This is the forth of Richards works I've read. it was November 2012 when I read Wired and Amped, then October last year with The Cure. Each of them was very enjoyable, but I think this is my favourite of his published works to date.

Of course, the opening makes you think of Bourne. It's a comparison I've drawn for better or worse with lots of authors (see my thoughts on works by [a:James Patterson|3780|James Patterson|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1284492096p2/3780.jpg], [a:Jon Stock|865780|Jon Stock|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1347034578p2/865780.jpg], [a:Ken Follett|3447|Ken Follett|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1357897364p2/3447.jpg], [a:Marcus Sakey|38652|Marcus Sakey|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1308668896p2/38652.jpg], [a:Mat Nastos|5099472|Mat Nastos|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1380394074p2/5099472.jpg], and [a:Thomas E. Sniegoski|27140|Thomas E. Sniegoski|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1238440776p2/27140.jpg]). This book transcends that, of course, and quickly takes itself off in its own direction.

With good, flowing prose and an author as self-effacing and humble as they come, there's little to dislike about the style. He has his tropes, and the things that you grow to expect in his novels, but who doesn't? Look at [a:Dave Duncan|30279|Dave Duncan|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1296918710p2/30279.jpg], a paragraph of his would be identifiable a mile away and he's probably my most-read author of all time. I'm solidly impressed, and would without hesitation pass a recommendation to any thriller fans. In the league of people like [a:James Follett|147799|James Follett|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1229483410p2/147799.jpg] (but not British, which does show), [a:Richard Bard|3938827|Richard Bard|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1324331943p2/3938827.jpg], [a:Greg Iles|19696|Greg Iles|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1237128443p2/19696.jpg], [a:Daniel Suarez|1956402|Daniel Suarez|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1265394868p2/1956402.jpg] and [a:Chris Ryan|2542|Chris Ryan|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1317115088p2/2542.jpg], without a doubt.