Book Review: Bannerman's Ghosts

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Bannerman's Ghosts     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
John R. Maxim
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Thriller   Espionage
Series: Bannerman # 5
Morrow, Mar 2003, $24.95, 390 pp.

Artemus Bourne owns much of the world including most of the elite politicians around the globe. What he fails to possess, he plans to control soon. However, used to having his way always, he becomes livid when he receives a special package sent from his Angola based VaalChem company that is supposed to contain vials to profitably spread the plague. Instead he opens the container to find three severed heads from key men working for him on this venture.

Bourne knows only one maniac who would defy him by sending such a deadly message, but important to the egotist is that no one gets away with interfering with Bourne’s business. He retaliates by going after Martin Kessler through the abduction, torture, and murder of Elizabeth Stride, a legendary female assassin, known as the Black Angel that Bourne knows his enemy cherishes. Bourne’s revenge comes to the attention of Westport, Connecticut’s Paul Bannerman, a friend and associate of Elizabeth. Backed by his aging New England based commandos, Bannerman goes macho against the invincible Bourne and his paid assassins.

John Maxim spreads plenty of fun with BANNERMAN’S GHOSTS, an amusing tale that is at its best when the testosterone flows. Flashbacks to when Bannerman’s squad was younger provide insight into the hero and his sidekicks, but also take away from this tongue in cheek thriller co-starring a modernized Goldfinger. The plot is clearly absurd and insane, but still a great time for those readers who do not take their story lines as graveyard serious.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner