Review of Devil in False Colors
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Latha Jom
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- Latest Review: Devil in False Colors by Jack Winnick
Review of Devil in False Colors
[Following is a volunteer review of "Devil in False Colors" by Jack Winnick.]
Jack Winnick's Devil in False Color, the third Lara and Uri novel, it is a thriller that takes readers on a ride of high-stakes realm of counterterrorism. With FBI agent Lara Edmond and Mossad agent Uri Levin, the book reads like a page-turning suspense novel with action combined with good character work and kept me entertained and thinking hard of the very suspenseful plot-twist.
The very first thing that I noticed was that this is such a contemporary and realistic story. The story itself may not be real, but it's very much set amidst political tensions and threats from around the globe. It's a testament in itself to the fact that this book has been written with such sensitivity regarding those courageous men and women who risk their lives daily in an attempt to rescue others. Winnick's first dedication in the novel, to actual operatives in agencies like the CIA, FBI, and Israeli security forces, set a solid precedent before the book even began. That kind of respect for actual heroes is one that is followed throughout the book and lends an emotional depth to the fictionalized action.
Lara and Uri are both capable, assertive heroes, but what I liked best is that they are presented in human terms. Lara, especially, struck me as a fully realistic character genius and self-assured, but reflective and sensitive where the scene calls for it. Her working relationship with Uri is nuanced by respect, trust, and sufficient tension to keep you engaged. Their working and emotional connection made the action on the line more emotionally resonant.
The tempo is generally quick and thrilling, with action-packed high-energy sequences having you racing across international borders. Pace in certain sections was dragging in the middle, particularly in technical explanations and planning strategies, but I appreciated the realism that those passages brought to the narrative. It was evident that the author had done his research something he modestly credits in the acknowledgments to open sources and anonymous sources within both the Israeli and United States governments. That mixture of fact and fiction served to make the book even more credible.
I also wanted to specifically mention the great editing. I saw no typos or grammatical errors at all, and this made for a very smooth read. The author gives a special mention to his girlfriend, Gisel, not just for all the editing time she put in but for also being part of creating the story itself. That personal element to be named in the acknowledgments is such a nice touch of proximity to the making of the book. You can feel the love that was put into each page.
Overall, I'm rating Devil in False Color 4 out of 5 stars. It's a thoughtful, action-packed thriller with a conscience, based in the reality of our world today without denying the excitement of fiction. The only reason I'm not giving it a perfect rating is that there are some slow sections that will lose some readers. But it's a gripping, thought-provoking read that does justice to heroism in the real world while giving us a story that's hard to put down. I would definitely recommend this to political thriller fans, particularly those who like good character development and meat to the story beneath the action.
******
Devil in False Colors
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Jack Winnick's Devil in False Color, the third Lara and Uri novel, it is a thriller that takes readers on a ride of high-stakes realm of counterterrorism. With FBI agent Lara Edmond and Mossad agent Uri Levin, the book reads like a page-turning suspense novel with action combined with good character work and kept me entertained and thinking hard of the very suspenseful plot-twist.
The very first thing that I noticed was that this is such a contemporary and realistic story. The story itself may not be real, but it's very much set amidst political tensions and threats from around the globe. It's a testament in itself to the fact that this book has been written with such sensitivity regarding those courageous men and women who risk their lives daily in an attempt to rescue others. Winnick's first dedication in the novel, to actual operatives in agencies like the CIA, FBI, and Israeli security forces, set a solid precedent before the book even began. That kind of respect for actual heroes is one that is followed throughout the book and lends an emotional depth to the fictionalized action.
Lara and Uri are both capable, assertive heroes, but what I liked best is that they are presented in human terms. Lara, especially, struck me as a fully realistic character genius and self-assured, but reflective and sensitive where the scene calls for it. Her working relationship with Uri is nuanced by respect, trust, and sufficient tension to keep you engaged. Their working and emotional connection made the action on the line more emotionally resonant.
The tempo is generally quick and thrilling, with action-packed high-energy sequences having you racing across international borders. Pace in certain sections was dragging in the middle, particularly in technical explanations and planning strategies, but I appreciated the realism that those passages brought to the narrative. It was evident that the author had done his research something he modestly credits in the acknowledgments to open sources and anonymous sources within both the Israeli and United States governments. That mixture of fact and fiction served to make the book even more credible.
I also wanted to specifically mention the great editing. I saw no typos or grammatical errors at all, and this made for a very smooth read. The author gives a special mention to his girlfriend, Gisel, not just for all the editing time she put in but for also being part of creating the story itself. That personal element to be named in the acknowledgments is such a nice touch of proximity to the making of the book. You can feel the love that was put into each page.
Overall, I'm rating Devil in False Color 4 out of 5 stars. It's a thoughtful, action-packed thriller with a conscience, based in the reality of our world today without denying the excitement of fiction. The only reason I'm not giving it a perfect rating is that there are some slow sections that will lose some readers. But it's a gripping, thought-provoking read that does justice to heroism in the real world while giving us a story that's hard to put down. I would definitely recommend this to political thriller fans, particularly those who like good character development and meat to the story beneath the action.
******
Devil in False Colors
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Devil in False Colors by Jack Winnick
