March 25, 2013
Diehard fans of bestseller Brockmann’s Troubleshooters series will be happy to see these 12 linked stories and character “interviews,” most previously published, issued in a single volume. Also included are two essays, an interview with Brockmann, a series timeline, and glossary of relevant military terminology. The result is a bit disjointed. In “A Seal and Three Babies,” one of the two original stories, Alyssa is on a mission when Sam and their son, Ash, are caught in the fictional country of Tarafashir during a terrorist attack. Though the story lacks tension, it is a chance to reconnect with popular characters. A “bonus” prequel story featuring the characters from Brockmann’s new Fighting Destiny series is reprinted as well. Readers unfamiliar with the Troubleshooters series will be lost, but the collection will definitely appeal to devoted followers, especially those who missed some of the content published electronically. Agent: Steven Axelrod, the Axelrod Agency.
April 15, 2013
Prefaced by a useful time line of "Troubleshooters" novels and events and ending with a glossary of terms plus a bonus short story, the bulk of this well-done anthology consists of shorter works, most of which were previously published, that add depth to the characters in Brockmann's popular series. Interviews, conversations, and short pieces are all part of this satisfying collection that relates events (and emotions) that might not be important enough to make it into a novel but, nevertheless, are critical to a character's backstory or development or are just plain interesting. VERDICT Although readers new to Brockmann's series may be intrigued (and lured into finding the previous titles), the real market for these engaging short stories and novellas is the dedicated "Troubleshooters" fan (and libraries that serve them); they won't be disappointed! Brockmann (Born to Darkness) divides her time among New York, Boston, and Siesta Key, FL.
Copyright 2013 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Starred review from August 1, 2016
Brockmann's Troubleshooters are just that: a close-knit group of ex-Navy SEALs who form their own makeshift counterterrorist team to tackle the problems that the U.S. government can't or won't handle--because those troubles are much too close to home. As the series continued, the stories branched out to include veterans from other services and took on more domestic problems such as gangs and drugs but always with the same pulse-pounding adventure and romantic heat. Although "Troubleshooters" seems to have concluded with Free Fall, Brockmann has returned to more military-grade action in her spin-off "Reluctant Heroes," starting with Do or Die (LJ 2/15/14).
Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.