Chasing the Ghost

The Green Berets #7

by Bob Mayer

Covert operative Horace Chase has been chasing ghosts his entire life.
First, his Medal-of-Honor winner father who died in Vietnam without ever meeting his son. And left him the legacy of an automatic appointment to the Military Academy at West Point which shaped the next thirty-five years of Chase's life. Then, the ghost of his mother, who died while he was at war in Afghanistan and wounded, causing him to resign his commission and return to the United States, a lost soul.

Chase now wears two hats as a Federal counter-terrorism liaison to the local police department in Boulder, Colorado where he becomes embroiled in two seemingly un-related cases. Working as a detective with Boulder PD he chases another death, this one the apparent rape/murder of Rachel Stevens, an upscale housewife attending night classes at the University of Colorado. And with his counter-terrorism team he is embroiled in a series of killings involving a militia group, a rogue ex-Special Forces officer, a psychopathic ex-CIA contract mercenary, and ruthless drug runners.

From the streets of Boulder, to the highest railroad tunnel in the world, to a swingers club hiding in plain site in suburbia, Afghanistan starts to look pretty good to Chase.

Genres: Thriller, Military Fiction, Fiction, Action, Adventure, Amazon, Grief

296 pages, Nook

First published April 1, 2010

About the author

Besides my own interests, I read whatever my wife tells me to read-- she's a voracious reader and has wide-ranging tastes as my reviews show (she also always has the TV remote and she's always right about what to watch). I read a lot of nonfiction, mostly for research. Some of my favorite books are Lonesome Dove, Mystic River, LOTR, and an array of science fiction classics including the Foundation series. Our house is covered with books, although I finally broke down and started reading eBooks, strangely enough on my iPhone. Since I carry it pretty much everywhere, it means I always have an entire library of books with me.

I'm a West Point graduate, former Green Beret and a New York Times Bestselling Author. I've sold over five million books. My newest series begins with New York Minute, a thriller set in New York City in 1977.

I love using history and science in my books. My Area 51 series pretty much had me rewriting our entire history of civilization.

Reviews

[Joe Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Puzzling Mystery with Retired Military working two jobs, Homeland Security position (on call) attached to Boulder Colorado Police Department as an assigned Fed to help in Homicide investigations. Paired with a local experienced detective who knows investigation but in the small town Police Force, doesn't encounter death in day to day job. I enjoyed the technical detail about military life as an assassin (i.e. setting up weapons, sitting awaiting a shot, judging whether to shoot or not). Also enjoyed the interplay of a basic military man and a traditional policeman looking at a murder from their unique perspectives and negotiating the areas of conflict. I found the deference of Chase (the Military man) to be at odds with his Academy training and rank of Major. He acted as you might expect an enlisted man to act in the company of ranking officers. Just a little too subservient for someone with his background in his position. I imagine his cynicism is about on target for someone who participated in three questionable wars, just obeying commands without being able to expect any justification for the things he was trained to do without question. I imagine lots of servicemen are out there with similar feelings about what they were asked to do. I did enjoy the ending as I'm spoiled and think the good guys should succeed. The twists and turns were also a source of enjoyment. I must admit, I started off the wrong direction several times and had to go back and re-read a section to find where a plot jump dodged my thought train. It is a book that would likely benefit from a second read after gaining the perspective of the first time through. I enjoyed the author's views if they are expressed as the lead characters. I believe it to be a worth while read especially if you would like to expand your exposure to Black Ops, CIA interference within the U.S. and the possibilities of getting away with "Murder" when you have a billet on the Dark Side.

[Matt McRoberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

CHASING THE GHOST is very different type of fiction book then what Bob Mayer has written in the past. I really enjoyed reading it and I definitely would like to see more stories involving Horace Chase.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book I have read by Bob Mayer and I really enjoyed it-the story kept my attention and interest well enough to overlook the writing errors- which thankfully were not too excessive and usually minor, although even those get annoying if the story lags and there are too many of them. I did not find that happening with this book. The plot was not routinely predictable, either- kept interest at a high level, moved right along, and there were some interesting twists. I liked the characters-I'd like to read more of Horace Chase, although I don't wonder at the poor man going by his last name! The author also has an interesting website. I am left feeling I must look to some of his other books.

[Antigone Walsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

All Bad Guys

The murder of a wealthy doctor's wife leads to the u unravelling of a vicious international conspiracy. Chase is a former soldier and federal operative for a murky government conglomerate. Embedded with a local police department he becomes involved in the investigation while on call to his secretive masters.

This is a dark and at times dreary novel. There are no good guys or likable characters. I object to the gratuitous animal abuse. The parts about the wars and the making of tough guys bored me to tears. But even that was better than the tedious conversations between Chase and his stripper girlfriend. Some good action scenes. 2.5 stars

[Robert Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another brick in the wall

As with all Bob Mayer books the protagonist is a solider doing his duty out of conviction of honor rather than its a job. The antagonist is pure evil but has backers higher in the government as a backer.

[Garrett Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Stan veteran trying to come to grips with civilian life

An interesting story of veteran who is being used by our government for some questionable activities, while struggling with pstd to get his life together and do the right thing.
activities, while s

[William Owens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brutal reality of Drug Wars.

I finished this book and realized that the people who are defending America pay a price for their involvement in this dirty work. I'm not sure that I would recommend this book to many people.

[Rev. W. Roger Stauffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book kept my attention with moves I sometimes could see, but others O did not expect. Enjoyed the book overall, the sex really isn’t necessary for the storyline.

[Kyla Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tantalizing

A good who dun-it. Different. Twists & turns. A puzzle. A psychological maze for the protagonist, Horace Chase, to negotiate. Totally entertaining.

[Glenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting

Dealt with dark, adult themes. Kept me on the edge of my seat. The author really knew his subject matter.

[David Dalton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not to be too critical or anything, but this is the 1st Bob Mayer book (out of 12 or so that I have read so far) that I am not crazy about. This is a 3-star review instead of my usual 4 or 5-star review of his books. It was labeled a Black Ops book (Green Beret) but it was really a detective/police story with very loose ties to Black Ops. The main character Horace Chase, was kinda boring and messed up....and he really did not do much except shoot one guy near the end of the book.. No spoilers as you would normally figure a book like this would feature tons of shooting...But not so this one.

I guess I need to read the fine print. I was reading this book to get ready for the newest Ghost book in in which Horace teams up with retired CWO Dave Riley (now that Green Beret character is one I like, having read two of his stories). But now I am not in any rush to read another book featuring Horace.......I actually found the book pretty dull and only because I have liked several other Mayer books did I go thru and actually finish reading this one. I have not given up on Mayer, as I still have several Atlantis and Area 51 books to read, plus several other Green Beret and Black Ops books such as

[RJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twas a bit confusing to get the gist of what was going on. First our hero is a detective working on a murder case, then he is also a federal counter-terrorism operative involved in other killings. It's unclear how he obtained this dual role and how the two are related. His father died in Vietnam and his mother when he was in Afghanistan. Lots of history and lots going on. Lots going on in our hero's head too. One must persevere through to the end and much will be revealed to you. It is a complex, but interesting story and worth the time invested.

[Rick Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A first time read for me from Bob Mayer. Very good action packed thriller. Horace Chase is a good character,well developed with additional baggage. A likable fellow. Mayer is ex-military / Special Forces, so he adds a very believable side to his character. Lots of good twists and turns that keep you reading along. Definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a thrill-ride.

[Tom King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taut Thriller

This one gets 5 stars for its well drawn characters and intricate plot. Didn't need the gritty sex stuff but then I am a bit of a prude. Mayer delivers a solid story.

[Mike McNeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chasing the Ghost is a tight,fast moving action/mystery...just the kind of story Mayer does best. I read it in two nights because I couldn't put it down.

[Booklover]

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[Milton Louie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story keep me in suspense until near the end. Everything wrapped up nicely. Always like it when the good guys wins and justice served.

[DJ Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ending was good, but the book didn't move to fluidly to get there, had to force myself to read it at times

[Aleksandr Voinov]

1.5 stars. Read the start (hey, it was cheap, and the blurb read well), and just couldn't get into it.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good plot and writing style and a troubled male lead always on the edge of the abyss. Good secondary characters.

[Monica Stanny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick good read

This book was a quick read and a good one. Mayer is a good storyteller. I would read more of his novels.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

could not put this book (kindle edition) down until finished.....