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Kirk McGarvey #9
The Kill Zone
From the USA Today bestselling author of Joshua’s Hammer
The President of the United States has appointed Kirk McGarvey interim director of the CIA while his nomination winds its way through Congressional hearings. But what should have been the culmination of McGarvey’s career, has activated a twenty-year-old Russian plot sponsored by his former archenemy, General Baranov. Now, McGarvey is in the Kill Zone. He finds himself part of a plot that does know the Cold War is over, a plot that comes at McGarvey full throttle--from the grave of an enemy McGarvey had buried decades before.
Step by inexorable step, the assassin—a sleeper agent for all these years—is awakened from a holding state of mind. Brainwashed by KGB doctors to pull the trigger, the killer has unknowingly waited for a signal that has finally arrived.
And as the story races toward its breathtaking climax, it’s becoming clearer to McGarvey and his associates that the killer is someone within his inner circle.
A colleague or a friend.
Somebody very close.
Is there anyone McGarvey can trust when trust itself can kill him?
The President of the United States has appointed Kirk McGarvey interim director of the CIA while his nomination winds its way through Congressional hearings. But what should have been the culmination of McGarvey’s career, has activated a twenty-year-old Russian plot sponsored by his former archenemy, General Baranov. Now, McGarvey is in the Kill Zone. He finds himself part of a plot that does know the Cold War is over, a plot that comes at McGarvey full throttle--from the grave of an enemy McGarvey had buried decades before.
Step by inexorable step, the assassin—a sleeper agent for all these years—is awakened from a holding state of mind. Brainwashed by KGB doctors to pull the trigger, the killer has unknowingly waited for a signal that has finally arrived.
And as the story races toward its breathtaking climax, it’s becoming clearer to McGarvey and his associates that the killer is someone within his inner circle.
A colleague or a friend.
Somebody very close.
Is there anyone McGarvey can trust when trust itself can kill him?
448 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 18, 2002
10 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
About the author
David Hagberg
80 books137 followersaka David Bannerman, Sean Flannery, David James, Robert Pell, Eric Ramsey
David Hagberg is a former Air Force cryptographer who has traveled extensively in Europe, the Arctic, and the Caribbean and has spoken at CIA functions. He has published more than twenty novels of suspense, including the bestselling High Flight, Assassin, and Joshua's Hammer.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/davidh...
David Hagberg is a former Air Force cryptographer who has traveled extensively in Europe, the Arctic, and the Caribbean and has spoken at CIA functions. He has published more than twenty novels of suspense, including the bestselling High Flight, Assassin, and Joshua's Hammer.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/davidh...
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 2, 2022
Kirk McGarvey is being appointed to head the CIA. Of course, various congressmen are out to deny his appointment. At the same time, a mind controlled assassin and mole is on the loose, and out to get McGarvey, and the President.
Abecedarian, but not bad.
Abecedarian, but not bad.
March 27, 2021
I hadn't read but a couple of books by David Hagberg untill this one.So was really suprised by the manner in which he developed this spy thriller book.Not so much for the thrill of the action filled sagas of other spy type thrillers as much as how one is entertained by trying to keep up with the mental acuity(sp?) of plot developement. From the political saga of senate confirmation hearings as new director of the CIA to his family being targeted for killing. It read as good as Tom Clancey's "The Hunt For Red October" in my mind. The plot not only progresses but fills out character qualities of his friends and family from past books to different twists to the final logical conclusion that his friend Otto figured but refused to tell. Definitely a must read for this genre and worth the 5 stars if you like the challenge of trying to beat the author to the conclusion.******
July 29, 2017
Of all the books in this series that I've read so far this one was my favorite. I read it in 3 days. Could not put it down. The ending really surprised me
June 3, 2021
Full of clues and hints that point to the “solution” of the plot to kill McGarvey, but an enjoyable read nonetheless
February 11, 2016
The Kill Zone is Hagberg's 9th Kirk McGarvey novel and my 2nd to read. This one has less 'edge of the seat' excitement (although there is still plenty of suspense) and more in depth study of the characters involved in McGarvey's life.
McGarvey has been nominated by the President to become the Director of the CIA. That nomination is opposed by 2 powerful US Senators and, evidently, by some unknown Russians. In an earlier novel, McGarvey had assassinated a Russian general, and perhaps his followers are now seeking revenge, The Kill Zone is the story of the attempt to find out who wants McGarvey and members of his family dead and to stop them before the deed is done.
Good insight into the members of McGarvey's family and CIA friends and intrigue.
McGarvey has been nominated by the President to become the Director of the CIA. That nomination is opposed by 2 powerful US Senators and, evidently, by some unknown Russians. In an earlier novel, McGarvey had assassinated a Russian general, and perhaps his followers are now seeking revenge, The Kill Zone is the story of the attempt to find out who wants McGarvey and members of his family dead and to stop them before the deed is done.
Good insight into the members of McGarvey's family and CIA friends and intrigue.
April 3, 2010
The Kill Zone is a good read, in fact a very good read. It will capture you because the plot is so interesting. It deals with a killer who was brainwashed by the Russians and who is ready to be awakened to do his nasty work.
The killer is apparently close to Kirk McGarvey who has been appointed interim director of the CIA.
Towards the end of the book you will guess the person responsible but you have to read to make sure and to see how the author concludes the book.
A grabbing, exciting read. I enjoyed it.
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'"
The killer is apparently close to Kirk McGarvey who has been appointed interim director of the CIA.
Towards the end of the book you will guess the person responsible but you have to read to make sure and to see how the author concludes the book.
A grabbing, exciting read. I enjoyed it.
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'"
October 16, 2009
Pretty decent CIA/spy thriller. Reminded me of a shorter, less complex Tom Clancy book. I liked the added tension of the confirmation hearings going on as the story developed. I hadn't read any of the McGarvey books before stumbling on this one, but now I may go back and check out a few. Overall pretty entertaining.
July 16, 2014
The President has appointed McGarvey as the new DCI and the grueling Senate approval process is underway when an old KGB operation is initiated targeting top US officials including McGarvey...the family and old characters are back with plenty of twists in this taut episode of the Kirk McGarvey series...another good, quick beach read!
June 8, 2015
THE CUT OFF.
CIA shooter Kirk McGarvey reaches the high point of his career. Director of Central Intelligence. Only one problem. Someone is out to kill him. This book is one of Hagberg's few attempts at a serious book. It's more of a murder mystery that happens to have spies. Not that recommended.
CIA shooter Kirk McGarvey reaches the high point of his career. Director of Central Intelligence. Only one problem. Someone is out to kill him. This book is one of Hagberg's few attempts at a serious book. It's more of a murder mystery that happens to have spies. Not that recommended.
September 7, 2007
Great book! Confirmation hearings bring to life silent killers who have been programed to kill only if certain events take place. The killers don't know they are brainwashed into this. Great fun to read!
January 19, 2009
This book was just okay. I was going to give it three stars, but after reading the Grisham book, I decided it wasn't as good.
November 23, 2009
So far so good. Kirk McGarvey is a bad S.O.B. even at 50!
December 13, 2009
Pretty entertaining, but it took a little while for the action to pick up.
November 13, 2011
Part of a series.
Want to read
June 13, 2013not sure if I'll like... try sometime
February 24, 2015
A pretty good CIA thriller.
October 1, 2016
Good read - up to the standard we expect from David Hagberg
December 10, 2023
Not one of the better ones in the series, but good nonetheless.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews