Chasing the Lion: A Garrett Sinclair Novel

Garrett Sinclair #1

by Anthony J. Tata

As a child, Dariush Parizad survived Iran’s Islamic uprising, becoming a symbol of the revolution. Named The Lion of Tabas by the ayatollah himself, Parizad rose through his nation’s military to become a lethal soldier and brilliant tactical commander. Now a general, he leads Quds Force, an extremist terrorist organization targeting America and its western allies.

The United States has just uncovered a biochemical weapon, Demon Rain, developed by Parizad’s group. A psychoactive viral agent, it attacks a person’s nervous system and renders them susceptible to mind control. Parizad plans to unleash Demon Rain within Washington D. C. on Inauguration Day during the swearing in of the country’s first female president to spread fear and chaos, turning civilians into weapons.

Assigned to stop the terrorist strike are Army Lieutenant General Garrett Sinclair and his Joint Special Operations Command team. Across the Middle East, Europe, and the U. S., Sinclair pursues Parizad only to discover a deeper conspiracy—involving a disturbing revelation that his wife may not have died from cancer but was murdered as part of a plot against the president-elect. Separated from his teammates and unsure of who he can trust, Sinclair is on a mission not only to save his country, but to avenge his family against Parizad with extreme prejudice…

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Politics, Adventure, Military Fiction, Suspense, Mystery

464 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2021

About the author

Tony is the bestselling author of 16 novels, including the Garrett Sinclair Series from St. Martin's Press, the Jake Mahegan series from Kensington Books, the Reaper Series from St. Martins Press, and the Threat Series from Variance Publishing. He recently signed a new contract with Kensington Books to write two Zara Sheridan air marshal thrillers. Publishers Weekly selected Besieged as a 2017 Best Book of the Year and Foreign and Domestic was a Barry Award Finalist in 2016.

Reviews

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have just finished reading Chasing the Lion by Anthony J. Tata.

This was a rather fun book to read, with nonstop action, although a bit over the top. for the most part.

The main character Garrett Sinclair is assigned to stop the terrorism, and the recently discovered biochemical weapon. The story takes place mainly in the Middle East, Europe, and the U.S..

It is very current, with mention of Covid-19, and the upcoming Inauguration of the U.S.’s first female president

This is the first book that I have read by the Author

3.5 Stars

Thank You to NetGalley, Author Anthony J. Tata, and St. Martin's Press for my advanced copy to read and review

#NetGalley

[Bam cooks the books · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up. This military/political thriller is a bit outside my usual comfort zone for book choices but I took a chance and actually enjoyed it.

Following fast on the heels of the coronavirus pandemic, General Garrett Sinclair, the commander of U.S. military special forces, and his trusted team are now on the trail of an Iranian terrorist plot that involves a manufactured virus called Demon Rain. The terrorist cell's leader is Dariush Parizad, named the Lion of Tabas by the ayatollah, who has a great hatred for America and especially for Sinclair who was involved in a mission that destroyed Parizad's family and village. It's a personal vendetta for Parizad and gets personal for Sinclair when his family is threatened.

The story is full of action, violence and some gore. Very timely subject matter as well. It is a bit repetitive and stereotypical in plot which brought my rating down a half star. (You know, the usual timer counting down to zero plot line?) This is definitely action-movie script material with the brave hero on a desperate mission to save America. Quite the page turner if you enjoy this type of military thriller. I know my husband will love it and it definitely won me over. I recommend for a bit of Holy! Moley! escapism.

I received an arc from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Many thanks!

[Lou Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chasing the Lion
May 2, 2021
Book Review

Chasing the Lion
A.J. Tata
reviewed by Lou Jacobs



readersremains.com | Goodreads


Jump feet first into this relentless hi-octane action thriller, featuring General Garrett Sinclair – somewhat of a hybrid between Lee Child’s “Jack Reacher,” Clint Eastwood’s “Dirty Harry,” and Daniel Silva’s “Gabriel Allon.”

Ever since COVID-19 outbreak, part of Sinclair’s responsibilities has been commanding the counterterrorism task force, and neutralizing threats like Iranian General Dariush Parizad, who has followed in the footsteps of his predecessors bin-Laden, al-Baghdadi and Soleimani. Dariush is now the heir apparent to Qasem Soleimani and is deemed the number-one terrorist in the world and has assumed the mantle of commander of the Quds Force. His hatred of America is personal. As a youth, he witnessed the annihilation of his father by a drone strike during the ill fated Operation Eagle Claw in 1980.

In this unsuccessful attempt to rescue the hostages from Iran, an errant drone hit near his home in Tabas and obliterated his father. The site of devastation was visited by Ayatollah Khomeini who proclaimed that Dariush would be known as The Lion of Tabas. Since then he has progressively risen in the ranks of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard to leadership, with the goal of raining hell onto the “Great Satan” nation of the United States.

A long-term plan was initiated by Soleimani, with the strategic infiltration of the US by “sleeper cells”. They have been in place long enough to establish citizenship, which allowed them to purchase and accumulate an armory of assault weapons, pistols, and ammunition.

Gathered intel through multiple agencies, has linked Parizad with the experimentation and development of agent known as Demon Rain. It has the hallucinogenic properties of LSD with the added effect of potential mind manipulation, which is triggered through images broadcast on the victim’s personal cell phone. It can also be mixed with sarin gas for greater lethality. Although most effective by direct injection, it apparently had been successfully aerosolized for greater impact. It’s potential usage and effect is staggering.

Parizad considers the US ripe for attack. The country has never been so divided and divisive politically and is still reeling on the heels of the coronavirus pandemic. What better time to wreak havoc with the US about to change command – on the precipice of the inauguration of the first woman president.

General A.J. Tata (retired) proves to be a masterful storyteller, and weaves a convoluted, action packed narrative, brimming with authentic action sequences (as only told through the eyes of someone who actually has experienced the raw devastation of war). Tata expertly layers multidimensional characterizations onto both Sinclair and Parizad. The result is a riveting and deadly “cat and mouse” encounter that is truly cinematic and escalates into an exhilarating denouement. In my mind’s eye …. a young Clint Eastwood plays Sinclair while Omar Sharif plays Parizad. Hopefully further exploits of Garrett Sinclair will follow.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review.
This Review was published on Mystery and Suspense Magazine

[Jeremy Peers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing Chasing The Lion.

Chasing The Lion, by A.J. Tata, is the first book in a new series staring Garrett Sinclair and his team of special forces operators. I have read almost all of Tata's books and I am a fan of his Jake Mahegan series. Chasing The Lion seems to be linked to the Mahegan series, at least tangentially. If you've read any Mahegan book, the plots require a bending of reality, almost into banana-land, while at the same time being possible. Chasing The Lion is no exception. The characters are well developed: the good guys are completely likable and the bag guys are, well, villainous. The plot is complex and vast with parts bordering the absurd, yet plausible at the same time. It is clear Tata knows the inner workings of the military world and uses his knowledge to great effect. Chasing The Lion was hard to put down and Tata has created a good foundation which to build on.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was offered the opportunity to read this book by the publisher through NetGalley, I hesitated because it is a subject dealing with the United States military and an Islamic terrorist organization. This military/thriller genre is totally outside my comfort zone. I decided to take a chance on this action-filled thriller dealing with the discovery of a biochemical weapon named Demon Rain. Just that name is scary stuff.

The lead character is Army Lieutenant General Garrett Sinclair, and he and his team are tasked with stopping the spread of the weapon. Still reeling from the death of his wife the year before, Sinclair must stay on his toes to catch the Lion of Tabas, the head of the Iranian terrorist cell involved.
Soon, old political ties may be involved, and Sinclair is unsure who he can trust. He and his team are suddenly on a wild ride to find the truth.

A lot is going on in this story, and at times I had to slow down to take it all in. Many military references and acronyms made little sense to me, and truthfully, I mostly skimmed past those. However, Tata’s writing flows so well that I found myself caught up in the story and had trouble putting it down. I think the human-interest factor of his family life added a great deal to it, not to mention all the exciting, action-packed scenes. As I was reading, I kept seeing a big-screen action movie playing in my head.

As I said, not my usual type of book, but I enjoyed it very much. I think the regular audience for this genre will love it. I thank NetGalley and the publisher, St. Martin’s Press, for the opportunity to read it for an honest opinion. I gave it three and a half stars rounded up to four.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over the past couple of months I have spent more time reading mysteries and thrillers than in the last decade. I guess I just needed a change of pace during these groundhog like days. As far as mysteries go this is a good one and I plan on reading others from this author. This book is complex with compelling characters and I often felt like I was reading non-fiction as the events and locations felt so real; although at other times it was a bit far fetched for my liking. And in a sign of the times I think Covid is mentioned 1000 times! I guess we better get use to that being part of many novels yet to be written.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an early release in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[3 no 7 · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Chasing The Lion” is a non-stop thrill ride, so allocate your reading time appropriately... Colonel Garrett Sinclair talks to himself, talks to readers, and second guesses his actions. (If I had known ahead of time any of what was about to transpire…) His tone is official, professional, and direct. He goes back and forth in time, filling in details on everything and telling background that the “public” does not know. (The events that have unfolded since are well known today; the ghastly story behind them, not so much.)

“Chasing The Lion” has the quintessential thriller premise -- can the plan be stopped before time runs out. I will not give away the critical elements but I will give a few hints. The operation is the most sensitive, most important in a lifetime. Traces of a new mind control drug Demon Rain were found in a cave high in the Iranian mountains. Kim Campbell, a former schoolteacher, is set to be the first female president of the United States. “A product” is already in America.

“Chasing The Lion” has layer upon layer of intrigue. The characters are complex and multi-faceted. At times it pushes the limits of credibility and reads like an onscreen action thriller, but that can be a good thing. My main complaint is that there are constant references to COVID; we do this because of COVID, we have that left over from COVID; it was just overkill. I received a review copy of “Chasing The Lion” from A.J. TATA, and St. Martin’s Press. It was a real “nail-bitter.”

[Adriana · Rating 5 out of 5]

The pacing of this book is beyond phenomenal. I could not put it down once I began reading and not a single chapter felt superfluous. A testament to both the author's writing skill and an expertly planned plot. Edge-of-your-seat reading at its finest.
It also helps that both sides of the conflict get explored and humanized, so it's not the all-powerful American against a flat caricature of a foreign offender. Parizad's path may be the wrong one, but you can't help but empathize with what he's been through. He's a fully realized person whose choices in life were shaped by tragedy and circumstance. And it's not just him and Lieutenant General Garrett Sinclair that get the full treatment, side characters play a pivotal role in many of the events of the book and they read as (unfortunately in some cases) people that could really be out there doing the kinds of things that happen in the plot.
Lots of action, terrorist plots that make sense, betrayal, and so much more made this a book that I could not put down once I began and one that I'll be happy to recommend to anyone looking for an intense read.

Many extremely happy thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the great read!

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chasing the Lion is a classic techno-black ops thriller set in the modern era. It pits a special forces leader, Garrett Sinclair, against a sophisticated Iranian regime bent on bringing the United States to its knees through a multi-pronged attack that includes use of the CIA’s Ultra MK mind-control experiments now turned into a technological mind-control marvel operated by the use of smartphones, the use of Sarin gas, terrorist attacks by sleeper cells, and nuclear powered submarine attacks on American oil refineries. It shows that the attack was developed by longstanding sleeper cells and monies freed by the reinstatement of portions of the JCPOA and an America asleep at the switch and preoccupied with internal strife and political bickering rather than sharp and alert to outside threats.

As with many of these black ops thrillers, Sinclair is isolated throughout much of the story and operates much on his own, never knowing who to trust or who to turn to. Although the beginning of the novel is a bit clunky in its setup and the worldwide crisis at times seems a bit farfetched, the novel does pick up as the action proceeds through the middle of the novel.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Uncorrected Digital Galley

Iranian terrorist and lethal soldier Dariush Parizad, named the Lion of Tabas by the ayatollah, has become a brilliant tactical commander leading the extremist Quds Force. The target of his hatred and revenge? America.

Parizad plans to unleash his biochemical weapon, Demon Rain, in Washington, D.C. during the inauguration of the nation’s first woman president. His strategy is to spread fear and chaos while using the mind-control properties of the psychoactive viral agent to turn the civilians into weapons against their own country.

Standing between Parizad and the success of his subversive plan is Army Lieutenant General Garrett Sinclair and his Joint Special Operations Command team. Sinclair and his team, unaware of the full scope of the terrorist’s malevolent plan, pursue Parizad across the Middle East, through Europe, and into the United States. When they uncover his terrifying scheme, will they be able to save their country from the Parizad’s evil machinations? And will Garrett be able to find the truth behind the death of his beloved wife, Melissa?

Well-drawn, realistic characters populate this riveting tale that weaves an exceedingly chilling tapestry of treachery and feels frighteningly prophetic. Non-stop action keeps readers on the edge of their seats as the unfolding narrative takes the story in unexpected directions while ramping up the tension and the danger.

Anchored by a strong sense of place, the terrifyingly realistic narrative pulls its readers into the telling of the tale and keeps them rapidly turning the pages as the story plays out. Complex and compelling, this of-the-moment narrative, seemingly snatched from the headlines and filled with intrigue, is relentless in its impendence of peril and in the determination of Sinclair and his courageous crew to neutralize the menacing threat to the nation.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley
#ChasingTheLion #NetGalley

[Crystal Tadlock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! It was action-packed with no dull moments. I feel that the author did a great job at putting me in the place of the main character. I also had a sense of distrust for the different characters as he was working to finding the guilty party.

The narrator's voice for me was not really a great match for the book, in my opinion, but I greatly enjoyed this book!

[Eric Cousineau · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding start to this new series! Rich well developed characters and a fast-moving story line leaves you breathless and at the edge of your seat in this high-octane action thriller. I couldn’t put it down. This thriller grabs you from the first page and doesn’t give you a moments rest until the last page. I can’t wait to see how this series unfolds.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press who provided me with a copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[HornFan2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to net galley.com and St. Martin Press for the advance ARC for my honest review.

Did like it although, found it unbelievable or plausible at times but the writing, escaping into the pages, the fast pace, mix in the tension, the suspense, the overload of action, good verses evil , builds to a great conclusion and glad that I read this one.

With 'Chasing the Lion', you get a multi-layered storylines, the author A.J. Tata kept them all straight but check reality at the door, since I felt this one would have been better as a Jake Mahegan thriller with a 3 Star General Garrett Sinclair with his Joint Special Operations Command team in support, still keep most of the storyline, although make the "West Pointer's", the first US female President, along with President Davidison bait, trap and eliminate the "Lion of Tabas".

By thinking they let him due a minimal strike on US soil, set up a war with Iran but the author laid it on a little too thick with how bad Dariush Parizad was, yet numerous times he could have taken out General Sinclair, yet he never does and the only flaw to this one at times, just insert Jake Mahegan and not the Generals.

[Jessica Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chasing the Lion is a political/military thriller full of action and suspense and a tough guy hero that would make an awesome movie script. Army Lieutenant General Garrett Sinclair and his team of Rangers have participated in lots of deep cover ops. The latest mission goes sideways and Garrett finds himself trying to stop a terrorist attack on the US while chasing his long running nemesis, The Lion of Tabas. Set up as the scapegoat, Garrett is trying to stop a MK Ultra type chemical attack after he was injected with the same chemical. Finding out that his wife was murdered and not knowing who to trust, Garrett is in a race with the clock to stop the worst terrorist attack on American soil of all time. Ending with a surprising twist, the story keeps you on the edge of your seat and the pages fly by with pulse pounding suspense for an exciting thriller with a realistic premise. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was pure action adventure! Parizad, a Persian warrior, as a boy saw American forces kill his father. His goal since then has been to destroy America. Sinclair is a very hands on American General who has spent the past twenty years with his team working on special projects for the government. The novel begins with Sinclair and his team rescuing Ben David, an old compatriot, from an Iranian cave containing dead bodies in unforgettable disarray. He and his team are then sent on a mission to locate Parizad, learn what is going on and put a stop to an American threat all before the inaugural of the first female President. The interaction among the characters is gripping and the plot riveting. Scenes between the two warriors remarkable. This reads like today. Thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin Press for an ARC for an honest review.

[Julie Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author A.J.Tata has again produced an utterly superb novel in his recently released CHASING THE LION and it has everything a thriller fan searches for in a storyline- a fast-paced action plot that is intriguing as well as plausible and complex, with intense character development of both the protagonist and secondary characters. He is also attentive to detail, descriptions of environment, locale so the reader feels as though you were running alongside, experiencing the same adrenaline rush of battle and the fatigue of 72-hour sleep deprivation. You become immersed in the tale.

I loved Tata’s Jake Mahegan series, and the introduction of Lt.General Garrett Sinclair has all the promise of being a series regular. A West Point graduate, with a firm belief in a life of honor, love of country and family, loyalty and trustworthiness. Bravery and being true to oneself are ingrained in his character. These are the qualities found in all our warriors.

They are the qualities also found in a warrior’s spouse. I found it profoundly moving that Gen.Tata would take this moment, while discussing the death of Garrett Sinclair’s wife, to pay tribute to all the spouses of our warriors who have remain steadfast in support of their husbands, and their families. How these women would assume the mantle of authority to handle all life’s difficulties that would arise amidst their immediate families and that of the military community, lending guidance, a helping hand and support for those in need. In many ways, these women are the backbone of support for the military, always there,regardless of sacrifice, relieving their husbands of this additional worry,giving them the unfettered focus to complete missions.

Another area addressed by Tata through the book I’d never considered before,was how often adversaries met on the battlefield. I never realized before that over the course of 30 yrs in the Middle East, many of our senior officers could have come up against enemy opponents and had strategic engagements with them. Repeatedly. That would have enticed many an officer to seek to know as much about their opponent’s background, influences, manner of thought, philosophical beliefs, exactly as Gen. Tata has described. It lent greater depth to relating the story and to possibilities of an enemy interacting with your own family.

Tata’s story begins with an introduction to Garrett Sinclair and his JSOC team stealthily entering Iran to seek evidence of rumored biochemical weapon called Demon Rain, a psychoactive viral agent,sarin combined with other chemical components and add a little LSD. While seeking the evidence, Sinclair discovers an old acquaintance within tainted prisoners, a former Mossad, with a role as a double agent. Sinclair extracts him, with the evidence only to realize this man now works for Iran’s Gen.Dariush Parizad, second in command to the former head of Quds Force, the powerful, Soleimani. Sinclair learns there is sinister plot at hand, as devastating as 9/11, involving an attack on a US presidential inauguration with a side event having the possibility of killing millions.

The hunt is on to track down any possible clue, especially any related to Parizad. Little does Sinclair know that Parizad has been tracking him, and his family for a little ancient revenge. And playing Let’s Make A Deal with some of the most powerful players in US government. It is a cat and mouse game, but what happens when the roles flip? There is more involved than just a terrorist attack. It has become personal on multiple levels and is a fight to the death. Can Sinclair anticipate the actions executed in order to stop it before it is too late? Will betrayal and treason doom the mission?

This novel holds you to the seat of your chair with rapid reading. You the reader are THOROUGHLY ENGAGED. And shocked too I dare say. It’s seeing the unbelievable play out as a possibility in real time because of the real politic in today’s world. General Tata also addresses the scenario of US/Allied short term Tactical/Strategic decision making and not considering the long range human effects of ignoring civilian collateral damage. I learned recently this is an all-encompassing component of tactical decision making titled the ‘human terrain.” Basically it comes down to this, by not considering the human factor in the destruction unleashed in a war zone, are we not setting ourselves up for long term terrorism out of revenge. Something to ponder and consider in strategic decision making. Is it time for a new paradigm?

I loved everything about this novel, the story line and the message it sends, believable figures who grieve for love lost and the realization that all is not as it appears. There is a need to focus not in just execution of the immediate mission but realizing that the mission may exceed the parameters set. It teaches that when the price is so high, sacrifices are made for the greater good, no matter what the penalty. And overall, Tata presents us with a warrior, whose devotion to his country and to the greater good, is the driving force of the mission. I think it exemplifies our warrior class today. It also honors those who gave their all and the sacrifice by their family to stay behind and serve too. This is a novel that relates an exciting story fraught with danger and fights to the very end. But this is more than a novel of brutal killing and firefights. It also stands as a salute to our military in action. Well done, sir. I give it 5* and look forward to the next exploit and mission of Gen. Garrett Sinclair and his JSOC team!

[Jeremy Reppy · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Chasing the Lion" was an enjoyable book. The author does a great job of weaving military and political history, especially regarding the U.S. and Iran, with current events. The basic premise is that Dariush Parizad, the successor to Qassem Soleimani as leader of the Quds Force, is possibly planning a bioterrorism attack on the US to coincide with the inauguration of the new president in January 2021. It is up to General Garrett Sinclair and his Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) team to figure out and disrupt the plot. The information they find raises more questions than answers, especially as Sinclair and his team seem to be dealing with more than the usual obfuscation from officials from the alphabet agencies (CIA, NSA, FBI, DOD, etc.). The situation becomes especially confusing when one of their missions results in capture of electronic devices that contain a video that appears to show Sinclair's dead wife being interrogated.

Parizad's backstory is that his father was killed in Operation Eagle Claw, a true failed mission to rescue the hostages in Iran during the Carter Administration, and he became a symbol of the revolution, being named the Lion of Tabas by the Ayatollah Khomeini. He became a special operations soldier, rose through the ranks, and was quite effective and ruthless in carrying out his missions. Parizad harbored a powerful grudge against the U.S., which would become focused on Sinclair, with whom he had crossed paths multiple times over the years, as a symbol of those responsible for the mission that killed his father.

Central to the plot is the revival of past CIA and military investigations into mind control drugs, utilizing the actual historical efforts by the CIA to develop chemical and biological weapons and mind control drugs at a secret facility at Fort Detrick (MK-Ultra). The book introduces a fictional mind control drug called Demon Rain that can either be mixed with sarin to kill its victims or that can be triggered by specific images on social media to make the infected/exposed individuals behave in a manner that is harmful to themselves and others.

The author utilizes the chaos of a change in administration as a way to help mask the activities of corrupt US officials at the highest levels and the activities of Parizad and his Iranian sleeper agents in the US. Added to the normal chaos that surrounds a change in administration, there is the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the US and the heightened division between people and political parties in the US in late 2020/early 2021. The author uses these actual stressors, as well as growing reliance on and addiction to social media, to great effect. One thing I particularly liked is that while the author utilizes a number of actual events and realistic geopolitical tensions, and he references past presidents including Bush Jr. and Obama, he creates a fictional current president, who is not often mentioned, and a fictional president-elect, who is a woman and West Point graduate (and therefore bears no resemblance to current prominent politicians in either party). The full extent of Parizad's plot is quite impressive. The author does a good job of keeping the reader guessing. It is evident from fairly early in the story that some high-ranking US officials are corrupt, including possibly the president-elect, but the author does a good job of keeping the identities and extent and nature of involvement obscured, keeping both Sinclair and the reader off-balance. The personal connections between Sinclair and several of the major players in the plots, as well as the apparent involvement of Melissa, his wife, as an early victim of the plots, heightens the tension. The story has plenty of action, much of which seems fairly realistic/plausible. While the ultimate outcome is inevitable, I would have liked some things to have happened differently before the final showdown. "Chasing the Lion" is well worth reading.

I received a copy of the e-book via NetGalley in exchange for a review.

[Jean Kolinofsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

From a cave in Iran to Heidelberg and Japan, General Garrett Sinclair is on the hunt for Dariush Parizad, the Lion of Tabas. As a child, Parizad watched his father die during an American attack. Vowing revenge, he rose in the ranks of the military and has now reached a position that would allow his plan to destroy America to proceed. The cave in Iran gave Sinclair the first look at the effects of Demon Rain, an hallucinogenic that allows its victims to be manipulated remotely through images on their cell phones. With important connections in the US, Parizad has arranged a small attack during the new president’s inauguration. What his partners do not know is that he is also planning a sarin gas attack and simultaneous attacks on the US oil industry.

