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Jake Keller #2
Rogue Strike
Jake Keller finds himself in a familiar position—on the run for his life and desperate to find the shadowy figures behind a global conspiracy.
CIA agent Jake Keller and his partner, Curt Roach, are in Yemen on an important mission. They've been tipped off to a secret meeting of top al Qaeda leaders. The plan is to interrupt the meeting with a few unexpected visitors—a pair of Hellfire missiles from an orbiting drone. But the drone stops responding to their signals and soon disappears over the horizon. When next seen, the drone is attacking innocent pilgrims in Mecca.
Jake and Curt are staggered. The U.S. government is desperate to disavow this atrocity. Who better to blame than a couple of rogue CIA agents? With all the governments of the Middle East looking for them and no help from their own side, they are in a desperate race to stay ahead of the mob and find out who's actually behind the crime.
CIA agent Jake Keller and his partner, Curt Roach, are in Yemen on an important mission. They've been tipped off to a secret meeting of top al Qaeda leaders. The plan is to interrupt the meeting with a few unexpected visitors—a pair of Hellfire missiles from an orbiting drone. But the drone stops responding to their signals and soon disappears over the horizon. When next seen, the drone is attacking innocent pilgrims in Mecca.
Jake and Curt are staggered. The U.S. government is desperate to disavow this atrocity. Who better to blame than a couple of rogue CIA agents? With all the governments of the Middle East looking for them and no help from their own side, they are in a desperate race to stay ahead of the mob and find out who's actually behind the crime.
544 pages, Paperback
First published June 4, 2019
230 people are currently reading
1775 people want to read
About the author
David Ricciardi
4 books198 followersA keen outdoorsman, David incorporates many personal experiences into his writing. He’s backpacked through the mountains of the western United States and Alaska, received extensive training from law-enforcement and US special operations personnel, and once woke up for a 2 AM watch aboard a sailboat only to discover that it was headed the wrong way through the Atlantic sea lanes in heavy weather, with one of the crew suffering from hypothermia. In addition to being an avid sailor, David is also a certified scuba rescue diver and a former ski instructor. "Warning Light" is his first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
May 23, 2021
With the ARC for the latest novel in this series waiting for me, I chose to experience the past books that David Ricciardi penned in this thriller collection. Enjoying a piece that has both action and political undertones, I was drawn to this book from the outset, which offers even more action than the series debut. After becoming more adept at his craft, Zac Miller has taken on a new identity, that of Jake Keller. Learning of a high-ranking meeting of al Qaeda officials in Yemen, Keller and his partner make their way there in hopes of derailing any future terrorist plots. They have a drone prepared to strike and obliterate those at the meetings, but something goes horribly wrong and the drone strikes innocent people in Saudis Arabia instead. This creates panic in the region and leaves the Americans as apparent aggressors towards one of their key allies. It’s a scramble to get to the truth and peel back who might be responsible for all this cloak and dagger activity. Meanwhile, terror plots are taking place across America soon after the drone strike, leaving some to wonder if this is all in retaliation. However, when a nuclear threat is revealed, American officials realise that there is more to this than simply punishment for an errant drone attack. Who can be trusted and who is the real enemy of America’s successes... and why? Ricciardi does a masterful job in this second novel of the series, which has me wanting to know more as soon as possible.
Zac Miller’s time as a CIA operative began well, but his future successes were definitely grittier than even he could have imagined. Now, sitting in Yemen, Miller has taken on a new persona, that of Jake Keller. News has come that the senior leadership of al Qaeda has arrived in country to plan future strikes and ensure Death to America. Keller and his partner are ready for this and have a plan to obliterate the leadership all at once, with a missile-toting drone targeting the meeting location. However, something goes terribly wrong and the strike hits a pilgrimage inside Saudi Arabia, close to one of its holiest sites.
While the American government denies any involvement in the attack, there is definite egg on their faces and a political panic ensues. Keller is not getting any support as he tries to determine what’s happened and who hijacked the drone. Fires burn towards the Americans, as it is assumed they have used their military technology to target a long-standing ally for no apparent reason. Keller must act quickly and stealthily to get answers before it’s too late.
All the while, small terror cells begin emerging across America and undertake attacks in random locations. People are dying and the authorities have no notice of what’s going on, making it all the more troubling. Are these in retaliation for the Saudi attacks or something coincidental? American political authorities cannot be sure and mass panic ensues before long.
While the Saudis try to determine what’s going on and who to trust, the Chinese see an opportunity to fill a void. With the Americans digging their own graves, it would make sense for the Chinese to ally themselves with the Saudis as soon as possible, capitalizing on the oil output and developing strength in a volatile region. Chinese government officials prepare to extend their hands to help, all this while fuelling the fires of discontent in the subtlest of ways. This could be a master political stroke, if timed properly.
While Keller is running out of time to get to the truth, the attacks on US soil reach a new level of panic, as nuclear attacks seem imminent. It’s all part of a massive plan, but who is the puppet-master and what’s meant to happen before too long? A race to the finish line can only have one winner, and nothing is guaranteed in international politics, particularly when nuclear weapons are in the mix!
I enjoyed so much about this novel, from its well-paced chapters through to the international political content that never lets up for a second. David Ricciardi crafts a piece like no other and keeps the reader on their toes as they see the development of keen action to get to the root of the issue, while juggling diplomacy at essential moments. Ricciardi is surely one to watch in the genre, as he appears to know what’s happening and how to transmit it effectively for the reader to feel as though they are in the centre of the action.
Jake Keller is again a strong character throughout this piece, though I felt that he wasn’t the sole quintessential factor in moving the story along. Ricciardi uses him well and the reader learns a little more about him, but there is a great deal of maneuvering around to keep all the political actors playing their roles in this well-oiled machine. Each is essential and their importance emerges as the story progresses naturally, making for a fundamental piece of the plot in this political thriller.
The cast of secondary characters also served a key purpose. While the mix of major and minor characters can sometimes get lost in a pile of names, Ricciardi developed them all so well and kept things on pace without losing any of the momentum of the plot throughout. I hope to see some of these characters recur, in some form or another, while others are essential one-offs to push the plot through to its culmination. I enjoyed the contrast of characters throughout, all of whom kept me wondering as I got to the heart of the matter.
The story was quite strong and kept my attention throughout with ease. While this was less a Jason Bourne piece (as the debut turned into), there was a definitely race to get to the political heart of the matter, which makes strong political thrillers even better. Using strong international political plots and some gritty actions to get answers, Ricciardi does a masterful job of keeping the reader engaged at key moments. Short chapters and a building plot made for a thrilling ride on both sides of the world, as each part of the narrative gripped the reader at just the right moment. I cannot wait to see what’s to come with the series, as there is so much left to come and so many loose ends that require attention. I will reach for the third book now, in hopes of being blown away (figuratively and literally) with the premise.
Kudos, Mr. Ricciardi, for a stunning series continuation. I love your style and am eager to see what’s next in a series that never loses momentum.
Be sure to check for my review, first posted on Mystery and Suspense, as well as a number of other insightful comments by other reviewers.
https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/ro...
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
Zac Miller’s time as a CIA operative began well, but his future successes were definitely grittier than even he could have imagined. Now, sitting in Yemen, Miller has taken on a new persona, that of Jake Keller. News has come that the senior leadership of al Qaeda has arrived in country to plan future strikes and ensure Death to America. Keller and his partner are ready for this and have a plan to obliterate the leadership all at once, with a missile-toting drone targeting the meeting location. However, something goes terribly wrong and the strike hits a pilgrimage inside Saudi Arabia, close to one of its holiest sites.
While the American government denies any involvement in the attack, there is definite egg on their faces and a political panic ensues. Keller is not getting any support as he tries to determine what’s happened and who hijacked the drone. Fires burn towards the Americans, as it is assumed they have used their military technology to target a long-standing ally for no apparent reason. Keller must act quickly and stealthily to get answers before it’s too late.
All the while, small terror cells begin emerging across America and undertake attacks in random locations. People are dying and the authorities have no notice of what’s going on, making it all the more troubling. Are these in retaliation for the Saudi attacks or something coincidental? American political authorities cannot be sure and mass panic ensues before long.
While the Saudis try to determine what’s going on and who to trust, the Chinese see an opportunity to fill a void. With the Americans digging their own graves, it would make sense for the Chinese to ally themselves with the Saudis as soon as possible, capitalizing on the oil output and developing strength in a volatile region. Chinese government officials prepare to extend their hands to help, all this while fuelling the fires of discontent in the subtlest of ways. This could be a master political stroke, if timed properly.
While Keller is running out of time to get to the truth, the attacks on US soil reach a new level of panic, as nuclear attacks seem imminent. It’s all part of a massive plan, but who is the puppet-master and what’s meant to happen before too long? A race to the finish line can only have one winner, and nothing is guaranteed in international politics, particularly when nuclear weapons are in the mix!
I enjoyed so much about this novel, from its well-paced chapters through to the international political content that never lets up for a second. David Ricciardi crafts a piece like no other and keeps the reader on their toes as they see the development of keen action to get to the root of the issue, while juggling diplomacy at essential moments. Ricciardi is surely one to watch in the genre, as he appears to know what’s happening and how to transmit it effectively for the reader to feel as though they are in the centre of the action.
Jake Keller is again a strong character throughout this piece, though I felt that he wasn’t the sole quintessential factor in moving the story along. Ricciardi uses him well and the reader learns a little more about him, but there is a great deal of maneuvering around to keep all the political actors playing their roles in this well-oiled machine. Each is essential and their importance emerges as the story progresses naturally, making for a fundamental piece of the plot in this political thriller.
The cast of secondary characters also served a key purpose. While the mix of major and minor characters can sometimes get lost in a pile of names, Ricciardi developed them all so well and kept things on pace without losing any of the momentum of the plot throughout. I hope to see some of these characters recur, in some form or another, while others are essential one-offs to push the plot through to its culmination. I enjoyed the contrast of characters throughout, all of whom kept me wondering as I got to the heart of the matter.
The story was quite strong and kept my attention throughout with ease. While this was less a Jason Bourne piece (as the debut turned into), there was a definitely race to get to the political heart of the matter, which makes strong political thrillers even better. Using strong international political plots and some gritty actions to get answers, Ricciardi does a masterful job of keeping the reader engaged at key moments. Short chapters and a building plot made for a thrilling ride on both sides of the world, as each part of the narrative gripped the reader at just the right moment. I cannot wait to see what’s to come with the series, as there is so much left to come and so many loose ends that require attention. I will reach for the third book now, in hopes of being blown away (figuratively and literally) with the premise.
Kudos, Mr. Ricciardi, for a stunning series continuation. I love your style and am eager to see what’s next in a series that never loses momentum.
Be sure to check for my review, first posted on Mystery and Suspense, as well as a number of other insightful comments by other reviewers.
https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/ro...
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
June 3, 2019
No longer going by his given name, the CIA analyst who was known as Zac Miller is no more. Now, Jake Keller, a hardened, more experienced field operative, has emerged, no doubt forged through the adversity Zac/Jake faced in Ricciardi’s acclaimed debut, Warning Light (2018).
Now partnered with fellow veteran operative Kurt Roach, Jake’s latest mission takes him to Yemen. After being tipped off about a secret meeting of top al Qaeda leaders, CIA has tasked the duo with droning terrorist leader Mullah Muktar, courtesy of two screaming Hellfire missiles. Once they are in position and have confirmed their target, Jake and Kurt do just that, unleashing the airborne weapons only to watch in horror as someone else electronically seizes control of the missiles and diverts them to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, where the yearly hajj is in full effect after millions of Muslims have traveled from around the globe to attend.
When the dust finally settles on Mecca, more than 3,000 Muslims are dead, as the rest of the world turns their attention to the country responsible—the United States of America.
As always, in any ugly or devastating situation where blame is being cast far and wide, a fall guy is to be had. Or, in this case, fall guys, as Jake and Kurt are subsequently blamed for the attack and disavowed by their country, who paints the two operatives as rogue agents. Still, other nations blame America, and jihadists begin raining violence on the US of A in devastating fashion in an effort to respond to the strike on their holy city.
Unwilling to turn his back on the mess before him, Jake . . .
Continue reading this review here: https://therealbookspy.com/2019/05/31...
Now partnered with fellow veteran operative Kurt Roach, Jake’s latest mission takes him to Yemen. After being tipped off about a secret meeting of top al Qaeda leaders, CIA has tasked the duo with droning terrorist leader Mullah Muktar, courtesy of two screaming Hellfire missiles. Once they are in position and have confirmed their target, Jake and Kurt do just that, unleashing the airborne weapons only to watch in horror as someone else electronically seizes control of the missiles and diverts them to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, where the yearly hajj is in full effect after millions of Muslims have traveled from around the globe to attend.
When the dust finally settles on Mecca, more than 3,000 Muslims are dead, as the rest of the world turns their attention to the country responsible—the United States of America.
As always, in any ugly or devastating situation where blame is being cast far and wide, a fall guy is to be had. Or, in this case, fall guys, as Jake and Kurt are subsequently blamed for the attack and disavowed by their country, who paints the two operatives as rogue agents. Still, other nations blame America, and jihadists begin raining violence on the US of A in devastating fashion in an effort to respond to the strike on their holy city.
Unwilling to turn his back on the mess before him, Jake . . .
Continue reading this review here: https://therealbookspy.com/2019/05/31...
October 25, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. You need book 1 to understand the beginning of book 2. It didn't get a full 5 stars as there should have been a book 1.5 which would have helped. Having said all that, I did give it 4 stars as it checked all my boxes for a 4 star book.
March 24, 2019
Rogue Strike is a fast-paced action-packed thriller that anticipates several doomsday scenarios that could bring on World War III including a hijacked US drone attacking the Haj in Mecca, the destabilization of the Saudi Kingdom, the Iranian designs on Yemen, and Middle Eastern terrorists entering through the Southern US border and wreaking absolute havoc. Although the story has several alternating points of view -a popular storytelling method these days, the narrative is at its best when CIA operative Jake is engaged in one on one combat in Yemen, in Libya, or in Riyadh.
June 19, 2019
Full disclosure: I won a free copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I actually won a free ARC of Warning Light, the first book in this series, a while back as well. What are the odds that I’d win two series books in succession like that? Apparently they aren't astronomical enough, because this is actually the second time I’ve managed such a thing …
So we open with Jake on a CIA mission to take out some top al-Qaeda officials. He and his partner give the signal, but the missile launching drone fails to respond. When it's next heard from it's launching its missiles at innocent pilgrims at Mecca. This naturally stirs up even more anti-American sentiment in the world, and the repercussions include a series of terrorist attacks within the United States. Aware that the CIA would like very much to pin the drone strike on him, Jake is on the run from seemingly the entire civilized world as he races to find the real culprits …
Yes, it's another story about Jake stranded in hostile territory living by his wits. Even the jacket flap makes tongue in cheek (do jacket flaps even have cheeks? Or tongues? ) reference to the similarities to Warning Light. Fortunately it's also every bit the page turner that Warning Light was. David Ricciardi definitely knows how to craft a suspenseful thriller. Despite this being book two of a series, it's as good a starting point as any. The only spoiler for book one is that Jake survived it. This book stands just fine on its own.
Although military action thrillers aren't normally my thing, I found this book to be readable and engrossing. Recommended!
So we open with Jake on a CIA mission to take out some top al-Qaeda officials. He and his partner give the signal, but the missile launching drone fails to respond. When it's next heard from it's launching its missiles at innocent pilgrims at Mecca. This naturally stirs up even more anti-American sentiment in the world, and the repercussions include a series of terrorist attacks within the United States. Aware that the CIA would like very much to pin the drone strike on him, Jake is on the run from seemingly the entire civilized world as he races to find the real culprits …
Yes, it's another story about Jake stranded in hostile territory living by his wits. Even the jacket flap makes tongue in cheek (do jacket flaps even have cheeks? Or tongues? ) reference to the similarities to Warning Light. Fortunately it's also every bit the page turner that Warning Light was. David Ricciardi definitely knows how to craft a suspenseful thriller. Despite this being book two of a series, it's as good a starting point as any. The only spoiler for book one is that Jake survived it. This book stands just fine on its own.
Although military action thrillers aren't normally my thing, I found this book to be readable and engrossing. Recommended!
June 4, 2019
I read the first book in this series and thought it was fine but I was not really as engaged in the characters despite the good storyline. This time around is way better. Instant nonstop action from the beginning to the end. Fans of military thrillers will be pleased with this book.
Zac Miller now known as Jake Keller is back. This time stronger than ever. As I stated previously, I liked the prior novel but I was struggling to engage with the characters. While, there are many each one played a role in the overall storyline. In addition, it was easy to keep them all straight.
I was taken on a roller coaster ride all over the world. It was like an action packed movie playing in my head while reading this book. Try this book out for yourself.
Zac Miller now known as Jake Keller is back. This time stronger than ever. As I stated previously, I liked the prior novel but I was struggling to engage with the characters. While, there are many each one played a role in the overall storyline. In addition, it was easy to keep them all straight.
I was taken on a roller coaster ride all over the world. It was like an action packed movie playing in my head while reading this book. Try this book out for yourself.
August 26, 2019
Once again Jake Keller is in trouble. This time he's responsible for targeting mecca, or is he.... This plot is complicated and solving the problem is urgent. Ricciardi has written a new great book and I hope that there will be more in the future.
January 13, 2020
WHIRLWIND
“If Saudi Arabia was without the cloak of American protection, I don’t think it would be around.” -Donald Trump.
“If all of you gather – and also invite your ancestors from hell – you will not be able to stop the Iranian nation.” - Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
“The two sides should cooperate with each other for a win-win result in order to benefit people from the two countries and the world.” – Xi Jingping.
A perfect geopolitical storm. History is full of big ones and small ones that have radically reshaped the global order. Whether it be WW2 dividing the world into two ideological competitors, or the Bangladesh War of Independence that halved Pakistan and created a new nation, when change comes, there are winners, losers, those who live to profit and those who die and get nothing. It’s a conspiracy to generate a geopolitical storm which is the starting point of new author David Ricciardi’s second thriller novel ‘ROGUE STRIKE’. Ricciardi is one of the recent talents who appeared in the 2010s and took Post 9/11 spy – military fiction into new horizons and interesting places. His creation is the Jake Keller series. Keller, formerly an employee of the Directorate of Intelligence at Langley, finds himself joining the violent jet set of espionage when he jumps at the chance to substitute for an actual operations officer during what should be a pathetically simple intelligence gathering operation in Iran.
A hilariously violent month later, he’s barely managed to gun down several homicidal Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps agents in the middle of London, found himself under the thumb of a corrupt, power mad spymaster and been forced to fake his own death and take up the identity of Jake Keller, CIA Paramilitary operations officer and the first member of the division who has no actual military experience. Now in the fast lane of espionage, Keller is sent on his first mission alongside a more experienced, veteran operative to the Arabian Peninsula. Now to the review. How does one reach the eye of the geopolitical storm when half a sub – continent is out to murder you?
We start the story during the final day of the Haj Pilgrimage to Mecca. Jake Keller and Kurt Roach infiltrate the South Yemen town of Zinjabar with guns and some specialized equipment, the most important of which is a laser designator that will guide in the munitions from two highly experimental Unmanned Ariel Vehicles that will carry out the targeted killing Keller and Roach have been sent to oversee. The Target is the head of AQAP and to Roach and Keller’s anger and amazement, everything that can go wrong does, chief among which is that their masters off the battlefield lose control of the drones.
A few hours later, the drones rematerialize above Mecca and proceed to blow up thousands of Muslim pilgrims in the Grand Mosque in front of Kabba Cube. All this is broadcasted live around the world and almost immediately, the USA is blamed due to the profile of the UAVs which unfortunately resembles that of the B2 Bomber. The world is in uproar and as the dust clears, several covert operations around the world spin into motion. In Central America, a mysterious fellow with a Hispanic sounding name, begins finalizing the transfer of terrorists into the state of California via Mexico. In Beijing, the men who rule the new China ominously realize that a major power play is brewing among them. In Iran, a gleeful IRGC activates its sleeper cells within the Shia majority parts of Saudi Arabia, kicking off a wave of protest, discontent and insurgency in the tottering Kingdom. And in Riyadh, the King of Saudi Arabia is challenged by enemies within his own family who put in motion a monstrous betrayal. All these threads come together in a brilliant, destructive cyclone of plot and counter – attack where a conspiracy that has taken on a life of its own might destroy the world rather than merely change the global geopolitical order. And once Keller enters the eye of the storm, only one question remains. How does one stop the Rogue Strike?
In terms of plot Rogue Strike is an incredible feat of writing from an author who has only just written his second book. It’s a story that captures some of the old grandeur of Clancy, Bond and Howard Coyle but with its own distinct identity and style instead of rehashing what has gone on before in the genre. A multi-faceted story with many moving parts is something that one only expects from experienced writers with many books under their belt. Ricciardi attempting it at the start of his career is pretty daring. And for the most part he manages to juggle multiple plot thread balls in the air without tripping over and having them crash down on his head. Rogue strike brilliantly captures the ever-expanding list of threats to peace in our time and the survival of the earth itself. From violent regional insurgencies that make poverty stricken nations even poorer, to rickety autocracies which barely keep themselves from being destroyed by their internal corruption and malaise, to grand global power plays where innocent human life almost never factors into the calculations, Ricciardi explores this and more, with a very unsentimental and realistic eye. Unlike in other mainstream published novels, the cavalry doesn’t arrive in time to stop at least some of our heroes copping a hollow point slug to the brain and Keller’s ordeal in Rogue Strike reflects this.
Action and setting? Phenomenal. What makes Rogue Strike so good is that the there’s a large variety of exciting set pieces and tense pursuits and Keller’s allies, his own bosses and the opposition play that murderous game of spies. From the harrowing run across an entire Yemeni province filled without warning by angry Kalashnikov wielding mobs, to brutal, messy rioting through the slums of Riyadh, a car chase worthy of a Michael Bay movie featuring Dillon Aero minigun suburbans across the Saudi Arabian desert, increasingly spectacular terrorists attacks against the critical oil and gas infrastructure in California and a final, climactic raid on a terrorist hideout in war torn Libya, the author makes sure the gunplay and bullets come thick and very fast. All this action deserves backdrops worthy of taking place along and Rouge Strike delivers this in spades. The author travelled through the Middle East before writing the book and soaked up the little details to an impressive degree. From the poverty and wretchedness of Saudi Arabia’s slums and the opulent vulgarity and corruption of the grand palaces, to the tasteful and elegant halls of Power in Zhongnanhai Beijing, we even get a beautifully written scene where a terrorist cell tries to sail through the biggest hurricane ever to hit the Caribbean. Ricciardi wows with his ability to bring a violent, action packed world to life with a vividness that is still rather rare in a highly competitive genre.
Research? Superb. While not a former super spy or Military Veteran, Ricciardi has clearly done his homework about the hardware, kit, weapons and tactics used in the real world by covert operatives and added in some of his own imaginative plot concepts to spice things up. From the high tech drone system utilized in the opening chapters of the story, to an impressively accurate portrayal of Modern China’s military capabilities and one of the most accurate portrayals of how the most successful authoritarian state is ruled and governed, we even get some other surprises. The dynamics of Iranian proxy warfare and insurgency networks from Central America to their sleeper agents in Saudi Arabia, and even a look into how the House Of Saud is at the end of its financial rope at long last due to its own can kicking and may not be able to hold back the tide of Islamist madness it’s cultivated as a matter of state policy. This is one of the most complex and brilliantly researched geopolitical thrillers novels I’ve read in a very long time and the author most importantly, utilizes this research well rather than as filler.
Characters? Many stand outs in this story, but I’ll focus on a few. Keller, Graves, Fadi and Youseef. First Keller. Keller is someone in the mould of the young analyst Jack Ryan, but almost immediately thrust like a flounder into the piranha pit that is the paramilitary side of contemporary espionage. With no actual veteran military experience and only the field training of the Farm and whatever guns he can find to get him by, Keller has an air of vulnerability that badass, trained killers like Courtland Gentry and Victor The Assassin lack. While a paramilitary operative who has to kill in the line of duty, this is Keller’s first ever mission and through the most dangerous scrapes, he lives through evasion and tradecraft rather than 9mm hollowpoint rounds. Bu he’s no shrinking violent. Keller’s experience as an analyst has made him far sharper than the average knuckle dragger and allows him to go toe to toe with suits from the Department of State and even his very dangerous and manipulative boss.
Secondly, Graves. Ted Graves is Keller’s boss at the CIA. In the first novel he was able to leverage the bloody murder and near catastrophe into a place coup which forced out the previous head of the National Clandestine Service, leaving him in charge as the third most powerful person at Langley. In this story, we get to know him better and what we find is a most unpleasant piece of work. Graves is not an Irene Kennedy knock off and lacks the loyalty Irene has to her hatchet men. One moment Graves will be calling orders, the next minute he’ll arrange to have Keller locked up in a black site and another hour he’ll be providing his men the resources and assets they need to complete the mission. Graves is a very interesting spin on the corrupt bureaucrat archetype as while he’s ambitious and possibly mad with power, as long as you’re useful and successful, he’ll stand by you and try defending you from others. He’s both out for himself and serving the interests of the Company and while Ted may try burying Jake Keller in the years to come, he himself will do all he can to stay alive.
Thirdly Fadi and Youseef. Fadi and Youseef are two Arab American CIA officers attached to Riyadh Station. Running into Keller in less than pleasant circumstances, they soon become Keller’s only means of support where every Sunni Arab on the Peninsula is trying to murder him. Tough, competent at their jobs and handy in a gunfight, Fadi and Youseef make a formidable tag team possessing the experience and knowledge that Keller hasn’t gained yet. A highlight of their story is when they and Keller work to provide an impromptu close protection detail for the American Ambassador to Saudi Arabia who is being hunted down by a well-armed team of Assassins.
Overall, Rogue Strike is a triumph for a new novelist with their career wide ahead of them. With an intricate, rich, multi-layered plot. Action scenes and gun battles galore. Fascinating, grim locations which are brought to life with an impressive skill and a cast of characters both likable and devious, David Ricciardi’s second book sets the stage for future covert adventures with Jake Keller in the roaring 2020s.
RECOMMENDED.
“If Saudi Arabia was without the cloak of American protection, I don’t think it would be around.” -Donald Trump.
“If all of you gather – and also invite your ancestors from hell – you will not be able to stop the Iranian nation.” - Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
“The two sides should cooperate with each other for a win-win result in order to benefit people from the two countries and the world.” – Xi Jingping.
A perfect geopolitical storm. History is full of big ones and small ones that have radically reshaped the global order. Whether it be WW2 dividing the world into two ideological competitors, or the Bangladesh War of Independence that halved Pakistan and created a new nation, when change comes, there are winners, losers, those who live to profit and those who die and get nothing. It’s a conspiracy to generate a geopolitical storm which is the starting point of new author David Ricciardi’s second thriller novel ‘ROGUE STRIKE’. Ricciardi is one of the recent talents who appeared in the 2010s and took Post 9/11 spy – military fiction into new horizons and interesting places. His creation is the Jake Keller series. Keller, formerly an employee of the Directorate of Intelligence at Langley, finds himself joining the violent jet set of espionage when he jumps at the chance to substitute for an actual operations officer during what should be a pathetically simple intelligence gathering operation in Iran.
A hilariously violent month later, he’s barely managed to gun down several homicidal Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps agents in the middle of London, found himself under the thumb of a corrupt, power mad spymaster and been forced to fake his own death and take up the identity of Jake Keller, CIA Paramilitary operations officer and the first member of the division who has no actual military experience. Now in the fast lane of espionage, Keller is sent on his first mission alongside a more experienced, veteran operative to the Arabian Peninsula. Now to the review. How does one reach the eye of the geopolitical storm when half a sub – continent is out to murder you?
We start the story during the final day of the Haj Pilgrimage to Mecca. Jake Keller and Kurt Roach infiltrate the South Yemen town of Zinjabar with guns and some specialized equipment, the most important of which is a laser designator that will guide in the munitions from two highly experimental Unmanned Ariel Vehicles that will carry out the targeted killing Keller and Roach have been sent to oversee. The Target is the head of AQAP and to Roach and Keller’s anger and amazement, everything that can go wrong does, chief among which is that their masters off the battlefield lose control of the drones.
A few hours later, the drones rematerialize above Mecca and proceed to blow up thousands of Muslim pilgrims in the Grand Mosque in front of Kabba Cube. All this is broadcasted live around the world and almost immediately, the USA is blamed due to the profile of the UAVs which unfortunately resembles that of the B2 Bomber. The world is in uproar and as the dust clears, several covert operations around the world spin into motion. In Central America, a mysterious fellow with a Hispanic sounding name, begins finalizing the transfer of terrorists into the state of California via Mexico. In Beijing, the men who rule the new China ominously realize that a major power play is brewing among them. In Iran, a gleeful IRGC activates its sleeper cells within the Shia majority parts of Saudi Arabia, kicking off a wave of protest, discontent and insurgency in the tottering Kingdom. And in Riyadh, the King of Saudi Arabia is challenged by enemies within his own family who put in motion a monstrous betrayal. All these threads come together in a brilliant, destructive cyclone of plot and counter – attack where a conspiracy that has taken on a life of its own might destroy the world rather than merely change the global geopolitical order. And once Keller enters the eye of the storm, only one question remains. How does one stop the Rogue Strike?
In terms of plot Rogue Strike is an incredible feat of writing from an author who has only just written his second book. It’s a story that captures some of the old grandeur of Clancy, Bond and Howard Coyle but with its own distinct identity and style instead of rehashing what has gone on before in the genre. A multi-faceted story with many moving parts is something that one only expects from experienced writers with many books under their belt. Ricciardi attempting it at the start of his career is pretty daring. And for the most part he manages to juggle multiple plot thread balls in the air without tripping over and having them crash down on his head. Rogue strike brilliantly captures the ever-expanding list of threats to peace in our time and the survival of the earth itself. From violent regional insurgencies that make poverty stricken nations even poorer, to rickety autocracies which barely keep themselves from being destroyed by their internal corruption and malaise, to grand global power plays where innocent human life almost never factors into the calculations, Ricciardi explores this and more, with a very unsentimental and realistic eye. Unlike in other mainstream published novels, the cavalry doesn’t arrive in time to stop at least some of our heroes copping a hollow point slug to the brain and Keller’s ordeal in Rogue Strike reflects this.
Action and setting? Phenomenal. What makes Rogue Strike so good is that the there’s a large variety of exciting set pieces and tense pursuits and Keller’s allies, his own bosses and the opposition play that murderous game of spies. From the harrowing run across an entire Yemeni province filled without warning by angry Kalashnikov wielding mobs, to brutal, messy rioting through the slums of Riyadh, a car chase worthy of a Michael Bay movie featuring Dillon Aero minigun suburbans across the Saudi Arabian desert, increasingly spectacular terrorists attacks against the critical oil and gas infrastructure in California and a final, climactic raid on a terrorist hideout in war torn Libya, the author makes sure the gunplay and bullets come thick and very fast. All this action deserves backdrops worthy of taking place along and Rouge Strike delivers this in spades. The author travelled through the Middle East before writing the book and soaked up the little details to an impressive degree. From the poverty and wretchedness of Saudi Arabia’s slums and the opulent vulgarity and corruption of the grand palaces, to the tasteful and elegant halls of Power in Zhongnanhai Beijing, we even get a beautifully written scene where a terrorist cell tries to sail through the biggest hurricane ever to hit the Caribbean. Ricciardi wows with his ability to bring a violent, action packed world to life with a vividness that is still rather rare in a highly competitive genre.
Research? Superb. While not a former super spy or Military Veteran, Ricciardi has clearly done his homework about the hardware, kit, weapons and tactics used in the real world by covert operatives and added in some of his own imaginative plot concepts to spice things up. From the high tech drone system utilized in the opening chapters of the story, to an impressively accurate portrayal of Modern China’s military capabilities and one of the most accurate portrayals of how the most successful authoritarian state is ruled and governed, we even get some other surprises. The dynamics of Iranian proxy warfare and insurgency networks from Central America to their sleeper agents in Saudi Arabia, and even a look into how the House Of Saud is at the end of its financial rope at long last due to its own can kicking and may not be able to hold back the tide of Islamist madness it’s cultivated as a matter of state policy. This is one of the most complex and brilliantly researched geopolitical thrillers novels I’ve read in a very long time and the author most importantly, utilizes this research well rather than as filler.
Characters? Many stand outs in this story, but I’ll focus on a few. Keller, Graves, Fadi and Youseef. First Keller. Keller is someone in the mould of the young analyst Jack Ryan, but almost immediately thrust like a flounder into the piranha pit that is the paramilitary side of contemporary espionage. With no actual veteran military experience and only the field training of the Farm and whatever guns he can find to get him by, Keller has an air of vulnerability that badass, trained killers like Courtland Gentry and Victor The Assassin lack. While a paramilitary operative who has to kill in the line of duty, this is Keller’s first ever mission and through the most dangerous scrapes, he lives through evasion and tradecraft rather than 9mm hollowpoint rounds. Bu he’s no shrinking violent. Keller’s experience as an analyst has made him far sharper than the average knuckle dragger and allows him to go toe to toe with suits from the Department of State and even his very dangerous and manipulative boss.
Secondly, Graves. Ted Graves is Keller’s boss at the CIA. In the first novel he was able to leverage the bloody murder and near catastrophe into a place coup which forced out the previous head of the National Clandestine Service, leaving him in charge as the third most powerful person at Langley. In this story, we get to know him better and what we find is a most unpleasant piece of work. Graves is not an Irene Kennedy knock off and lacks the loyalty Irene has to her hatchet men. One moment Graves will be calling orders, the next minute he’ll arrange to have Keller locked up in a black site and another hour he’ll be providing his men the resources and assets they need to complete the mission. Graves is a very interesting spin on the corrupt bureaucrat archetype as while he’s ambitious and possibly mad with power, as long as you’re useful and successful, he’ll stand by you and try defending you from others. He’s both out for himself and serving the interests of the Company and while Ted may try burying Jake Keller in the years to come, he himself will do all he can to stay alive.
Thirdly Fadi and Youseef. Fadi and Youseef are two Arab American CIA officers attached to Riyadh Station. Running into Keller in less than pleasant circumstances, they soon become Keller’s only means of support where every Sunni Arab on the Peninsula is trying to murder him. Tough, competent at their jobs and handy in a gunfight, Fadi and Youseef make a formidable tag team possessing the experience and knowledge that Keller hasn’t gained yet. A highlight of their story is when they and Keller work to provide an impromptu close protection detail for the American Ambassador to Saudi Arabia who is being hunted down by a well-armed team of Assassins.
Overall, Rogue Strike is a triumph for a new novelist with their career wide ahead of them. With an intricate, rich, multi-layered plot. Action scenes and gun battles galore. Fascinating, grim locations which are brought to life with an impressive skill and a cast of characters both likable and devious, David Ricciardi’s second book sets the stage for future covert adventures with Jake Keller in the roaring 2020s.
RECOMMENDED.
May 15, 2019
This is a good read if you want plenty of action. There was a lot going on in the book. I found it to be a bit fragmented at times with so much going on that the story suffered for it. I found Jake to be a bit much in this one where he was the only one capable of doing everything. I did not think it was as good as the first one.
May 30, 2020
Rogue Strike is a fascinating action-packed thriller about a scary yet probable world war 3 scenario. From start to finish, the narrative steams ahead at breakneck pace without any stops.
Rogue Strike sees Jake Keller, previously Zac Miller, on a covert reconnaissance mission with his partner, surveilling a high value target when things go awry and a drone strike meant to take out the target ends up striking down innocent civilians much further away from the targeted location. Jake Keller is thrown into the lion’s den with no backup and cut off from support as the CIA blames Keller for this mishap. Keller navigates through countless shootouts and gritty combat sequences to get to the heart of the matter and prove his innocence. There are multiple plotlines weaving throughout the narrative, with each plotline reflecting a unique piece of the puzzle, involving USA, China, Saudi Arabia, and Iran among others. The geopolitical and nuclear warfare stakes make for a highly intriguing and interesting read that keeps readers flipping the pages to get to the heart of the mystery of the rogue strike.
Jake Keller is a highly likable protagonist, with his evolution from Zac Miller to Jake Keller shown throughout the events of the book in a great manner. Jake retains his analytical mind from his days as Zac while picking up new lethal skills for combat as well as for spycraft such as interrogation methods and asset developing and handling. Jake is a straight shooter, who sticks to his word and is not afraid of getting his hands dirty when needed.
The action sequences are crisp and well-done, with realistic tactical maneuvers and weapon descriptions, putting readers at the edge of their seat. With the backdrop of action taking place in the deserted streets of Yemen and such exotic and unpoliced locales, the frequency of action sequences felt grounded and believable. I felt some of the action sequences to be a bit passive rather than direct, but I still enjoyed them very much.
Rogue Strike is a narrative of extremely dire geopolitical stakes with interconnected weaves that pack smart twists and thrills with an abundance of well-written action sequences and a protagonist you will want to read more of. Rogue Strike felt like a great homage to authors such as Kyle Mills, Brad Thor, and Brad Taylor.
Rogue Strike sees Jake Keller, previously Zac Miller, on a covert reconnaissance mission with his partner, surveilling a high value target when things go awry and a drone strike meant to take out the target ends up striking down innocent civilians much further away from the targeted location. Jake Keller is thrown into the lion’s den with no backup and cut off from support as the CIA blames Keller for this mishap. Keller navigates through countless shootouts and gritty combat sequences to get to the heart of the matter and prove his innocence. There are multiple plotlines weaving throughout the narrative, with each plotline reflecting a unique piece of the puzzle, involving USA, China, Saudi Arabia, and Iran among others. The geopolitical and nuclear warfare stakes make for a highly intriguing and interesting read that keeps readers flipping the pages to get to the heart of the mystery of the rogue strike.
Jake Keller is a highly likable protagonist, with his evolution from Zac Miller to Jake Keller shown throughout the events of the book in a great manner. Jake retains his analytical mind from his days as Zac while picking up new lethal skills for combat as well as for spycraft such as interrogation methods and asset developing and handling. Jake is a straight shooter, who sticks to his word and is not afraid of getting his hands dirty when needed.
The action sequences are crisp and well-done, with realistic tactical maneuvers and weapon descriptions, putting readers at the edge of their seat. With the backdrop of action taking place in the deserted streets of Yemen and such exotic and unpoliced locales, the frequency of action sequences felt grounded and believable. I felt some of the action sequences to be a bit passive rather than direct, but I still enjoyed them very much.
Rogue Strike is a narrative of extremely dire geopolitical stakes with interconnected weaves that pack smart twists and thrills with an abundance of well-written action sequences and a protagonist you will want to read more of. Rogue Strike felt like a great homage to authors such as Kyle Mills, Brad Thor, and Brad Taylor.
June 14, 2020
2 Stars - Jonathan Davis gave a great narration! I really liked Jake Keller character in Warning Light - Jake Keller #1, but I didn't see it in this one....... I almost gave up - but kept hoping there was more clarity of plot and more of Jake..…. Never got it.
June 13, 2019
David Ricciardi is back with Rogue Strike, the follow up to last year’s explosive debut Warning Light. To recap on Ricciardi’s debut, analyst Zac Miller volunteered for a mission outside of his expertise, he soon finds himself in over his head, gets captured and tortured. He escapes, and finds himself on the run from the IRGC, abandoned by his own teammates thinking he has gone rogue due to some clever thinking by the Iranians. What ensues, is a dangerous fight for his life as he crosses the vast desert, navigates the open sea, and traverses his way across Europe in order to clear his name and deliver the evidence he obtained in Iran. His freedom however came at a heavy cost, forced to assume a new identity and leave behind everything that was important to him. He is now Jake Keller!
Rogue Strike begins with Keller still green and learning, but in the field in Yemen on his first mission for CIA’s Special Activities Center, working alongside Special Ops Marine Corps Veteran, Curt Roach. The two are in place to intercept a clandestine meet of some high value targets. As they wait for their target to approach, they ensure they have comms, their drone is in place and operational with a couple of hellfire missiles and everything that needs to be in place is, they dig into their hide and wait. Once their target appears, they get PID and from there everything goes to shit. Their drone is not responding, their comms down, the bad guys aware they’re being targeted. Keller and Roach are on the run for their lives.
The said drone armed to the teeth doesn’t just stop responding. It goes to neighboring Saudi Arabia and drops its payload on a couple of thousand worshippers in the city of Mecca, Islam’s holiest city, as it is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and the faith itself.
From there, everyone from the Chinese government, the Saudi’s, the US government, Keller and Roach are wondering how and why this occurred. The U.S. being blamed on the world stage, the U.S. thinking their two agents in the field have gone rogue. The world powers mobilizing their militaries to prepare for war. Keller once again finds himself being hunted by terrorists, his own country, and other various groups wanting to collect the bounty that has been placed on his head. Only by the grace of his training, wits and intense action does he continue the hunt for the truth. Traveling from Yemen to Saudi Arabia, Africa, and Libya. In each place Keller finds himself in a fight for his life, with intense action, fire fights, hand to hand combat, RPG’s, raids and ambushes occurring left and right.
David Ricciardi has ensured his status as an annual must-read thriller author, coming out with back to back absolute bad ass thrillers. First with his debut Warning Light, now Rogue Strike, I am already anticipating his next Jake Keller novel.
Rogue Strike begins with Keller still green and learning, but in the field in Yemen on his first mission for CIA’s Special Activities Center, working alongside Special Ops Marine Corps Veteran, Curt Roach. The two are in place to intercept a clandestine meet of some high value targets. As they wait for their target to approach, they ensure they have comms, their drone is in place and operational with a couple of hellfire missiles and everything that needs to be in place is, they dig into their hide and wait. Once their target appears, they get PID and from there everything goes to shit. Their drone is not responding, their comms down, the bad guys aware they’re being targeted. Keller and Roach are on the run for their lives.
The said drone armed to the teeth doesn’t just stop responding. It goes to neighboring Saudi Arabia and drops its payload on a couple of thousand worshippers in the city of Mecca, Islam’s holiest city, as it is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and the faith itself.
From there, everyone from the Chinese government, the Saudi’s, the US government, Keller and Roach are wondering how and why this occurred. The U.S. being blamed on the world stage, the U.S. thinking their two agents in the field have gone rogue. The world powers mobilizing their militaries to prepare for war. Keller once again finds himself being hunted by terrorists, his own country, and other various groups wanting to collect the bounty that has been placed on his head. Only by the grace of his training, wits and intense action does he continue the hunt for the truth. Traveling from Yemen to Saudi Arabia, Africa, and Libya. In each place Keller finds himself in a fight for his life, with intense action, fire fights, hand to hand combat, RPG’s, raids and ambushes occurring left and right.
David Ricciardi has ensured his status as an annual must-read thriller author, coming out with back to back absolute bad ass thrillers. First with his debut Warning Light, now Rogue Strike, I am already anticipating his next Jake Keller novel.
May 10, 2019
David Ricciardi’s second novel to feature Jack Tepper takes the reader right to the edge of nuclear war. On a mission to spot a leader of al-Qaeda and call in a drone strike, Jake and fellow agent Roach send the co-ordinates, but the mission goes terribly wrong. Rather than striking their target, the missile is re-directed to Mecca during the Hajj, where it kills and wounds thousands. With blame falling on their shoulders, the only chance they have to clear their names is to reach Roach’s contact in Saudi Arabia. On their journey thy are capture, tortured and Roach is killed, leaving Jake, an inexperienced agent, to escape and discover the truth.
What Jack discovers is a plan to disgrace the United States and further weaken the country with a nuclear attack. General Wu-Ding of China is tired of his president’s policy of defensive strategies. Working with Faisal, second in line to the throne of Saudi Arabia, he hopes to form an alliance that will provide China with much needed oil and end the Saudi alliance with America.
Proof of China’s involvement sends the US to DEFCON 2, with preparations to launch an attack on China in retaliation. Ricciardi keeps you on the edge of your seat as random terror attacks take place in the US and protesters in Saudi Arabia demand action against America. In today’s world with modern technology and the frequent reporting of violent attacks, this is a story that is somewhat frightening but will keep you glued to the pages.
I would like to thank First to Read for providing a copy for my review.
What Jack discovers is a plan to disgrace the United States and further weaken the country with a nuclear attack. General Wu-Ding of China is tired of his president’s policy of defensive strategies. Working with Faisal, second in line to the throne of Saudi Arabia, he hopes to form an alliance that will provide China with much needed oil and end the Saudi alliance with America.
Proof of China’s involvement sends the US to DEFCON 2, with preparations to launch an attack on China in retaliation. Ricciardi keeps you on the edge of your seat as random terror attacks take place in the US and protesters in Saudi Arabia demand action against America. In today’s world with modern technology and the frequent reporting of violent attacks, this is a story that is somewhat frightening but will keep you glued to the pages.
I would like to thank First to Read for providing a copy for my review.
January 9, 2024
Not as good as the first book. It had too many things going on at once.
October 18, 2019
A great sequel to Warning Light, under the new identity of Jake Keller, the main character is a former CIA analyst who now is a on the ground asset. He has a nice mix of action hero and still being aware of the bigger picture at all times. The book also is a nice blend of action novel and political thriller. Looking forward to more of Jake Keller.
June 29, 2022
Book 2 of the series was an even better sequel than I expected. Made you forget that Keller was a CIA analyst with how much field action he was involved in throughout. However, you were always reminded of Keller’s analyst background with how he orchestrated all the detective and integration work to figure out who was behind the hacking of the drone plane that went rogue. Looking forward to another Jake Keller action thriller when I start book 3!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2024
This was a page turner. A US drone strike hits Mecca, but it wasn’t ordered by the US… or was it? Parties involved: US, China, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Iran, Pakistan, Yemen, al Qaeda, and Hezbollah, to name a few. Good guys and bad guys represented by (almost) all nationalities.
May 19, 2019
Won this book as a giveaway. Fast paced and full of action.
September 27, 2019
Good story. Scary because could see it happening...
May 1, 2019
I loved the first book in this series Warning Light, and was really looking forward to the second. So when it popped up on the Goodreads Giveaway, I signed up. I was thrilled to win the giveaway and here is my unbiased review (which there's no such thing, opinions and critiques by their nature are biased).
In the first book, the Jake Keller (his agent name not his real name) character was nuanced, there was a freshness to the genre that I really liked. Jake wasn't a perfect action hero, he was new and flawed and feeling his way through.
Not so much in Rogue Strike.
I read this kind of book to follow the hero. In Rogue Strike there are too many plotlines being serviced keeping the reader from being immersed in the Jake Keller character. So in my opinion you can't really put on the front cover, "A Jake Keller Novel."
As far as punching all the buttons on this kind of novel, the author does a great job and many readers will enjoy this book.
The plotlines are clear and well defined. I was never lost. The Chinese plotline, the attacks on US. Jake Keller’s antics, and the Saudis. Too many. The story shifted away from Jake too many times until I finally put the book down at page 145.
There are to many pedantic meetings in the Saudi and Chinese plotlines to service the story that detract from the action. The author tries without success to endear the reader to the Chinese general as a secondary protagonist but falls short.
A lot of the action Jake is involved in is just marking time and not making any real headway toward a goal. So the story line stalls a little even with the hero plotline.
Too many times the narrative voice was an information download that bogged down the prose and the story. The author is more enamored with the story than the character. And it should always be the other way around, the tail shouldn’t wag the dog.
David Putnam Author of The Bruno Johnson Series.
In the first book, the Jake Keller (his agent name not his real name) character was nuanced, there was a freshness to the genre that I really liked. Jake wasn't a perfect action hero, he was new and flawed and feeling his way through.
Not so much in Rogue Strike.
I read this kind of book to follow the hero. In Rogue Strike there are too many plotlines being serviced keeping the reader from being immersed in the Jake Keller character. So in my opinion you can't really put on the front cover, "A Jake Keller Novel."
As far as punching all the buttons on this kind of novel, the author does a great job and many readers will enjoy this book.
The plotlines are clear and well defined. I was never lost. The Chinese plotline, the attacks on US. Jake Keller’s antics, and the Saudis. Too many. The story shifted away from Jake too many times until I finally put the book down at page 145.
There are to many pedantic meetings in the Saudi and Chinese plotlines to service the story that detract from the action. The author tries without success to endear the reader to the Chinese general as a secondary protagonist but falls short.
A lot of the action Jake is involved in is just marking time and not making any real headway toward a goal. So the story line stalls a little even with the hero plotline.
Too many times the narrative voice was an information download that bogged down the prose and the story. The author is more enamored with the story than the character. And it should always be the other way around, the tail shouldn’t wag the dog.
David Putnam Author of The Bruno Johnson Series.
