The Panther --- by --- Nelson DeMille.
A superannuated New York cop is seconded to find the mastermind behind the destruction of the USS Cole while she was at anchor at Aden, Yemen. John Corey, the Anti-Terrorist Task Force agent is sent on a dangerous and not so secret mission to Yemen to trap the Jihadist. Turns out though, that Carey is to be the bait --- the hunted as well as the hunter. Sarcasm, cynicism or flippancy (I’m never sure what the difference is among these three) reigns supreme as one gets an inside view of the internal conversations that course through agent Corey’s mind. This novel is one you’re bound to enjoy: hot dirty desert; back stabbing double dealing Arabs; death dealing drones with hellfire missiles --- all the usual stereotype nasties --- what’s not to like. Lots of action and intrigue.

Horrible. Nothing happens...AT ALL! Night Fall was so good. I feel so sad when writers fall off like this (or hire a ghostwriter who can't write as well, or whatever happens)

good book but too lengthy at over 900 pages

Good book- not as excellent as "The Lion". A bit too much geography of Yemin and the religion of Islam which most of us who are aware of this 'religion' know.

I agree with Moonbird, especially about DeMille using his publishing power for the feelings that he apparently has.

I did not finish the book. The first time I stop reading a DeMille book. John Corey's jokes are tiresome. There are too many.

About authors who have publishing power, I add Grisham and Potok.

Grisham uses his publishing power against lawyers (I agree with him 100%); Potok against the Hassidic (I do not agree with him).

They hide behind their John Coreys and their Reuven Malters. Grisham is a lawyer. Oh, and how handsome Grisham is.

Thought this novel would be like The Lion, but it fell short. The story was very good, but it was too drawn out. Too much filler material. Like they say "sometimes less is more". This is the case with this novel. Despite this flaw I did enjoy the story and would recommend it.

Now normally this is a GREAT author. Best on-lawn-chair-in-summer-sun author I've ever read (in this genre). But the fact this is a terrible never-ending conclusion-escaping bore in its 630 pages is not my main complaint. It is the fact that DeMille is evidently filled with hate against the Middle East and has no reservations about using his publishing power to get that message out. His smart-assed lead character advocates - page after page - nukking Yemen and on a more individual level - killing and maiming in a hundred different ways - each more offensive than the last. His jokes - after 50 pages became so tiresome that I wondered how "Grand Central Publishing" (whoever the hell they are) brought themselves to handling this dog. My suggestion: if smart ass and hate don't turn your crank, don't turn one page of this book. Oh. It's also sexist and macho in the extreme. And the diligent, honest and hard working staff in US diplomatic and military affairs must be absolutely shamed if they offered any content or review advice to him. Really really offensive and tiresome. 1/4 star for getting the page numbering right.

I loved the Lion's Game. I was not impressed with the ending of The Lion, so I thought I would give DeMille another chance and read The Panther. Gave up reading the big book so I downloaded the audio version. Lots of filler and very little action involving the Panther. I think DeMille dropped the ball on this one. I was really disappointed.

I really enjoy reading Nelson Demille books and this one is no exception. I like his writing style, sarcastic and witty. Unfortunately the book could have been about 100 pages shorter.

Nine hundred large print pages. Eight hundred pages of fillers and meat by-products. Where is the beef? Read both The Lion and the Lion's Game. This book made those books cry!