Jack in the Box: A Shadow War Thriller

The author does a great job moving into the covert world of spy's. The CIA has been taken over by the new type of non-risk takers, The Romanoff's. Sam Waterman,age 49, has been put out to pasture because he was a member of the old-style action oriented agency. The reader is taken thru some very interesting twists and turns as Waterman who was brought back in for a mission,looks for a highly placed mole in our government. The plot moves along realistically which is a pleasure since many action books these days seem to go over the top.One disconcerting thing though is that parts of some pages are blacked out as though having been censored. This is unnecessary.

I picked this book up on the strength of the author's earlier book, SOAR. That was a terrific read and I hoped for a similar treat from Jack in the Box. I was not disappointed. The tradecraft, twists and turns, doubles and redoubles, exciting action and interesting characters kept me up waaay past my bedtime. Another reviewer has suggested that the plot reworks the major themes that structured George Smiley's campaigns against Moscow Center. I'll concede that Weisman did not invent the "traitors in high places" plotline but he has decisively proven that he is a master of the genre. He acknowledges his debt gracefully in Jack in the Box by having several characters make contextually correct references to LeCarre's work. If you enjoyed LeCarre's Smiley books then run, don't walk, to get your hands on Jack in the Box. Even if you haven't read LeCarre's books, grab Jack in the Box for gripping espionage entertainment.

This was the first time I had read John Weisman's work and I would recommend "Jack in the Box" to anyone who wants a three dimensional chess match to solve. The characters are very well developed and have their flaws,but without the "super-human" characteristics of some other kinds of espionage novels. I would place this book alongside "The Spy Who Came In From The Cold", only for its informative and highly interesting look at the tradecraft used in the world of spies. The plot is well established from the first page, and there are no "grey areas" to lose your interest. I highly recommend this book.

John Weisman, the writer who really made THE ROGUE WARRIOR books so great, is back with another topnotch thriller. Nobody knows or understands the US intelligence community better than Weisman--and it comes through in this, his finest book to date.

Jack in the Box is one of the most enjoyable espionage thrillers I've read in years -- I read the book in a single sitting. Beyond a thoroughly delightful story, you will be treated to an insiders view on CIA tradecraft and operational methods. John Weisman is a true DC insider...and it shows. This will certainly be another bestseller for Weisman...