What do you think?
Rate this book
Pacific Sniper: A World War II Thriller
In December 1941, the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor plunges the United States into war. Fresh from the hardscrabble mountains of Appalachia, Deacon Cole joins the fight against Imperial Japan. In his first test against the enemy, he will use all his skill with a rifle against a deadly Japanese marksman. Across the beaches and jungles, they take part in the savage battle for control of a Pacific island. Can he protect his squad, or will they fall, one by one, under the enemy’s crosshairs?
222 pages, Paperback
Published August 5, 2021
About the author
David Healey
129 books96 followersDavid Healey made his publishing debut with SHARPSHOOTER, a what-if historical thriller about an attempt to assassinate Union General Ulysses S. Grant during the Civil War, published by an imprint of Penguin Putnam. That novel was the result of years of research into the Civil War that included time as a reenactor at Gettysburg and other battlefields.
In its review, the Civil War News wrote: “SHARPSHOOTER has the feel of a techno-thriller, the kind offered by Tom Clancy or Dean Koontz ... SHARPSHOOTER moves quickly and is filled with all manner of intrigue."
Healey has brought that same passion for research and history to his World War II novels, GHOST SNIPER, ARDENNES SNIPER, and RED SNIPER. During a 21-year career as a journalist, he was fortunate enough to interview many veterans of the 29th Division who landed at Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944. Some of the events and characters in these novels were inspired by their stories.
He loves the idea of a character like Micajah Cole, a self-reliant backwoods hunter who turns out to be unrelenting and ruthless as a sniper, especially against a skilled adversary, in the pages of these books.
In addition to fiction, he has written books on regional history, including 1812: REDISCOVERING CHESAPEAKE BAY'S FORGOTTEN WAR and GREAT STORMS OF THE CHESAPEAKE.
A graduate of Washington College and the Stonecoast MFA program, he was recognized in 2011 as a Chaney Scholar in history by St. Mary’s College of Maryland. Visit him online at www.davidhealeyauthor.com or follow him at Facebook at facebook.com/david.healey.books
In its review, the Civil War News wrote: “SHARPSHOOTER has the feel of a techno-thriller, the kind offered by Tom Clancy or Dean Koontz ... SHARPSHOOTER moves quickly and is filled with all manner of intrigue."
Healey has brought that same passion for research and history to his World War II novels, GHOST SNIPER, ARDENNES SNIPER, and RED SNIPER. During a 21-year career as a journalist, he was fortunate enough to interview many veterans of the 29th Division who landed at Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944. Some of the events and characters in these novels were inspired by their stories.
He loves the idea of a character like Micajah Cole, a self-reliant backwoods hunter who turns out to be unrelenting and ruthless as a sniper, especially against a skilled adversary, in the pages of these books.
In addition to fiction, he has written books on regional history, including 1812: REDISCOVERING CHESAPEAKE BAY'S FORGOTTEN WAR and GREAT STORMS OF THE CHESAPEAKE.
A graduate of Washington College and the Stonecoast MFA program, he was recognized in 2011 as a Chaney Scholar in history by St. Mary’s College of Maryland. Visit him online at www.davidhealeyauthor.com or follow him at Facebook at facebook.com/david.healey.books
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
December 19, 2021
Not up to par with other storytellers
I looked forward to reading but was disappointed when I finished it. I couldn’t connect with any of the characters. It is almost as if the storyteller wanted to keep the reader at arms length.
The story lacked the anticipation, excitement, and suspense of a good thriller and being told about the Pacific battles of WWII, there was plenty of latitude for the suspense, anticipation, and excitement.
Disappointed!
I looked forward to reading but was disappointed when I finished it. I couldn’t connect with any of the characters. It is almost as if the storyteller wanted to keep the reader at arms length.
The story lacked the anticipation, excitement, and suspense of a good thriller and being told about the Pacific battles of WWII, there was plenty of latitude for the suspense, anticipation, and excitement.
Disappointed!
May 9, 2026
Good Recreation of The Battle of Guam
Makes you feel like you are there. The major characters seem lifelike and believable especially Deke the sniper in the title and Lieutenant Steele leader of the sniper squad from the initial landing to the eventual victory. Good page turner that keeps you engaged. Had an Uncle who was a marine on Guadacanal. His stories where much like this book.
Makes you feel like you are there. The major characters seem lifelike and believable especially Deke the sniper in the title and Lieutenant Steele leader of the sniper squad from the initial landing to the eventual victory. Good page turner that keeps you engaged. Had an Uncle who was a marine on Guadacanal. His stories where much like this book.
March 25, 2023
Predictable book
This wasn't the best book I've ever read nor was it the worst. It was however very predictable. It was almost like watching a old war movie with all the cliches. I think I will try to read another book by this author and see if it's any better if not I'll probably not read any more books by this author.
This wasn't the best book I've ever read nor was it the worst. It was however very predictable. It was almost like watching a old war movie with all the cliches. I think I will try to read another book by this author and see if it's any better if not I'll probably not read any more books by this author.
July 29, 2024
Readable, but not very engaging. There were a few things that seemed technically wrong, but nothing huge. I just couldn't form an attachment to the main characters. Normally snipers go for a body shot, not a head shot. Also, if you put the reticle on the spot you are shooting for unless you are close, your bullet will impact lower as the bullet loses energy over distance.
August 22, 2025
Brutal
It’s hard to write a review about a war story. As a veteran, you know there’s no glory in a kill or be killed situation. However, the style in which Mr. Healy tells the story truly brings it to life. The good, bad and indifferent are all there. The camaraderie between those who experienced survival is expressed well.
Thank you for a great story.
It’s hard to write a review about a war story. As a veteran, you know there’s no glory in a kill or be killed situation. However, the style in which Mr. Healy tells the story truly brings it to life. The good, bad and indifferent are all there. The camaraderie between those who experienced survival is expressed well.
Thank you for a great story.
January 15, 2022
Fast moving
Very captivating story with history and insight into a life of snipers and their trials and tribulations. Good information about the situations of war in the Pacific islands.
Very captivating story with history and insight into a life of snipers and their trials and tribulations. Good information about the situations of war in the Pacific islands.
February 7, 2022
Fun Read
Although some was predictable, David Healey has written a somewhat factual account of one squads days liberating Guam from the Japanese. The style isn't s easy to read and the characters believable. On to the next book in the series.
Although some was predictable, David Healey has written a somewhat factual account of one squads days liberating Guam from the Japanese. The style isn't s easy to read and the characters believable. On to the next book in the series.
March 9, 2022
Land warfare in the Pacific
Thought the book covered the lan?d battle in the Pacific rather than there naval battles. The emotions and details were great even if characters were fictional
Thought the book covered the lan?d battle in the Pacific rather than there naval battles. The emotions and details were great even if characters were fictional
March 31, 2022
Great story
Shows the different personalities that get thrown together in the services. Seemed pretty factual on what happened. Also showed the poor h leadership the services experience At all levels.
Shows the different personalities that get thrown together in the services. Seemed pretty factual on what happened. Also showed the poor h leadership the services experience At all levels.
January 27, 2023
Well done
Enjoyed reading this book, it was interesting to see what happened on the islands, the Japanese hold outs. The fighting. It was just plain crazy. Lots of good people died for no good reason. Rich getting richer, poor getting poorer.
Rock on!
Enjoyed reading this book, it was interesting to see what happened on the islands, the Japanese hold outs. The fighting. It was just plain crazy. Lots of good people died for no good reason. Rich getting richer, poor getting poorer.
Rock on!
August 20, 2024
Pacific sniper
Mr. Healy writes well researched books and makes it a nice easy flow. It was nice getting introduced to all the characters in the book. Can't wait to read more of this series.
Mr. Healy writes well researched books and makes it a nice easy flow. It was nice getting introduced to all the characters in the book. Can't wait to read more of this series.
