The Day Before Midnight: A Novel

Hunter has produced several outstanding novels about the amazing Bob Lee Swagger, and I have loved every one, but as a stand alone work, I say this is his masterpiece. The characters are believable and the dialogue and descriptive writing is so down-to-earth that I feel as if I know everyone involved, and almost feel grief at thier occasional demise. Special Agent Uckley is my favorite, though. He is an ordinary man who rises to the occasion in the worst of times, and shows us all what the definition of hero is. Keep up the good work Mr. Hunter, and I look forward to "Pale Horse Coming" with great anticipation.

A great read. Stephen Hunter has done it again. I really enjoyed this book. It is a thriller from the first page to the cliff hanger at the end. The Delta Force, the National Guard, the Inf. all trying to stop a rocket from going up. And the tunnel rats, boy I could not do that. I would die of fright. But, you can really feel what they are going through. Throw in a couple of spies and you have a great book. I really did not want to put the book down. It is a race against time and you are held in suspense until the very end. Would recommend for any who likes a lot of excitement.

A previous reviewer refers to the fact that the plot elements of "The Day Before Midnight" have been done before. Those of us who are thriller devotees have realized this already; the trick is to find a writer who can take these familiarities and still keep you interested. The time-running-out-to-avoid-a-nuclear-catastrophe storyline has indeed been used, but, even though I was confident things would work out in the end, I still was glued to the pages. This was my first Stephen Hunter novel, but certainly not my last. I can't say enough about the characterizations (I loved Walls!), the storyline, and the finale, literally a last-second cliffhanger. I can't read Clancy; he has the attitude every word he writes is precious. Hunter can tell the same type of story far, far better. He has taken his place with Sandford, Ridley Pearson, Joseph Finder, et al. Now that it seems Ludlum may be done, and DeMille writing infrequently, it is wonderful to know such talents as Hunter are out there! This is one of the best books I have read in ages.

"The Day Before Midnight" is one of the best books I have read. It rates up there with "Day Of The Jackel" and "First Blood" (not the 'Rambo' version of the movie, but the original book). This is my first, and probably only book review, but this book deserves my recommendation. I have read this book so often, it fell apart. I had to buy another copy, that is when I saw the chance to review it. Well worth your reading time.

Stephen Hunter knows how to keep you guessing! His characters seem very real and gives them an everyday life like you and I. Heroes who eat corn flakes in the morning. Hunter knows how to put a twist in a story. The battle scenes seemed like they were taking place in that movie screen in our minds. You could just picture the tunnel rats squeezing through those mine tunnels. As the tension mounts my pulse quicken to the point to where I thought my chest would explode. The only time I put the book down was to catch my breath.Fast paced action at it's very best!!