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Redemption Day
The terrorist to be feared is not one across the seas.
It is the one in your backyard; the one indistinguishable from your neighbors.
Redemption Day is a highly paced thriller set in Washington DC. The story is founded upon historical events
and documented teachings of the Posse Comitatus. The Posse was an anti-government militia group in the
1980’s that tried to convince farmers that banks could not lawfully foreclose on their properties. Their beliefs
led to the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City on a date of significance to the
group—April 19.
It is the one in your backyard; the one indistinguishable from your neighbors.
Redemption Day is a highly paced thriller set in Washington DC. The story is founded upon historical events
and documented teachings of the Posse Comitatus. The Posse was an anti-government militia group in the
1980’s that tried to convince farmers that banks could not lawfully foreclose on their properties. Their beliefs
led to the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City on a date of significance to the
group—April 19.
304 pages, Paperback
First published March 4, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 26, 2012
‘They believe that the state is unlawful.’
Nick James has just been fired as a terrorist analyst, and is about to become the most wanted man in America after Supreme Court Justice Silvio Caprelli is kidnapped on a parkway in Washington DC. A Sherriff is murdered, while he’s waiting to talk to Nick.
Who has kidnapped Justice Caprelli, and why? Who murdered the Sherriff? Why has Nick James become caught up in this? Is he being set up, and if so, who is setting him up and why? A taskforce is assembled to try to rescue Justice Caprelli, and Nick has information that may assist – if he can convince the taskforce to trust him and the bad guys from killing him.
‘The center of the star changes everything.’
The terrorists in this story are home-grown. A militant group called the Posse Comitatus has kidnapped Justice Caprelli for a reason, and time is running out. It seems likely that a terrorist attack is imminent, but when and where? There are plenty of clues, but they will only make sense to someone familiar with the motivations and operations of the Posse Comitatus.
I found this a good page-turning read. There’s plenty of action and some interesting characters. A couple of aspects didn’t work for me initially, but I quickly became caught up in the story and keen to see how (and where) it would end. The story moves quickly and smoothly between those holding Justice Caprelli, and those trying to secure his release. The basis for the novel is set out in an Author’s Note at the end of the novel. Steve O’Brien writes: 'All of the historical statements and events attributed to the Posse Comitatus are true but with two exceptions.' A sobering thought indeed. Home-grown terrorists are far more frightening: there is no ‘them’, only people just like ‘us’.
Note: I was offered, and accepted, a copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Nick James has just been fired as a terrorist analyst, and is about to become the most wanted man in America after Supreme Court Justice Silvio Caprelli is kidnapped on a parkway in Washington DC. A Sherriff is murdered, while he’s waiting to talk to Nick.
Who has kidnapped Justice Caprelli, and why? Who murdered the Sherriff? Why has Nick James become caught up in this? Is he being set up, and if so, who is setting him up and why? A taskforce is assembled to try to rescue Justice Caprelli, and Nick has information that may assist – if he can convince the taskforce to trust him and the bad guys from killing him.
‘The center of the star changes everything.’
The terrorists in this story are home-grown. A militant group called the Posse Comitatus has kidnapped Justice Caprelli for a reason, and time is running out. It seems likely that a terrorist attack is imminent, but when and where? There are plenty of clues, but they will only make sense to someone familiar with the motivations and operations of the Posse Comitatus.
I found this a good page-turning read. There’s plenty of action and some interesting characters. A couple of aspects didn’t work for me initially, but I quickly became caught up in the story and keen to see how (and where) it would end. The story moves quickly and smoothly between those holding Justice Caprelli, and those trying to secure his release. The basis for the novel is set out in an Author’s Note at the end of the novel. Steve O’Brien writes: 'All of the historical statements and events attributed to the Posse Comitatus are true but with two exceptions.' A sobering thought indeed. Home-grown terrorists are far more frightening: there is no ‘them’, only people just like ‘us’.
Note: I was offered, and accepted, a copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
March 27, 2012
O'Brien always informs as well as entertains with his books
Steve O'Brien is one of those authors who gets an idea that seems a bit out of the ordinary and then works into the fabric of his novels so that not only does it work to propel his page-turner books, but it also teaches about something with which are not familiar. Reflect on his prior novels - `Elijah's Coin' and `Bullet Work' - and then prepare yourself for what for this reader is his strongest work to date - REDEMPTION DAY.
The story, without revealing too much information that might tamper with the building of suspense O'Brien so carefully plots in this tale, beings with an isolated conversation in a diner with some peculiar men who deliver ominous moods - this Prologue technique serves to not only establish a taste of what is to come but makes senses to proceed to chapter 1 with Nick James being fired (along with other of this colleagues) from his job as a terrorism analyst for the US Government. Concurrently a Supreme Court Justice (Silvio Caprelli) is the target of a kidnapping in a most unusual manner. Nick James puts his background and his inherent intelligence together to investigate the matter: while all else focus on the fear of international terrorism, blame being placed everywhere but with the US, James pursues his suspicion of a group - the Posse Comitatus - and thus places himself, a free lance investigator, in the midst of threatening position between two opposing groups.
For this reader, at least, it was helpful to take a bit of pause and explore this `Posse Comitatus'. The following information may be helpful to others as well. `The Posse Comitatus (from the Latin phrase meaning "force of the county") is a loosely organized far right social movement that opposes the United States federal government and believes in localism. There is no single national group, and local units are autonomous. Posse charters were issued in 1969 in Portland, Oregon, by Henry Lamont Beach, "a retired dry cleaner and one-time member of the Silver Shirts, a Nazi-inspired organization that was established in America after Hitler took power in Germany". William Potter Gale has been described by one expert as the founder of the movement. Posse members believe that there is no legitimate form of government above that of the county level and no higher law authority than the county sheriff. If the sheriff refuses to carry out the will of the county's citizens "...he shall be removed by the Posse to the most populated intersection of streets in the township and at high noon be hung by the neck, the body remaining until sundown as an example to those who would subvert the law." Many Posse members practice survivalism and played a role in the formation of the armed citizens' militias in the 1990s. The Posse Comitatus pioneered the use of false liens and other paper terrorism. Members of the Posse Comitatus frequently refuse to pay taxes, to obtain driver's licenses, or otherwise to comply with regulatory authorities. They deny the validity of United States fiat money as not backed by gold, which they claim the Constitution requires. They have unusual legal documents drawn up and attempt to record them, declaring independence from the United States, or claiming to file "common law" liens against perceived enemies like Internal Revenue Service employees or judges. They are often involved in various tax protests, and have invoked arguments popularized by tax protesters. Some Posse members embraced the anti-semitic and white supremacist beliefs of Christian Identity. Some believe that the U.S. Federal government is illegitimate and in the hands of "ZOG," an alleged Jewish conspiracy. The legal theories of Posse Comitatus have been further developed by the Sovereign Citizen Movement, which claims that a U.S. citizen can become a "sovereign citizen" and thereby be subject only to common law and/or "constitutional law", not to statutory law (including most taxes). The Uniform Commercial Code plays an important part in these legal theories. While some African-American groups have adopted Sovereign Citizen beliefs, the movement is dominated by adherents of Christian Identity.' Did you know that? This reader didn't.
For some, this amount of information may be excessive. But if one of the many aspects of Steve O'Brien's talent is to bring forth questions about organizations of this sort, then not only has he given us a superlative thriller of a book, but an invitation to become better informed in the process. O'Brien continues to give evidence that he is becoming one of the major writers of this genre emerging today.
Grady Harp
Steve O'Brien is one of those authors who gets an idea that seems a bit out of the ordinary and then works into the fabric of his novels so that not only does it work to propel his page-turner books, but it also teaches about something with which are not familiar. Reflect on his prior novels - `Elijah's Coin' and `Bullet Work' - and then prepare yourself for what for this reader is his strongest work to date - REDEMPTION DAY.
The story, without revealing too much information that might tamper with the building of suspense O'Brien so carefully plots in this tale, beings with an isolated conversation in a diner with some peculiar men who deliver ominous moods - this Prologue technique serves to not only establish a taste of what is to come but makes senses to proceed to chapter 1 with Nick James being fired (along with other of this colleagues) from his job as a terrorism analyst for the US Government. Concurrently a Supreme Court Justice (Silvio Caprelli) is the target of a kidnapping in a most unusual manner. Nick James puts his background and his inherent intelligence together to investigate the matter: while all else focus on the fear of international terrorism, blame being placed everywhere but with the US, James pursues his suspicion of a group - the Posse Comitatus - and thus places himself, a free lance investigator, in the midst of threatening position between two opposing groups.
For this reader, at least, it was helpful to take a bit of pause and explore this `Posse Comitatus'. The following information may be helpful to others as well. `The Posse Comitatus (from the Latin phrase meaning "force of the county") is a loosely organized far right social movement that opposes the United States federal government and believes in localism. There is no single national group, and local units are autonomous. Posse charters were issued in 1969 in Portland, Oregon, by Henry Lamont Beach, "a retired dry cleaner and one-time member of the Silver Shirts, a Nazi-inspired organization that was established in America after Hitler took power in Germany". William Potter Gale has been described by one expert as the founder of the movement. Posse members believe that there is no legitimate form of government above that of the county level and no higher law authority than the county sheriff. If the sheriff refuses to carry out the will of the county's citizens "...he shall be removed by the Posse to the most populated intersection of streets in the township and at high noon be hung by the neck, the body remaining until sundown as an example to those who would subvert the law." Many Posse members practice survivalism and played a role in the formation of the armed citizens' militias in the 1990s. The Posse Comitatus pioneered the use of false liens and other paper terrorism. Members of the Posse Comitatus frequently refuse to pay taxes, to obtain driver's licenses, or otherwise to comply with regulatory authorities. They deny the validity of United States fiat money as not backed by gold, which they claim the Constitution requires. They have unusual legal documents drawn up and attempt to record them, declaring independence from the United States, or claiming to file "common law" liens against perceived enemies like Internal Revenue Service employees or judges. They are often involved in various tax protests, and have invoked arguments popularized by tax protesters. Some Posse members embraced the anti-semitic and white supremacist beliefs of Christian Identity. Some believe that the U.S. Federal government is illegitimate and in the hands of "ZOG," an alleged Jewish conspiracy. The legal theories of Posse Comitatus have been further developed by the Sovereign Citizen Movement, which claims that a U.S. citizen can become a "sovereign citizen" and thereby be subject only to common law and/or "constitutional law", not to statutory law (including most taxes). The Uniform Commercial Code plays an important part in these legal theories. While some African-American groups have adopted Sovereign Citizen beliefs, the movement is dominated by adherents of Christian Identity.' Did you know that? This reader didn't.
For some, this amount of information may be excessive. But if one of the many aspects of Steve O'Brien's talent is to bring forth questions about organizations of this sort, then not only has he given us a superlative thriller of a book, but an invitation to become better informed in the process. O'Brien continues to give evidence that he is becoming one of the major writers of this genre emerging today.
Grady Harp
March 3, 2012
Article first published as Book Review:Redemption Day by Steve O'Brian on Blogcritics.
Terror comes in many packages and for many reasons. Sometimes that terror exists in places that may not be as far away as those you read about in the news. It can often be one that is as indistinguishable as your own neighbors.
Redemption Day Steve O’Brien brings us a dose of danger and terror spawned here in our own country. When his protagonist Nick James is fired from his terrorist analyst government job, along with a host of others, he understands it is sometimes how the system works. But something is wrong, within a very short time he finds himself a wanted man. Somehow he has found himself in the middle of a deadly game, with little direction to turn. From his analysis on terrorism he has been watching a militant group known as the Posse Comitatus. They are a group of militia that have their own beliefs in the wording of the constitution, and feel the government has bastardized the ideology.
When a Supreme Court Justice is kidnapped, Nick is the one man who understands. Can he find a way to bring the militants to light and save the Justice, thereby saving himself as well. Following where the evidence leads him, he is tracked by the FBI at every turn. Can he hope to bring the dire situation to light and clear his name? The militants will stop at nothing to win their battle, they are strong and growing, with a feeling of power now that they have their pawn. Can Nick convince someone that the terror is in their own back yards, and that he is not involved in the deaths that seem to follow his moves? Who can he turn to with such dire information, and will they be in time to stop the Comitatus?
