Reviews

Matthew Quirk: The Directive You need to read the first book in this series, The 500, to understand who Michael Ford is, his past and the relationships that he has in this book. The 500 is a great read and I highly recommend it (especially if you like the TV show Suits). Mike Ford is about to get married to the love of his life, even though her family does not approve, but she has seen him as his best and worst and no one can break them apart (even though her father tries several times). Along with getting married you need a Best Man and Mike has decided to ask his brother, Jack, who has also gone straight, to stand up with him as a little salute to how far the family has come. However, all good intentions come to an end when Mike discovers that Jack is in way over his head in a powerful conspiracy to steal a billion dollar secret. In an effort to help him get out of the situation, Mike finds himself trapped by some dangerous men, who are holding all the cards. Mike and his brother now have to achieve the impossible and they are going to need all the skills they left behind in order to even attempt to stay alive. The main aspect that makes this series such a success for me is the main character Michael Ford. I love that he has moved on from his life of crime growing up to become a lawyer but uses the tricks that he learned as a con man to find and get the information that he needs. Mike is not afraid to use manipulation and social niceties to show the vulnerabilities in how to gain access to building and gain trust or really any information required. The way that Mike's mind works as he processes through all the information and scenarios is amazing, and really genius and you as the reader get to see how his mind works (for the most part, as the book is told in third person point of view, so some things are left in Mike's mind). Like I said Mike is what makes this book for me, I just love him as a character overall. The mystery in this book was okay, I personally was able to figure quite a few things out before the big reveals, but it was still a fun roller coaster ride as Mike tries to figure out how to steal one of the most trusted and important piece of information in the USA. I liked that Mike was not asked to steal money directly in this book but more information. The process and planning that goes into stealing the information is impressive and with details that make it seem possible for it to happen. Quirk must have done some interesting research in his time to get all the aspects right and feel real for this book.I know I compared the first book in this series to the TV show Suits, this book is far from that TV show and what is expected of Mike. I'm glad that Quirk moved away from this similarity and has created something that is more of his own. I like that the ending was not so cookie cutter and Quirk realized that in this type of crime things gets quite grey in the end in the real world, so this book may not end as you expect. Really a great installment to this series and I look forward to the next installment in this series and what Quirk can come up with next. Enjoy!!!
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micrummey's review

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3.0

Mike Ford through his brother is obliged to take part in a heist. This is effectively a plot to make a killing money wise in getting hands on a directive which will shape US monetary policy. A fast paced novel where you have suspend belief because you start to question, could a lawyer really do all this physical stuff especially when injured?
I did like how the second chapter foreshadowed future events but it wasn't hard to second guess this, otherwise that chapter was pointless in being there.
Part of the crime involved hacking into computers and manipulating security cameras, the technical explanation of which went whoosing over my head.
Like wise some of the fight scenes seemed over complicated and I started to question, how did that happen?
Still it was readable and you wanted to know the fate of various characters both good and bad.

civreader's review against another edition

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3.0

2.5*, maybe

anneaustex's review

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3.0

Matthew Quirk has disappointed with this second thriller featuring Mike Ford. With high stakes including scamming the Federal Reserve directive he keeps the tension from first page to last. I really enjoy that you never quite know for sure who are the good guys and who are the bad.

I'm glad to hear the next book will be going outside of DC as I'm ready to see what else Mike Ford has up his sleeve.

canada_matt's review against another edition

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3.0

Quirk brings Mike Ford back for a new adventure, filled with the perfect mix to keep the avid reader hooked. With a new lease on life and a fiancee, Ford seeks to turn away from his deceptive past and make a proper life for himself. Faced with a father-in-law bent on screwing him over, Ford sees that life on the straight and narrow is sure to be an uphill battle. While visiting his brother, Jack, Ford witnesses a shake-down and agrees, against his better judgement, to help. Jack's got himself hooked to some people who have one thing in mind, getting back what's owed to them. When Ford takes it upon himself to help his brother, he finds himself back in the world of con games and deceit, a place to which he promised never to return. When he uncovers the con game at the centre of all this, Ford realises that he is in too deep to walk away; that Jack and his fiancee are in the crosshairs of some very bad people. With literally billions of dollars at stake and the lives of many on the line, Ford must devise and execute his greatest con ever, all in hopes of saving those he values most. Who can he trust and how will these con games take on a life of their own, leaving success anything put a three-card monte all its own? Quirk knows just how to hook the reader with fact, fiction, and a little sleight of hand. With breadcrumbs throughout, the intrigue and thrill factors stand front and centre for all to see. Not to be missed for fans of tech and financial thrillers.

Quirk's concept has a loose Christopher Reich feel to it (this could be because I recently finished his latest novel), with finance playing a key role in the larger plot. He also eases though the world of tech talk and hacker speak, creating a realistic narrative and dialogue sure to interest the reader. The plot moves quickly and the characters appear real and believable. Even the pace of the story is such that it does not bog down too much. Quirk is still in his infancy of fiction writing and Mike Ford creation, but with books such as this, his fan base is sure to grow and his popularity will skyrocket. While the book's premise may seem a little far-fetched, it fuels the action and lets Quirk's style lull the reader into trusting all that leaps from the page.

Kudos, Mr. Quirk for this great piece of work. You have a fan in me and I will surely spread the word.

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