SpyCo operative Perry Hall has one more chance to serve justice on his wife’s killer, a man he has sought for years. But now the pursuit lands Perry in the crosshairs of his own agency, as he defies a direct order to continue the chase. As SpyCo’s top agents converge on Istanbul with orders to take him out, Perry races through the city streets, searching for the deadliest killer he’s ever faced.
From the dark underground of an ancient cistern to the lonely sound of the ezan, Istanbul comes alive in this thrilling adventure of high stakes espionage, the third book in the SpyCo Novella Series.
Craig A. Hart is a writer of thrillers. In a past life, he was also director for Northern Illinois Radio Information Service, a broadcast outreach that brought daily news and information to the visually impaired.
In 2015, Kindle Press published his literary novel BECOMING MOON. NPR affiliate Northern Public Radio featured BECOMING MOON in their Winter Book Series, and it won Best Novel of Summer 2015 from Pinnacle Awards. He is also the author of the historical mystery NIGHT AT KEY WEST, which is based on true events.
In 2016, he publishing SERENITY, the first book in the popular Shelby Alexander Thriller Series. Serenity alone has been downloaded over 400,000 times by eager readers.
In 2022, he launched the Maxwell Barnes Adventure Thriller Series, co-written with S.J. Varengo. The award-winning first book in that series, MAYAN SHADOWS, was published on May 11, 2022. Two more books follow in that series: MAYAN THUNDER and MAYAN TEMPEST.
A native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Craig lives in Iowa City, Iowa with his wife, sons, insane dog, and anti-social cat.
Assignment series: Assignment: Athens #1 - A well written little spy story. Not in Ludlum's league, but Hart does a good, simplistic job. The prologue starts the ball rolling with favors of Mr. Majestyk and The Mechanic, which made me laugh. While this isn't my favorite story, I love the other books I've read from this author, especially the Serenity Series.
If you like Assignment: Athens, prepare to get your socks knocked off with Serenity. I am curious to see if the next book in the SpyCo series will be as well written as the Serenity, which by the way are all 5-star books. 4*
Assignment: Paris #2 - Another well written spy story from a good storyteller. The characters are believable, the fast paced plot twists and the humor rampant. Mr. Majestyk is replaced with James Bond, but the story still rocks. 5*
Assignment: Istanbul #3 - Another well written little spy story. The books in this series are getting better, as most good things do with age or practice, and the reader has a fast paced, suspense filled story laced with humor. I recommend reading the series from the beginning as the well developed characters pop in and out from various books. Plus, why not, they're a fun way to spend a couple of hours. 5*
Assignment: Sydney #4 - Again, another well written, suspense filled novel that keeps the reader immersed in the story while having fun reading it, too. The characters are interesting and the plot is well thought out, plus there's the signature humor found in this series and other Hart books. 5*
Assignment: Alaska #5 - These stories get better and better. A well written, action packed, humorous novel that keeps the reader in stitches while glued to the pages. Some of the characters have returned from previous stories and get more interesting. The well thought out plot and the return of Dot makes the intrigue rock. I noticed a new coauthor and can tell a difference with his contribution.
Update: I found the coauthor did not help write this book; it was written strictly by Mr. Hart. This is my favorite book of the series so far, including Dublin #6. The other books are missing him not being the only writer, but I understand his reason. 5*
Assignment Dublin #6 – Another well written little spy story. Dot appears again; she’s my favorite character. The gang’s off again with a new assignment, which if you read the other books, you know what to expect. A quick read done in a couple hours, good for relaxing. 4*
I absolutely love this series of books, and this is the best one so far. They are a very clever mix of spy, action and thriller but all seasoned with a very generous pinch of humour. There are quite a few 'classic' characters, the James Bond style central character, who is somehow both a skillful agent and cold-blooded assassin, but also has a heart, as shown when he takes care of a young boy who's parents have been killed, he is also capable of impossibly skillful fighting. There is also the ruthless cold-hearted spy master, and then the evil genius who wants to rule the world, oh and of course the beautiful agent to provide the romantic interest. All this could lead to a very heavy handed parody of the spy genre, but instead it provides a very exciting storyline, but told with tongue slightly, but firmly in cheek making this a fun read as well. If I do have a criticism it's that the books aren't longer so that I'd have more time to enjoy them! I received a complimentary advance copy of the book from the author, but I have voluntarily written this honest review based solely on my own opinions.
On the way to the airport after a mission Perry Hall receives a photo of Raul Ramon Hernandez aka Flick showing he is in Istanbul. As Flick killed Perry’s wife Trina he is determined to avenge her death so instead of heading home to New York Perry changes his flight to Istanbul. While travelling from the airport to Istanbul Perry receives a phone call from J Carlton Moore aka The Big Cheese who tells him to get back to New York when he refuses Moore fires him. Moore then phones Burke and orders a code Grey which means he has to kill his friend not only that Burkes on off girlfriend Lyndsey Archer is Halls best friend. So now Perry is in Istanbul he’s working alone no support from Spyco and his two best friends are on his tail. Will he find Flick and kill him before Burke and Archer kill Perry? Another brilliant book from Craig and Scott. Love the Assignments they’re full of action suspense there’s twists and turns galore everything that makes a good book great.
I received a free copy of this book from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.
Another great read by a great author. Craig Hart draws the reader in from the opening page until the end. His character development is believable and depending upon good or evil they are likeable or despised.
In Istanbul Perry chases his wife’s killer, known as Flick, instead of returning home. Labelled a loose cannon his best friends, Burke and Lindsey have been given the dreadful task of taking him out. And the chase is on. Will Burke and Lindsey go through with their mission, or will they disobey orders. Then again, are the orders legitimate, or the revenge Sof an angry boss. What is going on inside SpyCo?
I love Hart's SpyCo thrillers! Istanbul pulls all the agents together for an ending of a mission but still leaves the reader with wanting more at the end of the book! Will SpyCo survive? I highly recommend reading all of Hart's SpyCo novellas in order if you can to take advantage of his excellent character development and follow locations.
A continuation directly on from the previous volume and drawing the characters from the first as well. My concerns about the SpyCo leak factor are addressed somewhat and one of the plot threads is now resolved. We also meet the Mr Big (the Blofeld equivalent, to return to the Bond theme).
Enjoyable fluff, I feel - if one ignores the body count and general gore...
Amazing spy read, lots of suspense and action. I couldn't put it down. It captivated my full attention. I want to read more. Wonderfully written with great plot and strong characters. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
I liked the premise, how the bad guys wanted to destroy all the opposition and the final conclusion. The characters have personality. I was given a copy of this book by the author. My review is entirely my own opinions.
SpyCo operative Perry has one more chance to serve justice on his wife’s killer. What excitement in these amazing pages of another book in the a series that keeps you guessing as to what happens until the very end. Received a free book. Had to review because the book was magnificent.
The new characters are fabulous. Zmaj is just creepy. Ewww! The beginning had me wondering where the heck this story was going. Sure glad it took a turn! Loved the ending and I am looking forward to the next mission! Thank you Craig!
Short but outstanding. The characters are well-defined and the story itself is compelling. No real surprises as the episode commences, but exciting and suspenseful never the less. As a teaser it makes me want to see more of these people.
another action packed little read this time all the main cast show up you have burke,lyndsey,petty,moore and the new adebelle i really enjoyed this one and cant wait for more
Perry, Burke and Lindsay then add Adabella agent at Spyco, you get a mix of adventure and mayhem. The three have orders to kill Perry, he is their friend, will they carry Moore’s order out. Perry wants revenge for person who killed his wife. A plot filled with twists and laughs. Good series and good narration. Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion