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Caitlin Strong #3
Strong at the Break
Twenty years ago, fifth-generation Texas Ranger Caitlin Strong witnessed her father shoot down the cultlike leader of a separatist church. Now, that man's son, Malcolm Arno, has become head of a militia movement bent on unleashing chaos and anarchy across the country. Nothing seems to be standing in Arno's way―until his actions run him afoul of Caitlin Strong.
Caitlin is already searching for the kidnapped son of her sometime lover, former outlaw Cort Wesley Masters. When the missing boy's trail leads straight to Malcolm Arno's fortified Texas compound, Caitlin will be put to the ultimate test.
From the frozen rivers of the Canadian border to the desert wastelands of Mexico, the stage has been set for a battle like none Caitlin has ever faced before. The stakes are nothing less than the survival of America as we know it.
Caitlin is already searching for the kidnapped son of her sometime lover, former outlaw Cort Wesley Masters. When the missing boy's trail leads straight to Malcolm Arno's fortified Texas compound, Caitlin will be put to the ultimate test.
From the frozen rivers of the Canadian border to the desert wastelands of Mexico, the stage has been set for a battle like none Caitlin has ever faced before. The stakes are nothing less than the survival of America as we know it.
448 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 21, 2011
13 people are currently reading
206 people want to read
About the author
Jon Land
129 books407 followersJon Land is an American author of thriller novels and a screenwriter. He graduated from Brown University in 1979 Phi Beta Kappa and Magna cum Laude. He often bases his novels and scripts on extensive travel and research as well as a twenty-five year career in martial arts. He is an associate member of the US Special Forces and is an emeritus board member the International Thriller Writers. John currently lives in Providence, Rhode Island.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
July 4, 2025
3rd generation Texas Ranger Caitlin Strong is all Texas, and all Ranger. They can't stop her, but only hope to slow her down.
Another strong novel by Jon Land in this series l find myself enjoying quite a bit. Caitlin is dealing with drug smugglers when Master's son is kidnapped. Leads to more fun in Mexico and a militia group home in Texas.
Another strong novel by Jon Land in this series l find myself enjoying quite a bit. Caitlin is dealing with drug smugglers when Master's son is kidnapped. Leads to more fun in Mexico and a militia group home in Texas.
November 1, 2012
Strong At The Break is the third Caitlin Strong novel in Jon Land's captivating western series showcasing the Texas Rangers. Four stars is probably a little generous but the story line, as with the first two episodes, is top notch. The book reads like a Zane Grey western with clipped dialog and sparse setting, but fantastic action scenes. Land continues to use all his major characters from the previous stories while finding new ways for Caitlin to face down bad guys just like her father and grandfather before her.
In this episode we are treated to a little more of Caitlin's personal history and as well as D. W. Tepper's, her boss, including his relationship with Caitlin's father, Ranger Jim Strong. As with the other Caitlin Strong novels, Cort Wesley Masters plays a pivotal role. Between Caitlin and Cort Wesley we have two lonely gunfighters seeking solace in each other's strength. Land has created two characters that could easily be comic book heroes. They are larger than life, rarely speak in complete sentences and seem to have trouble stringing more than two together in any conversation. But can they take care of bad guys.
In spite of that, which by now has to be considered part of the charm and allure of the series, Land continues to take on some pretty serious stuff. In Strong at the Break, Land tackles the extremists who believe overthrowing the United States Government is paramount to maintaining individual freedom. What starts out as an innocent assignment for Ranger Strong, going to talk to a hospitalized veteran who has requested help from the Rangers, ends up spanning three countries, the war in Iraq, Homeland Security, drug smuggling, kidnapping and a plot to take over the United States. At the same time the story manages to find new ways to involve the irrepressible Col. Guillermo Paz who dreams his way back into Caitlin's life.
Also central to the story is Cort Wesley's son, Dylan, a future gunslinger in the making. The relationship Caitlin seems to have with Masters and his son is the primary vehicle to her feelings and each scene between Caitlin and Dylan is a show stopper. Land's stories are action based to be sure, but the little bits of emotion he adds to his characters are most welcome and necessary if only to give the reader something to think about other than violence, atrocity and conspiracy.
