A profound and thought-provoking thriller examining humankind’s self-destructive tendencies.
James’ military thriller follows the ominous chain of events triggered when an American aircraft carrier is presumably attacked in the Persian Gulf.
When the USS George W. Bush, a United States Navy aircraft carrier, is apparently attacked and sunk by Iranian terrorists off the coast of Bahrain—killing thousands of crewmembers—the quickly escalating cascade of consequences entangles numerous nations that have financial and military interests with the countries involved, pushing the superpowers to the brink of a potentially civilization-ending third world war. Centuries-old governmental relationships are put to the test as the United States aggressively appeals to allies to join in their war against Iran and terrorist organizations plotting to bring down “the Great Satan.” The nonstop action and complex political drama unfold through many varying perspectives, including those of Seaman Apprentice Thew Bryson, U.S. President Cynthia Belle, jihadist Jamal Al-Dosari, and Iranian Navy Rear Admiral Hashemi Ghavam. The structure of the novel is a bit unconventional—the story focuses on not just one or two protagonists but multiple characters with a more muted emphasis—making for a much more comprehensive and thematically powerful narrative. Additionally, the equally unorthodox conclusion works well, compelling readers to consider the ultimate consequences of the extreme events at the novel’s end. Fans of hard military fiction will be more than satisfied with the author’s impressive knowledge and meticulous descriptions of weaponry and warfare: “When the bomb bay doors opened on the twenty-five FC-31 Gyrfalcons of Samii’s squadron, the automated Phalanx Close-In Weapons Systems (CIWS, or ‘sea whiz’) radar aboard the four Arleigh Burke-class destroyers… immediately detected the aircraft and then the missiles.” Equal parts geopolitical thriller, mystery, and military fiction, James’ novel paints a dire portrait of humanity’s precarious position in the throes of international conflict.
A profound and thought-provoking thriller examining humankind’s self-destructive tendencies.Pub Date: Feb. 20, 2023
ISBN: 9781959677215
Page Count: 292
Publisher: North Arrow Press
Review Posted Online: July 17, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2023
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
Come for the forensics, stay for the nonhumans.
A Christmas bout between Kay Scarpetta and the Phantom Slasher.
But first, Scarpetta, Virginia’s chief medical examiner, has to figure out how software designer Rowdy O’Leary died. Fished from the Potomac River on Christmas Eve six years after a hit-and-run driver left him permanently disabled and a week after he plunked down the cash for a pricey emerald ring, he fell off his fishing perch and drowned—or did he? Scarpetta’s examination of his body is cut short by two disturbing developments: the discovery of an unidentified woman’s remains buried on the grounds of Mercy Psychiatric Hospital, and celebrity TV reporter Dana Diletti’s report that the red-eyed ghost associated with the Slasher’s three murders has floated through the window of her home. She’s got video, too, and the apparition looks real and scary. The final blow to Scarpetta’s plans for a Christmas getaway with her husband, Secret Service forensic psychologist Benton Wesley, is an attack on an Alexandria home that kills Mercy psychiatrist Georgine Duvall, who used to treat Scarpetta’s niece, Lucy Farinelli, and nearly kills graduate student Zain Willard, White House intern and nephew of presidential candidate Sen. Calvin Willard. This time the Slasher’s ghost has been spotted on the scene by none other than Pete Marino, head of investigations for the medical examiner’s office and Scarpetta’s longtime sidekick. Cornwell’s use of Robbie, Zain’s robotic dog, and Janet, Lucy’s AI companion, integrates the futuristic elements she favors more successfully than in her recent outings. But the solutions to all these mysteries will leave fans of the venerable franchise pursing their lips rather than gasping in awe.
Come for the forensics, stay for the nonhumans.Pub Date: Oct. 7, 2025
ISBN: 9781538773963
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Review Posted Online: July 4, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2025
SEEN & HEARD
Amateurish, with a twist savvy readers will see coming from a mile away.
A woman accused of shooting her husband six times in the face refuses to speak.
"Alicia Berenson was thirty-three years old when she killed her husband. They had been married for seven years. They were both artists—Alicia was a painter, and Gabriel was a well-known fashion photographer." Michaelides' debut is narrated in the voice of psychotherapist Theo Faber, who applies for a job at the institution where Alicia is incarcerated because he's fascinated with her case and believes he will be able to get her to talk. The narration of the increasingly unrealistic events that follow is interwoven with excerpts from Alicia's diary. Ah, yes, the old interwoven diary trick. When you read Alicia's diary you'll conclude the woman could well have been a novelist instead of a painter because it contains page after page of detailed dialogue, scenes, and conversations quite unlike those in any journal you've ever seen. " 'What's the matter?' 'I can't talk about it on the phone, I need to see you.' 'It's just—I'm not sure I can make it up to Cambridge at the minute.' 'I'll come to you. This afternoon. Okay?' Something in Paul's voice made me agree without thinking about it. He sounded desperate. 'Okay. Are you sure you can't tell me about it now?' 'I'll see you later.' Paul hung up." Wouldn't all this appear in a diary as "Paul wouldn't tell me what was wrong"? An even more improbable entry is the one that pins the tail on the killer. While much of the book is clumsy, contrived, and silly, it is while reading passages of the diary that one may actually find oneself laughing out loud.
Amateurish, with a twist savvy readers will see coming from a mile away.Pub Date: Feb. 5, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-250-30169-7
Page Count: 304
Publisher: Celadon Books
Review Posted Online: Nov. 3, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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