Armed Response

Most of the books in the Mack Bolan franchise became formulized A to B pot-boilers years ago so it's a surprise to come across one that not only breaks the formula but can stand on its own as a contemporary military thriller. ARMED RESPONSE by Glenn Williams is one of those very few. Tautly written, deeply researched with a great sense of place, this particular mission of Mack Bolan is an excellent read. The plot deals with a scheme on the part of rogue officer in the war-torn Middle East to take over an American military base. Bolan's mission is to keep this from happening but he soon finds out that the operation is not quite as cut-and-dried as it seems...several covert factions are at work behind the scenes, not the least of which is an American oil company. The action sequences are not padded out but presented in an almost “live video feed� fashion. The characterization is excellent and vivid throughout, particularly the CIA agent Douglas and Captain Xiblinti. Even Bolan, who is little more than a cipher is most of these books, displays a personality and even a sense of humor. Hopefully, circumstances will conspire to allow Glenn Williams to contribute more tales to the Mack Bolan universe.

An exciting debut for mackbolan.com's administrator, Glenn. Once it got going, it rarely let up. Bolan parachuting into a terrorist compound, then finding his way aboard a ship to stop a USS Cole-like attack. Then he's hitting the plains of Africa to hunt down a rogue general planning a bloody coup. He's saddled with a CIA type with not a lot of experience, but it was fast-paced action as Bolan leaps aboard a moving train, fighting it out with rogue soldiers and then getting captured. His eventual escape and hunting the hunters out in the bush was classic Executioner. The APC battles were also exciting and the last 80 pages or so was intense. Congrats on a great debut!

Excellent action novel This is a excellent, pacy novel with which seems to build relentlessly - no mean feat given the numerous action scenes within it. The author of this episode in the franchise is one Glenn Williams who also conjures up an impressive portrait of s country - Djibouti - which is always teetering on the verge of anarchy. All the supporting characters are well drawn with lives and feelings of their own. If I had one wish it would probably to be given a little more on the ambivalence of Bolan's emotions on the actions he is forced into as the Executioner. These are hinted at but possibly with another 170 novels in the series can't be explored fully! Anyway this is gripping stuff - reminiscent of the early Alistair MacLean - and very well written.

Who knew we had a terrific Bolan writer under our noses all this time? Glenn Williams, administrator of the Mack Bolan fansite, throws his hat into the ring, and too bad the Gold Eagle line is shutting down soon after we discover a new talent like his to add to the Executioner writing team. Not long after the novel begins, the first-time writer evolves from a promising rookie to what seems like a seasoned veteran. Not only does the prose improve, but the storytelling gets better and better. I found the story gripping and hard to put down. Williams populates this book with many interesting people, proving that there is plenty of room for characterization in an action novel. From the tense parachute drop into Yemen to the scenes on a ship, the dangerous streets of Djibouti City, great car chases, thrilling action on a train, a trek across the harsh desert, with ambushes at every turn, there is much to like about this adventure. I liked how Bolan used role camouflage, his wits, and his military skills to get himself out of many scrapes and tense situations. Everything a Super Bolan should offer is here, providing a enjoyable thrilling read. I encourage all the Bolan fans and authors alike to give this book a go, and look forward to seeing a successful writing career for Glenn.

!!!!!! CONTAINS SPOILERS YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED !!!!!! Well another first time author in these series and what a wonderful entry he has produced for our reading pleasure. The title starts with two CIA agents being briefed on some strange going ons in Djibouti which is located on the Horn of Africa by a French friend of one of them. A company is apparently searching for oil deposits in areas which have been scrutinised to death previously and also the reports of bands of Mercs training for unknown purposes. Reading on, one of the worlds most wanted terrorists has been spotted at a remote desert training camp in Yemen and prior to launching a Hellfire missile at the location information is required on whether he is actually present at the location and also are there any women and children present. Switch to above Southern Yemen where we find the Big Guy brought in at the last minute as he is about to take a parachute jump out of a Hercules transport plane to try and supply information on the above. A tense read continues as his chute opens prematurely and tangles in itself leaving him in an uncontrolled freefall towards the ground. As a result of this he finds himself on the ground safe but has lost his equipment bag containing his large weapons, electrical equipment and communication gear only armed with his two pistols a fighting knife and two hand grenades. Deciding to continue with the mission anyway he makes his way to the location of the terrorist base. Disguising himself in robes from two careless sentries who no longer need them he enters the base on a soft probe looking for information. Meanwhile his lost equipment bag has been located by a roving patrol and they return to the base with same to inform the ranking leadership of the find which causes the soft probe to go hard quickly. Blitzing through the terrorists the Big Guy actually comes across the wanted terrorist and takes him out. Not having time to search the room where he had emerged from he does in fact take a notebook from a table top which contains information on a plot due to happen in the next couple of days which we read that the terrorist wishes he had destroyed before he succumbs to his injuries and passes away. Now skipping ahead heaps info obtained via Stony Man results in knowledge that a terrorist plot is about to happen via the ramming of a cargo vessel into a US ship docked in Djibouti and the Big Guy accompanies the cargo ship into port (with a few asides) to prevent the plot. Arriving in port he is met by one of the CIA guys mentioned at the start of this to be taken to a safe house with the intention of leaving the next morning as he has stopped the terrorist plot. As he is being taken to the safe house by the CIA guy an attack occurs on their vehicle and not being sure if he or the CIA guy is the target of the attack he decides to stay another day or so to find out what is going on here. The next morning travelling to interview a potential witness of the car bombing at the hotel he is again attacked in a vehicle being driven by the CIA guy and this results in a shit hot chase which is just an appetizer when the Big Guy jumps off the car pursuing the Bad guys who have jumped onto a train who in fact are themselves chasing a witness of the car bombing from the start of the title. Now the car chase is right up there folks easily as good as anything I have read in these combined series wait until you read what happens on the train. Eventually the Big Guy and the CIA agent make their way to where the Mercs are camped in the vicinity but are taken prisoner by the rogue General Bouh and held as prisoners to be killed soon. That's enough no more grab this one and read it for yourself. One thing for sure the author of this fine piece of work has some real talent and it is a real shame that this is the only title in these series we will ever have the privilege of reading if only he had got into it a couple of years ago he would have a half a dozen titles released in the combined series for sure. One last thing the ending is completely different to what is normally done by authors in these series. I know Glenn pondered for ages whether to finish it like it does or just go like everyone else does. I urged him to stay with the finish as is in this title and for one I think he made a very good decision. What do you reckon ? Excellent read grab it and give it a go as soon as you can.