The Libyan Diversion

The Libyan Diversion (the fifth book in Joel C. Rosenberg’s Marcus Ryker series) can hold its own against any of the late Vince Flynn’s novels, with all the cloaks, daggers and clandestine White House meetings that fans of political espionage crave. But Rosenberg doesn’t use sex and shocking language to keep us turning pages. The rocket-fueled story alone will make your adrenaline spike. 

Former U.S. Marine Marcus Ryker has barely recovered from his last CIA covert mission when he’s called back into action. All his team’s intel gathering has paid off when they believe they’ve identified the headquarters of Abu Nakba, the “Father of Disaster,” in the Libyan desert. Nakba is the most wanted terrorist in the world since Osama bin Laden and, if Ryker is right, they can blow him off the map and cripple his network. They just need President Andrew Clarke’s approval.

Unfortunately, there are some doubts. Proof that Nakba has taken refuge in the suspected building is circumstantial at best, a fact that CIA Director Stephens is quick to point out. Persuaded, however, Clarke signs off on a bombing. Shortly after the fighter jets return, the world news reports that not only is Nakba still alive, but that the building didn’t house a terrorist cell. It was a school for disabled children. The President suffers a near-fatal stroke, the media pounces, Ryker is suspended and things only get worse from there.

Leaving it to his team to pick up the pieces, Ryker and his girlfriend go off the grid to wait out the political firestorm. Meanwhile, the Father of Disaster and his followers plan their next attack: the assassination of the Pope on U.S. soil in the most spectacular and horrific way imaginable. More twists and turns follow, and Ryker is ultimately reinstated and sent to Libya, unaware that the terrorists he’s seeking are crossing the U.S. border. 

While Rosenberg’s style is equal to anything in the mainstream market, his voice is uniquely Christian in ways that feel natural. The faith as expressed by the characters is organic, never distracting. But Ryker himself is no saint. If he thinks inflicting tremendous pain before shooting a prisoner will save American lives, he’ll do it. His enemies are even more ruthless, coldly killing young aide workers and children in their war against The Great Satan. Ryker’s methods are neither condemned nor praised, while we are left to consider that there are no perfect solutions in an imperfect world.

Though this is the only book I’ve read in the series, I had no problem following along. I did sometimes have trouble putting it down long enough to sleep. (Tyndale)