When I was told I gave up too easily on James R. Hannibal's books I did not expect people to be so right!

A big reason I gave this book another chance is the author is a former Air Force pilot and I'm a sucker for the Air Force (#AirForcebrat), I've seen raving reviews from friends on his books, another reason is the back cover of "The Paris Betrayal" grabbed my attention AND didn't give spoilers that would cause me to be disappointed in the book.

I got my copy in the mail and not three hours later I flipped the last page and found that it is one of the best books I've read in a while. Surprising, but so exciting! And, the suspense kept me guessing, I called one or two little things but most of the time I was close to biting my nails. The plotline of a pandemic, bioweapon, and other things related to those didn't bother me with the way the topics were approached but you should still be warned that they do play a big part of the book and some people may not want to read this book yet.

Be Calix is not your everyday hero even for a spy thriller, his story is a new take on a CIA plotline, and just everything about him was AWESOME. I loved every bit of this book and I already want to reread it!

I highly recommend you pre-order your copy NOW, you must read this book, and why not support the author with a pre-order now?!

As for me, I need to go fish my copies of Hannibal's other books from my depths of to-be-read book piles and read them promptly.

I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary e/copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. ( )

Action, thrills, and chills with this spy thriller. It started at a fast pace and never slowed down. I could not put it down. This is my first book by James Hannibal, and it will not be my last. I felt Ben got a very raw deal, his character was quite easy to like and to root for his success. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a fast-paced thriller.

I would like to thank Revell for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ( )

Ben Calix is at the top of the game as a spy with the Company, a US spy agency that is super secret. Until he’s not. After a botched mission, Ben is cut off and has no idea why. With super-villains tracking him, his own teammates abandoning him, and the Director who he reveres keeping silent, Calix makes it his new mission to save the world and prove his innocence. The Paris Betrayal is pure adrenaline-laced action that will appeal to those who love a good spy novel. This reader soon became deeply engaged with Ben’s plight, hoping against hope that his spy-craft would keep him alive as he sought to redeem himself. Action-packed, on the surface this novel is a rousing good read. But if you look a little deeper you will see parallels to the Book of Job. I actually discovered the connection after about 30 pages — I snuck a peek at the back of the book. The Author’s Note details the inspiration for the the character and the story line. I found it very inventive, as well as a great what-if of Job’s life in the modern-day world. I also included it as a the book club portion of my Faith and Fiction Bible study. My group had fun discussing the book in light of what we had studied the previous weeks. The book has few references to faith, but its Christian worldview shines through. I very much enjoyed the wild ride I took with Calix. I would love another book starring Ben, Clara, and the intrepid Otto (the cutest dog in fiction this year 🙂 .

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to Revell and LibraryThing for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) ( )

I was so glad to have two rainy days in which to devour this book. I can only hope for a sequel. This is one I will definitely be recommending to my husband. It is not always easy to find books that appeal to both men and women. A well-written spy novel with a hint of romance is just the ticket. Ben Calix is a man of honor who has been labeled a traitor, a man who finds himself without support or resources while trying to save thousands from a horrible death. The author's background as a stealth pilot, one who has not only been shot at, but who has been chased down winding German roads by an armed terrorist, gives him insight into his protagonist's life, adding to the intrigue of his story.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Paris Betrayal from Revell via Library Thing without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. ( )

Title: The Paris Betrayal
Author: James R. Hannibal
Pages: 352
Year: 2021
Publisher: Revell
My rating is 5 out of 5 stars.
Ben Calix has information about a group called Leviathan and their plan to unleash a bioweapon. He has run out of clues, so he returns to his home in Paris. Once there, he quickly discovers all is not as it once was. Somehow he has become persona non grata with the Company. He knows he made a mistake on his last mission, but to hang him out to dry seems over-the-top. He now has no one he can trust. He faces a sniper attack, then he is ambushed in his apartment, and a call to the French authorities put him in their crosshairs. His neighbor is unwittingly smack dab in the middle of his escape, and Ben can’t leave her to face possible danger.
While on the run with this neighbor Clara and her little dog Otto, he must face danger at every turn while protecting her and trying to stop the release of the bioweapon by Leviathan who seems to be one step ahead of him. I almost forgot that he is also infected with the bioweapon, so the clock is ticking on his now very short life. There is a cure, but can Ben find it in time? He finally is able to meet with the man who trained him to be a spy only to discover that he is truly expendable in their sight. They don’t owe him any explanations. They have used him as the foot soldier he signed up to be. How will Ben see himself in this light?
This is the first novel I have read by this author, and it won’t be the last! Nonstop action is the theme of this book! I was able to easily immerse myself in the story and get involved with the characters. My heart was racing, and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading. I loved Ben’s determination against overwhelming odds to complete his mission and save lives, even though his own life was in constant danger.
Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility. ( )