Radiant Angel

By: Nelson DeMille

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 10 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

"A soft breeze fluttered the white, blue, and red Russian flag in front of the U.N. mission. I remember when the Soviet hammer and sickle flew there. I kind of miss the Cold War. But I think it's back."

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 UN 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 US 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 UN 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? 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.

©2015 Nelson DeMille (P)2015 Hachette Audio

This was not the DeMille I know

This does not rate up there with other John Corey or other DeMille books. I was very disappointed. The story was weak and predictable. There is only so much killing one can take. I am a great fan of NDM but this fell short.

Weakest John Corey novel yet !

What disappointed you about Radiant Angel?

First half of the SHORTEST book in series has NO Kate and very little John. Much lengthy detail on all murders on the ship.

What could Nelson DeMille have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Involved Kate, used John more, cut the gratuitous violence as the Russian kills all on board the boat.

What didn’t you like about Scott Brick’s performance?

Scott was fine, it's hard working with a bad script/plot.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Radiant Angel?

Seriously reduce The murders on the boat. There was no point.

Any additional comments?

Maybe DeMille has run the course of the series. It was half the length and 1/10th the quality. OVERALL a real dud. 😝

Another John Cory Success

At 10 hours 30 minutes, Radiant Angel is 4 to 14 hours shorter than any other book in the John Cory series. The good news is that it is gripping all the way. No filler. There's nothing new here however. Same old John Cory. His wife is not involved in this one but a replacement female performs a similar role.

As a hard core John Cory/Scott Brick fan, I'm okay with this.

Worth All Five Stars

If you could sum up Radiant Angel in three words, what would they be?

Amazing Best Selling Author on this umpteenth book - CHECK. Most In-demand Audio Reader/Performer Scott Brick - CHECK. Snarky protagonist John Corey - CHECK. What's not to love?(OK, three phrases, not three words. I'm about as adept at following the rules as John Corey)

What did you like best about this story?

Nitty gritty details of espionage, international intrigue, and snarky humor.

Which scene was your favorite?

No spoilers here.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely.

Any additional comments?

OK, the countdown begins until next's year's DeMille release...

Nice to see ya, John Cory

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Yes, but I'd recommend other John Cory books above it.

If you’ve listened to books by Nelson DeMille before, how does this one compare?

This is far less satisfying. The witty exchanges between John Cory and everyone else were not up to past books.

What aspect of Scott Brick’s performance would you have changed?

Brick didn't seem as invested in the cutting edge to John Cory's remarks as previously.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

I was disappointed that Kate was not a part of this book. I thought she and John were going to be together and playing off each other forever. The book was shorter and seemed rushed to conclusion. However, if you are a John Cory fan, it is worth the read/listen.

Mailed It In

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

I was disappointed in this latest Cory novel. I don't like the character any more, and Mr. DeMille, who used to be one of my favorites, doesn't seem to either. Scott Brick, while competent as usual, seems to feel the same way, so it's unanimous.

The plot was predictable, and the violence more gratuitous than usual. I didn't see what value the new female protagonist brought to the story, either.

Keep 'em coming Nelson!

A totally enjoyable listen. Was caught several times laughing to myself in public. What would I do without Nelson DeMille?

Corey is back!

Would you consider the audio edition of Radiant Angel to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version but the audio version is great1

What did you like best about this story?

John Corey is his usual irreverent, politically incorrect , wisecracking and dynamic self and that is what makes him so much fun. Also, he is not hampered by Kate in this book and that is a relief. Once again, many twists and turns and lots of guessing about where the book is going next. And, of course, Corey follows his own rules which is always a great no nonsense way of taking out the bad guys.

What does Scott Brick bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Well, what can I say about Scott that hasn't already been said, many times. First, he IS the voice of John Corey and does him well. Second, this narrator can do any accent, and voice (male or female) and do them extremely well. Who could ask for more?

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

A New Version of the Old Enemy

Any additional comments?

I had read somewhere that Nelson Demille was getting a little bored with John Corey and had considered whether he should end the series. Thank goodness he didn't. This one is every bit as exciting and fun to listen to as all of them are. One nice thing is that Corey is on his own in this book, without the spouse, and I have to say it is so much better without the politically correct Kate to hamper his audacious style. If there was anything that was a bit of a drawback (and that, not much) it was the long section following the Russians. But all in all, it worked in the story and laid a good foundation. Although, I would have liked a few more of Corey's wisecracks.

John Corey series...DeMIille at his best

Radiant Angel is the 7th book in the wonderful John Corey series. Just read the books starting with Plum Island. I guarantee you will love all of the books in the series.

Scott Brick's narration is perfect for the Corey character.

Disappointing

Not what we've come to expect from DeMille. Reads like a short story that I paid the price of a novel for.