If you have not read any of the Bob Lee Swagger series, you're missing some very good thrillers with a master sniper at the center as he tries to make his corner of the world safer. But this time, Bob Lee's heroic efforts earned him a grilling in front of Congress. As unbelievable as it seems, he's treated as a criminal......until the hearing is attacked and those who would see his skills punished must now count on Bob Lee to save them. Another 5 easy stars for Hunter. He seems to rack them up on a regular basis.

Another Swagger book and part of the story deals with the ending from the last Swagger book where he killers another assassin. He is now being brought to congress for trial which is like a witch hunt. You have the back and forth between the other congressmen and women, between Swagger and his attorney and his family. Really reminds me of the old hearings from the 60s and 70s with grandstanding and wild statements with no questions being asked.
Yes, it is made to be political but I did not look at it that. By remembering the old hearings that used to be televised on free T.V. before all of this other BS we got to see what was going on and hearing some of the stupid questions that they would ask. By the time you get towards the end of the book the action begins to happen and for all of their grandstanding Swagger saves the asses. Overall, a good story.

Bob Lee Swagger and his surrounding characters change and grow. Mr. Hunter allows this development and thus keeps the reader invested in them all. This latest chapter in the series is among the best. Mr. Swagger, hurry back.

Couldn't finish it. sorry, I really like Stephen Hunter but this was awful. I rarely put down a book but I just couldn't get through it.

This book was so good! I want to see more from this author in the future!! I couldn't put this book down. What a page turner!!!

Published by Atria/Emily Bestler Books on January 18, 2022

Targeted is a novel of extremist paranoia, a work of propaganda that pushes all the far-right buttons, from “they’re coming to take away our guns” to “fake news” invented by mainstream media reporters (one of whom is described as “vagina-faced”). After reading Game of Snipers, a decent thriller with a minimal injection of politics, I expected better from Stephen Hunter. My expectations weren’t worth the paper the book was printed on, particularly the paperless digital edition.

A congressional subcommittee made up of “leftists” in Washington is investigating Bob Lee Swagger because they don’t have anything more important to investigate. Maybe Hunter wrote this novel before January 6, 2021; maybe he means to distract from it. Ruled by an evil leader who is clearly a stand-in for Nancy Pelosi (variously referred to as “the crazy lady,” “dragon bitch,” and “Mother Death”), the “leftists” (including a Democrat identified as “the mewling baby man”) are out to get Bob Lee Swagger, not because of his silly name, but because he is a true American hero who loves guns and isn’t afraid to use them. Sigh.

The novel’s tired premise is that the left hates heroes who use guns and wants to hamper the efforts of patriotic cops who are just trying to protect American citizens from suspicious people with dark skin. What better strategy could the “leftists” concoct than to investigate Swagger and have him prosecuted with the expectation that police officers will be crippled by the fear of similar consequences and will never again use force to protect white people from the criminals who terrorize them? The investigation is supposedly based on Swagger’s use of “unauthorized ammunition” (Swagger’s special recipe), a charge that will hardly dissuade the police from using conventional ammunition. Sorry Hunter, but nobody on the left would be stupid enough to think this investigation makes sense. Prosecuting Swagger would make him the poster boy for the next Blue Lives Matter campaign. Who needs that?

In the real world, the Justice Department isn’t going to indict the man who (in the previous novel) saved Obama’s life (and was prepared to save Trump’s) from a terrorist sniper because he did so by using “unauthorized ammunition.” Nor would Democrats vote to investigate a war hero in a wheelchair. Nor would a judge allow the case to go forward, since shooting a killer with “unauthorized ammunition” as the killer is lining up a shot to take out an ex-president doesn’t remotely constitute wanton endangerment, which (at least as described here) isn’t even a federal crime. The idiotic concept of Targeted is jaw-dropping. It’s also ridiculous to think that cops would care whether Swagger is prosecuted for using ammunition that they don’t use, given that the prosecution of Derek Chauvin didn’t deter other cops from kneeling on the necks of unarmed suspects.

