Ellis Shafer and John Wells think there is a mole at the top of the America intelligence network based on a discussion overheard in a secret prison in Bulgaria so John leaves his retirement, returning to his undercover role as a jihadi. Captured by American forces and tossed into the prison with no back-up, he works to befriend a prisoner to get information about a pending major attack. After saving the prisoner's life and being savagely beaten, John manages to get a nom de guerre and the name of a Parisian slum. Meanwhile, the Caliph is developing a biological weapon and looking to deploy it. The head of the DSGE is assassinated on the Champs Elysee and the world's intelligence leaders come to his funeral at an obscure church in Paris. I thought the pacing was a little slower than other books in this series. 3.75 stars. ( )

Typical John Wells. A little less intense than most in the series, with a nod to its future evolution and Wells' past. If you like the genre and need a calmer version for a spell then this will be a good pick. ( )

John Wells has stepped away from his undercover work but there is evidence that a high-level CIA operative has betrayed America and is telling ISIS about planned operations. Discovering the identity of the mole, without alerting him, is the highest priority.

And John Wells may be their only hope for success.

Strong character development, a plot that twists and turns as it ramps up the suspense, and real-world authenticity all combine to create a well-crafted, realistic tale. Readers will find this can’t-put-it-down book filled with thrills and excitement.

Highly recommended. ( )

Someday, Alex Berenson, will slip up and pen a John Wells novel that sucks. Or Wells will age to the extent that he'll be too old and slow to take the physical abuse he inevitably faces in each novel. Fortunately, neither has happened and 'The Prisoner' continues the Wells win streak.

In 'The Prisoner', Wells, the ex-CIA human Swiss Army knife, is called back into action to help catch a mole inside the upper reaches of the Agency who's passing secrets to ISIS. A trap is set, which requires him to pose as an Islamic terrorist by making use of his language skills and faith to get captured by US forces and shipped to a prison in Bulgaria. There he ends up in a cell next to a high level ISIS guy. At the same time, terror attacks are being planned using the purloined information and the mole, who is aware of Wells' plan, is getting nervous. Wells incurs incredible beatings and other physical abuse through his incarceration, but extracts just enough info from his cell neighbor to make a difference. Or does he?

The writing in The Prisoner is excellent, propulsive enough to match the fast pace of the events as they unwind. The characters, some of whom have appeared in several previous novels in the series, are fleshed out and believable, and the dialogue is crisp. The plot, though a little far-fetched and somewhat dependent upon Wells' almost superhuman skills (and willingness to endure physical punishment), is well crafted with a somewhat satisfying conclusion.

If you're a fan of the Wells series, you'll really enjoy this one. Wells has been a great character and it's interesting to see how Berenson is 'aging ' him. He's obviously not quite done, yet. ( )