The Consignment

by Grant Sutherland

Book Overview

With Diplomatic Immunity, Grant Sutherland exploded onto the literary scene as one of the most original new authors of international suspense. Now, in his new novel of conspiracy, conscience, and terrifying deception--a novel stretching from the upheaval of the Gulf War to the inner secrets of the current Pentagon--a desperate man struggles to survive a battle for the truth...a battle without any rules except one: win or die.

It wasn't...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 055358331X
• ISBN13: 9780553583311
• Release Date: March 2004
• Publisher: Bantam
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 0.44 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 4.2" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

Tight, well written thriller

This is one of THOse books that keeps revealing the plot as you go along. The problem with these kinds of plots is that each step has to be bigger than the last and the author must balance reality with readability. Grant Sutherland does both. The government is tracking illegal arms shipments around the world. A routine assignment--be done in about 6 months. That was 2 years ago. A family at the edge and marriage on the rocks, Ned Rourke wants to call it off, but admitting that he had been keeping a big secret from his wife might just push his marriage over the cliff. Things go from bad to worse for the "retired" U.S. Range Captain. Nothing is as it seems and anything you take at face value turns up differently later. This is a well written romp. I need to get his other book DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY.

not a bad writing. the plot also good enough to read on

the writing is very good. flow smoothly. don't have to be bothered by f-16 fighters or westpoint instructor. the writing is very smooth, better than maybe 90% of other writers who ever got their books published. the feelings of ned, his wife, his son and others are quite well delivered as any real person might feel and face. the tempo of the story maybe a bit too slow but since the writing is so smooth, you can just read along without any second thought. i'm going to seek out his books to learn some good english. thanks mr. sutherland.

eye opening cautionary tale

US Ranger Ned Rourke wanted to be the best he could be when he served in the Gulf War and took a bullet in Africa. With pressure from his wife to come home, Ned leaves the military he loves to accept a civilian sales representative job for Haplon Systems, a firm that sells military merchandise, mostly arms, to terrorists and mercenaries. Ned obtains a big sale at a trade show at about the same time someone kills his competitor and former West Point roommate Dmitri Spandos. Although the police think it is a freak accident from a misfired range bullet, Ned thinks Dmitri was assassinated due to his role as a covert Pentagon operative tracking illegal arms exports to enemy powers and terrorists. Angry with himself for being one of those peddlers and seeking revenge for his buddy, Ned goes after the smugglers because honor is at stake even at the possible cost of losing Fiona.Setting the stage is critical for this expose undercover tale, but that also leads to a slower pace. Those readers who get over the shock of the crisp foreign sales (ever wonder where the weapons come from?) will become engrossed in a deep condemnation of a corrupt system. The warning story line works because Ned displays the best of the army adhering to the values though he knows the price could be all else he cherishes. The action picks up towards the middle when the novel switches gear into more of an action thriller. Fans will appreciate Grant Sutherland's eye opening cautionary tale even while sales continue to put the troops in jeopardy.Harriet Klausner