Former SAS operatives John Porter and John Bald are engaged by their MI6 bosses for a secretive and dangerous mission in Venezuela. They are joining up with a small group of ex-US Navy SEALS to rescue a kidnapped academic accused of spying and who’s being held amidst the political chaos there. The British government wants her back, but they also want a wholly deniable operation, which is where Bald and Porter come in.
Meanwhile, the rich and shady Julian Cantwell, who styles himself as a political consultant, and specialises in manipulating elections around the world by bribing opponents and blackmailing political rivals, finds his interests threatened. Cantwell then uses his contacts to act ruthlessly, and the opening chapters of Circle of Death show exactly how far he’s willing to go when his reputation is on the line.
Porter and Bald make a good pair of protagonists. Porter, still trying hard to stay off the booze after three years dry now, takes a backseat to his younger, talkative friend. But they quickly unite in the face of a common enemy, even though they are meant to be working alongside the Americans.
The pair have to rely on local hired help to get them to the compound where the woman is being held. It turns out that the local rebels are funding their operations off the back of a drugs operation.
Ryan never fails to offer a slick, hard-hitting thriller. This time with a techno edge, but with enough twists and turns to keep the reader enthralled and captivated. He also expertly throws in some unexpected plot twists along the way. If you like military thrillers, then Circle of Death will appeal to you.