Sean McFate’s Deep Black follows his initial novel in the Tom Locke Series Shadow War. Deep Black is a fast-paced action novel primarily based in war-torn Iraq.
The non-stop action reminds me of the books I grew up reading – Mack Bolan and the like – but, much better and this book also includes an intellectual bent. The action is more morally based. The lead character, Tom Locke, is developing more of conscience and is not just another mercenary. He and his two comrades use their skills to help more than hurt – sometimes ignoring big payouts of cash.
Speaking of the characters, Tom Locke is a likable heroine who refuses to be sucked into the mercenary-for-hire world he had just left. He is not a typical mercenary – educated, connoisseur of good food, and lover of classical music and opera.
The plot is fast-moving with a few surprising turns. The action spans from Iraq to Turkey to England. The plot also includes a lot of intrigue involving not only the mercenary company that formerly employed Locke, but also a power struggle in Saudi Arabia.
The book is a must-read for those interested in the mercenary wars that Americans are involved in.
