Deviant Ways

by

Chris Mooney

Tales of a War Pilot

by

Richard C. Kirkland

of 5

Genre: Serial killer fiction

     Synopsis: A serial killer is breaking into the homes of average families, torturing them, then leveling the entire block with explosives.  Pursuing this horrible killer is a former FBI profiler who went nuts after a serial killer he was pursuing kills his wife right in front of him.

      Review: While Chris Mooney has a fine understanding of character development, and has a demonstrated ability to write a story that elicits a strong emotional response, this book is so full of technical holes that you mostly feel frustrated right from the start.  I always hate to give a bad review on a writer's first book, but Chris Mooney's idea of researching serial killers was to watch Silence of the Lambs and In the Line of Fire.  Not only did he steal a lot of their material, but he made some technical errors:

1) Profilers do not catch serial killers, cops do.  Profilers profile.  No profiler ever caught a serial killer.

2) Serial killers do not kill for the sheer pleasure of killing.  There is always a dick in there somewhere.  Either they rape their victims, rape their corpses, or jag off to the thought of killing their victim.  Serial killers do not have fancy agendas like they do in Hollywood.

3) You can't cock a Glock, you cannot cock the trigger of a Glock.  If you press the trigger on a Glock it goes off.  In this book the hero actually cocks the trigger of his Glock twice within a page.

4) Chris Mooney would do well to read Whoever Hunts Monsters by Robert Ressler (brainchild of the profiler concept.)  

Recommendation: If you want Clancy-like authenticity then avoid this book.  If you don't mind a dramatic departure from reality then you will enjoy this novel.

Review written by William Ashton

of 5

Genre: Autobiography, historical

            Synopsis: After being urged by his son to write down his military experiences, Richard Kirkland has assembled this short autobiography that spans from his days as a P38 pilot, through World War II, and finally to his days as a rescue pilot flying early helicopters in Korea.

            Review: If you are any kind of a history or aviation buff this book will absolutely stun you.  Richard Kirkland's truly led a most interesting life.  Initially he talks about his life as a 'butter-bar' lieutenant flying P38s with the legendary Major Bong (America's all-time top scoring ace) among other greats.  After that he treats us to his experience flying with Lindbergh (who flew numerous combat missions as a civilian contractor.)  As if those tidbits weren't enough, he takes us through later experiences such as searching for the lost B36 and its nuclear payload, rescuing fighter-ace Joseph McConnell, and finally his time with the 8055th MASH unit which was the inspiration for the TV show.  He even drank home-made hooch with the infamous Hawkeye. 

Recommendation: Absolutely, positively, read this book!

Review written by Mitch Taylor