Review: A FAST-PACED, ACTION FILLED ADVENTURE (SPOILER ALERT) **(4.75 STARS)**
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 4, 2013
Having read all the Justin Hall books, I can honestly say that not only is the character one of the best, but the author, Ethan Jones is becoming one of the best writers in this genus.  The characters are well drawn; the action non-stop and the plot and sub-plots are both creative and believable.  While the previous novels can be read as a stand-alone, this one cannot, if the reader wants to understand the why and who.  At the very least, you need to read "Tripoli's Target" to fully enjoy and understand the motivation behind this one and to know the story from the beginning you have to start there, with "Arctic Wargame".  By starting at the beginning, you will also see how the author keeps improving, giving readers something to look forward to with each story.Pay attention to the Arab and Russian Proverbs at the beginning.  If you have read all the books, you will know how appropriate they are.  If you haven't read the previous books, you may have some understanding when you finish the book, but not the appreciation that comes from knowing the complete back-story.  As always, the story opens with a bang as US Navy Seals are assisting the Canadian counter-terrorism unit with a snatch and grab operation in Southern Somalia.  After the Seals acquire their primary target, two militant leaders they are on the way to extract the CIA's man when Al-Shabaad, Al-Qaeda's branch in the region tries to down the MH-60 Black Hawk.  They are shooting at the helicopter from the streets, rooftops and truck using machine guns and RPG's that are barely missing them as they head to the spot to pick up their passenger.At the same time, Justin Hall is in Northeast Iran waiting on the nuclear physicist who has promised the Canadian Intelligence Service his vast knowledge of Iran's uranium enrichment program and their plan to build a nuclear bomb in exchange for a new life in the western world.  Justin and his partner, Nathan Smyth crossed the order from Turkmenistan with the assistance of two Turkmen drug runners.  The two agents, who they knew as Mohammed and Mehmet were to obtain information from a reliable source about the Islamic Revolutionary Guards operations, giving credibility to the CIS agent's cover story.The operations do not go as planned and many lives are lost in both regions.  When Jason checks in, he is informed by his boss, McClain that the CIA wanted an in-person briefing in the States.  The CIA has sensitive and highly classified information about a security issues of interest to both agencies that they want to share with their Canadian counterpart.  The information that Justin receives sends him to locales that include Somalia, Russia, Kenya, Spain and Saudi Arabia as he makes an effort to find the truth and avoid the assassins that appear to know his every move.  Whom can he trust and who is behind the multiple attempts to kill him?**UPDATE: June 2013:  After much contemplation, I have decided to change how I rate the books I read.  I feel that this is necessary for two primary reasons; there are too many high rated reviews from "SP's and or friends of the author.  Secondly, we are limited by Amazon's rating system which I feel needs to be changed but until then this is my only option.  My standards for the stars, (noted in the title of review), are shown below:**5 STARS:  This will be for books that I consider outstanding, meaning that I will keep the version I have to reread again.4 STARS:  Books I would have previously rated as 5 will be 4.50 or higher and books under 4.50 will be the same as Amazon's 4 (I Like It).3 STARS:  Books I would have previously rated as 4 will be 3.50 or higher; books under 3.50:  will be the same as Amazon's 3 (It's OK, recommend).2 STARS:  Books I would have previously rated as 3 will be 2.50 or higher; books under 2.50: it was good enough to finish, not recommend.1 STAR:  Books I would have previously rated as 2 will be 1.50 or higher; books under 1.50: I didn't like it, but eventually I finished it; books under 1.50: I hated it and may not have finished it, not recommend.4.75 STARS: ** Receiving this book from the author did not influence my review and rating of this book, all opinions are my own.**