The Medina Device by T.J Champitto

Synopsis
Former Navy SEAL Cameron Lyle is transitioning to life as a husband, father and government contractor. But his thirst for adventure has driven him to a secret life of high-stakes crime that has gained the attention of the FBI. When a mysterious device is unearthed in the mountains of Bolivia, an ancient brotherhood emerges to offer Cameron the opportunity of a lifetime-to steal the greatest discovery in human history from a rogue cell of U.S. intelligence officers. As a beleaguered FBI agent closes in, and a team of deadly assassins hunt him down, Cameron leads his pursuers on a worldwide manhunt as he sets off to find the scientist who can explain it all. Secret societies, ancient technology and international espionage all converge in a journey that will ultimately test the bounds of reality.

Review
The Medina Device is a fast paced adreniline rush of an action thriller. Cameron Lyle has left his life as a Navy SEAL for that of a government defence contractor, giving more time for his family. However, needing to keep the adrenaline flowing he and his brother Michael and friend Trip play Robin Hood by stealing from the rich and giving to charities that need money. Approached by a man using the code name Rook Cam and his team are tasked to recover an a device found in Bolivia and returning it to the Knights of Medina for safe keeping. This mission takes an unforeseen turn and so begins their toughestand most frightening mission taking them from Boliva to Mexico and Ireland to Paris in their quest to find out more about this device. This is a life or death mission, that sees them question everything they thought they knew, and hunted down by the FBI and CIA.

I do love this type of adventure/thriller and am a huge fan of the Ben Hope series from Scott Mariani and The Medina Device is very much in that fashion. It is a fast paced thriller and there is a lot packed in to it’s two hundred and sixty pages. T.J Champitto ramps up the suspense and tension with every chapter hurtling towards an ending I really didn’t see coming. I love reading about secret societies and lost artefacts, it is pure escapism and C.J Champitto has created a fascinating idea with his Medina Device. Yes it is far fetched but that is what makes this book utterly compelling.

As a character Cameron Lyle is a man you can’t help but admire in his quest of stealing from some of the richest companies and using the money to help those in need, a modern Robin Hood. Interestingly his wife is a lawyer who supports this project. FBI agent Rand Kershaw is on their trail however, which brings him into the centre of Cam’s deadly mission. I really like the relationship between Rand and Cam, Rand admiring Cam’s intentions but still having to try and arrest him as it is still a crime. As their stories converge into one we see an understanding and respect grow between them as they race to find answers and save their lives. All T.J Champitto’s characters are wonderfully drawn and fully rounded with an emotional dimension that seemed very realisitc and natural.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the Medina Device and it fed my love of adventure, secret societies and fictional artifacts that have amazing properties. It is really fast paced, not letting up for a moment which made this such an addictive read meaning that I read it in one sitting as I had to find out whar hapened next. Full of energy, action and suspense this a high octane thriller with a fascinating premise; a thrillingly brilliant read.