Red Star Down

by D.B. John

An explosive conspiracy is on the verge of detonation.

A Korean man is poisoned in broad-daylight at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

A Russian intelligence officer is assassinated in a Washington hotel.

And a real-estate mogul has just become the 45th President of the United States.

The world teeters on the brink and three individuals find themselves caught up in the cross hairs:

Jenna, a seasoned CIA officer, whose past missions refuse to stay buried.

Lyosha, a student in Moscow who confronts Vladimir Putin on live TV only to suffer the consequences.

And Eric, a North Korean spy in the heart of the White House who adores the man he is working to undermine: the President.

In a world of shifting allegiances and betrayal, RED STAR DOWN is a global and gripping thriller that explores the intricate web of politics, espionage, and deception during of one of the most turbulent periods in recent history.

Genres: Fiction, Espionage

654 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 24, 2025

About the author

D. B. JOHN was born in Wales. He began training as a lawyer but switched to a career in publishing, editing popular children's books on history and science. In 2009 he moved to Berlin, Germany, to write his first novel, Flight from Berlin. A visit to North Korea in 2012 inspired Star of the North. In 2015 he co-authored the New York Times bestselling memoir The Girl With Seven Names by Hyeonseo Lee. He lives in Angel, London.

Reviews

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️

Loosely based around real events, Red Star Down is such a brilliant read!

A massive conspiracy is about to be revealed to the world. Red Star Down reveals the exciting story leading up to it.

Three protagonists - Jenna, a tough no nonsense CIA officer.

Lyosha, a Moscow student who had the audacity to confront Vladimir Putin on live tv, with a question that so incensed the Russian leader that he made it his mission to destroy Lyosha’s life.

And then there’s Eric, a North Korean spy who has the ear of President Trump, and it goes without saying that he’s one extremely dangerous individual.

Having read D B John’s superb book “Star of the North”, wanting to read this one was a no brainer.
This is a fast paced spy thriller, that crosses continents and regimes, throwing the reader headlong into a world of global events, and the inevitable political intrigue and espionage that accompanies it. This is edge of the seat stuff and I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending this excellent read!

*Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK, Vintage for my ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do I put into words how good this book is?

It is remarkable, thats the best word to describe it

We have Trump, Putin and Kim Jong-un as 3 main leads and a host of other powerful characters all involved in a web of lies, deception and spycraft set in Trumps first term in office

The author makes it clear it is fiction in the lengthy ( and also fascinating ) acknowledgements but set within real life events and ‘happenings’

Every single world was important and formed part of this truly invigorating book

The intimate look at life in North Korea, Russia and America and the lives of the leaders and the power they yield was like nothing have read before

I wanted it to be double, triple length such was the amazing story telling by this author ( will be reading his 3 other books asap ) that didn’t falter in its excitement once, even for a second

My favourite book this year and in my top 3 books ever

A truly powerful read

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Red Star Down is the first book I’ve read by D.B. John, and it definitely won’t be the last. I read this thriller in just over a day — and if I didn’t need sleep, I’d have devoured it in one sitting. It’s that gripping.

This is an intricately researched and masterfully plotted story that brilliantly balances high-stakes international tension with razor-sharp, often laugh-out-loud observations of global political gameplay. I was fully transported into the volatile battlefield between Putin, Trump, and Kim Jong-un and found myself racing through the pages, emotions pinging wildly between dread, disbelief, hilarity and heartbreak.

Jenna is a powerhouse of a protagonist — smart, gritty, and emotionally complex. Her dynamic with Eric, a North Korean spy embedded within Trump’s administration, crackles with tension. The stakes feel sky-high as they navigate a treacherous world in an effort to protect Lyosha, Stephen, and Soo-min. The twists are relentless, the pace exhilarating, and the portrayal of real-world political figures and power plays is so sharply observed I kept bursting out laughing in disbelief.

D.B. John has pulled off something extraordinary: a thriller that is both deeply intelligent and thoroughly entertaining. It’s one of the best books I’ve read this year — insightful, fast-paced, tense, and unexpectedly hilarious in its truth-telling. I honestly wanted to start all over again the moment I finished the last page.

Highly recommended for fans of heart-racing political thrillers with substance. More, please!

[Rhuaraidh · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I have always been fascinated by autocrats. Not because of the respect they command or the fear they spread, but because their vanity and their delusions tend to make them faintly ridiculous figures."

