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Dominic Grey #4
The Shadow Cartel: An International Mystery Thriller
The sins of the past always return…
Called upon by a former love to look into the death of a family friend in Miami, veteran investigator Dominic Grey is sucked into the darkest reaches of international narcotics trafficking. The murders of multiple drug dealers during a bizarre religious ceremony, combined with the appearance of a mythical assassin, take DEA agent Federico Hernandez and CIA operative Lana Valenciano down the same deadly path.
Lying in wait is an enemy known only as the General: a criminal mastermind whose uncanny ability to avoid detection while cowing even the most ruthless of rival cartels has made him a legend.
Thrown together on a covert manhunt, Grey and the two government agents race across the Americas to unearth a dark chapter in the history of the CIA that has spilled into the present—and put them in the crosshairs of an underworld puppeteer with a frightening reach.
Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2015
121 people are currently reading
582 people want to read
About the author
Layton Green
21 books427 followersLayton Green is a bestselling author who loves to tell powerful, edge-of-your-seat stories across a range of genres, including mystery & thriller, suspense, horror, and fantasy (and often blending them together). He is the author of the Dominic Grey series, the Blackwood Saga, the Genesis Trilogy, and other works of fiction. Layton's work has been nominated for numerous awards (including a rare three-time finalist for an International Thriller Writers award), optioned for film, published in multiple languages, and has reached #1 on many genre lists.
In addition to writing, Layton attended law school in New Orleans and was a practicing attorney for ten very long years. He has also been an intern for the United Nations, an ESL teacher in Central America, a bartender in London, a seller of cheap knives on the streets of Brixton, a door to door phone book deliverer in Florida, and the list goes downhill from there.
Layton lives with his family in Southern California. You can visit him on Facebook, Goodreads, or on his website (www.laytongreen.com).
In addition to writing, Layton attended law school in New Orleans and was a practicing attorney for ten very long years. He has also been an intern for the United Nations, an ESL teacher in Central America, a bartender in London, a seller of cheap knives on the streets of Brixton, a door to door phone book deliverer in Florida, and the list goes downhill from there.
Layton lives with his family in Southern California. You can visit him on Facebook, Goodreads, or on his website (www.laytongreen.com).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
January 24, 2017
I continue to love Layton Green's novels. They're well-written, well-researched, and well-paced, combining plot and character development in the proper ratio, with interesting locales and mythologies. This novel did not disappoint.
In his third novel in the Grey Series, The Diabolist, Green increased the pace and the body count, making it a page-turner that I could not put down for fear of being just one more page from another great turn of plot. In the Shadow Cartel, Green maintains the pace, but splices in great flashbacks to provide insight into the mind of the antagonist. It's a brilliant melding of Green's usual plotlines (investigation of dangerous cult activity around the world) with the psychogenesis of a cult leader and crime lord. The story takes real-world examples of dangerous cult activity and builds upon those, creating not only a thriller than spans continents, but one which has a realistic feel, as though the novel could be a case file of the DEA, FBI, or CIA.
The novel continues the evolution of the two main characters (Dominic Grey and Viktor Radek), whose backstories exploded in the last novel, but also introduces new characters whose allegiances are in constant question. Without giving too many spoilers, there may be a returning character or two from earlier novels, used with great effect for the continuing development of Grey and Radek. However, this time the novel delves into the world of cult activity as the instigator of a global criminal enterprise, making this novel not just a location-specific cult query, but a larger international criminal investigation with both religious and financial implications on the world scale. As with his other novels, the story takes the reader around the world in a search for truth, and Green's descriptions of each location is vivid and lush.
I maintain my view that Layton Green is one of the best thriller writers out there -- whether it's spy thriller, crime story, supernatural mystery, or any other genre out there dependent on plot and good characters. I urge everyone who reads any fiction in the larger thriller umbrella to read everything by this author.
In his third novel in the Grey Series, The Diabolist, Green increased the pace and the body count, making it a page-turner that I could not put down for fear of being just one more page from another great turn of plot. In the Shadow Cartel, Green maintains the pace, but splices in great flashbacks to provide insight into the mind of the antagonist. It's a brilliant melding of Green's usual plotlines (investigation of dangerous cult activity around the world) with the psychogenesis of a cult leader and crime lord. The story takes real-world examples of dangerous cult activity and builds upon those, creating not only a thriller than spans continents, but one which has a realistic feel, as though the novel could be a case file of the DEA, FBI, or CIA.
The novel continues the evolution of the two main characters (Dominic Grey and Viktor Radek), whose backstories exploded in the last novel, but also introduces new characters whose allegiances are in constant question. Without giving too many spoilers, there may be a returning character or two from earlier novels, used with great effect for the continuing development of Grey and Radek. However, this time the novel delves into the world of cult activity as the instigator of a global criminal enterprise, making this novel not just a location-specific cult query, but a larger international criminal investigation with both religious and financial implications on the world scale. As with his other novels, the story takes the reader around the world in a search for truth, and Green's descriptions of each location is vivid and lush.
I maintain my view that Layton Green is one of the best thriller writers out there -- whether it's spy thriller, crime story, supernatural mystery, or any other genre out there dependent on plot and good characters. I urge everyone who reads any fiction in the larger thriller umbrella to read everything by this author.
May 1, 2015
An intelligent, fast-paced thriller that delves deep into long-forgotten histories and fascinating religious cults. The characters—some of whom are capable of great empathy, some great cruelty, some both—are exceptionally well-drawn. Really well-written. Brilliantly weaves together multiple plot lines. Spot-on observations of Latin America—I’ve traveled to many of the regions Green writes about and his depictions not only rang true but, more importantly, helped me see these places in a new light. The focus on the drug trade, and all its attendant hypocrisies and moral quagmires, added real depth to the story. And as always, Green manages to write about in religion in a way that intrigues and illuminates rather than answers and instructs.
April 20, 2015
I loved this book. It gives you a vivid journey around South America without going into too much detail. The characters were deep and believable.
This was my first Layton Green novel, and I didn't want it to end. I will be reading more by this Author soon.
This was my first Layton Green novel, and I didn't want it to end. I will be reading more by this Author soon.
April 20, 2015
Wow, what can I say, this is the best book yet, by the author Layton Green, I have had the honour to read his other books, The Summoner, The Egyptian, The Diabolist & The Metaxy Project, but this is the best by far.
