Awesome Great book... very suspenceful as in, not knowing who will become a traitor or not! towards the end will be a bit of a shocker as to who is a traitor and who isn't! Beginning was a bit confusing, but after the first chapter, it becomes extremely clear what the story will be all about! Book is more of a -- time wise, mystery run -- kind of book!
As usual Iris Johansen delivers another winner! For those of you that have read my past reviews, me stating that I am an avid Iris Johansen fan will come as no surprise. I have read all of her books in the mystery genre. The writing style, plot, characterization, etc., found in No One To Trust validates my enthusiasm for Johansen.
Iris Johansen has written several books with the reoccurring characters of Eve Duncan, Joe Quinn, Logan, Sarah, and Sean Galen. The reader has only been given glimpses of Sean Galen in these past works. He's the mercenary and best friend everyone wants in his/her corner. No One To Trust brings him to the spotlight and we finally get to know the real Sean Galen.
Elena Kyler was born into rebel army life. Her father was an American mercenary but then decided to stay in Colombia to fight for a cause he believed in. It was a tough childhood, and Elena is strong and depends on no one as a result of this upbringing. That is until her child becomes endangered. After Elena's father died, the rebel army became involved with a drug kingpin, Rico Chavez. Chavez has recently found out that he has a son by Elena, and will go to great lengths to get that five-year-old boy and raise him. Elena will do whatever it takes to keep that from happening, even if it means giving up her life.
Elena contacts the DEA and makes a deal: They get her out of Colombia and she guarantees that Chavez will follow. The DEA wants Chavez bad enough so the deal is sealed. Since Sean Galen specializes in "difficult situations", he's called on to lead the extraction.
What follows is a series of events that would make the producers of Mission Impossible 2 thrilled. There is a breath-taking airlift escape (where they dangle from ropes hoping they are not shot before making it to the safety inside of the helicopter); a house fire (where Chavez shows his power and destroys Elena's home); and lots of angry men left behind in Colombia vowing revenge (because Chavez will kill them if they don't find Elena). When Sean, Elena, Barry (Elena's son), and the others get to California, they take refuge in a vineyard safe house. But the story just begins to pick up speed at this point.
It seems that Sean Galen is the only one who can help Elena protect her son until Chavez is either captured or killed. The dashing fortune soldier is definitely up for the task, but he's not up to the feelings that have sprouted for Elena. He's a macho man, he's not used to feeling anything other than anger and hatred.
There is a bit more romance involved than in her earlier Eve Duncan books, but it doesn't deter from the main action type story line. The book is fast paced and the reader will have trouble putting it down. I know I did and went on much less sleep than usual until I finished No One To Trust.
I will admit that And Then You Die and Ugly Duckling were much more solid books, but this is very enjoyable. The twists found at the end of Johansen books are usually better covered, but this one was on the predictable side. However, that didn't take away from the overall enjoyment of the story.
I guess No One To Trust is a cross between a Mission Impossible theme and a romance. And the hardness of the two main characters is overshadowed at times by their hearts. It makes one wonder if there is a soft spot in the hearts of all assassins.
Again, my biggest complain with Iris Johansen is that she doesn't write fast enough. It will be months before her next book is on sale. Suspenseful Pageturner of a Thriller I love this book and all of Iris Johansen's Suspense Thrillers. Her pace is fast and her characters are vivd and real to you. The endings are always exciting and fufilling. She isn't timid and doesn't try to be politically correct. Her men are real men and are manly. Her women are intelligent, tough, yet vulnerable and feminine. Her language is crisp and clever. After Daddy by Loup Durand, her books are my favorites and I reread them often just for the thrilling ride!
