Rating: 
Summary: Serious disappointment. Badly written.
Review: Page after page I waited for the promised brilliant plot to unravel, for the fast packed action to unfold. I hoped it would get better but my hopes soon dissolved in frustration and anger about having wasted the money for this garbage. The plot consists of a rather dumb conspiracy tale featuring the usual big, mysterious and omnipotent secret agencies which till the last page remain just that -with no further enlightening whatsoever. The protagonists are very roughly hewn and thrown into the already bad enough story as if picked out of an assemble-your-own-book-so-that-you-can-call-yourself-author instruction sheet (take 1 or 2 villains, 1 really really good guy, 1 supersecret private agency which comes to the rescue after the amount of pages is about right...). Sometimes you wonder if the many weapons details come straight out of a copy of gun magazine. Brrr, what a disappointment. My advice (earned the hard way): do not touch this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Great plot flow and dialogue
Review: Reading the Succession was like watching a high paced action movie. Not the cookie cutter kind that Hollywood has been cranking out, but the quality kind. de Mesterton has a great grasp of the English language which he uses to its full extent in poetic descriptions and storytelling. The plot is well woven as he softens and strengthens the tension throughout the story. His detailed descriptions of characters, events and items such as guns and cars can't help but make you believe that he had first hand experience with much of what is written.
Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece!
Review: Simply put, amazing! I am now reading "The Succession" for the third time and am drawn in to the plot just as much as the first time I read it! With his perfectionist style and detail to his characters, Mr. Mesterton has created truly one of the greatest political-action thrillers I have ever read! I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a page-turning, action-packed (yet quite romantic and funny) book that you WILL NOT be able to put down!
Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece!
Review: Simply put, amazing! I am now reading "The Succession" for the third time and am drawn in to the plot just as much as the first time I read it! With his perfectionist style and detail to his characters, Mr. Mesterton has created truly one of the greatest political-action thrillers I have ever read! I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a page-turning, action-packed (yet quite romantic and funny) book that you WILL NOT be able to put down!
Rating:
Summary: Radio 1190 independent book review
Review: The Succession is a fantastic fast paced and intensely sensual novel. de Mesterton's masterful use of language kept the reek of determination and acrid gunpowder under my nose as I read this book in one sitting. With keen pen de Mesterton produces scenes with such descriptive detail that they are not so much read as watched with the minds eye. Much of the story is set in Colorado where the plot twists and turns on itself like Rocky Mountain switchbacks. With an ending to rival an Allistar McLean (Ice Station Zebra, The Guns of Navarrone) spy novel and characters of Ian Fleming caliber, The Succession is for those of us with a thirst for daring and a heart for chivalry. de Mesterton delivers.
Rating:
Summary: Radio 1190 independent book review
Review: The Succession is a fantastic fast paced and intensely sensual novel. de Mesterton's masterful use of language kept the reek of determination and acrid gunpowder under my nose as I read this book in one sitting. With keen pen de Mesterton produces scenes with such descriptive detail that they are not so much read as watched with the minds eye. Much of the story is set in Colorado where the plot twists and turns on itself like Rocky Mountain switchbacks. With an ending to rival an Allistar McLean (Ice Station Zebra, The Guns of Navarrone) spy novel and characters of Ian Fleming caliber, The Succession is for those of us with a thirst for daring and a heart for chivalry. de Mesterton delivers.
Rating:
Summary: A brilliant novel with a politically relevant theme
Review: The Succession is about a plot to overthrow the government by a group of highly trained assassins. They begin by murdering celebrities who they believe sensationalize corrupt moral values. Among those targeted are the Hollywood elite, sports stars, politicians, and other high profile victims.The hero of this book is Jack MacMaster who is a damaged, very American version of James Bond. A professional soldier who's fallen on hard times. This is his story of redemption. As he is drawn into the conspiracy, he helps to unravel it. It's a fast-paced, easily readable, highly descriptive novel. The writing style is exceptional and unique for this type of genre. Almost a blend of a novel and a film. Each succeeding chapter marks a new setting, just like scenes in a movie. Basically it's one of the most visual books ever written. The Succession shows the dangers of extremism and serves as a highly intelligent and relevant commentary on our times. It gets to the heart of our current crises, where anyone can be punished by anyone else for their personal beliefs. It succeeds in being highly entertaining, sexually charged, intriguing and brilliant. I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: A Romp of a Good Time
Review: The Succession is an extremely high paced and action packed novel that I found to be absolutely enjoyable in every way. Even though I am not an avid fan of the thriller/suspense genre, I found The Succession to be gripping from start to finish. de Mesterton's brilliant use of language and intense plot development make The Succession a truly phenomenal piece of work.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Phenomenal!
Review: The Succession is an extremely high paced and action packed novel that I found to be absolutely enjoyable in every way. Even though I am not an avid fan of the thriller/suspense genre, I found The Succession to be gripping from start to finish. de Mesterton's brilliant use of language and intense plot development make The Succession a truly phenomenal piece of work.
Rating:
Summary: Thrilling!
Review: The Succession took me completely by surprise. I've never reviewed anything before, but I just had to say something about this book. It is simply the most exciting story I've read in years. I loved it! Plus it's very well motivated. Jean-Jacques de Mesterton must be a good person. I confess that I bought the book because of the author's photograph inside the cover. He's unbelievably handsome, like a classic movie star. It's shallow, but a girl has a right to dream.... Read this book. It has everything: action, romance, adventure and intrigue. And it all wraps up beautifully in the end, it's very satisfying. I can't wait for Jack MacMaster's next adventures. It's time for a new James Bond and he's the one. You won't regret reading The Succession. It's wonderful!
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