In Book Three of The Last Enemy series: The Last Enemy, author Dan E. Hendrickson brings readers the explosive finale of the Cartel Crusher adventures. Commander Jacob Edwards was known throughout Mexico and the American border as the Hero of Cozumel for his exploits over a decade earlier when, as a United States Coast Guard Commander, he foiled a planned assassination of the then Mexican president’s daughter, Marnia Gonzalez, aboard a cruise ship off the coast of Mexico. Marnia would go on to become one of Mexico’s most feared law enforcement agents, known as the Cartel Crusher. Jacob’s actions had put him in direct conflict with some powerful and dangerous people; Boris, a notorious Russian mafioso whose sole ambition was the accumulation of power and money, along with powerful Mexican cartel lord Maximillian Manerez. When Jacob, his wife, and his mother are all killed in a sabotaged plane crash whilst heading to Australia on holiday, it appears Boris has won – but has he really? Marnia believes Jacob was not actually on that plane and is determined to uncover the truth, along with Jacob’s father and his daughter Danielle.

Having read the first two books in the series, it was a pleasure for me to be reunited with all the old, familiar characters in The Last Enemy. Author Dan E. Hendrickson has drawn characters at the very extremes of human nature, from the intensely patriotic and family-oriented members of the Edwards’ family through to the magnificent evilness of Boris and Maximillian. What I particularly liked about Jacob as a character was that he was flawed and defined by his actions that had seen him proclaimed as the Hero of Cozumel. He knew he had a dark side to him as evidenced that day but he accepted his limitations and still did whatever was necessary to protect his family and his country. I felt the author went out of his way to present positive and uplifting characters on the Mexican and Central American sides. Given the current stereotyping of these people, this was a real plus for me to read. If you like a series with realistic action sequences, lots of twist and turns, plus some good, old-fashioned values and family love, then you shouldn’t miss out on this book and this series. This is an excellent series and one in which the author has grown as a writer. I look forward to what’s next from this author.

The Last Enemy, the third book in The Last Enemy series by Dan E. Hendrickson is an impassioned tale that is filled with adventure, themes of family and loyalty and the incredible mission to save the hero of Cozumel, Commander Jacob Edwards, believed to have been dead for three years in a plane crash over the Pacific Ocean. When his daughter, Danielle Edwards, and a girl, Marnia Gonzalez, who has grown up to look at him as a father figure, learn that he is still alive, they set out on a rescue mission.

Filled with action and fast-paced, this novel begins with a powerful premise: a respectable commander and a well-loved father, believed to be dead, is alive. It is a moment that changes everything. The writing is fluid and the scenes are beautifully captured. For instance, I loved when Jacob wakes up in the hospital: "Jacob awakens two days later in what looks like a hospital room. He springs to a seated position and discovers his wife Mary and mother Linda in similar beds. All are handcuffed to their beds. He shakes his head trying to clear the grogginess and make sense of his predicament when two Latino men walk into the room." The writing is focused and balanced and the points of view come across clearly. There are scenes that are emotionally rich and the whole story stands out in its psychological depth. Character development is impeccable and the plot is ingeniously done so that it leaves readers no choice but to keep turning the pages. Compelling characters, a cunning plot, and pulsating action are just some of the elements that make this book an exciting read.

The Last Enemy is a work of adventurous and action-packed fiction penned by author Dan E. Hendrickson and is the third book of The Last Enemy series. Following the events of The Good Fight and The Cartel Crusher, we find the double team of heroic females Danielle Edwards and Marnia Gonzalez at the head of a new adventure. They both have much admiration and respect for Commander Jacob Edwards, The Hero of Cozumel, whom they both believed to be dead. But when Marnia discovers that Jacob might still be alive, the women work together with a team of trained professionals to recover their hero once and for all.

Something that I really enjoyed about the work of author Dan E. Hendrickson was the fact that he doesn’t shy away from strong women who go through success, failures, and learn important lessons during their adventure and rescue mission. Danielle and Marnia are very different girls with different upbringings, but their common goal allows them to have mutual respect for each other’s skills, and the team supporting them, and what results is a powerfully realistic and inspiring rescue story with plenty of twists and turns. I loved the descriptions of all the exotic places they explore, as well as the well-paced chapters and the way the action is revealed through sharp prose and realistic dialogue. Coupled with a clever plot that is well paced in its reveal, this makes The Last Enemy a thrilling ride for readers who love crime, military, action and adventure tales.

Both Danielle Edwards and Marnia Gonzalez have Jacob Edwards to look up to. While he is a father to Danielle, he is a savior for Marnia. For three years, they believed that he and his wife had died in a plane crash; however, when they come to realize that Jacob and his wife are both alive, these two women join forces to find him and bring him back home. They are ready to do whatever it takes to bring Jacob back home, but it is not easy, especially considering the fact that they must encounter an uncharted territory to rescue Jacob. Can these two women bring him back?

Although The Last Enemy is the third book in The Last Enemy Series by Dan E. Hendrickson, I had zero issues catching up with the story and becoming invested in it. I enjoyed how the protagonists were both strong females who understood themselves, didn’t try to punch above their weight and capitalized on their strengths. These are no wannabe heroines; these are two smart women who know their worth and are big fighters. Danielle Edwards and Marnia Gonzalez are two very strong female characters that are at once relatable and easy to remember. The plot itself is very interesting, the pace is fast, the flow is smooth and the development of the story is wonderful. The elements of mystery, suspense, action, and adventure are all very well written to stand strong on their own yet at the same time complement each other as well. A fantastic novel.