Review by jeanmtdb -- Waterworks by Jack Winnick

[jeanmtdb]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Waterworks" by Jack Winnick.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Jack Winnick brought Lara and Uri back to fight terrorism as only they can. Lara and Uri are on vacation, but now their plans to start a family will have to wait. Waterworks is a story of espionage that could be taken from the news headlines. Hezbollah and the Islamic Republic of Iran attack a water treatment plant in California. While their plan fails, it is not the end of their plans to kill Americans that are sympathetic to the existence of Israel. Lara and Uri are called in to help stop further attempts and to find the hidden reactor that produces polonium, the virulent poison the Iranians are using against the United States. Lara and Uri are sent undercover to work for the Iranian espionage division decoding and translating documents for the Iranians. It’s dangerous work for our heroes as they infiltrate the espionage division and gain the trust of the people in charge.

Jack Winnick begins a new chapter when the plot changes making it easier for the reader to keep track of the action. He uses plain language to explain the real science of polonium. Polonium does not occur in nature and can only be produced in a nuclear reactor. Winnick describes the half-life of polonium and how it kills. Winnick also humanizes the bad guys. He reveals their hopes, fears, and fanatical ethos. I especially enjoy how Mr. Winnick keeps the reader’s interest by telling us more about the characters’ personalities and tension in the Iranian espionage department.

Winnick’s extensive knowledge of chemical engineering and Middle Eastern politics make the storyline authentic, accurate, and conceivable. This book is a page-turner right from the Author’s Note to the end of the book. The book was difficult to put down. It's also a little scary. Terrorism is real. Polonium is real. These things could happen. Lara and Uri are fictional characters, but some men and women work in those roles every day.

I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. I found no obvious errors and it appears to be professionally edited. Waterworks is the fifth book of the series but can easily be read as a stand-alone book. Jack Winnick is a master at his craft. I would gladly rate this novel higher if I could.

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Waterworks
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[Patty Allread]

When Winnick humanized the terrorists in the book, I found that made his story all the more effective. I couldn't put the book down either! Great review.