Book Review: The Drifter by Nick Petrie

The Drifter
Author: Nick Petrie
Series: Peter Ash
Publication: G.P. Putnam's Sons (January 12, 2016)

Description: Peter Ash came home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with only one souvenir: what he calls his “white static,” the buzzing claustrophobia due to post-traumatic stress that has driven him to spend a year roaming in nature, sleeping under the stars.

But when a friend from the Marines commits suicide, Ash returns to civilization to help the man’s widow with some home repairs. Under her dilapidated porch, he finds more than he bargained for: the largest, ugliest, meanest dog he’s ever encountered...and a Samsonite suitcase stuffed with cash and explosives.

As Ash begins to investigate this unexpected discovery, he finds himself at the center of a plot that is far larger than he could have imagined...and it may lead straight back to the world he thought he’d left for good.

My Thoughts: This was an excellent thriller starring Peter Ash. Peter served as a Marine officer in Iraq and Afghanistan and mustered out with something he calls his "white static." He has a major case of claustrophobia so severe that he can't spend time indoors.

After a year on his own in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest, he learns of the death of his best friend, his sergeant, in Milwaukee. He decides to go there to help out Jimmy Johnson's widow and kids. He's told Dinah Johnson that he is there as a part of some VA program to fix up houses.

Peter's first problem when repairing a damaged porch is the large, angry dog who has made his home under the porch. His second problem is the suitcase the dog was guarding which contains $400,000 in neatly banded bundles and four block of plastic explosives.

Enemies want their explosives back and are willing to kill Peter and Johnson's family to get it back. As Peter tries to find out who left the money and explosives under the deck, we also follow along as another military vet is traveling around the country gathering fertilizer and fuel oil to make some sort of major bomb.

This was a fascinating story which wove the plight of returning veterans with a financial collapse that is wrecking the housing market into a coherent, exciting, and thrilling whole. Peter is an interesting character who has been damaged by his service but who hasn't lost his honor or his intelligence. His new partner Lewis is also a very intriguing character that I want to know more about.

This is a great start to a series and I can't wait to read more books about Peter Ash.

Favorite Quote:

Peter saw **** in a new light.

It wasn't only about the money.

It was also about breaking something fragile.

And burning down the world just to warm his cold, hungry hands. 

I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.