While Sinclair begins to piece Parizad’s plans together, he is also dealing with the recent death of his wife Melissa. He is supported by a team that is more of a second family. When their operation in Japan goes wrong, his team is torn apart. Sinclair finds proof that Melissa’s death may have been tied to the impending attack. Even as she was dying, her final letter to him reveals a clue to the American conspirators. It is a race against time to get his team back and find Parizad before the inauguration takes place. It is a task made more difficult as he questions who he can actually trust. As he pushes on, thoughts of Melissa reminding him that good wins keeps him going. This is highly recommended for fans of Brad Thor and Brad Taylor. I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin Press for providing this book for my review.

[J. F. "Thriller Ghost Writer" · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook Review: Chasing the Lion by Anthony J. Tata,
Narrated by Brian Troxell
(A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin's Press, June 1, 2021)

Audiobook: ★★★★★ (4.5 Stars)

What is this unputdownable military and political thriller I just finished from an author I hadn't previously read?

You'd think this were the fourth or fifth novel of a series in the exploits of a favorite thriller writer's protagonist - familiar, fully developed, well-beloved by fans and perhaps raved by reviewers and critics alike.

And you wouldn't be too far off!

-----

April 1980, Tabas, Iran. "Operation Eagle Claw". The doomed mission to rescue 55 American hostages culminated in a fiery conflagration as a Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter crashes into a Lockheed EC-130 loaded with troops and jet fuel.

Unbeknownst to the US military, staging area "Desert One" was conducted right over Iranian farmlands. The inferno ravaged nearby Iranian farmhouses and killed several civilians.

One of the casualties was little Dariush's father.

The Lion.

Dariush Parizad would later become a symbol of the revolution, named "The Lion of Tabas" by the Ayatollah himself.

In January 2020 Iranian General Dariush Parizad becomes the commander of the IRGC Quds Force following the assassination of Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani. Parizad had never stopped blaming the death of his own father on the USA.

And now they killed his mentor.

Now as commander of the Quds, the "Lion of Tabas" will have his measure of revenge, to be exacted on a day of historic significance for the hated Americans: the day of the inauguration of the first woman president of the United States.

-----

The Eagle.

Army Ranger Garrett Sinclair was one of "Operation Eagle Claw's" strike commanders.

He was instrumental in the October 2019 elimination of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and participated in the January 2020 assassination of the world's deadliest terrorist at time of his death, IRGC Quds commander Maj General Qasem Soleimani.

He is now Army Lieutenant General Sinclair, commander, JSOC (Joint Special Operations Command) and is considered the leading candidate for Defense Chief in the president-elect's incoming cabinet.

The 3-star general and his team finds themselves chasing the "Lion of Tabas"; the solitary barrier against Parizad's plan to bring America down on its knees with the death of millions of innocent civilians in the process.

But the JSOC team finds out that the Iranians have developed an unstoppable deadly techno-chemical weapon.

And on top of that, General Parizad has in his pocket the greatest threat a country could ever face:

Powerful enemies from within!

-----

Who is thriller writer Anthony Jean Tata (U.S. Army Brig Gen, Ret'd)?

He's a native Virginian, West Point grad, former Army Ranger and the author of thirteen books in his "Threat", "Capt. Jake Mahegan" and "Reaper" series.

"Chasing the Lion" by the former US general is a finely-crafted fictional suspense thriller partly based on actual events. It is a book that will arouse intellectual curiosity as the reader may take occasion to fire up that Google search engine for names, dates, places and events, and if whether or not a mind-bending iPhone linked techno-drug called "Demon Rain" can actually be developed and deployed.

Bet you dollars to donuts, this isn't going to be the last we'll hear from Gen. Garrett Sinclair and A. J. Tata.

Highly recommended!

Review based on an audiobook galley from Macmillan Audio and NetGalley.

[Ken Karcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great example of why former operators make amazing authors, the action and details are always spot on! General Tata gets everything right in this book, which is not the easiest thing to accomplish, but he makes it look easy. Tata introduces us to Dagger, a JSOC team led by Lt. General Garrett Sinclair, a Ranger in command of a special team of hunters whose mission is to kill or capture the worst terrorists in the world. He's recently lost his beloved wife to cancer and suffers that devistating loss constantly. Sinclair is tasked with tracking down Dariush Parizad, an Iranian Quds Force general planning a nerve agent attack, and the Dagger team goes all out to stop him. This is 21st century combat at its finest, when Sinclair and his team are drawn into the shadows of not only an attack on the homeland but also a conspiracy possibly reaching all the way to the presidency. Since General Tata has been in the fight his writing has an authentic feel, almost like he's writing an after action report. I hope this is only the first of many books bringing us the missions of Dagger team, I look forward to seeing what the future holds for them. If you enjoy the work of Brad Taylor or Jack Carr you will definitely find a place for General Tata, you can tell the warriors who know what they are talking about.

[Glen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Note: I would have given it 1.5 stars is possible.

This book was a tough read. The plot had potential but it felt like he packed a series work of ideas into one book. That created flow problems. There were chapters which didn’t flow with the chapter before. The protagonist being a General was very far fetched. And there were key phrases repeated over and over. Felt like it was either out of laziness or lack of ideas. But, the only redeeming quality of the book is the end was well written, flowed well, and was mostly enjoyable to read.

I would not recommend this book. So much so, I probably won’t try any of the authors other books.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was full of action from beginning to end. General Garrett Sinclair and his team uncover a chemical weapon that poisons and can possibly mind-control large groups of people. As they chase the terrorist organization that created it, they uncover even larger conspiracies'.

The technology and story seem very current, and the pacing is fast. There are great chases and battles. I'd recommend this to people who enjoy military thrillers.

Note: I both listened to and read this book, depending on my situation at the time. I thought the audio book was very well done.

[Virginia Winfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like military thrillers you will really enjoy this book. This is my first one by this author and it will not be my last. This has a lot of action throughout the whole story. I enjoyed the characters. There were many times where I was not sure who could be trusted. I liked that. I received a copy of this book from St. Martin Press for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

[jeremy dierst · Rating 5 out of 5]

The storyline is fast-paced and well-researched. The details of the scenery really put you in the moment. This should be a very enjoyable new series going forward. The action scenes are not too overly gory or far-fetched, as some other novels are. I have not read anything from this author in a lot of years, but I will continue to follow this series and recommend it.

[Sharon Gallup · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a WIN ON GOODREADS GIVEAWAY
They say War is Hell and this writer was able to write this novel in a way you felt you were apart of this war. there are times we think war is in other countries trying to destroy other nations but what would you do if you found that the war was actually in your own back yard. War is no longer fought with bombs since WW2 but now we fight with germ warfare. We send our soldiers to other nations to stop those who in leadership hates and wants to destroy peace but by doing this they find secrets of germ warfare destroying friends and following Hitlers ideas of making the weak bow down to the strong. The Soldiers put their families on hold hoping and praying they are safe but are they. will all their devotions keep them safe. This book is full of action, mystery, adventure, and the author makes you feel you are right beside them searching for answers. the author makes you feel their pain, you cheer them on and want to cry with their pain.

[Susan Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has so many interesting aspects. The read is a political thriller and has lots of adventure and action. A great read!

[Diane Bateman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of energy with the words this author uses in this book . A page turning - adventure and thriller . Love how well this book was put together .

[Casey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author has has a writing style that makes reading this book both enjoyable and fast paced. He does a good job with character development and keeping it timely (references to COVID among other things). The major drawback to the book is that a number of things are just too far out there to be even close to being believable. Leaving that part out it will be an enjoyable read for most action/thriller fans.

I received a free Kindle copy of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher with the understanding that I would post a review on Net Galley, Goodreads, Amazon and my nonfiction book review blog. I also posted it to my Facebook page.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a hard time getting into this one. I started and stopped it a few times, but once I was about a quarter of the way in, I was hooked. I had no idea where we headed and couldn’t wait to find out.

I listened to the audio version and the narrator is great. He brings the right amount of bravado to a military specialist.

I think fans of Vince Flynn and Brad Thor should give this book a try.

[Tara Stapledon · Rating 4 out of 5]

An action packed non stop thrill ride. A great start to a new series with well developed and likeable characters and some truly evil villains. A bit of suspended disbelief made the complex story a wild and entertaining read.