The unthinkable has happened. Again. Four airplanes in different parts of the world are blown up in mid-flight. As soon as word comes in, Israeli operatives are forming a task force. None of their aircraft were involved but it is in Israel's best interests to keep on top of what is happening in the world of terrorism.

Israeli agent Julian Granot is part of the team, called in from retirement because of his expertise and connections. He soon convinces a young American aviation reporter, Marie Peterssen, to look into one of the service locations for aircraft video equipment. Julian suspects that terrorists have been working for the equipment shop.

As Marie is drawn further into the investigation, the trail leads her to Baghdad where she meets FBI agent Morgan Ensley. Finding their interests are in common, the two investigate the terror network in Iraq and the one man who seems to be the key to it all. The plot is far bigger than it seemed at the beginning and the lives of millions of people are on the line as all three race to stop a plot whose outcome would change the world.

To me, this book was absolutely chilling. (The echo of 9/11 never fades for me, I am constantly faced with that reality because the industry I work in lies at the heart of the events of that day.) The author has painted a scarily realistic scenario that will keep you on the edge of your seat and leave you wondering about security measures and hoping that we have sharp people on the job. It's a great read, the characters are smart and likable and the personal backgrounds are interesting. ( )

Four passenger planes have been shot down. Hundreds of innocent lives are lost and the world is clamoring for answers.

Marie Petersson is a reporter who specializes in writing for the trade magazines of the airline industry. She is tough and quick to pick up on what is happening around her. She is sent to investigate what has happened with the planes. In the course of her investigation she ends up crossing paths with Julian Granot, a retired Israeli operative who understands the world political scene and specifically the Middle East like no one else and Morgan Ensley, an FBI agent prone to doing things his own way.

Together they uncover a connection between the plane crashes and a sinister plot to cause even more loss of life by detonating a nuclear bomb near New York City.

Red Sea by E. A. Benedek reads like it was snatched from the headlines. I'm sure everyone remembers hearing, shortly after 9/11, the dangers posed to this country by our government's inability to control and check the cargo of every vessel entering U.S. seaports. We also heard about the chaos that would ensue if our communications via phone, internet, etc. were interrupted. Red Sea takes us on a fictional behind-the-scenes tour of how events could play out in a situation like this.

Because of the fact that there are many different characters introduced in the beginning of this novel and because I am no where near well-versed in world politics, Middle Eastern culture, and terrorism, the first part of this book dragged for me. I had difficulty keeping all the names straight and there were a few things that were unfamiliar to me. However, the second half of the book picks up the pace quite a bit and I had a hard time putting it down. I recommend this one if political thrillers are your cup of tea.(3.5/5) ( )

A terrorist attack that brings down several planes prompts Israel to put together a team to investigate. The head investigator soon becomes suspicious of an arab businessman. The investigator teams up with a journalist and an american FBI agent who have information helpful to the investigation. Suddenly they discover that the Arab businessman has acquired some nuclear weapons and is planning on sending them to New York to blow up the city. Will they be able to stop him in time?
There is some interesting stuff the author uncovered about security loopholes in here, but as a novel it has a very loosely joined together plot and the characters are not very well developed. ( )