Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #35110 in Books
• Published on: 2006-10-05
• Released on: 2006-09-29
• Binding: Paperback
• 544 pages

FINANCIAL TIMES
'A ripping yarn'

SUNDAY EXPRESS
'A pacy, engaging book that makes great use of Falconer's experiences to glimpse a world we seldom see'

Synopsis
In war-torn Iraq, Stratton's closest friend is killed whilst on operation, leaving behind a grieving wife and child - Stratton's godson. When the widow moves to Los Angeles she is brutally murdered and her child placed in state custody. Stratton, rocked to his foundations by the killing, uncovers a FBI plot to hide the crime and sets off on a private operation of revenge that eventually pits him against one of the most powerful East European crime syndicates in America. Hunted by the CIA and FBI as well as a brutal army of Albanian mobsters and armed only with his wits and an extraordinary skill with explosives, Stratton relentlessly pursues his private war; a fight he suspects could be his last. Yet another enjoyable Falconer weave of thrill and action wrapped in the rich authenticity that defined his previous novels, taking the reader on a roller-coaster ride across half the globe to a nail-biting climax.

Customer Reviews

the operative is brilliant
this is the second book I have read by Duncan and it is brilliant. The characters are real people, the pace is like a rocket, and I love the thought processes detailed as action is taken...
Ron

Captivating...
This is the first novel that I've read by this author, and throughly enjoyed his style of writing. I must admit to having struggled a little at the begining of 'The Operative', but soon got into the plot and charactors which kept me turning pages. Good one! While writing this review I would also like to recommend another good read, 'The Constantine Legacy' by Andrew Towning.

Another fantastic yarn! Don't waste your time on McNab/Ryan etc.
Duncan Falconer's work continues to develop in this gripping story. I am not a fan of fiction but after reading "First into action" I was very much taken by this author's style and modest nature. Here, the author, has constructed a very real scenerio, together with valuable background and, without bravado and technical nonsense, delivered a pacy, tense and excellent read. This certainly would make a fabulous screenplay.