Falcon is a tremendous read, offering its readers a chance to explore the deepest recesses of criminology, and an insight into the psychology that drives perpetrators and their pursuers alike. The chapters are well detailed, action packed and riveting chronicles of ruthless chasing of a goal and an end, the merits of means taken to achieve that goal notwithstanding. Each character plays out their part very well in a superbly written tale and constant edge of the seat action is guaranteed as the reader takes in the unfolding scenes.

The few investigators assigned to the case go about their plans to net the perpetrators as quickly and with as little collateral damage as possible, while at the same time they are prepared to pay any price for the eventual capture. Forsaking personal comfort and forgetting pain, ignoring emotions and love or friendship, sidelining personal differences and past mistakes, they work together as a closely knit group to succeed in their one and only endeavor. To make it work, they need more luck and hard work than they could possibly fathom. They would be tested to their limits, physical as well as mental. Emotions can cast a cloud on sound judgment, especially when it comes to making critical decisions against an adversary who was once a beloved, yet that’s a challenge that they must confront while living in the constant shadow of doubts. What kind of maneuvering will it take? Are there any blind alleys which may spring an element of surprise? What are the odds of the prisoner escaping and inflicting damage on the captors? What kind of effect will it have on the captors once they come face to face with the perpetrators? These are just some of the questions the team must answer. Add to those unanswered questions the thrill of meeting an adversary who is highly trained and skilled in all manners of warfare; who is unflinching and remorseless; and who may not hesitate or waver in his attempts to break free and you have all the ingredients of an unforgettable journey. Little do they realize that the journey they plan to embark upon is more perilous than any they have undertaken so far.

The book has all the ingredients of an action packed thriller that keeps its readers constantly on the edge of their seats. The vividness of each scene leaves little to the imagination while the past memories in between the present day events are depicted magnificently with seamless merging.

Falcon is a fast paced story based on spy extraordinaire Alexander Burns. Burns was captured by his boss, Daniels, who drugged him in order to obtain information from him. This plan backfired as Daniels’ other operatives mistakenly increased the dosage of the drugs administered to Burns. Burns was totally out of it and was unresponsive. Simultaneously, staff from the Federal Intelligence Agency worked around the clock, trying to locate both Daniels and Burns. Daniels was adept at subterfuge as he orchestrated several incidents to divert attention from his true location. Eventually, Daniels was killed. Burns was able to escape from his physical location as well as the drug induced hallucinations. He exposed Daniels’ secret hideout to the relevant authorities. Burns secluded himself once more from prying eyes and went underground.

Falcon is an enjoyable book about the workings of a spy agency. The language used is semi-formal to reflect the serious nature of the intelligence oriented scenarios. I love the action packed thrill of the chase which author J.M. Erickson aptly described. I was literally caught up in the twists and turns of the plot like the characters themselves. I enjoyed the ironic similarities between the confused state of the main character and his co-workers. This deliberate ploy by the author encourages the reader to become more engrossed in the plot and wonder whether the outcome would be a favorable one. The romantic thread was a welcome diversion as well. The main character was fully developed. I also appreciated the fact that the persona’s attachment to family members was clearly outlined. This obviously makes him seem more real. Overall, Falcon is a fitting nickname and book title. I recommend it to all lovers of spy and detective novels.

Falcon is the fourth novel in the Birds of Flight series by J.M. Erickson which chronicles the missions, adventures and trials of former government agent Alexander Burns. Filled with political intrigue and international settings, this instalment of the series begins with Burns in a drug-addled state, his memories of previous missions racing through his mind and obscuring his senses. What follows is a well-crafted web of characters with their own vendettas and missions to complete, who weave in and out of each other’s narrative as the scenes of the fast-paced narrative shift towards the ultimate resolution of everything, or so we think.

It took me a while to pick up on the narrative of Falcon, not having read the previous books, but J.M. Erickson displays a talent for giving little hints and flashes of the past in his writing so that I was able to piece together. Action/adventure type stories are not my usual read, but I found that Falcon certainly had all the high-octane ingredients that one would expect in such a tale: spies, vengeance, betrayals, rogue agents, death and destruction. For me, the tale was a little too full of the same archetype of testosterone-fuelled hero men to hold my interest, but for lovers of this genre of story, I’m sure that will be a bonus rather than a setback. Those who love a detailed and highly complex plot are sure to love Falcon’s ever-changing storyline, and its snappy, direct dialogue, and to-the-point action sequences make it a pacy, adrenaline-filled adventure.

Written by J.M. Erickson, Falcon, Book Four, is the latest installment in an adventure and action packed series called Birds of Flight. Alexander J. Burns, code named Falcon 5, is in a drug induced state and drifts in and out of reality. The controversial former US foreign intelligence agent has been captured alive for a debriefing and possible execution. Eric Daniels, his nemesis, directs his men around so that he can deal with Burns alone. He is not, however, the only one who is after Burns. Meanwhile, something is happening in a Rhode Island high rise and an operation to neutralize Daniels is also ongoing. To make matters more complicated, the Israeli, French and Italian intelligence services also have their own agendas.

