2024 the best spy novels review

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Finalist for the 2022 ITW Thriller Award for Best First Novel

"Damascus Station is simply marvelous storytelling.…[A] stand-out thriller and essential reading for fans of the genre." —Financial Times

A CIA officer and his recruit arrive in war-ravaged Damascus to hunt for a killer in this page-turner that offers the "most authentic depiction of modern-day tradecraft in print." (Navy SEAL sniper and New York Times bestselling author Jack Carr).

CIA case officer Sam Joseph is dispatched to Paris to recruit Syrian Palace official Mariam Haddad. The two fall into a forbidden relationship, which supercharges Haddad’s recruitment and creates unspeakable danger when they enter Damascus to find the man responsible for the disappearance of an American spy.

But the cat and mouse chase for the killer soon leads to a trail of high-profile assassinations and the discovery of a dark secret at the heart of the Syrian regime, bringing the pair under the all-seeing eyes of Assad’s spy catcher, Ali Hassan, and his brother Rustum, the head of the feared Republican Guard. Set against the backdrop of a Syria pulsing with fear and rebellion, Damascus Station is a gripping thriller that offers a textured portrayal of espionage, love, loyalty, and betrayal in one of the most difficult CIA assignments on the planet.

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4.4 out of 5 stars

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4.5 out of 5 stars

4,486

4.6 out of 5 stars

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Also by David McCloskey
A CIA officer and his recruit arrive in war-ravaged Damascus to hunt for a killer. A daring CIA operation threatens chaos in the Kremlin. But can Langley trust the Russian at its center? Coming October 2024: Six CIA officers. Dear friends and cherished enemies. For a quarter-century they have stolen other people’s secrets. Now they must steal each other’s.

"I could not put down McCloskey’s gripping spy novel Damascus Station.…A must-read for anyone interested in Syria or espionage." ―Clarissa Ward, CNN chief international correspondent "With chilling Cold War era intrigue set against a fantastic modern plot, Moscow X is a jaw-dropper from start to finish. David McCloskey is the new John le Carré." ―Brad Thor, #1 New York Times best-selling author of Dead Fall "A rare combination of experience and talent." ―Mick Herron, author of The Secret Hours and the Slough House series

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08X8V2V7Y
Publisher ‏ : ‎ W. W. Norton & Company (October 5, 2021)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 5, 2021
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 5998 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 428 pages
Reviewer: Charles E. Brown
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Thrilling Depths and Intricate Turns: A Five-Star Journey Through 'Damasus Station
Review: "Damasus Station" by David McCloskey is a masterful blend of intrigue, suspense, and vivid storytelling that left me completely enthralled from beginning to end. McCloskey has a unique talent for crafting a richly detailed and fast-paced narrative, making it impossible to put the book down. The characters are meticulously developed, each playing a crucial role in the unfolding drama, showcasing the author's deep understanding of human nature and the complexities of the world he has created.The setting of Damasus Station is brilliantly realized, immersing readers in a world that is at once familiar and utterly fascinating. The plot is a complex web of secrets, betrayals, and unexpected twists that keeps you guessing until the stunning conclusion. McCloskey's writing is sharp, clear, and evocative, drawing you deeper into the story with every page.What sets this book apart is the thrilling storyline, well-crafted world, and underlying themes that provoke thought and discussion long after the last page is turned. It's a rare book that combines such a compelling narrative with profound insights into the human condition.In conclusion, "Damasus Station" is an exceptional read that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for an entertaining and intellectually stimulating book. David McCloskey has proven himself to be a powerhouse of storytelling, and this book is a testament to his skill and creativity. Five stars are hardly enough to do justice to this remarkable work.

Reviewer: K Walker
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Good, not great. Big plot hole in the middle
Review: I enjoyed reading this book, it’s a fun ride. It evokes Damascus well and the discussion of Syrian politics is interesting. BUT there is a major plot hole that really annoyed me. Can’t say what it is, would be a spoiler. But you’ll recognise it when it happens

Reviewer: Amazon Customer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: I’m Not in the CIA, But This Book Makes Me Wish I Were
Review: As a primarily non-fiction reader I took a bit of a flyer on this novel as I have a nostalgic love of all things spy and espionage related, and I am very glad I did. I didn’t have much of an expectation for this story, but after just a chapter or two I found myself deeply engrossed in the main characters, wrapped up in its myriad plot lines, and unable to refuse the need to turn the page.Mr. McCloskey creates a deep and vivid world around the CIA, its operators, and those of the organizations it spars with daily. Set against the backdrop of a world and events we are aware of, he expertly weaves an intricate story diving into those currents flowing underneath and influencing what we’ve seen on the news. His experience with the CIA allows him to bring the fantastical world of spy craft and espionage we’ve gleaned from characters named Ryan or Bond down to a level you understand to be far more real and, because of it, far more dangerous. Gone are the elaborate gadgets and taglines, replaced by vivid descriptions of 12-hour long routes traveled across cites and OCD-esque observations of passersby made for the sole purpose of deciding if someone is following. His vivid explanations of tradecraft transport you swiftly into the shoes of the spy you always secretly wanted to be and his elucidations of the consequences of getting it wrong just as quickly ensure you question if you could really handle being in them.There are large swaths of legitimate suspense permeated with moments of genuine humor, driven by intricate characters both well written and well thought out. Mr. McCloskey endears you to his main characters almost as much as they are endeared to one-another while simultaneously fleshing out their supporting cast to the point you are awaiting their appearance in the text as much his protagonists. The villains of this tale are layered and complex. Some twirl their mustaches and plot truly evil things in the name of a greater good only they can see while others do evil because it’s the only path to survival. Who is truly guilty and who is redeemable? You must decide as the reader, but the choice is not obvious and your verdict may change several times and the pages turn.As a first attempt into the world of “spy novels”, Mr. McCloskey has created a gripping page turner that whisks you away into a world you only thought you knew. His first-hand experience in this world of global cat-and-mouse makes his story much more real and the detail he provides will lock you in and have you needing to know what happens. If you’re in the market for a thrilling read that offers a glimpse into a world we know exists but will likely never see, this book is for you.

Reviewer: doc peterson
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Gripping spyycraft
Review: David McCloskey's debut novel ranks among the best espionage thrillers every bit the equal to John Le Carre and Joseph Kanon. Set in early 2000s Damascus, CIA Operations Officer Sam Joseph develops and recruits a young Syrian official as the Green Revolution begins to shake the Assad regime and the civil war begins.Wha sets _Damascus Station_ apart from others in the genre is the detail McCloskey brings to to his writing from his personal experience as a CIA analyst. From counter-surveilence measures to the importance of siloing information to avoid leaks to hostile intelligence agencies to the process of recruiting and running a foreign agent, the emotional toll of the work, tension and ever-present danger of the job are all laid bare for readers to vicariously experience - as is the critical value of information collected even with the risks run obtaining it.Without doubt this is one of the best books I've read this year - I look forward to more by McCloskey and give _Damascus Station_ my highest and most enthusiastic recommendation - simply a marvelous and thrilling read.

Reviewer: Happy Reader
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Split Personality
Review: As others have noted, this is really two whollyDifferent books in one. The first half is a rather languid romance novel, the objective of which is to underscore the mutual attraction the protagonists develop for one another. The second half is a thrilling spy novel that is extremely believable, doubly so with the use of at least one real character, President Assad. The first part of the story was too long, the second part just right. I will certainly try another one of McCliskey’s novels.

Reviewer: Amazon Customer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Apart from an unrealistic romantic entanglement it's well written and an exciting read. I look forward to Moscow X. Recommended!

Reviewer: Natasha
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Fast paced, interesting and full of minor details from the world of espionage. Very authentic and real. Recommended for those who enjoy spy thrillers.

Reviewer: DCM
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Tout est très bien : l’histoire, les personnages, le style. Difficile à poser une fois qu’on a commencé .

Reviewer: Carmen Jimenez Casado
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: A great novel that combines mystery, geopolitics, thriller and a solid plot. The leading roles are very likable.Impossible to put down.

Reviewer: E.G.
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Well researched and very exciting thriller. Also gives an interesting look into life in todays Syria