The Last Line: A Novel

This book has non-stop action by US covert intelligence in Mexico, drug warring cartels with human trafficking, Iranian involvement with Operation Shah Mat, DC political "CYA" types, riots in LA ("Viva Aztlan"), and a Russian Class K sub off the Eastern US coastline.OH, did I forget to mention there are two unaccounted for nuclear bombs? They have the capability to kill tens of thousands with their 3 - 5 kilotons of power.Operation Shah Mat is led by Saeed Reyshahri, a Persian operative. This Op has two objectives with the first being to encourage independent movement in the SW US. The second objective will make you take a deep breath or two. Just wait until you find out the person he is working with in the US!!Naturally, a "smoke screen" was lit to throw attention in the opposite direction. Suffice it to say that it almost worked..Mind boggling to me was the phone virus that spread peer-to-peer with Cellmap. Ultimately, this ended up tagging over one billion phones. Amazing, to even think about technology that advanced...A superb analysis of the lack of cooperation between the fifteen different services of the US Intelligence Agency. The CIA just doesn't like to play with any of them.The book also illustrates the immensity of the drug trafficking between Mexico and the US. (In twelve years, Los Zetas Sinaloa Cartel has moved 250 tons of cocaine into the US).A superb novel that captured my attention from page one. Thought provocative and interesting factual background information.The National Defense Authorization Act of 2012 was mentioned. (In brief, "gives the US military and other agencies the power to arrest anyone, anywhere, including American citizens and to hold them indefinitely without access to an attorney or to trial by jury".Most highly recommended!

This was a fun read. The prose was occasionally a bit stilted, the characterization sometimes a bit cliche per the genre, but the action and plot outshine any shortcomings. My favorite elements were the detailed descriptions of the different technologies in place, how they were developed, and the different types of weapons, as well as short historical explanations of true events and how they play into this story. It's quite plain that Shaffer has a lot of experience as a special operator and knows the world of clandestine service intimately. The plot is highly disconcerting, particularly in the geopolitical climate of bulls**t we often must deal with today. The only plot hole that stood out pertains to a character's suicide. I didn't understand it, nor did it seem necessary. I may have missed something along the way, but I put it on the back burner as I read, waiting for it all to tie in, and while it was mentioned later on and the character's service was acknowledged, I never did come to believe it was necessary, particularly from a person of that rank, calibre, etc. It's a small point either way. Thank you for your service, Mr. Shaffer. And thank you for a wonderful, entertaining, exciting read.

I loved the real world scenarios of a number of international players conspiring to Remove the Southwest US into a new Spanish speaking Republic. This event was a smokescreen for the real objective. Moneyed men getting even more money. The Players are varied as Islamic Republican Guard members transporting and Detonating 2 Suitcase Nuclear devices, The heroes are Mavrick DIA agents who stumble upon the plot when planting a cell phone virus in Mexico to flesh out the distribution network of all the cartels. This frightening scenario is quite realistic and could be taken from today's headlines. There is much violence in the pages. It shows were are living in a very brutal world. The good guys devices used in tracking these suitcase nukes is cutting edge science. The high stakes and Race against the clock is very suspenseful. It is a must read for those who love international political thrillers.

Colonel Shaffer's second book is just as timely and compelling as his first one, 'Operation Dark Heart' (that book's first run was bought up and destroyed by the Pentagon in an attempt to keep the contents private. A heavily redacted copy followed. Hopefully we'll get to see the complete book soon) Back to 'THE LAST LINE', this book will take you on a journey around the globe. You will feel like you are getting inside information to current events taken directly from the headlines. Colonel Shaffer is a consummate professional who's been there and done that. This book will keep you turning pages. I read it in three sittings, something I rarely do anymore. I hope he's already working on his third book.

I enjoyed this book that seems to deal with some of the realities of corruption we face today within our own government and how it all feels like the world is one big chess game.This book is an action packed thriller filled with tid bits of factual info you may not be aware of or have forgotten.I will be recommending this to my pals and I also want to thank the author, Colonel Tony Shaffer, for his service to our country and sharing this "story" with us.

LT COL SHAFER NEEDS TO WRITE MORE BOOKS .....EXCELLENT STORY LINE BUT SO CLOSE TO THE TRUTH AS TO GIVE PAUSE FOR REFLECTION .....COULD THIS REALLY HAPEN IN AMERICA??? YES AND THE CORNERSTONES FOR A PLOT SUCH AS THIS ARE ALREADY IN PLACE.. IRANS INTELLIGENCE AGCY ,VIVAK IN MEXICO WORKING WITH SINALOAN AND LOS ZETAS DRUG CARTELS..COMING ACROSS OUR BORDERS ...HARD TO PUT THIS BOOK DOWN .INTENSE READING.

It was an okay book

Excellent very interesting.amazing interwoven facts. So much learnt about usa capabilities. Spy story at its best. Very much worth reading