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The CIA’s Dangerous Clique #1
Between Two Scorpions
“Jim Geraghty is one of the most insightful and cutting writers in the country. In his new book, he brings that biting sensibility to a globe-trotting thriller. The results are explosive!” – Ben Shapiro, author, The Right Side of History and founder of The Daily Wire
“Powerful, real, and relevant, Jim Geraghty's Between Two Scorpions is a well-written and dynamite page turner and a welcome addition to the thriller genre.” –Mark Greaney, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of Mission Critical
The new face of terror is staring at you in the mirror.
A long dormant CIA asset emerges from hiding to request a meeting with his former handler, the beautiful, enigmatic intelligence operative Katrina Leonidivna. She’s skeptical that the source, a shady arms dealer, is on the level. But when Katrina barely escapes with her life after an explosion rips through the café where they met, she’s forced to take his tip seriously. Alongside her husband, Alec Flanagan, and a rogue crew of covert agents from every corner of the intelligence community, Katrina races around the globe to uncover the truth.
What this dangerous clique of operatives discover is a plot that could rip America apart from the inside. A plot that pits neighbors against one another and turns everyone into a potential threat. A plot that could make anyone take up arms against their own country. A plot that Katrina, Alec, and the rest of their crew have to stop before it’s too late. But when everyone is a suspect, no one is safe and the entire nation is under suspicion. Hot on the trail of a terror cell capable of turning anyone—and everyone—into a deranged killer, only this dangerous clique of spies has a chance to stop the terrorists from weaponizing America’s greatest asset—freedom.
Between Two Scorpions is a thrilling race against time that introduces an unforgettable cast of characters in the first volume of the Dangerous Clique Series.
“A fun and quirky international thriller. Geraghty sets a fast-paced story against a recognizable backdrop of societal division and cultural ruthlessness. A compelling read.” – John A. Daly, author of the Sean Coleman Thriller series
“The action explodes in the first chapter and keeps coming, but the mayhem and madness is leavened by Jim’s trademark wicked humor and clever pop culture references that would make Dennis Miller beam with pride. It’s makes for a terrific ride, with a trippy ending that will leave you eager for a sequel. Just one more thing – if you are afraid of snakes, be careful…” – Kurt Schlichter, author of Wildfire and Indian Country
“Taut, vivid, and engrossing. A deliciously messy entanglement requiring unforgettable characters to confront the action—and their individual failings—head on. It all leads to a spine-tingling denouement, leaving the reader gasping for breath and craving a sequel.”– James A. Gagliano, Retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent and former member of the FBI’s elite counterterror unit, the Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) and CNN Law Enforcement Analyst
“Powerful, real, and relevant, Jim Geraghty's Between Two Scorpions is a well-written and dynamite page turner and a welcome addition to the thriller genre.” –Mark Greaney, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of Mission Critical
The new face of terror is staring at you in the mirror.
A long dormant CIA asset emerges from hiding to request a meeting with his former handler, the beautiful, enigmatic intelligence operative Katrina Leonidivna. She’s skeptical that the source, a shady arms dealer, is on the level. But when Katrina barely escapes with her life after an explosion rips through the café where they met, she’s forced to take his tip seriously. Alongside her husband, Alec Flanagan, and a rogue crew of covert agents from every corner of the intelligence community, Katrina races around the globe to uncover the truth.
What this dangerous clique of operatives discover is a plot that could rip America apart from the inside. A plot that pits neighbors against one another and turns everyone into a potential threat. A plot that could make anyone take up arms against their own country. A plot that Katrina, Alec, and the rest of their crew have to stop before it’s too late. But when everyone is a suspect, no one is safe and the entire nation is under suspicion. Hot on the trail of a terror cell capable of turning anyone—and everyone—into a deranged killer, only this dangerous clique of spies has a chance to stop the terrorists from weaponizing America’s greatest asset—freedom.
Between Two Scorpions is a thrilling race against time that introduces an unforgettable cast of characters in the first volume of the Dangerous Clique Series.
“A fun and quirky international thriller. Geraghty sets a fast-paced story against a recognizable backdrop of societal division and cultural ruthlessness. A compelling read.” – John A. Daly, author of the Sean Coleman Thriller series
“The action explodes in the first chapter and keeps coming, but the mayhem and madness is leavened by Jim’s trademark wicked humor and clever pop culture references that would make Dennis Miller beam with pride. It’s makes for a terrific ride, with a trippy ending that will leave you eager for a sequel. Just one more thing – if you are afraid of snakes, be careful…” – Kurt Schlichter, author of Wildfire and Indian Country
“Taut, vivid, and engrossing. A deliciously messy entanglement requiring unforgettable characters to confront the action—and their individual failings—head on. It all leads to a spine-tingling denouement, leaving the reader gasping for breath and craving a sequel.”– James A. Gagliano, Retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent and former member of the FBI’s elite counterterror unit, the Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) and CNN Law Enforcement Analyst
346 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 11, 2019
279 people are currently reading
183 people want to read
About the author
Jim Geraghty
4 books90 followersJim Geraghty is National Review's senior political correspondent. In 2019, he made presentations about foreign disinformation campaigns on social media and tools to counter propaganda to the Austrian National Defense Academy, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the University of Vienna, and the U.S. Embassy to Austria.
Jim was named CPAC's "Journalist of the Year" in 2015 and also won the Young Conservatives Coalition's William F. Buckley award that year. He writes the "Morning Jolt" newsletter and contributes to NRO's Corner blog. He's the author of Heavy Lifting with Cam Edwards, the novel The Weed Agency (a Washington Post bestseller) and Voting to Kill.
He appears regularly on CNN, CNN International and Fox News' MediaBuzz as well as other cable news programs, and co-hosts a pop culture podcast with Mickey White.
Jim spent two years in Ankara, Turkey working as a foreign correspondent and studying anti-Americanism, democratization, Islam, Middle East politics, and U.S. diplomacy efforts, appearing in The Philadelphia Inquirer, The New York Sun, The Washington Times and The Washington Examiner. He covered violent protests over the Muhammad cartoons, avian flu outbreaks, and Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Ankara. He also covered national elections in Great Britain and Germany, and has reported from Egypt, Italy, Israel, Spain, and Jordan over the years.
In 2008, Best Life magazine called Jim one of "the 10 most important voices to listen to this election cycle." His "Kerry Spot" blog was awarded for having the "Best Political Dirt" by WashingtonPost.com in 2004, and the London Times praised his "killer insight" in that election cycle.
He lives in the spider-infested neighborhood nicknamed "Authenticity Woods" in Fairfax County, Virginia.
Jim was named CPAC's "Journalist of the Year" in 2015 and also won the Young Conservatives Coalition's William F. Buckley award that year. He writes the "Morning Jolt" newsletter and contributes to NRO's Corner blog. He's the author of Heavy Lifting with Cam Edwards, the novel The Weed Agency (a Washington Post bestseller) and Voting to Kill.
He appears regularly on CNN, CNN International and Fox News' MediaBuzz as well as other cable news programs, and co-hosts a pop culture podcast with Mickey White.
Jim spent two years in Ankara, Turkey working as a foreign correspondent and studying anti-Americanism, democratization, Islam, Middle East politics, and U.S. diplomacy efforts, appearing in The Philadelphia Inquirer, The New York Sun, The Washington Times and The Washington Examiner. He covered violent protests over the Muhammad cartoons, avian flu outbreaks, and Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Ankara. He also covered national elections in Great Britain and Germany, and has reported from Egypt, Italy, Israel, Spain, and Jordan over the years.
In 2008, Best Life magazine called Jim one of "the 10 most important voices to listen to this election cycle." His "Kerry Spot" blog was awarded for having the "Best Political Dirt" by WashingtonPost.com in 2004, and the London Times praised his "killer insight" in that election cycle.
He lives in the spider-infested neighborhood nicknamed "Authenticity Woods" in Fairfax County, Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
August 17, 2022
Fabulous moving action with loads of hilarious comedy
Besides loving the Journalist in Geraghty, this action flick is awesome.
I have a serious addiction to Kindle books, and can read 5-10 action flicks a week.
This is probably one of the top action thrillers I've ever read.
Besides loving the Journalist in Geraghty, this action flick is awesome.
I have a serious addiction to Kindle books, and can read 5-10 action flicks a week.
This is probably one of the top action thrillers I've ever read.
January 23, 2021
There is much that is good about this novel, and much that isn't. The good stuff first:
1. Geraghty has created a fascinating plot. The unique plot makes the book worth reading alone.
2. Geraghty's writing is in some places superb. Particularly in the matter of simile--he does not use the well-worn similes and expressions that are so cliched in writing. He creates new and fresh ones which I found very engaging and enjoyable.
3. The book is chock-a-block full of current cultural and literary allusions.
4. His research is in places very deep and very authentic--and if he's making stuff up, you can't tell.
5. He writes the wide-ranging, globe-trotting scenes as though he's been there on location--very well done.
Geraghty is already an award-winning journalist, and in my opinion he's got the potential to also be a very good novelist--but from a reader's perspective there are several areas he needs to tighten up.
1. The editing in this book is horrible. There's no other way to put it. It was clearly a rush job. I don't think I could get through two screens on my Kindle without seeing a significant and obvious problem.
2. I did not find the main characters likeable or even believeable. Another kick-butt female attached to a clueless husband whose sole talent seems to be trash-talking the enemy, then hiding behind his wife.
3. Much of the dialog was juvenile. I *wanted* to like the characters, but it made it very difficult to even respect them.
4. The actions of the Dangerous Clique would have never been taken by CIA operatives--and I'm not talking about the violence, I am talking about insane things like telling your mark how you are trailing him well before he is in the bag, about telegraphing your intentions, etc. Simply was not believeable.
5. Too many unnecessary long data dumps.
I just finished book 2, Hunting Four Horsemen. Same exact strengths, same exact weaknesses. I hope Geraghty continues to write novels, because his writing is really good in so many ways. But I don't know if he can rescue the characters in the Dangerous Clique.
1. Geraghty has created a fascinating plot. The unique plot makes the book worth reading alone.
2. Geraghty's writing is in some places superb. Particularly in the matter of simile--he does not use the well-worn similes and expressions that are so cliched in writing. He creates new and fresh ones which I found very engaging and enjoyable.
3. The book is chock-a-block full of current cultural and literary allusions.
4. His research is in places very deep and very authentic--and if he's making stuff up, you can't tell.
5. He writes the wide-ranging, globe-trotting scenes as though he's been there on location--very well done.
Geraghty is already an award-winning journalist, and in my opinion he's got the potential to also be a very good novelist--but from a reader's perspective there are several areas he needs to tighten up.
1. The editing in this book is horrible. There's no other way to put it. It was clearly a rush job. I don't think I could get through two screens on my Kindle without seeing a significant and obvious problem.
2. I did not find the main characters likeable or even believeable. Another kick-butt female attached to a clueless husband whose sole talent seems to be trash-talking the enemy, then hiding behind his wife.
3. Much of the dialog was juvenile. I *wanted* to like the characters, but it made it very difficult to even respect them.
4. The actions of the Dangerous Clique would have never been taken by CIA operatives--and I'm not talking about the violence, I am talking about insane things like telling your mark how you are trailing him well before he is in the bag, about telegraphing your intentions, etc. Simply was not believeable.
5. Too many unnecessary long data dumps.
I just finished book 2, Hunting Four Horsemen. Same exact strengths, same exact weaknesses. I hope Geraghty continues to write novels, because his writing is really good in so many ways. But I don't know if he can rescue the characters in the Dangerous Clique.
June 20, 2020
This is Jim's* first or second novel, depending on whether you're scoring The Weed Agency as either fiction or as a barely fictionalized searing indictment of Dizzy City; it's an engaging, unfortunately rather prescient look at some of the stuff that's normally bubbling underneath the surface of our society. I detected perhaps a whiff of... the inexplicable? The esoteric? The uncanny? ...in the text: whatever it is, I hope it shows up more in the sequel.
Any complaints I have about the book have nothing to do with it, and all to do with me, and this review isn't supposed to be about me.
*He's an old friend.
Any complaints I have about the book have nothing to do with it, and all to do with me, and this review isn't supposed to be about me.
*He's an old friend.
January 28, 2023
I read this book on a recommendation from somebody also knew that I liked thrillers, not expecting it to also have a paranormal edge. So if you happen to enjoy paranormal mysteries, spy thrillers, and paramilitary fiction this will be right up your alley.
The title is a reference to one of the main characters: Katrina, a woman who was born in Turkmenistan, who made that analogy about her formative years there—where she had to exist as a non-Muslim in a place that was a tug-of-war between the Soviet Union and the mullahs. She’s now a CIA operative in a supposedly rogue group that the rest of the agency considers to be off their rockers. She and her husband — Alex, a CIA forensic accountant who absolutely refuses to let her go into the field alone — go to some rather exotic places to unravel a horrible terrorist mystery with its roots in her birth country. This is not your typical terrorism spy thriller, not at all. The terrorists in the story understand how American society works and they are doing their best to destroy us from within by playing on our existing divisions and fears, to increasingly devastating effect. They also have a hacker, which is I suppose is de rigueur in spy thrillers nowadays, a pretty motley of extremely competent people with the boss who doesn’t quite fit in at the CIA, and a bureaucracy that bucks them at every turn. But this is who you call when you need to get things done, kind of like a despised internal A-Team.
I don’t want to give anything away but the book has some really fascinating and different villains, with unusual motivations, and a lot of globetrotting and suspense as they chase down the clues to barely stay ahead of the total destruction of the USA.
It’s a page turner. I have to warn you, though, the paranormal parts don’t start to show up until the last quarter of the book – at least, not very much. But overall I was pleasantly surprised and, despite the fact that it needs a few edits , I’d like to read the rest of the series.
The title is a reference to one of the main characters: Katrina, a woman who was born in Turkmenistan, who made that analogy about her formative years there—where she had to exist as a non-Muslim in a place that was a tug-of-war between the Soviet Union and the mullahs. She’s now a CIA operative in a supposedly rogue group that the rest of the agency considers to be off their rockers. She and her husband — Alex, a CIA forensic accountant who absolutely refuses to let her go into the field alone — go to some rather exotic places to unravel a horrible terrorist mystery with its roots in her birth country. This is not your typical terrorism spy thriller, not at all. The terrorists in the story understand how American society works and they are doing their best to destroy us from within by playing on our existing divisions and fears, to increasingly devastating effect. They also have a hacker, which is I suppose is de rigueur in spy thrillers nowadays, a pretty motley of extremely competent people with the boss who doesn’t quite fit in at the CIA, and a bureaucracy that bucks them at every turn. But this is who you call when you need to get things done, kind of like a despised internal A-Team.
I don’t want to give anything away but the book has some really fascinating and different villains, with unusual motivations, and a lot of globetrotting and suspense as they chase down the clues to barely stay ahead of the total destruction of the USA.
It’s a page turner. I have to warn you, though, the paranormal parts don’t start to show up until the last quarter of the book – at least, not very much. But overall I was pleasantly surprised and, despite the fact that it needs a few edits , I’d like to read the rest of the series.
July 4, 2019
National Review political correspondent Jim Geraghty has written plenty of political commentary and a couple of non-fiction works, in addition to the clever satire of the kudzu of federal bureaucracy, The Weed Agency. With Between Two Scorpions, he tries his hand at the espionage suspense thriller with equally promising and problematic results.
CIA operative Katrina Leonidivna meets an old contact who claims to know about a plot against the United States with powerfully disruptive consequences. She dismisses his warnings as a con, rigged up to help him escape the consequences of his many double-dealings, but when an explosion kills him and a group of innocent people and almost kills her, she decides to look into the claim. Her husband Alec Flanagan and a crew of misfit operatives from several branches of the United States' different clandestine services will also probe the information her late informant tried to provide. But their clock shrinks considerably when shadowy terrorists begin strikes designed not to maximize body count but to exploit some of the fault lines of modern American society. Katrina, Alec and the rest of their "dangerous clique" have little info and less time to stop the plot before it weakens America from the inside, perhaps permanently.
Like a lot of people who have to write every day, Geraghty has little trouble dropping an engine into his story and keeping it going. The characters exist almost entirely on the surface at this point, with just a few of them getting any exploration in detail. But since he's envisioned this as a series he probably plans to save closer looks at other team members for later stories. The terrorist plot itself turns on some shamefully plausible ugly behavior on the part of people given the right kinds of stressors and seems far more conceivable than is comfortable.
The character exposition and exploration isn't stitched as smoothly into the plot as it needs to be and sometimes seems more infodump than introspection. Geraghty, who proves himself a funny guy on his Three Martini Lunch podcast, should also dial down the jokeyness inside his story. Thrillers work fine with humor, but some of what Alec and his coworkers do for laughs grows from a setup/punchline combo more than it comes from the story. These elements feel more like scenes from a 1980s action-comedy TV show than a high-stakes espionage tale.
But Scorpions offers loads of potential and it's more than possible that as Geraghty hits a better and more focused stride that the Dangerous Clique could click for quite awhile.
Original available here.
CIA operative Katrina Leonidivna meets an old contact who claims to know about a plot against the United States with powerfully disruptive consequences. She dismisses his warnings as a con, rigged up to help him escape the consequences of his many double-dealings, but when an explosion kills him and a group of innocent people and almost kills her, she decides to look into the claim. Her husband Alec Flanagan and a crew of misfit operatives from several branches of the United States' different clandestine services will also probe the information her late informant tried to provide. But their clock shrinks considerably when shadowy terrorists begin strikes designed not to maximize body count but to exploit some of the fault lines of modern American society. Katrina, Alec and the rest of their "dangerous clique" have little info and less time to stop the plot before it weakens America from the inside, perhaps permanently.
Like a lot of people who have to write every day, Geraghty has little trouble dropping an engine into his story and keeping it going. The characters exist almost entirely on the surface at this point, with just a few of them getting any exploration in detail. But since he's envisioned this as a series he probably plans to save closer looks at other team members for later stories. The terrorist plot itself turns on some shamefully plausible ugly behavior on the part of people given the right kinds of stressors and seems far more conceivable than is comfortable.
The character exposition and exploration isn't stitched as smoothly into the plot as it needs to be and sometimes seems more infodump than introspection. Geraghty, who proves himself a funny guy on his Three Martini Lunch podcast, should also dial down the jokeyness inside his story. Thrillers work fine with humor, but some of what Alec and his coworkers do for laughs grows from a setup/punchline combo more than it comes from the story. These elements feel more like scenes from a 1980s action-comedy TV show than a high-stakes espionage tale.
But Scorpions offers loads of potential and it's more than possible that as Geraghty hits a better and more focused stride that the Dangerous Clique could click for quite awhile.
Original available here.
July 14, 2019
It starts very slowly. In fact, I was pondering making it a DNF, but I gave it one more try. Then it had me. During that slow part, Geraghty's exposition took on a dull life of its own. The action bits couldn't counter its weight. Once it really got going, however, the book flew from plot point to revelation to joke to gasping for breath on a regular basis. Although the characters could use more depth (especially Ward) and there needs to be more attention to editing (quite a few typos and missing words), the overall book is interesting, funny, and terrifying. Moreover, it effectively skewers some of today's political tropes and bugaboos on both sides of the aisle, while taking a deep and often nerve-wracking look at the human psyche. Add to that insights into culture, religion, and terrorism, and you have some seriously thought-provoking stuff. All while trying to hang on to a raft in a crazy white water race while trying to find and put on your life jacket.
March 19, 2021
I enjoyed Jim Geraghty's work at National Review, so when I heard he wrote a novel, I decided to give it a try. One should approach this book as taking place in the fantasy land of Cold War era James Bond movies. There are exotic locales and venomous snakes, all the women are gorgeous, and the heroes are super competent. The two heroes of this book are a married pair of spies: Katrina and Alec. Katrina is Bond's superspy side who can kill 6 bad guys with 8 bullets and Alec is the side of Bond who can improvise his way out of jams and quip "shocking!" after tossing an electric fan into a bathtub.
Geraghty sets up an ingenious and frightenly plausible terrorist plot, but some of the ways our heroes defeat it strain credibility, even using fantasy logic. With the exception of a few moments for Katrina, the characters are mostly flat and are used to advance the plot.
If Geraghty writes another Dangerous Clique novel, I may read it, but I'm not going to rush out and get it.
Geraghty sets up an ingenious and frightenly plausible terrorist plot, but some of the ways our heroes defeat it strain credibility, even using fantasy logic. With the exception of a few moments for Katrina, the characters are mostly flat and are used to advance the plot.
If Geraghty writes another Dangerous Clique novel, I may read it, but I'm not going to rush out and get it.
November 27, 2019
I can recommend this book for two reasons that don’t seem like they should go together.
First, it’s fun! The plot moves quickly, the characters are competently drawn, and the action is solid. Think Tom Clancy, but with more jokes. I looked forward to getting back to it every time I picked up my iPad.
Second, though, it’s deeply disturbing. We’ve all played the “Here’s how I would cause maximum damage do if I were a terrorist” game, but Geraghty’s done it extremely well. Atarsa’s plan is simple, deadly, and unfolds in an absolutely chilling fashion, both for the characters and the reader.
Unsurprisingly, Geraghty’s also done his research.
(The one odd note was having two — two! — revived pagan religions; it’s an interesting idea and has some advantages for the story, but it’s also very strange.)
Very much hoping that the heavily-implied sequel comes out soon.
First, it’s fun! The plot moves quickly, the characters are competently drawn, and the action is solid. Think Tom Clancy, but with more jokes. I looked forward to getting back to it every time I picked up my iPad.
Second, though, it’s deeply disturbing. We’ve all played the “Here’s how I would cause maximum damage do if I were a terrorist” game, but Geraghty’s done it extremely well. Atarsa’s plan is simple, deadly, and unfolds in an absolutely chilling fashion, both for the characters and the reader.
Unsurprisingly, Geraghty’s also done his research.
(The one odd note was having two — two! — revived pagan religions; it’s an interesting idea and has some advantages for the story, but it’s also very strange.)
Very much hoping that the heavily-implied sequel comes out soon.
January 1, 2024
This is a fun and easy read. It was easy to get into the plot and stay engaged. It's obvious the author has a solid grasp on current cultural and political events. His take on current U.S. culture was very relevant, and was a meaningful part of how things played out. I can also appreciate some of the humor and references that perhaps only people who have lived through certain time periods might understand, although it did at times feel a bit over the top.
One thing that was extremely frustrating was the really poor (or maybe missing?) editing. Words in some sentences were inexplicably missing or duplicated, and typos were frequent. Additionally, the behaviors of people within government agencies weren't exactly believable. But if you can let those things go and just enjoy the plot, it's worth a read.