The book is fast paced, but with a few moments of reflection from Dominic Grey and Nya, Oh boy it was great to have Nya back in the series. I would love to express my feelings and thoughts of what happens but that would be a huge giveaway so my lips are sealed.
Victor is an interesting character, intriguing and mysterious, in each book I discover a bit more about him and I like him a little bit more.
Fantastically written and researched, I liked all the South American references, some of the places I have visited in the past and as some of you know I also live in Ecuador.
I totally enjoy the subject, cult stuff. All of the Dominic Grey series of the authors books have this as a theme and they are one of the few books that cover it. I love it as it is different.
Layton Green is one of my favourite authors.
The book is fast paced, but with a few moments of reflection from Dominic Grey and Nya, Oh boy it was great to have Nya back in the series. I would love to express my feelings and thoughts of what happens but that would be a huge giveaway so my lips are sealed.
Victor is an interesting character, intriguing and mysterious, in each book I discover a bit more about him and I like him a little bit more.
Fantastically written and researched, I liked all the South American references, some of the places I have visited in the past and as some of you know I also live in Ecuador.
I totally enjoy the subject, cult stuff. All of the Dominic Grey series of the authors books have this as a theme and they are one of the few books that cover it. I love it as it is different.
Layton Green is one of my favourite authors.
August 21, 2016
I really enjoy these books and like Dominic Grey as the brooding main character. Stories are great with a bizarre twist. Sorry that I've finished the series already and am looking forward to the 5th book coming out!
October 8, 2017
I don't know why I jumped from book 1 to book 4 but this really grab me that much.
February 27, 2019
Love love love every one of the Dominic Grey books!
December 31, 2015
This is the fourth book in Layton Green's Dominic Grey series, the three before this The Summoner, The Egyptian and The Diabolist are all great reads and do set up the relationships that Grey has. However, I do think that this book could be read as a stand-alone novel, but I do highly recommend the other books in this series.
Layton Green brings Dominic Grey back and this time the cult he and Viktor are investigation goes hand in hand with drug trafficking and even more: Dominc Grey is known for his investigation skills and the ability to get the job done no matter what, so when a former lover contacts him to look into a death of a family friend Grey never thought that he would become involved in an international narcotics trafficking investigation. Multiple murders of drug dealers would be seen as a positive to many people, but it is the manner of death that seem to be associated with a bizarre religious ceremony and a mythical assassin that the FBI believes it is only a matter of time before the public gets caught in the cross fire. FBI Agent Federico Hernandez and CIA operative Lana Valenciano are running down the same path as Grey but they all seem to have their own agenda and trust is always in question. Grey and Viktor need to need to figure out the religious connection in order to identify the General, the one pulling the strings which has all the cartels scared and the body count on both sides of the law increasing.
I honestly do not know why Green is not a more well-known author or on the top of best read lists. His books are well researched, well written, intelligent, interesting, sometimes downright scary, great investigative work and lots of action scenes. His Dominic Grey series is one of my all-time favorites as it had a mix of everything I want in a mystery/action adventure/thriller novel. I love that Green lets his main characters get hurt, both physically and mentally and he is not afraid to push the limits and boundaries of either of them. You can also tell by his writing style that you never know who is going to make it out alive or whole in each book and that also goes for the main characters as well. This adds to the overall suspense of the book, as you start to think, will this be it for them. I know that helps keep me on the edge of my seat.
Green has introduced me to cult from around the world that I have never heard of and shows the ever reaching power they can have over people, cultures and society. I do not think I have read a series that divulges into to the cult world so thoroughly that you can tell that Green does a massive amount of research before he write these novels. I will say that the second half of this book had less "cultness" in it and it was more about the power of the General, but the power that The General was ever reaching and in some ways I feel like Green is pulling on something that has actually happened. At the beginning of this book, Grey almost seems normal. I mean he still has his demons from his past, and his interactions with cults in previous books, but he seems to be working on something positive in his life. I actually wish that there would have been more of a connection to the beginning of the book of Grey teaching students the art of fighting and self defense. I really enjoyed this new aspect in Grey's character and wellbeing that I was a little disappointed that there was not more of it. But this would not be a novel written by Green if he made Grey’s life easy.
In the previous books the parts that were detailed by Viktor Radek I tended to find a bit slow, but I understood their importance in the novel as Viktor is really the brain of the operation and Grey the brawn. I found that Viktor was missing in his book and his detailed explanation on how the cults works was missing and this was a key piece that I always enjoyed in Green's novels. Green uses so many unique cults that Green has introduced me to that I find these part really interesting. I understand why Green had to put Viktor on the back burner in this book, and you will have to read The Dialbolist to understand, but I really did miss him in this book. I hope that we see the return of more of the partnership between Viktor and Grey in the next book, well that is if Grey can survive.
Layton Green is an author that I have been enjoying for a few years now, and while I think this is my least favourite so far in the series, this does not mean this is a bad read. It still had many of the aspects I have come to expect from his writing that will always keep me coming back for more. Highly recommended author and series, there needs to be more books written like this series and of course more Dominic Grey.
Enjoy!!!
Layton Green brings Dominic Grey back and this time the cult he and Viktor are investigation goes hand in hand with drug trafficking and even more: Dominc Grey is known for his investigation skills and the ability to get the job done no matter what, so when a former lover contacts him to look into a death of a family friend Grey never thought that he would become involved in an international narcotics trafficking investigation. Multiple murders of drug dealers would be seen as a positive to many people, but it is the manner of death that seem to be associated with a bizarre religious ceremony and a mythical assassin that the FBI believes it is only a matter of time before the public gets caught in the cross fire. FBI Agent Federico Hernandez and CIA operative Lana Valenciano are running down the same path as Grey but they all seem to have their own agenda and trust is always in question. Grey and Viktor need to need to figure out the religious connection in order to identify the General, the one pulling the strings which has all the cartels scared and the body count on both sides of the law increasing.
I honestly do not know why Green is not a more well-known author or on the top of best read lists. His books are well researched, well written, intelligent, interesting, sometimes downright scary, great investigative work and lots of action scenes. His Dominic Grey series is one of my all-time favorites as it had a mix of everything I want in a mystery/action adventure/thriller novel. I love that Green lets his main characters get hurt, both physically and mentally and he is not afraid to push the limits and boundaries of either of them. You can also tell by his writing style that you never know who is going to make it out alive or whole in each book and that also goes for the main characters as well. This adds to the overall suspense of the book, as you start to think, will this be it for them. I know that helps keep me on the edge of my seat.
