DNF - 71% I am not sure why this book was billed as a heart-pounding thriller when it is anything but. I like the alternating time line, however, the pacing is too slow and the storyline is anticlimactic.

Not really my cup of tea. I liked the interrogator but the constant change of view and time too much. Why would she be brought in when she has left her position. That just made no sense to me. I did read the whole book. But just never grabbed me.

Courtesy of Netgalley and The Book Whisperer, I received the ARC of Bombmaker by Daniel J. Davies. This suspenseful novel is set in 1989 and reveals the insightful radicalization of American Georges Subdullah, who is recruited and manipulated to develop loyalty to a Middle Eastern group bent on creating bombs to wreak catastrophe on Americans. Alternating between revealing the past and his interrogation by American agent Emma Ripley in an effort to prevent a major bombing, this well written story held my attention completely! Definitely a page turner!

Didn’t quite click into this one for some reason. Perhaps I need a break from this type of book., as it just didn’t tick the right boxes.

Many thanks for a thought provoking, compassionate and very moving read. It was a slowing moving and engaging story, I found myself feeling sorry for Fadi, and the way he was manipulated by his so called friends, that led to him performing such a terrible deed of violence.
May I also thank the author for not filling the pages full of Acronyms, a common failing of American books, they really interrupt the flow of narrative, and honestly, they don’t add to the story, but just add annoyance to me, when I have to keep looking them up!
The dual time lines were interesting and highly relevant, the way that Fadi changed from being a proud American citizen to withdrawing to the solace of religion and the influence of dangerous friends and family members, show how easy it can be to be swayed by powerful and almost hypnotic voices. We read about his personal happiness with his wife and daughter, his work, then the failed bomb attempt led him to completely reassess his life, which is gradually revealed via sympathetic interrogation techniques.
The clinical details were well described, his injuries gradually led him towards a detached viewpoint of planned injuries to innocent people, when planning events that would have resulted in many deaths.
I thought that Fadi showed less hatred of his country as the book continued, the human side of interrogation focused more on what he had lost personally as opposed to gains made by his terrorist friends. He wanted his family relatives to be kept safe from reprisals and because of guilt, gave up all connections with them. Not quite a Martyr then.
An interesting novel, I found much to think about. I am interested to see what the author does next.
I have given this a five star rating.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers Book Whisperer for my advance copy, freely given in exchange for my honest review. I will leave a copy to Goodreads and Amazon UK upon publication.

Have you ever wondered what makes a person become a suicide bomber, or maybe I should say ‘who’? This story of Georges “Fadi” Subdallah makes you realize just how much a person can be influenced to give up one’s life for what they believe, a better afterlife.. Fadi grew up in a hard working family from Morocco, became a millionaire, and then gives up his business in search of a purpose in life. He develops strong Muslim beliefs encouraged by his brother in law Marcel, who appears to convince Fadi that he will have a better life when he is dead! Thus the suicide bombing.
A fascinating thriller. I look forward to reading more of his books.

Bombmaker is suspense, thriller and mystery. It pulls you in and you don't want to put it down! The characters are very well developed, they are complex and feel like they become your friends.

This is a detailed story into interrogation with compassion. Emma is not really what I expected in an interrogator and the protagonist being a US citizen also proved surprising. This was all about how experiences can change everything about us. It was well written and intriguing.

Bombmaker is the story of two opposites, a man so radicalized in his beliefs who does not avoid dying to meet his goals and an interrogator who has to work with this fragile mind and body to discover the ultimate truth and avoid another crisis. This story provides lots of food for thought on why the wars persevere and why people become fanatics and at the same time opens wide the horrible situation those who are caught and incarcerated have to live with. Fast-paced, beautifully written, Bombmaker is a page-turner and a must-read in the genre! Highly recommended!
I thank Mr. Davies, his publisher, and NetgGalley for the copy of this book.

As I read this sentence, I realize it may sound weird, but this book is truly a thoughtful dive into the mind of a suicide bomber. The book starts with a suicide bombing that goes wrong (or right, depending on the point of view). The target is empty of people and the suicide bomber survives. Georges (the bomber), who also goes by Fadi, is the some of a French mother and Moroccan father. Born in the US, and a US citizen he seems an unlikely candidate for a terrorist. He's well educated, but not particularly satisfied with his life. While in college, he starts a group for Muslim students which gradually, unintentionally becomes a place for planning terrorist attacks to get back at companies that the terrorists feel have harmed their communities. Through a series of interviews between Fadi and Emma, a skilled interrogator, we learn George's story and what brought him the secret place he's in after the bombing. Bombmaker is a gripping, suspenseful tale, with insight into how a person goes from All American to (almost) mass murderer.

This book had a very good plot, but I had a little bit of trouble keeping up with the characters. I enjoyed it, and I think for a certain audience this will be a book that keeps them reading into the night.

Thank you to Book Whisperer and NetGalley for a digital ARC of of this title in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

This was an interesting book to read. It was well written, but I was still confused at times about the people or where they were living at the time.
After the first chapter I thought we were going to learn shat Georges did to end up where he was at, but instead of talked about a different attack.

A demoted, professional interogrator's skills are needed to get the most accomplished bombmaker's secrets from his criminal, terrorist mind. She is pressed back into service to crack his resolve. My only criticism of this thriller is the pace. Too slow for my limited reading time. Too slow for my TV fed brain. Thanks to the author and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book.

Strong start, but wandered. Emma Ripley weaved around to attempt to gather enough information to stop another terrorist attack. Reading was a bit cumbersome, but the basic plot was good.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

In “Bombmaker,” Daniel J. Davies crafts a gripping and intelligent thriller that delves deep into the psyche of extremism and the complexities of counterterrorism. Set against the backdrop of a high-stakes mission to prevent a catastrophic attack on U.S. soil, the novel introduces us to Emma Ripley, an interrogator tasked with extracting crucial information from Georges Subdallah, a radicalized U.S. citizen and master bombmaker who miraculously survived his own suicide bombing.

Davies’ narrative is a masterclass in suspense and character development. Emma Ripley is a compelling protagonist, whose dedication to her job has cost her personal relationships, making her a nuanced and relatable character. Her interactions with Subdallah are fraught with tension and moral ambiguity, as she navigates the fine line between duty and empathy.

Subdallah’s backstory is equally riveting. Davies skillfully portrays his transformation from a model citizen to a radicalized individual, providing a chilling yet insightful look into the factors that drive someone to such extremes. The author does not shy away from exploring the socio-political issues that contribute to radicalization, making the story both timely and thought-provoking.

The pacing of “Bombmaker” is relentless, with each chapter building on the suspense and urgency of the mission. Davies’ writing is crisp and evocative, painting vivid scenes that draw the reader into the heart of the action. The plot twists are well-executed, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat until the very end.

One of the standout aspects of the novel is its exploration of the human side of terrorism and counterterrorism. Davies does not present his characters as mere archetypes but as complex individuals with their own motivations and struggles. This depth adds a layer of realism to the story, making it all the more engaging.

"Bombmaker” is a standout thriller that combines a fast-paced plot with deep character insights and socio-political commentary. Daniel J. Davies has delivered a thought-provoking and exhilarating read that will leave you eagerly anticipating his next work.

Whether you’re a fan of psychological thrillers, espionage, or political dramas, “Bombmaker” is a must-read.

Sorry. This just wasn't for me. It's well-written and many readers have praised it. But I found it overlong and somewhat confusing, especially since it switches back and forth between timelines. Still, there's an interesting premise and the characters are well-drawn. The story just wasn't for me.

Why would an American citizen want to harm his country? Emma Ripley is tasked with answering this question. She is to interrogate Georges Subdallah, a man who has become the most valued bombmaker of terrorists. Her first meeting with Subdallah shocks her as she views what he has become, not the man he was in his prime. Emma knows that she needs to earn his trust to understand his motivation. Innocuous conversations build understanding. Emma knows that she must tread carefully to get the answers the government needs. Who did Subdallah work with? Can further bloodshed be avoided with the discovery of his co-conspirators? Emma has to balance the slow building of trust with the urgency of stopping a terror attack.

Emma is a mother. How does the work of an interrogator balance with the role of motherhood? Emma struggles with maternal feelings, responsibilities, and establishing a relationship with her child. She doesn't have girlfriends to talk with, and her need for guidance is apparent. Is it safe for her to be involved with counter-terrorism while being a mother?

Daniel J Davies character of Emma is a complex and intriguing woman. Balancing her role as a mother with being an interrogator seems difficult. Emma lacks maternal skills yet appears to yearn to know her child better. The work/private life conflict is very realistic and most working women can relate to Emma's quandary. Emma was directed to extract information from Subdallah yet took her time establishing a relationship with Subdallah. She failed to feel the urgency of the situation and the tacit acceptance of her methods is confusing. Bombmaker is the perfect story for fans of thrillers and David Baldacci, Robert Ludlum, or T J Newman.

The year is 1989

This story is a mystery, a thriller and a suspense genre story. “Bombmaker” is an absorbing and complex drama that did fantastic work in keeping my mind engaged from the opening page.

“Bombmaker” is a story of an American interrogator who seeks information on a prisoner after uncovering evidence of a major terrorist plot to kill thousands of U.S. civilians. Emma Ripley, a divorcée and single parent, gets the assignment to interrogate Georges Fadi Subdallah who had crashed his Vespa loaded with explosives at Boston’s Hancock building and survived self-immolation. Now he is in custody mangled and tight- lipped. This is a heavy book that tells us a lot. In a few words: a riveting drama about radicalization and terrorist surveillance on American soil.

Mr. Davies has crafted an intriguing and suspenseful drama filled with action. The plot tells us how U.S. born Fadi, proceeds to his planned spot and detonates himself. How he was recruited and how Marcel indoctrinated him. The narrative which weaves between Emma’s mission and Fadi’s backstory is masterful. Along the way, the author skillfully depicts Fadi’s chilling changes. I love the main characters; they have surprisingly a lot of similarity: parents who would do anything and couldn’t do enough. Emma and Fadi are complex and likeable in their own ways. The story also brings us to Boston with all its cultural diversity and rich landmarks.

In a few words:

Gripping narrative, wonderful characters and a storyline told by a master storyteller.