A debut political thriller that pits Israeli and U.S. military forces against an Iranian government on the verge of obtaining a nuclear weapon.
As the United States attempts to neutralize Iran’s march toward nuclear capability with economic sanctions and diplomacy, a battle-hardened Israeli government takes a more aggressive tactical approach. It deploys a devastating computer virus, assassinates key Iranian nuclear scientists, and prepares to relocate its top source of insider intelligence, Dr. Ali Bagheri Kani, the deputy secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, to Israel by staging a fake assassination. The operation is conducted by an elite Israeli unit, the Sayeret Matkal, which answers to Gen. Tamir Pardo, the head of the Israeli intelligence agency, Mossad. American Col. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson is recruited to join the team; he’s a decorated Special Forces soldier attached to the CIA who has a doctorate in Persian studies. After Bagheri is successfully extricated from Iran, he confirms the Israelis’ worst fears: Iran is considerably closer to a nuclear weapon than they thought. Israeli authorities decide to stage a daring attack on several Iranian nuclear facilities, and alert the United States so that its Navy can prepare for battle in the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, the Iranians, who’ve prepared for years for such an eventuality, initiate a bold response, designed to exploit America’s domestic vulnerabilities. Author Carlson’s plotline is as chilling as it is gripping; his brand of cynical realism has a level of plausibility that’s both impressive and disturbing. There’s no shortage of skillfully rendered military action, and Carlson’s meticulous research into the military and political aspects of his subject matter is extraordinary. Jackson, as a character, sometimes seems overly picturesque: he’s handsome, athletically fit, endlessly brave, charming, hyper-educated—and still impossibly modest, despite it all. One of the highlights of the novel, though, is its depiction of the Iranian side, as it ably articulates their zealotry without robbing them of humanity. For example, Carlson pithily captures the moral psychology of an Iranian colonel: “He was not a killer, as such, and did not enjoy killing merely for the sake of killing. No, Rafsanjani wanted to punish America as a whole.” This is an exciting debut effort that’s certain to interest readers with a taste for contemporary political intrigue.
A briskly paced thriller that deftly imagines a nightmare scenario.
★★★★★
International intrigue and political thrillers have always been a popular genre, but in these tumultuous times, the fodder for such writers seems to have increased immeasurably. In The Gambit, Brad Carlson tears the tension from the headlines, postulating a world where Iran becomes a nuclear nation, and in the face of American hesitance, Israel must make a dangerous decision to protect itself.
Every chapter is packed with the gravitas of the present world, making this novel both timely and prescient. For those trying to escape these difficult times, this book may not be the most appealing read, but it’s a fascinating tale, to say the least. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson is a dominant and dynamic leading man, while Dani provides an excellent counterpoint – smart, sassy and not afraid to take control when she needs to. What begins as an international thriller – one that will seemingly focus on countries “over there” – the fight comes to American shores as Iran’s true ambitions become clear.
This is dystopian chaos at its finest, but also a frightening vision of what a massive attack on America’s infrastructure could look like. The delicate nature of foreign policy and the mysterious actions of the global intelligence community are put in the spotlight. The players are recognizable just enough so that readers will feel like this story is not only possible, but even inevitable. Contemporary readers will be unable to separate fiction from fact, not only because of the real life “characters” involved in the book, such as Netanyahu, Assad and others, but also because of the logical progression of the conflict. With a premise like this, there is no need to be overly dramatic; the seriousness of the threat is intense and believable all by itself.
The author’s background in diplomatic history and international relations shines in the prose, as the amount of details suggests comfort and mastery of the topic, without boring readers with too much procedural info. Many international thrillers fail to give the “juicy” parts without weighing the book down with too much backstory. The military scenes and action sequences are breathlessly conveyed, aided by the genuine interest that readers will develop for the characters. There is no shortage of heart-stopping moments, partially due to the momentum building for Carlson.
The dialogue is crisp and realistic, avoiding another common flaw in this genre, and Carlson shows a keen perception of real communication, particularly in times of trauma or crisis. There are few moments where a reader gets a respite, but the brief banter between Dani and Stonewall can be amusing, and some of the more detailed military sections provide an occasional breather.
As a whole, this book is intense from the start, and with the fate of the world hanging in the balance, there aren’t many chances to relax. Plenty of room is also left after the epic climax of this book, and loose ends abound for the inevitable sequel to clear up. The Gambit should be a hit, making this an auspicious debut for the author.
