The Firefly

by P.T. Deutermann

Book Overview

At midnight, in a secret medical clinic in Washington, D.C., two foreign doctors and their team are completing plastic surgery on an anonymous client who is changing the appearance of his face, among other things. After the procedure, the client begins to stir-and suddenly the operating room erupts in violence and the clinic is ablaze.Washington police conduct an arson investigation, with inconclusive results. But one tantalizing fragment of evidence...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312203772
• ISBN13: 9780312203771
• Release Date: December 2003
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 387 Pages
• Weight: 1.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.5" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

This could really happen

This is a scenerio that could really happen. I am familiar with mortars, so the book was accurate. It is really scary how some nut bag could pull off something in this manner. Good Read

Well Worth The Read: The Firefly by P. T. Deutermann

Book marketing today is a funny business. There are many books out there with a "thriller" designation attached to their title and quite often; they aren't a thriller on any level. Then there are those books that should have the designation and for whatever unfathomable reason, don't. Those books may not have the designation but should because they are in fact, thrillers. "The Firefly" by the always very enjoyable P. T. Deutermann is a glaring case in point.After the tragedy of 9/11, Retired Secret Service Agent Swamp Morgan was recalled to active duty, as were hundreds if not thousands of agents and investigators throughout the various federal law enforcement agencies. Swamp is now operating out of a small segment of the large umbrella organization known as the Department of Homeland Security. Swamp is assigned to investigate a strange fire at a local medical clinic as inauguration day fast approaches.Six weeks ago, a large fire burned at a private clinic specializing in plastic surgery killing two doctors and two nurses. All the bodies, badly charred, were found in an operating room that clearly had just been used for surgery but there was no sign of the patient. The case becomes stranger as the fire burned much hotter than it should have and from all appearances seems to indicate arson. Could the missing patient have done it and if so, why? Then part of a medical transcript of a patient record is found and not only were some possibly illegal activities going on at the clinic but there is some sort of threat to the President. Swamp is tasked with evaluating the information and he is to determine whether the threat is real or not. If not real, it is a firefly and in Washington terms, slap it back down in the grass where it belongs.Swamp begins to investigate and soon begins to discover evidence-circumstantial and coincidental in the eyes of others-that leads him to suspect this is no firefly but the real deal. Despite public statements to the contrary, control of turf and power still rule the day in Washington and as Swamp pursues his theory as tasked, he begins to lose allies and make powerful new enemies along the way. Those in power sending him out to investigate don't seem to care that he might be right and begin to openly question his judgment. They seem convinced that he is wrong but what if he is right?This 387-page novel is classic Deutermann. This ninth novel of his features his usual high caliber tight writing with interesting characters and plenty of action. Then there is his ability to lay out the characters and the entire situation and then in a few short pages, flip everything over into a new direction before doing it again and again.Much like Robert Ludlum did in his early novels, Deutermann creates a world where reality is far different from the perceived illusion. By coming up with wheels within wheels and multiple agendas by almost everyone else but the main character, one never really knows who the players are for real all th

Top notch thriller

I have read all of Mr. Deutermann's novels and this is the best one to date. Great plot, gripping story and believable characters make for an exciting, quick paced read. The plot is very timely in this post 9/11 world. At first the ending seemed a little preposterous, but after thinking about it, I can see something like that happening.I look forward to Mr. Deutermann's next novel.

A Top-Notch Thriller

"Firefly" is a thriller that draws you in with the first chapter and doesn't let go until the surprisingly chilling ending. It provides a frightening-to-think-about terrorist plot against the U.S. government; a likable and savvy retired Secret Service agent as a protagonist; an inside look at the unbridled power of government agencies in post 9-11 America; and action that rachets up each chapter. If you really want to bring Deutermann's words to life, listen to the unabridged audio. Didn't think anything this year could surpass the suspense of "The DaVinci Code," but "Firefly" did it for me.

Best Christmas present you could buy for a loved one!!!!!!!

Lets get right to the point,you can read what the book is about,in the above reviews.What i can tell you ,this book is the bestbook written this year.Deutermann,is the best story teller,inthe U. S. today.FIREFLY,is even better than HUNTING SEASON. Idid not think he could top that book .Deutermann just gets better and better.If you are looking for a [book] gift for this seasonof the year, buy this book ,that person will be thrilled that you picked this one.Its the best of the best!!!!!!!!!