I will admit, I had never heard of this author until a marketing company contacted me and asked if I would like a copy of the book to review and giveaway.  I read the synopsis and it seemed like the book was right up my alley so I said sure.  I don’t mind being introduced to new authors…I may love it and I may hate it, you just never know!

Eric Van Lustbader is probably known for continuing Robert Ludlum’s Bourne series.  That isn’t all he has written though, he has quite a few credits to his name.  This series features Jack McClure and Alli Carson.  Father Night is the fourth book in the series.

Synopsis:

“An eye for an eye will make the world go blind.”—Gandhi

A tidal wave of reform is sweeping across the Middle East. Many lurk in the shadows, eager to seize power–giants of a vast criminal underworld, fueled by revenge and vengeance. Their wars know no end.  Their power knows no bounds.

At the center of it all are two men who are inches away from holding the world in their hands: one is known as Dyadya Gourdjiev and the other is known only as the Syrian.

Department of Defense special agent Jack McClure has followed this trail of shadows and lies right into the arms of Gourdjiev’s alluring, powerful granddaughter, Annika Dementiev. The lovers are in Moscow when news of Dyadya’s failing health draws a slew of vultures–circling, anxious to seize the empire of secrets he spent a lifetime building. Jack and Annika find themselves locked in battle to ensure his safety…but when it comes to Dyadya, nothing is as it seems.

Alli Carson, the child of a dead US president, has become Jack’s surrogate daughter. While Jack is in Russia, Alli is targeted by a cyber-stalker who knows more about her than anyone should. With no one to trust but her friend, Vera Bard, Alli is determined to discover the truth, but her path forces her to come face-to-face with the nightmarish terror of her past.

As these two stories play out, Secretary of Defense Dennis Paull, with the help of detectives Nona Hendryx and Alan Frain, follows a trail of lies, corruption, and secret pacts that begins with Washington D.C.’s Head of Detectives.

All paths collide at the feet of one man, an old legend adapting to an ever-changing landscape… a man history might have forsaken, but whose heinous evil is still very much alive: Father Night.

Review:

As I mentioned before, I had not read any of the previous books in this series.  I think in this case that might have been a detriment because there were references to things that happened in the past that didn’t make a whole lot of sense.  And since I was not familiar with the author, the style of writing threw me.  It did take me about 50 – 75 pages to understand the author’s writing style which included switching between the story lines quite often.

That all said, once I did get into the book I was fascinated with the characters.  How their lives intertwined (remember, I hadn’t read any of the previous books!) and how the three or four different stories would all be woven together as the story progressed.

We give this book 3 1/2 paws.

The Giveaway:

I am giving away 2 copies of this book, my copy that was sent to me and one from the publisher/publicist.  This contest is open to all US & Canadian residents.  The contest will close on October 22nd.