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Tucker Wayne #1
The Kill Switch
From bestselling authors James Rollins and Grant Blackwood, the first installment in an exciting new thriller series based on the Sigma Force novels featuring former Army Ranger Tucker Wayne and his partner, Army working dog Kane, introduced in the New York Times bestseller Bloodline and the e-original story Tracker.
Former Army Ranger Tucker Wayne and his military working dog Kane are recruited by Sigma Force to extract a Russian pharmaceutical magnate from Siberia. A scientific genius, the drug tycoon holds the biological key to a new weapon system, a danger engineered from the ancient past to terrorize the modern world.
From the frozen steppes of Russia to the sun-blasted savannahs of Africa, Tucker and Kane must piece together a mystery going back to the origins of life on Earth—before the ancient peril can destroy the heartland of America, and with it, all of humankind.
Former Army Ranger Tucker Wayne and his military working dog Kane are recruited by Sigma Force to extract a Russian pharmaceutical magnate from Siberia. A scientific genius, the drug tycoon holds the biological key to a new weapon system, a danger engineered from the ancient past to terrorize the modern world.
From the frozen steppes of Russia to the sun-blasted savannahs of Africa, Tucker and Kane must piece together a mystery going back to the origins of life on Earth—before the ancient peril can destroy the heartland of America, and with it, all of humankind.
388 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
707 people are currently reading
5606 people want to read
About the author
James Rollins
117books14kfollowersJames Rollins is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of international thrillers. His writing has been translated into more than forty languages and has sold more than 20 million books. The New York Times says, “Rollins is what you might wind up with if you tossed Michael Crichton and Dan Brown into a particle accelerator together.� NPR calls his work, “Adventurous and enormously engrossing.� Rollins unveils unseen worlds, scientific breakthroughs, and historical secrets matched with stunning suspense. As a veterinarian, he had a practice in Sacramento for over a decade and still volunteers at local shelters. Nowadays, Rollins shares his home up in the Sierra Nevada Mountains with two furry companions, Echo and Charlie. He also enjoys scuba diving, spelunking, kayaking, and hiking. Of course, he loves to travel and experience new places around the world, which often inspire his next globe-trotting adventure.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 795 reviews
July 15, 2018
خب این دست کتابا معمولا مورد علاقه منن(هرچند اگه کمی فانتزی تر بود بیشتر مورد پسندم میشد😅).
نحوه پیوند دادن داستان بین گذشته و اینده خیلی خوب بود هرچند تا اواسط داستان ارتباطی بین مقدمه و داستان اصلی برقرار نشده بود.
از اینکه نویسنده به نحوی مسائل تاریخی رو هم وارد داستان کرده بود خیلی خوشم اومد.
در نهایت ترجمه کتاب هم واقعا خوب بود هرچند شاید یه جاهایی میشد بهتر باشه ولی از اونجایی که برگردوندن کتاب های تریلر به فارسی (به نظر من) کمی سخت هست،میتونیم از نواقص ناچیز ترجمه چشم پوشی کنیم.
نحوه پیوند دادن داستان بین گذشته و اینده خیلی خوب بود هرچند تا اواسط داستان ارتباطی بین مقدمه و داستان اصلی برقرار نشده بود.
از اینکه نویسنده به نحوی مسائل تاریخی رو هم وارد داستان کرده بود خیلی خوشم اومد.
در نهایت ترجمه کتاب هم واقعا خوب بود هرچند شاید یه جاهایی میشد بهتر باشه ولی از اونجایی که برگردوندن کتاب های تریلر به فارسی (به نظر من) کمی سخت هست،میتونیم از نواقص ناچیز ترجمه چشم پوشی کنیم.
June 25, 2016
My first date with Tucker Wayne and his super awesome military working dog Kane was in and now they have their own series. Yay!
This book is awesome as all the Sigma Force novels because it involves history, science, adventure suspense and fast pace. And the main characters are even more thrilling: a former Army Ranger and his military dog <3
James Rollins (with his veterinarian experience) joined forces with Grant Blackwood (with military knowledge), another fabulous writer, to create a one more stunning page turner.
I liked Tucker Wayne as one of the main characters, but to me the star in this book is Kane, a Belgian Malinois.
I adored the intimate and realistic relationship between Tucker and Kane (I read more in the Internet about the military dogs and their trainers, it helped me to understand their bond better). The authors even offered a chance for the reader to see into Kane’s mind and how he responded to Tucker’s words and feelings. This helped to reveal the stunning bond between an animal and a human.
His partner steps out of hiding, onto the road’s shoulder. He moves wrong, tilting, stumbling. Kane knows this is false, a feigned flailing. He picks out the glint of steel held at his partner’s hip, out of sight of the other.
Across the road, his target turns toward his partner and focuses fully upon him. Kane feels a surge of bone-deep approval and affection. The two are a pack, one tied to the other, working together.
I also enjoyed the funny interaction which made the story attractive and entertaining also easing the tension:
(Tucker and Ruth Harper, his temporary boss)
"Anything else that makes you suspicious of her?�
“She’s pretty, and she finds me fascinating.�
“That certainly is odd. Are you sure she’s in possession of her faculties?�
(Tucker and Kane in action)
Tucker sank back and whispered in Kane’s ear. “WAYPOINT, COVER, QUIET CLOSE, TAKE ALPHA.�
He repeated the complex chain of commands.
While Kane’s vocabulary was impressive, he also had an amazing ability to string together actions. In this case, Kane would need to cross the road, find cover, close the distance between himself and their target—then attack.
“Got it, buddy?� Tucker asked.
Kane bumped his nose against Tucker’s. His dark eyes twinkled with his answer: Of course I do, you stupid ass.
(Tucker and his main weapon)
But his real firepower leaped off the bed and followed him to the door
(Tucker and Ruth Harper, the final meeting)
She reached down and scratched Kane behind an ear. “I’ve always had a special place in my heart for dogs.�
From the arch of her eyebrow, he suspected she wasn’t only referring to the four-legged kind.
This book is a quick, but unforgettable ride through the awesome adventure with Tucker Wayne and his BFF, partner and the best dog ever - Kane.
This book is awesome as all the Sigma Force novels because it involves history, science, adventure suspense and fast pace. And the main characters are even more thrilling: a former Army Ranger and his military dog <3
James Rollins (with his veterinarian experience) joined forces with Grant Blackwood (with military knowledge), another fabulous writer, to create a one more stunning page turner.
I liked Tucker Wayne as one of the main characters, but to me the star in this book is Kane, a Belgian Malinois.
I adored the intimate and realistic relationship between Tucker and Kane (I read more in the Internet about the military dogs and their trainers, it helped me to understand their bond better). The authors even offered a chance for the reader to see into Kane’s mind and how he responded to Tucker’s words and feelings. This helped to reveal the stunning bond between an animal and a human.
His partner steps out of hiding, onto the road’s shoulder. He moves wrong, tilting, stumbling. Kane knows this is false, a feigned flailing. He picks out the glint of steel held at his partner’s hip, out of sight of the other.
Across the road, his target turns toward his partner and focuses fully upon him. Kane feels a surge of bone-deep approval and affection. The two are a pack, one tied to the other, working together.
I also enjoyed the funny interaction which made the story attractive and entertaining also easing the tension:
(Tucker and Ruth Harper, his temporary boss)
"Anything else that makes you suspicious of her?�
“She’s pretty, and she finds me fascinating.�
“That certainly is odd. Are you sure she’s in possession of her faculties?�
(Tucker and Kane in action)
Tucker sank back and whispered in Kane’s ear. “WAYPOINT, COVER, QUIET CLOSE, TAKE ALPHA.�
He repeated the complex chain of commands.
While Kane’s vocabulary was impressive, he also had an amazing ability to string together actions. In this case, Kane would need to cross the road, find cover, close the distance between himself and their target—then attack.
“Got it, buddy?� Tucker asked.
Kane bumped his nose against Tucker’s. His dark eyes twinkled with his answer: Of course I do, you stupid ass.
(Tucker and his main weapon)
But his real firepower leaped off the bed and followed him to the door
(Tucker and Ruth Harper, the final meeting)
She reached down and scratched Kane behind an ear. “I’ve always had a special place in my heart for dogs.�
From the arch of her eyebrow, he suspected she wasn’t only referring to the four-legged kind.
This book is a quick, but unforgettable ride through the awesome adventure with Tucker Wayne and his BFF, partner and the best dog ever - Kane.
June 29, 2022
Its never a good sign when you're into a story and can't wait for it to end. Such is the case with Kill Switch, easily more than twice as long as needed. One character states, "I won't bore you with details," yet Mr. Rollins does. Where's an editor? Also, not a good sign when the lead gets threatened, chased, beat up and shot at 75% of the time. Tiresome. Finally, this character can't wipe out unarmed bad guys who have no qualms destroying him? They repeatedly reemerge to his detriment. What kind of lame agent with this seemingly never ending pursuit is this? 2 of 10 stars
June 5, 2014
I love James Rollins; I really do. I have no problem with the suspend-your-disbelief action sequences; I love all that.
Unfortunately, I have to give "The Kill Switch" a rating of "meh." The book is at its best when it focuses on the relationship between Tucker and his K-9 partner Kane, whether they are out in the field in the midst of action or just hanging together. I really liked the parts told from Kane's point of view.
The book was entertaining, but it never quite pulled me all the way in. At times it seemed as if I was starting to get pulled in (and I eagerly anticipated losing myself in the storyline), and then suddenly the book would switch gears and I'd get yanked back out. Not fun. When I read a book, I want to get lost in it, to get immersed in it so that I forget my surroundings. "The Kill Switch" did not do that.
I was never emotionally connected to any of the characters, and that's the problem. There was a lot of action, a good plot, great twists. But the character development was lacking. The book really needed to develop all its primary characters in greater depth so as to make the reader have a vested interest in them. Because I didn't connect with any of the characters, I really didn't care whether they lived or died, and that's why the book was less engaging than it could have been.
Unfortunately, I have to give "The Kill Switch" a rating of "meh." The book is at its best when it focuses on the relationship between Tucker and his K-9 partner Kane, whether they are out in the field in the midst of action or just hanging together. I really liked the parts told from Kane's point of view.
The book was entertaining, but it never quite pulled me all the way in. At times it seemed as if I was starting to get pulled in (and I eagerly anticipated losing myself in the storyline), and then suddenly the book would switch gears and I'd get yanked back out. Not fun. When I read a book, I want to get lost in it, to get immersed in it so that I forget my surroundings. "The Kill Switch" did not do that.
I was never emotionally connected to any of the characters, and that's the problem. There was a lot of action, a good plot, great twists. But the character development was lacking. The book really needed to develop all its primary characters in greater depth so as to make the reader have a vested interest in them. Because I didn't connect with any of the characters, I really didn't care whether they lived or died, and that's why the book was less engaging than it could have been.
April 30, 2016
I really enjoyed reading this book, 4 stars.
Since Kane is so awesome, he gets at least a 5!
Since Kane is so awesome, he gets at least a 5!
August 28, 2016
Having read and liked the set-up novella (Tracker), I was pumped to read a real novel starring loner Tucker Wayne and his faithful sidekick, the military dog, Belgian Malinois, Kane. The highly improbable story (it is fiction, after all) involves the race to rediscover a virulent bioweapon. A Russian scientist wants to defect, and Wayne/Kane are sent to assist, finding themselves in a battle with a crazy Russian old-school warmonger and his hired assassin. Along the way, there is treachery and a race to develop a "kill switch" to combat the potential devastation of the bioweapon. I would have liked more of the segues from Kane's perspective, which were better done in the novella, because the thinking was less developed, as you would suspect from a dog (i.e., Wayne is "pack.") Perhaps this is because Rollins wrote the book, rather than co-authored?
If you can suspend disbelief and like non-stop action, go for it.
If you can suspend disbelief and like non-stop action, go for it.
May 1, 2019
I mostly enjoyed this book. It had lots of action without the obligatory, pointless romance. The bits from the dog's POV were unnecessary and felt a bit silly for this type of book though.
February 13, 2022
জেমস রলিন্সের আর� একটি অসাধার� বই।❤� বে� লম্ব� সময় নিয়� পরলা� নানাবি� ব্যস্ততা� মধ্য�, কিন্তু যখনই যতটুকু পড়েছি বইটা পুরোপুরি উপভো� করেছি। অনুবাদ মো� ফুয়াদ আল ফিদা� এর প্রাঞ্জল অনুবাদ� বইটা পড়ত� আর� বেশি ভালো লেগেছে� রলিন্স ফ্যানদের বইটা ভালো লাগব� আশ� করি।
March 25, 2014
Received as an ARC via my employer Barnes & Noble. Started 3-19-14. Finished 3-25-14. Mr Rollins has done it again---another tight, exciting, fast-paced thriller that had me reading faster as I got toward the end. One of my criteria for a good read. Actually I've never met a Rollins book I didn't like. A fictional book with just enough truth in it to make it truly a scary scenario.
July 22, 2019
অসাধারণ। এই একটি বইয়� রয়েছে এসপিওনাজ, ইতিহাস, বিজ্ঞা�, বায়োলজি � অ্যাকশ� এডভেঞ্চারে� মিশ্রণ� উপন্যাসে� প্রধান দুটি চরিত্র হল সাবে� আর্ম� রেঞ্জা� টাকা� ওয়েইন � তা� কুকু� কেইন� এই দুজনের কাঁধ� সিগম� কমান্ডার দায়িত্ব দেয় একজন বিলিয়নিয়� বিজ্ঞানীকে রাশিয়� থেকে বে� কর� আনার� কেনন� বিজ্ঞানী প্রাচী� ঐতিহাসিক সূত্� থেকে এম� কিছু বে� করেছেন যেটা ভু� লোকে� হাতে পড়ল� পৃথিবী� পরিবেশ হুমকির মুখে পড়বে। টাকা� � তা� প্রিয় কুকু� নেমে পড়ল� বিজ্ঞানীকে উদ্ধার করতে� তাদে� সামন� আসতে লাগল� একের পর এক বাঁধা। টাকা� � কেইন কি পারব� বিজ্ঞানীকে রক্ষ� করতে নাকি বিজ্ঞানী� সূত্� ভু� হাতে গিয়� পড়বে। আর এই যাত্রায় টাকারক� মুখোমুখি হত� হব� চর� এক লাস্যময়ী নারী সুইডিশ দস্যুর� বিখ্যা� লেখক জেমস রোলিন্� আর গ্রান্� ব্ল্যাকউ� ভালো মতোই ছক সাজিয়েছেন বল� চলে। সিগম� ফোর্� ফ্যানদের খু� একটা আনফ্যামিলিয়ার লাগব� না�
মোটামোটি পে� টার্না� বল� চল� দ্� কি� সুইচ বইটাকে� অন্যতম প্রিয় অনুবাদ� মো� ফুয়াদ আল ফিদা� ভাইয়ে� অনুবাদ নিয়� নতুন কর� কিছু বলার নেই। নতুন প্রকাশনি চিরকুট� ভালো� কা� দেখিয়েছে। সজ� চৌধুরী ভাইয়ে� প্রচ্ছ� নান্দনিক� চিরকুট টিমক� ধন্যবাদ।
মোটামোটি পে� টার্না� বল� চল� দ্� কি� সুইচ বইটাকে� অন্যতম প্রিয় অনুবাদ� মো� ফুয়াদ আল ফিদা� ভাইয়ে� অনুবাদ নিয়� নতুন কর� কিছু বলার নেই। নতুন প্রকাশনি চিরকুট� ভালো� কা� দেখিয়েছে। সজ� চৌধুরী ভাইয়ে� প্রচ্ছ� নান্দনিক� চিরকুট টিমক� ধন্যবাদ।
May 20, 2014
The biggest problem for me is that this book suffers from a problem that seems to be infecting quite a few of James Rollins's books in the past couple years.
I refer to said problem as the DC/Marvel Comic Book Syndrome.
Similar to Clive Cussler, Douglas Preston/Lincoln Child,and even Stephen King, Mr. Rollins has created a working universe in which all of his works (except maybe the Blood Gospel series that he is currently writing with Rebecca Cantrell)occur in. This is why you often see characters from one book cross over into another. This is an idea that could be compared in many ways to the universes created in DC Comics and Marvel Comics.
And it's a great idea when it works but it also creates problems when it doesn't.
The Things That Work
The Main Characters:
-Tucker Wayne and Kane are great characters. They were both introduced in Bloodlines (a SIGMA force book or the Justice League/Avengers equivalent in the Rollinsverse) and they are both extremely strong characters with great characterization. Especially Kane, Tucker's dog. Kane is absolutely brilliant and the scenes written from his perspective are brilliant. There were sometimes when I was reading this book that I honestly felt that the entire book should be written from this perspective.
Parts of the Story
-The concept is typical Rollins and that's why I'll keep coming back. The basic plot is that Tucker/Kane must keep a Russian scientist from being killed by a possibly rogue Russian general seeking a doomsday toxin. Overall this works pretty well and never feels too forced.
The Things that Didn't Work
The Antagonists
-I love a good antagonist such as the Falconer from The Lies of Locke Lamora, Diogenes of the Pendergast series, or many of the villains introduced in previous Rollinsverse stories. Unfortunately, the antagonists in this book aren't that memorable and aren't all that active. They are actually more of shadowy forces in the distance that just move our characters forward. Also the final showdown between the General and Tucker/Kane is really undewhelming.
The DC/Marvel Comics Syndrome
-The question is what does this have to do with my hypothetical literary syndrome. In my opinion, it has everything to do with this. As a standalone book, this book would have been probably worth a higher score than it's getting but because it's part of the already really strong Rollinsverse it has to score lower. It doesn't hold water with the others. The main characters were part of a more exciting adventure when they were teamed up with SIGMA and in lot of ways this feels like a lesser conflict then the climatic battle between SIGMA and the highest Echelon of the GUILD.
