Tom Collins (9) (1941–)
Author of Beyond Visual Range
For other authors named Tom Collins, see the disambiguation page.
About the Author
Image credit: Author photo by John Guider
Series
Works by Tom Collins
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Canonical name
- Collins, Tom
- Legal name
- Collins, Marion Thomas, Jr
- Other names
- Collins, M. Thomas
- Birthdate
- 1941-05-23
- Gender
- male
- Education
- Middle Tennessee State University (BS| Business), University of Alabama (MA| Accounting)
- Occupations
- CPA
entrepreneur
author - Short biography
- M. Thomas (Tom) Collins is one of the pioneer entrepreneurs of the information technology industry. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the ALM publication Law Technology News for his contribution to the use of technology in the legal services community. Citytech, a London-based publication, called him an "outstanding individual and visionary" when he was named as one of the Top 100 Global Tech Leaders. Although retired from the commercial world, he continues to write and speak on leadership and management as well as pen his series of mysteries, Mark Rollins Adventures, and his stories about Asheville and Western North Carolina.
- Nationality
- USA
- Birthplace
- Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Places of residence
- Franklin, Tennessee, USA
- Associated Place (for map)
- Tennessee, USA
Members
Reviews
The thing is, I really wanted to like this book. The premise of two female drone pilots uncovering an extinction level weapon being used against the citizens of Earth is awesome and really up my ally. However, I just walked away feeling let down.
My biggest issue with the book is that we are told and not shown so much of the story. Most of it takes place in one "situation room" or another. For example, in chapter 18 Rebecca is relaying all of her information gathering and intel on the X37B show more and its just being explained over the phone. It is a missed opportunity to show her potentially in action gathering intel, getting in sticky situations and getting out of them. But instead its just a phone call.
We also don't really get to know our two main characters all that intimately. We are told about them in a passive way and learn about their histories, but we never get any insight into how they think or what they feel. Nothing. Also....there was no need for the detailed inclusion of Rebecca's rape. It could have been mentioned, but I don't think the blow by blow was needed.
Additionally, while I understand this is part of the Mark Rollins universe I felt the addition of Mark Rollins into this story didn't really add anything. It would have been more interesting to see these two women tackle their problems together with perhaps Mark as a backup character, mentioned but not given much page time. I found his addition to be as unnecessary as the two mentions of him being a cancer survivor and working out.
Overall I just feel let down by a book that had so much promise. show less
My biggest issue with the book is that we are told and not shown so much of the story. Most of it takes place in one "situation room" or another. For example, in chapter 18 Rebecca is relaying all of her information gathering and intel on the X37B show more and its just being explained over the phone. It is a missed opportunity to show her potentially in action gathering intel, getting in sticky situations and getting out of them. But instead its just a phone call.
We also don't really get to know our two main characters all that intimately. We are told about them in a passive way and learn about their histories, but we never get any insight into how they think or what they feel. Nothing. Also....there was no need for the detailed inclusion of Rebecca's rape. It could have been mentioned, but I don't think the blow by blow was needed.
Additionally, while I understand this is part of the Mark Rollins universe I felt the addition of Mark Rollins into this story didn't really add anything. It would have been more interesting to see these two women tackle their problems together with perhaps Mark as a backup character, mentioned but not given much page time. I found his addition to be as unnecessary as the two mentions of him being a cancer survivor and working out.
Overall I just feel let down by a book that had so much promise. show less
This review was written for LibraryThing Member Giveaways.
Foreword Clarion Review gave Beyond Visual Range four stars!
Here is the full review:
Ending on a hopeful note, Beyond Visual Range is a military thriller with a tinge of political realism.
In Tom Collins’s timely novel Beyond Visual Range, drone technology collides with a political intrigue that’s reminiscent of current events.
Despite a time of great economic growth and nationwide security, President Tanner is in the hot seat amid allegations of misuse of power. The Speaker of the show more House leads the charge, raising allegations that Tanner violated his oath of office and ignored foreign sovereignty. In a staggering twist, a splinter group within the American military steps forward and threatens to use force if Tanner isn’t removed from office. Meanwhile, a pair of drone operators are swept up in the conspiracy, as the drones they pilot are commandeered and manipulated into striking foreign civilian targets. The commander, Major Samantha Miller, turns to Mark Rollins and his off-books team for help with preventing the future loss of life.
The book continues the adventures of Mark Rollins and the Women’s Health Club—which operates as a front for a private operations group that protects America from threats foreign and domestic—but functions as a standalone thriller. Context is revealed when needed, allowing the current issue of drone misuse and impeachment to remain in the spotlight.
Major Miller embodies the strong characterization present throughout the narrative. Ample space is given to the sudden loss of control of the drones while hinting at a mystery in Miller’s background—the accident that led to her winding up in a wheelchair. At first introduction, she seems to be noncentral, but careful backstory reveals and her professional relationship with Rollins center her as a capable, compelling lead. The primary cast—Rollins, his team, and a select group of military people and civilians—are equally developed.
Swapping between the drone threat and the impeachment proceedings, the story is well paced. In a literal twist, a threat from Earth’s orbit requires that the story enter space. Dialogue directs much movement, though exposition also comes through prose at the proper times. Intense sequences featuring military jargon stand out, and Major Miller and Rollins have distinct voices, helping to showcase events from both of their viewpoints. The book’s harrowing aerial battles and contemplative discussions are both grounded thanks to clear details and staging. However, when characters take notes or present material, unusual formatting overshadows the narrative; words run together in such spaces.
Ending on a hopeful note, Beyond Visual Range is a military thriller with a tinge of political realism.
by John. M Murray (June 8,2020) show less
Here is the full review:
Ending on a hopeful note, Beyond Visual Range is a military thriller with a tinge of political realism.
In Tom Collins’s timely novel Beyond Visual Range, drone technology collides with a political intrigue that’s reminiscent of current events.
Despite a time of great economic growth and nationwide security, President Tanner is in the hot seat amid allegations of misuse of power. The Speaker of the show more House leads the charge, raising allegations that Tanner violated his oath of office and ignored foreign sovereignty. In a staggering twist, a splinter group within the American military steps forward and threatens to use force if Tanner isn’t removed from office. Meanwhile, a pair of drone operators are swept up in the conspiracy, as the drones they pilot are commandeered and manipulated into striking foreign civilian targets. The commander, Major Samantha Miller, turns to Mark Rollins and his off-books team for help with preventing the future loss of life.
The book continues the adventures of Mark Rollins and the Women’s Health Club—which operates as a front for a private operations group that protects America from threats foreign and domestic—but functions as a standalone thriller. Context is revealed when needed, allowing the current issue of drone misuse and impeachment to remain in the spotlight.
Major Miller embodies the strong characterization present throughout the narrative. Ample space is given to the sudden loss of control of the drones while hinting at a mystery in Miller’s background—the accident that led to her winding up in a wheelchair. At first introduction, she seems to be noncentral, but careful backstory reveals and her professional relationship with Rollins center her as a capable, compelling lead. The primary cast—Rollins, his team, and a select group of military people and civilians—are equally developed.
Swapping between the drone threat and the impeachment proceedings, the story is well paced. In a literal twist, a threat from Earth’s orbit requires that the story enter space. Dialogue directs much movement, though exposition also comes through prose at the proper times. Intense sequences featuring military jargon stand out, and Major Miller and Rollins have distinct voices, helping to showcase events from both of their viewpoints. The book’s harrowing aerial battles and contemplative discussions are both grounded thanks to clear details and staging. However, when characters take notes or present material, unusual formatting overshadows the narrative; words run together in such spaces.
Ending on a hopeful note, Beyond Visual Range is a military thriller with a tinge of political realism.
by John. M Murray (June 8,2020) show less
I enjoyed the plot of this book. Great story line.
This review was written for LibraryThing Member Giveaways.
I wrote it. Do I think it is my best book? N0, the next one will be.
Statistics
- Works
- 8
- Members
- 19
- Popularity
- #609,293
- Rating
- 3.3
- Reviews
- 4
- ISBNs
- 32
- Languages
- 1