Green has introduced me to cult from around the world that I have never heard of and shows the ever reaching power they can have over people, cultures and society. I do not think I have read a series that divulges into to the cult world so thoroughly that you can tell that Green does a massive amount of research before he write these novels. I will say that the second half of this book had less "cultness" in it and it was more about the power of the General, but the power that The General was ever reaching and in some ways I feel like Green is pulling on something that has actually happened. At the beginning of this book, Grey almost seems normal. I mean he still has his demons from his past, and his interactions with cults in previous books, but he seems to be working on something positive in his life. I actually wish that there would have been more of a connection to the beginning of the book of Grey teaching students the art of fighting and self defense. I really enjoyed this new aspect in Grey's character and wellbeing that I was a little disappointed that there was not more of it. But this would not be a novel written by Green if he made Grey’s life easy.
In the previous books the parts that were detailed by Viktor Radek I tended to find a bit slow, but I understood their importance in the novel as Viktor is really the brain of the operation and Grey the brawn. I found that Viktor was missing in his book and his detailed explanation on how the cults works was missing and this was a key piece that I always enjoyed in Green's novels. Green uses so many unique cults that Green has introduced me to that I find these part really interesting. I understand why Green had to put Viktor on the back burner in this book, and you will have to read The Dialbolist to understand, but I really did miss him in this book. I hope that we see the return of more of the partnership between Viktor and Grey in the next book, well that is if Grey can survive.
Layton Green is an author that I have been enjoying for a few years now, and while I think this is my least favourite so far in the series, this does not mean this is a bad read. It still had many of the aspects I have come to expect from his writing that will always keep me coming back for more. Highly recommended author and series, there needs to be more books written like this series and of course more Dominic Grey.
Enjoy!!!
January 23, 2016
Book Info
Paperback
Expected publication: May 1st 2015 by Thomas & Mercer (first published March 17th 2015)
ISBN 1477827811 (ISBN13: 9781477827819)
edition language English
series The Dominic Grey Novels #4
other editions (3)
Source:[Digital copy from author via NetGalley in exchange for honest review]
Book Buy Links
AMAZON
B&N
The sins of the past always return…
Called upon by a former love to look into the death of a family friend in Miami, veteran investigator Dominic Grey is sucked into the darkest reaches of international narcotics trafficking. The murders of multiple drug dealers during a bizarre religious ceremony, combined with the appearance of a mythical assassin, take DEA agent Federico Hernandez and CIA operative Lana Valenciano down the same deadly path.
Lying in wait is an enemy known only as the General: a criminal mastermind whose uncanny ability to avoid detection while cowing even the most ruthless of rival cartels has made him a legend.
Thrown together on a covert manhunt, Grey and the two government agents race across the Americas to unearth a dark chapter in the history of the CIA that has spilled into the present—and put them in the crosshairs of an underworld puppeteer with a frightening reach.
This is the second book, and the 4th in the series , that I have read and it is intense, fast paced, action oriented, suspenseful, thrilling and at the end heartbreaking.
Dominic Grey is a character with many facets, not the least of which is his considerable honor keeping him on the side of justice for those who otherwise would go without it.
Touching upon subjects as varied as the occult to corruption, this story follows the travels from Miami to various South American destinations that Dominic finds himself undertaking to discover the whereabouts and identity of The General. His journey finds he and his companions fighting for their lives more than once and the intensity of the danger is almost overwhelming but ultimately overcome with stealth, skill and a lot of luck on Dominic’s part.
Once again we are given a thrilling look into a world that most of us would never be exposed to, from narcotic trafficking to a chilling religious cult the reader never knows what to expect until immersed in the action.
I am fascinated with this character and his uncanny ability to survive dire situations that seem hopeless, Dominic Grey is not a superhero by any means but he is my kind of everyday hero that we need more of in the real world!
Paperback
Expected publication: May 1st 2015 by Thomas & Mercer (first published March 17th 2015)
ISBN 1477827811 (ISBN13: 9781477827819)
edition language English
series The Dominic Grey Novels #4
other editions (3)
Source:[Digital copy from author via NetGalley in exchange for honest review]
Book Buy Links
AMAZON
B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS
The sins of the past always return…
Called upon by a former love to look into the death of a family friend in Miami, veteran investigator Dominic Grey is sucked into the darkest reaches of international narcotics trafficking. The murders of multiple drug dealers during a bizarre religious ceremony, combined with the appearance of a mythical assassin, take DEA agent Federico Hernandez and CIA operative Lana Valenciano down the same deadly path.
Lying in wait is an enemy known only as the General: a criminal mastermind whose uncanny ability to avoid detection while cowing even the most ruthless of rival cartels has made him a legend.
Thrown together on a covert manhunt, Grey and the two government agents race across the Americas to unearth a dark chapter in the history of the CIA that has spilled into the present—and put them in the crosshairs of an underworld puppeteer with a frightening reach.
My Thoughts
This is the second book, and the 4th in the series , that I have read and it is intense, fast paced, action oriented, suspenseful, thrilling and at the end heartbreaking.
Dominic Grey is a character with many facets, not the least of which is his considerable honor keeping him on the side of justice for those who otherwise would go without it.
Touching upon subjects as varied as the occult to corruption, this story follows the travels from Miami to various South American destinations that Dominic finds himself undertaking to discover the whereabouts and identity of The General. His journey finds he and his companions fighting for their lives more than once and the intensity of the danger is almost overwhelming but ultimately overcome with stealth, skill and a lot of luck on Dominic’s part.
Once again we are given a thrilling look into a world that most of us would never be exposed to, from narcotic trafficking to a chilling religious cult the reader never knows what to expect until immersed in the action.
I am fascinated with this character and his uncanny ability to survive dire situations that seem hopeless, Dominic Grey is not a superhero by any means but he is my kind of everyday hero that we need more of in the real world!
[Digital copy from author via NetGalley in exchange for honest review]
May 8, 2015
Thriller/suspense isn't a genre I normally enjoy, but I make an exception for Layton Green because he's such an outstanding writer and master storyteller. This was my favorite installment of the Domic Grey series to date. I love the way Green delves into cults and the supernatural and weaves them into the story. Part of the reason I tend to avoid suspense novels is because I often find them predictable, one-dimensional and full of cliches. Green's novels are anything but. The Shadow Cartel is riveting and fast-paced, while still being moving, well-researched and as always, beautifully written. I highly recommend it--not just for fans of thriller/suspense novels, but even more so for fans of good writing.
