I enjoyed this book overall. Good action, good story. The twists and turns were a little clunky, but an entertaining read nonetheless.

Good plot but a bit of a slow burner for me. Very well written and would recommend for people who likes a story to build up to explosion

4* for the bomb maker, the way he is revealed (and not revealed), his bomb making procedures and bomb detection/disabling /removal is all cool.
- 1* for the romantic sideshow. What a cliche' (didn't either of them have anyone else to go to?) And the bomb maker predictably comes after her.
- 1* for the lack of proper investigation despite passage of months, the way the story go off the rails in the end with terrorists targeting Stahl, going back to bomber's lair & beating him up. It just got more and more ridiculous. Why didn't the bomb maker target the funeral way in the beginning? Why didn't he try to put a bomb in Stahl's car after the guy had dislodged his bombs for the nth time instead of the women? (that ex-wife excuse is a lazy trope). the bomb maker would never have killed someone not connected to his 'mission' or irrationally (unless there is something more than what Mr. Perry has revealed.) Stahl gets investigated for Hedlund's murder! (more contrived detour.) And the part where the bald man threatens & punches the bomber 6 times, reminded me of my own bad write-ups - WTH?!
-2*: Stahl's plan to 'neutralize' everyone in the end is good.

Thanks for the ARC.

The Bomb Maker failed to light my fuse. The action is ponderous not explosive. It promises to deliver a well plotted thriller but it fizzles with sidestories, hard to believe turns of events and stilted writing. Perry is an accomplished writer but this is far from his top form

This was a great book. Loved the main character, flawed and very real. The prose were strong. I'd recommend this book.

Thank you to the publisher and author for the ARC to review. My opinions are my own.
Thomas Perry is my favorite author for his masterful writing of thrillers that are non stop action. The Bomb Maker is classic Perry well crafted with exciting action, plot and sub plots to keep you reading deep into the night. I read this book cover to cover unable to stop reading it until the end. I have read the author's work in its entirety.,
This is the story of two sides of a bomb. The bomb maker and the police who hunt him. The author writes from both perspectives and the reader is drawn into both stories, each fascinating and equally masterful. The center of the book is the bomb maker, why he makes bombs and the psychology behind such a depraved mind. The police who hunt him and the experts who are brought in when tragedy strikes. The reader is drawn into the diverse characters and as the stories of each join Perry creates such a brilliant fast moving narrative that the reader is suddenly drawn into both sides of the story . As the bomb team closes in with danger looming the action is non stop.
This is a classic Thomas Perry of non stop action, a thrilling and interesting read. I highly recommend this book for all readers that enjoy thrillers and mystery. Well done to the author.

The The Bomb Maker makes bombs from observations about human impulses and temptations, is an expert at what he does and his targets are bomb technicians.
Dick Stahl is an ex soldier/cop who has years of experience rendering bombs safe and has worked with most of the officers killed in the explosion. He runs a specialist security company and has just recovered a kidnap victim from a volatile area. After an incident involving multiple explosive devices, the LAPD bomb unit is left with only a few members. Stahl agrees to run the unit pending the arrival of a permanent officer and the unit is back to its usual capacity.
Diane Hines is one of the team and is initially attracted to Stahl’s knowledge of bombs and the person who builds them. Knowing the next day could be their last their feelings gradually deepen. Forming a relationship with one of his staff complicates matters and one of them will end up nearly losing their life.
Time or should I say the bomb is ticking and time is running out for the mastermind and Stahl.
I found this an absolutely fascinating read and wondered how close to reality the bomb related details were. It always impresses me that there are people out there who can sit down, write something so full of suspense and do it extremely well.
Stahl was definitely my favourite character. He was expert at what he did and still able to hold a stable relationship. I related to the methodical way he analyzed the killer and what they did know about him/her. Most of the way through the book I had my fingers crossed. I consider myself lucky not having a job where I go to work each day in the knowledge there was a chance I could die.
The only thing I thought a little odd considering how security conscious he was why would he let someone drive into his secure underground parking area without sweeping the vehicle or checking his or her bag even if it was a female he was seeing?
I would describe this as a mystery thriller jam packed with suspense and a fantastic read. It is easy to see how why this book was rated by Entertainment Weekly as one of the most anticipated books for 2018.
Thank you to the publisher for providing a digital copy of the uncorrected advance proof via Netgalley and the opportunity to provide a review.

A deadly cat and mouse game between a bomber and the LAPD Bomb Squad.

Dick Stahl is the owner of a security company. He is famous for doing whatever it takes to rescue American business people from kidnappers in foreign lands. Dick was also a former head of the LAPD Bomb Squad. When a bomb kills the current leader and most of his senior staff, Dick accepts a temporary post as interim bomb squad chief.

The bomber is a loner skilled at creating explosives, blasting caps and detonators by hand. He is targeting the Bomb Squad. But why?

