Book Review: The Mercenary

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Mercenary     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Marlys A. Rold
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Romance   Thriller
Five Star, Sep 2002, $26.95, 307 pp.

American Jennifer Holt hires Matt Blackburn to retrieve her beloved five year old daughter Amber, abducted by her ex-spouse Ahmed Monem and taken to Algeria. Matt sets in motion the attempt, but is unable to persuade Jennifer that she needs to remain in a safe house. Jennifer feels strongly she must come insisting that her daughter needs her because she suffers from diabetes.

Matt leads his team of four counting Jennifer, but apparently Ahmed, who has connections with terrorist organizations, know they are coming. As they enter hostile environment and get closer to the retrieval, Matt and Jennifer fall in love. However, if they survive, the chances of a California homebody and THE MERCENARY forming a permanent relationship are less likely than the success of this mission impossible.

THE MERCENARY is an exciting no-stop action thriller that never slows down on the throttle even when it seems that Amber is safe. The story line is filled with intriguing, unsavory characters that, though paid, perform heroics to save a stranger. Though the repetitiveness of Jennifer and Matt arguing over her accompanying the commando team becomes irritating after awhile, fans of suspense thrillers will take pleasure in Marlys A. Rold’s strong action tale.

Harriet Klausner

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