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Mack Bedford #1
Diamondhead
When Navy SEAL Mack Bedford's fellow officers are brutally killed by Iraqi insurgents using a devastating, new anti-tank Diamondhead missile, Mack avenges their murders by gunning down the then unarmed attackers, ultimately getting himself court-martialed and kicked out of the Navy in the process. To make matters worse, Mack then learns that the Diamondhead missiles were sold illegally by French industrialist and infamous politician Henri Foche. Mack suspects that Foche will succeed in his campaign to become the next French President, and fears that his election will result in the spread of international terrorism.
In addition, Mack has a gravely ill son whose life can only be saved by an experimental and unaffordable foreign medical procedure. So when the town’s shipbuilding magnate asks Mack to help assassinate Henri Foche, Mack finds himself agreeing. His reward is a chance at survival for both his son and his hometown.
408 pages, Hardcover
First published May 26, 2009
100 people are currently reading
725 people want to read
About the author
Patrick Robinson
103 books344 followersPatrick Robinson was a journalist for many years before becoming a full-time writer of books. His non-fiction books were bestsellers around the world and he was the co-author of Sandy Woodward's Falklands War memoir, One Hundred Days.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
September 11, 2025
I really enjoyed the author's Admiral Morgan series so was looking forward to this book. Unfortunately the first half was extremely dull, salvaged only by a good 2nd half.
February 5, 2013
After the first 20 percent of this novel the following 80 percent is some of the very best action I have come across. Stick with this story and you will be thrilled if you enjoy good suspense. Only because the story could have done without the drawn out beginning, 9 of 10 stars
May 4, 2012
I have a hard time abandoning books before I finish them. In this case I was able to abandon "Diamondhead" after only a short time.
In the first 50 pages the author manages to trash everyone except the Navy SEALS and their counterparts, the Army Special Forces. He is particularly hard on the U.S. press and could be a stand-in for Ann Coulter if need be. He goes after the French, Al Jazeera, the Iraqi's, all U.S. politicians including the President. He sets up a hard to believe fictional situation and then uses it to undertake, the aforementioned trashing.
I didn't need to finish the book, just read the dust cover summary and about 20 pages of the book itself to know how it would turn out. The hero will prevail and be vindicated, his dying son will be miraculously saved, the evil money grubbing Frenchman will get his just desserts, the Newspapers will roll over and get behind our hero, the President will turn out to be not such a bad guy after all but all liberals in and out of Congress will refuse to be reformed and America's wonderful attempt to bring freedom and democracy to the Middle east will be justified.
There you have it. I can't call what I've written a spoiler because I only read the first 50 pages or so. Be interesting to find out if I was right or wrong but I'd have to read the book to do that, a task I have no intention of undertaking.
In the first 50 pages the author manages to trash everyone except the Navy SEALS and their counterparts, the Army Special Forces. He is particularly hard on the U.S. press and could be a stand-in for Ann Coulter if need be. He goes after the French, Al Jazeera, the Iraqi's, all U.S. politicians including the President. He sets up a hard to believe fictional situation and then uses it to undertake, the aforementioned trashing.
I didn't need to finish the book, just read the dust cover summary and about 20 pages of the book itself to know how it would turn out. The hero will prevail and be vindicated, his dying son will be miraculously saved, the evil money grubbing Frenchman will get his just desserts, the Newspapers will roll over and get behind our hero, the President will turn out to be not such a bad guy after all but all liberals in and out of Congress will refuse to be reformed and America's wonderful attempt to bring freedom and democracy to the Middle east will be justified.
There you have it. I can't call what I've written a spoiler because I only read the first 50 pages or so. Be interesting to find out if I was right or wrong but I'd have to read the book to do that, a task I have no intention of undertaking.
March 21, 2013
Really, really bad. Does this author have any concept of the military? Almost none of it was accurate. You don't retire with benefits at 13 years. Tanks don't carry passengers, and if they did, SEALs would not use them for insertions (tanks are not too stealthy). The protagonist's "amazing" sniper shots are done by soldiers every day at the rifle range, and his huge death-defying leap into the water is done by every sailor at boot camp.