O'Brien has delivered a tense and compelling novel about terror here on our own shores. With the advent of the Oklahoma City bombing, we know there are factions, and we have seen the aftermath. O’Brien takes a deep look into the thought process that brings many to this place and lays it out in such a way you can understand the thinking, even though not necessarily the methods. His characters are very perceptive and strong.
While the story creates tension, his characters convey a sense of rightness, and strength to overcome the obstacles while protecting the masses. As each bit of evidence comes to light he weaves an intricate story of beliefs and an overriding sense of how such strong belief over rides what would generally be considered right or wrong. The tension remains thick but there is a thread of hope with his protagonist, you just feel that somehow he will prevail.
The Posse Comitatus is a group that has its own interpretation of the constitution and finally feel s they have what they need to move forward. O’Brien brings us an in-depth study of what and who they are, and how they come to be. The tone of the book conveys the danger of some of the fanatics and the capability of further homeland terror happening. He has taken a group from our own foundations and given it a face, one we may see in any area of the country.
This would be a great book for a book club or reading group. If you enjoy reading suspense and terror, or just enjoy a good mystery this is the right book for you. O’Brien has written a literary work that puts the ball in our court, to make of it what we will.
This book was received free through the publicist. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.
Terror comes in many packages and for many reasons. Sometimes that terror exists in places that may not be as far away as those you read about in the news. It can often be one that is as indistinguishable as your own neighbors.
Redemption Day Steve O’Brien brings us a dose of danger and terror spawned here in our own country. When his protagonist Nick James is fired from his terrorist analyst government job, along with a host of others, he understands it is sometimes how the system works. But something is wrong, within a very short time he finds himself a wanted man. Somehow he has found himself in the middle of a deadly game, with little direction to turn. From his analysis on terrorism he has been watching a militant group known as the Posse Comitatus. They are a group of militia that have their own beliefs in the wording of the constitution, and feel the government has bastardized the ideology.
When a Supreme Court Justice is kidnapped, Nick is the one man who understands. Can he find a way to bring the militants to light and save the Justice, thereby saving himself as well. Following where the evidence leads him, he is tracked by the FBI at every turn. Can he hope to bring the dire situation to light and clear his name? The militants will stop at nothing to win their battle, they are strong and growing, with a feeling of power now that they have their pawn. Can Nick convince someone that the terror is in their own back yards, and that he is not involved in the deaths that seem to follow his moves? Who can he turn to with such dire information, and will they be in time to stop the Comitatus?
O'Brien has delivered a tense and compelling novel about terror here on our own shores. With the advent of the Oklahoma City bombing, we know there are factions, and we have seen the aftermath. O’Brien takes a deep look into the thought process that brings many to this place and lays it out in such a way you can understand the thinking, even though not necessarily the methods. His characters are very perceptive and strong.
While the story creates tension, his characters convey a sense of rightness, and strength to overcome the obstacles while protecting the masses. As each bit of evidence comes to light he weaves an intricate story of beliefs and an overriding sense of how such strong belief over rides what would generally be considered right or wrong. The tension remains thick but there is a thread of hope with his protagonist, you just feel that somehow he will prevail.
The Posse Comitatus is a group that has its own interpretation of the constitution and finally feel s they have what they need to move forward. O’Brien brings us an in-depth study of what and who they are, and how they come to be. The tone of the book conveys the danger of some of the fanatics and the capability of further homeland terror happening. He has taken a group from our own foundations and given it a face, one we may see in any area of the country.
This would be a great book for a book club or reading group. If you enjoy reading suspense and terror, or just enjoy a good mystery this is the right book for you. O’Brien has written a literary work that puts the ball in our court, to make of it what we will.
This book was received free through the publicist. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.
March 11, 2012
Supreme Court Justice Silvio Caprelli is kidnapped on a Washington D.C. parkway. The nation is spellbound as the airwaves fill with speculation that international terrorists are responsible.
Nick James is a contractor for the government or was until today. He is terminated due to the loss of funding but his day is going to get much worse. He finds himself between a terrorist group and the government. One side wants him captured and the other wants him dead. Nick believes the terrorists reside much closer to home. He just needs to find the proof to save both himself, the judge and the United States government.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
You will read this book all in one sitting. I couldn’t put it down. This story is alarmingly real which makes it downright scary.
The domestic terrorist group, Posse Comitatus is very real. Several years ago I worked with a woman whose husband was very involved with the group, so I know the lengths they go to stay off the map. Posse members believe that there is no legitimate form of government above that of the county level and no higher law authority than the county sheriff. If the sheriff refuses to carry out the will of the county’s citizens:
…he shall be removed by the Posse to the most populated intersection of streets in the township and at high noon be hung by the neck, the body remaining until sundown as an example to those who would subvert the law. *
O’Brien has created believable characters, in a setting we are all familiar with, and extraordinarily credible plot. The story is told from several points of view which takes you into the minds of all the players. He also weaves in actual historical events and terrorists making the story even more real. I know the author is a lawyer but he has inside information that makes me suspect he may have actually worked for the government or did some incredible research.
This is an excellent read that would make an awesome movie. Get your copy today, this will be a book you will not soon forget.
Nick James is a contractor for the government or was until today. He is terminated due to the loss of funding but his day is going to get much worse. He finds himself between a terrorist group and the government. One side wants him captured and the other wants him dead. Nick believes the terrorists reside much closer to home. He just needs to find the proof to save both himself, the judge and the United States government.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
You will read this book all in one sitting. I couldn’t put it down. This story is alarmingly real which makes it downright scary.
The domestic terrorist group, Posse Comitatus is very real. Several years ago I worked with a woman whose husband was very involved with the group, so I know the lengths they go to stay off the map. Posse members believe that there is no legitimate form of government above that of the county level and no higher law authority than the county sheriff. If the sheriff refuses to carry out the will of the county’s citizens:
…he shall be removed by the Posse to the most populated intersection of streets in the township and at high noon be hung by the neck, the body remaining until sundown as an example to those who would subvert the law. *
O’Brien has created believable characters, in a setting we are all familiar with, and extraordinarily credible plot. The story is told from several points of view which takes you into the minds of all the players. He also weaves in actual historical events and terrorists making the story even more real. I know the author is a lawyer but he has inside information that makes me suspect he may have actually worked for the government or did some incredible research.
This is an excellent read that would make an awesome movie. Get your copy today, this will be a book you will not soon forget.
April 19, 2012
Smoothly written, fast-paced, exciting and intellectually intriguing, Steve O’Brien’s Redemption Day starts with an attack on a Supreme Court judge and moves quickly to a young man on the run from terrorists and the FBI. The background of April 19th is nicely researched and presented as a convincing part of the story. The politics of Posse Comitatus, and the arguments, true and false, for common law vs State and national law, are as much a part of the tale as the procedures for tracking cell-phones and uploading a video. Meanwhile the story is presented in the context of very plausible characters with a minimum of coincidence and maximum of common sense and clever deduction.
The action pulls the reader in quickly, creating sympathy and interest, and building reasons into every explanation. I learned, without realizing it, a lot about the Constitution, and about the arguments of libertarian extremists. Meanwhile I thoroughly enjoyed an exciting adventure, complete with sympathetic and unsympathetic officials and a plausible love interest, feeling all the time as if I could easily be watching a movie.
This is Steve O’Brien’s third book and it reads as if the author’s been writing forever. Redemption Day wouldn’t be out of place in any airport bookstore. It’s smooth, fast, exciting and fun, with just the right level of though-provoking interest to keep the reader curious. Highly recommended on the suspense and action adventure aisle.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this novel from the Cadence Marketing Group in exchange for my honest review.
The action pulls the reader in quickly, creating sympathy and interest, and building reasons into every explanation. I learned, without realizing it, a lot about the Constitution, and about the arguments of libertarian extremists. Meanwhile I thoroughly enjoyed an exciting adventure, complete with sympathetic and unsympathetic officials and a plausible love interest, feeling all the time as if I could easily be watching a movie.
This is Steve O’Brien’s third book and it reads as if the author’s been writing forever. Redemption Day wouldn’t be out of place in any airport bookstore. It’s smooth, fast, exciting and fun, with just the right level of though-provoking interest to keep the reader curious. Highly recommended on the suspense and action adventure aisle.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this novel from the Cadence Marketing Group in exchange for my honest review.
April 18, 2012
The author creates a puzzle that the reader must try to unravel while at the same time being entertained by the action in the story.
Supreme Court Justice Silvio Caprelli is kidnapped by a militarist group called Posse Comitatus. This group is intent on creating a massive incident that will reshape the U.S.
Nick James has been a terrorism analyst for the government with extensive knowledge of Posse Comitatus but just prior to the kidnapping, he's fired.
Nick is called by a co-worker that a sheriff from West Virginia wants to meet and share info. They agree to meet at Nick's home but when Nick arrives, the sheriff has been murdered with Nick's gun. He feels that he'd be in better position to prove his innocence if he's investigating things himself so Nick goes into hiding.
Tension mounts as the story moves back and forth from the terrorist group, to Nick, and to the government officials trying to find the kidnappers. As Nick begins to close in on the terrorist hiding place, they are tipped off and now Nick is being sought by the kidnappers as well as government forces. His steady search for the kidnappers shows what one man can do when faced against tremendous odds.
The action is well described and when the terrorists get close to achieving their objectives, the author provides scenes with excellent cinimatic effects that are powerful.
This is a wonderful novel with excellent, well developed characters and a compelling plot.
Supreme Court Justice Silvio Caprelli is kidnapped by a militarist group called Posse Comitatus. This group is intent on creating a massive incident that will reshape the U.S.
Nick James has been a terrorism analyst for the government with extensive knowledge of Posse Comitatus but just prior to the kidnapping, he's fired.
Nick is called by a co-worker that a sheriff from West Virginia wants to meet and share info. They agree to meet at Nick's home but when Nick arrives, the sheriff has been murdered with Nick's gun. He feels that he'd be in better position to prove his innocence if he's investigating things himself so Nick goes into hiding.
Tension mounts as the story moves back and forth from the terrorist group, to Nick, and to the government officials trying to find the kidnappers. As Nick begins to close in on the terrorist hiding place, they are tipped off and now Nick is being sought by the kidnappers as well as government forces. His steady search for the kidnappers shows what one man can do when faced against tremendous odds.
The action is well described and when the terrorists get close to achieving their objectives, the author provides scenes with excellent cinimatic effects that are powerful.
This is a wonderful novel with excellent, well developed characters and a compelling plot.
March 13, 2012
Redemption Day by Steve O’Brien
This book focuses on the Posse Comitatus’s actions to precipitate a government crisis. It is an action thriller that has some horrific overtones.
The sad thing about this book is that harsh economic times can drive normally law abiding citizens to behavior as exhibited in the book. Nick James is a believable analyst who is drawn into criminal events he is ill prepared to face. I enjoyed the way Nick stepped up and found his moment.
The behavior of the villains is too likely plausible based on the poor economy. Scapegoats are popular whenever large numbers of people find things contrary to their expectations. Even the current political campaigns are a good example of how people are more than happy to ascribe to fringe behavior when they are desperate.
This book had a frightening plausibility.
I recommend the book.
This book focuses on the Posse Comitatus’s actions to precipitate a government crisis. It is an action thriller that has some horrific overtones.
The sad thing about this book is that harsh economic times can drive normally law abiding citizens to behavior as exhibited in the book. Nick James is a believable analyst who is drawn into criminal events he is ill prepared to face. I enjoyed the way Nick stepped up and found his moment.
The behavior of the villains is too likely plausible based on the poor economy. Scapegoats are popular whenever large numbers of people find things contrary to their expectations. Even the current political campaigns are a good example of how people are more than happy to ascribe to fringe behavior when they are desperate.
This book had a frightening plausibility.
I recommend the book.
March 11, 2012
It’s just another day inside the Washington Beltway when Nick James loses his contract job with the federal government. But by the next day, he is the most wanted man in America as the FBI wants him captured and the terrorists who have kidnapped a Supreme Court Justice want him dead. Nick must try to figure out who is behind it and what they have planned before the terrorists strike and he and everyone else run out of time.
Redemption Day is a fast-paced thriller that follows a terrorist analyst – Nick James – as he tries to avoid both the FBI and the domestic terrorist organization known as the Posse Comitatus who has inexplicably tried to frame him for a murder after kidnapping Supreme Court Justice Silvio Caprelli in order to… to… umm… wait. Oh boy. Let me back up a second.
The writing in Redemption Day is, indeed, fast-paced. So fast paced that we never really learn anything about any of the characters. O’Brien provides a bare minimum of description and never makes us care about any of them. The story is a blur of action with little time left to get to know even the protagonist, Nick James. Now, that is all well and good if the goal is to write a roller-coaster action thriller. But the much bigger problem is that the plot is more riddled with holes than the dead bodies the terrorists leave behind. I’ve read plenty of action/thriller novels by the likes of David Baldacci, Tom Clancy and many others and I enjoy the genre. But the genre has rules that need to be followed and Redemption Day just doesn’t.
I am not going to diagram every foible in Redemption Day. Frankly, it would take a very long time because the story doesn’t make any sense. However, one example is the progression of Nick James. He begins as an analyst with no concerns or knowledge about any upcoming attack. Suddenly, he is being framed by the terrorists for the murder of someone who apparently knows something about the location of the terrorists, only to find out later that the guy didn’t know anything. All of this AFTER the kidnapping had already happened. Nick becomes the most wanted suspect by an FBI task force being run by the most unprofessional, clueless lead agent in history. He uses all of the vast resources at his disposal to recover a sitting Chief Justice – a whapping three agents – to go after one guy who might be connected to the kidnapping. No sooner do they catch up with Nick and hustle him away…not to be questioned, but to be taken to FBI headquarters and basically put in charge of the investigation and begin conducting field investigations even though he had no authority or experience in law enforcement and was a suspect in a murder investigation. Huh? Sure that would happen. Meanwhile, apparently the rest of national law enforcement was on vacation.
I know - suspension of disbelief and all that. That is all well and good, but it has to be based on something that makes sense and none of this does. I won’t ruin the ending, but there is a liberal use of explosives, physics that are flat-out impossible and actions by law enforcement and the public that stretch from the implausible to the outright ridiculous.
But there was lots of action.
The premise of Redemption Day held promise. Ever since the Oklahoma City bombing, domestic terrorism has become a cold reality to Americans. However, Redemption Day does a poor job of crafting a story with any believability. There are plenty of far better offerings out there in this genre.
“The lead van stopped, completely blocking the path of the SUV. Jaspers hit the gas and rammed the van from behind. The cargo van crumpled, but the brakes locked, the SUV couldn’t escape. The red van angled to the left and behind the escalade; no escape.
Jaspers and Gray had handguns drawn. Their task was to delay. Help was coming. They had to hold out.”
Redemption Day is a fast-paced thriller that follows a terrorist analyst – Nick James – as he tries to avoid both the FBI and the domestic terrorist organization known as the Posse Comitatus who has inexplicably tried to frame him for a murder after kidnapping Supreme Court Justice Silvio Caprelli in order to… to… umm… wait. Oh boy. Let me back up a second.
The writing in Redemption Day is, indeed, fast-paced. So fast paced that we never really learn anything about any of the characters. O’Brien provides a bare minimum of description and never makes us care about any of them. The story is a blur of action with little time left to get to know even the protagonist, Nick James. Now, that is all well and good if the goal is to write a roller-coaster action thriller. But the much bigger problem is that the plot is more riddled with holes than the dead bodies the terrorists leave behind. I’ve read plenty of action/thriller novels by the likes of David Baldacci, Tom Clancy and many others and I enjoy the genre. But the genre has rules that need to be followed and Redemption Day just doesn’t.
I am not going to diagram every foible in Redemption Day. Frankly, it would take a very long time because the story doesn’t make any sense. However, one example is the progression of Nick James. He begins as an analyst with no concerns or knowledge about any upcoming attack. Suddenly, he is being framed by the terrorists for the murder of someone who apparently knows something about the location of the terrorists, only to find out later that the guy didn’t know anything. All of this AFTER the kidnapping had already happened. Nick becomes the most wanted suspect by an FBI task force being run by the most unprofessional, clueless lead agent in history. He uses all of the vast resources at his disposal to recover a sitting Chief Justice – a whapping three agents – to go after one guy who might be connected to the kidnapping. No sooner do they catch up with Nick and hustle him away…not to be questioned, but to be taken to FBI headquarters and basically put in charge of the investigation and begin conducting field investigations even though he had no authority or experience in law enforcement and was a suspect in a murder investigation. Huh? Sure that would happen. Meanwhile, apparently the rest of national law enforcement was on vacation.
I know - suspension of disbelief and all that. That is all well and good, but it has to be based on something that makes sense and none of this does. I won’t ruin the ending, but there is a liberal use of explosives, physics that are flat-out impossible and actions by law enforcement and the public that stretch from the implausible to the outright ridiculous.
But there was lots of action.
The premise of Redemption Day held promise. Ever since the Oklahoma City bombing, domestic terrorism has become a cold reality to Americans. However, Redemption Day does a poor job of crafting a story with any believability. There are plenty of far better offerings out there in this genre.
February 28, 2012
When it comes to political thrillers in the current marketplace, an author needs to step up to the challenge because there are so many great political thriller authors out there. In that respect, I feel that Steve O'Brien feel fell a little short. The story starts out with Nick James who is a contracted analyst for the Government who is fired from his job one day and the next is wanted for the kidnapping of a Supreme Court Justice. Nick James has to discover who is behind the kidnapping before the terrorists strike again.
The book promised action and intrigue but what was there instead was non stop confusion with your typical political thriller characters. For example, Nick James goes from being an unemployed analyst to being wanted, to being held by terrorists, then goes to lead an investigation under the watchful eye of the FBI. I felt like I was missing something from Nick's past that would take him from unemployed desk jockey to the status of lead investigator of an FBI investigation.
We are also introduced to Wesley, an investigating officer with the FBI, who suspects Nick of secretly working with the terrorists. Wesley is a hothead and is very annoying though out the book and giving nothing but trouble for Javier his boss. Than there is Kate, Nick James girlfriend and attorney, who is also working the case and believes her boyfriend to be innocent regardless of the evidence against him. Wesley's character gives Kate and Javier a lot of problems and almost becomes more of a distraction to the story than enhancing the story. I also question where the rest of the law enforcement was hiding because Nick was able to escape the police very easily when he was a wanted man. I can't drive on a freeway without seeing a billboard sign of America's most wanted and he would have been number one on the list if he were suspected of kidnapping a Supreme Court Justice.
My one question I have is why are all Militia's "right winged"? Are there are not "Left Wing" Militia's out there too?
I found it brave for Steve O'Brien to take on the topic of home grown terrorism because I feel it is sometimes a topic most political authors avoid. It hits so close to home and is very personal for Americans. There were a few editing problems but I was able to easily look past them because the action so fast paced.
In the end there are certain rules that need to be followed in this genre and Redemption Day just doesn’t follow those rules.
April 30, 2012
Many moons ago I reviewed Bullet Work by Steve O'Brien and, quite frankly, I wasn't fond of it. For some reason it just didn't resonate with me. When I was contacted to review another of his books, Redemption Day, the synopsis caught my interest and I decided to give the author another chance. Boy am I glad I did! Redemption Day is a hit! So for my review today, I am going to give you my Top 10 Hit List for Steve O'Brien's Redemption Day:
The set up. One of my pet peeves with political intrigue is that I often get lost in the set up. Steve does an excellent job of introducing the characters and setting up the background and tone of the story.
The characters. Each character gets his own chapter and has a very distinct voice. It makes it easy to become emotionally invested with each character as an individual.
The action. 'Edge of your seat' and 'fast moving' are the the terms I would use. It makes for some nail biting moments.
The flow. The story line moves smoothly from one place to the next. There are no jerky, sudden movements to slow you down.
Not too graphic. There is definitely violence - kind of necessary in this type of story - but it wasn't graphic enough to cause me to flinch.
The connections. The plot begins with a bunch of, seemingly, unrelated events happening to unrelated people. As the connections begin to emerge the story knits together beautifully.
The suspense. Mr. O'Brien has done a great job of building the suspense as the plot progresses. There are small breaks to allow the reader to catch her breath but then it takes up where it left off and the reader is back to holding her breath again.
Really bad, bad guys. I hate it when I am tempted to cheer for the bad guys. That doesn't happen here.
Strong female. Yup, there is one and you all know how I feel about that. If there's going to be a female, she better be strong. And that makes the romantic sub-plot a nice perk.
The ending. To avoid spoilers, that's all I'm going to say about that.
We all know nothing is perfect but the negatives about this one aren't worth mentioning. If you like political thrillers, I'd recommend Redemption Day.
The set up. One of my pet peeves with political intrigue is that I often get lost in the set up. Steve does an excellent job of introducing the characters and setting up the background and tone of the story.
The characters. Each character gets his own chapter and has a very distinct voice. It makes it easy to become emotionally invested with each character as an individual.
The action. 'Edge of your seat' and 'fast moving' are the the terms I would use. It makes for some nail biting moments.
The flow. The story line moves smoothly from one place to the next. There are no jerky, sudden movements to slow you down.
Not too graphic. There is definitely violence - kind of necessary in this type of story - but it wasn't graphic enough to cause me to flinch.
The connections. The plot begins with a bunch of, seemingly, unrelated events happening to unrelated people. As the connections begin to emerge the story knits together beautifully.
The suspense. Mr. O'Brien has done a great job of building the suspense as the plot progresses. There are small breaks to allow the reader to catch her breath but then it takes up where it left off and the reader is back to holding her breath again.
Really bad, bad guys. I hate it when I am tempted to cheer for the bad guys. That doesn't happen here.
Strong female. Yup, there is one and you all know how I feel about that. If there's going to be a female, she better be strong. And that makes the romantic sub-plot a nice perk.
The ending. To avoid spoilers, that's all I'm going to say about that.
We all know nothing is perfect but the negatives about this one aren't worth mentioning. If you like political thrillers, I'd recommend Redemption Day.
April 16, 2012
When I read the synopsis of Redemption Day, I was intrigued. The Posse Comitatus, right wing militarists, has always fascinated me. Steve O’Brien takes on a journey of what if The Posse rises and sets into motion a plan that starts with kidnapping a Supreme Court Justice and ending with a city in the grip of terror from terrorists from our own country.
O’Brien’s main character Nick James is just an ordinary guy who has recently lost his terrorism analyst job at the Department of Homeland Security. On his way home he receives a phone call from Sheriff Brager who met Nick an Identity Scams conference. Brager thinks that Nick could help him with the mysterious kidnapping of Supreme Court Justice Silvio Caprelli. Unfortunately by the time Nick meets with Brager outside of Nick’s house, Brager has been shot. The authorities now think Nick has something to do with all of this and he is about to become their prime suspect number one. Lucky for Nick, his old flame, Kate is involved in the task force in charge of finding him and bring him in. She knows that Nick isn’t capable of masterminding something this big but she has a lot of obstacles in the way to prove it.
The beginning starts out fast-paced and thrilling but after finding Nick it seemed to slow down a bit. I felt that maybe the search for Nick could have been drawn out a bit more. It seemed to me that when they found him it was like they just gave up on the idea that Nick could possibly have something to do with what is going on. But it turns around in the end. Can’t say much about it because I don’t want to spoil it but it is action-packed and has you on the edge of your seat wondering if they are going to be able to stop The Posse in time. Satisfactory for the political thriller lovers out there.
(Book was received from publisher for an honest review)
O’Brien’s main character Nick James is just an ordinary guy who has recently lost his terrorism analyst job at the Department of Homeland Security. On his way home he receives a phone call from Sheriff Brager who met Nick an Identity Scams conference. Brager thinks that Nick could help him with the mysterious kidnapping of Supreme Court Justice Silvio Caprelli. Unfortunately by the time Nick meets with Brager outside of Nick’s house, Brager has been shot. The authorities now think Nick has something to do with all of this and he is about to become their prime suspect number one. Lucky for Nick, his old flame, Kate is involved in the task force in charge of finding him and bring him in. She knows that Nick isn’t capable of masterminding something this big but she has a lot of obstacles in the way to prove it.
The beginning starts out fast-paced and thrilling but after finding Nick it seemed to slow down a bit. I felt that maybe the search for Nick could have been drawn out a bit more. It seemed to me that when they found him it was like they just gave up on the idea that Nick could possibly have something to do with what is going on. But it turns around in the end. Can’t say much about it because I don’t want to spoil it but it is action-packed and has you on the edge of your seat wondering if they are going to be able to stop The Posse in time. Satisfactory for the political thriller lovers out there.