Swagger is insufferably self-righteous as he feigns humility. His philosophy is simple, to match his simple mind: liberals weak, rough man strong. Hunter portrays everyone on the left as ignorant because, unlike the virtuous Swagger, they couldn’t possibly understand the crucial distinction between a bullet and a cartridge. At several points, the novel suggests that education is useless unless it relates to guns and killing. Swagger’s poor grammar is apparently intended to convey that “book learning” don’t mean nothing compared to knowledge of firearms. Oddly, Swagger likes to read histories of war but his reading ain’t improved his grammar none. When he isn’t crafting Swagger’s dialog, Hunter at least manages to construct sentences with pain-free grammar. Gosh, did Hunter acquire a dangerous education somewhere?

The point of this novel is not to tell a realistic story. The point is to push the intended audience’s propaganda buttons by demonstrating how, consistent with the fevered imaginations of conservative extremists, “leftists” hate cops and guns. This isn’t a fair-minded discussion of whether cops should be screened for racism and sadism or whether guns should be regulated. It’s a full course red meat dinner for readers on the far right who live in a fact-free echo chamber, readers who believe that “rough men” who use violence to protect us all must be free from criticism when they turn their violence against people who are armed with nothing but dark skin. Swagger gives a tedious speech about the long line of “rough men” in his family who preceded him and how we all love them when we need them. Dull stretches of this dull novel even follow one of his ancestors in 1780, apparently to make the point that “rough men” have always been vital to American life. And perhaps to suggest that a facility with guns is hereditary.

This nuttiness takes up the first half of a slow-moving story. Hunter tries to pick up the pace in the second half by introducing Chechen prisoners who steal a prison bus and perform the miraculous task of crashing into an otherwise impregnable high school auditorium where the congressional subcommittee is holding a hearing on Swagger. Why are members of Congress convening in a high school auditorium in Boise? Well, they thought it would be wise to meet Swagger on his home turf rather than Washington. Seriously? The real reason is that prisoners can’t easily drive a stolen bus into the Capitol — only insurrectionists on foot can manage that invasion.

The Chechens terrorize the “soft” liberals and guess who comes riding to the rescue? Hint: he’s riding a wheelchair. In fact, he’s zip tied to the wheelchair and (spoiler alert) has apparently been stabbed to death, but that doesn’t stop him from fighting armed terrorists because righteous tough guys always prevail. Unlike all the rough men wannabes who regularly threaten Nancy Pelosi from their parents’ basements, the true patriot knows that his job is to protect women, even the ones for whom he feels contempt. Mind you, Swagger makes clear that he wouldn’t mind if Pelosi were killed, but he’s willing to sacrifice himself to “make a point,” which apparently has something to do with the moral superiority of rough men with guns.

Unfortunately, every time the novel seems to be moving forward, Hunter takes a break to give us another diatribe, in one instance imagining a New York Times reporter dictating policy to the government’s hostage team, insisting that they use no violence because “the day of the heroes is over” and lamenting that Swagger might ruin the story by doing something heroic. The Times reporter, of course, doesn’t know the difference between Utah and Idaho. At other times, Hunter pauses the action to show us how bureaucrats, unlike rough men with guns, can’t get anything done. Hunter even takes a shot at Stephen Colbert, mistaking the comedian for a “political analyst,” likely because Hunter has no sense of humor.

The simple-minded mentality of Targeted comes down to the superiority of Men With Guns to Men Without Guns — not just superiority at shooting guns and killing people (although those are the only things that really matter to the celebrated Rough Men), but superiority at all things: making policy, raising kids, teaching history to white children. They probably bake better brownies; you can’t go wrong with Men With Guns. Put them behind keyboards, however, and you can’t count on them to produce compelling fiction, unless you need loving descriptions of guns to make your day.

NOT RECOMMENDED

I've read many books by Stephen Hunter and have enjoyed them all. This one was no different. His books are faced pace and easy to read. Great characters that are easy to root for. I highly recommend this book.

It's funny how you can be loving a main character continuously and each book is so good. Then you suddenly realize,oh no he is getting old and he has aches and pains like I do. Well it's still a super good book, lots of action too. At first I thought it's going to be court and I'm not fond of drama in court so this gave me a great read. I am here to say if you need a series with some great interesting books and have never tried Stephen Hunter well you should go to your Library and start with the first book. I'm very excited that he gave us a hint of something to really look forward to, his next book. Sounds just awesome and I can't wait! Bring it on!!

Overall, a decent addition to the Swagger series. Hunter executes a witty, action-packed story of Swagger now 74 years old. While I enjoyed this book, the parts reflecting back to Swagger’s history slowed the momentum of the storyline and the flow just seemed slightly off from Hunter’s typical writing style. If this is your first Hunter book, suggest reading the earlier books in the series.

Thank you NetGalley, Atria Books, and Stephen Hunter for the electronic ARC.
#NetGalley #Targeted

I received an ARC through "NetGalley" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

The story begins with a group of men trying to steal a semi. Unknown to them, a security guard was on site, Delta, and he attempted to prevent the vehicle being stolen. H was unsuccessful and the men got away. At the time Bob Lee was taking it easy on his porch recuperating from a wound he received earlier. In Washington, a Congresswoman was starting to put together to investigate this exact incident, and Bob Lee was to be the main witness. Their aim was to stop all of the killings being made in the name of the Government.

As the story continued, the commission decided that they would hold it in Idaho where Bob Lee lived. The story followed the hearing which was in a local school. AS the hearing was drawing to a close, a group of men, the same ones involved in the truck hijacking, made their escape and wound up at the site where the hearing was being held. As a result, all of the Representatives along with a number of other individuals including Bob Lee were taken as hostages. As it so happens, Delta, was sent to eliminate these men by the owner of the truck that was stolen. Even with the large force of law personnel who were waiting, Delta made a plan to enter and kill those men.

To learn what the fate of these individuals, the role Bob Lee played and whether Delta was successful in his quest, then you need to read this book.

Targeted is one of the most exciting thrillers I have read in a long time. Stephen Hunter does a masterful job of building up the explosive events that happen in the second half the book.
There are multiple pov's but when the most terrifying are the ones from the villian's point of view. What, I liked best was that things everything was explained by the end . There were no deliberate pot holes in order to set up the next book in the series.

Targeted shows that Thrillermaster Stephen Hunter is on top of his game.

Just Meh!

I’ve been a reader of Stephen Hunter’s books from the start of his career, and, early on, he was one of my favorite authors. I loved the first several books in his Swagger series. However, as the years went by, his books became somewhat “hit and miss”:for me; and as a consequence, up until reading Targeted, I took a hiatus from reading the last few books in this series..

Having now finished Targeted, my overall opinion is that while it is good enough to finish, it is not a book that I’d recommend you rush out to read.

In fairness to Hunter, his writing style is so professional that I kept turning the pages to find out what happened next. However, as I continued to turn the pages, I found myself becoming less and less interested in the plot -primarily because there was not enough of “ Bob Lee” and too much about characters i I didn’t consider to be very interesting, not to mention very credible. Yes, there was sufficient, albeit slow-building, action to move the plot along but this came about too late to sustain a high level of interest.

There’s more I could say but I think you get the idea by now that I consider Targeted to be “meh.”

#Targeted # Net Galley

I’ve read titles from a number of action series, and they are usually great escapist fare. The plot moves along at a gallop, and you barely stop to take a breath or think about the characters. However this is the first book I have read by Stephen Hunter, although I was familiar with cool-as-a-cucumber sniper Bob Lee Swagger from the movie Shooter starring Mark Wahlberg. Targeted is a story featuring that same sniper Bob Lee , but now 74 years old. I wasn’t sure what to expect from Swagger as an old man but I assumed he would have definitely slowed down some.
Well, let me tell you, this story surprised me in every way. Not only is there plenty of action but the writing is sharp, clever, edgy and humorous It is a witty commentary on the political scene as well as a powerful prison escape and hostage situation. Add to this a remarkable secondary plot taking place in American colonial times and you have a great literary adventure. I use the word “literary” deliberately. I actually learned some new vocabulary words while reading this. I definitely plan to go back and read some earlier adventures of Bob Lee, when he was in his prime.

I struggled a bit with this, which surprised me because I've been a fan of Stephen Hunter for years. Targeted, however, begins rather implausibly with a Congressional hearing held in Idaho for the convenience of Bob Lee Swagger (really?) and then there's an attack by bad guys which Swagger and the mysterious "Delta" manage to repel. There are flashback of a sort that take the reader through Swagger's family history which, while interesting, didn't add to the otherwise action packed thriller. Then there's the characters who were caricatures. There are lots of bad guys and then there's Congresswoman Venable. Hunter started off, I think, to write about an ethical issue but somehow got sideways. All of that said, it is Swagger is larger than life and you gotta like a 74 year old who manages to do what he does. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It is a page turner and I'd recommend to fans of the series.

Another thrilling ride in the Swagger series! This book is full of action and will keep you riveted. I could not put this one down, I had to finish it in one read. If you are a fan of Hunter and Swagger books, this one will not disappoint!

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Although the overall story was very good, the book was a struggle to get through and the history about how Swagger became Swagger was just filler. I thought it was too much to make the book long enough; probably 25% of it could go away. I have enjoyed most of the other books but this was definitely down the list.

Might be time for Bob Lee to stay in his rocking chair

When I first read POINT OF IMPACT, the first book in this series, years ago I was blown away. I would have never thought I could have been as entranced or as consumed by a story about a master sniper and his family as I have been over the years but the momentum has definitely let off.

Bob Lee is now 74 years old and has been brought before a Congressional hearing in Idaho. The people that want to chastise him, though, soon enough are looking for someone to rescue them from a gang of escaped prisoners that take over the hearing with little regard for anyone's life.

This story was kind of a hodgepodge of gangsters, Feds, snipers, government talking heads, the media and not enough Bob Lee, as has been the case in the last few books in the series. Time for Bob Lee to retire in my opinion.

This was an okay read but it was nowhere a stellar read like the first books in the series.

I received this book from Atria Books through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.

This was a new author to me, I love political thrillers, and was excited to read this book. But was very disappointed in this ARC. It wasn't as good as I thought it was going to be. The story was slow to build up, and the plot to way to long to come to life.

I would not recommend this book.

Free ARC from NET GALLEY

I wasn't sure, that you could 'thrill' me with a guy in his 70's

No worries, hearkening back to the golden age of thrillers, SH shows us the famous Swagger 'swag' is still there

Villains' from without (Chechen) and from within D.C. (District of Criminals) Swagger still swings for the fences, great job here!!

I've been a Stephen Hunter fan for longer than I care to remember and a Bob Lee Swagger fan for just about as long, so it grieves me to say that TARGETED was real a disappointment .

The historical story line that Hunter tried to link into the contemporary Swagger adventure I was looking forward to was flat and dull and unworthy of him. It brought everything to a screeching halt whenever a chapter devoted to that story line was interjected. After the first one, I started dreading those chapters. It wasn't long before I was skimming through them, then I started skipping them altogether. And as for the attempt at the end of the book to tie the historical storyline into the rest of the book, it was so lame that I was embarrassed for Hunter that he had written it.

I gathered from the acknowledgments that Hunter now has a new publisher and I imagine with that he also got a new editor. That transition has not been kind to Bob Lee Swagger. I just hope it doesn't kill him altogether.