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The Phoenix Affair
Nearly 20 years after declining an invitation to join the CIA, Air Force Colonel Paul Cameron finds he’s a part of the secret Phoenix program and takes on an innocent-sounding CIA mission to help an old friend in trouble. As al-Qaeda hunts the pair across Europe and the Middle East, Cameron must rely on his wits to survive relentless attacks designed to silence his Saudi friend and preserve a sweeping plan to attack the American homeland.
From the subways of Paris to the parched dunes of the Arabian Desert, The Phoenix Affair is a fast-paced and intricately-wrought thriller that skips across three continents. Cameron is a natural survivor, and his is a sweeping tale of technology, tradecraft, quick-thinking and hard fighting from the first pages to the final climactic conflict.
From the subways of Paris to the parched dunes of the Arabian Desert, The Phoenix Affair is a fast-paced and intricately-wrought thriller that skips across three continents. Cameron is a natural survivor, and his is a sweeping tale of technology, tradecraft, quick-thinking and hard fighting from the first pages to the final climactic conflict.
372 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 24, 2013
About the author
Paul Clark
1 book3 followersPaul Clark is a retired USAF Colonel, fighter pilot, and commander. During 26 years in the Air Force, he travelled widely in Europe and the Middle East and met a lot of "interesting" people. Since retirement, he's been a Consultant, still travels to the same old haunts, and writes in his spare time, often on long flights. The Phoenix Affair was largely written the same way...the next Paul Cameron installment is in production. Hope for lots of travel, it'll get done faster!
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 26, 2016
Very informative and entertaining
All of the details and more you could ask for on being a good spy. A bit long but as I said detailed. Over all good read.
All of the details and more you could ask for on being a good spy. A bit long but as I said detailed. Over all good read.
June 29, 2020
Adventurous
I have been reading this book for almost 24 hours now it's finished. I dated it 5 stars because of all the spying and excitement that kept me entertained. I even got to travel to places I have no intend of visiting in reality. I have learnt a few phrases of a new language and new customs to booth. I enjoyed the romance and called to heel by Paul's wife. I like that Paul is a man of honor with a dark side. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys action, mystery and adventure.
I have been reading this book for almost 24 hours now it's finished. I dated it 5 stars because of all the spying and excitement that kept me entertained. I even got to travel to places I have no intend of visiting in reality. I have learnt a few phrases of a new language and new customs to booth. I enjoyed the romance and called to heel by Paul's wife. I like that Paul is a man of honor with a dark side. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys action, mystery and adventure.
March 2, 2018
What can I say about this one - a John Le Carre type spy novel, with believeable characters, believeable plot, for me too much time spent on explanations about muslim religion. Good touch with the good muslims and the bad muslims. It kept me reading long after I should have put it down and gone to bed. Would highly recommend this one. Looking forward to reading the next Paul Clark book.
March 15, 2019
Well written
This novel is well written, full of action and in sight. The world has changed since 911 , terrorism is world wide and there is a great deal of misconception about religion, justice and the efforts to put an end to it. The author addresses these issues.
This novel is well written, full of action and in sight. The world has changed since 911 , terrorism is world wide and there is a great deal of misconception about religion, justice and the efforts to put an end to it. The author addresses these issues.
February 19, 2020
Riveting
Loved the way you tie things together in this book. Reminds me of my AF career but it wasn’t as exciting. I read this as fast as I could and every where I went and had down time I read. My wife would be upset with me in Costco because I would read and push the cart.
Loved the way you tie things together in this book. Reminds me of my AF career but it wasn’t as exciting. I read this as fast as I could and every where I went and had down time I read. My wife would be upset with me in Costco because I would read and push the cart.
June 25, 2020
Interesting read.
Story line was good and I learned a lot about the Muslim faith. I would have given it 5 stars but there was too much detail in the second half and it became too tedious. Otherwise, it was a good read.
Story line was good and I learned a lot about the Muslim faith. I would have given it 5 stars but there was too much detail in the second half and it became too tedious. Otherwise, it was a good read.
September 30, 2025
What I loved most is that The Phoenix Affair isn’t just shootouts and car chases. There’s smart tradecraft, deep political intrigue, and a plot that feels terrifyingly plausible. A gripping, intelligent thriller.
October 15, 2018
Too many grammatical errors, boring story line. Waste of my time.
July 28, 2019
Great read!
Really kept my attention. Lots of action and plausible scenarios. Just enough historical background to maintain interest. Thank you Mr. Clark.
Really kept my attention. Lots of action and plausible scenarios. Just enough historical background to maintain interest. Thank you Mr. Clark.
September 7, 2019
Great
Great story can' t wait to get the next book. I would give it give stars if that was the scale.
Great story can' t wait to get the next book. I would give it give stars if that was the scale.
November 22, 2019
This was a forgotten book in kindle and just now read it. It was okay. 🗣
June 1, 2020
Wow!!!
I was really amazed at the quality of this book. The author's knowledge of the countries visited and of Muslim customs was amazing and engaging.
I was really amazed at the quality of this book. The author's knowledge of the countries visited and of Muslim customs was amazing and engaging.
July 15, 2020
Spy craft and action make for a great read
Who is watching whom and why is the key here until the lines are drawn with a nice payoff at the end
Who is watching whom and why is the key here until the lines are drawn with a nice payoff at the end
December 19, 2020
I really liked this book which takes place in many exotic locations -- Paris, Saudi Arabia, London, Jordan - and Langley. It was a great spy novel.
January 8, 2021
Boring and slow
No meat to story. Boring for pages. Waste of time the readers time. Not believable and a very bland writing
No meat to story. Boring for pages. Waste of time the readers time. Not believable and a very bland writing
January 15, 2017
Great read!
Clark has nailed the character of new prototype agency in a post 9/11 world. Light and smooth flow a pleasantly quick well developed p lol it. Great start, and the story just continues.
Clark has nailed the character of new prototype agency in a post 9/11 world. Light and smooth flow a pleasantly quick well developed p lol it. Great start, and the story just continues.
September 6, 2013
Great spy novel for the modern world. Paints a good picture of the different cultures while still being an entertaining read.
June 11, 2016
Excellent--my only complaint is there wasn't a single female in the action...
October 27, 2016
Pretty good plot, but it often felt a bit too wordy for me. The author sought to educate me on another culture, which I appreciated, but sometimes it just went on too long for me.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews