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Matt Drake #1
Without Sanction
10 hours, 36 minutes
After surviving a clandestine operation that went tragically wrong, Matt Drake escaped Syria with his life, but little else. Now, to save the life of another, he must return to Syria and confront his biggest failure.
Defense Intelligence Agency operative Matt Drake broke a promise. A promise that cost three people their lives and crippled his best friend. Three months later, he's paralyzed by survivor's guilt and haunted by the memories of the fallen. Matt may have left Syria, but Syria hasn't left him.
In the midst of his self-imposed exile, Matt is dragged back into the world of espionage and assets that he tried to forget. A Pakistani scientist working for an ISIS splinter cell has created a terrifying weapon of mass destruction. The scientist offers to defect with the weapon, but he trusts just one man to bring him out of Syria alive—Matt Drake.
After surviving a clandestine operation that went tragically wrong, Matt Drake escaped Syria with his life, but little else. Now, to save the life of another, he must return to Syria and confront his biggest failure.
Defense Intelligence Agency operative Matt Drake broke a promise. A promise that cost three people their lives and crippled his best friend. Three months later, he's paralyzed by survivor's guilt and haunted by the memories of the fallen. Matt may have left Syria, but Syria hasn't left him.
In the midst of his self-imposed exile, Matt is dragged back into the world of espionage and assets that he tried to forget. A Pakistani scientist working for an ISIS splinter cell has created a terrifying weapon of mass destruction. The scientist offers to defect with the weapon, but he trusts just one man to bring him out of Syria alive—Matt Drake.
Audiobook
First published March 3, 2020
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About the author
Don Bentley
19 books845 followersDon Bentley is the NYT bestselling author of FORGOTTEN WAR, Tom Clancy WEAPONS GRADE, and Vince Flynn's MITCH RAPP series (2024). Former FBI Special Agent and Army Apache pilot. Learn more at www.donbentleybooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 392 reviews
September 22, 2020
”Late autumn in Syria was a lot like late autumn in Austin--temperatures in the sixties during the day, while at night the air cooled down to the forties. But that’s where the similarities ended. Syria had a unique smell composed of equal parts car exhaust, stale smoke from countless open fires, and poverty. Its exact nature was hard to put into words, but was unmistakable all the same.
For better or worse, I was back.”
Defense Intelligence Agent Matt Drake managed to get out of Syria physically intact, but the psychological impact of the failure of his last day in-country is still haunting him. His best friend Frodo was left maimed and wounded and some people who counted on him for protection are dead...hauntingly dead.
But he has to go back.
My basketball coach always told me to never leave the practice court without hitting my last shot. Well, Matt Drake has to go back to the thunderdome chaos of Syria to hit that last shot. Going back isn’t all his idea. There is a burgeoning genocidal maniac scientist codenamed Einstein who insists that Drake has to be the guy to come get him and his latest lethal combination of deadly weapons. Think about how fucked up Syria has to be for a guy like this to want out?
We all have a general idea of Syria which means we don’t really know shit about Syria. It has become a battleground for every disaffected terrorist and guerilla group in the world. There are thousands of them by some estimations. We can talk about who is on whose side, but with the changing dynamics of the volatile political upheaval of the region it is safe to say that the only side anyone unlucky enough or stupid enough to find themselves in Syria should be on... is their own. Syria is a perfect example of Hobbesian cutthroat competition.
”’Are we in trouble?’
‘We’re in Syria.’”
With the various factions recruiting foot soldiers from all over the world life is cheap. If you lose too many guys just put a new recruitment video up on Facebook to appeal for more willing participants from the ranks of religious zealots or kids just looking for an adventure. With no real national affiliations and with the number of mercenaries there trying to make a buck or just get in on the raping and plundering the Syrian people are just frankly screwed. As long as Putin is backing Assad there will never be viable solutions for Syria.
This story is set against the backdrop of a presidential election with a somewhat belligerent president trying to win reelection. His top advisor Peter Redman doesn’t want anything to happen to slice into the slender lead the president is holding in the polls. When a marine is taken hostage by insurgents Drake’s already difficult mission to extract that pissant Einstein is suddenly made even more difficult by the added necessity of finding and bringing that marine home. We don’t leave our people behind.
”In the Ranger Regiment, we had a saying that no plan ever survives first contact with the enemy.”
Soon Drake is a political football, a live grenade that could make or break a presidency and when one ambitious bastard in the White House issues a burn notice (remember the TV Show?) on Drake things go from nearly impossible to never having a chance. Needless to say, it is Syria after all, things are already going horribly wrong. Drake is going to need more than his skill set and his resilience to accomplish this mission. He is going to need luck and friends in high places.
He can’t leave Syria until he has put some ghosts to bed.
He can’t leave Syria until he has hit his last shot.
Don Bentley flew Apache attack helicopters in Afghanistan (thank you for your service Don) and then worked as an FBI agent. He wrote three failed manuscripts and spent 17 years producing this novel, so he had to be as stubborn and as resilient as Matt Drake to ride out the disappointment and frustration. Bentley must have felt like he was shooting from the length of the court, but he finally hit his last shot. Tom Colgan from Random House Penguin Berkley caught the ball after it went through the net.
By the time I finished reading this book my lap was covered with hot bullet casings, desert sand, and the fluttering remnants of a parachute. I was limping. I was thirsty. I was exhilarated. I was looking outside my window for the thump thump thump of a KA-52 Alligator Russian helicopter because I could swear that Syria had spilled over into Kansas. The plot sizzles along at a rapid trot with short, exciting chapters that make the reader feel like they are flying along in a CH-47F Chinook at 195 MPH. Bring a parachute and bring plenty of water because Syria is thirsty work. Do you have a long flight coming up? Without Sanction will make the hours seem like minutes. Need a vacation from everything else you’ve been reading? Without Sanction will bounce you out of that rut.
I want to thank the people at Berkley who sent me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
If you wish to see more of my most recent book and movie reviews, visit http://www.jeffreykeeten.com
I also have a Facebook blogger page at:https://www.facebook.com/JeffreyKeeten
For better or worse, I was back.”
Defense Intelligence Agent Matt Drake managed to get out of Syria physically intact, but the psychological impact of the failure of his last day in-country is still haunting him. His best friend Frodo was left maimed and wounded and some people who counted on him for protection are dead...hauntingly dead.
But he has to go back.
My basketball coach always told me to never leave the practice court without hitting my last shot. Well, Matt Drake has to go back to the thunderdome chaos of Syria to hit that last shot. Going back isn’t all his idea. There is a burgeoning genocidal maniac scientist codenamed Einstein who insists that Drake has to be the guy to come get him and his latest lethal combination of deadly weapons. Think about how fucked up Syria has to be for a guy like this to want out?
We all have a general idea of Syria which means we don’t really know shit about Syria. It has become a battleground for every disaffected terrorist and guerilla group in the world. There are thousands of them by some estimations. We can talk about who is on whose side, but with the changing dynamics of the volatile political upheaval of the region it is safe to say that the only side anyone unlucky enough or stupid enough to find themselves in Syria should be on... is their own. Syria is a perfect example of Hobbesian cutthroat competition.
”’Are we in trouble?’
‘We’re in Syria.’”
With the various factions recruiting foot soldiers from all over the world life is cheap. If you lose too many guys just put a new recruitment video up on Facebook to appeal for more willing participants from the ranks of religious zealots or kids just looking for an adventure. With no real national affiliations and with the number of mercenaries there trying to make a buck or just get in on the raping and plundering the Syrian people are just frankly screwed. As long as Putin is backing Assad there will never be viable solutions for Syria.
This story is set against the backdrop of a presidential election with a somewhat belligerent president trying to win reelection. His top advisor Peter Redman doesn’t want anything to happen to slice into the slender lead the president is holding in the polls. When a marine is taken hostage by insurgents Drake’s already difficult mission to extract that pissant Einstein is suddenly made even more difficult by the added necessity of finding and bringing that marine home. We don’t leave our people behind.
”In the Ranger Regiment, we had a saying that no plan ever survives first contact with the enemy.”
Soon Drake is a political football, a live grenade that could make or break a presidency and when one ambitious bastard in the White House issues a burn notice (remember the TV Show?) on Drake things go from nearly impossible to never having a chance. Needless to say, it is Syria after all, things are already going horribly wrong. Drake is going to need more than his skill set and his resilience to accomplish this mission. He is going to need luck and friends in high places.
He can’t leave Syria until he has put some ghosts to bed.
He can’t leave Syria until he has hit his last shot.
Don Bentley flew Apache attack helicopters in Afghanistan (thank you for your service Don) and then worked as an FBI agent. He wrote three failed manuscripts and spent 17 years producing this novel, so he had to be as stubborn and as resilient as Matt Drake to ride out the disappointment and frustration. Bentley must have felt like he was shooting from the length of the court, but he finally hit his last shot. Tom Colgan from Random House Penguin Berkley caught the ball after it went through the net.
By the time I finished reading this book my lap was covered with hot bullet casings, desert sand, and the fluttering remnants of a parachute. I was limping. I was thirsty. I was exhilarated. I was looking outside my window for the thump thump thump of a KA-52 Alligator Russian helicopter because I could swear that Syria had spilled over into Kansas. The plot sizzles along at a rapid trot with short, exciting chapters that make the reader feel like they are flying along in a CH-47F Chinook at 195 MPH. Bring a parachute and bring plenty of water because Syria is thirsty work. Do you have a long flight coming up? Without Sanction will make the hours seem like minutes. Need a vacation from everything else you’ve been reading? Without Sanction will bounce you out of that rut.
I want to thank the people at Berkley who sent me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
If you wish to see more of my most recent book and movie reviews, visit http://www.jeffreykeeten.com
I also have a Facebook blogger page at:https://www.facebook.com/JeffreyKeeten
May 27, 2025
This is a Suspense Spy Mystery/Thriller, and this is the first book in the Matt Drake. I just liked this book, but I think I just do not love this type of thrillers. I have learned that I do not love thrillers with spies in them. The twist was not the best I have read. I do not think this is a bad book. I won an arc of this book from a goodreads giveaway, but this is 100% my own opinion about how I feel about the book.
February 7, 2023
In this nonstop explosive Action packed by Don Bentley, DIA agent Matt Drake is feeling the guilt after leaving Syria but Syria hasn't left him. But now he's been recalled to Syria to rescue a captured agent where the action heats up. This was awesome an action packed black ops read I'm so glad read it. Don Bentley is among the top tiers writers with brad Taylor and Mark Greaney that know their stuff
Matt and Fodo. are awesome
Matt and Fodo. are awesome
January 14, 2020
If you are going to pick up a black ops action hero story, it better be one with non-stop excitement and so filled with energy that it's impossible to put down. Bingo! Without Sanction hits all the right notes. Don't expect an introspective life analysis filled with romantic entanglements. Matt Drake is a firmer Army Ranger, now a former DIA covert agent and he's been recalled to return the morass of civil-war Syria to extract a captured agent and a deadly chemist. Between warring agency heads back in D.C. And a mission destined to go awry and PTSD from his last "vacation" in Syria, Drake has his hands full. And once he lands in the war zone, all bets are off cause the action is virtually nonstop and the tension so tight, it's all going to pop.
July 2, 2020
I won this book through a giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
Boy am I glad I did, too! I typically don’t reach for what I would call “shoot ‘em up” books. However, although this book had plenty of that and lots of other action as well, it was so much more than that! There was mystery. There was suspense. There was a great plot. There were great characters that made you want to know more about them! This was just a fantastic read altogether! I even passed it on to my Dad, who is currently reading it as I write this! I will definitely be coming back for more from this author! Amazing writing ability!
Boy am I glad I did, too! I typically don’t reach for what I would call “shoot ‘em up” books. However, although this book had plenty of that and lots of other action as well, it was so much more than that! There was mystery. There was suspense. There was a great plot. There were great characters that made you want to know more about them! This was just a fantastic read altogether! I even passed it on to my Dad, who is currently reading it as I write this! I will definitely be coming back for more from this author! Amazing writing ability!
June 14, 2020
A new thriller that I would continue reading. The thing that bothered me, and after finished reading I know it'll be back in book two, the politics!
Arghh, I'm so tired of it. It's reelection year for Jorge Gonzales and much of DC story is about his evil chief of staff, Peter whatever his last is, running the show. I tried skimming some of this. I know there's got to be some politics, but this was more than I enjoy. I want action!
There's action, but I wish there were more. Matt Drake was an Airborne Ranger and has been working for DIA in Syria. Without giving too much away, he was in Syria once and back again to rescue a captured CIA officer in unfriendly territory. While there he met a boy (this was my eye roll moment). But I very much enjoyed the second half of the book than the first. 3.5 stars
Arghh, I'm so tired of it. It's reelection year for Jorge Gonzales and much of DC story is about his evil chief of staff, Peter whatever his last is, running the show. I tried skimming some of this. I know there's got to be some politics, but this was more than I enjoy. I want action!
There's action, but I wish there were more. Matt Drake was an Airborne Ranger and has been working for DIA in Syria. Without giving too much away, he was in Syria once and back again to rescue a captured CIA officer in unfriendly territory. While there he met a boy (this was my eye roll moment). But I very much enjoyed the second half of the book than the first. 3.5 stars
January 30, 2020
It may have taken Don Bentley a very long time to write this, but boy did he do it well. This book is one of the best ones i've read in a long time and since it is the first in a series we can only wait anxiously for the next. No pressure... I have to thank #Edelweiss #Berkley and #PenguinPublishingGroup for giving me the pleasure of reading Without Sanction. The first book about Matt Drake. It will be on the shelves on March the 3rd. I really strongly recommend this. Please @bentleydonb keep them coming.
February 29, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. It was well written and easy to read. It is one of those books that gets me thinking about what I've read and trying to work it out. I get up to go to the restroom in the middle of the night and when I get back in bed I lay there thinking about the book. I guess that will be one sign that I am enjoying what I am reading.
I did love the characters and the character development. Matt Drake was great even if he was haunted. His best friend Frodo is a fantastic character as well. Then there are the characters that are abhorrent. I definitely was drawn into the characters, which I love. I was rooting for them or in the case of the others, I was hoping for their demise. All in all, the character development was fantastic, which I find always makes the story better for me.
The story itself was fantastic. It had a lot going on all at once and nothing ever seemed to go as planned, which kept everything interesting.There was a lot of action and intrigue and it was all really well written. I expected language due to the nature of a military style book, but I was pleasantly surprised that it was not saturated with bad language which just enhanced the story.
This was a fun read that I have already told my husband to try. This is definitely a series that I would continue to read with great characters. I loved it!
I did love the characters and the character development. Matt Drake was great even if he was haunted. His best friend Frodo is a fantastic character as well. Then there are the characters that are abhorrent. I definitely was drawn into the characters, which I love. I was rooting for them or in the case of the others, I was hoping for their demise. All in all, the character development was fantastic, which I find always makes the story better for me.
The story itself was fantastic. It had a lot going on all at once and nothing ever seemed to go as planned, which kept everything interesting.There was a lot of action and intrigue and it was all really well written. I expected language due to the nature of a military style book, but I was pleasantly surprised that it was not saturated with bad language which just enhanced the story.
This was a fun read that I have already told my husband to try. This is definitely a series that I would continue to read with great characters. I loved it!
December 10, 2020
Actually I'll say that this is a surprisingly good read. A little clipped in it's story telling it still gives us enough depth to not have story or character holes. The plot is good. I do find one twist a bit contrived in that I think our insightful protagonist might have figured out what was going on before it was "told to him". (no I won't give a spoiler. You'll get what I mean when you read the book.)
Our hero here is slightly edged into the superman category in some of the things he manages to pull off but it's handled well and doesn't take away from the story.
I like it and I plan to follow the series. I can recommend this one. Enjoy.
Our hero here is slightly edged into the superman category in some of the things he manages to pull off but it's handled well and doesn't take away from the story.
I like it and I plan to follow the series. I can recommend this one. Enjoy.
March 4, 2020
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I didn't know anything about this author or series but it sounded different than my usual mystery / thriller books. Without Sanction is more of a political thriller than a spy or military one, and the first in the Matt Drake series.
I felt a bit confused initially when getting to know the characters and the politics in this world. I wasn't sure who the good guys or bad guys were. I thought they might all be good or bad. I found myself rooting for each character in the part with their point of view at the start. Later, I realized some of them were not working together for the country, only themselves. This political fighting to win by "spinning" the truth is the upsetting reality of today.
In the end, there are people like Matt Drake, whose word means something, and he risks himself to keep it. There were many life and death moments in this thrilling adventure. There were plenty of gray areas with some seriously flawed characters. I am sure I will want to read more about someone fighting for the factual truth as difficult as it may be.
Narration:
I've not listened to the narrator in the past. I enjoyed the easily understandable voices, mostly all male but many were distinct for the characters. I listened at my normal 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip:https://soundcloud.com/penguin-audio/...
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I didn't know anything about this author or series but it sounded different than my usual mystery / thriller books. Without Sanction is more of a political thriller than a spy or military one, and the first in the Matt Drake series.
I felt a bit confused initially when getting to know the characters and the politics in this world. I wasn't sure who the good guys or bad guys were. I thought they might all be good or bad. I found myself rooting for each character in the part with their point of view at the start. Later, I realized some of them were not working together for the country, only themselves. This political fighting to win by "spinning" the truth is the upsetting reality of today.
In the end, there are people like Matt Drake, whose word means something, and he risks himself to keep it. There were many life and death moments in this thrilling adventure. There were plenty of gray areas with some seriously flawed characters. I am sure I will want to read more about someone fighting for the factual truth as difficult as it may be.
Narration:
I've not listened to the narrator in the past. I enjoyed the easily understandable voices, mostly all male but many were distinct for the characters. I listened at my normal 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip:https://soundcloud.com/penguin-audio/...
March 11, 2020
Don Bentley has created a terrific new thriller series led by an equally superb protagonist, Matt Drake. WITHOUT SANCTION has been a topic of discussion amongst top names in the thriller genre long before its debut. Early readers had pegged it as a strong contender for the best debut of 2020, and after having burned through the entire book in a span of two straight days, I am absolutely in agreement that Matt Drake has the chops to lead his own thriller series, and WITHOUT SANCTION just might be the best debut thriller of 2020, a statement not lightly made.
WITHOUT SANCTION sets Matt Drake as a no-nonsense DIA, Defense Intelligence Agency, operative, who is reeling psychologically from a botched operation in Syria, where his asset and asset’s family are tragically killed and Drake’s sniper-pal suffers gruesome effects of an IED. The emotional turmoil brewing within Drake is displayed in an insightful manner that allows readers to get a good understanding of what makes Drake tick. At first, I had imagined Drake to be less of an action guy and more of an intelligence guy. I salute Don Bentley for proving me wrong. Matt Drake, while possessing excellent skills as an asset handler, is not one to shy away from fisticuffs and gunplay. Drake makes use of his brawns and weapon-skills in fast-paced and tactically sound action sequences that had me cheering Drake on as he double tapped his opponents with his Glock 19. Without completely spoiling it, the climax explores Drake’s untamed side in a gruesome manner. This thriller is full of realistic adrenaline pumping moments that made me extremely happy as a thriller fan. As a big fan of fighter jets, I was treated to brief but wonderfully written and descriptive chapters involving F-22 Raptors and their supersonic flights, treating the fifth-generation fighter jets as living and breathing organisms.
WITHOUT SANCTION not only hosts serious action, but also incorporates cut-throat and resonating politics that tie directly into the narrative without detracting from the high stakes of the thriller. Witty and fueled exchanges between heads of intelligence departments and White House members created the feel of a game of chess, where every move felt strategic and tense. No encounter felt filler in any manner. Every action led to serious consequences tied directly into the story.
While Drake had no qualms about coming out on the top in moments of intense fight-or-flight inducing situations, his inclination towards being on the asset handling side of things made for an even more interesting read. Reading about the different spycrafts about handling assets and operational proceedings, learning about what Drake would do in different situations, felt fresh and exciting, adding to the authentic and grounded vibe of the thriller. The thriller never forgets to keep Drake in the center of things, with Matt’s desire for redemption being the driving force of the thriller. The golden rule of not losing focus of the protagonist is used wisely by Don Bentley.
WITHOUT SANCTION is a top-notch crafted action thriller packed with ankle-breaking and throat-biting twists and turns (this will be a shared sentiment by the end of the thriller). Treat yourself with a copy and bask in the glory of this superb read. The ending absolutely hints at a sequel since some mysteries are left unresolved, to be cracked open on another day. Matt Drake will return.
WITHOUT SANCTION sets Matt Drake as a no-nonsense DIA, Defense Intelligence Agency, operative, who is reeling psychologically from a botched operation in Syria, where his asset and asset’s family are tragically killed and Drake’s sniper-pal suffers gruesome effects of an IED. The emotional turmoil brewing within Drake is displayed in an insightful manner that allows readers to get a good understanding of what makes Drake tick. At first, I had imagined Drake to be less of an action guy and more of an intelligence guy. I salute Don Bentley for proving me wrong. Matt Drake, while possessing excellent skills as an asset handler, is not one to shy away from fisticuffs and gunplay. Drake makes use of his brawns and weapon-skills in fast-paced and tactically sound action sequences that had me cheering Drake on as he double tapped his opponents with his Glock 19. Without completely spoiling it, the climax explores Drake’s untamed side in a gruesome manner. This thriller is full of realistic adrenaline pumping moments that made me extremely happy as a thriller fan. As a big fan of fighter jets, I was treated to brief but wonderfully written and descriptive chapters involving F-22 Raptors and their supersonic flights, treating the fifth-generation fighter jets as living and breathing organisms.
WITHOUT SANCTION not only hosts serious action, but also incorporates cut-throat and resonating politics that tie directly into the narrative without detracting from the high stakes of the thriller. Witty and fueled exchanges between heads of intelligence departments and White House members created the feel of a game of chess, where every move felt strategic and tense. No encounter felt filler in any manner. Every action led to serious consequences tied directly into the story.
While Drake had no qualms about coming out on the top in moments of intense fight-or-flight inducing situations, his inclination towards being on the asset handling side of things made for an even more interesting read. Reading about the different spycrafts about handling assets and operational proceedings, learning about what Drake would do in different situations, felt fresh and exciting, adding to the authentic and grounded vibe of the thriller. The thriller never forgets to keep Drake in the center of things, with Matt’s desire for redemption being the driving force of the thriller. The golden rule of not losing focus of the protagonist is used wisely by Don Bentley.
WITHOUT SANCTION is a top-notch crafted action thriller packed with ankle-breaking and throat-biting twists and turns (this will be a shared sentiment by the end of the thriller). Treat yourself with a copy and bask in the glory of this superb read. The ending absolutely hints at a sequel since some mysteries are left unresolved, to be cracked open on another day. Matt Drake will return.
March 3, 2020
Debut author Don Bentley spent a decade as an Army Apache helicopter pilot, while deployed to OEF, he earned a Bronze Star Medal and the Air Medal with “V” for valor. After his stint in the Army, Don got out as a Captain and joined the FBI. There, Special Agent Bentley focused on foreign intelligence and counterintelligence, completing his career with the FBI as a member of their elite SWAT.
Without Sanction introduces to the world Matt Drake, an Army Ranger (RLTW) veteran and analyst for the Defense Intelligence Agency or DIA. When we meet Matt, he’s a broken man. Unsure of what is happening to him, he has quit his job and became a recluse. Battling his demons every day, trying and failing to find a way back into society, to his friends, to his wife. For months he battles the same battle of survivor’s guilt, post-traumatic stress disorder, tremors, nightmares, anxiety, and depression that many real-world veterans go through. An accurate type of description only an author that has been there and done that can express.
Without Sanction has quite a bit of political drama, on par with a Vince Flynn novel, Bentley does a fantastic job giving these characters a purpose and meaning to where they think their way is the only way to handle a certain situation. Many are ambitious and use their power to get what most in politics want, more power. Amongst those characters is a politician that’s not a prick, President Jorge Gonzales. Nearing the end of his first term and trying to get re-elected. To shield him from all the chaos, Peter Redman, his Chief of Staff, is forced to deal with this mess created a mere few days before the Presidential election.
