Sam does not need more complications in his life and an attempted rescue of the woman could mean the destruction of his boat, but his sense of the value of human life forces him to try. Somehow he is able to get close enough to the woman to throw her a rope, and haul her aboard his craft. He immediately recognizes her as Anna Wade, an actress whose image has appeared on numerous magazine covers. Having successfully extricated both Anna and his boat from a hazardous state, he is then pulled into Anna’s terrifying situation.

Anna’s brilliant, though marginally sane, brother Jason has been kidnapped by an international corporation involved in biotech research. It is Anna’s belief that the company is experimenting on her brother, using some sort of mind-altering chemicals. Her mission is to save Jason from his captors/employers. Coincidentally Sam has ample expertise in international espionage and, as the story unfolds, has his own personal reasons for bringing down these same individuals.

Overfall is a perfect novel for a summer vacation for those spy enthusiasts who like their fiction peppered with graphic violence. The story line, while convoluted, is not difficult to follow, allowing the reader to keep track of a sports event or work on a suntan at the same time. Action scenes are plentiful, the dialogue is in monosyllables, and the violence described in great detail. This one has potential movie written all over it. The villains are well versed in communication technology enabling them to subvert several of Sam’s well thought out plans.

Sam has at his disposal numerous employees with unique talents which aid him in his espionage efforts. Obviously there is some history between Sam and these individuals, which the author only briefly refers to. I assume that these folks appear in Dun’s previous novels (Necessary Evil and At the Edge) so those familiar with these works probably will be less confused about their backgrounds. As the story proceeds, one can determine how these characters relate to Sam, but the information comes after their introduction rather than before.

There are several flaws in the plot that must be overlooked for the story to proceed. One particularly irritating one is the occurrence of dreams which allow Sam to foresee difficulties in the future. He is able to avoid disaster because he had dreamed something which prevents him from doing something he would logically have done. At one point Anna is missing and Sam detects her location because of a dream he had. Another propitious coincidence is Sam’s initial discovery of Anna on the island, but had he not there would be no story. Another lucky circumstance is Anna’s proficiency with firearms. Why would a lady, a professional actress, have such knowledge? There is no reason given in her background but the fact she can shoot a gun comes in quite handy.

David Din’s latest effort is an adequate beach read provided one can tolerate the ample graphic violence. In addition, coincidence and serendipity play a major role which the reader must accept in order for the plot to be feasible. As escapist literature it achieves its goal, but there is little to remember for further contemplation.

--Andy Plonka