#2390 - Jack Carr

In this action-packed climax to the 'Mortalis' trilogy, the heroes of 'The Brotherhood of the Rose' and 'The Fraternity of the Stone' are drawn together to solve a baffling mystery: the simultaneous kidnapping of ten elderly men from around the world. As they investigate, they are pulled into a violent cycle of revenge that stretches back to World War II, forcing sons to pay for their fathers' darkest sins. The story spans multiple locations, including the Vatican, the Swiss Alps, Australia, and the heartland of America, and explores themes of faith, fatherhood, and redemption.

John le Carre's "The Honourable Schoolboy" is a complex spy thriller set against the backdrop of 1970s Hong Kong. The novel follows the intricate operations of the British Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) as they navigate the political landscape of the Cold War. Le Carre masterfully weaves together themes of betrayal, deception, and moral ambiguity, exploring the human cost of espionage. The story delves into the lives of various characters, each with their own motivations and secrets, creating a suspenseful and thought-provoking narrative. The novel's detailed descriptions of Hong Kong and its portrayal of the waning days of the American presence in Vietnam add depth and historical context.

The Terminal List follows James Reece, a Navy SEAL commander, who is left to grapple with the deaths of his crew and several others in a mission that went horribly wrong. As Reece delves deeper into the events, he uncovers a complex and dark plot involving the American government. Driven by a desire for revenge and justice, Reece sets out to avenge the deaths of his comrades. The book is known for its intense action, detailed military components, and the emotional depth of its characters, making it a compelling read in the military action genre.

Set in 1938, 'The Tears of Autumn' tells the story of two couples, one from England and one from Germany, who meet while honeymooning in Sorrento. As they form a friendship, the looming threat of war casts uncertainty over their futures. The novel explores themes of youth, promise, and the challenges of wartime.

Published in 1951, 'The True Believer' is a landmark work in social psychology that provides a visionary and provocative look into the mind of the fanatic and the dynamics of mass movements. Hoffer argues that ideologies are interchangeable for true believers, who are driven by personal frustrations and a desire for certainty and belonging. The book is highly relevant today, offering insights into political fanaticism, the rise of mass movements, and the dangers of unthinking adherence to any cause. It has been praised for its concise and insightful analysis, making it a significant contribution to social thought.

In 'Red Sky Mourning', Jack Carr crafts a gripping narrative where a rogue Chinese submarine, a Silicon Valley tech mogul, and a foreign-controlled politician converge to ignite a catastrophic power grab. The only hope lies in a rogue quantum computer named 'Alice', connected to James Reece, who must prevent a nuclear holocaust and save the United States.

The novel follows an unnamed English assassin, known only as the Jackal, who is hired by the OAS (Organisation de l'armée secrète), a French dissident paramilitary organization, to assassinate French President Charles de Gaulle. The story is divided into three parts: 'Anatomy of a Plot', detailing the Jackal's preparations; 'Anatomy of a Manhunt', focusing on the French secret service's efforts to identify and stop the Jackal; and 'Anatomy of a Kill', the final confrontation. The novel is known for its detailed and methodical portrayal of both the assassin's plans and the police investigation, creating a tense and suspenseful narrative.

In 'So You've Been Publicly Shamed', Jon Ronson delves into the phenomenon of online shaming and its historical antecedents. The book features interviews with individuals who have been subjected to intense public shaming, including Jonah Lehrer, a journalist who plagiarized quotes, and a woman who was shamed for a tweet at an airport. Ronson also speaks with practitioners of modern public humiliation and examines the immediate and long-term consequences of such shaming. The book raises questions about righteousness, reputation, and conformity in the context of social media and its impact on individuals and society.

In Savage Son, the third book of The Terminal List series, James Reece is recovering from brain surgery in the Montana wilderness. Unbeknownst to him, a traitorous CIA officer has found refuge with the Russian mafia and is plotting to kill him. As Reece tries to rebuild his life with the help of investigative journalist Katie Buranek and his SEAL teammate Raife Hastings, he becomes embroiled in a deadly game of cat and mouse with the Russian mafia. The novel explores the darkest instincts of humanity and is known for its intense and action-packed plot, tying up threads from previous books while setting up new plotlines for future installments.

This novel follows Drew MacLane, a former member of a clandestine government-sanctioned organization called Scalpel, who has retreated to a monastery to do penance for his past sins. However, his peaceful life is disrupted when his monastery is attacked, and he must navigate a complex web of espionage, religious conspiracies, and historical secrets to survive. The story is part of the 'Brotherhood of the Rose' series but can be read as a standalone novel. It introduces elements of religious and historical conspiracies into the spy thriller genre, influencing later authors like Dan Brown and Steve Berry.

First Blood is a novel by David Morrell that tells the story of John Rambo, a troubled Vietnam veteran who becomes embroiled in a violent confrontation with Sheriff Wilfred Teasle in rural Kentucky. The novel delves into themes of post-traumatic stress disorder, masculinity, and the consequences of war, offering a complex portrayal of both characters as they engage in a relentless pursuit through the wilderness.

The Brotherhood of the Rose tells the story of Saul and Chris, two orphans from Philadelphia who are adopted by Eliot, a man who treats them like his own children but trains them to be assassins. When a mission goes wrong for Saul and Chris is involved in an international incident, they begin to question their lives and their missions, and start to see Eliot in a new light. The novel spans the globe, filled with heart-stopping action, fierce loyalty, and violent betrayal, as Saul and Chris try to escape death squads and uncover the truth about Eliot's intentions.