by Bob Straub
I am a fan of Stephen Hunter novels, particularly the ones featuring Bob Lee Swagger. This character is a highly-decorated Marine who served multiple tours in Viet Nam and was acknowledged to be one of the best snipers of all time. When Bob Lee left the Marines, he settled down in his hometown in Arkansas. In I, Sniper, Bob Lee is once again called on by his friend, Nick Memphis at the FBI, to help solve a crime. Several prominent people from the Viet Nam protest era have been shot, and all fingers point to Carl Hitchcock, a highly decorated Marine with the second-most sniper kills. Nick, the FBI deputy director, calls on Bob Lee for a sniper’s opinion. Bob Lee thinks foul play is involved and begins the search for an answer. During his investigation, Bob Lee comes in contact with billionaire Tom Constable, who has developed a state-of-the-art sniper scope. He also encounters Constable’s bodyguards, who are, in fact, mercenaries.
If you are a fan of Hunter and his books about Bob Lee and his father Earl, you will remember they were filled with action and intrigue, with the emphasis on action. I found I, Sniper to be slow and ponderous, going into great detail about scopes, rifles and ammunition. I almost felt like I was reading a Tom Clancy novel. The action does not pick up until the last third of the book, when it looks like Bob Lee is trapped in a corner with no escape. Bob Lee is aided by Chuck McKenzie, the all-time sniper kill leader.
As everything was happening, Tom Constable exerted his influence and power in an effort to destroy Nick Memphis’ career. Nick’s fate lay in the hands of Bob Lee and the success or failure of his mission. During the book, a lot is revealed about Washington insiders and influence peddling. At one point in the book, Bob Lee is faced with the dilemma of walking away and returning to his ranch and family or staying the course and protecting his friend. Bob Lee decided, on the advice of his wife, to do what he does best—hunt.
Bob Straub is a frequent patron of the Kyle Community Library.
