Helpful Score: 4
Excellent!! John Corey, Ex-NYPD, now Mideast Task Force Agent, is on the trail of a blood thirsty assassin, nicknamed the Lion. Tracking him across the US with his partner and new love, Kate Mayfield, Corey not only makes contact with the terror suspect, but manages to put himself on his hit-list with his wise mouth. His wisecracks crack me up!! Even had to laugh out loud a couple of times. This is a 926 page thriller, but, believe me..it never gets boring. Good Read!!!
Helpful Score: 1
John Corey, former NYPD Homicide detective and star of DeMille's Plum Island, is back in this breezily narrated high-octane thriller about the hunt for a Libyan terrorist who has set his sights on some very specific targets--the Americans who bombed Libya on April 15, 1986. The novel begins with a tense airport scene--a transcontinental flight from Paris is flying into New York, and no one has been able to contact the pilot via radio. On the flight is Asad Khalil, a Libyan defector who will be met by Special Contract Agent Corey, his FBI "mentor" Kate Mayfield, and the rest of the Federal Anti-Terrorist Task Force. But when the plane lands, everyone on board is dead--except Khalil, who disappears after attacking the ATTF's airport headquarters. Has he left the country? Not if John Corey's right--and we know he is, thanks to gripping third-person chapters detailing Khalil's mission alternating with Corey's easy-going first-person narration. And by making Khalil, who lost most of his family in the 1986 bombing, as much of a protagonist as Corey, DeMille adds several shades of gray to what in less skillful hands might have been cartoonishly black and white. If anything, the reader ends up rooting for the bad guy, Khalil, with his mission of vengeance, is a more complex character than John Corey, who never drops his ex-cop bravado (thus trivializing a romance that moves from first date to proposal of marriage within the few days the plot covers). But as usual, DeMille artfully constructs a compulsively readable thriller around a troubling story line, slowly developing his villain from a faceless entity into a nation's all-too-human nemesis.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY REVIEW
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY REVIEW
Helpful Score: 1
John Corey and Asad Khalil have both lived hard-knock lives. As revealed in Nelson DeMille's monster bestseller Plum Island, the gruff, wisecracking NYPD homicide cop Corey stopped a hail of bullets--but he couldn't stop his wife from walking out on him. Asad, raised under Muammar Qaddafi's eye after his dad's murder, lost his surviving family in the 1986 bombing of Libya. He's heard the nasty rumors about his mom and the colonel, but he aims his rage at the infidels. The boy's got such a gift for terrorism he's earned the nickname "the Lion," and Boris, his vodka-sozzled, sex-addicted émigré mentor, knows precisely how to conduct a murder tour of America one step ahead of the police, the FBI, the CIA, and the ATTF (Anti-Terrorist Task Force), which combines members of all three. A pity Boris must die, but hey, he's an infidel too.
Helpful Score: 1
A FAST EXCITING READ, DeMILLE IS ON HIS GAME AGAIN.
JOHN COREY BOOKS ARE FAST PACED WITH A SPRINKLING OF HUMOR.
JOHN COREY BOOKS ARE FAST PACED WITH A SPRINKLING OF HUMOR.
Great book by Nelson Demille, it's big but doesn't lack at all.
The book is fast paced and keeps you guessing the whole time.
Bulletproof plot, fast paced with a sharp sense of humor.
Amazing foreshadowing of what was to come.
I haven't read a Nelson Demille book yet that I didn't like!
Like all of DeMille's books, this a fun read...lots of action and humor...
One of Nelson DeMills's best! Another John Corey story. Another hard to put down book.
Love it - very involved plot that keeps you turning the pages.
Written prior to 9/11, I read it for the first time before I knew what we all know now about terrorism. I consider this one of DeMille's best.
Great book
Fast paced Anti-Terrorist task force with a lovable character.
With 926 pages I was surprised to find that there is no lull in the action. Even when providing background and descriptions of scenes and characters the author keeps your attention. While this is a novel about a deadly terrorists and efforts to track him down, Demille is able to layer in some really humorous comments. I found myself laughing out loud at John Corey and his wit. If you like espionage and thrillers, you'll really like John Corey and "The Lions Game"
John Corey and Asad Khalil have both lived hard-knock lives. As revealed in Nelson DeMille's monster bestseller Plum Island, the gruff, wisecracking NYPD homicide cop Corey stopped a hail of bullets--but he couldn't stop his wife from walking out on him. Asad, raised under Muammar Qaddafi's eye after his dad's murder, lost his surviving family in the 1986 bombing of Libya. He's heard the nasty rumors about his mom and the colonel, but he aims his rage at the infidels. The boy's got such a gift for terrorism he's earned the nickname "the Lion," and Boris, his vodka-sozzled, sex-addicted émigré mentor, knows precisely how to conduct a murder tour of America one step ahead of the police, the FBI, the CIA, and the ATTF (Anti-Terrorist Task Force), which combines members of all three. A pity Boris must die, but hey, he's an infidel too.
Asad pretends to defect, handcuffed to agents aboard a 747 bound for JFK, and he proves to be a worse seatmate than a siding salesman. Corey and his ATTF colleagues (most conspicuously the FBI's sexy Kate Mayfield, Corey's match in badinage and bad-guy busting) strive to halt Asad's methodical yet unpredictable bloodbath. Skillfully, DeMille alternates chapters told from Asad's and Corey's points of view. DeMille did his authenticity homework: when we're not savoring his gift for wiseacre dialogue in the Corey-Kate chapters, we're sweating alongside Asad on his ghastly, ingenious jihad.
The New York Times put DeMille's social satire on a par with Edith Wharton's, and he's great on the colliding folkways of the feuding, mutually doublecrossing crimebuster institutions. Naturally, he's on the side of the regular-guy flatfoots. "Cops sit on their asses and flip through their folders," he writes. "Feds sit on their derrieres and peruse their dossiers." And the CIA gets it in the shorts, satirically speaking. One deplores the mass murderers, but the book's real bad guys wear the priciest suits.
AMAZON.COM REVIEW
Asad pretends to defect, handcuffed to agents aboard a 747 bound for JFK, and he proves to be a worse seatmate than a siding salesman. Corey and his ATTF colleagues (most conspicuously the FBI's sexy Kate Mayfield, Corey's match in badinage and bad-guy busting) strive to halt Asad's methodical yet unpredictable bloodbath. Skillfully, DeMille alternates chapters told from Asad's and Corey's points of view. DeMille did his authenticity homework: when we're not savoring his gift for wiseacre dialogue in the Corey-Kate chapters, we're sweating alongside Asad on his ghastly, ingenious jihad.
The New York Times put DeMille's social satire on a par with Edith Wharton's, and he's great on the colliding folkways of the feuding, mutually doublecrossing crimebuster institutions. Naturally, he's on the side of the regular-guy flatfoots. "Cops sit on their asses and flip through their folders," he writes. "Feds sit on their derrieres and peruse their dossiers." And the CIA gets it in the shorts, satirically speaking. One deplores the mass murderers, but the book's real bad guys wear the priciest suits.
AMAZON.COM REVIEW
Suspenseful, riveting. Middle East terrorist leaves a wake of destruction in his path in the U.S. You'll like this one!
Awesome!!!
A very fast paced action book. Very well written and good integration of two plot lines.
A very heart-pounding novel by DeMille. Might keep you up late at night!
A little too detail but good as usual.
A very timely and and complete novel. Makes you think while the reading goes on. Enjoyed reading it each time.
Good character and storyline development. Initially told that this book was about a "terrorist and task team to apprehend the terrorist" I did not think it would be interesting, but was also told I would enjoy it (by my husband who knows what I like). I read the book primarily because I had enjoyed another DeMille novel, and did indeed find that the storyline and characters were interesting and well-written.
Non-stop action laced with John Corey's acerbic wit makes this a real winner.
Excellent book! Brilliant author. This was published one year before Sept 11. Too bad the US govt didn't read it. It basically laid out exactly how muslim extremists could (and then did) attack the US. Great plot. Couldn't put it down.
Detective John Corey, last seen in Plum Island, now faces his toughest assignment yet: the pursuit and capture of the world's most dangerous terrorist -- a young Arab known as "The Lion" who has baffled a federal task force and shows no sign of stopping in his quest for revenge against the American pilots who bombed Libya and killed his family. Filled with unrelenting suspense and surprising plot twists at every terrifying turn.
One of my favorite books ever! Funny, tense, fast-paced thriller.
Once again DeMille puts the reader into the action of the book. You will not put this book down until you finish, and when you do you will want more. DeMille tells such a good story that combines reality with fiction. Excellent book, get it
Libyan terrorist uses poison gas to kill everyone on the flight he takes to New York City, except himself. He came to kill people that took part in a bomb raid on Libya.
Good murder mystery.
Good murder mystery.
Well written and very thought provoking. Corey did his research.
Biting wit...a peach of a puzzle...a jaunty high spirited diversion, sexy, humerous, fast paced, mind twisting suspense.
New York City policeman turned FBI agent John Corey returns after his adventures in PLUM ISLAND. This time the courageous cop must stop the vengeful terrorist Asad Khalil, whose family was killed in the U.S. bombing on Libya in 1986, from assassinating every American involved in the catastrophe. Alternating between intense third-person accounts of Khalil's lofty mission and Corey's own first-person narrative, this book gives readers an abundant dose of blood, action, and personal drama.
From a special observation post in New York's JFK Airport, members of the elite Anti-terrorist Task Force wait for a passenger arriving from Paris: an alleged Libyan terrorist known as "The Lion," who is defecting to the West. Everything is going as planned; Flight 175 with it's hundreds of passengers, including the Libyan and his CIA and FBI escorts, is right on schedule. Yet it soon becomes apparent that something is terribly wrong. John Corey, having survived 3 bullet wounds on the NYPD, knows that he's used up his allotment of good luck. Nevertheless, he signs on as a contract agent with the government. Kate Mayfield is John's senior in rank and junior in age-a bad combination for them both. Even so, she is able to hold her own against John's brash style. As a bloody trail of terror streaks across the country, John and Kate soon learn their quarry is more than a man; he has the instincts of a wild animal, the blood lust of a carnivore, and the boldness and speed of a cat of prey. The cunning, violence, and ruthlessness that John encounters are like nothing he has ever experienced before. To survive in a game with no rules, he must invent a strategy that includes no luck...
If you're reading John Corey's adventures don't miss book #2. Detective John Corey, last seen in Plum Island, now faces his toughest assignment yet: the pursuit and capture of the world's most dangerous terrorist -- a young Arab known as "The Lion" who has baffled a federal task force and shows no sign of stopping in his quest for revenge against the American pilots who bombed Libya and killed his family. Filled with unrelenting suspense and surprising plot twists at every terrifying turn, THE LION'S GAME is a heart stopping race against time and one of Nelson DeMille's most riveting thrillers.
classic DeMille
I really enjoyed this book, the characters are so indepth and interesting. The storyline is fast paced and keeps you turning the pages.
I LOVED this book! Never a dull moment with this one.
Wow, what a book! My first DeMille book and I could not put it down.
a very fast paced DeMille book set at NY's JFK airport (written pre- 9/11)...and then takes you cross country searching for a terrorist
i think this was the last really good DeMille book written.
i think this was the last really good DeMille book written.
Love all of Demille's books. Intrigue keeps you reading and can't put it down until your finished except its really long so you have something to look forward to reading for over a week.
Nelson DeMille's books are always top notch entertainment and this one is an excellent thriller.
The second John Corey book and this is better than the first. Fun read, very interesting.
Intense suspense and really good reading
This book is a great read. You have a difficult time putting it down.
A good read from a master story teller.
A fantastic book for people who like suspense and mystery.
A real page turner.
A real page turner.
John Corey is at it again in this excellent mystery suspence. Great book.
Much better than the General daughter. His always exciting and fast paced with lots of action.
A villian like no other.
"The Lion" will be landing at New York's JFK airport. An elite American task force awaits the notorious Libyan terrorist who is prepaaring to defect to the West. Aboard Flight 175, something goes eerily wrong-a mere prelude to the terror to come. Ex-NYPD cop, now Task Force contract agent John Corey, together with his formidable and beautiful new partner, Kate Mayfield-will follow a trail of smoke and blood across the country. His quarry: a foe with the cunning of a lion and all the bloodlust of a man. To win a desperate game with no rules at all, Corey must invent a strategy that leaves room for no luck at all...
Good book!!
A fast paced thriller with a sharp sense of humor. Story of an American task force and a notorious Libyan terrorist.
Detective John Corey, last seen in Plum Island, must somehow capture the worlds most dangerous terrorista young Arab known as The Lionwho will stop at nothing in his quest for revenge against America for bombing Libya and killing his family. Filled with unrelenting suspense and shocking plot twists at every turn, The Lions Game is a heart-stopping race against time.
The Lion will be landing. And at New York's JFK Airport, an elite American task force waits as the notorious Libyan terrorist prepares to defect to the West. Then, aboard Flight 175, something goes eerily, horribly wrong - a mere prelude to the terror that is to come. Ex-NYPD cop, now Task Force contract agent John Corey - together with is formidable and beautiful new partner, Kate Mayfield - will follow a trial of smoke and blood across the country. His quarry: a foe with the cunning of a lion and all the bloodlust of a man. To win a desperate game with no rules at all, Corey must invent a strategfy that leaves room for no luck at all...
Nelson DeMille is a very intelligent and knowledgeable author, and I find myself getting educated as well as entertained when I read his work. Very well crafted book.
What a thrill ride!! In this follow up to Plum Island, Det. John Corey encounters his most ruthless killer yet. In his new assignment to the Anti Terror Task Force, John Corey chases a Libyan terrorist on a killing streak across the country. You will hold your breath while the killer stays one step ahead of him. Will Corey catch him before he kills again? Or, does the next bullet have Corey's name on it? DeMille does not disappoint....this book is a must read!
* * * . Let me begin by saying: THIS BOOK IS NOT BAD. I enjoyed it; I was turning the pages feverishly.
The plot was good; the dialogue was captivating, especially the interaction between agencies. John Corey's character was very funny. This is not my first Demille novel, so I knew what I was getting myself into when I picked up this book. The joke about the CIA, FBI and NYPD still makes me laugh when I think about it. Even the terrorist Asid Kalil was intriguing as far as his motivation, mindset and intelligence were concerned.
What spoiled the book for me was that between one exciting or interesting moment and the next one, there was, unfortunately, an unnecessary amount of nothing; situations that didn't really move the plot forward. I was often tempted to skip paragraphs because I could anticipate what should happen next but I felt like I was at a stoplight and the light was red for just a little too long.
And often time "John Corey" would digress from a thought and clumsily seque back with "Well, anyway, back to ___". First time was ha, ha cute . After the sixth or seventh time, it lost its humor. Those are my only gripes about the novel.
I found the book chlling at times. In this post 9/11 world we live in, reading sentences that were, at that time, considered fiction, and are now a reality, were definitely unsettling. In one scene "John Corey" writes: "...jetliners were little more than flying bombs ... sailing through space with the potential to take out a few city blocks." Hindsight is, indeed, 20/20.
Regarding the ending, I won't spoil it for those who haven't read the book yet, but we've seen this type of ending in other books and movies too. Obviously there were a number of ways Mr. DeMille could have finished his novel and he chose the non-traditional route thriller readers don't anticipate as they near a 900+ book.
I look forward to reading other DeMille novels. I only hope he cuts out the fat and gives us the lean meat.
Feverish page turner, good plot, captivating dialogue.
The plot was good; the dialogue was captivating, especially the interaction between agencies. John Corey's character was very funny. This is not my first Demille novel, so I knew what I was getting myself into when I picked up this book. The joke about the CIA, FBI and NYPD still makes me laugh when I think about it. Even the terrorist Asid Kalil was intriguing as far as his motivation, mindset and intelligence were concerned.
What spoiled the book for me was that between one exciting or interesting moment and the next one, there was, unfortunately, an unnecessary amount of nothing; situations that didn't really move the plot forward. I was often tempted to skip paragraphs because I could anticipate what should happen next but I felt like I was at a stoplight and the light was red for just a little too long.
And often time "John Corey" would digress from a thought and clumsily seque back with "Well, anyway, back to ___". First time was ha, ha cute . After the sixth or seventh time, it lost its humor. Those are my only gripes about the novel.
I found the book chlling at times. In this post 9/11 world we live in, reading sentences that were, at that time, considered fiction, and are now a reality, were definitely unsettling. In one scene "John Corey" writes: "...jetliners were little more than flying bombs ... sailing through space with the potential to take out a few city blocks." Hindsight is, indeed, 20/20.
Regarding the ending, I won't spoil it for those who haven't read the book yet, but we've seen this type of ending in other books and movies too. Obviously there were a number of ways Mr. DeMille could have finished his novel and he chose the non-traditional route thriller readers don't anticipate as they near a 900+ book.
I look forward to reading other DeMille novels. I only hope he cuts out the fat and gives us the lean meat.
Feverish page turner, good plot, captivating dialogue.
This was an okay book. Interesting plot line. The book was way too long and had the F word a lot. I did finish the book, but was disappointed with the ending.
I don't know how anyone could even think up such an intricate plot. It sure kept me turning pages into the night!
Very good mystery
Excellent read, but you need time to read it,book has 926 pages.
