Edge of danger Jack Higgins

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Half British and half Arab, Paul Rashid is proud to be both heir to the ancient Dauncey Place in England and the leader of the Rashid Bedouin of Hazar in the Persian Gulf. So when he uncovers a conspiracy to deprive his family of their oil wealth, he vows to gain vengeance.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Library Journal Review

If one accepts the premise that the global powers must employ a few assassins to keep the world safe for democracy, then this book of revenge and nonstop violence will seem credible. After British Earl and Arab oil tycoon Paul Rashid fails in an attempt to assassinate the President of the United States, the Americans and British bring out their secret weapon, assassin Sean Dillon, to stop Rashid's next lethal move. Dillon, who is adept at killing and has a gift for survival, not surprisingly wins the day. Gerard Doyle's entertaining reading shines, especially through the Irish and cockney dialog between Dillon and his sidekick, Billy. Even though the story is formulaic and predictable, Doyle's privileged criminals and protectors possess an energy and suavity beyond the expensive liquor that the characters absorb like sponges. Recommended for popular collections. - Juleigh Muirhead Clark, John D. Rockefeller Jr. Lib., Williamsburg, VA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Publishers Weekly Review

After 31 Higgins thrillers, nearly all first-rate, fans know that this author is as reliable as a Rolls. His 32nd novel proves no letdown. Pitting returning antihero Sean Dillon, once of the IRA, now with British intelligence, against an aristocratic English-Arab family bent on vengeance that threatens world order, the story whips along. From London to the Middle East, from Ireland to the White House, it swirls with intrigue and snaps with violence. While driving drunk in England, a Russian diplomat kills the mother of Paul Rashid, Earl of Loch Dhu, one of the world's richest men. The diplomat is protected by both the Russians and the Americans, between whom he was brokering an oil deal. In retaliation, Rashid, whose Arab side stems from fierce desert "Bedu," lashes out by ordering the assassination of the American president. Rashid hires an infamous Irish terrorist to do the deed, but in a tense stalk-and-shoot at the presidential retreat at Nantucket, the attempt failsDprompting Rashid to go after other targets. Higgins's no-nonsense prose builds a tough tale peopled by menDand a few women, notably Rashid's beautiful, equally fierce sisterDwho thrive on danger and are smart enough to quote Plato in explaining why ("`the life which is unexamined is not worth living.' Which means to me: the life not put to the test"). Dillon's usual gang joins the diminutive, deadly Irishman as he tracks Rashid from one outrage to another, culminating in a showdown in an ancient Scot castle that leaves no doubt of a sequel. This is Higgins near the top of his game, hands a blur as, fast and hard, he deals another winner. Literary Guild main selection. (Feb. 19) Forecast: Like his talent, Higgins's welcome on bestseller lists never seems to wear out. (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Kirkus Book Review

Higgins’s heroes save Western Civ for the umpteenth time (most recently in The White House Connection, 1999). Now it’s the filthy rich, incredibly powerful, mindlessly fanatical Rashid family that poses the threat. Half-English, half-Arab and certainly half-mad, these are people for whom hating is an imperative. In particular, they hate the US, “the Great Satan,” and have decided it’s a good idea to assassinate popular President Jake Cazalet. Or, rather, family head Paul Rashid has decided. His sister and two younger brothers just hang around striking properly worshipful attitudes until Paul assigns them one dirty job or another. But, curses! Even though Higgins’s heroes are at the moment elsewhere deployed, the president’s wonder dog, Murchison, sniffs out and foils the assassination plot in the nick. Undeterred, Paul is instantly ready to plot again, a multiple target this time. Twelve unfortunate sheiks called the Council of Elders have managed to displease him; a bomb should do nicely for them, he informs his biddable sibs. Cue Sean Dillon! Once a terrorist, now England’s ablest counterterrorist, he collects the rest of Higgins’s heroes. First, they save the Elders, then, later, they save the Russian premier—plotting Paul never runs dry. But at last Paul’s hate falls on the recipient Higgins always intended: Sean Dillon. Mano a mano on the roof of Paul’s manor house, they battle ferociously. One of them goes over, one survives. You can guess which? Of course you can, but will this be a case of Moriarity revisited? Guns pop, body bags fill, and featureless characters spout pseudo profundities as impenetrable as: “You know, I love old movies. So often they depict life in a way life doesn’t.” Your move.