Alternating perspectives of The Bomb Maker and the squad trying to catch him makes for a compelling read. The bomb defusing scenes are particularly tense. The science of bomb creation is fascinating and well detailed. This reader is hopeful that at least one ingredient is left out of each explosive recipe.

Due to its nice mixture of science and suspense, The Bomb Maker is highly recommended for fans of Michael Crichton and Robin Cook. 4 stars!

Thanks to the publisher, Grove Atlantic, and NetGalley for an advanced copy.

The Bomb Maker has some of the makings of a good thriller, but didn't think that the writing and characterisation were good enough to carry it off, I'm afraid.

Set in Los Angeles, the main thrust of The Bomb Maker is in a battle of wits between a highly ingenious designer and maker of bombs and the LA Bomb Squad whom he wants to kill. We get long, intricate descriptions of both the designing and building processes of the bomber and of the painstaking work of the Bomb Squad to make them safe. Much of this is actually very interesting and quite gripping, although it does get a bit much when expressed in such plodding prose and with rather cardboard characters.

Outside the technical detail, the rest of the story is pretty poorly done. The main protagonist is Dick Stahl – heroic, sexy, modest and unflappable. Of course. We originally meet him as he attempts to rescues a businessman kidnapped in Mexico, where he brilliantly and heroically…well, I expect you can guess. He is then called back to head up the Bomb Squad he used to lead in order to tackle the threat from the eponymous bomb maker. It's hopelessly implausible both in characterisation and plot, and the prose is horribly clunky at times. This, for example, as his squad are about to tackle a very dangerous bomb: "Elliot and Hines stared at Stahl, who seemed deep in thought. After a moment he looked up at them and noticed that they looked worried, apprehensive, scared. "Don't worry. We can do this." It's not exactly thrilling, electrifying, exciting, is it? I'm afraid I found this throughout and it became very wearing after a while. There is an extremely awkwardly drawn romantic liaison with dialogue which verges on the embarrassingly bad at times and which has a faintly ludicrous Pretty Woman feel to it as well. And so on.

So, I'm afraid this one wasn't for me. It's painstakingly researched and has its moments, but I really can't recommend it.

(I received an ARC via NetGalley.)

“The Bomb Maker” by Thomas Perry brings readers into the shady world of a lawless bomb maker on a mission of destruction for money in Los Angeles. The story of this dark world is told in an interesting third person narrative so readers see the risky and dangerous events from all angles. Perry provides backstories and details to develop the main characters, and the natural dialogue between the players helps bring them to life. The story plays out between the mysterious bomb maker and Dick Stahl, former bomb disposal expert and trainer who hopes to catch the “bad guy” before there is more turmoil and destruction.

Perry tells an absorbing story. The book opened with spellbinding action, slowed down a little in the middle, and ended cleverly. The technical information, designing and making bombs and their elaborate secondary components, was both fascinating and frightening. The “romance,” however seemed forced or even gratuitous. There was violence, people killed, but overall the story was captivating and readable.

I received a copy of “The Bomb Maker” from Thomas Perry, Mysterious Press, and
NetGalley. I learned WAY more than I wanted to know about the disturbing world of bomb making, but I enjoyed reading it none-the-less.

I found this book’s plot interesting, but the book itself very uneven and disjointed. It is about Dick Stahl, a security consultant and former bomb expert who gets called by the Los Angeles police department to head their bomb squad when many of its members were killed (by the title character, who is only identified as “the bomb maker”). For some reason never explained, the bomb maker is determined to kill all of the bomb squad.

It started great and had some good parts, but the book just doesn’t pull together. I found the ending, in bomb vernacular, to be a dud. Although the book has two interesting characters that would make a great sequel (Stahl and a police sergeant), the book leaves too many loose ties and unanswered questions. It was like a bunch of unrelated story lines got tossed together without the effort of meshing them.

I like other books by Thomas Perry and had great expectations about this one. Sadly, they were not met.

No BOOM here, just a DUD!

I've never read a Thomas Perry novel before, so I didn't know what to expect, but I tell you what I didn't expect, I didn't expect it to read like a debut novel. Which, I guess isn't exactly fair, because I've read a lot of really great debut novels, but this novel just lacked in so many ways for me. I'm hoping I can clarify what I mean.

Let's start with the narration, the author uses a third person narration, so we get to see different POV's, which is great, I typically prefer this in my novels. BUT, the problem here is that I found the backstories that were often provided were so drawn out that I was so far removed from the storyline that I was just reading and reading and soon I had no idea what I was reading. It was just a bunch of ramblings that I found did not add much value to the overall story or characters. The other big issue for me is that it lacked in imagery and descriptive writing, which is hugely important to me. The only areas in the novel that really seemed to include much descriptive writing were those containing the bombs. Otherwise, all other settings were very vague and hard to picture or get a sense of. I will admit, the narrative hook got me... I thought for sure I was in for a real treat with this book, but soon, I was disappointed. I found this novel just proved time and time again to reel me in and cast me back out.

