Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner
Achilles Heel
Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Sean Flannery
Class/Genre: Mystery Government Agency Thriller Espionage
Forge, Aug 1998, $24.95, 351 pp.
The word on the oceans is that a Russian nuclear sub exploded in the Barents Sea and was deserted by everyone. However, the ship seemingly vanished and the crew disappeared without any further evidence. American military intelligence agent Bill Lane and his British counterpart and lover Frannie Shipley investigate the incident.
They soon learn that the sub has been sold via the black market to a nation unfriendly to the west. The pair tries to locate the missing sub, which is steadily making its' way to its' new home. They also inquire into the identity of the purchaser, which leads them to Morocco. When Bill finally ferrets out the brains behind the sting, he knows that his worst nightmare has occurred. His old enemy, Valeri "the Surgeon" Yernin, is behind the nefarious plot while also seeking vengeance against Bill for a previous failed caper. However, this time around the former Russian espionage agent is holding all the cards as he has in his possession the joker better known as Frannie.
Sean Flannery may be the best writer of action-packed, modern day espionage thrillers with his Bill Lane stories being among the best novels of the nineties. His latest Lane tale, ACHILLES HEEL, may be Mr. Flannery's best to date, which is an incredible accomplishment after novels like WINNER TAKES ALL and KILO OPTION because this time Bill has to deal with a personal dilemma interfering with his accomplishing a mission. The story line is crisp and loaded with action, and all the characters, including Yernin, invoke reader empathy because they are so humanly motivated. This book is a great globe-trotting novel that deserves full reader attention as Lane is equal to or perhaps even better than Jack Ryan.
Harriet Klausner
Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner
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