The Hunt for Red October / Tom Clancy / 469 pgs

This was my first Tom Clancy book! I chose this book because it was the first Jack Ryan book he wrote, and also because it was the one Jack Ryan movie I haven't seen yet. I love Patriot Games, Clear and Present Danger, and The Sum of All Fears, so I hoped I'd like the book. The book centers around a Soviet nuclear submarine captain, Marko Ramius, and his crew aboard the Red October, as Captain Ramius hatches a plan to defect to the United States with his more senior officers who want to defect too. Jack Ryan is a CIA analyst living in London. When he sees pictures of the Red October and their "caterpillar" propulsion system which allows the submarine to sail virtually undetected, he hops a flight to Langley, and from there the adventure begins.

I'm of two minds about this book. Certainly the tension is very well written. There's lots of twists and turns that keep your attention. On the other hand, I bored with all of the technical details found throughout the book. It made the book feel very long, longer than it actually is. However, because the story itself was so good, I hope to get my hands on Patriot Games soon. I genuinely think that the only reason why I don't give this book a higher rating is because the technical jargon, and that should be not as prevalent in Patriot Games. I can see why men like Tom Clancy more. That said, I definitely recommend the Jack Ryan series to anyone who likes Brad Thor or WEB Griffin.

All the Old Knives/Olen Steinhauer/294 pgs.

Six years ago, Celia Harrison and Henry Pelham were both lovers and spies. When a rescue attempt due to a terrorist attack goes horribly wrong, Celia leaves the agency and Henry, eventually marries, has two children and seems to be living a normal life in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Henry, however, has remained in the agency, and suggests a dinner date with Celia. It seems that there was a leak in the operation to rescue the hostages that took place in Vienna those six years ago. It's up to Henry to try to find out who was to blame--even if it's Celia, the woman he could never forget. The action takes place in one day, with flashbacks to what leads up to the dinner date. There are twists and turns in the plot--it's a good read!

The Accident/ Chris Pavone/ 418 pages

The Accident by Chris Pavone is set in the  New York publishing world with a bit of spy action tossed in.  An unknown person has Isabel Hayden under surveillance in her own apartment.  Isabel has stayed awake all night to read an anonymous work concerning the life of an media giant about to run for political office.  Once it is known that Isabel has the manuscript the lives of everyone who touches it are in danger.   Surveillance and mayhem follow the manuscript across the country.  Isabel is in a run for her own life as she realizes death is following the manuscript.  Slowly as different people read bits of the manuscript the reader is exposed to the full story.  It's a good action adventure tale although the ending is just a little too convenient.

14th Colony/ Steve Berry/450 pages

The 14th Colony is Steve Berry's latest adventure featuring Cotton Malone, Cassiopeia, Stephanie Nells, and President Danny Daniels.  Even though the Magellan Billet has been dissolved, the story begins in Russia with Malone's help requested to find an aged former Soviet archivist.  The shooting starts there along with the adventure.  As more is revealed about an old Soviet plan to bring the United States into chaos, an old American plan to conquer Canada is also revealed.  From Russia to Canada to Virginia and finally DC, the chase continues as all characters rush to stop a disaster as the next president is sworn into office.  This book will appeal to the Steve Berry's fans and readers who enjoy action and adventure.

The Travelers/ Chris Pavone/ 433 pages

The Travelers by Chris Pavone catches the reader in a spy web and takes them on a trip of twists and turns, ups and downs.  The journey results in a suspenseful and enjoyable trip for the reader.  Will Rhodes and wife Chloe are both journalists.  Chloe had worked for Travelers magazine until the recent past when Will takes a job there.  While on a trip to Argentina, Will is placed in a situation that results in his being blackmailed into working for the CIA.  Or is it the CIA?  As the story moves forward the reader is left wondering just who are the good guys and who are not so good.  This is an action packed story that will appeal to reader who like fast paced stories such as the Da Vinci Code.

The Rook/Daniel O'Malley/486 pgs.

