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Caje Cole #5

Red Sniper

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Red Sniper is the story of a rescue mission for American POWs held captive by the Russians at the end of World War II.

For these American POWs, the war is not over. Abandoned by their country, used as political pawns by Stalin, their last hope for getting home again is backwoods sniper Caje Cole and a team of combat veterans who undertake a daring rescue mission prompted by a U.S. Senator whose grandson is among the captives. After a lovely Russian-American spy helps plot an escape from a Gulag prison, they must face the ruthless Red Sniper, starving wolves, and the snowy Russian taiga in a race for freedom.

In a final encounter that tests Cole’s skills to the limit, he will discover that forces within the U.S. government want the very existence of these prisoners kept secret at any price.

437 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2017

704 people are currently reading
425 people want to read

About the author

David Healey

58 books90 followers
David 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

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5 stars
751 (58%)
4 stars
415 (32%)
3 stars
99 (7%)
2 stars
14 (1%)
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5 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Profile Image for Stephen.
675 reviews18 followers
April 24, 2018
I won this book at goodreads in exchange for an honest review!
Micajah "Caje" Cole is a sniper in the U.S. Army in Germany at the end of world War Two.
Sergeant Cole is asked by a U.S. senator to go on a back-channel mission to rescue his grandson, a shot-down pilot, from the Russians who have taken Americans as POW's. They plan to be used as political pawns for Stalin in the future.
They are being held in a Gulag in Eastern Siberia.
Cole, along with his buddy, Vaccaro, and two other members form the rescue team. This is all off-the-books.
They are flown into Finland as a staging area. From there they are flown over Russia and parachute in.
Then met by their guide, Vaska, a great character, they head into the village and hide until they can figure a way into the gulag.
With the aid of a beautiful, young Russian-American nurse who works a the camps infirmary they are able to do just that.
Once they break the pilot out the thrill-ride is on!
Facing obstacles and threats including Russian soldiers, led by Barkov, their own expert marksman and cruel bastard. And the relentless, brutal Soviet weather. And a pack of wolves!
They take off towards Finland and along the way also encounter deceit and betrayal as well.
Cole is one sharply-drawn character. His "mountain accent" sounds especially authentic.
This is one GOOD WWII thriller. Emphasis on "thriller"!
20 reviews1 follower
April 8, 2019
I love the story line but David Healey knows nearly nothing about firearms and less about bushcraft. The lack of technical knowledge permeates all his writing although by the time he got to Red Sniper he was somewhat better. Still it drove me to distraction. Here's a hint for his next book. Go on Youtube and see how to make a Dakota fire pit. The fire is intense, invisible, and smokeless. If Cole was a real-honest-to-God poacher, he'd know how to do this AND build a comfortable shelter in a few minutes.
171 reviews13 followers
May 31, 2017
I was lucky enough to win a copy of this book. That said, I just finished reading and gotta tell you it was extremely well written. The story grabs you from the beginning and keeps you until the end. I must admit I missed my train station on two occasions – that’s how absorbing this read is. Pick up a copy, you will not be disappointed. 🙂
Profile Image for Richard E..
180 reviews4 followers
July 16, 2017
RED SNIPER

Another Great story about 'Sniper' Cole and people on the Other end of his Scope. A Rescue mission into the Russian Taiga to Grab an American pilot, the son of a Senator, FLIES across the Russian Waste. HIghly Recommend.
Profile Image for Donald.
454 reviews4 followers
July 23, 2017
WW2 As you Do Not Know It

Russian perfidy, special ops, clandestine actions...all combined with good characters to make a very exciting read! Good research produces a good read! Modern history realistically
Profile Image for Richard.
426 reviews3 followers
October 18, 2022
My friend is my enemy

This is the fifth book in the series. What I have learned that snipers are despised by all armies, even to the point of hating their own snipers. Well researched and written!
999 reviews23 followers
January 6, 2023
Red sniper

Very good story of the ending of ww2, and some of the horrible things that occurred then. The relationship the sniper had with his spotter was believable as it reflected the family of soldiers that combat creates. Interesting ending.
28 reviews
September 15, 2024
Nice story, but several inaccuracies

Nicely written story but several grossly inaccuracies, such as the sun setting to the east of the Finnish-Russian border. Other than that, I liked it.
145 reviews
August 9, 2025
Red sniper

Good storyline nice to read about Cole and his adventures. Enjoyed the action here and j enjoyed how the author went from one war to the cold war. Anyone who likes military will like Mr. Baskets books.
Profile Image for Greer Andjanetta.
1,433 reviews7 followers
April 29, 2019
A reasonably well-written story of a rescue from Russia of American pow's from WW II. A somewhat predictable plot but an entertaining read.
89 reviews
Read
July 1, 2021
Wild West show down.

Mr Healey makes you wonder how much he adds in to his stories and how much is based on truth.
312 reviews2 followers
April 28, 2022
A real cold war

Sniper vs sniper. Vast Russian landscape in the dead of winter for a setting in which to rescue a senator's son.
3 reviews1 follower
June 6, 2022
Bit too far fetched!

The escape by plane from a Russian airbase really was a ‘fetch’ too far but I do like Cole! Korea next?
2 reviews
August 11, 2022
Good and Enjoyable

Red Sniper, has sufficient action to make it a very enjoyable read.
It's the fifth book in the series and I've enjoyed all of them.
624 reviews4 followers
Read
September 20, 2022
Excellent!

What a great war story. A great plot with plenty of action to keep the pages turning in the great book.
Profile Image for Bklynsouth.
101 reviews
Read
October 5, 2022
Once again I am not disappointed in this series. I cannot wait until I get to the next one.
21 reviews
December 22, 2022
Another great story

David healey is amazing. I was chilled the whole time I spent reading this edition of Cake Cole exploits. Had to wear a sweater in order to finish!
411 reviews
February 13, 2023
Crazy

Wow up and down, round and round. Everything happening in the book the story goes on and on. Keep you reading for a surprise ending.
Rock on!
47 reviews1 follower
April 9, 2023
Cole at his best

Good reading and plenty of suspense. The war for supremacy in this world never will be resolved until we all can learn to get along with each other.
128 reviews3 followers
January 18, 2024
Sort of jumbled up. Cobbled up ending. Three stars is probably generous. Not a fun read on top of a sickening reminder that Patton was right!
187 reviews2 followers
March 19, 2024
Super

This series just keeps getting better and better with each book David Healey is a fantastic author Looking forward to reading the next one
832 reviews4 followers
March 23, 2025
Great story

Great intrigue Hillbilly and City Boy are polar opposites but click.nine more words needed for the review and done now.
1 review
April 6, 2017
Not bad

Loved the first two books in this series but seemed to lose interest halfway into this one. Still a good read just not as good as the others.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews

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