Title: Killed in Action: An Equalizer Novel by Michael Sloan
Genre: Currently #1035 on Amazon Best Sellers Rank in Books, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Thrillers & Suspense, Crime, Vigilante Justice
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Publication Date: January 30, 2018
Source: St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley
Title and Cover: Killed in Action – Both the book cover and Kindle cover illustrate theme
Robert McCall, formerly deep-cover intelligence officer, is very busy doing good work. He is the one called when there is absolutely, positively nothing else that can be done. Nevertheless, he comes cheap–he doesn’t charge. (I’ve no clue how the man lives since he is no longer with The Company.) His expertise is spread by word-of-mouth and former colleagues, all of whom know the man’s strengths and contacts and just how very good he is. He calls himself “the Equalizer.”
Well, I’d no clue that Michael Sloan was a creator of the Equalizer TV series (and movies) and possesses credits longer than your arm. And Denzel?? Don’t you know I’d have watched if I’d known he was the on-scene McCall. But this book? Not my cup of tea. I struggled with this one from the beginning. First, the white slavery thing–again. Puh-leeze. We aren’t talking just the white slavery plot. We are talking a multi-plotted book with sooo many characters you need a spreadsheet to keep track of everyone. The second plot is a mission to find and bring home a missing son reported KIA–without proof of death-yet–in Syria. And then that can’t be a simple snatch and run–it becomes deadly plot #3–terrorists on US soil.
Oh wait–there’s more! Not just terrorists–there is a link to his own previous boss, the head deep-cover, black ops spy. Now he’s missing and he probably has important intel. Lest you think that’s it, there is yet another minor problem–that of some local vigilante who is trying to emulate the Equalizer’s own persona, but in the attempt to be the new hero, actually causes additional fatalities. Whoa! My head is spinning!
No one is fully fleshed. Robert McCall is not made whole unless I missed it in all the details about weapons. It seems most of the characters are two-dimensional. Women are mere sex objects and usually naked. (Did I mention young? Young and naked–or is that a given.) Language in the F-rated class. Dialogue can be crude, though given the circumstances, probably realistic. Scenes jump around a bit and can be a little confusing to follow. Descriptions of the conditions in Syria and insurgency movements there, however, definitely spurred the imagination (and the interest). There is a fascinating group of peripheral characters, especially those living underground (a real-life lesson) and the sub-plot regarding the slum lord–wouldn’t we all like to see THAT happen–but alas, I fear a mere fantasy. The climax came and went and was probably meant to lead into the next of the series.
I received this download from St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley and greatly appreciated the opportunity to read and review. Would I recommend? Not my taste. It may be yours. Prepare for raw descriptions, mayhem without emotion, sexual activity, and four-letter words. Does the book move? Yes. Sometimes too quickly so hang on.
Rosepoint Publishing: Three of Five Stars 
The Author: (From Amazon Authors page) One of the most prolific writers of his generation, Michael Sloan has written and produced over 300 hours of prime time television, including such cult TV series as ‘THE EQUALIZER’ (which he created), the original ‘BATTLESTAR GALACTICA’, ‘HARDY BOYS & NANCY DREW MYSTERIES’, new episodes of ‘ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS’, the new ‘OUTER LIMITS’, ‘KUNG FU: THE LEGEND CONTINUES’ and ‘MYSTERY WOMAN’, Hallmark Channel’s most successful TV series.
Sloan was also the show runner on ‘THE MASTER’ (which he created), ‘McCLOUD’ and ‘BJ & THE BEAR.’ He has written and produced several TV Movies, including ‘EARTHQUAKE IN NEW YORK’, ‘FREEFALL’, ‘RETURN OF THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.’, ‘RIVIERA’ and three hugely successful ‘RETURN OF THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN & THE BIONIC WOMAN’ movies. He has written and produced several features including ‘MOMENTS’, ‘MAX HAVOC: RING OF FIRE’, ‘ALIEN AGENT’ and ‘ART OF WAR II: BETRAYAL, starring Wesley Snipes. He has had a successful thriller play, ‘UNDERGROUND’, mounted in the West End of London.
A gifted director in both live theater and film, Sloan acted as producer on the feature film version of ‘THE EQUALIZER’, which was released in September 2014 by Sony Pictures, starring Denzel Washington. The movie has grossed $100 million in domestic box office and over $200 million worldwide. The sequel movie of “The Equalizer 2” is shooting now in October 2017 in Boston, also starring Denzel Washington, directed by Antoine Fuqua. The driving force behind “The Equalizer” franchise, Sloan has carefully crafted two full-length novels featuring his signature plotting and characters and is currently at work on his third volume with an anticipated release date in 2018. ©2018 V Williams 
Rosepoint Publishing 
😬
Too many characters and subplots for sure! I like a terrorist thriller every now and then but this sounds a bit much.
LikeLike