Death Wind

Once again I find myself disagreeing with most reviewers of a title where with this one I loved it. Two vastly different threads here where firstly the Big Guy is on the path of yet another drug pipeline and secondly an imprisoned KGB agent escapes from his prison and is on the run. Whilst at first these two plots don't seem to have much to do with each other as you progress through the title they meld together beautifully and the author has produced a fine first class title. There is an abundance of good characters introduced in this title including the Russians and three KGB agents one who has escaped from prison the other two feature a current serving member and one who is brought back from retirement. The helicopter pilot and his millionaire mate, the woman who is in the Caribbean to identify her dead brother and her son are all also fine additions. Excellent action scenes are included in a fast paced action orientated title which I found to be hard to put down. The climax of the title worked for me and a surprise revelation at the end certainly took me by surprise anyway. As said I thought this was a fine read and it is highly recommended.

Mel Odeon has written many great Bolan books........but sadly this one doesn´t quite live up to that standard from my point of view. The book starts off in an interesting way with a few cool plots being cooked up for maximum effect in the end when everything is tided together in the main plot...........or at least it is supposed to be like that. The writing tends to drag along slowing the pace of the book down which is strange since there are so many plots and circumstances going on which should have been attended for a bit more instead of dragging everything down as the book progressed. The book swifts too much between Mack Bolan private eye part vs. the KGB part with less attention made to the KGB angle till the end. The great „death wind“ could have been handled better and in a more exciting way. Strange how Kirov, who was supposed to be the mastermind behind the KGB plot, basically disappeared in the book and his real plot, ideas and destiny was unclear at best. The supporting cast of the book is an interesting one. Chase Murphy the young hot shot pilot and Drake the party man add a very nice flavor to the book and from a certain point of view saves it. If you want to read a solid, well written Bolan book which starts well, keeps you focus all the way through and ends in a solid bang, then turn your attention to another book since this one will not keep your full attention till the end. Shame, shame, shame............... (Iceland – 2012)

This one started off kind of so so, with a couple different things going on, with kgb agents in one story and Bolan playing private eye in another. Of course these 2 come together later on for a decent but not too spectacular conclusion. The writing at times was very good, and at other times not so good. The high point of the novel is Bolan's gun battle on a freighter, and the hold of the ship, as it is sinking, but most of the rest of the book isn't all that exciting. The plot concerning the kgb agents was well done, I thought, but the villain's death wind plan was lame and unbelievable. And Bolan doesn't even kill the top guy he's looking for, so this book overall is 6 star grade at best.

Bolan is following a drug pipeline from Atlanta to Key West to the Caribbean. Meanwhile, a dissident KGB agent has escaped the USSR and is fleeing to the Caribbean. Also, a young, attractive woman (along with her 8 year old son) has to go pick up her brother's body from the Caribbean and return it to the US. These plots weave together for a very good novel. Bolan isn't sure what he is up against until the end of the book. He makes a new ally, a young pilot named Chase Murphy. It's great when Bolan has someone besides Grimaldi fly him around. This new pilot is a fresh face with good attitude. Bolan's other ally, a millionaire named Drake, also gets high praise. Excellent supporting cast here. Very good writing too. Action scenes move along. Bolan's soft side with kids is evidenced as he entertains the 8 year old. The plot is a stretch, but not totally unbelievable. Altogether, a fine novel.

Decent but run-of-the-mill. Nothing spectacular.

Started out to be a great read, but settled into an average actioner.