At the end of the day James Twining, coins are just not very exciting really are they? Even extremely rare ones from 1933 that sell for millions of dollars. No matter how much you tart up The Double Eagle, it can't really be classed as much of a thriller, nor is it a particularly engrossing mystery. It's more an upper-class crime drama, not quite a caper as it's lacking any real sense of humour that could have made it much more entertaining. As the launchpad for a new character and series, it's wanting.See, our protagonist Tom Kirk (billed as 'perfect for Tom Cruise', which should immediately ring alarm bells), isn't really as intriguing as Twining seems to think he is. For a thief, he's not all that cool. For a renegade in essence, he's not all that dangerous. And, crucially, for a man part of such a cool underground world as art theft, he's just not all that fun to be around. Twining writes him very staid, a little damaged behind the veneer, much as he does FBI agent Jennifer Browne - his beautiful counterpart cum partner, looking to prove herself after a Case Gone Wrong tainted her reputation. She really has a rod up her arse all the way through, barely cracking a smile, and as a duo despite Twining want us to believe they're a sassy pair sparking off each other from opposite sides... frankly they're just quite dull for most of it. Like a lot of the book, in fact. Po-faced I would describe Twining's writing - not bad, at times quite breezily paced (though he can't write incident for shit), but sorely lacking a tongue in cheek. His only outlet is the character of Archie, a jokey con artist who just isn't enough to prop up the book or make Tom & Jennifer more interesting. And much as the plot may twist & turn, taking in a glamorous location or two, without two engaging leads the whole thing falls down.Twining definitely has promise, and The Double Eagle is certainly not a bad piece of writing, it's just desperately trying to trick you into being thrilled when it's just... not. The fact in one scene he has Tom & a Turkish crook play backgammon and writes it like they're fighting to the death, should tell you everything about the level he pitches. That was the only moment I truly laughed at.
Tom Kirk- art thief, internationally wanted criminal and ex-intelligentsia. Jennifer Browne- Special Agent, disgraced and headed by stubborn bosses. Both form an alliance to uncover a major art heist. But it comes with its own problems.They are lead through icy denials and wicked mafia, along with private handlers closing in to share the treasure. They both are lead through a maze of greed, mystery and power. From France to Istanbul, from London to New York, the story revolves around a huge conspiracy that is pulling terror on the CIA, the NSA and even the Oval Office, in its wake.Risking their lives and with too many stakes stacked against them-lest they fail- they begin discovering conspiracies, theft, crime and greed. An overall amazingly written story about the Double-Eagle. All in all, inciting curiosity and a real page turner, this book is a truly marvelous read.
Do You like book The Double Eagle (2006)?
Somehow, impossibly, someone has invaded Fort Knox and stolen five of the world's last remaining Double Eagles -- the $20 gold coin ordered destroyed by President Roosevelt during the Great Depression. Now, one has resurfaced during an autopsy in France -- in the stomach of a murdered priest.Disgraced FBI agent Jennifer Browne needs to recover the priceless coins to resuscitate her stalled career -- and her investigation is pointing her toward Tom Kirk, a brilliant international art thief who wants to get out of the game. But Kirk's only chance for freedom -- and survival -- is to find the missing coins, joining Browne, an unlikely ally, on a breakneck race across the globe.
—Kevin
this is the first book in a series; well, at least, first of two books featuring Tom Kirk, a high-stakes thief who wants to go straight. It reads very quickly and will definitely keep you interested.The story begins with the murder of a priest, who has something that his killers want. This leads to the discovery of stolen coins from Fort Knox -- the famous Double Eagles (20 dollar gold pieces) that were minted in error. It is believed by the FBI that Tom had something to do with the theft, so they send an agent to Europe to track him down, but from the moment she arrives, forces beyond their control are after them.So...I think it could have done with a little more oomph to the suspense part. Sadly I figured a lot of it out not too far into the book so the end was not as "thrilling' as it could have been. Otherwise, it's a fast-moving read that is okay.
—Nancy Oakes
Story revolves around the Fort Knox robbery in which precious and very rare $20 golden coins have been stolen. Main character is Tom Kirk, professional thief and once-time secret agent specialized in getting-in-getting-out-silently operations. He is working with FBI agent whose career is in great jeopardy and is given last chance to redeem herself.[return]Interesting story and characters but storytelling is somewhat & . I do not know. It may be due to the fact that I read the translated edition and something was & well, lost in translation. Author obviously knows a lot about art and did his research on art-world underground but descriptions are & e.g. one of the characters, Corbet, is described as a person whose face has same lines as art-d
—Zare
