The Fifth Internationale

Rating:
Summary: good read for a long plane ride
Review: FBI agent Stan Penskie is put through terrifying ordeal when he inadvertently learns of a huge conspiracy involving espionage agencies of the USA and countries around the World. Stan is drawn to it by clues left by a friend who is killed in front of his eyes. Bit by bit he dwells deeper into conspiracy, learning secrets that can topple the government of his country and destroy his professional and personal life. Dodging bullets from unseen assassins, Stan finds the truth at a murky medieval castle where heads of States and directors of intelligence agencies tie the final knot on a devilish plan to take over the world.
Pros: Good pace, great intrigue, good dialogs and very likeable hero.
Cons: Would like to see more of the story taking place in the USA, after all Stan is an FBI agent.


Rating:
Summary: Complex conspiracy theory
Review: got it from my neighbor and hed to get one of my own from the author with his authograph - absolutely loved it! the story is rewarding in its complexity.

Rating:
Summary: Excitingly familiar events - very current intrigue!
Review: holy moly! this book swept me off my feet! it has everything that's happening these days: 9/11, war on terrorism, thinly desguised president bush, spies running the government and bush's run to control the world! really good writing style and a facinating story! highly recommended particularly given what's happening out there in the real world of espionage and intrigue!

Rating:
Summary: excellent thriller with first-rate twists and intrigue
Review: I have read the fifth internationale twice in the past year and what I found extremely interesting about this novel were the true events the author had tied together by weaving a fictional story around them.

To name just a few, and starting with the most obvious: the portrayal of (THE) Zbigniew Brzezinski, the former National Security Adviser. There is also the still ongoing investigation to the mysterious murder of the chief of police, general Papala. Indeed the killing of the general in king's novel could not be mistaken for fiction, down to details I best not mention here.

The true events make me wonder where authors draw the line between fact and fiction in finding inspiration.

Far as the story goes, I found it fresh and exciting. It draws on the peculiar situation in that part of the world: Poland as the bridge between Western Europe and Russia is a hotbed of activities of Russian organized groups, and world's intelligence agencies who wheel and deal here for their own benefit. The race is on for a piece of information that will not only secure control over this region but also the world. Stan Penskie, the FBI agent stationed at the embassy in Warsaw gets a scent of the secret when his friend is killed while fleeing the Polish Secret Service. Stan follows the clues and soon is drawn to conspiracy that might topple US government and cost the lives of his family members. His friends turn into enemies and Stan himself becomes a primary target for assassins. To his help comes a beautiful and mysterious woman. Together they arrive at a dark and forbidding place where a meeting of shadowy characters is taking place. From then on it's a race against time to save the world.

For my tastes jack king is a master crafter of fast-paced intrigue.


Rating:
Summary: great suspense buildup throughout!
Review: In addition to really liking this novel I'd like to offer this technical comment: Excellent job on change of scene. so many writers spoil the flow of reading their novels by inserting scene changes, but King managed to achieve what others often cannot. his scene changes result in strong tension and suspense buildup making The fifth internationale an excellent tale. someone called king a "new king of thrillers" (see his webpage at spywriter.com) and I hope his future stories are as good as this one. Recommended!

Rating:
Summary: Believeably strong female character
Review: liked the strong female lead and dialogs. belieavable story line and fast-paced action. good thriller.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent pace with fascinating premise
Review: Stan Penskie is a very likeable character, down to earth kind of guy whose world turned upsidedown, sort of reminiscent of the cop in Gorky Park. Stan manouvers through world of treachery and betrayal on personal and professional level. Jack King expertly portrayed the character's behavior and feelings vis a vis shocking facts he slowly uncovers, which makes you feel genuinely sympathetic toward the hero. Author's writing is just as his character - unassuming and down to earth. The story is tense, fast paced and just a darn good read. Easily one of the the best novels in the genre.

Rating:
Summary: Engaging and entertaining
Review: The Fifth Internationale by Jack King is an engaging thriller set in the espionage establishments of Europe, but the story reaches far beyond the boundaries of the Old Continent. Current events are expertly mixed with fiction. The author's writing style is fresh. I particularly enjoyed the lack of long descriptions that are so common in other novels, even my favorite author Ludlum lacks in this area. Thanks to Kings concise writing the story is tense and satisfyingly original. SaraJane

Rating:
Summary: Poorly written
Review: This book was so poorly written that it was hard to follow. In addition, the story which could have been interesting instead was turned into a big circle which went nowhere. The characters were meaningless.The author tried so hard to pile layer upon layer of deceit that he ended up piling layer upon layer of schlock instead. There is a reason why you've never heard of this book. Basically, I think this book was an attempt by the author to show that he had been to Poland. I'm sure the Poles were happy to see him leave.

Rating:
Summary: Deamland
Review: This without a doubt the most convoluted attempt at writing I've seen. I doubt the author remembered from chapter to chapter what he wrote. I got this book at a garage sale for a dime and that was too much.