The American Mission

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What to expect

Bloomsbury presents The American Mission by Matthew Palmer, read by Erik Singer.

Global headlines come to life as intrigue and international politics collide in this electrifying debut thriller from Matthew Palmer.

After a devastating experience in Darfur strips Alex Baines, former rising star of the State Department, of his security clearances, he is faced with two choices: spend the rest of his career in visa-stamping limbo or move to the private sector.

On the verge of resigning, he receives a call from his old mentor with an incredible opportunity to start over with a role in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Yet the job isn’t quite what Alex imagined it to be, for he finds a shady U.S.-based mining company involved everywhere he turns.

As violence in the political climate escalates, Alex struggles to balance the best interests of the United States with the fate of the Congo and its people. His loyalties are put to the test as he races to determine the right course of action.

'A thriller of great integrity and intelligence…I highly recommend it.' Douglas Preston, #1 New York Times bestselling author
‘There's the mission the public knows, and the mission we'll never see. Matthew Palmer knows both, which is what makes The American Mission crackle with complexity and authenticity. What a debut.’ Brad Meltzer, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Critics Review

An authenticity you can taste… Laced with detail and with echoes of Joseph Conrad, this is a voyage into the heart of darkness that invites comparison to Frederick Forsyth

Daily Mail

A welcome British publication for one of America’s finest spy novelists. Matthew Palmer has worked for the US State Department for over 30 years and his experience of the secret world is evident on every page. Detailed and atmospheric, The American Mission is an exciting, grown-up spy thriller packed with insider knowledge. Highly recommended.

Charles Cumming

Insightful political thriller… [with a] vividly portrayed setting, author’s inside knowledge – Palmer is now deputy US ambassador in London – and a willingness to raise uncomfortable questions about the balance in diplomacy between ethics and profit

The Times

Palmer’s The American Mission is a thrilling read. With razor-sharp prose and a haunted, memorable hero in Alex, it delivers action-packed adventure while provoking deep thought. This page-turner brilliantly balances high-stakes exploits with insightful commentary on global issues. A must-read that left me breathless and thinking long after the last page.

Dreda Say Mitchell

The American Mission is one of those wonderful novels, where great storytelling is woven through with the intricate detail only a knowledgeable insider can supply. I loved it!

Iris Johansen, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Live to See Tomorrow

[A] terrific thriller… terrorists, kidnapping and extortion add up to a Wilbur Smith-like blockbuster

Peterborough Telegraph

A thought-provoking thriller that cuts along at a good pace

CrimeTime FM

An impressive thriller, one with goodies and baddies but also with nuance, thoughtfulness and lots of interest. The plot works well and the writing is good

The Critic

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