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Paul Brenner #1
The General's Daughter
Captain Ann Campbell is a West Point graduate, the daughter of legendary General "Fighting Joe" Campbell. She is the pride of Fort Hadley until, one morning, her body is found, naked and bound, on the firing range.
Paul Brenner is a member of the Army's elite undercover investigative unit and the man in charge of this politically explosive case. Teamed with rape specialist Cynthia Sunhill, with whom he once had a tempestuous, doomed affair, Brenner is about to learn just how many people were sexually, emotionally, and dangerously involved with the Army's "golden girl." And how the neatly pressed uniforms and honor codes of the military hide a corruption as rank as Ann Campbell's shocking secret life.
Paul Brenner is a member of the Army's elite undercover investigative unit and the man in charge of this politically explosive case. Teamed with rape specialist Cynthia Sunhill, with whom he once had a tempestuous, doomed affair, Brenner is about to learn just how many people were sexually, emotionally, and dangerously involved with the Army's "golden girl." And how the neatly pressed uniforms and honor codes of the military hide a corruption as rank as Ann Campbell's shocking secret life.
464 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 16, 1992
1372 people are currently reading
13917 people want to read
About the author
Nelson DeMille
255 books7,256 followersNelson Richard DeMille was an American author of action adventure and suspense novels. His novels include Plum Island, The Charm School, and The General's Daughter. DeMille also wrote under the pen names Jack Cannon, Kurt Ladner, Ellen Kay and Brad Matthews.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 926 reviews
December 29, 2013
I read this as my introduction to Nelson DeMille years ago. As a veteran, his take on the Army is quite accurate. I like the balance of the mystery and the humor of the protagonist.
As a West Point graduate with the second class to have women, I think he explored a subject that few are willing to get into.
Where does the quest for power cross personal ethics? How much is an officer willing to give up for rank? With classmates commanding the 18th Airborne Corps at Ft. Bragg and McChord-Lewis in WA as three star generals, I find the different paths we all took quite interesting.
Nelson DeMille is an outstanding author whose work always has a great twist to it.
Highly recommended.
As a West Point graduate with the second class to have women, I think he explored a subject that few are willing to get into.
Where does the quest for power cross personal ethics? How much is an officer willing to give up for rank? With classmates commanding the 18th Airborne Corps at Ft. Bragg and McChord-Lewis in WA as three star generals, I find the different paths we all took quite interesting.
Nelson DeMille is an outstanding author whose work always has a great twist to it.
Highly recommended.
January 29, 2025
I realized after I posted my review of Night Fall by this author, that I needed to also share this review. After all, who didn’t see this book’s adaptation movie with John Travolta (1999)? Okay, well, if you didn’t, this might be an interesting time to consider doing so. And if you might be concerned about finding it, check your local library.
Another question of…Which was better the book or the movie?
Premise: The body of a female soldier is found dead, possibly raped, on a U.S. military base. Amongst the suspects are the victim’s father, a General and Vietnam hero, as well as a dozen or so military personnel she has been sexually involved with. Assigned to the case are Warrant Officer’s Paul Brennan and Cynthia Sunhill, former lovers who have quite the distance to go to get to the truth.
Ann Campbell’s murder unravels the mysteries and dark secrets of her underlying life in the military – and especially on this base.
Neatly pressed uniforms and honor codes of the military hide a corruption as rank as Ann Campbell’s shocking secret life.
This is a page-turning, disturbing story about a woman who was treated horribly. Her acts of revenge backfired, and what occurred to her were displayed vividly and graphically. Trigger warnings to all readers that this will not be an easy read, in that regard.
Yet, it was a compelling story. With lots of twists and tension.
Another question of…Which was better the book or the movie?
Premise: The body of a female soldier is found dead, possibly raped, on a U.S. military base. Amongst the suspects are the victim’s father, a General and Vietnam hero, as well as a dozen or so military personnel she has been sexually involved with. Assigned to the case are Warrant Officer’s Paul Brennan and Cynthia Sunhill, former lovers who have quite the distance to go to get to the truth.
Ann Campbell’s murder unravels the mysteries and dark secrets of her underlying life in the military – and especially on this base.
Neatly pressed uniforms and honor codes of the military hide a corruption as rank as Ann Campbell’s shocking secret life.
This is a page-turning, disturbing story about a woman who was treated horribly. Her acts of revenge backfired, and what occurred to her were displayed vividly and graphically. Trigger warnings to all readers that this will not be an easy read, in that regard.
Yet, it was a compelling story. With lots of twists and tension.
November 28, 2023
I can't recall the first time I read this book but I know I have read it in hardback, paperback and now Kindle. And it is like being wrapped up in a soft warm blanket, okay a creepy blanket.
