What did he get from all that? A strong case of PTSD, a divorce and lost child custody to his ex, and not to mention he’s detached from his dad (that was pre-military), also a vet, who needs 24hr nursing care and hates everyone. Derek Harrington’s military plate was filled with missions. His civilian plate is filled with domestic issues. All he wants is to provide for his son, try to reconcile with his wife, and get his dad the care needed.
With that kind of background, Derek works as an outdoor instructor in rural upstate New York; I believe the phrase is underemployed. He teaches survival tactics to civilians who sign up for his course because such courses are trendy. To say he struggles financially would be an understatement.
Gil, a bit of a redneck smart ass, signed up for his course and was on the fast track for being sent home by Derek. At the close of this group’s course, Gil’s demeanor changes into something serious. After the rest of the class have left, Gil tells Derek that he, Gil, was in the class to evaluate Derek’s fitness to be a hired private tutor/coach/instructor to a band of families living off the land ever further off the beaten track.
The group consists of families who’ve had enough of how the government treats the downtrodden. They’ve all managed to find each other to form their own community living off the land in the deep NY woods. Problem is some of the locals have been intruding and making life miserable for those beaten down by ‘the man.’ If Derek is willing, they will pay him a wage far greater than he can earn through his survival school. More in a month than he might make in 6 or more months. What they want him to do is train their security detail to protect the compound.
Derek says he’ll think about it but given that he’d be off the grid for a month, he’ll need to set things up with his ex, his son, and his dad. Not to mention, he asks a former military chum, now an FBI agent, to check on this group.
The FBI doesn't have much, so Derek is ‘recruited’ to become an informant to keep the FBI appraised on what’s going on. No one wants another Rudy Ridge, Waco, or Jonestown. An elaborate way of communication is set up and Derek goes in to teach and keep his ears open.
That’s the setup, maybe the first quarter of the book. The next half could be considered a narrative version of the SERE (Survival, Evasion, Rescue, Escape) manual. The author goes into exquisite detail how a SERE course breaks people down so they can become adept at important SERE skills. I’m betting plenty of men reading this book will wonder, ‘could I have done that?’
What starts out as simply an off the grid community takes a dark turn as Derek uncovers information about the goals and ambitions of this quasi-religious settlement. And we learn what Derek is capable of when his family is threatened.
As you get to know what Derek Harrington is made of, you’ll expect a lot and get even more. Imagine Jack Reacher with some serious PTSD issues. T. R. Hendricks (betting a lot of Derek's pedigree is based on his own military background) has presented us with a compelling character that I’m betting lots will keep reading for two reasons. First, the end of book 1 skillfully sets up book 2. Second, the cover settles it from the start: “A Derek Harrington Novel.”
Saddle ‘em up boys. Betting Derek is in for some unsettling rides. An auspicious opening salvo by the rookie author.
East Coast Don
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