Review by bigscarythingy -- A Police Action by A. A. Freda

bigscarythingy · Post by **bigscarythingy** » 29 Apr 2019, 21:13

[Following is a volunteer review of "A Police Action" by A. A. Freda.]

4 out of 4 stars

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In A Police Action by A. A. Freda, we are transported to the era of the Vietnam War. James Coppi – a young soldier – and nineteen-year-old Samantha Powers meet at the Honky-Tonk held in Colorado Springs. There is an instant attraction between the pair, but things aren’t quite that simple: Samantha is pregnant with another man’s baby, and James will soon be shipped off to fight.

James’s fear of commitment rears its head as the time for combat approaches. Sam convinces him not to make any rash decisions until his tour is over, in six months. James is something of a huckster and he spends much of his time in the military running a money-lending outfit. James’s time in Vietnam takes its toll—he loses friends and is slowly ground down by the injustice of the whole affair. He’s not one to take things lying down, and he butts heads with his superiors on more than one occasion. Returning to Sam a changed man, we soon witness the true struggle of the oft-misunderstood war veteran.

I loved the author’s writing style—he really brought the Vietnam War to life on the page without beating the reader over the head with it. What I didn’t like was that the novel felt a little disjointed at times–oscillating between James and Samantha’s love story and the war; I would become heavily invested in the wartime facet of the book, only to be ripped away to focus on relationship woes. I was certainly more attracted to the combat side of the story and not so much the romance aspect of it, so this is purely a matter of taste. I also found the character of James a little hard to access early on, but I warmed to him over time. The book is so good, however, that these are just minor quibbles.

I enjoyed the fact that the author delivers the story in the present tense; this gives the narrative a feeling of immediacy. Having served himself, A. A. Freda writes with compelling authority on life as a soldier. Passages like: “They’re practicing on the fourpoint two mortars, which fire a 105-millimeter shell, the same ammo fired by a 105-millimeter howitzer. Howitzers fire a round more directly to their target. The shell actually whistles through the air before it explodes”, ground the story in gritty reality.

The book was quite well edited and a pleasure to read. I found only a couple of minor errors—such as the quoted passage in my previous paragraph: “fourpoint two” should read: four-point-two. Another round of editing will iron out any bugs. My experience wasn’t diminished in any way and I am happy to award this book 4 out of 4 stars for its unflinching depiction of war, and the impact on those associated with it. It will appeal to anyone interested in historical fiction, the Vietnam War at large, and reality-driven love stories.

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A Police Action
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Prisallen · Post by **Prisallen** » 10 May 2019, 08:17

This sounds like a well-written book about the horrors of the Vietnam War, with a romance thrown in. I hope they get the errors fixed soon. Thank you for a wonderful review!

Stephanie Elizabeth · Post by **Stephanie Elizabeth** » 10 May 2019, 10:25

Great review! I read and reviewed this book as well, and like you loved the way it was written. My only complaint was that in the first part of the book the writing seemed disjointed and choppy. Did you find this? I found the second half of the book to be far more cohesive.

bigscarythingy · Post by **bigscarythingy** » 14 May 2019, 20:46

Stephanie Elizabeth wrote: ↑10 May 2019, 10:25 Great review! I read and reviewed this book as well, and like you loved the way it was written. My only complaint was that in the first part of the book the writing seemed disjointed and choppy. Did you find this? I found the second half of the book to be far more cohesive.

Definitely found there to be a disjointed air about the narrative at large and it certainly flowed a little better in the second half. Thanks so much for commenting.

bigscarythingy · Post by **bigscarythingy** » 14 May 2019, 20:47

Prisallen wrote: ↑10 May 2019, 08:17 This sounds like a well-written book about the horrors of the Vietnam War, with a romance thrown in. I hope they get the errors fixed soon. Thank you for a wonderful review!

Thanks so much for your comments. I hope so too.

Letora · Post by **Letora** » 27 May 2019, 06:19

I don't think I've read a book that touches on the difficulties soldiers face when coming home. This sounds like an emotional and well written novel. Great review!

angiejack456 · Post by **angiejack456** » 27 May 2019, 23:15

I am interested the historical aspects of this book but have passed on reading it in the past because I didn't care for sample I read of it. Maybe I didn't give it enough of a chance? Your review does a great job highlighting the novel.

Hiruni Bhagya 81 · Post by **Hiruni Bhagya 81** » 30 May 2019, 20:20

Maybe the author was intending this book to both romance and action lovers when writing it. But, if the oscillation between love story and war is not seamless, it has the potential to make readers loose interest. I think it try this book despite its disjointed writing style. So, thanks a lot for your insightful review.

danielleamy · Post by **danielleamy** » 02 Jun 2019, 10:38

I think I'd be more interested in the romance side of the novel. But seeing as though the romance and war genres don't seem cohesive, maybe I'll skip this one. Great review, you've made this one a lot clearer for me thanks!

bigscarythingy · Post by **bigscarythingy** » 02 Jun 2019, 20:10

Letora wrote: ↑27 May 2019, 06:19 I don't think I've read a book that touches on the difficulties soldiers face when coming home. This sounds like an emotional and well written novel. Great review!

Thanks so much for your comments, Letora.

bigscarythingy · Post by **bigscarythingy** » 02 Jun 2019, 20:11

danielleamy wrote: ↑02 Jun 2019, 10:38 I think I'd be more interested in the romance side of the novel. But seeing as though the romance and war genres don't seem cohesive, maybe I'll skip this one. Great review, you've made this one a lot clearer for me thanks!

I'm glad. Thanks for your kind words, Danielle.

bigscarythingy · Post by **bigscarythingy** » 02 Jun 2019, 20:11

Hiruni Bhagya 81 wrote: ↑30 May 2019, 20:20 Maybe the author was intending this book to both romance and action lovers when writing it. But, if the oscillation between love story and war is not seamless, it has the potential to make readers loose interest. I think it try this book despite its disjointed writing style. So, thanks a lot for your insightful review.

Thanks for your comments, Hiruni. Much appreciated.

bigscarythingy · Post by **bigscarythingy** » 02 Jun 2019, 20:12

angiejack456 wrote: ↑27 May 2019, 23:15 I am interested the historical aspects of this book but have passed on reading it in the past because I didn't care for sample I read of it. Maybe I didn't give it enough of a chance? Your review does a great job highlighting the novel.

I agree. Thanks for your comments, Angie.

Post by **Alys Sterk** » 05 Jun 2019, 19:05

I agree with many of your points. I think you have to read the book all the way through to really appreciate the main character. I also enjoyed the historical part of it - the war - but found that in some places the military jargon is not how they really talk in the Army....