💣💥🔥 “Initium” (The SNAP Agency #0.5) (2021) 🔥💥💣 – Book Review
MY REVIEW
Series: The SNAP Agency (Book #0.5)
Paperback: 148 Pages
Publisher: Independently Published (November 3, 2021)
Language: English
ISBN-13: 979-8758901823
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“When an explosion rattled the cobblestone streets of Ireland in 1998, it left the CIA questioning one of their own, but Intel officer Tom Walsh refuses to believe his friend Sean is guilty. Tom is certain Sean wasn’t behind the misdirection of information that led to the deaths of dozens, but he’s missing and the CIA won’t go back to find him or the truth.
Unwilling to let Sean become a scapegoat for a botched mission, Tom quits the CIA and takes an unsanctioned contract job with the hopes of finding his friend and those responsible for the deadly attack. But when the new mission goes awry, Tom finds himself in a battle against an Irish dissident paramilitary group determined to strike again.
With only a hunch to go on and a red-headed bartender’s help, Tom puts himself in the path of danger and discovers his own passion for stepping in where the government can’t.
Get ready for Lights Out with this glimpse into the life of the man behind the SNAP Agency and what pushed him to find a better way to strategically protect and neutralize threats against America and her citizens. In this fast-paced novella you’ll meet Director Walsh as he assembles his team: Jack Hudson, Lyla Fox, Nicolás Garcia, and Kekoa Young.”
This is one where I don’t have to have a “disclaimer”. However, I should state that the reason I got this book was that I was accepted to the author’s launch team for Lights Out (book #1) and wanted to know the beginnings of the team.
But, I DID buy this book, and no – there was no incentive or request for a positive review.
Those who pre-ordered Lights Out were sent an eBook of Initium as a “thank you” gift. I opted to wait until the paperback was released to read this. And, I have to admit, I was VERY glad to get this and read it.
Right off the cover is striking and noticeable; in addition, warning the reader there is excitement in the pages. It definitely fits with the first book and is a great start to the series.
In my opinion – READ THIS BEFORE LIGHTS OUT. It definitely flows SO much better. I cannot stress this enough. And, I thank Walters for this gem.
Since this is a novella, it is a VERY short read, definitely a day read. There is only one REAL glaring typo. On the back the guy that goes missing is listed as SHAWN, but in the book, it is SEAN.
The only other issue was the reference to Al-Qaida/Al-Qaeda. Both are interchangeable spellings, though it was a bit interesting to see it spelled differently in the book twice. Usually, some authors use one spelling throughout. That wasn’t a real issue, but certainly noticeable.
There are references to the Tanzania and Kenya bombings. Also, Osama Bin Laden’s name does come up. These are real events and can be traumatic for some readers.
These events are part of the attacks that then spawned 9/11.
In addition, the event mentioned in this that becomes the reason Tom forms the SNAP agency, the bombing in Omagh, was a REAL incident. Walters did her homework on this one. Her writing brought the chaos to life and put the reader in the middle of it all.
Initium has medium length chapters (roughly less than 10 pages). This causes the story to move along quite quickly and not linger in any one place. At times the timelines bounce between the “current” period (as listed below with the characters) and 1998.
This is the backstory, or what I refer to as “origin” story of the team:
Tom Walsh, SNAP Agency Director
Jack Hudson (2013)
Lyla Fox (2015)
Nicolás Garcia (2016)
Kekoa Young (2020)
The years in parenthesis are the years in which Tom encounters the people he will add to the team. The story is told in third person with only Tom’s POV. Some of the “team member” meetings are longer, some only a chapter.
Initium – Latin for from the beginning
What is the SNAP Agency? One of those INFAMOUS alphabet soup agencies – the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency), FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation), the NSA (National Security Agency); but with less bureaucracy.
SNAP – Strategic Neutralization and Protection; a private contract agency created to neutralize threats as quickly as possible in order to protect the U.S.
Initium starts off with the 1998 incident that propels Tom into his new mission that will take roughly 20 years to complete – his own, hand-picked team.
Tom Walsh is in Ireland when his friend, Sean is goes missing after a bombing. This is the result of Sean working inside the REAL IRA.
In the book, as well as the story, British, Irish and US intelligence agencies allegedly had information which could have prevented the bombing, most of which came from double agents inside the Real IRA, but this information was not given to the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC).
The bombing kills 29 and wounds hundreds.
In Initium, it is believed that Sean turned traitor, despite his own wife and baby being killed in the attack.
1998 – As mentioned, there is a bombing in Omagh and Sean (undercover CIA) is missing. Tom wants to stay – but, the CIA doesn’t hold to the “no man left behind” motto. Tom has to follow orders, but not for long.
Tom doesn’t want to leave, but has to. He’s told the agency director is working with the president. Right. This is the reason he is hesitant to ask Samantha Mills (who he met in 1996) to marry him, yet he manages to do so, and she agrees. Samantha works directly for the deputy director of the NSA.
It is clear – the CIA won’t budge. In fact, new information comes to light that the reason the warnings were inaccurate – Sean (going by Connor) turned traitor.
One thing that doesn’t change – the mission comes first, Tom doesn’t want to be part of the mission anymore.
The attack has become irrelevant next to the president’s scandalous activities. Sam offers Jack a piece of advice when he begins to wonder what he should pray for – his friend being alive or … worse. Her answer?
JUST PRAY.
[I absolutely LOVED this piece of advice. Absolutely wonderful.]
Tom is offered a chance to look for Sean during an unsanctioned extraction mission.
But, that too turns ugly and Tom has a dilemma – stay in Ireland or be true to a promise he made Sam and go home. Tough choice.
Of course, Tom doesn’t give up on Sean. By this time, I was sincerely praying. Just like what Sam said – just pray.
Tom meets MI5 agent Sophie. She isn’t sure what to believe about Sean/Connor. The evidence clearly paints him as a traitor. And, it is clear – someone prevented the information from reaching the authorities. There’s also going to be another attack.
Eventually Tom does locate Sean, but the reunion isn’t a long or happy one.
It solidifies the future Tom is to have.
2013 – Tom, while putting SNAP together, is directed to Jack Hudson (who will be featured in Lights Out). The young man is recovering from Lymphoma which has derailed his entry to the FBI (Fibbies, lol). His talents are a perfect fit for SNAP.
Unlike other agencies, SNAP doesn’t have an ego. Jack turns Tom down. (We see where that went by the time we meet Lyla).
[NOTE: absolutely LOVED the A-TEAM T.V series reference. I adored Faceman (Dirk Benedict’s character)]
2015 – Tom’s goddaughter, Lyla Fox, is in the middle of a prostitution ring that is going on in colleges, or rather a classmate of hers is involved but she is stalking about. Another key player? A senator from Illinois.
The bad thing? The senator is involved with the Chicago syndicate.
Jack goes to talk with her – she’s gone. And, folks, she’s going to be trouble right off.
As it turns out, the reason for Lyla’s involvement is revealed just when the FBI breaks things up. She’s not in trouble, but sees her future which doesn’t involve college. In short, she is failing – she doesn’t want to waste her father’s money or her time. She wants to help people.
2016 – Nicolás Garcia knows nothing about the agency, he wants to work for Tom. Garcia’s resume is impressive – 10 years in the Army’s Special Forces Explosives Ordinance Disposal (EOD).
Garcia, now with Metropolitan SWAT wants a change of pace. The Army taught him about protecting life, SWAT wants headlines – not a good mix.
After Tom turns Garcia down for a full-time job, a case that Lyla is working on hinges on layouts of a building. Garcia notices the error and Tom changes his mind.
2020 – Kekoa Young is a former Navy cryptologist, and as a result of helping someone (unsanctioned) he is facing jail time. He is also a close friend of Colton (from Silent Shadows). The FBI and CIA want his talents. He isn’t interested. That is until Tom steps in the room – of course, yes, Kekoa signs with them. [Had to know Kekoa would be found of all places – Texas. We do have a certain “flair” about us]
I absolutely LOVED the motto: NON TIMEBO MALA. It is a Latin version of “I Will Fear No Evil” from Psalm: 23.