In this episode we are treated to a little more of Caitlin's personal history and as well as D. W. Tepper's, her boss, including his relationship with Caitlin's father, Ranger Jim Strong. As with the other Caitlin Strong novels, Cort Wesley Masters plays a pivotal role. Between Caitlin and Cort Wesley we have two lonely gunfighters seeking solace in each other's strength. Land has created two characters that could easily be comic book heroes. They are larger than life, rarely speak in complete sentences and seem to have trouble stringing more than two together in any conversation. But can they take care of bad guys.
In spite of that, which by now has to be considered part of the charm and allure of the series, Land continues to take on some pretty serious stuff. In Strong at the Break, Land tackles the extremists who believe overthrowing the United States Government is paramount to maintaining individual freedom. What starts out as an innocent assignment for Ranger Strong, going to talk to a hospitalized veteran who has requested help from the Rangers, ends up spanning three countries, the war in Iraq, Homeland Security, drug smuggling, kidnapping and a plot to take over the United States. At the same time the story manages to find new ways to involve the irrepressible Col. Guillermo Paz who dreams his way back into Caitlin's life.
Also central to the story is Cort Wesley's son, Dylan, a future gunslinger in the making. The relationship Caitlin seems to have with Masters and his son is the primary vehicle to her feelings and each scene between Caitlin and Dylan is a show stopper. Land's stories are action based to be sure, but the little bits of emotion he adds to his characters are most welcome and necessary if only to give the reader something to think about other than violence, atrocity and conspiracy.
June 9, 2011
“Strong at the Break” by Jon Land:
Caitlin Strong is a girl who grows up in the shadow of two Texas rangers, her grandfather, Earl Strong and her father, Jim. Her last name suits her to a ‘T’. She inherited her grandfather’s colt pistol and kept it close to her growing up. She was in Midland, Texas with her father when he took down Reverent Maxwell Arno and his boys and wielded her weapon as best she could. With influences like Earl and Jim, how could she grow up to be anything but a Texas Ranger?
Caitlin finds herself in Quebec at first, and with the help of six DEA agents, some local and state cops out of New York, The Royal Canadian Mounted Police and a tribal policeman, they manage to “shut down” the LaChance brothers who are wanted in Canada and Michigan for murder. She now carries a SIG Sauer .9mm pistol which helps her in taking down the LaChance’s BC Bud—a potent strain of marijuana—operation that’s been “growing” in cheap, gutted houses that immigrants tend to.
Her life is never boring. Now Caitlin finds herself waist deep in the “disappearance” of Dylan Masters, the son of her friend, Cort Wesley Masters. She has a decision to make regarding her friend. The authorities are looking to have him extradited because he’s wanted for a murder in Mexico. And she’s the one who’s supposed to bring him in.
Dylan saved the life of a young woman who was kidnapped by a man believed to be responsible for four hundred serial murders of woman across the Texas/Mexican border. It involved the Texas Rangers and Cort Wesley Masters in a battle with drug cartels and a renegade Mexican colonel. Dylan emerged with a chip on his shoulder that he felt made him exceptional and invincible. Maybe the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree—with many families.
Long pens a story south of the border with lots of little tidbits that all fit together to make up a magnificent puzzle. If you want to read a good story, pick this one up.
Reviewed by Terri Ann Armstrong, author of “Medieval Menace” published by Suspense Publishing, a company owned by Suspense Magazine
Caitlin Strong is a girl who grows up in the shadow of two Texas rangers, her grandfather, Earl Strong and her father, Jim. Her last name suits her to a ‘T’. She inherited her grandfather’s colt pistol and kept it close to her growing up. She was in Midland, Texas with her father when he took down Reverent Maxwell Arno and his boys and wielded her weapon as best she could. With influences like Earl and Jim, how could she grow up to be anything but a Texas Ranger?
Caitlin finds herself in Quebec at first, and with the help of six DEA agents, some local and state cops out of New York, The Royal Canadian Mounted Police and a tribal policeman, they manage to “shut down” the LaChance brothers who are wanted in Canada and Michigan for murder. She now carries a SIG Sauer .9mm pistol which helps her in taking down the LaChance’s BC Bud—a potent strain of marijuana—operation that’s been “growing” in cheap, gutted houses that immigrants tend to.
Her life is never boring. Now Caitlin finds herself waist deep in the “disappearance” of Dylan Masters, the son of her friend, Cort Wesley Masters. She has a decision to make regarding her friend. The authorities are looking to have him extradited because he’s wanted for a murder in Mexico. And she’s the one who’s supposed to bring him in.
Dylan saved the life of a young woman who was kidnapped by a man believed to be responsible for four hundred serial murders of woman across the Texas/Mexican border. It involved the Texas Rangers and Cort Wesley Masters in a battle with drug cartels and a renegade Mexican colonel. Dylan emerged with a chip on his shoulder that he felt made him exceptional and invincible. Maybe the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree—with many families.
Long pens a story south of the border with lots of little tidbits that all fit together to make up a magnificent puzzle. If you want to read a good story, pick this one up.
Reviewed by Terri Ann Armstrong, author of “Medieval Menace” published by Suspense Publishing, a company owned by Suspense Magazine
July 20, 2022
Being a Western reader, for me the Caitlin Strong series is a modern day Western, one of my favorite niches in Western genre where about lawmen and especially Texas Rangers.
I like Ranger Caitlin Strong, she's tough, damaged, got balls or perhaps it's due to feeling at times she's written as a man and missed in editing. With the continued intertwining storyline of her grandfather Ranger Earl Strong and her dad Ranger Jim Strong, a few times the writing doesn't change back to her being female and not that it hurts, 'Strong at the Break'.
It starts, set in Quebec, Canada on a Mohawk Indian Reservation on the border of upstate New York, along the St. Lawerence River and has Ranger Caitlin Strong part of a multi-taskforce dealing with drug trafficking through the reservation.
The area has no real border, due to the reservation being on the border, has a storyline that could be ripped right of the headlines, although that's about our Southern border and my argument has always been we should be worried about the Northern border as well.
To Be Continued
I like Ranger Caitlin Strong, she's tough, damaged, got balls or perhaps it's due to feeling at times she's written as a man and missed in editing. With the continued intertwining storyline of her grandfather Ranger Earl Strong and her dad Ranger Jim Strong, a few times the writing doesn't change back to her being female and not that it hurts, 'Strong at the Break'.
It starts, set in Quebec, Canada on a Mohawk Indian Reservation on the border of upstate New York, along the St. Lawerence River and has Ranger Caitlin Strong part of a multi-taskforce dealing with drug trafficking through the reservation.
The area has no real border, due to the reservation being on the border, has a storyline that could be ripped right of the headlines, although that's about our Southern border and my argument has always been we should be worried about the Northern border as well.
To Be Continued
September 28, 2015
I enjoyed this 2rd Caitlin Strong thriller. I am a huge fan of Jon Land and have liked all of his books that I have read. I a little behind on the Catlin books, but plan to catch up. Already have the next book in the series on my Kindle. Caitlin and Cort work very well together, as a team and as a couple. But that has always been a strong point for Jon Land, writing buddy books (ala Lethal Weapon type), but in this case Caitlin and Cort are MORE than buddies.
Lots of good ole action and flashbacks. I am hooked on this series.
Lots of good ole action and flashbacks. I am hooked on this series.
October 21, 2019
Not as good as the first two but still enjoyable. I will definitely read more in this series.
November 17, 2019
Caitlin and Cort are great, but I’ve found in this particular genre it’s often the ancillary characters that make the biggest impression. Sometimes that’s a twisted lieutenant on the side of evil and sometimes that’s a resource on the side of angels. And sometimes that’s an especially memorable wildcard who plays both sides of the fence.
For this series, that character is Guillermo Paz, colonel in an army he no longer works far and descended from one of the original great civilizations on the planet. He’s less a mortal being than some kind of avatar of revenge and holy justice. Not only is he a religious zealot and an instrument of death, torture, and punishment but he also believes himself to be some kind of oracle. He’s a bonkers character no matter how you look at him.
The fact he works with the good guys amazes me because it defies all logic—even for a genre known for its babyface turns when scripting out endings. But with Paz it goes far beyond a hired killer having a change of heart because of some moral dilemma. This is more like the Devil himself being baptized and being elected Pope.
This book especially you can see how much Paz is so far out of the realm of being a normal person. How someone gave him an army of trained soldiers independent of any country, creed, or conscience is insane. He basically has hundreds of men willing to follow his lead and be beholden to his whims. It’s good, as in this book, he’s on the side of angels and can apply such force against the evil of the world. But honestly it’s a bit like unleashing a rabid bear to kill an uppity rabbit. The punishments he doles out might actually be worse than the crime he’s avenging.
Oh well, this is another good entry and the series. And as long as Paz shows up, I guess so will I.
For this series, that character is Guillermo Paz, colonel in an army he no longer works far and descended from one of the original great civilizations on the planet. He’s less a mortal being than some kind of avatar of revenge and holy justice. Not only is he a religious zealot and an instrument of death, torture, and punishment but he also believes himself to be some kind of oracle. He’s a bonkers character no matter how you look at him.
The fact he works with the good guys amazes me because it defies all logic—even for a genre known for its babyface turns when scripting out endings. But with Paz it goes far beyond a hired killer having a change of heart because of some moral dilemma. This is more like the Devil himself being baptized and being elected Pope.
This book especially you can see how much Paz is so far out of the realm of being a normal person. How someone gave him an army of trained soldiers independent of any country, creed, or conscience is insane. He basically has hundreds of men willing to follow his lead and be beholden to his whims. It’s good, as in this book, he’s on the side of angels and can apply such force against the evil of the world. But honestly it’s a bit like unleashing a rabid bear to kill an uppity rabbit. The punishments he doles out might actually be worse than the crime he’s avenging.
Oh well, this is another good entry and the series. And as long as Paz shows up, I guess so will I.
November 5, 2017
Strong at the break was a pretty quick read, held my attention for the most part and had some scary relateable to current life events. I knocked off the stars though because even though the story tied everything back together with a nice bow I really felt overwhelmed with details and characters. I almost felt I needed to take notes to figure things out. Normally I'm great with multi character books but they have to be memoriable in a way where it makes it easy to tell who is who (and who is speaking). The constant jump in narrative made that more complicated for me as well. I picked this book up from a free trade library but I don't think I'll read the other Strong series. I think the "gun-slinging stubborn borderline redneck" lead and penchant for doing things her way instead of lawfully (with absolutely no consequences) just doesn't fall in my style of book interests.
.
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June 4, 2024
If you've read the Caitlin Strong series so far you'll know exactly what to expect from her third outing “Strong at the Break”.
A megalomaniac with plans to do terrible things which his unlimited funding and enough weaponry for a large army.
The past will play a large role in present events.
Small things will have tremendous consequences.
A Mexican giant with a God complex (of sorts) will ride to the rescue.
Caitlin and Cort will continue to more or less completely understand each other while, at the same time, living in denial of the obvious.
And Dylan, Cort's son, will get into trouble.
It's quite formulaic and, to a great extent, each book is almost exactly the same but, that said, I'll probably read one or two more in the series before calling it a day.
3.5 Stars, raised to 4 Stars.
A megalomaniac with plans to do terrible things which his unlimited funding and enough weaponry for a large army.
The past will play a large role in present events.
Small things will have tremendous consequences.
A Mexican giant with a God complex (of sorts) will ride to the rescue.
Caitlin and Cort will continue to more or less completely understand each other while, at the same time, living in denial of the obvious.
And Dylan, Cort's son, will get into trouble.
It's quite formulaic and, to a great extent, each book is almost exactly the same but, that said, I'll probably read one or two more in the series before calling it a day.
3.5 Stars, raised to 4 Stars.
March 10, 2018
Finished 10/07/2011. Caitlan is part of a task force to investigate a drug importation super highway across frozen lakes on the Canadian border. Then Dylan Torres runs away from home into Mexico. She & Cort Wesley Masters go to rescue him. Then she hears a fantastical story from an Army amputee about how he was attacked by his own army. It all comes to a head in Midland, TX where Malcolm Arno has built a fortress and is continuing his father's work of promoting anti- government rebellion.
July 29, 2018
2.5 stars
like the characters. good series.
this one had too much going on.
eventually all the subplots tie up in the end which was good.
semi-spoiler-there was a thing about babies that wasn't mentioned in the final conclusion. i wanted to know what happened w/that.
like the characters. good series.
this one had too much going on.
eventually all the subplots tie up in the end which was good.
semi-spoiler-there was a thing about babies that wasn't mentioned in the final conclusion. i wanted to know what happened w/that.
March 8, 2019
Interesting book of are time . Strong female character. As a Canuck was little bias toward the pot trade and bad Canadains . Not enough action
You expect a gun fight , bullets will fly
Over all enjoyable read but too Americana
You expect a gun fight , bullets will fly
Over all enjoyable read but too Americana
December 31, 2019
Caitlin Strong, what an amazing series this was. I binge read 9 books over the course of a month and loved every minute of it. A strong female protagonist with a Strong history and amusing side characters, I highly recommend this series to anyone looking for a fun western set in today’s timeline.
December 14, 2018
Jon Land's Caitlin Strong series is quite good and interesting as well. The main character is a Texas Ranger who gets involved with fascinating characters.
January 20, 2020
One tough lady a modern day female equivalent of Wyatt Earp.
August 10, 2020
3.5-star read
May 24, 2022
A wild ride!
Jon Land really nails it when writing strong women protagonists. Great set up and the plot was ripped from the headlines. Loved it.
Jon Land really nails it when writing strong women protagonists. Great set up and the plot was ripped from the headlines. Loved it.
September 8, 2023
This series continues to entertain.
April 25, 2011
Using current topics to good effect, a new Caitlin emerges.
A fourteen-year-old Caitlin Strong and her father, Texas Range Jim Strong, are supposed to go fishing when Jim Strong confronts a fugitive cult leader and and is forced to gun him down. Caitlin and Malcolm Arno, the reverend’s son, are changed that day and a reckoning is at hand.
Working several different cases, Texas Ranger Caitlin Strong finds herself in the midst of a conspiracy that reaches to Canada, Iraq and Mexico and a young army medic whose legs were blown off in Iraq believes the army tried to kill him. With Cort Wesley Masters’ son Dylan in the midst of a child slave ring based in Mexico, Caitlin begins to believe all the events are linked and lead back to a Civil War brewing with Malcolm Arno in the lead. Time is running out to find Dylan and stop a war that will tear the country apart.
Jon Land returns with a new Caitlin Strong thriller in Strong at the Break. Using current events and the political unrest at the heart of America’s discontent, drug and child slave trafficking, and money stolen from Iraq’s reconstruction, Land creates a plausible situation and throws Caitlin, Cort Wesley Masters and Colonel Guillermo Paz into the midst of a meat grinder with serious personal, national and international implications. What is so surprising is that Land pulls it off believably and without exhibiting too much prejudice and authorial intrusion.
One-time enforcer, Colonel Guillermo Paz, doesn’t have as much to do this time around, but, when he does, his intervention is timely as well as ruthless, and congruent with his new ideology. There is, however, a separation of strategies between how Caitlin and Cort Wesley handle the situation and Caitlin emerges as the more mature and cool-headed of the pair. There is still considerable chemistry between the two, but Caitlin seems to come to grips with her past and rises above it, reaching a new level. When she has to deal out justice, she does so with dispatch. She also shows that she is a complex and intelligent woman who can keep a cool head in a crisis.
There is as much blood and gun play as in previous books, but Land gives his characters more latitude and space to maneuver and choose a different course. The characters are gritty and memorable and the action sequences are rapid-fire quick. Caitlin and her father’s history are neatly intertwined in the story and taking out a single element would make the story unworkable.
One character was a surprise in the way he emerged from the shadows, and working him into the story obviously provided a challenge, but ultimately he becomes the final piece in an intricate puzzle that gives Strong at the Break a satisfying ending.
Caitlin and Cort Wesley are gunfighters and no doubt about it. This time, Caitlin uses her head as effectively as she uses her guns.
A fourteen-year-old Caitlin Strong and her father, Texas Range Jim Strong, are supposed to go fishing when Jim Strong confronts a fugitive cult leader and and is forced to gun him down. Caitlin and Malcolm Arno, the reverend’s son, are changed that day and a reckoning is at hand.
Working several different cases, Texas Ranger Caitlin Strong finds herself in the midst of a conspiracy that reaches to Canada, Iraq and Mexico and a young army medic whose legs were blown off in Iraq believes the army tried to kill him. With Cort Wesley Masters’ son Dylan in the midst of a child slave ring based in Mexico, Caitlin begins to believe all the events are linked and lead back to a Civil War brewing with Malcolm Arno in the lead. Time is running out to find Dylan and stop a war that will tear the country apart.
Jon Land returns with a new Caitlin Strong thriller in Strong at the Break. Using current events and the political unrest at the heart of America’s discontent, drug and child slave trafficking, and money stolen from Iraq’s reconstruction, Land creates a plausible situation and throws Caitlin, Cort Wesley Masters and Colonel Guillermo Paz into the midst of a meat grinder with serious personal, national and international implications. What is so surprising is that Land pulls it off believably and without exhibiting too much prejudice and authorial intrusion.
One-time enforcer, Colonel Guillermo Paz, doesn’t have as much to do this time around, but, when he does, his intervention is timely as well as ruthless, and congruent with his new ideology. There is, however, a separation of strategies between how Caitlin and Cort Wesley handle the situation and Caitlin emerges as the more mature and cool-headed of the pair. There is still considerable chemistry between the two, but Caitlin seems to come to grips with her past and rises above it, reaching a new level. When she has to deal out justice, she does so with dispatch. She also shows that she is a complex and intelligent woman who can keep a cool head in a crisis.
There is as much blood and gun play as in previous books, but Land gives his characters more latitude and space to maneuver and choose a different course. The characters are gritty and memorable and the action sequences are rapid-fire quick. Caitlin and her father’s history are neatly intertwined in the story and taking out a single element would make the story unworkable.
One character was a surprise in the way he emerged from the shadows, and working him into the story obviously provided a challenge, but ultimately he becomes the final piece in an intricate puzzle that gives Strong at the Break a satisfying ending.
Caitlin and Cort Wesley are gunfighters and no doubt about it. This time, Caitlin uses her head as effectively as she uses her guns.
June 21, 2011
Caitlin Strong is a 5th generation Texas Ranger and the granddaughter of Earl Strong, a Texas legend. While a woman Texas Ranger is rare and unorthodox, Caitlin's sense of justice, amazing skill with a gun, and her unwillingness to be deterred make clear that she's a Texas Ranger - and one of the best there is. To those familiar with her family, her skill and courage are not a surprise. With each generation, the Strongs developed a reputation of excellence and fearlessness among lawmen and gunmen alike.
In this third and action-packed thriller, Jon Land shares more details of the Strong family history. Strong at the Break opens on a rare afternoon that Jim Strong and his 13-year old daughter have set aside for fishing. But a stakeout precedes the fishing and Caitlin has spent enough time with her grandfather Earl Strong to know that the stakeout will have to come first. It's at a religious retreat led by a fringe preacher Arno who is surrounded by bodyguards. When Arno emerges with his young son and bodyguards, Jim instructs Caitlin to stay safe in the car and walks over to confront Arno alone.
Years later, Caitlin faces Arno's son Malcolm as he leads a militia movement that threatens to unleash chaos and destruction across the country. But a fringe paramilitary movement isn't all that Caitlin is trying to subdue. She finds herself investigating a large drug smuggling operation at the US-Canada border.
Strong at the Break also brings back Cort Wesley Masters, the notorious gunman and Caitlin's love interest. Cort's young son has been kidnapped and the trail somehow leads back to Malcolm Arno's group.
In the third Caitlin Strong book, Jon Land delivers a fast-paced, action-packed and thoroughly satisfying adventure! I've always liked how Caitlin Strong never shirks from doing the right thing. I enjoy worrying about her and wincing as she jumps into dangerous situations (professionally and in her romantic life with Cort Wesley Masters). This time, in Strong at the Break, we also learn more about her childhood growing up with the legendary rangers Earl Strong and Jim Strong which adds to the complexity and fun of this latest Jon Land work. If you're looking for a thriller with a heart - and a thoroughly satisfying read - pick up Strong at the Break!
ISBN-10: 0765323370 - Hardcover $25.99
Publisher: Forge Books; First Edition edition (June 21, 2011), 352 pages.
Review copy courtesy of the publisher.
In this third and action-packed thriller, Jon Land shares more details of the Strong family history. Strong at the Break opens on a rare afternoon that Jim Strong and his 13-year old daughter have set aside for fishing. But a stakeout precedes the fishing and Caitlin has spent enough time with her grandfather Earl Strong to know that the stakeout will have to come first. It's at a religious retreat led by a fringe preacher Arno who is surrounded by bodyguards. When Arno emerges with his young son and bodyguards, Jim instructs Caitlin to stay safe in the car and walks over to confront Arno alone.
Years later, Caitlin faces Arno's son Malcolm as he leads a militia movement that threatens to unleash chaos and destruction across the country. But a fringe paramilitary movement isn't all that Caitlin is trying to subdue. She finds herself investigating a large drug smuggling operation at the US-Canada border.
Strong at the Break also brings back Cort Wesley Masters, the notorious gunman and Caitlin's love interest. Cort's young son has been kidnapped and the trail somehow leads back to Malcolm Arno's group.
In the third Caitlin Strong book, Jon Land delivers a fast-paced, action-packed and thoroughly satisfying adventure! I've always liked how Caitlin Strong never shirks from doing the right thing. I enjoy worrying about her and wincing as she jumps into dangerous situations (professionally and in her romantic life with Cort Wesley Masters). This time, in Strong at the Break, we also learn more about her childhood growing up with the legendary rangers Earl Strong and Jim Strong which adds to the complexity and fun of this latest Jon Land work. If you're looking for a thriller with a heart - and a thoroughly satisfying read - pick up Strong at the Break!
ISBN-10: 0765323370 - Hardcover $25.99
Publisher: Forge Books; First Edition edition (June 21, 2011), 352 pages.
Review copy courtesy of the publisher.
June 30, 2013
Strong at the Break is the third Caitlin Strong novel in the series. However, this is the first book from this author I have read. I really didn't think I was missing too much though and it read fine as a stand alone book.
The story opens with some back story of a young Caitlin and her father, a Texas Ranger, supposedly about to go fishing but instead staking out a place. Maxwell Arno has been doing some pretty bad things in the church, and Caitlin's father Jim is there to arrest him. The problem arises though when Maxwell doesn't want to be arrested and a shoot-out transpires with Max dying in his son Malcolm's arms.
Years later, Texas Ranger Caitlin Strong finds herself in several operations that lead her from Canada, to Mexico and as far as Iraq. But the person holding the helm is Malcolm Arno, who took his father's evil place and made it ten times worse. There's a showdown about to go on and it's between Caitlin and Malcolm.
Political unrest, drug trafficking, child slavery and more are key notes in this page-turning thriller! Caitlin is a fierce heroine with her grandpa's Colt and her dogged determination. Action-packed, strong and versatile characters, a strong plot and sensible, yet exciting writing, Strong at the Break is a great thriller!
The story opens with some back story of a young Caitlin and her father, a Texas Ranger, supposedly about to go fishing but instead staking out a place. Maxwell Arno has been doing some pretty bad things in the church, and Caitlin's father Jim is there to arrest him. The problem arises though when Maxwell doesn't want to be arrested and a shoot-out transpires with Max dying in his son Malcolm's arms.
Years later, Texas Ranger Caitlin Strong finds herself in several operations that lead her from Canada, to Mexico and as far as Iraq. But the person holding the helm is Malcolm Arno, who took his father's evil place and made it ten times worse. There's a showdown about to go on and it's between Caitlin and Malcolm.
Political unrest, drug trafficking, child slavery and more are key notes in this page-turning thriller! Caitlin is a fierce heroine with her grandpa's Colt and her dogged determination. Action-packed, strong and versatile characters, a strong plot and sensible, yet exciting writing, Strong at the Break is a great thriller!
August 6, 2016
This was a 3rd installment in the Caitlyn Strong series, and I didn't like it quite as much as the other ones. In this one, (SPOILER) Land ties evil evangelicals together with drugs (ok, no surprise) and some crazy right-wing plot to revolt (again, that is a fairly common theme) and a stockpile of weapons that apparently has gone on enough years to be a real threat (OK, now I'm starting to lose my suspension of disbelief). In addition, she apparently dumped Wesley Court but now comes back because his son is missing and just happens to have been caught by the same evil evangelical's son who has left her alone for decades but for some unknown reason decides now is the time to get her. It was still rollicking, fast-paced entertainment but seemed a bit less complex than the previous two in the series.
July 11, 2011
The reviewers call this a "Modern Western". I call it a thriller. Whatever, it's still a fantastic read!
Caitlin Strong is a Texas Ranger who comes from a long line of Rangers. She has stirred up a hornet's nest in three countries -- Canada, the U.S. and Mexico.
There is a religious cult, drugs, child slavery, guns and other artillery and military "cover-ups". At the beginning of the story, each of these topics is its own individual thread. By the end of the book, they are all so closely intertwined that my words cannot adequately explain how successfully Land weaves these stories together to form one case / story.
I highly recommend this to anyone who likes to read about the old west -- shoot 'em up and "take no prisoners".
A Super Excellent Read!
Caitlin Strong is a Texas Ranger who comes from a long line of Rangers. She has stirred up a hornet's nest in three countries -- Canada, the U.S. and Mexico.
There is a religious cult, drugs, child slavery, guns and other artillery and military "cover-ups". At the beginning of the story, each of these topics is its own individual thread. By the end of the book, they are all so closely intertwined that my words cannot adequately explain how successfully Land weaves these stories together to form one case / story.
I highly recommend this to anyone who likes to read about the old west -- shoot 'em up and "take no prisoners".
A Super Excellent Read!
July 31, 2015
In spite of all the short sentences and Texas Ranger hype, the characters in this series are growing on me. The M.O. for this author seems to be to have several different things going on at once...and not small things - big things such as large terrorist plots, child smuggling, drug smuggling, etc. A simple homicide must be too boring for a single Texas Ranger to deal with. While the various scenarios seem more than a little grandiose, it does make for an action packed and fun read. Each story has a modern day wild west feel. If you are willing to forgive the implausible, the series provides a nice escape into a black and white world of good and evil with self-assured gun slingers that adhere to the old ways.
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August 13, 2011Caitlin Strong is the 4th generation of Texas Rangers. Here family has made lots of enemies over the years, what with killing lots of folks and all. One of these enemies is a right wingnut with presidential aspirations, money and political backing of the Cheney class of wingnut. Fortunately, Caitlin has truth justice and the Ranger way on her side (as well as her former mafia enforcer boyfriend as well as a Latin American narco-terrorist turned people's revolutionary)
July 5, 2012
Dialogue is ghastly. And I am thoroughly sick of female protagonists, i.e. cops, rangers, those in law offices, detectives, and probably motherhood too, but excluding Thursday Next. Oh, there's a female character who puts people into that protected witness thingy, and who isn't like the others, but I can't remember the author. A man.
February 12, 2012
love this series. strong woman upholds justice, follows her moral code...loves a bad boy tough guy named Cort (delicious character) trying to raise 2 hellion boys...solving mysteries, having adventures...will read the 4th book as soon as it's available.
March 9, 2012
3.5 stars
Caitlin Strong, Texas Ranger, fights bad guys north, south and inside the border in a tale of old grievances, new alliances, drugs, religion and family relationships. Court Wesley Masters and Guillermo Paz are along for the fun of rescuing Court Wesley's son Dylan.
Caitlin Strong, Texas Ranger, fights bad guys north, south and inside the border in a tale of old grievances, new alliances, drugs, religion and family relationships. Court Wesley Masters and Guillermo Paz are along for the fun of rescuing Court Wesley's son Dylan.
January 2, 2013
Great writing but like the last book I read, a tired plot already used too many times by others.
June 28, 2013
This trilogy like Fifty shades becomes tiresome and repetitious. However, the shootouts are fun and Caitlin is a female Clint Eastwood /dirty harry
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