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Real-life Black Ops veteran Leo J. Maloney launches an electrifying new series featuring Alex Morgan, daughter of legendary operative Dan Morgan and a formidable force in her own right.

ANGLE OF ATTACK

Alex Morgan’s new mission for Zeta plunges her into a web of danger threatening Europe’s glamorous Formula One racing circuit. It quickly escalates into a race against time to track down a missing supply of weapons-grade plutonium headed for North America. From a secret prison in Iran to the glittering casinos of Monaco, to the jungles of Malaysia, and to the dark side of Montreal, Alex is up against a deadly and far-reaching conspiracy. Each step of the way, she’s dogged by a shadowy figure determined to destroy her. Alex has the grit to deal with any external threat, but this is a new kind of peril from a source shockingly close to home—one that will make Alex question everything she once believed...

251 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 26, 2021

168 people are currently reading
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Leo J. Maloney

31 books291 followers

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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Matt.
4,822 reviews13.1k followers
December 22, 2020
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Leo J. Maloney, and Kensington Books for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

After a harrowing run with Dan Morgan, Leo J. Maloney turns to the next generation of gritty agents tasked with helping keep the world safe. Alex Morgan is set to step out of her father’s shadow in Angle of Attack, her first full-length novel. While she knows the ins and outs of Zeta Group, Alex could not have prepared for this mission or those lurking in the background that will stop at nothing to bring her down. A great piece for fans of the Dan Morgan series, as well as readers who love a female protagonist who can hold her own with aplomb.

While Alex Morgan prepares for her first full mission within Zeta Group, she is shocked to see her father finally taking some time off. It’s been years since Dan Morgan could play the role of public citizen and enjoy things without a pretence of being on guard. Alex is being sent to Monaco to look into whispers of something monumental taking place during the Grand Prix event there.

Things begin with an explosive start as the private jet on which she is travelling watches its hanger explode moments after taxiing. Zeta Group is put on the defensive, but Alex refuses to back down, citing the need to move ahead with the mission.

Meanwhile, two other agents answer a call to a potential situation in Malaysia, only to discover that someone’s neutralised the terror group and left the bodies for Zeta Group to find. Could there be a turf war taking place, one in which a new group is seeking to distract Zeta before handling the situation, wasting valuable time?

After intel sends Alex Morgan to the vaults of the grand casino in Monaco, she discovers the bomb has been diffused, but its radioactive material is missing. This could be Ares Group at work again, luring Alex into the trap and then showing that her time and efforts are wasted, keeping her from the real target.

When news that there is something planned at the next Grand Prix event in Montreal, Alex is there, again acting in a quasi-undercover capacity. She’s ready to strike, though it does not help that she has no idea who or what she’s trying to neutralise. This could be a type of danger no amount of stories heard on Dan’s knee could help prevent. With so many people at risk, there is no time to play a game of cat and mouse with Ares, or is there?

I have always enjoyed the work of Leo J. Maloney, as it not only offers up something full of action, but also keeps the characters working in a somewhat relatable environs. Having spent time in both Monaco and Montreal, I could see things as they progressed, while also being completely drawn in by everything that’s taking place.

Alex Morgan does a wonderful job as protagonist in this piece, easily filling the shoes her father left out. She’s gritty and determined, without being reckless. Alex knows what is expected of her and yet she is one who will bend things a little if it helps her make needed progress. Fans of the Dan Morgan series will have seen some of her backstory emerge, though it is not discussed in any detail here, forcing new readers to piece things together on the fly. Alex keeps herself busy and develops effectively throughout the story, but has left much of herself open for further growth, so long as Maloney keeps the series going for a time.

The use of strong supporting characters is key to the success of a novel. While there are a number of names and faces from the elder Morgan adventures, those who make their first appearance here work well to create a foundation that allows Alex Morgan to shine. The antagonism is prevalent throughout, though it is not as blatant, forcing the reader to sense that evil though a number of characters in passing. This is a great technique that keeps things from diverting from Alex Morgan’s growth.

The story was quite straightforward and kept the reader engaged. Maloney uses some unique perspectives and situations to help differentiate from some of the earlier novels, while never lessening the sense of action. There’s a mix of chapter lengths to set the scene and develop the narrative, as needed in this fast-paced book. Never a lull in the action, which permits the story to propel itself forward until the very end, but even at that point, there are some unresolved moments. I am eager to see how Alex Morgan grows in a lead character role, having sat in the shadows throughout her formative years.

Kudos, Mr. Maloney, for another winning story. I am eager to see what you have in store for your next Morgan protagonist.

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/...
Profile Image for Jacqui.
Author 65 books225 followers
December 1, 2020
Leo Mahoney's latest in the Alex Morgan series, Angle of Attack (Lyrical Press 2021) starts with all the action you can handle as Alex Morgan and her partner Lily Randall rescue a kidnapped American scientist from the depths of Iran. After this successful mission, Alex is supposed to get a break but the next job can’t wait. This one takes her undercover as the friend of a girlfriend (her partner, Lily) who herself is the girlfriend of billionaire Scott Renard whose car is entered in the races. They will follow the tour around the world to catch a terrorist and a missing supply of weapons-grade plutonium.

Alex and Lily are tough, talented, beautiful, and often underestimated. Where some might worry when faced with a hopeless battle, Alex and Lily figure out to how to win. I like strong females who don't melt in the face of danger. I’ve found it in this Mahoney series.
Profile Image for Jim A.
1,267 reviews82 followers
April 13, 2021
Was looking forward to a kick ass female protag. I'll never know it this fills the bill. The dialogue was so bad I gave up after two chapters.
Profile Image for Abibliofob.
1,586 reviews102 followers
January 21, 2021
I got this Angle of Attack by Leo J. Maloney a while back. I was not sure about a series with Alex Morgan a the main character. Usually Maloney writes about her father who works for the same organisation. This is one great book it is almost better than the original series but it works great as a complement. I actually think I like it when you get spin off series. I have to thank #Netgalley and #KensingtonBooks for letting me read this one.
Profile Image for Kristine.
3,401 reviews52 followers
December 23, 2020
I have been a big fan of the Dan Morgan series, but for some reason the last few books have not exactly been as good as the many beforehand. When I realized that Leo Maloney was doing a spinoff of the series, with Alex Morgan being the main character, I was interested.

So - Alex is now officially a grown up and officially deemed as an "agent" of Zeta. I have to say that I REALLY enjoyed everything about this book. The plot was interesting, the characters were rich and fairly well developed and the action was enough to keep the reader (that would be me) on our toes. The great thing about spin offs is that even though this is only the first book in the series, the world has already been built and we are already familiar with both the setting (Zeta Group) and the people (Lily, Alex, and the team at Zeta). Because most of that is already established, it was a piece of cake to drop the reader in and let things take off from there. Does that mean that this book cannot be read as a stand alone if someone hasn't already read any of the Dan Morgan books? I don't think so. There is enough back information to set the stage for new readers - even if not all of the necessary info can be imparted, enough of the important stuff is.

In this book, Alex and Lily team up and we see Alex at the front of all kinds of issues, some business related, some personal. This is the first time that I can remember where her dad is NOT part of the drama. She is on her own and it is very obvious that she can hold her own. Does she make any mistakes? Of course. Just like any of us, she's human and not a super hero, but she is as prepared as she can be, and as usual, those Morgan instincts are right much more than they are wrong.

Definitely a win and I'm excited to be looking forward to more from Zeta, either with Dan or Alex at the helm.

I wanted to say thank you to NetGalley for providing me this ARC. All opinions are entirely my own.
Profile Image for John Purvis.
1,356 reviews23 followers
November 1, 2023
Leo J. Maloney http://leojmaloney.com is the author of a dozen novels. Angle of Attack was published in 2021 and is the first in his Alex Morgan thriller series. It is the 60th book I completed reading in 2023.

I received an ARC of this book through https://www.netgalley.com with the expectation of a fair and honest review. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! Due to scenes of violence, I categorize this novel as R. The main character is young Alex Morgan.

Morgan has followed her father into the super secret Zeta. She is sent to Monaco on her first solo assignment. The Grand Prix race is nearing, and there is intel that something may be happening. Her search for a nuclear device ends in finding it deactivated with its radioactive material missing. A Zeta team in Malaysia is pursuing a terrorist group, only to find them dead.

Is Zeta being tested? Could it be the rival Ares Group? Morgan continues to the next stop on the Grand Prix circuit in Montreal, Canada. Trouble seems to find Morgan wherever she goes.

I enjoyed the 6+ hours I spent reading this 251-page action-filled thriller. I have enjoyed all of the Maloney novels I have had a chance to read. Among them are Rogue Commander, Dark Territory, War of Shadows, Deep Cover, and The Morgan Files. This action/thriller follows well in their footsteps. I like the chosen cover art. I give this novel a rating of 4 out of 5.

