Customer Reviews

Death Run (Executioner)

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

 

 

I thought this was a fine entrant in the Executioner series. Sure, there's a lot of action, but isn't that what one expects in an action novel? And reviewing it after reading just one chapter? Does the previous reviewer have enough capacity for abstract thought to even understand what a review is, much less write one? Sheesh.

This Mack Bolan/Executioner novel #378 was written by Darwin Holmstrom, it is the first he has done in the Mack Bolan saga.

Both the writing and plotting are very good, and the author has the Executioner character down pretty well. The setting of the novel is well thought out also with action swinging from Qatar to Monterey, California to the San Francisco-Oakland area.

Terrorists have stolen weapons grade Plutonium 239 in enough quantity to fashion a nuclear device. The international sport of motorcycle racing is used as a background for this story, with elements of the Philippine BNG aligned with thugs of Malayasian and Arabic Islam to fashion an explosive device to take out San Francisco and much of Oakland. These extremists detest Western ways and Americans in general. Although the BNG isn't privy to all plans, they are destined to be blown up as well, as the other Near Eastern Islamic men make their escape to safety. Once the BNG members become aware of this fact (courtesy of Mack Bolan information service) the operation doesn't set as well with them as it did at first. The remaining BNG members are collectively looking for a bucket in which to through in the proverbial towel.

Bolan gets knocked around quite a bit in this book more so than usual. From an intial broken rib, to being thrown off a motor bike at close to 100 mph, to a serious, massive knife wound to his arm (does not see doctor-nor receive stitches), to other bruises along the way, he still carries on with the mission. Though we are dealing with fiction and fantasy here, it's difficult to digest.

Even when it looks as if he has lost it all, Mack keeps on hoping he can at last succeed. Some of the beatings and other abuse dished out to the Executioner may not be well received by some readers, and I would hope too the author would trim back on some of this in any future book he might write. Just the rib injuries or the motorcycle fall would probably be more than enough to put most people on the sidelines. Plus all of this not only gets 'old' it also messes with the flow of the plot. You keep thinking how can Bolan keep on after all this rough play he is receiving? As stated, not plausible at all.

Though the story seemingly goes on forever, especially for a reader such as myself with little to no interest in international motorcycle racing, I can offer a 3-star plus rating for the book. However, I doubt the book will ever reach the level of being mentioned as one of the best in the Executioner saga.

Semper Fi.

I just started reading Death Run (by Darwin Holmstrom) and am still in chapter one. However, the Executioner has already been shot (wearing a vest), chased, knocked unconscious and captured. I can only wonder what other abuse will be heaped upon our hero for the next 160 pages.
I like a hero who takes charge, not physical abuse. In the preceding issue by Mike Linaker, Desperate Cargo, the Executioner battles extreme odds through 187 pages with minor cuts, bruises and a minor gunshot injury. That's a hero, which is what I expect.
The liberal editors ruined the Doc Savage Series fifty years ago by making it more "believable!" The Destroyer series was probably terminated because the physical exploits of the stars (Chiun and Remo) were equally "UN-believable!"
I read for escapism, not realism. If the liberal-sissy trend continues to weaken the hero character, I'll be forced to terminate my interest in The Executioner and look elsewhere. I'd welcome more Linaker-type stories depicting real heroism!
Regretfully, Norm