Red Wolff

by K.T. Mince

The rural Northern California coastal town of Crescent City was the last place anyone expected an Islamic terrorist attack. In their boldest move since 9/11, twenty-nine heavily armed terrorists invade the town's Fourth of July celebration where the Governor of California is giving a speech. When they turn their weapons on the crowd the result is a terrorist version of "Shock and Awe." With the Governor as hostage, the terrorists begin to destroy the town and its citizens while waiting for worldwide media coverage. Only gay, female California Highway Patrol Sergeant Erin "Red" Wolff and a handful of cops stand in their way. What follows is a 24 hour struggle between the terrorist leader and "Red Wolff" as she plays for time while waiting for help to arrive. But help isn't coming, at least not for day. The terrorist's planning had been meticulous. By attacking on a three-day holiday weekend they picked a time when the whole countries defenses were down. They blocked all the highways, cut off all communications, and isolated the entire city. The unthinkable had happened; Islamic terrorists were in control of an American town. They made only made two mistakes in their planning: their first mistake was underestimating how hard ordinary Americans will fight back when attacked. Their second mistake was pissing off "Red Wolff."

320 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2008

Reviews

[Melissa Hartwood]

Overall, a well written story.

One minor detail bothered the heck out of me. Realizing this is fiction based in a real location, it makes sense the author changed things to fit the plot needs of the story (like ignoring the fact that traffic could still get to Hwy 199 through the state park via Howland Hill Road, or by taking Lake Earl Drive to where it spits out north of the 101/199 junction)...those changes made sense. But that sandy beach south of town? Its called South Beach. Enderts is one more cove over to the south. There was no reason to use the wrong beach name (especially since the story completely ignores the presence of the national and state park where Enderts is actually located).

I know it is a silly thing to gripe about, but so much care was taken to reflect the real town that this one detail irked me to no end.

Oh, and there are no redwoods in Front Street park, they don't grow well that close to the ocean.

[Carolyn Mcallister]

Really brought home how none of us are safe anymore. It's a different and scary world we are living in. This was a well-researched page-turner by a new author.