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Harry Bauer Thriller #2
Dying Breath
When your only training is as a first class killer, it can be hard to find a job on Main Street. Unless you work for Cobra, the secret agency that takes out the worst of the world’s trash. So when Harry Bauer left the Regiment, the toughest special ops outfit on the planet, Cobra offered him a job, taking out the trash.
Bauer had grown up fighting for survival on the streets of the Bronx. He knew everything there was to know about hard reality, and he didn’t buy into fantasies or conspiracy theories. Until, that is, one came knocking on his door...
There was nothing unreal about the job: a simple hit at Manhattan’s Mandarin Oriental Hotel, on two of China’s highest ranking biochemists, and two of the world’s most evil men.
But when Cobra High Command asks Bauer to find out why Zhao Li and Yang Dizhou are in New York in the first place, things turn dark. In a mission that will take him from New York to Casablanca, Algeria and Bangkok, Bauer will realize the hard way that sometimes conspiracy theories are real…
Bauer had grown up fighting for survival on the streets of the Bronx. He knew everything there was to know about hard reality, and he didn’t buy into fantasies or conspiracy theories. Until, that is, one came knocking on his door...
There was nothing unreal about the job: a simple hit at Manhattan’s Mandarin Oriental Hotel, on two of China’s highest ranking biochemists, and two of the world’s most evil men.
But when Cobra High Command asks Bauer to find out why Zhao Li and Yang Dizhou are in New York in the first place, things turn dark. In a mission that will take him from New York to Casablanca, Algeria and Bangkok, Bauer will realize the hard way that sometimes conspiracy theories are real…
187 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 20, 2020
4643 people are currently reading
309 people want to read
About the author
Blake Banner
151 books392 followersUSA TODAY and Amazon #1 bestselling author of the OMEGA and DEAD COLD MYSTERY series. Learn more about Blake Banner at his website: www.blakebanner.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
February 25, 2022
I enjoyed the book and the exciting finish. Now onto the next book… love it. Even with a few errors. We get past that when the book is good
June 17, 2022
Did not finish.
July 27, 2020
Dying Breath. Blake Banner
Harry Bauer ex SAS. An American from the Bronx. He now works for an agency called COBRA. They eliminate people who need to be eliminated. Harry is an assassin. A bio chemical engineer working for a Chinese company has developed a virus that can kill millions. They also have the the vaccine to cure it. A mega amount of money to be made. America will be decimated as well as any other parts of the world Chinese choose to infect. Chinia will control the world as the leading most powerful nation replacing America. Extremely fast paced action thriller. Enjoyed immensely!
Harry Bauer ex SAS. An American from the Bronx. He now works for an agency called COBRA. They eliminate people who need to be eliminated. Harry is an assassin. A bio chemical engineer working for a Chinese company has developed a virus that can kill millions. They also have the the vaccine to cure it. A mega amount of money to be made. America will be decimated as well as any other parts of the world Chinese choose to infect. Chinia will control the world as the leading most powerful nation replacing America. Extremely fast paced action thriller. Enjoyed immensely!
July 24, 2022
OK let's just get one thing straight here: Harry Bauer is a ruthless assassin and man whore. He's like the scrappier version of James Bond - smart but no finesse. And he quite literally kills everybody. And has no qualms in letting people die slowly.
So while he's not as enjoyable a character as Joe Ledger (Jonathan Maberry) or James Reese (Jack Carr), he's still ok. Definitely flawed. Possibly screwed up, can't really tell just yet.
Ray Porter makes him palatable. And these books go really fast.
So while he's not as enjoyable a character as Joe Ledger (Jonathan Maberry) or James Reese (Jack Carr), he's still ok. Definitely flawed. Possibly screwed up, can't really tell just yet.
Ray Porter makes him palatable. And these books go really fast.
July 26, 2020
A great read. This is the second book I have read in the Harry Bauer series. It was most enjoyable and lots of intelligent and well thought out action. Must admit, due to Covid 19 pandemic, the plot is really quite worrying. Anyway, I have pre ordered the third book, The Einstaat Brief, and I very much look forward to reading it. A big thank you to the author and another well deserved 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 13, 2020
Action thriller featuring Harry Bauer, an assassin for the quasi government agency Cobra. In this one he's chasing down a Chinese industrialist who has created a vaccine to offset a virus already developed. Shades of the conspiracy theory that China intentionally created the Covid-19 virus.
