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Caje Cole #1
Ghost Sniper
June 6, 1944. On the dawn of the D-Day invasion of Normandy, two snipers find themselves fighting a battle all their own. One is a backwoods hunter from the Appalachian Mountains in the American South, while the other is the dreaded German “Ghost Sniper” who earned his nickname on the Eastern Front. Locked in a deadly duel across the hedgerow country of France, the hunter matches wits and tactics against the marksman, both of them one bullet away from victory—or defeat—as Allied forces struggle to gain a foothold in Europe.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 15, 2014
1195 people are currently reading
868 people want to read
About the author
David Healey
58 books89 followersDavid Healey made his publishing debut with SHARPSHOOTER, a what-if historical thriller about an attempt to assassinate Union General Ulysses S. Grant during the Civil War, published by an imprint of Penguin Putnam. That novel was the result of years of research into the Civil War that included time as a reenactor at Gettysburg and other battlefields.
In its review, the Civil War News wrote: “SHARPSHOOTER has the feel of a techno-thriller, the kind offered by Tom Clancy or Dean Koontz ... SHARPSHOOTER moves quickly and is filled with all manner of intrigue."
Healey has brought that same passion for research and history to his World War II novels, GHOST SNIPER, ARDENNES SNIPER, and RED SNIPER. During a 21-year career as a journalist, he was fortunate enough to interview many veterans of the 29th Division who landed at Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944. Some of the events and characters in these novels were inspired by their stories.
He loves the idea of a character like Micajah Cole, a self-reliant backwoods hunter who turns out to be unrelenting and ruthless as a sniper, especially against a skilled adversary, in the pages of these books.
In addition to fiction, he has written books on regional history, including 1812: REDISCOVERING CHESAPEAKE BAY'S FORGOTTEN WAR and GREAT STORMS OF THE CHESAPEAKE.
A graduate of Washington College and the Stonecoast MFA program, he was recognized in 2011 as a Chaney Scholar in history by St. Mary’s College of Maryland. Visit him online at www.davidhealeyauthor.com or follow him at Facebook at facebook.com/david.healey.books
In its review, the Civil War News wrote: “SHARPSHOOTER has the feel of a techno-thriller, the kind offered by Tom Clancy or Dean Koontz ... SHARPSHOOTER moves quickly and is filled with all manner of intrigue."
Healey has brought that same passion for research and history to his World War II novels, GHOST SNIPER, ARDENNES SNIPER, and RED SNIPER. During a 21-year career as a journalist, he was fortunate enough to interview many veterans of the 29th Division who landed at Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944. Some of the events and characters in these novels were inspired by their stories.
He loves the idea of a character like Micajah Cole, a self-reliant backwoods hunter who turns out to be unrelenting and ruthless as a sniper, especially against a skilled adversary, in the pages of these books.
In addition to fiction, he has written books on regional history, including 1812: REDISCOVERING CHESAPEAKE BAY'S FORGOTTEN WAR and GREAT STORMS OF THE CHESAPEAKE.
A graduate of Washington College and the Stonecoast MFA program, he was recognized in 2011 as a Chaney Scholar in history by St. Mary’s College of Maryland. Visit him online at www.davidhealeyauthor.com or follow him at Facebook at facebook.com/david.healey.books
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
July 8, 2021
The farm-boy-turned-sniper has been overdone. This novel brings very little new insight. Also, there are quite a few technical inaccuracies. I ended up disappointed, and I probably won't read the sequel.
January 5, 2024
This was an excellent book with lots of suspense moments. Really good as it looks at a person from both sides of the war and shows both the brutal nature of warfare but also the trauma that comes with it. although elaborated this has been well researched and gives a good mental image of what it may have been like in Normandy.
August 12, 2017
Ghost Sniper is a fascinating tale of the liberation of Normandy in 1944. Told from alternating POV's, both allied and German, the horror of war and the nature of the sniper comes through clear in both the narrator's voice and the author's writing. This is not a dry retelling of history or a gung-ho unrealistic war story, it is an exciting cat and mouse tale of predator vs predator. Need, and skills gained hunting in his mountainous home, placed Micajah Cole as the best sniper in an eclectic team of American soldiers. When they cross paths with an infamous German sniper, who is reeking havoc on the allied soldiers, it becomes a fight as to who will kill who first. The narrator brings out the suspense and individuality of the characters well and nails the different accents excellently. This is a thrilling story with suspense, humour, and some great characters. I liked that the author gave the book a somewhat open end, in war and real life things are not always wrapped up nice and neat and it left an opening for more sniper face offs in the next book.
October 20, 2023
An enjoyable and solid 3.5 star read, with interesting detail about the tense cat and mouse game professional and ideologically committed snipers must have played on the various grim theatres of war. The story gave a good indication of how fickle fate can be when one man is selected above those around them for long-range clinical dispatch by a dispassionate adversary.
Listened to as an audiobook, with the American narrator not the best, and who struggled with any other nationalities accents. However, I will be reading or listening to the sequel and subsequent novels in this series.
Listened to as an audiobook, with the American narrator not the best, and who struggled with any other nationalities accents. However, I will be reading or listening to the sequel and subsequent novels in this series.
September 15, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. The writing was well done, and the narrating was really brought the story to life. As I went through the book it really brought me into the action.
I received this audio book as a gift from the author, narrator, or publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affected my opinion of this book.
I received this audio book as a gift from the author, narrator, or publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affected my opinion of this book.
July 23, 2017
This audiobook was so good! I really enjoy fictional stories with there's a little bit of spin to the truth involved. The author paints a very vivid picture throughout this story. Each scene is a very detailed account and it brings you almost back in time to when this was all occurring. At times I felt like I could hear the gunshots and the tanks rolling in that's how descriptive it was. I understand this type of writing was not for everyone but if you don't mind this it is really an awesome listen. I really liked our main character and the cat and mouse game he plays with the German sniper is really really interesting. It kept me on the edge of my seat most of this book. Not that I would know, but I feel like the author really did his research because the tactics used by both seemed to be very realistic. The opening scene of the Allied troops storming the beaches of Normandy will really suck you into this book. As a listener I could not have asked for a more perfect narrator. His voice was perfect for this role. He used American southern accents, German accent and French giving each character a very unique voice throughout this book. This was my second book performed by this narrator and in both he's done a fabulous job. He even seemed to be whispering in scenes where this was called for. Just really an unbelievable job. Now, for the ending I don't want to give too much away but it did leave me frustrated but in a good way. There is a cliffhanger ending but I was very happy with how it turned out just frustrated because I am a very nosey person. Please, please, please make the second book into an audiobook I cannot wait to hear more about the adventures of coal. I received this audio book as a gift from the author, narrator, or publisher in exchange for an honest review via audiobook boom. This in no way affected my opinion of this book.
July 26, 2022
For as long as I can remember, I have liked reading books about the Civil War, Indian Wars, World War I and II, The Korean War, and Vietnam. It's not that I like war, but rather that I like reading about our soldiers who fought so bravely. Ghost Sniper is my first read in David Healey's sniper series. After reading book 1, I know I'll read many more.
Cole is a good old country boy, whose outdoor hunting, tracking, and shooting skills were honed as a kid and then as a teenager. After surviving landing at Omaha Beach, he displays his shooting skills in order to stay alive and help his fellow soldiers. That earns him accolades as a marksman and sniper. Fighting through hedgerows and fields he finds himself facing the Ghost Sniper, a decorated German officer. They battle back and forth, almost killing each other. Ghost Sniper is a good read that is well worth your time. Be forewarned, you'll want to continue reading more in the series.
Cole is a good old country boy, whose outdoor hunting, tracking, and shooting skills were honed as a kid and then as a teenager. After surviving landing at Omaha Beach, he displays his shooting skills in order to stay alive and help his fellow soldiers. That earns him accolades as a marksman and sniper. Fighting through hedgerows and fields he finds himself facing the Ghost Sniper, a decorated German officer. They battle back and forth, almost killing each other. Ghost Sniper is a good read that is well worth your time. Be forewarned, you'll want to continue reading more in the series.
May 10, 2018
Pretty good story but .......
The author kind of soured me in losing track of a couple weapons....specifically Caje's rifle when he swims across the raging creek. He has Caje's struggling to get the rifle up on the wall and then he floats the same rifle across with the string he swam across with.....oh and evidently didn't get it wet either..... and then Wulf's rifle "clattered to the ground when he was killed but the Cole climbs the tree to retrieve the man's rifle! I the other part is when a round from a Tiger tanks impacts close enough to drive Cole back several yards and another hits close enough to drive Das Gespenst into the muck but neither man suffers any internal injury from the concussive force. I bought book two to see if the author gets his 'feet on the ground' and doesnt lose any more weapons.
