The Lion [Hardback]

The Lion [Hardback]
Nelson DeMille, June 2010

The book, The Lion heralds the long-awaited return of John Corey, the egotistical, sardonic ex-NYPD-detective-turned-FBI-Anti-Terrorist-Task-Force agent. Other reviewers disliked the condescending attitude that DeMille portrays. I don’t read Nelson books because he dislikes a cultural group or for his cultural diversity. His main character is a retired New York City cop. Besides the flaws with the main character, the story marks the return of Asad Khalil, the notorious terrorist known as “The Lion.”

When last we heard from him, Khalil had claimed to be defecting to the U.S. only to unleash the most horrific reign of terror ever to occur on American soil. While Corey and his partner—FBI agent Kate Mayfield—pursued him across the country, Khalil methodically assassinates victim after victim before disappearing without a trace. I was reading this first book when 9/11 happened and it frightened me a great deal. I really didn’t want to finish the first book because 9/11 was actually happening. Now, three years later (from the book the Lions Game), a new episode in terror has begun. The Lion is back in America to make good on his threats and take care of unfinished business with the Corey’s, unsuspecting victims, and New York. I've read all of DeMille's books and liked them all of course. Overall, The Lion held my interest from beginning to end.

This is a good action thriller, but differing from some of DeMille's earlier novels, this one has a quick story that flows well. However, I feel the ending was too abrupt. I don’t think John would have fallen for the “text me and meet me here” trap. He would have had a backup plan, and without a bullet proof vest, he wouldn’t have forgotten that. Also, in the final chapter I feel John and Kate didn’t need to be there. Even if Corey knew it was a trap, at least DeMille could have set that up for the reader to believe! I think DeMille fans will be pleased with this installment in the John Corey series and no doubt staying up late to finish this thriller. I give it a three and a half stars, due to the final chapters. I won’t spoil it for you, it was a good holiday read.