Surrounded By Witnesses

by: Jeff Foster

Published by: North Star Press of St. Cloud

Reviewed by Michele E. Davis

(Available at Barnes & Noble.com http://www.BN.com)

“One man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter,” says Swede Larson in Foster’s book that is similar to Keifer Sutherland’s television drama, 24, but with a Minnesota-twist.

Archibald, Sarah and Peter Baker are Bosnian Muslims who traverse the globe as mission scouts, all part of terrorist cells that act independently of one another. Archibald, also called Mehmet Hadzic, takes photos of missions. He’s never made aware of the target, location, duration or intent. Based on the finances alone, Hadzic decides whether or not to accept or decline an assignment.

Unfortunately for Hadzic, his current mission in Minneapolis, Minnesota, takes a wrong turn when his family flies from London to Toronto and drives into Duluth, Minnesota during November, when a snowstorm is at its zenith. The Baker’s Ford Fusion goes off the road in Basswood, and Swede Larson rescues them. He takes the strangers, who state they’re from Yorkshire, home to his wife Heidi and they put them up for the night. The Baker’s trip to Minneapolis is delayed because of the weather and Sarah; along with Archibald confess their real intentions to the Larsons, who then bring in their good friend Johansson.

“Stefano” Johansson recognizes the stunningly beautiful Mrs. Baker as Fatima, a girl he met in Sarajevo years ago while he worked for the Special Forces. Johansson and the Larsons collude with the Bakers in a complicated, slightly hard-to-believe adventure of wits against the terrorist mission security personnel and American government agencies.
Surrounded By Witnesses is engaging, dramatic and kept me reading–even though the plot was a bit far-fetched. Beyond all the bullets flying and the death toll racking up, it’s a happy ending for everyone.

Armchair Interviews says: A fun book if you like well-written espionage and intrigue.

Author’s Web site: http://Jeff-Foster.us