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Imbroglio Trilogy #1
Pretense
Growing civil unrest erupts across major cities as protests grow, threatening the stability of national governments. PRETENSE , the first book of the IMBROGLIO TRILOGY captures the rising wave of anti-EU centralized control sentiment currently surging across Europe. This masterly crafted political suspense thriller centers on an intriguing, though monstrous, conspiracy which rapidly engulfs the continent. The events are pure fiction, but at the same time, could occur at any time. Tasked with finding the perpetrators, federal police of several countries combine forces with Interpol. A tense game of ‘cat and mouse’ is soon underway as the violence escalates. One fact quickly becomes obvious; behind the political assassinations lies a diabolical plot which appears to stretch westward to the United States, implicating the CIA. But do the facts reflect reality or is there yet a more sinister unseen force working behind the scenes to destabilize Europe and NATO. The team of investigators led by Interpol’s Marek Frakas, 'The Wolf' moves quickly to track the perpetrators and uncover the identity of the unseen mastermind behind the conspiracy. This cadre includes the lovely Adrianna, a young forensic weapons expert who can hold her own on the male-dominated international team of investigators. Together they seek to understand reality versus the shattered mirror-like reflections meant to obfuscate the truth and shroud the mastermind’s identity and ultimate purpose. With the perpetrators always one step ahead, the series of false trails and frustrating missed opportunities to apprehend the three suspects plants seeds of doubt and distrust within the investigative team. PRETENSE, the first book in the trilogy, begins with the opening acts of the conspiracy and concludes with a partial, but far from complete plot resolution. “A finely written political thriller with an international setting, a complex plot, and a phenomenal conflict. “Authenticity and credibility shine. His technical mastery of weaponry, organizations, and processes has the feel of a Tom Clancy deep dive.” “The suspense and action will cause you to fly through the pages on the edge of your seat.” “With a debut novel like Pretense, John Di Francis will soon be nipping at the heels of such masters as David Baldacci and Tom Clancy and it is recommended without reservation.” “An extremely confused and complicated scenario.” PRETENSE is a definite must-read for anyone who enjoys realistic, thought-provoking, and believable political suspense thrillers. Scroll up to order your copy today. Available in Kindle, paperback and audiobook formats.
308 pages, Paperback
Published July 3, 2018
8 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 4, 2019
3.5 stars rounded down to 3
This book is a well done thriller/mystery with assassinations in Slovakia and Poland. A team of investigators from several countries begin to track down the professional killers.
Pros: I thought the police procedural part of the book was authentic. The characters were believable and the plot was good
Cons: The book ends with a cliffhanger, as it is part 1 of a trilogy. You have to buy book 2 to find out who hired the killers
Thanks to Reliance Books Publishing for sending me this book through LibraryThing.
This book is a well done thriller/mystery with assassinations in Slovakia and Poland. A team of investigators from several countries begin to track down the professional killers.
Pros: I thought the police procedural part of the book was authentic. The characters were believable and the plot was good
Cons: The book ends with a cliffhanger, as it is part 1 of a trilogy. You have to buy book 2 to find out who hired the killers
Thanks to Reliance Books Publishing for sending me this book through LibraryThing.
March 6, 2019
Much intrigue. Want to read the rest of the trilogy!
Want to read
December 13, 2024This book showed up in the mail and I cannot recall ordering it? Looks interesting, will update once I finish!
April 6, 2019
I received this Early Reviewers copy of Pretense through a giveaway on Library Thing.
The points of action in the book were enjoyable. They were pretty simple and to the point and that made it at least easy to read, but I probably skimmed through at least half of this book. I appreciate attention to detail but some of the descriptions of travel for example were at little exhausting. The dialogue wasn’t the best either. The conversations just seemed unrealistic and every one yelled too much. I kept picturing the characters like bad actors over exaggerating their lines.
Basically this was a very amateur mystery/thriller novel that was sort of whatever. Hopefully the final/official copy and the next two books are better.
The points of action in the book were enjoyable. They were pretty simple and to the point and that made it at least easy to read, but I probably skimmed through at least half of this book. I appreciate attention to detail but some of the descriptions of travel for example were at little exhausting. The dialogue wasn’t the best either. The conversations just seemed unrealistic and every one yelled too much. I kept picturing the characters like bad actors over exaggerating their lines.
Basically this was a very amateur mystery/thriller novel that was sort of whatever. Hopefully the final/official copy and the next two books are better.
March 23, 2019
I received this book as part of LibraryThing’s early reviewer program.
Pretense is a pretty good first fiction novel. The pacing was good and steady and I liked the various settings. The action was good, the various police interaction and raids were well written. Each character had distinct traits, but they could use some more development.
As to the style, I was distracted by all the exclamation points and parentheses and phrases picked out in apostrophes. Most of it seemed unnecessary and pulled me out of the narrative.
In the end I'm sure when it's all fleshed out it will be a solid book.
Pretense is a pretty good first fiction novel. The pacing was good and steady and I liked the various settings. The action was good, the various police interaction and raids were well written. Each character had distinct traits, but they could use some more development.
As to the style, I was distracted by all the exclamation points and parentheses and phrases picked out in apostrophes. Most of it seemed unnecessary and pulled me out of the narrative.
In the end I'm sure when it's all fleshed out it will be a solid book.
July 30, 2018
Pretense by John Di Frances is a gripping thriller set on the backdrop of our current political turmoil. This first book of the Imbroglio Trilogy prepares the stage for the reader by offering generous descriptions on multiple levels from a rather personal presentation of the main characters to a peek into international relations and affairs. However, this does not imply the least bit that the novel is dominated by descriptions, since in reality, it is quite action-packed. So, the reader is offered a front row seat by the author to a series of assassinations and also an international manhunt.
The story is presented on two main fronts; on one side we have a group of assassins, while on the other, an international team of special investigators. In this sense, the reader is truly privileged, since he can glimpse into both sides. It all starts in Bratislava with an apparently lazy day of a glamorous American couple. However, a drastic turn of events soon takes place. The Slovakian Prime Minister dies in a car explosion and he is only the first victim. Shortly after, the Prime Minister of Poland is assassinated while watching a game in a crowded football stadium. While the modus operandi differs greatly, the setting and also the method to murder are all very different. Still there seems to be a common thread connecting these incidents.
A specialized task force is soon put together consisting of members from different countries and covering a great variety of expertise. Also, since the assassins seem to be traveling a lot, they are forced to cooperate with a number of other national security organizations or police departments. In fact, as it will turn out, the case expands well beyond European borders. While the main investigation team proves itself efficient in finding clues that lead back to those they hunt, the catch itself proves to be quite a challenge, as the assassins continue to slip through their fingers.
What is noteworthy in John Di Frances’ approach is that although it should be clear according to moral standards which group of people represents the good, and which the evil, the lines appear to be blurred. Readers can easily find themselves intrigued, if not even rooting for the assassins, as they are presented with their backstories, weaknesses, dreams and aspirations. While they are professionals in their trait and undoubtedly have become cold-blooded killers, they also share moments of vulnerability. On the other hand, the members of the investigation team are also quite likeable, as they are more than just bureaucrats. Rather unexpectedly perhaps, their playfulness and humor easily wins over anyone. It is not a typical modern fight between good and evil, but between and for humanity.
Therefore, John Di Frances’ orchestrates a thrilling international chase making Pretense an easy to read, fast-paced novel. However, the book can also serve as a surface of reflection for modern and indeed, future, political affairs. So, beyond being simply an enjoyable read, it might hopefully entice the readers to a political debate of the current chapter in our lives.
The story is presented on two main fronts; on one side we have a group of assassins, while on the other, an international team of special investigators. In this sense, the reader is truly privileged, since he can glimpse into both sides. It all starts in Bratislava with an apparently lazy day of a glamorous American couple. However, a drastic turn of events soon takes place. The Slovakian Prime Minister dies in a car explosion and he is only the first victim. Shortly after, the Prime Minister of Poland is assassinated while watching a game in a crowded football stadium. While the modus operandi differs greatly, the setting and also the method to murder are all very different. Still there seems to be a common thread connecting these incidents.
A specialized task force is soon put together consisting of members from different countries and covering a great variety of expertise. Also, since the assassins seem to be traveling a lot, they are forced to cooperate with a number of other national security organizations or police departments. In fact, as it will turn out, the case expands well beyond European borders. While the main investigation team proves itself efficient in finding clues that lead back to those they hunt, the catch itself proves to be quite a challenge, as the assassins continue to slip through their fingers.
What is noteworthy in John Di Frances’ approach is that although it should be clear according to moral standards which group of people represents the good, and which the evil, the lines appear to be blurred. Readers can easily find themselves intrigued, if not even rooting for the assassins, as they are presented with their backstories, weaknesses, dreams and aspirations. While they are professionals in their trait and undoubtedly have become cold-blooded killers, they also share moments of vulnerability. On the other hand, the members of the investigation team are also quite likeable, as they are more than just bureaucrats. Rather unexpectedly perhaps, their playfulness and humor easily wins over anyone. It is not a typical modern fight between good and evil, but between and for humanity.
Therefore, John Di Frances’ orchestrates a thrilling international chase making Pretense an easy to read, fast-paced novel. However, the book can also serve as a surface of reflection for modern and indeed, future, political affairs. So, beyond being simply an enjoyable read, it might hopefully entice the readers to a political debate of the current chapter in our lives.
March 26, 2019
There are a lot of good things about this book, but I did not like the fact that it is a cliff hanger—mostly because I did not have closure when I finished the book. Instead, I was left wondering who the perpetrators really were and who was behind their actions. I personally do not normally read/buy cliff hangers because I want closure when I finish a book.
In the story, there is a well-heeled, late thirtyish/early fortyish couple, who provided a good picture of modern, well-heeled assassins, both intelligent and clever, employing current and rather avant-garde methods to do their jobs. In addition, there was a single man who seemed to be a bit older, who also was a modern assassin. In addition, there was also a person or group in the background, orchestrating the well-thought-out, clever assassinations of two world leaders. As I read the book, I was not even sure the trio really knew who the person or group was, as they seemed to be just actors in a well-developed plan. It became the job of the rapidly assembled group of reps from the involved countries and Interpol to figure out who was behind the actions and how to stop them. The story involved two assassinations, but I figured more had been planned.
The book was done well. The author definitely knows police/investigative procedures, even across international lines. Unlike so many reviewers, I did not think it was all that action-filled. Yes, there were some sections filled with solid action, but I thought, for the most part, this was a “thinking” or “discussion” book, providing the background for what was evolving, to figure out who the actual master-minds and principal actors were as well as their motives. The international group convened to figure things out was a well-versed, good cross-section of career investigators from the various countries involved, who worked well as a team from the outset. I do think the way the author had one investigator routinely pointing out sexism of the males in the group was a bit too much, and it really did not add to the story. Finally, let me just say, as I said, I do not like cliff hangers that apparently tempt readers to buy the next book in a series or the one after that and so forth. As I said, the book read well and had a fairly good plot that made for interesting reading and kept me reading. However, as I said there was no closure at the end. I feel any book or books will sell if well-written and do not necessarily need an enticement. However, I am not the author and the choice was not mine. I read the book because I committed to doing so. I received this from Library Thing to read and review.
In the story, there is a well-heeled, late thirtyish/early fortyish couple, who provided a good picture of modern, well-heeled assassins, both intelligent and clever, employing current and rather avant-garde methods to do their jobs. In addition, there was a single man who seemed to be a bit older, who also was a modern assassin. In addition, there was also a person or group in the background, orchestrating the well-thought-out, clever assassinations of two world leaders. As I read the book, I was not even sure the trio really knew who the person or group was, as they seemed to be just actors in a well-developed plan. It became the job of the rapidly assembled group of reps from the involved countries and Interpol to figure out who was behind the actions and how to stop them. The story involved two assassinations, but I figured more had been planned.
The book was done well. The author definitely knows police/investigative procedures, even across international lines. Unlike so many reviewers, I did not think it was all that action-filled. Yes, there were some sections filled with solid action, but I thought, for the most part, this was a “thinking” or “discussion” book, providing the background for what was evolving, to figure out who the actual master-minds and principal actors were as well as their motives. The international group convened to figure things out was a well-versed, good cross-section of career investigators from the various countries involved, who worked well as a team from the outset. I do think the way the author had one investigator routinely pointing out sexism of the males in the group was a bit too much, and it really did not add to the story. Finally, let me just say, as I said, I do not like cliff hangers that apparently tempt readers to buy the next book in a series or the one after that and so forth. As I said, the book read well and had a fairly good plot that made for interesting reading and kept me reading. However, as I said there was no closure at the end. I feel any book or books will sell if well-written and do not necessarily need an enticement. However, I am not the author and the choice was not mine. I read the book because I committed to doing so. I received this from Library Thing to read and review.
April 22, 2019
This is the first book of a trilogy about an international hunt for a trio of assassins targeting European politicians. As a crime thriller, the tradecraft of the assassins is detailed and persuasive, and the police procedural elements also are good. It’s billed as a book that demonstrates disenchantment with the European Union – the assassination targets are big EU supporters – but it doesn’t really work as a political thriller, because there’s very little politics in it. The assassins could just as well be murdering top chefs or social media gurus.
The assassins are an Irish couple, handsome and strikingly beautiful, wealthy, elegant, and socially adept (in a too-good-to-be-true way) and a more rough-around-the-edges German man, who is an expert sniper. The couple’s first target is Slovakia’s prime minister, killed by a car bomb outside a Bratislava restaurant. The German accomplishes the second murder, that of the Polish prime minister. It’s technically difficult, shooting from a distance of 640 meters into a packed stadium of excitable soccer fans.
The three escape to Berlin, several steps ahead of the multiple security services now on their trail. The cat-and-mouse game is well done and may carry you through some of the clunky writing. Technical information dumps show Di Frances did his homework. Yet the weight or length of a rifle is immaterial, of itself. Such information needs to be brought into the story. Has the sniper had experience with a rifle of that type, is its length an advantage or does it make it hard to conceal? Worst was a bullet-point list of 16 variables affecting the soccer stadium shot. Dude, this is fiction!
The plot pulls you forward nevertheless, and Di Frances has a great twist in store. Unfortunately, when you reach the end of Pretense, you’re not at the end of the story. To really understand what’s been going on, you’ll have to read book two and very probably book three. Not sure I’m ready for that.
The assassins are an Irish couple, handsome and strikingly beautiful, wealthy, elegant, and socially adept (in a too-good-to-be-true way) and a more rough-around-the-edges German man, who is an expert sniper. The couple’s first target is Slovakia’s prime minister, killed by a car bomb outside a Bratislava restaurant. The German accomplishes the second murder, that of the Polish prime minister. It’s technically difficult, shooting from a distance of 640 meters into a packed stadium of excitable soccer fans.
The three escape to Berlin, several steps ahead of the multiple security services now on their trail. The cat-and-mouse game is well done and may carry you through some of the clunky writing. Technical information dumps show Di Frances did his homework. Yet the weight or length of a rifle is immaterial, of itself. Such information needs to be brought into the story. Has the sniper had experience with a rifle of that type, is its length an advantage or does it make it hard to conceal? Worst was a bullet-point list of 16 variables affecting the soccer stadium shot. Dude, this is fiction!
The plot pulls you forward nevertheless, and Di Frances has a great twist in store. Unfortunately, when you reach the end of Pretense, you’re not at the end of the story. To really understand what’s been going on, you’ll have to read book two and very probably book three. Not sure I’m ready for that.
March 16, 2019
Like several others, I received a copy through LibraryThing, but had to wait sometime for the publisher to get their mailer straightened out. It was well worth the wait. The storyline was engaging from the beginning through to the end and was a very quick read. Several evenings I couldn't put it down as I wanted to get through more of the book and I even took it to work to sneak in a chapter or two when I could.
The story has a modern day setting, where two EU political leaders are assassinated and it appears at first blush, by a team of three US agents who are pursued by EU police. The research and details are excellent and the reader is right in the middle of the action from start to finish. There are some surprises along the way that I will not disclose - you have to read it for yourself - that make it even more interesting and set it up for the next volume in the trilogy.
