The Drifter, by Nicholas PetrieIf you’re a big Jack Reacher fan, and have read all of Lee Childs’ catalog, I have a new hero for you to discover.
Peter Ash, like Reacher, has a military background, a veteran of the Iran and Afghanistan wars. In Peter’s case, the PTSD volume is ratcheted way up. Peter has severe claustrophobia and can’t handle being indoors for even a short period of time.
The opening sequence of Nicholas Petrie’s “The Drifter” makes it difficult to resist reading further. Peter is about to begin repairing a dilapidated porch for the widow of his Marine buddy, who apparently committed suicide. But first, he has to deal with what’s under the porch – the biggest, meanest and smelliest dog he has ever seen. And an old suitcase full of cash. The discovery of these, and their removal from under the porch, sets the tone for the rest of the book. Criminals and terrorists abound, along with well-intentioned Samaritans. Many of Petrie’s cleverly-complex characters could most likely hold the plot of a book on their own, but play second fiddle to the intricacies of Peter Ash.
This book is definitely a page-turner. I recommend not starting it before bed, as the story could end up carrying you through into the wee hours of the morning. Nicholas Petrie has done a fine job with this debut novel, and I’ll look forward to more Peter Ash thrillers to come.
— Roger CottinghamCommunity relations manager at Maria’s Bookshop
