Thriller addicts who love the web of conspiracy mixed with adrenaline rush of action and adventure will snap this one up. A great read.
– L. Flynn
I found myself reading this quicker than anticipated. I thoroughly enjoyed the read and I fell in love with the characters very quickly. Overall, this was a fantastic read. I would read it again.
– DLT
What a great story you weave. This kept me on my toes, and I can’t wait for another! You really do a nice job of slowly making your way through the story with details and a certain voice that allows your readers to really interact with the characters who are all very nicely developed. Your characters are lifelike and I love it when I leave a story feeling like I know them. You have a realistic plot, and to me that makes for an enjoyable story. You have crafted a quality piece of writing. Bravo!
– R. Morgan
… I truly loved this book! It is engaging, fast paced, and filled with twists, the perfect recipe to make it difficult for me to put down. Burkart’s character development is awesome as Darque’s skills and secrets surprised me each time, while still feeling genuine. His research was also spot-on when it came how the Russians operated, and it all felt real and credible. Burkart does an amazing job captivating the reader and drawing them into the perfect thrilling ride through his styles, as well as plot. His simple and direct writing style makes the flow easy to follow, as I understood what was going on within each scene quickly, and thus could focus on the action and plot’s intrigue. …Overall, I found “The Orchestration” by Stephen L. Burkart to be a character driven espionage thriller sure to hook readers, drawing them into Stephen L. Burkart’s fan club! Look forward to seeing more from this author for sure!
Stephen L. Burkart’s premiere action novel “The Orchestration” is a fast paced secret government agency race to prevent a devious Russian plot from fruition. The details of the plot are ingenious and could have been used as a season of the Fox TV thriller “24”. The main character Darque is in charge of the secret agency and receives a package from a former adversary that contains explosive evidence of the main plot and proceeds to develop the evidence with the assistance of his unique associates including his faithful canine companion Bill.
The story starts in Washington, DC and flows through Europe and back and it is clear that Burkart is very familiar with those areas as well as the mechanics of sensitive classified operations. He ended the story with the tease of a second volume that I hope he delivers.
– Ken Pietrzyk
Covert ops director, John Darque (aka Darque Chadeaux) receives a mysterious package from a former adversary indicating that the President-Elect of the United States is a mole whose rise to power is a plot by the Russians to overthrow the government. Darque finds himself trying to thwart the Russian plan, eliminate the threat, protect the American people, all while trying to figure out who he can trust.
“The Orchestration” is a gripping thriller. Even though somewhat predictable, as spy novels go, for Steve Burkhart’s first novel, it is captivating. He definitely throws in a few twists to keep you reading, and John Darque is a man of many secrets and talents.
Stephen Burkhart spent the majority of his 22 year military career in Europe as a counterintelligence agent, during and immediately following the cold war. He was able to use this experience to create a fascinating journey into the world of espionage.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Outskirts Press as part of their Book Review Blogger Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
– Jill P. Jones
I may be bias towards this author, as he worked with my father for a time, spent time with my mother, and is still friends with both.
However, that being said, I truly loved this book. In some spy novels/thrillers/stories about BA’s, there is a sense of intensity with an underlying purpose of stringing the reader along; drawn out scenes, long winded explanations, etc. However, Steve, being incredibly experienced in this area as he is, lays it out for you with detail, yet plain as day. He writes exactly what is going on without empty fluff to add to the page count. Yet, there is no indication that he is in anyway drawing his narration out for no good reason: he is presenting the facts, describing the characters, and telling you a story- straight and to the point. I personally loved the style of writing, and the direction he took. His style only further proves his experience, his knowledge of these happenings. With every page you learn something new, not just about the plot development, but about the Agency, techniques used by spies, Russian plots, etc. That being said, the plot was intense, the characters awesome – incredibly intelligent, likable, and truly good at what they do – and the book was well worth the read. I would read another book by Steve in a heartbeat.
– DLT
This is a very interesting book! I very seldom read a book that I can’t put down, but this is that kind of book. Very fast paced and lots of twists and turns. I was surprised to find this is the author’s first book.
A real page turner from beginning to end. Location and life descriptions very good. All activities seem really possible. I think it would make a very good movie. I hope to get Steve’s next book.
This should be a movie. I was engaged with the story and the details right from the start, Excellent and compelling story from an author who really appears to know his stuff.
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Book signing at Queen of the West Book Bash
Cincinnati, OH – October 29, 2016
