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Readers' Comments for Rasputin's Shadow

In November, a select group of readers who participated in one of our special contests won copies of RASPUTIN’S SHADOW by Raymond Khoury. In it, we revisit FBI Agent Sean Reilly --- last seen in THE DEVIL’S ELIXIR --- who must connect the apparent suicide of a Russian embassy attaché and the disappearance of a retired Russian physics professor living in Queens to a small device that could change the world in a deadly way before it’s too late. Take a look at some of the readers' comments to give you more insight into this heart-pounding thriller --- and make sure to watch out for SPOILERS!


Georgia
This is a totally riveting story of men who were affected by the story of Rasputin in Russian history. The book is very well written and full of intrigue by Russian nationals, policemen and Korean gang members in present-day New York and Washington, DC.

From the beginning, the reader is drawn into this multi-adventures novel. The reader also learns about current devices for crowd control being developed by the United States and Russia.

I couldn't put the novel down until I finished reading the end.

Alex
This book was intriguing and entertaining, particularly the historical tidbits about Rasputin. And the potential of the technology discussed gives readers food for thought. I'd recommend this book to readers who like conspiracies.

Ron
I really enjoyed this latest thriller from Raymond Khoury. It has everything I like in thrillers: mystery, suspense, history and a looming threat to people, and perhaps mankind as a whole. I would recommend this book to any avid mystery or thriller reader.   

Derek
I usually give a four star review to Raymond Khoury’s books, because at some point they lag. Not this time --- five stars all the way. The fluidity of the book is unbelievable. I could not put it down; there was non-stop action. It couldn't have been written any better.

I would recommend this to readers who enjoy action/suspense, along the lines of Dirk Pitt in Clive Cussler books.

Non-stop action, edge-of-your-seat suspense and great read.

Barb
I found RASPUTIN’S SHADOW to be a fast-paced thriller set in both present day and Russia in the era of the Tsar. The beginning chapters were somewhat confusing, but I enjoyed the rest of the book. I would give it four stars, rather than five, because of the beginning.

Andrea
Just finished RASPUTIN’S SHADOW and enjoyed it. I haven't read any other books by Khoury, but I might now. He kept you guessing throughout the story and wondering, could something like this really happen? Could a mind-scrambling machine be invented? The parts about Rasputin's life and death are quite interesting, but the tie-in to the present story was a little bit hard to accept. The action scenes kept me "on the edge of my seat" as they say. Didn't really get to know the characters very well, but if I’m sure it would help if I read more of Khoury’s books. All in all I really liked the book and am going to pass it along to a friend who like reading thrillers.

Reva --- This comment contains mild SPOILERS.
I just finished RASPUTIN’S SHADOW by Raymond Khoury. I had never read one of Mr. Khoury’s books before so I was happy to have the chance to do so. However, I did have a problem getting into this book. It seemed to take forever to read. I do like thrillers normally, but this book just didn’t do it for me. I would still like to read some of his other books, though.

I think this book would appeal more to men than women, although a lot of the books I read are that way. I would think that people who read Tom Clancy novels would like this book. I would describe the book as a thriller. The thing I did like about it was where it went back to the days of Rasputin and gave a picture of how it might have been in those days. Whether or not there would have been a machine like the one in the book in those days is another question. But it was an interesting take on the time period. The main premise of this book is this Russian man found his grandfather’s diary and used his notes plus his own skills and knowledge to build a machine that used microwaves to affect peoples’ brains and therefore their emotions with disastrous outcomes. He had escaped to the U.S. and then escaped from his handlers, changed his name and started a new life. Then the Russians found him and kidnapped his wife so they could get him back. The FBI got involved when a Russian diplomat was killed.

I will share this book with family members and they will probably pass it on to their friends.

Carl
It was okay --- not a bad read, but I felt like the author was writing on a deadline and the book could have used a rewrite to tighten up some holes both in plot and structure.

I would not recommend RASPUTIN’S SHADOW, but would also not tell someone not to read it.

Jerry
Very disappointing! I have come to expect more and better from Khoury, not merely too much and disjointed. Some of it is probably me...the subject matter, such as it is, was far less interesting than say, Templars. That said, the writing did not provide the page-turning entertainment I have come to expect; the premise, whether based in the 19th century or modern times was silly as presented. Quite frankly, other than as a beach read (difficult in November in New Jersey), there is not much to recommend.

I'm sure that my wife will pick it up at some time, as it is now ensconced on our bookshelf.