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Simon Riske #3
The Palace
In this third installment of a series lauded for its "nonstop action," an international spy must face a ring of ruthless masterminds and foil a plot with global implications as he becomes the world's most wanted man ( Booklist ). Life is good for Rafael de Bourbon. The forty-year-old Spaniard recently married to a wealthy English beauty, and is days away from opening a luxury boutique hotel off the southern coast of Thailand. But when the Royal Thai Police storm the hotel and arrest him for blackmail and extortion, "Rafa" is thrown into Bangkok's most notorious jail. In desperation, he reaches out to the one man who can prove his innocence.
Simon Riske, ex-con and now "private spy," owes Rafa his life. Once he and De Bourbon were the closest of friends, until a woman came between them. Riske rushes to Bangkok to secure his friend's release and overnight, finds himself caught up in a web of intrigue larger and more dangerous than he could imagine. In hours, it is Riske who finds himself the wanted man.
On the run in a foreign country, pursued by powerful unseen forces who will stop at nothing until he is killed, Riske must stay alive long enough to uncover the truth behind an international conspiracy that threatens to wreak carnage across the glittering capitals of Europe. From Bangkok to Singapore and ultimately to Cannes, Riske enlists the help of a daring investigative reporter, a rogue Mossad agent, and his own band of home-grown specialists, to thwart the cabal behind the plot, only to learn its very origins are frighteningly close to his past.
Frighteningly timely, diabolically clever, and ever so stylish, The Palace is Christopher Reich's sharpest and most exciting book yet.
Simon Riske, ex-con and now "private spy," owes Rafa his life. Once he and De Bourbon were the closest of friends, until a woman came between them. Riske rushes to Bangkok to secure his friend's release and overnight, finds himself caught up in a web of intrigue larger and more dangerous than he could imagine. In hours, it is Riske who finds himself the wanted man.
On the run in a foreign country, pursued by powerful unseen forces who will stop at nothing until he is killed, Riske must stay alive long enough to uncover the truth behind an international conspiracy that threatens to wreak carnage across the glittering capitals of Europe. From Bangkok to Singapore and ultimately to Cannes, Riske enlists the help of a daring investigative reporter, a rogue Mossad agent, and his own band of home-grown specialists, to thwart the cabal behind the plot, only to learn its very origins are frighteningly close to his past.
Frighteningly timely, diabolically clever, and ever so stylish, The Palace is Christopher Reich's sharpest and most exciting book yet.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published August 4, 2020
406 people are currently reading
1805 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Reich
29 books747 followersChristopher Reich was born in Tokyo. In 1965 his family moved to Los Angeles. He attended Georgetown University and the University of Texas and worked in Switzerland before returning to the United States to become an author. His novel The Patriots Club won the International Thriller Writers award for Best Novel in 2006. He lives in Encinitas, California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
September 17, 2020
This story garners minimal interest with an over-long drawn out beginning. Rather than fall asleep, I put this aside. 1 of 10 stars
September 13, 2020
Ready for another harrowing adventure in the world of espionage, I turn to Christopher Reich and his newest series. The action does not stop and Reich weaves together an intricate tale in which his protagonist shows his true mettle. Simon Riske enjoys his life as a mechanic and restorer of expensive vehicles in London, though when MI5 call for him, he is usually quick to reply. However, after his partner is seriously injured at the end of his most recent mission, Riske tosses in the towel and refuses to work for the seedy underbelly of the British Government. Then, a man of some importance casts a shadow on his mechanic shop with a mission for him. Rafael de Bourbon, ‘Rafa’, is in trouble in Thailand and needs Riske’s help. Rafa once saved Riske’s life and cannot turn down the mission. It would seem Rafa is being detained by the National Police and has been rotting in a Bangkok jail. When Riske arrives, he tries to negotiate the release of his friend, learning that Rafa stole a large chunk of highly sensitive data from PetroSaud a powerful trading company with extremely deep pockets. During the transfer of documents for Rafa’s freedom, something goes horribly wrong and Riske is accused of murder. Now, on the run, Riske must not only try to stay one step ahead of the Thai officials, but determine what Rafa found and how his leaking of the files to a print journalist could be extremely dangerous for all involved. As the hunt intensifies, Riske finds himself travelling across Asia. PetroSaud has a ruthless mercenary with only one purpose, to neutralise Riske once and for all. If only that were the biggest issue he uncovers. These are no longer the rough streets of Marseilles, where Riske learned everything about unfair fights, but rather a period when the world may be rocked to its core. A stunning novel that will keep the reader hooked until the very end. Recommended to those who love tales of espionage, as well as the reader who considers themselves a great fan of Christopher Reich.
There is so much to enjoy in this piece, not the least of which that Christopher Reich is at the helm. His ability to craft a realistic story is paired with settings across the world. At times, the reader must grip something to stay upright throughout this piece. Simon Riske is back for another scintillating ride, pulling in some of his past friends alongside some new faces. While there is some mention of his backstory, much of the book focuses on his development and attempts to fight for what he feels is right. Riske shows moments of extreme compassion, particularly in the opening segment of the book, but his grit is not something to be discounted either, as he fights to the death to protect those close to him. Many of the secondary characters receive a wonderful depiction through the eyes of Reich, who differentiates them from one another and keeps the reader entertained throughout. The story was masterful and the action pushed the narrative along in ways I have not seen in books of late. Reich has shown that he is a master and seems skilled with most anything he pens. I can hope that this book (the entire series, actually) will garner a new wave of fans, who can then look back to find some of his older work as well. Now, to see what’s next on the agenda... though patience is key!
Kudos, Mr. Reich, for another winner. To say I was riveted would be an understatement.
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/...
There is so much to enjoy in this piece, not the least of which that Christopher Reich is at the helm. His ability to craft a realistic story is paired with settings across the world. At times, the reader must grip something to stay upright throughout this piece. Simon Riske is back for another scintillating ride, pulling in some of his past friends alongside some new faces. While there is some mention of his backstory, much of the book focuses on his development and attempts to fight for what he feels is right. Riske shows moments of extreme compassion, particularly in the opening segment of the book, but his grit is not something to be discounted either, as he fights to the death to protect those close to him. Many of the secondary characters receive a wonderful depiction through the eyes of Reich, who differentiates them from one another and keeps the reader entertained throughout. The story was masterful and the action pushed the narrative along in ways I have not seen in books of late. Reich has shown that he is a master and seems skilled with most anything he pens. I can hope that this book (the entire series, actually) will garner a new wave of fans, who can then look back to find some of his older work as well. Now, to see what’s next on the agenda... though patience is key!
Kudos, Mr. Reich, for another winner. To say I was riveted would be an understatement.
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/...
August 27, 2021
I will not be reading any more Simon Riske stories. The plot seemed pasted together. Most of the characters were barely interesting. I'm not really sure why I didn't DNF this.
September 17, 2020
Would have been a better book if about 100 wasted pages of unnecessary scenes and over-long descriptions were cut.
Would it really have sold fewer copies at 302 pages instead of 402? Seems like authors must be on Dicken's pay-by-the-word contracts.
It also would have helped if the totally-makes-no-sense-tacked-on ending with Delphine had either been left off or written in a way that made some sense. Being a "rebel" is not enough to explain why a character represented as rabidly anti-capitalist, pro-refuge would not only have a long-term affair with a billionaire, modern-day Nazi but then also work with that person (who we're told is all she hates) to make a movie that she had to guess the hated billionaire would use to create an anti-immigrant/refuge false flag catastrophe. Just too many contradictions to explain by an "I did it my way" shoulder shrug.
It was like when you build a piece of furniture from IKEA and end up with an extra piece. Instead of just leaving it off, it's like the author just tacked it on with duct tape even though it sticks out at an angle that trips you every time you walk by.
Would it really have sold fewer copies at 302 pages instead of 402? Seems like authors must be on Dicken's pay-by-the-word contracts.
It also would have helped if the totally-makes-no-sense-tacked-on ending with Delphine had either been left off or written in a way that made some sense. Being a "rebel" is not enough to explain why a character represented as rabidly anti-capitalist, pro-refuge would not only have a long-term affair with a billionaire, modern-day Nazi but then also work with that person (who we're told is all she hates) to make a movie that she had to guess the hated billionaire would use to create an anti-immigrant/refuge false flag catastrophe. Just too many contradictions to explain by an "I did it my way" shoulder shrug.
It was like when you build a piece of furniture from IKEA and end up with an extra piece. Instead of just leaving it off, it's like the author just tacked it on with duct tape even though it sticks out at an angle that trips you every time you walk by.
August 13, 2020
Halfway through and didn’t care...chase, chase, chase, back story, chase, cast of thousands. Not my style of thriller.
September 13, 2021
I don’t know what it was, but I struggled so much with this story. I feel like i wasn’t in the right headspace for this adventure.
July 10, 2024
Truth be told, I read about 85% of the book but I wasn't motivated enough to read until the end. I am a fan of Reich's work, but I didn't enjoy this book. The characters of Riske and his friends are portrayed well and are an interesting bunch. The "but" is the story line. There are too many moving parts and they are not organized or explained clearly. It becomes annoying to have remember many foreign names and locations. Perhaps if you read it in one or two sittings it is a better read.
ps. By the way, if you read it, please let me know why the title is The Palace. Not until the end of the book is it mentioned when an attack is planned at a hotel named the Palace.
ps. By the way, if you read it, please let me know why the title is The Palace. Not until the end of the book is it mentioned when an attack is planned at a hotel named the Palace.
October 28, 2020
I really have come to like the Simon Riske series...Riske, the international "fixer" and recovery specialist who works both inside and outside the law for those who hire...Always an intriguing case to be handled...In this one, he's brought in to help a friend from the past, who has threatened to expose financial scandals that make Bernie Madoff seem like a petty-ante crook...Fortunately for us this is more that a straightforward fraudulent investment scheme, for the fraud is financing an effort to stabilize and end the mass immigration of immigrants into the EU...The powers behind this effort have an international assassin on Riske's tail that keep the pages turning...Just pure fun!!!
January 22, 2022
I love Christopher Reich, I love Simon Riske, this book, while worthy of a read, is at best a clunker. There is a point in the book where the bad guy, a character so unrealistic and profoundly inane that I can't recall his name, even these few short days after having finished the book; anyway, the bad guy has Simon Riske bound with zip ties, both hand and foot and rather than simply shoot him in the head, no no, no, he dumps him in a fast flowing river and hopes that he will drown. C'mon James Bond, shoot him! I hate stupid shit like that, it is inexcusable in this day and time. I guess it worked for Ian Fleming and probably more so for the Brocolli family for the movies, but seriously, if you as a writer put your hero in ridiculous situations, the only logical outcome is for the hero to be shot in he head, dead. End of story, end of series. Do better Mr. Reich.
November 25, 2020
I've been a Reich fan since his first release and pick up each new one when it hits the shelf. I found this one somewhat disappointing. I found the plot and action were unrealistic and dull for me. I see the book has great ratings so maybe it is just my reaction to the Simon Riske character who I find a little one note compared to Reich's previous protaganists. Oh well. You can't hit it out of the park every time.
August 5, 2020
The Palace by Christopher Reich is the third and most exciting entry in the Simon Riske series. The Palace has all of the ingredients that make for a terrific thriller. Simon Riske, now a spy-for-hire, is in Thailand to help a friend who is married to the woman that Simon still loves. Simon’s friend, Rafael, is opening a high-end hotel in Thailand. Work is progressing nicely when Rafael is arrested and put in a lock-up that is ten times worse than any jail in the western world. The charges are fraudulent but none-the-less Simon feels obligated to travel to Thailand to help his friend. As Simon peels back layers he is joined by various high stake players including Mossad, the Israeli intelligence agency of world renown.
The Palace is a high horse-power thriller that delivers in every way. Readers will be on pins and needles waiting for the next Simon Riske adventure.
The Palace is a high horse-power thriller that delivers in every way. Readers will be on pins and needles waiting for the next Simon Riske adventure.
December 27, 2022
Reich continues to provide adventure and exotic locales—this time sending Simon to rescue an old friend in Thailand, and some exploration of Singapore, then back to Cannes and some of Simon’s old stomping grounds. Pace, Setting, Tone and Plot continue to shine in this series as long as you can take a leap of faith and believe that Simon could live through all his various violent encounters and near-death experiences. Rollicking good banter and Simon is one flawed CH I continue to root for. One of the twists in this plot was there all along and I did not see it until the very end. Nice. Great action and ST. Reich explains complicated financial schemes quite well enough to add to the plotting detail but not overwhelm the layperson. Reminded me of Mark Greaney, Ward Larsen, Alex Berenson, and Matthew Quirk. RED Flags: Graphic violence.
September 19, 2020
Christopher Reich never disappoints. In this, the third Simon Riske novel, he continues with his great characters, complex intelligent plot but still plenty of action. I never get bored or have my attention wander when listening to this writer's books...you surely get your money's worth.
July 30, 2023
reminds me of a daniel silva except not quite as compelling. it was ok. maybe I lost something by not reading the first two
February 18, 2021
First Reich book I've read and found it to be a nice read with Riske an interesting lead character. Thought the Danni Fine character was very compelling and interesting. No need to go into plot details but suffice it to say that I will most likely read additional Riske stories.
April 23, 2020
Simon Riske is the man. He is a new generation of the international fixer that works within and outside of the law. Does he often get the girl? Yes. Is he mysterious? Yes. Is he involved in complicated adventures where the outcome has surprising twists and turns? Yes.
In this the third incarnation of a Simon Riske novel, Reich never lets the reader down. It is a page turner. I raced through it as fast as one of Simon Riske's Ferraris. Within a complicated plot of international finance and world upheaval, Reich reveals more of Simon Riske's background; yet, one is never reliant one's previous knowledge of the character. This can be read without having read any of the other novels. Reich description of the international, glamorous settings makes you feel like one is there. Nobody writes action sequences as effectively as Reich. His descriptions are fast-paced and visual, not unlike a screenplay. And these passages come often. The twist and turns of the plot are slowly revealed, not unlike Riske's knowledge of the action. His characters are real and well conceived and presented. The Palace is just so much FUN.
My thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for this electronic version.
In this the third incarnation of a Simon Riske novel, Reich never lets the reader down. It is a page turner. I raced through it as fast as one of Simon Riske's Ferraris. Within a complicated plot of international finance and world upheaval, Reich reveals more of Simon Riske's background; yet, one is never reliant one's previous knowledge of the character. This can be read without having read any of the other novels. Reich description of the international, glamorous settings makes you feel like one is there. Nobody writes action sequences as effectively as Reich. His descriptions are fast-paced and visual, not unlike a screenplay. And these passages come often. The twist and turns of the plot are slowly revealed, not unlike Riske's knowledge of the action. His characters are real and well conceived and presented. The Palace is just so much FUN.
My thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for this electronic version.
March 23, 2023
Some people claim this to be one of the weaker entries in the Simon Riske series, I disagree this is so far perhaps the strongest.
It still has all the hallmarks of the series, a paperthin plot, stupid but machismo actions by the protagonist, and plot twists that are in the story just for the sake of it.
The author continues to do a piss poor job researching what he is writing about. The GSG-9 is and never was part of the german military. It's in the first paragraph of Wikipedia.
Same with Krueger a man of mixed heritage African Father and german Mother, a black man with natural blonde hair.
Both things have no impact at all on the overall plot, which allows Reich to repeat a bunch of racial slurs and stereotypes.
Still this was an action packed book, easy to listen to. So I still give this 3 stars and don't know why. Let's call it 2,5 rounded up.
August 5, 2020
Not bad. A fairly straightforward financial crime hides a larger, international geopolitical conspiracy. And a final twist that is unsurprising. The unexciting title doesn’t reflect the subject. Very filmic, which is both good and bad. The scene setting and character introduction are well done, as are the mechanics of the crimes, but the plot is too chase driven. [Insert Tom Cruise running gif]
Also: a CBE isn’t a knighthood.
Also: a CBE isn’t a knighthood.
December 26, 2020
This is the final book of the Riske series (so far), I just saw it was published Aug 2020, so this is a pretty recent book and the series should be ongoing. This is one of my current favs. It's an action thriller but not a spy guy book. The protagonist is a former Corsican gang banger with a stint in jail for murder, then London School of Econ plus the Sorbonne and then an investment banker and currently a high end car restorer. He has connections with MI5 and law enforcement and people hire him to solve problems.
The author tried to make the backstory a bit different but actually comes off as a bit run of the mill as backstories like this are fairly common. I like the series and the author's writing because it's easy to read and follow and get into. This one gets only 4 stars because I think the story got too convoluted and after reading the book I'm still not too sure of all the aspects of it.
Spoilers/Summary: A old pal of Riske is jailed in Thailand because he's trying to blackmail/release information on a sovereign investment fund that is bilking investors out of billions of dollars. The criminals running this enterprise are in the highest levels of commerce and government and they are holding off killing him because the pal has hidden his evidence. The criminals are trying to set off a false flag terrorist explosion at the Cannes Festival because they are against the settling of African refugees into Europe. Not sure why they need to run the money scam to do this though or what it has to do with funding a movie (also part of the plot). It's just too complicated. What makes a book good isn't really a complicated/convoluted plot, it's the characters and their story. You make characters that the readers feel for, like and want to follow and you've got a best seller. I know the crims need money to fund their ideas but the connection is a bit thin as explained in the book (or not).
Anyway, I like the author's writing and I'll be going through his books that I have not read yet.
The author tried to make the backstory a bit different but actually comes off as a bit run of the mill as backstories like this are fairly common. I like the series and the author's writing because it's easy to read and follow and get into. This one gets only 4 stars because I think the story got too convoluted and after reading the book I'm still not too sure of all the aspects of it.
Spoilers/Summary: A old pal of Riske is jailed in Thailand because he's trying to blackmail/release information on a sovereign investment fund that is bilking investors out of billions of dollars. The criminals running this enterprise are in the highest levels of commerce and government and they are holding off killing him because the pal has hidden his evidence. The criminals are trying to set off a false flag terrorist explosion at the Cannes Festival because they are against the settling of African refugees into Europe. Not sure why they need to run the money scam to do this though or what it has to do with funding a movie (also part of the plot). It's just too complicated. What makes a book good isn't really a complicated/convoluted plot, it's the characters and their story. You make characters that the readers feel for, like and want to follow and you've got a best seller. I know the crims need money to fund their ideas but the connection is a bit thin as explained in the book (or not).
Anyway, I like the author's writing and I'll be going through his books that I have not read yet.
April 17, 2021
As sure as the sun rises, Christopher Reich can be counted on to deliver a masterful thriller. If you’re looking to take an epic trip through a world of international finance loaded with greedy, deceitful, and cold-hearted yet engaging characters, then you’ll love this latest installment of the Simon Riske series.
While England, France and the Alps again feature prominently in this offering from Reich, the main action takes places in the Far East and brings the reader through many fascinating and dangerous corridors of Thailand and Singapore. Grab a chai tea and enjoy!
As I read the book I kept wondering whether this level of espionage and corruption takes place on a regular basis across the globe, or whether it exists only in Reich’s mind. Sitting on my couch in Texas, I guess I’ll never fully know the answer. But if the plot of this book showed up on the pages of the Wall Street Journal or Financial Times some day, I wouldn’t be surprised.
Well done, Chris, and I look forward to some smart people converting your latest work, and the dangerous but redeemed character Simon Riske, to the silver or TV screen soon as well. Hoya Saxa!
While England, France and the Alps again feature prominently in this offering from Reich, the main action takes places in the Far East and brings the reader through many fascinating and dangerous corridors of Thailand and Singapore. Grab a chai tea and enjoy!
As I read the book I kept wondering whether this level of espionage and corruption takes place on a regular basis across the globe, or whether it exists only in Reich’s mind. Sitting on my couch in Texas, I guess I’ll never fully know the answer. But if the plot of this book showed up on the pages of the Wall Street Journal or Financial Times some day, I wouldn’t be surprised.
Well done, Chris, and I look forward to some smart people converting your latest work, and the dangerous but redeemed character Simon Riske, to the silver or TV screen soon as well. Hoya Saxa!
May 10, 2021
Simon Riske is back! Well, maybe. After an attempted counter-heist of a stolen Monet ends with Lucy, Simon's beautiful apprentice, in the hospital and teetering between life and death, Riske swears off the spy business. That is until Rafael de Bourbon calls in a favor. Simon owes "Rafa" his life. Riske responds immediately only to discover an international conspiracy that threatens to create havoc across Europe.
The Palace is intrigue and dangerous adventure. It will keep you turning pages late into the night.
Reich's story-telling is masterful. The Palace is complex as a Rubik's cube, as exciting as Super Bowl two-minute drill, and as believable as mom (okay maybe not that believable). There are few novels to which I would return (The Girl With A Dragon Tattoo a rare exception), but maybe the Simon Riske trio . . . . or better, Christopher Reich can just give us Simon Riske #4.
The Palace is intrigue and dangerous adventure. It will keep you turning pages late into the night.
Reich's story-telling is masterful. The Palace is complex as a Rubik's cube, as exciting as Super Bowl two-minute drill, and as believable as mom (okay maybe not that believable). There are few novels to which I would return (The Girl With A Dragon Tattoo a rare exception), but maybe the Simon Riske trio . . . . or better, Christopher Reich can just give us Simon Riske #4.
January 16, 2021
Simon Riske comes to the aid of an old friend, Rafa, when he’s accused of various crimes in Thailand. Simon soon discovers the charges are a ruse to force Rafa to return information he has stolen from his employer.
Simon travels throughout Europe and Asia in order to get to the truth, all the while uncovering details of a world changing plot with many lives at stake. Deadly forces are gathering against him in order to ensure he is not successful.
As with most Reich novels there are a myriad of characters, all with different backgrounds, who will converge in the final reveal. We don’t get a lot of background on most of them, which does not help in understanding their motivations. The action is a bit “paint-by-numbers” but the story flows reasonably well. Overall, enjoyable but nothing surprising here.
Simon travels throughout Europe and Asia in order to get to the truth, all the while uncovering details of a world changing plot with many lives at stake. Deadly forces are gathering against him in order to ensure he is not successful.
As with most Reich novels there are a myriad of characters, all with different backgrounds, who will converge in the final reveal. We don’t get a lot of background on most of them, which does not help in understanding their motivations. The action is a bit “paint-by-numbers” but the story flows reasonably well. Overall, enjoyable but nothing surprising here.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2022
I liked this book from the start. Simon Riske recovering stolen art works and such. Good start, but then the rot set in.
I'm thinking why did Reich get Lucy severely injured by an unlucky automobile accident? She seemed more likable than Simon. Maybe she makes an unlikely recovery and plays an important part in socking it to the bad guys. I don't know becase 95 pages were enough for me.
It seems that in many books of this type the bad guys are uber rich and powerful. Not too many ordinary Joes just doing a bit of ordinary robbery! Gangsters, OK, I can go with that. Industrial tycoons, politicians and top brass in the military and civil service seem to be popular targets for too many writers.
When your crap detector gives out warning signals, STOP READING. Sure you paid about 30 dollars. You believed the endorsements ate the back. You made a mistake!
I'm thinking why did Reich get Lucy severely injured by an unlucky automobile accident? She seemed more likable than Simon. Maybe she makes an unlikely recovery and plays an important part in socking it to the bad guys. I don't know becase 95 pages were enough for me.
It seems that in many books of this type the bad guys are uber rich and powerful. Not too many ordinary Joes just doing a bit of ordinary robbery! Gangsters, OK, I can go with that. Industrial tycoons, politicians and top brass in the military and civil service seem to be popular targets for too many writers.
When your crap detector gives out warning signals, STOP READING. Sure you paid about 30 dollars. You believed the endorsements ate the back. You made a mistake!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2020
Simon Riske owns a car repair shop, but that's just a front for his real job. He retrieves stollen art work for insurance companies. That's a bit riskier than his day job. This book opens up with a heist on board a yacht and while the heist is successful, his car is hit while they are escaping and his partner Lucy is seriously injured. While Simon waits for the insurance to cough up the money so he can pay for Lucy's rehab he is talked into helping an old friend who is incarcerated unfairly in Thailand. This takes the remainder of the book and is quite exciting, with lots of bad guys and action. This was the third book in the series. I clearly missed something by not reading the first two.
August 19, 2020
Another well-done thriller from Mr. Reich.
This time Simon Riske is called to help a friend from his past, someone who got himself into a jam by trying to (somewhat) do the right thing. And so the action starts, from Thailand to Singapore to France and all points in between. The cast of characters assembled for this jaunt include an intrepid reporter/love interest, a past flame who knows more than she lets on, an almost superhuman assassin, and an Israeli agent thrown in for kicks.
A fun action ride with glamorous settings and a main character who seems to live on both sides of the law.
This time Simon Riske is called to help a friend from his past, someone who got himself into a jam by trying to (somewhat) do the right thing. And so the action starts, from Thailand to Singapore to France and all points in between. The cast of characters assembled for this jaunt include an intrepid reporter/love interest, a past flame who knows more than she lets on, an almost superhuman assassin, and an Israeli agent thrown in for kicks.
A fun action ride with glamorous settings and a main character who seems to live on both sides of the law.
September 3, 2020
Simon Riske is in someways a Renaissance man. He seems to be an expert in so many different ways and has such an unusual background. It is a Renaissance man that is needed to locate stolen paintings, try to save their closest friend from hell in a jail, fight off one of the highest trained assassins in the world, help disclose the largest ponzi scheme in the world, and finally helping to stop the the world's worst terrorist attack. Whew, I am tired just writing about all this. Think of how our hero Riske must feel. I am sure you and I must feel better with the ending of this novel, because it is only the beginning of the next tale.
January 26, 2021
Started off okay, then it just got a bit of the same old, same old. Simon talks a lot about his restoration shop, and I mean a lot. So one would assume Reich has knowledge of restoration, charges half million pounds to restore cars. Going to be doing a lot of repaints in that shop, Reich needs to know the biggest no no, is Armor All, also known as silicone, biggest no no in the business, the whole book soured me after reading Simons car with the tires covered in Armor All. For future reference, no tobacco chewing, watch shampoos, antiperspirants, no open silicones, don’t want to repaint those 12 Ferrari’s in his shop.
August 24, 2020
Excellent
A very good book! Simon Risks is the owner of an automobile restoration company in London, working on exotic cars. He is also a man who believes in fighting wrongs, wherever it may take him. The story revolves around a fraudulent investment scheme, and the principles who will do anything, including murder to keep it a secret. It is also about a billionaire wanting to stop the immigration of people to his beloved Italy, and how he plans to put an end to it by devastating means at the Cannes festival in Nice. Risks is determined to put an end to both.
A very good book! Simon Risks is the owner of an automobile restoration company in London, working on exotic cars. He is also a man who believes in fighting wrongs, wherever it may take him. The story revolves around a fraudulent investment scheme, and the principles who will do anything, including murder to keep it a secret. It is also about a billionaire wanting to stop the immigration of people to his beloved Italy, and how he plans to put an end to it by devastating means at the Cannes festival in Nice. Risks is determined to put an end to both.
September 15, 2020
THE RAFT OF THE MEDJSA
Raft of the Medusa
Simon Riske is tasked to recover a stolen painting from the yacht of a wealthy playboy. Fate moves in and Simon is soon on his way to another improbable adventure. He's not a killer but skilled as a fixer and the ways of the underbelly of society. He manages improbable escapes and rescues from Bangkok to Singapore to Cannes.. Beautiful powerful independent women and a blonde S. African psychopath duel across these venues and as usual , the reader can't put the book down. Great escapism!
Raft of the Medusa
Simon Riske is tasked to recover a stolen painting from the yacht of a wealthy playboy. Fate moves in and Simon is soon on his way to another improbable adventure. He's not a killer but skilled as a fixer and the ways of the underbelly of society. He manages improbable escapes and rescues from Bangkok to Singapore to Cannes.. Beautiful powerful independent women and a blonde S. African psychopath duel across these venues and as usual , the reader can't put the book down. Great escapism!
September 20, 2020
The #3 entry in this series was the most intricate yet -- a lot of backstory here but the Simon Riske character is fun -- glad I started reading this series from the beginning -- these are definitely not literature, but they are interesting plots and good escapist reading. This one was fun running around between the French Riviera, Thailand, Singapore, Italy, a bit of Switzerland, London and Paris as well...and fast cars etc.... I hope Simon stays a solo guy with just Lucy hanging around being too young while the sex interest women change with each subsequent novel....
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