This is a scary, scary book. It is slightly dated in terms of technology, but it deals with a frightening situation that is easily envisioned today. Written in 1988 when the Soviets were yet a force to be reckoned with, it could still easily happen now, with an unnamed Arab group playing the Soviet role. After all, who could believe that crazy people would attack the US proper with our own jetliners?

This tale is created from a combination of spy vs spy vs beautiful spy, fast-moving high-tech action, and the Israelis finally having had enough. This leads to the brink of world war, as the Israelis plan to bomb an Iraqi nuclear reactor protected by secret missle sites. Our hero must avert total disaster in the best Ludlam-esque manner, while of course becoming involved with the lovely but secretive sabra and dealing with the "is he, is he not" double agent.

Although much of the weapons and aircraft are from the last generation of military technology, the author as a former WWII navigator writes convincing battle scenes. The fact that it is set in a Middle East aflame with hatred on all sides is what makes it so timely - with Sharon in the lead, I can easily believe that Operation Fiery Furnace could take place any day now, with opposition from Hussein, supported by bin Laden's followers.

This is fiction, but just barely.

Having found Ambush at Osirak an exciting book I tried Scimitar (previously Missile Zone). David Llewellen and his wife are central characters once again in the troubled Middle East. There is a wealth of excitement as the two of them search for leads to a terrorist organization that they believe stole a Chineese missile that was being shipped to Saudi. Tied in with this is a separate theft of biological warheads from an Iraqi facility. Could they be related incidents? The search for clues takes Mrs. Llewellen, who is an agent for the Mossad, to Iran where she is immediately hunted by Irani agents. The story culminates with the pieces finally fitting together and so little time to avert destruction of Tel Aviv.

The book was realistic, exciting and well drawn out.

Weatherhawk has to be the absolute worst book I have read! The plot was so thin and boring I dozed off several times in the story. There is zero action, zero suspense, and zero interest. I can't believe how much time I wasted reading this Godforsaken book.