September 30, 2017
Well I'm hooked, The Shadow Cartel was a darn good read. Excellent job Layton Green!
I was saddened by the ending. I had hoped that Grey would find some semblance of happiness with Nya, but it's not meant to be or is it, since no body was found & the curse was put on the statue that Nya gave Grey.
Oh who knows, but I tell you what. I'll surely find out. How is that one might ask, yep you know it. By reading the next novel. The Resurrector.
This one looks off the chain, & I can't wait to get started.
So with that being said, I hope you liked my review because I sure liked composing it.
As always happy reading, & Ciao!
ps .... Layton Green, I hope you have something else in the works. Because you cannot leave me hanging out here, fiening for the next Dominic Grey adventure.
There I've spoken it & now it's out there in the universe....
I was saddened by the ending. I had hoped that Grey would find some semblance of happiness with Nya, but it's not meant to be or is it, since no body was found & the curse was put on the statue that Nya gave Grey.
Oh who knows, but I tell you what. I'll surely find out. How is that one might ask, yep you know it. By reading the next novel. The Resurrector.
This one looks off the chain, & I can't wait to get started.
So with that being said, I hope you liked my review because I sure liked composing it.
As always happy reading, & Ciao!
ps .... Layton Green, I hope you have something else in the works. Because you cannot leave me hanging out here, fiening for the next Dominic Grey adventure.
There I've spoken it & now it's out there in the universe....
August 14, 2020
One melodramatic cliche after another, but if you’re OK with the characters and plot falling into predictable lines, and can overlook the text and tough-as-nails but bound to be helpless damsel in distress, it’s a fairly fun premise for a world-traveling, precocious, self-flagellating American ronin who is of course catnip to women. Yeah, it’s like that. Decent setting with references to history/true crime underpinning it.
December 21, 2024
Over long, boring, 2 dimensional characters and more plot clichés than this reader can handle.
Over long, boring, 2 dimensional characters and more plot clichés than this reader can handle. It was my fault for reading this book in the first place. I'm not a fan of this genre and this book certainly hasn't made me change my mind.
Over long, boring, 2 dimensional characters and more plot clichés than this reader can handle. It was my fault for reading this book in the first place. I'm not a fan of this genre and this book certainly hasn't made me change my mind.
November 17, 2018
Good story with Lots of action and adventure. Interesting story about cults,dark magic and a lot of globe trotting around the world.
October 31, 2023
Still very on the edge but a bit darker and emotional. As always with these novels, read slow to fully understand the information and what’s unfolding.
2.5 out of 5 stars.
2.5 out of 5 stars.
May 21, 2015
What I Loved:
1) The religious and mythological aspects. Green does a fantastic job weaving these in and making them believable and I love learning about religions and myths. I was a philosophy and religion major at college and I've always loved myths. The premise of the series involves cults and religions so I was sold right from the first book. :D
2) Dominic Grey - he's a fascinating, complex character. He's well aware of his flaws and weaknesses and tries not be a jerk unnecessarily. He owns up to his mistakes and has a strong code he lives by. He tries to do no harm but has no qualms about defending himself or innocents, and has a strong vengeful streak.
3) Shades of grey (heh, didn't want to resist). We have everything from pure white to stark black and every shade in between. Mostly, there's a lot of gray. Dominic and his employer Viktor often disagree on details but generally agree on the big picture, which is rescuing people from cults and investigating cults.
He missed Viktor's experience and steady mind on this case, felt adrift without him. Grey doubted he would ever feel at home in the world of cults and bizarre religions and mysterious phenomena, but that was okay. He didn't have to be comfortable to make a difference.
For Viktor, it's the intellectual challenge he craves:
"Your weak spot is solving the mysteries of the universe, Viktor. Putting bastards like this in the ground is mine."...That which Viktor craved was the inexplicable, the divine, the pieces of the cosmic puzzle. More than ever, he had grown weary of the evil that men do, and wished only to sink into the mysteries of the world.
Grey, as you see, isn't overly worried about obeying the letter, or even the spirit, of the law. That can present a problem when he's working with officials as he does in this story. Though, these officials are more willing than some to look the other way.
What I Liked:
1) Most of the characters are complex and well-developed, with an exception noted in the section below. No one is all good or all bad, everyone has their flaws and their good points, even the major villain. Also, Viktor has had a problem with an absinthe addiction over the course of the series and in this book, it's tackled head on.
2) I actually felt sorry for our bad guy at one point, when we meet him early on. His evolution, though it stretched credibility a bit, was mostly believable. That it was anchored in a real world cult tragedy helped.
3)I liked the open ending of the book; it was both realistic and a good story device. In mysteries, I tend to prefer my endings tied up but I know that in real life that rarely happens. An author who can have the story conclude with those open threads and not leave me frustrated or annoyed has written a good ending. That said, there was an event near the end that was practically the definition of deus ex machina and I was rolling my eyes. And yet, Green nearly ties it into earlier events and gives us a twist at the same time. I didn't see the twist coming and yet the hints were there.
4) The settings. This is another strength of the series. Grey and Viktor travel the world for their research and investigations and you feel as if you are there; the sounds, the sights, the smells. I don't know if Green actually visits his locations or just does an excellent job of research but I never feel as if I'm reading a travel brochure or a Wikipedia article.
What I Hated: *rape trigger*
Okay, about those complex, well-developed characters. There are two glaring exceptions - the women, Nya and Lana. All throughout the series, Green's weakness has been writing female characters. They're generally not weak but they don't stand well on their own, most of them need a man to complete them. Most of them are accessories.
The main problem I have is the misogyny and there's a crap ton of it. The women in the books are consistently the victims of rape or other sexual assault and several have also been tortured. Women exist to be raped and seemingly they have to be raped in order to be interesting. I understand that rape and sexual assault happen, often, in the real world, hell, I've been there, and Grey moves in a violent world. But, if Green can't write strong, interesting, compelling female characters without subjecting them to rape and violence then maybe he should not include women in the series.
After the third book, I thought maybe I was done with the series because of the consistent violence toward women. But I gave this book a chance since the series has so many strong points. Now, I just don't know. I enjoy the stories but I can't condone the violence and the misogyny toward women.
1) The religious and mythological aspects. Green does a fantastic job weaving these in and making them believable and I love learning about religions and myths. I was a philosophy and religion major at college and I've always loved myths. The premise of the series involves cults and religions so I was sold right from the first book. :D
2) Dominic Grey - he's a fascinating, complex character. He's well aware of his flaws and weaknesses and tries not be a jerk unnecessarily. He owns up to his mistakes and has a strong code he lives by. He tries to do no harm but has no qualms about defending himself or innocents, and has a strong vengeful streak.
3) Shades of grey (heh, didn't want to resist). We have everything from pure white to stark black and every shade in between. Mostly, there's a lot of gray. Dominic and his employer Viktor often disagree on details but generally agree on the big picture, which is rescuing people from cults and investigating cults.
He missed Viktor's experience and steady mind on this case, felt adrift without him. Grey doubted he would ever feel at home in the world of cults and bizarre religions and mysterious phenomena, but that was okay. He didn't have to be comfortable to make a difference.
For Viktor, it's the intellectual challenge he craves:
"Your weak spot is solving the mysteries of the universe, Viktor. Putting bastards like this in the ground is mine."...That which Viktor craved was the inexplicable, the divine, the pieces of the cosmic puzzle. More than ever, he had grown weary of the evil that men do, and wished only to sink into the mysteries of the world.
Grey, as you see, isn't overly worried about obeying the letter, or even the spirit, of the law. That can present a problem when he's working with officials as he does in this story. Though, these officials are more willing than some to look the other way.
What I Liked:
1) Most of the characters are complex and well-developed, with an exception noted in the section below. No one is all good or all bad, everyone has their flaws and their good points, even the major villain. Also, Viktor has had a problem with an absinthe addiction over the course of the series and in this book, it's tackled head on.
2) I actually felt sorry for our bad guy at one point, when we meet him early on. His evolution, though it stretched credibility a bit, was mostly believable. That it was anchored in a real world cult tragedy helped.
3)I liked the open ending of the book; it was both realistic and a good story device. In mysteries, I tend to prefer my endings tied up but I know that in real life that rarely happens. An author who can have the story conclude with those open threads and not leave me frustrated or annoyed has written a good ending. That said, there was an event near the end that was practically the definition of deus ex machina and I was rolling my eyes. And yet, Green nearly ties it into earlier events and gives us a twist at the same time. I didn't see the twist coming and yet the hints were there.
4) The settings. This is another strength of the series. Grey and Viktor travel the world for their research and investigations and you feel as if you are there; the sounds, the sights, the smells. I don't know if Green actually visits his locations or just does an excellent job of research but I never feel as if I'm reading a travel brochure or a Wikipedia article.
What I Hated: *rape trigger*
Okay, about those complex, well-developed characters. There are two glaring exceptions - the women, Nya and Lana. All throughout the series, Green's weakness has been writing female characters. They're generally not weak but they don't stand well on their own, most of them need a man to complete them. Most of them are accessories.
The main problem I have is the misogyny and there's a crap ton of it. The women in the books are consistently the victims of rape or other sexual assault and several have also been tortured. Women exist to be raped and seemingly they have to be raped in order to be interesting. I understand that rape and sexual assault happen, often, in the real world, hell, I've been there, and Grey moves in a violent world. But, if Green can't write strong, interesting, compelling female characters without subjecting them to rape and violence then maybe he should not include women in the series.
After the third book, I thought maybe I was done with the series because of the consistent violence toward women. But I gave this book a chance since the series has so many strong points. Now, I just don't know. I enjoy the stories but I can't condone the violence and the misogyny toward women.
March 1, 2017
I've not read a book by Layton Green before. I've given it three stars because it was a good story. However, it's overlong and a bit complicated. There are a lot of characters to keep track of and places. I didn't find it compulsive reading but I did want to finish it to find how it would end.
I'm not sure that the main character will make me want to read more.
I'm not sure that the main character will make me want to read more.
July 2, 2015
Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'The Shadow Cartel, A Dominic Grey Novel' by Layton Green.
Layton Green takes us deep into the underworld of drugs and murder in The Shadow Cartel, A Dominic Grey Novel. When Grey is asked to look into the death of a friend by his old girlfriend, he can’t refuse. Little does he know that this cartel is run by a man known only as the General. a legend in the drug trade. He is invisible to those in the DEA who have been following the rumor of such a monster for years.
This character has combined religious ceremony using dark ceremonies as well as mythical assassins to keep the cartel in line and to keep all others away. He is ruthless but invisible. Also following the General are DEA agents Federico Hernandez and CIA operative Lana Valenciano, who decide to hook up with Grey in his quest for information.
As the leads tend to create misdirection and the rumors of death by mysterious assassins continue to grow, Grey must rely on every investigation from his past to help them find this elusive yet invisible killer before he can kill again. His mentor is out of commission, yet Grey keeps him informed of the strange and shadowy secrets they are tracking. Viktor is unavailable, but his mind is as sharp as ever, and he helps guide them to connections where there seem to be nothing. The strange world of unusual religions happens to be Viktor’s specialty, and he has contacts and knowledge that keep Grey on track.
With all the help at his disposal can Grey find the General and keep the deaths from piling up? Can he find the answers behind the mythical assassins before they strike again?
Green gives us characters that have guts and a strong survival instinct. They are smart and at times extremely dangerous. While many of the thugs are just that, they are always controlled by their own fears, and Green gives us that scary individual that hangs out in your nightmares in the form of the General. His character Grey is quite heroic but also very caring about people. Those he cares about have a champion, but those he is after understand his drive, so he is constantly in danger. Green portrayal keeps you guessing.
If you enjoy mystery and things that go bump in the night you will enjoy The Shadow Cartel. Dominic Grey is an investigator with heart, and his past as well as his elusive mentor keeps him ahead of many of the situations. This is an exciting work and if you enjoy the characters you will be looking for Green’s past work as well.
This would be a great work for a reading or discussion group.
Layton Green takes us deep into the underworld of drugs and murder in The Shadow Cartel, A Dominic Grey Novel. When Grey is asked to look into the death of a friend by his old girlfriend, he can’t refuse. Little does he know that this cartel is run by a man known only as the General. a legend in the drug trade. He is invisible to those in the DEA who have been following the rumor of such a monster for years.
This character has combined religious ceremony using dark ceremonies as well as mythical assassins to keep the cartel in line and to keep all others away. He is ruthless but invisible. Also following the General are DEA agents Federico Hernandez and CIA operative Lana Valenciano, who decide to hook up with Grey in his quest for information.
As the leads tend to create misdirection and the rumors of death by mysterious assassins continue to grow, Grey must rely on every investigation from his past to help them find this elusive yet invisible killer before he can kill again. His mentor is out of commission, yet Grey keeps him informed of the strange and shadowy secrets they are tracking. Viktor is unavailable, but his mind is as sharp as ever, and he helps guide them to connections where there seem to be nothing. The strange world of unusual religions happens to be Viktor’s specialty, and he has contacts and knowledge that keep Grey on track.
With all the help at his disposal can Grey find the General and keep the deaths from piling up? Can he find the answers behind the mythical assassins before they strike again?
Green gives us characters that have guts and a strong survival instinct. They are smart and at times extremely dangerous. While many of the thugs are just that, they are always controlled by their own fears, and Green gives us that scary individual that hangs out in your nightmares in the form of the General. His character Grey is quite heroic but also very caring about people. Those he cares about have a champion, but those he is after understand his drive, so he is constantly in danger. Green portrayal keeps you guessing.
If you enjoy mystery and things that go bump in the night you will enjoy The Shadow Cartel. Dominic Grey is an investigator with heart, and his past as well as his elusive mentor keeps him ahead of many of the situations. This is an exciting work and if you enjoy the characters you will be looking for Green’s past work as well.
This would be a great work for a reading or discussion group.
November 27, 2015
(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)
Called upon by a former love to look into the death of a family friend in Miami, veteran investigator Dominic Grey is sucked into the darkest reaches of international narcotics trafficking. The murders of multiple drug dealers during a bizarre religious ceremony, combined with the appearance of a mythical assassin, take DEA agent Federico Hernandez and CIA operative Lana Valenciano down the same deadly path.
Lying in wait is an enemy known only as the General: a criminal mastermind whose uncanny ability to avoid detection while cowing even the most ruthless of rival cartels has made him a legend.
Thrown together on a covert manhunt, Grey and the two government agents race across the Americas to unearth a dark chapter in the history of the CIA that has spilled into the present—and put them in the crosshairs of an underworld puppeteer with a frightening reach.
A somewhat interesting read concerning drugs, religious cults and government agencies. A fast-paced thriller that keeps the tension up quite a bit but never fully delivers on the promise. Well written characters actually made me cheer for Dominic (and plenty of boos for the fabulously-crafted 'The General') and a cast of secondary characters that really do fill out the story well.
Having praised those things, the one major reason this didn't score higher for me was the character development of both Lana and Nya. Both could have been strong, tough, independent women - instead the author makes them victims and reliant on men to help them. There is plenty about Lana, in particular, that screams "tough-as-nails", yet she is left to the whims and fancies of the men in the book. Really could have done without that.
Paul
ARH
Called upon by a former love to look into the death of a family friend in Miami, veteran investigator Dominic Grey is sucked into the darkest reaches of international narcotics trafficking. The murders of multiple drug dealers during a bizarre religious ceremony, combined with the appearance of a mythical assassin, take DEA agent Federico Hernandez and CIA operative Lana Valenciano down the same deadly path.
Lying in wait is an enemy known only as the General: a criminal mastermind whose uncanny ability to avoid detection while cowing even the most ruthless of rival cartels has made him a legend.
Thrown together on a covert manhunt, Grey and the two government agents race across the Americas to unearth a dark chapter in the history of the CIA that has spilled into the present—and put them in the crosshairs of an underworld puppeteer with a frightening reach.
A somewhat interesting read concerning drugs, religious cults and government agencies. A fast-paced thriller that keeps the tension up quite a bit but never fully delivers on the promise. Well written characters actually made me cheer for Dominic (and plenty of boos for the fabulously-crafted 'The General') and a cast of secondary characters that really do fill out the story well.
Having praised those things, the one major reason this didn't score higher for me was the character development of both Lana and Nya. Both could have been strong, tough, independent women - instead the author makes them victims and reliant on men to help them. There is plenty about Lana, in particular, that screams "tough-as-nails", yet she is left to the whims and fancies of the men in the book. Really could have done without that.
Paul
ARH
May 4, 2015
Green has added another quality offering to the Dominic Grey Series. In Shadow Cartel, Green sheds some of the more mystical/supernatural elements of his previous books in the series. While I enjoyed the mystical elements that drove the previous three books, Green has neatly swapped out the mystical/supernatural elements with, what some may argue as an even more mythical element - the CIA and its history of shady operations.
In the Shadow Cartel, Green continues to develop the main character, Dominic Grey. This book gets closer to what makes Grey tick and gives more perspective and development of the Grey character. By giving Grey some strong characters to play off of, including a DEA agent and CIA agent, we really see some of the duality of Grey's existence and why he continues to risk his life for others. As with the previous works, Green has done a masterful job of researching the locations where Grey is required to travel and really brings each location to life. I am sure it is hard for Green to keep his personal views separate from those of Grey, and I think that really gives us a graphic and gritty portrayal of places where less intrepid adventurers would try to avoid.
As to the plot, Green, as always, is excellent at staying on point and bringing the Shadow Cartel to an exciting conclusion. Where other authors could easily get distracted by side plots, Green keeps the plot focused and keeps us turning pages late into the night.
My only criticism is that in Shadow Cartel, Green does not give as much attention to Viktor Radek as I would like. Radek is a dark and fascinating character who I really enjoy reading about. However, this is a minor point in an otherwise excellent novel.
In the Shadow Cartel, Green continues to develop the main character, Dominic Grey. This book gets closer to what makes Grey tick and gives more perspective and development of the Grey character. By giving Grey some strong characters to play off of, including a DEA agent and CIA agent, we really see some of the duality of Grey's existence and why he continues to risk his life for others. As with the previous works, Green has done a masterful job of researching the locations where Grey is required to travel and really brings each location to life. I am sure it is hard for Green to keep his personal views separate from those of Grey, and I think that really gives us a graphic and gritty portrayal of places where less intrepid adventurers would try to avoid.
