A Hole In The Apple

Edward R. Murrow Award Winning Journalist

Fiction - Action
629 Pages
Reviewed on 02/25/2020
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

The book came to me backward. I did a news story about the drilling of the new water tunnel under New York City, and it started the wheels a'turnin'. So, I wrote a screenplay - because I could see the movie. Then, I wrote the novel that should have come first.

I spent years in broadcast journalist, being called a born storyteller, was fortunate enough to collect a few awards, and all along the way I was writing novels because I needed to do it. It's such a different enterprise, and so much more rewarding when you get to type that triumphant final word, End.

This is the first John Boulder book. The sequel is also complete, and should be released soon. And there are a couple more ready to go, as well. I hope you will enjoy it.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite

A Hole in the Apple by Harley Carnes is a terrorist thriller that is pulsating, to say the least. A devious, criminal mind is determined to sink New York City, and this means doom, not only for the city but the economy of the country. His name is Hassan Al Rashid, and he has put into place a plan that is as complicated as it is strong, enough to cause far-reaching and deadly repercussions in the city. There is just one person who can stop al Rashid, but can John Boulder, with his group of hand-picked and well-trained agents, unravel the intricate plot and bring down the demon before he sinks one of the most powerful cities in the US? The clock ticks, and with every passing second, the imminent danger grows bigger.

I love it when an author crafts a good story and creates in it a hero that readers want to journey with. What Harley Carnes has done is impeccable: first, he creates a very complex problem, then a character who measures up to the danger. Boulder is not your run-of-the-mill character. He is intelligent, a gifted investigator, and a man who has his own flaws. The problem is that what is facing him and his team is nothing like anything he’s encountered in his career. The plot is ingenious; it is unpredictable, and it is spiced with unrelenting action. A Hole in the Apple moves fast, and the author creates a sense of urgency that fuels the conflict and helps to build tension in readers. The chances of success for Boulder are minimal, and that makes for an enjoyable read when the explosive conclusion happens.

K.C. Finn

A Hole In The Apple is a work of fiction set in the thriller and terrorism genres and was penned by author Harley Carnes. Focused on central character John Boulder, we find ourselves embedded in a tale with plenty of intense action, thrills, and deep intrigue right from the off. Set in the bustling microworld of New York City, a plot is uncovered to bring about a kind of apocalypse that will raze the city to the ground, bit by bit. Following the trail of the devastation, Boulder realizes that the stakes are not only high for New York, but for the wider economy of the nation if he doesn’t put a stop to these heinous acts.

Author Harley Carnes weaves a masterful narrative that explores many different facets and fears that are common to the human condition about the terrorist threat. As well as being a high octane thriller with plenty of action, Carnes plays with our natural suspicions and xenophobia to create a twisting plot where disaster can and will rear its head at any turn, resulting in a book which becomes increasingly difficult to put down and move away from. In a survival tale and criminal mystery at heart, protagonist John Boulder is the rock on which we depend, clinging to his gusto and expertise throughout the tale. Overall, A Hole In The Apple is a superbly well-developed thriller and mystery tale that is certain to please fans who crave a fully rounded action and adventure thriller for the modern age.

Rabia Tanveer

A Hole in the Apple by Harley Carnes is a heart-stopping thriller that will make you bite your nails and sit on the edge of your seat. John Boulder used to be a CIA Agent, but that is in the past now. He is now trying to live his life to the best of his abilities and not looking back at what could have been. So when he is called back to the Agency, he knows that things are not good. He is asked to join up with the Agency so that they can track down and stop Hassan al Rashid. If there is anyone who can stop Hassan, it is John. Hassan al Rashid has a terrible plan, one that could bring millions to their knees and destroy their lives. It is up to John Boulder to look for a way to stop al Rashid on time, before it is too late, and there is nothing anyone else could do.

There are many thrillers written about terrorism, but there is something about A Hole in the Apple that just takes it to the next level. The action is intense from the moment the story begins; I got an adrenaline rush just by reading some action scenes. The suspense is thick and the plot thrives on it. The story is intensely woven; it’s intricate and allows John Boulder to truly try his hand at anything that will work against the adversary. I cannot stress how well-written the narrative is; it is just so seamlessly fluid. It had the drama and the action that had me interested from the moment the story began. Harley Carnes is a master storyteller and I hope the author shares more with us. Interesting and very entertaining.