Heart of War [Hardcover]

Lucian K. Truscott (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1997

Assigned to investigate the murder of another female officer, Major Kara Guidry finds herself entangled in a web of ambition and secrets that tests her loyalties and integrity. By the author of Dress Gray. 75,000 first printing. $75,000 ad/promo."

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Nobody tells a story about the Army better than Lucian K. Truscott IV, who comes from a military family and knows how to write up a storm. His latest--after Dress Gray, available in paperback--is an incredibly timely and totally engrossing story about a promising female officer involved in an adulterous affair. Her accused murderer is defended by a marvelously complex character, Major Kate Guidry, who understands both sides of the dilemma: how a closed world like the Army needs to impose its own controls, and how the physical demands of human beings can't be forced out of shape just because they wear uniforms.

From Library Journal

Author of previous military thrillers such as Army Blue (LJ 8/89), Truscott now offers a thriller that is difficult to put down. The protagonist is Maj. Kara Guldry, a lawyer and West Point graduate who is assigned to investigate the murder of a of Lt. Sheila Worthy. Kara soon discovers that the young woman's lover was none other than General Beckwith, the base commander. After her friend, Lannie Love, another Beckwith mistress, is stabbed in a similar manner, Kara is convinced that Beckwith is the key to the murders. The characters are well drawn and realistic, and the author's inside knowledge of army jargon and procedure gives the novel a sense of authenticity. The significant issues of army politics, prejudice against women and homosexuals in the military, and the unfairness of regulations forbidding fraternization between officers and enlisted men and women are all explored. Although the mystery aficionado will guess the murderer's identity about three quarters of the way though, the proceedings are engrossing enough to keep readers going to the end. Highly recommended.?Jacqueline Seewald, Red Bank Regional H.S., Little Silver, N.J.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Adult; 1ST edition (June 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525941177
• ISBN-13: 978-0525941170
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,759,420 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not worth your time., June 1, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Heart of War (Paperback)

This book was a real dissappointment. It really had no character development and the ending was predictable. I rate it with one star only because there is nothing lower available.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a page turner book!, July 6, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (St. marys ga) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Heart of War (Hardcover)

I love this book! It took four days to read this book. I could not put it down and when I did my mind would wander back to the book and so therefore I never got any of my other work done, until I read some more of the book. It's worth it! It also keeps you guessing.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truscott wins the war, November 14, 1997

By 

[e-mail] (Portland, Oregon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Heart of War (Hardcover)

"Heart of War" is a suspenseful, rapidly moving story of contemporary life in the U.S. army. It's a post-cold-war tale of a military that is struggling to adjust to new realities. There is no communist menace to fight any longer, so the fights within the armed services revolve around politics and gender and sexual identity. The plot centers on army major Kara Guidry, who battles the prejudice against women that still exists in the army, while she investigates an on-base murder. It's a murder mystery-thriller-romance that succeeds remarkably well on all three levels. And Truscott should be given credit for developing a gay character (Randy Taylor) who is a real flesh and blood human being, instead of the unrealistic negative stereotype that so many authors seem to rely on. Truscott has created a well written, intelligent thriller. Like all well written thrillers, it will grab your attention and hold it. But this one will also make you think.