Suzanne Brockmann Into the Storm

Into the Storm

Suzanne Brockmann

Ballantine, Aug 2006, $21.95

ISBN: 0345480147

After a harrowing experience in Afghanistan in which the visit of the Defense Secretary makes air support limited at best, SEAL Team Sixteen arrives home for some R&R. However, Admiral Tucker figures the best rest for this elite group is a competition against a worthy opponent: private sector counterterrorist experts Troubleshooters, Inc, whose CEO is Tom Paoletti, former commanding officer of Team Sixteen. To add to the fun, the exercise occurs in December in the mountains of New Hampshire. Petty Officer Mark Jenkins and Troubleshooters operative Lindsey Fontaine are the liaisons between the teams.

However, almost from the start in the frozen granite state troubles occurs as someone apparently kidnaps Tracy Shapiro, the Troubleshooters' new receptionist. No clue to her whereabouts surface and both squads fear for her life as she is no survivalist. However, as they keep searching, the two teams begin to uncover brutally tortured female corpses buried under the ice. A serial killer personally has modified the state motto to live free and kill.

The opening Afghan sequence is some of the most realistic written military scene in recent years as Team Sixteen struggle to survive with little hope of support because politics is visiting Kabul. Once stateside, the story line is at its best with the contest and the growing loving relationship between the liaisons. The serial killer story line is fast-paced with women in the forefront, but also but also is a let down that takes away from the fascination of the competition. Still this is a fun thriller in which readers will say let the games begin.

Harriet Klausner