First Drop

Sexy British ex-soldier and Bodyguard Charlie Fox is in Florida, guarding fifteen year old Trey Pelzner, son of software geek Keith Pelzner, who has designed a program that will set stock trading on its ears. She's not very happy about being stuck with the openly hostile lad, but when someone tries to kidnap him at an amusement park, she realizes she's really going to earn her money as she barely gets away with her charge, dodging bullets all the way. Now it looks like the bad guys want her and Trey dead and Charlie isn't keen on dying. She leaves Trey safely at a diner, goes to the house where they had been staying, only to find her boss and ex-lover Sean Meyer gone. All her and Trey's belongings and clothing are missing as well. The only thing she finds is Sean's pistol under his mattress. She believes the worst. She'd thought she'd lost Sean, thought she'd found him and now again he is lost to her. But she has a job to do. She has been charged with guarding Trey and nothing will stop her from doing that. It's spring break and they head to Orlando where they sleep on the beach. In the morning they are attacked. It won't be the last time in this thriller where Charlie has to defend and protect Trey. But from who? And why? I can't say how much I enjoyed this book. Plenty of shoot-outs. Lots of double crossing, high tech good and bad guys too. There is action and adventure here. Plus I didn't come close to figuring out the ending. And to make it even better, I really like a book with a strong female character and Charlie is one tough cookie. Dirk Pitt and Indiana Jones look out.

Charlie Fox and her ex-lover, Sean, have been hired to protect a wealthy computer programmer and his 14-year-old son, Trey. While at an amusement park, someone tries to shoot Trey. Charlie get them safely back to the house, only to find everyone, including the father and Sean. Everything has been removed, except Sean's gun. Charlie and Trey go on the run, not knowing who to trust, believing Sean is dead and knowing some of the bad guys are cops. This is a book that is exciting from page one all the way through to the end. Charlie is a great character; she's smart and tough but definitely has her demons. Trey is a very believable 14-year-old boy with all the insolence and naiveté teens can have. The action is fast, the emotions are true, the sense of place very well done--you definitely know they are in Florida--and the dialogue is true to the ear. This was a terrific book in a really good series.

Bristling with action, brimming with heart, and bound up with a sardonic English take on South Florida--you may not read a more entertaining book this year.

Sexy British ex-soldier and Bodyguard Charlie Fox is in Florida, guarding fifteen year old Trey Pelzner, son of software geek Keith Pelzner, who has designed a program that will set stock trading on its ears. She's not very happy about being stuck with the openly hostile lad, but when someone tries to kidnap him at an amusement park, she realizes she's really going to earn her money as she barely gets away with her charge, dodging bullets all the way. Now it looks like the bad guys want her and Trey dead and Charlie isn't keen on dying. She leaves Trey safely at a diner, goes to the house where they had been staying, only to find her boss and ex-lover Sean Meyer gone. All her and Trey's belongings and clothing are missing as well. The only thing she finds is Sean's pistol under his mattress. She believes the worst. She'd thought she'd lost Sean, thought she'd found him and now again he is lost to her. But she has a job to do. She has been charged with guarding Trey and nothing will stop her from doing that. It's spring break and they head to Orlando where they sleep on the beach. In the morning they are attacked. It won't be the last time in this thriller where Charlie has to defend and protect Trey. But from who? And why? I can't say how much I enjoyed this book. Plenty of shoot-outs. Lots of double crossing, high tech good and bad guys too. There is action and adventure here. Plus I didn't come close to figuring out the ending. And to make it even better, I really like a book with a strong female character and Charlie is one tough cookie. Dirk Pitt and Indiana Jones look out.

OK, I confess, the cover art had me from the get-go. Instead of some variation on the standard "damsel in distress", First Drop's says "go ahead, make my day...". Fed up with fem jep? Had enough of women in thrillers as victims/targets/cardboard cutouts? Check out First Drop. Because the best news is that Zoe Sharp has crafted not only a compelling female action sleuth, which is something unusual right there, but given her a twisting, turning lightning fast plot in which to shine. This is a classic, high octane thriller that I could not put down until the last page. You'll be hearing more about the Fox in this henhouse!