Series: Blackbriar 1
My version: Hardback
Genre: Fiction, Thriller
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, Penguin Random House, Head of Zeus, Aries
First published: 2022
ISBN: 9-781803-285962
Pages: 407
Bought
From the cover:
The assassination of a Treadstone agent leads two Blackbriar operatives down a rabbit hole of deceit and betrayal in this explosive new series from the world of Robert Ludlum’s Jason Bourne.
A car explodes on a quiet Prague side street – and among the dead is an undercover Treadstone agent. It’s not unusual for such men to meet their fates on an operation, but in this case there’s one catch: none of the agent’s superiors knows why he was there.
Two Blackbriar operatives, Helen Jouvert and Donovan Wade, are sent to investigate. Their search for answers will take them deeper into the world of conspiracy and fake news than they ever expected.
Treadstone and Blackbriar, intelligence and counter-intelligence, may be two sides of the same coin, but they have one thing in common: answers can be the deadliest commodity of all.
You gotta love a book that starts by dropping you headfirst into a raging, white-knuckle firefight.
And I loved this one.
I’m thinking they had to have meetings to define Treadstone and Blackbriar, after The Bourne Ultimatum film mentioned both. I’m not sure the third Bourne film isn’t the first mention of Blackbriar as well. To be able to map them out as going in independent directions, independent of Bourne, of course. That would seem to work – for them. I’m not sure even I can really with 100% surity remember which one, which ‘branch’ of the Bourne family I’m reading without an occasional glimpse at the cover. Maybe it’ll be easier as things progress. There’s certainly no shortage of new novels in the various series’ coming out.
Anyway, it has just about everything you could want and everything you look for in a modern thriller. It’s not the deepest or most thought-provoking thriller you’ll ever read, but it’s well-written and entertaining – fast paced, strong, effective writing and a plot that both makes sense and made me punch the air with a “yes!” at one point. Can’t say fairer than that. The characters are likable and the plot is fast-paced. There’s plenty of action and suspense, but there’s also a bit of humour (which actually is humorous, unlike a lot of American novels) thrown in for good measure.
The story follows two Blackbriar operatives, Helen Jouvert and Donovan Wade, as they investigate the assassination of a Treadstone agent in Prague. Their investigation leads them down a rabbit hole of deceit and betrayal, as they uncover a plot by Russian intelligence and Mexican cartels to destabilize the United States. Jouvert and Wade are a great pair of protagonists. They’re both highly skilled and experienced operatives, but they’re also relatable and human. They make mistakes, they get hurt, and they have doubts. But they’re also fiercely loyal to each other and to their country.
Gervais does a great job of balancing action and suspense with character development. The action scenes are well-written and exciting, but they never overshadow the characters. You’ll find yourself caring about what happens to Jouvert and Wade, and you’ll be rooting for them to succeed.
If you’re a fan of Jason Bourne or thrillers in general, then I highly recommend checking out Blackbriar Genesis. It’s a fast-paced, action-packed ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. A great read entertaining from start to finish. It’s a solid thriller that’s sure to please fans of the genre. It’s not a must-read, but it’s a fun way to spend a few hours.
Couldn't I Just Tell You 