Hazardous Duty

Presidential Agent Series, Book 8

By: W.E.B. Griffin, William E. Butterworth IV

Narrated by: Dick Hill

Length: 13 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

The Presidential Agent adventures return, in the most surprising novel yet in the #1 Wall Street Journal – and New York Times–bestselling series.

Mexican drug cartels are shooting up the streets of Laredo and El Paso. Somali pirates are holding three U.S. tankers for ransom. The President of the United States is fed up and, as Commander in Chief, has what he thinks is a pretty bright idea — to get hold of Colonel Charley Castillo and his merry band and get them on the case.

Unfortunately, that will be difficult. Everybody knows that the President hates Castillo’s guts, and has just had him forcibly retired from the military, and now Castillo’s men are scattered far and wide, many of them in hiding. There are also whispers that the President himself is unstable — the word “nutcake” has been mentioned.

How will it all play out? No one knows for sure, but for Castillo and company, only one thing is definite: This is going to be hazardous duty.

©2013 W.E.B. Griffin (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved. Recorded by arrangement with G. P. Putnam’s Sons, a member of Penguin Group (USA) LLC.

Critic reviews

"Tough-fisted . . . hard-edged . . . Griffin’s formula is straightforward: Set up a bunch of obstacles, and let us watch Charley Castillo knock them down one at a time. His novels promise action, suspense, and rousing entertainment, and they never fail to deliver." ( Booklist)

Very Funny

A very interesting and Enjoyable Book! I will recommend the book to family and friends..

it was a little choppy

this book didnt seem to flow as well as others in this series. and it didn't seem to end well.

I just do not get it.

The last book in the series, until recently. The inconsistencies are so bad in this book, it makes me cringe. I will refrain from listing them here.

I wonder why a gifted writer like Griffin would make such a blunder. Any assistance he recieved, must have been from a writer unfamiliar with the series.

What a disappointment!

Parody and repetitious

When at first the whole story was repeats of previous books, I chose to overlook it as this book was longer…so maybe I could deal with 2-3 hours of rehashing.
But when both the story and the narration got increasingly ludicrous, I thought, “The author is doing a spoof of all the other stories.”
Sure enough, after the end, the author admits this wasn’t an action book but a spoof of spy and action novels novels.

I’m finished with this author.

Should be made into a movie.

Many may not appreciate this book as is it is not quite in the same stile as predecessor books - it’s humor is in the style of Mash. It is very enjoyable.
Additionally, this books contains a fantastic explanation of the Oprichnina, the foundations of the Russian secret police founded by Tsar Ivan the Terrible between 1565 and 1572. The interesting thing is that the organization seems to still exist with Vladimir Putin it’s leader. One needs to understand the Oprichnina to understand problems in today’s Ukraine.

Redacted Redacted Redacted need I say more?

Wish I had read the reviews prior to buying... I have all Griffin books... Sadly this is
tripe.. Rehash of all previous books.. Had I not read them all maybe.. Just maybe, it
might have two stars.. Dick Hill did his splendid self!

Terrible Disappointment

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Only those who think all government officials are idiots.

Has Hazardous Duty turned you off from other books in this genre?

No, I am a huge fan of W. E. B. Griffin and have read and re-read all of his series, but this is terrible and should be withdrawn.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

He reads the story.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Hazardous Duty?

All the play of the President and his spokesman.

Any additional comments?

Very disappointing!

Waste of money

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Putting some effort into it.

Would you ever listen to anything by W.E.B. Griffin and William E. Butterworth again?

Probably through the library.

What about Dick Hill’s performance did you like?

He was good as always.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

No

Any additional comments?

I'm a big fan of the series...own all of them. This was awful, can I get my money back? Plenty of the other books taking up pages, they r still not married, really sick of the president for what now 3 books. Don't waste any money on getting it. Hopefully It will get back on track. Did I mention I want my money back!

Hazardous Reading!

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

More sophisticated story line, as written it is almost on a comical level.

Would you ever listen to anything by W.E.B. Griffin and William E. Butterworth again?

I have been a W.E.B. Griffin fan since his first book, "The Lieutenants", however, the quality of his stories has declined significantly over the last 5-10 years. I would probably not buy one of his stories again.

Would you be willing to try another one of Dick Hill’s performances?

No way, Mr. Hill would be better served by reading for animated cartoons!

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Hazardous Duty?

Unfortunately it is in need of a total rewrite. As written it is is too sophomoric to be taken as a serious read!

Disappointing!

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I expected so much more. For those looking for a disconnected comedy, this is for you.

What was most disappointing about W.E.B. Griffin and William E. Butterworth ’s story?

I had hoped for a thrilling ending to the series.

Would you be willing to try another one of Dick Hill’s performances?

Definitely. Can only do so much with what was written.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

I look forward to W. E. B. Griffin books. What an utter disappointment.

Any additional comments?

Best part is Griffin's comments at the end.