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Since his introduction in PLUM ISLAND and subsequent appearances in THE LION'S GAME and NIGHT FALL, ex-NYPD cop John Corey has been entertaining millions of readers with his ready sense of humor --- the same sense of humor that drives his superiors wild. If he weren't so good at what he does, he almost certainly wouldn't have a job.
Now, as the first anniversary of 9/11 has just passed --- without incident --- the national security level remains heightened, on Orange Alert. A group of highly placed, highly powerful men who meet at a highly guarded private "hunting and fishing lodge" and call themselves the Custer Hill Club would like to see the alert status on permanent green. Their leader, and lodge owner, Bain Madox has a plan to accomplish that very thing. The downside is that it involves the nuclear obliteration of a lot of people. But Madox and his "board of directors" are convinced that the end justifies the means. They believe, in their warped thinking, that they will be doing the world a great service by making it safer for generations to come.
The government seems to sense that something is brewing up at the Custer Hill Club, so they send Anti-Terrorism Task Force (ATTF) agent Harry Muller out to investigate. Poorly briefed and basically clueless, Muller encounters more than he bargained for when he steps onto the Club property. Despite learning what unimaginable plans these men have for their country's immediate future, he doesn't live long enough to share his knowledge. Luckily, though, he does leave some provocative clues, and they point directly at mega millionaire Bain Madox. But bringing charges against such an influential man as Madox that will stick looks troublesome.
John Corey, currently a federal agent at the same ATTF base as Harry Muller, arrives at his office at the opportune moment to hear of Muller's disappearance. Someone has to go find him, so Corey and his wife, FBI agent Kate Mayfield, grab the next helicopter to the Adirondacks. As they do, the nuclear clock starts ticking.
Corey, as smart and smart mouthed as ever, is full of fast comebacks. He pops off with the things we all would love to say but don't have the guts to. If there's anything Corey lacks --- like maybe respect for his supervisors, a modicum of good judgment, an iota of restraint in cracking wise --- he definitely does not lack courage.
At the moment the planes hit the Twin Towers, Corey was on his way to a meeting at Windows on the World in the North Tower, and he saw the devastation firsthand. As with all of us, he lost a little innocence that day; he also lost many friends. So he's a little touchy when it comes to the subject of terrorism, and his intuition tells him that Madox is somehow connected with terrorism. But Bain Madox presents as an all-American hero and success story. He possesses purple hearts, war scars, medals --- and rich oil fields. His love for his country seems undoubtable. And soon, Corey realizes, so does his madness.
Together, Corey and Mayfield form a fearsome team. Fortunately, they follow their instincts instead of their orders; otherwise, the Earth would be facing several very bleak decades. Playing by the rules, they realize, won't work with this newest enemy. Too rich, too patriotic and too insane, Bain Madox is a lethal combination of Corey's worst nightmares. As they search for Madox's weakness, it appears he has thought of everything, so stopping him looks nearly impossible. But to John Corey and Kate Mayfield, "impossible" just means "this could be a little bit tough."
WILD FIRE reads like, well, wild fire. The only problem comes when it's over --- which it is all too quickly. I instantly wanted more. I can only hope that Nelson DeMille is hard at work on John Corey's next mission. I am addicted.
--- Reviewed by Kate Ayers
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