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The Paris Betrayal
After a rough mission in Rome involving the discovery of a devastating bioweapon, Company spy Ben Calix returns to Paris to find his perfectly ordered world has collapsed. A sniper attack. An ambush. A call for help that brings French SWAT forces down on his head. Ben is out. This is a severance--reserved for incompetents and traitors.
Searching for answers and anticipating a coming attack, Ben and a woman swept up in his misfortunes must travel across Europe to find the sniper who tried to kill him, the medic who saved his life, the schoolmaster who trained him, and an upstart hacker from his former team. More than that, Ben must come to grips with his own insignificance as the Company's plan to stop Leviathan from unleashing the bioweapon at any cost moves forward without him--and he struggles against the infection that is swiftly claiming territory within his own body.
Award-winning author James R. Hannibal rachets up the tension on every page of this suspenseful new thriller.
Searching for answers and anticipating a coming attack, Ben and a woman swept up in his misfortunes must travel across Europe to find the sniper who tried to kill him, the medic who saved his life, the schoolmaster who trained him, and an upstart hacker from his former team. More than that, Ben must come to grips with his own insignificance as the Company's plan to stop Leviathan from unleashing the bioweapon at any cost moves forward without him--and he struggles against the infection that is swiftly claiming territory within his own body.
Award-winning author James R. Hannibal rachets up the tension on every page of this suspenseful new thriller.
352 pages, Paperback
First published May 4, 2021
15 people are currently reading
2228 people want to read
About the author
James R. Hannibal
20 books654 followersJames R. Hannibal an award-winning author of kids fiction, spy and military thrillers, and young adult fantasy. As a former stealth bomber pilot and drone pilot James is no stranger to action or secrets. He has been shot at, locked up by a surface to air missile system, and aided the capture of High Value Targets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews
June 20, 2021
Characters: Ben was such a cool character. Well, he was a spy, so I suppose he had to be cool. :) Yet even though he was cool, he still seemed like a real person. He had his doubts and fears just like anyone. I also liked Clara—even though I needed to know more about her. Here’s hoping The Paris Betrayal has a sequel!
Language: Clean.
Moral: This book was basically an allegory of the book of Job. James Hannibal pulled this allegory off in a well-thought-out and detailed manner, but I’m not sure how I feel about it. First, of all the books in the Bible, Job is the one I struggle most with. I’m a sinful person, and I have a hard time dealing with the whole concept of the book. Anyway … that’s my problem. Not James Hannibal’s or The Paris Betrayal’s. Or the Bible's. :) Second, I also had a hard time with the Director representing God. It’s one thing when you talk about God’s sovereignty; it’s another thing entirely when you apply a small portion of that sovereignty to a sinful man. Plus, God loved Job while all the bad stuff was going down in his life. I didn’t see the Director’s love for Ben very well. Most of what I saw was the Director working for the good of society and not caring for Ben as an individual (until the very end). I do understand that allegories can't encompass the fullness of God’s character and that Jesus used parables to convey truth. I suppose my problem is that I take allegories too literally. I'm notoriously bad with symbolism... :)
One other thing, then I’ll move on from this rambling section … I wish some of the characters had been Christians. As far as I know, none of the characters were, and this seemed odd in a Christian fiction book. I know it was kind of an allegory, but I don’t think Ben being a Christian would’ve messed up the allegorical aspects.
Plot: Wow, this plot was intense! No boring moments in sight. I liked how the author kept things moving and didn’t get bogged down in what could’ve been very technical details.
Random comments: If you’re sensitive to violence, a couple parts of this book might bother you, but I didn’t think anything ever reached the graphic level. On an even more random note, I didn’t appreciate the reverences to The Virus. I understand the author wanting to be realistic, but I’m sick of hearing about The Virus and would like it to please stay out of my books …
Romance: Clean. Maybe a couple kisses. I liked that the hint of romance wasn’t a major part of the story.
Writing: James Hannibal has an easy-to-read style that fit the story well. He’s descriptive but not too descriptive.
Overall: The Paris Betrayal was an entertaining read, and I’d recommend it to readers of Christian fiction, suspense, thrillers, and action/adventure.
Language: Clean.
Moral: This book was basically an allegory of the book of Job. James Hannibal pulled this allegory off in a well-thought-out and detailed manner, but I’m not sure how I feel about it. First, of all the books in the Bible, Job is the one I struggle most with. I’m a sinful person, and I have a hard time dealing with the whole concept of the book. Anyway … that’s my problem. Not James Hannibal’s or The Paris Betrayal’s. Or the Bible's. :) Second, I also had a hard time with the Director representing God. It’s one thing when you talk about God’s sovereignty; it’s another thing entirely when you apply a small portion of that sovereignty to a sinful man. Plus, God loved Job while all the bad stuff was going down in his life. I didn’t see the Director’s love for Ben very well. Most of what I saw was the Director working for the good of society and not caring for Ben as an individual (until the very end). I do understand that allegories can't encompass the fullness of God’s character and that Jesus used parables to convey truth. I suppose my problem is that I take allegories too literally. I'm notoriously bad with symbolism... :)
One other thing, then I’ll move on from this rambling section … I wish some of the characters had been Christians. As far as I know, none of the characters were, and this seemed odd in a Christian fiction book. I know it was kind of an allegory, but I don’t think Ben being a Christian would’ve messed up the allegorical aspects.
Plot: Wow, this plot was intense! No boring moments in sight. I liked how the author kept things moving and didn’t get bogged down in what could’ve been very technical details.
Random comments: If you’re sensitive to violence, a couple parts of this book might bother you, but I didn’t think anything ever reached the graphic level. On an even more random note, I didn’t appreciate the reverences to The Virus. I understand the author wanting to be realistic, but I’m sick of hearing about The Virus and would like it to please stay out of my books …
Romance: Clean. Maybe a couple kisses. I liked that the hint of romance wasn’t a major part of the story.
Writing: James Hannibal has an easy-to-read style that fit the story well. He’s descriptive but not too descriptive.
Overall: The Paris Betrayal was an entertaining read, and I’d recommend it to readers of Christian fiction, suspense, thrillers, and action/adventure.
April 4, 2021
I loved every bit of this story. It reads like a Jason Bourne movie (or book), with quick action scenes, great dialogue, and more twists and turns than a winding mountian road. I highly recommend it for those who love supense with a hint or romance. The stakes are high and kept the pages flying.
May 18, 2021
Technically this book is a 4.5 stars. This is my first book back since my Father passed away last week. I haven't been reading anything but I heard so many great things about this book. At first I had no idea what was happening but I let the book continue and it explained itself. Ben is a spy and all at once he is left out of all that is happening. Soon people are after him and during his escape he took his neighbor along with him. So begin their journey. Ben arrested someone with the plague and he is now wanting to find out is this the next pandemic? This book has you going. I had to continue reading this book straight thru because I wanted to know what would happen next. The one thing I don't like, this book will have a sequel because they left you wondering what will happen next. So now I have to wait to see what Ben next journey will be? I don't do well with waiting. I am glad this is the book I chose to come back to reading. It had you wondering what would happen next. Suggest listening to it on audiobook, the narrator is awesome. Great read and I highly recommend it for you all!!
August 20, 2021
Who needs to go to the movies when you can read a James R. Hannibal book?? Action packed, on the edge of my seat, Hannibal delivers a thrilling European adventure! I love the way Mr. Hannibal writes his scenes, it really does feel like a movie is playing out in my head complete with the ear-aching sirens, flashing red and blues, and the smell of cordite to make readers feel like they're living on every page of this story with the characters. The secondary characters in this story are strongly developed and add depth to the plot that leaves me wanting more of their story in the sequel...is there going to be a sequel?? I sure hope so!!
April 22, 2023
First, let me start by saying that James R. Hannibal is a phenomenal author. I have enjoyed everything I read by him and I feel like he always teaches me something new. I actually had no idea that he wrote anything besides the The Lost Property Office series, but now I am excited to read all his works.
Now on to this specific book. If you are looking for a thriller-spy-bioweapon-but slightly allegorical book, this is the one for you. Ben Calix is part of a special ops (government) agency. When in Paris, following a lead, everything goes wrong. And everything continues to go wrong for the next 300 pages. It can get depressing but you know it has to turn around at some point. It's constant action for most of the book. I think the characters were done so well (except for Jupiter and the Director). As other reviews have noted, the Director felt like a stretch of a character. However, as this book is slightly based on a story from the Bible, I'll let it slide.
Which brings me to my next point. I usually hate allegories because they're just so obvious. This wasn't an allegory though. I had just enough similarities to a Bible story for you to make some connections, but in the most genius way. Thank you Hannibal.
Lastly, this book is about a bioweapon. Which became an issue when covid struck as the author had 90% of his book finished. Although a bioweapon after a "bioweapon" seems aa little odd, I think Hannibal did a good job of incorporating references to C-19 (with some brilliant political statements, I may add), while not completely changing the story.
cleanliness:🧼🧼🧼🧼.5/5 Only aa few kisses, nothing detailed. No language. Maybe a bit too much violence, so if you're super sympathetic, this is not the book for you. Nothing graphic.
Now on to this specific book. If you are looking for a thriller-spy-bioweapon-but slightly allegorical book, this is the one for you. Ben Calix is part of a special ops (government) agency. When in Paris, following a lead, everything goes wrong. And everything continues to go wrong for the next 300 pages. It can get depressing but you know it has to turn around at some point. It's constant action for most of the book. I think the characters were done so well (except for Jupiter and the Director). As other reviews have noted, the Director felt like a stretch of a character. However, as this book is slightly based on a story from the Bible, I'll let it slide.
Which brings me to my next point. I usually hate allegories because they're just so obvious. This wasn't an allegory though. I had just enough similarities to a Bible story for you to make some connections, but in the most genius way. Thank you Hannibal.
Lastly, this book is about a bioweapon. Which became an issue when covid struck as the author had 90% of his book finished. Although a bioweapon after a "bioweapon" seems aa little odd, I think Hannibal did a good job of incorporating references to C-19 (with some brilliant political statements, I may add), while not completely changing the story.
cleanliness:🧼🧼🧼🧼.5/5 Only aa few kisses, nothing detailed. No language. Maybe a bit too much violence, so if you're super sympathetic, this is not the book for you. Nothing graphic.
August 8, 2021
Sheesh! This book packed a wallop! If you love suspense/spy thrillers, you will absolutely love it.
Something I’ve found in this genre is that most of those books are absolute garbage rife with content issues that drive me up a wall. I’m always on the lookout for niche material that doesn’t have curse words or sexual content throughout. And unfortunately, most of the books in this genre have this issue times ten.
This was a refreshing breath of air into the genre, and the author is amazing at his craft! His experience truly shines throughout the book, and it’s incredibly obvious that not only does he know what he’s talking about, but he is also incredible at portraying the intensity of the spy genre. All while pacing it correctly, and giving the reader the intense desire to turn page after page.
My only quibble with the book was the end. I feel like it got wrapped up a little too quickly, and it ended up feeling like a really sudden end with some strings left hanging in the wind. I would have loved a little more explanation, motivation, and wrap up in general, but that was my only complaint. I definitely saw the parallel between this book and the book of Job in the Bible. Nothing was in your face, but it was subtly inspired by the book in the Bible, and was therefore fascinating. I really did enjoy Ben’s character, and felt that I actually related to him quite a lot.
If you want to read a clean spy thriller with all of the intense intrigue and page-turning suspense, then this is the book for you! Highly recommend!
*This book was given to me free of charge in exchange for my honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own and in no way influenced by the publisher.
Something I’ve found in this genre is that most of those books are absolute garbage rife with content issues that drive me up a wall. I’m always on the lookout for niche material that doesn’t have curse words or sexual content throughout. And unfortunately, most of the books in this genre have this issue times ten.
This was a refreshing breath of air into the genre, and the author is amazing at his craft! His experience truly shines throughout the book, and it’s incredibly obvious that not only does he know what he’s talking about, but he is also incredible at portraying the intensity of the spy genre. All while pacing it correctly, and giving the reader the intense desire to turn page after page.
My only quibble with the book was the end. I feel like it got wrapped up a little too quickly, and it ended up feeling like a really sudden end with some strings left hanging in the wind. I would have loved a little more explanation, motivation, and wrap up in general, but that was my only complaint. I definitely saw the parallel between this book and the book of Job in the Bible. Nothing was in your face, but it was subtly inspired by the book in the Bible, and was therefore fascinating. I really did enjoy Ben’s character, and felt that I actually related to him quite a lot.
If you want to read a clean spy thriller with all of the intense intrigue and page-turning suspense, then this is the book for you! Highly recommend!
*This book was given to me free of charge in exchange for my honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own and in no way influenced by the publisher.
June 25, 2021
"The Paris Betrayal" is a suspense/thriller. It's published by Christian publisher, so I was confused that there were no references to God. The only mentions of faith involved faith in The Director, head of The Company that Ben works for, or in Jupiter, the bad guy leader. I couldn't understand how Ben's former teammates could be so naïve as to believe that a human (The Director) could never make a mistake. It wasn't until nearly the end that I realized that the story was based on Job from the Bible, so people were putting their faith in either God or Satan. Anyway, the desire to make this reflect the story of Job made the teammates reactions to Ben's situation seem odd or unrealistic when taken outside of that context.
The suspense was high as Ben was constantly on the move, trying to avoid arrest and survive attacks while also save the world. Both the good and bad guys had people harassing him. I liked that the female characters were competent and resourceful (even when not trained as spies). I wasn't at all surprised by the roles that Ben's girlfriend and Clara played, though I think it was meant to be a surprise. I appreciate that Ben treated the women respectfully. Ben was loyal and had a strong desire to help others, so he was easy to admire. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this thriller.
I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
The suspense was high as Ben was constantly on the move, trying to avoid arrest and survive attacks while also save the world. Both the good and bad guys had people harassing him. I liked that the female characters were competent and resourceful (even when not trained as spies). I wasn't at all surprised by the roles that Ben's girlfriend and Clara played, though I think it was meant to be a surprise. I appreciate that Ben treated the women respectfully. Ben was loyal and had a strong desire to help others, so he was easy to admire. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this thriller.
I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
May 27, 2021
Rating 3,5 stars.
This story of spies and possible bio-weapons was interesting, at some times suspenseful and also intriguing. A few of the big plot twists I guessed before it was revealed.
One of my favourite scenes was between Ben and Dylan closer to the end. I enjoyed the banter between the characters and Ben's dry sense of humour. Action scenes was also written well.
This is a new to me author and I want to read more of his work because of his symbolism to the Bible in this novel and I would like to see if his other works are similar.
Now, if you don’t know your Bible stories, this will just be a good story. But what grabbed me at the end, was realizing who the Director and Jupiter represented and how Ben was created based on Job from the Bible. I was glad when this was confirmed in the author’s note at the end.
I do prefer my suspense/thrillers a bit more fast paced and nail-biting, and some of the jargon did go over my head a bit. However, a lot of readers rated this high and part of my lower rating might be that this is the third book this month I've read about a probable bio-weapon.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*
This story of spies and possible bio-weapons was interesting, at some times suspenseful and also intriguing. A few of the big plot twists I guessed before it was revealed.
One of my favourite scenes was between Ben and Dylan closer to the end. I enjoyed the banter between the characters and Ben's dry sense of humour. Action scenes was also written well.
This is a new to me author and I want to read more of his work because of his symbolism to the Bible in this novel and I would like to see if his other works are similar.
Now, if you don’t know your Bible stories, this will just be a good story. But what grabbed me at the end, was realizing who the Director and Jupiter represented and how Ben was created based on Job from the Bible. I was glad when this was confirmed in the author’s note at the end.
I do prefer my suspense/thrillers a bit more fast paced and nail-biting, and some of the jargon did go over my head a bit. However, a lot of readers rated this high and part of my lower rating might be that this is the third book this month I've read about a probable bio-weapon.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*
October 31, 2020
James. R. Hannibal just gets better and better.
May 21, 2021
Great cover!
I loved the dry humor sprinkled in the novel. The suspense was a bit predictable and the romance didn't seem realistic. Overall, an okay suspense novel.
I loved the dry humor sprinkled in the novel. The suspense was a bit predictable and the romance didn't seem realistic. Overall, an okay suspense novel.
May 22, 2021
Wow. I love this one. So Hannibal is my favorite male author. The way he handles his plots and characters ALWAYS has me on the edge of my seat. It rarely takes me more than two days to finish a book by him. Needless to say, I had great expectations for this one.
My family and I just got back from a month long trip to Florida and there we watched an FBI show almost every evening. On the plan home I watched the movie Tenet, and I started this book almost as soon as we had unpacked. So my suspense/special agent vibe was on high alert. Let’s go with the review!
The characters.
For spoilers sake I’ll spare you details on some of the characters. However? The development of Clara’s character was beautiful. I was kinda mad at the beginning, but very satisfied with it at the end.
Ben himself was.... hard. I loved the guy and his fight-till-I’m-dead attitude. I admired that with all of me. But the author did such a good job pulling the reader (me) into the story and feeling everything that Ben was going through and still fighting that now that I’m done my brain is exhausted and I need a mental break 😂😂😂
I loved Hale’s voice in Ben’s head all the time, and I would have trusted Sensen with my life even in Ben’s shoes. I don’t know why
The plot
My word I was guessing EVERY second of the plot. I didn’t know what was going to happen and how it was going to end even to the last page of the story. The suspense, the fighting scenes, the description of how Ben fought and looked and searched and never gave up even to the last beat of his heart when everybody else had turned on him. So well done. And so complex there’s no way to even try and summarise it to a review.
The content
There wasn’t any sexual content. Two brief kisses. There was no bad language. There was a fair amount of violence and graphic scenes, blood, shooting, being shot, a debilitating disease, burning a body, and also infecting people with the said disease (bio weapon). There was very little to be concerned with unless you are a very sensitive to blood/fighting scenes in which case I’m going to guess this isnt your typical genre and avoiding this story will not be a problem.
Additional notes:
There were certain parts to the story where I was shaking my head, I didn’t agree with what was happening, or I didn’t understand why the author played it out the way he did. The Director and Jupiter and them always talking about having faith in the Company was way too much of an idol type theme for me. But as an author I always read author notes at the end of the book and BOY was I rewarded with such a treat! Every single one of my concerns was vaporised when the author explained where his topic and inspiration came from and why he wrote the story the way that he did. I don’t want to share the spoilers here but thinking back on the story with this new light I keep finding all the nuggets of parallels and I’m having such a little party in my head.
Especially the scene where he finally comes across the Director and cries “I deserve better!” And I’d better stop before I start spilling spoilers.
One more thing I want to say is thank you so much to Mr. Hannibal. He said that this story was almost complete when the COVID pandemic hit the world, and he had to adjust this story to make it work. As an author, I know that sinking feeling in your chest when the story you’ve spent so many hours writing needs to be completely redone as many times to make sure it’s consistent with a new topic. So THANK you Mr. Hannibal for not giving up and for handling this topic very well.
Also thank you to the Publisher for a copy of this book. A positive review was not required and all opinions are my own.
FIVE STARS!
Favorite quote:
“Stop asking what you deserve, Ben. Try asking, what is my purpose?”
~Ha-eun~ The Paris Betrayal
My family and I just got back from a month long trip to Florida and there we watched an FBI show almost every evening. On the plan home I watched the movie Tenet, and I started this book almost as soon as we had unpacked. So my suspense/special agent vibe was on high alert. Let’s go with the review!
The characters.
For spoilers sake I’ll spare you details on some of the characters. However? The development of Clara’s character was beautiful. I was kinda mad at the beginning, but very satisfied with it at the end.
Ben himself was.... hard. I loved the guy and his fight-till-I’m-dead attitude. I admired that with all of me. But the author did such a good job pulling the reader (me) into the story and feeling everything that Ben was going through and still fighting that now that I’m done my brain is exhausted and I need a mental break 😂😂😂
I loved Hale’s voice in Ben’s head all the time, and I would have trusted Sensen with my life even in Ben’s shoes. I don’t know why
The plot
My word I was guessing EVERY second of the plot. I didn’t know what was going to happen and how it was going to end even to the last page of the story. The suspense, the fighting scenes, the description of how Ben fought and looked and searched and never gave up even to the last beat of his heart when everybody else had turned on him. So well done. And so complex there’s no way to even try and summarise it to a review.
The content
There wasn’t any sexual content. Two brief kisses. There was no bad language. There was a fair amount of violence and graphic scenes, blood, shooting, being shot, a debilitating disease, burning a body, and also infecting people with the said disease (bio weapon). There was very little to be concerned with unless you are a very sensitive to blood/fighting scenes in which case I’m going to guess this isnt your typical genre and avoiding this story will not be a problem.
Additional notes:
There were certain parts to the story where I was shaking my head, I didn’t agree with what was happening, or I didn’t understand why the author played it out the way he did. The Director and Jupiter and them always talking about having faith in the Company was way too much of an idol type theme for me. But as an author I always read author notes at the end of the book and BOY was I rewarded with such a treat! Every single one of my concerns was vaporised when the author explained where his topic and inspiration came from and why he wrote the story the way that he did. I don’t want to share the spoilers here but thinking back on the story with this new light I keep finding all the nuggets of parallels and I’m having such a little party in my head.
Especially the scene where he finally comes across the Director and cries “I deserve better!” And I’d better stop before I start spilling spoilers.
One more thing I want to say is thank you so much to Mr. Hannibal. He said that this story was almost complete when the COVID pandemic hit the world, and he had to adjust this story to make it work. As an author, I know that sinking feeling in your chest when the story you’ve spent so many hours writing needs to be completely redone as many times to make sure it’s consistent with a new topic. So THANK you Mr. Hannibal for not giving up and for handling this topic very well.
Also thank you to the Publisher for a copy of this book. A positive review was not required and all opinions are my own.
FIVE STARS!
Favorite quote:
“Stop asking what you deserve, Ben. Try asking, what is my purpose?”
~Ha-eun~ The Paris Betrayal
May 10, 2021
My only complaint about this author is that he hasn't written a lot of books yet. I have enjoyed everything he has written, including his three secular novels. I was excited to see he had a new book coming out, and was admittedly a little disappointed that it did not go with the two previous books he wrote for Revell.
After reading The Paris Betrayal, that disappointment has gone away. This book was more than a great read, it was a great ride. And the book is more than a great suspense novel. It is a spy novel....and I loved it. This may be Hannibal's best novel so far.
Ben, the main character, has a lot go wrong for him in this book. Sickness, betrayal, no one believing him, kicked out of the CIA, and seemingly him against the world as he tries to do the right thing in the face of total opposition. By the way, this story is based on the story of Job from the Bible.
The book has non-stop action and suspense, and has some twists and turns that I never saw coming, especially the one at the climax of the story. There were things going on that Ben did not know about, and the author also kept the reader in the dark about. The story has its share of people who you don't know are good, or bad guys pretending to be good, and my suspicions on one character did turn out right, while I was totally surprised by another. Hannibal did a masterful job of writing an awesome spy/suspense novel that pulls you in, keeps you entertained, and also keeps you guessing. And it has what any novel of this kind should have: a likable hero who triumphs in the end. That really isn't a spoiler, because isn't that what always happens? And after all that happened to poor Ben, he did deserve to come out on top. :)
I definitely recommend this book, and if ever there was a Christian fiction novel that men would enjoy, this is it......though there really is not any overtly Christian content in it, just a Christian worldview. It does appear to be a stand alone novel, though I wouldn't mind a sequel.
I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own.
After reading The Paris Betrayal, that disappointment has gone away. This book was more than a great read, it was a great ride. And the book is more than a great suspense novel. It is a spy novel....and I loved it. This may be Hannibal's best novel so far.
Ben, the main character, has a lot go wrong for him in this book. Sickness, betrayal, no one believing him, kicked out of the CIA, and seemingly him against the world as he tries to do the right thing in the face of total opposition. By the way, this story is based on the story of Job from the Bible.
The book has non-stop action and suspense, and has some twists and turns that I never saw coming, especially the one at the climax of the story. There were things going on that Ben did not know about, and the author also kept the reader in the dark about. The story has its share of people who you don't know are good, or bad guys pretending to be good, and my suspicions on one character did turn out right, while I was totally surprised by another. Hannibal did a masterful job of writing an awesome spy/suspense novel that pulls you in, keeps you entertained, and also keeps you guessing. And it has what any novel of this kind should have: a likable hero who triumphs in the end. That really isn't a spoiler, because isn't that what always happens? And after all that happened to poor Ben, he did deserve to come out on top. :)
I definitely recommend this book, and if ever there was a Christian fiction novel that men would enjoy, this is it......though there really is not any overtly Christian content in it, just a Christian worldview. It does appear to be a stand alone novel, though I wouldn't mind a sequel.
I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own.
April 30, 2021
Suspenseful. Fast paced. Addictive. I happily lost hours of sleep last night with this page turner. This is a well written book. James R Hannibal clearly has an abundance of knowledge, is well researched and highly creative. My expectations for this book, being written by a new-to-me author, were exceeded by far. I haven’t found a really good contemporary suspense novel in quite a while. They seem to be rare when it comes to inspirational fiction. But this one definitely hits the mark. I can’t wait to read more by Hannibal. Is this the start of a new series? I do hope so. Mr. Hannibal, you’re a new favourite.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
June 27, 2022
Talk about high stakes, action packed, heart racing adventure! There are some books you can meander through and savour, but this was not one of them. I’m a fast reader, but I couldn’t read quickly enough to keep up with the adrenaline rush while desperately trying to find out what happened next.
I’m all for a good thriller/spy fiction story, and this one certainly delivered. Despite being more plot driven as opposed to character driven, the characters were still great - Ben, Clara, Giselle, Hale, Jupiter, Otto, and the rest. The characters weren’t really there to drive an emotional connection with the reader; they were there to get you invested in the rather intense and complex plot.
Having read the author’s note and several reviews before reading the book, I was aware of the Job allegory the author was aiming for. If I hadn’t been aware of it, I’m not totally sure I would have picked up on it before the ending. Apart from the allegory aspect, there weren’t really any faith elements.
Overall, I was very impressed by Hannibal’s writing; it was my first book of his, but it certainly won’t be the last!
I’m all for a good thriller/spy fiction story, and this one certainly delivered. Despite being more plot driven as opposed to character driven, the characters were still great - Ben, Clara, Giselle, Hale, Jupiter, Otto, and the rest. The characters weren’t really there to drive an emotional connection with the reader; they were there to get you invested in the rather intense and complex plot.
Having read the author’s note and several reviews before reading the book, I was aware of the Job allegory the author was aiming for. If I hadn’t been aware of it, I’m not totally sure I would have picked up on it before the ending. Apart from the allegory aspect, there weren’t really any faith elements.
Overall, I was very impressed by Hannibal’s writing; it was my first book of his, but it certainly won’t be the last!
May 10, 2021
Wow! What a read. I honestly don’t know where to start for this book review. Give me a moment . . .
Okay, I don’t want to give any spoilers away so I’ll start out with why I liked this book. Easy, Mr. Hannibal consistently delivers fast-paced storytelling that grips you from page one. I don’t like to be bored when reading and he ensure I never am. This book is a standalone so you get all the info in one book and don’t have to worry about it spanning over a series.
This book also has you guessing who is the betrayer. There are multiple twists and turns in this book that left my jaw hanging open. And when I got to the very end and read the author’s note, it made me rethink everything I just read.
I know that sounds vague, but I truly don’t want to spoil anything. Just know this book is a must read. I give it 5 stars and I’ll continue to read Mr. Hannibal.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. My review was not required nor influenced.
Okay, I don’t want to give any spoilers away so I’ll start out with why I liked this book. Easy, Mr. Hannibal consistently delivers fast-paced storytelling that grips you from page one. I don’t like to be bored when reading and he ensure I never am. This book is a standalone so you get all the info in one book and don’t have to worry about it spanning over a series.
This book also has you guessing who is the betrayer. There are multiple twists and turns in this book that left my jaw hanging open. And when I got to the very end and read the author’s note, it made me rethink everything I just read.
I know that sounds vague, but I truly don’t want to spoil anything. Just know this book is a must read. I give it 5 stars and I’ll continue to read Mr. Hannibal.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. My review was not required nor influenced.
