Beirut: An Explosive Thriller (Levant Cycle) Paperback – September 26, 2012

One of the better novels that I've read in 2022. Great story and exciting characters. Make this thriller a page turner.Looking forward to seeing more from this author.

The author, Alexander McNabb has spent a lot of time living in the Middle East and this is apparent in the details he's captured along the way in this murder / mystery. The James Bond nature of the book is different from the approach taken in his first book, Olives, but McNabb seeks to entertain and he does that without the shaken martinis (though there is a fair amount of whiskey thrown in).Politics, democratic values, religion and the sectarian divide that envelopes the Middle East are all topics that McNabb skirts around without actually picking a side. The fact that these are issues that divide the region instead of uniting it are plainly clear and is handled in a way that avoids the stereotypical treatment of these topics one would expect to see from western based authors typically.

Nice story.I don't know about other countries people names,but the family name of the albanian officer,is not albanian at all. It could have been Meshkalla,but Meshkallah is not albanian at all.Even Meshkalla (catholic family name)doesn't fit with Adnan which is a name catholics doesn't use.Other references to Albania could lead to a misunderstanding.in Vlora is a PIA (Petrolifera Italo Albanese).Involving this company PIL,might create prejudices to the public about their real owners...

The first couple of chapters had a major flaw and I almost stopped reading there, but somehow managed to go a little bit further and I am glad I did. It had what I might call adjectival diarrhea. So many unnecessary adjectives that it actually took away from what was being written. Oddly enough, as the book went on that was no longer a problem and the rest of the book was very well written and lived up to my expectations.

I picked up "Olives" first and really enjoyed the book, so it was a no-brainer to buy the second book in the series, "Beirut". Olives did a great job of putting you in the middle of Palestinian/Israeli conflict with all its nuances, and Beirut continues the tradition by putting you in the middle of the current sectarian conflict in Lebanon...except it doesn't. As someone familiar with the Lebanese culture, I would argue that the conflicts in the book were far more accurate in the 80s as opposed to the current day. It was a fun read (thus the four stars), but it didn't quite match the Beirut I know.

I finished this. But it was no way unputdownable. In fact I had to take breaks even days off so I read another book with it. Good characters research and mechanics. But I have a problem with the consideration of some to be sub human especially that anyone who takes risperidol should rightly be excluded from protection of law, reporting of crime and testifying. This is an irresponsible confirmation of society's constant war to eliminate differences particularly neurology. I get that it is reality but repeated endorsements of this bigotry were unnecessary and a couple words could have regretted the evil.

I look forward to seeing how well the upcoming film covers some of the same ground, though I doubt they'll nail the heat and dust of the region as well as McNabb does. The usual geopolitical shenanigans are in play, with a number of the usual suspects back up to their own tricks and deceptions. Apart from Gerald Lynch's inability to suffer anything more than a scratch is reaching John McClane levels of improbability, this rattles along, dispensing wit and texture in equal measure.

I thought this was a pretty good spy thriller. I will definitely be reading more of this authors work. Lots of character kill off.

It is a commonplace of crime stories and thrillers that the principal protagonist has a troublesome back story and Gerry Lynch has more than most, the Troubles, abuse in a Catholic children's' home, drink, and guilt to mention only some and they are not always relevant to this exciting and well-written thriller.The descriptions of Beruit, its life and people have the smell and taste of authenticity but the language and habits of the Maronite Christians do not ring true to me. Another false note is Lynch's name; an Ulster Catholic is more likely to be christened Gerard than Gerald - an Ascendancy name.But these are no reasons not to read and enjoy a terrific espionage thriller. Lynch is a James Bond de nos jours drinking and screwing with enthusiasm and impunity, able to deliver violence to his enemies notwithstanding hangovers and beatings.It is great stuff and I will read more about Gerry Lynch.I am too mean to award 5 stars but it was very close.

I got into this book quickly and liked the pace, I could see where it was going. However once half way through with more and more characters involved I found it difficult to know who was who. I also thought the book was too long. The author clearly knows the area, full marks for that, but I just found the last third in particular very muddled.

I love books of this genre so to find one this good for free is an total miracle. The reviews in the "about this book" section don't do it justice. This is a superb, lacy espionage thriller of the highest calibre. Brilliantly written with a fantastic plot which keeps you turning the pages - to the extent that it was a pity it had to end.The story flows from beginning to end with no "jumps" in plot. The characters are interesting and believable and when I did get to the end (which by the way was less than a day!!) I just wanted more.I will definitely look for more by this author & if they're half as good as this, they'll be superb.

Everything one could wish for in a brilliant espionage tale. Full of deadly action, a complex plot and a laconic hero who actually gets the job done. The author shows a great knowlede of the middle east and its very diverse people. It shows why there can never be a lasting peace throughout that area. It would be nice to be proved wrong in this but there are too many factions, all controlled by different and ancient beliefs in their one God. A truly dastardy adverary whose only love in life is himself. Well done - a cracker! Bill Franks author of "Iniquity" "The Organisation" "Jesuit - The beginning" and others.

I did not find this book thrilling at all. managed to 40% and gave up. Such was my interest I couldn't care less about the ending. Did not like the main character and the pace of the book IMHO was very slow! Won't be reading any more from this author and I would not recommend it!