Book Review: The Lions Of Lucerne

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Lions Of Lucerne     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Brad Thor
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Political Intrigue   Thriller
Series: Scot Harvath
Pocket, Jan 2002, $25.00, 464 pp.

The President of the United States needs time away from DC to regenerate his juices for the upcoming fight with Congress on his pet project, the fossil fuel reduction bill that has big oil screaming for its death. He also wants quality time with his teenage daughter Amanda. So the President, his daughter, and the Secret Service go skiing in Utah when a rifle shot induces an avalanche that in turn leads to the abduction of the president. Though badly injured, Secret Service Agent Scot Harvath keeps Mandy safe.

Everyone assumes a Middle East terrorist group snatched the President except Scot. Being an ex-SEAL, he believes the scenario is too overt for the Mid East and looks elsewhere. He begins to track a convoluted trail to Switzerland, the American capital building, international big business, and the executive branch centered on the President who is not in Washington when the legislative debate on his fossil fuel reduction bill hits the floors of Congress. This coalition plans to succeed even if people must die to accomplish that deed.

Though an exciting political thriller, Scot turning into a James Bond type agent is hard to accept especially with his bias towards the Middle East. The story line is fast-paced and the coalition against the president is very powerful and surprisingly feels quite real. THE LIONS OF LUCERNE is a roaring tale though the audience never quite believes in the thoughts and actions of the hero.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner