Damascus Station
by David McCloskey
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Pub Date Jan 26 2023 | Archive Date Jan 26 2023
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Description
A CIA officer and his recruit arrive in Damascus to hunt for a killer
'The most realistic and authentic depiction of modern-day tradecraft in nonpermissive and hostile environments you will find in print. I am shocked the CIA's Publication Review Board allowed David McCloskey's Damascus Station to see the light of day. Read it now, before it is banned!' - Jack Carr, Navy SEAL sniper and New York Times bestselling author of The Devil's Hand
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.
Advance Praise
'Damascus Station is simply marvellous storytelling...a stand-out thriller and essential reading for fans of the genre' - Financial Times
'Superb breathlessly gripping thrilling & truly terrifying, written in unadorned style by an CIA agent, almost real in its details of CIA espionage in Syria, savage feuds within Assad palace, intrigues of Mideast. Highly recommended' - Simon Sebag Montefiore
‘So staggeringly good, I nearly cannot believe it’s a debut novel. David McCloskey is a spectacular talent. Even this early in his career, he calls to mind Frederick Forsyth and Daniel Silva’ - New York Times bestselling Gregg Hurwitz, author of Orphan X
'For an authentic representation of what it's like to work in intelligence, look no further than Damascus Station. McCloskey has captured it all: the breathtaking close calls, the hand in glove of tech and ops, the heartbreaking disappointments, the thrill of a hard-won victory' - Alma Katsu, author of Red Widow and former CIA and NSA analyst
'The most realistic and authentic depiction of modern-day tradecraft in nonpermissive and hostile environments you will find in print. I am shocked the CIA's Publication Review Board allowed David McCloskey's Damascus Station to see the light of day. Read it now, before it is banned!' - Jack Carr, Navy SEAL sniper and New York Times bestselling author of The Devil's Hand
Available Editions
| EDITION | Hardcover |
| ISBN | 9781800752696 |
| PRICE | £9.99 (GBP) |
Links
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Greville W, Reviewer
Red Sparrow redux?
This was a superbly plotted and written spy thriller. One of the best that I have read in recent years.
Action packed but also full of geopolitical details of the relationship between Syria and the USA.
The tradecraft seemed authentic and the excitement never let up.
I hope that this is the first of a series.
Highly recommended.
Kevin H, Reviewer
What an impressive debut novel.
I am always on the look-out for spy novels however there appear to be very few authors out there who have been able to capture the genre perfectly (other than Le Carre and Forsyth, for me).
However, what is clear from this novel is that McCloskey has been there, done it and a whole lot more. The intricacies of the story are there for all to see and in the hands of a lesser author they would not play out as well as they do here.
A huge recommendation to anyone like me who loves spy novels but struggles to find the right books.
Thanks to Netgalley and Swift Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
IAIN M, Reviewer
An absorbing book that rolls along nicely and one you can see being made into a film..
Has an edge that is missing in some books of a similar style, making it all the more enjoyable.
Gordon B, Reviewer
Great storytelling and a thrilling and intelligent book (sadly a rare combination these days).
The author clearly knows his stuff and at times makes it difficult to follow all the nuances of the plot, but this doesn’t spoil the story, rather it makes you concentrate that bit harder.
I look forward to reading more of Mr McCloskey’s work.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC
Douglas & Diane H, Reviewer
Brilliantly written though a difficult read and not for the squeamish. From the horrors of supporting a regime you do not believe in to voluntarily becoming a spy is quite terrifying. The book captures it all and much more in a fast paced thriller.
Michael S, Reviewer
Modern spy story ,full of the high tech requirements needed to be successful in hostile environments.
A great uncomfortable novel that feels very real.
Samuel Joseph a C.I.A. operative working out of Damascus looses his work partner Val to the Syrian regime who dies under torture. The C.I.A. sets out to identify the person who kills Val and Sam gets the go ahead to do just that.
Sam identifies a Syrian working for the Palace who has access to sensitive material and tries to recruit her and run her against all odds.
The story is gruesome against a violent and merciless regime . Nobody can possibly come out of this well.
Exciting and fast moving book that feels right up to date.
John V, Reviewer
Damascus Station is a very gritty spy thriller. It really got under my skin and I felt emotionally involved with the two main characters Sam Joseph and Mariam. The novel explored moral dilemmas and allegiances. Family tends to trump allegiances and a desire to make a difference can be easily thwarted by manipulating that factor. The Syrian regime depicted in the novel seemed to rule by coercive control so all encompassing that those caught up in it could see no way out, no means of escape. I thought Ali, whether or not a real detective in a more peaceful time, could have been a decent man had it not been for the war, certainly a different character to his brutish brother. For those who would prefer a spy thriller that is like the real thing, this one is for you. I enoyed reading it immensely. It has to be a five star review from me.
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