Title: A Police Action
Author: A. A. Freda
Publisher: Dorrance Publishing Co.
ISBN-13: 978-1-4809-4351-3
Pages: 252
Genre: Historical Fiction
Reviewed by: Jason Lolus
Pacific Book Review
A Police Action is a great story; a compelling novel about love, war, and the existential crises of a young adulthood. Samantha and James have a brief but intense affair just before James is sent to Vietnam. It is as much a pair of coming-of-age stories as it is a romance/war novel. Sam and James are both intriguing characters and readers will be absorbed in their respective stories, let alone the prospect of their ending up together.
Meet our admirable, extraordinarily capable, but flawed hero, James Coppi. He can seemingly handle any situation. A consummate hustler and manipulator, his true genuine, loving side is revealed when he meets Samantha Powers. His unflappable confidence is shaken and he selflessly considers whether or not he is good enough for her. When they meet, she is pregnant with someone else’s child. A dubious relationship for a conman, but James falls in love with Sam. While he’s away, she pursues her independence while sustaining their bond despite the thousands of miles in between. Author A. A. Freda strikes a great balance here with Samantha’s world in Colorado, James’ time in Vietnam, both strung together by the good old-fashioned business of writing letters and waiting for responses.
Although the novel is driven by the waiting and tension of the long distance romance, it is also about the bonds and conflicts between brothers in arms. Some of his fellow soldiers are drawn to James for his uncanny resourcefulness while others (namely the corrupt Sergeant Camby) are put off by it. While in Vietnam, James must utilize every bit of his wits in fighting the enemy and the corruption in his own unit.
James is dutiful yet cynical: the latter indicated by the historical misnomer that is the title, A Police Action. Aside from being a great story with well-drawn characters and their compelling narrative, the author has woven together thematic conflicts remarkably well. There is the strong but dependent Sam, the resourceful but aimless James, the honor and cynicism of war, and the struggle to remain together while apart. These themes play off each other and add to the flow and progress of the plot.
This book is highly entertaining and a real page-turner. In this sense, it has a “Hollywood” quality, with no lack in depth. Sam’s and James’ uncertainty and hope leave the readers just guessing if this intriguing tale will have a happily-ever-after finale. It is that balance of uncertainty and hope that keeps the story from being predictable or cliché. As a war/romance novel, it’s a great read and would make a great movie.
