Contemporary plot worth a look
Under Siege
by Stephen Coonts. Orion Paperbacks, 608 pages, $17.95

Reviewer :: Brian Hickey

COLOMBIAN suicide squads, drug wars and a sniper loose in Washington who has been tasked to hunt and kill senior members of the American Government.

It wasn’t so long ago that these scenarios would have seemed a little far-fetched.

Under Siege is a little different from Stephen Coonts’ usual formula of high-tech equipment, nations on the brink of war and Jake Grafton to the rescue.

This is a more down and dirty thriller that focuses on the action at a personal level.

Grafton is still saving the world (a little bit at a time), but in Under Siege he takes somewhat of a backseat to other more interesting characters.

The various subplots all twist and turn in typical Coonts style until they culminate in what is unfortunately a predictable ending. Still, they say it’s not the destination but the journey that counts, and Under Siege is a good ride.

This is not the basis for the movie starring Steven Seagal – in fact far from it.

However, like the Erica Eleniak cake scene from the movie, set on pause, it’s well worth a look – or two.