Frederick Forsyth : Novel : The Dogs of War

Sir James Manson, has come up the hard way in life. Born to nobodies from some place. He has grown to become the Chairman of ManCon, construction and exploration company.
Starting as a mine worker, James Manson realized that money was not made by underground mining workers but by above ground white color guys who invested money. He learnt the skills of mining astutely.
And when he was promoted as director of his company , he quit his job. He realized that he had the potential else he would not have been promoted. After quitting he started his company. Initial days were testing days. But he bid for all small projects and got hold of the nuances of running a company. Slowly but steadily he had built up his company to become one of the largest construction and mining company in UK.
A report on the desk of Sir James Manson had his attention. It was the report of recent exploration work done by one of the consultants that the company hires. The results of the exploration were startling... The Crystal Mountain, located in Zhangaro, a small African county, had the largest platinum deposit ever found.
Zhangaro, virtually unknown country, is being run by a guy called Kimba. Kimba is known to be a very unstable guy who claims he can talk to the gods. The land is dominated by Vidhu tribe. Kimba had forcefully occupied the country and has driven out all his opponents. He virtually controls all the moves of people.
James Manson desperately wants the exploration rights of the crystal mountain and exploit the contents. But it is impossible to do till kimba is around. So he comes up with a dangerous and grandiose idea.

Sir James trusts his 2 lieutenants Martin Thorpe and Simon Endean. They were handpicked by James and groomed to become his trusted juniors. He talks about his plans with Martin and Simon. Simon is assigned the job of finding a mercenary who can carry out the grand plan.
Carlo Alfred Thomas Shannon (a.k.a Cat Shannon) is a mercenary who has fought all types of wars in Africa. He is familiar with the psyche of Africans. He is back in London after his assignment and is loafing around. He wants a new assignment is not sure how to get one until Simon calls him up.
Cat Shannon has trusted partners in Kurt Semmler, Marc Vlaminck, Langarotti and Dupree. They have worked with him in africa. They are the Dogs of War.
Cat Shannon accepts Simon's proposal and starts his preparation.

What follows is an interesting and adventerous story of Cat and his team.

Amazing novel. Frederick at his best, as usual.
I liked the way the story progresses, the way characters are built up. Shannon's methodical prepration is amazing and explained in great detail. However i felt it could have been shortened.
James Manson's character is a great read. Simon and Martin are simple in their characters.
The story revolves around Cat Shannon and his men. Cat comes out as a very interesting man who knows what he can do and does it efficiently.
The story also has characters like Dr. Steinhofer, Swiss banker, Sergei Golon, the under secretary, Charles Roux who has a score to settle with Shannon, Johann Schlinker who supplies shannon with his vital requirements, baker who helps Shannon with other requirements, Lambert who helps with some vital parts, Jack Mulrooney the Surveyor of Crystal Mountain.

However I was not too happy with Julia's character. I felt it was not required. She is there in the picture only for one purpose and that could have been achieved by any other person. A detective agency could have done the job that she does.

Overall an interesting novel. I would give a 7 out of 10 and a must for all Frederick Fans.

Novel : Frederick Forsyth : No Comebacks

Last Friday I took membership with the local library. The library aptly called "Just Books" has opened shop recently on the Puttenahalli main road in Bangalore.

Me being Me, The first thing I did was to pick a Frederick Forsyth. This time I pick No Comebacks.

No Comebacks is a collection of 10 stories with a mystery angle in each of them.

No Comebacks:
The books starts with the title story "No Comebacks". It revolves around a British Millionare who is very famous. His stories keep coming in the tabloid every other day. Being a very well known face he is adored (and envied) by many. He lives a typical Casanova life. Women are a daily staple for him. But behind this life is a lonely man craving for the elusive girl. Someone who is not overwhelmed by his success. Some one who does not give a damn and likes him for what he is.
Unfortunately he has not been able to meet such a lady until he bumps into one at a party. He falls madly in love with this lady. Unfortunately there is a twist.
I suggest you read the story after this point.

My Rating for the 1st Story:
Story Pace : * * * * * * * *
Content : * * * * * * * *
Overall : * * * * * * * * *


There are no snakes in Ireland
Harikishan Ram Lal is a final year medical student in Ireland. He hails from Punjab! Within a year he should graduate. But he does not have sufficient money. So he takes up a supplemental job as a construction worker.
In his first assignment he is supposed to demolish a 12-floor tower. He is part of a group headed by Big Billie Cameron. Ram Lal is scared of heights and Big Billie always assigned him tasks that involved climbing. Once Big Billie asks him to break a wall which was about to collapse. Ram Lal does not agree to which Big Billie admonishes him. Ram lal gets angry and bad mouths Billie. Out of anger Billie throws a punch which lands on Ram Lal's face. Ram Lal is hurt. What follows is the rest of the story.

My Rating for the 2nd Story:
Story Pace : * * * * *
Content : * * * *
Overall : * * * *

PS: Harikishan Ram Lal is not a typical punjabi name unless this guy is a migrant from Uttar Pradesh. I think frederick slipped on this one. But a very minor point though.
What was missing was the suspense factor. Neither was there an aahaa moment in this short story. I was disappointed with this story, to say the least.


The Emperor
Roger Murgatroyd is a bank manager who has landed in Mauritius on a vacation. Mr. Murgatroyd is accompanied by his ever nagging wife. Murgatroyd is uttarly unhappy with his wife's very complaining attitude, but cannot do much about that.
Higgins has also landed in Mauritius on a week long trip which is sponsored by his bank. He was chosen in a lucky draw conducted for selected few budding and young bankers who had shown potential to become great asset for the bank. He had convinced the bank to open bank accounts for the employees of a nearby mill which lead to lot of revenue for the bank and the bank was happy with his performance and offered him this vacation.
Initial few days of the vacation went on smoothly. On the 4th day of vacation Higgins comes to Murgatroyd and informs him that one of the boats which was booked by some tourists is not used because they cancelled their booking. Since 50% amount has already been paid they need to pay only 50% and the boat is theirs for a day. Higgins persuades him to go on a ride the next. With lot of reluctance Murgatroyd agrees.
What follows next is the rest of the story.

My Rating for the 3rd Story:
Story Pace : * * * *
Content : * * * *
Overall : * * * *

I have always felt the 2nd and 3rd stories of any short story collection are always boring and my feeling is reinforced by this book. I am disappointed again with this story. I could not find any suspense in the story.


There are some days
Liam Clarke is a driver. As usual he was ferrying his truck through the river to the other side of the bank so that the consignment can be driven out and handed over to the purchaser. As the ferry docks at the customs section, he pulls out his truck and gets the customs cleared. This is when the Customs officer notices that the truck is leaking oil. He informs Clarke who calls up his office. The office sends a mechanic who arrives the next day. Clarke spends the night at the dock. The truck is serviced and clarke drives it out of the dock.
Murphy adjusts his binoculars and the truck is in his view. He is happy. He had been waiting for the truck for a long time.
What follows next is the rest of the story.

My Rating for the 4th Story:
Story Pace : * * * * * * * *
Content : * * * * * * * *
Overall : * * * * * * * * *

Great story. I was impressed.


Money with Menaces
Samual Natkin as usual took the daily train to his office. He never does this but today he slid his hand in the crack between the two seats. He found a small book between the crack.
On looking at the book his heart stopped for a second. A quick glance showed him that this book was a classifieds of women who were read to provide special service at a price. There were names and phone numbers of housewives in the book. He was shocked and immediately set the book and put it in his briefcase.
What follows is an interesting story.


My Rating for the 5th Story:
Story Pace : * * * * * * *
Content : * * * * * * *
Overall : * * * * * * * *

Great story. Very Engaging.

Used In Evidence
It is not the task that William Hanley likes to do. But there is no other option. The tiny back-to-back 1 room houses called Gloucester Diamond on the Mayo Road in Dublin, Ireland are being demolished.After 2 years of demolitions there is only one standing house, whose owner Herber James Larkin is not ready to vacate.
A group of people have gathered at the entrace of the house shouting in support of Mr. Larkin.
On a rainy day, Willian Hanley, i charge of the area, has to ge the old man out and demolish the house. Hanley tactfully silences the crowd and pulls out Mr. Larkin from the house. Larkin is a thin, pale old man.
Hanley takes him to a nearby cafe to give him some food. While the old man eats his food, a deputy rushes to Hanley to inform him that during the demolision of the house they found something in the chimney. People think that the police have found the hidden treature that Larkin had stashed in the chimney.
Rest is the story.


My Rating for the 6th Story:
Story Pace : * * * * * * *
Content : * * * * * * *
Overall : * * * * * * * *

Privilege
Bill Chadwick was still in his bed on a lazy sunday morning when he gets a call from Henry Carpenter who asks him to read the morning paper. It seems to have some news about Bill.
Curious, Bill opens Sunday courier to find an article written noted journalist Gaylord Brent, about his company which used to marchendise a product which suddenly liquidated. His name was tagged as the offender. Bill was shocked because he was one of the businessman who worked for the company and he himself was cheated.
He is enraged that Gaylord Brent did not bother to cross check with him to get to know the facts, instead he printed the article with wrong facts.
Bill goes to a lawyer to seek advice. Rest is the story.

My Rating for the 7th Story:
Story Pace : * * * * * *
Content : * * * * * *
Overall : * * * * * *


Duty
This Short story is in first sentence. The narrator and his wife, bernadette, are on a trip to france and their vehicle simply stops near a hamlet in dorgonge vally. They are wondering about their next step when they see the pastor of the local church who speeks latin. narrator explains his problem and the pastor takes them to a garage where they leave the vehicle. They need to stay at some place for the night. He is taken to the house of Mr. Preece. What follows is the story.

My Rating for the 8th Story:
Story Pace : * * * * *
Content : * * * * *
Overall : * * * * *


A Careful Man
Timothy Hanson is a rich coin collector. He has been told by his doctor that he has cancer and would not live long.
He has a Sister whom he dislikes. She has a husband and a son whom Timothy equally dislikes.
He has to leave his property to someone before he dies. Does he make a will ? whom does he leave all the property and some interesting rides along the way, forms the rest of the story.

My Rating for the 9th Story:
Story Pace : * * * * * * *
Content : * * * * * * *
Overall : * * * * * * *


Sharp Practice

Judge Comyn is off to his work in the train looking at the case file of the cases he is supposed to look into. Next to him is a priest absorbed in his own thought.
There a third guy called O'Conner who is engrossed in his card game. he seems to be very sloppy at his game. Judge Comyn gets irritated with the sloppyness of the guy and starts playing a game with the guy. Rest is the story.

My Rating for the 10th Story:
Story Pace : * * * *
Content : * * * *
Overall : * * * *

PS: Dissappointed with the last story. Very Predictabale.


Summary
Overall a very interesting set of short stories. I was engaged througout the book. Except the 2nd, 3nd and last story, I loved the rest of the stores. Each with their own twist.
I wish Frederick had written more short stories. Very Interesting collection indeed.

Frederick Forsyth: The Negotiator

I could not find much about The Negotiator on the internet. So I did not have any opinions/bias when I started to read The Negotiator.
This was my fifth Frederick Forsyth.
I would say that I was neither dissapointed nor ecstatic reading the novel.
The first half of the novel was gripping and kept me on the edge. But half way through the plot falls flat on the belly. This was a bit of dissapointment. By the end of the novel, it turned out to be like any other story of betrayal by a close aide.

Best Part of the Novel:
The first half where the stage is set for an exciting finish

Worst part of the novel:
The ending. When I put down the novel I did not feel the saddness of the end of the novel, the way I felt when I finishes the fist of God and the Fourth Protocol.

Brief from the back of the novel:
I quote
In the 1990s, the growing world shortage of oil and the imminent ratification of the Nantucket arms reduction treaty, cause two right-wing factions in America to prepare ruthless plan to force the President of the United States out of office. If it succeeds, the president will be psychologically and enotionally destroyed - and the superpowers on the brink of war.

A hostage is taken, and his release is negotiated-by foremost anti-terrorist expert, Quinn. With success in the grasp, events take a new and dangerous turn, putting Quinn-and the world-into mortal danger. Now he must use all his experience to find the traitor, whose position of power threatens the safety of civilisation...
Unquote

My Ratings:
Plot : * * *
Story Telling : * * *
Suspense : * * * 1/2
Over All : * * * *

Frederick Forsyth: The Afgan

Yesterday I completed my Fourth Frederick Forsyth. The Afghan. The novel was on the typical lines of a Frederick Forsyth novel. Mike martin from the Fist of God fame returns back in this edition.

Below is a teaser of the novel from is back cover
I Quote
When British and American intelligence discover a major Al Qaeda operation in the works, they galvanize-but to do what? They have no sources in Al Qaeda, and its impossible to plant someone. Unless...
The Afghan is Izmat Khan, a Guantanamo Bay prisoner and former Taliban Commander. The Afghan is also Colonel Mike Martin, a twenty-five-year war zone veteran enlisted to pass himself off as the trusted khan.
But nothing can truly prepare Martin for the dark and shifting world he is about to enter. Or for the terrible things he will find there
Unquote


My View:
As soon as we say its about Arab land we cannot help but to compare this novel with Frederick's previous Arab encounter. Considering that Mike Martin returns in this novel, it is all the more pertinent to compare this novel with the Fist of God.
To put mildly I would just say that I was disappointed with The Afghan.
I felt that Frederick fell on his own weight of expectation because of his previous novels. I was expecting much more from this novel, considering the drama the suspense that Mike Martin created in the Fist of God.

The novel lacks the gripping feel. It does not bind me to the novel. I could easily put off the novel after reading about 30 pages each day. This was impossible when I was reading Fist of God. I was so engrossed in the happenings in The Fist of God that I forgot my lunch and was totally shut from the world on that weekend. The Afghan did not evoke the same feeling in me.

The novel also lacks the Suspense factor. It is not a novel which will make you sit on the edge of your seat. This was the most disappointing factor. I was never at the edge of my seat. My mind constantly reminded me that this looks like yet another novel. It is not exciting.

I found two things that did not sound rational at all:
1. Mike Martin resembling Izmat Khan. What rubbish. Isn't it so convenient to assume ?
2. The incident in Chapter 14. This is the height of coincidence !!!

My Ratings:
Plot : * *
Story Telling : * * *
Suspense : * *
Over All : * * *

Frederick Forsyth : Icon

I randomly picked this novel as my first novel from Frederick Forsyth's Stable.
Believe me I was totally gripped by the novel. Not for a second did i feel this was a fiction writing. It sounded so realistic that I felt as if the events have actually been narrated as is.

Frederick has a great nak of story telling.
I searched for a small writing about the novel and found the following excerpt from the website: http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/edition/?isbn=0593028015

I quote:
It is summer 1999 in Russia, a country on the threshold of anarchy. An interim president sits powerless in Moscow as his nation is wracked by famine and inflation, crime and corruption, and seething hordes of the unemployed roam the streets.

For the West, Russia is a basket case. But for Igor Komarov, one-time army sergeant who has risen to leadership of the right-wing UPF party, the chaos is made to order. As he waits in the wings for the presidential election of January 2000, his striking voice rings out over the airwaves offering the roiling masses hope at last--not only for law, order, and prosperity, but for restoring the lost greatness of their land.

Who is this man with the golden tongue who is so quickly becoming the promise of a Russia reborn? A document stolen from party headquarters and smuggled to Washington and London sends nightmare chills through those who remember the past, for this Black Manifesto is pure Mein Kampf in a country with frightening parallels to the Germany of the Weimar Republic.
unquote

The novel was written in 1996 about Russia in 1999. So this is a pure work of fiction.


Plot : * * *
Story Telling : * * * *
Suspense : * * *
Over All : * * *