The Handler by M.P. Woodward: Review

If there is one type of book I love to get into it is espionage. Known for the deep, twisted, tangled webs of mystery, suspense, and plot twists, you definitely need to focus and stay on your toes to follow the storyline. But I love them!

Anxious to read and review a new author to the espionage game, this new book definitely follows the protocol for how a great story should be written. Plus, the author has a bit of knowledge in his chosen subject. Check out my thoughts below.

The Handler by M.P. Woodward
Publisher : ‎ Berkley (May 31, 2022)
ISBN-13 : ‎ 978-0593441633

OVERVIEW:
A disgraced former CIA operative must go back in the field with only his ex-wife as his handler in this electrifying thriller from a former intelligence officer.

Meredith Morris-Dale is a CIA case officer and a damn good one…even if this last mission did go terribly wrong. Now she has been summoned back to Langley where she expects to be fired. Instead, she is met by the Deputy Director with stunning news.

A single well-placed CIA mole in Iran’s uranium enrichment program has kept the terrorist nation from building a bomb by sabotaging the performance of their covert centrifuge arrays. But after losing his daughter in an airliner shootdown, the mole wants out—leaving the world on the brink. His one demand: a reunion with the only handler he ever trusted, John Dale—Meredith’s disgraced, fired, wayward ex-husband. As Meredith and John struggle through their fraught relationship, a craven CIA political hierarchy, Russian interference, and the rogue spy’s manipulation, they must reach deep within their shared connection to maintain, recover, or kill the asset.

The Handler by M.P. Woodward Review

I was ready for a new black ops book and this one fit the bill! Sometimes taking a chance on a new author can be a hit or a miss and this one is definitely a hit.

The general twist in this novel is the ex-wife/ex-husband connection and it sets up the story perfectly. The characters have that innate knowledge about each other that really showcases the plot. Even their daughter has an interesting side role that is yet to be completely explored…maybe a future storyline to come.

Woodward takes us around the world with suspenseful chases and twists that you don’t see coming. Interference from all sides keeps you guessing who can be trusted and the good vs evil theory is tested more than once.

Due to Woodward’s past career, he is highly knowledgeable about this topic and the chosen locations of the plot which makes it tough to put this one down once you get going. I stumbled through a few spots where I kept losing track of who was who due to the high number of characters, but once I got them down, the story flowed smoothly at a fast pace.

The story is unique, detailed, and highly descriptive. Woodward nailed the deep, twisted, tangled webs of mystery, suspense, and plot twists. Plus, the edge of your seat suspense-filled ending leaves you looking for more from this up-and-coming author of note.

4 STARS!

Disclaimer: Chris has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free ebook so she could evaluate and use it for this post. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.