Nelson DeMille never disappoints. Crisp writing, well plotted, a fun adventure.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book.

The Deserter is a new type of book for Nelson DeMille.and his son Alex. The book is about an Army deserter Captain Kyle Mercer who disappeared from Afghanistan and turns up in Caracas, Venezuela. Criminal Investigation Division partners Scott Brodie and Maggie Taylor are tasked with locating and bringing Mercer home - one way or the other. The mission has many twists and turns and Brodie and Taylor are not sure who they can trust and even doubt each other. Th two are in a dangerous country with dangerous people and feel at times that they are on their own. Demille and his son's collaboration with The Deserter is a classic and I really hope the pair write additional books together.

I am a big fan of Nelson DeMille and have read all of his other books. I was excited to read this one written with his son. Thanks for netgalley.com for the ARC. This book did not disappoint. It was a classic DeMille page turner. It was also a current events lesson to read about the horrors that are happening in Venezuela at this time which is not well publicized in the news and was horrible to read about. I enjoyed the new characters in this book, although they did seem a little formulaic from his other novels. But the book was entirely enjoyable and I will continue to read whatever else he writes. Hoping for more collaborations with his son.

The Deserter by Nelson Demille and his son Alex is a fast action book which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Scott Brodie is a seasoned army CID investigator with a new partner Maggie Taylor. Kyle Mercer is a deserter who is spotted in Venezuela. They are sent down to bring him back. The book starts out with the orders from the top brass to go down and apprehend Captain Mercer. It is a difficult mission and Brodie knows it. This book reminded me of Mr. Demille’s earlier works which were 5 stars. This one was just as good. The writing was fresh and funny. There were several fights that were over the top but very well written. I was happy to read this advanced copy from Net Galley for an honest review

I stopped reading DeMille a few years ago and I’m wondering why. This story features Scott Brodie and Maggie Taylor sent on a mission to retrieve an Army deserter. This book was written with DeMilles son Alex and is apparently the start of a new series. There is plenty of action and sometimes you don’t know who to trust. There is also quite a bit of humor. The banter between Brodie and Maggie was very entertaining. I will definitely be picking DeMille up again in the future. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

What can be said about another thriller by DeMille except superb!! He's back in fine form and an engrossing plot

Nelson DeMille at his finest. A sure bet to be a bestseller. This book did not disappoint. Although it was written with his son, Alex, one would have thought that one could tell that there was a difference, but this story is written in the same manner as all the others. Entertaining, mysterious, and fast-paced. One can imagine that while this is a novel, the plot could be non-fictional. I have read all of DeMille's books and this one is one of my favorites. If you haven't read DeMille before, start with this book. I think that once finished with this story, pick up any other, especially "The Charm School" and Nelson DeMille will become a favorite author.

ARC/Thriller: This is a new book, so no spoilers here nor a regurgitation of the back cover. I love Nelson DeMille's humor and I guess he is passing it on to his son. It took me a while to read this because I had to stop to paint my kitchen cabinets for several weeks. I didn't want to keep starting and stopping the reading flow because I do enjoy DeMille's adventures and how he gives a different side to a country than say a tourist & visitor bureau would give. If you liked DeMille's The Quest or Cuban Affair, this is the book for you. I did get this book from NetGalley in lieu of an honest review.

The main hero, Scott, is a lot like John Corey and the heroine of Maggie is a tough woman when she needs to be. While I did not like the ending, I do recommend this book. Even though I watch the news and feel myself pretty educated when it comes to global politics & and geography, I always learn something from DeMille's books. There is a lot of things you don't want to hear, but the DeMilles are putting it out there as their characters see things.

I see other reviews keep saying to make it into a movie. Why would you want to ruin a good book by making it into a movie?

Once again, an engrossing and thoroughly enjoyable Nelson Demille read.

I love the wit and humor in Nelson Demille's writing. There is always just enough tension, and serious moments sprinkled with humorous internal dialogue to keep you smiling and captivated.

The authors were able to bring to the awareness the reality of Venezuela, and the plight of the people, in their writing. They were also able to deliver an understanding of the difficult decisions that often are made during war and conflict. They successfully tackled a difficult subject with tact allowing you to reach your own conclusions. Well done and definitely thought provoking while being hugely entertaining.

Of course, there were elements of the story that were a little 'James Bond' like. Entertaining while stretching the outcome a little beyond what is believable ... but come on, isn't that what fictional writing is for?

Highly recommend this one for being interesting and entertaining.

The Deserter was an interesting read especially in light of all that is going on in Central and South America at present. Many times I felt like I was reading non-fiction. I didn't find the main character quite as developed as I had hoped, relying more on his repeated sarcasm, etc.

The Deserter
by Nelson DeMille (Goodreads Author), Alex DeMille (Goodreads Author)
M 50x66
Lou Jacobs's review Jul 30, 2019 · edit
it was amazing
Read 2 times. Last read July 31, 2019 to August 8, 2019.

A cinematic tour-de-force thriller featuring the innovative Army crime investigator Scott Brodie ... part James Bond and part "Rambo" ... with the wit and sarcasm we have grown to love of DeMille's
protagonists. He is teamed up with the gorgeous blonde, Maggie Taylor ... who is equally dangerous, feisty and "tough as nails" ... but, inexperienced as an investigator. They have been charged with apprehending the Army's most dangerous deserter, Captain Kyle Mercer. He mysteriously deserted his post and command of the elite Delta Force in Afghanistan. Soon captured by the Taliban with videos to document, he was tortured for two years. Other videos document that he not only managed to escape his captors .. but, videoed the beheading of his captors, followed by his resignation from his command. I easily envision Bradley Cooper and Scarlett Johansson playing the leads.
Mercer is seen in a hotel lobby by one of his early Army buddies in Caracas, Venezuela. Brodie and Taylor are sent to apprehend him ... dead or preferably alive ... and bring him to justice. The setting of the investigation is the economically collapsed society where fear is the primary emotion. The Bolivar has become almost worthless since Maduro took power in 2013. This unstable society is a cauldron of desperation, anger and fear ... and is openly hostile to America.
The DeMille team prove to be master storytellers. ... spinning a twisted, high-octane narrative and page-turner .... starting in the dangerous and foreboding streets of Caracas , to the unpredictable steamy jungles of southern Venuezuela. Motivation appears to take center stage ... why did Mercer desert ... why come to Venezuela ... and why form a mercenary army in the jungle?
The most distinct maxim that arises - "If the first casualty of war is the truth, then the second casualty is justice"
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Publishing for supplying an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review. Definitely looking forward to further investigations of Brodie and Taylor!!!

A strong showing by the Demilles, proving themselves a strong team! Looking forward to future collaborations between them.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I REALLY. REALLY was excited to read this book!! I have enjoyed Nelson DeMille's work for decades and was excited to see this new collaboration with his son. HOWEVER, this book needs a good editor. It could be reduced by 1/4 to even 1/3 and the story still get told. Just not in SO MUCH DETAIL!! I REALLY don't need to know every single thought that enters Scott Brodie's head. And most of them do not in any way move the story forward, but instead go off on some tangent.

The story itself is a good one. Solid and interesting, I just wish it had been told in a tighter, more coherent way.

Kyle Mercer, a decorated Delta Force captain, has gone AWOL from his post in Afgghanistan and was captured and tortured by the Taliban for two years, at which time he escaped and sent a video showing him beheading his captors. Then he disappeared.

Now, Chief Warrant Officer Scott Brodie and Warrant Officer Maggie Taylor aregiven the job to find him, following a sighting in Caracas, Venezuela.

Brodie is not exactly a by-the-book investigator, and Taylor is tasked with keeping him in line, which never works.

First and foremost, thanks to the authors, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of The Deserter. Please read the publisher’s press release for the summary. This review will address my personal impressions.

Nelson DeMille is a classic in the political, espionage suspense genre. The Deserter falls into this category, but falls a bit short.
1. The protagonist is a revisionist character of Mr. DeMille’s aka John Corey fame. I enjoy the wit and banter, but the characterization isn’t authentic; it’s the voice of the old, resurrected John Corey- just a different time and setting. While the sarcasm is clever, it doesn’t ring true in the despair and darkness of present day Venezuela.
2. The story line is interesting, tasking the CID to locate the deserter. However, there are too many ridiculous incidents - it is hard to take the plot seriously.
3. The pacing becomes slow as these ridiculous incidents are slowly drawn out in the middle of the book. The last quarter of the book builds suspense as the deserter, Kyle Mercer, is finally located. His character is well rounded and fully developed. His story is the highlight of the book. One has to sludge through a lot of pages to get there.
4. Although the climax is exciting, it is predictable. Brodie’s superior at Quantico is a big question mark of reliability.
5. There isn’t a denouement..... a very abrupt ending. Disappointing.

My recommendations: wait for the movie on this one, reread the older Nelson DeMille novels, or The Cuban Affair!

The Cuban Affair goes to Venezuela. Two people go galavanting around an unfriendly country and surprise..... find trouble. I'm a huge Demille fan but this seemed too similar to The Cuban Affair. The main character reminds me too much of John Corey but not nearly as funny. When i'm on the fence about a book, i ask myself if this kept me awake reading late into the night and unfortunately it did not. Don't get me wrong i enjoyed the book but it took me longer than usual to finish.

It was a no-brainer to request a novel by Nelson DeMille, but I didn't often need my brain while reading The Deserter. John Brodie is sent with a CIA operative to arrest and return to the US a deserter currently believed to be in Venezuela. Brodie is quite a smart aleck, and his constant attempts at humor became quite tiresome rather than endearing. His colleague seemed more of a manipulative double dealer, so it was hard to like either one of them. We see awful conditions in Venezuela, read about atrocities in Afghanistan, and wonder what good the US is doing overseas.
The search for the deserter starts in a brothel staffed by children. How Brodie got in and out left a lot to be desired. Once free of Caracas, the tale stabilized, but didn't get much better, Frankly, reading the novel did not enhance my brain.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

Enjoyed the book very much. Excellent narrative and wonderful depiction of the characters. Highly recommended!

I enjoyed reading The Deserter by Nelson DeMile and his son Alex DeMile. The basic plot features two army investigators, Scott Brodie and his new partner Maggie Taylor who have been ordered by The Criminal Investigation Division to find and bring back to the states an army deserter. He was last seen in Venezuela. There was a lot of violence in the novel but that was not unusual considering the plot and location of the novel. What I liked most about the book was interactions between Maggie Taylor and Scott Brodie. Each one has their own opinion about what should be done and how they need to gather information and find the missing deserter.Their developing personal relationship was what made the book different and more interesting from the usual adventure story. I would like to read more books featuring Brodie and Taylor.

I’ve read all of Demille’s novels and mostly liked each one. However, this novel just did not do a thing for me. I read the first 200 pages or so and it just fell flat. Characters were cardboard, too much detail about slums and things I just did not care for. Kept waiting for something interesting to happen and it never did. Why does it seem that ever older writer who takes on a partner, this being Demille’s son, lets the other less experienced do all the writing and allow them to just use their name to sell the book? I’t’s frustrating to me. All the Patterson’s, the King’s on and on just fall flat. Thanks NetGalley for letting me have a go at this one but no thanks, I’m done with this type of writing and selling of novels.

Wild unstoppable ride through barrios and jungles alike. A lifetime of adventure and misadventure is contained in this novel. The action is nonstop. As Scott and Maggie get into more and more dangerous situations the reader wonders how they will get out of each one. Scott just digs them into a deeper and deeper hole. It is truly, as I have seen it described, full throttle!!