ARC Review: Signature Wounds by Kirk Russell

Signature Wounds
Author: Kirk Russell
Publication: Thomas & Mercer (March 1, 2017)

Description: While in Las Vegas on his way to a family Fourth of July celebration, FBI bomb expert Paul Grale hears a deep blast and sees the smoke rising. In an unfolding nightmare, Grale discovers his sister, brother-in-law, and many friends were caught up in the explosion. Grief stricken, he is pulled from the main bomb investigation to sift orphan leads. Quietly he begins a relentless search for the bomb maker.

When the FBI suspects his friend and disgruntled former drone pilot for the blast, Grale thinks they’re getting it all wrong. Propelled by deep personal loss and an intense need to do the right thing, he picks his way through the smallest of leads and into a maze of twists, turns, and sudden dead ends. When he uncovers another threat, time is already quickly running out. With the lives of so many at stake, Grale won’t let himself fail—and he won’t rest until there’s justice for his family.

Adrenalized, gripping, and all too timely, Signature Wounds brings terror to Vegas and introduces FBI special agent and bomb tech Paul Grale, a man whose specialized skill and fierce determination are a lethal combination.

My Thoughts: FBI bomb expert Paul Grale is one his way to his sister and brother-in-law's Fourth of July party when the unthinkable happens. A bomb goes off using stolen C-4 and killing his sister, brother-in-law, and nephew. It also leaves his sixteen-year-old niece grieving and fighting for her life.

Paul is immediately immersed in the investigation while grieving himself and worrying about his niece. The case gets complicated very quickly when agents from a variety of Federal agencies get involved. Paul feels that they are following a false trail when they target his friend Jeremy Beatty who used to be an Air Force drone pilot until he was medically discharged with PTSD. Beatty got on the DoD's radar when he was hired to teach pilots to fly drones in the Far East.

Now, Paul is trying to exonerate his friend and track down the elusive bomber before he uses the rest of the C-4 and destroys another target in Las Vegas.

This was a fast-paced thriller with a plot ripped from the headlines. Sleeper terrorist cells, Latin American drug cartels, and the whole rise in popularity of drones both in the military and as weapons for terrorists keep this story moving.

I liked Paul who had a dogged determination to find and stop the bomber. I liked that he had connections with a number of law enforcement organizations. I liked that he was at odds with his supervisor in the FBI but found ways to work around him.

Fans of thrillers will find much to enjoy in this one.

Favorite Quote:

"What's wrong with the drone pilots, Eddie?"

"Nothing is wrong. They're all good, but I need the FBI off my back. I need everything to do with you out of my life. I'm going to give you money. Ten thousand dollars and until noon today to give me an answer."

I got this one in exchange for an honest review from Kindle First. You can buy your copy here.