Eight stars
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Leo J. Maloney, Kensington Books and Lyrical Press for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Leo J. Maloney is back with another thriller, keeping things in the Morgan family. His younger protagonist, Alex, is full of energy, as she tries to fill the shoes of her father while working for Zeta Group. After being the target of an attack by Ares, Alex Morgan realises that her life is in danger. What better way to protect herself than to agree to an undercover mission on a cruise ship, where Ares is set to strike? Alex will have to infiltrate those who seek to cause harm and wrest control back for Zeta before it’s too late. However, she is not the only Morgan on a mission, one that could end in death! Maloney does well to keep the action high and the twists plentiful.
Alex Morgan loves being an operative for Zeta Group, even if it means that she is sometimes compared to her father, Dan. When Alex is almost killed in an explosion at work, she comes to terms that it was likely Ares who are responsible, Zeta’s enemy, trying to do away with the young foot soldier. Faced with a security issue, Alex agrees to go undercover on a cruise ship in the Coral Sea, hoping to infiltrate the group and likely discover what Ares has in store.
After some rigourous training, Alex is placed aboard the shop and slowly works her way into discovering what is going on, which includes an attach on the ship by would-be pirates. However, she is not going to take this sitting down and shows true grit during the entire ordeal.
Meanwhile, Dan Morgan has learned of his daughter’s mission and has one of his own to handle in Australia. He’s working as best he can to uncover truths many would like buried, all while Zeta Group tries to juggle the intel that is flowing in. With two Morgans working so efficiently, Ares does not stand a chance, or do they?
Time is ticking on this mission and neither Dan nor Alex can risk failure, as it could cost them their lives. It will require patience and some real dedication, something that is woven into the fabric of the Morgans from a young age. However, one wrong move could prove deadly. Maloney does well developing this new generation of Morgan intel operative, which is sure to impress fans of his other works.
I have long admired the work of Leo J. Maloney and the attention to detail he puts into his books. There is something exciting with each piece, which they all tie into together nicely. This book flowed well, with an easy narrative and straightforward chapters. I found it waned at times for my liking, but it could be a slight reading slump in which I find myself.
Alex Morgan is a great character who has come into her own over the last while. She has been forced to live in her father’s shadow, at least since she knew about his work with Zeta Group. Now, she is on her won and facing danger every day. There is some great character development throughout the piece and the reader gets to know a little more about Alex, as well as how she ticks. I am eager to see more as time gores on and this new series comes into its own.
Leo J. Maloney uses this series twist to his advancing, easing Alex Morgan into the role of protagonist without pushing Dan out of the limelight completely. The narrative works well and keeps the reader on their toes, as plot twists arise throughout with great regularlity. Shorter chapters help keep the flow and things are never in a true lull. All that being said, I could not connect as effectively as I would have liked throughout this piece, feeling things weren’t as impactful as they could have been. Perhaps I am simply having a tough time of it lately, but I felt there was a missing link that I cannot properly identify. We’ll see if this was simply a blip when next Alex Morgan graces us with her presence.
Kudos, Mr. Maloney, for another great novel. I am eager to see what you have to come in the next few months.
Book Reviews to Ponder 