Matt McAvoy Book Review

Another short, sharply scripted snippet from Glyn, in the form of a mission-based segment of the Vietnam War.  Whilst a standalone episode on its own right, on this occasion covering themes of bravery and acceptance, in the most testing of conditions, this is additionally a direct sequel to The Tunnel, though set several months later.  Being the middle of the series, this could easily be a filler instalment for its own sake (Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers springs to mind), but it is not; like all of Glyn’s work, it has something to say.

Glyn’s writing is as authentic and true to life as I’m sure it would be possible to get – though, of course, I am no expert.  I am in no doubt that the way he says it is exactly the way it was for those young soldiers – and he should certainly know.  And, even though this is one of those rare books of his, such as Return to the Madness, which takes the narrative down a more formulaic war story route, it loses none of the appeal of his work generally, and contains all of the trademarks we have come to expect: quality writing, authenticity and informative technical enlightenment.  Additionally, of course, Glyn is as good a genre fiction author as he is at non-fiction.

I won’t give away too much of the story, for fear of spoiling the first book, but I will say it is a clear equal, and structures the series in a wonderful arc; bear in mind that you definitely need to read The Tunnel first.  Furthermore, it sets up the next sequel perfectly, and I can’t wait to read it.  I definitely expect more of the same, and I know that an author of Glyn’s rapidly accumulating pedigree and consistent quality will not disappoint.