Customer Reviews

The Kill Box: A Technothriller

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Maj. Chris Stewart's second novel is well written and original. Stewart's writing has gotten better since his first novel Shattered Bone, and he uses more adjectives to convey better imagery to the reader. The plot is great, the tension gripping, and altogether Stewart is certainly proving himself as a writer of military techno-thrillers. I only had one problem with The Kill Box. This is the second time he has named one of his characters "Wallet". In Shattered Bone the Secretary of Defense is named "Wallet". Now it's the Air Force Chief of Staff. What gives? Other than that little annoyance, The Kill Box was great. I only hope his next book, The Third Consequence, doesn't do this.

This is the real article. Stewart is an authentic practioneer who really knows of what he writes. The intrigue of his book is that he was one of the countries top pilots of the B-52 bomber. Hence, when he describes mission briefings, flight and weapon details, he is intimately familiar with what really happens. He offers a unique insight into the mind of the fighter pilot and his environment. Stewart also tells a riveting story based on "what if" scenarios that made it difficult to put down his book. Particulary given the importance of the Air Force in Afganistan, Serbia, Iraq, Stewart's books are a must read for anyone trying to gain a better understanding of what pilots are feeling and experiencing in this current tumultuous environment. I dropped the Clancy books for an author (Stewart) who isn't guessing about his subject material.

A timely and thrilling story which revolves around Iraq's plans, or more precisely Odai Hussein acting against the wishes of father Saddam, developing biological weapons of devastating effect. Who can stop him? Enter the CIA's black ops specialists at a secret base in the Tigris valley, an ace F-15E pilot and his weapons officer Killer, Aria, a half-British, half-Kurdish spy who must get to Hussein to learn of the weapons manufacturing plant that Saddam prohibits the UN from entering at the start of the story and a squadron of B-1 bombers who are the last line of defence. THis collection are up against Hussein and his terrorists who down Air Force One, then proceed to carry out a plan which could devastate the US! Who will save the day? The outcome isn't so obvious as you think, there's some interesting twists towards the end! I read this one in less than a day, and can safely say it has everything - easy reading narrative with all technical detail descriptions adopting the KISS approach(that's keep it simple stupid), well-researched locations and well-crafted characters and suspense. Enough flying sequences as well to keep fans of Dale Brown happy until his next one's out!

A very satisfying, exciting story. Chris Stewart impressed me with his ability to convey the jet piloting experience in writing, so that the reader believes he is right in the officer's shoes. The scenario of biological warfare was quite creepy and believable. So what if the plot is familiar! I get back on rollercoasters I like. Finally, I was impressed with Mr. Stewart's ability to tell an excellent tale without expletives, sexual immorality, or excessive drinking. I will definitely be considering his other works. Have some fun and read this book!

This is the real article. Stewart is an authentic practioneer who really knows of what he writes. The intrigue of his book is that he was one of the countries top pilots of the B-52 bomber. Hence, when he describes mission briefings, flight and weapon details, he is intimately familiar with what really happens. He offers a unique insight into the mind of the fighter pilot and his environment. Stewart also tells a riveting story based on "what if" scenarios that made it difficult to put down his book. Particulary given the importance of the Air Force in Afganistan, Serbia, Iraq, Stewart's books are a must read for anyone trying to gain a better understanding of what pilots are feeling and experiencing in this current tumultuous environment. I dropped the Clancy books for an author (Stewart) who isn't guessing about his subject material.

This real-life pilot writes a page turning tecno-thriller that keeps your attention all the way through a good action-packed ending. Bio warfare combined with the plight of the Iraqi populace make for solid reading.

Major Stewart tells a good tale and holds the readers interest throughout. His writing style is slightly wooden and his characters are paper thin, but this book was worth spending an afternoon on.

The editing could have been better. Mr Stewart obviously knows quite a bit about flying, but could use a little qualified help when witing about things that deal with ground combat and military small arms. If I were the author, or at least the editor, I would have used a competent proof-reader instead of editing the manuscript with a spell-checker.

All in all, I think that "Shattered Bone" was much better.

Chris Stewart's mastery of technical thrillers is evident in his first novel, "Shattered Bone". His second book, "The Kill Box", leaves the reader breathless as the world approaches complete destruction. As the plot twists and turns like an Oklahoma tornado, Mr. Stewart's fictional story is way to believable in todays world.

Congratulations to Mr. Stewart as he now joins the ranks of the few great techno-thriller writers of all time.

The Kill Box is a great action thriller that thrusts the reader into the action immediately. The author's first hand experience with the military, aircraft, and the tactics used, make the story gripping and exciting from start to finish. A great amount of detail was put into this book which paints an excellent picture as if the reader is actually taking part in the story. He describes military planning, briefings, and politics with amazing reality.
The story line is very good and leaves the reader guessing at every twist and turn of the plot. I normally find it hard to have a book capture my total attention from cover to cover, but this book had me on the edge of my seat as I found it hard to put it down.
I have served in the military and have seen and heard most military acronyms. Chris Stewart goes to great lengths to work many military acronyms into his story. I think the author could better the story if there were fewer explanations of the acronyms and added civilian terminology to let readers of nonmilitary knowledge better understand what he is trying to explain.
Overall, the book is very good and I would recommend it to anyone who likes military or spy stories.

I found Chris Stewart after he was well into his second career as an author when I read his most recent book, The Fourth War. There is little about his writing which does not have a sincere feeling of authenticity, especially his flying sequences.

This book was written before the invasion of Iraq, but one gets the feeling that if there had not been an invasion, the story line of the book would have had a real chance to have become fact rather than fiction.

Nevertheless, the book is a compelling and unsettling read, because the threat of a biological attack on the United States is very real today and just because Iraq has been removed from the equation does not mean that this story line could not become a real nightmare, just with different players.

Stewart has clearly joined the ranks of those who write "technothrillers" which are worth reading and remembering. For those of us who enjoy this genre, that is very good news indeed. If you haven't picked up a Chris Stewart novel as yet, what on earth are waiting for??