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John Wells #12
The Deceivers
The Russians don't just want to influence American elections--they want it all. Former CIA agent John Wells confronts a plot of astonishing audacity as New York Times-bestselling author Alex Berenson goes beyond today's headlines to tomorrow's all-too-real threats.
It was supposed to be a terrorist sting. The guns were supposed to be disabled. Then why was there so much blood?
The target was the American Airlines Center, the home of the Dallas Mavericks. The FBI had told Ahmed Shakir that his drug bust would go away if he helped them, and they'd supply all the weaponry, carefully removing the firing pins before the main event. It never occurred to Sami to doubt them, until it was too late.
When John Wells is called to Washington, he's sure it's to investigate the carnage in Dallas, but it isn't. The former CIA director, now president, Vinnie Duto has plenty of people working in Texas. He wants Wells to go to Colombia. An old asset there has information to share--and it will lead Wells to the deadliest mission of his life, an extraordinary confluence of sleeper cells, sniper teams, false flag operations, double agents high in the U.S. government--and a Russian plot to take over the government itself. If it succeeds, what happened in Texas will only be a prelude.
432 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 6, 2018
815 people are currently reading
1613 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 355 reviews
April 22, 2018
Though this was a little long, it is solid addition to the John Wells series. The book was very (eerily) timely, and well constructed. I like that Wells has developed a bit as a character over the course of the series and isn't your run-of-the-mill action hero. If you are new to the series, I would recommend reading them in order, though the stories work as standalones, Wells' personal life does change considerably and I think chronological reading would make it more enjoyably. Recommended!
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November 1, 2017
See this review and more at www.TheRealBookSpy.com
It all started when Ahmed Shakir, a low-level drug dealer, got popped by the FBI for dealing cocaine out of the back restroom in a hole-in-the-wall bar near Dallas, Texas.
To make the drug charges go away, Shakir is given a choice. One of his cousins has worked his way onto the FBI’s radar as someone who may engage in terrorist activity. Rather than wait for the young man to plot and plan on his own, the feds have come up with a bold plan to use Shakir so they can make a controlled arrest.
Pretending to have recently seen the light, Shakir convinces his cousin and a few other loyal members of their mosque to help him strike a blow against the Great Satan. With the FBI secretly funding the operation and supplying the weapons, Shakir leads the efforts in planning an attack at America Airlines Center, home of the Dallas Mavericks basketball team. Shakir’s job is to drive the men to their location. As soon as law enforcement officials, who will secretly be tailing them, see the Muslim men take up their rifles — which are rigged to not fire — they’ll swoop in and arrest them all.
Rather than go to prison, Shakir walks through door number two, agreeing to help bring down his cousin. But things go terribly wrong…
Not only were the FBI and local law enforcement nowhere to be seen once the jihadists arrived at America Airlines Center, but, even worse, the guns that weren’t supposed to fire start spraying bullets towards large crowds of innocent people. A moment later, a huge explosion rings out, killing Shakir just before the other gunmen were taken out by police snipers. In the end, nearly four hundred innocent lives were taken.
Ex-CIA operative John Wells is called to the White House shortly after the Dallas attack took place. Heading into his meeting with President Vinnie Duto, the former CIA Director back when Wells was still with the agency, John expects his former boss to send him to Dallas to help investigate the terrorist attack. Instead, Duto wants him to head to South America.
Wells, who converted to Islam many years prior, is mostly retired and fully enjoying his new life with his young daughter — whom he co-parents with his former lover turned sometimes partner, Anne — and is reluctant to once again be pulled back into the world of espionage and covert ops. But when Duto tells him an old informant in Columbia claims to have vital information about the attack, it’s welcome back and wheels up for Wells.
The mission, which was supposed to be relatively simple, goes wrong almost as soon as Wells touches down in Columbia. Before long, he’s engaging in gunfights and chasing conspiracy theories around the globe on his way to uncovering a sinister plot hatched up by the Russians to not only try and steal America’s election, but to overtake the United States government entirely.
With Russian moles embedded high within America’s government and sleeper cells in place and ready to carry out a number of attacks, Wells realizes that the incident in Dallas wasn’t a one-time attack, it was merely the lightning before the thunder. With a dangerous storm brewing, it’s once again up to John Wells to save the day before it’s too late.