I know there will be a follow-up to this book and I swear that I will be one of the first people to pick it up but it will be without the feverish anticipation that accompanied this book. I will primarily be picking up the next installment because it will be another opportunity to read from Kane's perspective and to engage in the usual action of the Rollinsverse and not because I will expect it to be a top-notch adventure. Because this book doesn't give me much hope of that happening.
Final Review: A Hard 3 out of 5 (Average)
I refer to said problem as the DC/Marvel Comic Book Syndrome.
Similar to Clive Cussler, Douglas Preston/Lincoln Child,and even Stephen King, Mr. Rollins has created a working universe in which all of his works (except maybe the Blood Gospel series that he is currently writing with Rebecca Cantrell)occur in. This is why you often see characters from one book cross over into another. This is an idea that could be compared in many ways to the universes created in DC Comics and Marvel Comics.
And it's a great idea when it works but it also creates problems when it doesn't.
The Things That Work
The Main Characters:
-Tucker Wayne and Kane are great characters. They were both introduced in Bloodlines (a SIGMA force book or the Justice League/Avengers equivalent in the Rollinsverse) and they are both extremely strong characters with great characterization. Especially Kane, Tucker's dog. Kane is absolutely brilliant and the scenes written from his perspective are brilliant. There were sometimes when I was reading this book that I honestly felt that the entire book should be written from this perspective.
Parts of the Story
-The concept is typical Rollins and that's why I'll keep coming back. The basic plot is that Tucker/Kane must keep a Russian scientist from being killed by a possibly rogue Russian general seeking a doomsday toxin. Overall this works pretty well and never feels too forced.
The Things that Didn't Work
The Antagonists
-I love a good antagonist such as the Falconer from The Lies of Locke Lamora, Diogenes of the Pendergast series, or many of the villains introduced in previous Rollinsverse stories. Unfortunately, the antagonists in this book aren't that memorable and aren't all that active. They are actually more of shadowy forces in the distance that just move our characters forward. Also the final showdown between the General and Tucker/Kane is really undewhelming.
The DC/Marvel Comics Syndrome
-The question is what does this have to do with my hypothetical literary syndrome. In my opinion, it has everything to do with this. As a standalone book, this book would have been probably worth a higher score than it's getting but because it's part of the already really strong Rollinsverse it has to score lower. It doesn't hold water with the others. The main characters were part of a more exciting adventure when they were teamed up with SIGMA and in lot of ways this feels like a lesser conflict then the climatic battle between SIGMA and the highest Echelon of the GUILD.
I know there will be a follow-up to this book and I swear that I will be one of the first people to pick it up but it will be without the feverish anticipation that accompanied this book. I will primarily be picking up the next installment because it will be another opportunity to read from Kane's perspective and to engage in the usual action of the Rollinsverse and not because I will expect it to be a top-notch adventure. Because this book doesn't give me much hope of that happening.
Final Review: A Hard 3 out of 5 (Average)
October 28, 2014
I've really been on a role lately with my reading choices.
Tucker Wayne is a former Army Ranger who has been working as free-lance high-stakes protection when he is recruited by Sigma Force for an extremely important mission. Readers of James Rollins� Sigma Force series will understand the nature of that business but it is not necessary to have read those books before beginning this series at all.
The plot is a roller coaster ride of adventure. Tucker must extract a Russian scientist/pharmaceutical magnate from Siberia. A biological breakthrough has been discovered deep in Africa and it’s a race to see who can recover the find first. If the wrong people get there first, the find can be weaponized with devastating results. This is a fairly linear adventure story with the main team of good guys rocketing from one dangerous near-death encounter to the next. From traitors to shootouts to femme fatales to discovering ancient life origins, this is definitely a page-turner.
Of course what makes this novel different than so many other similar novels is Kane, a military working dog (MWD) of extraordinary training and intelligence. I’ve had the opportunity to work with MWD teams and it is an amazing thing to see. Kane has an understanding of over 1000 words and commands and his loyalty to Tucker is truly inspiring. It’s what really makes this novel. And don’t think that this fictional team is inflated beyond what real world WMD teams can do. While the vast majority of the novel is seen through the eyes of Tucker, we occasionally get to experience it through Kane’s eyes. Pretty cool.
In the past I have been reluctant to try a spin-off series, especially one that has two authors. I worry that it’s simply an attempt to cash in on the name of the well-known author while being written almost entirely by the other one. Even if that is the case here, I am so very glad I gave this a try. It was a blast to read and I am hopeful that there will be many more Tucker and Kane books to follow.
Tucker Wayne is a former Army Ranger who has been working as free-lance high-stakes protection when he is recruited by Sigma Force for an extremely important mission. Readers of James Rollins� Sigma Force series will understand the nature of that business but it is not necessary to have read those books before beginning this series at all.
The plot is a roller coaster ride of adventure. Tucker must extract a Russian scientist/pharmaceutical magnate from Siberia. A biological breakthrough has been discovered deep in Africa and it’s a race to see who can recover the find first. If the wrong people get there first, the find can be weaponized with devastating results. This is a fairly linear adventure story with the main team of good guys rocketing from one dangerous near-death encounter to the next. From traitors to shootouts to femme fatales to discovering ancient life origins, this is definitely a page-turner.
Of course what makes this novel different than so many other similar novels is Kane, a military working dog (MWD) of extraordinary training and intelligence. I’ve had the opportunity to work with MWD teams and it is an amazing thing to see. Kane has an understanding of over 1000 words and commands and his loyalty to Tucker is truly inspiring. It’s what really makes this novel. And don’t think that this fictional team is inflated beyond what real world WMD teams can do. While the vast majority of the novel is seen through the eyes of Tucker, we occasionally get to experience it through Kane’s eyes. Pretty cool.
In the past I have been reluctant to try a spin-off series, especially one that has two authors. I worry that it’s simply an attempt to cash in on the name of the well-known author while being written almost entirely by the other one. Even if that is the case here, I am so very glad I gave this a try. It was a blast to read and I am hopeful that there will be many more Tucker and Kane books to follow.
June 20, 2017
Humans and dogs -- the most enduring companionship on the planet. Tucker (human) and Kane (dog) hold our interest because Rollins knows a good thing and he creates the ultimate bonding relationship between Tucker (ex-“special forces�) and his remarkable dog who understands both Tucker’s commands (over 100) and his needs. These guys also come tricked-out with all the latest technology so Kane has Kevlar protection and communications of a kind that give Tucker the ability to see and hear what Kane does even when they are hundreds of yards apart.
The Kill Switch is driven by a sort of MacGuffin. Not a holy grail or a black bird, it goes by the name of LUCA. Tucker and Kane need to find this LUCA, and having done so defend it against all comers or life (as we know it) will come to a quick end. The action is almost continuous and the speed is too quick to permit any heavy thinking.
---There are several snipers anxious to kill Tucker or those he is protecting.
---There is a healthy dose of history and
---enough science thrown in to create some tension
as Tucker and his team need to solve various challenges and problems while time ticks away relentlessly.
Sigma Force is a covert arm of the Defense Department tasked with keeping dangerous scientific discoveries out of enemy hands. Tucker has worked for them before and is roped into doing a “little favor� for them shortly after this story begins. Rollins makes this sufficiently believable that the rest of the plot elements (including events of the Boer Wars, the talents of military dogs, the “central scientific concept� and the Russian “closed scientific cities�) all fall into place.
The plot, as I should have mentioned, is very linear, as are the characters. Don’t expect much character development even from Tucker and certainly not from his “handlers� at Sigma Force. But, you didn’t expect that in a thriller, did you? Three stars and and extra 0.5 star because I like dogs.
The Kill Switch is driven by a sort of MacGuffin. Not a holy grail or a black bird, it goes by the name of LUCA. Tucker and Kane need to find this LUCA, and having done so defend it against all comers or life (as we know it) will come to a quick end. The action is almost continuous and the speed is too quick to permit any heavy thinking.
---There are several snipers anxious to kill Tucker or those he is protecting.
---There is a healthy dose of history and
---enough science thrown in to create some tension
as Tucker and his team need to solve various challenges and problems while time ticks away relentlessly.
Sigma Force is a covert arm of the Defense Department tasked with keeping dangerous scientific discoveries out of enemy hands. Tucker has worked for them before and is roped into doing a “little favor� for them shortly after this story begins. Rollins makes this sufficiently believable that the rest of the plot elements (including events of the Boer Wars, the talents of military dogs, the “central scientific concept� and the Russian “closed scientific cities�) all fall into place.
The plot, as I should have mentioned, is very linear, as are the characters. Don’t expect much character development even from Tucker and certainly not from his “handlers� at Sigma Force. But, you didn’t expect that in a thriller, did you? Three stars and and extra 0.5 star because I like dogs.
June 11, 2016
Twists, Turns, Action Packed, Engaging. Fascinating & Unique Page Turner! A Excellent Read! I Loved It!
March 1, 2019
i should have finished this 2 days ago but i instead spent my days off watching the show luke cage (which i regret on hindsight)
i don't care much for the terrorist fauna concept but the man and dog duo is so much fun;
bonus that they were pitted against a sniper (a little inept, though, i think)
p33: a pair of ieds exploded, killing most of tucker's squad and wounding the rest, including abel, whose left front leg had been blown off at the elbow.
p44: tucker helped her gather the runaway items, then stood up. he nodded at her copy of anna karenina. "the butler did it, by the way."
she blinked at him, momentarily confused.
tucker added, "in the library, with a lead pipe."
she smiled. "well, goodness. then there's not much point in my finishing it, is there?"
"sorry if i ruined it for you."
"you've read it?"
"in high school," he said.
"and your verdict?"
"certainly not beach reading. i liked it—but not enough to wade through it a second time."
"it's my third time. i'm a glutton for punishment, i suppose." she extended her hand. "well, thank you again..."
p203: "you'll know at least one person in the states," he reassured her.
kane thumped his tail.
"make that two," he added.
p226: it was a quiet, exhausted ride.
p232: "...so you'll wait here for us here."
p296: as gently as he could, he pried the flattened .38-caliber round from the kevlar and tossed it away. he followed it with a hug.
tucker then took inventory of his own damage. anya had clipped him with her last shot, tearing the flesh of his upper thigh. blood soaked his pant leg, and the pain was coming on, but it was manageable for now. a few inches to the center and the high-powered .44 round would have shattered his hip, crippling him.
p308: there was only way to know for sure.
p327: a grenade launcher.
tucker yelled, "hard left, nose down!"
nick worked the controls, pitching the nose and leaning into a bank.
too late.
below, a flash of fire, a trailing blast of smoke—�
—and the rocket-propelled grenade slammed into the bell's tail rotor, sending the bird into a hellish spin.
i don't care much for the terrorist fauna concept but the man and dog duo is so much fun;
bonus that they were pitted against a sniper (a little inept, though, i think)
p33: a pair of ieds exploded, killing most of tucker's squad and wounding the rest, including abel, whose left front leg had been blown off at the elbow.
p44: tucker helped her gather the runaway items, then stood up. he nodded at her copy of anna karenina. "the butler did it, by the way."
she blinked at him, momentarily confused.
tucker added, "in the library, with a lead pipe."
she smiled. "well, goodness. then there's not much point in my finishing it, is there?"
"sorry if i ruined it for you."
"you've read it?"
"in high school," he said.
"and your verdict?"
"certainly not beach reading. i liked it—but not enough to wade through it a second time."
"it's my third time. i'm a glutton for punishment, i suppose." she extended her hand. "well, thank you again..."
p203: "you'll know at least one person in the states," he reassured her.
kane thumped his tail.
"make that two," he added.
p226: it was a quiet, exhausted ride.
p232: "...so you'll wait here for us here."
p296: as gently as he could, he pried the flattened .38-caliber round from the kevlar and tossed it away. he followed it with a hug.
tucker then took inventory of his own damage. anya had clipped him with her last shot, tearing the flesh of his upper thigh. blood soaked his pant leg, and the pain was coming on, but it was manageable for now. a few inches to the center and the high-powered .44 round would have shattered his hip, crippling him.
p308: there was only way to know for sure.
p327: a grenade launcher.
tucker yelled, "hard left, nose down!"
nick worked the controls, pitching the nose and leaning into a bank.
too late.
below, a flash of fire, a trailing blast of smoke—�
—and the rocket-propelled grenade slammed into the bell's tail rotor, sending the bird into a hellish spin.
August 22, 2020
রিভি�
বই� দ্� কি� সুইচ
লেখক� জেমস রলিন্স, গ্র্যান্� ব্ল্যাকউ�
অনুবাদকঃ মো� ফুয়াদ আল ফিদা�
প্রকাশনী� চিরকুট
পৃষ্ঠা সংখ্যা� ৪০�
মুদ্রি� মূল্যঃ ৪৬� টাকা
চমৎকার একটি বই� জেমস রলিন্স আর গ্রান্� ব্ল্যাকউ� ভালো� খে� দেখিয়েছ� বল� চলে। জেমস রলিন্সের ইতিহাস আর বিজ্ঞানে� পরিপূর্ণ সংমিশ্রণ আমার অত� পছন্দে� একটা জিনিস।
টাকা� কেইনের সাথে প্রথ� পরিচয় সিগম� ফোর্� সিরিজে� ব্লা� লাইন� বইতে তখ� থেকে� এই সিরিজট� পড়া� আগ্রহী তৈরি হয়। এই বইটিতে পেলা� একসাথে ইতিহাস, বিজ্ঞা�,বায়োলজি, এসপিওনাজ, অ্যাকশনে� পূর্� সংমিশ্রণ� উপন্যাসে� মূ� কেন্দ্রে ছিলো সাবে� আর্ম� রেঞ্জা� টাকা� ওয়েইন � তা� কুকু� কেইন� সিগম� ফোর্� থেকে হঠাৎ এই দুজনকে দেয়� হয� রাশিয়� থেকে এক বিলিয়নিয়ার বিজ্ঞানীকে বে� কর� আনার মত� গুরু দায়িত্ব� এর সাথে যো� দেয় এক সুইডিশ যুবতী যা তাদে� জন্য বাধা� হয়ে দাঁড়ায়� বিজ্ঞানী প্রাচী� ঐতিহাসিক সূত্� থেকে এম� কিছু বে� করেছেন যা ভু� লোকে� কাছে পড়ল� পরিবেশের বড� মাশু� গুনত� হবে। টাকা� আর তা� কুকু� নেমে পড়ল� একের পর এক বাধা� লক্ষ্যভে� কর� মিশন সম্পূর্ণ করতে�
টাকা� ওয়েইন � তা� কুকু� কেইন কি পারব� বিজ্ঞানী� সূত্� ভু� মানুষে� হা� থেকে রক্ষ� করতে? জানত� হল� পড়ে ফেলু� বইটি�
বইটি� নান্দনিক প্রচ্ছদে� জন্য অবশ্যই সজ� ভাইয়ে� ধন্যবা� প্রাপ্য।
ফিদা� ভা� এখান� যথেষ্ট পরিমার্জিত অনুবাদ উপহা� করেছেন যা উপভোগ্� ছিলো�
ব্যক্তিগ� রেটিংঃ �.২৫/�
© শরীফু� সাদা�
বই� দ্� কি� সুইচ
লেখক� জেমস রলিন্স, গ্র্যান্� ব্ল্যাকউ�
অনুবাদকঃ মো� ফুয়াদ আল ফিদা�
প্রকাশনী� চিরকুট
পৃষ্ঠা সংখ্যা� ৪০�
মুদ্রি� মূল্যঃ ৪৬� টাকা
চমৎকার একটি বই� জেমস রলিন্স আর গ্রান্� ব্ল্যাকউ� ভালো� খে� দেখিয়েছ� বল� চলে। জেমস রলিন্সের ইতিহাস আর বিজ্ঞানে� পরিপূর্ণ সংমিশ্রণ আমার অত� পছন্দে� একটা জিনিস।
টাকা� কেইনের সাথে প্রথ� পরিচয় সিগম� ফোর্� সিরিজে� ব্লা� লাইন� বইতে তখ� থেকে� এই সিরিজট� পড়া� আগ্রহী তৈরি হয়। এই বইটিতে পেলা� একসাথে ইতিহাস, বিজ্ঞা�,বায়োলজি, এসপিওনাজ, অ্যাকশনে� পূর্� সংমিশ্রণ� উপন্যাসে� মূ� কেন্দ্রে ছিলো সাবে� আর্ম� রেঞ্জা� টাকা� ওয়েইন � তা� কুকু� কেইন� সিগম� ফোর্� থেকে হঠাৎ এই দুজনকে দেয়� হয� রাশিয়� থেকে এক বিলিয়নিয়ার বিজ্ঞানীকে বে� কর� আনার মত� গুরু দায়িত্ব� এর সাথে যো� দেয় এক সুইডিশ যুবতী যা তাদে� জন্য বাধা� হয়ে দাঁড়ায়� বিজ্ঞানী প্রাচী� ঐতিহাসিক সূত্� থেকে এম� কিছু বে� করেছেন যা ভু� লোকে� কাছে পড়ল� পরিবেশের বড� মাশু� গুনত� হবে। টাকা� আর তা� কুকু� নেমে পড়ল� একের পর এক বাধা� লক্ষ্যভে� কর� মিশন সম্পূর্ণ করতে�
টাকা� ওয়েইন � তা� কুকু� কেইন কি পারব� বিজ্ঞানী� সূত্� ভু� মানুষে� হা� থেকে রক্ষ� করতে? জানত� হল� পড়ে ফেলু� বইটি�
বইটি� নান্দনিক প্রচ্ছদে� জন্য অবশ্যই সজ� ভাইয়ে� ধন্যবা� প্রাপ্য।
ফিদা� ভা� এখান� যথেষ্ট পরিমার্জিত অনুবাদ উপহা� করেছেন যা উপভোগ্� ছিলো�
ব্যক্তিগ� রেটিংঃ �.২৫/�
© শরীফু� সাদা�
June 15, 2014
James Rollins was kind enough to send me a copy of The Kill Switch, and I was not disappointed. Like his other books, this one (co-authored with Grant Blackwood) combines high-octane heroics with some strange, cutting-edge science. In this case, the discovery of a most ancient form of plant life offers the possibility of miracles--or an ecological disaster worse than anything the world's seen to date. Tucker Wayne and his military-trained dog, Kane, get roped into the hunt for this dangerous organism by Sigma Force. But you don't have to have read the earlier Sigma Force novels to follow the action here. And Kane is a wonderful character; I look forward to reading more stories about his and Tucker's adventures.
August 28, 2021
This was a Military Thriller. I like Tucker Wayne and his dog, Kane, as MCs. They are a great duo. It"s fine that this relationship comes across as a little fantastical, but I like it. I like the humanity it adds. These military/war type of stories need that element.
I liked the action scenes. There are many and they kind of hold me hostage waiting for the outcome. There are plenty of twists too that keep me hanging on.
Now I listened to the audio and although the reader can do accents, every now and then the accents slip. And the narrator makes Tucker sound like Gaston from Beauty and the Beast! It was more comical than annoying, but noticeable. So 4 stars here.
I liked the action scenes. There are many and they kind of hold me hostage waiting for the outcome. There are plenty of twists too that keep me hanging on.
Now I listened to the audio and although the reader can do accents, every now and then the accents slip. And the narrator makes Tucker sound like Gaston from Beauty and the Beast! It was more comical than annoying, but noticeable. So 4 stars here.
June 28, 2022
I really enjoyed this book but it was not up to my Sigma expectations.
May 19, 2014
I have been a fan of Rollin's Sigma Force series for some time and now and this spin off from that series is no exception. I love the character of Tucker Wayne, a former U.S. Army Ranger and his wonderful, extremely intelligent canine companion, Kane. Their mission is to extract a Russian scientist whose has knowledge of an ancient plant that has the potential to be weaponized to cause havoc around the world.
I enjoyed the relationship between a dog and his partner and there were even scenes that were related from the dog's point of view.
A thrilling ride! I will be looking forward to their future adventures.
I enjoyed the relationship between a dog and his partner and there were even scenes that were related from the dog's point of view.
A thrilling ride! I will be looking forward to their future adventures.
October 2, 2014
Love, love, love this story and the way in which Mr Rollins has once again kept me riveted to a book of his. This time the world is threatened by a plant that can kill just about anything within its path. The novel is fast paced and the characters of Tucker and Kane are simply wonderful. As always, I so enjoyed the end where Mr Rollins speaks of the true science and history used within the pages of this novel I am even more excited to learn that Tucker and Kane will be back for a repeat performance of saving the world and providing this reader with hours of more reading pleasure.
July 17, 2014
"The Kill Switch" (William Morrow 2014) is the first in James Rollins' and Grant Blackwood's new series about former Army Ranger Tucker Wayne and his working dog, Kane (#2 planned for next year). In this opener, Wayne is asked to get a scientist out of Russia so he can share his secrets with the Western World. It's presented to him as routine, but quickly deteriorates to anything but--toxic comes to mind. Every step of the way, Kane is integral to success whether it's rousting bad guys, avoiding death, or determining what Plan F looks like. It's a procedural on working dog as partner. By half way through, I couldn't imagine any policeman would prefer a human over a working dog. We even see the world through Kane's eyes occasionally. Invariably, it's an exciting, loving, single-minded existence where Kane lives to defend his pack of one.
There are some great lines--
"The man's eyes settled nervously on Kane. The Shepherd sat upright in the seat opposite Tucker, panting, tongue hanging."
"You're the owner of that large hound, aren't you? The one that looks smarter than most people on this train." Wayne replies, "Owner isn't the word I would use..."
"Tucker had come to appreciate certain parts of the Buddhist philosophy, but he knew he'd never match Kane's Zen mind-set, which, if put into words, would probably be something like 'Whatever has happened, has happened'."
Best of all: Tucker constantly refers to Kane as 'his partner'.
I picked this book because 1) I've never read anything by either of the authors I didn't like, but more importantly, 2) the cover features the silhouette of a dog. I am still waiting for Robert Crais to publish the next in his series about Maggie the retired working dog. He doesn't seem as enthusiastic to write it as I am to read it. Go figure. In his absence, I've read pretty much everything David Rosenfelt has written on Andy Carpenter and Tara (Defense Attorney Carpenter is crazy for his dog--confers with him on most legal cases. Here's my review of Hounded). Those dozen books done, I found Tucker Wayne and Kane.
D*** this was good. I want to read it again for the first time.
There are some great lines--
"The man's eyes settled nervously on Kane. The Shepherd sat upright in the seat opposite Tucker, panting, tongue hanging."
"You're the owner of that large hound, aren't you? The one that looks smarter than most people on this train." Wayne replies, "Owner isn't the word I would use..."
"Tucker had come to appreciate certain parts of the Buddhist philosophy, but he knew he'd never match Kane's Zen mind-set, which, if put into words, would probably be something like 'Whatever has happened, has happened'."
Best of all: Tucker constantly refers to Kane as 'his partner'.
I picked this book because 1) I've never read anything by either of the authors I didn't like, but more importantly, 2) the cover features the silhouette of a dog. I am still waiting for Robert Crais to publish the next in his series about Maggie the retired working dog. He doesn't seem as enthusiastic to write it as I am to read it. Go figure. In his absence, I've read pretty much everything David Rosenfelt has written on Andy Carpenter and Tara (Defense Attorney Carpenter is crazy for his dog--confers with him on most legal cases. Here's my review of Hounded). Those dozen books done, I found Tucker Wayne and Kane.
D*** this was good. I want to read it again for the first time.
February 24, 2018
به داستان 4 ستاره میدم، همون طوری که به داستان اصلی دادم. ولی به ترجمه و برگردانش 3 میدم. میانگینش میشه 3.5 که امکانش نیست.
داستان هیجان‌انگیز� داره، گذشته و حال رو خوب به هم گره زده و آدم رو درگیر میکنه. شخصیت تاکر و کین رو خیلی دوست دارم.
خلاصه داستان هم: تاکر و سگش، کین از ارتش جدا شدند. حالا مستقل کار می‌کنن� و توی روسیه هستند که فرمانده یک نیروی خاص سری به نام نیروی سیگما باهاشون تماس میگیریه و استخدامشون میکنه برای یه ماموریت به ظاهر ساده: اسکورت یک دانشمند روس به آمریکا. ولی ماجرا پیچیده‌ت� از این حرفهاست. ظاهرا سازمان اطلاعات روسیه هم دنبال این دانشمنده و چند بار سعی میکنه تاکر رو بکشه و این دانشمند رو دستگیر کنه. یک آدمکش مزذبگیر هم هست به اسم فلیس. یه زن خوشگل و جذاب سوئدی و به شدت حرفه‌ا� که چندین بار روبروی تاکر قرار میگیره و با خوش شانسی تاکر یا کمک کین موفق نمیشه. زنده موندن فلیس از اولین درگیری با تاکر و سقوط توی رودخونه یخ‌زد� خیلی هندی بود. ولی خوب داستانهای تریلر معمولا همچین صحنه‌های� دارن.
بالاخره از روسیه خارج میشند و میفهمند که باید برند به آفریقای جنوبی برای پیداکردن یک گیاه خیلی خیلی قدیمی، مربوط به زمان شروع حیات گیاهی روی زمین. اونجا این گیاه رو پیدا می‌کنند� ولی سازمان اطلاعات روسیه هم که تعقیبشون می‌کر� یک نمونه از گیاه رو به دست میاره. حالا این افراد خبیث روس، شانس این رو دارند که از این گیاه یک سلاح بیولوژیکی درست کنند و به آمریکا حمله کنند...
داستان هیجان‌انگیز� داره، گذشته و حال رو خوب به هم گره زده و آدم رو درگیر میکنه. شخصیت تاکر و کین رو خیلی دوست دارم.
خلاصه داستان هم: تاکر و سگش، کین از ارتش جدا شدند. حالا مستقل کار می‌کنن� و توی روسیه هستند که فرمانده یک نیروی خاص سری به نام نیروی سیگما باهاشون تماس میگیریه و استخدامشون میکنه برای یه ماموریت به ظاهر ساده: اسکورت یک دانشمند روس به آمریکا. ولی ماجرا پیچیده‌ت� از این حرفهاست. ظاهرا سازمان اطلاعات روسیه هم دنبال این دانشمنده و چند بار سعی میکنه تاکر رو بکشه و این دانشمند رو دستگیر کنه. یک آدمکش مزذبگیر هم هست به اسم فلیس. یه زن خوشگل و جذاب سوئدی و به شدت حرفه‌ا� که چندین بار روبروی تاکر قرار میگیره و با خوش شانسی تاکر یا کمک کین موفق نمیشه. زنده موندن فلیس از اولین درگیری با تاکر و سقوط توی رودخونه یخ‌زد� خیلی هندی بود. ولی خوب داستانهای تریلر معمولا همچین صحنه‌های� دارن.
بالاخره از روسیه خارج میشند و میفهمند که باید برند به آفریقای جنوبی برای پیداکردن یک گیاه خیلی خیلی قدیمی، مربوط به زمان شروع حیات گیاهی روی زمین. اونجا این گیاه رو پیدا می‌کنند� ولی سازمان اطلاعات روسیه هم که تعقیبشون می‌کر� یک نمونه از گیاه رو به دست میاره. حالا این افراد خبیث روس، شانس این رو دارند که از این گیاه یک سلاح بیولوژیکی درست کنند و به آمریکا حمله کنند...
May 29, 2014
At first I thought this would be a "simple" read and not as interesting as the author's Sigma series (which is always like falling through the rabbit hole in Alice in Wonderland), but as usual James Rollins (and his co-author Grant Blackwood) delivers another great science mystery thriller. This time it's with Tucker Wayne, a former US Army Ranger, and his military dog Kane. The story starts with an eerie discovery in a cave during the Boer Wars in Africa in 1900, jumps to today where Tucker and Kane have been recruited by Sigma to extract pharmaceutical magnate Abram Bukolov from Russian soil and thus the adventure begins. Kane is a pretty amazing dog with all that military training, and Tucker and Kane get in and out of lots of brushes with would-be assassins and Russian bad guys and there's always a traitor in the midst, right? The reader is all over Russia and Africa in this one - and I absolutely loved checking out all of the actual cities mentioned in this book.
February 2, 2017
As a fan of James Rollins, I was glad to see he has gotten back to what he does best - thriller, espionage, high adventure and the suspense of his Sigma Sigma Force novels. This was the audio-book version of the book and I really enjoyed it, the suspense outstanding (my wife
unhappy that I was paying more attention listening to it than her). I highly recommend it for fans of Rollins and look forward to reading the second installment of Tucker Wayne and Kane.
unhappy that I was paying more attention listening to it than her). I highly recommend it for fans of Rollins and look forward to reading the second installment of Tucker Wayne and Kane.
December 22, 2021
I was looking forward to insane action. Instead I got inane dialog. My favorite was when the guy sends his dog to find water. Dog starts off. A member of the party says "What's he doing?" "He's searching for water." �. "Now what's the dog doing?" He's pooping. That was a nail-biter! I'd rather watch my own dog poop and drink water. Audiobook narrator gnaws on the scenery and mispronounces words, but he has a great voice. DNF
June 11, 2014
Tucker and Kane are a great duo, and I particularly like the scenes written with Kane's perspective included.
They must help a Russian biologist defect with a secret location to a cave that might contain a deadly weapon. Can they discover a kill switch in time?
They must help a Russian biologist defect with a secret location to a cave that might contain a deadly weapon. Can they discover a kill switch in time?
November 12, 2015
It was a well thought through book always keeping the reader on edge. I found it continuously fascinating with unique character development. The only issue with it is it needed more of a conclusion. However overall the book was great.
August 6, 2014
Another fun James Rollins adventure thriller. Tucker and Kane did not disappoint :D
September 17, 2015
A surprisingly fun and enjoyable read from two authors I had never heard of.
I would not hesitate to read more of their work.
I would not hesitate to read more of their work.
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