The War Planners, Book 1

By: Andrew Watts

Narrated by: Michael Pauley

Length: 8 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's Summary

There is evidence in the news almost every day: territorial disputes in the South China Sea, China's ongoing military buildup, cyber-attacks on the US government. It's this century's cold war...until it turns hot.

A CIA operative in Shanghai sends a message to Langley, and then goes missing. An inner-circle of Chinese government officials has set in motion plans to do the unthinkable - to invade the United States of America.

Lena Chou is one of the few US officials who knows the truth. Now, in order to covertly plan the US defense, Lena must put together a Red Cell, a group of experts who will plan how China could best attack it.

David Manning is one of those experts. But as the group creates a blueprint for war with China, he suspects that not every person among them is planning for America to win....

©2015 Andrew Watts (P)2015 Andrew Watts

Asleep at the wheel

The characters in this book are the smartest, and brightest national security persons in the USA, but their powers of observation don't detect that they are surrounded by Chineese nationals. Imagine that, and it takes 2 chapters for someone to notice. The serniero is not very plausible, some of the solutions to problems remind me of the way college freshmen solved national defense problems dealing with problems in the 1960's. And sadly the theories in this book are about 56 years outdated...some interesting moments, but too few and none were revalations.
If you are just looking to burn off about 12 hrs listening time because you cannot find anything else here is a book.
Now the reader can make an interesting Australian accent in both a ship captain and pawn shop owner.

Great Story

Avid listener of the genre and this was a great story. Narration was pretty good and the storyline kept me eager to listen. Definitely worth a listen!

Ludicrous plot

Several Americian contractors find themselves taken away from their families in the middle of the night, flown to an island to work on a "CIA" secret project. They are so stupid they don't realise the danger they are in until too late. Several are also recruits for Chinese nationalist with no true values other than money. Unbelievable to think American people could be so gullible to fall so willing to give away their own country. Several concepts and programs are likely available in today's world.

Kept me on the edge of my seat

I listened to this novel while I was traveling through China. It was frightening to put in perspective how easy this could happen. The author has woven a tale of twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end. If I had one wish it would be that I want to read what will happen next. I hope a sequel is available soon! The narrator was excellent at conveying suspense, intrigue and establishing character identity. His narration heightened the story and made me reluctant to put it down! I will search out other books he has done.

Andrew Watts has written an excellent novel! cc

The author has written a brilliant novel, full of intrigue and suspense! The narration is superb, bringing the characters to life!

the story is more of a fantasy than a mystery. the

the author knows nothing about how Interpol actually works and there are so many holes in the story that it should have been swiss cheese instead of a book.

☆☆☆☆☆ RIVETING ☆☆☆☆☆

Downright scary when you think about it and what's going on in the world today! A definite MUST read 😻😻😻

So Much Possibility, But Faltered on Delivery

Interesting premise for the plot. Decent character development but a bit shallow. The ending seemed rushed and of course incomplete. Like a TV show ending the season with a cliff hanger. While it might seem like a good move getting the reader or listener to grab the next book in the series, it also can frustrate the reader/listener, which was my response. In the end the book is ok. It isn't one I would recommend to friends.

An interesting story....

Starts with an interesting concept, and goes in a direction that will make you uncomfortable. But this is a great story., and really makes you think.

Hopeless

Started off good with an interesting plot but it became more hopeless as the book progressed. The bad guys won at the end when it abruptly ended. I don't think I will read the sequel. I am afraid it would be more hopeless for the main characters and it would end without any resolution or the good guys winning anything.

Predictable

Well, predictable until it went ridiculously all over the place. The best bit is how awful the narrator does an Australian accent!? Did he learn that in Ireland?