Into the Night (Troubleshooters, Book 5)

In this Navy SEAL tale, Suzanne Brockman may have captured the idiocyncracies of military personnel and their love interests too well for it seems to have disgruntled some reviewers. However, journalists who have been imbedded with the military in more recent terrorist conflicts can recognize how real her characters are. Mary Lou is more typical of some military wives than readers may care to know. Men who have lived through and seen horrible atrocities in their overseas missions need an understanding ear when they return home, but many don't find it, as Sam didn't, because their families and spouses can't cope with it. They end up battling the heroic image of a soldier, commando or SEAL--or top gun, sailor, marine-- and suppressing the real live person wearing the uniform. It's one of the chief reasons why the post traumatic disorder syndrome haunts so many of our military who have served time in the field. Accolades to Brockmann for combining romance with suspense plots that let our heroes and heroines emerge with human foibles, including a fat kid that morphs into a poster SEAL model and a woman so conditioned to appearances that yes, she would be concerned about how it would look and affect her career to fall in love with a hunk younger than herself and who doesn't fit into Washington's power circle and social set. And kudos to Brockmann for weaving a background storyline set in WWII through all her SEALS series. While civilians have become more cynical because of today's instant access to information, those who sign up to serve their country still hold the same values as their grandparents did and they still lay down their lives for the same patriotic reason. Laying parallel story lines like this help keep alive a memory of those who protected the freedoms we take for granted today. God bless them! And God bless Brockmann! This is another taunt page turner and deserves five stars.

Yes, less action than we're used to from this author, but what I really liked is how well she got inside their heads this time. It was more complex and interesting to get to know them and understand *why* they did (or didn't) do or feel something. Joan had concerns about dating a younger guy who lived across the country and it felt "real" as she fought her attraction to Mike. The Mary Lou story was heartrenching, and we continued to yearn for Sam and Alyssa to finally get together. I loved it! although I would love to see Max get his own woman...!! don't miss this one, it's great that stuff continues to evolve and doesn't wrap neatly by the end...stay tuned!!

I have read all the team sixteen books and they are all wonderful reading adventures. This book works pretty well as a stand alone so no need to worry if you haven't read the others in the series. That being said...if you love this one run, run, run at and get the rest and read them in order. This is not the best in the series (Over the Edge is my fave) but definitely ranks right up there. Compared to other books in this genre though it is a strong 5.Brockmann's books are great for anyone who likes their books with a mix of romance, action and suspence. I was never huge fan of military style books and while this is definitely set in that world it isn't over-powering.The sneak peek at the next book in the series is a killer and it definitely increases the anticaption level for the next book that will finally wrap up an on-going romance between two secondary characters.

I rushed out to purchase this book ASAP. I began reading at 5:00pm, stopped at 1:00am, (Thanksgiving Eve, I had to have some sleep)and began again at 8:00am and was finished by 9:30. It was great, of course. It's Suzanne Brockman, how could it not be?! I felt like I was checking up on old friends. I thought Mike and Joan were great together. Although their relationship was kind of slow to heat up, but once it finally did... I loved the way he proved his point in the bar and the scene in the truck... I know the windows had to be completly steamed! Then there was Mary Lou. I kept thinking, "No, I don't want to like her. I don't want to feel sorry for her! She broke up Sam and Alyssa." Now, of course I want Marry Lou to find happiness, too. There is a sneak peak at the next book from Ms. Brockman, which is supposed to be Sam and Alyssa's story. It left me hanging by my finger tips and now I have to wait until July! But, I know that once agian, it will be wonderful and worth the wait! I miss these guys already. I may have to pull out my old books and start from the beginning.