The "Bourne Universe"—first originated with Robert Ludlum's 1980 novel The Bourne Identity—has expanded with the Putnam-published spinoff, The Blackbriar Genesis. It's the first in a brand-new series written by Simon Gervias—author of the Clayton White series—The Last Protector and The Last Sentinel—and the Pierce Hunt series—Hunt Them Down, Trained to Hunt, and Time To Hunt.
"Blackbriar" is an offshoot of the CIA secret operation Treadstone, also known as Treadstone71 and Treadstone Seventy-One, which modifies the behavior of chosen soldiers by brainwashing them into controlled assassins for the government. Treadstone's exposure to the general public caused Blackbriar to rise from the ashes—a former USG program to halt improper foreign intelligence action against the United States reactivated by Treadstone's Oliver Manton.
Simon Gervais doesn't waste any time in introducing us to the two main protagonists, ex-CIA Dovan Wade and ex-FBI Helen Jouvert, who are Blackbriar operatives tasked with investigating the killing of an undercover Treadstone agent. The story is straightforward yet full of action, thrills, and surprises. There are also Russian bad guys, the cartel, and a little espionage to shake things up.
Although I haven't seen the Bourne movies in ages—a faint memory of "Blackbriar Operation" referenced in one or more of the sequels lives in the back of my mind—however, I don't remember the organization appearing in the books. Or, perhaps—just perhaps—my mind is playing a joke on me, and I'm mistaken. Anyway, the title and the cover, particularly the cover, which in my opinion, resembles a James Bond novella, caught my attention and made me want to read Robert Ludlum's The Blackbriar Genesis.
Despite never having read Simon Gervais' earlier writings, I was at least aware of his books going into this. My expectations were for a linear route, culminating in a satisfying and unexpected conclusion—and that conclusion is—The Blackbriar Genesis is pretty good—entertaining—thrilling—a page-turner—a novel respecting and continuing Robert Ludlum's legacy. ╌★★★★★
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