Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Without Sanction by Don Bentley Narrator: Jack Armstrong
Published by Penguin Audio on March 3, 2020
Genres: Mystery, Thriller
Length: 10 hours, 36 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
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Defense Intelligence Agency operative Matt Drake broke a promise. A promise that cost three people their lives and crippled his best friend. Three months later, he's paralyzed by survivor's guilt and haunted by the memories of the fallen. Matt may have left Syria, but Syria hasn't left him.
In the midst of his self-imposed exile, Matt is dragged back into the world of espionage and assets that he tried to forget. A Pakistani scientist working for an ISIS splinter cell has created a terrifying weapon of mass destruction. The scientist offers to defect with the weapon, but he trusts just one man to bring him out of Syria alive—Matt Drake.
I didn’t know anything about this author or series but it sounded different than my usual mystery / thriller books. Without Sanction is more of a political thriller than a spy or military one, and the first in the Matt Drake series.
I felt a bit confused initially when getting to know the characters and the politics in this world. I wasn’t sure who the good guys or bad guys were. I thought they might all be good or bad. I found myself rooting for each character in the part with their point of view at the start. Later, I realized some of them were not working together for the country, only themselves. This political fighting to win by “spinning” the truth is the upsetting reality of today.
In the end, there are people like Matt Drake, whose word means something, and he risks himself to keep it. There were many life and death moments in this thrilling adventure. There were plenty of gray areas with some seriously flawed characters. I am sure I will want to read more about someone fighting for the factual truth as difficult as it may be.
Narration:
I’ve not listened to the narrator in the past. I enjoyed the easily understandable voices, mostly all male but many were distinct for the characters. I listened at my normal 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip:
About Don Bentley
Don Bentley spent a decade as an Army Apache helicopter pilot, and while deployed in Afghanistan was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Air Medal with “V” device for valor. Following his time in the military, Don worked as an FBI special agent focusing on foreign intelligence and counterintelligence and was a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team member.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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i love flawed charcters and villains. sounds like a good one
I liked it and am interested in reading on in the series.
It sounds like you need to pay attention while reading this one. And flawed characters come across so much more genuine.
yes and yes. There was a lot of action and sometimes that makes it easy to miss small details.
You found another series! This sounds pretty good, too. Wonderful review, Anne?
Thank you! It’s a very different type of series for me. More military / political / government but very interesting.
I’m not familiar with this author but the book sounds intriguing and I like characters who are flawed or gray, instead of black or white.
yes, “gray” characters are much more fascinating.
Sounds like an interesting one. Although perhaps confusing, it sounds fun not knowing if a character was good or bad.
There was nothing typical about this for me and that makes it a very worthwhile read.
You’re right, spinning the truth is an unsettling reality we have to deal with, especially in politics! This sounds like a Jason Bourne sort of story. Glad to hear you enjoyed it, Anne! 🙂
It’s been quite awhile since I read Jason Bourne books but yes sort of. The action takes place in Afghanistan where there is guerrilla war with shooting by the factions pretty much daily.