Better than many assassin thrillers on the market. British author so getting used to English "English" as opposed to American "English" makes it interesting, as well.
Better than many assassin thrillers on the market. British author so getting used to English "English" as opposed to American "English" makes it interesting, as well.
December 4, 2020
Cobra series
Mr Banner, I love your Dead Cold series but after the first two Cobra books I've had as much blood and guts as I can take. Harry is quite the killing machine. He's smart, capable and I don't like him. Time to move on.
Mr Banner, I love your Dead Cold series but after the first two Cobra books I've had as much blood and guts as I can take. Harry is quite the killing machine. He's smart, capable and I don't like him. Time to move on.
November 22, 2021
Harry Bauer, elite assassin, continues his onslaught into the nether world of nastiness. Actually, I like him: he’s terse, a bit of a ruffian with seriously iniquitous (yet fair) skills. In this second outing, he is after a tough Chinese adversary, or so he believes. There is an interesting twist and something is left hanging in the air to let us know that the issue in this book is not as tidily secured as Cobra might think. No worries: this is not a cliffhanger…just a thoughtful set of events that make the reader go “Hmmm.”
This time out Bauer is in New York City, Morocco, and Thailand, wrecking all kinds of havoc and making all things go boom. The problem is sobering, however; innocent people are being hurt needlessly. He is the balancer, almost Nemesis, offsetting wrongdoers’ hubris the world over…not a simple nor an easy task.
Several comfortable items and people are back…as well as some new folks. The Macallan scotch whisky is back and there is still something cozy about that staple. We meet a new friend, Scotty, himself a retired operative, who helps Bauer in Thailand.
Also back is Colonel Jane Harris and the antagonism between Colonel Jane and Bauer is palpable. They bristle in each others’ company and she is brutal in her attacks. As a reader I have to wonder why she has been written to be so vicious. Her initial verbal attack on him seems spurious and contrived. Even if her antagonistic approach comes from an odd attraction or some sense of rivalry for Brigadier Byrd’s attention or just plain old dislike, it’s over the top in animosity. Bauer did his best in a compromised situation in New York and as a colonel in the military she should understand this. Her attitude is a puzzle.
I wish the writer did a better job creating female characters. To a woman, in the two books I’ve read, they are one-dimensional and seem to exist only to highlight some trait in Harry Bauer or to move the plot along. Even Rashida, who in this book had the potential for a deeper temperament, is simply a tool in the hands of the writer. I’d like to see women characters more fleshed out, the way male characters are. Rashida has a much larger role than Scotty in this book, yet it is Scotty who is given dimension and a quirky, exuberant personality. Rashida just…is.
Colonel Jane remains an unknown entity that, via small tells, Brigadier Byrd does not appear to trust entirely. She is not particularly likeable and she is not portrayed as someone with much intelligence given how argumentative she is with Bauer who is, after all, a professional assassin and successful, too. I’ve no clue what her purpose is. So far, she could be left out of the books and there would be no loss to the plot, storyline, nor the other characters. I’m not sure how good she is at whatever her job is; Bauer had to tell her how to find someone using Cobra’s own systems. Again…what is her purpose? Maybe something will come up in a future book?
Also back for an appearance in this book is the EMP (Electromagnetic Pulse), smaller this time, able to fit in a car. But the same sorts of problems exist as did in the first book. To wit, the EMP is an all or nothing device: it wipes out all electronic systems within its prescribed range…or it doesn’t. There’s no now it does/now it doesn’t. This EMP has a smaller range of 200 yards with an ability to knock out all electronics within this range. The cars used by Bauer and Scotty are – most likely – not shielded (as was the truck used in the first book) so their electronics would have been knocked out, too. Bauer’s car was pulled up just behind Scotty’s (which held the EMP). It’s possible Scotty’s car was insulated (doubtful since he had to obtain the EMP; it was not readily available in his car) but Bauer’s certainly wasn’t (it was a rental), yet both men hop into their cars, after having employed the EMP, and drive off.
And…why recharge the EMP for a second blast? Once fried, the electronics would not come back online and 200 yards equals two football fields end to end. Descriptions of the compound where the EMP was used did not seem to indicate it would be 200 feet long [?] especially if we are talking about a 200-foot radius of effectiveness.
A few minor errors – nothing too jarring to bring the reader out of the story trying to figure out what the writer is saying. Among them are:
“…the high wine of their turbines….” I’m pretty sure that should be “…high whine of their turbines….”
“…but if there one assault rifle on earth….” Perhaps that should be “…if there IS one assault rifle…” or “…if there WERE one assault rifle…?”
Still and all, this was an action-packed book with lots going on. Lots of things that went BOOM in the night and plenty of intrigue, a fun read, definitely great for an afternoon’s entertainment.
Harry Bauer has some interesting thoughts to share, like these:
“Shrinks insist on thinking that evil is a pathology. It’s a trait we need as a species in order to survive.” This is said in a conversation with Brigadier Byrd and Colonel Harris. I admit it made me pause and consider that statement. Interesting thought….
“And I wondered, what kind of god creates a world where the only way to survive is by eating other living creatures? What kind of god creates a world where the only way to live is by killing? I didn’t know the answer. Maybe there was no answer.” This was part of Harry Bauer’s thought process at the end of the book as he completed an undertaking left unfinished from the very beginning of the story. I appreciated the closure of that nasty little incident. It felt right.
And, BTW, Harry is still looking for his laser pen.
This time out Bauer is in New York City, Morocco, and Thailand, wrecking all kinds of havoc and making all things go boom. The problem is sobering, however; innocent people are being hurt needlessly. He is the balancer, almost Nemesis, offsetting wrongdoers’ hubris the world over…not a simple nor an easy task.
Several comfortable items and people are back…as well as some new folks. The Macallan scotch whisky is back and there is still something cozy about that staple. We meet a new friend, Scotty, himself a retired operative, who helps Bauer in Thailand.
Also back is Colonel Jane Harris and the antagonism between Colonel Jane and Bauer is palpable. They bristle in each others’ company and she is brutal in her attacks. As a reader I have to wonder why she has been written to be so vicious. Her initial verbal attack on him seems spurious and contrived. Even if her antagonistic approach comes from an odd attraction or some sense of rivalry for Brigadier Byrd’s attention or just plain old dislike, it’s over the top in animosity. Bauer did his best in a compromised situation in New York and as a colonel in the military she should understand this. Her attitude is a puzzle.
I wish the writer did a better job creating female characters. To a woman, in the two books I’ve read, they are one-dimensional and seem to exist only to highlight some trait in Harry Bauer or to move the plot along. Even Rashida, who in this book had the potential for a deeper temperament, is simply a tool in the hands of the writer. I’d like to see women characters more fleshed out, the way male characters are. Rashida has a much larger role than Scotty in this book, yet it is Scotty who is given dimension and a quirky, exuberant personality. Rashida just…is.
Colonel Jane remains an unknown entity that, via small tells, Brigadier Byrd does not appear to trust entirely. She is not particularly likeable and she is not portrayed as someone with much intelligence given how argumentative she is with Bauer who is, after all, a professional assassin and successful, too. I’ve no clue what her purpose is. So far, she could be left out of the books and there would be no loss to the plot, storyline, nor the other characters. I’m not sure how good she is at whatever her job is; Bauer had to tell her how to find someone using Cobra’s own systems. Again…what is her purpose? Maybe something will come up in a future book?
Also back for an appearance in this book is the EMP (Electromagnetic Pulse), smaller this time, able to fit in a car. But the same sorts of problems exist as did in the first book. To wit, the EMP is an all or nothing device: it wipes out all electronic systems within its prescribed range…or it doesn’t. There’s no now it does/now it doesn’t. This EMP has a smaller range of 200 yards with an ability to knock out all electronics within this range. The cars used by Bauer and Scotty are – most likely – not shielded (as was the truck used in the first book) so their electronics would have been knocked out, too. Bauer’s car was pulled up just behind Scotty’s (which held the EMP). It’s possible Scotty’s car was insulated (doubtful since he had to obtain the EMP; it was not readily available in his car) but Bauer’s certainly wasn’t (it was a rental), yet both men hop into their cars, after having employed the EMP, and drive off.
And…why recharge the EMP for a second blast? Once fried, the electronics would not come back online and 200 yards equals two football fields end to end. Descriptions of the compound where the EMP was used did not seem to indicate it would be 200 feet long [?] especially if we are talking about a 200-foot radius of effectiveness.
A few minor errors – nothing too jarring to bring the reader out of the story trying to figure out what the writer is saying. Among them are:
“…the high wine of their turbines….” I’m pretty sure that should be “…high whine of their turbines….”
“…but if there one assault rifle on earth….” Perhaps that should be “…if there IS one assault rifle…” or “…if there WERE one assault rifle…?”
Still and all, this was an action-packed book with lots going on. Lots of things that went BOOM in the night and plenty of intrigue, a fun read, definitely great for an afternoon’s entertainment.
Harry Bauer has some interesting thoughts to share, like these:
“Shrinks insist on thinking that evil is a pathology. It’s a trait we need as a species in order to survive.” This is said in a conversation with Brigadier Byrd and Colonel Harris. I admit it made me pause and consider that statement. Interesting thought….
“And I wondered, what kind of god creates a world where the only way to survive is by eating other living creatures? What kind of god creates a world where the only way to live is by killing? I didn’t know the answer. Maybe there was no answer.” This was part of Harry Bauer’s thought process at the end of the book as he completed an undertaking left unfinished from the very beginning of the story. I appreciated the closure of that nasty little incident. It felt right.
And, BTW, Harry is still looking for his laser pen.
December 30, 2020
The Harry Bauer series is kind of like an "R" rated adult comic book. When the story slows down, throw in some more bodies - a couple to a dozen or more at a time. Kill them without regard to prosecution with fists, feet, guns, an old fashion dagger, explosives, and even a longbow! Not too bad for a self-published Kindle book if you don't have anything good to read.
November 23, 2022
Blake Banner, whomever he may be in reality, is a prolific writer. He apparently began publishing his stories about five years ago, and they include four series of books, featuring four different protagonists, for a grand total of over forty books in five years. "Dying Breath" is the second book in the Harry Bauer series.
To explain who Harry Bauer is--it's complicated--I have to invoke another fictional character: Jason Bourne. In the book (Robert Ludlum) and film franchise, Bourne started working for a secret US Government agency in a highly secret program called Operation Treadstone. Injured, he awakes with amnesia. As he learns who he is--or was--he doesn't like what he finds. He's a killer, with every imaginable fighting and killing skill one can have, and he hates it.
On the other hand, Harry Bauer also works for a secret US Government agency as a killer with every fighting and killing skill of Jason Bourne, but Harry knows it and likes it. I don't mean he's sadistic or a psychopath. He doesn't revel in the killing, but he likes who he is, and how his skills and job fit into society and the dirty jobs that need to be done.
Diving deeper into Harry Bauer, he's an American whose disaffected youth caused him to wander through Europe, but settle in the UK and join the British Army. There, he joined the highly respected Special Air Service (SAS), which is sort of the British version of the US Army Rangers on steroids. After eight years of SAS service, he is offered the "opportunity" to resign, rather than being court martialed, for intending to kill a prisoner that was intended to be given to American intelligence (CIA) for interrogation. Harry chose resignation, but it left him with no references or recommendations for future employment, and no experience or skills, other than killing people.
Through a circuitous route, Harry lands in a clandestine American killing corps known as Cobra. Cobra is Blake Banner's version of Treadstone, and Harry is a perfect fit. Let the adventures begin. "Dying Breath" is the second adventure of fourteen, and I intend to read them all. I love 'em.
To explain who Harry Bauer is--it's complicated--I have to invoke another fictional character: Jason Bourne. In the book (Robert Ludlum) and film franchise, Bourne started working for a secret US Government agency in a highly secret program called Operation Treadstone. Injured, he awakes with amnesia. As he learns who he is--or was--he doesn't like what he finds. He's a killer, with every imaginable fighting and killing skill one can have, and he hates it.
On the other hand, Harry Bauer also works for a secret US Government agency as a killer with every fighting and killing skill of Jason Bourne, but Harry knows it and likes it. I don't mean he's sadistic or a psychopath. He doesn't revel in the killing, but he likes who he is, and how his skills and job fit into society and the dirty jobs that need to be done.
Diving deeper into Harry Bauer, he's an American whose disaffected youth caused him to wander through Europe, but settle in the UK and join the British Army. There, he joined the highly respected Special Air Service (SAS), which is sort of the British version of the US Army Rangers on steroids. After eight years of SAS service, he is offered the "opportunity" to resign, rather than being court martialed, for intending to kill a prisoner that was intended to be given to American intelligence (CIA) for interrogation. Harry chose resignation, but it left him with no references or recommendations for future employment, and no experience or skills, other than killing people.
Through a circuitous route, Harry lands in a clandestine American killing corps known as Cobra. Cobra is Blake Banner's version of Treadstone, and Harry is a perfect fit. Let the adventures begin. "Dying Breath" is the second adventure of fourteen, and I intend to read them all. I love 'em.
December 22, 2020
Who will rule the 21st century?
Harry Bauer is the man to do the job if the plan is to destroy and eliminate. In Book 2 of the series, Bauer is now totally entrenched in the culture of Cobra. With 8 years as a trooper in the SAS, Baker's skill set did not prepare him for a relaxing and seamless reentry into the American workforce. After all, "trained assassin" is not going to get you a job on Wall Street.
Harry's first assignment from Cobra proved a few things: he is a ruthless and skilled terminator, he does have a sense if morals which says children and woman are not to be harmed, and he does not always follow orders. However, Harry Bauer is the man for the job if getting the job done is the only description.
When the unorthodox testing of a viral anecdote leaves whole villages reach mates, Cobra calls on Bauer to investigate and meet out justice.
Dying Breath explores Harry's character and develops his personal code further, while offering the reader a fast moving, action packed adventure. An adventure which just mi th by be "Ripped from the headlines"!
Harry Bauer is the man to do the job if the plan is to destroy and eliminate. In Book 2 of the series, Bauer is now totally entrenched in the culture of Cobra. With 8 years as a trooper in the SAS, Baker's skill set did not prepare him for a relaxing and seamless reentry into the American workforce. After all, "trained assassin" is not going to get you a job on Wall Street.
Harry's first assignment from Cobra proved a few things: he is a ruthless and skilled terminator, he does have a sense if morals which says children and woman are not to be harmed, and he does not always follow orders. However, Harry Bauer is the man for the job if getting the job done is the only description.
When the unorthodox testing of a viral anecdote leaves whole villages reach mates, Cobra calls on Bauer to investigate and meet out justice.
Dying Breath explores Harry's character and develops his personal code further, while offering the reader a fast moving, action packed adventure. An adventure which just mi th by be "Ripped from the headlines"!
September 20, 2021
What If....
Holy Viruses, Bat Man! I love it when a talented writer takes a contemporary situation and asks, "What if....?" That is precisely what Banner does here , because even as I read this book there is HUGE controversy, discussion, disagreement, and acrimony regarding the Covid-19 virus and the value or effectiveness of the mRNA vaccine. It is as if Banner has inside information on the cause of this current pandemic. True or not, it is at least VERY PLAUSIBLE, which is the mark of great novelists. He could have taken other "what if" scenarios. What if, for example, this virus worked, killed over one-half of the non-Asian population? What would the world be like then? I hope we will never know and that technology can develop survival techniques for our population once again. It would be great if all people could work together on the solution instead of spending so much time and money on killing each other.
Holy Viruses, Bat Man! I love it when a talented writer takes a contemporary situation and asks, "What if....?" That is precisely what Banner does here , because even as I read this book there is HUGE controversy, discussion, disagreement, and acrimony regarding the Covid-19 virus and the value or effectiveness of the mRNA vaccine. It is as if Banner has inside information on the cause of this current pandemic. True or not, it is at least VERY PLAUSIBLE, which is the mark of great novelists. He could have taken other "what if" scenarios. What if, for example, this virus worked, killed over one-half of the non-Asian population? What would the world be like then? I hope we will never know and that technology can develop survival techniques for our population once again. It would be great if all people could work together on the solution instead of spending so much time and money on killing each other.
