The Athens Solution and Other Stories

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The Athens Solution by Brad Thor - For decades a terrorist organization known as 17 November wreaked havoc throughout Greece. For years, no member of the organization had ever been arrested, until a breakthrough occurred in 2002 when a prematurely detonated bomb gave clues that lead to 17 November safe houses, which contained additional caches of weapons, disguises and the group's signature .45-caliber Colt 1911 semiautomatic pistol used in some of their most high-profile assassinations. Since the 2002 raids things have been quiet in Greece, but intelligence officials are concerned that several members of the organization may have slipped through their net and have gone deeper underground. These same officials worry that if and when these last remaining members do surface again, it will be with a terrible vengeance.

The Tuesday Club by Katherine Neville - When it came to Benjamin Franklin's well-documented, almost obsessive, penchant for creating or joining private clubs, this fills that void.

Interlude at Duane's by F. Paul Wilson - Urban mercenary Repairman Jack from "The Tomb", Jack is a denizen of Manhattan who dwells in the interstices of modem society. He has no official identity, no social security number, pays no taxes. When you lose faith in the system, or the system lets you down, you go to a guy who's outside the system, a career criminal who works strictly fee-for-service.

The Powder Monkey by Ted Bell - 1880. Lovelorn newspaperman journeys to the Channel Islands for the true story of pirate captain Billy Blood's demise. In doing so, our hero learns how small boy Alex Hawke, held captive aboard Blood's frigate, Mystere, is saved from certain death.

Kill Zone by Robert Liparulo - Police sniper Byron Stone is a compilation of the author's's acquaintances, including snipers from SWAT and FBI. Both have quiet, nearly impenetrable machismo and subtly troubled spirits. Taking lives made them respect life more. They kill only to save more lives, or a more innocent life. A sniper's knowledge that his job is necessary may crash headlong into his humanity. This is the sniper's conflict, their moral struggle.