Stephen Hunters’ latest Bob Lee Swagger novel, Targeted, is an intriguing political thriller. This was my first time reading a Swagger novel, and my interest is piqued! Targeted has all the ingredients for a stellar read: congressional hearing, prison escape, Revolutionary War flashbacks, long range shooting, and much more. I really enjoyed Hunters’ writing style. It was highly descriptive in a way I have never seen before. It painted a great story, and kept me laughing even at some stressful moments.
In Targeted, an aging Swagger is peacefully recuperating from a gunshot wound obtained from the last novel. Swagger has had an illustrious career, and with that has come the title of hero. Some in congress do not like the title being attached to someone in Swagger’s choses occupation. Wanting in incriminate him, and make an example out of him, Swagger is summoned to a congressional hearing on “reckless endangerment” by an anti-gun congresswomen.
Unbeknownst to everyone at the trial, a deadly gang of unknown Eastern European origins, has escaped from prison with the single minded goal to get out of America. Once they figure out that a congressional hearing is happening just down the road from them, they figure what better hostages to take and have their demands met. However, they don’t factor in that they have an extremely deadly sniper in their midst. Swagger shows that even though he may be up in years, he still has a trick or two up his sleeves.
Targeted is a terrifying political thriller. Hunter penned a haunting read that mirrors what is happening today. To read this happening to a decorated war hero was hard at times, and it definitely causes the reader to pause and ponder the issue at hand. I also enjoyed the Revolutionary War flashback stories sprinkled throughout. It gave the story a fascinating historical read feel, and it created an almost origin story for Swagger. All in all, I greatly enjoyed Targeted, and I am intrigued enough to go back and read more of Stephen Hunters’ novels.
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