Review of Family Business

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 15 Dec 2021, 08:03

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Family Business" by James Jack Fauser.]

3 out of 4 stars

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Family Business by James Jack Fauser is a spy thriller. J.J. Fauser is an agent of EUSAOCT, a European covert agency that officially doesn't exist. He travels to Palermo, Italy, together with his fellow agent Greta Lugaart for what is supposed to be a simple task to gather intelligence about possible criminal activities connected to human and drugs trafficking. However, very soon the two agents become the targets of assassination attempts even though they traveled undercover, pretending to be in Palermo for business. Who could know their real purpose? Their investigation brings them to other countries, where more danger awaits them and their fellow agents who are working with them on a case that is much bigger than they anticipated.

You might have noticed that the novel's writer and its protagonist have the same name. That's because the author claims he's an agent of EUSAOCT (European Secret Agency for Organized Crime and Terrorism) and wrote about one of his missions, which is why his point of view is told in the first person.

The author's claim is interesting and contributes to a feeling of realism for a spy thriller that's different from James Bond stories. The protagonist and his fellow EUSAOCT agents are not superhuman despite receiving special training. The story contains many intense moments, often dangerous for some characters, in which J.J. Fauser shows his emotions. He has to control those emotions because that's how he survives assassination attempts but sometimes he's scared for his life and his fellow agents. Occasionally, he literally prays that his fellow agents are alright when he loses contact with them in dangerous situations. Note that the religious element is quite marginal and just shows the protagonist's human side, so I don't think it's a problem for readers who don't share his faith.

The novel is set during the pandemic, and that's made clear many times for the consequences on the characters' activities. Setting the novel in our present also means that the characters are using state-of-the-art technologies during their missions. The story mixes intelligence gathering and fieldwork. The author skillfully uses only the details needed for readers to understand how they're using technologies, including artificial intelligence, using technical jargon only when that's required. I appreciated how the author kept the pace fast and made all the parts of the story interesting with twists and tension coming from dangerous moments, as not all intelligence is gathered using computers from a remote location.

If there's one element of the novel I didn't like very much is J.J. Fauser's relationship with women. He's attracted to his fellow agent Greta Lugaart but in Palermo, he works with a local Police Inspector. The author teases readers about the possible romantic developments but they seemed superficial to me.

My complaint is marginal compared to all the excitement that came from a terrific spy thriller with twists and surprises developed with several ramifications. What started as a journey to gather some intelligence turned into a complex international case that involved criminal organizations, secret agencies, and more.

Due to its nature, the story contains violent moments, including torture, but without brutal bits. The story includes some sex with moments when it's clear what characters are doing but the author never goes into details. I read some spy thrillers with these characteristics when I was around 16, so I think this one can be suitable for young people of that age if they're not too sensitive.

The book contains several errors that didn't detract from my enjoyment but there are more than ten of them, so I have to take a star from my rating. That's why I rate this novel 3 out of 4 stars. If you like intense spy thrillers full of twists, Family Business is a must-read.

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Family Business
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Immaculate06 · Post by **Immaculate06** » 23 Dec 2021, 07:57

I love spys and the way they carry themselves, and I love the premise with which the author wrote book. It's wonderful. Thanks for your review.

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 23 Dec 2021, 11:46

Immaculate06 wrote: ↑23 Dec 2021, 07:57 I love spys and the way they carry themselves, and I love the premise with which the author wrote book. It's wonderful. Thanks for your review.

It's an interesting premise for an engaging page-turner. Thank you for your appreciation!

Humera955 · Post by **Humera955** » 26 Dec 2021, 03:16

I really love any book that has a background of Italy in it. I think I am going to love this spy thriller.
thanks for this interesting reveiw

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 26 Dec 2021, 04:17

Humera955 wrote: ↑26 Dec 2021, 03:16 I really love any book that has a background of Italy in it. I think I am going to love this spy thriller.
thanks for this interesting reveiw

Have fun, and thank you for your appreciation!

Prisallen · Post by **Prisallen** » 01 Jan 2022, 10:16

It sounds like this is an excellent spy thriller with lots of twists and turns. I think it is something that I would enjoy. I will have to check into it. Thanks for your superb review!

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 01 Jan 2022, 11:42

Prisallen wrote: ↑01 Jan 2022, 10:16 It sounds like this is an excellent spy thriller with lots of twists and turns. I think it is something that I would enjoy. I will have to check into it. Thanks for your superb review!

It is indeed everything you wrote, so have fun, and thank you for your appreciation!

Post by **Kirsi Cultrera** » 01 Jan 2022, 17:20

I would have never guessed from the cover that this is a spy triller. The authors claim that he is an EUSAOCT agent is interesting… do you believe that such thing exists?

be it as it may, this is definitely an exciting read for those who like spy thrillers. I hope whoever is planning the assassinations of the two agents will not succeed!

Thanks for an interesting review!

Rayah Raouf · Post by **Rayah Raouf** » 02 Jan 2022, 03:35

I don't think I've read a lot of spy-thrillers but this does sound pretty good. Your reviews are always detailed and I love the summary. You really drew me in. Thanks for the review!

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 02 Jan 2022, 04:52

Kirsi_78 wrote: ↑01 Jan 2022, 17:20 I would have never guessed from the cover that this is a spy triller. The authors claim that he is an EUSAOCT agent is interesting… do you believe that such thing exists? be it as it may, this is definitely an exciting read for those who like spy thrillers. I hope whoever is planning the assassinations of the two agents will not succeed!

Thanks for an interesting review!

Something like EUSAOCT might actually exist but I seriously doubt that an agent would be allowed to write about his missions. Thank you for your appreciation!

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 02 Jan 2022, 04:54

RayRuff wrote: ↑02 Jan 2022, 03:35 I don't think I've read a lot of spy-thrillers but this does sound pretty good. Your reviews are always detailed and I love the summary. You really drew me in. Thanks for the review!

I used to read more spy-thrillers in the past and I was happy to get that feeling coming from international cases. Thank you for your appreciation!

Hyacinth Bella · Post by **Hyacinth Bella** » 02 Jan 2022, 15:07

How it is written is pretty interesting; who could've guessed the reason why the author wrote this in a first-person point-of-view is because he is part of the said EUSAOCT?

Thank you for the lovely review!

Raluca_Mihaila · Post by **Raluca_Mihaila** » 02 Jan 2022, 16:03

Your engaging review made me very interested in reading this thriller. I am curious about reading a book that happens during the pandemic. Thank you very much for your recommendation!

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 02 Jan 2022, 16:32

Hyacinth Bella wrote: ↑02 Jan 2022, 15:07 How it is written is pretty interesting; who could've guessed the reason why the author wrote this in a first-person point-of-view is because he is part of the said EUSAOCT?

Thank you for the lovely review!

That premise about the author is interesting. Take it as you like.

Thank you for your appreciation!

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 02 Jan 2022, 16:38

Raluca_Mihaila wrote: ↑02 Jan 2022, 16:03 Your engaging review made me very interested in reading this thriller. I am curious about reading a book that happens during the pandemic. Thank you very much for your recommendation!

I have to avoid spoilers but I can tell you that the pandemic is a constant presence, sometimes just for little things such as precautions against the contagion. Thank you for your appreciation!