This mistakes are rampant, and the implausibilities just keep on coming. Even the core problem with the French missile is that it burns. Well, almost all anti0tank weapons burn. That is how they work.
The protagonist is a thug, not the hero the authors tries to paint him to be. And even if I am a conservative, the right-wing rants were so pervasive and continual that I was turned away.
This was just a bad, bad book.
This mistakes are rampant, and the implausibilities just keep on coming. Even the core problem with the French missile is that it burns. Well, almost all anti0tank weapons burn. That is how they work.
The protagonist is a thug, not the hero the authors tries to paint him to be. And even if I am a conservative, the right-wing rants were so pervasive and continual that I was turned away.
This was just a bad, bad book.
August 24, 2009
Patrick Robinson, in my opinion, is the best of techno-thriller writers. his stories could come right from today's news headlines. Patrick usually writes about submarines and sub warfare, but not this time. His stories are current, the technical details are stuff only insiders know (Patrick would tell you how he knows these secrets, but he would have to hire Mackenzie Bedford, the main character and hero of this book, to eliminate you if he did).
a terrible weapon has appeared which is incinerating american soldiers alive. the Diamondhead is an anti-armor, anti-tank missile which can penetrate America's most advanced ground vehicles. the Diamondhead is outlawed by the UN but continues to find its way into the hands of holy jihad militants in Iraq and Afghanistan, where American tank crews and soldiers are being burned alive almost daily. Mackenzie witnesses the deaths of fellow soldiers and friends by this missile firsthand. after being disgraced and run out of the US Navy Seals for personal retribution against some prisoners of war whom he just witnessed killing some of his friends with the Diamondhead, Mackenzie is recruited by the magnate of a ship-building company to arrange the untimely death of the head of the French company making the Diamondhead. This monster also owns a French shipyard who is preparing to enter high-level politics. Intrigue and personal agendas abound in this book. Without giving away too many details, Mackenzie or 'Mack' decides to take on the mission himself. Can he stop the spread of this barbaric weapon, eliminate the political agenda of the man behind it, save American ship-building jobs, and escape capture by a massive police effort to stop the assassination attempt?
You will have to read the book to find out.
a terrible weapon has appeared which is incinerating american soldiers alive. the Diamondhead is an anti-armor, anti-tank missile which can penetrate America's most advanced ground vehicles. the Diamondhead is outlawed by the UN but continues to find its way into the hands of holy jihad militants in Iraq and Afghanistan, where American tank crews and soldiers are being burned alive almost daily. Mackenzie witnesses the deaths of fellow soldiers and friends by this missile firsthand. after being disgraced and run out of the US Navy Seals for personal retribution against some prisoners of war whom he just witnessed killing some of his friends with the Diamondhead, Mackenzie is recruited by the magnate of a ship-building company to arrange the untimely death of the head of the French company making the Diamondhead. This monster also owns a French shipyard who is preparing to enter high-level politics. Intrigue and personal agendas abound in this book. Without giving away too many details, Mackenzie or 'Mack' decides to take on the mission himself. Can he stop the spread of this barbaric weapon, eliminate the political agenda of the man behind it, save American ship-building jobs, and escape capture by a massive police effort to stop the assassination attempt?
You will have to read the book to find out.
January 24, 2021
4 stars
Navy SEAL Mack Bedford’s reputation proceeds him. He is destined for great things and is well regarded as one of, if not the ultimate, SEAL. However, when a political decision from the suits in Washington sees him expelled from the Navy; Mack’s life as he knows it is over.
With a terminally ill son, things are now looking very bleak until an opportunity knocks in the form that goes against everything he holds true as a SEAL and a man. Can Mack kill a man outside the rules of engagement if it means saving his son or will intervening forces kill him first?
I have been very excited waiting for the Australia Day long weekend so I could binge the four books in Patrick Robinson’s Mack Bedford thriller series, after finally being able to track them all down; and I’m pleased to report that Diamondhead was worth the wait.
Filled with the trademark thrills, spills and suspense that made me love Robinson’s Admiral Morgan series of books; Diamondhead is not only well written but has a fast paced plot that will keep you guessing to the end. There are enough red herrings to build the suspense and drama; but I appreciated that the writing was conscience and didn’t unnecessarily drag out to include these well time plot twists.
I loved Mack as the main character and had visions of David Boreanaz playing him in a movie as the plot progressed. In fact, I cannot believe I’m about to say this; but I’d actually love to see Diamondhead made into a movie.
Back to the characters; they were well developed, well written and there was a good mixture of those you’ll love and those you’ll love to hate; just as any good thriller book should have. The ability to create such relatable characters, despite their unique occupations; is a skill that Robinson has in spades (or should I say tridents?!) and really makes the book.
I’m a big fan of military thrillers and love that Robinson writes in a way that it doesn’t matter how much or little you know about the Navy; you can still enjoy his books (unlike some other writers in this genre). If you like authors such as Chris Ryan, Andy McNabb and Vince Flynn; then it’s worth the effort to track down Diamondhead and all of Patrick Robinson’s books generally.
To play along with my book bingo and to see what else I’m reading, go to #ktbookbingo and @kt_elder on Instagram.
(I read the paperback version of Diamondhead, published by Canelo but this edition is not listed as an option to choose from.)
Navy SEAL Mack Bedford’s reputation proceeds him. He is destined for great things and is well regarded as one of, if not the ultimate, SEAL. However, when a political decision from the suits in Washington sees him expelled from the Navy; Mack’s life as he knows it is over.
With a terminally ill son, things are now looking very bleak until an opportunity knocks in the form that goes against everything he holds true as a SEAL and a man. Can Mack kill a man outside the rules of engagement if it means saving his son or will intervening forces kill him first?
I have been very excited waiting for the Australia Day long weekend so I could binge the four books in Patrick Robinson’s Mack Bedford thriller series, after finally being able to track them all down; and I’m pleased to report that Diamondhead was worth the wait.
Filled with the trademark thrills, spills and suspense that made me love Robinson’s Admiral Morgan series of books; Diamondhead is not only well written but has a fast paced plot that will keep you guessing to the end. There are enough red herrings to build the suspense and drama; but I appreciated that the writing was conscience and didn’t unnecessarily drag out to include these well time plot twists.
I loved Mack as the main character and had visions of David Boreanaz playing him in a movie as the plot progressed. In fact, I cannot believe I’m about to say this; but I’d actually love to see Diamondhead made into a movie.
Back to the characters; they were well developed, well written and there was a good mixture of those you’ll love and those you’ll love to hate; just as any good thriller book should have. The ability to create such relatable characters, despite their unique occupations; is a skill that Robinson has in spades (or should I say tridents?!) and really makes the book.
I’m a big fan of military thrillers and love that Robinson writes in a way that it doesn’t matter how much or little you know about the Navy; you can still enjoy his books (unlike some other writers in this genre). If you like authors such as Chris Ryan, Andy McNabb and Vince Flynn; then it’s worth the effort to track down Diamondhead and all of Patrick Robinson’s books generally.
To play along with my book bingo and to see what else I’m reading, go to #ktbookbingo and @kt_elder on Instagram.
(I read the paperback version of Diamondhead, published by Canelo but this edition is not listed as an option to choose from.)
April 10, 2015
Diamondhead seemed like a safe bet. I steeled myself for the usual ‘Former Navy SEAL…’ storyline of an indestructible badass getting it done with the near mystic skills learned in the Navy. What I got was an insult to my intelligence. The indestructible badass in question is Lieutenant Commander Mackenzie Bedford. After his SEAL team is ambushed and killed by an UN banned weapon, Diamondhead, Bedford kills the attackers. But all evidence makes it look like the counterattack was a vast breach in ROE and flat out murder. The Navy shows Bedford the door and he starts planning his revenge.
So far so good. But once we throw in that a French business leader with political ambitions is the creator of Diamondhead AND the small all-American town that Bedford lives is going to lose its major employer to this French businessman AND the head of the town’s major employer is actually hiring Bedford to assassinate the cowardly French…well, we have totally gone off the rails.
Author Patrick Robinson tries repeatedly to remind us that Bedford is a good man and breaking international laws and traveling thousands of miles to murder a man is really out of his wheelhouse.
But he does it anyway.
This flight of fancy of ‘sticking to the man’ and the bonus of said man being a (gasp!) foreigner is just way too much. Several times I wanted to stop reading but I just had to see how Bedford gets out of this. It’s a good thing he’s former Navy SEAL with near godlike reserves of strength and endurance. Whereas it took thousands of men to storm Normandy during World War II, old Bedford does it by his lonesome and practically swims the English Channel during his escape.
On top of all this, add the author’s lack of understanding and just plain knowledge of the military, let alone Navy SEALs and this book is damn near laughable. I understand that Mr. Robinson has continued this series and Bedford ultimately becomes the President. I’ll never know how that happens as Diamondhead killed any chance of my returning to the adventures of Lieutenant Commander Mackenzie Bedford.
So far so good. But once we throw in that a French business leader with political ambitions is the creator of Diamondhead AND the small all-American town that Bedford lives is going to lose its major employer to this French businessman AND the head of the town’s major employer is actually hiring Bedford to assassinate the cowardly French…well, we have totally gone off the rails.
Author Patrick Robinson tries repeatedly to remind us that Bedford is a good man and breaking international laws and traveling thousands of miles to murder a man is really out of his wheelhouse.
But he does it anyway.
This flight of fancy of ‘sticking to the man’ and the bonus of said man being a (gasp!) foreigner is just way too much. Several times I wanted to stop reading but I just had to see how Bedford gets out of this. It’s a good thing he’s former Navy SEAL with near godlike reserves of strength and endurance. Whereas it took thousands of men to storm Normandy during World War II, old Bedford does it by his lonesome and practically swims the English Channel during his escape.
On top of all this, add the author’s lack of understanding and just plain knowledge of the military, let alone Navy SEALs and this book is damn near laughable. I understand that Mr. Robinson has continued this series and Bedford ultimately becomes the President. I’ll never know how that happens as Diamondhead killed any chance of my returning to the adventures of Lieutenant Commander Mackenzie Bedford.
August 29, 2019
Pretty awful stuff really. But strangly fascinating. The lead characters in the book are all pretty right wing and firmly of the opinions that the liberals are ruining the world. (I got a little dissapointed when it was so stupidly dumb about London.
"Raul had long accepted the London base Morrison had first mentioned was probably accurate. London, with its new multiculturalism, its insane laws protecting criminals and terrorists, its dishonest, lightweight politicians, its totally out-of-touch police force, and its distinct lack of traditional Britishness was now Europe’s hotbed of international intrigue. The British population had given up caring what happened, and mostly could not be bothered even to vote. The police were totally consumed with traffic offenses, and the left wing of the ruling government was more or less devoted to helping those who commit unforgivable crimes. London sounded right to Raul."
And a fun one about the media,
"By 19:30 pm every media newsroom in the world was onto the story. Fox News in New York was quickly into its stride, leaving CNN standing, with most of its staff still trying to find another dozen reasons to criticize the Republican president."
And this from the Obama era.
Strip away all that stuff and in my opinion it's a bit of a poor "soldier as SUPERSOLDIER" who can take on the entire world alone. And naturally he wins.
The first anecdote of the book is around an incident where our "hero" basically murders unarmed people. That says more to me about the justice system in the USA rather than murder is justified.
From that poor beginning it turns into a sub sub sub Day of the Jackal story where a French presidential candidate is hunted and murdered by our "hero" whilst being hunted himselft by the French police. But don't despair - the frenchman is clearly bad and so thefore deserves murdering.
I can't give a good reason why I finished it other than to see what some like? I've read several of this authors books in the past - but this did not work for me.
"Raul had long accepted the London base Morrison had first mentioned was probably accurate. London, with its new multiculturalism, its insane laws protecting criminals and terrorists, its dishonest, lightweight politicians, its totally out-of-touch police force, and its distinct lack of traditional Britishness was now Europe’s hotbed of international intrigue. The British population had given up caring what happened, and mostly could not be bothered even to vote. The police were totally consumed with traffic offenses, and the left wing of the ruling government was more or less devoted to helping those who commit unforgivable crimes. London sounded right to Raul."
And a fun one about the media,
"By 19:30 pm every media newsroom in the world was onto the story. Fox News in New York was quickly into its stride, leaving CNN standing, with most of its staff still trying to find another dozen reasons to criticize the Republican president."
And this from the Obama era.
Strip away all that stuff and in my opinion it's a bit of a poor "soldier as SUPERSOLDIER" who can take on the entire world alone. And naturally he wins.
The first anecdote of the book is around an incident where our "hero" basically murders unarmed people. That says more to me about the justice system in the USA rather than murder is justified.
From that poor beginning it turns into a sub sub sub Day of the Jackal story where a French presidential candidate is hunted and murdered by our "hero" whilst being hunted himselft by the French police. But don't despair - the frenchman is clearly bad and so thefore deserves murdering.
I can't give a good reason why I finished it other than to see what some like? I've read several of this authors books in the past - but this did not work for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 5, 2014
What to expect from this story . . . lots of thrills and excitement from beginning to end! Throw in the love of a father for his son and the love of an ousted Navy Seal for his fellow Navy Seals and you've got an explosive mix! Patrick Robinson laid out a very interesting story full of intricate details that made for an amazing listen on audio CD. I usually only listen in the car; however, I had to bring this one in the house because I couldn't wait until my next trip to see what was going to happen next. Definitely the big ending I love and have come to expect in the stories I listen to!! A huge 10 out of 10 on this one.
August 11, 2013
Very disappointing compared to he majority of Patrick Robinson's other works. While the action itself is enjoyable, the premise is beyond far-fetched. After building up Mack Bedford as a USN SEAL, having first class character, Robinson turns him into essentially a killer-for-hire. It almost seems as if Robinson keeps trying to justify the plot throughout the book with reminders of Mack's motivations, but for me, the disconnect was too significant to truly appreciate the book to any degree.
October 15, 2012
Even I can only take so much "conservative" propaganda and there is a lot of it in this story. The author makes it obvious that God's blessing flows on the Navy SEALS and damn the others. Whatever a SEAL does is automatically justified and he can do it better than any living person. Good thing there is a retired Navy SEAL in this book.
February 4, 2016
Really enjoyed reading this book and intend to read the next in his series. I would recommend this to all avid readers of undercover operations.
April 10, 2012
Contrived, not one of his best.
May 13, 2017
I returned to PATRICK ROBINSON after a delay of about 6 years. DIAMONDHEAD was worth the return. The previous 7 or 8 books I had read were military thrillers - mostly nautical. This book introduces a new hero - U.S. Navy SEAL Lieutenant Commander Mackenzie Bedford.
The story opens in Iraq with Mack leading a SEAL Team 10 squad that is based there. His team is called out to rescue another squad that has been ambushed. When Mack and his armored squad arrive at the scene of the ambush, they are attacked by a missile toting team of Isis terrorists using a United Nations' banned missile that sets interior fires in armored vehicles, burning alive the occupants. Mack's two tanks are set ablaze and his three best friends are burned alive. The missiles are believed to come from a company in France. This kindles a rage in Mack that ends in violent attack by him and his court martial.
He returns home to a small town in the U.S. state of Maine not far from the city of Bath, site of the world famous Bath Iron Works. Mack's young son Tommy is dying from a rare blood disease that is virtually untreatable. He may not live to see his next birthday if it is not cured. However, there is a clinic in Switzerland that for a payment of one million U.S. dollars can treat the disease with some possibility of success. Mack's navy insurance will not cover the cost and the banks will not loan him the money. However, Mack's good friend Harry Remsen, owner of a small shipyard, comes up with a plan.
Harry's shipyard depends on the money generated from building French frigates. The leading candidate in France for its new President is a "France First, France Only" proponent. If elected, he will cancel any future business for Harry's shipyard. This infuriates both Harry and Mack because of the loss of American jobs in general, Maine in particular. Their plan is to hire mercenaries to do the job. When push comes to shove, Mack does not trust the people they have hired and offers to do the job himself for two million dollars. The same money Harry was willing to pay the mercenaries.
If you want action, here it is in spades. If you want page turning excitement, here it is. Watch Mack as he tries to complete his mission against all odds in hostile territory. Here is a hero in the mold of all the great action heroes of fiction from a writer who is at the top of his genre.
GO! BUY! READ!
The story opens in Iraq with Mack leading a SEAL Team 10 squad that is based there. His team is called out to rescue another squad that has been ambushed. When Mack and his armored squad arrive at the scene of the ambush, they are attacked by a missile toting team of Isis terrorists using a United Nations' banned missile that sets interior fires in armored vehicles, burning alive the occupants. Mack's two tanks are set ablaze and his three best friends are burned alive. The missiles are believed to come from a company in France. This kindles a rage in Mack that ends in violent attack by him and his court martial.
He returns home to a small town in the U.S. state of Maine not far from the city of Bath, site of the world famous Bath Iron Works. Mack's young son Tommy is dying from a rare blood disease that is virtually untreatable. He may not live to see his next birthday if it is not cured. However, there is a clinic in Switzerland that for a payment of one million U.S. dollars can treat the disease with some possibility of success. Mack's navy insurance will not cover the cost and the banks will not loan him the money. However, Mack's good friend Harry Remsen, owner of a small shipyard, comes up with a plan.
Harry's shipyard depends on the money generated from building French frigates. The leading candidate in France for its new President is a "France First, France Only" proponent. If elected, he will cancel any future business for Harry's shipyard. This infuriates both Harry and Mack because of the loss of American jobs in general, Maine in particular. Their plan is to hire mercenaries to do the job. When push comes to shove, Mack does not trust the people they have hired and offers to do the job himself for two million dollars. The same money Harry was willing to pay the mercenaries.
If you want action, here it is in spades. If you want page turning excitement, here it is. Watch Mack as he tries to complete his mission against all odds in hostile territory. Here is a hero in the mold of all the great action heroes of fiction from a writer who is at the top of his genre.
GO! BUY! READ!
August 19, 2021
The war in Afganistan experienced a frightening turn of events. A new type of team-launched missile had been developed and was decimating Allied armor. The missile, named Diamondhead could penetrate one-thousand millimeters of armor and upon exploding would burst into fire similar to napalm, burning the crew alive. U.S. Navy Seal Lieutenant Commander Mack Bedford witnessed the devastation firsthand on the sands of Afganistan. Watching twenty of his brothers and Rangers burned to death, he went into a rage shooting down twelve unarmed villagers coming towards his men. Mack had watched these men through binoculars as they fired the Diamondhead missiles, knowing they were not innocent villagers. This spur-of-the-moment action cost Mack his life as a Navy Seal. Returning home, Mack discovered his hometown of Dartford, south of Bath was in dire trouble. The lifeblood of Dartford depended upon its shipbuilding yard which survived on a French contract of one naval frigate per year. This contract was soon to disappear if the French candidate named Henri Foche gained the Presidency. His stump speech cried “Vive la France”, “Vive la liberté” declaring an end to all offshore contracts. Everything was to be built in France for the French. The Dartford shipbuilding yard owner, Harry Remson saw only one way to avoid disaster. From a magazine article, Mack recognized the man who was conversing with the rebels, proudly displaying the missiles, and sighting through the launcher, across the river from his men on that disastrous day before two more Diamondhead missiles destroyed two of his tanks and crews. The man was Henri Foche. Mack knew what he must do. The story is a thrilling adventure, and an exciting tale to follow through to the end, but there is much to overlook if you do so, or if you can. For an author that has written so many military novels, it is utterly amazing just how many errors and lack of research are contained in this story. I’ll not repeat what other reviewers have already indicated but it is almost unbelievable. As another reviewer said, “It’s no wonder it is free.” I’ll try the next novel, “Intercept” and hope this was a fluke.
October 15, 2022
Target audience would seem to be readers who A) lean far-right politically, B) believe the end justifies the means regardless of moral considerations, and C) have incredible powers of suspending their disbelief.
Spoilers below!
A) Far-right overtones: As I was listening to the audiobook version, there were times I expected the U.S. national anthem or the U.S. Marine Corps hymn to start playing in the background. I’m all for a good rah-rah shoot-em-up by a former Navy SEAL, but there is something to be said for subtly. This author disagrees on that point, as this tome is tightly wrapped in the American flag.
B) The end justifies the means: The first scene has the main character executing a dozen insurgents in a scene very reminiscent of the demise of SS guards at Dachau concentration camp.
The author does a decent job of explaining the justification behind this act, but later we see Mack Bedford ready to murder an innocent fisherman *in cold blood* for no apparent reason (since he reveals himself to the fisherman a few minutes later!) So much for the whole “code of honor” the author was trying to establish.
C) Suspension of disbelief: We are supposed to believe Bedford has the connections to 1) obtain perfect forgeries of passports from multiple countries in a few days, and 2) obtain a customized sniper rifle in a country which highly regulates firearms, BUT has a complete inability to get across the English Channel other than highjacking a fishing trawler and throwing the fishermen overboard *knowing they would report the highjacking in time for French authorities to track the boat*! Pretty much ANY other RANDOM plan would have been more believable.
Spoilers below!
A) Far-right overtones: As I was listening to the audiobook version, there were times I expected the U.S. national anthem or the U.S. Marine Corps hymn to start playing in the background. I’m all for a good rah-rah shoot-em-up by a former Navy SEAL, but there is something to be said for subtly. This author disagrees on that point, as this tome is tightly wrapped in the American flag.
B) The end justifies the means: The first scene has the main character executing a dozen insurgents in a scene very reminiscent of the demise of SS guards at Dachau concentration camp.
The author does a decent job of explaining the justification behind this act, but later we see Mack Bedford ready to murder an innocent fisherman *in cold blood* for no apparent reason (since he reveals himself to the fisherman a few minutes later!) So much for the whole “code of honor” the author was trying to establish.
C) Suspension of disbelief: We are supposed to believe Bedford has the connections to 1) obtain perfect forgeries of passports from multiple countries in a few days, and 2) obtain a customized sniper rifle in a country which highly regulates firearms, BUT has a complete inability to get across the English Channel other than highjacking a fishing trawler and throwing the fishermen overboard *knowing they would report the highjacking in time for French authorities to track the boat*! Pretty much ANY other RANDOM plan would have been more believable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2017
I have read most of Patrick Robinson's books featuring Admiral Arnold Morgan, 10 in all so far.
DiamondHead is the first book of a new series featuring Mack Bedford (MacKenzie) SEAL team leader. Mack and his team were stationed in Iraq, on the banks of the Euphrates River. Their mission was to round up Al-Qaeda or Taliban warriors. Teams in Iraq were deeply disturbed by a new missiles that penetrated tanks and immediately began burning with a phosphorous-like flame. Crew members are burned to death as soon as the missile penetrated the tank.
Mack and his team rush to aid another team that has been attacked by these DiamondHead missiles. Across the river a group of Islamic fanatics stood watching the SEAL teams. Mack started to turn his team toward the fanatics when they released two missiles at Mack's team, taking out tanks that burned so fiercely that no one could survive.
DiamondHead is the first book of a new series featuring Mack Bedford (MacKenzie) SEAL team leader. Mack and his team were stationed in Iraq, on the banks of the Euphrates River. Their mission was to round up Al-Qaeda or Taliban warriors. Teams in Iraq were deeply disturbed by a new missiles that penetrated tanks and immediately began burning with a phosphorous-like flame. Crew members are burned to death as soon as the missile penetrated the tank.
