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John Wells #10
The Wolves
The latest thriller from the New York Times–bestselling author of Twelve Days, Alex Berenson.
John Wells has just barely managed to stop an operation designed to drive the United States and Iran into war, but the instigator himself disappeared behind an impenetrable war of security. Now it’s time for him to pay, and Wells has made it his personal mission. There are plenty of crosscurrents at work, though. The White House doesn’t want anybody stirring the pot; his old CIA bosses have their own agendas; other countries are starting to sniff around, sensing something unusual. It is when Russia and China enter the mix, however, that the whole affair is set to combust. With alarming speed, Wells is once again on his own . . . and the wolves are closing in.
John Wells has just barely managed to stop an operation designed to drive the United States and Iran into war, but the instigator himself disappeared behind an impenetrable war of security. Now it’s time for him to pay, and Wells has made it his personal mission. There are plenty of crosscurrents at work, though. The White House doesn’t want anybody stirring the pot; his old CIA bosses have their own agendas; other countries are starting to sniff around, sensing something unusual. It is when Russia and China enter the mix, however, that the whole affair is set to combust. With alarming speed, Wells is once again on his own . . . and the wolves are closing in.
397 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 9, 2016
614 people are currently reading
1755 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 275 reviews
April 2, 2016
One of the best yet from Alex Berenson. He cuts no corners in this high-action thriller involving everyone from the US president to China and Russia. Perfect for readers who like books by Vince Flynn, etc. who are not already acquainted with Berenson.
December 27, 2015
I haven't read all of the John Wells books but of the several I have read, this one was my least favorite. The storyline follows directly from [[ASIN:0399159746 Twelve Days (A John Wells Novel)]] so you probably should read that book first to understand the context of how the characters relate to each other.
This book is almost the complete opposite of Twelve Days in tone and pace. The pace in Twelve Days was frantic with Wells going from country to country -- Europe, Russian, Middle East, Africa -- to try to keep the United States from being tricked into entering a war. And it was heavy on the violence as well. This book starts when events have had a little time to calm down and because there is not a deadline, the action moves more slowly from place to place and even within a set location. However, instead of being about saving the United States, the story in this book is all about revenge. I didn't like that part of the book -- it made the character of John Wells even darker than he has been throughout the series.
If you like this series and this character, you most likely will enjoy this book as well. I didn't care for the particular focus of this book, but it was still a fairly entertaining read.
This book is almost the complete opposite of Twelve Days in tone and pace. The pace in Twelve Days was frantic with Wells going from country to country -- Europe, Russian, Middle East, Africa -- to try to keep the United States from being tricked into entering a war. And it was heavy on the violence as well. This book starts when events have had a little time to calm down and because there is not a deadline, the action moves more slowly from place to place and even within a set location. However, instead of being about saving the United States, the story in this book is all about revenge. I didn't like that part of the book -- it made the character of John Wells even darker than he has been throughout the series.
If you like this series and this character, you most likely will enjoy this book as well. I didn't care for the particular focus of this book, but it was still a fairly entertaining read.
January 5, 2016
Alex Berenson's "The Wolves" (Putman and Sons 2016) is IMO the best yet in the John Wells' series. It's fast moving, clever, with a bias for meaningful action driven by John Wells. This story is the sequel to the unfinished trauma/drama started in 'Twelve Days' where Wells barely stops a world war, but doesn't capture the man responsible. Any John Wells fan knew he wouldn't be satisfied with averting global disaster if the perpetrator remained free. Wells strikes a deal with America's President to stand back, let America find and capture the man. He uses the time to restore his inner spirituality, especially his Muslim religion, and rebuild his relationship with his high school-age son. But when Wells decides time's up, the action never stops.
I like that Berenson takes considerable time to share the positive side of the story's antagonist--Duberman. Thanks to several scenes about his background, he comes across as anyone who has made bad choices but not because they're bad people. I actually started to like him--respect him--considering him misguided rather than misanthropic.
Until I didn't.
The fundamental difference between this series and any number of other flawed-but-superhuman characters is that John Wells is devoutly Muslim. I don't know any fictional government agents who are Muslim. Like L. J. Sellers' sociopathic FBI agent Andra Bailey, Wells stands alone. Through him, I see the peace and serenity he draws from this much-maligned religion.
Overall, this is a thinking read with lots more to it than killing the enemy. For John Wells, his brain is as big a weapon as his multitude of guns. By the way, if you're considering buying this, read "12 Days" first.
I like that Berenson takes considerable time to share the positive side of the story's antagonist--Duberman. Thanks to several scenes about his background, he comes across as anyone who has made bad choices but not because they're bad people. I actually started to like him--respect him--considering him misguided rather than misanthropic.
Until I didn't.
The fundamental difference between this series and any number of other flawed-but-superhuman characters is that John Wells is devoutly Muslim. I don't know any fictional government agents who are Muslim. Like L. J. Sellers' sociopathic FBI agent Andra Bailey, Wells stands alone. Through him, I see the peace and serenity he draws from this much-maligned religion.
Overall, this is a thinking read with lots more to it than killing the enemy. For John Wells, his brain is as big a weapon as his multitude of guns. By the way, if you're considering buying this, read "12 Days" first.
March 24, 2016
A continuation of 12 Days and I should have read my own review on that book before checking this one out from the library. While I have read 12 Days, it was over a year ago and the plot was not interesting enough for me to remember.
If a reader has not read 12 Days, they are going to be a little bit lost with the story line and the characters.
If a reader has not read 12 Days, they are going to be a little bit lost with the story line and the characters.
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May 28, 2016Alex Berenson's THE WOLVES is his tenth book in the John Wells series and it is very much a continuation of the previous book, Twelve Days. It is one of my favorite books in this series.
The books in this series that I didn't care for as much were ones were John Wells had almost superhuman qualities, but he again has some weakness to go along with his considerable strengths, In this book he is again dealing with a billionaire who had tried to lead the United States into a war with Iran. (Put simply, Wells and the billionaire want to kill each other.) The action takes place mainly in Hong Kong and Macau. There are many twists in this book and interesting interplay between the U.S. military, the CIA, NSA, the White House, and a particular U.S. Senator who had been the Director of the CIA.
I really enjoyed the interactions between Wells and the CIA Chief of Station in Hong Kong. The latter is a minor character with some real attitude.
You don't need to start with the first Johns Wells book, but I definitely would read the previous book (TWELVE DAYS ) before I read this one. And to be honest, I'm not sure that Berenson has ever been better than in the first John Wells book, The Faithful Spy. So if you think you want to get into this series, I do recommend starting with that first book.
The books in this series that I didn't care for as much were ones were John Wells had almost superhuman qualities, but he again has some weakness to go along with his considerable strengths, In this book he is again dealing with a billionaire who had tried to lead the United States into a war with Iran. (Put simply, Wells and the billionaire want to kill each other.) The action takes place mainly in Hong Kong and Macau. There are many twists in this book and interesting interplay between the U.S. military, the CIA, NSA, the White House, and a particular U.S. Senator who had been the Director of the CIA.
I really enjoyed the interactions between Wells and the CIA Chief of Station in Hong Kong. The latter is a minor character with some real attitude.
You don't need to start with the first Johns Wells book, but I definitely would read the previous book (TWELVE DAYS ) before I read this one. And to be honest, I'm not sure that Berenson has ever been better than in the first John Wells book, The Faithful Spy. So if you think you want to get into this series, I do recommend starting with that first book.
December 24, 2015
This is Alex Berenson's 10th novel featuring John Wells. His novel, "The Faithful Spy: won the Edgar Award in 2007 for the best first novel.
"The Wolves" follows the action in "Twelve Days," where billionaire Aaron Duterman tried to get the U.S. and Israel to invade Iran. Needless to say, this would be a moneymaker for Duterman. In that novel, Wells works with Vinny Duto and Ellis Shaffer.
In "The Wolves" Wells is again helped by Shafer who is now the CIA director. Duterman is now in Hong Kong and still wants revenge against Wells.
Wells decides to go after Duterman.
Prior to his trip to Hong Kong, Wells visits with his son, Evan and they talk about Evan going into the Company when he finishes college. It seems like Wells wants to tie up loose ends before changing careers to something less threatening.
Alex Berenson is a skilled story-teller. He creates realistic scenarios and his stories are suspenseful and compelling.
I'm anxious to see what John Wells does in his next adventure.
"The Wolves" follows the action in "Twelve Days," where billionaire Aaron Duterman tried to get the U.S. and Israel to invade Iran. Needless to say, this would be a moneymaker for Duterman. In that novel, Wells works with Vinny Duto and Ellis Shaffer.
In "The Wolves" Wells is again helped by Shafer who is now the CIA director. Duterman is now in Hong Kong and still wants revenge against Wells.
Wells decides to go after Duterman.
Prior to his trip to Hong Kong, Wells visits with his son, Evan and they talk about Evan going into the Company when he finishes college. It seems like Wells wants to tie up loose ends before changing careers to something less threatening.
Alex Berenson is a skilled story-teller. He creates realistic scenarios and his stories are suspenseful and compelling.
I'm anxious to see what John Wells does in his next adventure.
January 8, 2019
This is the 10th book in the John Wells series. This is one of the few series books that I have read from the beginning and in order. The Wolves is the third part of a continuing story that starts with book 8 The Counterfeit Agent followed by Twelve Days. While it is possible to read each book independently, I recommend that you start with book 8 The Counterfeit Agent. These books are fast paced and easy reading, with good story content.
March 1, 2023
Pulse pounding, non stop action and suspense. These are all characteristics commonly shared by the John Wells series. In this installment, we learn of a multibillion dollar honey trap being arranged by our good friends the FSB. They ensnare a wealthy casino owner in their plot, and use him and his businesses to infiltrate the highest levels of the Chinese military. If you haven't read Berenson, you really are missing out on one of our best thriller writers. Give John Wells a chance!!!
February 26, 2016
Following The Counterfeit Agent and Twelve Days, this is the third book in a series focused on billionaire Aaron Duberman. Duberman, who is Jewish but an American citizen, tried to use stolen nuclear materials to start a war between Iran and America in order to protect Israel. Here, John Wells decides to seek vengeance himself when the U.S. President refuses to act. Wells manages to get Duberman and his family kicked out of Israel, and they flee to Hong Kong, where they seek asylum from other superpower nations. Despite Herculean efforts to thwart Wells on many fronts, he manages to find a sufficient number of allies to pursue his dogged mission. One of the unique aspects about Wells is his Muslim faith, although I found it strangely dormant in this novel.
February 24, 2016
Agent John Wells seeks justice against a billionaire donor who tried to get the President lured into a war with Iran. Even though fairly straightforward...and you can easily see the end coming...it's still a quick and entertaining read. I've never read other Alex Berenson stories, but if this one is any indication I'll have to start.
May 21, 2018
A rare John Wells series novel from Berenson that was below expectations. A little too far fetched on the plot, dialogue not quite up to snuff, some unrealistic action sequences. Wells ends up mostly in one piece and there’s a giant tease at the end, so let’s hope the next installment will be a reset.
November 15, 2017
Another satisfying, well-written entry. Regardless of what you think of the plots, Berenson’s books are always written with quality, unlike many other thriller writers.
The plot starts off rather low-key, with merely personal stakes, but things quickly escalate. Wells is a conflicted character, and Berenson always knows how to write him as such. The plot is a bit grittier and Wells a bit more cynical than usual, but it might not grab everybody. Wells relies on more on wits than muscle, and his earlier sharpness and physical strength seems to decline a bit; Berenson also shows the effect of his failed relationships at home, and his judgment can seem off at times.
The plot is intricate but seemed a bit brief, though, and it seemed like Berenson rehashed too much of the previous books in an effort to get the reader up to speed. The pace is slower than usual. Also, Berenson’s recounting of the billionaire’s backstory, success etc. is a bit repetitive.
The plot starts off rather low-key, with merely personal stakes, but things quickly escalate. Wells is a conflicted character, and Berenson always knows how to write him as such. The plot is a bit grittier and Wells a bit more cynical than usual, but it might not grab everybody. Wells relies on more on wits than muscle, and his earlier sharpness and physical strength seems to decline a bit; Berenson also shows the effect of his failed relationships at home, and his judgment can seem off at times.
