Come Hell or High Water

Synopsis

When a badly burned body is found near the remote Ardnamurchan Lighthouse on the west coast of Scotland, it feels like just another day on the job for DCI Jack Logan and his team. But the victim’s list of enemies—including a diminutive loan shark and a powerful local politician—is far longer than Jack was prepared for. And don’t even get him started on the magic psychic sex cult. With political scandal brewing, conspiracy theories running wild, and a team member stuck inside a giant road safety squirrel costume, DCI Logan’s latest case might just be his most bizarre to date.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Birth of a Legend

* Introduces Nicholas Berg, a young American engineer who traveled to Iraq in 2004.
* Describes the kidnapping and beheading of Berg by insurgent group Ansar al-Islam.
* Explores the psychological impact of the event on Berg's family and friends.

Chapter 2: The Rise of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi

* Delves into the early life and ideology of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, leader of Ansar al-Islam.
* Examines Zarqawi's role in the Iraq War and his influence on the global jihadist movement.

Chapter 3: The Fall of Fallujah

* Chronicles the US military's second assault on the city of Fallujah in November 2004.
* Describes the intense urban warfare, targeting of civilians, and the arrest of Saddam Hussein's sons.

Chapter 4: The First Battle of Ramadi

* Recounts the US Marines' offensive to capture the city of Ramadi from insurgent forces.
* Highlights the bloody house-to-house fighting and the iconic image of Marine sniper Chris Kyle.

Chapter 5: The Surge and the Awakening

* Analyzes the US strategy of sending 30,000 additional troops to Iraq in 2007.
* Explores the creation of the "Sons of Iraq" and their role in combating the insurgency.

Chapter 6: The Second Battle of Ramadi

* Details the US Marines' return to Ramadi in 2008 to pacify the city and secure the province of Anbar.
* Describes the use of counterinsurgency tactics and the gradual improvement in security.

Chapter 7: The Anbar Awakening

* Examines the transformation of Anbar province from an insurgent stronghold to a bastion of support for the Iraqi government.
* Credits tribal leaders, religious figures, and the Sons of Iraq for their role in the pacification effort.

Chapter 8: The Legacy of the Iraq War

* Assesses the long-term impact of the Iraq War on the country, the region, and the global security landscape.
* Discusses the rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), the challenges of nation-building, and the lessons learned from the conflict.

Chapter 9: The Firefight at OP Romeo

* Provides a firsthand account of a real-life firefight experienced by an embedded reporter during the Anbar Awakening.
* Details the intensity of close combat, the camaraderie among soldiers, and the aftermath of loss.