Continental Divide

The Destroyer #152

by Warren Murphy, R.J. Carter

With the Presidential election in full swing, “crumbling infrastructure” has become far more than a political talking point: bridges are falling apart all across America, leaving CURE baffled. Is a bloom of renegade algae eating away the bridge supports? If so, why is the water still safe? Are the bridges being targeted by terrorists? If so, why are the targets deserted? This would normally be a job for the Department of Transportation, not the assassin’s art of Sinanju — but after a great scientist is abducted by aliens, and a team of amateur detectives and their dog start nosing around for clues, the mystery suddenly gets deeper, weirder, and much more dangerous than Remo and Chiun ever expected. With America’s roadways on the verge of the greatest traffic jam in history, and the moon wreaking havoc on Remo’s behavior, Remo and Chiun run into an old friend they had hoped never to see again. Remo had better get his head in the game, and fast, or his years of Sinanju training will be nothing more than water under the bridge!

Genres: Thriller

202 pages, Paperback

First published January 17, 2018

About the author

Warren Murphy was an American author, most famous as the co-creator of The Destroyer series, the basis for the film Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins. He worked as a reporter and editor and after service during the Korean War, he drifted into politics.

Murphy also wrote the screenplay for Lethal Weapon 2. He is the author of the Trace and Digger series. With Molly Cochran, he completed two books of a planned trilogy revolving around the character The Grandmaster, The Grandmaster (1984) and High Priest (1989). Murphy also shares writing credits with Cochran on The Forever King and several novels under the name Dev Stryker. The first Grandmaster book earned Murphy and Cochran a 1985 Edgar Award for Best Paperback Original, and Murphy's Pigs Get Fat took the same honor the following year.

His solo novels include Jericho Day, The Red Moon, The Ceiling of Hell, The Sure Thing and Honor Among Thieves. Over his career, Murphy sold over 60 million books.

He started his own publishing house, Ballybunion, to have a vehicle to start The Destroyer spin-off books. Ballybunion has reprinted The Assassin's Handbook, as well as the original works Assassin's Handbook 2, The Movie That Never Was (a screenplay he and Richard Sapir wrote for a Destroyer movie that was never optioned), The Way of the Assassin (the wisdom of Chiun), and New Blood, a collection of short stories written by fans of the series.

He served on the board of the Mystery Writers of America, and was a member of the Private Eye Writers of America, the International Association of Crime Writers, the American Crime Writers League and the Screenwriters Guild.

Reviews

[Scott Rocky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

Another great entry in the Destroyer series. This one brings back some old friends, and some meddling kids to boot. RJ Carter does Warren Murphy proud!

[Gilbert Stack · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Destroyer series is the story of the glorious House of Sinanju—a 5000 year old line of assassins who created the original martial art from which all others are pale derivatives. The current master and his pupil have been hired by a secret agency within the U.S. government (called CURE) to clean up crime and protect the country by working outside the constitution. Each book features ridiculous parodies of current events, politicians and celebrities. This novel focuses on a poorly defined conspiracy to destroy bridges in the U.S. to boost the air-freight industry. Since it is happening during the presidential election, parodies of Trump and Clinton, both of whom look utterly ridiculous, try to spin the events to boost their campaigns. At the same time, parodies of the Scooby Doo characters are also investigating the crimes.

I have read every book in this series, it’s spin off series, and the handful of unnumbered books associated with the series and this one did not measure up to its best standards. The thing that makes the Destroyer so interesting is the banter between Remo (current Master) and Chiun (Master Emeritus and teacher of Remo) and the frustration they cause Smith, the head of CURE. That all important personal storyline was present, but didn’t boost the book as well as it usually does. Also, the basic plot was weak and lacked a satisfying resolution. The book is saved from a poor rating because it serves as the set up for a team up of at least two prominent Destroyer villains, so the prospects for the next novel are great.

[Dale Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The presidential campaigning is in full swing...closing in on election day... and the candidates are willing to do anything to get the upper hand. When multiple bridges up and down the country begin to collapse, both parties claim that THEY will be the ones to solve the crumbling infrastructure problems. But... are the disasters related to some super algae that is rotting away the metal or... as several others claim... are there aliens about destroying the bridges for their own mysterious needs...OR... is there some insidious secret agent creating the destruction for purposes of their own.

Remo and Chiun are called to solve investigate... identify... and eliminate the problem using their prodigious talents and abilities to stop the destruction

R.J. Carter (with a credit to the late Warren Murphy) spins another great tale of the House of Sinanju in this, the 152nd book in the adventures of THE DESTROYER.

Another fun adventure of fandoms favorite assassins.

[Eric Troup · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was great to be with Remo and Chiun again. The humor and writing were spot-on. The ending was quite abrupt, with little resolution. Having said that, there’s a hell of a cliffhanger.

[James Hein · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is very close to the good old Destroyer Days. I hope the new guy continues to write more

[Pheno Menon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The series continues but this seems to be be a series by itself. Waiting for the sequel now.

[Joseph Chin Cheong · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read

Enjoyed the book, I am a Destroyer fan so enjoyed the story. Looking forward to discover who Khan is and which organization he is working for.

[Donald · Rating 4 out of 5]

not one of the best ones up to the ending putting two enemies of Sinanju together has great potential

[Toddball · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keeps it going.

Once again, RJ Carter turns in a worthy Destroyer book. If you’re already a fan of the series, pick this up. You won’t be disappointed.