Robert Ludlum's The Treadstone Resurrection

Was really looking forward to this one, as I have read Joshua Hood's two prior novels in the Search and Destroy series and really liked them. After finishing the Treadstone Resurrection, I was disappointed, as I had been expecting big things from Mr. Hood, given his past work. The book was all action, very little time given to plot construction (what plot there was, was very loosely constructed), and the characters in the book were never developed to the point that I cared for them.I was also a bit shocked that this book was so poorly edited. A few examples:- mentions a smell filling the room in one scene, when it has already been established the characters are outside- the main character Hayes picks up a fully loaded rifle, and the next sentence it is mentioned as being empty, no reason given- the cabal pitted against Hayes has been trying to kill him the whole book, and suddenly near the end, they capture him for no good reason; it is mentioned they need a confession from him (a rather nonsensical reason is given), but this did not fit the plot and was merely a device to give Hayes the opportunity to escapeThese are just a few of the errors I found, and all the errors taken together throughout the book were jarring enough to distract me from the book's story. Not sure I will follow this series for a second book, if indeed they decide to build on this very rough start.

One damned fine read. Hood doesn't disappoint. Spoiler alert.This one starts Nick Ford. He's in Venezuela on a mission. His whole team had been wiped out and he's being hunted and he knows it. Nick is half Native American and a member of Treadstone. He's one very capable guy. He has the goods on a man and needs to get that info to someone he knows will do something with it. That someone was also a member of Treadstone. That someone had walked away from Treadstone and never looked back. That man is Adam Hayes. He and Ford were in Special Forces together and were plucked out by the CIA and sent to Treadstone.Ford makes it to the hotel and gets a room. Ford manages to send his info out. He also sends a message. "By the time you get this. I'll be dead.He sets his last claymore and cameras to let him know when the enemy gets there. He knows they are coming and come they do. Fords life ends with a bullet to the head in the bathtub. His claymore does take out two of the enemy though. A fact the enemy commander, Felix Black, a mercenary, is not happy with. He also doesn't know if Ford got the info out or not. The man he works for knows Ford worked for Treadstone and he also knows who Ford sent the info to. He sends killers that way.Adam Hayes is in La Conner, Washington. He's working on a house. Once he's done the remodeled house will be his nest egg to get his wife Annabelle and son Jack back.Right now he's at home and gets a call from his realtor Sally Colvin. She tells him that there is someone interested in the house and he's flying in today. Hayes had tickets to Florida in his luggage. He was headed out to see Annabelle and Jack but decides getting the house sold so he can get the money is more important right now. He heads out to the house.The house is built on an island that has a bridge connecting it to the main land. The huge manor house that dominates the island is called Cliffside Manor. The owner had the island ready for the rich. The only reason he was allowed among the rich was because he had bought the Smith house. The house he was fixing to sell.Hayes has a few things he needs to do before the buyer gets there so he gets to it. He has half of the sub floor laid when there is a knock at his door. He'd already left his gun on the counter so he's unarmed as he answers the door. He sees a man he thinks is a Jehovah's witness. He's seen this man and another when he pulled in. He tells the man to wait so he can shut his radio off. He completely misses the second man going by the window. He had just stepped back into the kitchen when he hears the back door opening. This triggers every instinct he has but his gun is on the counter. He hits the ground as the man fires.Hayes ducks into the living room. These two think they have him. Far from it. They are dealing with a Treadstone operator. Well trained, ruthless and deadly.These two even know his name and they are pro's. They had never fought anyone like Hayes though and he is the winner. Both are dead and Hayes figures that his realtor is dead as well and of course the guard he met at the gate is dead as well. One thing he did learn is that these two knew who he is and the mentioned Ford. Ford his old teammate. He's wondering what's going on and what he will need to do to stay alive.Jefferson Grey is in Venezuela and he's the man who wants Hayes dead. He thinks Hayes is the man Ford sent the info to. Info that could ruin his sweet Venezuelan deal with Vega. Grey is with the CIA and is one crooked rich man. All he has to do is make sure his man Black kills Hayes and he and his plans and money are safe along with his deal with Vega. Vega who runs the entire area.Levi Shaw is the last director of Treadstone. A Treadstone that is on the back burner. Most think the way to kill the bad guys is by using drones. Levi knows nothing works better than humans. His office is in the lowest level of the Pentagon. Where the Treadstone offices used to be big he's now in a shoe box. He's about to get the surprise of his life.So begins one damned fine read.This one has Hayes, Grey, Black, a Black who does his best to kill Hayes but just doesn't have the know how, Vega, allies, enemies a trip the Venezuela, a driven Hayes, a Hayes who has the capability and training to take the fight to all his enemies, Senator Mendez, millions of dollars and Adam Hayes doing what he was trained to do so he can survive and stay alive.Five Stars.

I'm not sure what's with the mixed reviews, but it seems like that's common for a new author taking on the mantle of a deceased, more famous author. I'm not even a Ludlum fan, so I went into this book treating it as its own thing and without any bias. I thought it was fantastic, tightly plotted, and fast paced, and I hope this series runs for a long time.If you're expecting a direct continuation of or throwback to Ludlum's original Bourne novels, then yes, you might be disappointed (I believe the upcoming Bourne novel is a total reboot with no connections to Ludlum's originals). Regardless, as an espionage-action thriller, this novel is easily on the same level as Mark Greaney's Gray Man. I actually preferred Treadstone Resurrection for it's darker, grittier tone, moral ambiguity, and damaged protagonist.The action scenes are some of the most brutal and intense you will see in print. If you read Joshua Hood's two Mason Kane novels, you have an idea what to expect. There is also a political conspiracy, which is a requisite for the Ludlum brand, but rather than Ludlum's often unlikely and over the top schemes, this one is more down to earth, dealing with corrupt American politicians and spies, drugs, and a coup in Venezuela. The flashbacks and details into Treadstone and Adam Hayes' origin were also interesting, and hopefully Hood expands on that in the future.Adam Hayes is a solid protagonist, and it will be interesting if he returns or if future Treadstone book will feature different operators.If you like exciting, violent action thrillers, then you will not be disappointed with this book.

This was an OK read. I gave it four stars because I read it to the end. It did have a bit too much repetition of this is what Treadstone did to me. And an awful lot of punching shooting explosions etc. without much else. At least this is how I remember it

Joshua Hood delivers fantastic action (even surpassing the Bourne movies!) and an intriguing, twisted conspiracy plot worthy of Ludlum. Well done, Chief!

A very good book, with a fresh take on a favourite story

Great book. Classic thriller.Rreal page turner. If you like action novels you well love this book.

Another great Ludlum novel. The new Treadstone series should be great!