The Covert Element: A James Becker Thriller

This is very clean cut and adventuresome - I love Betcher's writing - he takes the reader right to the location.

Excellent, fast read, well crafted with flashbacks and different POVs that were not confusing.

I loved the characters. Particularly liked both of the main characters and definitely want to read more about them. The plot premise did not seem outrageous and is very resonant of the meth lab issues in rural states.

Debated a bit on the rating and probably would rate this 4 1/2 stars if available, but the fact that it was the guy that got kidnapped and his wife that got away and got him rescued bumped it from a 4 star to a 5 star. I love smart, tough female characters.

Need to go back and read the earlier books in the series and will be waiting for more.

Author John L. Betcher treats his fans to the third installment in the "Element Series" with his latest, The Covert Element. Betcher instantly hooks readers when he takes us back to 1985 as a US Army Ranger unit drops into the Mexican jungle to take down drug cartel bosses. Master Sergeant Juan Fuentes leads the well-trained and experienced team which includes a young Terry "Bull" Red Feather.

We find our hero, James "Beck" Becker in present day Red Wing Minnesota at the scene of a meth lab fire where 23 men of Mexican background were apparently murdered. Beck, a former Military Intelligence Agent, often aids Ottawa County's Chief Deputy Sheriff, Doug Gunderson in difficult cases.

Beck, with the help of his ex-CIA code cracking wife Beth, are able to use tactics not available to Gunderson and other law enforcement agencies and discover plans of Los Cinco--a Mexican-based drug cartel now setting up shop in Red Wing. Beck knows that taking down a drug cartel meth lab is a dangerous business. He looks to bring in his friend Bull Red Feather for the duration. However, Juan Fuentes is in town and has already recruited his former comrade-in-arms with a plan to blow up the lab. Beck has no interest in risking innocent lives with a bombing and hopes Bull will eventually agree.

Author Betcher has a knack with getting his main characters in and out of tight spots. Personally, I would have liked to have seen Beck kept in trouble a little longer, and perhaps see him vulnerable and fearful for his life and for that of Beth. Still, this is a well-plotted and exceptionally written and researched thriller. Betcher tells a convincing story and yet manages to keep the violence and coarse language to a minimum and thus ensures a wide and satisfied audience.

All the players are brought together as Betcher builds momentum and suspense for a satisfying ending that will leave you entertained and excited for the next episode. The book stands alone well, but I dare you to read this one without needing to quickly purchase The Missing Element (book 1) and The 19th Element (book 2).

Highly Recommended Reader's Choice Reviews.

Maybe the best at least until the next one comes out. And I/we are waitin' on the next Beck thriller. Actually I think all 3 of the Becker stories are great. And I am really not sure which is really the best but go along with me here.
Betcher does a great job of spinning a thrilling tale and keeping you on the edge of your seat. I happened to just finish watching Knight and Day with Cameron Diez and Tom Cruise and I couldn't help but think what great movies all the Becker stories would make.
Becker "Beck" being a 'retired military intelligence' can't seem to keep his mind on practising law when all sorts of crimes seem to keep happening. He just keeps getting drawn into helping out his friends.
Here's the authors summary...Former military intelligence operative, James "Beck" Becker and his CIA code-cracking wife, Beth, have retired to Beck's hometown of Red Wing, Minnesota. Their retirement has already proven more exhilarating than they'd expected. But they could never have anticipated the new source of crime and intrigue in their small community. A Mexican drug cartel has set up shop a few miles down the road. And they're not just selling. The new meth production facility is the largest north of the Rio Grande.
To complicate matters further, Terry "Bull" Red Feather's former comrade-in-arms has come to visit. And he's on a mission. His decades-long assault on the cartels is coming to a head with a plan to blow up the Minnesota meth plant ... if he can find it. He wants Bull to help.

The Beckers' challenge? To dismantle cartel operations before a full-blown drug war breaks out in Red Wing.

The Covert Element is a fun read. My husband even liked it. It is fun, edge of your seat and interesting without having language,violence and bed-room scenes that would give it an 'R' rating. I think it would even be o.k. for an older teen. Check it out and while your add it order all three!