Customer Reviews

The Marching Season: A Novel

5 star:		(47)
4 star:		(27)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

This is the third of Daniel Silva's books that I have read and all I can say is that THE MARCHING SEASON is perhaps the best sequel I have read in any of the genres I read in. At the very beginning of this book I did not think I would end up saying this, but here I am, saying it in spite of my initial reservations.

To be sure, this book starts off more slowly than I would have expected or liked. However, that is where the skill that Daniel Silva possesses reveals itself. Without a doubt, here is a relatively new author who is already a master of pacing, tension, plot, scene, character development and everything that is needed to craft a finely wrought spy novel.

Michael Osbourne is reprised from THE MARK OF THE ASSASSIN as are his wife, his liberal father-in-law, retired U.S. Senator Douglas Cannon and other members of the government and the CIA. Also returning for a not so welcome guest appearance is Jean-Paul Delaroche, aka October, the Assassin who unsuccessfully attempted to kill Michael Osbourne in the previous installment.

The internal machinations of the U.S. and British governments, as well as the possible goings-on inside both the IRA and the various Irish Protestant paramilitaries are also revealed here and in fine detail. Another master stroke that Silva employs throughout this story is that he doesn't ever really get preachy. With some authors, their natural biases come out in their writing. Not so with Daniel Silva. He simply tells the story and writes about the people he populates the book with.

Is there moral outrage on Silva's part? I would have to guess yes. No normal person could ever condone the terroristic acts that are carried out in the name of one misguided cause after another around the globe. If he shows that outrage, it is when he talks about how various splinter factions have risen out of the ashes of the fires of terrorism to scuttle the Irish peace process. He also writes damningly of THE SOCIETY, a super secret extra-national intelligence organization that continues to stir the pot around the globe for its own greedy interests. These are the folks you can tell Silva despises; the globalists with no loyalties to any nation or flag. They are only loyal to their own financial interests.

Although Silva continues to be spare with his information on Jean Paul Delaroche, he provides just enough material to keep the reader plunging along in headlong pursuit of the final denouement. This is what makes October so interesting and ultimatley almost sympathetic. For throughout the international chases, October is a man who maintains his own sense of values and morality. Michael Osbourne may not agree with October's view of the world or himself, but ultimately, the respect, while grudging begins to grow. How Silva brings this all about is what makes this an exceptional spy novel.

If you have not discovered Daniel Silva, you are in for a real treat. Start with THE UNLIKELY SPY and then read THE MARK OF THE ASSASSIN, followed by THE MARCHING SEASON. Only the last two are directly related but, if you read them in the order I have listed, you will get to follow Silva's rapid development as a writer and see his promotion into the ranks of spy-thriller masters.

I recommend these books unreservedly to all fans of well-crafted spy fiction. Read them and you too, will be telling your friends about Daniel Silva.

Thank you, Mr. Silva for many hours of reading enjoyment. I hope you'll keep Michael Osbourne as a central figure in your future novels. I think he still has more to say.

Paul Connors

First of all, I like Daniel Silva's writing and I thoroughly enjoyed his first two novels. "The Unlikely Spy" was one of the best World War II espionage novels that I had read in a long time. "Mark of the Assassin", the prequel to this book, was also quite good. But, I guess I just missed the boat on this one.

The success of the Good Friday Agreement is being threatened by a new terrorist group and the current British Prime Minister requests that the U.S. President appoint a heavyweight to the Court of St. James to show U.S. support for this agreement. Senator Douglas Cannon, a political rival of the current administration, gets the appointment and since he is Michael Osbourne's father in law, we know that the former hero of "Mark of the Assassin" will be lured back into the web of dirty deeds and operatives. Even the "Assassin" from "Mark of the Assassin" returns. What more could one ask for.

Unlike many, I thought that the first half of the book was extremely well done. Especially where Silva lays the seeds for the problems in Northern Ireland and introduces his new paramilitary "bad guys" (and "bad gals"). But, with the introduction of a super-secret cabal known only as "The Society", whose directors are interested in world domination and control from an economic as well as a political/military level, I think he starts to lose it. First of all, the identity of the U.S. delegate to this group is a piece of cake to figure out. Then, "October", the assassin from the second book, performs a hit for the Mossad and Osbourne can recognize him from his hand (?). The Society itself - that world domination thing, again - is vintage Robert Ludlum. Even the three word title is downright Ludlumesque. And having Osbourne and Jean Paul Delarouche ("October") join forces to save the world.......well, let's say I double checked a couple of times just to make sure whose name was on the cover.

A number of authors of this genre have had their first couple of books be their best work and later novels become the literary equivalent of popcorn. I think that Silva is too good a writer to allow that to happen. But, I look forward to his next novel, just to make sure.

I reread this book recently and failed to see why it had stuck out in my mind as one of the better espionage books I had come across. The plot is derivatave, taking elements from authors like Ludlum as well as modern movies...believe me this isn't anything anyone familiar with the genre hasn't seen many times. The main characters are pretty clichéd, the new family man who must return to the CIA (think Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan) and the coldhearted assassin who will stop at nothing to fulfill his mission. On the positive side, I was never bored with the book. It hums along on a decent page and builds tension fairly well. Unfortunately, the ending is anticlimactic and the story goes more or less where expected. Basically, if you are looking for the literary equivalent of a Big Mac and fries, this is it.

