Mercenary,

Stratton #5

by Duncan Falconer

As a favor to a CIA officer, SBS operative Stratton carries out what appears to be an inconsequential task in Central America. But Stratton’s actions push him into the midst of a national rebellion, and against his own principles he becomes emotionally involved and decides to join the popular uprising. Unknown to him, however, the rebellion is a fight not just against the local government, and the CIA is very much involved. As events spiral disastrously out of control, Stratton must face up to his biggest and most treacherous challenge to date.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Military Fiction, Adventure, Ebooks, Suspense, Action

400 pages, Paperback

First published June 4, 2009

Reviews

[Kaori · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is actually the first book that I've read of this author and this book is the 5th of the series.

Mercenary is a Special Forces genre. The author did a good job setting up the scenario for the story, the world building is believable, the characters are portrayed in a way that you can connect with them, care for them and cheer for them. I wasn't very sure about the use of operatives (a Brit and a CIA agent) because it's a slight overkill. I did learn a lot of geography and surveillance detail though.

I'm giving this one a 3 star rating. Since I have the other books, I think I'll read them all just to compare the writing evolution, style and get more background about the world.

[Dee Haddrill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another exciting story in the life of John Stratton; this one focussing on his revenge toward a CIA operative who set him up years earlier and caused the death of someone Stratton loved. Lots of action, this was a great read.

[Lotte · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think it would be better in english

[Jeff King · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Falconer. He's as good as McNab and Chris Ryan and Stratton is a good character. The Mercenary is a bit of a misnomer of a title, as he's sent there to deliver a RPG weapons system, not as a freelance Merc. However, the details are good and the action is exciting. I'm still finding it hard to swallow the premise that the CIA operators are the bad-guys. Surely there's not a dearth of baddies in South/Central America? I started it thinking it might be like Forsyth's Dogs of War (my favourite book). It wasn't in this league but rivals McNab and Ryan for action. I'd like a bit more detail.

[Christopher Dodds · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are a great series of books and this one was no different. It was full of plot, intrigue and action as well as some heartfelt sad moments but it didn't detract away from the action or the story, Stratton is a great character who is more than just a soldier but is someone not to be messed with and I knew that there must have been a reason why he did the thing that he did.
Always look forward to reading the next book as Duncan Falconer is a great author.

[Harry · Rating 4 out of 5]

In which our hero gets involved with CIA plots in a revolutionary Central American country. Asked to deliver weapons to the rebels and provide some training he is soon up to his neck in it as usual. Unusually for Statton there's a woman involved.

[Paschalis]

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[Hayley Jane B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Duncan Falconer books. He is one of a very few authors who write about the SBS. He calls upon his own experiences in the Special Boat Service and afterwards as a private contractor.Is he

[Matt Gantry · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't get into it, haven't finished it.

[Richard E · Rating 3 out of 5]

7/10

[Alberto Tebaldi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know how people can compare this to McNab. Here the characters are not rounded, quite stereotyped, pure evil and pure good. sounded to me a B action movie, with the narrative boring at times.

[Paul Bolton · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a bit of a struggle to get to the end. Maybe it was me but it was a bit dull in the end.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping, enticing, intense and insanely hard to put down. This is the fastest I've read a book start to finish (3 days total). As a big fan of Andy McNab, Chris Ryan and the like, I had high expectations of Duncan Falconer and definitely was not disappointed. Very much looking forward to reading the rest of his works this year.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stratton is a British Special Forces soldier being used by the CIA to drop off some weapons to the revolutionaries of a Central American country. However, things don't go according to plan and he finds himself involved with said revolutionaries. And, naturally, there's beautiful woman who hates him at first but soon can't wait to get into his pants. It's not high literature, it's predictable and brings nothing new to readers but it's extremely entertaining and easy to read.

[ab · Rating 2 out of 5]

Entertaining. Fast paced. Plenty of action and blood. I don't like mixing action with romance much... Maybe a hint of flirt here so I'm not quite sure how I feel about the whole thing, really, it's like Casino Royale, forcing Bond into caring much.. still haven't wrapped my head around that, and the revenge etc., I had the same feeling with this one.

[Andrew A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book. Really exciting, lots of action, great character development.
An SAS operative gets sent on a mission in a civil-war-torn central American country, then struggles with the decision whether to take part in someone else's fight.

[Sandra Woods · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this novel was like watching a somewhat slapstick CIA action movie; entertaining but just a bit predictable, with overdone action scenes and a throw-away romantic sub-plot. If you're willing to completely suspend reality while you're reading, you could enjoy this one!

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A damn good read from front to back and much enjoyed, cant wait to start reading his next book.