Review by Kansas City Teacher -- A Police Action

Post by **Alys Sterk** » 31 May 2019, 21:29

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

4 out of 4 stars

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A Police Action, written by A.A. Freda, is the story of an unlikely young romance during the tumultuous last years of the Vietnam Conflict. Young and cynical James is awaiting his combat deployment when he meets Sam, and she falls head over heels in love with him. Resourceful and quick-witted, James seems stable and provides for her needs. He comes along at just the right time in her life when she needs emotional support. The romance blossoms and intensifies, electrifying their lives, and in spite of his approaching deployment, the two make plans for a future together. While serving in a mortar unit in Vietnam, James finds himself assigned to treacherous missions and there is a separate, but equally intense plot as he quickly discovers that betrayal and deceit lurk among the ranks of his comrades in arms. The long-distance romance between James and Sam is nurtured through letters and they anxiously await the end of his assignment when they can be reunited.

I rate this book a 4 out of 4 stars because of the writing style, underlying themes, and historical context. Crafted into an engaging and intense novel, it is easy to see the feelings and experiences of the characters in this book reflected in American culture today. What I liked most about this book was the complexity of the plot. Two parallel themes of romance and military camaraderie are expertly woven together throughout the book. There was an element of uncertainty, providing a sense of mystery and a realism that assured me that the ending would not be straightforward. I was not disappointed. Contrasts are clearly seen in the characters and plot. Sam is resourceful and a military genius, but struggles with relationships. Sam feels the guilt of her sin but teaches Sunday school and is the daughter of a preacher. Heroic veterans survive combat and are given medals of valor, but return to wait in unemployment lines. Tight-knit military units have soldiers who will die for one another, but are marred by scandal.

The use of military jargon adds a realistic effect to the reading. The vivid descriptions of the sounds and sights of warfare give insight to readers - one can see, smell, and hear the turmoil of war many have heard about but not experienced. This also gives honor and respect to combat veterans they so richly deserve. The author uses introspect to accentuate the feelings of the soldiers, which gives a deeper understanding of the characters’ motives and experiences.

The only negative thing I can say about this book is its use of military jargon. For the most part, it is used and explained in context so that a reader can infer its meaning. In some locations, the terms used in the book are overly explained within the conversations of the characters and are not how soldiers typically speak in the military. Perhaps the author could use the acronyms as soldiers use them and provide a glossary or footnote on the bottom of the page to make this aspect of the book more realistic.

Overall, this is a remarkable book that examines young romance during one of the most difficult times in American history. I would recommend this book for any reader above 16. There are some intimate scenes that might not be appropriate for younger readers. The book appears to be professionally edited, and I only found two minor errors that do not interfere with the reading.

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A Police Action
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Kelsey Hatch · Post by **Kelsey Hatch** » 15 Jun 2019, 13:28

Great review of a great book! I liked the dynamics between James, Sam, and the other military personnel. I actually thought Freda explained the military jargon quite well, though I like your idea of footnotes. Maybe an appendix would also help readers understand the terms in context.

Letora · Post by **Letora** » 15 Jun 2019, 15:09

It seems that a lot of books have a religious element in them these days. Not to say that it takes away from the book at all, just an observation

Romance and history are not quite my forte, so I will have to pass on this one. Thank you for reviewing!

Post by **Alys Sterk** » 21 Jun 2019, 14:40

kelseydwf wrote: ↑15 Jun 2019, 13:28 Great review of a great book! I liked the dynamics between James, Sam, and the other military personnel. I actually thought Freda explained the military jargon quite well, though I like your idea of footnotes. Maybe an appendix would also help readers understand the terms in context.

Hi! Yes, the military jargon is explain - but overly so...probably for the benefit for those who don't know what it means. It's just not how they really speak.

No win situation - either it's explained too much and sounds unnatural, or write how they really speak, and others don't understand....