I picked this book up, sixth in the Project series, because it was free, it had to do with deciphering some of Nostradamus's quatrains (a topic that always intrigues me), and it threw in hidden secrets of the Knights Templar (hmmm, where have I seen that plot device before?) and a race to be the first to find the Ark of the Covenant (double hmmm, where have I seen that plot device before?). Additionally, it was in the action-adventure/super secret undercover Special Ops-SWAT team subgenre, something I normally wouldn't read, and an opportunity to explore a new area of pop fiction is a chance to get some insight into what drives or troubles the targeted reading demographic, so I thought, sure, I'd give it a try.
Even though it was the sixth book in the series, and the characters were, for the most part, readily recognizable archetypes, the high level of non-stop action made it a page turner. The author had done enough research and knew enough about current international geopolitical disaster possibilities to make the imminent threat of nuclear annihilation credible, even if the villains were based on strong stereotypes. Wonderful touches of conspiracy theory thrown in.
I have been won over enough to go back and read my way through the series, starting with the first book. I will certainly learn some new details about different weapons currently in use. Characters I intend to get to know better in this process include the two leads: Nick Carter, tough but troubled ex-Marine still dealing with what went down during his last tour in Afghanistan; and Selena Connor, sexy millionaire expert at martial arts, professor of ancient languages, and of course Nick's love interest. Joining them on the Project team, operating out of their secret headquarters in Fairfax, Virginia, are Project Director Elizabeth (strongly based, at least in my mind's eye, upon the character Linda Hunt plays on NCIS: Los Angeles); Ronnie, the Navajo ex-Marine always dressed in loud Hawaiian shirts; Stephanie, the computer whiz; and not to be overlooked, Burps the cat, who adds a lighter touch between paragraphs of mass carnage, demonstrations of advanced cyberspying, and deadly gun battles.