The Fifth Profession

Rating:
Summary: Not his best
Review: I have read several of David Morrell's books and enjoy the suspense and mystery as he presents it, but this was a flop! Not only was it below his standard, but the evil American Government approach presented in this book made it even worse. If you like books that demonize Americans, this is the one for you!

Rating:
Summary: A PSYCHOLOGIST'S NIGHTMARE
Review: THE CUSTOMER REVIEWS WERE NOT FAVORABLE AND I WONDERED WHY. AS YOU READ THE STOY THE PLOT GETS MORE AND MORE WEIRD UNTIL YOU'RE OUT IN PSYCHOLOGY'S FAR LEFT FIELD. DOES MORRELL TAKE SOME SORT OF A DRUG TO DREAM UP THESE IDEAS? AN AMERICAN AND A JAPANESE "5TH PROFESSIONAL" ARE ASSIGNED TO GUARD A JAPANESE BUSINESS MAN. THEY ARE NOT BODY GUARDS BUT A SPECIAL CLASS OF PROTECTORS KNOWN AS COMITATUS PLEDGED TO PROTECT THEIR ASSIGNMENT TO THEIR DEATH IF NECESSARY. SAVAGE FIRST RESCUES THE BRIDE OF A CRUEL ABUSIVE GREEK BILLIONAIRE. HE NOW HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT HER UNTIL SHE IS BAK SAFE WITH HER BROTHER. BUT THE PROTECTORES HAVE THE NEW ASSINGMENT AND RACHEL INSISTS ON TAGGING ALONG AS THEY TRAVEL TO JAPAN. THERE THEY INTEND TO SEARCH FOR THE ANSWERS AS TO HOW THEY SAW EACH OTHER DIE BUT ARE STILL ALIVE. IT GETS MORE WIEREDBY THE PAGE UNTI I SKIPPED TO THE END. MORRELL JUST GOT TOO INVOLVED WITH CIA PLOT TO CREATE BRAVE OR FEARLESS SOLDIERS BY USIN BRAIN SURGERY TO ERASE SOME MEMORIES SO THE MEN WOULD LIVE TO DIE FIGHTING.MORRELL IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE AUTHORS BUT HE FLUBBED THIS ONE. GLAD I DIDN'T READ THIS NOVEL FIRST OR IT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE LAST I READ BY HIM.

Rating:
Summary: He Dunit again yall
Review: The way Morrell went into depth about the Japanese was very amazing. He brought the Characters to life. This book kept me on the edge of my seat, well couch that is. I loved it. Keep up the good work.

Rating:
Summary: Good Idea, horrible execution
Review: This book was recommended to me by a co-worker who knows I love stories about psychological confusion and dreams as well as Japanese culture. I decided to give this book a go on the basis that I did like the movie "In The Name of the Rose" which Morrell also wrote (although I never read the book). About twenty pages into the book, I realized the lack of talent that Morrell possesses. The characters are one dimensional and the dialogue barely rivals that of a few action-loving thirteen-year-olds.

The plot, however, is very interesting and has a lot of potential which is the only reason why I finished the book. I kept on imagining how good the book might have been if a talented writer was to have written it. If a talented screenwriter was to get a hold of this book, it may be a really good film as long as Morrell has no influence on it whatsoever. I give it two stars on the basis that there are some interesting facts on the Japanese - U.S. relationship and the story is a good idea. Other than that, I have nothing good to say about it and I will never read another Morrell book again.

Rating:
Summary: INCREDIBLE...!!!
Review: This story masterfully mixes the Secret Agent genre that we all know with the conventions and complexities of the Samurai. Make no mistake, the story is set in present day and is an action-thriller as well!

The characterization is so believable that as a reader, I began thinking ahead to figure out the puzzle and way out of the circumstances for the characters, as if I was an actual participant. The story is that immersive and Morrell's craft is that is that skilled. He pulls you in, and once in, you are in for a great ride; like an E-ticket at Disneyland!

If you have any interest in espionage, executive protection, Japanese culture, honor, action or on-the-edge-of-your-seat storytelling, this is the novel for you.

Rating:
Summary: Has some good moments, but ultimately rings hollow
Review: This was my first book by David Morrell, and it came highly recommended. Overall I'd say it was somewhat entertaining, but with so many flaws I can't strongly recommend it.

One of the first things I noticed was how affected the dialogue comes across, a problem which prevades throughout. Some authors just can't do it well, and if this is representative of Morrell's other work, then he should go with (even) more action in his stories. Conversations were just plain stilted most of the time, conjuring up a bad soap opera or melodrama. I just didn't find the characters interracted with each other with any sense of the depth he clearly wanted to convey.

The plot did have some interesting turns, but I found the end which tied everything together not at all plausible. Yeah, I understand this is action-oriented fiction, but I've read other such stuff and found it just a whole lot more believeable (or at least required less suspension of disbelief). And that was quite a let down, since the book build you up to this climax for 450 prior pages.

Overall this is the kind of stuff Michael Crichton does a whole lot better.

Rating:
Summary: Painful
Review: This was the first book I've read by Morrell - and will be my last. I really don't know how to describe the experience reading this book will bring - other than to say it is painful and an utter waste of valuable reading time. The story is ridiculous and the dialogue is perhaps the worst I've read. I read the entire book - though I constantly wanted to stop. I now wish I had. If you're contemplating reading this book - don't. Use your time to do something a bit more productive - like staring at the wall or picking lint out of your belly button.

Rating:
Summary: Typical Morrell...in this case, a GOOD thing!
Review: To date this is Morrell's best selling book, but not my favorite. With Morrell you become used to certain things....tradecraft, intrigue, a highly-skilled operative with a beautiful woman around him, etc.. This one is no different! This story follows Savage, an executive protector and ex-Navy SEAL. He is sent to rescue Rachel Stone, sister of a retired movie star and wife of a wealthy industrialist, who is raped and held hostage at their estate. On that mission, Savage crosses paths with Akira, a Japanese executive protector that Savage was assigned with six months prior...under strange circumstances. The three are then pulled into an adventure to get them answers to their question, a quest that eventually leads to Japan. This is a non-stop thriller that will shock you until the end. It's without question recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Not Morrell's bests
Review: Unbelievable! I mean it. The story is just not believable. It's absurd. Try another of Morrell's books. He's usually really good.

Rating:
Summary: The Fifth Profession
Review: What an outstanding book. I read this book a number of years ago and decided recently to read it again. Reading this book again, reaffirms why I read books written by David Morrell. If you love action, suspence and a thrilling twist at the end, this book is for you. The reason I like this book is because David Morrell has the ability to describe details in such away you feel like you are there. This detail is written in such a way that is does not detract from the book. The two main characters in this book are experts in executive protection and live on opposite sides of the world. They are drawn together by a set of circumstances which will stop you from putting the book down. It ends with a twist which blows you away and I guarentee if you don't currently read David Morrell books after this you will be thirsty for more.