This fourth book in the Marcus Ryker series was excellent! Book three kinda dragged a bit for me, too much background and descriptions and not enough action. But this book made up for it. Wow! Marcus Ryker knows how to get into all kinds of trouble and it was hard to put the book down.

If you like political, military thrillers, then this book is for you! It’s a clean novel, no bad language, no sex. Just pure thrills, suspense, mystery. Now on to book 5! ( )

This is the 4th book in [a:Joel C. Rosenberg's|221833|Joel C. Rosenberg|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1314284800p2/221833.jpg] Marcus Ryker series and another winner for me.

The story picks up 2 years after book 3. Ryker and 1 other member of his CIA team are sent on an advance trip for the Sec. of States upcoming visit. Before they can tend to their business they are snatched off the Israel/Lebanon border by what appears to be Hezbollah forces. But is it?

Rosenberg has a tight grip on all that happens in the Middle East, making his stories true to life. His writing is spot on. He has become one of my favorite "thriller" authors. If you like Vince Flynn and Daniel Silva there is no reason for you not to try Rosenberg. I have said it before, don't let the MPG Christian turn you away-Marcus is a man of faith but Rosenberg never throws that in your face. ( )

Special Agent Marcus Ryker is in the Middle East doing advance work for a visit by the U.S. Secretary of State when his convoy is attacked by a Hezbollah unit. Ryker, fellow DSS officer Kailea Curtis, and their Israeli liaison (the Prime Minister's nephew) are taken prisoner. Kailea busts the leader's nose and is beaten severely, eventually revealing her name and rank, but sticks to the cover stories of her partners as low level Americans in the Diplomatic Security Service. The local Israeli general unleashes a major attack to recover them, and Hezbollah is confused because it approved no kidnappings as the rogue leader is destabilizing the region for personal gain. Then the Ayatollah dies, further destabilizing the region and a counterattack is launched. Ryker is a wanted man, and must escape before his captors know what a big prize they have. The U.S. and Israelis mount a major campaign to track and rescue Ryker and his fellow prisoners, while the Secretary of State travels to Saudi Arabia to save a proposed peace plan. The real burning question is who ordered the kidnapping in the first place, which is traced through a captured cellphone and a one-way trip to Guantanomo Bay. A good political thriller, but more regional than his previous books, which involved global conflicts. ( )

Title: The Beirut Protocol (A Marcus Ryker Political & Military Action Thriller #4)
Author: Joel C. Rosenberg
Pages: 464
Year: 2021
Publisher: Tyndale House Punishers
My rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Marcus Ryker is the lead character in the series whose service to his country has come at a high cost. Readers who aren’t familiar with this series and story line may want to begin with the first book titled, The Kremlin Conspiracy followed by The Persian Gamble and The Jerusalem Assassin. Each tale gives insight into the deep psyche and heart of Marcus Ryker as well as his past exploits and current position.
From the moment I opened the book, the tension and suspense leapt off the page! Marcus is on an assignment where he, along with two fellow agents, is the advance team for the upcoming visit of the Secretary of State to Israel. What was supposed to be a routine mission turns into a life and death one and each minute that passes as the team is under assault could have devastating consequences.
The danger Marcus and his team face are unbelievable and never let up! Marcus’s faith is about to be seriously tested and refined as he finds himself captured and under the thumb of a ruthless team of men. Marcus considers the welfare of his teammates his responsibility and is constantly trying to gain his freedom in order to rescue the others from what looks like certain death.
Each Marcus Ryker novel has some flashback into what has happened in his personal and profession life. The author does a supreme job of pulling the audience into the action, tension and danger that occurs in various scenes. There are multiple scenarios occurring at the same time, and the chapters are short which moves the story along rather quickly.
I believe many would enjoy reading each of the books in the series as they are captivating tales from start to finish. Is this the last Marcus Ryker book? I have no idea, but whatever the author comes out with in 2022, I am sure it will be as spellbinding as what he has given audiences before!
Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility ( )

When Ryker and his team are ambushed by Hezbollah forces, a nightmare scenario begins to unfold. The last thing the White House can afford is a new war in the Mideast that could derail the treaty and set the region ablaze. U.S. and Israeli forces are mobilizing to find the hostages and get them home, but Ryker knows the clock is ticking.