ZACHOR

Biff Roberts—the cool, confident, and composed director of the CIA’s counter terrorism division, is suffering a crisis of confidence. A career of harrowing covert ops has taken its stressful toll. The CIA cannot afford to have him burn out, nor can his wife.

He heads to Israel as a vacation destination for some greatly needed R&R, much to the chagrin of his doctors and colleagues. He and his Mossad counterpart, Phillipe Andros, immediately become embroiled in a complex international plot when they are forced to assassinate two Palestinian terrorist bombers in a Tel Aviv restaurant.

In the midst of a third intifada between the Palestinians and the Israelis, the ensuing conflict takes an unexpected turn, taxing Biff’s waning resources to their limits.

With his career and even his life in deep jeopardy again, will he be able to recover his mojo and overcome the grave threats against him and his country? Success has its price.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT ZACHOR

5.0 out of 5 stars ‘Better be an IED in that knapsack…CIA will go ballistic if word of this gets out’

Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2021
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Author R. Lawson has retired from his practice as a vascular surgeon and after publishing in excess of 120 professional, academic articles, he has found success as a novelist. Lawson’s literary reputation skyrocketed with his exceptional book RECALL in which he examined the effects of the Vietnam War on four men and on the US in the aftermath of the 1960s cultural revolution. His history of serving as a captain in the United States Air Force contributes to his ongoing series – The CIA International Thriller Series – CABO CAPER, KILLING TIME, RETRIBUTION, EXISTENTIAL THREATS, THE CARRINGTON PROPHECY and now ZACHOR.

As we continue to witness acts of terrorism at home and abroad, Lawson’s series is ever pertinent, and though based on fiction, the stories seem real. His lead character is the well-sculpted veteran CIA agent Biff Roberts, a figure as strong as Ian Fleming’s James Bond! In this new episode, the action takes place in Israel and the tension begins to mount as the story opens: “I hate it when my day starts like this.” Philippe Andros grumbled in a cautious, hushed tone. Biff Roberts stared at his compatriot. “What d’ya mean?” “See those two Palestinian boys sitting at the far table across the terrace? I don’t want to point…Over to the right of the tall waiter in white gloves serving the next table?” He nodded, avoiding looking n that direction. “The one wearing the red and white shemagh talking to the kid on his phone?” his colleague whispered after a furtive glance. ….He’s programming an IED in the knapsack to remotely detonate soon after they leave the restaurant…’

Lawson provides a brief overview of the novel’s story: ‘ Biff Roberts—the cool, confident and composed director of the CIA’s counter terrorism division, is suffering a crisis of confidence. A career of harrowing covert ops has taken its stressful toll. The CIA cannot afford to have him burn out, nor can his wife. He heads to Israel as a vacation destination for some greatly needed R&R, much to the chagrin of his doctors and colleagues. He and his Mossad counterpart, Phillipe Andros, immediately become embroiled in a complex international plot when they are forced to assassinate two Palestinian terrorist bombers in a Tel Aviv restaurant. In the midst of a third infitada between the Palestinians and the Israelis, the ensuing conflict takes an unexpected turn, taxing Biff’s waning resources to their limits. With his career and even his life in deep jeopardy again, will he be able to recover his mojo and overcome the grave threats against him and his country? Success has its price.’

Exceptional skill is creating the effects of terrorism on countries as well as individuals, Lawson proves again that he is a pro in the genre of international thriller mysteries. Read ZACHOR and you’ll be reaching for the other books in this excellent series. Recommended. Grady Harp, July 21