{"id":2565,"date":"2024-09-12T21:32:27","date_gmt":"2024-09-12T19:32:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/minimal-kritikak.hu\/en\/?p=2565"},"modified":"2024-09-27T22:09:55","modified_gmt":"2024-09-27T20:09:55","slug":"crisis-by-frank-gardner-book-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/minimal-kritikak.hu\/en\/2024\/09\/12\/crisis-by-frank-gardner-book-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Crisis by Frank Gardner \u2013 Book Review"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"Crisis<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Raise your hand if you think British intelligence is heavily involved in anti-drug operations in Colombia. No one? Well, that makes sense\u2014Colombia is too far away, and beside, it’s more of an American issue\u2014let them deal with it. Completely understandable… Wait a minute, I see someone raising their hand after all. Yes, it’s Frank Gardner, and guess what? He’s written a hefty thriller titled Crisis based on this rather unlikely premise\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frank Gardner in Frederick Forsyth’s Shoes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you’ve read Frederick Forsyth’s last book, the leisurely-paced The Fox<\/a>, you know that from one of the greatest thriller writers of all time, there’s not much left to expect. Frank Gardner seems to have thought it was time to fill the void Forsyth left behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Crisis is an action-packed spy novel that feels almost as if Frederick Forsyth himself had written it. Almost. (Though, to be fair, The Fox was also only “almost” the same.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crisis<\/em> showcases an impressive depth of knowledge. But that’s no surprise, given that the author spent many years working as a journalist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frank Gardner\u2019s deep understanding of the world of British intelligence\u2014from organizational structures to operational execution\u2014means that his book will likely captivate even the most seasoned spy novel fans with its technical details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Terrorism Doesn’t Pay Off<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Not financially, at least. So, if a Colombian drug cartel boss decided it was a good idea to bomb a few things in the UK to teach those meddling Brits a lesson, well\u2026 he wouldn’t remain the boss of any drug cartel for long, especially one that prioritizes profit above all else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The premise of The Crisis is, frankly, complete nonsense. Nelson Garc\u00eda, the diabolically cunning and ruthless “El Probecito,” would be removed from his position the very moment he uncertainly voiced his grand ambitions\u2014likely with a 9mm bullet to the forehead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s easy to understand why Daniel Silva has struggled to create believable enemies for the Israeli heroes of his long-running series (see: The Order), but launching a new series with drug dealer-terrorists as the main villains doesn’t seem like a well-thought-out move either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

British Spies Are Dumb<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The main plot of Crisis kicks off with Jeremy Benton, a station chief in Colombia, wisely keeping a vital piece of information from his superiors, only to embark on a suicidal mission immediately afterward\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luke Carlton, Frank Gardner\u2019s ex-commando protagonist who later follows up on Benton\u2019s intel, forgets to inform his employers that he’s about to jump into a life-threatening anti-drug military operation in Colombia on his own initiative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dear Frank Gardner, such dim-witted characters wouldn\u2019t even be hired as doormen at Vauxhall Cross!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luke Carlton – More of a Soldier Than a Spy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Crisis<\/em> is a mix of spy novels and action thrillers. Gardner strives to keep his protagonist at the center of the action, which is perfectly understandable from a novelist’s point of view, but it often feels like poor Carlton is being yanked around by his hair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luke Carlton often finds himself in high-stakes situations, yet he still comes across as a paper-thin, square-jawed tough guy\u2014essentially just a soldier. Gardner doesn\u2019t really succeed in adding depth to his hero, though, to be fair, there\u2019s hardly time for that amidst the whirlwind of events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the end, you can’t quite believe that Carlton, supposedly a handler of recruited agents, could survive long in that role. He seems more like the guy they call when they need firepower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This impression is reinforced when Carlton starts investigating Benton\u2019s missing partner, but even this process feels more like a weak imitation of real detective work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drug Cartels, Women, and a Touch of Sentimentality<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s be honest: for a long time, it\u2019s hard to understand why Elise is even in Crisis. Sure, it doesn\u2019t hurt for Carlton to have a gorgeous girlfriend, but her role initially consists mainly of complaining about her boyfriend’s constant absence. Later, when she\u2019s dragged into the bigger game by yet another senseless move from the Colombian drug cartel, her story arc, despite a promising start, ends up feeling rushed and underdeveloped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The same goes for Valentina, and even Ana Mar\u00eda\u2014the only person in the cartel you can genuinely believe is dangerous. (Since El Probecito is just a revenge-driven, thoughtless, fat oaf.) All these characters represent missed opportunities\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And what’s something that absolutely doesn\u2019t belong in a spy novel? When the protagonists start worrying about the psychological trauma that mobsters or their family members might suffer at the hands of the authorities, all while planning the most serious terrorist attack against Great Britain\u2026 Hahaha! Just like whiny little girls!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frank Gardner’s Crisis is a technically accurate action thriller. However, while the book isn’t devoid of excitement, its poorly thought-out plot, underdeveloped characters, and frequently unreasonable behavior leave much to be desired in several areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rating: 7.2\/10<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Crisis (Luke Carlton #1) by Frank Gardner
464 pages, Hardcover
Published in 2016 by Bantam Press<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Raise your hand if you think British intelligence is heavily involved in anti-drug operations in Colombia. No one? Well, that makes sense\u2014Colombia is too far away, and beside, it’s more of an American issue\u2014let them deal with it. Completely understandable… Wait a minute, I see someone raising their hand after all. 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