Those who haven’t read Alex Berenson’s series are missing out on one of the genre’s premier protagonists. Berenson continues to develop his main character brilliantly, finding new ways to make Wells relatable to readers without taking away his edge. Likewise, the secondary cast is engaging and memorable, as Berenson is able to skillfully manipulate readers into feeling subtle shifts in emotion from chapter to chapter based on who the narrative is following.
Now twelve books in, John Wells is still facing new challenges both in his private life and in his career, giving longtime fans of Berenson’s series plenty to be excited about. Newcomers can jump in here without missing a beat, thanks to just enough recapping of past events. There’s not a lot of time spent looking backward, though, as Berenson’s plot explodes right from the get-go. Literally.
With a plot that feels eerily prophetic in part because of recent current events, John wells takes on one of his most dangerous assignments yet in Alex Berenson’s The Deceivers, an electrifying thriller that’s not to be missed.
Book Details
Author: Alex Berenson
Series: John Wells #12
Pages: 448 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 0399176160
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons
Release Date: February 6, 2018
Book Spy Rating: 8.0/10
Order Now: http://amzn.to/2l7Xc7X
Praised as “one of today’s finest book reviewers” by New York Times bestselling author Gayle Lynds, Ryan Steck has “quickly established himself as the authority on mysteries and thrillers” (Author A.J. Tata). He currently lives in Southwest Michigan with his wife and their six children.
It all started when Ahmed Shakir, a low-level drug dealer, got popped by the FBI for dealing cocaine out of the back restroom in a hole-in-the-wall bar near Dallas, Texas.
To make the drug charges go away, Shakir is given a choice. One of his cousins has worked his way onto the FBI’s radar as someone who may engage in terrorist activity. Rather than wait for the young man to plot and plan on his own, the feds have come up with a bold plan to use Shakir so they can make a controlled arrest.
Pretending to have recently seen the light, Shakir convinces his cousin and a few other loyal members of their mosque to help him strike a blow against the Great Satan. With the FBI secretly funding the operation and supplying the weapons, Shakir leads the efforts in planning an attack at America Airlines Center, home of the Dallas Mavericks basketball team. Shakir’s job is to drive the men to their location. As soon as law enforcement officials, who will secretly be tailing them, see the Muslim men take up their rifles — which are rigged to not fire — they’ll swoop in and arrest them all.
Rather than go to prison, Shakir walks through door number two, agreeing to help bring down his cousin. But things go terribly wrong…
Not only were the FBI and local law enforcement nowhere to be seen once the jihadists arrived at America Airlines Center, but, even worse, the guns that weren’t supposed to fire start spraying bullets towards large crowds of innocent people. A moment later, a huge explosion rings out, killing Shakir just before the other gunmen were taken out by police snipers. In the end, nearly four hundred innocent lives were taken.
Ex-CIA operative John Wells is called to the White House shortly after the Dallas attack took place. Heading into his meeting with President Vinnie Duto, the former CIA Director back when Wells was still with the agency, John expects his former boss to send him to Dallas to help investigate the terrorist attack. Instead, Duto wants him to head to South America.
Wells, who converted to Islam many years prior, is mostly retired and fully enjoying his new life with his young daughter — whom he co-parents with his former lover turned sometimes partner, Anne — and is reluctant to once again be pulled back into the world of espionage and covert ops. But when Duto tells him an old informant in Columbia claims to have vital information about the attack, it’s welcome back and wheels up for Wells.
The mission, which was supposed to be relatively simple, goes wrong almost as soon as Wells touches down in Columbia. Before long, he’s engaging in gunfights and chasing conspiracy theories around the globe on his way to uncovering a sinister plot hatched up by the Russians to not only try and steal America’s election, but to overtake the United States government entirely.
With Russian moles embedded high within America’s government and sleeper cells in place and ready to carry out a number of attacks, Wells realizes that the incident in Dallas wasn’t a one-time attack, it was merely the lightning before the thunder. With a dangerous storm brewing, it’s once again up to John Wells to save the day before it’s too late.
Those who haven’t read Alex Berenson’s series are missing out on one of the genre’s premier protagonists. Berenson continues to develop his main character brilliantly, finding new ways to make Wells relatable to readers without taking away his edge. Likewise, the secondary cast is engaging and memorable, as Berenson is able to skillfully manipulate readers into feeling subtle shifts in emotion from chapter to chapter based on who the narrative is following.
Now twelve books in, John Wells is still facing new challenges both in his private life and in his career, giving longtime fans of Berenson’s series plenty to be excited about. Newcomers can jump in here without missing a beat, thanks to just enough recapping of past events. There’s not a lot of time spent looking backward, though, as Berenson’s plot explodes right from the get-go. Literally.
With a plot that feels eerily prophetic in part because of recent current events, John wells takes on one of his most dangerous assignments yet in Alex Berenson’s The Deceivers, an electrifying thriller that’s not to be missed.
Book Details
Author: Alex Berenson
Series: John Wells #12
Pages: 448 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 0399176160
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons
Release Date: February 6, 2018
Book Spy Rating: 8.0/10
Order Now: http://amzn.to/2l7Xc7X
Praised as “one of today’s finest book reviewers” by New York Times bestselling author Gayle Lynds, Ryan Steck has “quickly established himself as the authority on mysteries and thrillers” (Author A.J. Tata). He currently lives in Southwest Michigan with his wife and their six children.
August 30, 2023
July Bookclub Selection
This was my first read by this author.
Living in Houston about 250 miles from Dallas this was a little distributing knowing that this could happen so close to home.
I enjoyed listening to the audiobook. The story flowed and the characters were definitely well developed.
This book is a criminal, investigated readers dream. I can just imagine the complete series is amazing.
Not interested in fictional terrorist attacks but kudos to the author. Job well done!!
This was my first read by this author.
Living in Houston about 250 miles from Dallas this was a little distributing knowing that this could happen so close to home.
I enjoyed listening to the audiobook. The story flowed and the characters were definitely well developed.
This book is a criminal, investigated readers dream. I can just imagine the complete series is amazing.
Not interested in fictional terrorist attacks but kudos to the author. Job well done!!
October 5, 2018
Another superb book, the twelfth, by Berenson in the John Wells series. Well-plotted and refreshing to see so many key scenes set in Texas. Berenson continues to write about Texas in a non-cliched, and thus welcome, way. The characters also continue to evolve in an engaging fashion.
My only complaint--a minor one but it's shown up in a few other books--is the allusion on the front cover of the hardback to supposed Russian interference in the real-life 2016 election "Interfering with the Presidential election was just the first step"--the still-unproven D political narrative about Russia and Trump. That sentence on the cover stopped me cold several times as I considered picking up the book to finish reading. I will assume the reference to the 2016 election wasn't Berenson's idea but that of someone else in the publishing chain.
But for a thriller, such a sentence on the cover risks alienating half or more of the audience. A shame, because the book itself is so well-written.
Despite the beef--just get the book in some other format--I highly recommend The Deceivers.
My only complaint--a minor one but it's shown up in a few other books--is the allusion on the front cover of the hardback to supposed Russian interference in the real-life 2016 election "Interfering with the Presidential election was just the first step"--the still-unproven D political narrative about Russia and Trump. That sentence on the cover stopped me cold several times as I considered picking up the book to finish reading. I will assume the reference to the 2016 election wasn't Berenson's idea but that of someone else in the publishing chain.
But for a thriller, such a sentence on the cover risks alienating half or more of the audience. A shame, because the book itself is so well-written.
Despite the beef--just get the book in some other format--I highly recommend The Deceivers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2017
A book that could be ripped out of today's headlines! What if the Russians, in an attempt to control the American Presidential election, committed some terrorist acts here, and made it look like it was done by Islamic (and other) terrorists? Super fast moving. Lots of action. Good character development, with believable characters. As believable as most of this genre. The ending was rather rushed, I would have preferred a bit more closure. But, it sets up the next book well. Give it a try!
