The French Illusion by John Grisham

Grisham deviates from the legal thriller genre and delves into international espionage to highlight actions the United States has taken in the fight against terrorism. The French Illusion lays bare some not-so-palatable methods employed by countries, including the United States, in the name of counterterrorism. At times, a disturbing read, it is both informative and frightening.

Paul and Chelsea Tanner are on their honeymoon in Paris when they are abducted and held for ransom. Their parents, who pay the ransom, are told not to contact the police or FBI, but when the kidnappers renege on their promises, all bets are off. The FBI, CIA, and French intelligence get involved. The agencies discover that this is not the first American honeymoon couple to be abducted in Paris; indeed, it has happened two previous times, with similar results. Seeking to find a common bond in the kidnappings, they find that the three men are former military personnel who were deployed when the US was seeking Al-Qaeda terrorists. The CIA decides to send a couple undercover to try and get some leads on the location of the abductees. Carefully chosen, the pair are CIA operative Rae Claire Russo and former JAG lawyer Stuart Nash, who hope to convince the kidnappers that they are the real deal.

This is a suspenseful novel that highlights the moral dilemma faced by countries dealing with terrorism: how to identify the terrorists and what methods are allowed during interrogation. How far is too far?  Grisham does a good job of describing the ordeal of the kidnap victims and the motive of the kidnapper, such that I was left pondering whose actions were more justified. There is an e-short, The Law Student, that is a prequel to this book. 

4/5 stars. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Doubleday, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is September 29, 2026. 

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Revenge Prey by John Sandford

It's hard to believe this is the thirty-sixth book in Sandford's "Prey" series. I have been on board since the first book and have watched Lucas Davenport's character develop as he has changed law enforcement agencies and faced numerous villains over the years. Every book has been a welcome addition to the series, and Revenge Prey showcases renegade Davenport at his best.

A high-level Russian intelligence officer and his family have defected to the U.S. and are entering the U.S. Marshal Service's Witness Protection Program. Davenport and his partner, along with the FBI and a CIA operative, are tasked with helping the family settle in Minnesota. When an attempt is made on the man's life by an elite Russian hit team, Davenport and company must step up their protection and try to find out who is supplying the hit team with their information. With the story switching between the hit team and Davenport, the action is non-stop as both factions race against time to either save or kill the defector.

John Sandford can be relied upon for a good, heart-pounding thriller. Revenge Prey is no different. Although I wasn't as enamored with the plot as in his previous books, it was still a satisfying read. It was interesting to get the hit team's point of view, and I found it hard not to root for them. They were under pressure, and failure was not an option — not if they wanted to return to Russia. Once again, Lucas was defying authority, and by teaming with the shady CIA agent, they were an unstoppable pair. 

4/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is April 7, 2026.

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Never Flinch by Stephen King

 I liked King's Holly Gibney character in the first book she was featured in, Mr. Mercedes; she was unusual and quirky. Over the following books, however, Gibney lost those characteristics. In this book, she is a bland, predictable character, as is the plot. I quit reading halfway through and, as a devoted Stephen King fan, that says a lot. I have read all of his books and have always finished and enjoyed them.

Holly is unofficially consulting with Buckeye City Police Department Detective Izzy James on a case in which the police department received a letter outlining that "thirteen innocents and one guilty" person would die. They assume the letter is related to an innocent man who was murdered in prison. When the bodies begin to pile up, with each left with the name of a jury member who convicted the man, Holly and Izzy gear up to find this vigilante. 

Meanwhile, outspoken women's rights advocate Kate McKay is on tour promoting her controversial agenda with a planned stop in Buckeye City. When threats against McKay's life escalate, she hires Holly as her bodyguard. Now it's up to Holly to help find a serial killer and whoever is behind the threats on McKay's life.

This is a slow-moving book with a predictable plot. As stated above, Holly has become a one-dimensional character whom I no longer care about. I'll pass if King writes another book featuring Holly Gibney. 

2/5 stars.

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Southern Man by Greg Iles

 

This seventh Cage Penn book is the icing on the cake following Iles' amazing Nachez Burning trilogy (Nachez Burning, The Bone Tree, and Mississippi Blood), which also features Penn Cage. Set fifteen years after Mississippi Blood, in 2023, on the eve of the presidential election, it is a microscopic look at the state of US politics, race relations, and the nature of the unrest we are currently experiencing.

When a rap concert turns bloody at the hands of the Sheriff's Department in Bienville, Mississippi, two figures emerge as leaders: one, a Black tourist guide, and the other, a White third-party presidential candidate who has the best chance of winning since Ross Perot. One hopes to quell the retaliatory mood of the crowd, and the other hopes to raise his political aspirations to a national stage. At odds, the stage is set for a confrontation with far-reaching consequences.

This looks like it will be the final Penn Cage book, as it is revealed early on that Cage's cancer is no longer in remission. That's sad news for fans of the series, myself included, but Iles does a good job of handling the characters and dealing with the life-threatening situation. This fast-moving story weaves together today's political climate and Civil War-era slavery issues. It is sometimes uncomfortable to read, but it is a story that needs telling. This political and historical thriller shines a light on corruption, race relations, and family relationships, both past and present. It is an excellently written book that can be read as a standalone--although the other books in the series are so good, I recommend reading them all. 

5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is May 28, 2024.

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