Flashpoint
4 Stars

Former Agency operatives Jimmy Nash, Lawrence Decker and Tess Bailey are recruited by Tom Paolett's new private security company, Troubleshooters, Inc. Their mission, should they choose to accept it, is to recover an Al-Quaeda terrorist's laptop. The catch - the laptop is in Kazbekistan, which has recently been ravaged by a devastating earthquake. Cut off from communications and in a country in which human rights are a long forgotten luxury, Nash and Tess, must put aside their fraught history and rely on each other's skills if they, and their team, are to survive.

Brockmann returns to basics with this installment, which introduces a completely new cast of characters alongside one or two familiar faces. While I was initially skeptical about the shift in focus away from Team 16, the gritty setting, compelling plot, and detailed characterization make this series reboot a success.

The infiltration into post-disaster Kazbekistan sets the stage for an intense and suspenseful quest as the team faces not only the obstacles resulting from the destruction left in the wake of the earthquake, but also the danger posed by being American agents in a strict theocracy ruled by avaricious, corrupt, and misogynistic warlords. The atmospheric setting adds another layer of tension to both the mission and the romance.

Unlike the previous books with their multiple storylines, Flashpoint centers on one thread and one romantic relationship even though the events are presented from several POVs. The search for the missing laptop unfolds slowly but surely as the story progresses, and Brockmann's descriptions of the action-packed climactic scenes are riveting.

The character development is the highlight of the book. The strength of the bond of brotherhood between team leader, Deck, and his longtime partner, Nash, is apparent from the outset, and their loyalty to one another rivals that of the members of Team 16. Likewise, the connection between Nash and Tess is palpable. They have excellent chemistry as they try, without much success, to keep their hands off one another. However, it is actually Sophia Ghaffari who evokes the strongest reactions as her courage, resilience, and spirit are simply incredible. One cannot help but respect and root for such a formidable woman.

In sum, an entertaining addition to the series that creates exciting new opportunities and directions for characters both old and new. ( )

This is an old book. I was maybe 4 years old when it cam out. Listening to it modern day was very cringey. There were some verbage that is not totally appropriate. A lot of cis hetero romance that had me laughing and utterly confused. I have never listened to an audio book with two different narrators. The last audio book I listened to was "Yaki Delgado is going to kick your ass" in high school, and I don't even remember the plot. But this book even though I have never read any of the other titles will definitely stay with me. If Nash and Tess are gonna be together Sofia and Decker should too. I am not saying I am for the way it went really but if youre gonna give me smut trash complete the cycle weirdos. Overall I have not as i recall read a action romance for hetero gaze. I felt like I was watching one of my dads cheesy over sexual action movies with the bald british or american old guys who looked like they did not belong with their hotter female leads who deserve a movie series in actuality. I hope to give this to someone. I am lucky to still have a CD player in my car. ( )

This is one of the better ones of the series. Jimmy Nash is a very dark hero and Tess is a good strong match for him. The story of Deck and Sophia starts here. It's really important to understanding later books that you don't miss this one. ( )

This might be the 5th book I have read in the Troubleshooter series - oh my gosh, I just looked it up and it is my 8th! This is a page turner, both in terms of the romance and the adventure. It's the story of Tess Bailey and Jimmy Nash in Kazbekistan, and it's an one the edge of your seat adventure.

Suzanne Brockmann never fails to deliver. The stories in Troubleshooters are both similar in terms of being pure romantic suspense novels involving military or ex-military. But she amazes me how her characters are always their own person, not copies of previous heroes and heroines. ( )

Jimmy Nash and Lawrence Decker were operatives with the CIA, but left after a mission where they were compromised. They have recently gone to work for Troubleshooters, created and run by former Navy SEAL, Tom Paoletti. Nash joins his best friend and team leader, Lawrence Decker, as well as newbie field agent Tess Bailey, posing as relief workers heading into the earthquake-ravaged country of Kazbekistan. Their mission is to find the missing laptop of an al-Queda operative who was killed in the earthquake.

In the prologue, Tess helps Nash get Decker out of a dangerous situation, then have a sizzling one night stand that they both regret, but can't stop thinking about. Now that they are working together again, both Nash and Decker fall for Tess but she only has eyes for Nash. Primarily this story is Jimmy and Tess's, but It's an interesting subplot of two friends attracted to the same woman.

But what about Decker being left behind? Throw in a beautiful American whose husband was beheaded by the local dictator and we see a glimpse of who he will most likely be matched with in a future book.

In previous books Brockmann had several storylines, but in Flashback she switches to one storyline with more action and suspense. We are not tracking multiple stories, but multiple character views, The romance is secondary but there's still plenty of it.

This is the first book where we meet non-SEAL operators that work in Tom's new private contractor business. In fact, this book could easily be read as a standalone. I felt like parts of it dragged out too long, but the last half was very exciting with a daring rescue in the fortress-like headquarters of the local warlord.

It turned out to be a fast paced, enjoyable read and I'm looking forward to the next book in this series. ( )