The Apostle (Scot Harvath, #8) in SSG: Spy/Spec-Ops Group

Oct 07, 2011 Mike (the Paladin) rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: action

This is one of those that almost made it to four stars by the skin of it's teeth, but I reconsidered and gave it 3. I like Brad Thor and it's quite possible that part of the problem here was me. I've struggled with finding a book I like lately. This was a well constructed story and told a fairly fast moving tale (with only a few slow downs). Somehow I just didn't get into it quite as much as I have other of Thor's books.

Here we start with a newly elected president who's (following the well estab This is one of those that almost made it to four stars by the skin of it's teeth, but I reconsidered and gave it 3. I like Brad Thor and it's quite possible that part of the problem here was me. I've struggled with finding a book I like lately. This was a well constructed story and told a fairly fast moving tale (with only a few slow downs). Somehow I just didn't get into it quite as much as I have other of Thor's books.

Here we start with a newly elected president who's (following the well established tradition of certain administrations) just greatly cut the "intelligence community's" size and funding. A young woman in Afghanistan who happens to be an aid worker, a doctor and also the daughter of one of the new president's closest, richest, and most influential "advisers" is kidnapped. It seems that a certain element in Afghanistan believe that they might be able to trade her for a terrorist leader.

The new president is stuck with trying to explain to his ~~deep pocket for campaign funds~~ errr, I mean adviser that dealing with, trading with Al-Qaeda might not look so good. She doesn't want to hear it, she's rich enough that she's pretty used to having her way, and she knows something that could bring down the new president...and she's not shy about using it. She "threatens" that certain things might get out if the president doesn't get the hostage...the adviser's daughter back. Thus Scott Harvath is called by the White House.

Unfortunately the conversation between the president and his adviser was overheard by a Secret Service agent standing guard (unobtrusively) in the bushes nearby...worse, she has a conscience. Knowing the the Secret Service must keep anything heard while guarding the president under wraps what is she to do?

Thus we set up the two parallel threads that make up the novel. Scott and his actions to bring home Stephanie Gallo's (the adviser) daughter and Elise Campbell's (the Secret Service agent) struggle to do the right thing.

The story held my interest and despite a bit of dryness now and then (we're in the desert after all)it's a fast moving and interesting read. I'd recommend it (I mean I did give it 3 stars and almost went 4). It may be that the fact it held my interest at all when I myself was in a "dry period" speaks well for the book.

I like Brad Thor and think most/many(?) who like action with a bit of political flavor might enjoy this. ...more

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Jun 02, 2009 Mark rated it really liked it

Shelves: military, spy-thriller, current-affairs, political-thriller

As with all Thor novels, and I have read them all. He blends global politics, current events, and action-adventure into a fun read....maybe part of my enjoyment has to do with his skewering of the Left's hypocracy in American politics...Thor's "world-view" is certainly close to mine...in this one, agent Scot Horvath This takes on the Taliban who kidnapped an American doctor in Afghanistan who is the daughter of one of the President's major supporters and an Obama-like president suffers the conse ...more

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Dec 07, 2009 Steve Boulanger rated it really liked it

Shelves: brad-thor

I'm a big Brad Thor fan(read all of his books), but I'll have to agree with some of the other reviewers...it wasn't Thor's best novel. The primary plot was pretty good, but the secondary plot really didn't seem to have any relevance. Maybe it's leading into the next novel. Anyway, I give it 3.5 stars (round up to 4) & look forward to the next Scot Harvath adventure. ...more

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Dec 27, 2016 Lexie added it

Good book. This time the entire plot wasn't just Scot which was different. I hope the Elise Campbell character makes a later appearance in a future book, as I liked the cut of her jib. ...more

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