Paid in Blood by Mel Odom

Paid in Blood is a novel based upon the NCIS television series. I have not watched the series on TV but that did not stop me from enjoying the novel. The book is independent of the television series so I did not have to know the background from the show.

The story follows Navy Commander Will Coburn and his NCIS team investigating the murder of a fellow NCIS agent.

The investigation into the murder leads them to a local crime ring that has ties to stolen military weapons and drugs that are being smuggled around the world on Navy vessels. One clue leads to another and the team finds themselves in the middle of a desperate battle to keep a homicidal terrorist mastermind from starting World War III.

It is an easy and enjoyable read. I picked it up and had read two hundred pages before I even thought to put it down. Mel writes in a style that is compelling and enjoyable. Mel’s characters were well written, dealing with real life problems while having to work in a stressful and hazardous world.

As in all Tyndale books, the Christian faith plays an important part. The characters all have to deal with their faith, or loss of faith, as the story progresses. The villain is Muslim extremist and the dichotomy between the two faiths is sure to provide some controversy.