STRONG TO THE BONE

Caitlin Strong #9

by Jon Land

Texas Ranger Caitlin Strong takes on a gang of neo-Nazis in Strong Cold Dead, an action-packed novel of the critically acclaimed Caitlin Strong series by Jon Land

1944: Texas Ranger Jim Strong investigates a triple murder inside a Nazi POW camp in Texas.

The Present: His daughter, fifth generation Texas Ranger Caitlin Strong, finds herself pursuing the killer her father never caught in the most personal case of her career a conspiracy stretching from that Nazi POW camp to a modern-day neo-Nazi gang.

A sinister movement has emerged from the shadows of history, determined to undermine the American way of life. Its leader, Armand Fisker, has an army at his disposal, a deadly bio-weapon, and a reputation for being unbeatable. But he s never taken on the likes of Caitlin Strong and her outlaw lover, Cort Wesley Masters.

To prevent an unspeakable cataclysm, Caitlin and Cort Wesley must win a war the world thought was over.

"

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Suspense, Westerns, Conspiracy Theories, Action

MP3 CD

First published December 5, 2017

About the author

Jon Land is an American author of thriller novels and a screenwriter. He graduated from Brown University in 1979 Phi Beta Kappa and Magna cum Laude. He often bases his novels and scripts on extensive travel and research as well as a twenty-five year career in martial arts. He is an associate member of the US Special Forces and is an emeritus board member the International Thriller Writers. John currently lives in Providence, Rhode Island.

Reviews

[Magdalena · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading Strong Cold Dead, book eight in the series last year did I buy the first two books in the series. I haven't gotten to them yet, but I plan to have a Caitlin Strong marathon someday! Anyway, when I got the chance to read this book did I not hesitate. I loved Strong Cold Dead and I couldn't wait to read this one!

Part of the reason that I like this series so much is the parallel storylines that have a connection with each other. In this, we get to meet Caitlin's grandfather Earl Strong who is hunting a murderer who killed three men in a Nazi PW camp in Texas. What is the connection? Well, Caitlin is hunting a neo-Nazi gang and there are some things that combine the case in the past with the one in the present. Also, Caitlin herself has to face her own past when a young girl is sexually assaulted, which bring back dark memories for her.

As usual is the writing wonderful and the story engaging. I like Caitlin Strong very much, she's a strong woman and in this book, we learn what makes her join the Texas Rangers. Also, I love the quotations about Texas Rangers before every chapter. Reading this book really makes me wanna get to the unread books I have. I find the characters, both the ones in the present like Caitlin and Cort Wesley, etc. to Caitlin's own family of Texas Rangers that goes back several generations fascinating. This is a book that you definitely can read as a stand-alone, of course with the risk of being hooked!

[Sherry Fundin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so happy to be back into a rootin’ tootin’ Caitlin Strong adventure. The Texas Rangers and Nazis…doesn’t bode well for the Nazis. LOL

Right off, Jon Land does what he does so well, makes me so curious and surprised about our prisoner of war camps in Texas during World War II, that questions arise. Why have I never thought of this before? Was I never taught in school? Is is true? I know a lot of people don’t care one way or another about prologues, but this one sure did it’s job. Sent me straight to Google. I had to know more.

I can picture Caitlin on top of the fire truck, spraying the rioters with the fire hose like Al Capone sprayed his enemies with his tommy gun. A young woman is in distress, possibly being raped, and nothing will stop Caitlin from going to her rescue.

If you are not familiar with Caitlin, let me introduce you. She comes from a long line of Texas Rangers, but until she was raped in college, she had no plans to follow in their footsteps. Now…she’s a kickass, no holds barred force to be reckoned with. She goes in with guns blazing, her fists and legs pumping, doling out justice.

I love that Jon Land is constantly challenging Caitlin in personal and professional ways.

She teams up with her sweetie, Cort Wesley. He’s an ex Green Beret, maybe a bit tarnished, but that will only serve him well when he meets up with Armand Fiskar. Armand is the son of the man who created the Aryan Nation, only he has more grandiose plans.

I am lovin’ Paz, an ex Venezuelan secret policeman, sent to kill Cort. Now they walk together. I love characters who have walked the wild side, yet are able to redeem themselves.

And neo Nazis…smacks of reality.

Cort, Paz, and even Caitlin, though she doesn’t acknowledge it, have a little bit of help from the paranormal.

Moments to laugh, moments of anger, smiles and frowns, humanity in all its glory and disgust.

Jon Land’s creative writing shows his humorous side, when he allows his characters to replace the Captain’s cigarettes with the candy kind. Do you remember eating them as a kid?

The Aryan Nation, neo nazis, bioterrorism, organ transplants, weapons of mass destruction…so many underlying plots culminate in a blown out ending. I am a lifelong fan and eagerly await each and every story Jon Land has to tell.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of Strong to the Bone by Jon Land.

To see more visit fundinmental

[Todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable Caitlin Strong book pitting her against neo-nazis and also a rapist who brings back unpleasant memories for her.

[Ms. Just One More Book (Kris Miller) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thrilling adventure that spans decades is Jon Land's ninth addition to the Caitlin Strong series. In 1944 Texas Ranger Earl Strong was dispatched to a holding camp for Germany's POWs in Hearne Texas. A prisoner had escaped after killing three men, bringing the attention of FBI director J. Edgar Hoover. Today, fifth generation Texas Ranger Caitlin Strong is dealing with the fallout of that investigation. A modern day Nazi movement has risen--like nothing seen since WWII. Its leader has amassed an army and has access to a biological weapon that can spread worldwide annihilation. But he's never been up against a powerhouse like Caitlin Strong, who's just as unconventional and stubborn as her ancestors. Picking up where her grandfather left off, Caitlin will fight to the death to end the domination of a tyrannical madman. Pouring on the blistering Texas heat, this intense thrill ride is a real scorcher. Infused with action, enchanting characters, and a clever storyline, STRONG TO THE BONE combines compelling history and cutting-edge technology, creating a death-grip read that refuses to let go.

- Kris Miller, TopShelf Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first introduction to Caitlin and this series. Despite having not read the prior novels in this series, I still was able to jump right into this book.

In the beginning I was really into this book. Caitlin is a strong female heroine. I love a good female lead. Caitlin and Cort's relationship was a good one. Since, this was book nine in this series; they were settled as a couple, so their relationship did not need to be on full display. Which, for this type of book, I want the storyline to be more front and center than the romance.

As a Texas Ranger, I did not expect anything less from this book. Regarding the violence, I was fine with it. It was not too gory in my eyes. Yet, as much as I liked the characters and the storyline, I found myself having a slight problem fully connecting to both elements. Thus, there were times when I had to re-read a section. Additionally, this book did not stick with me even after I had finished it. Although, I might try this series from the beginning.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Land always finds something unique with which to develop his stories. For this, he wanted to challenge himself, as well as his lead character, Caitlin Strong. That element is sexual assault. Without giving anything away, I will say that his telling was done well.

As anyone who reads this series knows, Land tells his tale from historical and modern day perspectives. For this story, his Texas Ranger and friends take on the Nazis. What if Adolf Hitler had a son or a grandson ...

