From New York Times bestselling author Christopher Reich, an international spy thriller featuring Simon Riske: one part James Bond, one part Jack Reacher. Riske is a freelance industrial spy who, despite his job title, lives a mostly quiet life above his auto garage in central London. He is hired to perform the odd job for a bank, an insurance company, or the British Secret Service, when he isn’t … Secret Service, when he isn’t expertly stealing a million-dollar watch off the wrist of a crooked Russian oligarch.
Riske has maintained his quiet life by avoiding big, messy jobs; until now. A gangster by the name of Tino Coluzzi has orchestrated the greatest street heist in the history of Paris: a visiting Saudi prince had his pockets lightened of millions in cash, and something else. Hidden within a stolen briefcase is a secret letter that could upend the balance of power in the Western world. The Russians have already killed in an attempt to get it back by the time the CIA comes knocking at Simon’s door.
Coluzzi was once Riske’s brother-in-arms, but their criminal alliance ended with Riske in prison, having narrowly avoided a hit Coluzzi ordered. Now, years later, it is thief against thief, and hot on their trail are a dangerous Parisian cop, a murderous Russian femme fatale, her equally unhinged boss, and perhaps the CIA itself.
In the grand tradition of The Day of the Jackal and The Bourne Identity, Christopher Reich’s The Take is a stylish, breathtaking ride.
more
Make sure your seat belt is fastened and your tray table is up, this is one hard and fast battle royale. Tension, turmoil, and drama ooze from every page. There’s not a wasted word in this high octane game-changer.
An out-of-control joyride for those who like their heroes flawed, scarred, and on the edge. Reich has created an irresistible character that will leave readers both wincing and cheering with every page.
A beautifully constructed heist is only the beginning of this spectacular thriller, which sets thief vs. thief, spy vs. spy, and even cop vs. cop. The Take is dazzling fun that surprises to the last page, with a hero who deserves an encore.
The Take is impossible to put down: non-stop action, a mysterious letter, and a fascinating, complicated, and sexy hero whose tool bag of wit and strength help him fight his way through the dangerous back alleys of glittering European capitals. An engrossing thriller.
The Take by Christopher Reich is a laudable first volume in a potential new series for Christopher Reich or a great stand-alone novel. His new hero, an ex-con/reformed /spy travels the globe to retrieve stolen letters that Russia wants. The pacing of the story is quite good.The characters are multi layered and fascinating. This bodes well if there’s a new series in the making and I think the author has a winner on his hands.
It’s To Catch a Thief meets Jason Bourne: a stylish, jet-propelled thriller full of intriguing characters and surprising twists. Simon Riske is a character I’ll want to meet again.
Christopher Reich’s new character, Simon Riske, is terrific. “The Take” is the start of what could be a long run with a protagonist along the lines of Gabriel Allon and even Stuart Woods’ , Stone Barrington. Great read. Looking forward to jumping into book 2 of the series, “Crown Jewel”!!
THE TAKE is impossible to put down: nonstop action, a mysterious letter, and a fascinating, complicated, and sexy hero whose tool bag of wit and strength helps him fight his way through the dangerous back alleys of glittering European capitals. An engrossing thriller.
I was going to give it five stars, then I got to the big action scene at the end. It was so incredibly unrealistic that I had to force myself to keep reading. Here’s just one thing (among half a dozen): A (bad) character fires a 9mm pistol inside a Brinks Armored car. The bullet ricochets off an armored door (which would deform the bullet) and then pierces a steel plate a quarter of an inch thick. Note to Reich: the round wouldn’t have pierced that steel plate if fired at it directly. There’s no point in giving any more examples. Suffice it to say, the big action scene was a big dud. But the rest of the novel, if fairly unrealistic as thrillers often are, was reasonably well done, so . . . four stars. Not sure if I’ll bother with another of his novels, though. Life is kinda short.
Great Read, always Enjoy Christopher Reich’s Books. I have read all of them
never been disappointed.