This is the 5th book in the Marcus Ryker series and it is fabulous!  This whole series should be the new "Jack Reacher" type show or movie.  They're so well written.  I could hardly put it down...needing to know what was going to happen.  

Marcus knows an attack is imminent, the likes of which we haven't seen since 9/11.  However, because of some precursor missions that seem to have gone dreadfully wrong, Marcus is sidelined and must work to clear his own name so he can get back in the game.  He won't be able to live with himself if something happens that he could have prevented. 

This book is action packed from beginning to end.  It's a great read.  I would highly recommend this book but feel it's even better if you can start with book one and make your way through the whole series.  I can't wait to see what happens next!

Thank you to Tyndale House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book.  All opinions are my own.

I've read several books by Joel C. Rosenberg and have always found them to be fast paced, interesting and hard to put down. This one was no different. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

In the book The Libyan Diversion, author Joel Rosenberg brings us more adventures from agent Marcus Ryker. Abu Nakb is dead. Or is he? After a strike on the compound where Abu Nakb was suppose to be, evidence is found that his organization Kairos is planning an attack in the United States. But where? And is the Pope’s visit to the United States a target?
This was an excellent story and plot with many twists and turns. I would highly recommend this book. I received a copy of this e-book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is such a thrilling read! This geopolitical thriller has a little of everything. The action and suspense work hand-in-hand with the fact pace and non-stop twists to really bring readers on an unforgettable thrill ride of a story! I loved the twists and drama in this one!

Non-stop action! Just when you think all is lost, there is hope. Once you think there is hope, the bottom falls out.  Joel C. Rosenberg puts his characters and his readers through the wringer, but readers can't help but love it! Terrorists are once again posing a significant threat on American soil. Marcus Ryker and his team are the country's best hope of thwarting that threat, but sometimes the same government that he is working so hard to protect is the one that is tying his hands. 

I give this book five stars and am very grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Tyndale House Publishers via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

This is another must read by Joel Rosenberg.  Evidence points to the location of the world’s most wanted terrorist.  Marcus Ryker’s recommendation for an immediate strike is accepted by the president and the compound is destroyed.  Before Ryker and his team can follow up the attack with a search for the remaining members of the terrorist cell, evidence emerges that his evidence was faulty and the compound actually housed civilians.  The attack is used as justification for the terrorists to retaliate with a major strike against the United States.  Further evidence vindicates Ryker, but with an attack imminent his team must race to identify the target and stop the attack.

America is anticipating a papal visit, with appearances in four major cities.  Each appearance will draw thousands of people, making each one a potential target.  The failing health of the president, the question of succession and the kidnapping of three American health workers in Yemen all serve as a diversion from the coming disaster.  Tensions mount as Ryker and his team race from city to city attempting to locate the terrorists and anticipate their next move, culminating in a showdown that will have you on the edge of your seat.  

Rosenberg’s Libyan Diversion presents a scenario that is all too real.  He takes you behind the scenes at the White House and the CIA to witness the decision making and activities that take place in a crisis and provides a roller coaster of a ride  for his readers.   Marcus Ryker is a character who will appeal to fans of Brad Thor’s Scot Harvath and Brad Taylor’s Pike Logan.  I would like to thank NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishers for providing this book for my review.

**4.5/5 Stars**

First and foremost, I am going to be honest and say I have read a few novels between finishing The Libyan Diversion by Joel C. Rosenburg and writing this review. With that in mind, certain details regarding Rosenburg’s latest novel are a little…fuzzy. I read the book—and several others—when I was recovering from a medical procedure, and I couldn’t begin to type or write a word even if I had felt up to it. But now that I am cleared to type, I can try to put my thoughts together.

I was thrilled to see Marcus Ryker again, along with his team of colleagues and friends. As a big Mitch Rapp/Scot Harvath fan, Ryker serves as a breath of fresh air from the foul language I typically experience in spy thrillers. Rosenburg’s Marcus Ryker series should be considered by everyone who enjoys the genre, not just Christian novel readers. It has the same stakes. The same intensity. The same emotions. The same believability, but it lacks the language or sexual references. The Libyan Diversion is a fantastic addition to the Marcus Ryker series, and it is quite possibly my favorite.

Why? It demonstrates the power of the media and the danger of jumping to conclusions. The media can be your greatest asset or your greatest liability; I have learned that firsthand with my career in public service. Even just recently, we dealt with a chemical incident. An elected official was asking us questions based off what she heard in media reports rather than waiting for our accurate information from the scene. It was a complicated and exhausting situation. The Libyan Diversion depicts some of these real-life struggles.

