Books

Damascus Station

David McCloskey

‘One of the best – and most authentic – spy thrillers in years’ The Times

***THE TIMES THRILLER OF THE YEAR***

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A CIA officer and his recruit arrive in Damascus to hunt for a killer

CIA case officer Sam Joseph is dispatched to Paris to recruit Syrian Palace official Mariam Haddad. The two fall into a forbidden relationship, which supercharges Haddad’s recruitment and creates unspeakable danger when they enter Damascus to find the man responsible for the disappearance of an American spy.

But the cat and mouse chase for the killer soon leads to a trail of high-profile assassinations and the discovery of a dark secret at the heart of the Syrian regime, bringing the pair under the all-seeing eyes of Assad’s spy catcher, Ali Hassan, and his brother Rustum, the head of the feared Republican Guard. Set against the backdrop of a Syria pulsing with fear and rebellion, Damascus Station is a gripping thriller that offers a textured portrayal of espionage, love, loyalty, and betrayal in one of the most difficult CIA assignments on the planet.

PRAISE FOR DAMASCUS STATION:

‘Simply marvellous storytelling…a stand-out thriller and essential reading for fans of the genre’ – Financial Times

‘The best spy novel I have ever read’ – General David Petraeus, former director of the CIA

‘For the most accurate fictional account of what life is like working in today’s intelligence services, forget John Le Carré and read David McCloskey’s thrilling Damascus Station’ – Sir John Sawers, ex-Head of MI6

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RAVE READER REVIEWS FOR DAMASCUS STATION

‘Read this book… and order Moscow X‘

‘An intense, unforgettable tour de force that must be read’

‘WOW! What an astonishing read’

‘David McCloskey knows his stuff… an impressive page-turner’

‘Genuinely original’

‘Excellent, gritty espionage novel’

‘A refreshingly credible, engaging and exciting spy thriller’

Paperback

ISBN: 9781800752696

Published: January 26, 2023

Ebook

ISBN: 9781800752702

Published: October 20, 2022

Category:
Fiction

Reviews for Damascus Station

‘One of the best spy thrillers for years … McCloskey is a former CIA analyst who worked in the Middle East. As with le Carré, much of the fascination of his writing comes from his insider’s knowledge of spying’s shadow ballet … Treat yourself to a walk along the Street Called Straight: you won’t find a more compelling guide than David McCloskey’ The Times

‘Damascus Station is simply marvellous storytelling…a stand-out thriller and essential reading for fans of the genre’ – Financial Times

‘An astonishingly accomplished debut that masterfully mixes action, tradecraft lore, a grown-up Romeo and Juliet story and bags of untold intelligence about the conflict’ – John Dugdale, The Times Best Thriller Books of 2023

‘Superb breathlessly gripping thrilling & truly terrifying, written in unadorned style by an CIA agent, almost real in its details of CIA espionage in Syria, savage feuds within Assad palace, intrigues of Mideast. Highly recommended‘ – Simon Sebag Montefiore

‘Standout debut from a veteran former CIA officer … packed with insider knowledge and the story itself feels completely authentic. The action rolls across Paris and Damascus to make a cracking, highly topical tale of espionage, intertwined with an electric romance’ – Adam LeBor, Financial Times

‘Of the contemporary heirs to Fleming, David McCloskey is the most readable and exciting. A former CIA analyst, Mr McCloskey writes novels that bristle with tradecraft and gadgets’ – The Economist Best Spy Novels

‘Le Carré, 2.0 … a superior thriller … more insights than a dozen non-fiction books’ – Prospect

‘This superb debut from a former CIA Analyst is one of the most striking spy novels since Mick Herron’s magnificent Slow Horses in 2010… told with exceptional flair, it identifies McCloskey as an exciting new voice in espionage. Relish every page, the story demands it‘ – Geoffrey Wansell, Daily Mail

‘An extraordinary novel’ – Rory Stewart

Author

David McCloskey

David McCloskey is a former CIA analyst and former consultant at McKinsey & Company. While at the CIA, he worked in field stations across the Middle East and briefed senior White House officials and Arab royalty. He lives in Texas.