You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).
Profile Image for Paullina Simons.
5 reviews73 followers
February 23, 2021
My husband introduced me to the Dan Morgan books and I have loved the last few, so I was all in when I found out there was a spin-off series about Dan’s daughter, Alex, whom I have enjoyed as a supporting character. Angle of Attack surpassed my expectations. It delivers all the page-turning action that’s the MO for these well-crafted spy thriller stories, but also shines on its own as it explores the dangerous world through the eyes of an eager and sharp twentysomething woman. Alex is clearly a Morgan, but she is also her own person. It’s tremendous fun to see her navigate the world of international car racing and take on assassins and spies. There’s even a great twist on the high-stakes casino face-off. Her remarkable story makes me want to be a twentysomething spy myself.
1,330 reviews44 followers
October 25, 2020
Several strands are woven together to create a good action thriller. Without rest, Alex and Lily move from one Zeta case to another. Traveling the Formula 1 circuit, they fraternize with the owners and drivers while on the lookout for radioactive material. Whether driving race cars or motorcycles, fighting bodyguards or duplicitous agents, Alex Morgan follows well in her dad’s footsteps. I received an advanced digital copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
1,973 reviews74 followers
December 13, 2020
This is a high octane political thriller that features Alex Morgan, the daughter of the high powered black ops agent Dan Morgan. She is determined to follow in her father's footsteps in this action packed adventure that travels around the globe in a fast paced race to recover dangerous plutonium. Its a engrossing story and it ends with an very interesting question that will undoubtedly give rise to another gripping story.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
8 reviews
February 2, 2021
A new hero named Morgan!

I have read all of the Dan Morgan books, and I definitely am a fan. I also thought Alex Morgan was turning into a very interesting character when she got a major sub-plot in THREAT LEVEL ALPHA. I can now honestly say that the first Alex Morgan book really delivers. It follows action from Iran, to Monaco, to North America and has the action and excitement that we've come to expect from a Leo Maloney thriller. It also has some surprises, including a look inside the world of Formula 1 racing and some twists that will shock even long time fans. More Alex Morgan please!
1,043 reviews4 followers
March 1, 2022
Alex Morgan Thriller #1

Alex, daughter of a U.S. covert ops legend, has passed her probation period and has been asked to join her father’s organization, ZETA, as a full-time agent. She is tasked with following the Formula One racing circuit on a mission to find a stolen cache of plutonium. This is a really well-written story with an unexpected major plot twist. If you enjoy thrillers you will want to read Angle of Attack !
Profile Image for Dave.
484 reviews
December 6, 2020
Thank you to author Leo J. Maloney for this FREE Kindle copy of the upcoming Angle of Attack.
And thanks to Goodreads for hosting the opportunity.

I really liked it. Well done. Great pace, characters, visuals, etc. Involving from start to finish, and some questions laid out at the end to segue into book two for some answers. Perhaps.
1,075 reviews7 followers
January 31, 2021
I love this author and this is the first of a spin-off series with the daughter of Dan Morgan (Alex). Taking g place at Formula 1 races in France and Canada, it’s fast-paced and drives to a surprise ending - book number two had better be on the way!
Profile Image for Mary.
2,644 reviews
Read
November 24, 2020
Held my interest from the first page to the last
121 reviews2 followers
January 31, 2021
Awesome story

I really enjoyed reading this story, Alex Morgan and her partner, Lily Randal make a great team. I can't wait to see what happens next.
5 reviews
March 2, 2021
Not as good as the ones about her dad kind of boring but hooked you at the end for the next boo
1,481 reviews14 followers
March 26, 2021
Writing is meh. Helps if you like NASCAR ans Formula 1
Profile Image for Jessica Kimbel.
945 reviews11 followers
October 12, 2021
Leo J Maloney is a new to me author, but one I definitely want to read again soon. In fact, the minute I finished this book, I hurriedly downloaded the second installment, Hard Target, in the series to binge read it as well.

Angle of Attack stars Alex Morgan, an undercover operation for the Zeta Corporation, digging into the Formula One racing scene to stop a shipment of plutonium from getting into the wrong hands. Alex is a bad ass female agent I want to be when I grow up. She can handle herself in the toughest situations, uncovering the criminals’ plots and saving the world. The book is full of action, suspense, car chases, and surprised me with a little romance as well. After all, Alex deserves a little play for all her hard work.

Thank you to Goodreads for my copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews

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