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Avenger

Avenger

List Price: $39.95
Your Price: $26.37
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Masterful
Review: A page turner with recent history, philosphy, and payback in the mix. A good one from an old master.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Just can't put it down
Review: The premise of the story is a little extraordinary - among the thousands who died in the chaos that followed the breakdown of the Yugoslavia was an idealistic American young man who had volunteered to provide humanitarian assistance in the conflict zone. I used the adjective extraordinary because this young man was unusual among the victims, even among the relief volunteers, in that he came from a very, very wealthy family, which could unlike most families of other victims, could afford move heaven and earth to discover the truth of his death, and hire the Avenger bring the perpetrator to justice.

Unlike other thrillers which focussed on only a main characters, the author dealt fairly evenly with the cast of Avenger. In Part One of the book, chapter titles such as the The Hard Hat, The Victim and The Magnate provided detailed backgrounds of the the Avenger, the victim and his wealthy grandfather who was a World War 2 veteran. These main characters were further developed in subsequent chapters, while supporting cast such as the investigator hired to find out what happened to the victim merited their own chapters such as The Tracker. The culprit who became the object of the hunt also got his own chapter in The Killer.

The author made clever use of compartmentalisation to weave different threads to represent different stages of development from different perspectives. Besides introducing the major characters, chapters in Part One also helped to set the stage to explain why despite their wealth and influence, the family of the victim could not get the legal authorities to apprehend the culprit and had to turn to hiring a bounty hunter. It also had a glimpse into the consideration of taking the law into one's own hands, the difference between killing the culprit and bringing the culprit to face legal actions. I thought the author had written too short a section here and the subject offered more potential for scope.

One thing the author had done well was to avoid repetitive scenes in introducing the characters. It would have been too much of a bore to see different characters go through similar rites of passage to become the kind of people they were at the onset of the story - priviliged/underpriviliged childhood, distinguished service in the military before making good on their own merit. Here, the author managed to brew a different flavour for each individual. Unfortunately, these rich background materials were almost lost in the later parts of the book, except for the Avenger's. Sharp-minded readers could recognise characteristics and tools-of-trades from the Avenger's background being utilised in bringing the culprit to justice.

The end of Part One introduced a twist to the development - the hunt for the culprit would be hampered by the fact that the culprit might be being protected by some government agency.

Fewer major characters were introduced in Part Two, which detailed how the culprit was finally tracked down, and which government agency was protecting the culprit. Characterisation slowly gave way to plot development. Readers are introduced to the issue of "setting a thief to catch a thief". While this is a familiar old theme, the author painted a bleak picture of what it actually means to have to make deals with ruthless criminals in order to go after targets they consider more dangerous. By now, the cast of characters had grown considerably, but the skillful characterisation means that readers are in little danger of losing track of the names.

The last Part of the book deals with the build up to the climax of when the Avenger would finally confront the criminal. Here, readers see the Avenger being hunted down in a manner akin to the assassin in the author's early book, Day of the Jackal. The Avenger had not only to go through false identities, but also lay false trails and avoid traps by authorities. The manner in which the Avenger penetrated the heavy wall of protection surrounding the culprit is highly original which would become a classic. I saw some reviewers commenting he had too much luck on his side. My own careful reading indicated that luck had nothing to do with it, the Avenger was a survivor of Nam, and was a Tunnel Rat. He was also a student of history. He had to outthink worse opponents, and the so-called luck was actually advanced planning. Luck was Luke Skywalker walking into Jabba's den and had Jabba decide to bring him and his friends out of the den to the Pit of Sarlaac. Knowing where your opponent would run to and to wait for him is not luck.

In no part of the book did the Avenger depend on his superior firepower, martial prowess, personal charm or gadgets or some invicibility that plagued characters such as James Bond. This is indeed another masterpiece from the author.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The master is back!
Review: I was asked if this book was good. No, it is spectacular. At first, AVENGER seems like a simple tale of revenge, but it is so much more.

The story begins with the murder of an idealistic college kid in Bosnia in 1995, and a bereaved grandfather who decides to do "one more good thing." The Avenger is Cal Dexter, a kid who made his bones in Vietnam crawling down tunnels and wasting Viet Cong. The rest is waiting for you between the covers of this extraordinary book.

Mr. Forsyth reminds us of what he did when he wrote THE DAY OF THE JACKAL. The same intensity, twists and turns keep you guessing right up to the end.

This book deserves 10 or 15 stars.

