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Creasy #5
Message from Hell
Creasy left Vietnam in 1968, sickened by the incompetence, the corruption, the carnage. Now someone is trying to draw him back...
It began with two dead men — a young GI Creasy saw die; and a vicious South Vietnamese, whom Creasy himself had shot. Twenty-six years on, the GI's dogtag is delivered to his parents. Is it possible that, after all, one or both men survived? Creasy is determined to find out and heads back to the killing fields.
But every step of his journey has been preordained by an enemy more evil and more cunning than any Creasy has faced yet — the beautiful, deadly Connie Crum, known as the Cobra, who knows how to wait and exactly where to strike...
'A writer who can make characters come alive and build tension so you cannot wait to turn the page'
DAILY TELEGRAPH
It began with two dead men — a young GI Creasy saw die; and a vicious South Vietnamese, whom Creasy himself had shot. Twenty-six years on, the GI's dogtag is delivered to his parents. Is it possible that, after all, one or both men survived? Creasy is determined to find out and heads back to the killing fields.
But every step of his journey has been preordained by an enemy more evil and more cunning than any Creasy has faced yet — the beautiful, deadly Connie Crum, known as the Cobra, who knows how to wait and exactly where to strike...
'A writer who can make characters come alive and build tension so you cannot wait to turn the page'
DAILY TELEGRAPH
316 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 15, 1996
57 people are currently reading
377 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Quinnell
30 books144 followersA. J. Quinnell was the pen name of Philip Nicholson, a mystery and thriller writer. He is best known for his novel "Man on Fire", which has been adapted to film twice, most recently in 2004 featuring Denzel Washington.
When the author was preparing to publish his first book, "Man on Fire", he wanted to keep his real identity a secret. During a conversation in a bar, his agent, Chris Little, told him he could use a pseudonym. The author chose "Quinnell", after the rugby union player Derek Quinnell and "A. J." from the initials of the bartender's son.
Nicholson frequented Gleneagles bar in Mġarr, Gozo, the town where the Malta ferry disembarks. He could often be found drinking vodkas with soda. He wrote late at night and through until the morning, always standing up.
The author's best-known creation was the character of Marcus Creasy, an American-born former member of the French Foreign Legion.
When the author was preparing to publish his first book, "Man on Fire", he wanted to keep his real identity a secret. During a conversation in a bar, his agent, Chris Little, told him he could use a pseudonym. The author chose "Quinnell", after the rugby union player Derek Quinnell and "A. J." from the initials of the bartender's son.
Nicholson frequented Gleneagles bar in Mġarr, Gozo, the town where the Malta ferry disembarks. He could often be found drinking vodkas with soda. He wrote late at night and through until the morning, always standing up.
The author's best-known creation was the character of Marcus Creasy, an American-born former member of the French Foreign Legion.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
August 18, 2008
The last published "Creasy" book before the author passed away. I was sad that I never actually got to meet A.J. Quinnell before he died. I had planned to go to the island he lived someday just to see the place described so well in all of the books, and meet the man behind my favorite character ever. But I never got there.
November 13, 2024
Ką gi, užbaigiau skaityti visą Creasy istoriją. Drąsiai galiu ją rekomenduoti ir kitiems. Quinnell visiškai Lietuvoje neatrastas autorius, bet jis tvirtai stovi tarp trilerio klasikų: Forsytho, McCarry ir kitų. Penkios knygos apie Creasy tikrai neturėtų nuvilti nė vieno skaitytojo. Kelionės, nuotykiai, tikroviška tamsioji gyvenimo pusė, labai blogi, bet įtikinami blogiukai. Ir grupė buvusių samdinių, kurie puikiai dirba išvien, klasiškai valdo ginklus ir moka išspręsti visas problemas. XX a. visame gražume!
May 27, 2020
I have read every one of AJ Quinnell's novels & have hard copies of almost all of them to be reread in my old age! Love all the different venues he explored. Of course, the Creasy stories were my favorites. "Message From Hell" was the only one I had not read. So glad to finally find it on Amazon Kindle. Sooo sad there will be no more. Rest in peace, Mr. Quinnell. You were a great story teller.
April 10, 2023
This is the 5th and final book of the Creasy series. This thriller is about a cat and mouse game where someone is out to get Creasy and Creasy is playing along while trying to stay a step ahead. It was OK but perhaps weaker than previous books. As a conclusion to the series it is a let down. It makes we assume that the author intended to write more books in this series and for whatever reason could not. This book also had a sex scene that I thought was unnecessary to the story.
Overall I'm glad I read this series since it felt different from many of the other thrillers I've read that focus on assassin or special agent guy doing his thing. The biggest difference to me was the amount of preparation and assistance that was necessary especially in the early books. Creasy spent months carefully planning his revenge with a lot of help from an expanding set of friends.
This series felt more European with its large cast of characters of different nationalities. Creasy was perhaps overly attractive to women and this made the series feel more dated. The author seemed like a foodie as he had a penchant for mentioning all the expensive foods/drinks his character were having.
I have to say that the thing I'm going to remember the most is the shocking development in book 4. I've thought about that a lot and while I have to give kudos to the author for doing something so unexpected (to me at least) I do wonder if it was a good decision for this series.
Overall I'm glad I read this series since it felt different from many of the other thrillers I've read that focus on assassin or special agent guy doing his thing. The biggest difference to me was the amount of preparation and assistance that was necessary especially in the early books. Creasy spent months carefully planning his revenge with a lot of help from an expanding set of friends.
This series felt more European with its large cast of characters of different nationalities. Creasy was perhaps overly attractive to women and this made the series feel more dated. The author seemed like a foodie as he had a penchant for mentioning all the expensive foods/drinks his character were having.
I have to say that the thing I'm going to remember the most is the shocking development in book 4. I've thought about that a lot and while I have to give kudos to the author for doing something so unexpected (to me at least) I do wonder if it was a good decision for this series.
March 28, 2025
Another classic and an excellent finish to this series. I am sad to see that it's the end, but it kept me intrigued all the way to the end. It has a deep appreciation for the subtle nuances of violence. The scene's are not long and drawn out, which is perfect. I was certainly worried that Creasy would die and I am happy to say that the ending of this series did not disappoint. I was hoping that he would find a little more happiness in life. If he would have met any of the women that passed in previous books I think they would have lived much longer and healthier lives.
February 16, 2019
Sniff, sniff, the end of the Creasy books. 😢 And how will it end?
“I don’t know. But it will end in death. Theirs or mine. It always does...”
That’s my Creasy! To a T!
This was a good read. Creasy sets off to find out if an old buddy from Vietnam is still alive. And he enlists his usual crew of friends and they get their usual results.
This book wasn’t as personal as the previous four. Creasy doesn’t hang out in Gozo and his family there is barely mentioned. And I think his daughter only gets one line! Also, the ending is much too quick, too anticlimactic.
But the epilogue made me smile. And so does/did Creasy. I’m gonna miss him.
“I don’t know. But it will end in death. Theirs or mine. It always does...”
That’s my Creasy! To a T!
This was a good read. Creasy sets off to find out if an old buddy from Vietnam is still alive. And he enlists his usual crew of friends and they get their usual results.
This book wasn’t as personal as the previous four. Creasy doesn’t hang out in Gozo and his family there is barely mentioned. And I think his daughter only gets one line! Also, the ending is much too quick, too anticlimactic.
But the epilogue made me smile. And so does/did Creasy. I’m gonna miss him.
February 17, 2020
Overall more a slow burn thriller that promises much, and has good character interplay, but falls flat towards the climax with disappointing action sequences. Feels like AJQ ran out of steam overall in this series - a pity given Creasy's character is pretty well sketched out for a typical super action/spy thriller.
January 9, 2023
New to the community. Read this book long time ago. In fact ended up reading all Creasy series. It’s a gripping read where raw justice is dealt. And the authors knowledge of warfare and ammunition is very impressive. Creasy and Guido and other members of his group make for a fascinating reading. Old school but very lucid. I wold recommend starting with Man on Fire. Happy Reading.
November 11, 2023
A sad day for me, as this is the last of the Creasy novels. I have now read all 5 of them. And loved and enjoyed them all. On a recent Kindle Unlimited run, I also read a non-Creasy novel with KU: In the Name of the Father. I will check out a few more AJ Quinnell novels.
I highly recommend the Man on Fire series.
I highly recommend the Man on Fire series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2019
Creasy at his best
The details and level of intrigue are simply amazing. While reading, you can feel the pressure that Creasy’s team is under to bring peace to these parents!! Very well conceived and presented.
The details and level of intrigue are simply amazing. While reading, you can feel the pressure that Creasy’s team is under to bring peace to these parents!! Very well conceived and presented.
June 22, 2020
It is a Creasy novel through and through. This one had a little more planning and a shorter bang. Of course, nobody should read this one first and therefore this review is pointless because you have read the others.
August 15, 2020
The final great Creasy read. All five books are terrific and Creasy is in the mold of Reacher, Rapp, Harvath but whistles to his own tune. A terrible loss that this character did not get more literary exposure as I think the series would have had a great, long run. Author passed in 2005 so that might have been a reason for book 5 being the final chapter. Writer was terrific is his plot lines and knowledge of locations and kept you on the edge from start to finish.
December 23, 2020
Out of 5 stars I give this book 10 stars.
What an excellent novel with details like no other.
A.J. Quinnell delivering his last book in the series with a knockout punch.
How I wish he could still be writing. I would read only his books👌
What an excellent novel with details like no other.
A.J. Quinnell delivering his last book in the series with a knockout punch.
How I wish he could still be writing. I would read only his books👌
June 16, 2019
Good tead
Good read with a number of characters involved. Hate writing reviews to clear a screen, but this seems to be the only way to move on.
Good read with a number of characters involved. Hate writing reviews to clear a screen, but this seems to be the only way to move on.
March 17, 2020
Excellent
I enjoyed the book very much and I believe it is the last in the series. I’m going to miss Creasy and his friends.
I enjoyed the book very much and I believe it is the last in the series. I’m going to miss Creasy and his friends.
May 2, 2020
280 pages
August 27, 2020
Creasy At His Best
Liked the gang getting back together and the new female characters. A good read for these times. I recommend it.
Liked the gang getting back together and the new female characters. A good read for these times. I recommend it.
December 9, 2020
All good things must come to an end and alas, the Creasy novels did for me, but I thoroughly enjoyed them all and highly recommend them. Great reading!
March 30, 2021
Well written, but the end is...well...hopeless.
The RPG-7 which (supposedly) threw Creasy back into the minefield when fired - is in fact recoilless...Other than that - good reading.
The RPG-7 which (supposedly) threw Creasy back into the minefield when fired - is in fact recoilless...Other than that - good reading.
April 20, 2021
Excellent book. Is there a next Creasey book.
June 17, 2024
It’s me
If I had stayed in the Army, I might have tuned out like Creasy….maybe. Great stories, I want more of this.
If I had stayed in the Army, I might have tuned out like Creasy….maybe. Great stories, I want more of this.
July 14, 2024
a great read
I would recommend this book to anyone who has read “man on fire” or any of the Orphan X books.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has read “man on fire” or any of the Orphan X books.
August 13, 2024
Mil
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2025
Creasy
Classic thriller. Great ending to a well written series. You will definitely be glad to have read all five Creasy novels.
Classic thriller. Great ending to a well written series. You will definitely be glad to have read all five Creasy novels.
August 26, 2025
The entire Creasy series is outstanding…not many thriller writers rival this author. I wish I’d tracked these down sooner and I wish there more of them.
August 29, 2025
El peor libro que he leído de este autor.
September 20, 2019
Is there nothing that Creasy and his team can do? What a series.
March 15, 2012
This was the only one with an anticlimactic end. All of the book is in the prep work, and then- boom- it's over. I don't know- maybe it was because he was sick- but the ending felt a bit rushed. Great book though- I absolutely LOVED the ending. Creasy was such a great character, one of my favorites, and I miss him. It's so sad that Quinnell died before he could finish the "Priests of a Dead God" book.
April 1, 2022
Creasy gets lured into what's supposed to be a trap, but he's too smart for that. This thriller involves all the guys from his crew with an assault on a Buddhist temple rigged to be his tomb.
A.J. Quinnell's books are hard to find these days. This book I purchased online in the London edition.
A.J. Quinnell's books are hard to find these days. This book I purchased online in the London edition.
March 25, 2013
Another Creasy go around. Like everyone else says sad he passed before finishing Creasy's 6th book.
Maybe his estate will pass it on to another author like Ludlums and Robert B Parkers have.
Maybe his estate will pass it on to another author like Ludlums and Robert B Parkers have.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews