The ninth book in the Warren Steelgrave adventure series caught my attention right from the first two opening sentences:
“I awoke to bright sunlight coming through the window.”
“Between the jet lag and the wine, I felt like shit.”
The casual yet detailed writing style drew me in and made me want to keep reading. After just the first two or three chapters, I was completely engrossed in the story and eager to know more.
Although the plot was quite complex—featuring international terrorists, bomb threats, the Italian police, American F.B.I. agents, and a powerful Mafia family—it remained believable and held my attention throughout.
It seems that the other books in this series, while featuring different plots, follow a similar pattern. For example, when reflecting on a past adventure, Warren Steelgrave says:
“Unfortunately, it ended up involving the Mafia and a Chinese espionage ring. We found ourselves in over our heads.”
The book consists of short, engaging chapters that are consistently interesting and kept me turning the pages to find out what would happen next.
The characters—particularly Warren, the three women vying for his attention, his friend Jack, as well as the policeman and the Mafia figures—are well-drawn and compelling. The author skillfully describes them in just enough detail for readers to form a vivid picture in their mind’s eye without being overwhelmed.
The settings in Italy and France are depicted authentically, showing that the author is well-acquainted with both countries. His descriptions of Florence, Milan, and Paris are rich enough to satisfy those who have visited these places and enticing enough to inspire curiosity in those who haven’t.
The inclusion of a few lovely photographs (taken by the author himself) was a delightful touch, adding another layer of charm to the book.
There are plenty of mentions of Martinis, wine, and coffee, alongside delicious-sounding bread, pastries, meats, and cheeses. Having spent significant time in both countries, I thoroughly enjoyed these descriptions, which added a delightful level of authenticity to the story.
The book is so well-written that I felt as though I (the reader) was living the adventure alongside Warren and Jack.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and wholeheartedly recommend it as a 5-star read.
The RV Book Reviews
Gary Smith’s first romance thriller, The Willing, debuted with a 4.8 stars average rating by independent reviewers who asked for a sequel. He is on the case!
Gary balances life between business and a love of arts. He founded a small electrical contracting business and grew it into a multimillion-dollar national business.
Gary, who is an award-winning fine art photographer, also writes.
Operating within both business and artistic communities introduces him to a wide array of characters and experiences from which he draws for his writing.
Find out more at https://garysmithauthor.com/
Review published in The Relatable Voice Magazine - February 2025.
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