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Griffin #1
Code Name: Griffin
Like a viper, she strikes when you least expect it. She’s the deadliest operative the CIA has ever known. Alexandria Kingston is The Griffin.
SHE’S BEAUTIFUL
After graduating from The Farm in Langley, Virginia, she’s banished from the only family she’d ever known. Heartbroken and alone, Alex settled in Paris and threw herself into her work by taking every operation the CIA offered, as well as volunteering for those no one else would.
SHE’S CUNNING
Through the years, she’s built quite the reputation. The chatter throughout the underworld is ‘Kill the Griffin,’ but as a master of disguise, no one truly knows what she looks like. Not even her lovers.
UNBELIEVABLY SEXY
Out of nowhere she gets a call to return home. Alex jumps on the next flight to the States where she learns that her adoptive family is in trouble. The Murphy clan heads the Irish Mob out of Boston and when their matriarch is rushed to the hospital word spreads that her life is hanging in the balance. Someone has decided that he will be the next crime boss and is willing to kill every last member of the Murphy clan to make that happen.
UNDENIABLY DANGEROUS
Deception has always been a major part of her life, but returning home means facing the biggest deception of all, the one truth she’s hidden even from herself: her love for Shane Donovan - the only man oblivious to her existence.
SHE’S THE GRIFFIN
Now Alex has joined her family in taking down the enemy. The only question is, who will die in the process?
SHE’S BEAUTIFUL
After graduating from The Farm in Langley, Virginia, she’s banished from the only family she’d ever known. Heartbroken and alone, Alex settled in Paris and threw herself into her work by taking every operation the CIA offered, as well as volunteering for those no one else would.
SHE’S CUNNING
Through the years, she’s built quite the reputation. The chatter throughout the underworld is ‘Kill the Griffin,’ but as a master of disguise, no one truly knows what she looks like. Not even her lovers.
UNBELIEVABLY SEXY
Out of nowhere she gets a call to return home. Alex jumps on the next flight to the States where she learns that her adoptive family is in trouble. The Murphy clan heads the Irish Mob out of Boston and when their matriarch is rushed to the hospital word spreads that her life is hanging in the balance. Someone has decided that he will be the next crime boss and is willing to kill every last member of the Murphy clan to make that happen.
UNDENIABLY DANGEROUS
Deception has always been a major part of her life, but returning home means facing the biggest deception of all, the one truth she’s hidden even from herself: her love for Shane Donovan - the only man oblivious to her existence.
SHE’S THE GRIFFIN
Now Alex has joined her family in taking down the enemy. The only question is, who will die in the process?
279 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 14, 2018
280 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
About the author
Morgan Hannah MacDonald
18 books273 followersMorgan Hannah MacDonald writes Romantic Thrillers that are NOT for the Faint of Heart. A two-time semi-finalist in the 2016 KINDLE BOOK AWARDS. She's held many positions including a teller where her hands and feet were bound while armed robbers took over the bank. Years later she discovered she'd dated a serial killer. That's when she knew her destiny was in writing, because sometimes fact is stranger than fiction. She belongs to Romance Writers of America and International Thriller Writers. She resides in San Diego, California, where she’s busy working on her next novel. She loves to hear from readers.
Write to her at morganwrites@yahoo.com To ensure you don’t miss a single book
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Write to her at morganwrites@yahoo.com To ensure you don’t miss a single book
You can sign up for newsletter alerts on her website & Facebook page.
Website:http://www.morganhannahmacdonald.com
For her twisted weird humor LIKE her on Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/#!/MorganHann....
Twitter: morganhannah2u
See what she likes on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/morganhanna...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
June 12, 2018
Entertaining but with too much cartoonish action in a ready-made, cardboard-cut way. Uh... It has definitely been affected by some of the more recent movies. Unfortunately, the books need to have different accents. They need to entice the reader's brain into reading them.
A lot of cliches... for ex: 'There wasn’t a man on Earth that could resist a woman with hair cascading past her shoulders.'. Really, has she interviewed all men on this preference?
The most hilarious (and unfortunate for this book!) thing is that the mob seems to have no conflict of interest with the CIA here. Either the writer did not think this through or the lawlessness was readily assumed by him to be an alphabet-soup prerogative. Anyway, this should have been considered and expressed in text in some way right from the start...
Q:
“Wait, Ethan’s in love? I don’t remember him ever tying himself down to one girl before. What makes this one different?”
“For one thing, she works at Club Desire.” Aidan looked at her pointedly.
“She’s a stripper?” Alex couldn’t be more surprised.
“It gets better. Her name is Brandy.” Aidan grinned.
“Because Candy and Bambi were already taken?”
He snickered. “There’s more. She’s Italian.”
“Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Now I know what sent Maggie to the hospital. Does that mean she’s at least Catholic?” (c)
Q:
“I have a job that keeps me overseas.”
“Because you speak French, Italian, German, Dutch, Spanish and Gaelic. Am I forgetting any?”
“I’ve picked up a few more over the years.”
“Gee, what do you do in your spare time?” (c)
Q:
“Ask her over for Thanksgiving dinner.”
He scrunched his face. “No thanks, I might want to see her again.” (c)
A lot of cliches... for ex: 'There wasn’t a man on Earth that could resist a woman with hair cascading past her shoulders.'. Really, has she interviewed all men on this preference?
