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The Expendable Man
American businessman Nick Grocchi is framed and in prison in a foreign land. Facing a life-threatening illness. Can he survive long enough to find out who framed him and why? What readers say about The Expendable Man: * ...one of the most interesting and exciting books that I have read in the last ten years. It was so gripping that I had trouble putting it down. * I was hooked by page 3 and making comparisons to John LeCarre. * The book has it all: international and national ramifications, escape, chase, murder, suspense, medical experiments, and a unique plot. * Would government do this type of thing? I believe they would."
- GenresThriller
385 pages, Paperback
First published January 18, 2011
6 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Peter G. Pollak
11 books82 followersI'm passionate about writing stories that readers don't want to put down.
Missing--my 7th novel, a mystery featuring a female private detective is now available on Amazon in print and digital versins.
My prior novels are:
* The Expendable Man (2011)--a thriller
* Making the Grade (2012)--a police procedural
* Last Stop on Desolation Ridge (2013)--a suspense
* In the Game (2013)--another procedural
* House Divided (2015)--a political thriller
* Inauguration Day (2017)--a political thriller
The summer of 2020 I published a memoir entitled "Left to Right." It's the story of my transition from a student leftist in the 1960s to a conservative in the 21st century.
To learn more about my future projects, sign up for my newsletter on my website @ petergpollak.com.
Missing--my 7th novel, a mystery featuring a female private detective is now available on Amazon in print and digital versins.
My prior novels are:
* The Expendable Man (2011)--a thriller
* Making the Grade (2012)--a police procedural
* Last Stop on Desolation Ridge (2013)--a suspense
* In the Game (2013)--another procedural
* House Divided (2015)--a political thriller
* Inauguration Day (2017)--a political thriller
The summer of 2020 I published a memoir entitled "Left to Right." It's the story of my transition from a student leftist in the 1960s to a conservative in the 21st century.
To learn more about my future projects, sign up for my newsletter on my website @ petergpollak.com.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 8, 2013
The author of this excellent thriller is also my Goodreads friend Peter Pollak and he gave me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Those who know me here know that is the only kind of review I give and I do not hesitate to tear apart an awful book by even a best selling author I tend to love.
I read a lot in the mystery/suspense/thriller genre and it is a personal favorite. This book kept me glued to my seat racing along with my heart pounding to see what would happen next.
The expendable man was American businessman Nick Grocchi who did business deals in Eastern Europe. He is divorced with a bitchy ex wife who would not let him see their daughter and even got rid of the letters he sent to her. He makes a deal for the Turkmenistan government to buy some technology to use at their airports but unfortunately this was approved by mistake by the US government and the Secretary of State Constance Stone is furious. Americans have been sending spy planes over their airspace without permission and if this radar is installed, they will know it. She has some of her people correct this by having Nick Grocchi arrested by the Turkmenistan government, tried and convicted of bribing an official, and put in a horrible jail for 7 years.
Two years in, he is dying of melanoma when a reporter who interviewed him after he was jailed manages to get a US Senator to intervene and get him brought back to the USA for treatment. The treatment, funded by the government, is super secret. He and another man with the same blood type receive genetic material that should be able to kill off the cancer and grow new skin.
I am claustrophobic and have to say that the idea of being strapped down in a pod like they were creeped me up. It did the same to Nick. I was fascinated by the idea of the incredible set up and horrified when I saw an agent of the evil people who framed him placed in there as a night caretaker for him. At first, the man is spying on him but when it looks like Nick is going to pass word on to others in an attempt to find out who framed him, they have the guy insert a drug in the IV of the other guy who had accidentally gotten into Nick's pod by mistake after repairs were done to the pods. Nick realizes the other guy was murdered and has to break out and go on the run with help from the dead guy's old girlfriend, an old friend of his, and our intrepid reporter.
This is very fast-paced, exciting, and full of thrills. I am so glad to have read this and am looking forward to reading more by Peter Pollak.
I read a lot in the mystery/suspense/thriller genre and it is a personal favorite. This book kept me glued to my seat racing along with my heart pounding to see what would happen next.
