October 1, 2008
Max Rydal of the British Armys Special Investigation Branch is back in another exciting military mystery. Army helicopter pilot Sam Collier and his wife, Margot, are the ideal couplehandsome, wealthy, and deeply in love. Although Margots father, a senior military man, has ensured Sams quick rise through the ranks, Sam has also gained street cred among his colleagues and a medal from the queen for carrying out a daring rescue of the wounded in Basra. So its a shock to Max when Margot turns up at SIB headquarters, asking him to find out whos behind a hate campaign against her husband. Max immediately suspects the culprits are men from Colliers battalion who resent Sams golden-boy image, but he finds no evidence. Only after Max realizes that there is more to the beautiful couple than what first appears is he able to unravel the disturbing truth. Solid writing, authentic details of military life, plenty of action, and a sensible, everyman hero make this an enjoyable new entry in an always-reliable series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)