The most hilarious (and unfortunate for this book!) thing is that the mob seems to have no conflict of interest with the CIA here. Either the writer did not think this through or the lawlessness was readily assumed by him to be an alphabet-soup prerogative. Anyway, this should have been considered and expressed in text in some way right from the start...
Q:
“Wait, Ethan’s in love? I don’t remember him ever tying himself down to one girl before. What makes this one different?”
“For one thing, she works at Club Desire.” Aidan looked at her pointedly.
“She’s a stripper?” Alex couldn’t be more surprised.
“It gets better. Her name is Brandy.” Aidan grinned.
“Because Candy and Bambi were already taken?”
He snickered. “There’s more. She’s Italian.”
“Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Now I know what sent Maggie to the hospital. Does that mean she’s at least Catholic?” (c)
Q:
“I have a job that keeps me overseas.”
“Because you speak French, Italian, German, Dutch, Spanish and Gaelic. Am I forgetting any?”
“I’ve picked up a few more over the years.”
“Gee, what do you do in your spare time?” (c)
Q:
“Ask her over for Thanksgiving dinner.”
He scrunched his face. “No thanks, I might want to see her again.” (c)
January 17, 2018
The deadliest CIA Agent is Alexandria Kingston, otherwise known as Griffin. Her many talents are showcased in this thriller.... guns, knives, hands, feet. She has a repertoire of multiple languages and lots of wigs, contacts so that no one ... not even her family .. knows who or what she is.
Her family is the famous Irish Mafia in Boston. The Murphy family has taken the reins after Alex's father died and her mother and brothers have taken over. Receiving a phone call from the family stating that her mother is in the hospital, she immediately returns to her home where she hasn't been in 5 years.
She finds her mother much improved and promises to stay until she is back on her feet. What she learns from her brothers is that another crime family is poised to take over even if it means killing every Murphy in existence.
Deception has always been a major part of Alex’s life and returning home means facing the biggest deception of all, the one truth she’s hidden even from herself: her love for Shane Donovan - the only man oblivious to her existence. The real reason she has forsaken romance her entire adult life.
This is a rip-roaring romantic suspense, heavy on the suspense, lighter on the romance. It's action-packed with multiple bodies falling. The characters are strong, well-defined. I found myself in a dilemma .... I felt like rooting for the Murphy's, but they are still the bad guys.... just not as bad as the other bad guys.
Warning: Cliffhanger!
Many thanks to the author for the digital copy of this exciting start to a new series. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Want to read
March 30, 2018💝 FREE on Amazon today (3/30/2018)!💝
January 7, 2018
An exciting new series about a CIA assassin who goes home after 5 years and finds herself embroiled in a war between Irish families all vying for the top spot.
Alexandria Kingston was not born with that name. She came from a poor neglectful single mom who caused her twin brother to die and then ended up getting herself killed. She was then taken in by Margaret Murphy whose family is part of the Irish Mob. Her identity was kept hidden to protect her from the other families who may have wanted to use her to get to the Murphys. She grew up and joined the CIA and became one of their best clandestine operatives.
Alex has been a tough assassin for so long that when she goes home due to a health issue with Margaret she isn't prepared for the emotions it brings up. She's also kept her profession hidden from her adopted mother and her 4 brothers along with Shane Donovan who is the head of security for the Murphy family and whom she has had a crush on since they were kids.
The other Irish mob families get wind of the Murphys being vulnerable and a power play is made to take them out but they had no clue of the deadly skills Alex processes and that she would do anything to protect her family.
There was a lot of punch packed in to this novella along with a strong heroine and great secondary characters . It does end with a cliffy but it wont be a long wait for the next book.
Alexandria Kingston was not born with that name. She came from a poor neglectful single mom who caused her twin brother to die and then ended up getting herself killed. She was then taken in by Margaret Murphy whose family is part of the Irish Mob. Her identity was kept hidden to protect her from the other families who may have wanted to use her to get to the Murphys. She grew up and joined the CIA and became one of their best clandestine operatives.
Alex has been a tough assassin for so long that when she goes home due to a health issue with Margaret she isn't prepared for the emotions it brings up. She's also kept her profession hidden from her adopted mother and her 4 brothers along with Shane Donovan who is the head of security for the Murphy family and whom she has had a crush on since they were kids.
The other Irish mob families get wind of the Murphys being vulnerable and a power play is made to take them out but they had no clue of the deadly skills Alex processes and that she would do anything to protect her family.
There was a lot of punch packed in to this novella along with a strong heroine and great secondary characters . It does end with a cliffy but it wont be a long wait for the next book.
January 9, 2018
WHY DO GOOD THINGS ALWAYS COME TO AN END? Well.. at least we know this is just the first in MacDonald's new Griffin series. Evolution of our main character is from being Mandy Hall to Alexandra Kingston and Secretly the GRIFFIN!! Narrative of the life of a child living in a trailer to becoming a spy. Irish Mob dealings in Boston along with family mistrust, loyalty and romance make this drama not to be missed. Instead of a bulked up navy seal to root for MacDonald brings us a protective women who uses any means necessary to serve country and family. Going back home after being gone for five years Alex finds how much she missed being a part of the Murphys household. It is evident that this is the stage setting pages of what will be an amazing adventure. "A copy of this book was provided by author with no requirements for a review. Comments here are my honest opinion."
January 7, 2018
Like a viper, she strikes when you least expect it. She’s the deadliest operative the CIA has ever known. Alexandria Kingston is The Griffin.
SHE’S BEAUTIFUL
After graduating from The Farm in Langley, Virginia, she’s banished from the only family she’d ever known. Heartbroken and alone, Alex settled in Paris and threw herself into her work by taking every operation the CIA offered, as well as volunteering for those no one else would.
SHE’S CUNNING
Through the years, she’s built quite the reputation. The chatter throughout the underworld is ‘Kill the Griffin,’ but as a master of disguise, no one truly knows what she looks like. Not even her lovers.
UNBELIEVABLY SEXY
Out of nowhere she gets a call to return home. Alex jumps on the next flight to the States where she learns that her adoptive family is in trouble. The Murphy clan heads the Irish Mob out of Boston and when their matriarch is rushed to the hospital word spreads that her life is hanging in the balance. Someone has decided that he will be the next to lead and he’s willing to kill the entire family to make that happen.
UNDENIABLY DANGEROUS
Deception has always been a major part of her life, but returning home means facing the biggest deception of all, the one truth she’s hidden even from herself: her love for Shane Donovan - the only man oblivious to her existence.
SHE’S THE GRIFFIN
Now Alex has joined her family in taking down the enemy. The only question is, who will die in the process
My thoughts:
5 stars
I loved it , even though it's a lot different from her other series, it's just as good , love the idea of the main character not only been CIA but a daughter of the mob, and is ready to use what she learned to help her family, love the slow burning romance that's going on ,and it doesn't take anything away from the story, just like her other books this is a must read and a great start to a hole New series I want to pick up and read. With that said I would like to think Morgan Hannah MacDonald for sending me an ARC copy of her new book to review and read in a change for my honest opinion which this is.
SHE’S BEAUTIFUL
After graduating from The Farm in Langley, Virginia, she’s banished from the only family she’d ever known. Heartbroken and alone, Alex settled in Paris and threw herself into her work by taking every operation the CIA offered, as well as volunteering for those no one else would.
SHE’S CUNNING
Through the years, she’s built quite the reputation. The chatter throughout the underworld is ‘Kill the Griffin,’ but as a master of disguise, no one truly knows what she looks like. Not even her lovers.
UNBELIEVABLY SEXY
Out of nowhere she gets a call to return home. Alex jumps on the next flight to the States where she learns that her adoptive family is in trouble. The Murphy clan heads the Irish Mob out of Boston and when their matriarch is rushed to the hospital word spreads that her life is hanging in the balance. Someone has decided that he will be the next to lead and he’s willing to kill the entire family to make that happen.
UNDENIABLY DANGEROUS
Deception has always been a major part of her life, but returning home means facing the biggest deception of all, the one truth she’s hidden even from herself: her love for Shane Donovan - the only man oblivious to her existence.
SHE’S THE GRIFFIN
Now Alex has joined her family in taking down the enemy. The only question is, who will die in the process
My thoughts:
5 stars
I loved it , even though it's a lot different from her other series, it's just as good , love the idea of the main character not only been CIA but a daughter of the mob, and is ready to use what she learned to help her family, love the slow burning romance that's going on ,and it doesn't take anything away from the story, just like her other books this is a must read and a great start to a hole New series I want to pick up and read. With that said I would like to think Morgan Hannah MacDonald for sending me an ARC copy of her new book to review and read in a change for my honest opinion which this is.
January 9, 2018
Wow what a book. Alexandria is the most deadliest operative in the CIA. There is no stopping her. Totally impossible to stop reading until you finish the entire story. Definitely ready for more by this author. Received an ARC.
January 10, 2018
This is a great start to a new series. I love the intrigue and family dynamics. The main character is a strong, bad-a CIA operative that comes from a crime family. There’s lots of action that starts at page one and continues throughout the entire story. This sets the stage for more books. There is also a fair amount of family drama that lends believability to the story. And I smell a romance brewing! All in all, this is great read. If you like mystery and crime drama with a strong female lead, action packed from the start, this is the book for you.
May 28, 2020
Full review: https://girlswithguns.org/code-name-g...
It’s all utterly implausible. Apparently, the CIA don’t bother doing any kind of background check on their employees, and have no problem recruiting and giving security clearance to people with close ties to organized crime. Alex, meanwhile, wobbles uncertainly between remarkable proficiency and incompetence, as necessary to the plot. She can reel in a member of the Killeen family by simply ordering a whisky, yet this top-notch spy inexplicably can’t form sentences when faced with her former childhood sweetheart. I admit her latter burbling is actually kinda endearing, but c’mon: have some consistency in your lead character. And, of course, the Murphys are an almost saintly crime family. By which I mean, they still do prostitution and human trafficking, they just do them the right way. Yeah. About that…
It’s all utterly implausible. Apparently, the CIA don’t bother doing any kind of background check on their employees, and have no problem recruiting and giving security clearance to people with close ties to organized crime. Alex, meanwhile, wobbles uncertainly between remarkable proficiency and incompetence, as necessary to the plot. She can reel in a member of the Killeen family by simply ordering a whisky, yet this top-notch spy inexplicably can’t form sentences when faced with her former childhood sweetheart. I admit her latter burbling is actually kinda endearing, but c’mon: have some consistency in your lead character. And, of course, the Murphys are an almost saintly crime family. By which I mean, they still do prostitution and human trafficking, they just do them the right way. Yeah. About that…
January 10, 2018
Wow, I just completed reading the ARC of “CODE NAME: GRIFFIN”, the latest book by Morgan Hannah MacDonald, due to be released on 1/14/18, and all I can say is a resounding “WOW”! For all of you who love action-packet thrillers, this will have you hanging on to the edge of your seat; hurrying to get to the next page but afraid to go to quickly because you know you'll miss something if you rush!
Alexandria Kingston IS the Griffin! She's a special CIA operative, and she's Deadly. Alex learns about lying & deceiving very early in life– her entire life is built around deceiving others, so Alex learns to be a proficient liar at an early age. When she was 5 years old, her twin brother died, her neglectful mother was killed, and she, as Mandy Hall, was quasi adopted by Daniel & Maggie Murphy, Head of the Irish Mob in Boston. From the beginning, it was drilled into the child that No One could ever know she was a Murphy because of the dangers involved. She must be considered a family friend. There are four sons in the family: Aiden, Braden, Ethan, and Ian. The entire family loved and doted on this child, except for Braden who was extremely jealous. Mandy got to choose her own name, thus enters Alexandria. Aiden, her favorite, chose her last name of Kingston, because he said it sounded like royalty.
Maggie kept Alex at a low profile, keeping her away from the business, and sending her to boarding school. When it came time to choose a career, with her eidetic memory, and her desire to serve the country, working with the C.I.A. seemed to be the best fit and was the most agreeable with both Maggie & Daniel.
After Daniel's death, Maggie sent Alex away for an extended time, without telling the brothers, because there was unrest among the Families within the Organization of the Mob, and possible increased danger to Alex. Maggie was now the Head of the Mob, and some of the Families did not look on this favorably. However, Aiden was keeping the peace as well as possible, since he had promised his father he would keep the Organization together. Most of the unrest was coming from the Killeen Clan.
During this time, Alex was becoming a world traveler, adept at many languages, and a kick-ass adversary! She became known worldwide as the GRIFFIN. She was striking terror in the hearts of any and all who ever heard of the GRIFFIN. Not only was she proficient with any & all weapons, but she was trained to such a degree in the martial arts, her body itself was a weapon! What does she look like? Who knows – it's depending on who you asked, what day, what time of day, where, when, any number of variables. Always beautiful, always tall & striking, always come-hither; but, if you're the target, you're dead before any of those things even register!
Suddenly, Alex is called to come home, Maggie is in hospital with heart problems. Aiden is afraid that with Maggie ill, the Killeens will become more aggressive. When Alex arrives home, one of the first people she sees is Shane Donovan, Head of Security for the Murphys, and she realizes she is still in love with him, but he ignores her, as he has in the past.
There are repeated attacks on the Murphy compound that point to Killeens, apparently there's a mole within the compound, and Alex is wired. All it takes now, is to learn that Finn Killeen, the oldest son, is running a sex-slave trafficking business with young kidnapped girls, and Alex turns lethal – she's ready to start kicking ass & taking names later! What a joy to see this warrior in action!
For this thriller, you Must go out and get CODE NAME: GRIFFIN by Morgan Hannah MacDonald on 1/14/18! You get to find out what happens with the Irish Mob, the Murphys & the Killeens. The ending will surprise you! You also get a peek into the budding relationship between Alex & Shane.
Alexandria Kingston IS the Griffin! She's a special CIA operative, and she's Deadly. Alex learns about lying & deceiving very early in life– her entire life is built around deceiving others, so Alex learns to be a proficient liar at an early age. When she was 5 years old, her twin brother died, her neglectful mother was killed, and she, as Mandy Hall, was quasi adopted by Daniel & Maggie Murphy, Head of the Irish Mob in Boston. From the beginning, it was drilled into the child that No One could ever know she was a Murphy because of the dangers involved. She must be considered a family friend. There are four sons in the family: Aiden, Braden, Ethan, and Ian. The entire family loved and doted on this child, except for Braden who was extremely jealous. Mandy got to choose her own name, thus enters Alexandria. Aiden, her favorite, chose her last name of Kingston, because he said it sounded like royalty.
Maggie kept Alex at a low profile, keeping her away from the business, and sending her to boarding school. When it came time to choose a career, with her eidetic memory, and her desire to serve the country, working with the C.I.A. seemed to be the best fit and was the most agreeable with both Maggie & Daniel.
After Daniel's death, Maggie sent Alex away for an extended time, without telling the brothers, because there was unrest among the Families within the Organization of the Mob, and possible increased danger to Alex. Maggie was now the Head of the Mob, and some of the Families did not look on this favorably. However, Aiden was keeping the peace as well as possible, since he had promised his father he would keep the Organization together. Most of the unrest was coming from the Killeen Clan.
During this time, Alex was becoming a world traveler, adept at many languages, and a kick-ass adversary! She became known worldwide as the GRIFFIN. She was striking terror in the hearts of any and all who ever heard of the GRIFFIN. Not only was she proficient with any & all weapons, but she was trained to such a degree in the martial arts, her body itself was a weapon! What does she look like? Who knows – it's depending on who you asked, what day, what time of day, where, when, any number of variables. Always beautiful, always tall & striking, always come-hither; but, if you're the target, you're dead before any of those things even register!
Suddenly, Alex is called to come home, Maggie is in hospital with heart problems. Aiden is afraid that with Maggie ill, the Killeens will become more aggressive. When Alex arrives home, one of the first people she sees is Shane Donovan, Head of Security for the Murphys, and she realizes she is still in love with him, but he ignores her, as he has in the past.
There are repeated attacks on the Murphy compound that point to Killeens, apparently there's a mole within the compound, and Alex is wired. All it takes now, is to learn that Finn Killeen, the oldest son, is running a sex-slave trafficking business with young kidnapped girls, and Alex turns lethal – she's ready to start kicking ass & taking names later! What a joy to see this warrior in action!
For this thriller, you Must go out and get CODE NAME: GRIFFIN by Morgan Hannah MacDonald on 1/14/18! You get to find out what happens with the Irish Mob, the Murphys & the Killeens. The ending will surprise you! You also get a peek into the budding relationship between Alex & Shane.
January 8, 2018
You just can't put this book down! A Fantastic thrilling read with strong characters and lots of action!
Alexandra Kingston is the Griffin, with the reputation of being the deadliest black ops assassin in the CIA. Orphaned and alone at a very young age, she is found by Margaret Murphy and taken into the family changing her name to Alexandra Kingston and was raised as her own. But as she gets older, she is told although she is their daughter, she has to be labeled as a friend of the family and not knowing why, she is sent away. She becomes the Griffin and resides in Paris. When she returns from an assignment to her home, she finds many messages from her brother back in Boston saying her mother, Margaret, is sick and in the hospital. Not being home or having contact with her family for 5 years, she doesn't know how she will be received by her mother and brothers. The family with Margaret at its head is the head mob family boss in the Irish Mob in Boston. She comes home and learns why she was sent away and has to deal with another Irish Mob family who want to take the control away from her family. But no one, including her brothers know what Alex really does for a living, thinking she is a wildlife photographer and how adept at protecting her family she really is until they see her in action. With mob style killings and lots of retaliations, some good events and lots of relationship questions and cliff hangers makes you not want to put this book down for one second, and when you get to the end, you can't wait for more! All I can say in one word is WOW! I received and ARC from the author, but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own!
Alexandra Kingston is the Griffin, with the reputation of being the deadliest black ops assassin in the CIA. Orphaned and alone at a very young age, she is found by Margaret Murphy and taken into the family changing her name to Alexandra Kingston and was raised as her own. But as she gets older, she is told although she is their daughter, she has to be labeled as a friend of the family and not knowing why, she is sent away. She becomes the Griffin and resides in Paris. When she returns from an assignment to her home, she finds many messages from her brother back in Boston saying her mother, Margaret, is sick and in the hospital. Not being home or having contact with her family for 5 years, she doesn't know how she will be received by her mother and brothers. The family with Margaret at its head is the head mob family boss in the Irish Mob in Boston. She comes home and learns why she was sent away and has to deal with another Irish Mob family who want to take the control away from her family. But no one, including her brothers know what Alex really does for a living, thinking she is a wildlife photographer and how adept at protecting her family she really is until they see her in action. With mob style killings and lots of retaliations, some good events and lots of relationship questions and cliff hangers makes you not want to put this book down for one second, and when you get to the end, you can't wait for more! All I can say in one word is WOW! I received and ARC from the author, but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own!
January 13, 2018
Alexandria, a CIA operative who is on several hit lists around the country has a Orphan Annie beginning. She is found on the side of a road as a child and picked up by the head of a mob family. Adopted and loved, she is sent away for schooling and afterwards told to get a job and stay away from the family for her own protection. She returns to the states when her Mom becomes ill and gets involved with the families business. All families have puzzles and hers seems to be missing a few pieces. She has to protect her family and deal with other crime mobs but is-distracted by a childhood love Shane. Will she be able to save her family and keep off the radar? We won’t know till we read the next book. This book is a complete turnaround from other McDonald books but this new character is going to be a new five star series! I read an ARC copy for my personal opinion and loved the book! I can’t wait for the next one.
January 14, 2018
This book is totally different from the other books Morgan MacDonald has written. She usually writes thrillers or paranormal thrillers. This one is about Alex Kingston, a beautiful woman assassin for the US, whose so deadly and fast her code name is Griffin. As MacDonald describes her: "Like a viper, she strikes when you least expect it. She’s the deadliest operative the CIA has ever known." Alexandria Kingston is The Griffin. Alex is a member of an Irish family the Murphy's who took her in when she was child. The Murphy's are considered the Irish Mafia now headed by Margaret the woman who's like a mother to Alex. The Murphy's have rivals who attack them on Thanksgiving, and Alex will help them fight this rival family along with her four brothers. This is an action packed, fast paced book. Check it out, I know you'll enjoy it!
January 14, 2018
This is a different type book written by Morgan Hannah MacDonald but I rate it right up there with the Thomas Family series. The book is full of action and a touch of romantic sparks (hopefully to be developed in future books). Be forewarned - It's not for those faint of heart. The main character comes from a poor and abusive home life as a small child and adopted by this crime family. She later joins the CIA and becomes a kick ass agent. The story starts with her return back to the famiy home after 5 years when her adoptive mother becomes ill. She gets involved with family business and trying to stop another family that is into human trafficking among other "jobs". As I finished the book last night, I was left wanting more books, more stories, with this character. I hope Morgan continues to write this years.
January 14, 2018
What can I say....I've not read a book of Morgan's that I didn't thoroughly enjoy and this book is no exception. While shorter than the rest of her books I still found profoundly interesting.
Alexandria Kingston aka The Griffin is a kick butt and take no names kind of woman. She's a CIA operative who takes her job seriously. One day she gets a phone call that brings her back home and into the family business along with confronting the only man she has ever loved. Whatever will she do? You'll have to get the book and find out!
Alexandria Kingston aka The Griffin is a kick butt and take no names kind of woman. She's a CIA operative who takes her job seriously. One day she gets a phone call that brings her back home and into the family business along with confronting the only man she has ever loved. Whatever will she do? You'll have to get the book and find out!
January 14, 2018
This is the first book in an all new series that grips you from the beginning. The heroine, Alex, is complex and intriguing. Her adopted family is part of the mob and she is CIA. Unlike most stories where the mob are the bad guys, this one has the reader questioning that premise. These characters are compelling. This book is an action packed thriller with an ending that leaves you wanting more. Different from the author's other books, The Griffin series still has mystery and suspense but is lighter on the romance aspect. I look forward to more of this series and these characters.
April 12, 2018
Loaded with action, lacking on romance. Lots of violence that is scripted very well, and dialogue that flows between the characters. Yet, there's something missing. It just didn't grab me like a story of this nature usually does. The main character seems to run hot and cold, just like most women, but not a deadly assassin. Overall, it's a good action thriller that's well edited with flowing text and a nice cover. Hence, the 4 stars.
January 8, 2018
Morgan Hannah MacDonald is back with a bang! Code Name: Griffin, a fast paced novel with lots of action and new characters to love and hate. A page turner with characters who are three dimensional and action that is non-stop. Right up to the end, you'll catch yourself wanting more.
March 31, 2018
I made it until page 3 (or 3%) of the e-book before I gave up. This has to be a new record.
I thought the plot sounded interesting, but the horrible writing-style made reading this impossible. It's like reading a to-do-list: the heroine wakes up, puts her feet on the ground, runs a brush through her blonde, straight wig, puts in eyedrops [insert more step-by-step details until she makes it out of the bedroom] then she can't just grab a knife, no, we are told that the guy whose house she's staying at is a great cook, that's why his knifes are all sharp... seriously, no. This book reads like a beginner's first attempt at a spy-novel and instead of reading similar books to get a feeling for the writing, she watched movies and then wrote the story frame-by-frame.
I'm just glad this was for free at amazon when I got it, at least I didn't spend any money.
I thought the plot sounded interesting, but the horrible writing-style made reading this impossible. It's like reading a to-do-list: the heroine wakes up, puts her feet on the ground, runs a brush through her blonde, straight wig, puts in eyedrops [insert more step-by-step details until she makes it out of the bedroom] then she can't just grab a knife, no, we are told that the guy whose house she's staying at is a great cook, that's why his knifes are all sharp... seriously, no. This book reads like a beginner's first attempt at a spy-novel and instead of reading similar books to get a feeling for the writing, she watched movies and then wrote the story frame-by-frame.
I'm just glad this was for free at amazon when I got it, at least I didn't spend any money.
February 13, 2018
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The start to this story was very exciting until you asked yourself whom did the bad guys come for her host or for Alex herself? That question wasn’t really answered but it was just the intro to the skillset of the main lead so you just went with it.
Alex’s adopted family’s matriarch had taken in and was in the hospital and her older brother asked her to come home for a visit. I’m sure we have all experienced the going backwards to some of our old insecure patterns when we are around family. Alex certainly seemed to revert to some of her teenage angst quite a lot in this story.
As the story line progressed we learn that her family is part of the mob. To protect her as a child she was never publicly adopted into the family. She was given the cover as a close family friend. As an adult she became an undercover operative for the CIA with only her adoptive mother and older brother really knowing what she did for a living.
When her mother Maggie the driving force behind the family business had to take things easy Alex decided to stay a while to reconnect with her family and to make sure other factions wouldn’t take advantage of her mother’s incapacity. When the family is attacked and they lose loved ones they realize there might be a traitor in their midst. Alex and the rest of her brothers try to uncover the traitor while trying to protect the family’s place in organized crime.
There is some family drama from her brothers and a lot of petty sibling rivalry from one of her brothers, one of their trusted protectors Shane whom Alex had a crush on as a teenager adds to Alex’s need to prove her worth both to her family and to Shane.
There is a lot of excitement, family drama, intrigue, rescues, car chases, gun fire, betrayal, old loves, new loves and new work potential to keep the story flowing. There are many instances where Alex was needlessly reckless which did not seem to fit with a trained CIA operative and with keeping within the need for a low profile. The ending of the book was a bit ambiguous especially with the direction of the relationship between Alex and Shane. Their relationship seemed more like a shoved in after thought by the author and didn’t seem to really have any credence to Alex acting like a besotted teenage never been kissed girl whenever she encountered Shane. Maybe the author is setting up for book two? It was a good read for the most part just the reckless almost impulsive behaviour by Alex at times made her seem more like a moody teenager with a need to prove themselves than a seasoned operative with a kick butt reputation. Going by the fade to black of the ending will consider this book a cliff hanger, wish I had known this I don’t particularly like cliff hangers.
The start to this story was very exciting until you asked yourself whom did the bad guys come for her host or for Alex herself? That question wasn’t really answered but it was just the intro to the skillset of the main lead so you just went with it.
Alex’s adopted family’s matriarch had taken in and was in the hospital and her older brother asked her to come home for a visit. I’m sure we have all experienced the going backwards to some of our old insecure patterns when we are around family. Alex certainly seemed to revert to some of her teenage angst quite a lot in this story.
As the story line progressed we learn that her family is part of the mob. To protect her as a child she was never publicly adopted into the family. She was given the cover as a close family friend. As an adult she became an undercover operative for the CIA with only her adoptive mother and older brother really knowing what she did for a living.