March 13, 2018
Not the best in the series, but good for fans. At this point, these are more comedy than serious cultural commentary and why not? Reality is too serious. Ellis is in fine form with the wisecracking. The underlying geopolitics this time cover Russian meddling, Colombian/Mexican narco-money laundering, Islamophobia, etc. Spoiler: John Wells lives; numerous innocents and assorted bad guys die.
February 26, 2018
I have to say another good John wells novel. The story was well written. I did not feel that the story was going to unfold as it did. It was nice that there was an added character to the story. Wells was very cold blooded at the end of this one. The violence might be finally getting to him. I did feel that the story in the middle section did get a bogged down. I also did not feel Wells would treat Shafer the way he did at the beginning. It was a good story and I say give it a spin.
March 1, 2018
This is a good addition to a reliable series but it is just a little bit slow and then a little bit too rushed to get four stars. The premise is slightly unbelievable (Russian false flag terrorist attacks) but not outlandish. In terms of pacing, Wells spends too much time faffing about in South America chasing laundered money -- too much detail and a totally unnecessary gun fight. And later there's a really unnecessary long digression about the character and sexual habits of the head of Russia's security service. All this takes up too much space so the ending is a mess and very abrupt as there is never a final confrontation with the traitor.
March 6, 2018
Is a new Cold War underway between the United States and Russia? Certainly, the signs are emerging. The two countries are at loggerheads in Ukraine and Syria, and the Russian response to deepening US sanctions has seemed increasingly desperate. Russian efforts to upend the 2o16 presidential election may be on today's front pages, but it's only one aspect of the broadening if still nonviolent conflict. In his new John Wells thriller, The Deceivers, Alex Berenson imagines Russia crossing the threshold into violence.
Former Army Ranger John Wells has retired from the CIA. He lives in rural New Hampshire with a local cop named Anne and their three-year-old daughter, Emma. But when Vinny Duto, his old nemesis, sends word for him to meet him in the White House, he has little choice but to leave his pregnant wife and young daughter. The former CIA Director is now President. Nobody says no to the President, especially this President.
Wells is expecting an assignment connected to a horrific recent attack in Dallas, where 400 people were murdered by a small group of Islamic terrorists outside a basketball arena. But Vinny wants him to travel to Bogota, Colombia, to meet a man who claims to have critically important information about some unspecified matter. Puzzled, Wells heads off southward, beginning a frustrating and dangerous journey to meet the man. His investigation eventually leads him to Quito, Ecuador, Mexico City (now self-styled CDMX), Dallas, southeastern Washington State, and eventually back to Washington, DC, and home to New Hampshire. It's a whirlwind adventure in high style, and another captivating thriller from Alex Berenson. Along the way, you'll encounter a convincing portrait of Vladimir Putin in the guise of Russian President Sergei Fedin.
Alex Berenson worked for the New York Times for more than a decade, covering the occupation of Iraq and the pharmaceutical industry as an investigative reporter. He has been writing full-time since 2010. The Deceivers is the 12th novel in his bestselling John Wells series. Berenson has also written three works of nonfiction.
Former Army Ranger John Wells has retired from the CIA. He lives in rural New Hampshire with a local cop named Anne and their three-year-old daughter, Emma. But when Vinny Duto, his old nemesis, sends word for him to meet him in the White House, he has little choice but to leave his pregnant wife and young daughter. The former CIA Director is now President. Nobody says no to the President, especially this President.
Wells is expecting an assignment connected to a horrific recent attack in Dallas, where 400 people were murdered by a small group of Islamic terrorists outside a basketball arena. But Vinny wants him to travel to Bogota, Colombia, to meet a man who claims to have critically important information about some unspecified matter. Puzzled, Wells heads off southward, beginning a frustrating and dangerous journey to meet the man. His investigation eventually leads him to Quito, Ecuador, Mexico City (now self-styled CDMX), Dallas, southeastern Washington State, and eventually back to Washington, DC, and home to New Hampshire. It's a whirlwind adventure in high style, and another captivating thriller from Alex Berenson. Along the way, you'll encounter a convincing portrait of Vladimir Putin in the guise of Russian President Sergei Fedin.
Alex Berenson worked for the New York Times for more than a decade, covering the occupation of Iraq and the pharmaceutical industry as an investigative reporter. He has been writing full-time since 2010. The Deceivers is the 12th novel in his bestselling John Wells series. Berenson has also written three works of nonfiction.
February 28, 2018
Terrorism in the U.S., a politician using fear of Muslims to gather popular support and Russian meddling. Sound familiar? Outside a Dallas arena, 300+ people are killed and blame is placed on three Muslim men firing weapons into the crowd, and detonating a powerful bomb made of C-4. Vinny Duto, President and former head of the CIA, calls in John Wells and sends him to South America to follow a lead, with a new handler. Wells' long-time friend, Ellis Shafer, decides something is wrong with the Dallas investigation, and they separately find the same culprit. Meanwhile, a retired sniper is manipulated by a woman into shooting two high profile church leaders, who have openly criticized Muslim beliefs, and then have him target a rising politician. On the other hand, I did not care for Wells' decision to walk away from Shafer, and his continued waffling about whether family or country comes first.
February 19, 2018
I love me some John Wells. However I have not enjoyed the last 2 books. The action was lacking and there were parts of the book that did not seem to flow. The beginning was slow and I felt that the entire book lacked action. While I enjoy the internal struggle of JW 2 lives I feel like this series may have hit its peak. Hopefuly Berenson is able to infuse new blood into the character as I do enjoy the series. The ending felt rushed although it appeared to be a set up for the next book. Here's to hoping!
May 14, 2018
Ten years ago, this book would have been dismissed as the fantasy of an over-imaginative writer. Today, however, the plot resounds with stark realism. The subject is Russian interference in and manipulation of the American political system. Author Alex Berenson takes his story one notch beyond the basic propaganda attack that swayed the 2016 elections. But, it is entirely possible that his creative plot will be tomorrow's newspaper headline. A strong addition to the political thriller genre.
January 19, 2018
A superb, timely thriller. Wells has a three-dimensionality that exceeds his character in some of the prior works. The prose, particularly in the opening sections, is at peak literary quality. As the series approaches a baker's dozen, the curve has a pronounced up-tick.
November 9, 2021
It flagged a bit in the middle but finished strong. How far-fetched is the idea of the Kremlin gaining control of the U.S. president via espionage? That could never happen, right?
June 30, 2018
Alex Berenson delivers yet another John Wells extravaganza in 'The Deceivers'. In this one, the indestructible Wells manages to make it through relatively unscathed physically, which is sort of unique in the series. His supporting cast, not so much.
The Deceivers is an account of a 'false flag' operation by the Russians to essentially plant a spy at the highest level (I mean, THE HIGHEST) of the US government. The plot revolves around a terrorist attack in Dallas that was intricately planned by the Russians to blame on Moslems and a series of sniper attacks on American religious leaders. Now-President Duto, who we've watched on his unchecked climb to the top of the country's political pile, calls his old 'buddy', John Wells to track down an iffy lead he'd received from South America, and the race is on.
As with all of the books in this great series, the writing is excellent, the pacing breathtaking, the dialogue believable, and the plot well-designed. The only thing I can really fault Berenson on, and this is really nit-picky for a book of this genre, is that lots of shortcuts, assumptions, and action sequences turn in the good guys' favor. There's a tight timeframe to identify, locate, and eliminate the perps, and if just one of the lucky breaks Wells and his guys got didn't happen, the end wouldn't have turned out so well. That's what makes Wells such a great character, right?
If you're a Wells fan (and who isn't?), you'll really enjoy The Deceivers. Well done and, sadly, somewhat believable in the context of what's happening today in this country.
The Deceivers is an account of a 'false flag' operation by the Russians to essentially plant a spy at the highest level (I mean, THE HIGHEST) of the US government. The plot revolves around a terrorist attack in Dallas that was intricately planned by the Russians to blame on Moslems and a series of sniper attacks on American religious leaders. Now-President Duto, who we've watched on his unchecked climb to the top of the country's political pile, calls his old 'buddy', John Wells to track down an iffy lead he'd received from South America, and the race is on.
As with all of the books in this great series, the writing is excellent, the pacing breathtaking, the dialogue believable, and the plot well-designed. The only thing I can really fault Berenson on, and this is really nit-picky for a book of this genre, is that lots of shortcuts, assumptions, and action sequences turn in the good guys' favor. There's a tight timeframe to identify, locate, and eliminate the perps, and if just one of the lucky breaks Wells and his guys got didn't happen, the end wouldn't have turned out so well. That's what makes Wells such a great character, right?
If you're a Wells fan (and who isn't?), you'll really enjoy The Deceivers. Well done and, sadly, somewhat believable in the context of what's happening today in this country.
September 19, 2018
Another excellent entry in an always reliable thriller series. Here, in this 12th installment, independent agent John Wells is called back from retirement when terrorists hit the crowd at a Dallas Mavericks basketball game and kill nearly 400, including the hapless terrorist who was tricked into this plan and his cousins. What Wells discovers is a terrifyingly believable ripped-from-the headlines plot with a Russian mole, Russian agents laundering money and manipulating events in ways that really shouldn't feel as plausible as they do. Filled with fast-paced action and mayhem, as well as carefully plotted set-ups; a world-weary protagonist who rues the role he is forced to play; a nightmare story line; descriptive details and a strong sense of the times; sobering tone. Not the place to start the series, but an excellent addition for fans.
February 18, 2018
The Deceivers opens with a massive terrorist attack that has been set up by an unknown 3rd party. President Vinny Duto calls in John Wells to follow up on a mysterious lead. Meanwhile, a former military sniper is unknowingly recruited to carry out additional terrorist attacks.
We have many of the usual characters here - John Wells, his old friend Ellis Shafer, and more recent friend Winston Coyle - as well as some new ones. There is a presidential candidate who shares some populist characteristics with our current president, as he seeks to close our borders and incites racist tensions. And of course, the Russians....
Good plot, but I would have liked to see a little more of John Wells (and maybe a little less of the Russian backstory).
We have many of the usual characters here - John Wells, his old friend Ellis Shafer, and more recent friend Winston Coyle - as well as some new ones. There is a presidential candidate who shares some populist characteristics with our current president, as he seeks to close our borders and incites racist tensions. And of course, the Russians....
Good plot, but I would have liked to see a little more of John Wells (and maybe a little less of the Russian backstory).
May 19, 2018
Best John Wells novel by Berenson in a while. This one plays on the news of the day and the Russian involvement in U.S. politics. Trying to shape the next presidential candidate via fear of Muslim terrorists.
Followers of the series will recognize the arrogance and duplicity of Vinnie Duto, current president but past director of the C.I.A. And the long suffering Ellis Shafer, Wells' conscience. And in a departure from normal, Wells has a partner while running is dot to dot search for the bad guys.
All in all a very good story. Both political and action thriller. Except for the past relationships of Duto and Shafer, this can be read as a standalone.
Followers of the series will recognize the arrogance and duplicity of Vinnie Duto, current president but past director of the C.I.A. And the long suffering Ellis Shafer, Wells' conscience. And in a departure from normal, Wells has a partner while running is dot to dot search for the bad guys.
All in all a very good story. Both political and action thriller. Except for the past relationships of Duto and Shafer, this can be read as a standalone.
July 1, 2018
Jihadists in America, home grown radical terrorists, and Russian meddling to influence politics and an upcoming election? Sound familiar? Berenson strings together another fast, fun read that is eerily reminiscent of today's headlines and political divisiveness. A good read.
November 10, 2018
Audio Never got me committed. Probably the worst one in the series. Hey Berensen, please put some great effort into the next and then end the series.
October 10, 2020
A crisp and fast-paced story.
Unlike other tales in the series, a lot of it takes place in the US, and it also takes Wells to Colombia and Mexico. Berenson is also good at integrating contemporary events, and the main threat is a domestic terrorist behind some sniper attacks. The dialogue is sharp. As usual, Berenson is great at writing characters.
The plot is a little complicated and the ending feels a little rushed. Also, after finishing a Wells novel you often feel like you learned more about certain issues in certain areas of the world, but this time not so much.
A well-written and engaging tale.
Unlike other tales in the series, a lot of it takes place in the US, and it also takes Wells to Colombia and Mexico. Berenson is also good at integrating contemporary events, and the main threat is a domestic terrorist behind some sniper attacks. The dialogue is sharp. As usual, Berenson is great at writing characters.
The plot is a little complicated and the ending feels a little rushed. Also, after finishing a Wells novel you often feel like you learned more about certain issues in certain areas of the world, but this time not so much.
A well-written and engaging tale.
January 16, 2021
False flag terror attacks masterminded by Russian Intelligence, a plot to meddle in an upcoming presdential election to place a mole in the White House, a presidential candidate stirring up islamophobic sentiments... Berenson goes all out with a ripped from the headlines (and then some) wide-reaching conspiracy plot for the latest book featuring John Wells and his usual companions. This was one of the longer books in the series and did feel a little drawn out at times, but there was a lot going on too. I liked having Coyle in the mix again, hope we'll see him again in future books. As usual, an entertaining read.
February 26, 2018
I've long enjoyed Alex Berenson's work. In The Deceivers, he's hit a new high. Berenson's work falls into a genre that I enjoy, but his approach is much smarter than most. His protagonist, John Wells, is a dangerous man whose skills are used in service to his country. Unlike so many novels, however, Wells isn't an indestructible superman. He doesn't make intellectual leaps that would elude the brightest of operators, nor does he engage in physical feats that would put James Bond and Jason Bourne to shame.
Rather, he's human, and he shows his human weaknesses while still being an extraordinary operator, using exceptional skills, knowledge and experience to protect the rest of us. In The Deceivers, Berenson mixes a taut plot with unexpected twists and touches of humor & humanity, all combining for a gripping story that flies by. This is a terrific book, and I'd say it's Berenson's best so far. Five stars!
Rather, he's human, and he shows his human weaknesses while still being an extraordinary operator, using exceptional skills, knowledge and experience to protect the rest of us. In The Deceivers, Berenson mixes a taut plot with unexpected twists and touches of humor & humanity, all combining for a gripping story that flies by. This is a terrific book, and I'd say it's Berenson's best so far. Five stars!
April 4, 2018
In this, the 12th incredible thriller starring John Wells, the headline news subject featuring the Russians is the focal point.
Readers are first told all about the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Here, during a scheduled Maverick’s basketball game, a fake terrorist attack is set up to occur. Russian spies masquerading as FBI agents vow to the man they’ve tricked into infiltrating the sleeper cell of terrorists that the attack will not succeed. They’re simply going to supply the weapons needed, but remove all the firing pins before the attack begins. Trouble was…the vow did not come true. This was a massacre.
John Wells, former CIA agent, is summoned to Washington almost immediately after this hideousness has taken place. There is so much that went wrong—so many people that could have been involved—that it needs to be investigated. Yet another belief that did not come true.
Wells is more than a bit surprised when he finds out that their request to come to Washington has nothing to do with him going to Dallas. In fact, the former CIA Director, who is now the President of the United States, Vinnie Duto, asks Wells to head to Colombia. It seems that there is an old “friend” there who has data to share, and Wells needs to figure out how to attain that data while outsmarting schemes being planned by sleeper cells, snipers and double agents in his own government that want nothing more than for Russia to take over the world and be the supreme power they always thought they should be.
The American elections were only the beginning, and once again author Alex Berenson takes today’s news and opens up a can of worms that no one could possibly have thought to open. If you’re looking for a great read, this is it!
Readers are first told all about the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Here, during a scheduled Maverick’s basketball game, a fake terrorist attack is set up to occur. Russian spies masquerading as FBI agents vow to the man they’ve tricked into infiltrating the sleeper cell of terrorists that the attack will not succeed. They’re simply going to supply the weapons needed, but remove all the firing pins before the attack begins. Trouble was…the vow did not come true. This was a massacre.
John Wells, former CIA agent, is summoned to Washington almost immediately after this hideousness has taken place. There is so much that went wrong—so many people that could have been involved—that it needs to be investigated. Yet another belief that did not come true.
Wells is more than a bit surprised when he finds out that their request to come to Washington has nothing to do with him going to Dallas. In fact, the former CIA Director, who is now the President of the United States, Vinnie Duto, asks Wells to head to Colombia. It seems that there is an old “friend” there who has data to share, and Wells needs to figure out how to attain that data while outsmarting schemes being planned by sleeper cells, snipers and double agents in his own government that want nothing more than for Russia to take over the world and be the supreme power they always thought they should be.
The American elections were only the beginning, and once again author Alex Berenson takes today’s news and opens up a can of worms that no one could possibly have thought to open. If you’re looking for a great read, this is it!
February 15, 2018
This is the 12th book in Alex Berenson's brilliant series about John Wells. This time around John Wells isn't a super prominent part of the story, and some of the parts he does take part in are some of the weakest of the book. Furthermore, the story builds up to a huge climax that in my humble opinion doesn't quite keep its promise (no spoilers here, don't worry!).
Having said that, I still think that the book is a blast that kept me thrilled and entertained most of the time. Wells is a very likable protagonist with flaws, bad decisions and principles that don't exactly always make things easier for himself.
Berenson takes his point of departure in current events, which makes the plot super relevant and believable, instead of just relying on a super hero who always knows the villains' next steps and thus out-smarts and out-fights them. That is a huge plus in my book.
Summing up: Four big stars, but I was borderline bored in the Latin American parts of the book and underwhelmed by the finish, which cost the last star this time around.
[An ARC of the book was generously provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review]
Having said that, I still think that the book is a blast that kept me thrilled and entertained most of the time. Wells is a very likable protagonist with flaws, bad decisions and principles that don't exactly always make things easier for himself.
Berenson takes his point of departure in current events, which makes the plot super relevant and believable, instead of just relying on a super hero who always knows the villains' next steps and thus out-smarts and out-fights them. That is a huge plus in my book.
Summing up: Four big stars, but I was borderline bored in the Latin American parts of the book and underwhelmed by the finish, which cost the last star this time around.
[An ARC of the book was generously provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review]
October 10, 2018
A good change of pace with John Wells dealing with terror groups in the US instead of in Iraq or Afghanistan. The plot is very relevant since to a great extent it was about Russian interference in our elections. It is also involved with the activities of governments concerning political relations between countries, although mostly with Russia. The usual cast of characters are involved and making the series a nice continuum, the terrorists are new.
January 13, 2018
A former CIA agent is asked by the President to meet a foreigner in Columbia who may have information about a terrorist attack in Dallas. Plenty of action in this thriller - terror attack, serial sniper killer, , money laundering, Russians involved in American politics. Definitely holds the reader's attention.
April 15, 2018
A thoughtful, intriguing tale quite relevant to today’s U.S. political scene. I enjoyed the book immensely and strongly recommend it to all as a warning to what may be happening in modern day world régimes.
July 7, 2018
One of the most boring and disappointing books of his I've read.
March 1, 2018
The target was to be the American Airlines Center home of the Dallas Mavericks. The
FBI told Ahmed Shakir that his drug bust would go away if he helped them. They would
supply all the weapons with the firing pins removed. It never occurred to Ahmed to
doubt them. Instead this turned into an absolute bloodbath. John Wells is called to
Washington he thinks to investigate the carnage in Dallas, Instead President Vinny Duto
sends him to Columbia to get information from an old asset he has there who claims to have
information regarding the Dallas massacre. What Wells finds in Columbia will lead him
to the deadliest mission of his life. A maze of sleeper cells, sniper teams and double
agents high in the U.S. Government and also a Russian plot to take over the government.
This is book 12 in the John Wells series and I found it totally confusing. I gave it a 3.
FBI told Ahmed Shakir that his drug bust would go away if he helped them. They would
supply all the weapons with the firing pins removed. It never occurred to Ahmed to
doubt them. Instead this turned into an absolute bloodbath. John Wells is called to
Washington he thinks to investigate the carnage in Dallas, Instead President Vinny Duto
sends him to Columbia to get information from an old asset he has there who claims to have
information regarding the Dallas massacre. What Wells finds in Columbia will lead him
to the deadliest mission of his life. A maze of sleeper cells, sniper teams and double
agents high in the U.S. Government and also a Russian plot to take over the government.
This is book 12 in the John Wells series and I found it totally confusing. I gave it a 3.
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