Rating: 
Summary: A more cerebral & less action filled thriller from Hagberg
Review: One of the MAIN reasons I have gravitated towards novels written by Hagberg is because he knows how to cut out the fat in his techno-thrillers, unlike Tom Clancy who never passes a chance to include reams of useless information in the majority of his otherwise great books. What is left over is a meaty, action-packed thrill ride. With the exception of just a couple of novels over the past 8 years or so, I believe Hagberg has become one of the best thriller authors working today. After 'White House' and 'Joshua's Hammer', two of the best examples of techno-thrillers printed in the past decade, we see the next evolution in the roller-coaster career of CIA operative Kirk McGarvey. The President, who owes Kirk after having literally saved the lives of the First family, has appointed the controversial spy the interim Director of the CIA. This unwittingly sets in motion a series of events which become the central storyline of 'The Kill Zone'. Along the way, there are scenes which prepare us for the action which, unfortunately for some is not what fills the bulk of this particular tale. For those wanting and craving a 'thrills oriented' Hagberg novel, you may be a little disappointed (see many of the reviews), but if you approach this story from a different standpoint, I think it can and should be enjoyed. For those not familiar with the endless amounts of political red tape in Washington, becoming appointed to a position such as CIA Director can certainly seem like the longest most incredibly boring series of events in all of human history -- which I am happy to say Hagberg handles rather well, all things considered. One other reviewer keenly noticed how Kirk was rather stumped by the ridiculous questions posed to him and felt quite strapped because normally he is so comfortable with solving his problems with whatever weapon is handy at the time. Hagberg takes a lot longer than usual to get to the serious meat of this story, but that doesn't mean that the path we take to get there isn't an interesting one. On the contrary, after I began to see how he was setting the stage for a major confrontation later on, I began to enjoy the storyline even more. While not as all-out action-packed as the bulk of his Kirk McGarvey novels of the past, Hagberg has taken a slightly different path which allows for much greater character development and gave him a fantastic opportunity to set the stage for the outcome which will either catch you by surprise or it won't -- it depends who you are. I was mildly surprised I suppose, not a huge shock, but maybe I missed some clues others had caught. Overall, I am VERY excited about seeing the further adventures of Kirk McGarvey, and for those who would rather see Hagberg back in Action/Oriented fine form, grab 'By Dawn's Early Light' a truly spectacular submarine techno-thriller which may well be his best novel to date.
Rating: 
Summary: 3 1/2 stars
Review: See book description above. This is probably my least favorite Hagberg novel. It moved at a fast pace, but the main topic of brainwashed assassins going after Kirk McGarvey, the soon to be director of the CIA, just didn't seem to take my interest. Convoluted comes to mind. Maybe it's just my mood but that's what I think.
Rating: 
Summary: Another epic thriller by David Hagberg!
Review: The Kill Zone by David Hagberg held me glued to my seat during the better part of reading this book. In my opinion, this is the best book in this series. Once you start it BEWARE it is hard to put down...it is that thrilling!
Rating:
Summary: Another epic thriller by David Hagberg!
Review: The Kill Zone by David Hagberg held me glued to my seat during the better part of reading this book. In my opinion, this is the best book in this series. Once you start it BEWARE it is hard to put down...it is that thrilling!
Rating: 
Summary: Kill Zone kills thrills
Review: The perfect example of a formula author ready to retire! As a past Hagberg fan I picked up this book expecting a lot more out of him. What I got was a lot of disappointment. The only suspense in this book was, when the main character, and you as the reader expected something to happen...nothing did!
As a reader, I'm going to thing thrice before buying another Hagberg book. My advice...skip this one, and go onto other, newer authors, that are trying to make a name for themselves.
His last really good book in this series was Critical Mass, which he has been rewriting for the past ten years!
Rating:
Summary: Who does a spy trust?
Review: This outing of Kirk MacGarvey sees him facing congress hearings to confirm his position as Director of the CIA. It's interesting to see Mac facing off in a political forum where he can't just shoot his enemies. However, aside from the congress problems things also start to go wrong when an assassination attempt is made on Mac and his family. This novel explores themes of trust and honesty as Mac has to come to terms with a life based on the mistrust and paranoia of the professional spy. A cross between an action thriller and an old fashioned mystery, this story is principally let down by using a brainwashed assassin as its lynch pin. In some ways it is the major hole in the story. Aside from that complaint, this was an enjoyable novel to read. I wouldn't say it was the best in the series so far, but I'll be interested to see where the next novel goes, as I enjoy the fact that Mac is a growing personality and past events are not forgotten, but are instead built on like they are outside the world of the novel. Though I would have to say we could only wish the current US president was as reasonable sounding as the one in this book!
Rating:
Summary: Wordy and plodding
Review: This was my first time reading Hagberg and I found his style plodding. There were a few interesting twists, but overall a big snore.
Rating:
Summary: Closest You Get to a Wallace Mahoney Novel
Review: Wallace Mahoney was Hagberg's wiley anti-hero, written many years ago under his pseudonym, Sean Flannery. Mahoney was a cold warrior who battled with his wits, not his brawn. I miss Wallace Mahoney...wish I could enjoy his type of intrigue again.
Hagberg attempts to create a Wallace Mahoney-like story in Kill Zone. He succeeds on some accounts but fails in others. The story does plod along...he spends the first 140 pages building up the relationship between the protagonist, Kirk McGarvey...recently nominated to head the CIA, and his wife, Kathleen, who rarely played a major role in the series before. McGarvey seems to be slowing down in this novel, not nearly as clairvoyant as in earlier installments. And there isn't much in the way of high tech or thrills. Its written competently enough, though and held my interest even though the plot was transparent.
If you are new to Hagberg, I certainly wouldn't start here. The book is much like the last installment in the Wallace Mahoney series...a bit of a greatest hits novel. But if you get hooked on his work (read Crossfire, Countdown, or Assassin and you will be), you'll likely end on this novel.
Rating:
Summary: Sets a new standard
Review: With the release of his new book, Into the Kill Zone, David Klinger raises the bar for writers of police non-fiction. Klinger
presents a collection of first-hand accounts by those who protect
and serve of what it's like to face death at close range. All the fear and raw emotion of the participants comes through in the
clearly enunciated details of these deadly encounters. The gripping personal accounts propel the reader into the center of
these life and death struggles. As one who has been there and done that, Klinger is able to elicit the kind of detail and per-
sonal feeling no other writer could reach.He not only shows how
police officers react to and deal with deadly threats, he also
exposes the emotional impact on officers lives when they kill in
the line of duty;a residual effect not seen or heard on the evening news. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand the dynamics of the ultimate encounter between good and evil, and especially to the officer who has not yet gone into the kill zone. Mike Greer
LAPD, retired
Rating:
Summary: Not Up to Expectations
Review: You may have noticed that I am in the distinct minority with my rating of this novel, but I call them like I see them and this is how I see this. I have loved the Kirk McGarvey novels by David Hagberg and I was really looking forward to this one. In this story, McGarvey has been nominated by the president to be head of the CIA (DCI). Some in the Senate Committee that hold hearings on his nomination are less than pleased with this turn of events, but someone else is even less enthusiastic and attempts are made on McGarvey's life as well as that of his wife, daughter and his trusted side kick Otto Rencke. It seems that long ago in Russia a plot was hatched to kill McGarvey if he was ever nominated to this position and trick is to find out who it is that is trying to kill him and how they are planning to do it. I found the plot to be very slow moving, the characters somewhat wooden and the whole story to be a huge disappointment. The mystery of who is trying to kill him doesn't turn out to be that much of a mystery either. I wish I could report otherwise, but that is how I see it.
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