Flight of the Pawnee


Fiction - Thriller - Terrorist
296 Pages
Reviewed on 02/27/2021
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Lesley Jones for Readers' Favorite

In Flight of the Pawnee by Marc Liebman, Derek Almer, a naval aviator and CIA consultant, has just completed another successful rescue mission behind enemy lines. Meanwhile, Harun al-Rashid is honored when he is chosen by Al Qaeda leader Ayman al Zawahiri to travel to the US and complete an assignment where at least 10,000 are killed. Harun has his sights on the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas which holds over 92,000 people and he begins the execution of his plan. Derek meets and falls in love with Eileen Bertram, the daughter of a retired Navy SEAL, Jack. As they begin to plan their future together, Eileen is involved in a carjacking where her mother is shot. Derek uses his contacts to carry out his own investigations with Jack. He discovers a member of the Mexican Brotherhood and a Muslim were responsible. Derek's worse suspicions are confirmed when he uncovers a serious security risk for the US. As Derek decides to carry out his own form of vigilante justice, it seems the US government wants the truth hidden.

Flight of the Pawnee by Marc Liebman is such a gripping story and I loved the engaging concept of the plot, how terrorists could use nerve gas to target huge numbers of the population. The narrative and dialogue were extremely realistic in terms of military operations. Each of the main characters was given a detailed backstory and was created with a great deal of consideration to ensure their personalities were unique. Derek, the ultimate gentleman, a fearless aviator but with emotional baggage, made the perfect protagonist. I loved Eileen also. Although courageous and independent, her feminity especially around her father and Derek was never sacrificed. Derek's relationship with Eileen was developed beautifully and the chemistry between them was magnetic from the outset. They made the perfect couple as they both had built emotional barriers and it was wonderful to see how they helped each other dismantle them. I loved Eileen's father, Jack. His role in the storyline, although small, was amazing. The action, especially the attack on Camelot, was superb. I also loved how Marc effortlessly entwined all the great sub-plots together. A fantastic read where the suspense and excitement will have you on the edge of your seat.

K.C. Finn

Flight of the Pawnee is a work of fiction in the action, suspense, and thriller sub-genres, and was penned by author Marc Liebman. The work is intended for the mature reading audience and contains the occasional use of explicit language, but no graphic content. In a complex web of intelligence gathering, intrigue, and international terror, we meet Naval Aviator and CIA contract pilot Derek when his fiancée is injured in a terrifying carjacking. Working with his future father-in-law, a retired cop, Derek’s digging into this one incident unveils a much bigger plot, which all but he would rather keep buried. What results is a highly engrossing terrorist thriller tale that is sure to keep readers turning the pages from cover to cover.

Author Marc Liebman has crafted an explosive and suspenseful work of fiction with plenty of plot twists, clever reveals, and palpable tension to offer readers. One of the features which I found particularly impressive about this piece was its commitment to research and detail in terms of tactical thinking, and it’s clear to see that the author has researched these areas extensively. The dialogue was also highly effective, serving to display the unique traits of the characters whilst delivering valuable intelligence to move the plot forward in a natural way. Combining this level of detail with such realistic features and the smooth, authoritative narration gives the work a deeply engaging and immersive feel for more tension. Overall, I would highly recommend Flight of the Pawnee to fans of high stakes action fiction, cinematic writing, and for thriller readers everywhere.

Pikasho Deka

After years of service piloting rescue missions for the Navy SEALS, Lieutenant Commander Derek Almer is approached by CIA operative Richard Atkins and recruited into the organization. Meanwhile, Mohammed Haaq, a Lebanese chemical engineer, finds himself entangled in a terrorist conspiracy that forces him into hiding. Taking advantage of the situation, the Lion Sheikh of Al-Qaeda promptly recruits him into their ranks, renames him Harun al-Rashid, and smuggles him onto US soil to carry out a nefarious terrorist plot. Helping Harun carry out his criminal activities is the Mexican Brotherhood and the Sinaloa Cartel. However, unforeseen circumstances put Derek and his girlfriend head-on against the terrorists. If you're a fan of fast-paced thrillers with intricate plotting and cinematic action sequences, then The Flight of the Pawnee by Marc Liebman is just the book for you.

The Flight of the Pawnee is a pulsating thriller filled with action, suspense, and romance that you will find difficult to put down. Containing a story that spans a decade and a half with a multitude of locations, Marc Liebman's enthralling page-turner hooks you from the first page and takes you in for an edge of your seat rollercoaster of a journey. The dialogue is crisp and realistic and that goes a long way in making the characters seem relatable. The action scenes are described in a vivid and visceral fashion that makes them feel cinematic and immersive. There's not a single aspect of The Flight of the Pawnee that I disliked. I enjoyed every moment of it, and I would highly recommend it.

Vincent Dublado

Marc Liebman’s thriller Flight of the Pawnee is the gripping story of a naval aviator and CIA contract pilot, Derek Almer, as he traces and pursues a terrorist who will potentially launch what could be the deadliest and the most gruesome terrorist attack on American soil. It begins when the second General Emir of al-Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahiri, who is determined to continue the struggle against the infidel, has selected Harun al-Rashid to lead an operation in the heart of the enemy. In the United States, as Derek’s fiancée is injured and his future mother-in-law is shot in a carjacking, he suspects that the crime leads to something even more sinister. As Derek investigates with the aid of his future father-in-law, he learns that al-Qaeda, the Sinaloan Cartel, and a gang called the Mexican Brotherhood are working together.

This book has a compelling appeal as Marc Liebman evokes a spark of duty and loyalty by painting a scenario that could possibly happen if America lets her guard down. With its well-researched plot, you undoubtedly believe Zawahiri’s malicious intent against America. Liebman tells his story with characters that move across the pages with enough exposure to make you remember. His villains are formidable and his heroes are determined. As the plot mounts in tension, it's uncertain if the twist and turns will guarantee that Derek succeeds in stopping Rashid, which makes for a truly gripping read. Despite its modest length, Flight of the Pawnee is not a let-down. The story speaks for itself and assures entertaining reading.

Rabia Tanveer

Flight of the Pawnee by Marc Liebman is a thriller that follows the brave battle of a man alone on the path of righteousness. When Naval Aviator Derek Almer’s fiancée was injured in a carjacking incident, Derek knew this was not an isolated incident. So, he decided to do some research with the help of his future father-in-law and found something bigger - and worse was brewing. He was baffled to find a Mexican gang along with a Middle Eastern man at the tail end of the trail he found. His instincts told him something was fishy, and his instincts were right. The Middle Eastern man turned out to be Harun al-Rashid, a man who had ties to Al Qaeda. Suddenly, it was not about a carjacking incident gone wrong anymore. If Derek was right, al-Rashid might cause more havoc that would kill thousands of innocent people. What will Derek do, especially when no one believes him?

Flight of the Pawnee was very different and entertaining with everything I wish for in thriller fiction. There was suspense, action, and enough drama to give me an adrenaline rush as the story continued. Derek was a shrewd man; he had a sharp eye, and he knew what to look for. Derek knew al-Rashid was trouble. Jack proved to be the perfect companion to Derek. They both realistically used their expertise and gave readers a taste of the thrill. Nothing was far-fetching or too fictional; the scenarios Marc Liebman wrote were realistic. The narrative flowed naturally; it created opportunities for Derek to evolve and immerse readers in the story. It was perfect!