Customer Reviews

Hard Rain: A Thriller

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

When first introduced to "Hard Rain"--the latest installment to the Vin Cooper series--I had no idea what to expect. Assuming that the book was going to be a typical military thriller was a huge mistake on my part. I never imagined that from the first few pages I would become glued to the book, racing along with Cooper and his partner as they met one disastrous situation after another.

When the US attaché to Turkey is murdered in gruesome fashion, Air Force Special Agent Vin Cooper and his partner--and ex-lover--Special Agent Anna Masters are tasked with solving the crime. In a foreign country, with little to go on and clear communication barriers, Vin and Masters do their best to keep the trail from drying up. The discovery of another body with ties to the US attaché seems to be a hopeful step in solving the crimes. However, as Vin and Masters soon discover nothing is straightforward in this case and trusting anyone could be life-changing mistake.

Overflowing with quick wit, sharp sarcasm and unanticipated jokes had me often stifling the giggles as the marriage between comedy and danger blend perfectly. With a staggering ending, even a reading warrior couldn't have anticipated, Rollins has produced an international gem. This book is proof positive that you should never judge one by its cover.

[...]

Investigating the murder of a U.S. attaché to Turkey, 34 year old Vin Cooper, a wise-cracking and humorous Special Agent, teams up with former lover, Anna Masters, to uncover a shadowy organization dedicated to toppling certain powers in the Middle East.
This is actually the first David Rollins novel I've read and found it to be both exciting and entertaining. Some of the situations that Vin Cooper and Anna Masters put themselves in seemed a bit ignorant, but they always seemed to get out of it. It's a little over the top but it's still a great ride. I liked the writing style and the humor. This author will go on my list.

I've read all three of David Rollins' Vin Cooper books and honestly, this was my least favorite of the three. I thought it bogged down in several places and the investigative pieces did not seem as thorough to me as they have been in previous books. I often found myself saying "why aren't they (looking into this)" .... Also, while there are some scenes in the previous books that require suspension of disbelief, I found 'Hard Rain' to be even more like "Mission Impossible" in that some of the action scenes were completely over the top.

A few personal issues that might not bother other people - as a soldier - I would say that Rollins still does a much better job with Air Force characters than he does with other services. Additionally, as someone that has served in Iraq and has been in several Iraqi hospitals, some of the scenes in this book do not really ring true to me.

Overall, I would say that it was a decent read. However, I will likely wait until the next Vin Cooper book is in soft cover to purchase it based on my experience with Hard Rain.

To begin, my name is Fabian and I have the pleasure of saying that I was privileged to meet face to face to David Rollins.
I was working in a hotel in the neighborhood of San Telmo, Buenos Aires, I was a receptionist, and one day he appeared in front of the Front Desk.
I simply was stunned, petrified, a wonderfully handsome man, is so tall that makes me look like a dwarf.
But above all, a perfect gentleman, handsome, a true star in the world of literature.
I mean that was the most amazing experience of my life.
The multi-award winning writer, Mr. David Rollins, is a wonderful writer, his creativity, his infinite flow of ideas, its privileged brain, makes of him an exceptional artist, one of the smartest writers today.
If you would like novels full of suspense, intrigue, corruption, with wonderful characters, full of evilness that make Shakespeare's Lady Macbeth, looks alike Heidi.
Repeat great characters, nonstop action, fast and frightening.
For example in DEATH TRUST, an explosion beginning ... The Death Trust rolls into action with impressive speed and precision... Rollins as a forceful writer with an authoritative voice ... There are plenty of chilling moments, lots of violence and some very unpleasant characters.

When first introduced to "Hard Rain" the latest installment to the Vin Cooper series.
I had no idea what to expect. Assuming that the book was going to be a typical military thriller was a huge mistake on my part. I never imagined that from the first few pages I would become glued to the book, racing along with Cooper and his partner as they met one disastrous situation after another.

When the US attaché to Turkey is murdered in gruesome fashion, Air Force Special Agent Vin Cooper and his partner and ex-lover Special Agent Anna Masters are tasked with solving the crime. In a foreign country, with little to go on and clear communication barriers, Vin Cooper and Masters do their best to keep the trail from drying up. The discovery of another body with ties to the US attaché seems to be a hopeful step in solving the crimes. However, as Vin Cooper and Masters soon discover nothing is straightforward in this case and trusting anyone could be life-changing mistake.

Overflowing with quick wit, sharp sarcasm and unanticipated jokes had me often stifling the giggles as the marriage between comedy and danger blend perfectly. With a staggering ending, even a reading warrior couldn't have anticipated, Rollins has produced an international gem. This book is proof positive that you should never judge one by its cover.

Mr. David Rollins you are amazing, very best wishes to you and your family.
Your eternal Fans
Forever yours
Fabián

I know I'm swimming against the current on this one and though there are good aspects to this book, overall I was disappointed. Cooper and Masters are OSI agents and ex lovers, responsible for solving the gruesome murder and mutilation of Colonel Portman. Portman is an attache and former pilot of the first Gulf War that was working in Turkey when killed. This murder will lead our two heroes into something much bigger and dangerous.

I won't go into many specifics of the story but the first third of the book showed very little progress in the investigation and the only thing that kept the story off life support was the author's sense of humor in building the banter between Cooper and Masters. This sense of humor may have been OK during this slow period but by the end of the book Cooper's wise cracking was just too much. The author also misdirects the reader into thinking Portman to be the victim of a serial killer which seem unlikely to me. Taking into account Portman's position as part of the lucrative jet business in Turkey, it seemed unlikely that a random serial killer was involved when a second man dies that was connected to Portman and the air force. It seemed more like a industrial coverup of wrong doing or trying to reduce the competition in that lucrative business.
The agents got themselves into trouble throughout the book and should have died five times but miraculously or luckily saved themselves. That just doesn't happen in real life. During the latter part of the book, the two were being attacked by a helicopter and three jeeps, each carrying a .50-cal MG but Cooper's ingenuity vanquished all four.

Another time they were caught by Yafa and her gang, all cold blooded killers, but instead of killing the agents outright, they were drugged and thrown down a cistern where they were able to escape. When the agents were in Egypt and were about to assault Tawal's barge on Lake Naser, they were ambushed by their own team but escaped again. Even after this incident Cooper, instead of arresting the op leader, only questioned whether Stringer the CIA boss in charge of this operation was in cahoots with the killers who were running around the Middle East killing people. It seem pretty lame on their part not to redirect their investigation on Stringer.

The motivation for all these killings has not been stated. I don't want to ruin it for any new readers but I will say that the murder and subsequent coverup is very realistic and sound.
However the ending was weak and way too abrupt and vague. Cooper and Masters didn't actually figure out and apprehend the mob boss on their own ability but stumbled into being caught at the Oak Ridge storage site but then overpowered the superior force to complete the case.
Though the overall storyline was credible and probably reflects real life happenstance, the playing out of that story was a little too imaginative for me, preferring something a little more true to life. However if you're looking for the fanciful then this novel would be enjoyable and worth your time.

The U.S. Military Attache to Turkey, Colonel Emmet Portman vanishes for three days. When he is found dead in his home in Istanbul, alarm spreads amidst the American government. Whoever killed Portman tortured him before brutally murdering him.

Air Force Office of Special Investigations Special Agents Vin Cooper and Anna Masters arrive in Istanbul to investigate the gruesome homicide; as Vin puts it they are USAF internal affairs cops. However, before they can begin their inquest, other associates of the late Colonel are also killed in horrific ways. The obvious response is a serial killer is on the loose. However, the victims are diverse and vary in what is left behind; the only commonality is the abduction and execution are done with military precision. However, with Portman's email being erased, Vin and Anna wonder why a crazed killer would do something of this sort making them wonder if someone needed to conceal something, but what and who remain elusive. As the two agents investigate on non-verbal terms (one can say a lot with a one finger salute) while the body count rises, they begin to uncover a military conspiracy to encourage coups to topple Middle Eastern governments, but neither is sure how to expose it without harming American interest; that is if they live long enough to do so.

This is an entertaining over the top thriller that has the audience accompanying the bickering lead couple (arguing when they rarely talk to each other) as they hop the globe starting in the Middle East going on to Africa and Tennessee. Fans will enjoy the action and the rapidity of the story line but what makes the tale fun is the lead couple working a deadly international case once again (see The Death Trust) while on non-speaking terms ever since she informed him she is "Dancing on the Ceiling" for JAG lawyer Col. Richard "Dick Wad" Wadding.

Harriet Klausner

"Hard Rain", the third book in David Rollins' "Vin Cooper" series, was the first Rollins book I ever read, and it was pretty enjoyable. I particularly liked the conflicting aspects of Vin Cooper's personality. You see, Cooper is a longtime member of the U.S. Air Force, making him one tough, pro-military guy. But he works as an Internal Affairs officer in the Air Force, so he's also well aware, via his many investigations, that military personnel don't always do the right thing. Thus, the patriotic and cynical sides of Cooper's personality, often at odds with one another, make for interesting reading.

The main story here concerns the investigation by Cooper and his fellow investigator (and ex-significant other) Anna Masters into the apparent serial killing of the U.S. military attache to Turkey, who's found cut up into little pieces. The facts soon suggest, however, that there might be more to the attache's death than him simply being the victim of a bizarre ritualistic killer, especially when subsequent deaths occur involving other figures in the attache's sphere of influence.

Things move along nicely, with the investigation being supported by some good action, as well as a couple of spicy subplots involving a new romance for Vin and Vin's annoyance at Anna's new love, who Vin thinks is a creep. Also keeping things engaging is Vin's sarcastic attitude about just about everything (especially lawyers), and the frequent and pretty funny jokes he tells (again, especially about lawyers). Finally, there's also a related plotline, compelling yet sad, about yet another way the U.S. government is perhaps not properly protecting and caring for U.S. service people serving or recently home from Iraq and Afghanistan.

While it's probably better to read the initial two books in this series first, one can dive into "Hard Rain" cold without any problem, as I did. Be warned, though: although the main story is resolved at the end, there's a doozy of a cliffhanger involving Vin and Anna that will quickly make you crave the next book in the series.

Much better than book #2 in the series. A very complex plot with a whole lot going on that keeps you on your toes. The ending (I won't ruin for you) leaves something to be desired though. I have become a big fan of David Rollins and his Vin Cooper character, I hope he is around for many more books to come. You could do far worse than taking the time to read this series if you like the spy/cop/military genre. I am now reading book #4 in the series, Ghost Watch. I will keep you posted on my thoughts.

David Rollins has a winner in his Vin Cooper character! If you like Jack Reacher then I would advise trying Vin and Rollins. Vin is an AF investigator and seems to find the most dangerous route to completing his missions. Backed by his partner and their on again, off again romantic interest the danger, thrills and mystery just seem to follow the duo. It is not literature, but it is darn fine reading for a rainy, cold day or the heat of summer; maybe the winds of fall, or perhaps while sitting in the flowers of May!

The author provides extended periods of phyco babble about the protagonists feelings and uncertainty about his love intrests. This did nothing to advance to story or plot lie. The over all tone of the book was anti-semetic.

Without destoying the mystery for other readers let me say for a trained investigator the protagonist and his sidekick were incredibly dimwitted and slow in realizing that they had a leak to the opposition within the investigative cycle. They also did little to find out about the CIC plants who were fakes.

I would not reocomend this book. I will probably not buy another one of the authors books.