April 19, 2022
Two things became evident as I read The Paris Betrayal:
1. James Hannibal is a good writer, and I enjoy his style, and
2. I am officially not fond of stories about bioweapons.
I knew from other reviews that this was intended as an allegory of the book of Job, so I read it with that in mind. It was interesting to see the parallels emerge, and it made me think about the story of Job in new ways. Reading the book from that perspective, however, made it a little harder to tell if certain parts of the story really “worked,” or if they just worked because I knew they had to be there to fit the allegory. I also felt the allegory fell a bit flat toward the end (possible spoilers if you aren’t familiar with how Job fits this book): Without the indescribable majesty, compassion, wisdom, and other endless attributes of God, the Director came off to me as a cheap approximation. When God tells Job, “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?” we recognize his incomprehensible knowledge, justice, and holiness. There is a demand, yes, but there is also love. There is no way to fully reflect that in a human analogy, and I felt that the Director just seemed egotistical, cold, or dismissive. So I was a bit disappointed by that. Still, it did make me think, and thinking is good. (Also, the Director’s title kept making me think of the Director in Agatha Christie’s Destination Unknown. Not Hannibal’s fault!)
As mentioned, the whole bioweapon/Black Death aspect made for some disturbing mental images, and the violence level was a little high for my taste. But there were some great action sequences, good characters, and a fast-moving plot with plenty of tension. Lots of spy stuff going on, which I loved, and I liked how Ben’s instructor would sort of “voice over” in his head so we got a glimpse of what was going on in the situation and what Ben’s training dictated. I don’t recommend this book for sensitive readers, but suspense lovers would enjoy it.
1. James Hannibal is a good writer, and I enjoy his style, and
2. I am officially not fond of stories about bioweapons.
I knew from other reviews that this was intended as an allegory of the book of Job, so I read it with that in mind. It was interesting to see the parallels emerge, and it made me think about the story of Job in new ways. Reading the book from that perspective, however, made it a little harder to tell if certain parts of the story really “worked,” or if they just worked because I knew they had to be there to fit the allegory. I also felt the allegory fell a bit flat toward the end (possible spoilers if you aren’t familiar with how Job fits this book): Without the indescribable majesty, compassion, wisdom, and other endless attributes of God, the Director came off to me as a cheap approximation. When God tells Job, “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?” we recognize his incomprehensible knowledge, justice, and holiness. There is a demand, yes, but there is also love. There is no way to fully reflect that in a human analogy, and I felt that the Director just seemed egotistical, cold, or dismissive. So I was a bit disappointed by that. Still, it did make me think, and thinking is good. (Also, the Director’s title kept making me think of the Director in Agatha Christie’s Destination Unknown. Not Hannibal’s fault!)
As mentioned, the whole bioweapon/Black Death aspect made for some disturbing mental images, and the violence level was a little high for my taste. But there were some great action sequences, good characters, and a fast-moving plot with plenty of tension. Lots of spy stuff going on, which I loved, and I liked how Ben’s instructor would sort of “voice over” in his head so we got a glimpse of what was going on in the situation and what Ben’s training dictated. I don’t recommend this book for sensitive readers, but suspense lovers would enjoy it.
April 27, 2021
When I was told I gave up too easily on James R. Hannibal's books I did not expect people to be so right!
A big reason I gave this book another chance is the author is a former Air Force pilot and I'm a sucker for the Air Force (#AirForcebrat), I've seen raving reviews from friends on his books, another reason is the back cover of "The Paris Betrayal" grabbed my attention AND didn't give spoilers that would cause me to be disappointed in the book.
I got my copy in the mail and not three hours later I flipped the last page and found that it is one of the best books I've read in a while. Surprising, but so exciting! And, the suspense kept me guessing, I called one or two little things but most of the time I was close to biting my nails. The plotline of a pandemic, bioweapon, and other things related to those didn't bother me with the way the topics were approached but you should still be warned that they do play a big part of the book and some people may not want to read this book yet.
Be Calix is not your everyday hero even for a spy thriller, his story is a new take on a CIA plotline, and just everything about him was AWESOME. I loved every bit of this book and I already want to reread it!
I highly recommend you pre-order your copy NOW, you must read this book, and why not support the author with a pre-order now?!
As for me, I need to go fish my copies of Hannibal's other books from my depths of to-be-read book piles and read them promptly.
I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary e/copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
A big reason I gave this book another chance is the author is a former Air Force pilot and I'm a sucker for the Air Force (#AirForcebrat), I've seen raving reviews from friends on his books, another reason is the back cover of "The Paris Betrayal" grabbed my attention AND didn't give spoilers that would cause me to be disappointed in the book.
I got my copy in the mail and not three hours later I flipped the last page and found that it is one of the best books I've read in a while. Surprising, but so exciting! And, the suspense kept me guessing, I called one or two little things but most of the time I was close to biting my nails. The plotline of a pandemic, bioweapon, and other things related to those didn't bother me with the way the topics were approached but you should still be warned that they do play a big part of the book and some people may not want to read this book yet.
Be Calix is not your everyday hero even for a spy thriller, his story is a new take on a CIA plotline, and just everything about him was AWESOME. I loved every bit of this book and I already want to reread it!
I highly recommend you pre-order your copy NOW, you must read this book, and why not support the author with a pre-order now?!
As for me, I need to go fish my copies of Hannibal's other books from my depths of to-be-read book piles and read them promptly.
I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary e/copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
May 3, 2021
I really wanted to like this book. Thrillers, suspense, and mysteries are some of my favorite genres to read. A good book to me will have the suspense with moments of doubting myself as I try to figure out who the bad person who is and the motive is. Usually I can figure out the person and watch the clues pile up before the end of the story. But in The Paris Betrayal by James R. Hannibal, the novel does start with an exciting mission and incident, which I really liked. A good thriller novel should capture my attention within the first moments, or my attention can wander away. But from this moment, the main hero, Ben, is on the run. Bullets are flying. People dying. Which normally, I would praise and be happy to see. BUT I had a hard time staying focused. Ben was always on the run. Not that many moments to breathe. Too many other characters to account for. What were they there for? Why were they there? Are they important to the solution to the story? In those moments, I read the story and followed what happened, but I needed more depth. I do not feel like I grew a connection with Ben. I didn’t really care what happened to him. What was the issue that Ben was running from? This was not shown until almost the end of the novel. The scenery was nice since I have never traveled to Europe, but I can’t wait to visit. Hopefully, sometime. Overall, The Paris Betrayal did not really capture my attention like I wanted it to. The story needs more personal connection to the reader.
I received a complimentary copy of The Paris Betrayal by James R. Hannibal from Revell Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.
I received a complimentary copy of The Paris Betrayal by James R. Hannibal from Revell Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.
June 8, 2021
I enjoyed this book immensely! The Paris Betrayal is actually the first book I've read by this author but I'd heard good things - and they were all true! This book was packed with action, intrigue, humor, and heart in a perfect combination! So much so that, the minute I finished it, I rushed around the house looking for Hannibal's other series (The Gryphon Heist, which I'm reading right now).
As for the book, I wasn't really sure what to expect at first (I don't read BCC) and I'm happy to say it ramped up immediately. Ben Calix reminds me of your typical spy (think Jason Bourne or Ethan Hunt) but the set up is perfect to drop you into the action.
Without giving too much away, Ben finds himself almost alone and facing some pretty insurmountable odds, but I like the way Hannibal writes it - it's believable for a spy and yet he still faces difficulties.
By the end...well, you're in for a ride and I found myself wondering HOW everything was going to wrap up. But it does - and very satisfyingly as well.
This is a top-caliber spy story that goes deeper (read the authors note at the end) and will leave you entertained and ready for more!
I 100% recommend this to fans of intrigue, suspense, and thrillers.
My rating: 5 s*
----
Thanks to the publisher for this gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
As for the book, I wasn't really sure what to expect at first (I don't read BCC) and I'm happy to say it ramped up immediately. Ben Calix reminds me of your typical spy (think Jason Bourne or Ethan Hunt) but the set up is perfect to drop you into the action.
Without giving too much away, Ben finds himself almost alone and facing some pretty insurmountable odds, but I like the way Hannibal writes it - it's believable for a spy and yet he still faces difficulties.
By the end...well, you're in for a ride and I found myself wondering HOW everything was going to wrap up. But it does - and very satisfyingly as well.
This is a top-caliber spy story that goes deeper (read the authors note at the end) and will leave you entertained and ready for more!
I 100% recommend this to fans of intrigue, suspense, and thrillers.
My rating: 5 s*
----
Thanks to the publisher for this gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
March 21, 2021
Wow, what a ride. This fast-paced spy thriller action novel checks every box: likeable hero; beautiful love interest; thrills and spills on every page; cool spy technology; a backstabbing traitor; a hero who must survive by his wits or get eaten alive by the various factions on his tail; friends-turned-enemies and enemies-turned-friends; a deadly virus and time running out for a cure. Whew. The author grabs you by the lapels from the first page and doesn't let go till the last breathless moment.
I've wondered over the past year how authors in the coming months and years would handle our pandemic reality: would they simply ignore it, in an effort to keep their novels timeless? Or mention it just in passing? James Hannibal may be the very first post-pandemic novelist and this the first post-Covid novel, and it does a really good job of integrating our reality with that of the protagonist. The author's afterword explains that the book was written pre-Covid, but that assimilating Covid into his plot was challenging but doable. I say he succeeded.
I give this 4.5 stars, 1/2 star taken off because of the sheer unbelievability of some of the plot elements, understandable in an action thriller like this I suppose, but the coincidences stretch the limits of the reader's suspension of disbelief. Still, a great ride overall. Thanks to the author and publishers for the review copy.
I've wondered over the past year how authors in the coming months and years would handle our pandemic reality: would they simply ignore it, in an effort to keep their novels timeless? Or mention it just in passing? James Hannibal may be the very first post-pandemic novelist and this the first post-Covid novel, and it does a really good job of integrating our reality with that of the protagonist. The author's afterword explains that the book was written pre-Covid, but that assimilating Covid into his plot was challenging but doable. I say he succeeded.
I give this 4.5 stars, 1/2 star taken off because of the sheer unbelievability of some of the plot elements, understandable in an action thriller like this I suppose, but the coincidences stretch the limits of the reader's suspension of disbelief. Still, a great ride overall. Thanks to the author and publishers for the review copy.
May 19, 2021
What a fantastic spy thriller! The Paris Betrayal has a lone operator, Ben Calix, thrust into the cold as he crisscrosses continental Europe in a search to stay alive and prove his innocence and loyalty. From a heart-pounding chase in Rome to evading the French police forces in Paris and beyond, it’s a fast-paced story that reminds me of Jason Bourne — and maybe a little Jack Reacher — as Ben searches for the truth while a menacing organization seeks to thwart his every move.
Hannibal’s authorial voice lends a slight bit of snark and authenticity born of experience (not as a spy, but as a veteran) to this whirlwind of a story as Ben Calix proves a relatable protagonist. Memories of Ben’s training and anecdotes about his teammates and network add depth to the increasing suspense surrounding his failed mission and the debilitating plot he is gradually uncovering. (I feel like I’m prepared to make a quick escape and evade pursuers should the need arise from the tidbits of wisdom attributed to Ben’s mentor, Colonel Hale.) The occasional switch to a POV of one of the secondary characters adds further to the subterfuge and raises more questions for the reader. The story is spun in such a way that I was questioning the loyalties of various characters right alongside Ben, trying to determine who was manipulating the situation and who was innocently caught up in the melee with him.
The astute reader will recognize subtle parallels between this story and the life of the Biblical man Job as each face seemingly unjust situations. I think the inclusion of characters who mirror Job’s “friends” and similar internal questions of purpose and justice are a brilliant move on Hannibal’s part to draw comparisons to the ancient account in a modern scenario.
Fans of action-adventure, thrillers, and espionage-related suspense will want to check out The Paris Betrayal or Hannibal’s backlist for more fast-paced reading material.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. This is my honest review.
Hannibal’s authorial voice lends a slight bit of snark and authenticity born of experience (not as a spy, but as a veteran) to this whirlwind of a story as Ben Calix proves a relatable protagonist. Memories of Ben’s training and anecdotes about his teammates and network add depth to the increasing suspense surrounding his failed mission and the debilitating plot he is gradually uncovering. (I feel like I’m prepared to make a quick escape and evade pursuers should the need arise from the tidbits of wisdom attributed to Ben’s mentor, Colonel Hale.) The occasional switch to a POV of one of the secondary characters adds further to the subterfuge and raises more questions for the reader. The story is spun in such a way that I was questioning the loyalties of various characters right alongside Ben, trying to determine who was manipulating the situation and who was innocently caught up in the melee with him.
The astute reader will recognize subtle parallels between this story and the life of the Biblical man Job as each face seemingly unjust situations. I think the inclusion of characters who mirror Job’s “friends” and similar internal questions of purpose and justice are a brilliant move on Hannibal’s part to draw comparisons to the ancient account in a modern scenario.
Fans of action-adventure, thrillers, and espionage-related suspense will want to check out The Paris Betrayal or Hannibal’s backlist for more fast-paced reading material.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. This is my honest review.
June 1, 2021
I think it's safe to say that my first James Hannibal book was a smashing success!
Plus, the poor dude just didn't feel good. Let's give him some slack.
The suspense wasn't keep-you-up-with-nightmares tense, but definitely edge-of-your-seat tense. The fight scenes were fantastic. The plot line was so good. The characters were likable, buuuuuut somehow they seemed...shallow? Like, I understood that Ben was under a great deal of stress, and he did well, but...idk. I failed to seriously connect. I did understand his want/need to fix things and set them right. And his desperation when things didn't go according to plan. (Am I a fixer that has issues when things don't go according to plan? Yes. Yes, I am.) But as far as emotional connection goes...nah. (I did love how it wasn't your typical top-of-the-food-chain-agent story, but more of a lowest-agent-on-the-totem-pole story)
Clara was endearing and spunky. The bad guys were...your average bad guys. All in all, there was nothing really remarkable about the characters.
And the message? Well, honestly, I didn't even realize there was supposed to be a message until I read a friend's review, mentioning the author's note. (I thought I'd read the author's note, but *cough* apparently I didn't read it well enough) It was a good story, engaging plot line, and I absolutely loved the overall story, but with shallow(ish) characters and lacking a meaty message, it fell just short of five stars.
As far as romance goes, there was a liiiiitle kissing and terms of endearment, but there was such a tiny amount, I'm not even gonna complain about it!
