Customer Reviews

Danger Close: A Novel

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The flyleaf of Danger Close makes the story sound like a conventional spy thriller. It isn't!

LTG William Boykin has created a plot that hits all the bases, Special Operations, CIA, al Quaeda, South Asia. He has an detailed knowledge of all these areas. However, he fills out his main character as a real person with the real dilemmas that exists in the "black" world.

Novels, Hollywood, and the media usually try to portray intelligence and special operations personnel as amoral personalities. Having worked with these people, I know that they think deeply about what the do. This novel accurately depicts what there personnel sacrifice for the greater good.

Premise - I adored the premise of DANGER CLOSE. As a writer of military and espionage stories, this was the perfect blend of military and covert operations. Brilliant concept and development. I'm not one of those readers who enjoys figuring out stories--I like to read and enjoy the stage the author has set, and I completely enjoyed what Boykin/Morrisey developed in DANGER CLOSE. Faith and family were carefully--and realistically--woven in. Very well done!

Pacing: For me, an action junkie, there was a solid dose of action and adventure in this story of incredible sacrifice for a war-time hero. There were times I felt the story was told rather than experienced during important elements, but detracted very little from the story itself. There was so much involved, several layers, my mind stayed busy regardless--and happy!

Particulars: As mentioned earlier, the faith thread was wholly organic and very well done, not contrived or over done. There's always someone out there who wants to make our soldiers (airmen, sailors, etc.) into bloodthirsty monsters, but DANGER CLOSE even has the character consider and weigh his actions--but gets the job done. It's a delicate balance but handle with grace and skill in this book.

Placement: This book takes a top shelf in my bookcase--a definite keeper. Again, I absolutely adored the concept, and the execution kept me reading!

My husband has already snatched up this book from my shelf--and that says alot!!

With Jack Bauer gone from the scene (at least until the big screen return of 24) one might be asking who will take his place in the interim. After reading Danger Close by William G. Boykin and Tom Morrisey the better question might be, what would Jack be like if he was a man of faith as well as action? The answer would be someone like Blake Kershaw. Blake is a decorated Army Special Forces veteran, in his mid-twenties, and has been called on to make a sacrifice for his country few of us would be willing to consider. To tell any more would require unveiling a story that simply must be read for one's self.

Several things work together to make this another winner from the new imprint, Fidelis Books. First among them is the believability. Author, Lieutenant General (Retired) William G. Boykin is a former Commander of the U.S. Army Special Forces and a founding member of the legendary Delta Force. Not bad credentials for someone weaving a story about the mostly unheralded heroes of the covert war against terrorism around the world. Boykin moves things along quickly with just enough detail to lend realism without bogging the reader down with too much military jargon. His co-author, Tom Morrisey, has given us a number of excellent faith-based adventure novels in the past and evidence of his excellent character development skills abound.

The key question asked in this novel is forthright. Can honorable men do dishonorable things in the interest of national security and still maintain their honor? It would be wise to read this novel before attempting to answer intelligently. The authors put a face on the men and women called to answer this question in real life in Blake Kershaw. He is a young man asked to give up far more than anyone his age should be. All with full knowledge he may never return from his mission. Added to this is the weight of knowing others may later consider him a traitor or worse. The way Blake balances such a task with his inner faith is neither preachy nor unrealistic. Instead it comes across simply as who he is.

Much of the novel follows Blake's introduction into the covert world of the CIA, his immersion in the world of radical Islam, and his trek to places so remote even the locals aren't sure how to get there. His decision to answer this call of duty means losing his past identity, perhaps forever. The conclusion is satisfying and leaves room for Blake to return in another incarnation. He is, after all, a man who doesn't exist. At least not to the no-nothings in the media and the naysayers among the ill-informed. Blake Kershaw is someone's son, friend, brother, comrade who has been willing to die to all so others can live. The next person you meet that says they don't read faith-based fiction because it's too sweet and unrealistic, introduce them to Danger Close. This is a real man's book that I have a feeling more than a few women will read as well.

Whether your a Christian or not this is a great read. You won't want to put this one down. Author has done some remarkable stuff too.

I'm a fan of Daniel Silva and Alex Berenson, both NY Times bestselling authors. They deal with modern espionage and warfare, while drawing believable characters and political scenarios. Enter Boykin and Morrisey. Lt. Gen. William G. Boykin's military resume lends credibility to this story, and Tom Morrisey uses his experience as a lauded author of Christian thrillers to present an enjoyable, fast-paced story.

"Danger Close" starts with some tense scenes in Afghanistan, during which we meet our protagonist, Blake Kershaw, a dependable, Christian, Special Forces man. After recovering from injuries, Blake is called into duty again. This time, he will set aside not only his safety but his very appearance and identity, as he is inserted into an al-Qaeda cell on US soil. His mission: to infiltrate the cell and stop a WMD attack on innocent Americans. It seems very much like Berenson's bestselling "The Faithful Spy," but soon takes on a personality of its own, and in many ways lives up that modern classic.

Morrisey does a fine job of pacing, with action, politics, and subterfuge blending well. One or two plot twists are telegraphed in advance, but the story still takes some unexpected turns. Although the romantic elements are lightly played, as befits the genre, they still could have been fleshed out a bit better at the onset. It's an enjoyable story, nonetheless, speeding along, hitting some emotional chords, and never feeling trite. Those readers without a Christian worldview need only remember there are soldiers of faith in our armed services, and this story is one that could've been written by one of them--and, in fact, was.

I would love to see another Blake Kershaw thriller from the team of Boykin and Morrisey. This joins the novels of Oliver North, Joel Rosenberg, and Jake Thoene as one of the best of its kind in this market.

Lets face it there ARE faults and feints in this effort. But everything into the mix, it was not a bad first effort.
I would not mind reading a second novel from General Boykin.
Possibly a tad less religion being pushed foward
like an overloving grandmother offering a plate of cookies; but not too oppressive.
He does know his wepons though, does he not?

What an excellent read, I could not put it down. I dont consider myself as an avid reader but this one was worth every penny. I love the way the author incorperates scripture into the story. Well done.

Received the product "Danger Close" by William Boykin in a very timely manner, good condition and the book in itself was very good and interesting read for me.
Suspense keeps you in the book and makes you want to find out what is going to happen.

Bought this for my Kindle. Once I started reading, I could not put it down. Once you read one chapter, you can't wait to read the next, to see what happens. If you like Vince Flynn and his "hero" Mitch Rapp, you will love Blake Kershaw. I can not wait for the next episode!

I was kind of surprised to like this so much. In light of recent events, some of the locations kind of hit home, too.

It's not too preachy, and the main character was not a 3-star general, so I don't get those reviews.

This is a nice little spy-thriller that had me on the edge of my seat at times. Islam is a natural enemy of Christianity, and being a Christian, maybe I thought there wasn't enough Christianity, but nevertheless. Being a veteran, some of the military detail was right on.

I never spoil the plot, so I won't begin to retell the story in 3 paragraphs or less.

Have a great read!