About the Book–
Marc Royce has been a State Department agent involved in covert operations--that is, until personal issues lead to his dismissal.
When Alex Baird goes missing in war-torn Baghdad, State comes calling again. Alex is a CIA agent--and a close friend of Royce. Three others have also dropped out of sight--a nurse, an aid worker, a wealthy young Iraqi. Are these cases linked? Rumors circulate about a kidnapping conspiracy, yet both American and local officials refuse to pursue it.
Blocked at every turn, Royce eventually unearths a trail of secret encounters between sworn enemies. What he discovers could transform the course of rivalry and reconciliation throughout the Mideast. As the human and political drama escalates, can one man summon the courage to make a difference?
About the Author–
Davis Bunn is an award-winning novelist whose audience spans reading genres from high drama and action thrillers to heartwarming relationship stories, in both contemporary and historical settings. He and his wife, Isabella, make their home in Florida for some of each year, and spend the rest near Oxford, England, where they each teach and write. Visit Davis' Web site at www.davisbunn.com
My Review–
Gripping. Stunning. Intriguing.
A real “page-turner.” Suspenseful.
Creative. Descriptive. Imaginative.
I could go on. Bunn has done a masterful job of transporting the reader to another place, and to what might almost seem, another time. Though set in modern day Iraq, during the time when the Iraqis are seeking to establish a post-Saddam government, Davis Bunn describes the setting so well, you’d think you’d been taken back in time to another world. Sights, sounds, even smells float up off the page. Spice, mint, a melange of other odors kept stirring my senses throughout this book.
The plot was first-rate for this genre. I’ve read a great deal of Vince Flynn, Tom Clancy, Robert Ludlum and enjoy the espianoge genre. I truly enjoyed my first experience at reading Davis Bunn. He does a superb job of keeping the reader into the suspense and tension of the plot. I felt it moved at a great pace (contra other reviews I’ve read, but it makes me think they’ve never read in this genre before). There were moments I was breathless and then relieved; drawn in and on edge, as well as moved deeply. There is a scene in a “secret” church gathering with Americans, Iraqis, Sunni and Shia alike gathered for worship, making it only about Jesus that is so touching, I almost felt like I was Sameh el-Jacobi, being moved so deeply by the Spirit that tears flowed down my face.
Bunn’s main character, Marc Royce, fits into the “spy thriller” mold: he’s reluctant, yet able to take complete charge of a situation; feeling manipulated by handlers, yet still gets the job done for the sake of country (and, in this case, a foreign country that he becomes very fond of very quickly); aloof and yet very human.
If you’ve never read in this area before, I’d recommend this book. It contains the feel of some of the biggest best-sellers on the “secular” market without all the foul language, innuendo (or worse, blatant descriptiveness) and cynicism. If you’re an “old familiar” with this type of book, grab it and read it and wait for a great ride. Once you start, you won’t put it down.
I highly recommend the Lion of Babylon.
If you'd like to read the first chapter, click here.
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Lion of Babylon may be purchased here:
A complimentary copy of this book was received for review purposes only.