Middle East expert MacKinnon (Morning Spy, Evening Spy
) puts a fresh twist on the stolen suitcase-nuke plot in this smart thriller. Rick Behringer runs Global Reach Technologies, a company that designs communications systems, but his real job is as a contractor to the CIA. Rick specializes in what is known as “foreign matériel acquisition,” which means he buys weapons illegally from other countries and passes them along to the CIA. The money is good, and Rick has a strong sense of patriotism, but mostly he likes the adrenaline high that comes with this outsourced spy work. When Rick comes across a Pakistani, Ahmed Sajid (aka “the Engineer”), who’s attempting to acquire nuclear material from a Russian gangster to build an atomic weapon for terrorist purposes, Rick’s CIA handlers push him to investigate. Soon Rick finds himself in serious trouble. This fine espionage procedural should please spy and adventure fans alike. (Mar.)
