In this high-stakes thriller, a #1 New York Times bestselling author introduces CIA agent Alisa Flynn, who is willing to go rogue if it means catching the most heartless band of criminals she’s ever encountered. When CIA agent Alisa Flynn flaunts the rules by breaking into a mansion in the middle of the night, she skillfully circumvents alarms and outwits guards only to find herself standing in … herself standing in billionaire Gabe Korgan’s study . . . busted by Korgan himself. This could cost her her job unless, in a split second, she can turn the tables and try to convince him to join her on the most important mission of her life. In a ripped-from-the-headlines plot, schoolgirls in Africa have been kidnapped, and Alisa knows that Korgan has the courage, financial means, and high-tech weaponry to help rescue them. With so many innocent lives hanging in the balance, what she doesn’t reveal is that one of those schoolgirls is like a little sister to her. But when the truth gets out, the stakes grow even higher. Calling in additional assistance from renowned horse whisperer Margaret Douglas, Alisa and Gabe lay their plans, only to see them descend into chaos as the line between right and wrong wavers before them like a mirage. Every path is strewn with pitfalls, each likely to get them—or the hostages—killed. But with the help of a brave team and a horse with the heart of a warrior, they might just get out of this alive.
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4.5 stars
I’ve read a few earlier books by this author and have enjoyed them so I was really excited when I heard about this one…..I know I just had to read it. And man oh man, I definitely wasn’t disappointed. Chaos was exciting and thrilling. The characters were amazing and the storyline was unique & suspenseful. Couldn’t put it down.
Outstanding book!!! I’ve read almost every book this author has written and have loved every one of them and have many favourites, but this one is a cut above the rest!!! Iris johansen knocked it out of the park with this tale! Her characters are always complexed and multi dimensional and the villians evil and the epitome of the worst monsters imaginable and this book was no different except that instead of one villain their was two and both were equally sick twisted bastards! I loved our two main characters the multi million and inventor Gabe Kogan who’s charismic and a total alpha type hero who’s sensuality is second to none and he’s a perfect hero to our heroine CIA agent and a women who was recruited by the CIA at only 14 years old Alisa Flynn has dealt with some really despicable monsters in the past but Jorge Masenak and Marcus Reardon are both evil twisted pricks who rape and abuse girls for pleasure. Also margaret douglas and her beautifully gifted dog juno are back!! I love this duo so much! And theirs also the self proclaimed Indiana Jones John Gilroy who is kogan’s go to get it done guy,and my new obsession!! And then theirs the star of this story the brave and extraordinary Sasha, ward of alisa and one of the girls stolen from St. Eldons Academy for girls to be used for ransom. But masenak discovers real quick that sasha has a gift with training horses . Sasha has been able to communicate telepathically with animals since she was a little girl,something very few people know. Her life and her class mates lives depend on her ability to get The wild and untamed Chaos a beautiful and proud and pure Roman Nisean horse who is a rare breed known for their strength and speed tamed and ready to win a race. But Chaos isn’t your typical horse he believes himself to be a king and his intelligence is phenomenal !! I loved this beautiful boy!!! He wanted only to protect sasha and their rides together bring them both joy and freedom.From the beginning he wanted to stomp the villains!! No one writes a thriller like Iris Johansen!! I’m one of her biggest fans!! I can’t wait for her next book!! Until next time Loves
A thriller starring CIA agent Alisa Flynn who must rescue a girl who she considers as s little sister with special guest appearance by animal whisperer Margaret Douglas. Kind of reminded me of the books Black Stallion and Black Beauty too.
Way to long & repetitive
Good read. Definitely action packed. I really didn’t like the bad guys. Too much. I did enjoy the other characters and the plot of this book. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
A wonderful and energetic ride. Action and adventure with many new characters and a couple crossovers. Twists and turns and so much excitement. There’s a steamy scene or two. This world Johansen has created grips me with the depth and breadth of characters and storylines.
When her adopted younger sister is kidnapped from boarding school, CIA operative Alisa Flynn throws all the rules out the window. She begins by circumnavigating top notch security to break into the residence of billionaire genius Gabe Korgan, only to be caught by the man himself. She knows she has to convince him to help, even if it costs her career.
When he learns of schoolgirls having been kidnapped in northern Africa, Gabe realizes he and Alisa now have a mutual enemy and Gabe has the means, skills, and equipment to help. There are many innocents to save so Alisa keeps her personal reasons for taking on this mission to herself at first, but soon the truth inevitably comes out and emotions between Alisa and Gabe become very charged.
Even after calling in backup from their very skilled friends, Alisa and Gabe’s carefully laid plans are impossible to perfect in an ever-changing situation. The whole team’s bravery will be tested if they have any hope of succeeding and saving the hostages.
