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Readers > Inside the Kill Box > Comments And Reviews
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Comments And Reviews
"A fast-paced, rousing thriller you won't be able to put down until the last page." --- ForemostPress.com
We are all familiar with the police procedural, but is there such a genre as a military procedural? A police procedural is "a piece of detective fiction which attempts to convincingly depict the activities of a police force as they investigate crimes" according to Wikipedia. With only a few modifications, then, a military procedural might be "a piece of military fiction which attempts to convincingly depict the activities of military special forces as they perform missions." If we can accept that, then Inside the Kill Box is a military procedural, and not a bad one at that.
Set in the early 1990s during the first Gulf War and featuring a large cast of participants all over the globe, the basic story involves suspected betrayal a decade earlier, mysterious well-funded assassins wreaking death and destruction, a Saddam Hussain turncoat to be extracted, and an assortment of military personnel and civilians of several nationalities thrown together in various military actions. Gunnery Sergeant David Sweet, a participant in most of the conflicts, provides continuity throughout.
Organized in short scenes that switch from venue to venue, the story does not invite speed-reading, at least not to me. To derive the full effect, one must carefully keep track of who is who and what is what. The technological aspects are covered thoroughly and convincingly, from the procedures to the speech to the specifics of the gadgetry. I must admit, knowing the exact model of an AK-47, or the particular modifications made to a Beretta automatic did not help me enjoy the story, but those who are attracted to military procedurals might feel differently. I was gratified, at least, that all the technology and machinery did not always perform perfectly. The "fog of war" was definitely a factor, and every mission did not always end satisfactorily. That in itself was convincing. In this respect, Inside the Kill Box is an improvement upon the Tom Clancy-type tale.
Nor are well-rounded characters typically characteristic of military procedurals. Sergeant Sweet is an individual, several cuts above a Rambo-like automaton, and several other characters were fairly interesting as well. The writing style and editing were impeccable. All in all, this is an enjoyable action story that should appeal to a large readership.
Dr. Al Past for PODBRAM
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Michael W. Romanowski has penned a taut thriller set during the waning days of the first Persian Gulf War. Inside the Kill Box is a tale of violence and mayhem, of forbidden passion, and the unbreakable bonds forged between soldiers in the bloody crucible of war.
Romanowski is a former marine, and has worked extensively in the corporate security field. These experiences have left him with an impressive body of knowledge in regards to military history, advanced weaponry and geopolitics. The reader will almost feel as if he or she can smell the cordite, and feel the roar of incoming artillery. He also has an impressive way of coming up with intriguing characters that leap off the page with startling clarity and purpose.
Inside the Kill Box is centered upon the first Persian Gulf War, the nexus of much of the chaos and bloodshed the world is experiencing today. David Sweet is a veteran combat marine who finds himself behind enemy lines even as the pressure is ratcheted up, and an invasion by Coalition forces seems imminent. During this exile into darkness Sweet encounters anti-Saddam extremists who not only save his life, but expose him to deadly secrets long thought buried and forgotten—secrets that very well may lead to the highest corridors of power within the U.S. government. Upon his return stateside Sweet becomes hunted and alone, and targeted for death. Will he survive, and at the same time discover the origin of the deadly conspiracy that hounds his very existence?
An exciting thriller, Inside the Kill Box will force you to reconsider what you know of the political world in which we all dwell, and the forces that shape our everyday lives. Good and evil will no longer have quite the same meaning, but in the end it will leave you cheering for more.
ForemostPress.com
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"A riveting read with vivid, engrossing characters."
--- ForemostPress.com
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