That's the opening sentence of the author's notes at the end of the book. It's a perfect summary, really, of the world we live in, dominated by faintly ridiculous autocrats such as Trump, Putin, Kim-Jong Un. The fourth, Xi, isn't even mentioned, maybe because he's more mysterious but also a more credible leader in some respects.

It's an explosive book. It paints a picture not only of espionage that is likely to be quite real and alive today, but also paints a picture of the machinations in the minds of these leaders which most of us (MAGA mental red-hat waving diehards aside) would perceive to be an accurate representation. Especially when it comes to Trump......this is probably the BEST EVER, GREATEST insight into his mind, one of the BEST EVER minds, and so on haha.

Difficult to put this book down. Highly recommend it.

[Robert Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

D.B. John's "Red Star Down" is an entertaining and "realistic" spy thriller. The plot pulls together real-world events and historical figures into a conspirency theory type book.

This conspiracy begins with a Korean man being poisoned in a Malaysian airport (I have been there!) and a Russian "spy" being assassinated in Washington D.C. These events lead to a very high-stakes plot that involves Donald Trump, newly elected U.S. President and the leaders of North Korea and Russia. Donald Trump does not come out well here but I guess that makes even more realistic!

The story follows two key characters who find themselves caught in the plot crosshairs:

• Jenna, a seasoned CIA officer haunted by past missions. I loved Jenna!
• Eric, a North Korean spy embedded in the White House.

The author makes clever use of recent political events and this creates a sense of realism. The plot has numerous twists and turns. I was hooked.

It took me a while to get to the end but I was glad I persevered.

[Nic · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5* Red Star Down - DB John. A stunning thriller where the pace doesn’t let up.

Trump is in the White House. Putin and Kim Jong-Un are dictators in their own kingdoms. They each hold ultimate power but below their fragile egos are those willing to undermine, overthrow and work for the common good.

8 years on from the excellent Star of the North, we rejoin CIA agent Jenna in a multi-location chase across the world. There are spies, defectors, dead-drops and jaw-dropping moments a plenty. The story neatly carousels around real life events which on their own are jaw dropping,
but weaved into a narrative with the CIA and FSB involved are great fun.

I really don’t want to give any spoilers to the intricate plotting which is a heck of a ride. This is up there with Day of the Locust and Ken Follet’s Never as an absolute classic of the genre. So many try in the thriller space, few succeed, DB John absolutely nails it.

I would highly recommend starting with Star of the North to get under the skin of Jenna’s back story but both books would be good stand alone novels.

Thanks to Random House and Netgalley for this brilliant ARC. I can only hope we don’t need to wait so long for another book from this fantastic author.

[Francis Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this exciting global spy thriller set in 2017-18. The plot is brilliant and cleverly interwoven into real events, yet at the same time fast-moving, twisting and unexpected, with some great scenes. It’s a story that accelerates. The characters are engaging. The writing is high quality.

Above all, it’s a brave book. The speaking characters include Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and the family of Kim Yong-Un, and the presentation of them is pitch perfect. The novel’s form is that of a work of pure imaginative fiction - a piece, you might say, of frivolity and silliness - but everything you read here rings true. It sometimes seems that no one today is speaking truth to power. D.B. John is. If you want to know about power today, and its opposite, read this book. It is a story for our times.

[Nicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this spy thriller from D. B. John, a follow on from Star of the North, which I loved, but somehow didn’t get around to reviewing.
The story is set in 2018 and told from three points of view. Jenna a CIA agent, who I knew from the previous book, Lyosha, a Russian student, and Eric a North Korean spy working in the White House.
This was a just as good Star of the North, and me hooked right from the beginning, as I followed the three characters through the twists and turns of the plot. I liked Jenna and Lyosha and hoped good things would come their way. Eric Rahn was a very good villain, a really nasty character, who deserved everything he got!
The author’s note at the end was really interesting as he mentioned how real events inspired this latest book.
Highly recommended if you enjoy contemporary global spy thrillers.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Vintage for my digital copy.
Book 12 of 20 Books of Summer 2025

[Karen Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Red Star Down D B John

5 stars
Absolutely brilliant

I loved this book and read it in a couple of days. Right from the start I was totally absorbed by the story and completely immersed in the fictional characters that were so believable when set against the three main protagonists in the real world, Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un.

I had no problem following the story despite it being a follow-up to Jenna Williams story,Jenna is a CIA agent, a Korean/ African American whose twin sister was captured and taken to North Korea, Jenna had rescued her and by doing so is Public Enemy No 1 for North Korea. In Moscow a young boy, Lyosha has had the temerity to question President Putin, in a live tv broadcast and has to flee Russia, and in The White House, Eric Rahn has risen to be President's Trump's Special Advisor on East Asia even though he is a North Korean spy.

The story is set in 2017 when President Trump' took office for the first time. It is horrifying to me how true to life this is, touching on kidnapping of Asians to be raised in North Korea and trained as spies, the seed-bearing programme and the poisoning of traitors. I can well imagine that everything described not only went on but is in fact still going on especially as Trump is now back in power.

What made this book so fascinating for me was the juxtaposition of the fictional characters and the non-fictional characters. The author seems able to describe Trump, Putin and Kim as though he has actually met them many times so accurate is his descriptions of their mannerisms and actions. In the author's note at the end of the book he does say that this is a fictional book but so much of it is based on real events that I am not so sure,.

I can honestly say that this is one of the best books that I have read and will be reading anything else I can find by this author. Highly recommended.




Karen Deborah
Reviewer for Net galley

[Sudhagar · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF.

The author is an excellent writer and I loved his previous book.

However this book is a major letdown. While the pace is ok, the writing is ponderous and slow, with unnecessary fillers. His choice of using Trump is certain to be a move that would divide opinion of the fans - no doubt some would love how he portrayed the POTUS while others will hate him for that.

For me I found the book to be vastly inferior to his previous work. To me this look like the author just picked the folks considered as the enemies by the MSM and ran with it without doing much homework or providing some semblance of balance. The characters are one-dimensional and predictable. The plot simplistic and unrealistic. I am familiar with the incident that happened at the Kuala Lumpur airport that the author uses as one of the major themes of the story and I can tell that the incident wasn't as simple as it is stated in the novel. In real life the half brother of the North Korean president was a CIA spy whom the NK intelligence agency managed to uncover and to assassinate at the airport using trained outsiders by employing nerve agents. Such operations take months to plan unlike what it was narrated in the book.

The writer also lazy in his writing by saying things that are obviously incorrect or inaccurate. After 1/3, I just lost interest as one can easily see where it is heading.

Give it a miss would be my recommendation.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

As far as spy thrillers go I have to say Red Star Down is one of the best I have read in this genre. The author is new to me and I will be reading his other books when I can. I was pulled into the story right from the start and it held my interest and attention right to the last page although initially it did take time for the characters to slot into place in my mind. The main character Jenna, a CIA operative, is very likeable as is Lyosha and I was rooting for them throughout. The story writing is excellent and flows seamlessly and is full of intricate threads and a very, VERY believeable plot line. I love the different place and country settings and think the portrayal of the world leaders who have their own agendas and are self serving is spot on. The poignant, sad and humorous moments add to the story. The pacing is perfect and the author raises the suspense, tension and suspense that made me want to know what would happen next. As always there are characters I loathed and I think the author does their job well when I feel like this about the characters. I really like the ending and hope there will be a follow up book featuring Jenna.

If you like spy, espionage thrillers then I think this book would be for you and I'd recommend it.

D.B. John has come up with a cracker of a read here and one I thoroughly enjoyed.

4 stars

[Laura Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

More of a 4.5
This was the first book by this author I have read and it was an enjoyable, thought provoking read. I liked the fact that it was inspired by real events (see author's note at the end), it was clear that the author had done much research and thought had gone into the plot.
This book could probably be summed up as the CIA & FBI's worst nightmare. The infiltration of not just the USA but more importantly the White House by North Korean & Russian operatives, add in the fact that Trump is President and it becomes even more of a horror story.
The autocratic regimes of Putin and North Korea are well drawn, the Russians, such as Putin are particularly menacing.
The only reason I deducted half a star was that it did get a little boring/"draggy" in places, especially at the beginning when Eric and Jenna were laying the ground work for the story/giving insight into their backstory and I just wanted things to move on.
If you like espionage/political thrillers this could be for you.
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic page-tuner .... all 650 of them! Finished in three days.

I was recommended the book by a friend who first met John over a decade ago when they were both considering becoming writers. Clearly John has found his calling.

The story is fictional history turned into a thriller organised into 89 short chapters that follow the classic modus operandi of jumping chronologically from one main character to the next, leaving us each time with an element of suspense.