The expendable man was American businessman Nick Grocchi who did business deals in Eastern Europe. He is divorced with a bitchy ex wife who would not let him see their daughter and even got rid of the letters he sent to her. He makes a deal for the Turkmenistan government to buy some technology to use at their airports but unfortunately this was approved by mistake by the US government and the Secretary of State Constance Stone is furious. Americans have been sending spy planes over their airspace without permission and if this radar is installed, they will know it. She has some of her people correct this by having Nick Grocchi arrested by the Turkmenistan government, tried and convicted of bribing an official, and put in a horrible jail for 7 years.
Two years in, he is dying of melanoma when a reporter who interviewed him after he was jailed manages to get a US Senator to intervene and get him brought back to the USA for treatment. The treatment, funded by the government, is super secret. He and another man with the same blood type receive genetic material that should be able to kill off the cancer and grow new skin.
I am claustrophobic and have to say that the idea of being strapped down in a pod like they were creeped me up. It did the same to Nick. I was fascinated by the idea of the incredible set up and horrified when I saw an agent of the evil people who framed him placed in there as a night caretaker for him. At first, the man is spying on him but when it looks like Nick is going to pass word on to others in an attempt to find out who framed him, they have the guy insert a drug in the IV of the other guy who had accidentally gotten into Nick's pod by mistake after repairs were done to the pods. Nick realizes the other guy was murdered and has to break out and go on the run with help from the dead guy's old girlfriend, an old friend of his, and our intrepid reporter.
This is very fast-paced, exciting, and full of thrills. I am so glad to have read this and am looking forward to reading more by Peter Pollak.
June 8, 2011
I was into the story from the first page. I liked the dated "chapters" and found it easy to follow from one exotic place (Ashgabat, Turkmenistan) and not so exotic (D.C. and Albany, NY). I recommend it to anyone who likes a political "thriller". I even recommend it for our book club where 8 out of ten people usually like a book with only 2 disgruntled readers Disgruntled but with something to say in any case. Nick Grocchi (what a name) is a likable character.
October 20, 2011
For those who enjoy thrillers, this is a great book. It was recommended to me and I'm glad I got it for my kindle reader on impulse. The plot was fast-paced, not losing my interest. Characters were interesting. A grab you by the lapels and keep you reading kind of book. I'd most definitely recommend it. I'll look forward to another book by Peter Pollak
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May 4, 2012This is my first novel and again I'm not going to rate it. However, if you haven't read you may be interested to learn that I've lowered the price for the paperback edition to $11.99. My agreement with my printer requires me to charge at least that amount (rounded up to ninety-nine cents).
The Expendable Man is available in print from bookstores in Tucson, Denver, Albany (NY), Schenectady and Johnstown (NY). Links are on my website -- www.petergpollak.com.
It's also available from the Amazon and Barnes and Noble websites.
The digital version is still available on Goodreads and on Smashwords, Amazon and B&N websites in the appropriate formats including that used by the IPad.
Reviews are welcome.
The Expendable Man is available in print from bookstores in Tucson, Denver, Albany (NY), Schenectady and Johnstown (NY). Links are on my website -- www.petergpollak.com.
It's also available from the Amazon and Barnes and Noble websites.
The digital version is still available on Goodreads and on Smashwords, Amazon and B&N websites in the appropriate formats including that used by the IPad.
Reviews are welcome.
September 20, 2021
A load of old Pollaks!
February 24, 2012
This is a book that I was fortunate enough to receive through Goodreads.
The title of the book - The Expendable Man - pretty much sums up the theme of the book. Nick Grocchi, a wealthy deal broker has been set up by certain high ranking figures in the United States for poltical expediency. Sentenced to seven years in prison in Turkmenistan, he is returned to the United States under agreement of the two governments to undergo experimetal and top-secret medical tretatment for a life threatening disease which if successful may ultimately lead to his being returned to Turkmenistan to serve out the remaining part of his sentence.
Following his return to the U.S., the story follows Nick's efforts to prove his innocence of the charges which lead to his arrest in Turkmenistan and attempts of certain political figures to prevent the truth being found out.
The story has a quick pace to it and enough suspense to hold the readers attention throughout. Perhaps the only concern I had with the plot relates to an event of mistaken identity which occurs during the secret medical treatment. While the author goes to great and creative efforts to try to make this appear plausible, at the end of the day I still felt that acceptance of this forced me to stretch my imagination a bit too far.
Regardless, that one issue does not detract significantly from the overall story. The dialogue between the characters was particulalry effective and realisitc. I enjoyed the character of Nick Grocchi, and although this work does not suggest further works involving him again, I for one would welcome his return in a subsequent work.
This appears to be the first work of author Peter Pollak and based on this effort I will certainly look forward to future publications.
The title of the book - The Expendable Man - pretty much sums up the theme of the book. Nick Grocchi, a wealthy deal broker has been set up by certain high ranking figures in the United States for poltical expediency. Sentenced to seven years in prison in Turkmenistan, he is returned to the United States under agreement of the two governments to undergo experimetal and top-secret medical tretatment for a life threatening disease which if successful may ultimately lead to his being returned to Turkmenistan to serve out the remaining part of his sentence.
Following his return to the U.S., the story follows Nick's efforts to prove his innocence of the charges which lead to his arrest in Turkmenistan and attempts of certain political figures to prevent the truth being found out.
The story has a quick pace to it and enough suspense to hold the readers attention throughout. Perhaps the only concern I had with the plot relates to an event of mistaken identity which occurs during the secret medical treatment. While the author goes to great and creative efforts to try to make this appear plausible, at the end of the day I still felt that acceptance of this forced me to stretch my imagination a bit too far.
Regardless, that one issue does not detract significantly from the overall story. The dialogue between the characters was particulalry effective and realisitc. I enjoyed the character of Nick Grocchi, and although this work does not suggest further works involving him again, I for one would welcome his return in a subsequent work.
This appears to be the first work of author Peter Pollak and based on this effort I will certainly look forward to future publications.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2014
The Expendable Man is true to its genre – it is a thrill a minute. One fast pace read, you will be completely absorbed by this intriguing story.
I enjoyed several features of Pollak’s novel. I was caught up in the swiftness of the narrative, very fast moving story which adds to the subdued excitement. Having the government/political facet and the main protagonist of savvy and sharp businessman Nick Grocchi created a interesting angle. Grocchi is calm and intelligent, mysterious but basically a simple, humble man. Wouldn’t mind seeing him appear as a character in future projects. Pollak is a green author, difficult to tell by his tight writing and smooth storyline, great debut novel.
Pollak took a rather gutsy approach with his narrative. A ‘secret medical gene therapy’ was a large part of the storyline. I applaud Pollak’s creativity, as a result I find myself sitting on the fence. It is original but I found my mind reaching depths to find it plausible. My indifference shouldn’t take away from the authors style, it’s just a matter of my personal likes. No doubt readers will find the ‘gene therapy’ unique and genius. Original, innovative narrative and author – both welcomed.
The Expendable Man will appeal to fans of thrillers, promising to be worth your time. I look forward to reading more from this daring, talented author.
I enjoyed several features of Pollak’s novel. I was caught up in the swiftness of the narrative, very fast moving story which adds to the subdued excitement. Having the government/political facet and the main protagonist of savvy and sharp businessman Nick Grocchi created a interesting angle. Grocchi is calm and intelligent, mysterious but basically a simple, humble man. Wouldn’t mind seeing him appear as a character in future projects. Pollak is a green author, difficult to tell by his tight writing and smooth storyline, great debut novel.
Pollak took a rather gutsy approach with his narrative. A ‘secret medical gene therapy’ was a large part of the storyline. I applaud Pollak’s creativity, as a result I find myself sitting on the fence. It is original but I found my mind reaching depths to find it plausible. My indifference shouldn’t take away from the authors style, it’s just a matter of my personal likes. No doubt readers will find the ‘gene therapy’ unique and genius. Original, innovative narrative and author – both welcomed.
The Expendable Man will appeal to fans of thrillers, promising to be worth your time. I look forward to reading more from this daring, talented author.
January 25, 2012
1/21/12 I received "Expandable Man",free,from author! I totally enjoyed reading this book.The plot was good,characters easy to follow,and I just had to know how it would end.I read it in one setting.I thought in the beginning it would be more of a "man's reading"A political thriller.American businessman sentenced 7 years in a Turkmenistan prison,he and his co-horts were trying to sell them an airport radar system,with the okay of "State".Russians and Islams ,oh my!.Then our hero develops a horrible skin cancer,and he is dying,so he is shipped back to United States for an experimental procedure. That is when I got caught up in this story. A really good read,glad I got this free! Thank you!
May 25, 2011
Gripping. On the edge of my seat the last third.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews