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Caspian Anderson #1
The Elias Network
Mr. & Mrs. Smith meets political thriller in this heart-pounding series debut about two undercover flames whose new mission risks exposing their true identities to the world…and, worse, each other.
Caspian Anderson is a translator for the United Nations—or so he’s led everyone to believe. No one suspects that mild-mannered Caspian, with his baggy clothes and sensible car, is actually an elite assassin for the US government. And that’s just how he wants it.
For ten years, Caspian has worked under the code name Elias for Onyx, a black program deep within the Department of Homeland Security. His latest mission takes him to Switzerland to kill a target tied to a human trafficking ring. There, Caspian stumbles onto a web of conspiracies involving high-level political figures.
Meanwhile, Caspian’s girlfriend is starting to pull away, and he wonders whether she may have secrets of her own. The truth is, Liesel Bergmann’s a spy. But neither knows the truth about the other…yet. As their covert operations converge, trust becomes paramount. Can they work together to bring down the enemy with their lives—and hearts—still intact?
Caspian Anderson is a translator for the United Nations—or so he’s led everyone to believe. No one suspects that mild-mannered Caspian, with his baggy clothes and sensible car, is actually an elite assassin for the US government. And that’s just how he wants it.
For ten years, Caspian has worked under the code name Elias for Onyx, a black program deep within the Department of Homeland Security. His latest mission takes him to Switzerland to kill a target tied to a human trafficking ring. There, Caspian stumbles onto a web of conspiracies involving high-level political figures.
Meanwhile, Caspian’s girlfriend is starting to pull away, and he wonders whether she may have secrets of her own. The truth is, Liesel Bergmann’s a spy. But neither knows the truth about the other…yet. As their covert operations converge, trust becomes paramount. Can they work together to bring down the enemy with their lives—and hearts—still intact?
349 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2024
6154 people are currently reading
5851 people want to read
About the author
Simon Gervais
20 books639 followersSimon Gervais is a former federal agent specializing in protective operations and counterterrorism. He spent nearly twenty years in the military and in law enforcement. His assignments took him all over Europe and the Middle East. He's the New York Times and #1 Amazon bestselling author of 15 exciting thrillers, one of these titles—Robert Ludlum's The Blackbriar Genesis—was written for the Robert Ludlum estate. Simon's Clayton White series is presently being adapted for TV by CBS Studios with Jerry Bruckheimer TV attached to produce.
Simon lives with his wife and two children. He's an avid boater, diver, and skier.
Literary Agent: Mark Tavani at David Black Agency.
Film/TV Agent: Debbie Deuble-Hill and Alec Frankel at APA.
The Caspian Anderson series:
THE ELIAS NETWORK (Sept 2024)
THE ELIAS ENIGMA (July 2025)
THE ELIAS CONSPIRACY (July 2026)
The Chase Burke series (co-written with Ryan Steck):
THE SECOND SON (December 2025)
THE MARKED SON (November 2026)
Robert Ludlum's THE BLACKBRIAR GENESIS written by Simon Gervais (October 18, 2022)
The Clayton White series:
THE LAST PROTECTOR (November 2021)
THE LAST SENTINEL (August 2022)
THE LAST GUARDIAN (October 2023)
The Pierce Hunt series
HUNT THEM DOWN (January 2019)
TRAINED TO HUNT (September 2019)
TIME TO HUNT (November 2020)
The Mike Walton series:
THE THIN BLACK LINE (March 2015)
A LONG GRAY LINE (Novella—March 2016)
A RED DOTTED LINE (November 2017)
A THICK CRIMSON LINE (April 2018)
"[An] action-packed series launch by Simon Gervais..." —Publishers Weekly
"One of the most anticipated action thrillers of the year..." —The Real Book Spy
"Gervais is a thriller writer to watch..." —Library Journal
"An action-packed thrill ride with plot twists around nearly every curve" — Kirkus Reviews
Simon lives with his wife and two children. He's an avid boater, diver, and skier.
Literary Agent: Mark Tavani at David Black Agency.
Film/TV Agent: Debbie Deuble-Hill and Alec Frankel at APA.
The Caspian Anderson series:
THE ELIAS NETWORK (Sept 2024)
THE ELIAS ENIGMA (July 2025)
THE ELIAS CONSPIRACY (July 2026)
The Chase Burke series (co-written with Ryan Steck):
THE SECOND SON (December 2025)
THE MARKED SON (November 2026)
Robert Ludlum's THE BLACKBRIAR GENESIS written by Simon Gervais (October 18, 2022)
The Clayton White series:
THE LAST PROTECTOR (November 2021)
THE LAST SENTINEL (August 2022)
THE LAST GUARDIAN (October 2023)
The Pierce Hunt series
HUNT THEM DOWN (January 2019)
TRAINED TO HUNT (September 2019)
TIME TO HUNT (November 2020)
The Mike Walton series:
THE THIN BLACK LINE (March 2015)
A LONG GRAY LINE (Novella—March 2016)
A RED DOTTED LINE (November 2017)
A THICK CRIMSON LINE (April 2018)
"[An] action-packed series launch by Simon Gervais..." —Publishers Weekly
"One of the most anticipated action thrillers of the year..." —The Real Book Spy
"Gervais is a thriller writer to watch..." —Library Journal
"An action-packed thrill ride with plot twists around nearly every curve" — Kirkus Reviews
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 542 reviews
June 19, 2024
Simon Gervais is one of the best authors out there. He doesn't write long series, instead he makes up new characters all the time. Was The Elias Network good? Well I started it in the evening and stayed awake until the end at ten miutes past two in the morning. That should answer the question. It was pure joy reading and impossible to put down. What a great set of characters and the plot was to die for. Caspian Anderson is not only a translator at the UN he also kills people! But something is not right and he has to figure it out quickly or he may be next in line to die. I discovered Gervais a few years ago after he had written his first series and I fell in love with his phenomenal style of writing, he has a great flow in his books and I believe that due to the fact that he constantly starts new series he doesn't stagnate but feels fresh in every new book. I strongly recommend that you start reading his work. I also would like to thank Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for letting me read this advance copy.
Read
December 30, 2024soft dnf for now. i think im about 25% in maybe?
i might pick up at a later time bc i like the plot but the build up is so slow…
i might pick up at a later time bc i like the plot but the build up is so slow…
March 22, 2024
This book by Simon Gervais is not the one I wanten to read that was actually the 2nd Blackbriar book concerning the Ludlum Jason Bourne universe which has proved not to excist somehow.
When I came across this title and writer I decided nonetheless to give it a try as Blackbriar Genesis proved to be an excellent thriller.
Now Gervais created with Caspian Anderson a super assassin who works for the US government or so hé always believed. When on assignment in A Swiss wintersport place hé finds out that hé is not the only person gunning for a specific target. The whole operation then goes spectacular of the rails which leads Caspian wounded and in search of answers which do not please him at all.
This is an excellent actioner which is somehow a bit of a letdown in the last act, temsion that was there throughout the novel seeps away with an conveniant ending which sets up for a sequel.
A very pleasing 2nd meeting with this writer which Will undoubtely Will be repeated in the future. Mr Gervais is a gifted thriller writer.
I received a copy of this novel from netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
When I came across this title and writer I decided nonetheless to give it a try as Blackbriar Genesis proved to be an excellent thriller.
Now Gervais created with Caspian Anderson a super assassin who works for the US government or so hé always believed. When on assignment in A Swiss wintersport place hé finds out that hé is not the only person gunning for a specific target. The whole operation then goes spectacular of the rails which leads Caspian wounded and in search of answers which do not please him at all.
This is an excellent actioner which is somehow a bit of a letdown in the last act, temsion that was there throughout the novel seeps away with an conveniant ending which sets up for a sequel.
A very pleasing 2nd meeting with this writer which Will undoubtely Will be repeated in the future. Mr Gervais is a gifted thriller writer.
I received a copy of this novel from netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
February 5, 2025
Simon Gervais knows how to start a series that hooks you from the first word. His catalog is filled with bangers, but the Elias Network might be his best. Filled with rich characters and fast-paced action, the Elias Network is a surefire hit. A bit reminiscent of Mr. and Mrs. Smith—a married couple who’re more than they seem—but that’s where the comparisons end. As in all his books, the research is impeccable and Gervais inserts you in the story; you can almost sense the bullets flying by your head.
I’d like to thank Thomas & Mercer for providing a galley through NetGalley.
I’d like to thank Thomas & Mercer for providing a galley through NetGalley.
August 6, 2024
Caspian Anderson book #1
What a breathless game of cat and mouse this turned out to be and what an exciting read. It opens in Switzerland with Caspian, code name “Elias” a black operative working for the Department of Homeland Security is sent on a killing mission to take out a banker by the name of Leonard Alrich who has deep ties to human trafficking. While Caspian’s girlfriend Liesel an accountant with ties to intelligence agency does her thing. Both love birds have no knowledge that they are working on different sides of the same problem nor do they know of each true identity....The story immerses us in both character’s worlds and along the way gives us a thrilling ride.
When Caspian unearths a conspiracy implicating political figures his mission takes a turn sideways....but for us.... step aside Jason Bourne we are into one of those high-flying story that gives us pulse and heart-pounding action sequences one can wish for. Along the way we are taken through a web of lies and secrets while the sweet and tender moments between Caspian and Liesel give us a well needed break.
This story is a joy to read even if there is a lot to unpack spy vs spy vs spy and back and forth, trust and mistrust at every corner what a way to keep you tuned in. The multiple characters that cross the pages just add to the complexity of this well-said and well-plotted drama.
This is my first experience reading this author and definitely will not be the last.
I received this Arc from Thomas & Mercer via Netgalley for my thoughts: this is the way I see it.
What a breathless game of cat and mouse this turned out to be and what an exciting read. It opens in Switzerland with Caspian, code name “Elias” a black operative working for the Department of Homeland Security is sent on a killing mission to take out a banker by the name of Leonard Alrich who has deep ties to human trafficking. While Caspian’s girlfriend Liesel an accountant with ties to intelligence agency does her thing. Both love birds have no knowledge that they are working on different sides of the same problem nor do they know of each true identity....The story immerses us in both character’s worlds and along the way gives us a thrilling ride.
When Caspian unearths a conspiracy implicating political figures his mission takes a turn sideways....but for us.... step aside Jason Bourne we are into one of those high-flying story that gives us pulse and heart-pounding action sequences one can wish for. Along the way we are taken through a web of lies and secrets while the sweet and tender moments between Caspian and Liesel give us a well needed break.
This story is a joy to read even if there is a lot to unpack spy vs spy vs spy and back and forth, trust and mistrust at every corner what a way to keep you tuned in. The multiple characters that cross the pages just add to the complexity of this well-said and well-plotted drama.
This is my first experience reading this author and definitely will not be the last.
I received this Arc from Thomas & Mercer via Netgalley for my thoughts: this is the way I see it.
September 7, 2024
Not particularly interesting and every woman desperately wanting to sleep with the main character to their own detriment turned me off majorly.
September 11, 2024
So the promise of a ‘Mr and Mrs Smith’ scenario hooked me but I’ve got to be honest, that was the least satisfying element of this book. The two protagonists- Caspian and Liesel - spend so much time apart, it’s hard to feel the love or chemistry between them. In fact, when they do meet back up it’s…underwhelming. The great parts of this book are the multi-POV which kept the story fast-paced. It did feel like, in terms of plot, there just wasn’t much to it. When you think of what actually happened - not a whole lot! I got to the end and felt dissatisfied, like I’d had one mouthful of cake but needed to finish the slice?! So, I did enjoy it. I liked the writing style, I enjoyed the pace, I liked the subject matter. But the chemistry wasn’t there and I wish more had happened.
January 5, 2025
Well, this was fun!
Would I be able to give you a blow by blow accounting of the story?
Nope. It’s very fast paced. In fact, if you lose the thread for a minute of who is trying to kill whom, just keep reading. You will be back on track in less than a minute.
All the comparisons to Mr and Mrs Smith are probably true but I have no first hand knowledge of the Smiths.
It does remind me a bit of an early Gabriel Allon spy book. A good portion of it takes place in Switzerland and that was a refreshing setting.
It’s high tech, sharp and dare I say, sexy. This is modern 21st century spy tech with sniffers on phones, etc.
These spies and their rotten counterparts are young and hip. There isn’t a dodgy-stodgy one in the bunch.
The author, Simon Gervais, uses this first in the series to give us a backstory for what is revealed in the last pages of this book and as to what future installments will bring. I really loved the direction it seems to be going.
I’m in. The 2nd book just came out so neither you nor I will have to hang.
Would I be able to give you a blow by blow accounting of the story?
Nope. It’s very fast paced. In fact, if you lose the thread for a minute of who is trying to kill whom, just keep reading. You will be back on track in less than a minute.
All the comparisons to Mr and Mrs Smith are probably true but I have no first hand knowledge of the Smiths.
It does remind me a bit of an early Gabriel Allon spy book. A good portion of it takes place in Switzerland and that was a refreshing setting.
It’s high tech, sharp and dare I say, sexy. This is modern 21st century spy tech with sniffers on phones, etc.
These spies and their rotten counterparts are young and hip. There isn’t a dodgy-stodgy one in the bunch.
The author, Simon Gervais, uses this first in the series to give us a backstory for what is revealed in the last pages of this book and as to what future installments will bring. I really loved the direction it seems to be going.
I’m in. The 2nd book just came out so neither you nor I will have to hang.
November 13, 2024
Solid spy/thriller with great characters and quick action. I will definitely be looking forward to the next story!!! 😎
January 3, 2025
Exciting action-packed spy thriller with layers of secrets.
Caspian Anderson is an overlooked boring translator for the United Nations. In reality he has been an elite assassin for over ten years – code name Elias – for a deep op government organization. His girlfriend, Liesel Bergmann is a forensic accountant as far as he knows, but truly she is a foreign spy planted in the US. Neither suspect the true nature of their partner’s real job until their separation cases cross paths. Can their relationship survive the betrayal of trust? Can they remain focused on their task when the other is in danger?
The nonstop action and suspense engaged my interests from the start and made this book unputdownable. There are several threads that eventually mesh as the story builds, criminals are identified, and betrayals are exposed. The book is strong on descriptions of covert operation methods, hand to hand combat, and weaponry. Although the characters are compelling, they are without depth. The only niggle I have was with the weak conclusion; it was too idealistic but did tie the loose ends up nicely.
Overall, I had a fun, satisfying reading experience with this book by an author new to me. I will be on the lookout for future publications.
Caspian Anderson is an overlooked boring translator for the United Nations. In reality he has been an elite assassin for over ten years – code name Elias – for a deep op government organization. His girlfriend, Liesel Bergmann is a forensic accountant as far as he knows, but truly she is a foreign spy planted in the US. Neither suspect the true nature of their partner’s real job until their separation cases cross paths. Can their relationship survive the betrayal of trust? Can they remain focused on their task when the other is in danger?
The nonstop action and suspense engaged my interests from the start and made this book unputdownable. There are several threads that eventually mesh as the story builds, criminals are identified, and betrayals are exposed. The book is strong on descriptions of covert operation methods, hand to hand combat, and weaponry. Although the characters are compelling, they are without depth. The only niggle I have was with the weak conclusion; it was too idealistic but did tie the loose ends up nicely.
Overall, I had a fun, satisfying reading experience with this book by an author new to me. I will be on the lookout for future publications.
April 23, 2024
First: APOLOGIES to all~ I am not able to review right now due to serious injury to my dominant arm, following an event 20 April, 2024. Awaiting surgery to repair
and PT. Glasses being replaced, etc
Simon is lucky I had just 50 pages to go and his newest book is my
Favorite. It’s going to make my annual list.
So, if you’re a fan, you’ll love it. Even if it’s your first and only, it
is fine.
So, this is it for awhile. A blessing is I have a lovely audiobook and
nothing else until late September. Cheers and if something doesn’t
feel right, reconsider your options🫤
Take care, Wendi
and PT. Glasses being replaced, etc
Simon is lucky I had just 50 pages to go and his newest book is my
Favorite. It’s going to make my annual list.
So, if you’re a fan, you’ll love it. Even if it’s your first and only, it
is fine.
So, this is it for awhile. A blessing is I have a lovely audiobook and
nothing else until late September. Cheers and if something doesn’t
feel right, reconsider your options🫤
Take care, Wendi
October 20, 2024
The synopsis makes this sounds like the main character and his girlfriend would live their lives while trying to keep their other, secret lives a secret from each other. A neat premise. However, these two people spend 75% of the book on different parts of the world and find out about their secret lives through secondary characters. Lame. The main character is on mission for the entirety of the book and it plays out like a Gray Man novel. It felt like I had read this before
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2024
Gave up at 20%
May 30, 2025
The best book l have read by Gervais to date.
This hopefully is the first of a new series. Caspian Anderson is a translator for the UN by day, and an assassin by night. He had been recruited by Homeland Security to be trained as an assassin.
There are quite a few supporting characters, and it seems like every one of them is also hiding a secret side of themselves.
This hopefully is the first of a new series. Caspian Anderson is a translator for the UN by day, and an assassin by night. He had been recruited by Homeland Security to be trained as an assassin.
There are quite a few supporting characters, and it seems like every one of them is also hiding a secret side of themselves.
November 16, 2024
"The Elias Network," it's like hiring someone to hand-build an outdoor pizza oven, leaving them for the weekend to work, and coming back to find concrete blocks stacked into the approximate shape of what you wanted: It sort of works, and you end up with pizza, but it's not what you wanted.
To try another analogy, it's like an Oprah Winfrey "giveaway" episode of a spy novel: "You get a spy, and you get a spy. Everyone gets a spy."
The book is all very competent, but it's like having a water-cooler discussion at work ABOUT water-coolers.
To try another analogy, it's like an Oprah Winfrey "giveaway" episode of a spy novel: "You get a spy, and you get a spy. Everyone gets a spy."
The book is all very competent, but it's like having a water-cooler discussion at work ABOUT water-coolers.
November 7, 2024
I have NNOOOOOO idea why this book is so highly rated. When the bad guy is referred to as “the bad guy” multiple times in the text, I’m questioning why I’m even reading it. I kept thinking it had to get better. The plot was predictable, the characters, including the bad guy, one dimensional and the syntax so simple it was boring. Needless to say, I won’t be reading the rest of the series.
January 8, 2025
Caspian Anderson is a midlevel UN Translator. He's also an ace assassin.
His latest target is connected to human trafficking, but there's another team after him as well. When they meet up in a small Swiss town, all Hell breaks loose.
The higher ups become desperate.
Meanwhile, Caspian's girlfriend is a German spy, working as an accountant, but spying on a high tech company fronting for the Chi-Coms.
Drifts around a little, but eventually gets to it.
His latest target is connected to human trafficking, but there's another team after him as well. When they meet up in a small Swiss town, all Hell breaks loose.
The higher ups become desperate.
Meanwhile, Caspian's girlfriend is a German spy, working as an accountant, but spying on a high tech company fronting for the Chi-Coms.
Drifts around a little, but eventually gets to it.
July 7, 2025
an exciting book
This book from the beginning to the end keeps you going and is everything you want in a book good characters along with a good story very much worth the read.
This book from the beginning to the end keeps you going and is everything you want in a book good characters along with a good story very much worth the read.
November 24, 2024
A fast paced book that keeps you wanting to read more. If you like "good guy" assassin-for-hire/spy books, I definitely recommend. My only negative is that I found all the different operatives and agencies a little hard to keep straight.
October 7, 2024
Caspian is going to be a great character in this new series! Simon crushes another fast paced and addictive story that is part James Bond and part Mr. & Mrs. Smith. Totally addictive read that if it wasn’t for other engagements, I could have finished this in one setting. Must read!
November 7, 2024
Cathy B
I was lucky to win this book in a Goodreads giveaway. Simon Gervais has a writing style that keeps the plot moving along quickly, and adds surprising twists to the story. I could definitely imagine this book series as a Netflix series. There is plenty of action, complex characters, spies galore, and some despicable characters. It does illustrate that there are different levels of right and wrong. Caspian Anderson, also known as Elias, is a highly trained individual who though he has been a hired assassin, still has a sense of morality. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a fast moving thriller, and is not bothered by a considerable amount of violence. I really enjoyed the opening setting in Zermatt, Switzerland since I have visited that area. Thanks again for the free kindle copy.
I was lucky to win this book in a Goodreads giveaway. Simon Gervais has a writing style that keeps the plot moving along quickly, and adds surprising twists to the story. I could definitely imagine this book series as a Netflix series. There is plenty of action, complex characters, spies galore, and some despicable characters. It does illustrate that there are different levels of right and wrong. Caspian Anderson, also known as Elias, is a highly trained individual who though he has been a hired assassin, still has a sense of morality. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a fast moving thriller, and is not bothered by a considerable amount of violence. I really enjoyed the opening setting in Zermatt, Switzerland since I have visited that area. Thanks again for the free kindle copy.
October 3, 2024
From a plotting perspective, this book works well. Not plausible, but I don’t read thrillers for verisimilitude and, from the author’s biography, he knows far more about action than I do. It’s an engaging read and I stayed up late to read more.
I don’t necessarily believe in the characters, but they don’t raise red flags, given what their roles in this plot have them doing. My issue is the prose. It’s hamfisted. If the author used the stupid phrase “reached out” one more time when a verb like “called” or “wrote a text” would suffice, I’d have quit reading altogether. The writing style was, simply put, hokey and embarrassing.
I don’t necessarily believe in the characters, but they don’t raise red flags, given what their roles in this plot have them doing. My issue is the prose. It’s hamfisted. If the author used the stupid phrase “reached out” one more time when a verb like “called” or “wrote a text” would suffice, I’d have quit reading altogether. The writing style was, simply put, hokey and embarrassing.
September 8, 2024
This book is purported to be the first in a series featuring Caspian Anderson, a seemingly mild-mannered employee at the United Nations, who works as an undercover elite assassin for the US government. His girlfriend Liesel is an accountant, but behind her facade, she is a spy. Shades of Mr. and Mrs. Smith! We are left with a very action packed and stylish thriller that features a multitude of villains, plot twists and turns, along with betrayals. Focusing on the relationships and shifting action bodes well for the story. I read about more defensive tactical fighting than I ever knew existed. The book kept my interest from start to finish. Tangled webs of lies, secrets, and ongoing action make the book resonate so well as a thriller and complete story. A definite worthy read.
July 28, 2024
READ MY FULL REVIEW AT Best Thriller Books
Make sure to check out the full review
Make sure to check out the full review
December 15, 2025
What a good book!! Caspian (Elias) learns all about his true handler while learning a lot about hi,self and what he wants from life! He falls for his girlfriend who may or may not be on his side. The whole plot is very fun and engaging and makes the read very easy. Looking forward to the next books!
September 5, 2024
My Amazon 1st reads choice. A no brainer as to which book to choose this month. Loved this author's Clayton White series, an excellent read. Expected no less here, and boy did it deliver. This is the 1st book in a new series. Edge of your seat thriller with soooo many plot twists. Loved the ending and the possibility of what's next for Caspian. Can't wait for book 2.
September 9, 2024
Super Sleuthing Series
Terrific new series starting with great characters and totally riveting plot.
Book 1 of Caspian Anderson's adventures is a total hit and absolutely mesmerizing in
intensity, intrigue and non stop action.
Can not wait for book 2.
Hurry, please.
Terrific new series starting with great characters and totally riveting plot.
Book 1 of Caspian Anderson's adventures is a total hit and absolutely mesmerizing in
intensity, intrigue and non stop action.
Can not wait for book 2.
Hurry, please.
October 30, 2024
Damn. Hooked on another great series.
Slow build, great second act, amazing third reel. So well crafted and well written, with characters on both sides you grow to admire. I’m a fan.
Slow build, great second act, amazing third reel. So well crafted and well written, with characters on both sides you grow to admire. I’m a fan.
September 17, 2024
It took a while to figure out all the characters but when I did the story became very interesting. It ended with a look at what might be next.
September 22, 2024
Characters are a bit one-dimensional...
But nice pacing and great descriptions of actions and fabulous locations. I got the first book through Kindle First Reads but now will definitely read at least one of the sequels
But nice pacing and great descriptions of actions and fabulous locations. I got the first book through Kindle First Reads but now will definitely read at least one of the sequels
Displaying 1 - 30 of 542 reviews