A powerful and shocking start to The Last Guardian by Simon Gervais gets readers immediate attention. Action, suspense, intrigue, and danger keep this novel moving at fast pace. President Alexander Hammond has set fighting the drug epidemic in the United States as a priority and the man he trusts to lead the fight is Clayton White. Assassinations, secret identities, and betrayals are only the beginning.

Clayton is a former air force combat rescue officer and former Secret Service agent who is now a special assistant to the president for the Office of Special Projects. He’s courageous, loyal, treats others fairly, and he’s a great shot. His biggest flaw seems to be getting irritated quickly when forced to wait. He’s a man of action. His character has seen growth during the series. The secondary characters have differing levels of depth, but it was sufficient for their roles.

The novel has aspects of espionage and political thrillers and has diverse settings that include southern California, Washington D. C., Florida, U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, Macau, Monaco, and Switzerland. While most of the story is from Clayton’s point of view, it switches to other characters as well. The plot is multi-layered and complex with a narrative that is suspenseful and action-filled throughout. The author’s military and federal experiences are reflected in the well-crafted action scenes that felt genuine.

There is a strong sense of good versus evil throughout the novel. My biggest quibble is that most of the settings could have been almost anywhere. I only occasionally get a strong sense of place. Despite this, the story kept me engaged from the first chapter to its conclusion. The story line is gripping and keeps your attention throughout the novel. The author does a great job of bringing together the various aspects of the story into a cohesive tale. Geopolitical conflicts that help enable drug, human, and weapons trafficking are highlighted in this book. The mixture of international politics and domestic problems works well in this novel. There are ever-present threats looming that kept me rapidly turning the pages. Readers should be aware that there are some violent scenes depicted.

Overall, this book was suspenseful, riveting, fast-paced, and entertaining. If you enjoy political and action thrillers with a strong lead character, then this may be the series for you. The combination of an entertaining story line and lots of action makes this an intoxicating novel. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. These novels are hard to put down.

Thomas & Mercer and Simon Gervais provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for October 10, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.

-----------------------------------------
My 4.19 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.mys-sus-mag-2023 mystery-thriller-suspense netgalley-2023 ...more77 s4 comments Jeremy Peers207 24

Another good book by Simon Gervais. It starts off fast and doesn't let up. The story has it's fingers in the fentanyl crisis, the Russian war, China and Taiwan not to mention Clayton White's weird/strained/semi-normal relationship with his future father-in-law, The President of the United States. It is well written with plenty of action but for me, something is missing. I can't quite put my finger on it. Which is strange because I love everything Gervais has published. I the Clayton White series; I just don't love it. Thank you to Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of The Last Guardian.arcs17 s Abibliofob1,263 80

Simon Gervais! Is there someone out there that hasn't heard of him? If that is the case you ought to fix this right away. The Last Guardian is the third book about Clayton White and there is time for you to read the first two before this one is released.
It's been a while since I read a book from cover to cover in one sitting but this one sure made me do it.
Gervais has a great way with words so usually it's a pleasure to read just for that reason but in this book he has written such a fast paced action thriller that it leaves you breathless. I simply couldn't put it down, I was up until one in the morning reading and then I had trouble sleeping.
This book is by far the best of the Clayton White books and although I t the Hunt series it is a pale comparison to this. I have read everything except the Mike Walton series by this author and have actually collected them for my tbr pile and he has never let me down with a bad book. I don't read many Canadian authors but I have one new one lined up and if Gervais is setting the standard Canada is a land worth noticing.
This one will be talked about. A very big thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for letting me read this advance copy.arc8 s Ann1,904 40

5.0 stars. Book 3 of the Clayton White series and it's another great edge of your seat thriller. Delivering plenty of action, suspense and intrigue, with a heavy dose of deception and betrayal. Surprised at the erie reality of some of today's current political events that were written into the story as if I'd just heard it on the news. I still don't trust President Hammond as far as I could throw him. So surely this won't be the end for former Secret Service agent Clayton White. Hoping for a hint from the author more books are on the way.2023 favorites fiction ...more3 s Ruth L567

