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Patrick Robinson's epic techno-thriller, BARRACUDA 945, should come with a written warning from the Surgeon General. I have never before tackled any of Robinson's works, but after reading this rollercoaster ride of a novel, I must say that this is one genre that is extremely addicting.
If you're going to read BARRACUDA 945, be forewarned that sleep deprivation can occur. Other symptoms include nervousness, inability to concentrate on anything except BARRACUDA 945, and loss of interest in normal everyday activities, except getting to the gripping last page of BARRACUDA 945 ASAP.
OK, you've been warned.
One of the remarkable things about BARRACUDA 945 is Robinson's incredible ability to take the reader's breath away throughout the entire 440-page tome. The novel begins with Robinson's introduction of British turncoat Ray Kerman, who incidentally takes sides with bloodthirsty terrorists who devise a plan to rob a pair of international banks in order to buy two nuclear powered submarines from the Russians with aid from Chinese officials.
BARRACUDA 945 also reintroduces Robinson's star character, National Security Adviser Arnold Morgan, who is making his sixth appearance in a Robinson novel. Morgan is the epitome of the right wing, ultra-conservative, take-no-prisoners kind of guy. He not only devises the plan to retake the Panama Canal from China after the bad guys ditch the nuclear submarine in the canal after several attacks on key U.S. oil refineries, he also manages to keep the Commander-in-Chief from going hysterical numerous times after the country is besieged by terrorist attacks.
While the main part of the novel takes place in 2008, Robinson does a superb job in illustrating the importance of remembering that terrorism against America is still a huge threat and is an issue that shouldn't be taken lightly. With several key references relating to the impact of 9-11, Robinson, a former British newspaper columnist who covered thoroughbred racing for a number of years, has written a novel that should be required reading for our country's current National Security Council adviser, Condoleeza Rice.
In BARRACUDA 945, Robinson's Hamas terrorists make Osama Bin Laden and the rest of the infamous Al-Qaeda network seem like a bunch of disorganized boy scouts. Although the September 11th attacks were horrific and the images of those planes slamming into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center remain burned into my conscience, Robinson's Hamas terrorists are also what President George Bush would call "evil doers".
Despite Robinson's attempt at trying to make Kerman, also known as Hamas Gen. Ravi Rashood, seem somewhat compassionate and humane, this man is nothing more than a ruthless psychotic killer who stops at nothing to complete his macabre mission. Even though Rashood launches deadly ICBM missiles into numerous oil refineries in Alaska where the death toll is next to nil, Rashood and his band of modern day pirates turn the entire town of Lompoc, California into an apocalyptic inferno after destroying the main electricity facility that powers much of Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Another problem with Robinson's novel is his constant editorializing against former President Bill Clinton. It's apparent that Robinson despises the embattled Clinton, but to compare his intellect with his genitals is just downright sophomoric. Plus, I had a hard time grappling with the notion that Clinton would have been stupid enough to give control of the Panama Canal to China.
An additional point worth mentioning is the copy editing of BARRACUDA 945. Sorry folks, but when a giant publisher like HarperCollins releases a book, a reader shouldn't have to experience any misspellings.
Despite Robinson's glaring dislike for Bill Clinton and some typographical errors, BARRACUDA 945 is just what the doctor ordered if you're looking for a blistering page-turner packed with suspense, intrigue and action.
Down, periscope!
--- Reviewed by David Exum, who works as an online news editor/reporter for BostonHerald.com and covers NASCAR for the Boston Herald.
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