Run don't walk to your nearest book store get a copy right now!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Fabulous Forsyth
Review: Surviving the underground tunnels of Vietnam gave the avenger certain skills, skills that he uses on very special occasions, when the price and the job are right. Then he accepts a job that involves powerful people on both sides of the law and in high places of US and foreign governments. Will his mission succeed and will he aid his own government or set off more horror. If you enjoy fast-paced intrigue, "Avenger" is the perfect read for you.
Beverly J Scott author of Righteous Revenge and Ruth Fever

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Around the world in 7 days
Review: 7 days is how long it took for me to read this book, and I loved it. Mr. Forsyth is a superb author who takes the reader all around the world - geographically, linguistically, culturally - and throws in the suspense as well. I have read several of his books, and this one ranks right up there with many of them (5 stars reserved for the "Jackal" though).

At times a couple of characters merited a turn-back in the book to refresh my recollection, but the book ties everyone all together very well.

Mr. Forsyth, as the editor's review suggests, does educate and entertain at the same time. I highly recommend this book to all Fredrick Forsyth fans or to any international intrigue fans in general.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Good vs....
Review: A true page turner! Up to date topic, which adds to the suspense. Unlike most books of this genre, this one has a twist at the end....whom do you pull for when it is--good vs good vs evil? The winner makes all the difference.
The plot also has a well-placed red herring.
Don't miss this one!

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Entertaining Look at Capturing a Terrorist
Review: In Avenger, Frederick Forsyth takes an updated look at how wealthy people may pursue private justice against terrorists. In this case, the subject is war crimes in Bosnia and an escaped war criminal who is seemingly safe in a far-away country. I was reminded of the attempts by Israeli agents over the years to capture Nazi war criminals in South America.

Rather than simply building up that story, Mr. Forsyth takes the time to tell you about the private agent, attorney Calvin Dexter, who undertakes to right such wrongs. Dexter is a Paladin-like character who is a gun for hire for the side of the right. For me, one of the most enjoyable parts of the book was how Dexter developed his skills in dealing with dangerous situations as a tunnel rat in Vietnam. But the background of the main story took too long to develop. That will only be justified if Mr. Forsyth now treats us to a long series of books about Calvin Dexter.

The end of the book is superb as Calvin Dexter takes on the security services of small countries and the war criminal. I would have enjoyed the end more, however, if Mr. Forsyth had added a map to portray the scenes of the final adventure. I occasionally had to reread sections to understand the layout of the land and compound.

Overall, I found myself feeling like the book was an average thriller. It has long stretches when not much happens. Thrillers need to get your heart pounding and never let up in order to be totally satisfying. I also didn't find myself connecting too directly at an emotional level with the characters.

As I finished the book, I was intrigued by a question that Mr. Forsyth did not address. How can one safeguard one's children if they choose to serve in dangerous situations abroad? I hope that a future book by Mr. Forsyth will focus on that subject.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A very good thriller
Review: I am a big fan of Mr. Forsyth and have read most of his books. "Avenger" is typical of Forsyth's style with an intriguing plot and a mixture of fiction and facts. At times there is a good deal of exposition providing background or explanations of what is happening in the novel. In other books the author has provided somewhat more than is needed and has indeed bogged down the story with very great detail of procedures used in the plot. "Dogs of War" comes to mind because there was enough details about illegal gun running to be boring and distract from the plot. However the "Avenger" was well balanced, with some very interesting facts(?) provided about the CIA, FBI, counterterroism, Vietnam and the Bosnian war.

It is a fast moving story and a quick read. The protaganist is nearly believable, but not as outlandish as some action heros. It is worth reading just for some of the author's insights. I recommend this book to any fan of Frederick Forsyth or who likes an exciting action/adventure story.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: A somewhat fragmented plot
Review: The major portion of this novel is used to develop the characters and motives. As a result, it skips about quite a bit in location and time before getting to the final plot. In between, the author provides essays on various portions of history ranging from Bosnia to Vietnam. I found myself skimming some parts to get on with the story.

The Avenger comes across as an A-Team of one, although he has support from various sources. A former Tunnel Rat in Vietnam, he is smart, cunning, in excellent physical condition (he trains for the triathalon), and is willing to kill (although he usually does not). Lots of money from his client, and good contacts (both legal and illegal), allow him many options and identities, although someone knows his true name.

Considering the amount of effort expended in developing the varuous characters in the novel, one expects that the author is planning a sequel.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: He IS back!
Review: This is Forsyth writing in his genre with the same precision and excitement as The Day of the Jackal. His characters are firmly developed, there are stories within stories and he ties the ending up perfectly. Do not read any reviews, just buy it, clear out an evening or two and read it.


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