Testosterone-Fueled Fiction: Ten Action-Packed Summer Reads for Guys

Terrorism is the cornerstone of this summer's fiction offerings for men. From the frighteningly plausible to the wildly impossible, these diverse titles capitalize on the uncertainty and threat of seemingly random attacks. As the action heats up, readers will want to have a cold drink handy.

On the run from the U.S. government and a ruthless assassin, science historian David Swift tries to uncover the meaning of a series of numbers whispered to him by his dying mentor. David hurtles from the Northeast to Appalachia to solve the puzzle that may be tied to Einstein's final theory, but the answer takes him by surprise. First-timer Alpert, a Scientific American editor, executes the action sequences with enthusiasm, although his hero performs some incredible feats for a civilian. Alpert also lays out the science without overwhelming the casual reader. Recommended, especially for Michael Crichton fans.

A disgraced West Pointer living on the Filipino island of Mindanao is brought in to snatch an Al Qaeda cash transfer from Muslim rebels. Having lived there for three years, Anthony knows a great deal about the clashing cultures of the Philippines but tries to share it all in one book. Using stilted dialog for exposition, a terrorism connection for timeliness, and an instant romance for drama, Anthony's debut thriller misses the mark. Points for instruction, none for execution. Not recommended.

Freelance "cleaner" Jonathan Quinn is hired to make a body disappear. When he discovers that the victim is a friend, Quinn violates the first rule of his profession and becomes personally involved. Quinn, female ally Orlando, and apprentice Nate travel to Singapore to prevent an assassination and rescue an innocent woman. Lots of tradecraft and a growing relationship between Quinn and Orlando make this a successful sequel to The Cleaner. Highly recommended.

Admiral Jake Grafton's troubleshooter Tommy Carminelli (The Traitor) returns to save the world from terrorism. Funded by wealthy backers (and with the approval of a brave but dumb president), smart-aleck Tommy joins the hunt for homicidal mastermind Abu Qasim. Grafton is his usual indestructible self, and Tommy brings some chuckles and a tepid romantic sidebar, but Coonts spends more time choreographing the action scenes than honing his plot. Coonts's fans will want it, but new readers won't be won over. [See Prepub Alert, ZLJ 4/15/08.]

Cussler and coauthor Du Brul (Skeleton Coast) lurch through Cussler's latest high-tech fantasy, dropping dozens of subplots into a blender and printing the result. The chief threat? Bad guys intent on sterilizinghalf the world use a trendy zero population/family planning group as cover. Into the breach steps Juan Cabrillo, his supership Oregon, and his loyal cast of special-ops wizards. Did I mention Noah's Ark? So does Cussler. Readers will ask for him by name, so buy accordingly. [See Prepub Alert, ZLJ 2/1/08.]

Like a bullet, Col. Alexei Volkovoy (Volk's Game) goes where he is pointed and doesn't stop until he hits something. Brutalized by training, war, and captivity, he has criminal tendencies and a capacity for explosive violence that hide a deep loyalty to Russia and to the few people he trusts. When a series of seemingly unconnected crimes begins pointing to a single source, Volk (Russian for wolf) takes on Kremlin power players, the Russian mob, and Chechen rebels to resolve them. Volk is less Arkady Renko than a Russian Jack Reacher, making Volk's Shadow as noir as a winter night in Saint Petersburg. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 3/1/08.]

Jenkins (Slim and None) takes his trademark humor over the top in this farcical novel about the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) tour. His method is to throw anti-PC jokes at everyone from lesbians to Native Americans and see what sticks. Unfortunately, nothing does. He half-heartedly includes a Tonya Harding-like plot against the "franchise babe" of the title, but drops it, seemingly from boredom. For larger public libraries and local demand.

An ambitious senator introduces anti-Muslim legislation following several foiled terror attacks, and Speaker of the House John Mahoney sends his bagman Joe DeMarco to find a reason. DeMarco is no hero—he drinks too much and hides when the shooting starts—but his tenacity (and fear of his boss) keeps him in the game. Lawson (The Second Perimeter) fleshes out his characters while developing a plausible and increasingly tense plot. Just enough uncertainty in the satisfying conclusion hints that another series entry is likely. Highly recommended.

Reich's everyman hero, Jonathan Ransom, is plunged into a world of intrigue when his wife dies in an accident. Growing questions about her true identity dig him deeper into trouble. Ransom is unaware that he is interrupting the endgame of an enormous and long-running conspiracy that he—and the Swiss cop tracking him—could derail. Reich (Patriot's Club) throws readers off the scent but never loses control of the plot. He skillfully handles the pacing, and this results in a suspenseful story balanced by cinematic action scenes. Highly recommended—fans of early Ludlum will particularly enjoy it. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 3/1/08.]

Seymour (Rat Run) forsakes the black-and-white view of post-9/11 popular fiction, delving into the grays of motivation and response. The strands of his multiple narratives begin to connect as a planned suicide attack comes closer to fruition. The author examines his characters—a disaffected security officer, a sleazy juror, a retiring functionary, and the terrorists—from various angles, raising questions about the necessity and morality of action outside the bounds of law. Minor characters play a role in the climax, but including their stories detracts from the overall pacing. Despite this slight flaw, this is still highly recommended for all libraries.