Red Thunder

Winds of War #4

by William C. Dietz

In RED THUNDER, volume four of the Winds of War series, WWIII rages on as the Allies plan a daring raid the Kyshtym Copper-Electrolyte Works in the Chelyabinsk region located deep inside Russia. As the war heats up the Russian plant is producing significant quantities of Rhenium, a rare Earth element used to produce alloys for jet engines, filaments for mass spectrographs, and electrical contacts. And, according to a CIA agent named Cassandra, the Russians are going to move a large shipment of Rhenium out of the Kyshtym facility to Moscow in 24 days. A decision is made at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. Rather than allow the Russians to transport the Rhenium to Moscow, where they will use it as part of the war effort, the Allies will create a pop-up infantry battalion, and send it into Russian territory to hijack the shipment. The Allied unit will be staffed with individuals drawn from a variety of countries, and various military organizations according to need. The man chosen to lead the battalion is an army reserve colonel, and well-known actor named Alton Flynn; a man who, though famous for performing his own stunts and his magnetic personality, is also known to be a narcissist and a woman chaser. But as one general puts it, “Flynn is just crazy enough to get the job done… Assuming we send a real soldier to keep him on the rails.” The “real soldier” is Flynn’s XO, Major Marlo Martin—who’s known for her cool head. She, along with CIA Paramilitary Officer Dan Dean, and a battalion consisting of 300 strangers, are about to attempt the impossible. If they manage to succeed that, according to the Director of the CIA, “Will be a f'ing miracle.”

322 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 29, 2020

About the author

New York Times bestselling author William C. Dietz has published more than fifty novels, some of which have been translated into German, Russian, and Japanese. He grew up in the Seattle area, served as a medic with the Navy and Marine Corps, graduated from the University of Washington, and has been employed as a surgical technician, college instructor, and television news writer, director and producer. Before becoming a full-time writer Dietz was director of public relations and marketing for an international telephone company. He and his wife live near Gig Harbor, Washington.

Reviews

[Robert Hrzic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't regret buying this book either and I love how it connects to the other books of the series. My favourite part is the beginning where we get to see NATO fight on the European front, something that was briefly shown in the first book. I also love how Will portrays Russia as a gloomy and dark land. Only, in reality, Russia would probably launch a nuclear strike if its soil was directly attacked. Still a great novel!

[David Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As good as it gets

I am very partial to Marko Kloos’ books, but in terms of visualizing what a more near term combat scenario might be like, Dietz is the guy. It’s a great book to read. Nevertheless, in the real world I can’t imagine the hero, or anyone from the fictional 152nd would survive. Putin is not a good guy, etc, but the Russians are way more competent than portrayed.

[Brian Clearwater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Red Thunder

Edge of your seat combat. A fascinating story of a group tossed together....well just imagine then read this book (The Series and start at THE BEGINNING!) Excellent stories involve excellent characters and Dietz does not let you down. You want to know the characters in this book and become friends with them....well most of them!

[Derek McWilliam · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you ever read a book you can't put down, this is it!

This is an adventure where the heroes jump from one nail-biting confrontation to the next. You feel part of this incredible force. You hurt when characters you've come to know are lost and almost cheer when they overcome obstacles. The story is compelling and you won't want to put the book down once you start reading.

[Greg Redmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action, good plot

Fast paced, more or less militarily correct, all the correct sounding weapons and weapons system; more James Bondish than cartoonish. Builds character depth to all of the protagonists, good and bad.

[PATRICIA BATES · Rating 4 out of 5]

Red Thunder book 4

Best book I've read lately. Enjoyed every struggle the team went through. Lead by a women who knew how to command and pick the right personal for different jobs.. Would like to read more by this author. Want it to be 5stars.

[Carter F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A total delight for action addicts! Enjoy!

William C. Dietz is a master storyteller. You ride on his words, dodging bullets, shrapnel, and bad guys- without having to take the hits yourself. A master at the peak of his game…

[Andy Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast moving and entertaining

Another very enjoyable story from William Dietz and the Red series of war tales. The characters are well rounded and well structured, matching the imaginative story line.

[Ajitabh Pandey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic action behind enemy lines and then an equally good escape beating all odds.
A moderate speed in the beginning introducing characters and preparing for the mission, the book moves forward at a very fast pace.

[Cathy Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story

The characters were very well formed. The plot was well done. The battle scenes were good and the description of tactics were good.

[Dale Stiffler]

A fun read

This was a fun book by a very fine writer ,look up his science fiction works well worth a look

[Allen Kuhns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding

This was another Outstanding Book in the Winds of War Series. It is an easy read and I found it really hard to put down. I will be downloading Book # 5 restore now.

[James T. Allen, II]

Great military fiction!

Very well written and very fast paced, and full of action. I would recommend this book and the author to anyone and everyone.

[Zeb Kantrowitz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dietz has done much better in his other books. This one is too formulaic, with a female in control who at some point falls in love with a CIA operative. Pretty bland.