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Thor may be the god of thunder, but Brad Thor is the master of thrillers. Thor --- the writer, not the storm bringer --- hasn't been writing for all that long. His first novel, THE LIONS OF THE LUCERNE (published in 2002), introduced the world to ex-Navy SEAL and now covert agent Scot Harvath. Since then, Thor has quickly built an enviable career by exponentially topping himself with each new work. I was certain that he couldn't surpass last year's BLOWBACK, which features as ingenious a weapon as you'll likely encounter. TAKEDOWN gloriously proves me wrong.
If there is one certainty in post 9/11 America, it is that there will be another successful terrorist attack. There have been attempts, foiled out of sight and under the radar. Unfortunately, one will slip through eventually. When it does, I have a sneaking suspicion that it will occur as described within the first 100 pages or so of TAKEDOWN. This attack, which paralyzes New York City and results in thousands of deaths, is astounding in its simplicity and devastating in its consequences. It is also, as it turns out, a cover for something far more insidious.
In New York, following a mission that ironically dovetails into the terrorists' intent, Harvath finds himself improvising a search and destroy mission with random volunteers against a highly trained team of terrorists picked specifically for this mission and who know exactly where they're going and what they're up against. Harvath and his team, meanwhile, have no idea what is transpiring. In the course of picking up the pieces they stumble upon a secret known only to the terrorists and those at the highest level of the United States government.
Thor's descriptions are gritty, realistic and true to life --- those who prefer to play in politically correct sandboxes would be better served to look elsewhere --- and give one the sense that he has been there and at least seen, if not done, that. Thor also apparently has been privy to some extreme interrogation techniques. There is one described within the pages of TAKEDOWN that would have had me happily betraying all that I hold dear within but a few seconds of its application, which is all the more reason why it is hopefully being field-tested even as we speak.
Thor has created an enthralling work, surprising and startling the reader right up until the very end --- which sets things up for the next novel. Some words about the ending: have a defibrillator standing by. No peeking, but I read it four times to make sure I wasn't seeing things. I wasn't. The ending is as explosive as the beginning and will keep you wondering about and waiting for Thor's next work.
TAKEDOWN should head the syllabus for anyone taking a class in Thrillers 101. This is a smart, explosive work that details events about to happen outside your front door. Highly recommended.
--- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
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