'Acceptable' Group Fifteen Short

My main issue with this story is the pacing. Mariani Scott appears to forget that he's writing a short story. Literally half of the novella is spent on introducing characters, developing motivations, and establishing setting (Don't get me wrong.. he's good at it. I suspect Scott writes creditable full-length Thrillers). Once the action starts, the encounters are well-scripted, the tech/tactics feel accurate, and the descriptions are excellent, but it takes too long to get there. Fans of Mark Dawson will enjoy the cat & mouse combat between 'Number 12' - an Agent named Duffy - and a North Korean assassin who targeted a British citizen.. but if you decide to try it.. be prepared for buildup inappropriate for this format.
[In addition, Scott ends this story with a teaser for a new Group 15 direction *that will NEVER be written*. It's a little baffling.]

David Thorpe - contracted to read Dawson's books - again reads the story nicely, but his voice-acting is a little weak and he reads too slowly on this project for some reason (I recommend listening at 1.10X).

The inclusion of this short story in the 'Plus' catalogue (free for subscribers) is appreciated. I'm glad I downloaded it for a quiet snowy afternoon. Fans of Action-Thrillers, Spy Fiction, Technothrillers, and Dawson's 'John Milton' series will doubtless recognize it's merits. Unfortunately, this 5.5/10 star effort didn't particularly grab me. If you can get it for free.. go for it.. but I can't recommend spending money on it.

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