As to the plot, Green, as always, is excellent at staying on point and bringing the Shadow Cartel to an exciting conclusion. Where other authors could easily get distracted by side plots, Green keeps the plot focused and keeps us turning pages late into the night.
My only criticism is that in Shadow Cartel, Green does not give as much attention to Viktor Radek as I would like. Radek is a dark and fascinating character who I really enjoy reading about. However, this is a minor point in an otherwise excellent novel.
December 16, 2016
In Layton Green's first three Dominic Grey novels, former Marine and Diplomatic Security agent Grey and his employer, religious phenomenologist Viktor Radek, investigated religious cults with mysterious and lethal practices. In his fourth book, The Shadow Cartel, Green's heroes tackle something far more sinister, Latin American drug cartels.
When his former lover, Nya, asks Grey to avenge the death of her sister at the hands of Miami drug dealers, he becomes targeted by a shadow cartel ruled by a mysterious man who simply calls himself the General. A former CIA agent gone rogue, the General uses the religious cults indigenous to Latin American to control the production and distribution of narcotics throughout the Western Hemisphere.
Grey joins forces with a weary DEA agent and an ambitious and beautiful CIA agent in a dangerous investigation that takes them from Florida to Columbia to Peru. Meanwhile, Radek has checked himself into a sanitarium to recover from the emotional turmoil caused by his last investigation as well as his addiction to absinthe. However, even the sanitarium offers no safe haven from the General.
I applaud Green for not sugarcoating the brutality of drug cartels, as recent movies and television shows have done. I also applaud him for creating believable characters with a true sense of humanity. In the previous Grey novel, The Diabolist, Radek's soul was laid bared. In this book, it's Grey's turn to have his inner demons dissected. Without offering spoilers, after a roller-coaster ride of adventure and action, the ending of The Shadow Cartel is nothing less than heart wrenching.
I hope this isn't the last we see of Dominic Grey and Viktor Radek.
When his former lover, Nya, asks Grey to avenge the death of her sister at the hands of Miami drug dealers, he becomes targeted by a shadow cartel ruled by a mysterious man who simply calls himself the General. A former CIA agent gone rogue, the General uses the religious cults indigenous to Latin American to control the production and distribution of narcotics throughout the Western Hemisphere.
Grey joins forces with a weary DEA agent and an ambitious and beautiful CIA agent in a dangerous investigation that takes them from Florida to Columbia to Peru. Meanwhile, Radek has checked himself into a sanitarium to recover from the emotional turmoil caused by his last investigation as well as his addiction to absinthe. However, even the sanitarium offers no safe haven from the General.
I applaud Green for not sugarcoating the brutality of drug cartels, as recent movies and television shows have done. I also applaud him for creating believable characters with a true sense of humanity. In the previous Grey novel, The Diabolist, Radek's soul was laid bared. In this book, it's Grey's turn to have his inner demons dissected. Without offering spoilers, after a roller-coaster ride of adventure and action, the ending of The Shadow Cartel is nothing less than heart wrenching.
I hope this isn't the last we see of Dominic Grey and Viktor Radek.
April 21, 2016
And now I'm officially done with this series.
Grey is a joke. He's the most lethal person you could possibly encounter, but he has a Heart of Gold and a Conscience and it has Ruined His Life. I'm so freaking pleased that Lana didn't fall in love with Grey. I'm also so tired of him being female catnip in every book. He is not that great.
Male power fantasy from start to finish, so deadly and so irresistible.
The "bad guys" finally turn up a woman, but lo and behold it's not just one woman. It's a whole pack of them that the "real" villain has been "breeding" so they all look the same. ICK.
The one thing I liked about this book was Radek's addiction finally actually catching up to him. That's a human characteristic in two men that are often very inhumanly perfect. (Before anyone jumps on the "being a high performing drug addict IS a character flaw" bandwagon: no, it isn't. It's your character being BETTER at alcohol/drugs than other people. They can take so much and still be Totally Awesome (tm). Unless there are consequences for what they do, it's not a flaw, it's a feature.)
Grey is a joke. He's the most lethal person you could possibly encounter, but he has a Heart of Gold and a Conscience and it has Ruined His Life. I'm so freaking pleased that Lana didn't fall in love with Grey. I'm also so tired of him being female catnip in every book. He is not that great.
Male power fantasy from start to finish, so deadly and so irresistible.
The "bad guys" finally turn up a woman, but lo and behold it's not just one woman. It's a whole pack of them that the "real" villain has been "breeding" so they all look the same. ICK.
The one thing I liked about this book was Radek's addiction finally actually catching up to him. That's a human characteristic in two men that are often very inhumanly perfect. (Before anyone jumps on the "being a high performing drug addict IS a character flaw" bandwagon: no, it isn't. It's your character being BETTER at alcohol/drugs than other people. They can take so much and still be Totally Awesome (tm). Unless there are consequences for what they do, it's not a flaw, it's a feature.)
June 22, 2015
Wow, what a book!
I bought this a couple of months ago as it was on special offer on amazon, I'm mostly into epic fantasy, grimdark and the like but I'm also personally interested in the real life mafia and cartels thus why this book caught my eye.
I truly didn't know what to expect having not read any of the previous novels from Layton Green, and I don't think I'd have known what to expect even if I had which is credit to him.
The story is very fast-paced, plenty of action that keeps a reader very interested, the only thing this book didn't have was humor but then I'm not so sure if it would have suited the characters and their predicament if I'm totally honest.
The story thrives on its great depiction of violence, deep characters and the mystery surrounding the cults and religions that are mostly unheard of which kept me hooked to the final page.
I recommend to anybody who enjoys a book filled with action and the highest compliment I can Mr.Layton Green is that this particular book could easily be made into a film.
I bought this a couple of months ago as it was on special offer on amazon, I'm mostly into epic fantasy, grimdark and the like but I'm also personally interested in the real life mafia and cartels thus why this book caught my eye.
I truly didn't know what to expect having not read any of the previous novels from Layton Green, and I don't think I'd have known what to expect even if I had which is credit to him.
The story is very fast-paced, plenty of action that keeps a reader very interested, the only thing this book didn't have was humor but then I'm not so sure if it would have suited the characters and their predicament if I'm totally honest.
The story thrives on its great depiction of violence, deep characters and the mystery surrounding the cults and religions that are mostly unheard of which kept me hooked to the final page.
