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The Instructor    by T. R. Hendricks Amazon.com order for
Instructor
by T. R. Hendricks
Order:  USA  Can
Forge, 2023 (2023)
Hardcover, e-Book
* * *   Reviewed by Hilary Williamson

The Instructor is a violent, action-packed domestic terrorism thriller by T. R. Hendricks. Its lead is retired Marine Force Recon and SERE instructor Derek Harrington. He has PTSD and scratches a living with a bushcraft school teaching wilderness survival. He needs to earn more to support his ex-wife Kim and son Michael, and to get his dad into a care facility.

As the story opens, he's teaching a course (sharing survival tips with the reader as well). Gil, taking the course, is constant trouble, but hangs behind when the other students leave - and his persona changes. Gil came to check Derek out and now offers him $10,000 to give advanced training to a private group for two weeks in upstate New York - starting immediately.

The course goes well but then the group's elderly boss, Marshal, tells Derek he is building a refuge, Sanctuary, and wants him to build a quick reaction force to protect it. He refuses and leaves, but crises back home forces his hand. Before returning, Derek consults a friend, FBI Agent Kelly Scarsboro, who asks him to gather intel on Marshal's fringe group (which includes children).

Derek trains them hard until Marshal learns that he's working with the FBI and sets the men on his trail. Fortunately, he knows a lot more about survival than he taught. He holds his own - until the danger moves too close to home. This was an exciting (and informative) read. It ends with an offer for Derek that leaves room for a sequel.

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