[Vivian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Caitlin Strong, Texas Ranger, is back and starts things off with a blast...of water. Caitlin's current day story begins in Austin, Texas where she has delivered a speech to law enforcement officers. After she and her lover, Cort Westley Masters, eat dinner and attend a show, there's a ruckus down the street at Stubb's Barbeque when a university party gets out of control and a woman has been sexually assaulted. It's virtually impossible to get inside, so Caitlin commandeers a fire truck and uses a fire hose to blast the drunken collegiates out of the way. She finds the assault victim, shooting a suspect in the process, and considers her job done. Until she's told the DNA from this assault victim matches the DNA collected from her rape kit 18-years ago. That's one blast from the past that Caitlin could have done without. Now, she's told she can't investigate the assault case by none other than Jones at Homeland Security, but when does Caitlin ever truly follow orders. If that isn't enough to contend with, the medical examiner, along with Captain D.W. Tepper, and even Jones fill Caitlin in on one of her grandfather's cases from 1944 dealing with the Nazis in prison camps in Texas. Just to throw a little icing on the cake, so to speak, Cort Westley's eldest son, Dylan, is still on sabbatical from college and is working at a garage with a Mexican-Americans of the legal and illegal variety AND he's started mouthing off to a bunch of neo-Nazis harassing schoolgirls and others in the community. Things quickly go downhill from there with the neo-Nazi international drug cartel, the rape/assault cases, and more. Can Caitlin deal with the emotional and psychological trauma of her rape while continuing to investigate the current assault case, even if she's not supposed to be investigating said case? What will happen to Dylan if he continues to stand up for what is right against insurmountable odds? What could possibly link Earl Strong's 1944 case with the 2017 investigation into the neo-Nazis?

Strong to the Bone by Jon Land is another amazingly fast-paced, thrill-packed, and suspense-filled read. Mr. Land packs quite a punch when he presents his Caitlin Strong stories and I love every single one of them. Strong to the Bone, as most Caitlin Strong stories, begins with an older story about the Texas Rangers (usually one featuring Caitlin's father or grandfather) that loosely ties to the current story being told. Each section of the book is prefaced with a bit of Ranger history or lore. Then we get to Caitlin, who is a throwback to the Rangers of yore and doesn't always do things "by the book" (I'm not even sure she's read the book, but it works for her). I love reading each new Caitlin Strong book because I feel as if I'm visiting long-lost friends, such as Cort Westley Masters, Caitlin's lover; Colonel Guillermo Paz, Caitlin's erstwhile friend and protector and former would-be assassin; Captain D.W. Tepper, Caitlin's boss and Texas Ranger leash-holder; and Jones (formerly Smith) with Homeland Security. Does it seem strange that Caitlin has a long list of friends and protectors and they're all male? Not to me, she doesn't really need these protectors because she can definitely take care of herself, but she inspires that sense of loyalty in people, especially men. Strong to the Bone introduces us to some really nasty bad guys along with returning cast of favorites. Armand Fisker took over the Aryan Brotherhood from his father and grew it into what is basically the equivalent of a Fortune 500 international business (without the taxes). Davey Skoll is a former hedge fund manager turned pharmaceutical company owner. He raised the prices of several older drugs almost 10,000% in order to make a profit (sounds vaguely familiar) and is also in cahoots (love that word) with Fisker to supply Oxycodone and Vicodin in massive quantities. Yes, there's a lot going on in Strong to the Bone, but everything intersects towards the end (no, I won't tell you how...read the book!). I enjoy the multiple storylines, the characters (even the bad guys), the action, and the settings. I know that I've said it before with this series, but if you enjoy reading suspense thrillers then you really need to read this book and this series. I've probably told you that about four or five times now already. What on earth are you waiting for?! Start from the beginning and work your way up to Strong to the Bone or read this and then go back to the beginning. I'm looking forward to reading the next Caitlin Strong story because I need to know what happens next! Before I forget, yes I enjoyed reading Strong to the Bone and will probably be rereading it along with the others in this series before the next book is released.

This review originally posted on 12/04/2017 at http://www.thebookdivasreads.com/2017....

[Ray Palen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read my review Friday on bookreporter.com .

[Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You may be able to walk on water, Ranger, but quicksand’s a whole other thing,” a character advised Caitlin Strong early on in Strong to the Bone.

And quicksand is pretty much what Caitlin finds herself mired in here in the superb ninth book to feature the stalwart Texas Ranger who’s as close to a female Jack Reacher as it gets. No, she doesn’t use her fists with the aplomb of Lee Child’s seminal series hero, but she more than makes up for that with her prowess as a gunman (or, more accurately, gunwoman), a skill she gets to use with typical frequency in her latest adventure.

But Strong to the Bone serves up a new kind of target in the form of the man who sexually assaulted Caitlin eighteen years before while she was a collegiate undergraduate. We’ve barely started flipping the pages before she rescues a woman from a bar basement who’s been similarly assaulted and barely taken a breath before learning that it was the same man who raped Caitlin all those years ago. And I haven’t even mentioned the book’s primary villain in the form of a neo-Nazi gang that’s appropriated a Texas ghost town as headquarters for the massive drug dealing operation their leader, Armand Fisker, has taken international.

Fisker, a man so prone to violent impulses that one scene finds himself dousing his own son with gasoline and flicking on a lighter before the terrified boy’s eyes, is somehow connected to a killer Caitlin’s grandfather Earl Strong hunted in the waning days of World War II. Did you know that Texas was home to over 100,000 Nazi prisoners of war in camps scattered throughout the state? Neither did I. In the flashback thread that’s become a staple of this sterling series, though, Earl Strong finds himself on the trail of one of them who escaped his camp after killing his three bunkmates. Why? What did they know? And what’s none other than J. Edgar Hoover himself doing on the scene?

Strong to the Bone, in case you haven’t figured it out yet, unfolds frantically and frenetically, serving up a smorgasbord of emotionally wrought angst garnished with characters of both misplaced and misconstrued morality. Fisker, for example, isn’t planning to unleash a catastrophic weapon upon the world when the book opens; that intention unfolds organically, lending Strong to the Bone a stunning spontaneity featuring characters who are truly in charge of the action.

Heading up that roster as always is Caitlin herself, whose own personal quest to at long last find her dragon lends the book a visceral quality to go with the visuals Land has always excelled at framing. But what’s truly special is her doubts about whether she really wants to kill that dragon, lest she lose the edge that has long defined her, as Land deftly stirs a pot that features the perfect blend of emotion and action.

The Caitlin Strong series is much deserved of the praise it has attained and many awards it’s won. But Strong to the Bone takes what’s always worked to a whole new level. A terrific, tumultuous tale of rare depth and prowess certain to solidify Caitlin’s place as the most polished and proficient female hero in thriller fiction today. Maybe that’s why none of Jack Reacher’s travels have taken him to Texas. Even he doesn’t want to risk messing with Caitlin Strong.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is no cozy mystery. The body count is high and so is the action. Caitlin is the kind of gutsy heroine I would want to be. She's a rogue Ranger, going off to work on her own. Her superior puts up with it because he knows she'll get it done.

The plot in this novel is particularly timely. In this era of revealing sexual assault, Caitlin tackles a rape case that becomes very personal. Also part of the plot is a Nazi kind of white supremacy group. Land has combined these issues together well.

There are several flashbacks in the novel since the contemporary villains have roots back to 1944. I was glad that the flashbacks were deftly woven into the progression of the plot. We learn of the history at the same time Caitlin does. I really like that.

I recommend this novel to readers who enjoy a rough and tumble female who isn't afraid to use a gun to deliver justice. You'll learn some history about captured Nazi soldiers being held in camps in Texas during WW II, something new to me. You'll be caught up in the world of nefarious drug traffickers being pitted against the toughest of the Texas Rangers.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

George Orwell once wrote that ‘People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.’

This is the ninth book in the Caitlin Strong series and I do believe I would have gotten more out of this story if I'd read the other eight books. That isn't to say I didn't enjoy this book because I did. I just feel that it would have been more fleshed out with a background on Texas Ranger Caitlin Strong.

This story actually starts in a German POW camp in Texas. That was interesting to me because there was actually a German POW camp here in the town I live in back when it was Camp White, Oregon.

The story alternates between 1944 and present day and is an exciting look at what might have happened.

J. Edgar Hoover, rape, pharmaceutical drugs, and Nazis all play a part in this story with Ranger Caitlin Strong and her boyfriend Cort Wesley Masters leading the investigations. There was a lot of action even though sometimes I had to suspend my disbelief when events "became stranger than fiction."

I received this book from Forge Books through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.

[Beth Lechman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jon Land is a new author to me. When I purchased the book I didn't realize it was part of a series. Although it can be read a s a stand alone it would probably be better to read them in order.
This book has some strong characters and a lot of action throughout. The only issue I had was it jumped around so much for me it made it a bit hard to follow. You start out in decades past than jump to now than jump to another character and their issues than back to the past again. As I said maybe if I had started at the beginning it would have been better.

[MomsTeach · Rating 5 out of 5]

17+ like most of this series. This one, however, is special. Strong to the Bone takes on the most intense topics of any Caitlin Strong book I've read, dealing with both rape and racism. I can only imagine how difficult it must have been for the author to put this story onto the page, given the darkness hanging over it. Mr. Land does not mince words and manages to treat these topics with the appropriate mix of frankness and delicacy, all while hitting the reader with his usual blend of character depth and high-octane thrills. With its timeliness, this book could turn out to be pivotal. It is certainly an excellent mark of the times. Recommended for men and women, particularly in the millennial generation.

[Carol Crigger · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story begins in Hearne, Texas, in 1944. As in all of the Strong books, Mr. Land writes a rousing contemporary story while rooting his Texas Ranger based adventures in the past. Caitlin Strong, as the first female Texas Ranger, has taken up the job where her father and grandfather left off. Not only is the continuity familial, but the crimes.

This story, as though ripped from today’s headlines⏤I sometimes think Colonel Paz is based on Jon Land himself, as a seer able to see into the future⏤deals with the Nazi element still present in the U.S. An element, in this case, that began with the German prisoners of war incarcerated here during WWII. Caitlin’s dad, Earl, was called upon⏤by J. Edgar Hoover, no less⏤to investigate the murder of several German prisoners, and the escape of one, seemingly important, figure. Ah, relatives. Fast forward to today, and we find the criminal element still going strong, with the Texas Rangers still determined to rid Texas of the neo-Nazis.

I’m not going to give away the plot. Devotees of this series will want to discover the action, perhaps I should say, non-stop action, for themselves. As always, the plot is filled with a high body count as well as twists and turns and surprise connections between time periods. In Strong to the Bone, it seems to me we find Caitlin questioning, with good reason, what is behind her core of hardness. Caitlin has seemed a little over-the-top unmoved by the body count she’s produced in the past. I, for one, am glad for a character arc in which we see her thinking about it, if just a little.

All the usual suspects are included in the book, including Colonel Paz, the assassin turned personal bodyguard to Caitlin and those she cares about. He’s working for some unknown branch of the U.S. Secret Service now, but still is johnny-on-the-spot when needed. Some of that seer ability, I guess, considering his mother was a witch. But Cort Wesley Masters is here, along with his two sons, getting into trouble as usual.

The characters are strong, the plot rushes to a climax, and the dialogue carries the story forward. The ending leaves no doubt we’ll be seeing more of Caitlin, the family, and the Texas Rangers, both past and present. Stay tuned.

[Elise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nazis, Aryan Nation, Hells Angels, drug running, illegal aliens, FBI, Homeland Security, Venezuelan hitmen, a corporate raider, greed, politics, and Texas Rangers converge in Jon Land‘s latest Caitlin Strong thriller, Strong to the Bone. A secret calls out from the past of WW2, to come home to roost in Caitlin’s latest case. A secret so frightening to the average American that the US government made sure it lay hidden away for 70 years. A secret that her grandfather found himself smack dab in the middle of during the waning years of the Second World War.

Read the entire review at https://journalingonpaper.com/2017/11...

[Abibliofob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another great book from Jon Land. This time Texas Ranger Strong is battling racism and rapists. I really love the historical aspect of this story. Sometimes I feel like the books go on automatic but they still are entertaining.

[Kathleen (Kat) Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVE finding an incredible author that generates such an interest in their novels, that once you begin them, not only are you transported into the story as a bystander, but you simply can't put it down. Such is the case with my introduction to Jon Land's series of Caitlin Strong novels, with his latest, number nine by the way, Strong to the Bone. This is my first experience with this author and let me tell you, he can weave a story so compelling, you won't be able to put it down, until you know how it all plays out, and finally an author that doesn't convey the plot line too soon, so you have to stick it out.

In Strong to the Bone, the novel toggles between the Strong family, both in present day and also during 1944. The connection point between the two time frames is unforgettable in how they simply traveled together over the time passes to impact a Texas Ranger family, first the grandfather, Earl Strong and then subsequently the daughter, Caitlin Strong who originally didn't want to follow in her grandfather's footsteps. However when she was a victim of a rape, it changed her mind dramatically to take charge of her role in finding out who did it since she was drugged at the time and can't remember who handed her the drink initially. Now she is working a case that links her own crime to another rape victim and the DNA results tie it to the same perpetrator.

Once more the storyline will reach back into the past when Earl Strong's initial prisoner during WWII left behind three fatalities in a POW camp that also set the killer free. It was the one case he would never truly solve and one that kept him awake at nights. Now with a biological weapon posed to strike the US, could this have a connection from the past, and will Caitlin be able to solve the one missing piece of the puzzle her grandfather was unable to?

I received Strong to the Bone by Jon Land compliments of Partners in Crime Tours and Forge Books. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and love how I was able to jump right in without missing anything from the previous eight novels. That to me, is a sign of a truly talented writer. While this book does contain some profanity and sexual content that might be offensive to some readers, the overall story line is amazing. For that reason, I easily give this novel a 4 out of 5 stars based on my own review criteria and can't wait for more from this author.

[LAWonder10 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Caitlin Strong is a third generation Texas Ranger. She can handle almost any situation without fear, that is until she has to revisit one incident in her past. Can she finally find answers and put this behind her, once and for all?

Retired from Special Forces, and "partner in crime" with Caitlin Strong, Cort Westley Masters was faced with his own challenges. He discovers, along with a rebellious son, demons from his ancestral past has arisen to haunt him.

While each simultaneously deals with his/her own issues, will these forces strengthen them or destroy them?

This is a well-written, interesting account of several issues. This book combines WW ll crimes, sexual assault, drug & arms trafficking, and corruption in high places into one action-packed, fast-moving tale.

It is terrifying to think that these things can, and do, exist in today's world! Along with technology, many devastating situations also arise. How does one create and maintain a balance?

This story also brings into question of what types of consequences are acceptable or necessary.

The characters are "alive" and the scenes graphically described and easily visualized.

Although varying parts of present and history are brought into the content, they are clearly stated so the story maintains a reasonably steady "flow".

​The Book Cover and Title are "fitting".

**READER BEWARE: Contains strong sexual terminology, graphic violence and profanity
^On a personal note, this reviewer would have enjoyed it much more had there been less profanity and sexually crude terms used.
I offer a Four and a Half Stars rating on literary content.
*This book was gifted me with no requirement for a positive review. This is my honest review.

[Shelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first Jon Land book I've read and now I'd love to go back and read the entire Caitlin Strong collection! She is an incredibly strong character -- it doesn't take you long to discover just how deep that strength is. She's continuing the tradition as working as a Texas Ranger; however, she's the first woman in her family to work in that field. Being a lover of history, the flashbacks to 1944 - time of WWII and horrific, tragic events that took place at Jewish concentration camps - are, at times, a bit much but help give a clear connection of how much the past influences the present. 

Overall, I found that the book needs to be read without disruption and all the way through. You'll enjoy being wrapped up in both the past and present, questioning how much a young woman can truly take without breaking. Land gives Caitlin such a strong presence yet gives her the perfect lead female role with casting her into being a vulnerable woman, too. 

I recommend reading this one from start to finish. I had to go back to re-read sections to clear up my thoughts before diving into the finale. I wanted to have a clear understanding of the entire picture before wrapping things up. There were a few moments that were overly harsh and strong that made it unbelievable for me; however, overall, I was able to overlook those couple of incidents and maintain an appreciation of such a heart-thumping story!

I received this book via the Partners in Crime Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. 

[Miriam Kahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Graphic Audio's production of this western - murder mystery is a wonderfully complicated tale
set in 1944 and present day Texas. Fifth generation Texas Ranger Caitlin Strong, granddaughter for Early Strong, investigates mysterious drug-related deaths that lead back to Armand Fisker, who was marketing a bio-weapon and possibly descended from a Nazi prisoner. Listen carefully. You don't want to miss a minute.

I'm a fan of Graphic Audio performances that include full cast of voice performers and sound effects.

Look for a different review in AudioFile Magazine http://www.audiofilemagazine.com

[Robert Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

+++Nazis in Texas? You bet. During WWII there were German prisoner of war camps all through the state. This novel touches on that, on conspiracies nation & world wide, and on family, clandestine government involvement and sexual assault. Caitlin of course is at the forefront in all that occurs in the present & the recent past. Cort Wesley and his two sons also have central roles. The surrounding cast are a ghost, sandalwood aftershave, biker gangs, drug dealers, a South American enforcer, and the Ranger admin including Commander Tepper, Young Roger and the Bexar county ME.+++

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first Jon Land book. In fact, my husband meet the author while shopping for Mother's Day. I'm not sure why he recommend that I start on the 9th book in a series but it may have been enough to make me try another.

The characters are quite complex, which I appreciate. It was just tough, and took many chapters, to understand them and their connections. I read a lot of books with a male lead so it was quite refreshing to have a bad-ass woman taking charge. Maybe I'll check in and see what Caitlin Strong is up to next

[Jenna · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

not bad. i'm not too keen on stories w/nazi's.
but i did think adding the element of caitlin being a victim of rape in her youth was interesting.

and when will Dylan just get a normal life? that poor kid keeps attracting trouble.
i liked how the story w/his father in prison intersected Armand's (the bad guy in this book) father's time in prison. and also how they were acquainted already thru Cort's past criminal history.

the flashbacks & present day cases matched up very well.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Texas Ranger Caitlin Strong investigates a sexual assault that takes her back to her own rape eighteen years earlier. DNA proves that it's the same man. Also we get the back story of her grandfather, who as a Texas Ranger investigated the escape of a Nazi POW during World War II in Texas. The two are connected. A decent piece of writing.

[Sue · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read the entire series. I think the story lines are thought through and researched but the stilted conversations really annoyed me. Everyone goes by a nickname and tries too hard to be macho. Doubt if I will continue with the next book.

[George Krasilovsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Been a while that I read a Caitlin Strong novel. Land has a similar approach linking her cases with her father's or grandfathers. While I enjoyed the book, getting a little old in its approach. Maybe I'm cynical today!

[Michele bookloverforever · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strong to the Bone: A Caitlin Strong Novel

Well, this was a spellbinder. As usual, the last mixed with the present. The sexual assault plotline resonated with me. As usual, the author issued a wonderful thriller.

[Nai Wang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caitlin Strong, what an amazing series this was. I binge read 9 books over the course of a month and loved every minute of it. A strong female protagonist with a Strong history and amusing side characters, I highly recommend this series to anyone looking for a fun western set in today’s timeline.

[Marcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A page turner that I enjoyed. This is the 9th in the series and I'd read 4 others previous to this. Fast paced and complex themes throughout. Loved revisiting the characters from previous books. Easy to read.

[Wall-to-wall books - wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review coming