Simon & Schuster, Dec 2003, 24.00, 288 pp.
ISBN: 0743251466
Retired from his harrowing operative career, American Mako Hooker spends his time fishing from his boat, the Clamdip. However, his solace at sea ends when his former employers order him back to work. They want Mako to investigate the explosive attacks on ships in the Bermuda Triangle where the former agent conveniently is spending his time.
His ex employer also sends his former peer Chana Sterling to work closely with him over Mako's chagrin as this femme fatale once shot him. He would prefer to simply shoot Chana to put her out of everyone else's misery because she caused a lot of people much misery. Still Mako knows one never truly retires from the Company so he begins looking into the cause behind the gaping holes in the hulls of several vessels. That soon leads Mako to uncover conspiracies, but of what and why he still struggles (as does the reader after finishing the book) to learn.
Only long time die hard fans of Mickey Spillane will appreciate this strange espionage thriller though the hero is an interesting throwback to the Jurassic Age. The story line is action-packed, but never seems to tie into a cohesive plot. The cast is hard boiled circa Eisenhower with perhaps the most interesting character being Mako the Shark (literally a fish in water and not Hooker).
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Book descript. of violence and chases - 10% Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40% Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30% How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 20%
Tone of story
- suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
Time/era of story:
- present (2000-2010)
Spying/Terrorism Thriller
Yes
Cloak & Dagger Plotlets:
- stopping a saboteur/spy
Kid or adult book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Who's the terrorist enemy here?
- generic terrorists
Main Character
Gender
- Male
Profession/status:
- spy
Age:
- 40's-50's
How much violence does he/she use?
- just the right amount
Ethnicity/Race
- White/American
How sensitive is this character?
- middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Very much smarter than other characters
Physique
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 20's-30's
Profession/status:
- mastermind
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
Motive of antagonist
- power
The antagonists are:
- Drug kingpins
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- very athletic
Setting
The Americas (not US):
Yes
The Americas:
- The Caribbean
Style
Person
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
How many deaths?
- 8 or more
Amount of dialog
- significantly more dialog than descript