I recommend to anybody who enjoys a book filled with action and the highest compliment I can Mr.Layton Green is that this particular book could easily be made into a film.
August 11, 2015
Dominic Grey delves into the darkness and power of cults and drugs in Layton Green's The Shadow Cartel. As the fourth book in the Dominic Grey series, this novel brings back some familiar characters including Professor Viktor Radek and love interest Nya, although they are more peripheral characters this time. I enjoyed exploring deeper into Grey's psyche and history. The story is well paced and thoroughly researched and brings to life the exotic settings of Miami, Mexico, and South America. Green does not hold back any punches in this one, just like his main character. The reader will see what I mean at those certain gut-wrenching scenes, especially toward the end. I am a fan of this series and am looking forward to the next Dominic Grey novel. For fans of exotic locales, well-written stories and characters, and a glimpse of the dark side of religions and humanity, then I highly recommend not only Layton Green's The Shadow Cartel, but all his Dominic Grey books.
Read
June 18, 2015Dominic Grey is asked to investigate the death by OD of a girl who is the niece of his former lover, Nya Mashumba. His investigation takes him into a world where hard-core drug dealers and cults intertwine and places him squarely in the crosshairs of the man behind the largest and most covert cartel ever. Meanwhile, Viktor Radek has checked himself into a sanitarium, but when he starts investigating based on information Grey has passed along, there are unforeseen repercussions which he must face. THE SHADOW CARTEL is a wonderfully well-written and delectably twisted novel. I have always appreciated the level of character development and research which goes into each Dominic Grey novel. I enjoyed the flashbacks throughout the novel which gives the reader a sense of who Dominic’s enemy is and how they came to be in this position. The plot is tight and moves along at a fast, but not rushed, pace. I think fans of the earlier Dominic Grey novels will be very happy with THE SHADOW CARTEL.
April 29, 2015
Love it!!! This book takes you on a journey from the smoldering streets of Miami to the sweltering, dank forest of Guyana, down to the majestic ruins and ancient cities of Columbia and Peru on a fast-paced adventure in search of an enigmatic killer. The main character, Dominic Grey, once again is in hot pursuit of a killer, but this time his religious phenomenologist is abroad and Dominic, utilizes his cohort's knowledge on the occult to track down who is responsible - is this someone or something: taking the form of at once a blue assassin and a highly feared drug kingpin. Weaving in a twisted CIA plot and international manhunt, as per his previous novels: The Summoner, The Egyptian and The Diabolist, Layton Green once again takes you on a marvelous adventure in this his latest installment: The Shadow Cartel.
September 21, 2015
What could be better than a former government operative, now a
skillful private investigator pitted against a criminal mastermind with mythic abilities? What I like best about the Dominic Grey books is the underlying metaphysical thread that runs through them. Questions about the unknown and little experienced are answered little by little throughout the series.
I was fascinated by the amount of detail shared as the resolution of the conflict between Mr. Grey and the General resolved itself. But, even more than that, I really care about the characters in the book as they navigate the known and unknown worlds they move through. I must say I even shed a few tears at the end of the book, and when a novel's world touches me like that, I rate the book five stars!!!
skillful private investigator pitted against a criminal mastermind with mythic abilities? What I like best about the Dominic Grey books is the underlying metaphysical thread that runs through them. Questions about the unknown and little experienced are answered little by little throughout the series.
I was fascinated by the amount of detail shared as the resolution of the conflict between Mr. Grey and the General resolved itself. But, even more than that, I really care about the characters in the book as they navigate the known and unknown worlds they move through. I must say I even shed a few tears at the end of the book, and when a novel's world touches me like that, I rate the book five stars!!!
December 22, 2015
Shadow Cartel was a tough read for me. Definitely not my usual book of choice and the mystery/ suspense was.... complicated. I had not read any other "Grey" books and this may have contributed to my lack of knowledge. I struggled to keep all of the characters in my head which made determining "who dunnit" practically impossible (for me)! Grrrrrr.
The story was detailed and well developed but this also made it slow going. It wasn't until about 70% that I finally became engrossed enough that I felt unable to put it down.
My biggest complaint was my inability to keep track of major players and work out WHO the General was and was his game really was.
Well written and definitely suspenseful. Well worth a read if you are into this genre of book!
The story was detailed and well developed but this also made it slow going. It wasn't until about 70% that I finally became engrossed enough that I felt unable to put it down.
My biggest complaint was my inability to keep track of major players and work out WHO the General was and was his game really was.
Well written and definitely suspenseful. Well worth a read if you are into this genre of book!
December 13, 2016
Thank you Layton Green for ANOTHER AMAZING READ!
I was absolutely stunned & in awe after reading the 1st book within this Series. Mr Green's; 'Dominic Gray Series ' is my favorite series of 2016! His talent for writing is unparalleled as he weaves such a Fresh, well researched storyline. I am an avid reader and especially enjoy the added benefit of audio as it truly, in my opinion, creates an entire different entertainment experience that is extremely enjoyable.
What is most relevant for ANY READER LOOKING FOR AN EXCEPTION READ, I GUARANTEE THAT YOU WILL BE COMPLETELY AMAZED with this Novel or any other from this Series, regardless of what genre that you normally read. That, my friend, is an excellent sign of a talented Author.
I was absolutely stunned & in awe after reading the 1st book within this Series. Mr Green's; 'Dominic Gray Series ' is my favorite series of 2016! His talent for writing is unparalleled as he weaves such a Fresh, well researched storyline. I am an avid reader and especially enjoy the added benefit of audio as it truly, in my opinion, creates an entire different entertainment experience that is extremely enjoyable.
What is most relevant for ANY READER LOOKING FOR AN EXCEPTION READ, I GUARANTEE THAT YOU WILL BE COMPLETELY AMAZED with this Novel or any other from this Series, regardless of what genre that you normally read. That, my friend, is an excellent sign of a talented Author.
April 26, 2015
A very well layered CIA thriller. There's a complexity to both he characters and the story that changes how you read the story. The character's emotional investment is clear, and heightens the reader response. What's more is that all the characters are likeable, they're all flawed people, but their subtleties are compelling. The antagonist characters are less well developed in places, but their motives are nonetheless clear. If you like action-thrillers, this is one for you. The action never stops. My only qualms are: I want to know what happens to Charlie. And I would have liked more graphic histories of Grey and Lana.
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