Rating: 
Summary: Good read, but light in character development.
Review: Although one is at some disadvantage without already knowing of the Northern Ireland conflict, this is nonetheless an exciting read. The central character, Michael Osbourne, is immediately likable, and seems to have that quintessential American bull-headed, go-for-it attitude, while maintaining an immediately intelligent and honest persona.Confusion may occur rapidly, in distinguishing between "Republican" vs. "National" and "Protestant" vs. "Catholic", if one is not already aware of real-world Ireland. That notwithstanding, the plot intrigues, with what appears to be a morally and idealistically-vacant, superpower group whose identities remain hidden, convinced that a little trouble in the world goes a long-way towards advancing their economic pursuits. The greatest disappointment, is in the character development of a leading antagonist, the young, strong, bereaved Irish widow, Rebecca Wells. She seems to have a significant impact in the outcome, but the reader is frustrated by only occasional glimpses of her, with little understanding of how she "works" or what she really is. The development of the key assassin, Delaroche, is far more complex, and intriguing. All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable read!
Rating: 
Summary: Daniel Silva Does it Again
Review: An excellent followup to "Mark of the Assasin".Our hired killer returns to the world scene doing a hit for the Chief of the Mossad. The secret committee is once again using October to cause big problems on the world scene. The ending of the book was also very unique. Revenge is gained on this Committee thanks to October. This was the perfect way to end this book. This is another must buy book.
Rating:
Summary: The Marching Season
Review: Another best seller written by Daniel Silva. The saga of October is as good as his first book. Fast, easy, suspenseful plot keep me wanting more ...
Rating: 
Summary: Another very good effort from Silva
Review: Another page turner from Daniel Silva!!! Michael Osbourne, hero from The Mark of the Assassin, returns as the chief protagonist in the Marching Season. Against the backdrop of the long-standing conflict in Northern Ireland, the secret order called the Society is again attempting to create global unrest to further their own agendas. The Marching Season is a fast-paced, exciting read. Many of the characters from the Mark of the Assassin, both good and evil, are back, allowing for further character development for the readers who also read Silva's previous work. The story has action, excitement, intrigue, and frequent plot twists - leading up to an unexpected ending. This is another solid effort by Silva. You won't be disappointed if you give this a go.
Rating:
Summary: Nicely Done
Review: Author Silva has put together another interesting and complex
story, and, again, he relies on the device of an enormous
conspiracy among unlikely allies to provide some tension
and basis for moving the action along.
This conspiracy is not quite believeable, so that contrived
device prevents this from being a truly great book
The title refers to the Marching Season in N. Ireland, and much
of the setting for this story is in that part of Ireland, and
the author details much of the history of this unsavory conflict, going back in history to 1609 when William of Orange
defeated the Catholics in a deadly battle, and he gives us
considerable detail of the action since 1969, when the present
"troubles" started. This historical perspective is necessary for the understanding
of this story, and the author does a nice job of presenting the
complex material and gives us some basis for understanding
the continuation of the conflict. He helps us understand the long-running conflicts around the
world by mentioning the "trouble spots," and the places
mentioned several years ago turn out to be the exact same
places that cause trouble for us today. The writer has done considerable research, as well, on the
places where the action takes place, and many readers will
be able to feel the locale as he reads. But despite this
considerable research, the author doesn't seem to have talked
to any small-arms experts, as his descriptions of the various
handguns carried by agents of various groups doesn't ring true.
And he misses some of the terminology of such weapons and their
uses. But the story moves along, and the characters are rather believeable.
Rating:
Summary: Dead accurate. Alive with suspense.
Review: Daniel Silva keeps getting better and better. The Marching Season is his best yet. Silva clearly has gone to great lengths to research this thriller. His understanding of counterterrorism is superb. Silva moves the story along with skill and style that is unmatched by all those former lawyers cranking out novels. The Marching Season leaves them in the dust.
Rating:
Summary: Intriguing and "Clancy-ish"!
Review: Enjoyed immensely the protagonist's moxie; also found the relationship between him, his father-in-law (the man at risk while acting as Ambassador to Great Britain), and his wife satisfyingly realistic. Greatest disappointment was in the "anti-heroine" Irish female, whose husband had been killed in conflict. She seems a survivor, cunning and intelligent, yet with ideals to fuel her fervor, but the reader never gets the "whole story" on her; she ends up a "shadow" in the big picture. The antagonist, however, is a wonderfully complex, intelligent villian, who even undergoes deforming plastic surgery to preserve the myth of his fatal demise. A great suspenseful,political/terrorist read!
Rating:
Summary: Half a Loaf is Better Than None
Review: First of all, I like Daniel Silva's writing and I thoroughly enjoyed his first two novels. "The Unlikely Spy" was one of the best World War II espionage novels that I had read in a long time. "Mark of the Assassin", the prequel to this book, was also quite good. But, I guess I just missed the boat on this one. The success of the Good Friday Agreement is being threatened by a new terrorist group and the current British Prime Minister requests that the U.S. President appoint a heavyweight to the Court of St. James to show U.S. support for this agreement. Senator Douglas Cannon, a political rival of the current administration, gets the appointment and since he is Michael Osbourne's father in law, we know that the former hero of "Mark of the Assassin" will be lured back into the web of dirty deeds and operatives. Even the "Assassin" from "Mark of the Assassin" returns. What more could one ask for. Unlike many, I thought that the first half of the book was extremely well done. Especially where Silva lays the seeds for the problems in Northern Ireland and introduces his new paramilitary "bad guys" (and "bad gals"). But, with the introduction of a super-secret cabal known only as "The Society", whose directors are interested in world domination and control from an economic as well as a political/military level, I think he starts to lose it. First of all, the identity of the U.S. delegate to this group is a piece of cake to figure out. Then, "October", the assassin from the second book, performs a hit for the Mossad and Osbourne can recognize him from his hand (?). The Society itself - that world domination thing, again - is vintage Robert Ludlum. Even the three word title is downright Ludlumesque. And having Osbourne and Jean Paul Delarouche ("October") join forces to save the world.......well, let's say I double checked a couple of times just to make sure whose name was on the cover. A number of authors of this genre have had their first couple of books be their best work and later novels become the literary equivalent of popcorn. I think that Silva is too good a writer to allow that to happen. But, I look forward to his next novel, just to make sure.
Rating:
Summary: Half a Loaf is Better Than None
Review: First of all, I like Daniel Silva's writing and I thoroughly enjoyed his first two novels. "The Unlikely Spy" was one of the best World War II espionage novels that I had read in a long time. "Mark of the Assassin", the prequel to this book, was also quite good. But, I guess I just missed the boat on this one. The success of the Good Friday Agreement is being threatened by a new terrorist group and the current British Prime Minister requests that the U.S. President appoint a heavyweight to the Court of St. James to show U.S. support for this agreement. Senator Douglas Cannon, a political rival of the current administration, gets the appointment and since he is Michael Osbourne's father in law, we know that the former hero of "Mark of the Assassin" will be lured back into the web of dirty deeds and operatives. Even the "Assassin" from "Mark of the Assassin" returns. What more could one ask for. Unlike many, I thought that the first half of the book was extremely well done. Especially where Silva lays the seeds for the problems in Northern Ireland and introduces his new paramilitary "bad guys" (and "bad gals"). But, with the introduction of a super-secret cabal known only as "The Society", whose directors are interested in world domination and control from an economic as well as a political/military level, I think he starts to lose it. First of all, the identity of the U.S. delegate to this group is a piece of cake to figure out. Then, "October", the assassin from the second book, performs a hit for the Mossad and Osbourne can recognize him from his hand (?). The Society itself - that world domination thing, again - is vintage Robert Ludlum. Even the three word title is downright Ludlumesque. And having Osbourne and Jean Paul Delarouche ("October") join forces to save the world.......well, let's say I double checked a couple of times just to make sure whose name was on the cover. A number of authors of this genre have had their first couple of books be their best work and later novels become the literary equivalent of popcorn. I think that Silva is too good a writer to allow that to happen. But, I look forward to his next novel, just to make sure.
Rating:
Summary: Silva Shines!
Review: I absolutely loved this follow-up to The Mark of the Assassin. Silva is the new king of the espionage/adventure-thriller! I flipped thru pages as fast as I could, anxious to reach the denouement, but at the same time not wanting the story to end. Well-drawn and likable charachters , both good and bad, propelled the story of revenge and terror in Ireland, the U.S., England, and Europe. Can't wait for the next Michael Osbourne tale.
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