Rogue Strike

Ricciardi’s worthy if flawed sequel to 2018’s Warning Light takes CIA officer Jake Keller (who used to be known as Zac Miller) to Yemen on his first mission as a member of the agency’s Special Activities Center. He and veteran agent Curt Roach are in charge of launching a drone strike on terrorist leader Mullah Muktar. When the drone releases two missiles aimed at Muktar, someone seizes control of the missiles in midair and redirects them to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, where pilgrims have arrived for the annual hajj. The world blames America for the thousands who die in Mecca’s Grand Mosque. The chief of Special Activities, Ted Graves, and other government officials try to pin the blame on Keller and Roach, saying the agents have gone rogue. In fact, certain individuals wishing to drive a wedge between Muslims and the U.S. have masterminded the attack. The twisting, complicated plot needs a lot of explaining to maintain coherence, and the otherwise rapid pacing and exciting action suffer as a result. Still, Ricciardi remains a fresh voice in the crowded spy thriller field. Agent: Rick Richter, Aevitas Creative Management. (June)