This conspiracy thriller posits an evil conspiracy embedded in the U.S. government. Be afraid, be very afraid as the Blackbriar spies try to undercover evil-conspirators by their own evil means. Is this book anti-American? Does it foretell the demise of America with the story’s portrayal of unnecessary torture, murders of innocents and presumption of American hegemony?  Or, is it pro-American, promoting the scenario that only American spies can save the world from the bad guys?  

Since thriller writer Robert Ludlum’s death twenty years ago, his publisher has contracted others to write the  hugely popular Jason Bourne series. THE BLACKBRIAR GENESIS is the first in the next series, by a new writer, Simon Gervais. Simon sticks to the format: assassins, complicated conspiracies, fake news, blood and guts and international settings – Prague, Egypt and Mexico – Mexico because drug lords aim to weaken America by providing funds for America’s enemies.  

 Simon has been an infantry officer in the Canadian military, a drug investigator and  an antiterrorism specialist in Europe and the Middle East. He’s been around. He has the military and spy experience to write a Jason Bourne conspiracy thriller. 

Blackbriar is the name of a new secret spy agency in America that the other spy agencies don’t know exists. Blackbriar doesn’t have to worry about rules – it is encouraged to do anything to get the job done. That means torture, murder, and a lack of deep analysis and self-righteousness. Is this what America is coming to? Or is this what America already is? However, you interpret the book, the American government is portrayed as being in disarray, brutal, uncaring and all out for itself.

But THE BLACKBRIAR GENESIS is a rip-roaring page-turning thriller. Non-stop action with plenty of improbable coincidences as the HHHHHcounter-terrorists almost foil the supposed good guys in Blackbriar. This is the first in the series. More gore coming for Jason Bourne fans.

 

Published by Head of Zeus, an imprint of Penguin Random House, October 2022

ISBN:97818003285979

$30 paperback