Hostile Intent makes you wonder if Don Bentley possesses the supernatural ability to predict the future; writing about the Ukraine vs Russia conflict before it blew up in the news takes away any doubts about the sheer meticulousness of his research and awareness of the situation to be able to predict 10 moves ahead.
After the events of The Outside Man, Matt Drake is settling back into a predictable rhythm with his wife, Laila, when a walk-in at CIA’s station in Vienna asks for Drake by name. Rushing to Vienna, Drake gets caught up in a Russia-sanctioned operation to invade Ukraine. At the same time, a Ukrainian militia gets their hands on a nuke that they wish to hang over NATO’s head for protection against Russia. As tempers flair and the battle lines are drawn, Drake must establish new alliances alongside his best friend Frodo to stop World War 3 before it starts.
Don Bentley’s darkly hilarious prose is one to marvel at. Bentley nails the essence of highlighting Drake’s witty sense of humor in grave situations while maintaining a somber tone and a fast pace. The rich characterization and world-building details invoke a majestic sense of being present in the moment with Drake as opposed to simply reading it. With the glorious setting of Vienna, Bentley digs deep into the old school cold-war espionage vibes of nebulous treaties and a consistent mood of distrust between spies. Matt Drake’s expertise at running and handling assets is given its due spotlight, adding to Drake’s cerebral versatility.
Hostile Intent is a treat for action aficionados. The moment Drake steps in Vienna, he starts running and gunning throughout the streets and murky apartments. High speed car chases and John Wick style gun-fu and close quarter combat are present in copious amounts throughout the narrative, written with finesse and a clear objective to make reader-visualization as stark and clear as possible to provide high doses of adrenaline and entertainment.
Don Bentley has bested himself this time as Hostile Intent blows past the high standards of the previous two Matt Drake books. With a supremely timely geopolitical climate and tremendous stakes of the narrative, Hostile Intent has reserved a spot in the listing for the year’s most entertaining thrillers.
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