Rating: 
Summary: Fast pace action!
Review: A thiller about a stolen Russian sub being transported to the Cubans is not a bad one. However, these are some of the worst characters around. The lead character is so cocky as to be annoying. His Russian opponent is totally two dimensional. He is evil; nothing more. The British head of staff is so predictably annoying as to become tiresome. Since everyone else seems to be comparing this book to Tom Clancy's, I'll point out one big difference. Tom Clancy's characters are realistic. These are just annoying.
Rating: 
Summary: Two dimensional characters spoil military thriller.
Review: A thiller about a stolen Russian sub being transported to the Cubans is not a bad one. However, these are some of the worst characters around. The lead character is so cocky as to be annoying. His Russian opponent is totally two dimensional. He is evil; nothing more. The British head of staff is so predictably annoying as to become tiresome. Since everyone else seems to be comparing this book to Tom Clancy's, I'll point out one big difference. Tom Clancy's characters are realistic. These are just annoying.
Rating:
Summary: As good as, no better, than Clancy
Review: Flannery is just as good as Clancy. Whereas Clancy seems to be on the decline, Flannery is rising rapidly. Flannery's Bill Lane is just as great as Clancy's Jack Ryan. I'd say we can look forward to more really great books from Flannery.
Rating: 
Summary: Bazooka is better
Review: I just finished reading Achilles' Heel by Sean Flannery. Can I get a refund? Flannery may have been a good cryptographer in the Air Force, but, because someone is good at one profession doesn't make them good at another. It's like an actor trying to run for the presidency. The writing is just awful. Flannery's description of the people in this book are practically nil, and conversation between characters puts them around the third grade level. Combine that with a story line that is absurd leaves a book that should never have been published! Who are the people reading this book? Is this the reason that SAT scores are so low in America? This is not literature! I've read bubble gum wrappers with more substance than this!
Rating: 
Summary: Great comeback after dismal Kilo Option. READ IT!
Review: I looked at this sequel to Kilo Option as a dubious option. Kilo had some great moments but overall was one of Flannery's greatest disapointments. Could he redeem himself? In a word - Absolutely. Achilles Heel brings back all the major players, good and bad from Kilo Option for one final showdown. The Ukrainian villians steal an old Romeo class sub, believed to be scuttled in a Russian submarine graveyard, hide it in the English channel and wait to sell it to the highest bidder. Subplots - meticulously crafted by the author - bring two investigations together, that of the protagonist, Bill Lane, who thinks there's been a submarine theft, and that of a joint CIA/MI5 operation into thefts of Russian expatriate fortunes. Before long bodies fly, chases abound, and shootouts occur in Swiss banks. All delicious fair that complements one of the best plots Flannery has devised in years. Characterizations: Some good, some not so good. Bill Lane and his side kick, Frannie are a bit cocky. But they have glib moments that draw a chuckle, too. Yernin - the Ukrainian sociopath, and Morgan the whinny Brit are a bit shallow - two dimmensional. Masslenikov, Yernin's control in the novel is nearly a masterstroke. A bit more complex than the other characters in the novel. Pace: Nearly perfect. This is where Kilo Option fell short. Clear shot at redemption and he zeros in on the target...bullseye. Final analysis: By far better than Kilo Option, nearly as good as Winner Take All. Ranks among Flannery's better works Questions? Email me
Rating:
Summary: Great comeback after dismal Kilo Option. READ IT!
Review: I looked at this sequel to Kilo Option as a dubious option. Kilo had some great moments but overall was one of Flannery's greatest disapointments. Could he redeem himself? In a word - Absolutely. Achilles Heel brings back all the major players, good and bad from Kilo Option for one final showdown. The Ukrainian villians steal an old Romeo class sub, believed to be scuttled in a Russian submarine graveyard, hide it in the English channel and wait to sell it to the highest bidder. Subplots - meticulously crafted by the author - bring two investigations together, that of the protagonist, Bill Lane, who thinks there's been a submarine theft, and that of a joint CIA/MI5 operation into thefts of Russian expatriate fortunes. Before long bodies fly, chases abound, and shootouts occur in Swiss banks. All delicious fair that complements one of the best plots Flannery has devised in years. Characterizations: Some good, some not so good. Bill Lane and his side kick, Frannie are a bit cocky. But they have glib moments that draw a chuckle, too. Yernin - the Ukrainian sociopath, and Morgan the whinny Brit are a bit shallow - two dimmensional. Masslenikov, Yernin's control in the novel is nearly a masterstroke. A bit more complex than the other characters in the novel. Pace: Nearly perfect. This is where Kilo Option fell short. Clear shot at redemption and he zeros in on the target...bullseye. Final analysis: By far better than Kilo Option, nearly as good as Winner Take All. Ranks among Flannery's better works Questions? Email me
Rating:
Summary: Achilles' Heel
Review: I've been a fan of Sean Flannery and David Hagberg for years. I just finished "Achilles Heel" for the second time. And it grabbed me again! The characters are believable, though a few seem slighly superhero like. The good guys, as good as they are, also have their flaws. The bad guys, as evil as they are, have their positive traits. Because they do, one almost hopes they get away with their nefarious schemes. Sort of like rooting for Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid. The book contains the elements of a great thriller: adversity, intrigue, romance, high tech gadgets, tension among the bad guys, and the good, and enough complications to keep one on the edge of going to bed or reading one more chapter. I'm confused after reading about Mr. Flannery on the back jacket. Why, is Mr. Flannery, an ex-Air Force cryptographer, wearing a USS Independence ball cap in the picture?
Rating:
Summary: Achilles' Heel
Review: I've been a fan of Sean Flannery and David Hagberg for years. I just finished "Achilles Heel" for the second time. And it grabbed me again! The characters are believable, though a few seem slighly superhero like. The good guys, as good as they are, also have their flaws. The bad guys, as evil as they are, have their positive traits. Because they do, one almost hopes they get away with their nefarious schemes. Sort of like rooting for Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid. The book contains the elements of a great thriller: adversity, intrigue, romance, high tech gadgets, tension among the bad guys, and the good, and enough complications to keep one on the edge of going to bed or reading one more chapter. I'm confused after reading about Mr. Flannery on the back jacket. Why, is Mr. Flannery, an ex-Air Force cryptographer, wearing a USS Independence ball cap in the picture?
Rating:
Summary: Achilles' Heel
Review: I've been a fan of Sean Flannery and David Hagberg for years. I just finished "Achilles Heel" for the second time. And it grabbed me again! The characters are believable, though a few seem slighly superhero like. The good guys, as good as they are, also have their flaws. The bad guys, as evil as they are, have their positive traits. Because they do, one almost hopes they get away with their nefarious schemes. Sort of like rooting for Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid. The book contains the elements of a great thriller: adversity, intrigue, romance, high tech gadgets, tension among the bad guys, and the good, and enough complications to keep one on the edge of going to bed or reading one more chapter. I'm confused after reading about Mr. Flannery on the back jacket. Why, is Mr. Flannery, an ex-Air Force cryptographer, wearing a USS Independence ball cap in the picture?
Rating:
Summary: Fast pace action!
Review: Reading this book is like watching a good action movie. The story moves along in a very fast pace, it will keep you interested all the time. I think it's more entertaining than some of the Clancy's novels because it won't get to the point where readers struggle to keep up with too much technical information.
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