This book has been described as "Harry Potter meets Ghostbusters meets War of the Worlds"--and that seems a pretty apt description! Daniel O'Malley introduces us to Myfanwy Thomas, a "rook" in the Checquy organization--a secret government organization based in London. The only problem is that this Myfanwy is only occupying the body of the original Myfanwy Thomas. Confused? That's just the beginning! This is one of the most entertaining "fantasy" books I have read in quite awhile--I look forward to its sequel coming out in January 2016!

Just Deserts Hetta Coffey Mystery Series Book 4/ Jinx Schawrtz / 330 pages

The first time I met Hetta Coffey I thought she was rude and self centered and did not expect to like her.  Once you get to know her, she's OK.  In Just Deserts by Jinx Schawrtz, Hetta's boat is in need of repairs.  Stuck in dry dock and in need of cash to pay for the repairs, Hetta takes a job as a mine consultant for a Mexican mine.  Her job puts her in contact with mine operators, human traffickers, mystery men, drug smugglers and winery operators.  With the help of her long time friends, Hetta manages to get into  and out of deep trouble while saving Arizona and befriending a coyote.  If you enjoy strong women with a heart, you will like Hetta Coffey.

White Sea Rising/ M. J. Kephart/ 371 pages

White Sea Rising by M. J. Kephart is available as a Kindle Book.  The story begins in the mid-east in a posh hotel in Dubai and then moves on the United States.  Caught between a spy and the bad guys Barret Ross must track down an Iranian military group set on finding a long hidden nuclear warhead.  Hid by the Soviets in rural West Virginia no less.  This book is very much Dan Brown meets Tom Clancy filled with action, adventure and puzzle solving.  Readers who like the tech crime stories would enjoy this book.

Storm Front / Richard Castle / 314 pages

This book was commissioned by ABC studios to advertise for the Castle TV series.  Fans of the show will recognize the tongue-in-cheek humor displayed throughout the book: "The gondolier could only be described as ruggedly handsome."  This book features Derrick Storm - a private investigator who works for the CIA.  Nikki Heat (from the series most talked about in Castle) makes a brief appearance near the end.  This is a fun, quick read, though a bit gruesome in parts.  The humor is a little too adult for children at times.

Farewell to Russia: A Pyotr Kirov Detective Novel/ Jim Williams/ 517 pages

Farewell to Russia written by Jim Williams, takes place in the USSR during the Soviet war with Afghanistan.  It's a good old fashioned spy story story with a twist.  This time, the reader will want the Soviets to get away with their plan.  Toss in some plutonium, a woman scientist, the Americans, and the Brits for an engaging novel.  There is some violence, but that is to expected with the KGB in the mix.  It was interesting to follow the wheeling and dealing to make things happen with out raising suspicions.  This book also shows a level of irony befitting the Communist Pride and the  Soviet's need for secrecy and.  While not near the level of intricacy of Tom Clancy, the book provides a good 'fix' for those missing Clancy's early work.

Debut for a Spy, Harry Currie, 389 pages

This was a fun little spy story even if it was a little far fetched.  David Baird is a musician and former Canadian Military.  After being invited to perform at the Soviet Embassy in London, he is recruited to do a little passive spying for Britain.   Following the success of his performance at the embassy, his next job is to entertain on a Soviet charter cruise from Southampton to Odessa.  Between jobs he has a chance to see and fly a British Hawker VTOL prototype.  Along the way there are some KGB bad guys, common mob bad guys, a few mysterious deaths, a couple beautiful women and lots of adventure.

TRUE SPIES / Shana Galen / 346 Pages

TRUE SPIES is the second title in Galen's 'Lord and Lady Spy' series set in Regency England. The series follows the fast-paced, romantic misunderstandings between members of the Barbican Group, a secret organization of spies.

Lord and Lady Keating have had ENOUGH! Elinore wishes to leave behind domestic boredom and a husband who ignores her while Winn wants an end to secrecy and to spend time with his wife and daughters who barely know him. What will the couple do when they discover each wants what the other is trying to escape?

Fans of lighthearted, historical romance combined with espionage may also enjoy Checkmate, My Lord by Tracey Devlyn or Scandal in the Night by Elizabeth Essex