Justified Action

by Earl Staggs

Tall Chambers uses his wits and weapons to stop terrorists before they kill innocent people, but when someone close to him is murdered, he devotes his skills to only one purpose – find the person responsible. His pursuit is more difficult when he learns he is also marked for death. He fights to stay alive long enough to find the killer, even when it means striking a deal with the worst terrorist of them all.

216 pages, Paperback

First published February 5, 2013

About the author

Derringer Award winning author Earl Staggs has seen many of his short stories published in magazines and anthologies. He served as Managing Editor of Futures Mystery Magazine and as President of the Short Mystery Fiction Society. His novel Memory of a Murder earned thirteen Five Star reviews online at Amazon and B&N. His column “Write Tight” appears in Apollo’s Lyre and he is a contributing member of Make Mine Mystery and Murderous Musings. He also hosts a Workshop for the Muse Online Writers Conference and is a frequent speaker at conferences and writers groups.

Reviews

[Caitlin Gonya · Rating 2 out of 5]

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[Gloria Feit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meet Tallmadge McAllister (“Tall”) Chambers, whose resume would include Special Services officer, Army intel, and black ops, having enlisted in the Army at 18 and rising to the rank of Captain by age thirty, before being busted back to Lieutenant for striking a superior officer. Now, at age 38, relegated to desk duty at the Pentagon and straining at the bit before he can retire in three months time, he is persuaded to join a secret unit which works with the alphabet agencies of the U.S. government (CIA, NSA, FBI et al) but without any of their legal constraints.

The author describes the group as “a crew of trained and dedicated killers” whose targets are terrorist bombers wherever they may be, in the US and abroad, and doing whatever was necessary to eliminate the threats they pose. The limitations? “Sometimes it’s justified to take action before they can carry out their plans.” The mantra: “Kill one terrorist, save a hundred lives.” At one point, however, it all becomes much more personal for Tall, and objectivity takes a back seat.

The novel is immediately engaging, and the smooth plotting and fine prose keep the pages turning swiftly, despite a growing a suspicion as to the outcome. I had to stop reading, very briefly, in a moment of delayed gratification, as the conclusion drew near. A thoroughly enjoyable book, and one which is highly recommended. Can’t wait till the next “Tall” book!

[T de V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Military spy thrillers aren’t my cup of tea, so you’d think I wouldn’t enjoy JUSTIFIED ACTION by Earl Staggs. I might have given up, but I kept on as I had faith in Earl’s storytelling, and halfway through emerged a traditional mystery with rich characters, several with complex motivations.

Tall Chambers is an ex-Special Services officer whose job is to eliminate terrorists before they perform the terrorism for which they would then be imprisioned. Tall is strongly motivated to protect the innocent. The dichotomy in the former two sentences is not debated in this patriotic thriller as the guilty usually are guilty. Usually. And the innocent——er, they are sometimes guilty too. The plot has some amusing twists, both tender and clever.

Tall Chambers is tough, altruistic and suprisingly lucky. I’ve enjoyed shadowing him from the depths of my armchair.

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[R.W. Lang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tallmadge McAllister Chambers (Tall) was three months from retiring from the Army when he got a call from an old friend, Stephen Winslow, that changed his life forever. He was recruited into an elite and secret agency that took care of the business no one else could by the General. Tall who excelled at his job, saved the General's daughter from thugs trying to rob a bank. She thanked him by becoming his wife, much to the chagrin of her father. When she died in a car accident, Tall's world was shattered. He threw himself into his work which led him to find a network of twisted, ruthless people and lies. He found that the person he trusted the most had betrayed him for political gain. Action packed and riveting, Staggs delivered a story you won't want to put down

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must-read Thriller A fast-paced, action-packed story with a great lead character and supporting cast. And, a twisty plotline. What more could any reader want? I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really like Tall Chambers...and Earl Staggs' writing of course.