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Code Name: Scarlet
Lindsey Warner and Rich Graham fall in love in the shadow of the 9/11 Attacks.
Pull up a chair and venture into the world that might have been or still could be. This stunning tale of historical fiction will take you around the world in an adventure that begins with the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center and ends years later in Quetta, Pakistan.
When al-Qaeda obtains a nuclear weapon, Rich and Lindsey become key players in the operation that is Code Scarlet. They join a large contingent of American servicemen and women who are tasked with finding and securing the weapon. As history has proven over and over again, no plan ever survives first contact. Lindsey and Rich are forced to improvise and must make life and death choices to complete the mission.
Will their love survive? Will they survive? Will America survive?
Pull up a chair and venture into the world that might have been or still could be. This stunning tale of historical fiction will take you around the world in an adventure that begins with the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center and ends years later in Quetta, Pakistan.
When al-Qaeda obtains a nuclear weapon, Rich and Lindsey become key players in the operation that is Code Scarlet. They join a large contingent of American servicemen and women who are tasked with finding and securing the weapon. As history has proven over and over again, no plan ever survives first contact. Lindsey and Rich are forced to improvise and must make life and death choices to complete the mission.
Will their love survive? Will they survive? Will America survive?
337 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 28, 2016
6 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
Richard S. Lowry
8 books13 followersRichard S. Lowry is an internationally recognized military historian and author. His last book, New Dawn, the battles for Fallujah, Savas Beatie LLC, May, 2010, was nominated for the 2011 Pulitzer Prize in History, the Military Writer’s Society of America’s 2010 History Award and the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation’s coveted Wallace M. Greene, Jr. award. Richard has previously published the award winning Marines in the Garden of Eden (Berkley Caliber, 2006), The Gulf War Chronicles (iUniverse, 2003 and iUniverse Star, 2008), and US Marine in Iraq: Operation Iraqi Freedom, 2003 (Osprey, 2006). Additionally, he contributed to Small Unit Actions (United States Marine Corps History Division, 2008).
He has been published in American Legion Magazine, Armchair General, Military Magazine and The Marine Corps Gazette. Richard was the military consultant to David C. Taylor for the award-winning documentary film, “Perfect Valor.” Richard frequently contributes to his own blog site: http://blog.richardslowry.com. He also writes a continuing military news column at http://www.examiner.com/x-30068-Orlan....
Richard has spoken to many community organizations to include the Military Officers Association, the American Legion, as well as the Marine Corps Association, Marine Corps League, Navy League, the Association of the US Army, Rotary and Kiwanis and recently spoke to Marines of the Marine Forces Command in Norfolk, Virginia. He has spoken on many different subjects relating to the current war in Iraq and Operation Desert Storm.
Richard is an award winning author. In 2006, Marines in the Garden of Eden won the Silver Medal for history from the Military Writers Society of America. The Gulf War Chronicles also received recognition from MWSA in 2006 and has achieved Editor’s Choice, Reader’s Choice and STAR distinction from iUniverse. In 2009, “Perfect Valor” received the best feature documentary award at the GI Film Festival and won the 2010 Norm Hatch award from the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation.
Richard has established himself as a contemporary expert on the war in Afghanistan and Iraq with a substantial radio, television and internet following. He is a writer, marketer and captivating public speaker.
He has been published in American Legion Magazine, Armchair General, Military Magazine and The Marine Corps Gazette. Richard was the military consultant to David C. Taylor for the award-winning documentary film, “Perfect Valor.” Richard frequently contributes to his own blog site: http://blog.richardslowry.com. He also writes a continuing military news column at http://www.examiner.com/x-30068-Orlan....
Richard has spoken to many community organizations to include the Military Officers Association, the American Legion, as well as the Marine Corps Association, Marine Corps League, Navy League, the Association of the US Army, Rotary and Kiwanis and recently spoke to Marines of the Marine Forces Command in Norfolk, Virginia. He has spoken on many different subjects relating to the current war in Iraq and Operation Desert Storm.
Richard is an award winning author. In 2006, Marines in the Garden of Eden won the Silver Medal for history from the Military Writers Society of America. The Gulf War Chronicles also received recognition from MWSA in 2006 and has achieved Editor’s Choice, Reader’s Choice and STAR distinction from iUniverse. In 2009, “Perfect Valor” received the best feature documentary award at the GI Film Festival and won the 2010 Norm Hatch award from the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation.
Richard has established himself as a contemporary expert on the war in Afghanistan and Iraq with a substantial radio, television and internet following. He is a writer, marketer and captivating public speaker.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 25, 2016
"Code Name: Scarlet" is the latest book by Richard S.Lowry. Its a fascinating fictional/historical look at the lives, actions and interactions of American servicemen and women from 9/11 to modern day Pakistan and more. Like his previous works, Lowry's "Code Name Scarlett" will keep the reader in suspense until the end and full of emotions as you pass through this book and its characters' journeys.
November 18, 2016
A must read. Will appeal to both military fans and romantics.
May 5, 2017
The publisher’s synopsis suggests that this is a love story in a war setting, but I did not find that to be the case. This is very much a modern action war story with a little romance slipped in.
Richard S Lowry is a military historian with several published factual books and he uses his technical knowledge to good effect in this novel.
Dedicated readers of books on modern warfare will appreciate this depth of detail but at times I found it excessive, particularly the high use of initials. At the start I was making internet searches to check their meanings but after a while I just read them, hoping that the meaning would become clear and not bothering too much if it did not.
With an action adventure of this scale it was necessary to have a large cast of characters, but the author gave suitable descriptions of all according to their relevance to the tale. I also appreciated his frequent use of telecom messages to show the progress of the battle.
What I did not like was the blatant good versus evil message within this book. The Americans were universally honest, intelligent and brave whereas, with a few exceptions, the Afghans and Pakistanis were bad, underhand, and corrupt. Such a black and white stance would be fine if the book was pure fiction but this is a partially true story set in a current conflict and as such I feel that Lowry missed an opportunity to bring some balance which he could have achieved by further exploring the aims and beliefs of both sides of the conflict.
Some will love this, all action book, but for me it rates only three stars.
Reviewed by Clive on www.whisperingstories.com
Richard S Lowry is a military historian with several published factual books and he uses his technical knowledge to good effect in this novel.
Dedicated readers of books on modern warfare will appreciate this depth of detail but at times I found it excessive, particularly the high use of initials. At the start I was making internet searches to check their meanings but after a while I just read them, hoping that the meaning would become clear and not bothering too much if it did not.
With an action adventure of this scale it was necessary to have a large cast of characters, but the author gave suitable descriptions of all according to their relevance to the tale. I also appreciated his frequent use of telecom messages to show the progress of the battle.
What I did not like was the blatant good versus evil message within this book. The Americans were universally honest, intelligent and brave whereas, with a few exceptions, the Afghans and Pakistanis were bad, underhand, and corrupt. Such a black and white stance would be fine if the book was pure fiction but this is a partially true story set in a current conflict and as such I feel that Lowry missed an opportunity to bring some balance which he could have achieved by further exploring the aims and beliefs of both sides of the conflict.
Some will love this, all action book, but for me it rates only three stars.
Reviewed by Clive on www.whisperingstories.com
August 28, 2017
Too technical and sad
Maybe it's the romantic in me but whenever I read something with a love story, I want a happy ending. There was a lot of time spent on way too many battle details, and then the key deaths were almost like an afterthought. Disappointed.
Maybe it's the romantic in me but whenever I read something with a love story, I want a happy ending. There was a lot of time spent on way too many battle details, and then the key deaths were almost like an afterthought. Disappointed.
December 27, 2017
Summary
This book reminded me of Tom Clancy books as it was difficult to put down. Take the time to read.
This book reminded me of Tom Clancy books as it was difficult to put down. Take the time to read.
October 29, 2016
This book is a phenomenal read! The story excites and keeps your attention from the first chapter! Carefully scripted so that you are immersed into each character's actions, thoughts, places, feelings, and emotions. You are taken on a vivid world tour with just the right amount of descriptive setting that doesn't bore you like other novels. You become part of the action, the anticipation, the anxiety of what's to come. You're in the combat zone with the troops living their fear, their bravery, their victories, and their losses. The perfect balance of a love story suspense plot surrounded by various sub-plots of a family's military lineage, combat and intelligence gathering operations. The author brilliantly gives you the perspective of the locals and their fight against a terrorist regime. He supports his events with incredible historical accuracy. As a combat veteran myself, the author's expert knowledge of military standards and protocols from units to gear and weaponry to daily life of the troops is 100% spot on! The author's writing style flows with ease, is down to earth, and well-structured. I guarantee you will not want to put this book down once you start! It has been a long time since I read a solid novel and I cannot say enough great things about this book! Thank you Mr. Lowry! And thank you for your service to our country!
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December 18, 2016Title – Code Name Scarlet
Author – Richard Lowry
Genre – Military, Action/ Adventure
336 Amazon Pages
Rating 4 stars out of 5 Posted 12/18/16
There are many characters in Code Name Scarlet. Military units from the Army, Air Force, Marines and Navy are in locations from the US to Afghanistan and Pakistan. Add in CIA personnel, government employees, politicians and foreign officials and the cast is humongous. Some of the character's names are similar and makes it difficult to keep track of groups, ranks, and locations.
The plot begins with the attack on the World Trade Center in September 2001 and ends October 2007. A plan is hatched to find and eliminate Al Qaeda leaders Osama bin Laden, Ayman Al Zawahiri, and if possible Mohammed Omar.
The story is very detailed and full of action and foreign intrigue. As the story progresses the reader is drawn to the characters as individual details develop. Personalities and romances evolve giving the characters warmth and feelings. When a favorite character dies it's as if a real friend had passed on.
Half way through the plot changes. Add in two nuclear weapons given to radical terrorist to involve the US in a world war after a major US port is destroyed. The story becomes intense as the intelligence officers gather information to learn the locations of the bombs and the ultimate targets. With that information the field operations forces take over and confront the terrorist.
The editing and sentence structure are good with few errors.
Main characters are well developed to the point of becoming the reader's friends.
Details are well described and research is apparent as the story unfolds and builds.
The plot is complex and transitions through many scene and location changes.
A few plot details stretched the limits of plausibility but were easy to pass over and accept.
This war story was thoroughly enjoyable and I look forward to more works by this author.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – Richard Lowry
Genre – Military, Action/ Adventure
336 Amazon Pages
Rating 4 stars out of 5 Posted 12/18/16
There are many characters in Code Name Scarlet. Military units from the Army, Air Force, Marines and Navy are in locations from the US to Afghanistan and Pakistan. Add in CIA personnel, government employees, politicians and foreign officials and the cast is humongous. Some of the character's names are similar and makes it difficult to keep track of groups, ranks, and locations.
The plot begins with the attack on the World Trade Center in September 2001 and ends October 2007. A plan is hatched to find and eliminate Al Qaeda leaders Osama bin Laden, Ayman Al Zawahiri, and if possible Mohammed Omar.
The story is very detailed and full of action and foreign intrigue. As the story progresses the reader is drawn to the characters as individual details develop. Personalities and romances evolve giving the characters warmth and feelings. When a favorite character dies it's as if a real friend had passed on.
Half way through the plot changes. Add in two nuclear weapons given to radical terrorist to involve the US in a world war after a major US port is destroyed. The story becomes intense as the intelligence officers gather information to learn the locations of the bombs and the ultimate targets. With that information the field operations forces take over and confront the terrorist.
The editing and sentence structure are good with few errors.
Main characters are well developed to the point of becoming the reader's friends.
Details are well described and research is apparent as the story unfolds and builds.
The plot is complex and transitions through many scene and location changes.
A few plot details stretched the limits of plausibility but were easy to pass over and accept.
This war story was thoroughly enjoyable and I look forward to more works by this author.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
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February 8, 2017dnf @ 23%
This just wasn't my thing, it's fast paced, seemed well researched and accurate (I'm no expert so I probably couldn't have told you either way but it was believable) but the quick POV jumps and jumps forward in time make it feel a bit choppy. The story is very much woven around experiences in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq rather than around the characters- we only really got to see the characters for that period of time, two characters made an appearance later but for the most part they only appeared once in the timeline- I only read a quarter of the book- about 4 years I think in book time so they may well show up again, but it was difficult to get invested in the characters when they're only there for a short time. I prefer to get to know the characters in the books I read.
This just wasn't my thing, it's fast paced, seemed well researched and accurate (I'm no expert so I probably couldn't have told you either way but it was believable) but the quick POV jumps and jumps forward in time make it feel a bit choppy. The story is very much woven around experiences in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq rather than around the characters- we only really got to see the characters for that period of time, two characters made an appearance later but for the most part they only appeared once in the timeline- I only read a quarter of the book- about 4 years I think in book time so they may well show up again, but it was difficult to get invested in the characters when they're only there for a short time. I prefer to get to know the characters in the books I read.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews