Do the wrong thing--you're dead
Do the right thing--the life you know is destroyed
Do nothing at all and you will have a hand in the biggest global war America has seen since World War II
These were the only options given to burnt out homicide detective, Jake Penny, after mistakenly exposing the American government's biggest secret that never existed. Now an investigative reporter is digging too deep into his life, the NSA is hawking his every move, a shadow society is on the verge dimming his future, all while his demons are dragging him back to his dark past.
Detective Penny is forced to take action and stop the government's adversaries from retrieving their secrets at all costs without bringing any light to what's going on. But the biggest challenge for him will he be able to face the unexpected person standing in his way... himself.
Brimming with espionage, mystery, murder and moral conflict, V.E.N.O.M., by Ty Mitchell, is a fast-paced thriller that lures readers in at page one and keeps them riveted to the very end.
Assessment:
Plot: The plot here is well thought out and conceived. The movement of the story is well coordinated and not too fast or slow. The strength of the book lies within its depth.
Prose/Style: The prose begins in a disarming sort of way, until the unfolding events cut the reader down quickly. The writing mixes in the action-mystery with dashes of emotion and police procedural.
Originality: The book combines a pleasant mix of sci-fi, along with mystery and secrecy, that keep the reader on their toes.
Character Development: The characters are well written and tread paths that lead to any possible unfolding scenario. The protagonist's backstory possesses tragedy and sadness, but also hidden violence and a wildcard element. Each new character unveiled meshes well with the reader.
Blurb: This is an excellent new release, full of interesting characters involved in covert goings on. The mysteries abound in a well-plotted and thought out book that will make the reader hunger for more.
Date Submitted: May 17, 2019
An elderly Asian couple has been brutally killed and the children they fostered, kidnapped. Enter Jake Penny, a troubled homicide detective whose demons won’t let him get a good night’s sleep. He lives in an apartment so spare, that his bed, punching bag and memorial to his dead wife and daughter are the only appointments. The memory of their demise in an accident, coupled with survivor’s guilt, has driven him to drugs and alcohol. When he finds himself in an unexpected confrontation with a robber at a local pharmacy, his scrappy, unconventional style of law enforcement comes to the rescue and gives the first hints of just how flawed a man he is.
Burnt-out, grieving and depressed, the detective doesn’t always play by the rules and, in fact, often bends them to suit himself. That inner conflict between right and wrong becomes even more fascinating to observe when Penny is assigned to lend support on the double murder/kidnapping case. What starts out as a routine gathering of information unfolds as something far more sinister when Penny makes a curious discovery at the crime scene and is asked to give an accounting to NSA special agent, Ethan Parker. This was no random act of violence. This was a crime with links to V.E.N.O.M. – Veiled and Exclusive Nation of Organized Mercenaries – a disbanded group of international spies and assassins who adopted new identities and reintegrated into society. With the murders coming to light, these ex-V.E.N.O.M. begin resurfacing, which could have far-reaching, deadly global effects.
Parker insists on recruiting a reluctant Penny to work with him on the case. When Zasha Avery, a comely newspaper reporter and potential love interest, shows up and pressures Penny for leads on the investigation, this thrilling romp through the murky underworld of political intrigue really ramps up. Confrontations ensue, identities are revealed to be ruses, threats are carried out, bluffs are called and bad guys are killed in gruesome fashion. Suspicions run high and the lines between right and wrong become increasingly blurred. Are the characters actually who they say they are? Are seemingly noble intentions really rooted in evil? Is anyone acting for the greater good or is it every man (or woman) for himself? Will Penny be able to stop the resurgence of V.E.N.O.M.?
Author Ty Mitchell does an admirable of job teasing out the answers, maintaining the tension at a level that earns this book “page turner” status. Readers who love strong characters, shadowy espionage and high action will find V.E.N.O.M. to be a satisfying read with a thrilling, unexpected ending as their ultimate reward.
Brimming with espionage, mystery, murder and moral conflict, V.E.N.O.M. is a fast-paced thriller that lures readers in at page one and keeps them riveted to the very end.
