Customer Reviews

Haven

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It's hard to know what to say about John R. Maxim's novel Haven. It manages to be both tremendously entertaining and frustrating at the same time. The books defies easy classification. The central story is more a love story than a thriller but the lovers are both assassins, though with different motivations. The beginning scenes of the novel are harsh, ugly and difficult to take. The book's finale is overlong and also hard to take because, at least for this reader, what happens is not pleasing. But in between there is a complex story, featuring violence, humor, pathos, and a variety of interesting characters. There is also a lot of great dialogue, although the imagined dialogues the lead characters have with one another tend to be a bit overdone.

I haven't read anything else by Maxim, but after this I plan to. Even though this was not a totally satisfying reading experience it was quite entertaining and anyone who can imagine somthing this unlikely and bring it off as well as he does, deserves an audience.

This was my first Maxim book, but it won't be my last.

This story had a nice tight plot that answered all questions posed in the beginning. The opening scene set up the reasons and plausibility of the events to follow. By the end of the opening scene, I knew who I wanted to see "get it" in the story.

The author drops information about the characters throughout the story that makes the motivations behind their actions very easy to understand. They were very likeable and real, and aptly described. In fact, there's one character in the book that I wanted to "shake" in order to make them understand that he/she should learn to listen. But since it's a character in a book, I settled for some mumbling under my breath.

The scenes were well described too; that includes the action scenes as well as the more emotional scenes that tended to provide insight into the characters' lives. There's a pretty good balance of both, which went a long way in helping character development. And the descriptions were good enough to allow you to "see" the action as it was going on. In one scene, I felt as if I were down at the waterfront viewing the events as they happened. This happens a lot in the book. The dialog was also good and appropriate.

The pace changes according to the events in the book. But in any case, the pace was appropriate. The action scenes read faster and the character-building scenes a little slower. However, the book didn't "drag" at all, which would have quickly lost my attention.

While I would have preferred a different ending, the one provided is understandable. Would I recommend this book? Yes. It's a darn good read and worth your time and money.

Elizabeth Stride,a former Israeli assassin known as the "Black Angel" has moved to Hilton Head Island to make her home. She is also trying to escape her past lover Martin Kessler a former Stasi agent.Elizabeth starts dating a surgeon but Martin Kessler reappears.A teenage girl is about to be abducted by an English bounty hunter named Pratt who has been hired by her uncle.This is holds the key to a terrible terrorist act.Elizabeth and Martin join forces to protect this teenage girl and the action begins.They battle the teenage girl's uncle,various terrorist elements and many other forces of evil.You have every kind of gun battle that you can imagine. The action is fast and furious.
The ending of this book is also very good. You will definitely like this book.

I found this book a quick overnight read. I was glued to the book and unable to put it down. Excellent characters and non-stop action. I hope to see Kessler and Stride again real soon.

This is a very well written book, grabs you from the first page. Mr. Maxim's style is intense & heavily concentrated on detail so you will have to give it your full attention. My only complaint is, I felt a little cheated by the ending. (I won't give it away) Grab it you won't be disappointed.

John R. Maxim is excellent, as usual. This is a side story about Elizabeth Stride and Max Kessler, both infamous assassins in their heydays. The plot is excellent but the ending may not be to the liking of everyone. Thankfully, John R. Maxim's latest, 'Bannerman's Ghosts', ties everything together even further and provides the happy ending, which I felt these two extraordinary people deserved.

HAVEN is a story about the increasing vulnerability of any country to the crazed actions of a few fanatics. The author does a commendable job of wrapping up too many loose ends of a slightly incredible plot.

I listen to a great deal of books on tape. This has to rank as one of the best. The author has put together a great plot and really gets you to feel for the main two characters. Martin Kessler is one of the most likeable characters I have come across. The narrater of this audio book is one of the best story tellers I have heard. I couldn't turn off my tape player!

John Maxim is the writer who will undoubtedly be hailed as the next titan of Spy/Adventure stories. After reading "Haven" I rushed out to get all his other books, - some used, because they were out of print -. Loved the "Bannerman" character series, which now could actually do with an updated continuation, or even a prequel to the adventures of Bannerman's mother. Great stories! Riveting dialog! Can't wait for his next book!

Great retired spy thriller, lots of action, made me cry at the end. Lots of interesting twists that were totally unanticipated. If you like Clive Cussler and Nelson Demille you'll love this. I'm writing this book while I'm ordering his other book, and looking forward to the next one comming out!