Scoundrel (The Thrillers #5) [Mass Market Paperback]

Bernard Cornwell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 30, 2004

Paul Shanahan, the owner of a yacht delivery business in Belgium, now lives a peaceful existence after a terrorist-active life. An old colleague's request for the secret transport of a large amount of gold is a welcome return to the fold, and a chance to get home to Boston. But it turns out to be the trickiest and deadliest business of all - haunted always by the betrayal of his lover.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Before becoming a full-time writer Bernard Cornwell worked as a television producer in London and Belfast. He now lives in Massachusetts with his American wife. He is the author of the hugely successful Sharpe series of historical novels. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: HarperTorch (November 30, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060748664
• ISBN-13: 978-0060748661
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,007,040 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Something different for Cornwell, February 2, 2005

By 

Ronald J. Bloch (Wallingford, PA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Scoundrel (The Thrillers #5) (Mass Market Paperback)

I bought this because I have enjoyed Cornwell's Sharpe series. However, seeing that it had been published in the early 90's, I didn't have great hopes for it. I assumed it was one of Cornwell's lesser efforts that hadn't gotten wide distribution.

The story takes place during the Gulf War and concerns an American born (sometime) IRA member who is asked to transport gold to the US by boat so that the IRA can buy Stinger missles. However, there are some inconsistencies and seeming Arab connections that don't seem to fit into this story. The protagonist tries to figure out the true motives of all involved, plus he would like to double cross his employers and keep the gold.

This story reminded me of one of Jack Higgins' better stories. The characters are fairly well drawn and the story is an exciting one. Sure, there are a couple of parts in the story that one may question, but this is not meant to be great art. It is a darn good yarn, however.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A change of pace, May 31, 2005

By 

Fred Camfield (Vicksburg, MS USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Scoundrel (The Thrillers #5) (Mass Market Paperback)

This is a reprint of a 1992 novel by the author, and was a change of pace for the author, dealing with contemporary issues rather than historical. It is the type plot that one might expect from an author like Jack Higgins, but it is better written than the recent Higgins novels.

The plot goes through many surprising twists and turns. Phil Shanahan, an American living in Europe, has a business as a yacht surveyor and sometimes delivers boats to various locations for the owners. He has been asked to deliver a sailboat to Miami from somewhere in the Med. The catch is that the boat will have a special cargo of $5 million in gold coins that are to be smuggled into the country.

Nobody trusts anyone else, and Shanahan is suspicious of the assignment. Also, $5 million is a big temptation, and Shanahan has ways of creating new identities for people and boats, either of which can disappear.

There are Arab terrorists involved, Provisional IRA members, and a lot of assorted bystanders, all of whom are not what they seem to be. And there is the question of long-term deep undercover agents.

Shanahan gets in over his head, and plans do not work out as envisioned. There are some surprising final twists at the end.

The anti-American theme does raise a question in my mind. How, exactly, do you define American? It is like saying Asian, Black, Muslim, etc. All of those are very broad terms. The United States is a very complex country that has many parts and pieces that people from outside the country do not understand. The country has always been a large melting pot of people from diverse origins having diverse religious and political viewpoints, much more so than any other part of the world.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Doesn't quite deliver, August 15, 2005

By 

Kimball O'Hara "all men dream, but not equally" (California, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Scoundrel (The Thrillers #5) (Mass Market Paperback)

I enjoyed the Sharpe series, the Warlord Chronicles and other of Cornwell's work very much. I found this to be the weakest of the books he's written. I'm uncomfortable criticizing this author because I do love his work...however...I have come to expect more from him than I found in Scoundrel. I liked the premis of the plot, but it didn't ring true at all and maybe that is my most profound criticism.

Do I recommend the book? While not quite what I have come to expect from this author, I will tell you that if you are inclined to buy the book, follow that inclination. It's not a five-star work, but even flawed, it is entertaining.