Breaking Point Review

Title:  Breaking Point
Series:  Troubleshooters #9
Author:  Suzanne Brockmann
Publisher:  Ballantine Books
Release Date:  July 12, 2005
Buy Link:  Amazon

My Rating:  5 Heart-Stopping, Antagonizing ♥'s





Synopsis:
Uncommon valor in the line of duty and unconditional devotion in the name of love are the salient qualities of the daring men and women who risk it all in the heart-pounding thrillers of New York Times bestselling author Suzanne Brockmann. Crafted with precision and power, her characters come alive with a depth of emotion few writers have achieved. Now, with Breaking Point, Brockmann breaks even further through the pack and delivers a stunning payload.

As commander of the nation’s most elite FBI counterterrorism unit, agent Max Bhagat leads by hard-driving example: pushing himself to the limit and beyond, taking no excuses, and putting absolutely nothing ahead of his work. That includes his deep feelings for Gina Vitagliano, the woman who won his admiration and his heart with her courage under fire. But when the shocking news reaches him that Gina has been killed in a terrorist bombing, nothing can keep Max from making a full investigation–and retribution–his top priority.

At the scene of the attack, however, Max gets an even bigger shock. Gina is still very much alive–but facing a fate even worse than death. Along with Molly Anderson, a fellow overseas relief worker, Gina has fallen into the hands of a killer who is bent on using both women to bait a deadly trap. His quarry? Grady Morant, a.k.a “Jones,” a notorious ex-Special Forces operative turned smuggler who made some very deadly enemies in the jungles of Southeast Asia . . . and has been running ever since. But with Molly’s life on the line, Jones is willing to forfeit his own to save the woman he loves. 

Together with Max’s top agent Jules Cassidy as their only backup, the unlikely allies plunge into a global hot zone of violence and corruption to make a deal with the devil. Not even Jones knows which ghosts from his past want him dead. But there’s one thing he’s sure of–there’s very little his bloodthirsty enemies aren’t willing to do.

Count on the intense action and raw honesty that Suzanne Brockmann consistently delivers, as she goes for broke in Breaking Point–and never looks back.

Review:

Wow! Talk about emotional overload! Breaking Point is aptly titled on so many different levels.  Bearing witness to the emotional breakdown of Max Bhagat delivered a knockout punch straight to my heart. Just when I think this series can't possibly get any better, it proves me wrong. As always, I love the multiple story lines, flawlessly woven into one beautiful, yet immensely tense read. What surprised me most about this one is that I loved it even though the entire Troubleshooters team did not come riding in to save the day. This rescue is left entirely up to Max, Jules, and Grady aka Jones, and the stakes have never been higher.

Breaking Point is the book where we finally get Max & Gina's story - with an added bonus of also getting Grady aka Jones & Molly's story. The icing on the cake is a good, healthy dose of Jules Cassidy is included! Did I mention I love Jules? His role in this book is the "glue" that holds it all together - makes it work. His developing relationship with Max as both a FBI agent and a friend is nothing short of awesome to watch - brilliant writing as usual. Jules plays an intimate part in bringing Max around - first by being there when Max needs his support most, and then by being the kind of friend that will get in your face and tell it like it is. Jules humorous banter brings some much needed relief to this heart-stopping, agonizing story.

Early on, the story plays out by alternating back & forth between the past and the present.  Eighteen months ago, with a heavy, bruised heart, Gina finally admitted defeat, giving up on Max, and leaving him to go volunteer in Kenya, along side of Molly Anderson.  What Gina didn't realize at the time is that Max set her up to leave him, as he continually struggled with guilt, anger, and regret over the rape & torture suffered by Gina at the hands of terrorists - the one he had to watch & listen to while powerless to stop it. Giving up control is not something Max does easily, but he couldn't control the situation then and he can't live with it now. He believes Gina deserves something more than he can give her, and so he pushes her away.  Now, he's having to live in a world without her, and it's killing him every single day.  Just when he thinks things can't get any worse, they do.  Max is forced to swallow a huge dose of reality as the world as he knows it crumbles around him.

Breaking Point is one intense, suspenseful, heartfelt read. The trio of Max, Jules, & Grady make up one bad*ss, formidable team of "don't mess with me" alpha males on a mission where failure is not an option. Gina & Molly prove they are not wilting violets as they hold their own in the age old battle between the sexes, as well as the battle for survival. With the inclusion of some great Jules Cassidy facetime, this book becomes another Must Read!  A Page Burner!

My Rating: 5 Heart-Stopping, Antagonizing ♥'s . . . And that's the truth!

Cross My Heart . . . xxx

Sandra