An excellent followup to "Mark of the Assasin".Our hired killer returns to the world scene doing a hit for the Chief of the Mossad. The secret committee is once again using October to cause big problems on the world scene. The ending of the book was also very unique. Revenge is gained on this Committee thanks to October. This was the perfect way to end this book. This is another must buy book.

When a paramilitary group uses terrorist tactics to squash the Good Friday Peace Accords, the British prime Minister asks the US President to appoint an experienced politician to the post of US Ambassador to London. The unanimous choice is former US Senator Douglas Cannon, who publicly and vehemently vows to not give in to "thugs" who want to derail the peace process. Although the British politicians are encouraged by his remarks, his intrepidness makes him a target for assassination. Out of concern for the Ambassador's safety, Michael Osbourne, Cannon's son-in-law and retired CIA counter-terrorism expert, launches his own unofficial investigation. Osbourne is shocked when he discovers that his old nemesis, the painter-assassin Jean-Paul Delaroche, whom Osbourne thought was killed during their last encounter, is alive and is responsible for the execution-style killing of a Hamas leader in the Middle East. Osbourne returns to the CIA to stop Delaroche before he carries out his next assignment: The assassination of the US Ambassador to London.

4 and 1/2 Stars. THE MARCHING SEASON starts off slowly and but recovers as the narrative continues. Silva demonstrates why he is one of the best researchers in the genre. The reappearance of Delaroche and Osbourne make this sequel memorable, although their "reunion" was not what I anticipated. Nevertheless, Silva is a very talented writer who churns out an emotionally charged ending from a slow and steady storyline. Die-hard Silva fans like myself will want this book even if it is a bit more passive compared to his previous efforts.

For the most part, I've always found fiction "series" books to be a bit aggravating. Sometimes you find out you should've read the predecessor of the current read before heading into it. Other times, it doesn't matter. "Marching Season" is one you should probably read after it's predecessor "Mark of the Assassin," simply because it's fun, and tells you some revealing things about it's predecessor.

Having said all of that, I now offer my opinion of this book, itself. To most, one of Silva's weaker points is that he doesn't offer too many details about things past that can be relevant to the plot (as evidenced by scarce details about "The troubles" in Ireland). However, if you don't care too much about that, and care more about good character development, descriptive action sequences, and an engaging plot, then it won't matter. This is a good read.

As a matter of fact, upon finishing this, I wanted another book in the series. Alas, there is none so far.

So, as I stated previously, if you like gripping international espionage, with characters you care for, this "Michael Osbourne" series (both Mark of the Assassin, then this) will be perfect.

Happy reading!

PS. Ken Follet's "Eye of the Needle" is another good one.

Against the backdrop of the "Troubles" between militant Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland, ex-CIA agent Michael Osbourne pursues his nemesis, assassin par excellance Jean Paul Delaroche. Northern Ireland has exploded amidst a wave of terroristic violence perpetrated by the Ulster Freedom Brigade, a pro-Protestant militant group. Their goal is to upset the ongoing peace process authored by British Prime Minister, Tony Blair.

The Ulster Freedom Brigade is backed by a secretive group called the Society, a conglomerate of intelligence officers, arms merchants, businessmen and criminals who try to influence world events for their own profit. Delaroche, also known as October, is the Society's chief assassin. He has previously failed in an assassination attempt on Osbourne and his wife and been wounded in the process. Osbourne's wife Elizabeth is the daughter of retired New York senator Douglas Cannon. In an attempt to exert a strong American influence in the stalled peace talks, Cannon, at the request of Blair, is appointed U.S. ambassador to England.

In order to safeguard his father in law, Osbourne re-ups with the CIA and is commissioned to be the liason in Northern Ireland. The Society wishing to potentiate the chaos in Ireland targets Cannon for assassination. A lethal cat and mouse game ensues between Osbourne and Delaroche.

Silva has a wonderful knack for crafting fast moving, entertaining spy thrillers. The Marching Season is no exception, replete wih unexpected twists and a very satisfying conclusion

The troubles of Northern Ireland spark the return of Michael Osbourne to the CIA and his nemesis, the assassin known as October to the killing fields. The Society is still up to its usual deadly mischief, double dealing in Washington DC is alive and well and it looks as though there is little that can be done to stop an assassination which will sabotage the peace process. How all of this plays out is what keeps this book humming from start to finish. Some scores are settled, but it is doubtful that we have seen the last of the characters that survive David Silva's sequel to The Mark of the Assassin. And that is very good news.

Another page turner from Daniel Silva!!! Michael Osbourne, hero from The Mark of the Assassin, returns as the chief protagonist in the Marching Season. Against the backdrop of the long-standing conflict in Northern Ireland, the secret order called the Society is again attempting to create global unrest to further their own agendas. The Marching Season is a fast-paced, exciting read. Many of the characters from the Mark of the Assassin, both good and evil, are back, allowing for further character development for the readers who also read Silva's previous work. The story has action, excitement, intrigue, and frequent plot twists - leading up to an unexpected ending. This is another solid effort by Silva. You won't be disappointed if you give this a go.

Mark of the Assassin was my first read of Silva's and I was intrigued enough to pick up the Marching Season in hardcover. The book starts a bit slow while he introduces the problems in Ireland and from there he picks up steam making the book is hard to put down. I just wish he had developed his characters a little more from where he left them the first time. Don't let that stop you from reading Assassin first and then this one!