From the first page this story throws you into the fire and never gives you a chance to look away. Kyle Ryan is the quiet genius of the family, a runner with a sharp mind who sees the world in numbers and probabilities. He is former Navy and now part of a small DIA team in Angola where a mission to intercept Chinese communications goes violently wrong. His team is attacked and wiped out in seconds and Kyle survives only by sheer instinct as he sprints through gunfire and dives through the embassy gates. It is a bold and breathless opener that sets the tone for everything that follows. Katie Ryan steps into the spotlight as well and she shines with power. She is brilliant, outgoing, analytical, and already a leader in the ONI. Watching the two youngest Ryans take center stage gives this book a new spark and a fresh angle that feels smart and long overdue.
From that moment forward the pace never lets up. The story becomes a relentless drive through kidnapping, torture, political hardball, covert intel work, and combat that is so realistic you can practically hear the radio chatter and feel the pressure of each decision. Kyle grows into his strength in a way that is incredibly satisfying. He finds his backbone and discovers that he is not the weak link but a force who never breaks under pressure. Katie is positioned for greatness and I am calling it now. She is presidential material. Their dynamic with the rest of the Ryan family adds emotional power to scenes that already feel cinematic. Jack Junior operates with trademark precision. Jack Senior stays in the background just enough to let his children rise. The balance is sharp, gutsy, and completely addictive.
This one hits every button I want in a modern thriller and somehow still gives me more. Andrews and Wilson deliver action that feels like live coverage and character moments that hit with real force. The realism of the procedures and the intensity of the setting make the entire book feel immersive. As this marks the final Ryan novel from this duo I am honestly going to miss their work. They are an automatic read for me. But what a way to exit. This book is fierce, bold, and easily one of the best books I have read this year. If you are a Ryanverse fan or just want a thriller that grabs you by the collar and does not let go, you absolutely need to read this.
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