The Patriot Paradox (The Kurt Vetter Trilogy, #1) by William Esmont

The Patriot Paradox (The Kurt Vetter Trilogy, #1) Reviews

• 
  Julie

  I won this book through the Goodreads First Reads Giveaway on 02/19/2011 and received it on 02/24/2011!
  
  Let me start this off by saying that I am not a fan of authors I've never read. It is almost like a fear of rejection - I don't want to waste my time on a book that is going to stink and I want a refund from. This viewpoint sometimes makes it a little difficult to find things to read if my usual authors don't have anything new out. William Esmont has completely blown that to smithereens. I had never read anything by him and I knew nothing about him when I entered the giveaway for his book and I couldn't be happier that I won. I have a new author to put on my 'usual' list!
  
  There are so many things that I want to say about The Patriot Paradox. First off, amazing book!! I love spy/goverment books and this is in my top two. It has been a long time since a book has grabbed me from the first page and then kept me hooked until I finished it. The characters were really well developed, the story VERY well written and the plot was gripping.
  
  All too many times an author makes a hero indestructable. I love it when an author makes the hero flawed enough to be lifelike. I hate reading that "perfect" book, no one makes mistakes, the hero can't do wrong. I fell in love with the main characters from the beginning. They didn't make the right choices and you got to see the author work out the problems through them in a great way.
  
  The Patriot Paradox was a nice change from all of the other spy/government books that focus on a middle eastern villan. I think that is tired fictional scenario and it desensitizes us from what is actually happening in our world. I'll hop off my soapbox now and talk about the rest of the book.
  
  In my mind, I only saw one problem with the book. I wanted it to be longer!! Esmont could have kept me hooked for at least another 300 pages. Easily. And even then, I might be saying the same thing.
  
  I have told so many people about this book, it is one of my favorites and I'll be on the lookout for other works by Esmont, because if they are anything like this book, I will be an eternal fan.
• 
  Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB

  Splendidly written novel- exciting, superior characterization and a plot one simply cannot resist- a must read
  
  When Kurt hears of his brother's death...and a mysterious package sent to him...an amazing race against time takes place....superb and fast paced- I loved the plot as well as the strong female co-lead...great read!!!! great location details...London, Paris, Moscow!!
  
  Rick Friedman
  Founder
  THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
• 
  Kristen

  In William Esmont's The Patriot Paradox, the first installment in the Kurt Vetter Political thriller trilogy, this fast-paced thriller is action-packed and fast-paced from start to finish. When Kurt Vetter learned about his brother's death, it had sent him reeling and went home to his funeral. As he listened to the last message had given him on his answering machine, it sounded cryptic to him. When he discovered what he referred him to his late brother's home, it discovered a top-secret plot on a decoded disk. That had sent him straight into London to look for Amanda Carter, someone his brother had previously worked with. Back at the CIA, when word had come through about Kurt Vetter being on the move, something he had belonged to them. And they would do anything to stop them, no matter what the cost. When they discovered the truth, things came crashing down on them in a blaze of glory, when Amanda lost his closest friend in the process. As soon as they unearthed this sinister plot, an assassin was sent after them and had set up a trap for them. In order to stop a ticking tomb to go over in Russia, someone's onto the CIA and saves Kurt and Amanda in the end... but that may not be the end of it...
• 
  Frank Kelso

  First class espianige thriller
  
  Fast paced action-packed! CIA team goes rogue, planning a first-strike on Moscow. The clock is ticking! They killed his brother to hide their plan-they picked the wrong guy to make him the patsy!
• 
  L.A.

  Article first published as Book Review:The Patriot Paradox by William Esmont on Blogcritics.
  
  Drawn back into a world of espionage by the death of his brother Mike, Kurt Vetter is already suffering the loss of his wife and child, Kurt is doing his best to forget his prior life. A plea from his mother brings him back to the states, to just one more pain filled memory. The death of his only brother.
  
  Following the funeral, Kurt receives a package from Mike; a package Kurt now knows caused his death. He is immediately aware that with his newfound knowledge gleaned from the package, he too is in danger. Mike leaves a request for to Kurt contact Amanda Carter in the case of his death and turn the information over to her. Mike copied the information, hoping to bring down the rogue faction of the CIA willing to start a war to get what they wanted. One-step ahead of the CIA, Kurt tracks down Amanda through the internet, and to London.
  
  Amanda too is in intelligence and a good friend of Kurt’s brother. She grieves at his death; he had put himself on the line for her in the past and saved her life. His request for her help puts her in high gear. She takes the information to a friend to decipher, and she and Kurt try to stay ahead of their pursuers.
  
  Immediately death begins to take a toll, the apartment of Amanda’s friend is incinerated, along with the information she gave him. However, she receives a summary of his findings, and understands the reason for Mike’s murder. Amanda and Kurt must track down the bomb and find a way to diffuse it before it is too late. Can they save a people and their way of life? How will they know who to trust when there are spies in the very heart of the U.S. CIA.
  
  William Esmont has written a wonderful story of espionage and lingering distrust left from the end of the cold war. His characters are very human and extremely likable. In The Patriot Paradox, he has built a possibility of mammoth proportions. What would happen if a rogue group took it upon themselves to destroy a world power? Would they succeed?
  Kurt is a great but unlikely hero, trying to bury himself in escape. His brother’s death brings him back to a reality he is not ready to face. His prior work with the CIA keeps him guessing just ahead of those that are now wanting him dead. He is somewhat of a klutz and yet he draws you in. With an edge of your seat suspense you can only standby and watch as he continues to escape the traps laid for him.
  
  Amanda Carter is polished and knowledgeable, the opposite of Kurt in every way. She is secretive and beautiful, and he finds himself drawn to her. She is the strength of their unlikely partnership, looking for understanding of the mess they are in. Without backup, they are sitting ducks, unable to stay ahead of their nemesis. The CIA has the technology to find and follow them wherever they are, and it is an intricate game of cat and mouse, staying one-step ahead.
  
  This is a great story by William Esmont, it is fast paced and gripping in areas. It is thought provoking and keeps you entertained. The characters blaze their way, and will be fun to follow in further works. If you like action and spy thrillers you will enjoy this rendition. Well Written, this book keeps you turning the pages. Once started I found it hard to put down.
  
  This book was received as a free copy from the Author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the information.
  
• 
  Alice Yeh

  I have to say, when I initially saw the length of this novel, I was skeptical about much could really lie within less than three thousand Kindle locations. Color me surprised, then, when Esmont delivered a hard, driven story with a complex conspiracy and an unexpected emotional range.
  
  This novel had me constantly agitated, afraid for the fates of various characters as rogue CIA agents set about eliminating obstacles to their nefarious plot. The amount of information gleaned from simple communications was astounding but surprisingly believable, and I found myself eying my cell phone suspiciously as I read, wondering if so simple a device would be the means by which Kurt and Amanda got caught. Was it? I'm not telling.
  
  Unlike many a thriller, Esmont delves into the tender side of his main character without forcing it. Kurt's initial homecoming was gut-wrenching despite its brevity, with a palpable sense of loss and despair. It made it easier to connect to him, something that becomes incredibly important when the protagonist is too busy running from killers to worry about forging a relationship with the reader.
  
  In spite of his skillful use of words, however, the author does seem to struggle with semicolons and commas, as well as quotation marks, as well as occasional redundancy. The punctuation tended to be off every so often, which was distracting but thankfully not intolerably so. The overuse of words was sporadic enough to be understandable. Still, a bit more proofing would definitely benefit the text.
  
  I did have some difficulty buying into the emotional connection between Kurt and Amanda, which seemed to switch from reasonable to far too fast, and therefore unbelievable, close to the end of the book. The finale itself was rushed, and the last few pages felt something like riding a go-kart down a steep hill with a very solid (and inappropriately placed) wall at the bottom: one second, you're having a wonderful, freeing ride, and the next, you're smashing into an unyielding surface and wondering what on earth just happened.
  
  The Patriot Paradox is a short but very worthwhile read, and I look forward to more works by this author.
  
  Stimulated Outlet Book Reviews
  (Review copy provided by the author)
• 
  Shelleyrae at Book'd Out

  The Patriot Paradox is a thrill ride of conspiracy and sabotage. Fearing for his life, Mike Vetter sends his brother sensitive information, making him the target of a rogue group of CIA agents who plan to annihilate Russia with a nuclear missile.
  The plot is strong, I like the basic premise and though it's not exactly an original idea, Esmont has thought out events carefully. The detail he uses seem genuine which gives the plot a sense of possibility. The action is fast paced as Kurt and Amanda run from Carson's team. The deadline and desperation gives the story a sense of urgency that pulls the reader along. It's quite a short book at just over 250 pages and the conclusion is an unexpected cliffhanger which brings the story to a screeching halt. I can only assume that a sequel is in the works.
  Despite the non stop action, Esmont has taken care to develop believable characters, providing enough context for the reader to build a sense of their motivations. I did feel Kurt's characterisation could probably have been stronger in that he seemed to move with the plot rather than direct it. His partnership with Amanda puts him in a passive role, particularly in the last half of the novel. I liked Amanda's attitude, when Kurt brings her the information. She doesn't hesitate to do the right thing and is smart and determined.
  The Patriot Paradox is an engaging action spy thriller that has a great sense of timing. It's a quick and exciting read, sure to satisfy the reader.
• 
  iamjenai

  To start with, the plot is remarkably good! Ex-CIA analyst Kurt Vetter has just lost his family - his wife and daughter over a road accident. He hasn't recovered yet from this loss, he receives another bad news. His brother, whom he loves so much, Mike Vetter was killed in a carjacking gone wrong. Well, that was the official cause of death though just before the funeral, a package was delivered to him containing a classified information - the package was from his dead brother (sent the day he was killed/murdered). According to the package, his brother found something at work he should not see, something he should have never touched and Kurt believes that this is the reason why Mike was killed.
  
  His brother instructed him to get in touch with Amanda Carter for she knows how to deal with this problem. Together they set out to uncover the truth behind the murder of Kurt's brother.
  
  I loved the plot of the story. This book is one of those books you just couldn't put down and I read the whole story in just 4-5 hours. This is action-packed with interesting plot and the characters are well-developed. I'm looking forward to reading the next installment! If you are into good political-espionage thriller, buy this book and satisfaction is guaranteed.
  
  
• 
  Martha

  The Patriot Paradox starts off with a bang (literally -- there's a murder) and then takes off on a non-stop race from Peru to Washington, DC, London, and Moscow. Along the way there are spies, double agents, terrorists, and a nuclear bomb. Reluctant hero Kurt Vetter teams up with Amanda Carter to locate the bomb and stop its detonation.
  
  I really enjoyed this book. The writing is clear and vivid, and I could easily visualize the action unfolding as if on a movie screen. I would be interested in reading more if author William Esmont decides to turn this into a series.
  
  I did have one small problem with the book, though. The copy I read is not marked as an advance reader's copy or uncorrected proof, but I felt it could have benefited from a good proofreading. For me, errors in spelling, punctuation, etc., interrupt the flow of a story; but then, I'm rather picky, and other readers may not be bothered in the same way.
  
  I won this book on First Reads on Dec. 15, and I received it on Dec. 30. Looking forward to reading it. Thanks, William!
• 
  Sam

  Won this through the Goodreads Giveaways.
  
  This may appear to be a relatively short book as thrillers go but my god it packs a punch. The story follows Kurt Vetter as he tries to deal with the lose of his brother and the subsequent conspiracy he gets drawn into as he receives a disc of classified information which cost his brother his life. Although the story has been told in various guises before (but then again that's that what thrillers are all about, the government conspiracies and the little guy battling against their huge might and resources) but Esmont writes with a style that just sucks you in and brings you along for the ride, occasionally letting you taking a breath.
  
  The character development is superb in parts with Vetter homecoming showing the depth of grief and lose without being overwhelming or excessive in any way. However the fast pace of the book limits the potential to develop some of the lesser characters and so they are presented in a more sterotypical manner, but this doesn't detract from the story at all and it actually allows Esmont to keep the adrenalin rush going by not bogging down the reader with unnecessary details.
  
  The use of modern events makes the book all the more real and the amount of information cleaned from various personal technology items is seriously worrying (I'm never going to look at my phone and computer the same way again) and mildly creepy. This adds a further dimension of realism to the book as the most basic and common of domestic items become weapons in their own right.
  
  The book's climax may be a little on the short and slightly rushed side but it still retains its impact as Vetter (and the reader) hurtles towards almost certain annihilation before hitting the brick wall of the finale. My only real issue with it is the somewhat sloppy relationship between Vetter and Carter that seems to suddenly appear out of nowhere. I would have liked this to have been developed more gradually over this and future books as it felt more of an afterthought put in on an editor's suggestion rather than an intregral part of the story. But other than that this is a great read that will have you looking at all the technology you have in a very different light (generally including a lot more suspicion). Can't wait for future books from Esmont.
• 
  Al

  Like most genre fiction, spy thrillers have their tried and true formulas, generally involving a conspiracy to uncover that left unchecked will mean, if not the end of the world, a disastrous outcome of some kind. Suspension of disbelief is required; is there any James Bond plot anyone truly believes could happen? I’m sure there are plot elements that push individual readers beyond what they’re willing to believe, but readers prone to object to this probably stay away from the genre.
  
  Although spy thrillers are plot driven, my contention is that what differentiates one of the genre from another is how invested the reader gets in the main characters. If we care about them, we care about the story. "The Patriot Paradox" has three characters who are our potential heroes – Amanda Carter, and the brothers Kurt and Mike Vetter. Amanda is a riddle. We never learn much about her, and I only became invested in her because she was helping Kurt and appeared to be on his side. I suspect as we get to know her better in future books in the series this might change.
  
