Scott Dalton and Jackie Sullivan, intelligence specialists and former military pilots, are called in to investigate the mysterious mid-air destruction of two American fighter planes. As they proceed, they are surprised to learn that the loss of two navy jets is just the latest in a series of seemingly unrelated, and previously unexplained losses of American combat aircraft. It soon becomes clear that the culprit is China, using a ship-mounted laser to target American aircraft.
Relations between the two global powers deteriorate, ultimately to the point of armed conflict. As the United States begins to achieve decisive battlefield success, the finger of the Chinese president is poised over the nuclear button.
Though he doesn't earn extra points for subtlety, especially in his negative depiction of mainland Chinese, Joe Weber's Clancy-esque thriller is nevertheless engaging and moderately entertaining. Dick Hill's no-nonsense reading also gets the job done without fuss or bother, efficiently relating an escalation of tensions between China and the United States after the Chinese develop a super-laser weapon. There's one caveat about Hill's otherwise good performance: He still needs to master the art of the stage whisper. When stalwart adventurers Scott Dalton and Jackie Sullivan whisper something so other characters can't hear them, listeners can't hear them either! This is especially annoying during drive-time listening. J.P.M. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine
About the Author
Joe Weber was a carrier-qualified fighter-attack-trained pilot for the United States Marine Corps. After his release from active duty, Weber flew commercially until 1989. His unique inside knowledge and flair for explosive drama have earned him praise from today's masters of military fiction. His books have appeared on the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. Weber lives near Pensacola, Florida.
