Bodyguard of Lies

The Cellar #1

by Bob Mayer

Who polices the world of covert operations?

Enter the Cellar, the most secret spy organization hiding deep within the United States.

Two women become inextricably involved in a dangerous web of lies, intrigue, and betrayal as they fight for their lives and the safety of their country. Neeley is the lover and protégé of Gant, a Cellar operative, and trying to pick up the pieces of her life after Gant's death and unveil a mystery that he always held close. Hannah, a housewife, is equally lost after her husband disappears. They soon learn that the men in their lives shared a dangerous secret, one some very powerful people would shed blood to protect. Neeley and Hannah's meeting sets a decades-old plan into motion and puts their lives at risk.

They couldn't come from more different worlds, but as they try to escape the people who seem determined to kill them, Hannah and Neeley discover they have at least one thing in common: they've both been living a lie.

Crisscrossing the globe, the women find themselves in a deadly game of survival, one that they must win in order to keep the United States safe not only from vicious acts of terror, but from its own powers that be. And if they ever hope to uncover the truth about the lovers they thought they knew, Neeley and Hannah first must learn the truth about themselves. But when the Cellar is involved, there is no such thing as coincidence, and the truth is always protected by a Bodyguard of Lies.

Genres: Thriller, Suspense, Mystery, Fiction, Military Fiction, Action, Mystery Thriller

172 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2005

About the author

Besides my own interests, I read whatever my wife tells me to read-- she's a voracious reader and has wide-ranging tastes as my reviews show (she also always has the TV remote and she's always right about what to watch). I read a lot of nonfiction, mostly for research. Some of my favorite books are Lonesome Dove, Mystic River, LOTR, and an array of science fiction classics including the Foundation series. Our house is covered with books, although I finally broke down and started reading eBooks, strangely enough on my iPhone. Since I carry it pretty much everywhere, it means I always have an entire library of books with me.

I'm a West Point graduate, former Green Beret and a New York Times Bestselling Author. I've sold over five million books. My newest series begins with New York Minute, a thriller set in New York City in 1977.

I love using history and science in my books. My Area 51 series pretty much had me rewriting our entire history of civilization.

Reviews

[Arnis · Rating 3 out of 5]

https://poseidons99.wordpress.com/202...

[Heather Trim · Rating 4 out of 5]

SYNOPSIS:

In BODYGUARD OF LIES by Bob Mayer (ePublished 2010) hidden deep within the United States, the Cellar is a secret spy organization who polices the world of covert operations. Two women from completely different walks of life are thrown into a dangerous fight for their lives like a modern day Thelma and Louise. Kindle Edition from Author

Neeley is the lover and apprentice of one of the Cellar’s now dead operative, Anthony Gant. After his death, Neeley searches out the mysteries that Gant left behind. Hannah is a rich housewife whose husband mysteriously leaves her and is connected to Gant’s secret. When they meet a plan is set in motion to uncover the dangerous secrets that someone high up in the government is trying to keep hidden.

REVIEW:

Neeley is a sexy, dangerous assassin who seems to not have a conscience. But as Hannah talks and opens her up, we see the layered person that she really is. I found her more intriguing than Lisbeth in “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.”

Hannah is a surprising character to the degree that I need to read the second book to see how her life pans out. She starts out a depressed, everyday-average housewife whose husband disappears. When Neeley finds her they are forced together to escape death. (I won’t say why, because that will spoil it!) But Hannah handles being pursued by dangerous, hired gun, Racine, sent by the Cellar, like she might handle a mix up at the grocery store.

Racine, the crazy assassin chasing them, is seriously screwed up. Everything he does is creepy, even the tone of his narrative creeped me out. (Note to self: stay away from guys who break into houses naked!)

BODYGUARD OF LIES is very well told and the plot is exciting and fresh. With a dash of intrigue and a pinch of thriller, this book held me to the very last page. The first 25% of the book is character setup but very worth it for the investment in Neeley and Hannah. If you can get past that, you’ll love the rest. I love endings that I don’t see coming. The end is guaranteed to surprise.

The only negative I’d have to say about this book is the ugly cover. But, of course, never judge a book by its cover. But for visual people—such as myself—I would not have looked twice at this book because of the bland cover.

RATING:

I’d rate this book at a 4. It was very good because of the surprises and the deep characters. I’m headed to Amazon to download Book 2 on Kindle: LOST GIRLS by Bob Mayer.

"In wartime, truth is so precious that she should always be attended by a bodyguard of lies." Winston Churchill

[David Dalton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally starting to catch up on several of the low cost or free books from Bob Mayer that I have picked up over the last several years. I have been reading several sci-fi books and it was good to get back to spies and action for a bit. I liked this thriller and already have the 2nd Cellar book in my Amazon database. A couple of tough women are the stars and they handled themselves pretty good. I see they are featured in the next book as well.

[Tina Simmons · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has the unfortunate distinction of being the first book I completely figured out before the ending. It was predictable to an extreme fault. I also really struggled with the weak characters. I am a well read woman, however, I would not be able to fly a plane, fire a gun.under pressure, or many of the amazing feats the lead character did, just by reading good books. gag.

[Brentman99 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had read Robert Doherty's (aka Bob Mayer) Area 51 and the Novel Writer's Tool Kit and liked both, so I was very motivated to read Bodyguard of Lies when I was able to snag it for free at our campsites take one/leave one bookshelf.

The book was an interesting read and I like that it opened up several future possibilities, which I'm assuming were taken advantage of, though I have yet to see any follow on books.

I found this book different in many ways, particularly in which the male author bent over backwards to create strong female lead characters. Not a bad thing at all, given that it usually goes the other way. Overall, I think he succeeded quite well, but I think that the main antagonist, Racine, was a bit too much of a cookie-cutter/stereotypical misogynistic bad guy to really accept his character fully. But he did his part and met an expected fate.

Overall, I think that the book was a good timewaster as I spent the majority of my reading time either on the train or at our summer trailer. I'm very interested to see where Neeley and Hannah go from here.

Worth the time spent reading.

[Judy Dew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bodyguard of Lies: The Cellar: Policing of the World of Covert Operations introduces The Cellar. It's action/adventure. People are killed. It's interesting that many of the major characters in this book are women. Hannah is interesting. Her reactions to her life being blown up by her husband are interesting. Neeley is interesting. I worry that she has been led into wrong doing but is saved from doing great harm. She is currently completing her lovers mission but will be at loose ends when that is done. The bad guy is easy to dislike. He's a really bad guy. The story of Nero and Mr. Bailey is intriguing. I recommend the book.

[Sue Mccormack · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came to this via 'Agnes and the Hitman', which I reread after the new Liz Danger series by Bob and Jennifer Crusie. I then read Mayer's 'Shane and the Hitwoman' and 'Phoebe and the Traitor. All of the preceding finally led me to this one, 'Bodyguard of Lies'. This is a well-crafted thriller with a good plot and strong female protangonists. I will be reading more of Bob's work, with 'Lost Girls' next up in my queue,

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bodyguard of Lies is the first book in The Celler series. You can read this as a standalone, but it is clear that the story doesn't end with this book. There is violence. While I was excited to about two strong female lead characters, the storyline was average and the ending was hard to believe. Set aside your preconceived notions when reading this book.

[Michael Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read. A covert organization is looking for documents that might incriminate a sitting US Senator. The lengths that the Senator will go to to recover this information include multiple murders. Two women thrown together by unfortunate circumstances work together to obtain the information. They escaped death at least six times. Anthony Gant trained his protege well.

[Robert Berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hanna, a supposedly widow and Neely a protoge of a retired ex military agent. They get thrown together accidently on purpose. Two totally different kind of women. Thelma and Louise of the undercover agents who travel across the world trying to solve their husbands death. Seems like the beginning of a good series.

[Arthur · Rating 2 out of 5]

It has to be said that every paragraph is well written BUT the plot is not well defined and the characters are OTT and the bits and pieces do not hang together. This is not plausible at all. Too much stuff glossed over.
I have abandoned it half way through when \i found another tech aspect that was totally stupid and impractical

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this as somewhat of a pallette cleanser. A lot of surface-level conspiracy theory spy plot that held my attention but didn't get too deep. Female main characters that were strangely likeable but somewhat emotionless. I'm curious enough about them to see how they change in a second book. I really wish the book had been edited better, but I still enjoyed it.

[Kyla Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a story

I loved, loved this story. Twists & turns. Intriguing to the last words. What a brilliant story, superbly told. I was so sorry it came to an end. I hope their will be more stories about these 2 heroines. A definite must read.

[Roseann Ilstrup · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing boring about this one!

That was the most exciting book I've read in quite a while.i thought it would be like "Agnes and the hit man". It was not. It was so much better. And I loved Agnes.

[Salustra Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

Adrenaline filled ride, great characters, excellent pacing. Politics has many ugly sides as to much power and we know power & money corrupts. Story way too believable on many levels. Very good read.

[Calista Cates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twists, Lies and A Lot Of Bullets

A very well thought out, twisted plot. Fascinating deep characters, solid dialogue and a lot of death. A few things might have been on the edge of believability......and then again maybe not. Solid writing from beginning to end.

[Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recent Reads: Bodyguard of Lies. Bob Mayer's thriller unveils a conspiracy at the heart of the US intelligence community, as two mismatched women are thrust together by circumstance, one grieving a mentor, the other a marriage. A fine read, with compelling, capable protagonists. Worth a punt.

[Barbara Wiseman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Women can do the job!

From the moment yo

u start this book it draws you in. Very god descriptions of characters and plot moved very quickly. Mr. Mayer keeps the suspense building and slowly gives out clues. Very good book.

[Roger John Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good yarn

Not one of his best. But a good story. I will be interested to see where he takes the series. It is possible I will like book 2 more.

[william h bowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great as usual

I love the way Mr. Mayer writes, very casual and laid back. The story line is always exciting and keeps you on the edge of your seat.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Top Read

Mayer has managed to weave an intriguing wheels-within-wheels yarn such that it gripped to the last. Must read more of this author!

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reliable Mr Mayer

Good solid action. I can always depend on him to produce very readable action stories with interesting twists and people.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bob Mayer never disappoints!

[Crystal L Archer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

I liked the fast pace and it was interesting to see things from each characters point of view and the male/female differences in thinking.

[vmalini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cgh

G h b b n n n B n n m m m b n m

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[Thomas Roth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A phenomenal read that scrambles reality.

[Philip Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different but very good

A different type of spy thriller that was a very enjoyable read with two female leads that really does work. Very well written. Excellent.

[sylvia trujillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating

This book had me hooked from the beginning - intrigue, mystery, and thrilling adventure. An easy, flowing read for all to enjoy.

[J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are books that grab me from the starting gate, reel me in, keep me turning pages . . . and then fizzle in some manner. This can happen through emotional involvement (I quit caring about the characters), through plot twists (becoming too unbelievable), or through confusion (I couldn't follow the writer's meaning). With Bodyguard of Lies, an otherwise cracking good thriller by Bob Mayer, this happened through a dwindling intensity in the author's originally powerful narrative, and what felt like a rushed middle and ending.

**SPOILER ALERT**

When Tony Gant dies of cancer, he leaves his lover and undercover ops protege Neeley a problem, a puzzle, and a pathway to follow--as well as a target metaphorically painted on her back. Throughout his life, Gant has enforced an uneasy truce with the Cellar, a powerful shadowlands Federal agency, by hiding certain documents and videotapes implicating a powerful Congressman. This blackmail cache also made it possible for others involved in the Congressman's past disaster, specifically a pipeline engineer named Masterson, to live a normal life rather than be eliminated as a loose end.

But Gant's death knocks this uneasy balance out of kilter. The Cellar and the Congressman want those documents, and they presume Neeley has them. As well, before dying Gant manages to warn Masterson, who disappears, leaving his distraught wife Hannah trying to understand the ruins of her upper-middle-class life. These two women, on the surface utterly dissimilar, must work together and follow Gant's pathway from Colorado to France to West Virginia, solving his puzzle, to renew the truce before the Cellar's operatives break it and them.

The storyline rocks from the opening pages, and here Mayer's clear, direct writing satisfies. He builds an engaging picture of a woman whose husband has vanished:

"Hannah Masterson opened the door and walked to the mailbox, a routine she had done for years. She returned clutching a wad of envelopes and newspapers. A quick check turned up no new postcards or letters from John. There were several bills, objects she would have carried to John's desk but now felt heavy in her hands."

He handles action as concisely as narrative:

"Reacting instinctively, not knowing where death had winged its way from, the other four men swung up their submachineguns and fired on the Mercedes crew. The dumpster man replied, only to be lost in the roar of the machine gun in the window. In the ensuing confusion, and on the same paused breath, in between new heartbeats, Neeley put a round into one of the limo men."

But the flowing style becomes more choppy toward the book's center:

"Hannah brushed her hair vigorously for the photo, giving her some time to feel things out. Hannah decided that Suggs was relaxing a bit although he still had difficulty ignoring their breasts."

The engagement and strong characterization remain, but such repetitions should have been smoothed over in edits, giving the center and even more, the end of the book, a less polished feel. The deeper into the story the reader travels, the more choppy the writing becomes, as if Mayer was rushed in the conclusion and not sufficiently supported by an editor after the first hundred or so pages.

None of this detracts from the storyline. The Cellar's leader plays operatives against each other as if playing chess with himself, and figuring out the old bugger's game is half the fun of Mayer's beautifully convoluted plot. But I found his ending slightly off and somewhat unsatisfying. A previously unknown third party scores the killing shot, rather than either of the two main characters, and the presence of two bullet-proof vests at the end game is less planning on anyone's part and more an accident. And does "dying" while wearing protective equipment qualify as a surprise ending any more?

Finally, there's the character development for Hannah, the abandoned housewife. Of course she toughens up fast when her life is on the line. It's also believable that she learns quickly and begins to feel excitement rather than terror as she and Neeley sort out the puzzle and understand the game. But when she starts drawing conclusions from thin air, without explaining how she reaches them to the reader's satisfaction, it's a bit much:

"How do you know that?" Neeley demanded in frustration, but Hannah didn't answer.

So why four stars? Bodyguard of Lies remains a cracking good story, a page-turner and a blast. It could have been better. But that won't stop me from reading more of Mayer's stories, just as soon as I whittle down the to-be-read stack.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed The Devil's Triangle series, The Dave Riley series and the Nightstalker series. This first book in the Cellar series has plot, character and action. It needs a reader. I had a lot of trouble with Diane Havens narration. her voice is flat with little inflection, no differentiation between characters and little emotion. This hurts my appreciation of the work. Keep writing Mr. Mayer, but please get a different reader for this series.