BRYCE ATTEWELLE

Full Name:	Bryce Attewell
Codename:	Special Agent 508
Nationality:	Australian
Organization:	World Espionage Bureau
Occupation	Agent

Creator:	Bill Raetz
Time Span:	2001 - 2013

ABOUT THE SERIES

       Bryce Attewelle is an agent with the WEB.
       That acronym stands for the World Espionage Bureau while there is an amazingly in any of the recorded adventures about it, the little I can gleam tells me it is, well, world-wide. I figure this because of the name, the fact that offices in other countries are mentioned, and the nationality of Attewelle is Australian.
       Beyond that, I know that it is not a hush-hush organization because Attewelle on numerous occasions identifies himself as a Special Agent with that department and no one expresses any confusion. To the contrary, those in authority tend to step aside and give him clearance which tells me the agency has some clout. In one adventure, a cop at the police station front desk, seeing Attewelle's badge, was especially impressed prompting Attewelle to muse that "people see WEB credentials and go nuts with the whole spook angle." He further explains, "I'm a spy, sure, but ... what I do is more like working an assembly line; I'm tasked with taking care of one piece of something, but rarely know the big picture". Interestingly, he concludes that thought with "I like it that wyat. If I knew what was really going on up the chain, I'd probably quit".
       Back on the WEB, whether it has arresting powers like the FBI or is just pretty powerful like the CIA is largely immaterial, especially where Attewelle is concerned. That gentleman tends to play by his own rules.
       Though he hails from Down Under, Attewelle has made the city of Las Vegas his turf and he not only feels very comfortable in that area, he fits in very well with a lot of the shadier denizens of the casinos, bars, and gritty streets. Attewelle survives quite well in this world but it is easy to imagine him doing far better 60-70 years earlier when Sam Spade and Philip Marlowe operated.
       As expected by the first name of the agency, the area that Attewelle might have to work in is global but Vegas is where he does most of his cases and he has no shortage of assignments from finding terrorists among the tourists to guarding beautiful women that bad men want to kill.
       Speaking of women, there are always a lot of them. Some want to bed him. Some want to kill him. A couple want to do both.

BOOKS

Number of Books:	9
First Appearance:	2001
Last Appearance:	2013

As I mention below in My Comments, I heard an interview in which the author talked of the books out on his character, Bryce Attewelle, and the WEB and he specifically mentioned the ones numbered 1-7 and numbers 8-9 came out subsequent to that interview. How these listed 0.1 and 0.2 which were released over a decade before written by "W.G.Raetz" fit in, I do not know. They are only available in used book format and are a little pricey. As I learn more, I will amend these listings.

Also, during that interview, the author referred to those which I number as 1, 2, 4, and 6 as books and 3, 5, and 7 as novellas. The size of all these, though, were roughly the same so I put them all in the same grouping. My apologies to the author if that is wrong.


0.1			Cloaked Mode: Case Files of the WEB Written by Bill Raetz Copyright: 2001 "Cloaked Mode tells of the exciting, adrenaline-filled adventures of the World Espionage Bureau. On August 12, 1989, the World Espionage Bureau (WEB) was formed. Under the auspices of the United States government, WEB utilizes agents globally for the security of democracy, the advancement of freedom, and to disrupt rogue activities, which seek to undermine global security. WEB is considered the finest intelligence force in the world due to its meticulous screening and rigorous training of agents. In December of that same year, WEB recruited Bryce Attewelle and Lance Terry as Special Agents 508 and 442 respectively. Since that time they have worked together as partners to uphold and implement the policies of the World Espionage Bureau. The following stories detail a few of their many missions. You are reading our files."

0.2			Shadows and Secrets Written by Bill Raetz Copyright: 2001 "Rogue entities, terrorist organizations, and government officials with hidden agendas plague the world every hour of the day and seek to undermine global security. In order to isolate these threats, the World Espionage Bureau (WEB) was formed under the auspices of the United States Government. Being the most exclusive organization in the intelligence game, the WEB utilizes agents globally to safeguard the interests of the world. Shadows and Secrets details six missions of the Bureau, revolving around an elite team of operatives. Prepare yourself for the adventure of a lifetime as you join them in thwarting chemical attacks, flushing out moles, crushing terrorist plans, and recovering stolen weapons of technology. The citizens of the world rest with ease each night because of the activities of the WEB. After reading their case files, will you be able to sleep?"

1			Bad Agent Written by Bill Raetz Copyright: 2009 "Bryce Attewelle wanted revenge for a murdered agent. Waht he got was an E ticket right through Vegas!"

2			Sin City Spy Written by Bill Raetz Copyright: 2010 "Las Vegas. It's known as the city of sin. But beneath all the sleaze lies the underworld of shady deals, thugs, and double-crosses--the stomping ground of a spy!"

3			Strip Poker Written by Bill Raetz Copyright: 2010 "Vegas. It’s my home, and it’s a place like no other. People flock here by the millions because nothing is a sin and only a few things are outlawed. Most come here to gamble. Some come to our fair city for something as benign as a convention, others to get away from their wives and have a call girl. ... Then there are those who come here for the really illicit stuff, and that’s when I get involved. I’m a special agent of the World Espionage Bureau."

4			Armed And Gorgeous Written by Bill Raetz Copyright: 2012 "Special Agent Bryce Attewelle and a sultry stripper were on the run from a revenge-driven maniac. Could they stay alive long enough to keep him from tasting blood again?"

5			The Grifter's Girl Written by Bill Raetz Copyright: 2012 "She was beautiful, young -- and ripe for the taking!" So goes the tag line. It seems someone did in fact take her and that person wants $1 million in small bills to get her back.

6			Voodoo Lodge Written by Bill Raetz Copyright: 2012 "A secret agent. A vampish wahine. It was a caper that kicked off in a tiki bar haunted by a ghost--where the drinks are lethal!"

7			Saved By The Moll Written by Bill Raetz Copyright: 2012 "Bryce Attewelle is no stranger to tight spots—or getting out of them. When he goes after a notorious gun-runner, getting in isn’t the problem. Finding himself in need of an exit strategy, he grabs the first thing to come along...THE GIRL!"

8			Rap Sheet Written by Bill Raetz Copyright: 2013 "Everyone wanted Aurora Diaz! She was the most expensive and sought-after prostitute in Las Vegas, and she had men clamoring for her pleasures. But after going forward with a tell-all that promised to name her top clients, some wanted her dead. Special Agent Bryce Attewelle was assigned to save her—from herself."

9			The Strip Written by Bill Raetz Copyright: 2013 "By day, she killed men. By night, she seduced women. Allison Finley had it all—beauty, power, and limitless wealth. The only thing that the twisted temptress lacked was a man. But the only man she desired was Special Agent Bryce Attewelle, and she wanted him madly. She wanted him dead!"

MY COMMENTS

       I was attracted to this series a few years ago by the covers. I admit it. Sexy women wearing little or nothing catch my eye. And hold it. For a long time. Now, I am "mature" enough to know the covers are meant to appeal to the prurient interests of possible readers and it works. They also let those readers, like me, know that there is a very good chance naked ladies are going to be involved in hanky-panky so be warned. I was duly warned. I went inside anyways. I am intrepid that way.
       What I found was a very enjoyable romp (pun intended) with a hard-boiled detective working for a spy organization who plays things the way he feels best and if that goes against the rules, such is life. The writing is very, very fast paced and the action is solid and heavy. The characters are fun and the dialogue a hoot. Attewelle has a terrific wit and a glib tongue.
       To me these books are a cross between pulp and old-style detective and are a definite fun to read.

GRADE

My Grade: B

YOUR OPINIONS

Be the first to leave your own comments about this series.

Tell us what you think of the series. Give your grade and comments.

Your Grade:
Your Comments: