| Title | : | The Last Operative |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 141433818X |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781414338187 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 380 |
| Publication | : | First published January 1, 2010 |
The Last Operative Reviews
-
THIS is the sort of fiction I love. I think I'm a Jenkins wannabe... okay, this might literally be the only thing of his I've read, but Christian spy thriller action stuff? And Christian?
Read it like a month ago, so I don't have a ton to say. Other than it was sad at the beginning. I didn't know who to trust at any time.
And then the reason one star was knocked off for me. Again, it actually wasn't as creepy as it sounds. :)
Other than that, spys! Action! A plot against America that must be foiled by the dire actions of a handful of characters. Interpol. NSA. Oh, and a dad trying to connect with his troubled, college-aged children who he's never really invested in. Read it if that's your type of book. -
I usually thoroughly enjoy a book by Jerry B. Jenkins. This was no exception. I enjoyed it. I found it interesting and since I'm not an authority on spy-craft or the CIA or NSA, I found it plausible.
I am sure there are more "accurate" stories. I am sure there are more intriguing stories. But I found this good enough for me. It told me a tale about which I had no mental concept - spies who spy upon spies and who then report to unknown authority figures. And then the "operatives" are almost all gone- except The Last Operative who is the main protagonist.
We see him in a tangle where he doesn't know whom he can trust out of those he has trusted most and completely in years and events bygone.
Folks die. Houses are blown to smithereens. Folks are on the run. People lie, steal, spy.
A good read that incorporates faith - faith one has and faith one needs to regain.
DISCLOSURE: I received this via the TyndaleRewards program after earning points. Opinions are my own. I was not compensated. -
Jerry B Jenkins, The Last Operative
***
July 7-15
The key character is a "globe-trotting specialist in political & criminal undercover work."
The story lacked something, maybe believability? The codes given to decipher were far-fetched. Perhaps more explanation was needed to fill out the plot which is enticing.
I do much of my reading by listening so the author and the story captured my interest enough to read it book style though I wasn't listening to it. Half-way through the book, I was hooked.
There are several people to keep straight so keep that in mind as you begin it.The story moves but is choppy. I still consider it worth reading. It does show, without belaboring the point, the consequences of good and bad decisions. -
Jerry B. Jenkins, Author
The Last Operative
Tyndale, ISBN 978-1-4143-0905-7
Fiction: Christian, thriller, action, espionage
371 pages
August 2010 Review for Bookpleasures
Reviewer-Michelle Kaye Malsbury, BSBM, MM
Review
Jerry Jenkins has penned numerous novels that have sold more than 63 million copies worldwide. (2010, inside back cover) Seven of his books have had the honor of debuting in first place on the New York Times Bestseller List. Mr. Jenkins has been written up in USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly, and the Wall Street Journal. He and his wife live in Colorado. For more information about this wonderful author please visit his website at
www.jerryjenkins.com.
The Last Operative is filled with religious undertones and overtones. Christianity is a common thread that is creatively woven throughout the pages of this novel without being overbearing. Obviously this is part and parcel of the author Mr. Jenkins too. I have to admit he did a very good job in this regard, especially for those of us who tend to lean in the atheist category.
The main character, Jordan Kirkwood, works undercover for the NSA. He was covertly recruited just of out high school in Michigan where his first test was to spy on other governmental personnel while working for the Peace Corp in Indonesia. Here he meets and falls in love with a lovely French woman who will haunt him the remainder of his life because life and circumstance have them going their separate ways despite being very deeply in love.
Eventually he meets and marries the daughter of a minister. They have two children. Nobody they live near or are related to have any idea about Mr. Kirkwoods’ real job. His children are resentful that he has literally missed most of their lives because he is usually out on assignment and unable to attend normal family gatherings or school functions. Their mother is their safety net and mother/father figure rolled into one.
This undercover NSA job has allowed Mr. Kirkwood entry in remote and populated places around the globe under a variety of disguises where he can cautiously and methodically ferret out evil plans that could encroach on America’s national security. The Last Operative is a spellbinding tale of a man torn by his love of a woman far in his past and his duty to wife and family in his present.
That life has just spun terribly out of control. Jason Kirkwood has just lost his wife to a brutal killing in an airport where they were slated to meet for a long awaited vacation. Luckily or unluckily he is detained and then passed off with a friend who escorts him home to bury his wife and make amends with his children before being embroiled in the next operation, which he assumes may be his last.
As the story unfolds and the plot deepens more bizaare things happen and Jordan Kirkwood goes deep undercover to try to untangle the tightly coiled web of deceit that can only come from having a person on the inside having it out for him. With his life turned upside down where will he go? Will he find the mole and expose him or her? Or will he get whacked in the process?
Despite the, more or less, overt religiousity I truly enjoyed this book. I liked the description of the characters and the lives they led. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone, like me, who really likes reading spy or espionage novels even if religion is not your thing. Thank you Jerry B. Jenkins for a wonderfully page turning book filled with action, contemplation, and direction for those seeking it! -
While there were still exasperating puzzles, one thing was clear: this was more than espionage, more than politics. Millions, maybe tens of millions, of lives were at stake.
Working for the NSA as an intelligence operative has taken a major toll on Jordan Kirkwood and his family over the years. He's toying with the idea of ending his career, but a new, deeply critical threat to the nation's security might end Jordan's life first in The Last Operative, a novel by Jerry B. Jenkins.
This book is as much about the hero's trouble with his mental and emotional state, his past, and his family life as it is a novel of suspense and danger. Overall, I appreciated the balance between those two general sides of the story. It seemed the issue of vengeance was raised without reaching a real resolution, but I might have missed something there.
Still, I did wonder why the climax of Kirkwood's NSA mission seemed to arrive and end as soon as it did. One of two things often happens when a novel reaches an early climax: either it idles around in what remaining material the story has left, or it introduces new material that it may not have enough time to develop well (or to leave the reader much time to care about the new stuff) before the book is over.
Either way, the climax usually signals to my senses that it's time for the story to start wrapping up. So when a book carries on much longer, my interest begins to wane. This novel does introduce a new dilemma after the climax, and then it ends in a somewhat awkward spot, like, "Well, the story's gotta stop sometime, so we'll stop it here."
Nevertheless, I found this to be an enjoyable Christian suspense read, and I certainly plan on checking out more from this author.
_____________
I received a complimentary copy of this book, for which I've given an honest review, through a rewards program from the publisher. I received no monetary compensation. -
Page turner
Great characters with unique personalities...exciting plot that is relevant and believable I wish there were a sequel! Fast intriguing read. -
Jerry's forward says that a previous version of this book was one of his first and that his publisher approached him with the idea of updating it to fit society and technology of today. He did and it turned out great. Here's a thriller that doesn't sink into the muck, although there is plenty of action and danger. The main character has a conscience even though he (almost) has a license to kill. The conscience helps to create the character development in the story. It is refreshing to see that covert operations don't have to be kill or be killed, even though the fate of the world is at stake. Jerry writes crisply and tells a good story. He also says in his forward that he intentionally wrote in such a way so that all dialogue attributes were clear; he didn't want to use the attribute: "he said." He succeeded very nicely and it read smoothly and clearly to the point that I did not miss the he said, she said. You did good, Jerry.
-
Jerry Jenkins proved himself a master of Christian suspense when he co-authored the Left Behind series. He is equally good with this solo story. Up until about two chapters from the end, I thought this was going to be the first of a series, but the end was satisfying.
This book had surprisingly few editing oversights in the Kindle text:
Page 20, from La Havre, France / from LE Havre, France ; 68, weird combination softy and cynic / weird combination OF softy and cynic ; 74, he was able think about something / he was able TO think about something ; 94, Couple of test results will be back / A COUPLE of test results will be back ; 125, He may have been in charge / He MIGHT have been in charge ; 140, Who knows how much time we have. / Who knows how much time we HAVE? (a question) ;
Page 180, who am I to prescribe how a person should respond to a trauma like yours. / who am I to prescribe how a person should respond to a trauma like YOURS? (a question) ; 188, what do we do about whoever is coming here. / what do we do about whoever is coming HERE? (a question) ; 341, one of busiest and most bizarre bazaars / one of THE busiest and most bizarre bazaars ; 345, well you, anyway / WELL, you, anyway . -
4.5 stars. When I came across this book, I loved the premise and was interested to see how a Christian spy character would be approached. I was guessing that the story would be enjoyable enough to finish, but was pleasantly surprised that not only was the story compelling and well-written, but that it read very quickly. Fifty pages went by much more quickly than they have in most books i have read and the chapters are short enough that you will find yourself thinking, "i could easily knock out one more before i need to wake the kids up." There were a few annoying parts of this book, including one over-the-top part of one of the characters', training that i had to roll my eyes at and the repeated use of the word, "clip," instead of, "magazine," which will drive nuts anyone with firearms knowledge and that i feel is such a common mistake in popular fiction that anyone who continues to make it - especially in a genre like this - is just being careless. That said, this was an enjoyable, well-written story with a protagonist you can't help but like, that reads quickly and provides suspense without being too heavy. I'm normally annoyed that every book published these days seems to turn into a series, but i would actually like that to happen with this one.
-
Great Story
I enjoyed this updated edition of The Last Operative. I had not read the original book so have no comparison but I certainly can recommend this one. The NSA is an organization I have not read anything about so it was new to me. It is not something I would want a family member involved with.
If you enjoy spy novels you should like this. It is Christian fiction but that plays a pretty minor role in the story; I actually would have liked to see a stronger emphasis on that aspect. -
This book was good, exciting, suspenseful, kept my interest! It was a clean read - no bad words or sex scenes. I would say it has light Christianity in it, but it was not forced or overwhelming - it's there but doesn't take away from the story and is rather briefly mentioned. If the description of the book sounds interesting to you, I would recommend it! I read it while on vacation and I would say this book did not disappoint!
-
It felt like the plot was very choppy and didn't flow smoothly. As it was one of Jenkins earlier writings I suppose this makes sense. There are some plot twists that I could appreciate. Overall an okay light read.
-
absolutely loved this book. On the edge of your seat type of book!!!
-
Well written and engaging throughout. A quick and easy read.
-
I was captivated within the first 2 pages. Kept me on the edge of my seat until the end.
-
Riveting
This story hooked me at the start and held my interest with such intensity, I found it difficult to put down. I highly recommend this book. -
NSA agent Jordan escapes attempts on his life, those close do not. Al-Qaeda funds high-ranked traitor, jets in US awaiting warheads. Devout prayers help him reconnect with first love Cyd, reach out to children.
-
I'm thankful to have received a review copy of The Last Operative, by Jerry Jenkins. He creates a story with a 007 type character that is faithful to his wife and family. Even though he’s away on missions and he doesn’t see his family much, he’s thankful to his wife for holding it all together while he’s away. He’s passionate about his family and will lay down his life for them.
Jordan Kirkwood, NSA intelligence operative is finally going to make his wife’s dream come true. She’s wanted to see Europe as tourists-Problem: he’s just found out a secret that could end life as he and everyone else knows it. Who can he trust? What can he do? “Jordan was tempted to break his cover, to assure the authorities that all the bullets had come from the same weapon! But he knew this would be determined soon enough by ballistics.” He could be compromised if he reveals this secret, but the situation will put the country on high alert—his life could unravel fast and furious if he does what he’s thinking about doing! What about his wife and kids? Everything he holds dear could change in the blink of an eye.
Unbelievable things happen to Jordan in his quest for answers. He even begins to question his faith in God and his own instincts become shaky. His life was turning upside down and inside out. Would he risk it all to find out what was really going on?
Jordan’s career has taken a toll on his family, because he hadn’t realized the stakes were so high until he learned of this secret. “Facing the ugliest side of himself. There’s no making up for lost time, is there? I’ve just royally screwed up my relationships with my kids.”
This book has it all - action, adventure, espionage, romance - and so much more. Jerry Jenkins creates likeable characters on top secret missions that will have you up late to see what happens next. Jerry Jenkins says that this is a stand alone book he re-wrote for modern readers, but in my opinion, he did leave it open for a sequel. I’m just saying! Grin!
Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Nora St. Laurent
The Book Club Network
www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog
www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine
www.bookfunmagazine.com -
I thoroughly enjoyed this updated novel by Jerry Jenkins. It was interesting and gives insight into the world of a spy; not one I would want a family member or friend involved in.
-
A suspense filled post 9/11 retelling of his first stand-alone novel, The Last Operative, by Jerry Jenkins is a superb read.
Being an NSA intelligence officer has cost Jordan Kirkwood a great deal. He barely knows his children. His wife, Rosemary is supportive, but he knows she deserves more than he's been able to give. Meeting Rosemary in London to explore Europe as a tourist, is part of Jordan's commitment to his family. But when horrifying intelligence is confided to him in Frankfurt, everything changes. Even worse, someone inside the NSA may be behind the greatest threat since 9/11. During one of his most dangerous missions, Jordan must figure out who he can trust, knowing the fate of his country hangs in the balance.
Having been a fan of Jerry Jenkins since the release of the first book in the Left Behind series, I was eager to read his latest book. I have to admit this wasn't a book I got into immediately, but because I had enjoyed every book in the Left Behind series, in fact, liked each new book more than the last, I knew I had to stick with it. I am so glad I did, because by Chapter 5 I was totally hooked.
With The Last Operative, Jenkins blends family, faith, suspense, and international intrigue to come up with a winner. While faith doesn't play a huge role in this novel, some of the conversations between characters touch upon faith in God.
With Jordan Kirkwood, the author creates a character who struggles with knowing his job has always needed to come first; a struggle that increases after London. The reader sympathizes with Jordan, his family, and those who are drawn into this newest threat that demands Jordan's attention, and again, pulls him from his family.
Lovers of suspense and international intrigue will certainly enjoy The Last Operative by Jerry Jenkins. I know I'm looking forward to his next release. -
What an adventure! I agree with Jerry that this is an amazing book cover, it says so much. "The Last Operative" is a novel that keeps you going from page to page and chapter to chapter. It is one of those long lasting adventures where when you think something big and full of adrenaline just happened and that you and recuperate, something even bigger happens. To me at first the book ends abruptly, but in retrospect looking at it, it fits right in. Because if you blink, something else is going to happen!
Knowing that "The Last Operative" is a retelling of Jerry's first standalone novel is hard to fully grasp, because this book is so literal and set with today's political avenues, but then I guess history does repeat itself.
Jordan Kirkwood is a great character, if you know me at you, you probably know that I have a very fond love of the television show and books "Alias" and many other things espionage. Jordan is an NSA (National Security Agency) CIA-like (Central Intelligence Agency) operative and currently one of a kind. He is in for quite the unexpected adventure even in his line of work and his future and past as well as his faith are all at stake. Jump on in and enjoy the story, but be prepared to put a little time aside to read the whole thing, because you won't want to stop.
*Thanks to Tyndale House Publishers for providing a copy for review.* -
The story and characters were interesting. However, the writer did not research the country in which he placed much of the action. Most of the details and descriptions of Ecuador are inaccurate. I have lived in Ecuador for 24 years, 9 of them in the area where parts of the story take place. He has the characters using back roads along the Ecuador pacific coast that do not exist, flying in and out of airports that do not have international flights, and staying in a five star hotel in Esmeraldas, where there are no five star hotels. There is a meeting of international criminals in a small remote village that is just a actually just a group of wooden and bamboo buildings, with no real hotels, where any strangers or foreigners would attract attention and scrutiny. Also, the main character says that Latacunga, Ambato, and Riobamba remind him of Indonesia. These cities are high in the Andes Mountains, have a cold climate, little to no humidity, no mosquitoes, and no jungle. They are nothing like Indonesia.
It appears thar the writer merely glanced at a map and choose city names. I am disappointed that a well- known and experienced writer would not do basic geographical research. That causes me to doubt the validity of his other details, -
Secret agent Jordan Kirkwood saves the US from nuclear annihilation while rekindling an old love.
The Author's Note says that this is a rewrite of Jenkins' first novel. It seems to me that this book could use quite a bit more rewriting. The writing is flat, the characters are shallow, and continuity is lacking. The protagonist acts completely out of character at times. Even a tiny bit of research would greatly improve the book; for example, a key plot element treats nuclear bombs as if they were nitroglycerin, likely to explode if touched by an errant bullet (it's no secret that they're extremely difficult to set off, and it's inconceivable that a bullet could set one off, even intentionally).
Jenkins says it's an "experiment" in the treatment of dialog: words are not attributed to the speaker with "he said/she said" but simply organized and placed in a context to make it clear. Jenkins pulls this off better than some authors who've tried (such as Paul Robertson's "According to Their Deeds" which I just read), but I certainly wouldn't call this technique unusual.
Genre: Suspense/Christian Fiction -
This story is a tribute to all the government secret agents who risk their lives and disrupt any kind of normal family life in order to keep us the public safe from terrors that we never will know existed. Jordan is at the end of his career, estranged from his children and looking forward to reconnecting with his wife after one of his secret missions. Suddenly, she is killed; he is on the run; and the United States is faced with a gigantic nuclear threat which will pretty much annihilate us. He ends up trying to reinvent his relationship with his children while he alone takes on the terrorists. Jordan is a well-intentioned man, principled, and trying to do what is right, no matter the personal cost. I share his scorn of the bureaucrats who were trying so hard to control him that they almost ignore the real threat to the country. There is a subtle Christian message that is crucial to understanding the characters, but the action and suspense and struggles with guilt and forgiveness are the dominating features. I would recommend this spy thriller to anyone who likes lots of intrigue in the context of a totally clean novel.
-
I JUST FINSHED THE BOOK AND I REALLY LIKE THE FAMILY HERE WAS
PUT THROUGH HELL AND BACK AND THEN THE FAMILY LOST MOM
AND THEN THEY WERE ABLE TO RENIGHT AFTER LOSING THE HOME MOM
AND UNCLE HOUSE AND THEN THE BOY SAID HE WANTED TO GO TO
SCHOOL FOR CRIMANAL AND THEN HE WAS A TENNIS PLAYER AND GAVE IT
ALL UP TO DO WHAT DAD DID AND THEN DAD FOUND OUT HE HAD ANOTHER
DAUGHTER AND THEN THEY WEER ABLE TO MEET FOR THE FIRST TIME
I REALLY LIKE THE BOOK IT TOOK ME ABOUT 5 HR TO FINISH IT AND I GAVE
UP 10 SUPERE STARS