Author J.M. Erickson brings his readers to the edge of their seats once again in Falcon. As the story unravels with former agent Alexander Burns held captive and hallucinating, one is forced to connect the puzzle to get to the bottom of things. Mesmerizing his audience with tidbits of events in the clandestine world of fallen foreign agents, Erickson makes it difficult for his readers to put down his book. As one turns the pages, the crescendo of thrill abates and rises again as we go through the narrative’s twists and turns. When everything looks dim for Burns, another enigmatic character from his past emerges and one wonders where all of these will bring us in the end. This is one book that will hold you captive until the last page.

I’ve been a fan of this series since it came out and was thrilled to learn that there would be a book four. I have followed the main character, former government agent Alexander Burns, from the very beginning of the series, when he was betrayed by the US government and lost his memory in a military accident. He struggles to regain his memory and make sense, moral and otherwise, of what happened to him. He then tries to figure out a plan of revenge which unfolds and involves equally complicated characters, masterfully ending up here in Falcon with a surprise “Black Swan” figure whom we’ve seen before and who has been behind many of the developments all along.
The action moves at a fast enough pace to hold a reader’s interest, yet with enough “slower” moments to reflect on how the characters change and learn about themselves and each other. The characters are very fully developed, so much so that it’s almost disappointing to think that they aren’t real. Their strengths are counterbalanced with flaws, all of which we see as they interact with each other and react to events and as moral/existential themes unfold. The plot twists and developments carefully straddle the line between having enough action and intrigue to be exciting and yet enough realism to not seem overdone.
I would highly recommend Falcon (and the rest of the series) to anyone interested in government/political intrigue and current events as well as characters whose actions make the reader think and reflect.

"Burns found himself at odds of normally being able to figure out things fast but not having a clue as to what was happening to him now."
Former FIA Agent Alexander J. Burns returns in the fourth installment of this fast-paced series, this time in a bind that he is unable to escape from alone. After allowing himself to be captured by his former boss and current nemesis, Eric Icarus Daniels, Burns is heavily drugged and transported to an unknown location while chaos surrounds him. The FBI is interested in locating both Burns and Daniels for the damage they've caused to America's global relations, but also for personal reasons including love and vengeance respectively. Another former FIA operative, Jeffrey Glenn, has unfinished business after being used by Daniels as a pawn and being dragged into Burns' affairs. As the paths of these highly trained and deadly men intersect for a final conflict, Burns must decide if he needs to be saved, or if the recent supernatural dreams he has been having are calling him to do the saving.
The latest entry of this series takes a few unexpected directions, but fans of the series and these characters will be satisfied with the conclusion and closure this book provides. There is still action for those who like that most about the series, but the plot is advanced on two major threads: the manhunt for Burns and Daniels and a collection of brief visits Burns has with old friends in the apparent afterlife. Because of the latter, readers can reunite with characters from the earlier books as Burns tries to find a way to save himself and others, both physically and spiritually. With a decidedly different tone, this is still a great read that offers plenty of closure without total finality. Like any good thriller, this book leaves just enough threads untied to make readers hungry for more. - Michael Radon

“Falcon” is the fourth book in the Birds of Flight series by J.M. Erickson. The adventure continues following Albatross, Raven and Eagle. Fans of J.M. Erickson will not be disappointed. As soon as I started reading this intense adventure, I found myself immediately caught up in the action. Having read the other books in the series I enjoyed stepping back into this drama and revisiting my favorite characters. Each person has a very distinctive and well developed personality. As their journey continues, they continue to develop and evolve in response to the events that are happening around them. Continuing from the last book in the series, Alex Burns has been kidnapped and hidden away for both information and revenge. Due to some mishaps on the part of men who are enlisted in this kidnapping, Burns is accidentally overdosed on narcotics. While he is off in dreamland, he revisits people from his past; however, it appears that they are operating in the present. While he is interacting with them many questions are answered and he discovers what he needs to do with himself to move to a higher level as an individual. This situation does not make his captor happy. While Burns has people searching for him, the enemies set up distractions to keep them from discovering his whereabouts. Plenty of mind tricks are played to keep them on their toes. People involved from past adventures take on new roles and to add to the suspense, other agencies from around the world are also involved. It is going to take a lot to get everyone back on track! I found “Falcon” to be very fast paced and I felt like I was kept on the edge of my seat through most of the intrigue. I totally enjoyed how the characters adapted and related to each other. Touches of humor helped reduce the tension. While this is the fourth book in a series, it can be read on its own. The author has a talent for incorporating past events into the present story so that the reader is either able to catch on to what is happening or refresh his memory if he has read other books in the series. There is also a list of characters at the end of the novel which allows for reference if needed. For a full appreciation of this series, I highly recommend reading these books in the order which they were written. In doing so, the reader will have a greater understanding of the depth of how and why relationships were developed. They will also appreciate the animosity towards certain people in the story because of their heinous behavior. “Falcon” and the entire “Birds of Flight” series by J.M. Erickson is a must read for people who enjoy thrillers that involve espionage and psychological suspense.

Firstly, I must commend the author for not only keeping this series going, but actually making it better as it goes along…. Too often I feel that series lose their tight grip on me as I go on, or the author loses some steam. However, in this case I feel like the story and plot is getting better and better as more pieces fall into place, and more crises explode, keeping our attention riveted throughout. This is a series that should be read in order (1-ALBATROSS; 2-RAVEN; 3-EAGLE; 4-FALCON) because the story and characters all build on one another. But it is one of the better written series I’ve come across, and keeps getting better. Looking forward to BLACK SWAN! (4 stars) Cale Owens; Goodreads, Shelfari, Librarything, Barnes & Noble, Indie Book Reviewers

J.M. Erickson is a prolific author of the “Birds of Flight” series, and another book I really enjoyed, “Intelligent Design: Revelations”. Since the beginning, Mr. Erickson has shown himself to be an author of great talent for weaving complex plots brought passionately to life by the strong characters. I admit that I am grateful for the handy character bio section that Mr. Erickson provides as this is a series that has spanned 4 books now (soon to be 5) and I’ve read over several months, it is nice to have a frame of reference to keep them all straight, as these novels are just as much character-driven as they are plot-driven. It’s funny because I rarely read much mystery/thriller/suspense/espionage books before, but Mr. Erickson has me hooked on this series and I’m so happy I gave it a chance! Great female characters that are out of the norm, and I like that he spares us the cliché stereotyping. Highly recommended read for all. (4-5 stars) Sam Ryan; Goodreads, Shelfari, Librarything, Barnes & Noble, Indie Book Reviewers

I only recently discovered this author, and am happy that I did! Originally I only planned on reading this book, but upon realizing it was part of a series, I borrowed the first three from a friend’s Kindle and dove on in. My review is for the fourth book only (Birds of Flight: Falcon) It was the perfect continuation of the events of the preceding books that keeps you reading into the wee hours of the night. For the most part I thought that the author did a fine job of fleshing out the characters, although at times they could feel a bit ‘stock’, and I had trouble distinguishing one personality from another. There is quite a bit of head hopping from one character to another, and while this does serve well to provide a broader perspective, at times I found it confusing if I’d set the book down for any period of time. The ending of this (before the lengthy prologue that is basically a lead-in for the next one, “Black Swan”) was satisfactory, and I liked how everything was resolved. Overall a very exciting and intelligently series that I’d recommend to any Brad Thor, Tom Clancy, John Grisham, or Vince Flynn fan. (4 stars). J.T. Thomas; Goodreads, Shelfari, Librarything, Barnes & Noble, Indie Book Reviewers

Splendid! I love when a book takes me by surprise and keeps me on my toes, not being predictable. I like the fast pace and quick action, and how the author J.M. Erickson did an excellent job with conveying the worldbuilding through the dialogue and actions of the characters and no boring dense narrative prose. The writing overall is quite strong, there were only minor editing or formatting errors, nothing significant. These books are meant to be read in order in the series, so be prepared for quite a ride with a dynamic, fascinating cast of characters. Cool how it combines real life events and people with the events of the book… makes it more realistic, I think. Curious to see where Rachael takes it in “Black Swan”. An excellent series, thus far. (5 stars) James Masters; Goodreads, Shelfari, Librarything, Barnes & Noble, Indie Book Reviewers

Having read the first three books in the “Birds of Flight” series by J.M. Erickson, I was eager to get my hands on the latest installment “Falcon”. This whole series is so well executed, fast-paced, and totally engrossing, and this latest effort was no different. This book revolves around the character of Alexander Burns (“Falcon”) and how he and the others are dealing with the unexpected drama and complications of the previous novel(Eagle), combined with a whole new set of unexpected circumstances here. I liked the psychological aspect, and as usual the action was unpredictable and totally engrossing. I feel like this series should be turned into movies, and am eagerly awaiting the next one, “Black Swan”. A MUST read for anyone who enjoys political/action/spy thrillers. (5 stars). Karen Matthews; Goodreads, Shelfari, Librarything, Barnes & Noble, Indie Book Reviewers

Intense and complex, “Falcon: Birds of Flight” by J.M. Erickson picks up where the previous novel “Eagle” left off, and takes it to new depths and heights. I was so eager to read this one after the crazy cliffhanger of “Eagle” and was excited to watch the intrigue unfold, and in a somewhat different manner than before. There was a lot going on at once, and sometimes it was a bit confusing, but I still liked the flow of everything and it all ends up making sense. Like how the author kept it fresh and once again I find myself eagerly anticipating the next. (5 stars). Stacy Decker; Goodreads, Shelfari, Librarything, Barnes & Noble, Indie Book Reviewers