Looks like I won’t be going to work for at least the next 2 months. Just discovered that one of Grit-Lit’s all time favorite authors, Jon “The Legend” Land, has written 28 novels. TWENTY-EIGHT! And I’ve only read 9 of ‘em. That’s 19 books I’ve gotta read RIGHT NOW! And no, you can’t have my copies when I’m done. They are going to their place of honor on my bookshelf next to the other superlative tough guy novels by John D. MacDonald, Randy Wayne White, Robert Parker, James W. Hall, Andrew Vachss, Stephen Hunter, Ian Fleming, David Morrell …

“Strong Enough To Die” by Jon Land. (Forge $24.95, 352 pages. Hard cover.)

Land’s books are so good, his last book “The Seven Sins: The Tyrant Ascending” is on its way to being a major film. The movie guys from “Terminator” snapped up the rights.

Now don’t get all mad when you discover that technically “Strong Enough” is not a tough guy book. That’s only because on special occasions, Land’s hero can look mighty good in a dress. His new star, Caitlin Strong, is the first female Texas Ranger. So, she’s tough. Plenty tough.

Here’s a brief quote to give you

“You ever shot anybody before today?” he asked her.

“Yup.”

“Kill anybody?”

“Yup. Not that I’m proud of it.”

“You proud of what you did today?”

“Nope.”

“Figured.” Dylan sighed, leaning back with arms crossed. “Why?”

“’Cause I was too late to save your mom.”

“Strong Enough” is a wonderful complex story that touches on several real life issues: torture recovery centers, border control, high tech computer weapons … In “Strong Enough To Die” Land has create a complex and wildly enjoyable thriller.

An Important Note:

This review  originally appeared in my newspaper column “Grit-Lit” which is dedicated to the best of thrillers, adventure/action mysteries and gritty detective novels.  If you’d like to read the entire column, complete with even more great thriller and tough guy gritty detective novel recommendations, please click here.