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GLASS TIGER
by Joe Gores
Quercus, September 2006
304 pages
12.99 GBP
ISBN: 190520454X


Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

Joe Gores is a new-to-me writer who falls into a category I like to call Wish I'd Heard of Him Sooner. GLASS TIGER is a standalone political thriller from this Edgar-winning author of the DKA series, one that starts out with a series of fleeting glimpses into the lives of its main characters, piquing interest enough to keep the pages turning and fulfilling its implied promise to continue its quick-stepped pace to an unforeseeable but undeniably satisfying conclusion.

Gores' very likable protagonist is Brendan Thorne, ex-Ranger in Panama, ex-sniper for a CIA front in Colombia. After a personal tragedy, Thorne disavows his life of violence and instills himself into a quiet existence as the only white camp guard in Tsavo, Kenya's Sikuzuri, an African hunting resort for the rich. When he and the camp's other guard kill a band of poachers, Thorne is arrested on trumped-up charges and deported back to the United States at the request of FBI Agent Terrill Hatfield, pegged by the newly elected American President Gustav Wallberg to step into the position of Director.

In a top-secret meeting, Thorne is told that Halden Corwin, legendary Vietnam sniper and mercenary, has vowed to assassinate President Wallberg. The government's computers have picked Thorne as the most likely person to find Corwin and stop him. Thorne won't have to kill anyone; Hatfield's crack FBI team will take care of that.

At first Thorne refuses, but then President Wallberg himself asks him to do it. Wallberg has not seen Corwin since they were teenagers 40 years before. He tells Thorne that on election night, Corwin murdered his own daughter and son-in-law in the psychotic belief that they had tried to kill him at Wallberg's request. Now he is after Wallberg, and the President is certain Thorne can stop him.

Throne, still haunted by his past, agrees to the search in hopes of finding the personal salvation he needs. When the plan to capture Corwin doesn't go as described, Thorne discovers he can't trust anyone or anything he's been told. What Thorne learns about Hal Corwin, his murdered daughter and his long-time companion, Janet Kestrel, and ultimately about the President himself, leads him into a web of lies, double-crosses and danger.

Gores' writing is clear and eloquent, with vibrant but not effusive descriptions, fast-paced action and intellectual dialogue. He moves the plot forward at breakneck speed without wasting a single word. Thorne is well trained, tough and tenacious, but not invulnerable, which makes him infinitely sympathetic.

When he becomes more involved with Corwin's young friend Janet, he unearths some shocking truths about the players in this grand charade he finds himself embroiled in. Ultimately, Thorne must first run for his life, then stand and fight, and the ease with which Gores delivers his stunning final blow is nothing short of spectacular.

Reviewed by J. B. Thompson, January 2007

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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)


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