Ghost Force

Erik Steele has his work cut out for him narrating this jumble of a story that could more rightly be called "Falkland Islands War II." Instead it's entitled GHOST FORCEâ in reference to the shadowy presence of Russia in manipulating Argentina and England into going to war. Erik Steele beautifully interprets numerous accents, from huffing Russian generals to stuffy British politicians and fervent Argentineans. However, his Australian political advisor sounds off the mark; Steele plays him way too young and sounding far too much like Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin. Ultimately, the story falls short. It's too much hot lead and derring-do and not enough careful plotting. Listen if you like action sagas and are not troubled by inconsistencies and unnecessary plot twists. M.S. (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine

March 20, 2006
Set in 2011, this disappointing techno-thriller from bestseller Robinson (Hunter Killer
) focuses on a proxy war between the United States and Russia. Russia's fear that Siberia, its prime source of oil, might move further away from its control and even possibly begin supplying the Chinese, leads its spies to carry out a brazen assassination in the White House and to incite Argentina to recapture the Falkland Islands, where oil has recently been discovered. But even that improbable plot soon becomes subservient to a clichéd rescue mission by U.S. Navy SEALS to save some British counterparts left behind after the Argentine invasion. None of the characters has much life, and enough details fail to ring true to make suspension of disbelief a challenge. Thriller fans interested in such topical issues as the current conflict in Iraq, the global war on terror and concerns that Iran and North Korea will become nuclear powers will have to look elsewhere.