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Summary: If You Like Sarcastic Whiners as Protagonists
Review: Major Sean Drummond describes himself on page 92 as "...whining complainers like me." The book is written in first person singular, and you can tell why Major Drummond is single from his complaining. If you see humor in Drummond's attitude you'll possibly enjoy the book. I found the writing style tedious, the plot torpid, and finished the book only because a friend recommended Brian Haig. I don't. I wouldn't put Haig in Daniel Silva's, Michael Connelly's, or John Grisham's league, but they are listed as "Customers who bought this book also bought ..." I can vouch for Silva's merit as a writer of top-notch thrillers.
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Summary: A well-written, MUST READ thriller.
Review: Sean Drummond has had tough cases, but none like that of General William Morrison who stands accused of naming names and exposing the inner workings of the US foreign policy to the Russians. Morrison swears he is being framed and the further Drummond investigates he realizes things are not as they seem and he will need more than the confidence of those counting on him. What he gets is Katrina Mazorski-a Russian speaking, pierced, skin-tight clothes wearing co-council. As the investigation heats up, Drummond and Katrina discover shocking secrets and cover-ups that stretch from Washington to Moscow, and what started as a case of treason now has two counts of murder, while behind-the-scenes is someone with a master plan, pulling the strings and not willing to stop until Morrison is destroyed. 'The Kingmaker' is an electrifying thriller that starts fast and gains speed with each turn of the page. Combining political, military and legal thrills with fleshed-out characters 'The Kingmaker' moves full force with loads of plot twists and secrets to make this stand out among other novels in the genre. Brian Haig burst on the scene a couple of years ago, and with only three novels under his belt he has become one of my MUST READ authors. His writing is style smooth, his pacing brisk, and his plots are gripping...if you have not discovered Haig yet, do yourself a favor and read him, he is that good. 'The Kingmaker' is top-notch entertainment for fans of well-written, fast-paced thrillers that should land on all the best-seller lists. Nick Gonnella
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Summary: Great read, but is it believable?
Review: Sean Drummond-the wisecracking JAG Major--is back and this time its the Russians and the CIA in the plot. Haig has become a "must read" for me and I certainly enjoyed The Kingmaker. The plot, however, seemed less realistic than in his first 2 novels, both of which I give an unconditional 5 stars. Drummond also becomes a more violent character, or at least more people get killed than in previous Haig books. The book went from 5 stars to 4 for me in the final 100 pages,as the bodies started dropping and the President's best friend became the leading candidate for the biggest U.S. traitor sinc Benedict Arnold. Still, The Kingmaker is first rate , but I hope Haig returns to less grandiose story lines.
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Summary: Great thriller
Review: See book summary above. Brian Haig is one of my favorite authors. This novel puts him in that field of great thriller writers. His novels are well researched and his writing style draws the reader in.
The protagonist, Sean Drummond, is very likeable. Maybe because he rarely takes anything seriously.
A solid and suspenseful novel sure to please all thriller readers. Highly recommended.
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Summary: fast and exciting read
Review: The continuation of Sean Drummond as a central character works again in this Brian Haig novel. Although it seemed the ending got wrapped up a little too fast for my tastes, Haig has once again written a smart and fast paced book. The infusions of humour add to the enjoyment. Hopefully Haig is able to maintain the momentum.
Rating:
Summary: fast and exciting read
Review: The continuation of Sean Drummond as a central character works again in this Brian Haig novel. Although it seemed the ending got wrapped up a little too fast for my tastes, Haig has once again written a smart and fast paced book. The infusions of humour add to the enjoyment. Hopefully Haig is able to maintain the momentum.
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Summary: You Would't Believe Who It Was?
Review: THE KINGMAKER by Brian Haig
You Wouldn't Believe Who It Was?
Mr. Haig was born in the correct family to write a story based in Washington D. C. He has experience in what he writes about, the CIA and FBI, he grew up hearing about them all the time and later served his time in the military. He was a West Point graduate and served as a military strategist and the military specialist for the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff. Now he writes 'on the edge of your chair' fiction about the Washington scene, with the CIA and FBI featured, with knowledge of what he is writing about. This is his second book that I have read. And they get better. Once you start one of his books it's hard to but it down. In this story he takes you to Russia and back to Washington D. C. His hero, Sean is very polished in any kind of company. He maintains his sense of humour almost all the time with all kinds of people, but can take care of himself in any kind of situation when called upon to do so.
Rating:
Summary: You Would't Believe Who It Was?
Review: THE KINGMAKER by Brian Haig
You Wouldn't Believe Who It Was?
Mr. Haig was born in the correct family to write a story based in Washington D. C. He has experience in what he writes about, the CIA and FBI, he grew up hearing about them all the time and later served his time in the military. He was a West Point graduate and served as a military strategist and the military specialist for the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff. Now he writes 'on the edge of your chair' fiction about the Washington scene, with the CIA and FBI featured, with knowledge of what he is writing about. This is his second book that I have read. And they get better. Once you start one of his books it's hard to but it down. In this story he takes you to Russia and back to Washington D. C. His hero, Sean is very polished in any kind of company. He maintains his sense of humour almost all the time with all kinds of people, but can take care of himself in any kind of situation when called upon to do so.
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Summary: Meet Sean Drummond: The James Bond of the Legal Profession
Review: This is the first novel by Brian Haig that I have read; it works very well as a standalone story although definitely made me want to read his two earlier novels with Major Sean Drummond as the chief protagonist. While this is a story within a legal framework, it is much more an action-adventure, espionage, political intrigue, romantic thriller with frequent comic relief to offset the tension. It is an incredibly fast paced, easy read which I enjoyed tremendously. The storyline is simplicity itself, Brigadier General William Morrison is in Fort Leavenworth, accused of the most damaging acts of treason in the history of the country. Despite their personal animosity, he chooses Major Sean Drummond of the JAG Corps to not only save him from the death penalty but prove his innocence. Not only does Drummond dislike Morrrison intensely, but the General's wife Mary, a high level CIA employee who had been stationed in Moscow with Morrison, had an affair with Drummond before she dumped him to marry up in class. Just to raise the stakes, the prosecuting attorney, Major Eddie Golden, has twice been the recipient of the Hangman Award (the JAG equivalent of Top Gun status). Further stumbling blocks are that most of the evidence is classified top security and knowledge of Russian appears to be a mandatory skill. Sean locates a civilian associate, Katrina Mazorski, who is both fluent in Russian and has top secret clearance but whose experience since her recent graduation from law school has primarily consisted of cases from the local police blotter. With her pierced navel and non-traditional dress, she is the perfect foil for Drummond. Many of their interchanges are wonderful. The case seems hopeless and Morrison appears guilty, but when Drummond is forced to protect himself and Katrina on multiple occasions from attempted ambushes (including during a visit to Moscow), they conclude that there is a massive coverup being attempted and perhaps their client really is innocent of the most serious charges, although still guilty of being an overbearing, ambitious and egotistical jerk. This is a story whose plot very cleverly includes a conspiratorial explanation for the dissolution of the Soviet Empire and the eventual rise to power of Putin. It even includes characters who appear to be loosely based on President Clinton and Strobe Talbott. It is an alternate history, where you just accept the background as you are swept along in the story. The characters are so sharply drawn that they are almost all charicatures of themselves, but tremendously enjoyable ones. In many instances, Drummond's wisecracks and his repartee with Katrina strike just the right note in keeping him true to the story. (Just the same sort of embellishment to the role that has made James Bond's character so universal and so durable despite the stories having an element of unbelievability.) For those who want a fast paced tale, this is the legal equivalent of James Bond without the futuristic aspects that have increasingly become the trademark of that franchise. While I doubt Sean Drummond will be as durable a character and as good a franchise as Bond (and the genre of legal action adventure thrillers is a lot narrower), I enjoyed this book as much and felt it was as true to the period in which it is set as the early Ian Fleming books which I read voraciously approximately thirty years ago.
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Summary: delightful conspiracy tale
Review: US Army Brigadier General William T. Morrison is accused of treason having helped the former Soviet Union when he served in Moscow as a military attaché. In Fort Leavenworth awaiting trial, William surprisingly asks that his former buddy Judge Advocate General lawyer Major Sean Drummond represent him. Beside the fact that this case will probably end his career, Sean hates William for stealing his college girl friend, Mary Steele Morrison (aside - any relation to Harry?). Instead of begging off due to a conflict of interest, he takes the case because Sean remains an idealist. The prosecution assigns Major Eddie Golden who brutalizes opponents during the trial and afterward provides a memento baseball bat to his losing opponents including two to Sean. Though William appears overwhelmingly guilty, Bulldog Drummond investigates the case in the two Cold War capitals, but finds no counter evidence. Convinced his client is guilty, Drummond changes his mind when someone tries to kill him. With renewed vigor, Sean begins unraveling a deep conspiracy with the goal leave Eddie with a Babe Ruth bat. Though very exciting, THE KINGMAKER is not quite at the level of Drummond's first two novels (see SECRET SANCTION and MORTAL ALLIES) as he turns more into a super physical specimen than the cerebral giant. The story line is fast-paced and loaded with action, but follows the conspiracy thriller prescription with no variation to the specs. Drummond retains his attitude of combining cynical idealism with amusing one-liners that the audience will enjoy. Brian Haig has written a delightful tale that his fans and the conspiratorial buffs will enjoy just not quite attaining the Drummond quality level. Harriet Klausner
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