The Silent Man

Overview

From the #1 New York Times- bestselling author comes another remarkable novel of espionage today-- and right around the corner.

Alex Berenson's The Faithful Spy was declared "one of the best spy stories ever told" (The Wall Street Journal), and The Ghost War "mesmerizing . . . an extraordinary achievement. Wells is a complex blend of smarts, scars, cynicism and wile. And the book's imaginings seem not so much 'ripped from the headlines' as eerily destined to be set in type for tomorrow's" (The News & Observer). Berenson's third novel, however, is his most masterful yet.

It isn't easy to steal warheads from the heart of Russia's nuclear complex in Mayak. It requires a great deal of money, coordination, ingenuity, and sleight-of-hand, and just a touch of luck. But if you're determined enough, anything is possible.

It's been a rough few years for CIA agent John Wells. The undercover work in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the attack on the United States, the Chinese plot that could have led to war. Wells is exhausted, and his nights filled with disturbing dreams. But he knows he has no time for that. He has made many enemies, and the world won't stay quiet for long.

Nevertheless, Wells is not prepared for what is about to happen. He and his colleague--and fianc�e--Jennifer Exley are driving into work when traffic comes to a standstill, due to accidents on both bridges into Washington. A pretty big coincidence, he thinks, beginning to get a bad feeling--a feeling that only gets worse when he spots the red motorcycle zooming up between cars toward him. Before the day is over, several people will be dead or severely injured, Exley among them, and Wells will be a man possessed.

The attackers are Russian, and it is to Russia that Wells must follow the trail. He finds what he's looking for--but also a great deal more. A plan of almost unimaginable consequences is in motion, and Wells has no idea if he has discovered it in time. The last few years have been rough indeed, but the next few weeks will be much, much worse.

Real-world threats, authentic details, a scenario as dramatic as it is chillingly plausible, Alex Berenson's new novel is another "timely reminder of the extremely precarious way we live now" (The Washington Post).

Editorial Reviews

Bestseller Berenson's well-plotted and thoughtful third thriller to feature CIA agent John Wells (after The Ghost War) finds Wells and his fellow CIA agent and fianc�e, Jenny Exley, living happily together in Washington, D.C., content to devote themselves to fighting the forces of evil. One morning, while stuck in traffic on their way to CIA headquarters, men on motorcycles attack them in their minivan. Exley suffers a serious gunshot injury in an act of revenge by minions of Pierre Kowalski, an enemy from an earlier book. Meanwhile, jihadists bent on destroying America steal two small atomic bombs. These extremely clever villains, per Berenson's style, aren't mad dog idiots but credible characters with reasons, at least from their own perspective, to be doing the great evil they're planning. Fast and furious when it needs to be, this is a welcome addition to an excellent series. Berenson won an Edgar for his first novel, The Faithful Spy. (Feb.)

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Author Information

Bio of Alex Berenson

As a reporter for The New York Times, ALEX BERENSON has covered topics ranging from the occupation of Iraq to the flooding of New Orleans. A 1994 graduate of Yale University, with degrees in history and economics, he lives in New York City. The Faithful Spy won the 2007 Edgar Award for best first novel.

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Additional Info

Imprint

Putnam Adult

Filesize

1.80 MB

Number of Pages

432

eBook ISBN

9781101015797