On the downside, I feel the author is a bit condescending towards women in the book as he goes to great lengths to describe their beauty, physical attributes and clothing when, truth be told, they could just be part of the team of investigators or murder suspects. Perhaps he is making a statement, but I found it to be a bit too much. Also, I never could figure out what the title meant, and even though the book ended with a cliffhanger leaving you want for trilogy volume two, I would have liked to better understand what "Pretense" meant to the storyline.
All told, a great read and a lot of fun this past week. It was well worth the wait and I'll keep my eye out for volume two.
The story has a modern day setting, where two EU political leaders are assassinated and it appears at first blush, by a team of three US agents who are pursued by EU police. The research and details are excellent and the reader is right in the middle of the action from start to finish. There are some surprises along the way that I will not disclose - you have to read it for yourself - that make it even more interesting and set it up for the next volume in the trilogy.
On the downside, I feel the author is a bit condescending towards women in the book as he goes to great lengths to describe their beauty, physical attributes and clothing when, truth be told, they could just be part of the team of investigators or murder suspects. Perhaps he is making a statement, but I found it to be a bit too much. Also, I never could figure out what the title meant, and even though the book ended with a cliffhanger leaving you want for trilogy volume two, I would have liked to better understand what "Pretense" meant to the storyline.
All told, a great read and a lot of fun this past week. It was well worth the wait and I'll keep my eye out for volume two.
March 14, 2019
Review: Pretense by John DI Frances. 03/11/2019
This is an early reviewer’s first book of the Imbroglio Trilogy. It was a great read and John Frances, a talented author, created what he promised. It is a political thriller, suspenseful, well organized, great descriptions throughout, and plenty of twists and turns, which captivates the reader. The author proceeds to keep the reader on the edge of their seat because the author created well developed characters.
When the story begins in Bratislava with a solemn America couple and than right off drastic events takes place where two prominent Prime Minister’s are assassinated, one in a car explosion the other shot at a football stadium by a sniper. Than the action starts building with more assassinations and an international manhunt. An international task force and special investigators was gathered and forced to work with other agencies and the police department because the cases are well spread over the European boundaries.
The investigators were getting a message that their could be a snitch among them which was a challenge because the assassins kept one step ahead of them and it was getting frustrating for all who where traveling to different destinations and finding out that they just missed them. Plenty of action still to come and clues pointing that the United States may be involved. There are more events that will blindside the investigators and a surprising unpredictable ending.
This is an early reviewer’s first book of the Imbroglio Trilogy. It was a great read and John Frances, a talented author, created what he promised. It is a political thriller, suspenseful, well organized, great descriptions throughout, and plenty of twists and turns, which captivates the reader. The author proceeds to keep the reader on the edge of their seat because the author created well developed characters.
When the story begins in Bratislava with a solemn America couple and than right off drastic events takes place where two prominent Prime Minister’s are assassinated, one in a car explosion the other shot at a football stadium by a sniper. Than the action starts building with more assassinations and an international manhunt. An international task force and special investigators was gathered and forced to work with other agencies and the police department because the cases are well spread over the European boundaries.
The investigators were getting a message that their could be a snitch among them which was a challenge because the assassins kept one step ahead of them and it was getting frustrating for all who where traveling to different destinations and finding out that they just missed them. Plenty of action still to come and clues pointing that the United States may be involved. There are more events that will blindside the investigators and a surprising unpredictable ending.
April 14, 2019
Reminding me so much of James Bond, staying at high-level hotels, dining lavishly, and executing clever well-planned assassination assignments, this attractive, highly educated and worldly couple has been hired by a generous unknown and well funded, political instigator with specific and mysterious assignment requirements. They are being chased through the capitals of Europe by a respected Interpol detective who, by the client's gamesmanship, gets close but never quite captures the assassins. A co-conspirator is associated to them by their client. He’s a brute who has none of the couple’s finesse but who can be charming in his own right. The shock generated by his last assassination assignment threatens the fate of both assassination teams.
