a bit of background…
If you haven’t read Suzanne Brockmann’s Troubleshooters series, you’re missing out on THE most exciting romantic suspense stories out there involving Navy SEALS and security operatives. Troubleshooters, Inc. is the name of the security firm launched by the former commander of SEAL Team Sixteen. Many of their assignments are a collaboration with Navy SEALs and the FBI and there are 16 amazing full length books in the series.the set up…
The last full length book in the series was released in 2011 and fans were dying for at least one more to end it properly. This book seriously whets the appetite with some short stories that were previously released with promotional books or earlier released novels. This is a compilation of those stories with two new ones added.
the heart of the story…
I never read any of the stories that were included in promotional books so they were all new for me. When Frank Met Rosie just about brought me to tears; Trapped is classic Troubleshooters with its combination of angst, romance and scary ops; Home is Where the Heart Is was a bit of a departure but I enjoyed learning more about Will’s sister Arlene’s choice to serve her country with multiple deployments, leaving her young daughter behind; and A Seal and Three Babies had me literally howling in laughter for most of it but then holding my breath at the end.
what worked…
I really miss this series and these characters and these stories brought it alive for me again. I’d forgotten how Brockmann really is in a class by herself in crafting the characters, the dialogue, the chilling missions and the unconventional romances. The new stories were meaty, fresh and appealing and those I’d missed from the past were insightful and interesting. These characters feel so real I forget they’re fictional (I’m cringing as I write that). You just lose all sense of yourself and get wrapped up in the story. They may be short but Brockmann didn’t cut corners.
what didn’t work as well…
I wanted more, not more of the short stories but more books like these where I get so engrossed I become part of it. It also reminded me that the series is in limbo, with some characters stories still left undone. I thought there would be more that might have moved those situations along.
the narration…
Listening to the stories takes the experience to a different level. Even though this was a reread, they felt new the second time around. Lawlor’s storytelling makes such a difference.
the bottom line…
I enjoyed the stories a LOT. If it was intentional to leave me hungering for more, mission accomplished in a BIG way. However, it was a great opportunity to reconnect with beloved characters from the series.
Book Info
- Release Date: April 30, 2013
- Series: Troubleshooters #16.5
- Narrators: Patrick Lawlor & Melanie Ewbank
- Audio Length: 10 hours, 26 minutes
- Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Listen to a Sample!


A wonderful review of these stories Jonetta! I’m glad that you enjoyed it.
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Thanks, Jodie💜
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I really LOVE this series and certainly should do a reread on audio myself.
Anne – Books of My Heart
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It’s been worth it!
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Ooo…this does sound really good. Definitely like a series I would enjoy. Excellent review!
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Thank you, Tessa💜 It’s a wonderful series, in my top ten.
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Hope the series will continue so that you can fill in the characters you need to know about. Excellent review, Jo!
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Thank you, Marialyce💜 We’ve abandoned hope for more😏
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Haven’t read this one, but I absolutely love this series and I agree that it is one of the best romantic suspense series that you can get. Not to be missed.
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If you love the series, you’ll enjoy these little snippets, Rolé💜
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I still plan to listen to this series, so I’m glad to hear they still measure up as one of the best. Great review, Jo.
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Thanks, Carla💜 I feared they wouldn’t but there’s nothing dated about any aspect.
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