|
Dewey Andreas Series, No 3
Ben Coes
St. Martin's Press
July 3, 2012 / ISBN 978-1250007155
Political Thriller/Mystery
Amazon
Reviewed
by Elise Cooper
Ben Coes in his latest novel, The Last Refuge, explores
the relationship between Israel and the US in an action-packed story.
This plot is very realistic with captivating characters and continued
suspense. It allows the reader to consider the possible events that
follow from Iran producing a nuclear weapon.
The plot takes off from the very beginning of the book. After Israeli
Special Forces commander Kohl Meir is captured by Iranian operatives,
his former US Delta Ranger buddy, Dewey Andreas, plans a daring
rescue. While planning the operation Andreas discovers that an Iranian
informant was in contact with Meir, showing him photos of Iran's
nuclear bomb.
Coes commented, "I went to Israel to do research for the book.
I talked with a former member of the Knesset, Ophir Paz, a former
deputy ambassador to America, Zvi Rafieh, and a former Mossad agent.
Hopefully, this book strikes at the vein of truth regarding current
events. I wanted to write about our relationship with Israel and
the very real threat of Iran. The book shows the tactics for going
inside Iran that are based on reality. I wanted to make this book
authentic."
Part of the way he achieved this is through the characters. Those
who know anything about Israeli history will enjoy two characters
whose names are very familiar, Kohl Meir and General Menachem Dayan.
Coes noted, "They are fictitious but I wanted to bring in a
part of Israel's heritage. I wrote Meir to be the great grandson
of Golda Meir, the first female Prime Minister and a key part of
Israel's history. Dayan's name was borrowed from General Moshe Dayan
who I wanted to pay homage since he was one of the military leaders
who helped build Israel's modern defense force."
In this novel he further explores the personality of his main character,
a former Ranger, Dewey Andreas. In the first book of the series,
Power Down, Dewey reconciles with America to fight Islamic
terrorists after having been falsely accused of murder. In the second
book, Coup D'Etat, he is asked by the US Government to help overthrow
an extremist Islamic regime in Pakistan. In this book, The Last
Refuge, he had Dewey desiring to once again be a patriotic American
who wants to fight for his country.
The other main character, Jessica Tanzer, is the national security
advisor and Dewey's love interest. Instead of strictly following
the rules she starts to stand up for what she believes, and puts
the rules of engagement as secondary to her beliefs. She is tough
and highly intelligent, constantly challenging the current policies.
Another important character is an Iranian minister, Lon Qassou,
who turns into an Israeli informant, playing a critical role in
stopping Iran from producing a nuclear bomb. He used this character
to show that there are Iranians who do not hate Israel or the US.
Other important sub characters are Kathy Foxx and Rob Tabumu who
are former Special Forces and intelligence officials that have started
a private firm and hire out to help with national security.
He also represents the Iranian Mullahs as being very cruel to show
"the gasoline in the Iranian engine is that they want to stay
in power. They are meaner, more sadistic, and more murderous than
the Shah ever was. They have a cancer of intolerance. What is done
to the Iranian UN Ambassador in the book was to symbolically show
how offended I am that we let people come into this country who
make statements against us and our way of life. We let them come
in and hang out in New York City. Hopefully, this represents my
disdain for the UN."
He gave Blackfive.net a heads up about his next book, Year of the
Scorpion, centered in China. For a reason he would not delve into
because it would give away the plot, the Chinese are hunting Dewey
down. To force America to turn him over they use the debt the US
owes them. Jessica, Kathy, and Rob are also returning characters.
Sometime in the near future he hopes to have spin-off books involving
the characters of Kohl Meir or Teddy Marks.
The Last Refuge is a fast-paced book that the reader will
not want to put down. It is an intense story that is riveting and
eye opening to what will happen if Iran is allowed to obtain a nuclear
bomb.
Power Down, No 1
Coup
d' Etat, No 2
The Last Refuge, No 3
|
