Black Ops

Two brutal murders in Europe followed by failed assassination attempts in Philadelphia and Buenos Aires send a clear message to Lt. Charley Castillo: you're next. If that isn't enough, two senior Russian agents defect and land in Castillo's care. They share vital secrets, which lead to a black-ops mission to destroy a fish farm in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Castillo's ever-expanding band of spooks and warriors, along with his many European contacts, present challenges for narrator Dick Hill, who sometime works too hard to create distinctive voices for each. In the long run, however, his overall crisp, clear delivery engages listeners as the "ops" move into high gear. BLACK OPS is vintage Griffin, filled with twists and turns, along with a boatload of surprises for Charley Castillo. T.J.M. (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine