Ransom Run

For what it is worth, I enjoyed this story and am glad I ignored some of the negative reviews posted here. The story has aged well, there is reference to old tech such as VCR's but otherwise it is a tech free adventure. I do agree that it was a bit thin where Brognola is called in to help an old friend out and so calls in Bolan to do the lifting. Why did Brognola stay all week in Italy? Does he not have a family? A serious job? That Bolan gets involved is okay, Bolan can choose his own mission's no matter how small. Here we have a case of kidnap gangs running riot in Italy, and I found the author's place descriptions, accurate, especially Milan. No, it is not a spectacular novel, but it is enjoyable and better than a lot of novels that have been published in the various Bolan series.

Well, I have to say, after all the majority of negative reviews on this title, I was not expecting much but was pleasantly surprised! The plot wasn't horrible, perhaps done before but overall it was made up for with the great writing and interesting action scenes. Not bullets flying on every page, but not pages and pages of boring dialogue either, a good balance. Some good descriptions of the Italian geography (wish I could find more Bolan books where he's in Italy). It was also nice to see Mack get a little lovin' from his female helper, nothing over the top that made it like reading a porno novel or anything but again, a nice little addition to the story (Our hero doesn't seem to get enough 'R&R', still holding a torch over April Rose I guess). My one major complaint was (my personal pet peeve) that the author makes the rather heinous technical error of referring to a guns' MAGAZINE as a 'clip', ya I know nothing unforgivable, but hey, I'm something of a gun nut, so I really appreciate when an author of a action series gets the nomenclature correct. To sum it up, I really did enjoy this one and will look for more from the same author.

I have to agree with Monsta Mack here. What did everyone hate so much about this book? While the plot was simplistic, I found it to be an enjoyable action story with interesting characters. Faust was such an evil bastard that it made it more exciting to see Bolan finally give him what he deserved. My main complaint was that the ending seemed very rushed. Maybe Rainey's writing style is what everyone is reacting so negatively towards. While goofy at times I thought it was a fun change of pace. It was certainly more entertaining than reading Newton's five favorite phrases repeated over and over for 220 pages.

This is a kidnapping for ransom plot that is a simplistic storyline, yet provides what I consider to be an enjoyable and well written action-adventure episode in the Executioner series. The book moves with a good nonstop pace, and the author did a fine job in his storytelling. The action takes place in northern Italy, where ransom rackets are flourishing, and the leader of one of these gangs is the main villain named Faust, who is a well drawn badguy, the writer did a good job of making the reader really despise the man. Also I liked the Verga character, another well written badguy, as well as the Giamante punk that Bolan uses as his temporary ally. One headscratching mystery is what it was about this particular novel that other reviewers didn't like about it. Ok, so this book isn't one to wow anybody, and the hostage for ransom plot has been seen before and the tactic Bolan used to throw different gangs at each others throats has been seen in Pendleton and Newton novels before. But the whole book was a well told adventure with good characters, dialogue, drama and action, that I didn't see any drawback whatsoever to this novel. If there were any boring parts of the book, they must have been cut from the copy that I have. I thought this book was well worth reading. Ransom Run gets the Monsta Mack seal of approval.

hmm well crap what more can I say. This title is just so boring it makes you wonder what the publishers were thinking ???????? The plot non existent the story line ordinary. Gee there are so many good books released in this series it makes you wonder how this crap was even published ??? my two bobs worth........

A high profile kidnapping occurs in Italy. Bolan shows up to save the hostages. This book fails on so many levels. First, it doesn't seem like a mission worthy of the Executioner. The two families of the victims are wealthy enough and willing to pay the ransom, so why does Bolan get involved? The tenuous connection to Brognola seems like a big stretch thrown in for convenience sake. Another issue is that innocent people get killed in a gang war started by Bolan. Although it probably should happen more than it does, this is a no-no. It makes this book feel less like an Executioner. Also, there is way too much "tough guy speak". The book is written with such macho language that it hits like a sledgehammer, only without the subtlety. Heh. A few examples: The ring of security made sure that people who didn't belong never got past the front door. Mack Bolan belonged. and "Maybe it's time we added some dagger to the cloak." "Long past time." And this is all in chapter one! It's too much like a bad 30's detective novel. Add to all this the fact that Bolan relies heavily on the Italian special services, barely having time for his own action, and you end up with a very sub-par novel. It just doesn't work.

IT WAS UNBELIEVABLY BORING AND TYPICAL TO ME.