Customer Reviews

Scam

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

James Byron Huggins returns to the world of suspense and intrigue with "The Scam". The heroes in this novel are really great (three renegade agents out to save the world while trying to avoid every other law enforcement agency on Earth) and Huggins has created the perfect assassin in "The Iceman" (his weapon of choice is an icepick). The plot involves an attempt to stop "The Phantom", a criminal mastermind so well hidden in society no one else believes he exists. But he does, and he controls the world's financial markets.

If you enjoyed Huggins' "The Reckoning", you'll love this book. Huggins can write tense scenes and fighting sequences with deadly accuracy. There's no time to get bored here. While not his best novel (nothing beats "Cain"), this is one of his top three easily. Highly recommended!

Let's not forget this story comes from Jay B. Mann. His experience in international finance and law enforcement give this book a very believable story-line. Without him, the story could never have been told. James Byron Huggins is a master at presenting mystery fiction. Fast paced action filled with suspense, make this story difficult to put down. Together, James Byron Huggins and Jay B. Mann have teamed to offer their readers hours of enjoyment . . . a very fine piece of work!

For years, Huggins has given us visceral thrillers such as "Nightbringer," which explore the dark corners of the human heart and the battle between good and evil. He took it to next level in "Rora," a historical masterpiece. This year, he offers two new books in "The Scam" and "Sorcerer."

The cover of "The Scam" implies a more politically-minded conspiracy novel. This is not inaccurate, but in his typical fashion Huggins leads us into a fast-paced, violent game. The players involve CIA and Mossad specialists pitted against a nebulous enemy who guards secrets that could rock nations. Serving as a henchman to the enemy, Charon is a ruthless assassin who has a personal grudge against the CIA's Jonathan Malone.

The lives of these players are put to the ultimate test as they converge in a breath-taking climax, which shows that Huggins has lost none of his rapid-fire narrative skills. Weapons are employed, blood flows, and there's a remarkable scene involving a bomb. Huggins own experience in law enforcement shows.

My one caveat: in hurrying to get the first of two books out, it seems somebody forgot to edit. "The Scam" has numerous typos, and the US President's name changes from Stanton to Stanford halfway through the book. We're also told that the Israeli female agent is "stunningly beautiful" in our first three encounters with her. If you expect these errors going in, though, you'll have no problem enjoying the book.

"The Scam" is vintage Huggins. He takes a large cast of characters, draws us into their armored conflict, then brings us out on the other side with a glimmer of hope and light. I can't wait for "Sorcerer."

FIRST let me say that the only reason this book has four stars is because of the TYPOS . That is the only reason. I was let down a little by Huggins's last book Nightbringer and was skeptical at first about this one but as i read through it my attitude changed. Good plot, characters, everything. whether your a huggins fan or not you WILL enjoy this book. BRAVO!

The Scam has all the elements of a good action/intrigue novel; a complex plot, wonderfully visual action scenes, and distinctly believable characters. Huggins manages to give the reader an almost empathetic feel for the characters in this book without smothering the reader in detail. It's a rare ability in an author who can still deliver a detailed plot at a fast pace.

Be prepared to set aside a few hours to finish the last half of the book; it's difficult to put down.

I have to agree with the other reveiwers that this story is another great one by Huggins. My only disappointment, and the reason for only 4 stars, is the editing job. I have found several glaring errors throughout my copy of the book. The errors make it appear as if the author intended to change the wording of different phrases, but forgot to delete all of the words of the old phrase first. Despite these errors, the excellent story definitely makes this book worth the read.

This book is more along the line of Huggins' The Reckoning: A Novel A political tale that starts out very creepy, and keeps you on the edge throughout the book. A lot of shooting and slaying of the enemy (and a few good guys too) this is a page turner. Though not like my favorite of his A Wolf Story: A Novel of Savage Conflict and Desperate Faiththis is still a very good read.

This was insightful and disturbing especially in an election year. It makes you think and wonder. I found t believable,but would have loved a deeper reason for the villin to be a villin. I did not like it as well as some of his other works, but it was a good read. I read it in about a week and usually read his in two days. I would recommend it and thought the relationships were deeper usual,but one of his weaknesses is his heros fall in love too quick.

This book is reminiscent of the rest of Huggins books. If you liked the rest, it is a must read.

James Byron Huggins is one of my favorite authors. "A Wolf Story" is my top favorite and one I've read several times. "The Scam" is written in the vein of "The Reckoning" - an action packed, 'war' between good and evil. "The Scam" doesn't disappoint in that there's plenty of action and suspense.

Several reviewers commented on the typos. Thankfully, I only noticed one of them (I usually notice typos since I've worked as an editor); but, since this was a "fun" book for me and I was reading quickly, I probably read right over them. I am tempted to read it again looking for the typos -- maybe later. ;-)

My only disappointment was the ending. I don't want to give anything away... But, while I suppose the ending was consistent with who the villians were and how they got where they were, I felt like they "got away with it". The good guys for the most part come out winners, except for two veteran FBI agents who are left "flying desks" for the rest of their careers. Yet again, in "The Reckoning" the evil mastermind is never really brought to justice...