Power Down (A Dewey Andreas Novel)

I liked this book, but it was filled with Hollywood BS movie cliches that made me doubt the authors biography especially a lot of the technical bits related to firearms and weapons tactics. For example, one CIA "hitman" uses a "silenced .357 revolver". Of course, anyone who knows anything about firearms knows that revolvers cannot be "silenced" due to cylinder gap with the exception of the old Russian Mosin Nagant revolver. In other parts of book, Dewey uses the old Hollywood trick of dual wielding handguns and "sweeping them in an arch" thus more quickly neutralizing a group of 7 terrorists. I can assure you, no serious professional would write this sort of BS. Overall, not a bad first novel but don't expect Tom Clancy or Dalton Fury style realism.

Ben Coes has written an excellent first book - hard to fathom this happening, but then again not really - a gruff likable lead character, good plot, hard core enemies - would make an excellent movie - I've read the first two books and am now in the middle of the third - recommended if you like action - I read all my books using Kindle or Kindle app on iPad

I bought this because I was continually getting a pop up ad where one of my favorite authors Vince Flynn endorsed the book. Despite several key characters that all were integral to the story I liked the book. The main character Dewey isn't as strong as a Mitch Rapp or Scot Harvath, but he is compelling in his own way. I would recommend the book to others.

I've been reading political/techno/military thrillers since I picked up "The Day of the Jackal" back in the early 70's. I have read and enjoyed the offerings of Frederick Forsythe, Ken Follett, Robert Ludlum, Dale Brown, Harold Coyle, Stephen Coonts, Michael Crichton, Joel C. Rosenberg and many others. I believe Ben Coes is headed for the pantheon of the greats, if "Power Down" is a preview of his talents. I couldn't get the pages turned fast enough and hated to put it down come bedtime. My only complaint is that it ended too soon, and I was left wanting to know what would happen next to Andreas. This is a fast-paced, totally realistic thriller and belongs on the Must Read list of everyone who enjoys this genre. I'm looking forward (impatiently) to Ben's next volume. To paraphrase Dickens, "Please, Ben, I'd like some more."

Gave "Power Down" 4 Stars - there are parts of the book at are overdeveloped - more information than this reader needs. I am totally into developing a story line, but it does drag on a bit; prefer staying with action on all fronts. Definitely worth the read

Great Read... keeps you riveted to the book from page one... excellent work by Ben Coes !! reading the next book in the Dewey series now! If you enjoy riveting suspense from a master story teller - get this book... great on the Kindle app... you can read it anywhere!

Being a fan of the counterterrorism/political thriller genre, I picked this book up based on the recommendation from the Vince Flynn message board and thoroughly enjoyed it. It has an excellent mix of political thriller and backroom economic intrigue. The final third is very action packed and does not suffer from "impending deadline" disease that many of the authors in this genre seem to suffer from. I also appreciated Mr. Coes take on the terrorism-threat sleeping right here in our country. Plus a look into the energy infrastructure was interesting without being overbearing. I look forward to the sequel in 2011. Keep 'em coming Mr. Coes.

Ben Goes did a nice job creating his Dewy Andreas character. The novel was well researched and had some interesting and complex characters. The main character, Dewey, was much like the Lee Child & Vince Flynn heroes and quite fun if you enjoy the hard-bitten, all-american adventurer. I've ordered the 2nd in the series.

After reading all of Vince Flynn's novels and being glued to the pages, I had been struggling to find another similar plot written by a good author. I was saved by Ben Coes' Power Down. Although I didn't think it possible to find another author that could match Vince Flynn's captivating writing style - I was wrong. Power Down is a better read than anything in the Mitch Rapp series. Congrats on a great book!

After finishing the Mitch Rapp series I have been searching for a series of similar characters and action. I have tried the first book by several authors and have abandoned ship having not become attached to any specific character... until now. Ben Coes is truly a marvelous author who has hooked me into both his storyline and characters. My only gripe is that the "chase" near the end of the book is a bit extreme. I am very anxious to read book #2!

Made myself read past the beginning thinking it was a man's book. Then, I couldn't read it fast enough trying to keep up emotionally. Fascinating, fast moving, thriller, mystery, fascinating and captivating. It would make a great movie. My husband is reading it now. I REally like this book.

A familiar story, with familiar menaces, and familiar characters that have been written of countless times in countless action novels yet I still found my heart pounding and adrenaline flowing. Well written and well executed. Good read.

I enjoyed reading this book because I work for one of the oil companies named in the book. I like having the heroes protrayed as former military men who are independent, smart, brave and true-hearted patriots of the USA.

If this book becomes a movie, I hope they pick someone like Harrison Ford and at least one of our veterans to play the main male characters -- specifically a vet named Jimmy B. (I'll keep his identity private, but he would be awesome and he's good looking too. Although, knowing Jimmy, he doesn't want to be an actor.)

Interesting premise...a good read--but a bit verbose--I found myself skipping large segments of 'detail' to get back to the plot--but maybe that's because I'm a lazy reader.....if it's not interesting I move on...

Many novels of this type are either plot driven but poorly written, or well written but plot light or predictable. This has both ... great plot, memorable characters, great dialogue, and generally elegant writing. Also much food for thought... about the US infrastructure, who is running it, profiting from it, and presumably protecting it. An aside... without giving away any of the plot, amazed that one neighborhood described was in fact Mine, with minor geography wrong but known residential area correct, including street names, etc. Wow... a beautiful old neighborhood, but makes you wonder... who really lives here... but that,s minor. A wonderful book in the Tom Clancy style, but with a voice all its own.

The story line is fast paced quiet suspenseful and well written. It was hard to put this book down. I enjoyed the writer's skills and knowledge base with regards to the book's themes intertwining the various clandestine operations within our U S government. Excellent read. If you like the author Vince Flynn you will love this book.

A bit predictable and light on the tactical details. I found myself skipping paragraphs of location descriptions towards the end. Not as technologically advanced as I had hoped it would be.
I'll probably read the next in the series, if it happens.

As an avid reader of Flynn, Baldacci & Thor, I was so happy to find Ben Coes. Can't believe I hadn't heard of him till now. I've enjoyed this book every bit as much as the ones from all those other better-known authors. Highly recommend it!

I have read all of Ben Coes' novels, having discovered him last year. His protagonist is portrayed in a manner that the reader can relate to, his emotions and feelings being very straightforward and believable. I can guarantee that if you are a fan of Lee Child's work, or others like him, you will enjoy this book.

A frightening but believable plot in the midst of current world affairs and a severe weakness in national political leadership. The actions of the FBI leadership team were impressive as they pursued the terrorists as were the descriptions of the terrorists sickening yet shallow motivations.

A modern thriller where America is suddenly under attack by an unknown enemy. A large oil well platform is flown up at sea, and a large dam in he north which produces a a significant part of the electricity that we use are both destroyed. A new conventional explosive that has about the energy of an atomic bomb is used in both cases.

Dewey Andreas is the boss of the oil platform, and escapes the attempt on his life when the terrorists take over the drilling platform, and destroy it. Dewey is ex Delta in the US military, who left the US after the death of his child, and the suicide of his wife. An overzealous, and glory hunting DA prosecuted him for his wife's murder as she used his 1911 pistol when he was gone for his work. He was found innocent but he was discouraged as none of the military supported him what indicted for murder. His old loyalties to the USA come back after the attack, and attempt to murder him.

Two energy companies under dynamic leaders combine, and then the murders and attacks start. Lots of action, and entertaining characters.

I would have given it five stars except the injured heros really seem to have incredible abilities to keep going when injured, and the super powerful conventional explosive is not creditable, nor the remote detonators that work at hundreds of miles distance.

Ben Coes has just become my new favorite writer. Power Down was fast paced and hard hitting. It held my interest and made the book hard to put down. I especially liked the main character in the book and found his military background to be both realistic and compelling as he struggled to contain and solve this terrorist plot against our country. Looking forward to more from Ben Coes.

Ben Coes has stepped into the shoes of Vince Flynn. While no one can replace Flynn, Coes is the closet author I've found. He writes in the same genre as Flynn, and his character of Dewey Andreas is a close match for Mitch Rapp. They both fight terrorists and terrorism with the same passion, guts, and intelligence. I have his new book on my nightstand, ready to read and looking forward to another exciting adventure courtesy of Dewey Andreas-sure not to disappoint.

Couldn't put this book down -- one Monday holiday with nothing productive done, but an intense thrill ride that was worth it! Need to wrap up this review & start Dewey Andreas Book 2! If you like Brad Thor, Vince Flynn, Brad Taylor, Michael Connelly, David Baldacci, David Cameron.... you'll love this!

Fast pace, good read.Everything you should want in an action book. Plenty of action, good story line and very hard to put down.The characters are well done, the plot lines intriguing, what more do you need!Look forward to read the second in the series.

Friend told me about him, I like Vince Flynn type writing who we know is no longer with us. Dewey is great and story line makes you think and maybe understand more of world situations. I have two more of his I ordered and reading the second one now.