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Multiple Identidad
This is the story of Brendon Buchanan, undercover intelligence operative and master of over two hundred false identities: a man forced to assume the most elusive and treacherous identity of all--his own. Tracking the most devastating conspiracy he has ever encountered, trapped by his love of two enigmatic, beautiful women, he will race through a sinister labyrinth of intrigue to a shattering rendezvous with fate . . . in a novel that not only offers a brilliant, action-packed plot and fascinating characters, but asks daring, provocative questions about our own identities as well.
Hardcover
First published September 1, 1993
66 people are currently reading
633 people want to read
About the author
David Morrell
216 books1,668 followersDavid Morrell is a Canadian novelist from Kitchener, Ontario, who has been living in the United States for a number of years. He is best known for his debut 1972 novel First Blood, which would later become a successful film franchise starring Sylvester Stallone. More recently, he has been writing the Captain America comic books limited-series The Chosen.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
April 4, 2019
quite a feat, this
p5: "morrell writes in a lucid and cinematic style, and his works can be read and reread many times without losing suspense...." -associated press
p31: "...y para mis compadres?"
p5: "morrell writes in a lucid and cinematic style, and his works can be read and reread many times without losing suspense...." -associated press
p31: "...y para mis compadres?"
September 17, 2021
A random espionage thriller recommended by someone. The dated technology is fun to come across, like pay phones. Dissociation is a theme in this novel and I don't think it is realistically portrayed, but then this is fiction. The ending also was fairly unrealistic and left some things unresolved for me. It kept me engaged and wanting to know what happened next. I would consider more books by this author.
June 21, 2014
Assumed Identity is an spy thriller that explores the question of identity for a man whose life has consisted for years of being anyone but himself. The action and thriller components of the novel sit right in Morrell's wheelhouse, and the plot is fairly entertaining, but overall it falls short of Morrell's usual standard of popcorn fun.
I found the mechanics of the writing to be incredibly weak and lazy. Rather than illustrate characters' responses through dialog or action, Morrell simply slaps an appropriate response on their face. Physical description of various characters are repeated, often nearly identically, in multiple places, which caused me to skim over chunks of the book once the repetition became predictable and tedious. Also, for a book published in 1993, much of the technology used is incredibly retro, especially considering that the agencies and groups had deep pockets and access to top of the line gadgets.
The depictions of action in the book are breathless and rapid fire, reading like descriptions of action scenes straight off the screen of idealized action heroes. The ability of the main protagonist to fight and engage in strenuous and skilled combat despite extensive injuries was, frankly, pretty unbelievable. I can suspend belief when reading, but with the overly detailed and excessively long action sequences of a near super hero stretched so thin that I just couldn't buy it.
The story juggled a hefty number of poorly intersecting storylines of varying degrees of effectiveness. While some of these were resolved by the end, most fizzled out without any resolution. We don't, for example, find out what happens to many of the characters, in particular the one who has been sought obsessively by the protagonist. I spent a few moments hitting the forward button on my e-reader because I expected another chapter or epilogue to flesh out the outcome of events.
Finally, I felt that the deus ex machina of the final pages was so ridiculous that I began to regret I'd read the book at all, though it's nice to know that if I need to find a cure for both intense psychological damage and near life-threatening physical wounds, I only need travel to the Mexican jungle and find some Mayan natives to get myself a miraculous cure. After all, nothing releases damage from multiple concussions and deep psychological traumas like a little Yucatan jungle trepanning.
Morrell failed to explore the meatier ideas about identity and depersonalization in favor of a convoluted mess of an action hero tale. The novel has its moments of insight, a few good twists, and was an easy read that was moderately fun, but it's not one I'd reach for again. The author has plenty of other novels that are better written, with more structural integrity, and which are far more entertaining than this one.
I found the mechanics of the writing to be incredibly weak and lazy. Rather than illustrate characters' responses through dialog or action, Morrell simply slaps an appropriate response on their face. Physical description of various characters are repeated, often nearly identically, in multiple places, which caused me to skim over chunks of the book once the repetition became predictable and tedious. Also, for a book published in 1993, much of the technology used is incredibly retro, especially considering that the agencies and groups had deep pockets and access to top of the line gadgets.
The depictions of action in the book are breathless and rapid fire, reading like descriptions of action scenes straight off the screen of idealized action heroes. The ability of the main protagonist to fight and engage in strenuous and skilled combat despite extensive injuries was, frankly, pretty unbelievable. I can suspend belief when reading, but with the overly detailed and excessively long action sequences of a near super hero stretched so thin that I just couldn't buy it.
The story juggled a hefty number of poorly intersecting storylines of varying degrees of effectiveness. While some of these were resolved by the end, most fizzled out without any resolution. We don't, for example, find out what happens to many of the characters, in particular the one who has been sought obsessively by the protagonist. I spent a few moments hitting the forward button on my e-reader because I expected another chapter or epilogue to flesh out the outcome of events.
Finally, I felt that the deus ex machina of the final pages was so ridiculous that I began to regret I'd read the book at all, though it's nice to know that if I need to find a cure for both intense psychological damage and near life-threatening physical wounds, I only need travel to the Mexican jungle and find some Mayan natives to get myself a miraculous cure. After all, nothing releases damage from multiple concussions and deep psychological traumas like a little Yucatan jungle trepanning.
Morrell failed to explore the meatier ideas about identity and depersonalization in favor of a convoluted mess of an action hero tale. The novel has its moments of insight, a few good twists, and was an easy read that was moderately fun, but it's not one I'd reach for again. The author has plenty of other novels that are better written, with more structural integrity, and which are far more entertaining than this one.
July 18, 2023
Assumed Identity was a fast moving and action packed book. I could feel Buchanan’s exhaustion and pain through the pages i was reading. Morrell is a skilful writer and knows how to put together a good story. I enjoyed the book very much and flew through it in 2 days. I would say however that the ending was a little strange and slightly unfulfilling. Not quite what i was expecting and perhaps hoping for. A few other things I picked up on throughout the book. As a non-American reader, I found the book very American focused. Since it was set in America/Mexico and the author is American, I kind of understand that. But on several occasions Buchanan saw a person in the book from a distance and described them as American. Not sure how that is possible simply from physical appearance. Non Americans do actually travel around the world. On another occasion a reporter found out Doyle was a Navy SEAL. The reporter then found out Cindy was his wife and where they lived and knocked on her door to find out where Doyle was sent on mission, and when she said she didn’t know more reporters were sent - wtf. Firstly is this what reporters do in the US? Go around accosting spouses of military personnel to find out what their missions are? And secondly surely any reporter worth a damn would be aware that the Navy SEAL missions are highly secretive for obvious reasons. Why would they be wanting to disclose in in a newspaper - weird. Buchanan is a highly trained professional soldier and is always calm and calculating. He walks into a building and within minutes someone phones him there. He realises he is being followed so what does he do? He races out the front door and starts frantically looking left and right. The Buchanan in the book that i got to know would have exited through a rear door and secretly looked for someone watching the building. Just seemed very amateurish and out of character. I couldn’t quite understand the whole Big Bob Baily thing. I thought it stupid that he would attempt to blackmail someone unarmed, who he has just witnessed killing three armed drug dealers in the blink of an eye. Later it became apparent that he was working for Holly. Seems a bit far-fetched for a reporter to be getting involved with blackmail and the whole $100,000 drop off where Buchanan was being sent all over the city. And then Holly didn’t seem to be terribly remorseful about Baily’s death given she was ultimately responsible for putting him in harm’s way. That part of the book didn’t make sense. Just some minor things that I picked up on but I am being picky as I very much enjoyed this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2018
Some good ideas, but could have been told in a more concise manner. Alot of action, though.
September 9, 2018
This book is about a secret agent who excels in taking different personas for undercover assignments. The problem is that all of his personas is running into each other as someone recognizes him from one life when he is impersonating someone else. This identification makes everything go to hell.
This wasn't the best offering from this author. When one reads a book from this author, he/she can expect top notch action scenes and this book did not disappoint on that front. I would put this author up against any other when discussing action sequences. The rest of the book was not top notch. This book contained several sub plots which I knew that would all intertwine by the end. I didn't care for these sub plots as we would touch upon them briefly throughout and abandon them for a lengthy amount of time. By the time they gained their validity I just didn't care about them anymore and it took away my enjoyment from this novel.
This book just wasn't cohesive and tight enough for my liking. The action scenes are terrific but unfortunately not enough to carry my interest for this book. I would try other books from this author as I believe this is not his best work.
This wasn't the best offering from this author. When one reads a book from this author, he/she can expect top notch action scenes and this book did not disappoint on that front. I would put this author up against any other when discussing action sequences. The rest of the book was not top notch. This book contained several sub plots which I knew that would all intertwine by the end. I didn't care for these sub plots as we would touch upon them briefly throughout and abandon them for a lengthy amount of time. By the time they gained their validity I just didn't care about them anymore and it took away my enjoyment from this novel.
This book just wasn't cohesive and tight enough for my liking. The action scenes are terrific but unfortunately not enough to carry my interest for this book. I would try other books from this author as I believe this is not his best work.
July 22, 2022
Δεν μου άρεσε. Πολύ μεγάλο, κάνει τρελή κοιλιά, η πλοκή δεν είναι σαφής, σαν να διαβάζεις δύο ξεχωριστά βιβλία. Σίγουρα όχι από τα καλύτερα του.
July 2, 2024
Нонстоп екшън и напрежение. Нито за момент не ми доскуча, въпреки че можеше да е с една идея по-стегнато написан (това е пълнеж, може и без него, както обичат да казват редакторите).
Единствено ме разочарова това, че така и не се разкри изцяло какво се е случило с една от важните сюжетни връзки, която тласна развитието в цялата втора част на романа.
Единствено ме разочарова това, че така и не се разкри изцяло какво се е случило с една от важните сюжетни връзки, която тласна развитието в цялата втора част на романа.
November 11, 2020
Изключително измъчен трилър, който можеше да бъде написан с половината от използваните думи. Личи си, че Дейвид Морел, по принцип уважаван от мен автор, тук е разтягал локуми, единствено за да гони обем, без да има идея какво точно се случва с отделните сюжетни нишки. Претупан край ... абе слаб три!!!
December 15, 2021
DNF; abandoned about halfway through. I could no longer justify any more time wasted on this book.
The plot: Special Forces agent Buchanan is on assignment in Mexico. His forte is taking on different personas by thoroughly immersing himself in the role. We are told he's the best the business. He has pretended to be many people in his 8 years doing this crazy job, but if anyone was made for it he was! He did drama at school, trained as a soldier after that, became a pilot, trained as a paramedic, and learned various fighting and shooting techniques. Think GI Joe as a method actor. Oh he also has a big secret from his past that is never supposed to be mentioned around him but of course it is and that is that he accidentally killed his brother when he was 12. It may play into the story later, I will never know.
While pretending to be a drug dealer, Buchanan's cover is blown when he is recognized by someone from one of his many pasts. And when I say many, I'm not kidding. Everything goes south as this blast from the past, Big Bob Bailey won't let it go. Two dead drug dealers and a bodyguard later, our hero is wounded and swimming for his life where he has the misfortune of getting beaned in the head by the bottom of a power boat. The next hundred and fifty pages or so are devoted to him almost escaping but getting thrown in a Mexican prison where Big Bob reappears and I should have stopped reading.
Bob ends up dead too; the reader is informed of this through the old newspaper clipping technique. The author decided to kill off another couple who helped Buchanan as well using the same device.
Subplot 1: beautiful woman (all the women are stunning and shapely of course) is also pretending to be someone else but finds out she's been duped and has to make a daring escape. She is able to plan and execute this flawlessly but once on the run realizes she needs help. So my immediate thought is, she is ex Special Forces and of course she's going to contact Buchanan, who she knows as Peter Lang. So that ties those two together.
Subplot 2: evil billionaire holds captive beautiful woman from subplot 1 and the shit hits the fan when she escapes. He then flies to where his minions have been hired to find and destroy a Mayan pyramid. Is the beautiful archaeologist having second thoughts?
This author is lazy. If he had thought out his plot and timelines better and spent even a bare minimum on basic research it could have been a decent book as the premise was interesting.
Some of the many problems:
A lay person (Big Bob) manages to successfully trail our Special Forces guy, complete with associates and arrange a complex drop system in order to extort money from him. This includes procuring photographs of high ranking government officials.
Buchanan is supposedly the best they have but his handlers certainly don't do much to protect their investment. He is obviously injured and concussed but is not even being cared for properly. And speaking of being concussed, our paramedic trained hero continued to drink which is a huge risk.
When Buchanan reminisces about Juana (beautiful woman, subplot 1), we learn that they worked together for 4 months 6 years ago. It was one of his longer 'roles'. He was, at age 29 a "man who liked jazz, mint juleps, and beans and rice". Doesn't sound like too many 29 year olds. He immediately remembered all this even though if that was one of his longer roles; in 8 years with 4 roles a year (average of one every 3 months), that's 32 personas. Good grief! No wonder he was recognized. And why all the elaborate explanation the author gave us about setting up magazine subscriptions at a place to establish an identity? He wouldn't even have time to read them.
Why go to all the trouble of establishing elaborate deep cover identities for stints that last less than 4 months on average. It is nonsensical.
Speaking of time, in that 4 months with Juana, we get a nice domestic scene with Buchanan watching TV and Juana getting groceries. What? They aren't debriefing, working out, target shooting, gathering Intel? In that same 4 months, he was driving a chopper while she was whirling (twice) and shooting bad guys, then we have them just chilling at home?
I quit reading when he looked forward to seeing the love of his life once again after so many years and wondered if she'd stayed in shape.
The plot: Special Forces agent Buchanan is on assignment in Mexico. His forte is taking on different personas by thoroughly immersing himself in the role. We are told he's the best the business. He has pretended to be many people in his 8 years doing this crazy job, but if anyone was made for it he was! He did drama at school, trained as a soldier after that, became a pilot, trained as a paramedic, and learned various fighting and shooting techniques. Think GI Joe as a method actor. Oh he also has a big secret from his past that is never supposed to be mentioned around him but of course it is and that is that he accidentally killed his brother when he was 12. It may play into the story later, I will never know.
While pretending to be a drug dealer, Buchanan's cover is blown when he is recognized by someone from one of his many pasts. And when I say many, I'm not kidding. Everything goes south as this blast from the past, Big Bob Bailey won't let it go. Two dead drug dealers and a bodyguard later, our hero is wounded and swimming for his life where he has the misfortune of getting beaned in the head by the bottom of a power boat. The next hundred and fifty pages or so are devoted to him almost escaping but getting thrown in a Mexican prison where Big Bob reappears and I should have stopped reading.
Bob ends up dead too; the reader is informed of this through the old newspaper clipping technique. The author decided to kill off another couple who helped Buchanan as well using the same device.
Subplot 1: beautiful woman (all the women are stunning and shapely of course) is also pretending to be someone else but finds out she's been duped and has to make a daring escape. She is able to plan and execute this flawlessly but once on the run realizes she needs help. So my immediate thought is, she is ex Special Forces and of course she's going to contact Buchanan, who she knows as Peter Lang. So that ties those two together.
Subplot 2: evil billionaire holds captive beautiful woman from subplot 1 and the shit hits the fan when she escapes. He then flies to where his minions have been hired to find and destroy a Mayan pyramid. Is the beautiful archaeologist having second thoughts?
This author is lazy. If he had thought out his plot and timelines better and spent even a bare minimum on basic research it could have been a decent book as the premise was interesting.
Some of the many problems:
A lay person (Big Bob) manages to successfully trail our Special Forces guy, complete with associates and arrange a complex drop system in order to extort money from him. This includes procuring photographs of high ranking government officials.
Buchanan is supposedly the best they have but his handlers certainly don't do much to protect their investment. He is obviously injured and concussed but is not even being cared for properly. And speaking of being concussed, our paramedic trained hero continued to drink which is a huge risk.
When Buchanan reminisces about Juana (beautiful woman, subplot 1), we learn that they worked together for 4 months 6 years ago. It was one of his longer 'roles'. He was, at age 29 a "man who liked jazz, mint juleps, and beans and rice". Doesn't sound like too many 29 year olds. He immediately remembered all this even though if that was one of his longer roles; in 8 years with 4 roles a year (average of one every 3 months), that's 32 personas. Good grief! No wonder he was recognized. And why all the elaborate explanation the author gave us about setting up magazine subscriptions at a place to establish an identity? He wouldn't even have time to read them.
Why go to all the trouble of establishing elaborate deep cover identities for stints that last less than 4 months on average. It is nonsensical.
Speaking of time, in that 4 months with Juana, we get a nice domestic scene with Buchanan watching TV and Juana getting groceries. What? They aren't debriefing, working out, target shooting, gathering Intel? In that same 4 months, he was driving a chopper while she was whirling (twice) and shooting bad guys, then we have them just chilling at home?
I quit reading when he looked forward to seeing the love of his life once again after so many years and wondered if she'd stayed in shape.
May 21, 2022
Amerykański bestseller to dla mnie co najmniej określenie dwuznaczne. Gdy nie wiadomo czego dotyczy, może być zarówno pejoratywne jak i zdecydowanie pozytywne. Książka opatrzona tym epitetem może być równie dobrze sztampowym gniotem obliczonym na mało wymagającego, a więc masowego odbiorcę, co zapewni jej sukces komerycjny, jak i perfekcyjną, oryginalną pozycją, która daje czytelnikowi wartościową lekturę i prześwietną rozrywkę, a dzięki temu świetnie się sprzedała. Nie użyję więc tego określenia, choć często pada, gdy mowa o Fałszywej tożsamości.
David Morrell to pisarz, który budzi we mnie bardzo ambiwalentne uczucia. Choć każdy zna Rambo, jego autor kojarzy mi się głównie z fenomenalnymi powieściami w klimacie tajnych bractw jak trylogia Bractwo Róży, Bractwo Kamienia, Bractwo Nocy i Mgły czy męskich spraw jak Piąta profesja. Jednocześnie jednak nazwisko to przywodzi mi wspomnienia o wielkim zawodzie jaki sprawił mi choćby Totem, pięknie zapowiadający się horror z beznadziejnym zakończeniem. Wiedząc o nierównym poziomie twórczości Morrela z pewną niechęcią sięgnąłem po jego powieść Fałszywa tożsamość (Assumed Identity).
Głównym bohaterem Fałszywej tożsamości jest agent amerykańskich służb działający nie tyle pod przykryciem (taka modna, ale dla mnie dziwaczna kalka z angielskiego, która świetnie brzmi w oryginale, lecz po polsku żenująco) co w cudzej skórze. Właściwie to częściej się zmienia niż kameleon i jest w tym od niego dużo lepszy. Nieraz w trakcie jednej operacji przyjmuje kilka tożsamości jednocześnie i zmienia je co chwilę niczym rękawiczki. Dla jednych jest Panem A, dla drugich Panem B a dla innych... tylko on może się w tym nie zagubić. Ma tak wiele osobowości, które tworzy dla każdego nazwiska aż do najdrobniejszych szczegółów, że zapomina kim kiedyś był, gdy był kimś naprawdę.
Niestety, w trakcie kolejnej akcji sprawy się komplikują. Zostaje rozpoznany przez gościa, którego spotkał w innym miejscu i w innym czasie, no i oczywiście jako ktoś całkiem inny. W dodatku moment jest niesłychanie niefortunny bo jak wiadomo nieszczęścia chodzą parami. Musi walczyć o życie, zostaje poważnie ranny i traci zaufanie przełożonych. Jakby mało było kłopotów, gość, który go rozpoznał, nie chce się odczepić i na dokładkę zaczyna węszyć koło jego mrocznych tajemnic wspomagany przez piękną dziennikarkę.
Gdy sprawy człowieka o stu twarzach zaczynają wyglądać naprawdę nieciekawie – po sfingowaniu własnej śmierci (a raczej śmierci jednego ze swych wcieleń) musi unikać policji i mieć się na baczności przed własnymi szefami, otrzymuje zakodowaną wiadomość od jedynej kobiety, którą kiedyś kochał. Wiadomość z prośbą o pomoc.
Wiadomo, że sprawa nie będzie prosta. Jego dawna miłość jest jeszcze lepszym kameleonem niż on, prawdziwym wirtuozem w dziedzinie mimikry. Czy zdoła ją na czas odszukać samemu będąc ściganym? Sprawdźcie sami.
Fałszywa tożsamość to prawdziwy bestseller w najlepszym tego określenia znaczeniu. Błyskawiczna, pełna zwrotów akcja, wielowątkowość, wielość pytań i ciągłe napięcie sprawiają, iż czyta się ją jednym tchem. Jest i miłość, i męskie sprawy, czyli to, co czytelniczki i czytelnicy lubią najbardziej. To prawdziwy, dobry Morrell. Absolutnie i zdecydowanie polecam. Może nawet warto ją kupić. Może nawet jeszcze kiedyś do niej wrócę
recenzja pierwotnie opublikowana na blogu klub-aa.blogspot.com dokąd zapraszam na wymianę wrażeń z lektury i nie tylko
David Morrell to pisarz, który budzi we mnie bardzo ambiwalentne uczucia. Choć każdy zna Rambo, jego autor kojarzy mi się głównie z fenomenalnymi powieściami w klimacie tajnych bractw jak trylogia Bractwo Róży, Bractwo Kamienia, Bractwo Nocy i Mgły czy męskich spraw jak Piąta profesja. Jednocześnie jednak nazwisko to przywodzi mi wspomnienia o wielkim zawodzie jaki sprawił mi choćby Totem, pięknie zapowiadający się horror z beznadziejnym zakończeniem. Wiedząc o nierównym poziomie twórczości Morrela z pewną niechęcią sięgnąłem po jego powieść Fałszywa tożsamość (Assumed Identity).
Głównym bohaterem Fałszywej tożsamości jest agent amerykańskich służb działający nie tyle pod przykryciem (taka modna, ale dla mnie dziwaczna kalka z angielskiego, która świetnie brzmi w oryginale, lecz po polsku żenująco) co w cudzej skórze. Właściwie to częściej się zmienia niż kameleon i jest w tym od niego dużo lepszy. Nieraz w trakcie jednej operacji przyjmuje kilka tożsamości jednocześnie i zmienia je co chwilę niczym rękawiczki. Dla jednych jest Panem A, dla drugich Panem B a dla innych... tylko on może się w tym nie zagubić. Ma tak wiele osobowości, które tworzy dla każdego nazwiska aż do najdrobniejszych szczegółów, że zapomina kim kiedyś był, gdy był kimś naprawdę.
Niestety, w trakcie kolejnej akcji sprawy się komplikują. Zostaje rozpoznany przez gościa, którego spotkał w innym miejscu i w innym czasie, no i oczywiście jako ktoś całkiem inny. W dodatku moment jest niesłychanie niefortunny bo jak wiadomo nieszczęścia chodzą parami. Musi walczyć o życie, zostaje poważnie ranny i traci zaufanie przełożonych. Jakby mało było kłopotów, gość, który go rozpoznał, nie chce się odczepić i na dokładkę zaczyna węszyć koło jego mrocznych tajemnic wspomagany przez piękną dziennikarkę.
Gdy sprawy człowieka o stu twarzach zaczynają wyglądać naprawdę nieciekawie – po sfingowaniu własnej śmierci (a raczej śmierci jednego ze swych wcieleń) musi unikać policji i mieć się na baczności przed własnymi szefami, otrzymuje zakodowaną wiadomość od jedynej kobiety, którą kiedyś kochał. Wiadomość z prośbą o pomoc.
Wiadomo, że sprawa nie będzie prosta. Jego dawna miłość jest jeszcze lepszym kameleonem niż on, prawdziwym wirtuozem w dziedzinie mimikry. Czy zdoła ją na czas odszukać samemu będąc ściganym? Sprawdźcie sami.
Fałszywa tożsamość to prawdziwy bestseller w najlepszym tego określenia znaczeniu. Błyskawiczna, pełna zwrotów akcja, wielowątkowość, wielość pytań i ciągłe napięcie sprawiają, iż czyta się ją jednym tchem. Jest i miłość, i męskie sprawy, czyli to, co czytelniczki i czytelnicy lubią najbardziej. To prawdziwy, dobry Morrell. Absolutnie i zdecydowanie polecam. Może nawet warto ją kupić. Może nawet jeszcze kiedyś do niej wrócę
recenzja pierwotnie opublikowana na blogu klub-aa.blogspot.com dokąd zapraszam na wymianę wrażeń z lektury i nie tylko
February 9, 2022
It is an engaging action pack book and every page is truly captivating with its development.
It describes in the detail the life of secret agents operating in the field and the risk he has to go to perform his mission to the very end and not risk compromising it.
The character development of the main character is breathtaking, from the beginning he is shown as a calculative, cold rational never putting down his attention and slowly adapting to every challenge he is facing. What I ENJOYED more was when he began to discover himself since the past years he had only impersonated other fictional characters and was lost in them, forgetting who he truly is and what makes him what he is. Every page is filled with intense action and twists which never let you guess what will happen next.
The only 2 down parts I could say were that many times we are reminded about his injury and his health condition which did not need to be mentioned a lot. The other down part was the ending which did not resolve basically the 75% of the whole story and driving motivation of Buchanan but it let it open as a second guess. It felt flat at the end and did not give answers to it.
Overall I liked it and I recommend it
It describes in the detail the life of secret agents operating in the field and the risk he has to go to perform his mission to the very end and not risk compromising it.
The character development of the main character is breathtaking, from the beginning he is shown as a calculative, cold rational never putting down his attention and slowly adapting to every challenge he is facing. What I ENJOYED more was when he began to discover himself since the past years he had only impersonated other fictional characters and was lost in them, forgetting who he truly is and what makes him what he is. Every page is filled with intense action and twists which never let you guess what will happen next.
The only 2 down parts I could say were that many times we are reminded about his injury and his health condition which did not need to be mentioned a lot. The other down part was the ending which did not resolve basically the 75% of the whole story and driving motivation of Buchanan but it let it open as a second guess. It felt flat at the end and did not give answers to it.
Overall I liked it and I recommend it
August 19, 2017
Brendan Buchanan is a master of disguise. Over his years working for the CIA, he has assumed countless identities and played them all perfectly. There's only one he can't master- his own.
A mission goes bad and forces him to take time off to heal multiple injuries. His superiors want him to step out of the field permanently and become a trainer. As he contemplates his future, he receives a cryptic message from his past.
I enjoyed watching Buchanan struggle to be himself after so many years of becoming other people. Even as he searches for the woman who sent him the message, he wonders if he wants to help her as himself or as the role he played when he knew her six years prior. On top of that, reporter Holly McCoy is determined to make a story out of what she's learned about one or two of his previous identities.
The story was fast-paced, compelling and a thriller of the first order.
A mission goes bad and forces him to take time off to heal multiple injuries. His superiors want him to step out of the field permanently and become a trainer. As he contemplates his future, he receives a cryptic message from his past.
I enjoyed watching Buchanan struggle to be himself after so many years of becoming other people. Even as he searches for the woman who sent him the message, he wonders if he wants to help her as himself or as the role he played when he knew her six years prior. On top of that, reporter Holly McCoy is determined to make a story out of what she's learned about one or two of his previous identities.
The story was fast-paced, compelling and a thriller of the first order.
April 22, 2024
I read this book a few years after it was released and at this time I was still accepting of action thriller type books that were not exactly authentic, it was only after I started reading Tom Clancy that this changed (and probably did for much of the readers of this genre). So I was ok with this plot, even though by this point I knew enough that the US Army didn't do things like those depicted in this novel.
This story follows a US Army "undercover operative" who after over two hundred assignments (seems highly, highly impossible unless those assignment only last a few days to weeks each and require only minimal prep time) is in Mexico targeting drug traffickers. Things go wrong when he is recognized by a civilian from a previous mission and he is burned in front of the traffickers. Without giving away early plot, he comes out of Mexico with a head injury which will be affecting his mind the remainder of the novel, and his bosses inform him he is out of the game. But he gets pulled back in by a message from an old mission partner who is in danger.
A bit over the top with clichés and veering into the realm of men's adventure stories; too much action hero stuff, hot babes the hero easily beds, and dastardly villains. Morrell here had completely gone all in on a mindless action thriller, though I will concede the set up, the lead character here Brendan Buchanan and his interesting background, is much more creative than most. The Mexico settings are the best part of the novel, along with the finale which slightly redeems this book. So maybe 3.5 stars is more accurate.
This story follows a US Army "undercover operative" who after over two hundred assignments (seems highly, highly impossible unless those assignment only last a few days to weeks each and require only minimal prep time) is in Mexico targeting drug traffickers. Things go wrong when he is recognized by a civilian from a previous mission and he is burned in front of the traffickers. Without giving away early plot, he comes out of Mexico with a head injury which will be affecting his mind the remainder of the novel, and his bosses inform him he is out of the game. But he gets pulled back in by a message from an old mission partner who is in danger.
A bit over the top with clichés and veering into the realm of men's adventure stories; too much action hero stuff, hot babes the hero easily beds, and dastardly villains. Morrell here had completely gone all in on a mindless action thriller, though I will concede the set up, the lead character here Brendan Buchanan and his interesting background, is much more creative than most. The Mexico settings are the best part of the novel, along with the finale which slightly redeems this book. So maybe 3.5 stars is more accurate.
August 15, 2020
Although the Mayan legacy initially seems like it might be the main focus, what appears to be a tangential plot (a blackmailer and a reporter threatening to expose Buchanan's identities) is the major thread which is interwoven with the Mayan scenario as Buchanan tries to figure out who he really wants to be (which of his identities does he most identify with). And, although this character has been on many missions with many identities, he is one of the more realistic action heroes (he has injuries which last more than a day, headaches and other stuff that is often glossed over in other action books). Also, U.S. interagency rivalry is a thread along with a rich sociopath and his mercenary team.
June 14, 2021
2.5 would be a better rating. I usually love Mr. Morell's writing. This time I was underwhelmed. Though the premise of a man being undercover with multiple identities having to rediscover who he really is was a strong one, I just didn't feel it.
I think it was too repetitive in trying to drive home the point of how upsetting and shaken he was. As readers, we get it. No need to say it over and over and over.
I felt like the reason for all the bother was a bit lame and really didn't go with the actual premise of the book. It was like it was just thrown in there so they could have an antagonist of some sort.
It won't stop me from reading other books by Mr. Morell, but this one was lacking in a lot of ways.
I think it was too repetitive in trying to drive home the point of how upsetting and shaken he was. As readers, we get it. No need to say it over and over and over.
I felt like the reason for all the bother was a bit lame and really didn't go with the actual premise of the book. It was like it was just thrown in there so they could have an antagonist of some sort.
It won't stop me from reading other books by Mr. Morell, but this one was lacking in a lot of ways.
June 4, 2017
It is probably unfair to criticize the work 25 years old, especially if the author whomever I happen to like for other work. However, for the sake of the readers to come, here it is.
It is a cheesy as it gets. "popcorn fun" as another reader called it. I was waiting for some depth all the way to the end, then left with nothing. Way too many unfinished threads, very primitive ending. Nevertheless, the primitive romance in the novel takes the first place of underdeveloped, teen soap opera quality. Sorry Mr. Morrell, I finished the novel just out of respect.
It is a cheesy as it gets. "popcorn fun" as another reader called it. I was waiting for some depth all the way to the end, then left with nothing. Way too many unfinished threads, very primitive ending. Nevertheless, the primitive romance in the novel takes the first place of underdeveloped, teen soap opera quality. Sorry Mr. Morrell, I finished the novel just out of respect.
September 25, 2023
A man named Brendan Buchanan accidentally killed his brother when they were young children. He couldn't live with the guilt, and even though his mother pointed out that it wasn't truly his fault, he always blamed himself. So, he impersonated his favorite characters from movies, books, games, etc. An extremely covert special ops unit saw promise in him and trained him accordingly. He went by 200 different identites in eight years. But he did not just act the part, he became the person. He made up different preferences for each person and followed them strictly. But now he is forced to become himself. Only Buchanan doesn't even know who he truly is anymore.
January 21, 2019
Not as good as fifth profession, but still good. Lots of action and intrigue. The only thing I really disliked about it is this "What happened to/with Juana?" Did he ever find her, did he report to her parents like he promised, is the Col. Still planning to kill him and Holly? Seriously! Too many unanswered questions...when a book comes to the conclusion I expect it to conclude! This one does not...But it is still a thrill ride and a good read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2025
Over the top
An army intelligence officer has gone under cover so many times, he sometimes forgets who he is. His unit is not only secret but illegal and throughout this ordeal, he’s on mission to save a former colleague. Wounded and ailing, he is arrested, beaten, and barely able to function, yet he finds love, abandons his quest, thwarts a madman, and is saved by South American Indians. Pulp fiction at its zenith.
An army intelligence officer has gone under cover so many times, he sometimes forgets who he is. His unit is not only secret but illegal and throughout this ordeal, he’s on mission to save a former colleague. Wounded and ailing, he is arrested, beaten, and barely able to function, yet he finds love, abandons his quest, thwarts a madman, and is saved by South American Indians. Pulp fiction at its zenith.
May 17, 2017
Finally circled back and finished this book that I had started over a year ago. The Fifth Profession is one of my favorite books and this story has reminded me how I really enjoy David Morrell's work. This is a compelling story and while almost 25 years old still remarkably relevant and worth reading and pondering. Lots of spy thriller action with some social/political/economic intrigue as well.
June 16, 2017
Intense and complicated
Strong character in Buchanan. Involved plots keep reader engaged continuously. You will read large sections at a time to keep events and characters straight.
Strong character in Buchanan. Involved plots keep reader engaged continuously. You will read large sections at a time to keep events and characters straight.
July 15, 2018
Could have been a real page turner, Alas by the end
you'll wonder why it couldn't have been reduced by
at least 100 pages. The Story runs out of steam &
like an overlong journey you're grateful to finally
arrive at the end.
you'll wonder why it couldn't have been reduced by
at least 100 pages. The Story runs out of steam &
like an overlong journey you're grateful to finally
arrive at the end.
November 25, 2023
Absolute batshit ending. I never would have read the book if I had known about the ending.
The main character is pretty interesting, not going to lie, but there’s too much focus on woman characters boobs.
And the ending. It was so bad I almost DNFd it 10 pages from the end.
The main character is pretty interesting, not going to lie, but there’s too much focus on woman characters boobs.
And the ending. It was so bad I almost DNFd it 10 pages from the end.
November 10, 2024
My neighbor gave me this, and it was a slog. It would make a great movie or miniseries, but the action was drug out too long for my liking in a book. I gagged every time every woman was described by her breasts. Ugh.
July 15, 2017
Pretty good, not great. I wonder if Special Forces guys can really do the things Buchanan did...Creepers and Scavenger were superior...
March 1, 2018
Remarquable polar, quoi qu'un peu compliqué, mais c'est peut-être ce qui fait son charme. Je lui aurais sans doute donné le maximum si je l'avais lu en anglais !
Read
October 16, 2019It is good fiction book, in first pace it is slow but gradually increases the thrill. I have enjoyed it so much.
January 31, 2020
Really enjoyed up until the end....ending was weird (my opinion)
February 3, 2020
Unregulated military unit, mixed w a megalomaniac billionaire and U have a plot worth following. Our hero goes deep undercover for years and finally finds himself and true love.
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