Delta 7

by John Cathcart

For 20 years, John Carter served as a USAF fighter pilot and attaché. Everything appeared to be on track for a comfortable retirement. Without warning, however, his world is turned upside-down after a casual conversation during a layover in the Caribbean island of Grenada sets into motion a series of events that threaten to inalterably change-or perhaps even end-his life. Out of the blue, an old friend turns up to impart a bizarre and almost unbelievable story... and a warning. Within a matter of hours, Carter discovers that his military friends and comrades are disappearing. With the help of a beautiful and enigmatic woman from his past, Carter returns to Colombia in a frantic attempt to unravel the truth in a world ruled by violence, illicit drugs and money. Unbeknownst to Carter, shadowy players are already caught up in this high-stakes and deadly poker game. Relying on his super-secret attaché training, Carter tries to stay alive in a frantic hunt for allies... and answers.

214 pages, Paperback

First published July 5, 2008

About the author

John Cathcart joined the USAF in 1978, and after earning his pilot's wings, he flew the B52 and the F-111. He later served as a military attaché, in Colombia and Venezuela, where he flew the embassy's twin-engine prop C-12: the military version of the Super King Air.

For the remainder of his military career, he worked in a series of staff assignments, including the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the US Southern Command. After a twenty-year military career, he retired at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

In 1999 Cathcart was hired by American Airlines and flew mostly 737 until his retirement in 2015.

Reviews

[Lee Boyland · Rating 5 out of 5]

ohn Cathcart takes the reader on a roller-coaster ride through Columbia’s drug empires and FARC revolutionaries, with Lt Col John Carter, USAF retired, as your guide. Intrigue, double-cross, murder, beautiful Latin ladies, and, oh yes, the mafia.

Carter’s adventure begins when he makes an innocent inquiry to a bar tender in St, Georges, Granada. An inquiry that draws Carter back into his former life as assistant military attaché in Columbia and drug enforcement, and sends him searching for answers in Columbia, Miami, and Washington, DC.

The author weaves a complex and realistic plot centering around a major drug shipment. He also paints a troubling and vivid picture of how the huge amounts of money generated by illegal drug sales can corrupt officials, police, and the military, including America’s military. The story ends with a twist few will see coming.

It always a pleasure to read a well written and plotted story penned by a person who has been there and done that. Will John Carter have more adventures? I hope so.

[Kerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm sure that I cannot be all that unbiased in regards to this book/author. However, I can point out the aspects that I personally appreciated, which others might enjoy as well. Although Delta 7 has its military ties, I believe the story can appeal to people which no such experience. It is not weighed down by technical jargon. I especially liked how many different minor characters were introduced early in the book and seeing how they were connected to the principle climatic event which later unfolded. The story jumps around to these various characters in diferrent parts of the world, yet it all ties together in the end. These jumps from place to place are broken up by subheadings. This allowed me to have many stopping places, which is an added bonus for me because I sometimes have limited reading time.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this book down. It takes place in a very short time. John is a pilot, former Navy flyer, who is on a layover in Grenada and innocently asks about someone from his military days. It sets into motion a series of events which lead to murder, drugs, and terrorism. Edge of the seat action. I liked how each day was set up with times and who was doing what. Fantastic!

[John]

Published by Outskirts Press.