Marine reservists LCDR Michael McGregor, normally an ER surgeon, and Captain Kelli Moore, a police detective in civilian life, are called up to extract wanted fugitive Maxim Korshkin from his hiding place in British territory, while avoiding a diplomatic incident with the UK.
D.J. Scott’s SHORT MISSION would make a terrific movie, with its skilled and distinctly attractive hero and heroine, its vigorous plot, full of dramatic energy and activity, and visually-intense settings–ranging from dark alleyways to the wild and rugged Orkney Islands. Both protagonists are highly competent, quick-thinking, and take no nonsense from anyone, and Moore has the additional advantage of an extremely wealthy and politically powerful grandfather who would do almost anything for her, no questions asked. Dastardly spies, tense political intrigue, a beleaguered President facing a villainous foreign government, loyal old friends, fancy gadgets, and dramatic rescues under perilous conditions – this book has all the standard ingredients of an action blockbuster well worth its popcorn, and the ingredients are standard for a reason – they work.
The villain is cool, competent, casually evil with enough motive to make him believable and not enough to make him sympathetic, and the subordinates he finds to do his dirty work for him have enough plausible reasons of their own for their participation to make sense. (Of course, the true villain is his ultimate boss, a real-life political figure much in the news of late, and many in the intended audience will likely cheer on the fictional President Wallace’s desire to make the situation “excruciatingly painful” for that person). There’s some good character development, especially for some of the minor characters, but to be honest, our hero and heroine aren’t here to learn about themselves or grow and change or any of that, they’re here to get the job done and they do it admirably.
While the book stands on its own enough to be enjoyable, it would be preferable to read the first title in the series, SHORT SEASON, as several references are made to events that happened in the course of that book. The growing romantic relationship between the two leads is probably the one place where the story falls a bit flat – it feels forced, as though it was included just because it’s a standard ingredient for two attractive protagonists of opposite sexes to fall in love or at least have a sexual/romantic relationship. It doesn’t feel wrong, per se, nor does it interfere too much with the story, but it could use a bit more emotional underpinning to give it real color and depth. Aside from that, though, SHORT MISSION promises an entertaining and engaging read for fans of action/adventure stories.
D.J. Scott’s SHORT MISSION (Book 2 in the McGregor and Moore Series) is an action-packed mystery centered around a tense manhunt, with both political intrigue and physical adventure in abundance.
~Catherine Langrehr for IndieReader