This is the third book in the series. I just wanted something different, and these books don't disappoint.3 s LianaReads blog2,467 216

Rtc

NetGalley Arc may-2023 netgalley3 s Steven Netter364 31

READ MY FULL REVIEW AT Best Thriller Books



Make sure to check out the full review
2 s Joanne Hurley380 7

In an all-new Clayton White thriller, Simon Gervais presents us with a scenario that is all-too-believable: a Chinese asset in Macau has concocted a stunning act of terrorism against the United States, and just need all of the pieces in place to launch it.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review "The Last Guardian".
While Clayton White and his fiancée Veronica Hammond (daughter of POTUS) are awaiting the impending birth of their child, it seems that a number of bad actors are set on disturbing their peace.
While not having forgiven the President for his past sins, White has agreed to work for him in the Office of Special Operations; and as such is read in when the Director of the FBI receives a stunning phone call from a highly-respected businessman: please refrain from investigating one of the deadliest drug dealing gangs for he next few months! This is the same gang that has been responsible for the import of extremely dangerous fentanyl - disguised as candies - how can they possibly hold off?
This doesn't sit well with POTUS, the Director or Clayton, and investigations are launched.
Meanwhile, in Macau, assets of the Chinese and Russian governments are in receipt of stolen Surface To Air (SAM) Missiles, and plan a two-pronged terrorist attach against the US.
When the FBI Director, on vacation in St. John, is the victim of a brutal assassination - along with his entire family and most of his protective detail - and Clayton and Veronica (as well as another possible asset) are on hand, the action heats up.
While promising to begin to scale back her work, Veronica nonetheless must fulfill a commitment to appear in Davos, Switzerland at an important conference - unknowingly putting herself in the crosshairs of the plotters.
Taking place in Macau, St. John, Washington and Switzerland, this one is an all-out thrill ride.
Can be read as a standalone, but to truly understand the backstories, you should read the series; you won't regret it.
Recommended to fans of action thrillers and espionage, with a touch of romance in the mix. (And of course, the bad guys never win.)2 s S.S. Scott | Romance Author and Fiction Story Coach448 3

Kind of a letdown

I don't know if it's because of the writing and editing craft books I've been reading, or the developmental editing classes I've been taking, or the fiction writing workshops I've participated in, but almost everything about this book felt off. I know this is the last book in the series, but I just felt Gervais didn't do Clayton, Veronica, or Hammond justice as characters. And the last 10% of the book was a combination of rushed pacing and plot conveniences. I didn't hate this book, but I don't think it's the author's best work, either.action-thriller espionage-thriller military-thriller ...more2 s Mags2,768 31

4.5?

Clayton White is back in another gripping and complex thriller.

As the world is on a knife edge with Russia firmly entrenched in Ukraine and China circling Taiwan.

However, one of the only stabilising forces is new President Hamilton. Clayton's soon to be father-in-law and the man who murdered his dad.

But for the sake of his fiancee and the country Clayton is keeping quiet and working with Hamilton in the White House. After all, don't they say to keep your friends close and your enemies closer?

And when the President requires White to head to the US Virgin Islands to meet with the director of the FBI, Clayton invites his fiancee Veronica along for a relaxing break before the birth of their first child.

Yet, things don't quite go to plan when the director, his family and most of his protection are assassinated and White and Hamilton want answers.

And the danger doesn't stop there. As a plan has been put into motion for an attack on U.S. soil, using weapons the U.S. left behind when withdrawing from Afghanistan. All so China with the help of Russia can invade Taiwan.

That is, unless Clayton can stop them whilst also keeping Veronica safe.

And with a fast-paced storyline, plenty of twists and turns. This was a truly enjoyable and entertaining read. That genuinely kept me on my toes, and I would happily recommend it to all.

My thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy of The Last Guardian.
Autor del comentario:
=================================