January 7, 2022
I liked this less than book #1 because it fell afoul of one of my pet peeves, different POVs. I don't like reading many POV's because usually I'm vested in one of them and when the next chapter changes direction, it feels like I'm reading another book and I have to reset. More than that, in this book, some of the other POVs are not as fast paced as the others so it's like I'm running along and suddenly I have to slow to a walk mentally.
Spoilers below:
As usual this is a fast paced action book (at least where Jack Keller is concerned) and the plot let me in a direction I didn't expect at first.
Jack is in Yemen and he is about to direct a drone carried missile to kill a terrorist. But the drone instead fires two missiles at Mecca, the holy site and causes thousands of casualties. Both the US (the country with the capability) and Jack (controlling the drone) are blamed for this. Jack is disowned by his boss and he has to figure out what happened on his own.
At this point the POVs shifts to and alternates with the Saudi and Chinese ruling elite. The Saudis are trying to decide whether to stick with or declare against their erstwhile allies, the US, because of the attack. The King is for calm, and full investigation of the attack whereas the hawks are for a change of allies. The Chinese are trying to figure out how they can take advantage of the situation. There are a few other little subplots going on.
Jack is meanwhile trying to gather evidence of what happened to the drone and flies to Libya to check out some clues. As the plot progresses we finally see who is behind the attack and Jack races against time to stop the plot.
I had in the beginning thought this would be a small and localized plot but actually it went way beyond that and affects global alliances and stability. I didn't like the parts that had a lot of dialog to advance the plot and fast read through those parts. On the other hand the action parts were well written and exciting and as usual the author does a good job of fleshing out the characters.
To be honest, everything is a bit cliched and you have to just go along with some of the plot instead of questioning it, after all this isn't a thesis or documentary. If you do that, it's a just fast action book for action fans.
Spoilers below:
As usual this is a fast paced action book (at least where Jack Keller is concerned) and the plot let me in a direction I didn't expect at first.
Jack is in Yemen and he is about to direct a drone carried missile to kill a terrorist. But the drone instead fires two missiles at Mecca, the holy site and causes thousands of casualties. Both the US (the country with the capability) and Jack (controlling the drone) are blamed for this. Jack is disowned by his boss and he has to figure out what happened on his own.
At this point the POVs shifts to and alternates with the Saudi and Chinese ruling elite. The Saudis are trying to decide whether to stick with or declare against their erstwhile allies, the US, because of the attack. The King is for calm, and full investigation of the attack whereas the hawks are for a change of allies. The Chinese are trying to figure out how they can take advantage of the situation. There are a few other little subplots going on.
Jack is meanwhile trying to gather evidence of what happened to the drone and flies to Libya to check out some clues. As the plot progresses we finally see who is behind the attack and Jack races against time to stop the plot.
I had in the beginning thought this would be a small and localized plot but actually it went way beyond that and affects global alliances and stability. I didn't like the parts that had a lot of dialog to advance the plot and fast read through those parts. On the other hand the action parts were well written and exciting and as usual the author does a good job of fleshing out the characters.
To be honest, everything is a bit cliched and you have to just go along with some of the plot instead of questioning it, after all this isn't a thesis or documentary. If you do that, it's a just fast action book for action fans.
June 19, 2019
My assessment of this thriller novel is top-grade. David has returned with his character from the first novel, Jake Keller. This time Jake is involved with a clandestine mission in Saudi Arabia that turns horribly wrong. A remote controlled drone drops its payload on a target it has not been assigned. Somehow someone has hacked the secure system and taken over the controls of this deadly drone.
With his partner, they start a desperate race to stay ahead of the mob and try to find out who's actually behind the crime. As well, his American superiors have him in their sights as well. They will not accept the blame for this tragedy as the whole world set their sights towards America.
Then in another secret operation, terrorists manage to sneak into America. They start to create death and confusion among the population with their deadly tactics.
The writing is straightforward and the chapters are short keeping the tension taut of the various threats. As a reader you cannot be confused by the different situations. The action does shift to various scenes and the plot is credible with its inherent dangers.
Trying not to give away anything of the novel, I am keeping my review vague. I enjoyed reading the succinct chapters and the movements and attitudes of different characters. Every time I returned to reading a chapter, I was immediately caught up in the chaos of terror.
In sum, I highly recommend this thriller. It was an easy, satisfying read of an international pursuit with deadly ramifications and credible results.
With his partner, they start a desperate race to stay ahead of the mob and try to find out who's actually behind the crime. As well, his American superiors have him in their sights as well. They will not accept the blame for this tragedy as the whole world set their sights towards America.
Then in another secret operation, terrorists manage to sneak into America. They start to create death and confusion among the population with their deadly tactics.
The writing is straightforward and the chapters are short keeping the tension taut of the various threats. As a reader you cannot be confused by the different situations. The action does shift to various scenes and the plot is credible with its inherent dangers.
Trying not to give away anything of the novel, I am keeping my review vague. I enjoyed reading the succinct chapters and the movements and attitudes of different characters. Every time I returned to reading a chapter, I was immediately caught up in the chaos of terror.
In sum, I highly recommend this thriller. It was an easy, satisfying read of an international pursuit with deadly ramifications and credible results.
July 11, 2019
Thanks to the publisher for the free copy in exchange for my honest review
Last year I picked up David Ricciardi’s book WARNING LIGHT, which was book one in the Jake Keller series. I really enjoyed that one and was excited to see there was more coming out in the series. Despite this being book two, I would say you could pick it up as a standalone without issue.
As you know, I’m a fan of the political thrillers so this series is right up my alley. CIA agent Jake Keller and his partner Curt Roach are out on a mission that could lead them to taking out prominent al-Qaeda leaders. They send out the drone but they soon lose the signal – the real problem is when it then attacks an innocent village in Mecca. Understandably, the US government wants to stay as far away from this atrocity as possible, so why not blame it on the rogue CIA agents? Now Keller and Rouch are wanted by the Middle Eastern governments and they are in a race against time to find out what really happened with that drone strike.
Just as much action as the first book, but there was a lot going on, so there were parts that got a little muddled up for me. I know with series there are some books that can feel like fillers and this one kind of fell into that category for me. Don’t get me wrong, the action and suspense stayed consistent throughout and it made for a fast read. There were just some parts that weren’t as organized and coherent as the beginning and the end.
I would still recommend this series and picking up book one! I hope there will be more with Jake Keller in the future.
Last year I picked up David Ricciardi’s book WARNING LIGHT, which was book one in the Jake Keller series. I really enjoyed that one and was excited to see there was more coming out in the series. Despite this being book two, I would say you could pick it up as a standalone without issue.
As you know, I’m a fan of the political thrillers so this series is right up my alley. CIA agent Jake Keller and his partner Curt Roach are out on a mission that could lead them to taking out prominent al-Qaeda leaders. They send out the drone but they soon lose the signal – the real problem is when it then attacks an innocent village in Mecca. Understandably, the US government wants to stay as far away from this atrocity as possible, so why not blame it on the rogue CIA agents? Now Keller and Rouch are wanted by the Middle Eastern governments and they are in a race against time to find out what really happened with that drone strike.
Just as much action as the first book, but there was a lot going on, so there were parts that got a little muddled up for me. I know with series there are some books that can feel like fillers and this one kind of fell into that category for me. Don’t get me wrong, the action and suspense stayed consistent throughout and it made for a fast read. There were just some parts that weren’t as organized and coherent as the beginning and the end.
I would still recommend this series and picking up book one! I hope there will be more with Jake Keller in the future.
June 10, 2019
Rogue Strike by David Ricardi left me whiplash. It’s an endless battle between enemies, friends and foes, putting out small fires that ended up inferno. Rogue Strike was a roller coaster ride without the slow build up before you have to take a scary dip. In fact, there is no buildup. It begins with a fight scene and it goes on from there.
David Ricardi knows his stuff, military jargon, weapons and fighting and I like that. His latest book, published on June 4th, is exactly why military thriller junkies love and follow this genre. Usually, I would like the books that I read to have more complex plot than so much fighting, but Ricardi’s done it right. His plot takes us to the worst case scenario and now what?
CIA agent Jake Keller and Curt Roach are on a mission when they receive a tip of a secret meeting between Al Qaeda leaders. The plan is to disrupt the meeting by detonating several missile via drone but the drones stop responding mid air and instead their course is modified and they hit Mecca, the holy site for Muslims, killing innocent people.
The world is outraged. Terrorist cells begin to infiltrate the U.S. seeking revenge. Keller believes the missiles were tempered with to draw the homeland into another war. Keller and Roach are left on their own to clean up the mess and find out who is behind the crime.
Rogue Strike is a stellar book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkely Publishing for providing with an advance copy for an honest review.
David Ricardi knows his stuff, military jargon, weapons and fighting and I like that. His latest book, published on June 4th, is exactly why military thriller junkies love and follow this genre. Usually, I would like the books that I read to have more complex plot than so much fighting, but Ricardi’s done it right. His plot takes us to the worst case scenario and now what?
CIA agent Jake Keller and Curt Roach are on a mission when they receive a tip of a secret meeting between Al Qaeda leaders. The plan is to disrupt the meeting by detonating several missile via drone but the drones stop responding mid air and instead their course is modified and they hit Mecca, the holy site for Muslims, killing innocent people.
The world is outraged. Terrorist cells begin to infiltrate the U.S. seeking revenge. Keller believes the missiles were tempered with to draw the homeland into another war. Keller and Roach are left on their own to clean up the mess and find out who is behind the crime.
Rogue Strike is a stellar book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkely Publishing for providing with an advance copy for an honest review.
November 18, 2022
In ROGUE STRIKE, by David Riccardi, Jake Keller is in the middle of an unexpected and catastrophic drone attack. Jake was a part of the deadly operation but was not a part of the ensuing death that it produced. Jake is immediately a wanted man and while hiding for his life, he must also discover what really happened so that he can exonerate himself. What Jake finds is bigger than he thought, with worldwide ramifications, and he has to expose the truth before he is found and permanently disposed of.
High stakes espionage and political manipulation is at the core of this book. The book follows not just Jake, but groups from around the world that are all part of the conspiracy. Riccardi bounces quickly between all groups and as the book progresses, the reader is rewarded with how each group ties together. I did find there was a lot of military and political jargon that I got lost in and while understandably politics and war are complicated, sometimes it was a little too much to keep up with if the reader is unfamiliar. The exciting conclusion was fun and I found myself reading faster and faster to see what was going to happen in the end.
ROGUE STIRKE is a good read for any political thriller fans and really any fan of a good action book and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
I received this book as part of the Goodreads Giveaway program.
High stakes espionage and political manipulation is at the core of this book. The book follows not just Jake, but groups from around the world that are all part of the conspiracy. Riccardi bounces quickly between all groups and as the book progresses, the reader is rewarded with how each group ties together. I did find there was a lot of military and political jargon that I got lost in and while understandably politics and war are complicated, sometimes it was a little too much to keep up with if the reader is unfamiliar. The exciting conclusion was fun and I found myself reading faster and faster to see what was going to happen in the end.
ROGUE STIRKE is a good read for any political thriller fans and really any fan of a good action book and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
I received this book as part of the Goodreads Giveaway program.
May 26, 2019
This was a GoodReads giveaway win of an ARC copy of the second in the Jake Keller series. In anticipation of receiving this ARC I obtained a copy of Book #1 and read it to properly establish the main character. I only gave that book a two star rating. This book will not be officially released until early June 2019.
This book had a much better written climax. I found the climax to increase my respect for the author. But the middle story leading to this ending just did not seem to match the ending in intensity and polish. At time, I felt like I had seen the middle story all before, but better executed. The middle story had all of the right ingredients, but just seemed to lack that special touch to properly bring it off. I just felt like he was going through the motions. The one item I did not like about the ending was a feeling that the villains did not also suffer from enough public shame.
Again, Jake has the feeling like the agency is hanging him out to dry. Is this going to be a reoccurring theme for all of his adventures? And back to our hero changing his identity to Jake, still seemed to be unnecessary.
Have a GoodReads. This book will make a fun summer reading.
This book had a much better written climax. I found the climax to increase my respect for the author. But the middle story leading to this ending just did not seem to match the ending in intensity and polish. At time, I felt like I had seen the middle story all before, but better executed. The middle story had all of the right ingredients, but just seemed to lack that special touch to properly bring it off. I just felt like he was going through the motions. The one item I did not like about the ending was a feeling that the villains did not also suffer from enough public shame.
Again, Jake has the feeling like the agency is hanging him out to dry. Is this going to be a reoccurring theme for all of his adventures? And back to our hero changing his identity to Jake, still seemed to be unnecessary.
Have a GoodReads. This book will make a fun summer reading.
September 1, 2019
Rogue Strike (Jake Keller #2) is an espionage/political thriller that is nonstop action from start to finish. It is scarier than most fiction because unfortunately in today's world it is not only possible but probable, too. Computer hacking, military drones, scapegoats, terrorists, military and political uprisings and upheavals, snipers, bombings and more are all to well known. Most people are either scared, in denial, too trusting or just don't know what is going on. Rogue Strike brings the possible/probable to light.
Once again Mr. Ricciardi's knowledge (or research) into military weapons, strategy and aircraft as well as his knowledge (research) of the hierarchy and geography of the "hot" areas of the world are evident throughout the story. Although I felt a little bogged down in the beginning by all the characters and the different subplots to the story I am glad that I stuck it out because it all comes together and it was well worth my time. Engrossing, gripping and compelling I recommend you also take the time take to read Rogue Strike (Jake Keller #2)
FYI. It did not take over 3 weeks to read Rogue Strike. Life just got in the way.
Once again Mr. Ricciardi's knowledge (or research) into military weapons, strategy and aircraft as well as his knowledge (research) of the hierarchy and geography of the "hot" areas of the world are evident throughout the story. Although I felt a little bogged down in the beginning by all the characters and the different subplots to the story I am glad that I stuck it out because it all comes together and it was well worth my time. Engrossing, gripping and compelling I recommend you also take the time take to read Rogue Strike (Jake Keller #2)
FYI. It did not take over 3 weeks to read Rogue Strike. Life just got in the way.
June 19, 2019
Jake Keller finds himself in a familiar position..on the run for his life and desperate to find who is behind a global conspiracy. Jake is a CIA Agent previously known as Zac Miller. His partner, Curt Roach and him are in Yemen on an important mission; in which they have been tipped off on a secret meeting of top Al-Qaeda leaders. The plan is to interrupt the meeting with a pair of Hellfire Missiles from an orbiting drone. But...the drone stops responding and disappears over the horizon.
The drone is next seen attacking innocent pilgrims in Mecca. Jack, Curt and the US Government are desperate to disavow this atrocity.
But who better to blame then two rogue CIA Agents? With the Governments of the Middle East looking for them & no help from their own side, they are in a desperate race to stay ahead of the mob & find who’s actually behind the crime.
The drone is next seen attacking innocent pilgrims in Mecca. Jack, Curt and the US Government are desperate to disavow this atrocity.
But who better to blame then two rogue CIA Agents? With the Governments of the Middle East looking for them & no help from their own side, they are in a desperate race to stay ahead of the mob & find who’s actually behind the crime.
May 19, 2019
This was the first book that I read by David R. I happened to win a giveaway and was gifted an advanced copy. It was definitely new territory for me because I don’t read action books. And I stay away from books that have terrorism in the plot line. The beginning was fine but by the time I got to the middle of the book, I wanted to stop reading it. The last 125 pages had me hooked though and I zoomed right through it. With that being said, I’m a very happy that I read this book. It gave me an introduction to action-thriller novels. If you love action packed, government involved kind of books, then this one is for you. I gave it three stars because I got lost due to the organization of each chapter. It was very hard to keep up with everyone who wasn’t Jake honestly.
January 1, 2023
Jake Keller is on his first mission for the CIA special activities group with his partner Curt Roach to track a terrorist who helped plan 9/11 and now leads Al Qaeda. Their mission is to direct an armed drone attack at the man and finish him. Something goes wrong and the drone attacks Mecca instead killing 3,000 innocents. People soon realize it was a US drone and the blame is placed on Jake and Curt. They are captured by terrorist and Curt is killed while Jake barely escapes with his life. He has terrorists and the US looking for him. Turns out a foreign power took control of the drone trying to start trouble between American & Saudi Arabia. It becomes Jake's mission to seek the truth. There follows a hair-raising race and search.
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