Sniper’s Honor
Sniper’s Honor is the latest book from Stephen Hunter and the next installment in the Bob Lee Swagger series. The old war horse is now 68 and living a peaceful life. He has a ranch, a loving wife, and successful children. To most people, this would be an idealistic retirement, but to Bob, something is missing. He has careened from one adventure to the next for so long that sitting on a porch isn’t the life for him.
Relief comes in the form of an email from Kathy Reilly, reporter for the Washington Post. She is on the trail of Ludmilla Petrova, a beautiful and legendary sniper from World War II who vanished on a mission to the Ukraine. Bob and Kathy trace the thin threads of evidence from Moscow to the Carpathians and discover the truth beneath a conspiracy that spans decades.
Stephen Hunter is on point in this work, weaving Bob and Kathy’s adventures with Petrova’s story of bravery and betrayal. As a result, a tangible connection develops between Bob and Ludmilla. He sees himself in her, and learns to be at peace with his inevitable aging. It’s fitting to see Bob adapt to this later phase of his life. He can still shoot straight and fight when he needs to, but this adventure teaches him to be a very skilled detective. The author’s ability to ground his characters in reality, combined with his solid research, make this a very engaging and honest read that history lovers and Swagger fans will enjoy.
