Don Brown (2)Reviews
Author of Treason
For other authors named Don Brown, see the disambiguation page.
Reviews
Author: Don Brown
Pages: 400
Year: 2016
Publisher: Zondervan
My rating is 4 out of 5 stars.
Lieutenant Commander Caroline McCormick has just received new orders assigning her to the prestigious Navy JAG Code 13 department in Washington, D.C. She is looking forward to this new assignment particularly getting to reconnect with her former boyfriend, P.J. McDonald. She arrives at the Pentagon, which is where Code 13 is located, and P.J. brings her up to speed on his latest case. This case is his toughest yet and involves rendering a legal opinion on whether it violates the 4th amendment of the Constitution for the Navy along with Homeland Security to use drones to patrol the borders of the U.S. There are two factions vying for control of this legislation, one who is a military drone contractor set to make billions if the contract is approved versus the “family” based on the East Coast whose import business of illegal goods will be shut down if drones are surveilling the area.
There are opposing political factions, pro and con for the legislation, trying to maneuver and call in favors to please their benefactors. As Caroline quickly discovers, someone is willing to go to extreme lengths to assure the legislation is stopped by killing P.J. and shortly thereafter his associate who was also working on the case with him. Caroline is determined that P.J. receives justice, so she volunteers to take over the case. She wants a media blitz, so everyone knows she is working the case, putting the spotlight on her in the hopes of drawing out the killer and catching him. Will she succeed?
I thought the ending was abrupt and could have given more details. I also didn’t like the homosexuality, although briefly mentioned, in the storyline of this Christian novel. I did like the love of country, determination to see justice prevail, and dedication to service. The plot premise was interesting and the prose easy to follow. There were some suspenseful moments and some poignant ones, too. Overall, I found the novel entertaining.
Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.
This is a story of a political assassination and terrorism on the waters from Singapore to Indonesia. Their is a nuclear attack threat to America and Zack and Diane are in the midst of the action. It is a race against the clock and the author does a great job of giving you the step by step plot and all the people (good and evil) involved in making the plan and then in keeping it from succeeding.
It is a high stakes game of who has stolen Russia's weapons-grade plutonium and where will it be used. The US Navy goes on a very dangerous mission to sink the freighter with the plutonium, not knowing it was also carrying several orphans on board. When they seek to save the children they will be captured by the Russians and await trial to be executed. But while this is going on, the plutonium is still in the hands of those who are seeking to destroy a huge mass of people. It will keep you reading to see what happens and when will it happen and how will it happen. Never a dull moment in this book.
Shannon McGilverry, an NCIS agent you would have already met if you are reading this series in order, is assigned to protect Zack Brewer as he is being hunted by terrorist and dealing with a politically charged trial. Shannon will discover that her first report on the death of Diane Colcernian, may be wrong and she just might be alive (once again you have to read book 1 and 2 to fully know about Diane). Plans will be made to try and rescue this young woman who has captured Zack's heart and who has the will to survive and hopefully see him again. Great ending by the way! I see there is another book in the series, so on to book 4!
The Navy uncovers a plot by radical Islamic clerics to infiltrate the Navy in key positions, which will cause death and destruction. Three key leaders are caught and Lieutenant Zack Brewer has been asked to prosecute them for treason and murder. Zack is only 3 years out of law school, but he is quickly making a name for himself. Zack requests his staunchest rival, assistant prosecutor Diane Colcernian, to work together with him to defend their country from these terrorists. They go up against a highly acclaimed criminal lawyer who has never been defeated. Zack and Diane will work together and change their attitudes about each other. But more important than the "romance" part of this story, is the evil and hateful things those who hate America do - all for Allah. This was a well-told and sobering story of the evil that exists in our world and how it can infiltrate in ways I would not have thought. Looking forward to reading book two in this series, "Hostage".
The author includes his Christian faith in his story as his characters transform and grow which I liked. The historic period involved makes this a very special read, too and the war is seen from all sides. The theme that life is precious no matter your country or battle speaks loudly.
I highly recommend this book by Don Brown and would like to read more of his books. Destiny is the prequel to his Navy Justice series.
After I thoroughly enjoyed the first novel in The Navy JAG Series, Detained, there was no question in my mind about going on to read the second. I was keenly aware of particular points of tension in this novel: officers dealing with the hard, personal costs of the service they love and are dedicated to, and corruption within a political system juxtaposed with the honor of a nation and Constitution that system should protect.
There seemed to be a lot of repetition in places, with the same descriptions popping up and the same information being repeated in characters' thoughts and conversations a number of times. Some of the drama felt clichéd or overdone, and the scenes and such involving illicit encounters and relationships grew tiresome for me, personally.
Still, this is a good read for anyone else who likes military and political thrillers that raise real questions and mix in faith. If this series continues, I plan to continue on with it.
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BookLook Bloggers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review.
Author: Don Brown
Pages: 400
Year: 2016
Publisher: Zondervan
My rating is 5+ stars.
Sometimes when reading other reviews after I finish the novel myself can be confusing, exasperating or fun. Don Brown’s latest novel for me was par excellence! Don’s personal knowledge and experiences while in the Navy show through each novel as well as his understanding of events of the past or present. In Code 13, expect to become engaged and staying there once you start the book.
I admire those who served and serve in the military and I enjoy suspense novels, which are just two of the elements in Code 13. As I read I continued to wonder if how the Pentagon was described in the story was in any way reflective of how the building really is or was. The part of the novel that is central to the book is how a JAG brief will be written in support for or against the use of drones over land 100 miles inside America. I wish I could know what elements of the Constitutional areas in contention in the JAG office actually are real and what elements are not. There were parts of the story that brought a lump in my throat and occasionally I would laugh at how Don had one or two of the characters talk about something.
The brief has to deal with the possible ramifications of the 4th Amendment. While that makes for an interesting tidbit, there are also two opposing parties who desire different outcomes of the brief. When I got towards the end of the novel, I was amazed at how it was shaping up to conclude. I never saw the final twist in the plot, which took my breath away!
My condolences to the author who was working on the novel when his mother passed away; I love how he dedicates the novel in her memory. If you’re looking for a suspense-filled, blood-pumping, action-filled novel, look no further because here it is! I wonder what the author has up his sleeve for the next JAG thriller.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
The Last Fighter Pilot tells such a story--of Jerry Yellin, who led his squadron during the last WWII fighter mission over Japan. It is a good, short read and captures Yellin's background, experience and difficulties of the war well. The author's description of Yellin's first night on Iwo Jima was particularly good.
The book suffers from two flaws. The first is the title; a misleading message about the subject of the book. There have been thousands of fighter pilots since Yellin and many have faced combat more intense and difficult than he did. He wasn't the last fighter pilot. He was one of the flight leads on the last fighter mission of WWII.
The second is the author's, shall we say, forced, stilted and sometimes over-adoring prose. The story tells itself and an informed reader doesn't need the author's help in drawing conclusions. One example:
"Fearless in facing death was a must. Jerry, for his part, had both the talent and the motivation. He'd become a fighter pilot to kill Japanese solders, to exact vengeance on them for attacking his country and killing his countrymen, and to defend freedom. And that's exactly what he was going to do."
A story well-told doesn't need such commentary from the author. The story is the commentary.
In the end, though, it is a good, personal look at aerial combat, the triumphs and losses that every warrior experiences and worth the time if a reader can see past the faults.