Customer Reviews

The Wolf at the Door (Sean Dillon Series)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

I've been a Jack Higgins fan for years and have read every one of his books. I have always enjoyed the way he tells a story, but truthfully, the last few years have seen some mediocre efforts. The storylines were fairly predictable, and the characters sounded very dated. In other words, I hate to say it, but the books had gotten boring.

But not this one. I couldn't put it down. It was well thought out, and I liked the way the new characters were added to the mix. Most of the story didn't include the same old characters, but some new ones. The new guy, Daniel, is potentially a good character for the future. I can see him becoming one of Ferguson's guys shortly.

That said, I think that some of Higgin's writing is forced. I find the term "switch off" to be awkward. I realize that it's a British phrase, but he was having an American say it. We don't use that phrase. We say "turn off". Small detail, but when combined with the constant drinking that every character seems to need to do at all times of the day, and you see what I mean.

I enjoyed it, and give it 4 stars. I look forward to the next one!

I've read all of Higgins' books and am generally a fan, but this latest effort was absolutely terrible. I honestly had to force myself to finish from the halfway point on just to see if it would improve - it didn't. The action, such as it is, all occurs at the beginning, and is entirely implausible - multiple assassination attempts that occur concurrently all fail? Please. Simply not credible and not worth reading. This book falls into the category of one I would literally throw away.

In Quoque, Long island a man waits at a pier for Blake Johnson, security adviser to the POTUS, to dock his vessel the Lively Jane; his mission is to kill the American. The British Prime Minister ordered top operatives Harry Miller and Sean Dillon to attend a U.N. gathering in which Russian Federation Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is speaking. The President wants Blake who will be at the gala to gauge the Russian delegation.

Harry takes a walk in Central Park but is also stalked and attacked. In London, General Charles Ferguson leaves a late-night meeting of ministers only to see his car with the driver inside explode. Although all roads lead to Moscow, none of the operatives realize Putin has hired the best assassin in the world Daniel Holley to eliminate the agents who have interfered with the Russian's plans for world domination; that is except Dillon who fears his most dreaded enemy has surfaced.

The latest Sean Dillon and company espionage thriller (see A Darker Place) is a super entry that moves on several subplots before converging for quite a climax. The story line focuses with back stories on how each chosen victim was targeted, stalked and attacked with an emphasis on Holly who ironically and fascinatingly holds the plot together; as opposed to Dillon and the other heroes. Jack Higgins proves he remains one of the grandmasters of the international intrigue thriller with this great entry.

Harriet Klausner

As an act of vengeance for all the foiled operations in the past and to clear the road for future plots, Prime Minister Putin authorizes a hit on Ferguson and his crew.

The first part of the book is typical Higgins: a fast pace shoot 'em up set of sequences of just the assassination attempts of Ferguson and many of his key people. This action involves only a third of the book and at this point I was wondering how the story would play out. My guess was wrong but it didn't take long to see the direction it was going. The author slows this second part down, becoming more deliberate and back tracking in telling the story of the Russians finding the right operator to do the nasty deed. Once the capable villain is chosen, the planning of the assassinations is described.

At the end of this second part the reader will have the results of the attacks and how they were planned. It wouldn't be unusual for a reader to think the last part of the story to be anticlimactic but Higgins has a surprise ending ( at least it was for me ) that was more interesting than expected, tying everything together.

I don't recall the author writing in this manner. I think it was a deliberate attempt to rejuvenate himself and his fan base and he was successful.

Sorry to say Dillion played a small role here but I suspect there will be some exciting new stories with Dillion going up against this new dangerous guy, Daniel Holley, in the future. Higgins could also extend the conflict with Holley and the Russians; that would be interesting as well. Higgins has created a way to move in several directions.

The format was different but the story was good; I think most people will like this novel and the stories that will grow from this adventure.

Received this book very quick, much quicker than I had thought. It's one of Higgins best works to date. Loved the book and the price. Recommend this product and seller...

Another fine thriller from Jack Higgins, the king of thriller writers.

This one's structured differently than most of his. It's for the most part told backwards. In other words, we already know how it's going to end. The beginning action is in chronological order.

Afterward, the book explains how the action came about and who was orchestrating it. "Wolf" is not as suspenseful as some of his previous thrillers, but it's still a good read and maintains the reader's interest, even though we already know the results of the action.

Nobody knows how to write a thriller stripped to the bone better than Higgins. This is an author more interested in story and character and fine writing than in speechifying and using thrillers as propaganda devices.

--Bryan Cassiday, author of "Blood Moon: Thrillers and Tales of Terror"

Blood Moon: Thrillers and Tales of Terror

Great fresh start for Higgins. Sean and his friends were getting tired. Can't wait for the next one with Daniel the new protaganist.

In the first nine pages of The Wolf At The Door the quick action sets the stage and pace for the story that follows. True to form Higgins/Patterson delivers another good thriller with characters we've all come to know and like, which is why many of us keep coming back...and back, and well, back again.

Over the years I think I've read close to 40 of Jack Higgins/Harry Patterson's books and have been amazed at this gifted storyteller's writing prowess. Let's face it, the guy's good and at times, very, very good.

To some it may there are some choppy segments but it all comes together like the story puzzle a good thriller should be. As for character development well, this book is alive with some long familiar characters and as in any series what you don't know about a certain character may be clearly spelled out or found in previous works. So do yourself a favor, read his books and come see why Higgins/Patterson is still leading the pack with The Wolf at the Door.

Frankly I love everything Jack Higgins has ever written and The Wolf at the Door is no different. I feel like I know all of the people in the book and can't wait to "catch up" with them as each new book comes out.

Jack's books are always incredible and this one is no exception, containing all the characters we have grown to enjoy so much and some new ones that will surely be seen in future episodes. My only complaint would be that the "text to speech" option is not activated in this book (I like to listen to books in the car during my commutes).