Customer Reviews

After the Rain

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Broadway trained actor Kevin Conway gives a first rate reading to the latest thriller by Chuck Logan. This is the third Logan tale featuring Vietnam vet Phil Broker, and Conway performs with gusto.

They're quite a pair - Broker and his estranged wife, Nina. He's fiercely devoted to the men with whom he served in Vietnam, and equally fierce in his belief that none of them should have been there in the first place. Nina, a Gulf War vet has her sights set on greater things to come. To this end she's spent quantity time undercover as part of an anti-terrorist mission.

The plot grows trickier as the setting turns to North Dakota where Nina draws Broker into a scheme, which is not only perilous for him but also places their daughter at risk. However, there's no time for him to extricate himself or lash out at Nina as soon the two must join forces to prevent an act which would have cataclysmic results for the innocent.

One more gripping story from the multi-talented Logan.

- Gail Cooke

Mr. Logan just gets better and better. This story deals with a plot to smuggle a WMD into the USA from Canada. Phil Broker is back trying to deal with his family problems and at the same time help his Delta force wife stop a terrorist threat to the US. The story zips along with little wasted dialogue. The book is nearly impossible to put down. The bad guys are really bad and the good guys are pulling out the stops to get them. Logan can create a truly suspenseful mood that keeps the reader guessing to the very end. Highly recommended.

Since 9/11, authors have tried their hand at creating scenarios to rival that of the 2001 terrorist attacks. Upon completion of AFTER THE RAIN, I fervently hope that no would-be enemies of the United States are fans of Chuck Logan's writing. In this book, he proposes a chilling and all-too-simple plan, a plan that could result in cataclysmic devastation. And that might be vastly understating the danger.

A handful of Delta Force types uncovers a weak link in Rashid, a jittery connection in a plot to wreak havoc in America's midlands. What the informant tells Nina, Hollywood and Janey frightens them so much that they decide to act immediately, without waiting for sanction from their superiors. Trusting the government to get it right this time doesn't sound like a good idea, particularly considering that it might take days to mobilize an effective operational response. And that could very well mean the difference between life and death for hundreds, if not thousands, of people. Unfortunately, without a well-thought-out plan, they find themselves hanging out there with little backup and some bad intelligence.

Sound familiar? Well, at least this trio does not give up. They stubbornly pursue even the tiniest leads until they discover where they went wrong the first go-round. They realize that they face formidable --- and frighteningly insane --- opposition.

Meanwhile, Nina, a spirited woman with few soft spots --- and the most dogged of the fearless team --- has domestic trouble brewing. Her husband, equipped with a police/military background of his own, breezes into the little town of Langdon, North Dakota in pursuit of Nina --- and their daughter --- angry and hurt. While she purposely lured him into this as part of their group strategy, she doesn't like it one bit. And she's more than a little annoyed by the ill-timed distraction. It sets her mind working overtime to figure out what her heart wants, and she finds herself exhausted and confused by these personal crises.

But she is unable to step back and deal with her problems. After all, the welfare of fellow Americans is at stake. And as the magnitude of the intended horror dawns on all of them, Nina and her cohorts understand that, whatever the individual risk, these terrorists must be stopped.

AFTER THE RAIN has good action, outstanding characters and a fine plot, if a little improbable --- but, then, so was the idea of two planes crashing into the Twin Towers that fateful morning of September 11th.

--- Reviewed by Kate Ayers

Evidence surfaces that bombs have been smuggled from Canada to the heart of Minutemen Country Langdon, North Dakota. Not trusting the Headquarters Pogues after 9/11, Army Major Nina Pryce, ex-Special Forces Colonel Holland Wood and Jane Singer go undercover concentrating on the activities of liquor smuggler Ace Shuster. Though married to Nam veteran and retired cop Phil Broker, Nina is to seduce the truth out of their quarry.

Phil arrives from Devil Rock, Minnesota to take their seven year old daughter Kit, used as part of the cover, out of danger. However, when he sees the Cold War dinosaurs and proof of the deadly intent of American terrorists, he concludes that his anger at his wife for jeopardizing their daughter is fruitless. If the terrorists can pull off their objective, Armageddon could arrive in the American Heartland unless Phil and Nina can stop them.

This exhilarating post 9/11 thriller will hook readers from the beginning and never let up until the climax. The story line makes the threat of terrorism so real that All the President's Men and woman will believe this could happen here. The solid cast, including the lead protagonists, eccentric local smugglers, a psycho, and a lesbian warrior who kicks butt, add to that genuine feeling that a catastrophe could occur. Readers will get so involved in the terse plot; they will open umbrellas to keep the deluge that drenches the heroes from soaking them as Chuck Logan provides another terrific stormy tale.

Harriet Klausner

Remember to put on the sunscreen, if you take this one to the beach. You'll be hooked and not paying attention to much else. Timely and well written, this is a higher level than the other thrillers done by this author and way above some bestsellers that have reached a wider audience. D girls are Delta and GI Jane on steroids. There are descriptions that stop you and make you go back to marvel at the author's skill. Get this book.

This series starring Phil Broker and Nina Pryce just keeps getting better and better. The development of the characters backgrounds and personalities are fully featured in this book. A bit of the dark side comes out in Nina and Phil is faced with raw emotions for his daughter Kit which is nicely written by Mr. Logan. The story is fast paced and keeps you reading with twists and turns that keep you wondering what will happen next. I look forward to reading Mr. Logan's next book!!

I bought Chuck Logan's books because John Sanford (who is one of my favorite writers) said Chuck was a friend and a good writer. He was not wrong. Chuck Logan is not as good as John Sanford nevertheless his books are a good read....I just finished 8 of them...he has written 9 books I believe.

Am I a contrarian?

Logan's previous books have shown a steady climb in character complexity, literary skills and plot construction. His eye for the relevant image, ear for language and insight to behavior were becoming increasingly integrated into the structure of his tales. While still primarily airplane books, one was becoming more and more hesitant to leave them on the plane.

But this latest, while economically understandable (and who among us has not taken a client, a task, a deal for a quick profit but in the hopes of little publicity), smacks of a paste job turned out fast, fast, fast to take advantage of the newly popular terrorist market. Particularly disappointing was the lack of development of the intriguing character, Tim Downs. A favorite with Logan's long standing fan base, Downs was underused this time around.

But don't count Logan out: the next book should return to the righteous flight path Logan has set for himself.

disc 2 of the item purchased was cracked and inoperative. The label part of the cd looked fine, but turned over was crack ran all the way through it.