Sphere of Influence [Abridged]

Rating:
Summary: What's up with Kyle Mills?
Review: Although the latest Mark Beaman adventure features an engaging plot, sympathetic characters, an especially attractive villain, and a certain amount of plausibility in these post-Soviet, Arab-terrorist times, the protagonist has become so disillusioned that he ends up jettisoning his last ounce of patriotism, becoming almost a complete and absolute moral pragmatist, which is presented as not only a smart move career-wise, but probably in the long run beneficial to his own country specifically and humankind in general. Are we really to believe the messages this not unpleasant but terminally cynical novel offers: That drug-dealing criminals help promote world stability; that the various US governmental agencies are so corrupt that there's little to distinguish our system from assorted Asian dictatorships and Islamic fundamentalists; that the world is run by gangsters? Is that how those in the know see things? Or is this morose sensibility just some kind of turbo-powered device to pump a little juice into a flagging international thriller genre?

OK, I understand that there's a kind of hardbitten sensibility not unrelated to thirties noir LA crime fiction, or even a Philip Dickian world-weariness, that goes with the the territory in the neo-international thriller. But isn't Mark Beaman a little over the top? Is this just a pissing contest to see who can construct the most cynical SOB protagonist yet still have him be a Pretty Cool Guy? Is this the Whore With a Heart of Gold transposed into the international thriller key?

I don't know, but I for me this vibe's wearing a little thin.

Rating:
Summary: Great book - but did anyone proofread it first?
Review: Having read and liked all of his previous books, I rushed to buy it and read it in a few days. The story was very timely and moved at a very good pace. I also considered it realistic and plausible. I read quite often (3-5 books a month) and consider this one of the better books I've read in the last couple of years.

However, I was totally surprised at how many errors were in the book. There were easily 30 - 50 of them that I noticed. Not spelling errors but grammatical errors. Simple things like "the the" and incorrect tense. Mistakes everyone makes but not stuff you pay good money for and expect to get from a major publisher.

Doesn't anyone proofread anymore? Maybe I'm just getting old and too critical. I still liked the book and recommend it to anyone that has read his previous books or likes the genre.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Thriller
Review: I believe this is Mr. Mills best so far and I can't wait for the next installment in the life of Mark Beamon. This is a page turner with lots of twists and turns. I normally don't give a novel five stars, but this deserves it. "Burn Factor" was the first of Mr. Mills' books I read and have not been disappointed in any of them; however, "Sphere of Influence" is the one I have enjoyed the most.

Mr. Mills: keep up the good work.

Rating:
Summary: Way below Mill's usual work
Review: I bought the audio version. I kept having to restart the tapes because the story just could not hold my interest. The story just wasn't up to the level I have grown to expect from this author.

Rating:
Summary: Can't say enough
Review: I listen to the audiotapes as I go back and forth from work. I enjoy trying to figure out ahead of "Mark Beamon" the ending of his latest case. This book is not only interesting and hard to stop listen to, but it's funny in spots. I find, when listening to this book, I could care less about traffic jams. Pick up this audio tape and listen to it while driving, excersising or doing housework. You'll get hooked.

Rating:
Summary: Mills Slips Further Into Mediocrity
Review: I remember reading Mr. Mills first book, Rising Phoenix, and being amazed at the imagination and skill of this new young writer. After that initial success however, Mr. Mills has become a rather average thriller writer who shows little penchant for complex plots or unique ideas.

The plot of Sphere of Influence revolves around a terrorist threat made against the US government. Somewhere inside the United States, a Muslim fundamentalist group has procured a Russian rocket launcher and threatens to use it against civilian targets. The FBI is desperate to find the weapon and they put their crack investigator on the case, Mills familiar protagonist, Mark Beamon. The plot soon becomes much more complex, with a shadowy criminal organization becoming involved and the obligatory CIA conspiracy.

So what's wrong with this promising story? Well, a lot of things. First off, the main idea that just by showing a picture of an old Russian rocket, the whole United States will be panic stricken is ludicrous. Mills talks about how people run from hospitals and most restaurants are closed. Come on. Besides this problem, I took issue with Mills political sermonizing. It's what hurts Clancy, and it hurts Mill's here.

As the plot lurches on, numerous holes appear. In the hands of a very talented writer, the plot involving a CIA-Cartel-Al Qaeda cospiracy might have been better presented, but I felt Mills really just couldn't handle it. The story just gets weighed down and is very predictable. Beamon is a cliche, but he is a pretty interesting character. Also somewhat fascinating is the character of Christian Volkanov, the leader of a world wide hidden crime syndicate. That's about it in the entertainment department.

Mr. Mills shows signs of talent, and I hope he succeeds in the future. It just doesn't happen with this story.

Oh, and one note to Mr. Clancy, who writes wildly enthusiastic reviews for every one of Mills books. Why don't you be a little bit more honest to the readers and disclose the fact that you are friends with his father?

Rating:
Summary: Ripped from the Headlines
Review: I was lucky enough to get my hands on a copy of an ARC several months before the actual publication date of this book. I was so happy because I enjoyed all the previous books by this author. However, after about 30 pages I just could not get into it. When the book was officially published, my friend had purchased a copy and I agreed to try again. Boy, was I glad I did! I believe that my first attempt at reading the book seemed so fresh to current 9/11 headlines that I just couldn't bring myself to read it.

Kyle Mills has created an intricate tale about events that are occuring in our government after the events of 9/11. He also introduces some nasty yet likable characters that are working with our government but are outside our jurisdiction.

If you find yourself getting lost in the characters early on, keep reading and reminding yourself who the players are. You'll be glad you made the extra effort because Kyle sure has opened my eyes as to events that might be occuring in our government right now.

Rating:
Summary: Not His Best
Review: I've just finished Mill's fourth? Mark Beamon Novel.
Mark Beamon is unhappily promoted to SAC (Special Agent In Charge) of the Phoenix F.B.I. office when he witnesses a picture of a rocket launcher held by suspected Middle Eastern Terrorists. His fellow agent and friend Laura catches the case but makes little headway as she feels the C.I.A. is stonewalling her she appeals to Beamon for help. He goes undercover in a crime drug syndicate and things quickly go downhill for him professionally as it seems the higher ups are more concerned with nailing a drug lord than discovering the truth.
I've been a fan of Mills since his first book, and reluctantly admit this one I enjoyed much less than his others. I was torn about this review because the book has definite good points, for instance it may be the best post 9/11 novel dealing with terrorism in general and on American soil in particular. Mark Beamon is an extremely likable hero being intelligent, bold and a bit of a rogue. Yet for his strengths he has times of self doubt and guilt making him more human and real.
So wherein lies the problem? Wish I could pinpoint it. For some reason I had trouble for the first time getting into a Beamon novel. I'm not sure if it is because although he's grown as a character the ground may be too familiar to hold my interest or...
mainly I would say the plot although tight as far as it went was just too convoluted. Mills basically was juggling too many issues and info in this one to focus his intensity on the main threat and I think that hurt the story. Beamon or Laura would occassionally throughout remind readers the main thread was a missile that had to be located. Yet for most of the middle Mills described various drug bosses and their aims and politics, and the drug lords just weren't that interesting characters would rather have read more about Yassin and his viewpoint than some two bit mobster.
Anyhow not his best but still better than average thriller on the market.

Rating:
Summary: A strong effort from Mills
Review: I've read and enjoyed all of the novels from Kyle Mills. They keep getting better and better. Sphere of Influence, however, is clearly Mills' best effort to date - very tight and fast paced. Mark Beamon, the SAC of the Phoenix office of the FBI, again finds himself as a bit of a lost soul battling his physical and emotional insecurities as he searches for the truth in this political action/thriller. Beamon, although a thorn in the FBI's side due to his maverick tenancies, again demonstrates the mental skills, perseverance, and apolitical perspective that make him the FBI's top investigator. Torn from the pages of current events in the wake of September 11th, Mills weaves a compelling story on al-Qaeda, terrorism, the drug trade, and the Mob. This is page turner that will be difficult to stop once you start.

This book is clearly capable of standing on its own. Part of my enjoyment of this story, however, was the history that I had built up with Beamon in "Rising Phoenix," "Storming Heaven," "Free Fall" and "Burn Factor." If you enjoyed the previous work, you will no doubt enjoy "Sphere of Influence." In you have not read the others, you might want to consider taking these books in order.

Rating:
Summary: Who Is More Deadly - Criminals, Terrorists or the CIA ?
Review: In his latest thriller, Kyle Mills combines the convoluted plotting, conspiracy paranoia and rapidity of action in the best Ludlum books with the international political intrigue with government agents operating around the edges of legality found in the best of Clancy. FBI agent Mark Beamon returns as the central character of this present day adventure involving a confluence of individually believable events that have been woven into a fascinating and extremely fast moving if somewhat implausible scenario.

As readers of Mills' previous novels know, for political reasons Mark Beamon has become persona non grata at FBI headquarters and thus has been "promoted" to Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the Phoenix office, a job which suits neither his temperament or skills. As he is trying to decide whether to move on with his life, a terrorist cell inside the US sends videotapes to media outlets which indicate that they possess a rocket launcher and plan to attack a major city. This causes a political firestorm, so Mark's friend and previous FBI associate secretly enlists Mark to help locate the terrorists before they can carry out their threat. Meanwhile when Mark is unable to prevent the murder of a fellow undercover FBI agent who has infiltrated the mob in an attempt to get information regarding their heroin distribution operations, he goes on a personal crusade to avenge the death which he could not prevent. Mark eventually develops a speculative theory regarding a possible connection between the two cases, and goes deep undercover himself. Mark manages to affiliate himself with an international crime organization run by Romanian expatriate Christian Volkov, and is pursued around the world by both the FBI and the CIA (in order to keep their own role hidden). While trying to stay alive and keep Volkov from guessing his identity he has to stop Al Queda from firing the rocket while simultaneously disrupting their source of income from supplying the Mob with drugs. And he is still motivated primarily by the need to find out who ordered the hit onhis friend killed and exact revenge. So, as I hope is clear, if you like political intrigue combined with non-stop action, you should enjoy this book, especially if you are a cynic regarding the motives of politicians and government agents.

Additionally, Mills cleverly integrates some infrequent philosophical asides as Mark has to face such issues as the counterproductive nature of the war on drugs and prosecution of victimless crimes and whether the government uses its power more ruthlessly and often causes more harm than the the criminals who it prosecutes. That this is a subtly political novel added to my enjoyment, since I agree with the apparent philosophical inclinations of the author.

I only have two minor cautions, the first few chapters move slowly but they are essential for providing background on Mark's character for first time readers of Kyle Mills and also provide elements which figure heavily in Mark's motivations as the story proceeds. Second, there are a few minor editing and proofreading errors. These were offset by my relief that the graphic violence in this story is kept to an essential minimum, as opposed to BURN FACTOR, which featured almost non-stop incredibly gruesome scenes of torture and death.