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John Corey #7
Radiant Angel
After a showdown with the notorious Yemeni terrorist known as The Panther, John Corey has left the Anti-Terrorist Task Force and returned home to New York City, taking a job with the Diplomatic Surveillance Group. Although Corey's new assignment with the DSG - surveilling Russian diplomats working at the U.N. Mission - is thought to be "a quiet end," he is more than happy to be out from under the thumb of the FBI and free from the bureaucracy of office life.
But Corey realizes something the U.S. government doesn't: The all-too-real threat of a newly resurgent Russia.
When Vasily Petrov, a colonel in the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service posing as a diplomat with the Russian U.N. Mission, mysteriously disappears from a Russian oligarch's party in Southampton, it's up to Corey to track him down. What are the Russians up to and why? Is there a possible nuclear threat, a so-called radiant angel? Will Corey find Petrov and put a stop to whatever he has planned before it's too late? Or will Corey finally be outrun and outsmarted, with America facing the prospect of a crippling attack unlike anything it's ever seen before?
Prescient and chilling. DeMille's new novel takes us into the heart of a new Cold War with a clock-ticking plot that has Manhattan in its crosshairs.
But Corey realizes something the U.S. government doesn't: The all-too-real threat of a newly resurgent Russia.
When Vasily Petrov, a colonel in the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service posing as a diplomat with the Russian U.N. Mission, mysteriously disappears from a Russian oligarch's party in Southampton, it's up to Corey to track him down. What are the Russians up to and why? Is there a possible nuclear threat, a so-called radiant angel? Will Corey find Petrov and put a stop to whatever he has planned before it's too late? Or will Corey finally be outrun and outsmarted, with America facing the prospect of a crippling attack unlike anything it's ever seen before?
Prescient and chilling. DeMille's new novel takes us into the heart of a new Cold War with a clock-ticking plot that has Manhattan in its crosshairs.
311 pages, Hardcover
First published May 26, 2015
2,093 people are currently reading
6,555 people want to read
About the author
Nelson DeMille
213Ìýbooks7,174ÌýfollowersNelson Richard DeMille was an American author of action adventure and suspense novels. His novels include Plum Island, The Charm School, and The General's Daughter. DeMille also wrote under the pen names Jack Cannon, Kurt Ladner, Ellen Kay and Brad Matthews.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,662 reviews
April 29, 2020
For some time, the book promised a 5 star read. But the author mistook minutiae for perfectionism. The writer also claims he took artistic license. I couldn't verify this in most cases, except for gun silencers. They still make the loud noises that defeat their purpose.
Nelson Demille is even now a smart writer. He thought of the best jokes, some of which were xenophobic, but still were funny. The jokes dried up soon as the plot came to a sludgy stop for these crucial chapters that make or break a thriller.
Overall I must say I never wanted even once to ditch this book. Its clever format and crisp lingo prevented me from getting depressed. When I read a truly bad book, I do get depressed, and when that happens, I ditch the book. This has not happened here. 2 stars is the most and the least I can give.
Nelson Demille is even now a smart writer. He thought of the best jokes, some of which were xenophobic, but still were funny. The jokes dried up soon as the plot came to a sludgy stop for these crucial chapters that make or break a thriller.
Overall I must say I never wanted even once to ditch this book. Its clever format and crisp lingo prevented me from getting depressed. When I read a truly bad book, I do get depressed, and when that happens, I ditch the book. This has not happened here. 2 stars is the most and the least I can give.
February 21, 2022
The basic story here is a simple one. A Russian spy is looking to blow up Manhattan and dump the blame on a rich Saudi Arabian. The ensuing chaos will be helpful for the Russians as the economic and political fallout ensues. To this end he intends to float a nuclear device close the the financial district and detonate it. John Corey (who followers of DeMille’s books will be familiar with) is now working for the Diplomatic Surveillance Group and he’s charged with tracking the movements of the Russian. When his subject gives him the slip he goes on the hunt.
There’s some new female interest for Corey and a lot of time is spent on verbal jousting between the two of them. Corey eventually manages to put the pieces of the Russian’s plan together and then finds himself chasing the bad guy down, virtually single handed. The early part of the book is pretty slow going and the plot line stretches credibility to the limit, but it’s all pretty good fun and when the action eventually kicks into overdrive it’s full-on to the end.
In my opinion this book is nowhere near DeMille’s best. It’s a beach bed read you can rattle through in short order and it does provide a few smiles, but it's a three star offering at best.
There’s some new female interest for Corey and a lot of time is spent on verbal jousting between the two of them. Corey eventually manages to put the pieces of the Russian’s plan together and then finds himself chasing the bad guy down, virtually single handed. The early part of the book is pretty slow going and the plot line stretches credibility to the limit, but it’s all pretty good fun and when the action eventually kicks into overdrive it’s full-on to the end.
In my opinion this book is nowhere near DeMille’s best. It’s a beach bed read you can rattle through in short order and it does provide a few smiles, but it's a three star offering at best.
November 20, 2015
Seriously disappointed in this book. I'm an enormous fan of DeMille and the John Corey Series but this book was really shallow. As I have read in reviews by other fans and I completely ageee with them that the book was uncharacteristically short and lacked the usual character developement. And what happened to Kate ans John was completely uncalled for!!.. They were a great couple, if not perfect and were happy together! All this talk about Kate sleeping with Walsh and John letting go of Kate JUST LIKE THAT was juuuust rubbish!.. I hate how their marriage is broken for no apparent and well described or plotted reason!.. Kate and John were just right for each other with John not caring about protocol and Kate being all about procedure and protocol, why would DeMille suddenly RUIN the perfect couple and marriage is beyond me! Am seriously PISSED OFF!. I did not stay up half the night to watch Corey kiss Faraday!.. And then LET GO OF KATE, who happens to be his WIFE!..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2015
In an age where both new and established authors toil endlessly to create fascinating plots and multidimensional characters, it is refreshing to see a writer such as Nelson DeMille fearlessly release a book that is so spectacularly phoned-in.
DeMille is a bestselling author, and Radiant Angel recently topped the bestseller lists, and this makes sense—he is the go-to author of slackers hanging around water coolers everywhere. He appeals to all those workers out there that also perform half-heartedly at their jobs, giving a hardy 45% (maybe 50%) effort in completing their work. I’m talking about you, Ray at the auto body shop who says he will call me in two hours with a quote. And that was yesterday. And you too, teenage girl at the grocery who won’t stop talking on your cellphone to ring me out. My ice cream is melting. And let’s not forget all you guys at Home Depot running away from me when I walk toward you. All I want to know is where to find this type of screw. C’mon guys, I brought one with me!
The level of half-assedness of DeMille’s work is inspiring to say the least. It took real scant effort and middling focus. I can only imagine he was watching a football game when writing it, maybe attempting to beat a particularly hard level of Candy Crush on his iPhone. You don’t achieve this degree of half-baked work without multitasking.
And that’s the thing�Radiant Angel is not bad, it is just lazy. Really, really lazy. Everything is slapdash--the characters not in any way memorable, they operate with zero motivation—the villains are bad because villains are supposed to be bad. The hero John Cory (a mash-up of Jack Bauer from the television show 24 and a tough talking private detective) is against authority because that is how these guys are supposed to be. The plot—some kind of shenanigan about smuggling a dirty bomb into New York harbor in the submerged hold of a luxury yacht could have worked if any effort was put on pacing, tone, or action. Instead of revealing background scenes, suspense, or character development DeMille gives us endless scenes of riding around in cars and boats.
This is my first DeMille book and the seventh (!!!) in the series so maybe I am missing something that would have shown up earlier when the author was still engaged in his work and not just in cashing the checks mailed by his publishing house. I feel DeMille is on the precipice of just having a co-author write his books and then slapping his name on the dust jacket which seems to be the M.O. of many authors these days (I’m talking to you, Patterson, Cussler, and Evanovich!)
This book is recommended to everyone suffering sleep issues from acute insomnia to college neighbors blasting 5 Seconds of Summer at 3 A.M. Yes, its sleep inducing powers can even work on loud teen music.
August 7, 2015
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Nelson DeMille, and Grand Central Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book, which allows me to provide you with this review.
DeMille creates a sensational story featuring his most popular character, John Corey; man of mystery, hated by many, and fearful of little. Corey is back on US soil, now employed by the FBI's Diplomatic Surveillance Group (DSG). Corey and his new trainee, Tess Faraday, are sent to tail Colonel Vasily Petrov, a member of Russia's UN delegation. When the target slips away at a scandalous dinner party, the worst Corey expects is a runaway colonel seeking a little more fun, although this cannot be taken lightly. While pondering his next move to reacquire surveillance, Corey is pulled in by State Department Intelligence and alerted to chatter surrounding a suitcase nuclear weapon, brought stateside by the Russians. Now the race is on to discover the target as well as the delivery method, both of which baffle Corey and the rest of the Intelligence community. Meanwhile, the Russians have crafted a plan to diffuse the nukes with the most damage, both physical and political. Hijacking a yacht, they work to complete their task on the morning of September 12th, putting the blame on the Saudis and instilling fear in 300 million Americans before obliterating Manhattan and the memory of the Twin Towers. With a resurgence of US-Russian animosity, DeMille tells a story in his unique style, peppered with dry wit that keeps the reader laughing and gasping in the same breath. Not to be missed by series fans and new readers alike.
Having followed the John Corey series for years, I was pleased to devour another instalment, chock-full of drama, sarcasm, and fast-paced action. DeMille steers away from other authors' cookie-cutter plot that pits the United States against the Islamic world, highly overdone these dozen plus years later. Instead, he addresses the issue of the autocratic regime emerging in Russia, with Putin at its helm. Using not only New York, but the high concentration of Russian ex-pats, DeMille can craft a wonderful story while also ensuring that Corey's numerous contacts and past storylines weave themselves into the narrative. Not only is DeMille entertaining, but he remains highly informative as he tells of the past historical clashes during the Cold War and predicts future issues in a second Frigid Aggression Movement. Utilising strong dialogue and a story that never slows, DeMille pulls his readers in and keeps them turning pages well into the night.
Kudos, Mr. DeMille for another great novel. Don't water down the Corey character one iota, as he makes these novels even more enjoyable.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
DeMille creates a sensational story featuring his most popular character, John Corey; man of mystery, hated by many, and fearful of little. Corey is back on US soil, now employed by the FBI's Diplomatic Surveillance Group (DSG). Corey and his new trainee, Tess Faraday, are sent to tail Colonel Vasily Petrov, a member of Russia's UN delegation. When the target slips away at a scandalous dinner party, the worst Corey expects is a runaway colonel seeking a little more fun, although this cannot be taken lightly. While pondering his next move to reacquire surveillance, Corey is pulled in by State Department Intelligence and alerted to chatter surrounding a suitcase nuclear weapon, brought stateside by the Russians. Now the race is on to discover the target as well as the delivery method, both of which baffle Corey and the rest of the Intelligence community. Meanwhile, the Russians have crafted a plan to diffuse the nukes with the most damage, both physical and political. Hijacking a yacht, they work to complete their task on the morning of September 12th, putting the blame on the Saudis and instilling fear in 300 million Americans before obliterating Manhattan and the memory of the Twin Towers. With a resurgence of US-Russian animosity, DeMille tells a story in his unique style, peppered with dry wit that keeps the reader laughing and gasping in the same breath. Not to be missed by series fans and new readers alike.
Having followed the John Corey series for years, I was pleased to devour another instalment, chock-full of drama, sarcasm, and fast-paced action. DeMille steers away from other authors' cookie-cutter plot that pits the United States against the Islamic world, highly overdone these dozen plus years later. Instead, he addresses the issue of the autocratic regime emerging in Russia, with Putin at its helm. Using not only New York, but the high concentration of Russian ex-pats, DeMille can craft a wonderful story while also ensuring that Corey's numerous contacts and past storylines weave themselves into the narrative. Not only is DeMille entertaining, but he remains highly informative as he tells of the past historical clashes during the Cold War and predicts future issues in a second Frigid Aggression Movement. Utilising strong dialogue and a story that never slows, DeMille pulls his readers in and keeps them turning pages well into the night.
Kudos, Mr. DeMille for another great novel. Don't water down the Corey character one iota, as he makes these novels even more enjoyable.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
June 3, 2021
DeMille in top form. This book is considerably shorter than previous John Corey books, but not necessarily less. Well, less of what can be overly repetitive. Here, Corey doesn't have time to tell us eighteen times that, if he was right, a lot of people could die. In the longer novels that preceded this, there were lots of thoughts, oodles of dialogue, and whole scenes that were nothing but repeats of earlier material. Having said that, Corey is the entertainment in these books. His snarky, prickly resistance to all authority make the read worthwhile. This book has less of that, as it has less of everything. Except bloodshed: the bad guys are very bad. The entire story takes place in 24 hours, a laudable goal for an author, where plot twists, characters, and action have to fit together in a sensible way that doesn't become a plot-boiler. DeMille pulls it off, though I'm left with a feeling of being rushed a bit.
June 2, 2015
I am pleased to report that it's safe to become reacquainted with Nelson DeMille's books again after last year's unforgettably tedious 600 page chase through Yemen in "The Panther". In "Radiant Angel", John Corey is back in New York watching Russian UN personal for the Diplomatic Surveillance Group sans his long suffering FBI wife Kate Mayfield, on assignment in DC. John and his very lovely young trainee Tess Faraday, become suspicious of a group of Russian SVR agents at a party in the Hampton's and infiltrate the party with the caterer. Following his cop instincts, he discovers a Russian plot to nuke lower Manhattan and blame a Saudi Prince. John and Tess try to thwart the attack with help from his NYPD connections and his sharp and very funny wise guy wit. In other words folks, Nelson DeMille and John Corey are back strong in a page turning thriller that might be DeMille's most entertaining book to date. Very highly recommended.
September 15, 2019
This is the first book I read of Nelson DeMille. It works up a good pace and has a strong hero character in John Corey (who I understand figures in many other books). The book suffers though from a basic, largely far-fetched and simplistic plot & sequence of events.
John Corey is part of the Diplomatic Surveillance Group and watching the Russian UN team. He is accompanied by a young trainee � Tess Faraday. John soon uncovers a Russian plot to set off a nuclear bomb in New York, with a plan to deflect the blame. The Russian Intelligence Service Colonel Vasily Petrov is the main mover with a few of his sidekicks. John takes considerable risks, slipping into a party as part of the catering team and later pursuing Petrov & gang at sea, and Tess supports him.
John Corey is the tough guy � as you would expect in a story such as this. He is extremely confident, and has this excessively independent streak. Quite a bit of the humour he indulges in is not funny though and just comes across as a display of vanity.
Many readers have pointed that a few of the other books featuring John Corey are much more engrossing, and I hope to read some of his other books soon. This book also is a decent read, largely for the pace it whips up.
My rating: 3.25 / 5.
John Corey is part of the Diplomatic Surveillance Group and watching the Russian UN team. He is accompanied by a young trainee � Tess Faraday. John soon uncovers a Russian plot to set off a nuclear bomb in New York, with a plan to deflect the blame. The Russian Intelligence Service Colonel Vasily Petrov is the main mover with a few of his sidekicks. John takes considerable risks, slipping into a party as part of the catering team and later pursuing Petrov & gang at sea, and Tess supports him.
John Corey is the tough guy � as you would expect in a story such as this. He is extremely confident, and has this excessively independent streak. Quite a bit of the humour he indulges in is not funny though and just comes across as a display of vanity.
Many readers have pointed that a few of the other books featuring John Corey are much more engrossing, and I hope to read some of his other books soon. This book also is a decent read, largely for the pace it whips up.
My rating: 3.25 / 5.
July 11, 2015
I read Nelson DeMille’s latest book, Radiant Angel. I gave it only two stars to reflect my growing dissatisfaction with good authors who go though the motions pumping out books in a comfortable formula. This is a John Corey novel, number seven in the series. The premise is very contemporary: Russia under Putin is growing stronger and more powerful. They want to surpass the USA as leader of world so they implement a plan to smuggle a suitcase nuke in the hold of a luxury yacht owned by a Saudi prince into New York harbor, detonating it on September 12 at 8:46 am, exactly 24 hours after the anniversary of the first plane strike on the World Trade Center. Russia expects this act will devastate Wall Street and send the American people into fear and panic, allowing Russia to gain might. The blame will be on the Saudi’s. The relationship between the US and Saudi Arabia will be broken: all out war may even break out. Either scenario gives Russia the advantage. As usual, DeMille has done his research. It is also timely as Putin is all over the news these days and Homeland Security has identified our harbors as the most vulnerable places for a terrorist to deliver a nuclear device.
But Radiant Angel is a dud. The writing seems flat and uninspired. The Russians tell us the entire plot before the book is one third finished. We know the bomb will not be detonated and we know Corey will not be killed, so the rest of the book is about the hunt and the chase. Bad guy Vasily Petrov is a Colonel in the Foreign Intelligence Service and son of an old Russian KGB officer. He, and all the other Russians are one dimensional thugs; the women are prostitutes. At one point, DeMille takes at least 50 pages (hard to tell exactly on the Kindle) to describe the killing of the dozens of crew members and guests on the boat. It is not at all suspenseful; two assassins systematically go room to room, deck to deck and shoot the crew and guests one at a time. A writer as skilled as DeMille could do that in two pages if he wanted. Even John Corey was a disappointment. I usually love his wise-ass, self deprecating humor but not this time. I found him irritating at best, sophomoric at his worst.
“She did ask (John)…’What’s driving you?� ‘I am driving myself'. I turned the steering wheel. ‘See� �
“He asked, ‘Whose yacht is this?� ‘Not mine. Yours?� I asked him.�
�(He) asked me, ‘Do you have a search warrant?� ‘No but I have a caterer’s license.� �
I was speed reading half way through the book, flipping pages and hoping it would end soon.
Tom Clancy almost killed the category before he stopped writing. His book, The Sum of all Fears, pretty much covers the ground that DeMille is rehashing in Radiant Angel, but the Clancy book is a much better read. I am sure that DeMille knew he had squeezed all the plots he was going to get out of the Islamic terrorist bag of tricks. Unfortunately, just changing the bad guys didn’t really motivate him to greatness. DeMille can be an excellent writer. Remember The General’s Daughter? I thought his last book, The Quest, was very good. DeMille took a book he originally published in 1975 and significantly rewrote it. It has a bit of an Indian Jones feel, as the plot centers on a search for the Holy Grail in war torn Ethiopia. His descriptions and explanations of the civil war were excellent. I also learned a lot about Coptic Christianity and northern African history. All the characters were fresh and new. You could feel that DeMille was engaged in the book and the result was excellent. I am sure there are many more stories that could come out of the tangle of countries and cultures that is modern day Africa, especially given DeMille’s penchant for detailed research. So please, Mr. DeMille, give the terrorist plots a break, leave the formula writing to James Patterson and retire John Corey while he still has a good reputation. And give us another one of your innovative and suspenseful stories.
But Radiant Angel is a dud. The writing seems flat and uninspired. The Russians tell us the entire plot before the book is one third finished. We know the bomb will not be detonated and we know Corey will not be killed, so the rest of the book is about the hunt and the chase. Bad guy Vasily Petrov is a Colonel in the Foreign Intelligence Service and son of an old Russian KGB officer. He, and all the other Russians are one dimensional thugs; the women are prostitutes. At one point, DeMille takes at least 50 pages (hard to tell exactly on the Kindle) to describe the killing of the dozens of crew members and guests on the boat. It is not at all suspenseful; two assassins systematically go room to room, deck to deck and shoot the crew and guests one at a time. A writer as skilled as DeMille could do that in two pages if he wanted. Even John Corey was a disappointment. I usually love his wise-ass, self deprecating humor but not this time. I found him irritating at best, sophomoric at his worst.
“She did ask (John)…’What’s driving you?� ‘I am driving myself'. I turned the steering wheel. ‘See� �
“He asked, ‘Whose yacht is this?� ‘Not mine. Yours?� I asked him.�
�(He) asked me, ‘Do you have a search warrant?� ‘No but I have a caterer’s license.� �
I was speed reading half way through the book, flipping pages and hoping it would end soon.
Tom Clancy almost killed the category before he stopped writing. His book, The Sum of all Fears, pretty much covers the ground that DeMille is rehashing in Radiant Angel, but the Clancy book is a much better read. I am sure that DeMille knew he had squeezed all the plots he was going to get out of the Islamic terrorist bag of tricks. Unfortunately, just changing the bad guys didn’t really motivate him to greatness. DeMille can be an excellent writer. Remember The General’s Daughter? I thought his last book, The Quest, was very good. DeMille took a book he originally published in 1975 and significantly rewrote it. It has a bit of an Indian Jones feel, as the plot centers on a search for the Holy Grail in war torn Ethiopia. His descriptions and explanations of the civil war were excellent. I also learned a lot about Coptic Christianity and northern African history. All the characters were fresh and new. You could feel that DeMille was engaged in the book and the result was excellent. I am sure there are many more stories that could come out of the tangle of countries and cultures that is modern day Africa, especially given DeMille’s penchant for detailed research. So please, Mr. DeMille, give the terrorist plots a break, leave the formula writing to James Patterson and retire John Corey while he still has a good reputation. And give us another one of your innovative and suspenseful stories.
August 10, 2015
Radiant Angel is yet another impressive thriller penned by Nelson DeMille. It’s not my favorite DeMille John Corey novel, but it’s decent.
DeMille is always timely in his novels, and is great at making the reader paranoid about the international security of the United States. He loves to provide the reading public with how our National Security System can be compromised and breached. He and the producers of 60 Minutes keep the masses considering Xanax prescriptions. In this thriller, the Russians are the bad guys because the United States is too busy monitoring Mideast terrorism thus ignoring other potential threats. Oh, and the reader discovers ways to get nuclear bombs into the US undetected.
John Corey’s wry and sarcastic wit is always a draw to DeMille’s novels. Corey is getting along in years (as is DeMille) and it seems as a result, Corey is not in top form as previously with the barbs and cynicism. That said, he’s still a great character.
I recommend it to those who want a first class thriller. DeMille delivers.
DeMille is always timely in his novels, and is great at making the reader paranoid about the international security of the United States. He loves to provide the reading public with how our National Security System can be compromised and breached. He and the producers of 60 Minutes keep the masses considering Xanax prescriptions. In this thriller, the Russians are the bad guys because the United States is too busy monitoring Mideast terrorism thus ignoring other potential threats. Oh, and the reader discovers ways to get nuclear bombs into the US undetected.
John Corey’s wry and sarcastic wit is always a draw to DeMille’s novels. Corey is getting along in years (as is DeMille) and it seems as a result, Corey is not in top form as previously with the barbs and cynicism. That said, he’s still a great character.
I recommend it to those who want a first class thriller. DeMille delivers.
July 11, 2015
“Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants. We know more about war than we know about peace, more about killing than we know about living. We have grasped the mystery of the atom and rejected the Sermon on the Mount.�
----Omar Nelson Bradley, a senior U.S. Army field commander in North Africa and Europe during World War II, and a General of the Army in the United States Army
Nelson DeMille, the #1New York Times best-selling author, pens the seventh book, Radiant Angel in the John Corey series, that features the famous detective, John Corey, who is a former NYPD detective and a former member of the Anti-Terrorist Task Force, the last job forced him to leave it and join hands with Diplomatic Surveillance Group, and this book accounts yet another adventure from John Corey's life.
Synopsis:
After a showdown with the notorious Yemeni terrorist known as The Panther, John Corey has left the Anti-Terrorist Task Force and returned home to New York City, taking a job with the Diplomatic Surveillance Group. Although Corey's new assignment with the DSG-surveilling Russian diplomats working at the U.N. Mission-is thought to be "a quiet end," he is more than happy to be out from under the thumb of the FBI and free from the bureaucracy of office life.
But Corey realizes something the U.S. government doesn't: The all-too-real threat of a newly resurgent Russia.
When Vasily Petrov, a colonel in the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service posing as a diplomat with the Russian U.N. Mission, mysteriously disappears from a Russian oligarch's party in Southampton, it's up to Corey to track him down. What are the Russians up to and why? Is there a possible nuclear threat, a so-called radiant angel? Will Corey find Petrov and put a stop to whatever he has planned before it's too late? Or will Corey finally be outrun and outsmarted, with America facing the prospect of a crippling attack unlike anything it's ever seen before?
This is the first book that I read by this author so I'll review it like I don't know John Corey or about the nature of his work or anything about his background.
John Corey, a former ATTF, is now a part of DSG, who is asked to keep a close watch on a Russian diplomat working for Russian U.N, Vasily Petrov, who is under suspicion that he might be a former KGB as well as Russian terrorist who have come to New York City on a mission. The book opens on 11th September, when Corey along with his new partner, Tess Faraday is following the car of Petrov. Sensing the follow-up, Petrov visits one of his Russian diplomat friend in East Hampton, where he throws a suspicious party consisting of prostitutes and other notorious Russian terrorism key players. Unsure of the whole situation, Corey along with Tess enters the party as caterers, where he finds something really mysterious that doesn't really allow him to point fingers on Petrov so confidently on his terrorist attack plans on NYC. But Petrov is here not to blast a typical bomb like an Al-Qaeda terrorist, he is here on a bigger mission that will guarantee him a promotion. But what are his plans?
The writing style is good enough and really fluent which engages the attention of the readers right into the rhythm of the storyline. The prose is eloquent and polished with lots of tightly packed action that happens non-stop in a curious as well as nail-biting manner, thus keeping the readers on the loop. The story-telling is fantastic and the narrative is layered with humor and drama and with Corey's POV, it sounds more like a fun read despite of the gravity of the possibility of a terror attack.
The not so strong factor of this book and that also puts the readers bit off the edge is the characterization. Well, I thought that the books from the John Corey series can be read like a standalone where in each book the author intricately sketches his protagonist's demeanor just like the first time.
Honestly, I felt John Corey like a vague shadow with very less idea about his back-story in his both professional as well as personal life. Yeah, I will agree that John Corey is a daring and fun-loving guy and takes his country as well as job very seriously. Moreover, he turns every serious situation into a witty thing with it's funny bone. Almost all through out the story, I got a notion that John Corey and his wife, Kate are not on a very good terms, in fact, he knows that his wife is cheating on him, still, when he leaves a voice message on Kate's phone, he says "I love you", whereas it is very clear, that John is not trying hard to get Kate back on his life or to make things right with Kate! Weird!
The supporting characters like Tess, is really a nice and sweet partner to John, who is very kick-ass and brave to stand beside John and the troubles that he calls in. The rest of the cast, which consists of Petrov and his pack of Russian diplomats are strikingly portrayed, that instills a fear straight into the minds of the readers with his third person POV.
The theme of the book is quite enlightening, which is about terrorism. The author shows us how the people, who are responsible to control terrorist attacks on America, are working their ass off to save their country land. That patriotic feel is very strongly featured among each and every character- be it the evil ones or the good ones. The author also focuses on the relationship between America and Russia and there it seems the author have struck a chord with this portrayal. This book is less of mystery, and more of police-thief chasing story, which the author have depicted with some vivid adrenaline-rushing action scenes.
Overall, this is a thrilling as well as compelling book where an unusual detective named John Corey takes on a suspicious believed-to-be a Russian terrorist, living in the New York City, who plans to attack the city whereas John is determined to stop this man from destroying his country one more time after 9/11.
Verdict: Crime fiction fans will love to read this book and I believe Nelson DeMille is a must-read author for everyone.
Courtesy: Thanks to the author's, Nelson DeMille, publicist from Grand Central Publishing, for giving me an opportunity to read and review this book.
----Omar Nelson Bradley, a senior U.S. Army field commander in North Africa and Europe during World War II, and a General of the Army in the United States Army
Nelson DeMille, the #1New York Times best-selling author, pens the seventh book, Radiant Angel in the John Corey series, that features the famous detective, John Corey, who is a former NYPD detective and a former member of the Anti-Terrorist Task Force, the last job forced him to leave it and join hands with Diplomatic Surveillance Group, and this book accounts yet another adventure from John Corey's life.
Synopsis:
After a showdown with the notorious Yemeni terrorist known as The Panther, John Corey has left the Anti-Terrorist Task Force and returned home to New York City, taking a job with the Diplomatic Surveillance Group. Although Corey's new assignment with the DSG-surveilling Russian diplomats working at the U.N. Mission-is thought to be "a quiet end," he is more than happy to be out from under the thumb of the FBI and free from the bureaucracy of office life.
But Corey realizes something the U.S. government doesn't: The all-too-real threat of a newly resurgent Russia.
When Vasily Petrov, a colonel in the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service posing as a diplomat with the Russian U.N. Mission, mysteriously disappears from a Russian oligarch's party in Southampton, it's up to Corey to track him down. What are the Russians up to and why? Is there a possible nuclear threat, a so-called radiant angel? Will Corey find Petrov and put a stop to whatever he has planned before it's too late? Or will Corey finally be outrun and outsmarted, with America facing the prospect of a crippling attack unlike anything it's ever seen before?
This is the first book that I read by this author so I'll review it like I don't know John Corey or about the nature of his work or anything about his background.
John Corey, a former ATTF, is now a part of DSG, who is asked to keep a close watch on a Russian diplomat working for Russian U.N, Vasily Petrov, who is under suspicion that he might be a former KGB as well as Russian terrorist who have come to New York City on a mission. The book opens on 11th September, when Corey along with his new partner, Tess Faraday is following the car of Petrov. Sensing the follow-up, Petrov visits one of his Russian diplomat friend in East Hampton, where he throws a suspicious party consisting of prostitutes and other notorious Russian terrorism key players. Unsure of the whole situation, Corey along with Tess enters the party as caterers, where he finds something really mysterious that doesn't really allow him to point fingers on Petrov so confidently on his terrorist attack plans on NYC. But Petrov is here not to blast a typical bomb like an Al-Qaeda terrorist, he is here on a bigger mission that will guarantee him a promotion. But what are his plans?
The writing style is good enough and really fluent which engages the attention of the readers right into the rhythm of the storyline. The prose is eloquent and polished with lots of tightly packed action that happens non-stop in a curious as well as nail-biting manner, thus keeping the readers on the loop. The story-telling is fantastic and the narrative is layered with humor and drama and with Corey's POV, it sounds more like a fun read despite of the gravity of the possibility of a terror attack.
The not so strong factor of this book and that also puts the readers bit off the edge is the characterization. Well, I thought that the books from the John Corey series can be read like a standalone where in each book the author intricately sketches his protagonist's demeanor just like the first time.