This is definitely a fast-past, action-oriented, heart-stopping, heart-breaking, tragic, exciting read that doesn’t lose momentum even during the “current” time scenes. I had a HARD time putting this one down. This is definitely a day read if not half a day. As a result, I am definitely looking forward to reading Lights Out to see the SNAP agency in action, and the cover of Fatal Code is shaping up to be a close favorite already.
There was a slight plot point I wished I’d known if it was resolved – Sean’s baby. Unless Walters plans to surprise us in future books with the wee one. That would be interesting.
I also wonder if Sophie is going to return sometime.
Walters created some “temporary” characters that had their own interesting flair – Liam during the 1998 mission who mused he was going to smell like carp for a month. He didn’t get that chance. I don’t know what happened to Patrick, though it would be interesting to see him return somehow …
I did enjoy the roller derby reference. My grandmother actually loved watching it. Funny story – she and my grandfather would go to matches. That ended when an incident occurred and my grandmother threatened to knock someone’s head off. Heads remained intact, no one was harmed.
Anyway …
The 1998 plot is the BIGGEST part of Initium, the 2015 plot point with Lyla is a close second. Walters did a fantastic job with what little we’re given story wise. I hope that each book in the SNAP Agency series revolves around every character. Though, I did want more of Tom.
Even though this isn’t distributed by Revell, Walters does have some strong Christian themes and references in this book with references to God, Jesus, prayer, bible quotes, and even church mentions.
This had a definite JAG and NCIS vibe too. I could almost hear the instrumental music/scores from the series at key events in the book. And, no, I didn’t go on a viewing binge with them prior to reading this book. If readers enjoyed these series – I definitely recommend this book. I half expected Clayton Webb (JAG) to show up.
Those who enjoyed Walters’ previous HARBORED SECRETS series, will not want to miss this book. Fans of Elizabeth Goddard, Patricia Bradley, Susan May Warren, and Lynette Eason will definitely be entertained by Walters’ writing.
NOTES REGARDING THE REAL BOMBING IN OMAGH (AUGUST 15, 1998) –
A 2013 independent report concluded that the British, Irish and US intelligence agencies “starved” police in Omagh of intelligence that could have prevented the bombing. The report was commissioned by the victims' families and produced by Rights Watch (UK). (https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/aug/08/omagh-bombing-intelligence-withheld-ira)
In 2001, a double agent known as Kevin Fulton claimed he told his MI5 handlers three days before the bombing that the Real IRA was about to bring a "huge bomb" across the border. Fulton claims he also told them who he believed was making it and where it was being made. He said that MI5 did not pass his information over to the police.
David Rupert, an American citizen, was jointly run as an agent by MI5 and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). He worked as a fundraiser for the Real IRA. On 11 August 1998, four days before the bombing, Rupert informed his MI5 handlers that the Real IRA was planning a car bomb attack in Omagh or Derry. It is not known whether this information was passed to the RUC Special Branch.
The Gardaí also had their own agent close to the Real IRA at the time, Paddy Dixon, who stole cars that were used by the group to transport bombs. Days before the bombing, the Real IRA had Dixon steal the Vauxhall Cavalier it would use in the attack. Dixon immediately told his handler, Detective Sergeant John White. On 12 August, White passed this on to his superior, Detective Chief Superintendent Dermot Jennings. According to White, Jennings told him that they would let the bomb go through, mainly so that the Real IRA would not become suspicious of Dixon.
In 2003, a transcript of a conversation between Dixon and White was released. In it, Dixon confirms that Gardaí let the bomb go through and says that, “Omagh is going to blow up in their faces”.
RATING:
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – BookBub
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Natalie Walters is the author of Carol Award finalist Living Lies, as well as Deadly Deceit and Silent Shadows. A military wife, she currently resides in Texas with her soldier husband and is the proud mom of three adult kiddos. Natalie comes from a long line of military and law enforcement veterans and is passionate about supporting them through volunteer work, races, and writing stories that affirm no one is defined by their past. Learn more at www.nataliewalterswriter.com.
You can find her on the following social media accounts:
Comments
Post a Comment