The Saudi Oil Gambit
Reginald Nelson
Publisher: URLink Print and Media
Pages: 302
Price: (paperback) $14.49
ISBN: 9781647538514
Reviewed: August, 2024
A dentist with a flair for espionage becomes embroiled in an Arab plot to terrorize the U.S. and bring it to its knees by raising gas prices.
The author is a dentist using his pen name as the main character’s name. Fittingly, this is the first of a planned series about a covert counterterrorist team called “I.N.C.I.S.O.R.” (INternational CIvilians for a Safe Society ORganization).
A prologue offers a snapshot of a mercenary on a secret mission in the Alaska wilderness before pivoting to Dr. Reggie Nelson, a divorced dentist and former karate champion who plans to open the first western dental practice in Dubai. When he learns Ashtonté, the owner of his gym, is secretly a CIA contractor, Reggie concocts a scheme called “Project Loudmouth” to plant transmitters inside the dental work of the agency’s targets in the Middle East. Following their targets to exotic locales ranging from London to Macau, Reggie and his team uncover a terrorist plot to destabilize the world’s oil markets and cripple America economically.
This potboiler is, unfortunately, hampered by its unbelievable plot and errors in execution. Reggie has the personality of, well, a stereotypical dentist, and his long-winded narration about everything from his menu choices to his golf game quickly becomes tedious. Reggie’s wife Becky and the team’s assorted wives and girlfriends get meager descriptions while Reggie’s venom towards his ex-wife Meg Lord is vitriolic and revenge-oriented. In general, the misogyny runs deep here, mostly reducing women to sexual conquests referenced far more than necessary.
Meanwhile, all Arabs are “thieves and robbers since the beginning of time” or simply “bad dudes,” while liberals are painted as weak-willed “beatniks” or “Communists.” Those appalled by calls to “Drill, baby, drill,” won’t appreciate the crisis’s denouement as I.N.C.I.S.O.R. races to save a prime target from a nuclear bomb.
In sum, this is a lackluster thriller that leans on stereotypes, acrimony, and sexism to advance its story.
Also available in hardcover and ebook.
The Saudi Oil Gambit
URLink Print and Media
978-1-64753-851-4
A once ordinary dentist courts intrigue with his inventive spying technique in the amiable thriller The Saudi Oil Gambit.
In Reginald Nelson’s thriller The Saudi Oil Gambit, unlikely heroes concoct an unusual plan to thwart terrorist threats to the United States.
Reggie, a successful dentist whose wife encourages him to chase his ambitions, befriends Ashonte’, the charismatic owner of a local karate dojo, who has ties to the CIA. Through Ashonte’, Reggie presents his inventive idea to capture intelligence from suspected terrorists: “I want to place a transmitter under a crowned tooth!” Thus Reggie becomes a pivotal player in a global operation, working from a dental clinic in Dubai.
When Reggie’s transmitters pick up chatter about a terrorist plot to manipulate oil prices and cripple the US economy, Reggie, Ashonte’, and their handler traverse the globe to gather more information. Their work to prevent the terrorist plot is complicated when they discover a hidden nuclear bomb in the Alaskan wilderness.
This wild thriller thrives on underexplained intrigue, from the practicality of the implants themselves to the logistics of Reggie’s clinic becoming a a hot spot for terrorists. Further, Reggie’s intelligence gathering becomes irrelevant early in the novel, when the chase to find the terrorists takes over. In addition, most of the novel’s excitement is treated in passing, with events shared with Reggie after the fact. Reggie is reduced to an inactive participant in his own story: he narrates, but he is removed from too much of what happens, including an explosion at a terrorist’s house. With the story’s tension depleted, interest wanes.
Further impeding the story is Reggie’s tendency toward distraction: he often stops midstory to provide superfluous background information, as about his first marriage and his time at the dojo. While Reggie waits to hear the outcome of a military operation, for example, pages are devoted to irrelevant minutiae, as with a list of the famous people who live in Manhattan Beach. Reggie asks for, but does not earn, the audience’s patience: “Hang in there, there is a little more background to understand why I am here.” As a result, the spy work seems to proceed at a snail’s pace.
