Russell Brooks

It's not often that I read novels full of espionage and politics. I'm extremely picky about those that I do choose to read. That being said, Ridley Fox is one character I'll always happily come back to. I first met him in Pandora's Succession, and quickly fell into step with his complex personality. In The Demeter Code he's back for more. A little more rough around the edges, a little less willing to play by the rules, and once again caught up in a mission that extends far beyond what he show more could possibly imagine.

Brooks writes this tale on a global scale. I followed Fox and he traveled the world, tracking down informants and constantly putting himself in harms way. Being completely honest, this isn't a light read in the least. If you're an avid reader of thrillers, it might be a little easier to keep up. I found myself reading this book very carefully though. It took me extra time to dissect the overlapping plot lines, catch up with the large cast of characters, and keep abreast of all the secrets being revealed. This is a well crafted novel, but it reads in a way that assumes you're used to this type of story. It took a different kind of attention for me to finish, but I didn't mind. I was more than happy to follow along.

I think the thing I've always liked most about these books is that Ridley Fox and Nita Parris complete one another so perfectly. Fox is the one who goes underground, assuming identities and creating important connections. Parris is the intel and scientific mind. She's just as fierce as Fox, but she chooses to use her talents to help him get what he needs. There's always intelligent banter between these two, perhaps even a bit of spark, but the fact remains that they're two halves of the same whole. Keeping up with them as they tried to figure out the Code was a lot of fun.

My only complaint, and it's a small one, is that this story is much more technical than where I first met Ridley Fox. As I said, it took me a lot longer to finish it than I anticipated because I really had to buckle down and read carefully. Still, the action was plentiful, the twists well executed, and I really can't be too upset. Just be warned that this is a story you're going to want to settle in for. It will sweep you up, and you'll find yourself unable to stop reading once you've started. show less

Lest you think that this book is completely out of the ordinary for me to review, let me tell you a secret. I used to read thriller books ravenously. When I was younger they made up about 60% of our home library, so of course I read whatever I could get my hands on. I learned a lot about CIA operatives, bio weapons, types of guns and even some choice "colorful language". I was lucky enough to have parents who didn't censor what I read, and so I was able to experience this exciting genre of show more books.

That being said, I can say with all honesty that Pandora's Succession ranks up there with my favorite thriller books. Russell Brooks has a knack for vivid writing, and each word read just drew me further and further into the intrigue. The premise of this story is fantastic! The deadly microbe Pandora is being mass produced, and it is up to Fox to stop it. I wondered, would he be able to put aside his vengeful feelings long enough to do it? Trust me, I was hooked.

Speaking of Ridley Fox, someone really needs to make a movie that features this main character. Fox's character has the perfect mixture of charisma, and the ability to push his feelings aside to complete his mission. As an "action hero" of sorts, I was impressed with how well written his character really was. Fox wasn't presented to me as this two-dimensional character who simply exists to fulfill the story. Instead his character had a lot of depth, a lot of background, and I found myself invested in his struggle without even noticing that it was happening. His vengeance fueled me, and I read on.

The one thing I was a little disappointed about, and I'm sure this is just me, is that I was able to figure out who the "mastermind" behind the whole plot was early on. Maybe it is the copious amount of books I'd read in the past that helped me with this. I couldn't say. I can say that what impressed me most, however, was that this fact still didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of the story. It's so action-packed, so fueled with emotion, that you just have to hold on for dear life and read.

I recommend this book to any of you out there who are fans of action or thriller movies, as well as those of you who are interested in diving into this genre. Pandora's Succession is an amazing place to start your foray. Just be sure to strap yourself in for a wild ride! show less

Pandora's Succession throws you straight into the action from the opening scene. This thriller follows Operative Ridley Fox as he chases the group who have developed Pandora, a deadly bio-weapon. It's also a personal mission for Ridley, the extremist group murdered his fiance and he wants revenge on those who ordered her killed. Yet things are not all they seem, another shadowy group emerges with a deadly Promise, and Ridley doesn't know who to trust.The first chapter of Pandora's Succession show more really drew me into the book, it's fast-paced with an intriguing hook and it gives you a good sense of who Ridley is and what the story is all about. It's a traditional espionage tale involving secret miltary agencies and extreme factions who plan to take over the world. The familiarity of the storyline gives it credibility, Pandora and Clarity are both terrifying bio weapons, and it's easy to imagine that they exist. The plot works well, the pace is fast and escalates to a climatic finale. The tangents and misdirections that are part of the story pull together neatly by the conclusion and I think Russell has room to move if he decides to create a sequel with Ridley and Parris.Fox could be an action hero cliche, however Brooks has built upon the stereotype to develop an appealing character. Though tough and determined, we are shown his vulnerabilities as well. I liked his wise ass attitude, and felt his voice was distinct.I'm not sure Parris is as well developed, despite the background we have for her, I felt her part in the story could have been stronger and more deftly weaved into the storyline.The villians are interesting, there are several groups and individuals that serve as suspects and Brooks maintains the suspicion and tension well. Dr Marx is particularly chilling and her motivations were well thought out.It's evident that Russell carefully considered and researched the specifics for his book, as a consequence the details are believable. As a thriller there is neccessarily plenty of action as Ridley confronts his enemies. Brooks skillfully details the physical confrontations and in some parts I appreciated being able to 'see' the action, in others I think the accuracy stifled the flow of the scene. Though a minor irritant, some of the more ordinary actions of his characters were stepped through and there are quite a few secondary characters for example, that pass through quite quickly. While some of them had their uses, the elaborate characterisation (ie details of their appearance etc) felt like interuptions. It's a difficult balance to get right in a thriller because so often it's the subtle details that count in helping the reader determine the significant events and characters from those that are not, and it can be distracting when there are too many to sort through.I enjoyed Pandora's Succession overall, it's a fast paced thriller with a strong, credible storyline. Brook's is to be congratulated on an impressive debut. show less

Short story compilations are becoming a bit of an addiction to me lately. I think of them as the perfect bite-sized snack of reading. Just enough to sate you, but also to keep you coming back for more! That being said, when Russell Brooks asked me to review his newest project, Unsavory Delicacies, I jumped at the chance. I've already had the pleasure of reading Pandora's Succession, his first book, and loved it. Needless to say I had high hopes for this one as well. Below are my bite-sized show more reviews of each story within.

Crème Brulé
This is the first story in the book, and thus the one that had to catch my attention to keep me reading. Luckily I wasn't let down. This story had intrigue, trickery, and even a femme fatale. Featuring a character who I know quite well from Russell Brook's previous book, this was one that I literally devoured. See, Ridley Fox vowed revenge after his past excursions. I can't deny that I was a little disappointed he didn't get that before we left him. In this story...well let's just say everyone gets their just desserts.

To the Last Bite
Oh, this story. What do I say about this story? First off, in a matter of sentences Russell Brooks is able to build a vivid character. I could picture Dennis Kirby, the food critic, in my mind. After eating the best meal he's ever had, Dennis cannot seem to place the chef that he thanks. Who is he? A twist my friends. That's all I can say without giving anything away. Suffice it to say that this one greatly appealed to the side of me that enjoys a bit of dark humor now and then.

Shashlyk and Morezhenoe
I'll admit the title of this one had me a bit stumped at first, but after reading the story I got it! Very clever. By far my favorite story of the bunch, Ridley Fox once again takes center stage! The best part is that this story allows him to be the total bad-ass that he is. Oh yes, that's why he is my kind of guy. Reading this further proves to me that Russell Brooks is indeed a master of action and intrigue.

Overall thoughts? This is definitely a short story compilation worth buying, if only for the reason that it will make you want to read more from the fantastic Russell Brooks. If you are a fan of thrillers, you need to look more into his writing. Start by taking some time to dive into this perfectly bite-sized short stories. Think of them as appetizers! show less