Customer Reviews

Power

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And a very unlikely villain, which is apparent in the closing chapters! British secret agents Tweed, Paula Grey and Bob Newman investigate a string of murders brought to their attention by a reporter on the run. Then a massacre takes place in a mansion in Cornwall, Tweed's headquarters is firebombed and the agents are on their own, even the Prime Minister won't sanction a mission to track down the perpetrators. Who is behind all of this? The action and story move from the UK to Switzerland, France and the White House, where a power struggle with a corrupt right-wing President is under way in a deadly sense. Then Even Amberg, widow of a Swiss banker killed in the Cornwall massacre, and high-class prostitute Jennie Blade appear on the scene, who have connections with a leading industrialist. What is his part in the Washington power struggle and the aftorementioned murders? This thriller weaves its way through some unexpected twists and turns very typical of Brit writer Colin Forbes, the locations add to the interest and overall, it is a satisfyingly original storyline with an easy-to-read narrative. Highly recommended.

Colin Forbes sets his novel in rural US, in Washington, the UK and mainland Europe. Clearly a travelled and educated writer, Forbes has written an interesting and suspenseful novel, with convicing and sympathetic characters. For my taste, a few too many players in this ruthless story of murder, intrigue and power play, it is nonetheless a great book for a long plane ride.

The first couple of pages of 'The Power' are intriguing and promise to develop into a gripping thriller. However, after that it is downhill all the way. This is possibly one of the worst books that I have ever read. The characters are paper thin, and completely unbelievable. The dialogue is mundane and pedestrian. The development of the plot is juvenile, it reminds me of the universal baddies such as Smersh from the Man from U.N.C.L.E. The 'stage whisper' comments from the characters explaining the significance of particular plot developments are insulting to the readers intelligence.

For a far more credible, readable and enjoyable thriller read Stephen Leather.