I did, however, struggle with some believability issues with The Libyan Diversion by Joel C. Rosenburg. Things made me raise my brows and mutter, “I don’t think it works like that.” But did my skepticism take anything away from the novel? No, absolutely not. The Libyan Diversion was everything I needed and so much more. Riveting, thought-provoking, and entertaining, Joel C. Rosenburg’s newest novel is marvelous. I hope to see Marcus Ryker again! 

Note: I received a free copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All views are my own.

The Libyan Diversion by Joel Rosenberg – Un-Putdownable and Will Keep You Awake at Night


Joel Rosenberg is one of my favorite authors.  When he writes a new book, I want to read it.  On May 16, 2023, The Libyan Diversion, the fifth book in the Marcus Ryker series will be released.  

Joel Rosenberg is a compelling writer.  From the get-go I was all in and didn’t want to put this book down.  The Libyan Diversion’s storyline could have been ripped from today’s headline news.  As horrifying as some of the scenarios are, unfortunately they are believable in today’s world.

Marcus Ryker is back in the United States and has no time to mend before he is called to present information to President Clark and his cabinet members.  Marcus and his team have done a thorough investigation and it appears that Abu Nakba, man behind the recent Kairos terrorist strikes around the world, is within reach and can be taken down.  Abu Nakba and his network.

When news breaks that the authorized strike may have hit the wrong target, the job for Marcus and his team just got a whole lot more complicated.  In addition to the fallout from the strike, there is a concern about another planned Kairos strike in the United States with four possible targets.  

I enjoyed reading this book.  I like the characters, the fast pace and action.  I appreciate the clarity between good and evil.  Marcus and several of the other characters are Christians and faith was a small part of the story.  I would like to have seen that element further developed.  I liked Marcus and his team and their dedication to do whatever it takes to stop the terrorists.  The Libyan Diversion keeps the action going until the very end.  

Joel Rosenberg’s The Libyan Diversion will keep you up late at night.  It’s un-putdownable.  

If you like geo-political thrillers, intrigue, and action, you will want to get The Libyan Diversion by Joel Rosenberg.  I highly recommend it.  If you haven’t read the earlier books in this series, I recommend you get those too.  

I would like to thank Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complementary copy of The Libyan Diversion by Joel Rosenberg.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.

I will forever be in awe of Joel Rosenberg's books. Reading them feeling like I am watching a movie. If 10 stars were possible, I'd give this book.

I love the way he handles hard topics with faith. It is astounding. I admire some of the characters who were believing Christian doing jobs one would think it's not possible for them to do if. I love how their faith guides them even in such career. The action is thrilling, palpable in fact. The book has a very easy pace to follow.

Lovers of international espionage, action, suspense would love this book.

I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion

Another outstanding novel by Joel Rosenberg is found with his latest installment in the Marcus Ryker series, The Libyan Diversion.  And what a terrific diversion this book was from the world in which we now live.  Both his novel and our world have plenty of excitement, but at least we can pretend that his is mostly fiction. 

I wasn't very far into this book before having to stop and just say, "Wow, this is truly a great read."  And that was before the REALLY thrilling parts of the story began.  

In other words ----    Plenty of action, great story.

Others have already discussed the story line and there isn't much more to be said there without issuing spoiler alerts, however, it is worth mentioning that I am left wondering whether we've seen the last of the American who was dealt with fairly early on --- but was that permanent?  He seemed to still have too much potential as an exceptionally evil character to not get to enjoy disliking him immensely in a future Marcus Ryker novel.

One more thing - Mr. Rosenberg has not embraced the trend in this genre (and others) over the past several decades of including sex and profanity in their books.  Kudos to him for a clean read.  Much appreciated. 
 
Thank-you to Tyndale House Publishers, Netgalley.com and Joel Rosenberg for providing me with a complimentary copy of The Libyan Diversion in exchange for my unbiased review.

I have not met a Joel Rosenberg book I didn't like!!!!  The Libyan Diversion was action packed from the get-go.  Even with all the action and intrigue, this book had lots or character building and relationship building between the characters.    Joel Rosenberg has such insight into the world at large that his books are true to life, keep you up late reading, and telling yourself these events could be happening at any time.  Thoroughly enjoyed this latest Marcus Ryker adventure and waiting not very patiently for the next book!!
Thank you, Net Galley, for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The Libyan Diversion, by Joel C. Rosenberg, is the fifth book in the Marcus Ryker series. It is a fast paced, action packed suspenseful military and political thriller. I really enjoy this story. It is intense and kept me reading just to see what would happen next. I enjoy reading Rosenberg’s stories as they are well thought out and gives the reader a look into the dangers the military person, and their families, endure for the sake of our country.

I enjoyed reading the intense preparation that needed to take place for the Pope to make a visit. I also enjoyed how realistic the story is with Ryker and the supposed mistake in the strike against Nakba’s headquarters. The story not only shows the threats from foreign soil but also the hostilities from others within our own country. This is just such a good story to read.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this story from NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishing. This is my honest review.

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Joel C. Rosenberg, and Tyndall House Publishers for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Joel C. Rosenberg, thought to be one of the great prognosticators of Middle East political goings-on, is back with another novel in his Marcus Ryker series. Filled with wonderful geopolitical drama and on point writing, Rosenberg dazzles readers with his detailed stories that have a way of turning into newspaper headlines, while never skimping on action or extrapolating out of the realm of possibility. With a great deal left up in the air when the previous novel ended, Rosenberg offers series fans something intense and full of answers, while layering on more questions to ponder. Fantastic reading for those who have the time and inclination!

After locating one of the world’s more nefarious terrorist—Abu Nakba—Marcus Ryker is ready to make his move. He outlines his proof regarding the location of a man responsible for horrible bombings both within and outside the US, letting POTUS and the National Security Team decide to strike with a powerful drone. When the strike is done, all seems to be right in the world, until a news report shows that the intel was flawed and a number of disabled children in hospital ended up being killed when the strike took place.

While Ryker has been tasked with getting rid of the remaining members of Kairos, the most ruthless terrorist group with strong Middle Eastern ties, he soon becomes persona non grata as details of the drone strike surface. He is immediately suspended by POTUS, just before the Leader of the Free World is struck down by a horrible medical emergency, leaving the country in a political quagmire. What can Ryker do but face the music and remain sidelined, as he tries to understand how he must have been so wrong?

In response to the strike, Kairos is preparing for a retaliatory strike against the Great Satan, with a plan that will surely have reverberations all over the world. Keeping news of the president’s illness from the press, the vice-president must assume a role he never expected would be his, under the 25th Amendment. As new intelligence suggests that Kairos could not only be targeting America but be inside its borders, it is a scramble to crack the code before all is lost. 

All the major players will have to make decisions well outside their comfort zones, in an effort to save the free world and keep the country safe from terrorist harm. With the clock ticking and a major event planned in the heart of the country, action must be taken. Will Marcus Ryder remain a benchwarmer, even with that major gaffe on his record? Rosenberg spins a story like no other and kept me begging to know more as I pushed through this book whenever time permitted.

Whatever the reader’s politics, Joel C. Rosenberg makes reading this book both enjoyable and thrilling. He has an insider’s view of the Middle East situation and uses it effectively with a strong narrative. There are so many moving parts to follow that Rosenberg relies on his key cast of characters to push things along before reaching the climactic moment. Mostly in the moment revelations, Rosenberg allows some of his characters to develop their backstories and progress, which is sure to appease series fans. Plot twists emerge repeatedly, with a number of events building on one another until the final event pits two opposing forces together. One cannot get enough of this, particularly as Rosenberg has a knack for predicting events in geopolitical spheres, unlike any other author I have read. With a number of threads left to dangle, the next in this series is sure to be even more impactful and I await its release.

Kudos, Mr. Rosenberg, for a stellar piece of writing and proof that political thrillers can be multi-dimensional.

Abu Nakba—the man responsible for lethal attacks in Washington, D.C., London, and Jerusalem—is finally dead. Marcus Ryker has been tasked with hunting down and destroying what’s left of the terror group Kairos.  But before Ryker can mobilize his team of CIA operatives with their new assignment, a disturbing report from Libya suggests all may not be as it seems. The U.S. bombing that should have taken out Nakba’s headquarters now appears to have been a disastrous mistake—and Ryker himself may be responsible.  With Kairos gearing up for a major retaliatory strike against the U.S., time is short, and terror cells may already be inside American borders. Ryker won’t be able to stop this threat until he clears his own name, and his closest ally inside the White House can no longer help him.

I have several of Rosenbert's books on my shelf that I haven't read so decided to request this one to see if I liked his writing.  The answer is an unequivocal ""yes"!  He describes the scenes with such accuracy that you can see it as Ryker sees it, both in Libya and the United States.  I thoroughly enjoyed the book that kept me reading late into the night to finish and see what happens.  Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting my request for this book, and I will definitely read the ones on my shelf now.

I've read the prior books in the series, and I do recommend reading them in order.

I didn't enjoy this one quite as much, but as always, it's an action-packed, and all too believable, thriller. Rosenberg is a master at research, and it shows in all his books, and he makes the reader feel that they're smack dab in the middle of all the action. Numerous twists and turns keep the reader engaged. The author's books are always realistic and timely, and this one is no exception. There are references to prior books, but it would still be advisable to read them in order. The list of characters in the book is helpful, as there are a large number of them. The religious angle is woven throughout, but it's not preachy. Christianity and Islam are both addressed.

The Libyan Diversion by Joel C. Rosenberg is one of the best books in this series. I was a little doubtful at first to continue reading about Marcus Ryker but I am glad I read this one. The ups and downs is what makes it so good and of course the telling of the story is very well done by Rosenberg. The book is filled with suspense and action as well as political back stabbing. I wonder what problems lie ahead for Marcus. I must thank Tyndal House and Netgalley for letting me read this advance copy.

The Libyan Diversion is the fifth book in Joel Rosenberg's Marcus Ryker books, and in humble opinion the best one yet. I just finished reading it and my heart is still pounding! Talk about edge of your seat, non stop action, Wow!. Now as much as I loved it I must caution that it is a political thriller and not for the faint of heart as there are some graphic scenes. I do love the realistic feel to Rosenberg's books. Living in Israel as he does, he gives an authentic view to events that could happen at any time.

Marcus Ryker and all of the other characters have depth and backstories, they are very realistic and as such I really cared what happened to them. Rosenberg uses great detail such that one almost feels a par of the action, I found myself flinching at times. I highly recommend the whole Marcus Ryker series starting with the Kremlin conspiracy. The only problem with this book is that it is over and now I need to find something else to read!

So settle back with a pot of tea for a fantastic, edge of your seat adventure!

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

Teeming with dynamic, ferocious, no holds barred action, The Libyan Diversion is one of the most tense and titillating thrillers you will encounter in 2023.  Joel C. Rosenberg delivers yet another engaging and captivating novel that will leave you sweaty, breathless and stunned.

After Marcus Ryker presents evidence that convinces the President to bomb the supposed location of terrorist mastermind Abu Nakba, all signs point to a successful outcome with the Kairos leader dead and Ryker tasked with mopping up the rest of the terror organization.  However, days later alarming images are shown on CNN purporting the bombing location wasn’t filled with terrorists, but of innocents.  Setting in motion a firestorm in the United States that impacts the president, his administration, Ryker’s employment, and the planned visit of the Pope.  Now an attack on American soil by Kairos seems imminent with little knowledge of where to start.  Which means Ryker will have to quickly clear his name and do what he does best – figure out what the terrorists are planning then stop the attack before tens of thousands of his compatriots are murdered.  

Did I mention this book is action packed?  Because that’s an understatement.  Bombings, gun battles, and missile strikes intertwined with kidnappings, crossing hostile borders, and intelligence gathering wrapped around a global manhunt with the clock ticking down towards doomsday…oh my!  There is hardly a moment to catch your breath as the story goes from one intense situation to the next.

And while the action is relentless, The Libyan Diversion also runs the gamut of emotions.  Elation, adoration and excitement give way to despondency, horror and anxiety before pivoting to awe, relief and love.  And in the middle of it all is Marcus Ryker, singularly focused on his purpose despite all the turbulence around him, tracking down those who would do us harm and stopping at nothing to achieve success.  His resiliency and effectiveness are impressive, all while remaining humble and overcoming adversity.  Something we can all admire and learn from.  

Are you in need of a gripping, balls-to-the-wall, nail-biting thriller?  If so, look no further than The Libyan Diversion.  It’s tremendous and needs to be on every thriller reader’s TBR pile in 2023.

WOW! One of Rosenberg's best and definitely the best Ryker. I could not put it down until I finished it around 2 a.m. Thanks for a terrific read.

Duplicity is a well written thriller with a multitude of action and mysterious events. The characters and situations are believable with the story taking the reader to Ireland, Washington DC, Chicago and Las Vegas. The pace is nonstop acceleration and the reader is constantly wondering where it will lead next — whether it is investigating a cold case or a current disappearance/kidnapping.

I highly recommend this novel to all who enjoy this genre and I thank NewGalley and Oceanview Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to publication.