by John Purvis
(See all my Book Reviews and Author Interviews) – Author D.C. Gilbert (https://darrencgilbert.com) published the novel “MONTAGNARD: A JD Cordell Action Thriller ” in 2020. This is the second book in The JD Cordell Action Series. This is Mr. Gilbert’s third book. I published an interview with Mr. Gilbert in June of 2018.
I received a copy of this novel from the author in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains scenes of violence and mature language. The story picks up a short time after the first novel “Serpents Underfoot” ends.
The primary character continues to be Former SEAL JD Cordell. After many years of service, Cordell retires taking his K9 Ajax with him. On his last active duty mission, Cordell rescues the very pretty young Doctor Ellen Chang. She was being held by terrorists in Niger. After his retirement, he finds she has come back to the States and has settled hear him. Romance is in full swing between the two.
Shortly after the death of her husband, Mai Cordell makes a trip back to Vietnam. She is trying to find her adopted brother, the Montagnard called Dish. Dish is a rebel wanted by the communist government. When a drug lord hears about her search, he kidnaps her and uses her for bait to draw out Dish.
Cordell heads to Vietnam as soon as he hears about his mother. While the US government can’t take direct action, they do assist Cordell. Two of his former SEAL Team members ‘volunteer’ to go with him. Will he be in time to save his mother and the uncle he has never met?
I thoroughly enjoyed the 8.5 hours I spent reading this 309-page thriller. I had enjoyed Mr. Gilbert’s prior novel in the series and this one was just as good! I like the chosen cover art. I give this novel a 4.5 (rounded up to a 5) out of 5.
My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).
D.C. Gilbert 
Nice review DC! ❤️
The Vietnam war was one of the most senseless wars, for many reasons, leaving no heroes dead or alive. After reading Montagnards, you can get a real sense and experience of the Vietnam war in limbo. I found my Vietnam hero after JD left his comfort zone and followed his heart into the jungles of Vietnam’s rugged, political terrain, a dangerous mix of corruption with drug lords. Fearless, JD with his dog Ajax show so much courage upon the trails of mayhem, to rescue his one and only maternal tie. In the end, there is an astonishing trade off for JD’s love. AmericaOnCoffee
Wow! Thank you for the thoughtful review. So much about the war in Vietnam was wrong. And, I am glad you were able to identify with JD. I think he touches, even if just a little, the hero in all of us.
You are welcome DC. The story is a long read that is a good action-filled journey that calls out for more heroes in our world’s growing battles of defiance and corruption. For those who have heard about Nam and want to learn more, Montagnard is the read.