This debut novel is fast-paced and well-researched with events and details that hold your interest at every turn. Fans of spy novels and military ops will appreciate the high-level details, commands, tools, and procedures used throughout the novel by its hero and his allies. But the book also has heartwarming backstory and light romance. The varied and beautiful settings from Italy, Austria, Alaska, and D.C. truly take the reader on a grand adventure. The characters on the good side are likeable and the author makes it easy to get to know them. The story comes full circle at the end, filling in the gaps to leave a satisfying conclusion, as well as an interesting teaser to the next book in the series that I will be looking forward to. ( )