Joshua's Hammer (Kirk Mcgarvey Series)

Rating:
Summary: Move Over Tom Clancey!
Review: (This reviewer read the novel prior to 9/11/01, but wrote the review after that fateful day)

Those who enjoy the adventures of James Bond or the thrill of Tom Clancey will probably be favorably impressed with David Hagberg's novel. It takes the reader behind the scenes of the current world situation. There is the obligatory love story. Interwoven, though, is an intense drama about preventing the world's number one terrorist, Usama bin Laden, from detonating a nuclear bomb aimed to destroy the daughter of the President of the United States as well as one of the nation's most loved cities.

It has all of the intrigue of the 1960's Man From U.N.C.L.E. Yet, the author presents facts that,though the average reader won't know how accurate they are, give a chilling look at the mind of the terrorist. When reading the book prior to the bombing of the WTC and the Pentagon, much of the action seemed overstated. WRONG! This novel's plot is no longer impossible to dismiss as "just a story." It is a mirror of our times.

It's a good story and well written. The action is moving and the suspense is gripping. Well worth the read.

Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Book!
Review: David Hagberg has once again written a good book. This book has good characters,an outstanding plot,and excellent action.I was very impressed with the use of Osama bin Laden in this book. Hagberg also displayed how large and far reaching bin Laden's terrorist network is.Kirk McGarvey once again plays the role of hero to the max. He once again saves the day. His daughter also steps up to the forefront in this book. One of the more sinister characters in this book is bin Laden's chief of staff Bahmad.He is one of the more evil people that Hagberg has used.In this book bin Laden goes on a mission of vengance witk a purchased nuclear device.The United States through the efforts of McGarvey must find a way to stop this plan. The book is one of nonstop action as the forces of good do battle with the forces of evil. This book has it all. Buy this book and read it. You will not be dissapointed.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent thriller
Review: During the Russian occupation of Afghanistan, Saudi Arabian billionaire Osama bin Laden becomes a leader of the resistance. He uses his vast funds and charisma to fight the invaders. When the Soviets depart, the heroic bin Laden calls for a Jihad against the west. He finances terrorist activities that have killed thousands, but now prepares his most horrific scheme to date. He bought a nuclear device from one of the former Soviet Republics, planning to use the mass destruction weapon in the United States.

The CIA knows he will strike soon, but surprisingly bin Laden instead asks, through a circuitous path, for a meeting with a high-ranking agent. Deputy Director of Operations Kirk McGarvey goes to meet with the terrorist in Afghanistan, but a foul up occurs. The Americans launch a missile strike that kills bin Laden's precious teenage daughter. There is no room left for discussion as the stricken father sends an emissary to kill Kirk's daughter as well as the child of the President. Only Kirk stands in the way of an eye for an eye.

David Hagberg is one of the more interesting writers of thrillers in the new millennium. His works rival that of Clancy, Koontz, and Cornwell. With JOSHUA'S HAMMER, he probably surpassed these notable authors. The heart thumping story line is a chilling thriller that gets inside the heart and soul of its cast, humanizing a terrorist and a CIA operative. Mr. Hagberg turns the genre into his personal playing field with this realistic drama that never eases up the throttle.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Frighteningly Real
Review: I am not a huge fan of the spy novel genre but this book is almost prophetic in light of recent events. It was extremely difficult to put down. Osama bin Laden is portrayed convincingly and the plot is believable post 9/11. Had the recent attacks not happened this would have made one hell of a movie.
Hagberg writes in a brisk moving style and seems to know his stuff when it comes to espionage and geopolitics. His CIA man McGarvey is a James Bond type who is bit too invincible but if you enjoy this type of fiction then this should not be missed.

Rating:
Summary: A Frightening Plot
Review: This is a very fast moving novel that captured me almost from the first moment. It is simultaneously a sympathetic view of Osama bin Laden and the United States intelligence and antiterrorist efforts. In Kirk McGarvey, the deputy director for operations Hagberg has created a believable hero with a believable family and very human frailties. This book is a cross between Tom Clancy and Ian Fleming. Assume that bin Laden acquires a tactical nuclear weapon that is easy to hide (they do exist, both we and the Russians have them, some of the Russian depots have been unpaid, and the system could leak.)

The plot involves bin Laden sympathizers in Central Asia that may have infiltrated the vulnerable Russian system. Bin Laden wants to use this threat to achieve an American withdrawal from his homeland of Saudi Arabia. The United States deciding it can take no chances launches a preemptive strike using Tomahawk cruise missiles to hit bin Laden's camp. Nevertheless, the action neither kills him nor hurts the nuclear weapon. Bin Laden then decides to use the weapon in the United States and specifically targets someone close to the President who is in a very public setting along with thousands of other people. It will get you to think hard about the real dangers of terrorism and the challenge of creating a strong enough system to defeat it. I am going to look for more novels by Hagberg.

Rating:
Summary: Good Entertainment
Review: When you buy these books you do so for entertainment - not for any deep meaning in life.

I heard about David Hagberg by accident on late night or middle of the night talk radio - he was interviewed. I have read a number of his books since that date.

They are not the greatest books but they are good and I would recommend them if you like Tom Clancy or similar. They hit close to home and are plausible - at least. I would say Hagberg is probably under-rated as an author. They are easy to read and generally page turners as is this one.

Jack in Toronto