Honestly, I felt John Corey like a vague shadow with very less idea about his back-story in his both professional as well as personal life. Yeah, I will agree that John Corey is a daring and fun-loving guy and takes his country as well as job very seriously. Moreover, he turns every serious situation into a witty thing with it's funny bone. Almost all through out the story, I got a notion that John Corey and his wife, Kate are not on a very good terms, in fact, he knows that his wife is cheating on him, still, when he leaves a voice message on Kate's phone, he says "I love you", whereas it is very clear, that John is not trying hard to get Kate back on his life or to make things right with Kate! Weird!
The supporting characters like Tess, is really a nice and sweet partner to John, who is very kick-ass and brave to stand beside John and the troubles that he calls in. The rest of the cast, which consists of Petrov and his pack of Russian diplomats are strikingly portrayed, that instills a fear straight into the minds of the readers with his third person POV.
The theme of the book is quite enlightening, which is about terrorism. The author shows us how the people, who are responsible to control terrorist attacks on America, are working their ass off to save their country land. That patriotic feel is very strongly featured among each and every character- be it the evil ones or the good ones. The author also focuses on the relationship between America and Russia and there it seems the author have struck a chord with this portrayal. This book is less of mystery, and more of police-thief chasing story, which the author have depicted with some vivid adrenaline-rushing action scenes.
Overall, this is a thrilling as well as compelling book where an unusual detective named John Corey takes on a suspicious believed-to-be a Russian terrorist, living in the New York City, who plans to attack the city whereas John is determined to stop this man from destroying his country one more time after 9/11.
Verdict: Crime fiction fans will love to read this book and I believe Nelson DeMille is a must-read author for everyone.
Courtesy: Thanks to the author's, Nelson DeMille, publicist from Grand Central Publishing, for giving me an opportunity to read and review this book.
June 14, 2015
I have a soft spot in my heart for Nelson DeMille books, and for John Corey in particular. Common sense says I shouldn't like either. DeMille's books are formulaic and the stuff of old Bruce Willis movies. His character John Corey is a smart-ass, sometimes condescending to women, and makes his own trouble. Still, John Corey is my smart ass and and I will read these books if and whenever they come out. Radiant Angel followed the tried and true DeMille formula, covering improbable events in a 48 hour period, always ending with . What really has me bummed is his wife Kate (no relation) just kind of went AWOL. Maybe the author wanted to portray the verisimilitude of the stress put upon a marriage between law enforcement professionals, but I can't help but think that old DeMille wants to trade Kate in for a newer model. Phooey on your Mr. DeMille for treating an excellent character like a throw-away prop.
August 5, 2015
Not too many authors writing thrillers today have the power to excite me with news of a new release like Nelson Demille. Whenever a new book in the John Corey series comes out, I am all over it. This one was no exception. At 311 pages, Radiant Angel is about half the length of the usual entry, and that made me nervous. Nothing to worry about. Usually these books are slow to build up the suspense, but this was a barn burner. The tension never let up. Excellent in every way. Loved it.
September 16, 2018
Always wanted to read Plum Island as much of it takes place in Southold, NY an area that I am familiar with. I decided to read this book another one from the series as the threat of a nuclear bomb scares me less than bugs. Radiant Angel takes place on the South shore (Hamptons) another area that I know fairly well. The book was enjoyable though somewhat typical Russian bad guys nuclear suitcase, etc...
I liked it enough to get over hurdle and will try Plum Island bugs or not.
I liked it enough to get over hurdle and will try Plum Island bugs or not.
June 18, 2015
One of my favorite literary characters is back. John Corey, the wiseass ex-NYPD cop is better than ever! I know some of you didn't like The Panther, but I am positive you will enjoy this one!
July 31, 2015
I have enjoyed his books over the years but this one is awful.
June 25, 2015
Holy crap, I am seriously considering DNFing a Nelson DeMille book and John Corey specifically.
What the hell am I reading, it's not the John Corey I love or the MC that this author built over several books. John Corey (back in the day) was a confident, in your face, sarcastic and brilliant SOB. He had cogliones!
This John Corey is whiney as hell, jaded beyond repair, and the "woe is me and my Wife has a better job than me" attitude is grating. As soon as things in a marriage get a bit tough he jumps ship *pun intended*
How does one continue to read a story where you lost all respect for the MC you used to adore?
UGH!
Edit* and the story line is boring.... how many pages do I need to read about steering a ship along the south shore of LI? Too many
*Finished but only b/c I skimmed through to the end. It was a disappointment. Lacking plot, lacking heart.. just lacking
What the hell am I reading, it's not the John Corey I love or the MC that this author built over several books. John Corey (back in the day) was a confident, in your face, sarcastic and brilliant SOB. He had cogliones!
This John Corey is whiney as hell, jaded beyond repair, and the "woe is me and my Wife has a better job than me" attitude is grating. As soon as things in a marriage get a bit tough he jumps ship *pun intended*
How does one continue to read a story where you lost all respect for the MC you used to adore?
UGH!
Edit* and the story line is boring.... how many pages do I need to read about steering a ship along the south shore of LI? Too many
*Finished but only b/c I skimmed through to the end. It was a disappointment. Lacking plot, lacking heart.. just lacking
June 11, 2024
Still love John Corey and his impetuous behavior and snarky attitude. This was, as previous novels in the series, a nail biter. I have to admit to a little surprise at the ending. I wasn’t expecting that.
June 26, 2015
Having read all of the previous John Corey books and most of what the author has ever written, I found this book lacking in depth and nuance and most of the general tasty ingredients that Mr. DeMille generally includes in his efforts. This really did not seem like his writing at all...occasionally there were a few witty remarks from John...but many fell flat. I actually listened to the Audible version and Mr. Brick, who can usually do a good interpretation, had nothing to work with in this book. Were I a suspicious type, and I am...I would wager that this book was a collaborative effort and much more so than Mr. Demille allows for in thanking his son for what he brought to the effort. And now to on to the Mr. Mercedes sequel...thankfully.
May 16, 2015
**Note: I read this via the US Publisher. I believe in the UK the title is to be "A Quiet End"
Oh John Corey how I adore you.
Nelson De Mille writes extraordinarily accomplished thrillers every time and he has a plethora of great recurring characters to entice the readers in (John Sutter and Paul Brenner being two other faves of mine) but the John Corey series is the one that has a special place in my heart down solely to that character.
