phoenixdown's Full Review: Nelson Demille - The Lion's Game
I got this book as an early birthday present because I didn't want to pay for the hard cover and the paperback edition won't be coming out until November....I loved "Plum Island" and the other Demille books that read (see my other reviews) and I couldn't wait for this one.
John Corey, formerly of the NYPD joins up with the "ATTF" (anti terrorist task force) in this page turning action packed novel. The mission is to catch Asad Kahlil, a terrorist seeking revenge on a bombing that killed his family over 14 years ago. Kahlil comes into this country as a defector (volunteer snitch) on a plane with over 300 other passengers. To make a long story short, when the plane arrives, there is only one surviving passenger.....
Asad (which consequently means "lion") then goes on to the rest of his mission which is to avenge the deaths of his family by killing the remaining pilots that participated in the air raid (and who ever might get in his way). This to him is a Jihad or holy mission, so he is not afraid to die which makes this all the harder on the good guys.
There are a lot of other interesting events in this book, including things that only those of you who read "Plum Island" and "The Gold Coast" would find amusing.
This book takes on a double narrative approach (John Corey tells the story then the next chapter focuses on what Kahlil is doing).
Their are a few other repeat characters in this book which makes it all the more interesting, but I wont tell you who shows up because it might ruin the surprise.
John also meets and falls in love with his partner/boss Kate Mayfield which ads another interesting element to the story.
Corey is also the perfect hero, he has little respect for authority (Especially the CIA) and his crude humor (which includes calling Kahlil a "Camel F*cker" over the phone)and crass behavior in general will make you love him (or hate him) in either case this books 677 pages are not in any aspect of the word, a disappointment.
Itll will keep you turning pages into the wee hours of the morning wondering what is going to happen next.
The ending was unpredictable and left room for a continuation of the story. Demille is a very talented writer and I cant wait to read more from him, especially another novel with John Corey as the hero.
Detective John Corey, last seen in Plum Island, must somehow capture the world s most dangerous terrorist -- a young Arab known as The Lion -- who wil...More at Buy.com
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