THE BULLET GARDEN: AN EARL SWAGGER NOVEL by Stephen Hunter / Z-View
THE BULLET GARDEN: AN EARL SWAGGER NOVEL by Stephen Hunter
First sentences…
“No, no,” said Basil St. Florian. “Bren guns. We need the Bren guns. It is simply not feasible without Bren guns. Surely you understand?”
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
July 1944. D-Day was a month ago and a success. Since then Nazis snipers have killed hundreds of Allied soldiers daily. The snipers strike with no warning and then fade away before a counter-attack can take shape. Somehow these Nazi sharpshooters know where the American GIs are going to be and the safest locations to kill as many as possible.
Army intelligence has come up short in a solution. General Eisenhower decides that perhaps the Army’s best marksman might have insight. So Gunnery Sergeant Earl Swagger, a decorated war hero and our military’s best shot is brought in. Swagger is given carte blanche to figure out a response to the Nazi snipers.
Swagger realizes that part of the problem is the military intelligence operatives working on a solution are doing it from a safe location far from the front. They’re eating well, sleeping well and going to parties and social events. Swagger knows as dangerous as it will be, he will need to work on a solution from the front.
Swagger is given an aide, a former Harvard student who is the son of a wealthy American. Swagger doubts the kid will be much help until the kid tells him: “I’ve been here long enough to know the politics of this place. I know who wants you to succeed and those who’d like to see you fail. They don’t like the idea of a NCO figuring out what they couldn’t… and I can get you anything you want or need.”
Someone is tipping off the Nazis to American troop movements. This gives the enemy snipers the ultimate advantage. Swagger’s a great shot and an unsurpassed hunter but he will find himself up against a squad of snipers led by Nazi who’s skill equals his.
Stephen Hunter has written another winner.
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