Terrorists barge into the crowded House of Representatives and open fire. Within minutes, more than 100 members of congress and staff lay wounded, dead, or dying on the floor of the nerve-center of American democracy. The nation is shocked, the armed forces are on alert. Enter James Burlane, alias Sid Khartoum, bearing a commission from the President himself. Burlane, a former CIA agent, maverick, gourmet, wit, cynic, and patriot, asks the old question, "Who profits?" and follows the trail to chilling answers.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
A thriller that opens with terrorists crashing into the House of Representatives and killing 124 of its members with assault-weapons fire, then fleeing in helicopters that unexpectedly explode, seems likely to be a page-turner. The odds escalate when its authors are seasoned crime novelist Hoyt (Japanese Game, 1995) and Abercrombie, whose position as a congressman (D., Hawaii) allows for an insider's take in the opening and other scenes. But the prose here is flat; the dialogue, which too frequently relies on lengthy, explanatory exchanges, is stilted; and the story presentation nears parody, with the action divided into bite-size, time-headlined segments that presume that every second counts ("8:18.35 p.m.; 8:18.40 p.m."). Despite the congressional carnage, moreover, the authors expend most of their moral outrage on issues of campaign financing. The hero, James Burlane, is too familiar as well (ex-CIA, he was sacked by the Company for "being an untrustworthy loner"). The villains aren't much more exciting, but at least they're kept offstage for a while, a wise move since figuring out who is behind the massacre-the Cali drug cartel is the main suspect-provides the only, albeit tepid, suspense. Abercrombie's understanding of Congress allows for some fresh local coloring, but he shouldn't give up his day job-and Hoyt should go back to the solo authoring he does so well.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
Abercrombie, a congressman from Hawaii, teams with writer Hoyt (The Japanese Game, LJ 3/1/95) in this thriller about a group of terrorists who storm a House of Representatives session.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An in form Hoyt,
By Bob Chorba "Bobbyc" (Milwaukee, Wisconsin United States) - See all my reviews (VINE VOICE) (REAL NAME)
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Blood of Patriots (Mass Market Paperback)
Despite the so-called co-authorship, the plot and James Burlane is pure Hoyt. The Congressman obviously provided "insider" info on Congress and the White House.
Some of the points of the previous reviewers are valid (Confusion on dates, and anti right wing bias). BUT I do not think date discrepancies reduce the readability of this James Burlane Novel. Also if you are a conspiracy theory advocate of 9/11, READ this Book.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Don't waste your time...,
By Mickey Bitsko (Orem, UT USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Blood of Patriots (Mass Market Paperback)
I read this book primarily because I like the Clancy-type of political intrigue storylines, but this book is ridiculous. First of all, the multiple storylines are introduced haphazardly, and are so jumbled and lacking development that it is hard to follow the plot. Dozens of characters are introduced randomly and many are not even necessary to the plot. The authors' bias is blatant: all liberal progressives are noble and principled, while Republicans, talk radio, and conservatives are seen as inherently evil and self-serving. If you enjoy balanced political intrigue, do yourself and don't bother with this book.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
The switch of dates between 2004 and 2000 are confusing.,
By A Customer
This review is from: Blood of Patriots (Hardcover)
Chapter 1 starts off with the date January 18, 2004. Subsequent to that on page 83 it talks of Gore "running in place....and talking of returning to the Senate," but on page 84 it speaks of Gore's defeat in 2000. On page 140 it speaks of the story's crime committed in the U.S House chamber on January 18, 2004 as happening, "just days into the year 2000." At the opening of Part 3 Chapter 14, page 198, a "Transcript of a taped call received at 10:20 a.m., 22 January 2000, by hot-line operator Roberta Jaimeson.," is given. The story line was interesting and plausible, but all of these discrepancies in dates made for difficult reading. This reader wondered whether he had missed some statement of retrospective presentation, or whether there was a major and unforgiveable oversight on the part of the authors and proofreaders. Alfred McWilliams (almc@gsu.edu) Atlanta, Georgia
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