The Operative (Stratton 3) [Paperback]

Duncan Falconer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 5, 2006 | Series: Stratton 3

In war-torn Iraq, Stratton’s closest friend is killed whilst on operation, leaving behind a grieving wife and child. When the widow moves to Los Angeles she is brutally murdered and her child placed in state custody. Stratton, rocked to his foundations by the killing, uncovers a FBI plot to hide the crime and sets off on a private operation of revenge that eventually pits him against one of the most powerful East European crime syndicates in America. Hunted by the CIA and FBI as well as a brutal army of Albanian mobsters and armed only with his wits and an extraordinary skill with explosives, Stratton relentlessly pursues his private war, a fight he suspects could be his last. This is another enjoyable Falconer weave of thrill and action wrapped in the rich authenticity that defined his previous novels that provides a roller-coaster ride across half the globe.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'A ripping yarn' FINANCIAL TIMES 'A pacy, engaging book that makes great use of Falconer's experiences to glimpse a world we seldom see' SUNDAY EXPRESS For THE HOSTAGE: 'Duncan Falconer's cracking debut novel ... Inevitably, he'll be compared to Andy McNab, but I'd say Falconer has the edge ... ' MAIL ON SUNDAY

About the Author

A former member of the elite Special Boat Service of the Royal Marines, Duncan Falconer left after over a decade of operational service to work in private security. His other titles include First Into Action, The Hostage, and Undersea Prison.

Product Details

• Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group (October 5, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0751536334
• ISBN-13: 978-0751536331
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,633,507 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good !!!, February 27, 2006

By 

Bo (Italy Tuscany) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Operative (Stratton 3) (Paperback)

Completely different from the other 2 novels. Duncan Falconer has worked more on the complex development of the main character John Stratton, and made the man a more human being.

Unfortunately the Bomb Surgeon got changed into another title "The Operative", wich I think was not a good idea by his publicists. He should have stuck with the original title.

The book is a real page turner. Has a hint of romance in it aswell, but our hero has to make a choice, and this is a thriller not a romantic novel.

The descriptions on "how to make a surgical bomb" I found a bit difficult to understand, but mainly cause I don't have a clue on how they work in the first place apart from the utility of C4.

In this book we see Stratton torn between grief and vengeance for his friend Jack killed in Iraq and his wife killed by Albanian mobsters. We get an FBI agent who struggles with his pride and playing a double game. Cano and Skendler, the main Albanian characters are described as some of these men really are, emotionless ruthless and cruel. It keeps you on the edge till the end even though you have a clue on how it's going to finish.

I give the book 5 stars, cause for me this one is Falconer's best so far.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars OUTSTANDING!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!, July 10, 2009

By 

GolferDude (Madison, WI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Operative (Stratton 3) (Paperback)

Devoured this book in a couple days. Similar to the styles of Andy McNab and Chris Ryan, two of my favorite authors in this genre.

Buy it. You won't regret it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bombs Away, January 31, 2009

By 

A. Harris "Pharmafella" (Danville, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Operative (Stratton 3) (Paperback)

A Jack Reacher who blows things up. An excellent read, moves along well. Another loner/hero type who gets something in his minds and then all hell breaks loose.

I have the British version of this book, picked up in the airport in Frankfort. It's interesting to see all the Brit words, for instance I never knew the "curb" was spelled kerb in England. Wonder if it's editted for the American release.