So. A shorter review, but I definitely recommend this one! Four solid stars!
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher for promotional purposes. All thoughts are my own.
Plus, the poor dude just didn't feel good. Let's give him some slack.
The suspense wasn't keep-you-up-with-nightmares tense, but definitely edge-of-your-seat tense. The fight scenes were fantastic. The plot line was so good. The characters were likable, buuuuuut somehow they seemed...shallow? Like, I understood that Ben was under a great deal of stress, and he did well, but...idk. I failed to seriously connect. I did understand his want/need to fix things and set them right. And his desperation when things didn't go according to plan. (Am I a fixer that has issues when things don't go according to plan? Yes. Yes, I am.) But as far as emotional connection goes...nah. (I did love how it wasn't your typical top-of-the-food-chain-agent story, but more of a lowest-agent-on-the-totem-pole story)
Clara was endearing and spunky. The bad guys were...your average bad guys. All in all, there was nothing really remarkable about the characters.
And the message? Well, honestly, I didn't even realize there was supposed to be a message until I read a friend's review, mentioning the author's note. (I thought I'd read the author's note, but *cough* apparently I didn't read it well enough) It was a good story, engaging plot line, and I absolutely loved the overall story, but with shallow(ish) characters and lacking a meaty message, it fell just short of five stars.
As far as romance goes, there was a liiiiitle kissing and terms of endearment, but there was such a tiny amount, I'm not even gonna complain about it!
So. A shorter review, but I definitely recommend this one! Four solid stars!
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher for promotional purposes. All thoughts are my own.
April 28, 2021
I have been looking for a real, proper James Bond/Jason Bourne style spy thriller in CF publishing for so long... years even... and there are certainly some good spy novels out there, don’t get me wrong - especially in the more romantic suspense lane. But THIS! This is the book I have been looking for!
If you, too, have been looking for that super fast-paced, all action, proper spy novel, look no further!
The Paris Betrayal delivers covert action in spades. Meet Ben Calix. And then get thrown in the deep end! The action is heart-racing, and the writing is tight! James R. Hannibal has delivered not only a suspenseful read that will keep you wanting more, but also a solid character development journey. And I’m really hoping we’re going to see more of Ben in the future!
A word of warning, there is plenty of action and therefore plenty of violence in this book, so if you don’t love that, it might not be your cup of tea... But if you love all the action, you’re going to love this one!!!
Thanks @revellbooks and @netgalley for the ARC. I was only required to provide an honest review in return, and now that I have, please excuse me while I go download some more James R. Hannibal books!!
If you, too, have been looking for that super fast-paced, all action, proper spy novel, look no further!
The Paris Betrayal delivers covert action in spades. Meet Ben Calix. And then get thrown in the deep end! The action is heart-racing, and the writing is tight! James R. Hannibal has delivered not only a suspenseful read that will keep you wanting more, but also a solid character development journey. And I’m really hoping we’re going to see more of Ben in the future!
A word of warning, there is plenty of action and therefore plenty of violence in this book, so if you don’t love that, it might not be your cup of tea... But if you love all the action, you’re going to love this one!!!
Thanks @revellbooks and @netgalley for the ARC. I was only required to provide an honest review in return, and now that I have, please excuse me while I go download some more James R. Hannibal books!!
April 28, 2023
I feel kind of bad for rating it so low since I know some like it a lot... but it never really interested me.
I didn’t like the storyline, the writing, or the characters that much. But the biggest thing for me was the violence that seemed pretty unnecessary 🤷🏽♀️. The main character seemed to hurt/kill people even if they weren’t even “the bad guys”.
Clara was cool....
Not my type of book I guess :/. But I did like this authors Lost Property Office series.
I didn’t like the storyline, the writing, or the characters that much. But the biggest thing for me was the violence that seemed pretty unnecessary 🤷🏽♀️. The main character seemed to hurt/kill people even if they weren’t even “the bad guys”.
Clara was cool....
Not my type of book I guess :/. But I did like this authors Lost Property Office series.
May 18, 2021
Ben Calix comes home from his last mission to find things totally aren't what he expected. He wanted to relax instead he is attacked by a sniper, then an ambush and he soon finds out that he is out of The Company. He has been unfairly labeled a traitor. But why? And how can he stop the bioweapon that he fears will be unleashed if he is cut off?
The Paris Betrayal started out with a bang and as a reader I hit the ground running, so to speak. It took me a few pages to figure out what was going on and then I was quickly swept up int he action as I rootied for Ben to overcome his many obstacles. This is definitely a fast-paced novel that kept me turning pages quickly. I really liked Ben and wanted him to beat the odds. I also liked his friend, Clara, that helped him out of trouble to start with. There were some twists and turns that I didn't see coming and I wasn't sure how it was going to end until I got there.
I also thought it was interesting that he included the pandemic and it is set in our world today, as we near post pandemic time. I enjoyed reading his afterword where he talks briefly about the writing process of this book for him at this time in history. There wasn't a lot of spiritual substance for those who like more of that but otherwise The Paris Betrayal was a great, clean suspense novel that kept my interest all the way through. I like that eye catching cover too.
I received this book courtesy of Baker Publishing Group, Revell Division, through Interviews & Reviews. All opinions in this review are my own.
The Paris Betrayal started out with a bang and as a reader I hit the ground running, so to speak. It took me a few pages to figure out what was going on and then I was quickly swept up int he action as I rootied for Ben to overcome his many obstacles. This is definitely a fast-paced novel that kept me turning pages quickly. I really liked Ben and wanted him to beat the odds. I also liked his friend, Clara, that helped him out of trouble to start with. There were some twists and turns that I didn't see coming and I wasn't sure how it was going to end until I got there.
I also thought it was interesting that he included the pandemic and it is set in our world today, as we near post pandemic time. I enjoyed reading his afterword where he talks briefly about the writing process of this book for him at this time in history. There wasn't a lot of spiritual substance for those who like more of that but otherwise The Paris Betrayal was a great, clean suspense novel that kept my interest all the way through. I like that eye catching cover too.
I received this book courtesy of Baker Publishing Group, Revell Division, through Interviews & Reviews. All opinions in this review are my own.
May 24, 2021
first reviewed here: https://belovedgraceful-carissasbooks...
Title: The Paris Betrayal
Author: James R. Hannibal
Chapters: 71
Pages: 348
Genre: Christian Suspense, Christian thriller
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Publisher: Revell
Wow this wasn’t what I was expecting. The Paris Betrayal by James R. Hannibal. It was outside by normal reading wheel house. But was not disappointed and I will be picking up more of the authors books in the future.
I was hooked from page one and didn’t want to put it down. If I didn’t have to it down to go to work and sleep I would have literally read it in one sitting. The Paris Betrayal gave me James Bond vibes. A clean version of James Bond and I loved that. I want more of Ben Calix and the team. The ending wrapped up the storyline but left it at least in my opinion open for sequels which I wouldn’t say no to.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher a part of a blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Title: The Paris Betrayal
Author: James R. Hannibal
Chapters: 71
Pages: 348
Genre: Christian Suspense, Christian thriller
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Publisher: Revell
Wow this wasn’t what I was expecting. The Paris Betrayal by James R. Hannibal. It was outside by normal reading wheel house. But was not disappointed and I will be picking up more of the authors books in the future.
