Customer Reviews

Storming Heaven

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Kyle Mills has created an interesting character in Mark Beamon - a suffering, slightly edgy, moral man who refuses to back down, kind of like a pit bull who will protect til the end. The introduction of a cult-like religion was a twist. This book was so well written, planned out, it had you rooting for Mark Beamon (along with a cast of characters that were irritating, frightening and endearing). There were so many surprises and the premise of our privacy being invaded by a group of people with a different agenda was definitely not a far fetched idea.

When it comes to pesky conspirators that cause headaches for literature's pantheon of fictional heroes, some have been around for so long that they're passe: ex- SS members, the KGB, and the Vatican. In STORMING HEAVEN, none of these are at the root of All Evil, and the Vatican gets a breather for once.

This time around, our hero is Mark Beamon, the troublesome but brilliant FBI agent exiled to the position of agent-in-charge of the bureau's Flagstaff office, an out-in-the-stix outpost of the Big House down in Phoenix. Mark is investigating the gunshot deaths of Eric and Patricia Davis and the disappearance of their teenage daughter Jennifer. (It's not apparent, or ever explained, why the local cops aren't a presence and the Feds have been brought into the case. It's uncertain at the outset that Jennifer was kidnapped, much less taken across state lines, the only rationale for FBI involvement.) In any case, before the storyline progresses too far the reader knows, and Beamon suspects, that the hierarchy of the Kneissians, a global religious cult, is up to no good in the affair.

Mark is the best reason to bother with STORMING HEAVEN. He's intolerant of nonsense emanating from the Front Office, unlucky when it comes to women, physically unprepossessing, and waging a losing battle with cigarettes, alcohol and a middle-age waistline. And he's irreverant. At one point in his investigation, he's asked by an ally to pray with her for their success:

"She pulled at his sleeve and he sank to his knees next to her wheelchair. She squeezed her eyes shut and began moving her lips soundlessly. Not really knowing what to do, he bowed his head and waited for her to snap out of it."

And he's realistic about the strengths of the character flaws laid at his door by his superiors, as when he's questioning a difficult suspect:

"It was time to make a decision on how to play this. There was the smart way, of course ... But that seemed kind of boring. The other option was to shoot himself in the foot and see if he could make the ice princess sweat a little."

I'd give the book three stars except for Beamon, who elevates it another click. Otherwise, the storyline is only marginally inventive, and the Kneissians aren't in the same league as the Vatican when it comes to truly insidious plotting. Where's a good renegade Cardinal when you need one?

Storming Heaven was one of the best contemporary thrillers I have read in years. Whereas most current popular novels of this genre deal with such oft-used threats as neo nazism, islamic terrorism, missing weapons as a result of Soviet breakup, or conspiracies within our own government, Mills has the boldness to deal with what is to me the most insidious and overlooked threat: "Christian" fanaticism, and its desire to control the lives of others. While clearly a work of fiction (I can't say I know enough about Scientology to draw any conclusions), this book is to me, far scarier than anything even Steven King could write since it deals with events that are entirely plausible. Large ideas aside, it is also an excellent crime/kidnapping story and while it does contain potentially objectionable language, the sex and violence are comparatively minimal so the book can be enjoyed by a wide audience. Definitely a winner along with Rising Phoenix, his previous novel which also tackles religious conspiracy.

This is the second of Kyle Mill's books that I have read. Rising Phoenix was a good (notice I say GOOD not GREAT) thriller as well.

Unlike some of the reviewers I really like Mark Beamon, the "hero" of Kyle Mills books. His sense of humor and unhealthy lifestyle are a nice change from alot of "heroes" in other books. The pace moves quickly and keeps you interested. A few times I found myself saying "Now that was dumb Mark, why don't U do this". Of course being a reader you tend to have both sides of the story so it's easy to know what to do.

Glad I waited to get this book in paperback, but it's definitely worth a read.

I liked Kyle's first book, Rising Phoenix, but it wasn't enough to put him on my personal 'A' list of authors. However, Storming Heaven is so good that he immediately jumped up towards the top.

The characters are very compelling and are the strength of the story. This is definitely not one of those hollywood script style books like so many authors are putting out now. The characters and plot are thoroughly fleshed out and the detail is compelling.

If you like your heros flawed then Kyle's Mark Beamon is for you. He has drinking and weight problems, plus he has a hard time getting along with his boss (or any 'authority figure'). Beamon is truly one of the most memorable protagonists I have seen in a long time.

I highly recommend this book and think that if you enjoy real characters and good suspense you will enjoy it too.

Kyle Mills has created a taut page-turner, right on the edge of credibility with a very likable cast of characters. FBI SAC Mark Beamon is a maverick whiz kid. Author Mills wisely gives him a few flaws and a healthy dose of humor. Beamon, a Texan, is a stranger to cold, snow and ice. While he performs incredible feats of derring do, he is constantly falling down, running into trees when his car slides off the road, slipping on stairs---all of which take their toll in his intrepid chases of the bad guys.

Beamon is called in on an apparent double murder of a wealthy couple and kidnapping of their teenaged daughter. In a small prelude, we are introduced to the family just prior and during the event. The daughter is an All American dirt bike racer and the parents are devoted, proud and caring. Mr. Mills has set it up so we care about this family. Beamon rather amazingly uncovers a religious cult that may or may not be involved. As described, the cult seems 80% Scientology and 20% Mormon (LDS). The further Mark delves into the case, the wider and more influential the cult appears to be. He loses his job, credit cards and is the IRS has frozen all his assets. He is rumored to be a child molester. His whole world is in ashes.

The story rushes at a furious pace with a few time outs for philosophizing. Mr. Mills seems uncomfortable with his character's various degrees of belief in the Deity, but has turned most to the story's advantage. Not entirely plausible and the solution is a little too neat, nevertheless, "Storming Heaven" is a satisfying read.

This is an uncommonly good book in the suspense genre. It features a well-structured plot, an interesting concept and good characterization.

The book begins with the chilling kidnapping of a teenage girl. The lead investigator, Mark Beamon comes to believe that the Church of the Evolution, a mysterious and powerful cult, is behind the crime, just as the cult begins targeting him.

In this, his second novel, Kyle Mills brings back the quirky but brilliant FBI agent Mark Beamon. Beamon is one of the better protagonists you'll find in the suspense genre, unlike the bland boring characters of a Tom Clancy novel. He's uncommonly funny, and a very good agent but also has flaws that make him more believable. Beamon is joined here by a great supporting cast which includes a hapless but endearing refugee from the cult, and an aging and insufferable surveillance specialist.

The theme of religious cults used here is fairly interesting. Mills does seem to be basing the Church on some composite of real-life religious sects. It's actually a very novel conception of an updated, more flexible Christianity - upon reading it, I was surprised that this wasn't a real cult. Or maybe it is . . .

In any event, the book picks up almost immediately and will keep your attention riveted until the end. What more would you want in a thriller?

finished storming heaven last night, a buddy gave me all three Mills novels, and i happened to read out of order, i guess...i think mills is nothing like clancy--he is much better---clancy is a wonk/techno geek, but mills weaves a solid, tight story with engaging characters.....he reminds me of a michael connelley(blood work, black ice etc.....)or a slightly better version of the Generals daughter.....i look forward to reading rising phoenix---

I thought Rising Phoenix was an excellent first novel, and could hardly wait for #2 from this author. Storming Heaven turned out to be a disappointment. The story starts off well.... then becomes pretty tedious (it's obvious what's happened to our heroine very early on)... and then moves back to a better pace mid-way through the book. This is an OK, not great, book.... but, if you think you'll be following Mark Beamon in future novels, you'll want to read this for continuity. As a protagonist, Beamon is cool!

> > > > Storming Heaven (Political / Thriller) > Kyle Mills > Harper Jan. 2000 > ISBN: 0061012513 - Paperback > > This is the 2nd installment of Mark Beaman; the 1st was "Rising Phoenix " > > FBI special agent Mark Beaman is not your model book hero; he is overweight, > smokes, and drinks too much. His ways and refusal to play by the rules > cause him major trouble with his bosses so he is transferred from Washington > D.C. to Flagstaff, Arizona, and given one more chance to change his ways or > be fired. > > A millionaire couple Eric and Patricia Davis are murdered in their home and > 15 year-old daughter Jennifer is missing. Beaman is on the case, and at > first, he thinks that Jennifer is guilty. Beaman set off on a trail that > takes him from a remote backwoods survivalists cabin into the Utah mountains > through the headquarters of a cult like church called the "Church of > Evolution" that seems to be ahead of him where ever a clue leads him. Just > when Beaman thinks he's close to solving the case, he discovers that the > murder and kidnapping is far more menacing and far-reaching than he first > thought. As Beaman falls back on his old unorthodox work methods, he > discovers that nothing is what it seems, and finds himself the victim of a > mysterious harassment. Beaman must find the killers and at the same time > warn the people before America is brought to it's knees > > Storming Heaven is filled with a very likable cast of characters, and some > that are not so likable but that is what makes for an spine tingling and > fast paced read. Mark Beaman is an extraordinary investigator with an > unselfish drive to solve crimes and seek justice, whether by the book or his > own way. > > Pam Stone