Rain on the Dead

This is another enjoyable Sean Dillon (and Company) caper, the 21st featuring the former Provisional IRA enforcer, turned agent for the British Secret Service. While not my favorite in this long-lasting franchise, it carries most all of the hallmarks that have come to be known throughout. The main difference being, in the last several books, that Dillon, who is now about 62, is not as spry as he was when the series started, though he is still feared and a threat to most. The plot is fairly typical with Dillon and his cohorts (Brig Gen Ferguson, Capt Sarah Gideon, Maj Charles Roper, Billy, and his uncle Harry, Salter) having to “save the day,” so to speak, this time from the plans of an Al-Queda man, known only as the Master who is unknown outside the circle of his Council and who has utter control over several assets worldwide. The identity of the Master does add a twist to the story. They are joined in their escapade by none other than former US President Jake Cazalet (who first appeared in the series in the 1997 book ”

The President’s Daughter

“). I will admit it is not one of Higgins’ best works, with incorrect details such as a non-existent protection detail for an ex-president, but for a Sean Dillon fan, it was an enjoyable read, containing plenty of action with some twists and turns along the way. The main action takes place in Nantucket (Massachusetts, USA), Drumgoole (Ireland), Paris (France) and London (England), with a few other locations thrown in for good measure. I rate this book half way between a 3 (due to a few detail inaccuracies, though many popular authors suffer from this) and a 4 (as I like the characters and the plot with sub-plots), so will round it up. For those interested, the Sean Dillon tales begin with ”

Eye of the Storm

” (1992).

This book has a middling story rife with ridiculous aspects, unlike Higgins better works. maybe this is an early attempt, but the downers are a drag on the story. For instance, most of the shooting is done with a .25 colt pistol, with is a short range weapon with limited capability. Yet is us used to shoot the bad guys at considerable distances at times. Other ridiculous aspects. top spy shot the back of the head, into the brain, while standing, 4 times. the person is not going to be standing after the first shot. All sorts of situations where main good guys are targeted by al Qaeda but go about as if nothing is wrong and get out of the ambushes by odd means, such as one of them happens to be riding up on horse and charges the bad guys. Twice.

This novel, which is the sequel to “The Death Trade”, continues to be obsessed with battling Al Qaeda. A new “Master” has quickly been appointed to replace the one killed in death trade, and immediately has access to thousands of A Q sympathizers all over the world who provide him with intimate details about supporters and enemies alike (the quantities of supporters, and details provide are, quite frankly, absurdly impossible). Absurdities aside, the first half of this novel is well written, and easily deserves a “4” rating.

The second half is another story, and had to have been written by someone else. The Ferguson team is immersed in unnecessary and boring details about their lives and life histories, providing details both irrelevant and unnecessary. After wading through several pages of this drivel I could stand no more and put the book down.

I have always been a fan of Higgins, but honestly it’s getting pretty tiresome. At some point, certain details need to be updated and modernized. Not the least of which is the constant reference to Colt .25 autos. Colt hasn’t manufactured this weapon in DECADES and those that are still out there are worth a fair penny to collectors. How has the UK manged to stockpile a seemingly never ending supply of these little guns??? Also, the .25 ACP caliber is just not as effective as Mr. Higgins likes to think it is. Ballistic vests have not been referred to as titanium and nylon waistcoats in just as many decades, nor has the Wilkinson Sword Company manufactured them in as many years. Every book has a reference to this company it’s getting old.

I love the stories. Dillon is a great character, despite the fact he must be 80, and I love most of the witty banter between characters. But there are just too many cliche’s in the books now. Champagne with every meal, Krug, the grape mix, of course, at some point it no longer becomes charming, it becomes old.

Of course, I’ll buy the next book, and the next, and the next…

For those of you who enjoy Sean Dillon the former IRA operative who now works for British intelligence, you may be a little disappointed that he is not the main focus of the book although he plays a large part. At the beginning of the book he is faced with a perplexing problem when it seems that the persons involved in a botched attempt on the life of a former U. S. president is his cousin and his friend. However, he does end up telling Ferguson and Gideon.

This book was very depressing in a way because it revealed how war and the effects of war changes people. It also points out how the ineptitude of politicians keeps us in wars that don’t really make a difference for anyone.

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