In the Name of Honor: A Thriller

Richard North Patterson

Jun 2010 · Macmillan + ORM

About this ebook

Home from Iraq, a lieutenant kills his commanding officer—was it self-defense or premeditated murder? In the Name of Honor marks an enthralling novel of suspense about the high cost of war and secrets from bestselling author Richard North Patterson.

The McCarrans and the Gallaghers, two military families, have been close for decades, ever since Anthony McCarran—now one of the army's most distinguished generals—became best friends with Jack Gallagher, a fellow West Pointer who was later killed in Vietnam. Now a new generation of soldiers faces combat, and Lt. Brian McCarran, the general's son, has returned from a harrowing tour in Iraq. Traumatized by wartime experiences he will not reveal, Brian depends on his lifelong friendship with Kate Gallagher, Jack's daughter, who is married to Brian's commanding officer in Iraq, Capt. Joe D'Abruzzo. But since coming home, D'Abruzzo also seems changed by the experiences he and Brian shared—he's become secretive and remote.

Tragedy strikes when Brian shoots and kills D'Abruzzo on their army post in Virginia. Brian pleads self-defense, claiming that D'Abruzzo, a black-belt martial artist, came to his quarters, accused him of interfering with his marriage, and attacked him. Kate supports Brian and says that her husband had become violent and abusive. But Brian and Kate have secrets of their own, and now Capt. Paul Terry, one of the army's most accomplished young lawyers, will defend Brian in a high-profile court-martial. Terry's co-counsel is Meg McCarran, Brian's sister, a brilliant and beautiful attorney who insists on leaving her practice in San Francisco to help save her brother. Before the case is over, Terry will become deeply entwined with Meg and the McCarrans—and learn that families, like war, can break the sturdiest of souls.

Ratings and reviews

Better than The Spire but not up to his earlier works. The loner theme on these one-offs are getting a little tiresome. Whilst the suspense was better than average, the reader always knew there was a futher twist to come and in the end, it wasn't that shocking or mind blowing. Readers who thought this one was good and who haven't read earlier works, even up to and including Exile, would be better placed to start from The Lasko Tangent and work their way through.

The book was ok. There were a few slow moments, but for the most part this book kept me on my toes. Definitely had some plot twists. It was a little predictable, but still kept me interested throughout. I personally did not like the ending though. It should have had an epilogue. I just had to let my imagination finish it.

About the author

Richard North Patterson is the author of Exile, Degree of Guilt, Silent Witness, The Spire, Eclipse, Eyes Of A Child, Conviction, and many other bestselling and critically acclaimed thrillers. Formerly a trial lawyer, he was the SEC liaison to the Watergate special prosecutor, the assistant attorney general for the state of Ohio, and has served on the boards of several Washington advocacy groups. In 1993, he retired from his law practice to devote himself to writing. His first novel, The Lasko Tangent, was the winner of the Edgar Allen Poe Award for Best First Novel in 1980. He is a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University and Case Western Reserve University School of Law, and is a recipient of their President's Award for Distinguished Alumni. He lives in Martha's Vineyard, San Francisco, and Cabo San Lucas with his wife, Dr. Nancy Clair.