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The Apostle (2009)

by Brad Thor(Favorite Author)

4.05 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

1416586571 (ISBN13: 9781416586579)

languge

English

genre

Mystery & Thriller

publisher

Atria Books

series

Scot Harvath

review 1: Another exciting geopolitical thriller from the brilliant Brad Thor. "The Apostle" is the eighth entry into the Scot Harvath-based series, and this novel feels strong and straightforward in its mission delivery. There is a notable subplot that is slightly less even, but still very engrossing as it unfolds, and will presumably have future ramifications for the Scot Harvath character at some later date.The story here is very easy to follow: covert agent Scot Harvath, ex-Navy SEAL, ex-Secret Service agent, is drafted back into the fold by newly-inaugurated slimy President Robert Alden. The clandestine mission Harvath is sent on involves trading a captured Al-Qaeda leader for a kidnapped doctor working in Afghanistan. But, of course, it's never that simple in a Brad Thor n... moreovel, and it's what makes this series so great. Harvath uncovers twists and turns, and what the President's true motives are behind enacting the mission are also curious. In a way, Harvath is exactly the _wrong_ man to send on such a operation, because he is not a "yes" man. But, at the same time, his skills are so unique that if you want something done right, there is no one better to call upon to serve his country.This novel takes a strange departure from other Brad Thor books, that I can recall, anyway, and there is a separate, non-Scot Harvath storyline that plays out in between chapters for roughly half the book. It does involve President Alden and a Secret Service agent named Elise Campbell. Both stories are loosely connected; one is domestic while the other is obviously international, but it does beg the question as to how this all came to be - was this a writing experiment? Was the subplot originally intended to be a separate non-Harvath book? Whatever the case, there is no doubt the reader will want to see how it unfolds, but it also distracts from the elements of the main story somewhat. Hopefully, at the very least, Elise Campbell is merged into the Harvath world in a future book, as she is a fairly captivating character.Scot Harvath's squad also provide some entertainment (especially the Canadian operative Fontaine) as the story moves along at a very rapid pace, and I personally wanted to learn more of what was happening in Harvath's personal life, which is basically alluded to as having faced challenges from the events in previous books, and his desire to lead a more mainstream lifestyle. I feel that it is key to have this aspect of Scot Harvath be on display in each of the books, as it makes him more relatable and human, instead of an unrealistic super-agent (which he is not, but I wouldn't want him to even come close to being that.).Former Homeland Security employee Brad Thor writes with an authenticity rarely seen in this type of book, and I cannot get enough of his work. He traveled to Taliban-plagued Afghanistan on a special ops mission prior to this book being written. I'm always wondering what could possibly occur in the next book, and the next book after that, and so on. I always recommend him to those who enjoy this sort of action thriller, and will continue to do so. I'm so excited to read book nine in the series, "Foreign Influence" sooner rather than later.
review 2: Not all that impressive.Very patriotic... but of the mindset, that as long as the "good guys" are sharp enough, they can stop the "bad" guys from doing too much bad.Also seems to think that any amount of killing of "bad" guys is just peachy.An d of course when the main character/hero lies, that is an ok example of how "the ends justify the means" sometimes, but when the bad guys do it, they need to pay for their sins.The narrator, Armand Schultz did a great job with the material though. His accent for the Canadians in the book brought a big smile to my face. His Afghan accent wasn't bad either.For all the killing described in the book, it was not nearly gorey enough.. But that's not to say that there were not a few pretty descriptive parts.Patriotic, teen-age, testosterone filled, shoot-em-up lovers will love this book. less

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