STRONG ENOUGH TO DIE: A Caitlin Strong Novel
Jon Land
Forge
Thriller
ISBN: 9780765312587
Fifth-generation Texas Ranger Caitlin Strong is proud of her family’s service and honored to be part of the legendary Texas law enforcement institution. Raised predominately by male role models, Caitlin has a lot of rough edges, but what she lacks in femininity and finesse, she makes up for in courage and determination.
After a bloody firefight in the desert leaves her partner Charlie Weeks dead, Caitlin is dead set on revenge. However, revenge comes at a steep price. She quickly learns how torture and violence can damage not only the victim, but the torturer as well.
Five years after the desert shootout, with her career as a Texas Ranger over and her husband declared dead, Caitlin tries to rid herself of guilt by volunteering at a survivor center for torture victims. What she doesn’t expect to find among the damaged patients is a “John Doe” amnesiac torture victim with a very personal link to her past. Buried deep within his memory is knowledge of a plot that threatens the safety and lives of millions.
After four years in prison, DNA evidence exonerates Cort Wesley Masters of Charlie’s murder. Elated to be released from prison, Cort Wesley is determined to exact revenge on the person he believes responsible for his false imprisonment --- Caitlin. Not that Cort Wesley is a totally innocent man. From an early age he was baptized into a life of crime, and his violent ways were confirmed during his military service. His redeeming quality is the love he has for his sons and his fearless dedication to protect them at any cost. Cort Wesley also holds a key to the true identity of the murderers of the Texas Ranger, as well as information that could help unlock the secrets of the amnesiac patient.
After Caitlin saves Cort Wesley’s sons from an assassination attempt, the ex-convict puts aside his revenge, and the unlikely duo joins forces to uncover the truth and track down the man behind the deadly plot. In their pursuit, they cross paths with an assassin ironically named Guillermo Paz. A complicated k iller educated by missionary priests, Paz is versed in philosophy and ethics and regularly quotes Kierkegaard, but most of all seeks redemption and understanding.
While sculpting a breathless adventure, Jon Land subtly nudges the reader to ponder larger questions about human behavior and free will: how parents, especially fathers, can shape the lives of their children, and how some grownups, no matter how successful, seek fatherly approval. The historical snippets, quotes and vignettes about the Texas Rangers complement the understanding of the legendary law enforcement organization and add to the intimate feel of the story.
STRONG ENOUGH TO DIE is a high-stakes, high-octane thriller with memorable characters, unusual plot twists and fast-paced action. Another quality I look forward to in Land’s novels is how they get me to think long after I’ve finished reading the last page. His latest effort does that, and more.
--- Reviewed by Donna Volkenannt (dvolkenannt@charter.net)
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