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The Brutus Lie

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“Readers will be rewarded by a knowledgeable presentation of modern minisub technology, and the extended escape-and-evasion narrative...” —Publisher’s Weekly

For 35 years, they were separated by the cold war.

Lofton is a US Navy SEAL.

Dobrynyn is Russian Spetsnaz.

They’re not just the deadliest of they’re brothers.

And they’re about to be reunited….

From John J. Gobbell comes a heart-pounding adventure that races from the Pacific depths to the most extraordinary truth of all.

_____________________

What readers are

★★★★★ "Great story idea the Brutus Lie was a great read."

★★★★★ "...the story about the relationship between the two brothers is very well done..."

★★★★★ "Gobbell's characters come to life. You feel you know them. Intriguing plotwork."

422 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 28, 1991

773 people are currently reading
33 people want to read

About the author

John J. Gobbell

15 books41 followers
FROM USC TO YANKEE STATION.

Upon graduating from the University of Southern California, John was commissioned an ensign in the U.S. Navy. He served as a deck and ASW officer aboard the USS Tingey (DD 539), a revered Fletcher-class destroyer and battle of Leyte Gulf veteran. He did a WESTPAC cruise and fought the battle of YANKEE STATION forming a protective destroyer screen around the carrier USS Hancock (CVA 19) in the South China Sea.

Professional Career

Most of John's career has been in executive recruiting. He was with KPMG Peat Marwick as a consultant for three years. And then for ten years, he was a Vice President Boyden Associates, Inc., a large New York City based international executive recruiting firm. He then founded THE GOBBELL COMPANY in Newport Beach, California where he worked on a retained basis with corporate clients to find senior executives. During a concentrated time of developing and presenting candidates for military aerospace clients, John became fascinated with advanced technology, weapon systems, and the executives who build them. Recently he was the Director of Development for the USC Catholic Center, located at the University of Southern California. There, he worked on a $35.0 million capital campaign to build a new Romanesque church and student center on campus.

In civilian life, John sails in Southern California yacht racing regattas. In younger days he skippered in the Long Beach Yacht Club's Congressional Cup, one of the most prestigious match-racing regattas featuring skippers from around the world, including America's cup stand-outs.

John and his wife, Janine, also a USC graduate, live in Orange County, California.

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5 stars
324 (48%)
4 stars
227 (34%)
3 stars
83 (12%)
2 stars
16 (2%)
1 star
12 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
49 reviews
December 23, 2020
A very good Cold War novel

I am not usually a big fan of espionage/spy novels, but this one caught my interest early on. The novel is set in a time that I lived through so, personally, there was a realism that those who lived in those times can certainly relate to. Those readers too young to remember the Cold War can also relate to this yarn as well because some of the bad actors in this novel are still around today.
The author uses a nonlinear narrative technique by occasionally jumping around between time points. I find this narrative technique distracting and potentially confusing. However, the author uses this technique very skillfully such that it enhanced my reading experience.
I heartily recommend this novel not only to espionage/spy novel fans, but to action/adventure and military/war novel fans as well. You won’t be disappointed.
1 review
March 5, 2023
confusing storyline

A good yarn, but several characters had dual identities, which made the storyline confusing at times. This also tended to make the plot drag. Once we got towards the end, the last action scenes, then things picked up and got resolved.

I recommend making a list of characters and the page where they first appear, and that you annotate that listing with details of each character, as they are revealed.

I enjoyed the author's previous book about a part of ww2 to a much greater degree.
5 reviews
April 12, 2021
John Gobbell's 6 volume naval series is more than worth read. The characters become real and he lays down a non- breakaway plot line that keeps the reader turning pages well beyond the time originally planned for reading.one simply wants to know what happens next. The Brutus Lie, while not part of that series, does not fall far from the tree. It is entertaining and becomes hard to put down. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Sam.
273 reviews4 followers
August 8, 2021
Traitors and spy’s, Russian agents, nuclear weapons, and experimental subs

Wide ranging action as a deep Russian asset and 40-year traitor, who had worked his way into top levels of US intelligence and research, seeks to cover his tracks and cash out before he is exposed. Excellent characters, fast-paced action, surprising twists right to the end and everything holds together. An outstanding read and well worth the time
Profile Image for Chaplain Stanley Chapin.
1,978 reviews22 followers
August 8, 2020
Quite a story

There was too much switching back and forth between times and characters for me. I realize that it was back by for the story, but felt that it could have been presented in a more concise method.
42 reviews
May 10, 2021
Another great naval adventure by J. J.! This is another well written novel with well developed characters and a fast paced story line.The chapters are tightly woven giving you a seamless flow through the book.
The Brutus Lie is a book you will not put down until the last sentence is read!
44 reviews
June 11, 2021
Good science behind the story


Having served on submarines with MK 16 torpedoes, I know how dangerous H2O2 can be. I was a torpedoes who had to deal with them. Enjoyed the concept of Brutus. I'm sure the drive is in use today.
1 review
August 26, 2021
Very good book. I think I will read another book by this Arthur ,Very good....


I Liked the book I'm going to read a nother book by this guy he is a good further. Mister John j.Gobbled..
60 reviews1 follower
June 3, 2022
Why did he write this one???

All the other books are great...this one is terrible. Hate the plot and the characters. NOT BELIEVABLE! Only good for spy thriller fans.
- Randol Craver.....
11 reviews
March 8, 2023
not up to standards

I really enjoyed Goebbels Todd Ingram series. Excellent. But not this….Helter Skelter and no real plot. Factoids were abbreviated and grammar was all nautical terms you had to know to understand.
Profile Image for Dave Hammett.
285 reviews1 follower
December 15, 2020
Pay attention

Another good read but you have to pay attention. The plot sweats around continents and decades. The authors brings it all together.
4 reviews1 follower
December 17, 2020
I have just finished eight of Mr. Gobbell's novels and found each of them exciting and technically accurate. Once begun, they are an all night read. I look forward to his next endeavors.
5 reviews3 followers
January 5, 2021
Good read

Good read for a quiet evening. Nautical terms made story line cumbersome for those of us not initiated in naval speak.
99 reviews2 followers
May 30, 2021
A Thriller With Ever Changing Twists in the Plot

A thriller with ever changing twists in the plot that matches any of today's adventure Rambo type novels and authors.
312 reviews2 followers
March 28, 2022
Complex story

I liked the characterization s the most. The technologies were believable if a bit stretched. Authors prerogative. Had a nice afternoons reading.
1 review
August 2, 2022
The Brutus Lie

A very interesting story about a man and his adventures in what a person could see really happening! Action, intrigue, and surprisingly turns of events. Recommend.
402 reviews3 followers
November 7, 2022
Gripping

Another gripping read firm a master of the art. You are hooked right from the start, as the plot unfolds and the action builds to a terrific finish.
144 reviews1 follower
May 27, 2024
It was a good read

Enjoyed the book. A little too technical in places but overall I would recommend it to someone. The entire series is good.
4 reviews
September 17, 2024
This is a great Read

I enjoyed the detail. As a retired Coast Guard Master Chief Petty Officer I worked on gutters that patrolled the same Southern California Coast waters.
Profile Image for Chuck.
855 reviews
May 24, 2010
An unlikely story about a naval architech, a small submarine and a solitary trip across the Pacific to Russia in an attempt to save the life of a defector. The base plot was good but the author is a veritable amateur.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews

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