Book Review: The Good Spy Dies Twice (Bullseye Series, Book 1) by Mark Hosack
Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book: The Good Spy Dies Twice (Bullseye Series, Book 1)
Author & Narrator: Mark Hosack
My Rating: ★★★★★
Synopsis:
Jake Boxer, investigative journalist and host of the conspiratorial news show Bullseye, is in serious trouble. Not only is his soundman murdered by Russian intelligence agents while reporting on a secretive New World Order, but his network cancels his show, leaving Jake humiliated and spiraling into a deep dark depression. Years later, a condemned murderer, who claims he was abandoned by the CIA, and who starred in an early episode of Bullseye, is finally executed for killing two supposed Soviet spies back in the 1970’s. Jake Boxer, still trying to piece his life back together, is on his honeymoon in a posh ski resort in the Alaskan mountains when he gets word of the inmate’s execution . . . and the old killer’s final words: “The good spy dies twice.” Those five words, seemingly meant for Jake, draw the ex-reporter out of his forced retirement and into a complex and deadly global conspiracy involving his newlywed wife, the secretive New World Order, and the hotel’s hundred or so “guests.” Everyone is a suspect. Described as James Bond in a Stephen King novel, THE GOOD SPY DIES TWICE is the explosive first book in the Bullseye Series. Part spy thriller, part whodunit, this fast-paced novel introduces an exciting new hero, the intrepid, conspiratorial journalist, Jake Boxer.
My Thoughts:
A thrilling action packed suspenseful story!
Judging by the cover, I thought this book was going to be a cheesy spy story but thought I would give it a chance. I found myself sucked into the story and narration from the very beginning. It is a face paced thriller with many unpredictable and entertaining twists and turns. The farther you read the more twists and turns show up. It leaves you thinking that anyone can be the suspect. Fantastic writing that keeps you guessing throughout while pulling you to the end where you will then wonder how you didn’t figure it out sooner. It takes a good writer to not have me figuring everything out before the final page and this one definitely kept me guessing. The plot is original and leads to an exhilarating ending that I was not expecting.
As a fairly new listener to audio books, it was really fascinating to have the narration accompanied by real foreign accents and the background sounds really put you in the environment. The added sound effects and music interludes at the beginning of each chapter was an added unique aspect and definitely helped in setting the tone of the chapters. This is one of the first audio books that I have enjoyed listening to. I didn’t realize until half way through that he writer was also the narrator. You can hear the passion in his performance with the concise and clear speech while adding depth to the story. He really brought his characters to life.
Overall this book was a suspenseful action packed thriller. This was the first book by Mark Hosack that I have had the pleasure to read and listen to. I recommend this book to anyone that is enjoys a thrilling suspense read. If you want an added bonus, definitely get the audio book.