The fictional tale is built around the scaffolding of what John describes as "the tumultuous months between Donald Trump's inauguration as president in 2027 and his bizarre summits with Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin the following year". There are moments in the book when I thought John's motivation for writing the book may have been to give him licence to poke fun at what he paints as the laziness, the lack of preparation, the whimsical unpredictability of Donald Trump, as well as his vulnerability - engendered by his vanity - to being (malevolently) manipulated.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Red Star Down is an edge-of-your-seat international spy thriller based on relatively recent real-life events featuring well known political figures. In a story which crosses continents, main protagonist Jenna risks her own life to protect Soo-min, Lyosha and Stephen while North Korean spy Eric is working hard to undermine the White House whilst also trying to save his own skin. This is a tension filled, fast paced thriller with multiple characters and story strands coming together in an intelligently planned plot in which the narrative is enhanced by some excellent satire.
The researching and plotting are top quality, and the author’s observations of political manoeuvring have made me look at current events through a new lens. I will be recommending this to everyone I know.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC

[P · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true "can't put it down once you start" novel.
I read it over 3 days, it helped me get over a little heart ache LOL.
Seriously, I love the mix of fiction and little known historical facts. I loved it with his previous book (Star of the North, a true eye opener about the insanity of the North Korean regime) and this one does not disappoint. This time the action takes place in several countries: Indonesia, North Korea, Russia, USA.
The private side of the famous characters (Putin, Trump, Kim Jong-il) is genius and in turn terrifying and deeply funny, The fictional characters (Jenna, Lyosha, Eric) are complex, subtle, flawed.
The story is rooted in real world events, remains believable throughout and of course like any good spy thriller will keep you guessing until the very end.
Can't wait for the next one!

[Seán B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Red Star Down is espionage fiction at its finest. From the very first chapter, D.B. John pulls you straight into a world of high-stakes tension, shadowy politics, and razor-sharp spycraft. What really stood out for me was how seamlessly the story moves between chapters—there’s a natural flow to the pacing that keeps the momentum driving forward without ever feeling rushed.

John weaves multiple perspectives together with real precision, creating a thriller that’s both intelligent and compulsively readable. The characters feel authentic, the setting is atmospheric, and the plot twists land exactly when they should. It’s one of those novels where you keep promising yourself “just one more chapter,” and suddenly an hour has gone by.

A gripping, well-crafted spy thriller that reminds you why the genre is so addictive. Highly recommended.

[Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Defiantly a very well crafted novel, full of current issues and concerns re global situations, Characters are life like in mannerisms and speech - yes Putin, Trump and Kim Jong Un of North Kore; yes John weaves a great story with our world leaders and all the bit players in the background.
At one point the story mentions North Korea and Russia's Seed Bearing Program which triggered my deep seated memories of true events where citizens were abducted from South Korea and Japan to breed children, indoctrinated and sent back to their original country to create havoc. Methods of assassinations used those used by the Russians even today - poisoning radio isotope exposure.
So a very intelligent up to date thriller.
At the end of the book a well written 'authors notes' shares the deeper aspects of the story and basis for the book, well worth reading.

[Wendy Drury · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by D.B John and I certainly hope that it won't be the last. I was immediately gripped by this contemporary political thriller. The characters were completely believable and the attention to the power struggle between Donald Trump, Putin and Kim Jong-un caused different emotions at one point humorous and another disbelief. I didn't manage to read this book at one sitting despite attempting to, but my husband wanted to sleep which meant that I read over two days. The combination of Jenna a C.I.A operative, Eric a North Korean spy within the Trump administration, could all change the balance of the political power as it is today.

I am grateful to NetGalley and Random House UK/Vintage for giving me the opportunity to read this advanced copy to review.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an ARC copy of this book. Red Star Down by D. B. John is a high-octane international spy thriller that plunges readers into a world of political intrigue and espionage. The story kicks off with a series of explosive global events—a Korean man is poisoned in Malaysia, a Russian intelligence officer is assassinated in Washington, and a real-estate mogul becomes the U.S. president. These incidents set the stage for a conspiracy that threatens global stability. It is a story of power, betrayal, international espionage and the fragility of global peace. If you're a fan of politically charged thrillers with heart-pounding suspense and a darkly witty edge, this might be one to add to your to read list.

[Marta · Rating 4 out of 5]

An informative and eye-opening espionage thriller with some fictionalised elements that still rang true and very sadly very close to the current political state of affairs. Although the novel occasionally dragged for me (how many chases can you realistically have?) the author does penetrate the mind of well-seasoned spies and cold-blooded double-agents alike. I also felt the portrayal of world leaders and dictators to be eerily accurate. I will keep an eye out for the author when I am next in the mood for something of this genre. I particularly enjoyed reading of Jenna’s plights, and immersing myself in some of the exotic and closed-off locations the action takes place in. Some pleasant plot twists are present, too!

[vince weldon · Rating 4 out of 5]

NET GALLEY ADVANCE REVIEW COPY 4*

D.B. John is a new author to me - I suspect this will not be the only book of his that I'll read and enjoy.

Back in the day I was a massive Clancy Jack Ryan fan, and I suspect that Mr John might have been similarly influenced.

This hefty volume (Amazon says over 670 pages) continues the global storyline genre with good humour, and interesting takes on real-life homelives for current global leaders, especially the Donald and his master blaster Vlad the Pale...

The book will be an excellent summer poolside read - three or four days of tanning with tall dark chilled drinks losing yourself in an engaging yarn full of crafty smiles, twists and fascinating plots.

I'm giving no spoilers other than to say be prepared to be engaged

[Silverboggle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this intense political thriller set during Trump’s first administration and creating a tense fictional background to the summits Trump held with Putin and Kim Jong-un. The crossover between fiction and reality had a very nebulous border which made this a fascinating read.

Apparently a sequel so I’m going to have to hunt the first volume down now. This was a high stakes thriller and commanded my complete attention while travelling across Europe by train. Fabulous female protagonist. More of this sort of thing!!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. 5* from me for this one.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent fast-paced thriller. Set in 2017, the corrupting power of Trump, Putin and Kim Jong-Un sets the backdrop for an intense political, spy thriller. This is a well-written and well-researched book. Right from the start, the reader is thrown straight into the thick of the action. Despite the length of the book, this was a surprisingly quick read.
Highly recommended.
I received a free review copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest and unedited review.

[Gerry Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The real-life characters and events move at a fast pace- from a North Korean man poisoned at an airport, to the assassination of a Russian intelligence officer in Washington and a teenager who stands up to Putin on a Russian TV show with Putin. All strands are neatly woven with Jenna, a CIA operative and Eric who is a shady character working in the White House but not for the U.S. President. This spy thriller is a clever and compulsive read. It is rooted in current affairs and merges the complexity of geopolitics into a fantastic read. A proper thriller that is so compelling.

[Steve Capel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant novel set in the time of Donald Trumps first presidency and based around actual event . It is a story about espionage at the highest level and moves along a good pace. The settings in the USA, Russia and North Korea are slowly tied into one overall story with a CIA agent Jenna Williams as the thread that holds them together. This is a long book over 600 pages but well worth the time taken to read it. The best espionage thriller I have read in a long time> I hope there is more to follow from this author. I would award more than 5 stars if I could.

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cleverly crafted plot, managing to intertwine fiction with real-life political events with feeling too contrived. The story moves at great pace, with lots of twists and turns, and remains exciting to the end. How refreshing to have a female agent at the centre of action, especially as she is so central to the story.

I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just nailed Trump..wonder if he’s read it?

Superb in that sad way that we wish it wasn’t likely to be true ..but most probably is.
What does Moscow have on this narcissistic bully running the US? Ive just watched the footage of Trump coming out of his 1 on 1 with Putin..hard to daw any other conclusion than he was beaten down. Arrogantly unprepared as usual, and met a smarter player.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The reasoning behind Donald trump meeting north Korea leader and his relationship with Putin.
A very interesting, informative and fascinating story about behind the scenes in international politics and the various agencies involved.
It may be fiction but it doesn't take much imagination to believe that this book is the truth.
I really enjoyed this book

[John Johnstone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, okay it's fiction but as it is centered around Trump's first term it does relate very closely to today's current shenanigans. The character portrayed of Trump is spot on, if watch Insta clips you know what I mean. Coupled with a credible spy story it makes for a great read but also slightly scary.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent espionage thriller set in the US, Russia and North Korea, also giving fascinating insights into the egos of Trump, Putin and Kim Jong-un. Set in Trump’s 1st term, the author believes that Putin ‘had something’ on Trump, this premise has become stronger with Trump’s actions during his current term particularly in regard to the recent “peace plan” he is trying to force on Ukraine.