Category Archives: Political Thriller

June 13, 2023 · 12:02 am

Review: Inside Threat by Matthew Quirk

Title: Inside Threat by Matthew Quirk
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Political Thriller
Length: 428 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Summary:

An electrifying thriller from the author of The Night Agent now on Netflix, an attack on the White House sends the President and his top aides to take shelter in a top secret government facility buried deep underground—but they soon discover the threat is locked inside with them.

Assume the worst. Code Black.

The day that every secret service agent trains for has arrived. The White House has been breached; the President forced to flee to a massive doomsday bunker outside DC to defend against whatever comes next. Only the most trusted agents and officials are allowed in with him—those dedicated to keeping the government intact at all costs.

Among these is Erik Hill, who has given his life to the Secret Service. They are his purpose and his family, and his impressive record has made him a hero among them. Despite his growing disillusionment from seeing Washington corruption up close, Erik can’t ignore years of instincts honed on the job. The government is under attack, and no one is better equipped to face down the threat than he is.

The evidence leads him to a conspiracy at the highest levels of power, with the attack orchestrated by some of the very individuals now locked in with him. As the killers strike inside the bunker, it will take everything Erik Hill has to save his people, himself, and his country.

Review:

Inside Threat by Matthew Quirk is an adrenaline-fueled political thriller.

A security breach at the While House leads to moving President James Kline and the First Lady Dr. Sarah Kline to a secure, underground bunker. Secret Service Agents Eric Hill and Amber Cody are among the agents who accompany them along with a handful aides. They are met by Lt. Col. Bruce Drumm whose insider information about the facility prove to be invaluable after a murder reveals the stunning truth: the killer is one of them.

Eric (and readers) do not know who to trust before or after the murder. This includes the President and his closest inner circle. Eric is incredibly jaded but he never forgets the only lives that matter are the President and First Lady. Despite his doubts, he and Cody do everything possible to protect them from an unknown enemy.

The underground bunker is from the Cold War era and is impenetrable. The numerous nooks and crannies provide perfect hiding places for the unknown assailant. One shocking turn after another lead to unanticipated conclusions that thoroughly shake up Eric, Amber, and their allies.

Inside Threat is full of non-stop action that keeps the pages turning at a blistering pace. The characters are well-developed and the inability to tell friend from foe keeps everyone off balance. The storyline is well-executed and never delves into politics. With plenty of suspense and devilishly clever plot twists, Matthew Quirk brings this pulse-pounding thriller to a highly satisfying conclusion.

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Filed under Contemporary, Inside Threat, Matthew Quirk, Mystery, Political Thriller, Rated B+, Review, William Morrow

March 8, 2021 · 12:01 am

Review: The Beirut Protocol by Joel C. Rosenberg

Title: The Beirut Protocol by Joel C. Rosenberg
Marcus Ryker Series Book Four
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Genre: Contemporary, Christian, Political Thriller
Length: 448 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher and/or Author Through Meryl Moss Media

Summary:

From the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author!
A game-changing peace treaty between Israel and the Saudis is nearly done.

The secretary of state is headed to the region to seal the deal.

And Special Agent Marcus Ryker is leading an advance trip along the Israeli-Lebanon border, ahead of the secretary’s arrival.

But when Ryker and his team are ambushed by Hezbollah forces, a nightmare scenario begins to unfold. The last thing the White House can afford is a new war in the Mideast that could derail the treaty and set the region ablaze. U.S. and Israeli forces are mobilizing to find the hostages and get them home, but Ryker knows the clock is ticking.

When Hezbollah realizes who they’ve captured, no amount of ransom will save them—they’ll be transferred to Beirut and then to Tehran to be executed on live television.

In the fourth installment of Rosenberg’s gripping new series, Marcus Ryker finds himself in the most dangerous situation he has ever faced—captured, brutalized, and dragged deep behind enemy lines.

Should he wait to be rescued? Or try to escape? How? And what if his colleagues are too wounded to run?

This is the CIA’s most valuable operative as you have never seen him before.

Review:

The Beirut Protocol by Joel C. Rosenberg is an action-packed political thriller with a topical storyline. Although this newest release is the fourth installment in the Marcus Ryker series, it can be read as a standalone.

With an imminent peace treaty in the Middle East on the verge of being signed, CIA agent Marcus Ryker and his team are on an advance mission for the Secretary of State’s upcoming visit. He is accompanied by Diplomatic Secret Service Agent Kailea Curtis and IDF Intelligence Officer Yigal Mizrachi. On an ordinary trip along the Israel/Lebanese border, their convoy is attacked by Hezbollah fighters. Just as Marcus, Kailea and Yigal believe they have won the fight, the three are captured by Radwan deputy commander Amin al-Masri and his men. Marcus knows he must keep his and Yigal’s identities from becoming known. But will they remain silent as they undergo extreme torture by al-Masri and his men?

While Marcus, Kaiela and Yigal are attempting to formulate an escape plan, the fragile Mid-East peace deal is threatened by circumstances beyond their control. Officials in Washington DC are trying to salvage the treaty while sending a highly trained team to find Marcus, Kailea and Yigal. All of the interested parties are also trying to understand why Hezbollah attacked the convoy and what their objective is regarding their prisoners. Amin is working with a tight time-frame to achieve his goal but will Marcus foil his plan?

The Beirut Protocol is a riveting political thriller with a timely storyline. The plot is engaging and the sense of urgency surrounding the various events keeps the storyline moving at a brisk pace. Despite his very dire situation, Marcus relies on his faith as he contemplates the outcome of the kidnapping. Joel C. Rosenberg brings this edge of the seat thriller to an explosive conclusion. I enjoyed and highly recommend this suspenseful novel to readers who enjoy political thrillers.

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Filed under Christian, Contemporary, Joel C Rosenberg, Marcus Ryker Series, Political Thriller, Rated B, Review, The Beirut Protocol, Tyndale House Publishers

February 14, 2016 · 11:57 pm

Review: Back Blast by Mark Greaney

Title: Back Blast by Mark Greaney
The Gray Man Series Book Five
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Contemporary, Political Thriller
Length: 528 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

From the #1 New York Times bestselling co-author of Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan novels, comes an all-new explosive thriller featuring the lethal assassin known as the Gray Man…

Court Gentry was the CIA’s best agent. Until the day the Agency turned against him and put out a kill on sight order. That’s when the enigmatic international assassin called the Gray Man was born—and Court has been working for himself ever since

Now, Court is back in Washington looking for answers. He’s determined to find out what happened all those years ago that made the Agency turn against him. On his list to interrogate are his former partners and the men who sent him on his last mission. What he doesn’t realize is that the questions that arose from that mission are still reverberating in the U.S. intelligence community, and he’s stumbled onto a secret that powerful people want kept under wraps. And now, they have Court in their crosshairs.

Court Gentry is used to having people on his trail, but this time, it’s on U.S. soil—the last place he wants to be. Now, he’ll have to find the answers to his fate while evading capture…and avoiding death.

Review:

Back Blast by Mark Greaney is a action-packed, pulse pounding adventure starring ex-CIA black ops operative Court Gentry. In this sixth installment of The Gray Man series, Court returns to the United States to find out why a “shoot on sight” order was issued for him five years earlier.

On the run for the past five years, Court just wants to come home. In order to make that happen, he has to find out why the director of the CIA’s National Clandestine Service, Denny Carmichael, issued the order. Relying on his finely honed instincts and exceptional ability to blend in anywhere, Court reaches out to a few of his former team members in hopes of learning answers while at the same time evading Carmichael’s official (and unofficial) team of highly skilled hit men.

Court has been living on the run and doing freelance work ever since he was “burned” by the CIA. With the help of a grateful Israeli agent, he managed to slip back into DC undetected where he then methodically sets up a safe zone and begins procuring the items necessary to begin his search for answers. Most of his former associates are either deceased or unwilling to assist him but CI Director of Special Activities Division, Matthew Hanley does help fill the missing puzzle pieces for Court. Although adversaries for much of the novel, a couple of his former team members eventually realize the accusations against him are out of character and they provide him with tactical assistance.

Court’s biggest foe is the all powerful Denny Carmichael. Willing to go to any lengths to ensure that Court is not taken alive, Denny takes full advantage of his position as he manipulates his underlings into doing his dirty work. He also carefully spins the events to point to Court as the mastermind of heinous plot which effectively puts Court in the crosshairs of every agency possible. While not everyone blindly follows his directives, Denny effectively keeps the people working for him in dark by evoking “national security” whenever anyone dares to question him about inconsistencies in the unfolding events or his motives for hunting Court.

Court is clever and for a good part of the novel, he is one step ahead of Denny and the task force that is hunting for him. He is inventive and makes full use of his previous training to remain out of sight but his frustration grows as he continues running into dead ends. He is the first to admit he is not an investigator, but his experience as an operative and his analytical mind aid him as he tries to figure out what steps to take to get to the bottom of the shoot on sight order. Despite his profession, Court is a good guy who tries to minimize collateral damage to the best of his ability and it does not take long for questions to arise when he becomes the fall guy for several murders. With a handful of allies now on his side, Court learns the truth behind the order, but will this newfound knowledge destroy him?

With exciting, over the top feats and non-stop action, Back Blast by Mark Greaney is a riveting political thriller that is impossible to put down. The storyline is well-executed with plenty of twists and turns that will keep readers guessing whether or not good will triumph over evil until the novel’s dramatic conclusion. An entertaining, high-octane thrill ride that will appeal to fans of the genre, this fifth installment in The Gray Man series can easily be read as a standalone.

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Filed under Back Blast, Berkley, Contemporary, Mark Greaney, Political Thriller, Rated B, Review, The Gray Man Series

March 16, 2015 · 11:57 pm

Review: The Washington Lawyer by Allan Topol

wash lawyer cover work 1.inddTitle: The Washington Lawyer by Allan Topol
Publisher: SelectBooks
Genre: Contemporary, Political Thriller
Length: 288 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Summary:

In the high-stakes world of Washington politics, hotshot lawyer Andrew Martin is being put to the test. When long-time friend Senator Wesley Jasper calls, it’s with explosive news—and a favor to ask. A sex tryst at Martin’s beach house in Anguilla has gone awry and former model Vanessa Boyd is dead. Just how far will Martin go to protect the chief justice nomination he’s built his entire career on?

Staggered by the sudden death of her twin sister, archeologist Allison Boyd drops everything to fly home to her grieving family. But when she realizes that the pieces to the puzzle simply won’t add up, she is determined to discover the truth behind her sister’s death. Launching an investigation that will unveil a treasonous plot backed by foreign interests and enabled by blackmail, Allison finds herself up against something bigger and more lethal than she could have ever imagined. With Martin’s star associate Paul Maltoni at her side, she uncovers a complex, interconnected web of lies that will expose some of Washington’s most influential power players. And she will not rest until she sees them ruined.

From the best-selling author of the Craig Page series, The Washington Lawyer is a penetrating glimpse into Capitol Hill’s seedy underbelly. High-powered DC lawyer Allan Topol impresses again with this escapade into the intricate underpinnings of Washington’s elite, drawing you into a net of questionable morals, deadly intrigues, and treachery from which there is no escape.

Review:

With a chillingly realistic storyline, a compelling mystery and plenty of international intrigue, Allan Topol’s newest release, The Washington Lawyer, has all of the ingredients for a fast-paced, energetic read. It is another spine tingling look into the world of politics and espionage and the addition of the investigation into a mysterious death adds another layer to a complex storyline.

Archeologist Allison Boyd is devastated by the news of her twin sister Vanessa’s death. When she learns her sister was vacationing on a Caribbean island by herself and that she drowned, Allison becomes convinced that someone is hiding the real circumstances of Vanessa’s death. It is completely out of character for her beautiful ex-model twin to take a tropical vacation without a man by her side.   Although Vanessa’s death was ruled accidental, Allison finds it impossible to believe that Vanessa, who was an excellent swimmer, could have drowned. After Vanessa’s funeral, Allison goes to D.C. to investigate her sister’s life in an attempt to uncover the truth about her death.

Well as it turns out, Allison’s assumption about a cover up is correct. Vanessa was, in fact, on a weekend getaway with her married lover, Senator Wesley Jasper. In a panic after Vanessa’s drowning, Jasper calls the owner of the vacation home and his longtime friend, Washington lawyer and possible Supreme Court short lister, Andrew Martin for assistance. Although Andrew was completely in the dark about who accompanied Jasper on his vacation, he rashly offers to help the Senator cover up the incident. Even though Andrew is conflicted about his role in the conspiracy, once he is on the fast track for a nomination to the Supreme Court, his moral compass goes even farther off course during Allison’s investigation.

Is there a darker reason for the philandering Senator’s continued resistance to Martin’s suggestion that they both admit to the cover up? The answer to this question becomes abundantly clear when Allison is targeted by the Chinese when she begins her investigation. Allison is bewildered by how doggedly the Chinese pursue her as she tries to uncover the identity of Vanessa’s unknown lover. In an attempt to elude the increasingly persistent men chasing her, she decides to go the scene of her sister’s death where she continues to be stonewalled by the local authorities. Her persistence pays off when Allison finally uncovers valuable evidence and then returns to D.C. where the case is blown wide open once she finally discovers the rather unsavory information that Senator Jasper has desperately tried to keep hidden.

The Washington Lawyer is a well-written political thriller with a large cast of interesting characters. Allan Topol expertly weaves topical issues with an intriguing mystery and the resulting story is riveting. An unexpected plot twist late in the novel demonstrates how even the most ethical person can be swayed when personal ambition and a thirst for power becomes more important than truth or justice.

1 Comment

Filed under Allan Topol, Contemporary, Political Thriller, Rated B, Review, SelectBooks Publishing, The Washington Lawyer

April 13, 2014 · 11:58 pm

Review: The Argentine Triangle by Allan Topol

argentineTitle: The Argentine Triangle by Allan Topol
A Craig Page Thriller (#4)
Publisher: SelectBooks
Genre: Contemporary, Political, Thriller
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publicist

Summary:

After a fall from grace and drastic cosmetic surgery in Switzerland, former CIA director Craig Page is enjoying a new, exhilarating life racing cars across Europe. But when new dangers threaten America and an old friend goes missing during a covert mission in Argentina, will Craig be ready to step up to the plate? Undercover in the glamorous world of Buenos Aires’ wealthy elite, Page finds himself on the brink of a terrible discovery. General Estrada and Colonel Schiller have plans for Argentina, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg. A world of brutality hidden in the classified secrets of Argentina’s Dirty War comes to light, painting an image of the cataclysmic future awaiting Estrada’s South America. To expose Estrada and put an end to his plot, Page is forced to implement every instinct, skill, and tool in his arsenal. But when it comes time to close in for the kill, Page meets with unexpected complications-love, lust, and a lethal game of cat and mouse. Hard on the heels of The Russian Endgame comes Allan Topol’s next great thriller. Rife with the exotic backdrops and hairpin plot turns that put Topol on the best-seller list, The Argentine Triangle is a heart-stopping foray into human vice coupled with power accelerating towards catastrophe. In a world fraught with global conspiracy, Craig Page is king.

The Review:

The Argentine Triangle is another exciting political thriller by Allan Topol starring Craig Page.

Craig’s new career as CIA Director comes to an abrupt end when he becomes a political scapegoat for President Treadwell and his closest advisor, Edward Bryce. Fearing for his safety, Craig undergoes dramatic plastic surgery to conceal his identity and amid concerns for his longtime girlfriend Elizabeth, they mutually agree to (temporarily) end their relationship. Now pursuing his longtime dream of racing cars , he agrees to his old friend and current CIA Director Betty Richards request to uncover the truth behind the disappearance of an undercover agent (and friend) in Argentina.

Page’s investigation leads directly to General Alfredo Estrada and his sidekick Colonel Schiller. Estrada’s career began during Argentina’s Dirty War and he is once again poised to stage a coup and put Argentina’s leadership back in the hands of the military. Following an important discovery that could lead to a substantial financial windfall for Argentina, Estrada begins to implement his diabolical plan. Manipulating a young journalist into helping him carry out his nefarious plot, Estrada has ensured Edward Bryce’s co-operation with procuring arms for Argentina.

With the operation completely off the books, Page relies heavily on his instincts and a few contacts as he delves into Estrada and Schiller’s scheme. Unsure who to trust, Craig is forced to make risky decisions that could have devastating results. He is, at first, primarily concerned with Ted’s whereabouts but once he uncovers the truth about Estrada, he is compelled to stop him from carrying out a devious plan that could have catastrophic consequences.

While The Argentine Triangle shares a few similarities to other novels starring Craig Page, Allan Topol keeps the storylines fresh with his ingenious use of factual historical events. He does a credible job combining bits of history with intriguing suppositions of what could happen if the wrong person assumes power and the end result is a thought-provoking and action-filled adventure. The political element raises questions about power, influence and corruption in the US government that are troubling and well within the realm of possibilities.

Overall, another fast-paced and compelling novel old and new fans of the genre do not want to miss.

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Filed under Allan Topol, Contemporary, Craig Page Thriller, Political Thriller, Rated B, Review, SelectBooks Publishing, The Argentine Triangle

October 22, 2013 · 3:58 am

Review: Outlaw by Mark Sullivan

Title: Outlaw by Mark Sullivan
Publisher: Macmillan
Imprint: Minotaur Books
Genre: Contemporary, Political, Thriller
Length: 334 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Summary:

While conducting top-secret negotiations aboard a tanker in the South China Sea, the U.S. Secretary of State and the foreign ministers of China and India are kidnapped, and the tanker they are on is hijacked. The “Sons of Prophecy” take responsibility and issue an ultimatum: If their demands are not met in seven days, the three will be beheaded live on the Internet.

With the presidential election in only eight days, sitting President Sands, about to leave office, calls in former CIA operative and master thief Robin Monarch and convinces him to save the diplomats before the threatened execution.

In Outlaw, Monarch and his counterpart, a mysterious Chinese agent named Song Le, embark upon a dangerous journey into the underbelly of Southeast Asia, a world of corrupt Vietnamese Army officers, fanatical pirates, Hong Kong triad leaders, and volatile mercenaries living around the red light districts of Thailand. As they get closer and closer, with time quickly running out, Monarch learns that the daring kidnapping and ransom pot diabolical plot is only a front. Behind it is another plot, one designed to alter the outcome of the election itself, a conspiracy that reaches deep inside the White House, back to the very people who hired Monarch in the first place.

The Review:

Mark Sullivan’s Outlaw is an action packed and suspense laden political thriller. This second installment starring Robin Monarch is full of unexpected twists and turns that culminate in an unpredictable but very satisfying conclusion.

The non-stop thrill ride begins immediately as Robin Monarch enlists the aid of his eclectic but multi-talented crew to assist him as he begins his search for U.S. Secretary of State Agnes Lawton and the foreign ministers of China and India. Accompanied by Song Le and Bashir Rhana, agents from China and India, Robin and his team are quickly immersed in a race to save the kidnapped victims before the fast approaching deadline.

Robin is one of those characters that is impossible to not to like. He might be a thief and a mercenary, but in this outing, he is not using or selling his services for personal gain. Robin is quick thinking with a vast array of skills that he puts to good use on numerous occasions saving not only himself but his compatriots as well. His daring risks are breathtakingly ingenious and yield key information that proves to be invaluable as they search for the diplomats.

While one of the adversary’s identity is revealed early in the novel, his co-conspirators remain shrouded in mystery. The kidnapping plot is quite complex and the reason for the unfolding events is nearly impossible to decipher. Trusted contacts prove to be unreliable and lead the team into dangerous, life-threatening situations.

Outlaw is an intricately plotted and shrewdly executed novel. Mark Sullivan brings readers a unique story that is incredibly fast paced and full of fiendishly clever plot twists. All of the loose ends are neatly wrapped up but a worthy opponent and a few niggling doubts continue to plague Robin Monarch and I cannot help but wonder if they will play a role in the storyline of the next book in the series.

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Filed under Contemporary, Macmillan, Mark Sullivan, Minotaur Books, Outlaw, Political Thriller, Rated B, Review