Dark Asset: A Marc Portman Thriller

In Magson’s frenetic fourth Marc Portman thriller (after 2016’s Hard Cover), the wily freelance close protection specialist takes on a job for France’s main intelligence agency, the General Directorate for External Security. Consultant engineer André Masse, who’s in fact a DGSE deep-cover operative, possesses a hard drive filled with data that’s potentially damaging for at least two countries. Portman’s mission is to get Masse out of Mogadishu, Somalia, and across the border to Djibouti. In an abandoned Mogadishu office building, Portman finds a mutilated body, which he identifies as Masse’s. After retrieving the hard drive, he dodges bullets and fragmentation grenades fired by a murderous assault team of unknown origin as he rappels down an elevator shaft to safety. Then things really heat up. Portman must contend with spies, counterspies, terrorists, greedy politicians, and a power-mad former U.S. colonel en route to the open ending. Those seeking thoughtful reflection in their action heroes will have to look elsewhere. Agent: David Headley, DHH Literary Agency. (May)