Emily Hudson, an archrologist sent into various war zones in order to protect ancient artifacts by the UN. Emily and her assistant Joel are captured by an evil group of men in the mountains of Afghanistan who are looking for an ancient Russian treasure known as Zelov's Hammer. Emily's only chance of survival lays in the hands of former CIA agent John Garrett, an expert at the spy game.

It's going to seem like I'm ranting here but...I would venture to say a full 80% of "Deadlock" consists of one character trying to dissuade another character from "going along". Meaning that Garrett is supposed to go somewhere, and spends half a chapter telling Emily why it's not a good idea she "go along". Or Emily decides to go somewhere and spends half a chapter telling Irana why "she shouldn't come". Seriously, the protagonists bicker for most of the book about who should go where accompanied by whom. It's like those old "I Love Lucy" shows where Lucy wants to be in Ricky's show, and he refuses...but you just know Lucy is going to appear in the show. So eventually everyone goes everywhere with everybody...and you realize you've just spent 15 chapters reading the same thing over and over again. You just want to scream...JUST LET THEM GO ALONG...and spare us the debate. So in the spirit of the book let me advise you "You really shouldn't go along" with reading this novel. 2.5 stars because the idea of the story was great it just never materialized. ( )

I have been reading Iris' books since the early 80s. I've enjoyed her growth as an author from the romance genre into the mainstream. She continues to deliver good reads. Nice mystery with sufficient twist and turns to keep leading you to the very end. ( )

Awesome book! I definitely want to read more of her books! ( )

I like past Iris Johansen novels. The Ugly Duckling is probably my favorite. I don't like this one; and resent the fact that this book tried to be like The Ugly Duckling. The plot was weak, the characters were stilted, the action was UNaction. Based I this book alone, I wouldn't try or recommend other Iris Johansen novels. However, I have read some other her other work and expect better...and would recommend readers stay away from this novel. ( )

Emily Hudson, artifacts expert for UN, captured in Afghanistan? with partner Joel Levy, tortured for weeks, enemy looking for a specific artifact ( )