A while ago, fueled by my passion for military thrillers, a reader recommended the works of author Brad Thor. Although I was familiar with Thor's name—having seen his books displayed in various bookstores—I had never taken the plunge to read any of them. However, after that recommendation, a curious phenomenon began to occur; I started discovering Brad Thor's novels in thrift stores and even encountered several titles available for free at my local library. Naturally, I couldn't resist adding these finds to my ever-growing home library, which now boasts byzantine of his works. Nevertheless, despite having amassed a collection of his novels, I had yet to delve into them until I finally picked up his latest release, SHADOW OF DOUBT, which was published earlier this year by Emily Bestler Books / Atria, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, LLC.
The plot of SHADOW OF DOUBT is both gripping and meticulous. It begins with the unsettling sight of a mysterious cargo plane taking off from a remote Russian airbase, flanked by a squadron of some of Russia’s most formidable fighter jets. This site is closely monitored by U.S. intelligence, yet the Pentagon remains in the dark about the plane’s destination and its precious cargo. At the center of the storm is a high-level Russian defector who holds the potential to reveal secrets so sensitive they could destabilize the West. As tensions rise, this defector seeks asylum in Norway. Meanwhile, in the heart of Paris, a solitary French intelligence agent stumbles upon a conspiracy so volatile that it threatens to spark a global crisis. Alarm bells begin to ring in Washington, D.C., and the CIA’s most dangerous asset, Scot Harvath, finds himself at a moral crossroads, faced with the challenge of choosing between his personal ethics and his loyalty to his country.
This novel marks the 23rd installment in the Scot Harvath series, which began in 2002 with The Lions of Lucerne. I knew jumping into such a well-established series at this juncture posed certain risks, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that SHADOW OF DOUBT reads more as a standalone story. While there are some subtler references to previous plotlines, they did not hinder my understanding or enjoyment of the fast-paced action. The intricate web of subplots—approximately four or five—added complexity to the story without weighing it down. If anything, they heightened my intrigue as the narrative unfolded.
As I embarked on this literary journey with a new-to-me author during a solitary outing, I approached SHADOW OF DOUBT with a fresh perspective. In these moments, I can appreciate the work without drawing comparisons to other authors in the military thriller genre. Brad Thor's writing style struck me as solidly above average, characterized by polished prose, realistic dialogue, and vibrant descriptions that painted vivid images in my mind. And let's be honest; I thrive on those detailed descriptions, especially within the context of military-themed yarns, as they enrich the reading experience.
Overall, SHADOW OF DOUBT delivers an exceptional reading experience, serving as a true nail-biter from start to finish. The pacing is brilliantly executed, compelling me to keep turning the pages, eager to uncover what would happen next. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to fellow readers who appreciate a well-crafted thriller—it's a riveting journey that won't disappoint. ╌★★★★★
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