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Jane W. (Lansing, MI)
(12/05/10)
I really wanted to enjoy reading this book
As a former police officer, I was delighted in obtaining this book to read and review. Alas, it is moderately a book you might want to borrow from the library. It is an easy read. The first few pages started with such promise. Then the the plot became disconnected, characters were not developed, and the power of Steve Vail were appropriate for someone like maybe a James Bond. I believe the author could be much better than this, given his vast knowledge and experience. Come on...there surely is some hope at times in his writing.
Kris
(12/05/10)
Agent X
I really enjoyed this book. It is one of the better FBI-CIA intrigue books that I've read over the past couple of years. I found the book to be similar to Nelson DeMille's - John Corry character. In fact, I had to remind myself a couple of times that it was not indeed the same character. I enjoyed the constant turns and could not put the book down once I hit the second half of the book.
Priscilla B. (Marietta, GA)
(12/05/10)
Twists and Turns
An entertaining action thriller/mystery. Many twists and turns to keep you guessing. If you enjoy Dan Brown and Lee Child type books, you will like this one. Noah Boyd seems to have great potential as an author. I look forward to reading more of his work.
Laureen S. (Aurora, IL)
(12/04/10)
Plenty of twists & turns
This is a great read with plenty of action, twists & turns. Don't expect a vacation read as you will have to keep track of what's going on and the level of reading is not beach material, but more than worth your time. I did not read the first Bricklayer novel, but this book stands alone just fine. However, after reading Agent X, I will definitely go back and read Noah Boyd's first book. I hope for more in this series.
Vivian H. (Winchester, VA)
(12/03/10)
A Real Page Turner
Agent X is a real page turner. I debated between rating this a 4 or 5 and lean towards 4.5. I love a good thriller. And this story is engrossing, albeit improbable - a 21st Century spy thriller involving the Americans and Russians and moles. The narrative is extremely well written. I found the dialogue flat -somewhat stilted. That is why I rated this a 4. Steve Vail is an engaging hero, a talented, complicated man who disdains the authority and red tape laden, political maneuvering of his former employer, the highly bureaucratic FBI and prefers to work as a bricklayer in Chicago. I like Vail, who has similar characteristics of Lee Child's Jack Reacher, and will now go back and read The Bricklayer.
Barbara C. (Riverside, CA)
(12/02/10)
Redeeming Social Value -- not so much!
But a good read, oh yeah! The comparison with Reacher is apt, and the book has a fast paced plot and lots of action. Suspend reality for a while and enjoy. You may want to read the first book, the Bricklayer, before this one, but it does stand alone. I read many mystery-suspense novels, and this one is definitely a five for the genre.
David M. (Glendale, CA)
(12/01/10)
Fast paced entertainment
Boyd’s latest novel featuring the bricklayer, Steve Vail, is an action-filled page-turner with endless twists-and-turns. Overall, Vail fights Russian spies, battles corrupt FBI agents, and helps solve a mystery involving a missing woman. While there is no profound or deep message, the book is truly a fun journey!
Portia A. (Mount Laurel, NJ)
(12/01/10)
A Good Read
There are different kinds of books...instructional, spiritual, intellectual and then there is the "good read". Agent X is in the last category..the characters are implausible, the plot hard to believe, but the story is full of action and it's hard to put the book down. I enjoyed this book. If you love spy thrillers you will too.