Home from Iraq, a lieutenant kills his commanding officer-was it self-defense or premeditated murder? An enthralling novel of suspense about the high cost of war and secrets
The McCarrans and the Gallaghers, two military families, have been close for decades, ever since Anthony McCarran-now one of the army's most distinguished generals-became best friends with Jack Gallagher, a fellow West Pointer who was later killed in Vietnam. Now a new generation of soldiers faces combat, and Lt. Brian McCarran, the general's son, has returned from a harrowing tour in Iraq. Traumatized by wartime experiences he will not reveal, Brian depends on his lifelong friendship with Kate Gallagher, Jack's daughter, who is married to Brian's commanding officer in Iraq, Capt. Joe D'Abruzzo. But since coming home, D'Abruzzo also seems changed by the experiences he and Brian shared-he's become secretive and remote.
Tragedy strikes when Brian shoots and kills D'Abruzzo on their army post in Virginia. Brian pleads self-defense, claiming that D'Abruzzo, a black-belt martial artist, came to his quarters, accused him of interfering with his marriage, and attacked him. Kate supports Brian and says that her husband had become violent and abusive. But Brian and Kate have secrets of their own, and now Capt. Paul Terry, one of the army's most accomplished young lawyers, will defend Brian in a high-profile court-martial. Terry's co-counsel is Meg McCarran, Brian's sister, a brilliant and beautiful attorney who insists on leaving her practice in San Francisco to help save her brother. Before the case is over, Terry will become deeply entwined with Meg and the McCarrans-and learn that families, like war, can break the sturdiest of souls.
Sit Bach and EnjoyAugust 25, 2010 az-joe I was tired of RNPs political views in some of his more recent books. With that said, This book is extremely well written. The subject is timely. The characters are found on every military base. As a career military retiree and Vietnam veteran, I again have to question the word HONOR? Thanks Mr Patterson this is on of your best.
Makes you think...August 25, 2010 LTS220(Illinois) This is the first book I've read by this author. I was really enjoying it until the last 100 pages or so. The end just seemed to drag with way too much word-for-word dialogue of the trial. I had an idea of what the "twist" was but I was ...more This is the first book I've read by this author. I was really enjoying it until the last 100 pages or so. The end just seemed to drag with way too much word-for-word dialogue of the trial. I had an idea of what the "twist" was but I was a bit disappointed with how it played out. Overall enjoyable and definitely had me thinking about how I would decide on a case like this. I'll probably try another one of RNP's books.
RIVETING COURTROOM DRAMAAugust 14, 2010 Gail Cooke(TX, USA) 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Little pulls in and holds a reader more effectively than a stunning opening, which is precisely what Richard North Patterson has done with IN THE NAME OF HONOR. Captain Paul Terry receives an early morning phone call, "There's been a shooting at Fort Bolton - one officer killed another."
As if that weren't shocking enough the shooter was Brian McCarran. This was a killing that would "reverberate all the way to the Pentagon, where the family's most revered member, Anthony McCarran, served as chief of staff of the army." Terry, an attorney, is just shy of leaving the service for a plush job with a Wall Street firm, but he has been called to help Brian in what is sure to be not only a headline grabbing case but a heartbreaking one as well.
The dead soldier is Joe D'Abruzzo, Brian's commanding officer in Iraq and married to Kate Gallagher who has been almost like a sister to Brian. Both of the men have changed since returning from duty. Brian has been traumatized by his experiences, and Joe has been withdrawn, guarded. It was as if at times he were a stranger.
When Brian receives a phone call from Kate revealing that Joe has become violently abusive, he determines that he will protect her. But one night Joe comes to Brian's apartment and their confrontation ends in death. Brian claims that Joe attacked him, although he is unable to remember large parts of the evening. Paul will defend him using PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder) as his defense.
Meanwhile, Brian's sister, Meg, has arrived from San Francisco. She's a highly intelligent attorney who insists on serving as co-counsel in order to save her brother. Hidden secrets are revealed as the process continues.
Readers of Patterson's work know that he's a pro at creating riveting courtroom drama - for this reader IN THE NAME OF HONOR is some of his best work. Obviously, Patterson has researched PTSD assiduously as we find when Paul makes his case. With that plus the war in Iraq readers will find much to ponder as the suspense builds to a highly surprising ending.
- Gail Cooke
In the Name of HonorAugust 11, 2010 LadyL I thoroughly enjoyed Richard North Patterson's latest book. I found the process of a Court-martial trial very interesting. Mr. Patterson took the reader a very vivid trial where the advocates on both sides were tough and thorough. I found the characters very believable. I wanted to get to the end, to the verdict, but at the same time didn't want the book to end. I'm looking forward to reading Mr. Patterson's next book.
Patterson returning to early excellent form...August 11, 2010 Philly gal(PHILA, PA USA) This is a legal thriller that has adultery, murder, suicide, the Iraq war and the timely topic of post traumatic stress syndrome. The central character is a JAG captain, Paul Terry who defends an accused murderer, Lt. Brian McCarron, the scion of a storied military family. McCarron's father is in line to be chairman of the joint chiefs. Brian is accused of murdering Joe D'Abruzzo, who in addition to being his superior officer is married to close family friend Kate Gallagher. The drama unfolds as each character contributes to the narrative and slowly a portrait of a deeply troubled family is revealed. The complexity of the relationships among the characters and the impact these relationships had on their motivations was excellent.
The author vividly shows how PTSD develops in soldiers who have been in violent combat and how it impacts a soldier returning to civilian life. Patterson uses the intricacies of a military trail and court marshal to differentiate this story from the run of the mill courtroom drama. Additionally the development of a love story between Paul Terry and the accused murderer's sister Meg was well done and believable. The character development is very good and at the end of the account I cared about most of the main characters. There was an inconsistency in the action of Paul Terry at the end of the book that bothered me as it did not seem in character, but for that minor complaint I really enjoyed this book. Richard North Patterson is yet another author who had excellent early novels (Eyes of a Child, No Safe Place) followed by weak efforts and now has returned to fine form.
