The Chameleon Conspiracy

A Dan Gordon Intelligence Thriller third installment, where Dan Gordon is assigned to the CIA to investigate a case of massive fraud left for dead. He revisits the FBI assumptions and suspects that the fraud was perpetrated by one person who changed identities like a chameleon changes its color. Through cooperation with the Mossad, Gordon discovers that shocking truth. Dan travels undercover to Pakistan, where he survives a kidnapping attempt. A daring covert operation is planned by the CIA and the Mossad and Dan with an unwitting Austrian woman penetrate Iranian society. While in Iran he is hunted by the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security. The Kurdish rebels show their loyalty but can he trust them? Are the hints Dan senses sent by a high-ranking Iranian intelligence officer for real or a trap? Is the plan to launch a major terrorist attack on the U.S., a ploy or reality? What role does a network of Islamic charities play? Who wants to collapse the U.S economy? Dan Gordon hovers the globe in search of clues; will he again have the upper hand? Much more than just his person is at stake, and at risk.

REVIEWS FROM CRITICS & READERS:

Haaretz-International Herald Tribune: Questions and Answers with Haggai Carmon (PNG), September 2009

4/20/2009 on Amazon and the Avid Reader Review Blog, from Leigh Ann Lemire, 4 out of 5 stars:

“…I wasn’t sure that I was going to like this book – by the time I got into the second chapter, I was captivated! I didn’t want to put the book down, I stayed up late just to read it and I put off production to get through this book. This story takes you on a trip to many different countries, describes the different cultures so that you feel as if you are there and has many near escapes that will keep you turning the pages. In this story, the author gives you intrigue, unexpected plot twists and turns, and such a very real picture that you wonder at times if this is truly fact or is it really just fiction. … Does [Dan Gordon] live through his escapades? Does he help to solve the case? Well, you are going to have to read this wonderful page turning book to find out!” Click here for full review

4/23/2009 on Blogger New Network, from Andrew Ian Dodge:

“…a taut thriller… a fast-paced novel that never gets bogged down. Carmon clearly understands why one reads these sort of novels and keeps thing moving. It is a page-turned extra-ordinaire and one that should have a warning of “not to be started if you need to get to sleep” on its cover. … Whether for a long-journey or some much needed relaxation I highly recommend this novel to fans of Gordon and those new to his adventures.” Click here for full review

4/26/2009 on Amazon, from Amos Lassen, Top 500 Reviewer, 5 out of 5 stars:

“Haggai Carmon knows how to write a thriller and he should. He has professional ties to the Justice Department. In fact, this book is so real that it’s eerie. The plotline of The Chameleon Conspiracy takes the reader all over the world and includes wonderful descriptions of many cultures. I actually felt like I was right there in the midst of the action. … Here is a book that will keep you reading. It’s a thriller that grabs the reader and holds him captive for 365 pages.” Click here for full review

5/1/2009 on TCM Reviews, from Kate Greenwood:

“Reading Haggai Carmon’s new novel, The Chameleon Conspiracy, can be compared to watching an entire season of Alias. From stolen identity to money laundering and international conspiracy, Dan Gordon, the Department of Justice lawyer, experiences it all…. The fast pace of his life parallels the fast pace of this book’s plot and the reader will easily finish this book in a couple of sittings.” Click here for full review

5/2/2009 on Amazon, from S. Peek, Top 500 Reviewer, 4 out of 5 stars:

“This is a fast paced story from start to finish. …Much of the investigation ends up being focused on Iran where Gordon faces enormous barriers in his search for the malefactor. It contains lots of very interesting cultural insights of the nation upended by the 1979 revolution and the enormous changes resulting from that. This part is so interesting that the book would be pretty good even without the thriller elements, although it has plenty of those as well. I have not read any previous books by Haggai Carmon, but I certainly intend to do so. This is very well done and this writer is one who should get lots more attention.” Click here for full review

5/4/2009 on Joyfully Retired Blog, from Jay Peck:

“I enjoyed this book. … I would recommend this book to all readers who like to get their minds wrapped up in possible or probable action suspense.” Click here for full review

Comment from Tim Hecht, reader of Joyfully Retired Blog: “Thanks for the recommendation. It’s the second time this week that I read a good review of the novel. I tried Borders but it was sold out. So I bought the two previous novels of Haggai Carmon, Triple Identity and The Red Syndrome. Frankly, I started Triple Identity and couldn’t stop. I cancelled plans I had, just to complete it. An outstanding thriller! I ordered The Chameleon Conspiracy from AMAZON.”

