Deadlock - Iris Johansen

Summary: Emily Hudson is an archeologist who travels the world in search of priceless artifacts from war-torn countries and other hot spots. Her best friend and partner, Joel Levy, is always at her side - until one day, her entire crew is massacred and Joel and Emily are held captive. Victims of one of the most ruthless and evil human beings on earth. For two weeks they try to survive, until Emily is the unwitting instrument in Joel's demise.

John Garrett has worked for the CIA, MI6, and whoever else needed his services. Now, the CIA comes calling with a desperate mission for him: save Emily Hudson. But their may be more to this job than they let him know. And soon, his connection to Emily has him questioning everything he thought to be true. Emily has vengeance on her mind. Will Garrett aid her in getting revenge? Can Emily help him get to the truth behind a bigger conspiracy? Or will they both die trying.

With lightning-fast pacing, plot twists and shocking betrayals, Iris Johansen is at the top of her game in this latest thriller. (summary and image from booksonboard.com)

My Review: After being taken into the depths of the mountains of Afghanistan at the mercy of a mad man, two American archaeologists undergo the most devastating of events, of which only one will survive.

Emily is rescued from her captor, literally in the knick of time, by John Garrett. A mysterious man whose past is never clearly defined, but seems to be some sort of criminal/government ops type, Garrett offers Emily something she cannot refuse: her kidnapper and friend's murderer. Blinded by rage, she is consumed with the desire to hunt down this man who committed these atrocities and, to do that, she must find what he was after-- Zelov's Hammer, an artifact that has been hunted for years. Said to be linked with Rasputin, it holds the key to a fortune....among other things.

I have read all of Iris Johansen's books since The Ugly Duckling came out years and years ago. That being said, I can't be that hard on this book, after all I keep going back for more. But, I will try to be honest. I can always depend on Johansen's books to give me a good love story, riddled with gunfire, bad guys and the like. I will always read them for that reason. I find them somewhat comforting. Deadlock follows a predictable formula: girl in danger+ super sexy renegade type to the rescue= a woman bent on revenge and a man willing to help her get it. It is a good equation, and I love the relationships that the characters develop, always original in their own way.

As Emily and Garrett battle bad guys and fall into each others arms, a series of historical facts come to light and are actually quite interesting. Rasputin's story is scary and intriguing, and I would not have minded more attention to that aspect of the novel.

Ending in a heart pounding , yet slightly predictable climax, it is another great story from Johansen's creative mind.

My Rating: 3 Stars

Sum it up: Classic storyline, with a twist here and there for spice.