Dereliction of Duty by Jon Renaud

Dereliction of Duty is a fast and entertaining read. It’s full of deception, politics, cover-ups and power plays. This novel, although fiction shows readers perhaps what we have known or imagined for a long time and what is best summed up in the blurb, “Agent Fox discovers that sometimes politics can be just as dangerous as the streets of Baghdad.”

Agent Thomas Fox is the main character in Dereliction of Duty, a CID Agent sent to Baghdad as part of the Counter Terrorism Task Force. Whilst in Baghdad performing his duties Agent Fox becomes aware of the extent of corruption that goes on, the cover-ups involved and that even though one can follow orders, give their all to the job, risk losing their life, risk losing their family, at the end of the day you can still become a target and end up on the ‘outside’ of it all.

Throughout the novel the reader is introduced to various characters, some with characteristics we love, some we hate and others we love to hate and hate to love. I believe all characters play an integral part in telling this story, all have their little bit to play in the outcome of the novel and all brought out some emotion in me, be it negative or positive.

I understand the characters and events of Dereliction of Duty are based on real people and happenings but have been twisted about and altered so as not to give away the real life circumstances. I think Jon has done a fabulous job at showing the reader how life in the Army can be and I imagine this wouldn’t have been the easiest thing to do. Jon served for 20 years in the U.S. Army and no doubt could write 100 books detailing his work and people he worked with. To write a story of fiction and make sure not to disclose too much about certain things must have been difficult and sometimes may have even come close to the acceptable line. I will say this book is very believable, what goes on doesn’t surprise me but then the scary thing is this is probably just the tip of the iceberg to how things are done in real life.

A very grounding aspect of Dereliction of Duty was the inclusion on how family life is affected by having a career in the Army. I like how Jon has shown the reader the strain that is put upon the family unit. I couldn’t even fathom what families must go through when a member of that family is serving in the Army; I wouldn’t even like to guess. We do learn a little through Agent Fox the extent serving one’s country can cut through the core of a family. It makes you think, could you do it?

I will say I wanted to know more about the latter events in the book, wanted to read in more depth and detail what happened. Dereliction of Duty is quite a short book, which is great because it does keep you wanting to read and just get to the next bit, not wait until later to pick it back up, but in all honestly I could have read another 100 pages. Don’t get me wrong, it is not like the book comes to a quick end with the last chapter wrapping everything up. Those who have read it will understand what I mean. To get a better look at what happened in the end and how it happened by further explanation would definitely have held my interest. But in the same breath, I guess that mightn’t be for everyone. Let’s just say I have a particular interest in the events towards the end of the book.

Whilst reading Dereliction of Duty I could imagine it being a TV series or a movie. There are numerous shows about the Army and I would think if it were done properly this could be up there with the best. And on that note I must point out that Duty of Dereliction is the first in a three part series. Return to Duty is next up and I have been told it will contain “more action and drama”. I can’t wait! I need to know what happens next. I need to read the next book just like I would need to watch the next part of the series on TV. My adventure with Agent Fox cannot stop here!

Now, I must say a big thank you to Jon for providing me with a copy of Dereliction of Duty – in fact two copies! And thank you for participating in an interview with me – an interview I think highlights quite a few interesting aspects about the book and Jon himself. Thank you, Jon, for your guest post on your worthy cause the Wounded Warrior Project. And a big thank you, Jon, for your patience. This review has been a little bit on the tardy side, events happened I had no control over but Jon has never complained, always been very helpful and understanding. Thank you, Jon!

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Click here to go to Jon’s profile on my website where you fill find various links including the blurb of Dereliction of Duty, my interview with Jon and Jon’s guest post.