The Hunters

Michael Parson & Sophia Gold #6

by Tom Young

Khatar. It is the Arabic word for “dangerous,” and it is one that Colonel Michael Parson has heard all too often on his present mission. His friend Sophia Gold has talked him into taking his accumulated leave from the Air Force to fly relief supplies into Somalia in an antique DC-3 cargo plane.

Somalia is a country filled with armed clans, pirates, poverty, and, increasingly, terrorism, and Parson and Gold are about to find out about all of them firsthand. An al-Shabaab leader called The Sheikh has declared all aid to be a sin against God, and is launching attacks against planes and convoys to stop it. If that isn’t bad enough, a Hollywood actress and activist has flown into Somalia to make a documentary, and as far as Parson is concerned, she might as well just be painting targets on all of their backs. The mission becomes even more complicated when they encounter a wounded al-Shabaab fighter who might be seeking asylum—or a chance to kill.

Not even Parson knows just how khatar his mission of mercy will become.

Genres: Fiction, Military Fiction, Thriller

338 pages, Hardcover

First published July 7, 2015

About the author

Tom Young served in Afghanistan and Iraq with the Air National Guard. He has also also flown combat missions to Bosnia and Kosovo, and additional missions to Latin America, the horn of Africa, and the Far East. In all, Young has logged nearly five thousand hours as a flight engineer on the C-5 Galaxy and the C-130 Hercules, while flying to almost forty countries. Military honors include three Air Medals, three Aerial Achievement Medals, and the Air Force Combat Action Medal.

Young is the author of SILVER WINGS, IRON CROSS; THE HUNTERS; SAND AND FIRE; THE RENEGADES; SILENT ENEMY; and THE MULLAH'S STORM.

His nonfiction publications include THE SPEED OF HEAT: AN AIRLIFT WING AT WAR IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN. His narrative, "Night Flight to Baghdad," appeared in the anthology OPERATION HOMECOMING: IRAQ, AFGHANISTAN, AND THE HOME FRONT IN THE WORDS OF U.S. TROOPS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

Reviews

[Sean · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing read. Tom Young is incredibly talented and this book is no exception.

The story line is unique and original. Also full of action and does make you think. Could not put it down as it is a riveting page-turner.

I am all to excited to move on to his WWII novel but sad to leave Michael Parson and Sophia Gold behind. Michael and Sophia became like friends through the series.

[Dr. Phoenix · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty good book, certainly qualified as a page-turner and gripping. I will leave the narrative for the reader to discover. I really don't have too many criticisms to level at this piece of fiction, which is rather unusual for me. There is perhaps a bit too much allusion to the wonders of flight but that is just a personal thing.. The references to earlier novels are also annoying even though I did read one. My only other minor criticism is the dichotomous nature of the alluring sensual blond named [rather absurdly] Sophia Gold who is also a crack marksman warrior and former US Army Sergeant Major, this characterization just does not work for my mind and creates a conflated and mismatched cocktail of polar opposites. Another thing I found annoying and a bit unrealistic was the failure of the characters to recuperate weapons and ammo after dropping bad guys, an all too familiar scenario in books and film, in a couple of instances where they were desperately needed. While they did pick up what they could they never really made a conscious effort to augment their desperately short supply of ammunition.

I read this relatively quickly so I can attest to its ability to grip the reader. The use of local language and just enough cultural details helps add to the realism and legitimacy of the main narrative.

Recommended

[Robert Enzenauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tom Young just gets better and better. Tom Young has become one of my three favorite authors ( along with Brad Thor and Brian Haig). In this latest novel, Parson and Gold return to Africa, with Parson "on leave" and serving as a volunteer at Sergeant Major Gold's encouragement to fly a relic DC-3 cargo plane on a humanitarian assistance mission. Young adds a fascinating new character, copilot Alain Chartier who usually flew airplanes with the French Armee de l'Air. Add to the mix a Hollywood actress and do-gooder activist who has flown into Somalia to film a documentary. Against his better judgment, Parsons allows the actress to hitch a ride on his broken-down airplane relic. Although the flying sequences are great, this is another novel where Colonel Parsons find himself on the ground, and with Gold's assistance, fighting for his life like an army infantry officer against African terrorists. Tom Young's personal military experience I suspect are largely responsible for the realistic descriptions of combat, bombings, firefights. The dialogue is great. The action is fast-paced,.very hard to put down, and not just read in one sitting - right through the night. Military-thriller fans should pre-order everything that Young writes in the future.

[Brooke Stoddard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A superb thriller, full of humanity and sharp situations. As usual, Tom Young puts you in the pilot’s seat, and gives you the thrill of flying as well as the keen intelligence to react on point when things go wrong. Perhaps Young’s best Parson-and-Gold page-turner to date, this one brings in an Al-Shabaab teenager and his own perspective as the plot unfolds. As well as in the sky, Young puts you into war-ravaged Somalia, onto its scorched plains and into the huts where Somali villagers churn through their daily lives. High-tech warrior gadgets, aircraft instrumentation, and a variety of weapons are all here in abundance but not lost are the bonds among persons in danger, as well as what changes people and why. These considerations set Tom Young thrillers apart.

[Ollie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was intrigued by the blurb on the back of this book. I had read the book "The Lost Boys" by Mark Bixler and wondered if this book would reflect the ideas in that book. This book is more in depth but has similar trials for a young orphan. I like how this author allowed this teenager to think and begin to question some information he had been taught was part of the Muslin religion. I also was impressed with the reflection of kindness offered and fear and confusion that was assaulting each character at different times. This book presents a lot of issues that will be thought about long after you have finished the book.

[Sarah Witham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the best in the series. The storyline was unique but relevant, and the descriptions of the people, places and situations are so vivid and colorful, I feel like I am right there with Michael and Sophia. I absolutely loved the fast pace of this book, and couldn’t put it down. The dynamic friendship between the two main characters continues throughout. and they manage to survive in un-survivable conditions, once again! Another page turner from Tom Young!

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Retired Sergeant Major Sophia Gold convinces Colonel Michael Parsons to take a leave of absence from the Air Force to fly relief supplies to the refugees in Somalia. An actress/documentary producer joins the flight they are forced down where Islamic forces come after them. A young rebel soldier has to make a fateful decision upon which their lives hinge. Shades of W.E. B. Griffins war series.

[Warren Thoms · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good story. Michael decides to help out Sophia in a humanitarian mission to Somalia. They are bringing a actress that wants to do good but probably get recognized for it. The rebels decide that kidnapping the actress would be a good idea as she has made it known that she is going to be there. Lots of action follows. A well paced book that never slows down.

[Shaina Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book. I’m so sad I reached the end of the Parson and Gold series. Much like his other books it’s starts slow and then boom you’re at the edge of your seat. I love the representation of the child soldier and how he made the right choice in the end. Just a great book.

[Jon Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve always enjoyed this series.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is there another book in this series? I hope so!

[Bob Stenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy Michael Parson and Sophia Gold books. They are a fun read with a great story.

[Sandy Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story, well-written and I didn’t spend so much time looking up acronyms!

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

#6 in the Michael Parson & Sophia Gold series. The series started as Major Parson and Master Sgt Gold, but Parson is now a Colonel and after a stint as a Sgt Major, Gold is now a civilian working for the UN in Humanitarian Aid. They are a romantic item but the evidence seems to be mostly meaningful hand squeezes. This time out, Parson has taken his AF vacation to fly an old DC-3 on the horn of Africa in support of Gold's mission. To complicate matters, they have a passenger - a Hollywood star filming a documentary.

Michael Parson & Sophia Gold - U.S. Air Force's Col. Michael Parson serves as a civilian pilot with World Relief Airlift, at the urging of his love interest, U.N. aid worker Sophie Gold. Parson, who flies a 75-year-old DC-3, a twin-engine cargo plane with frightening limitations, sees plenty of action, especially when he's out of the aircraft, running for his life and trying to save his comrades. His chief foe is a 14-year-old Somali terrorist, Hussein, who is willing and eager to do anything his al Shabaab leaders tell him to do, no matter how dangerous or heinous.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tom Young has done it again!

Mr. Young has rapidly climbed into the list of my top five authors! One of these stories, he is going to have to let the Parson and Gold relationship blossom into something more! This was a great story, just like every book he has written! Buy this book and grab the edge of your seats.

[ELAINE CHARAPP · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good lesson in human cooperation and the mind of a terrorist

Good action and valu able lessons in cooperation. It also gives a valuable lesson in how teenagers are forced to be a terrorist.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

Violence and humanity at the same time. Pretty good.