One thing that was extremely frustrating was the really poor (or maybe missing?) editing. Words in some sentences were inexplicably missing or duplicated, and typos were frequent. Additionally, the behaviors of people within government agencies weren't exactly believable. But if you can let those things go and just enjoy the plot, it's worth a read.
June 29, 2019
pretty much nails it
I was intrigued by whether the author could make the leap between political analysis--his day job at National Review--and the world of action fiction. I shouldn't have worried.
If I could award an additional half star I would. The author still let a little bit of current political knowledge creep in with some references to personalities in the novel's administration, but I suspect that a bit tighter editing along that line, as well as the insertion of a few missing articles, will clean up those matters in his next adventure.
All in all, this was a great read, especially for a novice in this genre.
I was intrigued by whether the author could make the leap between political analysis--his day job at National Review--and the world of action fiction. I shouldn't have worried.
If I could award an additional half star I would. The author still let a little bit of current political knowledge creep in with some references to personalities in the novel's administration, but I suspect that a bit tighter editing along that line, as well as the insertion of a few missing articles, will clean up those matters in his next adventure.
All in all, this was a great read, especially for a novice in this genre.
July 19, 2019
Couldn’t put it down
Read this over 3 days while on a business trip. It’s one of those reads that makes you feel like the main characters are a group of friends you’ve hung out with for years. Like the mission impossible crew this team does the things the normal 3 letter agencies can’t. Geraghty gives them depth and humor and allows you to feel like you’ve got a front seat to all the action in some of the strangest places in the world. Tons of fun. Can’t wait for the next book!!!!
Read this over 3 days while on a business trip. It’s one of those reads that makes you feel like the main characters are a group of friends you’ve hung out with for years. Like the mission impossible crew this team does the things the normal 3 letter agencies can’t. Geraghty gives them depth and humor and allows you to feel like you’ve got a front seat to all the action in some of the strangest places in the world. Tons of fun. Can’t wait for the next book!!!!
June 23, 2019
First of all, I'm generally a fan of Jim Geraghty's having subscribed to his email newsletter pretty much from day one. I loved Heavy Lifting as well. So, I might be a bit biased.
Meanwhile, I loved this book. Great suspense, plot twists, and fun characters. There were multiple places where I laughed out loud (and got funny looks from my wife). Just a fun book. Highly recommended for a weekend afternoon's reading.
Meanwhile, I loved this book. Great suspense, plot twists, and fun characters. There were multiple places where I laughed out loud (and got funny looks from my wife). Just a fun book. Highly recommended for a weekend afternoon's reading.
June 28, 2019
Really solid start to what I hope is a great series. What if Americans were confronted by a terrorist group that actually understood our cultural and political weaknesses? Geraghty addresses that question with a fantastic cast of characters. I particularly liked the lurking spiritual questions underlying the plot. Nothing in-your-face, but the book takes seriously the religious motivations of both good and bad actors.
October 31, 2020
Don’t read this. Really racist & xenophobic throughout. Lots of attempts to throw in historical moments but did it with little context and a lot of inaccuracies. That alone made me struggle to get through this, but there also was no character development and the story bounced around so much it didn’t make much sense. My dad gave me this book and I read it because he recommended it, but I would tell anyone else to not waste their time with this one.
October 14, 2022
Enjoyable. Surprisingly good on character development. Humor just over the cheesy line at times, but not outrageously slow. Plot a bit Bond-esque (think OHMSS). Plenty of action. Geraghty is a machine of a writer in real life, and this shows a fun other side of him. He's written a bit more in this series, but unfortunately nothing else in ink and paper--which I don't understand, since this volume was clearly Print On Demand. I got this copy from the Salt Lake City library.
April 30, 2025
Geraghty’s writing reminded me of Robert Ludlum’s series. Intriguing plot with fascinating places and cultures. In my opinion, he relates a lot of technical facts in a way that doesn’t bog the story down.
From a character standpoint, I appreciated how although Katrina was extremely good at her job, she also wrestled with it. It made her more real than other depictions of spies and operatives that I’ve read in other books.
From a character standpoint, I appreciated how although Katrina was extremely good at her job, she also wrestled with it. It made her more real than other depictions of spies and operatives that I’ve read in other books.
August 5, 2019
A tight little thriller that moves along at a nice clip. Generally realistic with a believable plot my concern is this is #1 in a planned series. Is there going to be an overarching narrative that the series moves through on its way to a set ending or is it a series of disparate adventures/incidents with a common set of characters?
December 27, 2020
This book is fun to read and also makes some interesting and relevant commentary. If you like political/national security thrillers, this is the book for you. My main criticism is
lackadaisical editing, which results in many typographical errors. It is not difficult to figure out what was meant, but this editing problem is a definite annoyance.
lackadaisical editing, which results in many typographical errors. It is not difficult to figure out what was meant, but this editing problem is a definite annoyance.
May 4, 2021
Morality Gets Exciting
Between Two Scorpions starts in fifth gear and accelerates steadily from there. More than a top- notch CIA thriller, it’s a morality play, and its illuminated readers will find themselves hoping the angels will continue to outsmart and outfight the demons. A excellent read!
Between Two Scorpions starts in fifth gear and accelerates steadily from there. More than a top- notch CIA thriller, it’s a morality play, and its illuminated readers will find themselves hoping the angels will continue to outsmart and outfight the demons. A excellent read!
September 20, 2022
Geraghty's Best Yet
I have read all of this series and this one stands out from the rest. The characters have more depth- they're more complex. The story is very creative in its concept and takes one on a globetrotting adventure. Great beach read that leaves the reader with something to think about. Can't wait for the next one
I have read all of this series and this one stands out from the rest. The characters have more depth- they're more complex. The story is very creative in its concept and takes one on a globetrotting adventure. Great beach read that leaves the reader with something to think about. Can't wait for the next one
July 8, 2019
Great book!
Really liked the characters, especially the unlikely heroic forensic accountant, and his beautiful and deadly spouse. I hope this is the beginning of a series I will enjoy for years to come!
Really liked the characters, especially the unlikely heroic forensic accountant, and his beautiful and deadly spouse. I hope this is the beginning of a series I will enjoy for years to come!
October 30, 2024
Action packed thriller
Detailed action scenes from locations around the world that made me then up out of pure curiosity. Lots of action. Fiction based on reality. Good vs evil. Is it really that simple?
Detailed action scenes from locations around the world that made me then up out of pure curiosity. Lots of action. Fiction based on reality. Good vs evil. Is it really that simple?
June 17, 2019
Loved it! Very entertaining with some laugh out loud moments. I wish the second installment was ready now.
September 3, 2019
Always enjoyable
A bit slow in the beginning, but a fun roller coaster at the end...and even some mysticism to boot. Always enjoy his books and articles.
A bit slow in the beginning, but a fun roller coaster at the end...and even some mysticism to boot. Always enjoy his books and articles.
September 4, 2019
I hate being held up for a review
I have to write 20 more words so I can get back to the screen so ii can remove the book!
I have to write 20 more words so I can get back to the screen so ii can remove the book!
Read
November 8, 2019Review coming
October 11, 2020
I liked the book and the story is believable. I rated it 3 stars because of the grammatical errors and duplicate words. The editor/publisher missed some obvious mistakes.
December 18, 2020
Most unusual book I have read, the action pack, the dialogue was witty and the story right out today's headlines. Gonna read the next one give a more complete breakdown.
January 3, 2021
Intriguing plot, clearly a very knowledgeable author. A bit clunky in some of the storytelling aspects, but as his first thriller it’s to be expected. Looking forward to the second one.
January 16, 2021
Actually, 3 1/2. This is not a genre I usually read, but it was a decent diversion.
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