‘A Quiet End’ by Nelson Demille

Published by Sphere,
2 June 2016.
ISBN: 978-0-7515-4462-6.

John Cory and his assistant Tess Farady are carrying out a surveillance on Vasily Petrov, a Russian Agent visiting New York.

When they follow him to a house owned by Russian oligarch Georgi Tamorov, they disguise themselves as two of the caterers arriving to provide for a party. They notice Petrov and two of his companions are drinking only water, and them being Russians! John is immediately suspicious and with good reason.

John and Tess then look on helplessly as Petrov and his two friends board an amphibious craft that arrives on the beach at the back of the house and then motors off. As soon as they are able they alert the local police and coastguards, but there is no sign of it. How can a 24ft boat just disappear? They then learn that Petrov and his friends were heard talking about a yacht, so the search goes out for a large yacht with the amphibious craft on board but although there is plenty of shipping around none have the boat aboard.

Meanwhile, we learn that a nuclear physicist who specialises in what the Americans call 'suitcase nukes' is one of the men with Petrov. Can the Russians possibly be on a mission to explode a nuclear device and if so how, when and where?

John and Tess then join in the frantic search for the yacht following further information. The narrative then builds up to an exciting climax in a desperate race against time to not only find the bomb, if it exists, but to prevent it from going off.

Wow this is certainly a fast paced action story up to Demille's usual standard. John Corey is a character I have met before and is a real 'James Bond' type but with a drier wit.

The pace never lets up and left me feeling quite exhausted! Highly recommended for those who like a 'tongue in cheek' main character with a real go for it attitude.

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Reviewer:  Tricia Chappell

Nelson Richard DeMille was born in New York City on August 23. He moved as a child with his family to Long Island. In high school, he played football and ran track. DeMille spent three years at Hofstra University, then joined the Army and attended Officer Candidate School. He was a First Lieutenant in the United States Army (1966-69) and saw action as an infantry platoon leader with the First Cavalry Division in Vietnam. He was decorated with the Air Medal, Bronze Star, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.
DeMille returned to the States and went back to Hofstra University where he received his degree in Political Science and History. He has three children, Lauren, Alexander, and James, and still lives on Long Island.

http://www.nelsondemille.net

Tricia Chappell. I have a great love of books and reading, especially crime and thrillers. I play the occasional game of golf  (when I am not reading). My great love is cruising especially to far flung places, when there are long days at sea for plenty more reading! I am really enjoying reviewing books and have found lots of great new authors.