Overfall

Rating:
Summary: All the right Stuff
Review: Sam, the protagonist. is sort of a reluctant hero. He's retired. He doesn't want to enter the fray and prefers his adrenalin rushes in the form of adventuresome pass-times as opposed to shoot outs. But of course Anna, his love interest and client is sufficiently intriguing to cause him to leave retirement. Besides he's a good guy and can't leave a damsel in distress. Anna's brother Jason is a brilliant mathematician with a peculiar mental problem and he seems a mental hostage to the corporation that makes a fortune on his mathematical modeling. Grady is Jason's daughter, Anna's niece, and has defined herself in this world by taking up exotic dancing and does quite well at it but for a growing cocaine addiction. Attaining Grady's help with respect to her father is paramount in Sam's plan so his initial task is to motivate her in a new direction. Of course as soon as Sam begins to work his magic powerful forces are threatened and Sam and Anna play chicken with a deadly group while they try to save Jason and unlock the mystery that holds him hostage. It's a very fast paced thriller that held my attention throughout and I highly recommend it for those who like action reads. The characters are well done and the plot thoughtfully put together.

Rating:
Summary: This story is very relevant in light of current events
Review: The main character Sam uses vast computer data bases to gather information about people that might be involved in bad stuff. We see how knowing a lot of things about a lot of people, even seemingly trivial things, can be used to figure out who done it. But the book is no arm chair intellectual thriller. There is unremitting action throughout this well done story. Sam is basically an anti-terrorist expert for hire and works for governments, etc to solve some of their most thorny mysteries. He goes where the cops cannot and uses methods that are questionable to get results that are not. It's a cool idea and the way the author slips it to you is so smooth that you believe the whole story and begin to wonder if maybe there actually might be a group of people in the back of giant auto parts store solving the worlds problems or at least some them.

I liked the book because it hooked me, I couldn't put it down and I couldn't quit thinking about it until I finished it. You try it and you might feel that way too.

Rating:
Summary: Big brain underutilized
Review: This book is excellent reading, it is after completion that disappointment arrives. I enjoyed this, my first, Dun novel so much that I ordered his other books. However, in thinking about Overfall I came to realize that Sam was out-thought and out-planned, until the very end, by adversarys without access to the "big brain" computer. It seems more luck than anything that he was semi-triumphant. Certainly, he must have recruiting problems as his best skilled team members and friends fall in record numbers. Perhaps there should be greater reliance on "big brain" as the hero of the novel.

I am looking forward to reading the books I have ordered and will read the next "Sam of something" novel. "Sam" is a great creation and has potential to become a rival of Cussler's "Dirk".

Rating:
Summary: The pages keep turning and the plot never slows down.
Review: This has enough plot and good characters, not to mention action scenes, to keep the average pulp reader such as myself quite happy. Lots of interesting science stuff if you like that sort of thing. I don't know about the romance but the rest was fantastic. It's a super/sleuth adventure thriller sort of read.

Rating:
Summary: Must read for thriller lovers
Review: This is an excellent adventure thriller with all the right stuff. The romance works very well with the story, there is plenty of action, narratives are good and not to long. The book never rests much and for me there is just the right amount of contemplation. The Tilok touch is great and the characters are vibrant. This is a must read for those of you who like a little escapist fiction that's exciting but not to gory.

Rating:
Summary: The book is driven by suspense and great characters
Review: This is Dun's third book, it obviously bears his signature action sequences that are, as usual, creative and spell binding. This is his best effort to date. Unlike his first two books the story moves around the world and the plot is a bit complex. The suspense is even better and the book is very compelling. Sam is an intriguing character with a fascinating profession. A self anointed bachelor, Sam is clever, sympathetic, and dashing but seems to suffer (or revel) in a sense of adventure and detachment where women are concerned. The bad guys in this book are really well done, there is more than one, and they create a great subplot. Sort of like those fighting fish that try to eat each-other. The book is driven by suspense and great characters and is a must read.

Rating:
Summary: A high powered [] read []
Review: This is one of the better thrillers that I have read. I liked the blend of the romance, action, science and character development. Dun knows when to move and when to give you a rest. Humor in the book is not bad. Essentially the secret to this story is the way he always comes up with evolving questions and expanding issues--the way he peeks your curiosity at just the right moments. I really like the whole concept of the Sam character and notice that in the teaser at the back the story Sam continues to the next book, Last Climb. Sam is urbane and sophisticated but likes fast cars and beer. On the other hand he's got a spiritual side. He's understated, slightly irreverent and pretty intense. He's a for hire anti-terrorism expert with a big business and a big []computer that he uses to good effect. You have to read the story before the whole computer bit becomes believable but Dun does a good job, entertains and keeps the action rolling. I'd like to know more about Sam and I think the author will be able to do a lot with that character if he keeps him going.

Rating:
Summary: You can feel the pain
Review: This is the first Dun book I've read but I'm certainly going to give the others a try. Dun does a great job of sustaining interest throughout and the pacing was very good. Dun is gifted at describing the settings particularly the Northwest. The opening action scene was really good. You can feel the pain. Dun generally does a good job with his action characters. The main character Sam might be a little thin but part of that may go with the fact that he's a shadowy spook who we get to know slowly. The other characters are interesting and unique. The best part of this story is the plot and the way it moves always keeping your interest. The novel isn't really brilliant at any point but does a lot of things well and hence the total reading experience is pretty great.