5/5/2009 on Amazon and Book Reader’s Heave n Blog, from G.A. Bixler, 5 out of 5 stars:

“Haggai Carmon’s The Chameleon Conspiracy is the real thing! By that, I mean that you can readily tell that Carmon has the background knowledge and experience to write this tale of intrigue. …a good solid read…with many twists and turns as new events and discoveries are made, that keep high reader interest and involvement. …I highly recommend [this book] for those interested in today’s alternative fiction novels!” Click here for full review

5/7/2009 on Melissa’s Bookshelf Blog, from Melissa:

“…I have a whole new respect for agents who go undercover after reading this book. There are many intense scenes that made me wonder how anyone can successfully assume a new identity – let alone have to do that all the time for their job. …If you enjoy thrillers, particularly anything involving terrorism and state relations, then I definitely recommend this book. …The Chameleon Conspiracy is the third Dan Gordon Intelligence Thriller, so I have a feeling I’ll be checking out the first two, as well.” Click here for full review

5/10/2009 on Amazon and LibraryThing, from Dewey W. Shaw, 4 out of 5 stars:

“…It started out slow and I almost lost interest, but it built and it built and then I could not put it down. Dan Gordon is a very believable character and you can almost feel yourself immersed in the details of unraveling the scheme.” Click here for full review

5/12/2009 on Book Loons, from Pat Elliott:

“…the CIA’s Gordon is an adversary who will not stop until the Chameleon is captured. He is intelligent, he is tenacious, and he likes good food. …The Chameleon Conspiracy is an international thriller at its best.” Click here for full review

5/20/2009 on Amazon and Dan’s Journal Blog, from ‘grumpyman,’ 4 out of 5 stars:

“…a high-speed thrilling ride around the globe…an international spy story that is captivating and entertaining.” Click here for full review

5/25/2009 on BC Books, from Brian Fitzpatrick:

“The Chameleon Conspiracy takes place in the present political climate, using our post 9/11 world to take us to dangerous hubs of terrorism and anti-American sentiment in Pakistan, Iran, and elsewhere. It’s nearly impossible to review this book without giving too much away. Suffice it to say that if you’re looking for an entertaining, but intricate spy novel, I can’t recommend The Chameleon Conspiracy enough. Now I have to go find the other Dan Gordon books by Carmon to catch up!” Click here for full review

March/April I love a a mystery newsletter from John A. Boussard:

“With a middle-aged protagonist, little booze, only minor car chases, and women playing a very minor role, this is more Carré than 007.” Click here for full review

6/12/2009 on Amazon, 5 out of 5 stars:

“This is the first book I’ve read by Haggai Carmon. It will not be the last. Carmon captures the reader’s attention and does not let go until the very last page. …Fans of mystery will not want to miss out on this one.” Click here for full review

On FlipKart.com, from Jay Patel:

“I read it through cover to cover nonstop. It’s a superb intelligence thriller that riveted me. From a terrorist kidnapping attempt in Pakistan to clandestine penetration to Iran — there’s so much there, and it’s all plausible. I regretted not buying the two other thrillers by Carmon…I’ll do it now.” Click here for full review

1/26/2010 on Amazon, from Darlene Oakley, 4 out of 5 stars:

“A tightly woven, intricate espionage thriller. I typically have issues with books written in first person, but Carmon uses it very effectively. …A good read!” Click here for full review

MEDIA INTERVIEWS WITH THE AUTHOR:

March 2009 By Mark Terry, Contributing Editor, International Thriller Writers’ Website, and author of the Derek Stillwater thriller series:

“International attorney Haggai Carmon makes no secrets of his vivid past, although he’s somewhat circumspect on details. For the past 24 years he has represented the United States government in civil litigation in Israel. He is also legal council to the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv. He notes that the embassy is run by the State Department and the litigation is handled by the Justice Department. ‘This has been for twenty-four years my day job but I also had a night job. I was retained by the U.S. government to perform intelligence gathering in sensitive cases that sent me undercover to other countries.’

“He claims to no longer be doing that–plausible deniability? Who’s to say? His fiction writing began a few years back when he was investigating Russian organized crime in one of the former Soviet Republics.” Click here for full interview

April 2009 By Reader’s Entertainment/COS Productions:

A note from the interviewer: This interview, which is the 3rd in a series of interviews I’m doing with thriller writers has to be one of my all time favorites. Not only because I think the questions are odd and interesting, but primarily because of how the author answered them. I read this and I thought, “I have to read this guy’s book!” Not just because the books sounds great, but because the AUTHOR is so very interesting! Learning about him made me wonder about his book.

“Question: Using the Twitter method of answering (140 characters or less) tell us what makes your series different from others of the same genre?

They’re different because I’m an insider. My thrillers are partially based on the real adventures I had while working undercover for the U.S. government for two decades.” Click here for full interview