I was hooked from page one and didn’t want to put it down. If I didn’t have to it down to go to work and sleep I would have literally read it in one sitting. The Paris Betrayal gave me James Bond vibes. A clean version of James Bond and I loved that. I want more of Ben Calix and the team. The ending wrapped up the storyline but left it at least in my opinion open for sequels which I wouldn’t say no to.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher a part of a blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
June 1, 2021
THE PARIS BETRAYAL by James R. Hannibal is one of the best books I’ve read in years! I loved it. But then again, I love spy novels. This is not a sweet and gentle read. If that’s what you enjoy, this isn’t the book for you. But if you like mystery and lots of action, you’ll love this book. There’s twists and turns that will keep you guessing right up to the end.
My one complaint is that it doesn’t have a strong spiritual component to the story. But being able to read a good spy novel without having to skip every other word because they’re objectionable is a win-win situation as far as I’m concerned.
My one complaint is that it doesn’t have a strong spiritual component to the story. But being able to read a good spy novel without having to skip every other word because they’re objectionable is a win-win situation as far as I’m concerned.
April 8, 2021
I could tell you that I was hooked between Hannibal and Betrayal, but that would be judging a book by its cover. That made me want to read the synopsis, and that, my dears, was the hook in the nose. After an op in Rome goes sideways, Ben Calix returns to Paris to find himself under attack. His Company contacts have him pegged persona non grata. This is severance. The Director has closed the door on him, and Ben has no reasoning for what is happening. But one man is on the prowl and ready to scoop Ben into the folds of his own organization. Jupiter is poised and ready to welcome Ben with open arms, and the antidote to a plague of his own engineering.
The thing about Ben Calix, is that he knows he hasn't done anything to deserve severance. This is a set-up, and if he has been fed bad intel then he needs to find the right information and find a way to get it to the Director. Because it's the right thing to do, even if it is no longer his job. The action hits like a strike to the solar plexus followed by a series of rubber bullets to the kneecap and topped off with a KA-BAR hilt to the temple, but no worries, since you'll shake it off and beg for more. Why? Because Ben needs to push through to the answers and deliver them to the man who turned his back on Ben, but can still save the world.
You wouldn't know that the majority of the writing for The Paris Betrayal, including the threat of pandemic, was done before our world faced its own pandemic. I appreciate the work James R. Hannibal did to frame this masterpiece respectfully in light of what we've all experienced over the past year, but there's also no denying that our pandemic experiences make Jupiter's plot even more terrifying. And make you crave Ben's success maybe more than ever.
Thank you to the author and the publisher for allowing me a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own and are completely genuine.
The thing about Ben Calix, is that he knows he hasn't done anything to deserve severance. This is a set-up, and if he has been fed bad intel then he needs to find the right information and find a way to get it to the Director. Because it's the right thing to do, even if it is no longer his job. The action hits like a strike to the solar plexus followed by a series of rubber bullets to the kneecap and topped off with a KA-BAR hilt to the temple, but no worries, since you'll shake it off and beg for more. Why? Because Ben needs to push through to the answers and deliver them to the man who turned his back on Ben, but can still save the world.
You wouldn't know that the majority of the writing for The Paris Betrayal, including the threat of pandemic, was done before our world faced its own pandemic. I appreciate the work James R. Hannibal did to frame this masterpiece respectfully in light of what we've all experienced over the past year, but there's also no denying that our pandemic experiences make Jupiter's plot even more terrifying. And make you crave Ben's success maybe more than ever.
Thank you to the author and the publisher for allowing me a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own and are completely genuine.
May 31, 2021
Once again, James R. Hannibal has given an exciting, action-packed, and unpredictable tale. I was never bored while reading this and, once it was over, was sad I did not have it to turn to every night.
While I suspected some of the plot twists, I thoroughly enjoyed watching it all spin out of control. There was plenty of unexpected turns that kept me guessing the entire time. The suspense-action side of me appreciated this entire book.
The spiritual content was masked to me. In reading the author’s note at the end, I can now see the allegorical angle he was striving for, but as far as characters living out a Christian life, that was not really visible. I am not quite sure what to think about that angle, as only Christians will actually glean the intended message, and only if they are familiar with Job. Personally, I would have preferred the spiritual lessons to be more on-page than explained after the fact.
There is some gore and killing that may bother some sensitive readers.
It is not a romance, though there are some characters in love and some relationships the reader will probably end up rooting for. It was a thread that was steadily woven through the book but was not the focus since the main character was more focused on saving his life.
*I received this book from Revell and happily provided my honest review*
While I suspected some of the plot twists, I thoroughly enjoyed watching it all spin out of control. There was plenty of unexpected turns that kept me guessing the entire time. The suspense-action side of me appreciated this entire book.
The spiritual content was masked to me. In reading the author’s note at the end, I can now see the allegorical angle he was striving for, but as far as characters living out a Christian life, that was not really visible. I am not quite sure what to think about that angle, as only Christians will actually glean the intended message, and only if they are familiar with Job. Personally, I would have preferred the spiritual lessons to be more on-page than explained after the fact.
There is some gore and killing that may bother some sensitive readers.
It is not a romance, though there are some characters in love and some relationships the reader will probably end up rooting for. It was a thread that was steadily woven through the book but was not the focus since the main character was more focused on saving his life.
*I received this book from Revell and happily provided my honest review*
May 10, 2021
The Paris Betrayal by James R. Hannibal is the story I’ve been waiting for! I’ve been looking for a great spy thriller and this novel checked all of the boxes for my expectations:
Action. Check.
Hero against unbelievable odds. Check.
Exotic locations. Check.
More over-the-top death-defying action. Check.
High tech spy gadgets. Check.
Ben Calix works for a spy agency that is so top secret it can only be referred to as The Company. Someone’s set him up to take the fall and The Company burns him. So Ben finds himself on the run, being chased at every turn. He’s got to prove his innocence while stopping a terrorist from unleashing a biological weapon on US soil. And he does this with the help of a mysterious woman and her dachshund in tow.
I love the plot twists, drama, and did I mention action? Ben survives quite a few impossible situations and I loved every minute of it! Definitely check this novel out if you love spy thrillers.
Overall Rating:
5 stars (I loved it, couldn’t put it down)
Suspense Rating:
5 stars (Non-stop edge-of-your-seat suspense from start to finish)
I received an ebook review copy of this book through Revell and NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Action. Check.
Hero against unbelievable odds. Check.
Exotic locations. Check.
More over-the-top death-defying action. Check.
High tech spy gadgets. Check.
Ben Calix works for a spy agency that is so top secret it can only be referred to as The Company. Someone’s set him up to take the fall and The Company burns him. So Ben finds himself on the run, being chased at every turn. He’s got to prove his innocence while stopping a terrorist from unleashing a biological weapon on US soil. And he does this with the help of a mysterious woman and her dachshund in tow.
I love the plot twists, drama, and did I mention action? Ben survives quite a few impossible situations and I loved every minute of it! Definitely check this novel out if you love spy thrillers.
Overall Rating:
5 stars (I loved it, couldn’t put it down)
Suspense Rating:
5 stars (Non-stop edge-of-your-seat suspense from start to finish)
I received an ebook review copy of this book through Revell and NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
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