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Red Hotel #3
Red Chaos
The Arctic ice is melting, the waters are warming, and Russian President Nicolai Gorshkov is one step closer to monopolizing the oil industry and funding his expansionism plans past Ukraine and Latvia. Russian-backed attacks have shut down the Suez Canal and other key shipping routes, making it nearly impossible for the West and the Middle East to transport oil. With nothing less than oil futures and the global economy at stake, one man slips out of the shadows to stop Gorshkov’s maniacal plans: Dan Reilly, a freelance State Department and CIA consultant. In his attempts, Reilly is drawn into a web of intrigue twelve years in the making, involving the current American president, a United States senator, a Chinese businessman, and the death of a young girl. How these seemingly unrelated elements have a profound impact on Russia’s far-reaching plans is what makes Red Chaos a thriller to be read like breaking news. Red Chaos is the third novel in the acclaimed Red Hotel series by thriller masters Ed Fuller and Gary Grossman, who America’s political and intelligence insiders have noted, “might as well sit on the National Security Council.”
476 pages, Hardcover
Published March 7, 2023
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43 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 21, 2022
One of the most important books we all need to read. Reminds me of One Second After in that a terribly important geopolitical issue with foreign affairs ramifications is part of a stellar fiction thriller book. This is the 3rd book of the Red Hotel series and you need not have read the first two in order to understand the plot and characters in this book. The plot reads like todays headlines and features an inept US President, a Russian madman patterned after Vladimir Putin, climate change that will affect the Northern Sea Route in the Arctic, and the power and money at stake in the oil industry. Russia is trying to consolidate their oil exports and does so by ingenious methods using other countries to do their dirty work. There also is an elite assassin killing major oil industry leaders at conferences around the world. Lots can possibly go wrong but our protagonist, Dan Reilly is thrust into action as head of Global Security for a major hotel conglomerate an as such is privy to information that will upend the plans of the Russian President as well as his counterpart here in the US. This is a terribly important book that explains so many different facets of foreign policy, military preparedness, oil politics and more. As I said this book helps explain terribly important and real political issues of the day and is all wrapped up in a pretty good mystery, 4.5* for me.
November 13, 2022
A Timely Political Thriller You Won't Want to Miss!
In book 3 of The Red Hotel Series we find Dan Reilly facing his greatest challenge. Attacks have taken place in oil shipping lanes in the Persian Gulf and Mediterranean, effectively shutting down the world economy overnight. Only one route remains intact, The Northern Sea Route (NSR), and it's under control of a Russian president determined to have his country regain its former glory from the now-extinct Communist days. When VIP guests associated with the oil industry are killed in Kensington Hotels in London and Nairobi (the same Kensington group Reilly works for), Reilly calls on help from political and CIA contacts to learn how and why this tragedy occurred. Are their deaths somehow related to the global oil crisis? If so, how can Reilly prove it? How does one stop a powerful world leader from gaining control of oil and shipping routes? It's a race against time, the one thing Reilly does not have, as he faces off with political enemies as well as an elusive contract killer who has his sights on target and has never failed an assignment.
This book is the perfect definition of 'page-turner.' It's the kind of story which leaves you wondering if this has already taken place right under our noses. The authors have put together a novel with so much on-the-spot detail and turned this book into one of the best suspense thrillers I've ever read. You don't even have to have read the first two novels. It reads like a story all on its own. I highly recommend it and look forward to other books they have written.
In book 3 of The Red Hotel Series we find Dan Reilly facing his greatest challenge. Attacks have taken place in oil shipping lanes in the Persian Gulf and Mediterranean, effectively shutting down the world economy overnight. Only one route remains intact, The Northern Sea Route (NSR), and it's under control of a Russian president determined to have his country regain its former glory from the now-extinct Communist days. When VIP guests associated with the oil industry are killed in Kensington Hotels in London and Nairobi (the same Kensington group Reilly works for), Reilly calls on help from political and CIA contacts to learn how and why this tragedy occurred. Are their deaths somehow related to the global oil crisis? If so, how can Reilly prove it? How does one stop a powerful world leader from gaining control of oil and shipping routes? It's a race against time, the one thing Reilly does not have, as he faces off with political enemies as well as an elusive contract killer who has his sights on target and has never failed an assignment.
This book is the perfect definition of 'page-turner.' It's the kind of story which leaves you wondering if this has already taken place right under our noses. The authors have put together a novel with so much on-the-spot detail and turned this book into one of the best suspense thrillers I've ever read. You don't even have to have read the first two novels. It reads like a story all on its own. I highly recommend it and look forward to other books they have written.
January 18, 2023
Full disclaimer, I have never picked up a geopolitical thriller so I really had no idea what to expect. The closest I ever came was some of the Sydney Sheldon's with his globetrotting jet set. This book is a great introduction to the genre.
Yes, Red Chaos is the third book in the Red Hotel series by Fuller and Grossman. Don't let that scare you. It is stand alone. It doesn't matter if you haven't read books one and two you still will have no problem jumping in to the stories. Of course, at this point, because I did feel a connection with the book's characters, I want to read the previous books in the series.
The characters for the most part were well developed, one female character's interaction hit a false note but her portion was only a few paragraphs so it was not too distracting. Other than that tiny scene, the charachers were well rounded and believable.
The authors did an excellent job of intertwining events, locations and characters to write an engrossing and thrilling novel. With the current events taking place in real-life right now, it was so easy to imagine this novel's storyline being 100% believable. World powers' engaging in assassinations', terrorism and financial espionage. Great plot!
Recommend?
I absolutely recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery and able to believe some of the unimaginable.
This review appeared on my website.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Yes, Red Chaos is the third book in the Red Hotel series by Fuller and Grossman. Don't let that scare you. It is stand alone. It doesn't matter if you haven't read books one and two you still will have no problem jumping in to the stories. Of course, at this point, because I did feel a connection with the book's characters, I want to read the previous books in the series.
The characters for the most part were well developed, one female character's interaction hit a false note but her portion was only a few paragraphs so it was not too distracting. Other than that tiny scene, the charachers were well rounded and believable.
The authors did an excellent job of intertwining events, locations and characters to write an engrossing and thrilling novel. With the current events taking place in real-life right now, it was so easy to imagine this novel's storyline being 100% believable. World powers' engaging in assassinations', terrorism and financial espionage. Great plot!
Recommend?
I absolutely recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery and able to believe some of the unimaginable.
This review appeared on my website.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
November 11, 2022
Review of eBook
Dan Reilly battles in the FBI’s Hogan’s Alley while Igor Kritzler falls to an assassin and Russian President Nicolai Gorshkov is on the verge of standing as the last oil transporter. Gorshkov plans to use an Arctic route after his attacks close other shipping routes.
Dan Reilly, president of the International Kensington Royal Hotel Corporation, becomes more and more concerned as an elusive assassin continues to eliminate oil industry leaders on Kensington Hotel properties. While Gorshkov’s demented plans create bedlam, others seek to keep Reilly from investigating lest he discover their deceitfulness.
Political maneuvering, plots, secrets, and schemes . . . what will Reilly discover as he seeks to stop the assassinations?
=========
This top-notch thriller, third in the authors’ Red Hotel series, works well as a stand-alone for readers new to the series.
Well-drawn, believable characters, an impressive [although a bit terrifying in its realism] plot, and heart-stopping action all work together to pull the reader into the telling of the tale from the outset. Taking advantage of the precariousness of the current world situation, the unfolding story is frighteningly realistic. Back-office scheming in Washington adds to the realism; the compelling tale is replete with real-world implications.
Suspenseful, electrifying, and alarming, the formidable tale is one readers will find impossible to set aside before turning the final page. Don’t miss this one.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this eBook from Meryl Moss Media Group, Beaufort Books and NetGalley
#RedChaos #NetGalley
Dan Reilly battles in the FBI’s Hogan’s Alley while Igor Kritzler falls to an assassin and Russian President Nicolai Gorshkov is on the verge of standing as the last oil transporter. Gorshkov plans to use an Arctic route after his attacks close other shipping routes.
Dan Reilly, president of the International Kensington Royal Hotel Corporation, becomes more and more concerned as an elusive assassin continues to eliminate oil industry leaders on Kensington Hotel properties. While Gorshkov’s demented plans create bedlam, others seek to keep Reilly from investigating lest he discover their deceitfulness.
Political maneuvering, plots, secrets, and schemes . . . what will Reilly discover as he seeks to stop the assassinations?
=========
This top-notch thriller, third in the authors’ Red Hotel series, works well as a stand-alone for readers new to the series.
