What do you think?
Rate this book
A Brit in the FBI #6
The Last Second
From New York Times bestselling authors Catherine Coulter and J.T. Ellison comes a riveting thriller pitting special agents Nicholas Drummond and Michaela Caine against a private French space agency that has the power to end the world as we know it.
Galactus, France’s answer to SpaceX, has just launched a communications satellite into orbit, but the payload actually harbors a frightening weapon: a nuclear-triggered electromagnetic pulse.
When the satellite is in position, Galactus’s second-in-command, Dr. Nevaeh Patel, will have the power to lay waste to the world with an EMP. A former astronaut, Patel believes she is following the directions of the Numen, aliens who saved her life when she space-walked outside the International Space Station. She is convinced that with the Holy Grail, just discovered by the owner of Galactus—eccentric treasure hunter Jean-Pierre Broussard—she can be reunited with the Numen, change the world’s destiny, and become immortal with them.
The countdown has begun when Special Agents Nicholas Drummond and Michaela Caine are thrown into the pending disaster. They must stop the EMP that would wreak havoc on communication and electronic systems on Earth, resulting in chaos and anarchy.
Galactus, France’s answer to SpaceX, has just launched a communications satellite into orbit, but the payload actually harbors a frightening weapon: a nuclear-triggered electromagnetic pulse.
When the satellite is in position, Galactus’s second-in-command, Dr. Nevaeh Patel, will have the power to lay waste to the world with an EMP. A former astronaut, Patel believes she is following the directions of the Numen, aliens who saved her life when she space-walked outside the International Space Station. She is convinced that with the Holy Grail, just discovered by the owner of Galactus—eccentric treasure hunter Jean-Pierre Broussard—she can be reunited with the Numen, change the world’s destiny, and become immortal with them.
The countdown has begun when Special Agents Nicholas Drummond and Michaela Caine are thrown into the pending disaster. They must stop the EMP that would wreak havoc on communication and electronic systems on Earth, resulting in chaos and anarchy.
513 pages, ebook
First published March 26, 2019
3001 people are currently reading
7459 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 552 reviews
May 21, 2019
Space, terrorists, holy grail, murders. That's lots to tie together and not too well in this less than appetizing goulash story. 4 of 10 stars
June 9, 2019
Why not go for broke? In Catherine Coulter and J.T.Ellison’s The Last Second The Holy Grail aka Heaven’s Stone, aliens, and a errant satellite armed with a small nuclear bomb are the threads that make up this heart thumping new outing for FBI agents Michaela (Mike) Caine and Nicholas Drummond. The nuclear device is designed to emit an EMP-electromagnetic pulse designed to take out most of the earth’s electrical grid and as a side effect maybe cause a full out nuclear war.
Too bad this was all based on the fake news articles about certain astronauts passing lie detector tests concerning their seeing aliens. Note the term lie detector-not polygraph; important difference. I say too bad because in Coulter and Ellison’s last book in the Brit in the FBI series The Sixth Day I was delighted with all of the cool scientific and arcane information presented.
To catch up new readers and as a reminder to faithful readers-and yes I’m one-here is a quickie summary. In six months of book time Nicholas Drummond has gone from a Chief Inspector at Scotland Yard to being an FBI agent. He has made it through the academy (which actually lasts four months), partnered up with FBI agent Mike Caine, fallen in love with her, and saved the Queen, the Prime Minister, and the U.S. President. And I think the world a few times. He has been knighted and Mike has been made a Dame. The Knighthood might be a bit superfluous because eventually Drummond will become a Viscount. BTW, this is a rank of the Peerage, seldom of Royalty. But I apologize if Drummond is actually related to the Queen. In other words, they are typical FBI agents. Sorry, couldn’t resist as I am contractor who works part time with their training.
As always the story is at breakneck speed with a short timeline. Coulter and Ellison’s are as slyly convincing about the first alien encounters as they are for the recovery of the Holy Grail from the ocean floor. The also do a great job in documenting the former astronaut’s journey from off the chart genius to evil genius.
The settings from a cliffside villa in Capri to the jungles of Malaysia are breathtaking. No surprise there.
The information about EMPs seems to be accurate and well presented. EMP weapons are possible and may exist. But then again lightening strikes are a form of EMP's.
Drummond totally treats Mike as an equal and never pulls the man card on her. Especially in highly dangerous situations. Without giving anything away, how she saves the world is funny.
I have a slight problem with the super bad girls being lesbians; I hope it’s not an editorial cliche/judgement making them the villains. Although no doubt there will be readers who are offended they even included a lesbian couple. I also have a problem with a secondary character sleeping with one of the baddies, kinda makes him a man-ho. I have another problem with Mike and Nicholas's superlative healing powers. But this just goes with their almost super human adventures.
If you are looking for a fun, action packed story, this will do very well.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Too bad this was all based on the fake news articles about certain astronauts passing lie detector tests concerning their seeing aliens. Note the term lie detector-not polygraph; important difference. I say too bad because in Coulter and Ellison’s last book in the Brit in the FBI series The Sixth Day I was delighted with all of the cool scientific and arcane information presented.
To catch up new readers and as a reminder to faithful readers-and yes I’m one-here is a quickie summary. In six months of book time Nicholas Drummond has gone from a Chief Inspector at Scotland Yard to being an FBI agent. He has made it through the academy (which actually lasts four months), partnered up with FBI agent Mike Caine, fallen in love with her, and saved the Queen, the Prime Minister, and the U.S. President. And I think the world a few times. He has been knighted and Mike has been made a Dame. The Knighthood might be a bit superfluous because eventually Drummond will become a Viscount. BTW, this is a rank of the Peerage, seldom of Royalty. But I apologize if Drummond is actually related to the Queen. In other words, they are typical FBI agents. Sorry, couldn’t resist as I am contractor who works part time with their training.
As always the story is at breakneck speed with a short timeline. Coulter and Ellison’s are as slyly convincing about the first alien encounters as they are for the recovery of the Holy Grail from the ocean floor. The also do a great job in documenting the former astronaut’s journey from off the chart genius to evil genius.
The settings from a cliffside villa in Capri to the jungles of Malaysia are breathtaking. No surprise there.
The information about EMPs seems to be accurate and well presented. EMP weapons are possible and may exist. But then again lightening strikes are a form of EMP's.
Drummond totally treats Mike as an equal and never pulls the man card on her. Especially in highly dangerous situations. Without giving anything away, how she saves the world is funny.
I have a slight problem with the super bad girls being lesbians; I hope it’s not an editorial cliche/judgement making them the villains. Although no doubt there will be readers who are offended they even included a lesbian couple. I also have a problem with a secondary character sleeping with one of the baddies, kinda makes him a man-ho. I have another problem with Mike and Nicholas's superlative healing powers. But this just goes with their almost super human adventures.
If you are looking for a fun, action packed story, this will do very well.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
January 22, 2022
FBI agents Nicholas Drummond and Michalea Caine have their hands full. Astronaut Neveah Patel is on an EVA spacewalk when her tether cord snaps. She should have died. Instead, she’s convinced that aliens saved her and somehow guided her back to her spacecraft. The aliens want her to do their bidding. NASA grounds her and insists it’s a delusion. Real? Not real? In the meantime, she’s going to detonate a nuclear bomb and EMP on the alien’s say so. This book turned into an Indiana Jones type adventure, with a search for the Holy Grail, helicopters, futuristic submarines, high seas adventures, space flight and much more.
May 26, 2019
Now that was a solid high-tech thriller/science fiction novel that kept me glued to my seat! This book is full of action, suspense, mystery, thrills, and even some laughter. I feel like I need a vacation after reading this one. THE LAST SECOND by Catherine Coulter and J.T. Ellison is the 6th book in the "A Brit in the FBI Thriller" series, but you can definitely read this as a stand-alone.
Do you believe in Aliens? Well, Dr. Nevaeh Patel does, and she is convinced that the aliens saved her life after a spacewalk outside the International Space Station almost turned deadly. Now she believes that once she is reunited with the aliens again she will be able to change the world's destiny and become immortal. Special Agents Nicholas Drummond and Michaela (Mike) Caine have to stop Dr. Patel from wreaking havoc on Earth. But will they make it in time to stop her and save Earth?
Coulter and Ellison have created a non-stop action thriller that will keep you in suspense until the very end. I will definitely be reading more from these two authors very soon! Highly Recommend
*Many thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Do you believe in Aliens? Well, Dr. Nevaeh Patel does, and she is convinced that the aliens saved her life after a spacewalk outside the International Space Station almost turned deadly. Now she believes that once she is reunited with the aliens again she will be able to change the world's destiny and become immortal. Special Agents Nicholas Drummond and Michaela (Mike) Caine have to stop Dr. Patel from wreaking havoc on Earth. But will they make it in time to stop her and save Earth?
Coulter and Ellison have created a non-stop action thriller that will keep you in suspense until the very end. I will definitely be reading more from these two authors very soon! Highly Recommend
*Many thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 23, 2019
I'm obviously in the minority here, and I've enjoyed the other books in this series. But the dialogue is so contrived and flat and the premise so unbelievable that I returned the book at the 50-percent mark. I just didn't want to invest any more time in it with so many other books out there to read.
Very disappointing.
Very disappointing.
March 30, 2019
Initial thoughts: A thriller set in space?! I'm ready for this ride!
Full review:
NASA astronaut, Neveah Patel, has been grounded. While on a mission in space she had a near death experience when she became untethered from the International Space Station. During those harrowing moments she believes she was saved by an exo-planetary species - The NUMEN. However, when NASA reviewed the shuttle transmissions after the incident there was no evidence of anyone else, human or otherwise, besides Neveah and her team. NASA's belief is that she suffered a delusional event brought about by this traumatic event. Neveah feels that the head NASA psychiatrist has it in for her. She believes the determination is unjust and led by jealously rather than science.
She embarks on an endeavor to reunite with the Numen and bring peace to the world. But as time goes by Neveah becomes more delirious, more fraught, and more bitter as she feels slighted and betrayed by NASA. Quickly, she becomes bent on revenge. Her new aim - destroy the International Space Station and be granted immortality by the Numen. In order to achieve this goal she has to rid Earth from the "noise" created by our cellular devices and satellites. Her grand plan is to send a nuclear bomb up into space to set off an electromagnetic pulse that would effectively shut down the world's electrical grid. With the potential to bring about a world war Special Agents Nicholas Drummond and Michaela Caine do not have much time to recover the Holy Grail, capture Neveah and her psychopathic killing machine of a lover, defuse a nuclear bomb and save the world. As you can guess The Last Second takes place in break neck speed and is action packed.
I just had a bit of a time with this book and I am not sure why. This is my second Coulter book. I really liked the first one, Paradox, a lot which is why I requested this one. I think it is because I was in the middle of a reading slump. I've gone over a whole week without completing a book. Usually I read a book a day or two. So I am going to blame this one on me and my slump. For now this book will suffer a three star rating, but I will definitely return and read more from Catherine Coulter.
Full review:
NASA astronaut, Neveah Patel, has been grounded. While on a mission in space she had a near death experience when she became untethered from the International Space Station. During those harrowing moments she believes she was saved by an exo-planetary species - The NUMEN. However, when NASA reviewed the shuttle transmissions after the incident there was no evidence of anyone else, human or otherwise, besides Neveah and her team. NASA's belief is that she suffered a delusional event brought about by this traumatic event. Neveah feels that the head NASA psychiatrist has it in for her. She believes the determination is unjust and led by jealously rather than science.
She embarks on an endeavor to reunite with the Numen and bring peace to the world. But as time goes by Neveah becomes more delirious, more fraught, and more bitter as she feels slighted and betrayed by NASA. Quickly, she becomes bent on revenge. Her new aim - destroy the International Space Station and be granted immortality by the Numen. In order to achieve this goal she has to rid Earth from the "noise" created by our cellular devices and satellites. Her grand plan is to send a nuclear bomb up into space to set off an electromagnetic pulse that would effectively shut down the world's electrical grid. With the potential to bring about a world war Special Agents Nicholas Drummond and Michaela Caine do not have much time to recover the Holy Grail, capture Neveah and her psychopathic killing machine of a lover, defuse a nuclear bomb and save the world. As you can guess The Last Second takes place in break neck speed and is action packed.
I just had a bit of a time with this book and I am not sure why. This is my second Coulter book. I really liked the first one, Paradox, a lot which is why I requested this one. I think it is because I was in the middle of a reading slump. I've gone over a whole week without completing a book. Usually I read a book a day or two. So I am going to blame this one on me and my slump. For now this book will suffer a three star rating, but I will definitely return and read more from Catherine Coulter.
February 4, 2019
I've read two of this "Brit in the FBI" series and absolutely loved them both, so when I got the chance to wade into this one as an advance review copy, I was ecstatic. And guess what? The story is a bit more "out there" than the others, but it's yet another 5-star winner in my book.
The very likable characters, in particular special agents Nicholas Drummond and his sweetie, Michaela "Mike" Caine, are back. The two are staying with friends and other regular characters Grant and Kitsune Thornton, while Mike nurses a nearly healed broken ankle that happened during a previous adventure. Mike and Nicholas head the FBI Covert Eyes Team, while Grant runs a private security company that's been hired to protect Jean-Pierre Broussard, the founder of Galactus Industries.
In the prologue, readers learn that astronaut Dr. Nevaeh Patel was drummed out of the space program after a near-death experience during a spacewalking event, after which she claimed to have heard extraterrestrial voices called the Numen. No one believed her and most think she's gone bonkers - and thus unfit for another outer space mission. Insisting she's not crazy, Nevaeh quits the program, later hooking up with Broussard. He wants someone to take over that company while he searches the seas for the "Holy Grail" - a rock believed to have healing powers.
But Nevaeh has much more on her mind than running a company that puts small satellites in space at an affordable cost. Those voices never stopped calling, you see, and they're getting louder by the day - urging her to undertake a project that will disrupt the entire world and give them, and Nevaeh, total control. Once Mike and Nicholas learn what's going on, they have other ideas - but can they find a way to stop what she's about to make happen, even if it's at the last second?
A good bit of the almost nonstop action takes place at sea, with scenes reminiscent (to me, at least) of Clive Cussler's NUMA Files books. As the two intersecting plots on land and water begin to seriously converge, all the characters get involved in ultra-dangerous situations that call for super-human feats, and the ending is worthy of an Ian Fleming 007 novel. My verdict? Thank goodness for one of the most boring Super Bowl games ever (and I haven't missed a single one since the 1967 inaugural game) that allowed me to finish the final third of the book nonstop. And speaking of thanks, I'll send some to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review it.
The very likable characters, in particular special agents Nicholas Drummond and his sweetie, Michaela "Mike" Caine, are back. The two are staying with friends and other regular characters Grant and Kitsune Thornton, while Mike nurses a nearly healed broken ankle that happened during a previous adventure. Mike and Nicholas head the FBI Covert Eyes Team, while Grant runs a private security company that's been hired to protect Jean-Pierre Broussard, the founder of Galactus Industries.
In the prologue, readers learn that astronaut Dr. Nevaeh Patel was drummed out of the space program after a near-death experience during a spacewalking event, after which she claimed to have heard extraterrestrial voices called the Numen. No one believed her and most think she's gone bonkers - and thus unfit for another outer space mission. Insisting she's not crazy, Nevaeh quits the program, later hooking up with Broussard. He wants someone to take over that company while he searches the seas for the "Holy Grail" - a rock believed to have healing powers.
But Nevaeh has much more on her mind than running a company that puts small satellites in space at an affordable cost. Those voices never stopped calling, you see, and they're getting louder by the day - urging her to undertake a project that will disrupt the entire world and give them, and Nevaeh, total control. Once Mike and Nicholas learn what's going on, they have other ideas - but can they find a way to stop what she's about to make happen, even if it's at the last second?
A good bit of the almost nonstop action takes place at sea, with scenes reminiscent (to me, at least) of Clive Cussler's NUMA Files books. As the two intersecting plots on land and water begin to seriously converge, all the characters get involved in ultra-dangerous situations that call for super-human feats, and the ending is worthy of an Ian Fleming 007 novel. My verdict? Thank goodness for one of the most boring Super Bowl games ever (and I haven't missed a single one since the 1967 inaugural game) that allowed me to finish the final third of the book nonstop. And speaking of thanks, I'll send some to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review it.
March 15, 2019
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon&Schuster for this ARC in return for an honest review. The book mixes elements of a high-tech thriller, science fiction, and a legendary artifact fantasy. I thought the scientific/technological aspects of the story very well explained by the authors, which made it quite easy to follow. As a non-stop action thriller, the plot moved quickly but left little time to build up a feeling of suspense and tension on my part.
I had never read any of the previous books in this series, but we get some of the backgrounds, professional assignments and relationships of the main characters. I didn’t feel much connection with the characters which will probably improve when I read some of the preceding books. Less emphasis was placed on their personality than on their existence merely as action figures (in my mind). It was confusing that some characters were referred to by their first names and then later by their last names only, sometimes on the same page.
We meet a crazy scientist/former astronaut, Nevaeh, who has the power to destroy civilization as we know it. She controls an orbiting nuclear device containing an EMP which has the potential to wipe out all electrical transmissions and also destroy the space station and wrack destruction on areas in the weapon’s path. If this is not a sufficient threat, if the blast heads eastward towards Russia and China WW3 could ensue. She believes that while she was on a spacewalk she was saved by alien creatures. As a result of the discussion of her encounter she was grounded as an astronaut and now works at the private space station owned by Jean- Pierre Broussard, where she has completed her diabolical scheme. Her motivation is her conviction that the space aliens are demanding that she must silence the earth and outer space so she can join with them and rule a changed and peaceful world.
Recurring characters in this series are FBI Special Agents, Nicholas Drummond and Michaela(Mike) Caine who work for Covert Operations Branch. Their friend, Grant Thornton, works at a private security company. They encounter sea disasters, helicopter crashes, mudslides, and severe battle wounds during the course of the story. I found it implausible that our dauntless heroes showed superhuman ability to sustain severe injuries and still keep on going in this breathtaking adventure.
Grant is to provide security for Jean-Pierre Broussard, a billionaire who runs Galactus Industries with the goal of providing cheaper space travel. His main passion is searching for ancient treasures. His goal is recovering for the legendary ‘Holy Grail’. This artifact is in the form of a black rock, and one of its attributes is conveying immortality to a worthy person. It was lost centuries ago when a ship carrying it sank. Once the ‘Holy Grail’ is recovered, Nevaeh plans to steal it because she thinks the alien creatures are immortal and she aims to have eternal life alongside them.
Trying to stop the detonation of the orbiting device, Nicholas, Mike, Jean-Pierre, the CIA, agents from various countries all converge on Nevaeh’s secret control post hidden in Sri Lanka. The clock is ticking down while Nicholas and Mike rush to stop the impending doomsday scenario. The action is fierce and non-stop, and I think that many readers and fans of this series will be thrilled by this book.
I had never read any of the previous books in this series, but we get some of the backgrounds, professional assignments and relationships of the main characters. I didn’t feel much connection with the characters which will probably improve when I read some of the preceding books. Less emphasis was placed on their personality than on their existence merely as action figures (in my mind). It was confusing that some characters were referred to by their first names and then later by their last names only, sometimes on the same page.
We meet a crazy scientist/former astronaut, Nevaeh, who has the power to destroy civilization as we know it. She controls an orbiting nuclear device containing an EMP which has the potential to wipe out all electrical transmissions and also destroy the space station and wrack destruction on areas in the weapon’s path. If this is not a sufficient threat, if the blast heads eastward towards Russia and China WW3 could ensue. She believes that while she was on a spacewalk she was saved by alien creatures. As a result of the discussion of her encounter she was grounded as an astronaut and now works at the private space station owned by Jean- Pierre Broussard, where she has completed her diabolical scheme. Her motivation is her conviction that the space aliens are demanding that she must silence the earth and outer space so she can join with them and rule a changed and peaceful world.
Recurring characters in this series are FBI Special Agents, Nicholas Drummond and Michaela(Mike) Caine who work for Covert Operations Branch. Their friend, Grant Thornton, works at a private security company. They encounter sea disasters, helicopter crashes, mudslides, and severe battle wounds during the course of the story. I found it implausible that our dauntless heroes showed superhuman ability to sustain severe injuries and still keep on going in this breathtaking adventure.
Grant is to provide security for Jean-Pierre Broussard, a billionaire who runs Galactus Industries with the goal of providing cheaper space travel. His main passion is searching for ancient treasures. His goal is recovering for the legendary ‘Holy Grail’. This artifact is in the form of a black rock, and one of its attributes is conveying immortality to a worthy person. It was lost centuries ago when a ship carrying it sank. Once the ‘Holy Grail’ is recovered, Nevaeh plans to steal it because she thinks the alien creatures are immortal and she aims to have eternal life alongside them.
Trying to stop the detonation of the orbiting device, Nicholas, Mike, Jean-Pierre, the CIA, agents from various countries all converge on Nevaeh’s secret control post hidden in Sri Lanka. The clock is ticking down while Nicholas and Mike rush to stop the impending doomsday scenario. The action is fierce and non-stop, and I think that many readers and fans of this series will be thrilled by this book.
February 8, 2019
More of a 3.5 but I don't wanna round off to 4.
Brit in the FBI series has been a fun, thrilling reading experience with slightly out there plots but quite enjoyable with some suspension of disbelief. This book is no different and I can wholeheartedly say that I had a lot of fun, much better actually than the previous installment The Sixth Day .
This series is another one which always makes it a point to use some advance technological concepts as plot points and in this book, we get a nuclear EMP that has been secretly deployed on a satellite and sent to space. While the whole of a nuclear bomb being secretly sent to space without anyone’s knowledge seems preposterous, an EMP is a very believable and plausible idea and it’s repercussions are devastating. I loved how the author duo was able to make me believe in the antagonist’s capability to go to such great lengths to destroy the world and still feel that she’s doing it for the betterment of the world. There are also some very very far fetched ideas like aliens and the Holy Grail, which were completely unrealistic but I still enjoyed reading about them as part of this story. The book is very fast paced – taking place in just about four days – so the story is always moving from one country to another (which is what I completely eat up in my adventure novels). The action also starts quite early on and never stops, with some breathtaking sequences on helicopters, in the middle of a typhoon, landslides etc and I was thrilled to bits.
I definitely enjoyed the characters more in this book. Mike and Nick’s banter is very hilarious and enjoyable and I think I have finally come to love them. Mike is such an adrenaline junkie that not even the end of the world can scare her and I admire her skills. The best part is that while Nick is the go-to hacker of the team, Mike is the one everyone relies on when the situation calls for some hand to hand combat skills. Even during the crisis time towards the end, their banter never ceases and I was particularly thrilled by how the ending played out. It was also great to see Grant and Kitsune again but I wish they could have been a longer part of the story.
Overall, if you have read the other books in the series, then you will definitely love this one. If you don’t mind reading a slightly unrealistic but very thrilling globe-trotting action novel, then you should give this book a try. The end of the world might be on the horizon, but you’ll still be smiling most of the way.
Brit in the FBI series has been a fun, thrilling reading experience with slightly out there plots but quite enjoyable with some suspension of disbelief. This book is no different and I can wholeheartedly say that I had a lot of fun, much better actually than the previous installment The Sixth Day .
This series is another one which always makes it a point to use some advance technological concepts as plot points and in this book, we get a nuclear EMP that has been secretly deployed on a satellite and sent to space. While the whole of a nuclear bomb being secretly sent to space without anyone’s knowledge seems preposterous, an EMP is a very believable and plausible idea and it’s repercussions are devastating. I loved how the author duo was able to make me believe in the antagonist’s capability to go to such great lengths to destroy the world and still feel that she’s doing it for the betterment of the world. There are also some very very far fetched ideas like aliens and the Holy Grail, which were completely unrealistic but I still enjoyed reading about them as part of this story. The book is very fast paced – taking place in just about four days – so the story is always moving from one country to another (which is what I completely eat up in my adventure novels). The action also starts quite early on and never stops, with some breathtaking sequences on helicopters, in the middle of a typhoon, landslides etc and I was thrilled to bits.
I definitely enjoyed the characters more in this book. Mike and Nick’s banter is very hilarious and enjoyable and I think I have finally come to love them. Mike is such an adrenaline junkie that not even the end of the world can scare her and I admire her skills. The best part is that while Nick is the go-to hacker of the team, Mike is the one everyone relies on when the situation calls for some hand to hand combat skills. Even during the crisis time towards the end, their banter never ceases and I was particularly thrilled by how the ending played out. It was also great to see Grant and Kitsune again but I wish they could have been a longer part of the story.
Overall, if you have read the other books in the series, then you will definitely love this one. If you don’t mind reading a slightly unrealistic but very thrilling globe-trotting action novel, then you should give this book a try. The end of the world might be on the horizon, but you’ll still be smiling most of the way.
July 24, 2019
A random old dude in the library recommended this to me so I checked it out.
Mistake.
I got about 50 pages into it. Bar none, this book has the worst dialogue I've ever read. And while it's never comfortable to begin a series in the middle, the author did a terrible job with bringing in the back story, whereas I can pick up any Brad Thor novel and understand what the dealio and recent situation is.
The author threw everything and the kitchen sink into this. Aliens (or a hallucination about aliens) and the Holy fucking Grail. I found the aliens aspect to be really interesting because I wanted to know if the astronaut had hallucinated the encounter or not and how would the NASA bureaucracy deal with such a situation and how would the astronaut pick up the pieces of life when no one believes her. That would have been fascinating. But no. It veered into Holy Grail territory and I just couldn't go on.
Mistake.
I got about 50 pages into it. Bar none, this book has the worst dialogue I've ever read. And while it's never comfortable to begin a series in the middle, the author did a terrible job with bringing in the back story, whereas I can pick up any Brad Thor novel and understand what the dealio and recent situation is.
The author threw everything and the kitchen sink into this. Aliens (or a hallucination about aliens) and the Holy fucking Grail. I found the aliens aspect to be really interesting because I wanted to know if the astronaut had hallucinated the encounter or not and how would the NASA bureaucracy deal with such a situation and how would the astronaut pick up the pieces of life when no one believes her. That would have been fascinating. But no. It veered into Holy Grail territory and I just couldn't go on.
April 18, 2019
Wow, what a wildly entertaining thrill ride this sixth entry in Catherine Coulter and J.T. Ellison's "Brit in the FBI" series is! The same likable characters are back, and this time there's even a bit of fantasy and science fiction, involving an ex-astronaut who is convinced that she is in contact with space aliens who will help her become immortal and rule the world; a Frenchman, owner of the space-satellite company Galactus, who is searching for the Holy Grail; and a satellite containing a nuclear-triggered electromagnetic pulse that could bring anarchy and chaos to the world. It's up to FBI Special Agents Nicholas Drummond and Michaela "Mike" Caine and their allies to avert this disaster, in one of the most suspenseful finales I've read in a while.
October 7, 2019
3 stars.
This series is getting so out of orbit (pun intended). I'm quite ambivalent over this one since it seems to jump all over the place. In a sense, I liked there is a cast of strong females but then they turned into these bitter and crazy meglomaniacs (except for our lead Mike, who is crazy in her own way!)
That finale where Nicholas and Mike infiltrate the enemy's lair is very James Bond-ish. But...
I'm thinking this series is just about run its course....
This series is getting so out of orbit (pun intended). I'm quite ambivalent over this one since it seems to jump all over the place. In a sense, I liked there is a cast of strong females but then they turned into these bitter and crazy meglomaniacs (except for our lead Mike, who is crazy in her own way!)
That finale where Nicholas and Mike infiltrate the enemy's lair is very James Bond-ish. But...
I'm thinking this series is just about run its course....
March 17, 2019
I like my thrillers to be plausible, and in this case I was disappointed. While the premise of The Last Second was somewhat believable (megalomaniacal scientist outsmarts everyone and nearly destroys Earth), the execution was not. There were too many elements of fantasy (not even mentioning the actual Holy Grail), too many glib occurrences of skating past insurmountable obstacles in impossible time spans.
And the characters: Each of them was either all good, chipper, optimistic, inhumanly capable, or else unremittingly evil. No complexity. As I said, a disappointment. Thanks to NetGalley for an advance readers copy.
And the characters: Each of them was either all good, chipper, optimistic, inhumanly capable, or else unremittingly evil. No complexity. As I said, a disappointment. Thanks to NetGalley for an advance readers copy.
September 3, 2019
Well...a very good holiday read. I was surprised I enjoyed it so much. Simply because I like books that stretch to 'it could be plausible'. This was definitely beyond that: eg awards from the queen and POTUS basically at the same time, holy grail, space, nuclear bombs...
But it was great writing, inventiveness and unputdownable.
But it was great writing, inventiveness and unputdownable.
April 24, 2019
Catherine Coulter and J.T. Ellison are a winning combination. These books are fantastic! This one is another thrill-ride where Mike and Nicholas are running around the world trying to stop a crazy person from setting of a nuke and destroying the world as we know it. Totally fun but with it's fair share of danger and excitement. I can't wait for the next installment.
March 23, 2019
Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.
I love this series. Mystery-Thriller-Suspense with a touch of fantasy and two wonderful main characters. Each new book is an experience to be savored or read non stop first page to the last, which is how I did it this time around. Lots of wonderful information woven through a plot with non-stop action. Prepare for a sleepless night.
FBI Special Agents Nicholas Drummond and Michaela Caine are on vacation, well Mike is recovering from a hairline fracture to her ankle, but they are kicking back and taking it at a slower pace . . . until friend Grant ends up in a situation that requires their assistance.
Jean-Pierre Broussard (think Richard Branson) is the treasure hunting founder of French company, Galactus (think SpaceX). His company is under siege and he has an out of control second-in-command, Dr. Nevaeh Patel. Jean-Pierre is on a quest to find the Holy Grail and the guy is kinda distracted right now. He has hired Grant's company to provide security for this operation.