While he’s rendered secondary by Reggie’s narration, Ashonte’ commands more attention. He was trained by spy agencies and the military, and his dojo is funded by the government with the understanding that he will be willing to take on missions as needed. However, his intriguing backstory is shared in a condensed space, further compromising audience engagement. Other characters aren’t fleshed out, including the US president; they are bland sans descriptions or a sense of their motivations.
The book’s climax is both delayed and rushed through, robbing it of suspense despite the looming threat of a nuclear detonation. In the place of a payoff for the extended mission is a setup for potential future adventures for the men’s “civilian” agency, whose true ties and allegiances are too tangled to make sense.
In the inventive thriller The Saudi Oil Gambit, a dentist helps to combat a terrorist plot against the US.
Reviewed by John M. Murray
August 29, 2024
Signals From Saipan
URLink Print and Media
book review by Kellie Haulotte
"Time to get back to fighting the good fight."
Reggie and his friend and colleague Ash Black are in Saipan to confront a terrorist plot that involves vengeful Iraqi terrorist Achmed and the Russian government. It’s also revealed that Reggie has figured out a way to set off explosives remotely by using radio waves. Meanwhile, the other members of the vigilante group are dealing with a Mexican drug cartel run by the ruthless Melania Cruz in Denver, Colorado, and a kidnapping plot in Italy that surprisingly involves a very real-life Italian politician—Marta Fascina. With several tense showdowns, not all of the operatives will make it out safely.
Although this is the third book in the author’s I.N.C.I.S.O.R. series, Nelson also gives enough background information from past books to help first-time readers of the series not be confused. This is a gripping thriller that will excite fans of the spy adventure genre. Nelson makes the plot easy to understand, even with all the back-and-forth locations. It’s worth mentioning how Nelson does a fine job sharing his knowledge of Saipan and its history. In the less than 500-page novel, the locations include not only Colorado and Saipan but also Dubai (where Reggie’s wife, Becky, is first introduced), Langley, Washington D.C., and Syria. Like the locations, there are a lot of different characters to meet, and Nelson does a good job of fleshing out his main ones, which makes them realistic. Reggie is serious but can be a humorous character, too. The banter between him and Ash is delightful. The story ends on a cliffhanger, which will likely have fans eagerly waiting for the next book in the series.
Signals From Saipan
BY REGINALD NELSON ‧ RELEASE DATE: MARCH 31, 2022
In this third installment of a thriller series, the intrepid men and women of an international group become targets of the head of a notorious Mexican gang as well as Iraqi terrorists.
After inventing passive tracking and listening devices, Dr. Reginald Nelson is ready to take a more active assault on terrorism around the world on behalf of the International Citizens for a Safe Society Organization, or I.N.C.I.S.O.R. He has determined that a proper radio wave frequency can excite butane and set off C4 as if a detonator had been used, meaning that piles of explosives sitting in developing countries can be set off remotely. “That will set the terrorist trade back several decades!” declares Reggie’s partner, Ash Black. It also sets off Iraqi terrorist Achmed, who, after the civilians he has been using as human shields rebel, turns to the Russians to help him exact revenge. On a parallel front, a branch of I.N.C.I.S.O.R. steps in when Melania Cruz, who heads the most famous Mexican gang in Denver, is freed enroute to “the highest security prison in the country.” When most of her gang is wiped out by members of the branch, she declares: “I want them dead!” Meanwhile, in Italy, the organization steps in to rescue Marta Fascina (jarringly, an actual person), the domestic partner of former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who is among the top 200 richest people in the world. There is a whole lot to unpack in this latest installment of Nelson’s series. The location jumps—Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands; Denver; Dubai; Washington, D.C.; Frankfurt, Germany; Langley; Moscow; and Syria, among others—suggest a frantic pace. But many stops are unnecessary digressions that only bring the proceedings to a halt, as when, early on in Saipan, Reggie and Ash agree to spend the rest of their day going for a jog on the beach and then dining on sushi. Soon after, Reggie repeatedly teases vital information as to his and Ash’s real mission in Saipan, but he frustratingly keeps putting off relaying it (“Let’s eat and then we can talk”). Still, the author does keep readers off balance by being willing to kill off leading characters, lending a real sense of danger to the proceedings.
Strains credulity but offers pure escapism to fans of “U.S. of A. ass kicking.”
Signals From Saipan
Reginald Nelson
Publisher: URLink Print and Media
Pages: 468
Price: (paperback) $15.00
ISBN: 9781684861460
Reviewed: July, 2022
This thriller by Reginald Nelson is the third in his I.N.C.I.S.O.R. (International Citizens for a Safe society Organization) series. Reginald Nelson is a pen name, an alter ego and the hero of the series.
Nelson and his friend Ashonte (“Ash”) Black are on Saipan to test Dr. Nelson’s discovery that a radio wave frequency can set off C-4 explosives. Ash explains the idea: “So, all of those hordes of explosives sitting in third world countries with…terrorist groups can be set off remotely? That is genius! That will set the terrorist trade back several decades!”
The invention involves using a “fixed radar facility strong enough to withstand the vibrations and a mirror platform mounted on an aircraft.” They choose the mothballed radar facility from the Cold War days on Saipan for testing.
So begins a wild ride centering on agents, counteragents. and terrorists and heavy on military tech and graphic violence. The action shifts between Saipan, Denver, Florence, Dubai, Moscow, and Washington DC, while the rest of Nelson and Black’s I.N.C.I.S.O.R. team deal with Mexican drug gangs in Denver and kidnappers in Italy—with pickleball, sex scenes, and smugglers carrying a WWII treasure interspersed. Reginald and Ash are finally joined by the rest of the I.N.C.I.S.O.R. team to stop a Russian-backed, Iraqi terrorist assault on Saipan.
The story is formulaic and weaves in several subplots that are only loosely connected. The jumping between the many plot threads and locations interrupts the overall flow and becomes distracting. Additionally, snappy, off-color patter that appears throughout can grow tiring (“‘Old friend, I’m getting away with Becky for a couple of nights. We need some alone time,’ I said to Ash. ‘Bullshit! You are just a horny bastard!’ Ash retorted. ‘Where are you going? Guam?’ ‘Nope, staying right here. I heard the Kensington is nice,” I replied. ‘What’s it matter…you’ll be horizontal the whole time!’”).
Other than killing off two characters from previous novels, there are no real surprises in this one, which will appeal mostly to fans of the previous stories in the series.
Also available as an ebook.
Signals From Saipan
Reginald Nelson
URLink Print and Media (Mar 31, 2022)
Softcover $15.00 (468pp)
978-1-68486-146-0
Signals from Saipan is a swift thriller that follows a tight-knit team through a series of exciting counter terrorism situations.
Reginald Nelson’s exciting, complicated novel Signals from Saipan follows a vigilante team around the world with speed, collecting thrills.
INCISOR, an independent US-based team of commandos, works to eradicate terrorism, no matter its source or location. Their team includes a doctor, Reggie, and his sidekick, Ash—the two most engaging characters in the book. Reggie is a brilliant inventor who developed a cutting edge tracking device that allows the team to locate, and free, kidnapped people; it’s one of several high-tech gadgets with which he is credited, and whose use INCISOR relies on. Three other operatives, and their wives, round out the team, and additional members are recruited throughout the book.
In this installation of INCISOR’s ongoing story, the team first confronts a terrorist plot on remote Saipan. That conspiracy spreads, coming to involve Mexican drug cartels on the West Coast, terrorism in Baghdad, a bombing in a Colorado suburb, and a Pacific Ocean battle. But even as the story speeds through these varied locations, its episodes on Saipan remain its most memorable—in particular because that small island commonwealth is described in such vibrant terms.
Because of the book’s frequent jumps between locations and team members, its progression is detail-logged and drags. The multiple story lines become convoluted, and the shifts in perspective (between Reggie’s narration, and a more distant narration that follows scenes that he’s absent from) are an impediment. Further, the cast is archetypal to the point of being dimensionless, and their conversations lean into clichés. They include a tough man of action, a government official who delivers information in an expository manner, gang members who call each other “homies,” and flat terrorists who enact evil, but who do so without clear motivations. And the participation of the INCISOR member’s wives in the team’s counter terrorism actions strains credulity: they deploy under explained skills in espionage, and their husbands seem unbothered when they’re placed in harm’s way.
Still, the book’s prose is clear and efficient, moving the story forward in a speedy manner. There are instances of excessive detail about the technologies involved in the team’s movements, though, as well as a few long-winded ruminations on terrorism and the US’s role in the world.
A fast-moving action novel set in locations around the globe, Signals from Saipan follows a tight-knit team through a series of thrilling counter terrorism situations.
Reviewed by Matt Benzing
Signals From Saipan
Title: Signals From Saipan
Author:Reginald Nelson
Publisher: URLink Print & Media, LLC
ISBN:978-1684861460
Pages:468
Genre:Mystery, Thriller, Suspense
Reviewed by: Tony Espinoza
One of the world’s greatest and most regrettable pastimes is war. Every civilization and major human advancement has come either on the heels of or in the wake of some major conflict, both on a national scale and on a global scale. From the ancient battles between Athens and Sparta to the American Civil War and of course WWII, there is an entire planetary history of human suffering as a direct result of this brutality and bloodshed. So long as there are those who would make profit or benefit from this conflict, the need to have protectors willing to sacrifice it all to protect the many will always exist. As George Washington once said, “If we desire to avoid insult, we must be able to repel it; if we desire to secure peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be known, that we are at all times ready for War.”
In author Reginald Nelson’s Signals From Saipan, the author continues to explore the actions of Reginald and the group known as I.N.C.I.S.O.R. The narrative follows a globe-spanning mission to take down gangs in the streets of the United States, kidnappers in Italy, and a convoy of Middle East terrorists, as Reginald discovers a means of making C-4 unstable. Hopes of destabilizing the terrorist market of this powerful weapon, the team comes together on the island of Saigon, where a Russian-backed mission will push the I.N.C.I.S.O.R. team to its limits.
The author did a fantastic job of crafting a truly captivating narrative. Although the book s lengthy in general, the beauty of this story was that the author was able to naturally fit so many different aspects and missions into the narrative that the action and events were very fast-paced, and never gives readers a chance to slow down as the action continues to ramp up. The wit and humor between the protagonist and the main cast of characters, including his longtime ally Ash and his wife and partner Becky, was a great way to break up the action scenes in this narrative, as was the shocking death that began the book’s first act and the bouts of historical narrative sprinkled throughout the story.
This is the perfect novel for those who enjoy action and adventure stories, especially those that involve globe-spanning military action, mysteries, and suspense-filled thrillers. The twists and turns the various members of the team take to find themselves back together again will keep readers invested, and the climactic final mission of the narrative will have readers hanging off the author’s every word as the mystery slowly unravels and the depth of the threat the team faces takes hold.
Harrowing, action-packed, and entertaining, author Reginald Nelson’s Signals From Saipan is a must-read novel of 2022 for those who enjoy military action and suspense thrillers! The gripping way the author is able to use imagery and tension-filled tone to highlight the dangers and action of the missions the team faces in this novel, as well as the personable and witty way the characters come to life on the page, make this story a true stand out.
Signals From Saipan
Title: Signals From Saipan
Author: Reginald Nelson
Publisher: URLink Print & Media, LLC
ISBN: 978-1684861460
Pages: 468
Genre: Mystery / Thriller & Suspense
Reviewed by: Arthur Thares
Spy books are a fine art because they have to balance the action of a thriller with the espionage of an undercover agent. Unfortunately, it is not as popular a genre as it once was, perhaps because it is synonymous with James Bond or because it is so difficult to write. Either way, Reginald Nelson is bringing it back in a big way with his I.N.C.I.S.O.R. series, which is a must-read. If you are a fan of down-to-earth fiction with realistic plots and relatable characters you will want to know more about this story.
In this sequel, the I.N.C.I.S.O.R. team is looking to expand while managing a new mission and exacting revenge for the loss of one of their own. As the title suggests, a significant portion of the book takes place in Saipan, where the team uses radio signals to trick a terrorist organization that is being helped by a foreign government. While there is an overarching plot to the book there are many subplots that are just as interesting as the main story. There is not a lot of heavy action, but the book moves along at a nice clip until the final chapters, when a series of events makes for a climactic ending.
It is undeniable that Signals From Saipan is a great story, but I think that Reginald Nelson could turn a story about grass growing into a compelling read. There is something so real about these stories starting with the Meta fact that the author is the book’s main character. He manages to integrate current events into the story in a way that the reader can relate to now but will remain evergreen in the future. What is more interesting is the flawless balance that Nelson manages throughout the story flowing back and forth between the characters’ personal and professional lives. Furthermore, he can tell multiple stories with multiple characters simultaneously without it becoming cluttered or overwhelming thanks to impeccable organization.
The I.N.C.I.S.O.R. series is just getting off the ground, but if this sequel is any indication, there is a healthy future for the series and Reginald Nelson. This book ends with a setup to a sequel, but even if it did not, there are so many ways this book can be the jumping-off point for future I.N.C.I.S.O.R. novels. Ultimately, you will have a lot of fun reading Signals From Saipan, and it will leave you with a sense of satisfaction and looking forward to following more adventures of the I.N.C.I.S.O.R. crew.
The Saudi Oil Gambit by Reginald Nelson
book review by Mari Carlson
"'"Our destruction – the destruction of the western way of life – the end of western civilization is their only goal and focus."
Inspired by his lovely wife, Nelson—a dentist with aspirations beyond the examination chair—shares an idea with his sensei at the dojo where he trains. The sensei runs the idea by a CIA colleague, and Operation Loudmouth, in which transmitters are implanted in patients' (suspects') teeth, is born. The book tracks a Saudi terrorist plot the team learns about through the transmissions and America's response to it.
Although in-depth details at the beginning get the book off to a slow start, terrorist intrigue soon increases the pace as Nelson sets up a new practice in Dubai. The speed of the storyline increases during a chase around the world, culminating in a showdown in the Alaskan wilderness. The plot effectively mirrors the operatives' steady, relentless practice for the rare moments of extreme action worth their efforts.
Set against the backdrop of 9/11, a constant competition between "us" and "them" fuels the narrative. In the beginning, the primary antagonists are Nelson and his first wife. Later, the haves and the have-nots battle as the book describes five-star hotels, restaurants, and sights around the globe. The opulent way of life paved by capitalism and free choice, particularly for women, is set against an image of Muslim extremism and hypocrisy. One-on-one combat completes the array of battles in graphic and technical prowess.
The writing matches the fast and furious plot. Told primarily from Nelson's ambitious point of view at first, the perspective expands to voices from the White House, the terrorist cell, Russian mobsters, and a mysterious mercenary. Jumping between vantage points conveys the warring factions' fierceness and antagonism. Frequent allusions to sex contribute to a passionate tone and tension-filled suspense. The author's novel is an adrenaline rush resulting in a satisfying victory for the good guys.
Disaster at Bushehr by Reginald Nelson
book review by Gretchen Hansen
"'Ladies and gentlemen,' the President began. 'I must relate to you some very disturbing news. Iran does not accept our explanation about the attack on Bushehr. They completely reject the truth.'"
When disaster strikes, most people around the world get a limited amount of information from media outlets. They are completely unaware of the politicians, military leaders, special interests, and coalitions acting behind the scenes and under the radar. The author pulls the curtain away, letting the audience in to view this almost alternate universe.
Hamid is an Iranian-born American who belongs to a radical group determined to eradicate Israel. Their strategy is to create an enormous disaster by blowing up the nuclear plant in Bushehr, leaving evidence Israel is the culprit. He is excited and proud to martyr himself for this cause. Nelson, Ashonte, and Lance are Americans working together in Dubai in counter-terrorism. Nelson is an oral surgeon. He places tiny devices into certain patients that help the team or government track them. This accomplished trio is sought by individuals and governments alike to the point they need to expand their operations. The explosion at Bushehr sends shockwaves around the world. Panic ensues. The team is suddenly in high demand from officials of several countries who are the most closely affected.
Nelson's narrative is quickly paced yet cohesive. The plot is well defined and revealed incrementally through the timeline, which builds intensity. The characters are multi-dimensional and have vibrant personalities. The dialogue is witty and realistic, serving to draw readers into the drama. Exquisite details about military equipment and operations demonstrate Nelson's level of expertise. This story will appeal to audiences who enjoy everything from political thrillers to military special-ops to human interest stories. It is an exciting read, and many will likely be waiting for the author's next novel.
The Saudi Oil Gambit
Title: The Saudi Oil Gambit
Author: Reginald Nelson
Publisher: URLink Print & Media, LLC
ISBN: 978-1647538514
Genre: Fiction, Action, Suspense
Pages: 302
Reviewed by: Arthur Thares
The spy genre has to be one of the most challenging genres to write. Not only are there so many subgenres and side plots to incorporate, but your characters are always going to be compared to legends like James Bond. Though the task is daunting, author Reginald Nelson took a crack at it and may have created our next great franchise.
The story is written in the first person under the author’s pen name, which is a fun way to blur the lines between fantasy and reality. The main character is a dentist hired by a shadow government agency to implant secret recording devices into the fillings of top Saudis to collect information. Reginald is joined by his friends Lance and Ashonte along with their partners in this low-key but potentially dangerous mission. However, as the group spends more time in Saudi Arabia, they find that the Saudis are only one of their many problems. The story ends with a fantastic setup for more books and an infinite expansion of new characters and spin-offs.
I don’t think the author could have hit the nail on the head any squarer with this book. The one heads-up is that there is a lot of sexual content in the book that makes this a story appropriate for mature readers. Apart from that, the story is as solid as you could ask for – it is entertaining, intriguing, and in many ways, believable. One of the most evident strengths of this story is the effortless character development which makes you feel like you personally know each character.
The Saudi Oil Gambit is a fantastic story that feels like the beginning of something greater. This could easily become a long-running book series that translates well to the big or small screen. The idea and the character development are there to turn this into a pop-culture-relevant franchise.
I look forward to reading every forthcoming entry into the I.N.C.I.S.O.R. franchise and any other works this author dreams up.
Disaster at Bushehr
Title: Disaster at Bushehr
Author: Reginald Nelson
Publisher: Urlink Print & Media, LLC
ISBN: 978-1647538675
Pages: 448
Genre: Fiction
Reviewed by: Aaron Washington
Disaster at Bushehr is a stimulating and compelling book that puts the reader on edge. It is impossible not to appreciate the author’s work as every event, every character and every occurrence is strategic, and makes sense even for a fiction book. The author does not exaggerate nor does he add near impracticable elements in his tales. His storytelling is smooth, as the narration in the book is what draws the reader to Reginald Nelson’s writing. Disaster at Bushehr is the kind of book you read for your entertainment and also enlightenment as the author touched on the status quo and things which affect people in the real world. The themes displayed in between the narration tell you Reginald Nelson is conscious of the happenings in the world today; he enjoys sharing with the readers the obvious along with his subconscious envisions and his opinions on certain issues.
Something every reader will appreciate in this book is the character development. Characters in Disaster at Bushehr are smooth, solid and know how to navigate their designated areas without imposing on others. I like how Reginald Nelson created the major characters. Their distinction is clear. All characters in this book have a unique feature which will capture the readers’ attention. Some characters are displayed as sharp, dominant, aggressive, loyal, responsible and sometimes foul. The minor characters were also great in their roles. One can distinguish a major character from a minor character just by how the author portrays them; the assignments they carry, how they hold conversations, how often they appear in the main storyline and so forth.
Disaster at Bushehr is a book about politics, the military and how egocentric powerful countries can be. There are intruders at a nuclear facility. This is not good as the facility is guarded and the intruders are terrorists. They have their motives, which are going to cause some friction between Israel, America, and their allies. Will they succeed with their mission? Reading about geopolitics, security and how terrorism has a global impact no matter the country being affected is eye opening. I appreciate the author for choosing this as one of the major storylines. It gives those not familiar with such situations an idea of how governments and state agencies operate. I enjoyed how determined the characters were and how committed the good guys were while eliminating the bad guys. Some of the characters that stood out for me include Lance Wood, Reggie, Becky, Jack, and Ashonte.
I enjoyed the reading experience with this book and will recommend it to readers that enjoy books filled with heavy military lingo, political themes and family themes. The author’s imagination is astounding and his creativity superb. This book never stops being interesting. The suspense, drama and plot twists will make you become a fan of Reginald Nelson, and want to read more from this author.