Pinnacle Event

June 15, 2015

A pinnacle event is the Pentagon term for an atmospheric nuclear detonation. Clarke's (The Sting of the Drone) fourth novel starts with such an explosion, followed by five assassinations, all over the world, at virtually the same time. Ray Bowman, an American intelligence officer, is brought in to investigate and discovers that the first nuclear incident was just a test: four more bombs are out there, waiting to be deployed. Aided by agents from Israel and South Africa, Ray dashes around the globe trying to avert catastrophe. In the process, he discovers that the bad guys have much bigger plans than taking out a few cities: they want to reshape the world. VERDICT Clarke knows the national security business, but this predictable thriller never really leaves the ground.--DK

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2015
Clarke continues the adventures of American intelligence expert Ray Bowman, who wants nothing more than to be left alone. Five murders across the globe at the same time seem to be a coincidence until a connection is made to nuclear bombs that were supposed to be decommissioned decades earlier. The 2016 presidential election is less than two weeks away, and the incumbent wants Bowman's help to stop the threat before it jeopardizes America and his reelection. Bowman has no idea what he's jumped into here, except that a Pinnacle Event (Department of Defense lingo for a nuclear detonation) is in the offing. The story line moves in surprising ways, and the shocking conclusion hints at another book. That would be a welcome event, as Clarke continues to do what so many Washington insiders who attempt to write fiction fail to do: combine real-life intelligence details with a story that offers both narrative drive and full-bodied characters. This one will please political geeks and action fans.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)