Each of the Corey books can be read as standalones but I would definitely recommend reading in order if at all possible due to the brilliant character development (or more perhaps that John stays beautifully the same while all others around him roll their eyes) and because his journey through various law enforcement agencies is really quite ironically witty and seeing it all pan out is one of the great joys of reading these novels. Plum Island is where you need to start...
In this instalment he is working on surveillance, keeping an eye on some suspicious Russian officials living in the US. However as anyone who reads these knows, John Corey lives life in the fast lane - wherever he goes trouble is sure to follow (a lot of it he gets into all by himself) and when he loses sight of one of his targets there is no way in heck he is going home until he tracks him down again. So begins a really tense and exciting adventure and this author being who he is, there is no guarantee of a win for the good guys.
The thing that makes this novel and the ones before it such scintillating reads is the exquisite mixture of thrills and laughs. John Corey has a disparaging wit that just makes you smile then the next moment he is all focus and action as the danger zone hits - you will hover between the edge of your seat and relaxing into a wry smile as he waxes lyrical over his own situation and personality. I love it - really really terrific reading.
If you like a wisecracking protagonist then John Corey is for you - if you like a well constructed and actually thrilling thriller then the situations he finds himself in are for you. If you like a good mix of characters all extremely well drawn, some peripheral, some who turn up often then you will love it.
Its not as if these are popcorn thrillers either - if you are looking for something a little deeper you will find that here as well - Nelson De Mille using his characters and settings to explore wider worldwide issues and certainly he brings a lot of emotional impact to his storytelling.
In Radiant Angel he uses two "scenes" if you like - following John Corey but then in parts following the Russians - this gives a stark and exciting edge to proceedings as the reader is allowed some insight into whether any of the actions John and his compatriots are taking are likely to be of any use. It adds to the drama and stimulus of the read perfectly. Really really gripping stuff.
Overall then, the author has hit the mark for me once again. Long live John Corey!
Happy Reading Folks!
Oh John Corey how I adore you.
Nelson De Mille writes extraordinarily accomplished thrillers every time and he has a plethora of great recurring characters to entice the readers in (John Sutter and Paul Brenner being two other faves of mine) but the John Corey series is the one that has a special place in my heart down solely to that character.
Each of the Corey books can be read as standalones but I would definitely recommend reading in order if at all possible due to the brilliant character development (or more perhaps that John stays beautifully the same while all others around him roll their eyes) and because his journey through various law enforcement agencies is really quite ironically witty and seeing it all pan out is one of the great joys of reading these novels. Plum Island is where you need to start...
In this instalment he is working on surveillance, keeping an eye on some suspicious Russian officials living in the US. However as anyone who reads these knows, John Corey lives life in the fast lane - wherever he goes trouble is sure to follow (a lot of it he gets into all by himself) and when he loses sight of one of his targets there is no way in heck he is going home until he tracks him down again. So begins a really tense and exciting adventure and this author being who he is, there is no guarantee of a win for the good guys.
The thing that makes this novel and the ones before it such scintillating reads is the exquisite mixture of thrills and laughs. John Corey has a disparaging wit that just makes you smile then the next moment he is all focus and action as the danger zone hits - you will hover between the edge of your seat and relaxing into a wry smile as he waxes lyrical over his own situation and personality. I love it - really really terrific reading.
If you like a wisecracking protagonist then John Corey is for you - if you like a well constructed and actually thrilling thriller then the situations he finds himself in are for you. If you like a good mix of characters all extremely well drawn, some peripheral, some who turn up often then you will love it.
Its not as if these are popcorn thrillers either - if you are looking for something a little deeper you will find that here as well - Nelson De Mille using his characters and settings to explore wider worldwide issues and certainly he brings a lot of emotional impact to his storytelling.
In Radiant Angel he uses two "scenes" if you like - following John Corey but then in parts following the Russians - this gives a stark and exciting edge to proceedings as the reader is allowed some insight into whether any of the actions John and his compatriots are taking are likely to be of any use. It adds to the drama and stimulus of the read perfectly. Really really gripping stuff.
Overall then, the author has hit the mark for me once again. Long live John Corey!
Happy Reading Folks!
May 23, 2022
John Corey is back and this one flows better than #6.
Russians, a terrorist nuclear attack and a wise-cracking John Corey who doesn't trust his superiors.
What's not to like?
OVERALL GRADE: B plus.
Russians, a terrorist nuclear attack and a wise-cracking John Corey who doesn't trust his superiors.
What's not to like?
OVERALL GRADE: B plus.
August 25, 2015
An unrewarding, unfulfilled novel of massacre. 3 of 10 stars
June 26, 2015
Loved this book. Scary premise, but John Corey's on the job! A very quick read because I couldn't put it down. Love DeMille's writing. The character of Corey is smart, sarcastic and totally entertaining! Read this one.
August 28, 2016
I found Radiant Angel to be slightly better than the previous John Corey installment The Panther, it didn't drag and it was right to the point, and it was like 300 pages shorter than The Panther, HAHA! I finished it in less than a week.
Radiant Angel had a different feel to it than the rest of the series, John Corey has left the ATTF (Anti-Terrorist Task Force) after the Yemini terrorist The Panther, and has taken a job with the Diplomatic Surveillance Group. For the first time Kate did not appear in this book, she's been transferred by the FBI to Washington DC. Corey along with newcomer Tess Faraday is assigned to keep Russian Colonel Vasily Petrov, who they believe is a traitor under surveillance. But when the Russian disappears while attending a party, Corey and Tess investigate his disappearance and as they discover that Petrov had devised a plan of nuclear disaster for New York City, and it's up to Corey and Tess to stop him.
Very fast-paced and a fun quick easy read. What I wonder now is if DeMille is gonna continue the series because he kind of left the ending open but the last few sentences made it seem like this could possibly be the final book in the series. Is John Corey gonna continue, or is this it?
Radiant Angel had a different feel to it than the rest of the series, John Corey has left the ATTF (Anti-Terrorist Task Force) after the Yemini terrorist The Panther, and has taken a job with the Diplomatic Surveillance Group. For the first time Kate did not appear in this book, she's been transferred by the FBI to Washington DC. Corey along with newcomer Tess Faraday is assigned to keep Russian Colonel Vasily Petrov, who they believe is a traitor under surveillance. But when the Russian disappears while attending a party, Corey and Tess investigate his disappearance and as they discover that Petrov had devised a plan of nuclear disaster for New York City, and it's up to Corey and Tess to stop him.
