Don Brown's The Malacca Conspiracy ~ Reviewed

The Malacca Conspiracy
By Don Brown
Published by Zondervan
ISBN# 978-0-310-27215-1
349 Pages


Back Cover:

American president Mack Williams has an international crisis on his hands. The Malaysian seaport of Malacca is the focus of a deadly terrorist plot to attack civilian oil tankers, assassinate the Indonesian president and finance a nuclear attack on American cities. Can Navy JAG officers Zack Brewer and Diane Cocernian foil the conspiracy before disaster strikes?

To Read first chapter click HERE.

Review:

On the back cover it says, “Hang on...and hold your breath!" - they weren’t kidding!! Action happens from the very first chapter and doesn’t stop until the end. I’m grateful to have received a review copy of a book that shows evil trying to take over and the people fighting back the darkness, for the sake of freedom and safety for all.

It took me a few chapters to get into the rhythm of this author's writing technique. Don Brown’s style keeps the reader engaged and has them on track by noting the location a scene taking place. For example, it might say 'Rasa Sentosa Resort, Sentosa Island, Singapore 11:16a.m.', which helps make sure the reader’s mind is set for the situation ahead.

This author masterfully weaves together a chilling, action adventure story told from a panorama of different points of view. I was astounded at how Don Brown wrote all these scenes from different parts of the world and kept it all on track. It was like watching a movie and having it smoothly pan from one event to the next, connecting them all seamlessly. I loved it!

This author shows evil being unleashed on this planet by people who would do unimaginable things to themselves, and others to achieve their goal! Most of these deeds are unbelievable to our way of thinking and were quite disturbing to read. Don Brown served five years in the U.S. Navy and “gained an exceptional vantage point of both Navy and the inner workings of 'inside-the-beltway' political operations as an action officer assigned to the Pentagon.” This explains his insider point of view and how he took the reader behind closed doors in meetings with the President and the Security Council, while planning the next military action.

Don lays out a terrorist attack, a surprise to many, and a global nightmare for all. What does it look like when a mad man takes power and has several nuclear war heads at his disposal, then starts making demands.

Don Brown brings back two of his favorite characters from The Navy Justice series, Zack Brewer and Diane Colcernian, to help catch the person masterminding these attacks at sea. Zack and Diane are sent to the front lines to gather clues in helping catch the evil doer and uncover where the next attack would take place.

Robert Molster – N.Y. Merchantile exchange, is contacted as an adviser for any unusual activity at the stock exchange market that might shed light on the group behind these brutal attacks. Robert’s documents show how one sect made $40 billion overnight. “They could buy a ton of nuclear weapons for forty billion…if somebody was willing to sell...my guess is for that kind of money, they could find a seller!” It was scary and fascinating how the stock market could be manipulated and used to fund terrorist attacks.

Also, it was intriguing, and a little scary, to read how information is gathered and told to the president and his counsel, so they can come up with a counter-attack. This author has a believer in the White House.

Mark Williams is president and the bible verse he is standing on is in Philippians, “anxious about nothing, but in all things bring your petitions and requests to God. And the peace of God, that passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

He addresses the nation and says, “Islamo-fascists may have temporarily bruised us, evil cannot, and shall not, ever quench the heart and the spirit of America. We are grateful to God almighty that we still live as a nation.”

Don Brown has a gift for getting into the skin of whoever’s point of view he’s writing from. I was drawn into all the scenes he wrote about, even he minor ones. It’s amazing how our military has to be on alert 24/7, trained to look at things differently than you and I do. I also understood why things are kept top secret and current info isn’t broadcast on the nightly news. There would be so much panic and people would be paranoid of everyone around them, it would create such havoc. It was unnerving how many years the evil ones planned their attacks. And, sleepers are activated by a phone call to perform the evil task at hand.

This novel was one thrill ride full of action, suspense, drama and some romance. It was definitely entertaining and scary to think how many of these things could happen in current time. It also reminded me to pray more for our military, the people that run our country and for our President. This was a book that made you think and appreciate our government and our military, and to get on our knees to pray for our nation. I can’t wait to read another book by this master storyteller.

Reviewed by: Nora St.Laurent
The Book Club Network

Bonus Review:

The Malacca Conspiracy is my first novel experience with author Don Brown, but after reading this and getting snippets of previous books including the Navy Justice Series, I'm very intrigued and want more. This novel was real and engaging. It was nerve wracking and page turning. I was terrified and excited all in the same breath. I truly enjoyed this novel and want more like it.

While reading this book I felt like I was getting a geography lesson about parts of the world I never really thought about. I learned about some issues of stocks and bonds and the market world as well as some military terms. In part it reminds me of reading a Tom Morrisey novel (Danger Close, Pirate Hunter). For me it was a great read, following up on Jerry Jenkins' The Last Operative.

I wonder if my navy wife sister will need to borrow it...

*Thanks to Zondervan for providing a copy for review
through the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance.*

Reviewed by: Margaret Chind