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Sean Drummond #7
The Night Crew
Lieutenant Colonel Sean Drummond, a cocky US Army lawyer who’s not afraid to be blunt, finds himself up to his neck in a case he didn’t ask to take.
Five US soldiers, tasked with guarding Iraqi prisoners, stand accused of committing depraved atrocities against their charges. Drummond is assigned to defend one of them: a hardscrabble young woman who is either incredibly naive or deceptively evil… and whose incriminating photos made the case an international scandal.
Drummond and his cocounsel, the fiercely antiwar Katherine Carlson, have a complicated and combative history, but they can’t afford to get distracted now. They must determine what drove five young patriots to fall so far to the dark side of human nature. As Drummond uncovers evidence that his client has been used as a pawn in a secret strategy involving torture, he realizes that he’s caught up in a conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of government. Breaking down the US military’s formidable stonewalling could destabilize the government and put his life at risk—but Drummond’s not the type to back away from a good fight.
419 pages, Paperback
First published March 10, 2015
409 people are currently reading
1339 people want to read
About the author
Brian Haig
30 books401 followersBrian Haig is the son of former US Secretary of State Alexander Haig and has been born and bred in the American military.Since retiring from duty and has been a special advisor to the Joint Chiefs of Staff and now runs a large Helicopter company.
Series:
* Sean Drummond
Series:
* Sean Drummond
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 198 reviews
May 26, 2022
I adore these types of books. I enjoy witty snarky banter. That is why I love Sean Drummond. There was a long gap between books, and I didn't think there would be another book and highly recommend it. I am a huge fan of the Sean and his mystery solving wisecracking ways. Enjoyable mystery and satisfying end. I hope Haig writes another book.
July 10, 2023
Пак Ирак, пак мърсотия и естествено, в нея трябва да се рови подполковник Дръмънд!
В разгара на войната избухва огромен скандал, в американско затворническо съоръжение са измъчвани сексуално и физически иракчани, а една от жертвите - сунитски генерал, е безмилостно пребит до смърт.
Шон е въвлечен в това от старата си дружка Катрин, позната ни от "Враг по неволя" и хич не е на кеф, че трябва да защитава една от обвинените за насилието, да, правилно сте разбрали - жена, редник в армията на чичо Сам.
Убит е и адвокат от защитата и той трябва отново като многоръкия Шива да играе на няколко фронта. А случаят все по-малко му харесва, колкото повече факти научава по него.
Надявам се мистър Хейг да ни зарадва скоро с осмата книга от тази много увлекателна серия!
В разгара на войната избухва огромен скандал, в американско затворническо съоръжение са измъчвани сексуално и физически иракчани, а една от жертвите - сунитски генерал, е безмилостно пребит до смърт.
Шон е въвлечен в това от старата си дружка Катрин, позната ни от "Враг по неволя" и хич не е на кеф, че трябва да защитава една от обвинените за насилието, да, правилно сте разбрали - жена, редник в армията на чичо Сам.
Убит е и адвокат от защитата и той трябва отново като многоръкия Шива да играе на няколко фронта. А случаят все по-малко му харесва, колкото повече факти научава по него.
Надявам се мистър Хейг да ни зарадва скоро с осмата книга от тази много увлекателна серия!
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December 22, 2024
Audiobook - 13:27 Hours - Narrator: Christopher Lane - Review to follow.
4.5 out of 5.0 stars
An excellent novel by Brian Haig brings us the long awaited return of Lt. Col. Sean Drummond, a decorated soldier who has done serious time in the army, including in various Special Forces groups, but whose expertise as an army JAG lawyer has been the main theme of the seven novels to date.
My 13.5 hours audiobook (430 pages) was hard to put down or in my case, switch off, as I was absorbed by the monumental task facing Drummond who was appointed as co-counsel to defend what appeared to be the indefensible crimes of a young, naïve, yet head-strong female soldier, who was one of seven defendants facing multiple charges including murder.
Although this fictional novel is set in the time of the Iraq War, Haig's forceful writing about the torture and abuse of prisoners-of-war, the methods used to obtain information, and the appalling conditions of the prison in the novel (think Abu Ghraib), did not require the reader/listener to exercise much imagination to appreciate the position adopted by the author, a highly experienced military officer himself, in regard to the atrocities visited upon prisoners captured by both sides during the war.
4.5 out of 5.0 stars
An excellent novel by Brian Haig brings us the long awaited return of Lt. Col. Sean Drummond, a decorated soldier who has done serious time in the army, including in various Special Forces groups, but whose expertise as an army JAG lawyer has been the main theme of the seven novels to date.
My 13.5 hours audiobook (430 pages) was hard to put down or in my case, switch off, as I was absorbed by the monumental task facing Drummond who was appointed as co-counsel to defend what appeared to be the indefensible crimes of a young, naïve, yet head-strong female soldier, who was one of seven defendants facing multiple charges including murder.
Although this fictional novel is set in the time of the Iraq War, Haig's forceful writing about the torture and abuse of prisoners-of-war, the methods used to obtain information, and the appalling conditions of the prison in the novel (think Abu Ghraib), did not require the reader/listener to exercise much imagination to appreciate the position adopted by the author, a highly experienced military officer himself, in regard to the atrocities visited upon prisoners captured by both sides during the war.
April 22, 2015
Brian Haig's Lt.Col Sean Drummond is back after a long absence, as co-council defending a young woman accused of torturing Iraqi POW's in an Abu Grab-like prison during the war with Iraq. Lurid pictures leaked to the world wide media directly links Sean's client to the crimes and create a media lynch mob mentality. Starting with the deck firmly stacked against his client, his subsequent investigation leads to a much wider conspiracy with ominous political repercussions in addition to an exclusive military courts martial. He desperately works to understand why his client participated in her demonstrably illegal and highly immoral activities in Iraq in the context of a grossly overcrowded prison in the fog of war. Everyone involved in this brilliantly complex legal mystery is operating with conflicting motives and agenda's and Sean struggles to unravel the three dimensional jigsaw puzzle within the parameters of military law and salvage justice for not only his client but the US Army.
Thinking about reviewing this book, it might be the best page turning legal mystery I've ever read, on the same shelf as Herman Wouk's "The Caine Mutiny" and Nelson DeMilles "Word of Honor". It's that good.
Thinking about reviewing this book, it might be the best page turning legal mystery I've ever read, on the same shelf as Herman Wouk's "The Caine Mutiny" and Nelson DeMilles "Word of Honor". It's that good.
February 13, 2015
Just when I thought I'd never see another book in this series, Sean Drummond is back!!!. He's still the smart, witty and blunt lawyer I've come to love but in this book most of the one liners are in his unspoken thoughts.
Reading this book was like peeling an onion, each layer dragged you deeper and deeper into a mystery so masterfully crafted, that it had me gasping and bowing to the genius of Brian Haig at each turn of the page.
There have been a lot of thrillers about the war in Iraq and mostly its of the shoot-em-up variety that paints a distinct picture of right and wrong which in real life is never the case. Brian Haig dissects the psychology of the characters revealing their inner depths and what makes them tick that makes you wonder is the bad guy really a bad guy? or just a victim of circumstance.
This book has a slightly darker tone than the previous books in the series, but that's understandable due to the subject matter. I just couldn't put this book down till the end and hope the wait for the next Drummond adventure is shorter!
I'd like to thank NetGalley for providing me an advanced review copy.
Reading this book was like peeling an onion, each layer dragged you deeper and deeper into a mystery so masterfully crafted, that it had me gasping and bowing to the genius of Brian Haig at each turn of the page.
There have been a lot of thrillers about the war in Iraq and mostly its of the shoot-em-up variety that paints a distinct picture of right and wrong which in real life is never the case. Brian Haig dissects the psychology of the characters revealing their inner depths and what makes them tick that makes you wonder is the bad guy really a bad guy? or just a victim of circumstance.
This book has a slightly darker tone than the previous books in the series, but that's understandable due to the subject matter. I just couldn't put this book down till the end and hope the wait for the next Drummond adventure is shorter!
I'd like to thank NetGalley for providing me an advanced review copy.
January 30, 2015
Review: THE NIGHT CREW by Brian Haig
Another Best of 2015! I was captivated by the book's description, and riveted from the first page. Author Brian Haig giftedly peels back the layers of mystery and of character, of present behavior and years-past history, in the U.S. and in the Middle East. Additionally, we delve deep into character psychology, before a backdrop of a vicious, horrible, episode in history. Anyone familiar with the atrocities at Abu Ghraib will have immediate background for this novel, yet author Haig presents on both a personal-psychological level and a vast, global, ethical level. Civil War General Sherman advised, "War is he**," and Lord Acton reminded us, "power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Both dicta are firmly in play in this thrilling novel.
Another Best of 2015! I was captivated by the book's description, and riveted from the first page. Author Brian Haig giftedly peels back the layers of mystery and of character, of present behavior and years-past history, in the U.S. and in the Middle East. Additionally, we delve deep into character psychology, before a backdrop of a vicious, horrible, episode in history. Anyone familiar with the atrocities at Abu Ghraib will have immediate background for this novel, yet author Haig presents on both a personal-psychological level and a vast, global, ethical level. Civil War General Sherman advised, "War is he**," and Lord Acton reminded us, "power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Both dicta are firmly in play in this thrilling novel.
March 11, 2015
I have read each of the previous Sean Drummond books and enjoyed them all tremendously. The latest seems to have set a new bar. Many series like these tend to lose steam or worse, start to repeat the same stories over and over with the same characters. Maybe it's because I have waited a long time for a new Drummond book or perhaps Brian Haig or Sean Drummond is having a second wind.....but I thought Night Shift was pretty great. I believe that Drummond is now a smarter smart ass! More clever and mature but still very much fun to read. I zipped through this one and waiting for his next adventure.
September 19, 2021
Много добра поредица!
March 4, 2015
Just when I had given up on ever seeing Sean Drummond again, Haig returns with a new novel, and it may be his best yet.
This novel again pairs Lt. Colonel Drummond with his old law school rival, Katherine Carlson. First appearing in Mortal Allies, Carlson and Drummond do not play well together. In The Night Crew they are the co-council of a young female army soldier accused with committing atrocities against Iraqi prisoners in Iraq. To further complicate their defense are pictures of the atrocities. Lots and lots of pictures.
As they interview the other four defendants in the case, a picture of depravity emerges that Drummond wonders how they can defend against. While Carlson sees this case as a chance to put the Army on trial, Drummond begins to sense there is more to this case. With key witnesses dead and documents suddenly missing, Drummond believes someone is covering up. The question is who, and what.
Haig’s books are always good, but he has outdone himself with The Night Crew. His characters face moral ambiguities that are all too plausible and real. Well done, Mr. Haig.
With an expected publication date of March 10th, this is a book to buy and lose sleep over.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This novel again pairs Lt. Colonel Drummond with his old law school rival, Katherine Carlson. First appearing in Mortal Allies, Carlson and Drummond do not play well together. In The Night Crew they are the co-council of a young female army soldier accused with committing atrocities against Iraqi prisoners in Iraq. To further complicate their defense are pictures of the atrocities. Lots and lots of pictures.
As they interview the other four defendants in the case, a picture of depravity emerges that Drummond wonders how they can defend against. While Carlson sees this case as a chance to put the Army on trial, Drummond begins to sense there is more to this case. With key witnesses dead and documents suddenly missing, Drummond believes someone is covering up. The question is who, and what.
Haig’s books are always good, but he has outdone himself with The Night Crew. His characters face moral ambiguities that are all too plausible and real. Well done, Mr. Haig.
With an expected publication date of March 10th, this is a book to buy and lose sleep over.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
October 30, 2025
A run of the mill book which is less entertaining than his previous ones. It’ll be a while before I read the next in the series.
March 22, 2015
Haig returns to write another entertaining novel, starring Sean Drummond in his capacity as a military lawyer. While Drummond is living life under the radar, he's approached to work on a highly-controversial military trial. A young personnel clerk has been brought up on charges for prisoner abuse. Photos leaked to the media show Lydia Eddelston putting Iraqi prisoners in highly compromising positions in order to prime them for interrogations. If this were not bad enough, a senior Iraqi official is dead after a severe beating, and the night crew is on the hook. Drummond must work with his co-counsel to get to the bottom of this highly sexualised case and find any possible loophole to free his client from the US military's judicial system, while trying to determine who's leading the prisoner abuse tactics. Drummond must also face past demons and try to make peace with the woman who's caused him such grief since law school. Drummond plays hard and works even harder as he seeks justice for those who need it most, no matter the cost. While providing a serious argument for the use of interrogation by the US military, it is a refreshing return for those who are die-hard fans of Haig's witty style.
After a long hiatus, Sean Drummond is back, complete with his acerbic wit and take no prisoners attitude. Fans of the John Corey character created by Nelson DeMille will adore Drummond and be attuned to his highly inappropriate style of breaking the ice. Haig is able to inject humour into a highly disturbing topic, with strong parallels to Abu Ghraib, and create not only a legal argument, but a social commentary on events of this nature within the military hierarchy. Told less from a soap box angle than much needed information, Haig is able to pull the reader in and keep them entertained throughout.
Kudos, Mr. Haig. A wonderful Drummond novel to tide us over as we wait to see if your Haig-Vince Flynn (RIP) project has been shelved or simply delayed.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
After a long hiatus, Sean Drummond is back, complete with his acerbic wit and take no prisoners attitude. Fans of the John Corey character created by Nelson DeMille will adore Drummond and be attuned to his highly inappropriate style of breaking the ice. Haig is able to inject humour into a highly disturbing topic, with strong parallels to Abu Ghraib, and create not only a legal argument, but a social commentary on events of this nature within the military hierarchy. Told less from a soap box angle than much needed information, Haig is able to pull the reader in and keep them entertained throughout.
Kudos, Mr. Haig. A wonderful Drummond novel to tide us over as we wait to see if your Haig-Vince Flynn (RIP) project has been shelved or simply delayed.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
March 4, 2018
A terrific thriller from Brian Haig that blends legal and political manoeuvring against the all-too-real backdrop of military indiscipline and atrocities during overseas wars. Lieutenant Colonel Sean Drummond finds himself strong-armed by superiors into co-counseling a lose-lose court martial case with anti-army civilian lawyer. Katherine Carlson.
His unsophisticated client is one of five part-time soldiers accused of torturing and humiliating enemy prisoners abroad, and is proud of what she did and thinks she was only following orders that no one else can confirm. Is she wide-eyed or wicked? As the evidence mounts against her, and Drummond finds himself scrabbling for answers about what really happened and who knew about it, military and political stonewalling looks likely to submarine any reasonable defence.
Could this be part of something larger, or has Drummond just found himself with a poisoned chalice, defending an evil woman, alongside a hated legal colleague who'll do anything to make the army look bad?
Haig writes very well, sucking the reader in to a swirling, intriguing tale. At first I was a little unsure about Drummond and Carlson, who seemed caricatures of an army defender and anti-war crusader, but as the page-turning tale unfolded more and more layers and shades of grey emerged. There's a very strong voice, and narrative drive, in THE NIGHT CREW - it's a propulsive page-turner where Haig demonstrates his deep knowledge of and insight into the US military and how it intersects with political and civilian life. The questions and conflicts that are raised, and not easily answered in a world where certainty is valued even where it doesn't exist.
Highly recommended. After I finished I knew I'd be reading much more of Haig's work and Lt Col Drummond's adventures in future.
His unsophisticated client is one of five part-time soldiers accused of torturing and humiliating enemy prisoners abroad, and is proud of what she did and thinks she was only following orders that no one else can confirm. Is she wide-eyed or wicked? As the evidence mounts against her, and Drummond finds himself scrabbling for answers about what really happened and who knew about it, military and political stonewalling looks likely to submarine any reasonable defence.
Could this be part of something larger, or has Drummond just found himself with a poisoned chalice, defending an evil woman, alongside a hated legal colleague who'll do anything to make the army look bad?
Haig writes very well, sucking the reader in to a swirling, intriguing tale. At first I was a little unsure about Drummond and Carlson, who seemed caricatures of an army defender and anti-war crusader, but as the page-turning tale unfolded more and more layers and shades of grey emerged. There's a very strong voice, and narrative drive, in THE NIGHT CREW - it's a propulsive page-turner where Haig demonstrates his deep knowledge of and insight into the US military and how it intersects with political and civilian life. The questions and conflicts that are raised, and not easily answered in a world where certainty is valued even where it doesn't exist.
Highly recommended. After I finished I knew I'd be reading much more of Haig's work and Lt Col Drummond's adventures in future.
November 30, 2015
Sean Drummond is back with vengeance! I can't believe it took 7 years for readers to see him again and hope that it doesn't take another 7 to enjoy this guy! Once again Drummond is forced to take on a case that rips our very moralistic realities of the Army. 5 lowly soldiers accused of torturing many of the insurgent prisoners caught in Iraq and it didn't stop there. A Saddam's right hand man is one of the prisoners and he is dead, beaten to a bloody pulp. Photos are splashed across the world and someone needs to be blamed. Did the prison commander give the order? Who will be held accountable?
This novel is dark and disturbing for those who have a weak stomach when it comes to the atrocities of human life and protecting our country and its people you are faced with a conspiracy; one that leads to the decisions of the president. You might think twice either way. A great thriller! Perhaps even book of the year! Just brilliant!
The only thing that disappoints is the character of the accused. I find it hard to believe that the tests you have to take these days to join the Army would allow such a simpleton and a psychopath to pass and pick up a weapon. I've not seen the tests myself but I do know that they are difficult enough for some who want to join and can't because of this. I wanted to dock one star for this but the story was too good.
This novel is dark and disturbing for those who have a weak stomach when it comes to the atrocities of human life and protecting our country and its people you are faced with a conspiracy; one that leads to the decisions of the president. You might think twice either way. A great thriller! Perhaps even book of the year! Just brilliant!
The only thing that disappoints is the character of the accused. I find it hard to believe that the tests you have to take these days to join the Army would allow such a simpleton and a psychopath to pass and pick up a weapon. I've not seen the tests myself but I do know that they are difficult enough for some who want to join and can't because of this. I wanted to dock one star for this but the story was too good.
March 15, 2015
Having read all of Brian Haig's previous books, you can only imagine how thrilled I was to stumble onto the fact that a new book was being released and that it featured one of my favorite literary characters, newly promoted Lt. Col. Sean Drummond. I immediately downloaded an eARC of the title from NetGalley, set aside another book I was reading, and got reacquainted with Sean.
The book can be read as a stand-alone so readers that haven't read the other books in the series shouldn't let that stand in the way of picking up this book. Of course, if they enjoy The Night Crew they'll probably want to go back and start the series at the beginning.
As a 12+ year veteran, military thrillers are one of my favorite genres. The old-school military authenticity and humor that Mr. Haig includes in his books makes him one of my favorite authors. Fans of Lee Child and Nelson Demille will enjoy this.
I requested and received a digital galley of this title from the publisher through NetGalley.
The book can be read as a stand-alone so readers that haven't read the other books in the series shouldn't let that stand in the way of picking up this book. Of course, if they enjoy The Night Crew they'll probably want to go back and start the series at the beginning.
As a 12+ year veteran, military thrillers are one of my favorite genres. The old-school military authenticity and humor that Mr. Haig includes in his books makes him one of my favorite authors. Fans of Lee Child and Nelson Demille will enjoy this.
I requested and received a digital galley of this title from the publisher through NetGalley.
April 12, 2015
Haig hasn't written a Sean Drummond novel in about 13 years. I've really missed the wit and irreverence Drummond brings to the military and the legal profession.
I have to guess that Haig had the outline for this, or maybe even a rough draft laying around for quite some time. The timeline is not too long after Secret Sanction, written in 2002, which took place in South Korea. Also the main plot was apparently inspired by the events of Abu Ghraib, late 2003.
All in all it is a very satisfactory story laid out by the two defense attorney's, Drummond and his civilian counterpart who tends to support very liberal causes. Both have their dialogue expressing their points of view. Of course, Haig being rather conservative, the Drummond views are more frequent.
Those who enjoy both legal and government thrillers should enjoy this one.
I have to guess that Haig had the outline for this, or maybe even a rough draft laying around for quite some time. The timeline is not too long after Secret Sanction, written in 2002, which took place in South Korea. Also the main plot was apparently inspired by the events of Abu Ghraib, late 2003.
All in all it is a very satisfactory story laid out by the two defense attorney's, Drummond and his civilian counterpart who tends to support very liberal causes. Both have their dialogue expressing their points of view. Of course, Haig being rather conservative, the Drummond views are more frequent.
Those who enjoy both legal and government thrillers should enjoy this one.
May 15, 2015
The night crew
Very similar in writing and twists of understanding to catch 22. I found it difficult to believe that the main character would reason as he did but, in the end realized he had no other choice. That was the nature of the story and the best way to see it.
Very similar in writing and twists of understanding to catch 22. I found it difficult to believe that the main character would reason as he did but, in the end realized he had no other choice. That was the nature of the story and the best way to see it.
May 25, 2016
2 1/2 Stars -- Meh (At Best)!
Prior to starting The Night Crew, its basic premise had me intrigued -- in which LTC Sean Drummond (the cocky US Army lawyer featured in many of Haig's other books) is assigned to defend a young female soldier who, along with four other soldiers, is accused of committing depraved atrocities against some Iraqi POWs they were assigned to guard. Based on this premise I was anticipating being treated to a fast-paced legal thriller filled with excitement and surprising twists and turns.
Unfortunately, virtually nothing of what I was anticipating came to be. Although Haig did an adequate job of moving the story along and in developing some fairly well-developed characters, I did not find The Night Crew to be fast-paced nor did I have any problem putting it aside for good periods of time. As a matter of fact, it took me about a month to finish The Night Crew compared to about the week's time it usually takes me to read a book. Further, none of the plot involved a courtroom setting and I did not consider the plot elements to be particularly exciting. And, though Haig does provide some twists and turns, they were not particularly surprising and they came about too late in the book to bring about a change in my overall opinion. For me, this became a matter of too little, too late.
Bottom line -- for me The Night Crew was good enough to finish but not good enough to recommend.
Prior to starting The Night Crew, its basic premise had me intrigued -- in which LTC Sean Drummond (the cocky US Army lawyer featured in many of Haig's other books) is assigned to defend a young female soldier who, along with four other soldiers, is accused of committing depraved atrocities against some Iraqi POWs they were assigned to guard. Based on this premise I was anticipating being treated to a fast-paced legal thriller filled with excitement and surprising twists and turns.
Unfortunately, virtually nothing of what I was anticipating came to be. Although Haig did an adequate job of moving the story along and in developing some fairly well-developed characters, I did not find The Night Crew to be fast-paced nor did I have any problem putting it aside for good periods of time. As a matter of fact, it took me about a month to finish The Night Crew compared to about the week's time it usually takes me to read a book. Further, none of the plot involved a courtroom setting and I did not consider the plot elements to be particularly exciting. And, though Haig does provide some twists and turns, they were not particularly surprising and they came about too late in the book to bring about a change in my overall opinion. For me, this became a matter of too little, too late.
Bottom line -- for me The Night Crew was good enough to finish but not good enough to recommend.
March 19, 2015
It was like running into an old friend you haven't seen in awhile. Soon you settle in like you were never apart. Sean Drummond is a character that I have grown to love all these years. He walks the line so well between honor, duty, insubordination and the truth. I find myself rooting for him every page I turn.
Brian Haig writes an intelligent thriller. Every turn and twist is believable. Every "suit" has a political agenda and only Sean can get to the truth, though many times he pays the price for his efforts.
This book, while similar in ways to others past (Mortal Allies comes to mind) this is still different. Sean does things he had never done before- he crosses some lines that surprised me. Unlike previous novels I found myself thinking deeply about the settings for the novel- the plot was almost secondary to the moral and ethical issues that were the reason for the book in the first place.
I'm sad that it was released only as a paperback- I want to believe there is enough of a market for a hardback edition. Still, kudos to Brian Haig on a fun read. Once I started I stopped only for work- I finished it in two days.
Brian Haig writes an intelligent thriller. Every turn and twist is believable. Every "suit" has a political agenda and only Sean can get to the truth, though many times he pays the price for his efforts.
This book, while similar in ways to others past (Mortal Allies comes to mind) this is still different. Sean does things he had never done before- he crosses some lines that surprised me. Unlike previous novels I found myself thinking deeply about the settings for the novel- the plot was almost secondary to the moral and ethical issues that were the reason for the book in the first place.
I'm sad that it was released only as a paperback- I want to believe there is enough of a market for a hardback edition. Still, kudos to Brian Haig on a fun read. Once I started I stopped only for work- I finished it in two days.
February 12, 2015
Lieutenant Col Sean Drummond is a smart mouth Army lawyer who has been assigned to a case he doesn't want. Five soldiers who were assigned to a prison in Iraq are accused of misconduct. Sean is assigned to the defense team for one of the soldiers, a naive not too smart or incredibly evil young woman. Co counsel Katherine Carlson and Sean have a history. Katherine seems to go out of her way to annoy Sean. Together they need to find a way to defend their young client despite overwhelming evidence of her guilt. The further Sean gets into the case the more he realizes someone is hiding the truth. Then two of the attorneys for the other defendants are murdered. Can Sean get to the truth and live to tell it? Who is manipulating events? This book was an excellent read. I could hardly put it down. I enjoyed the smart mouth attitude of Sean's and the intrigue of the story.
July 31, 2015
This is without doubt the BEST Sean Drummond novel yet. After a break of several years, and with two other excellent novels in the interim (THE HUNTED and THE CAPITAL GAME), Brian Haig has shown himself to have matured to an even better story-teller. And Lieutenant Colonel Drummond has also evolved into a more interesting person. Although Drummond remains a cocky, smart-ass combat veteran and US Army lawyer, he is a much more serious character now while Haig is dealing with much more serious, complicated and convoluted crimes involving secrets and conspiracies involving echelons above Drummond's pay-grade. The crimes of course come from yesterday's headlines. The "rest of the story" makes this book very hard to put down. If I didn't have a full-time job I would have read it in one sitting without going to sleep.
July 5, 2015
One Worth Thinking About
I've read all of Haig's books. This one's as good, yet different, more serious. While it is another of his Sean Drummond JAG. Lawyer mysteries, at its heart, it is about war crimes, Iraq, and the mess that became Abu Graib Prison. How do things like that happen in the best Army in the world? Hang goes a long way toward explaining that. He's a former Army officer himself and, as I only recently learned, the son of Alexander Haig. You can't get better 'creds' than that for a wrenching story like this. Being a former Army officer myself, I think he has the autocratic mindset down pat. There's not as much action in this one, but it is an important read.
I've read all of Haig's books. This one's as good, yet different, more serious. While it is another of his Sean Drummond JAG. Lawyer mysteries, at its heart, it is about war crimes, Iraq, and the mess that became Abu Graib Prison. How do things like that happen in the best Army in the world? Hang goes a long way toward explaining that. He's a former Army officer himself and, as I only recently learned, the son of Alexander Haig. You can't get better 'creds' than that for a wrenching story like this. Being a former Army officer myself, I think he has the autocratic mindset down pat. There's not as much action in this one, but it is an important read.
April 6, 2015
Involving and you are there
I don't like books about war....I am one of those people who don't know why we are in war like Afghanistan or Iraq....and I can practically say I don't know where they are....BUT this was a great book. It kept my attention and I loved the characters...well loved them is not exactly what I mean...but a good book is a good book and Brain Haig is a very good writer. My compliments! You thoughts were stunning and the whole book simply simmered with excitement.
I don't like books about war....I am one of those people who don't know why we are in war like Afghanistan or Iraq....and I can practically say I don't know where they are....BUT this was a great book. It kept my attention and I loved the characters...well loved them is not exactly what I mean...but a good book is a good book and Brain Haig is a very good writer. My compliments! You thoughts were stunning and the whole book simply simmered with excitement.
August 6, 2015
Lieutenant Colonel Sean Drummond - one of my favorite fictional characters. However, this book's torture events are brutal and disturbing.
September 5, 2021
I really liked this book. It was about an Army defense lawyer assigned to defend soldier who had tortured prisoners in an abu ghraib style prison during the Iraq war. The narrator/lawyer is super snarky and cocky and I liked his sense of humor. I found the exploration and discovery of responsibility for these terrible war crimes very interesting storyline. But I found the love interest story completely unnecessary to the plot and characters, and it detracted from the credibility and appreciation I had for the female attorney in the story, which I thought was unfortunate; minus one star.
March 13, 2015
It's been a few years since the last Sean Drummond book and I've been eagerly awaiting THE NIGHT CREW. This is a great series and author Brian Haig is a real life patriot in the truest sense of the word.
I think the long break between Drummond books threw me with this plot though -- it's an Abu Ghraib type scandal with five soldiers set to take the fall even as the CIA is lurking in the shadows. A good plot, but it felt like the first draft was written 7 or 8 years ago when this type of scandal was front page news and then for whatever reason the author went on hiatus. The book is also set 7 or 8 years ago -- which was confusing at first, and it was difficult for me to get interested in the opening chapters.
I read the Kindle edition and I was also very confused by the fact an Amazon company (Thomas & Mercer) published it, and yet there were a dozen or more glaring typographical errors in the first few chapters alone plus Kindle-related formatting glitches throughout the book. The fault for that belongs with the publishing/editing teams and not the author, but I was very shocked by it. I imagine the Kindle edition will be updated to fix those things very soon.
For me the book really gained traction about halfway through. I like the fact Drummond is faced with a moral dilemma that requires both a cerebral and a physical solution. It's a messy world we live in, and I think the author did a tremendous job placing a "good" person in position to make some really hard and morally ambiguous choices. It's good reading, plus it makes you think about serious topics.
I think the long break between Drummond books threw me with this plot though -- it's an Abu Ghraib type scandal with five soldiers set to take the fall even as the CIA is lurking in the shadows. A good plot, but it felt like the first draft was written 7 or 8 years ago when this type of scandal was front page news and then for whatever reason the author went on hiatus. The book is also set 7 or 8 years ago -- which was confusing at first, and it was difficult for me to get interested in the opening chapters.
I read the Kindle edition and I was also very confused by the fact an Amazon company (Thomas & Mercer) published it, and yet there were a dozen or more glaring typographical errors in the first few chapters alone plus Kindle-related formatting glitches throughout the book. The fault for that belongs with the publishing/editing teams and not the author, but I was very shocked by it. I imagine the Kindle edition will be updated to fix those things very soon.
For me the book really gained traction about halfway through. I like the fact Drummond is faced with a moral dilemma that requires both a cerebral and a physical solution. It's a messy world we live in, and I think the author did a tremendous job placing a "good" person in position to make some really hard and morally ambiguous choices. It's good reading, plus it makes you think about serious topics.
March 10, 2015
The Night Crew visits dark subjects
LTC Sean Drummond has been in the U.S. Army for 17 years, is an Army attorney, and is now on loan to the Office of Special Projects of the CIA. An old acquaintance, civilian attorney Katherine Carlson, wrangles him into being cocounsel on the Al Basari military prison scandal.
Five soldiers, three women and two men, have been charged with doing atrocities towards the prisoners. One of the women, an unattractive low mentality soldier, is Drummond's and Carlson's client.
This military/political thriller was fast paced and raised some major ethical questions. Drummond, the main protagonist, has his own way of doing things and that's not necessarily by the book.
I liked that a good part of the book took place at or near the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, an area I am familiar with and admire.
Murder, torture, kinkiness, incest - all kinds of hardcore subjects are brought up in this book so be forewarned.
THE NIGHT CREW is a hard book to read. It very vividly describes the torture and atrocities against Arab prisoners of war in a vastly overcrowded, understaffed prison.
NOTE: I received a free advance copy of this book from Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review.
LTC Sean Drummond has been in the U.S. Army for 17 years, is an Army attorney, and is now on loan to the Office of Special Projects of the CIA. An old acquaintance, civilian attorney Katherine Carlson, wrangles him into being cocounsel on the Al Basari military prison scandal.
Five soldiers, three women and two men, have been charged with doing atrocities towards the prisoners. One of the women, an unattractive low mentality soldier, is Drummond's and Carlson's client.
This military/political thriller was fast paced and raised some major ethical questions. Drummond, the main protagonist, has his own way of doing things and that's not necessarily by the book.
I liked that a good part of the book took place at or near the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, an area I am familiar with and admire.
Murder, torture, kinkiness, incest - all kinds of hardcore subjects are brought up in this book so be forewarned.
THE NIGHT CREW is a hard book to read. It very vividly describes the torture and atrocities against Arab prisoners of war in a vastly overcrowded, understaffed prison.
NOTE: I received a free advance copy of this book from Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review.
May 28, 2016
I bought this book because it was on sale. I listened to the introduction and thought that the story and the narrator were both excellent. I was only slightly disappointed by the entire book. This is a mystery. We know that some terrible things happened at an American military prison in Iraq. There was a small group of men and women -- the author makes a strong case that putting men and women together in a war zone is insane -- who subjected a number of prisoners to sexual humiliation and torture. But there was also a murder. The narrator, Sean Drummond, is an officer in the army who is currently on loan to the CIA, is coerced into joining the defense team for one of the accused, a young southern woman who ended up in this situation because of her own sordid past. The story is plotted very nicely, revealing more and more clues to this mystery as we wade through the history of the prison. Haig, who is the son of Al Haig, has an agenda by telling this story. He is defending the young men and women who go to war but he is condemning those in charge who create these messes and then have no idea or will to clean them up. I was disappointed by the ending because it moved a little too quickly and cleanly. But on the whole, it's a good read.
March 12, 2015
I had never read any of the Sean Drummond series so was excited to do so. This gentleman pulls no punches! Clearly Sean is a man used to getting his own way and this book never got boring. He does a job he doesn't want, defending one of five army personnel accused of misconduct, sharing co-counsel with a woman who seems determined to thwart his ability to do the job she wanted him for. We delve deep into the so-called chain of command that led to the atrocities being committed and I found it all sad and a little frightening - even though I know this is a work of fiction. I would have loved to have continued long into the nights to read this book but, alas, sleep took over. The greatest compliment i can pay an author is to say I now want to read more of these books.
I received this through NetGalley in return for a fair and unbiased review.
I received this through NetGalley in return for a fair and unbiased review.
October 22, 2016
These Sean Drummond books by Brian Haig are like candy. Enjoyable and addictive. I go through each one in a happy little day or two of manic reading. This one, which came out several years after book 6 in the series, was a little slower for me than previous books, but I didn't like it any less. The subject matter was difficult for me, but Haig presented what seemed like a very realistic scenario.
Also, Sean really became a man of action in this book - not that he hasn't been one throughout, but he seemed much more in control and not spinning wildly at the ends of someone else's machinations. While this may have taken a teeny bit away from the tension, it had me cheering Sean the whole way. I hope he stay this smart and this tough. And I hope it's not another 5 years until the next book!
Also, Sean really became a man of action in this book - not that he hasn't been one throughout, but he seemed much more in control and not spinning wildly at the ends of someone else's machinations. While this may have taken a teeny bit away from the tension, it had me cheering Sean the whole way. I hope he stay this smart and this tough. And I hope it's not another 5 years until the next book!
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