John Righten’s THE ENGLANDER begins with its eponymous protagonist Connor Pierce mourning the deaths of his young daughter and fiancée, killed in a bombing by a secretive group of mercenary terrorists known as the Wolves who span the entire globe. (The book is actually part of a larger world of military action-adventure novels, which might be helpful to pick up to gain more context of its broad ensemble cast. Though this novel sprinkles in details to bring readers up to speed, the narrative starts in media res, with briefly drawn clues to grasp its intricately built character dynamics over several other installments.) Connor’s military prowess has a reputation of its own, making him a formidable enemy for the Wolves. But as he sets his plan for vengeance in motion, others in The Englander’s circle are caught in the crossfire—including his newfound sister Lenka and an Irish orphanage of children, dear friends, and loved ones.

What Righten does well most of all is nuanced character development, wherein the most unlikely duos share deep conversations about their rich backstories, many of them touched by the atrocities of war, of hate and prejudice, of racism and sexism. This creates a unique found family of ex-military men, intelligence experts, and their equally traumatized wards. Connor himself is both a remarkable, skilled and proficient killer, and the same time carries grief for his family and a fierce protectiveness for the children in his family’s care. He’ll beat the life out of someone while consciously keeping it from their young, prying eyes. Most of Connor’s associates exist in a morally gray area, which is explored time and again during the course of the story with deft skill. And it’s these characters—from Connor’s foul-mouthed friend Brendan, to the strong, but ailing Marisa, and the fierce, steadfast Estelle and Foxy—that make THE ENGLANDER. They’re unpredictable, likable, and when the stakes are highest, their relationships to each other are tested and fraught with heartbreak. And there’s an enjoyable thread of dark humor throughout, along with Connor’s acerbic wit and his cohort of friends sharing their teasing, insulting, snarky banter. That levity helps to balance the violent, dramatic moments.

The inner-workings of the Wolves’ clandestine globe-trotting mercenary network is impressive despite the limited tech at the time period when the story is set (the early 1990s), though not nearly as compelling or fleshed out as Connor’s inner circle. Scene transitions are often choppy, switching between protagonists, adversaries, and splitting the action, which sometimes makes the story a little hard to follow. It does lend itself to a sort of screenplay-type format, especially during its large-scale action scenes. But with such a huge cast of characters on each side of the conflict, it can become a bit muddled and confusing. The action sequences are well-choreographed throughout—lots of great visuals, breathtaking chases and shootouts—but the climactic battle finishes at a swift pace. It, too, has an interesting buildup and setting, though the immediate resolution feels somewhat lackluster, wrapping things too neatly, too quickly.

Breathlessly paced, John Righten’s THE ENGLANDER offers a broad cast of likable characters, dark wit, and high-stakes action with an unexpected emotional punch.

~Jessica Thomas for IndieReader