Former astronaut, Dr. Nevaeh Patel, has high jacked the latest Galactus satellite to deploy an EMP to rid the world of noise, wars and take control of the world for herself and the "aliens", the Numen, who she thinks saved her life in outer space and become immortal with them. Nicholas and Mike have a matter of days to save Grant and stop the deployment of an EMP that would destroy the communications and electronic systems on a good portion of the planet.
I love this series. Mystery-Thriller-Suspense with a touch of fantasy and two wonderful main characters. Each new book is an experience to be savored or read non stop first page to the last, which is how I did it this time around. Lots of wonderful information woven through a plot with non-stop action. Prepare for a sleepless night.
FBI Special Agents Nicholas Drummond and Michaela Caine are on vacation, well Mike is recovering from a hairline fracture to her ankle, but they are kicking back and taking it at a slower pace . . . until friend Grant ends up in a situation that requires their assistance.
Jean-Pierre Broussard (think Richard Branson) is the treasure hunting founder of French company, Galactus (think SpaceX). His company is under siege and he has an out of control second-in-command, Dr. Nevaeh Patel. Jean-Pierre is on a quest to find the Holy Grail and the guy is kinda distracted right now. He has hired Grant's company to provide security for this operation.
Former astronaut, Dr. Nevaeh Patel, has high jacked the latest Galactus satellite to deploy an EMP to rid the world of noise, wars and take control of the world for herself and the "aliens", the Numen, who she thinks saved her life in outer space and become immortal with them. Nicholas and Mike have a matter of days to save Grant and stop the deployment of an EMP that would destroy the communications and electronic systems on a good portion of the planet.
April 4, 2019
I've enjoyed reading all of the previous books in this series and was
excited to read this one. That excitement quickly turned to massive disappointment. The premise for the story was okay, farfetched but okay. The action was more like reading about superheroes trying to save the world than agents trying to avert a major catastrophe. And if I read one more line with someone saying "boyo" I thought I might scream! Something tells me I won't be reading anymore books in this series and I'm a bit sad about that.
excited to read this one. That excitement quickly turned to massive disappointment. The premise for the story was okay, farfetched but okay. The action was more like reading about superheroes trying to save the world than agents trying to avert a major catastrophe. And if I read one more line with someone saying "boyo" I thought I might scream! Something tells me I won't be reading anymore books in this series and I'm a bit sad about that.
March 17, 2019
Hang on tight for the “thriller” ride of your life! A little science fiction, a lot of daring imagination, tons of deceit and intrigue and action, action, action! THE LAST SECOND by Catherine Coulter and J.T. Ellison have created a high-powered race against time and the twisted machinations of a former astronaut who believes she has spoken to aliens, even as her wealthy boss is off searching for the Holy Grail, convinced it will save his young daughter’s life.
A satellite has just been launched into space, but unbeknownst to its creators, it has been armed with a deadly nuclear device capable of bringing the world to its knees. Special Agents Nicholas Drummond and Michaela Caine must do the impossible, breach a well-armed fortress and disarm the satellite before its deadly payload is activated, all while attempting to stay alive and out of the clutches of former astronaut, Dr. Neveah Patel and her alien friends.
This one will go down to the wire before you will feel safe to take a breath, even if for only a second! Forget relaxing into this read, it’s a nail biter and terrifyingly too real!
Over-the-top action and characters with out-of-this-world implications!
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Gallery Books!
Series: A Brit in the FBI - Book 6
Publisher: Gallery Books (March 26, 2019)
Publication Date: March 26, 2019
Genre: Thriller
Print Length: 464 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
A satellite has just been launched into space, but unbeknownst to its creators, it has been armed with a deadly nuclear device capable of bringing the world to its knees. Special Agents Nicholas Drummond and Michaela Caine must do the impossible, breach a well-armed fortress and disarm the satellite before its deadly payload is activated, all while attempting to stay alive and out of the clutches of former astronaut, Dr. Neveah Patel and her alien friends.
This one will go down to the wire before you will feel safe to take a breath, even if for only a second! Forget relaxing into this read, it’s a nail biter and terrifyingly too real!
Over-the-top action and characters with out-of-this-world implications!
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Gallery Books!
Series: A Brit in the FBI - Book 6
Publisher: Gallery Books (March 26, 2019)
Publication Date: March 26, 2019
Genre: Thriller
Print Length: 464 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
April 15, 2019
THE LAST SECOND
Another fun and exciting adventure in the Brit in the FBI series (#6), Nicholas Drummond and Michaela Caine are up against a rogue astronaut fixated on quieting the earth's atmosphere in an attempt to communicate with the Neumen.
Nevaeh Patel is convinced that earlier in her career it was the alien life source the Neumen that saved her from a disastrous accident while working on the International Space Station. Now that she is the director of Galactus, a private enterprise that places satellites in space, she has the opportunity to launch a nuclear bomb and generate an EMP and further her interaction with the space beings.
Drummond and Caine work with Galactus' owner, the wealthy jet setter Jean-Pierre Broussard, in exotic settings off the coast of Malaysia and in Sri Lanka to stop the pending disaster.
I would like to thank NetGalley, authors Catherine Coulter and J. T. Ellison, and Gallery Books, Simon & Schuster, Inc. for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Another fun and exciting adventure in the Brit in the FBI series (#6), Nicholas Drummond and Michaela Caine are up against a rogue astronaut fixated on quieting the earth's atmosphere in an attempt to communicate with the Neumen.
Nevaeh Patel is convinced that earlier in her career it was the alien life source the Neumen that saved her from a disastrous accident while working on the International Space Station. Now that she is the director of Galactus, a private enterprise that places satellites in space, she has the opportunity to launch a nuclear bomb and generate an EMP and further her interaction with the space beings.
Drummond and Caine work with Galactus' owner, the wealthy jet setter Jean-Pierre Broussard, in exotic settings off the coast of Malaysia and in Sri Lanka to stop the pending disaster.
