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GENRE: Thriller (international)
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BLURB:
The entire affair began with sheep brains and falafel -- Saddam Hussein's favorite dish.
It is 1990 and in Baghdad two lovers are separated by the impending First Gulf War. CIA operative Rik Bogart is desperately seeking television correspondent Ingrid Johannson -- but is instead picked up by Saddam’s Secret Police and thrown into Abu Graib -- the Prison of the Dead. Ten years later, he must make a fateful decision after finally reuniting with her -- one that may keep them apart forever. How far would YOU go for your true love?
This iheart-pounding thriller is written by a former international defense contractor who brings incredible realism and thrilling insights into the days leading up to Saddam’s brutal regime downfall and provides a chilling account of life inside the infamous Prison of the Dead.
"It's as much a love story as it is a runaway thriller." Midwest Book Review
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My review :- A bonec chilling thriller that opens your eyes to the horrors of our recent past. With a deep and engaging prose, intriguing plot twists and turns along with well developed characters. A one sit read for me with a solid 4.3 stars. This book gripped me from the beginning till the end
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Excerpt:
Baghdad, 1989 -- The Eve of Saddam’s Invasion of Kuwait
The waiter appeared within seconds and poured the glass of water for Tariq.
“Do you study the desert, Rik?” he asked as soon as we were seated.
“I try to learn its lessons.”
“Then you know sands shift quickly, often for no apparent reason.”
“It seems there is usually a wind somewhere.”
Tariq seemed genuinely delighted. “Ah! You not only observe but seek to understand why.”
I answered, “It’s one of my gravest faults,” as Tariq took a sip of water.
Looking at me as if trying to judge me, Tariq finally responded, “There is much about the desert one cannot fathom. Trying to understand everything is fruitless.”
I finally had a glimmer of where he wanted this to go. “But you seem to understand more than most, Tariq. Perhaps for the right price you can enlighten me?”
Tariq seemed to consider a series of memories. “We have indeed exchanged many valuable things over the years,” he observed.
“How valuable is this one?” I inquired.
He motioned to the waiter, who arrived instantly. “Lamb kebobs and falafel.” Tariq motioned so the waiter knew he ordered for both of us. When the waiter disappeared inside, Tariq answered, “I understand you are not a connoisseur of sheep brains.”
“Hasn’t made my list of favorite foods yet,” I responded.
He nodded his happiness that he had another piece of information about me correct and could display it for me.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
As a defense contractor, award-winning screenwriter and novelist, dhtreichler has wandered the world, visiting garden spots and more. Having lived and worked with our intelligence agents and soldiers, witnessing the conflicts and the turmoil of recent decades, he paints vivid backdrops for his stories. Like him, the men and women he portrays attempt to make sense of our fast-changing world. He has held a lifelong interest in the profound influence of rapidly changing technology on our lives and relationships. Exploring that power (what has changed and what might come) forms an insightful theme of his novels. His stories also reflect the universal desires and fears of real people everywhere.
Buy link for the book:
https://www.amazon.com/Riks-dh-treichler-ebook/dp/B01CQB45K6
His website and links are:
http://dhtreichler.com
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14299861.dhtreichler
https://twitter.com/dhtreichler
https://www.facebook.com/dhtreichlerofficial
https://www.amazon.com/dhtreichler/e/B01CQB45K6/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
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ReplyDeleteHighly entertaining book as well as informative. You’ll find out how countries like Syria and Turkey got all those weapons they sometimes use to brutalize even their own people. Fascinating detail on the arms sale process.
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