Jonathan Gault was raised on an Indian Reservation where he witnessed his people's faith in supernatural power. Instead of embracing their ancient customs and practices, Gault rebelled, spending his life scientifically concocting powerful explosives and robotic assassins. With the government after him, Gault goes into hiding in Chicago where he collaborates with a high ranking Chicago public official in many lethal activities.

Freelance journalist Kate Ford, with the help of an anonymous source, begins to investigate some suspicious deaths. Detective Larry Cole is on the same track, and he and Kate team up, which leads them into a direct confrontation with the evil Gault and his leg-less, equally evil assistant, Christian. Narrowly escaping deadly traps and attacks, Cole and Ford finally meet Gault and Christian in a wild showdown.

Author Hugh Holton does interject some rather odd (and not very interesting) subplots into his action packed book. Among them are Cole's very strange relationship with a couple of insane sisters and a pair of ex-cons who are also tracking Gault. Fortunately, these strange little scenes do little damage to the book because they are easily skimmed and forgotten.

The writing itself is a bit simple and unrefined, which may force the reader to slow down and reread some lines. The abrupt appearance of some fantastic and unbelievable elements, including the heavy use of black magic and some very elaborate and large mechanical killers, may distract and alienate some readers. But those who can let reality be stretched a little as they journey through the novel will thoroughly enjoy Red Lightning.

Red Lightning is simply a very good read. It has intriguing twists, likeable good guys, complex evil bad guys and tons of action. Nothing too intense or thought-provoking, Holton's novel is just a lot of fun. So let yourself go a little, and this book will be hard to put down.

--Jerad Beltz