Burn Zone-James O. Born

Burn Zone
James O. Born
Putnam, Feb 2008, $25.95
ISBN: 9780399154546

In a sting operation, DEA Agent Felix Baez and ATF Agent Alex “Rocket” Duarte take down drug supplier B. L. Gastlin. They make a deal with him that he goes free if he helps them bring down his supplier, the shadowy Panamanian Mr. Ortiz. Felix guarantees Gastlin’s safety to the frightened felon especially if he accompanies the two Feds to Panama where Ortiz’s command center allegedly is. They liaison with Panamanian police officer Colonel Lazio Straub, but Ortiz learns of Gaston’s betrayal and arranges a successful hit. He knows the next targets will prove more difficult as he must rid himself of the pesky American agents.

Ortiz has a package placed on a ship filled with marijuana that is to be delivered to William “Ike” Flood on behalf of President Jessup of the National Army of White Americans. What is inside the crate will bring American to its knees and force the country to turn isolationist and close its borders. Ortiz wants to destroy the United States for invading his country. He uses his secret persona to gain entrance to America in order to insure his plan works. Duarte follows a hunch that leads back home, but though like a bloodhound he follows the scent, he prays he is not too late as something nasty is coming down.

James O. Born has created a protagonist who is a hero in every sense of the word as he risks his life to enter a FIELD OF FIRE in order to prevent a catastrophe from occurring. Alex thinks outside the box, which enables him to have a chance to prevent a cataclysmic tragedy, but performing outside the bureaucratic crypt is not good for advancement especially when he steps outside the law as the end justifies the means. Although it is hard to accept that Ortiz risks his lucrative business out of a thirst for vengeance, readers will enjoy this action-packed terrorism police procedural.

Harriet Klausner