What do you think?
Rate this book
The Traitor: A Russell Conrad Political Thriller
The Traitor is the second book in the Russell Conrad series. The story begins after Conrad returns from Saudi Arabia. Because he contacted a Mossad agent, David Abraham, members of President Omar Sanjar's National Security Council want him to be investigated for treason. As FBI agents transport him to Dallas Love Field airport, they are attacked by Conrad's old nemesis. Conrad is rescued by Sophia Kessler, a Mossad agent sent to protect him. Meanwhile, in Iran, a secret mission is planned to destroy U.S. industrial sites. As Conrad and Kessler rush south to Mexico, a terrorist team leaves Mexico to destroy refineries in Corpus Christi, Texas. The two groups are destined to meet.
Kindle Edition
Published March 15, 2025
1 person is currently reading
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
October 15, 2025
The Traitor by Allen Mesch is a gripping, high-stakes thriller that had me hooked from the first chapter. It’s the kind of story that feels cinematic you can practically see the action unfold like a movie, full of tension, betrayal, and unexpected turns. As the second book in the Russell Conrad series, it wastes no time throwing you back into the chaos of Conrad’s world, where politics, espionage, and survival collide in the most intense ways.
What immediately drew me in was how real everything felt. Allen Mesch writes with the precision of someone who understands both the complexities of global politics and the frailty of human nature. The plot picks up right after Conrad’s mission in Saudi Arabia, and before he can even catch his breath, he’s suddenly being accused of treason for his contact with a Mossad agent, David Abraham. From that moment, the story launches into a relentless pace ambushes, escapes, shifting alliances, and a looming terrorist threat that keeps the tension simmering with every chapter.
Conrad himself is such a compelling character. He’s intelligent, flawed, and constantly torn between doing what’s right and doing what’s necessary. The reappearance of his old nemesis adds a personal edge to the danger, while the introduction of Sophia Kessler, the Mossad agent sent to protect him, adds both intrigue and depth. Their dynamic feels genuine built on mutual respect, tension, and a shared understanding of how dangerous their world really is.
Mesch’s strength lies not just in crafting fast paced action, but in grounding it in emotional realism. Even in the middle of chaos FBI ambushes, international conspiracies, and deadly missions there’s a sense of humanity that runs through the story. You feel Conrad’s exhaustion, Sophia’s determination, and the weight of the decisions they’re forced to make. The descriptions of settings from the tension filled streets of Dallas to the sun scorched paths leading to Mexico are vivid and immersive.
The parallel storyline in Iran, involving a secret mission to destroy U.S. industrial sites, gives the novel a chilling, global scope. When these two storylines finally intersect, it’s explosive and incredibly satisfying. The pacing never lets up, and yet Mesch still finds moments to explore loyalty, trust, and the blurry line between heroism and betrayal.
By the time I reached the final chapters, I was fully invested not just in the outcome of the mission, but in Conrad himself. He’s a man constantly caught between forces bigger than himself, yet he never stops fighting.
The Traitor delivers everything I want in a political thriller intelligence, emotion, and nonstop suspense. Allen Mesch balances action with authenticity, giving readers both adrenaline and depth. It’s smart, intense, and impossible to put down. Whether or not you’ve read the first book, this one stands strong on its own. It left me breathless, eager for whatever Russell Conrad faces next.
What immediately drew me in was how real everything felt. Allen Mesch writes with the precision of someone who understands both the complexities of global politics and the frailty of human nature. The plot picks up right after Conrad’s mission in Saudi Arabia, and before he can even catch his breath, he’s suddenly being accused of treason for his contact with a Mossad agent, David Abraham. From that moment, the story launches into a relentless pace ambushes, escapes, shifting alliances, and a looming terrorist threat that keeps the tension simmering with every chapter.
Conrad himself is such a compelling character. He’s intelligent, flawed, and constantly torn between doing what’s right and doing what’s necessary. The reappearance of his old nemesis adds a personal edge to the danger, while the introduction of Sophia Kessler, the Mossad agent sent to protect him, adds both intrigue and depth. Their dynamic feels genuine built on mutual respect, tension, and a shared understanding of how dangerous their world really is.
Mesch’s strength lies not just in crafting fast paced action, but in grounding it in emotional realism. Even in the middle of chaos FBI ambushes, international conspiracies, and deadly missions there’s a sense of humanity that runs through the story. You feel Conrad’s exhaustion, Sophia’s determination, and the weight of the decisions they’re forced to make. The descriptions of settings from the tension filled streets of Dallas to the sun scorched paths leading to Mexico are vivid and immersive.
The parallel storyline in Iran, involving a secret mission to destroy U.S. industrial sites, gives the novel a chilling, global scope. When these two storylines finally intersect, it’s explosive and incredibly satisfying. The pacing never lets up, and yet Mesch still finds moments to explore loyalty, trust, and the blurry line between heroism and betrayal.
By the time I reached the final chapters, I was fully invested not just in the outcome of the mission, but in Conrad himself. He’s a man constantly caught between forces bigger than himself, yet he never stops fighting.
The Traitor delivers everything I want in a political thriller intelligence, emotion, and nonstop suspense. Allen Mesch balances action with authenticity, giving readers both adrenaline and depth. It’s smart, intense, and impossible to put down. Whether or not you’ve read the first book, this one stands strong on its own. It left me breathless, eager for whatever Russell Conrad faces next.
Displaying 1 of 1 review