Buckle up for this riveting, fast-paced thrill ride. I felt as if I were in a movie, like Mission Impossible. Ben and his crew are assigned a task in Paris. It is supposed to be a dangerous but straight forward assignment. But things do not go according to play which has Ben and his fellow team-mates on the run for their lives and wondering what happened? Who gave them the bad intel? Everyone is under suspicion.

This author is a former Air Force pilot. His instructor told them that they were in essence spies, which gave him insight into this spy drama and main character. I appreciated Ben’s determination to get to the truth of the matter. He did not do what they accused him of. This is an all too real scenario as the author notes states he was 85 % done with this novel when the Covid-19 virus hit. It caused him to make a few changes to the story line. The author says, “Ben Calix is based upon the biblical Job, who experienced great physical suffering through a disease covering his whole body, so I didn’t feel I could drop the bioweapon portion of the mega bomb/bioweapon combo I had developed. But I did my utmost to make changes that would prevent the story from hitting anyone too close to home.”

The author has short chapters which help move the story along and keep the tension high throughout. When I read the author notes the whole book fell into place for me. I had thought it was an allegory, but I was not quite sure what he was emphasizing. This is a novel that quickly draws readers in and is filled with surprised, twists and turns that will have you burning the midnight oil. It is a page turner.

This would be an amazing read and one that would work well for your next book club pick. There is so much to talk about. This is the first book I have read by this author it will not be the last.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have received a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org

If you like spy thrillers you will love this book and this series. Ben has an op go bad and then his life falls out from under him. There is a lot of action and some romance. This has everything you want in a spy novel. Ben is great and you are not sure till close to the end who he can really trust. I received a copy of this book from Revell for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

Every single chapter of this book is riveting and full of action. You will not get bored! Follow a spy as he gets an assignment and then realizes he has been cut off from the Company he works for.
There’s a slight weaving of romance and love but this book mostly focuses on surviving a global threat. The author explains in the back of the book that she had the plot pre-written before the actual global pandemic happened in 2020. If that storyline would possibly trigger you, a health crisis, this might not be the book for you.
I received a copy of this text for free in exchange for this review. I do think this book is suitable for teens.

This is a new to me author.
What a fast paced action adventure story!
Reminds me of Mission Impossible!
A great story with characters that aren't perfect and I really enjoyed their journey.

The Paris Betrayal is a bit like a high speed train. Once you get on, you’re going to speed until the ending, and there’s little opportunity to get off.

The book opens with what appears to be a botched covert op with Ben Calix and his team. When the fallout sees Ben fighting to escape multiple attempts on his life, he needs to flee Paris.

Unfortunately, his as yet unknown enemy, is three steps ahead at almost every juncture, so, with his patriotism denied by the higher ups, Ben is suddenly all alone, except for a blue haired woman and her dog.

As Ben and his companion flee, a sort of team spirit settles over the unlikely trio, then a face from the past arrives and his world is shattered, again. On the face of it, the return should be welcome, but the message this ghost delivers is anything but.

The Paris Betrayal delivers high octane action on every page. My mind was left reeling as I tried to keep up with the twists and turns in this masterful thriller. Ben Calix is a leading man not to be missed.

To read review of James R. Hannibal’s previous series, click here…

Visit James R Hannibal’s website here…

A book that will leave you with jetlag, The Paris Betrayal by James. R. Hannibal kept me guessing! He just keeps getting better as a writer and I LOVE it! The fast-paced storyline kept me reading until I had the story finished since I could not put it down.

The characters had some great dialogue and James R. Hannibal developed a great comradery between his characters, and I loved the whole Jason Boureish feel to them (I mean who does not love a good spy story?). Plus, all the characters were captivating right from the start and had clearly defined traits. James R. Hannibal gave such good details that I could picture each character in my mind clearly, without it seeming like an actual description; that’s how seamlessly he wove it into the actual story! I loved the different spy type of hints he gives through Ben, and they had interesting real-life applications too.

Overall, though, I loved this story most for being so REAL. I could believably see most everything in this book taking place around the world today; in part maybe because of some of the interwoven themes of the effects of Covid-19. James R. Hannibal takes it to the next level though with some seriously good scenes and locations that made think I was there too. This story ranks high on best plots I’ve ever read, and I highly recommend you put this one on you To Be Read list, you will not be disappointed.

A definite 5 out of 5 stars in my book, and one I will be rereading again at some point.

*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.

“But the most dangerous enemy is the one you don’t see coming.”

The Paris Betrayal by James R. Hannibal has everything needed for an all-night or all-day reading session: high-octane action that does not quit, fabulous characterization, an overall plot that is frightening to the core, and, of course, betrayal. Grab the popcorn, sit back, and hold on tight because this story will keep you on the edge of your seat the whole way through.

Ben Calix is not your ordinary Hollywood spy who dodges every calamity and who is an expert in parkour, finessing his way across rooftops and stair railings. He has spy skills, for sure, but when a job is botched in Rome and Ben finds himself severed from The Company, those skills are the only thing keeping him alive and in a mad dash to prove he is not a traitor and that a bioweapon is about to be unleashed that will surpass the deadliness of the very real global pandemic. Life on the run definitely proves one thing. Ben cannot trust anyone.

“What’s the prognosis?”
“Total devastation. And I mean total.”

This story is gripping the minute you hit chapter one. James Hannibal’s writing is smooth and easy to navigate, and the reader is not buried under lengthy descriptive prose that drones on and on. The author knows how to balance beguiling dialogue with enough information to provide heft to a delicious plot that never lags, never bores, and never gives up all its secrets too soon. Ben is a likable main character, and his flaws and physical limitations, especially as the story heads toward the finish line, show he is basically a realistic guy but with the ability to hit action-figure mode when things go south, which they do in a big way and in a big hurry. Stopping Ben from finding answers will take more than bullets, frost bite, electric shock, and the plague. When he is set adrift by almost everyone he trusts, Ben ends up fighting for his life and fighting for the world. How cool is that?

In the Author Note at the end, we learn that Ben is based on the Biblical Job. The Christian aspect is somewhat low key throughout, but the comparison to Job is an interesting view that many readers might appreciate more if pointed out before the story and not after. Nothing is taken away from the overall story if the reader never makes the connection to Job, but that knowledge definitely adds a unique layer to the plot and to Ben. Besides Ben, a blue-haired girl named Clara and her dachshund named Otto, a sea smuggler named Basile, and a tech geek named Dylan are a few favorite characters who add even more spice and depth to an already remarkable story. The Paris Betrayal is a work of fiction, but no one could possibly miss the unmistakable reality of the bioweapon scenario, providing the reader with much to ponder while still enjoying the riveting intrigue, total spy game, thrilling action, and a sensational ending that seems to leave a bit of an opening for something more. Maybe.

“I guess we’ll have to wait and see.”

I received a free copy of this book from Lone Star Book Blog Tours in exchange for my honest review.

Spies, Lies, and a dog...Oh my!

If you are in the mood for a good spy novel then look no further than this book. I was taken on a fast-paced adventure with many moving parts, flawed characters, and an adorable doxie named Otto. Yes, anytime there is a dog I am pretty sure I'm going to like the book.

The author has some first-hand knowledge regarding military operations and while this is not a military based book, I could see how that information could shape the direction Ben took in hunting down the virus and Leviathan before it destroys the world and the people that inhabit this planet. While the book was primarily written before the current pandemic, the author took advantage of this new information and added a few more twists to the story.

Ben is loyal to The Company and his mission. When he is burned he doesn't stop trying to right the wrongs, he continues and puts himself in perilous situations. However, it seems like Ben is always on the go. This is probably to be expected in the spy business because once you are in play, I can't imagine that you aren't always on edge and looking over your shoulder. But that just adds to the drama of the novel and will keep you glued to your seat from start to finish.

In spite of his current situation, a few people still want to help Ben survive including Clara, a seemingly innocent bystander that is swept along into this nightmare along with her dog Otto. Clara manages to end up in the right place at the right time to help Ben out of a few situations. Is she as innocent as she appears?

I appreciated that while some characters were not major players in the book, we are provided sufficient information about each character so we can imagine them in our minds and the role they play in this novel and in Ben's quest for the truth. I felt like each character added to the storyline no matter their role. Many were devious and it is obvious I was never trained to be a spy because I don't think I could think that fast on my feet if I were in the same situation.

While this book has more of a serious tone, there are still many scenes that had me chuckling including one with a hacker that Ben thinks has blown up his girlfriend's home. Between the dialogue and the actions of Ben, it was almost like watching a comedy routine but a little more dangerous.

This was the first book I have read from this author but it won't be my last. I definitely recommend this to anyone that enjoys a good spy novel. We give it 5 paws up.

