A secret revealed on his father’s death bed leads young Peter Lucas to become the U.S. Army’s most lethal sniper in a story that twists and turns from the frozen battlefield in Korea to the sweltering jungles of Vietnam. Along the way Peter is transformed from a high school football star into a deadly shadow warrior. Losing his father throws his world upside down, but a request for information about his father’s past sets in motion a string of events that will forever change Peter’s life. A family history he had never known pushes Peter into the world of clandestine operations. His older brother Tony is entangled in the web as well, going MIA in Nam. With the help of CIA director Elmore Craft. Peter is trained and unleashed on an unsuspecting enemy, however at just 19 years old the job might be too daunting for him to handle.
The author had a plot that held me. I was very disappointed in his unfamiliarity with the armed forces and the equipment, customs, and even ranks of the respective services. At one point he referred to an NCO in the Airborne as a Gunnery Sgt. That’s a Marine Corps rank. He mentioned a 50 caliber Browning automatic rifle, which is ludicrous - it’s a 30 cal. He had an Airborne Pvt saying “Sir, yes sir” to an NCO. That’s something only a Marine recruit says. There were many other embarrassing discrepancies.
Mr. Haury seems to have written this book with little or no technical knowledge in relation to his subject. For instance he makes a number of references to 20mm and 50mm machine guns . In addition he obviously made liberal use of Spell Check, often resulting in improper use of words such as your vs you're and repeatedly uses strait rather than straight. Very poorly edited.
It was a good story. Yes there were errors like referring to a corporal as sir, saluting in a combat zone and other mistakes. I will admit it took be aback when it first occurred in the book but what the hell, it is fiction and as such it was a good tale. Also is not that editors and reviewers are hired for? So I give the editors and reviewers 3 stars and Mr. Haury 5 stars for a tale that holds the readers interest. As for the expectations of the some of the critique's here in, remember that Saigon fell 46 plus years ago and except for a group of us old geezers 50MM vs 50Cal is meaningless to the majority of those under 55. In the world of USA 5.56 however, he did get 7.62 correct.
The basic story was good. However, the author should have done some basic research on military ranks, weapons and protocols. He had privates saluting corporals in a forward base in Vietnam where no one saluted for fear of sniper, 20 mm machine guns on Huey helps carrying troops and “50 mm machine guns” in the camp. They did not exist. Finally, a little research or just reading one nonfiction book written by some of the men in the LRRP’s would have gone a long way to helping the story believability.
The authors fiction is extreme. I’ve read a great number of books but this one isn’t meant for mature adults. The perfection of Pete’s actions and events is for 11-13,year old not adults. The talents skills the author affords Pete are those that Carlos Hathcock the true to life shadow sniper had. Even he wasn’t perfect read his bio in the book and enjoy life events of a true sniper. Whose real experiences over shadow the authors fiction. His life was for real and I’m sure the author attempted to copy them.
Apparently the Author meant know much about the military hierarchy. Too many mistakes in rank and military courtesy, e.g. No Corporal is called "Sir", and they sure aren't ever saluted. Plus going and coming from Vietnam, the Army used Oakland, Ca around San Francisco, not San Diego. Plus, we had no ranger unit with us. But, all told a good story.
The book is very good when the plot is centered on the jungle scenes. However, the author needs to do more research on the differences between the differences between the armed forces and their ranking structure. Enlisted people don't salute or call higher ranking enlisted "Sir" or "Ma'am." A Gunnery Sergeant is a Marine Corps enlisted rank and not an Army rank.
Other than that, this is a good read and hard to put down.
This was not an enjoyable book at all, not up to the standard of the first book in any way or form. In the first place the jealousy of the 2 girlfriends was a real turn-off, and that continued right throughout the story. Then they got dragged into the missions untrained which is doubtful for 1970"s anywhere. And for me the story was about Pete Lucas, not all the side shows that turned up.
I truly enjoyed this book. It held my attention all the way through. I was a young married woman during that time period and we knew very little about the war in Vietnam. A well written, well considered book. I did not look down on the ones who were involved there. Many thanks to the author.
Mr.Hairy has written a very entering novel that will have you laughing and tearing up through out. The style is easy to follow and become a part of. Obviously his military knowledge is not up to speed but the story is enough fun and enjoyment to overlook the mistakes. I look forward to he next book.
Wow!! I was totally engrossed in this one. I loved all the people and what was happening in their lives. Coming from the Vietnam generation, listening to brothers and listening to friends that toured there..I would have to say Mr. Haury nailed the description of the jungle, people and lifestyle of soldiers spot on. Would highly recommend this book.
A compelling, well- written believable story of bravery that puts the lie to the faux fear of “toxic masculinity” as a harmful influence. Give us men like these heroes and we can overcome the dreadful modern attempt to feminize men. ( this comment written by a Navy spec ops vet.)
This was a good story, I wish the author would have taken his time to do the most basic home work or at least have a military consultant. He has a private call if a Corporal “Sir” and refers to Tony Lucas, an Army Sniper as a Gunnery Sargent. I think he got his Army and Marine ranks mixed up. Nonetheless, it was a good story.
Really Enjoyable. Having read all of the David Healey “Sniper” series books was looking for something well researched (read believable) yet a plot that moved along. Author Haury did a great job and the only problem was I read it in one day, which leaves me only four more books in his “Shadow” series. These two Authors need to write faster!!!!!
This was one of the best fiction books read in a long time. While it got a little lengthy the novel kept my interest throughout. My only question is where and when is the sequel.
Welll written is an understatement; hard to stop thinking about it when not lost in its pages! Gave four-star rating rather than five solely because it ended so suddenly. Dan't wait to read the next one!
I could hardly put it down.There were afew mistakes that i noticed but only because i know people in the field.well written enough that i bought the second book.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I enjoyed meeting these people and watching how things developed. Thank you for writing it for me, I appreciate it very much!
Several things I was confused on. A4 fighter? A=attack aircraft, ie A6, A7, A10. Not sure the Air Force ever used the A4. 50 mm and 20mm at the fire base? Huge rounds. Hilo? Maybe Helo was meant? Okay story, but needs some work.
Not alot of extraneous minutia. A few misspellings and grammatical errors, but I didn't read for that minor problem; and,sometimes I believe it's the publisher and not the author. I look forward to the next book,( read both in reverse order).
A poorly written piece laced with every cliche imaginable, fraught with grammatical and technical errors. A military novel written by someone with no apparent knowledge of military protocol. Not recommend to anyone with an appreciation of good writing.
I really enjoyed the refreshing narrative & deep love of the Vietnamese jungle. This story is simple & beautiful in it’s telling. It kept me totally engaged & enthralled. What a find.
Good read with excellent character development and structure. Story plausible and somewhat realistic. A page turner in many respects. Lends itself to a sequel.