Black List: Scot Harvath, Book 11

This is the type of novel that is very thinly disguised as fiction, when the details particularly dealing with the domestic spying capabilities the government has at its disposal are accurate and very frightening. Thor is clearly sending out a warning through his main characters, Scot Horvath, Reed Carlton and the super secret Carlton Group, which specializes in top secret assignments for the government trying to eliminate terrorist threats and possibilities. What we get in this book should scare the shit out of anybody who still has any concerns about privacy at all, and the news is bad - we have none. Zero. Zip. Nada. No government, when handed new technologies, can resist exploiting them to their fullest capacities, both good and evil. Do you recall the NSA scandal over warrantless wiretapping? Well, folks, that was kid stuff. We are besieged by every known and in a huge cloak of secrecy, unknown methods of domestic spying, and we are all being watched, filed, and observed. Web sites sell information to whomever offers a good price. Your OnStar is the modern version of a spy planting a bug on the underside of a car. So is your GPS. And your cell phone, smart phone, lap top, computer, iPad and Mac. Even this last week it was reported that some new televisions with verbal remote features will have microphones that pick up your private conversations whether the set is on or off, records what you watch, and sells the information to whomever wants it. That includes your government, who is operating under the guise of protecting us from "terrorism", and too many idiots who are either incapable of life without being connected to the Web or gullible types who buy every patriotism/liberty jingoism hook line and sinker don't suspect a thing. That said, "Black List" is a good story in and of itself. It's totally believable, fast moving and thought provoking. While I am far from being a conspiracy nut, I can't help but feel that I have totally lost my privacy, anonymity and the right to not be investigated or observed without probablecause. Thor is a fine writer, thorough without drowning you in technical mumbo jumbo and frankly, quite brave to take issue with this very real assault on personal freedoms. If our country and its law abiding citizens ever hope to retain any voice at all, it will take awareness on a grand scale to educate us on the cyber killing of our rights, or a lot of them, guaranteed in the Constitution. Read "Black List" for the story, and then think about the message. Scary scary stuff.

Drifted away from this author for a while, started getting on my nerves w. main character endlessly having angst over not having a family ("single-ism" which is insulting to the single population - who may be the ones reading - and also not believable, as good ol' Scott could just quit his job like you can quit being a rock star and go settle down) and also while I consider myself a strong patriot there was at some point one too many speeches in this series. Or the ones when the saintly Scott WAS involved with someone, but she died. Or had headaches. Or something like that. Plus I had REALLY avoided the last book re reviews on there being lots of speeches throughout.So it's been some time since I've picked up a Brad Thor, and only did so as filler waiting around for the next Lee Child release. But, while I would never consider these books to be rich in depth, was pretty happy with what I thought was clean, tight, fast-paced writing with plenty of action and a good cast of characters. Enough detail to paint the scenes, and nicely tied the interesting story threads together. Not great, but very good and will pass along to fellow readers. (As far as worrying about the technology of monitoring everyone, well, go ahead - I'm sure sinister govt. agents would really be fascinated by my conversations about the cat hacking up a hairball.)Anyway, a LOT happier with re-visiting this author than Nelson Demille, who while a terrific writer seems to have been phoning it in lately. Good job!, Mr. Thor and I'm happy I'm happy that I'm not grumbling over the money I spent. (And, OK, I really hope the character Nicolas gets together with the girl, can just see Peter Dinklage in the movie version.)As an aside, pity Tom Cruise didn't option this book series for his debut as a killing bad-ass (besides the Collateral role) as I think he'd make a good 5'10" Scott Harvath v.s. a laughable 6'5" Jack Reacher, and the vaguely MI style of Thor's work would have suited him.

This is an adventure, spy novel thriller that is excellent as always for this author. Just a side note to the whole novel - if you want to apply critical thinking to the TikTok debate - read chapter 15 of this book. It is only 7 pages and sets an excellent perspective of the debate. And realize the book was published in 2012! You do not need much imagination to connect the dots.

Great writing, action, well researched, very timely and realistic topics, always the right amount of detail and knowledge of our countries situation!!!

Let me start out by saying that I have read all the Brad Thor books and I am an avid fan. Black List is a look inside what happens when technology and power come together and are used for evil purposes. There are probably a lot of factual things and stuff going on that we Americans do know about. I've followed Mr. Thor and saw some of the things he's posted about the government "watching" Americans, this book takes it to a whole new level that seems very plausible.The book reads like any other Brad Thor book. However, I personally found the book at bit slow in the middle Overall, I was not as interested as I was in all of his previous books. That being said I did enjoy the book and it was a different flavor for a Harvath book. It also brought some interesting facts to life which seems to be a common theme in Brad Thor's books. The fact that something so innocent and useful in everyone's lives can be turned against them by some truly evil people is something Thor always brings to the table. Thor did this in his previous book, Full Black involving (SPOILER)!!!!!!!the suite case bombs at the movie theaters.I credit Thor for being innovative and bringing life to a new and innovative story which all Brad Thor followers must read. If you haven't read Thors other books I would recommend you to do so, they are very fast paced and chalked full of action.

Yet another suspenseful, well - written, excellently executed thriller that'll keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

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The Brad Thor spy novels are always fast paced, well researched, and equal the Mitch Rapp books by Vince Flynn

The ending wasnt good

Very good read with an enticing story line. characters are likeable and you soon get to know them . I would highly recommend this book.