Review: More nail-biting action
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 18, 2011
"Uncivil Liberties" is the second book in Gordon Ryan's ambitious Pug Connor series. I highly recommend that you first read "State of Rebellion - A Pug Connor Novel - Book One," since "Uncivil Liberties" is a continuation of that book. "State of Rebellion" is essentially the story about a movement in California to secede from the Union. The two primary characters, Dan Rawlings and Nicole Bentley, continue their roles in "Uncivil Liberties," as the secessionist movement spreads throughout the western states. Pug Connor, a former Marine now working in a special government anti-terrorist group, is a relatively minor character in the first book, but he takes on a leading role in "Uncivil Liberties."As in "State of Rebellion," "Uncivil Liberties" hooked me almost immediately, with a newly inaugurated President having to make an instant life or death decision that could affect thousands of people. From there it's pretty much nonstop action as the western secessionist movement gains ground, while the United States faces another threat from foreign terrorists. As terrorists begin killing ordinary Americans on the streets, in shopping malls, and in sports stadiums, Pug Connor takes the lead in unraveling the mystery of who they are and who is sponsoring them. Is it the World Jihad group as claimed, or is the plot even more sinister? And will Americans be willing to give up their freedom in exchange for more security from terrorism?"Uncivil Liberties" is a first class political-military thriller, as timely and as good as any books I've read in that genre. It would not be a reach to compare the author, Gordon Ryan, to Nelson DeMille. Both know how to ratchet up the tension as the story builds up momentum and heads to a dramatic climax. Although "Uncivil Liberties" has an ending, there are enough loose ends that it left me wanting more, and the book includes a preview of the next book in the series: "To Faithfully Execute - A Pug Connor Novel - Book Three."