“Blood Stripe: The Chronicles of Susanna Marcasi” It grabs you in the first paragraph, each page more fascinating than the last.

Author and historian Gina Maria DiNicolo presents a plot driven by an unlikely cast of characters, each crafted with care and precision. He had the feeling that, given his pedigree, he has fictionalized facts that have long been hidden from the public.

In chapter one, Lieutenant Colonel. Joe Earhardt, Whore to the Hill, did he commit suicide? Later you wonder why someone hasn’t said goodbye to the guy anymore.

Earhardt’s suicide aside, the soul of the story is lonely Susanna Marcasi, with her own dark past. She sees redemption in solving the Earhardt mystery (he may be somewhat Catholic) and sets out to task only to come face to face with the person who defines all evil, Secretary of Defense Manfred Stahl.

Stahl hasn’t forgotten anything about the injured former Marine Corps officer. But his memory never returned after an accident of which he does not know details. But she feels the new secretary knows her past and has corrupt ties to the White House, Hill, the Pentagon, and the old New Orleans levees. Of course she can’t tie any of this together, but she’s chilled by how she feels about him, telling him to “Dig!” Your chance to meet is a place for the retired general of the Navy and Marcasi on deadly course.

This is a fast-paced, double take, no triple take, thriller with more shocking twists and turns than I’ve seen in some time.

“Blood Stripe” it is a tremendous story of power, desire, longing, loss, mystery, suspense, and intrigue. I enjoyed every page and more than once was surprised by a totally unexpected turn of events.