Assessment:
Plot/Idea: Revelation, the third installment in Casey's Devolution Trilogy, continues the adventures of professor/CIA agent Michael Dolan. After successfully thwarting a large-scale terrorist attack with his SCALPEL colleagues, Dolan is now heading up a new unit (REVENANT). Casey's plot finds Dolan and his team unwittingly stumbling onto a vast and intricate plan to wreak havoc on the entire world in a series of potentially catastrophic events. The storyline stays twisty throughout, though the ending feels somewhat anti-climactic.
Prose: Detailed and action-packed prose are the heartbeat of this psychological thriller. Casey is an exceptional writer who knows how to captivate his readers while sweeping them into a clever, breakneck ride.
Originality: Geopolitical spy thrillers with a psychological aspect are common. However, Casey's intricate, well-researched plot is modern, mysterious, and well-told—elevating it beyond the average dime store thriller.
Character/Execution: Despite the presence of many recurring characters from earlier installments, Casey thoughtfully develops the main cast, especially Dolan and his fellow team members. The characters are engaging and appealing—so much so that readers unfamiliar with the series will want to read the first two books.
Date Submitted: August 22, 2023
"A superbly written, spellbinding spy thriller that deftly conjoins the threat of global cyberterrorism with a nuanced, yet apocalyptic storyline. Revelation grips and does not let go."
“Sleek and sophisticated…Replete with political and diplomatic intrigue and global cyber and economic stratagems. This book is one of the best international spy thrillers you’ll read this year, or frankly, in any year.”
“Revelation is a high-concept black ops thriller masterfully interwoven with international finance, crypto tech, and theological subplots—an explosive and chilling postmodern spy novel that highlights the emergence of cyber as a new front in both traditional and asymmetric warfare."
John Casey appeared on San Antonio Living, NBC TV Channel 4, to discuss his new spy thriller REVELATION with show host Shelly Miles.