This book was definitely a lot farther from my usual fare than I expected it to be. To be perfectly honest, this one was a bit of a slog for me. The action was rather few and far between with lots of buildup that just got tedious and didn’t hold my attention. I expected a lot more suspense from this as a thriller. Gabe was an interesting character with a ton of achievements, but he never came off as arrogant to me and was actually quite likable. Alias on the other hand, though skilled, had way too much arrogance and her ‘I can do things on my own, I’m the one in charge’ attitude was extremely off-putting, especially given the fact that she was the one begging for Gabe’s help. I didn’t really understand what he saw in her. Sure, Gabe and Alisa had chemistry and sexual tension, but I think that was mostly down to the danger and stress of their situation. I couldn’t really see them as a couple unless Alisa made some serious changes, but as it stood she seemed too determined to do things herself, just for the sake of saying she didn’t need help, to ever be a partner in a real relationship. Overall, Alisa was too petulant and conceited for me to like her or root for her, and all under the guise of her being a strong, independent woman. I just don’t buy it; independence and strength don’t have to be arrogant.
After all that buildup, I thought the ending was a bit flat and there was also an odd overuse of exclamation marks. I guess this was to tell me I should be thrilled because I really wasn’t. it’s very rarely in me to DNF, but it did take me a while to get through this one. Others may like this one, it just wasn’t quite doing it for me. As my first read from this author, I’ll probably still try something else of hers, but this will not a be a reread or a keeper for me.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was a great Iris Johansen book! I have read all of her Eve Duncan series and I am excited for a new series! I loved the characters and can’t wait for more books in the series! I received a copy of this book from Grand Central Publishing and all opinions are my own.
Iris Johansen introduces us to a new character, Alisa, and I hope she grows this series. Chaos was a fast paced story (almost as fast paced as Chaos, the horse) with suspense, relationships, family and love. Another great story by her!
Adrenaline-pumping, fast-paced, and suspenseful!
In this first instalment in the Alisa Flynn series, Chaos, Johansen has written an action-packed thrill ride that introduces the highly intelligent CIA Special Operative Flynn who with the help of her friend, the animal whisperer, Margaret Douglas, and the billionaire inventor, Gabe Korgan, is on the hunt for a group of mercenaries who have kidnapped a group of rich, young girls, a stable full of thoroughbred horses, and Alisa’s ward, Sasha Lawrence from the St. Eldon’s Academy with disturbingly nefarious purposes in mind.
The writing is edgy and crisp. The characters are persistent, ruthless, and unique. And the plot keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish as it submerges you in a menacing, chilling tale full of violence, deception, corruption, mayhem, danger, control, power, murder, and a sliver of the supernatural.
Overall, Chaos is a tortuous, pacey, exciting mystery that’s sure to be a new fan favourite with its creative, well-drawn characterization, heightened sense of urgency, and thrilling conclusion.
I am a HUGE Iris Johansen fan. When someone asks me what an Iris Johansen book is like I describe it as a mystery, thriller, with strong characters, twists of paranormal, and an intriguing storyline. The thriller is always unique with each book, the twists of paranormal are more on the psychic side then the werewolf side and the storylines always make the book unputdownable.
In this book, we meet Sasha and Alisa. There are both strong and willful female characters. Both have a background of having to rely on themselves until they meet each other and know that they are meant to be together. Sasha is a student at an elite private school until it is attacked for their horses. Sasha is a student but also works in the stables and has a special bond with the horses. Her first priority is to rescue the other students but the horses are never far from her thoughts. Alisa is the “mother” of the relationship. She rescues Sasha from the circus and gives her a life that makes her safe and happy. Alisha is CIA, extremely smart, and loves Sasha with everything she has. I enjoyed seeing how she had to put her protective nature aside to let Sasha help save herself, but she never entirely gave up the controls.
Chaos is another winner from the talented and entertaining Iris Johansen.
I love any thing by iris johanson
Chaos is a thrilling ride. CIA agent Alisa Flynn is super talented, smart and confident in her abilities but not so great with feelings. Billionaire Gabe Korgan has a brain that never stops. He gets bored easily. These two need to work together if they don’t kill each other first. The chemistry between them is palpable. This is an incredible tale filled with non-stop action, moments of terrifying fear and an incredible conclusion. I’m looking forward to future adventures with these characters. Thrilling romantic suspense at its very best.
This is the start of a new series by Iris Johansen and I introduces what might become her new her new super couple, CIA agent Alisa Flynn and billionaire Gabe Korgan who get thrown together when Alisa breaks into Gabe’s house looking for information on a ruthless madman who has kidnapped a number of girls from a boarding school and stolen a number of horses. In this book Flynn and Korgan heat up the pages of the book as they try rescue the kills and take the madman and his henchmen out each for their own reasons.
This book was a great introduction to this pair and I think they may have an interesting relationship like another beloved couple that Johansen writes about in her other books. I can’t wait to see what Alisa and Gabe do next and if Alisa will trust Gabe.
Chaos gets five out of five stars.