Alaska Deception

The KGB plots to harm the oil production facilities in Alaska using a complex plot involving putting the blame on a protest group and the French. This book is oriented more on plot and conspiracy rather than action, so the fact that this story is light on action didn't really bother me all that much. Alaska Deception brings its own unique flavor to the table as each book in this series so far does. I enjoyed this adventure and it also fits seamlessly within the continuity of the series. Tasked to gather evidence against Russia, the SOBs eventually find an opportunity, and Russia meanwhile is trying to hide it. I loved what Nanos and Hayes discovered at the helicopter crash site, it was funny and brilliant at the same time. The tension between the Soviet and American forces gathered off the Alaska coast gave a sense of impending threat, and the SOBs in the middle of it was an excellent set-piece. A variety of characters including the President get behind the scenes segments as the SOBs mission is taking place. As for the author, I have a difficult time believing that this is the same writer that wrote Sakhalin Breakout. Will the real Jack Garside please stand up? There is no similarity at all in the writing style between these two books, and I suspect either this manuscript was heavily vetted, edited, and or rewritten if it was Garside involved, or it was written entirely by someone else. Whatever the case, this was an enjoyable story, and all the SOBs were characterized well and the author did a good job.

This author who previously gave us #18 Sakhalin Breakout and this title never went on to release any other titles in the series and this is entirely understandable to this reviewer after finishing this title. It had to happen I guess not all of the titles in this series could have been blockbusters or the series might be still in print but this one is very ordinary. The plot well the Soviets have decided they wish to cause America some harm and decide to attack their Alaskan oil fields under the cover of fake Greenpeace trawlers and a frigate flying the French flag. Huh ? Did anyone stop to think hey the Americans are going to see through this and know it was really us? Apparently not and this plot is hereby entered into the most stupid plot I have ever read category whenever it is created on this site. The rest of the title is a long drawn out process where well nothing much actually happens action wise with far too much on the going ons behind doors by a who's who of American and Russian politicians and section office holders. Boring read give this one a big miss.

This took too long to get going, and there just wasn't enough action scenes. Just a ho-hum entry.