June 1, 2021
What when did you write this
I am telling you mister SAS writer man this story is so close to the truth it is beyond scary. It is June 1 2021 and the world is just starting to recover from round one of the worst pandemic that I in my 77 years of life have ever seen. I do not believe if JD far from over as this virus splits and splits and splits
You are one very smart person to write something so NOW and so SERIOUS
I have read some of your other books and enjoyed each one, but this one. I was lucky in the beginning of this panmic as I followed my training from CDC and started family p!an B and also lucky to be in the small one country that got an edge on getting their.
Citizens vaccines quickly.
Luck that is all it was and is You really nailed this one. Keep up the good work
Steven
I am telling you mister SAS writer man this story is so close to the truth it is beyond scary. It is June 1 2021 and the world is just starting to recover from round one of the worst pandemic that I in my 77 years of life have ever seen. I do not believe if JD far from over as this virus splits and splits and splits
You are one very smart person to write something so NOW and so SERIOUS
I have read some of your other books and enjoyed each one, but this one. I was lucky in the beginning of this panmic as I followed my training from CDC and started family p!an B and also lucky to be in the small one country that got an edge on getting their.
Citizens vaccines quickly.
Luck that is all it was and is You really nailed this one. Keep up the good work
Steven
January 1, 2022
MY OPINION:
.
I’m going to stop reading at page 109 because I am bored and this book stinks.
I wasn’t going to say anything, but this guy does NOT know what he’s talking about. For instance, a Glock can’t be “cocked.” It has no hammer to cock. Everything is internal. You'd have to run the slide to cock it. And that would also chamber a round if one or more were in the magazine. (Or if the magazine was empty, no round could be chambered but the Glock would “cocked.”) And he doesn’t say that’s the case.
In the prior book, there’s no such thing as a “Walther .38.” Banner, you must mean a .380.
I quit. This series stinks and I don’t like it. And the character is boring.
I will NOT be reading any more of this stuff, by this guy.
.
.
.
I’m going to stop reading at page 109 because I am bored and this book stinks.
I wasn’t going to say anything, but this guy does NOT know what he’s talking about. For instance, a Glock can’t be “cocked.” It has no hammer to cock. Everything is internal. You'd have to run the slide to cock it. And that would also chamber a round if one or more were in the magazine. (Or if the magazine was empty, no round could be chambered but the Glock would “cocked.”) And he doesn’t say that’s the case.
In the prior book, there’s no such thing as a “Walther .38.” Banner, you must mean a .380.
I quit. This series stinks and I don’t like it. And the character is boring.
I will NOT be reading any more of this stuff, by this guy.
.
.
December 30, 2020
Fast pace and no nonsense dialogues
It's pretty good. Enjoyed the fast action and fast pace. Although to be honest there isn't a whole lot of character development. But if you like international assassinations and black ops and a guy without a pretty wife he has to call home all the time and feel guilty every time he kills an enemy, this is the right book. You won't find a guy who's indecisive and getting his balls busted by his lover for having to kill someone. You won't get his own team trying to push back on what he needs to get his mission done. You won't get useless dialogues from other characters about feeling bad they had to watchers being killed in front of them and have their life saved.
It's pretty good. Enjoyed the fast action and fast pace. Although to be honest there isn't a whole lot of character development. But if you like international assassinations and black ops and a guy without a pretty wife he has to call home all the time and feel guilty every time he kills an enemy, this is the right book. You won't find a guy who's indecisive and getting his balls busted by his lover for having to kill someone. You won't get his own team trying to push back on what he needs to get his mission done. You won't get useless dialogues from other characters about feeling bad they had to watchers being killed in front of them and have their life saved.
July 25, 2023
Continuing the great story of Harry Bauer...
This is Harry trying to stop bioterrorism from a lethal virus and the selling of the vaccine to stop it. Harry once again travels in and out of several countries - Morocco, Thailand, and others and does a spectacular job of blowing things to kingdom come!.