The book ends with another well-executed escape but without disclosing the name of the client or his political purpose. This disclosure has been left to another book in the series.
Pretense is the first of a series that I intend to keep reading. This first book is well written with a pace that keeps your interest. I couldn’t help but cheer for the handsome couple even though they are the criminals in this series.
The book ends with another well-executed escape but without disclosing the name of the client or his political purpose. This disclosure has been left to another book in the series.
Pretense is the first of a series that I intend to keep reading. This first book is well written with a pace that keeps your interest. I couldn’t help but cheer for the handsome couple even though they are the criminals in this series.
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January 26, 2020There's a decent story here, but the truth is that the book just need more work. The story and the characters needed more depth, and the writing itself needed more time/work. As is, I'm afraid the book reads like an un-edited first draft, and I suspect the writer trusted more in his own career experiences and background than he should have, depending on those alone to allow him to tell him a strong, worthwhile story without more work. As a result, the story itself doesn't quite have enough meat to satisfy readers who've read hundreds of books like this and will read hundreds more, and what there is here depends a lot on stereotypes that will be well familiar to the readers this book should most appeal to.
Probably, more revision and more extensive reading in the genre (on the part of the author) could have set this book up for better success, but as is, I'm afraid I can't find much within it to recommend, and there's just no chance I'll be going on to the next in the series.
Probably, more revision and more extensive reading in the genre (on the part of the author) could have set this book up for better success, but as is, I'm afraid I can't find much within it to recommend, and there's just no chance I'll be going on to the next in the series.
October 18, 2019
Thanks to LibraryThing Early Reviewers Giveaway. Since the book was in PDF format, it kept being pushed to the "to be read " pile - hence the delay, even though I had received the book in March.
It was a fast paced thriller. As mentioned in the synopsis, you start liking the good guys as well as the bad guys as you come to understand more about them.
Even though the investigative team failed to, I had guessed the deception under way as they were trailing the assassins.
The Locales and food were very interesting and it gave a feeling of actually watching a movie rather than reading a book.
Overall, it had a Bourne feel and I enjoyed it thoroughly.
Even though it is a trilogy and the author's intent is to keep readers engaged to continue with the next book in the series, I don't appreciate the cliff hanger ending - it should ideally be a plot coming to an end and readers waiting for the next.
It was a fast paced thriller. As mentioned in the synopsis, you start liking the good guys as well as the bad guys as you come to understand more about them.
Even though the investigative team failed to, I had guessed the deception under way as they were trailing the assassins.
The Locales and food were very interesting and it gave a feeling of actually watching a movie rather than reading a book.
Overall, it had a Bourne feel and I enjoyed it thoroughly.
Even though it is a trilogy and the author's intent is to keep readers engaged to continue with the next book in the series, I don't appreciate the cliff hanger ending - it should ideally be a plot coming to an end and readers waiting for the next.
March 11, 2019
The story is good, and I'm hoping the next installment is better. I've only given it 3 stars for 2 reasons. First, the dialogue. No one talks like that. It is often cumbersome, and the author is trying too hard. The second is the characters, especially the female characters. They are supposed to be the top of their respective fields, but don't add anything to the plot. And the way the male characters talk to them is sexist and condesending. They are leered at, spoke down to, and only used as props.
March 3, 2019
I won this book as part of a giveaway from a site that I am a member of called Library Thing. I enjoyed reading it. It had a good story to it. I liked the variety of characters in it. It is my first book by this author. I hope to read more books by this author.
March 29, 2019
This is my first book from this author and I enjoyed it. Fast paced, great descriptions of places. It's the first in a trilogy and I will be looking for the other 2 when they come out. I received this from LibraryThing Early Reviewers for an honest review.
April 7, 2019
Overall I thought the story was pretty good. I listened to the Audiobook version of this book. It should be noted, this is a dramatized version with different voices for different characters and background sound effects. I'm not 100% sold on this style of book, but it worked ok for Pretense.
April 8, 2025
I really enjoyed the plot and characters in this novel. Having the protagonists come from Eastern Europe is refreshing and the intricate timeline keeps you engaged. I did not like the cliff hanger ending but I'll read the rest of the trilogy.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews