The Veteran
 Frederick Forsyth
 (Reviewer - Narayan Radhakrishnan)
 2001 Thomas Dunne Books
  ISBN: 0312286910

The Veteran contains five stories, novelettes rather, that are as unique & as different from each other as can be.

Sr. Reviewer - Narayan Radhakrishnan writes:

The Veteran showcases Forsyth's talent in the short story realm, & he proves that he is equally good at home in writing short-fiction as in writing thriller novels like that of The Day of The Jackal or The Odessa File.

This is Sir Frederick Forsyth's first collection of short stories since the publication of No Comebacks more than a decade ago.

The title story “The Veteran” is a suspense thriller, where a high profile attorney gets the release of two hardened murderers in spite of strong evidence against the accused. A fast-paced story, “The Veteran” also has a historical significance attached to it. It's the first legal thriller story to be published in the form of an e-book.

“Art of the Matter” is a hilarious caper, with double-cross & triple-cross in the background of an art deal.

“Whispering Wind” can best be described as a ‘mystic mystery' reminiscent of the author's earlier work “The Shepherd”.

“The Citizen” is a story of a drug smuggling operation. However, my personal favourite is “The Miracle” a story about a ghostly visit of a saint in a hospital unit during the World War with an unexpected twist in the tale finish.

The five stories make an engrossing read & are storytelling in its best & purest form. Any reader who enjoys twists in the tale endings, like that of the stories of O'Henry or the short stories of Jeffrey Archer, is sure to enjoy this superb & diverting collection.

All in all The Veteran is highly entertaining, & makes delightful reading. Highly recommended.

More from Frederick Forsythe: The Devil's Alternative; The Fourth Protocol; The Deceiver; The Fist of God; Icon; Negotiator; The Dogs of War.
(03/10/02)

Narayan
2002©Narayan Radhakrishnan
A RebeccasReads.Com Sr. Associate Reviewer

Reviewer's Bio:
I am a 26 years old lawyer practicing in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. Along with my legal practice, I have finished post-graduate studies for both Business Law & Human Rights. I am a self proclaimed numero-uno legal thriller lover & am the proud owner of all of Grisham's & Turow's novels. I enjoy John Mortimer's Rumpole & relish an occasional Martini & a rare Scot(ch)t-oline with a Patterson on the side.

My work A FICTION OF LAW is now about 500 pages in length & features 500 lawyer authors & 2000 legal thrillers covering a 300 year period - inclusive of entries from the USA, UK, Asia, Europe, China, Middle East etc. Still in search of a publisher.
www.keralatourism.org