When her mother Maggie the driving force behind the family business had to take things easy Alex decided to stay a while to reconnect with her family and to make sure other factions wouldn’t take advantage of her mother’s incapacity. When the family is attacked and they lose loved ones they realize there might be a traitor in their midst. Alex and the rest of her brothers try to uncover the traitor while trying to protect the family’s place in organized crime.
There is some family drama from her brothers and a lot of petty sibling rivalry from one of her brothers, one of their trusted protectors Shane whom Alex had a crush on as a teenager adds to Alex’s need to prove her worth both to her family and to Shane.
There is a lot of excitement, family drama, intrigue, rescues, car chases, gun fire, betrayal, old loves, new loves and new work potential to keep the story flowing. There are many instances where Alex was needlessly reckless which did not seem to fit with a trained CIA operative and with keeping within the need for a low profile. The ending of the book was a bit ambiguous especially with the direction of the relationship between Alex and Shane. Their relationship seemed more like a shoved in after thought by the author and didn’t seem to really have any credence to Alex acting like a besotted teenage never been kissed girl whenever she encountered Shane. Maybe the author is setting up for book two? It was a good read for the most part just the reckless almost impulsive behaviour by Alex at times made her seem more like a moody teenager with a need to prove themselves than a seasoned operative with a kick butt reputation. Going by the fade to black of the ending will consider this book a cliff hanger, wish I had known this I don’t particularly like cliff hangers.
December 17, 2018
Austrian Alps chalet. Alexandria “Alex” Kingston (aka Mandy Hall, Carol Swensen, former CIA op) had managed to avoid a couple of thugs.
She let Stefan know where his Porsche was & the mess she made of his villa.
Massachusetts General Hospital. Alex went to see Margaret “Maggie” Murphy (58, adoptive mother, Boston’s Irish Mob head).
She had a heart arrhythmia so the staff put in a pacemaker.
NY. Thanksgiving Day. Murphy estate. Those in attendance were: Alex, Aidan Murphy (oldest brother), Bradan, Betsy (Irish), Shane Donovan, Cynthia, Uncle Mick (Daniel’s brother, priest), Daniel (Mick’s brother), Aunt Mary Ellen (Daniel’s sister, wife/mother), Kevin (Mary Ellen’s husband/father), 3 grown kids; Tommy, Brian, Anne Marie (divorced, 3 kids), & Ethan Murphy (brother).
What were Alex & Ethan discussing?
Benny’s Bar & Grill West 77th. Atticus sent Alex to pick up Dimitri Ivanov.
Finnigan “Finn” Killeen (38), Connor Killeen & their goons had killed Demelza (servant).
Everyone else managed to hide in the safe room.
What else is Finn son up to?
Warning: This book contains adult content, violence, which is only suitable for mature readers. It may be offensive or have potential adverse psychological effects on the reader.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written crime thriller book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great crime thriller movie, or better yet a mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; EBookStage; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
She let Stefan know where his Porsche was & the mess she made of his villa.
Massachusetts General Hospital. Alex went to see Margaret “Maggie” Murphy (58, adoptive mother, Boston’s Irish Mob head).
She had a heart arrhythmia so the staff put in a pacemaker.
NY. Thanksgiving Day. Murphy estate. Those in attendance were: Alex, Aidan Murphy (oldest brother), Bradan, Betsy (Irish), Shane Donovan, Cynthia, Uncle Mick (Daniel’s brother, priest), Daniel (Mick’s brother), Aunt Mary Ellen (Daniel’s sister, wife/mother), Kevin (Mary Ellen’s husband/father), 3 grown kids; Tommy, Brian, Anne Marie (divorced, 3 kids), & Ethan Murphy (brother).
What were Alex & Ethan discussing?
Benny’s Bar & Grill West 77th. Atticus sent Alex to pick up Dimitri Ivanov.
Finnigan “Finn” Killeen (38), Connor Killeen & their goons had killed Demelza (servant).
Everyone else managed to hide in the safe room.
What else is Finn son up to?
Warning: This book contains adult content, violence, which is only suitable for mature readers. It may be offensive or have potential adverse psychological effects on the reader.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written crime thriller book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great crime thriller movie, or better yet a mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; EBookStage; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
February 17, 2018
Oh my goodness! This is a must have read about a CIA operative called Alex who was disowned by her adopted family because they are the Irish mobsters in Boston and they considered her joining the CIA to be a betrayal of the family. So she hasn't seen them for years and has based herself in Paris, France. Her code name is The Griffin and very few actually know what she looks like - not even her few lovers. The characters created by Morgan Hannah MacDonald are fantastic and draw you into their story. In fact, it is so well written that I began to question as to who was the real 'bad guy'? The suspense and whole plot is woven so cleverly throughout the book [part 1 of a series] that I know I will have to buy the rest as this was a must have read and I want to know what else is going to happen! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
DEFINITELY RECOMMENDED
DEFINITELY RECOMMENDED
February 25, 2018
Alexandria Kingston is The Griffin, a CIA operative....the dangerous one they have. Alex learned early in life about deceit, heartbreak, and loneliness. After being banished from her family farm in America, she goes to Paris and does every job the CIA throws her way and volunteers for those that no one else will do. She is beautiful, cunning,sexy and most of all dangerous and a master of disguise! No one really knows what she looks like. Then she is called home. Her adoptive family is in trouble, they are also members of Boston's Irish Mob. Her mother is barely clinging to life in the hospital. She joins up with her family to take down the enemy. But how many people must die in the process? I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. The review is of my own opinion.
February 15, 2018
The Griffin is the most deadliest assassin on the CIA books and anyone who knows her name fears her, but she is also Alexandria Kingston the adopted daughter of the leaders of the Irish mob. Now someone is after her family and she will do anything to protect them. Now he is ready to defend them and clear their name and she won;t be taking any prisoners. This is a absolute stunner of a thriller where the pages turn at an alarming rate has you read just a little bit more and before you know it you have been up all knight I cannot recommend this book highly enough
I was given an ARC copy of this book but this is a true and honest review
I was given an ARC copy of this book but this is a true and honest review
April 7, 2018
Ok
Ok read. Nothing spectacular.
Lots of action and killing. No romance. It kept you interested, but seemed like something was missing. Can’t put my finger on it. Alex is one tough cookie and can kick ass. Her family sure doesn’t think so. It is weird that every other family member was in danger, but they only made her leave and pretend not to be part of the family? Makes no sense. I was waiting for a plot twist there but never happened.
I will read the next to see what will happen, but for the info of her other books it looks like it will be psychopath on the warpath.
Ok read. Nothing spectacular.
Lots of action and killing. No romance. It kept you interested, but seemed like something was missing. Can’t put my finger on it. Alex is one tough cookie and can kick ass. Her family sure doesn’t think so. It is weird that every other family member was in danger, but they only made her leave and pretend not to be part of the family? Makes no sense. I was waiting for a plot twist there but never happened.
I will read the next to see what will happen, but for the info of her other books it looks like it will be psychopath on the warpath.
September 24, 2018
Scintillating spy tale
Spy craft novels always get me hooked. Weather it's James bond, Jason Bourne or the lovely Princess Alexandria. The taken in orphan whom is hidden from the adoptive family's ties to the Irish mob in Boston grows up to be a infamous CIA undercover agent. With the underpinning of family loyalty the spy us brought home to spend time helping the family matriarch recover from a heart attack. While home the family gets dragged into a mob war and the Griffin must use her talents to protect their interests. The story is engaging and entertaining. The characters are fun and likable. I look forward to the next installment.
Spy craft novels always get me hooked. Weather it's James bond, Jason Bourne or the lovely Princess Alexandria. The taken in orphan whom is hidden from the adoptive family's ties to the Irish mob in Boston grows up to be a infamous CIA undercover agent. With the underpinning of family loyalty the spy us brought home to spend time helping the family matriarch recover from a heart attack. While home the family gets dragged into a mob war and the Griffin must use her talents to protect their interests. The story is engaging and entertaining. The characters are fun and likable. I look forward to the next installment.
March 12, 2018
This book by Morgan Hannah MacDonald is not your typical mob war story, as one of the lead characters is a female assassin who just happens to lend her skills to saving her adoptive family. The action is crisp and exciting and the characters' interactions are at the extreme ends of the emotional spectrum. I am eagerly looking forward to reading the next book in the Griffin series when it comes out. This is a rather late voluntary review of an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from Booksprout.
January 14, 2018
Wow!
Lara Croft on steroids meets the Boston Irish mob, and they’re the good guys (maybe.) I didn’t keep a body count, but it was higher than the last act of Hamlet, trust me. The writing is deft, the characters nicely drawn, including the annoying stepbrother who could do with a good swift kick in the, um, attitude. A short fast read, leaves you wanting the next episode as soon as possible! I rec’d an ARC for an honest review, and hopefully, you just read it.
Lara Croft on steroids meets the Boston Irish mob, and they’re the good guys (maybe.) I didn’t keep a body count, but it was higher than the last act of Hamlet, trust me. The writing is deft, the characters nicely drawn, including the annoying stepbrother who could do with a good swift kick in the, um, attitude. A short fast read, leaves you wanting the next episode as soon as possible! I rec’d an ARC for an honest review, and hopefully, you just read it.
March 30, 2018
Irish Mob
Hit woman, Alexandria Kingston, heads home for the holidays, after hearing her adoptive mother is in the hospital. An unusual family background, Alex's family is part of the Irish mob. Taking advantage of her mother being in the hospital, a rival family wants control. With her skills as an assassin, Alex helps her family battle with the warring family. Interesting concept with this plot. But a decent story, nonetheless.
Hit woman, Alexandria Kingston, heads home for the holidays, after hearing her adoptive mother is in the hospital. An unusual family background, Alex's family is part of the Irish mob. Taking advantage of her mother being in the hospital, a rival family wants control. With her skills as an assassin, Alex helps her family battle with the warring family. Interesting concept with this plot. But a decent story, nonetheless.
July 27, 2018
A good read
Judging from the title I thought there would be more of an espionage tilt to the story. I was wrong. This is about the Irish mob in Boston. And it’s a good read. Lots of action. Could use some more character development but that could be coming in future books. I like the main character Alex and would feel very comfortable with her watching my back. She’s a real kick-ass female. Will be reading more of the series definitely. Recommended.
Judging from the title I thought there would be more of an espionage tilt to the story. I was wrong. This is about the Irish mob in Boston. And it’s a good read. Lots of action. Could use some more character development but that could be coming in future books. I like the main character Alex and would feel very comfortable with her watching my back. She’s a real kick-ass female. Will be reading more of the series definitely. Recommended.
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