The Warriors of God

In the near-future setting of this pulsing techno-thriller, Iranian frogmen sink a U.S. amphibious assault ship. The Americans, in turn, destroy the oil facilities on Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf. Iranian retaliation is spectacular: an elite commando force infiltrates the U.S.--first to raid the Marine base at Camp Lejeune, N.C., then to attack the White House and kill the president. So audacious is the plan that Richard Welsh, an obscure civilian in a marginal Pentagon job, is the only one to take the threat seriously. First novelist Christie tells an intriguing story in straightforward fashion, presenting Welsh as a conventional techno-thriller hero, the maverick ignored until almost too late. More distinctively, however, Christie establishes a convincing blend of religious zeal and combat professionalism in his characterization of the Iranians, particularly military leader Ali Khurbasi. The strike on Camp Lejeune is all too credible in its details, and the climactic battle for the White House is a genuine page-turner. (Dec.)