Into the Fire

Closure by Randall Wood begins the Jack Randall Thriller Series. FBI Special Agent Jack Randall is assigned to head up the case of a sniper killing of a well-known defense attorney who specializes in big money clients who are serious criminals and repeat offenders. This is only the beginning. Closure is free at the present time if you purchase it for your Kindle.

Closure is the story of a former Special Ops soldier who has lost something precious to him. He is aided by his brother-in-law as they meticulously plan for every contingency in accomplishing the point they want to make. With the first death of the attorney, Agent Jack Randall is forced to acknowledge two things. The first is his admiration for the perfect shot it took to kill the attorney like it did, and the second is the handwritten note left at the scene addressed to him.

Although the efforts to keep the press from gaining the specifics of the murder is almost successful, there is one reporter who stuck around and did his due diligence to learn something not released to the media. Journalist Danny Drake forms an unlikely alliance with Jack at Jack's request and together they respectfully work on who the shooter is and what the first and following letters mean.

The story moves back and forth from the shooter "Sam" to Jack to other members of the investigative team to hiring a whiz kid son of a sheriff who's taking a break from MIT. There are multiple characters introduced as the story continues and Jack finally realizes who and what is at the center of it all.

The final scene between Jack and Sam is very well done and truly the highlight of the story. Closure, aptly named, makes some salient points and creates a mostly sympathetic character in Sam. The epilogue works perfectly and brings a meaningful conclusion to the story. 

If you're looking for a new thriller series, Randall Wood created a likeable protagonist in Jack Randall and good intensity from many angles while searching for the answers to give all parties closure. Fascinating and devastating statistics headline each chapter.

The problem with secular fiction for us Christians is the lack of hope and eternal resolution. It's heartbreaking when the reality of lost characters concludes.

Weaknesses are few, but if I had to include them, I would say the brief first mention of Jack's wife is anything but complimentary and her character completely fades after their first "situation". Not that I had any desire to see her further – the point being she was a wasted character. Secondly, I would say the detailed and lengthy descriptions of amateur bomb making and the continued maximum efforts of the medics on scene of a shooting as they're tied up in traffic racing to the hospital might have been overdone. The bomb making instruction exposes the ease with which anyone who understands basic circuitry can download the instructions from the internet to make a very destructive bomb from materials that if purchased carefully will not clue in authorities. The process of trying to save a gunshot through-and-through victim might have shown a little bravado from the author's history and experience. I appreciate details, but both of these instances – to me – seemed excessive.

Highly recommended. Some profanity.

Father, thank you for the multiple talents you've given Randall. I pray he would gain true insight which only you can give to go along with all that talent. Bless him and his family as only you can do. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.