"Counterfeit Lies is a must read...an eye opener. Although it is written as fiction...the plot is all too real. This novel is a riveting and gripping tale." (Blackfive.net review)About the AuthorOliver North is a combat-decorated US Marine and recipient of the Silver Star, the Bronze Star for valor, and two Purple Hearts. From 1983 to 1986, he served as the US governments counterterrorism coordinator on the National Security Council staff. He is also a #1 New York Times bestselling author of both fiction and nonfiction. Visit him on Facebook and Twitter, or learn more at OliverNorth.com. Bob Hamer spent four years on active duty in the Marine Corps and twenty-six years in the FBI. He received the FBI Director's Award for Distinguished Service and is now an award-winning author. He and his wife, Debbie, live in Southern California.Excerpt. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.Counterfeit Lies CHAPTER ONE DAY 1 MONDAY, APRIL 28 TEN DAYS PRIOR TO SPECIAL AGENT JAKE KRUSES MOST RECENT PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION The sounds of mariachi music blasting from the run-down bar just north of the Otay Mesa border crossing were met by the rumblings of the Cummins diesel engine. The two men in the cab of the 2009 International 9200i werent going to surprise anyone if stealth were important. Only the darkness provided a modicum of cover for the evenings criminal endeavor. Pulling off the pockmarked blacktop road, the driver slowly made his way past a half-dozen trailers parked in the dirt lot. There it is, said Jake Kruse with a late-night attitude as he pulled in front of the burnt-orange twenty-footer. The indefinable graffiti spray-painted on most of the side panels matched the description his border contact had provided. He threw the big rig in reverse and backed toward the trailer, stopping a few feet from the tongue hitch. Shutting down the engine, he and Tommy Hwan jumped out of the cab and headed to the back of the cargo container. The two men had performed this ritual several times over the past two months, but this was the first time they would dance in the dark. A reluctant trust had been built but cautious doubt lingered. Jake pulled a mini SureFire from a side pocket of his worn khaki cargo pants. Illuminating the thin metal surety wires intertwined between the latches on the steel doors of the shipping box, he said, It hasnt been tampered with since it left China. You can check the serial number on the seal with whats on the bill of lading, if you want. I believe you. Lets just get out of here. Too many wets hanging out across the street, said Tommy, pointing to a half-dozen noisy men sharing beers in front of the bar. An Asian racist. I love it, said Jake as he handed the flashlight to Tommy. I cant do this blindfolded, so light up the back as I hook up the trailer. Jake climbed back into the cab and began to slowly ease the tractor in reverse, seeking to couple the tractor and trailer. Hed been to the CDL short course and could do this in daylight, but darkness added a degree of difficulty the six-week commercial truck drivers school failed to include in its curriculum. Apparently, the instructor for Trucking 101 didnt anticipate his graduates engaging in nocturnal crimes. Jake took a couple of stabs at lining up the kingpin and the strike plate before he heard the distinctive sound of the lockjaws engaging. He jumped down from the cab, worked some late-night magic, and within minutes completed the final hookup, attaching the service, supply, and electrical lines. It looks good. I think were ready to get out of here. Tommy was only too happy to return to the security of the semi and get as far north of Mexico as he could. Not only Customs, but border bandits would love to seize a rig of counterfeit Rolex watches smuggled into the United States. As Jake started to climb into the cab, two men, both stupid brave on oxy washed down with a six-pack of cerveza, jumped out from behind one of the parked trailers. In the darkness it was impossible to identify the exact make and model of the semi-automatics they were carrying, but both men were waving their weapons like B-list actors in a cheap Hollywood movie. Manos arriba! shouted one of the men as Jake and Tommy threw up their hands. Give me the keys, jefe, said the taller of the two in slurred, heavily accented English. The attacker was only about five foot seven but the gun he was holding made him seem bigger and his Corona-induced courage made him a bit more unpredictable. Jake was slow in responding to the command as he assessed the situation. The only exit was to his left, retreating to an open field, leaving Tommy to fend for himself. As with most confrontations, and Jake had been in his share, this was more than flight-or-fight. Two other variables entered the calculus: posturing and submission. Without their guns, Jake would have beaten both men like cheap piatas, but it was one thing to be cocky and another to be sloppy. Dont be stupid, weddo. Give me the keys! screamed the leader. Give him the keys, Jake, said Tommy, fear evaporating what little mettle remained. Jake slowly reached into his pocket with his right hand, keeping his left hand high in the air. He held up the keys, jiggling them at about eye level. Toss em, jefe! Jake did as instructed, the border thug snatching the keys in midair. You guys had to wait until I got my hands dirty hooking up the trailer. At least let me grab a towel out of the cab to wipe off the grease, said Jake with the bravado reserved for the truly brave or the really stupid. Quieto! shouted the boss as he handed the keys to his partner. The smaller of the two slipped his semi-auto in the front of his pants and fumbled with the keys as he prepared to climb into the cab. No need for any violence. Its just a tractor and a trailer. You can have it. You keep the truck and we keep our lives. Seems like a fair exchange, said Jake. The predator seemed pleased his prey wasnt going to put up a fight. You guys are going to need a bill of lading in case you get stopped, said Jake. Tommy threw him a confused look. Huh? asked the spokesman for the two-man Latino criminal conspiracy. Im just going to reach in my back pocket and pull out the shipping paperwork. This way if you get stopped theyll know what youre carrying. It makes you look legit to the cops. Keeping his left hand high in the air Jake slowly reached toward his back pocket; no sudden moves, no quick jerks, just slipping his free hand behind him. He had a quiet confidence the late-night hijackers failed to grasp.... Control the adrenaline and manage the chaos. In an instant everything changed! With lightning speed and a practiced precision, Jake pulled a Glock 19 from the small of his back and fired two quick shots at the taller of the two, who dropped immediately; one round hit just below the right eye and the second through the throat. There was a slight gurgle and gasp but death was maximized; suffering minimal. Jake pivoted as the smaller man, whose senses were dulled by alcohol and drugs, was reaching into his waistband for his weapon. The semi-auto never cleared the belt and Jake fired three times from only a few feet, all three center mass. The tight grouping of hollow-point rounds, expanding upon impact, ensured massive destruction of the internal organs. The thief was dead before his body folded to the dusty ground. The two Mexican felons never had a chance; their criminal careers ended in a matter of seconds. It was quick, dirty, and ugly, but it was done. Are they dead? asked a shaken Tommy. Jake didnt answer as he did a quick search of the smaller gangster, grabbing the keys to the rig, a worn leather wallet, and the weapon, which he stuffed in the front of his pants. Might need a throw-down someday, said Jake with a slight smile. From the other thief he took the wallet and semi-automatic. Before jumping into the cab Jake kicked at both bloodied bodies, moving them from the path of the big rig. The sideshow was complete. With the music still blasting from the squalid tavern across the street, the five gunshots had failed to arouse the attention of those partying on the porch. Within seconds, Jake and Tommy were out of the lot and on the road, heading north toward Los Angeles. how do you find the genre of a book Counterfeit Lies
25 of 27 people found the following review helpful. Counterfeit LiesBy TrollhairWhat a great read. Fast pace, good character build up and Col. North does have a way with words....."I also know the difference between a real leader and a politically motivated, butt kissing, flagpole hugging bureaucrat." The best quote "Since 9/11, government officials at all levels have gone out of their way to appear tolerant, inclusive and accommodating. Politicians obscured the origins of violence, twisting uncomfortably in public hearings and refusing to attribute terrorist acts to any one belief system....America's tolerance and self imposed social engineering fueled the cause of those at the mosque". North doesn't mince words and tells it exactly as American's-real Americans believe. Being politically correct is making America weak.Received book from today, had enough time to drive to Knoxville for Col. North's book signing and finished it by midnight. Could not put it down. The character Jake Kruse grabbed me from the interview with the psychologist to the griping end. North and Hamer make a good combo on storyline and writing style again. I hope they continue with more adventures of Jake Kruse.(Since it has been a couple of years since the last Peter Newman book, I had to go back and reread books one to four! Well worth it. )10 of 10 people found the following review helpful. Another thriller by Oliver North!By Deanna MosierThis book is another edge of your seat thriller. I have enjoyed several of his military thriller novels. This one was different, about an undercover agent in LA's underworld of counterfeit goods and drugs. I normally would not have bought this because of the subject matter, but I did really enjoy it. Graphic in places, but handled well. Fast-paced, seems true-to-life like his other books!2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. One of the best of Oliver NorthBy Don MillemanIt is absolutely refreshing to read an Oliver North Novel! I am not a prude, but I so much enjoy authors that get their point across with out a lot of profanity. An example: "I hate all this need-to-know horse pucky" (page 128) COUNTERFEIT LIES is a fast paced, suspense filled novel about an undercover FBI agent in the LA area and his efforts to stop the distribution of various counterfeit items. But, their is a whole lot more to include murder, international intrigue and their is even a reference to the current flawed White House philosophy. Although the authors say that their work is one of fiction, I can see that it is based on fact, especially when considering what is happening in our international arena today. It is a well written manuscript, a definite page turner, and even offers some practical points for the reader to ponder. I rate it a solid 5 stars!