The New Destroyer #2 - Choke Hold

Randy's Review of The New Destroyer #2 - Choke Hold

Choke Hold by Warren Murphy and James Mullaney

Destroyer Choke Hold Review Warning - this review of The New Destroyer #2 - Choke Hold by Warren Murphy and James Mullaney contains plot spoilers. Don't read this review if you don't want aspects of the plot spoiled.

Choke Hold is the most recent Remo Williams/The Destroyer novel from Warren Murphey and James Mullaney. The book follows Remo Williams and Chiun as they battle an ancient "Big Tobacco" executive, a Chinese crime boss, and an ancient cult of Chinese assassins. The novel guest stars Aphrodite Janise, a chain-smoking anti-tobacco activist who wants to kill the big tobacco executive.

In some Destroyer novels, Remo Williams doesn't seem like himself. And sometimes Chiun doesn't seem like himself either. But in Choke Hold, the authors nail the feel of the two main characters, which makes for an enjoyable read if you're a fan of this series of novels. Even the characterization of Harold Smith, the director of CURE, is excellent.

Choke Hold Villains

A movie is only as good as its villain. I don't know who said it, but compare Star Trek - The Wrath of Khan with Star Trek - Nemesis, and you'll realize how true this is. Adventure novels would do well to remember the same rule. I take a look at each of the villains individually below, but let me say here that the villains in this book were pretty good in some ways, and pretty lame in other ways.

The cool thing about the villains in this book is that they seem like real people, and they have distinctive quirks to distinguish them from each other. Might seem like a small detail, but it's not. Go watch a modern buddy cop movie and try to find a distinctive villain if you don't believe me.

The lame thing about the villains in Choke Hold is that none of them seem particularly threatening. At a point later in the novel, Remo seems like he's actually in danger, but it's not because the villains are badasses; it's because they've come up with a clever trick or two to overcome how badass Remo is. I enjoyed seeing Remo and Chiun in real danger, but I would have enjoyed it more if it had been because the villains they were fighting were really dangerous.

On the other hand, given the abilities of Remo and Chiun, it's possible that writing every novel with a villain who could pose a real threat to the two of them would seem improbable.

Edgar Rawly

Edgar Rawly's real name is Edgar Coffin, but he changed his name because "Coffin Cigarettes" sounded pretty bad. He's depicted as being ancient. He's also a stubborn and ornery old cuss who treats everyone terribly while he reminisces about Bogey and John Huston and steadfastly denies that cancer killed anyone ever. He's also convinced himself that sugar causes cancer. I don't know any big tobacco executive, but his characterization seemed less accurate than the old guy in the movie Thank You For Smoking.

Nothing menacing about Edgar Rawly though. He just seemed pitiful and pathetic, but not in the way that would make you care about him.

Zhii Zaw

Zhii Zaw is a Chinese crimelord who Remo and Chiun have met in a previous novel. He had a neat backstory, and the story of his rise to crimelord in China was pretty interesting. He used to be a General in the Chinese army He didn't seem particularly threatening or menacing at all either, but he was a more sympathetic villain than Rawly.

Jian and the Moshuh Nanren

Jian is the leader of the moshuh nanren, who are basically Chinese ninja who wear purple instead of black. They're ripoffs of Sinanju, which makes them better than any ninja ever, but they're still no match at all for Remo and Chiun. Not much background about Jian is given, but the history of the moshuh nanren is entertaining enough. Even though they seemed like chumps, especially when compared to Remo and Chiun.

Overall Impression

This was an entertaining book and well worth the money. I didn't love Choke Hold, but I liked it a lot. Choke Hold made me look forward to reading more of The New Destroyer series, and it made me remember why I love Remo Williams stories so much.

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