The plot is intricate but seemed a bit brief, though, and it seemed like Berenson rehashed too much of the previous books in an effort to get the reader up to speed. The pace is slower than usual. Also, Berenson’s recounting of the billionaire’s backstory, success etc. is a bit repetitive.
December 15, 2020
The plot to get the US to invade Iran may have been stopped in the nick of time thanks to the efforts of Wells, Shafer and Duto, but the man behind it, billionaire Aaron Duberman, is still sitting pretty with his security arrangements and mountains of cash. The White House, still dealing with the fallout from the war that wasn't, doesn't want to stir up more trouble and is ostensibly biding its time, but Wells is out of patience. He has no intention of letting Duberman get away and sets off to take him out himself.
This book concludes the story arc that started with The Counterfeit Agent and was IMO the best out of these three books. I'm glad to be moving on to a new plot now though - this one's taken long enough to finally reach the finish line.
This book concludes the story arc that started with The Counterfeit Agent and was IMO the best out of these three books. I'm glad to be moving on to a new plot now though - this one's taken long enough to finally reach the finish line.
March 14, 2017
This is a John Wells thriller. John was a deep cover plant in al Qaeda for the CIA, spending ten years of his life under cover in Afghanistan. After returning to America, he was forced to prove his allegiance to the United States; many felt his conversion to Islam meant he had also converted to the side of the terrorists. John had no contact with his ex-wife or his son, and now he is playing it close to the vest, taking whatever little piece of his son’s life allowed him.
He is no longer a CIA operative; he is now a consultant, although not in the typical terms most would associate with the term. It was how John became a consultant that is most interesting. John and CIA operative Shaffer became entangled in a web of deceit when the president’s largest donor set things up so that America would go to war with Iran. When the plan was foiled, the multi-billionaire fled to his mansion in Hong Kong and John offered the president a means to escape bad publicity; take care of the donor and pay John a large amount of money, half going to an animal shelter, the remaining half funding John’s new consulting business.
When the president reneges on his word to take care of the donor, John steps up to the task; but, can the president control John and still keep his position as one of the most powerful men on earth?
He is no longer a CIA operative; he is now a consultant, although not in the typical terms most would associate with the term. It was how John became a consultant that is most interesting. John and CIA operative Shaffer became entangled in a web of deceit when the president’s largest donor set things up so that America would go to war with Iran. When the plan was foiled, the multi-billionaire fled to his mansion in Hong Kong and John offered the president a means to escape bad publicity; take care of the donor and pay John a large amount of money, half going to an animal shelter, the remaining half funding John’s new consulting business.
When the president reneges on his word to take care of the donor, John steps up to the task; but, can the president control John and still keep his position as one of the most powerful men on earth?
August 16, 2016
This book felt like a step back in the right direction. I don’t want to say that Alex Berenson’s books are hit and miss for me, because they’re all good, but rather they seem to range from just good to amazing. I thought the last couple of books were closer to the “just good” end of the scale so it is good to see that Berenson has bounced back with what I feel is one of his better books.
The Wolves is Alex Berenson’s tenth spy novel featuring John Wells. The book picks up right where the previous novel Twelve Days left off, with Wells taking time off to heal up his injuries before going to seek revenge on the man who almost tricked the United States into starting a war with Iran, billionaire Aaron Duberman.
While The Wolves does directly follow on from Twelve Days, it has a totally different feel. Where Twelve Days had a frenetic pace and action galore, The Wolves is much slower and I feel it is much more about the characters. Don’t get me wrong, there’s still action like all the other books in the series, but it’s not as flat-out as the last couple.
The book is also a bit of a departure from the theme of Berenson’s previous books, and most books in the spy thriller genre, in that there is no real impending terrorist threat in the book. Rather The Wolves is more of a book about revenge and the consequences that peoples’ actions can have. That’s not a theme that I had really ever seen fleshed out in a spy thriller, so it was interesting to see a whole book focus on an aspect that usually takes up the last chapter or two in other books.
This book shows that Alex Berenson has a strong grasp of characters. While Wells has always been interesting due to the fact that he mainly hunts Muslim terrorists, despite being a Muslim himself, The Wolves really shows Berenson’s ability to humanise the bad guys and make you not hate them as much as you probably should. On top of that, Ellis Shafer is probably my favourite secondary character in any book series. He’s just a cynical old man who has no respect for authority and pretty much everything that comes out of his mouth is gold.
While I have pointed out the many differences between this book and Berenson’s others, there is still a lot the same. There’s still the action, albeit not as much of it, and Berenson still has that same writing style that makes you think more than the average spy thriller does. All in all, The Wolves has got me excited for John Wells again and I can’t wait to see what Berenson does next time.
Is it worth a read? If you’re looking for a spy thriller that is a little bit different from the usual story featuring a superspy saving the world from an impending terror threat, then this book is definitely worth a read. The Wolves focuses more on consequences than actions and is a different take on the spy thriller. While it can be read alone, it will be probably be more enjoyable if you follow the whole story which starts in The Counterfeit Agent, continues in Twelve Days and ends in The Wolves.
This review was originally published at Worth a Read.
The Wolves is Alex Berenson’s tenth spy novel featuring John Wells. The book picks up right where the previous novel Twelve Days left off, with Wells taking time off to heal up his injuries before going to seek revenge on the man who almost tricked the United States into starting a war with Iran, billionaire Aaron Duberman.
While The Wolves does directly follow on from Twelve Days, it has a totally different feel. Where Twelve Days had a frenetic pace and action galore, The Wolves is much slower and I feel it is much more about the characters. Don’t get me wrong, there’s still action like all the other books in the series, but it’s not as flat-out as the last couple.
The book is also a bit of a departure from the theme of Berenson’s previous books, and most books in the spy thriller genre, in that there is no real impending terrorist threat in the book. Rather The Wolves is more of a book about revenge and the consequences that peoples’ actions can have. That’s not a theme that I had really ever seen fleshed out in a spy thriller, so it was interesting to see a whole book focus on an aspect that usually takes up the last chapter or two in other books.
This book shows that Alex Berenson has a strong grasp of characters. While Wells has always been interesting due to the fact that he mainly hunts Muslim terrorists, despite being a Muslim himself, The Wolves really shows Berenson’s ability to humanise the bad guys and make you not hate them as much as you probably should. On top of that, Ellis Shafer is probably my favourite secondary character in any book series. He’s just a cynical old man who has no respect for authority and pretty much everything that comes out of his mouth is gold.
While I have pointed out the many differences between this book and Berenson’s others, there is still a lot the same. There’s still the action, albeit not as much of it, and Berenson still has that same writing style that makes you think more than the average spy thriller does. All in all, The Wolves has got me excited for John Wells again and I can’t wait to see what Berenson does next time.
Is it worth a read? If you’re looking for a spy thriller that is a little bit different from the usual story featuring a superspy saving the world from an impending terror threat, then this book is definitely worth a read. The Wolves focuses more on consequences than actions and is a different take on the spy thriller. While it can be read alone, it will be probably be more enjoyable if you follow the whole story which starts in The Counterfeit Agent, continues in Twelve Days and ends in The Wolves.
This review was originally published at Worth a Read.
February 13, 2016
I really like the fact Alex Berenson writes literary thrillers. In my opinion, Daniel Silva and Berenson are the best in this genre.
The quality of the writing isn’t the only thing that sets apart the John Wells series from others such as Mitch Rapp and Scot Harvath—Berenson has gotten away from using the “doomsday scenario” involving WMDs and Muslim terrorists in every novel, and instead his plots are intelligent and far more subtle.
In The Wolves, it begins as a simple quest for vengeance. It follows The Counterfeit Agent and Twelve Days as the third book in a series arc centered on billionaire Aaron Duberman. The brief summary: Duberman, who is Jewish but an American citizen, tried to use stolen nuclear materials to start a war between Iran and America. His motivation was to protect Israel from a nuclear Iran.
The Wolves begins after Wells, with help from Ellis Shafer (CIA) and Vinny Duto (former CIA, now a senator), foil the plot. But now the president—who had been sucked in by Duberman’s subterfuge—is protecting himself by hiding the truth from the public, and as a result Duberman gets to skate unpunished for his actions.
Wells decides to go after Duberman on his own. The plot, however, quickly escalates as it morphs into something far more sinister than simple vengeance—and Wells becomes ensnared in a game of cat-and-mouse with politicians and spies from China, Russia and the U.S. … and it all unfolds on the streets of Hong Kong.
Berenson offers a portrait of a warrior who is tired of doing “the right thing” only to come home to politicians bent only on staying in power. Wells is a conflicted protagonist, with emotions and actions and dialogue that are brilliantly written—and the result is an incredibly satisfying novel.
I have just one complaint about this book—someone on the editing team at Putnam really messed up on the Kindle edition (and probably in the print as well, though I haven’t seen it). I found at least seven or eight glaring typos / editing mistakes—and it’s not like I was even looking for them. In one instance, the wrong name was attributed to dialogue. In another, extra quotation marks were randomly included in the middle of a sentence. There were several others, and while I don’t normally get hung up on such things, it’s not like this is an Indie publisher or amateur author.
This is an imprint of Random House.
I’m sure they’ll fix the Kindle edition fast and upload a new version to Amazon, but as someone who really loves this series, the fact the mistakes even exist in the first place is incredibly annoying—because for whatever reason Alex Berenson’s books have never reached the same level of success as some of his contemporaries in the same genre. Maybe I’m reading too much into things, but if Putnam were really betting on Berenson and this series, then wouldn’t they put a better team of editors etc. on this book? Anyway, that’s my two cents.
As for the book, it’s a must-read. Long-time fans should love it, and the backstory is told sufficiently well that if you haven’t read the previous books you should still enjoy this one.
5/5 stars.
The quality of the writing isn’t the only thing that sets apart the John Wells series from others such as Mitch Rapp and Scot Harvath—Berenson has gotten away from using the “doomsday scenario” involving WMDs and Muslim terrorists in every novel, and instead his plots are intelligent and far more subtle.
In The Wolves, it begins as a simple quest for vengeance. It follows The Counterfeit Agent and Twelve Days as the third book in a series arc centered on billionaire Aaron Duberman. The brief summary: Duberman, who is Jewish but an American citizen, tried to use stolen nuclear materials to start a war between Iran and America. His motivation was to protect Israel from a nuclear Iran.
The Wolves begins after Wells, with help from Ellis Shafer (CIA) and Vinny Duto (former CIA, now a senator), foil the plot. But now the president—who had been sucked in by Duberman’s subterfuge—is protecting himself by hiding the truth from the public, and as a result Duberman gets to skate unpunished for his actions.
Wells decides to go after Duberman on his own. The plot, however, quickly escalates as it morphs into something far more sinister than simple vengeance—and Wells becomes ensnared in a game of cat-and-mouse with politicians and spies from China, Russia and the U.S. … and it all unfolds on the streets of Hong Kong.
Berenson offers a portrait of a warrior who is tired of doing “the right thing” only to come home to politicians bent only on staying in power. Wells is a conflicted protagonist, with emotions and actions and dialogue that are brilliantly written—and the result is an incredibly satisfying novel.
I have just one complaint about this book—someone on the editing team at Putnam really messed up on the Kindle edition (and probably in the print as well, though I haven’t seen it). I found at least seven or eight glaring typos / editing mistakes—and it’s not like I was even looking for them. In one instance, the wrong name was attributed to dialogue. In another, extra quotation marks were randomly included in the middle of a sentence. There were several others, and while I don’t normally get hung up on such things, it’s not like this is an Indie publisher or amateur author.
This is an imprint of Random House.
I’m sure they’ll fix the Kindle edition fast and upload a new version to Amazon, but as someone who really loves this series, the fact the mistakes even exist in the first place is incredibly annoying—because for whatever reason Alex Berenson’s books have never reached the same level of success as some of his contemporaries in the same genre. Maybe I’m reading too much into things, but if Putnam were really betting on Berenson and this series, then wouldn’t they put a better team of editors etc. on this book? Anyway, that’s my two cents.
As for the book, it’s a must-read. Long-time fans should love it, and the backstory is told sufficiently well that if you haven’t read the previous books you should still enjoy this one.
5/5 stars.
February 12, 2016
Edgar Award winner Berenson continues to enthrall with the 10th in his series featuring former CIA man John Wells, an indomitable hero with a penchant for near fatal experiences. The Wolves brings to close threats begun in former books, but not to worry if you’re a first time Berenson reader/listener he’ll hook you from the first page.
Multibillionaire Aaron Duberman once tried to trick the U.S, into war with Iran in order to help Israel. Not a good plan as Wells stopped it, but now with the approval of the president Wells is asked to kill Duberman. No dummy and certainly not wishing to be a dead one Duberman is well protected as he hides out in his mansion at the top of Hong Kong’s Victoria Peak. Going undercover Wells probes for weeks yet is unsuccessful in finding a chink in Duberman’s security.
However, Duberman is beginning to feel antsy in his Hong Kong hideaway. He’s being kicked out of Israel so hopes to find a safety net in Russia. Well, Duberman made his share of enemies while he was piling up his $30 billion fortune, and both the Russians and the Chinese find his predicament to their liking.
Another reason for Wells to stay undercover is arms dealer Mikhail Buvchenko who hates Wells and wants to kill him. Mix in Chinese General Cheung Han whose aim is to make the Chinese air force the strongest in the world. He’s a merciless pedophile who will stop at nothing.
While Wells has never feared taking risks, how many can a man take? As read by George Guidall The Wolves is one of the most exciting international thrillers to be found today.
August 17, 2016
This book keeps returning to the timely and important theme of not letting big shots get away with their misdeeds. The spy novel is a perfect vehicle for this issue because you typically have all these foot soldiers getting killed while the arch villains fly away to their private islands. But John Wells is sick and tired of it, and by golly if you're a bad guy, whether you're a billionaire or the President, watch out!
The narration is excellent as usual.
The narration is excellent as usual.
February 11, 2016
Thanks to Alex Berenson for another captivating John Wells novel. I love the character development and the technical details he includes, this time around it was the info on the fake fingerprints that I found enthralling. I can't wait for the next installment.
December 18, 2015
For fans of the John Wells series. This may be the best one yet. Berenson's writing is extra-good in this one. He seems recharged.
How did Sheldon Adelson not get this enjoined???
How did Sheldon Adelson not get this enjoined???
April 30, 2016
Great start to end. Don't know why I'm into the Chinese theme.
January 23, 2025
4 solid stars, good read, page turner.
February 7, 2016
John Wells saves the day once again!!!
November 12, 2017
READER'S SUBJECTIVE REVIEW WITH PLOT SPOILERS FOLLOWS:
I like Alex Berenson's John Wells' series, but admit that I badly missed Aaron Duberman, Part I, no doubt portrayed in 'Twelve Days,' including Duberman's barely failed attempt to have the US declare war on Iran. Now the good news is that Duberman's married to the newest incarnation of Bar Refaeli, Orli Akilov, he died in 'The Wolves,' and there's an electric current between her and Wells, who rescued her from being raped and killed by the Russian FSB. So needless to say, my next read is 'The Prisoner,' in which I hope Wells gives us the Vince Flynn equivalent of Mitch Rapp and Claudia Gould. Right, ready-made family, scorching hot exotic woman with thick skin, and she's willing to put up with the fact that Wells is commitment-phobic.
As for my rating, it was probably a 4.5, but there's not a slot for that vote. Like most 5 star books I've read, I looked forward to that magic 'reading time' between 0200-0400 each morning, after working on my own novels. I even subconsciously slowed down my 'nightly gain' as I neared the end. 'The Wolves' is a really great read, but I missed out by not having read the prequel to it, but Berenson kept the action moving really well. In my own writing, I always ally Will Kavanagh with the 'enemy of my enemy', but Wells had to go it alone almost in his pursuit of--read termination of--Aaron Duberman, gaming billionaire. To further weaken the credibility, Berenson didn't even link Wells up with the Tongs, even though the entire book takes place between Hong Kong and Macau. To me, that doesn't make a lot of sense if you're all but a lone wolf prowler, er, assassin. I can't be sure he didn't burn that bridge during some earlier escapade, but if he did, he sure as shit wouldn't be going back to Hong Kong and Macau inviting reciprocity in their home town!
Get this book and read it, that is if you like action-packed, ass-kicking adventure thrillers. I'll make this easy on ya; if you like Mitch Rapp, you're gonna like Alex Berenson as well. Happy hunting!
I like Alex Berenson's John Wells' series, but admit that I badly missed Aaron Duberman, Part I, no doubt portrayed in 'Twelve Days,' including Duberman's barely failed attempt to have the US declare war on Iran. Now the good news is that Duberman's married to the newest incarnation of Bar Refaeli, Orli Akilov, he died in 'The Wolves,' and there's an electric current between her and Wells, who rescued her from being raped and killed by the Russian FSB. So needless to say, my next read is 'The Prisoner,' in which I hope Wells gives us the Vince Flynn equivalent of Mitch Rapp and Claudia Gould. Right, ready-made family, scorching hot exotic woman with thick skin, and she's willing to put up with the fact that Wells is commitment-phobic.
As for my rating, it was probably a 4.5, but there's not a slot for that vote. Like most 5 star books I've read, I looked forward to that magic 'reading time' between 0200-0400 each morning, after working on my own novels. I even subconsciously slowed down my 'nightly gain' as I neared the end. 'The Wolves' is a really great read, but I missed out by not having read the prequel to it, but Berenson kept the action moving really well. In my own writing, I always ally Will Kavanagh with the 'enemy of my enemy', but Wells had to go it alone almost in his pursuit of--read termination of--Aaron Duberman, gaming billionaire. To further weaken the credibility, Berenson didn't even link Wells up with the Tongs, even though the entire book takes place between Hong Kong and Macau. To me, that doesn't make a lot of sense if you're all but a lone wolf prowler, er, assassin. I can't be sure he didn't burn that bridge during some earlier escapade, but if he did, he sure as shit wouldn't be going back to Hong Kong and Macau inviting reciprocity in their home town!
Get this book and read it, that is if you like action-packed, ass-kicking adventure thrillers. I'll make this easy on ya; if you like Mitch Rapp, you're gonna like Alex Berenson as well. Happy hunting!
May 15, 2019
This was the third in a "trilogy" that started with The Counterfeit Agent, and this one was probably the most concise in terms of plot line, characters, and destinations where Wells, Shafer and Duto travel. With that being said, the end to this one seemed very anti-climatic considering the ending to the previous two. It almost seems like Mr. Berenson wanted to finish this story with a full novel rather then maybe make Twelve Days a little longer. There is really no character development or new people who are added to the cast of characters, although there is some foreshadowing in regards to Duto becoming president. Maybe The Prisoner is better than this one.
February 11, 2018
It was nice to go on an adventure with John Wells. I thought it was the 2nd best novel in the series with the first one being the best. I thought the story had a good pace to it and the story was tight and he did not have to a be a super man in it. I thought the novel was set in a very good location and made the story hum. I also thought it had a very good ending to it. I will go on the next adventure with John and I say go ahead and give this novel a spin.
March 10, 2024
Good international (US, Israel, China, Russia) spy novel. Lots of action that kept you guessing how John Wells was going to accomplish his goal.
April 1, 2016
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John Wells, bestselling author Alex Berenson’s fantastic protagonist, returns to star in his tenth novel to date. The Wolves, a direct sequel to Twelve Days, is an impressive thriller that grabs the reader’s attention and doesn’t let go.
While I definitely recommend reading Twelve Days first, it’s not completely necessary to understanding the plot in this book. Berenson writes enough back story to fill the reader in on past events, sort of like an intro to a mid-season episode of 24. Just, ya know, without Kiefer Sutherland’s voice saying “previously on …”
Even if this is your first John Wells novel, you’ll be okay. They are all fantastic reads, but The Wolves is easily one of the top three best books in the series.
THE STORY
The Wolves picks up about a day from where the last book ended, opening with ex-CIA operative John Wells patiently waiting in a Virginia hospital emergency room to have his broken foot, an injury he sustained during the events of Twelve Days, fixed.
While sitting in the waiting room, Wells’ phone vibrates, alerting him to a call. He’s less than thrilled to learn the president wants to have a meeting with him, especially considering that Ellis Shafer, Wells’ close friend and director of the CIA, is still sitting in a jail cell for his actions – the very actions that helped stop a world war just twenty-four hours ago.
The problem is that while Wells was able to stop a sinister plot to trigger a world war, the perpetrator was never captured. The president wants John to let the authorities bring the bad guy, billionaire Aaron Duberman, down “the right way.” Which means through the authorities and justice system, and not with a bullet to the head.
Of course, there’s more to it than just that. The president himself has egg on his face due to his relationship with Duberman, and he had essentially just lied to the American people about several previous events. None of that sat well with John Wells, but the two did eventually hammer out an agreement, and Shafer was released from jail.
The deal is pretty simple. Wells and Shafer can expose the president at any time, should they choose to do so. In exchange for a small list of demands, they agreed to stay out of the way, let the authorities do their job, and relax.
Wells takes the downtime to let his foot heal up, reconnect with his son, and strengthen his faith. Unlike any other leading protagonists in the genre, John Wells is a devout and practicing Muslim. That, more than anything, makes the character unique and different from other leading men like Mitch Rapp, Scot Harvath, Gabriel Allon and Alex Hawke.
Duberman, meanwhile, who tried to trick America into going to war with Iran before Wells ruined his plan, has decided that he’s not safe with John alive. He wants Wells dead, and the sooner the better. Wells, for his part, eventually decides that the president has had enough time to make good on their agreement. With his energy refocused, Wells sets his sights on Duberman.
In the ultimate game of “last man standing,” John Wells goes after Dubeman – laying it all on the line. Who will come out of this battle alive?
Thrown in on top of that are the Russians, the Chinese, a backstory centered on the casino industry, and plenty of political elements – which will absolutely make readers think about who backs, or buys, political candidates. The Wolves is a page-turning thriller that is a ton of fun to read.
WHY I LOVED IT
I enjoy Berneson’s writing. He’s a truly phenomenal talent, and does so many things well that other authors can’t seem to figure out. For example, Vince Flynn became known for his easy-to-hate bad guys. Bernson, on the other hand, humanizes his villains to the point where they are borderline likable. This makes the reader have to think about their own actions a bit more, as the antagonists often seem like decent people who just get caught up doing bad things.
I also enjoy John Well’s sarcastic attitude and nonchalant demeanor. Well, nonchalant until he’s pissed off, then he’s one of the last guys on the planet you’d want to lock horns with!
WHY YOU SHOULD READ IT
Where Twelve Hours was all about John Wells racing against the clock, The Wolves is a story about revenge, which I usually find to be a great emotion to build the plot of a thriller novel around.
Berenson is one of the genre’s best authors, and John Wells is one of the few must-read leading men in an action franchise. Picking up a copy of The Wolves should be a no-brainer, I simply couldn’t put this book down. It’s the perfect follow-up to Twelve Days, and I can’t wait to see what Alex Berenson has up his sleeve next!
John Wells, bestselling author Alex Berenson’s fantastic protagonist, returns to star in his tenth novel to date. The Wolves, a direct sequel to Twelve Days, is an impressive thriller that grabs the reader’s attention and doesn’t let go.
While I definitely recommend reading Twelve Days first, it’s not completely necessary to understanding the plot in this book. Berenson writes enough back story to fill the reader in on past events, sort of like an intro to a mid-season episode of 24. Just, ya know, without Kiefer Sutherland’s voice saying “previously on …”
Even if this is your first John Wells novel, you’ll be okay. They are all fantastic reads, but The Wolves is easily one of the top three best books in the series.
THE STORY
The Wolves picks up about a day from where the last book ended, opening with ex-CIA operative John Wells patiently waiting in a Virginia hospital emergency room to have his broken foot, an injury he sustained during the events of Twelve Days, fixed.
While sitting in the waiting room, Wells’ phone vibrates, alerting him to a call. He’s less than thrilled to learn the president wants to have a meeting with him, especially considering that Ellis Shafer, Wells’ close friend and director of the CIA, is still sitting in a jail cell for his actions – the very actions that helped stop a world war just twenty-four hours ago.
The problem is that while Wells was able to stop a sinister plot to trigger a world war, the perpetrator was never captured. The president wants John to let the authorities bring the bad guy, billionaire Aaron Duberman, down “the right way.” Which means through the authorities and justice system, and not with a bullet to the head.
Of course, there’s more to it than just that. The president himself has egg on his face due to his relationship with Duberman, and he had essentially just lied to the American people about several previous events. None of that sat well with John Wells, but the two did eventually hammer out an agreement, and Shafer was released from jail.
The deal is pretty simple. Wells and Shafer can expose the president at any time, should they choose to do so. In exchange for a small list of demands, they agreed to stay out of the way, let the authorities do their job, and relax.
Wells takes the downtime to let his foot heal up, reconnect with his son, and strengthen his faith. Unlike any other leading protagonists in the genre, John Wells is a devout and practicing Muslim. That, more than anything, makes the character unique and different from other leading men like Mitch Rapp, Scot Harvath, Gabriel Allon and Alex Hawke.
Duberman, meanwhile, who tried to trick America into going to war with Iran before Wells ruined his plan, has decided that he’s not safe with John alive. He wants Wells dead, and the sooner the better. Wells, for his part, eventually decides that the president has had enough time to make good on their agreement. With his energy refocused, Wells sets his sights on Duberman.
In the ultimate game of “last man standing,” John Wells goes after Dubeman – laying it all on the line. Who will come out of this battle alive?
Thrown in on top of that are the Russians, the Chinese, a backstory centered on the casino industry, and plenty of political elements – which will absolutely make readers think about who backs, or buys, political candidates. The Wolves is a page-turning thriller that is a ton of fun to read.
WHY I LOVED IT
I enjoy Berneson’s writing. He’s a truly phenomenal talent, and does so many things well that other authors can’t seem to figure out. For example, Vince Flynn became known for his easy-to-hate bad guys. Bernson, on the other hand, humanizes his villains to the point where they are borderline likable. This makes the reader have to think about their own actions a bit more, as the antagonists often seem like decent people who just get caught up doing bad things.
I also enjoy John Well’s sarcastic attitude and nonchalant demeanor. Well, nonchalant until he’s pissed off, then he’s one of the last guys on the planet you’d want to lock horns with!
WHY YOU SHOULD READ IT
Where Twelve Hours was all about John Wells racing against the clock, The Wolves is a story about revenge, which I usually find to be a great emotion to build the plot of a thriller novel around.
Berenson is one of the genre’s best authors, and John Wells is one of the few must-read leading men in an action franchise. Picking up a copy of The Wolves should be a no-brainer, I simply couldn’t put this book down. It’s the perfect follow-up to Twelve Days, and I can’t wait to see what Alex Berenson has up his sleeve next!
April 6, 2017
Now 82 years of age, Sheldon Adelson is the 18th richest person in the world, according to Forbes. His $28 billion fortune was built in the casino business in Las Vegas and Macao. Fanatically pro-Israel, he is best known to political observers in the U.S. as the individual who has given more money to influence an election than anyone else in the country’s history. He has also been accused of collaborating with Chinese mobsters in Macao.
Adelson’s stand-in
In Twelve Days, a novel by Alex Berenson, Adelson’s doppelganger, Aaron Duberman, undertakes an elaborate scheme to trick the United States into invading Iran, in the belief that this will somehow enhance Israel’s security. Berenson’s hero, John Wells, manages to foil the plot at the last minute with the help of his CIA handler, Ellis Shafer, and the former CIA Director and now Senator Vinny Duto. In Berenson’s latest novel, The Wolves, the trio launches a campaign to assassinate Duberman as payback for the lives lost before they managed to halt the plot. Only the President of the U.S. stands in their way. Not so coincidentally, Duberman had contributed $200 million to elect the President, far more than anyone else.
Romping through Hong Kong and Macao
The scene in The Wolves shifts rapidly from Washington, DC, to Hong Kong and Macao. The cast of characters includes not just Duberman, Wells, Shafer, Duto, and the President of the U.S. but also Duberman’s Israeli supermodel wife, his devoted personal guard, a Ukrainian arms dealer, three agents of the FSB, two Hong Kong policemen, a four-star general in the Chinese air force, and the President’s chief of staff. It’s difficult to imagine how any story featuring this star-studded cast in such an exotic setting could be anything but intriguing in the hands of such a skillful writer of espionage fiction as Alex Berenson. Indeed, the novel steadily builds suspense to the end. Still, I was underwhelmed with The Wolves.
So, what’s the matter with this novel?
From the beginning of Berenson’s John Wells series ten books ago, Wells has tackled dramatic challenges with life-or-death consequences for millions of people: foiling an Al Qaeda plot to set off a nuclear bomb in Times Square, helping uncover a mole in the CIA, and identifying the source of outside support for the Taliban. As Berenson noted in an interview with Amazon.com following the publication of his fourth novel, “Over the course of his first three missions—chronicled in The Faithful Spy, The Ghost War, and The Silent Man—he’s been shot. Twice. He’s been beaten nearly to death in a prison in Beijing. He’s fought hand-to-hand against Russian special forces soldiers in a cave in Afghanistan. He’s repelled an assassination attempt in a traffic jam in Washington. And, of course, there was that time he was infected with the plague.” A plot to assassinate an aging billionaire doesn’t stack up to Berenson’s earlier books, no matter how much pain and suffering Wells experiences along the way.
About the author
Alex Berenson is one of the most gifted writers of espionage fiction actively writing today. I was enthralled by every one of the nine preceding novels in the John Wells series. A journalist by training and experience, Berenson reported for the New York Times from 1999 to 2008, when he turned to writing full-time. In addition to the John Wells series, he is the author of three nonfiction books. His work is widely recognized for the depth of his research.
Adelson’s stand-in
In Twelve Days, a novel by Alex Berenson, Adelson’s doppelganger, Aaron Duberman, undertakes an elaborate scheme to trick the United States into invading Iran, in the belief that this will somehow enhance Israel’s security. Berenson’s hero, John Wells, manages to foil the plot at the last minute with the help of his CIA handler, Ellis Shafer, and the former CIA Director and now Senator Vinny Duto. In Berenson’s latest novel, The Wolves, the trio launches a campaign to assassinate Duberman as payback for the lives lost before they managed to halt the plot. Only the President of the U.S. stands in their way. Not so coincidentally, Duberman had contributed $200 million to elect the President, far more than anyone else.
Romping through Hong Kong and Macao
The scene in The Wolves shifts rapidly from Washington, DC, to Hong Kong and Macao. The cast of characters includes not just Duberman, Wells, Shafer, Duto, and the President of the U.S. but also Duberman’s Israeli supermodel wife, his devoted personal guard, a Ukrainian arms dealer, three agents of the FSB, two Hong Kong policemen, a four-star general in the Chinese air force, and the President’s chief of staff. It’s difficult to imagine how any story featuring this star-studded cast in such an exotic setting could be anything but intriguing in the hands of such a skillful writer of espionage fiction as Alex Berenson. Indeed, the novel steadily builds suspense to the end. Still, I was underwhelmed with The Wolves.
So, what’s the matter with this novel?
From the beginning of Berenson’s John Wells series ten books ago, Wells has tackled dramatic challenges with life-or-death consequences for millions of people: foiling an Al Qaeda plot to set off a nuclear bomb in Times Square, helping uncover a mole in the CIA, and identifying the source of outside support for the Taliban. As Berenson noted in an interview with Amazon.com following the publication of his fourth novel, “Over the course of his first three missions—chronicled in The Faithful Spy, The Ghost War, and The Silent Man—he’s been shot. Twice. He’s been beaten nearly to death in a prison in Beijing. He’s fought hand-to-hand against Russian special forces soldiers in a cave in Afghanistan. He’s repelled an assassination attempt in a traffic jam in Washington. And, of course, there was that time he was infected with the plague.” A plot to assassinate an aging billionaire doesn’t stack up to Berenson’s earlier books, no matter how much pain and suffering Wells experiences along the way.
About the author
Alex Berenson is one of the most gifted writers of espionage fiction actively writing today. I was enthralled by every one of the nine preceding novels in the John Wells series. A journalist by training and experience, Berenson reported for the New York Times from 1999 to 2008, when he turned to writing full-time. In addition to the John Wells series, he is the author of three nonfiction books. His work is widely recognized for the depth of his research.
May 7, 2016
The Wolves, John Wells #10, Alex Berenson, narrated by George Guidall
When the novel begins, the reader learns that a planned invasion of Iran by the United States had been thwarted, just in time. The effort to start this war was engineered by an American, Aaron Duberman, who was married to an Israeli supermodel. He was a billionaire who owned many casinos. In order to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, which he considered dangerous to the safety and security of Israel, he devised a plan to trick the United States President into invading Iran. He succeeded in convincing the President that Iran intended to smuggle a nuclear weapon into the country, but Duberman’s deception was discovered and stopped in the 11th hour, by John Wells, a former undercover CIA agent, Senator Vinny Duto and Ellis Shafer, a CIA agent.
The very wealthy Duberman was a large contributor to the current President’s war chest, and he was therefore easily able to convince him that treachery was afoot in Iran. When his disloyalty was discovered, the President did not want his own part in the failed, illegal plan to get out; it would be political suicide for him. Hence, he attempted to protect Duberman and put out a false statement to the public about the invasion which had been canceled. As the plot played out, the reader is exposed to the hypocrisy and power of the government as it went to great lengths in its attempts to keep the truth from the public eye and to prevent anyone else from exposing it.
As Wells attempted to catch up with Aaron Duberman to administer his own form of justice, the reader is taken all over land and sea following him in his search for revenge. Duberman’s body guards are former Mossad agents, but they seem to be no match for Wells who carefully planned his actions. People were threatened, coerced and murdered. However, someone eventually betrayed Wells. Who would do that? Was it friend or enemy? Before long the British, Chinese, Russians, Israelis and Americans all have a hand in this thriller which at times lost all credibility. I found that the details of excessive violence and the unnecessarily descriptive sexual encounters diminished the power of the story itself. Still, I always wondered if Wells would get his man and read on. The narrator did a fine job of presenting each character and event with clarity.
When the novel begins, the reader learns that a planned invasion of Iran by the United States had been thwarted, just in time. The effort to start this war was engineered by an American, Aaron Duberman, who was married to an Israeli supermodel. He was a billionaire who owned many casinos. In order to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, which he considered dangerous to the safety and security of Israel, he devised a plan to trick the United States President into invading Iran. He succeeded in convincing the President that Iran intended to smuggle a nuclear weapon into the country, but Duberman’s deception was discovered and stopped in the 11th hour, by John Wells, a former undercover CIA agent, Senator Vinny Duto and Ellis Shafer, a CIA agent.
The very wealthy Duberman was a large contributor to the current President’s war chest, and he was therefore easily able to convince him that treachery was afoot in Iran. When his disloyalty was discovered, the President did not want his own part in the failed, illegal plan to get out; it would be political suicide for him. Hence, he attempted to protect Duberman and put out a false statement to the public about the invasion which had been canceled. As the plot played out, the reader is exposed to the hypocrisy and power of the government as it went to great lengths in its attempts to keep the truth from the public eye and to prevent anyone else from exposing it.
As Wells attempted to catch up with Aaron Duberman to administer his own form of justice, the reader is taken all over land and sea following him in his search for revenge. Duberman’s body guards are former Mossad agents, but they seem to be no match for Wells who carefully planned his actions. People were threatened, coerced and murdered. However, someone eventually betrayed Wells. Who would do that? Was it friend or enemy? Before long the British, Chinese, Russians, Israelis and Americans all have a hand in this thriller which at times lost all credibility. I found that the details of excessive violence and the unnecessarily descriptive sexual encounters diminished the power of the story itself. Still, I always wondered if Wells would get his man and read on. The narrator did a fine job of presenting each character and event with clarity.
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