My thoughts when reading about this virus and the plan to have it begin in China was " Cononovirus" and our recent pandemic which did take a toll both financially and in mortality and morbidity. Personally I like this Harry Bauer - he's an international " Equalizer " combined with Jason Bourne , and Jack Ryan!
This is Harry trying to stop bioterrorism from a lethal virus and the selling of the vaccine to stop it. Harry once again travels in and out of several countries - Morocco, Thailand, and others and does a spectacular job of blowing things to kingdom come!.
My thoughts when reading about this virus and the plan to have it begin in China was " Cononovirus" and our recent pandemic which did take a toll both financially and in mortality and morbidity. Personally I like this Harry Bauer - he's an international " Equalizer " combined with Jason Bourne , and Jack Ryan!
September 1, 2020
Fast and funny
I had mentioned in book one review that I really did not like very critical reviews... Though this series is entertaining, it plot is a wee bit tired as so many utilize same.
Could use some editing, and the fast pace of authors writing and publishing allows some simple but glaring errors... Early in the tale, our protagonist leaves his hotel by taxi, arriving at bad dudes hotel to flip the room....then leaving in his Mercedes.... Wondering just how the Mercedes ended up in the second hotel car park?
Still, entertaining. I shall move on to book three.
I had mentioned in book one review that I really did not like very critical reviews... Though this series is entertaining, it plot is a wee bit tired as so many utilize same.
Could use some editing, and the fast pace of authors writing and publishing allows some simple but glaring errors... Early in the tale, our protagonist leaves his hotel by taxi, arriving at bad dudes hotel to flip the room....then leaving in his Mercedes.... Wondering just how the Mercedes ended up in the second hotel car park?
Still, entertaining. I shall move on to book three.
October 5, 2020
Harry Bauer a bit of a risk taker That calls a spade a spade. Certainly has notion of what is right and wrong which he applies in devastating ruthless fashion. Considering the experiences he accumulated in 8 years of service with the SAS and how he was released from active duty It’s is understandable why he resorts to his methods.
I believe all conspiracy theorists will find home to be their champion.
The recent pandemic really brings home how these conspiracy theories may have some truth to them although we’ll never know
I believe all conspiracy theorists will find home to be their champion.
The recent pandemic really brings home how these conspiracy theories may have some truth to them although we’ll never know
January 18, 2021
All I want from books like this is pulp fiction action and adventure. And this book provided that in spades. With all due respect to the writer I just wanted something pretty brainless to read on the bus, in the taxi, in bed, while Im having coffee between the lessons I give at university. I really don't want to be overthinking some convoluted plot. And this sort of stuff does it for me - just like cowboy (Louis Lamour) and detective novels by Micky Spillane got me through my university years. I'm waiting on the next in the series....
September 13, 2020
Mary J.
Blame Banner is a fantastic writer and what a book this is lots of action, mystery and murder . It is also so today just as if he could have invented our pandemic but even more as you are so involved
and no want the story to end. Thank you Blake for of the excitement and heart stopping moments. Give me a day to rest from the excitement and will start another. Jo Ann Brian
Blame Banner is a fantastic writer and what a book this is lots of action, mystery and murder . It is also so today just as if he could have invented our pandemic but even more as you are so involved
and no want the story to end. Thank you Blake for of the excitement and heart stopping moments. Give me a day to rest from the excitement and will start another. Jo Ann Brian
November 5, 2020
Excellent!
This was a good "rough men stop evil plan to kill off part of the world" story. This one may not have been true, but I firmly believe that there were others that were true. This being written Nov 4th, after the election, it's incredibly important to do the right thing, and stop the demon craps. I feel that the next one they win will be the last election in American history.
This was a good "rough men stop evil plan to kill off part of the world" story. This one may not have been true, but I firmly believe that there were others that were true. This being written Nov 4th, after the election, it's incredibly important to do the right thing, and stop the demon craps. I feel that the next one they win will be the last election in American history.
March 23, 2021
Like the previous one, this one too follows a similar template. Harry Bauer sets out to remove a target and stumbles upon a deadly conspiracy. The central conflict of this one being the one which the entire world is reeling with for the past one year - a pandemic. The action sequences are better in this one and so the antagonists. Loved the camaraderie between Harry and the colonel. Would like to see more how their relationship shapes up in the future book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2024
Harry Bauer ..force to be reckoned with
Harry is certainly someone you don’t want as an enemy. He takes on challenges of epic magnitude and sometimes things go wrong but he’s patient and still gets the job done. That would be professionally and personally. A tale reminiscent of COVID like biochemistry and of course, political gains (aka espionage) to cripple the West, who still remain strong.
Harry is certainly someone you don’t want as an enemy. He takes on challenges of epic magnitude and sometimes things go wrong but he’s patient and still gets the job done. That would be professionally and personally. A tale reminiscent of COVID like biochemistry and of course, political gains (aka espionage) to cripple the West, who still remain strong.
August 1, 2020
Start of new series for me!!
Recognized author! Are read many of his books!! So read this one and have more now to read! Exciting and bit of bloodbath
But very readable! I am not average old lady reader!! But I know a thriller when I start it..and this book is definitely one of Banner 's best beginning ones! Enjoyed it and ready for #2!
Recognized author! Are read many of his books!! So read this one and have more now to read! Exciting and bit of bloodbath
But very readable! I am not average old lady reader!! But I know a thriller when I start it..and this book is definitely one of Banner 's best beginning ones! Enjoyed it and ready for #2!
April 9, 2021
Fast moving up to date thriller.
Fast moving thriller about retired special forces soldier recruited by specialist agency to deal with problems that cannot be handled legally. A good read with Harry Bauer up against a female criminal whose intelligence and looks almost gets the better of him and almost became the death of him.
Fast moving thriller about retired special forces soldier recruited by specialist agency to deal with problems that cannot be handled legally. A good read with Harry Bauer up against a female criminal whose intelligence and looks almost gets the better of him and almost became the death of him.
October 11, 2021
Finally some respect for women
Harry learned that women can be as dangerous as any man. Hopefully the female characters will be described in fully actualized women, not the poor harmless characters he has given us in the first book.
I really enjoyed the Mary Smith character. I just wish we had been given more of her back story.
Harry learned that women can be as dangerous as any man. Hopefully the female characters will be described in fully actualized women, not the poor harmless characters he has given us in the first book.
I really enjoyed the Mary Smith character. I just wish we had been given more of her back story.
October 21, 2021
So Far, It Works
However I'm worried that it will follow the sad path of so many hard man series, predictability and padding are real problems. Thus far the rather academic culture undertones and constant gentle humour have saved the occasional plot drops. I recommend it with caution as I move on to Number Three.
However I'm worried that it will follow the sad path of so many hard man series, predictability and padding are real problems. Thus far the rather academic culture undertones and constant gentle humour have saved the occasional plot drops. I recommend it with caution as I move on to Number Three.
November 23, 2021
This book was another "can't put it down" enjoyable story. It had many interesting twists to the story and I was convinced we found the culprit for the Covid 19 pandemic. But it is only a story - or is it?
Thanks to the writer for a great thriller and I am looking forward to the next Harry Bauer adventure.
Thanks to the writer for a great thriller and I am looking forward to the next Harry Bauer adventure.
May 10, 2022
Dying Breath
Wow Harry Bauer is a bad ass no doubt as he goes after a plot by China for world domination. He finds himself mixed up with a beautiful young lady that just leaves him speechless. He is staged and left to die but this just ticks him off and you don't want to tick off Harry Bauer.
Wow Harry Bauer is a bad ass no doubt as he goes after a plot by China for world domination. He finds himself mixed up with a beautiful young lady that just leaves him speechless. He is staged and left to die but this just ticks him off and you don't want to tick off Harry Bauer.
February 25, 2021
Dying Breath
Great character. Loved reading it. Story line remarkable and somewhat predictive of current news. If only someone could really have predicted this pandemic, would anyone have listened or do we have a cobra unit?
Great character. Loved reading it. Story line remarkable and somewhat predictive of current news. If only someone could really have predicted this pandemic, would anyone have listened or do we have a cobra unit?
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