Well-drawn, believable characters, an impressive [although a bit terrifying in its realism] plot, and heart-stopping action all work together to pull the reader into the telling of the tale from the outset. Taking advantage of the precariousness of the current world situation, the unfolding story is frighteningly realistic. Back-office scheming in Washington adds to the realism; the compelling tale is replete with real-world implications.
Suspenseful, electrifying, and alarming, the formidable tale is one readers will find impossible to set aside before turning the final page. Don’t miss this one.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this eBook from Meryl Moss Media Group, Beaufort Books and NetGalley
#RedChaos #NetGalley
November 10, 2022
Red Chaos is book 3 in the Red Hotel series and I can’t think of a more accurate cover for this one! I read this as a stand-alone and this political thriller was definitely a well thought out chess game. Eerily parallel to our world currently depicting tensions with Russia, quite a few big ticket issues are interwoven into the suspense. I’ve not read a political thriller before so I had no idea what I was getting into! This is a chunky read and there’s a lot that is packed in but what a fun one to expand my genre horizons.
Thank you to @katieandbreypa , @meryl_moss and @booktrib for my gifted copy and the spot on tour!
Thank you to @katieandbreypa , @meryl_moss and @booktrib for my gifted copy and the spot on tour!
September 23, 2022
I have read the entire series and it keeps getting better. It may seem a little preposterous that there is a high level hotel executive out there preventing World War 3 but it just works. All of the characters work together very well especially Reilly and Matthews. This book was well thought out and the authors kept the story flowing without and major plot holes. I hope they are already working on the next book in the series and how the book ended has me looking forward to the next twist in the series.
December 3, 2022
Red Chaos, The Red Hotel, Book 3, Edwin Fuller, Gary Grossman, authors
In the publishing world of international intrigue, there are two writers that excel above most others. Fuller and Grossman have captured an audience that awaits eagerly, the next book in the “Red Hotel” series. Their novels are prescient and filled with details that are not extraneous like in so many books today, simply to fill up pages. Their stories are so well-researched that they play out as if they are written in the current news cycle. The books do have romance, sex, violence and foul language, but the use of these themes is never simply to titillate, rather they are crucial to the action exploding on the page. I love this series. It uses well developed characters and current events to paint a very realistic picture of the world we live in and couples that with the awesome, possible consequences of ignoring the warnings to our national security, warnings that we are witnessing everyday around us. Yes, these books are novels, they are fiction, but let’s hope they do not become reality because we fail to see the clues that Dan Reilly trains so hard to recognize, in order to prevent disaster.
Although I read this book slowly at first, trying to make the most of it, trying to make it last, three quarters of the way through I was helpless. There was just no way I could put it down, and I read through the night, until the wee hours of the morning to finish it. It did not disappoint me. If you are on blood pressure meds, make sure you take them. The tension is palpable as Dan Reilly, the President of the International Kensington Royal Hotel Corporation, is horrified to discover that a murder has taken place in their London hotel. The Hotel Group is hosting an oil conference and the possibility of the murder being related to that is growing, as it is discovered that the man murdered was an important guest at the conference. Soon, another murder takes place in Nairobi at one of their hotels, and again, it is an executive attending the oil conference. Reilly anticipates where the next attack will take place, and he flies to the hotel in Beijing to prevent it. Will he be correct and successful? Are the hotels being targeted? Are the executives and leaders of the oil industry and executives of various countries the target? Is Dan Reilly the target? If any of these scenarios are true, who is the villain?
These murders are not occurring in a vacuum. At the same time, oil trade routes are being destroyed around the world. A tanker on the Suez Canal explodes and burns. It drifts and sinks. The Canal will be blocked long-term, until repairs can be made. Is it an accident, or is it sabotage? When there is another shipping accident in the Strait of Hormuz, blocking another oil route, more questions arise. Who is behind these attacks if they turn out not to be accidents? Then an incident at the Panama Canal cuts off traffic there too. Each event seems to point at another guilty country possibly being the culprit, trying to gain control of the lucrative oil market. How far will this go? The USS Hartford was tracking the Russian submarine, the Admiral Kashira, when it suddenly disappeared from Sonar in waters close to New England. Where was it, and why was it hiding? Was there now the possibility of a Russian attack on New England?
In America, the former President Alexander Crowe has stepped down and the Vice President has assumed the office. He must pick a Vice President to replace himself. Will that person, Senator Moakley Davidson, be good for the country or good for the selfish goals of the newly appointed, naïve President Ryan Battaglio who appears arrogant and weak to the enemies of America. He seems to be someone easily played, and so America’s enemies seeking greater power and to remove America from the position of superpower, begin to plot to take advantage of the flaws in the government. Will they be able to compromise the newly appointed President Battaglio? Will those patriots loyal to the former President be able to instruct him and lead him to common sense, informed decisions, or will he throw out all those with experience and install rubber stamp, flunkies?
Havoc reigns around the world as shipping traffic is compromised and comes to a halt with each “accident”. Some economies are doomed to fail as they no longer are able to ship their product, and fingers point at each other with little proof of which country is behind the havoc created. Who stands to gain the most from these disastrous incidents? Is it Russia, China, Iran, North Korea? The list is long. However, those in the know, know that Russia needs money. Russia gets that money from China. China needs oil. They wash each other’s hands. To accomplish this goal of expanding its empire and improving its economy with oil revenue, Russia must control the northern oil shipping route. Which countries would happily join Russia to accomplish this? Is it China? You may be surprised to learn who the complicit culprits are. Will they be the usual suspects?
As Dan Reilly attempts to protect his hotels and their guests, he becomes a target, as well. Why is he a target, you ask? Well, if you read the book, you will discover the reason. You will also learn who wins this fight, that surprisingly causes so much disaster in only a few short weeks, and you will watch an unusual event usher in the unique conclusion, a conclusion that will surely have historic implications. Actually, is there a real winner at the end? Is the door open for Book 4. I sure hope Book 4 is coming.
In the publishing world of international intrigue, there are two writers that excel above most others. Fuller and Grossman have captured an audience that awaits eagerly, the next book in the “Red Hotel” series. Their novels are prescient and filled with details that are not extraneous like in so many books today, simply to fill up pages. Their stories are so well-researched that they play out as if they are written in the current news cycle. The books do have romance, sex, violence and foul language, but the use of these themes is never simply to titillate, rather they are crucial to the action exploding on the page. I love this series. It uses well developed characters and current events to paint a very realistic picture of the world we live in and couples that with the awesome, possible consequences of ignoring the warnings to our national security, warnings that we are witnessing everyday around us. Yes, these books are novels, they are fiction, but let’s hope they do not become reality because we fail to see the clues that Dan Reilly trains so hard to recognize, in order to prevent disaster.
Although I read this book slowly at first, trying to make the most of it, trying to make it last, three quarters of the way through I was helpless. There was just no way I could put it down, and I read through the night, until the wee hours of the morning to finish it. It did not disappoint me. If you are on blood pressure meds, make sure you take them. The tension is palpable as Dan Reilly, the President of the International Kensington Royal Hotel Corporation, is horrified to discover that a murder has taken place in their London hotel. The Hotel Group is hosting an oil conference and the possibility of the murder being related to that is growing, as it is discovered that the man murdered was an important guest at the conference. Soon, another murder takes place in Nairobi at one of their hotels, and again, it is an executive attending the oil conference. Reilly anticipates where the next attack will take place, and he flies to the hotel in Beijing to prevent it. Will he be correct and successful? Are the hotels being targeted? Are the executives and leaders of the oil industry and executives of various countries the target? Is Dan Reilly the target? If any of these scenarios are true, who is the villain?
These murders are not occurring in a vacuum. At the same time, oil trade routes are being destroyed around the world. A tanker on the Suez Canal explodes and burns. It drifts and sinks. The Canal will be blocked long-term, until repairs can be made. Is it an accident, or is it sabotage? When there is another shipping accident in the Strait of Hormuz, blocking another oil route, more questions arise. Who is behind these attacks if they turn out not to be accidents? Then an incident at the Panama Canal cuts off traffic there too. Each event seems to point at another guilty country possibly being the culprit, trying to gain control of the lucrative oil market. How far will this go? The USS Hartford was tracking the Russian submarine, the Admiral Kashira, when it suddenly disappeared from Sonar in waters close to New England. Where was it, and why was it hiding? Was there now the possibility of a Russian attack on New England?
In America, the former President Alexander Crowe has stepped down and the Vice President has assumed the office. He must pick a Vice President to replace himself. Will that person, Senator Moakley Davidson, be good for the country or good for the selfish goals of the newly appointed, naïve President Ryan Battaglio who appears arrogant and weak to the enemies of America. He seems to be someone easily played, and so America’s enemies seeking greater power and to remove America from the position of superpower, begin to plot to take advantage of the flaws in the government. Will they be able to compromise the newly appointed President Battaglio? Will those patriots loyal to the former President be able to instruct him and lead him to common sense, informed decisions, or will he throw out all those with experience and install rubber stamp, flunkies?
Havoc reigns around the world as shipping traffic is compromised and comes to a halt with each “accident”. Some economies are doomed to fail as they no longer are able to ship their product, and fingers point at each other with little proof of which country is behind the havoc created. Who stands to gain the most from these disastrous incidents? Is it Russia, China, Iran, North Korea? The list is long. However, those in the know, know that Russia needs money. Russia gets that money from China. China needs oil. They wash each other’s hands. To accomplish this goal of expanding its empire and improving its economy with oil revenue, Russia must control the northern oil shipping route. Which countries would happily join Russia to accomplish this? Is it China? You may be surprised to learn who the complicit culprits are. Will they be the usual suspects?
As Dan Reilly attempts to protect his hotels and their guests, he becomes a target, as well. Why is he a target, you ask? Well, if you read the book, you will discover the reason. You will also learn who wins this fight, that surprisingly causes so much disaster in only a few short weeks, and you will watch an unusual event usher in the unique conclusion, a conclusion that will surely have historic implications. Actually, is there a real winner at the end? Is the door open for Book 4. I sure hope Book 4 is coming.
December 30, 2022
Red Chaos by Ed Fuller and Gary Grossman is a high impact novel. It takes me straight into the heart of danger, keeps my heart pounding, and sends me into a guessing game of what will happen next. I love action-packed scenes like this novel. These writers take it to a whole new level. I am not being bogged down with details. Just enough details to see everything that the characters are experiencing. I feel like I was at a movie theater watching another James Bond or Jason Bourne movie. Absolutely, well-done! The writing is phenomenal. It did not feel like just another geopolitical thriller even though that is what it is. On another note, I did not read the other novels in this series. The duo of writers made this book so smoothly that I can keep up and understand all of it. There is no confusion whatsoever. Everything is well-crafted. The characters, especially, Dan Reilly, had me hooked. Deadly, exciting, and unexpected- it is so much fun! If you love fast novels that keep you on the edge and totally intrigued, then this is a must read.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
November 15, 2022
Today I will be reviewing Red Chaos!!! Red Chaos is an intricate political thriller. From the get go the story pulled me in. At times I did find it to be a little confusing on what was happening. The book switches between different timelines and a large cast of characters, which is why I was confused. This made it difficult to follow along with the plot. However, Red Chaos was still an enjoyable read. If you are looking for a political thriller I recommend checking out Red Chaos!!
December 20, 2022
This book is just weeks after the end of the last book and kind of finishes a story arc from that book. It is a good spy thriller. I really like the main character Dan Reilly. Read my full review at Girl Who Reads.
May 27, 2024
The title explains the whole story chaos. Red Chaos is part of the Red Hotel trilogy. The trilogy is part Tom Clancy style with other parts Mitch Rapp, Brad Thor and Brad Taylor style stories. The story is a perfect pace. Intrigued with the right amount of twists and turns to keep the reader engaged and wanting to read more each day.
Read
January 12, 2023RED CHAOS by Ed Fuller and Gary Grossman is the perfect read for those who enjoy a a grabbed-from-the-headlines sizzling political drama and cautionary tale.
Read the full review on Booktrib.com
Read the full review on Booktrib.com
September 18, 2023
Another great book in the Red Hotel Series. The story is so real, I sometimes get confused by this vs what's happening in real life. These books should almost be considered non-fiction!! Can't wait for Book 4!!
February 3, 2025
The final book of The Red Hotel series. Tremendous wrap-up to the Red Hotel series. Dan Reilly rises to the threat with some of the same players from previous books and a few new players including a replacement love interest.
July 4, 2023
In this third installment of the Red Hotel series, the excitement keeps building. The action seems to surround Dan Reilly and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat all the way until the end.
January 5, 2025
Excellent read-very timely
February 21, 2023
Thank you Net Galley and Beaufort Books for a chance to read and review. I’ve read all three of the “Red” books and thoroughly enjoyed the first two. While this one had a great premise and interesting plot line, but it could have been shorter by about 100 pages; I was skimming heavily by the end. Most of that had to do with rehashing the previous books and their storyline and characters. This might be helpful for those who haven’t read the entire series but, for me it was a bit frustrating.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews