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Bob Lee Swagger #12
Targeted
Master sniper Bob Lee Swagger protects a group of political hostages during a perilous standoff in this razor-sharp, white-knuckled thriller from Pulitzer Prize winner, New York Times bestselling author, and “one of the best thriller novelists around” ( The Washington Post ) Stephen Hunter.
After his successful takedown of a dangerous terrorist, Bob Lee Swagger learns that no good deed goes unpunished. Summoned to court by the United States Congress, Swagger is accused of reckless endangerment by a hardheaded anti-gun congresswoman. But what begins as political posturing soon turns deadly when the auditorium where the committee is being held is attacked.
Swagger, the congresswoman, and numerous bystanders are taken hostage by a group of violent criminals. Soon, the very people who had accused him are depending on him to save their lives. Trapped in the auditorium and still struggling with injuries from his last assignment, Swagger must rely on his instincts, his shooting skills, and the help of a mysterious rogue operator on the outside in order to ensure that everyone makes it out alive.
A heart-pounding and crackling action-packed novel, Targeted proves that Stephen Hunter is “a true master at the pinnacle of his craft. No one does it better” (Jack Carr, Former Navy SEAL Sniper and author of The Terminal List ).
After his successful takedown of a dangerous terrorist, Bob Lee Swagger learns that no good deed goes unpunished. Summoned to court by the United States Congress, Swagger is accused of reckless endangerment by a hardheaded anti-gun congresswoman. But what begins as political posturing soon turns deadly when the auditorium where the committee is being held is attacked.
Swagger, the congresswoman, and numerous bystanders are taken hostage by a group of violent criminals. Soon, the very people who had accused him are depending on him to save their lives. Trapped in the auditorium and still struggling with injuries from his last assignment, Swagger must rely on his instincts, his shooting skills, and the help of a mysterious rogue operator on the outside in order to ensure that everyone makes it out alive.
A heart-pounding and crackling action-packed novel, Targeted proves that Stephen Hunter is “a true master at the pinnacle of his craft. No one does it better” (Jack Carr, Former Navy SEAL Sniper and author of The Terminal List ).
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 18, 2022
About the author
Stephen Hunter
76 books2,013 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Stephen Hunter is the author of fourteen novels, and a chief film critic at The Washington Post, where he won the 2003 Pulitzer Prize. He lives in Baltimore, Maryland.
Stephen Hunter is the author of fourteen novels, and a chief film critic at The Washington Post, where he won the 2003 Pulitzer Prize. He lives in Baltimore, Maryland.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 282 reviews
November 29, 2021
In Stephen Hunter's new Bob Lee Swagger book, we find the sniper in a Congressional hearing after his actions stopped a terrorist. It's a dog and pony show designed to discredit the hero and force change to use-of-force guidelines through policy and public opinion. When terrorists hold the congregational delegation hostage, their best hope of staying alive is the 74-year old Swagger they've been besmirching.
I've read almost everything Hunter has written-and enjoyed them- but Targeted missed the mark for me. I just couldn't get into it. His writing style seemed off compared to his other works. He added interludes to 1780 to tell of Swagger's ancestry to give guidance to why Swagger was so remarkable. His ancestry was then used against him in the congregational hearing. I understand why he added the interludes but they could have been placed better. They seemed to be added in places where the story was picking up steam which killed the momentum of the story.
As usual, Hunter created characters which were interesting and complex. The members of Congress were awful people who didn't care about anything but their own ambitions and personal gain. The terrorists are a little harder to pigeon hole. They spoke horrible English and their leader was uncharacteristically hilarious. In fact, I liked the leader more than any of the members of Congress. One bad guy seemed to be Ivan Drago from Rocky or The Hulk: just killing people with one punch. By far the best character was the mysterious Delta, a "security specialist" for the Russian mob. I wanted to know more about him and what happened to him but was disappointed when it didn't occur. My hope is we find out more about Delta in future books. It is easy to invision Delta becoming a recurring character.
Although I didn't love it, I did enjoy it and would recommend it. It was fun reading a 74-year old man with a bad hip could still be an ass-kicker.
Many thanks to Stephen Hunter, Atria Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review an advanced copy of Targeted.
I've read almost everything Hunter has written-and enjoyed them- but Targeted missed the mark for me. I just couldn't get into it. His writing style seemed off compared to his other works. He added interludes to 1780 to tell of Swagger's ancestry to give guidance to why Swagger was so remarkable. His ancestry was then used against him in the congregational hearing. I understand why he added the interludes but they could have been placed better. They seemed to be added in places where the story was picking up steam which killed the momentum of the story.
As usual, Hunter created characters which were interesting and complex. The members of Congress were awful people who didn't care about anything but their own ambitions and personal gain. The terrorists are a little harder to pigeon hole. They spoke horrible English and their leader was uncharacteristically hilarious. In fact, I liked the leader more than any of the members of Congress. One bad guy seemed to be Ivan Drago from Rocky or The Hulk: just killing people with one punch. By far the best character was the mysterious Delta, a "security specialist" for the Russian mob. I wanted to know more about him and what happened to him but was disappointed when it didn't occur. My hope is we find out more about Delta in future books. It is easy to invision Delta becoming a recurring character.
Although I didn't love it, I did enjoy it and would recommend it. It was fun reading a 74-year old man with a bad hip could still be an ass-kicker.
Many thanks to Stephen Hunter, Atria Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review an advanced copy of Targeted.
February 1, 2022
Stephen Hunter never disappoints with his Bob Lee Swagger novels. Highly entertaining.
January 18, 2022
Might be time for Bob Lee to stay in his rocking chair
When I first read POINT OF IMPACT, the first book in this series, years ago I was blown away. I would have never thought I could have been as entranced or as consumed by a story about a master sniper and his family as I have been over the years but the momentum has definitely let off.
Bob Lee is now 74 years old and has been brought before a Congressional hearing in Idaho. The people that want to chastise him, though, soon enough are looking for someone to rescue them from a gang of escaped prisoners that take over the hearing with little regard for anyone's life.
This story was kind of a hodgepodge of gangsters, Feds, snipers, government talking heads, the media and not enough Bob Lee, as has been the case in the last few books in the series. Time for Bob Lee to retire in my opinion.
This was an okay read but it was nowhere a stellar read like the first books in the series.
I received this book from Atria Books through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.
When I first read POINT OF IMPACT, the first book in this series, years ago I was blown away. I would have never thought I could have been as entranced or as consumed by a story about a master sniper and his family as I have been over the years but the momentum has definitely let off.
Bob Lee is now 74 years old and has been brought before a Congressional hearing in Idaho. The people that want to chastise him, though, soon enough are looking for someone to rescue them from a gang of escaped prisoners that take over the hearing with little regard for anyone's life.
This story was kind of a hodgepodge of gangsters, Feds, snipers, government talking heads, the media and not enough Bob Lee, as has been the case in the last few books in the series. Time for Bob Lee to retire in my opinion.
This was an okay read but it was nowhere a stellar read like the first books in the series.
I received this book from Atria Books through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.
January 26, 2022
The Cringe is Back
Review of the Brilliance Audio audiobook edition (January 18, 2022) released simultaneously with the Atria/Emily Bestler hardcover (2022)
Looking back at my review of the previous novel in the series, Game of Snipers (Bob Lee Swagger #11) (2019), I see I noted that it "did not leaving you cringing due to the political references which have sometimes been a failing in Hunter's expanded Swagger & family series." Unfortunately, the cringe is back in Targeted (2022).
The events of Targeted follow directly on from Game of Snipers, when a Congressional Committee is now convened to investigate the use of excessive force in Swagger's battle of wits and final confrontation with the terrorist sniper of the earlier book. The leading members of the Committee are thinly-disguised parodies of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-California) and House Representative Adam Schiff (D-California) [Obviously, these real-life counterparts are guesswork on my part, but the increased international media presence of U.S. political figures in recent years has made those two the obvious sources, even in the eyes of this Canadian observer.]
The gibes are brutal and derisive, and include references to plastic surgery, hair pieces and alcoholism on the one hand and the bug-eyed features of the other. The mainstream media is the other prominent target to be mocked for their opportunism and gotcha / clickbait journalism tactics. These foes are all lined up against good old boy USMC-vet & all round hero Bob Lee in order to score points with their base of followers.
Bob Lee has his family and friends in support of course. Wife Julie, FBI Agent Nick Memphis & his lawyer wife Sally, and other family members make cameo appearances. I may have blinked and missed it, but daughter Nikki seemed to be missing, perhaps because she is a journalist and it didn't seem appropriate to bring her into the mix with the current dishonourable members of the press. Sally Memphis in fact becomes Bob Lee's lawyer for the hearings and masterminds various actions on the part of the veteran sniper, including placing him in a wheelchair for the public hearings. This is motivated by his recovering from his injuries in the last book, but not because he actually needs it to get around.
It all comes crashing down when a group of Chechen terrorist / criminals assault the hearing and take hostages, whereupon the master sniper is called on to save everyone, but armed only with a wheelchair (I'm not making this up!). There is the assistance of a presumed special forces operator who manages to insert himself into the proceedings, since Bob of course is 74 years old at this stage and not quite as nimble as previously. n.b. Swagger appears to be aging in the novels in parallel with author Stephen Hunter (March 25, 1946-).
The proceedings are further sabotaged by an interposed subplot tracing the fictional origins of the Swagger bloodline to real-life American Revolutionary War era loyalist, sharpshooter and gun-designer Patrick Ferguson (1744-1780). Every time the present day plot starts to get moving, we are jolted back to 1780 for a British-voiced reading of the archaic diaries and dispatches documenting Ferguson's adventures from that era.
It was all just too cringey for me. But Hunter can still write a good action scene and remains my favourite one-sentence movie reviewer of all time for the line:
Photograph of actor Ryan Philippe as a younger version of Bob Lee Swagger in the TV series adaptation "Shooter" (2016-2018). Image sourced from YouTube
Review of the Brilliance Audio audiobook edition (January 18, 2022) released simultaneously with the Atria/Emily Bestler hardcover (2022)
Looking back at my review of the previous novel in the series, Game of Snipers (Bob Lee Swagger #11) (2019), I see I noted that it "did not leaving you cringing due to the political references which have sometimes been a failing in Hunter's expanded Swagger & family series." Unfortunately, the cringe is back in Targeted (2022).
The events of Targeted follow directly on from Game of Snipers, when a Congressional Committee is now convened to investigate the use of excessive force in Swagger's battle of wits and final confrontation with the terrorist sniper of the earlier book. The leading members of the Committee are thinly-disguised parodies of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-California) and House Representative Adam Schiff (D-California) [Obviously, these real-life counterparts are guesswork on my part, but the increased international media presence of U.S. political figures in recent years has made those two the obvious sources, even in the eyes of this Canadian observer.]
The gibes are brutal and derisive, and include references to plastic surgery, hair pieces and alcoholism on the one hand and the bug-eyed features of the other. The mainstream media is the other prominent target to be mocked for their opportunism and gotcha / clickbait journalism tactics. These foes are all lined up against good old boy USMC-vet & all round hero Bob Lee in order to score points with their base of followers.
Bob Lee has his family and friends in support of course. Wife Julie, FBI Agent Nick Memphis & his lawyer wife Sally, and other family members make cameo appearances. I may have blinked and missed it, but daughter Nikki seemed to be missing, perhaps because she is a journalist and it didn't seem appropriate to bring her into the mix with the current dishonourable members of the press. Sally Memphis in fact becomes Bob Lee's lawyer for the hearings and masterminds various actions on the part of the veteran sniper, including placing him in a wheelchair for the public hearings. This is motivated by his recovering from his injuries in the last book, but not because he actually needs it to get around.
It all comes crashing down when a group of Chechen terrorist / criminals assault the hearing and take hostages, whereupon the master sniper is called on to save everyone, but armed only with a wheelchair (I'm not making this up!). There is the assistance of a presumed special forces operator who manages to insert himself into the proceedings, since Bob of course is 74 years old at this stage and not quite as nimble as previously. n.b. Swagger appears to be aging in the novels in parallel with author Stephen Hunter (March 25, 1946-).
The proceedings are further sabotaged by an interposed subplot tracing the fictional origins of the Swagger bloodline to real-life American Revolutionary War era loyalist, sharpshooter and gun-designer Patrick Ferguson (1744-1780). Every time the present day plot starts to get moving, we are jolted back to 1780 for a British-voiced reading of the archaic diaries and dispatches documenting Ferguson's adventures from that era.
It was all just too cringey for me. But Hunter can still write a good action scene and remains my favourite one-sentence movie reviewer of all time for the line:
"You don't really watch the film, you survive it." - Stephen Hunter reviewing Mel Gibson's "We Were Soldiers" (2002)
Photograph of actor Ryan Philippe as a younger version of Bob Lee Swagger in the TV series adaptation "Shooter" (2016-2018). Image sourced from YouTube
January 24, 2022
The "Nailer" is back in Targeted by Stephen Hunter. Sadly not the best book in the series but still good. I found the storyline interesting and the historical side very good. But the last third of the book did lack something. I will still claim that Hunter is one of the best authors alive and he will forever be one of my favorites. Now I can't wait until the next book featuring Earl Swagger is available. I love the attentiuon to detail and the humor and also the historical facts in these books. The characters and setting is also great and the writing is superb. Hunters books are always easy to read and hard to put down.
November 11, 2021
**Received this ARC as part of a Goodreads giveaway**
I’ve read a few Bob Lee Swagger novels and have enjoyed the action and characters! This one started a little slow for me, but the last half was full of action. Overall a pretty good read!
I’ve read a few Bob Lee Swagger novels and have enjoyed the action and characters! This one started a little slow for me, but the last half was full of action. Overall a pretty good read!
February 7, 2022
Let me start by saying this is the 24th book I’ve read by Stephen Hunter.
It goes without saying that some were better than others.
I wasn’t a big fan of the 47th Samurai, it was pretty far fetched and seemed like a tortured attempt by Hunter to find a unique adventure for Swagger after a 9 year lapse in his storyline.
Basil’s War is a story about a swashbuckling British special agent/soldier and it takes place during WWII. While woven around actual events, the story was just too cliché and too over the top for my tastes.
I will skip 21 other books by this author and just indicate that I liked them a lot.
Targeted might more aptly be called Triggered.
I had trouble finishing this book.
The author portrays the “villains” as ultra left wing crackpots, who’s main goal appears to be getting Swagger charged with any crime they can make stick in order to stop the awful rightwing killers, (law enforcement,) from harming anyone any time any how no matter what the crime, or what their intent.
Hunter takes every opportunity to twist facts and portray the Democrats as weak ungrateful dishonest cowards who in their “wokeness” side with the terrorists and rapists and serial killers of the world and consider law enforcements main function just to be there to take the bullet.
Hunter’s prior Swagger tale (“Game of Snipers”) had Bob beat the odds, overcome old age and take out a sniper on the ground while he leaned out of a helicopter. Bob made the kill shot but paid a heavy price when hit by return fire.
While still convalescing at home he is summonsed by congress’ “Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism".
The evil leftwing Senators want to set an example with Bob and use this act of heroism to accuse him of a crime and have him appear before a committee. The ultimate goal being prison for Bob and reelection for them.
Of course Bob winds up saving their asses from cartoonish bad men.
I found it derivative of MAGA’s message and more propaganda than prose.
It goes without saying that some were better than others.
I wasn’t a big fan of the 47th Samurai, it was pretty far fetched and seemed like a tortured attempt by Hunter to find a unique adventure for Swagger after a 9 year lapse in his storyline.
Basil’s War is a story about a swashbuckling British special agent/soldier and it takes place during WWII. While woven around actual events, the story was just too cliché and too over the top for my tastes.
I will skip 21 other books by this author and just indicate that I liked them a lot.
Targeted might more aptly be called Triggered.
I had trouble finishing this book.
The author portrays the “villains” as ultra left wing crackpots, who’s main goal appears to be getting Swagger charged with any crime they can make stick in order to stop the awful rightwing killers, (law enforcement,) from harming anyone any time any how no matter what the crime, or what their intent.
Hunter takes every opportunity to twist facts and portray the Democrats as weak ungrateful dishonest cowards who in their “wokeness” side with the terrorists and rapists and serial killers of the world and consider law enforcements main function just to be there to take the bullet.
Hunter’s prior Swagger tale (“Game of Snipers”) had Bob beat the odds, overcome old age and take out a sniper on the ground while he leaned out of a helicopter. Bob made the kill shot but paid a heavy price when hit by return fire.
While still convalescing at home he is summonsed by congress’ “Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism".
The evil leftwing Senators want to set an example with Bob and use this act of heroism to accuse him of a crime and have him appear before a committee. The ultimate goal being prison for Bob and reelection for them.
Of course Bob winds up saving their asses from cartoonish bad men.
I found it derivative of MAGA’s message and more propaganda than prose.
May 30, 2022
Bob. Lee. Swagger.
The Man, the Myth, the Legend. Bob Lee Swagger has led a life of dedication and service to the good ‘ole USA. The former Vietnam Vet/Marine sniper has some years on his body, but he's not lost the drive to keep people safe.
Stephen Hunter's Targeted starts off with a bang. Actually a few bangs, muffled bangs. Swagger's enjoying life in his rocking chair, recuperating after being shot by a terrorist. Congresswoman Charlotte Venable subpoenas Swagger for his act of heroism.
Swagger delivers the truth, and battles the committee back and forth until they bring up family history… This book includes shadowy operatives and foreign bad guys, which come to a head at the judiciary meeting. Hostages are taken, demands are given, and pants are wetted.
Hunter gives us an irresistible Swagger adventure! With glimpses of Redcoat treachery, unwavering dedication to country and endless servitude, Swagger will go down as one of the finest crafted characters ever. I have always enjoyed the Hunter Swagger novels, but the feel of this one is fantastic. Great work Mr. Hunter.
The Man, the Myth, the Legend. Bob Lee Swagger has led a life of dedication and service to the good ‘ole USA. The former Vietnam Vet/Marine sniper has some years on his body, but he's not lost the drive to keep people safe.
Stephen Hunter's Targeted starts off with a bang. Actually a few bangs, muffled bangs. Swagger's enjoying life in his rocking chair, recuperating after being shot by a terrorist. Congresswoman Charlotte Venable subpoenas Swagger for his act of heroism.
Swagger delivers the truth, and battles the committee back and forth until they bring up family history… This book includes shadowy operatives and foreign bad guys, which come to a head at the judiciary meeting. Hostages are taken, demands are given, and pants are wetted.
Hunter gives us an irresistible Swagger adventure! With glimpses of Redcoat treachery, unwavering dedication to country and endless servitude, Swagger will go down as one of the finest crafted characters ever. I have always enjoyed the Hunter Swagger novels, but the feel of this one is fantastic. Great work Mr. Hunter.
September 6, 2025
Next to point of impact, probably his best book ever. Confronts the state of society we live in while writing an engaging read I could not put down. Excellent work.
February 22, 2022
First of all, Hunter takes shots at the media, e.g. ; 'Talking Haircuts' and 'Haircut eunuchs'. A look at the authors photograph makes me wonder if there are some sour grapes here, or just accurate descriptions. Nevertheless, Hunter doesn't seem to like politicians. In defense of them, we all know that politicians and the media would never lie or print untruths merely to advance their agendas, or pander for votes or print untruths in order to win literary prizes or promotions. They are not self serving in those ways. As for some of the characters, I especially wondered who chairman Charlotte Venable was. I have an idea, but since I am a Canadian male it would be inappropriate for me to guess at who a deplorable American female politician in a position of almost unassailable power might represent in in a book of fiction.
As to the story, Hunter does a great job of presenting Bob Lee Swagger as a grumpy 74 year old who just wants to stay on his ranch and live a quiet retirement. Hah! That won't happen. He is falsely accused of crimes as a result of taking down an assassin, mostly for the political gain of Mother Death (Venable) and her crew. A terrorist attack takes place in a crowded hall, and Swagger is forced to take action. This time however he has unexpected help from a mysterious person known only as Delta. What takes place next is typically Hunter; shooting, explosions,suspense, and surprises galore. I have a hunch, that Delta may be the next hero, allowing Swagger to ride off into the sunset(he loves to ride), and Hunter to continue writing into the sunset.
As to the story, Hunter does a great job of presenting Bob Lee Swagger as a grumpy 74 year old who just wants to stay on his ranch and live a quiet retirement. Hah! That won't happen. He is falsely accused of crimes as a result of taking down an assassin, mostly for the political gain of Mother Death (Venable) and her crew. A terrorist attack takes place in a crowded hall, and Swagger is forced to take action. This time however he has unexpected help from a mysterious person known only as Delta. What takes place next is typically Hunter; shooting, explosions,suspense, and surprises galore. I have a hunch, that Delta may be the next hero, allowing Swagger to ride off into the sunset(he loves to ride), and Hunter to continue writing into the sunset.
October 3, 2022
Just Meh!
I’ve been a reader of Stephen Hunter’s books from the start of his career, and, early on, he was one of my favorite authors. I loved the first several books in his Swagger series. However, as the years went by, his books became somewhat “hit and miss”:for me; and as a consequence, up until reading Targeted, I took a hiatus from reading the last few books in this series..
Having now finished Targeted, my overall opinion is that while it is good enough to finish, it is not a book that I’d recommend you rush out to read.
In fairness to Hunter, his writing style is so professional that I kept turning the pages to find out what happened next. However, as I continued to turn the pages, I found myself becoming less and less interested in the plot -primarily because there was not enough of “ Bob Lee” and too much about characters I didn’t consider to be very interesting, not to mention very credible. Yes, there was sufficient, albeit slow-building, action to move the plot along but this came about too late to sustain a high level of interest.
There’s more I could say but I think you get the idea by now that I consider Targeted to be “meh.”
#Targeted #Net Galley
I’ve been a reader of Stephen Hunter’s books from the start of his career, and, early on, he was one of my favorite authors. I loved the first several books in his Swagger series. However, as the years went by, his books became somewhat “hit and miss”:for me; and as a consequence, up until reading Targeted, I took a hiatus from reading the last few books in this series..
Having now finished Targeted, my overall opinion is that while it is good enough to finish, it is not a book that I’d recommend you rush out to read.
In fairness to Hunter, his writing style is so professional that I kept turning the pages to find out what happened next. However, as I continued to turn the pages, I found myself becoming less and less interested in the plot -primarily because there was not enough of “ Bob Lee” and too much about characters I didn’t consider to be very interesting, not to mention very credible. Yes, there was sufficient, albeit slow-building, action to move the plot along but this came about too late to sustain a high level of interest.
There’s more I could say but I think you get the idea by now that I consider Targeted to be “meh.”
#Targeted #Net Galley
December 2, 2021
Targeted is the 12th Bob Lee Swagger book from Stephen Hunter.
"Swagger is recovering at his Idaho ranch from his latest good deed - saving a former president from a sniper's bullet. Some in Congress want to make an example of the violence of his heroism and demand that he appear before a Congressional committee in Boise. Nearby events send criminals to the hearing where they hold the senators and Swagger hostage. Now Swagger must use the very skills he's being questioned about to save the lives of everyone."
I like that Hunter has allowed Swagger to age. He is now 74 and living his best life on his ranch - but still with the skills learned years ago growing up in rural Arkansas. There are three stories here that all meet at the end. The hearing is a way to debate the use of force. The British records give some interesting detail to Swagger's backstory. And the hostage takers are scary - willing to die to make a point.
Swagger is Swagger and the last act is explosive and wild. Another great Swagger story from Hunter.
"Swagger is recovering at his Idaho ranch from his latest good deed - saving a former president from a sniper's bullet. Some in Congress want to make an example of the violence of his heroism and demand that he appear before a Congressional committee in Boise. Nearby events send criminals to the hearing where they hold the senators and Swagger hostage. Now Swagger must use the very skills he's being questioned about to save the lives of everyone."
I like that Hunter has allowed Swagger to age. He is now 74 and living his best life on his ranch - but still with the skills learned years ago growing up in rural Arkansas. There are three stories here that all meet at the end. The hearing is a way to debate the use of force. The British records give some interesting detail to Swagger's backstory. And the hostage takers are scary - willing to die to make a point.
Swagger is Swagger and the last act is explosive and wild. Another great Swagger story from Hunter.
February 4, 2022
We need more Bob Lee Swaggers in the world
Stephen Hunter is a master at his craft. This latest Bob Lee Swagger novel is a thriller that takes aim at the political landscape in America today. Hunter pulls no punches as he casts a wary eye at Congress and if some of his characters resemble a number of today’s representatives — so much the better. It’s a layered work with fully developed characters and a plot that is not so improbable when considered in the light of recent events. Bravo, Mr. Hunter! Bravo!
Stephen Hunter is a master at his craft. This latest Bob Lee Swagger novel is a thriller that takes aim at the political landscape in America today. Hunter pulls no punches as he casts a wary eye at Congress and if some of his characters resemble a number of today’s representatives — so much the better. It’s a layered work with fully developed characters and a plot that is not so improbable when considered in the light of recent events. Bravo, Mr. Hunter! Bravo!
September 21, 2021
READ MY FULL REVIEW AT Best Thriller Books
Targeted is well-written with pacing that continuously builds tension before the pressure becomes too much and explodes in an action-packed, satisfyingly violent conclusion.
Make sure to check out the full review
Targeted is well-written with pacing that continuously builds tension before the pressure becomes too much and explodes in an action-packed, satisfyingly violent conclusion.
Make sure to check out the full review
January 22, 2022
Stand Hunter's sculpted image in the Pantheon, alight with eternal flame amid incense and flowers. He chop-saws two recognizable members of Congress, one an "iron wren" nicknamed "Mother Death," and the other a "googly eyed" jerk. For that alone this is now the yardstick along which all thrillers must lie for measure. There can be no better.
January 22, 2022
He's back. I was worried after the last Hunter book, but this one was great. I only wish it was about twice as long...I finished it in 3 days. Bob Lee is the MAN.
October 27, 2021
There’s a great plot here but the author’s voice didn’t work well for me. He has a breezy, nothing-really-matters narrative that interferes with his explosive action. There was a lot going on but it was every which way but loose, to overuse an analogy. I was just not a good fit for the book. I understand why there is such a following for the author and his character. Readers should be pleased to receive this, the 12th in the series. I received my copy from the publisher through edelweiss.
Read
February 17, 20220 stars, the plot was silly and convoluted, writing painfully bad, just my humble opinion. I asked myself, why was this book published?
February 28, 2025
This book was pretty bad. It was an almost DNF at the 50% mark. It was like Stephen Hunter was drinking bourbon, smoking crack and watching Fox News while writing this novel.
To be fair, the last half of the book picked up the action but there was very little swagger to this Swagger story (and I usually really like Hunter's books...except the stupid rogue Nascar driver caper).
The thinly veiled swipes at "libtards" and the media got old real fast. C'mon man...you could of at least spread the disdain to Cadet Bonespurs and his MAGA Qanon groupies. There are enough politicians behaving like village idiots to ridicule.
The Swagger origin story was weird too. Inserted multiple times into the book, it really did not work well. Like adding Miracle Whip to a BLT. It just didn't fit right.
A redeeming but strange part of this book was the insertion of a mysterious Delta operator and his explosives crony. Two good old boys (serious operators we are reminded several times) who don't mind killing innocent people (although they would prefer to only kill the people they are paid to kill) work for the Russian mob and Mexican cartels. I guess those are our heroes in this topsy turvy world now.
To be fair, the last half of the book picked up the action but there was very little swagger to this Swagger story (and I usually really like Hunter's books...except the stupid rogue Nascar driver caper).
The thinly veiled swipes at "libtards" and the media got old real fast. C'mon man...you could of at least spread the disdain to Cadet Bonespurs and his MAGA Qanon groupies. There are enough politicians behaving like village idiots to ridicule.
The Swagger origin story was weird too. Inserted multiple times into the book, it really did not work well. Like adding Miracle Whip to a BLT. It just didn't fit right.
A redeeming but strange part of this book was the insertion of a mysterious Delta operator and his explosives crony. Two good old boys (serious operators we are reminded several times) who don't mind killing innocent people (although they would prefer to only kill the people they are paid to kill) work for the Russian mob and Mexican cartels. I guess those are our heroes in this topsy turvy world now.
December 7, 2021
Bob Lee Swagger has returned! I can't help but love this series. And I am dreading the end of it, as Bob Lee is now an old man. I don't think he has much left in the tank.
In this round, Swagger finds himself brought before a dog-and-pony political grandstand show. With all the usual caricatures of the liberal side of the political aisle. I found that to be tiring and worn out. It's just too easy and convenient, and the author has shown that he can do so much better.
The story itself is just okay. Notice I said okay. Not great, like the normal Swagger book. I found the "bad guys" terrorists back story to be confusing. The prison scenes were completely unrealistic. The "lone gunman" operator totally lost me. Who was he working for, what was he doing, and why did he end up where he did? And who, ultimately, were the people behind the scenes that used the truck in the first place?
Too many holes, it feels like Hunter rushed this book to publication before it was finished. If it is the last Bob Lee book, it's a total disservice to the character.
In this round, Swagger finds himself brought before a dog-and-pony political grandstand show. With all the usual caricatures of the liberal side of the political aisle. I found that to be tiring and worn out. It's just too easy and convenient, and the author has shown that he can do so much better.
The story itself is just okay. Notice I said okay. Not great, like the normal Swagger book. I found the "bad guys" terrorists back story to be confusing. The prison scenes were completely unrealistic. The "lone gunman" operator totally lost me. Who was he working for, what was he doing, and why did he end up where he did? And who, ultimately, were the people behind the scenes that used the truck in the first place?
Too many holes, it feels like Hunter rushed this book to publication before it was finished. If it is the last Bob Lee book, it's a total disservice to the character.
July 12, 2022
Another Swagger book and part of the story deals with the ending from the last Swagger book where he killers another assassin. He is now being brought to congress for trial which is like a witch hunt. You have the back and forth between the other congressmen and women, between Swagger and his attorney and his family. Really reminds me of the old hearings from the 60s and 70s with grandstanding and wild statements with no questions being asked.
Yes, it is made to be political but I did not look at it that. By remembering the old hearings that used to be televised on free T.V. before all of this other BS we got to see what was going on and hearing some of the stupid questions that they would ask. By the time you get towards the end of the book the action begins to happen and for all of their grandstanding Swagger saves the asses. Overall, a good story. I received this book from Netgalley.com
Yes, it is made to be political but I did not look at it that. By remembering the old hearings that used to be televised on free T.V. before all of this other BS we got to see what was going on and hearing some of the stupid questions that they would ask. By the time you get towards the end of the book the action begins to happen and for all of their grandstanding Swagger saves the asses. Overall, a good story. I received this book from Netgalley.com
January 19, 2022
READ MY FULL REVIEW AT Best Thriller Books
There are few writers more respected for their attention to detail and powerful writing style than Stephen Hunter. There are even fewer characters more iconic in the military thriller genre than Bob Lee Swagger. In Targeted, both author and character are at their best.
Fans of the series will welcome this latest addition. To those readers who are just now familiarizing themselves with the Swagger series… Targeted is going to make you go back and start from the beginning.
Make sure to check out the full review
There are few writers more respected for their attention to detail and powerful writing style than Stephen Hunter. There are even fewer characters more iconic in the military thriller genre than Bob Lee Swagger. In Targeted, both author and character are at their best.
Fans of the series will welcome this latest addition. To those readers who are just now familiarizing themselves with the Swagger series… Targeted is going to make you go back and start from the beginning.
Make sure to check out the full review
February 9, 2022
I really liked the thriller and gun geek aspects of the earlier books. But the politics and the thinly veiled, not very witty satire that are showing up more and more in the series are becoming tedious, making this installment seem whiny and mean-spirited. I liked the scenes with the gangsters, but the courtroom and political stuff just was lame and cringeworthy as well as overly far-fetched.
TBH, the overemphasis on physical appearance was extra-icky. It was just Nasty and juvenile. I honestly don't know who his political bad guys were supposed to be, but I don't care if someone's liberal, conservative, whatever... I don't enjoy reading stuff like this. I actually stopped reading at the point where the bus crashes into the hearing and the (beating? death?) of an elderly woman is played for laughs. I think I'm done with Hunter at this point.
TBH, the overemphasis on physical appearance was extra-icky. It was just Nasty and juvenile. I honestly don't know who his political bad guys were supposed to be, but I don't care if someone's liberal, conservative, whatever... I don't enjoy reading stuff like this. I actually stopped reading at the point where the bus crashes into the hearing and the (beating? death?) of an elderly woman is played for laughs. I think I'm done with Hunter at this point.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2022
Unfortunately, Stephen Hunter has decided to become a political hack using one of his iconic characters, Bob Lee Swagger, as the means to deliver his very obfuscated anti-liberal message. Hunter creates a series of bombastic characters to poke fun at real democratic congressmen and women and in the process reveals how little he knows about our political process and his incredible bias against it.
In the process, all that is fun about Bob Lee Swagger novels gets lost. Hunter does insert a historical account of how the Swaggert family might have come into being using historical accounts of our revolutionary period. This was quite interesting but a sort of pointless aside. In my opinion, this book is not worth your money or your time.
In the process, all that is fun about Bob Lee Swagger novels gets lost. Hunter does insert a historical account of how the Swaggert family might have come into being using historical accounts of our revolutionary period. This was quite interesting but a sort of pointless aside. In my opinion, this book is not worth your money or your time.
February 17, 2022
Uneven. My thought is that this author who used to craft his books with care, has succumbed to a fat retainer in return for a promised book on deadline in perpetuity. There are wooden caricatures in place of characters, a ludicrous plot with at least three interleaved tangents, and a lot of wasted space with thinly-veiled political screeds. There is a serious lack of Swagger and ballistics that used to draw you in; instead those details are scattered incoherently throughout the work only as teasers to remind you Hunter at one time could pen a hell of a story.
Color me disappointed, I'm through with this guy.
Color me disappointed, I'm through with this guy.
July 20, 2024
A cutthroat veteran congresswoman has a problem. She is looking at an uphill battle against a young up and comer, looked at as further left than she is and therefore more useful to the party.
She needs something big to get the voters back behind her. She arranges a dog and pony show of a hearing for Swagger over his sniping of the terrorist in the previous book. That is basically the first half of the book.
The worm turns in the second half when armed Chechens take the entire hearing hostage.
She needs something big to get the voters back behind her. She arranges a dog and pony show of a hearing for Swagger over his sniping of the terrorist in the previous book. That is basically the first half of the book.
The worm turns in the second half when armed Chechens take the entire hearing hostage.
May 29, 2022
(2). Bo Lee Swagger is a grizzled, Clint Eastwood style kick ass protagonist. I have liked many of the earlier books featuring him. Unfortunately, Stephen Hunter lets this one get away from him with way too many cut ins to a 1790 happening that has a far fetched connection. Combine that with one of the most over the top story lines you will ever encounter and there is no way you can come up ahead. Yes, Hunter is a master at tense violence, wild action scenarios and the rest, but there is just too much ridiculousness here for this to be a winner. Very medium stuff.
January 22, 2022
Smh, Stephen Hunter should SERIOUSLY stop writing! This book was absolutely ridiculously STUPID! Very little Bob Lee and WAY TOO MUCH politics and just “Historical” crap! I bought on Amazon the day of release and finished it in one day, was so disgusted and disappointed that I returned it! Will wait until it’s $1 to buy again and only for “The Collection”. Absolute waste of time and money! If I could give negative Stars I would. CAVEAT EMPTOR!
November 4, 2021
This book has a great concept, but I had a really hard time getting into the writing style. Overall this is a good book, but it just wasn’t for me.
January 1, 2024
I've been a fan of Bob Lee Swagger since I read the first book. Never in a million years did I think I'd DNF one, but here we are. It seems that some authors just can't resist meandering into partisan politics, and cartoonishly so. The characterizations are gross, overstated and ill informed, creating a fantastical environment that would require me to share in the enraged politics of hatred currently in vogue. This reads more like a conservative fantasy of suddenly realized reckoning for "the woke" than a Bob Lee Swagger adventure.
In my opinion, fiction authors should stick with fiction and avoid, whenever possible, the third rail topics of politics and religion. I don't know about anyone else, but I get my fill of the real thing, I don't need to have it crammed down my throat when I escape into fiction, especially when it's badly done and clownishly distorted beyond all reasonable suspension of belief. I start to question the sanity of the author and anyone he believes is the intended audience that will lap this up.
I've lost my reluctance to hang up my devotion to previously well-loved series - 2023 was a tough year for authors who swerved into the political lane.
In my opinion, fiction authors should stick with fiction and avoid, whenever possible, the third rail topics of politics and religion. I don't know about anyone else, but I get my fill of the real thing, I don't need to have it crammed down my throat when I escape into fiction, especially when it's badly done and clownishly distorted beyond all reasonable suspension of belief. I start to question the sanity of the author and anyone he believes is the intended audience that will lap this up.
I've lost my reluctance to hang up my devotion to previously well-loved series - 2023 was a tough year for authors who swerved into the political lane.
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