The Fallen

3/28/10 Six people are killed in the first half-dozen pages of The Fallen (Oceanview, $25.95) by Oxford, Mich., author Mark Terry.

The action doesn't slow down, as Terry sets a blistering pace - hurtling hero Derek Stillwater through an amazing assortment of deadly situations.

Using exceptionally short chapters, (a method that's been successful for best-selling author James Patterson) Terry writes like Lee Child on steroids, showcasing a likable hero facing incredible odds.

Twenty world leaders are attending a G8 Economic Summit Conference at the Cheyenne Resort in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Despite layers of exceptional security, a terrorist group known as "the Fallen Angels" takes over the conference, holding the prominent statesmen hostage.

Terrorist leader Richard Coffee has some of the world's top intelligence operatives in his group - many are cold-hearted, efficient killers.

Coffee, formerly a government operative working with Stillwater, used to be a friend. Now he's intent on using his clever scheme to get specific prisoners freed from Guantanamo Bay.

Stillwater has been working undercover at the resort as a maintenance worker for eight months and must try to defeat the terrorists. They threaten to kill a leader in an hour if their demands aren't met.

The terrorists have inside information about the security details and use a devious plan which threatens to increase the body count. Protesters at the site complicate the situation and media exposure focuses attention on the standoff.

Out to stop the terrorists, Stillwater gets assistance from an unexpected source: Maria Sanchez, a quick-thinking co-worker.

Russian security agent Irina Khournikova, who's dealt with Stillwater before, also joins in. With the clock ticking and the security of the world at risk, the tension mounts to a fever pitch, with numerous dangerous heart-stopping confrontations.

While character development is minimal, there are just enough tidbits of information offered to maintain interest.

Many scenes are very realistic, including bickering among politicians and security team members.

Terry's earlier books featuring Stillwater are The Serpent's Kiss and The Devil's Pitchfork. He's also the author of Dirty Deeds and Catfish Guru, a collection of mystery novellas.

This exciting Stillwater thriller could easily be adapted into an action-packed, violent movie that would give Jason Bourne real competition.

Ray Walsh
This article also appeared in the Lansing State Journal on March 14, 2010