A spy thriller, a political thriller, with a dose of espionage and hardcore military action, this novel has is it all. Some high praise worthy writing that deserve a mention is when Drake needs to insert himself into a denied area of operations without being detected by the many forces that call this battles space home, remnants of ISIS are everywhere, the Free Syrian Army, Assad’s Army, and of course the Russians to name a few. Drake enters this battlespace utilizing a unique method that will have you at the edge of your seat.
Following the badassery there, the emotional surprises, the dangers, the determination of Drake to see this through, the humor, and the few allies Drake has left willing to help him complete his mission is few and far between. But when the Ranger Creed is driving you, the choice is an easy one, quitting is not an option. What we have is an absolute must-read debut novel from a very talented rising star. If I had to compare Without Sanction to prior debuts, I think Vince Flynn’s Term Limits and Jack Carr’s The Terminal List would be the most accurate comparison. As a new author, Don Bentley is standing out among the very best the thriller community has to offer. I very much look forward to more Matt Drake in the future. Earning itself a Lima Charlie Review rating of a DIRTY BOMB! A 9.25/10 Lima Charlie Rating.
Without Sanction introduces to the world Matt Drake, an Army Ranger (RLTW) veteran and analyst for the Defense Intelligence Agency or DIA. When we meet Matt, he’s a broken man. Unsure of what is happening to him, he has quit his job and became a recluse. Battling his demons every day, trying and failing to find a way back into society, to his friends, to his wife. For months he battles the same battle of survivor’s guilt, post-traumatic stress disorder, tremors, nightmares, anxiety, and depression that many real-world veterans go through. An accurate type of description only an author that has been there and done that can express.
Without Sanction has quite a bit of political drama, on par with a Vince Flynn novel, Bentley does a fantastic job giving these characters a purpose and meaning to where they think their way is the only way to handle a certain situation. Many are ambitious and use their power to get what most in politics want, more power. Amongst those characters is a politician that’s not a prick, President Jorge Gonzales. Nearing the end of his first term and trying to get re-elected. To shield him from all the chaos, Peter Redman, his Chief of Staff, is forced to deal with this mess created a mere few days before the Presidential election.
A spy thriller, a political thriller, with a dose of espionage and hardcore military action, this novel has is it all. Some high praise worthy writing that deserve a mention is when Drake needs to insert himself into a denied area of operations without being detected by the many forces that call this battles space home, remnants of ISIS are everywhere, the Free Syrian Army, Assad’s Army, and of course the Russians to name a few. Drake enters this battlespace utilizing a unique method that will have you at the edge of your seat.
Following the badassery there, the emotional surprises, the dangers, the determination of Drake to see this through, the humor, and the few allies Drake has left willing to help him complete his mission is few and far between. But when the Ranger Creed is driving you, the choice is an easy one, quitting is not an option. What we have is an absolute must-read debut novel from a very talented rising star. If I had to compare Without Sanction to prior debuts, I think Vince Flynn’s Term Limits and Jack Carr’s The Terminal List would be the most accurate comparison. As a new author, Don Bentley is standing out among the very best the thriller community has to offer. I very much look forward to more Matt Drake in the future. Earning itself a Lima Charlie Review rating of a DIRTY BOMB! A 9.25/10 Lima Charlie Rating.
December 1, 2019
By the time you finish this hell on earth wild adventure, Matt Drake becomes a battered man. Nothing can stop him as a Defense Intelligence Agent fighting for what he is determined to finish, bringing home one of his own from a hostile county, Syria. Can he do it? What price does one have to pay to accomplish this assignment?
I'm glad I am NOT Matt Drake. I couldn't do what he was trying to do.
So, what's the outcome? Just read the story and you'll find out.
I'm glad I am NOT Matt Drake. I couldn't do what he was trying to do.
So, what's the outcome? Just read the story and you'll find out.
March 14, 2020
Well the book lived up to the hype and more. Thanks to the RealBookSpy for the recommendation. Don took the story from the first pages thru the last page and never took his foot off the gas pedal. Definitely a great debut. I would recommended this book to the fans of Tom Clancy, Brad Thor, Brad Taylor or Mark Greaney. The fast pace action was spot on the underlying story was spot on. Without ruining the story I will say it was great and it’s a must read.
May 15, 2023
5 Stars. Wow. Absolutely great. Looks like I’m hooked on another author and series. Drake is some character. Bentley wrote a thriller that will have me coming back for everything he can deliver. I usually hate unfinished stories and cliffhangers but I think there’s a lot more here to explore. Outstanding!
March 18, 2020
Notes:
Low end of 3 Stars
I got this book because I saw the latest book released for the series in the bookstore. The narrator is not great & very stiff. The writing doesn't grab me and I find the whole plot/characters to be rather flat. Not at all exciting.
Low end of 3 Stars
I got this book because I saw the latest book released for the series in the bookstore. The narrator is not great & very stiff. The writing doesn't grab me and I find the whole plot/characters to be rather flat. Not at all exciting.
September 19, 2021
Matt Drake, the hero of Don Bentley’s debut thriller, is a psychologically scarred, emotionally intense, haunted and bruised, but brutally relentless character who is on a suicide mission for personal redemption in Without Sanction. This action thriller is a class apart from most in the genre and takes a darkly emotional dive into the personal costs of being a covert warrior and the diabolical realities in the lives of such figures. Even with the many layers of narratives and numerous plots running parallel, it’s a character-driven story that’s too compelling and a hard feat for most debut authors.
After losing the life of an asset and his family in an operation gone horribly wrong in Syria, Matt Drake is guilt-ridden and on a sabbatical from his work and family. He’s hallucinating the ghosts of the people he’s failed, but his self-destructive spree is ruined when his boss brings him back in for an emergency mission. An asset he’s tried to cultivate surfaces with information about a chemical weapon he’s created and the intel for the location of a captured American paramilitary operator who’s scheduled for execution by terrorists. This asset, codenamed Einstein, trusts only Drake to bring him in, but the whole situation is riddled with many power players within the White House who desperately try to stop this from happening for their own agendas.
It’s a political thriller on one side and a tactical action thriller on the other, but both flow well with characters who are all well fleshed out, even some with sympathetic motivations behind their dastardly schemes. Matt Drake’s employer – the DIA(Defence Intelligence Agency) – was an interesting change from the Langley-based characters that have overpopulated the genre, and Bentley’s portrayed the DIA in a believable and exciting way. Drake’s boss is an awesome character who I feel should have a larger role in the upcoming books in the series.
Drake’s former partner, a Delta Force commando with the call sign Frodo, plays a major emotional role and saves the story and Matt multiple times in the book, with and without his limbs. Frodo, badass Delta operator assigned as the protective detail to Drake, loses an arm and cripples a leg while saving Drake in an ambush during the same tragic operation that killed their asset. The emotional bond between Frodo(who’s black/colored) and Drake(who’s white, who’ve served in the same military and survived the same hellholes, is executed brilliantly in this book on a level I’ve never read in action thrillers.
Drake’s Pakistani immigrant wife is also another surprising character that’s handled well with the intricacies of a mixed-race/inter-cultural marriage. Many parts of the book had me surprised as Bentley’s writing was emotionally gripping in ways action thrillers rarely are, but it’s definitely not a sappy, soft-hearted book. The high doses of dark comedy injected into the chapters with Drake’s first-person narration scenes were fun in twisted yet sometimes gut-wrenching ways, and Bentley’s put a lot of dark comedy even in the third-person perspective chapters that tackle the other main characters and the multiple plots.
The action is bloody, gruesome, and the entire book’s definitely not for the faint-hearted. Most fans of this genre who are gun nuts will have a fun time with the detailed focus on weapons, technology, and hi-tech gear that Bentley’s scattered in many parts. A sequence with fighter planes engaging each other over the Russian-controlled airspace in Syria was on par with the works in Tom Clancy’s recent books. Without Sanction’s filled with chaos, brutal savagery, multiple double-crosses, political chess games at the cost of people’s lives, shifting alliances, detailed military maneuvers, gritty and dangerous spy games, a HAHO jump, and a bloody fight for survival in a hellhole that nobody wants to be in and Matt Drake’s dark humor and the first-person narrative gives the readers an experience that’s too realistic like being in the cockpit, trapped into the character’s mind. I don’t normally like the first-person narrative and try to avoid reading such books, but Don Bentley knows how to handle it well in a darkly gripping way.
Drake’s journey into Syria leads to uncovering more than what he’d expected, making him go rogue and operate without sanction to rescue the captive operator as the CIA’s agenda seems to cause the opposite result with an incompetent case officer who’s a political puppet working with a warlord responsible for crippling Frodo and killing Drake’s asset and his family. This is far from a typical action thriller in the post-9/11 subgenre, but Without Sanction sets up the pieces for a long story arc for many books in the series involving the subplots with the Russians, Drake’s personal life, the shady maneuvers within the White House, a mysterious villain who has more to the story than his small role in this book, the politics within the CIA and the DIA. Without Sanction is a must-read for hardcore fans of the genre who’ll now have a new favorite series to follow for many years to come.
For more long-form book reviews, check out - www.kronosananthsimha.com/book-blog/
After losing the life of an asset and his family in an operation gone horribly wrong in Syria, Matt Drake is guilt-ridden and on a sabbatical from his work and family. He’s hallucinating the ghosts of the people he’s failed, but his self-destructive spree is ruined when his boss brings him back in for an emergency mission. An asset he’s tried to cultivate surfaces with information about a chemical weapon he’s created and the intel for the location of a captured American paramilitary operator who’s scheduled for execution by terrorists. This asset, codenamed Einstein, trusts only Drake to bring him in, but the whole situation is riddled with many power players within the White House who desperately try to stop this from happening for their own agendas.
It’s a political thriller on one side and a tactical action thriller on the other, but both flow well with characters who are all well fleshed out, even some with sympathetic motivations behind their dastardly schemes. Matt Drake’s employer – the DIA(Defence Intelligence Agency) – was an interesting change from the Langley-based characters that have overpopulated the genre, and Bentley’s portrayed the DIA in a believable and exciting way. Drake’s boss is an awesome character who I feel should have a larger role in the upcoming books in the series.
Drake’s former partner, a Delta Force commando with the call sign Frodo, plays a major emotional role and saves the story and Matt multiple times in the book, with and without his limbs. Frodo, badass Delta operator assigned as the protective detail to Drake, loses an arm and cripples a leg while saving Drake in an ambush during the same tragic operation that killed their asset. The emotional bond between Frodo(who’s black/colored) and Drake(who’s white, who’ve served in the same military and survived the same hellholes, is executed brilliantly in this book on a level I’ve never read in action thrillers.
Drake’s Pakistani immigrant wife is also another surprising character that’s handled well with the intricacies of a mixed-race/inter-cultural marriage. Many parts of the book had me surprised as Bentley’s writing was emotionally gripping in ways action thrillers rarely are, but it’s definitely not a sappy, soft-hearted book. The high doses of dark comedy injected into the chapters with Drake’s first-person narration scenes were fun in twisted yet sometimes gut-wrenching ways, and Bentley’s put a lot of dark comedy even in the third-person perspective chapters that tackle the other main characters and the multiple plots.
The action is bloody, gruesome, and the entire book’s definitely not for the faint-hearted. Most fans of this genre who are gun nuts will have a fun time with the detailed focus on weapons, technology, and hi-tech gear that Bentley’s scattered in many parts. A sequence with fighter planes engaging each other over the Russian-controlled airspace in Syria was on par with the works in Tom Clancy’s recent books. Without Sanction’s filled with chaos, brutal savagery, multiple double-crosses, political chess games at the cost of people’s lives, shifting alliances, detailed military maneuvers, gritty and dangerous spy games, a HAHO jump, and a bloody fight for survival in a hellhole that nobody wants to be in and Matt Drake’s dark humor and the first-person narrative gives the readers an experience that’s too realistic like being in the cockpit, trapped into the character’s mind. I don’t normally like the first-person narrative and try to avoid reading such books, but Don Bentley knows how to handle it well in a darkly gripping way.
Drake’s journey into Syria leads to uncovering more than what he’d expected, making him go rogue and operate without sanction to rescue the captive operator as the CIA’s agenda seems to cause the opposite result with an incompetent case officer who’s a political puppet working with a warlord responsible for crippling Frodo and killing Drake’s asset and his family. This is far from a typical action thriller in the post-9/11 subgenre, but Without Sanction sets up the pieces for a long story arc for many books in the series involving the subplots with the Russians, Drake’s personal life, the shady maneuvers within the White House, a mysterious villain who has more to the story than his small role in this book, the politics within the CIA and the DIA. Without Sanction is a must-read for hardcore fans of the genre who’ll now have a new favorite series to follow for many years to come.
For more long-form book reviews, check out - www.kronosananthsimha.com/book-blog/
March 3, 2020
Don Bentley’s debut novel Without Sanction has both a dynamic first person narrative and delivers blistering action. Add those elements together with Don’s background as not only an Apache helicopter pilot but also a FBI Special Agent and you’ve got a force to be reckoned with for future Matt Drake novels.
Don joined us on The Crew Reviews podcast on 3.2.20. Watch our interview here https://youtu.be/NmP-Y2LXyPQ
Don joined us on The Crew Reviews podcast on 3.2.20. Watch our interview here https://youtu.be/NmP-Y2LXyPQ
March 10, 2020
At about half-way through this book,I decided that it deserved 10 stars. Because five stars is all i’m able to give it, l’ll also give it the “wow” factor, which is the highest praise that I can give a novel. Wonderful writing,excellent character development, and fabulous storyline. The only problem I had with this book, is that I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.
February 22, 2021
Excellent first book. Looking forward to more
March 27, 2022
Book Review - New Author Don Bentley just stormed the action thriller genre with an explosive breaching charge with his debut novel “Without Sanction!” I am always a bit skeptical about starting a new thriller series because there are so many of them that already exist but a good friend highly recommended reading Bentley because he is also taking over the Jack Ryan, Jr. series in the Tom Clancy books. His recommendation turned out to be another good one! Without Sanction has a new base of characters I have no attachment to, a new author, a new writing style and most importantly a new protagonist with no established backstory. How could I possibly immerse myself in a new character at a level consistent with all my other beloved ‘door kicker’ novels. Well, come to find out, I was all-in by the second chapter. Bentley writes this like a seasoned vet, although, a quick glance at his history confirms he was a real life ‘Badass’ himself and not a writer or at least a published one. I'm one that imagines vivid pictures while I read, I enjoy the action sequences and “ManBook" plot lines and without knowingly doing so, I was easily creating very detailed images of the scenes in Without Sanction like usual. The emotions felt deep, drawn from what were probably real-life events, the tension, the stress and the camaraderie were all there. I've become accustom to reading about the strong bonds between the special operators and their military counterparts in other action thriller series and the one between the main character Matt Drake and his partner Froto share an unrivaled loyalty that is truly inspiring. Matt Drake is a former-Airborne Ranger turned DIA (Defense Intelligence Agency) case officer. Struggling with the guilt of a mission gone bad, he is dragged back into the game against his will to help stop a chemical weapons threat. Drake finds himself chasing down a would-be asset with firsthand knowledge of the weapon, while also trying to rescue a fellow Army Ranger who's been captured and awaiting terrorist assassination via internet livestream. Loads of gut-wrenching action, twists and turns and "he did what!?" fill this non-stop thriller from start to finish. To cap it off, I was genuinely surprised by a plot twist in the final chapters. I thought by this point after reading more than a hundred action/espionage/ political thrillers, I couldn't be surprised anymore! Well, I was surprised...and so will you! Here's hoping Don Bentley’s second novel, “The Outside Man” (out in March) is as good as his debut thriller, Without Sanction. This was a ‘weapons hot’ read Don, awesome debut!
June 9, 2020
The spiritual successor of I AM PILGRIM
Don Bentley hooked me from the first sentence and didn’t let go til the very end. In today‘s world of daily new spy thriller releases, it’s not easy for an author to stand out. Bentley pulls of this feat by a combination of four: first his eloquence. Second the engaging first-person-narrative. Third the protagonist’s dark sense of humor. And last but not least the emotional heart which permeates the whole story.
Every character feels real and relatable - even the so-called bad guy, if you take the effort of putting yourself in his shoes. The heart-wrenching struggle of Matt Drake brought me goosebumps at times. And the author portrays it in a way that not only those how served get what drives this brave man.
Through in a plot with relevance, surprising twists and breathtaking action and you have on of the best thrillers currently out there. Don Bentley is a name to watch!
Don Bentley hooked me from the first sentence and didn’t let go til the very end. In today‘s world of daily new spy thriller releases, it’s not easy for an author to stand out. Bentley pulls of this feat by a combination of four: first his eloquence. Second the engaging first-person-narrative. Third the protagonist’s dark sense of humor. And last but not least the emotional heart which permeates the whole story.
Every character feels real and relatable - even the so-called bad guy, if you take the effort of putting yourself in his shoes. The heart-wrenching struggle of Matt Drake brought me goosebumps at times. And the author portrays it in a way that not only those how served get what drives this brave man.
Through in a plot with relevance, surprising twists and breathtaking action and you have on of the best thrillers currently out there. Don Bentley is a name to watch!
March 16, 2020
One incredible debut! We meet Matt Drake as he is in the middle of an exile that he did to himself. He is struggling to cope with what happened to him in Syria. As much as he thinks he is off the grid and won’t be found, he still gets found and manhandled into going to do a job.
He is drawn back in for this rescue mission, but there is a bigger player behind the curtain in the White House trying to stop him by all means. Even putting one of Matt’s enemies in his way. Syria is full of deception, Rangers, enemies, new friendships, Russian helicopters, fighter jets, and almost no luck at all for Matt.
I suggest reading to find out how poor Matt gets put through the ringer! Both mentally and physically!
Well done, Don!
He is drawn back in for this rescue mission, but there is a bigger player behind the curtain in the White House trying to stop him by all means. Even putting one of Matt’s enemies in his way. Syria is full of deception, Rangers, enemies, new friendships, Russian helicopters, fighter jets, and almost no luck at all for Matt.
I suggest reading to find out how poor Matt gets put through the ringer! Both mentally and physically!
Well done, Don!
December 11, 2020
Actually I'll say that this is a surprisingly good read. A little clipped in it's story telling it still gives us enough depth to not have story or character holes. The plot is good. I do find one twist a bit contrived in that I think our insightful protagonist might have figured out what was going on before it was "told to him". (no I won't give a spoiler. You'll get what I mean when you read the book.)
Our hero here is slightly edged into the superman category in some of the things he manages to pull off but it's handled well and doesn't take away from the story.
I like it and I plan to follow the series. I can recommend this one. Enjoy.
Our hero here is slightly edged into the superman category in some of the things he manages to pull off but it's handled well and doesn't take away from the story.
I like it and I plan to follow the series. I can recommend this one. Enjoy.
November 3, 2019
Don Bentley's first book Without Sanction definitely sets the bar! The main character Matt Drake is a damaged man and he's trying to come to terms with the things he's seen and done. That's all about to change when a man with a chemical formula that is a world ender wants out of Syria. The only way he'll leave is if Drake comes and gets him. In the mean time POTUS's right hand man is trying to sabotage the operation from the inside. Thank god Drake has a old friend in Frodo. Question is can Drake and Frodo accomplish the mission or will everything go south? Read it and find out!
November 27, 2019
The received an advance copy through Goodreads so as a thanks, here's my review. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is extremely well written, the characters have a depth not usually seen in an authors debut and the twists keep you on your toes. Matt Drake is a complex hero and Bentley is able to humanize him and you can feel his anguish. I can't wait to see what the future holds for Matt Drake!
February 20, 2021
Fantastic! One of the best thrillers of 2020. Can't wait for the next one.
March 12, 2021
Loved it! Can’t wait for the next one. I’m going to be reading Bentley as long as he is writing.
October 26, 2021
Don Bentley's debut novel, Without Sanction, was recommended to me by a couple of my close friends (who are fellow action thriller aficionados). They told me that this book was a hell of a read and I wouldn't regret picking it up. I did buy it, but my backlog was rather stacked and it took me a while to get around to reading it.
Now that I've finally completed it, I can say that they were right and I should have bumped the book up to the front of the queue.
Matt Drake is a former Batt Boy and current Defense Clandestine Service case officer who, in the wake of a disastrous attempt to extract a compromised asset in Aleppo, attempted to resign. He is forcibly recalled to active duty when terrorists manage to capture a CIA paramilitary officer and threaten to execute him on Election Day. Despite his trauma and a debilitating physical condition, Drake launches into action, hoping to atone for his previous failures.
This book honestly reminds me of the late Vince Flynn's earlier books, but better. I know it may be blasphemous to say in certain circles, but while Flynn's books were entertaining and definitely earned their place in the annals of action thriller history, a lot of parts didn't age well on the accuracy side of the house.
This is not the case with Bentley. The accuracy, minus a couple of minor hiccups, is on-point (which makes sense, given Bentley's history as an Army aviator and FBI Special Agent). Additionally, the action is crisp and kinetic, and Bentley knows how to end a chapter on a cliff-hanger and keep the reader engaged.
Additionally, what brings the comparison between Bentley and Flynn to mind is the political subplot. When I read the description of one of the characters, I had her pegged as a Hillary Clinton expy and was expecting her to become a punching bag for political talking points, which is popular in this genre and gave me pause. Thankfully, Bentley is a more adept author in handling politics, much like Flynn (and unlike too many modern action thriller novelists), and the politics are presented as political intrigue and not a manifesto in disguise. The main political villain has noble motivations that lead him to less than noble actions, and it's handled in such a fashion where you feel both sympathy and rage reading about that character.
Each page was better than the last, and this is Bentley's debut novel. He's only going to get better as time goes on, and I'm looking forward to the sequels. Without Sanction is an amazing action thriller and I highly recommend it to fans of the genre.
Now that I've finally completed it, I can say that they were right and I should have bumped the book up to the front of the queue.
Matt Drake is a former Batt Boy and current Defense Clandestine Service case officer who, in the wake of a disastrous attempt to extract a compromised asset in Aleppo, attempted to resign. He is forcibly recalled to active duty when terrorists manage to capture a CIA paramilitary officer and threaten to execute him on Election Day. Despite his trauma and a debilitating physical condition, Drake launches into action, hoping to atone for his previous failures.
This book honestly reminds me of the late Vince Flynn's earlier books, but better. I know it may be blasphemous to say in certain circles, but while Flynn's books were entertaining and definitely earned their place in the annals of action thriller history, a lot of parts didn't age well on the accuracy side of the house.
This is not the case with Bentley. The accuracy, minus a couple of minor hiccups, is on-point (which makes sense, given Bentley's history as an Army aviator and FBI Special Agent). Additionally, the action is crisp and kinetic, and Bentley knows how to end a chapter on a cliff-hanger and keep the reader engaged.
Additionally, what brings the comparison between Bentley and Flynn to mind is the political subplot. When I read the description of one of the characters, I had her pegged as a Hillary Clinton expy and was expecting her to become a punching bag for political talking points, which is popular in this genre and gave me pause. Thankfully, Bentley is a more adept author in handling politics, much like Flynn (and unlike too many modern action thriller novelists), and the politics are presented as political intrigue and not a manifesto in disguise. The main political villain has noble motivations that lead him to less than noble actions, and it's handled in such a fashion where you feel both sympathy and rage reading about that character.
Each page was better than the last, and this is Bentley's debut novel. He's only going to get better as time goes on, and I'm looking forward to the sequels. Without Sanction is an amazing action thriller and I highly recommend it to fans of the genre.
March 18, 2021
There's a new hero in town! Yes he's flawed, he has some issues, but if I were facing a situation where there seemed to be no hope, I'd want him in my corner. Burdened by the grief at the loss of an asset and his family along with the debilitating injuries of his best friend, Matt Drake is like a ship being tossed around the ocean during a hurricane. Plagued by the ghosts of those he couldn't save, he tries to walk away from everyone and everything only to get sucked back in with a phone call from his old boss. Not really wanting to go back but understanding why he needs to, he heads out for one last mission, and boy what a mission. Just when you think he's used everyone of his 9 plus lives, there's another challenge. There are so many twists and turns you just don't see coming. Make sure when you sit to read this book, your calendar is clear, your phone is turned off and there is a do no disturb sign on your door. Once you turn that first page, you won't want to put it down till the book is closed. The book doesn't tie up everything in a neat package but I have to believe those ribbons will be dealt with in a second book (at least I'm praying there's a second book). If you enjoy Brad Thor, Brad Taylor or Lee Childs, this is a must read author!
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