Book Reviews and More: Crusader - Declan Finn

Crusader

Saint Tommy, NYPD Book 5

Declan Finn

Tuscany Bay Books

ISBN 9798821292056

eISBN 9798201146894

ASIN B09ZRZW4MM

This was the ninth novel I have read by Declan Finn 8 in the last 2 months. I have now read the first five in his Saint Tommy Series, starting with Hell Spawn and Death Cult. I now understand why so many people rave about his works. Before reading book 1, I had also picked up White Ops Book 1, but got going on the Saint Tommy Series first. I have also previously picked up several anthologies that Finn has contributed to, that I have not got around to reading. They have been bumped up in my ‘to be read pile’. The hard part of discovering a new favourite author who is very prolific is there are many works to choose from. I believe at the time of writing this that Finn has 38 published books and short stories, including this series which is to be up to 12 books within a few months. As of late my fiction reading I have been alternating books by Finn, Andrew Grant (aka Andrew Child), and J.D. Kirk, but having finished Grant’s back catalogue Finns will be in more frequent rotation. I am currently reading 2 in this series and then a White Ops book, two more then a Pius Man book as well.

The description of this story is:

“He might be on his last crusade Still working abroad, Detective Tommy Nolan has a hot tip that leads him to Germany. Women and children are disappearing from Catholic Bavaria. The local police have their hands tied. Tommy is the last hope for answers.

Yet again, Tommy is in over his head. What starts as a sex trafficking ring turns into a terrorist conspiracy to unleash Hell on Europe. To stop it, Tommy must fight Nazi vampires, terrorists, and a swarm of succubi who want him as their next meal. Tommy has always crusaded for justice. But now he might be on his last crusade.”

I said before I was a little hesitant to start this series. It seemed a little over the top. And from the authors, publishing people, and friends it was so hyped I was afraid it would disappoint. It did not! In fact before I had finished the first 3 I picked up a dozen other works from Finn’s pen. And this series is getting better and better. The fist story was great, the second even better, the third was most excellent, the fourth amazing, and there is a shorter work between 3 and 4 that is well worth the read as well. But back to this volume.

Declan definitely pushing the line with these works. He is not afraid to punt political correctness out the door. He uses fiction to write about issues, and concerns that most media completely ignores. He is willing to confront the expediential growth in rape gangs in Europe, human trafficking. And Several other issues. But Written into a story about a New York Cop just trying to do the right thing and live his faith. Tommy Nolan wants his actions to live up to his theology, which is something I can greatly respect. But he is also willing to trust that God can do almost anything. Some examples include using charisms typical of saintly men and women in the past; speaking in tongues, fluent in speaking German which he has never learned. Sensing and smelling evil. And even miraculous healings. But Finn also writes with a great deal of humour. Reminiscent of Robert Asprin’s Phules Company Books, and Harry Harrison’s Stainless Steel Rat Saga. Some examples are:

“Hey, Michael,” I muttered. “You want to see me do my John Wick impression?”

I darted forward, the rifle at my shoulder, aimed at the stairs. I had switched to single fire. I would need the ammunition.

I came to the stairs and kept my eyes down the staircase as I walked around it and the glass rail and banister that kept people from falling down drunk onto the stairs. There was nothing that said I had to play fair with the forces of darkness. These people were in league with a succubus. They had walked through the holy water mist and hadn’t changed their minds. They hadn’t fled the club when a connection should have been severed. They knew what Jayden was, and they knew what was being done here.

I was almost certainly a dead man. My main hope was that I would stop enough of them so that Pearson could get out alive when the fighting was over.”

Also:

““Depends. Did Germany ever get to see John Wick?”

Berger smiled. “Ah, yes. Keanu. ‘Whoa.’ I understand.”

He pointed to the pile of bodies on the floor by the truck. The forensics on all of that was ruined. Everyone from the truck had stepped in, on, or around the dead kidnappers.

“They were dead when I got here,” I told him, which was the truth. “I have no direct knowledge of what happened to them.” This was also the truth.

Berger cocked his head. “How very … precise you are in your language.””

Who knew he would end up battling Nazi, Muslim, and Vampire devil worshipers? Throw in some succubi and politicians that turn a blind eye. Add a combat chaplain exorcist and you are in for some serious action.

Like the other stories in the series I really appreciate what Finn is trying to do. For some these books will be quick entertainment. For Some they will raise serious questions or faith and faith in action. And For some they will raise awareness of situations going on around the world. However I did not enjoy this one as much as the other books in the series. Finn really pushed the boundary with the succubi, their powers to inflame passion, and often being naked, really was a bit much for me, not so much that I won’t read the next instalment. But there were parts of this one that were too uncomfortable for me. I still love Tommy recalling prayers and praying his way through the battles, it is always entertaining.

This is an entertaining story an excellent series. I look forward to the rest of the books in this series, and other offerings from Declan’s masterful pen.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2022 Catholic Reading Plan!

Books by Declan Finn:

Love At First Bite Series:

Short Stories:

Blood Stained Cliffs of Dover

Bad Date

Mad Dog Moon

…

Novels:

Honor at Stake

Demons Are Forever

(Murphy's Law of Vampires)