Bargain with the Devil

Pete Avakian #2

by F.J. Chase

Security consultant Peter Avakian's job is to keep people safe, and that's not always easy. Even his Special Forces training couldn't have prepared him for a routine business proposal that was anything but. By simply acknowledging the offer, Avakian becomes snarled in a complex plot to stage a political coup in central Africa. With no way out, he turns to the CIA--and is forced to become their mole inside the conspiracy.Pulled into a shadow world of nations battling over the world's oil supply, drug dealers financing revolutions, and gunrunners on sale to the highest bidder, it's all Avakian can do to stay alive. And that may depend less on his lethal skills than on two women: a CIA agent and a South African reporter after a story. Will they save him, or will they betray him?

It's anyone's guess, especially his.

Genres: Mystery, Action, Thriller

311 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

F.J. Chase is the pen name of a former military officer and national security commentator. He can be reached at fjchase@hotmail.com.

Reviews

[PamG · Rating 3 out of 5]

F.J. Chase’s second book in the Pete Avakian action thriller series is pulse-pounding throughout most of it. Pete is a security consultant. When a seemingly routine business proposal becomes much more, he becomes entangled in a complex plot involving a political coup in central Africa. With no way out of the engagement, he contacts the Central Intelligence Agency and is forced into becoming their mole. While most of the novel takes place in South Africa, there is also time spent in Nigeria, Bulgaria, and Benin.

Pete is a dynamic character that should not be underestimated. Despite this, he is aging and while that can affect his reflexes, he’s also creative. However, the other characters did not have a lot of depth. Readers of gripping and suspenseful action thrillers will likely enjoy this story. However, it takes a little while before the main mission starts. Once it starts, hang onto your hat. It’s going to be a bumpy ride. Readers will easily be drawn into the action and wonder who will survive.

Overall, this book was suspenseful, fast-paced for the last two-thirds, action-oriented, and entertaining. While a lot of the action was over-the-top, it was still enjoyable.

Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date was January 1, 2010.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 2 in the series and works fine as a standalone. Avakian is quite a character. You root for him while also thinking he's nuts. Picked this off my TBR shelves. It was written in 2010, but the irony is all those things about oil, money, power, back channels and corruption haven't changed much in 2022. Nicely plotted and paced.

[Kara Jorges · Rating 4 out of 5]

Security consultant Peter Avakian knows he’s in deep from his first meeting with some very bad men in South Africa when he’s hired to help them overthrow a government. He has to call on all his skills and instincts just to stay alive from the start. Things get complicated when he involves the CIA, but not really any more than when an attractive female reporter seduces him.

For readers who like nonstop action with barely pause for a breath, this book delivers. The plot, while not overly simplistic, is also not terribly complicated, leaving plenty of room for lots and lots of adventure. Sometimes this type of book doesn’t draw me in if the pace is too frenetic and the characters too flat, but Chase pulls it off nicely. Avakian is not simply a cardboard cutout hero dodging bullets and running from bad guys. We get a feel for who he is, and the kind of life he’s led, delivered in snippets and hints rather than long monologues. The action was also nicely done, with plenty of chases and shoot-outs, but done in a way that makes sense and advances the plot, rather than chase scenes for the sake of having chase scenes. The author also does a good job of describing his African locales.

This is the kind of armchair adventure adults can enjoy, with a good enough plot to hold our interest, and enough action to keep us turning the pages.

[Amanda J · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't realize this was the second book featuring the main character, Peter Avakian - security specialist extraodinaire, when I picked up the book. But while references are made to his adventures in China in book 1, Bargain with the Devil can stand alone. Unfortunately, I didn't really enjoy it. Peter never really develops as a character and his uber-intellect and supurb gut instinct are mixed intermittently with poor decision making skills that seem out of whack with the rest of his nature. The supporting cast of characters are just as flat, especially the women referenced on the back cover the book: Springfield a CIA agent and Mbatha a reporter in South Africa. You never really get to know any of them and therefore it is difficult to truly become invested in their fates. A mediocre read at best.

[Cheryl · Rating 1 out of 5]

Peter Avakian works as a security consultant. Peter’s latest client is Safoil, the South African Energy Corporation. Safoil is trying to work a deal with the Nigerians to get a lease to do offshore oil drilling. While reviewed the paperwork for Safoil; Peter find something very interesting. The information Peter has found is huge. Peter knows that he could be in trouble if anyone else knew what he discovered. Peter must find a way out of Central Africa. His life depends on it.

This book sounded very interesting when I read the summary but unfortunately I could barely get a third of the way into this book before putting it down. I found that I was uninterested in the main character, which in turn it didn’t matter if the story line was strong or not as I didn’t want to waste any more time on this book trying to see if it would get better. This book just wasn’t doing it for me. I will have to think really hard next time as to whether I want to bargain with another FJ Chase book.

[Bae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Peter Avakian is sassy and a "I'm too old for this shit" kind of man so I liked him. The supporting characters, especially the women and his intended targets, were pretty one-toned but from a security consultant's tunneling perception given the intense situations I think that should be forgiven; also if you think about it, the tritgaonists had more substance because Avakian doesn't see them as threats so their characteristics are a little more fleshed out and I'm cool with that.


I liked the plot! I also learned and noted a few new stealth strategies from a writer's personal experience (I hope!?). Yay! Fun book, glad I found it.

(Ps: I agree with some other reviewers, this book could be a standalone because I didn't know it was the second! Oops!)

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was definitely a change for me, but it was interesting. I'm looking forward to reading the first one and any future ones.

Pete was awesome. He was very skilled and intelligent. Totally a badass. I was confused, though, on the whole China thing because I haven't read the previous book. I love the way he busted all of the bad guys in the end.

That Patience was a bitch. I was utterly shocked when she turned on Pete, because while I understand she had to do what she had to do to save herself, I was completely unsympathetic towards her plight.

I loved at the end, however, how Judy springs on Pete that she would be going with him if he did anymore jobs.

[Jessica Timmons · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent book for the military fan to read. I'm not much for these types of books but I enjoyed this one. Suspenseful and kept you interested the whole way through. I'm a little more educated in mercenary weapons now but not to the point of where I would like to handle one. The action scenes are truly original and make you feel as though your really there running along side of Avakian while he's escaping and killing for his life. I'm truly glad that my uncle recommended this book.

[Doug · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not think much of this book to start with. However, as the book proceeded I found myself interested in the central characters. I would recommend the book to those who like "spy" stories but do not believe it is nearly as good as others in this genre--like the original Bourne series.

[Natascha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wish we got more of Judy and I hope to God that she does go with Pete somewhere in the next book, if there is a next book.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slow going in the beginning but kept me guessing until the end.

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was not poorly written and it does not bore, but alas it was a standard action story. Nothing new here.

[Ronald Howell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Konda hard to decide about this one. Seemed to wrap it up in a hurry at the end.

[Sash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Felt like a lot of details were left out; like this could have been a larger book, but all in all a suspense filled story that holds up it's pace from the beginning to the end.

[Jennifer Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting main character that glides through some very exotic settings.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was in the mood for a suspend disbelief fast read thriller and this book did the job.