Force of Fire

Force of Fire, Rosa Turner Knapp, Pulsar Books, 2000

Ana Kane is a sub-contractor for the State Department working in the Central American country of  Costa Negra. On a recent trip, her driver is killed, her escort, Joe McFadden, is left for dead, and Ana is kidnapped. The rebels, part of a Basque separatist movement that wants to overthrow the Spanish Monarchy, don't want money in exchange for Ana. They want the Blue File, a very secret file supposedly kept by Albert Kane, her father, formerly a senior member of US intelligence. He died when Ana was little, so she has no idea what they are talking about.

The file of Ana's disappearance lands on the desk of Mark Neal, intelligence analyst at the Defense Operations Service, one of those Defense Department agencies that officially don't exist. He and McFadden travel to Spain to begin their search for Ana. While the bullets start flying, they seem to acquire an invisible guardian angel who watches their backs and helps them out of some tough spots. Could it be another Basque separatist faction is on their side, or perhaps the Spanish Government?

This novel is excellent. The author's experience as a State Department contractor in Central America, living for a time in Spain, and her knowledge of US intelligence really shows. It's thrilling, an easy read, and is very well done. This one is well worth the reader's time.