Very fast-paced and a fun quick easy read. What I wonder now is if DeMille is gonna continue the series because he kind of left the ending open but the last few sentences made it seem like this could possibly be the final book in the series. Is John Corey gonna continue, or is this it?
May 14, 2015
Having been a fan of Nelson DeMille since the '80s, I was delighted to have the opportunity to read an advance copy of his latest book, Radiant Angel. I love authors who can be relied upon to consistently provide a great read. DeMille's books are entertaining, yet intelligent and thought-provoking. I also like that his books appeal to both men and women; so many of the books I read can't be recommended to men I know. I particularly like his witty and sarcastic main characters like John Corey in this series and John Sutter of The Gold Coast books.
In Radiant Angel, the threat being investigated was very scary because one could imagine it happening in real life today. There were interesting ethical issues that came up in the book which differentiated it from more typical thrillers. I couldn't put the book down wanting to see how it would be resolved. This book seems to be a transitional book in the life of John Corey. I'm interested to see what happens in his personal life in future books. I think Radiant Angel will be a great summer read. Anyone could take it on vacation and know they will be enjoy it. I highly recommend it.
In Radiant Angel, the threat being investigated was very scary because one could imagine it happening in real life today. There were interesting ethical issues that came up in the book which differentiated it from more typical thrillers. I couldn't put the book down wanting to see how it would be resolved. This book seems to be a transitional book in the life of John Corey. I'm interested to see what happens in his personal life in future books. I think Radiant Angel will be a great summer read. Anyone could take it on vacation and know they will be enjoy it. I highly recommend it.
September 6, 2017
Former FBI agent John Corey is always a treat, the smart-mouthed smart guy with just enough ragged tender spots to make him wildly appealing when you don’t want to kill him. In Radiant Angel, Nelson DeMille reliably delivers a fast paced thriller with fully realized characters. Corey has a dead-end job ticking surveillance boxes following Russian diplomats at the UN Mission. Until the dip of the day he’s assigned to watch, Vasily Petrov, wanders far outside his designated 25-mile electronic leash zone and Corey finds himself in a race to save the world, or at least, his part of it.
DeMille is especially good at immediately setting up a ticking bomb: the threat that New York City will be vaporized mist in mere days. As Corey puts it, ‘Now we’re looking at something that would make 9/11 look like a bad day at the office.�
Dollops of strong language and stronger suspense, a brisk weave of chillingly prescient details and a satisfying and complex conclusion make this one a winner.
DeMille is especially good at immediately setting up a ticking bomb: the threat that New York City will be vaporized mist in mere days. As Corey puts it, ‘Now we’re looking at something that would make 9/11 look like a bad day at the office.�
Dollops of strong language and stronger suspense, a brisk weave of chillingly prescient details and a satisfying and complex conclusion make this one a winner.
January 25, 2016
Vasily Petrov, a colonel in the Russian SVR and son of a famous general, is masquerading as a diplomat with the Russian U.N. mission waiting to wreak havoc on the archenemy, U.S. His watcher from the Diplomatic Surveillance Group is ex-NYC detective John Corey, now in semi-retirement after his stint with the Anti-Terrorist Task Force. John is on duty with an FBI trainee, when Petrov and two colleagues head to a party in the Hamptons hosted by a Russian oligarch. The two jump into the catering van, and witness the three Russians escaping mysteriously in a boat. When the identity of the third Russian is discovered, the race is on to save New York City. DeMille cut this one short, including appearances by none of the characters from the first six books in this series. Fast-paced, but below par for this writer.
June 2, 2015
I preferred the earlier books in this series
There was not much going on in this plot. Pretty straight forward from beginning to end. The character development and interest was more superficial than before. If I had not read earlier books I would have said this was great, it's a pretty good thriller, but was a little disappointed after waiting a year for it, after reading every other book written by the author.
There was not much going on in this plot. Pretty straight forward from beginning to end. The character development and interest was more superficial than before. If I had not read earlier books I would have said this was great, it's a pretty good thriller, but was a little disappointed after waiting a year for it, after reading every other book written by the author.
May 28, 2018
Dissapointed. If action and shallowness appeal to you this is your book. I have read Demille for years and have loved much of his work, but there is more reality in Harry Potter and the Wizard of Oz than there was in this novel. I don't care if John Corey can stay underwater for a month or if he can disarm a nuclear bomb with his teeth or has to publicly get rid of his wife for some literary reason. Wore me out.
June 29, 2019
“I suppose you could say that the Russians had a big appetite for life, or you could say they were dissolute and decadent, which was the opposite side of the same ruble.�
“Use a gun that works every time. As George Washington said, ‘All skill is in vain when an angel pisses in the flintlock of your musket.�
The seventh book in the John Corey series by Nelson Demille sees Corey go up against a Russian operative named Vasily Petrov who means to level New York City with a suitcase nuke disguising it as an Islamic terrorist attack to cripple the United States in advance of Russian interests. The narration by Scott Brick is excellent, making John Corey feel like a wiseass private investigator who swaggers through his cases, moving with the punches with staying blatantly sarcastic. The plot is serviceable and timely given the current US-Russian relations, and the characters play off each other that advances the storyline in fun and entertaining ways. There are numerous great one liners (such as the two above) that offer excellent chuckles. A good addition to the John Corey series.
“Use a gun that works every time. As George Washington said, ‘All skill is in vain when an angel pisses in the flintlock of your musket.�
The seventh book in the John Corey series by Nelson Demille sees Corey go up against a Russian operative named Vasily Petrov who means to level New York City with a suitcase nuke disguising it as an Islamic terrorist attack to cripple the United States in advance of Russian interests. The narration by Scott Brick is excellent, making John Corey feel like a wiseass private investigator who swaggers through his cases, moving with the punches with staying blatantly sarcastic. The plot is serviceable and timely given the current US-Russian relations, and the characters play off each other that advances the storyline in fun and entertaining ways. There are numerous great one liners (such as the two above) that offer excellent chuckles. A good addition to the John Corey series.
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