Thriller Review

Tranquility Denied
by A. C. Frieden
ISBN-10: 0974793418
Review by Heather Froeschl

How great is the cost of truth? How far would you go to discover what is being kept from you, from the world? In A.C. Frieden's novel "Tranquility Denied," readers witness the literal depths of one man's quest for answers.

Lawyer Jonathan Brooks is having a hard time with his current case. It's no wonder as it seems there is a government cover-up going on. When a U.S. Navy captain lies under oath in regard to his ship seemingly ramming another ship in the North Sea, things just don't add up. Brooks is warned not to venture too far nor dig too deep, but apparently he doesn't like being told what to do. In search of clues, he travels across the ocean where he finds much more than he hoped for. Being followed wasn't warning enough for him to stop his digging and soon he is in grave danger. Nearly everyone who helps Brooks falls victim to violence of some sort. Someone is trying desperately to keep things under wraps. Every new clue reveals a much bigger sinister plot, one that involves an international roster of players and a play list of biological warfare, Cold War games and spies around every corner. From an absolutely appalling Russian jail to sultry scenes of New Orleans, from the Kremlin to Washington D.C. to an island in the Baltic Sea, Brooks leaves no stone unturned. Will he survive his own curiosity?

Frieden is a top notch author. His plot is deep and twisted and full of excitement to the very end. His characters are full of life right up until the moment that many of them are murdered. His attention to detail is superb and his flare for storytelling deserves applause. "Tranquility Denied" is a fascinating read that will have you looking over your shoulder to see if anyone is following you.