The Colonel by Patrick A. Davis

by Patrick A. Davis

A former Air Force investigator comes out of retirement to find a killer, only to discover a massive government cover-up. Retired Air Force investigator Martin Collins lives a quiet life in rural Virginia, working as a local chief of police and consulting on military homicides. When he's called in to assist on a grisly triple murder, nothing can prepare him for the crime scene: Colonel Margaret Wildman and her two young children, their throats slashed, left to die in pools of their own blood. At first, there seems to be no motive for the murders. But as Collins digs through an increasingly puzzling maze of clues, he reveals a secret that leads to the highest levels of the government - and the military. Buried files reveal a link between Colonel Wildman and series of fatal airline crashes; political pressure to keep a secret grows, as does the body count. Collins finds his own life jeopardized as he closes in on the truth, culminating in a shocking confrontation on the floors of Congress.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Mystery

Hardcover

First published July 9, 2001

About the author

Patrick A. Davis is the national and New York Times bestselling author of six previous novels: The Commander, A Slow Walk to Hell, A Long Day for Dying, The Colonel, The General, and The Passenger. He is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and the Army Command and General Staff College, and a former Air Force major who flew during the Gulf War. He helped plan and direct U-2 surveillance operations for Operation Desert Storm and flew eleven combat sorties. He is a former pilot with a major airline.

Reviews

[Terence M - [Quot libros, quam breve tempus!] · Rating 3 out of 5]

Previously read as a book quite a few years ago, this time "The Colonel" was a "re-listen" to the sequel to "The General" also listened to recently. Unlike "The General", I will not preserve the four stars and award three for the audio book. An ok story, worth the effort, but somewhat drawn-out and I was waiting a little impatiently for the end of the novel.
If only all books were perfect for everybody - nah, I don't really wish that :-)

[Joe Nicholl · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Colonel by Patrick A. Davis (2001) is not a bad book...it's kind of second tier Michael Connelly (Bosch)...but...I just could not get into The Colonel and have decided to move on after reading 100 pages. The crime fiction in the military setting just didn't grab me. A couple of other points...I did not like the protagonist, Martin Collins, and to beat all it's in first person so you're always following his pov. Also, quite the head-scratcher, in the beginning Collins is a sheriff in a small town and a few pages later he's investigating three unrelated homicides with a free run the Pentagon -? Anyways, it's a rarity for me to not finish a novel, but I've decided to start reading the next one on my endless pile rather than fight a book I don't like...1 outta 5...

[Ed · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lt Simon, one of the main characters, is very annoying. This book did not live up to the hype on the cover. Not a very enjoyable read.

[Lea Engeldinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Laurie Stoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kept my attention and kept me turning the page!

I paid .49 for this book on a clearance rack years ago. Finally got around to reading it. So glad I did. The Colonel is well written, full of mystery, and very hard to put down.

[Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

He gets better with every book. I like the AF angle to his books. I hope he keeps writing. This was a great read.

[Tom]

Good story and explanation of the Korean culture.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Investigator Martin Collins (USAF ret), his daughter Emily.
Colonel Margaret Wildman and her two children.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story, great action, kept me guessing almost till the end.
I like this author.

[Danny Pereyra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Nice, quick and easy read.

[Susie Dahlk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting look at Big Brother, especially intriguing for those of us who still aren't over Vietnam

[Jody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Wasn't that interested (b/c i tend to judge a book by its cover). But i thoroughly enjoyed this thriller.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting detective novel. Figured out the villain about 1/2 way through book.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the writing style and characters.