts, Stephen Coonts’ “The Russia Account” is not a book I’d recommend to others. Even though it deals with current events, it feels like it would fit more in the 1960’s Cold War spy book class. It starts with an interesting premise, but the development drags in the middle and the writing alone is not good enough to maintain a reader’s interest. Since it was a Goodreads Giveaway I kept at it all the way to the finish.
For a long time I wondered why Coonts would pause the storyline in virtually every chapter long enough to rant against a Democratic politician (Obama, The Clintons and Pelosi were frequent targets, but the media, upper levels of FBI and CIA got their shots, too). Then I read the publishing company, Regnery Fiction and its parent, Regnery Publishing, pride themselves as being the “country’s leading publisher of conservative books.” Once I accepted the rants as “now a word from our sponsor” moments, I was able to continue reading the story without being thrown off.
The story itself is about a mastermind who works with the Russians to flood American politicians and institutions with billions of digital money laundered through a small bank in Estonia in an effort to destroy the United States government. Based solely on a gut feel, the CIA director concludes the mastermind is __________ __________, but decides he can’t prove it.
Three stars
For a long time I wondered why Coonts would pause the storyline in virtually every chapter long enough to rant against a Democratic politician (Obama, The Clintons and Pelosi were frequent targets, but the media, upper levels of FBI and CIA got their shots, too). Then I read the publishing company, Regnery Fiction and its parent, Regnery Publishing, pride themselves as being the “country’s leading publisher of conservative books.” Once I accepted the rants as “now a word from our sponsor” moments, I was able to continue reading the story without being thrown off.
The story itself is about a mastermind who works with the Russians to flood American politicians and institutions with billions of digital money laundered through a small bank in Estonia in an effort to destroy the United States government. Based solely on a gut feel, the CIA director concludes the mastermind is __________ __________, but decides he can’t prove it.
Three stars
October 2, 2019
From the cover: Burglar turned CIA warrior Tommy Carmellini has starred in eight previous Coonts’ thrillers, from Liars and Thieves to Coonts’ latest from Regnery, The Armageddon File. Realistic, passionate, in love with life, Tommy struggles in our turbulent age. Critics have labeled him a “hip, modern hero.” With the help of his mentor Jake Grafton, up to now Carmellini has always managed to foil his enemies. Discovering and defeating the powerful forces behind this massive, blood-stained financial conspiracy that threatens the very foundations of the United States government will be his most difficult challenge. Perhaps, he suspects, an impossible one.
I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.
I found this book to be an interesting read. I have not read the others in the series. Each time I thought I had the story figured out, a twist or turn showed up and I was wrong. This is a good read if you like spy/thriller type books.
I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.
I found this book to be an interesting read. I have not read the others in the series. Each time I thought I had the story figured out, a twist or turn showed up and I was wrong. This is a good read if you like spy/thriller type books.
May 5, 2019
Full disclosure-I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. I have not read any of the other books in this series. I entered the Giveaway because the premise of a thief (Tommy Carmellini) working for the CIA (Admiral Grafton) reminded me of one of the coolest spy shows of the 1960s It Takes a Thief.
Noah Bain-"Oh look Al. I'm not asking you to spy. I'm just asking you to steal."
Alexander Mundy-"Let me get this straight. You want me to steal?! I've heard of stealing from the government! But stealing for the government?!"
This book was enjoyable. Not a lot of action but quite a few twists. I don't know if there will be another book in this series but if so I will give it a try. I will also try some of Coonts earlier books in the series particularly Liberty's Last Stand which apparently is very controversial.
Noah Bain-"Oh look Al. I'm not asking you to spy. I'm just asking you to steal."
Alexander Mundy-"Let me get this straight. You want me to steal?! I've heard of stealing from the government! But stealing for the government?!"
This book was enjoyable. Not a lot of action but quite a few twists. I don't know if there will be another book in this series but if so I will give it a try. I will also try some of Coonts earlier books in the series particularly Liberty's Last Stand which apparently is very controversial.
June 1, 2019
I usually enjoy the Tommy Carmellini series, however, this one was a bit of a disappointment for me. it left me feeling unsatisfied and a bit bored at times. This is not my favorite in the series, even though I wanted it to be.
This one had some really slow parts for me...the action didn't really pick up for me until the last half of the book and even then it wasn't action packed. The characters all go through an emotional ringer, but the bad guys don't really ever become super clear or give us the satisfaction of seeing them brought to the type of the justice that the reader has come to expect from author Stephen Coonts.
The ending is just EH - it really leaves the reader wanting more and wondering how the author chose the path that he did. It is not his best, but not his worst either. It is just an in between sipping stone...
This one had some really slow parts for me...the action didn't really pick up for me until the last half of the book and even then it wasn't action packed. The characters all go through an emotional ringer, but the bad guys don't really ever become super clear or give us the satisfaction of seeing them brought to the type of the justice that the reader has come to expect from author Stephen Coonts.
The ending is just EH - it really leaves the reader wanting more and wondering how the author chose the path that he did. It is not his best, but not his worst either. It is just an in between sipping stone...
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