The Terminal List by Jack Carr is the first book from this SEAL-turned-thriller-author's cache of five in the James Reece Series.
Yes, there is profanity as one might expect from a general market thriller, but it's not exorbitant. Yes, there is a lot of violence and death as one would also expect in this revenge-motivated thriller. No, there is no biblical reference to "Vengeance is mine," says the Lord. But there is enough horror to at least understand how a top-tier Navy SEAL might decide he was the only man left standing to exact that vengeance on those who perpetrated the horrific losses he (James Reece) endured and is tapped to be the fall guy for them by those who engineered it all.
An operation which hasn't gone through the obvious channels is thrust upon Reece and his Team, and Reece has a bad feeling which he can't quite quantify about the mission. Something's not right, but until he can pinpoint it, it's a go. As he and another member of his Team watch everything erupt into complete and abject death and destruction at every level of the op, the overwhelming sense of guilt, helplessness, and utter sorrow envelop him. But there's more. As the evidence trickles out, the destruction of everything Reece has ever treasured is lost.
In his mind revenge is the only option. And it will be extreme. And hopefully he'll complete it before his end is due.
Carr writes with authority, and the reader can tell he's creating from real-life experience as a former SEAL. In his Preface he states that he is not James Reece, but if nothing else, he writes from a kindred spirit to the character. The first paragraph in his Preface is an absolute WOW. He never dumbs down the terms for the readers which is why there's a Glossary of Terms in the final pages of the book.
Carr's hero is broken from his losses, but he's focused and will do anything to complete the list he's made of those who designed and directed the hellish deaths that have motivated Reece to design and direct his own version of hellish deaths for them who believe they are above the law, the Constitution, and whose objective is pure power and untold wealth at the expense of anyone who gets in their way. Reece calls in all his favors from those who owe him and those who care for him. They are as devoted to him as he is to his cause. And of course there will be a Judas in his midst.
The Terminal List is a novel written by a man's man. For a first novel, it's exceptional. I shook my head at the couple of 1-star reviews on Amazon. They clearly held a different viewpoint from the author's and didn't realize how whiny they sounded in their assessment of the story, unable to apparently see what real corruption can do and that it does exist in parts of our government. Not to mention how that ugly political corruption can affect those who wear the uniform and risk their lives on missions that once kept our country safe. We are indebted to the real military, and those who wilfully ignore or denigrate in any way what our elite military does and sacrifices should never be allowed a place in the government of the United States of America.
As a Christian, it's always difficult for me to see characters who have no faith, who assume their fates, and who act accordingly. It's the tough part of reading general market literature. I root for the heroes but in the end that vacancy from the spiritual always leaves a void. Reece did acknowledge God once, deciding it might be wise to pray once he was almost done with his vengeance mission. Not unlike "foxhole religion", God is the last resort. Just one of those things . . .
I do recommend this novel for those who appreciate the military, who desperately want to see our Republic cleaned up and honored, and for those who admire genuine manhood. I'm looking forward to the second in the series.
Father, only you know our hearts and minds. Only you save souls. I thank you for Jack Carr and all that he's accomplished with the gifts and talents you've given him, all that he's given to and for this One Nation Under God. Please continue to bless him in every possible way and make your presence and direction known to him all along the way. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.