John Corey, an ex-NYPD detective, and FBI agent Kate Mayfield, his wife, are teamed up to solve a crime in the making. Author Nelson DeMille, as in his previous John Corey/Kate Mansfield novels, gives most of the action and decision making to the smart-mouthed detective that doesn't take to authority well.

This story wraps itself around a group of well-funded and high-ranking American "patriots", The Custer Hill Club. They believe they must do something drastic to stop fundamentalist Muslims from destroying the US and its interests. These guys, who have an exclusive site they use for meetings in the Adirondack mountains, intend to blow up two American Cities while blaming the fanatic Muslims. This they hope will be enable the release of retribution resulting in the annihilation of Muslim countries. Much more detail to this "Wild Fire" scenario is given early on in the book. It was a very interesting premise that drew me into the story quickly.

The feds are onto something in regard to this group. They send one guy up in an ill-planned venture to find out what's going on. After he goes missing Detective John Corey, who also happens to be the guys friend and colleague goes up to do some investigating of his own.

Corey is a bit of a loose cannon and his superiors aren't happy with his methods and Corey does what he feels necessary to break a case. Corey goes nose to nose with the heavies in the book and works to solve the mystery of his missing friend and try to save two American cities from sure destruction.

Pops Thoughts

I like the Demille's smart-mouthed, witty and wily character John Corey but he seemed to have lost some of his spark in this novel. Though I found myself blurt a few outward chuckles reading his comebacks and such, many missed the mark and were forced. Other Corey books has me laughing out loud. It happens to be Corey's humour, wit and delivery that had me hooked after reading two previous books in which he is the protagonist.

I thought the premise of the story exciting and thought it would draw me into a winner of a book. DeMille started this one well and the front end of this novel is excellent. Somewhere though, I lost interest. I didn't think the antagonist was given enough attention so we could "root for" a proper outcome. Without giving away anything, all I can say is the ending to me and the reasoning for it was ill-conceived and poorly presented.

I will still give DeMille and the ornery detective another chance whenever a new book comes out. I just hope John Corey gets back to his abrasive and boffo, usual self.




Other DeMille John Corey Books. These were excellent!

Nelson Demille - Plum Island
The Lion's Game
Night Fall


Recommended: Yes