Good but my least fav Lunnon-Wood book

Previous to this book, I had listened to Lunnon-Wood's Blue Congo and Long Reach. These were superb in every way. Some of my fav military thriller books actually. So my expectations were high for Dark Rose. Regretfully, this novel wasn't as strong as his others.

First the positive elements. LW's understanding of how the modern British military functions is second to none. I read somewhere that he wasn't in the military. It's hard to believe. He runs through the ins and outs of how a major military action is planned like he did this for a living. And to be clear - it's not dry. The conversations have interesting characters, and quick dialogue and always advance the story. You feel like you're in the room as these people talk about a new piece of critical intelligence or where to position a naval fleet.
Another positive. The man can weave together multiple storylines as well as anyone I've read (very Tom Clancy or James Rosone). There is no main character, but twenty of them and over the course of the book, LW carefully (mostly) brings these folks together toward a satisfying if predictable ending. There is one character in the first half of the story who gets a fair bit of page time, but in the second half, he's rarely mentioned. He was interesting, so his absence was noticeable. Finally, there are many action scenes in the second half of the book - infantry, navy and air force. All are thrilling and well done. Action scenes are another colossal strength of the author. The second half of the book really moves along as a result.

Now for the less positive. Plot spoiler follows. The premise. Ugh! Of the many things I liked about the two aforementioned books, they had plots and premises that were entirely believable. Like in the next 2-5 years they could totally happen. But not with Dark Rose. The book blurb only gave the vaguest indications of the plot. Had I of know, I might have went for another of the author's stories. When I did start listening and it became clear who the baddies were, I was just like... “nope”. This could never happen. I mean, big points for imagination, but this took away from the story. So what is the plot that I was so unimpressed with? Elements of the PLO and Libya invade Ireland. Now mind you, this book was written back in the early 90's but even then the idea that these two countries could somehow invade Ireland... We'll it was just too much. The very idea that the UK, much less the US, would allow either of these countries to invade Ireland and that these same countries wouldn't immediately trounce the invaders torpedoed this story from the moment I realized what was going on.

And if my concern about the central plot was enough to knock me on my keister, the idea that the people of Ireland would willingly accept the reinstitution of an Irish monarch knocked me flat out. I think this plot device was weaved into the story to build up the readers' emotional connection with the story. It should be remembered that Princess Diana was alive a well when this story was penned. In fact, there is mention of her in the book! And indeed, to some degree this story was an emotional draw but in the end, it again pushed the limits of believability and added another 90 minutes or so to an already long book. Perhaps part of my concern about this thread was that I had just listened to Leon Uris' Irish epic Trinity. On reading how the British treated the Irish, I can't see how the Republic of Ireland would ever accept something so British as a queen.

This was an ambitious book with an ambitious story and it was a good listen/story, but if you've not read Lunnon-Woods other novels, I would point you to them before Dark Rose. As mentioned above, these other works are fantastic. I give Congo Blue and Long Reach my highest recommendations.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!