Without Mercy

A Novel

By: R. J. Pineiro, Col. David Hunt

Narrated by: PJ Ochlan

Length: 18 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

When ISIS detonates nuclear weapons in two key American strongholds, the United States plunges into chaos, and the CIA scrambles to prevent a third tragedy in Without Mercy, a terrifying and topical thriller from Colonel David Hunt and R. J. Pineiro.

The unthinkable has happened: ISIS, covertly assisted by Pakistan's intelligence services, has acquired nuclear weapons and the ability to deliver them anywhere in the world. They begin with an attack at Bagram Airfield, America's largest military base in Afghanistan. A second weapon is detonated in Battery Park in New York City. The blast levels a square mile of Manhattan, including the Financial District. Hundreds of thousands perish. The American economy is in chaos. Banks close their doors. The US supply chain is disrupted. Riots and looting break out while enemies in the Middle East burn US flags in celebration.

The stakes skyrocket when Islamabad CIA Station Chief Bill Gorman unearths evidence of a third bomb headed our way. Across two continents the chase is on to find the runaway terrorists led by the ruthless and capable Salma Bahmani, star agent of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence, the dread ISI. She will stop at nothing to deliver what could be the final nail in America's coffin.

©2017 David Hunt and R. J. Pineiro (P)2017 Macmillan Audio

A great thriller

I had no plans to buy this book. Audible was having one of its 2 for 1 sales and I had selected the book that I really wanted and was looking for something else to add. I had never heard of the authors but the plot seemed interesting and I wanted something light to buy with the history book that was my main selection. I was not expecting much from the purchase as most of the books I get as second choice in one of Audible’s 2 for 1 sales are just OK. This book turned out to be a clear exception.

The book captured my interest right away. The characters were interesting, the story was long enough for there to be considerable character development, the plot seemed reasonable, given the thriller genre, and the events never struck me as being so unreasonable that I could not suspend belief. Some of the characters were a bit over-drawn, but there were no “super heroes” able to do unbelievable things on a regular basis. The book is full of interesting characters, the writing is clear and to the point, the descriptions of events seem reasonable and the book never seemed to me to be completely unbelievable. There were a couple of minor things in the book that struck me as unrealistic, surprisingly so considering that one of the authors is a military man and would surely know that no Naval Chief of Staff would hold the rank of Rear Admiral, and I thought that there was a bit too much detail in describing the weapons being used as I personally don’t need the entire sequence of model number characters that describe a weapon, but those are minor objections in an otherwise excellent book.

The narration is first class and I enjoyed the book so much that I will now look for other books by Mr Pineiro. In fact I enjoyed it so much that I began to think if this turned out to be the first of a series I would definitely buy the second when it became available. This is not great literature, but it is a great little thriller, at least as good as any other thriller I have bought recently and considerably better than most of them.

Average military espionage thriller

At first I thought it was above average with weapons and tactics but it is not. Armored plates made of titanium, M2 used as a hand weapon, every good guy armed with an MP7 , etc.
That said the bar is pretty low. I just wish authors would do a little more research on the tactical side.

I do like that it's not 1 guy vs everyone. Superheroes are for comic books, this story does have multiple subplots and characters which you would expect in world events.

Outstanding

Unbelievable ride throughout, a can’t put it down masterpiece! So potentially real, it’s scary. And amazingly narrated.

Riveting Story

I thought it was a little slow to get started, but when it caught up it was engaging all the way through. I purchased the second book as soon as I finished the first.

The writers put a great story together and Ochlan did a fantastic job narrating. Definately a five-star from me.

Hard to stay focused in the beginning

Narrator difficult at the beginning. It got better as the story continued . Personally I got lost in the beginning but I'm glad I stuck with it.

Very Intriguing

At first I wasn’t sure that this was going to be a worthwhile listen but I’m more then glad I stayed the course like Monica, I held on til the end.

Great, but scary action thriller!

I raced to finish this audible book. It seems very timely and a bit too possible!! I liked the characters, especially the strong female ones. Having a woman president who was a combat veteran was surprising, but engaging. Other female characters were great, also. I read a very critical review about some of the military terms around firearms, but even tho I am an NRA member and a gun owner, I was so involved in the action of the story that the reference to passing a gun by its "handle" instead of its "grip" did not spoil anything for me. Thanks, Col. Hunt and R J Pineiro for a thrilling story (that I hope never happens!) Col. Hunt, I have missed seeing you on FOX News, but just saw you there this morning! Nice job by the narrator who is a new one to me. I highly recommend this audible book!

Gripping, Stunning and Revealing

Be able to stop listening or reading this book. It is a A novel today but a very possible reality, given the direction our government is digressing

Great story

A great story that will make you think about what could happen to our country. A very scary possibility.

Way to go Colonel !!!

This is one of the best listens ever. The pace never slows.
I hope you will write many more, looking forward to Without Fear.