Code of Conduct: A Thriller (Scot Harvath)

You should read it

My husband's favourite Author, recommended

Once started reading then difficult to put it down without completing

I love Brad Thor. As a person -- though I haven't met him. As a national security analyst. I only like him as a writer and this continues to frustrate me as his bio lists he studied creative writing under T.C. Boyle. Really? Thor's plots are good, his themes current and relevant, and I certainly identify with the political views expressed, but his writing never rises to the level where he has the reader by the jugular. His protagonist is not one-dimensional, but he certainly isn't fully formed and when Thor tries to do so be breaks the number one commandment of fiction writing: show, don't tell. The dialog, too, is sometimes stiff and stilted, but the plots and theme border on the believable and this one is no exception, though perhaps more far-fetched than others. There is an urgency in Thor's tone and pace to get his message out, but he'd be better served if he took his time, more fully developed his characters and allowed the work to create its own gravitas. It is because I respect him so much for his beliefs that I want him to shine more as a craftsman. And the title, "Code of Conduct?" I've no understanding of how it fits the theme of the novel. A solid four stars, but I yearn for the day when he rates consistent five-star reviews.

CODE OF CONDUCT, by Brad Thor, was a fast moving thriller that kept the reader on edge throughout the book. The World Health Organization receives of a video which portrays terrible death scenes at their clinic in the Congo. Scot Harvath is then dispatched to determine what has transpired. Once he gets there and investigates; it is apparent that some very strange and criminal activity has taken place. As the investigation continues it becomes apparent that billionaire Pierre Damiem is responsible as he is intent on reducing the world's population, by unleashing a deadly virus; The African Hemorrhagic Fever. As you may guess, our hero, Scot Harvath is then tasked with finding Damiem in an attempt to find out the specifics of the fever and why the whole world was targeted. Scot does not disappoint and the action is hot and heavy. One thing I like is that Thor does not throw in a lot of unnecessary verbiage. He sticks to the plot and develops it well! He is a gifted writer and has obviously done a lot of research in order to make this book flow at a fast pace. Five solid stars!