Black Light by Stephen Hunter (novel)

Cover of Black LightBlack Light is another of Stephen Hunter's novels about Bob Lee Swaggert and his father Earl Swaggert. Both are sort of larger than life genuine American that prefers the outdoor, law, and military, and neither is afraid to do what needs to be done, even if it is killing people outside the realm of the law. In a way, this is very reminiscent of Lee Child's "Jack Reacher" novels. Both are sort of "knight errant" out to correct a few wrongs.

This book has a "bookend" dual-plot-line book where Bob Lee was enticed into looking into his father's last day on earth, and uncovers a conspiracy, which is still ongoing today. You got two tracks going, one in 1955, and one in "present day".

Earl Swaggert is a sheriff's deputy, a lawman, and while he grew up all white, he's not a racist. When a black minister asked him to look for a missing black girl, he did so... and found her body. Later that night, he's dead, supposedly died in a shootout with the most wanted felons in Arkansas. He was buried as a hero.

In the present day, Earl's son, Bob Lee Swaggert, is a retired farmer who was approached by a writer, whose father was severely wounded by a man who was the son of the man that killed Earl Swaggert (and was killed by Earl as well). The "kid" wants to write a book about how that one fateful night can have consequences down another generation. Bob Lee was initially not impressed, but later, after going through some of his father's effects, he realized there's something VERY wrong with his father's death... the evidence doesn't match the reports. Something is very wrong.

So they went digging... by going back to Arkansas, and found a conspiracy that started with his father's time... and is still active, with layers and layers of lies, from various parties. And Bob Lee gets to deal out a bit of death when his opponent decided to silence him...

The book is exciting, and the ending is oddly appropirate and surprising at the same time. If you like the idea of someone out to right wrongs this is a great book.

KCR: 47th Samurai, a Bob Lee Swagger novel (conspiracy, crime, Japan)

Stephen Hunter writes good novels about his main character, Bob Lee Swagger, when it involves guns, snipers, and so on. However, when Bob Lee Swagger goes into unfamiliar territory, like Japan and samurai swords, the book gets a bit ridiculous.

The premise: the old sword that Bob Lee's father picked up during WW2 turned out to be an ancient Japanese artifact (or the remnants of one) and some Japanese ultra-nationalists are willing to kill to get it back to start a coup and topple the democratic government. Bob Lee will have to deal some justice... with a sword instead of a gun.

Frankly, I have no problem with Swagger using a gun, but him being a sword master? Sorry, defies belief. The plot is a bit contrived too. If you like the series, sure, read it, but by itself it is not quite believable.

KCR: I, Sniper, a Bob Lee Swagger novel

Cover via AmazonSince we're on the subject of snipers, I have to cover one of my favorite novels about snipers... I, Sniper by Stephen Hunter.

The hook is interesting... four famed '60's radicals were gunned down at long range by a sniper. All the evidence... timeline, ballistics, forensics, motive, means, and opportunity... all points to Marine war hero Carl Hitchcock. When he was found dead apparently of suicide, police was tempted to call it "he went wacko" and close the case. However, one FBI analyst believe the case is TOO perfect... as if somebody went to great lengths to cover up the truth, so Bob Lee Swagger was brought in to consult, and he finally spotted an inconsistency that everybody else had missed...  and realized someone very rich, and very powerful had set up his fellow marine and war hero, and he will not rest until he get to the truth, and deal some justice against other snipers and gunmen... with a little help.

This wasn't my first Bob Lee Swagger novel, but my first, 47th Samurai, was a disappointment, as it's basically... incredulous. This one, however, makes perfect sense all the way through, though I have a bit of problem imagining Swagger as a gunslinger and a quickdraw artist.

Definitely read it.