Victor and Mark are two small-time criminals struggling to get by until something big hits. While breaking into a government storage container they stumble onto a once in a lifetime find--a Painite, one of the world's most sought after gems. A quick trip to Mexico to fence this treasure and they will be on easy street from here on out.
Of course this is where things get problematic. Their arrival sets off all sorts of alarms and an international crisis flares up. More information would fall into the plot spoiler area, suffice it to say there are complicated but creative plot twists and the global political strategies brought up are thought provoking.
Author Daniel Nieh's previous book, "Beijing Payback" utilized a lot of the same characters we find here. Sun Jianshui is a trained assassin responsible for murdering Victor's father. He is now married to Victor's sister, Jules, and they both rush to Mexico to risk their lives to assist the guys. Sun seems like a fascinating character who could hold his own as the center of a book, but we never quite see him clearly or get more motivation than guilt. I never fully understood Jules' role, either, other than her simply thinking she could help her brother. I wonder if these characters would have seemed more developed with some of the first book's back stories.
"Take No Names" is a very entertaining read and, like the best thrillers, has you dialing back on your sleep in order to cross the finish line with the characters.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Of course this is where things get problematic. Their arrival sets off all sorts of alarms and an international crisis flares up. More information would fall into the plot spoiler area, suffice it to say there are complicated but creative plot twists and the global political strategies brought up are thought provoking.
Author Daniel Nieh's previous book, "Beijing Payback" utilized a lot of the same characters we find here. Sun Jianshui is a trained assassin responsible for murdering Victor's father. He is now married to Victor's sister, Jules, and they both rush to Mexico to risk their lives to assist the guys. Sun seems like a fascinating character who could hold his own as the center of a book, but we never quite see him clearly or get more motivation than guilt. I never fully understood Jules' role, either, other than her simply thinking she could help her brother. I wonder if these characters would have seemed more developed with some of the first book's back stories.
"Take No Names" is a very entertaining read and, like the best thrillers, has you dialing back on your sleep in order to cross the finish line with the characters.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
