The Russian

Rob Tacoma, an elite Navy SEAL turned CIA operative, is called upon to investigate the murders of two high-ranking Russian mob bosses in New York City. The killings point to an emerging power struggle within the Russian criminal underworld. As Tacoma digs deeper into the case, he uncovers a plot that extends far beyond organized crime and into the realm of international politics and espionage. He must navigate a complex web of alliances between criminals, intelligence agencies, and state actors. Working against time and shadowy adversaries, Tacoma pursues leads from Manhattan to Moscow while trying to prevent a catastrophic event that could destabilize relations between the United States and Russia. The novel explores themes of loyalty, revenge, and the blurred lines between justice and vengeance in modern geopolitical warfare. Through its examination of organized crime and intelligence operations, it raises questions about the true nature of power in the international arena.

Readers describe The Russian as a fast-paced spy thriller with detailed action sequences. Many note it works as a standalone novel despite being part of a series. Liked: - Realistic portrayal of intelligence operations and tactics - Strong character development of protagonist Dewey Andreas - Technical accuracy in weapons and combat descriptions - Multiple plot threads that converge effectively Disliked: - Some found the violence excessive - Several readers mentioned predictable plot elements - A few noted similarities to other books in the genre - Some felt the pacing dragged in the middle sections Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (2,800+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.4/5 (200+ ratings) Common reader comment: "Intense action scenes but follows standard thriller formula" Specific criticism from Goodreads reviewer: "Solid thriller that could have used more character depth and less graphic violence."

Power Down by Ben Coes A CIA operative races to stop terrorists targeting America's power grid infrastructure while navigating political interference and personal vendettas.

Enemy of the State by Kyle Mills CIA operative Mitch Rapp goes rogue to infiltrate and destroy a Saudi royal family's support network for terrorist organizations.

Red War by Kyle Mills CIA operative Mitch Rapp must prevent a war between Russia and NATO when a terminally ill Russian president plans to secure his legacy through military conquest.

The Terminal List by Jack Carr A Navy SEAL seeks revenge against government officials responsible for his team's death after uncovering a conspiracy reaching the highest levels of power.

Tier One by Brian Andrews, Jeffrey Wilson A former Navy SEAL joins a covert intelligence unit to hunt down Iranian operatives responsible for killing his teammates.

🔹 Author Ben Coes worked as a speechwriter for the White House during the presidency of George H.W. Bush before turning to thriller writing. 🔹 "The Russian" is the thirteenth book in Coes' Dewey Andreas series, featuring his signature character - a former Delta Force operator turned CIA operative. 🔹 The book's plot involving Russian interference in U.S. politics mirrors real-world concerns about Russian cyber operations and election meddling that intensified after 2016. 🔹 The protagonist, Dewey Andreas, was partially inspired by real-life Navy SEAL operators whom Coes interviewed while researching his novels. 🔹 Ben Coes writes his novels in longhand first, using legal pads and pencils, before transferring them to digital format - a practice he maintains despite modern technology.