Review: Ferdinand’s Gold by Sheldon Charles

Family history, lines of honor, political instability and good old-fashioned greed collide in Ferdinand’s Gold, a new military thriller from author Sheldon Charles. Loosely based on a true story about four American Airmen robbing one of the most dangerous men in the world, this novel is fascinating in its historical detail, but also woven together with fictional elements that make the story leap off the page.

Dex Kevan may be an unknown Air Force grunt at the end of his deployment, sitting in a remote airbase in Guam, but when fate offers him a golden chance to solve his problems, he chooses to take the once-in-a-lifetime chance. However, he and his thieving crew unwittingly put themselves in the crosshairs of the horrifically violent Colonel Madulas, who has lost his hold on power in the Philippines, but not his taste for blood. Dex sees the caper as a chance to get his life back together after his service, and manage to hold on to his girlfriend, but instead it sends an avalanche of trouble his way.

Balancing between a high-stakes heist plot line and an in-depth study of the military mindset, this book holds a wide appeal, with deeply developed characters and relationships. The exploration of brotherhood within the armed services is also an underlying theme, especially in terms of where that loyalty ends. There is even a slight social commentary about America’s presence around the world, and our culpability in the creation of violent, greed-fueled monsters, but the heart of the story paints military service in an honorable and admirable light.

Some of the most authentic stretches of writing are in the everyday glimpses of military service – due in large part to the author’s career in the Air Force. Charles is able to bring a barracks to life, even for someone who has never stepped foot in one, just as easily as he depicts a flurry of action or violence – confident, specific, and memorable. The dialogue is sharp and believable throughout the novel, and the military jargon is never forced or overdone. The premise itself – Dex and his crew risking their lives for a 6-figure payoff – is an alluring gambit, and the story positively hums with tension.

At times, the procedural elements get a bit repetitive, and while this helps with a reader’s immersion, some of these unnecessary sections could be pared down. In terms of the writing itself, there is a slight coldness to the storytelling, as if being reported during a debrief. The plot arc, characters, and settings are clear, but the language is declarative and informative, often lacking in humanity or emotion. As the action mounts and the thrilling chase aspect of this novel takes over, the rigidity of the first half of the book lessens, as though the author himself was getting more excited and engaged with the story as it progressed.

With increasingly high stakes and a powerful narrative voice that makes it hard to put down, Ferdinand’s Gold is a tumultuous ride that is a perfect afternoon escape for fans of military thrillers and adventure fiction.