This is a brilliant police procedural set on a military base in America in the early 90s. Warrant Officer Paul Bremmer is already at the base investigating a plot to illegally sell military arms to baddies. He is called to a scene of rape / murder which is terrible and made worse when it is revealed the victim is the daughter of the camp's General. What seems simple gets more complex as the victim is shown to be quite a freak. But she has reasons and the General's entire staff is complicit.
Accompanied by Warrant Officer Cynthia Sunhill, a rape specialist, he peels the onion which is the camp and its personnel. The situation is further complicated by his previous relationship with Ms. Sunhill when they were stationed in Brussels.
In the preface to the book Mr. DeMille speaks of the casting of the movie. A long time ago I knew he envisioned Bruce Willis playing Paul Brenner and ever since then I have also envisioned him as Paul Brenner.
This is a brilliant police procedural set on a military base in America in the early 90s. Warrant Officer Paul Bremmer is already at the base investigating a plot to illegally sell military arms to baddies. He is called to a scene of rape / murder which is terrible and made worse when it is revealed the victim is the daughter of the camp's General. What seems simple gets more complex as the victim is shown to be quite a freak. But she has reasons and the General's entire staff is complicit.
Accompanied by Warrant Officer Cynthia Sunhill, a rape specialist, he peels the onion which is the camp and its personnel. The situation is further complicated by his previous relationship with Ms. Sunhill when they were stationed in Brussels.
In the preface to the book Mr. DeMille speaks of the casting of the movie. A long time ago I knew he envisioned Bruce Willis playing Paul Brenner and ever since then I have also envisioned him as Paul Brenner.
May 22, 2024
4-Stars - "I Really Liked It!"
An excellent story, very well told, and most enjoyable!😄
This book was released as a mass market paperback of 505 pages by Harper Collins in 1993 and I read the book at about that time. Thirty years later, I remembered almost nothing of my reading, which is not surprising. The unabridged audiobook published in 2009, is 17:44 hours long and with superlative narration by the incomparable Scott Brick.
At first almost eighteen hours appeared a bit of a daunting task, but the murder investigation by the US Army's Criminal Investigation Division into the murder of the daughter of the army post's General, fairly raced along, maintaining my interest as a 'military police procedural'. Chief Warrant Officer Paul Brenner is the lead investigator, assisted by Warrant Officer Cynthia Sunhill, a rape specialist. The two WOs had a very close personal relationship several years earlier and this provides some interesting romantic tension throughout the story.
I have had an audiobook copy (28:37 hours!) of DeMille's second Paul Brenner book, "Up Country" (written in 2002, 859 pages) in my collection since 2010. I wonder if I can motivate myself to press 'play' on this super-blockbuster now that I have enjoyed "The General's Daughter" so much? I think I probably can🤩!
From My Listening Activity:
May 10, 2024 @ 6%: "I read this many years ago and I am looking forward to renewing my acquaintance with this Nelson DeMille classic."
May 11, 2024 @ 32%: "Another 'blockbuster' by Nelson DeMille! I read it sometime in the '90s but as usual, I remember next to nothing of that read and now I am entranced by the audiobook and Scott Brick's narration. 🎧 finally removed @ 1:30am!🥱"
May 14, 2024 @ 68%: "This has been quite an enthralling audio story so far! Great anticipation as the plot thickens, enhanced by the excellent narration of Scott Brick."
May 16, 2024 @ 82%: "Most interesting final chapters - I hope I can stay awake to finish this great book tonight!"
May 17, 2024 @ 99%: "An excellent story, very well told, and most enjoyable😄"
An excellent story, very well told, and most enjoyable!😄
This book was released as a mass market paperback of 505 pages by Harper Collins in 1993 and I read the book at about that time. Thirty years later, I remembered almost nothing of my reading, which is not surprising. The unabridged audiobook published in 2009, is 17:44 hours long and with superlative narration by the incomparable Scott Brick.
At first almost eighteen hours appeared a bit of a daunting task, but the murder investigation by the US Army's Criminal Investigation Division into the murder of the daughter of the army post's General, fairly raced along, maintaining my interest as a 'military police procedural'. Chief Warrant Officer Paul Brenner is the lead investigator, assisted by Warrant Officer Cynthia Sunhill, a rape specialist. The two WOs had a very close personal relationship several years earlier and this provides some interesting romantic tension throughout the story.
I have had an audiobook copy (28:37 hours!) of DeMille's second Paul Brenner book, "Up Country" (written in 2002, 859 pages) in my collection since 2010. I wonder if I can motivate myself to press 'play' on this super-blockbuster now that I have enjoyed "The General's Daughter" so much? I think I probably can🤩!
From My Listening Activity:
May 10, 2024 @ 6%: "I read this many years ago and I am looking forward to renewing my acquaintance with this Nelson DeMille classic."
May 11, 2024 @ 32%: "Another 'blockbuster' by Nelson DeMille! I read it sometime in the '90s but as usual, I remember next to nothing of that read and now I am entranced by the audiobook and Scott Brick's narration. 🎧 finally removed @ 1:30am!🥱"
May 14, 2024 @ 68%: "This has been quite an enthralling audio story so far! Great anticipation as the plot thickens, enhanced by the excellent narration of Scott Brick."
May 16, 2024 @ 82%: "Most interesting final chapters - I hope I can stay awake to finish this great book tonight!"
May 17, 2024 @ 99%: "An excellent story, very well told, and most enjoyable😄"
May 24, 2021
I watched the film staring John Travolta a long time ago and enjoyed it and was interested to read the book to see how it compared. Like most comparisons of this sort more times than not I favour the book and again that was my feeling. Well written and perhaps easy for me to get to grips with already having visual images of the characters I found this novel a page turner.
Paul Brenner of the Army Criminal Investigation Division is called on to explore the strange murder of Ann Campbell, daughter of the post commander. Brenner discovers that Ann Campbell lived a bizarre life that included an hidden basement where she entertained men. This proves to make the investigation even more difficult for Brenner who is already struggling due to the General’s influence and position and the closing of ranks.
Exciting read that made a pleasant change from the murder mysteries I read a lot of.
Paul Brenner of the Army Criminal Investigation Division is called on to explore the strange murder of Ann Campbell, daughter of the post commander. Brenner discovers that Ann Campbell lived a bizarre life that included an hidden basement where she entertained men. This proves to make the investigation even more difficult for Brenner who is already struggling due to the General’s influence and position and the closing of ranks.
Exciting read that made a pleasant change from the murder mysteries I read a lot of.
February 26, 2024
This was a fascinating book that was written in 1992 and is a slice of time in the Army when West Point was admitting women, Vietnam and the first Gulf war were still fresh in the minds of soldiers. The murder and rape of the Generals daughter is being investigated and nothing is what it seems. I listened to the audio version, and it was very good. There is a lot of sex in the story but little romance so beware some of it is not as it seems. Also, there is the disappointment and betrayal and at what cost do you place your job. Many have written reviews that are better than mine. There is a bit of a dated quality to the book but then again it was written 30 years ago but is still a great rea
June 8, 2023
DeMille near to his best. His style is a pleasant one, the plot is ok, although the book might be a little shorter. The characters are alive and natural, nothing seems out of place. Wish Brenner would be more pleasant, and that was quite an easy task...
October 2, 2010
Excellent mystery. Kept me up late a few nights. I figured out early on who killed the general's daughter, but DeMille did some skillful misdirecting to make me question my guess for a few hundred pages. Sneaky devil.
Some of the characters here are depraved in a way I wouldn't expect from DeMille, but they serve his purpose. He highlights some problems created by having males and females serving side by side in the military.
I loved the witty banter between investigators Paul Brenner and Cynthia Sunhill. The set-up is similar to DeMille's John Corey/Kate Mayfield relationship. Take a wise-cracking, middle-aged guy, very good at his job but doesn't play by the rules. Pair him with a much younger, smarter but less experienced female who keeps him humble and is handy with the snappy retorts. A little sexual tension and a lot of great dialogue. Works well for DeMille and his readers.
Bestest line in the whole book:
"In fact, he's rather tight-assed, and if you put a lump of coal up his butt, he'd produce a diamond within a week."
Some of the characters here are depraved in a way I wouldn't expect from DeMille, but they serve his purpose. He highlights some problems created by having males and females serving side by side in the military.
I loved the witty banter between investigators Paul Brenner and Cynthia Sunhill. The set-up is similar to DeMille's John Corey/Kate Mayfield relationship. Take a wise-cracking, middle-aged guy, very good at his job but doesn't play by the rules. Pair him with a much younger, smarter but less experienced female who keeps him humble and is handy with the snappy retorts. A little sexual tension and a lot of great dialogue. Works well for DeMille and his readers.
Bestest line in the whole book:
"In fact, he's rather tight-assed, and if you put a lump of coal up his butt, he'd produce a diamond within a week."
November 26, 2019
“الحرب جحيم يا بني، إلا أن غضب المرأة المخدوعة أشد من الجحيم ذاته”.
“إن من يقاتل الوحوش عليه أن يحذر من ألا ينقلب إلى وحش. وحينما تطيل النظر إلى الهاوية، فإن الهاوية تنظر إليك بدورها”. ـ نيتشة.
“أحيانًا ما تكون حقيقة الأشياء على نقيض ما تبدو عليه. فالقاتل البارع هو الذي يجعلك ترى ما يريدك هو أن تراه”.
“إن المجرم يكون على استعداد للإعتراف بأفضع الجرائم، لو تم وضعه في الجو العام الملائم. فالقاتل الذي يقتل من يحب يظل على عاتقه إحساس كبير بالذنب، فيود أن يشرك غيره هذا الإحساس. وهو يختلف عن المجرمين المحترفين في كونه بلا شركاء وبلا أحد يمكنه أن يأتمنه على السر، فهو معزول، ولا يجد من يفضي إليه بأعظم الأسرار حياته”.
نيلسون ديميل.
February 8, 2018
Excellent book! Kept me up almost past midnight while reading every night, I just couldn't put it down! It was a great who-done-it murder mystery, but also very true to life, with what goes on behind closed doors in the Military.
Army Captain Ann Campbell, the young daughter of General Joe Campbell, is a West Point Graduate, and a very highly decorated soldier, until her body is found, naked and bound, on the firing range at Army Base Fort Hadley. CID (Criminal Investigation Department) Officer and former Vietnam Soldier Paul Brenner is the man in charge of the investigation. Teamed with Brenner is Rape Specialist Cynthia Sunhill, who once had a complicated relationship with Brenner, they work on and off the clock, questioning everyone on the base, witnesses and others who knew the deceased.
At first to Brenner, the case turns out to be just a normal rape and murder, but he and Sunhill learn that Ann Campbell had been sexually involved with many people, and they learn about her dark past, corruption within the Army, and a cover-up years back which lead to Campbell's death.
The only thing preventing me from giving the book 5 stars, was even though the case was closed in the end, I personally felt that not all parties were held accountable for the murder. Other than that it was a great book, and a great premise. I enjoyed the witty one-liners from Brenner, and his love-hate relationship with Detective Sunhill, he's like another version of the John Corey series, which is by the same author for those of you who don't know.
PS The General's Daughter was also made into a movie in the late 90's, with the same title, starring John Travolta, and I remember liking it because he's one of my favorite actors, but as usual the book was better!
Army Captain Ann Campbell, the young daughter of General Joe Campbell, is a West Point Graduate, and a very highly decorated soldier, until her body is found, naked and bound, on the firing range at Army Base Fort Hadley. CID (Criminal Investigation Department) Officer and former Vietnam Soldier Paul Brenner is the man in charge of the investigation. Teamed with Brenner is Rape Specialist Cynthia Sunhill, who once had a complicated relationship with Brenner, they work on and off the clock, questioning everyone on the base, witnesses and others who knew the deceased.
At first to Brenner, the case turns out to be just a normal rape and murder, but he and Sunhill learn that Ann Campbell had been sexually involved with many people, and they learn about her dark past, corruption within the Army, and a cover-up years back which lead to Campbell's death.
The only thing preventing me from giving the book 5 stars, was even though the case was closed in the end, I personally felt that not all parties were held accountable for the murder. Other than that it was a great book, and a great premise. I enjoyed the witty one-liners from Brenner, and his love-hate relationship with Detective Sunhill, he's like another version of the John Corey series, which is by the same author for those of you who don't know.
PS The General's Daughter was also made into a movie in the late 90's, with the same title, starring John Travolta, and I remember liking it because he's one of my favorite actors, but as usual the book was better!
May 21, 2023
3.3⭐ Military police procedural, better at the military than the police, imho. Serviceable thriller, fast paced with sarcastic banter between the heros, mostly funny. The lead investigator, Paul Brenner is of the "rogue cop out for justice" type that I usually detest but DeMille handles it fairly well, required suspension of disbelief is moderate. There is a strange forward in the book where DeMille sings the praises of the Hollywood adaptation of the book, a sort of endorsement/booster blog. It looks like he wants to show the movie moguls he's a "good" writer, willing to play ball in the promotion of the film ( although he specifically reserves the right to be an asshat about future adaptations, if he doesn't like them).
The story revolves around the bizarre and brutal murder of a woman army captain (the general's daughter of the title), on a base in the U.S. south. Publicly, she was a poster person for the ( then) new gender neutral army. In private she's a maze of secrets, both twisted and tragic. The story was probably considered edgier, 30 years ago but I still found it to be a decent and engaging mystery novel. I had seen the film so the plot was known but the characterization and detailed background held me to the end. I'd read another book by DeMille.
The story revolves around the bizarre and brutal murder of a woman army captain (the general's daughter of the title), on a base in the U.S. south. Publicly, she was a poster person for the ( then) new gender neutral army. In private she's a maze of secrets, both twisted and tragic. The story was probably considered edgier, 30 years ago but I still found it to be a decent and engaging mystery novel. I had seen the film so the plot was known but the characterization and detailed background held me to the end. I'd read another book by DeMille.
Want to read
October 20, 2020Watched the 1999 movie based on this book.John Travolta plays a military investigator trying to find the killer of a female army captain,whom he had met just the day before.
The victim also happens to be the daughter of the commanding general of the army base.
An interesting film,even though the story is a bit far-fetched.
The victim also happens to be the daughter of the commanding general of the army base.
An interesting film,even though the story is a bit far-fetched.
July 6, 2019
This is my first book by Nelson DeMille, and it won't be my last. I liked his kind of humor and some of the one liners. They had me laughing out loud.
I liked the MCs. They were unfolded little by little to show who they really were and what drove them in life. The two main investigators, Paul and Cynthia, worked well together. Now I will say this came close to the line of too much dialogue. Where they just sit and talk out the crime and assume their assumptions are fact. That has to be my biggest pet peeve in this genre. But it never actually crossed that line. I think the psychological angle is what helped and it pulled me in.
I listened to the audio and Scott Brick (one of my favorite narrators) did the audio and I loved that. So 4 stars.
I liked the MCs. They were unfolded little by little to show who they really were and what drove them in life. The two main investigators, Paul and Cynthia, worked well together. Now I will say this came close to the line of too much dialogue. Where they just sit and talk out the crime and assume their assumptions are fact. That has to be my biggest pet peeve in this genre. But it never actually crossed that line. I think the psychological angle is what helped and it pulled me in.
I listened to the audio and Scott Brick (one of my favorite narrators) did the audio and I loved that. So 4 stars.
June 22, 2023
This book was full of surprises for me as nothing was as obvious as it seemed (although I was able to guess who the killer was in the same way as the investigators.) There was a new perspective here on the aftermath of rape and how it destroys and keeps on destroying that you don't usually find in this genre. Well worth reading.
September 28, 2022
The General's Daughter (1999) Trailer - John Travolta
Lt. Gen. Joseph Campbell’s daughter - Army Capt. Elizabeth Campbell - is found brutally “raped” & dead in a Georgia military base field. The first 50 pages have shocking “graphic” violence - but if you can get by those you will be captured.
Warrant Officers Paul Brenner (John Travolta in the movie) & Sara Sunhill (Madeleine Stowe) find how unbecoming Elizabeth was to hurt others even as a officer & West Point graduate.
As a mystery, the “Why” by her is the most shocking....Who & How of her death is just a coverup to save military embarrassment of a key character(s).
The book is better & a must mystery read.
Plus, I thought the book has more “graphic” & descriptive violence than the movie.
This is my first DeMille book - some of his bestsellers
The Cuban Affair - October 8, 2017
The Gate House - November 16, 2008
Night Fall - December 12, 2004
The Panther - November 4, 2012
Plum Island - June 15, 1997
Radiant Angel - June 14, 2015
Lt. Gen. Joseph Campbell’s daughter - Army Capt. Elizabeth Campbell - is found brutally “raped” & dead in a Georgia military base field. The first 50 pages have shocking “graphic” violence - but if you can get by those you will be captured.
Warrant Officers Paul Brenner (John Travolta in the movie) & Sara Sunhill (Madeleine Stowe) find how unbecoming Elizabeth was to hurt others even as a officer & West Point graduate.
As a mystery, the “Why” by her is the most shocking....Who & How of her death is just a coverup to save military embarrassment of a key character(s).
The book is better & a must mystery read.
Plus, I thought the book has more “graphic” & descriptive violence than the movie.
This is my first DeMille book - some of his bestsellers
The Cuban Affair - October 8, 2017
The Gate House - November 16, 2008
Night Fall - December 12, 2004
The Panther - November 4, 2012
Plum Island - June 15, 1997
Radiant Angel - June 14, 2015
May 13, 2015
Very enjoyable and entertaining book from beginning to end. I am a big fan of Nelson DeMille and looking forward to reading more of his work.
March 30, 2022
The general's daughter is about....the general's daughter! Ann Campbell was found murdered on rifle range 6 in a very graphic fashion. Paul Brenner is the man brought in to solve the murder. He's teamed up with Cynthia Sunhill with whom he's had a previous relationship. Everyone is a suspect.
This was my first experience with the author, Nelson DeMille. I really liked this one. It was a good, entertaining story. I kept thinking "oh this guy did it" then I think it was someone else. Everyone was a suspect and it took Paul Brenner and Cynthia Sunhill to crack the case.
This was my first experience with the author, Nelson DeMille. I really liked this one. It was a good, entertaining story. I kept thinking "oh this guy did it" then I think it was someone else. Everyone was a suspect and it took Paul Brenner and Cynthia Sunhill to crack the case.
March 25, 2015
Maybe 3.5 stars . . .
I thought it was good . . . but I also thought it drug on a bit longer than it needed to in various places throughout the book. When I look back on it after finishing, I think it kept rehashing plot points in places that didn't need it - probably added 150 unnecessary pages or so.
But, as I said, not bad in the long run.
I thought it was good . . . but I also thought it drug on a bit longer than it needed to in various places throughout the book. When I look back on it after finishing, I think it kept rehashing plot points in places that didn't need it - probably added 150 unnecessary pages or so.
But, as I said, not bad in the long run.
April 17, 2016
Nelson DeMille is such a great storyteller!
Set on an Army base in Georgia, convincing characters fill the pages to tell the story of THE GENERAL'S DAUGHTER, her shocking secret life, murder and apparent sexual assault as her body is found naked, bound and staked to the ground. (no spoiler here)
Fast-paced and full of sarcastic witty humor, Warrant Officer Paul Brenner and Rape Specialist Cynthia Sunhill's officious investigative techniques to uncover the truth surrounding Captain Ann Campbell's demise made for an entertaining and suspenseful crime read exposing horrific, inexcusable sexual misbehavior and corruption within the military system.
Five stars for me. Excellent murder-mystery!
Update: April 17, 2016
Just caught the movie on HULU. A few differences, but as is normally the case, the book is not only better, it is a zillion times better!!! (IMHO)
September 11, 2021
Nelson Demille is the king of military thrillers. This one about a general's military daughter and her secret life is a fast paced, page turner. His characters are engaging, smart, and often sarcastic, with dialogue that keeps the pages turning.
February 18, 2020
“Basically, all women are nurturers and healers, and all men are mental patients to varying degrees.”
― Nelson DeMille, The General's Daughter
This was a tough read for me. It wasn't a bad book, not at all, but I was a bit squeamish going in, mainly because I had already seen the film and wasn't crazy about it.
The book is way better then the movie I will say that much. It is in part a mystery..a military mystery..but the story was pretty brutal in how it played out.
Because I had seen the movie, I also knew exactly what would happen next and that did put a but of a damper on things.
It's not a bad book at all and mystery fans will most likely take to it but do yourself a favor and red the book before seeing the movie if you can.
― Nelson DeMille, The General's Daughter
This was a tough read for me. It wasn't a bad book, not at all, but I was a bit squeamish going in, mainly because I had already seen the film and wasn't crazy about it.
The book is way better then the movie I will say that much. It is in part a mystery..a military mystery..but the story was pretty brutal in how it played out.
Because I had seen the movie, I also knew exactly what would happen next and that did put a but of a damper on things.
It's not a bad book at all and mystery fans will most likely take to it but do yourself a favor and red the book before seeing the movie if you can.
May 2, 2019
Done reading THE GENERAL'S DAUGHTER. I have zero regrets borrowing this book from my physical therapist. I love every little thing about it. The entire story only lasted for three days but is divided into 37 chapters (yeah, it's that long!). Narrated in first-person perspective mostly in past tenses, the story revolves around the question, "Who killed Ann Campbell - the general's daughter?" Paul Brenner is a highly-competitive detective and would look for answers along with his loyal partner, Cynthia Sunhill. The duo investigates the crime like there's no tomorrow. They examine the dead body thoroughly, before making smart conversations with the military officers. It intrigues me as a lot of these conversations are about abnormal psychology that is closely linked to sex, BDSM and personality disorders. Feels like I'm back in college and I'm making psychological reports. The story explodes as it nears the end. I thought I have guessed it right but I'm completely wrong.
My most favorite part is found in page 354. Paul narrates, "Position determines perspective. Or, to put it more simply, what you see depends on where you're standing."
My most favorite part is found in page 354. Paul narrates, "Position determines perspective. Or, to put it more simply, what you see depends on where you're standing."
March 11, 2020
This book had a lot of humor mixed in with a lot of serious sadness. The humor was mostly in the interaction between characters, and didn't really detract too much from the serious parts, in my opinion.
I thought the two main characters investigating the crime made a great couple. They did a good job handling a lot of difficult situations, and worked well together.
I thought the two main characters investigating the crime made a great couple. They did a good job handling a lot of difficult situations, and worked well together.
May 8, 2024
I was captivated by this psychological mystery! It was well-written and had good characterizations!
June 7, 2020
The General's Daughter came out in the early '90s and is a solid investigative procedural novel set on a US military base. Paul Brenner leads the inquiry into the death of Capt. Ann Campbell, a decorated officer in the Psy Ops division and daughter of the base commander. To say the circumstances of Capt. Campbell's murder (and life) were provocative would be putting it tastefully.
When an MP spots something on Rifle Range 6 while on overnight patrol, he can't imagine he's about to find the general's daughter tied naked to four tent stakes and strangled to death. Brenner, a senior military police investigator who's just passing through, is called to handle the investigation. Also assigned is Cynthia Sunhill, another military police officer specializing in sexual assault. Brenner and Sunhill have history, making their working relationship harder than it should be. The crime scene leads the investigators to explore some very sordid leads and it turns out where there's smoke, there's fire. Their suspect list grows unbelievably long when they learn there's almost no officer on the base that Campbell didn't get kinky with.
