SPY SHADOWS

In the fourth installment of Peters’ thriller series, former IRA terrorist–turned–MI6 operative Henry Crowne embeds himself in one of the most dangerous jihadi organizations in the world.

After months of meticulous preparation, Crowne is finally in a position to begin his mission, and it’s a perilous undertaking, indeed. He created a believable backstory, portraying himself as a criminal investment genius who’s embraced a new faith. Now, he aims to infiltrate the terrorist organization known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant by vowing to consolidate its growing financial empire, with the ultimate goal of defeating the West. Once inside, he plans to gather as much finance-related intel on the group as possible. With the help of his mentor, Wasim, Crowne is making inroads with the group—but his mission becomes complicated when a prominent British journalist is kidnapped and imprisoned along with other hostages. The danger to both Crowne and the others increases exponentially after the Islamic State attacks and gains control of the city of Mosul and then declares itself a caliphate. The conclusion is predictable and a bit of an anticlimax. Nonetheless, it’s clear that Peters has otherwise mastered the art of thriller writing. So many narrative elements here are noteworthy—the relentless pacing throughout; the external and internal tensions brought to bear on the protagonist on every page; and the emotional intensity of the characters’ respective plights, which helps to make them more relatable. Almost every chapter begins and ends with a powerful statement or plot revelation, which makes the novel virtually impossible to put down. The timeliness of this story cannot be overlooked either; its exploration of the rise of hate and intolerance throughout the world gives the storyline notable weight and gravitas.

A fast-paced, often compelling, and relevant thriller.