Rules of Vengeance

This is the first novel by Christopher Reich that I have read--but it definitely will not be the last. Although I had not read Rules of Deception, to which this novel is a sequel, that in no way interfered with enjoying this masterfully written and action filled spy adventure. Things are never what they seem as various agencies try to track down Dr. Jonathan Ransom and his wife Emma, both of whom stand accused of horrific crimes. The novel is rich in background details that lend authenticity to the story, and mercifully avoids overly detailed descriptions of weaponry as some authors like to provide. Moreover, Reich creates characters rather than caricatures, so the reader gets detailed glimpses into the lives of the people in this novel, such as the British female detective who remains convinced that Dr. Ransom is not a killer despite the circumstantial evidence against him. This is top notch spy thriller writing, and contrary to some other reviews, I do not think that Reich overly stretches the bounds of plausibility. I am very happy to have discovered him as an author and thoroughly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys the spy thriller genre. I rank Reich right up there with authors such as Daniel Silva, who is one of my favorites.

Christopher Reich hit a new highwater mark for himself in 2008 with RULES OF DECEPTION, an intriguing tale about a skilled surgeon who discovers that his wife is an espionage agent and has been leading a double life --- and deceiving him --- throughout their marriage. The novel ended with the possibility, though not necessarily the promise, of a sequel. RULES OF VENGEANCE, which picks up where RULES OF DECEPTION left off, is much more than a sequel; it is one of those books that authors dream of and readers die for. Reich has always been a solid author, but RULES OF VENGEANCE is far and away his best book to date, combining action, mystery and human interest into a compelling and unstoppable experience. The story picks up approximately six months after RULES OF DECEPTION ends. Dr. Jonathan Ransom has taken a short leave from his Doctors Without Borders humanitarian practice in Africa to attend a medical conference in London where he has been invited to present a lecture. But he has hardly checked into his hotel when he is given enigmatic instructions that result in a reunion with his wife, Emma, whom he has not seen in over six months. Emma has been on the run from her old employer, Division, a secret American intelligence agency she betrayed during the events that took place in RULES OF DECEPTION. Ransom's time with Emma is short and bittersweet; after informing him that she will be gone for at least a year, she disappears. Or attempts to. Ransom has practically no training in espionage, but is able to follow her to a location in London where he witnesses a horrific event: Emma detonates a car bomb that kills a group of bystanders and injures several others, including a Russian ambassador. Worse, it is Ransom who is blamed for the bloodbath by Kate Ford, an inspector with the London Metropolitan Police, and Colonel Graves, a dyspeptic but quietly competent higher-up with MI-5. Ford, already investigating the mysterious murder of a think tank genius, is convinced that it and the bombing are linked. Not only must Ransom clear himself, he also has to find his wife in order to prevent her from carrying out the next stages of a terrorist action that he is convinced will have worldwide ramifications. In a scene worth the price of the book all by itself, Ransom manages to escape from custody. While being the object of a continent-wide manhunt, he travels from Italy to France, following a cold trail that Emma left six months before but that provides the only clues to her current whereabouts, as well as to the chilling target of her next mission. There are many things to love about RULES OF VENGEANCE. One is the presentation of a locked room mystery during the first third of the book, which is solved through a combination of modern technology and keen-eyed observation, with the emphasis on the latter rather than the former. There is also the pursuit of Ransom through London and onto the European continent with the combined might and majesty of multip

I'm sure there will a 3rd book with these two characters and I'll be one of the first to read it! This was sooooo much better than the last with many twists and turns that all came to light at the very end. You didn't know if the "good guys" were really good or whose side they were actually on. I would have read all 413 pages in one day if it were physically possible, but it took 3 evenings regreatably. Some books you can't wait to get to the end but really don't want them to end, and this was one of them for me.

Christopher Reich's newest book, Rules of Vengeance, is the follow up to his book, Rules of Deception. Yet, while it is recommended that you read the latter book first, it isn't necessary -- as each book can be read as a stand alone. The book features a very intricate plot: The wife of Dr. Ransom has been missing, and the woman that is standing in her place (fooling everyone by claiming to be Emma) has been revealed as an international secret agent. Only from the mind of Christopher Reich can a plot like this be constructed. Anyway. While attending a medical convention in London, a group of foreign diplomats in killed in a car explosion, and someone points the finger at, Dr. Ransom, claiming he is the culprit responsible for the explosion. How is this possible? The book starts out strong and ends even stronger. This is a thrill ride that buckles the reader in and refuses to let go until the final page. That is always what I look for in a great book. And what I always get from, Christopher Reich. Another book I would highly recommend is Conquest: The First Horseman (The Four Horsemen Series, Book 1) another incredible thrill ride that won't let the reader go.

Recently read "Rules of Vengeance", and I would recommend this to anyone who enjoy and good "lite fiction" book. Easy read and very entertaining.