Brenden Schiepan
Targeted: Beirut — The 1983 Marine Barracks Bombing and the Untold Origin Story of the War on Terror
Very well researched and informative. As a Canadian, this was history I didn't learn in school — the sequence of tragic events and the lessons that should follow are worth knowing. Carr's detail and reporting give the operational picture and the human cost; that clarity is the book's strength. I've worked alongside Marines and other American service members and have nothing but respect — Semper Fi. At times the religious emphasis felt heavy for my taste and pulled focus, but the overall reporting kept it valuable. Personal resonance for me given family ties to Maronite roots in Mount Lebanon. Not flawless, but an important, readable account worth picking up.
Relentless pacing and impossible stakes. McKinty drops you into a nightmare no parent wants to imagine—forced to choose between two awful options. Not especially plausible, but wildly entertaining; the momentum keeps you turning pages. Even when you sense where it's headed, it still lands. Sharp, fast, pure page-turner.
Cosby writes brutal, honest scenes and makes grief feel real. The investigation is a slow burn — the first half drags at times, then the pace locks in and carries you. Multiple perspectives add real depth and force you to reckon with lives unlike your own. There's tenderness under the violence. Mid-book lulls hold it back, but the payoff is worth it. Strong pick for character-driven crime with real emotional teeth. Everyone could use more of the awareness this story demands.
Abandon started off strong with a solid sense of mystery and a bit of that ghost-town creep factor, but it never fully came together for me. The pacing dragged in the middle, and I found it hard to stay invested in who was who through all the time shifts. Crouch's newer stuff like Recursion and Dark Matter are tighter, more focused, and easier to follow — this one felt like an early experiment that never quite hit that same stride.
That said, there were parts I did enjoy, especially early on and again near the end. The concept had potential, but the execution made it feel more like a slog than a ride. Glad I finished it, but it won't be one I revisit.
Great pacing and grit. Cosby nails that balance between action and raw emotion, and it really got me thinking about how circumstance and upbringing shape a person's path. Hard-hitting, human, and fast-moving. I'm definitely looking forward to exploring more of his work — he's got something real here.
A solid and fast-paced read. The science and tension both hit hard, and it holds up well even with what we now know. Hammond was an absolute lunatic — I can't imagine having that little concern for others, especially his own family. Some of the science is clearly dated now (the DNA recovery, frog gene stuff, and dinosaur behavior), but that doesn't take away from how well the story works as a warning about human arrogance and control. Still a great ride.
I liked that parts of this story were set in Canada — it's always nice reading about places you actually know. That said, I found it harder to follow than something like a Blake Crouch time-travel story. The fragmented timeline and literary tone made it feel more abstract, and I had to work a bit to stay oriented. Still, I did enjoy it overall, and I'll definitely read more from Mandel — her writing has a quiet depth that sticks with you.
The character development was too complex for myself. Had a hard time trying to keep track of who was who.
Hit the halfway point and kot too drawn in. Felt like it would be more of the same so I put it down and moved on.
It was just absurd ramblings of an old man. It felt like it was going to continue to be absurd ramblings of an old man. So I dropped it and moved on with life.
Meant to read a different novel of the same title. Decided to give it a try, but was unable to really get into it.