Before I bought this book I had never read a novel of Stephen Hunter. I was misguided by the recommendations and cover Certainly made a mistake. I could put this book down but did not do it and went all the way to the end (Which was not bad though predictable,) and got rid of this book.with relief. I can affirm That this book does not bear the quality of real thriller written by Nelson DeMille, Frederick Forsyth, or this new fascinating author Scott Smith, who created great entertainment I really enjoyed as I were eating a chocolate bar piece by piece. Hunter, HOWEVER had the knack to describe simply, vividly and CLEARLY how the life of an Arkansas Rural trooper what and therefore conveyed to the reader a clear idea of how racism and prejudice which rampant in the social life of the Southern States of America back in 1955. I think fans will love this gun did book (Because The author looks like an expert in this field) but not readers who are really looking for mystery and suspense stories like myself.