The author kind of soured me in losing track of a couple weapons....specifically Caje's rifle when he swims across the raging creek. He has Caje's struggling to get the rifle up on the wall and then he floats the same rifle across with the string he swam across with.....oh and evidently didn't get it wet either..... and then Wulf's rifle "clattered to the ground when he was killed but the Cole climbs the tree to retrieve the man's rifle! I the other part is when a round from a Tiger tanks impacts close enough to drive Cole back several yards and another hits close enough to drive Das Gespenst into the muck but neither man suffers any internal injury from the concussive force. I bought book two to see if the author gets his 'feet on the ground' and doesnt lose any more weapons.
June 8, 2021
Was recommended this series and glad to take up the recommendation.
It was a thrilling cat and mouse type story based around 2 top snipers following the D-Day landings in Normandy during WW2.
Whilst reading the opening chapters, it reminded me a lot like the opening scenes of the Saving Private Ryan Movie and was very gripping and descriptive.
Overall I would say that the book was kind of predictable once you read through it but as you are reading it there is still that element of doubt as to whether you’re right so it keeps you intrigued.
Would definitely recommend if you like war stories and combat thrillers and I look forward to seeing what the rest of the series has to offer.
It was a thrilling cat and mouse type story based around 2 top snipers following the D-Day landings in Normandy during WW2.
Whilst reading the opening chapters, it reminded me a lot like the opening scenes of the Saving Private Ryan Movie and was very gripping and descriptive.
Overall I would say that the book was kind of predictable once you read through it but as you are reading it there is still that element of doubt as to whether you’re right so it keeps you intrigued.
Would definitely recommend if you like war stories and combat thrillers and I look forward to seeing what the rest of the series has to offer.
April 4, 2020
I gave up in book 3. The writing is fine, but as the series progressed author gave more and more chapters to side characters then to Cole. By that point I lost interest in the story. I don't care much for the other characters or their respective stories, even if they are tightly tied up with our main character. They could have couple of chapters to show some interesting or important thing to the story but not third or half of the book. So I gave 2 stars, which would mean it is good enough to not waste your time reading it, but nothing special.
February 2, 2023
Ghost Sniper
I enjoyed the books from Stephen Hunter about the sniper Bob Lee Swagger. I also enjoyed Healey's "Sharpshooter" about snipers in the the Civil War. I was hoping for more of the same. I loved the action and the characters along the way. I was a bit disappointed that there wasn't more of the two snipers and their mind games. I know this is a series, but would have liked a finality instead of "read the next book to continue". However, due to characters and a good story line, a 4.1 out of 5 rating.
I enjoyed the books from Stephen Hunter about the sniper Bob Lee Swagger. I also enjoyed Healey's "Sharpshooter" about snipers in the the Civil War. I was hoping for more of the same. I loved the action and the characters along the way. I was a bit disappointed that there wasn't more of the two snipers and their mind games. I know this is a series, but would have liked a finality instead of "read the next book to continue". However, due to characters and a good story line, a 4.1 out of 5 rating.
June 18, 2018
This was a terrific story and the narrator did a fantastic job with at least 4 different nationalities. Loosely based on The D-Day invasion and the war in France. An unlikely group of characters are thrown together to form a sniper group and the chapters bounce between German and U.S. snipers.
This story had everything I want in an audible book, a little romance, lots of suspense and characters you love to hate and those that you cheer on.
Looking forward to Book 2!
This story had everything I want in an audible book, a little romance, lots of suspense and characters you love to hate and those that you cheer on.
Looking forward to Book 2!
April 18, 2018
Quite the duel
Remind me of the duel between the German and Soviet sniper in the movie The Enemy at the Gates. Sniping is a far away yet personal par of warfare. You never see the bullet coming. This books will certainly put into the minds of snipers from both sides of the conflict.
Remind me of the duel between the German and Soviet sniper in the movie The Enemy at the Gates. Sniping is a far away yet personal par of warfare. You never see the bullet coming. This books will certainly put into the minds of snipers from both sides of the conflict.
September 20, 2020
Sniper Goes Down in History
A novel that tells the urgent need for the snipers during the war. The snipers expertise in shooting cleared the way for troopers to move ahead and give them the clearance to take claim on the allies fields.
The Ghost Sniper puts you into the scene of the war. A war from hell. A must read.
A novel that tells the urgent need for the snipers during the war. The snipers expertise in shooting cleared the way for troopers to move ahead and give them the clearance to take claim on the allies fields.
The Ghost Sniper puts you into the scene of the war. A war from hell. A must read.
February 20, 2021
Excellent novel, one of the best I have read.
My father served in the Royal Navy, and was on board HMS Arethusa, front line, D Day, shelling the German emplacements. He never told me of the horror, or anything, about the men being machine gunned as the landing crafts opened to discharge the men, including the men drowning when they fell into the sea.....
My father served in the Royal Navy, and was on board HMS Arethusa, front line, D Day, shelling the German emplacements. He never told me of the horror, or anything, about the men being machine gunned as the landing crafts opened to discharge the men, including the men drowning when they fell into the sea.....
July 15, 2022
I thought for sure I was going to read the first two chapters and put it down. Then it started to grab me and walk me into the story and the deeper I went in the more I wanted to read. The cat & mouse action was well written and the tension that it built was just great. Came to the end of the book and thought Good the Good guys win, but alas had to go to the second book, well worth it.
May 6, 2017
Enjoyable fast action
Page turner that kept you wondering, "what next". Couldn't stop turning pages. Following the thoughts of the two snipers kept you thoroughly engrossed in the drama.
Page turner that kept you wondering, "what next". Couldn't stop turning pages. Following the thoughts of the two snipers kept you thoroughly engrossed in the drama.
January 30, 2018
Excellent reading, keeps you on the moment...I would recommend this to anyone with a love for history.
My mother read it as well, right after I told her, I was also reading it. She finished it in two days.
My mother read it as well, right after I told her, I was also reading it. She finished it in two days.
July 4, 2020
A interesting storyline
The World War Two story line was a bit different from some of the Normandy invasion one I had previously read. It was had a sniper unit was formed and fought.Disappointed at the lack of ending
The World War Two story line was a bit different from some of the Normandy invasion one I had previously read. It was had a sniper unit was formed and fought.Disappointed at the lack of ending
January 28, 2021
Thrilling page-turner all the way.
Great thrilling & exciting read. Likely to cause insomnia & sleep deprivation!!! If you enjoy stories of war, valor & excitement, you will thoroughly enjoy this!!!😂👍😂.
NoshirHooty.
Great thrilling & exciting read. Likely to cause insomnia & sleep deprivation!!! If you enjoy stories of war, valor & excitement, you will thoroughly enjoy this!!!😂👍😂.
NoshirHooty.
October 29, 2021
I enjoyed this book because it was fast paced and didn’t get bogged down in unnecessary details. I look for a fast paced historical war fiction book to help me escape from the everyday grind. This was a fast paced, engaging and I look forward to this series.
November 1, 2021
Great read about DDay and the battles that followed centering on a small cast
Really great read with good characters and story line. First of a long line of books so while the ending was good there were plenty of loose ends for continuation.
Really great read with good characters and story line. First of a long line of books so while the ending was good there were plenty of loose ends for continuation.
August 20, 2023
ghost sniper
A gripping read, the author keeps the reader hooked from the start, right to the end. The characters are believable and the scene setting is second to none. Well worth a read
A gripping read, the author keeps the reader hooked from the start, right to the end. The characters are believable and the scene setting is second to none. Well worth a read
July 17, 2024
This book really gave a good introduction to the characters and the story with how Cole can come together with his team for the first time and show that you do need your team to overcome the obstacles in German occupied France while dealing with the German sniper "Ghost Sniper"
July 18, 2024
Ghost Sniper
I found it interesting on how a sniper in battle works to perform what is need to survive in war I have found it is a good education on how war is fought I hope you enjoy and as well
I found it interesting on how a sniper in battle works to perform what is need to survive in war I have found it is a good education on how war is fought I hope you enjoy and as well
December 28, 2024
Great read!
I got my copy for free but opinion is my own. I have read this book before in print version I really enjoyed reading it again. It's a thriller. It has history. It has some romance.
I got my copy for free but opinion is my own. I have read this book before in print version I really enjoyed reading it again. It's a thriller. It has history. It has some romance.
March 8, 2025
I really enjoyed this one. Not a ton of action scenes but enough to keep the story interesting. Point of view from both snipers was nice. There wasn't too much emphasis on either. Already working on the second sniper novel in the series.
May 16, 2017
Awesome
July 8, 2017
Ghost Sniper
Great Story. on Par with 'A Rifleman went to War' or the Sniper sub part of 'Enemy At The Gates' or Stephen Hunter's 'Sniper's Honor'.
Great Story. on Par with 'A Rifleman went to War' or the Sniper sub part of 'Enemy At The Gates' or Stephen Hunter's 'Sniper's Honor'.
December 11, 2019
Cliched
Cliches too tired to stand up actually could not get through the book it would be hard to recommend to most people.
Cliches too tired to stand up actually could not get through the book it would be hard to recommend to most people.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews