The silent man

Book Cover
Average Rating
Series
Publisher
Varies, see individual formats and editions
Publication Date
2009.
Language
English

Description

It's been a rough few years for CIA agent John Wells. The undercover work in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the attack on the United States, the Chinese plot that could have led to war. Wells is exhausted, and his nights filled with disturbing dreams. But he knows he has no time for that. He has made many enemies, and the world won't stay quiet for long.Nevertheless, Wells is not prepared for what is about to happen. He and his colleague - and fiancee - Jennifer Exley are driving into work when traffic comes to a standstill, due to accidents on both bridges into Washington. A pretty big coincidence, he thinks, beginning to get a bad feeling - a feeling that only gets worse when he spots the red motorcycle zooming up between cars toward him. Before the day is over, several people will be dead or severely injured, Exley among them, and Wells will be a man possessed.The attackers are Russian, and it is to Russia that Wells must follow the trail. He finds what he's looking for - but also a great deal more. A plan of almost unimaginable consequences is in motion, and Wells has no idea if he has discovered it in time. The last few years have been rough indeed, but the next few weeks will be much, much worse.

More Details

Contributors
ISBN
9780399155383
9781101015810

Discover More

Also in this Series

  • The faithful spy: a novel (John Wells novels Volume 1) Cover
  • The ghost war (John Wells novels Volume 2) Cover
  • The silent man (John Wells novels Volume 3) Cover
  • The midnight house (John Wells novels Volume 4) Cover
  • The secret soldier (John Wells novels Volume 5) Cover
  • The shadow patrol (John Wells novels Volume 6) Cover
  • The night ranger (John Wells novels Volume 7) Cover
  • The counterfeit agent (John Wells novels Volume 8) Cover
  • Twelve days (John Wells novels Volume 9) Cover
  • The wolves (John Wells novels Volume 10) Cover
  • The prisoner (John Wells novels Volume 11) Cover
  • The deceivers (John Wells novels Volume 12) Cover

Author Notes

Loading Author Notes...

Similar Series From Novelist

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for series you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
The protagonists in these fast-paced spy novels are conflicted CIA agents who often find themselves caught between their untrusting employers and their enemies. Triple-crosses, shadowy conspiracies, and terrorists abound in these suspenseful espionage adventures. -- Mike Nilsson
These fast-paced and compelling spy thrillers feature extraordinarily skillful agents navigating very complex and high-stakes political and terrorist crises. Each series serves up plenty of danger, violence, and edge-of-your-seat suspense, along with appealing and well-developed characters. -- Melissa Gray
Readers looking for action-packed thrillers featuring talented government operatives will enjoy the John Wells and the Terminal List novels. Both suspenseful series crackle with meticulous details and compelling plots for discerning fans of geopolitical terror and intrigue. -- Andrienne Cruz
These novels of international intrigue star CIA agents who often find themselves in unanticipated, intense situations. Action-packed and fast-paced, both series span the globe, combining exotic locations with nail biting suspense, terrifying bad guys, and labyrinthine conspiracies. -- Mike Nilsson
Domestic terrorists, international terrorists -- it doesn't matter which -- are in trouble when the heroes of these adrenaline-fueled spy thrillers come after them. These series are compelling and suspenseful, colored by patriotism and imbued with a can-do attitude. -- Mike Nilsson
These series have the appeal factors suspenseful, fast-paced, and intricately plotted, and they have the genres "thrillers and suspense" and "spy fiction"; and the subjects "international intrigue," "intelligence officers," and "intelligence service."
These series have the appeal factors suspenseful and fast-paced, and they have the genres "thrillers and suspense" and "spy fiction"; and the subjects "international intrigue" and "intelligence officers."
These series have the appeal factors suspenseful, fast-paced, and intricately plotted, and they have the genres "thrillers and suspense" and "spy fiction"; and the subjects "international intrigue," "intelligence officers," and "spies."
These series have the appeal factors suspenseful and fast-paced, and they have the genres "thrillers and suspense" and "spy fiction"; and the subjects "international intrigue," "intelligence officers," and "conspiracies."

Similar Titles From NoveList

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for titles you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
These books have the genres "thrillers and suspense" and "spy fiction"; and the subjects "intelligence officers," "wells, john (fictitious character)," and "widows."
These books have the genre "spy fiction"; and the subjects "intelligence officers," "nuclear weapons," and "terrorism prevention."
These books have the appeal factors suspenseful, action-packed, and fast-paced, and they have the genre "thrillers and suspense"; and the subjects "nuclear weapons," "conspiracies," and "cia agents."
These books have the appeal factors suspenseful, action-packed, and fast-paced, and they have the genre "thrillers and suspense."
NoveList recommends "Milo Weaver trilogy" for fans of "John Wells novels". Check out the first book in the series.
NoveList recommends "Spycatcher novels" for fans of "John Wells novels". Check out the first book in the series.
These books have the appeal factors suspenseful and fast-paced, and they have the genre "political thrillers"; and the subjects "intelligence officers," "criminal investigation," and "crime."
These books have the genre "spy fiction"; and the subjects "intelligence officers," "widows," and "moles (spies)."
Hard cover - Magson, Adrian
Starring seemingly indestructible covert operatives, these adrenaline-fueled thrillers feature globe-spanning conspiracies, Russian villains, and propulsive action sequences. Marked by white-knuckle suspense and labyrinthine plots, each tale hurtles headlong toward an exciting conclusion that sees the world safe again. -- Mike Nilsson
NoveList recommends "Terminal list" for fans of "John Wells novels". Check out the first book in the series.
NoveList recommends "Robin Monarch novels" for fans of "John Wells novels". Check out the first book in the series.
NoveList recommends "Micah Dalton series" for fans of "John Wells novels". Check out the first book in the series.

Similar Authors From NoveList

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for other authors you might want to read if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
Though Alex Berenson is known as a writer of fast-paced spy novels while Jack Higgins writes action-packed adventure novels with elements of both spy novels and political thrillers, the two authors are equally skilled at creating excellent, intricate plots, compelling leads, and believable enemies. -- Shauna Griffin
These authors write intricately plotted, action-packed, and well-researched international thrillers featuring rugged and violent military figures traveling across the globe, infiltrating terrorist and criminal organizations, and saving the world from global catastrophe. Both authors manage to weave in well-researched political details into relentlessly paced tales of adventure. -- Derek Keyser
Olen Steinhauer and Alex Berenson know how to keep their readers on edge. Their fast-paced spy thrillers feature plenty of action, gun play, and double-crosses, their work revolves around the world of international espionage, complete with CIA agents, paranoia, and abundant technical detail. -- Mike Nilsson
Readers looking for fast-paced, action-packed yet intelligent stories of espionage and international intrigue should check out the novels of Christopher Reich and Alex Berenson, both of whom insert well-researched technical detail and sharp geopolitical analysis into their gripping stories of adventure across the globe. -- Derek Keyser
Readers looking for spy novels that accurately capture the complexities of Middle Eastern politics might want to check out these authors, who write gripping, intricately plotted spy stories that balance dangerous missions and endless intrigue with insightful and realistic depictions of Arabic culture and American involvement. -- Derek Keyser
These authors' works have the genre "spy fiction"; and the subjects "international intrigue," "intelligence officers," and "terrorism."
These authors' works have the genre "spy fiction"; and the subjects "international intrigue," "intelligence officers," and "undercover operations."
These authors' works have the genre "spy fiction"; and the subjects "international intrigue," "intelligence officers," and "wells, john (fictitious character)."
These authors' works have the genre "spy fiction"; and the subjects "international intrigue," "intelligence officers," and "undercover operations."
These authors' works have the genre "spy fiction"; and the subjects "intelligence officers," "wells, john (fictitious character)," and "terrorism."
These authors' works have the subjects "intelligence officers," "undercover operations," and "terrorism."
These authors' works have the genre "spy fiction"; and the subjects "international intrigue," "intelligence officers," and "terrorism."

Published Reviews

Booklist Review

John Wells saves the world for the third time in as many books, but we wouldn't have it any other way. Islamist jihadists manage to steal some fissionable material out of a remote Russian weapons depot, intending to build a crude atom bomb to unleash on the great Satan. Meanwhile, Wells' love interest is nearly killed by an old enemy, sending our dour, driven hero eastward on a one-man mission of vengeance, even as the terrorists head steadily westward with their awful freight. Wells has lost some of his promise as a devout Muslim action hero (The Faithful Spy, 2006), an intriguing premise completely jettisoned here. But while Wells has grown two-dimensional, the supporting cast of holy warriors and their reluctant assistants (such as Gregor, a pathetically hulking weak link on the weapons depot's payroll) are fleshed out and motivated far more than your typical baddies. Oddly enough, it is the terrorists' desperate nuclear caper, plausibly detailed and convincingly problematic, that keeps the reader caring, and guessing, until the end and that keeps this series in the first rank of international thrillers.--Wright, David Copyright 2009 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Powered by Syndetics

Publisher's Weekly Review

Bestseller Berenson's well-plotted and thoughtful third thriller to feature CIA agent John Wells (after The Ghost War) finds Wells and his fellow CIA agent and fiancee, Jenny Exley, living happily together in Washington, D.C., content to devote themselves to fighting the forces of evil. One morning, while stuck in traffic on their way to CIA headquarters, men on motorcycles attack them in their minivan. Exley suffers a serious gunshot injury in an act of revenge by minions of Pierre Kowalski, an enemy from an earlier book. Meanwhile, jihadists bent on destroying America steal two small atomic bombs. These extremely clever villains, per Berenson's style, aren't mad dog idiots but credible characters with reasons, at least from their own perspective, to be doing the great evil they're planning. Fast and furious when it needs to be, this is a welcome addition to an excellent series. Berenson won an Edgar for his first novel, The Faithful Spy. (Feb.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Powered by Syndetics

Library Journal Review

Verdict: Berenson's third John Wells espionage novel (after The Faithful Spy and The Ghost War) is a swift and gripping read reminiscent of David Stone's thrillers but without the graphic violence. Recommended for all public libraries. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 10/1/08.] Background: After a terrorist attack in Washington, DC, leaves several people dead and Wells's fiancee severely wounded, the CIA agent travels to Russia on a private mission that morphs from destroying his nemesis into saving the world. Readers familiar with the characters from the series will especially enjoy the complex-if occasionally fanciful-plot involving stolen Russian weapons, international arms transactions, and a terrorist scheme to construct and detonate a nuclear bomb in the United States.-Jonathan Pearce, California State Univ. Stanislaus, Stockton, CA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Powered by Syndetics

Kirkus Book Review

CIA superagent John Wells (The Ghost War, 2008, etc.) returns in another well-crafted thriller. When his people botch a hit on Wells, ruthless international weapons dealer Pierre Kowalski knows he needs to think fast of something valuable to trade for his skin. Wells isn't one to let something like this slide, especially since his fiance Jennifer Exley was caught in the crossfire. In exchange for a truce, Kowalski decides to let Wells in on a rumor that's been making the rounds lately, something about an unspecified quantity of highly enriched uranium that the Russians seem to have lost. Wells, who already has had some considerable success when it comes to saving the country from grave national threats, takes the bait. Soon he and the rest of the federal government are scrambling to find out who has the uranium, how much they have and what they're planning on doing with it. You could arch your eyebrows at the hero's God-like hand-to-hand combat abilities, or the circumstances that conspire to place the same agent between the United States and total ruin more than once in the span of a few short years. It might be considered overkill that Wells is lustily ogled by every female in the book, from the supermodel to the tanning-booth attendant. And low groans are definitely in order for the tenuous clue that leads him to the book's climactic conclusion. But please groan quietly, so as not to spoil everyone's fun. Berenson earns his reader's suspension of disbelief with a relentless plot and many expertly wrought white-knuckle thrills along the way. Action-packed, thrilling and just credible enough. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Powered by Syndetics

Booklist Reviews

John Wells saves the world for the third time in as many books, but we wouldn t have it any other way. Islamist jihadists manage to steal some fissionable material out of a remote Russian weapons depot, intending to build a crude atom bomb to unleash on the great Satan. Meanwhile, Wells love interest is nearly killed by an old enemy, sending our dour, driven hero eastward on a one-man mission of vengeance, even as the terrorists head steadily westward with their awful freight. Wells has lost some of his promise as a devout Muslim action hero (The Faithful Spy, 2006), an intriguing premise completely jettisoned here. But while Wells has grown two-dimensional, the supporting cast of holy warriors and their reluctant assistants (such as Gregor, a pathetically hulking weak link on the weapons depot s payroll) are fleshed out and motivated far more than your typical baddies. Oddly enough, it is the terrorists desperate nuclear caper, plausibly detailed and convincingly problematic, that keeps the reader caring, and guessing, until the end and that keeps this series in the first rank of international thrillers. Copyright 2009 Booklist Reviews.

Copyright 2009 Booklist Reviews.
Powered by Content Cafe

LJ Express Reviews

Verdict: Berenson's third John Wells espionage novel (after The Faithful Spy and The Ghost War) is a swift and gripping read reminiscent of David Stone's thrillers but without the graphic violence. Recommended for all public libraries. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 10/1/08.] Background: After a terrorist attack in Washington, DC, leaves several people dead and Wells's fiancee severely wounded, the CIA agent travels to Russia on a private mission that morphs from destroying his nemesis into saving the world. Readers familiar with the characters from the series will especially enjoy the complex-if occasionally fanciful-plot involving stolen Russian weapons, international arms transactions, and a terrorist scheme to construct and detonate a nuclear bomb in the United States.-Jonathan Pearce, California State Univ. Stanislaus, Stockton, CA Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.

Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.
Powered by Content Cafe

Publishers Weekly Reviews

Bestseller Berenson's well-plotted and thoughtful third thriller to feature CIA agent John Wells (after The Ghost War) finds Wells and his fellow CIA agent and fiance, Jenny Exley, living happily together in Washington, D.C., content to devote themselves to fighting the forces of evil. One morning, while stuck in traffic on their way to CIA headquarters, men on motorcycles attack them in their minivan. Exley suffers a serious gunshot injury in an act of revenge by minions of Pierre Kowalski, an enemy from an earlier book. Meanwhile, jihadists bent on destroying America steal two small atomic bombs. These extremely clever villains, per Berenson's style, aren't mad dog idiots but credible characters with reasons, at least from their own perspective, to be doing the great evil they're planning. Fast and furious when it needs to be, this is a welcome addition to an excellent series. Berenson won an Edgar for his first novel, The Faithful Spy. (Feb.)

[Page 35]. Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.
Powered by Content Cafe

Reviews from GoodReads

Loading GoodReads Reviews.

Staff View

Loading Staff View.