(Book was received from publisher for an honest review)
March 24, 2012
I have read Bullet Work and Elijah's Coin by Steve O'Brien and when I was asked if I wanted to review Redemption Day I of course said yes. I was not disappointed either.
The Posse Comitatus is ) is a loosely organized far right social movement that opposes the United States federal government and believes in government on a local level only. They refuse to pay taxes or obey government laws. Steve O'Brien took the historical events of the Posse and turned it into an exciting story of murder, extortion and kidnapping.
Nick James has had the worst day of his life. He is a government contractor who is an expert on the Posse Comitatus and it appears that he is getting a bit too close to the homegrown terrorists and loses his job, he is told due to funding issues. He finds himself on the run from the FBI who thinks he is responsible for the
death of a sheriff who was going to meet with Nick as he had some information to share. A Supreme Court Judge is kidnapped which sets Nick on a path to prove to the FBI that he is not the suspect but is as much a victim as the judge. April 19th is a significant day for the Posse and they have something planned so horrific that puts Nick on a mission to find these people before there is a disaster of major proportions for Washington D.C.
This novel is a topnotch thriller and will keep you on the edge of your seat. A story that could conceivably happen in today's world what with the economy the way it is and that people are getting fed up with the way things are. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a great thriller.
The Posse Comitatus is ) is a loosely organized far right social movement that opposes the United States federal government and believes in government on a local level only. They refuse to pay taxes or obey government laws. Steve O'Brien took the historical events of the Posse and turned it into an exciting story of murder, extortion and kidnapping.
Nick James has had the worst day of his life. He is a government contractor who is an expert on the Posse Comitatus and it appears that he is getting a bit too close to the homegrown terrorists and loses his job, he is told due to funding issues. He finds himself on the run from the FBI who thinks he is responsible for the
death of a sheriff who was going to meet with Nick as he had some information to share. A Supreme Court Judge is kidnapped which sets Nick on a path to prove to the FBI that he is not the suspect but is as much a victim as the judge. April 19th is a significant day for the Posse and they have something planned so horrific that puts Nick on a mission to find these people before there is a disaster of major proportions for Washington D.C.
This novel is a topnotch thriller and will keep you on the edge of your seat. A story that could conceivably happen in today's world what with the economy the way it is and that people are getting fed up with the way things are. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a great thriller.
March 3, 2012
There are too many thrillers in which an ordinary guy gets involved in extraordinary circumstances and suddenly becomes a superhero. This isn't one of those. Nick James loses his job, and instead of facing the ordinary worries of how to pay for his rent and upscale coffee, though a combination of good and bad luck ends up in the middle of a conspiracy adventure.
Redemption Day is a thriller for the post-Waco, post-Oklahoma City, post-9/11 world. It reminds us that the most frightening terrorist is the one who is most like us.
The pacing is spot on, and the author doesn't play the dirty trick of withholding key information from readers to keep us in the dark about the central plot. As unlikely as I hope the circumstances of the book are, I feel the reality of them. I know about some of the positions that are argued in the book, and have read of people who believe them deeply. O'Brien weaves those threads into a well thought-out story, with the right balance of exposition and action. His use of short chapters and switching viewpoints keeps the story moving without becoming confusing.
There are two things that I count as high praise for a book ... one is that I'm looking forward to reading more of what Mr. O'Brien has to offer. The other is that I'm going to run the risk of lending this book to friends. I never lend books. I'm scared I might not get them back. Okay, I'll probably buy a copy so I can lend this one.
Redemption Day is a thriller for the post-Waco, post-Oklahoma City, post-9/11 world. It reminds us that the most frightening terrorist is the one who is most like us.
The pacing is spot on, and the author doesn't play the dirty trick of withholding key information from readers to keep us in the dark about the central plot. As unlikely as I hope the circumstances of the book are, I feel the reality of them. I know about some of the positions that are argued in the book, and have read of people who believe them deeply. O'Brien weaves those threads into a well thought-out story, with the right balance of exposition and action. His use of short chapters and switching viewpoints keeps the story moving without becoming confusing.
There are two things that I count as high praise for a book ... one is that I'm looking forward to reading more of what Mr. O'Brien has to offer. The other is that I'm going to run the risk of lending this book to friends. I never lend books. I'm scared I might not get them back. Okay, I'll probably buy a copy so I can lend this one.
March 19, 2012
This story is almost too realistic to be fiction. Unlike many thrillers on the market today, I can say that the events in this book could actually happen! The threat from domestic terror groups is growing every day in this country. This book lays out one such plot. (I would guess the author was employed in the government at some point as the characters and their attitudes are just spot on).
Nick James loses his job with a government contractor. His specialty is domestic terrorism. On the same day a Supreme Court Justice is kidnapped. Then a West Virginia sheriff is killed in front of Nick's Georgetown home. The feds figure Nick as the culprit and the chase is on. The intricate world of private government contractors, inter-agency investigation units, and the mysterious sovereign group, Posse Comitatus collide in this action-packed novel.
Nick has to unwind the kidnapping plot and solve the mystery of the Posse Comitatus to save himself as well as the Supreme Court Justice. It all will culminate in the center of the star on April 19, a date critical to Posse Comitatus members.
The pace is swift and the action non-stop. There are many POV shifts similar to quick cuts in a movie, but they add to the tension and accelerate the story.
I loved this book, but it frightens me in its accuracy and detail to what is lurking beneath the surface in this country.
Nick James loses his job with a government contractor. His specialty is domestic terrorism. On the same day a Supreme Court Justice is kidnapped. Then a West Virginia sheriff is killed in front of Nick's Georgetown home. The feds figure Nick as the culprit and the chase is on. The intricate world of private government contractors, inter-agency investigation units, and the mysterious sovereign group, Posse Comitatus collide in this action-packed novel.
Nick has to unwind the kidnapping plot and solve the mystery of the Posse Comitatus to save himself as well as the Supreme Court Justice. It all will culminate in the center of the star on April 19, a date critical to Posse Comitatus members.
The pace is swift and the action non-stop. There are many POV shifts similar to quick cuts in a movie, but they add to the tension and accelerate the story.
I loved this book, but it frightens me in its accuracy and detail to what is lurking beneath the surface in this country.
April 11, 2012
This is a fast paced thriller/suspense novel featuring an everyday hero with lots of smarts. Nick James worked for a private agency that was part of Homeland Security before he was fired. He is an expert on home grown terrorist organizations.
A Supreme Court justice is kidnapped and Nick is set up as the perpetrator but the real kidnappers are the Posse Comitatus - the group that Nick has been following for the last three years. He knows they did it he just can't prove it.
The book begins with Nick's introduction and then the kidnapping. Then it does bog a bit as the members and the dogma of the Posse Comitatus is woven into the tale. I'm sure it is challenging to bring back story of a group most Americans have never heard of into a novel such as this. Living in a state such as mine, well. I'm educated. Nonetheless, the book does have some slow patches but that doesn't detract overall. The only character I didn't get at all was one of the members of the FBI team investigating the Justice's kidnapping - he seemed to be there to yell, "Nick did it, I know he did." And that was his sole purpose.
So, if you are looking for a fast read with an interesting take on the terrorist theme this one will do it for you.
A Supreme Court justice is kidnapped and Nick is set up as the perpetrator but the real kidnappers are the Posse Comitatus - the group that Nick has been following for the last three years. He knows they did it he just can't prove it.
The book begins with Nick's introduction and then the kidnapping. Then it does bog a bit as the members and the dogma of the Posse Comitatus is woven into the tale. I'm sure it is challenging to bring back story of a group most Americans have never heard of into a novel such as this. Living in a state such as mine, well. I'm educated. Nonetheless, the book does have some slow patches but that doesn't detract overall. The only character I didn't get at all was one of the members of the FBI team investigating the Justice's kidnapping - he seemed to be there to yell, "Nick did it, I know he did." And that was his sole purpose.
So, if you are looking for a fast read with an interesting take on the terrorist theme this one will do it for you.
January 6, 2013
I got this as a free book on my Kindle and the plot seemed intriguing. This book was slow at first, and I kept thinking about whether I would finish it. This month I decided to finish a few books I had partially read on my Kindle, including this one. I'm glad I finished it, because as you learn more about what is meant by "Redemption Day", it becomes both more thrilling AND educational about the mindset of militia groups in the U.S.
Overall, I'm realizing I don't really enjoy this genre about modern American FBI or other in country agencies, and also because of the slow start I'm only giving it a 3. I thought I would like them, because as a teen I loved reading WWII and Cold War era spy fiction.
I also found some things implausible. For example, the main character gets astonished when terrorists send him an e-mail to his private e-mail. He wonders how they got his e-mail, and that is his reasoning for thinking there is a mole in the task force he is helping. Well, in today's world, that isn't difficult at all.
However, the insight about militia and homegrown terrorists was probably important, though chilling, to know, and the author gives information about his sources in his afterword, clarifying what was fictional and what was not.
Overall, I'm realizing I don't really enjoy this genre about modern American FBI or other in country agencies, and also because of the slow start I'm only giving it a 3. I thought I would like them, because as a teen I loved reading WWII and Cold War era spy fiction.
I also found some things implausible. For example, the main character gets astonished when terrorists send him an e-mail to his private e-mail. He wonders how they got his e-mail, and that is his reasoning for thinking there is a mole in the task force he is helping. Well, in today's world, that isn't difficult at all.
However, the insight about militia and homegrown terrorists was probably important, though chilling, to know, and the author gives information about his sources in his afterword, clarifying what was fictional and what was not.
April 5, 2012
Home-grown terrorists are a real and constant threat in the United States. Redemption Day by Steve O’Brien brings to life the story of the kidnapping of a Supreme Court justice. Nick James is a Federal terrorism analyst who finds himself out of work and being drawn into the crime - possibly drawn in too far. Nick has to solve the kidnapping while at the same time he is being framed for murder. Top on his list of suspects is the Posse Comitatus, a militia-style organization who believe that the government has gone too far.
After the initial tense kidnapping scene, the story hits the skids while the author has to backtrack with information on all of the characters involved. Possibly there was too much information, and the story becomes rather choppy. However, as the story picks up again so does the suspense. There is a good balance between dialog and narration, and the characters were OK, but I didn’t feel any real connection to them. I also didn’t find the story believable, but sometimes you just have to get lost in the story and not worry about whether it is logical or not. There is plenty of action, adventure, torture scenes, and surprises that kept me guessing.
After the initial tense kidnapping scene, the story hits the skids while the author has to backtrack with information on all of the characters involved. Possibly there was too much information, and the story becomes rather choppy. However, as the story picks up again so does the suspense. There is a good balance between dialog and narration, and the characters were OK, but I didn’t feel any real connection to them. I also didn’t find the story believable, but sometimes you just have to get lost in the story and not worry about whether it is logical or not. There is plenty of action, adventure, torture scenes, and surprises that kept me guessing.
April 24, 2012
To start off with I apologize for a late review but a first grandchild took top billing.
Nick James is a Federal Terrorism Analyst who is out of work and finds himself having to solve the kidnapping of a Supreme Court Justice. The drawback is that he is also being framed for murder. This is a fast paced read, a few times I got confused and had to backtrack, but all in all a good read. I won this from LibraryThing Early Review.
Nick James is a Federal Terrorism Analyst who is out of work and finds himself having to solve the kidnapping of a Supreme Court Justice. The drawback is that he is also being framed for murder. This is a fast paced read, a few times I got confused and had to backtrack, but all in all a good read. I won this from LibraryThing Early Review.
June 27, 2012
Who or what was the Posse Comitatus? Was it or are they real? Read this highly interesting book to find out. I know I did. The suspense was intense and I had trouble putting down the book as I wanted to find out what happened next.
Rating: 5
Heat Rating: Mild
Reviewed by: Susan for MY BOOK ADDICTION AND MORE
Rating: 5
Heat Rating: Mild
Reviewed by: Susan for MY BOOK ADDICTION AND MORE
March 20, 2012
I got this book as part of the early reviewers program on Librarything.com. This is an engrossing fast-paced thriller. I didn't put it down once I started it. Great read for those interested in terrorism and US politics.
October 7, 2012
This should be a must read for everyone. It is a scary, cautionary tale. It will really leave you looking over your shoulder and wondering who to trust. The really scary part is that these people are really out there...
Want to Read
April 15, 2012$0.0
April 26, 2012
Interesting story, crappy writing, free on Amazon for the Kindle
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