Reign in Hell (Vail Stampler)

I was surprised at how good all 3 books ended up being. The first book, Primal Fear kept me on the edge of my seat every page. Book 2 Show of Evil was good, but the third Book Reign in Hell was by far the perfect ending to the story! All 3 are page turners.

Martin Veil returns for his third book from Diehl. In this one, Martin wins a RICO case in small town America, then is offered a chance to be Asst. Attorney General of the U.S. to set up a RICO case against a hate group called The Sanctuary. The majority of the story is about the members of The Sactuary and how they got to be where they are. A lot of action filled robberies and military expeditions flavor this novel. And Aaron Stampler does return. This piece is written more in the style and research of Tom Clancy. A lot of politics and military aspects are covered. Diehl's back stories and flashbacks to flesh out the characters and their motivations is a strong point. The conclusion is sad , true and too frequently real.A different Diehl but a great book.

This is a great Diehl novel. I really enjoyed the Woodbine hunt for the Witness Protection guy. That was clever, Diehl writing reminicent of some of his other works. This book takes a different turn with the Vail/Stampler saga and it's interesting to see the characters evolve. An excellent novel - I couldn't put it down.

You hate William Diehl, yet you gave Reign in Hell a l0? "Why?" you ask. It's because I had so many papers to check and grades to figure, yet I had to start reading this book last Saturday, and by Sunday night, all bleary-eyed, I had finished it. I hate when reviews say, "I couldn't put it down." Honestly, I couldn't. The book is topically current what with the militia theme. Bringing Aaron Stampler back as Brother Transgressor was masterful. He is a most despicable creature. The secret cadre of Vietnam vets were an interesting bunch. I'm still wondering if this is fact or the author taking liberties. Martin Vail and his "Wild Bunch" have become some of the best characters in this genre. By the way, Thai Horse is my favorite Diehl book. I must have a thing for Vietnam.

William Diehl (Sharky's Machine, 27, Primal Fear, Show of Evil, etc) does it Again! Pitting Vail first against a bunch of power hungery business men who think only of the bottem line and not the people they are killing. Then against the Sanctuary of the Lord, a group of bible thumping maniacs hell bent on destorying the US Goverment. Vail and his "Wild Bunch" are hired to Bring the Sanctuary down using the RICO statutes, but will they run out of time? As if this wasn't enough for Martin to deal with Aaron Stampler is thrown into the mix, adding to Vail's troubles. Diehl, pulls this massive work together well explaining enough about the RICO statutes so even legal laymen can see what is happening, while adding more than enough action to make this a real page turner. I however, only gave this book a 9, as there is very little interaction between Martin and Aaron which in the end disappointed me.

REIGN IN HELL is the third book in a series about Martin Vail and his nemisis Aaron Stampler (serial killer and all around evil SOB). Reader's will remember that Martin Vail is a Chicago attorney: first -- defense, then DA, now Consitutional. Vail takes on a right-wing, religious militia (the Montana Patriots, not a professional sports team) for the Federal Government. Vail is called upon by the President to do this as a special favor. Vail intends to bring up the Montana Patriots on federal racketeering charges (RICO). The plot is beautifully conceived and executed; the story extremely well researched; the chracters are well drawn and developed, and the imagery is as good as any written (including that of Stephen King's). Aaron Stampler has become a "blind" religious nut-case -- Brother Transgression . In the first chapter, he uses poisonous snakes in his traveling tent show. He is approached by the Montana milita and is offered a paid "gig" on National radio. He takes the job. Aaron fumes, raves, blathers and spews hate over the air waves, all in the name of Jesus, the Bible, and everything else the right-wingers hold holy. I won't be giving away the plot by telling you Vail brings these militia bad guys and other nut cases to their respective knees before the final page. It is how Vail does it, that is beautiful. And Aaron Stampler (Brother T)? What happens to this evil spawn of the devil --does he die or not? Well, let's not spoil the for the reader. This is the best book Diehl has written (including his mega-hit SHARKEY'S MACHANE). While it is the third "franchise" book coming behind PRIMAL FEAR and SHOW OF EVIL, it is easily read as a stand-alone book. One doesn't need to read either of the previous tow books to enjoy this one. Of couse, it would be better if you were familar with the main characters. Martin Vail fans will be flocking to the stores (and the NET) to see what Diehl has him doing now. I hope you have a goodly supply of the book when it comes out (4 Oct. 1997