Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Code 13 - A Review




Code 13 - cover.jpg
A Review


For the reader who is a fan of Jag (NBC and CBS, 1995-2005) or NCIS (CBS, 2003-Present) Code 13 is the perfect summer read. Mixing the political with the criminal with the military-industrial complex that seems to have defined much of our American culture, this book held this reader’s attention from beginning to end.


Opening in San Diego, Lieutenant Commander Caroline McCormick, assigned to the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, United State Navy, finds herself unexplicitly promoted to join Code 13 - a “secret” branch of Jag headquartered in the Pentagon. But just as she arrives, before beginning her new tour, friends begin to die. The focus seems to be the new U.S. Navy Drone Force that will serve to monitor the borders of our country. Though not an official task, the Drone Force would also be called on to monitor the 100 mile Fourth Amendment-Free Zone, aka the Constitution Free Zone.


But who was responsible for the deaths - was it the billionaire industrialist that would be charged with building the new drone fleet or the Captain who would be responsible for commanding this new arm of Navy power, both of whom would see their jobs diminish if the Drone Force were to disappear. Or was it the criminal element that could not afford to have the Navy monitoring their profitable import business. And it would be the men and women of JAG and NCIS to put the pieces of the mystery together - without there being more deaths.


The author brings his own experience within JAG to bear on the story. At the same time faith plays a major part in the life of Lt. Commander McCormick as she seeks to come to grips with the death of dear friends.


I normally do not enjoy military drama, but my enjoyment of NCIS and JAG prepared me to engage with this story. It will serve as an excellent spring or summer read as one remembers the dedication of our military to our country and its values. And the reader should look for more from this series.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

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