  It is the two brothers whom we identify with and want to see succeed. It might seem strange that Mike, who is murdered in the first chapter, is a character we’re pulling for. However, Mike’s shadow is always present. His example is constantly pushing Kurt to succeed so that his death won’t have been in vain. This is something the reader will also want. The character of Kurt is a good person who has made mistakes and been through hell. His success is a kind of redemption we want him to achieve. Now I’m eager to see what is in store next for Kurt and Amanda.
  
  **Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
• 
  Quentin Stewart

  William Esmont's "The Patriot Paradox" is a action packed story that grabs you from the beginning and does not let go till the actions culminates in the end scenes. It starts with a man searching for a location from which to post a package to someone. What happens to him draws the reader in to the action and the question has to what has he mailed. It is a story of a rogue group in our government who in their own way is still fighting the Cold War. it falls to an unlikely hero (Kurt) and a mysterious woman (Amanda) that he is sent to meet with the information that will expose the actions of the rogue group.
  
  Kurt and Amanda find themselves being tracked around the world as they try to stop the destruction of an old enemy of the United States. In the new world politics the old enemy is now friendly with the United States and its destruction can lead to all sorts of problems which of course could mean nuclear war. So the two of them race to stop the conspiracy while the rogue group is doing all that they can to stop them.
  
  Esmont has researched and brought together various groups that makes the threat seem genuine. For those of us who remember the Cold War tensions and the brinkmanship that was practiced by the superpowers then the feasibility of such an event does seem real and possible. No doubt there were plenty of Cold War warriors who did not want to let go of the Soviet Union as an enemy and international bad guy. They had spent their entire careers with the destruction of this dreaded enemy as their goal and them almost overnight that enemy was swept away. So the possibility of a rogue group still holding onto those goals is a very likely possibility.
  
• 
  Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews

  Two brothers….dangerous jobs….tragedies.
  
  Kurt and Mike Vetter both were employed in dangerous jobs...Mike knew something was in the works and mailed secret information to his brother's house so it wouldn't be found in his home. When Kurt opened the package and scanned the disk, he knew he had to find out what this classified information meant, and he left for London to try to find out. When he landed in London, so did the "enemy." Kurt was being trailed, but didn't know it.
  
  Kurt had to find Amanda, the only contact he thought he could trust. Once he found her, hopefully things would be cleared up, and she could find what secret mission was being planned. Meanwhile, Amanda's friend Nigel was decoding the disk, and from 2,000 miles away in the USA, Jack Carson and his team were planning to take care of Nigel.
  
  There was something big going on, but it wasn't fully clear to Kurt or Amanda what it was, but Jack definitely knew. As Nigel's computer decoded the information, he was becoming more upset. "The data was incomplete, but this much was clear: it was real and it was in motion." Page 116. Something deadly was being planned.
  
  Did the plan get carried out or was it stopped? If you like on-the-edge-of-your-seat action, you will love Patriot Paradox....modern-day espionage. 5.5
• 
  Murphy's Library

  from Murphy's Library — rated 3 and a half there
  
  The Patriot Paradox is a great thriller. Kurt Vetter’s brother, Mike, was a CIA agent who got caught with privileged information about a rough path of the CIA agency that was planning a big conspiracy against a country. With the evidence his brother gathered before getting killed, Kurt starts an emotional and rushed action trying to discover everything that lead to his brother death. The super intelligent Amanda Carter, Mike’s friend, is there to help him.
  
  The book is too short for all the action it has… You never get a break, and the personal development of the characters, especially Kurt’s, is affected by the narrative. It’s touching to read Kurt’s suffering with his brother’s end, but it ended there. The character doesn’t grow as a person. The conspiracy in this book is fabulous, the development of the action has a good beat and Amanda is a character so dynamic that she surprises you.
  
  The ending makes the reader be sure there’s a sequel to come, and it is a little in the predictable side, but as a thriller it comes to a good end. I think if William get his characters development right, he will get into the point as a thriller writer, because his ideas and narrative are truly good.
  
  Waiting to read more of his work…
• 
  kimyunalesca

  4.5 stars, Typical government conspiracy-top secret plan-manhunt-death-a friend with vast connections-high tech gadgets-saving the world story.What I like about this is that it's easy to read(with only minimal eye strain thanks to its large enough font size),easy to grasp and understand,the book itself is lightweight with a great looking glossy cover.It immediately starts off with a chase...the characters springs into action at the very beginning and won't let you down til the very last page.You'll be instantly hooked with its fast paced story that will get and make you run and read as fast as you possibly can!
  
  Prepare and equip yourself with adrenalin pumping action as you embark on a journey along with Kurt Vetter and Amanda Carter for you'll also come face to face with a right here right now dilemma and decisions .Though I haven't got enough answers to satisfy my curiousity about Amanda's past and if Kurt's love for her would ever bloom? It has a great ending that makes me want to stay tuned for more and find out what comes next. I would like to thank the author himself Mr. William (Bill) Esmont I truly enjoyed reading your novel.I won and received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads Thank you all so much!
• 
  Grammar*Kitten

  
  
  I was lucky enough to win a copy of The Patriot Paradox in a Librarything Giveaway.
  
  After reading Elements of the Undead Ominbus by the same author, I had high expectations for this novel, and was not disappointed. William Esmont has a wonderful writing style, with a knack for drawing out suspense; he keeps the reader effortlessly engaged with the plot that he tugs along at breakneck speed.
  
  The Patriot Paradox is essentially a race against time; the reader doesn't necessarily know this from the outset, yet Esmont manages to convey a sense of urgency right from the beginning. His characterisation is interesting - perhaps there is not enough back information or evidence of motivation for my liking ,but there is 'enough' to keep you riveted as the two protagonists crash through situation after situation towards the epitome of climatic conclusions.
  
  All I can say is - I cannot wait to purchase the sequel. Literally, I can't. I'm going to do it right now.
  
  This is a smashing little thriller - at less than 300 pages it won't take you long to read, but it's most definitely enjoyable. I'd recommend this to anyone who likes a thriller or just a well-written book!
• 
  Tanya

  Unlike some of the other free downloads I've read, this one actually shows some potential. The plot and characters are good, and the writing doesn't feel amateur-ish. The biggest difference between Esmont's book and those by, say, Vince Flynn, is complexity. Flynn's books have multiple plot lines interwoven that connect later in the story, while The Patriot Paradox is much simpler. Still, I liked what was there.
• 
  Ronda

  Goodreads Giveaway! Overall, I enjoyed this story. I wish the end had been a little longer with a little more detail. But, with it's cliffhanger ending, it leaves the reader looking forward to the sequel!
  
  Ps. Thanks for the book William :-)
• 
  Susannah Morgan

  When I'm not writing or working at my day job, I'm reading. William Esmont has written an engaging spy thriller that keeps you reading page after page. His references make sense and his characters are real. A fun, fast paced read. I loved it!
• 
  Uncle Duke

  Great story from a new author. Fast paced action thriller. Lean, get-to-the-punch-line writing style. Can't wait for Episode II of the Kurt + Amanda series. Definitely a good-read!
• 
  Isabelle

  Just won this book as a First Read. Will review it as soon as I read it!
• 
  Ryan Rauber

  Good plot, though it was helped by a few conveniences. A good summer read, especially for the $.99 price in the kindle store.
• 
  Michael

  Another 99 cent one that was just ok. Typical hero saving the world, though this one was a bit more far-fetched.
• 
  Mary Sieczkowski

  Great book!!! And what an ending - must get the next one.
• 
  Jonathan Pettit

  Good thriller! Former CIA analyst Kurt Vetter gets a hold of some classified information after his brother is killed that leads to a terrorist plot against Russia. He enlists the aid of Amanda Carter, a woman associated with his brother with an unknown background. Good plot line, however, there seemed to be a few gaps where the story advances without understanding all the clues as to how it happened. There were also (and very noticeable on audio version), too many character responses of "okay." There were a few nuances with firearms, such as, when a character went to reload a pistol, she racked the slide, when all she had to do was release the slide lock. Okay, yes, I know I'm picky but having a reviewer with some basic firearms knowledge would have noticed this. Lots of potential for the series, but not at the top of my list, in reserve. Very good narration, audible version, by Kevin Pierce.
• 
  Thibaldo Manrique

  Good novel
  
  The characters are well developed and believable. The action was good and at a very good pace. My only issue is that after ending the novel, which is very good because I like when the story ends and I can put the book down, the writer felt it necessary to set up the next book and leave the end a cliff hanger. I do not like this. If the story is compelling enough, we the readers will look for the next work by the author without prompting. It is worth the read as it is indeed a good book, but just be warned the end is a cliff hanger.
• 
  Nyssy

  It went from exciting and zooming here, there; fighting, running, chasing.... to the balloon popped! 💥 And it’s over in 3 seconds... building the story for 45 chapters to ending it in 2. 🤨
  
  I forgot I had this book in my kindle so I decided to finish it. 🤓