Over the Edge by Suzanne Brockmann @SuzBrockmann #LauraHicks

Lieutenant Teri Howe is a naval reserve helicopter pilot who loves flying. She’s assigned to San Diego’s SEAL Team 16 and loves the opportunity. However, her looks attract unwanted attention from higher ranking officers and she’s unable to successfully fend them off. Enter SEAL Team 16 Senior Chief Stan Wolchonok, known for his uncanny ability to solve any problem handed to him. When he witnesses one of these unwanted assaults, he skillfully steps in and neutralizes the situation without jeopardizing his own military standing as the offender is an officer and he’s not. Stan’s admired Teri from afar but believes she’s way out of his league. But, he’s determined to work with her to develop her own skills to take a stand for herself.

In addition to Teri and Stan, the team is called back to Kazbekistan when an airplane is hijacked on its way from Greece to New York and lands there. Max Bhagat is the FBI hostage negotiator working with Sam Starrett as the SEAL Team leader. And speaking of Sam, he’s got his own nightmare operating in daylight when Alyssa Locke accompanies Max as an observer.

It’s been over ten years since I first read this story and my original 5 star review is even stronger, assisted by the outstanding narration on audio. There are multiple storylines at play here and they are masterfully threaded to create a powerfully cohesive one. Teri and Stan’s developing romance was poignant at times, hilarious at others but always one I strongly rooted for. The hostage standoff evolved from one of incredible courage by Gina Vitagliano, one of the passengers, to a horrific experience that brought me to tears. Sam and Alyssa took a major step forward and two back. It was heartbreaking. I’m glad I decided to reread the story by listening to the audio version as the narrator delivered an excellent performance. There were several character distinctions I found inspiring along with her ability to manage a range of emotional scenes. While I remembered the essence of the book, it was very close to experiencing it as a first time read. It is timeless!

Book Info

• Release Date: August 29, 2006 (originally September 2001)
  
• Series: Troubleshooters #3
• Narrator: Laura Hicks
• Audio Length: 14 hours, 39 minutes
• Publisher: BBC Audiobooks of America (AudioGo)

Listen to a Sample (new edition)!

Goodreads | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm