The Celtic Phoenix

Rating:
Summary: Wow! A Fascinating Read!
Review: A gripping story which winds together many of today's global issues and truly makes you think "What if..."

This is a good choice if you are interested in Celtic culture, the tension of international terrorism, the happenings inside Iraq and / or an up-close perspective on military tactics and strategies.

Rating:
Summary: Celtic Phoenix is a hit!
Review: What if there actually had been weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, but they weren't found by the American forces. They were smuggled out by a band of radical IRA Provos intent on forming a new Celtic Nation, comprising not only Ireland but other places in the world where people of Celtic ancestry settled, including parts of Great Britain, France, Spain, the United States, and Costa Rica. The nuclear devices will be used to blackmail these nations into turning over control of these areas to the radicals.

The story begins with two young soldiers, Irishman Liam Murphy and American Angelo Spaziani, enjoying Celtic music one evening in a Spanish cafe, unbeknownst to each other. They go their separate ways, with Liam, embittered by the killing of his father by the British, becoming a leader in the IRA and the mastermind of the plot to form a Celtic Nation. Angelo rises through the ranks of the Boston police department and becomes a Federal Agent with the Department of Homeland Security who follows Liam's trail.

This suspenseful novel can be enjoyed on several levels: the human story of the two protagonists; the realistic description of the military operations (Dennis's son, a Marine captain, was the technical advisor for this book); and the background on Celtic history and culture. It's fast paced and easily visualized, and would make a great movie.