This book reads a lot like a Mission Impossible movie complete with secret agents, world shattering missions, bioterrorism, and the possibility of being disavowed. Despite being on a team, Ben finds himself alone, apart from his neighbor and her dog, trying to stop a horrific attack on US soil.

There is a huge sense of urgency in this book. Danger to Ben's life and to the country is imminent. Friends aren't acting like friends anymore. One of the most interesting scenes was when Ben was trying to visit Dylan. Dylan had quite the security measures in place. It would have been great to see on screen.

If you like high octane spy thrillers, this is the book for you. I'd highly recommend it. Thank you to Revell for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This was an absolute page-turner. Non-stop action with a dash of Jason Bourne, a twist of James Bond, and a smattering of George Smiley. 😉 Chock full of twists, turns, and oh no! moments, The Paris Betrayal is a modern-day Job story you don’t want to miss.

Spy novels are not my usual fare, but I happened across this story while on a Christian fiction blog hop and knew I wanted to check it out. I would most definitely pick up another James R. Hannibal spy novel (and can’t wait to read his other works), and I highly recommend you grab your own copy of The Paris Betrayal. But buckle in, because it’s one heck of a ride! 4.5 out of 5 stars for making me want to read more. 🙂

Many thanks to Revell and NetGalley for the digital copy of this novel for review purposes. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my very own! 🙂

The Paris Betrayal reminds us of just how fun and exciting reading fiction can be! Hannibal gets the hook in early, and then pulls the reader through the story to the grand finish.

The story follows the plight of Ben, a shamed spy left out in the cold by his mother agency, as he not only tries to evade capture (or worse), but also singlehandedly attempts to prevent a global disaster from happening.

Ben, the protagonist, is an odd duck. He seems to be highly competent at what he does, yet he continually repeats to himself things that he learned in basic spy school. “Get far fast. Then go farther faster,” is a mantra that he repeated to himself many times. However, with these little remembrances throughout the story, Ben gives the reader some free spy training.

I liked many things about this story and the way Hannibal wrote it. First, I liked how he used the characters. There is Ben, of course, and there is a definite antagonist (who we don’t actually meet until late in the story), but all the other characters come and go as needed for the story.

Some of the characters try to help Ben, others - not so much. However (and this is especially cool, in my opinion), Hannibal gives enough information about all the characters that the reader can form good, solid pictures of them. For example, at one point Ben comes across a very salty sea captain. The part he plays in the story is small, yet significant, but I come away with a very good idea of his appearance and personality. I’d probably even recognize him on the street if I saw him. (That would be scary!)

Another thing that Hannibal does so very well is pacing. He knows how to not only get the reader interested quickly, but also how to keep the reader interested. I read this book rather quickly because I literally couldn’t wait to see what happened next. The author makes this easy to do because the story moves along at a good pace. Not once did I notice the pace slacking.

Part of the plot loosely includes the impact of a deadly virus. In the Author’s Note at the end of the book, Hannibal makes it a point to tell the reader that he was nearly done with the first draft when COVID-19 hit. He went back and did some good editing to incorporate COVID-19 and its impact on the world. To me, this added to the realism of the story.

Fiction is fun and exciting to read - when it’s good - and this story proves it! I’m turning into a huge James R. Hannibal fan! If you enjoy reading fun and exciting stories - you should too!

The Paris Betrayal by James R. Hannibal is the story I’ve been waiting for! I’ve been looking for a great spy thriller and this novel checked all of the boxes for my expectations:
Action. Check.
Hero against unbelievable odds. Check.
Exotic locations. Check.
More over-the-top death-defying action. Check.
High tech spy gadgets. Check.

Ben Calix works for a spy agency that is so top secret it can only be referred to as The Company. Someone’s set him up to take the fall and The Company burns him. So Ben finds himself on the run, being chased at every turn. He’s got to prove his innocence while stopping a terrorist from unleashing a biological weapon on US soil. And he does this with the help of a mysterious woman and her dachshund in tow.

I love the plot twists, drama, and did I mention action? Ben survives quite a few impossible situations and I loved every minute of it! Definitely check this novel out if you love spy thrillers.

Overall Rating:
5 stars (I loved it, couldn’t put it down)

Suspense Rating:
5 stars (Non-stop edge-of-your-seat suspense from start to finish)

I received an ebook review copy of this book through Revell and NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

An intriguing espionage thriller that reaches from Rome, to Paris, to Washington DC, the story follows Ben Calix as he travels the world trying to save America from a bioweapon attached to the equivalent of a 60-kiloton nuke to assist with disbursement. The catch is that no one will believe him based on his slim evidence.

The author has written a book that he claims is intended to parallel the Old Testament book of Job. Though the parallel is less than perfect, the book is attention grabbing in its own right and kept this reader up more than one late-night before coming to the end.

I felt as if I was reading the plot for the latest Liam Neeson or James Bond thriller. Set in well-known and more obscure spots around the world, this reader gained some new knowledge of world geography. This alone made the book a worthwhile read. I give the book four-stars.
______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

Some of the reviews I have seen for this book have listed Jason Bourne, and James Bond as influences, and if I'm being honest I can see what they mean.

However, I personally think the author has created his own entity in the spy genre that is more than a match for other contemporaries. This is a great book filled with little tricks and numerous double-crosses that allow the story to flow and keep you the reader guessing how it will pan out. Even after finishing reading it I can just about follow how it all falls into place, and thoroughly enjoyed it.

If you like a good action packed spy thriller, then make sure you get yourself a copy of this book, and you won't be disappointed.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in return for this honest review

Such a great book! The writing was very well done. The research was meticulous and the story was really great.

Phew what a ride! I loved Hannibal’s last duology so jumped at the chance to get this book from Netgalley without even reading the blurb. Because of that I had no idea it was a retelling of Job or that it had to do with biowarfare. I’m kind of glad I didn’t because I might not have read it then (just don’t want to read about COVID or anything similar). I thought the author did a good job at highlighting the parallels from Job in his novel. I think most readers are left with questions after reading Job (the man himself had a lot and who can really blame him) and the same could be said for The Paris Betrayal. We might not get that feeling of fairness that the Director used Ben without his consent in a greater plot but...
Oh! Don’t miss out on reading the author’s note. Good stuff there.

If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to be a spy, or how to write a spy novel, James R. Hannibal’s THE PARIS BETRAYAL is an excellent place to start! Let me tell you why, dear reader:
Spy class notes
Hero characters – who even save the dog!
Baddies that are reprehensible. But also, you can understand their motivation and relate to their actions.
ACTION – car chases, explosions, a near drowning in a frozen lake – all just an average week for our hero.
Let’s break this down!
Spy Class Notes: THE PARIS BETRAYAL is liberally sprinkled with bon mots from the Company’s spy master. And I loved every one. The passages are deadpan serious. But also hilarious. (I know. I have a messed-up sense of humor.) Mr. Hannibal tells us in the Author Note that he’s not a spy, but that he’s learned from many. As Ben (our hero) replays his schoolhouse lessons, it’s clear that Mr. Hannibal has taken lessons from some of the best spies out there. From the hockey analogies to the Walmart shopping tips for bomb making materials, I think I’d make a good spy now! Or I’d be a complete disaster at it because I don’t do well with spontaneity when plans fail.
Hero characters: We’ve all seen spy movies, I’m assuming. Or read other spy books. Ben Calix is a true hero without tights in my opinion. He’s been marked as an incompetent or a traitor. It doesn’t matter which. He’s burned. But, Ben maintains his cool and is determined to get to the bottom of the who, what, and why he’s been burned. Oh, and he has to stop a massive bioweapon along the way. But what really impressed me about Ben is how he keeps Clara, his neighbor and bystander in all this spy business, safe. It really shows character development to not just leave Clara to fend for herself.
Speaking of Clara, I think she’s a standout character as well. Along with her little dog, Otto, these two bring some humanity to the spy business. Their regular everyday activities like changing the color of your hair in a random public bathroom and calling a sniper’s house ‘safe’ are a fun interlude to all the dangerous situations. Clara also does a good job keeping Ben safe on multiple occasions. The addition of a non-spy character makes the story more realistic and believable.
The Baddies are a true sign of any good spy novel in my mind. They really are the glue that holds the whole novel together! And in the case of THE PARIS BETRAYAL, Mr. Hannibal has created some excellent baddies! Jupiter is a former Company man who’d been disillusioned by the Company. I won’t spoil the story, but the way Jupiter makes room in his organization for promotion to a new position is eye-opening! Here’s a great quote:
"Espionage is not a war of attrition but a war of control. Consider chess. The endgame is not to kill the king, but to own him. Control, not death. And in our far more complicated game, controlling a knight or even a pawn moves us toward the goal."
That just screams evil to me! I can also understand Jupiter’s motivation, and his disillusion with the head of the Company in particular. Jupiter and his henchmen are very well-rounded, and well-written, characters.
And finally, the action scenes! Characters being shot at by a sniper (multiple times!) really gets the blood pumping for me as a reader. And the scene where Ben is underwater made me hyperventilate with drowning issues of my own! All in all, I’d say Mr. Hannibal has a way of portraying action scenes that are very visual. And visceral.
Overall, I highly recommend THE PARIS BETRAYAL to fans of action\thrillers or spy novels. Or fans of well-written characters, both the heroes and the baddies!

Hannibal's latest spy thriller contains the edge-of-your-seat suspense I've come to expect from him, but with a twist on the protagonist that I've not seen done in an espionage book. It weighed the story down at times, but it led to some poignant moments as well. The scenes between Ben and his mentor, for instance.

Ben himself is an interesting character. At one point, he tells someone, "Don't be fooled by my confidence. It's a spy thing. Fake bravado. I don't have a plan. I have a loosely formed idea that will probably get us both killed." And that sums up his personality beautifully. He's a tenacious character with a loyal streak, and that's how he faces whatever the antagonist and his own people throw at him. It made for an interesting narrative as those aspects of his character are called into question and he is made to think that his loyalty is worthless.

There's a sort of camaraderie in Hannibal's works that isn't fully absent here. Because the people Ben can call friends are few, the most memorable exchanges of dialogue occur between hostile characters. There's the sniper, Sensen: (I'll do my job. And when the bullet enters your skull, you'll know I had no choice."), Hale: ("Wake up, kid. It's over."), Dylan: ("You could've put a little less shock in your shock and awe."), and others I don't dare mention for spoilers. It made for a lot of moments in which I was cringing, inwardly laughing, or cheering someone on.

However . . .
The protagonist is based on an actual person, and this is where I felt the ending fell short. The two events did not reflect each other, and I felt shortchanged by a couple things that are loaded with spoilers. I suppose parts of the story might have been inspired by that individual, but it didn't stay completely true to that goal, as far as I saw.

The narrative itself explores different sides of loyalty and betrayal and takes readers on a quest to stop a virus outbreak with a multidimensional cast of characters. Recommended for those who love suspense, characters with the odds stacked sky-high against them, and dry humor.

I won an ARC of this book through a LibraryThing giveaway. A positive review was not required.

I have been looking for a real, proper James Bond/Jason Bourne style spy thriller in CF publishing for so long... years even... and there are certainly some good spy novels out there, don’t get me wrong - especially in the more romantic suspense lane. But THIS! This is the book I have been looking for!

If you, too, have been looking for that super fast-paced, all action, proper spy novel, look no further!

The Paris Betrayal delivers covert action in spades. Meet Ben Calix. And then get thrown in the deep end! The action is heart-racing, and the writing is tight! James R. Hannibal has delivered not only a suspenseful read that will keep you wanting more, but also a solid character development journey. And I’m really hoping we’re going to see more of Ben in the future!

A word of warning, there is plenty of action and therefore plenty of violence in this book, so if you don’t love that, it might not be your cup of tea... But if you love all the action, you’re going to love this one!!!

Thanks @revellbooks and @netgalley for the ARC. I was only required to provide an honest review in return, and now that I have, please excuse me while I go download some more James R. Hannibal books!!

When I was told I gave up too easily on James R. Hannibal's books I did not expect people to be so right!

A big reason I gave this book another chance is the author is a former Air Force pilot and I'm a sucker for the Air Force (#AirForcebrat), I've seen raving reviews from friends on his books, another reason is the back cover of "The Paris Betrayal" grabbed my attention AND didn't give spoilers that would cause me to be disappointed in the book.

I got my copy in the mail and not three hours later I flipped the last page and found that it is one of the best books I've read in a while. Surprising, but so exciting! And, the suspense kept me guessing, I called one or two little things but most of the time I was close to biting my nails. The plotline of a pandemic, bioweapon, and other things related to those didn't bother me with the way the topics were approached but you should still be warned that they do play a big part of the book and some people may not want to read this book yet.

Be Calix is not your everyday hero even for a spy thriller, his story is a new take on a CIA plotline, and just everything about him was AWESOME. I loved every bit of this book and I already want to reread it!

I highly recommend you pre-order your copy NOW, you must read this book, and why not support the author with a pre-order now?!

As for me, I need to go fish my copies of Hannibal's other books from my depths of to-be-read book piles and read them promptly.

I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary e/copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Note: review will be live on my blog on release day!