I thought it was a little strange that Brenner and Sunhill figured out who the murderer was a full 100 pages before the end of the book. It wasn't a red herring either, so I honestly have no idea why the wrap up took so long. There's also a lot of chauvinistic attitude throughout. Yes, I know that's how it is in the military but I guess unless you're around friends or family who serve(d), the dialogue in here can be jarring. It didn't really bother me, but I can see how somebody else can go into this book wishing they'd known about that.
Sordid and raunchy... just how I like my murder mysteries! No character in this novel is squeaky clean or totally likeable, but they seemed appropriately so based on the decade and setting. Reading this was a good way to spend a rainy Saturday.
When an MP spots something on Rifle Range 6 while on overnight patrol, he can't imagine he's about to find the general's daughter tied naked to four tent stakes and strangled to death. Brenner, a senior military police investigator who's just passing through, is called to handle the investigation. Also assigned is Cynthia Sunhill, another military police officer specializing in sexual assault. Brenner and Sunhill have history, making their working relationship harder than it should be. The crime scene leads the investigators to explore some very sordid leads and it turns out where there's smoke, there's fire. Their suspect list grows unbelievably long when they learn there's almost no officer on the base that Campbell didn't get kinky with.
I thought it was a little strange that Brenner and Sunhill figured out who the murderer was a full 100 pages before the end of the book. It wasn't a red herring either, so I honestly have no idea why the wrap up took so long. There's also a lot of chauvinistic attitude throughout. Yes, I know that's how it is in the military but I guess unless you're around friends or family who serve(d), the dialogue in here can be jarring. It didn't really bother me, but I can see how somebody else can go into this book wishing they'd known about that.
Sordid and raunchy... just how I like my murder mysteries! No character in this novel is squeaky clean or totally likeable, but they seemed appropriately so based on the decade and setting. Reading this was a good way to spend a rainy Saturday.
August 26, 2022
"As a CID warrant officer, Brenner had to play many roles. "I was a cook and a chemical weapons officer, which, in the army, are the same thing." That sets the tone for this book. I had seen the movie with John Travolta, who did a great job, and this is one of those rarities where the movie and book complement each other very well. The movie captures the spirit of the book.
It's rare that I give a novel 5 stars. I usually reserve that many for important works of non-fiction. I make an exception for this novel. Aside from Brenner's wise-cracking, always enjoyable, the book has an intriguing mystery, a thorough investigation, lots of suspects, and even a bit of romance.
This is one of those books which some of the more puritanical among us will complain is unnecessarily graphic. I disagree. The novel is about honor, disgrace, writing past wrongs, a whole panoply of emotional responses and how they affect us. The scenes are incredibly uncomfortable and necessarily so because they pull the reader into the moral quagmire faced by the participants.
I listened to it as an audiobook read by Scott brick who is the perfect narrator for this title.
It's rare that I give a novel 5 stars. I usually reserve that many for important works of non-fiction. I make an exception for this novel. Aside from Brenner's wise-cracking, always enjoyable, the book has an intriguing mystery, a thorough investigation, lots of suspects, and even a bit of romance.
This is one of those books which some of the more puritanical among us will complain is unnecessarily graphic. I disagree. The novel is about honor, disgrace, writing past wrongs, a whole panoply of emotional responses and how they affect us. The scenes are incredibly uncomfortable and necessarily so because they pull the reader into the moral quagmire faced by the participants.
I listened to it as an audiobook read by Scott brick who is the perfect narrator for this title.
November 14, 2022
The beautiful and intelligent General’s daughter and army poster recruitment model is found naked and tied spread eagle at the rifle range while on duty. U.S. Army Criminal Investigative Division member Paul Brenner and Rape Counselor Cynthia Sunhill, who are former lovers, are assigned to investigate the murder of Ann Campbell. Ann was a tormented soul who was bent on psychological warfare against her father and used men as pawns to further her goals. The investigation leads to conduct very unbecoming of officers. What happened to honor, integrity, and ethics? A fast paced read with colorful civilian and military characters and an investigative team bent on revealing the truth before the FBI assumes control.
June 16, 2025
There are certain artists out there—guitarists like Jerry Garcia, filmmakers like Stanley Kubrick—where you immediately know who you’re listening to, or watching. In the case of thrillers, Nelson DeMille is that guy. He’s stylistically so unique, his gripping dialogue, his humor and the way he builds tension is all so telling—his voice is always there. This could be good or bad depending how you feel about his books of course, but for me, his novels are always a pleasure to return to. I’ve read 9 now I believe, and I’ve enjoyed every single one.
This is a Paul Brenner book, not John Corey, but it is true that they are basically the same character. In just about every way honestly. This was also true in some of DeMilles standalones I have read as well. His main characters are pretty much the same guy. But I don’t care, because that guy is always fun to read about. I read Up Country (Paul Brenner #2) about five years ago. In fact it was my first DeMille, and I had no idea it was a series at the time. Well, kinde of a series. There are some references to the events in this book in the beginning, but if there are spoilers, I have forgotten them. The second book is a whole different kind of novel though; it’s an exploration of Vietnam, written by a combat veteran, through a modern mystery that returns Paul to the country where it all happened.
This book is a relatively straight murder mystery. It involves the death of a very smart young woman on an army base in Georgia. And this girl happens to be the daughter of a very high ranking and respected General. As is the case in all DeMilles murder mysteries, we follow Brenner every step of the way.
And I really do mean, every single step. Every conversation, every meal; every step of this investigation is here. Most of the book is dialogue—DeMille’s unique style of antiliterature involves being extremely heavy on the dialogue. It’s often almost how he tells these stories, and how he shows us who his characters are.
But, DeMilles dialogue is really good, and really entertaining. And of course, very funny at times, so it works well. If you’re looking to check out DeMille, this would be a pretty good place to start. If you’re familiar with his style, then you know what to expect but it’s nonetheless a strong novel. Not my favorite DeMille, but very good and a solid ending.
This is a Paul Brenner book, not John Corey, but it is true that they are basically the same character. In just about every way honestly. This was also true in some of DeMilles standalones I have read as well. His main characters are pretty much the same guy. But I don’t care, because that guy is always fun to read about. I read Up Country (Paul Brenner #2) about five years ago. In fact it was my first DeMille, and I had no idea it was a series at the time. Well, kinde of a series. There are some references to the events in this book in the beginning, but if there are spoilers, I have forgotten them. The second book is a whole different kind of novel though; it’s an exploration of Vietnam, written by a combat veteran, through a modern mystery that returns Paul to the country where it all happened.
This book is a relatively straight murder mystery. It involves the death of a very smart young woman on an army base in Georgia. And this girl happens to be the daughter of a very high ranking and respected General. As is the case in all DeMilles murder mysteries, we follow Brenner every step of the way.
And I really do mean, every single step. Every conversation, every meal; every step of this investigation is here. Most of the book is dialogue—DeMille’s unique style of antiliterature involves being extremely heavy on the dialogue. It’s often almost how he tells these stories, and how he shows us who his characters are.
But, DeMilles dialogue is really good, and really entertaining. And of course, very funny at times, so it works well. If you’re looking to check out DeMille, this would be a pretty good place to start. If you’re familiar with his style, then you know what to expect but it’s nonetheless a strong novel. Not my favorite DeMille, but very good and a solid ending.
August 29, 2014
Nelson DeMille's writing is top-notch. It's so tight that I got hooked on the first three pages of "The General's Daughter." He weaves a tale so intricate, that the reader hasn't a clue where it's going or how it will evolve. The protagonist is Paul Brenner, an officer in the Army's Criminal Investigation Division. While undercover thwarting an illegal sale of weapons to Colombian drug cartel types, he is called in to determine how Ann Campbell, the general's talented daughter and an Army captain, came to be found murdered on a shooting range late one night. Brenner is an interesting character, cynical and smart. He's teamed with ex-flame Cynthia Sunhill, despite both their reservations. And nothing about the case is easy. Clues just don't exist. But Brenner knows how to kick up dust in a sterile room. Slowly they piece together a truly bizarre case. Like I mentioned, the writing is great. DeMille had this published back in 1992 so some of the communications references are a little dated. But it's great stuff. I read most of it in one sitting. A real page turner.
August 7, 2024
I have seen the movie so many times, that John Travolta as a rough and sarcastic military investigator Paul Brenner is burned into the back of my head. And I really enjoyed the movie, and will watch it again for the 100th time.
The book was great, and way way way better than the movie, even though I had Travolta's face in the back of my mind while reading it. This is one of those books I stayed up reading way too late, lost track of time, and had that addictive quality too it.
If I was to become a writer this is what I would write about; suspenseful military crime drama, with political overtones, scandalous sex, women in power, strong women, sexual deviance, and psycho sexual revenge, incredible characters, an antagonistic duo of detectives.
I would highly recommend reading this book and it's partner book Up Country with Paul Brenner in Vietnam.
The book was great, and way way way better than the movie, even though I had Travolta's face in the back of my mind while reading it. This is one of those books I stayed up reading way too late, lost track of time, and had that addictive quality too it.
If I was to become a writer this is what I would write about; suspenseful military crime drama, with political overtones, scandalous sex, women in power, strong women, sexual deviance, and psycho sexual revenge, incredible characters, an antagonistic duo of detectives.
I would highly recommend reading this book and it's partner book Up Country with Paul Brenner in Vietnam.
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