Damascus Station: A Novel
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4.2 • 33 Ratings
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- $19.99
Publisher Description
Finalist for the 2022 ITW Thriller Award for Best First Novel
"Damascus Station is simply marvelous storytelling.…[A] stand-out thriller and essential reading for fans of the genre." —Financial Times
A CIA officer and his recruit arrive in war-ravaged Damascus to hunt for a killer in this page-turner that offers the "most authentic depiction of modern-day tradecraft in print." (Navy SEAL sniper and New York Times bestselling author Jack Carr).
CIA case officer Sam Joseph is dispatched to Paris to recruit Syrian Palace official Mariam Haddad. The two fall into a forbidden relationship, which supercharges Haddad’s recruitment and creates unspeakable danger when they enter Damascus to find the man responsible for the disappearance of an American spy.
But the cat and mouse chase for the killer soon leads to a trail of high-profile assassinations and the discovery of a dark secret at the heart of the Syrian regime, bringing the pair under the all-seeing eyes of Assad’s spy catcher, Ali Hassan, and his brother Rustum, the head of the feared Republican Guard. Set against the backdrop of a Syria pulsing with fear and rebellion, Damascus Station is a gripping thriller that offers a textured portrayal of espionage, love, loyalty, and betrayal in one of the most difficult CIA assignments on the planet.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
A forbidden romance complicates a dangerous mission in this riveting debut spy thriller by ex-intelligence analyst David McCloskey. CIA case officer Sam Joseph is in Paris, hoping to recruit a Syrian Palace official named Mariam Haddad. But their relationship soon turns from professional to romantic, putting them in even more danger as they head to Damascus in search of a kidnapped American spy. McCloskey brilliantly captures the adrenaline-fueled highs and catastrophic lows of working in foreign intelligence, where innocent lives hang in the balance of every decision. We were impressed by his empathy for his characters—extending even to his sadistic villains—and the depth of his understanding of Syria’s chaotic, violent history. We won’t spoil any of the story’s shocking double crosses. Suffice to say, you’ll finish Damascus Station with your jaw on the floor.
Customer Reviews
Absolutely thrilling and so complex and unexpected
Terrific read with warm believable characters that stay alive in your mind long after you have finished the book.The plot races along as the tension builds and the violence increases.The novel brings Damascus alive and makes one think about Syria in a totally new way. Highly recommended