"The Treadstone Rendition" by Joshua Hood is a pulse-pounding thriller that plunges readers into a world of high-stakes action, and intense psychological warfare. Hood delivers an adrenaline-packed narrative that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
Shepherd Operative, Adam Hayes has promised his wife that he will not undertake any more Treadstone covert assignments, and after finding out that he would become a dad for the second time, he must keep his promise. He finds a job in India with a security company that will pay his bills, although he is over-qualified for the assignment. At about the same time, the US has decided to withdraw completely from Afghanistan and the Taliban is all set to take control of the regime. Adam Hayes receives a distress call from an old friend and one of the Captain in the Afghan National Army, Abdul Nassim. Ten years ago, when the US was fighting alongside the Afghan Army, Abdul Nassim had saved his life. Now it is the payback time.
Abdul Nassim is desperate to flee his homeland along with his family and children before the Taliban arrests and tortures him and his family. He is also the witness of a massacre at a hospital of Taliban forces and one of their commanders, that was masterminded by a rogue CIA operative. The CIA operative was back-selling huge cache of US arms and ammunitions to the Taliban in exchange for money wired to his personal account. After the pull-out, should the Taliban name him in the nefarious transactions, his career would be in jeopardy and therefore, he takes the last step to eliminate all his handlers within the Taliban regime. Abdul Nassim is not only witness to this carnage but also has photographic evidence as well. So now not only, the Taliban but also the rogue CIA operatives are hunting him before these are made public. Abdul places his trust only one man to exfiltrate him out of the country – Adam Hayes.
Adam Hayes must return to Afghanistan in the last days of the US pullout, find the whereabouts of Abdul Nassim and his family, and rescue them out of the country amidst him being hunted by the Taliban and the CIA. With no Treadstone backing him, Hayes must go without any back-up and arms into the treacherous country. He must move heaven and earth to save his friend.
Hood's writing is crisp and fast-paced, seamlessly blending descriptive prose with sharp dialogue. His attention to detail brings the settings to life, whether it's the dimly lit backstreets of Delhi or the tense atmosphere of high-stakes action. The author's background in military service and intelligence work lends authenticity to the story's technical and tactical aspects, adding a layer of realism that enhances the reading experience.
The supporting cast, from enigmatic allies to cunning adversaries, is equally well-developed, each contributing to the intricate web. The novel's strength lies in its heart-pounding action as the plot hurtles forward with daring escapes, explosive confrontations, and ingenious strategies elevating the book to an adrenaline-fueled thriller. The overall impact is undeniable, making it a recommended read for anyone seeking an adrenaline-packed escape into the world of covert operations.