I would like to thank NetGalley, authors Catherine Coulter and J. T. Ellison, and Gallery Books, Simon & Schuster, Inc. for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Read
June 4, 2021Series: A Brit in the FBI, #6
This story started off okay, then it seemed to drag on and on with no clear focus or center. There's too many characters, POVs, story-lines, flasbacks, things gets revealed early. There's no big surprises, no mystery and thrill.
The main characters were poorly developed. This is the 6th book in the series, so I think its better to read this series in order and in a row (if you manage to get to book 6th). Most of the dialogue felt flat and forced. There's many fillers instead of action (e.g. those repetitive ramblings of Neveah Patel's about the Numens saving the world and becoming immortal. Huh, why?).
And finally while reading The Last Second I felt like I've already read something similar. It was so predictible and way too many minor characters running around. It was okay but nothing special or gripping.
This story started off okay, then it seemed to drag on and on with no clear focus or center. There's too many characters, POVs, story-lines, flasbacks, things gets revealed early. There's no big surprises, no mystery and thrill.
The main characters were poorly developed. This is the 6th book in the series, so I think its better to read this series in order and in a row (if you manage to get to book 6th). Most of the dialogue felt flat and forced. There's many fillers instead of action (e.g. those repetitive ramblings of Neveah Patel's about the Numens saving the world and becoming immortal. Huh, why?).
And finally while reading The Last Second I felt like I've already read something similar. It was so predictible and way too many minor characters running around. It was okay but nothing special or gripping.
March 5, 2021
Fast paced, page turning, thrilling!
There are aspects of the storyline being a little 'come on, that can't be true!' but then again, it is fiction so why not? :)
I was fully entertained until the very last page, just as I have been with the other 5 books in this series.
There are aspects of the storyline being a little 'come on, that can't be true!' but then again, it is fiction so why not? :)
I was fully entertained until the very last page, just as I have been with the other 5 books in this series.
January 31, 2019
I know this book is fiction, but even fiction should be somewhat believable. This story is about trying to save the world before an EMP goes off and starts World War III. The main characters are Special Forces and seem to be super human. The story only spans about 4 days, What these characters experience in four days would put the best, most fit human in the hospital. But they carry on like nothing has happened. Sorry, but I just couldn't swallow that pill. If you overlook that, that story is enjoyable. In the past Catherine Coulter's writing has been clean. But I almost put this book aside when a couple of the main characters turned out to be lesbians. This characteristic is present but downplayed. It really didn't add that much to the story and could have been left out. It's just another example of how far our world has fallen that an author thinks they have to add that to their novels to make them sell. I'm somewhat disappointed in Catherine Coulter.
I received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.
I received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.
January 22, 2020
If you enjoy the hokey plots of the 1950's B&W B rated Si Fi movies as I do than you will definitely enjoy this story. Mike and Nicholas along with the help of a few others
December 15, 2024
Quick fun (suspend reality) read!
March 28, 2019
The Last Second by Catherine Coulter, J. T. Ellison is a recommended thriller, highly for the right reader, and 6th in the Brit in the FBI Series.
Dr. Nevaeh Patel is an astronaut who left NASA after she returned from a mission on the International Space Station with claims that aliens, who she calls the Numen, saved her life.She was declared unfit to return to space and she resigned. Currently she is working for Galactus, a French company which launches satellites into space. The owner of Galactus, Jean-Pierre Broussard, is on a treasure hunt in his yacht for the Holy Grail. Nevaeh has nefarious plans into place. She has placed a nuclear bomb on the current satellite sent into space and plans to detonate it, causing an EMP. Then she believes the Numen will come and she will rule the world with them. If she can take the Holy Grail from Jean-Pierre Broussard, then she believes the Grail will give her immortality.
FBI Special Agents Nicholas Drummond and Michaela Caine are on vacation when they learn that their friend Grant, a body guard for Broussard, is in trouble and they leap into action to help him. They also learn about the plan to cause an EMP which they need to stop.
This is an action-packed thriller, but it also expects you to swallow a whole load of disbelief and improbabilities for the bulk of the action to take place. I had a difficult time with this. I imagine fans of the series who have read the other books in it will accept any scenario to get to the action and the subsequent denouement. There is just a few days to stop crazy people doing believable things while a hurricane is coming, and maybe aliens.
Now, the quality of the writing is very good, which helps the acceptance of some of the absurdities. The main characters aren't quit as well developed as a new reader would hope, but this is also the sixth book in the series. New readers might want to start with earlier books for a greater understanding of the background of these characters. The new characters are basically well developed.
This is an exciting book I like thrillers and can accept quite a lot of speculation in the action, but this novel went just a bit too far afield. If I find myself shaking my head and talking back to the novel, it is not a good sign. Fans of the series will likely jump right in and ignore any questionable occurrences. Start with the earlier books, if possible, for a better reading experience.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Gallery Books.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2019/0...
Dr. Nevaeh Patel is an astronaut who left NASA after she returned from a mission on the International Space Station with claims that aliens, who she calls the Numen, saved her life.She was declared unfit to return to space and she resigned. Currently she is working for Galactus, a French company which launches satellites into space. The owner of Galactus, Jean-Pierre Broussard, is on a treasure hunt in his yacht for the Holy Grail. Nevaeh has nefarious plans into place. She has placed a nuclear bomb on the current satellite sent into space and plans to detonate it, causing an EMP. Then she believes the Numen will come and she will rule the world with them. If she can take the Holy Grail from Jean-Pierre Broussard, then she believes the Grail will give her immortality.
FBI Special Agents Nicholas Drummond and Michaela Caine are on vacation when they learn that their friend Grant, a body guard for Broussard, is in trouble and they leap into action to help him. They also learn about the plan to cause an EMP which they need to stop.
This is an action-packed thriller, but it also expects you to swallow a whole load of disbelief and improbabilities for the bulk of the action to take place. I had a difficult time with this. I imagine fans of the series who have read the other books in it will accept any scenario to get to the action and the subsequent denouement. There is just a few days to stop crazy people doing believable things while a hurricane is coming, and maybe aliens.
Now, the quality of the writing is very good, which helps the acceptance of some of the absurdities. The main characters aren't quit as well developed as a new reader would hope, but this is also the sixth book in the series. New readers might want to start with earlier books for a greater understanding of the background of these characters. The new characters are basically well developed.
This is an exciting book I like thrillers and can accept quite a lot of speculation in the action, but this novel went just a bit too far afield. If I find myself shaking my head and talking back to the novel, it is not a good sign. Fans of the series will likely jump right in and ignore any questionable occurrences. Start with the earlier books, if possible, for a better reading experience.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Gallery Books.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2019/0...
April 3, 2019
Another outing of A Brit in the FBI -- what fun! As I read the first few chapters of this one, I was starting to think that one of my favorites, Catherine Coulter, was writing science fiction now! But, it was not to be. It was just a terrific twist in a great (if not a bit hard to believe) story. I was with the gang all the way, though, and it was a fantastic ride! Don't miss this one.
March 27, 2019
If you are looking for a hold your breath thriller this is the one! Just all the information and threats of an EMP (electromagnetic pulse) is enough to scare the living days out of you, especially since the information and threats are reality based.
The story is full on rapid movement that will get your heart going at every turn. It’s an excellent novel, just excellent!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The story is full on rapid movement that will get your heart going at every turn. It’s an excellent novel, just excellent!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 12, 2019
2.75 to 3*. I enjoy the Brit in the FBI series. This might not be the best in the series, but still fairly enjoyable, though.
This time, it's Michaela and Nicholas on vacation, but forced to cut it off to help rescue their friend Grant. He's in the security team for this French Billionaire who owns a Space-X type company and also is an avid treasure-hunter. This billionaire's yacht just vanished off the radar. Coincidentally, the same space company is helmed by Dr Nevaeh Patel, who is determined to detonate a nuclear EMP in space and usher in a new age with the Numen (aliens she believed saved her life while spacewalking outside the ISS). They found out that the treasure hunt and the EMP are interconnected. So, our dynamic duo jets all over the world in a race against time. .
One thing in this book did give me pause though. Nevaeh is in a same-sex relationship with her bodyguard, Kiera, who helps her in her evil schemes. It has echoes of that "gays are evil or psycho" trope. To be fair, though, their sexuality and relationship is mentioned but does not really define their characters. And, also, there are gay people who are criminals in real-life. So, I'm not saying writers cannot portray LGBTQIA+ folks as bad or mentally unstable. It's a fine-line though. It's also probably not something straight readers really notice. But, just being honest here, reading it did make me a bit uncomfortable.
Having said all that, I know the point of this story is the action, adventure, and the continuing relationship between the 2 MC's. Yes, it delved into the progression of Nevaeh's mental state with her back story. It's interesting to give the readers a sense of her motives. But, in the end, it's not written to be a psychological treatise.
This time, it's Michaela and Nicholas on vacation, but forced to cut it off to help rescue their friend Grant. He's in the security team for this French Billionaire who owns a Space-X type company and also is an avid treasure-hunter. This billionaire's yacht just vanished off the radar. Coincidentally, the same space company is helmed by Dr Nevaeh Patel, who is determined to detonate a nuclear EMP in space and usher in a new age with the Numen (aliens she believed saved her life while spacewalking outside the ISS). They found out that the treasure hunt and the EMP are interconnected. So, our dynamic duo jets all over the world in a race against time. .
One thing in this book did give me pause though. Nevaeh is in a same-sex relationship with her bodyguard, Kiera, who helps her in her evil schemes. It has echoes of that "gays are evil or psycho" trope. To be fair, though, their sexuality and relationship is mentioned but does not really define their characters. And, also, there are gay people who are criminals in real-life. So, I'm not saying writers cannot portray LGBTQIA+ folks as bad or mentally unstable. It's a fine-line though. It's also probably not something straight readers really notice. But, just being honest here, reading it did make me a bit uncomfortable.
Having said all that, I know the point of this story is the action, adventure, and the continuing relationship between the 2 MC's. Yes, it delved into the progression of Nevaeh's mental state with her back story. It's interesting to give the readers a sense of her motives. But, in the end, it's not written to be a psychological treatise.
March 31, 2019
“The Last Second” by Catherine Coulter and J T Ellison is book six in the “Brit in the FBI” series. Regular readers will enjoy this intricate plot as the future and the past intertwine, and new readers will be able to follow along because most needed information from the previous books is included as part of the narrative. The familiar cast of likeable characters is back including Michaela, Nicholas, Grant, and Kitsune. All continue with their amusing banter and at times, somewhat unusual behavior.
This book features an interesting plot twist that combines the “new” (pure science, advanced satellite technology, and innovative space weaponry) with “old” (The Holy Grail). There are plenty of exploits, deceit, treachery, and even a nuclear threat. All this makes for a book that is multifaceted, compelling, and hard to put down. The pace is intense, all happening over four action-packed days.
“The Last Second” is a well-written thriller with components of the past, the present, and the future. The complex, although somewhat improbable, plot grabs readers right from the start. I received a review copy of “The Last Second” from Catherine Coulter, J T Ellison, Gallery Books, and NetGalley. It is a compelling thriller that familiar readers will love, and one that will inspire new readers to look for the previous books. Of course, a few loose ends encourage readers to tune in when the next book is published.
This book features an interesting plot twist that combines the “new” (pure science, advanced satellite technology, and innovative space weaponry) with “old” (The Holy Grail). There are plenty of exploits, deceit, treachery, and even a nuclear threat. All this makes for a book that is multifaceted, compelling, and hard to put down. The pace is intense, all happening over four action-packed days.
“The Last Second” is a well-written thriller with components of the past, the present, and the future. The complex, although somewhat improbable, plot grabs readers right from the start. I received a review copy of “The Last Second” from Catherine Coulter, J T Ellison, Gallery Books, and NetGalley. It is a compelling thriller that familiar readers will love, and one that will inspire new readers to look for the previous books. Of course, a few loose ends encourage readers to tune in when the next book is published.
April 3, 2019
Aliens and the Holy Grail and a nuclear bomb in space and a couple of psychotic villainesses and it all somehow works. Buckle up, suspend your disbelief for a minute, and just go with it - it's a fun ride.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 552 reviews