Saturday, October 4, 2008

Extreme Measures-Vince Flynn

Extreme Measures
Vince Flynn
Atria, Oct 21 2008
ISBN: 9780743270427

The CIA Director sends counterterrorism expert Mike Nash to Afghanistan to interrogate two prisoners, Taliban Commander of Suicide Operations Abu Haggani and Taliban Liaison Officer to al-Qaeda Mohammed al-Haq. However as he is performing his duty, Justice Department lawyers deployed in DC called insisting he crossed the legal line. Nash calls in the cavalry counterterrorism operative Mitch Rapp.

They learn of two cells that are easily destroyed and hints of a third group led by an ambitious fanatic mastermind Karim Nour-al-Din, who is to become chief of al-Qaeda. To even be considered as heir to Bin Laden, Karim needs a new 9/11; his target DC where Congress and the Justice Department tie the hands of field agents Nash and Rapp.

EXTREME MEASURES is an exhilarating fast-paced thriller, which asks whether the means justifies the end; if violating the Geneva Convention and other anti torture laws could have prevented 9/11 would that make it acceptable especially since the enemy can claim likewise. The story line is fast-paced as Nash and Rapp are restricted from doing their full duty while Karim is free to do what he wants. Although extreme on one side of the debate, Vince Flynn insures the opposition is heard inside a tense thriller.

Harriet Klausner