The Handler is a special new addition to the Thrillerverse. Not only is it written with a deft keenness for realistic dialogues and terrifyingly enthralling action but it also presents a truly memorable assortment of characters on both sides of a conflict that wonderfully highlights personal motivations and egos above the basic geopolitical climate.
John Dale is a veteran CIA case officer, who upon escaping imprisonment and torture at the hands of enemy combatants, is suspended from the service on account of potentially treasonous behavior. After a short time of seclusion, he’s called back into the fold by his ex-wife and former handler, Meredith, to extract an Iranian asset working to subterfuge Iran’s nuclear efforts. From US to India to Iran, John races against time to take control of the escalating situation while evading Russian operatives hot on his tail.
From the very first page, the story simmers with grounded and empathetic tones as it sets up strong and original characters. M.P. Woodward invokes a brilliant aura of exciting adventure surrounded by tense moments of conspiratorial actions and situations that keep you on the edge of your seats. There are genuine surprises and twists throughout the story that shock the narrative to its core. This is enabled by Woodward’s impressive and solid writing chops. His vast expertise in shadowy intelligence goes a long way to ground the story with necessary details to require minimal suspension of belief in even the wildest moments.
Speaking of wild moments, The Handler has its fair share of high-powered and gritty-to-the-bone action sequences. John Dale isn’t simply a former intelligence officer; in addition to running assets, he’s trained in the deadly and formidable arts of long distance as well as close quarters combat. There’s no way you won’t feel the intensity of the gunshots and the punches and kicks.
At its core, The Handler is ultimately a conflict of man rather than nations. M.P. Woodward delightfully syncs up the story with ripped-from-the-news headlines but emphasizes the focus on plausibly flawed human beings that elevate the stakes and soul of the narrative. Out of all the upcoming books I have read for the year, this one may very well be THE hottest debut and it most certainly belongs in the Thillerverse Hall of Fame!
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