Strong Enough to Die:
A Caitlin Strong Novel

Jon Land

Average Rating 7/10 (1 Review)

Caitlin Strong is a fifth-generation Texas Ranger, proud to wear the badge of her father and grandfather-until a deadly shoot-out causes her to question her calling. Five years later Caitlin is still trying to purge herself of guilt born of the actions that ended her Ranger career. But a shattering discovery will reopen old wounds and Caitlin/s renewed investigation into the truth behind the bloody desert fire fight uncovers a terrifying plot that reaches into every home and threatens the very core of the country. Her only hope for success and survival - is to team up with Cort Wesley Masters, an outlaw who has every reason to want her dead. But he also holds the key to the truth she desperately seeks in the anguished brain of an amnesiac torture victim.

'Magnificent! The Texas Rangers lore takes a great thriller to a whole new level. Exceptional.'

'The revelations are constant, the characters compelling, and the action fast and furious.'

Review by Hidayah Ismawi (311011) Rating (7/10)

Review by Hidayah Ismawi
Rating 7/10
Caitlin Strong is a fifth generation Texas Ranger and lives up to every reputation expected of her. The fastest draw in the West, excellent sharp-shooter and a die-hard straight justice woman of substance. Things changed after a deadly shoot-out in the desert turns bad and she loses her partner. Set for a career change she decides to become a counsellor for torture victims only to find that her first patient is her husband, presumed dead in Iraq. When conspiracies run rampant and the body count piles up, her only ally comes in the form of Cort Wesley Masters, a man who spent his years in prison plotting to kill her. With bigger enemies to face, their survival depends on trusting each other.

What I liked about this book:
The book started out a bit slow but after a few chapters, the fast pace of the plot was quite riveting. Both the main characters were portrayed well, each with their own inner conflicts. The author was able to create an unbeatable enemy, stack the odds and have the reader wondering how the heroine and hero will survive and triumph. It also addresses the issue of justified force, when taking the life of another is the only option, or torturing someone for information may be the only route. The book also highlighted Cotard's Syndrome (a.k.a Walking Corpse Syndrome) where the patient believes that he is dead and does not exist. It was a very interesting phenomenon to read. All in all, well worth the RM5 I spent on it :)

What I disliked about this book:
Many people would probably say that the plot is not believable at all, I concur. The conspiracy upon conspiracy, the high body count, was like a Western/slasher/thriller/conspiracy movie all rolled into one. However, for me, the storyline had just the tiniest ring of truth to carry through to the end. However, it took me a little while to really get into the book as the opening chapter, although tense and bloody, lacked a sense of realism. I also wish that the author had played more on the love triangle that ensues instead of choosing the quick fix that he did.

A quote I liked from this book:
"The sadness kept them going, clinging to the hope that some day, it will be over."
Hidayah Ismawi (31st October 2011)