Doing what is right is not always the right thing to do. I was hooked on this book even before I picked it up. Having been a military brat for some years, I often watched JAG and fell in love with the whole casting crew. I gravitated toward crime mysteries and court stories most of my life because the process is so tense and can often put to the test, the foundation of your morals and ethics. This book does just that. Sean Drummond, a JAG lawyer is an excellent character to start with. I enjoy his cockiness toward higher ranking officials because it is justified most of the time in this story. There were quite a few high ranking officials who were up to no good. I read an article once that said “Who will police the police?” and so who will also command the commander in our military. Sean Drummond was created brilliantly, he kicked some tail! The supporting characters in this book were just as enjoyable if not more. Sean’s legal assistant, Imelda was a strong character and I liked her a lot. A non-commissioned officer, specialist 7 who cracked me up every time she opened her mouth. A no-nonsense gal and wasn't afraid to show it. Drummond’s legal team, Delbert and Morrow were likeable and easily shocked by Drummond’s wide collection of qualities and knew they were in the presence of a great mind, despite his arrogance. The mystery of the execution of 35 Serbian soldiers was a good beginning to a series. It eases your way into the military terms and evidentiary process of investigating a crime, JAG style. There is not a lot of military jargon, in fact, just like a civilian investigation, it stays pretty simple and it is a matter of who shot the Serbs and who will be held accountable for it. This is the process before the court martials so there is no court setting. I felt like I was ‘at home’ in this book. Having lived on a military bases for several years and getting used to the salutes, ‘yes-sirs’, and military terms as well as the discipline of those around me taught me that military life is a culture of its own. A life, different than civilian life, but a good life IMO and it felt good to be home.
Downloaded from Audible.comNarrator: John RubinsteinPublisher: Hachette Audio, 2001Length: 6 hours (abridged)Publisher's SummarySean Drummond is a maverick attorney who cloaks his expertise with smart-mouthed self-deprecation and cynicism. One of the Army's most brilliant lawyers, he's also seen his share of infantry fighting, and when a military scandal causes a global outcry, the brass pick Drummond to head the investigation.In a remote war at Europe's center, somebody has committed a cold-blooded massacre - 35 victims shot in the head at close range, execution style. The world media blames a U.S. Special Forces team assigned to the region. But Drummond can't take on faith the testimony of the accused Green Berets who protest their innocence.Drummond uncovers a vast conspiracy of frightening proportion. And the deeper he probes, the more he discovers how duty, honor, and country can clash - in ways both deadly and heartrending.
What do You think about Secret Sanction (2005)?
This is the first of Haig's Sean Drummond series. Drummond is an Army lawyer and is reminiscent of De Mille's sarcastic leading men. This book involves wartime atrocities possibly committed by U.S. soldiers involving Serbs and Kosovars. What really happened and what do we do about it? That's Drummond's problem. As he and his small team try to sort out this mess, they are guided/hindered simultaneously along the way by some high-ranking folks who have their own feelings about where the investigation should go. Enjoyable book.
—Pat Phillips
It was the worst military scandal since My Lai an elite US army special forces team positioned behind enemy lines had violated standing orders and butchered a patrol of 25 Serbian soldiers in cold blood. There were no survivors, half of them were shot in the back of the head, and their leader had been decapitated. There was no explanation, and no obvious motive, but the repercussions were already global. Now Major Sean Drummond has to got to Kosovo and find out just what happened and somehow clear up after this horrific crime. But with CIA obstruction, Army hostility, the murder of a top journalist and a possible traitor in his own crew, Drummond quickly finds himself in over his head and under serious fire.
—Shelley aka Gizmo's Reviews
A great series debut by Haig that kept my interest from the opening sentence. This military legal drama will keep the reader wondering what is coming in the following pages and does not disappoint. Peppered with excellent sarcasm and dry wit, Haig breaks the tension from time to time with some well inserted humour. I was left wondering if he was once a fan of Nelson DeMille, for I see humour parallels.Set during the War in Kosovo, Haig presents the main character as a JAG lawyer commissioned to find the truth behind the massacre of a Serb military unit. With attention to military detail, numerous twists, and a case within the larger case, the book grabs hold of you and does not let go until the very end, where most will raise an eyebrow and scramble to get the next in the series. If this is what I have to look forward to, I am a fan already.I must briefly mention that I listened to the audio book version of the book and was led through each chapter by the extremely talented Scott Brick. Brick is perfect for this narration as he does some of the best dry wit narration for Nelson DeMille as well.Kudos Mr. Haig. I am hooked.... bring on more Sean Drummond!
—Matt
