Nightwatch - Softcover

Henrick, Richard P.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0380790289 ISBN 13: 9780380790289

Publisher: HarperTorch, 2001

Synopsis

On an isolated highway in the Crimea, as the President of the United States races toward a top secret nuclear summit, high-powered weaponry suddenly opens fire on the motorcade, brutally slaying America's Chief Executive and those assigned to protect him.

Above a rushing whitewater river in the Missouri Ozarks, a jet-black Huey helicopter appears from nowhere to rain death upon the traveling party of the U.S. Vice President.  Only the quick, decisive actions of Special Agent Vince Kellogg of the Secret Service saves the V.P. from sharing the grim fate of the Commander-in-Chief.

Without warning, the greatest nation on Earth been rendered leaderless.  Liberty and democracy have been places under siege by a well-armed and organized foe -- an enemy operating not from outside America's borders, but from within her own sacrosanct halls of power.  And now a small handful of patriots must do whatever it takes to prevent America's legacy of freedom from becoming a thing of the past -- and stem the tide of treason, nuclear terror, and death originating from the remarkable airborne sentinel called...

About this title

Review

Although not as well-known as the Clancys, Cusslers, and Coontzes of the bestseller lists, Richard P. Henrick has written 17 riveting military technothrillers--including Crimson Tide and Flight of the Condor. The common theme in his books is how ordinary people respond to exceptional pressure under what-if circumstances.

The premise behind Henrick's 18th book--one of his best in terms of timeliness and sheer nervous energy--is what would happen if somebody wanted the reigns of power in America badly enough to kill anyone who stood in the way.

En route to a top-secret meeting in the Crimea, the president's convoy is attacked and he is killed. At the same moment, a black helicopter blasts the Missouri town where the vice president is fishing. Only the actions of secret service special agent Vince Kellogg keep him alive--at least for the moment. Meanwhile, up in the stratosphere, a specially modified 747 called Nightwatch becomes the new seat of power for the beleaguered American government. Navy commander Brittany Edwards is one of five officers on board with the authority to launch a nuclear attack--but who, exactly, is the government fighting?

Henrick's characters are interesting and varied, and even the villains have enough depth to make readers understand--if not sympathize--with them. But it's the giant flying fortress itself that is his best creation: he gives it so much personality that we share the pain when a missile explodes nearby and almost destroys the Nightwatch. --Dick Adler

About the Author

Richard P. Henrick is a novelist and screenwriter, the author of seventeen previous books. A recognized master of submarine adventure, he wrote the original story for the blockbuster movie Crimson Tide, starring Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman, and wrote the bestselling novel of the same name which accompanied the film's release. Mr. Henrick is a native of St. Louis, Missouri, where he still lives and works.

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperTorch
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0380790289
• ISBN 13: 9780380790289
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 384