I was pleased to see Don Winslow so strongly acknowledge the originator of the Nicholas Hel books, Trevanian. Trevanian was a great writer. While both authors' protagonist is virtually perfect - handsome, strong, intelligent, spiritual and deadly, Trevanian's adds a dash of tongue in cheek humour that Winslow can't manage. As a result, Winlow's Hel ultimately becomes rather boring and cartoonish. Winslow also gets a bit too excitable toward the end of the book and veers into Matthew Reilly territory (not a compliment) with 2 paragraph, breathless chapters and the like. Having said all of that, Don Winslow has proven over time he is a good writer and this is a good, entertaining book. If you do like this one, by all means go check out the originals - you will love them. Winslow is a great writer whose own series are tops. OI especially love his Neil Carey series.