Mack and his team rush to aid another team that has been attacked by these DiamondHead missiles. Across the river a group of Islamic fanatics stood watching the SEAL teams. Mack started to turn his team toward the fanatics when they released two missiles at Mack's team, taking out tanks that burned so fiercely that no one could survive.
April 3, 2025
The Audible edition of Diamondhead delivers a fast-paced, no-nonsense thriller that keeps the listener engaged with its action-packed narrative. The voice performance enhances the tension, making the suspenseful moments even more gripping. However, while the plot moves quickly and offers plenty of excitement, it’s also fairly predictable, relying on familiar tropes and a straightforward trajectory. For listeners who enjoy a quick, adrenaline-fueled story without too much complexity, this audiobook hits the mark. Still, those seeking twists and more profound surprises may find it a bit lacking.
I find it pretty good for casual listening at 1.20x.
I find it pretty good for casual listening at 1.20x.
January 27, 2018
* OMG! This - first of the Mark Bedford series - has to be one of the best suspense books I've ever read! My heart was in my throat starting about p10.
* The story starts as many SEAL stories do not, in the battle-field, and takes an unexpected twist of plot on a regular basis. "I never saw that coming", I mused more than once.
* I'm keeping Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp series on hold as I continue on with the next available Navy SEAL Lt. Cdr. Macenzie Bradford series.
* The story starts as many SEAL stories do not, in the battle-field, and takes an unexpected twist of plot on a regular basis. "I never saw that coming", I mused more than once.
* I'm keeping Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp series on hold as I continue on with the next available Navy SEAL Lt. Cdr. Macenzie Bradford series.
September 19, 2021
The story itself of this book is very idealistic and cliché filled. The plot contained many sidestories that barely, if anyhow at all, enriched the overall plot line. The author overstayed in his narrative on some details like what and when which news outlet reported on the events in the book that it left me with the headscratcher why it was necessary at all. Overall, it felt like a draft of a decent book but not as a finished creation.
January 24, 2022
Otro thriller militar, en este caso un SEAL excepcional, que se ve alejado de su unidad por comportamiento incorrecto en el campo de batalla y termina ejecutando un contrato de asesinato.
El protagonista tiene razones muy personales para cambiarse al lado oscuro y la ejecución es pura acción de comandos. Novela muy entretenida que te mantiene queriendo saber más.
El protagonista tiene razones muy personales para cambiarse al lado oscuro y la ejecución es pura acción de comandos. Novela muy entretenida que te mantiene queriendo saber más.
August 29, 2020
Long and overly detailed lead up to the predictable action, which was at least fast moving, if not just a bit too fanciful. A little too contrived, and some details don't bear scrutiny of logic. Nonetheless, the book was just worth finishing.
May 19, 2024
Great adventure, I-need-a-hero type, special forces, good guys, bad guys, good guys who have to do some bad things (it’s called war).
Not my first Patrick Robinson. He writes great action/adventure.
I listened to the audio book, well-narrated.
Not my first Patrick Robinson. He writes great action/adventure.
I listened to the audio book, well-narrated.
December 17, 2024
I had high expectations based on other books by this author. This book was not enjoyable. Dry prose that repeatable tells me the same boring thing as if I might have forgotten. I quit caring about the hero, I quit believing that anything in this book might have been remotely plausible.
May 30, 2017
An ok story.
A little far-fetched to me on the overall plan and execution.
I found I was able to set this one down time and again.
A little far-fetched to me on the overall plan and execution.
I found I was able to set this one down time and again.
August 6, 2018
Great book! Well written with great characters! I can’t wait to read the rest in this series!
August 20, 2019
Incredible story, great ending!
February 24, 2021
First book of the Mack Bedford series by Patrick Robinson. Once it got moving, it was a quick and satisfying read. The first half was a bit hard to read as it dealt heavily with a child’s illness.
February 24, 2021
The plot was good but like Tom Clancy it’s a little stretched out and could be cut short. Not my favorite series but when I do not have anything else to read it’s worth picking up.
May 20, 2021
Best book I've read this year!
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