Next, let's talk about character development. There are a few key characters in this novel, the main three are Dick Stahl, an highly experienced bomb expert and former captain of the L.A. Bomb Squad, then there is Sergeant Diane Hines of the L.A. Bomb Squad, and then there is the Bomb Maker himself... which his identity is never revealed. Let's start with Dick, Dick is no longer a member of the Bomb Squad, after having retired some years ago and now running his own private security company, being somewhat of a badass... or so we're led to believe early on... a Jack Reacher... Jason Bourne... wannabe maybe? After the Bomb Maker wipes out half of the L.A. Bomb Squad, Dick is asked to come back and help out the force until they can retrain new recruits and stop this bomber. Dick reluctantly agrees. This is where we meet Diane, Diane is now Dick's subordinate. After disarming their first bomb together Diane becomes enamored with Dick and the next thing you know, their in bed together? This is where the eye rolls started and I practically gave up on the novel. Not because it was so cliche for a man to be sleeping with his subordinate, but because of the completely tasteless way in which it was portrayed. I'm not saying I need to have romance, I realize it's not that kind of novel, but it simply wasn't believable... or sexy... it lacked chemistry. These two are suppose to remain emotionally connected to one another throughout the duration of the novel, but I could not feel the connection between the two of them for nothing. I felt like the entire thing was a joke. As for the Bomb Maker, generally, I love when we can get inside the mind of the villain, however, in this case, it practically bored me to death. I was hoping there would be some semblance of psychotic behavior, an edge or creepiness, but there was nothing. He didn't even seem all that calculated to me.

My next gripe is about the dialogue. It's not that the dialogue didn't come across as natural, because it did. I didn't have any issues there. My complaint is that it was just difficult to follow at times. Here is an example:

"Did calling it a fling hurt your feelings?" she said. "Be honest with me."
"I didn't think about putting it in a category before. During those few days, my life consisted of getting through a tough day, and then making up for it with you at night. It was death all day and life at night with you."
"I know what happened, and I understand everything up to the point when my apartment blew up. But what now? I've been trying to figure out what happens next. I think I need you to tell me what you're thinking."
"We move you into my place. We try to stop leaving things out when we talk. We don't pretend that being together was a fling."
"Okay," she said. "Tomorrow when you come, bring me some of the clothes I left in your closet. All I own now is this nightgown with nothing in the back, and I have to hand it over when I leave."

It was like this pretty much throughout the majority of the novel. Sometimes, I had to go back and re-read certain parts to make sure I understood who was stating what.

The last thing I guess I'll touch on is the overall storyline and the ending. Conceptually, this novel had a lot of promise. I haven't seen a lot of novels involving a serial killer/bomber. The execution however, it lacked for me. Although there were several backstories that were delivered, I didn't find it clear as to why the Bomb Maker was hired in the first place. That message was never delivered. I don't think we ever understand what the "big plans" were going to be, and that was disappointing in the end. It was also never clear "who" hired the Bomb Maker. All things that I felt perhaps could have been wrapped up in an epilogue. Instead, the ending was so very bizarre I didn't know what the heck I was reading. It's literally BOOM... then into the next chapter and you have no idea what's happening. I was not a fan of how the novel ended at all. It's almost as if Mr. Perry was tired of writing the novel and just threw the last chapter together in a hurry to finish off the book.

I want to thank NetGalley, Grove Atlantic, and Thomas Perry for an opportunity to read this novel in exchange for my review. Sorry that it didn't work out for me. Best of luck to you Mr. Perry.

This was a very thrilling action novel that has the making for a interesting series.

4.5 Stars Thomas Perry has penned a fabulous thriller with The Bomb Maker.
Fear, Frustration and Fury are some of the rollercoaster of emotions the characters of this well written story will endure as the try to catch the criminal trying to take out the LA Bomb Squad. I enjoyed this story and would recommend it to readers

I started this book, and after a few pages of VERY intense and detailed narrative about bombs, bomb making, and what they can do, I just put it aside. I just wasn’t in the mood for something so dark. Then my husband picked it up and he REALLY liked it and thought I would as well. He was right! So, with thanks to Grove Atlantic/Mysterious Press and NetGalley, I give The Bomb Maker four enthusiastic stars – and I will be reading more o Perry’s work.

The story opens with a threat called in to the LAPD Bomb Squad, and the results of the detailed bomb-making in the opening of the book result in a horrific event. Half the entire bomb squad (including the man in charge) has been obliterated, and they need a hero. The protagonist, Dick Stahl, is asked by a friend and former colleague to come and take over on a temporary basis until they can get things somewhat up to speed (it takes a full year to train a bomb squad technician).

Stahl was both a cop and in the military and he knows about people as well as bombs, so he is the perfect guy to figure out the process and techniques of the extremely evil villain, a guy who has been recruited by an unnamed organization who promises to pay him ten million dollars for his skills.

Along the way, Stahl gets involved with co-workers in various ways, and although I don’t think many people are as ideal (smart, beautiful, thoughtful) as the two main characters, it actually didn’t seem weird to me that they hooked up right away. It was handled fairly well, even though there was a bit of male fantasy fulfillment in the actions of Diane at the end of Stahl’s first day on the job. But it’s going to make a great movie – in fact, as the tension mounted and the situation with the bomb maker was resolved, I found myself thinking that if it ended in a certain way, it was probably written with a screenplay in mind. It did, it probably was, and I will most likely go see it when it comes out.

A highly plot driven thriller from Perry is always cause for celebration. Don't expect Dick Stahl to be a complete and intriguing character like Jane Whitefield (one of my favorites). He's here to drive the story of the hunt for a creep who has a grudge against the LAPD bomb squad and has managed to kill a lot of them. He's not particularly rounded but then you do have the opportunity to learn about bombs (maybe more than some people want). This is a real page turner but to be honest, I found the end unsatisfying. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. It's good one for travel.

Thanks to Netgalley and Grove Atlantic/Mysterious Press for the advanced reader copy. I was entertained by this novel about the pursuit of a bomb alter trying to eliminate the entire L.A. bomb squad. It reminded me a bit of other LA-based police procedurals, like the Harry Bosch novels. If you ,Ike,this genre, I think you will like this. And you will learn a lot about bombs! My only real complaint was the characterization of the main female character, Diane Hines. I think the author needs to talk to some more women. I found the premise that the character would sleep with her new boss on the first day on the job to be more a guy’s fantasy than anything based in any reality I know. Later in the novel, I also found some of her thinking just to be strange and not ring true.

I am not much of a thriller variety reader however, I did so enjoy this book about the struggle to capture a man who was intent on killing members of the bomb squad. Dick Stahl is called back into service when a bomb goes off and kills twelve members of the bomb squad pretty much decimating their ranks and throwing the city and the police into chaos. Stahl, owner of a private security company accepts this job and learns through going on a second bomb call that he is dealing with a brilliant explosives expert. He begins to rebuild the teams of people sent out to mitigate a bomb situation and they learn from him how to be proficient in recognizing the danger that this bomb maker has in store for any who are careless. This bomb maker follows no rules except, as it soon becomes apparent, to kill bomb squad members.

Stahl becomes involved with one of the team members. However, the focus is on getting this bomb maker who in the meantime, has become involved with a sinister group of men who are planning a terrorist hit on LA.

All of this builds to a harrowing experience as Stahl and the men and women of the bomb squad desperately try to find the bomb maker. The bomb maker devoid of any kind of feelings about causing death is intent on his mission. Mr Perry never really reveals why the bomb maker is on this mission but does create a character with enough menace and diabolical behaviors. The one fault that the novel does seem to possess is at the end which seemed to be somewhat abrupt. We never really learn who the terrorists were nor do we know much about the bomb maker, not even his name.

Thanks to NetGalley and Mysterious Press for an ARC of this novel.

Thanks to Thomas Perry, NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC OF THE BOMB MAKER.

Thomas Perry is a brilliant story teller. In his newest novel, he pits a bomb maker against the LA bomb squad. The bomb maker is adept it designing and making bombs that have trap doors, secondary devices, switches, motors and rotors, on and on. Yes, it did get a bit ( actually VERY technical), but I can overlook that because it was just so darn enthralling! This bomb maker extraordinaire delights in making bombs and setting them to fool the EOD techs to produce as many fatalities to the techs as possible. The protagonist, Dick Stahl, is an EOD specialist extraordinaire, and the story line centers around these two outwitting each other.
I love Perry's writing style, and enjoyed reading this book because of the intensity and suspense. That being said, I must mention that character development is poor ( uh, non existent). We never learn the bomb maker's backstory, motive, or even name! The "businessmen" are secondary fodder and are more of a distraction than anything else.

Mr. Perry usually stages something clever at the end, and he did not disappoint! Cute and clever ending! THE BOMB MAKER is a drama ( policemen being killed), However, due to the aforementioned, it is not a deep read. Mr. Perry certainly has the ability to write a serious piece using many facets of "authors' craft". He just chose not to. Therefore, a good 3 star rating for a good story!

Here is what I think, JUST READ EVERYTHING BY THOMAS PERRY! I have never been disappointed and this one is no different. It is technical without going overboard and most of all suspenseful; every part drives to the "explosive" climax. Read this and you will never look at everything as quite as "safe" as before.