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The Debriefing
International bestselling author Jeffery Deaver explores the borderline between lies and loyalty in a story of a brotherhood on the brink.
In the wake of a disastrous firefight with a Mexican cartel, two El Paso police officers find themselves in a military hospital facing a debriefing about what went wrong. As their accounts unfold, Tony, a by-the-book cop, begins to believe that hotheaded Matt might have divided loyalties. Could he have intentionally led the team into a trap that saw the death of a beloved senior officer? Or is the truth even more terrifying than Tony dares to imagine?
59 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 14, 2020
5801 people are currently reading
1336 people want to read
About the author
Jeffery Deaver
519 books11.8k followers#1 international bestselling author of over thirty novels and three collections of short stories. His books are sold in 150 countries and translated into 25 languages. His first novel featuring Lincoln Rhyme, The Bone Collector, was made into a major motion picture starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie. He's received or been shortlisted for a number of awards around the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 283 reviews
April 6, 2023
I am a fun of Jeffery Deaver's books and short stories and the short story The Debriefing didn't disappoint again. The author style when you think that you got what happened, only after a few pages to find again that things are not as they look at the first glance, is amazing.
Two brothers, both enforce officers, are involved in an operation against a criminal cartel. After a gas grenade they awake in a hospital and are debriefed about the operation.
This is a short story but it tells us a lot of things about the past and present from the point of view of the older brother Matt. The end of story leaves us hopeful that things are going to change for the best between brother.
Two brothers, both enforce officers, are involved in an operation against a criminal cartel. After a gas grenade they awake in a hospital and are debriefed about the operation.
This is a short story but it tells us a lot of things about the past and present from the point of view of the older brother Matt. The end of story leaves us hopeful that things are going to change for the best between brother.
February 22, 2020
A short story by author Jeffery Deaver. This author is one of the best at writing short stories that somehow pack so much detail in. This one is much the same and along with a few decent characters make an entertaining read.
In the wake of a disastrous firefight with a Mexican cartel, two El Paso police officers find themselves in a military hospital facing a debriefing about what went wrong. As their accounts unfold, Tony, a by-the-book cop, begins to believe that hotheaded Matt might have divided loyalties. Could he have intentionally led the team into a trap that saw the death of a beloved senior officer? Or is the truth even more terrifying than Tony dares to imagine?
A three star rating doesn't really do this book justice but due to only five stars been allowed it is difficult to realistically mark it any higher.
A decent read at the right price.
In the wake of a disastrous firefight with a Mexican cartel, two El Paso police officers find themselves in a military hospital facing a debriefing about what went wrong. As their accounts unfold, Tony, a by-the-book cop, begins to believe that hotheaded Matt might have divided loyalties. Could he have intentionally led the team into a trap that saw the death of a beloved senior officer? Or is the truth even more terrifying than Tony dares to imagine?
A three star rating doesn't really do this book justice but due to only five stars been allowed it is difficult to realistically mark it any higher.
A decent read at the right price.
December 1, 2020
WOW!!!
One of the best short stories I've ever read..
Jeffery Deaver is a master story teller, no doubt about it..
He has received dozens of awards, and rightly so!!
Anyway ere now either I must have been deep asleep or under narcotic influence..
Because this is my first encounter --not of the fourth kind-- but with Deavers work..
But lets get started:
war against the drug kartell..
Two federal agents (brothers) entangled in a net of lies, the kartell most vicious murderer behind them, and an ending that will knock out your socks under your feet!!
I regret only that this was a short story, I wished for more, I was left hungry for much more..
Yes, so good indeed!!!
Full recommendation with five well earned and bright stars!!!
Happy readings
Dean;)
One of the best short stories I've ever read..
Jeffery Deaver is a master story teller, no doubt about it..
He has received dozens of awards, and rightly so!!
Anyway ere now either I must have been deep asleep or under narcotic influence..
Because this is my first encounter --not of the fourth kind-- but with Deavers work..
But lets get started:
war against the drug kartell..
Two federal agents (brothers) entangled in a net of lies, the kartell most vicious murderer behind them, and an ending that will knock out your socks under your feet!!
I regret only that this was a short story, I wished for more, I was left hungry for much more..
Yes, so good indeed!!!
Full recommendation with five well earned and bright stars!!!
Happy readings
Dean;)
August 23, 2025
Wanting to fill my summer with a mix of novels and short stories, I came upon some stuff by Jeffrey Deaver. I have read some of his short works before and have promised to delve into the full-length stuff. For now, this short piece captured my attention. After a shootout with members of a Mexican cartel, two El Paso PD officers are in a military hospital being debriefed. The mission went wrong, but how? Tony is the cop who knows the rules, Matt likes to break them. Could one have helped the cartel know what was set to go down? All is revealed in this Deaver short story.
The firefight in the desert went horribly wrong, at least in the eyes of El Paso PD officer Tony Wright. He, and his brother, Matt, end up in a military hospital for a debriefing about how things went awry. Tony queries if Matt may have sold himself to the cartel they were shooting, since the plan seemed to have been known ahead of time. As things progress, the truth about the events of the shootout and the larger cartel plan come into focus. Truths betray the expected and brothers can sometimes not trust one another. Jeffrey Deaver delivers a unique perspective with this piece.
I enjoy short stories that prove entertaining above all else. Jeffrey Deaver does well in meeting those expectations. His narrative puts the reader in the middle of a tense situation and permits things to evolve from there. Characters present their colours with little time to process, which keeps the reader attentive. Plot points prove well-established and keep the reader wondering as surprises emerge to keep predictability on the back burner.
Kudos, Mr. Deaver, for a quick piece that left me thinking.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
The firefight in the desert went horribly wrong, at least in the eyes of El Paso PD officer Tony Wright. He, and his brother, Matt, end up in a military hospital for a debriefing about how things went awry. Tony queries if Matt may have sold himself to the cartel they were shooting, since the plan seemed to have been known ahead of time. As things progress, the truth about the events of the shootout and the larger cartel plan come into focus. Truths betray the expected and brothers can sometimes not trust one another. Jeffrey Deaver delivers a unique perspective with this piece.
I enjoy short stories that prove entertaining above all else. Jeffrey Deaver does well in meeting those expectations. His narrative puts the reader in the middle of a tense situation and permits things to evolve from there. Characters present their colours with little time to process, which keeps the reader attentive. Plot points prove well-established and keep the reader wondering as surprises emerge to keep predictability on the back burner.
Kudos, Mr. Deaver, for a quick piece that left me thinking.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
December 26, 2021
4.5 rounded up
So much action packed into a short story
So much action packed into a short story
January 19, 2020
Here's a neat little short story from thriller writer Jeffery Deaver. The author packs plenty of action into this fast paced tale about a shoot out between the good guys & the bad guys & its aftermath.
As always Deaver slips in a lot of twists & turns & it's an entertaining diversion while I await his next novel.
As always Deaver slips in a lot of twists & turns & it's an entertaining diversion while I await his next novel.
October 7, 2025
* Another twisty short story by Jeffrey Deaver *
THE DEBRIEFING is an okay story by Deaver, containing several of his usual surprises, but I didn't empathize at all with the characters, not even the main protagonist, Tony Wright. Tony, and his brother, Matt, are DEA officers trying to capture the boss of a Mexican cartel when they are injured in a shootout and end up in a military hospital being debriefed by the FBI.
Yes, the story jigged, and then jagged, as Deaver's short stories always do, but although intellectually stimulating, it didn't engage me emotionally.
3+ stars.
THE DEBRIEFING is an okay story by Deaver, containing several of his usual surprises, but I didn't empathize at all with the characters, not even the main protagonist, Tony Wright. Tony, and his brother, Matt, are DEA officers trying to capture the boss of a Mexican cartel when they are injured in a shootout and end up in a military hospital being debriefed by the FBI.
Yes, the story jigged, and then jagged, as Deaver's short stories always do, but although intellectually stimulating, it didn't engage me emotionally.
3+ stars.
January 16, 2020
For anyone who hasn’t read author Jeffrey Deaver in short story mode they are missing a treat.
The Debriefing is a case in point. A combined Police / DEA raid goes wrong just inside Mexico where he drug cartels prosper.
El Paso PD acted on a tip off and when long-standing detective Tony Wright hears about it he feels obliged to head out and offer support.
Outnumbered and pinned down something goes drastically wrong from Tony’s perspective and suddenly his presence there is questioned as he is interviewed by a FBI which has serious implications. This Debrief demands that the truth be told but some confidences are harder to share, especially where lives of informants are at stuck and other officer’s careers could be ended in disgrace. What price loyalty.
Location and this type of scenario add to the tension and the many twists and turns makes for thrilling reveals and a constant delight reading this short story.
As with good food, the quality is not based on portion alone. Deaver has served up a banquet here in just a few pages that reflects the standards throughout his books and writing.
Find some time and discover that pleasure for yourself.
The Debriefing is a case in point. A combined Police / DEA raid goes wrong just inside Mexico where he drug cartels prosper.
El Paso PD acted on a tip off and when long-standing detective Tony Wright hears about it he feels obliged to head out and offer support.
Outnumbered and pinned down something goes drastically wrong from Tony’s perspective and suddenly his presence there is questioned as he is interviewed by a FBI which has serious implications. This Debrief demands that the truth be told but some confidences are harder to share, especially where lives of informants are at stuck and other officer’s careers could be ended in disgrace. What price loyalty.
Location and this type of scenario add to the tension and the many twists and turns makes for thrilling reveals and a constant delight reading this short story.
As with good food, the quality is not based on portion alone. Deaver has served up a banquet here in just a few pages that reflects the standards throughout his books and writing.
Find some time and discover that pleasure for yourself.
February 13, 2020
Fantastic short story for thriller lovers. This one is about Mexican drug cartel and US - El Paso PD. Great characters, and good action.
June 15, 2020
A very good short story full of action.
It takes place just across the border in Mexico.
It involves the Cartel, the DEA, the El Paso police.
Two brothers are cops, one may be dirty and have caused the murder of a DEA supervisor. the bad guys really get creative to find an informant too, that may be doing big damage to them.
It was a short story but covered the plot well. You could feel the heat and the action.
Strongly recommend.
Review by Mike Slavin author of award-winning Kill Crime (action-packed thriller on Amazon to buy or KU)
It takes place just across the border in Mexico.
It involves the Cartel, the DEA, the El Paso police.
Two brothers are cops, one may be dirty and have caused the murder of a DEA supervisor. the bad guys really get creative to find an informant too, that may be doing big damage to them.
It was a short story but covered the plot well. You could feel the heat and the action.
Strongly recommend.
Review by Mike Slavin author of award-winning Kill Crime (action-packed thriller on Amazon to buy or KU)
December 4, 2024
Three Letter Agencies
Tony has been in law enforcement at the border since leaving the military. He is working for El Paso PD on another cartel op. DEA agent Boyd just showed up to lend a hand. Matt was pinned down in another building. Tony ran to help Matt and before he knew what was happening grenades landed inside the building.
When Tony woke up he was in a hospital. Matt strolled in like it was just another day. The FBI is there and wants to talk.
How well do you know the people in your circle? People in law enforcement need to know who their friends are. This is a five star police procedural that will keep you guessing until The Debriefing.
Tony has been in law enforcement at the border since leaving the military. He is working for El Paso PD on another cartel op. DEA agent Boyd just showed up to lend a hand. Matt was pinned down in another building. Tony ran to help Matt and before he knew what was happening grenades landed inside the building.
When Tony woke up he was in a hospital. Matt strolled in like it was just another day. The FBI is there and wants to talk.
How well do you know the people in your circle? People in law enforcement need to know who their friends are. This is a five star police procedural that will keep you guessing until The Debriefing.
January 16, 2020
Thrilling Short with Excellent Twists & Turns
This was my first book from this author. I love the Kindle singles since they give you an opportunity to sample an author's work without a large time commitment. This was a fantastic thriller with excellent twists and turns I did not see coming. A fast paced excellent short. I read this book using immersion reading while listening to the audio book. Scott Merriman did a wonderful job on the narration. I have a few other short stories from this author to sample.
This was my first book from this author. I love the Kindle singles since they give you an opportunity to sample an author's work without a large time commitment. This was a fantastic thriller with excellent twists and turns I did not see coming. A fast paced excellent short. I read this book using immersion reading while listening to the audio book. Scott Merriman did a wonderful job on the narration. I have a few other short stories from this author to sample.
February 9, 2020
Clever plot in this story about a Mexican drug cartel
January 22, 2020
How many more thrills and action can you pack into a less than 100 page novella?
May 20, 2024
A quick read with a clever twist in this one.
February 8, 2020
Nice little quick story. Audio book narrator voices for the characters was comical and annoying
February 15, 2020
3.5 Stars for a very entertaining short story. A rather nice plot twist caught me off guard, and only a rather weak ending prevented a higher rating.
January 24, 2021
An attempted arrest of Mexican cartel members gone wrong with one officer dead and the team in the hospital, this aftermath short novel requires extreme concentration, especially if you're not up on military talk. Officer Tony Wright, a municipal officer is questioned by FBI when a senior officer is killed in the line of duty. It's extremely simplistic, but the characters and their very background seems done out of convenience more than actual development. It's a stereotypical drug bust; there was a setup, the survivors are questioned separately, loyalties are questioned, and who is ultimately responsible is meant to be mysterious but for me it was more "Yes, I knew that" and "Thank goodness it's over." Not my favorite and it's a quite forgettable short story, but I'm also not much for military tales.
September 24, 2020
This is one of the best short stories I have ever read. When reviewers say it has a lot of information and action packed into a short area, they aren't exaggerating. This could easily have been fleshed out into a 40,000 word novel, but Deaver decided to present the story in a 59-page power punch. Great storytelling, great plot, and believe it or not, there is actually character development and backstory. Maybe even a twist or two. Really impressed with this one.
September 26, 2024
Entertaining mystery listening. 🎆🤔🏙🤗✨
The novella is from my Kindle Unlimited account book six of six
They are brothers now in the board police. A plan has been put together to capture the leader and the fun begins.
I would recommend this series and author to readers looking for for quick action novels. 2024 👒🤔
The novella is from my Kindle Unlimited account book six of six
They are brothers now in the board police. A plan has been put together to capture the leader and the fun begins.
I would recommend this series and author to readers looking for for quick action novels. 2024 👒🤔
March 25, 2021
A disastrous firefight with a drugs cartel leaves an El Paso Police Detective suspecting that his brother may be feeding intelligence to the organisation.
As ever, this is a cunning short story by Jeffery Deaver which leaves readers guessing until the very end.
As ever, this is a cunning short story by Jeffery Deaver which leaves readers guessing until the very end.
June 16, 2022
The Debriefing was not a satisfactory reading experience for me-your mileage may vary. My problem: I figured out the twist immediately. Jeffrey Deaver is a clever writer, but no one can hit home runs all the time.
January 28, 2020
This was fairly decent. At least for a short story. With that said I’m a fan of Deaver. It did make me want more of a story, but cleaver I suppose.
January 28, 2020
This was a quick, unpredictable quick read that I was able to finish in one setting! Although short, the story was precise and thorough!
I enjoyed listening to The Debriefing!
I enjoyed listening to The Debriefing!
July 11, 2020
A scheme to infiltrate the Cartel by staging a mock attack.
October 2, 2025
Action packed Mexican cartel bust
Jeffery Deaver delivers an action packed short story pitting Mexican and US federal agents against a Mexican Cartel. A quick, entertaining read with numerous twists and turns in the plot culminating in a surprise ending.
Jeffery Deaver delivers an action packed short story pitting Mexican and US federal agents against a Mexican Cartel. A quick, entertaining read with numerous twists and turns in the plot culminating in a surprise ending.
October 13, 2020
Really good short story. Plenty of action and suspense. Deaver is excellent.
July 9, 2022
A good short story fast paced with a twist
February 11, 2020
And that, boys and girls, is how you take down a Mexican drug cartel kingpin! Short and sweet!
March 15, 2020
Cops.. Drugs, mexicans,conspiracy. The usual.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 283 reviews