Firestorms

Tom Baldwin
Zumaya Publications (2002)
ISBN 1894869591
Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (6/06)


Tom Baldwin has written an action packed, police thriller.  From the jungles of Peru to the streets of Los Angeles the battle rages, one cop pitted against a drug terrorist.  Throw in bad cops and a desire for revenge and you have a thrill ride that leaves you breathless.

Ethan Bainbridge is a police officer. He is called to the morgue to view a body believed to be that of his sister, Victoria. His sister’s death crushes him and he’s determined to seek revenge against the terrorist that put the drugs in his sister’s hands.  The assistant corner, Trux is the most unlikable person in the world; he is sick and perverted, taking pleasure in the discomfort and misfortune of others.  When Trux jerks the sheet back and reveals the nude body of Victoria, a shaken Ethan loses his temper and Trux ends up with a loose tooth.  This was my favorite scene in the book.  Reading about Ethan’s revenge on Trux brought a since of pleasure, it’s always sweet when a bully is brought down a notch.

Pablo Chavera is a drug lord in Peru, responsible for the assassination of a top official; Ethan is determined to bring him to justice in the US.  Roberto, Pablo’s brother is just as determined to procure his brother’s release and he will destroy what ever is necessary to bring that about.  Fire, bad cops and politics can’t stop Ethan.  Through all of this he manages to find true love.

The best part of this book is the biography of the author.  It was hilarious.  It seems Mr. Baldwin has been officially diagnosed “Mad as March Hare.”  All one has to do is read that he received the Guinness Book of World Records for the “Most flamingos shot in one day using an elephant gun” to know that this author is capable of so much more.  My main objection to this book is the language.  I find it hard to believe that most policemen use such vulgar language.  I think the book could have been written with less vulgarity and still have made the same impact on readers.

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