Review by Bilbo47 -- The Date Farm by Jack Winnick

[Bilbo47]

[Following is a volunteer review of "The Date Farm" by Jack Winnick.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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If you are in the mood for an exciting, fast-paced page-turner that will keep you engaged from start to finish, look no further. The Date Farm by Jack Winnick is the book for you. This suspenseful, international thriller is the fourth book in the author’s Lara and Uri series. It can be read as a standalone.

Without warning, a popular shopping mall in Beverly Hills, CA, becomes the site of a bloodbath. Over one hundred civilians are assassinated by terrorists. The now-married agents, Lara Edmonds and Uri Levin, representing the CIA and the Mossad, are immediately called into action. They leave their vacation at Lara’s family farm in Ohio and fly to Los Angeles. But the plot thickens. The communication networks and satellites of government agencies are compromised. The Federal Reserve and Chase Manhattan Banks in New York City are attacked. Federal agents are kidnapped. The authorities are left scrambling for answers. Are these events connected? Who is responsible? What is the reason? Is it gold? Or is it something more insidious?

Jack Winnick is a superior storyteller. The plot is complex and takes the reader on a roller coaster ride of twists and turns. The pace is quick, but Winnick does not let the story get away from him. As always, the author has excellent control over a large cast of characters. Lara and Uri have a nice interplay. The episodes of romance are restrained and tasteful. This is an action book. There are graphic depictions of violence that may not be suitable for younger or sensitive readers. Jack Winnick is unapologetically pro-Israel and the USA. If you’re looking for something more nuanced, this book is not for you.

I continue to be impressed with Jack Winnick’s deep knowledge and understanding of Middle Eastern affairs. He is a recognized authority with over forty years of academic and technical experience in the field. His books are effective because the scenarios are so chillingly possible in the real world.

The Date Farm is a must-read for any lover of suspense and thriller novels. But there are small grammatical errors throughout the book that need attention. The continuous misuse of the possessive adjective is unprofessional.

I wanted to give this book the highest rating, but, regrettably, I could not. The cinematic scope and quick pace made for an entertaining read. But, because of the need for further editing, I can only give The Date Farm a still-respectable 3 out of 4 stars.

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The Date Farm
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