August 21, 2024
Detailed writing
Very detailed book. Well written and a compelling read. Ok character development but given the subject it is enough. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Very detailed book. Well written and a compelling read. Ok character development but given the subject it is enough. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
March 27, 2025
I thought this book would give me a unique perspective about the war with the japs but it was simply a bummer. Low quality writing, story so predictable and lame, there was nothing about the book that I liked. Felt like I was reading a book written by a bored high school student.
June 2, 2025
Wonderful story
I can remember stories my father use to tell me. So this book reveled what I had to be told. World war ll was a terrible war for the men and women who served our nation.
I can remember stories my father use to tell me. So this book reveled what I had to be told. World war ll was a terrible war for the men and women who served our nation.
July 19, 2025
Learned a lot from reading this book
War is not for sissies! Americans and Japanese soldiers were fierce fighters and this author told the story in the trenches. Guam looks so pretty now compared to what it must have looked like during WW2
War is not for sissies! Americans and Japanese soldiers were fierce fighters and this author told the story in the trenches. Guam looks so pretty now compared to what it must have looked like during WW2
November 18, 2025
A good start to this new, to me, series. Deke gets to utilize his "hillbilly" origins as he demonstrates his stalking and shooting skills during the retaking of Guam from the Japanese in WW2. Vivid action with lively characters that can sustain and grow with this series.
September 20, 2026
Samurai Vs G.I
Takes place on Guam, during the battle to take it from the Japanese, Cake Cole a expert sniper marksman goes against a Japanese officer sniper from the samurai tradition..you get a feeling for the hot, humid jungle and clouds of mosquitoes..plus the fact that death was always nearby..if you enjoy war stories and enjoyable read..I liked it.
Takes place on Guam, during the battle to take it from the Japanese, Cake Cole a expert sniper marksman goes against a Japanese officer sniper from the samurai tradition..you get a feeling for the hot, humid jungle and clouds of mosquitoes..plus the fact that death was always nearby..if you enjoy war stories and enjoyable read..I liked it.
January 8, 2022
I gave it a 4, but it was closer to a 3.5 star. Plot was not bad. The writing and character development a bit weak.
May 1, 2022
Review
Great book. I enjoyed. I was a grunt in nam in 71. 1st 22 infantry 4th division. Made it home ok. I enjoyed the sniper story. Thank you
Great book. I enjoyed. I was a grunt in nam in 71. 1st 22 infantry 4th division. Made it home ok. I enjoyed the sniper story. Thank you
May 26, 2022
Another good sniper story about the South Pacific battle on Guam Island. Looking forward to reading the second in this series.
August 17, 2022
Good solid war story with a decent character. No classic, but solid.
September 6, 2022
Written for a grade school reader. It’s no leCarre
October 26, 2022
Patrol Easy
The scouting patrol was any thing but, easy. Fighting the jungle and suicidal Japanese soldiers is taking its toll on these Americans.
The scouting patrol was any thing but, easy. Fighting the jungle and suicidal Japanese soldiers is taking its toll on these Americans.
February 6, 2023
I enjoyed the read, was enjoyable
February 26, 2023
Great book
I thought the author was able to describe the actions of a sniper patrol. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series!
I thought the author was able to describe the actions of a sniper patrol. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series!
March 11, 2023
Guam
The real problem of fighting in the conditions facing our GI's in the jungle is very well explained. Good reading.
The real problem of fighting in the conditions facing our GI's in the jungle is very well explained. Good reading.
June 27, 2023
Easy read. Nothing particularly memorable or special.
August 15, 2023
Great read!!
I really liked this story. I usually read WW2 non-fiction, but this is a great novel and hope there is a 2nd book.
I really liked this story. I usually read WW2 non-fiction, but this is a great novel and hope there is a 2nd book.
April 8, 2024
Good series. Interesting character.
August 21, 2024
A fiction with little historic background. Still a quick read but needs more substance.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews