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Kyra Stryker & Jonathan Burke #1
Red Cell
From the Tom Clancy for a new generation, a debut thriller following two CIA outcasts who must race to stop a secret Chinese weapon that threatens to provoke a world war After her first assignment in Venezuela goes disastrously awry, rookie case officer Kyra Stryker is brought back to Langley to work in the Red Cell, the CIA’s out-of-the-box think tank. There she’s paired with Jonathan Burke, a straitlaced analyst who has alienated his colleagues with his unorthodox methods and a knack for always being right, political consequences be damned. When a raid on Chinese spies in Taiwan ends in a shoot-out and the release of a deadly chemical, CIA director Kathy Cooke turns to the Red Cell to figure out why China is ready to invade the island nation without any fear of reprisal from the US Navy. Stryker and Burke’s only lead is the top CIA asset in China, code named Pioneer. But when Pioneer reports that Chinese security has him under surveillance, Stryker is offered a chance for redemption with a highly dangerous extract Pioneer from China before he’s arrested and executed. The answers he holds could mean the difference between peace in the Pacific or another world war. From CIA headquarters to the White House to a Navy carrier in the South China Sea and the dark alleyways of Beijing, Red Cell takes readers on a whirlwind race against time as Stryker and Burke work to save Pioneer and discover the hidden threat to America’s China’s top-secret weapon. CIA analyst Mark Henshaw infuses expert knowledge of the intelligence world into a pulse-pounding plot to create a fascinating, authentic, and unforgettable read.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2012
173 people are currently reading
1616 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 201 reviews
June 28, 2012
Another one of those almost 4 star (but not quite) books. Although I should, by all rights, give this an extra star just for being clean and devoid of foul language. Thank you, Mr. Henshaw for providing an entertaining read without offending those sensibilities.
Aside from the over-use of acronyms (which is probably an occupational hazard given Mr. Henshaw's background) I was surprised this was a first novel. The characters were pretty interesting, although at times I found myself thinking they were taking a back-seat to the plot. The plot kept my interest enough to keep reading to see all the pieces come together for a satisfying conclusion. And... the door was left ajar (not quite wide open) for a sequel. Which I will read when/if it is published.
Several times I noted page numbers so I could go back and re-read the little aphorism gems I found. I even read a few aloud to my husband. I liked the patriotism that was evident in the pages of this book.
I expect to see Mr. Henshaw's writing evolve as he hones his trade. And I wish him luck. I enjoyed this book.
Aside from the over-use of acronyms (which is probably an occupational hazard given Mr. Henshaw's background) I was surprised this was a first novel. The characters were pretty interesting, although at times I found myself thinking they were taking a back-seat to the plot. The plot kept my interest enough to keep reading to see all the pieces come together for a satisfying conclusion. And... the door was left ajar (not quite wide open) for a sequel. Which I will read when/if it is published.
Several times I noted page numbers so I could go back and re-read the little aphorism gems I found. I even read a few aloud to my husband. I liked the patriotism that was evident in the pages of this book.
I expect to see Mr. Henshaw's writing evolve as he hones his trade. And I wish him luck. I enjoyed this book.
November 7, 2016
RED DAWN FALLING
Ah, the "invade Taiwan" scenario. When it comes to spy/geopolitical thrillers focusing on China, this is the most common plot. Due to changing geopolitics and the PLA getting their hands on some new kit, the plausibility of a scenario can be debated. Problem with it however is that since it's been done so many times, authors have to work hard at coming up with new methods in order to differentiate themselves from others. In "Red Cell" the first book in the Kyra Stryker series, a former CIA analyst uses his experience to portray a realistic worst case scenario and what the PRC would have to do if it wished to conduct a "rough wooing" for Taiwan. Now to the review. How far would Asia's most powerful nation go to get what it believes it's historically entitled too?
The book begins on a miserable night in Caracas, Venezuela. Case officer Kyra Stryker has been press-ganged into conducting a rendezvous with an asset who has the station chief hook, line and sinker. Despite protesting about how it's too good to be true and breaks every rule of tradecraft, her idiot boss says otherwise. She's proven right as some gentlemen from SEBIN try get the jump on her when she holds back to draw them out. Surviving and returning to Langley, she's met by the DCI who takes pity on her but decides to reassign her to "Red Cell", a think-tank which the company uses to predict asymmetric threats. She meets Jonathan Burke, the man who runs Red Cell and slowly gets used to her new work. Meanwhile in Beijing, a series of events begin to suggest something big. The Ministry Of State Security suddenly intensifies its activities, a address by the Chinese Premier has hostile overtones and the top asset run by the company suspects he's been rumbled and requests extraction. All these threads come together in duel for supremacy in East Asia.
In terms of plot, "Red Cell" is excellent. I recently read a book which was claimed to be written by "the next Tom Clancy" but read like the script of a Roger Moore James Bond film. Mr Henshaw in contrast really does look like he could be the next Clancy. His narrative is well researched and manages to explain geopolitics and other technical details (what Case officers actually do and the work done by the Science Technology Directorate) accurately, without being overbearing and his writing style is crisp and is paced nicely. Plot twists are also excellent. From a run through the narrow apartment blocks of Beijing to a epic air duel over the Taiwan strait, the action is well executed like a seasoned pro, and his astoundingly good for a first book.
Characters? So many standouts. But I'll focus on three.
Kyra Stryker. There haven't been many strong fictional characters in the post 9/11 spy thriller genre until recently. A CIA case officer, she's not one of the assassins/soldiers who run around blowing away threats to freedom and democracy. But she is just as badass as them in her own way. Despite this only being the early stage of her career, she's cool under pressure, does not panic or have an emotional breakdown like female characters of the past (although she does make one error she shouldn't have in the book) and is competent at her job, namely gathering intelligence in hostile environments. Mr Henshaw did well with her characterization. You will come to like her as she survives through her wits rather than a gun as she does fieldwork. In her partnership with Mr Burke, she's the muscle while he's the brains. Speaking of Mr Burke, he's also a good character. While he gets the opportunity to avoid fieldwork (although in book 2, he takes a bigger role) he was characterized well done but not quite as developed as his partner.
Then, there's the DCI Cooke. In the vein of Vince Flynn's Irene Kennedy, she's basically the dream boss most intelligence officers would hope to work for. Competent, not a micro-manager and when it comes to inter-service rivalry, she does the smart thing and let her man opponent make the first mistake.
Overall, Red Cell is a solid first novel. The scenario it uses has forced me to take off one star (been done to death so many times), but it is a well executed, realistic, spy thriller. It reads like Tom Clancy in the days before his books turned into paperback bricks. Great pacing, excellent characterization, insider technical details which don't take over the narrative and a relevant issue at the heart of the book. What more can you ask for?
QUITE RECOMMENDED.
Ah, the "invade Taiwan" scenario. When it comes to spy/geopolitical thrillers focusing on China, this is the most common plot. Due to changing geopolitics and the PLA getting their hands on some new kit, the plausibility of a scenario can be debated. Problem with it however is that since it's been done so many times, authors have to work hard at coming up with new methods in order to differentiate themselves from others. In "Red Cell" the first book in the Kyra Stryker series, a former CIA analyst uses his experience to portray a realistic worst case scenario and what the PRC would have to do if it wished to conduct a "rough wooing" for Taiwan. Now to the review. How far would Asia's most powerful nation go to get what it believes it's historically entitled too?
The book begins on a miserable night in Caracas, Venezuela. Case officer Kyra Stryker has been press-ganged into conducting a rendezvous with an asset who has the station chief hook, line and sinker. Despite protesting about how it's too good to be true and breaks every rule of tradecraft, her idiot boss says otherwise. She's proven right as some gentlemen from SEBIN try get the jump on her when she holds back to draw them out. Surviving and returning to Langley, she's met by the DCI who takes pity on her but decides to reassign her to "Red Cell", a think-tank which the company uses to predict asymmetric threats. She meets Jonathan Burke, the man who runs Red Cell and slowly gets used to her new work. Meanwhile in Beijing, a series of events begin to suggest something big. The Ministry Of State Security suddenly intensifies its activities, a address by the Chinese Premier has hostile overtones and the top asset run by the company suspects he's been rumbled and requests extraction. All these threads come together in duel for supremacy in East Asia.
In terms of plot, "Red Cell" is excellent. I recently read a book which was claimed to be written by "the next Tom Clancy" but read like the script of a Roger Moore James Bond film. Mr Henshaw in contrast really does look like he could be the next Clancy. His narrative is well researched and manages to explain geopolitics and other technical details (what Case officers actually do and the work done by the Science Technology Directorate) accurately, without being overbearing and his writing style is crisp and is paced nicely. Plot twists are also excellent. From a run through the narrow apartment blocks of Beijing to a epic air duel over the Taiwan strait, the action is well executed like a seasoned pro, and his astoundingly good for a first book.
Characters? So many standouts. But I'll focus on three.
Kyra Stryker. There haven't been many strong fictional characters in the post 9/11 spy thriller genre until recently. A CIA case officer, she's not one of the assassins/soldiers who run around blowing away threats to freedom and democracy. But she is just as badass as them in her own way. Despite this only being the early stage of her career, she's cool under pressure, does not panic or have an emotional breakdown like female characters of the past (although she does make one error she shouldn't have in the book) and is competent at her job, namely gathering intelligence in hostile environments. Mr Henshaw did well with her characterization. You will come to like her as she survives through her wits rather than a gun as she does fieldwork. In her partnership with Mr Burke, she's the muscle while he's the brains. Speaking of Mr Burke, he's also a good character. While he gets the opportunity to avoid fieldwork (although in book 2, he takes a bigger role) he was characterized well done but not quite as developed as his partner.
Then, there's the DCI Cooke. In the vein of Vince Flynn's Irene Kennedy, she's basically the dream boss most intelligence officers would hope to work for. Competent, not a micro-manager and when it comes to inter-service rivalry, she does the smart thing and let her man opponent make the first mistake.
Overall, Red Cell is a solid first novel. The scenario it uses has forced me to take off one star (been done to death so many times), but it is a well executed, realistic, spy thriller. It reads like Tom Clancy in the days before his books turned into paperback bricks. Great pacing, excellent characterization, insider technical details which don't take over the narrative and a relevant issue at the heart of the book. What more can you ask for?
QUITE RECOMMENDED.
May 31, 2020
This was one of the best spy thrillers I've read so far. The author drops you right in the middle of the first assigment of the main character, and introduces her in a very good way. From the first page it got me hooked. The story moves at the right pace, which I believe is very important for a spy thriller to be gripping. The action sequences were very well written, and I could feel the tension and pressure they're under during those scenes.
There were only two things bothering me. First, was the use of many (technical) abbrevations, it sometimes made the story a bit hard to follow for me. Secondly, the author writes the story from too many POV's. I'm aware that spy thrillers are usually plotdriven stories, and therefore are written from more POV's than just the main characters but personally I felt the author used too many (important: I do have to mention that the characters from which the POV's were written do come together during the climax at the end of the story).
In all, this book was very enjoyable and felt realistic, and I hope to read more books by this author in the future.
There were only two things bothering me. First, was the use of many (technical) abbrevations, it sometimes made the story a bit hard to follow for me. Secondly, the author writes the story from too many POV's. I'm aware that spy thrillers are usually plotdriven stories, and therefore are written from more POV's than just the main characters but personally I felt the author used too many (important: I do have to mention that the characters from which the POV's were written do come together during the climax at the end of the story).
In all, this book was very enjoyable and felt realistic, and I hope to read more books by this author in the future.
March 23, 2012
RED CELL
Mark Henshaw
If you like stories of our intelligence service and its possible interaction with the intelligence agencies of other countries, in this case, China and Taiwan, you will enjoy Red Cell. The suspense is somewhat uneven, going from a tense walk into a trap and a run for her life, to the several pages of unnecessary detailed explanation. At the heart of the novel is a possible war with China, and how the intelligence communities, despite their shortcomings, save us. Since this is not straightforward, there are references to other countries with unfriendly countries. Lockheed Martin is mentioned often too.
As a previous CIA agent himself, Henshaw adds a lot of details he thinks the reader needs, but the story would have been more exciting without the details and more emphasis on action. The characters are not developed enough to feel real or sympathetic. This is a debut, and Henshaw will no doubt strengthen his weak spots and get better with practice.
Mark Henshaw
If you like stories of our intelligence service and its possible interaction with the intelligence agencies of other countries, in this case, China and Taiwan, you will enjoy Red Cell. The suspense is somewhat uneven, going from a tense walk into a trap and a run for her life, to the several pages of unnecessary detailed explanation. At the heart of the novel is a possible war with China, and how the intelligence communities, despite their shortcomings, save us. Since this is not straightforward, there are references to other countries with unfriendly countries. Lockheed Martin is mentioned often too.
As a previous CIA agent himself, Henshaw adds a lot of details he thinks the reader needs, but the story would have been more exciting without the details and more emphasis on action. The characters are not developed enough to feel real or sympathetic. This is a debut, and Henshaw will no doubt strengthen his weak spots and get better with practice.
February 7, 2017
Having read and thoroughly enjoyed Henshaw's Cold Shot which is the follow up in this series of spy novels featuring Kyra Stryker & Jonathan Burke I went back for the series opening book. I'm not sorry for the experience but was mostly underwhelmed. Those who enjoy Tom Clancy styled highly technical spy novels will enjoy it but I found some portions much of a snooze. Cold shot was much more of an action oriented thriller.
February 8, 2022
3.75 Stars, I like these Kyra Stryker books.
August 28, 2016
Mark Henshaw uniquely melds the detail-driven aspects of spy tradecraft with spine-rattling battle action and technical warfare in his debut thriller "Red Cell."
Although the book follows the oft-used Clancy paradigm of mixing clandestine tactics with a little military might, Henshaw lends a credibility not usually observed in this genre -- perhaps due to his insider background as a CIA analyst, or perhaps because he carefully avoids the political tropes and military-bent narrative styles that besiege his spy-thriller-writing forebears. Instead, Henshaw's voice sounds authentic and reasonable, not preachy, boastful or overly masculine. In fact, he draws on his authenticity to create believable, likable dual protagonists in Kyra Stryker and Jonathan Burke. Both CIA employees have fallen out of favor with their agency and must put past mistakes, predilections and biases aside in working together to exfiltrate a valuable and loyal asset from the treacherous Beijing streets.
Not everything gets magically resolved by the end of this one, which typically would be a detriment in a novel, but in this case works to stoke the reader's yearning to continue with the series. Stryker and Burke's characterizations are rendered so vividly and without bias that it only seems fitting and real for each to have some unresolved demons. For example, will Stryker subsume into alcoholism -- certainly not an ideal trait for a CIA operative, and a personality underpinning which Henshaw alludes to but skillfully keeps at the margins of this debut novel. Similarly, will Burke's apathy and sometimes overt antipathy toward bureaucracy, even the organization he works for, torpedo his career as a skilled analyst?
The dye is expertly cast by Henshaw, but the reader can leave this one after 326 pages feeling that he will auspiciously deliver compelling answers in future installments. In the meantime, simply enjoy this thrill ride. Several of the spy-driven parts become so pulse-pounding with suspense you may need to take your blood pressure medicine -- or something to calm your nerves. Henshaw renders these moments in minute-by-minute cinematic detail.
The battle scenes at the book's culmination feel ratcheted up to just the right intensity -- though the author may lose readers in some places by not fully explaining weapons terminology or military jargon. Acronyms went undefined in several places.
Despite those minor drawbacks, "Red Cell" has plenty on which it could boast: a compelling narrative, characters who drew the reader's curiosity and empathy, and a clearly focused flow where even non-action sequences carry a dramatic, almost cinematic, air. Henshaw could boast about this work, but after consuming it, the reader may feel that Henshaw would choose no such aggrandizement. This book can rest on its merits alone and needs no vociferous platitudes, nor will the series need to bill itself as offering high-stakes action.
The understated qualities are what separate this book (and hopefully series) from the rest of the genre.
Although the book follows the oft-used Clancy paradigm of mixing clandestine tactics with a little military might, Henshaw lends a credibility not usually observed in this genre -- perhaps due to his insider background as a CIA analyst, or perhaps because he carefully avoids the political tropes and military-bent narrative styles that besiege his spy-thriller-writing forebears. Instead, Henshaw's voice sounds authentic and reasonable, not preachy, boastful or overly masculine. In fact, he draws on his authenticity to create believable, likable dual protagonists in Kyra Stryker and Jonathan Burke. Both CIA employees have fallen out of favor with their agency and must put past mistakes, predilections and biases aside in working together to exfiltrate a valuable and loyal asset from the treacherous Beijing streets.
Not everything gets magically resolved by the end of this one, which typically would be a detriment in a novel, but in this case works to stoke the reader's yearning to continue with the series. Stryker and Burke's characterizations are rendered so vividly and without bias that it only seems fitting and real for each to have some unresolved demons. For example, will Stryker subsume into alcoholism -- certainly not an ideal trait for a CIA operative, and a personality underpinning which Henshaw alludes to but skillfully keeps at the margins of this debut novel. Similarly, will Burke's apathy and sometimes overt antipathy toward bureaucracy, even the organization he works for, torpedo his career as a skilled analyst?
The dye is expertly cast by Henshaw, but the reader can leave this one after 326 pages feeling that he will auspiciously deliver compelling answers in future installments. In the meantime, simply enjoy this thrill ride. Several of the spy-driven parts become so pulse-pounding with suspense you may need to take your blood pressure medicine -- or something to calm your nerves. Henshaw renders these moments in minute-by-minute cinematic detail.
The battle scenes at the book's culmination feel ratcheted up to just the right intensity -- though the author may lose readers in some places by not fully explaining weapons terminology or military jargon. Acronyms went undefined in several places.
Despite those minor drawbacks, "Red Cell" has plenty on which it could boast: a compelling narrative, characters who drew the reader's curiosity and empathy, and a clearly focused flow where even non-action sequences carry a dramatic, almost cinematic, air. Henshaw could boast about this work, but after consuming it, the reader may feel that Henshaw would choose no such aggrandizement. This book can rest on its merits alone and needs no vociferous platitudes, nor will the series need to bill itself as offering high-stakes action.
The understated qualities are what separate this book (and hopefully series) from the rest of the genre.
June 30, 2017
Really good book, greatly enhanced by the solid ring of authenticity throughout. Henshaw is no ex-insurance agent like Tom Clancy; he's a genuine CIA analyst who not only knows his own business but also has a solid understanding of the ops/tradecraft side of the house, (the only false notes being an unnecessary back alley fight in Beijing that would be a career-ender for any real case officer; and a final action scene that, while very well written, I'm pretty sure would have let to full scale war). And always nice to see these sort of international thrillers set in Asia rather than Europe (so '60s) or the Middle East (so '90s - 10s). If you take this story (published in 2012, but probably written at least 1-2 years early) and move it from the Taiwan Straits to the South China Sea, it would be even more relevant to one of the world's top hotspots today.
HOWEVER: PLEASE READ THE BOOK - DO NOT LISTEN TO THE AUDIO VERSION! I started on the audiobook, but it was so bad on so many levels that I had to stop after two CDs and switch to the book. For ANY readers: narrator Rob Patterson makes no effort to distinguish between any of the many characters - a cardinal sin for any narrator - and his overall phrasing is awkward and off-putting. For readers of spy novels: the narrator consistently and annoyingly spells out many of the acronyms that are commonly pronounced as words - SIGINT, STU, NIACT, SPO. And most grating of all, for any speakers of even basic Chinese: Patterson has NO idea how to pronounce Chinese - he mangles the most common Chinese names and places, and slaughters entire sentences of jumbled nonsense; just unlistenable. And so I didn't. (Meanwhile, the book actually does a fine job with almost all of the Chinese, having just a few misspellings - "Shoudou" instead of "Shoudu," etc - and [a personal pet peeve] improperly split words, like "Yuem-ing" instead of "Yue-ming".)
HOWEVER: PLEASE READ THE BOOK - DO NOT LISTEN TO THE AUDIO VERSION! I started on the audiobook, but it was so bad on so many levels that I had to stop after two CDs and switch to the book. For ANY readers: narrator Rob Patterson makes no effort to distinguish between any of the many characters - a cardinal sin for any narrator - and his overall phrasing is awkward and off-putting. For readers of spy novels: the narrator consistently and annoyingly spells out many of the acronyms that are commonly pronounced as words - SIGINT, STU, NIACT, SPO. And most grating of all, for any speakers of even basic Chinese: Patterson has NO idea how to pronounce Chinese - he mangles the most common Chinese names and places, and slaughters entire sentences of jumbled nonsense; just unlistenable. And so I didn't. (Meanwhile, the book actually does a fine job with almost all of the Chinese, having just a few misspellings - "Shoudou" instead of "Shoudu," etc - and [a personal pet peeve] improperly split words, like "Yuem-ing" instead of "Yue-ming".)
March 27, 2019
Really pretty good once I ditched the audiobook and ran for the library copy. Quite technically adept, though honestly I only know from reading, so I could be wrong. I felt good in the hands of these two characters, despite the fact that they were not admired by their people they worked with in most instances. It was also a tiny bit unrealistic to find someone directly out of Camp Peary (the farm) being so well known to the Director of the CIA, let alone admired by. However, the fictional Director seemed realistic and also is a woman. Thanks, Mark Henshaw -- it is possible, in both real life and fiction! Other than a few things that seemed unlikely (but that's the reason to read thrillers rather than historical reports,) I found myself not exasperated by unlikely romance or stupidity in large quantities -- two things that have ruined a surprisingly large number of spy novels for me. I was pleased with the setting and the characters and the story. Can it be possible? A series of spy novels I might be able to read? I'm going to test this theory by reading the next one.
It's been said by at least one other person that I know of, but the audio could not be worse. I've heard a fair number of bad audio narrators, and this is certainly one of them. Happily, it seems that someone else narrates the rest of them, so we'll see about the next reader.
It's been said by at least one other person that I know of, but the audio could not be worse. I've heard a fair number of bad audio narrators, and this is certainly one of them. Happily, it seems that someone else narrates the rest of them, so we'll see about the next reader.
December 13, 2016
I 'discovered' Mark Henshaw with his 'Fall of Moscow Station' novel, which was actually his third in the 'Red Cell' CIA series. That one was pretty good and I liked his approach and subject matter, so I thought I'd cycle back and begin at the beginning. Glad I did!
I loved 'Red Cell', his first in the series. The writing is decent, which was my only quibble with this book, but the plot was great, the pace was intense, and the characters on their way to being well-developed and very likable. The action sequences, particularly those in the conclusion, were exciting and extremely realistic. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of tradecraft as well as the reasoning used by the CIA personnel to interpret past events and predict future ones.
The plot was tricky and involved the triangular relationship between China, Taiwan, and the US. An incident occurs on Taiwan, China decides to use it to escalate tensions, and the US needs to figure out what's going on and make the right choices. Without going into detail, it's quite believable.
If you're into 'spy novels and thrillers', this is a good one..... highly recommended!
I loved 'Red Cell', his first in the series. The writing is decent, which was my only quibble with this book, but the plot was great, the pace was intense, and the characters on their way to being well-developed and very likable. The action sequences, particularly those in the conclusion, were exciting and extremely realistic. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of tradecraft as well as the reasoning used by the CIA personnel to interpret past events and predict future ones.
The plot was tricky and involved the triangular relationship between China, Taiwan, and the US. An incident occurs on Taiwan, China decides to use it to escalate tensions, and the US needs to figure out what's going on and make the right choices. Without going into detail, it's quite believable.
If you're into 'spy novels and thrillers', this is a good one..... highly recommended!
February 13, 2016
After an assignment in Venezuela goes wrong agent Kyra Stryker is brought back to
Langley and placed in the Red Cell. It's the CIA's think box tank. She is placed with
Jonathan Burke a straight laced agent analyst who alienates his colleagues with his
unorthodox methods. A raid on Chinese spies in Taiwan ends in a shootout and CIA
Director Kathy Cooke turns to the Red Cell to find out why China is ready to invade
Taiwan without any fear of Navy reprisal. Burkes only lead is the top Chinese asset
code name Pioneer. But when Pioneer checks in he says that he is under surveillance
so Stryker is offered a chance for redemption by extracting him before he is arrested
and executed. The answers he holds could mean the difference between peace in the
Pacific or a global conflict. This is book one in the Red Cell series. It's a slow starter
but hang in there. It will be a whirlwind race against time as Stryker works to save
Pioneer and discover the threat to Americas power. I gave it a 4
Langley and placed in the Red Cell. It's the CIA's think box tank. She is placed with
Jonathan Burke a straight laced agent analyst who alienates his colleagues with his
unorthodox methods. A raid on Chinese spies in Taiwan ends in a shootout and CIA
Director Kathy Cooke turns to the Red Cell to find out why China is ready to invade
Taiwan without any fear of Navy reprisal. Burkes only lead is the top Chinese asset
code name Pioneer. But when Pioneer checks in he says that he is under surveillance
so Stryker is offered a chance for redemption by extracting him before he is arrested
and executed. The answers he holds could mean the difference between peace in the
Pacific or a global conflict. This is book one in the Red Cell series. It's a slow starter
but hang in there. It will be a whirlwind race against time as Stryker works to save
Pioneer and discover the threat to Americas power. I gave it a 4
May 29, 2012
Having a little background in HUMINT—human intelligence—I enjoy reading espionage novels, and having spent 20 years in the Army, I also love military fiction. Mark Henshaw, a former CIA analyst, brilliantly combined both genres in his first thriller, Red Cell. I wouldn’t have thought that an analyst would be as up as he is on tradecraft—clandestine HUMINT operational techniques, such as secret writing, brush contacts, and dead drops. The novel, concerning a brewing conflict based on China’s desire to reunify Taiwan and the need for a Chinese source to obtain critical information to prevent a major war, doesn’t hit a single false note and is a real page-turner. I can’t think of a better thriller that I have read for several years. An easy five of five stars.
March 28, 2021
This was a great novel about espionage, the CIA, military confict, and political strife. I really enjoyed the realism and descriptions and could tell that the author had spent a number of years working for the CIA. An added bonus was the lack of profanity, something most other contemporary authors writing in this genre can't seem to live without.
My one gripe regarding this novel was the lack of fleshed out characters. I would have liked a bit more character depth and description. That said, I will definitely be on the lookout for more novels from Mark Henshaw. If your are looking for a good contemporary spy/military novel, I recommend giving this book a try.
July 5, 2013
Very good CIA/military thriller. Not very gory, good plot and characterization, and a fun analysis of Chinese-American relations.
August 4, 2016
Wow wat een briljante spionnen en intriges thriller. Duidelijk dat de schrijver er verstand van heeft. Kruising tussen Le Carre en Clancy. Als er ooit een oorlog tussen China en de VS komt.....
November 13, 2015
There was a lot of technical jargon and not enough spy story, character development and coherence.
February 9, 2018
Red Cell is as much an espionage as a military-political thriller which offers a good insight into the world of contemporary intelligence. Fans of spy stories get mainly exposed to the heroic times of cold war espionage, while only a few books focus on current reality (David Ignatius is probably the best in this area); Red Cell offers a very interesting deep-dive in modern times CIA, a gigantic, bureaucratic monster where the tension between the "operatives", the case officers and clandestine agents doing the "real work" on the field, and the "analysts", pen pushers devoted to produce tons of reports, is well described here.
The author is a former analyst and we all know analysts love details: it takes 8 pages to describe the protagonist running away from a trap-meeting with a double agent; it takes 3 pages to describe how the same protagonist enters the CIA office buildings, how she shows her badge to the guards, how she parks her car, etc....you got the idea, right.
The prose as well is as dry as an analyst report, and the story u folds in a pretty linear way, without many twist and turns.
Having stipulated this, I must recognise the book gets better as it goes, the second half is better than the first one and the last part really picks up with a good pace; so, to be fair, being this is a debut novel, it's not bad at all.
The author is a former analyst and we all know analysts love details: it takes 8 pages to describe the protagonist running away from a trap-meeting with a double agent; it takes 3 pages to describe how the same protagonist enters the CIA office buildings, how she shows her badge to the guards, how she parks her car, etc....you got the idea, right.
The prose as well is as dry as an analyst report, and the story u folds in a pretty linear way, without many twist and turns.
Having stipulated this, I must recognise the book gets better as it goes, the second half is better than the first one and the last part really picks up with a good pace; so, to be fair, being this is a debut novel, it's not bad at all.
August 11, 2025
Just as the description and other reviews suggest, I agree that this was a fun and action packed story the likes of Tom Clancy. Kyra Stryker and crew are exceptionally well written characters whose only major flaw is their unending ability to have the perfectly crafted witty comeback for all the snarky banter thrown around. But that minor annoying quark aside, they drive a compelling story without relying on shock value language, sex, or (gratuitous) violence. The author does have a bad habit of death-by-acronym, luckily I’m versed enough for it not to slow things down too much, but it does come off too much as signaling “look at me, I know this world…” But the plot, revolving around a new Chinese technology that changes the dynamics of China and the future taking of Taiwan, was interesting the whole way through. Chases down dark streets, clandestine meetups, endless doublespeak, all very fun. And the many characters come together for a highly climactic finale that leaves room for a follow on book. I did think the final military skirmish was a bit over the top, but I still had fun regardless. I’ll likely pick up the next book eventually to see what adventures come next! Would recommend for sure.
February 17, 2019
Like TV's 24, this book provides an exciting day-by-day account of US espionage and military activity during a three week crisis caused by China's invasion of Taiwan. The main characters, Kyra and Jonathan, are "Red Cell" analysts in the CIA, and are asked to provide out-of-the box ideas, but only are the focus for half of the book. The narration switches among a handful of characters. This is a plot-driven novel; the characters serve their roles, but don't really reach three dimensions. Nevertheless, the spycraft - from the head of the CIA to the ground level - is realistic and totally plausible. The military story - as the US Navy faces off the Chinese Air Force - shows the writer's expertise in this area. The political figures are like those from "West Wing", (nearly) all honorable and uninterested in polls are the politcal after-effects of their decisions. The dialogue is good, with a little humor, and the prose contains the right amount of detail about weapons and military boats and planes. This book was clearly written by someone who knows his stuff, and wants to share some of his considerable experience.
September 21, 2019
The author is an alumnus of the CIA Red Cell. My only real criticism is the light-weigh treatment he gives Red Cell analysis. That sort of creative cooperative cognitive brain work is far too " inside baseball" and about as dramatic as sitting in the rush hour traffic, queuing up to get into CIA's Langley campus. Henshaw is right to spend much more ink on CIA clandestine operations, and even after endless Borne movies, adds some nice drama, novelty, and tension. He even shows us some counter-surveillance magic tricks ala "Argo." It all comes down to getting the lowdown on a super secret Chinese game-changer--the Assassin's Mace--a hunt very familiar to real China-watchers. Like a good Clancy thriller, Henshaw gets his mil-spy-tech pretty accurate. I hope the real U.S. Navy fares as well as they do on Henshaw's pages. Real spooks are serious students of personality and character. Henshaw does okay for a first novel, but needs to spend more time thickening up the people files. His plot and counter-plots portfolio is dead on. But you expect that from a good Red Cell.
April 22, 2019
I had great hopes for this having read other reviews but sadly I have given up just short of 50% through. It's not the writing, even though there are plenty of warnings in here about the numerous acronyms. The development of the characters seemed to be going well and I was interested in them but the plot was too segmented for my liking. I can follow a complex plot and that's part of the enjoyment of the spy type thrillers but here we seem to jump about from China to the Taiwan, the USA, to agents on the ground and the research analysts but at 50% through I was thinking we've seen a lot of research and background here but no real progress in the story.
I think the characters may be worth a second shot and at some time I may try book 2 to see how they get on, but the comparisons to Daniel Silva are misplaced, he writes novels with lots of background but the plot moves at a pace to keep you turning the page. No more of this series for me at the moment.
I think the characters may be worth a second shot and at some time I may try book 2 to see how they get on, but the comparisons to Daniel Silva are misplaced, he writes novels with lots of background but the plot moves at a pace to keep you turning the page. No more of this series for me at the moment.
January 24, 2023
Если честно, думала, что буду читать книгу, на основе которой появился фильм "Шпионские игры" с Редфордом и Питтом. И была тут же разочарована, что это совсем о другом.
Книга большей частью скучна, возможно как фильм с перестрелкой, переодеванием, дракой и кровью - когда картинка важнее сюжета - это было бы интересно, но когда ты про все это читаешь - скучно. Я люблю, когда разум главенствует над силой, когда ты в восторге от того какие умы управляют странами, когда книга похожа на шахматный матч, а не все понятно и предсказуемо от начала до самого конца, а тут все более, чем предсказуемо.
И сам стиль написания тоже не вызывает восторга. Может это от переводчика зависит, но думаю, человек написавший предсказуемый сюжет о шпионах и не может написать что-то действительно интересным стилем.
Итогом, как говорит мой друг: "Человек с IQ 60 не в состоянии написать человека с IQ 160". Это именно об этой книге и его авторе. Увы.
Книга большей частью скучна, возможно как фильм с перестрелкой, переодеванием, дракой и кровью - когда картинка важнее сюжета - это было бы интересно, но когда ты про все это читаешь - скучно. Я люблю, когда разум главенствует над силой, когда ты в восторге от того какие умы управляют странами, когда книга похожа на шахматный матч, а не все понятно и предсказуемо от начала до самого конца, а тут все более, чем предсказуемо.
И сам стиль написания тоже не вызывает восторга. Может это от переводчика зависит, но думаю, человек написавший предсказуемый сюжет о шпионах и не может написать что-то действительно интересным стилем.
Итогом, как говорит мой друг: "Человек с IQ 60 не в состоянии написать человека с IQ 160". Это именно об этой книге и его авторе. Увы.
May 20, 2020
Definitely worth reading. The Author is clearly 'in-step' with what he's writing. The action is page turning, the story is very interesting, the story telling well-paced and intriguing, and the characters were generally likable, relatable and not over the top unrealistic. I definitely like the story-line and the primary foreign policy theme were stellar and the nods to were appreciated. (The spoilers in this paragraph very well may be on the back cover of the book!)
If there was anything that I did not like, it was the tendency for the characters to talk in 'full nomenclatures' and towards the end the politics were over the top BUT I eagerly look forward to the next book.
If there was anything that I did not like, it was the tendency for the characters to talk in 'full nomenclatures' and towards the end the politics were over the top BUT I eagerly look forward to the next book.
April 3, 2018
Somebody recommended this as "realistic espionage," and I really liked it. It's not all Jason Bourne-style car chases and explosions and guns. It's instead play-by-play analysis of how intelligence (in this case about a Chinese weapon) is gathered and utilized on the global political scene.
It also has a great heroine, who's fearless, and a lot of brainy people. That said, it can bog down at times in abstruse discussions of the pros and cons of this versus that kind of jet plane (a little like Tom Clancy). But I liked the details about tradecraft and politics and diplomacy. Will happily read another.
It also has a great heroine, who's fearless, and a lot of brainy people. That said, it can bog down at times in abstruse discussions of the pros and cons of this versus that kind of jet plane (a little like Tom Clancy). But I liked the details about tradecraft and politics and diplomacy. Will happily read another.
July 19, 2020
Well written, clean language, interesting plot. Lots of characters, lots of technical information and acronyms. A bit too technical for me. Reminded me of Tom Clancy. I always wonder how much is true and actually goes on behind the scenes that we, the American people, have absolutely no idea about.
One line (among many) that I could absolutely identify with, “These politicians would run over their mothers to get in front of a camera, and we have to trust them to make decisions about whether our assets live or die?” I witness that on TV every day, not necessarily about assets, but about their constituents and fellow Americans. OK, I’ll shut up now.
One line (among many) that I could absolutely identify with, “These politicians would run over their mothers to get in front of a camera, and we have to trust them to make decisions about whether our assets live or die?” I witness that on TV every day, not necessarily about assets, but about their constituents and fellow Americans. OK, I’ll shut up now.
November 17, 2022
This book started off with an exciting, high thriller chase and then it fell flat for awhile. There was a long portion of setting things up, working through bureaucracy and red tape and then it got exciting again.
The overall plot focuses on China's attempts to take over Taiwan. Even though this was written many years ago, it was quite relevant today. It seemed plausible. It wasn't the best political thriller I've ever read, but it was enjoyable. I do like international, spy/government action books.
The overall plot focuses on China's attempts to take over Taiwan. Even though this was written many years ago, it was quite relevant today. It seemed plausible. It wasn't the best political thriller I've ever read, but it was enjoyable. I do like international, spy/government action books.
May 27, 2018
Two CIA outcasts who must race to stop a secret Chinese weapon that threatens to provoke a world war After her first assignment in Venezuela goes disastrously awry, rookie case officer Kyra Stryker is brought back to Langley to work in the Red Cell, the CIA’s out-of-the-box think tank. There she’s paired with Jonathan Burke, a straitlaced analyst who has alienated his colleagues with his unorthodox methods and a knack for always being right, political consequences be damned.
August 5, 2019
I’m not entirely sure why I didn’t like this book any better. It has all the components I enjoy in a Tom Clancy thriller, perhaps being even a bit to close to them. The story was interesting, the stakes felt real, I found the character of Jonathan Burke hilarious.
What the book lacked was an urging desire for me to press on and continue reading. Perhaps the very strong interweaving of plot threads disturbed my reading flow.
What the book lacked was an urging desire for me to press on and continue reading. Perhaps the very strong interweaving of plot threads disturbed my reading flow.
January 21, 2020
Advertised as being "the new Tom Clancy". Not quite up to that lofty standard, but a solid start to a series of books relating to CIA analysts and field agents. This first book deals with the invasion of Taiwan by China. This viable premise is supported by strong characters and plenty of action. No profanity (that I can remember) and no sexual situations, just political intrigue and a healthy dose of military action. Will definitely read the second book, somewhere down the literary road
May 27, 2021
Good borderline great. The story is worth 3.5 stars. The half star is for the good ending.
It is a rather challenging book to read due to the language and the military acronyms (some I had to google). But I kept wanting to know how it continues, so 11 days isnmt that bad!
It doesn't hold up with Red Sparrow, as easier language let's you be more on edge, but I don't think I coul've found a better book to follow up that trilogy.
It is a rather challenging book to read due to the language and the military acronyms (some I had to google). But I kept wanting to know how it continues, so 11 days isnmt that bad!
It doesn't hold up with Red Sparrow, as easier language let's you be more on edge, but I don't think I coul've found a better book to follow up that trilogy.
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