A book that seems all too real. An oil platform is set to blow up. But who is behind the explosion? Why blow up a good producing oil rig? Ross owns the platform so he takes it upon himself to look for answers. Government is involved. People are dying. Why are investors and friends suddenly avoiding Ross and his team? The story seems all to real. So many games played behind closed doors. Super story and the ending was well done. Mike Bond does write a story that makes you wonder if it is actually true. Well done and kept me interested and pages turning.

First time I read thus Author and wow , his story literally made me realize that alot of the stuff he was written about could happen in real life.and yep I was invited to read this not once but 2 times .

Mike Bond’s Crude plunges into the gritty world of crude oil, politics, corporate dominance, and corruption. Having developed a taste for political thrillers rooted in corruption, power struggles, and oppressive governments, Crude fits the bill perfectly.

Bond expertly explores the murky world of power-hungry government agencies and corrupt corporations. Those who know how to play - or double-cross - survive, while others face public and media trials.

At 465 pages, Crude is longer than my usual reads. With multiple POVs, this isn’t a fast-paced, action-heavy thriller, but the pacing balances between slow and steady. However, the detailed descriptions, backstories, and dialogue do make the narrative drag at times.

Despite that, I appreciated the writing style and storytelling. The plot development was exceptional, though the descriptive nature of the book added a few extra reading hours.

This is a fabulous story that had me hooked from the beginning. I initially sat down to read a few chapters, and still found myself reading it a couple of hours later. Mike Bond is such a talented Author, and I’ve loved all of his books. The plot is tense and there is a lot happening. I love the way the story takes us to different countries. It certainly held my interest. Great book, and well worth a read.

Crude was an interesting mystery, following our protagonist, as he works to discover who blew up his oil refinery. I love a good thriller/mystery and for the most part Crude delivered. Mike Bond is an expert in several fields, which lends to his ability to write this political thriller. Crude was heavy on the political side. It was all about the politics of the oil industry and what drives the price either up or down. I honestly don’t know enough to say if what was written is accurate.

Crude also dives into a few other conspiracies, and how they are tied to politics. Political thrillers aren’t my usual fare but the premise was enough to pique my interest. There is a lot going on here and Mike Bond has quite a few characters. At times it was almost too much to keep straight. The story also bounces around quite a bit making it more difficult to read than I liked. All that said, Crude was interesting and the juice was worth the squeeze.

I have read two of Mike Bond's books in the past and they were interesting despite their strong, occasionally strident anti-establishment tone. In this book Bond has a lot of very interesting background on the international energy industry but unfortunately the strong reliance on Russian disinformation makes this book very difficult to read. I can't recommend this book.

In Crude, Mike Bond delivers a pulse-pounding thriller that dives deep into the precarious brink of nuclear war. Set against the backdrop of geopolitical tension and corporate greed, the narrative begins with a diver's sabotage beneath an oil platform, setting off a chain reaction that reveals a chilling conspiracy involving the highest levels of government.

As geologist Liz Chaplin grapples with her discoveries, and Ross Bullock, the CEO of Rawhide Energy, raises unsettling alarms about our nation's mistakes leading to possible nuclear conflict, readers are thrust into a whirlwind of action that spans the globe—from the South China Sea to the corridors of Washington, D.C. Bond expertly intertwines suspense with urgent political commentary, crafting a story that feels uncomfortably relatable in today’s climate.

The stakes are sky-high as the President navigates the murky waters of public perception, manipulation, and the terrifying power of the nuclear button. With each twist, the narrative drives home the chilling reality of our world’s precarious balance and the lengths to which those in power might go to maintain control.

Crude is a timely exploration of the dangers of corruption and the fragility of peace, making it a must-read for thriller enthusiasts and those interested in the intricate ties between politics, media, and global security. Prepare for an adrenaline-fueled ride that challenges readers to confront the uncomfortable question: just how close are we to the edge?

I lost interested in this book about halfway through. I really wanted to give it a chance: I liked the subject matter (oil company gets their offshore well and refinery sabotaged and goes into a financial tailspin) and thought it was an intriguing choice for a mystery novel, but then the author's heavy-handed right-wing politics went from a distraction to annoyance to a show-stopper. Plus the timeline was difficult to track as characters start dying or aren't part of the narrative. So would give this book a pass, sadly.

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I have enjoyed all of Bond's books. This one was good from the start with the Ukraine scenario but the underlying political message kind of gets in the way. Not his best effort.