Desert Fire (McGarvey) [Mass Market Paperback]

David Hagberg (Author), Sean Flannery (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 15, 1994 | Series: McGarvey

Joseph Assad Sherif, a sadistic assassin working for Saddam Hussein, and his deadly daughter, Leila, try to procure a German nuclear reactor for Iraq. Reprint.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The topical premise of this fast-paced but ultimately flat thriller is that Saddam Hussein has cut a deal with Germany to train Iraqis in nuclear technology. Recognizing the problematic nature of the project, the German government will do anything to keep the deal secret. But then Ahmed Pavli, a woman sent by the BND (German Secret Service) to spy on an Iraqi nuclear worker, is brutally murdered. The BND assigns the case to federal investigator Walther Roemer, whose father, the Butcher of Dachau, is now an old man dying in a Swiss sanitorium. When another woman--an investigative journalist--is killed in the same brutal manner as Pavli, Roemer grows increasingly distrustful of the agent's BND contact, Major Ludwig Whalpol. As Roemer tries to build a case against Whalpol, the secret of his father's whereabouts is discovered by Roemer's Iraqi counterpart, Leila Khaled. Roemer's efforts to close the investigation and protect his father build to a finish which is potentially explosive but ultimately anti-climactic. Although Hagberg's ( Countdown ) style is unobtrusive and his subplots are well laid-out, the action--whether in the cause of espionage or romance--is perfunctory.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews

A lone German detective battles Iraqis and PLO mercenaries seeking to secure Saddam Hussein a powerful atomic reactor that would guarantee him bomb-grade plutonium--in an effectively moody chiller from old pro Hagberg (Critical Mass, etc.). Called in by the BND when a dishy engineer who'd been spying for Deutschland's CIA is brutally murdered and raped in her Bonn flat, Walther Roemer of the Federal Bureau of Criminal investigation finds himself caught up in a baffling, violent case with geopolitical implications. Unbeknownst to Tel Aviv or EC and NATO allies, the Germans have been committed since 1982 (under terms of an ultrasecret deal worth billions) to sell Baghdad advanced nuclear technology. In the wake of his Desert Storm defeat, Saddam deems delivery vital, and he dispatches trusted paladins to ensure the contract's fulfillment. Palestinian Josef Assad Sherif, Saddam's lead negotiator (and enforcer), is soon revealed as the sexual psychopath who killed the BND's undercover agent and, shortly thereafter, a TV newswoman who knew enough to expose the reactor sale. Every bit as alienated as any Dick Francis hero, Roemer stalks and quickly identifies his man. But diplomatic immunity, national-security (plus economic) considerations, and the guilty knowledge that his father (an ex-SS officer wanted for WW II offenses) is living in Switzerland prevent him from arresting Sherif. He also has to contend with Leila Kahled, Sherif's lovely but lethal daughter who's in country as an Iraqi security operative. Roemer eventually precipitates a slam-bang climax, cornering the terrorist chieftain and his hired guns in Germany's largest nuclear complex, which they threaten to detonate after killing the hostages in their custody. An absorbing if wintry tale--especially notable for its broody atmosphere and its driven, world-weary protagonist. -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books; First Edition edition (August 15, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812524527
• ISBN-13: 978-0812524529
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,376,572 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

DAVID HAGBERG is a former Air Force cryptographer who has traveled extensively in Europe, the Arctic, and the Caribbean and has spoken at CIA functions. He has published more than twenty novels of suspense, including the bestselling Joshua's Hammer, Soldier of God, and Allah's Scorpion. He makes his home in Sarasota, Florida.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More like 4 1/2 stars..., June 25, 2001

By 

Jeff Edwards "RadioJeff" (Twin Falls, Idaho) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Desert Fire (Hardcover)

I originally picked up this book after having read several previous Kirk McGarvey novels, and figured that this was just another one...well it sure does pay to read the sleeve to a book, first...but in this case, it landed me a rather exciting good-old-fashioned murder/mystery novel which had some espionage undertones.

Just about everything in this story is done well. The overall story of murder, and the who, what & why's only serve to make this a mystery with plenty of action. Hagberg certainly CAN serve up a top-notch thriller whether McGarvey is one of the main characters or not. I highly recommend this to any person who is looking for a mystery with James Bond-like flavor to it. Actually, I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys any of Mr. Hagbergs other books, or Clancy or Cussler for that matter. Great depiction of Saddam after Iraq's embarassing defeat at the hands of us 'infidels'. A real sense of urgency is put out to achieve this nuclear reactor so weapons grade plutonium can be manufactured...the sooner the better. Iraq's ultimate goal of revenge cannot be far from the fiction portrayed within this story, and sorta chills me to the bone when I think about how real it just may become one day.

Hagberg really IS a major find for those who enjoy action/adventure in the Clancy/Cussler tradition, but with a totally original taste. Great stuff.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Exciting Book!, January 3, 2001

By 

Melvin Hunt (Cleveland,, Texas United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Desert Fire (McGarvey) (Mass Market Paperback)

This was a good effort by David Hagberg to use the notorious reputaion of Saddam Hussein to cast him as a villain in a book. Saddam,after losing the Gulf War,attempts to obtain a nuclear reactor to buils an atomic bomb. He sends his chief enforcer who his a backgroumd in terrorism(1972 olympics for example) to obtain his reactor. His enforcer is accompanied by his ruthless daughter. The only one to stop this group is a German detective. This book has plenty of action and will definitely keep you reading. Once again Hagberg proves himself to be a good writer. He has once again come through with a good book.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Fun, April 17, 2002

By 

John G. Hilliard (Toronto Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Desert Fire (McGarvey) (Mass Market Paperback)

This book has German's, Iraqis, the PLO, WW 2 war criminals and Nuclear bombs - - what more could an action reader want? The story is one were the German government is providing to the Iraqis a nuclear reactor. The Germans want the money and the Iraqis want to build the bomb, what could go wrong? Well all is going well until a few people turn up murdered and the mystery solving begins.

The story runs all over the Middle East and Europe, the main character is a dark guy just trying to get this on solved and to get back home. Over all the tail is interesting and fast moving, and given what we hear on the news it could have some very real parts. Overall this is an all around good book, well worth your time.